Beeb Ashcroft

The Tiger Next Door

admin — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:01:00 +0000

"Experts estimate that there are now more tigers in private captivity in the USA than there are roaming wild in the world."

This is the opening line from The Tiger Next Door, a compelling documentary about the surprisingly widespread practice of breeding, selling, and owning exotic animals in the United States. The film focuses on Dennis Hill, a big cat owner who resides in Indiana. Hill has been keeping tigers and other exotic animals since the early 1990s. The film follows his fight to keep his tigers, cougars, and bears after a government inspection put his facility in question.

The Tiger Next Door is a fascinating, thought-provoking documentary that presents a well-rounded look at the issue of owning exotic animals, raising many complex ethical questions that don't necessarily have a cut-and-dried answer. Should individuals be allowed to own big cats as pets? Just how much should the government regulate this?

Director and producer Camilla Calamandrei makes her stance clear on TheTigerNextDoor.com, with a “Take Action” page urging viewers to call for the ban of exotic animals as pets. Honestly, I'm not sure how to feel. On one hand, I am uncomfortable with the idea of keeping any animal—bird or lion—in a cage; on the other hand, doting pet owners often take exceptional care of their animals, with vet check-ups, treats, affection, and so forth. Is that a better life than living in the harsh wild? Or are we just indulging the humans that own them? What about keeping endangered animals in captivity to help restore their numbers?

Of course, it's a lot easier to care for a bird than a tiger. Questions were raised about the care Hill provided for his tigers, coming to a head in one explosive scene when Joe Taft of The Exotic Feline Rescue Center—who has taken in many of Hill's animals—argued that many of the cats were in poor health when they arrived at the rescue facility. Watching this film, I got the impression that Hill is extraordinarily devoted to his animals, although his own facility certainly had its flaws. I think if Hill is guilty of anything, it might be denial. It seemed that he couldn't bear to admit when he was overwhelmed with too many animals, which I suspect could have contributed to the alleged health issues. I think his downsized facility will make it easier for him to better care for his beloved cats, although he seems determined to add more tigers to his menagerie.

Personally, I feel that individuals should have the right live their lives as they see fit, so long as they are not causing harm. This is where the issue of animal rights comes in–if an animal is being abused or neglected, then obviously their owner is causing harm. Likewise, it is of grave importance that we safeguard humans from the threat that exotic animals pose—precautions must be taken to ensure that they cannot cause people any harm. Hill says in the documentary that he doesn't care if one of his beloved pets kills him—“What better way to die?”—and it's his right to make that choice. But it's critical that we have fair laws in place to regulate the conditions in which dangerous animals are kept to avoid unnecessary tragedies.

Regardless of your stance on keeping big cats as pets, I think The Tiger Next Door makes it clear that further action must be taken to ensure the health and safety of humans and felines alike.

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, July 5th 2010

All I Want For Christmas is a Real Good Tan (Yule Log Edition)

admin — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:19:00 +0000

By Kenny Chesney

Sony Music Entertainment

The annual Yule Log special on PBS is tied to some of my fondest memories of Christmas as a child. I remember the glow of my parents' tree and the excitement on Christmas Eve, and I got my cookies ready for Santa. Through all of this, Yule Log would be playing in the background, with its cozy scene of a log burning away and a medley of magical Christmas tunes. Whenever I see Yule Log today, all those warm feelings and nostalgia come right back to me. It's one of those little things that makes it really feel like Christmas to me. In recent years, I keep missing it in the TV listings and forgetting to tune in—last year, I wished to myself that they would show it more often. Yes, I think I'm probably the only person in the world who cares this much about Yule Log.

Naturally, when I heard that there was a new line of Yule Log DVDs, I knew I had to get my hands on one. I received Kenny Chesney's All I Want For Christmas Is a Real Good Tan (The Yule Edition) to review, and it's crackling away as I write this. The disc contains eleven Christmas songs—some standards, and some originals, such as the title track, “All I Want For Christmas is a Real Good Tan.” There seems to be a sunny theme here—besides the tanning, Chesney is pictured on the front cover in a Santa hat sitting under a palm tree. Many of the songs have a tropical flair to them, which I found somewhat disconcerting, but I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas carols. My favorites on here were “I'll Be Home For Christmas,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and “Silent Night,” featuring The Grigsby Twins. There are two other guest stars on here as well—“Christmas in Dixie” features Randy Owen, while “Pretty Paper” features Willie Nelson.

