Jape - Ritual

"Songwriting keeps me sane," so declared Jape, aka Richie Egan, in a recent interview with The Irish Times. "What gets me through the night, so to speak, is songwriting."
Like any set of actions or regular imposed religious event, Egan's ritual has become the pouring out of his head and heart through synth effects, guitars, weird, humorous lyrics and electronic beats. On this, his third album as Jape, he's got better at it. Much better.
While 2003's 'Cosmosphere' bore hints of an emerging talent, 2004's patchy 'The Monkeys In The Zoo Have More Fun Than Me' at least cemented the fact that Egan was capable of twisting his gift for melody around interesting dabs of guitar and electronica, often to spectacular effect. Opener 'Floating' stood a mile apart from anything else he'd previously done and pointed to a future great album in the offering.
In the intervening four years since, Egan has enjoyed mixed fortunes. 'Floating' was memorably covered by Jack White's Raconteurs outfit, bringing Egan to the attention of record labels and media in the UK. After a mini-bidding war and with 'Ritual' near completion, Egan elected to sign with V2 in early 2007. Not long after however, the label went bust and Egan's songs currently reside with independent label, Co-Op.
The intervening years has seen his songwriting improve two-fold; while he's also brought more focussed structure to his experimentation. Breaking it down, 'Ritual' is at its heart a pop record - and in the most brilliant sense of the genre; Egan tripping through the various emotions which have pushed each song out, with bags of melody and increased BPM. Throughout he takes us up and down like a great DJ might, though crucially the 'down' tracks are amongst the best on 'Ritual'.
Proceedings get underway at a measured pace with 'Christopher and Anthony', before Egan really shows off his new confidence and skill with his electronic toys on the sharp, dance-floor stomper 'I Was A Man' - 'Ritual's indie-hit in waiting. LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy will be green with envy.
'Graveyard' and 'Replays' fizz as the feast of danceable pop continues to flow, before Egan displays a different shade to his songwriting. A natural storyteller, the stripped back acoustic 'Phil Lynott' is an undoubted highlight, mixing humour and seriousness through raw, emotional thoughts as Egan reflects: "One day I will be a dead man who plays the bass from Crumlin/ Like Phil Lynott".
The simple 'At the Heart of All of This Strangeness' is arguably the album's finest moment with Egan's vocal at its emotive best as he plucks a gorgeous melody from an acoustic guitar, while pausing for added affect at pivotal moments in the song. It's a genuinely great melancholic song of loss and feeling lost.
The beats come crashing back with added attitude on the electro strut of 'Strike Me Down', before the journey comes to dream-like conclusion with the spacey 'Nothing Lasts Forever', a song about death and religious ritual, which brings the album full-circle.
Throughout there is little room for boredom on 'Ritual', Egan ensuring the listener rarely stays on one course, instead drifting down electronic side streets at varied pace. There's not a bad song here and 'Ritual' should see off all other competition to be named the Irish album of 2008. Where Egan takes Jape from here will only be interesting.
Steve Cummins

Alanis Morissette's Entanglement Tastes Good...

