Aug

25

Jeff Hanson’s Melodies

By Rachel | Album Reviews | 3 Comments 

Jeff Hanson is mistaken for a female singer songwriter all the time, but believe it or not that is Jeff Hanson singing those beautiful melodies. It is quite different I must say, a little hard to get over… Is it just me? Does anyone else have a hard time listening to these beautiful melodies that sound as if they are being sung by a female vocalist but indeed it is male?

Regardless, the music is indeed beautiful… Hopefully it will be easier for you to get over then it has been for me… I am still tripping a bit over here.

mp3: Your Only Son

mp3: If Only I Knew

Madam Owl 2008 (Kill Rock Stars)

Jeff Hanson on myspace

Album also available on emusic

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Aug

21

Vicky Christina Barcelona

By Pip | Film Box | 1 Comment 

Woody Allen #44

Hey folks, Pip here, that’s right I’ve returned!

Of course it’s really no surprise that a new Woody Allen film is out.  There’s always a new Woody Allen film coming, here, or going and it’s almost to the point now where we take him for granted.  All of his films, be they amazing or bad or something in between, are worth watching.  The man has so much to say and do I can’t even think up a good metaphor… allegory… hell I can’t even come up with something that rhymes that can show my appreciation for his vast body of work.  As a student of film I’m quite ashamed to say that I haven’t seen them all, but I’m slowly working on it.

Preface aside, I really enjoyed his latest even if I do wish he was the narrator instead of that guy.  Who the hell was that guy anyway?  Some guy that played a photographer technician in The Good Shepard?  Weird…  Anyway, for a man that’s got a love affair with New York - Woody, not the narrator, he sure is treating Europe like a passionate mistress that has brought out an old man’s inner fire.  I think it’s great that the melieu of his films have changed as has the tone and characters to suit.  His European films have a special sort of laziness and tension that coalesce into something that’s decidedly Woody.

The players of this film are all known from their previous work and their reputations hold fast here.  Given Woody’s witty, yet realistic, words the actors make the sordid things in life look good.  Javier Bardem could probably seduce me, so he’s got no problem taking down two beautifully difficult women, make that three!  Sweet!  Not only is it entertaining, but it puts relationships under a microscope showing more truth there than most writers, directors and actors dare give us in an entire career.  The wonderful thing about a Woody Allen film is they all make it look so easy.

The movie is part romantic weekend, part insane ex-wife and part Spain.  Mix together, add sugar and a pinch of Jewish cynicism and you’ve got a wonderful story that allows all parties to walk away having learned something, including me.

Aug

18

Ratatat

By Rachel | Album Reviews | 3 Comments 

This new Ratatat album is just a fantastic summer album and since the summer is winding down I thought I must post about it before it is too late. An unexpected fun and enjoyable electronic album.

I am a little cranky this evening as I have had a headache for the last two days… So I will let the music speak for itself tonight and I will be around a bit more this week ;-) I hope Ratatat brightens up your day.

mp3: Mi Viejo

mp3: Dura

LP3 2008 (XL Recordings)

Ratatat on myspace

Album available at emusic

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Aug

15

Olympic Fever

By Rachel | News & Info. | Leave a Comment 

Oh yes. I have been totally engrossed in the Olympic games this past week, which is why I have been M.I.A. I have been enjoying watching Michael Phelps swim his way to victory in every event and the women’s gymnastics as well.

Also, my grandma flew out so I was visiting with her for a bit before her, my mom and my Aunt flew to Cancun Mexico for my grandma’s 80th B-day. Three Jewish women in Cancun Mexico… WTF? I don’t know it wasn’t my idea. I will be back Sunday with a new post. Till then my sweets! :-)

Aug

7

A Mini Mix Up

By Rachel | Music Mix Up | 5 Comments 

Just for shits and giggles… And because there is a lot of good stuff out right now and I want to highlight some of the tracks, which have tickled my fancy. Cheers!

mp3: The Ark

mp3: The Beach

Two of the tracks that have the most soul… I love it!

Fate 2008 (Park the Van Records)

Dr. Dog on myspace

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mp3: The Takers

mp3: Change No Change

Migration 2008 (Ernest Jenning Record Co.)

