Arts & Entertainment
The latest arts and entertainment highlights, previews, reviews, music and film features and opinion pieces from The Skinny writers.
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BooksThe Borrower by Rebecca Makkai
On face value, The Borrower is a story about a librarian, a small boy and the primacy of the written word; on second thought it is a political satire... Read more »| 25 Aug 2011 -
Music
The National @ Corn Exchange, 23 August
As The National take stage for their inaugural Edinburgh show to initial rousing applause, there follows a hushed expectancy that immediately bristles neck h... Read more »| 25 Aug 2011 -
BooksGood As Dead by Mark Billingham
Not to be confused with Mark Billingham’s last book, From The Dead, this latest offering is a solid police procedural. In fact, there’s r... Read more »| 25 Aug 2011 -
MusicThe Pineapple Chunks – A Dog Walked In
It’s hard to figure where an oddity like The Pineapple Chunks might fit in the grand scheme of things. Theirs is a sound slick with nostalgia, with hea... Read more »| 24 Aug 2011 -
MusicMariachi el Bronx – Mariachi el Bronx II
What made Mariachi el Bronx’s debut such an intriguing listen was just how accomplished it was, especially given the style’s untried nature for t... Read more »| 24 Aug 2011 -
Music
CANT – Dreams Come True
Dreams Come True is a collaboration between Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear and George Lewis Jr. of Twin Shadow, and it sounds – hold on to your hats! &nd... Read more »| 24 Aug 2011
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Music
Luke Haines @ Cabaret Voltaire, 22 Aug
Luke Haines may take something of a backseat on this rare live appearance, but his sardonic sniping at middle-Britain is clearly evident nonetheless. Taking ... Read more »| 23 Aug 2011 -
Art
Art Late: Back With A Vengeance
The Edinburgh Art Festival will once again be going out in style with an after hours extravaganza of events tying together the different exhibitions across t... Read more »| 23 Aug 2011 -
Music
Molly Wagger – Flambeaux
It’s difficult to get a handle on Molly Wagger: an ‘alternative space rock’ outfit signed to a label known predominantly for disco and elec... Read more »| 23 Aug 2011 -
Art
The Indirect Exchange of Uncertain Value @ Fettes College
There’s a snippet of academic art speak that can still bring me out in hives five years after graduating from Glasgow School of Art. The context is hal... Read more »| 23 Aug 2011 -
Art
Ingrid Calame @ Fruitmarket Gallery
Unfortunately, identifiable with a style of modernism appropriated by every homeware store, you could be excused for thinking you’ve seen it all before... Read more »| 23 Aug 2011 -
Music
Thundercat – The Golden Age of Apocalypse
Adorned in Native American Indian garb and feathery headdress, Stephen Bruner aka Thundercat appears to have all the credentials. Hailing from the hub of Sou... Read more »| 23 Aug 2011 -
MusicRachel Sermanni – The Bothy Sessions EP
Rachel Sermanni is still only 19, but the Highlander offers up four songs on this EP which belie her youth. As the name suggests, the pieces were recorded in... Read more »| 23 Aug 2011 -
Music
Chad VanGaalen @ Captain's Rest, 18 August
On arrival, Tesla Birds (AKA Steven Kane of Happy Particles) is already sat cross-legged on the floor, hunched over miniature keys like Schroeder made flesh,... Read more »| 22 Aug 2011 -
Film
The Skin I Live In
After going through the motions with a couple of features that failed to match the sharp wit of his best work, Pedro Almodóvar's The Skin I Live In is... Read more »| 22 Aug 2011