Sitting Here In Silence

2010-05-26T16:01:00.000-07:00

Yeah, sorry. I only went and set up a Tumbelog today. Have to say, I like it a bit more than this one, and will probably use it a lot more.

Go and have a look here, follow me on that one instead, it will be much better like.

2010-05-25T15:59:00.003-07:00

I think I should perhaps maybe abandon this blog and get a tumblr one. Although I don't say much, I feel that perhaps more people will see me not saying much there rather than here.
We shall see.

2010-05-25T13:35:00.001-07:00

Decided to be slightly productive and download albums by St. Vincent and 13 & God. Yay. I'll let you know when I get round to listening to them. Got the Born Ruffians album the other day too. Which I forgot about.
Getting music is fun.

Albums that I want to get but can't be bothered buying

2010-05-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

There are a few records that I want to get/would quite like to hear. Annoyingly though, they are all either too expensive for me to want to buy legally, and impossible to find online. I don't know if I should just compromise and pay for them like a good boy or just give up hope. Anyway, the ones I want are thus:

MGMT - Congratulations (purely for curiosity's sake. The first album is OK and I just want to see how much of a mind-fuck this is in comparison)
The National - High Violet
The Baseballs - Strike!
The Soft Pack - S/T

I'm sure there were more. Maybe it's just that I haven't bothered trying to find the others. I should try harder I think. But I can't be bothered as of late. I'm sleepy.

2010-05-21T15:32:00.003-07:00

Hey would you look at that. That last post was only my 50th entry. In just over 2 years. That's kind of bad. Seems like so much longer ago that I set this up though. Ah well.

Female Artists

2010-05-21T15:29:00.000-07:00

On my last.fm page (user: mattme24 since you ask) in my top 50 artists, there is only one female act. That being Regina Spektor. At number 49. I should probably listen to some more female musicians. As a result. Got Laura Marling on right now. Will see how it goes but I kind of want to listen to the latest Gorillaz record too.

2010-05-21T15:27:00.000-07:00

Fuck.

I hardly ever blog any more.

Rob Evans and his Pop Scenesters Tumblog have made me realise this.

Will this mean I start blogging more? Probably not. Oh well.

Average Joe

2010-05-07T09:59:00.000-07:00

It has dawned on me today that I don't really know if I have ever actually been good at anything. I know that I don't suck at everything I do, but there is a constant mediocrity. A feeling that I am just average. A B-grade student, never really getting anything like consistently good marks.
I kind of worry this realisation has dawned on my tutors too, where rather than marking me for what I've actually done, they look at my past marks (pretty much in or around 61ish) and just give me a mark based on that. Any feedback is all good, but nothing really indicated why I am unable to get anywhere near a 1st.

Fucks sake

I'm just feeling sorry for myself.

I voted yesterday.

2010-05-07T04:20:00.000-07:00

It was the first time that I had done so. I felt really grown up and informed as I sneered at the BNP and Tory candidates and checked the ballot. Although it looks like my vote may well have been for naught, it was still an experience.

Last.fm Comments

2010-04-28T12:20:00.001-07:00

The comments people leave on Last.fm are quite funny to read.

Most of them are over the top, elitist comments from people who must try so hard to look cool and alternative that I doubt they get much else done. The fact that so many of them are just stupid and often wrong is also quite funny.

A large amount of these comments are based around the tags that Last.fm has for bands. Examples being whether Panic! at the Disco has an exclamation mark or not, and whether Green Day are really a punk band anymore, or if they ever were. It's all irrelevant arguments that don't really matter, so long as people enjoy the music.

What I find truly unbelievable is that people will go so far out of their way as to go on pages for bands they dislike, and leave a comment saying how shit they think they are. It just seems a bit inane and unnecessary. Nobody needs to know if you think that Oasis are shit. A lot of people think that, but they don't bitch about how crap they think they are on the band's page. It's just not worth it.

However, the reason for writing about this now, after having last.fm for a few months (username = mattme24 if you want to add me up), is that I saw that Warsaw had a page. Warsaw being Joy Division before they changed their name to Joy Division. On their page, there are people leaving comments saying that either a). They were better before they changed their name, or b). That they were a shit Joy Division rip off. Both comments are equally retarded. The band were around for a very short period of time, only documented on a couple of bootleg albums, in which they play songs that Joy Division went on to play and very little else. How they could be better then, before they had the name change, I don't quite understand.

Seriously, I think people try too hard to look alternative. It's kind of sad really.

A week of Radioactivity: Day Four

2010-04-01T13:51:00.001-07:00

So, they have to keep me in another day.

Naha! April Fools!

Yes, it is the first of April today, which means it is April Fools Day. Something that I royally fell for, thanks to Emma, but more on that later on.

I started the day fairly early today. Waking up before the nurses woke me up, which somehow felt wrong. It’s like waking up before your alarm goes off. Felt I had to stay in bed until they said hello. So after a trip to the loo, I did just that. Staying in bed till about 8ish, after they asked what I want for breakfast. So eventually, I clambered out of bed to collect my breakfast, and sat and watched some of the second series of Heroes. From memory, the second series was a bit shit in comparison to the first, but on second viewing, it has actually been pretty enjoyable. Less ‘eehh?’ and more ‘Aaah’, it seemed to make more sense.

In the midst of enjoying this, I got scanned again, to find that my radiation levels have dropped to a safe enough level for me to go home. But with hospitals never being that straight forward, I had to stick around till 3ish to have my scan, and this didn’t include the wait for a prescription. So it was back on to Heroes, after my daily shower and my cheese sarnie for lunch. No snack box today though, seeing as I was leaving, I probably didn’t need one today, but it would have been nice, got a bit peckish throughout the day.

Then a shocking thing happened, I went for my scan early! Rather than be typically late, the scan happened earlier than anticipated. Meaning that by half past three I was waiting for a prescription to go home. Fantastic stuff.

Getting a scan at hospital isn’t half strange though. Lying down as a huge camera moves all around you taking lovely pictures. At least it wasn’t an MRI scan, which is the equivalent of lying in a giant, noisy, plastic coffin.
Anyway, after the scan, I sat in the ‘Day Room’ of the ward and waited for my prescription, and my mum to pick me up. And that was that. A few days sitting on my arse watching Heroes and being supposedly Radioactive was over. So I suppose I’d better do some work now. Bugger

Oh yeah, that April Fools joke. Got a text from Emma this morning saying: ‘I’ve broke my leg! Fell down the stairs this morning. Just in hospital now waiting for someone to come and do my cast. It sucks. Xxx’. Now, considering I didn’t know it was April Fools Day today, I was more than just a little bit shocked, and completely fell for it. Made her feel guilty afterwards though, so I suppose it evens out a bit at least.

A week of Radioactivity: Day Three

2010-04-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

Bloody hell, I can go home tomorrow.

I don’t quite understand it, but this treatment seems to have flown by. Especially considering the mind-numbing boredom I suffered last time I was in hospital. Mind you, that was before I had Heroes.

Once again, I was woken up at around 7 in the morning, after what was a surprisingly easy nights sleep. I did wake up a lot, but then found it strangely easy to get back to sleep, once I put a jacket on that is. T’was a bloody cold night.
Anyway, once I had woken up properly, one cup of tea and bowl of cereal down me, I watched some more Heroes. Getting closer to the end of the first series. However, seeing as I don’t think I’ll be here long enough to watch all of the second, I didn’t want to finish the first too early and get into that as well, so I paced it out in between reading some more of Mr Smith’s book, which I reckon I can finish while I’m in here, and even doing a few sudoku puzzles and doodling in my Moleskine as well. Not what I bought it for, but by God doodling on sketchpad paper with a Parker pen feels strangely satisfying.
I had another reading/scan thing to see how radioactive I was today, and after yesterday’s big drop, I was expecting a much smaller drop this time, but what did I get? It went from 1000 down to 340. Again, I don’t know what the unit is, and I don’t know what a ‘safe’ level is, but these drops must be a good thing, surely?

