"Strange Powers - Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields" DVD (director: Gail O'Hara)

Fascinating look at a fascinating personality

Having been recording for prominent indie labels for nearly 25 years now, Stephin Merritt has somehow fallen beneath my own radar. And that's a shame, as this documentary shows a conflicted by extremely talented artist who's capable of producing some world-class indie pop sounds without much regard for commercial potential. His primary project, The Magnetic Fields, has created an extensive back catalogue of post-punk, synth pop, and indie rock that has found favor with peers and a small but devoted fan base. That's not to mention his other projects like the 6ths, Future Bible Heroes, or the Gothic Archies.

In this feature-length documentary, director O'Hara was granted access to Merritt's personal life and includes many intimate moments, onstage and off. As well, his longtime musical partner Claudia Gonson is featured throughout, among other bandmates, outside musicians, and fans. It's more of a "behind the scenes" documentary, rather than a historical one, but that's just fine. Merritt may seem aloof and deadpan (even morose and disagreeable) at times, but it's his music that does the speaking, and Merritt's music is intelligent, emotive, and intensely personal, connecting with people around the world who may feel lost, heartbroken, or disaffected. 

For proven fans, "Strange Powers" will be a revelation. To the unfamiliar, it's a great lesson and entertaining film about an artist on the fringes who deserves more recognition.

(MVD Visual)

Official Merritt website (House Of Tomorrow)

Neomythics - "Projectiles" CD

Fine post-indie rock from Frisco

The second album from San Francisco-based duo Neomythics, "Projectiles" is a sly and slick rock experience. From the proto-new-wave opening title track, the moody "Your Life" makes a good case for smart pop stardom. "Countdown" is a nearly industrial/post-punk number, whereas "Phased Out" is prime "alternative rock". I could go on about these guys' diverse sounds, and truth be told, they do it all quite well. 

From outright pop-rock to smart indie sounds, Neomythics are a band with all the chops. Enjoyable!

Ex-Fed Records

Neomythics - "New Corporate Resistance" CD

Well-done indie rock here, with plenty of melody and a keen sense of humor and cynicism. Apparently consisting of several veteran players (from Wide Hive Players and Variable Unit), Neomythics' debut begins with the spiky power pop of "Leah", and continues through the bouncy "Barefoot Blackout" and the commentary of "Brackish (Talk Radio)". Good music here, with something to say. (Ex-Fed Records)

"National Parks Project" DVD

In honor of the Canadian National Parks centennial, this fascinating DVD is a compilation and collaboration between 13 filmmakers and 39 independent musicians. Given 5 day visits to some of Canada's most scenic and majestic parks, the filmmakers create their own visual interpretations of the parks' natural beauty and grandeur, while the musicians performed songs/soundtracks alongside them.

The results are, as can be expected, uneven. At their finest, these films are meditative and artful, capturing the flora and fauna in its own rugged purity. There are lovely and intimate portraits of wildlife and forests, tundra and treelines, Arctic snow and glaciers, waterfalls and shorelines, and tons more. The directors put their own individual spin on their surroundings, and some end up like hallucinogenic mind-trips, while others are more straightforward and documentary. 

The music, which sometimes seems to get in the way of the visuals, is primarily of the loose, slackerly indie rock persuasion, with detours for some tribal Native American sounds, as well as some cool proto-metal from Melissa Auf Der Maur (who is central to a particularly memorable film). 

All told, this is a unique and creative way to celebrate the natural heritage and splendor of Canada's national parks system. And even if some films (or music) may not be to your liking, there are plenty of amazing visuals here to inspire and aspire to. (Primitive Entertainment)

National Parks Project site

The Low Anthem - "Smart Flesh" CD

Recorded (at least partially) in an abandoned pasta sauce factory in their home state of Rhode Island, this album further proves that the Low Anthem are one of America's best unknown musical treasures. Sure, they have only a mere 3 albums under their belt, but "Smart Flesh" is wise listening for anyone who appreciates rustic and earthy indie pop with country and drone flavorings.
The spectral and heartfelt opening paean, "Ghost Woman" opens it all in a low-key fashion. It's a great little song, with wonderfully literate verbiage. Perfect. "Apothecary Love" is another memorable and catchy old-time country lament. Beautiful. "Boeing 737" is a rousing and moving anthem, and "Wire" is a lovely clarinet interlude by the band's Jocie Adams. "I'll Take Out Your Ashes" is an appropriately sparse banjo-and-radio ballad featuring charismatic front man Ben Knox Miller. But it's all good, here. Every song tells a story with grace and poeticism.
The Low Anthem will easily appeal to fans of stuff like Dylan, Wilco, or even similarly-named Minnesota drone-rockers Low. This album couldn't get higher marks from me. So what are you waiting for? (Nonesuch Records)

