TOP PICK

Samsara

(MPI Media Group)

The visuals in this film from Ron Fricke and Mark Magidson, the guys behind the movies Chronos and Baraka, get trippier as the film progresses. With imagery that ranges from the natural to the surreal, Samsara provides a stunning look at slices of life on five different continents as we see everything from snow-covered Himalayan mountains to chickens heading to slaughter.

Various Artists

Girls, Volume 1: Music from the Original HBO Series

(Fueled by Ramen)

Indie acts such as fun., Fleet Foxes and the Vaccines fill out the soundtrack to HBO’s very smart dramedy about a twentysomething trying to eke out a living in New York City.

This article appears in Jan 9-15, 2013.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.