Here is a list of my 20 favorite CDs of 2006 (I know, I know ... I forgot someone!) :

Rebekah Higgs – Rebekah Higgs : A girl from Nova Scotia ... folk with a touch of electro. I like her voice, and my favorite song on the album is "Don't Mind me"

The Dears – Gang of Losers : Least pretentious band ever.

Xavier Cafeine – Gisèle : I don't know what it is about this guy, I just like his edge.

Ratatat – Classics : Best instrumental album of 2006. Hands Down.

Two Hours Traffic – Isolator : This CD gets the title of "Put that song on repeat 2006". I listened to "Heatseeker" over and over and over again. Not bad for a gang of chemistry students from UPEI hehe.

Neko Case – Fox Confessor Brings the Flood: Neko Case has the best voice of 2006. She makes me proud to be Canadian.

Amy Millan – Honey From the Tombs : Alt Country at its best!

Stefie Shock – Les vendredis : Came out late november, soooooo watch out 2007.

Pink Mountaintops – Axis of Evol : Unique. Very unique. It's worth checking out.

Matt Mays – When the Angels Make Contact : A journey. Love the song "Spoonful of Sugar"

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Show Your Bones : Nominated for a Grammy. Enough said.

Malajube – Trompe Oeil : Blew me away. Best french album 2006 --- no competition.

Patrick Watson – Close to Paradise : I wish I owned a boat. I would go out to sea and listen to these tracks.

Tiga – Sexor : Dance electronica with pink leg warmers! hooray!

Magneta Lane – Dancing with Daggers : There IS hope for girl bands. Best Rock album 2006. Girl Power?

The Decemberists – Crane Wife : Apparently, this CD is based on Japanese folklore. Where do they get these ideas? I love this band.

Peaches – Impeach my Bush: Peaches, Peaches, Peaches! Best Shock-rock-rap of 2006.

Emily Haines & Soft Skeleton – Knives Don’t Have your Back: Another Canadian lady. The voice + the piano = perfection.

Dumas – Fixer le temps : Best driving CD 2006.

Jimmy Swift Band – Weight of the World : Yay, JSB! Keeps me on my feet dancing. My Obsession 2006.

I just got Swan Lake's Beast Moans, it didn't make the cut. BUT ... I have a feeling it will become my Obsession 2007.

Happy New Year!

London Chic

Founded in 1856, Burberry is synonymous with English luxury. Also, Burberry invented the trench coat in 1914. When you see this check print, it means Burberry.




Honestly, I’m not a big fan of the check. Oh god ... don’t send the British after me! My favorite thing about the Burberry line is ... its current designer. Christopher Bailey joined Burberry in 2001. Previously, he had worked at Gucci and Donna Karan. He was named British Fashion Designer of the Year at the 2005 British Fashion Awards. The same year, Christopher Bailey was named my favorite designer. Isn’t that the REAL award?

I remember it like it was yesterday, the winter/fall collection 2005. Ahhh ... memories.

Since then, Mr. Bailey can do no wrong! The colors, the materials, the cuts, and the old meets new. By the way, I don’t really know what is or what makes a good cut. They always use the term on Fashion File, and I find it makes me sound smart.

Spring 2006

Nevertheless, Christopher Bailey is a great designer. Also, the 2007 line looks quite promising. Hehe ... not like I'll ever afford the stuff. For a preview, check out http://www.burberry.com/ .

Appropriate song: London Calling - The Clash

Ceci n’est pas un Blog

"My painting is visible images which conceal nothing; they evoke mystery and, indeed, when one sees one of my pictures, one asks oneself this simple question 'What does that mean'? It does not mean anything, because mystery means nothing either, it is unknowable."
René Magritte (1898-1967)

I first discovered Magritte’s work at the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. Unfortunetly, a complete Magritte exhibition was under construction, and I was only able to see a few of his paintings. The new museum’s section will be ready in 2007 and should be amazing.

I had been familiar with some of Magritte’s work, I knew of his “Ceci n’est pas une pomme” and “Ceci n’est pas une pipe” paintings.

Also, I remembered his Son of Man painting featured in Pierce Brosnan’s The Thomas Crown Affair.

However, one painting got me hooked on Magritte, it was the Empire des lumières.

The first time I saw the Empire des lumières, I didn’t notice the illusion. I know, I’m a dumbass. I had spent the whole day in the museum and I was tired. Everything was beginning to look the same. So, when I got to this painting all I thought was “Oh, look at those beautiful clouds”. And then --- “WhhhhhhHHhhhhhaaaaatttttt????”
For a few minutes, I stood in front of the painting and I focused on the clouds and then on the house and the clouds and house. clouds. house. clouds. house. I was like a little school girl. The painting made me giggle. I know, embarrassing.
At the end of my trip in Europe, I was delighted to encounter the painting once again. I found it among other modern works at the Peggy Guggenheim collection in Venice. However, I was at the gallery with a friend (she will remain unidentified). Lets just say, I was a bit disappointed with her reaction. I asked her what she thought of the painting. Mistake. She went on and on about contrast between dark and light and how it was a powerful comment about... blah blah blah.
“Uh-huh” was my reply, but I was really thinking “For God’s sake, just let your eyes enjoy it!”. From that point on, I decided that Magritte’s work should not be discussed, only appreciated.

Other favorites,

Appropriate song: Looks just like the sun – Broken Social Scene

Welcome to my pond.

Welcome to Waterlily’s Pond.

So ... what do I find aesthetically pleasing?

This space is devoted to everything I (secretly) like: art in all of its forms. From cubist architecture to mod fashion, from surrealist paintings to indie music. Etc. Etc. Etc. What is Art? That is a question I will not attempt to answer. I only want to share with others art that I appreciate.

Enjoy!