Bill Cooper
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hopebillhelps.bsky.social
Bill Cooper
@hopebillhelps.bsky.social
82 followers 200 following 150 posts
Arts & Culture Journalist/Writer/Editor
Words: Spectrum Culture, The Tonearm, Third Eye Psych, IHTOV, Substack
hopebillhelps@gmail.com
https://billstakes.substack.com/
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hopebillhelps.bsky.social
Today on @spectrumculture.bsky.social, I reviewed Stop the Insanity, a documentary about a memory-holed '90s health infomercial icon, Susan Powter:

spectrumculture.com/2025/11/19/s...
Stop the Insanity: Finding Susan Powter - Spectrum Culture
Stop the Insanity has the potential to be a hard-hitting documentary about financial hardship and inspirational new beginnings, but due to weak details, viewers will have to look elsewhere for answers...
spectrumculture.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:15 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
"Packed with five releases from 1978 to 1982, along with rarities and remixes, it’s a definitive place to start when uncovering this oft-forgotten late artist."

Wrote about the new Nicolette Larson Warner Bros. Box Set on @spectrumculture.bsky.social:

share.google/43zTBoEU8suk...
Nicolette Larson: Look in My Direction: The Warner Bros. Recordings - Spectrum Culture
Look in My Direction is the definitive starting point for uncovering the oft-forgotten ‘70s pop artist, Nicolette Larson.
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November 18, 2025 at 10:57 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
“For those who want their psych rock to travel to interplanetary places, Kungens Män’s latest record gives listeners a chance to rocket across the galaxy without leaving their chair.”

Wrote about Kungens Män's Resande I rockmusik on The Third Eye here:
thirdeyepsychrock.substack.com/p/resande-i-...
Resande I rockmusik by Kungens Män
Motorik grooves and cosmic sounds from Sweden’s finest psych explorers
thirdeyepsychrock.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:50 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
"Stripped of morality and riddled with confounding studio choices, Teen Witch is a film best enjoyed with a group of friends — preferably inebriated — and discussed at length afterward."

I wrote about Teen Witch on @spectrumculture.bsky.social
spectrumculture.com/2025/11/12/f...
From the Vaults of Streaming Hell: Teen Witch - Spectrum Culture
Teen Witch is a film best enjoyed with a group of friends — preferably inebriated — and discussed at length afterward.
spectrumculture.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:02 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
If you see this, post an album cover with a motor vehicle on it. Here's a personal fav.
November 8, 2025 at 12:01 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
Today on @spectrumculture.bsky.social, I wrote at length about an R.E.M. album that is near and dear to my heart.

I hope you enjoy it:
share.google/mhVFxVk0AMAC...
Discography: R.E.M.: Automatic for the People - Spectrum Culture
R.E.M. took on fame, middle age and mortality in a milestone album.
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November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
"A celebration of improvisational psych rock, the album grounds itself in ‘60s golden era psych-rock while interspersing new elements..."

Wrote about DWLVS' new live album on the Third Eye:

thirdeyepsychrock.blog/2025/11/06/l...
Live DWLVS Milwaukee May 11, 2024 - The Third Eye
A transcendent 51-minute improvisational psych-rock journey, Live DWLVS captures Dire Wolves at their most immersive and otherworldly.
thirdeyepsychrock.blog
November 6, 2025 at 2:23 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
"An array of stringed instruments and a groove-centric sound makes for an engaging sophomore effort from Rick Pedrosa’s psychedelic ambient project."

Today on @spectrumculture.bsky.social, I wrote about The Far Sound's new album: share.google/dqjQ2xqYJUOn...
The Far Sound: To Heart, To Earth - Spectrum Culture
An array of stringed instruments and a groove-centric sound makes for an engaging sophomore effort from Rick Pedrosa’s psychedelic ambient project.
share.google
November 5, 2025 at 7:55 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
"Despite tough topics portrayed in a gruesome manner, Whore is a decent record and a great starting point for listening to this doom sludge metal trio."

Today on @spectrumculture.bsky.social, I wrote about the Mephistofeles' Whore reissue:
share.google/Bz0LMIdSQxOt...
Mephistofeles: Whore - Spectrum Culture
Despite tough topics portrayed in a gruesome manner, Whore is a decent record and a great starting point for listening to this doom sludge metal trio.
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November 4, 2025 at 2:57 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
"Focusing his lens on the subject of television...Ozu illustrates how consumerism affects a culture, as well as providing a touchstone for modern-day viewers to examine their own fears of progress."

Today on @thetonearm.com, I wrote about Ozu's Good Morning:

www.thetonearm.com/the-unboxed-...
Yasujirō Ozu's 'Good Morning' and Post-War Consumerism
In his 1959 comedy 'Good Morning,' Ozu captures the precise moment when Japanese families confronted their first screens, revealing how the promises of connection through technology often deliver isol...
www.thetonearm.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:58 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
"Due to a confusing plot, weak character motivation, and shoddy filmmaking, this period piece never pays off."