After various phone calls from Emma, Dad, and my Grandma I continued watching Heroes, eventually finishing the 1st series just after tea time. Now, if you have never watched this programme, go out and buy it, because it is brilliant. With an intricate plot and superb characterisation, not to mention a load of super-powered people and cameos from Stan Lee and George Takei (Sulu to those Trekkies reading). I fucking love this show, and it is going to be very hard not to watch the two following series when I should be doing work in the next couple of weeks.

With that finished, I read a bit more of Smith’s book, and watched the Arsenal/Barca game on the small TV they gave me. The second half of which was one of the more exciting games I’ve watched as a neutral in quite a while. Although I think that Barca easily have what it takes to beat Arsenal in the second leg.

And so that was today. For me, it was fairly uneventful. Not so for other people though, as my dad finally has got another job, after what must have been well over a year out of full time employment. In Preston too, no less. Confirming the fact that that place is the centre of the universe. From great news to very sad though, as my Auntie’s cat Frankie, whom they have had for as long as I can remember, passed away, to the obvious distress of my cousins and most probably my Aunt and Uncle too. I can only imagine what it must be like for the. Admittedly, I am not really a ‘pet’ person, but I know that they obviously were, so my condolences go to them.

It doesn’t look like I have harped on nearly enough today as I have done in the past couple of days, but then, there isn’t really much new to report. Such is the routine of hospital life. Tomorrow will probably be a bit more interesting, as it will involve (hopefully) the whole detoxification process, along with a CT scan type thing, prescription gathering, and going home. What fun that will all be.

Goodnight to you all.

A week of Radioactivity: Day Two

2010-04-01T13:48:00.000-07:00

Why do hospitals insist on waking you up so fucking early? After a fairly decent nights sleep, once I eventually got comfortable that is, I got woken up by the sound of ‘DO YOU WANNA CUPPA TEA MY LUVVER?’ at around quarter past 7. My lack of response was taken as a no, so I grabbed a little bit more sleep until about 20 minutes later, the place seemed to spring to life, as I got asked what I want for breakfast (Rice Krispies, since you ask) and got offered another cup of tea, this time I took it. What did I do then? Well, I stuck on some more Heroes. Getting through the third disc of series one. Feels like I’m flying through this (if you’ll excuse the pun) so I did wonder if I would end up getting through the whole 7 disc 1st series in a day and a half, not stopping to think that the whole series is around 42 hours long, making it a mathematical impossibility. Nevertheless, I gave it a shot.

Anyway, after said disc was finished, I thought I better have a shower, seeing as it had been instructed that I have one every day. It was a pleasant shower too. Not too aggressive or powerful, but not as if someone was gently tipping a faulty watering can over my head, á la my house in Huddersfield. Naturally, I took my time, seeing as days have a tendency to drag when you aren’t doing anything other than sit around on your arse all day.
When I got out, dried and dressed, the radiologist woman, Sue, was at the door, wanting to scan me to see just how radioactive I am today, having had over 12 hours for it to flush through my system. Giving me a tape measure to make sure I was stood a metre away from her, she scanned me with this thing, and said that the level had gone from 3400-ish to 1000, which is obviously pretty good. Probably not good enough to allow me to go home tomorrow, but then, I’m not expecting that anyway.

So, with the shower and the scan being the two main things to do today (I know, exciting stuff right?) I had to find something else to do. Rather than just watch some more Heroes, I thought I’d have a bit more of a read through Kevin Smith’s book, as I was intrigued to see how the story of Jason Mewes’ addiction problems panned out, it had made very interesting, if at times difficult, reading previously, but it obviously ended up with a happy ending, given that Jay is still alive and well, when it looked like it was going to go so differently.
THEN, I decided I’d watch some more Heroes, just as my cheese sarny arrived along with my ‘snack box’ for the day. Yum yum. This became interspersed with phone calls from Emma (albeit by accident…), Steve and my Nan, who was with my two cousins, meaning I got passed around the room to have short conversations with each of them about school and stuff. Although it was strange when my eleven-year-old cousin asked “Is the work harder at university? Or easy because you know more about it?” It kind of caught me off guard, because it’s a difficult question. It is obviously hard work, but then, the enjoyment behind some aspects of it, and the background knowledge behind others, does make certain elements sort of easy. He probably thinks it’s all a piece of piss now though. Ah well, he’s got plenty of years left to learn otherwise.

One other thing that was of particular highlight today was that I found an Internet connection! Huzah! After the disappointment of being told that there wouldn’t be any Wi-Fi in this place, I scanned the area and found an unprotected connection, and it worked! I do feel bad though, that all I did was sit on Facebook until the connection went. But by that point, it was teatime anyway, so it was a good way to pass the time, which is all I have to do really. I had a lovely pasta and chicken meal, with a chocolate pudding for afters, and began to settle in to some more Heroes, before my dear old mumsie showed up with some squash for me, seeing as I have to consume copious amounts of liquid to help ‘flush the radiation through me’.
After her brief visit, which was spent talking from either side of this lead panel, I sat back to watch some more Heroes, until we reach this point. Where, at quarter to ten, I’m rather tired after what has proven to be a surprisingly eventful day. Nonetheless, I think I may go to bed and try to sleep. Something which took a while last night, hopefully it wont again tonight.
Although the fact that I’ve just sneezed about 7 or 8 times in a minute probably won’t help.

Bloody hospitals.

A week of Radioactivity: Day One

2010-04-01T13:40:00.000-07:00

So, today I check in to hospital for my first (and hopefully last) dose of Radioactive Iodine treatment. It is pretty much as straight forward as it sounds. I go in to hospital, take some radioactive iodine capsule, and sit in my own capsule (well, a lead lined room) for a few days while the radiation hopefully kills off any of the bad stuff that may still be kicking around inside me. It comes after two weeks of not taking any pills and of being on a low iodine diet, which basically means I can’t eat fish. Oh no. The not taking pills was a bit of a concern, after jokes that ‘I need those to live’, I did actually wonder what not taking them would be like, and it proved to be fairly uneventful. I just got a bit more tired a bit easier, and had the odd headache here and there. Other than that I was fairly fit and healthy, and in fact, got more work done than I seem to have done the entire term previous.
But now, alas, I am sat here, with not much to do for the next couple of days, other than see how far in to the 3 series of Heroes I can get, with maybe a light smattering of Star Trek thrown in here and there. It wasn’t simple getting started though, oh no.

After being told that they wanted me here for about half past nine in the morning, we left Trowbridge in the pre-dawn light of around ten to 8, wary of the rush hour traffic. Traffic that only really hit once we reached the outskirts of Bristol. However, we still got here at around half 9, on time it would seem. But then, nothing in a hospital is ever on time, is it? A short wait in the main reception led to a long wait upstairs, with thoughts of ‘is this where we are supposed to be?’ rattling around my, and my mums head. After around an hour, we asked, only to find that we were there that long because nobody knew that we were there. Because we didn’t think to tell the nursing staff, after telling two different receptions, that we were. Obviously it was our fault. A quick blood test later (only jabbed me twice this time, wahay) and we went off to yet another ward, this one though, was where we were actually supposed to be. Once there, we waited in the Day Room (complete with X-Box, big TV and pool table) until further notice. During which my blood pressure and weight were taken, and I was treated to a lovely cheese sandwich. After being there, again, around an hour, I was told I could move into my quarters and begin to get settled.

