Essential April '12

ESSENTIAL VIEWING THIS APRIL:
The return of Mad Men to the small screen arrived with a small portion of scepticism for this viewer. After four seasons every show has a natural need to develop further and take some turns. Judging by the first six episodes of sesason five there was no need to worry. Creator Matthew Weiner has wisely decided to make matters a touch darker and after having firmly established the whole ensemble there are plenty of new challenges for the familiar characters. Its most recent episode, Far Away Places, is one of the most inspiring hours of television this writer has seen in a long time. Halfway through the season, it is a firm and reassuring collection so far and hopefully it will continue to impress.

It is hard not to be impressed by the impact of Mark Wahlbergs carreer over the past years. From his Oscar nominated turn in The Departed to the hilarious detour of comedy in The Other Guys. But it is mainly as a producer he has developed the most. His company Closest To The Hole Productions have given us great TV shows such as Entourage and Boardwalk Empire, and this month he both stars and produces Contraband, a surprisingly fresh and engaging thriller. Directed by Baltasar Kormàkur, the star of the original Reykjavik - Rotterdam, it finds Wahlberg in familiar familyman territory, but a tight script and a delicious style of both sober and exillarating direction, make this one of the most impressive thrillers to come out of Hollywood all year.

Ricky Gervais has had two major outings this month. The return of his The Ricky Gervais Show for a third season on HBO, and his one-off pilot Derek which premiered on Britains Channel 4 a few weeks ago. The ladder is a surprising change of pace for the comedian. It is written as a comedy surely, but there is an emotional core to this that is stronger than anything Gervais has ever done before. It demands you to view the comedian as something completely different, and it is not without its challenges, but if you devote yourself to allowing Gervais impress you in a whole new light, then the reward is mindblowingly satisfying.

ESSENTIAL LISTENING THIS APRIL:
Norwegian outfit Jack Stillwater has admittedly been an unknown band to this writer for most of their lifetime. However, the release of their sophmore album Muddy River this month has changed all that. It is an impressively well put together album with tremendous quality. The quality of each track varies a bit, but this is almost to be expected from a band at the point they are currently at in their career. Influences like Lyle Lovett and Tom Petty come to mind and this album does not in any way try to disguise its inspirations found in American country and rock music. A terrific album and a great surprise from when and where you least expected it.

The fifth studio album from Brendan Benson is called What Kind of World, and it is another storng and reliable outing from the guitarist and frontman who has been known mainly through The Raconteurs over the past years. The follow up to 2009s terrific My Old Familar Frind does not strike with the same immidiate impact as its predecessor, but it is well worth a listen never the less. Even though Benson follows a familiar formula and will openly admit he does not carry the worlds most distinguised voice, he manages to be both inspiring and impressive in his tunes.

The self proclaimed biggest rock band in Sweden Kent return this month with their tenth studio album, an impressive achievement for any band this day and age. Jag Är Inte Rädd För Mörkret starts off sounding like something that could grow to become one of their finest yet, but unfortunately the feeling does not last. Halfway through the album becomes a little bit too familiar ground and the tracks do not live up to the promise of becoming instant classics. But there is still plenty to enjoy, in particular for the bands most loyal fans. The opening 999 is a grande and delciously pompous pop anthem that will terrorise radios and young peoples hearts in the coming summer. Just for that it is worth a listen.