p13, v7.15 — Arts & Entertainment

Arts & Entertainment

Mountain Views News Saturday, April 13, 2013

MVNews this week: Page 13

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Mountain Views News Saturday, April 13, 2013

SEAN’S SHAMELESS

REVIEWS:

JASMINE’S CORNER

Book Reviews by Jasmine Kelsey Williams

CAVEMAN

NYC dream-rockers Caveman return with their eponymously titled sophomore
album. Their 2011 debut record, “CoCo Beware,” earned them much acclaim.
The real test obviously comes with the follow-up record and Caveman
doesn’t falter. A deeper, richer, more melodic sounding album is what “Caveman”
is. It’s a shimmering, wistful collection of songs that reflect those of the 80s British pop era as well
as hints of The Shins, Grizzly Bear and Fleet Foxes. Comparisons aside, Caveman’s intensely satisfying
second record captures a plaintive life, yet those impacted by it will have their own subjective opinions.
The wailing guitars, the sensitivity in the vocals, and hazy snyths are all driving forces behind
“Caveman.” Their sound is unmatched in today’s ever so increasingly expansion of indie rock bands
(especially those from NYC). While the album may
not be something to fully blow you away, it’s still a
sumptuous communal set of songs. It’s definitely
a slow burn of an album that tests the patience of
the listener. If you’re willing to stick around for the
entire show, you’re in for an experience that’s rare
these days.

The album starts off with “Strange to Suffer.”
It’s a dreamy, paradise encompassing song that is light on lyrics, but is as soothing as anything
you could ever ask for. The subsequent track and first single, “In The City,” is the most upbeat song
off the record. It’s airy, snyth-soaked, and melodically intoxicating. While rest of the album meanders
through, it’s a trip worth taking. For everyone will take away a different experience, but all come to the
conclusion that “Caveman” is significantly powerful on many unexplained levels. At times quite intimate
such as with the song “I See You,” the folk rock, barebones track to sweeping efforts like “Where’s
The Time?” and “Chances.” In fact, “I See You,” reminds me a lot of something found on both Local Natives’
latest masterpiece, “Hummingbird” and reminiscent of the band, “City and Colour.” No matter
the similarities, “I See You” is one of Caveman’s most warm and sorrowful songs. It’s filled with sheer
beauty and desolation. Admittedly so, the album runs its course a bit with the later tracks like “Never
Want To Know” and “The Big Push.” They’re the lengthiest of songs found on “Caveman,” but offer no
real surprises. Nonetheless, the listener will already be completely enthralled with the record that the
end may not pose much of disappointment.

I heard the real assessment for a band is how they perform their songs live. Caveman has been
known to put on great live shows. Therefore, it’s a great reassurance that the band is definitely something
to rave about. While “Caveman” isn’t the music you’re blasting in your car or working out to, it’s
rich textures, thick guitar layers, affectionate sensibilities will draw you in and hold you tight. Despite
the slight tail off toward the end, that grasp it has on you may let up slightly so. Nonetheless, the first
nine tracks will prove to be something wholly innovative, vastly pleasurable, and quite gentle as the
listener navigates the shores of “Caveman,” never wanting to return to land.

Grade: 8.5 out of 10

Key Tracks: “In The City,” “Ankles,” “Pricey,” “I See You”

LOVE AND PEACHES By Jodi Lynn Anderson

Jodi Lynn Anderson brings forth the third and final book of her
“Peaches” trilogy, and the spring season will serve to be perfect for
this choice. “Love and Peaches” is the last one here, bringing back
the three protagonists that consist of Murphy, Leeda, and Birdie for
a sweetly wonderful reunion and a final farewell.

