Ra Ra Riot - "Beta Love"

Artist: Ra Ra Riot

Album: Beta Love

Label: Barsuk

Release Date: January 22, 2013

Review by: Sean Kayden

       After the departure of cellist, Alexandra Lawn, Ra Ra Riot decided to change gears from baroque pop rockers to electro-pop advocators. Perhaps her choice to leave the band had to do something with the decision to go down a different path. Nonetheless, their third album titled “Beta Love” is the band’s first venture into the overcrowded playground of synthesizers. As the album progresses, it becomes abundantly clear this is the band’s new style of choice, one which they don’t necessarily pull off as well as their competition. However, the effort is a bold one given their fan-base and while I must praise the band for breaking out of their own bubble, it’s just now they’ve entered into a bubble ready to burst. “Beta Love” is a risky removal from the band’s initial style. Despite that, Ra Ra Riot may have experienced a mild artistic crisis as they were developing their latest album. Whatever the case may be, the hit or miss factor plays from track to track.

      “Dance With Me” kicks the album off in high gear. It’s an early indication of how the album will play out. It’s a fun track that will have you dancing in no time, but like with most songs found here, the emotional potency this band had on previous albums seems to be missing. It’s been traded in for frantic beats and modern technology. “Binary Mind” is a fine follow-up track. It has a great chorus and by far the most buoyant song off the relatively short album. Like the first track, it’s an amiable song, but everlasting it is not. My favorite track is the eponymous track, “Beta Love.” It’s sugary sweet with a killer falsetto to boot from frontman Wes Miles. The track is definitely slower than the previous two and while it is a synth-driven tune, it’s proof that Ra Ra Riot can pull off something great. The following track is “Is It Too Much.” This is one a slow electro-pop song that does try to mimic their previous sound, but with the added electronics. Strangely enough, it works and quite well. Sure the sound is moderately low beat and remains fairly consistent throughout, but with the inordinate vocals and beauty of it all makes for something surprisingly moving.

      Unfortunately, Ra Ra Riot goes into a strange land with “What I Do For U.” A dreadful song that lasts less than two minutes that has altered vocals, space-like beats and indiscernible lyrics at times. “When I Dream” is another stinker. While I can enjoy the slower side of Ra Ra Riot, this one just drags you down. Maybe it’s because Miles’ falsetto is nowhere to be found, but this doesn’t feel like a traditional Ra Ra Riot tune. However I guess after this album, there really isn’t anything traditional about this band any more. “That Much” is a considerable improvement over the last two tracks mentioned, but unlike the first half the album doesn’t come close to being praiseworthy. It’s yet another song lacks a certain pizzazz. With an abundant of samples thrown in the mix and an obnoxious background of the lyrics “that much” being played in fragments, it becomes more annoying than welcoming over time. There’s a saving grace in the final act with the closing track, “I Shut Off.” Ra Ra Riot gathers much needed momentum in the end with this blistering, bold, and wickedly catchy track. Miles’ vocals are ultra smooth, the arrangements impress and the song is easily the most vintage sounding song even with Ra Ra Riot’s newfound love of electronics.

     “Beta Love” whizzes by in a blink of an eye. Okay maybe in a really tired blink of an eye especially when those completely underwhelming, disposable songs play. At any rate, there are things to like here. You can have a little fun with “Dance With Me,” and “Beta Love,” and feel the gentler side of Ra Ra Riot with “Is It Too Much,” and “I Shut Off.” The problem is that while there are some decent songs, there are really only two or so really good tracks. The rest are rather uninspired and entirely unmemorable. Ra Ra Riot took a big swing, but came up short. The gamble they were hoping to win big with has left them breaking even. Perhaps even losing a little bit but hopefully coming away from it all with a new established outlook they can utilize next go around.

Grade: 6.8 out of 10 

Published by Mountain Views News on January 19th, 2013
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v07/htm/n03/p11.htm

FIVE ALBUMS TO KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR

Review by: Sean Kayden

Ra Ra Riot – “Beta Love” - Ra Ra Riot is gearing up for their third LP this January.  The title track “Beta Love” is pure infectious synth-pop. It’s sugary sweet with a killer falsetto to boot. While the track is undeniably the most synth driven tune from the band, it could be their ticket to break out into the mainstream world. With danceable beats, contagious hooks, and a highly produced sound, Ra Ra Riot may be destined from being the under-the-radar opening band to full fledge headliners by springtime.

“Beta Love” is out 1/22/13 on Barsuk.

