Crash Kings.... Considered Harmful

I sometimes imagine what it would be like to work in a profession I truly love and am passionate about. Now add in spending time with bands that play awesome music and then writing about it. And since I’m not really a conventional, uninteresting kinda girl (but you knew that already, didn’t you?) it’s going to be about hanging out, then telling the story. Which is good for me, for the bands, and for anyone reading my stuff (do we really need yet another outbreak of mind-numbing, done to death, cookie cutter info about a band, keyed in by folks whose main aim seems to be establishing that they know more than you? No, we do not).

So all that’s swell. But my imagination gets better: because not only will I get to watch bands I already know are great, I get to find out valuable bands that I didn’t know a friggin’ thing about, then tell everybody who will pay attention and check them out.

And that starts here, now, with Crash Kings.

This was one of the only albums that I heard this year where I knew right away that it’d be a year-long listener. There are so many moments of rock goodness sprinkled across the album that I thought my ears were going to explode and I’m so happy to join in the cult-like group of Crash Kings fans.
Seriously, I’ve never heard a better Alternative Rock band out there. Add that with amazing guy – Tony Beliveau on vocals (who can actually sing) with a range at his disposal, including a bassist with style powered riffs and layers of piano sounds. Their incredible sound ties everything they do together in a way that’s so perfect you can’t help but smile. “Mountain Man” and “You Got Me” - the album’s most delightful and addicting tracks, with a glisten of the piano and heavy bass backing an incredible vocal hook, are tracks that pack a huge punch.

If someone asked me to define listenable and pleasurable Alt. Rock in an album this certainly would be nearing the top of the list of albums I’d give them. It really delivers a very full listening experience, whether you want to just float along to the musicality or examine closely the brilliance of the band’s lyrics. One of the most richly satisfying albums you’ll hear in your life. It’s just that damn good.

Beliveau’s vocals and the band’s huge sound ought to keep you entranced.



In short, one of the most talented and significant bands to emerge in our era. It’s not for nothing I’m considering on changing my surname to Beliveau. ;)

What to look out for: Tony Beliveau rocks one of the coolest Clavinets I’ve ever seen (see video above for more on that) just makes the whole thing better.

It’s moments like these that really define for me the universal power of great music and it makes me excited to share those moments with others. And for that I am eternally grateful.

Whatever I put up on EC are the tried-and-true songs that have stuck with me for months and years filling my days with elation and my CDs, playlists with, uh… songs. These are the ones that I love more than steak and beer. The video listed here is the one that I found to be the most visually interesting, uniquely executed, superbly edited, and just in general, a wonderfully awesome video of the band (although having a good song attached to it didn’t hurt it’s chances either). If you like the video, the band and the music, make sure to let me know in the comments. Enjoy!

Crash Kings with 'You Got me'. Pete, thanks for the heads up on these guys!

Wish I Was A Morning Person

I am a bitch in the mornings and I hardly ever wake up on the right side of the bed. So it takes me quite a long time to get up and get cheerful, as sleeping is one of my much loved activities and I dislike not being able to partake in it or having it interrupted. My folks and my colleagues have to constantly put up with my disgraceful morning mood several times a week. The fact that they are still around after being exposed to my behavior is evidence of their endurance. Or madness. Either one.

Mornings at the office are cruel, but I manage to survive to blog once again. Yes, I may be Miss. Grumpy Pants for this thing called "Morning" that ceaselessly happens every eff’in day and I start to wish I had the gift to set fire to fellow commuters and office staff with just a stare until I've had breakfast and a cup of tea. Then, and only then, am I the fun girl that charms the entire world over.

My Valentine's Day - I have to admit, I don't totally buy into the whole holiday thing. But it's a nice idea and I certainly have had a lot of Valentine's Day loving over the years to be thankful for. This year while I wasn’t dating anyone, I got to air-kiss my favourite valentine – cute co-worker. And it’s back to work so, you know - poof! - good, nauseatingly loving moment ended.

To begin the music section of this post, you know I'm a big music fan. You know that I'd give my left boob to be on a big-ass stage just once and contribute to the hearing loss of thousands.

Artist: Damien Rice

Album: ‘O’ and ‘9’

It’s rare that I find an album which impresses me right off the bat. Even rarer is the album I'll listen to multiple times immediately after I get. But this is one of 'em. Damien Rice combines indie rock, folk and rock elements into subdued yet powerful albums called ‘O’ and ‘9’, released in 2002 and 2006 respectively. And the strengths lie not only in his music but his lyrics. His songs are thoughtful, well-written and spin around things with which we can all identify. If nothing else, this album is proof that not everyone feels the need to be a pop star or a nu-metal growler. Rice puts songwriting and instrumentation foreground and with Lisa Hannigan as accompanying vocalist the outcome is truly inspiring.

