"Drink beer, save water." This is one of those one liners I often find on T shirts worn by the yuppies in the city. My sadistic self can not let it pass. Hence this post. Most of you might already know that to make a litre of beer, the beer manufacturer uses 4.5- 15 liters of water. The water goes into washing used beer bottles, cleaning, and processing. So even if you would like to believe/ flaunt otherwise, you are NOT saving water when you are drinking beer. You are WASTING a lot of water. Ha, some relief. Nothing against beer here.
PS: Beer addicts do not despair. Here is some inside information for you: United Breweries (Mallya's company) is going to launch Kingfisher Red (already launched in Punjab) in South India this monsoon. Its an all season beer. Meaning-- it can be consumed without chilling. Meaning-- winter, spring, summer or monsoons, you will have beer which does not taste bad if served "not chilled". Which means, beer lovers will now be drinking 365 days a year, on the road, on the roof, on hilltops and in remote villages where there is no electricity or money. Now I know why the King of Good Times (Mallya) bought the old monk's (Gandhi's) slippers and glasses. He is literally a Gandhian! Like the mobile phone operators are. They are all Gandhians who believe India is in villages. Eureka!
PPS: I hope you all know what Gandhiji's views on drinking were.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
^Nadhaswaram
Under all the different Indian instruments we meet up the Nadhaswaram. It is world-wide the loudest, non metallic acoustical instrument, comparable with the volume of a trumpet. This wind instrument belongs to the group of the aerophones and is played mainly in South India. The Mukhavina is the much smaller version used for folk music. In North Indian Classical music (Hindustani) exists the relative of the Nadhaswaram, the Shehnai.
In India the Nadhaswaram is counted as an auspicious wind instrument – Mangala Vadya. Hardly any other instrument in Indian classics is in its character so close to the human voice.
An important role for the origin of the Nadhaswaram plays the Tiruvarur district in the South Indian Federal State Tamil-Nadu. Over many centuries Tiruvarur was a cultural center. The ancient city Tiruvarur is famous for the Sri Tyagaraja Tempel.
From Tiruvarur the tradition has its seed that two Nadhaswarm players are accompanied by two percussionists on the Thavil (barrel drum).
Thavil and Nadhaswaram are substantial components of the traditional celebrations and ceremonies in South India. With its impressing volume the Nadhaswaram usually is played out of doors.
The holy music (Mangala Isai) has great importance in Hindu temples and for further areas of Indian life. A colourful potpourrie of Indian music, traditional forms, folk music up to contemporary styles we find at an Indian Wedding ceremony.
P.S. Thought of writing about Nadhaswaram after a short chat with Mr. Eljay Aram for IMC.
In India the Nadhaswaram is counted as an auspicious wind instrument – Mangala Vadya. Hardly any other instrument in Indian classics is in its character so close to the human voice.
An important role for the origin of the Nadhaswaram plays the Tiruvarur district in the South Indian Federal State Tamil-Nadu. Over many centuries Tiruvarur was a cultural center. The ancient city Tiruvarur is famous for the Sri Tyagaraja Tempel.
From Tiruvarur the tradition has its seed that two Nadhaswarm players are accompanied by two percussionists on the Thavil (barrel drum).
Thavil and Nadhaswaram are substantial components of the traditional celebrations and ceremonies in South India. With its impressing volume the Nadhaswaram usually is played out of doors.
The holy music (Mangala Isai) has great importance in Hindu temples and for further areas of Indian life. A colourful potpourrie of Indian music, traditional forms, folk music up to contemporary styles we find at an Indian Wedding ceremony.
P.S. Thought of writing about Nadhaswaram after a short chat with Mr. Eljay Aram for IMC.
Recall - Independence day oops Republic Day
WHAT is the one thing that would still make you blush? My guess is that the memories of that fancy dress competition you participated when you were little would make you blush. Those ugly Sarees that moms wrapped around you and made you go in front of a thousand sniggering adults and say G.gg..ggood morning, My name is Rahul. I am Indira Gandhi....you then gave a bewildered/puzzled/ jacked look for some time until you remembered the next sentence and then suddenly your face lit up and you said..I love my India, Thank you and ran off the stage.
