"He's My Jayce Alexander, Always Gets RayDo Into Trouble"

Go ahead and call me a psychotic sociopath, but I have been spending soooo much time lately in Salt Lake City. Drew is appalled that I know about all the happenings and how I know where everything is. Hello! It’s called being aware of your surroundings and reading the newspaper! I will NEVER admit that I like that place, but I will say that I tolerate it now. I mean, I can’t flat out say I hate it if I know everything about it and sometimes enjoy going to various music events and coffee shops in that hipster-infested valley. Speaking of which, Drew and I visited Diva's Cupcakes & Coffee my most favorite coffee shop in Salt Lake. There’s nothing super special about the cupcake paradise, but it just brings back the memories of going since I was a wee high school girl. Nikkole Martin and I would always go before a concert at Kilby Court and sit in the green bubble or back patio and dream about adventure. I make new memories every time I go, and this time was no exception. After Diva’s, we headed downtown; Damato played a free concert at The Galivan's Center on the 23^rd, and The Raydo show would not miss. The band was so happy to see a familiar face, and they embraced Drew with the same affections as me. I really appreciated that, and secretly Drew did too. We both find Jayce Alexander to be a teenage heart-throb! Before the show, all I

wanted was some Chinese food in that god-forsaken city. A columnist/reporter/blogger for Salt Lake Tribune that we met on the tracks suggested Cindy Lee Cafe for a cheap Americanized Asian experience.  Ah! My nuts were busted, I was starving to death and Cindy’s food was so damn good. Woowee! I went with the Beef LoMein, a classic. I didn’t regret it or have gastrointestinal issues or anything. I will absolutely go there again.As for Ogden news: the first Raptor's Baseball game of the season was on Wednesday the 22^nd, and although we lost by one, the fireworks made it a spectacular finish. Pioneer Days have commenced, and I look forward to the Whoopie Girl, (I love how she has stayed apart of Ogden’s history for over 70 years or so now.) the demolition derby, the painted horses that speckle the city sidewalks, and of course the fire works! Not to mention the sales that the local grocery stores will have, Rancho Market hooked me up with some produce for hella cheap! Speaking of those damned fireworks, my neighbors must think it’s the 4^th of July or something. They’re shooting them off like tomorrow is the end of the world! (It’s actually in October.) I keep thinking Orchard Avenue has turned into a shooting range, each pop and bang sounds like a gun is being fired.

 When I return from wedding season in Idaho, this next week will be booked to the max with summer happenings. Monday night is of course the movie in the park at the Ogden Amphitheater. Tuesday I will be house sitting and hanging out with old neighborhood friends at the parents’ house, (sshh! Don’t tell;})Wednesday is an adventure with Caitlin and maybe Sam... GIRRRRRLZ NIGHT! Thursday is the long-awaited Twilight Concert Series with one of my favorite bands, Explosions In The Sky …and yes, I liked them long before I even knew they were coming. I wish Ogden could host such events; it would certainly place this paradise of the map. Friday night will most definitely be spent at Mojosor Borrowed Earth Emporium with Drucifer and the gang. Saturday is the only night I work. But party all the same. I LOVE SUMMER NIGHTS IN OGDEN!!

Yeah, My Mom LOVES The Cure

You heard right friends, The Dear Hunter, City And Colour, and Owl City have all released new albums recently. I have acquired so much music lately, sifting through it has been the most pleasant of chores. One gem in particular is The Cure’s Album Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me. My mother has some old pictures of her showing off her The Cure shirt and makeup to boot. Now she can’t get distressed at me for donning my extreme black eyeliner and skull-baton when I join The Black Parade! I have reviewed, for your reading pleasure, the three most recent albums from my favorite bands.

 Sadly, Owl City has once more ruined my teenage illusion of dreamy electro pop. Why can’t all the albums sound like Maybe I’m Dreaming and Of June? The latest discharge: All Things Bright And Beautiful made me yawn, (that’s why it’s on my sleep playlist.) Adam, you must be joking with me, “Alligator Skies?” “Sugar-maple wings?” “Reality is a wonderful place, but I wouldn’t wanna live there?” Yeah, I wouldn’t wanna live in reality either if all my fans were now between the ages of 5-14.3. I liked his music better before he knew what he was singing about; it was a lot more surreal.  He released an EP and a full length before he even went on a tour, before he even physically said “Hello Seattle”.  I now listen to Owl City only to look for subliminal messages. There are a few: “I’ve tasted honey, but I’ve never seen the hive” yeah I bet you haven’t seen “the hive” Breanne Duren! “I’d rather swim with great white sharks than wade in romance?!” “Dip your toes in the galaxy, because it’s your to explore tonight” huh. Sounds sexy, Adam Young.  Regardless of what he is singing now, it’s how is he singing it. His voice is completely different, and his vocabulary is substandard. Not to mention it’s much more theatrical and dramatic. All Things Bright And Beautiful in one word: predictable. It’s a huge production to make up for what the lyrics lack, if you will. If Dreams really Don’t Turn To Dust, then hopefully my dream of old Owl City will come true.  Next time I see him and the gang in July, I’ll let him know of my wishes, I’ll whisper them in his ear like he’s Santa Clause. He might as well be, I mean, he’s a magical mystery.

