The O-town Scene - Oneonta, NY
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/148479
Dammit, I'm a Square After dressing myself for, oh, a little over 30 years now, I'm finally getting the hang of it. I'm not talking about the mechanics of putting on and removing clothing. I've had that down for a while (although I did get stuck in a dress the other day. Don't ask). No, I'm talking about the art of dressing the body that I have in the clothes that look best on it. Which is one of those things that I've found to be easier in theory than in practice. You see, there's a huge disconnect between the clothes I'm drawn to, and the clothes that actually look good on me. And for some reason, it's taken me this long to figure out the difference. I cringe when I look back on photos of myself wearing a slip dress, or a long top, or a calflength skirt. These are not good looks for me. When I was a little girl, I was getting fitted for a dress, and I asked my mom why I couldn't have a sash around the waist, like my big sister's dress had. She laughed and responded, "Honey, you don't have a waist." Well, not that much has changed. In the world of body types (i.e. pear-shaped, hourglass, etc.), I'm hopelessly square. Since I don't have a waist of my own, I have to fashion one, using clothes. This means belts (lots and lots and lots of belts); full skirts; and something I resisted for years, tucking in shirts. It's amazing how much difference a few tweaks — a pant length, a heel height, the right jacket — can make. The hard part is reminding myself that certain things that look fabulous on the hanger (or the model) won't always look so great on me. The secret is not to dwell on the things I can't wear, and focus on the things I can. It's a lot like avoiding foods that you know will be bad for you — especially since the wrong clothes can certainly make you look heavier, even if they don't add actual pounds. So the next time you fall for that fast-fashion piece that isn't quite the right fit for your body type, think of it as the sartorial equivalent of a big, fat ice cream sundae. It may be tempting, but it's not going to do you any good. Emily F. Popek has learned to embrace her square-dom. She is also assistant editor of The Daily Star. 'Evil Friends' Puts Portland Group on Musical Map With a producer who can give shape to their artistic vision, and the ability to write a catchy tune, Portugal. The Man, recently released what could be its breakthrough album, Evil Friends. Working with Danger Mouse, who has produced albums for Gnarls Barkley, Broken Bells and Gorillaz, the Portland group released its seventh album since its founding in 2005. Filled with solid rhythms, guitar riffs and catchy lyrics, and that Danger Mouse sound, it is finding an audience as seen by the No. 2 ranking on the most recent Rolling Stone's college radio top 10 albums list. (Daft Punk is in the top spot). One of the group's founders, John Gourley, a singer and guitarist, said the band that was formed in Wasilla, Alaska took its name because they wanted something that was bigger than its members. The same philosophy fills its music. That sound can be heard starting with the opening track, "Plastic Soldiers." It starts with dirge-like chords and lyrics to tell that talk of the search for the meaning of life. Then the musical theme changes, then merge. Gourley cites Oasis as one of his musical influences and that, as well as other cutting edge bands such as Flaming Lips and MGMT, can be heard in many of the songs. But what can be heard throughout is a work that is original and fun. "Creep in a T-Shirt," may have been inspired by the alienation of Radiohead's "Creep," but it is a lot more fun to listen to with lyrics like "I don't know what I know/But I know where it's at/Just because I lost it doesn't mean I want it back." In one of my favorite songs, "Evil Friends," the band is at its tightest running through a range of The cover of Portugal. The Man's new album "Evil Friends" musical ideas as it explores a rock 'n' roll attitude with lyrics like "before you were born/ I was already sinning." "Hip Hop Kids" also explores that territory with loud chords and in your face lyrics. I enjoyed the homage to classic rock that starts "Atomic Man" with its musical reference to "My Sharona," but they show their originality with their fuzzed-guitars and lyrics like "after you I don't know what I believe in/ after you hell would be easy." In discovering the album and band, my favorite video was of a recent live appearance on Conan of "Purple Yellow Red and Blue." It is proof that this band is not the product of the studio, but they are smart musicians who explore a lot of territory and know how to have fun. Mark Boshnack is a reporter for The Daily Star, and a music fiend. He can be reached at mboshnack@ thedailystar.com. August 1, 2013 O-Town Scene 5