MK Matson

Once You Go Back: A Novel

admin — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:48:00 +0000

Once You Go Back is a poignant and semi-autobiographical novel about a young man and his quest for identity as he grows up in a dysfunctional working-class household. While Seven Stories Press is most widely known for its books on politics, human rights, and social and economic justice, the publisher continues to champion literature; Once You Go Back does not prevail this philosophy. Martin's highly poetic writing style is an example of high-brow literature in its prime.

The novel begins with a short chapter titled "A Tall One," which basically sets up the tone and scenario of the protagonist speaking to his sister, which he does throughout the entire book. Martin's New Narrative style of writing provides an interesting approach stylistically and experimentally, but sometimes tends to be a difficult read to due to the lack of dialogue in the novel.

The novel follows the protagonist from the beginning of his childhood all the way up to high school when the family moves to the South. Still very poor, it is evident that the main character is very embarrassed about their poverty: "The poverty was embarrassing. We've started to know already we weren't going to be different. Every day there, we'd become more like where we were now."

I would recommend Once You Go Back if you are looking to read a poetically-written or New Narrative style book. As I mentioned earlier, there is not much dialogue so at times it really is almost as if you are reading one long poem. Also, there is a lot of sadness in this family so this is not the most uplifting book. However, it is an interesting read, and definitely worth learning how the protagonist and his family are able to deal with the challenges they face throughout their lives.

Written by: MK Matson, June 29th 2009

Chup

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:06:00 +0000

By Zeb and Haniya

Chup is Zeb and Haniya's (pronounced "Zay-eb and Haa-nee-ya) debut album, which was released in July of 2008. The female-cousin duo has been marked as one of the first all-female bands from Pakistan. Ranging from alternative pop, art pashto and folk, ethnic blues, and world music, their music cannot be confined to just one category. Some of their influences include Suzanne Vega, Nick Drake, Elliott Smith, Simon and Garfunkel, Mark Knopfler, and Muddy Waters. At times, I can definitely hear glimpses of all their influences in their music. Zeb and Haniya have a surprisingly natural sound to them, which is refreshing.

In 2000, while attending college in the United States, Zeb and Haniya started playing together. They basically began experimenting with music as a hobby, but with a great response from the college community, decided to start recording. Zeb has been training as a vocalist since 1998 with the acclaimed Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan. Her first cousin Haniya is a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter.

The self-track titled song "Chup" proves that contemporary Pakistani music is not just a man's domain. As one of the most popular songs downloaded on the internet, and having gotten generous airplay, “Chup” is one of Zeb and Haniya’s most well-known songs. It was written and composed during a break when they were in college. The song begins with a catchy guitar riff and a bossanova-sounding drum beat. Horns play throughout, and it's hard not to tap your foot or even start dancing while this song is playing.

Between Zeb's classical-sounding vocals and Zaniya's beautiful guitar arrangements, this Pakistani duo creates beautiful and highly emotive sounds.

Written by: MK Matson, June 15th 2009

The Lunar 2009 Calendar: Dedicated to the Goddess in Her many Guises, 33rd Annual Edition

admin — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 07:24:00 +0000

By Luna Press

One of the reasons I chose to review The Thirty-Third Annual Edition of The Lunar 2009 Calendar: Dedicated to the Goddess in Her Many Guises by Luna Press was my attraction to the moon and the lunar phases of the moon. Not only am I astrologically a Cancer by heart, and ruled by the moon, but the moon has always been so mysteriously powerful and magical to me. Even as a child, I can remember always being very excited on full moon nights.

Nancy F.W. Passmore, editor of Luna Press, started this unique lunar calendar in 1975, which was a pivotal year in the United States during Second-wave feminism. Women were the first calendar makers and the first calendars were lunar calendars. According to the information provided in this calendar, more than 50,000 years ago women noted the correspondence between menstrual cycles and phases of the moon on lunar calendrical tally sticks. For generations women have been relying on the lunar cycle to guide them throughout their fertility cycles.

The '09 edition features beautiful artwork from twenty-eight artists, poets and writers. The front cover of The Lunar 2009 Calendar features a painting called "Prithvi, protectress" by Jamie Hogan. Hogan says: "With free reign for the calendar, I mixed it all up: an earth goddess, Prithvi, as a tiger queen bordered by decorative designs. This Lunar Calendar is "dedicated to the goddess in Her many guises," and I like to think that the Divine Feminine resides in every woman, queen or not. It’s a mix of nature wisdom, cycle awareness, poetry, and original art." The lunar calendar also features the tree-alphabet as inspired by the book-length essay The White Goddess by Robert Graves. I think the tree-alphabet is a powerful symbol of the fact that like the moon, we are part of nature and nature is a part of us. And while on the subject of nature: Luna Press, although costlier to print, only prints their calendars in the United States on recycled paper with soy-based inks. Just one more feel-good reason to purchase this calendar.

