Richard Brody discusses his DVD-of-the-Week, Ingmar Bergman’s 1972 drama “Cries and Whispers”: http://nyr.kr/XNp4FP

(Source: newyorker.com)

Ed Koren has crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon three times, an accomplishment that provided the inspiration for this week’s cover, “On Your Mark!” But how about his furry creatures? What was the inspiration for them? “During the late nineteen-sixties and early seventies, an avalanche of hirsutism and fuzziness took over the nation,” Koren told us. “Long hair, wild hairdos, exuberant facial appendages were everywhere as expressions of social rebellion, political revolt, and a general questioning of everything established.”

It was hard not to feel a bit sorry for Mitt Romney as he rambled his way through an explanation of his “forty-seven per cent” comments at yesterday evening’s press conference. He has to apologize for not just one or two errant phrases, but for a full-length, stream-of-consciousness rant—the sort of fed-up, worn-out, over-emotional outpouring you might hear from your grumpy grandpa as dinner stretches into its second hour. It’s incidents like this that make you realize how unpleasant running for President must be. Temporary, adoring crowds notwithstanding, it’s just one apology and embarrassment after another.

Bruce Springsteen: The Stories Behind the Photographs.

In this week’s issue, David Remnick profiles Bruce Springsteen. Click-through for a selection of photographs of Springsteen from over four decades, with words from the photographers who captured him: http://nyr.kr/MWTvFj

Watch Bruce Springsteen performing “Prove It All Night” with its famous opening guitar solo in the video above, and then click-through to see more videos from 1978, the golden age of The Boss: http://nyr.kr/OTWVs4

In his Profile of Bruce Springsteen in this week’s issue, David Remnick describes the Asbury Park rocker’s 1972 audition with John Hammond and his early career with Columbia Records:

Columbia signed Springsteen to a record contract and tried to promote him as “the new Dylan.” He was not the only one. John Prine, Elliot Murphy, Loudon Wainwright III, and other singer-songwriter sensitivos were also getting the “new Dylan” label. (“The old Dylan was only thirty, so I don’t even know why they needed a fucking new Dylan,” Springsteen says.)

Two years later, The New Yorker’s rock critic, Ellen Willis, went to see Springsteen perform at Avery Fisher Hall. Here’s a look back at her thoughtful and decidedly mixed review of the up-and-coming rock star (which we’ve unlocked in our archive this week): http://nyr.kr/Oksnj4

Next month, “Just Tell Me That You Want Me: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac” will collect Mac covers from artists like Lee Ranaldo and J Mascis, Lykke Li, the Kills, and MGMT. One of the most hypnotic tracks on the tribute is “Storms,” which originally appeared on the gnomic 1981 album “Tusk” and is covered here by Matt Sweeney and Bonnie (Prince) Billy. We are pleased to offer this exclusive preview of that song: http://nyr.kr/NjiFjL

(Source: newyorker.com / The New Yorker)

This year’s WFMU fund-raising marathon starts February 20th, and as an enticement, the station’s d.j. Michael Shelley has created a special tribute album in which contemporary rock and pop artists cover their favorite Top 40 hits from the seventies. All songs were recorded for the compilation only. It’s not available in stores, physical or digital. The only way to get it is to make a pledge to the station.

(Source: newyorker.com / The New Yorker)