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'Select: Sound & Vision' collection

Select collection sticker Get the latest CDs & DVDs faster! The 'Select' collection is designed to make it easier to borrow heavily used and reserved items within our AV Collection. The items in this collection have a reduced loan period of 3 days, meaning you can access the most popular CDs and DVDs faster for the same price and find them on the shelf more often.

You can find more information on our News page.

Latest Staff Picks

Chickenfoot, Chickenfoot.
Supergroups can be an utter disaster, none more so than rock supergroups, where the anticipation of the results so often ends in crushing banality. So it's a pleasant surprise then to find Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, of Van Halen fame, Red Hot Chilli peppers drummer Chad Smith and guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani on fine form with their new supergroup Chickenfoot. Perhaps it's a result of their coming together via a series of drunken performances at Hagar's Cabo Wabo Mexican club, because it genuinely sounds like they are having a good time rather than worrying about producing anything equivalent to their previous output. Don't go in expecting anything new, I'll be honest, the album is just a simple slab of 80s inspired hard rock. There's the requisite number of rockers and ballads, with nothing what so ever original or unique. That said, it also just happens to be a hell of a lot of fun. Joe's guitar wails, Chad pounds away like the lug he is, Michael thumps along and Sammy, well Sammy does what Sammy does best; shrieks and groans like a hairy aging rock god. Uncomplicated, dumb and plainly juvenile, just as L.A rock should be. (Craig)

In the black, Kittie.
Great new album from Canadian all girl metal group Kittie. I really enjoy the heavy guitars and singer Morgan Lander's melodic vocals (plus the occasional growl or scream). Overall, a very atmospheric album and a fine effort showcasing the girls' much improved musicianship since their earlier albums. (Theresa)

Danzig, Danzig.
Danzig (Danzig I , Danzig II and Danzig III ) sound exactly like a version of the Doors that somehow managed to become even more quasi-mystical, and then added in some really loud guitars. There's no escaping it really, as soon as front man Glenn Danzig opens his mouth it's like he is channelling Jim Morrison, only this time he's singing the praises of all sorts of devilish emotions and mythical beasties instead of inviting you to necessarily 'touch me baby'. The first three albums are all you really need to hear, it all went a bit pear shaped after that thanks to Glenn's issues with hubris, height, and his own musical history, but these three albums are perfect examples of pulpy gothic metal. Suitably esoteric lyrics aside, the music on offer is solidly from the bluesy hard rock/doom metal end of the spectrum and with the requisite early 90s Rick Rubin styled arid production, Danzig provide some Hammer Horror(ish) thrills. (Craig)

Back and Forth, Pete Yorn.
After a great first album, a solid 2nd album and a decidedly patchy third, Pete Yorn returns with 2 new albums. 'Break up', was recorded with Scarlett Johansson, and it would have been interesting to gauge the reaction to her vocals if the album had come out at the time it was recorded (2006), rather than 3 years later - during which time she released her 'Tom Waits' covers album, successfully alienating many critics. The songs on 'Break Up' aren't Yorn's best, but it has some good tracks and her voice is far more suited to this than the Waits material; but many critics cited the overblown concept of the album (a stylised Serge Gainsbourgh/Brigitte Bardot set of duets chronicling the end of a relationship), their lack of 'musical' chemistry, and comparison to the more successful 'She & him' collaboration of actress Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward, as reasons for its failure. Yorn's second album of 2009, 'Back & Forth', is far better. More acoustic based, Yorn makes nice use of strings & horns on some tracks, but they never overpower the songs. It may come off as a tad insular on the first listen, as the whole album has an elegiac feel, with melancholy tracks like 'Close' & 'Four Years' lamenting broken relationships and missed opportunities, but it's a bit of a grower & on the whole may be his most consistent & cohesive album since his debut. (Mark)

The harvest floor, by Cattle Decapitation.
Aren't Metal band names just the bees knees. My favourite among the bunch is the mighty Pig Destroyer (also available on your library catalogue), and now look who comes stomping along; Cattle Decapitation. If your wondering how they sound, then look to the name, it's not nuevo-folk. However, if you'd like a more expansive description, then socially conscious vegan grind/death metal would be apt. Politics and underground metal have been friends for a long time now, see Napalm Death or any number of grind bands for proof of that. Cattle Decapitation are another in an increasingly long line of cult metal artists setting out to make a point: loudly obviously. Don't even think about listening to this if you after something resembling classic or power metal, in fact unless your a fan of the aforementioned Napalm Death or Pig Destroyer then you'll more than likely find it difficult to even make it through the first track. It's a grind/death metal album, with all that implies. Deadly serious deathly growls, thundering overwrought guitars, a thumping backline and songs that last for mere minutes, or seconds. It's fantastic, and the best thing, it's all over so quickly, you can listen to it again almost immediately. (Craig)

