Europe: Bag of Bones – magic for the senses

Like an arrow… straight through the heart.

I was ecstatic when I heard Europe was back in studio last year to record their new album. The first time I heard the title “Bag of Bones“, I thought to myself – did I not see the adaptation of that Stephen King’s book on TV? – It became very clear that I was hooked from the start… although, not done listening to the previous unbelievable great album “Last Look at Eden”. Anyway, months have passed, teased by the band’s video blog and later on by the promo single “Not supposed to sing the blues“, my anticipation was built up by a very talented marketing team… I am telling you!

Listen to samples from Europe’s website

A few weeks before the official release of “Bag of Bones” I therefore pre-ordered a signed copy and got in on Christmas Day, in April. I have listened to it close to  six times – yes, no big deal… I know, but I came home in the middle of the day, after my school exams. I’ll play the honesty card, my anticipation went flop at first when I heard “Riches to Rags” (only at first though… it just needed to grow on me a little and “I never felt so alive“). My attention got caught again by Ian Haugland who set the beat on “Firebox” telling me: listen up, this is new! Gotta listen to the nice drummer… This song is everything I like: melodic yet fast and heavy (at times)… it speaks also to my oriental roots – from my father’s side – therefore to my heart and soul. I cannot really relate and yet, I do a great deal.

“Wow!” was my first reaction to almost every songs… I hear you, I have to elaborate. I am not going to give you a guided tour of all the songs for I am sure you are very capable of doing so yourselves; although I have to admit that the title song “Bag of Bones” has blown my mind quite a lot, which pushed me to put it on repeat for a while. When did Joey Tempest begin sing that way with such a soulful and bluesy voice? Since when the band has ever felt like such a harmonious unit. Don’t get me wrong, they did feel like that before too… but here, they did something more that spoke directly to my goosebumps.

Listen to samples from Europe’s website

This album is a neat classic rock creation and its influences are undeniable – I hear a bit of my old favourites Zeppelin, Deep Purple to name only two. “Drink and a smile” is a nice little surprise… short too – that’d count as a downside, by the way, because the music stops too early for my taste – there’s still the repeat button I can press. The band seems to like short on this album, for the very good instrumental piece “Requiem” made me react like: “what that’s all? where’s the rest? – more please!” (or something like that). However, it works wonders as some kind of prelude to “My woman my friend“.

Musicianship speaking… I cannot say much, others already did that better than I ever could. All I need to know is how happy the music makes me when they play it: do I need to smile bigger than I already am for you to see?

This is great rock music and just like the previous albums, I will not ever grow tired of it. Bag of Bones has most definitely found its place home into my heart as “Bring it all home” wraps it softly up.

I warmly (and enthusiastically) recommend Bag of Bones, Europe’s 9th album released April, 24th 2012.

Listen to samples from Europe’s website

♣♣♣

Tracklist: 01. Riches to Rags (J. Tempest/ J. Leven) – 02. Not supposed to sing the blues (J. Tempest) – 03. Firebox (J. Tempest / M. Michaeli) – 04. Bag of Bones (J. Tempest) – 05. Requiem (M. Michaeli) – 06. My woman my friend (J. Tempest / J. Leven) – 07. Demon Head (J. Tempest / J. Leven / J. Norum) – 08. Drink and a smile (J. Tempest / M. Michaeli) – 09. Doghouse (J. Tempest) – 10. Mercy you mercy me (J. Tempest / J. Norum) – 11. Bring it all home (J. Tempest / M. Michaeli)

Europe’s line up for the “ignorant”:

Joey Tempest: Vocals
John Norum: Guitars
John Leven: Bass
Mic Michaeli: Keyboards
Ian Haugland: Drums

My Afternoons with Margeritte | Jean Becker

Sometimes, without realizing it, one stumbles upon a little gem of a film which will makes one wish it had not finished. Strangely enough, last time I did, it was upon another French film… I am not being fair, I think that I have encountered so many gems from France and elsewhere that I could probably barely count them on my fingers. Suffice to say that Jean Becker is the master of Gems since he directed two of my favorite French films – Children of the Marshlands (1999) and Conversations with My Gardener (2007). These three movies are pure wonders; indeed, they are small windows into ordinary lives of ordinary people who – when one looks carefully and with intent – turn out to be extraordinary people. The most amazing is the ease with which one can relate to the characters… therefore he’d have one believes that one is just as special. But once again, I am putting the carriage before the horses…

My Afternoons with Margueritte (there is no misspelling with the name, one gets the explanation of the spelling in the movie) is the story of Germain Chazes (Gérard Depardieu) who does seem to be a little stupid and extremely kind. He meets an old lady, Margueritte (Gisèle Casadesus) in the square and an unexpected tender friendship begins. She gives him the taste for reading – or rather to listen to her read to him at first; and he gives her his undivided attention. The film is however more than that… it is about relationships: the mother-son relationship he has – or rather lack, although he lives in his mother’s garden; the love relationship he has with Anette (Sophie Guillemin); the everyday relationships he has with his comrades – mostly at the ‘Café – Restaurant’ – Landremont (Patrick Bouchitey), Jojo (Jean-François Stevenin), Gardini (François-Xavier Demaison), Youssef (Lyès Salem) and the restaurant owner Francine (Maurane).

