Wise Take: Reviews and Features

Almost Famous Clip

2011-08-11T17:05:00.000-05:00

Emily Wells "Juicy" Cover

2011-08-09T17:31:00.000-05:00

Emily Wells, known for her hit "Take it Easy San Francisco," which was featured in 500 Days of Summer, combines her haunting voice and violin with DJ mixes to create an experimental, alternative sound. Wells was born into a family of musicians and eventually moved to New York where she continued her passion for music that began at age four. Her hip-hop-meets-classical tracks have many similarities to CocoRosie, but she seems to have a more laid back approach to music. Here she is covering "Juicy," originally by Notorious B.I.G.:

RIP Amy Winehouse

2011-07-23T13:14:00.001-05:00

After struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, Amy Winehouse was found dead in her London home.

CocoRosie, "Hairnet Paradise"

2011-07-21T18:09:00.000-05:00

"Home" -Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

2011-07-09T13:19:00.001-05:00

Most people know Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros for their hit, a late '60s throwback, "Home" (featured below). What's surprising is that lead singer, Alex Ebert, created, what many considered to be 2009's happiest song. After struggling with addiction, a broken relationship and a broken band, Ebert began working on a story about Edward Sharpe, a man sent to save the world, but often lost in love along the way. Ebert met Jade Castrinos, co-band member, outside of an LA coffee shop and eventually the band was formed. According to this Huffington Post article, Heath Ledger donated enough money to the group for the struggling band to record an album and just like that, 1960s' hippies were reborn through Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

Man Man the Band

2011-06-19T15:37:00.001-05:00

The experimental band from Philadelphia categorizes itself as "gypsy jazz" and combines a unique array of instruments with manic beats. Man Man started to pick up a following when they opened for Modest Mouse several times in 2007 and, although they come off as a group of performing lunatics, their songs display intellectual, abstract lyrics and noisy melodies, much like Isaac Brock's band. It's difficult to say if their ridiculous facial hair, ripped clothing, hipster flannel and neon shirts are costumes or not, but their crazed appearance only enhances their musical circus act.

Volunteer-Run Dance Studio

2011-06-16T19:46:00.001-05:00

New York has ABT, Alvin Ailey and Broadway. But, while the Big Apple has a prestigious dance industry, talented artists and one of the largest art selections in the world, it doesn't have the Dance Complex. The Cambridge-based studio offers all forms of dance from Western African to classical ballet, but has no permanent teachers associated with the company. Instead, the Dance Complex is simply a building, filled with dance studios, that rents its space out to teachers, companies and anyone involved in the dance world. Volunteers run the show and have for the past 20 years, trading work hours for free classes. The Mass Ave. building thrives on a policy polar opposite from that of the well-groomed dance companies of New York, but remains afloat thanks to dedication, trust and a strong sense of community.

"Do Travel Writers Go to Hell?"

2011-04-15T13:03:00.000-05:00

If all travel writers encounter as many road bumps as Thomas Kohnstamm, it's no surprise that they do everything short of selling their souls to survive. The book focuses on the story of how Kohnstamm quit his desk job to travel around Brazil, writing a travel guide book. During his time abroad, he encountered every problem imaginable from financial difficulties to girl troubles. The short novel is built of countless, crazy anecdotes, including ones about trading Ecstasy for a motorcycle and discovering that his roommate and occasional hookup was working as a prostitute. The characters that he meets along the way are vivid and colorful. Kohnstamm's clear sense of humor about his own shortcomings and struggles add comedy to his adventures as he questions his reporting ethics throughout his Brazilian journey.

Excerpt:

So, travel writing, like any job, has its issues. However, travel writing is particularly disorienting since you are expected to work in a tourist environment that is built for pleasure. You must find a way to make yourself effective in that peculiar limbo between work and play. I imagine that the difference between traveling and professional travel writing is like the difference between having sex and working in pornography. While both are still probably fun, being a professional brings many levels of complication to your original interest and will eventually consume your personal life.

