Ian Hunter Band Featuring Mick Ronson - "Live At Rockpalast" DVD

Formerly frontman for the legendary Mott The Hoople, Hunter is here joined onstage by longtime friend and associate Mick Ronson (best known for his work with Bowie's Spiders From Mars).

Recorded live in Essen, Germany in 1980, this made-for-TV show includes favorites like "Once Bitten Twice Shy", "We Gotta Get Out Of Here", and "All The Young Dudes". This is classic stadium-guitar rock of the first order, shot with multi-cameras and, as with previous "Rockpalast" titles, pro-quality audio. Another fine historical document, and a necessary purchase for fans of both Hunter and Ronson. (MiG Music via MVD Visual)

Ian Hunter official website

Michael Schenker Group - "Rockpalast" DVD

Formerly a member of German pre-metal acts UFO and the Scorpions, Schenker's pedigree as a hard rock guitarist is impeccable, and he's largely considered one of the greatest metal guitarists around. When he struck out on his own, he enlisted the help of vocalist Gary Barden, bassist Chris Glen, keyboardist Paul Raymond, and drummer Cozy Powell to fill out his band.

Captured live in Hamburg in 1981, just after the release of the first MSG album, this concert was filmed for German TV, and is only now being re-released onto DVD. It's a solid quality, multi-camera affair, capturing plenty of different angles and intimate close-ups of a classic metal outfit in their heyday. A solid document of an influential guitar figurehead and his impressive band. (MIG-Music.de via MVD Visual)

Schenker's website

Prima Donna - "Bless This Mess" CD

Hollywood, California-based glam/power-pop act Prima Donna's debut comes with some impressive credentials. Production by Dave Sardy gives the songs room to breathe, and a clean, true sound that doesn't over-gloss the band's raw and rock-oriented nature. And touring support from friends Green Day can't hurt, either, as Prima Donna's punk roots show a marked similarity to Green Day's more sing-a-long elements.

"Sociopath" opens as a spunky and almost greasy pop-punk anthem in the great Ramones tradition. "Maxine" is more power-pop in vibe, as is "Feral Children". In truth, just about any of these tracks could be singles. "Broken" is another favorite, but I could go on and on. Suffice to say, "Bless This Mess" is packed with plenty of reckless rock songs with just enough melody and tuneful catchiness. Enjoyable. (Acetate Records)

Prima Donna site

Dinosaur Jr - "Live At 9:30 Club - In The Hands Of The Fans" DVD

Being the work of several amateur videographers (each of whom won an online Dinosaur Jr fan contest), "In The Hands Of The Fans" documents the legendary indie icons Dinosaur Jr performing their classic 1988 album "Bug" at DC's 9:30 Club in 2011. The band's original members J. Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph reunite here to masterfully tear through the album, track-by-track, including the single "Freak Scene". A highlight for me is "Don't" -- a warped bit of psychedelic noise that showcases Mascis's guitar mastery amiably.

Almost as essential as the show, the bonus features include an onstage interview, hosted by the inimitable (and avowed Dinosaur fan) Henry Rollins. As well, there's a sort of round-table discussion with the band and the fan camera crew, some bonus live tracks, and discussion with producer Dave Markey (of "1991 - The Year Punk Broke" fame).

The footage, though initially shot on hand-cams, is seamless, clear, and well-integrated, and far from "bootleg" in quality. It's an essential document for any Dinosaur Jr fan, and a testament to the band's enduring influence on indie rock. Well-done! (MVD Visual)

Dinosaur Jrspace

Quoth - "Alter Egos" album (self-released)

With a name likely taken from an Aphex Twin song, I expected a trippy electronic act, and that's precisely what Pennsylvania group Quoth are. "Butterfly" is a giant, bass-heavy groove with dub and industrial influences. "Central Control" is glitchy IDM electro. This is instrumental electronica with guts, tailor-made for fans of Aphex Twin, Download, or Orbital. Free download at their bandcamp page linked here...

Quoth page

Fields Of The Nephilim - "Ceromonies" 2xCD+DVD trailer

This is a trailer for another feature-length concert film due in March, supposedly, from one of my favorite bands, Fields Of The Nephilim. There's a double-CD + DVD set and a double-vinyl LP called "Ceromonies"...the elusive Carl McCoy and band live and loud. Magnificence! And check out Carl's appearance on Watain's last amazing album, "Lawless Darkness", too.

"Where The Streets Have No Name" DVD (director: Vijaykumar Mirchandani)

This unusual documentary focuses on the humanitarian work of Dr. Harald Falge, who has spent years fighting to alleviate the plight of homeless and hungry street children in the obscure town of Cairns in Northern Australia.

Falge, a chiropractor by trade, noticed an alarming number of homeless youth in his homeland. Seeing how these kids became entangled in webs of drug abuse and prostitution, he set up programs, often with his own funding, and enlisted others to clean up his town. Falge's tireless work on behalf of Cairns' youth has won him a number of awards, and garnered him international respect.

This film examines this work, and sensitively looks at the reasons and motivations of these children, even following some into adulthood (and stability). Candid interviews with the people of Cairns, and Falge himself, show a portrait of a tropical paradise that was once under threat of becoming a seedy center of illegal trade and child abuse, now moving in the right direction.

A splendid film, and one that should rightfully be seen by any and all. (MVD Visual)