I'm guessing we all have had such moments. Only, my parents were not as cruel as today's parents. Today's parents are all tech savvy. Wielding their freaking camcorder, waiting for you to come on to the stage. And as soon as you enter...phatak...the blinding flashlight is the beginning of your 16 seconds to shame for the rest of your life. To begin with, the freaking mike wouldn't work, when thats taken care of, you have to hold it in your hand and do a namasthe, and at the same time speak into the mike...Good morning...My name is Rahul...and..and...and (damn! You are forgetting again!)...I am Indira Gandhi...You look around and find everyone sniggering. Laughing. Ohh...how cute, some say. Look at him..his saree is falling off...Heheh...he has forgotten his dialogue, the crowd sniggers. You are pretty much numb by now. Your mouth is dry. Somehow the words finally manage to come out of your mouth...I love my country..Thank you, and you run off the stage.
Years later, you sweetly recall the moments. Its sweet because there are no details. You like it because you don't remember uncle Anand's ugly sadistic laugh when you almost tripped over the Saree. Because uncle Ravi is now old and you are in your prime. Because you don't laugh at Ashok uncle when he comes out toothless on days he cant find his dentures. You forget...you forgive.
Only now, your cruel parent has recorded it. Thinking of all the responses she/he is likely to get on Facebook/ Orkut/ Flickr/ Myspace/ other websites. The next day, or probably the same day, your moments of shame which are best enjoyed when they exist as blurred, almost forgotten images of your pathetic childhood somewhere in the back of your mind are now up on the cloud. In detail. Part by part. To be never forgotten. To be commented upon even after you grow old and die the miserable death meant for you. Total recall! You don't forget. And you don't forgive. You become the unforgiving kind.
PS: This is what happens when I wake up early! I'm gonna catch some sleep now. Happy Independence republic day.
I'm guessing we all have had such moments. Only, my parents were not as cruel as today's parents. Today's parents are all tech savvy. Wielding their freaking camcorder, waiting for you to come on to the stage. And as soon as you enter...phatak...the blinding flashlight is the beginning of your 16 seconds to shame for the rest of your life. To begin with, the freaking mike wouldn't work, when thats taken care of, you have to hold it in your hand and do a namasthe, and at the same time speak into the mike...Good morning...My name is Rahul...and..and...and (damn! You are forgetting again!)...I am Indira Gandhi...You look around and find everyone sniggering. Laughing. Ohh...how cute, some say. Look at him..his saree is falling off...Heheh...he has forgotten his dialogue, the crowd sniggers. You are pretty much numb by now. Your mouth is dry. Somehow the words finally manage to come out of your mouth...I love my country..Thank you, and you run off the stage.
Years later, you sweetly recall the moments. Its sweet because there are no details. You like it because you don't remember uncle Anand's ugly sadistic laugh when you almost tripped over the Saree. Because uncle Ravi is now old and you are in your prime. Because you don't laugh at Ashok uncle when he comes out toothless on days he cant find his dentures. You forget...you forgive.
Only now, your cruel parent has recorded it. Thinking of all the responses she/he is likely to get on Facebook/ Orkut/ Flickr/ Myspace/ other websites. The next day, or probably the same day, your moments of shame which are best enjoyed when they exist as blurred, almost forgotten images of your pathetic childhood somewhere in the back of your mind are now up on the cloud. In detail. Part by part. To be never forgotten. To be commented upon even after you grow old and die the miserable death meant for you. Total recall! You don't forget. And you don't forgive. You become the unforgiving kind.
PS: This is what happens when I wake up early! I'm gonna catch some sleep now. Happy Independence republic day.
Monday, January 25, 2010
3 Cups of Tea- Points
As a Global Oneness Project (GOP) volunteer who has worked with refugees in Kashmir, I was excited to read Three Cups of Tea.
