Are You Receiving Me?

Blast From The Past: The Rolling Stones

2008-08-13T17:30:00.000-07:00

It took me a long time to really get into The Rolling Stones for a reason I have no idea. The old argument always rears its ugly head when talking about The Stones… y’know the one, Beatles or Stones? For me it’s The Rolling Stones every single time, don’t get me wrong I do like The Beatles and they have some great songs. However The Rolling Stones just have this edgy appeal and I really love their classic rock and roll sound. It's not too very long for The Stones to become one of my favourite bands of all time.

What I found hard was where to begin with getting into The Rolling Stones because the back catalogue is absolutely huge. It’s very hard to know where to start with a band that has changed its sound over the years. Thankfully there is a really, really good collection called ‘Rolled Gold Plus’ which features all the great Stones songs and really concentrates on their early career which for most is when they were at their best.

I always imagine myself being around in the 60’s and really, really adoring The Rolling Stones, it would’ve been so easy to back then because there wasn’t as much competition as there is today. The Rolling Stones are one of those special bands that only come around every 40 years or so. Actually I would suggest there has never been a band quite like The Rolling Stones.

When you listen to ‘Rolled Gold Plus’ you pretty much will not skip a song (obviously if you like the band) however some of my favourite songs include ‘Come On’, ‘I’m Free’, ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, ‘It’s All Over Now’ to name four that come to mind.

Other songs like ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’, ‘Paint It Black’, ‘Sympathy For The Devil’, ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’, ‘Gimme Shelter’ and ‘Brown Sugar’ are more recognised songs. Obviously those songs mentioned are classic songs and ones that people will associate with The Rolling Stones.

However to me songs like ‘Get Off My Cloud’, ‘Play With Fire’, ‘Yesterday’s Papers’, ‘Time Is On My Side’ and ‘Let’s Spend The Night Together’ are just as good if not better than the more famous Stones tracks. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are two of the most iconic rock legends of all time and there is no question that The Rolling Stones are considered one of the greatest bands of all time. They definitely deserve that label especially when you consider the band have been going for 46 years!

Classic Record: The Smiths – Meat Is Murder

2008-08-13T17:10:00.000-07:00

Every person has an “album” that defines the music they love, or the band that they are obsessed with or even a time in their life which they can relate to an album. Some albums help people get through life’s obstacles or help them cure depression and so forth. The gist is that all people who really love music have an album that they always go back to and consider the album which most represents them. One of my friends says ‘Kid A’ by Radiohead, another says ‘The Holy Bible’ by Manic Street Preachers and you get the idea.

‘Meat Is Murder’ is the album which I’ll always return to when I don’t know what to listen or just because I want to listen an album I know will I love. Some fans of The Smiths will say that ‘The Queen Is Dead’ is the best album but I think die hard Smiths fans will argue that ‘Meat Is Murder’ is the best Smiths record. It’s an album which I think you need to give at least two or three listens from start to finish before you can really have an opinion on it.

What I love most about the album is that there is no stand out “hit” or single, perhaps ‘How Soon Is Now?’ is that song but even then I don’t think it’s one of The Smiths most commercial songs like ‘Panic’ or ‘This Charming Man’. Each song on the album is different to the next which is another thing I really love about the album. Lyrically the album is my favourite too with lyrics like “Belligerent ghouls, run Manchester schools. Spineless swines, cemented minds” in ‘The Headmaster Ritual’. One of my favourite lyrics of all time is from this album and is in the song ‘Rusholme Ruffians’. Morrissey at his very best when he sings “So… scratch my name on your arm with a fountain pen (this means you really love me).”

Some of Johnny Marr’s finest moments happen on ‘Meat Is Murder’ like in ‘I Want The One I Can’t Have’ and really every song on the album is as good as the next. ‘What She Said’ at two minutes forty-two seconds is a particularly short song in terms of the album but at the same time is just as fantastic as the ‘Barbarism Begins At Home’ which stands at six minutes and forty-eight seconds.

‘That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore’ is a slower song and contains such lyrics like “But that joke isn’t funny anymore. It’s too close to home and it’s too near the bone.” ‘Nowhere Fast’ and ‘Well I Wonder’ are two more fantastic Smiths songs and the closing song ‘Meat Is Murder’ is a fairly hard listening closer but at the same time a very daring and incredible ending track.

‘Meat Is Murder’ to me is the most perfect record I’ve ever listened to and it is an album that I know I’ll always love.

The Kills - Midnight Boom

2008-08-13T16:48:00.000-07:00

Released back in March of this year this review is over five months late, but better late than never is definitely the motto to have. The Kills are one of those bands that other bands seem to love and a band who are often trying to innovate and progress their sound. That is something that you have to admire when there are so many run of the mill bands out there at the moment. You have to respect any band that try and be different in a world where every band appears to be the same.

‘Midnight Boom’ to me was not an album that instantly clicked with my ears but after giving it some time it definitely has grown on me a lot. The fact that The Kills only consist of two people makes their sound interest me and impress me so much. The album at times is very old school rock and roll and at times is extremely innovative and intriguing. Alison Mosshart’s voice at times reminds me very much of Karen O from Yeah Yeah Yeahs which is no bad thing.

The Kills are definitely doing great things for two pieces when you consider a two piece by the name of The Tings Tings are ruining the image of a boy/girl band should be about. Thank fuck that The Kills are nothing like the previously mentioned two piece.

Opening track ‘U.R.A. Fever’ kicks the album off to a pretty spectacular beginning and makes you want more tracks like it. Thankfully the album is full of songs as good, if not better than the opening song. ‘Getting Down’ is a great example of how two very different vocals on one song can work beautifully well if it’s done right.

‘Cheap and Cheerful’ and ‘Tape Song’ are two fantastic songs that really give the first half of the album a very strong start. ‘Last Day of Magic’ is and remains my favourite song from the record, Alison’s vocals sounding very strong and Jamie providing some great backing vocals as well.

Other songs such as ‘Hook and Line’, ‘Black Balloon’ and closing track ‘Goodnight Bad Morning’ makes this album a strong album from start to finish.

8/10

Label Focus: Rough Trade

2008-08-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

Rough Trade is one of England’s most famous and oldest labels and it’s still going strong now and has some great record shops around London which put on some great in stores now and again. The label was founded in 1978 and is co-owned by original founder Geoff Travis and now Jeanette Lee (Public Image Ltd).

Rough Trade boasts some of the greatest bands and artists of the past thirty years including my favourite band of all time The Smiths. Other influential artists who’ve graced the Rough Trade label include Aztec Camera, The Fall, Delta 5, Galaxie 500, Television Personalities, Young Marble Giants and more.

Bands from the past ten years of rock, alternative and indie music include such artists like the heavily influential British band The Libertines and as influential New York band The Strokes. Arcade Fire are yet another important band from the past ten years that happen to be on Rough Trade too.

Other famous names include Jarvis Cocker, Belle & Sebastian, The Decemberists, Adam Green, The Long Blondes and many, many more. Rough Trade are one of the best labels of all time that include some of the most legendary artists of all time. Not many labels can say that!

Single: Port O'Brien - I Woke Up Today

2008-08-13T16:09:00.000-07:00

Port O’Brien are a five piece from Oakland in California and their latest single from the album ‘All We Could Do Is Sing’ is one of the most catchy and toe tapping singles of the summer. Three minutes and twenty-one seconds is pure toe tapping goodness from the Californians.

‘I Woke Up Today’ is extremely infectious from the start, middle and right the way through to the end. The song starts with some simple “Ohhhh's” that you cannot help singing along to and then “I woke up today in a very simple way” which immediately sticks in your head for whatever reason.

The lyrics are fairly simple but at the same time they are fun and feel very summery (despite our summer being an absolute wash out and it not feeling like summer one little bit). This song is bound to be a big hit for the band because you just can’t help humming, singing and nodding along to it.

8/10

Batman Forever

2008-08-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

Tim Burton departed as director and acted as producer for Batman Forever and Joel Schumacher took over (Flatliners, The Lost Boys, Phone Booth) the reigns from Burton, unfortunately in this case.

Batman Forever was a return to camp Batman, camp comic style films and a return to the bad. Don’t get me wrong I really thought that Val Kilmer was a great choice for Batman and he made Michael Keaton look pathetic as Batman. The cast is fantastic with Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey the perfect bad guys and Nicole Kidman the beautiful love interest.

How could a director get a film so badly wrong with such a brilliant cast? The only man who knows that is Joel Schumacher. I thought Jim Carrey was very good at times as The Riddler however he was far too annoying and for me The Riddler wasn’t as evil as he could’ve been. The Riddler is next to The Joker the best bad guy in the Batman comics and it could’ve been so, so much better. Tommy Lee Jones was very good as Harvey Dent / Two Face and he did the role proud and himself. Aaron Eckhart in The Dark Knight plays a different Dent but ultimately better despite Tommy Lee Jones solid performance.

Nicole Kidman was pretty cringe worthy at times and her scenes with Val Kilmer were not ones I enjoyed. Now. Robin, why? I think Robin is pathetic and any director who believes in the character of Robin should not be making Batman films. The choice to include Robin seemed very random and Chris O’Donnell was fairly lame as Robin.

What pretty much saved the film was Val Kilmer’s performance as Batman and at times Carrey as The Riddler and of course Tommy Lee Jones as Two Face. Otherwise this would be simply getting zero out of ten. Please don’t let Schumacher near any comic book adaptation ever again, and please Christopher Nolan don’t ever, ever bring back Robin.

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Olympics

2008-08-13T15:38:00.000-07:00

With no football currently it has been very easy to be drawn into watching the 2008 Olympic Games. It seems to be on all the time and just about everywhere you look there is something about the Olympics. So far in the Olympics there has been a heavy focus on the swimming events and there seems to be so many heats, finals and events in the pool you get lost with what’s going on.

It’s hard to ignore the fact that Michael Phelps is cleaning up big style as far as swimming goes. He is already considered the greatest Olympic athlete, swimmer and man in the history of the Olympic Games. I am just incredibly happy and feel extremely privileged that I was alive during his prime. The man must have fish DNA. No. Shark DNA. He is a monster in the pool and I won’t be surprised if he wins all the medals he has entered in for (eight; five won so far).

The British have done pretty well in the pool and it’s good to see that most of the swimmers we have are very young ranging from 17 to 20 years of age. So we have a good future ahead of us for the London 2012 Olympics. Although the men pretty much have no chance if Phelps is still swimming in 2012 which you imagine he will be.

I’ve also been fascinated with the table tennis; hockey and today the beach volley ball grabbed my attention. The game I was watching happened to be Russia versus Georgia, both countries I wouldn’t expect to be particularly good at the sport. How many beaches do Russia and Georgia have? Anyway Georgia were getting hammered in the first set but came back and beat the Russians which seems slightly fitting when you consider what’s happening between the two countries at the moment.

So far the games have been fantastic and with track and field events set to begin on Friday the Olympics will get a lot, a lot better.

Single: Golden Silvers – Arrows Of Eros

2008-08-08T04:58:00.000-07:00

Golden Silvers are an new band, to me anyway. They remind me of a mix between Mystery Jets (new album ‘Twenty One’ sound) and a slice of Larrikin Love. Imagine that sound for a second and then think toe tapping, catchy and poppy and then you have the sound of Golden Silvers. A pretty spectacular mixture I’d suggest.

‘Arrows Of Eros’ is pretty much doing the rounds on many radio stations, however BBC Introducing was where I keep hearing it. Huw Stephens is to thank for me hearing it, good job Huw.

“There was a girl who lived in London town. The scenes and sounds, they would only bring her down” is the lyric which stands out for me. I know for sure if this song was the sound she heard living in London town it definitely wouldn’t bring her down. It would most certainly get her up on her feet and get her dancing, for sure.

‘Arrows Of Eros’ is the perfect pop debut single by Golden Silvers, the song is out via Young & Lost Club and you should buy it (here).

8/10

Golden Silvers – Arrows Of Eros

Single: Magistrates - Make This Work

2008-08-08T04:36:00.000-07:00

Magistrates are a band, from Essex. I’ve been to Essex and have family there and there is no way a band from Essex should sound like Magistrates. Magistrates sound very much like they are from across the pond; their style fits in well with a lot of the American bands having success in this country at the moment. If you click here then you can download the single from the website for absolutely nothing, pretty swish eh?

Lead singer Paul Usher has an extremely unique voice; listening to his voice you would never ever think that he was from Essex. I know how people from Essex sound (when singing) and they certainly do not sound like Paul Usher. ‘Make This Work’ is sleek and stylish and has a real groove to it; you can bet it’s going to be a dance floor hit for Magistrates.

Signed to XL Recordings Magistrates appear to have a very bright future ahead of them, especially if they can continue writing songs like ‘Make This Work’.

8/10

Label Focus: Wichita

2008-08-08T03:56:00.000-07:00

Wichita Recordings are a label based in London and have a great roster of artists many of them being some of my favourite bands.

Wichita do not get as much recognition as many labels despite them being a very good label that has a reputation to allow their artists to have complete control over their music. Which is of course fantastic and very rare with virtually all major labels so it’s refreshing to hear about a label that allows the artist the control over releases, recordings and so forth.

Two of my favourite artists on the Wichita label are Les Savy Fav and Los Campesinos. Los Campesinos released their debut album ‘Hold On Now, Youngster’ on Wichita earlier this year and Les Savy Fav’s fantastic album ‘Lets Stay Friends’ at the end of the last year.

Bloc Party are another extremely successful artist on the Wichita label and one of my favourite bands of the last few years. The Cribs are another band that Wichita can boast to have on its roster and with The Cribs they’ve always allowed them to be themselves. Both artists mentioned have released successful albums with The Cribs having three on Wichita and Bloc Party’s third album out fairly soon will be out on Wichita.

Wichita has some extremely talented musicians from across the pond as well with the likes of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bright Eyes, The Dodos and Giant Drag all apart of the Wichita family. Other artists worth mentioning on the label include Simian Mobile Disco, Those Dancing Days and Swedish trio Peter Bjorn and John. Overall Wichita remain one of the consistent labels in the country and you can imagine they’ll continue being just as consistent.

Premiership Season 08/09

2008-08-07T16:10:00.000-07:00

Supporting Manchester United whenever the season starts you always predict that the title is going to end up in Manchester at the end of the season. We’ve been so lucky over the years that you would be silly not to predict anything but the Premiership crown come May 2009. This time last season it was the same story and thankfully May 2008 was a very good month for everyone involved with Manchester United. Where do the challengers come from? The same ones as usual but Arsenal and Liverpool can’t win the title (I may regret saying that). It’s mainly between United and Chelsea, if United were to sign a top class centre forward it’d be more straight forward, but they won’t so it’ll be very interesting.

Elsewhere the relegation battle doesn’t appear to be as interesting as usual because the three teams that came up look the most likely to drop back down again. Out of the three of them West Brom have the best chance but even then losing players like Gera and Phillips will be a big blow and they could yoyo back to the Championship like so many others. Above them expect to see the likes of Wigan and Bolton because they are the two others who could face a long old season.

Sunderland and Fulham have spent the most it seems and they could both have good seasons if they can keep the key players fit. Teams like Newcastle and Middlesbrough will never really be in serious trouble because they both have goal scorers and Boro are usually very solid at the back. Everyone is predicting as usual that Everton as usual will finish 5th however this could be the season where the toffees struggle. So far not signing any players and selling Andy Johnson could result in a lowly finish for the blue half of Merseyside.

Aston Villa could push for that 5th spot if they can get a proven goal scorer and another option in midfield. Tottenham will fancy themselves to get a top 6 finish however if they don’t sign another forward then it could be a different story. They are also quite dodgy at the back with the likes of King and Woodgate both very injury prone. Then the full backs Bale and Hutton both prefer attacking than defending, however the midfield looks very promising with Jenas, Modric, Bentley, Lennon, Dos Santos, Huddlestone and Zokora.

Other sides like West Ham, Hull, Stoke, Blackburn and Manchester City (let's fucking hope so) will probably have quite miserable seasons but Portsmouth are very likely to get a top 6 finish with the strike force of Crouch and Defoe. Domestically the League Cup could end up with a team outside the top four again (Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Newcastle all come to mind). However the FA Cup will DEFINITELY end up with a top four side, hopefully Manchester United. Eight excruciating days remain; pre season football is really getting to me.

Label Focus: Moshi Moshi

2008-08-07T04:16:00.000-07:00

Moshi Moshi Records are a small independent label based in London; the name means Hello in Japanese and is also a B-side by the American band Brand New. Moshi Moshi over the years have released some very important singles from some of the biggest names in British indie music. Over the years Moshi Moshi have released a couple of their own fantastic compilation albums.

In 2006 Moshi Moshi released the compilation ‘Can You Hear Me Clearly’ which includes songs by bands such as Hot Chip, Bloc Party, The Rakes, The Grates, Yeti and more. More recent compilation album ‘Moshi Moshi Singles Compilation Volume 1’ which includes bands like Late of the Pier, The Wave Pictures, Kate Nash, Danananaykroyd, Friendly Fires, Slow Club and more.

Moshi Moshi is most famous for their single releases but more recently have released some full length albums. Hot Club De Paris fantastic debut album ‘Drop It ‘Til It Pops’ was released on the label and their new released ‘Live At Dead Lake’ is also available on the same label. Quite excellent Tilly And The Wall brought out one of my favourites of 2006 with ‘Bottoms of Barrel’s’ on Moshi Moshi too.

More recently The Mae Shi released ‘Hlllyh’ on Moshi Moshi and it remains my favourite Moshi Moshi release to date. Alongside the quintessential English band The Wave Pictures LP ‘Instant Coffee Baby’ which is really growing on me this year. Moshi Moshi continue to release some fantastic singles and some even more fantastic albums. Keep up the good work Moshi Moshi!

Do The Splits

2008-08-07T03:17:00.000-07:00

Eight months into 2008 and there already have been several casualties with bands, some good bands but mainly bad ones. August saw the announcement that Nashville rockers Be Your Own Pet announced they are splitting up. From all the splits this year the Be Your Own Pet split certainly saddens me the most because on record and live they were one of the best new and young bands around. Live they have so much energy and the self titled album is a great debut album and despite some criticism I really enjoyed the follow up ‘Get Awkward’.

Wolfmother have just announced they will no longer be recording music together and the members will go their separate ways. I am pretty sure we will see that big afro of Andrew Stockdale back one day but just not with Wolftmother. I can’t say I am that disappointed about this split because Wolfmother were not a band I really had much excitement about.

Earlier on in the year Mumm-Ra announced that after several years of constant recording and touring they would split up. Like the Wolfmother split I wasn’t terribly upset about this despite them having a couple of good songs. Northampton band The Departure announced they would no longer be recording as The Departure. This was something I was expecting for some while although their debut album ‘Dirty Words’ was a pretty good album you could never see the band lasting very long in the industry. The Dead 60s were another band to announce their split this year which was something that like The Departure did not surprise me. The first album was very listenable with some really good songs but the second album was absolutely terrible.

The final band to mention is Big Scary Monsters band Meet Me In St. Louis who I always really liked. Sadly I never got to see them live which was where I’m informed they were at their best. I am sure the members of Meet Me In St. Louis will be back in other forms however their legacy as one of the best post-hardcore bands from this country.

X2

2008-08-07T02:51:00.000-07:00

Not that many sequels to films are as good as or better than the first but with X2 (or X-Men 2) Bryan Singer has made a film which certainly equals the first. Continuing on from the world’s quest to find all the mutants in the world William Stryker (played by Brian Fox) tracks down the school for gifted youngsters (mutants).

He also manages to capture Charles Xavier and through his son is able to get into the mind of Xavier and his plan is to through his son get into the mind of Xavier and find all the mutants in the world. Stryker builds his own Cerebro device to track down all the mutants in the world and kill them.

