Saturday, June 26, 2021

Swinging Saturdays #98: Wanna Learn Dutch?


Swinging saturdays is a musical meme hosted by Ice Cold Passion, to share our passion for music. The goal is to make a top 5 (or Top 10) for whatever genre or artist you like or get creative and share a theme based music top 5. For example a bookish soundtrack, funny songs, song to listen to on a rainy day top 5.

I do not watch a whole lot of soccer, however I always try to watch at least the World Championship and the European Championship. The latter is what is currently happening. The Netherlands will be playing tomorrow and I thought it would be fun to share with you some Dutch songs, so you can my start learning some Dutch? 

I know it much sound very strange to someone who does not speak the language, I hope you enjoy this top 5. On the one hand we have songs that are often played at the parties that happen when we win a match. Some songs actually articulate so well that they would be perfect for learning Dutch. So let's get into this.


Ramses Shaffy ~ Zing, Vecht, Huil, Bid, Lach, werk en Bewonder

This is one of those songs were you can easily learn some Dutch words through the chorus. It is the same as the title and translates to the following: Sing, Fighht, cry, pray, laught work and admire. Which repeats it's self throughout the chorus. Great to practise your pronunciation!


Marco Borsato ~ De Waarheid

This is one of the biggest artists in the Netherlands, with an incredilby long career already. He sings all his songs in Dutch. And if you want to learn some Dutch I think this would be a good start, all his songs are Dutch, except for the one album, that is in Italian. This song is a bit on the dramatic side I know but I kind of like that about it. The title of the song is "The Truth".


Nielson & Miss Montreal ~ Hoe

So for the only woman in this list, I could name a few others thinking of Maaike Ouboter, Famke Louise, Maan, Glennis Grace, Merol, Wies & Eefje de Visser. However none of these artists I really like, it might still be for you, but not really for me. I thought I would at least mention them if you want to look them up. I like Miss Montreal, I always have so I went with this song, because this song is so much fun. It is a happy song. And that is what we need after the first to songs. The title of the song means: "How" it is a love song.


Guus Meeuwis ~ Brabant

Guus Meeuwis in the Netherlands stands for humble folk songs, drinking songs, songs about a train. He is one of those party bands, and songs like these are often played in the pubs across the Netherlands, also after winning matches of soccer. So I couldn't think of a more fitting song for this top 5. Brabant, is an ode to the province with the same name. It is a song that most dutch people will know by heart, even the ones that are not even from Brabant.


Kraantje Pappie ~ De Feesttent

Let's end this with a party song, this is something my sister enjoys, and I thought this would be a fitting song to end with. It is a party song, and since Guus already started the party, Kraatje will finish it for you. This is for the ones looking for a challenge, as this is a very fast song. Kraantje Pappie is incredibly popular in the Netherlands, and knows how to turn every show into a party. This song in English means party tent! A really Dutch thing I think. Every small town has it's own yearly party, usually with some form of live act. These parties are usually in summer and usually take place in a big party tent. Hence the name and theme of the song.

Kennen jullie al een beetje Nederlands? Did you learn a little bit of Dutch today? Let me know in the comments!
Want to host Swing Saturdays next week? 
Send me an email: icecoldpassions@gmail.com. 
I would love to hear what kind of music you like!

Thursday, June 24, 2021

Books: Scythe ~ Arc of Scythe #1 ~ Neal Shusterman


Title:Scythe
Author: Neal Shusterman
Publisher: Walker Bookss
Publishing date: November, 0216
Number of pages: 443 p.
Series: Arc of Scythe #1
Age Category: Young Adult
Genre: Utopia, Science Fiction
Other Books In This Series:
Thunderhead, book #2
The Toll, book #3

About Scythe

What if Death was the only thing left to control?
Maybe just read this sentence and get into the book, I really encourage you to go in bind. No still want to know more? alright then here is the rest of the synopsis:
In a perfect world, the only way to die is to be gleanded by a professional scythe. When Citra and Rowan are chosen to be apprentice scythes, they know they have no option but to learn the art of killing. However, the terrifying responsibility of choosing their victims is just the start.
Corruption is the order of the day and Citra and Rowan need to stick together to fight it.

