The Filtered Excellence: December 1, 2011
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:
Shame. ‘Shame’ is the latest from acclaimed director Steve McQueen (Hunger) and stars Michael Fassbender and Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan. The film deals with how sexual addiction affects a man’s life and features full frontal nudity and explicit sex scenes. To no one’s surprise, the MPAA gave Shame an NC-17. What was surprising was that Fox Searchlight Pictures refused to cut the film, believing in McQueen’s dark vision of addiction. Traditionally, NC-17 movies don’t stand a chance at the box office, because mainstream media won’t run ads for it and major movie chains won’t book them. But Shame has generated fantastic reviews and there’s even Oscar buzz. Fox Searchlight is hoping the film will change the negative stigma that attached to films that cater to mature, adult audiences. We highly recommend that you go out and support this film, but more importantly, support complete artistic expression. Check out the trailer and our article on the film here.
Homeland. Not watching Homeland? Well, you must be a terrorist! Ok, maybe not. But as Homeland teaches us, things may not always be what they seem. Damian Lewis stars as Sgt. Nicholas Brody who after 8 years as a prisoner of war, returns home as an American hero…or is he? A CIA operations officer (Claire Daines) is convinced that Brody has been turned by a terrorist organization. This INTENSE hour-long weekly drama also features stand-out performances from Morena Baccarin and Mandy Patinkin. One of the best shows on television and when we said intense, we really really really meant it. Sunday Nights at 10P on Showtime.
Talking Heads – Chronology. This DVD collects live performances of the band from 1975 to 1983 (plus their 2002 performance at their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction). In addition to their overall quality, the performances provide a fascinating document of the band’s transition from 3 piece act playing at CBGBs to the 9 piece touring unit that it became. Non-musical highlight: an endearing (but awkward) post-song interview with Dick Clark on American Bandstand from 1979. Spring a few extra bucks for the deluxe edition and get a bound book that includes rare photographs and an essay by Lester Bangs. Order it here from Amazon.
LISTEN TO THIS:
Undun by The Roots. (Island Def Jam) For their 13th studio album, the ground-breaking and highly influential hip-hop band is going for the jugular with a full length concept album. The 14 song cycle recalls the fictional life of Redford Stephens, a Philly native who falls into the drug game and dies the death often associated with it. Each track on the album breaks down the crucial glimpses into in Stephens’ life unraveling as he becomes eventually “undun.” To say that The Roots are just a hip hop group sells them woefully short. They run the gamut from R&B, rock, soul, jazz, experimental and yes, hip-hop. For Undun, all of these worlds collide and make a beautiful noise. At times, it plays like a score to an imaginary movie. Other times, it feels like classic 70s soul along the lines of vintage Stevie, Barry White and WAR. There’s even several classical-themed pieces that round it all out. Like all great conceptual pieces, it has to be absorbed as a whole. Undun is full-powered Roots greatness. Full album preview streaming now on NPR Undun is available everywhere December 6th. Preorder it here
El Camino by The Black Keys. You’re gonna wanna hear this, it’s a pretty styley ride. Produced by Danger Mouse once again, the Key’s latest is full of great guitar riffiness and that good good well-loved rock n roll bluesy growling. The opening track, ”Lonely Boy” is all drum beats, wicked guitars and it’s catchy as hell. ”Gold on the Ceiling,” features a touch of the psychedelia inter-worked with organ buzzzz and again, that great guitar… ”Little Black Submarines,” has an acoustic feel initially, but then erupts into big rock with raunchy guitars…”Sister” makes you wanna shake a tail-feather…Even with a first listen, one can sense that so many of these songs are going to be be EVERYWHERE. Dig that El Camino. Preview 5 songs from The Black Keys here. Download it from Amazon 
Ashes & Fire by Ryan Adams. Adams is an very talented songwriter, but he’s also very prolific. Because of the amount of music that he puts out, you can find that a single album of great songs feels like it’s spread out over 3 or 4 albums. Coming back from his recent “retirement”, Adams may have discovered the value of editing. As a result, his latest release is one of the strongest of his career and lacks the dips in quality that have characterized many of his releases. Check out the exclusive first listen at NPR. Order the CD here 
READ THIS:
Lucking Out: My Life Getting Down And Semi-Dirty In 70’s New York by James Wolcott. (Doubleday) Maryland native James Wolcott arrived in New York in 1972 with a letter of recommendation from Norman Mailer and a dream of conquering the literary world. He ends up with a front row seat to see a city on the verge of financial and moral collapse, the genesis of New York punk and the New Journalism movement at its height. Whether ihanging with Pauline Kael, Gore Vidal, Gay Talese and Pete Hamill at Elaine’s and The Lion’s Head or scouting out Patti Smith, Television, Talking Heads, and The Ramones at CBGB’s, Wolcott gives us a unique firsthand account of a flourishing cultural scene. Part memoir and part time capsule, Lucking Out is a perfect book for those who seek to look at New York through a different prism. Order the book here
When The Garden Was Eden by Harvey Araton. (Harper Collins) If the NBA lockout still leaves a bad taste in your mouth, check out this exhaustive look at the glory years of The New York Knicks by long time New York Times columnist Harvey Araton. All of the legends are here: The Captain, Willis Reed; Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier, ‘Dollar Bill’ Bradley, Earl ‘The Pearl’ Monroe, Dave DeBusschere, Phil Jackson and of course, Red Holtzman. Its a great document of when the Garden rocked and captured the turbulence of the era. A must read. Order it here
BROWSE THIS:
Paste Magazine’s Awesome of the Day The beloved print music magazine that was resurrected on the internet has created a blog to provide you with a little piece of awesome everyday, pointing their readers in the direction of the likes of Arrested Development/Breaking Bad mash-ups, The Walken Dead, and the movie Scream re-imagined if it was directed by Wes Anderson. Check it out here.
The Underground Railroad. Hosted by Jay Smooth, it’s the longest running hip hop radio show. Hear it locally in New York on 99.5, WBAI-FM in New York and everywhere else on www.wbai.org. Smooth is one of the sharpest minds on the vlogisphere (or any sphere for that matter). His website has drawn raves from Rachel Maddow, NPR, and Wired Magazine. Jay is starting to branch out in print media and even the lecture circuit, but his site finds him at his biting best. Catch on now before it eventually blows up in the mainstream.
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