The usual suspects are back Wolverine, Storm, Cyclops, Rogue and Jean Grey along with a couple of new faces in Iceman, Pyro and Nightcrawler. Working alongside Magneto and Mystique to try and stop Stryker the X-Men of course managed to stop Stryker, rescue Xavier and shut down this fake Cerebro.

However, helping the X-Men get away proved too much for Jean Grey as she made the decision to save the X-Men over her own life. X2 sees Hugh Jackman’s performance as Wolverine come on a lot from the first film. Jackman really gets to grips with Wolverine’s past and in X2 we see how good Jackman can be as the Wolverine. Halle Berry continues her solid performance as Storm and newcomer Alan Cumming is an excellent Nightcrawler.

Brian Fox takes on the bad guy role in the film and does it brilliantly as William Stryker. Sir Ian McKellen is not so prominent in this film but when he is he is as good as ever and although Patrick Stewart takes a back seat in this film every scene he is in you thoroughly believe he is Charles Xavier.

Bryan Singer has added yet another superhero film to his Filmography and thankfully it’s another successful and enjoyable one.

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Single: Bombay Bicycle Club - Evening/Morning

2008-08-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

I’ve followed Bombay Bicycle Club for a long time (I mean a long time) I have practically grown up with them. I saw them almost two years ago opening up the second stage at Chelmsford V Festival after they won the Road to V competition. Since then they’ve gone on to release a couple of really good EP’s but nothing that has impressed me greatly.

Until now I’ve had the new single ‘Evening/Morning’ on repeat for some time and I think it is the best song that the four piece have put together so far. If an album is coming out soon and sounds anything like this song then I can see it being a very, very, very good album.

At times the music sounds very much like something Kings of Leon would’ve come up with (first two album eras). Lead singer Jack Steadman has a very unique and obscure voice that I could imagine some people not liking however that is something I’ve always found so appealing and interesting about the band. ‘Evening/Morning’ is released via the superb Young & Lost Club and you should definitely be buying it with your pocket money this week (buy it here). “I’m ready to owe you anything” Jack sings, but trust me BBC with this song you owe us nothing!

9/10

Bombay Bicycle Club – Evening/Morning

Label Focus: XL Recordings

2008-08-04T16:19:00.000-07:00

XL is one of my favourite labels, if not my favourite label. The label was set up by Tim Palmer, Nick Halkes and Richard Russell and was originally a label set up to release dance records. However the label has transformed since then and releases a wide range of different musicians.

XL definitely boasts one of the most eclectic ranges of music around at the moment. With the likes of solo artists Adele released her debut album ‘21’ on XL to other solo artists Dizzee Rascal and M.I.A. all releasing critically acclaimed albums on the XL label.

What is so great about XL is how they’ll sign lots of new talent and are constantly signing the freshest talent in the music scene. Most recently they signed hotly tipped St. Alban boys Friendly Fires who release their self titled debut album very shortly. Other debut albums to be released by XL this year include Cajun Dance Party’s ‘The Colourful Life’. Vampire Weekend dropped their self titled debut album in January and the album is one of the best on XL for some years.

Along with some great new bands XL has a range of more commercially known bands such as The White Stripes, Beck, The Raconteurs, Sigur Ros, The Prodigy and of course one of the best British bands of all time, Radiohead.

The talent doesn’t stop there when you consider the likes of Jack Penate, Be Your Own Pet, Tapes ‘n Tapes, The Teenagers and To My Boy have all used the XL label to release very successful albums. The Horrors have just recently announced that their new album will be out on XL Recordings too and future albums from new bands such as Magistrates and Kid Harpoon are expected too.

XL also assist in the development of other small labels such as Young Turks, Merok and Abeano who are all trying to bring fresh sounds to our ears all the time. To say XL Recordings is one of the most respected if not the most respected label in the country would be no understatement.

Formula One

2008-08-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

On Sunday afternoon I spent a few hours watching a whole grand prix race, something I have never done before. I’ve always seen Formula 1 as a pretty dull sport really and only ever have watched highlights here and there. In the days where Michael Schumacher dominated the Championships I do honestly believe it was pretty dull. To watch a guy win race after race, title after title was slightly boring, especially when the sport itself can be at times boring.

In those years that Schumacher was dominating there wasn’t really any challengers either that could really take over from him. Y’know like when Chelsea spent 500 million on players and Arsene Wenger arrived to turn Arsenal around to challenge Manchester United. There was none of that during the Schumacher era really, however it’s in current climate there are so many drivers who have the ability to win the Championship, but at the same time lose it. Last season was one of the most exciting in history as only two points separated the top three drivers. In the end Ferrari’s Finish ice man Kimi Raikkonen wan the drivers Championship with Lewis Hamilton second and Spaniard Fernando Alonso on third.

This season the race is as close, as exciting and of course as unpredictable as ever and Lewis Hamilton is still leading the charge for the drivers Championship. Eleven races in Lewis Hamilton leads the table but only by a mere 5 points over last year’s winner Raikkonen and 3 points behind him is fellow Ferrari Felipe Massa. Seven races remain in the race for the biggest price in motor racing and Lewis Hamilton will be pushed all the way by the two Ferrari’s I’m sure. Many questioned whether last year’s success for Hamilton would be a one off but he has come back this year as strong as last year.

Winning races so far in Australia, Monaco, Germany and the Silverstone track in Northamptonshire, Great Britain. However Lewis will have to keep it up because in Massa and Raikkonen he is up against a very fast Ferrari car. Lewis Hamilton’s arrival and drivers such as Massa, Raikkonen, Alonso and Kovalainen have made F1 exciting again. I really hope Lewis does the business this year and secures the F1 Championship. 1996 was the year Damon Hill won the F1 Championship, the last from Great Britain and it’s about time we had a new British motor racing hero.

X-Men

2008-08-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

Bryan Singer found his fame with his critically acclaimed film and one of my favourite films of all time, The Usual Suspects back in 1995. Five years on he was releasing highly anticipated X-Men, everybody watched (well I think everybody) the cartoon series as a child. I used to tune in to Fox Kids when I was small to make sure I watched the series about those X-Men and women of course.

For some reason I’ve never seen the film until today even though I’ve seen the second film X2, how that came about I really have no idea. X-Men is basically like the TV series Heroes which I am pretty sure most of you have seen / know what it’s about. Despite this comparison X-Men IS different because all the characters feel like superheroes and the characters are far better, obviously.

The world isn’t ready for mutants (X-Men) and considers them dangerous and wants them to come out and own up to whom they are and what they can do. The problem with the world of mutants is that there are bad ones and there are good ones. Magneto falls into the bad category along with his troops Sabre Tooth, Toad and Mystique. Where as Charles Xavier, Wolverine, Storm, Cyclops and Rogue are part of the good guys of the film.

The cast is as good as any superhero film out there, any film which includes Sir Ian McKellen as the bad guy works for me. Hugh Jackman is the perfect Wolverine; in fact he is Wolverine just as Christopher Reeve is Superman. I couldn’t imagine Wolverine as anyone else, it would be wrong. Patrick Stewart is definitely the ideal Charles Xavier and Halle Berry is faultless as Storm. Bryan Singer’s 2000 X-Men definitely remains one of the best superhero films made to date.

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Batman Returns

2008-08-02T07:03:00.000-07:00

Right from the word go this film feels very much like a Tim Burton film, a lot more so than the previous film Batman. The opening music and the very opening scene is very much what you would expect from Tim Burton, which of course is no bad thing.

The film follows the story of the Penguin also known by his “real name” Oswald Cobblepot who is played by Danny DeVito. His performance as The Penguin is one of the real treats of the film, he fits into The Penguin role perfectly and if you were to see The Penguin down the street (unlikely of course) then you’d definitely see DeVito.

Michael Keaton carries on as Batman and he definitely is growing into the role as Batman but I still cannot take him seriously as Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne is meant to be a cool character but Michael Keaton is more like a geek something you do not associate with Bruce Wayne. Thankfully when he puts the mask on he is a very good portrayal of Batman.

The sexual feline Catwoman is played by Michelle Pfeiffer despite her being a quiet and shy secretary. Max Shreck who is played by the great Christopher Walken is the brains behind The Penguin who gets The Penguin to go for mayor so that he can go ahead with his power plant which will suck all the electricity from Gotham City.

The people of Gotham pity The Penguin when they find out how he was abandoned as a child and they begin to love The Penguin. Until thanks to Batman they find out what he is really like and at one point the people of Gotham turn on Batman because The Penguin sets him up but of course Batman is the man of the people and he saves the people from The Penguin and Max Shreck.

Overall the film carries on from the first and it’s very much the dark Tim Burton film everybody expects from a Batman film.

* * * * * * * * * *

Summer Transfers

2008-08-01T02:32:00.000-07:00

2008 has been slow for transfer activity mainly because of the European Champions however transfer activity in the Premiership is now in full swing. Sunderland has one of the most active so far signing Spurs trio Taino, Chimbonda and Malbranque along ex Liverpool and Bolton forward Diouf. Roy Keane certainly has signalled his intent for the new season not to just stay up but to get a high table position.

The big four have been fairly quiet especially Manchester United and Arsenal who haven’t really splashed out with United not signing anyone so far. Arsenal have signed young starlet Samir Nasri but have sold Hleb, Gilberto Silva, Flamini and Lehmann. Chelsea have splashed out on Portuguese duo Deco and Boswinga and let the likes of Steve Sidwell and Ben Haim leave. Liverpool has made the biggest signing so far purchasing Robbie Keane for £19million and are still trying to get Gareth Barry for a similar price. They have recouped some of the money though by selling the likes of Crouch to Portsmouth and Riise to Roma.

Teams like Aston Villa, Everton and Manchester City have yet to really set the transfer window on fire. City did sign Brazilian Jo with Villa buying Chelsea’s Steve Sidwell and Blackburn’s veteran keeper Brad Friedel however you expect all three to bring in plenty of talent. Fulham have quietly been making several acquisitions including Andy Johnson (£12 million), West Ham pair Bobby Zamora and John Paintsill, Swede Fredrik Stoor along with free transfers Zoltan Gera and Mark Schwarzer.

Tottenham have probably been the most active signing the likes of Dos Santos, Bentley, Modric and Gomes. With the likes of Milito and Arshavin both expected to be Spurs players sooner rather than later. However Spurs have sold a lot of players with the likes of Gardner, Taino, Malbranque, Kaboul, Keane, Chimbonda, Robinson all departing and Berbatov is expected next too.

Newcomers Stoke, West Brom and Hull have all been fairly active in the market. Stoke City have made Dave Kitson their transfer record and have also signed experience Danish keeper Thomas Sorenson. West Brom meanwhile has signed Scott Carson and Gianni Zuiverloon and Hull have brought in George Boateng, Giovanni, Bernard Mendy and Anthony Gardner.

Elsewhere Newcastle and Middlesbrough have all been fairly quiet only making a couple of signings each. Wigan has made a fair few signings including former Birmingham duo Kapo and De Ridder. I expect so much more activity over the next 4 weeks with the transfer deadline looming on August 31st.

Introducing: Boy Crisis

2008-07-31T16:16:00.000-07:00

Like my previous post Boy Crisis come from across the infamous pond however there is pretty much where the comparison stops with the previous band Amazing Baby. Oh, well they both come from New York but who doesn’t nowadays? Oh yeah and they (like Amazing Baby) appear in MGMT’s top friends on MySpace, lucky devils.

Totally different sounding to both the mentioned bands Boy Crisis delve more into an electronic. This 5 piece from New York are definitely going to be going places in the next year or so, you can just tell. ‘Dressed to Digress’ just happens to be my favourite song at the moment, the beats are pretty fucking hefty. “Let me love you like you’re the shit girl, you’re the shit girl” is not as bad as it sounds, it’s definitely a positive thing. 'Dressed to Digress' is 3 minutes and 10 seconds of pure pop heaven.

Having played a few shows with MGMT I imagine this band will be getting plenty of attention from music fans everywhere, it won’t be too long till’ the band are playing on these shores. Until then enjoy this beautiful piece of music…

Boy Crisis – Dressed to Digress

Introducing: Amazing Baby

2008-07-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

This week’s NME focuses on top 25 bands from across the pond, I’ve not read the article or seen the list but Amazing Baby are a brand spanking new band from across those waters. From Brooklyn, New York Amazing Baby are so far an unknown quantity for most people I imagine. I don’t know a great deal about the band, y’know the vital statistics of the band like how many members, names and all that stuff.

However I do know that they’ve only played a few gigs in their short career thus far but they are getting plenty of attention from plenty of places. Today I discovered their website where you can download a 4 track EP titled ‘Infinite Fucking Cross’ for absolutely sod all. Pretty cool eh?

Amazing Baby sound very psychedelic at times especially on ‘Supreme Being’ which is one of the songs featured on that free EP. My favourite song so far is definitely ‘Head Dress’ which once again dips into the psychedelic bucket for its inspiration. I do believe the band is friends with MGMT and has already played a few shows with them. So expect NME to liken them to MGMT and tar them with the same brush as any band that comes out of New York at the moment. For the record I don’t think Amazing Baby sound much if anything like current New York successes Vampire Weekend or MGMT.

To download ‘Infinite Fucking Cross’ click right here.

Label Focus: Domino

2008-07-31T06:51:00.000-07:00

Domino was formed in 1993 by Laurence Bell and Jacqui Bell and mainly brings out alternative music. Domino’s roster is one that any label would be extremely jealous, Domino Records UK has new artists such as These New Puritans, Wild Beasts, Lightspeed Champion and The Last Shadow Puppets.

Across the pond Domino USA boasts such talent as Animal Collective, Dirty Projectors, The Notwist, Caribou and Yo Majesty. However more house hold names on the label include Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys, Sons and Daughters and The Kills.

Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand are arguably the two most successful bands on the label. Franz Ferdinand’s second album ‘You Could Have It So Much Better’ reached number one on the album charts and so did both Arctic Monkeys records. The Sheffield foursome have also provided two number one hits for their label (‘When The Sun Goes Down’ and of course debut single ‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor’).

Along with some commercially successful bands Domino has on his roster some older bands not to be ignored including Scottish twee indie legends Orange Juice along with fellow Scottish bands The Pastels and Josef K. Welsh outfit Young Marble Giants and the English band formed in the late 70’s The Television Personalities are also on Domino’s impressive catalogue.

One of my favourite artists on the label is influential American alternative band Pavement who although did not bring much success commercially for Domino have obviously influenced several bands throughout the years. There is no denying that Domino are one of the best labels around at the moment and they continue to sign new, fresh and talented artists.

Wall-E

2008-07-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last night I finally got round to seeing the animation film of the summer and year, Wall-E. Sitting in front of me was a whole row of 5 year kids and sitting next to me a 60+ year old couple. Then there was me and my girlfriend both aged 20, there are not many films where this sort of situation occurs. Impressions of the “Wall-EEEE” voice can be heard every time the little fella pops up on the screen before the film starts. In between trailers and breaks crunching, slurping and the loudest rustling you’ve heard in your life. I basically want to leave and go watch The Dark Knight for the third time.

Thankfully the film begins and with this the noises stop, the crunching halts and the rustling is no longer an issue. Thank you Pixar for shutting up the incredibly annoying noises made by the general public because everybody in the room was fixed on this little robot cleaning up the world’s rubbish that had been left by the people who had left for space.

The premise of the film is very simplistic but underneath there is some really great hidden meanings and definitely some morals that can’t be ignored. The film follows a little robot named Wall-E who cleans up earth but has developed a personality and collects all sorts of things in his little “house”. Another newer robot is sent onto earth from space to check for signs of life or vegetation and Wall-E discovers a love interest for Eve (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator). Eve discovers a plant that Wall-E has and then shuts down and Wall-E is now incredibly sad. Eve is taken back into Space and Wall-E manages to grab onto the spaceship she is taken back to space with.

In space we see a new world where everybody is overweight, lazy and technology rules the world, a very sorry state. However because a plant has been discovered they can move back to earth however the robots who rule space don’t want this to happen. Eventually of course Eve and Wall-E stop the robots along with the captain of the spaceship where everybody lives and they get back to Earth.

What is so great and interesting about the film is that for so long (I think around 40 minutes) there is absolutely no dialogue. However you’re still gripped by the two characters Wall-E and Eve and when there is some dialogue later on there isn’t much really. It is definitely has broken new boundaries for animation and will definitely go down as another hit from Pixar.

* * * * * * * * * *

Frigthened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight

2008-07-29T08:11:00.000-07:00

Frightened Rabbit’s second album ‘The Midnight Organ Fight’ is an album I over looked when it was released but so far this month I’ve been playing it a lot. The Scottish trio released the 14 track record back in April and have since released a couple of singles from it. Critically it has gone done extremely well with Pitchfork and NME both giving it 8/10 and Drowned in Sound giving it a 9/10.

The album is packed full with emotion that is something I notice the more and more I listen to it. You can really hear the pain that is going into some of the lyrics and through the vocals of lead singer Scott Hutchinson you feel his pain. Hutchinson has an amazing voice, it is very raw and his strong Scottish accent also adds to his vocals.

I’d not previously heard anything by Frightened Rabbit so when I first listened to the album I was pretty impressed. Opening song ‘The Modern Leper’ is as raw a song as I’ve heard so far this year and the pain continues with songs like ‘Feel Better’ and ‘Good Arms vs Bad Arms’.

Last single ‘Fast Blood’ is a powerful track and rolls on through the emotion and pain of the lyrics. ‘Old Old Fashioned’ is yet another great 3 minutes 43 seconds of pure bliss. We get an insight into Scott Hutchinson’s relationship in the lyric “I’ll turn off the TV, its killing us, we never speak”.

‘Heads Roll Off’ contains one of my favourite lyrics from the album: “Jesus is just a Spanish boy’s name. How come one man got so much fame?” a dig at religion possibly? Either way, I agree. ‘Heads Roll Off’ is fast becoming one of my favourite songs from 2008.

The album is full of other intense songs like next song ‘My Backwards Walk’ and another favourite from my album ‘Keep Yourself Warm’ which deals pretty heavily with relationships including this lyric: “It takes more than fucking someone to keep yourself warm”.

This album has come to me as quite a surprise but I won’t be surprised if it appears in many top 10 of the year lists.

8.5/10

Wild Beasts - Limbo, Panto

2008-07-29T03:51:00.000-07:00

I saw Wild Beasts once and to say I wasn’t impressed is quite an understatement, quite a time later I find myself listening to Wild Beasts. I wasn’t going to even listen to ‘Limbo, Panto’ because of my experience with them that I had before. However every one deserves a second chance right? I mean when I saw them live it could’ve been one of the worse days of their lives. Everything could’ve been going wrong that day so a second chance was definitely deserved.

Thankfully I did give the band a second chance because ‘Limbo, Panto’ is a pretty special record in today’s climate of bands. There are far too many bands like One Night Only, the Pigeon Detectives, The Metros etc etc etc. Not enough bands like Wild Beasts who are definitely not like the current crop of crap that is out there.

Even if you don’t like Wild Beasts you have to appreciate that they sound much different to a lot of stuff at the moment. For that I tip my hat off to them, it would be so easy for a band to be middle of the road much like the bands mentioned. Wild Beasts are certainly not middle of the road, I can’t quite believe that they are from Leeds. You would never know (this being a good thing) and at times you would mistake them for being from across the pond.

At times they sound like Editors circa the first album and at other times I can hear Arcade Fire but most of the time I just hear Wild Beasts. Newest single ‘The Devil’s Crayon’ was the song which made me listen to the album, after seeing it on MTV2 I decided it was definitely time for a listen to the album. However the newest single isn’t the only great song on ‘Limbo, Panto’ bizarrely named ‘Woeboegone Wanderers’ sounds like an obscure Sunday league football team, either way the song is pretty epic.

‘The Old Dog’ is yet another fine moment on the record and believe me there are many: ‘Vigil For A Fuddy Duddy’, ‘The Club of Fathomless Love’ and ‘Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants’ for example. What I will say about ‘Limbo, Panto’ is that I have to be in the right mood to listen to it but when I am in that mood ‘Limbo, Panto’ is a stunning album. When I’m not I have to turn it off and listen to something else.