We travel writers live in perpetual motion. Relationships are transitory and fleeting. Friendships, even more so. Home is where you are on a given night. It is at once glamorous and pathetic, exciting and perversely routine. The longer you do it, the harder it is to return to normal life, and one day you wake up and realize that the road is your permanent address. There’s no going back.

This is the life that I have led, and this book recounts the beginning of that story.

Purchase Do Travel Writers Go to Hell on Amazon.

New Yasen Marie Single: "King of Darkness"

2011-04-13T12:51:00.000-05:00

On Monday, Yasen Marie's new single, "King of Darkness," hit iTunes. It's the first release off of the all-girl band's second album, which is currently in the making. The trio's new song carries the same indie vibe as their earlier work, but displays more complex instrumentals and lyrics, showing Yasen Marie's progression. Alisha Thunem sings lead vocals while drummer Amera Abdelrehem helps out with harmonies and bassist Emily Olson even plays the flute in parts.

The rest of the album, which is partially recorded, will be made up of seven to 11 new tracks. It will feature the three veterans in addition to a new keyboard player. "We've got some reggae tunes on there," said Thunem. "We've got a couple slow ones. We actually just started incorporating electric guitar and Emily's a flute major so she's been playing a lot of flute in the recordings. It's going to be pretty different."

Download Yasen Marie's new single, "King of Darkness," here.

Froyo: Red Mango

2011-04-11T08:26:00.001-05:00

For the first time since last summer, thermometers in Chicago hit 83 degrees. Needless to say, a line of sweaty people dressed in shorts and flip-flops stretched well out the door of Evanston's frozen yogurt shop, Red Mango. Despite the higher prices, the creamy, fresh quality of Red Mango's pomegranate flavor was well worth the wait. Customers choose from three yogurt flavors: original, pomegranate and vanilla and a plethora of toppings ranging from pineapple to cherry rice cakes. Each topping is listed with its nutritional value whether it be protein, dairy or fiber. Another Red Mango recently opened a bit farther south, near Loyola University's campus at 6460 N. Sheridan Rd.

The Alltunators

2011-04-07T13:06:00.000-05:00

This local north Chicago band is made up of three people and a bunch of string instruments. The Alltunators' sound is a mix of blues and folk, with a bit of a bluegrass twang. Their laid back performance style makes it seem like they're jamming in their living room rather than on stage. They normally put on free or low-cost performances throughout the Chicago area.

Chew on this: Garlic as an Aphrodisiac

2011-04-04T06:58:00.000-05:00

For those who can get past the bad breath, some experts say that garlic has the power to amp up bedroom passion. Recent research has begun to embrace the practice of ancient cultures, including the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Japanese and Chinese, that used garlic for more than just a flavorful herb. Garlic increases blood flow, which results in a higher sex drive, making it a useful aphrodisiac.

Aphrodisiac expert, Amy Reiley, urges her fans to feast on garlic in an effort to increase sexual performance. She has been featured in many publications for her aphrodisiac knowledge including the New York Times, National Geographic and Playboy. Reiley is also the author of the successful book Fork Me, Spoon Me: the Sensual Cookbook, a collection of recipes meant to heat up the kitchen, followed by the bedroom. In her book, she focused on 12 ingredients that pocessed an interesting history and nutritional or physiological reasons for their aphrodisiac reputations. She mad sure that all 12 were easily attainable for her readers. “I think it is important that the ingredients are widely accessible to help people relate,” said Reiley. “My 12 were saffron, vanilla, rosemary, mint, chocolate, chile, peaches, figs, mangos, ginger, honey and almonds.”

Reiley believes that the most common misconception about aphrodisiacs is that the effects are strictly a placebo effect. “Most people believe that the power of aphrodisiac foods is in the mind,” said Reiley. “Funnily enough, there is very little research to substantiate the psychological effect of aphrodisiacs but there is continually more findings that demonstrate why the aphrodisiacs of the ancient world worked physiologically.”

