Catstronomy

The Klaxons have released a new album!

Or shall I say, they released a new album, in August of this year; however, it's taken me 2 months to get around to listen to it. After their 2006 Myths of the Near Future, I eagerly awaited the release of a new album from one of my favorite bands of my teenage years, but when Surfing the Void came out in August, I just wasn't feeling it... at least not right away. Perhaps there has been a change in the wind (I mean, literally there has, it's full-blown Ohio fall) that has made me reconsider giving the album a second try, but boy am I glad that I did. It's harder and more pop-driven (oxymoron? I think not), but I think that's exactly what The Klaxons needed after their four year hiatus. The Same Space is my favorite track by far. It has all the classic features of a Klaxon's song- heavy noise guitar, harmonizing british accents and a splash of echoing psychedelia. Twin Flames is also up there on my track list ratings. It seems like an ode to Robert Smith. Surfing the Void is equally as good a title for this album. It gives the listener the feeling that they're doing just that- surfing through space and time. After listening to the album you wonder how much time has even passed, but you need to give it a second listen just to be sure.

{terrariums}

Terrarium: a vivarium (Latin, literally for "place of life"; plural: vivaria or vivariums) in which selected living plants are kept and observed

Here's a couple of mine:

To make them I:

Used an old pickle jar, a mason jar and one I found at the thrift store, hammered in a nail to create holes at the bottom. I then added some moss I found around my house along with some smalls ferns and some clover, placed them under the ceramic trays to keep in moisture and ta-da! Found terrariums!

A couple beautiful inspirations below:

I lightbulb!

Love the natural wood ^

Martinis are a Girls Best Friend

Diamonds are a girls best friend? I think not... just give me vodka or gin :)

James Bond might like them shaken not stirred, but us ladies like 'em anyway. I'm not particularly interested in "girlying-up" my drinks, so here's a few of my favs:

Original Martini

• 1 1/2 ounce gin
• 1 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
• Dash of orange bitter
• Lemon twist as garnish

Classic Martini

• 2-ounce gin
• 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
• Lemon twist or green olive as garnish

Dry Martini

• 2-ounce gin
• 1/4 ounce dry vermouth
• Lemon twist as garnish

Extra Dry Martini

• 2-ounce gin
• 1/2 teaspoon dry vermouth
• Lemon twist as garnish

MORE

More Music I Don't "Mine" Listening To

"Mines" Album Cover

Portland-based experimental rock band Menomena has done it again! Their fourth album is a land mine of Solomon's pure gold. After gaining popularity with their last album, "Friends and Foes", "Mines" which debuted July 26th, is sure to aid to the growth of their fanbase. The album from start to finish is defiantly an eclectic combination of goodness. Fuzzy distortion accompanied by a wide range of other instrument, from the glockenspiel to the saxophone and thumb piano, cover a wide range of emotions. More electrorock-infused songs such as Lunchmeat and Five Little Rooms let you indulge in your more grungy Portland persona, while other songs of whimsy, like Tithe (my favorite) take you somewhere in between your eyelids and REM. Perfect for a rainy day inside with your easel and paint tools or a walk in the woods on your lonesome.

don't forget to check them out at this upcoming fall when they tour the US

dumb whores/ best friends

One of the best live shows I've seen in a loooong time, Sleigh Bells rocked my world at the Grog Shop this July. "Treats" released this past May is short but sweet, and not really sweet- loud, noisy, bass- infused party hard music! Sleigh Bells is from Brooklyn NY and consists of Alexis Krauss (hottie) and Derek Miller, formerly of Poison the Well (uh, thank god you left that shit for this hotshettz). Volunteered by her mother, Krauss met Miller, who was then looking for a female singer, and the rest is history. They've been rocking the US with their energetic, sweaty, loud performances ever since! Some bands are album bands and others are live bands- S.B. is definitely a live band- no B.S. With songs like Infinity Guitars, A/B Machines and Ring Ring, they woo their crowds, who literally know ever single word and scream it at the top of their lungs. If you see them coming to your town, go! You will not be disappointed, although your toes might be if you wear sandals... like I did. Two smashed feet and a beer-drenched body later, slamming myself into a hundred or so other fans in the crowded grog was hella worth it!!!

I Have Built a Treehouse, Nobody Can See Us, It's a You and Me House

you are a fever

love

this
girl

I Wanna Rock N'Roll All Night and Party Down Everyday

Not too long ago I acquired Netflicks and have well, how do I put this lightly? I have been going crazy watching film after film and TV show after TV show! Not really so much since the weather has decided to stop being a big baby, but nonetheless, I am now addicted to Party Down! It's on Starz, which most people don't get, but as soon as the show airs it goes directly to Netflicks for you to watch instantly. They're on the 2nd season too, so there's even more laughs to be had! Not only is it one of my favorite new TV shows of probably all time, but I think it might be one of the best comedies to grace television right now or even in the past five years (Modern Family also makes the list, but the season's over).

Created by Paul Rudd, Dan Etheridge, John Enbom and some other dudes, this show is laugh out loud, sometimes even ROFL, which is hard to achieve because even though things are funny on the big screen, you're mostly just sitting there grinning widely at most- not actually laughing. So premise of the show? A group of people working at a catering company in LA called Party Down Catering. Not that they're actually caterers, it's just their day job, they're all actors, writers and comedians trying to make it big, but this it just to pay the rent until the blow up. Though most of the actors I didn't really recognize at first, there are a lot of familiar faces-- Jane Lynch, Lindsay Lohan's best friend in Mean Girls, the tall gangly nerd from Freaks and Geeks and a bunch of celebrity guests stars. Check this show out- it's downright hysterical!!

Something Good (ehh hmmm...TDCC) Can Work!

Looking for awesome summertime jamz to plug your ears up with?? Look no further than Two Door Cinema Club. This Northern Ireland band just released their debut album, Tourist History, in March and I personally think every song off it is a smash hit! I consider them a cross between We Are Scientists, Phoenix and perhaps even Muse-- but with better beats, riffs and an over all pop-y music ensemble. They just make me want to dance around and sing along while embrassing the fun summer heat. So whether you're sitting pool side sipping daquiries or driving windows down cross state borders, download their full album, plug them in, turn them up and fall in love!

I am a Full Grown Woman (And I Will Lay Down in the Grass with You Anyday)

So, althougth this band has been around since 2003, I've only just recently stumbled upon and fallen in love with Phosphorescent. I heard alot of their songs, including "I am a Full Grown Man (And I Will Lay Down in the Grass), "Lost Name" and "Joe Tex, These Taming Blues" on my favorite show, Skins and had to download everything. "Wolves" is especially good. Fronted by sexy Matthew Houck, they have a somewhat somber overall tone, but the lyrics are simple and poetic, dreamy and identifible. Houck's voice cracks in all the songs and breaks my heart just a bit with truth and a touch of southern twang (they're orginally from Athens, Georgia). If you haven't already, check them out here!