Serj Tankian's New Album : Harakiri

The third solo album- Harakiri, by Serj Tankian has released to mixed reviews by the fans and critics. Serj is quite a hard-working person, never remaining out of the limelight - continuously dropping off albums, be it solo or with the System. This time he returns to rock. Harakiri is quite a different approach this multifaceted guy has taken this time. One would certainly miss all the skull splitting growls and heavy metal riffs, nonetheless there are a lot of other things the album has to be provide.

The album kicks off with Cornucopia. The song talks about how we treat the Earth/nature and how sweetly it takes revenge in form of calamities. The second song Figure It Out  - targets upon the economic unbalance in the society by condemning the CEOs and how they murder freedom. The song has got a pace and is punkish. Ching Chime, the third song, is a totally different song. Melodic and rhythmic in every sense, the song has been given an Arabic touch - may be Armenian it is, but that makes the song so amazing. Probable the best song on the album. The next song Butterfly speaks about how the humans fall prey to their own deeds. Harakiri, the next song talks about the death of birds which Tankian had witnessed in New Zealand - which inspired him to write songs for this album. Both Butterfly and Harakiri fall in same category, nice treat for the ears they both are.


Occupied Tears, Deafening Silence and Forget me Knot are next three songs which are rather sung on a serious and sober note. Reality TV targets the dramatic lies of reality TV shows which in a way are insinuating us to believe all the bullshit they offer. The next one, Uneducated Democracy has got a signature style of Serj mixed with some punk elements. The song tells that democracy in hands of all illiterates is useless. Weave On is the last song on the album which speaks of the endurance and tolerance of the ladies who lost their families in the name of wars.

The album is a nice experimentation of hard rock and punk. The topical thoughtful songs will surely cheer the fans aloud. Ching Chime, Butterfly and Harakiri are among the best songs on the album. Other songs are also very much capable of giving enough aural pleasure. There are a number of projects lined up in future for Serj including a Jazz record, tour with System and some other albums too. He has certainly taken an onus to keep his fans busy.

My Ratings - 3.5/5

Song List -

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Cornucopia"	4:28
2.	"Figure It Out"	2:52
3.	"Ching Chime"	4:05
4.	"Butterfly"	4:10
5.	"Harakiri"	4:19
6.	"Occupied Tears"	4:22
7.	"Deafening Silence"	4:16
8.	"Forget Me Knot"	4:26
9.	"Reality TV"	4:09
10.	"Uneducated Democracy"	3:59
11.	"Weave On"	4:07

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The [V] Spot Cafe Bar - Setting Trends

The [V] Spot Cafe Bar

G-02, Salcon Ras Vilas Mall, District Centre, Behind Select Citywalk Mall, Saket, New Delhi

If foodie's heaven at all exists in Delhi-NCR, it is situated behind Select City Mall - the area around Salcon Ras Vilas Mall. This area has seriously got some top notch restaurants and hang-outs. Among them is the [V] Spot Cafe Bar. It is simply fantastic place with some exciting dishes and drinks on the menu.

We went on a Saturday and had to do a little bit of searching for the place. We found the place in less than a couple of minutes though. Warmly greeted by the staffs at the entrance we entered in a full mood. We got ourselves comfortable on stylish cushioned chairs. Quite a funky place with some groovalicious music to kick your mood higher than the sky. In very short time we were attended by a staff with smile on his face. He presented us the bright and expressive menu. The best part about the menu is that it has got a wide variety and whatever you'd look for - it has surely got. Pizza, pasta, burgers, wraps, sandwiches, soups, desserts and everything else you can find on the menu. 

For the food we ordered the famous items on the menu - Chickibum Bum, Butter Chicken Pizza and From Russia With Love (Pasta). Suggestion on a serious note for the people who are going there - please do try these three things and then go for anything else. These are the trademark dishes of this place. Butter Chicken Pizza was simply ambrosial. A different kind of pizza with ocean of white butter on the top giving it a great look and amazing taste. The pasta was also quite delicious. Chickibum Bum is a great successful coupling done between Chicken and Spinach. A dish one of its kind. We enjoyed it a lot. Foods here say it that they are cooked by people of some high culinary merit.

Let's talk about other things. The crowd was nice with young people humming to each other's ears and singing to the songs they played. Very less noise this place has got except the music they play. The service was really good. I did not find any issue anywhere. They were right there whenever we asked for anything and always carried a smile. Never served any item late or cold. The price is a really pleasant factor which leaves a smile on your face in the last. When you compare what all you had to what you paid, you'd certainly be very happy and make a promise to yourself that you'd certainly visit the place very soon. I am surely going to visit this place once again, may be more times or may be even countless visits I will have.

