Ina 9 ans

Ina is 9 years old tomorrow 25 January 2008. I usually publish a greeting on her day – but as I will be travelling down to Zürich/Thalwil to celebrate the day with her tomorrow – I’ll do this now.

Happy birthday Ina!

Cultural Update #01-2008

Atonement; This film contains a lot of elements that appeal to me; the English countryside with beautiful, lush vegetation, ponds, creeks, gravel roads; a layered, rather complex story that holds more than what we initially see – and a great cast. The story grew, more due to subtle incidents, than by reason of what it is a part of – the actual film itself. It was moments of laughter too among the audience in the theatre, even though this compelling movie overall was a wistful, heartbreaking experience.

atone vb atoning, atoned to make amends (for sin or wrongdoing).
atonement n 1 something done to make amends for wrongdoing. 2 Christian theol the reconciliation of humankind with God through the sacrificial death of Christ. [Middle English at onement in harmony]

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I have finished a couple of books lately. "Luftslottet som sprengtes" by Stieg Larsson and "The Book Thief" by Marcus Zusak. They both come recommended by me, but they undoubtedly belong to different genres within literature. Larsson’s book is a great page-turner within crime, both on the traditional level; dealing with violence - and politically, with criminal actions hidden in the shadows of a state-run system. Zusak’s story depicts a story about a girl growing up in Munich during the second world war, a story told by Death itself. And he actually comes across as more than just an unlikeable fellow, Death, even though he is generally remorseless. I guess he has to in his profession.

As always, I listen to a lot of music – and the one and only radio channel worth listening to here in Norway. Recent favourites of new albums are Ida "Lover’s Prayer and Sarah Perrotta "The Well".

Albums of 2007 - listed links

Listed links to each of the albums on my top-10 2007;
01: The National «Boxer»
02: Kill The Lights «Buffalo Of Love»
03: Wilco «Sky Blue Sky»
04: Plant/Krauss «Raising Sand»
05: Ola Podrida «Ola Podrida»
06: Kings Of Leon «Because Of The Times»
07: Tord Gustavsen Trio «Being There»
08: Bon Iver «For Emma, Forever Ago»
09: Feist «The Reminder»
10: Beirut «The Flying Club Cup»

Statistics: 4 album titles starting with the letter B; 5 albums containing 13 tracks; 8 of the represented albums are by bands with (mostly) male members of our species; 1 animal mentioned; 1 athlete; 3 words related to elevation; 2 names for people (names that are relatively normal in my country of origin); 1 object that can, or may not contain, liquid; 3 themes on the concept of time; 1 love; 1 colour ––– bla-bla-bla...

Also albums of 2007...

Even as I have just finished listing ten of the best albums released in 2007, there are many other records and artists that deserve a mention too. Through the past year I have thoroughly enjoyed music by The Weakerthans (Reunion Tour), Alaska In Winter (Dance Party In The Balkans), Bright Eyes (Cassadaga), Babyshambles (Shotter´s Nation), Band Of Horses (Cease To Begin), Will Stratton (What The Night Said), Project Jenny Project Jan (XOXOXOXOXO), Sam Amidon (All Is Well), Jonquil (Lions), Dinosaur Jr (Beyond), Kaada (Natural Born Star), Radiohead (In Rainbows), Superfamily (Warszawa), Yeasayer (All Hour Cymbals), M.I.A. (Kala), Aarktica (Matchless Years), Stars (In Our Bedroom After The War), Rufus Wainwright (Between My Legs), Jamie T (Panic Prevention), Sissy Wish (Beauties Never Die), Steve Earle (Washinton Square Serenade), Mark Olson (Salvation Blues), Revival (Horses Of War), Silje Nes (Ames Room)...

As if it mattered, they are all highly recommended by me.

"Alt du vet er det du virkelig eier".

Albums of 2007 - #1

Number 1: The National "Boxer"

Playlist, twelve tracks: 1. Fake Empire, 2. Mistaken For Strangers, 3. Brainy, 4. Squalor Victoria, 5. Green Gloves, 6. Slow Show, 7. Apartment Story, 8. Start A War, 9. Guest Room, 10. Racing Like A Pro, 11. Ada, 12. Gospel

"When Tindersticks have withdrawn to the back of the room, enjoying their own company, Matt Berninger & co comes forward. And we’re all better for it. Whereas Stuart Staples and his solemn Tindersticks are perfect allies when you’re merely up for drinking Scotch, The National provides whisky and beers, even occasionally encouraging your feet to move in rhythm. Yet, this is not average dance-music, but a set of strong musical favours. Wow...!"
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Released: May 22, 2007 by Beggars Banquet Records.

http://www.americanmary.com
http://www.myspace.com/thenational

Albums of 2007 - #2

Number 2: Kill The Lights "Buffalo Of Love"

Playlist, ten tracks: 1. 2 Sinister Gentlemen, 2. Skinny White Girls, 3. Orestes, 4. Arctic, At Dawn, 5. Lady Sniper, 6. Bombs, 7. You Took My Knife, 8. Palest Form Of Sabotage, 9. Secular Beginning, Hideous Mess, 10. Ceremony In The Basement

”This is pop fashioned the way rock would have done it. Guitars as introduction, guitars as follow-up; guitars all the way. It is extremely melodic, the coolest vocal on brilliant lines. The song-titles resemble short stories, and this whole album is an uplifting experience throughout.`Hey, Marcus! I have no need for bourgeois patience...´ `I’ll buy you a camera, and we’ll point it at the sky...´"
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Released: March 13, 2007 - on Maple Music Recordings.

