On the Shelf 068: Barry Adamson

Barry Adamson has a CV that is about as cool as you can get- former member of both Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Magazine; and time spent either gigging with or re-mixing the likes of Iggy Pop, Visage, the Gun Club, Depeche Mode and Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.

Probably not real surprising, but the last few years have seen some critically loved works from former Bad seeds (and I even admit that I have trouble keeping up)- coming to mind are recent albums by Hugo Race and Kid Congo Powers.

I gave notice to Adamson's solo career (now ten albums in) just over 15 (!) years ago with Oedipus Schmoedipus. That album featured what may have been the best song I heard in 1996- the Jarvis Cocker sung "Set the controls for the Heart of the Pelvis"; as well as contributions from Nick Cave and billy MacKenzie. Oedipus didn't blow me away as a whole(as I remember it) but it would be hard for anyone to shine next to the likes of Jarvis (at the top of his creative heights) and Nick.

It feels good to catch up with Adamson in 2012 and the brand new "I will set you free".

Adamson's modus operandi is the confident European cool character of Cocker or Stuart Staples. It's hard for anyone to pull off, but Adamson did learn from the best (Nick Cave and Howard Devoto).

Movier Weekend

Safe House- Okay, this is a mindless chase movie.  As mindless chase movies go, it is pretty good.  From the previews, I gathered Denzel Washington was rehashing his Training Day character, and I have to say, yes, this is the typical hardass rogue that Denzel has made a career of in recent years.  That's not a bad thing,  Denzel elevates this movie with his performance.  Needless to say, i still think of Ryan Reynolds as the guy from Two Guys, A girl, and A PIzza Place.

There is a better-than-average supporting cast (Robert Patrick, Rueben Blades, Sam Shephard), and as someone who watches a lot of action films, I give this a thumbs up.  That said, more discriminating tastes will find the film quite flimsy and nothing more than an extended chase sequence.  Though it has had strong advertisement behind it, this feels like a film that will be forgotten pretty quickly.  Those who watch an average four films a month (which I think is most of you read this), it's worth a rent when it hits DVD/Blue Ray.  Others won't miss much by skipping it, and those looking for more than the generic action film may be disappointed.

The Vow-  Okay, this is probably a bit out of my demographic.  This one is a tearjerker that will probably be loved by those who like such films.  I had a hard time getting past Tanning Chatum, who is apparently this generation's Keanu Reeves, and as the film's narrator, I couldn't get passed that he would have more ideas in head than just "Whoa".  The story is of a young wife who loses her memory.  Unfortunately, the lead characters are hipsters who quote Radiohead and namedrop The Sun Sessions.

So, the young wife has to choose between what she remembers as a young adult (a life where she is growing up to be Calista Gingrich) or her mid-20s life as an annoying hipster who hangs around people who wear hats to be ironic.

Of course, I'm being particularly difficult.  The Vow  is indeed pretty good for a date movie, will put you in tears at the end, and give you something to talk about on the ride home (It is indeed a fascinating and incredibly story).  I give it the same recommendation that I give Safe House- fans of the genre will love it, the casual moviegoer (and I'm including men here) will really enjoy this movie.  However, don't confuse it with an Oscarworthy drama.  It's not that.  With that story, it certainly could have been, but it stays much too lightweight.  Still, for the 3 or 4 movie-a-month crowd, I'd give both these very different films a general recommendation.