Flavours of Entanglement cover art


Flavours of Entanglement is the 7th studio album from Alanis Morissette and unequivocally one of her greatest. Although Alanis has stated in previous interviews regarding her first original album in 3 years that she had been writing diaries with ideas and lyrics since 2004, it has been said that she actually started writing for the album around 18 months ago, the same time she split from fianc� Ryan Reynolds. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
As reported in Billboard last December, Alanis says of the album,"Our emotions align themselves with larger symptomatic things in the world. We face a large war out there, but [the album] more closely reflects the war in peoples' living rooms... the icy silence at home, versus the big cold war." And it shows. The album can best be explained as raw, whether peaking with moments of rage and anger, or lulling at times with extreme sorrow, raw emotion reflecting the situations people go through everyday seeps through the speakers and slaps you in the face.
Opening track �Citizen of the Planet� has a spiritual, Middle Eastern melody akin to something played in meditation sessions, combined with Alanis� distinctive vocals that jut between sombre whispering and the screaming we are used to ala �You Oughta Know.� Definitely one of my favourite Alanis tracks full stop, let alone on the album.
The debut single from the album, �underneath� is about how we must change within before we can change the world- �there is no difference in what we�re doing in here, that doesn�t show up as bigger symptoms out there�. With a catchy loop, beats and chorus (and a great message too), this song is a winner in my book.
�Straightjacket� is a madonna�esque electro-synth sound with a strong bassline and some very agro lyrics. Following which is �Versions of Violence�, another heavy bass-driven beat and hauntingly powerful vocals. Think Alanis Vs Evanescence.
It�s almost as if the aggressive based songs and the calmer, ballad-esque songs are interjected all through the album, as soon as you get fired up, Alanis sings so delicately about a break up and you find yourself sobbing on the couch with a glass of wine reflecting on the mistakes of your past.
The piano-based ballad �Not As We� is an example of the above. Without a doubt one of the highlights of the album, this song sees new and old Alanis fans alike viewing her in a new light. Not only are we privy to her extensive vocal range, the passion in the performance is really effectual. Anyone who�s been through a hard break up can most certainly relate. �Torch� utilises the piano once again, as Alanis sings the song of loss once again.
Another album highlight is �Moratorium�, another electro driven, bass heavy melody with haunting vocals and a great chorus. It�s a song about taking a strike on all things relationship, which given the rest of the albums subject matter, tends to fit in.
All in all, Flavours of Entanglement is a rollercoaster of emotion and sounds and yet another perspective on the artist that keeps on getting better. Listening to the album from start to finish, you won�t know whether to get up and dance, throw your glass at the wall or cry in a corner. I guess a great artist can do that to you.
"Citizen of the Planet" � 4:22
"Underneath" � 4:10
"Straitjacket" � 3:08
"Versions of Violence" � 3:36
"Not as We" � 4:45
"In Praise of the Vulnerable Man" � 4:07
"Moratorium" � 5:35
"Torch" � 4:50
"Giggling Again for No Reason" � 3:48
"Tapes" � 4:26
"Incomplete" � 3:30

Offroad

   
Artist: Offroad

   Genre(s): 
Rock
   

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Discography:


   
 On The Road Again

   Year: 2005   
Tracks: 10


   
 Make It Through

   Year: 2002   
Tracks: 13

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Mareko , White Sunday 2: The Book of Mark

MAREKOWhite Sunday 2: The Book of Mark (Dawn Raid)Herald Rating: * * * *Verdict: Solid second album although more for the urban music fans among us It's all very well being one big happy family, but with his Deceptikonz mate Savage heading off to New York, you have to wonder whether Mareko might be a little miffed at his limelight being stolen just as he releases his second solo album, White Sunday 2: The Book of Mark.It's not as if Mareko has missed the boat, because White Sunday 2 is solid. But there's no song that's going to jump out and bite you on the bum like Savage's hit Swing, the three-year-old tune that got him his big bucks, worldwide record deal. Better late than never, we guess.But Mareko is a different hip-hop beast. Savage's sound is rooted more in the crunk and dirty southern US party vibe, whereas on White Sunday 2 Mareko comes across more conscious and thoughtful than his buddy, and the gentle hip-hop giant takes a predominantly soulful and laid-back approach. Them Eyes starts with a gently plucked guitar and strings and For You is more akin to Scritti Politti than Snoop Dogg, which need not be a bad thing. That's not to say he doesn't unleash a tirade or two along the way, in keeping with his battle MC roots, especially on Next Sunday where he reflects on the history of local hip-hop and how it has shaped what's happening today, and the rumbling, yet perfectly placed, "drunk as f***" line in Sin City.




And then there's the heavyweight bump and booty grind of Who! and the staunch Going Nowhere which brings out Mareko's rabble-rousing and sinister side.This time round he's also more conscious, lyrically clever and focused than on his 2003 debut (the first instalment of White Sunday). Over the top of the menacing beat to Record of the Year, where he offers cheeky advice like "Do the running man if you're feeling old school", he manages to get the Ginger Bread Man, Dr Seuss and fleet-footed R&B star Chris Brown all into one verse.But it's Mareko's sentimental and caring side, which comes through on first single Gotta Go, that is most appealing. Although you get the feeling this album is one for fans of urban music only.

