Reviews

The Vikings

Enduringly popular epic, directed with vigorous panache by Richard Fleischer. Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis are terrific as the feuding half-brothers, sons of hugely-bearded Viking warlord Ernest Borgnine, and there's an admirable amount of rowdy quaffing, hearty pillaging and general mayhem.

Spy Kids 2—The Island Of Lost Dreams

The sequel to Robert Rodriguez's maniacally good Spy Kids, with budding-Bonds Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara up against a rival team of adolescent agents and the monsters of mad scientist Steve Buscemi's fantasy island. Suggesting a Ray Harryhausen movie invaded by the screwball surrealism of a Looney Tunes cartoon, it ups the first film's formula of candy-coloured cool stuff for kids and in-jokes for grown-ups. Quite fantastic.

Jacob’s Ladder

Tim Robbins is Jacob, a Vietnam Vet trying to adjust to civilian life in New York but suffering from horrific, nightmarish visions. The after-effects of a military drug experiment, or something more sinister and supernatural? Even if Adrian Lyne's film makes a lot of confused choices, it's still an interesting—and genuinely scary—ride.

The Detroit Cobras – Seven Easy Pieces

Full-throttle rock'n'soul mini album. From Detroit, obviously

Sole – Selling Live Water

Absorbing countercultural rap

Danny Barnes & Thee Old Codgers – Things I Done Wrong

Singer in Texas punk bluegrass band The Bad Livers in strong new start. Bill Frisell guests, Marc Bolan's covered

Psychedelicacies

Lazer-Guided Melodies for the laptop generation

The Joe Jackson Band – Volume 4

He's The Man again

Miaow – When It All Comes Down

Cath Carroll's complete 'C86' years

Jimmy Scott – Falling In Love Is Wonderful

First proper release in 40 years for landmark in American popular singing
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