It took me ages to finally make my way through this book. I felt like I kept reading the same thing over and over again. While I will not detract from the remarkable services Mortensen has accomplished through the CAI I will say what it seems that others are afraid to say. Point blank he is a selfish man, who puts strangers half way around the world before the wellbeing of his family. He kept globe trotting back and forth from Pakistan while neglecting his family here. And during the hysterics of the post 9/11 world none the less. Are you crazy, or just out of touch with reality? Yes, children of the world need an education...but your own children need a father to raise them. What was his wife to do if he was killed over there? When you make a decision to bring a new life into the world you are willingly relinquishing your right to put yourself first. I also question Mortensen's wife. If you think I would stay at home and play baby raiser while my husband was gallivanting around the world concerned with everything but the life he has at home you've got another thing coming. Especially on Mortensen's salary. It is great that poverty stricken children in the Middle East are receiving an education curtsey of Mr. Greg Mortensen, but the book literally could have been half the length and got the same thing accomplished. Mr. Mortensen, what about children here...?
I have two problems with this book. Reading it makes me feel like I'm stuck in the seat behind someone very tall in the movie theater. I have trouble, first, getting past the writer and his perceptions of Greg and second, getting to know Greg himself. Like a speaker introducing the guest - I just want to hear Greg tell the story but he only speaks every once in awhile. Like most authors, the motivations, feelings, emotions etc. are ignored. For example, there's no reaction of Greg's after he gets a garbage can dumped on his head in high school? Wouldn't this have been a good time to have Greg say he missed Africa and vowed to go back someday or something? It feels like there are two people in this book you are asked to get involved with and there should only be one: Greg.
P.S. special thanks to Hamsika Iyer for recommending this book.
It took me ages to finally make my way through this book. I felt like I kept reading the same thing over and over again. While I will not detract from the remarkable services Mortensen has accomplished through the CAI I will say what it seems that others are afraid to say. Point blank he is a selfish man, who puts strangers half way around the world before the wellbeing of his family. He kept globe trotting back and forth from Pakistan while neglecting his family here. And during the hysterics of the post 9/11 world none the less. Are you crazy, or just out of touch with reality? Yes, children of the world need an education...but your own children need a father to raise them. What was his wife to do if he was killed over there? When you make a decision to bring a new life into the world you are willingly relinquishing your right to put yourself first. I also question Mortensen's wife. If you think I would stay at home and play baby raiser while my husband was gallivanting around the world concerned with everything but the life he has at home you've got another thing coming. Especially on Mortensen's salary. It is great that poverty stricken children in the Middle East are receiving an education curtsey of Mr. Greg Mortensen, but the book literally could have been half the length and got the same thing accomplished. Mr. Mortensen, what about children here...?
I have two problems with this book. Reading it makes me feel like I'm stuck in the seat behind someone very tall in the movie theater. I have trouble, first, getting past the writer and his perceptions of Greg and second, getting to know Greg himself. Like a speaker introducing the guest - I just want to hear Greg tell the story but he only speaks every once in awhile. Like most authors, the motivations, feelings, emotions etc. are ignored. For example, there's no reaction of Greg's after he gets a garbage can dumped on his head in high school? Wouldn't this have been a good time to have Greg say he missed Africa and vowed to go back someday or something? It feels like there are two people in this book you are asked to get involved with and there should only be one: Greg.
P.S. special thanks to Hamsika Iyer for recommending this book.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
30 Things about SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE that we may not understand.
Was watching Slumdog Millionaire Yesterday night. Thought of writing something about it, though very late.
BEST FILM WINNER: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
30 THINGS ABOUT "SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE" THAT INDIANS/MUMBAITES MAY NOT UNDERSTAND..
We know that this film was made with all the ingredients of how Americans perceive India (Poverty, Slums, Taj Mahal, Call centres, Bollywood Dance, Filmstar-worships, Trains, People selling things in trains, Mumbai local trains, Crowd, Traffic jams, Red light areas, Beggar kids, Drainage pipelines, Underworld, Hindu Gods, Gandhiji etc etc etc)... And the Director surely ensured that all of that is present and backed it with fantastic Direction, Visuals, Performances and Music... Amazing Film making! Nothing could stop this film abroad and as we know, rest is history!
