Reviews of movies, music, books and more by David Goody.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Music: The Black Hole by Misty's Big Adventure

Misty's Big Adventure are a curious Birmingham band based around one Grandmaster Gareth. At full power they number nine and make an avalanche of noise that recalls Madness and Talking Heads collaborating at an anarchic, but wildly enjoyable party.

Most songs have a strong ska base but the offbeat lyrics and repeated musical phrases recall the best of 80s art rock. She Fills The Spaces has a shimmering and ambiguous depth while Never Stops Never Sleeps Never Rests is a full blown nonsense stop. Whether you feel like moving you body or not, this music demands it and there is even something for the brain to chew on too.

Book: Words And Music by Paul Morley

A book like words and music requires no review. Read the first two pages and you will either fling it against the wall in frustrating at it's pretentiousness and arrogance or be drawn in by it's free ranging narrative. Veteran music writer and general social commentator Paul Morley takes time out form appearing on "The top 100 compilation shows" to trace the link between Alvin Lucier's avant garde piece 'I Am Sitting In A Room' and the pure pop of Kylie Minogue's 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head'.

Along the way Morley references more obscure artists than any casual reader is likely to have heard of and launches into tangents that stray far up his own behind. But beyond the writing for writing's sake there are some interesting insights into the DNA of modern music that reward the committed reader.

DVD: Azumi

Azumi is a medieval action film. 10 assassins have been trained since their youth to take out the greatest threats to peace in their country. Before they set out on their missions their master sets them one final test. They must each slay their closest friend, leaving only 5 assassins to serve the mission.

Despite it's comic book origins and it's cute female lead, Azumi is a dark and intelligent action movie that muses on morality and loneliness. As the most powerful of the assassins young Azumi draws the eye during the fight sequences but the scenes where she tries to understand a world she has been kept from as she grew up learning combat techniques are equally powerful.