Hey Rosetta! - "Seeds"

Artist: Hey Rosetta!
Album: Seeds
Label: Sonic Records
Release Date: February 15, 2011
Review by: Sean Kayden

Canadian indie-driven enthusiasts, “Hey Rosetta!” return after three years with their third studio album, “Seeds”. It’s a poignant, thought-provoking record that will pacify your tiresome mind and mend the wounded heart. It’s vastly demanding to keep up with the dozens of bands that seem to magically materialize each and everyday. However, it’s truly a blessing to discover the ones that really resonate with you. It’s an amazing sensation to be able to identify yourself with a record that seamlessly understands everything you’re going through. Lead singer, Tim Baker stated in an interview, “…the songs are seeds ... they’re these little things –- four and five minute things — but they have the ability to grow in your brain and be far more meaningful than just what they are." I whole-heartedly agree with him because “Seeds” is just that. An album that will get inside you, become you, and navigate you through this world you’re trying oh-so-ever hard to break though.

Clocking in at just less than 50 minutes, all eleven tracks augment as they progress from start to finish. “Hey Rosetta!” have deliberately created a united catharsis. Layered strings, horns, mandolins, pianos, and trumpets all make a delightful appearance on the album. Not everything works perfectly, but there’s enough staggering power to satisfying the accessible music listener. The lyrics are about the perennial life on the road, dissolved relationships, loneliness, but also new hope, enlightenment and fresh beginnings. If you can open your mind, let your guard down and allow “Seeds” to gracefully seep into your soul, you’ll walk away embarking on a new day with full of possibilities waiting to be conquered.

This is a pleasing to the ear, gentle rock album that can become the anthem to one’s life. Listening to any album merely once won’t be enough. There’s no exception this time around either. One must permit “Seeds” to fully engulf their own entity in order to find any significant fulfillment. Catchy yet multifaceted arrangements, towering melodies and stunning imagery within the words tenderly sung, there’s something here for any fan of the indie rock affiliation. In the song, “Seventeen”, Baker with such emphasis and heart, belts out the words, “we're always on the edge of something bigger than this; cause we're always on the edge; we're always on the edge of some impossible trick.” I tend to side with what he’s saying. We’re all grasping for something slightly out of reach, but with great persistence and dedication, we can get there. I like to believe it’s why we get out of bed each morning. The impossible will soon enough become the possible if we never compromise on the act of simply settling for second-rate and mediocrity. The album title may be called “Seeds” and it’s emblematic of what we are - tiny seeds from the start yet we all have the ability to cultivate into something extraordinary. If one listens intently, this album can be a guiding and nurturing light on your never-ending adventure.

Key Tracks: “Seeds”, “Young Glass”, “Seventeen”
Grade: 7.5 out of 10

Published on April 2, 2011 by Mountain Views News.
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n14/p09.htm

Vessels - "Helioscope"

Artist: Vessels
Album: Helioscope
Release Date: March 14, 2011
Label: Cuckundoo Records
Review by: Sean Kayden

A helioscope is “a telescope for viewing the sun, adapted to protect the eye of the viewer from the sun's glare.” The Leeds five-piece band, Vessels have developed their own auricular version. Their latest record, Helioscope, feels like you’re staring directly into the sun because the intensity keeps on escalating to unparalleled heights. A harrowing, beautifully intrepid, and enormously intoxicating album has been graced upon us in the form of Vessels’ sophomore compilation.

Kicking things off is “Monoform”, a multi-layered, wall-to-wall sounding juggernaut of a track. Monumental in every way, this song is enthralling from beginning to end. Next up is the “The Trap”, not nearly as tumultuous and aggressive as the first track, but melodic and structured in a well-balanced fashion. It isn’t until the last minute of the song where it dips slightly into stentorian territory. Much of the album comes in the shape of aggrandizing instrumental crescendos. There are many aspects to Vessels' latest oeuvre that share similarities to other post-rock experimental bands such as Explosions in the Sky and Mogwai. However, these Brits are no imitators and have produced such an idyllic, evocative residence that’s very uniquely their own style. Only a few tracks demonstrate lead singer Stuart Warwick’s tranquil vocals. The real highlight is from “Meatman, Piano Tuner, Prostitute”, which the vocals exceptionally bear a resemblance to Thom Yorke from Radiohead. This standout gem has the capacity of transcending your mind, body, heart, and soul to supreme bliss. Vessels clearly defines a loud and significant statement with their latest release. Let’s be honest here, they don’t make songs like this anymore.

