Bob Dylan - "1990-2006 - The Never Ending Narrative" DVD

Picking up nicely where the unauthorized "Revealed" leaves off, this documentary presents a critical look at Dylan's more recent couple of decades, and his rebirth from an unkind 80s period. Kudos for the inclusion of snippets of real Dylan music, which brings better into focus the man's unmistakably unique craft.

As well, plenty of archival footage and interviews with Dylan critics and journalists show an unbiased and well-researched set of opinions and ideas regarding Dylan's evolution, from a man seemingly out of touch with the commercial music industry to re-discovering his roots and initial inspirations in the 90s. "The Never Ending Narrative" thoroughly covers this 1990 to 2006 era, and makes a strong case for Dylan being in a creative zenith, in his astoundingly active 5th decade as a songwriter and performer.

Today, Bob Dylan, at nearly 70 years of age, has regained his foothold as one of America's most treasured artists. "The Never Ending Narrative" may inspire me to re-explore his more recent works. (Chrome Dreams via MVD Visual)

Bob Dylan official site

Bob Dylan - "Revealed" DVD (director: Joel Gilbert)

This curious documentary covers Dylan's early years all the way up to his "Never Ending Tour" in 1992. HIghlighted by interviews with former band members and associates, "Revealed" provides 110 minutes of critical analysis from folks who were there. There are plenty of films and photos to illustrate and demonstrate, but one sore spot is the lack of actual Dylan music (due to licensing). So we get live footage with no audio. A minor complaint, though, as any serious Dylan fan will find this collection of opinions and remembrances interesting and engrossing. Solid work. (Highway 61 Entertainment via MVD Visual)

Bob Dylan official site

"Julian Assange: A Modern Day Hero? Inside The World Of WikiLeaks" DVD

This simply-packaged DVD had me slightly discouraged at first. I mean, 3 hours examining a man who I knew little about? No worries. This turned out to be an engrossing and informative (and unbiased) documentary on the effects and intentions of the publicized (and maligned non-profit) WikiLeaks project, and its figurehead, Australian computer hacker Julian Assange.

Providing a necessary "full disclosure" on often classified and top-secret government dealings and documents, Wikileaks exposes truths, be them good or bad, and endeavors to (at great personal risk) set the information free upon the world. Corporate greed is also a target (and rightfully so), as WikiLeaks has also brought to light some illegal dealings behind closed doors of some of the world's largest banks and corporations. Not surprisingly, WikiLeaks has been assailed by legal sharks, shadowy government-funded groups, and "black suits" in retaliation for these information "leaks".

Assange is the primary subject here, and a large part of this DVD consists of presentations he gave in recent years in front of international media and live audiences. This is fascinating conspiracy theory stuff, minus the theory. Simply put, Assange and his team of hundreds of journalists, transmedia artists, and anonymous donors strive to make the world a more transparent (and honest) place. This DVD is a perfect primer, and deserves an even wider audience. I say broadcast this on prime-time national TV. Ah, to be idealistic. Anyway, this one's essential viewing for modern-day thinking heads. (Blow Whistle Blow Films via MVD Visual)

WikiLeaks

Ulver - "Wars Of The Roses" album

Few bands have evolved so drastically (or intelligently) as Norway's Ulver. Beginning life in 1993 as a fairly typical black metal act, Ulver have, in recent years, embraced electronic music, ambient, folk, post-rock, and film soundtrack work, all with equal respect and reverence. "Wars Of The Roses" is the band's 8th studio album, and the evolution is striking and effective.

The surprising and brilliant Krautrock/pop of "February MMX" opens, complete with melodic chorus and hooks. Definitely a long way from the band's roots, but quite good. The rest of the album is similarly textural and layered, yet not at all lightweight. Co-production and mixing by John Fryer (known for his work with the early 4AD Records label) surely contribute to the album's ethereal moodiness, but Ulver's visionary psychedelic soundscapes are deep and almost magical. Their heart is still blackened, but their process and tools are much more colorful and diverse.

Other standouts include "Providence", a gorgeous (but dark) piano-led piece featuring female vocals, and the epic "September IV". The closer, "Stone Angels", runs 15 minutes and is an ambient narrative featuring new member Daniel O'Sullivan reciting poetry alongside lovely meditational ambience and a powerful percussive finale. Fitting. An incredible album from an innovative and unique group. (Kscope Music)

Ulverspace (not official?)

