Melee is a band from Orange County, CA. I really liked their previous album, Everyday Behavior (2004). After a few years of touring in Europe and Japan, they’ve released their new cd Devils & Angels. It is their first major label release. The difference between the two releases is that D&A is more pop and, to me, a bit overproduced.

At first, I thought I was listening to an ’80’s album. Upon further listening, it seemed an odd blend of Rick Springfield, the Goo Goo Dolls and Maroon 5 mixed with the tunes of Flashdance. Nevertheless, the more I listened to it, the more I enjoyed it and found the songs running through my head. They are very catchy with a lot of pop hooks and melodic harmony. There are also jamming piano tunes, sweet guitar riffs, and beautiful vocals. Melee is very talented in writing and performing. Their lead singer Chris Cron has a strong and beautiful voice.

The Songs:

“Built to Last” is particularly catchy.
“Rhythm of the Rain” evokes cozying up and listening to the rain pour down and speaks of growing up, romance and relationships. This seems to be the theme of the album.
“Frequently Baby” includes lyrics such as “she’s just a teenage maniac with her heart out on the dancefloor”. Very energetic and revved up.
“For a Lifetime” talks of going back to the beginning again and growing up, coming of age, going out in the world to find answers.
The very poppy “Drive Away” speaks of the conflict of wanting to stay and yet leave a relationship, with its guitars sounding like driving.

One of my favorites is the slower, more romantic tune, “Can’t Hold On”. “If you can’t hold on, on your very last try, I’ll be there in the morning to pull you through.”
“Imitation” speaks of “not giving you up to the devils inside your head”.
“Love Carries On” is a slow powerful ballad with a crescendoing chorus.
“She’s Gonna Find Me Here” has beautiful piano-driven harmonies.
“Biggest Mistake” is very danceworthy and speaks of “the psycho with the blue dress on”. The lyrics are interesting including “Gonna sue Jet Blue for everything they put me through.”
“You Got” is also one of my favorites. It has a Rob Thomas/Santana vibe to me and is more grooving with rich and sensual guitar riffs.
“Stand Up” is anthemic and poppy.

The bonus track is a cover of Hall & Oates “You Make My Dreams”. It is done simply, cleanly and reminds me of why Hall & Oates were so popular.

Melee’s D&A is upbeat music. It’s not heavy or anything to study too closely. It’s more something to let wash over you and bring you with it into its head-bopping vibe. It’s poppy bubbly feel-good music, a nice change when you want something light. At the same time, the band is very talented and I’ve heard they are great in concert. Enjoy!

Also, the cd art is gorgeous!

So You Think You Can Dance is one of my favorite shows each season. This season has not been as fabulous as past ones, but there is one dancer that I support wholeheartedly and others who are very good as well. Mark Kanemura seems to become the music or the dance. He is free, goofy and spontaneous and resembles an elf or a pixie. He is also a dance teacher and choreographer. I think he’s amazing.

“If growing up is the process of creating ideas and dreams about what life should be, then maturity is letting go again.” – Mary Beth Danielson

This quote really resonates with me when thinking of Alanis Morissette’s new cd Flavors of Entanglement.

In the mid-1990’s, Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. She was a force to be reckoned with, an angry angsty voice that was going to tell it like it was with no apologies.
Well, Alanis is back with what I feel is her best cd since then and she’s still unafraid to put her heart out there on the sidewalk. Only, this time, I feel we are seeing a more mature artist, an artist who has let go of a lot of her pain and one with a lot more self-realization.

All this, and it has a beat you can dance to.
Producer Guy Sigsworth has done a great job of balancing Alanis’ brilliant poetry with an edgy rock dance vibe.

“Citizen of the Planet” which opens the cd rocks. I love the way the song accelerates and appreciate the drivng beat incorporating sitars and tablas giving the song an eastern feel.

“Underneath”, the first single from the cd, immediately takes me to a quieter place. This song is about changing yourself to eventually help change the world.

“Straitjacket” has a jagged feel for me and the techno background seems to accentuate the craziness we feel when someone we care about seems to be doing things just to drive us mad.

“Versions of Violence” has a bit of a sensual rock feel. I love the textures of the music and Alanis’ voice has never sounded better.

