The Honk & Holler Opening Soon

Casual review time!
*

Books are not out of style. I refuse to believe so, considering I found more substance in an old book then I do in half of my college courses this past weekend.

(Note that the courses I do find worthwhile tend to be, well, literature courses. Plus an occasional anthropology course.)

Continuing on that note, older books are also not out of style. In fact, given the recent publishing of “Twilight” I think I can go out on a limb and dare to say older books have even more to offer than what is currently being slapped onto the shelves and sold via Kindle to be viewed on our tiny handheld screens.

“The Honk & Holler Opening Soon” is a sweet book published in the late 1990s, with a storyline focused on 1985. The main characters are as complex as the history of the times – the owner of a dried up restaurant is a Vietnam veteran that won’t see himself as one; his aging, mother-figure friend has her own daughter who ran off to be a rock star.Wandering into town to make their lives more interesting are a Crow woman with an animal whispering skill and a body to call the boys; and a Vietnamese immigrant, who doesn’t even understand ¾ of what is being said right in his own ear.

The entire novel has the “small town” feeling: everyone knows everything, and even if they don’t know everything in one rare case of being able to keep the scandal under the lid, they sure will gossip their mouths off before they even make it to the Honk & Holler (Opening Soon) Café.

And what makes small towns interesting? Not the homely feel, but the conflict, the drama, the relationships, and the way that living in a slow lane often opens more eyes than the fast lane.

Stylistically, it's a fairly easy read. It's emotional. It's well paced: it knows when to slow down, when to speed up, when to just bump along at an easy and enjoyable pace. And no matter what mood we're in, once readers get about ten pages into it, they'll never want to put it down until they reach the end and wipe a not-so-sappy tear from their eyes.

In plain English: it’s eye opening. Be prepared to read about an older time where women’s choices were more likely to be scorned, and where marriage in your teens is incredibly common despite the changing times.

At least, despite some of its brutality and ability to stare life straight in the eye, it proves everything has a chance for a happy conclusion and rebirth.

“The Honk & Holler Opening Soon” is an older book, meaning it isn't as expensive as new books on the shelves (but very few of them seem to be able to match up to this one!). Amazon has it available on Kindle, and as always there are probably a few copies floating about the market; the last I checked this wonderful old book can be picked up for a grand total of $0.01. You’ll pay more for shipping than for the book.

Buy it?

Idina Menzel CD Review

Again: this is not a published review, but it's also an album I can't pass up.

Idina Menzel
I Stand Review

Grade: A

The Wicked Witch of the West has left the world of Oz and offered a heart full of life-story music to our world instead.

Idina Menzel’s 10-song pop album offers incredible comfort and hope, holding the ability to change the tune of any listener.

One listen to Menzel’s album could convince any brokenhearted ex that yes, it was indeed “Better To Have Loved” than not at all. And listeners in a rocky relationship will find their company in the misery tracks “Forever” and “I Feel Everything”.

Couples will not feel left out; in love ballad “Where Do I Begin?” Menzel proves that even catchy pop songs can be completed with an orchestral musical background.

Those of us looking for the reason to keep going, give “Gorgeous” a try and remember just why life is sweet indeed.

Don’t worry, romantic cynics - not all songs are based on relationships. Menzel also offers a hand to the listener down in the dumps with “I Stand”. The chorus lines sound like a life’s purpose chant, perfect for any needing inspiration:

“Cause I stand for the power to change/I live for the perfect day/I love till it hurts like crazy/I hope for a hero to save me/I stand for the strange and lonely/I believe there's a better place/I don't know if the sky is heaven/But I pray anyway.”

Classical track “Brave” begins with “I don't know just where I'm going/And tomorrow is a little overwhelming/And the air is cold and I'm not the same anymore”; and without effort Menzel cuts straight to the heart of the track, “At least it's the first day of the rest of my life/I can't be afraid 'cause it's my turn to be brave?

Menzel’s voice soars through “Don’t Let Me Down”. Despite the love implications, she has a knock for throwing out lessons a bit deeper than simple love stories: “And if time stood still/If I can't be my teacher/No one ever will”.

In fact, just when the album imitates pop happiness, Menzel rolls out with “My Own Worst Enemy” – nothing but a lament to how, despite the protections of her close family and friends, Menzel and any relating fans will just hurt themselves in the end.

