03.01.10 My Top Ten RIGHT NOW

1. PLAY Behanding of Spokane

Another play from the devilish witty mind of Martin Mcdonagh is always welcome in my book.  Clocking in at just 90 minutes, it took me about 45 to actually start laughing at the sheer lunacy being presented, body parts splayed about the stage, questionable morals abound, but once I let the laugh roll, it didn’t stop.  Most of this pleasure was derived from the incredible performance of Christopher Walken who has a 10-minute phone conversation with his mother that had me howling.  Sam Rockwell is proficient but hardly transcendent and I’m not entirely sure what Zoe Kazan thought she was doing, but she really shouldn’t have, it was uneven at best.  I wish this had been more Pillowman or In Bruges instead of Lieutenant of Inishmore, but it was a good evening of theater nonetheless… B

2. CONCERT Melissa Ferrick at the Birchmere

It is so easy to love a concert when the performer clearly loves giving the concert; it’s an infectious sense of joy at the beauty of music and its ability to bring together an audience. The spotlight loves Ferrick who accompanied and interrupted her songs with drawn out narrative that can only be called confessional.  Tackling the excellent single “Closer” from her 2006 release, her voice rang out clear and her guitar work never better.  Sampling from her new album releasing next week, Ferrick covered Radiohead’s “Creep” and David Gray’s “Babylon” beautifully, but did an odd bit of work with Aimee Mann’s untouchable “Deathly.”  All of the fun that came bounding off that stage even put me at ease while listening to Ferrick’s “Drive” which she turned into an extended monologue about how to pleasure a female… A-

3. MUSICAL Sweeney Todd at The Signature Theater

This was a very faithful interpretation of one of Sondheim’s superior works, drawing most inspiration from the Broadway original, but integrating bits and pieces from the successful Tim Burton film and the stripped down more recent Broadway revival.  Unfortunately it was Sweeney himself who didn’t quite have the voice to carry the more hearty moments of the score, which truly create a character out of the man.  I can happily report that Mrs. Lovett on the other hand was a small revelation, turning in a performance of overblown humor tempered with true sadness that all together made me think that Bette Midler in her prime might have been the perfect casting choice.  All in all, I wish this production had pushed a bit more rather than creating a wallop of an ending that would have been better served sprinkled throughout the rest of the show… B+

4. MOVIE The Hurt Locker (2008)

It’s pretty much everything it had been cracked up to be, which watching it so late in the game can only detract from the true artistry of what Kathryn Bigelow has created.  The bomb diffusing scenes are edge of your seat thrilling as you feel your teeth clench in anticipation of what might happen next, a combination of slow motion, amazing sound design and clever editing.  Unfortunately with the in-between bits, when the soldiers become real people with real lives, my interest wandered in the hackneyed plot devices.  This was never more apparent than in the last 15 minutes of the film, which I wont give away, but left me feeling like the brilliance of the previous hour and forty five minutes had been all for naught… B+

5. FOOD Hundred Acres

I knew I was going to like this place the moment I stepped in with the warm wood paneled walls, perfect low lighting and a mash-up of industrial tile and marble countertops.  Luckily the food was good too.  I started with my usual oysters on the half shell, although I think the warm and creamy black bean soup would have been the better option on a chilly night.  Then I moved on to the most succulent flap steak covered in peppercorn sauce and accompanied by delicious roasted onions and thinly sliced potato.  Dessert here is a must, with a fantastic pot de crème and sugar cookies that will make your mouth water and an excellent berry crisp with crème freche that made for the perfect capper to a winter meal… B+

6. ALBUM I Liked it Better When You Had No Heart Butch Walker and the Black Widows

I’ve always been a fan of this odd performer who has had a varied solo career as well as an amazingly successful producing/songwriting career.  On his own work he knows how to create a good hook but is so varied in his technique that what shouldn’t come together does so, shockingly well.  The opening track is a straightforward pop/rock tune which transitions into “Pretty Melody” a symphonic-laced Queen-esque tune with Walker’s voice taking on hints of Conor Oberst.  The rest of the album flows from there into well-crafted tunes that even without a sonic backbone to the overall piece makes for a great listen… A-

7. FOOD Ray’s Hell Burger

I have no clue what they put in my burger, but I know I’ll be craving that taste again and again every time I pick up an inferior concoction.  My particular choice was the B.I.G. Poppa, a patty covered in peppercorn topped with a thick layer of bleu cheese, mushrooms and grilled onions.  The bun complimented the taste without overpowering, allowing the ridiculously juicy meat to shine through.  Match it with a side of slightly crispy fries and you have pure delectability.  I’m clearly late to this party since it ranks among Obama’s favorites and is so popular that the Mexican restaurant that shares an entrance has been forced to put up a sign proclaiming “Mexican Food (no burgers)”… A

8. ALBUM Haywire Josh Turner

Well, if you want a little boot scootin’ boogy, this will certainly provide.  Turner’s voice is so deep and smooth that you cannot help but be intoxicated in this excellent twang, all too clear from the upbeat first track, “Why Don’t We Just Dance.”  He’s equally comfortable and seductive on slow ballads like the romantic “I’ll Be There,” or the gospel-tinged “The Answer.” But he’s at his best on the more buoyant tunes like the rollicking “All Over Me” or slightly hackneyed but fun “Eye Candy,” all guitars and banjos strumming.  While not part of my usual leanings in music, this is admittedly good ol’ fashion country fun… B

9. ALBUM Love & War Daniel Merriweather

Much like the retro sounds of Jamie Lidell and James Hunter, this Aussie is serving up throwbacks that go down quite easy, maybe a little too easy.  On a track like “Impossible,” you’re invested until you realize it’s all about the sound and not the song, with its endlessly repeated chorus.  Producer Mark Ronson has created a fantastic sound collage, current but with deep roots in R&B and soul.  Without the excellent synthesis of strings, piano riffs and deep bass, Merriweather’s voice would be of little to no interest, clearly evident on a more stripped down track like “Cigarettes.”  So here’s to Mark Ronson’s excellent producing and a welcome guest vocal from Adele on the album’s final track… B-

10. TV Cougartown

I never really expected to enjoy this show, but watching it on Hulu recently, I was quite impressed.  No walls are being broken down here in the sitcom world, but the performances are so winning and the writing filled with enough witty one-liners that I have to admit to laughing.  Courtney Cox is by far my least favorite part of the show, taking on the same shrill tone that appeared towards the end of Friends.  It’s all about Christa Miller, adorable if obnoxious on The Drew Carey Show, so perfectly bitchy but lovable here, providing the perfect foil to Cox’s harsh demeanor.  And it’s so nice to see Dan Byrd still on TV after a too short run of his previous hilarious show, Aliens in America.  It’s not going to change the world, but with such a dearth of scripted material, this is a welcome addition… B