After not expecting much, it was a nice surprise. Although the typically uncomfortable hospital bed, complete with itchy sheets and plastic pillows was in tow. At least I had a window though. After being told the ropes by one of the nurses, mum left for work, and I was left to my own devices. I figured it wouldn’t be long until the radiologists came and shot me up, so didn’t want to get too settled, instead just sitting around reading Kevin Smith’s suddenly enthralling diary ‘My Boring Ass Life’, which seems to have gotten really interesting after a few months of what appears to be a fairly boring routine. Should have guessed it from the title really. Time passed and nobody came in to see me, apart from nurses asking what I want for my tea, (I had a rather nice pizza and chips, unlikely for a hospital I know, special treatment, clearly). I wondered again if they’d just forgotten about me, but at around 5 o clock, the radiologist came with a very securely protected dose of my radiation. We went over what is going to happen, both while I’m here and further on down the line, before she gave me my pill, which involved opening several lead lined boxes, unscrewing a pot, fixing a pill in a tube before passing it to me to knock down my throat and wash down with plenty of water, and then she made a dash for the door, leaving me to glow in peace.

So there we are, as I write this, I am radioactive. I don’t think that I am glowing, and I can’t see through the walls just yet, but then, they said that wouldn’t happen (damn!). Indeed I don’t really know if I’m feeling any side effects yet, other than feeling tired and thirsty, which is what they said would happen. And they are usually right about things like that aren’t they? In my radioactive state so far, I’ve watched two episodes of the first series of Heroes, read some more Kevin Smith and pissed a lot, which they encourage. Flushing it through quickly, see? The time now is 20:16. I’m not really sure what I’ll do now. Maybe crack out some more Heroes. Watch that Russell Howard’s Good News, if that is on tonight, and go to bed. Doesn’t sound too bad does it? I’ll write another one of these tomorrow to see if there are any changes, but it will probably be more of the same. Not that I mind too much right now. Let’s just hope they don’t go for the tactics they had over in Bath and wake me up at 6 in the bloody morning asking if I want a brew!

Oh, and I saw the Leeds line up (thank you Emma!) and other than Blink headlining (expected) and Modest Mouse being there (odd, but hopefully they’ll be at Glasto too) it doesn’t look too inspired, so I can’t say I mind too much about missing it. That is, as long as Blink have a UK tour in the pipeline in the near future!

A week of Radioactivity

2010-04-01T13:39:00.000-07:00

This week, I've been having some Radioiodine treatment as the second part of the cure for last years ailment. Given that I'd probably be sat around doing fuck all for 4 days, what better thing to do than blog about how boring it was? You probably won't read all of it, hell, you may not even care. But thanks anyway, enjoy!

The Rather Hip Art Scene

2010-03-22T05:54:00.000-07:00

I have undertaken a new project which has, for the most part, moved me away from here a little bit.

A couple of friends of mine, and myself, have created a Word Press account to write articles and reviews and that of music from the Yorkshire/North West area. It's going well so far, we have plenty of articles going up and more to come with every show we go to, but obviously, things can always be better.

If you know any up and coming artists in the North West/Yorkshire area that could do with some coverage then let me know. Would be great.

And while you are at it, check out the site! Leave comments and the like. I, and the other writers, will love you for it!

Ta

The Rather Hip Art Scene

I've not posted anything for a while...

2010-02-25T16:08:00.001-08:00

So...err...hello.

I'll post something new in the next few days. I feel bad for all my one followers who have been checking to see, well, nothing.

I was going to use apathy as an excuse, but I can't be bothered.

Arf arf.

I'm here all week.

Goodnight Seattle, we love you.

My New Years Resolution

2010-01-06T12:54:00.000-08:00

On my iPod at the moment, I have 5985 unplayed songs. That is starting to feel a bit ridiculous. I have 15 days, 10 hours, 37 minutes and 36 seconds of music that I haven't even listened to. It is my resolution to reduce this dramatically, maybe even fully, by the end of the year. Will it last? Will it fuck!

2009

2010-01-05T09:37:00.000-08:00

On a personal level, 2009 has been quite a shit year, for my whole family. Brother graduated university, but has since been in and out of mind-numbing factory jobs. Father got made redundant at the start of the year, and has only recently got back into work. Mother broke her ankle on her first day back at work in January, and later got made redundant too. Me? Well, it was all going so well, until a diagnosis of thyroid cancer spoilt it all. A month or two of prods and ‘mm-hmms’, and a nine-hour operation later, I seem to be doing better, which a kick ass scar to boot, but still, you can see that 2009 was a bit of a downer.
Elsewhere though, it appears that 2009 has been a pretty good year, with some excellent music coming out. The likes of Gaslight Anthem, White Lies and The Dead Weather emerging with brilliant albums and an exciting future ahead of them, while bands like Doves and Green Day return with excellent new albums, after a prolonged absence. One of the best albums of the year though, in my opinion anyway, would be Arctic Monkeys’ 3rd album, ‘Humbug’. With a more developed, mature sound, the band has gone from strength to strength. The decision to employ Josh Homme as producer has invariably led to misguided claims that it sounds ‘just like Queens of the Stone Age’, where in reality, there is more of a likeness to what The Fall would sound like if they were, well, good.
2009 has also been a year in which blockbuster movies have dominated. The likes of ‘Transformers’, ‘Terminator Salvation’, ‘2012’, ‘Star Trek’ and more recently ‘Avatar’ have been big hitters at the cinemas. However, it was also a year that saw the truly brilliant ‘Watchmen’, an adaptation of arguably the best graphic novel ever written, and the ever-so-lovely ‘(500) Days of Summer’ grace our cinemas too. The latter being one of the sweetest stories of heartache I have ever seen. Both of which had fantastic soundtracks too.
We have seen some sadness this year, as it seems more than the usual amount of ‘famous’ people died. The likes of Michael Jackson, John Hughes, JG Ballard, Les Paul and, well, Jade Goody, left us this year. However, the biggest loss, for me anyway, was the inevitable split of Oasis. It was always going to happen, but it still came as a huge shock to me. All I can hope is the rumoured solo projects do well, or conversely do so badly that it forces them to reconcile and reunite. We will just have to wait and see.
All I can hope on a personal level, is that 2010 brings much more of the good things in life, good music, good films, and a lot less bloody hospital appointments.

Top Gear is actually shit.

2010-01-03T12:58:00.000-08:00

Someone had to say it. It really is fucking awful. If you like I'll tell you why...

In all honesty, you have to admit, cars are boring. Does anyone really know what horsepower is good to have? If a car can do 0 to 60 in 5 seconds, is this good? Considering you'd never be in a situation in your everyday routine where this would be helpful. Because you all know, you really wouldn't.
Why is watching a complete wanker (more of which later) speeding around a racetrack in a fancy car good? You'll never get that car, you'll never go on a track with it, you'll never be able to drive like that.
If it is supposed to be a show reviewing cars, why does it not mention anything of cars that people can actually afford, and that you would drive around in to go to work/do the shopping/cart various children around? Oh wait, because it would be boring (like all cars are). Instead we see whatever 'super car' go 'like a squirrel with adrenaline injected into it's testicles', or some other ridiculously stupid metaphor.
It is presented by a total prat. I really don't see what is so funny about Jeremy Clarkson. He is a stupid, arrogant bigot. He knows nothing about anything. Other than how much he likes the sound of his own voice. For someone who is a 'petrol head', he actually does not have a clue about anything to do with cars. All he 'knows' is how to hit things with a hammer, and insult the French/German - a petty disliking, that the whole nation could probably do with getting over.

