Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 16, 2012

8

ARTS & ENTERTAIMENT

 Mountain Views News Saturday June 16, 2012 


SEAN’S SHAMELESS 

REVIEWS: 


The Book Report

By Jeff Brown

Review By Sean Kayden

THE GREATEST WAR STORIES NEVER TOLD: 100 TALES FROM 
MILITARY HISTORY TO ASTONISH, BEWILDER, AND STUPEFY 

by Rick Beyer 

Search the annals of military history and you will discover no end of quirky characters and 
surprising true stories: The topless dancer who saved the Byzantine Empire. The World War 
I battle that was halted so a soccer game could be played. The scientist who invented a pigeon- 
guided missile in 1943. And don't forget the elderly pig whose death triggered an 
international crisis between the United States and Great Britain. One hundred fascinating 
stories drawn from two thousand years of military history, accompanied by a wealth of photographs, 
maps, drawings, and documents that help bring each story to life. Little-known 
tales told with a one two punch of history and humor that will make you shake your head in 
disbelief but they're all true! Discover how war can be a catalyst for change; an engine for innovation; 
and an arena for valor, deceit, intrigue, ambition, revenge, audacity, folly, and even 
silliness. Want to know how the mafia helped the United States win World War II? Read on! 
All very interesting!

A DOG'S JOURNEY by Bruce Cameron 

Direct sequel to the New York Times and USA Today bestselling A Dog's Purpose. Buddy 
is a good dog. After searching for his purpose through several eventful lives, Buddy is sure 
that he has found and fulfilled it. Yet as he watches curious baby Clarity get into dangerous 
mischief, he is certain that this little girl is very much in need of a dog of her own. When 
Buddy is reborn, he realizes that he has a new destiny. He's overjoyed when he is adopted by 
Clarity, now a vibrant but troubled teenager. When they are suddenly separated, Buddy despairs, 
who will take care of his girl? A charming and heartwarming story of hope, love, and 
unending devotion, A Dog's Journey asks the question: Do we really take care of our pets, or 
do they take care of us? More than just another endearing dog tale, A Dog's Journey is the 
moving story of unwavering loyalty and a love that crosses all barriers.

BEING: THE BOTTOM LINE by Nathan Gill 

'

Spiritual' dialogues usually aim to guide the seeker towards enlightenment, towards escape 
from identification as a suffering individual. In Being: The Bottom Line, however, Nathan 
Gill points out that 'enlightenment' only appears significant from the viewpoint of 'me' - it's 
only the story of 'me' that requires enlightenment. Your true nature is Being, and Being is 
already all that is (even when there is seeming ignorance of that), with no requirements 
whatsoever.

THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH

 Swedish folk singer Kristian Matsson who performs under the 
moniker, “The Tallest Man on Earth,” has often been compared to Bob 
Dylan for his nasal, twangy, scraping vocals. While similarities are 
continually bestowed by critics, The Tallest Man On Earth has released “There’s No Leaving 
Now”, a narrower but equally as potent record to his two previous ones. Admittedly so, I’m 
not too keen on his previous work, but I am aware of the realm he works in. Despite prior 
acclaim and recognition, I’ve decided to leap into this latest album as a relative newcomer. 
With that being duly noted, I must say the first half of the record considerably impressed 
me in spite of my lack of interest in his previous material. It’s toward the second half things 
get a bit shaky and stale where my interest quickly grows fainter. While many diehard fans 
may not take a liking to the purer sound and 
more straightforward approach, I found it to 
be reasonably suitable. “There’s No Leaving 
Now” is an often exquisite, striking, and 
poignant album, but runs out of stream in 
the final innings. 

 This is the sort of easy listening type of 
album. Like many artists in his ilk, the lyrics 
can either mean so much to the listener or have no significant meaning whatsoever. I enjoy 
the sounds and laid back tempo of most of the songs as opposed to becoming spellbound 
with anything Matsson is proclaiming. Opening track, “To Just Grow Away,” is an 
immensely beautiful vintage folk tune. It’s followed by the wonderment that’s “Revelation 
Blues”. Matsson sounds different, speaking a bit faster and the higher tempo sound is a real 
treat. It’s one of the strongest tracks the record has to offer and it’s extremely peaceful and 
soothing even though the lyrics seem to be about a horse. The title track is beautifully sung 
over a delicate piano. I don’t always follow what Matsson is trying to say, but just hearing 
him speak is enough enlightenment for me. Regardless of what the stories unfold, most of 
his music is lovely and comforting. 

 Like I previously mentioned, “There’s No Leaving Now” stumbles to the finish line. It’s 
far from egregious, but rather inadequate. The record kicks off valiantly and magnificently. 
Unfortunately, it drifts away from its greatness when we get in the concluding stages. 
“Criminals” is too bland even if it sounds comparable to some of the other tracks found here. 
The closing track, “On Every Page” doesn’t quite do the trick. It’s tedious, one-dimensional, 
and rather dull. Maybe others will find enjoyment, but these few final lackluster songs put a 
damper on what could have been an outstanding record. If this album were a two-act play, 
we’d be amazed with the opening first act and disappointed with what’s to come in the end. 
My words of advice are to attend the wedding (first half) and sit out the funeral (second 
half). You wont be missing all that much.

