Porcelain Raft - "Strange Weekend"

Artist: Porcelain Raft
Album: Strange Weekend
Label: Secretly Canadian
Release Date: January 24, 2012
Review by: Sean Kayden

Italian born musician, Mauro Remiddi, who performs under the moniker Porcelain Raft, has released, “Strange Weekend.” Although he’s been associated with different acts, this is the first album behind the name, Porcelain Raft. “Strange Weekend” is bedroom-pop at its absolute finest. A mixture between spacey electro-rock and dreamy pop, the record swirls and dazzles every step of the way. It’s the kind of album that absorbs your inner thoughts and emotions. It carries this magical ability to transfer your entity to another world or perhaps in this case, a celestial utopia. Porcelain Raft combines shoegaze and 90s alt. rock with shimmery melodies and a palpable gracefulness. Overall the execution is impeccable and the results are nearly off the charts. The beauty found and discovered in “Strange Weekend” will stimulate your body, soothe your mind and capture your soul.

There’s not much not to like here. While some songs like “Unless You Speak From Your Heart” and “Picture” may take a few listens to win you over, rest assure, they will since their vital pieces to this puzzle. “Is It Too Deep For You?” starts off like a hauntingly slow hip hop jam and while remains fairly slow throughout is mesmerizing in tone. “Backwords” is divine, internally captivating, and simply moving. “The End Of Silence” will have you remaining silent, as the song is enormously magnetic and gorgeous. Remiddi’s vocals are bliss, full of heartache as he sings directly to you (and for a moment you feel as if he is singing only to you). The aforementioned song, much like the album, is profoundly intimate and deeply personal. This is the kind of album that can make all the difference in the world to you on any given day. The capabilities of the record go far beyond any words I can muster. The limitations on this record are that it only sprawls to ten tracks. Whereas the music may end after 34 minutes, the feeling you get while listening lasts for much longer.

“Strange Weekend” moves you, tears you apart and finally becomes you. It’ll percolate your mind and ruminate there for a while. It’s gathers a great feeling because it allows you to observe the things that were troubling you and wash away any trepidation that was associated with them. Porcelain Raft’s music pays respect to the sound it’s influenced by, but effortlessly comes together feeling strangely original. “Strange Weekend” offers so much in such a small package. An intensely fulfilling experience from start to finish, Porcelian Raft knows how to get straight to your heart without ever appearing manipulative or disingenuous.

Grade 9.0 out of 10
Key Tracks: “Drifting In And Out “ “Is It Too Deep For You?”, “Backwords”, “The End Of Silence”

Published by Mountain Views News on January 28th, 2012
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v06/htm/n04/p09.htm

First Aid Kit - "The Lion's Roar"

Artist: First Aid Kit
Album: The Lion’s Roar
Label: Wichita Recordings
Release Date: January 17, 2012
Review by: Sean Kayden

Swedish sisters, Johanna and Klara Söderberg make the up folk pair, First Aid Kit. After much critical acclaim for their 2010 record, “The Big Black & The Blue”, the young siblings return with their follow-up, “The Lion’s Roar”. The new record is a collection of deeply sullen folk tunes that showcases beauteous harmonies and woodsy arrangements. Fans of Fleet Foxes should feel right at home with First Aid Kit, who ironically covered their song “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song” a few years ago that set the blogsphere on fire. Honestly, I’ve never been a huge enthusiast of folk rock. There are plenty of bands in the genre that frankly sound exactly the same and offer very little difference from one another. However, First Aid Kit doesn’t seem much like imitators, but innovators. While dull moments sometimes arise, it’s the aching lyrics and brutal honesty implanted within each song that lifts First Aid Kid from an inferior girl group to a superior dynamic duo.

When I first think about folk rock in today’s music, what comes to mind are bands mimicking artists from another era. Often their songs sound just like the ones from that period in time, but only more polished. The biggest problem with today’s folk music is merely the fact you must be in the mood for it. The atmosphere is often dreary with distinctive storytelling ranging from anecdotes of mountains and cabins to the man you’re supposed to be to anything Americana related. First Aid Kit does a marvelous job having me believe their making music for tomorrow not today and certainly not yesterday. “In The Hearts Of Men” is solemn but immaculate. It’ll carry you away on its shoulders and take you to a fond memory; one that you wish will never fade away. “Emmylou” is romantic and as tender as the love it speaks of. The lyrics for “Blue” are wistful, but the song swiftly moves along and may be the most joyous of the bunch.