7.5/10

Metronomy - Nights Out

2008-07-29T03:21:00.000-07:00

I’m not really sure what to make of this album, I like a bit of electronic as much as the next person y’know but sometimes I find it hard listening to songs with no lyrics. Especially songs which are almost 4 minutes with no words (like ‘End Of You Too’ on this album). Having said for Metronomy the album would not work without those songs sandwiched in between other songs.

‘Radio Ladio’ is the first single to crop up as you listen to ‘Nights Out’ and to me it still remains the best single by Metronomy to date. When you heard it you knew immediately it was going to be a great hit for the band and since then I’ve heard it countless amounts of times in indie clubs and it always goes down extremely well. Rightfully so as well because it’s a really infectious single and you can’t help singing “R-A-D-I-OOOOOOOOOO. L-A-D-I-OOOOOOOOOO.”

‘My Heart Rate Rapid’ which was released as a single back in April and despite not being as big as the previous single is definitely as good as the previous song. When I first listened to it I was hooked immediately to some of the really toe tapping moments to the song.

‘Heartbreaker’ is going to be the next single and it is so far my favourite song on the record. Softer vocals and quieter music makes this song definitely an excellent moment on this record. “I heard she broke your heart, that girl’s a heartbreaker” sings lead singer Joseph. I’m getting the feeling Joe’s had his heart broken, poor guy.

‘On The Motorway’ is the shortest track on the album at 2 minutes 37 seconds but what it lacks in length it makes up for in quality. This song oozes cool, it feels like a typical Metronomy song. Current single ‘Holiday’ still is yet to grow on me but I have the feeling it could easily do so because there are some terrific moments in the song. You can’t help loving the vocals on this song, slowed down at times and really squeaky high at other times, such an interesting but at the same time fantastic combination. ‘Back On The Motorway’ and ‘On Dancefloors’ end the album on a high point for me.

Overall ‘Nights Out’ is a superb album and there are definitely more good spots than bad times, this is a record that would be perfect at a party.

7.5/10

Noah and The Whale - Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down

2008-07-29T02:52:00.000-07:00

When I first heard Noah and the Whale at the tail end of last year I was pretty hooked on the sound that they had. I really liked the folk sound that they possessed and I was really interested in lead singer Charlie’s vocals. Firstly I heard ‘5 Years Time’ which is quite easily one of the best summer songs I’m to hear from a new band. I always worried that ‘5 Years Time’ would be their peak, the one song which you listen to and nothing else. With this album I thought maybe you’d listen through and really only consider that song as the standout track.

I was wrong ‘Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down’ has some really beautiful moments on it and with the album the band have proved that they are not just a one hit band. Noah and the Whale are going to be one of those bands that on record I thoroughly enjoy listening to but live I just don’t think it’s the same. I’ve seen them live and unfortunately I found them quite boring, however on record they are very, very good.

The suns out and you are lying with your eyes closed with headphones on and songs like ‘Shape Of My Heart’ are perfect. They make you feel giddy inside and feel you up with a great sense of warmth. ‘Jocasta’ is yet another song which I really love listening to when the sun is beaming on my window and I’m looking out with this song in the background.

‘2 Atoms In A Molecule’ is the opening track of the album and really starts the album off very well. At 2 minutes 4 seconds it is the perfect Noah and the Whale song; clever and at the same time sweet lyrics. Further into the album ‘Rocks And Daggers’ is a really great song to follow, “I’m thankful for the love these rocks have always given” Noah and the Whale are big fan of rocks and I am too, especially those smooth little ones you can skim on the water. In fact this song reminds me of being on a beach in England skimming those very stones across the water.

‘Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down’ is a good start for Noah and the Whale. There is some strong songs on the album and find me someone who doesn’t like ‘5 Years Time’, ‘Rocks and Daggers’ and Jocasta’ and I’ll call them a liar. Despite this there are some weaker moments to the album which is why it won’t appear on my top albums of the year list and probably not many others.

7/10

Late of the Pier - Fantasy Black Channel

2008-07-29T02:32:00.000-07:00

I’ve been following the progress of Late of the Pier for some time, after getting extremely excited about the ‘Zarcorp’ demos that were doing the rounds some time ago. Summer 2008 sees Late of the Pier release their debut album produced by the man everybody wants to work with; Erol Alkan. When I first heard Late of the Pier I thought they’d maybe be one of those bands that have a couple of really good singles and then make a rushed poor album. Thankfully I was very, very wrong because they have plenty of impressive singles along with other just as impressive songs on ‘Fantasy Black Channel’.

‘Hot Tent Blues’ is the perfect Late of the Pier intro into this album and moves smoothly into ‘Broken’. Which is just as good as I remember the demo being, if not better. Sometimes it’s hard for a band to re-record a song and get the same energy as the demos but ‘Broken’ is definitely an example of a song re-recorded perfectly.

Singles ‘Space And The Woods’ and ‘The Bears Are Coming’ appear next on the album and they are as good as I remember them. “Suicide is in my blood, it always was” sings lead singer Samuel Eastgate on ‘Space And The Woods’ which was the bands previous single. ‘The Bears Are Coming’ sums up the Late of the Pier sound, which is pretty unique combining many styles and providing pretty odd lyrics.

New single ‘Heartbeat’ formally known as: ‘A Heartbeat. A Flicker. A Line’ and has now got a very 80’s sounding intro to it (thanks to Erol Alkan me thinks). However it still has that Late of the Pier sound and some really intriguing lyrics; “pineapple pieces in brine, fucking around with your mind” immediately come to mind.

One of my favourite songs from the demos was always ‘Random Firl’ and now with added lyrics it is 2 minutes 14 seconds of electronic heaven. The end of the album ends just as strongly as the beginning of the album with songs such as ‘Bathroom Gurgle’, ‘Focker’, ‘VW’ and ‘Whitesnake’ all as good as the already mentioned songs.

Overall ‘Fantasy Black Channel’ has many, many high points and no low points. This is the record you stick on when you want to step away from reality, thumbs up Late of the Pier.

8.5/10

Label Focus: Young And Lost Club

2008-07-28T03:57:00.000-07:00

Young & Lost Club is a small independent record label set up by Nadia and Sara and is based in London. If you live in London then there is a good chance you would’ve heard of the label. The label has also been featured in many publications including Time Out, Flux Magazine, The Daily Mail, iD Magazine and Dazed and Confused. Also on a Saturday night they are responsible for the club night Push which showcases some great new bands, DJ’s and plays some wonderful music. It’s the place to be on a Saturday night in Central London.

YALC’s first release was back in 2005 and featured the Vincent Vincent and the Villains single ‘Blue Boy’ / ‘The Boy Who Killed Time’. Since then YALC have released some of the best singles from the best new bands around. Including ‘Six Queens’ by Larrikin Love, Good Shoes debut single ‘Small Town Girl’ and ‘Comfortable Silence’ by Cazals which featured one of my favourite ever b-sides ‘Cost’.

Other bands showcased by Young & Lost Club include Action Plan, New Moscow and Friends of the Bride. My favourite releases by YALC are singles such as ‘Animator’ (Pull Tiger Tail), ‘Take This Act Down’ (Lets Bitter Cinema) and my favourites being the two Fear of Flying singles ‘Routemaster’ and ‘Three’s A Crowd’.

More recently Young & Lost Club has released excellent artists such as Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit, Semifinalists, Bombay Bicycle Club, Noah and the Whale and unfortunately Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong. Young & Lost Club will continue to release fantastic singles I’m sure and I’m just as excited now about their releases as I was 3 years ago when Good Shoes, Larrikin Love and VVATV were on Young & Lost Club.

The Dark Knight

2008-07-28T03:28:00.000-07:00

On the way to the cinema I felt strange, I was actually worried. I’d read all the great reviews (both Total Film and Empire gave The Dark Knight a perfect 5 out of 5). I’d read some people suggesting it was the “greatest film ever” but I was worried the film would not fulfil all the hype. Why should I be worried about it? It’s just a film… but after seeing Batman Begins and reading so much about The Dark Knight I wanted it desperately to be good.

So, the verdict. It wasn’t good at all. It was fucking fantastic. It’s not very often I go to the cinema and leave the cinema feeling quite how I felt on Saturday night. When I left the cinema I knew I’d seen one of the greatest films of my generation so far. That is quite some statement but one I feel pretty strongly about. I’ve never in my life gone to see a film more than once at a cinema but come Wednesday afternoon I’ll be in my local Odeon watching The Dark Knight again.

Heath Ledger is obviously going to get all the press from the film and rightfully so for his performance. I am of the opinion that his performance of The Joker succeeded Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of The Joker in 1989. Understandably his death has made it hard for fans of his to watch the film in the same way, but it shouldn’t. If you was ever going to do your last film before you died that was one hell of a way of doing it. At times he was hilarious, at times he was incredibly scary, most of the time he was insane and every scene he was in he was absolutely sensational. If he wins an Oscar for his performance it won’t be a win because he is no longer with us it will be because it was the best performance of the year.

Christian Bale is forgotten about in a lot of reviews but I think he is the best Batman we’ve seen so far. Michael Keaton, George Clooney and Val Kilmer have all tried it in the past 20 years but they come no way near Christian Bale. As Bruce Wayne Christian Bale is the epitome of cool and as Batman he is the superhero we all want. The combination of Bale and Nolan strikes again and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see the awesome duo make another fantastic movie.

Aaron Eckhart is definitely worth a mention too because his performance as Harvey Dent / Two Face is just as impressive as Bale’s portrayal of Batman. I’ve not really seen much of Eckhart before but I am pretty sure after his role of Harvey Dent we will be seeing much more of him. The rest of the cast is great too; Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine are better in The Dark Knight than previous film Batman Begins. My only gripe character wise was Maggie Gyllenhaal who I don’t think really pulled off the Rachel Dawes but thankfully she’s been killed off and didn’t get much air time in The Dark Knight.

I wake up Sunday morning pretty excited about the film still and read some of the morning papers and feel pretty disgusted at some of the reviews of The Dark Knight. One newspaper (The Daily Mail) claim it was “far too long and far too complicated”, what the fuck? Too long? Erm, the last Lord of the Rings film was an hour longer but that was critically acclaimed and won shit load of Oscars. Too complicated? Are you thick? Another quote from a horrible tabloid (News of the World) suggested “the film lacked a love story” since when has Batman been about love? The film is called The Dark Knight for fucks sake. Oh yeah and the best quote (once again from The Daily Mail) was “Christian Bale needs to appeal more to the 12 to 14 year girls, he has to be dreamy”. Oh please, pass me a bucket. This is not a teen movie you toss pot.

Overall this is the must seen film of 2008 and I think in 20 years time this film will remain a classic blockbuster superhero smash.

* * * * * * * * * *

Batman

2008-07-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

It’s 1989 and Tim Burton has decided that it is time to bring Batman back to our screens. Not intent on making a Batman movie quite like the ones seen in the past, with the 1966 Batman film coming to mind. Y’know the one with the horrible bright colours, the tacky “KERRRRRR POW” speech bubbles, the poor action scenes and overall terrible performances. I remember seeing that film and thinking how lame Batman was, it was incredibly camp.

Thankfully Tim Burton prefers a darker more gothic Gotham City and thankfully his cast included the brilliant Jack Nicholson who played The Joker. As much as I think Michael Keaton was a pretty dorky Bruce Wayne he did all the Batman scenes pretty sufficiently. Kim Basinger was the love interest in the film and portrayed her character very well.

Gotham City is a dark place filled with criminals and those criminals killed the parents of Bruce Wayne. Jack Napier killed Bruce’s parents and from that moment on Bruce Wayne was content on fighting the scum of the streets. Unfortunately there is a criminal like no other, with no fear and who is as deranged as they come, The Joker. Batman has to beat off The Joker’s mad plans to take over Gotham City and kill all the people living there.

Of course he manages to eventually fight off The Joker and save Gotham City along with his love interest Vicki Vale. The film is a great comic book film which really gets the Batman back to how he should be. A dark hero of the night – The Dark Night you say? It took him away from the coloured camp character created in the 1960’s. Jack Nicholson was terrific as The Joker – he did the whole “crazy, fearless, psychotic madman” perfectly.

Tim Burton brought Batman back some serious credibility and Jack Nicholson as The Joker was hilarious and insane at the same time along with brilliant.

* * * * * * * * * *

Introducing: Tubelord

2008-07-27T17:44:00.000-07:00

I’ve not really been excited by many “new” bands for a long time, and by new I mean a band who has no album and no hype surrounding them. Tubelord are probably the band I am currently most excited about. When I first listened to them a good 6 months ago I wasn’t as excited back then as I am now. I have no idea why but thankfully I went back to them and realised how good they are.

How do you describe Tubelord? Insanely different is how I sum them up. I a real mix mash of loads of different sounds. Despite having a really heavy sound there are some really softer moments with some great melodies and some softer vocals. But then the next minute they will rock the fuck out and shout their arses off. All this mixed together equals a pretty special sound. Loud drums, heavy guitars and even a harmonica at times make Tubelord a pretty unique sound.

‘Feed Me A Box Of Words’ was the first song I heard and that pretty much just sums up how I just described them. ‘Half Man Half Amazing’ is another great song by the Kingston three-piece. Another reason to why I really love them and want them to get as much success as possible is because they are from Kingston; a place pretty close to my heart whilst at University.

Tubelord are currently on tour with fellow awesome band Tellison and you can see them right across the country. Once that has finished they are touring with yet another exciting up and coming band Blakfish so they will be playing in a town near you soon so please, please go and see them.

When you go see them live with Tellison make sure you pick up the new split single which features Tubelord’s ‘Night Of The Pencils’ and the already reviewed and fucking fantastic ‘Wasps Nest’ by Tellison. I currently can’t decide which I prefer… so go out and buy it so you can decide!

Tubelord – Half Man Half Amazing

Tubelord – Feed Me A Box Of Words

Batman Begins

2008-07-22T03:59:00.000-07:00

1989 was the year Tim Burton brought Batman to our screens with his successful adaptation of the DC Comics superhero. From then we saw the likes of Batman Returns (1992; Tim Burton), Batman Forever (1995; Joel Schumacher) and Batman & Robin (1997; Joel Schumacher). The last two of those films being critically shot down and the fans weren’t too keen either. Eight years later Batman Begins arrived on our doorsteps and thanks to the marvellous director Christopher Nolan Batman was back with a bang.

Batman Begins follows the story of Batman before he became Batman closely looking at his childhood and in more details his training. One of the key scenes in the film is where a criminal shoots Bruce Wayne’s mother and father dead. From this Bruce Wayne wants to revenge his parents’ death and fight the crime and destroy the criminals of Gotham City.

Along with the help from originally Henri Ducard (Ra’s al Ghul) played by Liam Neeson to become a great fighter and then later on Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine). But also Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) and Sgt. James Gordon (Gary Oldman) aid Bruce Wayne along the way to becoming Batman.

The film is a lot darker than other Superhero films you may see like Superman or Spiderman. The theme behind the film lies with fear and how fear can drive people and in Bruce Wayne’s case he uses the fear of bats to help him become a stronger individual. The tradition with a Batman film has been to have a camp style much like the old film from the 60’s and the carton series. Even Joel Schumacher’s Batman & Robin used this camp style. However Christopher Nolan had other ideas and made the film darker and sinister.

Christian Bale plays the Batman / Bruce Wayne character remarkably well and there is even some suggestions that he is the greatest Batman thus far. Something Michael Keaton may have something to say about, I think Bale just pips it as the superior Batman.

I thought Cillian Murphy played his role of The Scarecrow / Dr. Jonathan Crane exceptionally well too. He managed to pull off being hated as both characters he played in the film even though to begin with you didn’t know Dr. Crane would become The Scarecrow you didn’t like or trust him. Katie Holmes performed her part as Rachel Dawes perfectly too, the casting of this film is one of the best casts I’ve ever seen. This along with a fantastic script, the greatest superhero (in my opinion) and the brilliant direction from Christopher Nolan makes this film one of the best superhero flicks of all time.

Roll on The Dark Knight!

* * * * * * * * * *

Superman Returns

2008-07-22T03:34:00.000-07:00

The very first Superman film in 1978 starring the late great Christopher Reeve is considered by many the finest superhero film of all time. So to follow up that legacy was always going to be a hard task for director Bryan Singer. Christopher Reeve is also remembered as the greatest Superman to ever grace the screen so for newcomer Brandon Routh it was some big bloody shoes to fill.

Bryan Singer is no stranger to Superhero films after directing two X-Men films so therefore is the perfect director to bring Superman back to our screens. It was 19 years that Superman had been away from the big screen and all Superman fans were highly anticipating this new Superman film.

The cast is great with Kevin Spacey as a perfect Lex Luthor and Kate Bosworth who played the Lois Lane character extremely well. Brandon Routh would not have been many people’s choice before the film but I think as an actor he suits the role perfectly. He is as close to looking like Christopher Reeve as you’re going to get.

The film itself follows the story of Superman returning after being away for 5 years and Lois Lane had written a piece for which she won an award for called ‘Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman’. Obviously she was wrong when Lex Luthor’s plan to kill billions of people was discovered. However Luthor had found the deadly substance to Superman kryptonite and the land Luthor has built is made from the substance. This ultimately makes it difficult for Superman to fight Luthor and his henchmen and save the world.

But of course in usual Superman fashion he manages to overcome this along with being stabbed in the back with a shard of kryptonite and saves the billions of people from dying. Good old Superman! A lot of the film revolves around the relationship between Lois Lane and Superman and in the end Lois realises she and the rest of the world do need Superman. Near the end of the film she even begins writing an article titled ‘Why the World Does Need Superman’.

Overall this film has some very good moments particularly the role Kevin Spacey plays as Lex Luthor but with the money Singer had along with the script and cast you can’t help thinking he could’ve done a lot better.

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Black Kids - Partie Traumatic

2008-07-20T16:32:00.000-07:00

I’d be the first to admit that I got pretty bloody excited by Black Kids when the buzz around them began near the end of last year. They released that EP for free from their MySpace and everyone went Black Kids crazy and since then they’ve released a few singles, made some festival appearances and got some serious radio play on Radio 1 thanks to Edith, Whiley and co. Today I even saw them on the extremely fucking awful T4 On The Beach which had the likes of Scouting for Girls, The Hoosiers, The Feeling, Sam Sparro. Pass me the fucking bucket, please. Actually no, a dustbin would be more appropriate for those artists.

Black Kids are no where near as bad as the previously mentioned artists, where as I’d give The Feeling’s new album 0 out of 10 Black Kids would definitely be able to succeed that low score. Anyway, the EP titled ‘Wizard of Ahhhs’ which was everywhere at the end of last year showed some real promise from the Jacksonville 5 piece. A sound which was compared to Arcade Fire (why I’ll never know) but a sound that to me was a nice blend between The Go! Team and The Cure.

The album ‘Partie Traumatic’ sadly does not really live up to the great potential shown by the digitally released ‘Wizard of Ahhhs’. Sadly like many other bands at the moment the band have rushed to get an album out pretty quickly obviously due to popularity. The album contains most of the songs that we’ve heard from the ‘Wizard of Ahhhs’ EP and songs from the same session that were released at the same time as that EP. What was so good about those songs was the raw sounding and fresh sound that Black Kids. However the polished sound that now goes with the album ‘Partie Traumatic’ is not one I’m particularly enjoying. Unfortunately the album seems to be one big blur of songs that sound very similar to each other. What a shame.

The new songs that exist on the album are no where as near as the quality I’d imagined from Black Kids. I think what they should’ve done is released an EP this summer and then took a bit longer to release an album nearer Christmas time. I mean it was only about Christmas time that the band was getting a lot of buzz just about everywhere. Oh yeah and also get a different producer because Bernard Butler has really wrecked their sound from the previous EP which was a very good sound.