Then they are told that one of them will have to glean the other..

My opinion about Scythe

Oh how I struggled ath the first half of the book. I was having a hard time getting into the writing style of this book, it took me about half the book to get over that. As you might be aware English is not my native language, and what I found with Scythe was that there were a lot of words that are not so commonly used throughout the YA genre, and so I sometimes had to look up some of the words mentioned. It has been a while since I have had to do that. I think that made it a bit challenging for me at times to get in to. In general it was not a difficult read, it is still very much a young adult novel, but if you are starting to read English I would not pick this as a starting point.

On the front of the edition I have of Scythe it says on the front: "A true successor to The Hunger Games". I don't really agree with this, I don't think this is a proper comparison as Scythe is so different in tone and world form the Hunger Games. Yes it is still science fiction, but not in the same category of the Hunger Games, which is a game based dystopian, where this is more a utopia instead. I would have like it to be compared to Matched if you want to compare it to something similar. Matched also is very much a utopia, and has some other similarities to Scythe as well. I think that if you are going into this book with the expectations of "another Hunger Games" that you would be very dissapointed. Scythe is a very different story, intellegent, political and at times a bit disturbing.

The first half of the book is a bit slow, it is mainly based on the training of Citra and Rowan our main characters. We get to see both Citra and Rowan point of view of their apprenticeship. The internal struggles of becoming a scythe and the dread of having to glean a person. To take a persons live, they both have very distinct voices and very different point of view on things. In the beginning I did not really like Citra, I found her to be a bit shallow and a bit of a know-it-all. But the farther we got in the book the more I came to appreciate her character. Rowan is a very likable character from the beginning, allthough during the book especially SPOILER ALLERT, when under the care of Scythe Goddard I actually started doubting is choices a bit.

I think the author made a very bold move at the end of the book, something I had not expected to happen. I do applaud the events and it definitely made me change my mind about this book. Now that I have had some time to process this book I think this book is a good set up for the rest of the series. There is a lot of world building, which is also the reason for the slow start, but I think the worldbuilding is necassary to explain to us the world we are in, to set up for the other two books in the series. And it is the set up for the events unfolding at the end of the book.

The ending of this book is action packed, full of surprises, and the beginning of a very interesting journey for both of our main characters. I feel the ending is perfect and this makes up so much for the slower parts of this book.

Conclusions

This is the kind of book that makes you think about our own world, our future and our incompetences. It makes you think that maybe we could all use a Thunderhead, a disease free world. Or would live then be come a dull experience? This book is a masterpiece, eventhought, at the beginning I felt like quitting a couple of times. It is such an interesting take on humanity and I am definitely going to continue the series. As I am writing this review I am already half through the second book, and I can already say, I am loving it! Utopia at it's best. As I was not all that fond of the beginning of the book, this influenced my final rating a bit, it is still a solid work of art. Therefore I am giving this book 4 stars.

It occurred to her that being a scythe was like being the living dead. In the world, but apart from it. Just a witness to the comings and goings of others. - Citra

Saturday, June 19, 2021

Swinging Saturdays #97: Spotify ABC ~ G-oodness


Swinging saturdays is a musical meme hosted by Ice Cold Passion, to share our passion for music. The goal is to make a top 5 (or Top 10) for whatever genre or artist you like or get creative and share a theme based music top 5. For example a bookish soundtrack, funny songs, song to listen to on a rainy day top 5.

