The Filtered Excellence: August 29, 2013

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Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s 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:

Broadchurch on BBC America Wednesdays at 10/9C. Though the series premiered August 7th, previous episodes are are available OnDemand, for catching up on over the Labor Day weekend, say. You should do just that if you have yet to see this intensely suspenseful, well-acted drama. The first episode in particular is emotionally draining; difficult and heart-breaking to say the least. Passed that that a story unfolds that is complex, suspenseful, and utterly striking. Broadchurch is a critically acclaimed British crime drama which takes place in a fictional Dorset seaside town. Detective Inspector Alec Hardy, played by David Tennant, has recently been transferred there when the terrible death of 11-year-old Danny Latimer is discovered. Becoming a boss and taking the lead over local Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller, played by Olivia Colman, (Sophie from Peep Show!), the two are partnered to solve the murder which has rocked the small community. Powerful, brilliant stuff.

Our Nixon. In this unique and interesting documentary, The Nixon Presidency is seen through the eyes closest to the nation’s 37th President. Nixon aides H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman and Dwight Chapin shot Super 8 films during 1969 to 1973 and captured everything from the inauguration, The Apollo moon landing, Nixon’s historic trip to China and The Republican National Convention. The aides also captured personal events such as Tricia Nixon’s wedding, Chapin’s wife and kids meeting the Easter Bunny on the White House lawn, eating aboard Air Force One and bike riding through Camp David. The FBI seized the films during the Watergate investigation, filed away and all but forgotten about for 40 years. Director Penny Lane uses these films, along with interview footage, news archives and White House tapes to present and interesting and complex look at a Presidency that changed the country and the world. Our Nixon opens this Friday at The IFC Center in NYC. Director Penny Lane will be doing post screening Q&As following the Friday 8:15 screenings and the 6:10 and 8:15 screenings on Saturday.

The 2013 NFL Season Opener Weekend. Football is back! The National Football League starts its new season where, at least for the moment, everyone’s team is still in it. The season starts Thursday, September 5th in Denver with the Broncos hosting the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens. Other key opening weekend match ups on Sunday include, the Falcons at the Saints, the Packers at the 49ers and Washington at the Eagles on Monday night with the return of RG3.

 

LISTEN TO THIS:

Hesitation Marks by Nine Inch Nails. The reformation of Nine Inch Nails was met with an almost euphoric response. Hesitation Marks – the first NIN album in 5 years doesn’t disappoint. Working with long time collaborations Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder, and featuring guest appearances by Lindsey Buckingham, Adrian Belew, and Pino Palladino, Hesitation Marks is Trent Renzor’s most mature, fully focused work since The Downward Spiral. Together they create lush, atmospheric sonic soundscapes that takes the listener on a audio journey. The edge and the danger are still there, but its not as a visceral and in your face. But make no mistake about it: It’s an album that demands to be listened to from start to finish. It’s a much welcomed return to one of rock’s best bands. Hesitation Marks will available on September 2nd though Amazon, Itunes and all  music retail outlets.

The Bootleg Series, Vol 10: Another Self-Portrait (1969-71) by Bob Dylan. The latest in the on-going ‘bootleg’ series revisits one of the most controversial and universally disliked albums in the Dylan canon. Looking to shake the ‘voice of a generation’ tag once and for all, Dylan released Self Portrait, a double album that featured covers of folk songs, contemporary pop songs, country and even standards. Odd instrumentals and highlights of a 1969 Isle Of Wight performance with The Band were also scattered throughout. Critics hated it: The opening line of Rolling Stone Magazine’s review was ‘What is this shit?’ Fans were a bit more sympathetic: ‘Wigwam’ was a Top 40 hit and the album cracked the Top 5 in the U.K. before quickly disappearing off the charts.  Another Self Portrait looks back at the sessions that created this album and New Morning and makes a strong case that the artist was way ahead of the audience. Stripping away the overdubs that were the core of the criticism, Dylan’s voice – backed by a small combo led by Al Kooper – and the songs are front and center. And it sounds fantastic. Free of the madness that surrounded him at the height of ‘electric phase’, Dylan is loose and relaxed – even as he is trying to find a new musical footing. The roots of the rest of his career can be found right here. This ranks up there as one of the best in the Bootleg series. The deluxe edition contains the entire Dylan/Band Isle Of Wight performance as well as a remastered version of the original Self Portrait. Another Self Portrait is available now on Amazon, Itunes and all digital outlets.

DO THIS:

Seattle, Washington. Allen Stone. The self-proclaimed “hippie with a soul”, Allen Stone will be performing live as part of Seattle’s Bumbershoot Festival. The festival is 3 days of music and comedy at the Seattle Center. Allen who was called an artist to watch by CNN, will appear on Monday, September 2nd as part of the Labor Day line up. The show is scheduled to start at 8pm.

East Hampton, New York. Patti Smith: Words and Music. Singer, songwriter and visual artist Patti Smith is bringing her live show to Guild Hall in East Hampton, NY. The concert features Patti performing new material and songs from throughout her career including from her debut album, “Horses” mixed with storytelling about her life and current pop culture. Patti’s show is Sunday, September 1st at 8pm.

Interrobang Staff

Interrobang Staff