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Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (BLU)

Eric Appel
But of course, Weird Al Yankovic's biopic would be a parody of a biopic. If you expected anything different, you should be put in irony jail. As a complete Weird Al lifer, I can honestly say that this movie made the pandemic survivable when it was originally released as on Roku. Now the Blu-ray/DVD can be ours for endless viewings. Daniel Radcliffe makes for an astoundingly good Al, showing the world the comedy chops we never quite knew he had. But really, no one can sub for the real deal, so lucky for us Al has a cameo in this film as label dude Tony Scotti. Read more

Barbie (BLU)

Greta Gerwig
The live-action Barbie movie goes beyond the plastic veneer of the Mattel doll, and delves into gender roles and expectations with humor and heart. Directed by Greta Gerwig and with a screenplay written by Noah Baumbach, Barbie creates a highly entertaining work of eye candy that is somehow filled with existential crises and questions of self-image. A+++ Read more

Zuma 85 (LP)

Allah Las
Another slice of cool CA pop from Matt Coreia & Co..."Jelly" shimmers like its eponymous footstuff...another mojito please bartender! Read more

Crashin' From Passion (LP)

Betty Davis
The last LP from this fantastic performer dates from 1979, and it's got a lot more variety than its more funky predecessors without ever taking its foot off the quality control pedal..."Quintessence Of Hip", "You Take Me For Granted" & the title track are killer, and she's in great voice throughout. Great cover too! Read more

High Bias: the Distorted History Of The Cassette Tape (Book)

Marc Masters
Cheap! Easy! This very entertaining book charts the journey of the cassette from its invention in the early 1960s to its Walkman-led domination in the 1980s to decline at the birth of compact discs to its current mini-resurgence..press play on this! Read more

Estrus - Shovelin' The Shit Since '87 (Book)

Chris Coyle & Scott Sugiuchi
Straight-up bee-yoo-tiful document of this “100% Apeshit Rock” Washington label…great photos & art in an oversize tome…put on some Man Or Astro-Man?, open it up & and wig out! Read more

Brave Words (Expanded & Remastered) (LP)

The Chills
Their debut LP from 1987 was full of great songs, but Mayo Thompson's production was fulla murk...this reissue sets the record straight. "Rain", "Wet Blanket", "Look For The Good In Others", "16 Heartthrobs"...a lot of the best tracks from their early days are here, and it's finally got the sonic heft it needed. Extra tracks too! Read more

Intercepted Message (LP)

Osees
Kinda poppy but still raucous & obnoxious, The Osees 300th LP is another winner from the World's best live band...although the final power ballad "Submerged Building" is a parody that doesn't fit with the scrotum-jangling groove of the other songs...their gig at The Chapel in September was heavy-ass!! Read more

Episode 17: Extraordinary Machine (LP)

Fiona Apple
This album was such a joy to cover. I was unfamiliar with Fiona Apple, and being able to discover not only the melodies and depth of this record, but also the story behind it was extremely rewarding. They just reissued most of her early work, and this one is a great pickup. Read more

Episode 22: Midnite Vultures (LP)

Beck
Simply one of the coolest albums I've heard from doing the show. Beck is one of those dudes whose work can be really polarizing, and this album really personifies that. To me, it's his most "Beck" album. Definitely weird, but so okay with itself. Read more

The Omnichord Real Book (LP)

Meshell Ndegeocello
Was recommended this by a coworker right when it came out last June and boy, did it not disappoint. This very modern multi-genre, jazz-rooted album has a ton of features and constantly defies expectations. It’s got hints of folk, rock, electronic, soul, blues…it’s undeniably creative. Meshell has been working in the music industry for years and it’s about time she got her due. Now she’s finally on Blue Note, she won a Grammy, and you’re really gonna miss out if you don’t listen before we all see what she does next! One of my favorites from 2023. Read more

Desire, I Want to Turn Into You (LP)

Caroline Polachek
Technically came out a while back but just came out on vinyl recently. Polachek is an opera trained vocalist hellbent on showcasing the experimental side of modern pop and this album is a perfect example of her showing off. You could start anywhere on this tracklist and have a great time so why not at the end? Billions was one of the singles released early and it still holds up beautifully. Pair it with some behind the scenes footage of her conducting the children’s choir used on the song and you’ll be hooked. Read more

Sun Arcs (LP)

Blue Lake
This is such a good soundtrack for your day to day life. It’s calming, introspective, a little melancholy…I listen to this instrumental album when I’m trying to concentrate or contemplate. Read more

HOW GOOD IT IS (LP)

Jimetta Rose & the Voices of
Big shoutout to former Amoebite Jimetta! Being in the presence of these musicians is a unreal experience. They’re so uplifting and powerful, you can’t help but feel the energy radiating off them when they’re singing. There is a lot of gospel and funky jazz influence on this overwhelmingly positive pick and everyone is giving it their all. Truly inspiring, this album will truly take any sunny day up a notch and a half! Read more

Rat Saw God (LP)

Wednesday
Comically descriptive lyrics and croony bedroom vocals reminiscent of Faye Webster all intermingled in a country/folk rock album that gets way heavier and then way lighter than you expect it to. Just start by throwing on the slashy grunge track 2 (Bull Believer) and try to force them into one genre. Go ahead! Try it! I won’t believe you! (Extra props for the Mortal Kombat reference) Read more

Sick of Myself (BLU)

Kristoffer Borgli
This movie came out 2 years ago but I watched it for the first time last year. Norwegian director of last year’s hit Dream Scenario explores the sadistically narcissistic perspective of a young white woman seeking endless attention. It’s hilarious, it’s horrific, it’s right up my alley. Read more

The Holdovers (BLU)

Alexander Payne
Thought I wasn’t gonna care about this movie as much as I did until the tears were already pouring out of my eye sockets. Great! Now it’s a holiday classic. Read more

They Cloned Tyrone (Other)

Juel Taylor
Modern Blaxploitation meets government conspiracy. It’s stylish, timely, and laugh-out-loud funny. Everyone’s performance is stellar. Watched this one early on last year and it definitely left an impression so if memory serves, it’s due for a rewatch about now. Read more

Poor Things (Other)

Yorgos Lanthimos
Bought the book the second I read Yorgos had his mind set on this story. Modern feminist fantasy-esque story about a woman created by science (a la Frankenstein’s monster) that allows you the privilege of seeing the world through her eyes. The set design is unlike anything you’ve ever seen with a drool worthy score to match. All performances are wonderful but the standout is really Mark Ruffalo. You’ll never stub another toe without wimpily crying out the name, “Bellaaaa!” Read more

Scavengers Reign (BLU)

Joseph Bennett and Charles
Please, please, for the love of God do not sleep on this show. I’m a big Sci-Fi fan, especially when it feels totally unique and imaginative. I really don’t have enough words to describe how excellent this show is at that. It definitely leans horror, the animation is beautiful and surreal, and the characters all feel grounded. The story is thrilling , it will leave you digging your fingernails into the couch and wondering how they packed all that into a half hour episode. One of the most underrated watches of last year and I will be very disappointed if it doesn't get a second season. Read more