Carmen Xu 佳敏

Music, Food & Smile

Archive for November, 2009

Tuesday
Nov 10,2009

MEW's gig

My friend Syrinx had introduced Mew’s since March, and we love every single album they produced. John bought their tickets when I was in China, and because we booked that early, we got two fantastic seats ever.I never like standing because I am too short. Beside, I don’t like people jumping and sweating on me. (lol)

It was a cold raining night. We went there earlier by half an hour queueing for good seats. It was literately only 50 meters away from the band in the sitting seat first line. The warm-up band was ok, also touring with Mew in the UK.  The concert hall was full of young people and many scandinavia fans too.

Jonas Bjerre has incredible high voice and it combines with their music perfectly. He wore a causal white shirt and jeans. Jonas didn’t say much, but said it was their last performance in the UK, and it was kind of sad. I guess UK fans were passionate and crazy about their music and properly they didn’t expect like that.  The background animation was fantastic as well. It’s said that Jonas had designed all of them –  they were scary, weird and unusual. (I heard those images were from Jonas’s dreams). It was certainly creative, and so their music.

They performed most popular and well-known songs, such as ‘ Special, 156, Am I wry, no and The Zookeeper’s boy etc’. I don’t think two hours of their performance was enough, and of course, we wish them to perform all their songs, which is impossible.

The atmosphere, the quality of their performance, and most important – their music were superb. And the enjoyment was far beyond words that could describe. Mew played ‘Comforting Sounds‘ to be their last song, which was sad and emotional, and it was a perfect ending.

I found the black and white picture from Mew’s official website, which I can see myself and John in the first line of Level one! (haha)

La Roux – In For the Kill

Monday
Nov 9,2009

la-roux

Even I am not a huge electronic pop fan, I heard some songs from Florence + The Machine and Ladyhawke. They are ok, but not really my music taste. However, La Roux’s new album is outstanding and it worths recommending.

I realise that some music or album you need to listen more than one time, then will love it. Or even play in in different period. First time listen maybe a little bit judgemental, second time might feel interesting. Some music you wont’ be instantly loved it, but maybe second or third time. I do remember I didn’t like Keane’s third album ‘ Perfect Symmetry’ many months, but I love it so much one day after I listened them again.

I love all the songs in the whole album, especially song called ‘In for the Kill‘ ,’I’m not your toy’ and ‘Cover my eyes‘ but the whole album is amazing.

Saturday
Nov 7,2009

Morocco Spice

I haven’t seen Miwa from Japan since I returned from China, so we went out on Saturday night. All of my good friends love eating and trying various nationality food in London. We discovered a restaurant in Soho called Maison Touareg .

I haven’t tried Morocco food before and I know the food is very popular and delicious. It is famous for their lamb and chicken. John can eat chicken, and I love lamb, so we give it a try.

Food is absolutely delicious and interestingly, you also can order those water-pipe (nor sure the real name.) I gave it 4 stars out of 5. Price is reasonable. Appetite is from £3, main course from £12, and wine is from £17. Each we paid £18, not bad indeed.

Friday
Nov 6,2009

More new music

The Temper Trap

I always love to add new music into my Ipod. An Alternative band from Australia called The Temper Trap’s ‘ Condition’ is absolutely delightful to listen. The famous song ‘ Sweet Disposition’ is so hit and become the sound of 2009 according to BBC. When I listened their first song, I thought it is definitely a British Rock band, surprisingly they are from Australia. Also, They became so famous because this amazing album in the UK, then well-known in Australia afterwards.

Every single song in the Album are my favourite.

Green Day

We haven’t heard Greenday releasing new albums for such a long time. Even though I am not a huge Greenday fan, the new album called 21st Century Breakdown is fantastic. The album is not only random music, but actually tell a story. It is divided into three acts, each loosely following a young couple, Christian and Gloria, as they’re confronted with a manipulative, authoritative culture according from Culturebully. Would it be great that when you’re listening songs, you can imagine a movie?

It seems they wrote many songs for Heroes and Soldiers. I still love some of their songs, and never feel tired of them. Some of their songs always make me feel sad –  I call it as the rebellious sadness.

There are many favourite pieces in the album:

  • 21 Guns
  • !Viva La Gloria!
  • Peacemaker
  • ?Viva La Gloria? (Little Girl)
  • Restless Heart Syndrome

Muse

Great news that Muse released the New album called ” The Resistance” in September. It is more alternative + classical music combination. Great album and I’ve been listening since Sept.

They are all on the tour. Muse and Green day’s gigs are so expensive (£50), and also performed in O2 and Wembley stadium –  too big! We saw Muse in HK, and it was great, same price but you can see them so clear. However, they are too big in the UK, I don’t think they will perform in a small concert then. Pity!

I can’t wait to go to see MEW’s concert next week. One privilege living in London is to see many concerts regardless singers are superb or unnoticeable.

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