music « The World At Large

Speak in Code

May 16, 2012 at 2:29 am (Misc., Work)
Tags: music, Work

Since anyone can post anything online, I thought I’d add my two cents and talk about Eve 6′s new album, Speak in Code. (Ok, it came out April 24th. But I have a lot going on. Which I may as well also discuss.)

I love Eve 6. I’ve loved Eve 6 for a long time. I’ve seen them in concert several times, my favorite shows were the ones at the Norva, although I have to say the last time I saw them (May 2010 in Va Beach) was the best because I finally got to meet them! (Well, I got to meet Max and Tony. Jon wasn’t back yet.) And also, my sister and my niece were with me. I’m happy to say that Eve 6 was the baby’s first concert. (She was 3.) So of course I was thrilled they had a new album. I patiently waited until my birthday, and Tara and the baby gave me the CD as my gift. I’ve listened to it quite a few times in it’s entirety now, especially since I had to drive out to Pulaski last week. (That’s important but I’ll get to it later.) I do like the album, although out of all their albums, this one has the most songs I could skip. Really, that isn’t many, about 3 in all. I think the sound is quintesentially Eve 6 and for that I’m glad. A few of the songs (the 3 I could skip, particularly B.F.G.F.) made me think that their earlier albums were more mature. And there was something else I couldn’t quite put my finger on until I read some reviews. The sound is Eve 6 yes, but with “over production” according to one review. I listened to the album again and realized that’s what I was picking up on. I don’t know the proper terminology, I have no idea about making albums or music or anything, but they seem to mess with Max’s voice an awful lot. I’m not sure why. He has a great voice and they should just let him sing. I listened to their debut album again after Speak in Code and yes, they really do stuff to the songs much more on the latest album. The first album (probably my favorite) is just them-the guys playing and Max just sings which is perfect. (At least, that’s what I hear, but again, no ear for music here.) So that’s my main beef with the album, call me a purist. But, I do enjoy the album, my favorite song is Lost and Found with Curtain and Situation Infatuation close behind. Situation Infatuation is a great example of lyrics you really have to pay attention to. (I’m standing at attention, thinking things I can’t mention? Very clever Max. Took me a couple of listens to catch it and realize what it meant.) And catchy, clever lyrics is also something Eve 6 is good at, so I’m happy to have that back on the new album.

The other reviews I read (by people who have a much better idea of what they’re talking about than I do) were mixed. Some were negative, but there was a lot of positive in there as well. Overall I’m pleased, and glad the guys are back together. Now if only they would stop in Virginia on their tour. It would be fantastic to see them play the Norva again. And of course I’d love to meet them again and have Jon add his signature to my old school Eve 6 shirt.

And I fortunately can cross one more thing off my list. I got a call in early May to meet with the superintendent of Floyd County Public Schools. So I drove out last Thursday and met with him Friday morning. I thought it was a second round interview, but he made me a job offer! Of course I took it. So I’ll be teaching Social Studies at Floyd County High School next year, which is where I hoped to be. I’m not sure what classes I’ll be teaching yet, although I do know that at least one of them will be dual enrollment. I’m (impatiently) waiting on my latest transcript from ODU so I can get that to the Director of Instruction. Then she’ll get together with the community college and they’ll figure out what I can teach and set up training for me over the summer. I’ve got a few other things to do, papers to fill out and turn in, etc., but the contract should be in the mail today so I can sign it and send it back. After that’s done I’ll let work know. I haven’t told anyone yet, I wanted to hold off until it was official. But I’ve started packing up my office and of course I’m ready to plan for next school year which is difficult to do before you know exactly what you’re teaching. I’m crossing my fingers I find that out soon.

My thesis defense date is May 29th. I hope I’m ready and that I pass. I also hope that I don’t have a whole lot of editing to do after the defense so that I can get started on the formatting and submit the final copy to be bound. Once I get the thesis crossed off my list that just leaves selling the house. And moving the rest of my stuff I suppose. But things should actually slow down for me for awhile once the thesis is finished. I hope.

