Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary
The Blu-ray version of this classic movie looks great (especially after Dorothy lands in Oz and everything turns to color) and includes a bonus disc with an award-winning six-hour behind-the-scenes film about the making of the movie.
Seasick Steve, Man From Another Time
At sixty-something years old, this American blues icon is a treasure who evokes the Black Keys on this stripped-down affair that finds him accompanied by only a drummer.
John Butler Trio, April Uprising
John Butler took some time off in 2008 and reconfigured his trio for this fine album that finds him writing from a more personal point of view.
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, I Learned the Hard Way
This Brooklyn, NY-based group delivers classic-sounding soul and R&B on its fourth album.
Bettie Serveert, Pharmacy of Love
Led by powerhouse singer-guitarist Carol von Dyke, the veteran Dutch indie rock band sounds newly inspired on this, its first studio release in four years.
Breaking Bad Season 2
Everything that can go wrong does wrong for meth-making chemistry professor Walter White (Bryan Cranston) in the gripping second season of AMC’s terrific drama.
John Zorn, In Search of the Miraculous
This beautiful recording is one of the veteran avant-garde jazz musician and composer’s most accessible recordings.
Drive By Truckers, The Big To-Do
In advance of a summer tour with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the Drive-By Truckers deliver another collection of epic Southern rock ballads and gritty bar room rockers.
Mad Men Season 3 (Lionsgate) Things get even more tumultuous for the Sterling Cooper advertising agency in the third season of this acclaimed AMC drama.
Men Who Stare at Goats
George Cooney and Ewan McGregor star in this funny film based on Jon Ronson’s book about the U.S.Army’s misguided attempts to wage psychological warfare.
Bright Eyes & Neva Dinova, One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels
A reissue of a collaboration between the emo artists that’s notable for the fact that includes four terrific previously unreleased tunes.
Goldfrapp, Head First
The UK synth pop act’s latest album evokes the retro ‘80s pop of ABBA on this infectious album.
Pavement, Quarantine the Past: Greatest Hits
A re-mastered collection of the slacker band’s greatest hits, this 23-song song collection shows just how well the group evolved (1999’s “Spit on a Stranger” still stands as one of the era’s best indie pop tunes).
The White Stripes, Under Great White Northern Lights
The band’s last legitimate tour is the basis of this DVD/CD/vinyl release. Whether delivering a cover of the country ballad “Jolene” or hammering out “Seven Nation Army,” the Detroit duo never sounded better.
The Whigs, In the Dark
Like Kings of Leon, this Athens, Georgia-based band updates Southern rock for a new generation.
Afghan Star
A documentary film about the annual American Idol-like contest that’s taken place in Afghanistan since 2005.
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Wes Anderson’s stop motion animation film is a terrific adaptation of a Roald Dahl short story about a wily fox (voiced by George Clooney).
She and Him, Volume Two
She (Zooey Deschanel) and Him (M. Ward) return with their second album of refined indie pop tunes.
Moreland & Arbuckle, Flood
This blues outfit out of Wichita evokes the Black Keys on this ramshackle album that updates the genre for a younger demographic.
Zeus, Say Us
Beatles-like harmonies from a band whose members used to play behind Broken Social Scene’s Jason Collett.
High on Fire, Snakes for the Divine
The best metal album to come out in this still-young year.
Citizen Cope, Rainwater LP
Citizen Cope’s first studio album in three years features a collection of solid, groove-oriented songs he road-tested over the past couple of years.
Up in the Air
George Clooney stars as a jet-setting corporate axe man who develops a conscience in Jason Reitman’s (Juno) Oscar-nominated film about a postmodern nomad.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Valleys of Neptune
A nicely re-mastered collection of tunes from a previously unreleased album, Valleys of Neptune sounds surprisingly cohesive.
Broken Bells, Broken Bells
The new group featuring the Shins’ James Mercer and Dangermouse offers up a good combination of precious vocals and adventurous electronic instrumentation.
Gorillaz, Plastic Beach
A slew of cameo appearances by Bobby Womack, Mos Def and Mark E. Smith pepper the latest offering from this hip-hop/dance group led by Blur’s Damon Albarn.
She & Him, “In the Sun”/”I Can Hear Music”
Tilly & the Wall backs the band on “In the Sun,” the twangy single from the duo’s forthcoming album. The b-side features a plaintive cover of the Ronettes/Beach Boys’ “I Can Hear Music.”
Johnny Cash, American VI: Ain’t No Grave
The haunting title track that kicks off this posthumous release from the Man in Black makes it clear that Cash had more music in him before his untimely death.
Kouyate Bassekou & Ngoni Ba, I Speak Fela
The first album on the Sub Pop subsidiary Next Ambience, I Speak Fela is a terrific collection of tunes by a little known Mali musician who plays a semblance of the blues.
Okapi, Love Him
A whimsical collection of samples and found sounds, this tribute to fictional composer Aldo Kapi is good, clean electronica fun.
Joe Pug, Messenger This alt-country singer has a terrific voice that alternately evokes Steve Earle and Raul Malo on his full-length debut.
Lightspeed Champion, Life is Sweet, Nice to Meet You
Soaring arrangements and crooning vocals distinguish this album by former Test Icicles guitarist Dev Hynes.
Ponyo
The latest anime film from acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki is a magical fairytale about a boy who finds a goldfish that turns out to be a princess.
Ben Sollee and Daniel Mart Moore, Dear Companion
A benefit album to help raise awareness for mountaintop removal, this is a gorgeous collection of alt-country ballads.
Meat Puppets, Meat Puppets II
Just reissued on vinyl, the Meat Puppets’ cowpunk-derived second album is the one that put the Arizona post-punk act on the map.
|
