Peace

Something old, something new.

I
sit. 

I
sit and watch.

I
watch people. 

I
watch plants and animals. 

I
feel.

I
feel warmth. 

I
feel and sense of completion.

Knowing
that I am a part of a larger concept.

I
feel the need to move, to walk, to talk, and become more of a part. 

To
walk where I do not know. 

It
doesn't matter.

As
long as I move I see things I have never seen. 

That
haven't experienced.

To
talk, to communicate my thoughts-the way I feel. 

To
talk is universal, you don't have to know the same language, you can
communicate with signs, symbols, noises and gestures, expressions and
words. 

To
talk is to learn, from people unlike yourself, to share experiences
that differ from your own. 

But
before I can watch, feel, walk and talk, I need to know
something-something about me.

I
need to journey to the last great undiscovered place. 

Myself,
my mind, my being.

I
can go anywhere and everywhere and have nothing but memories. 

What
do I have to show for them? 

Experience,
if you could call that proof. 

Is
what I see really there? 

Is
what I see what everyone else sees?

It
can’t be, that makes no sense. 

We
all grow up differently, we all have different ways of 'talking' and
'watching'.

It
can’t be the same.

I
see cats as majestic and others see them as vile creatures.

There.

That
proves my point.

We
don't all see the same, but should we?

Should
we be unbiased? 

No
matter how we are treated? 

Unbiased
about what? 

Everything?

Or
just something’s?

What
is seen to be convenient? 

Or
what about what you think.

I
don't think like you. 

You
don't think like me. 

Why
is that?

Our
experiences, our parents, how much sleep we get per night. 

Who
is to say what is definitive? 

Definitively
right or wrong?

I
think we instinctively know what is but the less we do right the more
inclined we are to wrong.

But
should I know when I'm right-or should that choice be in the hands of
others?

Ones
who aren't the same as me.

Ones
who don't watch, feel or know. 

Should
I move? 

If
I move, what is there to discover? 

Everything.

What
is everything-i do not know. 

Its
everything I haven't seen, felt or heard. 

I
cannot specify what I do not know, what I cannot fathom. 

This
choice I have. 

You
have it too. 

Whether
to take action. 

But
do I sit here? 

What
if I choose to sit and learn later of what I've missed out on? 

This
is my choice.

This
is my crossroads, my fork in the path. 

Both
paths shine so brightly. I know I will face challenges.

I
know there will be times where I fail.

I
cannot go back in time.

I
cannot change my decisions.

I
must stick fast to my hope. 

Hope
that I will make the right decision.

I
will have no regrets. 

This
is my life. 

I
will live it. 

That
is my choice. 

No
one can take that away. 

No
one. 

I
will fight.

I
will have no regrets. 

I
never will.

I
sit. 

I
sit and watch. 

I
feel. I know

I
have my choice. 

I
will take it.

Pour L'amour

Live Review-Lior

3rd March-The Basement

Although Liors' support band was wonderful (Busby Marou), the audience was captivated as soon as he stepped on stage. The crowd went wild. He's got this boy-ish charm to him, that makes you think he'd never curse in front of your mother.

I honestly believe he is better live (in real life) than recorded. Even doing an acoustic show, it's more full of life, more free. Free to have moments like forgetting the words and waiting expectantly for the crowd to notice, or having your amp drop out for a guitar solo.. The best thing was, he laughed about it, then chose to do it vocally.

The range and strength Lior shows vocally is only accentuated further by his immaculate guitar skills. He treated us to some solo time, with "Autumn Flow" and a new track "Days to Remember". The string quartet he used, were just amazing, they added a depth, and further complexity of sound, a sense of floating to his melodies..

He talked to us, told us stories, like the many Daniels' (link is purely for vocals) he's never met, but written songs about, or being conscripted (before he was widely known) by a fan to play "This Old Love" whilst they proposed to their partner.

We shared special moments with Lior. He touched us with his humanity and honesty. Everyone walked from the room more lively then when they went in. And whether it was the intimacy of "The Basement" or just a lack of Oxygen, we were taken to a new and glorious place.

Sign me up for round 2.

Pour L'amour

Live Review-Mama Kin

20th January, Newcastle Lizottes.

Elana Stone opened the night, wandering around the stage, tripping over various instruments and telling us little stories. She certainly paraded her vocal talents, only being accompanied by her keyboard or her accordion. She is an interesting songwriter and she has a quirkiness that makes her quite lovable.

As MamaKin swamped onto the stage with her rockabilly inspired dress and her cow boy boots, you couldn't help but be drawn to her. Her support, "Brother Michael" and "Drummer George" (therefore her very own George Michael, as she put it) had Mamas' groove down to an art. Changing positions and instruments to complement her perfectly.