Takka Takka on myspace

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mp3: Cape Canaveral

mp3: Lenders In The Temple

Conor Oberst 2008 (Merge Records)

You may know Conor Oberst better as the frontman for Bright Eyes.

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Aug

3

An Afternoon With Brendan Canning

By Rachel | Album Reviews | 9 Comments 

And I am so, so lazy…Quiet and contemplative… All I want to do is just put on some music and bring out a good book or the last issue of Paste Magazine and chill.

Brendan Canning shows us that he can hold his own with a groovy well composed solo album much like his other band mates have done. A respectable solo debut that contains a few stand out tracks that have made it onto the iPod for some shuffle love. Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend. I am sharing two of the more mellow tracks on the album that are befitting for my mood, but he does get funky don’t you worry. ;-)

mp3: Antique Bull

mp3: Snowballs and Icicles

Something for All of Us 2008 (Arts & Crafts)

Brendan Canning on myspace

Broken Social Scene on myspace

Also available at emusic and amazon

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Jul

28

Reflection with Pomegranates

By Rachel | Album Reviews | 2 Comments 

This past week has been insane… Now, all of a sudden, it is Monday. I do apologize for my unplanned absence everyone but sometimes stuff just falls from the sky.  Plus work always keeps me working overtime, which is good because I get paid for that. ;-)

The Pomegranates help as I reflect on a week filled with long nights at work and big news from friends moving to New York for a new job opportunity… It was nice to unwind with those friends at a John Mayer concert this Sunday. More on that later… For now let me introduce the Pomegranates who hail from Cincinnati, Ohio. I found them while perusing some new selections on emusic and I instantly fell in love. They create a mighty fine blend of experimental rock with a sugar coating of pop just to make it a little sweeter and it works. They still have a little bit of smoothing out of some of those rough edges, but that will come soon enough… They have only been a band for a little over a year. Their first full length album, Everything is Alive is refreshing. Thought it would be a good idea for you all to check out their 2007 EP, Two Eyes as well. Enjoy!

mp3: In the Kitchen

mp3: The Children’s Progress

Pomegranates on myspace

Everything is Alive 2008 (Lujo Records)

Also available on emusic

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Jul

23

Swamped

By Rachel | News & Info. | 1 Comment 

Hey everyone I have a lot of stuff I want to post but I have just been beat when I get home lately… Work has been taking it out of me and plus for the last week I have had a headache everyday. I think the headaches are just stress headaches from work but I will be back tomorrow hopefully with a new post. Thanks for your patience. Juggling work and new music is not an easy thing, so I appreciate your support. :-)

Jul

20

Another Year

By Rachel | Album Reviews, News & Info. | 7 Comments 

Friday was my birthday… So yeah happy birthday to me! I kind of feel a bit old… Normally I embrace my birthday with open arms being an only child and all I kind of make it a big deal… But this year I have realized I am a bit scared of getting older. I still had a marvelous weekend though… Great food, great laughs and good times with friends and family… It was fabulous. ;-)

I thought it would be a perfect time to mention the ethereal Sigur Ros and their new album, Med Sud I EyrumVid Spilum Endalaust , which translates to “with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly”. Their new album seems to be much more relatable, a bit more down to earth and fundamental then their passed albums, which all seemed to be fueled by abstract post-rock. This album is colorful, uplifting, expressive and beautiful. Highly recommended. (That is two in a row I might add)

mp3: Vid spilum endalaust

mp3: Med sud í eyrum

Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust 2008 (Beggars XL)

Also available on Amazon

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Jul

14

F%$@ It!

By Rachel | Music Mix Up | 9 Comments 

Yeah. That sums it up right there. I am in a terrible mood, just awful. Which, sucks for Haley Bonar because I feel like I am not giving her a proper write up but I have mentioned her once or twice before. I am just not into it tonight. A new track off her new album just shuffled right on and just seemed to fit with the mood I am in so I thought what a better time then now to mention her new album. Enjoy and good night.

mp3: Mayday

Haley Bonar on myspace

Big Star 2008 (Afternoon Records)

Also available on emusic

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