Ulver's own label and official band site

Earth - "Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light 1" album

Legendary drone/doom rock (don't say metal these days) act Earth here return with their most musical album yet, a multi-faceted and moody set of instrumental tunes that join the band's influential quasi-mystical guitars with Western-inspired cinematic motifs. Think post-rock meets Ennio Morricone, maybe. "Descent To The Zenith" is a deceptively simple rock song, slowed down to half-speed, and retaining enough melody to be hummable and "catchy", even. "Hell's Winter" has a little more renegade attitude (there's definitely some blues lurking within), but nonetheless remains textural and soundscape-oriented. Superb work, really, as I get a dusky, gritty "Deadwood"-kinda vibe here. The title track is 20 minutes of spaced-out drones with swells of cello. This ends it all on a lovely, drifty, and meditational note.
Earth's strength lies in their ability to conjure dramatic textures and contemplative moods, all within the normally humdrum framework of guitar-drums-cello. "Angels Of Darkness" is a well-rounded, mature, and accomplished recording, and stands as a high point in the band's catalog. (Southern Lord)

Earthspace

Earth site

Earth - "A Bureaucratic Desire For Extra-Capsular Extraction" CD

Among Olympia, Washington's most innovative and influential acts, Earth are immense. A major inspiration on one Kurt Cobain (who, incidentally, appears here), this is a reissued collection of early work from 1990, making this the earliest recorded Earth material. In contrast to the band's more recent atmospheric work, this is low-and-slow drone/doom metal. Think an instrumental Melvins, and you'd be in the same family. "Ouroboros Is Broken" is 18 minutes of throbbing, ebbing riff and Alesis drum machine -- like Godflesh all strung out, and in slow motion. 'Geometry Of Murder" is doom-grunge of the first order, while "Divine And Bright" has some mumbled vocals from Cobain. But that's just window dressing, as they say. The focus here is on the huge ten-ton riffage and alternating drone and pummel. "A Bureaucratic Desire" is Earth at their most monumental and gigantic. (Southern Lord)

Earthspace

Earth site

"Savage Holocaust" 5xDVD

This rather suspect boxset begins things with cover art that betrays the contents. Is it a set of dangerous and subversive "torture porn"? Some obscure and near-forgotten collection of seminal horror films that will satisfy even the cruelest sadist's thirst for blood? Most certainly not. With "Savage Holocaust", expectations be damned. When it comes to shady multi-disc "value packs" containing movies that either didn't sell on their own, or were overstocked in their previous format, this is a deceptive and lower-tier set. There are 5 discs here, with a total of 6 films. I'll give brief synopses here.

"Psycho Santa" (director: Peter Keir) - A horrendous backwoods Santa stalks his prey in broad daylight, and in full costume...and it doesn't even look like December! A little bit o' titties, some bad acting, almost no story...pass.

"Satan Claus" (director: Massamiliano Cerchi) - Cheapie slasher with painful sub-par over-acting. Santa here is a NY serial killer in costume, with plenty of sappy one-liners. Was this shot during a power outage? Why is the NYPD a dinky one-room with about 5 employees? I dunno, but this one's pretty well garbage.

"Campfire Tales" (directors: William Cooke & Paul Talbot) - This one's a series of
mostly-derivative 80's serial killer/slasher tales, notable for an appearance by Gunnar Hansen (the original Leatherface). Dumb teens and flat acting, mostly, but plenty of gore. My favorite piece is called "Overtoke", and is a sort of cautionary tale of weird-weed...fun in a seriously gooey way.

"Vampire Junction" (director: Jess Franco) - What the fuck is this? Weird, disjointed, surreal, and outlandish Spanish-Western-vampire romp, with plenty of Franco's trademark sex. Includes a multitude of odd and annoying filters, but also tons of tits, labial shots, and lesbian vampire action. But why do these vamp lezzies make piggie snorting sounds when performing cunnilingus? Almost unwatchable stuff here.

"FAQ" (director: Carlos Attanes) - An oppressive Orwellian future, in Paris, where human contact is verboten. Nono is a subversive citizen who chooses to interact with nature, women, and underground groups who seek to preserve the sounds of nature (of course, outside the law). The powerful Sisterhood attempts to silence him, or do they? Kinda confusing, kinda visionary, barely tolerable.

"Binge & Purge" (director: Brian Clement) - Clever and interesting (though sometimes poorly-acted) tale of fashion models (who look more akin to rollerderby girls) whose methods of dieting are a bit, uhh, unorthodox. Packed with meaty entrail-ripping and H.G. Lewis-styled gore, "Binge & Purge" is full of lovely ladies and slurpy cannibal action. Best of the bunch? Maybe.

(MVD Visual)