Alan Palesko from Austin, Texas, plays Jenga with his cat, Moe. Moe is very good at Jenga but tends to throw a hissy fit if things get too difficult. Uber cute.
Author Archives: Frostie
Mansfield Park Still Least Favourite Jane Austen Novel After 200 Years
Mansfield Park attracted just two per cent of votes in a poll.
Some things change, but sadly for celebrated author Jane Austen some things don’t.
A new survey by book recommendation website LoveReading.co.uk has found that 200 years on from its publication in May 1814, Mansfield Park is still Austen’s least-liked novel.
The novel garnered just two per cent of a poll to find readers’ favourite Austen book.
The outright winner – with nearly 60 per cent of the vote – was Pride and Prejudice – the tale of manners, upbringing, morality, education, and marriage that featured the iconic Mr Darcy.
Second most-popular was Jane Austen’s first novel, Sense and Sensibility, followed in third place by her fourth book, Emma – the last to be published while she was still alive.
Peter Crawshaw, Director and Co-Founder of Lovereading.co.uk said “Since its first publication 200 years ago, Mansfield Park has always been a divisive novel — the Jane Austen equivalent of Marmite.
“But least liked doesn’t necessarily mean worst and even though the Pygmalion morality epic that is Mansfield Park doesn’t have the glamorous appeal of Pride and Prejudice it certainly has some resonance today.
“Perhaps it just needs a Hollywood makeover to finally get a popularity boost.”
Mansfield Park is noted for being the most controversial of Austen’s major novels
Published in May 1814, her third novel was praised by Regency critics for its “wholesome morality”, but has since earned the dubious distinction of being the most disliked among Jane Austen fans.
Many readers find the book’s protagonist, Fanny Price, too “timid” and “priggish” to be likeable, for example, with Jane Austen’s own mother, Cassandra, herself complaining that Fanny was “insipid”.
Heated debates about the novel’s literary worth have even spawned so-called ‘Fanny Wars’ on internet discussion forums.
Crawshaw added: “Discussions between Austen fans often get heated while discussing the literary value of Mansfield Park.
“Mansfield Park is quite a complex work in comparison to Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility, and this often puts readers off, as does the unsympathetic lead character, Fanny,”
Jane Austen, who lived from 1775 to 1817, is regarded as one of English literature’s greatest authors.
Her novels include Emma, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility.
The Bank of England has announced that it will feature Austen’s face on £10 notes from 2017.
The Sons – Relic | Music Profile
Their New Single
Relic
Release Date: Monday 9th June 2014 as a digital download
Relic is a heartfelt and gentle song that showcases singer Paul Herron’s accomplished vocal performance against a simple yet effective piano and guitar accompaniment, but the song’s lyrics come from a place of mourning for what has passed.
The Sons, an independent British five piece, draw inspiration for their alternative guitar pop from the likes of Crowded House, Wilco, Paul Simon and Fleetwood Mac.
Creating a current sound with a timeless feel, they are masters at coupling upbeat, catchy songs with rather dark, complex lyrics about the pains and hardships of life.
Having toured the UK & Europe extensively, The Sons have attracted a large and a very loyal following with fans fully funding the making of the band’s third studio album, ‘Heading Into Land’. This record hit the UK album charts upon its release in March 2014, marking a new chapter for the band.
The premiere single from the album, ‘Death Love Money’ was released in January 2014. To mark the release, The Sons invited everyone who pledged money toward the album to a free show at the historic Guildhall Theatre in Derby, England. More than two hundred people packed into the theatre to witness the band debut its new songs, with excited post-gig reactions exploding on social media.
Pregnant Farzana Parveen Stoned To Death By Own Family In Pakistan
A pregnant woman, Farzana Parveen, has been stoned to death by more than 20 members of her own family in front of the high court of Lahore. She was only 25 and three-months pregnant.
The group included her father and brothers. They attacked her and her husband with batons and bricks. The attack happened in broad daylight.
Hundreds of women are killed every year in honor killings but public stoning is rare.
Police investigator Rana Mujahid said the woman’s father has been arrested for murder and that police were working to apprehend all those who participated in the “heinous crime.”
Another police officer, Naseem Butt, said she was killed because she married Mohammad Iqbal against her family’s wishes.
Her father, Mohammad Azeem, had filed an abduction case against Iqbal.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, a private organisation, said in a report last month that some 869 women were murdered in honour killings in 2013.