Despite my criticisms there are catchy songs on this record and I’ll be the first to admit that the album has songs which will get people dancing. Newest single ‘Hurricane Jane’ being a perfect example of this along with other standout songs ‘Hit The Heartbreaks’ and first single ‘I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You’. One of my favourite songs from the first EP ‘I’ve Underestimated My Charm (Again)’ is still a really strong song and new song ‘I’m Making Eyes At You’ is a real grower.

This album moves along nicely, is not offensive but to me it doesn’t make any bold statements and is not really different from any other indie album that is out there or has been made. Having said that it is a lot better than The Feeling, The Hoosiers and Scouting for Girls, so kudos for that.

6/10

The Punisher

2008-07-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

I remember when The Punisher was released in 2004 and I remember not thinking much of the film, I actually thought the trailers looked pretty bad. Four years later I found myself purchasing the film for £4 on play.com due to my current phenomenon of comic book / superhero films. Reading up about The Punisher comics I discovered that The Punisher is not like your typical superhero like Spider-Man, Batman or Superman; he is far darker.

The premise of the film is that Frank Castle (played by Thomas Jane) is involved in the killing of Howard Saint’s (the bad guy of the film, played by John Travolta) son. However during the same killing of his son Frank Castle is “killed” as well so that Howard Saint would not go after him on hearing who was involved in the killing of his son. But of course he did find out and hunted down Frank Castle who had gone on holiday with his whole family.

If you’ve not seen the film then don’t read on if you plan on watching it in the future because I’m about to ruin the whole film. Howard Saint’s men hunt down Frank and his family and kill everybody on the island. They think they’ve killed Frank too (tens of bullets to the chest is usually a clear indication you’ve killed someone) but of course Frank Castle (The Punisher) is not like normal human begins and has an extremely high pain tolerance level. Unlike other superheroes The Punisher has no special abilities but he succeeds solely through ingenuity and the rigorous training of his military upbringing, a finely honed killer instinct and an extensive arsenal of weapons culled from fallen foes and military allies.

Frank who comes back more pissed off then ever is after revenge on the people who killed his family and tried to finish him off. He kills off individually all of Howard Saint’s family and the people who are close to him. But not as brutually as you’d think considering Frank Castle goes by the name The Punisher. He cleverly makes Howard Saint kill his wife AND his best friend, this is what makes The Punisher’s killings all the more entertaining to watch. In the end he kills Howard Saint pretty brutally shooting him first, setting him on fire and dragging him around a parking lot attatched to an on fire car. Pretty bloody harsh you’d suggest.

What also makes the film so good is the people who live next door to Frank who are constantly watching his moves, listening to what he is up to and generally stalking him. They then come in contact with Frank and become friends with him and in the end even help him out to kill the people who massacred his whole family.

Overall the film consists of a good casting with Thomas Jane playing Frank Castle extremely well with John Travolta playing the evil Howard Saint as well as he has played many bad guys in the past. The supporting cast makes the film especially more enjoyable especially Frank’s two stalker floor mates (Bumpo and Dave). A few years ago I would’ve not considered watching this film but I am not thankful I did because The Punisher is a great old school comic book adapation.

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2008 Albums: Best Of The Rest (Part Three)

2008-07-18T08:48:00.000-07:00

Operator Please – Yes Yes Vindictive

Technically this album was released in this country this year back in March, although most of us had many months before the UK release date. Looking back I enjoyed the album a lot more on it’s release then I do now, I think Operator Please are one of those bands you enjoy for the moment but when it comes down to it they aren’t really as good as you thought. Having said that the album has a few really good songs like ‘Get What You Want’, ‘Leave It Alone’ and ‘Ghost’ and not ‘Just A Song About Ping Pong’ which has become pretty annoying.

6/10

Lightspeed Champion – Falling Off The Lavender Bridge

‘Falling Off The Lavender Bridge’ has 3 really, really good songs: ‘Midnight Surprise’, ‘Galaxy Of The Lost’ and the best of the three ‘Tell Me What Its Worth’. Other than that the album is distinctly average but for those three songs the album definitely deserves a mention of albums of 2008. Dev definitely has potential as well as seen with Test Icicles and Lightspeed Champion so I do expect the next album to be better than this one.

6/10

Hot Club De Paris – Live At Dead Lake

After loving ‘Drop It Til It Pops’ I immediately assumed I would love the new album by the Liverpool trio Hot Club De Paris. I was a little disappointed actually with the new album and to me there weren’t really many good points on the album. There was no ‘Shipwreck’ or ‘Your Face Looks All Wrong’ and despite seeing the album done quite well in many reviews I am going to have to disagree and say the album is not a very good one. I may live to regret this review when the album grows on me (like the first did) and I love it but at the moment I am not that much of fan.

5/10

2008 Albums: Best Of The Rest (Part Two)

2008-07-18T08:17:00.000-07:00

The Futureheads – This Is Not The World

You have to have major respect for The Futureheads who were dropped from their label 679 after the second album did not have much success, but they came back on their own. They’ve recorded and released the third album ‘This Is Not The World’ off their own backs and I have much respect for them for doing so. I was hoping as much as the next person for a perfect third album because I love this band so much. Unfortunately the album did not live up to my expectations, but it does have some great moments ‘Radio Heart’ being the best. Others include first single ‘Beginning Of The Twist’, ‘Walking Backwards’ and ‘Think Tonight’.

7/10

Hot Chip – Made In The Dark

How could any band make an album better than ‘The Warning’? Well, Hot C hip definitely managed it with ‘Made In The Dark’ although some will argue that nothing can really beat the first album. The second album is definitely on par with it and I am leaning towards thinking it just pips it. So many great songs just like the opener ‘Out At The Pictures’ and of course more obvious greats like ‘Shake A Fist’, ‘Ready For The Floor’ and ‘Touch Too Much’. The hits don’t stop there though because songs like ‘Wrestlers’, ‘Bendable Poseable’ and ‘One Pure Thought’ are just as impressive as the previously mentioned songs. Hot Chip has definitely recorded the best alternative dance record of the year.

9/10

Pete & The Pirates – Little Death

Pete & The Pirates released ‘Little Death’ in early part of 2008 and I have to admit after a few listens when it first came back it is not an album I have returned to over the year. This probably says something about what I think of the album, I don’t dislike the band or the album but it’s just a bit middle of the road for me. It doesn’t do anything for me despite there being some obvious high points like ‘Come On Feet’, ‘Moving’, ‘Knots’ and ‘Mr Understanding’ which happens to be a very good song to play an indie club. Overall Pete & The Pirates have created an album that you can imagine people forgetting in a few years, shame.

5/10

The Wave Pictures – Instant Coffee Baby

The Wave Pictures debut album ‘Instant Coffee Baby’ is quite a hard album to immediately like but after a few listens it is an album you find yourself enjoying it. One of the things which is so great about the band is the unique sound of the vocals and the obscure lyrics but behind that there are some great songs. Opening track ‘Leave The Scene Behind’ is a great example of that, ‘Friday Night In Loughborough’ is another brilliant 3 minute 27 seconds of music. ‘I Remembered’, ‘Strange Fruit For David’ and of course the stand out single ‘I Love You Like A Madman’ are all pretty fantastic moments from this album. This album is a very good effort for a debut album.

7/10

The Subways – All Or Nothing

You know what this album is my guilty pleasure of 2008, I always quite liked the first album ‘Young For Eternity’ but for some reason I hardly ever listened to it. The Subways new album ‘All Or Nothing’ is a definitely a louder, heavier approach and it’s one I am preferring to the previous sound. I can imagine if I was a 14 year old boy this album would really impress me and I read a quote from Alexei from Johnny Foreigner who said “We still don’t l-o-v-e The Subways but if yr a lil kid taking yr first steps into rock music you could do loads worse. I’ve never seen a band rock out in soundcheck like they do; whatever yr opinions on how credible they are, they’re certainly in this business for the morally right reasons.” ‘All Or Nothing’ is heavier but I definitely prefer songs like ‘Alright’, ‘Boys & Girls’, ‘Kalifornia’ and ‘Shake! Shake!’ to any songs from the first album.

7/10

2008 Albums: Best Of The Rest (Part One)

2008-07-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

Released back in March of this year MGMT (also referred to as The Management) has been one of the buzz bands of 2008. Several festival appearances and some pretty good air play have made MGMT a band in popular demand of 2008. The album ‘Oracular Spectacular’ is definitely a spectacular album and one of my favourites of 2008. Tracks like ‘Kids’, ‘Electric Feel’, ‘Weekend Wars’, ‘Time To Pretend’, ‘The Youth’ and ‘The Handshake’ make this one of the essential albums of 2008.

8/10

British Sea Power – Do You Like Rock Music?

‘Do You Like Rock Music?’ is the third album by Brighton based British Sea Power and came out in early January. Which seems a very long time ago but the album remains a really solid album with some big powerful songs on it ‘Lights Out for Darker Skies’ the perfect example. Other great songs on the album include the singles ‘Waving Flags’ and ‘No Lucifer’ along with songs like ‘Canvey Island’ and ‘A Trip Out’ make this a great album by a special band.

8/10

Sons and Daughters – This Gift

Glaswegian four piece Sons and Daughters returned with their third album ‘This Gift’ at the end of January, and of their three albums this is my favourite thus far. Songs like ‘The Nest’, ‘Iodine’ and ‘The Bell’ provide some really great moments for this band. Then of course the three singles ‘Gilt Complex’, ‘This Gift’ and the awesome ‘Darling’ which is probably the best song Sons and Daughters have ever composed. ‘This Gift’ will not appear on many top 10 lists (mine included) but at the same time it remains a pretty good effort by the Scottish foursome.

7.5 / 10

Cage The Elephant – Cage The Elephant

After hearing ‘In One Ear’ I had very high expectations from the Kentucky five piece but sadly Cage The Elephant seem to be a one hit wonder band. Although new single ‘Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked’ isn’t a particularly bad song the peak of the album comes from the opening track 'In One Ear'. This is never a good quality for an album; I’m sure Cage The Elephant won’t be around for much longer.

4/10

Does It Offend You, Yeah? – You Have No Idea What You’re Getting Yourself Into

DIOYY? are one of those bands I over looked to begin with just because the name really annoyed me. However I decided to give the album a listen and when I did I was pleasantly surprised, because the album has a very nice blend of electro songs (‘Battle Royale’, ‘We Are Rockstars’) and more vocal based songs (‘Being Bad Feels Pretty Good’, ‘Epic Last Song’ and my favourite 'Dawn Of The Dead'). Every song offers something different; the album is definitely for fans of Daft Punk sometimes and The Sunshine Underground at other times. Either way it’s an album that comes highly recommended from me.

8/10

2008 Albums: Blood Red Shoes - Box of Secrets

2008-07-18T06:39:00.000-07:00

Blood Red Shoes are one of my favourite bands to watch live, in fact I would go as far as saying of 2008 they are the best new live band. They are one of the tightest bands I’ve ever witnessed, every single drum beat, vocal and chord is in time and perfect to how they sound on record. Steven Ansell is one of the best new drummers around because not only does he thump his drums as hard as anyone I’ve seen he also delivers some great lyrics. Laura-May Carter is a pretty impressive guitar player and a very good front woman.

‘Box of Secrets’ is one of those albums I expect that many people will over look from 2008 and I think it will go down as an underrated album from this year. I doubt it will end up on many people’s top albums of the year polls, which is a shame because you can really tell Blood Red Shoes have put a lot of effort into the album.

‘Doesn’t Matter Much’ gets the album off to a pretty hefty start with some pretty loud guitars and some thumping drums. That sound continues pretty much throughout the whole album and you have to admire the noise two people can make with just drums and a guitar. Blood Red Shoes are so far from The White Stripes it’s unbelievable but the comparisons are always made by stupid music journalists. I’d say The Subways would be a more apt comparison because drummer Steve sounds quite similar to Billy lead singer of the Subways.

‘You Bring Me Down’, ‘Say Something Say Anything’ and ‘I Wish I Was Someone Better’ are three of the singles from the album and easily three of the best songs from the album. The last of the three being my favourite and at one point last year it was the only song I was listening to. Stunning drumming, rip roaring guitars, perfect harmonies along with some great lyrics make the song one of the best songs from 2007.

The good songs don’t stop at track number 5 though because the next four songs are just as impressive as the last four. ‘Take The Weight’, ‘A.D.H.D’, ‘This Is Not For You’ and of course last summer’s smash ‘It’s Getting Boring By The Sea’ are just four of the reasons why Blood Red Shoes are one of the best new British bands on the circuit.

8/10

2008 Albums: These New Puritans - Beat Pyramid

2008-07-18T06:15:00.000-07:00

I expected great things from These New Puritans debut album ‘Beat Pyramid’. I remember a couple of months before the album was released hearing the split single ‘Colours’ / ‘Numbers’ and thinking how fantastic they were and it got me very excited about the album. That same week I went to see them live for free supporting Foals and although none of the crowd were into them and to begin with they messed up a song they impressed me a lot.

There are not many bands around at the moment like These New Puritans; in fact there are no bands around currently like These New Puritans. The first two songs (ignoring the intro song) are ‘Colours’ and ‘Numbers’ and they get the album off to an extremely good start. So I am listening to wait for when the album is going to hit its weak spot, but that doesn’t really happen.

When it was first released 6 months ago I couldn’t stop listening to it but since then I’ve not really put it on much. However recently I’ve had it back on and I know it is going to be one of those albums I will go back too a lot. Which is definitely a compliment because albums I do that with are albums like Joy Division’s ‘Unknown Pleasures’, The Smiths ‘Meat is Murder’ and Pixies ‘Doolittle’. So they are in pretty fucking good company there… Comparisons wise The Fall obviously are the one everybody uses (including me in the past) but the more I listen to the album the less I think they sound like The Fall.

‘Swords of Truth’ and ‘Elvis’ are two more of the more stand out tracks and definitely the easier songs to listen to for new listeners of These New Puritans, especially ‘Elvis’ which is probably their biggest “hit”, I say “hit” very loosely, of course. Other songs like ‘C. 16th +-’, ‘En Papier’, ‘4 Pounds’ and ‘Infinity Ytinifni’ are amongst the other great tracks on ‘Beat Pyramid’.

These New Puritans have made an album that is definitely like no other out this year, or that has been out for a while. I’m very impressed with them as a band and I look forward to hearing what they will do in the future.

9/10

2008 Albums: Why - Alopecia

2008-07-17T05:19:00.000-07:00

Much like the No Age album – Nouns this album came to me without any knowing of this band or any know of the release. I think that is why I enjoyed the album so much, I had never heard a single song by the band and decided to download the album (don’t worry Why? I’ve now gone on to purchase the album, see try before you buy works). I think I downloaded the album based on 1. The name of the band 2. The name of the album and 3. The artwork is pretty fucking cool.

Many blogs I’ve read have said this is their favourite album of the year and have given it 10 out of 10 which is quite some statement because those blogs I’ve read probably didn’t know much about this band before 2008. ‘Alopecia’ was released back in March and did pretty well in most music publications.

The thing about Why? is that I can’t define them to a single genre; there is no way you can pigeon hole the band. Which is what makes them and this album so fascinating, Wikipedia classes the band as “abstract hip hop” which is a genre I’ve never heard of let alone been interested in. Either way ‘Alopecia’ is a pretty fine piece of music.

‘Fatalist Palmistry’, ‘The Vowels, Pt 2’, ‘The Hollows’ and ‘Brook And Waxing’ are my favourite tracks from the album because all four songs offer something a little different to each other. You find that when you listen to ‘Alopecia’ you will rarely find a song that sound similar to another one. Quite a rare trait for a 45 minute, 14 track album.

I wouldn’t class ‘Alopecia’ as my favourite album of 2008 however it certainly is one of my favourites and definitely one that I’d recommend to anyone who can appreciate good music. I am glad I discovered this band and this album, and I definitely class Why? as one of the discovery’s of 2008.

8.5/10

2008 Albums: Mystery Jets - Twenty One

2008-07-17T05:02:00.000-07:00

Rewind two years and Mystery Jets had released ‘Making Dens’ one of the best British debut albums for some years. It should’ve really been nominated for a Mercury Music Award that year but alas I’m sure it wasn’t and some other band who probably didn’t deserve it as much won it.

Two years later Mystery Jets release ‘Twenty One’ that difficult second album but produced by the genius that is Erol Alkan. Erol for me had some work to because I didn’t like The Long Blondes album ‘Couples’ which he produced. However I don’t think it was his production that was the problem but anyway I’ve already been there.

Thankfully the combination of one of the best British bands and one of the best producers around at the moment was the perfect duo. To say that this album is better than ‘Making Dens’ is extremely difficult for me to say because I loved that album. However for a band to make an album so different but at the same time so good is pretty fucking impressive. That band is Mystery Jets, what a contrast ‘Twenty One’ is to ‘Making Dens’ but that is definitely a good thing. Progression is important for any band and changing your sound as you further your career can definitely be a positive thing.

I think in the case of Mystery Jets ‘Twenty One’ has definitely meant they have found some new fans and at the same time kept the old fans still very happy. My girlfriend is the perfect example of a new fan and I am the example of the old, both of us are very happy with the new album. ‘Hideaway’ is one of the best opening tracks to an album I’ve heard for a while and I’ve read the band start their live set with it too, perfect.

Singles ‘Young Love’, ‘Flakes’ and ‘Two Doors Down’ are pretty much dance floor anthems. Anytime I’ve been a club and ANY of those three have come on the dance floor fills and alcohol filled enthusiasts dance their hearts away and sing at the top of their voices.

Other songs that deserve a special mention definitely include ‘Veiled In Grey’, ‘MJ’, ‘Hand Me Down’, ‘First To Know’ and my personal favourite ‘Half In Love With Elizabeth’. Mystery Jets have definitely taken a more 80’s pop sound with this album but in the case of this album that is no way a bad thing. Well done Erol and very well done you Mystery Jets.

8.8/10

2008 Albums: Be Your Own Pet - Get Awkward

2008-07-17T04:44:00.000-07:00

Be Your Own Pet’s self titled first album was one of my favourite albums of 2006 and still remains one of my favourite debut albums, ever. So ‘Get Awkward’ was always going to find it difficult to better the first album let alone equal its goodness. I think it delivered despite some criticism from various music publications.

One quote I remember from a review of the album said “Be Your Own Pet still haven’t grown up and are still making immature music, for immature people.” Fuck sake. Get a grip, not ALL music has to be serious and not all music has to have in depth meaning. I like serious music and intense lyrics as much as anyone but sometimes you need a break and Be Your Own Pet offer the perfect break.

I’m still a believer that the first album is slightly better but then again I’d give the first album 9.5 out of 10 so this album would’ve had to have been perfect to beat it. Live the new songs sound just as good as the old songs which is testament to how good Be Your Own Pet are live.

‘Becky’, ‘Black Hole’ and ‘Food Fight’ are my favourite songs from the album. Those three songs would easily be up there with my all time favourite songs by Be Your Own Pet alongside classics from the first album like ‘Wildcat!’, ‘Adventure’, ‘Girls on TV’ and so on.

Other songs like ‘The Kelly Affair’, ‘Blummer Time’, ‘Heart Throb’, ‘You’re A Waste’ and ‘Twisted Nerve’ are Be Your Own Pet on top form once again. Be Your Own Pet are a bit like Marmite because for every person I meet who fucking loves them there is someone who thinks they are complete garbage. Each to their own of course, but thankfully I am of the opinion who thinks they and this album is bloody brilliant.

8/10

2008 Albums: Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster...

2008-07-17T04:26:00.000-07:00

Welsh seven piece Los Campesinos! released their much anticipated debut album back at the end of February titled ‘Hold On Now, Youngster’ and it got much praise from Drowned in Sound and Pitchfork. Although NME only gave it a measly 6 out of 10 and said it lacked cohesiveness, er ok NME.

