The Filtered Excellence: May 24, 2012
Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” Its right here. Here are this weeks picks of what to WATCH, what to DO what to TRY what to READ what to LISTEN TO and more:
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WATCH THIS:
Turner Classic Movies Memorial Day Weekend War Movie Marathon. Four days of great military movies, including “Sergeant York”, “From Here to Eternity”, “The Longest Day”, “Bridge Over the River Kwai”, “A Farewell to Arms”, “The Sands of Iwo Jima” and so much more.
Moonrise Kingdom. Two Words. Wes Anderson. Two more words. Opens Friday. It feels like we’ve been waiting a lifetime for this film to finally open. A few things we know. It will be absolutely gorgeous to look at. It has an amazing cast. This is what Filtered Excellence is all about, and we will be there for opening weekend.
Oslo August 31st. We haven’t seen this yet either…but we want to! Opens limited Friday, May 25th and we hear it’s absolutely beautiful. At 34, Anders is a profoundly unhappy man haunted by his history of drug addiction. When he is granted freedom from rehab to go into the city for a job interview, he chooses instead to call on old friends and revisit old hang-outs. This is a story about struggles with guilt, despair, and loneliness… but also… possibly even hope.
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LISTEN TO THIS:
Here by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. (May 29th) Here, is the first of two albums that Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros are releasing this year. In their sunny Southern California musical-commune-esque, kind-of-culty way, the band’s sound is part rollicking tent revival and part calming meditation as frontman Alex Ebert and Jade Castrinos harmonize. The indie folk-pop band’s new album will be avaible on Tuesday, May 29th, but you can get an early sneak-listen… Here’s your opportunity to stream the entire album and predict which new track will blow up like 2009’s Home or Janglin…
- Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros new album “Here,” on NPR’s First Listen
- Order “Here” from Amazon.com.
…Ya Know? by Joey Ramone. (released May 22) Ramones fans will want to check out this album of Joey’s posthumously released work. When Joey Ramone passed away in the Spring of 2001 he left behind a stash of songs previously unheard. Some of these appeared on “Don’t Worry About Me” about a year after he died, but many also sat as unfinished recordings. Joey Ramone’s second post-mortem solo album is comprised of demos and unreleased recordings with re-recorded music bolstered by musician friends such as Plasmatics guitarist Richie Stotts, Joan Jett and Little Steven Van Zandt. There’s even a cool retro feeling “duet” with Holly Beth Vincent from Holly & The Italians, too. Ya Know represents with Ramone’s punk intensity, but there’s also range that reaches into honkytonk, pop, and moodier expanses. The album’s real remarkable distinctions though are Joey Ramone’s vocals start to finish. It’s good to hear his voice. Whether singing rowdily, Beat on the Brat style, during What Did I Do to Deserve You, or lonesomely subdued over the acoustic Waiting For That Railroad, he’s singing some left-behind songs that are well worth a listen.
Not Your Kind Of People by Garbage. It’s been 7 years between albums, but Garbage – the four piece band led by Shirley Manson and Butch Vig – haven’t missed a beat. It’s all still there: Sultry vocals and biting lyrics from Manson, ripping guitars and icy beats, loops and drops. The time off (and releasing the CD on their own label has worked wonders. It has the urgency and freshnes of a debut album. A fantastic adult rock record. Not Your Kind Of People is available now on Itunes or from Amazon.com.
Truth To Power by The Stone Raiders. The Stone Raiders – guitarist Jean-Paul Bourelly, Darryl Jones on bass, and Will Calhoun of Living Colour on drums – bulldozed their way through a series of shows in Europe and now have released a studio album that loses none of that power. Featuring searing Hendrix-like guitar solos and thick freaky bottom by Jones and Calhoun, this album sounds straight out of ’69 and that’s not a bad thing. Bourelly’s been a mainstay in Europe but painfully slept on here but with this CD, let’s hope this changes. Truth To Power is available on Itunes.
Home Again by Michael Kiwanuka. (Interscope). Michael Kiwanuka is a British born singer-songwriter-guitarist who has been slaying them overseas with his brand of Bill Withers-meets Van Morrison-by way of Otis Redding brand of soul for the last several years. After opening up for Adele, Kiwanuka hooked up with Paul Butler of The Bees to release this stunning debut album. There are times you think this album was some lost tapes from the late 60s/early 70’s because it has the same feel. Kiwanuka is only 24, but he has the voice and soul of a seasoned veteran. Home Again is available now – the digital release is out now on Itunes, and the physical album will be out July 17th.
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DO THIS:
Brooklyn. The Black Rock Coalition Orchestra Salutes Don Cornelius and Soul Train. @ BAM Cafe 5/26 As part of BAM’s DanceAfrica series, The Black Rock Coalition Orchestra will pay homage to Don Cornelius and Soul Train by performing material from the SOLAR (formerly Soul Train) Records catalog. Expect to hear classic songs by The Whispers, Shalamar, Midnight Star, Lakeside, Carrie Lucas and much more. Afterward, the dance floor will open up and DJ Idlewild will spin Soul Train classics until the break of dawn. An excellent way to spend your Memorial Day weekend. BAM Cafe is located at 30 Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn. Showtime is 10pm and ITS FREE.
New York City. Lawrence Schiller: Marilyn And Me. Visit the Steven Kasher Gallery from 5/31 through 6/30. In 1960, Lawrence Schiller, a young photographer for LOOK Magazine was assigned to get photos of Marilyn Monroe while she filmed ‘Let’s Make Love’. The professional relationship evolved into a solid friendship that remained in tact right up until her ultimately death in 1962. A new exhibition features photos of the iconic star – many of which previously unreleased – on set and in private movements. It also includes stills from the now famous nude pool scene from her final, never completed film Something’s Got To Give and photos of former husband Joe DiMaggio handling her funeral arrangements. It’s a new look into one of the most photographed people of the 20th Century. Marilyn And Me runs through June 30th.
Philadelphia. The New Barnes Collection Opens. The controversial and infamous Barnes Foundation enters its next incarnation in life in center city Philadelphia. If you don’t know what the Barnes Foundation is, it’s an extraordinary world renowned art collection put together by the now deceased Albert Barnes. Up until now, due to strict provision in his will, visitors had to travel to Barnes’ former home outside of the city in order to see the collection, but a series of highly controversial court decisions changed all that, and the collection has been moved to a brand new museum in center city Philadelphia, that was designed to precisely replicating his home. It’s a fascinating story and a world-class collection of great paintings, sculpture and other works of art. The new facility officially opens on Saturday, so you can be among the first to check it out.
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FOLLOW THIS:
Robert Evans on Twitter. This Twitter page (‘reluctantly authorized’ according to the page) of the famed producer and former Paramount Pictures head is loaded with quotes, pearls of wisdom, and flat out rants as only Evans can deliver them. Example: ‘The fuckin’ you get ain’t worth the fuckin’ you get’. An excellent primer for those not familIar with the book or the film “The Kid Stays In The Picture” and for eagerly awaiting for the oft-delayed sequel, The Fat Lady Sings.
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BUY THIS:
Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Small businesses are an endangered species in the United States and Tito’s Handmade Vodka is a rare creature even within that shrinking category. You won’t find many entrepreneurs breaking into the liquor business. It’s nearly impossible. But one man not only broke in, but he’s getting raves and winning awards for his handmade, small batch vodka.
