by bill biss
HEAR THIS:
WORKING GIRL Little Boots When Little Boots came on the scene in 2009, her sound was almost “sci-fi” in nature as a lone voice of electronica and pop. For her third album, she has definitely come down-to-earth and tackles the tedium and tactile emotions of everyday life. Little Boots has a few musical tricks up her sleeve and the lead single “Better in the Morning” blends a touch of The Tom Tom Club with a slice of one of The Spice Girls and the results pay off. “Business Pleasure” conjures up the pacing and pulse of the ‘80s while “Taste It” is ala “Chic.”Available July 10.
RECREATIONAL LOVE The Bird and the Bee Inara George and Greg Kurstin (aka The Bird and the Bee) take flight with a new set of music forRecreational Love. It’s been six years since their last album and the sensitive and seductive vocals of Inara George are as entic- ing as ever. There is a smooth yet rhythmic vibe of soul and R&B in the mix. The sounds flit and buzz through genres very much like a bee in the breeze. Stand-out tracks include the silky groove of wanting a known “player” in “Recreational Love” and the melancholy frustration and fragility of “Please Take Me Home.” Available July 17.
BEFORE THIS WORLD James Taylor James Taylor is a major musical voice of a generation… and his body of work spans generations because of his sensitivity and
spirit.Before This World is Taylor’s first album in 13 years and is a testament to this skill as a singer/songwriter extraordinaire. The first single “Today, Today, Today” is a natural ode to the joy of recording and being in the studio again with all new material. Yet, with all of James Taylor’s work, the personal experience is relatable on so many levels. Ease into the summertime as “how sweet it is…” with the monumental essence of the original JT. Available now.
BECOMING Stacy Barthe There is an intensity of depth, struggle and brutal honesty to be found in the voice and persona of Stacy Barthe. For her debut on Motown Records, produced by John Legend, BEcoming is an odyssey of remarkable musical proportions with a delicacy and conviction of emotions. Barthe’s distinctive and rich vocals that wind throughout a panoramic arrangement of sounds is matched with vivid storytelling on each song presented. It’s stunning. Expect to experi- ence and be captivated by Stacy Barthe. There is no denying her rich gifts of song and beautiful spirit that gracefully isBEcoming. Available July 10.
WATCH THIS:
OF GIRLS AND HORSES In this German-made film with English subtitles, director Monika Truet presents a rebellious 17-year old, Alex (Ceci Chuh), sent to a horse farm by her mother. This is in the hope that it will turn the girl’s life around. Learning responsibility from the riding instructor, Nina (Vanida Karun), Alex discovers a friendship with another young woman who though privileged, is drawn to Alex from the very beginning. At times, the film moves at a slow trot… yet, there is a fascination in the character development of Alex and the breathtaking setting of the German countryside. Available now.
TIGER ORANGE It’s hard (no pun, intended) to make the transition from gay adult star to the larger screen. Frankie Valenti formerly known as “Johnny Hazzard,” does an exceptional job in the family drama,Tiger Orange. Co-starring with writer and actor Mark Strano (Chet), the film explores how two brothers, though both gay… couldn’t be more different. When “Todd” comes home to visit his brother, old wounds surface as the two come face-to-face with the loss of their father and their differences of personality.Tiger Orange, directed by Wade Gasque is a truthful take on lifestyle choices and the bond between brothers. Available July 7.
SAUGATUCK CURES In desperation, a gay son (Max Adler ofGlee) whose mother is stricken with cancer tries to figure out a way to raise $68,000 for a special cancer treatment. Under the advice of his straight best friend, the two decide to use the conservative religious right to their advantage. Their idea? Pose as ex-gay ministers turning homosexuals straight. When your heart is in the right place… will the son save his mother? Chaos, slapstick situations and adventures through this journey makeSaugatuck Cures a comical, truth-telling and ultimately heart-
warming film. Available now.
LORD MONTAGU This documentary (on VOD platforms including Cox and Amazon) tells the life story of Lord Edward Montagu, the sole heir of one of Eng- land’s most aristocratic families. Montagu was convicted of “homosexual” offenses in 1954, leading to a scandal and a trial which would set precedence in England and be forever known as “The Montagu Case.” Yet, with ingenuity and resolve, Lord Montagu went on to turn his parents’ estate into a world-renowned public tourist attraction and created a new form of tourism, “the stately home business.” Written, directed and produced by Luke Korem,Lord Montagudives brilliantly into the life, scandal and showmanship of this historical gay figure. Available now.
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RAGE monthly | JULY 2015
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