I didn’t see Becoming Led Zeppelin in the theaters. My friends let me have it, too. “Man, I can’t believe you didn’t see it. This has your name all over it.” Some lucky folks in bigger markets even got to experience the film on an IMAX screen. All I could do at this point was tune in when it became available on demand and streaming services. I know it wasn’t the same as the big screen and big sound, but at least my television is tied into my stereo.
The opening riff of “Good Times Bad Times” welcomes you to the documentary. Yes, you’re immediately hooked as the images depict the post-war years in outer London. Director Bernard MacMahon (American Epic) blends never-been-seen concert footage, storytelling by the three living members, and a rare audio interview in 1980 with drummer John Bonham, into a cohesive portrait. It’s an authorized independent documentary made with full cooperation of the band. The doc is loaded with delicious rock history tidbits that may surprise even knowledgeable fans. For instance, do you know who came up with the name for the band? (Answer below in the trivia.)
As teenagers, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were session musicians for a variety of artists, including backing up Shirley Bassey and a full orchestra for the James Bond theme Goldfinger. As Page says, “I played with everybody but the Beatles.” In 1966, Page joined the Yardbirds (their early version of “Dazed and Confused” is a highlight) who disintegrated shortly thereafter. Band of Joy, featuring Robert Plant and Bonham, was also falling apart. Zeppelin’s first tour was to Scandanavia in 1968, where they actually performed under the moniker The New Yardbirds (“How Many More Times” in Copenhagen is another standout). They avoided singles on their first album -“we’re an album band”- back at a time when FM stations played the entire side of an LP. The album and first U.S. tour (opening for Vanilla Fudge) were an overwhelming success with fans. Critics, not so much. “Excessive” and “indulgent” according to Rolling Stone.
Led Zeppelin II and the follow-up tour made them the biggest band in the world. The film ends with “What Is and What Should Never Be” at the Royal Albert Music Hall in January 1970. The infamous debauchery would come later. This film is focused on their formative years and emphasizes the music. Instead of the concert snippets common to rockumentaries, Becoming contains longer, almost complete versions of songs. Led Zeppelin are a visceral experience. I’m sure you felt the thunder in the theater. For others like me, check it out at home. It’s still a thrill.
(I watched Becoming Led Zeppelin on my cable TV’s (Spectrum) On Demand platform. You can rent or buy it on Amazon Prime Video and Apple+ TV. It should be available to stream on Netflix this summer.)
D² Rating ◼◼◼◼☐
Trivia: Upon joining the Yardbirds in 1966, Jimmy Page created a powerhouse guitar duo with which musician?
Expats is a limited series created and directed by Lulu Wang (The Farewell) based on the 2016 novel, Expatriates, by Janice Y.K. Lee. Starring Nicole Kidman, it explores the lives of three American women living in Hong Kong whose lives become intertwined when tragedy strikes one of their families. Margaret Woo’s (Kidman) young son disappears while at a street fair ensnaring her best friend, Hilary (Sarayu Blue, Never Have I Ever), and young Korean-American woman, Mercy (Ji-young Yoo), in an intense, emotional plight. Hilary’s husband, David (John Huston, Boardwalk Empire), is having an affair with Mercy further complicating matters.
Relationships between the women, their husbands, and domestic workers highlight the dilemmas of expat life in Hong Kong. The relationships are spirited and ardent but also fated to be short-lived. Grief, loss, privilege, and class all impede the search for connection in a foreign land. The vibrancy of Hong Kong is on full display. The cast lives up to the tension of the dialog-driven drama. The double-length fifth episode shifts the spotlight from the main characters to “the helpers” and students amidst the civil unrest of the “Umbrella Movement.”
We’ve seen Kidman as the fragile, tormented upper-class housewife before (Big Little Lies, The Undoing, and Nine Perfect Strangers just to name a few of the more recent examples). I thought when Expats premiered in January 2024 that she had been ridiculously busy. Since then, she’s starred in three films and three TV programs. Don’t let Kidman burn-out keep you from viewing Expats. It’s not another spy or psychological thriller. It’s a unique and authentic depiction of Americans living abroad. And Kidman can always be counted on to deliver a poignant twist. The ending is an illuminating surprise as Margaret defies expectations and rejects closure.
(Expats, six episodes about one hour each, except for episode five, is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.)
D² Rating ◼◼◼◩☐
Trivia: Nicole Kidman has been nominated for Best Actress five times, winning once for what 2002 film?
Academy Award for Best International Picture. Golden Globe for Best Actress. Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Actress. Recognition at numerous film festivals. I’m Still Here is making a lasting impression on audiences worldwide. One of my favorite movie experiences is loving a film that I went into without much knowledge or with relatively low expectations. This is such a film.