Before the frost, Black Crowes.
The Black Crowes had something of a resurgence last year with their excellent Warpaint album and fresh on its heal arrives Before the Frost, an album recorded in Woodstock New York, before an invited studio audience. The Crowes have thankfully matured in an altogether more dignified fashion than their 80s peers, no doubt due to the fact they were infused with something more substantial than just old Aerosmith albums, and Before the Freeze finds them in great shape, sounding like the workmanlike road hogs they have become. The brothers Rich have reconciled, for now anyway, and the Crowes bash out another solid Southern 'rawk', heavy on the 70s blues, soul underpinnings and jam-like flourishes which have served them so well in the past. Revisionist rock? Not likely, but just because its old timey doesn't make it dated, another excellent album with enough grunt to appeal to the rockists, and enough soul to appeal to those aging original fans. (Craig)

Phrazes for the young, Julian Casablancas.
Now that I've actually listened to Phrazes for the Young by Julian Casablancas I can definitely recommend it - especially to those people who are already Strokes fans. Casablancas definitely knows how to write catchy tunes - after all, he did write all the words and music for the deservedly popular Is This It. Strokes-style guitars and synthesizers work in well with his lazy 'I really don't care' vocal style. The first track Out of the Blue and the single 11th Dimension are both highly addictive. (Rowan)

Lord Newborn and the Magic Skulls, Lord Newborn and the Magic Skulls.
Lord Newborn and the Magic Skulls is the collaborative project of acclaimed beatmaker Money Mark, jazz-funk mainstay Shawn Lee, and Bones Brigade legend and downbeat artist Tommy Guerrero. The album is a mish mash of jazz, nu-funk and downbeat electronica, all oozing together to create a sort of mo-wax acid jazz piece, without the cringe worthy factor so often involved in albums that require the prefix 'nu' attached to them. It's a wonderful disc, from the first track to the last you're immersed in the kind of music that is created by musicians who both revere and genuinely love the music they are so obviously influenced by. It's the perfect spring album as well, with enough left field beats and innovate tweaks and blips to keep you interested and yet thoroughly blissed out at the same time. Highly recommended for lovers of things groovy and chilled. (Craig)

Houseplant, Jim Black.
Dynamic drummer Jim Black is one of the most in-demand players in the jazz/avant-garde music scene. He is versatile and his drumming has a rock feeling. He has worked with numerous forward-thinking musicians including Laurie Anderson. He also leads his band, AlasNoAxis and pursues his own music. AlasNoAxis, has been described as 'jazz meets Sonic Youth' by some critics, and the term post-rock may suit their music more than jazz. This is their fifth outing and not the catchiest one, although 'catchy' is not really their thing. They emphasise ensemble textures rather than developing improvisations, and even though it's complex and abstract at times, somehow melancholic melodies and unique grooves make it inviting. Those who like Tortoise, Sonic Youth or even Deerhunter may find this is interesting. (FYI: The band consists of two Americans and two Icelanders. The album was recorded in New York and issued from a wonderful German label, Winter & Winter. The cute album art was done by Japanese artist, Yoshitomo Nara.) (Shinji)

Keep an eye on the sky, Big Star.
With the exception of The Velvet Underground, Big Star may well be the most influential 'cult' band in the history of rock; making 2 critically acclaimed albums that sold dismally, yet going on to define a type of 'sound', and being cited as a prime influence of bands such as R.E.M, The Replacements, & The Teenage Fanclub. 'Keep an Eye on the Sky' is a 4 disc box that collects up their entire output, the 2 albums '#1 Record' & 'Radio City' as well as the 'third' album, essentially an Alex Chilton solo release, a live concert from 1973, and various other odds and ends. While there are no real revelations in terms of new music for those already familiar with the group, there are nonetheless a wealth of demos and alternative versions. The only quibble is that some of the original album tracks are only alternate takes & demos - but it's a beautifully packaged set that comes with a handsome booklet full of many unseen photos and a set of revealing essays that trace the history of the band, the tragedy of founding member Chris Bell, and the evolution of the 'Big Star' cult. Recommended. (Mark)

