STACK NZ Jun #63

MUSIC

REVIEWS

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MUSIC DVD Kurt Cobain Montage of Heck

Brett Morgen’s strength as a filmmaker lies in imbuing the cinematic language of his documentaries with the aesthetics of his subjects. His Robert Evans study The Kid Stays in the Picture creatively utilised classic Hollywood archives to tell

the legendary producer’s story, and his Rolling Stones project Crossfire Hurricane looked grimy, murky and often thrilling, just like the band. The fragile, strange and confronting inner world of late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain is thus perfect in his hands; Cobain’s journals literally become a living text – via animation of scrawled lines and drawings – and archival footage drawn from his earliest years on 8mm film complements the approach and makes Montage.. . achingly intimate. Morgen doesn’t shy away from numerous uncomfortable story elements, chiefly drug use and Cobain’s obviously tragic end; but the tone is one of curiosity, of gentle wonder at his subject’s obvious intelligence, overt sensitivity and freakish talent. There are many potential characters in this story, but Morgen sticks to fundamentals – Kurt’s mother Wendy, Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, and his widow Courtney Love. His daughter Frances Bean appears as an infant via the archives, but her presence looms largest as executive producer – screeds of this very private family material have been unseen until now. It won’t make you nostalgic or angry, but it reminds us how easily damaged human beings can be, and the cathartic nature of good art. Montage of Heck is unflinching and powerful – just like Nirvana. Jonathan Alley

Franz Ferdinand/Sparks FFS

At the very least, the new collaboration between Franz Ferdinand and veteran oddballs Sparks reminds us that most pop music isn’t nearly as funny (or self-aware) as it should be. But wait, there’s more – much more. These dozen songs are bouncy, catchy, sturdy, and yes, hilarious, teeming with cheeky

barbs. Subversive sex comedy is alive and well on the dry-witted Police Encounters (“I’ve got eyes for the policeman’s wife”) and The Man Without a Tan , while Johnny Delusional and The Power Couple play like highlights from a Devo-penned stage musical. Yet this isn’t some throwaway joke, and FFS rival some of the best output of their component bands. The songs may feel at times like Hall & Oates hits bent through a funhouse mirror, but that’s only because it’s so rare to hear such infectious, finely-crafted pop with such a mischievous heart. FFS mock their own supergroup premise on Collaborations Don’t Work , have fun with wordplay on Call Girl , and find the perfect closing message in Piss Off . Fans of Franz Ferdinand’s straighter material may be taken aback by all the silliness, but anyone who knows and loves Sparks should relish this instant cult classic. Doug Wallen

Graham Reid on interesting albums you may have missed.

The Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers

When the Rolling Stones entered the ‘70s they were broke, battered and staggering. The atmosphere around the band was toxic – ≠ but out of such circumstances they pulled two great

albums, Sticky Fingers released in April 1971 and the double Exile on Main Street a year later. These days Exile – dismissed by many critics at the time – is considered one of the great, if not greatest, Stones' albums . . . but in many ways Sticky Fingers (in the zipper cover designed by Andy Warhol) was its equal. Given the circumstances of its birth – some songs recorded at Muscle Shoals in Alabama, others at Olympic in London and Mick Jagger's studio at his 16th century English country estate of Stargroves – it's surprising that it should be so strong and enduring. The album is aural debauchery which captured the condition of the era. It is soaked in sex ( Brown Sugar ), drugs ( Sister Morphine , Dead Flowers , the nodding-off Moonlight Mile ), blues-based rock'n'roll ( Bitch ) and damaged-sounding country music ( Sway , the world-weary Wild Horses ). Newer member Mick Taylor on guitar contributes fine solos on Sway , the gritty Can't You Hear Me Knocking stretches to seven minutes ending with a spontaneous jam between Richards and Taylor, and they went back to their roots on the traditional country blues You Got to Move which proved what a fine acoustic blues band they could be. Sticky Fingers – on their newly formed Rolling Stones Records with its famous tongue logo – topped the charts and stands today as a landmark of drug-soaked rock'n'roll with its ears on the music's origins in blues and country. The album now comes in various expanded editions as part of the on-going Stones reissue series.

Willie Nelson and Merle Haggerd Django and Jimmie

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Live In Paris

As ugly as this sounds... remember when U2 were

Willie Nelson joins up with old mate Merle Haggard to bring us a duet collaboration of 14 new recordings, featuring new songs and a couple of classics. Aging country outlaws Nelson (aged 82) and Haggard (78) are still doing it better than ever, with their mischievous brashness in songs like It’s All Going to Pot and The Only Man Wilder Than Me . They pay tribute to each other, to folks who’ve inspired them – including jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and country legend Jimmie Rogers – and one for an old friend in Missing Ol’ Johnny Cash . On their own they are fantastic but put them together and it’s pure country gold. Denise Hylands

amazing? They exuded effortless power, depth and control. That’s what BRMC have now, in spades. Spread over two discs with a bonus DVD of the entire set, disc one is essentially the latest album in studio order; then we get snippets of an enviable career. Having experienced them live, one understands their power, capable of exploding straight into your soul. While this is a far more sombre affair overall (almost The Cure-ish), it’s a grower – Spread Your Love and Whatever Happened to My Rock’n’Roll hit hard, fast and well. Chris Murray

The most elaborate version includes previously unreleased songs, two discs of live material and alternate versions ( Brown Sugar with Eric Clapton, an acoustic Wild Horses , a lot of songs from their previous album Let It Bleed ) and a DVD of Midnight Rambler and Bitch . Sticky fingers are reaching for your wallet. Again.

For more reviews and interviews by Graham Reid see www.elsewhere.co.nz

JUNE 2015 JB Hi-Fi www.jbhifi.co.nz

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