"Strange Fruit - The Beatles Apple Records" DVD

In their sixties heyday, as the Beatles were riding a wave to the top of the charts, they (and their management) decided to begin their own "artist-centric" record label called Apple Records. As an unauthorized documentary of the legendary label, this 162-minute DVD is absolutely essential for fans. 

Detailing now-obscure releases by names like Elephant's Memory, The Iveys, and Paul McCartney protege Mary Hopkin, as well as better-known releases by Badfinger and James Taylor, "Strange Fruit" includes interviews with experts, journalists, and the musicians themselves (though actual Beatles member interviews are not featured). Individual albums are dissected, and the involvement from McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon, or Ringo Starr are noted. 

This is a fascinating and exhaustive look at the golden era of the Beatles and Apple  Records, and I applaud Chrome Dreams for this superlative release.

Sexy Intellectual

Beatles official site

"The Story Of Rock 'N Roll Comics" DVD (director: Ilko Davidov)

If you grew up in the 80s or 90s, you may remember "Rock 'N Roll Comics". This upstart underground publishing company produced a shit-ton of unauthorized rock biographies in comic book form. The company, founded by Todd Loren, kindled the ire of many of the featured bands (or more specifically, their merchandising and management companies).

This documentary covers the little-known life and times of Loren, from the beginning of his dealings in the music business with rock memorabilia company Musicade (who I'm pretty sure I used to order from) to his short-lived Rock 'N Roll Comics venture. Loren was an incendiary character, with little business acumen and, according to some of the friends interviewed here, even fewer social skills. Loren was found murdered in 1992, in a case still unsolved.

"The Story Of Rock 'N Roll Comics" features interviews with many of Loren's colleagues, friends, and family members, as well as names like Alice Cooper and Mojo Nixon, both of whom were supporters of Loren's free speech cause as he battled rock giants like Guns 'N Roses, Bon Jovi, or even New Kids On The Block, in court. It's an engrossing look at one of America's underground comics' "dirty little secrets". 

Wild Eye/MVD Visual

Pankow - "..And Shun The Cure They Most Desire" trailer

I am excited to report that my favorite forgotten Italian electronic/industrial rock act PANKOW has a new double-CD release, out in America on Metropolis Records (and Out Of Line in Europe). "..And Shun The Cure They Most Desire" features plenty of new tracks, most with new vocalist Bram Declercq. Original vocalist Alex Spalck (who also wrote most of the lyrics) returns for several tracks, as does Paulo Favati, who is legendary for his productions and remixes. Disc 2 is a set of new remixes of classic Pankow cuts like the immortal "Me And My Ding Dong", "Sickness Taking Over", and "Gimme More". Check out this teaser sample of the band's new material. It's a nice throwback to their classics from the late 80s and early 90s. Long live Pankow!

Pankow page at Metropolis

The Damned - "Live Live Live - Tiki Nightmare" DVD

Ah, The Damned remain one of my all-time favorite of the original punk bands. So many classic songs, and they still bring it, even 35 years later! This live show, from London way back in 2002, features classic members Dave Vanian (the band's only constant from their 1976 debut) and Captain Sensible, joined by the always-enticing Patricia Morrison (now Vanian, best known for her work with Sisters Of Mercy), as well as later members Monty Oxy Moron and drummer Pinch.

That all aside, this is a fine show, shot well with multiple cameras and with solid sound. The band's 19-song set begins with a load of later-period sounds (mostly culled from their "Not Of This Earth" and "Grave Disorder" releases), before diving into the rich back catalog. Yes, we are treated to legendary cuts like "Neat Neat Neat", "New Rose", "Eloise", "Smash It Up", "Love Song", and more. The band obviously still has "it", as these renditions smoke with all the great pop-punk melodies and spike-edged attitude of their earliest singles. Sensible and Vanian don't show any age whatsoever here. The bonus interviews (with each member individually) are also quite fun. A must-have for fans. Long live the Damned!