“Perfume and Promises” is the poetic touch to finish off the masterpiece: it is vague; it leaves listeners to struggle with their own meaning; and is complete with comparisons with being drunk and high on life. If Menzel can bottle her own success and hold it close, there’s bound to be more that she can give back to her listeners.

Delta Goodrem CD Review

To see the music video, click HERE; I'm embed the link if it would let me!

This one is not published, but I adore this CD too much to pass it up.

Artist - Delta Goodrem
Delta Review
Released 08

Grade: B

Believe it or not, not every Australian proclaims “Crickey, mate!” – especially not pop sensations like Delta Goodrem.

Goodrem’s self-titled 12 song release has removed baggage that was blatantly present on her previous records, offering a much lighter listen to her fans and newcomers alike.

In one case, a classic hero score once offering a song bound to be as epic as legend itself found itself evolving into pop funk within a minute. The single, titled “Believe Again”, contains content that has matured from the dumped girlfriend to a woman willing to love despite her past.

That doesn’t make the CD perfect; “Possessionless” is meant to be a sweet tribute to a lover about how Goodrem knows what to give. Instead, the music and lyrics combine to reminisce, well, Brittany Spears – and not in a good way. Sexy? Debatable indeed.

“Bare Hands” oddly offers distracting dance club every thirty seconds, with a piano as the focus yet again. The lyrics, however, take all attention away from the odd music choice: “Hearts that don't love can't be broken/A dream stays a dream if not woken/If you never bleed then you won't understand/Come pick me red roses with your bare hands”.

Not to mention her producers had an odd idea. Apparently they believed the slow paced, romantic and harmonious love ballad “I Can’t Break It To My Heart” was not at all a contradiction to fast, techno/hip-hop mix “You Will Only Break My Heart”.

Still, at least Goodrem offers more than “sexy”. Her fluke track and titles cannot take away from the tribute track “Woman”, or from the beauty of “Born To Try” – with lyrics that could help a recovering addict from relapse and a gorgeous piano dominating the music, the song also frames impressive, soaring high notes from Goodrem.

Nor can the flawed songs take away from the pop gem of the record, “In This Life”. If there was ever a song meant to capture the idea of bursting out of one’s bubble into life, all thanks to the love from others – rather, the one love, this is the song: “I have faltered I have stumbled/I have found my feet again/I've been angry I've been shaken/Found a new place to begin.”

So, pros: there’s several incredible musical remedies and heart throbbing poems to be discovered on Goodrem’s CD. The cons: some music, while certainly varying, is debatably appropriate for their songs. And while addressing some wonderful life issues, Goodrem just skims the surface. Next time, depth and baggage might want to make a second appearance alongside lighthearted.

Staind CD Review

http://www.pittnews.com/arts_entertainment/1.733293-1.733293

The Illusion of Progress, Staind
Grade: C

"In an age where alternative and hard rock seems to have found a stable fan base, Staind has thus far managed to maintain its course and, by doing so, is one of the more impressive bands of the genre.

Even more impressive is the amount of time the band has thrived. Staind was formed in 1995 by a group of friends performing covers of the bands KoRn, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Rage Against the Machine. And now, almost 15 years later and with six albums released, one would hope it has learned what does and does not work for the world. That said, the band’s latest, The Illusion of Progress, didn’t quite meet expectations.

Stylistically, it has calmed down considerably — now its sound meets between Simple Plan and the original covered bands rather than straight-put rage music.

It starts out as Staind fans might expect. The first track, “This Is It,” immediately launches into the hard-rock vibe the band has always carried. Singer Aaron Lewis chants, “This is it, and it fits / And it feels like this is good enough for me / Could it be that the grass is always green?”

About half of the songs, such as “The Way I Am” and “Tangled Up In You,” offer a look at Lewis trying to persuade you to accept who you are, every last bit of you. They are each performed in almost the exact same fashion, vocally and instrumentally. Even the difference in lyrics is just barely noticeable.

Unfortunately, “barely noticeable” is the story of pretty much the entire album. About halfway through the 13-track album, anyone’s head can easily begin to spin and wonder exactly which track is playing.

The songs seem to be about three things: being comfortable within your own skin, relationship acceptance or forgiveness from a higher being. To say that the songs are repetitive stylistically is to understate how many times almost identical music is used for the album.

