Many modern electrical devices are built to be able to handle a range of different volts. If the voltage in your home country is roughly the same as the voltage in the country you will be travelling to, then you won’t need one. ![]() Voltage convertersĭo you need a voltage converter for your trip? Voltage is a measure of electrical force (#sciencelesson) and varies from region to region throughout the world, so it will depend on what region your electrical devices come from and in what region you intend to use them. They are also available in shops in airport departure lounges, but they can be a little more expensive there so best to grab one before you go. Travel shops (including online travel shops), department stores and even cheap knick-knack shops are great places to pick up power point converters and travel adapters. A universal adapter that allows you to change the pins is a great investment for any avid traveller, and with the move to more USB charging options worldwide, finding one with a slot for these is an even better buy. Power outlets have different shapes in different parts of the world and you may need an adapter to convert the shape of your home power plugs to the shape of the outlets in the region of the world you are travelling to. If you’re travelling away from your home country or region of the world then chances are that yes, you do. Travelling for the first time? Heading somewhere new and don’t know how you’re going to keep your phone charged or hair straightened? Here’s a comprehensive guide to all things travel adapters… Do I need a travel adapter?
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![]() When I say this drone can compete with a DJI, I mean it. These giveaways not only add excitement to the online casino experience, but they also provide players with a new way to explore the world of quadcopters. We’ll look at what this drone has inside, and then see how those features stack up to other drones around 300. Like many drones we see today, the Ruko F11 Pro has a similar. The Ruko F11 Pro also comes with different flying modes which are very useful, even inexperienced or younger flyers can learn and fly the drone. Some gambling sites have offered players the chance to win a quadcopter by participating in certain games or promotions. The Ruko F11 Pro is a great beginner’s drone for a more experienced user as well also has an affordable price and decent video quality. Quadcopters have also been used in promotions and giveaways. These races can be held in virtual environments or in real-life settings, adding an element of adventure and excitement to the online casino experience. Drone races involve players flying their drones through a course as fast as they can, competing against other players for the fastest time. ![]() One of the ways quadcopters have been used in online casinos is through drone races. Quadcopters, also known as drones, have become a new way for online casino enthusiasts to have fun and add excitement to their gaming experiences, read about 7Bit casino in Australia if you interested in big jackpots. While it may seem like an unusual combination, online casino players and quadcopters have become a popular pairing in recent years. As fans analyze the odds, excitement builds, making Game 5 an exciting event both on and off the court. This means that if you are betting on the Celtics, they will need to win a game by more than three points for your bet to be successful. The point spread indicates the expected margin of victory for each team, with the Celtics currently favored by three points. Sportsbooks analyze the point spread, total and moneyline information to make their predictions. As basketball enthusiasts eagerly await the Game 5 Odds for Celtics vs Heat: Point Spread, Total & Moneyline Information for the Opening Match. Speaking of sporting events, let’s pay attention to the highly anticipated Game 5 between the Celtics and the Heat. ![]() Whether you want to capture scenic landscapes or document sporting events, the F11PRO drone provides an unparalleled perspective previously only possible with expensive equipment. Equipped with a high-definition camera and intelligent flight modes, the F11PRO captures stunning images and videos from breathtaking heights. The F11PRO drone is a technological marvel that captivates the world. ![]() ![]() Add the previously prepared flaxseed eggs and the melted chocolate mixture and stir to create a smooth batter. After that, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and sugar in a bowl. Step 3: Making the brownie batterįor the ultimate chocolate brownie batter, melt the vegan butter together with the chocolate and vanilla in a saucepan. Then mix everything with an electric hand mixer until smooth and creamy. To