Strange Array

Here is the strange array of 2006 discs that captured the most of my attention this year (but there are so many I haven't heard yet!)

The Alarmists - A Detail of Soldiers
Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out Of This Country
The Cherry Tempo - The Cherry Tempo
The Hold Steady - Boys And Girls In America
Chris Koza - Patterns
Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat
The Long Blondes - Someone to Drive You Home
Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That
Spank Rock - Yo Yo Yo
Zero 7 - The Garden

Restaurant: Grand Cafe

A friend and I checked out the new Grand Café (formerly Bakery on Grand) for brunch Sunday, and mmm… I had stopped in the old Bakery on Grand a couple years ago for a tasty little pastry, and the feel of the place hasn't changed: a classy, slightly upscale café.

I had the heavenly Banana Bread French Toast with Home-Made Peach Syrup and Bavarian Cream. I was afraid it might be a little too weighty for french toast, especially after seeing how huge the regular toast coming out of the kitchen was, but I just couldn't resist the homemade peach syrup. What appeared before me was mouthwatering--one long, thick, piece of banana bread covered in fresh, chunky peach syrup, topped lengthwise with a full-size (what I'm guessing was baked) banana. The french toast was just the right density…heavier than regular french toast but not too much. The syrup was almost thick enough to be preserves but just liquid enough to qualify as syrup. The bavarian cream on the side was just the right flavor. Not super sweet, and nicely balancing the intense sweetness of the french toast.

My friend tried the Huevoes Rancheros (Quesadillas filled with Pork Confit, Oaxaca Cheese, Two Eggs, Roasted Corn Salsa, Black Beans, and Sour-Cream) and gave it a thumbs up as well.

I remember looking at the Bakery on Grand dinner menu when I stopped in that one day, and thinking it wasn't for me. I appreciate unique flavorful food, but my palette is not developed enough to appreciate brisket, pheasant, or fish soup. After checking out the lunch and dinner menu while waiting for the arrival of our food, I can confidently say it is a place I would now happily check out!

added bonus...here is Jeremy Iggers' review of the new place.

Gimme Some Stranger Than Fiction

I finally got to see Stranger Than Fiction this weekend. Yes, I know it didn't get stellar reviews, but between the literary theme and the Britt Daniel-driven soundtrack, there was no way I was going to miss it.

I really liked it. I had read reviews that said it was similar to Momento and Adaptation, but simpler and therefore less successful. So...I went into it not expecting to have to think alot. A person can definitely enjoy it without thinking too much, but there was plenty to think about and figure out. I think the best literature, music, and film should be able to be enjoyed on multiple levels. To compose 2 or 3 successful works takes talent, and to be able to weave 2 or 3 works into one coherent work takes extraordinary skill. Stranger Than Fiction did that.

Great or Grating?

My band-packed funfest continued Friday when we headed over to the Nomad to catch a little of Coach Said Not To's set. We were early, so we caught opener Sleeping in the Aviary. They started off too frenetic for my taste, but I warmed up some to their sound, which brought to mind Tapes 'n Tapes. Their cover of The Exciters' Tell Him was a clever match to the aggresive vox style. But wow did one of his former girlfriends do a number on the lead singer...every song screamed it. Hmm...I'm guessing he just might have been too intense for her!

I had high hopes for Coach Said Not To. I'd heard good things, and I'm always ready to get behind a band fronted by females. Of the 4 or 5 songs we caught, I really liked their sound. It had an ambient, sexy quality that reminded me of Zero 7, though faster and not nearly as electronic. Unfortunately, the lead vocal for all but one of those songs had a voice and a pretentious phrasing that I found grating. If I had known before the show that their latest release was entitled Words That I Employ, I wouldn't have been as surprised. But one of the songs was sung by the bassist, who had a gorgeous, full voice. Maybe she sings lead more than I heard, but if not she should!

Workin' Hard

Got to see another great show Black Friday. Mark Mallman and The Alarmists played a doubleheader at the 400. A friend and I were at the early show, and it felt like walking into a family reunion. I'm assuming it was the Alarmists' family, since the large gang of aunt- and uncle-looking adults left after their set. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. Their presence spiked the average age up from sixteen to right about my and my friend's age.

With all the great things I heard about the Alarmists, two things surprised me. One, they didn't look old enough to get into the second show! Two, for how young they appeared, they sounded incredibly tight. But watching them on stage made it apparent how that could be; they are serious and work hard. In tone and simplicity they remind me of Spoon, especially on New Romans and Some Things Never Stop, and the similarity of Eric Lovold's voice to Jeff Tweedy is pretty obvious, especially on Coming to Meet Me. I just read on their website that they are going to start recording their follow-up to A Detail of Soldiers on December 1. I can't wait to hear it.

Like the Alarmists, Mark Mallman sounds great and works hard. But where The Alarmists are economical, Mark Mallman is all about the drama. Through the course of the set, my friend and I compared him to Billy Joel on acid, Rush, Meatloaf, and Alice Cooper, and I'm sure if he'd played longer, we would have come up with a few more. He is undeniably clever and truly entertaining. I would be unlikely to listen to a CD of his at home, but Mark Mallman is not meant to be listened to in the solitude of your own home. You must have him in the room, and be surrounded by friends and booze. I was surprised to learn Mark Mallman is backed by half of The Melismatics, and that that half is married to each other!

(Photos courtesy of Tay-lo.)

Light It Up

I love Faux Jean! They rock, but they're not afraid of a disco, or even a hoedown.

Friday the 17th was their CD release show for Light It Up, Burn It Down. I was sure that it wouldn't measure up to Dead Lover (Drunk and Stoned being one of my favorite songs ever). But no! Though it's not quite as good as Dead Lover over all, there are some great songs that sounded great live, especially Dirty Dogs and Get With That. Like Dead Lover, Light It Up is highly danceable with lyrics that are clever and a little dark. Corinne Caouette really makes the live show. She loves the music and it shows. You wonder if she's forgotten about the crowd, in a good way. The extended-play, Dead-Lover-packed encore was like an extra bonus free show thrown in, and made more complete with a blazin' cover of Jive Talkin'!

The Owls and First Communion After Party opened. I enjoyed The Owls, and their ability to trade instruments nearly every song impressed me. Their sound reminded me of a slightly shinier (less drug-addled?) Velvet Underground. I think I would have been more into them if I hadn't been anticipating the dance beats of Faux Jean. First Communion After Party had an intriguing psychedelic sound also, come to think of it, reminding me of the Velvet Underground in a slightly different way (more drug-addled?), but they need to come up with a way to end their songs. ...and figure out what to do with the chick with no rhythm standing on the side of the stage!

Reading People

So, I admit it. I love looking at People Magazine. Something about looking at pretty people cheers me right up sometimes. Though I did choose the verb "looking" deliberately, I do read one section faithfully. The letters. It is some of the only writing that makes me laugh out loud. Yup. David Sedaris, Dara Moscowitz, and the dear, faithful readers of People. Here is one of this week's highlights, written by Julie C. Pannell of Grayson, GA:

"I do think that Keith [Urban] and Nicole [Kidman] have a solid marriage and truly hope they are for 'better or worse'".

Does she really think she knows anything about how "solid" this marriage of two celebrities is from reading celebrity gossip magazines?