Jean Becker has beautifully adapted Marie-Sabine Roger’s novel – ‘La Tête en Friche’ published 2008, Ud-Union Distribution – and has become a brilliant portrait painter with ‘My Afternoons with Margueritte’. Each portrait is perfect with its imperfections and that is what makes them so humanly beautiful. The story telling is so good, that one gets to feel every mistake, self-doubt, joy and tenderness. There is a scene at the market that made me wish I would be there… but I was. The dialogues by Jean-Loup Dabadie (‘César and Rosalie’, 1972) are witty, funny and delivered with such conviction and talent that it is extremely enjoyable to watch. Served by exquisite performances, this is a film about everyday’s life of an ordinary man – turning out to be much more than the simpleton everyone think he is – and whose heart is so big and filled with love that he becomes extraordinary. ‘My Afternoons with Margueritte’ is fresh and beautiful… I warmly recommend it.

The Straight Story | David Lynch

Dedication

… to my dear fellow poet Colin Stewart, aka EPIGRAMMAN…
Since you are the one who inspired me to write this review – this being related to all the questions you are asking us to answer ^_^. Hopefully, this one is the first of a long series… depending on a few factors…

There are movies that cannot leave you alone no matter the amount of years that passed since they were made – in that case 12 years… Though I am not so fond of labels, I suppose that this is what one calls a classic. I talked so much about that movie lately that it showed on telly last night. I had missed the beginning, but believe me, it is not a big deal.
Based on a true story, it tells the one of Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) – a 73 years old man – who sets out to visit his brother in another state. Alvin has glaucoma and bad hips… He is a veteran of World Word II, widowed with seven children; he leaves with his daughter Rose (Sissy Spacek) in Laurens, Iowa. When Alvin hears that his brother Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton) had a stroke, he decides to put ten years of freezing one another behind him, and go check on him. It is no ‘biggies’, you’d say; for Alvin, however, it was. Indeed, without a driver license and not willing to let anybody drive him, the odds of leaving Laurens were pretty slim… until he found the solution. Alvin Straight set out to cross an entire state on his lawn mower pulling a home-made trailer and visit Lyle Straight in Mount Zion, Wisconsin.

Now, according to the ‘cost 2 drive’ website, such a trip – 377 miles – should take about 6 hrs 29 mins. Alvin travelled for weeks, as you can well-imagine. During his journey, he crossed the paths of different people that he helps out with his wisdom; people help him too when his machine breaks down. This is a compassionate movie made the way life is – for most of us. The sound is not always great, but it gives the viewer a chance to feel part of the movie somehow… for instance, when the characters are far from the camera, so are the dialogues – I am so grateful for the subtitles. The budget was estimated at 10,000,000 dollars (according to imdb), so I do not think the sound was an error of edition, but rather intentional. David Lynch wanted the viewer to experience the story (same source). In my case, the bet is won Mr Lynch!

The original soundtrack, composed by Angelo Badalamenti, is a beauty and I would advise to try and get a hold of it while you can because I consider it a rare treasure… although I might not be very objective here.

This is not a high-tempo movie, but a laid-back journey. The photography is absolutely gorgeous (director of photography: Freddie Francis). The rural landscapes of Wisconsin are something else! Richard Farnsworth did a superb job in impersonating Alvin Straight, I thought… but, once again, I might be biased here and since I did not personally know the real Alvin Straight, my guess is as good as any. Nonetheless, Richard’s facial expressions, his eyes and the way he breathed… without saying a word and yet, one could feel and think with the character. When he spoke, I felt like listening to my dear grandfather telling of his imprisonment during WWII. The scene in the pub, between Alvin and Verlyn Heller (Wiley Harker), when both characters talk about an episode of WWII that they cannot ‘shake off’… strong, tears bringing moment. Amazing performances!

Tears are not bad, because they are coming from so many different emotions. The Straight Story is that… shared emotions and a journey that cannot leave you indifferent. If you have not seen this movie, I strongly recommend that you do because it is a beautiful experience.