Like its predecessors, “Love and Peaches” picks up the tone and
story from where “The Secrets of Peaches” left off, but instead of
starting directly at the Darlington Peach Orchard, the story works
its way backwards, choosing to start from different points from
the three main characters individual lives instead. The characters’
main stories have progressed to them still maintaining their bonds
with each other, but their own lives have brought about change not
just between them, but also one that challenges their friendship.
Murphy’s return to the orchard brings not just shocking news from
her mother regarding her father, but also plucking up the courage to
face her first love that she left. Leeda’s return brings her responsibility
in the form of a surprising inheritance, and Birdie returns to the
orchard from Mexico, only to learn about holding on to what she has and letting go of what she
has ever known, including the orchard itself.

“Love and Peaches” contains so much more beneath the surface; the themes of friendship, love,
and forgiveness compliment the issues of secrets, holding and letting go, and sometimes choosing
what you want out of your own life versus choosing what may be the right thing to do (and both
are challenging). Anderson still maintains the calm tone throughout all three of her books, but
readers will notice how the story and the characters grow and change throughout the trilogy, from
their high school days, back to the orchard, and through the beginnings of their college years
and eventually what choices are made for their own lives. Copyrighted in 2008 and still receiving
praise from Publishers Weekly and various critics, “Love and Peaches” will not only complete
your book collection and this trilogy, but one that shows readers of many ages how the bonds of
friendship and faith can possibly last for a lifetime.

Artist: Caveman

Album: Caveman

Label: Fat Possum

Release Date: April 2nd, 2013

CHILDREN’S ART PROJECT
CREATE a DRAGON KITE
Saturday May 4th &
Sunday May 5th
10:00AM to 4:00PM
At Sierra Madre Art Fair in Memorial Park
Presented By:
Creative Arts Group a nonprofit art center
108 N. Baldwin Ave., Sierra Madre
626-355-8350
www.creativeartsgroup.org
SIERRA MADRE AUTHOR PUBLISHES 28TH NOVEL

Merrill Joan Gerber, a 45 year resident of Sierra
Madre, is, as Readers Digest used to say, a most
“Unforgettable Character”.

I had the chance to meet her via email and a
telephone conversation when she contacted the
paper regarding an auto accident on her street.
She had taken a few pictures of the incident and
wanted to share them with the community.

During my telephone conversation with her, I
learned that this woman, a teacher of fiction writing
at Cal Tech, is quite the accomplished author
and a real delight to converse with. She is witty
and provided a much needed uplift for my day!

Born in Brooklyn she has won
many literary awards and honors
for her novels and short stories. She
has published stories in The New
Yorker, The Atlantic, Mademoiselle,
Redbook, and many other journals.
In 1986 Gerber won an O. Henry
Prize. In 1993, she won the Ribalow
Award from Hadassah Magazine for
her novel, The Kingdom of Brooklyn.
She currently teaches fiction
writing at the California Institute of
Technology.

Her latest novel, her 28th, “The
Hysterectomy Waltz” has just been
released on Amazon and will soon
be in bookstores on May 14th however
it can be early-ordered on
Amazon now. There will be a reading
at Pasadena Vroman's (Hastings
Ranch) on May 13th, Monday, 7 pm.

Learn more about Merrill by going
to her website: www.cco.caltech.
edu/~mjgerber

S. Henderson/MVNews

“GOD’S MAN IN TEXAS”

Faith and egos collide in the age of mass-market religion at Houston’s Rock Baptist Church when the
board of directors introduces a
young heir-apparent to the charismatic
but aging founder/pastor.
A co-production with television
writer David Rambo (Revolution,
CSI)

Written by:

DAVID RAMBO

Directed by:

NANCY YOUNGBLUT

Presented by:

SIERRA MADRE
PLAYHOUSE

Starring:

TED HEYCK,

CHRISTIANLEBANO

and PAUL PERRI

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013
AT 8 P.M.

SATURDAY, APRIL 13 AT
8 P.M.

SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE

87 W. SIERRA MADRE BLVD.

SIERRA MADRE, CA 91024

www.sierramadreplayhouse.ord

(626) 355- 4318

Reception follows Friday performance. Ample free parking behind theatre.

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