New releases on CD & DVD

DVD: Chronicle of a Summer

Mark Kidel Monday, 20 May 2013

“Chronicle of a Summer” (“Chronique d’un été”) is one of the great documentaries of all time – and a work that could only have been made in France, home of the immensely influential Cahiers du cinéma and the constant ferment of speculation on the nature of film. The BFI’s release of the 1960 classic by Jean Rouch and Edgar Morin couldn't be more timely: documentary flourishes today as at no other time in the history of cinema and attracts some of the world's best film-makers.The realm of non-...

CD: Jamie Cullum - Momentum

Peter Quinn Sunday, 19 May 2013

Jamie Cullum's sixth studio album is about as good a pop record as you'll hear all year. Newly signed to Island Records, the singer-songwriter has seemingly raided ideas from the entire history of pop music, such that low-fi vintage synth lines and jazzy piano breaks rub shoulders with heart-on-sleeve soul belters and subtle electronica. The kind of stylistic pluralism that directly reflects Cullum's own musical loves, in other words.The mash-up of opening salvo “The Same Things” is typical of...

DVD: Phantom Lady

Graham Fuller Saturday, 18 May 2013

The first of the Dresden-born Robert Siodmak’s eight film noirs, Phantom Lady (1944) was adapted from a Cornell Woolrich novel that typically endows...

CD: Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

Joe Muggs Thursday, 16 May 2013

A wise man once said: DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE. It's a simple concept, but it seems so very hard to grasp, even – or especially – in a supposedly media...

CD: The National - Trouble Will Find Me

Lisa-Marie Ferla Thursday, 16 May 2013

It is no hyperbole to say that The National have made some of my favourite albums of all time. In every case, it has never been a decision I have...

CD: Club 8 - Above The City

Thomas H Green Wednesday, 15 May 2013

Long-standing Swedish duo produce enjoyable if hit-and-miss electro-pop

DVD: Les Misérables

David Nice Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Fine filmmaking and decent performances work hard to redeem an infantile musical

CD: Steve Martin and Edie Brickell - Love Has Come For You

Fisun Güner Monday, 13 May 2013

A captivating and beautiful album featuring songs that are strongly narrative-driven

Reissue CDs Weekly: Sun Records

Kieron Tyler Sunday, 12 May 2013

A mind-blowing journey to rock ‘n’ roll’s ground zero with Sam Phillips and some of the most joyful music ever recorded

CD: Agnetha Fältskog – A

Kieron Tyler Sunday, 12 May 2013

Less-than-wonderful return from one quarter of ABBA

CD: Primal Scream - More Light

Russ Coffey Saturday, 11 May 2013

Has Bobby Gillespie come up with the sound of austerity Britain?

CD: Savages - Silence Yourself

Lisa-Marie Ferla Friday, 10 May 2013

They have the presence and the manifestos - but do they have the songs?

DVD: Hors Satan

Kieron Tyler Thursday, 09 May 2013

Bruno Dumont’s oblique meditation on salvation and punishment

CD: Pat Metheny - Tap: The Book of Angels, Vol 20

Peter Quinn Wednesday, 08 May 2013

Brilliant first meeting between the jazz guitarist and the avant-gardist

DVD: White Tiger

Tom Birchenough Tuesday, 07 May 2013

From a tank-whisperer to the quandaries of historical destiny, a strange film

CD: The Fall - Re-Mit

Kimon Daltas Monday, 06 May 2013

The Fall’s unique and strange journey continues with an album which rewards repeated listening

Reissue CDs Weekly: Eurovision 2013, Françoise Hardy, James Last, Nico Gomez

Kieron Tyler Sunday, 05 May 2013

A Eurovision-inspired round-up with this year’s competitors and reissues from France, Germany and Belgium

CD: Rod Stewart - Time

Jasper Rees Sunday, 05 May 2013

Regret, not marital bliss, brings out the seductive songsmith of yore

CD: Benga - Chapter II

Thomas H Green Saturday, 04 May 2013

Leading light of bass-led electronic sounds, underground and overground reaches a crossroads

DVD: The Long Goodbye

Nick Hasted Friday, 03 May 2013

Robert Altman's irreverent Seventies Chandler update remains unpredictable and dark

CD: Caro Emerald - The Shocking Miss Emerald

Thomas H Green Thursday, 02 May 2013

Swingin' Dutch jazz-pop chanteuse delights once again on her second outing

CD: Alison Moyet - the minutes

Joe Muggs Wednesday, 01 May 2013

'Alf' is in energetic mode, but can she carry it off?

Just in From Scandinavia: Nordic Music Round-Up 7

Kieron Tyler Tuesday, 30 April 2013

A Norwegian masterpiece, smart Swedish electropop, a unique Danish voice and much more

CD: Friedman & Liebezeit - Secret Rhythms 5

Joe Muggs Tuesday, 30 April 2013

Does a 74-year-old drummer have anything new to say?

CD: Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City

Lisa-Marie Ferla Monday, 29 April 2013

Indie rock's young dream display their staying power on a strong third offering

Reissue CDs Weekly: Killing Joke, Motown, Bob Marley, The Winkies

Kieron Tyler Sunday, 28 April 2013

Single-minded British great, soulful females, 35th-anniversary 'Kaya' and a pub rock-era oddity

CD: Rudimental - Home

Thomas H Green Sunday, 28 April 2013

Hackney drum & bass pop four-piece nail an eagerly good-natured debut

CD: Deep Purple - Now What?!

Russ Coffey Saturday, 27 April 2013

Can the old rockers justify another album?

DVD: The Brontës of Haworth

Fisun Güner Friday, 26 April 2013

Not much incident in this five-part dramatisation of the lives of the talented siblings but a strong ensemble cast

Write about music for The Arts Desk

When we started theartsdesk in 2009, one of our goals was to give opportunities to talented young writers. We’re proud of our record so far, but we’d like to be even prouder. We are looking for a pair of young music writers who want to make their names with us. Ideally...