You have the option to choose between three scenes on here—the classic yule log, the “Cozy Cottage”, and “The Snowy Cabin”. My DVD player is secondhand and doesn't have a remote, so I had no way of changing the scenes, but I already mentioned that I'm a Christmas traditionalist so the classic yule log was fine by me. You also have the option of playing the yule log without the soundtrack—it's just a soothing loop of the scene with the crackles and pops of the fire. This way, I can play other Christmas music on CDs alongside it—meaning yule log on demand! If you have the same fond PBS Christmas memories that I do, then yule love this.

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, January 22nd 2010

Lady Love

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:07:00 +0000

By LeToya

Capitol Records

It's hard to believe that it's been over ten years since Destiny's Child released their first album. I was a teenager at the time, and as a big fan of bubblegum pop, I always enjoyed their music. One of my favorite Destiny's Child songs was “Independent Women;” their music had a sassy, you-go-girl vibe to it (although I'm sure many feminists prefer their empowering anthems to come from artists who aren't so “Bootylicious”). A decade later, not much has changed; I still listen to their music, now with a slight twinge of nostalgia.

And all the women of Destiny's Child have since become “independent.” Founding members LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett left the group early on due to management disputes, and the other members eventually followed suit. Beyoncé Knowles is not the only member to have found success after Destiny's Child; Luckett just released Lady Love, her second solo effort. An R&B/pop fusion, Lady Love's upbeat cuts are infectious and fun. Standout tracks include the Rihanna-soundalike “She Ain't Got...,” the slow jam “Over,” and the funky beats of “After Party” and “Drained.” Lady Love is a radio-friendly record that will be likely enjoyed by pop and R&B lovers.

Some famous friends also provide guest vocals on this album—“Love Rollercoaster” features rapper Mims, “Take Away Love” co-stars British songstress Estelle, and Ludacris guests on “Regret.” I was very curious to see what “Regret” would sound like since Ludacris is not famous for having particularly progressive lyrics, but this is pretty restrained anthem about dumping a no-good boyfriend.

Indeed, this is the predominant theme on the album, with Luckett telling off a litany of lovers for doing her wrong. Some of that old Destiny's Child “Girl Power” vibe comes through on a few of the cuts, like when she chides an ex-boyfriend for spending all her money, I can't help but think of “Bills, Bills, Bills.” This is a rather interesting contrast to “She Ain't Got...” which is extremely catchy but has somewhat desperate lyrics threatening “that ho,” a woman competing for the affections of her partner. (“Does she cook like me? Clean like me? No, she ain't got sh*t on me!”) The “cheating men” theme gets a bit tired—but music is therapeutic, so perhaps this album was a way of working through some frustrations. And hopefully, she didn't really mean it when she sang about chasing “the other woman” with a baseball bat.

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, December 9th 2009

Fuckbook

admin — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:52:00 +0000

By Condo Fucks

Matador

Nineties alt-rock favorites Yo La Tengo have released a new album of cover songs under the moniker of Condo Fucks. Presumably taking its title from their 1990 album Fakebook, this eleven-song effort has been christened Fuckbook. A refreshing slice of lo-fi garage/grunge, these covers are the raw and dirty antithesis to today's pro-tooled mania.

Their cover of the Small Faces' “What'cha Gonna Do About It” kicks off the album and firmly establishes the stripped-down approach with its feedback and fuzzy guitars. “Accident” continues the noisy, in-your-face vibe and makes me feel like I should be at a party drinking beer. “This Is Where I Belong” is a little more mellow, but just as loud.

This is followed by two covers of Beach Boys classics: “Shut Down” and “Shut Down Part 2”. The rough punk approach works pretty well for re-interpreting surf music, and I especially enjoyed their spin on the instrumental “Part 2”, which is easily my favorite cut on the record. I also quite liked “The Kid With The Replaceable Head”, which I thought really nailed the perfect combo of in-your-face distortion.