However, lets try to closely monitor how much of India does the film represent correctly... Here is a funny list of 30 things that Indians and esp Mumbaites, would not understand or relate with in SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE... (Warning: Its purely for fun, and does not dither the film in anyway, which is FANTASTIC in totality)
1. The whole game show format with only 9 Questions instead of 15 & no Minimum secured funds after you cross certain benchmarks (For instance, Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 3,20,000 in Indian KBC)... Live telecast of the same!
2. The shrewd Host of KBC...
3. Dense "Dharavi-like" Slums in Juhu??!! Also - Call centres in Juhu!!??... See More
4. Jamal "actually" explaining the Indian Cops that Amitabh bacchan is the most popular man of the country!
5. Dahipuri on Juhu being referred to as Panipuri!! :-)
6. Every 5 year old kid in Juhu knowing who stole Constable Verma's Bicycle outside Santacruz Police Station!! :-)
7. Some little kid's "forced" presence as a disguise of Lord Ram in a tense chaotic Riot situation in the Slums... Also Lord Ram painted blue like Lord Krishna!!
8. Slum kids of India really know the name of 2 Musketeers!! :-)
9. Every beggar in India singing "Darshan Do Ghanshyam" bhajan while begging?!! And also knowing who wrote it....... :-)...
10. Slum kids who talk in local indian language at 8, but start talking in English (I mean good, proper English with neat pronunciations!) at 12!! :-)
11. Chaiwala's in Indian Call centres getting a minimum tip of 100 Dollars!!!???? LOL
12. A little-illiterate-blind beggar kid having a good general knowledge of recognising "Benjamin Franklin" on a 100 Dollar Note, when explained that its a picture of an Old man whose half bald!!
13. An English speaking Chaiwala working in a Call centre in Mumbai unable to recognise Mahatma Gandhi's picture on a 1000 Rupee Note!!??!!
14. A little girl who could barely talk in local indian language at 8, also starts talking in good accent English at 12 while getting trained in a low red light area!! :-)
15. Any kid using a Revolver knowing its called a "Colt-45" and also know that it refers to its inventor Samuel Colt!
16. Local goons of a local Gangster, who sit on the terrace of a low-grade movie theatre playing Carrom Board, talk in good English!
17. U.K based Excel-5 Mobile Phone Call centre database having information of Indian people in their systems, esp of some local-roadside-domestic-underworld goons like Salim!...
18. A Chaiwala working in an UK Call Centre can actually work some Calculations and find out that "Cambridge Circus" is indeed in London!
19. A Chaiwala, An Host and the whole Country awaiting him to become a Millionaire, without realising that he had already become a Millionaire on the 5th Question when he won 10 Lakhs!! :-)
20. The same Chaiwala who did not recognise Gandhi's picture, being very confident about Sachin Tendulkar not being the guy to have scored the max first class centuries!
21. A gameshow host being so persistent on "not B: Ricky Ponting?" over and over again, after the poor guy has already selected "D" for the 1-Crore question!
22. The same gameshow host who signs a cheque for Rs. 50 Lakh question, doesn't bother to do the same for Rs. 1-Crore one! :-)
23. Any Chaiwala being able to participate in the most popular show of the country "KBC" at his convenience, while others are shown being unable to even get through the Telephone line!...
24. Someone actually answering the Telephone Lines of "KBC" Contest, where Contestants have to tell them: "I'd want to participate in WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE"!!
25. A goon forecasting that his brother may want to call his girlfriend, handing over his Mobile phone to the girl before letting her escape!
26. An "isolated" Call centre Supervisor, who's ignorant to the fact that his company's Chaiwala has already become the most popular person in the country since the last 24 hours and is on the verge of ..winning the most popular gameshow... This, esp when all the rest of the employees in the same company know it and are already hooked to the tv sets!!
