Album Review: Beirut

Arts&Entertainment Album Review: Celebrating Beirut - No No No BY DARRION EDWARDS our years after their last albumThe Rip Tide, Beirut has released their follow-up album, No No No. Beirut’s new album presents a the art of Fcalming and relaxing style of music, the type of music to help with chores around the house or when trying to unwind after a long and busy day. The Lebanese-based band strives to create music that many indie fans would love and possess musical components that Lebanese people would enjoy. Even the name of the band gives homage literacy to the capital of Lebanon, showing how much the band enjoys using Lebanese instruments such as the euphonium, mandolin and accordion. BY ARIEL CIANFARANO Richardson further explained that these are the lessons that Songs such as “No No No” and “Gibraltar” need to be taught to the inmates so they do not come back to give the album a much needed upbeat tempo, ocal authors, literary geniuses and slam poets flooded the jail in the future. He then mentioned that the inmates, whenever which helps to lighten up the mood presented city of Flagstaff for the Northern Arizona Book Festival, a they receive help in the form of an escape through poetry or from the rest of the songs on the album. Overall, weeklong event with various activities for all book-lovers. simple things that make life easier, “are incredibly grateful.” the album is slow-paced and each song holds LLocal businesses and the Orpheum Theater opened their doors Hosted at Uptown Pubhouse, three co-editors from great emotion. to host these events. Waxwing Literary Journal spoke about the process of selecting a Zach Condon, lead member of the band, Firecreek Coffee Co. downtown hosted various slam poetry piece to publish in their magazine. helps to strengthen the album with his varying and volunteer poetry reading. Uptown Pubhouse also hosted Waxwing editor Erin Stalcup mentioned that “diversity and instrumental skills from talented trumpet an intriguing conversation about publishing and what attracts quality is synonymous.” These editors are looking for unique abilities to ukulele skills. The album is dominated editors to stories. artists that bring something new to the table that showcases their by the symphonic combination of instruments At Firecreek during the slam poetry competition, book culture. These unique stories are ones that reveal facts about and Condon’s soothing vocals, which are laced festival secretary Bonnie Estes commented on the triumphant the world that some do not know about — because of being with a melancholy tone. return of the festival. Due to lack of funding, the festival was not published, local and foreign writers are able to inform the public Songs such as “As Needed” are nothing around for two years. and voice their opinions. but differing string instruments that combine “We decided to bring it back downtown to get the community Another editor with the journal, W. Todd Kaneko, asks to create a soothing sound needed to help a involved,” Estes said. “why is diversity important?” Diversity in literature showcases person reminisce. But the combinations of the The coffee shop was filled with an electric atmosphere as different cultures, backgrounds and stories; however, they are all instruments are not enough to overpower the local slam poets waited eagerly to get on stage and take their turn. connected through the universal truths each story holds. lack of a unique style to catch the audience’s ear Slam poetry is a unique culture with rules, judges and the “This is what it means to be human,” Kaneko said. and the album can easily be described as simple. familiar snapping and clapping to acknowledge a poet’s work. The editors talked about how being online helps them reach Even with all the talent that the band With three rounds, the Northern Arizona Book Festival truly a wider and broader audience, enabling them to publish literary members have for each instrument, the album brings amazing poets to one place to showcase their social, works from all over the world. The editors also touched briefly on is too slow-paced and the notes can seem very cultural, political and personally based poetry. Although the the concept of “labors of love.” repetitive throughout each song, creating an poets receive scores, slam poetry is more about conveying how Receiving a paycheck is difficult in writing and the editors album that brings a bland, unmemorable style. one feels while traveling through life. mentioned that their goal is to someday pay the writers they There are not enough vocals throughout the Freshman criminal justice major Jacob Estes was randomly publish. album and the vocals that are present seem to selected as one of the five judges. After the show, Jacob Bonnie Estes was present for the open discussion at the be very repetitive and are drowned out by the commented that slam poetry was “different and interesting.” Uptown Pubhouse. chorus. “It’s a loud way of expressing your opinion,” Jacob said. “Art, music and literature is what survives in our culture,” The album has no unique songs that stand David Richardson, a retired lawyer and former constitutional Estes said. out from other indie rock bands and all of the law professor, read poetry by prisoners at the Coconino County The Northern Arizona Book Festival brings all different songs on the album seem to blend in with one Jail. Richardson commented that the prisoners were “responsive walks of life and literary work that connects the community, another, creating a dry album. I would only to poetry,” whether they were listening to it or writing it. essentially bringing art to life. It acknowledges that no matter suggest listening to the album for people who “Poetry is compact and concise,” Richardson said. “It what, a simple pen and paper can transform a person’s life for enjoy listening to slower-paced music while on requires thought and discipline.” the better. an evening stroll, or need to take a break from their hectic lives. 26 The Lumberjack | Jackcentral.org.

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