To be fair, Staind lyrics have a potential to be borderline poetic. “Believe,” one of the better songs, for example, offers a rather lovely story about one person asking for faith because he “was made for chasing dreams.” It has open interpretation as to rather the singer will ever attain those dreams or not and whether or not your faith should go to them.

Potential, however, is all that it is. Staind has an obsession with using the same phrases, seemingly under the assumption that maybe the same emotions will be brought out the time and again.

The band must think so, because the lyrics begin to bore themselves with the predictable pattern that emerges after four or five songs. For example, all but perhaps two or three songs mention rain falling from the sky. Two tracks in a row even have the words “raining” and “rainy” in the titles.

Staind does deserve kudos for introducing a keyboard in “Break Away.” The change was an incredible relief when, eight tracks in, I could easily fall asleep in my chair. “The Corner” manages to bring in a church choir interaction that brought something new to the album. Unfortunately, it also told about how sheltering in the corner only protects from weather — and that includes, yep, rain."

The 88 CD Review

Not all of my reviews get good grades, as this little doozy shows.


http://www.pittnews.com/arts_entertainment/1.1235608-1.1235608

Band: The 88
Album: Not Only...But Also
Grade: C+

The 88 missing a few keys on Not Only

"With music that’s fairly popular in the entertainment industry, one would think The 88 could meet its own standards on an entire album.

The 88 brings its L.A. influence to its newest album, Not Only ... But Also. The three-person group has been around since 2003, but The 88 is more likely known by its songs featured on reality and entertainment shows, including “The O.C.” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” rather than by its name.

Producing under a new label and insisting that nothing has changed, The 88’s newest album has a few moments of glory, but somehow its catchy tunes only result in a dull overall tone.

Right from the beginning the band has bad luck. “Go Go Go” was a terrible pick to start the show — the song is whiney and barely understandable, with music and vocals that painfully clash. “Love You Anytime” is, well, just like it sounds. It’s a tribute to a girlfriend.

Luckily, the album isn’t completely lost — there’s a hint of progress beginning by the third track.

“Coming Home” finally hits the sweet notes, quite literally. The 88 found its balance at this point. The vocals are in harmony with a guitar and drum-driven song that goes along the lines of, “Send me a letter / Pick up the phone / Make me feel better / Don’t leave me alone / Because I’m feeling sick / Honey, please come quick.” Use this as a siren’s call on your long-distance girlfriends or boyfriends and see how they respond.

Immediately after is a melodic piano addition to the guitar and drums, and the jewel of a track “No One Here” showcases vocal skills. You know how you feel after a nonmutual break-up — that no one could love your ex as much as you? Here’s the song for you — slow, gorgeous and lamenting: “But there’s no one here who loves you like I do / And thank God this much is true.”

Unfortunately, after this, The 88 goes back to its fast track style — it’s too fast to understand entirely, but it’s perfect for head banging and fast dance moves.

The track titled “It’s A Lot,” with its repeating chords lulling my ears to boredom, says it all. It’s a lot of the same. In the end, The 88 fits a classic mold in that it focuses on love. No amount of catchy drum and guitar with decent vocals can make up for hearing about one single thing repeatedly.

Just like 90 percent of other bands around the nation, it’s a semi-different perspective of the same thing.

I lived a Hollywood celebrity relationship storyline with Not Only ... But Also — there were a couple moments worth enjoying, but otherwise I found myself disappointed and unsatisfied. I guess it’s time to move on to the next option, L.A. style."

House Review, Season 5

http://www.pittnews.com/arts_entertainment/1.746368-1.746368
Dr. House returns for season five, still cranky
"The curmudgeonly Dr. House (Hugh Laurie) shows that he has a heart after all. Season five of the award-winning drama premieres tonight on FOX.
Tonight marks the return of one of TV’s most sarcastic and rude characters created to date — the one who’s apparently never fired from his job because, as his boss puts it, “The son-of-a-bitch is the best doctor we have.” Dr. Greg House (Hugh Laurie) returns for his fifth season on FOX, and missing the premiere is not recommended.

“House” is a medical show that combines the best of the best. In each episode, a patient is wheeled into the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital with an array of symptoms that could belong to multiple diseases. A group of young doctors, under supervision of a man who happens to be a prescription painkiller addict, must combat the disease with an arsenal of tests and treatments.

The patient is almost always cured in the end — but don’t worry, the plotline is exciting, albeit predictable. The writers deliberately make up for this repetition by creating character conflicts relevant to controversial social debates.

