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What Makes Great Art

Lucinda Hawksley and Andy Pankhurst

7.5 (2 Ratings) Rate It

Book

What are the qualities that make an artwork great? A recognized painter Andy Pankhurst and art...

Art

Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 2: Angela

Neil Gaiman and Brian Michael Bendis

9.0 (2 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Spinning out of the dramatic conclusion of Age of Ultron, dimensions collide and Heaven's most...

David McK (3372 KP) rated The Greatest Showman (2017) in Movies

May 26, 2020 (Updated Oct 17, 2021)

Dramatisation/Inspired by the life of PT Barnum and starring none-other than Wolverine himself - Hugh Jackman - in his first role (I think) since saying goodbye to that character in "Logan", this was actually somewhat of a surprise hit - and a surprise to me, too, that Hugh Jackman could sing and dance!

It seems like most of the songs from this show - "The Greatest Show", "This Is Me", "A Million Dreams", "Never Enough", to name but a few - where in the charts forever and a day: indeed, such was the all-encompassing pervasiveness of them that many artists created their own versions (some are better; others worse).

Yes, it glosses over some of the less-savoury aspects of his character and business model (animal cruelty, paying his staff little to nothing), but this is a genuine feel-good movie for the masses!

Kudos

Cristov Russell (3 KP) rated Admist the Chaos by Sara Bareilles in Music

May 25, 2019 (Updated May 25, 2019)

Admist the Chaos by Sara Bareilles

2019 | Pop, Singer-Songwriter

9.0

(1 Ratings)

Album Rating

Orpheus, Miss Simone, No Such Thing, Someone Who Loves Me (0 more)

Sara's latest has her working with T Bone Burnett (one of my favorite producers) who has worked with artists like Sam Phillips, Elvis Costello, Roy Orbison and Cassandra Wilson. Burnett, who is himself a recording artists and songwriter is a perfect choice, giving Bareilles a cohesive sound that suits her rich tone like a deep cushioned coach wrapped in a soft warm blanket.

Each of the tracks were written or co-workers by Bareilles and none disappoint. From the jangly mid-tempo Fire about a relationship that just isn't working to A Safe Place to Land; a beautifully sorrow drenched but hopeful duet with John Legend.

My favorite, Orpheus, about giving someone comfort and a peaceful space admist the chaos is where the album gets its name and many of the songs themes circle around the idea of finding peace or coming to terms with life.

Armor, a feminist anthem, pays tribute to those who paved the way and warns misogynists that those standing up to them today pale in comparison to the coming generation. It was inspired by the #metoo movement and released early as a response to Brett Kavanagh hearings.

If I Can't Have You deals with trying to get over the loss of a love. It's a breezy after the tears track best enjoyed with a glass of wine.

Burnett's influence shows on Eyes On You with its just inside the barn door toe tapping country tinges.

Miss Simone is a love letter to the lady herself for providing the soundtrack to an enduring romance.

The album closes with a track that fits well with its siblings but I can't say I like it quite as much. It's not a bad track and Bareilles and Legend sound great together but it feels like a leftover song. It was inspired by the immigrant families being separated.