The pop rock foursome from Denver is back with Scars & Stories. Producer Brendan O’Brien helps the group further polish their sound on this release and enables the group to expand their range and depth sonically. World travels and real life experiences fuel this release and avid followers of the Fray should notice a growth and maturity in the lyrical content. New listeners should be pleased also as the Fray sits comfortably in a position that aligns their constellation with other stars in the pop rock sky.

Ryan Gosling’s Drive is a slow burn action flick that seeps of 80’s nostalgia. Drive is heralded by critics and audiences for the tone, realism and the ability to realistically capture the gritty underbelly of Los Angeles (in a way that doesn’t revolve around the typical gang bangers).  The film does have slow moments, but when the violence and action shows up, it is worth the wait. Don’t expect to see lots of high-speed chases though. Drive is somewhat of love story, lead by the characters, the scene and the music. Gosling is a stunt driver who moonlights as a wheelman for criminals. He takes interest in his neighbor and her son and all is well, until her husband comes back from prison. To say more than that really ruins the film. Some critics note that with such a title, Drive should have more action. You would want that, but that is not what the move is about. Drive is not about cars, Drive is about determination. Drive.

The Adventures of Tintin, Steven Spielberg’s first full-length animated film is packed with action, drama and adventure. Follow news reporter Tintin and his dog Snowy as they journey around the world; through the skies and across the seas; in hopes to solve a mystery and find a treasure, all with the constant threat of a curse over Tintin’s shoulders. With a cast that includes Daniel Craig (James Bond, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Andy Serkis (known for his work as Gollum and more recently as Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes), The Adventures of Tintin almost flawlessly combines great storytelling with motion capture and CGI animation for the making of great animated film. Tintin pays homage to and that stays true to the original early 20^th century classic comics, yet brings excitement that you can enjoy today. Pre-order Tintin and you save 51%.

As time passes and days go by in the year, you do one of two things, you get things done or you don’t. Touted as a modern classic, “Getting Things Done” by David Allen is a book that details an organizational method that moves you from carrying a truckload of mindless mental clutter, to productive thoughts and effective, useful, task-orientated activities. While time management itself is not a new concept, the approach presented by Allen has generated a cult-like following in some circles and has even generated several web-based companies (Remember the Milk and 43Folders) that revolve around the GTD framework. In the book Mr. Allen periodically jaunts off-course into classical guru territory using the occasions to parlay some psychology and several philosophical insights, but they appropriately connect his presentation. However, despite weaving across the lane of focus, GTD manages to deliver strongly on the main premise. If you have ever found yourself running aground periodically when it comes to completing your to-do-lists, committing to resolutions, making appointments or otherwise, Getting Things Done is worth reading.

Thirteen tracks of metal, extra heavy, with some soul on the side. That’s how you can describe Mastodon’s long-anticipated sonic descendant to Crack the Skye. Constantly pushing forward, with the Hunter, Mastodon ditched the concept album model that has worked so well for them previously, like a snake shedding its skin and angled off into new musical territory. The result is a much appreciated evolution in sound, complete with more palatable song lengths, lyrics whittled down to the essential essences that evoke emotion and surge with force and direction, anthem-type choruses and melodic chords that tease the untrained ear into believing that Mastodon is aiming to go pop, but to the seasoned veteran it’s a sign of developing maturity in their craft. Could this be due to Mike Elizondo, who has handled production duties for Eminem or is it due to road work with Alice in Chains? Who cares? It’s Mastodon, the Hunter, the drums are vacuum seal tight, the songs stand alone and the music speaks for itself.

Jay-Z said it best, “You want my old music, buy my old album”. The Black Keys, the more you bang them, the better they get. This release, “El Camino” is just another welcome stop on the road for Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney before they either arrive at the Rock Hall of Fame or simply bypass it altogether and become Gods of Rock for the generations that come after them. From the start with, “Lonely Boy” to the finish with “Mind Eraser,” El Camino is a hearty and enjoyable effort packed with very danceable melodies, thunderous drums and rhythms that rock with life and feeling. The Black Keys El Camino