“KT Tunstall has had a recurring dream since she was a child. She sees a tiger in her garden and goes outside to stroke it. She returns indoors and is seized by the fear that she could have been killed. Over the years, it has occurred to her that the reason the tiger responds so passively is that she herself is disguised as a tiger. That she is wearing a tiger suit.” from KT’s website

 “Tiger Suit” is KT Tunstall’s third album and I love its moods and textures. Bold and self-assured, KT takes us on an adventure combining dance music and organic rhythms into a genre she calls “nature techno”.

Recorded in the legendary Berlin Hansa studios, where the amazing David Bowie and U2 did stellar work, “Tiger Suit” is lively yet introspective, with a mixture of dance, rootsy acoustic pop, rock and blues.

 I’ve loved KT since I first heard “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree”. With her raspy whiskey-laced vocals, she seemed real and genuine. Like it’s the music that truly matters. And, from what I’ve read about her, this is true. She’s an amazing singer/songwriter.

“Uummannaq”  is interesting with its tribal cries and snake rattles. “Push That Knot Away” (video below) has a bluesy feel and is about facing your fears straight on. “Golden Frames” has a sultry vibe while “Lost” has an airy elegance. “Glamour Puss” struts with an uptempo swagger.

“Come on, Get in” is rollicking and most reminds me of “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree”. But, I also like the catchy “Fade Like a Shadow” with its memorable melody.

But, by far, the song that captivates me most is “(Still A) Weirdo” with its gorgeous acoustic guitar line and ephemeral beauty. It’s personal yet extremely relatable.

Each time I listen to this album, I love it a bit more. KT has done an amazing job leaping and bounding in her “Tiger Suit”.

KT will be on tour this Fall (10-31-12/1), so check her out in person if you get the chance!

You can find “Tiger Suit” on Amazon. 

And check KT out on  Twitter and  Facebook .

Disclosure / Disclaimer: Thanks to my involvement with the One2One Network, I received a free copy of this CD for review purposes. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received but by participating, I will be eligible for a gift card drawing. The post reflects my personal opinion.

Thanks to everyone who entered! I wanted to go to the Oracle of Delphi but Random.org was closer. The number it gave me was #4 which was:

lifeonprint said… 4

I follow you on Twitter: @lifeonprint ______________________________________________________________  So, congratulations to lifeonprint. You have won a One eskimO cd and t-shirt which will be sent to you soon! I will notify you via email and twitter to get your mailing address. Thanks again everyone who participated! 

The One2One Network was very kind in sending me a copy of One eskimO’s self-titled debut cd and even kinder in that they are going to send one of my readers not only a copy of this very “cool” cd but also a stylin’ One eskimO t-shirt.

When I received the cd, I was excited to listen, because previously I had only heard “Kandi” and seen One eskimO on the Ellen show in March. I loved the song which was really catchy and remained in my head after the performance (but not in that “get it out now” kind of way).

“Kandi” is still one of my favorite songs on the album. I love how the band used an old Patsy Cline song – “He called me baby”, which was redone by Candi Staton and added their original twist.
“Kandi” was also recently featured in the tv show, Bones, “The Beginning in the End”, the final episode of season 5.

One eskimO are a four piece indie rock group from London, England consisting of Kristian Leontiou (vocals), Adam Falkner (drums), Pete Rinaldi (guitar), and Jamie Sefton (bass and horns).  I find it interesting that Leontiou was marketed toward the pop scene and had a top 10 hit in the UK when he decided to break away so that he could remain true to his own voice and vision for his music.

In an interview with the Guardian Newspaper, he said:

“I wanted to create a sound of my own: magical, ambient, filmic, acoustic,
beautiful and meaningful. I wanted to write about how I felt about life,
love, losses and failures, highs and lows, even heartbreaks.
But also about how amazing human life is and how mind-blowing our very existence is.”

I feel that in this album, One eskimO has done just that.