The Lunar 2009 Calendar is like no other because it follows the moon phases in an elliptical pattern, not just the calendar days in a block style. There are instructions in the back of the calendar titled: "How to Use your Lunacy!" that explain in detail how to read the calendar accurately. There is a lunar month diagram example that features letters A to L: each letter interpreting every section of the lunation.

The moon is a universal symbol for all people. Since the beginning of time we have been using the moon to live our lives by. The full moon and new moon phases can affect people in varying degrees, from feeling happy and full of energy to being exhausted, depressed and anxious. As Sarah Fuhro, long-time contributing poet, donor and reader of The Lunar Calendar says: "To know where the Moon is in her cycle, and in the sky, is to partake of her wisdom: there is a time for all things. The Lunar Calendar belongs to all who love the seasons, the keepers of the lunar rhythm." I would highly recommend ordering The Lunar 2009 Calendar. It is a beautifully well-produced calendar that helps us see time as tendrillar. To order yours, visit the Luna Press website.

Written by: MK Matson, March 31st 2009

Poverina

admin — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 17:10:00 +0000

By Astrid Swan

Minty Fresh

Finland's own multi-instrumentalist Astrid Swan’s debut album, Poverina, was released on Minty Fresh Records on May 22. The opening track, "They Need You if They Think You Love Them," starts out gently with a tapping glockenspiel and cleverly transitions into Astrid's husky voice and piano. The arrangement is intense and dramatic at times with almost a full orchestra of instruments.

It is hard not to compare Ms. Swan with the much underrated '70s quirky-pop diva, Laura Nyro. Both women not only have sultry styles of their own, but each singer is able to blend together several musical elements of pop, soul, folk, show tunes and Swan's own influence, jazz. Swan says that "[j]azz was often played in our home, and although I used to say I hated it, it seems something has rubbed off onto my songs."

One main thing I noticed in hearing Swan's jazz influence in her music is the unpredictable chord arrangements. The music can be complicated with dynamic shifts in tone, which plays with our ideas of tempo and style. Swan uses her piano like a weapon at times. An example of this is the track "Second Chance," which has unexpected variations and intense lyrics such as: "he gave me broken wings/and told to fly/he said I have eternity/and time is an ocean/that I can fly over." The Bacharach-esque title track, "Poverina," is a catchy tune, which has fast dynamic musical shifts reminding me of Fiona Apple, and demonstrates that Swan's singing range is extremely versatile.

Astrid Swan's melodies are memorable, and, like Nyro, her voice is an acquired taste. It is not for everyone, but it works beautifully with her music.

Written by: MK Matson, July 21st 2007

Sing, Shout and Clap!

admin — Sun, 20 May 2007 02:35:00 +0000

By Arts*Cetera

When I first listened to Arts*Cetera's _Sing, Shout & Clap!_ CD, I had just picked up my one-year-old baby from daycare. Soon after the opening track, "Arfie's Theme," had begun I knew the CD was a hit. I looked in my rear view mirror and saw a baby laughing, dancing (as much as he could in his car seat), and kicking his legs in joy.

ArtsCetera was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1998. Nanette De Cillis founded this center for arts and arts-related activities for adults, children and families. Arfie, the imaginary dog, is ArtsCetera's musical host, who represents not only something familiar to children (a puppy!), but also eases them into their first musical experiences and helps children understand music through getting to know a dog, which, most importantly, makes them feel safe and secure.

Although most of the tracks on the album are traditional songs, they are far from traditional in the sense of arrangement. All tracks are unique in themselves, and include Bob Hinkles’ voice interpreting a horn solo and a chicken in "Buffalo Gals" and the very humorous dog symphony of "William Tell Venture." By far, my favorite track is the Spanish song "La Vibora del Mar," which is sung by children themselves, giving the song much more energy. It includes the beautiful range of instruments, from the guitaron, guitars and vihuela to trumpet, violin and harp.

I would definitely say that this album falls under the same realm as They Might Be Giant's famous No! recording in that it is not your typical children's CD. Sing, Shout & Clap! is real music that has every intention of not only educating children, but also making them enjoy music at the same time.

Written by: MK Matson, May 19th 2007