2006-10-14 - 10:35 p.m. The meditation retreat was powerful, refreshing, like a visit to Grandma's house at Christmas to remind you who you really are, where you're from, and what your values have always been. Tanya Donelly's new album--recorded live w/few overdubs--is pure loveliness. Mostly string-laden rock ballads (including "Long Long Long," which I don't associate with George Harrison so much as I associate it with John Sharples and his yearly Harrathons) sung in a voice which has ripened into a mature, expressive instrument. Tanya's no longer rocking the Minnie Mouse mannerisms, thank goodness. The songs here are just beautiful. "Kundalini Slide" may be the best song she's ever written. And while it's not a consistent thrill all the way through, Chin Up Chin Up's new one, This Harness Can't Ride Anything is also pretty fun. The title track is my favorite--those guitars will have you levitating. Jeepers, its free to download at their site, and I just paid 25 cents for it, no fair. thoughts? (1 comments so far) previous - next blog archive contact