The album is floaty, dreamy, taking you on a journey. Imagine lazing on a raft on a cool river on a hot summer’s day. In fact, another of my favorite songs “Astronauts” speaks about this ephemeral quality:

“You float like a baby, looking for safety somewhere on mars, but if I’m mistaken your body’s in England, but your head’s in the stars“

I really love the haunting ethereal quality to this album and there isn’t a song I don’t like, which is rare, though some I love more than others.  I find it to be beautiful in its simplicity yet there are layers to be discovered upon further listening. I love “Simple Day” which brings to mind The Beatles and I find its backup vocals intriguing.

In fact, I could say that One eskimO at times sound like Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, or Damien Rice with a hint of Snow Patrol or REM. I could say that the lead singer has gorgeous vocals with a hint of a Rod Stewart rasp, but, in fact, One eskimO really has their own unique vibe and sound.

And, it’s a vibe that grows on me as I listen to it in the car or chilling on a Sunday afternoon. It’s a vibe that would appeal to many different ages as my nephews liked the cd as much as I did and “borrowed” it for quite a while.

I love that it’s not emo or moody like a lot of indie alternative albums whose themes include meditations on love and life. I love that it is actually upbeat while still being meaningful and reflective.
In fact, another favorite song, “Amazing” says it best: when it speaks about feeling renewed and ultimately loving life:

“I have no skin and I feel everything. It’s amazing“.

So, check out the quirky sultry lyrics and melodies. You just may find One eskimO a cool addition to your playlist. Check them out at most major music retailers including iTunes and Amazon .

And, if you want to check them out live, One eskimO is on tour May/June/July supporting Michael Franti in addition to festivals and headlining shows. 
 
Tour Schedule

For more coolness, also check out the  One eskimO website .

You can also get a free download of one of my faves “Astronauts” via Twitter here .

GIVEAWAY RULES:


First of all, you must be a U.S. resident. For a mandatory entry, please leave me a comment with some of your favorite
music.


The giveaway will end Sunday, May 30, 2010 at 11:59 pm. Winner will be notified Monday, May 31 via Twitter or email, so please do leave me an email that you check. If the winner doesn’t respond w/in 72 hours, a new winner will be picked. Winner receives a One eskimO cd + a One eskimO t-shirt (pictured above). Winner will be chosen via random.org.

If you would like ADDITIONAL ENTRIES to increase your chances, you can do any or all of the following and please leave me a separate comment for each. Each will count as an additional entry.


1. Follow @oneeskimo on Twitter.
2. Follow me, @missinglynxx , on Twitter
3. Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect, or, if you are already a follower, tell me in a      comment.
4. “Like”  One eskimO on Facebook
5. Tweet about the giveaway or use this one and leave the link or your twitter username  i.e. – ” Win a  chill @oneeskimo CD and stylin’ t-shirt at @missinglynxx blog http://bit.ly/aFTU1J #giveaway”

Disclosure: I was provided this cd to review by the One2One Network as well as the prizes for the winners, however, the opinions herein are my own.

The other day, I was happily surprised by an email from the folks at Pom Wonderful, wondering if I would like to sample their product. Of course, I was thrilled. I am very into health and wellness and pomegranates have many health benefits.

The pomegranate is one of the earliest cultivated fruits, revered throughout history as a symbol of health, fertility and rebirth. Some cultures even believed it had profound mystical and healing powers.

Pom Wonderful sent me a case to try, and I was very pleased. These were the 8 oz bottles (though it comes in larger sizes too) and frankly quite adorable. They are ideally shaped and fit right in the palm of your hand. As for the taste, rich and delicious – sweet and just a bit tart. Pom Wonderful has no added sugar, coloring or preservatives. It’s all natural and full of antioxidants. They are gluten-free and a great source of potassium as well.

Their website PomWonderful is a wealth of information where you can find such recipes as
Pom Poached Pears with Pom Gelato by Chef Jake Linzinmeir, and so many other delectables. I have used Pom in a spritzer, in cocktails (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), in marinades, over yogurt, in salad dressing, and am now trying some of the other recipes. Absolutely delicious.