I’m Still Here is directed by Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries) and based on the memoir by Marcel Rubens Paiva, son of the film’s protagonist Eunice Paiva. In a performance for the ages, Fernanda Torres encapsulates Eunice’s high wire balancing act as family matriarch during Brazil’s military dictatorship (1964-1985). Salles depicts the dichotomy of life in the early 1970s through a lived-in filter punctuated by the family taking photos of each other and eldest daughter, Vera, documenting their lives on Super 8 film. There’s the idyllic house across the street from the beach with Sugarloaf Mountain looming above. Inside the home, life is family, dancing, parties, and culture. Outside this bubble of paradise, military convoys rumble by, and helicopters soar overhead. The increasing political instability hits home when Vera is stopped and searched by military authorities on the way home from the movies. Then the military raid the Paiva’s residence and arrest husband Rubens Paiva, an architect and former congressman who is secretly assisting political exiles. Eunice’s chilling nightmare has begun.
Inquiries about her husband go nowhere and she is taken in for questioning and held prisoner for 12 days. Teen daughter, Eliana, is also apprehended for 24 hours. Upon release, Eunice maintains a calm exposure despite the fact that she knows she may never see her husband again. Torres’ powerful restraint is unforgettable. Her five delightful children are handling the political invasion of their domestic bliss in different ways. The older daughters are increasingly aware of their mother’s silent grief and the precarious situation of their father. The younger kids are in their normal play world and daily routines. It’s a devastating situation. The family moves to Sao Paulo for a fresh start but does not forget what they left behind. While the military tried to erase the past, their photos and film preserved the family. As the epilogues demonstrate, Eunice will end up embodying the name of the film. She’s still here decades later presiding over her family and helping to save the world, too.
(I watched I’m Still Here via my cable subscription’s On Demand function. It’s available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Apple+ TV and should arrive on Netflix this summer.)
D² Rating ◼◼◼◼☐
Trivia: Who plays the older Eunice Paiva in the film’s epilogue?
Answer below
Answer: Fernanda Montenegro, mother of Fernanda Torres, known as the grande dame of Brazilian cinema, theater, and performing arts.
Saturday Night Live understandably went all out for its 50th anniversary. After all, it’s one of the longest-running programs in television history. The day before the historic season began on September 27th, the film Saturday Night, directed by Jason Reitman (Up in the Air), premiered in the theaters. The film begins as Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle, The Fabelmans) arrives at NBC studios the night of the first episode and concludes with Chevy Chase announcing, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night” for the first time. In between, the film is a behind-the-scenes look at the chaotic 90 minutes leading up to the debut broadcast. The relatively unknown ensemble is excellent with LaBelle particularly embodying the harried director barely holding it all together. Its January 25th streaming date was a nice setup for the pilot episode which NBC aired on February 15th (at 11:30 p.m., of course) as part of the anniversary party weekend.
October 11, 1975. The show didn’t even know if it would air until seconds before show time. Were the “Not Ready for Prime Time Players” prepared for the live spotlight? John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, and Gilda Radner all flash signs of what was to come despite their unsettled debut. Host George Carlin kept it grounded while Janis Ian, and particularly, Billy Preston, livened up the proceedings.
The three-hour SNL 50th Anniversary Special aired on February 16th (after a one-hour red carpet intro). The special followed the typical format. Steve Martin had the honor of the opening monologue and Paul Simon shared the stage with Sabrina Carpenter for the musical opener. Noteworthy sketches included Lawrence Welk (Fred Armisen), Black Jeopardy (Kenan Thompson), Q&A (Tina Fey and Amy Poehler), Debbie Downer (Rachel Dratch), canceled sketches (Tom Hanks), and Weekend Update with current hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che. Montages clips included physical comedy and commercial parody.
The musical documentary Ladies & Gentlemen…50 Years of SNL Music, directed by Questlove, premiered on January 27th as a lead up to the anniversary specials. It opens with a montage of the musical guest intro “Ladies & Gentleman…” with a split screen of musical guests over 50 years. I knew right away this was going to be the highlight of SNL’s 50th celebrations. Where to begin? Name a significant band and they have performed on SNL. The testimonials all noted how nervous they were and to this day still regard the SNL performance as a career milestone. Some of the performances that jumped out at me were the Rolling Stones (“Respectable”), U2 (“I Will Follow”), Franz Ferdinand (“Take Me Out”), B-52’s (“Rock Lobster”), Patti Smith (covering “My Generation”), and David Bowie (“The Man Who Sold the World”).