Zia Awan, a prominent lawyer and human rights activist, said: “I have not heard of any such case in which a woman was stoned to death, and the most shameful and worrying thing is that this woman was killed in front of a court.”
He said Pakistanis who commit violence against women are often acquitted or handed light sentences because of poor police work and faulty prosecutions.
“Either the family does not pursue such cases or police don’t properly investigate. As a result, the courts either award light sentences to the attackers, or they are acquitted,”
Her husband survived the attack. Iqbal, 45, said he started seeing Parveen after the death of his first wife, with whom he had five children.
“We were in love,” he told The Associated Press. He alleged that the woman’s family wanted to fleece money from him before marrying her off. “I simply took her to court and registered a marriage,”
Parveen’s father called the murder an “honor killing” and surrendered after.
“I killed my daughter as she had insulted all of our family by marrying a man without our consent, and I have no regret over it,” Mujahid, the police investigator, quoted the father as saying.
Maggie’s Serve an Ace for The Queen’s Club Members
This summer seasons clear winner looks set to be the Maggies Enclosure at the internationally renowned Aegon Championships at The Queens Club. The team behind the 1980s-inspired Chelsea nightclub will create the ultimate retro players lounge complete with ping pong table, 80s arcade games, oversized wooden rackets and ball shaped bean bags and bespoke Tanqueray No. TEN cocktails.
After winning widespread acclaim for their debut last year at Queens, the Maggies Enclosure will be even bigger and better this year. The quirky space will open from the moment the Championships start on Monday 9th June until its conclusion on Sunday 15th June. Features will include; Rubiks cube tables, a feature floor complete with tennis court markings, a vintage umpires chair and even rollerskaters kitted out in tennis whites and Maggies branded visors.
The talented bar team will serve up Tanqueray No. TEN based cocktails alongside Moët champagne and Asahi beer, while dressed in homage to the great 1980s tennis stars. Signatures serves (no pun intended) will include: Smack Daddy, a punch blend of Tanqueray No. TEN, Chambord, Passion Fruit Juice and Purée, Vanilla Syrup and topped with Prosecco, Purple Rain, a clear winner made with Tanqueray No. TEN, Elderflower, Blackberries, Apple Juice, Lime Juice and Prosecco, and, the tipple of champions, the much loved Maggies Mug, made with Tanqueray No. TEN, Lemon Juice, Fresh Kiwi, Agave Syrup and Soda Water.
This year will also see defending Wimbledon and Queens champion, Andy Murray take centre stage at the Championships again. Murray was born in 1987 and, as a child of the eighties, was a regular at the Maggies Enclosure at the Aegon Championships last year when he wasnt wowing spectators on court. His close friend and a leading doubles player, Ross Hutchins will also take over as Tournament Director of this year after successfully beating Hodgkins Lymphoma.
Maggies is named after 1980s Prime-Minister-turned-icon Maggie Thatcher, club-goers can hear her famous speeches playing in the loos, while Thatcher memorabilia vies for space on the walls along with other iconic 80s images and paraphernalia. The music is a mixture of classics from the 1980s and modern pop, with cocktails ranging from Pina Coladas and Daiquiris to the unforgettable Babycham.
Maggies is owned and operated by The Inception Group whose founders Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling have also created Chelsea speakeasy Barts, Bunga Bunga, an Englishmans Italian, Bar, Pizzeria and Karaoke venue, which achieved widespread acclaim. Mr Foggs, a Mayfair bar modeled on the home of Jules Vernes most famous adventurer, Phileas Fogg and Disco, an underground boîte inspired by the 1970s Manhattan disco movement. This spring they have launched Cocobananas, a Brazilian beach party themed nightclub, and this summer will launch Beaver Lodge, a cabin bar and dance saloon based on the winter cowboy log cabins found in Wyoming.
Game, Set, Maggie’s at Queen’s
The Maggies Enclosure at The Aegon Championships
Monday 9th June – Sunday 15th June 2014
The Queens Club, Palliser Road, London W14 9EQ
Maggies: 329 Fulham Road, London, SW10 9QL 020 7352 8512
Sydney’s Monks of Mellonwah Touring U.S.A
Monks of Mellonwah are touring the U.S.A for the third time.