We were treated with yet to be released tracks and stories of her world.. moments of darkness, contentment and joy. She made you feel at home, very true to her name. She writes from such a honest place, songs like "Apple Tree", "The Colour" and "You Tore My Heart Out".

Her toe tapping beats, sultry huskiness and general openness (and a little scotch) made it a musically and well as personally inspiring evening, that I will definitely do again.

Pour L'amour

Autumn Flow - Lior

Independent Release - 2005

Track listing
This Old Love – 3:04
Daniel – 3:50
Gypsy Girl – 3:10
Superficial – 3:52
Autumn Flow – 4:13
Bedouin Song – 3:09
Sitting With a Stranger – 3:15
The Art of Cruelty – 3:35
Blessed – 3:13
Stuck In a War – 3:18
Building Ships– 4:46
Grey Ocean – 3:36

Lior (born Lior Attar in Israel, 1977) released Autumn Flow independently in 2005 and it has become one of the most successful independent releases in Australia, earning Gold Aria status.

The song that caught me originally on this album was "Daniel", such an honestly and an ability to suit the song to your particular mind set. For a debut album, it has such variety, you can see what Lior is capable of.

It starts so simply,"This Old Love", is like a story you've heard before but can't quite remember. The addition of strings makes it slightly romanticized, "let's grow old together". The song begins how it ends, "moving right along.."

"Daniel" is just beautifully composed. It's so metaphorical, of lovers, friends and insanity itself. A pure, honest moment on this album.

With "Superficial", Lior gets a little darker and moody. It seems to be directed at society rather than any one person. That people should be able to see past the external "wardrobe of tricks", and "magazine dreams". The same sort of hapless aggression is present in "Sitting with a Stranger".

"You are sunshine, You are everything good in the world"."Autumn Flow", all about the beauty and love in life. The scales of the acoustic guitar stay in your head long after the song ends. The added horns at the end resound and reiterate this simple point. "will you love me, when the diamond loses it shine?". You can't always control what happens in life, but you control your response, "go with the flow, if that's what the flow wants to do".

"Bedouin Song" is worth a mention, it seems to have that chanting choral aspect that to me, sounds like it comes from a traditional song.

"Blessed shows" off Liors' vocal range, from highs of "I" and lows of "death".

"Stuck in a War", has a nineties soft rock feel. Lior gets an evocative tone to his voice "I've seen you naked, soul free and wild.. I know most of what you hide". It's not about being "stuck in a war" per-se, but it's being stuck in the same place, same frame of mind even though it's destructive. And knowing it too.

Lior has now released a further three albums, one in 06', a live album called "Doorways Of My Mind", and another in Feb 08' called "Corner of an Endless Road", which were also released independently.. The latest being "Tumbling into The Dawn" which his is now promoting with his "by request tour"(head to ticketmaster or moshitx) . But this is a beautiful beginning to such a talented artist. A wonderful introduction to all facets of Lior.

Pour L'amour

Okay Folks,

I'm sorry that I haven't been around so much of late. There has been a whole lot going on in my life right now, and I'm sad to say that my writing got shafted.

I have plenty in store, for those who have stayed loyal!

Coming up

-New reviews including

-A Fistful of Mercy

- Jackson Jackson

- C.W. Stoneking

-Elliot Smith

- Mat Mchugh

-Movits!

-Nick Drake

-Paolo Nutini

-Tegan & Sara

-The Audreys

-Mama Kin

-Brandon Flowers

-New "From My Head", as i have plenty floating around in there!

I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but i have all this wonderful music to show you!

Also, the amount of people that are touring, that I would love to see is very frustrating!

Oh, and people, if you ever get a chance to see "the beautiful girls" live, do it. I did, and they were amazing!

Im off to see Mama Kin tonight (darling wife of Mr Butler). Ill let you know how it goes =]

Love to you all, and ill be back before you know it!

Pour L'amour

The Cat Empire

2003 - EMI

Track Listing:
How to Explain – 3:37
Days Like These – 4:07
The Chariot – 5:34
Hello – 3:44
The Rhythm – 3:24
The Wine Song – 7:22
Nothing – 3:39
Beanni – 2:19
The Crowd – 5:13
Manifesto – 2:34
All That Talking – 6:54

Originally a three piece from Melbourne, The Cat Empire has evolved into something that embodies all that life should be about. They strive to move "the body and the mind", and unite people by the power of music. The current members are:

-Felix Riebl (vocals and percussion)

-Harry James Agnus (vocals and trumpet)

-Ollie McGill (keys)

-Ryan Monro (bass)

-Will Hull Brown (drums)

-Jamshid "DJ Jumps" Khadiwhala

They have recently released "Cinema" to high acclaim.

