It’s A Bit Complicated

admin — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:33:00 +0000

Art Brut’s second album, It’s A Bit Complicated, hit the streets June 26th. Judging from the five song EP, it won’t disappoint the multitude of fans won over by their debut album, Bang Bang Rock & Roll. Known for his shrewd self awareness, front man Eddie Argos and his crew have done it again. Mixing talk/stylized vocals, smart verbosity and catchy melodies, Art Brut will satisfy your longing for intelligent upbeat music. It’s A Bit Complicated is deceptively simplistic; its perfectly crisp songs are multi-layered concentrated pop energy.

The EP features “Pump up the Volume,” where Argos asks, amidst clever background vocals and guitar riffs, if it is bad taste to stop making out in order to turn up a pop song. “Direct Hit” is a rowdy rock number that you wish the DJ would play instead of the multitude of bad danceable tracks. “Post Soothing Out” is more vulnerable about a failing relationship. It hinges on the wit that characterizes the band’s lyrical approach when referencing John and Yoko and remarking that “every day is just like starting over.” “Late Sunday” is instrumentally diverse with an appearance of horns and xylophone, displaying the range of Art Brut’s creativity and are hopefully an indication of their future as a band. “Nag Nag Nag Nag” is a frenzied tale of “adolescent concerns” from the brooding teenage perspective that recalls youthful rebellion.

It’s A Bit Complicated is Art Brut a bit more grown up, maintaining a mature perspective amid a swell of pop rock enthusiasm. These songs will inevitably infect your brain and you will find yourself singing them - with a British accent, of course.

Written by: Lauren Clark, July 19th 2007

Neil Gaiman’s American Gods: Bilquis

admin — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 21:48:00 +0000

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab has created a line of perfume oils inspired by the characters, places and ideas from Neil Gaiman’s best selling novel American Gods. In addition to always being animal testing-free, 100% of the proceeds from the American Gods Collection go to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund which protects the First Amendment Rights of the comic book community. I dabbed on the Bilquis scent that was inspired by the Queen of Sheba, the half demon, half goddess from the novel and waited.

A blend of honey, lily of the valley, myrrh, rose, fig leaf, almond, ambrette (an herb grown in the rainy season in India with a musky scent and used as an aphrodisiac), red apple and warm musk, Bilquis is neither too flowery nor too musky. I noticed the almond, musk and honey immediately and after a few minutes on the skin it turned softly floral and powdery. Just go easy with it. Like most oils, it can be so intense no one will be able to come near you and that would defeat the purpose. But if you are very careful, it’s a soft, earthy and warm scent.

It would be perfect dripped in an unscented oil and used for a sensual massage. It would also make a great gift for your friend who is a Neil Gaiman fan, a comic book reader or your roommate, the closeted Tori Amos groupie. Or, of course, this scent is perfect for you: a classy babe with a mysterious side who likes to indulge in a beauty ritual where a spritz of Electric Youth just doesn’t cut it.

Written by: Lauren Clark, July 15th 2007