
Defendants who were set free

Poetry slam fosters hope
Students participating in the “Louder Than a Bomb” poetry slam competition find words — even raw, emotional words — can heal.
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The thrill of the ride in the Tesla
I’m riding in a red Tesla Model S, the stunning all-electric vehicle from PayPal founder Elon Musk, and realize that this is less a car than a piece of philosophy. In a world beset by environmental pessimism, where many believe we must lower our expectations, downsize our lives, and adjust to the notion that tomorrow will be worse off than today, Tesla offers a rip-roaring, 120-mph riposte. It turns out we can have it all.
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Seeing firsthand how life could be fragmented
Kurt Schwitters was one of the most fascinating of modern artists, and this large work is his most commanding in the United States.
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When wartime appearances were deceiving by design
The 23d Headquarters Special Troops, which served during World War II, is the subject of the documentary “The Ghost Army.”
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MIT, Pilobolus dance in the rain, sort of, for ‘Umbrella Project’
On darkened Jack Barry Field at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “UP: The Umbrella Project” was beautiful and a bit goofy.
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Geena Davis talks of gender roles in media
Oscar-winner Geena Davis returns to Boston to raise awareness of gender disparity in media programming aimed at young children.
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Daft Punk, ‘Random Access Memories’
There’s definitely an epic heft to the album, aided by a deep, varied bench of guest talent.
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The National, ‘Trouble Will Find Me’
Frontman and songwriter Matt Berninger conveys a lot of emotion in his laconic delivery, which creates a nervous tension in the music.
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Darius Rucker, ‘True Believers’
Give credit to Rucker for jumping from mega-selling Hootie & the Blowfish to take a stab at a country music career.
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George Strait, ‘Love is Everything’
This release — Strait’s 40th! — should reassure his fans that he’s not departing the studio anytime soon.
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French Montana, ‘Excuse My French’
French Montana’s long-delayed debut finally arrives, and much of it lands with blunt force without quite demonstrating a fully-formed vision.
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‘And the Mountains Echoed’ by Khaled Hosseini
The beloved author of “The Kite Runner” returns to the rugged landscape of his home country, Afghanistan.
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TV chat: What will be funny this fall?
Can NBC’s “The Michael J. Fox Show” and CBS’s Robin Williams sitcom, “The Crazy Ones,” work this fall? Matthew Gilbert chats with readers.
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New seasons for two Boston chamber orchestras
Two of the city’s busiest chamber orchestras — A Far Cry and the Discovery Ensemble — recently announced their programs for next season.
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