make the cheesecake batter, place the vegan cream cheese, silken tofu (or soya quark or coconut yogurt), sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Alternatively, substitute another kind of fruit to make the compote with. Lastly, prepare the cherry pie filling according to this recipe. Optionally, you can substitute the flax-eggs with applesauce or mashed banana as mentioned in the recipe notes below. Set it aside for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken up. Next, prepare the flaxseed eggs by stirring 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds in 5 tablespoons of hot water. Step 2: Prepare the flax-eggs and cherry pie filling This step will help you to remove the finished brownies out of the pan easier. I suggest cutting the parchment paper to fit into your pan like I did (see photo below). Secondly, lightly grease your desired baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving extra hanging over the sides. Start by preheating the oven to 347☏ (175☌). How to make vegan cherry cheesecake brownies Step 1: Preparing the baking pan I’m sure you could even make cheesecake brownie muffins or cupcakes with them! But please consider that depending on the depth of your chosen pan, the baking time may vary. But as you see in my Brownie Cheesecake recipe, the batter can be also turned into other pans, depending on the shape, thickness, and handiness you want to achieve. I recommend using an 11×7-inch or a 9×9-inch baking pan, to get perfectly sized brownies. Simply use your favorite fresh, frozen or canned fruits/ berries and prepare them just like the cherry compote. However, you can use basically any fruit you prefer or even a combination of multiple fruits. What I love about it is that whether using canned cherries or frozen or even fresh pitted cherries, you’ll end up with a healthy and delicious topping any way! Overall, I think cherries go especially well with any chocolate or cheesecake recipes. I topped my vegan cheesecake brownies with the juicy and fruity cherry filling that I used in my classic Cherry Pie recipe. So as you see, these brownie bars are the perfect easy dessert for every day and definitely a vegan showstopper for any occasion! Which fruits can I use? And you’ll love that the completely vegan cheesecake layer is just as silky as an original cheesecake, or even better! The batters come together in no time and don’t require any kneading or fancy ingredients. The brownie batter is made vegan, meaning it contains no eggs, but uses two flaxseed eggs as a binder as written in the recipe box below. If you’re a gluten-free eater, feel free to substitute a gluten-free 1 to 1 baking flour blend. These vegan cherry cheesecake brownies are just as delicious and easy to make while being so good that you can’t even tell they are vegan! They are loaded with chocolate flavor and at the same time creamy, fudgy and gooey in texture so that you won’t get enough of them for sure! I topped mine with a very simple cherry compote, that can be made in no time! Sharing them with your family and friends, assuredly they’ll be loved by children and adults, vegans and non-vegans alike! Easy Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake Brownie Barsįor this recipe, you’ll only need a few simple ingredients such as flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, dark chocolate and vanilla extract. ![]() If you love brownies and cheesecake like I do, you’ve maybe already tried my Vegan Brownie Cheesecake. Unquestionably, I’m a girl that craves chocolate all the time and in all possible variations! So clearly working on chocolaty recipes is one of my favorite things to do and if they’re combined with an incredibly tasty and moist cheesecake layer it can’t get any better! You’ll love this recipe just like I do because it’s super simple and made fast with only a few simple ingredients. These fudgy vegan cherry cheesecake swirl brownies are easy to make gluten-free and incredibly delicious! They combine amazing swirls of creamy, moist and rich cheesecake with a juicy fruit layer topping between a simple classic chocolate brownie batter, making these bars to your new favorite dessert, whether you’re vegan or not! ![]() At least point, the internal temperature of the pork is at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing it into bite-size pieces. Return the roasting pan to the oven and roast for a final 15 minutes, 400 degrees F (204 degrees C) Remove the roasting pan from the oven and brush the honey glaze all over the pork on both sides.In the meantime, in a bowl, add the honey (or replace it with maltose) and hot water.For the Marinade: Garlic Fermented tofu (Fu): can be substituted with any fermented bean paste such as miso or doubanjiang. ![]() Return the roasting pan to the oven and roast for another 30 minutes, 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Soy sauce & salt: for a boost of flavour cup vital wheat (90g) Cold water: I've found it easier to use cold water to bring the dough together. Brush the reserved marinade all over the pork on both sides. Remove the roasting pan from the oven.Transfer the roasting pan to the oven, where the pork is located at the center, and roast for 30 minutes, 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Remove the pork from the Ziploc bag and place them on the roasting rack. Place a roasting rack on top of a foil-lined roasting pan.