27. The most popular guy in the country and winner of KBC sitting alone on a fairly populated V.T. Station in Mumbai on the same night, and no one recognising him nearby!
28. A Railway Platform which is populated with people gets empty in a Top Wide shot, and again gets populated before the Hero can meet and kiss the Heroine!
29. The couple suddenly breaking into a Bollywood Dance "Spoof" song with hundreds of dancers behind them!!
30. Character's facial structures and Voices changing drastically from 8 to 12 to 18, but everyone recognising the other's face and voice without any clues!!
---Blind little beggar and Latika recognises Jamal at 12...
---Salim recognises the voice of Jamal on the phone at 18, inspite of a complete pitch change...
---Jamal and Latika recognise each other without a word at 18...
BEST FILM WINNER: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
30 THINGS ABOUT "SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE" THAT INDIANS/MUMBAITES MAY NOT UNDERSTAND..
We know that this film was made with all the ingredients of how Americans perceive India (Poverty, Slums, Taj Mahal, Call centres, Bollywood Dance, Filmstar-worships, Trains, People selling things in trains, Mumbai local trains, Crowd, Traffic jams, Red light areas, Beggar kids, Drainage pipelines, Underworld, Hindu Gods, Gandhiji etc etc etc)... And the Director surely ensured that all of that is present and backed it with fantastic Direction, Visuals, Performances and Music... Amazing Film making! Nothing could stop this film abroad and as we know, rest is history!
However, lets try to closely monitor how much of India does the film represent correctly... Here is a funny list of 30 things that Indians and esp Mumbaites, would not understand or relate with in SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE... (Warning: Its purely for fun, and does not dither the film in anyway, which is FANTASTIC in totality)
1. The whole game show format with only 9 Questions instead of 15 & no Minimum secured funds after you cross certain benchmarks (For instance, Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 3,20,000 in Indian KBC)... Live telecast of the same!
2. The shrewd Host of KBC...
3. Dense "Dharavi-like" Slums in Juhu??!! Also - Call centres in Juhu!!??... See More
4. Jamal "actually" explaining the Indian Cops that Amitabh bacchan is the most popular man of the country!
5. Dahipuri on Juhu being referred to as Panipuri!! :-)
6. Every 5 year old kid in Juhu knowing who stole Constable Verma's Bicycle outside Santacruz Police Station!! :-)
7. Some little kid's "forced" presence as a disguise of Lord Ram in a tense chaotic Riot situation in the Slums... Also Lord Ram painted blue like Lord Krishna!!
8. Slum kids of India really know the name of 2 Musketeers!! :-)
9. Every beggar in India singing "Darshan Do Ghanshyam" bhajan while begging?!! And also knowing who wrote it....... :-)...
10. Slum kids who talk in local indian language at 8, but start talking in English (I mean good, proper English with neat pronunciations!) at 12!! :-)
11. Chaiwala's in Indian Call centres getting a minimum tip of 100 Dollars!!!???? LOL
12. A little-illiterate-blind beggar kid having a good general knowledge of recognising "Benjamin Franklin" on a 100 Dollar Note, when explained that its a picture of an Old man whose half bald!!
13. An English speaking Chaiwala working in a Call centre in Mumbai unable to recognise Mahatma Gandhi's picture on a 1000 Rupee Note!!??!!
14. A little girl who could barely talk in local indian language at 8, also starts talking in good accent English at 12 while getting trained in a low red light area!! :-)
15. Any kid using a Revolver knowing its called a "Colt-45" and also know that it refers to its inventor Samuel Colt!
16. Local goons of a local Gangster, who sit on the terrace of a low-grade movie theatre playing Carrom Board, talk in good English!
17. U.K based Excel-5 Mobile Phone Call centre database having information of Indian people in their systems, esp of some local-roadside-domestic-underworld goons like Salim!...