‘Hold On Now, Youngster’ still pretty much remains the album I most tap my foot to or nod my head along to from this year. It also gets the most plays in the car when we are going on long drives, although it’s not really stereotypical long drive music now is it? Either way it’s pretty good to listen to in the car…

I always knew it would be a good album because the band has got their head screwed on; it could’ve been very easy to make an album which was aimed at the mainstream. The album could have turned out sounding too polished and I’m sure many of us would’ve panned it. Thankfully Los Campesinos! did what they wanted to do for an album and have created a great debut album. They are also signed to a great label in Wichita who will let them get on with what they want to do with their music as they have done with other bands like The Cribs, Bloc Party and now the great Les Savy Fav.

‘You! Me! Dancing!’ is obviously the Los Campesinos! anthem and at 6 minutes 46 seconds is something of an anthem. Everybody I talk to always says ‘Y!M!D!’ is their favourite track from the album but I find it hard to just say one track which I class as my favourite. The album is packed full of favourites: ‘Drop It Doe Eyes’, ‘Knee Deep At ATP’, ‘This Is How You Spell “Hahaha, We Destroyed The Hopes And Dreams Of A Generation Of Faux-Romantics’ ‘… And We Exhale And Roll Our Eyes In Unison’ and ‘Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats’ are all considered my favourites from the album.

But I don’t think there is a weak song on the album because when I look over the songs I’ve forgotten to mention like ‘My Year In Lists’, ‘Death To Los Campesinos!’, ‘Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks’, ‘We Are All Accelerated Readers’ and ‘Don’t Tell Me To Do The Math(s)’ I remember what a strong album ‘Hold On Now, Youngster’ really is.

9/10

Superman

2008-07-16T11:38:00.000-07:00

This morning the 1978 version of Superman arrived through my letter box (obviously I was aware it was coming, it didn’t come unexpectedly). It stars the late Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Gene Hackman as his enemy Lex Luthor. If you don’t know the story of Superman you have lived a very sheltered life and need to go research it on wikipedia.

Being a film student (of 3 years) you’d think I would’ve seen this film at least once, but no like Seven a couple of days ago watching Superman today was a new experience for me. As everybody knows Superman is undoubtedly the biggest super hero of all time and is in the biggest comic book of all time. There are two TV Series I can think of (Smallville and The New Adventures of Superman) both about Superman.

When you watch the 1978 version of Superman you have to put into context that when it was released there had really been no other big superhero film. Also the visual effects and techniques so that Superman could fly had not been tried before. So although it can look a little bit amateurish compared to today’s high standards it still is pretty impressive.

The film has just about everything a great blockbuster would need: a villain, a love interest and of course someone we can idolise (Superman). Whilst I’m more of a Batman type of guy you cannot deny that Superman is the greatest hero of all time. This film sets out to prove it and it does just that, the film follows Superman from his birth on the planet Krypton to saving the world from the evil Lex Luthor.

Christopher Reeve IS Superman; there is no way anybody else in the history of the world of cinema could play Superman in this film. Obviously actors have gone on to play the great hero since but nobody comes close to Christopher Reeve as Superman. Gene Hackman is also superb as the evil witty genius that is Lex Luthor and Margot Kidder plays Lois Lane how she should be played: annoyingly. There is even a fantastic appearance from the late great Marlon Brando as Jor-El, Clark Kent’s real father.

If you was to watch one Superhero film in your life time I’d recommend this one over any other. It broke boundaries for it’s time, it has everything the perfect film requires and it remains the greatest fictional hero story of all time.

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Iron Man

2008-07-16T11:03:00.000-07:00

Not knowing much, well little about the superhero known as Iron Man (real name Tony Stark) I was pleasantly surprised with how the film adaptation of the comic turned out. Having read a couple of reviews in Empire Magazine and Total Film magazine I was concerned the film would be a let down. Both magazines tended to be quite negative towards the film.

However I began watching with an open mind and thought that the film’s director Jon Favreau managed to tell the story of Iron Man very, very well. The film takes a long time to build up to Tony Stark finally becoming the Iron Man which to begin with I wasn’t keen on but looking back it made the story a lot better. This helped with character development and for those who don’t know the details of Tony Stark helped fill in any missing gaps or information we would require to understand the plot and the film.

Tony Stark is a genius who can build destructive weapons and is owner of Stark Industries but whilst out on a business trip in Afghanistan he is kidnapped and made to build a powerful weapon however he does not. With the help of Dr. Yinsen (Shaun Toub) who has also been captured they build an armoured suit for Tony Stark to get the pair of them out. This becomes Iron Man.

Just before Tony was finally kidnapped he was wounded by one of his company’s own missiles and because of this has a car battery attached to his heart stopping the shrapnel from entering his heart. The two of them also build an “arc reactor” which enables Iron Man to regenerate energy when in battle. Iron Man manages to escape but Dr. Yinsen does not.

Back in America Tony Stark decides that his missiles and his company are wrong and decides to stop making anymore and to concentrate on saving people across the world in his new Iron Man suit which is making. However Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges) who is also known as Iron Monger in the comics plots to stop Tony Stark and to kill him with his own Iron Man creation. Of course with all good super hero films the good protagonist in this case Iron Man prevails over Obadiah.

The film has a great cast with Robert Downey Jr the cream of the crop, his performance as the witty, arrogant, womanising Tony Stark is what makes the film so good. He plays the role of Tony Stark very well and from what I’ve read pretty close to the comic book version. Jeff Bridges plays the two faced villain perfectly with actors like Terrence Howard and Gwyneth Paltrow also playing their part in the film. There are already plans for Iron Man 2 with the end of this film left unsolved the sequel should equal if not better the original.

* * * * * * * * * *

2008 Albums: Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

2008-07-15T07:34:00.000-07:00

Forget all the hype you heard or read about and try to forget that Radio 1 is trying their hardest to over play ‘Oxford Comma’ as much as humanly possible. Vampire Weekend has one of the most unique sounds of 2008 and for that you should definitely appreciate this album. To anyone who likes music if you’ve not listened to this album then it would definitely be a crime. Considering we are half-way through July everyday should be a lovely sunny day and what’s better than enjoying the sun and listened to Vampire Weekend whilst enjoying some ice cold pimms. Nothing beats that.

Having first witnessed Vampire Weekend back in October in a tiny, tiny, tiny venue which was packed out by celebrities, music journalists and record labels. There was a lot of pressure on Vampire Weekend that night at The Social but did they let it get to them? No fucking way. That night I said on the way home that 2008 would be a very big year for Vampire Weekend and so far it’s proving to be correct. They are the band to go and see at the festivals, they have the perfect summer / festival sound which you can definitely hear on the album.

Every single song on the album could be just as much as a hit single as the other. ‘A-Punk’ is one of the singles and is accompanied by an incredible music video and newest video ‘Oxford Comma’ is as good if not better. Is there anything that this band can do wrong? It seems not. The album is packed with fantastic songs, ‘Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa’, ‘Campus’ and ‘Bryn’ immediately coming to mind.

Then there is of course ‘One (Blake’s Got A New Face)’ which is one of the best live songs I’ve witnessed. Lead singer Ezra Koenig charms the crowd and manages to get the fans sing back the lyrics to the chorus tremendously. Newer songs ‘M79’ and ‘I Stand Corrected’ fit nicely onto the album and the latter remains my favourite song on the album. ‘Walcott’ and ‘The Kids Don’t Stand A Chance’ end the album perfectly, and give you an enormous sense of summer. This album comes with the highest recommendation from me to anyone who loves music.

9.5/10

2008 Albums: Foals - Antidotes

2008-07-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

The debut album 'Antidotes' from Oxford six-piece Foals was highly anticipated by everyone involved in music. It was probably the album most music fans were most looking forward to. Foals were working with TV on The Radio man David Sitek however Foals panned his production of the album stating it sounded like it was “record in the Grand Canyon”. That is a sound I would be quite interested in hearing actually…

Anyway the other big news from the album was that two single smashes 'Hummer' and 'Mathletics' would not appear on the album. Quite a bold statement from Foals to leave out their two biggest hits before 'Cassius' went on to get them a top 30 hit. Listening to the album again you have to agree that Foals made the right decision by not including those two songs. When you listen to the album in its entirety there is no need for those two songs, they wouldn’t fit on Antidotes having now heard the album.

The album was released at the end of March on Transgressive and despite some poor reviews from most notably the NME and Pitchfork who gave it 5.9 I still think it’s an impressive debut album from one of the most hard working bands in Britain at the moment. Drowned in Sound gave it 9 out of 10 which was a surprise to me that they rated it so highly because I expected backlash from everywhere.

I am not sure what else Foals could have done on the album? To me they have made an album I’m sure they are extremely proud of. ‘Antidotes’ is best listened to all the way through, to me it’s not an album where I can just listen to a couple of songs. When I listen to it I listen to all of it because I like it as a whole piece of work, which is something that I think Foals wanted.

‘Red Sock Pugie’ was always my favourite pre hearing the album and post hearing the album it still remains my favourite song. ‘Big Big Love (Fig. 2)’ was a shock to me at least to be included on the album but one that I am glad of. I always thought that was one of the best b-sides ever, so to hear it on record was definitely music to my ears. There are so many great moments throughout the record and for a debut album it does break some boundaries in the current climate of indie music. ‘Ballons’ is an obvious single and a very radio friendly song but then there are some great songs on the album which aren’t so obviously radio friendly (for example ‘Electric Boom’, ‘Olympic Airways’ and ‘Heavy Water’). You do get the feeling that this could’ve been a perfect 10 out of 10 album but that’s always such a hard task however it’s almost as perfect as debut albums come.

9/10

2008 Albums: No Age - Nouns

2008-07-15T05:40:00.000-07:00

‘Nouns’ came to me as a surprise in that I did not know anything about the band or that it was even coming out. I just happened to get it by chance really and thank God I did because it has gone on to become one of my favourites of this year thus far. Since then I’ve listened to the first album ‘Weirdo Rippers’ but that album just doesn’t do it for me and I’m of the opinion that ‘Nouns’ is the better of the two albums. A view not shared by many fans of No Age that I’ve talked to so far.

The best way to describe No Age is by saying that they make a lot of noise, but it’s extremely good noise. I wouldn’t really class No Age as shoegaze however there are some obvious influences from that genre especially My Bloody Valentine. Live No Age are said to be great to watch and when you listen to them on record you can imagine how they would be pretty special live.

How two people can make such a racket really makes me love this band and despite the noise there is some great melody behind the songs and some pretty catchy parts (‘Teen Creeps’ for example). ‘Eraser’ is another of my highlights from the album and also the first single from the album.

‘Cappo’ could easily be the next single, following on from where ‘Eraser’ and ‘Teen Creeps’ started it provides some great melody and some fantastic lyrics. ‘Sleeper Hold’ is another fantastic song from the album epitomises the No Age sound down to a tee. 'Here Should Be My Home' provides a slightly more poppier orientated sound than other songs however it is possibly my favourite song from the album, but then there are so many favourites. NME gave the album 7 out of 10 but I’d suggest that was a pretty harsh review with Pitchfork giving it a massive 9.3 which just goes to show how acclaimed this album is. It definitely surprised me, because I’ll be honest when I first listened to the album I was unsure but I let it grow on me and it has grown into a beautifully constructed piece of music.

9/10

2008 Albums: Johnny Foreigner - Waited Up 'til It Was Light

2008-07-15T05:05:00.000-07:00

Birmingham trio Johnny Foreigner’s first release on Best Before Records ‘Arcs Across The City’ EP received perfect reviews just about anywhere you look. Drowned in Sound and This Is Fake DIY all gave it 10 out of 10 so to follow up those reviews was always going to be difficult. The album which came out at the beginning of June did not receive the same type of perfect reviews from those websites but still scored very highly, and rightfully so.

Personally the record was a breath of fresh air and because I’d not heard all the demo’s that everyone else was bumming for ages it made the album better. A lot of the songs which I thought were new songs were in fact old songs and many people I spoke to stated the old demos were better, but isn’t that always the case?

Johnny Foreigner are not just another generic indie band who crop up all the time, Johnny Foreigner are definitely different and have made a bold statement with this album. The album is definitely a lot heavier than most indie records around at the moment and the thing I love about the album is that it sounds great when you turn it up extremely loud. I hate the rock cliché hand gesture but when you listen to this album you do feel like doing that. Heck during several of the songs I even attempt to rock out, metal style.

‘Salt, Pepa And Spinderella’ is about half-way through the album and provides a slightly less heavy sound until about 2 minutes in when the heavy sound kicks in again. ‘Yes! You Talk Too Fast’, ‘DJs Get Doubts’, ‘Lea Room’, ‘Cranes And Cranes And Cranes And Cranes’ and ‘Hennings Favourite’ are all 2/3 minutes of stomping beautiful guitar music. ‘Waited Up ‘til It Was Light’ is probably my favourite British debut album of the year.

9/10

Seven

2008-07-14T14:26:00.000-07:00

Seven is one of those films that when you ask people what their favourite film is it always comes up in a conversation. Or when in my case you tell someone you’ve never seen Seven they can’t believe it, especially considering I am a film student and have been for three years. I finally got round to watching it the other day and thank God I watched it because now I know why people list it in their all time favourites.

With a cast any film would be proud of Seven is one of the greatest thriller films of all time. The film directed by David Fincher (Fight Club, Panic Room and Zodiac) is easily Fincher’s finest moment as a film director and the cast will probably consider the film one of their best too. The film stars Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt who are both police detectives investigating a series of murders that all have something in common: the seven deadly sins. Greed, gluttony, sloth, lust, pride, envy and wrath are the seven deadly sins which the film revolves around.

Morgan Freeman puts in a wonderful performance as the wise and noble detective and Brad Pitt portrays the character of rookie detective extremely well. Kevin Spacey despite not appearing in the film for a very long time due to him being the serial killer puts in another fantastic performance as psychopath killer. Kevin Spacey is able to perform so many different characters so brilliantly; he must be regarded one of the finest actors of all time.

Everyone always goes on about the twist in Seven and thankfully I’ve never been told it, so it wasn’t spoilt for me when I was watching it. The last two sins were envy and wrath and if you haven’t seen the film then stop reading now because this will spoil the whole film. But envy was ultimately the life of Brad Pitt’s wife Tracy Mills who is played by Gwyneth Paltrow. Kevin Spacey killed Brad Pitt’s wife and for this Brad Pitt killed Kevin Spacey and ended the seven sins with the final one being wrath. As Morgan Freeman said just prior to him killing Kevin Spacey, “Don’t let him win, do not let him finish his sick fantasy”. But in due course Brad Pitt gives into his wrath and kills Kevin Spacey (which obviously you would do after just being delivered your wife’s head in a box).

The film throughout keeps you on the edge of your seat and keeps you guessing to what is going to happen next, which is everything you want from a thriller film. But this is no ordinary thriller film because it has an albeit twisted but definitely brilliant twist at the end.

* * * * * * * * * *

Hurry Up And Release Something!

2008-07-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

Two and a half years ago The Strokes released ‘First Impressions of Earth’ but since that release there has been nothing. Albert Hammond Jr. has since released two solo albums and it is time for another Strokes record. The Strokes second album titled ‘Room On Fire’ came out in 2003 and it took The Strokes over two years ago to bring out their third one. 30 months later we are still waiting for an album and at the moment there is no real sign of one either. By the time we get an album it is going to be easily three and a half years since the last record. To say The Strokes are a lazy band is quite the understatement, Julian Casablancas knows he has to get the next album right because the last album did not go down well critically and with the fans. The Strokes are definitely an important band and it is time for another album from Julian and co. So Mr. Casablancas hurry up and get your finger out of your arse and give us some new material.

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are not quite as bad as The Strokes because Karen O, Zinner and Brian Chase have released an EP since their last album came out in March 2006. But, still it’s been well over two years since ‘Show Your Bones’ was released and fans are wanting a new album from the New York trio. ‘Fever To Tell’ is a classic album and although ‘Show Your Bones’ did have it’s moments it was nothing on the debut album. I think the next album from the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s is going to be a big one and hopefully it will be a good one. Fingers crossed.

Post-punk outfit Neils Children released Change/Return/Success in 2004 and although there has been talk of an album for the past couple of years NC fans are still waiting for a new album. The band has had problems with members leaving and problems with labels but hopefully the band will release something this year. The band have been putting new songs on their MySpace which have been a step towards a more pop sound in comparison to songs like ‘I Hate Models’, ‘Trying to be Someone Else for Free’, ‘How Does it Feel Now You're on Your own?’ and ‘Getting Evil in the Playground’. I am looking forward to hearing an album by the band even if it is a change of direction in the way they sound.

The Sunshine Underground brought out ‘Raise the Alarm’ almost two years ago and TSU were dubbed ‘new rave’ and the album was said to have been the first album of the ‘new rave’ scene. Everybody who was anybody (apart from idiots who subscribe to everything NME say) knew TSU were not and never will be ‘new rave’, thank fuck. It is a solid debut album but two years on there is not really any talk of a new album, hopefully the band are keeping quiet about it and are going to bring out one very soon. I don’t suspect there will be a new album until late 2008 or early 2009 which is still a long time to wait.

It has been over three years since ‘Nice and Nicely Done’ was released by Americans The Spinto Band in North America and over two years since it was out in the shops here in the UK. That for any band is too long to wait to bring out a second album, I’ve not heard much talk of a follow up coming anytime soon but I have to admit I am not the biggest most hardcore Spinto Band fan. However I still would like to see how the band could go from the last album and how they will sound after ‘Nice and Nicely Done’.

What Ever Happened? (Part Two)

2008-07-13T08:19:00.000-07:00

Icelandic six-piece Jakobinarina were one of the first bands I saw when I moved to London and their album ‘The Last Crusade’ is definitely worth a mention for one of the most enjoyable albums of 2007. They are a really fun band live and I was really shocked when I found out that they were splitting up. It seemed like they were getting some good press, growing a pretty good fan base and getting around the country touring. Who can forget songs like ‘His Lyrics Are Disastrous’, ‘Jesus’, ‘This Is An Advertisement’, ‘Monday I’m Vain’ and ‘17’. It’s a real shame that Jakobinarina are no longer together…

Voxtrot released two of my favourite EP’s the first one in 2005 titled ‘Raised by Wolves’ which included such songs as ‘Missing Pieces’, ‘Raised By Wolves’ and my favourite song ‘The Start Of Something’. Second EP from 2006 ‘Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives’ was as good as the previous EP if not better. Outstanding songs from that release were the likes of self titled track ‘Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives’, ‘Soft & Warm’, ‘Fast Asleep’, ‘Rise Up In The Dirt’ and ‘Four Long Days’. Actually, that EP did not include a weak song and all five songs on the EP could have been singles quite comfortably. When the album was announced I was very excited about a full release from a band who had offered so much from those first two EP’s. However the album was a big disappointment to me and did not do well in many music publication and websites. There was not one song from the first two EP’s on the album which is something I admire, but the quality of songs on the album was nothing like the first two EP’s. I am not sure where the band will go from that disappointment, but obviously the only way is up.

Twisted Charm’s album ‘Real Fictional’ was purchased for me at Christmas 6 months ago and it has to have been my favourite present. Mainly because I’d looked for it everywhere and it was always out of stock or really expensive. I had already heard the album for a few months and really loved their sound and that album remains one of my favourites. An album packed with snarling songs like ‘Socialite’, ‘Cinema’, ‘Layabout’, ‘Boring Lifestyles’, ‘Clone Baby’, ‘London Scene?’, ‘Broken Girl’ and ‘Television Nation’. Twisted Charm’s take on society, media and culture was one that not many other bands were doing at the time. The bizarre fashion in which way they were doing was something that really appealed to me, and when I put that record on it still does. Sadly not many other people brought into their style and sound and I am not sure if they’ll be able to release a second album. This is disgusting when you consider bands like The Pigeon Detectives, The Fratelli’s etc are all pumping out tripe and the sad thing is people are buying it too. We can only hope Twisted Charm get another go at an album because I’m intrigued to see what they would do.