Sixties and early seventies music dominates the setlist here, continuing with covers of the Troggs (“With a Girl Like You”) and Slade (“Gudbuy T'Jane”). The inspiration of these classics is evident in the way the Condo Fucks embrace such a raw method of recording—it sounds like the band were actually in the same room playing at the same time when they made this album! Imagine that! I just love hearing this kind of primal rock that hasn't been polished or prettied up. I know not everyone will share my enthusiasm; Fuckbook will probably be unlistenable to a lot of people. But I think that's the whole point.

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, July 24th 2009

The Turn of a Friendly Card (Expanded Edition)

admin — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:15:00 +0000

By The Alan Parsons Project

RCA Records

Alan Parsons needs no introduction. In addition to his production credits on albums like The Beatles' Abbey Road and Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon, this iconic musician achieved success with his own band, The Alan Parsons Project. With the remastered version of his classic 1980 album, The Turn of a Friendly Card (Expanded Edition), fans now have a chance to listen to previously unreleased alternate takes and demos. I'm not usually big on remastered versions of classic albums—to me, nothing beats the sound of a vinyl record—but the sound is very good on this. I don't have a copy of this album on vinyl to compare the sound with, but they seem to have done a good job at preserving the warmth and integrity of the sonics.

The Turn of a Friendly Card is a concept album that tells the story of a gambler and the toll it takes on his life. The album swoops from dramatic highs to melancholy lows as the “Friendly Card” turns out to be not-so-friendly. Solidly written and tightly executed, this album is a pleasure to listen to. As with any prog-rock record, the album ambles and wanders; while there are times it might benefit from being a tad shorter, the songs are very compelling with an almost cinematic quality.

There are seventeen tracks on this album—the first ten are the remastered songs from the original album; the remaining seven are bonus tracks—treating the listener to alternate versions of “May Be a Price to Pay,” “Nothing Left to Lose,” “Time,” “Games People Play,” and “The Gold Bug.” These mixes make for an interesting listen, with the inclusion of demos and early rough mixes. These bonus tracks will probably be of more interest to die hard fans than casual listeners, but there are some standouts—you don't have to be an audio buff to enjoy “Nothing Left To Lose (Chris Rainbow Overdub Vocal Compilation),” which highlights Rainbow's striking vocals. I think any lover of classic rock will enjoy The Turn of a Friendly Card (Expanded Edition)—I'd be willing to bet on it.

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, June 8th 2009

Transformation Candle

admin — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 17:43:00 +0000

By Dark Candles

Aptly enough, I first lit my Werewolf Collection Transformation candle during a full moon. Fortunately, no silver bullets were needed, as this candle merely transformed my room with scent. A mixture of spicy woodland berries and red currant, this candle's deep, pleasant aroma reminds me of men's cologne. As with all of the other Dark Candles I have tried, Transformation's essence is subtle and soft, leaving a gentle aroma in its wake when lit. If you don't like being overwhelmed by aromatherapy, then you will enjoy the light fragrance in these candles. As with all of the burnables made by Dark Candles, this votive is poured and prepared by hand, with a great deal of attention paid to the quality of the product. Each Dark Candle has its own macabre theme, with an appropriately spooky fragrance, color and packaging to match. Perfect for the Werewolf, Vampire or Goth on your gift list!

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, August 21st 2007

CosmoGIRL! Make It Yourself: 50 Fun and Funky Projects

admin — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:29:00 +0000

By Editors of CosmoGIRL!

Hearst Books

CosmoGIRL!, the little sister of Cosmopolitan magazine, has just released it's own make-and-do book of DIY projects for crafty teenage girls. “Hey _CosmoGIRL!_s,” reads the prologue, “You may not know it, but you're the most positive, can-do, pro-active group of girls that has ever walked the earth. I know that may sound like a big statement, but it's true. You're smarter than ever, you're more independent, and no one can trick you because you see right through it.”

So what kind of craft projects followed this empowering statement? Why, “Boy-Of-The-Week” panties, of course! Readers are instructed to take seven pairs of panties, and use fabric paint to write on the names of various boys. “Pick seven guys' names,” reads step 1, “Choose an M name for Monday (Mike), a T name for Tuesday (Tom), etc.” After adding ribbons and charms, you have a “Funny present for a friend who has everything.” I wonder how the reader's parents would feel about this dubious gift? (And who wants homemade underwear for their birthday?!)

