"Elvis Found Alive" CD

A clever marketing tool to coincide with the release of the film of the same name, this is a set of "15 new recordings" from the King. Here, we are treated to Elvis-styled covers of The Police ("Every Breath You Take"), Michael Jackson ("Wanna Be Startin' Somethin"), and Garth Brooks ("The Dance"), among others. By my ears, this is a novel and fun set of impersonations, staying fairly true to the traditional, classic Elvis sound. He updates "his own" classics like "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Blue Hawaii", even. The electro-tinged version of "Hawaiian Wedding Song" is pretty awful (even painful), and the closer, "Elvis Is Back Rap" proves that this release is firmly tongue-in-cheek. A novelty, at best, but a fun and playful one. (MVD Audio)

"Elvis Found Alive" DVD (director: Joel Gilbert)

Purporting to have located the real Elvis, now living under witness protection in California, infamous director Gilbert here "interviews" the man (with face obscured) about his life before and after his supposed (staged) death. Citing his involvement with the DEA and the Feds in defeating the "Communist" plague and the anti-American sentiments of the far left in the 60's and 70's, "Elvis" here explains it all. Thankfully, it's a fairly well-done historical look at the King, and Gilbert has tons of fine archival footage and photos to share.

Sure, this is a mockumentary of sorts, and Gilbert is easily attempting to stir sensationalism in favor of sales. That's a given. The voice of "Elvis" is far too measured and steady, being far too close to the real man's young days, and his stammering is rehearsed as well. A real conversation would not normally be as clean. So, I have serious doubts. This is an obvious hoax.

As a documentary with a novel twist, "Elvis Is Alive" is perfectly fine. Sure, some die-hard Elvis fans consider this some kid of sacrilege, but I found it rather fun. (MVD Visual)

"Shockorama" 2xDVD (director: William Beaudine)

Comprising two different titles from prolific director Beaudine, this set highlights some of his more curious drive-in/trash-films of 1966. First up is "Billy The Kid Vs. Dracula", starring John Carradine -- a silly premise but fun nonetheless. Sure, expect quickie sets and some hammy non-acting, but Carradine's creepiness, and Chuck Courtney's Billy The Kid is as Saturday matinee-hero as you can get.

The second feature is "Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter", another mash-up of great Western heroes and classic Hollywood horror. Again, I found this to be a fun and lightweight guilty-pleasure, and certainly leagues better than modern Z-grade horror schlock. Great characters, silly predicaments, and some memorable, nearly-forgotten novelty screen gems.

(Cheezy Flicks)

Mid-Winter Craft Beer Rundown

It's time once more for my semi-monthly beer review rundown. Keep in mind that the ratings system goes from 1-5, with 1 being absolute piss to 5 being ambrosia. Any beer rating around a 3 or so is worth a taste. Give these craft beers a try, and you may be surprised to find a new favorite. Support your local breweries, and drink good beer, not corporate swill! On we go...

Goose Island - Mild Winter (Chicago, IL) - 3.5

This rich rye ale pours with a rush of bubbles and impressive lacing on the glass. I get aromas of fruit and yeast, which certainly isn't bad. The flavor is strong, with hints of dark, candied fruits and, again, yeastiness. Goose Island seldom disappoints, and their Mild Winter is a winner, indeed.

Barley Island - Brass Knuckles Oatmeal Stout (Noblesville, IN) - 4.0

A semi-local brew here, and a righteously fine one it is, too. This deep, impenetrably black stout pours with a nice head and solid lace on the glass. Aroma and taste summon notes of coffee and cocoa. Well-done! It's a smooth, even creamy drink, with a nicely burnt malt finish. Very enjoyable, and a brew perfectly exemplary of the style. Bravo, Barley Island!

Anheiser-Busch - Wild Blue Blueberry Lager (St.Louis, MO) - 1.0

First, if you're looking for an alcoholic grape soda, search no longer. this funky purple-blue brew smells of berries and little else, which isn't bad in itself. I get grape soda with an alcohol bite underneath, but nothing complex at all and certainly not enjoyable. Professing "all natural ingredients" still doesn't convince me, as this tastes really metallic, 'off', and just all wrong. Just no.


Stone 11.11.11 Vertical Epic Ale (Escondido, CA) - 4.5

This exquisite and limited ale dares to combine Anaheim chilies, cinnamon, and Belgian yeast strains, and it works very well. Aroma and taste are both strong and heavy, with hints of chilies swirled up with some bittersweet cocoa vibes. The cinnamon is somewhat muted. What an interesting collision of flavors here. Quite unusual and very impressive.

Abigail Williams - "Becoming" album

With their third album, veteran American metal act Abigail Williams bring symphonic elements to their otherwise primal black metal attack. "Ascension Sickness" is a masterful work of transcendent darkness. These guys deserve some credit, as their sometimes mournful, often scathing metallic lashings are tempered by some well-developed melodies and strings amongst the blastbeats and demonic howls. The epic 17-minute "Beyond The Veil" closes it all up with swells of lovely strings and an almost post-rock sense of space and dynamism. World class. (Candlelight Records)

Abigailspace

Morkobot - "Morbo" CD

Featuring solely 2 bass guitars and drums, this Italian act's raw sonic melee is surprisingly heavy and intricate. With hints of grimy noise, punk, and prog-style math rock, Morkobot's weird tunings and thick, pulsing riffs and rumbling rhythms are both frenetic and tense, reminding me somehow of an instrumental Jesus Lizard meets the Melvins. The standout here has to be "MoR", which breaks things down to a more subtle dubby, jazzy groove. (Supernatural Cat)

Morkobot site

Contrastate - "A Live Coal Under The Ashes" CD

Originally released as a limited vinyl LP/CD package back in 1992, "A Live Coal Under The Ashes" shows this now-defunct UK experimental group at their best. The title track (in 2 parts) melds an ominous drone with low-intoned chants, seeming much like the ritual sounds from some long-lost tribe or a late-night mystical gathering. "The Fingers Of My Foot" is another effective simple tribal/ritual trance piece. "An End Marked By Pessimism" is 9 minutes of cinematic ambience using natural sounds, tribal drums, drones, and gray washes of electronics to great effect. The final two minutes include a declarative bit of spoken poetry atop the percussive drones, reminding me of mid-period Test Department, even. A superlative album for fans of mystical post-industrial ambience. (Tesco Germany)

Contratatespace