The Stone Roses [Legacy ed], The Stone Roses.
Has it been 20 years already? I feel old. Anyway, a three disc deluxe reissue of the finest British debut album of all time. Disc one is the original album remastered by John Leckie and frontman Ian Brown and the album soars with a renewed vigour. Remarkably upon its release the album wasn't even that big a hit, but over time the Roses' debut has come to be seen (and heard obviously) as a masterpiece and a timeless classic. I wanna be adored indeed! It's an album stacked with pop, and a little pomp majesty. One flawless indie pop number after another, and with a broad set of influences brought to the band by its members, the Roses sound is a unique mix of the obscure 'serious' artist and throwaway populist arrogance. Disc two on the reissue contains demos of the album but disc three is where the fun truly lays with every video the band released and an entire concert from their prime years; which serves to remind us that as a live act they were routinely atrocious. The Roses' debut is a sublime slice of Manc magnificence, released at the perfect time to catch the frenzy of the rave years, and thankfully the band had the good sense to self-destruct famously at the Reading Festival, before they managed to totally sully their reputation. Have you seen or have you heard? You really should have. (Craig)

Digital Prophecy, Dhafer Youssef.
A wonderful performance by Tunisian vocalist and oud (ancestor of the European lute) player, Dhafer Youssef during the Wellington Jazz Festival earlier this year is a happy memory. He led New York downtown musicians at the festival, but this 2003 album is a collaboration work with talented Norwegian jazz musicians. His music is basically simple repetitions of exotic Arabic rhythm, melodies and his amazing voice, that combined, create a trance-inducing effect - but this style runs the risk of becoming monotonous when it comes to a full length album. However, co-producers Eivind Aarset (guitar, from Nils Petter Molvaer band) and Bugge Wesseltoft (keyboards) apply modern arrangements with adding sophisticated electronica and contemporary beats. It's skilfully executed, and gives multi-layered soundscapes and varieties. The blend of primitive sounds with cutting-edge electronica, and the mixture of Tunisian hot air and Norwegian cool make this album a treasure. (Shinji)

Sun moon stars rain, Norman Meehan.
I love, and am still loving the latest from Wellington's own jazz pianist extraordinaire, Norman Meehan. The name of the album is 'Sun Moon Stars Rain' and it is just wonderful. Here's what Attar Media said: "...In 2007 Norman started composing music for poems by E.E. Cummings that he felt drawn to. This album is the result. Working with three of his favorite musicians - trumpet player Nick van Dijk, vocalist Hannah Griffin, and reed player Colin Hemmingsen - Norman has written a series of compositions that reflect the quiet, playful and transcendent aspects of Cummings' work. Six of the pieces are songs; the other six are instrumental variations inspired by Cummings' words. Because there is no rhythm section, the music is very open and spacious, leaving room for the individual voices to stretch out and explore - and for the listener to enter into the performances. This is a case of music and poems coming together together perfectly. It is music - pure and simple. Just the way we at Attar like it..." (Ellie)

"But what if I don't like it?" Well, it's true one's meat is another's poison, so why not double check with allmusic.com first to see if it sounds like your cup of meat/poison/tea.
Previous staff picks

Librarian's Choice

Recommended by Wellington City Libraries staff members, these CDs are chosen from all genres of our wide collection and are displayed with gold Librarian's Choice stickers on the cover. Watch out for the display of Librarian's Choice CDs and DVDs in the Sound & Vision Centre. A list of the CDs chosen is available here (Word) and from the Central Library Sound & Vision Centre desk.

Recent books

The underlined titles will take you directly to our catalogue. Some featured items are linked via a book cover to enable you to read more reviews.

The mammoth book of The Beatles, edited and with an introduction by Sean Egan.
"This exciting compilation includes more than 30 contemporary accounts, articles, and interviews (from Maureen Cleave's "Beatles Bigger than Christ" feature, to their debunking in News of the World just before the Sgt. Pepper release), plus latter-day memoirs and re-assessments, on the most wildly popular band in the world." (Amazon.com)

I am Ozzy, Ozzy Osbourne with Chris Ayers.
"Has there ever been a more extraordinary rock-star story than Ozzy Osbourne's? Born into a life so poor that the whole family slept in one room, Ozzy endured a tough upbringing. Music was his salvation and his band Black Sabbath went on to change the music scene forever. But along with the rock and roll came the inevitable sex and drugs and Ozzy fell into a long relationship with addictive substances. The stories of Ozzy's days on the road are legendary - biting the head off a live bat, losing his best friend and writing partner Randy Rhoades in a tragic plane crash - but few know of the real heartbreak he suffered during those days of excess. In the end it was love that saved him: the love of his wife Sharon and kids Kelly, Jack and Aimee. In his highly anticipated autobiography, Ozzy comes clean: in all senses." (Amazon.com)