(Please keep in mind that every oven is a bit different, and the thickness and size of the meat are varied too, so you might have to adjust the temperature and time based on these conditions.) Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).Transfer the bag to the fridge to marinate overnight, flipping it about halfway through. Distribute and rub the marinade all over the meat. Squeeze most of the air out of the Ziploc bag and seal it. Transfer the pork to a large Ziploc bag and pour in the marinade.Reserve 3 tablespoons of the marinade.You could also use red yeast rice or red food coloring to replace it.), the sauce of fermented red bean curd, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rose cooking wine (You could also use other types of cooking wine, or opt it out if you can’t consume any alcohol.), sugar, five-spice powder, white pepper, and garlic. To make the marinade, in a bowl, mix in the fermented red bean curd (This provides a beautiful red coating on the char siu.(It helps to tenderize the meat and allows the marinade to penetrate more.) Use a fork to lightly stab the pork everywhere on both sides.And this is what I call, the ultimate Char Siu Pork recipe! Char Siu Pork RecipeĢ pieces fermented red bean curd (replace it with red yeast rice or red food coloring)Ģ tablespoons fermented red bean curd sauceĢ tablespoons rose cooking wine (mei kuei lu chiew) (or replace with other cooking wine)ģ tablespoons honey (or replace with maltose)ģ tablespoons hot water Char Siu Pork Instructions To prepare the pork: Today, I’d like to remake this recipe and address some of your questions from before. If you have been following me for some time, you know that I made Char Siu Pork before. Store the sauce in the refrigerator where it will keep for at least 2 weeks.Char Siu Pork is Cantonese BBQ Pork. Turn off the heat and let the sauce cool completely. Simply combine the ingredients in a small saucepan.īring the sauce to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. While you can absolutely use store-bought, for the very best flavor we highly recommend making our homemade Hoisin Sauceand Chinese Five Spice, two of the ingredients you’ll need for making this sauce. Each ingredient is important to achieving the best overall flavor so don’t be tempted to omit any of them. This sauce is easy to make, you just need to gather up the ingredients. ….and any other way your heart desires!.As a marinade or glaze for barbecued chicken and seafood.As a marinade or glaze for barbecued pork (most commonly belly, loin, shoulder or ribs).We’re featuring this homemade char siu sauce as a standalone recipe because of its versatility – it is SO delicious! Besides using it to make the classic barbecued char siu pork there are many more ways to use this incredibly delicious sauce! By making it yourself you not only leave out all the junk ingredients that come packed in the store-bought sauce, you also get a vastly superior tasting product – all in less than 10 minutes! Sticky, sweet and salty with deep umami undertones, its flavors are bold and vibrant. The crowning feature of char siu pork is its barbecue sauce. It’s popular throughout China, Southwest Asia and Japan. Translated as “fork roasted”, pork is slathered with the classic sauce and then roasted in the oven or over a fire. BEST Char Siu Sauce Recipe Whip up a batch of this delicious and versatile sauce in less than 10 minutes and then use it on your pork, chicken, seafood, rice, noodles, in your stir-fries, and more! The flavors are bold and vibrant and will make your taste buds sing!