SNL has always pushed the boundaries. They provided a platform for newer artists, as well as burgeoning musical styles. The Funky Four became the first rappers to perform on TV (thanks to an assist from Debbie Harry). Fear became the first punk band to graduate to a TV studio from the “armpit” basement clubs such bands typically frequented. Comedy and music had never been such bedfellows, until Belushi and Aykroyd donned bee costumes as the first incarnation of the Blues Brothers. And if you’re on the edge of popular culture and you’re doing it live, you better be ready for some controversy. Rage Against the Machine with Steve Forbes as the guest host was just asking for trouble. Ashley Simpson committed the cardinal sin and got caught lip-syncing. Kanye broke the mold (putting it mildly) and left the building. And, of course, Sinead. The doc covers all these moments, and many more.
My favorite parts of SNL over the years are the opening sketch and Weekend Update. In this today’s climate of hip-hop and pop dominance, the musical guest is usually not appealing, but I still force myself to watch it and every so often I’m pleasantly surprised. The sketches have always been 50-50, but sometimes they are truly hilarious. That’s what makes these best-of SNL anniversary shows so much fun. The music rocks, the jokes land, and the marvelous parade of cast members remind you of how audacious the concept of SNL was…and still is.
(There was a third three-hour special which I didn’t see: SNL50 The Homecoming Concert which aired on Friday, February 14th to launch the anniversary weekend. It was a star-studded celebration with a lineup of musical guests hosted by Jimmy Fallon and aired live from Radio City Music Hall.)
(The Saturday Night film is streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The pilot episode and all episodes of SNL are available to stream on Peacock. All three 3-hour specials are also available on Peacock.)
Trivia: Chevy Chase left SNL midway through the second season and was replaced by whom?
Trivia: Who has hosted SNL the most times?
Answers below
Answers: Bill Murray replaced Chase and Alec Baldwin has hosted 17 times (Steve Martin is next with 15)
An FBI agent is thrown into a vast conspiracy about a mole at the highest levels of the U.S. government. To save the nation, he launches into a desperate hunt for the traitor, while protecting his accomplice from the people who murdered her aunt and uncle. Sound familiar? Of course. In a genre that shows no sign of disappearing, the challenge for showrunners is to somehow come up with a new twist or make the tropes especially suspenseful and enticing. Netflix has accomplished the latter and adapted a heart-stopping spy thriller. The series premiered in March 2023 and immediately became one of the streamers most popular programs. Ahead of its second season premiere in January this year, the show was renewed for a third season.
Gabriel Basso (The Big C) plays Peter Sutherland, a young FBI agent assigned to Night Watch, a clandestine counterintelligence program. He mans a landline phone in a windowless room buried in the White House. The only task on his midnight shift is to answer the phone in the event a distress call comes in from the field. As he’s told, “it rarely rings.” Until one night it does, setting off a cascade of unimaginable choices for Peter. He’s quickly on the run with Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan), a cyber wiz, who is being pursued by the killers of her relatives. Her skills become increasingly useful as she becomes an unofficial member of the intelligence team.
Season Two picks up 10 months later and finds Peter in Thailand going rogue to investigate a covert CIA program involving the development of deadly chemical weapons. It’s a gripping moral quandary for Peter and his compatriots. Rose continues to assist Peter with her computer and people skills. Noor Taheri (Arienne Mandi), a low-level aid at the Iranian Embassy to the UN becomes an important ally. Once again, it’s territory we’ve been in before and we are asked to suspend reality. But if you liked 24 and Homeland (two of my all-time favorites) you’ll be drawn in by The Night Agent. It’s not showy, fluffy, or mired in character development. Instead, it piles on the suspense at a fast pace with perfect timing. Buckle up and go for the ride.
Trivia: Gabriel Basso played what character in a film directed by Ron Howard starring Amy Adams and Glenn Close? Name the character and movie.
Answer below
Answer: Basso played J.D. Vance in Hillbilly Elegy.
The show opened with a close-up of Dorothy’s ruby red slippers and her voice-over “there’s no place like home” during an homage to the L.A. fire victims. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo brought the house down with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and the Wicked anthem “Defying Gravity.” Host Conan O’Brien was delayed getting on stage because he had to extract himself from Demi Moore’s body in the bathroom a la The Substance. Conan killed the monologue with his perfect delivery. “I didn’t want The Brutalist to end, and it didn’t.” “Mikey Madison said the F-word 479 times in Anora, that’s three more than the record set by Karla Sofia Gascon’s publicist.” The recognizable voice of Nick Offerman took over as the Oscars announcer.