What Ever Happened? (Part One)

2008-07-13T03:36:00.000-07:00

Not about the first song on The Strokes album ‘Room On Fire’ but about bands that you loved that have disappeared or ultimately split up.

First up is Nine Black Alps, who in summer of 2005 brought out one of my favourite albums of the year. Obviously influenced by the grunge era and definitely Nirvana Nine Black Alps had a Manchester grunge sound like no other at the time. Since that brilliant debut album the band did bring out a second album titled ‘Love/Hate’ however the album did not live up to the first album and was critically shunned by most publications and websites. Hardcore Nine Black Alps fans will claim the album is as good if not better than the first album but in my opinion I think ‘Everything Is’ is a great debut album. Any album which has such singles as ‘Just Friends’, ‘Cosmopolitan’, ‘Shot Down’, ‘Not Everyone’ and ‘Unsatisfied’ is always going to be a fantastic album. Not forgetting my favourite track from the record ‘Headlights’ which could easily have been another single. What was so great was that unlike many other bands Nine Black Alps never re-released any of their singles they just brought out new ones which can only be admired. The word is that the band are currently working on a third album so fingers crossed the album will be a step back in the direction of the first.

Despite much criticism The Others did manage to record a fantastic debut album and however much you hate lead singer Dominic Masters he did have plenty of charisma to be a front man. I really loved that album and live The Others were terrific too, but unfortunately that first album was their peak and a peak they will probably never ever manage to reach to again. The second album ‘Inward Parts’ was terrible and even die hard Others fans cannot argue with that. Even though a third album is talked about for later on this year I think The Others have had their day and should call it a day and be proud of that first debut album.

Art Brut are a great band and Eddie Argos is a much loved lead singer who has plenty of charisma and charm about him. So much so that you know that he’ll be around in music for a long time to come yet, even if Art Brut won’t be. ‘Bang Bang Rock & Roll’ is full of great songs; ‘Formed A Band’, ‘Emily Kane’, ‘Modern Art’, ‘Good Weekend’, ‘Bang Bang Rock & Roll’, ‘Rusted Guns Of Milan’ and I could list pretty much the whole album. Art Brut did record a second album titled ‘It’s a Bit Complicated’ but like so many other bands it could not match up to the fantastic first album. ‘Nag Nag Nag Nag’ and ‘Pump Up the Volume’ were high points on the album, earlier on this year the band left EMI and Eddie Argos has got other avenues open to him in the music scene. So who knows what will happen to the much adored Art Brut.

2008's Album Disappointments (Part Two)

2008-07-11T05:06:00.000-07:00

We Are Scientists ‘With Love And Squalor’ is one of the best albums I own, and when I heard the first single ‘After Hours’ from the new album ‘Brain Thrust Mastery’ I was expecting another solid release from the Californians. This is where the disappointment comes in the album is really, really poor and apart from the lead single ‘After Hours’ there is not a song on there that I could really get enthusiastic about. We Are Scientists really proved that that second album is extremely difficult to master and this album is my biggest disappointment of 2008.

Cajun Dance Party were hotly tipped by just about everyone to hit the big time (including myself) and while this might happen the debut album ‘The Colourful Life’ is a major disappointment. After such promise with the demo’s everyone had for a while there was a real hope this band could bring out a fantastic debut album. Sadly the album is not what I expected and after a couple of listens I felt really disappointed because I really expected a great release. The problem is all the songs are ones we’ve had for ages and most of the recordings seem flat. Bernard Butler produced the album and I’m afraid to say that the ex Suede man has not done a very good job.

I’ve been waiting a good two years for Cazals to release an album (and to play some shows outside of London). The debut album ‘What Of Our Future’ was one of my most looked forward to albums of 2008 so when I finally got hold of the album I was very excited to listen to it. The album starts very well with ‘New Boy In Town’, ‘To Cut A Long Story Short’ and ‘Somebody Somewhere’ but throughout the songs (including the first three) you can’t help thinking that the demos were a lot better. All the songs have been slowed down with added random electronic bits here and there and generally. It’s a real shame when a band has so many great songs but they are ruined by production, because the band had so much potential but the album to me is a big let down.

2008's Album Disappointments (Part One)

2008-07-11T04:25:00.000-07:00

2008 has been a pretty good year thus far especially for debut albums when you consider the likes of Foals, Blood Red Shoes, Los Campesinos, Elle Milano, These New Puritans, MGMT, Born Ruffians, Vampire Weekend, Johnny Foreigner have all released cracking debut albums. However there have been some really poor albums this year released and albums that I expected to be a lot better.

First up The Young Knives released their follow up to ‘Voices of Animals and Men’ which was always going to be a hard task to better or even equal. Sadly the second album titled ‘Superabundance’ was not a patch on the first album which was one of my and many others highlight of 2006. However the second album did not really get anywhere close to being like the first album and it did prove to be that very tricky second album. Despite this the first two singles ‘Terra Firma’ and ‘Up All Night’ did rescue the album, slightly. I expect The Young Knives to return with a strong third album, at least I really hope so because I really love the first album and live they are very good.

The Long Blondes released their second album ‘Couples’ on April 7th and I was very excited the prospect of Erol Alkan and The Long Blondes working together. I was really expecting a great second album which I thought would better the debut album ‘Someone To Drive You Home’ which in itself was a little disappointing to me. Erol Alkan producing The Long Blondes, you’d think that was a perfect combination. However the album did not fulfil my high expectations and The Long Blondes still remain one of those bands I just cannot get into, both live and on record. A shame really.

Single: Tellison - Wasp's Nest

2008-07-11T03:59:00.000-07:00

Banquet Records are a record label close to my heart and have been since I moved to University because it’s just down the road for me. One of their favourite bands who they constantly play on at their excellent New Slang night club is Tellison who also happen to be on their Banquet Records label. Their new split single with the rather excellent Tubelord ‘Wasp’s Nest’ is quite easily my favourite song at the moment.

Sharp lyrics, a catchy chorus and some great Dartz influenced guitars make this song a beautifully crafted single. I’m not often bowled over by a single but as soon as I heard this song on their Myspace I had it on repeat. Wasp’s Nest is one of those songs that you keep going back to whenever you open your iTunes.

September 2007 saw Tellison release the full LP ‘Contact! Contact!’ on Banquet Records and Gravity DIP Records and despite that being under a year ago Tellison are back with a brand new single. Just testament that this band has a good future ahead of them and proof they can create brilliant songs. Tellison have been going for many, many years and should be going for many years to come if they can continue to write songs like ‘Wasp’s Nest’.

9/10

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

2008-07-04T09:21:00.000-07:00

The first film based on the book by C.S. Lewis ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ was absolutely fantastic. Walt Disney created a family masterpiece from the world famous books about the world of Narnia. The second film based on the second book Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia came out this summer and is set to be a great summer family smash.

The film directed by Andrew Adamson always had a hard task following the first film which undoubtedly will go down as a family classic film. To begin with the film wasn’t really filling its potential despite the fantastic settings but as the story went along the film gradually was improving. What Prince Caspian did fantastically was build the story of the film to a thrilling end which obviously you don’t appreciate at the beginning of the film when the story is a little slow.

Peter, Susan, Edmond and Lucy are waiting for their train home from school when suddenly they are taking back to Narnia after Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) blew the horn when he was in trouble in the woods. The way in which the film took you from Strand tube station to the land of Narnia was definitely an impressive technique, using the train to provide the “Wardrobe” from the first film.

Sergio Castellitto played the bad guy and Prince Caspian’s uncle King Miraz and his performance was really impressive. He played the bad King tremendously well which is surprising when you hear that Sergio has never read any of the books or knows little about the novels. Of course the four children played their roles well like they did from the previous film and Prince Caspian’s performance was good too. Characters such as Reepicheep played by Eddie Izzard, Nikabrik played by the fantastic Warwick Davis and finally Peter Dinklage the cynical dwarf Trumpkin were all on top form and provided a great cast.

Throughout the whole film you are waiting and expecting the arrival of Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson) and he finally appears in fantastic fashion. It is the relationship between Aslan the four children and all of the Narnians that makes the films and the novels so special for everyone who likes a good fairytale adventure film.

As previously said the film builds the story wonderfully to an epic finish between King Miraz’s troops and the Narnians, Prince Caspian and Peter, Susan, Lucy and Edmond. Having said this, the story does not quite live up to ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ but it has provided a great summer family blockbuster.

* * * * * * * * * *

Wimbledon

2008-07-03T05:53:00.001-07:00

As much as I like tennis I couldn’t say I was an avid watcher of it, in fact the only time I really take an interest is when Wimbledon is on. Obviously I am aware of the other three Grand Slams but because of the time difference of two of them and the lack of coverage of the French Open usually I tend not to watch any of them. Wimbledon on the other hand I usually get quite excited about and will watch a lot of the matches (if I am not working, which I am currently not). There is something about Wimbledon which sets it apart from any other tennis tournament and every year all tennis players look out for Wimbledon. I'm not suggesting it's a better tournament than the US or Australian however it is different and has something quite special about it the other three don't appear to have.

All the talk in this country at least has been about Murray and on Monday night he provided one of the great Wimbledon comebacks coming from two sets down to win 3-2 against world number 8 Gasquet. Unfortunately for Murray the quarter-final opponent that stood in his way was one Rafael Nadal who is at the moment the best player on tour and is tipped to finally win the Wimbledon title that Roger Federer has dominated for several years gone by.

You can help but not like Nadal who comes across off court as a genuine guy and on court he is a master with a tennis racket. My money is on him to win the tournament because I seriously don’t want Roger winning another. The final looks like it will be a repeat of last year and a repeat of the French open final with number one and reigning champion Roger Federer against hotly tipped and 5 time French Open Champion Nadal.

In the Women’s draw the final looks like it will be an all American all Williams final. Venus Williams is currently destroying number 5 seed Dementieva and her sister Serena faces the un-seeded Chinese Zheng. Who despite knocking out some big seeds will surely not be able to beat the power of Serena Williams? So for the Williams family another final for the two sisters’ beckons, the question is who will the Williams family support?

Big Brother

2008-07-03T04:57:00.000-07:00

I said this year that I was not going to watch Big Brother and was even up for backing some campaign I heard about called “Boycott Big Brother”. But having no job means you have a lot of time on your hands so you end up watching things you probably wouldn’t if you were busy. Sadly for me this means being sucked into watching Big Brother, I mean I’m not obsessed and have never watched any live feeds but I will pretty much watch it every night if I’m in.

This year has been the year of the bully (Alex), the rude (Sylvia), the vicious (Dennis) and at the moment the animal (Bex). Thankfully the first three were got rid of pretty quickly and fingers crossed Bex will be next because I think she is the most vile person I have ever witnessed, ever. I mean Jade would usually hit the top of those charts but at least she was funny but Bex is just an animal who needs to be removed from television as soon as humanly possible.

Luke is the biggest bitch I have ever seen, I can’t believe people like him exist in this world. He is always in the camera shot, he is absolutely everywhere and is usually bitching, gossiping and just generally being a prick. Him and Jen must go pretty soon for the sanity of me and others watching Big Brother.

At the moment I am leaning towards Rex winning because I don’t see what is so bad with him. Yes he has lots of money, but he hasn’t been spoon fed as many of the housemates (whom are all jealous) are suggesting. He is a head chef in his own restaurant so therefore he works hard for his money and at least he is good at a trade. What is Bex good at? Absolutely sod all. Last night in the diary room he definitely got my vote to stay in for this week when he said he was lonely in the house and said he doesn’t fit in. We’ve all been there and for people like Jen, Stuart and Dale they have no idea what it feels like because they like to be popular all the time.

I can’t believe I have got to the point where I am blogging about Big Brother, I DEFINITELY need a job. Please, somebody employ me. Please.

Glastonbury 2008

2008-07-03T04:42:00.000-07:00

This time last year I was regretting not going to Glastonbury although I did have an A-Level English Language exam on the Monday afternoon so that would’ve made it pretty difficult anyway. However I said as soon as it finished and I’d watched as much coverage as humanly possible that weekend that I would definitely go the next year. Fast forward to the beginning of 2008 festival rumours were beginning to come out and the big talking point was of course the Glastonbury headliners. Radiohead were talked about and everyone thought it would be them headlining one of the nights and I began myself getting excited about the thought of heading to Glastonbury.

So where was I last weekend? At home. Why? Well I think the line up pretty much sums up my reasoning for not going and of course the weather, which this year was actually good in Glastonbury’s recent history. Now it would be easy to blame Jay-Z for the lack of sales this year and for me not going but fuck it I am going to blame Jay-Z. That Saturday night could and should’ve been filled by Radiohead, if so then I would’ve been there and so would hundreds / thousands of others.

Last Friday night I sat down pressed the red button on my remote ready to watch some good Glasto coverage but what I got was mediocrity upon mediocrity. The choice was so bland and boring it made me sick to think these bands are even gracing the great Glastonbury stages. On the red button it was a choice between watching The Fratelli’s, The Enemy or Reverend and the Makers. My goodness what has the world come to when you have to choose out of those three bands? I think I’d rather watch TV coverage of paint drying.

I mean that put me right off even watching anymore footage but I thought no I would give it another go. So I tuned in late Saturday night to witness Jay-Z “performing” on BBC Two and on BBC Three Amy Winehouse “singing”. I wasn’t sure which was worse… no actually Amy Winehouse is far worse. Sunday night didn’t get much better with The Verve (Richard Ashcroft) boring me and thousands of others I’m sure. Of course there was some really great artists playing: Yeasayer, Edwyn Collins, Mystery Jets, Battles, Sons and Daughters, MGMT, Vampire Weekend, Los Campesinos all come to mind. But how much of their sets were covered? Out of those listed I only saw one song by MGMT and one song by Vampire Weekend. Pretty poor, BBC, piss poor.

Oh yeah and how fucking annoying is Annie Mac? God her voice just grates on me and she has no personality what-so-ever and is lacking any sort of charisma or charm to be a good presenter, stick to fucking Radio late night so we don't have to listen to you. Grimshaw is slightly better, but after an hour or so his voice gets on your nerves and appears to be everywhere at the moment which is not helping his annoying cause. So Eavis (and the BBC) sort it out next year, book some proper headliners and stop trying to appeal to “the kids”. For fuck sake.

Euro 2008

2008-07-03T04:18:00.000-07:00

To begin with I tipped a Portugal versus Spain final so I got one of the final participants correct. The Germans managed to claw their way through to the final playing some really bad football and not performing like some of the better teams in the tournament (Holland and Russia come to mind). However this is the way of the Germans, but in the final Spain was just too much for them.

Many pundits were calling Spain’s victory over Germany a victory for football because the way the Germans played and the way the Spanish played for the whole tournament. Previously the Spanish knocked out the Russians and before that the Italians on penalties. The win against the Italians was a win for football because the way they set up to play football. I was pretty disappointed with Italy and France in this tournament and I think both nations need to have a look at some of the other sides in the tournament and take note of how they play football.

The best game I watched was between Russia and the Dutch because both teams played fluent football. Quick passing, clever movement, one touch stuff and a real pleasure to watch but I never expected the Russians to be victorious. From the other side of the tournament Croatia disappointed against Turkey and I think had they got past Turkey they could’ve beaten Germany to get the final. However you have to give credit to Turkey for the way they kept coming back in games (Switzerland, Czech Republic, Croatia and almost Germany).

Turkey was the surprise package of the tournament and they never stopped believing which is a great trait to have. The Dutch were playing the best football to begin with but the old cliche "peaked too soon" came out of the closet and proved right in the end. Croatia and Portugal both had their moments but the two winners of the tournament have to be firstly of course Spain. But Guus Hiddink and his Russia side will have made the whole of the World take notice of them. This year's European Championships have provided a great month of June for football and definitely have been one of the better Championships of recent years.

Team of the tournament:

Iker Casillas (Spain)
Phillip Lahm (Germany)
Carlos Puyol (Spain)
Pepe (Portgual)
Sergio Ramos (Spain)
Wesley Sneijder (Holland)
Xavi (Spain)
Andrei Arshavin (Russia)
Lukas Podolski (Germany)
David Villa (Spain)
Roman Pavlyuchenko (Russia)

Manager: Guus Hiddink (Russia)

Euro 2008: The Story So Far

2008-06-18T17:51:00.000-07:00

The group stages are over and there has been some really great football along with some really dire stuff (Romania vs France springs to mind). There have been shocks along the way and there has been some pretty routine results as well but thankfully there has been shocks than we’d all hoped.

In Group A Portugal did what was expected of them and qualified as winners of the group but the game of the group was between Turkey and Czech Republic. The Czech’s were 2-0 up with 25 minutes to go but thanks to a couple of great finishes and Petr Cech’s costly mistake won the game 3-2 to go through to the quarter finals.

Croatia did what I knew they could and qualify, I said all along they were the dark horses for the tournament and they won all three games including a great 2-1 victory of Germany. Elsewhere Poland and Austria were disappointing and Germany despite faltering against Croatia qualified in second place.

Group C in the end turned out to be the most interesting of all the groups, before the tournament you would’ve expected Italy and France to both qualify considering they were both in the World Cup Final just 2 years ago. But no France failed to win a game and only scored 1 goal, Italy also struggled and got through with the skin of their teeth (like they always do).

But the story of the group and of the tournament has been the Dutch who have been on fire scoring 9 goals in 3 games and only conceding the one goal against France. Demolishing the World Champions 3-0 and disposing of the World Cup finalists of 2006 4-1 is impressive. However it doesn’t stop there because with their so called second string they finished off a Romania side that needed a victory to go through.

Group D saw Spain qualify for the quarter finals with some stand out performances from forwards David Villa and Fernando Torres. Meanwhile holders Greece crashed out miserably and the final game between Sweden and Russia was the crunch second place qualifying game. Sweden are an aging team with the likes of Ljungberg, Larsson, Mellberg and so on where as the Russians are on the up and play football quite sensationally. The result Russia out playing, out doing and most importantly out scoring the Swedes and won 2-0 to get through to the quarter finals for the first time in their history.

NBA Finals

2008-06-18T17:36:00.000-07:00

This year is the first year I’ve actually taken an interest in the NBA properly, in years gone by I’ve always seen basketball as a sport not really exciting. However this year the NBA has gripped me especially when the playoffs started and I’m glad I am now a basketball and NBA fan. The NBA is made up of the Eastern and Western Conference and after a long, long season the winners of the East face the winners of the West over 7 games. This season pitted the Western Champions the LA Lakers against the Eastern Champions the Boston Celtics.

Before the first game the talk was that the Lakers could win the trophy 4-0 so with this being the talk I opted to support the Celtics (the underdogs). Boston won the first two games and the Lakers won the third game in the 7 game series but game 4 was won by the Celtics and is considered the turning point as it was in Los Angeles.

Going into Game 6 the Celtics were 3-2 up and just needed one victory to secure their 17th NBA Championship, the first in over 20 years. The game was at Boston and the home crowd along with the home players were really up for the game and did not want to take it to that game 7.

In my short time of watching basketball this game provided fans with one of the best performances both offensively and defensively. When you remember the Lakers are considered one of the best sides in the history of the NBA the Celtics destroyed them beating them by almost 40 points. Paul Pierce picked up the MVP for the series but it was the whole Celtics roster which won them the NBA Championship.

Rondo a 22 year-old heavily criticised point guard was exceptional in game 6 scoring over 20 points, coming up with 6/7 assists and most impressively stealing on 6 occasions. Then there are players like James Posey, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett who on the night were on fire. But over the series the bench players like Cassell, House, Brown, Kendrick and Leon Powe were just as impressive. And a special mention to the Celtics coach Doc Rivers who provided the inspiration for every player on the floor to go out and become a Celtics legend.

The Celtics played a perfect series and have turned me into a big fan of basketball and the Boston Celtics.