Highlights: Volcano

I am just sitting here wondering if I should just scream out loud or just scream quietly. Nothing much to report really, except the fact that my love life sucks and otherwise work has been uber busy.

While I was working I came across this site that offered annual predictions for zodiac signs and it explicitly told me not to be too sympathetic to others – ‘take care of yourself first'. Maybe I should respect the saying or maybe I am already doing it. You can try your luck out by asking me anything that would require me having to show sympathy.

In this time and era when some artists have all but vanished, others carry on putting out new albums that are, well, let’s just say, less than the standard , and others are on an unending break. It can be hard at times to be keyed up for new music. In fact it can be hard to be thrilled for music in general.

Fortunately for us all, in this current desolate economy, there exists one dazzling and immaculate star that has to date, put out three brilliant slices of music for our enjoyment. The third album by Fiction Plane, titled ‘Left Side of the Brain’ has eleven songs that are each unique pieces of intricate craft work. After the band’s debut album it was apparent that Fiction Plane had some serious talent behind the music and this album literally raises the bar to a ridiculous height. I wouldn’t be surprised if this album made it into my best music-list this time around.
The band is essentially the brainchild of Joe Sumner (lead vocals and bassist), the son of musician Sting. The singer has a true vein of modern indie running through his blood and that with vocals very similar to his father’s - the outcome is unbelievably awesome music that is magnetic and enticing. If you haven’t heard this band, then it’s about time you were introduced to Fiction Plane.
My favorite track hails of the album ‘Left Side of the Brain’ called ‘Two Sisters’. If you like this track, chances are you’ll like most of what this band sounds like.

In the next thirteen days on EC, you can leave a comment that has your favorite track and if the single sounds good then I’ll play your song at ‘EC’s 1 year anniversary post’ on the 21st of May. There might be a goodie bag involved here so it’s definitely worth your while to fill out a little comment and hope you get some free stuff, right? Tell your friends, Evuhleen’s Corner is hitting one.

Juniper Lane

‘We spent the day at home, in Dibuphar, 4th Mile. I was chatting away with my extensive kin. I’ve known all the members of the family for a couple of years now but my relative’s fiancé, ‘Chen’ is the new addition and while the nearest and dearest had a hard time accepting him into the family, we’ve grown quite close. He’s reserved but talented, witty, and a truckload of fun when one gets to know him.’

Post-trip proceedings: I have to say, it has been extremely exhausting. And it's hard to be really brief or humorous about it, as I am experiencing extreme anxiety even while I write this. I’ve been trying to catch up with all the updates at work and trying to do stuff that would’ve taken me 15 minutes tops; I now struggle to finish in 45 minutes.
Last night I found myself thinking about the past and all the times I’ve been so very happy – researching a book after an M.A lecture or running to work at the radio station. So really I am just a big old ball of sappiness right now. No neuroses. I am even recollecting studying for finals in a melancholy and longing way.
Now if only I could experience such contentment in the moment, rather than looking back at it!

Oh, and I realized yesterday that somehow a comment by Lionel hasn’t made it onto this page. Sorry buddy. Perhaps the web had a nervous breakdown. So if you posted a comment and it didn't appear, it's not because I hate you. Now, somebody else's comment I might have gotten rid of because I hate him or her. But not you.
I'm trying to figure out this problem with my comment mechanism. If you try to leave a comment and something funky happens, fear not; before long all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well. So, Lionel, thank you for your post. Oh I know your brother wasn’t Elvis in the play… he just sounded very close to the King. Thanks for stopping by.
‘Take Me Home’ : Rock/Indie/Pop

Interested?

This baby stretches past three minutes.

The track is by Juniper Lane.
Does the opening minute of this track remind anyone else of another song?
There’s just something so overbearingly uplifting about the opening segment. In a good way.
The louder you listen to this track the more you’ll like it.
This is an official dedication for all the music hyper informed and well connected bloggers and blog readers.

That’s all I got for this post. Check back often. I basically tell you what’s good and what I’m listening to. I succeed in convincing you that you’re not cool unless you’re just like me. Cheers.

I started writing this post a couple of days of ago. Since then, current events, one-month farewell parties and work have left me far behind. I don’t have a lot of time to spend on this post so I’m going to make it short and limit myself to inserting pictures where appropriate...like here-

In the days following Imcha's Fashion show, I have been filled with happiness and pride for my best friend.

