Roxy resurfaces, sounding just fine

Roxy Music has resurfaced, playing two songs on Britain's "Friday night with Jonathan Ross" show last week.

As you might expect from leader Bryan Ferry, there are new faces compared to the lineup that toured the States in 2005. The core -- Ferry, Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson -- remains, however.

The band is touring in Europe into 2011, but no word yet on when they might return to the States or whether a long-rumored studio album is in the works or set for release. Bryan Ferry has a new solo album called "Olympia" set for release later this year, but his last few albums have been underwhelming.

"Dragon Tattoo" movie worth the rental

Just watched the Swedish film version of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," a faithful adaptation of the Stieg Larsson best-seller, and the first of three so-called Millenium Trilogy movies to be released in the States. The movie was released Tuesday, and the second movie in the trilogy, "The Girl Who Played With Fire," is set for release later this month.

English subtitles and dubbing are available, but I recommend the native language and English subtitles to get the full flavor of the story. Like the book, the action is fast paced. The casting is excellent, particularly Noomi Rapace in the role of Lisbeth Salander. I can't imagine any of the actresses rumored to be in the hunt for the American version coming close to Rapace's performance.

Warning: If you haven't read "Dragon Tattoo," be forewarned: the book and movie contain graphic sexual violence. But while the attacks may make some squeamish, they're a key part of the trilogy storylines.

Best music of 2010, so far

Listeners of NPR's "All Songs Considered" think The Gorillaz's latest is the best so far this yearLotsa lists are starting to pop up highlighting the best music from the first half of 2010. Here's a roundup of the podcasts and sites I frequent:

• The listeners get the spotlight at NPR's All Songs Considered, with a people-powered Top 50 led by The Gorillaz and The National. 
• Greg and Jim at Sound Opinions narrowed their lists to four apiece, with Greg really digging Janelle Monae and Jim slobbering all over Yeasayer.
• Crawdaddy's eclectic Top 40 includes Surfer Blood, The Besnard Lakes and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings.
• Paste Magazine delivered six lists from top editors. Lots of names popping up on multiple lists, including Sleigh Bells, Phosphorescent, LCD Soundsystem, Janelle Monae, Titus Andronicus, Mumford and Sons, and Frightened Rabbit. 

As for me? I've been spending lots of my time listening to older CDs I've been buying from Not Lame Records, which is going out of business and is in the process of an extended fire sale. But as for new stuff, I'm really liking the Janelle Monae tour de force, which is one of the best debuts I've heard in a long time; The Chop Tops; The Besnard Lakes; Alejandro Escovedo; and The New Pornographers.

What about you?