Pullbox Issue 31

Listen:
Going to the library and finding a singer or band's greatest hits or best of collection has been educational. Some folks think I'm a music snob, but I have plenty of blind spots. When Foo Fighters had the HBO show, which was basically a promo for the new record, it had that subversive documentary spin. So I started looking into some of those bands. The one that stands is Cheap Trick. Their catalog holds up. Go ahead and Surrender. 

Read:
Eddie Huang burst onto my radar via Vice. Who is this Asian with that hip-hop swagger breaking bread like Anthony Bourdain? Since then, I've been a fan. Even did try some of his baos when I had a vacation in NYC some time ago. His book, Fresh Off the Boat, was a good read and I wouldn't mind a sequel or spin-off. Fans of the TV show, very loosely based on his book, might feel a bit disappointed. So I can't say in what order you should go, but do know that there are very different worlds.

Watch:
House of Cards is one of the few shows that I'll binge watch as soon as it comes out. Likely it's because it's the original show to give you the option to do so. But this year, I totally forget to do so. The pacing of the first episode totally makes you feel like they know people are binging and invites you to keep up. However, I'm going to try to do 2 episodes a week.

Follow:
You can follow me on Twitter @ntorquiano or Instagram @ntorq. For even more random distractions, bookmark NTORQ Tumblr.

Pullbox Issue 30

Listen:
Rather than tell you about the death of a podcast like last week, I'm recommending a fairly new one. The New Yorker Radio Hour has hopped on the bandwagon and started one a few months ago. It's still evolving and has borrowed from all your favorite podcasts and put it in a blender. Unlike other shows, the podcast does a commendable job of including humor. From the in-process discussions with cartoonists and even the celebrity short form readings..it's a nice break-up from the more serious pieces.

Read:
For someone that calls weekly email updates "Pullbox," I recommend very little comic books. To my understanding, the term comes from comic book stores pulling regular customers' favorite titles and holding them before they sell out. I still have boxes at my parents' home. However, ever since moving, it has been very difficult to keep up.

One creator that I'll forever check out is Adrian Tomine. He's best known for his Optic Nerve series and his cover illustrations for the New Yorker and other outlets. About half way through his latest work, Killing and Dying. Would also love seeing his work made into animated short or feature.

Watch:
EGOT - Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony - it's hard enough to grab one of those awards, but there some entertainers that cover all worlds. Becoming Mike Nichols is a great conversation made into a documentary. In his own words, the late director examines his formative years. Revealing.

Follow:
You can follow me on Twitter @ntorquiano or Instagram @ntorq. For even more random distractions, bookmark NTORQ Tumblr.

Pullbox Issue 29

Listen:
RIP The Champs podcast - all good things do come to an end. Comedy fans will love it. Weirdly, Dave Chappelle remains an enigma. That question always lingered since Neal Brennan did co-create The Chappelle Show, but even without him..The Champs was great on its merits.

Read:
I dig it when authors read their own works..In Other Words by Jhumpa Lahari makes me feel like I need to step up my own language skills.

Watch:
Viceland launched..the one show that I can easily see myself binging on is F**k that's Delicious with Action Bronson. Reminds you of early Bourdain..food tourism and having fun.

Follow:
You can follow me on Twitter @ntorquiano or Instagram @ntorq. For even more random distractions, bookmark NTORQ Tumblr.

Pullbox Issue 28

Listen:
I should recommend more albums, but unfortunately very few new stuff excites me. Most be the old man syndrome. A guy who hasn't lost it is John Carpenter. THE John Carpenter. THE ONE that made They Live, Assault on Precinct 13 and Big in Little China. His Lost Themes album came last year, and the sequel will come out later this year. I love his description: “They’re little moments of score from movies made in our imaginations,” Carpenter says.“Now I hope it inspires people to create films that could be scored with this music.”

Read:
My favorite new technique to go sleep is listening to audio books. My local library has an app that a decent selection. The timer feature is actually called sleep timer. It can be set to 15 or 30 minute intervals, so it's less of a guessing game the next night. A short book that I'll have to revisit is Alan Lightman's Einstein Dreams.

Watch:
The first part of Cooked seems promising. Looking forward to finishing the four part series.

Follow:
You can follow me on Twitter @ntorquiano or Instagram @ntorq. For even more random distractions, bookmark NTORQ Tumblr.

Pullbox Issue 27

Listen:
Egon still cranking out funky mixes.

Read:
Not a runner, but Christopher McDougall's Born to Run makes me reconsider the possibilities.

Watch:
TV season is back. Better Call Saul returns for season 2. It's a slow-starter, but unlike other shows..it actually builds to something satisfying. That show deserves one of those video essays because the show has so many elements worth dissecting.

Vinyl has all the best ingredients, but it doesn't quite taste right..Richard Hell's review is spot on.

Follow:
You can follow me on Twitter @ntorquiano or Instagram @ntorq. For even more random distractions, bookmark NTORQ Tumblr.