And, it’s also great straight from the bottle or over ice. Makes me feel like I’m drinking in nature – a very good feeling.

First of all, I want to thank everyone so much for participating in our giveaway!

The winner chosen by Random.org is International Giveaways! I’ve sent off an email to you and to Laughing Vixen and she will be in touch with you soon so that you can pick out your pendant!

I hope to have more fun giveaways soon!

Some of you who are on twitter may know @Laughing Vixen, and, for some, this may be their first introduction. In any case, you are in for a treat.

Besides being a very cool person, she is also a very gifted artisan. Ever since I saw her work, I fell in love with it.

I am very pleased to be hosting a giveaway with Laughing Vixen. She has graciously given me a piece that I have loved since the first time I saw it, being the True Blood fanatic I am!

She has also graciously offered one lucky reader of Strange Daze Indeed the chance to choose whichever glass pendant (a $10.50 value) they would like –  and whatever color chain they would like to go with it.

Some examples are:

She will ship it to you US or worldwide (cause she’s cool like that).

Her Etsy shop is  the Laughing Vixen Lounge where you will find “Bangles, Baubles and Other Needful Things.”

In her words, “Appearing nightly on stage: A mix of Retro Kitsch, Rockabilly Chic, Vintage Horror and Pop Culture Obsession.”

There are so many wonderful pieces!

You can also check out her blog at:

www.laughingvixenlounge.blogspot.com and check her out on twitter at
www.twitter.com/LaughingVixen

OK, so how do I enter you may be asking!

Mandatory entry: Please visit The Laughing Vixen Lounge
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LaughingVixenLounge


and tell me what your favorite item is in a comment.

For extra entries: (Please leave each in a separate comment as an entry)


1) Follow my blog  (if you already are please note that in a comment)
2) Follow me on twitter @MissingLynxx (if you already are, please note that)
3) Follow @LaughingVixen on twitter
4) Follow Laughing Vixen’s blog at www.laughingvixenlounge.blogspot.com

and 5) This will count 1/x day – Please tweet about the giveaway and post it.
If you need any info on how to do this, please just send me a tweet and I will explain.
You may get one entry per day for each new tweet.

Here is an example – feel free to use it or make up your own!

“Foxy blog giveaway from @MissingLynxx & @LaughingVixen
http://bit.ly/18qHZ0 Choice of glass pendant  http://bit.ly/10ZhYi !
 ends 1/22″ (no quote marks needed)

Another:

Win your choice of pendant from @LaughingVixen Go to @MissingLynxx blog –> http://bit.ly/18qHZ0 and enter. Ends 1/22

If you want more opportunites to enter, you can post about this giveaway on your blog and link to it
( please leave a comment ).

You may also put my or Laughing Vixen’s button (see right column) on your blog (each counts as one entry)  (please leave a comment/link)

This giveaway will end Friday 1/22/2010 at 11:59 PM EST and the winner will be
selected by random.org and announced during that weekend!

P.S. If you are not reachable via twitter, please leave your email
addy in your first comment so I can reach you if you are the winner.

Thanks all! Hope you enjoy Laughing Vixen’s art as much as I do and good luck!

Note: If you say you follow, please do follow via google connect so I can see your name and count that entry. Thanks!

First of all, I want to thank everyone for participating. I loved reading all your comments about what you appreciate in your friends!

I hope this is only the first of more fun giveaways. The entries were sorted according to the prize or prizes each wanted to enter for. The entries were then fed into random.org which spit out the winners. So, here they are accordingly:

Logitech webcam: Winner: jbafaith

$50 Restaurant GC: Winner: JD_Denver

$25 Restaurant GC: Winner: Ms Sarah

$25 Ediets GC: Winner: Happy Enchilada

$5 Walmart GC: Winner: Charity

I will make an announcement on twitter and also will email you for your addresses or emails where to send the gift codes.

Thanks everyone! Wishing all a wonderful 2010!