Drama Rod Lott
"Mr. Nice" is a little too true to its title. Had the film had more
balls, it might have made a stronger impression. Based upon the
real-life exploits of Howard Marks, writer/director Bernard Rose tracks
the smart Welsh lad's sharp-angled trajectory from bullied sissy boy to
major worldwide player in the drug-smuggling trade.
Don’t be sad, indie kids: Los Campesinos! will cheer you up with their most dramatic, mature album yet.
Indie Matt Carney
While their fourth LP in as many years doesn’t peak quite as high as
their 2008 debut, “Hold On Now, Youngster ...” (which was hallmarked by
an absolute crusher of an indie-pop single in “You! Me! Dancing!”), Los
Campesinos! have crafted another terrific record in “Hello Sadness,” a
compelling, aggressive, twee listen.
Another weird concept from Los Campesinos!, this one likely NSFW.
That the Welsh indie-rock dudes and dudettes of Los Campesinos! put a lot of effort and thought into their music videos isn’t up for debate.
“Songs About Your Girlfriend” from last year’s excellent “Hello Sadness” is just one more convincing exhibit in this case, which had to have been just as weird an experience for the band as the viewer. I’m not even going to try to describe it, so just go somewhere your co-workers can’t catch a glimpse of this over your shoulder and watch:
Never mind the girl dancing with no underwear around the midway point. The most off-putting thing about this video is the pairing of guitarist Tom Campesinos!’ face against these very, um, talented ladies’ writhing bods. Talk about sexually confusing.
But there’s nothing confusing about pretty ginger keyboardist Kim Campesinos!. That girl can sing harmonies on my tracks any day.
" is a little too true to its title. Had the film had more
balls, it might have made a stronger impression. Based upon the
real-life exploits of Howard Marks, writer/director Bernard Rose tracks
the smart Welsh lad's sharp-angled trajectory from bullied sissy boy to
major worldwide player in the drug-smuggling trade.
