Marshall Presnell throws a bunch of pencil shavings and rusty nails in the holiday punch. Not much “up” as the year draws to a close, unfortunately.

Marshall Presnell cheers big comfy couches and Barack Obama, while jeers are doled out to stripping away OSHA’s regulatory power and lack of movement on the “I” word.

Marshall Presnell is transported back to an age of sugary plastic heat when thumbing through this new retrospective of postwar animation and cartooning.

Marshall Presnell steps back and admires both the beauty and utility presented in this photo collection of innovative loft spaces.

Marshall Presnell finds hidden truths about America on the back of a matchbook. Or, in this case, a handsomely printed volume full of reproductions of the best (and worst) of vintage matchbook art.

Marshall Presnell starts with the big concepts, like the sun, and works his way down, down, down to John Diebold in this installment of 2 Up 2 Down.

The long-awaited return of Marshall Presnell’s design musings! He’s got a love letter for Boeing, a need to find out what Dasani execs are smoking (and how he can get some), and he’s come to praise the prez not bury…. wait, he wants to do both.

Marshall Presnell gives the thumbs up to American, wait, human ingenuity in search of new frontiers, and gives a thumbs down to the BIG CONCEPTS.

As part of the spotlight on new writers at Columns, we’ve got a special preview of Marshall Presnell’s look at 21st Century design successes and failures. 2 Up 2 Down, give it a shot.

Moment of Truth (Del-Fi). Review by Marshall Presnell

…Want Some More (Estrus). Review by Marshall Presnell

Actual Size (Reprise). Review by Marshall Presnell

Fight Songs (Elektra). Review by Marshall Presnell

Funky-Do! (Estrus). Review by Marshall Presnell

The Coyote Men vs. El Mundo (Estrus). Review by Marshall Presnell

The Lewinsky EP (Happy Hamster). Review by Marshall Presnell

Review by Marshall Presnell

Psychopathia Sexualis (Estrus). Review by Marshall Presnell

Strung Out in Heaven (TVT). Review by Marshall Presnell

Event Review by Marshall Presnell