So there you go. Don't agree? Then watch it, and think about all these points, you will see that I am right. I saw a Facebook group campaigning that the show shouldn't be cancelled (and as we all know, Facebook really can change the world....). I for one, really hope that it does. Because it truly is fucking shite.

I got a Gamecube for Christmas...

2010-01-03T12:54:00.000-08:00

And it is fucking awesome. After only playing on it for an afternoon, it officially kicks ass. Takes me right back to the days of Tony Hawks, Kerrang compilation albums and New Found Glory.

I just need to decide if that is a good thing or not...

I've just realised something...

2009-12-24T11:51:00.000-08:00

In Terminator 2, when Arnie and Sarah and John Connor and Miles Dyson go to Skynet to blow it all up and stop the war and everything else that makes those films happen, Dyson has his hand in his pocket pretty much the whole time they are there. I only just realised that it was because Sarah shot him in the arm/shoulder earlier in the film. I always just thought he was really casual about demolishing offices...

Please, please read this

2009-12-17T07:28:00.000-08:00

http://www.wherediditallgoright.com/BLOG/2009/12/ratm4xmas.html

Now, stop buying an old, boring, clichéd, altogether not very good song, stop thinking you are putting one over on Simon Cowell and his 'evil' rule of terror with X-factor, and FUCKING GET OVER IT!!

Does anybody really care anymore??

2009-12-08T12:55:00.000-08:00

Christmas number one.

What of it?

I've recently seen a group circulating Facebook that aims to get a load of people to try and get Rage Against the Machine to Christmas number one this year. (How they plan to do this, I have no idea, with no specific song, and I can bet nobody that joins it will actually buy a Rage single) Why? 'Err... because it will well prove that nobody cares about X-factor and it will stop that being Christmas number one.' Question though, does anybody actually pay attention to what gets the number one spot over the festive season anymore?
Yes, X-factor does seem to dominate the sales at that point in the year, but that's just down to some slightly clever marketing, and the 'coincidence' that it finishes in time for Christmas. And obviously that gets thousands and thousands of viewers, who go out and buy the single, so it inevitably gets to number one. Case in point? Oh only the last however many years it has been on.
Now obviously there are a lot of people who don't like the show, and therefore don't like that the winner manages to sell records. But making a group on Facebook to try and get a different song/artist at number one seems a bit over the top. Especially considering that I could bet most people don't actually know what is number one on any given week, unless they looked it up.
So all in all, who cares? If the winner of X-Factor gets to number one again, which they probably will, so what? Seeing as the singles market is rapidly in decline, I think it's time everyone grew up and realised that, in all honesty, they wouldn't otherwise give a fuck.

All Time Top 5 Christmas Films

2009-12-04T08:48:00.000-08:00

Yes, considering it is that time of year once again, and we are soon to be inundated with hours upon hours of crap TV, so I though, in keeping with the season, I'd give a run down of my all time top 5 Christmas films. Well, sort of...

5. Home Alone
Probably one of the classic Christmas films. One that most people would say. Snotty little kid is left at home when family buggers off on holiday and forget about him. Hello? Social Services? Although in hindsight it isn't one of John Hughes best films, it's still pretty damn good isn't it? Full of laughs for the whole family, with jokes that I get now, but wouldn't have done ten years ago. So good is this film in fact, that I still have a copy of it on video cassette that was recorded off the television back in 1994 or '95. Still works too, I think.

4. The Great Escape
I know, I know, technically it isn't a Christmas film. Nothing in the plot revolves around Christmas at all, but come on, it's on every year! It has to be a Christmas film. One of the best films about British determination and the ability to 'put one over on the Jerrys' (or something). Well, until they all get captured/shot. Indeed the only people that seem to survive are Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson. But still, it IS a Christmas film. Although despite the rumours, not seen it on telly at Christmas in a very long time...

3. Bad Santa
Probably the only film really obviously centered around Christmas. This comedy tells the story of life-long deadbeat, played by Billie-Bob Thornton, who, every year, gets a job as a Santa in a shopping centre, then on Christmas eve, robs the place blind. It gets better, he comes complete with a midget elf (who is black, to get a few more race jokes) and befriends an annoying fat kid who thinks he really is Santa. All in all though, it does provide a good few laughs, especially from Thornton, who for some reason does the piss-head waster role very well. It might not be the family fun, watch-it-with-your-nan type of film that Home Alone or The Snowman is, but it is still damn good.

2. Die Hard
I can practically hear the eyebrows being raised. It is a Christmas film though, whatever you want to say or think. Brucey goes to LA to see his family for Christmas. No denying it, it is set at Christmas time, so technically, like Great Escape, it is a Christmas film. And it is really fucking good too. Plenty of gratuitous action, swearing, and dodgy Germanic accents from Alan Rickman. Although I'm pretty certain he gives up half way through...Anyway, Die Hard is awesome.

1. Gremlins
Cute little Christmas present gets wet, then spawns little evil clones, they eat after midnight, all hell ensues. Probably one of the more imaginative concepts for a film, but still, its genius isn't it? From cute little Gizmo, who in all honesty is a bit of a little bitch until the end, to the badass Stripe, who is surely much easier to get rid of than the protagonists make out, the film is great. You really feel yourself get behind that whiney bank teller and his girlfriend. Not only is the film slightly more violent and gory than you would expect from the outset, it is hilarious too. The evil Mogwai are brilliant. The bar scene in particular shines. And come on, you try and tell me you didn't want your own little Mogwai for Christmas after seeing it? It is one of the few films that I look for in the TV guide every year, and that is why, in my view at least, it is the best Christmas movie.

Oh, and Hulk Hogan's cameo appearance in the sequel is bloody brilliant.

What is it about Muse?

2009-11-21T03:20:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking recently, a hell of a lot of people like Muse. A lot. Like they're the best thing in the world right now (as shown by them winning a Q award for 'Best Band in the World Right Now'). But it has dawned on me recently, I just don't get it.
I've got Origin of Symmetry. It's alright. There are a few good songs on it. Absolution has a few good songs on it. Black Holes and Revelations has a few good songs on it. However, despite this, I wouldn't class any of them as being brilliant albums. I couldn't put any of them on from start to finish and thoroughly enjoy it. Maybe it's his voice? That operatic wail that he does. Slightly irritating. I honestly don't know what it is. I'm not sure what I don't like about them, but then I'm not entirely sure why people like them to the extent that they do.
I don't know really. I know sometimes there is a connection that you feel. Things just click and it feels right. But not for me.

And their new album sounds like it was taken from fucking Doctor Who.

What's in a word??

2009-11-17T11:44:00.001-08:00

One word. That's all it takes. One little word and your whole life gets turned upside down. Odd really, how one small word can have such an effect on somebody's life. I mean, everything that you come to associate with that word is bad, so when somebody throws that word at you, obviously it's tough to take. Or is it? Oddly enough, I appear to have bounced right back. Obviously there was the initial panic. The trembling fear. Etc, etc. But after that, then what? Do I sit around and feel sorry for myself? Do i abandon all hope and pack it all in? Uni, friends, relationships, the works? Hell no. My diagnosis is a double dose of positive mental attitude. As a happy mind, is a healthy mind. Or some such bollocks. And anyway, turns out that despite the use of that one word, it sounds fairly straight forward and easy to get rid of. Happy days.
Now to just get over that "Oh.....fuuuuuuck......I'm so sorry....." awkwardness and I'll be set!

maybe.com

2009-11-12T11:49:00.001-08:00

Go on this website, it is lovely. It is actually a list of various different uses of the words 'maybe' and 'may be'. I never would have thought a website like this would exist, but knowing that it does is somehow quite nice, in a weird sort of way. Check it out

http://maybe.com

True story

2009-11-12T07:42:00.000-08:00

Just remembered something.