So I had planned to finish this last week but was too tired to get it done. The G categorie of my Spotify is relatively small, it was actually a bit of a surprise because I expected this to be a much larger category.  So let's see what is there, we have Gavin Degraw, Gerald Way, Good Charlotte, The Good Hand, The Graveltones, Green Day, Green Hornet, Green Lizzard and Greta Van Fleet. The last one sound very funny if you would pronounce it in Dutch. 


Greta Van Fleet~ High Way Tune

Let start this top 5 with the song that sounds funny in Dutch shall we? This very much reminds me of Led Zepplin and the time they were active in. Trust me when I tell you this is from this era, instead, it was kind of suprising as it sounds much older. Holy crap it sounds as amazing live as it does on cd. Such an incredible voice.


Gavin DeGraw ~ I Don't Wanna Be

Gavin DeGraw's first big hit, was I Don't Wanna Be, that same also Chariot came out, and both were high ranking in the charts. Although I always liked Chariot more. I can't explain why, mabe because it was not as played as frequently by the radio than I Don't Wanna Be, which here in the Neterlands was the most popular from the two. Or maybe it was just my rebelious nature that drove me to the underdog. Who knows. I have been a fan from the the beginning although I never seen him live.


Good Charlotte ~ The Anthem

Let's stick to the early 2000s This is just nostaglic to me I went to see them live pretty recently for the first time and it was still freaking amazing. So much fun hearing the songs me and my sister loved for so long live. It was still an awesome experience. Good Charlotte will always be really special to me, it pulled me through a lot of shit. Sorry for adding an entire set, but hey the first song is The Anthem and it was the only video I could find that had decent audio. Thank you Rock Am Ring, you almost always have decent audio!


The Good Hand ~ What Is RIeal Is Always Alive

This is for me a local band, I have seen the show of which you can find a video online on The Good Hand's own page. But again I felt the video was not the best quality although the concert was really cool. I have a bit of a love/hate affair with the band. On the one hand there are songs that I think are freaking awesome, but then there are does I get bored with easily. It is a mix of the two. Still I have chosen to mention this one as they could most definitely deserve some love. And also I try to cooperate some Dutch music in all my Swinging Saturdays, just because I can, and we really have some great musicians.


Green Day ~ Jesus Of Surburbia

I was actually pretty surprised to find a live performance of this song. For 1 it is the longest Green Day song ever. And usually the songs I like are rarely played live. Or so it goes for a lot of songs. This makes my choices for Swinging Saturdays sometimes somewhat difficult. This is my favourite song from the album American Idiot, an album I have definitely lived. I know all songs by hard. American Idiot also contain my least favorite Green Day song, Give Me Novacaine.

Any new G's I should add? Let me know in the comments!
Want to host Swing Saturdays next week? 
Send me an email: icecoldpassions@gmail.com. 
I would love to hear what kind of music you like!

Monday, June 7, 2021

Books: A Shifter's Sin ~ Debbie Cassidy ~ Book Blitz

A Shifter’s Sin
Debbie Cassidy
(Wolves of Hawthorne Cove #1)
Publication date: June 3rd 2021
Genres: Adult, Reverse Harem, Romance, Urban Fantasy

A Lycan that can’t shift is no use to anyone.

I’ve made it my mission to be useful to my pack. As pack enforcer, I’m fast and strong, but when the time comes to bond with my mate, it isn’t enough.

Rejection means lone wolf status and isolation from the pack. But when a package arrives with an unexpected inheritance, the pack that wants to shun me, suddenly has a new use for me.

Turns out, I’m the proud owner of a house in mysterious territory, rumoured to be home to a pack of beautifully twisted shifters. Hawthorne Cove is Impregnable to Lycans, but not to a half human like me.

Now I have a second chance to be accepted by my pack.

All I have to do is infiltrate the Hawthorne pack, find the source of their power and steal it.

Easier said than done.

Because once I pass the mystical boundaries surrounding the town, I’ll be absolutely, and totally at the mercy of the wolves of Hawthorne Cove.