18. A Chaiwala working in an UK Call Centre can actually work some Calculations and find out that "Cambridge Circus" is indeed in London!
19. A Chaiwala, An Host and the whole Country awaiting him to become a Millionaire, without realising that he had already become a Millionaire on the 5th Question when he won 10 Lakhs!! :-)
20. The same Chaiwala who did not recognise Gandhi's picture, being very confident about Sachin Tendulkar not being the guy to have scored the max first class centuries!
21. A gameshow host being so persistent on "not B: Ricky Ponting?" over and over again, after the poor guy has already selected "D" for the 1-Crore question!
22. The same gameshow host who signs a cheque for Rs. 50 Lakh question, doesn't bother to do the same for Rs. 1-Crore one! :-)
23. Any Chaiwala being able to participate in the most popular show of the country "KBC" at his convenience, while others are shown being unable to even get through the Telephone line!...
24. Someone actually answering the Telephone Lines of "KBC" Contest, where Contestants have to tell them: "I'd want to participate in WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE"!!
25. A goon forecasting that his brother may want to call his girlfriend, handing over his Mobile phone to the girl before letting her escape!
26. An "isolated" Call centre Supervisor, who's ignorant to the fact that his company's Chaiwala has already become the most popular person in the country since the last 24 hours and is on the verge of ..winning the most popular gameshow... This, esp when all the rest of the employees in the same company know it and are already hooked to the tv sets!!
27. The most popular guy in the country and winner of KBC sitting alone on a fairly populated V.T. Station in Mumbai on the same night, and no one recognising him nearby!
28. A Railway Platform which is populated with people gets empty in a Top Wide shot, and again gets populated before the Hero can meet and kiss the Heroine!
29. The couple suddenly breaking into a Bollywood Dance "Spoof" song with hundreds of dancers behind them!!
30. Character's facial structures and Voices changing drastically from 8 to 12 to 18, but everyone recognising the other's face and voice without any clues!!
---Blind little beggar and Latika recognises Jamal at 12...
---Salim recognises the voice of Jamal on the phone at 18, inspite of a complete pitch change...
---Jamal and Latika recognise each other without a word at 18...
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Kabul Disco
Just started reading a graphic novel Kabul Disco by Nicolas Wild. Finished about 30 pages and I'm loving it. You can pick one up at Blossoms/ Bookworm/ Goobe's etc for about Rs 250.
Why Taylor Swift Fearless about 'Fearless'?
I was thinking of writing review for 'Fearless' by Taylor Swift. And no doubt this is my favourite album for the year 2009.
Even country music needs its own Britney Spears." That's what the store manager in Planet M, Brigade Road, Bangalore, said about the disk when I bought it. I was gonna spout off a quick reply, something like 'thanks but no thanks for your opinion,' but then I thought about it. If Britney represents her values to her fans thru singing and songwriting, then sure Taylor Swift represents her values to her fans in the same way ... so I let the comment pass.
Bursting onto the scene not very long ago (this is only her 2nd album), Taylor has quickly become a voice of empowerment for young women (and those young-at-heart!) everywhere. Her lyrics are real -- based on her own "fearless" living -- and she deserves every recognition she's receiving in both the country and pop music communities.
Fearless (8 out of 10)
"You take my hand and drag me headfirst fearless." Love, like life, is all about taking chances.
Fifteen (7 out of 10)
Reflective, poetic in a mildly melancholy way. "This is life before you know who you're gonna be."
Love Story (9 out of 10)
Uh? young love. It always seems so real when you're in it, and it always seems so unreal when you're looking back on it. William Shakespeasre's "Romeo & Juliet" never ended as happily as this confection sounds, but wouldn't the world be a better place if it did? Easily one of the best tunes here.
Hey Stephen (7 out of 10)
"I can't help it if you look like an angel." It sounds like someone named Stephen is getting lucky with Taylor, and deservedly so. More celebration of young love, and I gave it an extract. Taylor's opening and closing humming.ha. Lovely. What gives the song much of its charm is she allows her voice to be a bit more 'raw' and real than anywhere else on the album, which matches the lyrics perfectly. (If my name was there inplace of Stephen, i would probably given a perfect 10!!)
