New music and old movies

Anticipating five spring albums and reminiscing with my favorite movie scenes of the week

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart: Belong

3/29

Their first, self-titled, album didn't really hit me until this year. It was the Vaselines, Pastels, cutesy-schmutesiness that rubbed me the wrong way initially, but lately I've been gravitating to that albums' shy, don't-look-at-me guitar fuzz clinging to the bottom of the mix. If the two tracks I've heard off this new album are any indication, that fuzz has grown from whiskers into stubble (thanks in part to the surprise producer of the year--Flood). This is probably my favorite of the neo-90s groups that have recently been popping their heads out of NYC, mainly because they aren't glossing over any of that decade's plenty glossy moments. 

Belong

Sonny and the Sunsets: Hit After Hit

4/12

When a band is prolific it's easy to see past some of their shortcomings. That being said, I'm not expecting much out of this album at all. These guys did release my sleeper-favorite album last summer, Tomorrow Is Alright. And on top of that, lead man Sonny Smith had an art show this past fall where he built a juke box and filled it with 100 45's--all of which he recorded, disguised as 100 different bands. Long story short, this album can suck (I doubt it will) and I will still appreciate them.

I Wanna Do It

Cass McCombs: Wit's End

4/26

Where's the Bill Callahan? Well, there haven't been any tracks released from his upcoming album (due April 19). I love me some Bill Callahan, so that's probably number one on the anticipation list. Cass McCombs isn't too far behind, though. He has that foggy familiarity that Callahan has mastered. It sounds effortless as he slides from mood to mood while his songs feign bravery, falling like the first drops of rain on a persistently cloudy day. His past couple of albums have begged to be listened to and this new one is supposed to be darker and smoother. In the past, that's when he's been at his best.

County Line

Fleet Foxes: Helplessness Blues

5/3

After Animal Collective, are they the biggest American band right now? I don't think Wilco or the Flaming Lips still have a valid claim to such a title. It doesn't seem like anyone really gives a shit about Jack White anymore (what took so long?). My Morning Jacket? The Decemberists? They aren't as good. Grizzly Bear aren't as engaging and Vampire Weekend seem too gimmicky. A lot of people will be listening.

Helplessness Blues

White Denim: D

5/24

And finally some real rock and roll. The best on the list and the best in the biz. Is there any doubt with this one? It is going to be sweet!

Drug

I think I slept eight hours this week--homework and insomnia. After I got tired of tossing my sheets around, I eventually gave up and watched some movies. I loved these parts.

The big fight in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.

This one's a little longer but you haven't seen anything like it! Released just before Star Wars, this is a young Mark Hammel on the run from some jerk who wants to kill him. The movie is Corvette Summer, it's on Netflix, and you should DEFINITELY watch it sometime.

Paul Newman and Larry McMurtry and I hadn't seen it. Shameful. Anyway, this was as good as you might expect. The clip below showcases Newman's ability to let other people drive the story. He always has such a dynamic presence and when he's relegated to the background, it feels big. Still, he steals the scene...