Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 23, 2013

11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

 Mountain Views News Saturday, February 23, 2013 

SEAN’S SHAMELESS 

REVIEWS: 

JASMINE’S CORNER

Book Reviews by Jasmine Kelsey Williams 


Review By Sean Kayden

ATLAS GENIUS 

2013 may very well turn out to be a huge year for Atlas Genius. Originally 
from Australia, the four-piece indie-pop group has been riding high with 
their 2012 buzz song, “Trojans.” While the song has been percolating since 
2011, it wasn’t until last June when brothers Keith, Michael, and Steven Jeffery, 
along with keyboardist Darren Sell were signed onto Warner Bros. Records 
that it became known stateside. The hit song 
appeared on their debut EP record, “Through the 
Glass” while garnering much praise and popularity. 
However, now that we’re in 2013, Atlas Genius, 
the Foster The People/Phoenix type of band before 
them, is still banking on “Trojans” alongside ten 
other tracks (only eight being brand new) on their 
debut LP, “When It Was Now.” The songs found on 
the record exude pure summer vibes that are dance inducing, high energy, and pack a mighty 
punch. While Atlas Genius could turn into merely a one hit wonder group, the brothers and friend 
will have to prove they’re not just another pop rock band with nothing much to offer besides one 
catchy tune.

“When It Was Now” isn’t treading any new ground. It sounds like any other band in the genre, but 
that’s not to say there isn’t anything to take away from it. For the most part, the record is incredibly 
catchy and very accessible to connect with. Majority of the album borrows from an 80s style that 
incorporates both synths and rhythmic guitar riffs. “Through The Glass” is toned down compared 
to the other tracks since it’s more of an acoustic tune and piano-driven. The title track “When It 
Was Now” is a combination of the sounds of both Twin Shadow and Phoenix. “If So” might as 
well be the second hit single for the band. It’s just as infectious as “Trojans” even if it’s somewhat 
derivative. The slower tempo standout track is “All These Girls.” It’s easily the band’s best song and 
shows the band in a very sensitive light. The super charged, full-fledged dance anthem known as 
“Electric” is probably the most uninspiring tune. “Electric” is a rather generic opener that may give 
the listener the wrong idea from the get-go even if it doesn’t sound all that much different than 
subsequent tracks. Fortunately, things improve rather quickly. The thing is, these slick, electro-pop 
driven songs work very well most of the time. However, separating this band from others alike is a 
difficult undertaking. 

At the end of the day, the music here isn’t going to change your life. It’s great workout music or 
just playing in your car in the windows down. “When It Was Now” is a fun album—nothing more 
and usually nothing less. When it tries to be something deeper, it comes off amateurish despite 
relatively fun, cool, summery beats. There’s sort of a dichotomy to a band like Atlas Genius. On 
one hand they’re on their way of becoming the “it” band and some would say rightfully so. They’ve 
mastered the art of expanding on something (snyth-pop) that’s been beaten to death. On the other 
hand, they’re really not doing anything revolutionary. They have some nice tunes to their catalogue 
and their presence alone will have them opening up for bigger acts and performing on late night 
talk shows. However, Atlas Genius isn’t leading the pack and despite merely following the herd, 
they somehow might find themselves closer up in the mix than those who tried to do the same 
thing previously before them. At any rate, I wouldn’t get too invested in band like this, but enjoy it 
for what it is and certainly not for what it could have been.

Grade: 7 out of 10

Key Tracks: “If So”, “Trojans”, “Centered On You”, “All These Girls” 

DIRECT YOUR OWN LIFE: HOW 
TO BE A STAR IN ANY FIELD YOU 
CHOOSE By Efren Ramirez & Chris Barrett

As we draw closer towards the end of February, this 
next selection will be a pleasant pick-me-up to not only 
get motivated, but to stay motivated, and is the perfect 
choice for many readers in their different phases in life. 

