If Looks Could Kill....

...They probably will in games without frontiers war without tears. So said Peter Gabriel.

I have long been a fan of Peter Gabriel and I am quite sad that I don't live anywhere near one of his concert stops. I also wish I was rich so that I travel to see him play. Oh well, such is life.

This week was actually last week, but things got very chaotic at work with the launching of the Arden Season with Joel Plaskett, so my time got sidetracked. So without further ado, here are my thoughts on a few CD's I listened to last week.

The Sound of the Life of the Mind by Ben Folds Five. AWESOME, but then again I am completely bias. I love this man, his writing is clever, and the music is always top notch. He's creative and wonderful. It's always nice when an artist you appreciate maintains his level of artistry, staying true to himself, yet evolving. It rare to find. Go buy this CD immediately. http://www.benfolds.com/

All the Way Home by Ocean Carolina. Solid laid back feel, reminiscent of a Josh Ritter or John Wort Hannam. While I liked this album, I found it faded to the background a little to easily for me. It's pleasant enough and it's sure to please many, it's just not one that will likely stay with me for long. http://www.oceancarolina.com/

When the Ledge is Home by Bi-Polar Bear. With a title like that and the group name I knew I was in store for a pop explosion of fun.......what? wait. Oh, right this CD was depressing. The writing and music was decent, but it didn't surprise or offer anything you would expect. There is potential for this band, as they are talented, and in spots the beats remind me of Jurassic 5, but let's just hope they continue to grow and step beyond their sad shadow or they will become the self fulfilling prophesy and end it all. http://rollwiththebear.com/ (PS: google searching bi-polar bear is super interesting)

Mirage by Band of Horses. They're happier on this record then I ever heard them before. It took me by surprise. And, I will admit it was a bit hard to hear, but I liked it. Super catchy rhythms and for the most part the lyrics were good, but not their best effort. Especially the track Dumpster World - super odd lyrics. Decent outing for a group who I suspect collective would like to be Neil Young when they grow up. http://www.bandofhorses.com/us/home

Carny Life by Pebaluna. Loved it! Great melodies and an amazing voice and instantly an atmosphere was created that drew me in. Some Jazzy guitar riffs lead into some Bossa Nova moods which drifted towards a quirk of ukulele - but it all works. Find it, Buy it. http://www.pebaluna.com/

Look into the Sky by James Iha. It's sort of reminiscent of a 60's/70's pop record. I really appreciate this record, it's cosmically breezy and easy to listen to. There is also a great list of guest artists on this record who all contribute, but don't overtake the sound James is creating. The only misstep for me was the track Appetite. It had an Iggy Passengers-esque sound that just creeped along and felt totally out of place. http://www.jamesiha.org

That's about it for last week. I plan on getting back on track with my regular Friday postings.

And as always, go buy music at your in a local record shop, they know what they're doing and will likely suggest something to you, that will blow your mind.

Video Killed the Radio Star

Did it ever, I had last week off, a stay-cation if you will, and I listened to no music. Zip, ziltch, nadda.

First off let me say that I tend to be busier when I take time off. I cram so much into my days, that I inevitably don't get done those little chores that I always promise myself that I'll give attention to it when I take time off - yeah right. It's also tough when you know you will have to include a nap into your daily routine for the week. This gal has priorities.

So you can imagine how low on the list my music blog was. I apologise to the 5 or 6 people that actually read this thing.

I have a really great excuse for not investing time into music. The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Mysteries Season 2 showed up in the mail about a week prior, and well...........I needed to watch every episode. Plus there was a cavalcade of great guest stars; Linda Dano, Kasey Kasem, Kim Cattrall, Rick Springfield and Lorne Green - to name just a few.

I love late 70's and 80's detective shows. They had to rely on hunches and intuition to solve mysteries, plus can you imagine how tough it must have been to solve crime without a cell phone? I mean people can't even grocery shop now without phoning home to see it it was 2% or 1% milk they needed to pick up.

This is a slippery slope for yours truly. I think I will have to search out some more detective shows online. Maybe Barnaby Jones is online?

Anyways, I digress. I could talk about awesome TV all day.

I also saw a fantastic movie - Moonrise Kingdom. Wes Anderson is a genius. I highly recommend this movie.

Alright, enough for now - I better get back to work. Music reviews will be coming for the end of the week.

They say the world has had enough of silly love songs

..............well thank you Sir Paul McCartney, but I look around me and I see it isn't so.

So what's new in music this week. Well sadly not much good. I have been trying to listen, but when it's a new Matchbox 20 or a Smash Mouth, I just cannot do it. Sorry.

I didn't mind 3 CD's, but 1 of them is borderline.

Havoc and Bright Lights by Alanis Morissette. I really enjoyed this. It's a solid record from start to finish. Fine rock selections but mostly mellow, but happy. I think her anger is almost gone, you can truly hear the happiness in these tracks. Personally I think that happiness started to appear when she connected with Ryan Reynolds, but that's just me. He's enough to make any girl smile. http://www.alanis.com/

On a Ride by Wax Poetic. Another decent release. The tracks flowed well, and the use of guest vocalists for the most part was a good choice. Some weaknesses but for the most part the flow was there and I found myself digging the jazzy chill-out vibe. Sort of a Zero 7 feel at some points. This record definitely created an at"mood"sphere - yep, I made that word up. Norah Jones and Natalie Walker both guest on this record - nice work ladies. http://waxpoetic.net/

Highest Wish by Bill Ortiz. I am by no means a jazz purest, but I do like the genre. Now this CD is littered with guest vocalists, and I use the term littered because I don't think it works on the tracks. The best parts of this album is not the guest work but the actual playing. Bill is an amazing trumpet player, adding all these guests cloud his playing. the BEST parts of this CD is when we get to hear Bill do what he does best. http://billortiz.com/music/

             Why is it whenever I hear Jazz I think of Kids in the Hall. "With a rap tap tapping on the window, and a voice saying Hey let us in Beano's clarinet is getting wet" baaahahaha classic Kids.

On a side note, I heard the song Poison by Bel Biv Devoe yesterday on the radio. I am impressed that I remembered most of the words and that it still holds up as an amazing song. It totally made me want to dig out my cassette single and play it over and over.

Viva la New Jack Swing!

--odd combination of words, but I do feel that in my heart

Also I am helping out at the Blue Revue next week. So it's only a matter of time before I confirm who all the "naughty kids" are in Edmonton.