2008, Exit Stencil Records
Spanish Prisoners‘ first album, Songs to Forget, starts and ends sparsely, but definitely not forgettably.
Archive for the 'B' Category
2008, Self-released
Australian folk singer Tom Bolton is a formidable guitarist who writes romantic/poetic lyrics occasionally reminiscent of later-era Sting.
2007, Sony Picture Classics
Written/Directed by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud
Starring: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Danielle Darrieux, Danielle Darrieux, Simon Abkarian
I have a bit of a thing for French/Iranian far-left cartoon women, so this movie was kind of my territory. If you don’t know, Persepolis is a beautifully hand-drawn film based on an autobiographic graphic novel of the same name by Marjane Satrapi. It has a few flaws, but it’s very entertaining–assuming you can get past its blatant socialist message.
2007, Absolutely Kosher
This new record from Frog Eyes sounds a bit like Arcade Fire, especially the layered sound and vocal style. The difference is that this is a little less homogeneous, and a little less organized.
2008, Thrill Jockey
School of Language mastermind David Brewis has an interesting thing going.
2008, Thrill Jockey
Baltimore’s Dave Heumann and Nathan Bell make up the aptly named Human Bell. In the vein of instrumental outfits like Tortoise, Human Bell’s self-titled release has a lot to offer.
I’m Not There kind of depends on the fact that any straightforward Bob Dylan biopic wouldn’t live up to expectations, and director Todd Haynes has lovingly exploited that fact by making a film so deliberately obtuse that it’s hard to actually criticize.
This is another solid, if not groundbreaking solo record from the prolific Mark Knopfler.
The Stage Names can only enhance in 2007 what Black Sheep Boy did for Okkervil River in 2005.
Gone are concepts of vampires and robots, dry humor lyrics, and ‘Your Mom’ (”Say Hi to Your Mom” is now officially “Say Hi”).
2007, Arts & Crafts International
Based around a male-female vocal duet and catchy beats, Stars have continued to release good Indie-pop albums, and In Our Bedroom After the War is no exception.
2007, RCA
This record is interesting, although a little front heavy.
Continue reading ‘Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience, and Grace’
Flight of the Conchords is some hilarious stuff; one might call them a “funny Tenacious D.”
Continue reading ‘Flight of the Conchords - The Distant Future EP’
Neko Case is in fine voice, and this has all the makings of a classic live recording. She is probably the second coming of Patsy Cline, if there could ever be such a thing.
What can I say? It’s early Pink Floyd, how could it be bad?
Continue reading ‘Pink Floyd - Piper At The Gates Of Dawn 40th Anniversary Special Edition’
