The Wheel's Still In Spin

Movie Reviews: The Gleaners and I and Unstrung Heroes

Here’s the latest batch of mini movie reviews as I check my way through movie lists by watching a lot of “classic” films.

The Gleaners and I | Unstrung Heroes

New Releases – 27 July 2010

Here are The Wheel’s Still In Spin’s suggested new releases. As always, feel free to leave a comment with your suggestions.

Dean & Britta – 13 Most Beautiful: Songs for Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests | CD MP3 On Demand
Download “Herringbone Tweed” (mp3) [live version, not from album]
Dean & Britta were commissioned by the Andy Warhol Museum to create music for some of Warhol’s silent screen tests. They toured for 18 months with the screen tests projected behind the band. Now they have culminated the 13 songs and 8 remixes into an official release. These songs are dripping with Velvet Underground connotations. 13 Most Beautiful is Dean & Britta’s best album since the days of Luna.

Eilen Jewell – Butcher Holler: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn | CD MP3
Download “You’re Lookin’ at Country” (mp3)
Eilen Jewell has put together a collection of Loretta Lynn covers. Butcher Holler, named after Lynn’s hometown, tackles both atypical songs and popular hits. Jewell does justice to Lynn’s voice and the music has a barn dancin’ flare to these country covers with steel pedal and clean tele guitar tones.

After the jump, there is a list of more new releases from this week.

Favorite Movies 1980-1989

Adding to my list of favorite movies, what follows are the inductees from the 1980s.

Movie Reviews: Searching for Bobby Fischer, The Thief of Bagdad, and Toy Story 3

Here’s the latest batch of mini movie reviews as I check my way through movie lists by watching a lot of “classic” films. This week’s reviews focus on family friendly movies.

Searching for Bobby Fischer | The Thief of Bagdad | Toy Story 3

New Releases – 20 July 2010

Here are The Wheel’s Still In Spin’s suggested new releases. As always, feel free to leave a comment with your suggestions.

The Books – The Way Out | CD Vinyl MP3
Download “A Cold Freezin’ Night” (mp3)
Download “Beautiful People” (mp3)
It is difficult to describe The Books’ music. It is a collage of sampled sounds and live instruments. The music is a mixture of jazz, folk, classical, and electronic elements. Somehow the duo melds these disparate sounds into a wonderful sounding pastiche.

Mountain Man – Made the Harbor | CD Vinyl MP3
Download “Soft Skin” (mp3)
This is a folk album from a trio of female singers. Their harmonies are stout and the acoustic guitar accompaniment is minimal. These songs are celestial and heart-warming.

These United States – What Lasts | CD MP3
Download “The Great Rivers” (mp3)
For their fourth album in two and a half years, These United States continue the sound that made them one of my favorites of 2008 and 2009. What Lasts infuses Jesse Elliott’s rollicking vocals and the buoyant bounce of guitars, keyboards, and pedal steel.

After the jump, there is a list of more new releases from this week.

Built to Spill & Fauxbois – Slim’s, San Francisco, CA – July 15, 2010

Download Fauxbois – “Carry On” (mp3) (from Carry On)
Download Built to Spill – “Hindsight” (mp3) (from There Is No Enemy)

The stage of Slim’s was adorned with two bands from Boise, ID, on Thursday, July 15, 2010; one new, one tried and true. Fauxbois and Built to Spill share more than their town of origin. Both bands play guitar-based indie rock and are projects of their frontmen supported with a cast of deft musicians.

Movie Reviews: Paris, Texas, Shine, and Welcome to the Dollhouse

Here’s the latest batch of mini movie reviews as I check my way through movie lists by watching a lot of “classic” films.

Paris, Texas | Shine | Welcome to the Dollhouse

New Releases – 13 July 2010

Here are The Wheel’s Still In Spin’s suggested new releases. As always, feel free to leave a comment with your suggestions.

Defiance Ohio – Midwestern Minutes | CD Vinyl MP3 | Download from the band and pay what you want
Download “Hairpool” (mp3)
Somewhere between folk and punk, this band has a chamber pop sound and a completely DIY attitude. There are catchy layers of violin, cello, upright bass, guitars, piano, Wurlitzer, drums and vocals supporting the explosive melodies.

Mystery Jets – Serotonin | CD Vinyl MP3
Download “Flash a Hungry Smile” (mp3)
Download “Dreaming of Another World” (mp3)
For their third full-length album, Mystery Jets have created a beautifully produced, luscious indie pop. It melds a lot of retro sounding influencing into pure modern pop.

School of Seven Bells – Disconnect from Desire | CD Vinyl MP3
Download “Windstorm” (mp3)
The trio consisting of Benjamin Curtis and the identical twins Alejandra and Claudia Deheza have released their second album. There are layers of guitars, keyboards and percussion, but the tiers of vocals guide these lush pop songs.

After the jump, there is a list of more new releases from this week.

Movie Reviews Dangerous Moves, La Historia Oficial, and My Life As a Dog

Here’s the latest batch of mini movie reviews as I check my way through movie lists by watching a lot of “classic” films. This week’s reviews include 3 foreign films from the 80s.

My Life As a Dog | Dangerous Moves | La Historia Oficial

New Releases – 6 July 2010

Here are The Wheel’s Still In Spin’s suggested new releases. As always, feel free to leave a comment with your suggestions.

Jay Bennett – Kicking at the Perfumed Air
Download “Twice a Year” (mp3)
Download “M Plates” (mp3)
This week will see the release of Jay Bennett’s final album, Kicking at the Perfumed Air. On July 10, The Jay Bennett Foundation will release the posthumous album. The album will be available as a free download, but The Jay Bennett Foundation is accepting donations to benefit music education. I have not heard all the songs yet, but it will be one of my most memorable albums of the year.
Remembering Jay Bennett

The Cat Empire – Cinema | CD MP3
Download “Beyond All” (mp3)
The Australian band has released a diverse pop album. They mix elements of rock, ska, jazz, and mariachi on these 11 catchy tracks.

Joe Purdy – 4th of July | MP3 or CD
Joe Purdy is a folk singer that self-releases his albums. His 11th album, 4th of July, consists of evocative lyrics, intimate vocals, and subtly supple acoustic guitar or piano accompaniment. Listen to the entire album here.

After the jump, there is a list of more new releases from this week.