The first award went to the traditional opening category, Best Supporting Actor. Instead of following that with the expected Best Supporting Actress, the Animated Feature came next. Anora came home with five awards. Its director, Sean Baker, left the Dolby Theater with four, becoming the first person in Oscar history to win four times for the same movie. The program continued the back-to basics approach of the last couple years, presenting all 23 categories (and not removing eight behind-the-scenes awards from prime time as they did in 2022), and the “All-Star” groups of five previous winners to present the four acting awards. Mick Jagger strutted out to a standing “O” to award the Best Song (the nominated songs were not played this year, but the ceremony still went over its allotted time, clocking in at 3:44.) The In Memoriam was streamlined to address the cluttered and overwrought presentation of last year. Morgan Freeman eulogized Gene Hackman.
And finally, just when you think you’ve seen it all, there was the gum toss. On approaching the stairs to accept the Best Actor award, Adrien Brody had a split-second decision to make regarding the gum he was chewing. Instead of swallowing or tucking, he took it out of his mouth and flung it overhead to his girlfriend, Georgina Chapman. In formal attire she jumped out of her chair (luckily, she was in the front row) and made what had to be the greatest and yuckiest catch in Oscar history.
Here are all the winners (I picked 16/20 again this year missing Best Actress, Original Screenplay, Score, and Animated Feature. )
Best Picture:Anora
Director:Sean Baker (Anora)
Lead Actor:Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
Lead Actress:Mikey Madison (Anora)
Supporting Actor:Kieran Culkin(A Real Pain)
Supporting Actress:Zoe Saldana (Emilia Perez)
Original Screenplay: Anora
Adapted Screenplay: Conclave
Documentary Feature:No Other Land
Animated Feature:Flow
Cinematography:The Brutalist
Visual Effects:Dune: Part Two
Film Editing:Anora
International Film:I’m Still Here
Costume Design:Wicked
Makeup and Hairstyling:The Substance
Production Design:Wicked
Sound:Dune: Part Two
Score:The Brutalist
Original Song:“El Mal” (Emilia Perez)
Trivia: Who is the only actor to win two Oscars for the same performance?
Answer below
Answer: Harold Russell won an Honorary Oscar and Best Supporting Actor for playing a Navy sailor in William Wyler’s The Best Years of Our Lives (1946).
Often by now many of the Oscar categories are sure things by building an unstoppable momentum during the Awards season. (Think Oppenheimer last year and Everything Everywhere All at Once the year before.) While there are a few slam dunks, more toss-up races are in the field this year, particularly in some major categories. This situation should add some suspense and excitement to the evening.
Due to a combination of going to the theater, streaming, and VOD, I will have seen eight of the ten Best Picture nominees before the big show. I expect to see The Brutalist (On Demand or Amazon) shortly. The Brazilian film, I’m Still Here, may take a while to become readily available. Here’s my annual predictions for the major categories of the 97th Academy Awards (I omitted the three short film categories).
Best Picture:Anora. After the Golden Globes, Emilia Perez seemed destined to go all the way. Then offensive posts from lead actress, Karla Sofia Gascon, surfaced on social media. Never has a film’s reputation cratered so far, so fast. Fellow Golden Globe winner The Brutalist surged into a prime spot before Anora went on a roll winning the WGA, DGA, PGA, and Spirit Awards. It seemed like a safe bet a week ago until Conclave upended the race by taking home the BAFTA and SAG. See what I mean? This is up for grabs. I’m sticking with Anora.
Director:Sean Baker, Anora.The Brutalist director Brady Corbet has received tremendous praise for writing and directing a 3½ hour epic on a $10M budget. But the Best Picture and Director usually go hand in hand.
Lead Actor:Adrien Brody, The Brutalist. Adrien Brody has won most of the earlier awards. By winning the Screen Actors Guild trophy on Sunday, Timothee Chamalet (as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown) threw a wrinkle into Brody’s path. But he should still carry the day.
Lead Actress:Demi Moore, The Substance. Mikey Madison (Anora) and Moore have been trading the Best Actress Awards. It’s another true toss-up. I’m going with the Academy finally recognizing Demi Moore’s career with an Oscar (she’s never even been nominated). Both of their roles were so daring and vulnerable, but The Substance’s bat-shit crazy scenarios deserve special attention.
Supporting Actor:Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain. This one is a lock. He has dominated the prior awards.
Supporting Actress:Zoe Saldana, Emilia Perez. Saldana seems to have weathered the storm over Emilia Perez and is the odds-on favorite for Supporting Actress.
Original Screenplay: A Real Pain. Anora could easily win this, but I’ll hope for Jessie Eisenberg’s superb story of mismatched cousins on a Jewish heritage tour of Poland in honor of their late grandmother.
Adapted Screenplay: Conclave: The intriguing premise of the behind-the-scenes antics in selecting a new Pope make Conclave a good choice. I’ve read Colson Whitehead’s powerful novel, Nickel Boys, and its use of first-person point-of-view makes it a possible pick here.