‘Direct Your Own Life’ takes a different approach from the 
typical self-help book, and instead these two incredible 
authors map out steps, examples, and the benefits that 
come with knowing what you want to achieve, but 
sometimes may not know how to get there. A bonus 
that comes with reading this book is one that should 
be able to keep the reader engaged quite easily; rather 
than just examples from the authors, the authors and 
their other associates mentioned recall experiences that 
helped shaped who they are, the obstacles encountered, 
and the pros and cons between what they individually 
wanted. ‘Direct Your Own Life’ has a unique quality of 
its own, and to add to its appeal is that rather than just experiences, the book in its entirety 
has the tone of a movie script. “Director’s Notes”, movies and characters used as examples, 
and using a script as a metaphor for the goals you want to achieve in life are just a few of the 
unique tidbits that readers will come across in this book and it will not disappoint at all. In 
fact, readers will be able to enjoy the “movie” feel of it, along with picking up the humorous 
narrative that is presented by Ramirez and Barrett. 

Copyrighted in 2008, and receiving praise from movie sources and book critics, as well as 
various readers, ‘Direct Your Own Life’ is an excellent choice for not just directing your life, 
but a chance to really shine at what you wish to pursue to achieve your dreams.

http://ecimages.kobobooks.com/Image.ashx?imageID=jmGXUxSSDk-GNKhQbuq9Og&Type=Full
Artist: Atlas Genius 

Album: When It Was Now

Label: Warner Bros. Records

Release Date: February 19, 2013

SPECIAL EVENT 
AT SIERRA MADRE 
PLAYHOUSE ON 
FEBRUARY 23

 Following the regularly scheduled 
performance of the critically 
acclaimed production of 
“Driving Miss Daisy” on Saturday, 
February 23, at 8 pm, 
there will be a discussion with 
U.S. District Judge Ralph Fertig, 
who was a Freedom Rider 
during the Civil Rights Era, 
moderated by Marianne Szegedy-
Maszak, award-winning 
journalist, author and board 
member of the Center for Public 
Integrity in Washington, 
D.C.

 “Driving Miss Daisy” is the 
Pulitzer Prize winning play 
about the developing friendship 
between an elderly Jewish 
widow in Atlanta and her African 
American chauffeur. Set 
between the years of 1948 and 
1973, the narrative occurs during 
the turbulent early years of 
the Civil Rights Era, and issues 
of race are brought front and 
center.

 Performance of “Driving Miss 
Daisy.” Written by Alfred Uhry. 
Directed by Christian Lebano. 

Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 
W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra 
Madre, CA 91024. Ample free 
parking behind theatre. Admission: 
$25. Seniors (65+) $22. 
Youth (13-21), $15. Children 12 
and under, $12. Reservations: 
(626) 355-4318. Online ticketing: 
www.sierramadreplayhouse.
org 


SIERRA MADRE ARTIST HONORED

 18-year Sierra Madre resident, Djibril N’Doye, Fine Artist, was presented with the Featured 
Artist Award at the 21st Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival Filmmaker’s Award Brunch on 
Monday, February 18, 2013 at the “pop 
up” PAFF Filmmakers Lounge, located 
in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.

The festival handed out jury, audience 
and special prizes during the awards 
brunch held on Presidents Day, the 
final day of the 12-day festival.

 In his acceptance speech, Djibril said, 
“The Pan African Film & Arts Festival 
is where board members, directors, 
filmmakers, writers, festival staff and 
volunteers, and fine artists from all 
over the world come to share the same 
history, an African heritage, and get to 
know each other, and that really makes 
us feel like family. To me, we are a 
family. There is a very strong, spiritual 
connection which makes me feel like I 
am in Africa.” 