Let it bleed : the Rolling Stones, Altamont, and the end of the sixties, Ethan A. Russell, with Gerard Van der Leun.
"LET IT BLEED takes you where no Rolling Stones book has before. Author and photographer Ethan Russell was one of only sixteen people - including the Rolling Stones - who made up the 1969 tour. He was with them in their hotel rooms, at rehearsals, and on stage. He tells the story of this monumental and historic tour firsthand, including recollections from band members, crew, security, and other sixties icons - like Abbie Hoffman and Little Richard - they met along the way. And he also includes amazing photos of the performers who toured with the Stones that year: the legendary Tina Turner and B. B. King. Through vivid quotes taken from his interviews with the band and crew, and through more than 220 revealing photographs, Russell takes you behind the scenes for an uncensored look inside the Rolling Stones' world at the end of the sixties. It was an idealistic time, with an overarching belief that music could bring us all together. But the events that led to the terrible violence and stabbing death at Altamont would change rock and roll forever." (Amazon.com)

The Wire primers : a guide to modern music, edited by Rob Young.
"An essential handbook to the most advanced modern music from the Bible of experimental sounds. Since it was founded in 1982, The Wire magazine has covered a vast range of alternative, experimental, underground and non-mainstream music. Now some of that knowledge has been distilled into The Wire Primers: a comprehensive guide to the core recordings of some of the most visionary and inspiring, subversive and radical musicians on the planet, past and present. Each chapter surveys the musical universe of a particular artist, group or genre by way of a contextualizing introduction and a thumbnail guide to the most essential recordings. A massive and eclectic range of music is celebrated and demystified, from rock mavericks such as Captain Beefheart and The Fall; the funk of James Brown and Fela Kuti; the future jazz of Sun Ra and Ornette Coleman; and the experimental compositions of John Cage and Morton Feldman. Genres surveyed and explained include P-funk, musique concrète, turntablism, Brazilian Tropicália, avant metal and dubstep. The Wire Primers is a vital guide to contemporary sounds, providing an accessible entry point for any reader wanting to dig below the surface of mainstream music." (Amazon.com)

The jazz theory book, Mark Levine.
"Endorsed by Jamey Aebersold, James Moody, Dave Liebman, and others, The Jazz Theory Book presents all the information any student of jazz needs in an easy-to-understand, yet thorough, manner. For intermediate to advanced players, and written by one of the acknowledged masters of jazz, it is used by universities around the world." (Amazon.com)

Glee : music from the Fox television show : piano/vocal/guitar.
"This songbook features tunes from the hit FOX TV show about an enthusiastic teacher who, against many obstacles, tries to bring a high school glee club into the spotlight. Aimed at the underdog in all of us, the show features pop songs from the past and present, sung by a group of teens who just might prove all their doubters wrong. 16 songs: Alone * Bust Your Windows * Confessions Part II * Don't Stop Believin' * Gold Digger * Halo * Hate on Me * It's My Life * Keep Holding On * No Air * Push It * Rehab * Somebody to Love * Take a Bow * Walking on Sunshine * You Keep Me Hangin' On." (Amazon.com)

Magazine roundup

Sick of reserving the latest copy of Mojo, only to find a seven-page feature on Val Doonican? Tired of trudging up the stairs to get Rolling Stone, only to find that Yanni review cruelly missing once again? Avoid nasty surprises with our music magazine roundup.

Here's what's happening in:

Acoustic Guitar website
Bass Player fulltext
Downbeat fulltext
Froots website
Guitar Player website
Modern Drummer website
Mojo website
New Zealand Musician website
NME website
No Depression website
Q website
Real Groove website
Record Collector website
Remix website (requires Flash)
Rip It Up website
Rolling Stone fulltext
Songlines website
The Source website
Uncut website
Wire website

For more magazine links, visit our online music resources page.

Popular music collection

At Wellington City Libraries we have a ridiculous number of CDs (well, over 20,000) for you to borrow at the altogether reasonable price of $1 each. Whether Matmos or Minogue, Strokes or Stockhausen, RZA or AWB you may very well find just what you were looking for in our collection.
Try these searches for the latest CDs in these categories

stack of CDs

Popular
Hip-Hop
Electronica
Compilations
Jazz
Soundtracks
Experimental
Country
Punk
Metal
Soul/R&B
A full list of music genres is available on our Catalogue Quicksearch page.

Of course we also take care of classical music.

"Music Ad Lib" radio show

"Music Ad Lib", hosted by our own library staff music enthusiasts, airs monthly on Access Radio 783 AM. The show is on a Saturday afternoon from 4.30-5.00pm on Access Radio 783 AM - look here for the tracks from a recent show.