The other week, when I was at the Grammatics gig, which I have talked about before, I saw a girl with potentially one of the more ridiculously embarrassing tattoos that I have ever seen.
It was script going up her forearm (which looks pretty fucking stupid anyway) and it said 'Dance like nobodies watching', (also a pretty fucking stupid saying). However, the main reason that this tattoo was so embarrassingly stupid was the spelling. Dance like 'nobodies' watching?? I mean come on, that's just wrong. Spelling it as 'nobodies' would suggest that instead of nobody watching, it would be a group of nobodies that are watching, meaning that the entire basis of what she wanted to say on her arm was completely wrong.

Yes, this may seem like I am being really pedantic, but seriously, having correct grammar on something that has been written into your skin should surely be something you would check before hand.

What a prick.

My Media

2009-11-10T08:07:00.000-08:00

I had an assignment today. It was fun. I basically had to talk about myself, which as we all know, is the one thing that everybody in the human race loves to do. So here it is.

Newspapers: The few times I ever buy a newspaper, it is invariably The Guardian. Either on a Monday for the Media and Sports (rounding up the weekends football, but only if Everton win) and a Friday for the film and music section. All is very loosely leafed through then discarded with not much thought.

Magazines: Having been a subscriber to several different magazines previously, I am disappointed in myself to not be reading more. When I can I get Clash magazine, and the odd Q and Total Film if the content looks interesting enough, but sure enough, like the papers, I never find much time to actually sit down and read them.

Books: I never like starting a new book until I’ve finished what I am currently reading, but still end up buying books all the time, so much so now that I have far more books than I’ll ever have time to read. When such a thing does happen, I tend to go for the more…out there books, with ‘American Psycho’, ‘Trainspotting’ and ‘Crash’ being favourites. And of course I read far too many comics, instead of the more ‘academic’ things I should be reading. Although Tony Wilson’s ’24 Hour Party People’ is pretty interesting, if you believe everything that tosser says. Oh and also, I fucking hate Harry Potter.

Radio: I only ever really listen to the radio when I wake up, because that’s what my alarm is. Something about waking up to the soothing sounds of Classic FM makes the task seem a lot less arduous, or maybe I just put up with it to avoid getting out of bed. Other than that, the radio show that I am a presenter for is the only thing that I really tend to bother listening to.

Music: The logical place to begin is at the start I guess, so Oasis. From an early age that was it. A mix tape of Oasis one side, Blur the other. But since then my tastes have expanded to such a degree that I’ll claim to ‘listen to most things’, before staunchly criticising whatever is put on. But then again, some things I do like. I am a big fan of most guitar based music, from the 70s punk, through the post-punk 80s (with a very light sprinkling of some metal and new romanticism), the Brit-pop 90s, even the baggy trousered, excessive swearing, drop-D tuned ‘nu-metal’ (for a brief period) right through to the modern ‘Indie’ (whatever that is) music of today. But don’t be put off, I’ll listen to most things.

TV: I hardly ever watch TV, unless it is to see Jeff Stelling tell me how badly Everton are losing. But there are a few shows I feel warrant buying the box sets for. The likes of Big Bang Theory, Flight of the Conchords, and going back a bit to Teachers, always amused me. But then I also like many of the different comedy shows that are out there, from both sides of the Atlantic. I don’t like any of that ‘reality tv’ shite though.

Film: To say that I am a DVD whore would be an understatement. I tend to buy DVDs at such a rate that I could probably keep HMV in business myself, well, until I ran out of money. I love films. Not as much as music, but still a hell of a lot. I don’t know if I really have a type that I prefer, apart from a severe dislike towards ‘chick-flicks’ and shit like ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Twilight’. I am a massive sucker for anything even remotely comic-book related. Even if the film is utter toss, if the credits say ‘Based on the graphic novel by…’, I’ll probably like it. Also developed a bit of a soft spot for the ‘Indie-comedy-romance’ type film too. The likes of ‘(500) Days of Summer’, ‘Juno’ and ‘Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist’ particularly appeal. But maybe that’s because of the kick ass soundtracks.

Websites: Err…I’m not really one of those ‘surf the web’ type people. I go online to check my emails, indulge in my delusions of grandeur on Facebook (I mean who really gives a shit about anything you say on there?), and occasionally see what is cheap on Amazon or Play. I read a blog my dad writes, because he’s my dad, and is actually pretty interesting, and download music from various different places but that’s really it. By the way, one word that will destroy your life if you let it: Farmville.

Adverts: That Cadbury’s advert with the Gorilla was shit. That ‘Compare the Meerkat’ advert is shit. Those ‘Shelia’s Wheels’ adverts were shit. Hang on a minute, all adverts are shit. But everybody still watches them don’t they? And then insist on telling everybody how shit they actually are. Probably not what they had in mind when they were made, but at least everyone is talking about their product. Ironic really, isn’t it?

I'm not nineteen forever...

2009-10-08T04:16:00.000-07:00

Today is the day. The day that I am no longer just a statistic of the Daily Mail. The day I become an adult (well, in my opinion). The day that I am no longer a teenager. The day I turn the grand old age of 20.

Is there anything special about this age? I never really thought so. There was being 18, then 21, then 30, 40, 50 etc. It seemed like it was just another year, nothing spectacular or different about it at all. But not that I've reached this age it feels different. Maybe because the 'teen' tag has been removed. Should this mean I should be more grown up? Be more of an adult? Do adult things like read the paper and take an interest in politics and cricket? I hope not.

I do feel some sort of maturity creeping up on me. I no longer feel like the carefree teenager I was all but yesterday. But maybe that's normal? I know that Dave was freaking out about being twenty last year, and on this day he turns 21 (strange coincidence there, girlfriend's housemate having the same birthday as me...). This time last year I thought he was over reacting, but now I'm in the same position I can understand. Something about it seems odd. I feel like I am growing up. Mind you, I've felt like I'm growing up since starting university.

Oh well. Never mind. Happy birthday to me. I wonder when I start getting too old to care about birthdays....

Little Man Tate @ o2 Academy, Sheffield, 02/10/09

2009-10-05T13:06:00.000-07:00

Last time I went to a gig I told you about how good the support band were. I wont be doing that this time.

We arrived in Sheffield full of anticipation for one of the final shows of the truly magnificent Little Man Tate, and the sheer drabness of the support band Artery only enhanced out need for the brilliant headliners. In a room full of people waiting to see the finest piece of Sheffield indie since Arctic Monkeys, the boring sound of what can be described as a bad Magazine tribute band, fronted by your dad, was completely out of place. Almost to the point of embarrassment. Luckily, they didn’t play for very long.

However, once Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine’s ‘Sherriff Fatman’ hit the P.A, the night was a non-stop, balls to the wall showcase. All the way from opener ‘Man I Hate Your Band’, through to the rousing closer ‘House Party at Boothy’s’, Little Man Tate were on fire. Clearly up there to enjoy themselves for one last time, I never noticed a moment when there wasn’t a smile on any of their faces. Thus making this swan song of theirs all the more heart-wrenching.

What’s more, the pure quality of each and every song only begs the question of how this band is not more popular. From the big singles, to the b-sides and supposed ‘filler’ album tracks, Little Man Tate continue to impress on all fronts. Each song giving the adoring audience plenty to cheer about, as they sang with every breath in their lungs.

