The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
Once upon a time, a young boy lived down the lane from three ladies; a grandmother, a mother, and an 11 year old daughter. The eleven year old is called Letty Hemstock and she claims that the duck pond in their backyard is an ocean. Her mother remembers crossing the ocean from the old country and the grandmother remembers the really old country that was before the big bang. These women are the only hope our young narrator has to overcome the trouble he is in.
I did not need to check the dust cover to know this was the plot of the newest Neil Gaiman book. Gaiman has a distinct writing style that invites the reader into a world that is full of adventure and memorable characters. His writing style is unique because he can take fantastical elements and integrate them into reality in a plausible way. The Ocean at the End of the Lane feels like it will have a solid adventure and the plot already gives us insight to three interesting women.
Gaiman has said that this was a story he hadn’t even meant to write as a novel. It evolved from a short story to a novella then finally his first adult novel since Anansi Boys. He feels that this is something different than anything he has ever written, and this gave him a bit of anxiety. However, with a little help from some lucky advanced readers he was confident enough to release it and now us mere mortals are counting down till we have the same privilege. Be ready to pick up your copy on June 18th this summer.
“I’m so proud of it and hope you will give it a chance, Thank You.”
- Neil Gaiman
New Music: May 2013 Edition
Allergies getting you down at the height of spring? I have the perfect cure…. New Music! Fortunately this month is diverse and you can choose from Electro pop, Hip-Hop, Jazz, & Instrumental / Indie/ Alternative Rock.
I have compiled a list of some albums I am excited for and have listed genres and release dates for your browsing / shopping needs . Not music Savvy? No worries, I have made sure to list some singles and comparable artists to give you some reference points.
Click the jump for new music by: Little Boots, Joe Satriani, Vampire Weekend, 30 Seconds to Mars and of course a few words about The Great Gatsby Soundtrack!
Enjoy!
The Way Way Back
I am addicted to free movie screenings. The boyfriend and I have been going lately and this week’s movie was The Way Way Back. This movie has a stellar cast, Sam Rockwell, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Maya Rudolph, AnnaSophia Robb, and the lead; Liam James.
For a summary and more …
Reach Out And Touch Faith
Religion and Science find a rebellious foothold in this 6 issue series about the second coming of Jesus Christ. Sean Murphy is the writer and artist of this brilliant story of a media saturated society and how they shaped Jesus’ second coming. Jesus is brought back as a clone named Chris Fairling. This child is born to a virgin on international television and raised in front of thousands of cameras; Truman Show style. The series follows Chris’ struggles to be who his genes destine him to be. Along for the ride is a tough as titanium head of security, former I.R.A. member, Thomas “The Cemetery” McKael. On the surface the story begs the question of who Jesus would be in our current world. How would the rebellious spirit manifest itself in this day and age? Punk Rock, duh!
Click to read more!
Record Store Day!
Its time to support our local independently owned record store while also obtaining rare goodies for ourselves. Its Record Store Day!!
The music-community celebrates this day on the third Saturday of April each year since its inception in 2008. So that would make it April 20, 2013 coincidentally the other holiday the music community celebrates. Each year participating record stores have exclusive albums available from different artists.
This year the official ambassador is Jack White of the White Stripes and for some lucky shoppers a copy of Elephant is being released on a vinyl w/ black and red stripes on one side and white on the flip side. In the past other artists have released 7” vinyls usually capping out at 1000 copies.
It is a great way to create business for these places that bring fans together and help us discover new music. Visit the official website for more info and to find a participating store in your area.
“Damn the man! Save the Empire!”
New Music – April 2013 Edition.
April is here and that means a new round of albums! I have these listed by date of release for your browsing and shopping ease. Spring is all about renewal and the bands this month are all embracing that sentiment.
Paramore has shed some layers and is back with a more mature sound. Fall Out Boy is back with a renewed vigor and some high notes. Kid Cudi is trying to find his own Chronic sound.
I have included some titles of their past hits for those of you unfamiliar with these bands. Spring into the season with some new musical discoveries.
Click the jump and lets begin! Read More…
Justin Timberlake The 20/20 Experience Volume 1.
Overall, the album is easy to listen to. Justin has this smooth voice that can transport you to the crooners of yesteryear and yet he has these beats that keep you grounded to the here and now. Suit and Tie is easily one of the best singles on the radio right now. His second single, Mirrors, is also breaking up the monotony of back to back Rihanna songs on every station.
Justin has this sound that is different than what most artist are doing in Pop music right now, but his core song inspirations have remained true to the persona he has created for himself though his solo career. Each song is meant to woo this beautiful young thing that has the potential to be his one true love. Each song pounds this message into your head and I am sure that it will be a hit, but perhaps I expect more. Read More…
Sound City’s butterfly Effect.
“In chaos theory, the butterfly effect is the sensitive dependence on initial conditions, where a small change at one place in a deterministic nonlinear system can result in large differences to a later state. “
This documentary chronicles how a studio changed music history forever. Beatles mania lead to the creation of Sound City, their Neve board lead to Fleetwood Mac and on and on. So many bands were born there and it shows how much Sound City meant to these artists. Dave Grohl had his pick of participants for this documentary and created a soundtrack to commemorate its influence in rock n’ roll history.
I highly recommend this for music fans and pop culture enthusiasts. Maybe you history buffs would enjoy it as well. Audibly amazing and equally stunning visually. Dave Grohl’s enthusiasm for this project really shaped this documentary into something rare. You begin to care for this delapitated building just because of the influence it has had on so many people. Grohl’s featured guests are all top notch and watching them perform together in Studio 606 is a once in a lifetime moment captured on film.
This is a must watch.
Music News: 20/20 to be a two parter?
Justin Timberlake apparently just let his creative flag fly while in the studio because there were too many songs for just the one album. Rumor has it, he is splitting the tracks in half and having 20/20 volume two ready to drop in November of this year. Hmmm…. right in time for my birthday.
Jimmy Fallon broke the news on his music forum page after spending a week with Justin, Questlove and the roots. (Have you guys watched the barbershop quartet version of Sexyback? Its great.) Justin is trying to break out of the usual path of pandering to 18 year olds. He wants to make music that will appeal to the more mature generation as well as the ‘after 86 sect’. He told Jimmy,
“why do we put all of our power in the hands of 18 year olds….i wanted to make a joint that 40 year olds would love too. and by the time the video came out all the 86 after sect were aboard again.”
Part one of 20/20 is available tomorrow, so head to your local independently owned record store to purchase your copy, or scrounge up those iTunes gift cards!
A Dose of Viral Video
Have you guys seen this? I love the lyrics and the vocals are not bad either. Enjoy the After Ever After!
Goodreads
