DVD

LOU REED’S BERLIN
Julian Schnabel / Miriam Collection
The more astute among you might recognize Schnabel as the director of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, otherwise known as 2007’s most jizz-worthy film. His next project could have been nothing more than a looped film of Gallo dick-slapping Paris Hilton like a crack-addled school boy, and I’d still hail it as the best film ever. However, I’m pleased to announce that his new work is much better than that. This stunningly shot doc, capturing the first—and perhaps last—live performance of Lou Reed’s incredibly divisive album, is a fascinating look into the mind of rock’s most mercurial artist.


CD

WE ATE THE MACHINE
Polysics / Myspace Records
While I could spend an inordinate number of words describing Polysic’s brand of bratty post-punk, I think it would be best if I simply stated that they are a peculiarly Japanese take on Devo. It’s loud and stochastic and strangely adorable, somewhat akin to imagining particularly vicious kittens noisily tearing through the past 20 years of consumerist anti-pop agitprop. They’re a good listen and an even better experience live.


CD

SNOWFLAKE MIDNIGHT
Mercury Rev / Yep Roc
It’s difficult to believe that these perfectly pedestrian pasture-pop peddlers were once responsible for some of the greatest noise-pop clusterfucks to grace our good green Earth. The Rev used to give their faithful audience spectacular explosions of artlessly art-damaged beauty that often threatened to spiral out of control; but now, everything they write sounds like it’s trying very hard to be the next CW soundtrack hit. At least they stopped singing about unicorns in dark forests.


DVD

TAXI TO THE DARKSIDE
Alex Gibney / THINKFilm
Rarely has a film been so relevant within the context of a potentially historic election season. This Academy Award-winning doc centers on the murder of an Afghan taxi driver, who was beaten to death by American soldiers while captive in extrajudicial detention. The film takes a stark, grave look at our country’s completely FUCKED view on torture and interrogation, leading into a long, dark teatime of the soul that’s discomfiting and yet entirely necessary.


POLITICS

WE ARE ALL SO FUCKED
Did you folks see the bailout bill make its run through Congress? The entire affair was horrifyingly amusing, like when I found those pictures of yer mum whoring herself out on Broad Street in nothing but a pair of heels and a clown nose. The entire kit and kaboodle was shot down faster than a Buddhist on holiday, the victim of nothing more than immature rivalries fomented by years of bitter, seething sexual repression brought into the harsh glow of day. I blame Ron Paul. I’m sure it’s his fault, somehow.