Waves Of Fury - "Thirst" CD

The charmingly-titled "I Don't Know What To Make Of Your Fucked Up Friends" sums up this brief 30-minute album. It's a brass-infused classic rock banger. The 60s-inspired sounds continue with "Businessman's Guide To Wtichcraft", which could be the Brian Jonestown Massacre on a Supremes fix. Other journalists have described a distinct Jesus & Mary Chain-ishness here, and perhaps there is a certain amount of similarity in messiness that the bands may share, but this is more Phil Spector on an acid trip with Anton Newcombe, in my playbook. Or maybe a jubilant Bobby Gillespie and Primal Scream on different drugs.

Good, fun, and wild out-pop from a new Bristol, UK act. I enjoyed it. (Alive Natural Sound Records)

David Bowie - "The Calm Before The Storm: Under Review 1969-1971" DVD

Bowie's career has been examined, re-examined, and dissected so many times, I wasn't sure if I'd seen this one yet. But fortunately not, as it's a fine critical look at a particular era in Bowie's early career.

Looking predominantly at "Space Oddity", "The Man Who Sold The World", and "Hunky Dory", this 65-minute documentary includes all the Sexy Intellectual requisites: interviews with former bandmates, journalists, critics, and a wealth of rare footage and photos. Bowie's early career found him exploring a number of different paths, and this trio of albums leading up to the Ziggy Stardust & Berlin days transformed the former David Jones into a stage chameleon who managed to confound both fans and critics throughout his long and storied career. Not intended as a comprehensive bio of the man, "The Calm Before The Storm" is an extended look at a distinctly transformative time in the life of a transformative icon. I enjoyed this one, and any serious Bowie fan should see it. (Sexy Intellectual)

The Cult - "Choice Of Weapon" album

It's been some years (5 to be precise) since we heard from the Cult, and this set of tunes may be the best showing since their 1989 breakthrough "Sonic Temple".

The first single, "For The Animals", is a catchy hard rock tune, but it's cuts like the opener, "Amnesia", that really shine. Billy Duffy's guitars here harken back to the band's psychedelic acid-rock days, and Ian Astbury's finally confident vocals summon both Jim Morrison and British heavy metal equally. "Embers" is another standout -- a dramatic and bluesy ballad that fits in well with the Cult's legacy and widely-varied back catalogue. Maybe the presence of producer Bob Rock (who worked with the band in it's heyday) is a factor in this rejuvenation.

Suffice to say, "Choice Of Weapon" is the best assimilation of the band's heyday (think "Love") and their more metallic ("Sonic Temple" as a reference point). At last, an album that fans of any Cult era can appreciate equally. Rock solid, boys. (Cooking Vinyl)

The Cult official site

"Robert Plant's Blue Note" DVD

This lengthy (155 minute) documentary exhaustively details the former Led Zeppelin frontman's history, from his initial inspirations of classic rock & roll and blues to his recent forays into Americana and bluegrass. The scope of this man's musical interests is deep and varied, indeed. His explorations of Arabic musics is examined in detail, and Plant is shown as much more than a rock singer. Rather, he's a renaissance man and an artist of the first order.

It's an unauthorized bio, but this one succeeds, tapping plenty of actual interviews with Plant himself alongside the usual array of writers, journalists, and critics. As well, we're treated to plenty of video of Plant in action and on-stage, from his rock-god days to his shaky solo work in the 80's to his newer, classier Americana and blues-tinged duets with Alison Krauss.

An excellent history lesson on a music legend. I learned a lot, and thus this one comes recommended. (Sexy Intellectual via MVD Visual)

Ministry And Co-Conspirators - "Undercover" CD

Once upon a time, Ministry was a force to be reckoned with. They helped pave the way for bands like Nine Inch Nails and KMFDM's later successes. Now? "Undercover" is a pretty pale shadow of that. Led solely by Al Jourgensen, this album is packed with insipid and soulless covers. Metal and rock staples like "Iron Man", "Purple Haze", "Thunderstruck", and even Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" are slaughtered. Ugh. Sad. (13th Planet/Cleopatra)

Prongs.org, the finest and most comprehensive Ministry site on the planet