Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 21, 2015

11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 21, 2015 


SEAN’S SHAMELESS REVIEWS: 

CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN – ‘THE BALCONY’ 

Jeff’s Book Picks By Jeff Brown

THEY KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU: HOW 
DATA-XCOLLECTING CORPORATIONS AND 
SNOOPING GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ARE 
DESTROYING DEMOCRACY by Robert Scheer 

 The book is a groundbreaking 
exposé of how government 
agencies and tech corporations 
monitor virtually every 
aspect of our lives, and also a 
fierce defense of privacy and 
democracy. The revelation that 
the government has access to 
a vast trove of personal online 
data demonstrates that we 
already live in a surveillance 
society. But the erosion of 
privacy rights extends far 
beyond big government. 
Intelligence agencies such as the NSA and CIA are 
using Silicon Valley corporate partners as their 
data spies. Seemingly progressive tech companies are 
joining forces with snooping government agencies to 
create a brave new world of wired tyranny. Life in the 
digital age poses an unprecedented challenge to our 
constitutional liberties, which guarantee a wall of 
privacy between the individual and the government. 
The basic assumption of democracy requires the 
ability of the individual to experiment with ideas 
and associations within a protected zone, as secured 
by the Constitution. The unobserved moment 
embodies the most basic of human rights, yet it is 
being squandered in the name of national security 
and consumer convenience. Robert Scheer argues 
that the information revolution, while a source of 
public enlightenment, contains the seeds of freedom’s 
destruction in the form of a surveillance state that 
exceeds the wildest dream of the most ingenious 
dictator. The technology of surveillance, unless 
vigorously resisted, represents an existential threat to 
the liberation of the human spirit.

YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS UP: MIRACLES, 
MEMORIES, AND THE PERFECT MARRIAGE OF 
SPORTS AND TELEVISION by Al Michaels 

In this highly entertaining and insightful memoir, 
one of television’s most respected broadcasters 
interweaves the story of his life and career with lively 
firsthand tales of some of the most thrilling events and 
fascinating figures in modern sports.No sportscaster 
has covered more major sporting events than Al 
Michaels. Over the course of his forty-plus year career, 
he has logged more hours on live network television 
than any other broadcaster in history, and is the only 
play-by-play commentator to have covered all four 
major sports championships: the Super Bowl, World 
Series, NBA Finals, and the Stanley Cup Final. He has 
also witnessed first-hand some of the most memorable 
events in modern sports, and in this highly personal 
and revealing account, brings them vividly to life. 
Michaels shares never-before-told stories from his 
early years and his rise to the top, covering some of 
the greatest moments of the past half century,from 
the “Miracle on Ice”(the historic 1980 Olympic hockey 
finals)to the earthquake that rocked the 1989 World 
Series. Some of the greatest names on and off the field 
are here,Michael Jordan, Bill Walton, Pete Rose, Bill 
Walsh, Peyton and Eli Manning, Brett Favre, John 
Madden, Howard Cosell, Cris Collinsworth, and 
many more.Forthright and down-to-earth, Michaels 
tells the truth as he sees it, giving readers unique 
insight into the high drama, the colorful players, and 
the heroes and occasional villains of an industry that 
has become a vital part of modern culture

MY SUNSHINE AWAY by M.O. Walsh 

My Sunshine Away unfolds in a Baton Rouge 
neighborhood best known for cookouts on sweltering 
summer afternoons, cauldrons of spicy crawfish, and 
passionate football fandom. But in the summer of 
1989, when fifteen-year-old Lindy Simpson,free spirit, 
track star, and belle of the block, experiences a crime 
late one evening near her home, it becomes apparent 
that this idyllic stretch of Southern suburbia has a dark 
side, too.In My Sunshine Away, M.O. Walsh brilliantly 
juxtaposes the enchantment of a charmed childhood 
with the gripping story of a violent crime, unraveling 
families, and consuming adolescent love. Acutely wise 
and deeply honest, it is a page-turning debut about 
the meaning of family, the power of memory, and our 
ability to forgive.

By Sean Kayden

Catfish and The Bottlemen 
is an indie garage rock band 
hailing from Llandudno, 
North Whales. The quartet 
has been piloting the UK 
indie rock circuit for several years with a few EPs 
under their belt. This past year, Van McCann (lead 
vocals), Johnny Bond (lead guitar), Benji Blakeway 
(bass guitar) and Bob Hall (drums) have performed 
at numerous music festivals throughout the UK. Next 
month will mark their US debut LP, “The Balcony.” 
Caught somewhere in between emerging UK acts 
such as Arctic Monkeys and The Vaccines, Catfish 
and The Bottlemen have a distinguishing quality that 
differentiates themselves from the pack. McCann 
noted that both Oasis and The Strokes have inspired 
him, in which some circumstances you can hear the 
influences bleed through the band’s material. Catfish 
and The Bottlemen have been touring extensively and 
their hard work is paying off. “The Balcony” is a record 
filled with pent-up anger that displays extensive, 
spiraling choruses best suited for stadiums from my 
perspective. The path being traveled on isn’t anything 
quite new yet the way Catfish and The Bottlemen 
are going about it feels organic and authentic. Their 
addictive, raw, and immensely fervent rhapsody 
signifies the workings of seasoned musicians and still 
this is merely just the beginning for Catfish and the 
Bottlemen. 

