Eric Althoff

Fredericksburg, Washington, D.C., United States

Editorial Opinion Copy Editor at The Washington Post

Writer at Freelance

Singer, writer, world traveler and adventurer.

Articles

Peter Holsapple - "The Face of 68" - ReadJunk.com

3 weeks ago | readjunk.com | Eric Althoff

Record Label: Label 51 RecordingsPeter Holsapple has jammed with such bands as Continental Drifters and the dB’s, and he’s striking out on his own with this solo disc for Label 51. Near the top of the batting order is the titular song—no, it’s not the year he was born, but it was the age he was when he recorded this spirited tune.
Peter Holfsapple - "The Face of 68" - ReadJunk.com

3 weeks ago | readjunk.com | Eric Althoff

Record Label: Label 51 RecordingsPeter Holsapple has jammed with such bands as Continental Drifters and the dB’s, and he’s striking out on his own with this solo disc for Label 51. Near the top of the batting order is the titular song—no, it’s not the year he was born, but it was the age he was when he recorded this spirited tune.
Secret Monkey Weekend - "Lemon Drop Hammer" - ReadJunk.com

3 weeks ago | readjunk.com | Eric Althoff

Record Label: Secret Monkey RecordsIt’s a family affair on the second disc from these North Carolinians. Lead singer and guitarist Jefferson Hart is back with step-daughters Lilia Brown-Hart and Ella Brown-Hart for a spirited affair—and with star producer Don Dixon (the Smithereens/REM) behind the board. “So Much Joy” offers precisely what the song promises, with punk-ish beats offset by its rather positive lyrics.
Firefall - "Friends & Family 2" - ReadJunk.com

3 weeks ago | readjunk.com | Eric Althoff

Record Label: Sunset Blvd. RecordsFirefall might be one of the most unheralded of supergroups out there, comprising band members who have played with the likes of Dan Fogelberg, Heart, the Byrds and many others. This is an album of covers by many of the bands these baladeers have jammed with previously, offering up new takes on “Love the One You’re With” and “Go Your Own Way” to kick things off.
Keyth Jones - "Love Yourself" - ReadJunk.com

3 weeks ago | readjunk.com | Eric Althoff

Record Label: Self-releasedAt long last the singer-songwriter behind Baltimore’s Fractal Cat has released his first solo EP. Of a piece with Jones’s other acid and funk rock, the artist gets down and dirty on “Run to Me,” which sounds like it could be the love child of latter-era Beach Boys, Nirvana and perhaps Duran Duran. The troubadour then switches gears entirely for a country-fried love song, “You’ve Been on My Mind,” that would make John Denver proud (it’s even got a killer banjo line!).
I need you to trust me. One last time. “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING”

1 month ago | screencomment.com | Eric Althoff

Tags: Mission Impossible, Simon Pegg, Tom CruiseI need you to trust me. One last time. Thus says superspy Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) to the president (Angela Bassett) at a key turning point in “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning.” The world’s biggest movie star, now 62, is essentially also speaking to audiences who have for years doubted his abilities to continue putting life and limb in danger to keep us entertained.
EBERTFEST 2025 brought stories of empathy to its audience

1 month ago | screencomment.com | Eric Althoff

CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, ILLINOIS—Walking into the historic Virginia Theatre, Ebertfest patrons were greeted with the sounds of organist Dr. Stephen Ball playing songs both historic (“My Favorite Things”) and contemporary (“Defying Gravity” from Wicked). It’s a wonderful way to set the mood in preparation for what was a thrilling and challenging few days of screenings in this college town that is home to the University of Illinois—and my former home in 2013 to 2014.
Southern Avenue - "Family" - ReadJunk.com

2 months ago | readjunk.com | Eric Althoff

Record Label: Alligator RecordsLet’s face it, we could all use more soulful songs in our lives. This Memphis group turns up the blues and roots sounds in their latest disc. “Long Is the Road” kicks things off in fine fashion, with some killer guitar riffs underlining some truly great harmonies. “Upside” keeps the party moving along, and “Found a Friend in You” is gospel-influenced joy, which is befitting considering the “friend” in question may be out of this world.
The Fredericksburg Film Festival turns two | HIGHLIGHTS

2 months ago | screencomment.com | Eric Althoff

“This is a labor of love,” Executive Director Dalton Okolo said Wednesday evening at the opening night festivities of the 2025 Fredericksburg Film Festival. “But there’s also film lovers, people who just want to sit in a dark room and have an experience.”Wednesday evening’s program started off with a round of short films, including “George” from Alex Craig and Aaron Craig, featuring Adrian Martinez (“Severance”) as a rather jolly crematorium worker.
The Fredericksburg Film Festival reaches two this week; we spoke to the organizers about the ins and outs of getting this show on the road

2 months ago | screencomment.com | Eric Althoff

Tags: Dalton Okolo, Fredericksburg Film FestivalIn the fall of 2020, as our lease was ending at our apartment in Alexandria, Virginia, my wife Victoria suggested we look for a new home fifty miles south in the Colonial town of Fredericksburg, founded in 1728. The pandemic had made us both remote workers for our D.C.-area jobs, and with the need to commute into the city entirely undermined by COVID, it was time to relocate.