Top 20 albums of 2011 by my friend Christopher

MVevang — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:58:43 -0600

My good friend Christopher , who is a graphic desinger in the music industry, puts together a list of his favorite 20 albums of the year . I look forward to his list every year and without fail, it proves to impress me and inspire me to check out some new music. Here are his picks for 2011 along with a few words on each album.

1. R.E.M. “Collapse Into Now”
I had this album on repeat back in March when it was released, prior to the announcement that the band was breaking up. I’m not sure how this album flew so far under the radar. It’s a total return to form and sounds like the band from the early nineties, but with more introspection. The album contains themes of change which was fitting for my state of mind. It became my personal soundtrack as I transitioned from NY to MN. Collapse into now indeed.

2. PJ Harvey “Let England Shake”
Polly Jean is an ever changing chameleon. On this album, she takes on the horrors of war and the politics that propel them. While not the most uplifting of themes, she uses her passionate voice to evoke a powerful narration. A beautiful commentary on the harsh realities of life during wartime.

3. Low “C’mon”
On their ninth full-length album, the trio continues the evolution of slowcore, the genre they helped define. Recorded in an old church, the sound is spacious and airy. The songs are affecting and the vocal harmonies that they are known for are beautiful and moving. The eight-minute builder “Nothing But Heart” (with the help of Nels Cline on guitar) showcases their knack for simplicity. Sometimes less is more.

4. Bon Iver “Bon Iver”
This album takes you on a journey that you won’t want to end. The use of strings and woodwinds are gorgeous and enhance the songs with their subtly. The result is a sonic landscape that stretches for miles.

5. The Decemberists “The King Is Dead”
“The best R.E.M. album in years” was going to be the tagline. Well, that all changed when R.E.M. actually released an album a few months later. With the help of Peter Buck and Gillian Welch, this album would have fit nicely between “Document” and “Green”. The Decemberists certainly embraced their inner Americana with stellar results.

6. Washed Out “Within And Without”
Part of the Chillwave movement in which synth is in. Ernest Greene, the man behind the MacBook, enlisted the help of Ben H. Allen (Animal Collective’s “Merriweather Post Pavilion”) who co-produced the album with him. It’s both dreamy and dancey: Think Yo La Tengo meets New Order.

7. Adele “21”
Yes, this album has been overplayed to death, but think back to when you first heard it. You’ll remember the power and beauty of that voice paired with her confessional break-up songs, which makes for one compelling record.

8. Radiohead “The King Of Limbs”
I don’t think they are capable of making a bad record. Always one step ahead, they keep pushing themselves and continue to seek out new territory. Many try to emulate them, but few succeed.

9. Girls “Father, Son, Holy Ghost”
Identity crisis or tribute? This album sounds like it was made by a variety of different bands: The Beach Boys, Love & Rockets, Band of Horses, Pink Floyd & Wilco to name just a few. Every song has a unique sound, yet it all goes together so well.

10. St. Vincent “Strange Mercy”
Annie Clark is a guitar goddess and continues to experiment with sounds using her extensive pedal board. While her third record may be her most accessible, it’s also her most personal.

11. Marianne Faithful “Horses And High Heels”
Armed with a stellar band (and guest appearances from Lou Reed and Dr. John) this album was recorded in New Orleans and it shows. It contains some bluesy covers along with a few originals. With her trademark gravelly voice, Faithful sings like a survivor who seems content with where she is in life.

12. Tom Waits “Bad As Me”
It’s hard to believe that he’s been making music since the early seventies and is not only relevant, but truly original. This record contains some of the clanking percussion found on “Bone Machine” as well as some poignant ballads reminiscent of his earlier work. No matter what the production, it’s the songwriting that’s at the heart of these songs.

13. The Black Keys “El Camino”
While this album just came out in December, it quickly grabbed my attention. The album feels more like a straight ahead rock album than their previous efforts. With help from producer Danger Mouse, it marks the first time the Keys have co-written songs with a third party. Who says three’s a crowd?

14. Laura Marling “A Creature I Don’t Know”
At 21, this English folk musician already has three albums under her belt, with this one being her strongest. Her songwriting and voice remind me of a younger Joni Mitchell, to which she is often compared. I would add Joan Baez, Sandy Denny and Linda Thompson in there as well.

15. Wilco “The Whole Love”
Like Radiohead, Wilco is a band that continues to move forward with each release, while managing to stay true to themselves. “The Whole Love” continues to push them in the right direction.

16. Fleet Foxes “Helplessness Blues”
Capitalizing on the success on their debut album, Robin Pecknold and company stick to the formula that won fans over in the first place. Complex folk songs with vocal harmonies remain in tact, but with some dramatic turns that challenge listeners to grow with them.

17. M83 “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming”
A double album by the French electronic musician Anthony Gonzalez, who said he recorded the album as a way to remember his childhood. He’s referring in part to the days when kids would make the trip to their local record store and listen to albums and dissect all its parts. The music combines electropop, ambient and new wave with an updated 80’s production style. A great way to relive your past.

18. Paul Simon “So Beautiful Or So What”
Without a doubt, his best album since 1990’s “The Rhythm Of The Saints”. Simon continues to fuse world music with his straight ahead approach of story telling.

19. James Blake “James Blake”
His music is a little hard to classify...dubstep? electronica? synthpop? Regardless, his voice is alluring and he distorts it through the use of Auto-Tune and vocoders. This English electronic music producer and singer-songwriter could be considered the experimental and haunting equivalent to Bon Iver.

20. Liam Finn “Fomo”
Liam has some big shoes to fill as the son of musician Neil Finn (of Split Enz and Crowded House). He certainly lives up to those expectations with his latest release. He may sound a lot like his father, but he has a voice all is own.

