Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 9, 2013

11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

 Mountain Views News Saturday, March 9, 2013 

SEAN’S SHAMELESS 

REVIEWS: 

JASMINE’S CORNER

Book Reviews by Jasmine Kelsey Williams 


Review By Sean Kayden

PEACHES by Jodi Lynn Anderson

With the cooler weather still upon us, this next selection 
will provide not just a sweet story that will put you in 
the mood for spring, but will bring an excellent message 
for both younger and older readers about friendship, 
bonds, and change. “Peaches” by Jodi Lynn Anderson 
is the perfect pick here, and makes for an excellent 
read at home or on the go. “Peaches” brings together 
the story of three different teenaged girls from different 
walks of life, and the sometimes strange circumstances 
that brings them together. There is Murphy the 
troublemaker, Leeda, who is cast in her older sister’s 
shadow and ignored by her mother, and then Birdie, 
the shy one who struggles with not just working on her 
father’s peach orchard, but also her parents’ divorce. 
Anderson reveals tenderness and simplicity when 
weaving the characters and their backstories together, 
but also carries firm tones when it comes to the even 
pacing, the themes of friendships, relationships, love 
and great changes, and family. 

 Readers will particularly enjoy the different 
perspectives from each of the individual characters, 
but also brief interludes that reveal certain events that 
play into the story, a peek into each of the characters’ families, and mentioning delicious 
peaches. As the story progresses from humble beginnings to a sweet ending, readers will be 
able to better comprehend the reasoning behind each of the characters’ dilemmas, and why 
each of them eventually come to each other’s aid, which is a very strong readers will notice 
and can use as an example regarding their own friendships in everyday life. Copyrighted in 
2005, and receiving praise from Publishers Weekly, Booklist and Ann Brashares (author of 
“The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”), “Peaches” may be considered a bit more “classic” 
compared to today, but still provides a delicious and indulgent tale when it comes to the 
experiences of friends, life, and love and the sometimes odd ways that they all come together. 
And for those who wish to continue this indulgent story, Anderson has also produced two 
sequels: “The Secrets of Peaches” followed by “Love and Peaches”. 

http://avhs-omega-english.wikispaces.com/file/view/Peaches/34223927/193x286/Peaches
FIVE SONGS TO KICK OFF YOUR 
SPRING SEASON

Coasts – “Oceans” – Coasts, newcomers hailing from Bristol, have burst 
onto the scene with their infectious single called “Oceans”. It’s utterly electric from start to finish. 
It draws you in and is simply a razor sharp, dance worthy tune. In April, Coasts will release their 
debut 4-song EP titled, “Paradise.” If the other songs sound like this, the name of the record will 
be aptly titled indeed. 

Hotel Mexico – “A.I. In Dreams” – Japanese dream rockers recently released a new album called 
“Her Decorated Post Love.” The first single is “A.I. In Dreams”—a woozy, shoegazing induced 
track with 80s style vocals. It puts you into a state of euphoria with swirling, airy guitar riffs, and 
new wave influences. With dream pop tendencies and ultra cool vibes at the heart and soul of 
this song, you’ll find yourself putting this tune on repeat despite the indiscernible lyrics at times. 

Local Channel – “Arctic” - The 3-piece band from SIlverlake, CA demonstrates a proclivity 
toward a traditional indie rock sound. “Arctic,” the band’s debut single, starts off slow and 
composed. There is a sort of mist layered over the rhythmic guitars. After about two and a half 
minutes it kicks it up a notch or two and explodes into a fully gripping jam. Ultimately, it almost 
feels like two songs, but “Arctic” is simply the work of a band with many faces that know no 
dimensions. Local Channel’s debut EP will be out this month. 

Caveman – “In The City” – For their upcoming self-titled sophomore album, New York City 
indie rockers Caveman raise their own bar with a lush, provocative, anthemic single. What is 
shaping up to be an album that increases the sonic soundscape of the band, “Caveman” have 
crafted a song that displays lead singer Matthew Iwanusa unexpected rich vocals (not really found 
on their debut record). With so much going on with the arrangements, the vocals really shine on 
this one. If the rest of the album does this as well, there’s no telling how great Caveman’s second 
record will be when it arrives this April. 

Foals – “Bad Habit” – Foals’ latest endeavor, “Holy Fire” dropped last month. A particular song 
on the record called “Bad Habit” is one of the finest tunes of 2013. It’s a multi-dimensional, 
deliberately paced piece of music and like ocean waves has moments of calmness followed by 
eruption. While “Bad Habit” never fully explodes out of proportion, it does have many elements 
to it making it a clever, nearly unexpected track from a band like Foals. It’s definitely one of their 
most pop driven songs to date. However, it’s nothing to shun when it sounds this intuitive and 
purely this good. 


SIERRA MADRE 

WISTARIA FESTIVAL

Sunday, March 17, 2013

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY 
FOR THE WISTARIA SHUTTLE

www.wistariafestival.com

www.wistariatickets.com

Tickets are available online at www.sierramadreplayhouse.org or by calling 626-355-4318

THE CROWN CITY SYMPHONY 
PRESENTS TWO FREE CONCERTS 

Rossini --- “The Silken Ladder” 

Haydn ---- Cello Concerto #1 in C

Beethoven ----- Symphony #7 in A

 Marvin Neumann - Conductor 

Maggie Hummel Strong - Cello Soloist

 

2:00 pm, Saturday, March 16, 2013

Altadena Senior Center

560 E. Mariposa, Altadena

 

2:00 pm, Sunday, March 17, 2013

First Baptist Church of Pasadena

75 N. Marengo, Pasadena

Validated parking in the stacked parking on Holly

 Made possible in part with funds received through private donations and sponsored by the Tuesday 
Musicale of Pasadena Call (626) 797-1994 for more information. Web site: crowncitysymphony.
org Find us on Facebook at Crown City Symphony, Pasadena