Another year, another music biopic about a problematic genius. James Mangold has of course got previous with Walk The Line. A Complete Unknown isn’t much of a departure from the Johnny Cash film, as it’s also a good character study. Here, the truculent rebel is one Bob Dylan, right at the start of his career.Continue reading “Film Review: A Complete Unknown”
Category Archives: Music
Album Review: LA Witch- DOGGOD
Los Angeles trio LA Witch have been casting sonic spells since their debut album, which came out eight years ago.. Since then, their reputation as a formidable live act has endured. Their doomy, punkish music is as tender as a bruise. This “don’t mess” badass swagger sees them frequently getting a comparison to fellow SuicideContinue reading “Album Review: LA Witch- DOGGOD”
Film Review: The Public Image Is Rotten (2017)
Director Tarrbert Fiiller’s documentary on Public Image Ltd. is downbeat, insightful and strangely touching, poking at the open wounds involved when working alongside the inimitable John Lydon. With rare access to interviews with the imp himself, plus ex-band members like Keith Levene, Allan Dias and Martin Atkins, it’s more intimate and candid than your average,Continue reading “Film Review: The Public Image Is Rotten (2017)”
Album Review: SPELLING- Portrait Of My Heart
How you perceive this album will very much depend on your liking for eighties nostalgia. Still only in her thirties, Californian artist Chrystia ‘Tia’ Cabral mines the era, despite not having grown up then. Cabral has an incredible, beautifully soulful voice,and the production quality is undoubtedly high. However, tracks like ‘Alibi’ feel like the worstContinue reading “Album Review: SPELLING- Portrait Of My Heart”
Three Film Satires For the Second Trump Administration
President Donald J Trump’s second swing into politics has already seen deportations, trade wars and a complete lack of remorse for a plane and helicopter crash that could have been prevented. Then there is the farcical inauguration itself, with more than a tilt towards oligarchy: tech billionaires placed front and centre, right in front ofContinue reading “Three Film Satires For the Second Trump Administration”
So Long, Marianne
Marianne Faithfull has passed away, aged 78. She had long battled various health conditions, and was a battler right up until the end. They broke the mould when they made Marianne, a member of the Austrian aristocracy whose career was as complex as she was. Few singers can boast both a career in their teensContinue reading “So Long, Marianne”
Film Review: Since Yesterday- The Untold Story of Scotland’s Girl Bands
Carla J Easton and Blair Young’s film focuses on the best girl bands from Scotland, asking why they’re lesser known than their male counterparts, and why this is still happening in today’s music industry. Easton herself, ex- Teen Canteen and now a solo artist, narrates the film. It’s a heartfelt look at more obscure artistsContinue reading “Film Review: Since Yesterday- The Untold Story of Scotland’s Girl Bands”
Overlooked Classics: Sound Of Metal
Is this too recent to be considered a cult classic? I don’t think so. Not enough people have seen this masterpiece from director and co-writer Darius Marder, it would seem. But everyone should, it’s nothing short of exceptional, a beautifully crafted story of love and survival. British actor Riz Ahmed portrays Ruben, a battering ramContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Sound Of Metal”
Album Review: Anna B Savage -You & I Are Earth
A new Anna B Savage album is always something worth investing time in. Her voice is so disarmingly beautiful that everything else melts away. This is not background music. It’s intimate and raw, and you lean in to listen, as though she’s sharing precious secrets with you alone. This time, Savage is, as with BjorkContinue reading “Album Review: Anna B Savage -You & I Are Earth”
I Like Anti-Musicals
Poor old Joker: Folie a Deux. Todd Phillips ‘ sequel absolutely TANKED last year, because nobody wanted to see a musical that depressing. I’ve only got round to watching it myself, as I’m not the biggest admirer of Lady Gaga. But guess what? I loved it. For me, it succeeds as an anti -musical, becauseContinue reading “I Like Anti-Musicals”
