Album Review: Andain - You Once Told Me

...it's about words and the meaning of words, and how they change over time, as we as people can change over time.

- Mavie Marcos

After being in the business for 10 years, Mavie Marcos and Josh Gabriel - better known as Andain - has finally released their official full-length album 'You Once Told Me' with 11 old and new tracks.

The album kicks off with “Turn Up The Sound,” a percussion-filled track with mellow beats that stops in the middle, making you think the track has ended, before a nice guitar riff introduce you back to the same track but with different production sound. This was followed by the pop-ish track “Like” blending string melodies with synths. Then comes in the highly synthesize track “Much Too Much,” the second single released from the album. The duo change the pace with “Ave Maria,” blending more melodic electronic upbeats and faster vocals by Mavie.

“Promises” follows next and it was the first single released last year. This is one of the two tracks that former member David Penner co-wrote. The track has a lovely blend of dark electronic synths and acoustic percussion and guitar elements. “After” follows next and is filled with percussion beats and guitar melodies blending harmoniously with Mavie’s voice. This blend continues with “What It’s Like” before another change in melody in “Forget Your Face,” a track filled with melodies and beats that are harmoniously blended together and uses vocals as only a backdrop for the track.

Andain continues with synthesize-filled track “Find Your Way” followed by the title track “You Once Told Me” a track filled with harmonious blend of beats, melodies and Mavie’s vocals that would surely be a hit. This is the other track the David Penner co-penned. Andain ended the album with “Taken Away,” a melodic track with heavy emphasis on guitar riffs.

You Once Told Me is not a trance album but it will be surely be enjoyed by many even trance fans. The harmony and rhythm of the tracks will surely soothe one’s ears.

10/10

Review can also be found at Trance Hub's website - http://trancehub.com/reviews/albums/you-once-told-me-transcends-all-the-boundaries-of-different-genres-of-music/

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Tips: Eating at a Buffet

Buffet - a place where one can indulge into eating everything and anything without breaking one's budget. Being an buffet enthusiast, I have manage a way for me to eat enough for my money without over indulging.

Now, I am not saying my way is the best way. This are merely tips that I have followed for many years and would like to share it with everyone else. Hopefully you will be able to use one or two or all of them the next time you go to a buffet.

Tip 1 - Eat a light meal before the buffet meal.
Here is one of the biggest mistakes some buffet goers tend to make. They think that not eating breakfast before a lunch buffet or not eating lunch before a dinner buffet, will aid them in eating more. This is actually not good, going to a buffet on a empty stomach will make you want to eat fast and more which results into overindulging.
Why? well, your body does not process the food as quick as you eat. This means that your stomach does not send signals to your brain as fast as you chow down your food to tell you that you are full. Once it sends the signal to your brain, you have already overate which means you will feel so full that you might end up going to the restroom.

Tip 2 - Look around before starting picking your choices
Look around and see what the buffet has to offer especially if there are a lot of different stations. This way, you have a visual of what the place is offering during that time. Also, it helps to know what is available so that you will know what dishes you want to take the next trip to the buffet line.

Tip 3 - Eat slowly
Eat slowly, chew your food more to aid your body in digesting what you are eating. Don't just gobble everything down. It's not a race, except if you entered an eating competition. Enjoy what you are eating.

Tip 4 - Do not eat a lot of carbohydrates and fried foods.
I always see people doing this in buffets. Eating meals pack with carbohydrates like rice and noodles will make you full easily since they are heavy on your stomach. Eating fried foods will make you feel the same. When I go to buffets, you won't see me taking rice and/or noodles but if you really like them,   just take a little bit. That way, you have more room for other dishes.

Tip 5 - Take a breather
Some people tend to go straight to the buffet line once they finished their plate. Don't! Take your time, relax a little and if you are with company, chat a bit. Then head back to the station, remember, the dishes won't go away - they will still be there when you get back on the buffet line.

Tip 6 - Eat high price items
This tip is more for those who want bang for their buck. This is where Tip 2 comes in handy. Looking around will allow you to find where the high price items. And depending on where the buffet is, it could be steak, filet mignon, sashimi, snow crabs, crab legs, etc. I have been to a buffet in Las Vegas that features King Crab Legs, Fresh Shrimps, Lobster tails and Filet Mignon.

Hopefully this tip will help you when you head to the Buffet. Eat and Enjoy