Ĭhar siu refers to the famous Cantonese preparation of roasted pork. ![]() However, after his recent real estate purchase, at least James won’t have to worry about being dragged by Sandoval via song over his apartment-living situation. After creating an online dating profile with the help of his close pal/business partner, Tom Sandoval, Schwartz matched with a fellow singleton named Kendall. If the Toms are in fact on a break, their friendship won’t be the first to crumble in the wake of Scandoval, as the affair also marked the end of Sandoval’s friendship with James Kennedy, who was previously engaged to Raquel. Though Sandoval went on to claim that Schwartz had actually been misquoted and he and his bestie were good as gold, his latest “Stacy’s Mom” remix suggests otherwise. … I’m taking a break from Tom right now.” “What was that? Sorry dude, can’t hear you.” Tom Schwartz Threatens Katie Maloney With A Cease & Desist After She Blasts His Relationship With Jo Wenberg 'Scandoval' might have been the hottest topic during the 'Vanderpump Rules'. ![]() “It’s hard for me not to be resentful of him. During an appearance on Lindsey Metselaars We Met At Acme podcast on Sunday. “He made a big mess and he left it for us to clean up,” Schwartz said. 4 min read Katie Maloney is getting candid about what led to her divorce from Tom Schwartz.Sandoval’s on-stage shade comes just weeks after Schwartz revealed on Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright’s When Reality Hits podcast that he was “taking a break from Tom right now” because he feel betrayed by his BFF for letting him take part of the blame for the Scandoval fallout. The house of hostility currently shared by exes Sandoval and Ariana. Season 10 of Vanderpump Rules kicked off with Katie announcing shed asked Tom for a divorce. How to Watch Watch Vanderpump Rules on Bravo Wed. Published: 19:15 ET, Updated: 9:39 ET, BRAVO stars Katie Maloney and Tom Schwartz were together for over a decade. She told the paparazzi reporter that she’d “love to sell” the house.Īs The Ashley previously told you, the couple ended their nine-year relationship in March after Ariana found out about Sandoval’s months-long affair with cast member Raquel Leviss. Back in November 2022, Tom Schwartz sent a message to Katie Maloney timed to the anniversary of an accident she had over a decade ago. Ariana was recently ambushed at the airport by TMZ and asked about her their home. Sandoval and ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix are still cohabitating in their Valley Village home, though their living situation is presumably temporary. When Pump Rules hit Bravo in 2013, only Maloney was featured on the show as a cast member, while Schwartz was introduced as her. ![]() Ironically, Sandoval may very well be a former homeowner himself soon. The former husband and wife sold their home last summer not long after announcing their divorce, and now live separately in their own apartments. ![]() In his version of the song, Sandoval was referring to the Valley Village home Schwartz used to share with ex-wife Katie Maloney. Then came the night that changed the course of my life forever,” Kristen penned, seemingly referring to Tom.A post shared by Thomas Sandoval do you remember when you had a lawn? / A homeowner lawn / Your mom came out wearing just a TomTom hoodie and a thong,” Sandoval sang– (off-key, natch). The Vanderpump Rules cast member offered an update on her love life and gave details on her split from Tom. I was absolutely terrified that if we broke up, no one would ever love me again. Katie Maloney-Schwartz Reveals She Has Been on a Date Since Splitting Up with Tom. I knew in the back of my mind that we were done, I just didn’t want to believe it. In June 2020, Kristen released a memoir titled He’s Making You Crazy: How to Get the Guy, Get Even, and Get Over It wherein she reflected on the scandal and her relationship. Although the Michigan native didn’t name drop in her book, it didn’t take long for Vanderpump Rules fans to put the pieces together. ‘Pump Rules’ Stars Who Had Plastic Surgery: Fillers, Nose Jobs and MoreĪfter months of dodging the truth, Kristen finally admitted that she hooked up with Stassi’s ex-boyfriend Jax, to which Stassi slapped Kristen square across the face and called her “a dirty f–king whore.” It’s also worth noting that Kristen was in a relationship with Tom Sandoval when she slept with Jax. ![]() NCSoft has stated that they will be releasing more details about Lineage W on August 19th at 10:00 AM (KST) during the ‘Lineage W Global Online Showcase.’ You can watch the announcement video below. More details about the title are to release on August 19 But yes, if you are interested in watching some cinematics, then you are in for a treat. However, the teaser website ( available in Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, and English) does provide a little information regarding the concept, though nothing major. NCSoft has also just released a teaser website for the game, but since it’s merely a tease, there aren't many details about the title available at the moment. But it will be available for both mobile and PC gamers. The game features epic battlegrounds, specially tailored storylines, unusual alliances, good character building, and immersive villains