Sorrowful and serene, yet energetic and piercing in moments, Helioscope is one unpredictable voyage you’ll want to take multiple times. So much is to be discovered with repeated listens that one will find themselves floating through a cloud nine, atmospheric, awe-inspiring wonderland. Your emotions will undoubtedly be running rapid and wild. Helioscope is a massively intense and stimulating piece of work that’s stunningly original and arousing. Strap on your seatbelt, take a deep breath, and be ready to embrace the most unexpected ride of your newly suggested music discovery.

Key Tracks: “The Trap”, “Meatman, Piano Tuner, Prostitute”, “All Our Ends”
Grade: 8.5 out of 10

Published on March 26, 2011 by Mountain Views News.
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n13/p09.htm

Vessels - The Trap live at Abbey Lodge from Vessels Band on Vimeo.

A Hidden Gem From 2010

Artist: Sun Airway
Album: Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier
Release Date: October 26, 2010
Label: Dead Oceans
Review by: Sean Kayden

I’ve had the emphatic gratification of discovering one of the truly amazing albums from last year. Sun Airway is composed of the fierce duo of Philadelphia natives Jon Barthmus and Patrick Marsceill. Their tour-de-force, imaginatively titled debut record, Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier is a genuine work of art. While the album’s appellation may seem pretentious, that isn’t true for the actual tunes on the record. “Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier” is an impeccably crafted, dreamy indie-pop laced, neo-psychedelic opus of grand magnitude. It’s an amalgamation of silky-smooth electronics, shoegazer sounds, melodic tones, haunting ambience and atmospheric essence. Sun Airway’s tightly composed introduction album encompasses a sonorous experience for fans of this musical persuasion. At the same token, music listening thrill seekers are in for an unexpected treat in the most epic proportions.

To paint a better portrait, Sun Airway’s sound is a hybrid of experimental electronic specialists Animal Collective and the delightfully delicate vocals of Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Does it really get any better than that? Lyrically speaking, Barthmus and Marsceill supply blissful, happy-induced, uncomplicated words. Barthmus subtly executes the line “I’m just looking for the perfect sentence to keep us alive” in “Swallowed By The Night”. At face value, the lyrics are simple, but it’s beneath the surface where the true meaning lies. We’ve all at some point in time felt this way and despite the lucid lyrics, the real beauty is the way Barthmus sings. He isn’t showy or grandiloquent in presentation. There is a gentle cadence to his delivery. You can’t help but to believe in what Barthmus is representing and also the way he feels. There is an astonishing element to this rhapsody. It’s difficult to put into words, but it’s a record that can be deemed as the soundtrack to one’s own individual life. Something truly unique is likely to be unraveled for the open-minded patron. Listeners will easily become lost in the pensive mood the album effortlessly demonstrates. Isn’t that what music is all about? Something so rare and enchanting that you feel attached to it as if grants you the answers to your own past without ever knowing what your own history entailed. The lyrics will navigate you through your own plight while the soaring melodies will guide you to your own personal utopia.

“Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier” is a rapturous, indisputably pleasurable, indie pop-rock composition. Nothing about the record rings false or overly exaggerated. It’s pitch-perfect from beginning to end. Downright contagious, utterly vigorous, and even mystical, there’s no denying the replay value that can be found here. Not much can be said for most artists these days, but the potential for Sun Airway is immeasurable. It’s the quintessential time to discover the exquisiteness of “NOECC”. It’ll surely keep you warm in these spring nights and cool you off in the midst of the forthcoming summer. Words of advice, it’ll be best to put on those shades Sun Airway, because the future is looking awfully bright for you guys.