White Horse (10 out of 10)
"I'm not a princess, this ain't no fairy tale ..." Love gone bad and turned into disappointment never sounded quite so sorrowful as it does behind Taylor's youthful voice, tinking piano, soft guitar, and weeping strings. Some girls everywhere will be crying into their pillows at bedtime with this song playing in the background. "It's too late for you and your white horse to come around."
You Belong with Me (10 out of 10)
We've all been here before (in the middle of a friendship that coulda/shoulda/woulda been so, so much more), and perhaps that's why Taylor sounds so strong here. She's a lyrical 'everyman,' capturing how we've all felt in the simplest terms. Big refrain. Crankkkk
Breathe (9 out of 10)
Sorry, guys, but humming in music is so sexy, and Taylor works it to great effect here. Unexpectantly. Breathy. And, yet, wholesome. "You're the only thing that I know like the back of my hand." Getting past the mistakes made in a relationship pose the greatest challenges, and that's what this tune is all about.
Tell Me Why (5 out of 10)
"You could write a book of how to ruin someone's perfect day." God..It hurts..Would say Ouch. Getting past some of the mistakes made in a relationship pose some challenges not quite worth enduring.
You're Not Sorry (5 out of 10)
Woooowww. Taylor Swift has an awful lot to say about being jilted in a relationship ... and at such a young age, too. I'm starting to feel real bad for this gal. Sad piano turns into a reflection on ending love. Good song, but fairly repetitive to sentiments already explored on the disc. Not the strongest tune here.
The Way I Loved You (5 out of 5)
One of the strongest tracks here, musically, it builds into something that you never expected. A girl finds the perfect man (opens her doors, treats her like a lady, loves her parents, etc.) ... "but I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain, it's 2 am and I'm cursing your name, I'm so in love that I acted insane, and that's the way I loved you." It's tragic when you realize that you love someone else more than the one you're with, and Taylor Swift hits bulleye here.
Forever & Always (5 out of 10)
Sorry, but this is WAY too repetitive for the same themes already explored on this album. And for god's sake, someone give this girl a hug! Go and kiss her in the rain, already! Heaven knows she needs it at this point!
The Best Day (5 out of 10)
A young girl reminiscing about being an even younger girl. Wonderfully poetic lyrics.
Change (9 out of 10)
Sure, maybe it's a bit predictable, but it's a good kind of predictable. All things change, and the true leaders predict it, welcome it, embrace it, celebrate it. It's about making the world a better place. "It's a revolution, throw your hands up 'cause we never gave in ..."
So what's Taylor so FEARLESS about? Clearly, it's love, and, while anyone can learn a world of lessons by plunging fearlessly into life's greatest mystery, there's a whole other series of lessons waiting for Taylor once the tempering effect that fear has on age. Don't let my 5-star-rating scare anyone, this is one classy effort and deserves to be celebrated. But what I'm more interested in is Taylor's command of lyrics. I really want to see where this young soul will be in ten year's time. I want to see her develop her skills beyond where she is today, and there's plenty of room (and time) for that to happen ... fearlessly or not.lol.
Even country music needs its own Britney Spears." That's what the store manager in Planet M, Brigade Road, Bangalore, said about the disk when I bought it. I was gonna spout off a quick reply, something like 'thanks but no thanks for your opinion,' but then I thought about it. If Britney represents her values to her fans thru singing and songwriting, then sure Taylor Swift represents her values to her fans in the same way ... so I let the comment pass.
Bursting onto the scene not very long ago (this is only her 2nd album), Taylor has quickly become a voice of empowerment for young women (and those young-at-heart!) everywhere. Her lyrics are real -- based on her own "fearless" living -- and she deserves every recognition she's receiving in both the country and pop music communities.
Fearless (8 out of 10)
"You take my hand and drag me headfirst fearless." Love, like life, is all about taking chances.
