Whatever It Takes and Somewhere In Between by Lifehouse(Unplugged)

  Lifehouse may not be the band critics either love to bash or adore. But there is something in Jason Wade's songwriting that takes me deep. Here are two videos taken from VH-1 Unplugged from October 2007 .They don't label themselves as a Christian band because they feel it excludes people who are not Christians.

New single from Lifehouse off New Album Out!

Yes folks. The band is back. And they are rocking more than ever. I heard the song "Halfway Gone" off the band's myspace page and what can I say? I like it. It has a bit of the old Lifehouse and the more experimental off the terrain of Snow Patrol there.

You can get more info here:http://www.myspace.com/lifehouse

Picture courtesy of the band's myspace page.

Masskara Festival 2009

  The biggest event in my hometown is here. Sorry to be too lazy to mak a coverage. I work at night so there is no WAY I can be there. But for those who are curious...I will let you in for details:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MassKara_Festival

Within Temptation: The Silent Force Tour

Sharon den Adel shines in this wonderful album  as a lead vocalist. The Silent Force was released in 2004 . The band's operatic and black metal influences earned them cult following from around the globe. The Silent Force is very much recommended if you want your black metal ethereal and a truly grand listening experience.

Labyrinthine Heart by Sleepthief Now Out

  Long wait is over. The much awaited follow up to Dawnseeker is up for grabs. You can purchase the wonderful album Labyrinthine Heart at amazon.com. Don't forget to read the Interview I did for Justin Elswick, the man behind Sleepthief.

Vienna Teng-Inland Territory

Korean-American Vienna Teng still continues to weave wonderful tapestry of melodies in her latest offering Inland Territory under Zoe, Rounder records. The album is recorded over five months in four cities.

The Last Snow Fall opens with that sampled crackling sounds found in vinyl records. It is a gradual song embellish by oohs and ahhs amidst her sweet sounding voice.

White Light is an upbeat pop tune that comes to mind Vanessa Carlton's territory. The blues guitar works fine here along with the synthesizers. The lyrics deals  with the push and pull of relationships.

Antebellum is opened by piano flourishes. Her legato is excellent. When she hits that high tender note, it is so exquisite that it makes you really want to open your heart and seize the day. This is the style she has been known for, starting with her previous albums and this is her strong point. The orchestral sweep is cinematic and she can really belt out a tune considering that she is a pianist.

Kansas has that waltzing tempo set about by the cymbals. There is a lounge bluesy  feeling that predominates the entire song.

In Another Life Calls to mind that Mary Hopkins song in the 70s "Those Were the Days" with the snazzy brass ensemble and jaunty piano.

Grandmother Song is something totally new and different. Here she calls her live gang to perform the hand claps, the drums as well as the brass on the back up. You can hear people hooting throughout the entire song. You can tell that this has been recorded in a totally natural environment. The absence of her piano makes this song really different. But it works!

Stray Italian Greyhound is back to her territory of wonderful melodies and tinkling piano lines. Again, the introduction of the sweeping strings and walkabout tempo calls to mind those walks on the beach and lazy afternoons.

Augustine has that swirlling harmony of voices. The beat has that  anticipation to it before hitting the beautiful climax of the song as she sings "ooohhh breaking  down,". This is Vienna at her best.

No Gringo opens with a gentle tambourine. Solemn piano follows. Snare drums lead the verse into a breaking harmony . Again the presence of hand claps and orchestra makes the song a grand piece.

Watershed is a kind a gradual song that builds into an anthem.

Radio recaps Whitelight's upbeat spirit and the quirky atmosphere of Grandmother Song. Again the abundance of  syncopated and poly rhythm makes it a slightly uneasy on the end.

St. Stephen's Cross closes this album.Again it's a nice slow tune . Something that you bring along when you walk in the park.

  Vienna Teng has the versatility that can match Tori Amos' piano playing and a heavenly voice of Sarah Mclachlan. Fans and new ears will most like buy this album for it's overall chill out effect. But for those who appreciate beautiful music in terms of skill and artistry, this is also something for you. Though I'd say her previous efforts are those I gravitate more on, but hey nothing is wrong with an artist evolving and going on to new territories right?

