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| So much is about money today, we thought we'd throw the progressive towel in and let you know if these are worth the proletariat's greenbacks. One Star  Two Stars  Three Stars  Four Stars  Five Stars  |
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Joshua Marston, Warner Home Video, 2004 link ... |
This story of flower-factory worker turned drug smuggling "mule" Maria (played well by Catalina Sandino Moreno) seems promising, but too many clichés and not enough realism prove fatal. Although the film was recognized at several independent film festivals, there's something about this lackluster movie that doesn't fill you up; it looked good on the menu, but you leave the table empty. From a technical standpoint the movie stands on its own two feet: the production design, cinematography, and directing serve the story well—even on the small budget. It's the story that falls flat. If you're in the mood for a foreign film (Spanish with English subtitles) you could do worse, but then again, you could certainly do better. |
| Morgan Spurlock, Hart Sharp Video, 2004 link ... |
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| As documentaries go, this is a good one. Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, rejected five times by the USC film school, won the best director award at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival for his documentation of a rather disturbing experiment. Eating nothing but McDonald's food for 30 days (and accepting every offer to super-size his order) Spurlock puts his health at risk to answer a simple question: how bad is fast food? The results will shock you—as they shocked the team of doctors monitoring his progress—and may change your eating habits. Spurlock's film examines the role fast food plays in our culture, and the process of indoctrinating another generation to become "regular users." |
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Warner Brothers Records, 2004 link ... |
| This is the best album released by R.E.M. since the loss of drummer Bill Berry, and perhaps the best since ‘92's Automatic for the People. Around the Sun simply glows, with song after song delivering the kind of consistent R.E.M. high so many of us took for granted fifteen years ago. Of its own merits this album should be in any music lover's collection, with or without the R.E.M. anthems of the past. Michael Stipe's lyrics penetrate, and some of his vocal performances stand out as the best of his career. The layered musicianship makes this recording polished and speaks of the kind of thoughtfulness required for any great work of art. Add a pinch of political honesty and with this album R.E.M. proves without any doubt, they can make excellent music. With Around the Sun they've done just that. Get this album. |
| Virgin Records, 2004 link ... |
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| Tool frontman and A Perfect Circle founder Maynard Keenan isn't afraid to tell you what's on his mind. In this, the third full length release from A Perfect Circle, it's war and greed. As if it were a response to the re-election of George W Bush last November, the album makes no apologies about calling war wrong and politicians evil. Yet Keenan manages to make this a highly effective rant, putting music into the world that might actually help people see things in a new moral light. Several classic peace ballads, including an excellent cover of John Lennon's "Imagine," grace this album. Keenan does well handling Lennon's powerful song, which follows the rather unexpected whispered warning of dehumanization and destruction serving as the opening track. A Perfect Circle is fed up with the system. With Emotive the band updates peace anthems of the sixties—and releases some good ones of their own, like the inspired song "Passive" —making it once again all right to say "give peace a chance." Although one wishes A Perfect Circle had elected to donate 10% of the album profits to an organization like Amnesty International, the album itself is a philanthropic one. |
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Interscope Records, 2004 link ... |
| Gwen Stefani breaks away from her band No Doubt for long enough to drop one darn good album. Her first solo release, Love, Angel, Music, Baby, just might be the best pop album of 2004. Stefani has a knack for making catchy, layered, energetic, smart music. Freedom from the collaborative restraints of No Doubt offers Stefani complete artistic control, and the resulting album feels distinctly "Gwen Stefani." It's a skillful mix of musical hooks and instrumentation reminiscent of the best 80's music. Throw in good hip hop, and Stefani's competent vocal execution, and you've got an album you'll be listening to in the summer with the top down. |
| Interscope Records, 2004 link ... |
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| Another offering from the aging super band, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb enjoys several successes but doesn't manage to break new ground. The album is certainly a better offering than 2000's All That You Can't Leave Behind. Some of the tracks stand out as excellent songs ("Love and Peace or Else," "Original of the Species," and "Yahweh" come to mind) but much of this album sounds like the same tired U2 of their last endeavor. For those who've felt warmly about the band and their music in the past this will be an enjoyable album. But if you're looking for a totally fresh contribution from aging icons (like that of R.E.M.'s latest LP) you won't find it here. |
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Lost Highway Records, 2003 link ... hear the entire album on her site! |
| Lucinda Williams was recognized as one of America's best song writers long before she released this edgy, smart album. Her music runs the gambit of genres, from blues to rock to folk—she is the queen of the musical style becoming known as "Americana." The strength of Williams' lyrics and musicianship is unmistakable. With this, her third album, she re-establishes herself as the talented, unpredictable, and achingly effective troubadour she is. Whether the four-four waltzing "Over Time," the foot-stomping "Atonement," or the confident, guitar-snarling "Righteously," Williams manages every song with ease and enthusiasm. This is the best album you've heard nothing about, and you can listen to every song on Williams' appropriately artistic and refined web site (see link above). |
| Aftermath, 2004 link ... |
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| Eminem's late 2004 release may not be his strongest, but there's enough here to warrant a listen—including a healthy dose of his usual antics. This time Eminem takes aim at George Bush, with his incendiary "Mosh," a call to revolution that follows in the tradition of Eminem's best work. The more lighthearted Michael Jackson jabs of "Just Lose It" (first single from the album) reacquaint us with Eminem's particular brand of humor. With the ever reliable beat talents of Dre and plenty of adept rhyming from Marshall himself, the album reminds fans of rap that this skinny white boy still reigns supreme. Even with some fluff, this album from one of the most talented rappers alive is worth the purchase price. |