Want to join a talented group of stylist?

MVevang — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:24:15 -0600

Foiled Again Salon is looking for an experienced Stylist to join our talented staff. Set your own hours, make your own appointments and be your own boss. Online scheduling is provided and space on our website for your profile and portfolio of work. Foiled Again is a neighborhood salon with frequent art openings and other social events. Send a resume to info@foiledagainsalon.com or mail to Foiled Again Salon 2807 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis MN 55418.

A Managers License is required.

There is a new technique for coloring hair and it was developed by Davines of Italy. Flamboyage.

MVevang — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:19:27 -0600

This past weekend I ( michele here ) was a lucky lady and got to sit in on the education class given by Kim Wahl, national master trainer for Davines. She taught us The Flamboyage technique which is an amazing way to color hair that offers dimension and variation without stripes and chunks of color. I will be practicing on willing volunteers for a few weeks before offering this as a service at the salon. I am super excited to have had the opportunity to learn this technique hands on from Kim and pass on the knowledge to the rest of the colorist at Foiled Again. A new color service is always something to look forward to!! I can't wait to get to the salon today and start practicing.

Opening reception from the Amy Rice art show.

MVevang — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:35:15 -0600

We had our first artist reception of the year. Thanks to everyone who came out to support Amy Rice and her amazing art. This was our first opening with our new curator AmyJo, who is an artist and designer herself. Check her work out at: missamyjo.com.

Our next artist will be Zara Gonzalez Hoang who will be hanging her work in March.

Artist reception for Amy Rice this Saturday Jan 21, 2011 @ 7:00pm

MVevang — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:48:10 -0600

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Art Prints & Original Art by Amy Rice

January 16 – March 3

Foiled Again

2807 Johnson Street NE Minneapolis, MN 55418

Artist Reception

Saturday, January 21, 2012, 7-9PM

Facebook Event Page

https://www.facebook.com/events/326896317332447/

About the Artist

Amy Rice is a mixed media artist who illuminates her work with printmaking methods, such as hand cut stencils, screenprinting, and letterpress. She uses a variety of materials including spray paint, acrylics, gouache, and inks to adorn various surfaces from rusty metal to wooden panels to antique papers like handwritten love letters, sheet music and maps.

Amy Rice is as inspired by childhood memories of growing up on a Midwestern farm as she is by the urban community in which she now lives. Bicycles, street art, gardening, random found objects, and downright silliness influence her work as well as provide a narrative for her daily life. Her imagery is nostalgic, wistful, deeply layered, and is largely biographical and reflective of her pensive nature.

Amy Jo is currently curating the Foiled Again gallery of Art.

Our friend Teri is moving on.

MVevang — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:53:22 -0600

For those of you who may not have heard, Teri is no longer working with us at Foiled Again Salon. She and her family have moved to Seattle, WA. Dan, her husband, accepted a new career path with Starbucks corporate. We will miss the Beranek family and look forward to their visits back to Minnesota.

Looking for stocking stuffers??

MVevang — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 08:42:16 -0600

Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for someone on you "good" list?? Foiled Again has various travel size Davines shampoos & conditioners in Love Smooth, Love Curl, Momo, & Nou Nou, along with travel size Monoi oil to add to a cute gift box. Mix and match your choice. We also have gift certificates available too. Maybe get yourself a gift from Santa while you're in the salon too. We are just here to help you with all your shopping needs and desires.

Your hair is your best accessory.

MVevang — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:52:46 -0600

Animal Print accessories are all the rage this season. Look around you while you are out, socializing, eating or shopping. Animal prints are on handbags, tights, shoes, boots, sunglasses, sweaters and skirts. Now you can add it to your hair. Your hair is the best accessory you have. It is with you where ever you go and makes a statement about who you are.

To give this look a try, have the colors hand painted on by your favorite colorist here at the salon. Or you can give our new Pure Hair human hair extensions a try. The extensions come in a variety of colors to give your hair wild contrast, or subtle enhancement. Call your favorite stylist to see how you can get this look, or go online and book in for an extension. We can't wait to give you the look of the season.

Online booking turbo boost!!!

MVevang — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 08:49:22 -0600

We are excited to announce new last minute appointments!!! With the holidays quickly approaching, we would like to make things as easy for you as possible. Previously if you wanted to book an appointment with us, it needed to be 24 hours in advance. We now are offering a 6 hour lead time on all appointments. So if your at work and decide you need to get your hair done that same evening, chances are, you will be able to get in with one of our many talented stylist right after work. Give it try and see, just click on our "booking" button and all your options will appear. We hope you like this new feature, and are excited to offer it to you.

Savage Umbella Theater Presents: The Ravagers

MVevang — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:57:52 -0500

Things are heating up in our next door neighbor the Hollywood Theater. Long empty, the Hollywood has been host to a variety of photo and video and movie shoots this summer. All the activity has culminated in a new original production from Savage Umbrella Theater. Starting November 4th and ending the weekend of November 19th Savage Umbrella will be performing their new play The Ravagers in the Hollywood Theater next door to Foiled Again.

The Ravagers is loosely based on the ancient Greek play The Supplicants by Aeschylus. In The Supplicants, Danaus is tyrant of Argos and has 50 daughters who are set to marry their 50 Egyptian cousins. To avoid giving up power to his future sons-in-law, Danaus tells his daughters to murder their new husbands on their wedding night. All do except for one. The Ravagers explores what happens when one daughter discovers herself at the precipice between obedience and resistance.

For more info on The Ravagers check out the Savage Umbrella website: www.savageumbrella.org and see the trailer for the play at: http://vimeo.com/30222348

For more info on the Hollywood Theater: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/hollywood_theater.asp