Eat Pray Love | Ryan Murphy

How is it that very often books’ adaptation to the big screen are attracting so many people? Are we all growing that lazy that we do not bother reading books any more? Maybe… maybe not. One thing is certain, at least for my part, I always end-up buying the books ^_^

Now, Julia Roberts is unhappy… or at least her character Liz is: married and unhappy! It can happen to the best. She works the courage to do something about it and embarks in a journey of self-discovery… in Italy, in India and in Bali. It is weird how most of it talked to me.

Well anyway, I think that this is the best role Roberts ever had (with Erin Brockovich). The actors and actresses are completing each other without effort and it is a real joy to watch that movie, literally. I was a bit disappointed when it ended. “Eat Pray Love” is a typical feel good movie and I will buy the book by Elizabeth Guilbert. I loved the movie however I am not sure I would have if I had read the book first.

To be honest, I could not say much about it without revealing the story. “Eat Pray Love” is an experience in itself and none of you would like me to spoil it for you, now would you.
/Claire

“Eat Pray Love” by Ryan Murphy

Last Look At Eden, by Europe

Europe’s new studio album “Last Look at Eden” was released today in Scandinavia… and if, like me, you are lucky enough to have come by this disc… you might have reacted just as I did: “uh? what? cool… wow!”

Granted, this is not much of a review and I am about to explain myself…  Well, John Levèn said about “Last Look at Eden” (on the band’s official website): [...] “an album that shows that Europe are still getting better and better.” Mic Michaeli says something interesting too: “The 70′s meets the millennium.“

After listening to the music many times, and pondering about how the band feels about it… I finally decided that I liked… loved it. More importantly, I think I can for once explain better why.

It took me a few years to have “Start from the dark” growing in me and it had become probably my favourite album… I liked “Secret Society” at once, but it was over-shone by its predecessor… I know, weird… Today, I know I will not be able to say that any more about “Start from the dark“…

“Last Look at Eden” took its place. Referring to what Mic said, I do agree… I heard on this album, many old Europe sounds (from before the split up). For instance, I heard a little bit of “Yesterday’s News” on track 11: “Run with Angels“ ; a bit of  “A long time coming” & “Government Man” on track 3: “Gonna Get Ready” ; a bit of “Prisoners in Paradise” as an overall old lingering sound. Keep in mind though that these are very light touches of “old Europe” that I hear (you may not agree!)  The difference today is that the music is richer and the lyrics… well, let’s say that they suit me way better today.

 So, when Europe came back, they threw everything that made them different from how they used to be (and play) as musicians. It took them two albums to explore only their new musical possibilities. “Last Look at Eden” brings back the Europe spirit that we all know and mixes it with their musical and human growth. To quote John Levèn again: “Europe are still getting better and better.” Finally, when one listens to “Last Look at Eden“, one could say sometimes: “that riff could have come from a Deep Purple or a Richtie Blackmore’s album”, hence probably the quote from Mic: “The 70′s meet the millenium“.

Still on the band’s official website, Joey Tempest is talking about John Norum’s bluesy feeling when he is playing the guitar… though to tell you the truth, I had never noticed that aspect (no offence John)… On “Last Look at Eden“, John is playing with more feelings and bluesy touch (on some tracks) that I have ever heard him play before. That was one of the hugest and greatest surprises I had from the album.

Another surprise hit me as I played on though… curious as I was, I followed the progress of the album making on Europe’s blog… However, I had forgotten all about the Czech national symphony orchestra (which they use on four tracks)!!! That was a fantastic surprise to my ears, not only because of the orchestra and not because I noticed the orchestra at once (I actually did not). I grunted like in the beginning of this review when I first heard track 8: “No stone unturned” (I here a little bit of Ritchie Blackmore there or Rainbow) ; the melody is one that I had not been accustomed to with Europe despite the influences I hear in it. They all play marvellously, though I must say Mic’s keyboard playing made me listen even more closely. In short, one of their best creations if you ask me.

Of course, they serve us very well indeed with the powerful and emotional ballad “In my Time” that ends the album majestically. Just like “The Prelude” followed by the title track “Last Look at Eden” just make us want more, which the rest of the album gives without a glitch.

What can I say except that Europe outdid themselves with “Last Look at Eden“… there are absolutely “no stone left unturned“. It is musically brilliant, where old and new spirit of the five musicians combine perfectly. Highly anticipated album for which the expectations are, no doubt,  just as high all over the world… “Last Look at Eden” is no surprise, yet it has probably become one of the best surprises of the 2009 rock scene.

Europe mp3 store (non-Scandinavian customers might have to wait though).

/Claire