At least The Dear Hunter had something new to offer, and in the best way possible. I mean, The Color Spectrum is definitely no Battesimo del Fuoco, but I can feel the folksy-Italian vibe in the intro of "She’s Always Singing" and the old-school country twang and guest vocals in "Things That Hide Away." I think more people need to ask, "Why? Why? Why?" This album isn’t named Act IV: The Color Spectrum for a reason, Casey Cresezo has really outdone himself this album. Every song is inspired by a color of the spectrum; not only was it an enjoyable listen trying to guess which is which, but that’s what makes every song on this album unique. Each song shares the same theme, but at the same time don’t coincide. It’s an awesome paradox. My favorite song will always be Red Hands from Act II: The Meaning, And All Things Regarding Ms. Leading. A local band covered it recently, and… ahhhhhh it just flipped my pancake! On one hand, I quite enjoyed the songs about civil war soldiers and dissembling prostitutes who need to "take off your sweater, your shoes, and your shirt and get to work". The Color Spectrum in one word: modern. This can be looked at in a bad way as well as good. The vintage vibe was what I originally admired about The Dear Hunter, and this album is a big production like the others, but in another way. With electro vibes and Americana rock roots instead of ethereal, eerie violins and choir vocals, The Color Spectrum is worth your buck if you’re a fan looking for different subject matter and progress as a band. If you’re a new fan, pick it up, but don’t be surprised if this album sounds nothing like the others.

Little Hell, the most recent stroke of genius from City And Colour received a "hell yeah." It’s about time Dallas Green had graced my ears with something new from his acoustic guitar, and electric guitar, and drums? What? The full band sound is a new thing to come from City And Colour, and I like it. Not expected at first, it works. Some tracks like Silver And Gold, Sorrowing Man, and Natural Disaster cross the line in the sand between folk and country. I can pick out instruments like an organ and cello, but I miss the banjo-like tone from the second album Bring Me Your Love. Fragile Bird throws me off completely with the bass and drums and electric guitar. It’s a great song, but not coming from City And Colour. At least his falsetto coos and soft lyrics are still the same. Little Hell in one word: Americana. Which is kind of sad, because Canadian Acoustic is a genre worthy of recognition, and City And Colour did it right. Northern Star and We Found Each Other In The Dark are most reminiscent of his previous work. Dallas does love songs best, and this album is titled Little Hell. Do I sense some heart break? Not enough of it, because only a few tracks are apparent love songs. If Dallas were to continue in this new direction, I wouldn’t discourage it because his old songs would be nostalgic of the good times. Evolution and experimentation are keynotes throughout the album, and I recommend it to any City And Colour Fan.



Owl Status

One year older and wiser too, I have now reached “owl status” I believe. I am wise, bad luck, mysterious, beautiful, and blah, blah, blah. Turning 19 was weird. I had to say goodbye to traditions, I really missed the candles, decorations, and attention from my family. Perhaps it’s not healthy to keep up such useless customs and behaviors anyway. But secretly, I’m glad that the day after my birthday was so much better. I got the attention I deserved! I felt like singing! “I feel thrifty, oh so thrifty; Thrifty, and nifty, and gayyyyyyyyy!” That was me singing, by the way. For my birthday, my mother and sister journeyed with me to the DI at Welfare Square. It was an awesome day for housewares! A new tea pot, waffle iron/maker, a dish rack, and cool old glasses! Man, I was in heaven. I also got a cool dress, and Whitney got some knickers! Jealous! What I really wanted was a bicycle, and it is STILL not in the stars for me to have one. I can’t find cheapies anywhere!

My favorite part of this entire weekend was when Cameron Reinhart said, “We would like to wish a very brutal birthday to a very brutal girl.” then proceeded to scream Necromaniac’s version of Happy Birthday. This Saturday was my 19^th birthday celebration at Mojos. Brad Rizer opened up the night with his classic harmonies, and even a rendition of NO FX’s “Happy Birthday You’re Not Special”. Marny Proudfit played, and it was very emotional, her new EP is much more mature sounding than her previous, and even her album. She has grown a lot through her music, and I wish her luck in her adventures. Thetaville, a progressive instrumental band from Salt Lake played next, and they rocked it. Who needs a six member band when you can get the job done with three? Machines Of Man was excellent. Every time is better than the last, and I was blown away. These guys have an EP you can pick up, but seeing them live is so much better. They are playing with The Human Abstract in June, everyone should go. Necromaniac was the ultimate entertainment, of course. Although fake blood was forgotten this time, Mother Mary was not. Cameron was making out with her, too. But as luck would have it, there was like seven people left in the room at this time, but it was special because they wore make up, skirts, and lingerie just for me!