The appreciation of the fans was also something of a rarity in music these days. Where at most gigs, the audience are receptive to the hit singles, and maybe more…quietly appreciative of the less well-known songs, that was not the case here. While the crowd clearly loved the likes of ‘This Must Be Love’ and early single ‘What? What You Got’, the level of response for the more obscure tracks of ‘Self Appreciation Club’ and ‘Back of the Pub Quiz’ was extremely enjoyable.

While Little Man Tate certainly put on a fantastic show last night, it was not without a sense of sadness that such a brilliant, well loved, band are not carrying on. Especially considering some of the ridiculous excuses for musicians that are gracing out ‘charts’. The fact that such a genuine, nice bunch of lads feel they have ‘achieved all they set out to’, so are calling it a day is heart breaking. Especially considering the passion of the large fan base this band has. This was clearly shown as when they left the stage, chants of ‘Don’t break up’ echoed around the streets of Sheffield. We can only hope that Little Man Tate heard.

Because it's just lovely

2009-10-01T01:51:00.001-07:00

'I'm just a kid with a song in my head,

With your face in my heart,

What could be better than this?'

Schoolboy error

2009-09-30T04:31:00.000-07:00

Did I ever tell you about the time my dad missed seeing Joy Division? Back in 1980 I believe, they were supporting Buzzcocks and he decided he would rather go the pub than see the support. Dear oh dear. Chance missed? I think so.

I would be sympathetic, say that they probably wouldn't have been all that good anyway. Better off down the pub than watching some average band, but come on, it's Joy Division. I try not to remind him of it, stir up some kind of regret. Well, sometimes.

Interesting story I thought.

Sorry Dad...:-P

Grammatics @ Bar 1:22 24th Sept 09

2009-09-29T01:08:00.000-07:00

Before last night, I had never been to a gig where the support band was better than the headliners. I’ve come close a few times, with Frightened Rabbit springing to mind. Too bad the headliners were Death Cab. Last night, I thought that it had happened. At Bar 1:22, I was witness to two of the better support bands that I have seen. Admittedly I haven’t seen many really bad supports, with exception to YouMeAtSix and Amy Winehouse supporting Angels and Airwaves and Arctic Monkeys respectively, but two of last night’s ranked with the best of them.
Opening band The Bluelights, were not one of these bands. A local three-piece that reminded me of a kind of lesser, Yorkshire version of The Rifles. Giving us some fairly dull indie rock, and ending the set somewhat abruptly. With no clear sense of a proper finish, they said their final thanks, sounded like they would be doing one more song, but then just packed away. An uninspired end to a disappointingly uninspired set.
What followed was an individual by the name of Charlie Barnes, or should that be Chalie? Should you believe what promo posters tell you. Before he came on I was told that he is the human equivalent of Radiohead’s ‘Kid A’. Ok, I thought, some poncey indie boy playing a synth? Well, this was sort of true, but it was some poncey indie boy playing synth, and beat-boxing, and looping it, and adding some excellent vocal ranges to create something that is so much more than the human equivalent of ‘Kid A’. If I had any apprehensions about the ‘entertainment’ factor in watching someone sit at a keyboard and twiddle knobs for half an hour before last night, the excitement this guy provided soon eradicated these thoughts. The only worry is that his stunning live show won’t replicate on his E.P.
The night’s third band was probably the biggest surprise. A four-piece by the name of Trace, with a singer who looked at first, a little more than apprehensive, not to mention no older than 15. Once they began though, what came from the PA was a joy to the ears. A loud, technically sound, melodic slice of what I thought sounded like ‘pop-punk, but with piano’. With catchy melodies and epic breakdowns, this band is very good. Be sure to catch them next time they’re doing the local gig circuit.
So on to Grammatics then. In all honesty, before the night I wasn’t really expecting much, and after the excellence of Charlie Barnes, and Trace, I was expecting even less. I have been witness to Grammatics before, catching them at the early midday slot on Friday at Latitude last year, and I thought they were…ok. Nothing to get too excited about. However, in a small, intimate venue like Bar 1:22, they were in their element. Their blend of cello infused indie-rock-pop (if that’s a genre that exists?) completely changed my mind. A storming live set from the Leeds four-piece left me reeling, and they are definitely worth looking into further.
So, I said earlier on that before last night I had never been to a gig where the support band was better than the headliner. I still haven’t. It was a close call, but the quality of Grammatics even outweighed the brilliance of Trace. A fantastic night then, and for only a fiver, what could be better?

Oasis Stop the Clocks

2009-08-30T08:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning I was inundated with a number of texts from friends and fathers asking about the truth behind reports of an Oasis split. ‘No chance’ I thought, ‘They split up at least once a year don’t they?’ ‘Just a falling out, can’t be serious’. But sure enough, after reading a story on the BBC website, and seeing a subsequent report on the news it is official, Noel Gallagher has quit Oasis.

If you asked me now what my feelings were upon finding out, I’m not sure I could tell you. With Oasis being my all time favourite band, Be Here Now being the first CD I ever bought, you would think it would have been crushing. I would have been distraught, shed a tear maybe? Oh no. I instead just sat there, trying in my head to work out a way that this could simply not be true. How could they split up? It’s Oasis. Yeah they weren’t exactly without controversy, the infamous Gallagher brothers being in and out of the limelight virtually from the beginning, bickering and rowing just like any brothers. It seems now to have gone that one argument too far though. Noel himself saying that he ‘couldn’t go on working with Liam a day longer.’

At this point, in all the news stories and articles at least, there lies a running history of the band, all the number ones, the albums, the awards, the bust-ups, everything. Re-told to you as a sort of eulogy towards the band. I’m not going to do that. Oasis are (were?) a big enough band that the story does not need retelling. We don’t need to hear everything we already know again. Instead I can only speak from my personal experience of the band, and that is as follows:

I’m not ashamed to say that Oasis are the best band I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. Not even one of. The. It’s safe for me to say that the reason I got into music at all, picked up the guitar, bought CDs, ended up doing a degree in Music Journalism, is pretty much down to Oasis, well, and my dad, for getting me into them in the first place. People talk of them having an up and down career, that the quality dwindled after ‘(What’s the Story)’. I don’t believe that. As Liam himself said on documentary ‘Lord Don’t Slow Me Down’, ‘I don’t think we got worse, I think people just got bored of us.’ If this is true, I was most definitely not one of these people.

I only ever got the pleasure of seeing the band once, last year in Liverpool, on my birthday no less. It was once of the best shows I’ve been to, and I only wish that I could have seen them more than once. Hope still remains though, in the potential for Noel to do a solo album/tour, and for a reunion, maybe not for a few years, but hope shall prevail no less.

So for now, farewell, to the best band to ever grace my CD player. You made me feel that tonight, and every night, I’m a rock n’ roll star. See you soon.

Bah Humbug!

2009-08-26T11:30:00.000-07:00

Following Alex Turner’s ambitious side-project, the Last Shadow Puppets, with friend Miles Kane, there were rumours that Arctic Monkeys were to be no more. After an extended spell on the sidelines, it could have appeared that way, that was, until that difficult third album, Humbug, was released on Monday. Many wondered if the Sheffield four-piece could reignite the fires that drove the Arctic’s engine through their first two albums and drive them to success again. The answer (dramatic pause) is yes.

Right from the pounding opening riff of ‘My Propeller’, Humbug shows that the Monkeys are back and they mean business. With a sound that has developed further following ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’, Turner and company sound darker, louder, bigger and angrier. Classically showcased by lead single ‘Crying Lightning’, as well as ‘My Propeller’ and ‘Potion Approaching’.