“Boy-Of-The-Week” panties get this book off to a bizarre start, but the rest of the projects that follow are your standard, innocent craft ideas. The projects are all for clothes, accessories or beauty products, with a difficulty level provided for each one – Easy, Medium, and Hard—although none of these ideas are too complicated. As with any make-it-yourself book, there are some good ideas, and some where you wonder what they were thinking; and the absurd ideas are part of a craft book's intrinsic charm. The ugliest project in this book has to be the spool bracelet, where you take a large plastic spool and glue beads on it haphazardly, threading it through a chain. If it doesn't look good in the picture, imagine what it looks like in real life.

All in all, this book is a fun read. Most of the clothing projects are hideous, but the beauty section has some really cute ideas for homemade bath salts, soaps and body scrub. I'll probably make the fizzy bath bombs the next time I assemble a gift basket. I also really like the recipe for the Chocolate Mint Cookie Foot Scrub, which seems like it would be an easy and inexpensive gift to make—unlike the boy panties!!

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, July 25th 2007

Volta

admin — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 20:35:00 +0000

By Bjork

Elektra Records

Volta, the sixth studio album from Icelandic musician, Bjork, delivers the kind of offbeat, quirky music that only she could make. With its lo-fi sonics, Volta sounds less polished than some of Bjork's previous releases, which is refreshing. This record is an eclectic mixture of sounds, with performances by everyone from Timbaland (is there an album he isn't involved with right now?) to Chinese pipa player Min Xiao-Fen and a ten-piece, all female Icelandic brass section.

Adding to the unusual sound is the reoccurring nautical theme on the album, with its foghorn interludes mixed with seagull noises and the sound of boats. Bjork's distinctive vocals tell a story that's both personal and political, singing about her children, feminism and the current global climate. My favorite track on this record is “Declare Independence,” an anarchistic track that inspires us to “Start your own currency/Make your own stamp/Protect your language.” Overall, this funky record makes for an interesting listen, although it might be a bit hard to get through if you're not a die-hard Bjork fan.

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, July 24th 2007

Pumpkin & Spice Candle

admin — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:47:00 +0000

By Dark Candles

I love Halloween. Every year, I throw a big party in honor of All Hallow's Eve, where I go all out with decorations and spooky-themed food. At least half of the food I serve incorporates pumpkins in some manner; their smell and taste are just so comforting to me. So that's why I was excited to test my Pumpkin & Spice Candle, from the Halloween Collection by Dark Candles.

As soon as I opened the wrapper, that wonderful pumpkin pie scent greeted me, gently filling the room after I lit it. The warm, spiced aroma is lovely, and makes me long for fall, even though it's summertime. I can't think of a quicker way to get into the holiday spirit than to light one of these; it would create the perfect atmosphere for carving pumpkins and watching old horror films. This would be perfect for my next Halloween party, although it smells so nice that I will probably have burned all of it before then. But at $1.89 each, these handmade candles are very reasonably priced, so maybe I'll pick up a few to put in Trick-or-Treat bags!

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, July 23rd 2007

Loose Mineral Foundation/Concealer

admin — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:18:00 +0000

Jenulence

I have a great deal of fun with makeup. Playing with different looks is a creative outlet for me, and I really enjoy trying different cosmetics. I like using foundation, but I have sensitive skin, so it can be hit or miss finding a brand that doesn't make my face burn. So I was excited to try this product by Jenulence, which is hypo-allergenic, all-natural and cruelty-free.

This loose powder foundation/concealer is very light and feels great; perfect for anyone with skin sensitivities. It also provides nice coverage while giving a very natural look. My face doesn't look buried under several orange layers, as I've found with many brands. It can be applied either wet or dry – I applied a wet layer first, to cover any inconsistencies, and then dusted on a final dry layer to finish it off. The result was very flattering – and didn't make my face burn at all!

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, July 2nd 2007

Skull Star “Pretty In Pink” Sheet Set

admin — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:02:00 +0000

Sin in Linen

My approach to interior design is somewhat offbeat. Between my bright purple walls, baby blue sink and curtains made from Halloween-themed fabric, I like my décor to be fun and reflect my tastes. I enjoy working around the house, and it's always neat to find home and garden items with character. Needlesstosay, I was absolutely thrilled about this sheet set. Made by Sin In Linen, the Skull Star "Pretty In Pink” sheet set is not only bedding that features skulls, but it is also PINK. Bright, vivid, awesome pink. As a Goth with a love of pastels, this was right up my alley. Not only are these fabulous sheets fun and different, they're also comfy and high-quality, made out of 100% combed cotton sateen, with a 230 thread count. This item would be a perfect housewarming gift for the punk on your list! I imagine I shall turn to Sin In Linen in the future as an excellent alternative to drab home furnishings.