Local Natives – “Hummingbird” – Probably the most well known band off this list (seeing how they’ve been played on KROQ), Local Natives return with their sophomore album in nearly three years. After the release of their out of nowhere stellar debut, “Gorilla Manor” back in 2010, the boys from Los Angeles seemed destined for infinite stardom. While the buzz may have cooled off for a bit giving this long hiatus between records, it seems Local Natives were keen on avoiding the sophomore slump with this new record entitled, “Hummingbird.” The first single, “Breakers” is Local Natives at their absolute best. A soaring track that starts with a 30 second intro of howling guitars and catchy drums beats before it explodes with grand arrangements accompanied by “oohs” to fiercely escalate it to new heights. It slows down a bit and the vocals kick in, but it’s the chorus that brings the song to into a freshly new environment. “Breakers” is a stunning first single that clearly validates the boys’ long lull between records. If the rest of the album shapes up to be like this, Local Natives could very well be headlining beyond their accustomed small club settings.

“Hummingbird” is out 1/29 via Frenchkiss.

Guards – “In Guards We Trust”- “In Guards We Trust” will be the debut album from NYC indie power pop rockers, Guards. Lead singer Richie Follin’s sister Madeline Follin performs in the ever increasing in popularity duo, Cults. While it’s difficult not to bring up Cults when talking about Guards, Follin’s band is rather different. With his longing vocals, 60s inspired rock melodies, and shimmering array of grunge meets psych rock arrangements, Guards hit the notes of generations before them as well as carving a new path for 2013. Be sure to check out the sure fire hit “Ready To Go.” It’s just one of many gems from the band’s assortment of summery tunes.

“In Guards We Trust” is out 2/5/13 on Velvet Vision/Black Bell Records.

Foals – “Holy Fire” - Foals’ long awaited third album will debut this February. Their second single, “My Number” is a sizzling track from beginning to end. A pure pop song that is so bouncy, so intoxicating you’ll be dancing and singing along to the instantaneously catchy line, “You don't have my number/ And we don't need each other now.” There’s a certain edge to this song, a funky tune if you will. With merely seconds into it, you’ll be instantly moving and grooving to what could be the most indelible indie pop song of the year.

“Holy Fire” is out 2/12/13 on Warner Bros.

Beach Fossils – “Clash The Truth” – Beach Fossils’ sophomore record, “Clash The Truth” drops on February 19^th 2013. The first single “Careless” is in the usual style Beach Fossils is known for—jangly pop, effortless tonal shifts, and fast guitars. This time however, lead singer Dustin Payseur’s vocal are more in the forefront of the song rather than distorted in the background like with many songs found on their solid debut record. It’s great to see the band expanding their tight sound and not retreading the same territory as their previous record. At any rate, if this is any indication of how the full-length album will sound like, we may just have a front-runner for best album of 2013.

“Clash The Truth” is out 2/19/13 on Captured Tracks.

Published by Mountain Views News on January 12, 2013
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v07/htm/n02/p11.htm

"Django Unchained" - Review

Written and Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Rated R for strong graphic violence throughout, a vicious fight, language and some nudity

Release Date: December 25^th, 2012

Review by: Sean Kayden

“Django Unchained” is the latest film from auteur Quentin Tarantino. His epic new western, actually deemed a “southern” is a big, bold, and bloody affair. However, at the core of this two hour and forty-five minute opus, there is an irrefutably strong love story. Set in the south, two years before the civil war, we’re introduced to Django, a slave played by Jamie Foxx. While traveling through a forest with other slaves chained together and guarded by two men in chariots, a man in his own dentistry chariot stops them. The man is Dr. King Schultz portrayed by the incredibly talented Christoph Waltz. He’s looking for a particular slave that can help him find the Brittle brothers. Schultz was a dentist now turned bounty hunter. After taking care of the guards that don’t comply, Schultz acquires the help of Django, who knows what the brothers look like. He allows for Django to become a free man. The two guys form this unlikely friendship as they travel for one goal in mind.  Eventually that goal is turned into an even bigger one when we find out Django has a wife named Broomhilda depicted by the lovely Kerry Washington. After the slaying of the Brittle brothers, who tortured both Django and Broomhilda, Jamie Foxx’s character agrees to become a bounty hunter with Schultz, who in return will lead him to the man who has his wife. Soon after, we find out she was sold to a man named Calvin Candie, the ruthless owner of the infamous Candyland plantation. The two men have a huge obstacle ahead of them and it won’t be an easy task just to walk up to Candie’s front door and demand him to give up Broomhilda. They decide to introduce themselves under the false pretenses that they’re in the business of purchasing one of Candie’s slave fighters. Candie orchestrates these matches where two slaves fight for sport and wealthy men place bets on it. This is where the movie takes a slightly different, even more ominous turn.