“Not as We” is one of my favorites. It talks about starting all over again “as I and not as we”, “gunshy and quivering”. I love the piano here. This song is elegant in its beauty and simplicity and reminds me of Enya.
Sometimes we are strongest in our vulnerability.

“In Praise of the Vulnerable Man” is simply that, a song celebrating the sexiness of a man who doesn’t need all that armor.

“Moratorium” – Alanis actually took a break from relationships to breathe and get her focus back. That is what this song explores. It’s a way to let go, stop looking outside, stop searching, and re-find yourself, a “breather from the flavors of entanglement”.

“Torch” gives me chills. Alanis is so relatable in her description of missing someone.
“I miss your smell, and your style and your pure abiding way.” The guitar and strings are lovely and simply fit the poignancy of someone who says she “never dreamed I would have to lay down my torch for you.” The list of all the little and big things we miss when we lose an important relationship is so evocative and so authentic. This is another of my favorites.

“Giggling again for no reason” is a fun light dance tune.

“Tapes” is all about the stories other people tell us and the voices we hear inside that aren’t our own beliefs. It’s actually liberating to realize these are untrue.

I really like the song “Incomplete”. I love its hopeful melody. It ends the cd on an uplifting note. It speaks of all the dreams we have of being complete, being healed, being enlightened. Still, at the same time, it expresses what I feel is the message of the cd. “I have been running so sweaty my whole life urgent for a finish line/I have been missing the rapture this whole time of being forever incomplete.” The joy is in the imperfection, in the journey.

At a time when digital track purchases are so common, it is rare for me to find a cd that I love completely but Alanis’ new cd is just that. It is
a solid collection — rocking, edgy, authentic, flavorful.

Alanis has gone through the seriousness of youth and she seems so much more at peace. Flavors of Entanglement explores where Alanis has been and where she is now. There is introspection, reflection, sadness and joy and the cd ultimately soars.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it.

Hooray! My favorite dance show is back! After last season’s amazing dancers such as Pasha and Hok, will I find people I love to watch that much? Well, if the opening show was any indication, there’s a good chance of it!
Check out Robert Muraine. I have never seen anyone move like this. It’s otherworldly!

Also, Cat Deely! She has to be the most fabulous host on tv!

For my birthday, we went to Ming Tsai’s Blue Ginger restaurant in Wellesley, MA. Some of you may know him from his cooking show, East meets West or as a guest judge on Top Chef. It was great to meet him and the food is fabulous.

If you go, try the Alaskan Butterfish which is marinated for 24 hours in saki and miso. USA today has ranked this dish as one of the top 15 in the country. The butterfish was soft and delicate and slightly reminiscent of Chilean Sea Bass. It has a soft crust of miso and saki which perfectly compliments the inner fish which melts in your mouth. It was served with ramen and vegetable sushi and was out of this world.

I also highly recommend the shumai dumplings of foie gras and shitake mushroom. These were so delicate, and reminded me of soft pillows. They were very light and help get your palate ready for what is to follow.

The atmosphere is simple and the focus is on the food. You can watch the cooks in the open kitchen as you dine or sit in the back where it’s more cozy and quiet. We opted to see the kitchen as I love to cook.
Some times a restaurant is just a restaurant and sometimes it’s an experience.

Blue Ginger
583 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482
Telephone: 781-283-5790

Check out www.ming.com for more information.

As always, American Idol has a habit of booting the contestants I love. For this one, I wasn’t ready at all as I felt Michael Johns was consistently at the head of the pack and I loved his performances (all available on iTunes and sounding great)! Oh well, here’s to hoping this Aussie charmer with the soulful bluesy voice and great smile has a brilliant career. I’ll certainly be buying his cd. Rock on, Michael!

Ok, so who are you rooting for? Episode one saw the infamous Johnny Fairplay get kicked off the island. Whose idea that was remains up in the air but things are more pleasant without him. Personally I am rooting for Ozzy to win the whole thing. He is poetry in motion to watch especially in the ocean. I really want the faves to kick the fans’ butts as I’ve yet to find any of the fans really compelling.
Interesting season!