Mountain Views News          Saturday, November 16, 2013

B2

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

 Mountain Views News Saturday, November 16, 2013 

SEAN’S SHAMELESS REVIEWS: 


JASMINE’S CORNER

Book Reviews by Jasmine Kelsey Williams 

By Sean Kayden

LOS CAMPESINOS! 

“No Blues,” is Los Campesinos! fifth studio album. The band from Wales 
continues their streak of solid albums. This time around they’ve crafted their 
finest one to date. Known for their raucous arrangements, outlandishly self-
aware lyrics, and big hooks, Los Campesinos! changes gears with “No Blues.” 
It’s a more mature outing from the six-piece outfit. With each reocurring listen, 
you’ll find something you didn’t pick up on from the previous run through. Frontman Gareth Paisey sings 
with such passion and pathos as he navigates through themes of unsuccessful love, lost, life and death in 
this incredibly enjoyable record. The erratic melodies are still present, but “No Blues,” while not all doom 
and gloom is more focused, direct, and straightforward than their past outings. 

Los Campesinos!’s music has been described as twee-pop. 
Their sound is very vivacious, packed with lively melodies 
and impassioned vocals. With “No Blues,” they carry on the 
tradition, but everything feels more heartfelt. As the band 
grows older, they’ve actually become wiser. They’ve always 
had incredible wit when it came to their lyrical choices. 

This latest album is very melodic and while being earnestly 
heartfelt, it’s rather uplifting as well. “No Blues” navigates 
the terrains of misguided love and sadness, but never does it come across as too sentimental or crestfallen. 
Instead, there is a youthful sound attached to it. “No Blues” is comprised with a joyous assortment of 
songs that make up for one unforgettable listening experience. In the world of Los Campesinos!, “No 
Blues,” is their most superb record yet and one that should be heard by anyone dealing with their own 
melancholy. 

“No Blues” consists of 10 gloriously melodious tracks. It’s their most complete sounding record. While 
other albums were good in their own right, they were more rambunctious. With this effort, it’s their most 
consistent sounding album. Paisey still packs on the self-deprecating and bleakly humorous lyrics with 
much passion and vigor. LC! are undoubtedly making some of the best indie pop music today. “No Blues” 
is a near faultless pop record that has astonishing replay value with finely crafted melodies, multi-layered 
guitars, and deeply ardent signing. No matter what, there’s a little something for everyone in “No Blues.” 
And frankly, it may be the answer for your own blues. 

Grade: 8.8 out of 10

Key Tracks: “For Flotsam,” “Cemetery Gaits,” “As Lucerne/The Low,” “Selling Rope (Swan Dive To 
Estuary)” 

http://c.o0bg.com/rw/Boston/2011-2020/2013/08/19/BostonGlobe.com/Arts/Images/disconnect-4255.jpg
THE BIG DISCONNECT: PROTECTING 
CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS IN 
THE DIGITAL AGE By Catherine Steiner-Adair

We now approach the middle of November and our next 
selection brings us to the theme of socialization and interaction 
(especially with the upcoming holidays), but with a stronger 
topic and one that can fully apply to adults and today’s youth 
alike. “The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family 
Relationships in the Digital Age” is yet again long on title, but 
plentiful in its subject and themes that Steiner conveys. The 
main theme here is the importance of not just fostering, but 
also keeping and maintaining close relationships with family 
members, especially with some of today’s youth much more 
tech-savvy than ever, and as a result, tune in more to their 
screens and electronic devices (smartphone, videogames, etc.) 
rather than engage with their parents. The tone of “The Big 
Disconnect” is not meant to criticize, but rather inform and 
enlighten readers about today’s technology and Steiner provides key points in explaining this. 
Steiner explains how even though today’s technology is gradually becoming more advanced and 
interactive but it can sometimes take away rather than being beneficial. One example Steiner 
provides is how as a result of families acquiring technology in their home such as laptops and 
smartphones, but as a result, miss out on any potential quality bonding as well as the guidance 
and instruction that parents to provide to teach the workings of social skills to their children. 
Another follow-up that Steiner points out is that when children turn to their screens, they start 
to slow down on picking up habits that help to engage them with others, such as emotional 
reasoning (learning to process how they feel within the moment). Steiner’s words speak with 
encouragement, constructive criticism, and guidance on how too much technology can hinder 
and not help with today’s youth and instead provides informative tips and observations on how 
to unplug and interact, as well as the difference of learning a subject onscreen versus learning 
the same subject in the flesh, hands-on, without the aid of a smartphone or an app. Copyrighted 
in 2013, and receiving generous praise from Booklist, USA Today, Kirkus Reviews, and Wall 
Street Journal, “The Big Disconnect” is an excellent and personally recommended choice that 
is sure to provide insight on both today’s youth and technology. 

Artist: Los Campesinos! 

Album: No Blues

Label: Wichita Recordings

Release 

Date: October 29th, 2013


WANDA DEHAVEN PYLE

The Author: Dr. Wanda Pyle is an educational leader with over 37 years of experience as a teacher and administrator. She 
received her Bachelor of Science in Education from the Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas, her Masters 
in Education from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Azusa 
Pacific University in Azusa, California. 

