You may know these guys from their notorious hour-long song "Light of Day, Day of Darkness", or their earlier, more gothic stuff. Green Carnation aren't Asian, American, or Asian-American, (they're all the way in Norway) but they sure are good listenin' for people of every color and creed.

If you thought our improbably-hued flower was all rock and roll, think again. Their new album, "The Acoustic Verses", is reminiscent of Pain of Salvation's "12:5" with a touch of acoustic Dream Theater (think Silent Man or Disappear) mixed in. Surprisingly enough for a European doom band, this doesn't sound like acoustic Opeth. (Not that I'm confusing my genres: I know that Opeth are death of course.) It's way more lively and less depressing than any of their other stuff, not loud at all, and actually has clean vocals.

Buy it when it comes out:

http://www.theendrecords.com (free shipping!)

http://www.amazon.com

I just discovered this neat site:

http://www.rockinchina.com

Although it's not an Asian-American site, it's cool to see what folks are doing over in Asia. Check it out.

Have you ever wondered if Lord of the Rings' portrayal of 'the Easterlings' racist against West Asians? Have you ever balked at the rampant stereotypes found in literature that wouldn't even be shown on TV? Are you pissed off about the dearth of decent Asian American writers (Auntie Tan does not count)? Are you offended by books like "Rising Sun"? I know a lot of our people like science fiction; are you pissed off about William Gibson and other cyberpunk authors' orientalist/Asiaphile attitudes? Do you get pissed when you see a white character described as having "chestnut ringletted hair, olive skin, and sea-green eyes" but an Asian-American character described merely as Asian or, worse, as 'exotic' by an allegedly non-racist author? (Or even an author of color?) Do you think that Amy Tan, Bharati Mukterjee, etc. are overrated and actually racist against Asian people, especially Asian men?

I know I do.

THIS IS FOR YOU:  

http://www.xanga.com/asianbookreviews

It's my new site- literature from a much-needed Asian American perspective. While it doesn't have much content (I go to a really shitty school with too much work) check it out, bookmark it, and spread the word.

Check out the Verge Music Tour if you're in NYC, Boston, or Virginia. You can hear some of the hottest independent Asian stars out there.

http://www.vergemusictour.com

http://www.myspace.com/wholeheartmusic   

There has been a rap-shaped hole in all of our hearts ever since Jin left... but now here comes Taiyo, a kickass new rapper from my neck of the woods. And he's politically aware, too. Check him out.