Gangs of New York

2008-06-18T17:19:00.000-07:00

Martin Scorsese is one of if not my favourite director and I can reel off the top films he has put together (Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, The Aviator, The Departed). When Gangs of New York was released in 2002 I have to admit that I was not bowled over by the film or the cast.

Six years down the line I’m sat in front of the television watching the film I always imagined being “not my cup of tea”. The premise of the film is that Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) watches his father killed in a war between the Irish and the Natives in New York. The man who kills him is “The Butcher” Bill Cutting played by Daniel Day-Lewis, young Amsterdam is sent away for 16 years and kept away from the place he saw his father brutally murdered in the war of the streets.

Of course he returns and the only thing on his mind is to get payback for his father’s death but it does not go as smoothly as he would’ve liked and to begin with ends up becoming friends with the man who killed his father. Young Vallon becomes the apprentice of Bill Cutting who is none the wiser about who this new young gun is.

The film is dictated a lot about politics, immigration and gangs on the streets of New York. Thousands and thousands of Irish pile into New York to be sent into war for America which “The Butcher” totally disagrees with. He hates the Irish so much but because of his power the Irish have to tolerate him, but Amsterdam plots to kill Bill. He makes an attempt but fails and Bill teaches him a lesson but Vallon comes back for me with along with thousands of Irish and a war breaks out but in the end there is no real winner. The army come in between the Irish and the Natives by killing them all but Amsterdam does get his revenge and stabs Bill to death.

The film is an outstanding portrayal of how New York was during the Irish invasion and Daniel Day-Lewis gives a phenomenal performance as Bill Cutting. I am a big admirer of Leonardo DiCaprio having enjoyed his performances in films such as The Beach, Catch Me If You Can, The Departed and The Aviator however his performance in this film was a let down. He could not pull off the Irish accent and many times during the film you wasn’t sure if he was Irish or American.

This said the performances of Cameron Diaz and Daniel Day-Lewis along with the direction and great script provide for a compelling story and fantastic film.

* * * * * * * * * *

Album: Born Ruffians - Red, Yellow & Blue

2008-06-06T06:57:00.000-07:00

Right from the outset with the song with the same name as the album ‘Red, Yellow & Blue’ Born Ruffians have the perfect indie sound. Hailing from Canada this three piece released their long awaited album ‘Red, Yellow & Blue’ on impressive Warp Records. Born Ruffians are just another great example of the talent coming out of Canada. Compared with Tokyo Police Club by some magazines (most notably NME) due to the fact they are both from Canada and happen to be good friends in and out of music

However for me Born Ruffians are very little like Tokyo Police Club and do not use the same edgy-Strokes-Bloc Party-esque sound. What Born Ruffians do well is create perfect 3 minute indie pop songs, none so more perfect than ‘Hummingbird’ which you may have heard on the recent “Animal” Orange advertisements. What ‘Hummingbird’ manages to do so well is make you hum (excuse the pun) along pretty immediately. With its wonderful melodies and catchy guitar riffs ‘Hummingbird’s pretty much the perfect song to epitomise Born Ruffians.

They are much more than just one song as new single ‘I Need A Life’ proves; where it follows on from the previous songs pop sound it has an even catchier chorus. “The sun is shining but we stay inside, Oh but we go out at night” is pretty much how my life was at University during the first year. “We put up the curtains, block out the light” and “And we stay in bed until we feel all right” is pretty much how I am with my life at the moment. In 3 minutes 27 seconds ‘I Need A Life’ pretty much sums up how my current life status is, although I would change the song title to ‘I Need A Job’, then again I can’t be too fussy as it’s not my song.

The album is brimming with songs which could be singles and ‘Barnacle Goose’ certainly fits in with that category. Much like amusingly named ‘Badonkadonkey’ which could well be the next single with its catchy chorus and infectious lyrics. Much slower ‘Little Garcon’ is not a single but a brilliant song which shows Born Ruffians less slower side but once again has the element of infectiousness. A word which I think pretty much sums up the whole album.

Much longer songs for the album ‘Red Elephant’ and ‘Kurt Vonnegut’ despite being a little slower and longer include some of my favourite moments on the album. Album closer ‘Red Elephant’ is a fine ending for any album and for this album ends the album on a real high point.

‘Hedonistic Me’ is a song that reminds me of Vampire Weekend (which is no bad thing) and it’s a song that Vampire Weekend would be very proud of. This song really makes lead singer Luke Lalonde’s voice stand out, because it’s a distinctive sound that he has and even the backing vocals are unique. ‘In A Mirror’ is one of my favourite songs off the album despite not liking it on first listen. But that’s the thing about this album; do not expect to love it from the first listen. It will take a few listens before you really appreciate it fully and once you do you will realise that it’s a fantastic indie record.

8.9/10

Euro 2008: Top Ten

2008-06-06T05:05:00.000-07:00

Fernando Torres
My prediction for top goal scorer in the competition, has had a great first season with Liverpool. Certainly has lived up to the 25 million Liverpool splashed out on him last summer and the Spanish will be hoping he can continue his great form into this tournament to help Spain lift the trophy.

Cristiano Ronaldo
Will surely pick up World player of the year when the awards are handed out, after already collecting every individual trophy in England Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world at the moment. There is a lot of hope and pressure on the winger to perform but if anyone can deal with the pressure it’s the boy from Madeira.

Luka Modric
Recent signing for Spurs the tricky centre-midfielder will be involved in every good the Croatians do. He can dribble, pass, shoot, score, cross – heck he can do just about everything and is only 22 years old. Big things are expected in the future for this boy and I think he’ll show his potential throughout this month.

Frank Ribery
The first of three Bayern Munich players Frank Ribery has a heavy burden on his shoulders after being compared to the great Zidane. He will have to create for the French along with score goals from midfield, but he has the ability to do both and I think he will have a good tournament.

Philipp Lahm
The only defender in the list Lahm plays more like a full-back come winger, expect him to bomb forward at every opportunity and don’t be surprised if he comes up with a goal or two during this tournament.

Luca Toni
Powerful and strong are two words which epitomise the Italian forward who plays his trade at recent German champions Bayern Munich. He can score goals, hold up the ball for players and create problems on set-pieces. Defenders will find him a handful and the Italians adore him for his passion for the Azzuri.
Wesley Sneijder
Real Madrid midfielder Sneijder is the cream of the Dutch crop and I think he will have a good tournament for ‘Oranje’. His vision on the ball and ability to score from anywhere means he is a real threat at all times and opposition players will have to track him carefully.

Petr Cech
Familiar to fans of the Premiership, without a doubt he is the best goalkeeper in the world and the Czech Republic are going to need him to be on his best form if they are going to progress in this tournament.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic
A forward who has power, great technique and a world-class first touch Sweden will be relying on Zlatan to hold the ball up, find other players and of course score them goals. He always turns it on at major competitions and I expect him to come good for the Swedes this summer.

Andrei Arshavin
I almost didn’t put the silky playmaker in this top ten because he is going to be suspended for the first two games. However if Russia make it through the group stages then he is going to be fresher than anyone else and could cause real problems opening up defences with his vision.

Euro 2008 Guide (Part Four)

2008-06-06T04:41:00.000-07:00

Group D

Greece

Four years ago today had you walked into a bookies and placed a bet on Greece to win you would’ve been laughed all the way home. But you would get the last laugh when you collected your money when Greece won the European Championships. However lighting will not strike twice and Greece will NOT win it again and I am not even sure they will get out of their group when you look at their opponents. Greece does have in Otto Rehhagel an experienced German manager who knows how to win matches. They also have some experienced footballers with the likes of Stelios (74 caps), Basinas (88 caps), Karagounis (74 caps) all from midfield. Up front Charisteas will be Greece’s goal hope and in goal Nikopolidis has 87 caps to his name. This Greece will be no pushovers but you just cannot see a repeat of 2004.

Russia

Guus Hiddink is one of the best managers at international level around at the moment; he took an unheard of South Korea side to the semi-finals in 2002 as well Holland to the same stage four years earlier. This Russian side is brimming with talent, silky football and great football brains. Zenit St. Petersburg showed the whole of Europe recently what a great side they are and expect them to be playing great football in the Champions League final next year. I would’ve put money on them qualifying from this group before I heard the news that influential playmaker and Captain Andrei Arshavin will be suspended for the first two games. He will only face Sweden in the last game when it could be too late for Russia to qualify.

Spain

There is a lot of pressure on Spain to finally come good in a major tournament and there is a lot of hope of the Spanish people to finally bring home a major trophy. Many critics, pundits, neutral supporters and even Jose Mourinho are suggesting that this year could be the year for Spain. When you have a the side which contains Fabregas, Torres, Ramos, Xavi, Silva, Villa, Puyol, Casillas, Xabi Alonso you have to quietly confident. But every time a big tournament comes around Spain have a side full of quality players but it doesn’t always mean they perform. I hope they do this year because they are easily the best side in terms of talent and flair this summer.

Sweden

Not many pundits are tipping Sweden for much success, but I think you would be a fool to write them off. I saw one critic who suggested they would finish bottom of their group, I’d be very surprised if this happened and I expect them to finish second in this group. In attack the Swedes have countless amount of goal scorers (Ibrahimovic, Elmander, Allback and of course the great Henrik Larsson). At the back Isaksson, Mellberg and Nilsson are capable of stopping world class players and in midfield the flair will come from Ljungberg, Svensson Kallstrom and Wilhelmsson. Sweden have goal scorers, solid defence, experience and creativity – all the attributes you need to be a force in major tournaments.

Euro 2008 Guide (Part Three)

2008-06-04T15:40:00.000-07:00

Group C

France

Group C to me is the most intriguing and most interesting group because it involves three “big teams” and Romania who will consider themselves in the group of death. France who reached the 2006 World Cup final is not the winning side of 1998 and 8 years ago in 2000. Zidane, Blanc, Barthez, Deschamp, Lizarazu, Thuram, Petit and Desailly all at their peak the French were unstoppable. However today it’s a different story for the French who will rely on a new generation of stars that are not a shade on the sides of 1998 and 2000. Despite the French downfall I expect them to be strong and get past the group stages, how can you bet against a side with the likes of Henry, Sagnol, Abidal, Ribery, Nasri, and Benzema and so on?

Holland

Holland are the team everybody loves to watch and over the past 20 years have had generated some of the world’s best players. Cruyff, Van Basten, Seedorf, Bergkamp, Overmars, De Boer, Davids and the list goes on. Unfortunately for the men in Orange Holland are the “nearly” men listed alongside Spain. Could this be the year of the ‘Oranje’? Holland DO have the players to mount a serious challenge when you consider the likes of Robben, Van Der Vaart, Van Nistelrooy, Sneijder, Van Persie and experienced goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar. However it’s in defence I worry about the Dutch side, no longer are the days of De Boer, Stam or Reiziger, Numan, Bogarde. I hope for the neutrals amongst us that Holland get into gear this summer and show the world what beautiful football they can play.

Italy

The reigning World Champions will really fancy themselves this summer despite losing influential captain Fabio Cannavaro. I think the loss of the Real Madrid star will prove very costly for the Italians especially in the latter stages of the competition however I do expect them to get through this group and get to the semi-finals at least. When you have players such as Toni, Gattuso, Pirlo, Buffon, Zambrotta, Del Piero, De Rossi, Perrota etc you have to be considered one of the favourites to win the tournament. Despite the talent contained by the Azzuri I think this year they will struggle to A) score enough goals and B) keep them out without Cannavaro; their rock at the back.

Romania

Poor old Romania who has been given the group of death and no one in their right mind will fancy them to beat any of the above. If this group goes on paper Romania will sit at the bottom of the group in a couple of weeks with no points. Are critics being too harsh on the Romanians? No way. When you get put in a group with the World Champions and the runners-up of that very competition alongside the very talented Dutch side you have to be realistic and state the facts. I hope the Romanians prove everyone wrong and really show the three big sides in their group that they are no pushovers. If this is going to happen they need very BIG performances from the two centre-backs Chivu and Contra along with world class showing from controversial striker Adrian Mutu.

Euro 2008 Guide (Part Two)

2008-06-04T09:58:00.000-07:00

Group A

Czech Republic

Not the team they once was when Pavel Nedved, Patrick Berger and Karel Poborsky were all pulling the strings. Along with a much younger Koller and an in form Baros the Czech team had all the ingredients for a fantastic side. However now Nedved, Berger and Poborsky have all gone and with influential midfielder Rosicky missing too you have to wonder how far they can go in this competition. However they will still fancy themselves to beat Switzerland and Turkey from their group and with Petr Cech in goal they have the best keeper in the world. At the back they are solid too; key players Grygera, Jankulovski and Ujfalusi have 176 caps between them.

Portugal

Phil Scolari has a knack of doing well with teams he takes to big finals like this one. Four years ago he took this Portugal side to the final and should’ve won against Greece in the final, this year he and his side will be looking to go one step further. Everyone will be focusing on Ronaldo but the Portugal squad is brimming with flamboyant players like Simao, Nani, Quaresma, Moutinho and Deco. They aren’t short of experience at the back either with Ricardo (goalkeeper, 75 caps), Miguel (47 caps), Paulo Ferreria (47 caps), Ricardo Carvalho (43 caps), Fernando Meira (49 caps). All over the pitch Portugal have talent, which is why this year could just be their year.

Switzerland

The co-hosts will not expect to finish top of this group or even second however as the old cliché goes “football’s a funny old game”. Not that funny though. Alexander Frei is the man up top for the Swiss with 35 goals to his name with Hakan Yakin in midfield the creative star. At the back the Swiss are experienced and hard to break down at times with the likes of Muller, Magnin, Spycher and new Liverpool signing Philipp Degan adding much protection to their goal. Protection is something they are definitely going to need when the likes of Ronaldo, Koller, Nihat, Deco, Tuncay, Baros etc are going at them.

Turkey

I am torn whether the Turkish team will finish above the Czech’s in this group; I think it will depend on how key players perform. Former Newcastle midfielder Emre being one of the players who needs to show why he is highly rated on the International scene. Nihat up front will score the goals in the Turkish side along with Tuncay who plays his trade for Middlesbrough in the Premiership. Captain of the side is experienced infamous goalkeeper Rustu Recber who is an experienced character. The problem with Turkey is that they don’t have enough goal scorers or flair players to really mount an attack on the European Championship trophy. Having said that they are hard to beat and on their day can cause problems for many sides across Europe.

Euro 2008 Guide (Part One)

2008-06-03T16:41:00.000-07:00

Group B

Austria

There is no CHANCE in hell that Austria will win the tournament and if you’re being totally honest Austria did only qualify because they are hosting it along with Switzerland. They are in an interesting group with Germany, Croatia and Poland so I don’t expect them to even get out of their group. You’d expect both Germany and Croatia to beat them and even Poland will fancy their chances against the hosts. To win matches in International tournaments you need a strong defence, influential midfield and forwards who will score. Austria only has one of these qualities, therefore have no chance.

Croatia

Had Eduardo not suffered one of the most horrible injuries you’ve ever seen a few months ago I’d fancy Croatia to have gone very far. Unfortunately for them and the neutrals Eduardo is missing from the tournament however they have many other talented players such as Modric, Petric, Kranjcar, Srna and of course the two Kovac brothers Robert and Niko the captain. Croatia are my dark horses but if they finish second in the group and Portugal wins their group (which you expect they will) the two will meet in the next round. Against Portugal you just can’t see Croatia A) scoring and B) keeping a clean sheet. Never the less it should be interesting to see if Croatia can prove me and the critics’ wrong, if anyone can it’s the Croatians.

Germany

We all know about the Germans in International football competitions, they are brilliant and performing in the big tournaments and I expect them to turn up in June. They have forwards who can score serious goals and don’t be surprised if the top scorer from the competition is a German when you have Klose (39 goals), Podolski (25 goals), Kuranyi (19 goals) up and coming 22 year forward Mario Gomez who has 6 goals in 10 games. Defensively the Germans are strong too with centre backs Mertesacker and Metzelder along with the impressive full back Philipp Lahm. However apart from Ballack the midfield is not looking as strong as it once did, the same goes with the goalkeeper position which will suffer without German legend Oliver Kahn. Either way expect Germany to be around the semi-final places because they are so good in knock out competitions.

Poland

Can’t say I know much about the Polish team but what I do know is that all three of their goalkeepers play their trade on the British Isles. I don’t expect Poland to qualify from this group when you consider how strong Germany and Croatia will be in their group. I suppose stranger things have happened in these tournaments (Greece winning it four years ago comes straight to mind). I am sure Poland will have a strong following from this country and also that the commentators will have great fun in trying to pronounce the names of almost every player.

Euro 2008 Preview

2008-06-03T06:46:00.000-07:00

So England are not in the tournament; big fucking deal. I for one am glad England are not in the competition because the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Wes Brown, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick will all get the summer off. I’m not a big follower of England for reasons I will not delve into. Anyway I love International tournaments like Copa America, European Championships and of course the World Cup.

The BBC and many tabloid newspapers have been voicing their “Who Will You Support?” campaign in a plea to get more people interested. I said from day one I was going to support Portugal and I stand by that because I love big Phil Scolari, Ronaldo, Nani, Veluso, Quaresma, Mouintho, Pepe, Ricardo – fuck it the whole team (I may become Portuguese just because I love Nando’s so much as well).

I suspect the usual suspects to be challenging for the crown the likes of Italy, Germany and France. Many are suggesting it could be the year of Spain when you look at the talent they have in Torres, Silva, Villa, Fabregas, Puyol etc. Could it be the year of Croatia? I like their team spirit and have many really good passers of the ball. Undoubtedly they will miss their main scorer Eduardo, just like Italy and France will miss their captains Cannavaro and Vieira respectively.

Through a lengthy working out going through every fixture I have come to the conclusion that Portugal will knock out Germany in the Semi-Finals to face Spain who will knock out France in the Semi-Finals. To get a final of Portugal against Spain, which I think is the final we all want to see, probably the two best attacking sides in the competition against each other. Who would win out of those two? I think it could come down to penalties, and then my money would be on lucky Ronaldo and Portugal.

Album: Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell

2008-06-03T04:04:00.000-07:00

When ‘A Lesson In Crime’ was released hype and buzz surrounded this Canadian outfit and rightly so considering the brilliance of the EP come album. That was over two years ago and since then the band put out ‘Smith EP’ which featured one of my favourite songs of last year, ‘Box’. They also released the single ‘Your English Is Good’ along the way to which thankfully has made it to the album.

All these releases in the space of a couple of years show that this band is certainly not afraid to get material out there quickly. However some times quantity does not beat quality, The Pigeon Detectives comes to mind straight away.

Many fans of the band were upset with the track listing of the new album because it only had ‘Your English Is Good’ on it and none from the first release ‘A Lesson In Crime’. To me this was refreshing from a band; it could have been so easy to fill the album with songs they’d re-recorded from that first EP, thankfully they did not.

First single from ‘Elephant Shell’ is ‘Tessellate’ which is certainly a strong first single providing us with some great vocals from Dave Monks. Singer and bass player Dave Monks certainly does have an unusual voice and this is strong on ‘Tessellate’ which is brimming with sharp guitar chords and sweet piano sounds.

‘Centennial’ starts the album off and does not disappoint and has all the Tokyo Police Club trademarks we come to expect from listening to ‘A Lesson In Crime’. ‘In A Cave’ follows the first track on and remains my favourite song from the album. For some reason when I first received the album this was the opening track so it was the first song I heard and it still remains the song I always go back to first when I put the record on.

The impressive single from last summer ‘Your English Is Good’ is on the album and is still as powerful as before. “Oh, give us your vote, give us your vote. If you know what’s good for you.” Not sure what we’re voting for but if their manifesto is as good as this song I’ll certainly be voting.

