For those who are not in the know, Belle and Sebastian are a Glasgow-based band known for their genre-defiant music that lingers somewhere between alternative and pop-folk. They have a very strong retro sound - and it's very easy to bop a head to their music. I personally find that the singer uses controlled vocals that make for a smoother sound to the music, and whether that appeals to you or not, well, that's more of a personal thing, I guess. I myself am not necessarily the biggest fan - I won't complain if they're in the background but I won't actively hunt down their latest album.
Live, however, is a different story. I was fortunate enough to see them when they played at the Sydney Opera House. We could have gone to see them when they played at The Metro, a much more intimate venue but given its reputation for sticky, beer-stained carpets and expensive low end drinks, thanks but no thanks.
The band certainly had a stronger sound live. The vocals were fuller and lacked that softer edge that their songs are known for. I personally liked it more and for me, for a band to sound better live is a good thing. The singer had massive energy on stage and for the first time, I saw people standing up and dancing - a rare feat in a venue like the Opera House.
Belle and Sebastian live: 4.5 slices.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
A Most Random Comparison: Moth Traps
Now that I do a longer commute to work, I really should take time out to write on the blog more often - even if it is with random stuff... And it doesn't get more random than moth traps.
See, I hate moths. As a baker, I have thrown out bags and bags of flour in the past, simply because moths got into them - such a waste, really. As autumn approaches, they have again come out in droves, leaving their evil larvae in the nooks and crannies of our kitchen cupboards.
I initially wanted to get moth balls, but realized that, at best, they drive out the moths which would only find refuge in our parts of the house. No, I wanted to take the offensive. I wanted to go Rambo on their fuzzy bums and take them out like the pests that they are.
When I got to the supermarket, I only had two options - either Hovex or Envirosafe. Both were pheromone-based traps which lured moths onto very sticky paper. They are both very basic tent-shaped traps but really, didn't need anything more elaborate. They both were the same price, and came in pairs but I had no idea which was better... So I bought both.
The Envirosafe was the bigger one in terms of size, and uses a foil-wrapped pheromone pack which you stick to the roof of the tent. It claims to last for three months, and I guess we can put that to the test. The adhesive it uses is very sticky and reminds me of industrial-strength fly traps. When the moths came into the tent, they really didn't get out. Sadly the problem is that the moths weren't too excited to bite the bait. Sure, the trap still attracted them, but the attendance was less than impressive and reminded me of those soirees hosted by social outcasts - everyone was welcome but only a handful ever came.
Now Hovex was the smaller of the two traps, and used an exposed block of pheromone which you stuck onto the wall of the trap. The sticky paper wasn't so sticky so there were some moths that flew in and out, sadly. However, the exposed pheromone made it really popular in the moth community and I had to get a second Hovex after a few days because they just packed it in there so tightly, you'd think it was Big Day Out.
so the verdict: Hovex. The stronger pheromone makes it a more useful trap and I would suggest you get two packs, because the party just doesn't stop with Hovex.
Hovex: 4 1/2 slices.
Envirosafe: 3 1/2 slices.
See, I hate moths. As a baker, I have thrown out bags and bags of flour in the past, simply because moths got into them - such a waste, really. As autumn approaches, they have again come out in droves, leaving their evil larvae in the nooks and crannies of our kitchen cupboards.
I initially wanted to get moth balls, but realized that, at best, they drive out the moths which would only find refuge in our parts of the house. No, I wanted to take the offensive. I wanted to go Rambo on their fuzzy bums and take them out like the pests that they are.
When I got to the supermarket, I only had two options - either Hovex or Envirosafe. Both were pheromone-based traps which lured moths onto very sticky paper. They are both very basic tent-shaped traps but really, didn't need anything more elaborate. They both were the same price, and came in pairs but I had no idea which was better... So I bought both.
The Envirosafe was the bigger one in terms of size, and uses a foil-wrapped pheromone pack which you stick to the roof of the tent. It claims to last for three months, and I guess we can put that to the test. The adhesive it uses is very sticky and reminds me of industrial-strength fly traps. When the moths came into the tent, they really didn't get out. Sadly the problem is that the moths weren't too excited to bite the bait. Sure, the trap still attracted them, but the attendance was less than impressive and reminded me of those soirees hosted by social outcasts - everyone was welcome but only a handful ever came.
Now Hovex was the smaller of the two traps, and used an exposed block of pheromone which you stuck onto the wall of the trap. The sticky paper wasn't so sticky so there were some moths that flew in and out, sadly. However, the exposed pheromone made it really popular in the moth community and I had to get a second Hovex after a few days because they just packed it in there so tightly, you'd think it was Big Day Out.
so the verdict: Hovex. The stronger pheromone makes it a more useful trap and I would suggest you get two packs, because the party just doesn't stop with Hovex.
Hovex: 4 1/2 slices.
Envirosafe: 3 1/2 slices.
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