My Ratings - 
Food - 5/5
Service - 4/5
Ambience - 4/5
Overall - 4/5

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Veda - An Utter Disappointment

Veda

307 & 308, DLF Promenade Mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi

The place if extraordinarily decorated and designed by the whosoever will not help you until you get what you pay for. You do not pay for viewing the interiors, for that purpose we have places like some art houses, galleries and museums. In a restaurant its the food and only the food that can keep you happy. And if there are some issues along with the food itself then the place is a hell. That's what sums up my visit to Veda, the excessively hoaxed restaurant in the capital.

The very limited numbers of dishes on the menu was the first thing that disturbed me. I ordered a starter - a creamy Kebab, which was not that great. For the main course I had Handi Laziz Chicken Curry as suggested by the staff, was such a basic Chicken curry. Nothing great, just basic. A nan and a fresh lime soda- all costing me Rs. 1600. Money is never an issue but it still hurts. I now rethink and blame myself for being such a jerk for wasting my money. I should have chosen some other place.

If I start complaining about this place it will be an endless list. First of all, the AC was not working. A few people even complained and they left away, but who cares. The main door was open all the time which was seriously ruining the inner's calmness. The whole presentation was if the place were not being maintained at all. And that's a truth. If this is a scene they show you on a Saturday when they expect a good decent crowd I wonder what would be the scenes on weekdays.

I do not complain about the service. I found it rather okay. The staff, though pretending not to listen to my calls, were not that bad. I was not there to befriend them. Just some service I required and I was contented with that. They did advise me about the food but the food itself was not that great. What worse would happen?

Thanks to my all who created such hocus pocus about this place. And it turned out that this place is not worth visiting twice. There are a lot of other great places. So, I would suggest my friends not to brag about this place or some other as if Rohit Bal or some chef were your close friend or something. Give a clear picture of what you feel. Nothing more and nothing less.

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Nothing Amazing In 'The Amazing Spider-Man'

Run-time: 136 min
Director: Marc Webb
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen, Sally Field
Rating: 7/10

Mr. Director ! You are such a noob and you have proved it very well. Who in the world would make a movie with such ludicrous script? When you are creating a movie, a Super-hero movie, then you should very well keep in mind that there are others as Iron Man, Bat Man and The Avengers against whom you have to stand. Every thing needs to be fantabulous. No flaws whatsoever. And this is what you came up with.

The most distinguishing difference between Sam Raimi, the director of earlier Spider-man movies and Marc Webb, director of the new one is that the later one is fresh out of college of direction and has a lot to areas to work upon. Sam Raimi has proved a lot by offering a wide range of genre of cinema. And that's exactly why a monstrous challenge for Webb grew up. The Amazing Spider-Man was a great onus that was put on, let's say, an immature shoulders of Webb and there's where everything faltered. In the world where we have Nolan and Joss Whedon, this guy did not find a perfect spot even to stand up.

Let's talk about the movie. All characters played their parts very well. A great justice to all the characters has been done. No one could be a better choice than Garfield for the lead role. He is intense, smart and  a genuine charm he carries with himself. He brings a perfectionist's touch to the Spider-man's character. The girl, Emma Stone, has done a great job. I have always adored her. I was never fond of  Mary Jane who would always cry and carry a rather shabby personality. The then Peter-Jane love story was all just stupid. Here is a brand new genial love story with a girl you'd always dream of. She is smart, sassy and a perfect fit for Mr. Parker. Other characters - Parker's uncle, his aunt, the doctor and the girl's father, everyone did well.

The direction was not that great and the poor script extinguished all the fire the director thought of putting in the movie. The movie were meant to be grand one considering its superb characterization and some breath-taking effects but the script ruined it all. The expectations from this movie were bit higher. Spider-man 4 was scrapped because Raimi could not find a great plot. And this time also the script is to be blamed. Five years' wait and we thought we would get some great kicks but sadly nothing much was dished out. 


Watch the movie for the effects and the fresh new characters. Do not expect anything extraordinary otherwise you will end up disappointing yourself as I did.

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Welcome To Wasseypur

I am a great movie buff, one of the greatest around. A great proclivity for cinema I have got.  I have been a sincere fan of Martin Scorsese's works, all of them. I believe that a great director can put all the elements of greatness in a movie and make it reach the epitome of cinema. He can set fire to water if there is a natural demand for it. Not the actors, but the directors have always given cinema a turnaround whenever required.

Now, this guy - Anurag Kashyap, is heavily influenced by Scorsese, and may be some other directors too. Being influenced and then delivering beyond imagination is a gargantuan task, only few blessed people can do. The film style and  techniques which he carries with himself are rare, almost rare in the Bollywood where some quacks in the name of cinema produce utter rubbish stuffs and beguile the audience of real dimensions of cinema. 

Let's quickly talk about the movie. Every dimension of cinema has been given full respect. Everyone's performance is quite commendable. The cinematography is simply amazing. The dialogues are such a bliss to any Bihari ears. Thanks to the God, I have got a pair. A great music to spice up the situations. You know, the music will remind you of Kill Bill. Music has been Tarantino's one of the greatest weapons. Tarantino has also influenced Kashyap. The direction of the movie- let's not talk about that. I have talked a lot already about the director.

