Lauren Begnaud

The Third Hand

admin — Tue, 29 May 2007 19:03:00 +0000

Fans of RJD2’s previous albums might want to prepare themselves. Over the course of time, many musicians go through extreme changes and tweak their sound a bit. This can certainly be said for The Third Hand, on which RJD2 demonstrates an entire album with (gasp!) his own vocals. Known for his electronic music and quality of production, it comes as no surprise that The Third Hand is pieced together so well. Perhaps this new change in sound will anger older fans, but this album sounds like more of an experiment than a life change for RJD2. It’s true the songs here are more pop-based than his other, more hip hop influenced records. But one cannot deny the unifying quality that ties each of the tracks together and how the somber tone is strewn throughout the album.

Despite the sparseness of lyrics in some tracks (“Have Mercy,” for example), he proves to be an adequate writer, especially with the strange track “Just When,” where RJ sings, “Just when just when/I don’t mean to push the issue there’s no young ones without you/ Just when just when/ I need a little one to pass the name on before I’m dead and gone.” Those lyrics paired with one of the more up tempo beats make the song very listenable as well as slightly humorous.

As a whole, the tracks move beyond RJ’s previous works. Sure, the vocals may not be the best, but you cannot blame him for trying. He may not be Jon Brion just yet, but give him some time. More surprising albums are sure to come.

Written by: Lauren Begnaud, May 29th 2007

Remixed & Covered

admin — Sun, 27 May 2007 22:54:00 +0000

By Xiu Xiu

5RC

“Experimental” and “avante garde” may be the best ways to describe a band like Xiu Xiu. In earlier years their albums have come across as mind-boggling, nearly indescribable noise. Their newest release, Remixed & Covered, offers up some big-named friends that help decode the language that is Xiu Xiu.

Some may call it pretentious and others may question its integrity, but it can certainly be said that credibility is brought to this double disc by the likes of Devendra Banhart, Gold Chains and Kid 606, to name a few. Their interpretations of Xiu Xiu’s songs bring some sort of peace to the whole “noise” experience, or at least they did for me. The songs range from dancey to drone-like, ethereal, to heavily synthed. Oxbow’s cover of “Saturn” sounds a lot like the Black Heart Procession, while Marissa Nadler’s cover of “Clowne Town” brings a lighter feel. Some tracks are filled with quality while others are a bit headache inducing. If you can get past the obvious differences in the songs, which make it seem less like a compilation and more like a frantic jumble, the three-piece Xiu Xiu (Jamie Stewart, Caralee McElroy and Chess Smith) have proven that they are talented song writers, despite being almost experimental to a fault.

Written by: Lauren Begnaud, May 27th 2007

The Essential Mercury Rev: Stillness Breathes (1991-2006)

admin — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 13:04:00 +0000

By Mercury Rev

When groups like Mercury Rev come to mind, one cannot deny that a band with such a rich discography and history has had obvious influence on other groups that emerged from their sound. The songs on The Essential Mercury Rev vary from lo-fi to jazz, at times, and the mood meanders from melancholy to whimsical from song to song. Upon listening to the double-disc set, it is apparent that Mercury Rev made way for more modern bands like Death Cab for Cutie and The Shins. Their sounds are similar, pairing a somber kind of lyrical tone with songs that maintain a common theme of a kind of happy sadness.

The songs on the first disc of The Essential Mercury Rev do not contain their earlier work, but the albums provide strong examples of their work despite the lack of presence of their more psychedelic songs. The second disc offers their versions of covers by the likes of David Bowie, Neil Young and the Chemical Brothers, to name a few. I felt as though the second disc was not necessarily imperative to the set as a whole, but fans will surely be happy with these songs that are otherwise considered rarities.

Often compared to bands like the Flaming Lips and Sonic Youth, Mercury Rev have proved their prominence in international music culture. The sound that they have so richly crafted still holds up today, and this album is a testament to that.

Written by: Lauren Begnaud, March 12th 2007

Get Your Crochet On! Hip Hats and Cool Caps

admin — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 02:24:00 +0000

By Afya Ibomu

Taunton Press

In Get Your Crochet On! Afya Ibomu breaks down the basics of crocheting into several parts. She begins by explaining her love for yarn and breaks down the workings of yarn, and how certain types of yarn can be used to achieve fancy looks. Detailed pictures are used to provide examples of the different kinds of yarn, and she explains that the hook you need might depend on the type of yarn you will be using. The book then lists the types of crochet hooks, again with detailed pictures. The pros and cons of each type of hook is examined briefly, so even beginners can feel comfortable choosing what kind of hook they feel might be right for them. Ibomu also does not fail to mention other tools that might be of use for crocheting, and makes sure to tell her readers how each of these tools will be of use.

I was pleased to see that Get Your Crochet On! included a color wheel and suggestions for color pairs. Although a color wheel might seem elementary to some, I believe her inclusion is extremely helpful to those just starting out or someone who might be picking up crocheting as a first craft. Seasonal colors are explained as a guide for selection with certain patterns or projects. The illustrations are very helpful to exhibit each basic type of stitching so that newcomers can understand without feeling intimidated by the book. Other helpful inclusions explain how to change color; how to knit in rounds; and how to weave in elastic, make pom poms, fringe and so forth.

More advanced readers might want to skip to the second part of the book which covers Ibomu's patterns. In this section, each pattern is explained by breaking down materials needed, what course to follow for the stitching, what types of hooks you will need to use (and where) and easy-to-follow words on how to complete some hats with a brim or bib. Most of the hats in her book are unisex and could easily be worn by either men or women of any ethnicity, and children as well. Examples of the patterns demonstrate a wide-range of styles including a skull cap, visor, fedora, ski hat, winter hat, caps, reggae style and hats for those with dreadlocks. Although the patterns do not include information like the difficulty level of each project, Ibomu explains her patterns simply so that those who are new to crocheting or those who are more seasoned can both use the book to guide them with the projects.

Written by: Lauren Begnaud, March 5th 2007

Grit and Tender Membrane

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 18:12:00 +0000

By Samantha Barrow

Plan B Pres

Both a teacher and an inspiration to women worldwide, Barrow received a Leeway grant to tour via motorcycle, tell her stories and hold workshops for other female survivors of sexual abuse. She advocates poetry as a way to express difficult moments, get her metaphorical demons out and as a means of catharsis and rebirth. She started writing because she "wanted to be understood." In Grit and Tender Membrane, it seems poetry was a platform where she could take painful moments and craft them into a form of expression to transcend her not-so-perfect past.

In her autobiographical book, Barrow crafts her words honestly, unabashedly, and without shame. Her voice is that of a strong woman, the victim of a sex crime and an individual using her words as sharp, powerful insights into defining life moments. Grit and Tender Membrane weaves painful tales of molestation with lighthearted tales of hilarity. Barrow intertwines her stories together flawlessly waffling from prose to poetry, near diary entries and passages that almost seem like letters. Her writings, some dated, mark her thoughts as she passes through different states: California, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi among others.

Barrow demonstrates her keen sense of observation of others and herself. Her voice is that of a woman who has the ability to make the intangible become tangible right before our very eyes. Barrow's book maintains the idea of hope despite painful memories, a kind of hope that can vanquish former tribulations and make way for a new, bright future. Truly inspiring, Grit and Tender Membrane epitomizes a metamorphosis, an example of light born from darkness.

Written by: Lauren Begnaud, March 5th 2007