Review of Lykke Li - Youth Novels

Lykke Li - Youth Novels

'Breaking It Up' on red's compilation was the first time I'd listened to Lykke Li, and cos the track was multi-layered and had a choral chorus I was immediately won over. On that basis I got the album. A  couple of tracks are swooningly romantic (Melodies & Desires, My). It's hard to resist wanting to bop to the percussion in 'Dance, Dance, Dance', and it has a great sax riff too.

I knew someone once who was fascinated by mirrors (self-absorbed do you think?), would even look in one when crying, so 'Let It Fall', which has the lyrics '...tears suit my face...' captured that memory. One or two of the slower tunes (Tonight, Hanging High) are best left to when you're in the mood.

She has a nice wit, in 'Little Bit', the protagonist is unwilling to make the first move although she'd 'jump off a cliff' for the other, and in 'Complaint Department' the hypnotic beat emphasises the singer's indifference and unwillingness to listen to her former lover.

At times her voice can be quite girly girl, but the off-kilter melodies, diversity of instrumentation, and clever writing keep it interesting.

Rated 4/5 on Jul 31 2008

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Review Tags: music

Two films in Salon

I Want to Believe – The new X-Files film


Step Brothers - Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly

Review of Mio Restaurant

Mio Restaurant

Serves up excellent pizza and salad. The youngest sis was down for the weekend with two of her children, and rather than stay in Bandon, or go into town (aka Cork), we headed to Clonakilty on the Sat.

I'd heard about a new pizza, pasta, and steak restaurant owned by Gleeson's, which was enough of a recommendation to make a booking. When we arrived I realised that a booking wasn't needed, only about three tables were occupied, possibly word hasn't got out yet. It's a bright, airy, spacious room.

After a late breakfast, none of us were ravenous, so we kept it light for lunch. The 11 yr old went for a Margherita pizza with pepperoni and olives, the sis ordered a Margherita pizza with ham (to be shared with the 4 year old), salad, and fries. I had the antipasta and a mixed salad.

The nephew declared that it was one of his top ten pizzas ever (and he's had a few!). Both mixed salads were nicely done with fresh leaves and a little dressing. My antipasta was a perfect amount with two different salamis, parma ham, artichoke hearts, thin slices of grilled courgette, olives, and a little salad in the middle. The fries were fab, home made thick cut (we all picked at those!). The bill was 61 euro, which also included two 7-Ups, a mineral water, a cappuccino, and a latte.

One observation from the parent, marble-topped tables and heavy drinking glasses for small children are not a great combo, perhaps drinking straws could be provided or plastic tumblers. I'll be back to try more from the menu.

Mio, Connolly St, Clonakilty, 023 58571

Rated 4/5 on Jul 22 2008

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Review Tags: food, restaurant, clonakilty, west cork

Orgy

Got four new albums in the post today (prompted by red's CD):

23 - Blonde Redhead
Shine - Estelle
Midnight Boom - The Kills
Youth Novels - Lykke Li

So there'll be an orgy of new music over the next few weeks.

Thing is of course, as predicted, I'm thinking of getting a couple more now, as I've learned to appreciate more of the riches:

Alaska in Winter
Crayonsmith*

*Didn't know, it's an Irish band

Exile in Guyville

Turns out it's the 15th anniversary of Liz Phair's album, loved it and Whipsmart, still listen to them when all else fails. Twas disappointing when she tried a comeback in 2003 with an MOR pop-rock album, never mind still have the first two classics.

The Dark Knight on Salon

As usual, Stephanie Zacharek’s writing impresses.

In the music zone

I enjoy the red scrapbook blog for, among other things, red’s music recommendations. A while back, us readers were offered a summer sounds compilation CD, which arrived from Roma on Monday. What an incredible, fantabulosa treat. Some of the artists I knew already (Santogold, The Breeders, The Ting Tings, Martina Topley Bird) and others I’d read about but not gotten (The Kills, Lykke Li, Crystal Castles, Adrian Crowley), all the rest were completely new to me.
Listening to a new album first time around certain tracks hit me straight away, with this one instant likes are Breaking It Up – Lykke Li; American Boy – Estelle; Tape Song – The Kills; Kim & Jessie – M83. Usually other tracks take a little longer; often they’re the keepers for the long haul.

1. Nothing In Common- Aidan John Moffat
2. L.E.S. Artistes- Santogold
3. For Every Field There's A Mole- Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
4. Carnies- Martina Topley Bird
5. Your Red Dress (wedding song at cemetery)- Alaska in Winter
6. Kim & Jessie- M83
7. Tape Song- The Kills
8. 23- Blonde Redhead
9. Walk It Off- The Breeders
10. Come On Over (Turn Me On)- Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan
11. American Boy (Ft. Kanye West)- Estelle
12. 6AM Again- Crayonsmith
13. Crimewave (Crystal Castles VS Health)- Crystal Castles
14. C4- Si schroeder
15. None Shall Pass- Aesop Rock
16. Walk On Part- Adrian Crowley
17. Breaking It Up- Lykke Li
18. So He Won't Break- The Black Keys
19. Great DJ- The Ting Tings

Yoghurt - the official food of women

Activia’s women-targetted advertising in Slate.


V. funny video about women's relationship with yoghurt.

Teh* party is now

Great article on catchphrases in Slate, how long they last, the 4 stages etc.

*That one escaped me.