The lyrical prowess of Turner has not waned in the slightest either. With each song filled with line after line of excellence. The growth of Turner himself, as well as the band, is shown here. No more are we dealing with girls who look good on the dance floor, or mardy bums, but instead fools on parade (‘Secret Door’) and lookalikes in The Battleship (‘Cornerstone’). Okay, you can say that it has shifted from the everyday observations of queuing for taxis and prostitutes on street corners, but where ‘Whatever People Say…’ won over audiences across the country, ‘Humbug’ not only challenges them, but aims to spread the net wider than the ‘indie boy going out getting lashed’ audience, and it does so with aplomb.

What is considerably noticeable throughout Humbug is how the influence Turner’s work with the Last Shadow Puppets has affected his singing. It seems perhaps since the Monkeys’ cover of ‘Diamonds are Forever’ at Glastonbury 2007, our Alex seems to think of himself as a bit of a crooner. As shown throughout the Shadow Puppets’ ‘Age of the Understatement’.

This continues through the devilishly dark rumblings of ‘Crying Lighting’, ‘My Propeller’, and ‘Fire and the Thud’, Turner’s voice remains light and graceful. Soaring above the murky rhythms below. Along with the much lighter ‘Cornerstone’ and ‘Secret Door’. However, to say the front man has gone soft is far from reality. Turner does show his aggression can match the anger of the music, particularly throughout ‘Dangerous Animal’ and the brilliant ‘Pretty Visitors’ (‘What came first, the chicken or the dickhead?’ may well be one of my favourite lyrics ever).

Love them or hate them, you can’t knock Arctic Monkeys for ingenuity. A constant progression and development in both lyricism and music has the perilous potential to alienate many fans, but also win over countless new ones. Humbug must surely cry for the latter. A fantastic album from start to finish, with a new sound that possibly trumps both previous releases by the band. With a headline slot at Reading and Leeds this weekend, be warned, Arctic Monkeys are back, with a bang.

Football Bloody Football

2009-08-17T13:13:00.001-07:00

Yes, it has reached that time of year again, when the football league begins (what, already?? I hear the women cry!) and thousands upon thousands of men up and down the country, cheer, cry, drink in celebration, pull their hair out, and every other over-the-top response that can be had over what is in essence, just a game. (*gasp* oh no he didn't!)

Well, I say the football league begins, in all honesty it never really ended. The gossip and activity of the transfer becoming more and more newsworthy, perhaps more so than the league itself. Primarily this year due to the activity over in Middle-Eastlands with the Manchester Arab Emirates taking it upon themselves to throw ridiculous amounts of money at any club with a slightly half decent player as they try and win everything in the world. Something which I'm sure the rest of the footballing community will take much pleasure in seeing them fail. All the while everyone else is struggling to catch up by spending slightly less ridiculous, but still extravagant, sums of money on distinctly average players, I mean honestly, how much for Darren Bent??

Everyone, that is, apart from Everton, who as usual are refusing to buy anybody despite having the smallest squad in human history. Moyes himself even saying that he is happy with '13 or 14' of his players, but needs to add 6 or 7 new faces. Has he yet? Has he fuck. Maybe he's been too busy telling Dubai City that they can't have Lescott, no matter how much money they say they'll throw at us (Credit crunch? What credit crunch?). Fair enough I thought. Good on you I thought. Stick to your guns I thought. That was, until Saturday.

Basically, what the fuck?

First game of the season, at home to Arsenal. A team who gave in to the moneybags of City and sold two of their best players, with no real sign of replacements. A fairly alright game then? Easy draw? Maybe a win? Seeing as we were unlucky not to beat them in the corresponding game last season. Oh how wrong I was.

Half time: Everton 0 - Arsenal 3. Oh joy.

Final score: Everton 1 - Arsenal 6. Wait.....what??

In what can only be described as the most abysmal result to a curtain raiser that I can remember, we get well and truly trounced. Absolutely terrible performance. Awful defending by Sunday League standards. What went wrong? It's been put forward that the whole saga with Lescott wanting to leave has dampened spirits, damaged confidence, etc, etc. But no amount of excuses can make up for such a shit performance. If things don't improve very quickly we may end up becoming what Newcastle were last year. God help us.

The only way I think this situation can be resolved, unfortunately, would be to cash in on Joe. He clearly wants to leave, as shown from the worst performance he's had in an Everton shirt. And if we don't get rid of him I fear we will only be given more of the same. So perhaps we'd be better off without him. I mean, look what happened with Wayne. Cashed in on him then finished 4th. Incidentally after being trounced by Arsenal at home in the opening game of the season. At least if we do decide to give in to the rich kids we'll have some money for Moyes to not spend as he tries to bring in more high quality players. A task which is now much more difficult, following the nightmare performance his team gave on Saturday.

Don't get me wrong, I think Moyes is a fantastic manager. What he has achieved with worse than limited resources is fantastic. Could anybody else do what he has done with as little? Probably not. We just need to sort out the mess, and quickly. Sell Lescott, so that he will be a happy bunny getting paid £90 thousand a week to play once a month, and we can move on, bring in some talent and try and get this season back on track. Please.

The only problem we are left with is what will happen in the future. If what is happening at City is only the beginning, what will happen to those teams who, like Everton, have no money. If transfers are going to continuously rise to extortionate levels, how can those who have no funds compete? What's more, if teams like City continue to throw money at anyone who has a good season, all those poor teams who try to build and develop a squad of top quality players on the cheap will be fucked. One can only wonder what would have happened had Jagielka, arguably our best player last year, not got injured? Or Arteta, or Yakubu? It seems if we want to realistically compete with the big boys, we need investment. Fast.

The future's bleak, the future's money.

Amy Wankhouse

2009-08-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine once said to me that Amy Winehouse is ‘only good because she’s not black’. Before anybody gets the wrong idea, my friend is not racist, despite the aforementioned comment. Clearing up any controversy, what I believe she meant was that Amy Winehouse plays a style of music that is pretty much dominated by black artists. In a similar way to the ‘white man who played black music’, Mr Elvis Presley. However, Elvis was the King, Miss Winehouse most certainly is not the Queen.

I never fully understood the attraction to Amy Winehouse. I always felt that she was nothing more than a junkie of both the press and the smack, with less talent than I have in my left testicle. Harsh, I hear some of you utter, but perhaps true? Think about it. Still need me to back up my statement? Fine.

Point one: She can’t sing. No really, she can’t sing. All that seems to be coming from her vocal chords sounds like a warbling cat, with throat cancer, being swung from a ceiling fan. You seen the video on YouTube? That.

Point two: Content. If you can get past the god-awful singing, and actually decipher the lyrics, its drivel. Daddy said she should go to rehab (being the coked up whore she is, but more on that later) and what does she do, say no…no, no. Why? There’s teen rebellion, and then there’s just flat out ignorance. If she listened to Daddy then maybe she wouldn’t be so atrocious. ‘You Know That I’m No Good’? Yes, we do. So stop damaging my eardrums with that racket. And Valerie probably doesn’t want to come over because she heard you wailing from a mile off and fled in the other direction (Oops, I forgot that song was by Mark Ronson...).

Point three: As I have previously stated, she is nothing but a coked up whore. Spending more time in the tabloids for whatever scandal she has supposedly been up to rather than trying to better her career, or even trying to better her reputation. The fact that she regularly fails to turn up to concerts, and when she does, gives very half-arsed performances, shows more than a little lack of respect for her label, her PR people, and most importantly, her fans (deluded though they are for liking her ‘music’ in the first place). Yes I know Lou Reed and the Beatles and Pink Floyd and even Oasis have dabbled in drugs during their career, but, with the possible exception of the latter, it spawned some of their best music. But with Miss Winehouse giving us nothing that can even be classed as good, she should listen to The Verve, because the drugs don’t work.