The new season of “House” is complete with both old and new characters and will pick up two months after last season’s shocking finale. Previously, one of the hospital’s doctors was killed by an unlucky series of events, leaving the people who knew her to deal with her death.

House’s best friend and doctor sidekick James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) in particular suffers, as the deceased was his girlfriend. He struggles not only with dealing with her death, but coming to terms with the role that House played. His method to deal with her passing leaves House, top boss Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) and most of Wilson’s associates stunned.

Of course, as the doctors continue to deal with relationship drama, a hardworking feminist is wheeled into the hospital with hallucinations. What was thought to be a B12 deficiency turns into the typical string of symptoms and health problems stemming from one unknown cause.

While waiting for a diagnosis, viewers can witness a controversial gender focus — just where does a hard-working woman fit into society? Can she truly be anything, or can she merely aspire? Even the language turns controversial in parts (thanks, House).

House’s previous apprentices all remain in the hospital, playing their roles in each episode as more mature doctors who have learned from the sarcastic House. One of them finds that her reactions to patients are constantly altered by the fact that she has Huntington’s disease and will, in fact, die herself within 12 years.

Despite that, the newcomers are stepping up to take over the small roles that House’s original team left empty. This season should show if they are able to grow into their fields as much as the other doctors."

"Nickelodeon City" Review

"Nickelodeon City" sheds light on Pittsburgh's history (http://www.pittnews.com/arts_entertainment/1.840345-1.840345)

"The next time a Pittsburgher dares to think that there is nothing special about his home, tell him to walk into the local bookstore and pick up a history book.

Yes, I said the “h” and the “b” words. I stand by them, too: Pittsburgh is 250 years old. Any city as old as Pittsburgh is filled with random little facts dying to be known.

The newest book with such facts hits the shelves courtesy of the Pittsburgh Press. Titled “Nickelodeon City: Pittsburgh at the Movies, 1905 — 1929,” author Michael Aronson brings the history of Pittsburgh’s film industry to life.

The book tells the story of how, in 1905, immigrant workers and eventually entire families on limited budgets were more than willing to give up their cheap yet powerful nickels for amusement park-styled movie theaters, the nickelodeon.

Working in harmony with the entertainment business were publishing businesses, following the stories within the entertainment media.

The business of entertaining eventually discovered foundations of several of the most powerful influences on film industry – things as simple as associating upcoming films with famous actors’ faces.

The book has an educated style to it. It’s obvious that Mr. Aronson has done his homework and research extensively in his efforts to bring the full history of the nickelodeon into the modern reader’s hands.

His information is filled with all the facts needed to make the history of the nickelodeon clear – and even more.

Aronson’s research might have gone too far, considering that his words often do not focus on one important and exciting story in history. Instead, he takes the reader far away into multiple separate stories.

Then again, this style might be the chance to slow down and just soak in new things.

Enjoyment and learning happen more often when one steps out of the fast lane. If allowed, Aronson’s in-depth book allows this slow-style chance.

As long as readers don’t mind this one drawback, I recommend this book. It truly defines history: the unclear past, where definitions, labels and dates are suspect to change with research.

If there was one thing I picked up, it’s this: If you dislike movie prices so much, don’t go. At the very least, find the cheap seats."

Benjy Ferree Review

Hot off the Pitt News press: http://www.pittnews.com/arts_entertainment/ferree_s_bobby_dee_comes_to_life-1.1592784

Ferree's Bobby Dee comes to life
Grade: B-

"Fourteen tracks of ’50s beats ring with a cold and bittersweet taste if Benjy Ferree has his say.

Washington, D.C. singer-songwriter Benjy Ferree’s latest opus, Come Back to the Five and Dime Bobby Dee Bobby Dee is a concept album based on the life of Bobby Driscoll. Don’t know him? Bobby Dee was once Walt Disney’s “Golden Boy,” claiming the voice of the animated Peter Pan character before a colossal career crash that led to his death at the age of 31.

Whether based on a Disney legend or not, the question remains: Does Ferree’s concept album make the musical cut?

The album’s first track is pure alternative rock, complete with the blended yet jarring background whirring noises from a seemingly broken synthesizer. So it’s a little odd when the second track goes into a softer song reminiscent of a 1960s Gospel prayer. Ferree’s voice is much more prone for this style, which gives the song “Fear” more strength than the opening track.