to fight. The investor call specifically mentions Project TL (Lineage Eternal) and Lineage W as preparing for launch in the second half of 2022. Pre-registration for the game is now available on the game’s website as well as on Google Play and App Store. Pre-registration for Lineage W, a forthcoming massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) by NCSOFT, is currently available. It is worth noting that Lineage W essentially saved NCSoft from massive financial losses this quarter, as the game composed 357 billion Won of a total of 691 billion Won, or 51 of the total sales. NCSoft has just announced Lineage W, which will be an MMORPG just like Lineage and Lineage II. Lineage W will launch globally across multiple platforms including Android, iOS, PC, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch sometime in 2021. And now they have announced Lineage W, a new MMORPG. First, they announced that they are planning to launch Aion 2 in 2022, which will be a global launch and not just limited to a particular region. NCSoft has made back-to-back announcements. Still, in this post, we have summed up everything we do know about the game. However, not many details have been revealed about Lineage W yet. NCSoft has just announced a new MMORPG that will launch on both mobile and PC. ![]() Dig a hole for the Knockout Rose that is twice as wide and twice as deep as the root ball. This is the collection of roots at the base of the tree. Observe the root ball of the Knockout Rose Tree. After the planting location has been settled, it is best to order the Knockout Rose Tree for springtime planting. Containers often work well with Knockout Rose Trees as the soil inside the container is often easily controlled for drainage, necessary to the tree’s overall success. Knockout Roses Trees can be planted in containers, in a flat garden bed, or in a raised garden bed. Consider installing a drip or hose sprinkler system that waters the Knockout Rose Tree from the ground-up. Although Knockout Rose Trees are hardier to the cold and shade, they still benefit from between 5 and 6 hours of sunshine. Knockout Roses require heavy sunshine, although some partial shade is acceptable. When to Plant: Plant in early spring, though the Knockout Rose Tree can technically be planted at any time of the year.Īs with any planting endeavor, the first step in planting the Knockout Rose Tree is to determine an appropriate location for planting the cultivar. Work well as potted plants or in raised garden beds. Soil: Knockout Rose Trees require well-draining loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5, preferably. Water: Water immediately after planting and twice a week to a depth of at least 2 inches. Sun: Plant in full sun to partial shade, providing between 5 and 6 hours of sunshine a day. The Tree Center provides this beginning care, ensuring that with successful planting and at-home care, the Knockout Rose Tree will provide stunning roses in red, pink, or yellow. Read the quick facts below before examining the following sections in detail to determine if the Knockout Rose Tree is the right fit for the given planting location.Įven though the Knockout Rose Tree is hardier than its cousin, the rose, it still requires adept care and love during the initial stages of growth. Knockout Rose Trees, though hardier than the regular rose, still have specific requirements with regard to sunshine, soil, and water. Consider the planting location, soil type, and water distribution processes carefully before investing in a sapling from The Tree Center. Proper research is an essential tool in any planting endeavor this is especially true for rose varieties, such as the Knockout Rose Tree, which benefit from careful planning. Water the Knockout Rose Trees at the ground, and avoid wetting the leaves as this increases the likelihood of fungi. Similar to the Knockout Rose shrub, Knockout Rose Trees prefer at least 5 to 6 hours of sunlight and well-draining, loamy soil. Knockout Rose Bushes do well either in the garden or in pots, where they can line patios or walkways. The Knockout Rose Tree now enables gardeners searching for the low-maintenance benefits of the Knockout Rose with the shape and arrangement of a small tree. These 3 to 4 foot trees are topped with a rounded crown covered in red, pink, or yellow flowers. William Radler cultivated the Knockout Rose in 2000 for this very reason, and now the Knockout Rose Tree can grace the garden landscape. Many gardeners, however, have long struggled with the regular high-maintenance rose. Roses are a popular garden plant, both for their value in the landscaping world and their unique beauty and fragrance. Thank you to the community for making it worth the time to make something like this. Thank