Key Tracks: “To Just Grow Away”, “Revelation Blues”, “Leading Me Now”, “There’s No 
Leaving Now” Grade: 7.4 out of 10

Artist: The Tallest Man On Earth

Album: There’s No Leaving Now

Label: Dead Oceans

Release Date: June 12, 2012


A 
GENTLE LEASH ON LIFE

 As a dog-walker and pet sitter, I have had 
many clients ask me which is the best type of 
collar or lead to use for walking their dog. Well, 
to be completely honest, I am hesitant to respond 
to that question with full confidence until I get 
to know their dog on a personal level. There are 
so many dog walking and training collar & lead 
products on the market these days, each with 
their own specified (even patented) technique 
and philosophy, that it can be somewhat 
confusing and rather overwhelming to select 
the proper product for your pet. With so many 
types of collars available today, there are equally 
numerous types of dogs, at various developmental 
levels of human bonding and obedience. If you 
take a little time and effort to choose the right 
tools, you are bound to find a match in the mix 
eventually. I do not claim to be an expert on the 
subject, however I do know that each dog has 
it’s own specific needs and it is important to 
use humane handling methods to meet those 
needs, in order to foster positive results and 
establish a trusting relationship with your pet. 
It is also important to research the philosophy 
behind a dog handling product before putting it 
to use. Having read several articles and doing a 
little research of my own, I came up with a list 
of collar types that would most likely be found 
at the local pet supply store today, in hopes of 
informing and helping you select the proper lead 
product for your beloved canine companion. Be 
aware that this list is just a good start. It does not 
include every single product available in today‘s 
market, and the descriptions are brief, so you will 
want to research each product more specifically 
in consideration of your own dog’s needs before 
making a final selection.

 Buckle Collars: These are collars that are 
simply fastened with a buckle. They are typically 
made of nylon or leather, and are either flat or 
rolled. Most buckle collars are adjustable, but 
do not tighten on the dog’s neck once fastened. 
Rolled leather collars, although more expensive, 
tend to fit more comfortably. Adjustable nylon 
collars are recommended for growing pups. For 
the owner whose dog does not pull to the point 
of choking and gagging and who also responds 
well when learning commands, the buckle collar 
works fine.

 Body Harness: Harnesses were originally 
designed for sled dogs. Pulling is the reaction of 
about 99% of dogs placed on harnesses, so unless 
the goal is to teach a dog to pull, it is worthless 
as a training tool. I recommend the harness as a 
dog seatbelt. A leash with a solid brass or steel 
clip strapped around the back of the seat and 
fastened to the harness makes a great restraint 
for a dog that might otherwise crash into the 
windshield upon impact.

 Break-away Collars: A special quick-release 
collar that will unfasten if a strong pull is placed 
on the collar. However, the collar will not 
unfasten when attached to a leash. This collar 
was designed after the inventor’s dog choked to 
death because its collar got caught on something.

 Choke Chains / Slip Collars: Metal choke 
chains are still being used as a training tool in 
traditional methods, where the dog is corrected 
by a quick snap of the leash if he doesn’t obey a 
command. Slip collars are similar, except they are 
made of soft materials such as nylon or cotton. 
These types of collars should never be left on an 
unattended dog, and always removed when the 
leash is removed.

 Electronic Collars: Often called remote or 
e-collars by advocates, and shock collars by 
detractors, these devices deliver an electrical 
stimulus causing pain to the dog when given a 
correction. It is my experience, when evaluating 
most dogs who have been trained using shock 
devices, that these collars can destroy a dog’s self-
confidence. I would never use nor do I advocate 
the use of shock collars as an obedience training 
device. 

 Head Halters: Head Halters are the latest in 
politically correct, morally proper tools that 
feed into owners’ desire to treat their canine 
companions humanely. The halter is very effective 
in achieving compliance and obedience without 
excessive restraint, however some feel that the 
dog’s personality is somewhat marginalized by 
its use. I personally feel this tool works better 
than most in controlling a dog’s tendency to pull, 
without choking. 

 Prong or Pinch Collars: These collars may 
seem like a kind of medieval torture device, but 
they are actually humane when used properly. 
They should definitely be used for training “neck 
insensitive” dogs only.

 I want to make it clear that this article is not 
meant to advocate the use of any particular collar 
type over another. A sincere, caring pet owner 
takes the time to try and understand how his or 
her dog(s) thinks, learns and bonds with human 
beings and the best candidate to determine which 
product works best for their pet is his owner. No 
training equipment can ever take the place of a 
strong, mutually respectful relationship between 
a dog and his master. Finally, do be gentle and 
loving in the way that you treat your dog and 
your dog will be gentle and loving in how he 
responds to you, of that I am sure!


Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc