1. Coves
One of the albums in my Top 5 New Releases this week was Soft Friday by Coves, the band name taken from an old term for “good friend“, made up of duo Rebekah Wood (vocals) and John Ridgard (multi-instrumentalist). I can’t seem to get enough of this album, the psychedelic rock meets indie pop with an edge that reminds me of The Kills, The Raveonettes, Metric and Jesus and Mary Chain if they let Hope Sandoval take over the mic. I’ve written a lot about how much good music came out this Summer, and as the season comes to a close it finishes with even more aural goodness, and when I saw good music I mean albums as a whole, a start to finish musical experience that makes me long for the days when albums reigned over playlists (this album is worth the listen in its entirety experience – trust me).
See my album review of Soft Friday here.
Wake Up :: Coves
Oh, and listen to their haunting, dream-infused take on one of my favorite songs, Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game:
2. Begin Again
On Monday, my daughters and I got to see Begin Again through a free weekend promotion that AMC Theaters were doing for Begin Again, a movie I have meant to see since its release. Though I would have gladly paid to see it (and may when I see it again, or at the least, buy on Blu Ray), I was ecstatic to see a packed theater full of many people who may have never seen this “limited release” gem if it hadn’t been free (and to hear and feel them engaged and enjoying the film, enough to applaud at the end, was amazing). This is a very me movie, anyone who knows me personally would agree, what with the main focus being on music and the connections it forges, and its realistic take on love, relationships, and “coming-of-age” at any age – it is easily in my Top 5 favorite movies of the year, and on my list of all-time favorites, as well as continuing on my big, big love of both Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley.
Like a Fool :: Keira Knightley
If you get the chance, see this movie while its still in the theaters. Here’s the trailer…
3. Outlander
The new series on STARZ, Outlander is based on a series of novels by Diana Gabaldon, the start of the eight book series first published in 1991. This is an epic story of time travel, survival, love, and family (born and found) told through a kick-ass female lead character who I loved in the first five minutes. I love that the television series is taking some time in letting the story unfold and not rushing too fast into the love (and torrid sex) part of the story that you know is on its way (I will welcome it when it arrives, but am reveling in the build-up), and that the series is leading us in, and through this world, through Claire, with all her advances and limitations, including not using subtitles for the Scottish Gaelic spoken by the Clan because, well Claire wouldn’t know what they were saying.
Would you make the same decisions and choices that Clarie does? Seeing through her experiences, and through her, makes those questions all the more palpable.
Oh my stars, and the theme song…
A novel of vampires, werewolves and parasols is promised on the book’s cover, Soulless is the start of a series of books highly recommended by a friend with exceptional taste (who also sent me the series of books to read- thank you). This week I dove in to the introductory tale of Alexia Tarabotti, soulless spinster who is full of wit and sarcasm and a kick-ass attitude that I already love (and I’m only two chapters in). I love a story with a strong female lead, and I love tales of the supernatural, and this book (and series) promises to be a lot of both.
Here’s a little glimpse into the author of Soulless, and a chapter from the book:
5. Pop Culture Affidavit take on My So-Called Life
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Has it really been twenty years since My So-Called Life first aired? It is hard to believe a television series that has such an impact on me, and the aftermath of the show that led me to an online community and mail-list (remember those?) that had an even bigger impact on my life, was twenty years ago. One of my favorite pod-casters and bloggers and writer in general, my friend Tom put together a two-part podcast to celebrate the twenty year anniversary, the second featuring some of our mutual friends from that mentioned mail-list. I’m still sad that illness, and a late return from an out of town family trip, kept me from being part of the fun (my schedule is sometimes crazy), I still can’t recommend enough the two-part podcast if you ever loved the show, still love the show, or have considered checking out (and loving, because you will) the show.
You can download the podcasts on iTunes or on the BeyondPod app that I use on my phone (great for long commutes, like mine), or you can listen here.
Here’s part one:
Let me preface this by saying that I am not a gamer, but I live in a house of gamers (seriously, we have multiple game consoles in our house), and sometimes I try to give it a go. I am not good with guns or aiming (my family is tempted to film me trying to stream as comedy on YouTube) and I spook and startle easily (more fuel for that comedy wish of theirs), but I do enjoy a game that gives good story, which The Last of Us definitely does. The starting story is as heartbreaking and tense as an episode of The Walking Dead and had me immediately engaged in the characters, and hey, I made my way through the first level (eventually) and haven’t given up yet.
Did I mention the game is visually stunning, too?
7. Hawkeye by Matt Fraction
The first comic I downloaded with my Comixology app was Hawkeye, Vol. 1: My Life as a Weapon from the MARVEL NOW series, and I unexpectedly fell in love with Clint Barton. He is sarcastic, loves (and I mean LOVES) coffee, and he has quite the partner in Kate Bishop. Matt Fraction writes one hell of a series that will make you want to wear that t-shirt up there, too.
Here’s an interview with the Matt Fraction:
8. Rudderless
I’m a sucker for trailers, and often watch them obsessively online, making note of the ones I can’t wait to see. Rudderless, in theaters and on demand October 17th, is one such film on my list. A music movie (you have me already) about a Father who suffers a great loss when his son is killed in a shooting, who finds a way to heal and get through the pain of said loss through performing music his son left behind. The film stars Billy Crudup, who I loved in Almost Famous (on my top 5 list of all-time favorite movies) and Anton Yelchin, who I loved in Odd Thomas and Like Crazy, and is directed by William H. Macy, this one will be a must-see for me.
9. Ocean Rain (live) :: Echo & The Bunnymen
while compiling my best of 1984 for Throwback Thursday’s feature I came across this gorgeous live version of my favorite Echo and the Bunnymen song, Ocean Rain from the 80’s music show The Tube, recorded in 1984. The video quality is not great, and yet the song still sounds amazing. Makes me wish I’d been there watching it live.
10. My OCD :: Rhett & Link
courtesy of Charles
My husband’s weekly contribution via YouTube (we often call him the King of YouTube around our house). Comedy duo Rhett and Link parody-sing a pop tune about OCD. My favorite is the chorus about the uneven hoodie strings and the missing parenthesis.
If you enjoy you should subscribe to Rhett & Link for more funny – here.
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