you to Redigit and the whole dev team for making such a great game and continuing to update it with content even after 5 years. They clearly have a love for this game and a passion for modding. Thank you to the whole tModLoader team who has put together such an amazing project. If you need help installing tModLoader go HERE. You can also download the mod from the mod browser in tModLoader. Legal By downloading this mod you agree that we are not responsible for any damages or problems that may be caused by the mod, tModLoader, or any add-ons for any reason whatsoever. ![]() Porting, bugtesting, and development of new tools. He has done amazing work porting the mod over. We are currently updating even more features that did not survive the port. jopojelly: I worked with the very talented modder jopojelly to port this mod to tMod. Funding, design, bugtesting, and project management. I worked really hard on the design of the mod and put a lot of thought into which tools would be best. I've spent many nights testing revision after revision of the mod for bugs. ![]() Here are few in game menus for the tools: View attachment 115520 View attachment 115521 View attachment 115522 View attachment 115524 (This menu expands when clicked) Adjust the time of day. You can dig and build a lot easier with this. This allows you to reach anywhere on the map with your cursor.
![]() Contact Fashion Nova at 2801 East 46th, Vernon, CA 90058 +. You can withdraw your consent at any time by texting STOP. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. cart reminders) from Fashion Nova CA at the cell number used when signing up. From vintage ‘50s looks to band name tees and tops with graphic designs like butterflies or tie-dye print - let’s just say we have it all.īy signing up for email, you agree to Fashion Nova's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.īy submitting this form, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing text messages (e.g. Try our long sleeve graphic tees for women and graphic hoodies for a look that will make you want to Netflix and chill. Our tees and hoodies pair with your streetwear vibe and you can grab a cute sweater in late summer so you’re able to stay out after dark. Yup, they can be mixed and matched with your favorite lounge set, too. You better believe our long sleeve graphic tees and hoodies go perfectly with some loungewear joggers, leggings, or biker shorts. With so many graphic hoodies in women’s styles and women’s graphic tees that are at cheap prices and just your style - you have a lot to work with.įashion Nova’s graphic tees for women are classic, but cozy, too. Heck, you can even wear a simple graphic tee with an oversized blazer and high waisted jeans for an office look that’s oozing in cool-girl vibes. Not sure where to begin? This year’s style MO is laid back cool, so why not try out a cozy graphic hoodie for women with tie-dye prints or neon colors - or slip into a crop top while the weather’s still warm. ![]() So, be sure you’re checking back for the most relevant graphic tees and graphic hoodies in our collection. Our women’s graphic t-shirts are cheap (in price only, of course) and feature new on-trend designs almost daily. Check out our graphic tees for women with band names, long sleeve graphic tees featuring throw-back cartoons, and graphic tank tops in women’s sizes with messages that push the envelope. And, like your favorite ice cream, they come in all flavors. Casual yet never boring, our graphic tees for women can be trendy, cute, sexy, edgy, and/or silly. Our graphic tees, long sleeve graphic tops, and graphic hoodies in women’s sizes make it easy to walk that line. Stock up on all her faves today online or by visiting your nearest store.Want to speak what’s on your mind without sacrificing your style? Us too, bbs. They go with jeans, leggings, shorts and so much more. Girls’ graphic T-shirts are the perfect way to express her budding personality. Just add sandals or sneakers to tie the look together, and don’t forget the sunscreen! Summer days mean vacation for many families and what better outfits to bring than cool graphic t-shirts and denim shorts ? Whether your family is camping by the lake or posted on a beach overlooking the ocean, this classic cotton and denim look is always a winner. A cool and breezy look she’ll love wearing! ![]() Mix it up in the summer with short sleeve T-shirts, bike shorts, and sandals. Yep, we’re seeing cartwheels, tag chases, slide races and so much more in her future. Heading to the park for a playdate on a chilly day? Throw on a long sleeve graphic tee with stretchy leggings and sneakers for a fit that will go wherever she does. On colder days, add a faux-leather jacket or cable-knit cardigan for an extra cozy layer. For non-uniform school days, grab a short sleeve graphic T-shirt and style with a pair of relaxed jeans (like our ‘90s Loose fit!) and cool sneakers or leather biker boots. Next, pair your girl’s graphic tee with an essential bottom. Looking for something a bit cooler? Try our favorite band or movie t-shirts! The options are endless, so stock up on tees to wear every day! Or try going for a fun phrase on a colorful tee, like “DREAM BIG” with bright floral graphics. Think tees with their favorite Disney, Star Wars, or Marvel characters, like Minnie Mouse or Grogu. Here’s how to style them.