IIRC that mag was started by people that defected from The Mother News when TMEN "sold out and went corporate and lost it's way".

NGL, I prefer TMEN first 10 years to all the years that followed, too. But I prefer the first 2 years of Backwoods to all the years that followed there as well.

Seems like they split on "political" lines. You'll prefer Mother if you identify as a DEM and Backwoods if you identify as a REP. And if you can actually think for yourself you'll find 20-30% value in each.