Marilyn Monroe, on the list, and my newfound love of accordion music

June 20, 2009 at 4:05 am (Poland, Travel)
Tags: music, Poland, Travel

Yes, I know I lied about having internet access. It didn’t expire. I didn’t lie intentionally.

We started out today at Catholic University, where we had several short lectures. The cultural attache from the embassy spoke to us about Poland today, and Professor Andrzej Robczenko talked about the roots of Polish culture. We then had lunch at the university (chicken parm.) Afterwards we walked to the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. It’s one of the largest Catholic churches in the world. We took a whirlwind tour of the basilica, which made it hard to listen, look, take pictures, and take notes. So I took no notes and a few halfway decent pictures. The church has many small shrines and chapels, all devoted to Mary, and all from different countries. The Vietnamese pilgrimage was this weekend, so their shrine was very busy. The main sanctuary was huge, with 5 domes and intricate mosaics everywhere, all over the ceiling and the walls, including one of a Jesus who looks kinda ticked.

After the basilica we walked over the the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center. The guide gave us a brief overview of Polish history, and there were many artifacts belonging to the Pope, as well as pictures covering most walls. (I liked the picture of him skiing since he was in his ski outfit and not his pope outfit.)

We finished up around 4 and headed back to the hotel. During the morning session, Mariusz Bymora (the cultural attache) invited us to a concert at the Polish Embassy. A few of us took him up on it, and he wrote down our names and said they would be on the list. We took a taxi back to the hotel, but didn’t have time to relax by the pool since we now had plans for the evening. I did try to find a cheap shoe store nearby so I could get flat dress shoes, but I never made it. Nina and I walked around awhile, but it was getting late and we still had to have dinner and get ready for the concert. While wandering around looking for a place to eat, I walked over the edge of a grate in the ground, one which happened to be blowing out air. And of course I changed out of my dressy clothes into an easy to throw on sundress. Luckily I just caught the edge of the grate, and also my dress, because I had no intention of imitating Marilyn Monroe in the middle of D.C. After that, I avoided all grates in the sidewalk.

Nina and I grabbed dinner at some dive we came across and then headed back to the hotel to get ready. We figured this would be a dressy event, so we both wore our dresses we brought for the opera. At 7 we met Vilma and Jennifer in the lobby and took a taxi back to the embassy.

Our names were in fact on the list as guests of the Polish Embassy. That’s awesome, I’ve never had my name on the list for anything. There was of course wine and drinks before the concert, then we had to find seats. We wound up sitting in the very front, to the left of the stage. We were very close to the musicians, but at a bad angle since we were sitting basically right beside them. So my pictures of the concert are not great.

The concert was a group called Motion Trio. They all play accordions. I’ve never listened to accordion music. It is awesome! I was pretty skeptical and the main reason I went was because I figured I’d probably never have another invitation to a concert at any embassy, especially by the cultural attache, and get to attend it for free. But pretty much as soon as they started I decided it was awesome. I’m not even really sure how to describe the music, those things make so many different noises it sounds like there are a million instruments being played. So watch this instead. (This is the group we saw.)

I wouldn’t think you could really get into the accordion, but these guys do. There was a reception afterwards and we got to meet them. They were all very nice and signed our CD’s and took pictures and talked with us for a few minutes. I wish I had gotten better pictures of them playing. I did get a halfway decent picture of the adorable guy in the middle, but I know I didn’t really get a sense of how difficult this instrument must be since I was off to the side and didn’t see them work the various parts of it.

After we left the reception we headed back to the hotel and it’s getting pretty late so I’ve got to head to bed. I’m going to try to get up early tomorrow to run (since I didn’t work out today either, though we did a lot of walking again) and since we’re spending most of the day tomorrow traveling I know I won’t get to workout in the evening. Then I’m meeting Sonia for breakfast and we check out at noon to head to the airport. We go from D.C. to JFK and I believe we leave JFK around 6 and arrive in Warsaw at 9:30am on Sunday. So my next post will hopefully include pictures of Warsaw.

One of the many shrines in the basilica. Jesus who looks a little angry.