Sufi

   
Artist: Sufi

   Genre(s): 
New Age
   

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Discography:


   
 Music For Harmony And Balance Cd2

   Year: 2005   
Tracks: 14


   
 Music For Harmony And Balance Cd1

   Year: 2005   
Tracks: 14

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Pressure shifts to SAG after AFTRA deal

Elisa

   
Artist: Elisa

   Genre(s): 
Ethnic
   Other
   Soundtrack
   Rock: Pop-Rock
   Pop: Pop-Rock
   Pop
   Rock
   

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Discography:


   
 Caterpillar

   Year: 2007   
Tracks: 13


   
 Soundtrack '96-'06-Greatest Hits

   Year: 2006   
Tracks: 17


   
 Alcatraz.Milano 01.05.06

   Year: 2006   
Tracks: 7


   
 Lotus

   Year: 2005   
Tracks: 16


   
 Then Comes the Sun

   Year: 2004   
Tracks: 12


   
 Pearl Days

   Year: 2004   
Tracks: 10


   
 Live @ Mtv Supersonic

   Year: 2003   
Tracks: 13


   
 Elisa

   Year: 2003   
Tracks: 12


   
 Asile's World

   Year: 2000   
Tracks: 16


   
 [1997] -ristampa 1998] Pipes and flowers

   Year: 1998   
Tracks: 12

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Born in 1977 outside of Monfalcone, Italy, singer Elisa Toffoli's first steps into the euphony world came through the way of dance, only it was telling that captured her spirit and brought out her natural talents. Elisa grew up with a love for music outlay hours of her childhood singing along with recordings by a wide-cut diversity of artists, such as Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitney Houston, Liza Minnelli, Otis Redding, and Madonna. Later, still non regular in her teens, Elisa went from singing with recordings to taking guitar lessons so she could accompany herself and then began written material songs. At 14 she became a member of a blues and rock'n'roll dance band called Seven Roads. The "Septenary" came from the fact that at that place were seven members. Elisa calibrated from Seven Roads into singing for cover bands to make more live and pay. When she was 16, she joined a fully grown band, the Blue Swing Orchestra.


In 1994 Elisa, with the help of a kin friend, finished her first-class honours degree demo. That demonstration made it to Sugar Records. A year later Elisa was in San Francisco, recording her starting time single for the well-known producer Corrado Rustici. The individual carries deuce tracks, "Inside A Flower" and "So Delicate So Pure." In 1997 Elisa recorded her debut uncut album, Pipes & Flowers, which went bivalent platinum. A issue of the tracks were made into euphony videos, including "A Feast for Me" and "Maze." Some of the reviews the album received compared Elisa's sour to that of Alanis Morrisette and groups care Sonic Youth. Elisa was named as one of the topper new artists for 1997 by the Italian Music Award Show. She likewise won the Premio Tenco Award in 1998 for c. H. Best debut album. In 2000 she completed her soph album, Asile's World. Elisa travels and performs with her have circle by and large, consisting of guitar player Andrea Rigonat, keyboardist Christina Rigano, drummer Carlo Bonazza, bassist Max Gelsi, and, final merely not least, Andrea Fontana as percussionist.

Mary-Kate Olsen: 'I Won't Talk About Heath Ledger's Death'

Mary-Kate Olsen has refused to divulge in details of Heath Ledger’s death after it emerged she was linked to the incident.

The fashionista’s masseuse who discovered Ledger's dead body in his New York apartment in January had reportedly phoned Olsen in California a number of times before contacting emergency services.

The New York Police Department eventually decided not to question the 21-year-old, and as a result, Olsen has never explained the nature of her relationship with the Australian actor.

And in Elle magazine, Olsen continues her reign of silence regarding the late star.

When asked about Ledger, she replied: "I'm not going to comment on that, I won't give you a word about that in the nicest way possible. Let's move on."

Toxicology results released in February revealed Ledger, 28, was killed by an accidental overdose of prescribed medications.

Madden's ex wishes him well with Hilton

Actress Sophie Monk has dismissed rumours that rocker Benji Madden dumped her to start a relationship with socialite Paris Hilton.
Monk told Australian newspaper Herald Sun that her break-up with Madden was amicable and that she wished him well for the future.
Monk reportedly said: "Let me make this as plain as possible - Benji did not leave me for Paris Hilton."
"Benji and I did not break up badly or anything like that. We both decided, as adults, our relationship had run its course and decided to move on."
She also said: "I feel no animosity towards Benji and Paris at all and am very happy with life at the moment."