Fifteen (7 out of 10)
Reflective, poetic in a mildly melancholy way. "This is life before you know who you're gonna be."
Love Story (9 out of 10)
Uh? young love. It always seems so real when you're in it, and it always seems so unreal when you're looking back on it. William Shakespeasre's "Romeo & Juliet" never ended as happily as this confection sounds, but wouldn't the world be a better place if it did? Easily one of the best tunes here.
Hey Stephen (7 out of 10)
"I can't help it if you look like an angel." It sounds like someone named Stephen is getting lucky with Taylor, and deservedly so. More celebration of young love, and I gave it an extract. Taylor's opening and closing humming.ha. Lovely. What gives the song much of its charm is she allows her voice to be a bit more 'raw' and real than anywhere else on the album, which matches the lyrics perfectly. (If my name was there inplace of Stephen, i would probably given a perfect 10!!)
White Horse (10 out of 10)
"I'm not a princess, this ain't no fairy tale ..." Love gone bad and turned into disappointment never sounded quite so sorrowful as it does behind Taylor's youthful voice, tinking piano, soft guitar, and weeping strings. Some girls everywhere will be crying into their pillows at bedtime with this song playing in the background. "It's too late for you and your white horse to come around."
You Belong with Me (10 out of 10)
We've all been here before (in the middle of a friendship that coulda/shoulda/woulda been so, so much more), and perhaps that's why Taylor sounds so strong here. She's a lyrical 'everyman,' capturing how we've all felt in the simplest terms. Big refrain. Crankkkk
Breathe (9 out of 10)
Sorry, guys, but humming in music is so sexy, and Taylor works it to great effect here. Unexpectantly. Breathy. And, yet, wholesome. "You're the only thing that I know like the back of my hand." Getting past the mistakes made in a relationship pose the greatest challenges, and that's what this tune is all about.
Tell Me Why (5 out of 10)
"You could write a book of how to ruin someone's perfect day." God..It hurts..Would say Ouch. Getting past some of the mistakes made in a relationship pose some challenges not quite worth enduring.
You're Not Sorry (5 out of 10)
Woooowww. Taylor Swift has an awful lot to say about being jilted in a relationship ... and at such a young age, too. I'm starting to feel real bad for this gal. Sad piano turns into a reflection on ending love. Good song, but fairly repetitive to sentiments already explored on the disc. Not the strongest tune here.
The Way I Loved You (5 out of 5)
One of the strongest tracks here, musically, it builds into something that you never expected. A girl finds the perfect man (opens her doors, treats her like a lady, loves her parents, etc.) ... "but I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain, it's 2 am and I'm cursing your name, I'm so in love that I acted insane, and that's the way I loved you." It's tragic when you realize that you love someone else more than the one you're with, and Taylor Swift hits bulleye here.
Forever & Always (5 out of 10)
Sorry, but this is WAY too repetitive for the same themes already explored on this album. And for god's sake, someone give this girl a hug! Go and kiss her in the rain, already! Heaven knows she needs it at this point!
The Best Day (5 out of 10)
A young girl reminiscing about being an even younger girl. Wonderfully poetic lyrics.
Change (9 out of 10)
Sure, maybe it's a bit predictable, but it's a good kind of predictable. All things change, and the true leaders predict it, welcome it, embrace it, celebrate it. It's about making the world a better place. "It's a revolution, throw your hands up 'cause we never gave in ..."
So what's Taylor so FEARLESS about? Clearly, it's love, and, while anyone can learn a world of lessons by plunging fearlessly into life's greatest mystery, there's a whole other series of lessons waiting for Taylor once the tempering effect that fear has on age. Don't let my 5-star-rating scare anyone, this is one classy effort and deserves to be celebrated. But what I'm more interested in is Taylor's command of lyrics. I really want to see where this young soul will be in ten year's time. I want to see her develop her skills beyond where she is today, and there's plenty of room (and time) for that to happen ... fearlessly or not.lol.
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