(Wienerworld)

(Wienerworld)

Official Damned site

Scissor Sisters - "Live In Victoria Park - London 2011" DVD

Like a modern-day hybrid of the B-52s and Queen, New York-based Scissor Sisters' provocative amalgamation of disco, rock, club, and pop proves both theatrical and flamboyant. They are a fun night out, no doubt, and this DVD is ample evidence.

This pro-shot multi-cam festival set is perfectly recorded. There's the anthemic pop of the catchy "Fire With Fire", the befuddling dance-funk cover of "Comfortably Numb", and the sleazy disco trash of "Filthy/Gorgeous", among the many crowd-pleasing favorites here. "Live In Victoria Park" is a fine document of the energetic and dance-worthy Scissor Sisters live experience, and can be summed up in one word -- fun.

(Wienerworld)

Scissor Sisters site

Beer: Widmer's Brrrbon '12 & Boulevard's Rye-On-Rye

In the craft beer world, aging in oak whiskey, bourbon, or wine barrels is a kind of trend, it seems. Hints of vanilla, wood, and subtle fruity characters can be added via this method. In the spirit of "beer themes", here are a couple of limited releases recently tasted at Goatsden that utilize this "barrel aging" process.

WIDMER BROTHERS (Portland,OR) - BARREL AGED BRRRBON '12 - 3.5

Widmer's always been a solid brand, and even though they are co-owned by corporate beer monoliths (AB/InBev), I still find myself enjoying most of their line. This limited 9.4% ABV beast is aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels, and is comparable to the better-known Alltech Brewing Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, which has been enjoyed many, many times here at Goatsden HQ. Here's my take on this big beer.

Pours a rich amber, with limited head of carbonation, and not much noticeable lacing. Nose is some vanilla and oak. Taste is rich and sweetly malty, but I don't get much of the vanilla-like bourbon tones. The finish does showcase the warm whiskey character, though. 

This one's not bad, though perhaps a tad high on the price ($14.99/bomber).

BOULEVARD BREWING (Kansas City, MO) - RYE-ON-RYE - 3.5

Part of Kansas City craft beer legends Boulevard's limited edition, premium "Smokestack Series", Rye-On-Rye is an exquisite corked bomber of very strong but unique beer aged in rye whiskey barrels.

Pours a murky, ruddy red-amber. Very sudsy, but little head visible. Carbonation continues to bubble as the glass warms. Odd and unusual. Nose is unique -- I get wet wood, some fruitiness, butter, and toffee. Not that it's bad, just an unusual combination, again. Flavor is fruits/berries and some toffee -- sweet and somehow wine-like. I don't detect much of the rye whiskey barrel, though, as this one just seems more of a fruit-oriented champagne style. 

It's quite easy to drink, and especially with the very deceptive 13% ABV. 

Overall, certainly a memorable and genre-busting brew.

"Mick Vs. Keith: The Strange Case of Jagger & Richards" 2xDVD

From the British kings of unauthorized bios, Chrome Dreams, comes this double-set of DVDs examining both of the Rolling Stones' guiding lights. And, as often is the case with these sets, it's a disguised reissuing of two older titles, simply packaged into a new slipcase. Shamefully, nowhere on the packaging does it mention the titles included within. So many serious fans will feel that they've been duped. And they have!

The first disc is "The Roaring 20s - Mick Jagger's Glory Years", which I have already reviewed here:

Mick Jagger DVD review on Goatsden

The second DVD is "Keith Richards - Under Review", which is a 2-hour documentary from 2007 that examines the charismatic Rolling Stones guitarist and madman, from his early years to his appearance with Johnny Depp in "Pirates Of The Caribbean". I won't fault the content, as it's a concise and well-studied look at the man at his heights and lulls. 

Still, I expect some semblance of accountability with Chrome Dreams' deceptive marketing. I mean, packaging a pair of older titles together at a discount is fine, as long as fans realize what they're buying. Shame on you, Chrome Dreams. 

As a caveat, this set is quite a fine set for Stones collectors. Just beware.

(Chrome Dreams)