Go to Lyra’s Oxford in ‘His Dark Materials’ series
Just a month ago I wrote about the majesty that is Philip Pullman’s metaphysical fantasy trilogy, His Dark Materials, which absolutely retains its power to decimate readers 20 years after it was first published.
In 2007 a movie version of the first book in the series, The Golden Compass, was released and while it had its pluses, it mostly failed the capture the power of the book. But now the BBC and HBO have teamed up to give it another go, this time in the form of a television series.
The cast looks pretty fantastic, and going with television will give the story much more room to breathe. I’m cautiously optimistic that this shit could really bang, and my wrath will be terrible if it falls again.
It starts on Monday, Nov. 4 on HBO, so you’d better watch.
-CR
Penny for the Guy
This is wildly cliche to say, but I absolutely adore the by the Wachowski’s film adaption of Alan Moore’s famous graphic novel, V for Vendetta. It overflows with the kind of quotes that fire you up when you’re ready to take on the everyday fascism that is becoming increasingly present in the world.
Seeing as the whole thing hangs on Guy Fawkes Night, (“Remember, remember, The Fifth of November…”) this is the best night to put it on (it is currently on Netflix) and get righteously angry.
-CR
The Roots at the Fillmore Auditorium
Rap is not a genre overflowing with bands. There’s a fair amount of duos that have made a name for themselves, and collectives like Odd Future and Brockhampton have made a huge impact on this decade’s music. But one of the most influential bands remains Philadelphia’s The Roots.
They’ve been the house band for Jimmy Fallon for so long that it’s easy to forget just how groundbreaking they are. Albums like Things Fall Apart, How I Got Over and Undun are just a few of the classics they can claim.
They’ll be hitting the Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson St., at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8 and are absolutely worth your time. Get tickets at www.livenation.com.
-CR
Brittany Howard at the Ogden Theatre
Brittany Howard has the kind of voice that can just fucking blow the walls off any building she happens to be in. As the lead vocalist of The Alabama Shakes she made two phenomenal records, the second of which gets my vote for one of the best all-around sounding albums of this century.
The group has been pretty quiet in recent years, but Howard finally released her debut solo album, Jaime in September. It’s a stunning collection of songs, that blends R&B and funk with torch songs and alt-rock. Rightfully, Howard’s hurricane of a voice is front and center throughout and really shows her vocal and lyrical dexterity. It’s easily one of the year’s best releases.
In support of the record, she’ll be performing at the Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14. I’ve seen her perform there with the Shakes, and I can assure you, this is a show that will fuck you all the way up. Try to score tickets at www.ogdentheatre.com.
-CR
‘The Band’ on vinyl
There was something going on in the late 1960s and early 70s, when bands could just crank out classic after classic – something The Band accomplished with their first albums, Music from Big Pink and The Band.
Last year, Music from Big Pink was remastered and re-released in honor of its 50th anniversary, and this year The Band receives the same treatment on Friday, Nov. 15. It’s receiving a massive boxset reissue, as well as releases on vinyl, CD and digital.
The album gave the world “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” one of the best songs ever written (as well as one of the best sing-along songs), as well as “Look Out Cleveland” and “King Harvest.” Respect must be paid. Preorder it here.
-CR