If you had told me when I was eighteen that one day this quiet reserved guy would be my best friend I would have laughed in your face. Well, not really; I would have nodded and smiled politely and not really think much of it. But now, it’s hard to not think of him as part of my family and there was nothing but delight to hear about his very well deserved career success.

My friend and I would often spend hours at his place which was down the street from where I lived. We discussed every aspect of our lives and if there was one person who knew me better than I knew myself, it had to be him. (As a side benefit, I often got to meet many interesting people through him.)
We knew that it probably wouldn't be long before life steered us in different directions. God bless him, I hope he's still creating as fast as his nifty mind will let him.

Today’s track hails from American folk rock band, Augustana and I can say in all honesty that I genuinely like listening to this song. Enjoy the music.

Some Disillusionment and Yay! A New Band

Back when I was just a fresh graduate I wasn’t very careful about the dates I went on. My frailty being what it is, many of these became serious little relationships and then I regretted getting into anything at all. After it was over I'd spent very little energy dwelling on missed connections.
There were a few cases, however, in which the photograph that accompanied the initial romance depicted a fellow of such breathtaking beauty that even now a small part of me regrets what might have been, even if the time for which it might have been was less than a couple of months. I am not so naive as to pout over the guy that got away, but I have spent an occasional moment or five since then wishing I’d bump into him.

Keep this in mind, as I kinda change the subject to mention that while I was going through an old social networking site that I was a member of a long time ago. A quick exploration of the photo album revealed the photo I have described above, which I hadn't seen for years. I sat back in my chair spending a few moments reminiscing a moment of a time long gone. A minute further into the inspection of the photograph exposed features that were average, and possibly worse. My memory made him look like Lancelot and damn my visual senses for judging him attractive in the first place. I deleted the pictures but now I’m worried at some point later in my life my laptop’s going to tell me that I have to repeat the same exercise with some other built up memory and I can only imagine what illusions I’ll have to smash to smithereens then.


Moving onto something a little happier now- If you feel like you are sick and tired of hearing overplayed songs on the radio or the television and you just want to hear something fresh and new then give The Afters a try.
The Afters is a band composed of Josh Havens (vocals), Matt Fuqua (guitar), Brad Wigg (bass) and Marc Dodd (drums), young music artists from Mesquite, Texas. The band was formed at a Starbucks coffee shop under the name ‘Blisse’. They came up with ‘The Afters’ after realizing that there was another band that used the name ‘Blisse’. The Afters’ music has an upbeat rock sound. The album ‘Never Going Back to OK’ will surely be worth your listening time and deserves to be part of your playlist.

For more on this band, check out http://theafters.com/

I Heart Music

I’m inspired by a lot of modern artists and those that have come before me. My favorite genre apart from modern alternative rock is the rock/pop of the 80’s time period when Prince, The Police, Billy Idol, Tears for Fears & Bonnie Tyler were performing their biggest hits. The sound is so influential and amazing to me that there’s no way I could shy away from it. It’s in your face and it’s timeless.

Our little church has waited till it was cool enough to host an extravagant worship event in a month or so. They’re in the middle of getting the installation, performance and visual aspects of the concert ready. Musicians and singers are being called and practices are underway. Watch this space for more information on the upcoming show that is set to take over the neighborhood.

Built in the same villa as ‘Orange Peel’ is a couture store called ‘Sanctuary’. I laid my eyes on a very indie- looking Pepe top with an iconic vintage logo. Limited to only a few pieces produced, this vintage logo tee emblazoned with unabashedly cheerful colors, will surely be a rare delicacy among the boutique circuit.



Do you have a place you go to where you can totally zone out? I do. It’s my bedroom. Every time I sit with my family in the living room it’s like I’m sitting with people I don’t really know. Like they’re from different countries packed into a bus for a day. Very eerie. I get into my room and it’s the same feeling you get when you see a full moon rising over a fog covered city. Very cool. Very trippy.

Work has started flowing in. All this time we’ve been working on the US market so there hasn’t been a lot to do. Yesterday, we got the European market under our wings and boy, are we swamped with work.

Went out with the crew last night to see ‘Hancock’. Hmm… expected so much more. But it wasn’t so bad. Atleast I had the caramel popcorn.

There wouldn’t be the saying “there’s life after *blah*” if there wasn’t life after it. I just feel like I’m stuck some place I don’t want to be in. How do I ever get past it? Someone hand me the happy pill, puhleez!

I’m having a hard time continuing this post because my little niece Abigail wants my attention or she threatens to throw my laptop off the desk. Here’s Damn Yankees with ‘High Enough’. To Dilli. Happy B’day.