Emmett Malloy has done it again. He is an incredible storyteller, but when there is a subject matter as good as this, it just takes a skilled and talented director to point it in the right direction. Documenting a very unique tour, the film follows 3 bands (Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Mumford & Sons, and Old Crow Medicine Show) from Oakland, CA to New Orleans, LA aboard a vintage train stopping along the way to put on incredible live concerts showcasing their superb blends of folk, indie rock, and live energy. Showing not only the incredible music but the camaraderie as well, Malloy tells the story of this tour through the musings of the band. Incredible once-in-a-lifetime behind-the-scenes collaborations happen in every nook and cranny on that vintage train, and the music created is forever enshrined within this film. Aside from the music, the artistry of the filmmaking, cinematography, and sound of the film are as good as any documentary, award nominated or otherwise. This cross country journey is one that any music fan, even those not into the genres of the bands within, can become immersed in. See the country as it was once seen before the days of air travel and superhighways, and do it with great bands, even better music, and through the eyes of a visionary director.
Woodshed Films is known for putting our very artists surf films that feature some of the best surfing and music outside of the spotlight. For the first time, Woodshed Films is releasing a film that showcases the female aspect of the surf community. Picture any of their other films and remove the guys. What is surprising (or maybe not) is that much of the surfing is better than what you may have expected. The soundtrack is also excellent, featuring bands in total obscurity to indie bands like Vetiver and more well known artists like Band Of Horses. The film is beautifully shot and follows some up-and-comers and legends, showing that girls can do anything that guys can. And they even can show it all off in artistic films too!
Brushfire Records definitely knows how to do soundtracks. They aren't the traditional "music from and inspired by" type mixes, but rather they are mood setting and image conjuring compilations. This latest, not for a surf film, is a collection of tunes consisting mostly of new Ugly Casanova songs. Ugly Casanova is a side project of Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock with a little help from James Mercer, lead singer of The Shins and Broken Bells. Mercer also lends two tracks to the soundtrack, one is a cover of a Neil Young song. The other, an original instrumental, is the best instrumental inclusion on the album. Far and away, the best song on the album is Mason Jennings' new tune "Machines." It combines his incredible lyricism with his new found love for the electric guitar, and should have been included on his most recent album. Jack Johnson's cover of "Spring Wind" is excellent, as he finally decided to get into the studio and put it down to tape for the first time ever. Ugly Casanova impresses with "Here's To Now," "Wave Goodbye," and "Lay Me Down." Although the variety of styles on the album is limited, it's an outstanding soundtrack, with a heavy emphasis on indie rock and folk. Considering that the film is one of the year's best documentaries, the music keeps the film's adventure right at our fingertips.
