Summer, Language, and Indila

Hello all! I am here to announce a triumphant return for summer, just as promised last year. I've got lots of great plans for posts that will expand on the world of beauty, hopefully stretching into some of my other interests, as well.

On the topic of other interests, there have been more than a few hints recently of my language obsession. I've been learning three. I'm taking French in school, German outside, and my friends and I use Esperanto as a secret language (that has so many cognates it can be understood by a non-speaker). Recently, too, I've discovered the marvelous use of Skype as a tool for speaking to native Germans. There's rather a dearth of them here, and thusly my speaking abilities are quite limited. How I only now realized this exists is beyond me, but better late than never, no?

As a result of my new appreciation for linguistics, I've been playing with the idea of a YouTube channel for English learners. I have no formal training in ESL, obviously, but my grammar is excellent and I love words more than anything. Good idea?

I haven't listened to any music in English for a while now, sole exception being Lily Allen's new album, Sheezus. Her sass gets me through each day, I swear. For foreign language music that non-speakers would appreciate, I urge more people to look up Indila. This pretty French woman has a strong, lovely voice, and irresistibly catchy songs. Hit singles Dernière Danse or Tourner Dans Le Vide would be great places to start, but my personal favorite song must be Boîte en Argent, a twinkling ballad.

My, it's gotten rather late here, hasn't it? I suppose I ought to tend to my homework now.

With love,

Elizabeth Rose

This Week I've Been Loving...

Okay. My obsession with Yuna is getting worse by the day. Her beautiful voice is a mixture of Christina Perri and Coeur de Pirate. Sound odd? There's really no way to quantify how she can effortlessly switch from deep, raspy, seductive loveliness to poppy but not sugary sweet. Her album Nocturnal has a permanent spot on my constantly rotating favorites list, the best songs being Falling, Mountains, and Lovely Intermission. 

Also in music, ich liebe Christina Perri's new album. Run will definitely be played a lot in the next while, along with Burning Golden. I've only owned it for a few days, but a great first impression for someone who wasn't particularly impressed by her first effort.

Game of Thrones. Game of Thrones. How on earth did I miss the amazingness that is A Song of Ice and Fire until a month ago? Come to think of it, that's probably what caused my disappearance recently. Too busy devouring seasons 1-3 and five monstrous books. Done with both now, and crazy excited for the rest of season 4. Any other Littlefinger fans out there?

Beauty has been kind of meh in my world of late. *gasp*. I know. Though... the NYX Infinite Shadow Sticks are all kinds of awesome. I've worn the shade Flushed every day this week. You literally just smear it on the lid, blend quickly with your finger, and they don't crease. Eyeshadows always crease on me. These are magic.

Uh, so yeah. Not feeling particularly eloquent today.

Love,

Elizabeth Rose

Album Review- Rabbits On The Run

Rabbits On The Run- Vanessa Carlton

        I must confess, I am quite the fan of Vanessa Carlton. Something about the rolicking piano accompanied by her small, clear voice has always done it for me. This is her most recent album, released July 26, 2011, and it marks a major style change for Vanessa. The piano is still there, and her vivid imagery abounds, but the record as a whole has a notably darker, more gothic sound than the others. It was also recorded directly to tape, quite uncommon for this day and age. On into the song by song!

     Carousel- The first single, and most upbeat of the CD, it tells the story of life with joyous piano licks and metaphors. A great opener to the album.

      I Don't Want To Be A Bride- Slow and emotional, with a message that speaks volumes about girls today. Handclaps provide the percussion, and the only other backing instrument is a childrens choir until you get near the chorus, when a soft acoustic guitar and piano join the mix. Beautiful song.

      London- One of the gentlest songs on the record, it features Vanessa's voice above a quiet piano and guitar. Midway it picks up with a few violins. At first appearing to tell the story of a city, it becomes evident in the second verse that it is in fact a love story.

     

      Fairweather Friend- My personal favorite, it opens with the insightful lyrics "say you see through the folly, but you do it for the fame". The chorus is ethereal and smooth, the song as a whole depicts a failed romance with a "fairweather friend".

      Hear the Bells- Haunting is the best word to describe this song. The chorus is deceptively simple, three chords played twice, and Hear the Bells is echoed as if from a ghost's mouth. A perfect halfway song.

      Dear California- A standard parting song, it brings some life back to the album with guitar that manages to sound perky despite being in the minor key. A shaker and a snare behave as the drums, setting the backdrop for Vanessa thinking wistfully about a former lover that she has to leave.

       Tall Tales For Spring- As bouncy as a spring day, Alice in Wonderland does spring to mind. Despite the verses exuding life, the chorus twists and slows while she proclaims "madness". Very unique.

        Get Good- Beginning the final three ballads, a story of redemption is told lyrically with metaphor. The na na nas add more than you might think.

       The Marching Line- Piano thuds as Vanessa recites lyrics. Not much to say about this one. It's pretty though.

       In The End- Another confession. I've barely listened to this song, despite owing the CD for more than a year. Unique for the violin that clashes at the start, giving way to more ominous piano melody which renders it nearly impossible to hear her voice. More of an instrumental piece than the others, a lovely end to the record.