This album includes many, many more highlights including ‘Listen to the Math’ which is a little slower than we come to expect with Tokyo Police Club. ‘Juno’ which shares the same name as recent film about teenage pregnancy, although I don’t think it’s about the same topic. All the same ‘Juno’ provides yet another reason why this is a really good album. ‘Graves’ is a song any good respectful indie band would be proud of, and you can hear some Strokes riffs in there to boot, which is never a band thing.

It was always going to be hard to follow up the impressive first release ‘A Lesson In Crime’ but I am sitting on the fence to whether or not it beats it. My only complaint with this album is that at 27 minutes and 58 seconds it is a little short however if you’ve got a spare 30 minutes and you want some easy listening indie then look no further than this album.

7.4/10

Mario Kart: Nintendo Wii

2008-06-02T12:18:00.001-07:00

For everyone who ever had a SNES, NES or N64 when they were younger the best thing about having the console was Mario. In particular for me it was playing Mario Kart with your mates, everyone crowded round a small television playing 4-way split screen Mario Kart. Someone was always Mario, Luigi and Dong Kong and I was ALWAYS Yoshi for some reason. You raced your mates like your life depended on it. Sadly this great fun has been missing from all our lives for far too long, which is why many of us Nintendo geeks were ecstatic when Mario Kart was released for Nintendo Wii.

There were some questions surrounding the game; would it let us down? Would it be far too advanced for us to really compare it to the retro days of Mario Kart on our old Nintendo consoles? Would Nintendo try and complicate things too much by adding too many new characters?

Thankfully Nintendo came up with the goods and have provided Nintendo Wii owners across the world with perhaps the best game to have come out on Wii thus far (although Super Mario Galaxy is flawless). What Nintendo has now that it didn’t have 10/15 years ago is online accessibility which has created a whole new world for Nintendo gamers. Playing against 11 others online on several different tracks is something never experienced before by Nintendo geeks. Racing people from across the globe on Mario Kart is a new experience for everyone and one that all Mario Kart owners are thoroughly enjoying.

But do not worry if you do not have internet access on your Wii there is plenty more things to do so that you don’t get bored quick. The career mode will take you plenty of time to complete perfectly through the different engine sizes. Then if you’ve had enough of that you can always get your friends round and play them on split screen with characters old and characters new.

All this great entertainment without even mentioning its unique selling point: the Nintendo Wii Wheel. Which means you can now play Mario Kart as if you were driving yourself, move your wheel left and you go left, move it right and guess what happens? I’m sure you’ve got the correct answer. Press B and fire shells, release bananas, turn into a rocket and much more brilliant weapons and speed ups. In Mario Kart Wii Nintendo have created a racing game which is perfect for everybody in the family. Well done Nintendo.

100%

Walk The Line

2008-06-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

Really I should’ve watched Walk The Line on it’s release some 3 years ago but alas I did not. When it was released it didn’t really catch my eye and I didn’t really think much of Johnny Cash’s music.

Thankfully I finally got round to watching it and despite me still not really liking the style of Johnny Cash I thoroughly enjoyed it. So much so I went out and purchased it (for 5 quid, along with a Johnny Cash CD – also 5 quid). Obviously the film is about the career of Johnny Cash however there is much more to it than that. You find out about his family life, his personal life, his drug and drink problems and everything that goes with being a rock star.

There was times in the film where I disliked Johnny Cash but overall you end up really loving his personality. Joaquin Phoenix (who wanted to be known as Leaf Phoenix as a kid because his siblings were called River, Rain and Summer) delivered a performance like no other. To think that Joaquin Phoenix played Commodus in Gladiator is unbelievable when you watch this performance of Johnny Cash. It really put Joaquin in a different light, and then when I found out he was vegan I liked him even more so. Reese Witherspoon collected the Oscar for Best Actress at the Academy Awards and rightly so because her performance was excellent. However, how Joaquin Phoenix did not win Best Actor is one of life’s bizarre mysteries I suppose.

The film is a sensational story of Johnny Cash but it is made by the performance of Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash. When I see a real picture of Johnny Cash then think of how Joaquin looked in the film it is remarkable how much a like they looked. What is even more outstanding is that Phoenix sung all the songs himself and sounded just like Johnny Cash. Someone who I was talking to actually thought Joaquin was miming and could not believe it when I informed them it was him singing.

What makes this film so brilliant is the way one minute you have a moment of laughter closely followed by a moment of seriousness to then a moment where you are going through the emotions with the characters. Not forgetting the outstanding casting of the actors, the exceptional performances from the lead characters and of course the sublime soundtrack.

This film has everything you’d ever want from a film.

* * * * * * * * * *

Eurovision 2008

2008-06-01T13:28:00.000-07:00

Understandably this post should’ve come seven days ago however I’ve been up to my eyes in work (hahahaha). It’s just late and I got a spur to write about it mainly because my girlfriend purchased the newest Sebastien Tellier album today and we listened to it on the car on the way home.

Anyway back on track; the Eurovision contest is always a great laugh usually because a mixture of Terry Wogan’s commentary and the acts involved. It has become an absolute joke recently though and for all the wrong reasons. The Eurovision is not about the music it’s all about politics and who is “in” with whom. What a surprise that countries such as Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland all voted for each other. Or that the Eastern block all voted for each other and who was surprised when Spain and Portugal gave each other the top points? Certainly not me.

I do not think the UK deserved to get any points considering the song this year was done by X-Factor reject and ex-bin man Andy. It was a dreadful song and the way Andy pranced around stage made you cringe to think he had kids watching him. The United Kingdom deserved nothing but surprisingly got 14 points (or something pathetic like that).

I actually can’t remember the song that won it anymore (which says a lot about the song) but remember that it was Russia and that Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia etc all voted for Russia. IF the votes were purely based on how good the song was then Russia would’ve stood no chance. On music there was only one winner and that was France. Sebastien Tellier’s Divine was easily the best song eight days ago. How the hell he did not win is beyond me, the song stood out like a throbbing sore thumb compared to the “talent” it was up against.

Poor Sebastien, I am sure you’re gutted but do not worry Mr. Tellier because the rest of my family and I think you were ace. You are the real winner of Eurovision 2008.

Sebastien Tellier - Divine (Credit to GWFAS)

Champions League Final

2008-05-25T13:36:00.000-07:00

For the neutral the Champions League final had just about everything; not just blood, sweat and tears but penalties, drama, a red card and much more. However for a non-neutral the game was horrific to watch although if you are a Manchester United fan the result was obviously pleasing. Thankfully I support the boys in Red and could not wait for this match but when it finally arrived I was shaking nervously.

When we last won the European Cup I was only 11 therefore did not realise the seriousness of the trophy and I also did not partake in much football banter. When Ole scored that goal I cried with tears of joy and phoned my Nan who said she jumped out of her wheelchair for the first time in years. She is sadly not with us anymore but she would’ve been over the moon with the result on Wednesday night.

First half we played some of our best football with Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez all combining to great aplomb. Really United should’ve easily had the ball in Petr Cech’s net 3 times but alas we didn’t and Frank Lampard scored a lucky goal just before the stroke of half time. Which changed the course of the game and second half Chelsea were on top and we defended for our lives like we have done many times this season (Barcelona home and way both come to mind). Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have become heroes like the days of Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister and Patrice Evra is certainly on his way to becoming a United legend much like previous left-back Dennis Irwin.

Penalties are cruel. However it is the only fair way to decide the game (easy for me to say with the European Cup sitting comfortably at Old Trafford). When our player of the season missed I thought it was all over but you know with United that we never give up. Nani scored a vital spot kick which put all the pressure on John Terry to score; but he couldn’t do it. “Mr. Chelsea” failed to put the ball in the net and Ryan Giggs scored United’s winning spot kick with ex Liverpool and Man City forward Nicolas Anelka missing the all important penalty. Thank you John Terry, thank you Nicolas Anelka and most of all thank you Edwin Van Der Sar.

Cue mad celebrations, singing on the streets, running up and down the street waving my George Best no. 7 retro United shirt in the air. I cannot believe how a game of football can take you through so many emotions, but for United fans the feeling at the end beats any feeling in the world. Wednesday May 21st is a day I will never forget till’ the day I die.

Album: Elle Milano – Acres of Dead Space Cadets

2008-05-13T06:33:00.000-07:00

For most Elle Milano fans the journey has been a long way and for the band the experience has been the same. There have been ups and downs along the way and losing a vital member of the band certainly had a major impact on the band. Over two years ago Elle Milano blew my brains out watching them in the tiniest pub in Camden and since then it has been a constant wonder whether they would produce an album. Thankfully they did and this Brighton three-piece battled through the problems of being a band and completed a great debut album.

‘Swearing’s For Art Students’ showed so much promise and it provided many music enthusiasts with their favourite new band. Them same fans have stuck with the band and now can listen to ‘Acres of Dead Space Cadets’ and feel extremely happy with Elle Milano’s debut album. First single from the album ‘My Brother, The Astronaut’ at three minutes nineteen seconds is everything we love about Elle Milano. Angry sharp lyrics and some fine guitar action epitomises the album in this one song. You get the idea Elle Milano have a sarcastic side to them with the lyric “You’re English, you’ll be fine” in ‘My Brother, The Astronaut’.

Second single starts off a lot more melodic and slower but as expected eighteen seconds into the song the angst we expect from Elle Milano kicks in. A dig at commercialism and boring towns Elle Milano are really trying to say something about the world we live in today. “Meanwhile in Hollywood, oh this worlds over you know. And in suburbia, oh this worlds over you know. But then I guess what would I know?” Elle Milano are not happy by Hollywood, suburbia and even the Middle East from the sound of this song.

If you want to be cheered up then the rest of the album is not for you as ‘Stepkids in Love’, ‘Carousels’, ‘Wonderfully Wonderful’ and ‘The Nightclub Is Over’ carry on in similar vein. Then again if you want cheering up along with empty lyrics and pop tripe then perhaps a band like Scouting for Girls/The Hoosiers/The Feeling is more for you.

Standout tracks ‘Curiosity Killed The Popstar’ and ‘Laughing All The Way To The Plank’ provide some much needed social commentary. Elle Milano sum up their difficulties with record labels with the lyric, “Why You Shouldn’t Sign To A Major Label – Available in hardback!” The first track of the album ‘Laughing All The Way To Plank’ is the epitome of Elle Milano and their ability to write three minute songs about everyday issues in this case boring dead end jobs: “Job satisfaction, I can’t get no. My head’s about to blow”. Elle Milano has created one of the best debut albums of the year; let’s just hope they get the credit they rightfully deserve over the coming months.

9.5/10

Yearly Awards

2008-05-13T03:35:00.000-07:00

Team of the year: David James (Portsmouth), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal)

Best Newcomer: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)

Best Signing: Carlos Tevez (Manchester United)

Young Player of the Year: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)

Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Manager of the Year: Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United)

Premier League: Season Review

2008-05-13T03:32:00.000-07:00

Kevin Keegan claims the Premiership is boring but this season has probably been the best season since the beginning. The title went down to the wire and could’ve been won on goal difference but also this season saw a three way title race. As a Manchester United supporter the start of the season was bleak we didn’t win our first three games taking only two points from a possible nine not too mention a defeat to City. Ronaldo was sent off in the third game of that run and was suspended for three games; Wayne Rooney picked up yet another foot injury.

However in the end thanks to some great experience from players like Scholes, Giggs and Van Der Sar. Along with some of the best defending ever witnessed from a back four of Brown, Evra, Vidic and hopefully future captain Rio Ferdinand. Then there was that man from Portugal who was sensational scoring 41 goals in total with one huge game to go. Manchester United deserves to be Champions for the way they play football in comparison to Chelsea’s successful but boring style of football.

Down the bottom it looked for a long time Bolton and Fulham would join Derby County however thanks to some great form at the right time the two sides managed to escape relegation. Reading and Birmingham being the teams, who suffered, Birmingham I expect to be back pretty soon but Reading it could take a bit longer.

Martin O’Neill has done a fantastic job at Aston Villa with a very small squad and without spending too much money. What is great about Aston Villa is the English spine running through the squad with the likes of Young, Barry, Carson, Davies, Gardner, Reo-Coker and Agbonlahor. Next season with a few additions expect Aston Villa to challenge Everton and Liverpool for the 4th and 5th spots.

Tottenham, Newcastle and West Ham all under performed considering the money the three spent last summer however I expect Tottenham out of the three to mount a serious challenge on the top 5 next season. Newcastle with the right signings may get close to a UEFA spot but West Ham could see another mid-table finish next season.

Pushing Daisies

2008-05-12T08:27:00.000-07:00

Admittedly upon hearing the concept of this show I was not very keen on paying it much attention, everything about it screamed rubbish to me. However you should never judge a book by a cover or in this case the trailer. Constant nagging by my girlfriend to watch it with her I sat down to watch it.

Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised with the show which is not really like anything around at the moment. How ITV have managed to secure the rights to show the first series is beyond me, it definitely feels like a Channel 4 programme. The narrator is in similar vein to that of Channel 4 hit show Desperate Housewives.

The story follows Ned who runs ‘The Pie Hole’, Ned is not like any other Pie Maker he has the ability to bring the dead back to life however there is a twist. They can only live for a minute otherwise they will live and someone else will die, and Ned cannot touch them after the minute is up or they will die. Now, this all seems quite irrelevant however Ned works for Emerson who finds cases where a reward is offered for answers on murders. The relationship between Emerson and Ned gives us some great comedy moments, but the relationship between Emerson, Ned and Ned’s child hood sweet heart Chuck is what makes the programme so good.

Chuck ends up being killed however Emerson gets the case and Ned brings her back to life but he ends up keeping her alive however he cannot touch her which provides great difficulty throughout the programme. The first series is only a mere 9 episodes long and after seeing them all it makes you want the second season so very desperately!

Final Day Drama

2008-05-09T08:37:00.000-07:00

Sir Alex Ferguson said at the beginning of the season that the title would go down to the wire and the Scot was right. Throughout the season the battle seemed to between Manchester United and Arsenal, however Chelsea have been battling away each game securing victories and they are still in for a shout of winning the title.

My opinion is that they don’t deserve the title over United, however if they do win the League title it will be down to United giving it to them. If we cannot beat Wigan then quite frankly we do not deserve the Premiership crown. It does appear (fingers AND toes crossed) that we will win the Championship on goal difference, which says everything about how we play football and how Chelsea play football. We try to score goals where as Chelsea get a goal and defend the lead much like the Italians are famous for.

Down the bottom it is very interesting three weeks ago I said to a friend the bottom three would definitely be Derby, Bolton and Fulham and now it appears only one of them will go down. Derby were doomed from the off really, and have been playing for next season for a very long time. The other two places could be filled by Birmingham, Reading, Fulham or Bolton (though that would be requiring some miracle). So it appears that Birmingham, Fulham or Reading will occupy the last two relegation places. Birmingham and Reading have the two easier fixtures with the Blues at home to Blackburn and the Royals away to already relegated and hopeless Derby County. Where as Fulham face a tricky match at Fratton Park against Pompey. Saying that many of the Portsmouth player’s minds could be on the FA Cup the week later so it could give Fulham the perfect opportunity to seal a rare away victory down on the South Coast.

What will happen? My heart says United will win the title but for some strange reason my head says there will be a horrible huge twist that will haunt me forever. Down the bottom I think Fulham have the momentum and they also have it in their own hands unlike Reading and Birmingham therefore my money is on the Cottagers to survive.

Flight of the Conchords

2008-05-04T02:35:00.000-07:00

I’ll be extremely surprised if you’ve not heard the album or watched Series 1 yet, however if for some strange reason you haven’t then go do it now. Admittedly I was a late comer to the programme, but once I watched the first episode I could not stop watching more and the very next day I went out and purchased the DVD. If you’ve not heard of Flight of the Conchords (unlikely) here is a quick run down of what it’s all about. Jemaine and Bret are a folk/pop band from New Zealand called Flight of the Conchords. They live in New York and have a David Brent style manager in Murray along with an obsessive fan called Mel (their only fan).

Every episode Jemaine and Bret perform several of their songs such as Inner City Pressure, Foux Du Fafa, If You’re Into It, A Kiss Is Not A Contract, It’s Business Time and more. The songs are a mix of pop, electro, acoustic and plenty of comedy involved with the lyrics. A perfect example of the comedy lyrics includes “The manager, Bevin, starts to abuse me. Hey man, I just want some muesli.” My favourite lyric from one of the songs however is “How about you and two dudes, him you and Stu in the nude, being lude with two dudes with food. Well that’s if Stu’s into it.”

The first series contains 12 episodes of pure comedy gold, and the album has 15 of the songs from Series 1. Flight of the Conchords is like a perfect blend of surreal (Mighty Boosh) and reality (The Office). You cannot help but love Murray who is their manager, who calls band meetings every day during his normal job hours. He tries desperately to help the band and get them gigs but more often than not fails miserably.

The new season is expected at some point this year and I am waiting with much anticipation and excitement!

Flight of the Conchords – Ladies of the World
Flight of the Conchords – Foux Du Fafa
Flight of the Conchords – A Kiss Is Not A Contract

Single: Plugs - That Number

2008-05-03T03:28:00.000-07:00

At four minutes seven seconds “That Number” is one of the standout singles of 2008. Plugs seem to have appeared from nowhere to produce one of the best songs of this year so far. Lead singer Morgan is more commonly known as the lead singer of Does It Offend You, Yeah? However Morgan takes a more melodic vocal lead in “That Number” for Plugs, a piece who take influences from Talking Heads, Magazine, Kraftwerk amongst others. Obviously this band will get talked about in the same breath as Does It Offend You, Yeah? But if you’re expecting or hoping a similar sound to Morgan’s other band you won’t find it here.

Don’t be disheartened by that though, because you certainly won’t be disappointed by “That Number”. Plugs are extremely hard to pigeon hole into a genre, which is what makes them and this song so great. Immediately after listening you find yourself tapping your foot, one listen later you are repeating lyrics like “That number looks familiar, it’s mine”. A few more listens on you can’t help but humming/whistling (select appropriate one for you) the tune. Well done Plugs.

9/10

The Championship

2008-05-02T11:12:00.000-07:00

This weekend is a big for the Championship with almost every match meaning something, with only thing decided is that Scunthorpe and Colchester will definitely go down it is a big day on Sunday for all those involved. Probably the biggest game is at the Britannia Stadium between Stoke City and Leicester City. If Leicester City win the game it will guarantee them survival however anything else will have them very nervy about the game between Southampton and Sheffield United. Stoke City need a point to clinch their promotion to the Premiership, so the game at the Britannia has a lot on it.

That’s not it though, two play-off places are up for grabs and five sides (Watford, Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton, Ipswich and Sheffield United) are chasing the final two places. Ipswich and Sheffield United must be considered outsiders because they both require wins to get into the play-offs and have to hope the teams above them drop points. Sheffield United face a Southampton side requiring a win to have any chance of survival and Ipswich face third place Hull who have secured their play-off place and only a miracle would see them catch Stoke City in second.

Down the bottom five teams could still be relegated into the last place but Southampton and Leicester look the most likely however Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry and Blackpool all require points in their games to secure Championship status. A lot has been said about the Premiership this season; however the Championship has had its best season in terms of entertainment. Potentially a team who gets 53 points could be relegated and West Brom could win the division with 78 points. Only a 25 point gap between relegation to League 1 and promotion to the Premiership, this says a lot about how competitive the division really is.

Introduction

2008-05-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

The first day of the month of May and my goodness how quick this year is going. It felt like only yesterday that I was moving into my new room at University, and in just over a week I will be moving out for the summer. The expression time flies is definitely in poignant usage here.

A new month, a new blog and a fresh new start as well; over the summer (although I’ve just heard an echo of thunder from out of my window) I am going be as productive as ever. Heard it before you say? I know. Well we’ll see how it goes but for now this is just an introduction to my new blog.

This blog is going to produce many wonderful things over the summer, including LOTS on music, LOTS on football (yes there is football over the summer, Euro 2008, duh) and much more “stuff”. I hope you’ll enjoy what I post over the next coming months.

Shaun.