Full tour dates are:
Passport Approved (A&R Worldwide Tour, Monks of Mellonwah headlining with guests Lime Cordiale, Hamish Anderson & Giorgi + Leo )
June 6th – Last Exit Live, Phoenix, 9PM
June 9th – Viper Room, West Hollywood, 8 PM
June 10th – The Standard, Fresno, 8 PM
June 11th – The Atrium @ The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA , 9 PM
June 12th – The Boardwalk, Orangevale, CA, 8PM
June 13th – Doug Fir, Portland, OR, 8 PM
June 14th – Bodega Nightclub, Reno, NV, 8 PM
June 17th – Crocodile, Seattle, WA, 8 PM
w/Scott Stapp
June 20th – Chameleon Club, Lancaster, PA
June 21st – The Emporium, Patchogue, NY
June 24th – Latitude Live, Pittsburgh, PA
June 25th – The Chance, Poughkeepsie, NY
June 28th – The Machine Shop, Flint, MI
June 29th – Buster’s Billiards & Backroom, Lexington, KY
July 1st – Gillioz Theatre, Springfield, MO
July 2nd – Neumeier’s Rib Room & Beer Garden, Fort Smith, AR
Band: Monks of Mellonwah (Sydney, NSW)
Style: Alternative, Indie, Progressive, Electronic, Pop
Similar to: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, John Frusciante, Incubus, Black Keys
Release: Turn the People (March 7, 2014)
Label: Gatcombe Music Pty Ltd
Members: Vikram Kaushik (vocals), Joe de la Hoyde (backing vocals/guitar), John de la Hoyde (bass), Josh Baissari (drums)
Bio:
The Monks of Mellonwah are a band from Sydney, Australia whose music displays a masterful and unique blend of intense space, driving riffs and sharp metaphors.
The Monks of Mellonwah consist of; lead vocalist Vikram Kaushik, guitarist Joseph de la Hoyde, as well as drummer Joshua Baissari and bassist John de la Hoyde. The creative collision of these four musical personalities yields a timeless, yet inimitable array of alternative rock, progressive rock and cinematic-themed scores.
Together for only a little over four years, the Monks of Mellonwah have catapulted quickly into success on a global scale. In addition to worldwide airplay, the band has gleaned over four-hundred press reviews – as well as syncs and licensing – from the likes of Bunim/Murray Productions, MTV Networks, Discovery Channel, and FOX Sports. In addition, the band has already toured the U.S.A, Singapore and Australia. “M.O.M” were voted “Best Indie Rock Band” in the 2012 Artists in Music Awards and placed as the “International Rock Artist of the Year” at the 22nd Annual LA Music Awards in 2012.
The Monks of Mellonwah stand more as a quadrangle than a quartet, with each facet reflecting their cumulative creative goal; to deliver all-original music in its purest, untainted form. Stylistically, the band has evolved dramatically over a short period of time, impossible to be boxed into any genre. There’s a variety of subtle hints of musical influence that arise from each band member, which include Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, as well as bands such as Muse and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Brought together in October of 2009, it was the inherent and collective love of performing live that melded the members Monks of Mellonwah into what they are today. They’ve already had the opportunity to perform at venues around the world which include the world-famous Whiskey A Go Go and The Avalon Theatre in Los Angeles, The Mercury Lounge in New York, as well as Sydney Australia’s The Metro Theatre and The Factory Theatre.
With tours already under their belt in the U.S.A and Asia, the Monks of Mellonwah continue to blossom. “During the last three years, we’ve developed both as individual musicians – but more importantly – collectively as a band also,” adds de la Hoyde. To date, “M.O.M” has released three EPs, beginning in 2010 with Stars Are Out, a five-track debut that featured the single “Swamp Groove” – which became the group?s first popular single on Australian radio. In 2011, they followed the classic-rock and retro sounds of Stars Are Out with an edgy alt-rock single release entitled, “Kyoto.”
In 2012 it was the release of Neurogenesis, a five-track EP, which led to multiple licensing agreements, and press exposure via the EP’s title track as well as the single, “Neverending Spirit.” In 2013, showing their diversity in style, the Monks of Mellonwah released a three-track cinematic trilogy entitled Sky and the Dark Night. The film-inspired project epitomizes what “M.O.M” is all about – interweaving a matrix of multiple genres into one track with an eight minute run time.
