Top Picks: National Geographic's 'Hubble's Cosmic Journey,' You + Me's album 'Rose Ave.,' and more
Calexico's album 'Edge of the Sun' is the band’s most melodic fusion to date of indie rock and mariachi sounds, the Smithsonian Channel's 'Boomtowners' looks at the effect of the oil boom in Montana and North Dakota, and more top picks.
National Geographic
Effortless harmony
You + Me is the name of an unlikely musical coupling: superstar pop singer Alecia Moore (Pink) and Canadian indie singer/songwriter Dallas Green (City and Colour). Their debut album, Rose Ave., is passionate folk – harmonic and committed to saying something real. The blend of their voices turns convention on its head. Moore’s is the meaty and powerful voice; Green’s soars and dives like a beautiful birdsong.
Truth in fantasy
When you watch the HBO series “Game of Thrones,” which just began airing its newest season, do you find yourself thinking back to world history class? That’s no accident – as noted by Britannica. The “Game of Thrones” characters bear strong resemblances to historical figures and groups such as Catherine de Medici and the Mongols. Check out Britannica’s 13 Historical Inspirations for Game of Thrones about the show and its historical influences.
Eye on space
Twenty-five years after the Hubble Space Telescope was launched, National Geographic revisits the telescope’s creation, recounts the mission to fix its blurry images, and takes a look at the important pictures the orbiting telescope has captured. The program Hubble’s Cosmic Journey is narrated by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and airs April 20 at 10 p.m.
Cross-cultural Calexico
Call it a musical NAFTA. Calexico’s eighth album, Edge of the Sun, was recorded in Tucson, Ariz., and Mexico City. The band’s most melodic fusion to date of indie rock and mariachi sounds features duets with Neko Case, Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam, and Mexican singer Carla Morrison. Singer and guitarist Joey Burns whips up a sonic dust storm on “World Undone.” During “Coyoacán,” John Convertino makes his snare drums snap as if he was hitting boxes of Rice Krispies. Excelente!
Oil boomers
Montana and North Dakota’s oil boom has brought thousands of people to the Bakken shale area. A new Smithsonian Channel series titled Boomtowners looks at the effect the boom has had on the towns in the area and the people who live there. Viewers should be aware of strong language. “Boomtowners” premières April 26 at 9 p.m.