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, June 26th 2007

Massage Oil Candle

admin — Sun, 20 May 2007 14:05:00 +0000

By Pure Romance

When I received this product in the mail, I knew immediately what it was because even the box it was posted in smelled good. Once I opened the package, the candle it contained filled the room with a lovely scent—and I hadn't even lit it yet. But this isn't just aromatherapy; this is a massage oil candle, featuring “Seduction Scent.” Encased in what appears to be either Aladdin's lamp or a metal gravy boat, this candle is just too cute. As a person who likes to decorate her house with foo-foo candles, I would have bought this for the packaging alone. And I get a massage out of it, too? Awesome!

When you light the candle, the soybean oil it contains liquefies in a few minutes, heating it gently. There is no wax or paraffin in the candle, so it never burns above body temperature. So worry not, you won't give someone a third degree burn when pouring it on their back! The oil feels like a silky lotion, not at all greasy or sticky. And even better, there's enough oil for about thirty massages. This candle is made by Pure Romance, a company which specializes in “fun parties”—think Tupperware party, but with sex toys. And although they suggest pairing this candle with the “Erotic Massage Book,” I would also recommend this to anyone who likes pretty, scented things and foot rubs!

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, May 20th 2007

Cacao Nibs

admin — Tue, 15 May 2007 13:43:00 +0000

By sweetriot

When my Cacao Nibs arrived in the mail, I was entertaining some friends who were visiting. When they saw the arduous task ahead of me – reviewing chocolate – they kindly offered their assistance in testing the product. And they tested it very thoroughly – the four little tins were almost empty by the time they left.

Made by sweetriot, a company dedicated to social responsibility, these pure Cacao Nibs are dipped in varying flavors of chocolate. Flavor 50 is dunked in 50% chocolate, giving it a flavor reminiscent of milk chocolate (although these are all dairy-free). Flavor 65 is dipped in 65% chocolate, giving it an intense dark chocolate taste. Flavor 70 is mixed with espresso, combing two of my favorite tastes, and Flavor 70 cher is flavored with cherry. These delicious chocolates come in fun, colorful little tins, which fit perfectly in your purse for a chocolate fix on the go. They even come with little fortunes inside!

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, May 15th 2007

Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?

admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:42:00 +0000

By Of Montreal

Polyvinyl Records

Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? the eighth album from Of Montreal, is trippy, offbeat, and terribly infectious. With their quirky brand of psychedelia, Of Montreal (who are actually from Georgia) manage to somehow combine upbeat, catchy, pop music with incredibly depressing lyrics. In the song “A Sentence of Sorts in Kongsvinger,” a cheerful, dancable beat provides the backdrop to this opening line: “I spent the winter on the verge of a total breakdown while living in Norway.” Bizarre but always melodic, I really enjoyed how Of Montreal are experimental, but still structured and musical. This album brings out all of the good points of psychedelic pop without droning on endlessly or making me feel like I would only understand it if I had taken acid first. My favorite track on this record is “She's a Rejector” because of its warm, '60s-inspired guitar sound. This is a band I shall look forward to hearing more from.

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, April 23rd 2007

Living Well

admin — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 14:13:00 +0000

By Rob Crow

Temporary Residence

Rob Crow definitely has one of the greatest album covers I've seen in a while. It's a photograph of Crow, wearing a demonic-looking t-shirt while drinking a cup of coffee and standing in front of some pumpkins and several hand drawn, paper tombstones. With a cover like that, I was a little surprised to find that Living Well had a much slower tempo than I was expecting. Although it seems that was the point – the Pinback frontman made this record at home after the birth of his first child, opting to slow down and spend time with his family while writing more introspective music. And while this mellow rock is obviously made by a very good musician, it lacks a punch. This record is not groundbreaking and sounds fairly typical of the genre, but I am sure it will be enjoyed by fans of Goblin Cock and Heavy Vegetable.

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, April 22nd 2007