Today on @spectrumculture.bsky.social, I wrote about Where the Wind Blows: share.google/ICB4qJ9mbuRi...
Where the Wind Blows - Spectrum Culture
Due to a confusing plot, weak character motivation, and shoddy filmmaking, this period piece never pays off.
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October 29, 2025 at 7:58 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
"Watson and his quartet put on a technically impressive show, but listeners may yearn for more memorable jazz."

Today on @spectrumculture.bsky.social, I review Bobby Watson's Perpetual Groove reissue via Red Records:
spectrumculture.com/2025/10/27/b...
Bobby Watson: Perpetual Groove - Spectrum Culture
Watson and his quartet put on a technically impressive show, but listeners may yearn for more memorable jazz.
spectrumculture.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:18 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
Wrote on Substack about Pitchfork's upcoming controversial decision to allow audience ratings and comments, my thoughts, and how I think it might impact music criticism.

Link here: open.substack.com/pub/billstak...
October 28, 2025 at 1:01 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
On @spectrumculture.bsky.social, I wrote about Esther Rose, Jobi Riccio, and Higher Ground in Burlington, VT, in my latest concert review.

spectrumculture.com/2025/10/26/c...
Concert Review: Esther Rose/Jobi Riccio - Spectrum Culture
Imposing, angry clouds gathered on the outskirts of Burlington, VT, but by the time Santa Fe-based Esther Rose took the stage with her band, rain was likely the last thing on the audience’s mind.
spectrumculture.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:03 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
"Psychedelic, brilliant, and even sometimes frightening, it connects a nexus of French traditions and culture within its music with cutting-edge folk, psychedelia, and prog rock."

On Third Eye Psych Rock, I revisited Catherine Ribeiro + Alpes' Paix:
thirdeyepsychrock.blog/2025/10/18/p...
Paix by Catherine Ribeiro + Alpes (1972) - The Third Eye
Discover Paix (1972), the groundbreaking psychedelic masterpiece by Catherine Ribeiro + Alpes that blends French chanson, folk, and prog.
thirdeyepsychrock.blog
October 20, 2025 at 12:13 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
"The idea that Musk and many tech companies are proposing isn’t just flawed. It’s backwards. Aren’t these companies the ones that typically push progress?"

On Substack, I wrote about the Silicon Valley push for the 996 schedule, work culture, and burnout:
billstakes.substack.com/p/more-hours...
More Hours Doesn't Mean Better Work
"The 996" and Other Outdated Work Culture Myths
billstakes.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Reposted by Bill Cooper
charlesjohnston.bsky.social
I responded to a message just like this one a year ago and writing for Spectrum Culture has been a deeply rewarding experience ever since.
spectrumculture.bsky.social Spectrum Culture @spectrumculture.bsky.social · Oct 15
We have openings for folks to review music, film and/or books. Send us a DM for more info.
October 15, 2025 at 5:45 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
Over 18 months and more than 100 pieces later, I can say working for this site has been an overwhelmingly positive experience and has put me in touch with some really cool people.

Worth reaching out...even if you're only just a little curious.
spectrumculture.bsky.social Spectrum Culture @spectrumculture.bsky.social · Oct 15
We have openings for folks to review music, film and/or books. Send us a DM for more info.
October 15, 2025 at 5:57 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
Wrote on @spectrumculture.bsky.social about 100 Meters, a sports anime film I wanted to like more than I did:
spectrumculture.com/2025/10/13/1...
100 Meters - Spectrum Culture
100 Meters sidelines a compelling narrative in favor of a disconnected web of philosophical motivations, losing sight of why people connect to sports, and particularly sports anime.
spectrumculture.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:35 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
Thank god I was worried it was fake
October 10, 2025 at 9:21 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
Mobley in the mornin'
October 8, 2025 at 3:18 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
Are We Good? No, really, are we?

Steven Feinartz's latest documentary about comedian and podcaster Marc Maron consists of themes of grief and self-doubt that are universal and wholly relatable.

Read more at @spectrumculture.bsky.social:
share.google/shWfvh9VcDWf...
Are We Good? - Spectrum Culture
The comedian and podcaster Marc Maron may be at the heart of Feinartz’s documentary, but its themes are universal and wholly relatable.
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October 7, 2025 at 5:34 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
Gee, they ain't lyin', huh?
October 2, 2025 at 9:02 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
"Let's go, it's beat time, it's hop time, it's monk time!"

Today on @spectrumculture.bsky.social , I review the Munster Records reissue of one of the strangest yet essential '60s albums...The Monks' Black Monk Time:
spectrumculture.com/2025/09/30/t...
The Monks: Black Monk Time - Spectrum Culture
Most influential albums aren’t as enjoyable six decades later, but the Monks’ Black Monk Time is as engaging as it was back then, akin to an extraterrestrial discovery existing outside ‘60s nostalgia.
spectrumculture.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:02 PM
hopebillhelps.bsky.social
It's hard not to feel left out if you don't enjoy every "groundbreaking" album.

In my latest Substack post, I argue the hidden costs of these hype trains by highlighting a particular band: Geese
billstakes.substack.com/p/its-okay-i...
It's Okay If You Don't Like Geese.
The Hidden Costs of Hype Trains
billstakes.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 4:04 PM