The Almighty Oracle

I arrived an hour and a half early on this cold and rainy Thursday afternoon only to find out I was the only one risking to catch a bad cold. The concert was scheduled to start at 8pm, the doors opened at 7:20 and only 4 people were waiting. By 7:30, the first opening band took the stage. The Swedes of Loney, Dear seemed a bit surprised to find a quite empty venue to welcome them. Way to go for intimate atmosphere. Emil actually sang the first song without the mic, it was really nice. The band played for about half an hour, picking songs from all of their albums. The song that caught my attention the most was Ignorant Boy, Beautiful Girl because it quite simple yet tricky to play/sing.

Mister Bird in action

After Loney, Dear left, Vic Chesnutt took the stage. Continue Reading »

mel :: Nov.24.2007 :: Andrew Bird, Concert Review, Loney Dear, Photos, Vic Chesnutt :: No Comments »

This afternoon, I was walking through the city of Lille and walked by a Free Hugs gathering, called Calins Gratuits in French. At first it was very calm since it seemed like no one was interested in getting a free hug.

 When I walked back through that area, the huggers were gone but I actually met them on my way to my car. One girl caught my eye from the other side of the pedestrian street and as if some connexion had occured, she walked her way through the passing crowd to me with a broad smile and great enthusiasm, hugged me and wished me a good day. It only lasted for 2 seconds top but it was like a glimpse of happiness that gave me goosebumps and put a long lasting smile upon my face. Sweetness.

mel :: Nov.17.2007 :: Random :: No Comments »

My favourite band just released a new EP [exclusively on iTunes USA so far]. The tracklist is :

1. Back In Your Head
2. Back In Your Head (Tiesto Remix Edit)
3. One Second
4. I Take All The Blame

The Tiesto Remix is probably the best remix of BIYH I’ve heard so I’m glad they chose it to be on the EP. But I was really looking forward to the two new songs.

Tegan talked about One Second some time ago in some interview which made all their followers anticipate the day they could listen to this new tune. It’s a moog driven song, which is the most surprising turn the twins could’ve taken, even though their last album, The Con, was already full of keyboards/moog lines.

I Take All The Blame is a new Sara song, with a down tempo electro feeling. It emphasizes on the 80’s atmosphere of the second part of the EP. It’s not bad, just following the current trend. It may be the new Tegan And Sara sound (though they’re  constantly evolving into something different), it takes a few times to get used to it.

mel :: Nov.13.2007 :: CD Review, I'll Take The Blame EP, Tegan And Sara :: No Comments »

Ok, let’s get one thing straight : Clara Luzia is overlooked and underrated. It’s a shame. This post may not reach millions but I do hope at least one person will find their way here, listen to and actually enjoy a song or two and promote The Long Memory around them. That’s the way it goes.

After her quite brilliant 2006 effort, Railroad Tracks, Clara continues on her acoustic pop sweetness path. Her recognizable voice, sharp lyrics, catchy melodies and aerian orchestrations. Whether she sings songs about love (Morning Light, Gladly Away, Chelsea) or little life moments (Electric Light, Homedrinking) Clara tends to hit home each time. Continue Reading »

mel :: Nov.07.2007 :: CD Review, Clara Luzia, The Long Memory :: No Comments »

V For Vendetta is one of those movies I’ll never get tired of watching. It’s dark, about a future that may not be too imaginary from a certain perspective. A movie which brings some interesting reflection content.

Natalie Portman shows her acting skills all along but Hugo Weaving is really brilliant because he manages to make a man in a mask show many more emotions than the smartass face he’s wearing could imply.

V

Here’s a [long] piece of cleverly written dialogue from the first meeting of V [Hugo Weaving] and Evey Hammond [Natalie Portman] :

V: I can assure you I mean you no harm.
Evey Hammond: Who are you?
V: Who? Who is but the form following the function of what and what I am is a man in a mask.
Evey Hammond: Well I can see that.
V: Of course you can. I’m not questioning your powers of observation I’m merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
Evey Hammond: Oh. Right.
V: But on this most auspicious of nights, permit me then, in lieu of the more commonplace sobriquet, to suggest the character of this dramatis persona.
V: Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition.
[carves V into poster on wall]
V: The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous.
[giggles]
V: Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it’s my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V.
Evey Hammond: Are you like a crazy person?
V: I am quite sure they will say so. But, to whom am I speaking with?
Evey Hammond: I’m Evey.
V: Evey? E-V. Of course you are.
Evey Hammond: What does that mean?
V: It means that I, like God, do not play with dice and I don’t believe in coincidences.

mel :: Nov.05.2007 :: Movie, V For Vendetta :: No Comments »

Oh, My Darling is the debut album of the Canadian singer-songwriter. Basia Bulat writes acoustic songs with clever yet discrete arrangements.

She reminds me of many artists, Beth Hart for the foggy voice, Julie Doiron or Ane Brun for the guitar work and even Sufjan Stevens or Andrew Bird for the overall style.

1. Before I Knew : Continue Reading »

mel :: Nov.05.2007 :: Basia Bulat, CD Review :: 1 Comment »

Last night (quite late, I must admit), I was nicely surprised to catch the Casady sisters playing a re-worked version of Werewolf on TV. Here’s the video, enjoy :

Audio only here, if you prefer (especially without the very silly and unnecessary comments):

mel :: Nov.03.2007 :: CocoRosie, TV, Video :: No Comments »

For the obvious reason that today is November 1st and because this song is beautifully sad with a little sparkle of necessary hope.

Lyrics : Continue Reading »

mel :: Nov.01.2007 :: Gemma Hayes, Song of the Day :: No Comments »