Nouvelle Vague: 'Nouvelle Vague' and 'Bande A Part'

The idea of post-punk classics performed in traditional Brazilian bossa nova/lounge style appears, at first look, a joke at best. This is reinforced by the fact that every classic appears to have been interpreted into this style with wrist-slitting effects! However, Nouvelle Vague, transform these songs transcending any ironic detachment to create something altogether different. These two albums can certainly be viewed as part A and B of one album. They are both well executed, sophisticated, acoustic chansons with the flowery acoustic arrangements and French angelic vocals mesh well with the Latin rhythms. Admittedly, some would never want to hear these classic songs tampered with and I would usually be a strong advocate from this corner. Indeed, a number of songs on here miss the mark entirely. However, songs such as Don’t go are reworked into something unrecognizable, whereas ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ and ‘Blue Monday’ are truly excellent interpretations. Highly recommended.

Plagarism?

Is there any musician left who doesn’t think Coldplay’s Viva La Vida sounds like one of their old tracks? First Joe Stariani, then Enanitos Verdes, now Yusuf Islam is jumping on the bandwagon. Comparing them it would seem the contention is about a 10 note riff that are all different but structurally the same. They all use the same time signature and diatonic chord progression which is in itself a common descending melodic figure. If you were going to apply the same judgment then most jazz standards would be guilty; Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley should have sued through the roof! This riff, like others, have become recognisable phrases in the contemporary pop vernacular. Similarities? Yes! Plagiarism? No! Anyway, here are the songs, judge for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De3lvudmOAw

Royksopp 'Junior'

Getting an album out of these guys is a painstaking affair at best, torturous as their potential is so high. A mere three albums in the past 8 years. ’Melody A.M’, was a stroke of genius; their follow-up, ‘The Understanding’ was very much a letdown in my opinion. Therefore, this was their make-or-break album for me, and they hit the nail firmly on the head. Their sound has clearly developed and fused the best elements of the past previous albums; namely the laid back ambient feel with more upbeat dance beats. They made good use of quest vocals, my only criticism is maybe they venture too far down that road in an attempt to commercialize their music? They have retained their irreverent playful side but the whole project appears to have a more mature feel to it. There are some real cheesy moments here, what else can be expected from a Norwegian band? However, skips those and focus on the tracks which more than make up for their misguided voyage into that embarrassing world of Euro pop. Their music appears simple but dig deeper and you will hear detailed layers but you have to actually listen to the music! Don’t be fooled into thinking this can be used simply to create a chilled background ambience. Apparently this is part one of its complementary twin ‘Senior’ which will be released later in the year. If this album is anything to go by, then we should be waiting with great anticipation for its big brother to arrive.

You have to love this!

'Etiquette guide' for Thai monks

It is customary for Thai men to enter the monkhood for training at least once. A Buddhist preacher in Thailand has announced plans for new guidelines aimed at curbing the flamboyant behaviour of gay and transgender monks. The "good manners" curriculum - the country's first - is being introduced in the northern province of Chiang Rai. The senior monk told the BBC he was particularly concerned by effeminate activities among novices such as the wearing of make-up and tight robes. More than 90% of the Thai population are followers of Buddhism.
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says tales of monks behaving badly are nothing new in Thailand. In recent years, they have been accused of abuses of their exalted position in society that range from amassing dozens of luxury cars, to running fake amulet scams, to violating their vows of celibacy, our correspondent says. Senior monk Phra Maha Wudhijaya Vajiramedhi told the BBC he would address issues like smoking, drinking alcohol, walking and going to the toilet properly, which are all detailed in the traditional 75 Dharma principles of Buddhism, and the 227 precepts for monks.

He was especially concerned, he said, by the flamboyant behaviour of gay and transgender monks, who can often be seen wearing revealingly tight robes, carrying pink purses and having effeminately-shaped eyebrows. Thailand has a very large and visible population of transgender men, and Phra Vajiramedhi acknowledged that it was difficult to exclude them from the monkhood but he hoped his course could at least persuade them to curb their more extrovert habits. If successful, the "good manners" course, at the Novice Demonstration School, would be replicated at other Buddhist monasteries and seminaries, he said.

Taiwan accepted into WHO meeting

Taiwan received the invitation from the WHO's director-general. Officials in Taiwan say China has dropped its objections to the island's participation in a key United Nations body, the World Health Organization. The move is being seen as a sign of better ties between the governments.
Health Minister Yeh Chin-chuan said the WHO had invited Taiwan to attend its annual assembly as an observer, with the name Chinese Taipei. Taiwan has repeatedly attempted to join the assembly since 1997, but past attempts have been thwarted by Beijing. But relations between the two sides have warmed rapidly since the government of President Ma Ying-jeou took office in Taiwan last year. The announcement that Taiwan has been invited to the World Health Assembly, the WHO's supreme governing body, was made by officials from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan was pushed out of the WHO in 1972, a year after losing the "China" seat in the United Nations to Beijing. It has campaigned repeatedly to rejoin the assembly, especially after the Sars epidemic in 2003, but China has always blocked the island's efforts to join any international body as an independent political entity. Chinese officials portray this recent change of stance as a goodwill gesture to the needs of the Taiwanese people, and President Ma Ying-jeou welcomed the news saying his pragmatic cross-strait policies have born fruit.