Flogging Molly: Speed of Darkness (2011)

After 4 studio albums and building up a rabid fanbase through their undeniably awesome live shows, Flogging Molly find themselves in a slightly precarious position with Speed of Darkness. The band has thus far stayed true to their celtic folk-punk sound with only minor variations but at some point as artists they're bound to want to change it up a little. That's a tough thing for some longtime fans to accept and it's safe to assume that some people will cry foul that this isn't the Flogging Molly they fell in love with. Realistically, any band with a vocalist as distinctive as Dave King is probably going to sound like themselves no matter what but songs like the lead single "Don't Shut 'Em Down," "The Power's Off" and "Oliver Boy (All of our Boys)" owe as much to 90's alternative rock as the bands traditional influences. There are also some genuinely beautiful ballads in the acoustic "So Sail On" and the somber piano based "The Cradle of Humankind." The band hasn't totally abandoned full blown celtic punk either as the title track and "Saints and Sinners" both fly by with energy to spare. Flogging Molly also manage to fit in a sea shanty ("The Heart of the Sea") and a slew of mid tempo folk sing-a-long's ("This Present State of Grace," So Sail On," "Rise Up") in for good measure. Lyrically King is inspired by the economic meltdown and specifically the situation in Detroit along with his usual ruminations of love, life and religion. Speed of Darkness is a solid transitional album for Flogging Molly and even more importantly a reason to tour. A few more rockers would have been welcome there's little to fault here except for the most hardcore of close minded fans.

Rating: 3.5

Track Listing:

1. "Speed of Darkness" (4:08)
2. "Revolution" (3:08)
3. "The Heart of the Sea" (3:42)
4. "Don't Shut 'Em Down" (3:40)
5. "The Power's Out" (4:39)
6. "So Sail On" (2:47)
7. "Saint's and Sinners" (3:32)
8. "This Present State of Grace" (2:47)
9. "The Cradle of Humankind" (5:11)
10. "Oliver Boy (All Of Our Boys)" (4:06)
11. "A Prayer For Me In Silence" (1:54)
12. "Rise Up" (3:32)

Eddie Vedder: Ukulele Songs (2011)

Eddie Vedder's first proper solo album (the Into the Wild Soundtrack doesn't technically count) is basically a homemade demo type recording of the Pearl Jam frontman singing short songs accompanied only by his Ukulele. It's a worthy addition to any Pearl Jam fans collection but isn't the type of album that is going to blow anyone away. This is an intimate look at another side of a guy known for his bombastic voice and left wing politically charged lyrics and stances. Vedder's voice has always had a vulnerable edge to go along with his passioned screams and wailing tenor and that vulnerability is on full display throughout Ukulele Songs. The songs are largely about love lost and relationships but avoid being sappy or draining due to Vedder's trembling voice and the undeniable energy he puts into singing them. On the downside, the Ukulele is far from a versatile instrument so the songs tend to run together and aren't overly distinguishable from one another (this becomes less of a problem after multiple listens but it's still an issue). Ultimately Ukulele Songs isn't an album for everyone but hardcore Pearl Jam fans will surely want to pick it up and it's worth a listen for anyone who's ever sang along to "Better Man." Oh yeah, any album that includes Vedder and Cat Power singing "Tonight You Belong To Me" (which I'm mostly familiar with from from The Jerk but it's been around forever) is all right in my book.

Rating: 3.5

Track Listing:

1. "Can't Keep" (2:35)
2. "Sleeping By Myself" (1:54)
3. "Without You" (3:18)
4. "More Than You Know" (2:25)
5. "Goodbye" (2:28)
6. "Broken Heart" (2:36)
7. "Satellite" (2:19)
8. "Longing To Belong" (2:48)
9. "Hey Fahkah" (0:08)
10. "You're True" (3:23)
11. "Light Today" (2:41)
12. "Sleepless Nights" (2:39)
13. "Once In A While" (1:45)
14. "Waving Palms" (0:37)
15. "Tonight You Belong To Me" (1:41)
16. "Dream a Little Dream" (1:28)

Hobo With a Shotgun (2011)

I'm guessing that each individual will know right off the bat if Hobo With a Shotgun is a movie they will enjoy or not. I am the sort of person that would and I did. Discussing the inner workings of a grindhouse homage full of over the top violence, gore, ridiculous dialog, and only the slightest hint of a plot is a bit worthless so I'm not going to waste anyone's time. Rutger Hauer is a hobo, he goes to a town overrun with crime and cleans things up with the use of said shotgun alongside the requisite hooker with a heart of gold. Everything is done at such exaggerated levels that attempting to take the movie seriously is futile. If you need your cinema to be serious fare, stay far away from Hobo With a Shotgun. If you're up for a good time and some mindless fun, there are far worse ways to spend an hour and a half.

Rating: 4

Thursday Video: Ben Harper: "Rock 'N' Roll Is Free" - Live on Letterman

Ben Harper was on Letterman last night promoting his excellent new album, Give Till It's Gone. I can't help but think he looks a bit distracted and that the CBS orchestra really didn't need to be involved but it's still a really good song. Thanks to the Audio Perv for the video.

Casino Jack (2010)

There was a time when I would have considered any movie with Kevin Spacey in the lead role to be a great movie even without seeing it. Those days are gone and now he's just another talented actor who can't transform a decent movie into anything more than decent. Casino Jack is exactly that, decent. This fictionalized account of "super lobbyist" Jack Abramoff, who did a lot of illegal things while making a lot of money for himself and a lot of government officials, never figures out if it wants to be a sharp political satire, a character piece or an straight biography and in trying to balance all three, it ends up only slightly delivering on all three. The satire never goes far enough, Abramoff is never built up enough to be a overly compelling figure and the story never feels fully formed. Casino Jack is a fun movie to watch solely for Spacey's scene chewing (and any film with Jon Lovitz is worth checking out) but it should be so much more. Instead it's just decent.

Rating: 2.5

Wednesday Video: The Joy Formidable - "Whirring" on Conan

I had never heard of this Welsh band before their appearance on Conan last night. I wasn't overly impressed until they got pretty raw at the end and it turned my whole first impression around. Enjoy and thanks to the Audio Perv for the video.

Night and the City (1950)

Jules Dassin's first European film after being blacklisted by Hollywood, Night and the City is a bleak affair that has to be one of the darker film noir's to come from the genre's classic period. Lead character Harry Fabian (Richard Widmark) is a small time hustler who thinks he can take over London's lucrative wrestling scene by becoming it's top promoter. He's a largely unsympathetic character who's willing to hustle and steal from anyone to get ahead. It's to Widmark's credit that he manages to make the viewer care about the character at all. The rest of the characters are a collection of underworld types who -- with a couple exceptions -- are just as unlikeable as Fabian. Dassin was obviously angry about what happened to him in America and it comes through in the film clear as day. The result is a solid noir that is just a step below classic status.

Rating: 4