Key Tracks: “American West”, “Shared Piano”, “Your Moon”
Grade: 10 out of 10.

Published on March 19, 2011 by Mountain Views News.
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n12/p10.htm

The Fighter Review

“The Fighter”
Theatrical Release Date: December 17, 2010
Directed by: David O. Russell
Screenplay by: Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, and Eric Johnson
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: March 15, 2011
Review by: Sean Kayden

Without hesitation, “The Fighter” is the most outstanding boxing movie since “Rocky”. In many ways, it even triumphs over the timeless classic. “The Fighter” stars Mark Wahlberg as Micky Ward, a down on his luck boxer from working-class town Lowell, Massachusetts. He is all heart, but unfortunately isn’t living up to his complete potential. His half-brother, Dicky Eklund, played meticulously by Christian Bale is Micky’s trainer. While Dicky was a prominent fighter in his own day (proclaiming throughout the movie that he knocked down Sugar Ray Leonard), he took a turn for the worse by quickly falling into the drudgery of hard drugs that ultimately wasted any chance of a promising career. The astonishing Melissa Leo plays Alice Ward, Mickey’s controlling mother and manager. She may be difficult and a true pain to deal with at times, however in the end, she does have the best intentions for her son. Lastly, there is Charlene Fleming, characterized by the beautiful and ultra talented Amy Adams as Micky’s love interest and muse. She’s one tough chick that packs her own one-two punch. Adams is intoxicating to watch in a role she’s really never tackled before. Toward the third act, “The Fighter” does drift into familiar inspirational movie territory. However, it really doesn’t matter because by the end, you’re rooting and cheering for not only Micky, but also the entire family. “The Fighter” is less about boxing and more about a struggling family trying to stick together and make something truly special happen. To say the absolute least, the acting performances by the entire ensemble are the year’s unequivocal best. It’s the small and intimate moments in “The Fighter” that truly make it an undisputed winner.

Mark Wahlberg had been physically training for the movie for over four years. It had been an uphill battle to get this story on to the big screen, but fortunately, director David O. Russell, best known for his superb satirical Persian Gulf War movie, “Three Kings”, took the reins (after the departure of Darren Aronofsky) and guided Wahlberg and company in the making of this film. This is Wahlberg and Russell’s third collaboration together. Arguably, Wahlberg’s best work has come from under Russell’s direction. In this particular case, it’s no different. Wahlberg throws it all out on the table and convinces the audience that he does possess some acting prowess despite a string of less-than-average films over the past few years. After both Brad Pitt and Matt Damon dropped out due to scheduling conflicts, Christian Bale entered the scene to play Dicky Eklund. Allow me to say, Bale IS Eklund. Bottom line, Bale seeps into the role perfectly and effortlessly and produces his best acting performance to date (recently awarded his first Academy Award for the role). There is a perfect rhythm to his portrayal of Eklund. Bale does such an incredible job mastering and mimicking all of Eklund’s mannerisms, nuances, and quirks. The movie is terrific, but it’s Bale’s presentation that is stellar, poignant, heart wrenching and utterly spectacular. This is what Oscar performances are made of.

Filmed in 33 days for less than $20 million and shot on location, the movie accurately depicts the working-class life of Lowell. Additionally, David O. Russell does an exceptional job in keeping a raw, yet authentic appearance within all of his scenes. It truly creates a definite mood and distinctive setting for the viewer to feel as if they’re right at home with the actors. For a movie about the relationship of two brothers and the core of the story being more directed toward family life than boxing, one could easily write off the movie as another tired cliché, underdog sports drama. However, be it as it may, “The Fighter” throws you punch after punch that you never see coming. It’s an original piece of storytelling that will bring you sadness and heartache, but also provide you with laughter, happiness, motivation and most of all, inspiration. In the end, “The Fighter” is a brilliantly beautiful and rare movie with a plethora of powerhouse performances that will have you both smiling and possibly shedding a tear or two. Now when’s the last time you felt that way watching a film? Do yourself a favor and go watch (or preferably purchase on DVD or Blu-ray) the best movie of 2010!