The expert uses her website, Eat Something Sexy, to shed light on the world of aphrodisiacs through recipes and featured ingredients, including garlic. The herb’s influence on bedroom behavior fascinates the sensual chef. She said that the pungent herb increases stamina and stimulates energy. While ancient Greeks took advantage of these effects by feeding it to their Olympic competitors, she encourages lovers to use it to up their sexual performance. Reiley also pointed out a recent scientific discovery that the chemicals that make up garlic’s strong scent is also one of the chemicals present in female sexual secretions, tying the herb directly to sexual desire.

"Sunshine" by Atmosphere

2011-03-31T13:19:00.000-05:00

Happy Thursday everyone! This song's been on repeat in my head for the past two days so I thought I'd share:

Review of the Dodos' Latest Album, "No Color"

2011-03-29T13:26:00.000-05:00

A guest post by Adam Hansen of Fargo-Moorhead's Dive95 radio

The Dodos’ newest album, No Color, strikes a great balance, combining everything that made their previous albums stand apart while incorporating new sounds and ideas. Not only does Meric Long, lead singer and guitarist, still use his finger picking abilities to their fullest potential, but he also adds some ambient, electric vibes.

While it isn’t overpowering, it adds a new sense of depth and detail to some of their tunes. This can especially be heard in songs such as “Companions” and “Don’t Stop.” It's also interesting to see the progression from songs like “Walking” and “Longform” to some of the more intricate songs on No Color.

Combining their new found depth with the percussive styling of drummer Logan Kroeber, gives No Color a familiar feel, while still setting it apart from previous work.

Drummer Logan Kroeber has a style that's all his own, in which he uses a mix of intricate beats and primal pounding. Kroeber maintains the bombastic undertones that have been with this duo from their start.

While No Color is certainly a solid album, it’s not one that I would recommend for a newcomer to the Dodos. If you’re already familiar with their previous releases such as Visiter and Time to Die, I think you will get more out of these tunes than someone diving headfirst into their latest tracks.

Listen to "Don't Stop" off of the Dodos' new album, No Color, below:

New Band: Richard Parker

2011-03-28T10:27:00.000-05:00

This UK up-and-coming band has clear, instrumental talent. Download their free EP on Mediafire. Here's a shout out to one of the members' sisters for posting about them in her blog. Give Richard Parker a listen below:

Tempus - Richard Parker (live) from Ben Saffer on Vimeo.

Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps

2011-03-25T13:45:00.000-05:00

Regina Spektor fans will fall in love with Caroline Smith and the GoodNight Sleeps' catchy melodies and simple lyrics. The instruments in their tracks range from guitar to banjos and harmonicas, creating a folky vibe. Smith's soothing voice brings to mind a butterier version of Spektor's. The Minneapolis artist primarily tours the Midwest at the moment, but her sweet appearance and indie tunes are sure to spread fast.

Listen on Smith's Myspace page here.

OPI Shatter

2011-03-23T15:43:00.000-05:00

I tried to get my hands on this stuff for three weeks straight. The newest trend in nail polish has sold out everywhere, but a gracious friend let me borrow her bottle of OPI's Shatter so I finally got the chance to try it out. Although a bit tricky to apply, the cool cracks, which make chipping far less obvious, are well worth the effort.

Tip: Make sure to paint the Shatter over a completely dry color.

Yasen Marie Member, Alisha Thunem, Tells All

2011-03-22T14:22:00.001-05:00

Despite coming from a family of musicians, Alisha Thunem started to perfect her talent at guitar later in life. She grew up singing and even studied opera in college, but didn’t pick up a guitar until the age of 18 when she taught herself to play in less than two months. It hasn’t all gone quite as smoothly for her band, Yasen Marie, which recently lost a member, but one thing is for sure: Thunem’s heart lies in music. Even her love life revolves around the art, as her fiance, the drummer and lead singer for local band, Shoeless Revolution, rents the upstairs half of her house.