Goodreads / Amazon


Author Bio:

Debbie Cassidy lives in England, Bedfordshire, with her three kids and very supportive husband. Coffee and chocolate biscuits are her writing fuels of choice, and she is still working on getting that perfect tower of solitude built in her back garden. Obsessed with building new worlds and reading about them, she spends her spare time daydreaming and conversing with the characters in her head - in a totally non psychotic way of course. She writes Urban Fantasy, Fantasy and Reverse Harem Fantasy. All her books contain plenty of action, romance and twisty plots.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


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Saturday, June 5, 2021

Swinging Saturdays #96: Folk punk is sort of my thing

Swinging saturdays is a musical meme hosted by Ice Cold Passion, to share our passion for music. The goal is to make a top 5 (or Top 10) for whatever genre or artist you like or get creative and share a theme based music top 5. For example a bookish soundtrack, funny songs, song to listen to on a rainy day top 5.

Things are finally looking up for the music world, venues are already programming for the fall, hoping that everything will go through and we can get back to concerts like before COVID, were you are aloud to move, instead of sitting, and don't have to shut up. Today I am going for a top 10 close to my heart, because folkish punk is kind of my thing. What do all these bands have in common? They all took influences from folk and combined this in a way with punk. There are going to be some names that you might have seen before when you have been around my blog for a while, but I just love this music oke? It makes me very happy and I can't wait to join the mosh pit once more when we finally can. So yeah maybe this is going to be a little ode to live music in a way.

Flogging Molly ~ The Devil's Dance Floor

Swing a little more, yes that has always been the purpose of these Swinging Saturdays, the are here for you to swing to, take you to new place or like to day, to the era of live music. Devil's Dance Floor is definitely a fan favorite and I think this video is a nice compilation of how these concerts go. I got a bit "homesick" for the lack of a better word watching this, we haven't been able to do this for so long!


Skinny Lister ~ This War

Sninny Lister was the support act for the Dropkick Murphy's the first time I went to their concert. I thought it was pretty cool and added it to my list of folk punk. I like that there is also a women in this band, as the rest of the top 10 is going to be a full male round. So enjoy it while you can.


Seán McGowan ~ Never Let Us In

Let slow it down for one song alright, then I will bring back the roudy crowds. Seán sure has a great voice compared with that accent, awesome!


Fiddler's Green ~ Victor and His Demons

Fiddler's Green has been around for a long time, for years they have been playing at De Zwarte Cross in the Netherlands, the tent will fill to max when they are playing. It is certainly aparty when they are around!


Dave Hause ~ Burry Me In Philly

I love this song! The entire album is worth listening to, I was also thinking of Dirty Fucker for this top 10 but then this got stuck in my head. So here it is. I hope you enjoy!


The Real McKenzies ~ Chip

This is one of those artists I know a couple of songs but never really listened to an entire album. It is right up my alley though.


The Rumjacks ~ Uncle Tommy

Actually don't know much about this band other than the played or were scheduled to play in Deventer and I was considering going as it sounded like something I would like. It does sound great so this is going on the list of bands to go to.


Tim Vantol ~ If We Go Down, We Go Together

Not so famous in the Netherlands, but more so in Germany, this was also one of the support acts that stuck. I enjoy all his music and have also seen him live a couple of times. Great music, great shows!


Frank Turner ~ Glory Halleluah

This songs speaks to the rebel in me of course, I think I will always remain a rebel. It is so boring being main stream. I forgot how it is to communicate with people that don't understand my scene, my interests, my taste in music. People sometimes just don't understand. Anyways, here's a bit of a rebelious song for you.


Dropkick Murphys ~ I'm Shipping Up To Boston

Leaving you with another fan favorite, damn... Need I say more?
I hope you enjoyed this top 10? Do you have any suggestion for me? 
Let me know in the comments!
Want to host Swing Saturdays next week? 
Send me an email: icecoldpassions@gmail.com. 
I would love to hear what kind of music you like!