įirst, you’ll need to grab all of your kid girl’s graphic tee favorites. School days, play days, weekends… causal days call for the comfiest outfit, and the best place to start is with girls’ graphic T-shirts! Cool cotton and cool prints for your coolest little gal. ![]() In North America, the album was released on 3 June 2003. Paper Monsters debuted at number 36 on the UK Albums Chart, while reaching the top 10 in Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. Upon its debut, critical reception was generally mixed while many complimented the album's personal subject matter, others described it as lacking depth. The album was produced by Ken Thomas, known for his work with Icelandic band Sigur Rós. It was released on 2 June 2003 in the United Kingdom by Mute Records and the following day in North America by Reprise Records. Whatever the motives, it reduces a Don Juan to begging for a pity fuck.Paper Monsters is the debut solo studio album by English singer Dave Gahan. Paper Monsters succeeds in revealing the "new" Dave Gahan, and that's what makes it a faintly embarrassing listen. The latter toys with an inversion of that sentiment- "you'll always need me much more than I need you," goes the lyric- but the song still ends on a note of puppy-eyed yearning. Its chorus, once again, flirts with the pathetic: "Stay/ You can leave tomorrow" paints the singer as the whinier half of a fling. The former is another simple, pretty ballad that brings the album's average BPM to about 90. "Stay" and "I Need You" are unfortunately not a two-part Lisa Loeb cover. Gahan's vocal can still elevate the dumbest lyric to the level of a cathartic mantra, a skill that comes handy in the absence of Martin Gore. Regardless, there's a great middle section that finds him belting, simply, "I'm not very nice" over a string crescendo. Over earnest guitars and low-moaning harmonica, Gahan roars "He's living for the bottle," evidently recalling his own adventures in alcoholism from the safe remove of the third person.īy the next song, "Black and Blue Again", Dave's confessions take on a tinge of a master-and-servant game: Gahan might, just might, get off on self-flagellation, with the audience as the unwitting dominator. "Bottle Living" is a classic blues shuffle, not even transposed into a more British minor key (which "Personal Jesus" was). "Dirty Sticky Floors" is both the album's designated hit single and its most humble moment: by the end of the first verse, the protagonist is already on the titular floor "praying over the porcelain throne." After two timid ballads in a row- "Hold On" and "A Little Piece"- Gahan is seized by another bout of picturesque wallowing. Gahan opens Monstersin full masochistic mode. They were, and are, a gospel-tinged classic rock band that happened to favor au courant arrangements (as the legend goes, the boys switched to synths so as not to disturb neighbors during early rehearsals). Fair enough: much like the Eurythmics, Depeche Mode were never a true electropop outfit. The songs themselves, meanwhile, are two-thirds smoothly crooned ballads over one-third lacquered rock shuffles- all closer to the digi-soul of *Songs of Faith and Devotion than the IDM aspirations of * Exciter. Its presence here nears Bonnie Raitt levels, coating most solos and even providing ambient beds. The most prominently featured instrument on Paper Monsters is, oddly enough, slide guitar. The first thing we learn is that Dave doesn't really like synthesizers all that much. It's just another level of self-mythologizing, sure, but it does yield interesting information- sometimes not in the ways intended. ![]() Like many solo outings by career frontmen, Paper Monsters is autotherapeutic: Gahan wants to share something about himself. Why the hell am I making a point of this? Well, it's quite indicative of the album's contents. He also looks like a rather prototypical Jew. He looks like he should at this point: a man with 22 years' celebrity and six minutes of clinical death behind him. One of the premier prettyboys of the 80s, Gahan looks defiantly middle-aged here- the jowls sag a bit, the corners of the mouth took a mournful turn downward. |