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DVDs

Not much in the way of movies this week. But there are three worth checking out.

Neverwas: From Miramax studio, this one stars Aaron Eckhart, Ian McKellan, William Hurt, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange and Brittany Murphy. It concerns a man who discovers his childhood fantasy land is actually a real place. And it’s all somehow based upon a children’s book his father wrote.

Driving Lessons: From Sony Pictures Classic. Well, we’ve got the red-headed kid from the Harry Potter movies. He’s living in a conservative household and then he meets a crazy actress and it changes his life forever. Not quite Harold and Maude you know, but a few mild laughs in this oddly enjoyable coming-of-age story.

Drive-in Horror Series - Savage Spirit/They Feed: Yes! The best in cheesy b-movies continues. This double bill features a haunted spirit, upset that the new home owners are throwing a pool party and the second flick is about six friends who go investigate a plane crash in the woods, only to be attacked by flesh eating creatures that relentlessly pursue them through the woods.

Music

Another week and a few more albums to check out. Although this week seems particularly slow.

Los Campesinos! - “Sticking Fingers into Sockets EP” (Arts & Crafts) [Buy]

Probably the best little disc you’ll get your hands on all week. Maybe even in the coming months. Maybe in your entire life. No, okay, it’s too early in the week for hyperbole. We’d write more but we think we’re going to devote the next post to this album and this band.

Sara Bareilles - “Little Voice” (Epic Records) [Buy]

This Los Angeles songsmith has a silky smooth voice and crafts the kind of innocuous piano-based pop music. Little bit of pop, little bit of jazz, little bit of soul, little bit of blues. Perfect for a trip to pick the kids up at soccer practice or while having dinner on an outdoor patio. Not that anyone does that around here, it just I can imagine the future. Exists in the ether between Norah Jones, Fionna Apple or (fill in the blank of piano-based popstar). It sounds like you’ve heard the songs before, maybe in a movie or maybe in passing on the radio and the enjoyment is in the comfort of the songs. Lots of promise here.

Pretty slow day for album releases. The best of the lot are from Lucinda Williams and Van Morrison.

Lucinda Williams - “West” General consensus is that, her new album is pretty darn good. I could provide a long list of other reviews, but they all pretty much say the same thing. Best album of her career, great songwriter, great singer, blah, blah, blah.

Van Morrison - “At the Movies: Soundtrack Hits” It’s really nothing more than yet, another Van Morrison “Greatest Hits” type collection. But dang, does he have some darn great hits. Still there’s nothing hear that hasn’t been already released.

Dr. John - “In the Night: The Early Sessions of Dr. John” Weird, but there isn’t much out there on this release. I woulda thought there’d be something, but hardly any reviews or information at the online retailers as well.

Wow, pretty lame day for new releases. Anyway, if you’re like me and Lucinda Williams only slightly floats your boat try her with a helping of Flogging Molly.

Flogging Molly w/ Lucinda Williams - “Factory Girls” (Mp3)

A few good albums releases today.?? And a few surprising albums streeted.? Um…how did everyone miss DJ Jazzy Jeff’s new album.? I haven’t heard anything about it until this very morning. Without further ado:

Bloc Party - “Weekend in the City” All in all it’s not a bad follow up to the jaw-droppingly good “Silent Alaram.”? However, the new album just doesn’t hold a candle to their debut.? Mostly the ambition has been stripped away and it sounds as if they were going for a more radio-friendly sound.? Worth checking out, but fans of their first album will be left feeling out in the cold and most likely disapointed.

The Apples in Stereo - “New Magnetic Wonder” Early buzz is this new disc is the best one yet from Apples in Stereo.? After a five-year absense the best of the Elephant 6 bands returns with several charming, psychedelic pop numbers.

Keller Williams - “Dreams” We’ve got a review of this new album from the often-funny, incredibly talented Keller Williams coming up later today.? But suffice it to say, his latest is darn good with a slew of special guests to boot.

Yoko Ono - “Yes, I’m a Witch” Yes, yes you are.? And don’t think we don’t know you used you’re witch powers on Mark David Chapman to redirect that bullet intended for you.? We kid, we kid.? But seriously this is one of those trendy albums where an older artist pairs up with some hip kids from around the block.? But man are the kids hip.? From The Flaming Lips, Cat Power, Le Tigre, Apples in Stereo, Antony and the Johnsons, and the Polyphonic Spree.? Anyone have a copy and want to pass it this way please give us a shout.

DJ Jazzy Jeff - “Return of the Magnificent” Oddly we can’t find anything on this new release, but I’m guessing someone should page Will Smith… Really once the two went their own seperate ways neither one has been the same.? Has anyone seen “The Pursuit of Happyness”?? Exactly, enough said.

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