Three More Scores for January

The House of the Devil (2009)
Written and directed by Ti West
The House of the Devil touches on satanic cults, and is a great ode to classic late 70s and early 80s horror films. That and its style won me over instantly. It is incredibly slow paced and subtle. The acting is cheesy but appropriate. The visual, asthetic and musical styles really benefit this film. Loved it.

By the Hedge - Minks (Captured Tracks, 2011)
Last year saw yet another revival in 80s post-punk and shoegaze, and it seems that Brooklyn's Captured Tracks was at the forefront. The label kicks off 2011 with another doozy, Minks' By the Hedge. The album has a similar gothic feel to Wild Nothing (and also, duh, The Cure), but is more rough around the edges and some of the songs even have a smidge of 90s midwest emo in them. The production could be considered lo-fi, but it is nice and appropriate. The vocals, drums, chimey guitars and the chord progressions all contribute to the appeal of By the Hedge. It definitely doesn't hurt that all the songs are awesome, even if it took me forever to get past even the first two songs ("Kusmi" and "Out of Tune").

Split 7" - Women/Fair Ohs/Cold Pumas/Friendo (Faux Discx, 2011)
I first got wind of this 7" when I nerded out with the members of Women at their Detroit show back in September. I did not expect it to be obtainable so soon, let alone so easily. Bonus that Women's contribuation, "Bullfight, " which is a fantastic nod back to when they actually incorporated a pop element to their songs, isn't the only good song on here. In the context of this 7", Fair Ohs sound like a more crisp and cleaner version of Abe Vigoda's 2008 album, Skeleton. Cold Pumas are dark and noisy in the good way. Friendo, which features Women drummer Michael Wallace, seem to be jangly girl-fronted indie pop (actually, with a smidge of emo too). I am glad I nabbed one of these.