The hubris of youth
The hubris of youth can be a funny thing. Bands can come out with songs that include regrettable lyrics that features music that is more emulation than originality. And so it is that we have a new band featuring two dudes (drums + guitar) and an English chick on bass straight out of the Karen O mold in style called "Band of Skulls." They have a new single called "I Know What I Am. Its a good track that is a cross between Queen and the White Stripes with the lead singer and the female alternating verses that include "Hotel/Taco Bell/I got the hit but you know damn well" (the bad) and "Flick flack/No slack/ I got the wit that my enemies lack" (the pretty OK). I've listened to the album once and it OK--"Honest" is a very good song that finds them experimenting with a brit-pop vibe. Nothing great. Even though this song lacks originality and sounds completely like a White Stripes knock-off, its still good. Check it out. I bet it gets featured in a commercial soon. That foot stomping beat and chorus sounds tailored for a commercial.
One of the best albums of 2008
Oh My Heart
Out of Canada, Mother Mother, released an album in 2007 called "Touch Up" featuring one of the strangest albums I have seen in a long time. It featured an apparently rabid rooster head-banging with some blood talons. The album was a disappointment because it was such a hot mess. Mixing styles and rhythms, the band apparently was going for a ramshackle pixies genre splicing rock album. They unfortunately did not pull it off. So it was with trepidation that I approached "O My Heart", their new 2008 album featuring a gigantic fish head with a hook through its cheek and a bloody eye--another weird album cover.
O My Heart is everything Touch Up was not. O My Heart is a ramshackle genre splicing ode to the Pixies Doolittle featuring among other things harmonicas, gospel singers, trumpets, showtunes-like melodies (see "Wrecking Ball"), screaming, country music guitars and whole slew of other tricks. The lead single and first track on the album "O My Heart" is the most straight-forward song on the album and is not indicative of the rest of the album. If I had to guess it was made to garner radio play. Album highlights include "Ghosting", "Body of Years", "Wisdom", and well, jesus, the whole album from 1-13 is fucking awesome.
The best band you’ve never heard of….
self-titled album
These tracks are from a band out of LA. They're called Meho Plaza and they're self-titled debut is one of the best albums of last year. The first song is called "Your Future Looks Bright." The second track is called "Let's Play Police Tonight." I expect big things from this band. The calling card on their album is mixing great and simple melodies with some ugly and brutish samples. Other album highlights include "The Beach", "George Washington", and "I Sold My Organs." I'm surprised this band is getting more press.
Speaking of LA bands, I have to say that some of the best music these days is coming out of LA--Meho Plaza, Low vs. Diamond, Autolux, the Airborne Toxic Event, and Mellowdrone. LA may be supplanting New York as my favorite music scene.
Pig’s nasty bits…
Quick, can you name the 2nd largest city in France?
Can you name the gastronomic capital of France?
Don't feel bad, most people would have difficulty naming any another city in France besides Paris. That's because most people casually traveling through the country believe there's nothing else worth seeing outside the capital city with the possible exception of the French Riviera, also known as the Côte d'Azur. Not visiting some of the smaller cities and regions throughout France is a big mistake!
Why?
There are several reasons including: French people are nicer outside of Paris, the food is more authentic, the wine is cheaper and of higher quality, and there is less pressure to schedule time for all the sights. Want to leisurely peruse the weekly book market along the river? Want to sample some of the local cheese and charcuterie at the local market? Want to see some beautiful churches with beautiful stained glass and breath-taking hand-crafted mosaics? Want to do some fantastic window-shopping at unique boutique stores or world reknowned designer labels? Want to do all these things without the annoying tourist filled crowds? Then head to the Rhône-Alpes region to the second largest city in France, Lyon.
Nestled between the Rhône and Saône rivers, the heart of Lyon, can be found on a peninsula where the rivers converge. The public transportation is well developed however the city is small enough to wander around on foot (recommended). If biking is more your thing, cruise the streets on 2 wheels using the Velo'v. It's fun and you get some exercise in the process. This will allow you to chow down at one of the local Bouchon's. Bouchon's are traditional Lyonnaise restaurants that often specialize in pork - specifically pork's nasty bits - loosely ground sausage made of intestine called andouillette or stomach fried in a batter called tablier de sapeur or animal feet called pieds de mouton/veau/couchone are all common specialties. Don't let your mind deter you from tasting some of these delectable treats. Have an aperatif of creme de cassis (blackcurrent liqueur) or a local bottle of Beaujolais. This is the right way to start off any meal. Many Bouchon's keep very strict hours (which we found out the hard-way since most are closed during the entire month of August) so be wary of that. If fine dining (Michelin-rated)is your thing, several world-renowned chefs including Nicolas Le Bec and Paul Bocuse have several restaurants spread throughout the city.
We had dinner at one of Bocuse's less pricey restaurants (he has four named after the cardinal directions each specializing in a particular type of cuisine) called L'Quest that specializes in seafood. The food was excellent, the service was good but slow, but the most interesting part if you sit inside, you get a front seat view to all the action. The kitchen is exposed to the public so you can watch the Head Chef call out all the orders while all the sous chefs run around preparing dishes. This is actually much more fun than it sounds - I didn't see anything get dropped while I was there although the sous chefs take their sauces quite seriously.
Some of the sights worth checking out include:
-the cobble stone streets of Vieux Lyon
-Cathedrale de St-Jean
-Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere
-Theatre Romain
-Les Halles de Lyon
There are tons of cafes spread throughout the city. Make sure to take advantage of the slow paced drinking style. If you are lucky, you may eat at local cafe where Bill Clinton ate. Hint - if you use the restroom and you see the scene from the picture below, you're at the right place. This means you are one cool cat.