Little can be said the same for the finale song, “King Of The World”, which feels strangely out of place, especially with Conor Oberst from the band Bright Eyes on guest vocals. Something about the song struck me the wrong way, which led to my realization that this is definitely the filler song off the record. Despite my strong disliking to the closer, the nine prior songs are either pretty good or really wonderful. There not all downers, but the best ones are. First Aid Kit doesn’t knock it out of the park on each track, but the songs all have stark moments of bliss, true significance and dazzling arrangements. For fans of the persuasion, you really can’t ask for much more. And for non-supporters of this resonance, “The Lion’s Roar” may just be the surprise you’ve been truly hoping for all along.

Key Tracks: “Emmylou”, “In The Hearts Of Men”, “Blue”
Grade: 7.5 out of 10

Published by Mountain Views News on January 21, 2012
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v06/htm/n03/p09.htm

The Big Pink - "Future This"

Artist: The Big Pink
Record: Future This
Label: 4AD Records
Release Date: January 17, 2012
Review by: Sean Kayden

Electro-rock duo, The Big Pink return with their sophomore album, “Future This”, the follow-up to their critically acclaimed debut effort, “A Brief History Of Love.” While their latest compilation may seem like a companion piece to their 2009 record, I assure you, The Big Pink are still on the right track. What could have easily turned out to be the typical sophomore slump album for such a praised band ends up being sharper, deeper and cooler than their previous outing. Despite claims of changing their style on this new record, The Big Pink remain faithful to the sound of their first album that got them on the map. “A Brief History Of Love” was pretty self-explanatory in it’s title; a record about love and everything (good and bad) that comes with it. However, with “Future This”, the tracks don’t necessarily tie in with one another and feel more stand-alone than appearing to be a part of a concept album with a consistent theme. While the duration of the record is ephemeral, The Big Pink delivers ten brand new tracks that sound polished and tighter than possibly anything else in the genre. Granted their resonance hasn’t changed all that much, I still believe “Future This” marks the first great album of 2012.

The synth-pop team adds some fuzzed out guitars and sub-bass howls to their super-charged sound. The energy is high and production values top-notch. This is a loud tracklist with beats and samples, instrumental layers and some vocal melodies scattered in the album. “Stay Gold” the band’s opening track and single, bears a strong resemblance to their hit single, “Dominoes” from the last album. It’s a very friendly radio tune that definitely has “single” written all over of it of course, but that shouldn’t devalue it. It’s not the best song of the bunch; however, it’s the catchiest and arguably most fun. The second track, “Hit The Ground (Superman)” follows in the same footsteps as “Stay Gold”. It’s a grandiose and ambitious tune that puts a lot of emphasis on the chorus rather than the verses. Simple lyrics and metaphors, but solid sound, if not a bit formulaic even for The Big Pink. Not surprising at all to find out the aforementioned track is the second single off the record.

In a rare incidence, the singles are not the best songs off the record. “The Palace” is a beautiful sounding euphoria-like song. It’s gold from beginning to end. The following track “1313” starts off soft and breezy but ends up a bit rough around the edges. One moment it floats effortlessly and the next a little too random in some spots. The song is at least a minute too long since it travels into an entirely different location of soundsphere. The second to last track, “Future This” is a dark, deeply synthesized song that showcases superior harmonies. It’s the perfect out of the box sort of song that oddly feels inside the box as well. “77” is the closing track and the one song on the album that shows a different side of The Big Pink. The finale is an intensely personal track that’s beyond anything they’ve produced. With “77”, The Big Pink displays a break from their signature sound. It’s the highlight of the record and surely to stand toe-to-toe as one of the best songs for the year. Fans of their first album are either going to be pleased with the palpable comparison or loathe the fact the band didn’t fully dive into unfamiliar terrain. No matter the case, this album is everything I could have hoped for in a follow-up and then some. Not perfect by any means, “Future This” is one lively, often entertaining, sometimes sensitive, keen piece of work.

Grade: 8.3 out of 10
Key Tracks: “The Palace”, “Future This”, “77”

Published by Mountain Views News on January 14, 2012
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v06/htm/n02/p10.htm

My Five Favorite Films of 2011

Review by: Sean Kayden

I present my arbitrary decision of the five “best” movies of the year. The reason it’s not the typical top ten is because I haven’t seen all the films I initially had planned to watch this past year. Additionally, the 2011 box office proved to be fairly disappointing from my perspective. As a disclaimer I haven’t seen “Midnight In Paris”, “Beginners”, “The Artist”, “Take Shelter”, “We Need To Talk About Kevin”, “Martha Marcy May Marlene”, “Hugo”, “Shame” and “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”.