Documentary Feature:No Other Land. I didn’t see any of the documentaries this year. I’m picking this timely film about the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.
Animated Feature:The Wild Robot. The Animated Feature award comes down to the Latvian art house film, Flow, or the popular mainstream movie, The Wild Robot. I’ll go with the film that had more eyes on it.
Cinematography:The Brutalist.Dune: Part Two is a threat but this feels like a win for The Brutalist. The cinemaphotographer used the VistaVision format which presents a rich and detailed perspective. (All I can go on now are the trailers and written descriptions.)
Visual Effects:Dune: Part Two. This is usually the only category where the franchise blockbusters or science fiction/superhero movies win an award.
Film Editing:Anora. I don’t have a strong feeling with this one. Conclave could be a possibility, but Best Picture and Editing often go together.
International Film:I’m Still Here. Emilia Perez could still hold onto this one, but I’ll pick the Brazilian drama headed by the Golden Globe winning performance of Fernanda Torres.
Costume Design:Wicked. Wicked’s authentic and stunning costumes should prevail.
Makeup and Hairstyling:The Substance. Beauty takes on a new standard in The Substance. The makeup is eye-popping and breathtaking.
Production Design:Wicked. The Wicked world is colorful and enchanting.
Sound:Dune: Part Two. The planet Arrakis might be a bleak desert, but sound reverberates from above and below the sand. The thumping siren of an approaching sandworm is classic.
Score: Not sure what to do with this category. The Brutalist and Wicked have support, but I’ll choose Conclave because, well, it’s got to win something.
Original Song:“El Mal” (Emilia Perez). Two songs were nominated from Emilia Perez, but this is the showstopper.
The Academy Awards are on ABC Sunday, March 3rd at 4:00 p.m. PDT (repeated at 7:30). Conan O’Brien will host the ceremony for the first time. Hours of the red-carpet parade precede the actual awards telecast. My predictions last year were 16/20. I’ll report back after the ceremonies.
Trivia: Name the two sequels to win Best Picture?
Answer: The Godfather Part II (1974) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
“An all-star cast head to a resort and unleash their worst, most privileged impulses. The series is sharp social satire following the exploits of certain guests and employees of the fictional White Lotus resort chain, whose story becomes affected by their various dysfunctions. A week in the life of vacationers is unraveled as they relax and rejuvenate in paradise.”*
After a two-year wait, creator Mike White has us back in The White Lotus world for Season Three! It’s one of the most anticipated returns in television. More immaculate travelers, cheerful employees, and mystery in a picturesque location. What was intended as a six-part limited series in 2021 was renewed by HBO as an anthology series. The series has won 15 Emmys, two Golden Globes, and universal praise. The White Lotus has welcomed us to beautiful Hawaii and spectacular Sicily. Pack your bags for the lush island of Ko Samui, Thailand.
As we’ve come to expect Season Three begins with a dead body. Then it cuts back to a week earlier for the familiar and revealing arrival of the guests by boat. First, we see Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) the accommodating spa employee from the first season. She’s in Thailand to learn about the resort’s wellness program. Then, there’s the Ratliff family: wealthy husband Timothy, medicated wife, Victoria (Parker Posey), and their three quirky children. Angry Rick (Walton Goggins) brings his much younger free-spirited girlfriend, Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), along for the ride. Three childhood friends – Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan), Kate (Leslie Bibb), and Laurie (Carrie Coon) – are on a girl’s trip looking for fun and relaxation. Lastly, we’re introduced to key staff members, the owner, manager, wellness consultant, and security guard.
What shady business is Timothy up to? Why is Rick so vexed and what’s his interest in the co-owner of the resort? When (not if) will the women on their “midlife crisis trip” turn on each other? What’s another familiar face from Maui (and Sicily) doing in Thailand? The season premiere was an intoxicating slow burn. This is just the beginning. Self-enlightenment in gorgeous Asia will face obstacles from within and without. I can’t help thinking that a toxic plant will have something to do with it. Only the ever present and observant monkeys will witness it all.
(The White Lotus airs Sunday nights at 9:00 p.m. (PST) beginning on February 16th and ending its eight-episode season on April 6th. Each new episode is available to stream on Max on Sunday nights. They’ve already been renewed for Season Four.)
* HBO
D² Rating ◼◼◼◼☐
Trivia: What two-season HBO series (2011-13) did Mike White create and star in with Laura Dern and Luke Wilson?
Let’s look back 40 years and begin this year’s best album series. Before we get to the top 10, here are some musical headlines from 1985:
On January 1st, the VH-1 cable network was launched as a sister station to MTV with an older demographic in mind. Its first video was Marvin Gaye’s version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The Grammys were held on February 26th, hosted by John Denver. Lionel Richie won Best Album with Can’t Slow Down. Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do with It” took home Best Song and Best Record. Cyndi Lauper was the Best New Artist.
