ALBUM REVIEW: "Coexist" by The xx

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My favorite bands keep failing to make their second albums better than their debut ones. (see: Passion Pit, Mew...) Why is that. I admire the xx. Their first album is one of my favorite ones in the history of Felixen's favorite albums! Almost every song of their debut album tells a story for me such as "Islands", "Synchronized", "VCR" and "Night Time".

This time things're looking different. The debut single "Angels" took me by storm. Loved it from the first listening on and couldn't wait for the album. But OH no :( What a disappointment. Yes, I love the style and sound. It's awesomely atmospheric again but where's the recognition value? "Reunion" and "Swept Away" are amazing but the rest of the songs kind of get lost in a minimal monotone sound that the xx have obviously chosen for their new outing.

Of course, with every listening the songs get better but "Coexist" does kind of sound like a 1-hour-song. As I am 100% loyal to the xx, though, I have downloaded the album and am listening to it and when it suits the mood it's perfect.

However: I want another First Album by them. Let's make the third album better than the first AND the second one, okay?! Please.

PHOTO POST: insta memories {3}

Instagram post number 3 - an overview over what has been happening in November. When you get busier & busier in daily life, instagram is such a welcome distraction. It also is perfect to remember certain little moments in life & capture them with photos. A little recommendation - if you're in Vienna - the current exhibitions at the Albertina and the MUMOK are simply amazing!!! Definitely worth a visit ;)
Looking forward to all the Christkindlmarkets (christmas markets) in December all around the city, which will hopefully brighten up the gloomy weather! :)

a weekend trip to budapest // opera building on a sightseeing walk through the city

dan flavin - "lights" exhibition // rainy days - view out of a tram in the evening

foggy view from the balcony at home // november full of rain

university trip to the AUA (austrian airlines ) headquartes at the airport // winter installations at the MQ (museumsquartier) - "urban eskimos"

visiting the new "go'ramien" at "the mall" (landstraße vienna) - sushi yumminess!! // cozy evenings at home with popcorn & new gossip girl series

evenings spent studying at the university library // deserted university halls late in the evening

starting a new book - "anna karenina" in its original russian version // going back to my darker natural hair colour

PHOTO POST: golden autumn

Even though Felix and I haven't taken these photos such a long time ago, they almost seem like a distant memory right now. The gorgeous weather was used for a walk around the castle Schönbrunn - golden coloured leaves all around and the sun shining - wish autumn could have stayed that friendly a bit longer.
Now all that has been replaced by cloudy gloominess, so we can't wait until the christmasy-mood finally sets in and brightens up Vienna a bit. With lots of university work to do, the best has to be made out of this weather as well. Cuddling up at home with tea and cookies or visiting some museums and art exhibitions is what we've been up to lately :)

MOVIE REVIEW: „The Hunger Games“

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I’ve finally seen it. In the U.S. the movie was the 12^th most successful of all times. (Without inflation rate.) Well, that is certainly something. Based on the highly popular book trilogy, “The Hunger Games” already had a huge fanbase and this fanbase is exactly the people that use the medium of cinema the most excessively these days, (see Twilight).

The plot of the movie is totally capturing, I wasn’t bored for a second, despite a running length of almost 2 ½ hours. The audience is led through the story very well, the events seem to be brought to screen quite accurately. The characters are very well developed, and the acting is superb. Jennifer Lawrence is wonderful as the main lead, but also Josh Hutcherson, Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks etc. play their parts with commitment.

Negative points about this movie are difficult to discuss in such a short text. First there are some logical questions that are bound to come up with this kind of material, but secondly there are some aspects regarding the credibility of it all. 

The real highlight about “The Hunger Games” is this eerie atmosphere, this excitement that is built up cleverly and that keeps you glued to the screen. The movie has a great pace and the cinematography pleases the viewers from beginning until the end. Maybe I’ll even read the second part, but I’ll definitely watch it!