CD: Guapo "Elixirs" (2008)

Guapo is a four-piece progressive band from the UK that plays a dark, driving, brooding brand of instrumental rock. Think "chamber orchestra picks up rock instruments and goes a bit Goth."

This would be an accurate description of their past albums Five Suns and Black Oni (both of which are recommended), anyway. Elixirs is a touch lighter and more varied in style, and there are occasional vocals (both male and female) though they contribute to the overall mood of the piece rather than being lyrics per se. This band is still about atmosphere - meant to be absorbed late at night through good headphones and with the lights out. OK, so I haven't done that yet. I'm still in need of good headphones.

I also find the artwork on Elixirs to be beautiful - you'll have to buy it to see what I mean.

Here's a link to Guapo's web page.

Movie: "Son of the Bride" (El Hijo de la Novia; 2001)

Two years ago I was able to visit Argentina for three weeks, and beforehand I filled up my Netflix queue with Argentine films, some of which - including this one - I'm just now getting around to. This may be the best one I've seen thus far. Life becomes overwhelming for Ricardo Marin (at right, who also starred in Nueve Reinas ["Nine Queens"], a very enjoyable heist film) is Rafael, a 40-year old man who is struggling to balance a restaurant, a girlfriend, a daughter from an unsuccessful marriage, a mother with Alzheimer's Disease and his father, who wants to re-marry her in the church (something he didn't do the first time around). The movie chronicles Rafael's attempt to cope with his mid-life crisis and make some difficult decisions about his future. The acting and story are all quite believable, and as I've seen another suggest, these are people you would like to know in real life. Funny and very touching, you'll want to have some tissues nearby. This movie was nominated for Best Foreign Film Oscar. You can watch a trailer here.

Bill Bryson "A Short History of Nearly Everything"

Possibly the greatest non-fiction book I have ever read. Engrossing, informative, and really funny. Incorporating books like this into secondary education curricula would go a long way to get young women and men excited about careers in science again. You need to read this book. Now.

For astronomy fans...

OK, it's not music, a book, or a movie, but I thought I would pass this favorite on anyway - it's an astronomy web site that has a new flash video each month highlighting constellations, planets, deep sky objects, and events (e.g. meteor showers, eclipses) that are worth noting for that month:

Tonight's Sky by HubbleSite

By the way, the orbits of Mars and Earth have brought the two planets close together at this time, so it's a good time to locate the red planet in the night sky.



And for others interested in astronomy, you may be interested in Google Earth, which has an interactive component Google Sky.

Recommended CD - Uzva "Uoma"

Uzva is a Finnish ensemble playing instrumental music that is clearly rock-oriented but with strong jazz and classical influences. Uoma is their third release (and the only one I've heard in full thus far), and it's a beautiful journey. At times light and pastoral, at other times heavier and groovy, the music here is played with skill and class by the dozen or so artists that make up the band. This balance also means Uoma works well as background music, but stands up to a hard listen. Unlike a lot of progressive rock, I don't have to put a disclaimer on this recommendation - it should appeal to fans of various genres.

Official Uzva band site