She grew up in the Flint Hills of Kansas and her recollections of life on the prairie have influenced her writing. “All 
across the country the landscape is dotted with abandoned farmsteads and buildings whose walls are filled with stories of 
heartache and happiness,” she says. This connection with the past has inspired her writing. 

She lives in Claremont, California with her husband and authors a blog entitled “School Marms and Cowboys” where she 
reflects on the insights gleaned through her writing. She is currently at work on her next book.

The Book: Kansas’ tallgrass prairie provides a vivid setting for Windborne, a new novel by Wanda 
DeHaven Pyle. The author draws heavily on her childhood experiences growing up in the Flint Hills 
to chronicle a story of three generations of women who triumph over heartache, poverty, and abuse 
to pursue the dream of a better life. Eventually, each woman must recognize her hidden strength and 
power and find the courage to be true to herself. Through their example, these women guide each 
succeeding generation through life and provide a blueprint for making the important decisions that 
help them find happiness in life. 

Skillfully creating compassionate characters with a range of emotions, Windborne is a novel unique in 
style and scope. Set against a historical backdrop of major economic and cultural changes of the past 
century, it is an elegantly timeless tale about the nature of love, loss and awakening.

Twenty percent of the advanced proceeds from the sale of this book will go to support neglected and 
abused children.

For information on the talented roster of members, visit www.AuthorsTourUSA.com.


HEALTHY LIFESTYLES


THE JOY OF YOGA

WHEN THINGS GET IN 
THE WAY


ene
KALE, RISING IN POPULARITY!

It’s hard not to notice that kale is on sale in almost every supermarket now. 
This is peak season for kale. Maybe you have never tried it but you should. 
Kale is an amazing vegetable that tastes great and has exceptional health 
benefits due to its nutrient richness. This is turn is making kale a very 
popular vegetable at your local supermarkets.

Eating greens of any kind are good for you but kale is super nutritious and 
provides many health benefits. Among those benefits, studies have shown 
that kale can reduce the risk of dying from cancer and aids in lowering 
cholesterol. Kale belongs to the same family as collards, cabbage, broccoli, 
and Brussels sprouts, which are known as cruciferous vegetables. 

Why should you try introducing kale into your meals more regularly? Here 
are just a few kale facts: One cup of kale contains only 33 calories. So it is 
low in calories, high in fiber and has zero fat. It is packed with powerful 
antioxidants like vitamin C, A and K. Kale is a good source of iron and 
calcium. Calorie for calorie, kale has more iron than beef and more calcium than milk. 

Here is a simple, healthy kale recipe that is DELICIOUS!

BLACK BEAN, KALE, AND SWEET POTATO HASH

Ingredients:

1 cup sliced green onion

2 cups chopped kale (stems removed)

1 cup chopped onions (white or sweet) 

Vegetable broth

4 cups roasted sweet potatoes 

Avocado

2 cups/cans black beans





Directions:

1. Chop sweet potatoes into 1/4 inch cube, spread in a shallow roasting pan or baking sheet, add 
¼ cup of vegetable broth and roast at 325 degrees until cooked through.
2. In a large skillet, on medium heat sauté onions until just a little soft. 
3. Add roasted sweet potatoes to the skillet stirring occasionally for 10 minutes (add more 
vegetable broth if potatoes start to stick to the bottom of the pan)
4. Add black beans and cook for an additional two minutes stirring gently to avoid sticking.
5. Now add kale and fold in until it is completely softened/wilted. 
6. Serve with avocado slices and your favorite hot sauce or salsa on the side. 


For more on the benefits of kale or to see pictures of this recipe at different stages of the preparation, visit 
my blog on my website at www.vibrantlivingwc.com

“I was practicing everyday. I felt great. Then I got a cold. 3 weeks later I made it back to class. It felt 
great. I was weaker, but got it back. Then we went on vacation, then it was the Holidays, then taxes, 
then…” well, you get the picture. There are a million reasons not to go to class today. “I have to help 
my sister. I have to go to a meeting at school. My son has a dentist appointment. Work is crazy right 
now. I feel too fat to go to yoga. I just haven’t had time.” -I hear this all the time!

This is the story of everyday life. The thing is – we feel so much better when we practice. Our lives 
start flowing better also. What about if there is a bigger tragedy or strife? What do we fall back on? It 
is then that we need the yoga more than ever. Our practice centers us, calms us focuses us, helps with 
our physical wellbeing, our spiritual wellbeing. In a nutshell: yoga helps us live a better life. Yoga is 
about finding happiness in our selves. What better way to face adversity than from a place of calm? 
With a better understanding of ourselves and how we process and overcome – we can be powerful 
creatures indeed.

When things are busy, not going great, stressful, and we have no time – that’s when we need to get on 
the mat even more!

But here’s the best part: yoga is always there for you. It doesn’t have to take up your whole day, you 
can do just a little bit today or you can just do a gentle class. Yoga welcomes you back home, to 
yourself, whenever you wish to be there.

See you in class. Namasté, René

Dr. Tina is a traditional 
naturopath and nutritionist 
at Vibrant Living 
Wellness Center