Various Artists
Palace Of The Winds
By Nick Storring

Showcasing several unique bands from the Western Sahara, Morocco and Mauritania, Palace of the Winds is a new film from revisionist field-recordists Sublime Frequencies. As with the Seattle imprint's other DVD output, those expecting a documentary full of anthropological findings will be disappointed, or at least confused. Here you are confronted by a wide-eyed barrage of beautifully intense images: urban scenes, vacant desert landscapes and, most importantly, footage of riveting live music. Like Congo's Konono No. 1's approach, each of the bands here play a hotwired brand of traditional music. Group Doueh (whose full-length is also out on the label) are captured in a candid performance — seated on some couches. Leader Doueh's searing fretwork (inspired by Hendrix but evocative of Neil Young's ragged glory) is set against richly ornamented and interwoven vocals. Group Marwani, filmed with their shadows looming large on the walls around them, offer some insidiously (accidental?) psychedelic sounds — soulful vocals are shot through echoes while the guitarist generously applies this region's effect of choice: phaser. The total experience, disjointed and difficult to describe, adds up to one of the best Sublime Frequencies releases yet. Its vibrant take on field recording is also a refreshing shift away from an approach that can risk casting musicians as mere specimens. (Sublime Frequencies)
Leonard Cohen - Live In London
"What a great honour to play for you," intones the immortal baritone of Leonard Cohen at the beginning of this two-disc, 150-minute document of his 2008 world tour. Here is a 73-year-old man who, despite decades of success and reverential acclaim, remains remarkably modest, deferential to every one ...Read More
13 Most Beautiful… Songs for Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests
If you've ever seen one of Warhol's screen tests and didn't see the allure this DVD could be more chore than pleasure. But there's always been an indescribable magnetism about watching the creator of modern pop culture observing his subject. Packaged in a gorgeous hardbound case, 13 Most Beautifu ...Read More
Arctic Monkeys - At the Apollo
The T. Thomas - Kill The Record Labels
Pansy Division - Life In A Gay Rock Band
Muddy Waters - Live at Chicagofest
Kiki & Herb - Live At The Knitting Factory
Leonard Cohen - Live In London
Nerdcore Rising - Dir. by Negin Farsad
Fountains of Wayne - No Better Place — Live In Chicago
The Sun Ra Arkestra - Points On A Space Age
Black Label Society - Skullage
Enemy Soil - Smashes the State Live
Miles Davis - That’s What Happened Live In Germany 1987
Depeche Mode - The Dark Progression
As I Lay Dying - This Is Who We Are
Leif Vollebekk - Inland
Although he's a Montreal native, this debut album sparkles with many of the magical elements associated with Vollebekk's Scandinavian heritage. At times recalling Nick Drake's Bryter Layter in its fragility and subtle deployment of strings, but also the playfulness of fellow Montrealer Patric... Full Review
Lindstrøm Explores
Don't count on Norway's premier disco revivalist Hans-Peter Lindstrøm to ever turn in the same record twice. "All the artists and bands that I really like do surprising stuff every time, and I guess I just copy their way," he says from his Oslo home studio. "But it's also about not getting bored myself."... Read More
Mary J. Blige - Stronger with Each Tear
Mary, we love the fact that you're happy ― no more drama ― and that your personal issues seem to be a thing of the past. Trouble is, your pain was what fuelled your passion. It's the reason why What's the 411 was a classic, and why subsequent albums were usually measured by whethe... Full Review
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