Weird Products for Weird Buyers@ amazon.com

  Are you a strange buyer? Do you adhere to what's conventional or do you go further. Some people buy it for kicks some buy it because they REALLY need it. Check this out and you might find what you want :)


http://www.amazon.com/The-Weird-World-Of/lm/R3V6BQ2PE4RV7T

The Fizz Cup (weird)

  I thought this is a joke but if you check http://www.thefizzcup.com ten you know this is really selling well. It says The Fizz iz the ultimate ice cream party idea. Just fill the Fizz cup with ice cream, twist it onto your favorite soda, and slurp it up. Root beer, cola, orange soda — try them all with your reuseable Fizz cup!


Would you? Could you?

More strange product on this site: http://www.strangenewproducts.com/

KEXP 90.3 from Seattle Washington

Here's the coolest radio station in Seattle Washington,KEXP 90.3. It plays a variety of never heard anywhere music from indie bands…ok tell me what you know about Black Mountain , Clearlake and Camera? KEXP also plays some British music like those from Radiohead and The Charlattans. New Music has always been a source of fascination to me…while on the other hand keeping a firm root to my Celticism.

   It’s great to be able to listen to radio stations not from your own country because it gives one a wide perspective about the musical culture in other parts of the world. My musical taste has always been predominantly European but I am now going  back to  American music which was first spawned by the Grunge culture of the early nineties.Yes American music is cool…as long as it is indie.
(On the pic: DJ John Richards Variety Mix, The Morning Show Mon-Fri 6-10AM)

Two Suns by Bat for Lashes

Original Release Date: April 7, 2009
Indie,Pop,Alternative,Rock


  The first thing that came to mind when I saw her was: OMG she looks like Lily Allen. Natasha Khan who’s project is Bat for lashes creates amazing atmospheric music in the vein of Kate Bush and Clannad. I chanced upon her through you tube. She's wearing this 80's 'Footloose' getup haunted by men-shaped shadows.   That video Daniel made me want to learn about the album more.  The cover reminds me of Vegas for some reason.


Two Suns opens with Glass. A gradual sound that moves into a climax of tribal beats. This is where the Kate Bush reference comes up. Acoustic and synthesizers merge to create an ethnic and ethereal feel; highlighted by her heavenly wails. 


Sleep Alone has that reggae meets early Goth feel. When she sings "Lonely, Lonely..." Occasional choral  aaahhhs' embellish the tune with a suspense cinematic flavor.


Moon and Moon has that haunting resemblance to the intro to 10,000 Maniacs' Because the Night only that this is gradual and fluid. Again there's that backing vocals that sounds to me like Philip Glass meets the Beach Boys. There's also hints of operatic soprano doing a vocalise. But it's a brief song.


Daniel has a strong 80s feel. From what I've read it's a tribute to Ralph Macchio's Character in Karate Kid. Just watch the video and you will see the strong reference that I am talking about. Somehow it reminds me of "Running Up the Hill" by Kate Bush only that Natasha's vocals are gentler and more Moya Brennan. The synths are what you will expect in such eighties arrangements . There's also strong pizzicato that calls to mind Enya's style of composition. 


Peace of Mind is something that never sticks with me. The odd scale makes it uneasy . The gospel type choral singing sounds off on this one. I don't know, it's just me I guess.


Siren Song gives back the moment taken by the previous song, with the beautiful floral flourishes of the piano . The 'easy' listening is however trampled by the disturbing chorus that sounds more Diamanda Galas ...


Pearl's Dream opens with a downbeat . "There's a place I must go, There's a place I must go" She sings in the opening track. This is the kind you would listen to on a late night run. Again it almost gets you to that pinnacle of listening experience but somehow it is off.


Good Love opens with a 'funebre' synth style that is more 60's horror film sounding . Again so far this does not topple the standard set by "Daniel'. But what she lacks for musical consistency she compliments through her hypnotic narrative. "The house set fire to my heart.." Awesome.


Two Suns opens with a poetry but I forgot by whom. Anyway, again there's that poly-rhythm and ethnic feel. 


Travelling Woman has tempo akin to most songs present in Natalie Merchant's debut Tiger Lily. Again the melody is off. For some reason I suspect that Natasha Khan hates to sound sweet. 


Big Sleep is perhaps intended to be a lullaby. But that male vocal sounds like a disturbing attempt to sound Broadway. You don't want to listen to this on you way to sleep.


Overall, I still think that two Suns is a rewarding experience if your expectations are met. Her voice is superb and I think I prefer her's than Kate Bush. But unlike Kate Bush, Enya and Liz Fraser who carved the road behind them, Ms Khan has to work hard to prove herself. Otherwise she's just a second rate copy cat.