Klaus Schulze & Lisa Gerrard - "Big In Europe 2009 Vol. 1 - Warsaw" 2xDVD+CD

Wonderful live collaboration from 2 legends

This live document of electronic pioneer Klaus Schulze features his sometime-collaborator Lisa Gerrard (she of Dead Can Dance and soundtrack fame), and it's a wonderful combination of Schulze's cinematic textures and Gerrard's evocative, ethereal vocal stylings.

Opening with the Schulze's moody, string-laden "Voices Of Weilun", and continuing into the uplifting, aerial textures of "Kampania Wrzesniowa", Gerrard joins in for the 28-minute "Selbsterkennede Ganzwerdung", where she takes the forefront among Schulze's ambient sounds and synth percolations. "A La Recherche Du Printemps Perdu" again showcases Schulze's classic Berlin-style sequencer work, before Gerrard rejoins for the solemn 10-minute closer, "The Da Varsaw Code".

The first DVD is simply a pro-shot video of the same concert, recorded during the duo's 2009 European tour in Warsaw. It's a well-done video capture, and shows the pair's brilliance in their respective fields -- Schulze the synth pioneer and analogue wizard, and Gerrard's unearthly, mystical, glossolalia. Together, they blend their respective talents into a cosmic ambiance that could only come from these pioneers.

DVD2 is "A Moogumentary", produced and directed by James L. Franchon, (the same videographer as the concert). But rather than being a documentary about the Moog synthesizer itself (as I somehow expected initially), this is a look behind the scenes of this unique concert, and we get to meet the forces behind the show, from Schulze's road crew to the concert organizers. In-between, interviews with both Schulze and Gerrard give insights into their collaborations. It's 50 minutes of fascinating visuals and sounds, and a perfect nightcap for viewing after the show.

My only complaint is the awful, bootleg-looking cover design. What's up with all that big, intrusive, off-balance lettering? That aside, "Big In Europe Vol. 1" is a lovely, warm and inviting set of Schulze's famous electronic textures with Gerrard's unmistakably unique voice.

MiG Music

Klaus Schulze site

Lisa Gerrard site

Napalm Death - "Enemy Of The Music Business Plus Leaders Not Followers" CD

Fine return to form from grind legends...

Combining the band's 2000 album and attendant EP of classic covers, this 57-minute disc opens with the corrosive "Taste The Poison", which signaled a welcome return to form from the Birmingham-based grindcore legends. 

The tracks to follow prove equally worthy, being extreme clots of aggressive post-metal noise & grindcore. "Vermin" captures the unbridled spirit of Napalm's punk/metal roots, being an ultra-speed-fueled ride, complete with clearly-mixed instruments and Barney Greenway's primal, gutteral vocals. "Volume Of Neglect" features a seriously amazing blur of bass-heavy drums and guitar that rivals the band's earliest work. I could go on, and sure, each song is pretty similar, but that's the beauty of Napalm Death. Discount their shaky death metal period, and the countless lineup changes, and you have one of the most stalwart of their crossover breed. "Enemy of The Music Business" is a solid and exemplary work from the band, and offers crunchy clots of abundantly aggressive metal/punk/grindcore noise that just doesn't relent. 

"Leaders Not Followers" is an EP of covers, including works by Napalm influences like Raw Power, Repulsion, Death, and Dead Kennedys. It's refreshing to hear the band making pretty reverential and faithful covers of their heroes -- yet still maintaining that inimitable Napalm blend of blur and bluster. I wasn't familiar much with most of these underground classics, but the cover of the DK's "Nazi Punks Fuck Off" is just classic. 

Secret Records

Napalm Death site

"Locally Brewed" by Anna Blessing

"Locally Brewed" by Anna Blessing (2014 Agate Publishing, softcover, 7.5" x 9.5", 191 pages)

Taking a different sort of angle on the craft brewing world, "Locally Brewed" hones in on a cross-section of 20 unique and individual Midwestern America's craft brewers --- some widely known and respected (Founders, Bell's, Three Floyds, Great Lakes), and others unknown to me as of this writing (Short's, Greenbush, Steel Toe, Moody Tongue).  

Whereas other books on craft beer focus more on the dry history of the scene, "Locally Brewed" looks at the more personal side. We get some history, in the form of getting to know the owners and brewmasters themselves via photos and interviews. Granted, the text is rather brief overall, making this a quick read, but that isn't a bad thing at all. There are shit-tons of photos, shedding light on some of the breweries (and those behind the scenes) that some of us may never get to see in person.

Most fascinating to me, are the "brewers' playlists", and seeing what might well be playing on the CD players or iPods at these breweries. Folks like Three Floyds or  Surly are die-hard fans of heavy metal -- death, stoner, or black metal are all represented -- for example. Others, like Short's Brewing, lean more towards indie and alt.country rock. Others reflect classic r&b or old-school rock. Either way, it's a fascinating and more personality-oriented look at what makes some of these beer artisans tick.