Most of Bobby Dee’s 14 tracks play like a less guitar-heavy White Stripes — there’s a garage rock thump to these tunes that place them well in a small, intimate club rather than a stadium. Ferree’s voice links him to the Stripes’ Jack White ever further, with a slightly dramatic and always delicate touch. The result is poignant both when the music is blaring and when it dances in the background.

Where the album strays from any Stripes comparison, though, is in subject matter. Writing an ode to a fallen child star isn’t exactly everyday rock ’n’ roll fare, but Ferree’s passionate touch makes for a heartfelt attempt — the record could arguably turn into a stage version of Bobby Dee’s sad life, as the lyrics and dramatics are all there.

The third track is another different spin, using the catchy beats from the 1950s behind the chorus, “Nothing is wrong. / Everything is fine. / Business is good. / Business is fine. / Business is so good.”

Ferree’s talent sings with a necessary hint of sarcasm that turns his lyrics into satire material. He gets bonus points for incorporating the line, “Bring out the pixie dust,” an obvious allusion to Bobby Dee’s role in Peter Pan.

The lyrics are incredibly well-crafted in “Blown Out (Gold Doubloons And Pcs Of 8).” With references to being a mother of several excited children looking for treasure that happens to be a boy and a girl, it’s hard to think of any reference other than the infamous Peter Pan yet again.

The album takes a turn for the odd when “Iris Flowers” starts up. At only one minute long, “Iris Flowers” is an insert, a poem read by a little girl.

There are sirens in the distance as the innocent voice recites, “All of the campfires of the world were left by themselves. So the world is still turning, and it burns like hell.” As with many poems, its meaning is wide open.

After the poem, the catchy and captivating music returns, so much so it seems the words are lost among the beats. It’s strong music at least, especially once listeners hit the love songs like “Whirlpool of Love.” The album ends with a bluesy, folk bang, so rockers beware.

What can listeners take from Ferree’s craft? A decent album with some old beats and some thoughtful words? A serious commentary of pop culture and the people who form such a thing?

Take what you will from Ferree’s music and occasionally clear words. Just try to go as deep as your heart allows."

Lindsey Buckingham Review

http://www.pittnews.com/arts_entertainment/1.777939-1.777939

Fleetwood Mac lives on in Buckingham's newest CD
Grade: B

"The newest relief from schoolwork comes in the form of an album that features a smooth mix of drum and guitar from a classic rock staple.

Lindsey Buckingham, best known for being one of the creative forces behind Fleetwood Mac, released his sixth solo album Gift of Screws last month.

Buckingham maintains his well-known, old-school style on his new album, sounding similar to Fleetwood Mac.

In fact, seven songs originally meant for Gift of Screws were removed because of requests to record them with the newest Fleetwood Mac group in 2001, which leaves 10 songs for solo-fans to dig into.

It’s a comfort to hear the softer and older sounds in the days of blaring metal and rap, a reminder that there is a capacity to express emotion through music.

Buckingham fills his album with emotional lyrics that he sings with his sometimes raspy but smooth voice. The music consists mainly of prettily plucked guitar parts and light drums.

The first track, “Great Day,” is entirely about Buckingham spotting a broken-hearted woman caught in riverbed currents. The song ends with Buckingham going from “today was a great day” to “it wasn’t such a great day” — perhaps admitting in the end that his life is just downright terrible at the time.

Looking for a song to remember past relationships? Buckingham’s third track, “Did you Miss Me,” is a tribute to high school relationships come and gone but remembered dearly.

“Love Runs Deeper” has a screaming guitar and proclaims, “Love runs deeper from a broken home / Black angel can’t be alone / Love runs deeper from the underground.” If your hopes are easily crushed, avoid the sixth track, “Bel Air Rain.”

Sadly, the song holds the theme that the insanity of life eventually causes people to give up. People who were once “fighting for a cause” find that they “can’t remember anymore.” Maybe it’s time to give up the lost cause and conform with society.

A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Buckingham came a long way from the days of playing on his toy Mickey Mouse guitar. He has been active in soundtracking for movies, such as “Back to the Future,” performing for politicians and taking part in various Fleetwood Mac reinventions, as well as promoting his solo career.

Take the time to absorb Buckingham. His music does not just have to represent good and fun entertainment. One lyric may be all it takes to rethink the principles one lives by, so choose your lyrics wisely."