One thing I want to mention particularly. Many directors tried to get into gang-wars, mafia and other stories involving Bihar and U.P. But the level to which this movie takes you has never been achieved earlier. I was just flabbergasted. How could the director boil down to such intricacies? That's the job of a genius, ain't it?  

There were few things I did not like about the movie. The movie needed a little bit more work on editing. The narrator should have been a better one. A powerful voice was what I thought lacked. Also if the movie were little bit peaceful in the first half, it would have been a legend. Remember Taxi Driver. That calmness and that peace. And one thing particularly- it should have been released in one piece despite of any length it had got. But bad things come in twos and here is Bollywood's baddie my friend.

Do not listen to what one says. Just go for it. It will satisfy the voracious you. A perfect roller-coaster ride. And those who follow the quacks I mentioned - please avoid this movie. We do not want such slumps despising something heavenly.

P.S.- Do not watch this movie with your girl otherwise you will end up answering the one and only question throughout the movie. "What does that mean"?

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Spice Market: A heaven for foodies

Spice Market 
GF18, D2, Southern Park, Behind Select Citywalk, District Centre, Saket, New Delhi 

Very recently me and my girl friend decided to hunt down some good restaurants in NCR. We started with Spice Market. God, we were blown over by this one. So much to eat and without burning a hole in your pocket.

I had already peeked into some sites and Zomato, of course, regrading what this place had to offer. I was really excited to have heard all good responses form everywhere. We decided to go for the Lunch Buffet. A small place with nice, cozy and soothing ambiance. I gave it half my ratings then only. We were produced the buffet menu. A single paged menu with some food items scarcely written on it. I was confused about whether the menu would suffice the gluttony me. But, all the wonderful things come wrapped in simplicity. 

We went for the heavier buffet (a choice between two kinds where the heavier contains the drinks and starters). Always go for the heavier one, otherwise you will kill yourself if you come to know what you missed. The menu contains specifically these items.

1. Starters - I got to taste three kinds of non-veg items. Bhuna Chicken, Mutton Seekh Kebab and Hariyaali Murg. All tasting divine. The Mutton Seekh Kebab was the best of its kind that I have ever tasted in my life. 

2. Main Course - Starters are always a main course killer. But I had some space reserved for the main course too. You have a choice between Nan and Rice. We had Chicken Tikka Biryani. Rogan Josh, Chettinaad Chicken and some veg item were also available. All tasting beyond divinity. 

3. Desserts - And when you already had this much, you think lets finish it, they will smash on your face some nice desserts. Where will you hide? Phirni, Gulab Jaamun and the untasted Custard for me had me bowed against the magnanimity the place offered. Nothing else would you want. Seriously. 

Final words - If you want to visit some place where your every penny gets complemented with some decent food, this is the place. 

For more details about this place visit Zomato.

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Morning's Mine !!

One morning, which is usual as all the mornings,I hear a hard knock on my door. "Let's go to the mess,its breakfast time". I hear that knock.What the hell!Why is this happening? My minds instructing me-dont you dare open your eyes,otherwise the eyeballs are going to pop-out.I need my pillow to put on my ear-God damn it, where's it?? I spread my hands to every part of my bed I can, but my body's not getting slightest of movement. My pillow's missing. Fuck it - bastard's missing. Suddenly I feel my leg's feeling it somewhere." Ahh, thank God - I got it - you just saved my morning from getting screwed". I grab the pillow, put it on my ear and make sure that even the most tumultuous thunder doesn't disturb me. But, I can feel that the knock is growing louder as the person's getting no response from me. He reminds me what I had said to him last night. "Friend, I've been missing my breakfast for last 4 days due to oversleeping. I dont want this to happen tomorrow again. So, please wake me up in the morning anyhow. Do whatever comes in your mind.But, please!! ", he says. I am listening all these shits."What a stupid he's,he takes everything so seriously".I am thinking this and cursing myself for whatever i said to him last night.

Eventually, he gives up. "Fuck off. Dont you dare say me to wake you up any day. Its all wastage of time. I am leaving. "I am hearing all this with all my ears,he leaves and I take a great sigh of relief. "Good, you are gone, now I can have a sound sleep. "Pressing hard the saviour pillow on my face I push my self to a deep sleep, deeper than ever.

After about 1 hour I feel its time to get up. I try very hard to lift my body off the bed,seems that the bed has clutched me tightly and it doesn't want me to leave it. A commitment that I make to it just before I sleep is to break,so it tries to savour every last moment that I am spending with it. Finally I detach my body, mind and soul from my sweet and lovely darling, promising that i will be back again with a lot of love and the next night will be more entertaining for it.

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