David Lee Roth chose April Fools’ Day to leave Van Halen.
On April 7th, Wham became the first Western pop group to perform in China.
Madonna began her Virgin Tour on April 10th in Seattle.
On May 13th, Dire Straits released Brothers in Arms which went on to become the first album to sell more copies on CD than vinyl.
The Live Aid benefit took the stage on July 13th in Wembley Stadium, London and JFK Stadium, Philadelphia.
Some new wave heavyweights released albums in 1985, but hard rock and alt rock were in the mix, as well. As usual, it was difficult to keep the list at 10 and to determine the order. If I did this again tomorrow, it would probably come out a little differently.
10. New Day Rising/Flip Your Wigby Husker Du – Husker Du’s two solid 1985 albums both deserve commendation. Less trashy noise and more melodic songs than their earlier efforts, but still distorted guitars ringing in your ears. “Celebrated Summer” and “Makes No Sense at All,” respectively make the case.
9. Love by The Cult – The U.K. new wave bands were in their heyday in 1985, but that didn’t stop The Cult from delivering some classic rock complete with the characteristic strut. While a little derivative, the album is consistent rock throughout with a few ballads, as well. But “She Sells Sanctuary” is the band’s apex. One of my all-time “turn it up!” songs and still a fixture in the rock n’ roll library.
8. Psychocandy by The Jesus and Mary Chain – The Jesus and Mary Chain’s debut album was a celebration of harmonic noise. “Just Like Honey,” “Sowing Seeds,” and “You Trip Me Up” are prime examples of the union between guitar feedback and pop melodies.
7. Fables of the Reconstruction by R.E.M. – The ominous opener of R.E.M.’s third LP, “Feeling Gravity’s Pull,” portends that the band is a little darker and murkier than on Murmur and Reckoning. Strings, horns, and banjo are included in the musical story. It’s conceptually coherent in its life-in-the-rural south theme. “Driver 8” conjures up that feeling beautifully.
6. Once Upon a Time by Simple Minds – The commercial peak for Simple Minds, Once Upon a Time is earnest and bombastic. The lyrics might be trite, but songs like “Sanctify Yourself,” “Oh Jungleland” and “All the Things She Said” are rousing pleasures. “Alive and Kicking,” with Robin Clark channeling Merry Clayton, would forever be an arena anthem.
5. Low-Life by New Order – New Order’s third album continues the band’s transition from post-punk to synth-pop. While dreamy melodies are still part of the formula (“The Perfect Kiss”), there’s still room for experimentation, too (the instrumental “Elegia”). The acoustic guitar riff of the opener “Love Vigilantes” is as catchy as they’ll ever be.
4. This is the Sea by The Waterboys – The Waterboys’ third album, and last one with Karl Wallinger (who left to form World Party), is the defining moment for the band. The songs address spirituality (“The Pan Within”), love (“Trumpets”), and English politics (“Old England”). The last and title song employs a flowing river as a life affirming recognition of renewal. “That was the river, this is the sea.” It’s a soaring finale of spiritual grandeur.
3. Tim by The Replacements – The Replacements’ third album was the last with the original line-up and first on a major record label. Tim is a perfect blend of acoustic guitar hooks and ragged garage rock, all accompanied by clever lyrics. There’s the hopeful opener, “Hold My Life,” a punk statement, “Bastards of Young,” and an ode to college radio, “Left of the Dial.” Also, teenage love, “Kiss Me on the Bus,” and the cozy-up-to-the-bar “Here Comes a Regular.” Tim is a treasure.
2. Meat is Murder by The Smiths – Meat is Murder roars out of the starting gate with “The Headmaster Ritual,” a critique of the British educational system amidst a swirl of jangly guitar. “How Soon is Now” became the Smiths’ most enduring song and a staple of Sirius First Wave radio today (curiously, the band’s most popular song is not listed on the album cover but was added to the U.S. release on the vinyl). “Rusholme Ruffians” has a rockabilly vibe, the title song cries for animal rights, “Barbarism Begins at Home” brings the funk, while “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore” is Morrissey at his most graceful.
1. The Head on the Door by The Cure – Yeah, I know. Guilty. My favorite song by my favorite band is on this album, so it’s going to come out on top. Besides, the breezy acoustic strum and iconic synths of “In Between Days,” the album contains the jovial bass and keys of “Close to Me,” the gothic shoegaze of “Push,” and the sweeping melancholy of “A Night Like This.” “Yesterday I got so old/I felt like I could die/Yesterday I got so old/It made me want to cry.”
