Kitchen Sink – Summer 2003

Containing socio-political commentary, pop culture interest pieces, comics and even recipes, Kitchen Sink—something of a catchall—is aptly named. It’s more zine than litmag, though, and looks the part. Graphically stunning, the entire thing is printed in blue—a harbinger of novelty from the get-go. Right at home in indigo is “Out of Sight,” a poem by Jonathan Loucks that captures fabulously the not-quite-sadness of a man reflecting on the way a passionate relationship has become staider with time. As for the fiction, it has a highly Californian flavor, being full of heart but slightly left-of-center. More enjoyable are the delightful articles, especially “The Price of Parenthood,” which fairly addresses the ambivalence of modern would-be procreators. Another piece, about “why poetry readings suck,” is resonant with candor:

Containing socio-political commentary, pop culture interest pieces, comics and even recipes, Kitchen Sink—something of a catchall—is aptly named. It’s more zine than litmag, though, and looks the part. Graphically stunning, the entire thing is printed in blue—a harbinger of novelty from the get-go. Right at home in indigo is “Out of Sight,” a poem by Jonathan Loucks that captures fabulously the not-quite-sadness of a man reflecting on the way a passionate relationship has become staider with time. As for the fiction, it has a highly Californian flavor, being full of heart but slightly left-of-center. More enjoyable are the delightful articles, especially “The Price of Parenthood,” which fairly addresses the ambivalence of modern would-be procreators. Another piece, about “why poetry readings suck,” is resonant with candor:

“. . . because I love poetry even more than I hate poetry readings, I refuse to give up. You might see me at Cody’s Books some night, hunched over in my metal folding chair and guzzling the jug wine they provide as anesthetic. I’m the one sighing and rolling my eyes. I’m the one who leaves as fast as she can when it’s over. I treat poetry readings like one-night stands, which is exactly how they should be treated. When it’s bad, you do the walk of shame. When it’s good, you put a note in your date book and remember it forever.”

All in all, Kitchen Sink is youthful and edgy, both in subject matter and in format, while managing to remain smart. After so much condescension from the media, it is nice to see “Generation X” (forgive the soubriquet) catered to so respectfully. [Kitchen Sink, 5245 College Avenue #301, Oakland, CA 94618. E-mail: [email protected]. Single issue $7.95. http://www.kitchensinkmag.com] – SRP