I managed to forget to turn on the oven for my cake at my house, so I brought the “pudding” batter to mojos to bake it in his oven in the back. That cake was just bad luck, the oven was turned off at least three times, and I even burnt it once I got it to actually bake. Everyone who was there just dug in, and I was secretly disgusted. I wanted cake o meal, and to take this home, but no. It was destroyed in seconds by the gang.

I spent the later part of the evening with Drew Olguin at his place, playing with his hair and stroking his perfectly soft face. We are like a pair of kittens. cute, cuddly, feisty, and predictable. I love us!

Happy Rapture!

Of course as we all know, the world ended Saturday. We were all magically transported to hades, you see. In hell, there is rock n roll, sex, drugs, and coffee!  Yay! For my “pre-world-ending-accomplishments” on Friday, Drew and I went to Doolie's wings located in Layton just off Antelope Drive on the east side of the freeway. HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Beef Brisket Slider Combo. I’ve never eaten so much bbq in my life, and I was so happy! Every day before the world ends I want to request Doolie’s as my last meal! That place was so chill, everyone was so laid back, it’s like they didn’t realize the world was going to end the next day! Live music every Saturday, too. It’s a nice place to meet up with your military buddies.

My favorite band in the whole world, Necromaniac was playing at the basement that night, the last night of human veracity. And of course I had work, but I cracked my whip at the freight boys and we got out of there by 8:10. Just in time to see Necromaniac. Drew was telling me all about their theatrics planned for the show. “Judgment-Day” shirts, Jesus, skirts, and of course oodles of fake blood, (it tastes like raspberry!) I got there a few songs into it, but they played my favorites: “Meow-Mix” and “Their Vanquished Party”.

During the guitar solo, Cameron was kissing the Jesus statue and doing the chicken dance. Pretty messed up, but that’s why I love Necromaniac. Those boys just push the limits with them theatrics! Hopefully for my birthday show, on the 28^th at Mojos, Click Here! Drewcifer will wear some lingerie! That is, if the world doesn’t end again before then. I am still getting pretty nervous.

Before Doolie’s with my soul-mate, I shot off more rockets with my neighbors. This time we had a legit hobby store rocket. The Orchard Flyer! And boy did she fly… straight into the river! She is gone from us, but her spirit of adventure will never be lost. Everett, Chris, his girlfriend Angie, and I walked up and down the river bank at Big Dee Park looking for our little warhead. It was in vain, but we did find a homeless man sleeping in the underbrush. “Sorry to disturb your slumber sir, but have you seen a rocket fall from the sky recently?!” Hah, what a joke. Luckily it was only a $10 rocket.

The rest of RAPTURE EVE was uneventful, because I was upset at Drew, and went home early. I was hoping to wake up and be flying and sparkling, but I looked out the window to the rain-stained side walk and noticed the lack of usual activity. “I must be the only human alive!” I gasped. But sadly, I realized that wasn’t true as I drove to work and saw everyone else driving to work. “Must be my imagination, the world ended, right?” how silly and confused I was, for I found out that the end-of-the-world events didn’t occur until 6pm eastern time. Damn it! This means I had to go to work. Boy was that the topic of discussion, I shared with everyone my belief that time is but an illusion created by humans, and that we must have all been transported to hell in the twinkling of an eye, and that none of this is real. Yep. None of this is real. Sex, drugs, rock n roll, right?

Paige and I went to Lee's Mongolian BBQ, Saturday night. (Yes, I know more bbq. I think it’s all they serve in hell.) I treated her for her 19^th birthday which was almost a month ago, but as an elephant never forgets neither do Raychels. It was nice slurping down egg soup and talking about life as we knew it. She dropped me off at The Basement so I could see the overemphasized tournament of chumps. I knew Mermaid Baby would win, don’t get me wrong, those boys have worked hard, and deserve it. All I wanted was for Mountain Hymns to win. But congrats, gents.

Well the world must have really ended, because Saturday night, Everett, (the best neighbor ever) took me to get ice cream because I was sad and the butter pecan didn’t have any pecans in it! What a bloody rip off! Just buttery vanilla shit. We MUST be in hell if I’m getting jewed on my ice cream. I haven’t checked my cookies n cream yet, but if there are no cookies in there then I give up!