Honorable Mention: Some other good 1985 albums from my collection: Little Creatures (Talking Heads), The Dream of the Blue Turtles (Sting), Ain’t Love Grand (X), Boys and Girls (Bryan Ferry), Here’s to Future Days (Thompson Twins) and White City (Pete Townshend).
And a couple of others that I never got around to buying: Songs from the Big Chair (Tears for Fears) and Hounds of Love (Kate Bush).
Trivia: One of the biggest, long running music festivals in the world began in 1985 in what city drawing an audience of 1.5 million and featuring Iron Maiden, The B52’s, Go Go’s, Queen, Rod Stewart, James Taylor, and AC/DC?
Trivia: On January 28, 1985, numerous artists under the group name USA for Africa recorded what song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.
Answers below
Gotta play one definitive song from 1985, so how ’bout this one…
Trivia Answer #1: The Rock in Rio festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Sopranos is consistently regarded as one of the most influential shows of all time. The groundbreaking series that commenced the Golden Age of Television ran for six seasons on HBO (86 episodes) from 1999-2007. David Chase shares the inspiration, decisions, adjustments, stress, and luck that go into creating a series for the ages. The documentary hits the high points of that journey while not glossing over the troubles that resulted from pressure and fame, particularly the toll it took on James Gandolfini. Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos is a must-see for Sopranos‘ fans.
In an effective and appealing nod to the show’s legacy, Chase puts himself in the chair in Dr. Melfi’s office. He’s the one being questioned and feeling awkward just like Tony Soprano. He realizes his work ethic and passion made him difficult to work with at times. He reflects on how he incorporated many sites and people from his New Jersey upbringing into The Sopranos, no one more so than his mother. Nancy Marchard played Tony’s crazy mother, Livia, in one of the show’s many priceless supporting roles. Chase’s life is interspersed among clips from the series as are the auditions for the pilot. Taped auditions always bring laughs and revelations. The auditions of James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli, Drea de Matteo, Steven Van Zandt, and more (including rejects) are the sweetest moments of Wise Guy.
HBO took a huge risk with TheSopranos; they weren’t prestige television yet. TV was supposed to make you feel good. Chase wanted you to feel uncomfortable. A mob boss and a family man. Darkness and humor. The series broke every rule in the book: nudity, language, brutal acts of violence, and killing off beloved characters. He carried that unconventional approach all the way through to the finale, didn’t he? Now for the inevitable question. What did you think of the ending? I liked it. After I recovered from my initial WTF reaction, I thought it was a brilliant way to go out. In the doc’s closing scene when asked about the ending of the series, Chase says, “well, the truth is…” You know what happens next. You’ll want to watch the series all over again.
(Wise Guy premiered on HBO on September 7, 2024, and is now streaming on Max. It’s a two-part documentary, about 1:20 each.)
(For more Sopranos check out the The Many Saints of Newark. The 2021 prequel film, co-written by Chase, and starring Alessandro Nivola and Michael Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, is uneven, but a worthwhile companion piece.)
D² Rating: ◼◼◼◼☐
Trivia: David Chase wrote episodes for what quirky series that ran on CBS from 1990-1995?
Trivia: Who performed, “Woke Up This Morning,” the Sopranos‘ theme song?
Answers below
Answers: Northern Exposure (A favorite of mine) and the British band Alabama 3
A new year calls for a New Music Alert. As usual, I’ve stumbled upon these songs, most of them thanks to Sirius XMU radio. Some bands I’ve never heard of, others I’m a little familiar with, and one is a well-known rock artist.
“On the Floor” by Thus Love – Here’s one for you, punk rockers from… Vermont. Thus Love recently released their second album, All Pleasure. These young musicians pack a punch led by lead singer Echo Mars. The glam and growl combine for a sound way beyond their years. (This discovery was courtesy of Rolling Stone magazine…the actual print mag, that is.)
“It’s a Mirror” by Perfume Genius – I never thought I’d have this artist in my music posts having only been exposed to him through his guest rapping on the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ “Spitting Off the End of the World.” (see New Music Alert: Five Bands You May Not Have Heard of (and One You Have)Glory is his recent album and he appears to have gone in a new direction, including this song. You could call it euphoric Americana.
“(Tonight) Was a Long Time Ago” by Jack White – Jack White is back shredding and howling with his new album, No Name. There’ll be more on Jack White later this year after I see him at the Santa Barbara Bowl in May.
“U Should Not Be Doing That” by Amyl and the Sniffers – Before you even listen to this Melbourne band, their name and look evokes some attitude. And after you turn them on, the defiant rockers kick ass led by front woman Amy Taylor’s piercing vocals.
