Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 30, 2014

11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Mountain Views-News Saturday, August 30, 2014 

Jeff’s Book Picks By Jeff Brown


SEAN’S SHAMELESS 

REVIEWS: END OF SUMMER PLAYLIST 

J Mascis – “Me Again” – “Tied 
To A Star” is only the second solo 
album from alternative rock 
legend, J Mascis. Mainly known for 
his 90s alternative band, Dinosaur 
Jr., Mascis is making new music 
in his 4th decade as a musician. 
Opening track, “Me Again,” is a 
soft, barebones, longing jam. It’s 
reflective and melancholy, but easily 
one of the finer tracks of the year. 
The soothing guitars alongside 
Mascis’ cool and collective vocals 
are a terrific combination. I believe 
Mascis is at his best when he quiets 
down and gets pensive. “Me Again” 
isn’t a typical summer song, but it 
will be a good way to kick off the 
fall season later next month. “Tied 
To A Star” is out now on Sub Pop 
Records. 

 Merchandise – 
“Telephone” - Tampa Bay 
DIY rockers find themselves on 
a brand new, bigger independent 
label (4AD) with their third LP, 
“After The End.” A complete shift 
in direction, the band is focus on 
more of a sparkling, crisp pop 
sound. “Telephone” has a 80s new 
wave sense of style to it. Their 
previous sprawling rock sound 
is completely gone. In replace are 
Carson Cox’s baritone vocals that 
mix very well with The Smiths-
esque arrangements. Merchandise 
probably won’t ever be huge, but 
their ability to progress entirely into 
something brand new is definitely 
commendable. The new album 
is more pop-oriented. Don’t let 
that scare you off if you’re already 
a fan of this band. The change in 
arrangements may be the most 
refreshing sound you hear all year 
from any band. “After The End” is 
out now on 4AD. 

 Tennis – “Never Work For 
Free” – The Denver band is set to 
release their third LP, “Ritual in 
Repeat,” in just three years. Brand 
new single, “Never Work For Free” 
demonstrates the band’s peppy, 
lush sound. Tennis is composed of 
married couple, Alaina Moore and 
Patrick Riley. This tune sounds a lot 
like something off HAIM’s debut 
record of last year. Their sound 
more polished than ever, is mainly 
because of producer Patrick Carney 
(The Black Keys). The lo-fi days 
seem to be a not so distant memory 
as the band, formerly a duo, has 
widened their musical soundscape. 
I’m usually under the impression 
all these kind of female led bands 
sound the same, but I have a hunch 
with their third album, Tennis will 
strive to the lead in this seemingly 
crowded race. “Ritual in Repeat” 
is due out September 9th on 
Commission Records. 

 Wildcat! Wildcat! – Up & 
Beyond – The debut record from 
LA electronic pop enthusiasts 
is catchy as hell. The indie R&B 
inspired style, which is ever so 
popular these days, is the scene 
Wildcat! Wildcat! occupies. The 
band is catching a lot of buzz these 
days with their infectious sound. 
“Up & Beyond” is the perfect 
example. Lush melodies and 
falsetto vocals, the band pushes the 
envelope but with much restraint. 
Never does it feel overblown and 
only just right, Wildcat! Wildcat!’s 
debut record is something much 
more than what it seems to be on 
face value. They also specialize 
in some more ethereal jams, 
reminiscent of M83. The band is off 
to a promising start, but the scene 
they’re in is brimming with bands 
just like them. “No Moon At All” is 
out now on Downtown Records.

 Fences – “Arrows (featuring 
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis)” 
– Fences, not a household name, 
is an alternative pop band from 
Seattle. Macklemore & Ryan 
Lewis on the other hand won 
a bunch of Grammys last year 
with their hip-hop opus, “The 
Heist.” However, this song, has the 
potential of being a huge hit for 
everyone involved. With a catchy 
chorus, terrific arrangements and 
emotional depth, it’s easily one 
of the best songs of the season. 
“Arrows” could be the one to end 
your summer on the right track. 
Fences may just escape obscurity 
when their sophomore LP is 
released this October via Elektra 
Records.

By Sean Kayden

J Mascis – “Me 
Again” – “Tied To A Star” is only the second solo album from alternative rock legend, J Mascis. Mainly known for his 90s alternative band, Dinosaur Jr., Mascis is making new music in his 4th decade as a musician. Opening track, “Me Again,” is a soft, barebones, longing jam. It’s reflective and melancholy, but easily one of the finer tracks of the year. The soothing guitars alongside Mascis’ cool and collective vocals are a terrific combination. I believe Mascis is at his best when he quiets down and gets pensive. “Me Again” isn’t a typical summer song, but it will be a good way to kick off the fall season later next month. “Tied To A Star” is out now on Sub Pop Records. 

 Merchandise – “Telephone” - Tampa Bay DIY rockers find themselves on a brand new, bigger independent label (4AD) with their third LP, “After The End.” A complete shift in direction, the band is focus on more of a sparkling, crisp pop sound. “Telephone” has a 80s new wave sense of style to it. Their previous sprawling rock sound is completely gone. In replace are Carson Cox’s baritone vocals that mix very well with The Smiths-esque arrangements. Merchandise probably won’t ever be huge, but their ability to progress entirely into something brand new is definitely commendable. The new album is more pop-oriented. Don’t let that scare you off if you’re already a fan of this band. The change in arrangements may be the most refreshing sound you hear all year from any band. “After The End” is out now on 4AD. 