"Locally Brewed" is an excellent book for craft beer fans, novice and expert alike, and shines a light on the individuals who are making our tasty brews here in the American Midwest. Prost!

"East End Babylon" DVD (director: Richard England)

Fine documentary of British oi! punk legends

Tracing the history of England's influential punk thugs, the Cockney Rejects, this exceptionally well-produced documentary interviews all the appropriate suspects, and features tons of archival footage. It's a treasure trove for fans of the band that pretty well started the "oi!" scene, for better or worse.

Balancing punk rock DIY aesthetics and street-brawling, football-flag-waving hooliganism, the Cockney Rejects were a raw and polarizing force in the original punk rock scene, inviting (against their own beliefs) right-wing affiliations. 

Told by band members (namely part-time pro boxer and founding guitarist Mick Geggus), their story is one of many brawls and battles (with the police as well as other football fans). Their reformation in the early 2000s (which continues to this day) shows them riding the classic wave punk revival bandwagon, and still steadfastly supporting their heroes (the West Ham United football club). 

It's all a fascinating and informative look at a band that deserves a bit more respect in the punk scene, if for nothing else, their longevity and tenacity in the face of such adversity. 

Cadiz Music

East End Babylon site

Nine Inch Nails - "Sound & Vision" 2xDVD

Well-done collector's set (with caveat)

As another unauthorized repackaging job from Pride Productions (aka Chrome Dreams), this double-DVD documentary set is recommended only for those who are aware of it's contents. I figure, since this is a review, I should be responsible and forewarn serious fans.

The first disc is actually "Metal Machine Music - Nine Inch Nails And The Industrial Uprising", reviewed by me already here:

Metal Machine Music - NIN And The Industrial Uprising

So, I needn't go into details on that one. 

The second disc is a collection of seemingly random TV interviews with Trent Reznor -- ranging from early 90s Canadian TV stuff to mid-2000s "With Teeth" and soundtrack-era clips. Despite the shady premise here, there are many great insights to be had (at least for NIN fans like myself). In short, this is a superb collection.

Again, nowhere on the package does it state exactly what 2 DVDs are included, so those who already own "Metal Machine Music" may feel ripped off. At least the second interview disc (which I couldn't find under any other name) holds some good info and entertainment value. 

It pays to be a skeptic on releases like this one, but thankfully there remains enough quality content to make this one worthwhile to fans.

Pride Productions UK via MVD VIsual

NIN dot com

Beer: Harpoon Grateful Harvest Cranberry Ale

HARPOON - GRATEFUL HARVEST CRANBERRY ALE (Boston, MA) - 3.25 (average)

Harpoon Brewery was founded in Boston way back in 1986 -- well ahead of the craft beer boom. Having been responsible for the excellent UFO Hefeweizen, and the huge "Leviathan" collection of imperial beers, they are an American craft brew legend. 

With an eye on charity (some of the proceeds from this brew go to the local food bank), Harpoon added some local cranberries to this limited seasonal batch, created in time for the holidays.

Pours a deep ruby amber, with a fair head and only slight (but attractive lace).

Nose is tart and subtle, but discernibly cranberry in character. Fair.

Taste is malty and sweet up front, with a hint of tart cranberry. But whereas many fruit-infused ales are over-sweet and overbearing, this one settles back and avoids that particular affliction. The cranberries are tart and sour, not sugary. 

The aftertaste/finish is where this one loses me -- it's sour and leaves a somewhat unpleasant lingering flavor. So, although this seems to capture the essence of natural (unsweetened) cranberries, it's not completely there yet.

Thanx to Liz@Harpoon for the opportunity to sample this unique ale!

Harpoon Brewery

Josh Klinghoffer - "Bob And The Monster original score" CD

Superb celebration of Bob Forrest's music

Released in conjunction with the superb and moving  documentary on Thelonious Monster front-man (and present-day drug counselor) Bob Forrest, this collection intersperses new Klinghoffer cuts with songs by solo Bob Forrest, Thelonious Monster, and Forrest and Klinghoffer's collaborative project, The Bicycle Thief.

Opening with the plaintive and minimal Klinghoffer guitar ode, "Phone Call", this fine album is a celebration of Forrest and his heartfelt, literate indie rock. Thelonious Monster's "Try" is wavering, poetic, and soulful 90s indie-style, while Forrest's solo classic "Sammy Hagar Weekend" is a tongue-in-cheek celebration of the hedonistic rock & roll lifestyle which Forrest himself once subscribed heavily to. 

Klinghoffer's cuts are predominantly minute-long guitar textures linking the more serious "songs" here, but the whole album is a rollicking good time. Forrest's songs are passionate and catchy indie rock of the first order, and close friend Klinghoffer (who is also currently guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers) proves a perfect accompaniment for this showcase of Forrest's great music.

I dug this one all the way through.

Acetate Records

Josh Klinghoffer fan site

Bob Forrest Music