What better way to explain that "music is the language of our soul", then by representing it in song form. "How to Explain" your energy and your drive in life comes from this beast within, to someone who doesn't feel its presence. This track is filled with such intensity and life, its impossible to not become infected by it.

The beginning of "The Chariot" starts so theatrically and creates this ominous feeling which bursts into life! Its a declaration to life, and all it should be. The aversion of warfare and killing even though:"In a way we are an army, But this army not destruct. No instead we're doing simple things, Good loving fun and run amuck". I get beautiful images from this track. It way the world should be "any stranger feels at home".

Oh, "Hello". Comes from the throat, and you cant help but want to chorus it. Its the song that I wake up to. Its just so upbeat and optimistic, and embodies all i want my day to be. It has cute little lines like: "If she was a phone I'd pick her up and dial, The fire brigade Or zero zero zero" or "That's a little strange If you're asking me. Cos I like to eat and laugh and **** and play down low. It just plain makes me smile.

The simple infatuation with all that is beautiful, and the beauty that comes from "The Rhythm". The trumpets are so prominent in this track, with the heavy Latin vibe. Its all wine red, and smokey dens. "Sing with your hips, my baby, when your dancing to this tune", the change in tempo half way through definitely adds to the sexy Latin vibe.

The track "The Crowd" shows just how Australian the Cat Empire are. The speak of gaining freedom from social conventions, pure freedom, which comes from your mentality to life ("But life is curved not angular"), with or without "gods chains". Its a street song, its one of the people.

Through musical fusion and lyrics, the Cat Empire have captured millions of peoples attention. They have always prided themselves on performing live, and many of there releases are originally recorded live then edited. There is an infectious energy that come from them, which seems to make life not so bad after all. Perfect for parties of just chilling out. The Cat Empire is in my top 5. Treat your senses people!

Pour L'amour

Self Titled - Ray Mann Three

Phantom Sound & Vision - 2008

Tracklisting

Smile - 3:26

Hook Me Up - 3:28

Feels So Good - 3:55

Gettin Thru - 4:03

Opa Opa - 3:20

Morena - 3:45

No Way No - 3:45

Yr Werds - 2:56

I Can See It All Before Me - 4:09

Night With You - 4.15

When Ray Wassef (the long time lead guitarist of Sydney outfit Kid Confucious) decided to go out on his own, he managed to find bassist Byron Luiters (now of John Butler Trio) and drummer Bart Denaro. This self titled album was recorded over three days. They have extensively toured Australia for the last 5 years and received the attention of the Japanese Record P-Vine, who they released an album through in 2009 with Grant Gerathy on drums and Joel Burton/Adam Ventoura intermittently on bass.

In "Hook Me Up" the opening bass gets my attention (this seems to be a growing trend), the stop-start catchy-ness with the down scales and addition of the picky electric. And I can't forget the cow bell.. It also has some interesting lyrical content, i had to listen to it a few times to actually grasp. The evolution of technology and its implementation into society, and us, being the possessive monsters that human are, must always have the latest and greatest. Its well disguised, wrapped into a funky little tune.

The opening re-verb in "Feels So Good" is gorgeous. They have also used directional sound really well on this track. It opens with the chorus, which I find most unusual. They have the ability to surprise me, and I like it. The lyrics are suggestive to a one night stand (or what should have been), and of crossing moral "lines in the sand", "but it feels so good" to be bad once in a while. I like that all members contribute to the vocals. The ending is disappointing tho, its picks up tempo and gets a little funkier, then abruptly ends!

Opa Opa. A song that can improve my mood at any time. The simple opening, just the vocals and percussion, the catchy call back. Then the real body of the song kicks in with a tempo change and the addition of the electric and bass. My favourite line has got to be "Is it because you wanted Han Solo but only ever got Chewbacca?". I like how they portray themselves in this track, just as having fun. There is an honesty that comes with laughter. There's a purity to an "unrefined" track.

Musically and lyrically, i have my eye on "I Can See It All Before Me". "Stop trying to look around, close my eyes and follow the sound. I can see it all before me". Its just a dreamy and heartfelt line. The track has a tone of realisation. It easy to listen to, and just be. I find it difficult to analyse as i tend to get lost in it somewhat. My top track from this album.

This album is smooth and rounded as well as being raw and untamed. It has a sensuality to it, that comes from Rays vocals and the musical honesty that emanates from its being. I'm yet to hear any of their newer tracks but I'm eagerly looking forward to that experience.

Also see this sort interview with Ray about their growth and reception.

Pour L'amour