Kill The Lights
www.myspace.com/killthelightsband

Albums of 2007 - #3

Number 3: Wilco "Sky Blue Sky"

Playlist, twelve tracks: 1. Either Way, 2. You Are My Face, 3. Impossible Germany, 4. Sky Blue Sky, 5. Side With The Seeds, 6. Shake It Off, 7. Please Be Patient With Me, 8. Hate It Here, 9. Leave Me (Like You Found Me), 10. Walken, 11. What Light, 12. On And On And On

"I like the way these songs are brought together by the sound of a full Band, the way it conveys a stroll in a quiet street, or stares out over the mountains; how it one moment visits snow-covered landscapes and in the next portrays sun-baked urban scenes. Music that dwells."
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Released; May 15, 2007 by Nonesuch Records.

http://www.wilcoworld.net

Albums of 2007 - #4

Number 4: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss "Raising Sand"

Playlist, thirteen tracks: 1. Rich Woman, 2. Killing The Blues, 3. Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us, 4. Polly Come Home, 5. Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On), 6. Through The Morning, Through The Night, 7. Please Read The Letter, 8. Trampled Rose, 9. Fortune Teller, 10. Stick With Me Baby, 11. Nothin’ , 12. Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson, 13. Your Long Journey

"Robert Plant and Alison Krauss is in harmony. You don’t need to be a fan of bluegrass, country, blues, americana or whatever genre you can imagine - you only have to like music. Class."
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Released October 23, 2007. Produced by T Bone Burnett.

More:
Robert Plant
Alison Krauss

http://www.robertplantalisonkrauss.com/site.php

Albums of 2007 - #5

Number 5: Ola Podrida "Ola Podrida"

Playlist, eleven tracks: 1. The New Science, 2. Jordanna, 3. Instead, 4. Cindy, 5. Photo Booth, 6. Run Off The Road, 7. Day At The Beach, 8. Lost And Found, 9. A Clouded View, 10. Pour Me Another, 11. Eastbound

"Firstly; I am not sure if I initially imagined this album to be more appropriate as a soundtrack than any other record I listen to. (As music often become movies to me.) However, as I have learned that David Wingo works as a film composer, perhaps his profession somehow shines through also on this album? Undoubtedly though; these are extremely fine songs, beautiful melodies and histories told with conviction. And if I was forced to choose; track no 6., Run Off The Road would have to be the soundtrack to my 2007."
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The album was released in the spring of 2007. I have seen little or almost no press about this artist in this corner of the world (Norway), so if an album ever deserved the term "hidden gem", this must be the one from last year.

Pitchforkmedia - "Ola Podrida":
"...variation on the Spanish term olla podrida, which refers specifically to a stew and generally to any sort of miscellany. Podrida itself means rotten, suggesting a dish made of ingredients unused in previous recipes..." – Stephen M. Deusner, May 4, 2007

http://www.myspace.com/olapodrida

Albums of 2007 - #6

Number 6: Kings Of Leon "Because Of The Times"

Playlist, thirteen tracks: 1. Knocked Up, 2. Charmer, 3. On Call, 4. McFearless, 5. Black Thumbnail, 6. My Party, 7. True Love Way, 8. Ragoo, 9. Fans, 10. The Runner, 11. Trunk, 12. Camaro, 13. Arizona

"Kings of Leon delivers straight rock; guitars, drums and bass - creating catchy songs, cool riffs with lines and melodies that tickles where you want them to. From my playlist it seems that I’ve preferred the following tracks; On Call, Ragoo, Fans, The Runner and Arizona, however in my (humble..) opinion the whole album deserves credit."
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The album was released the following dates; March 30 (Ireland/Australia), April 2 (UK) and April 3 (US).

More: Wikipedia; Kings Of Leon

http://www.kingsofleon.com

Albums of 2007 - #7

Number 7: Tord Gustavsen Trio "Being There"

Playlist, thirteen tracks: 1. At Home, 2. Vicar Street, 3. Draw Near, 4. Blessed Feet, 5. Sani, 6. Interlude, 7. Karmosin, 8. Still There, 9. Where We Went, 10. Cocoon, 11. Around You, 12. Vesper, 13. Wide Open

"Delicate and whispering tunes. Music that guides you in search for silence, contemplation and need for recreation. This collection is excellent music from excellent musicians."
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Tord Gustavsen Trio consist of Tord Gustavsen (Piano), Jarle Vespestad (Drums) and Harald Johnsen (Double-Bass). "Being There" is the third album from the trio – the third in a mentioned trilogy that commenced with "Changing Places" (ECM, 2003) and continued with "The Ground" (ECM, 2004).

The Guardian: "...it's possible for even hardcore jazzers to get the point about Tord Gustavsen. This one just did." – John Fordham (April 27, 2007).
Livingwithmusic.com: "Tord Gustavsen's trilogy now completed with "Being There" is a 21st century work of art that will - beyond doubt - stand the test of time." – Volkher Hofmann
More; Wikipedia, Tord Gustavsen Trio

http://www.tordgustavsen.com

Albums of 2007 - #8

Number 8: Bon Iver "For Emma, Forever Ago"

Playlist, nine tracks: 1. Flume, 2. Lump Sum, 3. Skinny Love, 4. The Wolves (Act I And II), 5. Blindsided, 6. Creature Fear, 7. Team, 8. For Emma, 9. Re: Stacks

"These songs are shy moments, they weave themselves around Justin Vernon’s voice in his quest for recognition of his memories and solitude; a state we at times all may crave in a world out of tempo which limits the possibilites to slow down. Like a winter-coat in a cold summer - like an all-embracing privacy. Bon Iver sings to us all. Bon hiver... a good winter!"
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Justin Vernon is Bon Iver. This album is self-released, but Bon Iver is later signed to the label Jagjaguwar. "For Emma, Forever Ago" will be released again on his company February 19, 2008.


http://virb.com/boniver