In 2013 began release their first full-length album, Turn the People in three-part volumes with the album in its entirety to be released in March, 2014. Volume 1: “Ghost Stories” was released in June 2013, followed by Volume 2: “Afraid to Die” in October. The final Volume 3: “Pulse” is scheduled for release, along with the full album, in March, 2014. Grammy-winner producer and sound engineer Keith Olson (Fleetwood Mac, Ozzy Osbourne, Grateful Dead) produced five of the tracks on the upcoming Turn the People album. In 2014, the band plans on touring both Europe and the U.S.A. in support of the album.
The Monks of Mellonwah set out musically not to repeat past styles, yet rather to pave the future for alternative rock. In doing so, they take the preeminent sounds of 70s psychedelic rock and 90s alternative – and blend it into something fresh and new.
Band of Holy Joy Release When a Gift is a Curse
Their new single on Radio Joy
When a Gift is a Curse
Release date: June 16th
Format: Digital Download
For 30 years original Rough Trade Alumini The Band Of Holy Joy have been a main part of the rich tapestry of alternative urban folk punk groups emanating from the UK. The band continues to write about the same outsider concerns with the same measure of spirit and care and man, they still put on a show.
n the back of great reviews for their latest album ‘Easy Listening’ and to coincide with the band’s appearance, where they headline the second stage at the NME C86 festival at London’s 229 Club on June 14th, Band Of Holy Joy are releasing a digital single ‘When A Gift Is A Curse’ through their own label Radio Joy on Monday 16th June 2014.
The song is a glam hymn to both good living and bad livers and pays tribute to the wayward genius that was George Best.
This is a first in a series of libationary singles spaced six weeks apart and dedicated totally to the joys and pains, the triumphs and tribulations, the art and indeed style attendant to the age old right now remember then forget about tomorrow, beautiful and ugly, sordid and sensual pastime of the older person’s habitual alcohol consumption.
“It’s become something of a tradition for Band Of Holy Joy to release my favourite album of any given year… When A Gift Is A Curse concerns the notion of destructive talent, with George Best taking a leading role…”
Louder Than War, rating 9/10
“..this band still revels in their own potency.”
The Daily Mirror, rating 4/5
“Band Of Holy Joy are an unsung British institution that understands the human heart.”
Mojo, rating 4/5
Jamaica Inn DVD Review
Jamaica Inn was all over social media and also got widespread media coverage concerning the sound quality of the transmission when it aired. Rather unfortunately this distracted from the show when it was aired. I didn’t watch it but saw the reaction on social media. Now you can watch it without any problems, as it has been released on DVD.
Jamaica Inn catches the period very well, the costume and tone really add to the story. I didn’t even recognise Jessica Brown Findlay until I looked up Jamaica Inn on IMDB. She is very brave, wearing no makeup and shapeless clothes. She still looks beautiful, but it is rare for an actress so successful to lack vanity so much, and it bodes well for her future career: it truly shows a dedication to the role.
Jamaica Inn is well shot, drawing you into the story. It has a good script. It is paced well and is an enjoyable, dark, gothic drama. Worth a watch.
Set in 1821 against the forbidding backdrop of windswept Cornish Moors, Daphne du Maurier’s
Jamaica Inn is a dark, gothic tale of desire, survival and morality which has been brought to life in a stunning new TV adaptation by Emma Frost (The White Queen, Consuming Passion). Initially broadcast in three hour-long episodes as a major feature of BBC One’s prime time Easter schedule, the entire series will be released on DVD by FremantleMedia International on 26th
This new adaptation of du Maurier’s iconic novel is directed by BAFTA-winning director Philippa Lowthorpe (Call The Midwife, Five Daughters) and stars Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey, Labyrinth) as Mary Yellan, Matthew McNulty (The Paradise, Room At The Top) as Jem Merlyn, Sean Harris (The Borgias, Southcliffe) as Joss Merlyn, Joanne Whalley (The Borgias, Gossip Girl) as Aunt Patience, Ben Daniels (The Wipers Times, House of Cards) as Francis Davey and Shirley Henderson (Southcliffe, The Crimson Petal And The White) as Hannah.
Certificate: 15
Single disc DVD
Run time: 180 minutes
RRP: £17.99
Bonus features: Behind the scenes/making of featurette
Each episode is also available for download via iTunes for £1.29 in standard definition and £2.49 in high definition. A series pass costs £4.99 in standard definition and £6.99 in high definition.