“Homesick” leads “The Balcony” with a soft opening 
before bursting with vigor. At two and a half minutes, 
it’s a terrific opener setting the stage for what’s to 
come. “Kathleen” is one of various singles the band 
has released over the past year. It’s a razor sharp track 
with sawing guitars and heart pounding drums. 
Instrumentally it sounds like a Kings Of Leon track 
that’s paired with a British accent. McCann posses 
weathered, but self-confident vocals. “Pacifier” is a 
colossally sweeping endeavor that deliveries spirited 
melodies and huge guitar hooks. “Hourglass” is a 
barebones acoustic track, the only one found here. It’s 
squarely placed right dab in the middle of the album. 
“Business” explores themes of young love infused with 
a lyricism leaning toward alcohol and nostalgia. Slick 
guitars, swift drums, and an instrumental structure 
with impetus, “Business” makes all the right choices 
from start to finish. “Fallout” soars and dazzles with 
its final minute being utterly dance worthy. As the 
drums pound, your head goes up and down, side to 
side feeling once again alive. “The Balcony” for all 
it’s deeply rooted rage, longing, and intensity makes 
one feel very alert within one’s own ever changing (or 
seemingly never changing) surroundings. 

“Sidewinder” is a strong addition with transcendent 
guitar riffs and fantastic bass lines. Catfish and The 
Bottlemen explore both poppier and harder rock 
echoes that ultimately offer the record a keen sense 
of balance. The longest track is the closer, “Tyrants.” 
The song feels appropriately titled with commanding 
guitar riffs, assured vocals, and enrapturing drums. 
The guitar solos toward the end completely rivets 
one’s undivided attention as the record comes to an 
absolutely exhilarating conclusion. At eleven tracks 
and a few seconds over 37 minutes, “The Balcony” 
proves to be a great leap forward for a band exposing 
tons of potential and room for progression. If you’re 
looking for something fresh and electrifying, “The 
Balcony” will positively fit the bill.

Grade: 7.7 out of 10

Key Tracks: “Homesick,” ”Pacifier,” “Sidewinder”, 
”Tyrants” 


On the Marquee: Notes from the Sierra MadrePlayhouse

EINSTEIN IS A DUMMY, MUSICAL COMEDY, 

OPENS MARCH 6 FOR LIMITED ENGAGEMENT 

Einstein Is A Dummy is a fictional treatment of 
what the young genius Albert Einstein might 
have been like at age 12. Unsure of himself, 
competing with the classroom bully, coping with 
a self-centered jerk of a music teacher, hoping to 
impress his first crush: a pretty girl named Elsa. 
In other words, Albert is in many ways a typical 
12-year-old; typical except for the fact that he 
comes to understand the fundamental principles 
of existence with far more clarity than you or me.

Accompanied by his sole buddy, a loyal cat, 
Einstein’s thirteenth year is one of discovery, in 
which the ways in which our universe works appear 
so clearly that even adults in the theatre audience 
will be able to understand them.

 Einstein has more immediate concerns, however: 
He needs to have his violin skills sufficiently up to 
standard so that he can participate in an important 
competition. Also, he wants to get the girl.

 Although ideal for audiences age 9 to 14, the 
musical is sufficiently smart and entertaining to 
reward adult and older teen audiences as well.

 Born in Mexico in 1969, Karen Zacarias is 
currently playwright-in-residence at Arena Stage 
in Washington, D.C. and teaches at Georgetown 
University. In October 2014, her play Mariela in the 
Desert was a festival selection at Encuentro 2014, 
the National Latino Theatre Festival at Los Angeles 
Theatre Center. She is the recipient of numerous 
awards. Her plays have been performed at venues 
throughout the country.

 Together with her frequent collaborator, 
composer Deborah Wicks La Puma, the duo has 
created a series of musicals for young audiences, 
among them Chasing George Washington: A 
White House Adventure, Jane of the Jungle, 
Cinderella Eats Rice and Beans, Looking for 
Roberto Clemente, Ferdinand the Bull, and Frida 
Libre, Ms.Wicks La Puma also serves as musical 
director for the Sierra Madre Playhouse production 
of Einstein Is A Dummy.

 Derek Manson directs. He portrayed Einstein 
in the world premiere production of this musical 
at Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. He received an L.A. 
Weekly Award as co-producer of House of Gold for 
Ensemble Studio Theatre LA. He has acted all over 
the country, recently at South Coast Rep in James 
and the Giant Peach. The current production 
marks his ninth collaboration with Deborah 
Wicks La Puma. He is graduate of Northwestern 
University.

 All roles in this musical are portrayed by adult 
actors. The company includes (in alphabetical 
order) Thomas Anawalt, Andrea Arvanigian, 
Jonathan Brett, Tara Bopp, Alex Denney, Tyler 
Fromson, Molly Gilman, Katie Hotchkiss, Conor 
Lane and Matt Severyn.

 Set design: Sarah Krainin. Costume design: 
Vicki Conrad. Lighting design: Phillip Powers. 
Video design: Sean Cawelti. Sound design: Jeff 
Gardner. Playhouse Artistic Director: Christian 
Lebano. Playhouse Managing Director: Estelle 
Campbell.

 There will also be weekday matinees of the show 
for schools. The weekday matinees are not open to 
the general public.

 As there are two casts, there will be two opening 
nights with receptions, on March 6 and March 7.

Loaded with laughs and packed with lively 
melodies, Einstein Is A Dummy will also raise 
your I.Q. by about 50 points. Do the smart thing 
and buy tickets.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com