 He also said he is looking forward to 
share the honor of his award with his 
daughters Fatou and Salya in Senegal, 
and with his hometown of Bargny, who 
take great pride in his accomplishments, 
especially the youth who do a lot to 
uphold his legacy there. The “Diplome 
d’Honneur” award for service and 
value the youth organization called 
‘Association Promo - Family’ recently 
presented to him was accepted on his 
behalf by Salya while Djibril was away 
exhibiting in Arizona.

 The PAFF Awards Brunch took place 
in the Lounge which Djibril remarked on how thenatically well-decorated it was done by the 
Artfest Director/Curator, Allohn Agbenya. The walls had large hand-woven tapestries and wood 
carved African masks.

After receiving his award, Djibril expressed how on behalf of his family, particularly his wife, 
Mary, and on behalf of his country and Africa, he was very grateful to Babu, Executive Director of 
PAFF, and Asantewa, Director of Programming, all the technical staff and volunteers, and Allohn 
the art curator, for choosing Djibril as the Featured Artist for a second time, the first having been 
in 2006.

 The PAFF was widely publicized in Senegal by the newspapers, both print and online, and Djibril 
provided festival information to H.E. Mr. Cheikh Niang, Ambasador at the Senegal Embassy in 
Washington, D.C., and to the President of Senegal, Mr. Macky Sall, and the Minister of Culture, 
Mr. Youssou N’Dour, as well as to the governor of Dakar, Mr. Cheikh Ahmet Tidiane N’Doye. 

Established in 1992, The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to 
the promotion of cultural and racial tolerance and understanding through the exhibition of film, 
art and creative expression.

 It is PAFF’s goal to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly 
those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes. We believe film 
and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse 
cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the 
important issues of our times.

 Each year, PAFF presents:

. Over One Hundred Fifty (150) quality films from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, 
Latin America, Europe, the South Pacific and Canada, all showcasing the diversity and complexity 
of people of African descent.
. One of America’s largest fine art shows featuring prominent and emerging Black artists 
and fine crafts people, including local, national and international poets, musicians and storytellers.


For further information, please contact the Pan African Film & Arts Festival, 310-337-4737, or 
www.paff.org. 

Djibril N’Doye, djibrilartist@gmail.com, or www.djibrilndoye.com.


HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

ene
HOW CAN YOGA HELP 

GET UPSIDE DOWN!

 Going upside down is what we call the “anti-aging” and “anti-depressant” secret of yoga. Going 
upside down changes your mood in seconds and leaves you with a smile, every time. You do not need 
to stand on your head. There are surprising techniques that can help you get all the benefits with out 
the fear or the strain on your neck. Going up side down or inversions, change the way the prana flows. 
It gets that vital life energy moving upward toward the head and it lifts the corners of the mouth and 
the corners of the eyes. It lifts your spirits and it’s great for the immune system. Yogis have been doing 
inversions for years. If you are in a bad mood and need an immediate change, go upside down. I never 
dreamed I would be able to do a hand stand. I could not do one when I was a kid. But I soon learned 
it’s possible and fun! Shoulder stand is easier, especially with a block under your low back. But you can 
just do what we call legs up the wall.

 Sit right next to a wall, with your hip touching the wall. Roll onto your side keeping that hip at the 
wall, so you are in a tight little ball on your side with your bum at the wall. Then swing your legs up the 
wall and come onto your back. Close your eyes and slow your breath for 5, 10 or 20 minutes. Come out 
by rolling back onto your side and pressing to your hands and knees. ‘Legs up the wall’ pose is better 
than a nap. It will leave you feeling rejuvenated and fresh, not groggy like a nap. Everyone can do legs 
up the wall. It’s safe and relaxing. For other inversions you need the instructions of an experienced 
teacher. There are some medical conditions that are not good for going upside down. Be sure to tell 
your teacher if you have glaucoma or blood pressure issues.

 Going upside down gives us a new perspective. You will love it. It can be scary to those of us that have 
never done it. You are never to old to try it and you will soon learn that it is natural and fun.

Give ‘legs up the wall’ pose a try and let me know what you think. Namasté, René 


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