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Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk (Book)
Kathleen Hanna
You think you know what this memoir from Bikini Kill/Le Tigre frontperson Hanna is gonna be like, but you'd be wrong...it's funny, engrossing, and draws you in, without sparing the gory details of the male violence & struggles of the 90's Riot Grrl scene...put that well-worn copy of "Reject All American" on the turntable & check out this worthy tome!
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Anatomy of a Fall (BLU)
"I did not kill him!"
"... that's not the point."
The first time I saw this movie, I was convinced without a doubt in my mind that Sandra Voyter did not kill her husband. The second time I saw it, I was sure she was a stone-cold murderer. That's because Anatomy of a Fall isn't interested in strictly telling you the facts of what happened that day. Instead, Justine Triet is far more interested in putting a marriage under a microscope, investigating the resentment that built for years upon years until that fateful fall out of a window in the French Alps. Whether he jumped, fell, or was pushed is what's being put on trial, but what was said and done far before that point is what really makes this one of the most fascinatingly unique courtroom dramas out there.
And if you aren't sold by that, let me also briefly mention that 1) this is the only courtroom drama in which 50 Cent's "P.I.M.P." plays a massive role in the plot, and 2) that this movie contains what may be the single best dog performance ever put to screen. There's nothing else quite like it, and there's no better way to own it than the brand new Criterion release.
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Thrones (LP)
Deathchant
In your face uptempo metal with duel guitars blasting your ear drums. For fans of Motorhead, Thin Lizzy, and cool stuff.
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Self Titled
Magic Fig
60s/70s prog inspired psych pop. For fans of Stereolab, Broadcast, Yes, and Soft Machine.
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Do The Strum! Girl Groups And Pop Chanteuses (1960-1966) (CD)
V/A
Three discs of space-pop from early and mid sixties girl groups? Sign me up! This Cherry Red compilation of Joe Meek's relatively limited girl group catalog certainly doesn't disappoint. With early Billie Davis demos, skiffle covers, great tapes from unknown singers, and plenty of Glenda Collins, there are a whole lot of great tunes in this box set, not to mention the very well done booklet. A few standouts are both of the tracks by the Halos, "Johnny-O" covered by an unknown singer, and "Heart And Soul" done by Diane And The Javelins (is that Joe singing backup?!). With three hours of songs, ranging from "fascinating production" to "why the heck did nobody put this record out?," this is a must-listen for any fan of Meek's production, sixties girl group sounds, or early experimental pop in general.
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Combustible Gems (LP)
Lightheaded
Lightheaded are a New Jersey pop music phenomenon (in my head for certain, but I reckon soon to be the world over). Their debut album grabs you by the hand for a reverb rich, harmony laden journey through a swirling garden of Beatlesesque but shoegazey, layered dream pop. It's excellent songwriting, showcased through a mix of guitar jangle, tasteful strings, and some notably exceptionally performed and well-produced vocals!
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Words and Music (LP)
Margo Guryan
Numero's fantastic triple album of Margo Guryan works, includes sixteen unreleased tracks. This compilation showcases an astounding songwriting range, from her classic vocal jazz to the sunshiniest of Southern California pop. Certainly having such a comprehensive album of the prior releases is a treat, but the newly released jazz tracks show a side of Guryan's songwriting (and piano performances) that was, until now, barley known to me. There is so much more to hear and appreciate in her later pop tracks after listening to this whole album!
With all of the classic songs we love plus the unreleased material (and a great, full sized photo book with the LP box), this album is perfect for seasoned and novice Guryan fans alike.
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A Dream Is All We Know (LP)
The Lemon Twigs
My time thinking that their previous effort, "Everything Harmony," was their strongest release was to be short lived. The Lemon Twigs hit once more with another album of brilliantly crafted guitar pop gems!
All power pop, all of the time, and these songs really make you want to hop up out of your seat!
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She Is Conann (BLU)
Probably one of the most bizarre movies I’ve seen in quite a while (in a good way). Wastelands are traversed, space and time are warped, and there’s an anthropomorphic hellhound hesher along for whole ride.
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Divinations
Aberration / Diabolic Oath
Insanely brutal split from two masters of chaotic Blackened Death Metal. Both of these bands also put out LPs this year (Refracture by Aberration and Oracular Hexations by Diabolic Oath) and both of those monsters are absolutely worth your time as well.
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Vengeance of Eternal Fire (LP)
Antichrist Siege Machine
25 and a half minutes of nonstop Death blasts courtesy of this spastic, hammering duo from Richmond, VA. Best listened to while performing a nailgun autopsy, irrationally operating a jackhammer, or going on a Sunday stroll through the Japanese Tea Garden.
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We Have Dozens of Titles (LP)
Gastr del Sol
3LP box set of unreleased material from this practically uncategorizable Chicago band. David Grubbs, Jim O’Rourke and co. covered a huge swath of sound in their brief career, and this collection provides everything from delicate sound loops to noisy Post-Rock and beyond.
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Akoma (LP)
Jlin
More fascinating and complex explorations into the outer limits of rhythm and electronics from this Pulitzer finalist. Her list of collaborators on this one includes Kronos Quartet(!) Björk(!!) and Philip Glass (!!!)
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As Spoken (LP)
Knoll
Grindy Death Metal with occasional Noise passages interspersed throughout. If you dig SF metal maniacs Succumb, give this one a listen.
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Magic Fig (LP)
Magic Fig
A dreamy opus of garage prog from some of my favorite songwriters and musicians in the San Francisco music scene. Angelic keys, ethereal vocals, and intricate guitar and bass melodies give their pursuit of space a tight and unpredictable propulsion. Go see them live!
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Tailem Bend (LP)
ORB
Fourth album of Psych/Prog dirges and jaunts from this Australian trio. Seamlessly fluctuates between airy, pensive jams and spacey caveman fuzz-outs.
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