Beckham gets new six-inch tattoo of Posh

David Beckham has pledged his love to wife Victoria by spending over €3,300 on a new tattoo.
The footballer's new design shows the Spice Girl posing as a naked angel - a copy of his favourite photo of his wife from a Brigitte Bardot-inspired shoot for Pop magazine almost four years ago.
The tattoo, inked onto his left arm, is Beckham's 11th. He already boasts designs bearing his wife and three sons' names.
A source close to the couple told the Mirror newspaper: "They are both thrilled with the result. It's been beautifully done. Victoria was flattered."
Beckham showed off his new tattoo during his visit to Brazil.  The footballer is in the country to launch his third soccer academy.

Turn the River - 5/8/2008

A jumpy forger asks an attractive pool hustler acquaintance, "What are you doing in town?" Without missing a beat, she replies, "Trying to get out." It's an apt summary of the entire plot of Turn the River, a stark, barebones genre piece redolent of rosin, racks, and eight balls, where the winning of a hustle bet of $50,000 doesn't signify triumph but escape.



Chris Eigeman makes an impressive debut as writer/director of Turn the River, ably abetted by an intense, edgy star turn from Famke Janssen as a pool hustler who wants to grab her abused son away from his weak, alcoholic father and get the hell out of town fast.



Eigeman's grainy and rank 16mm-to-HD infusion captures the scant, fetid tone of broken down pool halls and cracked glass bars infested with third-rate hustlers and frat boys slumming for a hustle. Not as mannered as Scorsese's The Color of Money but more reflecting the squalor of Rossen's The Hustler, Eigeman composes and cuts his shots communicating the anxious desperation of the denizens of these lower depths, picking up men in cheap suits as the hustlers break for a win or a loss -- the style reflecting their souls.



With Eigeman setting the mood, it is at first disconcerting to see Janssen stroll in, looking like a television star trying to look desperate and fit in to the milieu. But it doesn't take long before that idea is dumped. Janssen's Kailey Sullivan is a determined woman, her every movement a single-minded trajectory to rescue her son, Gulley (Jaymie Dornan), from the clutches of remarried, abusive David (Matt Ross) and his dominating, religious crackpot mother Abigail (Lois Smith in full, regal intimidation mode). Janssen is wired and blinded, seeing her ultimate goal to win hustle money fast to pay for fake passports that will take her and Gulley across the Canadian border and away from the generically-named The City. She has no time off for camaraderie and love, just pool. In the pool hall scenes, Kailey is psychotically purposeful in winning the games for the bucks -- there's no lingering love for the aesthetics of pool here. But Kailey softens up in her surreptitious early morning meetings with Gulley, bending to her knees to greet her son, her eyes conveying the emotional undercurrents in this hardened woman.



In these quiet moments, Eigeman relaxes his grip. The conversations between mother and son betray emotional warmth that softens the edges of the murky poolroom scenes. Eigeman also conveys child abuse in a non-exploitative, non-Hollywood way. No dark shadows falling over children, no big-moment confrontations, just a passing glance at Gulley's broken wrist or the scratches on his face -- simply a normal day for Gulley.



We also get a hotwire supporting cast for backup. The old school Chicago Steppenwolf theater contingent is here in force, including the aforementioned Smith along with Terry Kinney as the feral forger with a soft spot for Kailey. Rip Torn lumbers and roars through his role as grumpy Alan, Kailey's mentor, as only Rip Torn can. (When Kailey interrupts Torn during an early morning tryst, he grumbles, "You're making my retirement difficult in many, many ways.")



The only false note in the film is an unnecessary exposition scene of Kailey tearfully explaining to Alan how she got to this point. Janssen tries hard but the scene still remains hackneyed. Then again, after she explains her back story, Kailey proceeds to the back room of the pool hall, collapsing on top of a pool table. The image of Kailey asleep on the green felt, restoring herself for the next game, encapsulates the emotional obsession and force of the film in a single, unvarnished image.







3-ball in the side pocket.

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