Grade: 5 out of 5

Published on March 12, 2011 by Mountain Views News.
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n11/p11.htm

Hall Pass Review

"Hall Pass"
Release Date: 02/25/2011
Directed by: Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly
Screenplay by: Pete Jones, Kevin Barnett, Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly
Rated R for crude and sexual humor throughout, language, some graphic nudity and drug use.
Review by: Sean Kayden

The Farrelly Brothers make their return to film after four years with “Hall Pass”. Rick (Owen Wilson) and Fred (Jason Sudeikis) play best friends who both have become a bit impatient with their wives. The two compadres eat, breathe, and think sex morning, noon, and night. Unfortunately, their wives do not. It’s the traditional case of a long-term marriage going south. It happens, I get it. After an embarrassing afternoon at a friend’s new home, Maggie (Jenna Fischer) and Grace (Christina Applegate) become completely fed up with their husband’s juvenile behavior. Dr. Lucy (Joy Behar), a kind of love-guru, suggests to the women to grant their husbands a hall pass. A “hall pass” is a week off from marriage to do whatever you want without consequences. At first, the proposition seems absurd, but with slight convincing each wife ultimately ends up conceding to this notion. After a slow start, I was anticipating for the flick to finally pick up some momentum and find it’s stride. Sadly, I was tripped up time and time again.

The days of “There’s Something About Mary” seem a lifetime ago. The Farrelly Brothers have yet to make any kind of indelible impression on me (and most audiences alike) since the late 90s. With a back catalogue of disappointments including, “Me, Myself & Irene”, “Shallow Hal”, “Stuck on You”, “Fever Pitch” and “The Heartbreak Kid”, I was hopeful and surprisingly optimistic that their grand return to raunchy, yet clever humor would be a victorious one. “Hall Pass” is exceptionally bland and misses the mark so often that I felt genuinely embarrassed to be sitting through this quagmire. Granted there were moments of fleeting laughs, although nothing on screen stuck emotionally. It was truly and painfully unmemorable in nearly every way. “Hall Pass” is like the new kid who walks into the wrong class on the first day of school, he’s mortified and knows he’s out of place. Anxiously anticipating something favorable, I sat deplorably watching every scenario unfold recklessly. It was out of sync right from the beginning and it had me thinking how one-time funny man Owen Wilson can’t catch a lucky break. His career is seeking into the vortex of impending doom. It almost makes you wonder if the guy himself actually even wanted to be there in the first place. SNL’s very own Jason Sudeikis has his quick displays of humor, but he was seeping into the trenches of career-suicide. As for the supporting women of the film, Fischer and Applegate felt utterly wasted and I know both of these women have superior comedic chops. Let’s not even get started on the forced toilet humor. Toilet humor will and always will be unnecessary, childish, and non-stylish. Come on guys, can’t you come up with new and clever gags than the same old, busted, recycled bullshit we’ve all seen how many times before? Oh, how the kings of comedy have mighty fallen.

Honest laughs were sporadic and short-lived in “Hall Pass”. What is even more discomforting, is discovering how it took four middle-aged men to write this garbage. At the box office, funny is money and apparently, it’s also a young man’s game too. This movie cluster of trite material is a very poor man's hybrid of “Wedding Crashers” and “The Hangover”. I hate to even speak of those films in the same breath as “Hall Pass”. In a weird way, it makes me appreciate those films ever more since realizing how much replay value they each possess. Frankly, it’s best to send the Farrelly Brothers’ latest baby, “Hall Pass” straight to summer school. Banal, blah, boring, it doesn’t make the passing grade.

Grade: 2 out of 5.

Published on March 5, 2011 by Mountain Views News.
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n10/p11.htm