This magazine makes me feel uncomfortable. I have a sneaking suspicion that this is a Yuppie magazine. This should not be a reason why people avoid Stopsmiling; rather, there are some interesting pieces in this issue of the magazine. I have absolutely no idea about any of the individuals that they cover in this issue of Stopsmiling; if that was their goal, they have succeeded completely. Of particular note this time is a piece about the changes that have happened in the magazine The Nation. This piece really explains why the magazine used to be so boring and dry and why now it is at least somewhat interesting while still being very informative. One of the best articles in this issue is one that catches up with Pete Seeger and questions eir about Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, and what ey has been up to for the last few years. This piece is something I just had to bury my face into, because I love Pete Seeger, and I had no idea that ey was still alive. There is minimal coverage in music in this issue; the theme for #25 is “The Documentary Issueâ€, so that is what the bulk of the pieces tend to focus on this time. For those individuals that want a double shot of culture for cheap (instead of going out to wine-tasting or a gallery opening), Stopsmiling may just be what is necessary to inform individuals what is going on with the upper crust.
Rating: 6.0/10
Stopsmiling #25 / $5.95 / 1:45 / 92M / http://www.stopsmilingonline.com / Reviewed 01 July 2006
John Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture since 1998. With over 25 years of continuous digital publishing experience, he has written thousands of hands-on game and record reviews, conducted in-depth hardware field testing, and analyzed digital media monetization trends. His work prioritizes first-hand evaluation and long-term product testing.
Beats: Independent Music, PC Gaming & Peripherals, Consumer Tech, Webmaster Tools
Testing & Ethics: All hardware, software, and media reviews are conducted through hands-on evaluation in accordance with NeuFutur’s editorial independence standards; sponsored consideration is strictly excluded from editorial ratings.
Contact: editor@neufutur.com