“Crystals” by Sea Lemon (featuring Benjamin Gibbard) – Seattle singer songwriter Natalie Lew, who performs as Sea Lemon, got her friend from Death Cab for Cutie to accompany her on this shimmering single.
“Defense” by Panda Bear (featuring Cindy Lee) – Noah Lennox’s side project from Animal Collective has a new full-length album coming out this month. Sinister Grift includes “Defense” with its appealing retro vibe.
“Chill Out” by Witch Post – This new Scottish duo is a burst of grungy indie rock highlighted by the vocals of Dylan Fraser and Alaska Reid. Think Pixies and Hole.
“8th Deadly Sin” by MB3 – I loved Piroshka’s “Everlastingly Yours,” the indie supergroup Miki Berenyi formed after the breakup of Lush. Tripla is the upcoming album with her new trio. Echoing guitars and gorgeous melodies. Sound familiar?
“She’s Leaving You” by MJ Lenderman – MJ Lenderman does it again. I thought including him last year in the New Music Alerts was a one-time deal (New Music Alert: Ten Songs/Bands to Check Out), but this song from his latest album, Manning Fireworks, once again creeps up on you. He’s still in hangdog slacker mode, this time as a twenty-something singing about middle-aged divorce. It’s remarkably catchy.
“I Want You (Fever)” by Momma – The single off their upcoming 4th album, Welcome to My Blue Sky, continues to showcase the heavy riffs and tight harmonies of Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarter.
Trivia: Jack White has released six solo albums and six with the White Stripes. What are the names of the two side bands he formed, each with three albums?
Trivia: Jack White recorded the title song to the James Bond film, Quantum Solace, along with which singer/songwriter?
Answers below
Thus Love (Rolling Stone Jan 2025 issue)
Answer: The Raconteurs and Dead Weather
Answer: Alicia Keys. “Another Way to Die” became the only Bond theme duet.
Primeval. Synonyms include pre-historic and primitive. The United States could be considered primal in 1857. America’s growing pains were reaching a boiling point in the Utah Territory. The splintering issue of slavery had been deferred by the Compromises of 1820 and 1850. The bloodshed in Kansas was still raw. Utah had been established as a territory, and California declared a state. But realizing the “sea to shining sea” principle of Manifest Destiny was a vicious and ruthless undertaking. Native Americans were forcibly removed and exterminated as American settlers advanced throughout the west. The Mormons were searching for a homeland safe from religious persecution. Americal Primeval is an unflinching, brutal portrayal of this wild, wild west.
The show is centered around the Mountain Meadows Massacre, an attack by Mormon settlers, aided by Paiute Native Americans, on a wagon train of American western emigrants. At least 120 people were murdered. One of the survivors discovers his wife is missing and joins the Mormon militia to search for her. She embeds with the Shoshone tribe for safety since she was a witness to the massacre. At the same time, Sara Holloway is a wanted fugitive taking her son to his father in Crooks Springs. A bounty hunter is hot on their trail. These parallel storylines are the foundation of Americal Primeval.
The limited series was written by Mark L. Smith (you were expecting Taylor Sheridan, weren’t you?). Betty Gilpin (Nurse Jackie) as Sara dodges bullets, survives sexual assaults, and endures winter in the mountains, all while caring for her disabled son. Isaac Reed (Taylor Kitsch, The Normal Heart) is their skilled mountain man guide, raised by the Shoshone and haunted by the loss of his wife and son. From his namesake trading post, Pathfinder Jim Bridges (Shea Whigham, Boardwalk Empire) is under increasing threats to sell his land to the Mormons, led by Brigham Young (Kim Coates, Sons of Anarchy).
American Primeval is overwhelming at times. It is not a binge watch. My wife and I watched it early in the evening to avoid potential nightmares. Yes, it is grim but also gripping. While the separate stories don’t overlap or come together (as emphasized by the shifting scenery between the flatlands and the mountains), they expand the patina of the West and showcase the program’s sparkling cinemaphotography. You may wonder how these people survive their serious injuries by applying hot knives, poultice, and wooden splints, but their drastic circumstances force the actors to go to dark places. Betty Gilpin is particularly captivating as she confronts one traumatic situation after another. The ending offers her a hopeful destination, but reflective of her ordeal, it comes with a cost. Does American Primeval push the boundaries of cruelty with its bluntness? Maybe. But we all know in our gut that our country’s history of western expansion was merciless. We just rarely see it portrayed so realistically.
(American Primeval is streaming on Netflix, six episodes of about 50-60 minutes each.)
D² Rating: ◼◼◼◪☐
Trivia: Betty Gilpin starred as “Liberty Belle” in what Netflix series that ran from 2017-19?
Trivia: The Utah Territory was approved in 1850 by which U.S. President?
