Ode to Sloan

I've been meaning to write about Canadian music talent and well, I will start with one of my all-time fave bands - SLOAN.


When I first came to Canada ('92), my twin and I were really into rock music and we were so willing to listen to any cool bands. Much Music during the early 90's actually played music videos and actually cared about music (I know, astounding!). So I got exposed to some cool Canadian bands. One of them was Sloan.



Why I fell in love with Sloan?  I was 16 when I first heard their single "Underwhelmed" and I thought they were cute. What else is there? Seriously, I really liked the video and the song, the laziness of the video really caught my attention. Plus, Chris Murphy's voice hooked me. Also, the video for 500 up - awesome!! I would squeal whenever it came on. Check it out:
http://youtu.be/fGBKGd0ma5Q It was simple but so good! Got to hear Andrew's voice for the first time - a shocking experience.  Who knew his voice was so deep?


Later on, I met my now hubby, and he loved Sloan as well. He got to buy all the CD's and still does. Their albums are in rotation whenever we are on a road trip. I have seen them live a couple of times, but he has seen them like ten times - a true fan. If you haven't checked them out, do so on their next tour - they are worth it.  Now I will let you know my favorite songs from Sloan, I like a lot of them, but the ones below are the ones that have truly impressed me:


Coax Me
"It's not the band I hate, it's their fans..." Love that line. Chris rocks it, hitting the high notes pretty good. Almost a falsetto? So different from his regular voice. The video is cool too: http://youtu.be/Uj6d-CQNJ-c

The Lines You Amend
I think that this is Jay's first single and I really, really enjoy listening to him. When I saw them play this song live, I melted. The mix of Jay and Chris, it was just... can I say genios? Whoever thought about it deserves a medal. 

http://youtu.be/xmvVvcf8mBE

The Other Man
Musically, this is one of my favorites from them.  Lyrically, it's haunting.
"I know you've got a man in the picture, but it hasn't stopped me yet
We've all been in one situation or another we regret..." 
I so don't condone cheating, but really, who hasn't at one point in their lives liked someone who was attached and wished they would break up for you? I know I wished that when I was a teen and all the "good" ones were taken. Good thing Ryan was single, or else... ☺
 http://youtu.be/kslDI0CZlOY 
The video wins points with me for the Beethoven reference - my favorite composer.

The Good in Everyone
One of Patrick's best, in my opinion. It also helped how cool they look in the video!
http://youtu.be/Qffy6uHkcTU
I love the ending of this song.

Everybody Wants You
Really dig this song, but there is no video for this one, so you will have to buy the track or the album Never Hear the End of It.

As you can gather, I really like Sloan. An awesome Canadian band that really deserves so much more. True musicians compared to some of the manufactured talent out there. Really funny tidbit of trivia - one of the guys that tours with them as part of the band, is the guy responsible for introducing my husband to me. For him to end up playing for Sloan, is pretty cool. So, I urge you to check them out if you haven't yet. If you have, what are your favorite songs?

Jane Austen smorgasbord

Pride and Prejudice - check!

Persuasion - check!

Sense and Sensibility - check!

Mansfield Park - check!

"Persuasion" 2007 - BBC

I've been reading Austen since the beginning of the year but I've only talked about Pride and Prejudice so far. Since my last entry, Colin Firth (Mr. Darcy), won an Oscar for his portrayal of King George VI in the King's Speech. It was awesome! He was amazing in the movie. ♥


Back to my book reviews. I had not read Persuasion before, but had seen the 1995 movie and the 2007 BBC production. Both movies are great, but the BBC impressed me a bit more. Reading the novel, was different because I was able to go deeper into the characters. It is a very sad love story, that has a happy ending. 

 "Persuasion" 1995

Anne's character was easily persuaded by her family and friend when she falls in love with a man that is not 100% suitable to her ranking. All to naught, as they end up losing their fortune and end up in almost ruins. She meets her old flame again, seven years later, as an "old maid", and one assumes that for sure, at that age she is surely destined for spinsterhood. But Austen decides to forgive Anne, and allows for Captain Wentworth to rekindle his love for her. Of course, there are lots of obstacles prior to them making up, but it is a lovely read. 


Sense and Sensibility, on the other hand, was good as well. I don't know if I liked it as much as the others, only because at one point I felt that Elinor and Colonel Brandon should have ended up together, rather than him with Marianne. I loved how Austen makes you feel for Elinor and how being so proper can ruin your chance at love. As Elinor's love interest, Edward, left a lot to be desired. What a cad! Knowing full well he was engaged to another girl, but still pay all that attention to Elinor?! The scandal!  I often wonder how Jane Austen got so good at writing such scandalous love stories. Love the 1995 movie directed by Ang Lee and Elinor and Marianne acted by two of my fave actresses - Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. 

 "Sense and Sensibility" 1995

Speaking of scandalous - how about Mansfield Park?  How incestuous! I am sorry, but this novel made me feel uncomfortable at times. For Fanny to fall in love with her cousin, who has been made out as her "older brother" is just wrong. Why did she have to fall in love with one so close to a sibling figure? Not only that, but they are first cousins! Shocking, I say. It kinda reminded a bit of Wuthering Heights...

Of course, marrying a first cousin back in the day was not as big of a shock as it would be now. There is definitely more mischief in this novel, and it is a good read for those who think that Jane Austen was a prude. This novel showcases another side of her - one might even call it her naughty side. I have seen the 1999 movie version, with Frances O'Connor as Fanny and Johnny Lee Miller as Edmund - it was a nice version. 

"Mansfield Park" 1999

What is your opinion of these novels? Have you read them? If not, read them and let's discuss. The movies are great too, so let's talk about them too. ☺