Yasen Marie, an all-girl indie-folk band, moved from the small town in northern Minnesota, called Bemidji, to the Twin Cities in pursuit of larger shows and a growing audience. Currently recording their second CD, the girls are struggling to stand out in the heavily populated world of competitive musicians. They hope that their recent tryout for America’s Got Talent and their new album will give them the final push that they need to succeed in the music industry.

Do you remember the first time you sat down to play?
I remember vividly the first time I tried to play guitar. There was this show coming up in Bemidji, where I grew up, and they were doing this thing where local musicians could go and play. It was called the Youth Day. I was 18 and I was like, “You know I really wish I could play,” and I had some friends that were going to be doing it. So I called up the people that were booking it and I said, “I’d like to play a half hour set.” And they were like, “OK cool.” So they signed me up and i didn’t know how to play the guitar. I had, I think, a month and a half to learn a half hour set so I just went home and looked up, do you know what tablature is? I just looked up all the tabs to music and sat there in front of the computer and slowly banged it out until I could play these songs.

You recently auditioned for America's Got Talent. How did you guys stumble upon that?
We were actually contacted by the producer of the show. His name is Nigel Caaro and he wrote to us. He sent us an email and said, “I have people working under me who are filtering through the cities and they’re looking for different acts. They brought your band to my attention and I checked you out and I think that you should really try out for the show.” And we were like, “Is this for serious?” We kind of thought it was maybe one of those scams and we didn’t really believe it, but we responded anyways. We called the number and sure enough, he was like (in British accent), “Hello. This is Nigel with America’s Got Talent.” Emily talked to him for like 45 minutes on the phone. He was so nice and set us up with a private audition with him and a couple other people. It went really well. They had us since another song and they talked to us for a little bit afterward, but they haven’t actually made the phone calls yet. We’ve been checking the website and they haven’t sent back the callbacks for Minneapolis yet...

When you auditioned, did you play the older music off of your first CD?
No actually. He almost demanded that we played something Top 40s. He said, “It doesn’t make sense for the show to come in and do something original because it’s not going to really show what you can do. We want to hear something that we know so that we can tell more of what you’re adding to it...” So we took two songs. We took a Lady Gaga song, “Bad Romance” and we did a mash up with that song and “Airplanes” by Hayley Williams and BOB. We had like 90 seconds so we just put the two choruses together. We had guitar, keyboard and bass and four part harmonies and it was really cool sounding and they really liked it.

But then they asked us for a second song and we were like, “Uhhhh....” and we hadn’t prepared anything else because they didn’t tell us to and we didn’t think of it, which as stupid, but.... So then we were just sitting there, fumbling over ourselves like, “What are we gonna do?” and then we decided to do a Britney Spears song because it’s the only other Top 40s song that we know. Which one? “Toxic.” So we did that, but we do it in sort of an acoustic... we almost do it reggae... It’s like chuchu chuchu (gave example of the beat). I guess we’ll see if it’s what they want or not.

As far as the words go, do you pull from real life experience?
Sometimes. I like to write about myself or people that I know, but mask it. So it’s usually very underlying and not obvious. It’s a lot of metaphors.

Can you give me a specific example of a song?
"The Bell Jar" is a song that I wrote. On the surface, it’s about this book by Sylvia Plath called The Bell Jar. Basically it’s about a woman going crazy, but underneath that, I guess I had written it about this time in my life when I wasn’t sure who I was and I kind of felt like I was losing myself and, not going crazy, but not really knowing who I was. It’s actually a lot about that time in my life, but then I kind of spun it to make it look and feel as if it were about this other woman and made it more dramatic than it was....

Why do you believe that music is important?
That’s a heavy one. I think that music is the one universal communication. It’s the one that that, no matter what language you speak... no matter what race you are, no matter what gender you are, if you have disabilities, if you’re blind or whatever, no matter what your differences, or age, or anything, people all love music. They’ll hear a beat in any country and, even though our scales are different here than in Africa, you can go to Africa from America and hear the music and feel what they’re trying to portray. I think that’s really cool and it’s one of our purest forms of self expression, especially for young people who don’t know what they’re doing or what they want to be. They join a band and let a lot of that creative energy or frustration out in a healthy way.

Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?
Just start. If you’re afraid and you’re searing through internet sites like “Where can I get a guitar lesson? Where can I get a guitar? Oh I’ll never make it.” It doesn’t matter. Just start doing something whether it’s meeting up with a friend and clinking around on a piano or singing with the radio every day, singing in the mirror with a hairbrush. Whatever it is that you can do, I would suggest to do it because it feels good.

Listen to the song that Alisha mentioned in the interview. Here is "The Bell Jar:"

New Technology Column

2011-03-11T09:43:00.000-06:00

I recently started a technology column with one of AOL's blogs, Money College. The column will be featured every Thursday and focus on college students' personal finance, tied with technology. Despite the fact that it's linked to college, most topics that I feature will be helpful to all tech-saavy (or wannabe tech-saavy) readers. My first post listed a few iPhone apps that help users save cash when they travel.

I can use all of the support that I can get so please feel free to check out the first post HERE! Thanks guys!

"Believe" by the Bravery

2011-03-09T11:52:00.000-06:00

Off of one of the Bravery's newest albums, a live concert, "Believe" shows the band's progression from their forming in 2003 to the present. While the New York band began as more of a post-punk revival band, over time, they transformed into mainstream rock. Despite their evolution into pop culture, the Bravery never lost it's harsh, punk roots. Listen to "Believe" by the Bravery below:

Get Tan the Healthy Way

2011-03-08T12:39:00.000-06:00

We all know that the sun's rays are killer and tanning beds are worse, but in the dead of winter, it's tough to stay away. Many turn to self tanner, but no one likes the oompa loompa look. Luckily, Jergens' Natural Glow line gives a healthy glow without turning users into pumpkins. It offers a range of products for varying skin tones and works quickly. As long as you avoid using it over eyebrows and steer clear of your hairline, you'll remain orange-free.

Within the Natural Glow line, Jergens also offers body moisturizing/self tanning products. Purchase the Target knock-off called "Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer" for nearly $3 less. The lotion works so slowly that it's nearly impossible to go overboard. After a week, you'll look like you spent hours in the sun, without the skin damage.

"Heartbeats" by the Knife

2011-03-07T07:57:00.000-06:00

Most listeners' feelings toward this Swedish band are far from neutral. The elctro-pop band, the Knife, formed in 1999 and have created, often trippy, and always feel-good music ever since. The duo, not only creates their own art-filled tracks, but also heads their own record company, Rapid Records. As the Knife's biography reads, they "couldn't do anything by half and they don't do anything twice." Enjoy their hit, "Heartbeats," below:

"Rich Girls" by the Virgins

2011-03-04T09:47:00.000-06:00

This funky, New York band represents the new wave of soul. The Virgins combine old school R&B styles with electronic, toe-tapping back beats. Although clearly white, the lead singer sounds reminiscent of James Brown. Listen to "Rich Girls" below. I promise it'll put a smile on your face. Happy Friday!

An Aphrodisiac Themed Lunch at Chicago's Hot Sushi Restaurant

2011-03-03T16:14:00.000-06:00

Grab some maki rolls to get bedroom behavior on a roll

For many, the thought of aphrodisiacs brings to mind chocolate covered strawberries and sensual fondue dipping. Aphrodisiac hunters need not limit themselves to chocolate fountains and other mood-altering munchies, dipped in cheese. In reality, these solidified philters are easily found in a sushi lunch at Hot Woks Cool Sushi.

The vegetarian Asparagus Tempura Maki offers a fresh flavor in a lighter roll that won’t send eaters into a food coma post consumption. Simple, with a tangy flavor, the asparagus roll is covered by a thin layer of sticky rice sprinkled with sesame seeds. The next layer, a slice of dried seaweed helps the dish hold structure without adding much flavor. In the center, cucumber provides a fresh crunch, which contrasts with the soft, chewy rice shell. A hint of mayonnaise adds a sour kick to the roll and the tempura coating the vegetable adds a crisp texture without a greasy, fried feel. The main flavor, asparagus, ties in an aphrodisiac. Supposedly, the phallic shape of the vegetable gives way to a passionate experience. The Vegetarian Society suggests "eating asparagus for three days for the most powerful affect".