5. Source Code – “Source Code” will undoubtedly keep you completely mesmerized from beginning to end. A true keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller that does more than just provides you a quick thrill or two. “Source Code” is equipped with a quartet of strong performances from Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga and Jeffrey Wright, a dynamic screenplay and faultless direction. The ending may spark some controversy with the most devoted sci-fi fans. I honestly thought the film was going to end at a particular point, but it carried on for another five to seven minutes. Personally, I was still fully satisfied by it. I felt that the extended ending brought a whole new element and meaning to the movie. “Source Code” has a bit of an Inception feel to it, but definitely more restrained and less convoluted. This is an innovative, outrageously compelling, and thought-provoking film with plenty of heart and soul to boot. It’s the reason why we go to the theater and if more movies like “Source Code” can be developed, then mainstream Hollywood may not be a complete wash after all.

4. Drive – Director Nicolas Winding Refn is an aberrant visual artist. “Drive”, his latest work of art, combines striking imagery and an essence of cool that’s been missing in American cinema for quite sometime. Essentially, Drive is about a chivalrous Hollywood stunt driver and loner (Ryan Gosling), who moonlights as a getaway driver. He quickly finds himself caught up with the wrong people in a heist that goes terribly wrong. Yes, we’ve all seen movies of this conformation before, but I can promise you that you haven’t seen it like this. At face value, “Drive” is minimalistic and straightforward, but at its core, this uniquely developed drama/suspense film is ultra sleek, eloquently violent, beautifully composed and superbly acted. Refn’s penchant for violence and gore is overwhelmingly present here, but the bursts of brutality is enthralling, if not disturbing. While not for the faint at heart, the violent behavior in “Drive” is artful and vividly produced. These particular scenes rank among the finest of the year. On a technical level, “Drive” is flawless. Every scene, every shadow within a scene, and the precise way light is used matters. Nothing feels wasted or oversaturated. Always taut and suspenseful, you’re eyes will never veer off screen. The film easily takes over all your senses with every single scene telling a story within itself. It’s simply the coolest film of the year. With powerhouse performances and Refn’s skillful directing, “Drive” is a tightly and impressively constructed motion picture worth seeing.

3. The Devil’s Double – “The Devil’s Double,” based on the novel by Latif Yahia, is the disturbing true story of a man who is forced to become the double to Saddam Hussein’s sadistic son. The film isn’t all that deep or intricate, but the electrifying, career-making performance by Dominic Cooper is worth the price of admission and then some. Cooper takes on the dual roles of Latif Yahia, an Iraqi soldier from a middle class family and the unpredictably insane Uday Hussein. In the end, “The Devil’s Double” is one of the coolest, sexiest, and most violent films of the year. While not for everyone, those who enjoy a departure from mundane boring life will be undoubtedly glued to the screen while watching it. Everything from the beautiful set design, to the killer 80s soundtrack, to the polished and stunning cinematography, to the ultra slick direction was top notch. Director Lee Tamahori (“Die Another Day”, “The Edge”) shaped a very sleek and tense thriller with “The Devil’s Double” that provided unsettling chills on more than one occasion. At any rate, I found “The Devil’s Double” to be absolutely engrossing, outrageously entertaining and bat-shit crazy. Not to mention, be on the lookout for Dominic Cooper because the guy is the next big thing for all the right reasons.

2. Warrior – In vein of last year’s powerful film, “The Fighter”, “Warrior” is about two brothers both fighting for something greater than themselves. Tom Hardy brilliantly portrays Tommy Riordan, an ex-Marine haunted by his past who returns home to his former alcoholic father, played by a battered and wounded Nick Nolte. Joel Edgerton takes on the persona of Brendan Conlon, a high school physics teacher and ex-MMA fighter unable to make ends meet. In a turn of events, the brothers’, who haven’t seen each other in 16 years will soon cross paths as they face off in Sparta, a Grand Prix tournament of MMA fights. While the set-up may be dauntingly cliché, director Gavin O’Connor somehow is able to throw punch after punch at your vulnerable heart in what is the most unrelentingly impassioned packed film this past year. “Warrior” is part gritty family drama, part sports action flick, and part feel-good crowd pleaser. Translation? Raw, gut-wrenching, and compelling. Well over two hours, “Warrior” never eases up in toying with one’s emotions. It does an outstanding job continually pulling at the strings of one’s own heart. If you surrender to its tricks, you may find yourself tearing up in multiple scenes. By the end of the movie, you’ll not only find yourself on the edge of your seat, but also wiping those tears away and rooting for these guys as if they were your own brothers. Never does “Warrior” seem false or manipulative in the earnest ways it touches your heart, mind, and soul. This movie just feels right in this day and age. The constant struggle of overcoming the odds and believing in one’s self despite any obstructions in your line of sight. It’s a stunning achievement that a mainstream movie like this packs so much pure entertainment, affecting moments and uncompromised compassion. “Warrior” excels on nearly all levels making it a definite must-see for all ages.