The Low Anthem site

"I Need That Record! - The Death (Or Possible Survival) Of The Independent Record Store" (director: Brendan Toller) DVD

Having not grown up with iTunes or Amazon (or even eBay) at my fingertips, it's easy for me, at my age, to understand the ideals and importance of the independent record shop. I credit certain amazing, thoughtful, and creative record shops for helping me find my niche(s) in music, both as a (debatable) musician and as a collector and fan. Having a central location to find (and discuss) obscure, unknown, and amazing recorded music has been a blessing to those of us who live and breathe music. This full-length documentary examines the reality and relevance of having an indie record shop in your hometown, and the alarming reasons so many have dropped off and closed over the past decade. To make his case, director/editor/writer Brendan Toller assembles a worthwhile and knowledgeable base of interviewees, from indie musicians like Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Ian Mackaye (Minor Threat, Fugazi, Dischord), Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith), Mike Watt (Minutemen, Stooges), Glenn Branca, Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers) to writers like Legs McNeil and actual record store owners themselves. Did the corporate record industry kill the indie shop scene? Do chain music stores that cater only to the lowest common denominator ultimately hurt indie shops? Is the increasing homogenization of radio also to blame? Or is it technology's ever-changing grasp at fault? These topics are debated and discussed intelligently and with a hopeful nostalgia, and they make a compelling case to go local and indie. As if you'd consider otherwise, right? Right? (See Of Sound via MVD Visual)

The Snake The Cross The Crown - "On A Carousel Of Sound, We Go Round" DVD/CD

Great news for fans of underrated indie rock act The Snake The Cross The Crown (like me)...Seriously, I love these guys' music, thanks to Chris Tracey for bringing them to my attention! It seems the band are releasing a DVD documentary, packaged with a CD of unreleased and B-side recordings...the film is directed by Nicholas Kleczewski, and is available for preorder through the Snake The Cross's website, though the UPS shipping of $9.00 minimum outright sucks, and prevents me from ordering immediately. Anyway, the trailer is now available, and here it is. These guys are so very good, and receive so little attention. Check out their CDs on Equal Vision, "Mander Salis" and "Cotton Teeth", which assimilate both Dylan and Radiohead, so if either of those artists appeal to your way of thinking, you should look at this. Pronto. Great guys, too. Saw them play a tiny bar in Eville (Indiana) to almost NO crowd, shamefully, a few years back. Support music like this...really!

The Snake The Cross website

The Snake Crossspace

Touchers - "Blithe" CD

A lively and likeable release of all-over-the-place indie rock from a Montana act that released 5 other CDs before vocalist/guitarist 'Bipolar' Ben Spangler passed away in 2007. Spangler's wild and wooly vocal style is central to the Touchers' combination of rootsy rock, punk, and classic indie mid-tempo,and lines can be drawn to acts like Nirvana, Pixies, and even the Dead Milkmen (believe it or not) in spots, but these boys assimilated all of these and more into their own individual stew. Recorded by Seattle legend Jack Endino, these 14 songs certainly sound great, and Spangler's unhinged demeanor is an asset, to be sure. 'Vampire' is a superb and particularly Pixies-inspired bit of frantic dementia, and musically, 'Blithe' is a solid if nondescript mixing of American influences, packing plenty of punch and dynamic. Enjoyable work, and a shame there can't be more. (Mental Records)

Touchers

Seven Storey Mountain - "At The Poles" CD

Well-done, aggressive post-punk that channels some strong spirits. Think Wire, Gang Of Four or Killing Joke by way of Fugazi and Jesus Lizard, and you’ll be in the same zip code.
Seven Storey Mountain hail from Arizona and this, their third LP in 10 years, is a nicely dissonant slice of well-throttled guitars, angular grooves and melodic vocals that aren’t adverse to lung-shredding punishment if the song so requires.
“Take The Lead” is a top choice, with its subtle, circular guitar pattern giving way to a driving chorus that reminds me of Chicago punk legends Naked Raygun. But maybe that’s just the vocals of main belter (and producer) Lance Lammers. He rises above this comparison in the oddly shaped but potent “Sinking In,” or the grimy “Elevator.” The latter begins with a confounding, Lizard-esque riff attack, then evolves into a sing-along punk number. A nice touch.
“Take The Lead” is a fairly accessible song, and perhaps the best choice for a single with its muscular and reasonably straightforward delivery. “Sweet Forty-Nine” is packed with noise and intensity, but it’s a slow-building, tense attack, with a raved-up chorus and rolling drums. At The Poles is a finely-crafted, albeit brief (31-minute) set of tunes that are punchy and dynamic. They bring back a time when Touch & Go ruled college radio, and weird noise-rock was nothing to be ashamed of. (Thick Records)