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This week's PopMatters Picks from the pop-o-sphere.

1. Wilco, "Sky Blue Sky" (CD)

A soulful, sad, yet ultimately hopeful document largely about putting a brave face in the midst of a dissolving relationship, indulging influences from Bill Fay to Charles Wright to Steve Miller. Songs that float by like pillowy stars reveal themselves to be dense and combustible. This CD sits at the far end of the relationship, after all of the physical separation and distance have taken their toll. _ Michael Metivier

2. "Black Book" (FILM)

Any film with a classic, timeless actor like Sebastian Koch in it is worth seeing. The star, Carice van Houten, gives this gritty World War II story of understated bravery and impossible love during wartime an appealing veneer. Its polished cinematography, heroic resistance fighters and undercurrent of passion hold undeniably entertaining appeal. Hunker down in your seat and lose yourself in this film, based on an amazing true story. _ Karen Zarker

3. "The Queen" (DVD)

Elizabeth II and Tony Blair needed to manage a nation, not just their own feelings, and such a weighty proposition gives this amazing movie much of its drive, and its daring. Though it doesn't pretend to offer factual insights into how the queen and the prime minister actually felt about Princess Diana's death, Peter Morgan's emotionally astute script does a genius job of guessing. The responses just feel right, and help us see the exhaustive burden of power that weighs upon every leader. _ Bill Gibron

4. Three5Human "A Swig from the Acid Bottle" (CD)

Anyone who cares about music, especially as a force of change, is strongly encouraged to take a "swig" from this choleric cocktail; a catharsis of racial injustices that, sadly, haven't so much vanished as become deeply ingrained in the U.S. consciousness. There's no shortage of passion emanating from Tricia Meade and Toni Martin's performances. _ Christian John Wikane

5. "A Miracle of Catfish" by Larry Brown (BOOK)

Over the course of his writing career, Brown was known for gritty, uncompromising accounts of rural Southern living. He was a master of characterization, of exploring the lives of those to whom little happens, and teasing out their personal hells and hopes. This, his last work, represents the pinnacle of that craft. _ Mary McCoy

6. "The Rape of Europa" (FILM )

A case study in the ambiguities of war plunder and the problem of who owns cultural treasure, with extraordinary footage: the "Winged Victory of Samothrace" lowered precariously down the stairs; the "Mona Lisa" wrapped in paper and slipped into a secret drawer in a parlor room. Near the end, viewers are taken down a quarter of a mile into a salt mine where the Allies found Hitler's personal stash: some 6,500 paintings among the loot. _ Greer, Gunther & Miller

7. Elliot Smith "New Moon" (CD)

The world of American pop is so much better for Smith. Ranking amongst the likes of Pavement or the Clash with a perfectionist ability to craft delightful "throw-away" tracks, he's maintained a knack for brilliant melody and vocal styling that combines personality and professional range. This CD lends credence to the cliche that artists of this caliber seem incapable of writing a bad song. _ Vladimir Wormwood

8. "Essential Classics: Dramas" (DVD)

"The Maltese Falcon", "Citizen Kane" and "Ben-Hur" mark those unique moments when paragon creativity meets polished technique, and it is appropriate that each of these films is entertaining as well as technically revolutionary. Warner has done a fabulous job in painting this box set as a time capsule of greatness. _ Erik Hinton

9. "La Haine" (DVD)

There is a thin line between acceptance and prejudice and an easy tilt to the balance, from love to hate. We no longer function in the purely black and white dynamic of like and dislike, delight or despise. Instead, we maintain an uneasy peace between understanding and blame. For the trio in this film, it's not a question of love or hate, or even acceptance and prejudice. It's a measure of rage and its eventual destructive outlet. _ Bill Gibron

10. Dinosaur Jr. "Beyond" (CD)

"Beyond" is the sound of a sorely missed band's return to form _ the bliss of pure dude rock. Its straight-up rock anthems with riffs so memorable they might get encoded into your DNA. J Mascis' guitar work is no worse for wear after all these years. Make no mistake, these guys haven't sounded this good in 20 years. _ Matthew Fiander

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