Shiny Objects — No. 8

1. Deutschland83

Sundance TV is the place to see this terrific German-language series set in Cold War 1983. Jonas Nay is the charming star of this multi-layered spy story set in East and West Germany amid intense threat of nuclear war. There are all kinds of plot twists and switchbacks that will keep you guessing. The series — which Grantland’s Andy Greenwald has proclaimed the best TV series of the summer — is five episodes into an eight-episode run (at least for the first season).Underlying the storylines is the penetration of synthpop into pop culture at that time, and listeners my age will fondly remember some of those songs (including “99 Luftballons”). There’s a great scene where Nay’s character — who grew up insulated from progress in East Germany — discovers the joys of

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Who says print is dead?

Four different drum magazines seen recently at the Bakersfield Barnes & Noble.It's no secret that the print publishing business -- be it newspapers, magazines or books -- is undergoing massive struggles. 

But I never cease to be amazed at the pockets of resilience that surface here and there. 

The photo above would lead you to believe Bakersfield is overrun not only by drummers but drummers who can read (that's a little musicians' joke there--as a recovering drummer, I have the stripes to say it).

Take a step back, though, and you see these kinds of magazines are surrounded by countless others focused on guitarists, recording techniques and DJing. Many are imported from Britain, where the magazine business still seems to have legs. 

When music itself is ever digital, why the wide appeal of analog products? Maybe it's because the magazines include printed music or instructional DVDs (such as how to play Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters"). Maybe it's that most of the interviews go on for pages and pages, something mainstream publications frown on to appease short-attention spans or space restrictions.

Whatever the secret, there's something to celebrate. 

P.S. Rhythm is one kick-butt magazine. Worth a read whether you drum or not.