1. Win Win – Paul Giamatti stars as Mike Flaherty, attorney by day, high school wresting coach by night. He’s having a tough time both finically and keeping his wife and two daughters happy. The wresting team is on a continuous losing streak and isn’t living up to the school’s motto of “The Home Of Champions”. Through some questionable business dealings with an older client, Flaherty is surprised when he’s faced with the elderly man’s grandson, who has his own personal baggage. However, the troubled teenager is a star athlete that may just be what Flaherty needs to turn his team around. But when the kid’s recently released from rehab mother comes into the picture, Flaherty’s life is soon turned upside as she attempts to disrupt things. The young boy (Alex Shaffer) and Flaherty’s wife (Amy Ryan) give strong supporting performances. “Win Win” is a near faultless sports-comedy-drama that has a great share of laughs, angst, and heartfelt moments. It’s truly the best American film of the year that any family could relate to on some level. With rich and wonderful characters, a strong screenplay and humanistic approach, “Win Win” will touch your heart unlike any film this year.

Published by Mountain Views News on January 7th, 2012
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v06/htm/n01/p11.htm

*Note since this review I have viewed both "Beginners" and "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy". However, it still doesn't change the current top five.

"War Horse" Review

“War Horse”
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Written by: Lee Hall and Richard Curtis (based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo)
Theatrical Release Date: December 25, 2011
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of war violence
Review by: Sean Kayden

Steven Spielberg returns to the frontlines with WAR HORSE, (based on a children’s book), is a film set in World One about a miraculous super horse that touches the hearts of many, especially one young lad. Albert Narracott, portrayed by newcomer Jeremy Irvine, is a teenage boy from a poor family. His broken down father purchases a vigorous horse he sees at an auction in hopes to save his house and farm. Albert names the horse Joey and attempts to train him to plow through the rugged terrain of the farm. On the cusp of England going to war, the man must sell his horse the cavalry when things for him and his family don’t go as accordingly thought. However, up until this time, Albert has grown especially fondly of Joey. He’s become super-connected with the animal and is absolutely heartbroken that his beloved horse will be shipped off to war. Throughout the film, this “war horse” goes through the hands of many individuals and makes a lasting, indelible impression on them. The story is pretty remarkable, if not far-fetched at times. Despite a heartwarming story, the film starts off considerably slow out of the gates and is pretty deliberately paced all the way up to the end. What could have been an amazing, epic, and exceptional movie turned out to be rather simplistic, ordinary, and sappy.

The cinematography for “War Horse” was passable, at best. It evoked a seemingly generic landscaped that appears overproduced and not at all authentic. The battle scenes were top notch, but the rest of the movie’s aesthetics looked artificial. On the other side of the coin, the score was marvelous. The arrangements were bold, beautiful, and lovely. They easily warm your heart as the sentiment it releases sinks into your soul. It’s one of the few true highlights of the film that will play with your emotions. I did become misty-eyed toward the end of the film, but never balling. What I was seeing was a façade of manipulation. I mean, how could you not tear up a bit after seeing an animal, that’s gone through hell and back, become reunited with the boy that loved him ever so dearly. Add in the grandiose soundtrack and facial expressions of characters displaying hope, excitement and relief, there’s no denying the outcome for the viewer at hand. Unfortunately, getting up this point is a tedious and sometimes implausible journey that isn’t as affecting as it could have been. Spielberg’s magic is present in bits and pieces, but even he settles for the easy way out that truly ends up disappointing rather than inspiring.

“War Horse” is far from being a complete dud. It does have some really fine scenes and proves that people from all different countries display a strong affinity toward animals. If only humans could treat other humans with the same kindness and benevolence is somewhat of an underlining theme. In the end, lofty expectations once again this year got the best of me. I was in fact hoping for a deep, inspirational and exceptionally poignant film. It rarely reached those grand heights, which results in a middling, second-rate effort from a first-rate director. At just shy of two and a half hours, I say skip the theater and wait for DVD.

Grade: 3 out of 5
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