The cool Spider Maki roll feels slightly heavier than the vegetable dish. Seaweed acts as the outside layer to provide more support and structure. Next to the green, paper-like skin lies a line of the same sticky rice used in the Asparagus Tempura Maki. In the center, a soft shell crab tempura adds an interesting mix of textures. The soft, light feeling of the crab opposes the rough crunch of the tempura coating. Cucumber dipped in mayonnaise gives the roll a tangy flavor and avocado, the aphrodisiac in the dish, comes fresh without a hint of brown. According to Gourmet Sleuth, the Aztecs referred to avocado trees as “Ahuacuatl,” or “testicle trees.” The way that avocados grow in pairs resembles male testicles and the smooth feeling of the fruit adds to the sensual experience. The roll is served with a light, vinegar-based soy sauce called Ponzu that gives a sweet hint to the dish.

Ginger, which almost always accompanies sushi, is a common aphrodisiac. In any form, including raw, cooked or crystallized, the root is believed to stimulate the circulatory system. Hot Woks Cool Sushi offers cool, raw ginger in heaping mounds, with every roll. White in color, with a bitter bite, ginger adds a unique flavor to the rice, vegetables and seafood.

The raspberry Jasmin tea available at Hot Woks Cool Sushi incorporates some sweet flavors into a spread driven by salty soy sauce. Served iced, the bright pink drink would prove especially refreshing on a summer day. Although the sugar overpowers the raspberry and makes the texture a bit gritty, the aftertaste of Jasmin stimulates taste buds and offers relief from a salty meal.

Overall, the menu embraces the Japanese restaurant’s philosophy of the ying yang. The symbol represents balance and the menu maintains a traditional balance of classic dishes, merged with different ethnic regional flavors. Although the restaurant is primarily comprised of sushi, noodle dishes and warm entrees, ranging from chicken and steak to beef and shrimp, are available as well. The sushi options range from signature rolls such as the Fukodome, a roll with shrimp tempura, mayo, masago, avocado, chili sauce, orange tobikko, cream cheese and scallion coated with tempura, to classic rolls like spicy shrimp and Alaskan Sushi maki. Octopus is available for more daring diners, but cucumber maki is also listed next to the phrase “a sushi beginner’s favorite.” Even the name Hot Woks Cool Sushi indicates the opposing, yet balanced nature of the tiny Japanese restaurant.

Customers should go for dinner to gain the full menu experience because the lunch listing only offers about a third of the dishes. No matter when eaters dine, they’ll rarely break the bank. All hot entrees go for under $10 and most rolls are under $8. A full bar is also available and the servers happily recommend accompanying wines and beers.

Overall, the servers are sweet and attentive. It takes only a look in their direction before they’re rushing to assist customers and there’s rarely an empty glass in the house. The sushi chefs prepare rolls quickly, delivering most orders in under 10 minutes.

With four locations, Hot Woks Cool Sushi is just a train ride away. The three older locations include a spot downtown, the original one in Old Irving Park and one off of Roscoe Street. The latest restaurant opened only a few weeks ago near Willis Tower.

The downtown location looks out onto the south end of Millennium Park and provides an ideal view of suited businessmen and camera-carrying tourists mingling together. In the back of the all wooden restaurant, customers can watch sushi chefs prepare fresh rolls as they dine. Colorful, abstract lighting and bright paintings add a sassy, sultry mood without overwhelming, making Hot Woks Cool Sushi the ideal spot for aphrodisiac, Japanese dining.

30 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 345-1234

New Gaga Video

2011-02-28T11:45:00.001-06:00

Well, if one thing's clear, it's that Lady Gaga wants a reaction. What's yours to her newest video? A bit gross I think.