While the first half of the film is reinvigorating, spectacular in execution and tons of fun, the second half is downright fantastic once Leonardo DiCaprio’s conniving, but indubitably charming Calvin Candie appears along with his submissive head slave, Stephen (depicted impeccably by Samuel L. Jackson). “Django Unchained” is literally off the chain offering no short supply of laughs, tension, and utter enthrallment. It’s a spectacle unlike anything this year, ranking it as one of the best American films of 2012.  Tarantino has done it again with his quick-witted dialogue (seriously, he’s probably the only guy who can write a 165 page script without making an audience feel bored or impatient), grandiose filmmaking, and razor sharp direction. The collection of brilliant actors makes “Django Unchained” the most entertaining film of the year. With award type performances by Waltz and DiCarpio and strong showcases by Foxx and Jackson, you’d be hard pressed to find a better acting ensemble of 2012. All and all, the film runs slightly too long, but mostly all is forgiven. With the exception of one mildly phony scene toward the end (where Django escapes from the men holding him captured), the entire film is luminous, audacious, and uncompromising badass. Tarantino is still one of the few directors to be excited for the future. Be sure to catch this ambitiously impressive film in theaters for the full, unadulterated experience.

Grade 4.5 out of 5

Published by Mountain Views News on January 5th, 2013
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v07/htm/n01/p11.htm

"Flight" - Review

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis

Written by: John Gatins

Release Date: November 2^nd, 2012

Rated R for drug and alcohol abuse, language, sexuality/nudity and an intense  action sequence.

Review by: Sean Kayden

“Flight,” the latest film from Denzel Washington starts off riding high. As the journey continues, however, it takes a slow nosedive barely lifting itself up before a total crash landing. Washington stars as Whip Whitaker, a commercial airline pilot who is an alcoholic. He’s a pretty selfish guy that has an ex-wife and a son he rarely sees. The night before the flight, Whip consumed what appeared to be a considerable amount of alcohol. He proceeded the following morning by doing a line of coke to help him sober up. Despite what should have been an impaired physicality, Whip was seemingly okay to pilot the plane. He even gets through a heavy storm under severe turbulence with a sense of ease and composure, while reassuring his passengers not to worry acting as if everything is now copacetic (although he clandestinely pours two mini vodka bottles into his bottle of orange juice). He additionally informs the passengers there will be no meals or bottle service on the flight. Long story short, there is a malfunction with the engine, among other parts of the plane. This leads Whip to do whatever it takes to try to land this thing, but as his options start to run out quickly, he has no choice but to turn the plane upside down to slow it down. Acknowledging the fact the plane was going to crash, Whip does everything in his power to keep it from nose-diving and possibly killing everyone on board. When the dust settles, the plane goes down, but only 6 out of the 102 passengers died. Whip is deemed a hero, but even heroes have fatal flaws. After going to a remote getaway on his farm, Whip empties all his alcoholic bottles and cans stored there. It looked like he was about to have a clean slate. However, when the toxicology report comes back, alcohol and substances were found in his blood. Whip becomes knowledgeable of the fact that there will be an investigation into the crash, which may cause severe implications for him. From there, Whip returns to the dark side.

The second act is dedicated to clearing Whip’s name of any liability for the crash. Whip knows he’s the only one who could have landed that plane and in doing so, only a few died while a large number did miraculously survive. Don Cheadle plays Hugh Lang, the appointed attorney for Whip. Actor Bruce Greenwood is Charlie Anderson, a friend and colleague of Whip, who is on the board of the union for commercial airline pilots. These two men are trying help Whip, but he continues to be a problem. Along the way, Whip starts an unlikely romantic relationship with Nicole, a woman he met at the hospital. She is a heroin addict trying to sober up. Despite her breakthrough in that department, Whip doesn’t follow her lead and refuses to get any help. Fearful she’ll start to use drugs again, she leaves Whip. The entire second act is long and turns into a series of scenes of watching Whip become worse with his alcoholism. He never can man up to anything and tries to manipulate people in helping him clear his name since he has an upcoming meeting with the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board).

Washington’s performance is strong and is easily one of the most complex roles he’s tackled in years. Unfortunately, the supporting cast doesn’t get a whole lot to work with. They’re all fine, but the juiciest role is the one for the protagonist. John Goodman shows up in a few scenes and steals the show. He brings an unexpectedly humorous side to a rather ominous story.  There’s also a terrifically written scene where Whip, Nicole and a cancer ward patient at the hospital share a late night smoke in the stairway talking about life, cancer, smokes and God. It’s a rather moving and profound scene, but sadly no scene after that comes close to being on par. The thing with Flight is how straightforward it is. As a viewer, you may sympathize for Whip but that feeling wears thin. In the end, he has to make a decision and you’re not sure how it’s going to play out. I did like the ending, especially the very last sequence with Whip and his estranged son finally making amends. Overall, Flight tackles the themes of alcoholism and obsession. It does a somewhat commendable job, but nothing new or insightful was revealed about the “disease.” With a protagonist that becomes increasingly more and more difficult to root for, “Flight” soars lower than initially intended and doesn’t recuperate quickly enough for a smooth finish. You’re in for a jarring trip that’s acceptable this time, but you’re unlikely inclined to come back to visit a second time around.

Grade: 3 out of 5

Published by Mountain Views News on December 29th, 2012

http://mtnviewsnews.com/v06/htm/n52/p11.htm