Some power-pop, indie rock, movies

(Columbia,
A good wire-service review on this album ran recently, so this one will be short. Switchfoot has good songs, excellent production (executive producer is Steve Lillywhite) and more melodic sense than most major-label bands as well as many of the minors that this column deals with. Though recent recordings by Monstrous and The Figgs have come close, as have albums in the past from such disparate sources as Jump Little Children, Mars Electric and others.

This one is worth your money, and contains more overall consistency than some of the others listed above. My favorite songs here include the power-pop punch of the title song and "American Dream," which are followed by the percussion-and-mellotronic "Dirty Second Hands."
"Amateur Lovers" ups the power-pop ante, and just about every song has witty lyrical twists and turns.

That's just the tip of this iceberg, which also includes nifty neo-psychedelic insert art. Get it locally or online at .
Slacker Kentucky Gen-X'ers steal a van, and a band's equipment; then, set off on a low-key U.

S. tour, though they can't play the instruments. Sounds like wild, zany fun, right?

"Half-Cocked" is a fun film at times, but not nearly as much as the plot description might lead you to believe. The somewhat austere black and white images of a group of dysfunctional, often depressed young adults moping and griping through the days, only to have one of them arrested just as the band was beginning to enjoy the touring experience, is one that will need to be experienced to appreciate. But only if you have the stomach for it.

The other film, "Radiation," is a bit more light-hearted; but subtitles are required for folks who don't speak Spanish. This chronicle of an amateur promoter who brings bands to Spain, how he supplements his meager income, and other hijinks, is a great concept.
Both of these films are Sundance Award Winners, and feature mostly non-actors.

Plus, the DVDs contain lots of extras. Check them out at or local video outlets.
(Sony-BMG/Legacy,
The Clash were the most important band to come out of the English punk explosion during the mid-1970s and, they rapidly widened their musical palette to take in elements of rockabilly, reggae, ska, dub and more.

This compilation spotlights the singles they released in the U.K. during their career, and includes lots of filler in the form of radio interviews, dance mixes and dub versions.

There are also a couple of powerful live versions here.
Highlights for me include the live "London's Burning," the angry "English Civil War," their power-packed cover of "I Fought the Law," and of course the expected "London Calling," "Rudie Can't Fail," "Train in Vain" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"
Remixes, dubs and radio interviews don't really work for this listener; but die-hard Clash fans may dig those, along with the original artwork.

Grab it locally or at .
Ricky Flake is a former punk rocker, working musician (he sings with South Mississippi's Tribute to the Ramones, COMMANDOS; and, drums with the Deacons) and music fan who lives in Biloxi. Reach him at .