 Tennis – “Never Work For Free” – The Denver band is set to release their third LP, “Ritual in Repeat,” in just three years. Brand new single, “Never Work For Free” demonstrates the band’s peppy, lush sound. Tennis is composed of married couple, Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley. This tune sounds a 
lot like something off HAIM’s debut record of last year. Their sound more polished than ever, is mainly because of producer Patrick Carney (The Black Keys). The lo-fi days seem to be a not so distant memory as the band, formerly a duo, has widened their musical soundscape. I’m usually under the impression all these kind of female led bands sound the same, but I have a hunch with their third album, Tennis will strive to the lead in this seemingly crowded race. “Ritual in Repeat” is due out September 9th on Commission Records. 

 Wildcat! Wildcat! – Up & Beyond – The debut record from LA electronic pop enthusiasts is catchy as hell. The indie R&B inspired style, which is ever so popular these days, is the scene Wildcat! Wildcat! occupies. The band is catching a lot of buzz these days with their infectious sound. “Up & Beyond” is the perfect example. Lush melodies and falsetto vocals, the band pushes the envelope but with much restraint. Never does it feel overblown and only just right, Wildcat! Wildcat!’s debut record is something much more than what it seems to be on face value. They also specialize in some more ethereal jams, reminiscent of M83. The band is off to a promising start, but the scene they’re in is brimming with bands just like them. “No Moon At All” is out now on Downtown Records.

 Fences – “Arrows (featuring 
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis)” – Fences, not a household name, is an alternative pop band from Seattle. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis on the other hand won a bunch of Grammys last year with their hip-hop opus, “The Heist.” However, this song, has the potential of being a huge hit for everyone involved. With a catchy chorus, terrific arrangements and emotional depth, it’s easily one of the best songs of the season. “Arrows” could be the one to end your summer on the right track. Fences may just escape obscurity when their sophomore LP is released this October via Elektra Records.


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On the Marquee: Notes from the Sierra MadrePlayhouse

IT’S ALL ABOUT CONTEXT


By Christian Lebano, Artistic Director

 I have always felt that my best theater experiences 
were those where my complete experience was 
thought about and crafted by the producers of the 
show. From my interaction at the Box Office to 
walking through the lobby to the program to the 
show itself and then any post-show talkbacks – all are 
part of the experience of going to the theater.

 When the SMP Board created our new mission 
statement it was important to us that it include a fuller 
understanding of what “theater” could or should be. 
That’s why part of our mission is to put all of our 
plays into a cultural and historical context. This is 
something we started in a small way with Driving 
Miss Daisy last year with our post-show events with 2 
Civil Rights Freedom Riders and Maiya Sykes adding 
her beautiful voice to the songs of that movement. 

 We went further with our production of Battledrum 
last year for which we created a beautiful Study Guide; 
had Civil War historians at every performance, both 
student shows and general audience shows; and 
created a marvelous exhibit in our lobby featuring 
six different aspects of the War which were touched 
on by the play. This exhibit was curated and planned 
by Diane Siegel. Diane has been an educator and has 
worked in museums for years crafting experiences for 
patrons. In fact, she and I met when I was hired to 
produce a series of student radio plays at the Museum 
of Television and Radio in Beverly Hills.

 Anyone who has seen our current production of 
6 RMS RIV VU knows that the lobby exhibit has 
become an integral part of our productions. Diane 
has done a wonderful job creating an interesting and 
informative “Google Wall” (as she calls it) – which 
illustrates some of the more obscure and not so 
obscure (to those of us of a “certain age”) references 
in the show. It’s been fun watching our younger 
patrons learning about “Miss Subways,” “Elaine 
May and Mike Nichols,” and “the Daitch.” She’s also 
created interactive pieces with her quiz of NYC real 
estate lingo – the title of the play refers to a six room 
apartment with a river (Hudson) view. And most 
amusingly, she has challenged the audiences to decide 
what kind of chair they would prefer – a running 
question in the play. I’m definitely more of the club 
chair-type myself.

 We have already planned the exhibits for our next 
two plays 4000 Miles which opens September 26 and 
A Little House Christmas which opens November 28. 
I hope you’ll see them both and let me know what you 
think of this new feature. And if you haven’t seen 6 
RMS RIV VU you have two more weekends to catch 
it before it closes September 6 with two performances 
– a matinee at 2:30 and a closing show at 8:00.

 Please let me hear from you about programming at 
the Playhouse. I can be reached at christian.lebano@
sierramadreplayhouse.org

 Come home to the Playhouse – where great 
entertainment journeys begin. For tickets call 
626.355.4318 or go to www.sierramadreplayhouse.org


“THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES,” BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND ON SEPTEMBER 7

 This nostalgic show features music, dance and comedy from the World War II era and later armed conflicts 
(Korea, Vietnam, Iraq) in a tribute to Bob Hope and the USO shows. A Theatres of Vision production.

 “Thanks for the Memories.” A program of music, dance and comedy. At Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. Ample free parking behind theatre. Sunday, September 7, 2014 at 2:30 
and 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $30. Seniors (65+) $25. Veterans $15. Children 12 and under, $10. Reservations: (626) 355-
4318. Online ticketing: www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

 “What a delight!”---Life in L.A.

 “Delightful….May well perform forever.”---Theatre Spoken Here