Essential September

Essential viewing this September:
- Steven Soderbergh's two films about Ernesto 'Che' Guevara didn't last long in the theatres, but might even be better off served as a double bill DVD, because you'll want to stay fresh throughout both as there is much to appreciate. Quite surprisingly, it works perfect as a history lesson as well as a solid piece of cinematic entertainment. Where Part I shows Guevara addressing the UN accompanied by flashbacks of his battles against Cuban dictatorship, Part II moves more slowly, just like the man himself, through the Bolivian jungle. The result is a wonderful journey. More poetic than political, more moving than lecturing and with a towering performance from Benicio del Toro.
- This September sees two classics return to American television screens. First up is Curb Your Enthusiasm. Having reached season seven it is still razor sharp, deliciously politically incorrect and with more laugh out loud moments than any other comedy series at the moment. Larry David is slowly becoming this decade's savior of American comedy.
- The other pleasant return comes from David Duchovny and Californication. The new season has just kicked off stateside and the first two episodes show it has remained fresh into its now third year. Nicely set up with a new turn of events, the writing is phenomenal and features the best dialogue around. With the main characters now firmly settled in, it allows for even more outrageous spectacle. And Duchovny is using anything available to him in seeing to that his Hank Moody is loudly casting a shadow over Fox Mulder on his way to becoming the leading man's new signature creation.

Essential listening this September:
- Pearl Jam end their three year silence with Backspacer. The new album comes as a nice surprise after some rather anonymous releases. Still proud to sport the sound of Seattle grunge, there are also more low-key and tuned down performances among the eleven tracks on the record. A straightforward and stripped down old rock album, which is always welcome on my stereo.
- After the break-up with her band The Licks, Juliette Lewis is now out on her own. But not to worry, she has found help in the competent hands of The Mars Volta's Omar Rodriguez Lopez and proves in fact that she still knows best. The result is a mixture of tracks, some fast some slow, but the overall impression is that there is more heart on display here than on her previous two albums. Filled with energy, anger and pain Lewis is a breath of fresh air among other glossy and company shaped artists. As she screms in the albums title track Terra Incognita "You gotta love what you live and give what you love before you get it back."
- Danish Baby Woodrose has almost become a veteran in the circles of scandinavian rock music. Their sixth album, simply titled Baby Woodrose is a return to the psychedelic tunes of their last outing "Chasing Rainbows", but there is also plenty of classic style rock tracks. Their sound has grown unique over the years and it is a joy to observe these self chosen outcasts who are more than happy to play in their own corner of the sandbox. To be played loud and in good company.