Point four: See points one, two and three. Need I go on?

The other day I heard a rumour that she died. Drug overdose. Part of me wished it were true. Before realising the talentless woman would become martyred and special editioned forever. We just cant win can we?

You be Madrid and I will be......Pele??

2009-08-01T01:30:00.000-07:00

One might wonder why I, at only 19 years of age, was in Liverpool last Saturday to attend a reunion gig of a band that formed 20 years ago, and split 16 years ago, when I was at the tender age of 3. Maybe if it was one of those big name bands that sold millions of records, had several number ones (that’s British number ones!) and generally were well known enough to warrant a big reunion. This was not the case. The band I went to see, Pele. Ever heard of them? Didn’t think so. In all honesty neither had I, that was, until I was made aware of the fantastic Amsterdam, and learned that Pele was lead singer Ian Prowse’s former band.

Excitement was therefore brewing as me and my father, someone else who, up until Amsterdam, was only ‘vaguely aware’ of the band, turned up at the venue far too early to be let in. Not to worry though, as it led to a chance to meet Prowse again, (after previously interviewing him back in early 2007, and meeting after a fantastic Amsterdam set at Glastonbury in 2008) who was looking for a Chilean who was getting an interview (big in Chile back in the day too?). Once let in, we were one of only a handful of people who got there early enough to ‘soak up the atmosphere’ and to witness the first support act, The Verdict, and a very good band they were too. Very tight and punchy, with some quality rock tunes to boot. The next act, The Bo Weevils also proved to be a nice surprise. A quality four piece with some excellent guitar work, foot-stomping rhythms and what’s more, they were fucking loud. Both of which are well worth looking into further.

And so it came to the main event, Pele. With it being more than evident that I was probably one of the youngest people there, I didn’t really know what to expect. While Prowse’s Amsterdam have a brilliant live show, I had a feeling that the slightly lesser sound of Pele might result in a slightly lesser live show. How wrong I was! Right from opener ‘Don’t Worship Me’, to the fantastic ‘Oh Lord’, Pele rolled back the years and produced a top quality show, playing all the hit songs and more. With the likes of ‘Megalomania’ (number one in South Africa, don’t you know!) ‘Fair Blows the Wind for France’, ‘Name and Number’ and the ever outstanding ‘Raid the Palace’, fans both old and new (or should that be young?) enjoyed sing-a-long after sing-a-long. Even for me, who in all honesty had not heard much Pele other than re-done live versions by Amsterdam thoroughly enjoyed the likes of ‘A King’s Ransom’, ‘Fat Black Heart’, ‘In The Beginning and ‘Fireworks’, but the list goes on almost as long as the set list itself.

Despite not really knowing what to expect beforehand, seeing Prowse without his usual crew and with a menagerie of different songs, I did wonder if it would be like seeing Amsterdam with the volume turned down. Luckily I was swiftly proved wrong, Prowse and company producing a show well worth the reunion, and one can only hope another is on the cards sooner rather than later.

The Dead Weather - Horehound

2009-07-18T02:59:00.000-07:00

You would have thought that Jack White would have a lot on his plate at the moment. With the White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and several other individual projects, including a duet with Alicia Keyes for the recent Bond film, Quantum of Solace, you’d think he wouldn’t have time for anything else. Surely?

Well you’d be wrong, White returns to us now with The Dead Weather. A ‘supergroup’ of sorts featuring members of The Kills, Queens of the Stone Age, The Raconteurs, and White himself. However, what may surprise many is that White gives up his guitar and singing, for the most part, and takes a back seat, literally, on the drums. I can hear the alarm bells ringing from here.

Not to worry though, what we are given by The Dead Weather’s debut album ‘Horehound’ is something that differs from both White’s previous bands. Taking the bluesy sound of the Stripes, and the raw rock sound from the Raconteurs, White creates something new, but with a feel to it that can attract fans of his earlier work.

White’s decision to revert to the drums may lead to suspicion from some, but the man does very well. A damn sight better than his ex wife/sister Meg. A feat that is probably just as easily done as it is said. But to leave it at that would be grossly unfair on the rest of the band. While White is a very competent drummer, he is backing up what is a very tight, very good band. With ‘Little Jack’ Lawrence of The Raconteurs on bass, and QUOTSA’s Dean Fertita on guitar, piano and synth doing a job that is by no means worse than what White could do himself.

However, where the band get’s one of its main strengths is from the vocals of the beautiful Alison Mosshart, formerly of The Kills. From the husky drawl of ’60 Feet Tall’ and ‘So Far From Your Weapon’ to the Blondie-esque wail of ‘Treat Me Like Your Mother’ and the brilliant cover of Dylan’s ‘New Pony’. She also acts as a perfect compliment to White on the duets of ‘Rocking Horse’ and ‘Will There Be Enough Water?’

It could be very easy for one to look at this band as just another indulgence of Jack White, only made so that he could satisfy a creative branch that he could not reach with his many other projects. It could be easy to only buy this record to complete a ‘Jack White Collection’ and not really listen to it. But The Dead Weather are really so much more than that. They are a great band, and one of equal brilliance to both The White Stripes and The Raconteurs. With such a brilliant live show on top of a great debut album, long may The Dead Weather continue.

Well thats it then

2009-04-03T08:39:00.000-07:00

It is with a sense of slight confusion, disappointment, relief and an odd bit of excitement that I've seemingly come to the end of my first academic year of university, and it's only just April! I shall be getting the train back home tomorrow (single from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol Temple Meads for 11 quid! Thats what planning in advance and a railcard does for you!) for three weeks to enjoy what I hope is as delightful weather in Wells as it is here in Huddersfield. Should be good, especially the last week when Emma is going to come stay and see the sights of the south (not one for sibilance am I?!). But why do I still feel strangely disappointed?

Apart from an exam on the 13th of May I will have nothing to do until September apart from move out of halls and into my house. I should be happy about this, shouldn't I? Gives me a chance to get a job and earn some much needed money, gives me a chance to spend time writing more, in terms of articles for here, and songs (www.myspace.com/mynamesmattmusic seeing as you ask). Part of me worries though, that with the current state of economy, I wont be able to find a job (not least because Jack is now here scoping out more jobs to go with the one he found after being here a few days!) which means I'll be sat around either here in Storthes, a place I am quickly getting very sick of, not least because of all the stereotypical, we're-gunna-stay-up-till-half-6-in-the-morning-shouting-our-arses-off students, but because of the Internet, which is gracefully working now for a change, the large distance it is from....oh just about anywhere and the fact that it is, in all honesty, a bit grotty, with nothing to do at all. Earning no money, and spending the lack of money I actually do have far too quickly. Either that or I'll manage to stick it through until July before moving in to my house. A prospect I am actually very much looking forward to, in that growing up, being independent kind of way, and the fact that the house is fucking beautiful. Once there though, what then? If I don't find a job beforehand am I going to be able to find one once I am in a much more convenient location? I can hope so.

Upon the realisation I'm sounding a bit like the harbinger of doom, I am actually very pleased I managed to make it through the first year of this place. They say that uni is a big step up from school, and it is. The workload, although not particularly huge, has been tricky, and with all but one essay, which I only scraped a pass, I am pleased to have passed all my assignments. Not only has the past 7 months been good in terms of developing my abilities as a potential journalist, as I now feel I can write and produce a higher standard of article, university has been a fantastic growing up experience for me. I feel much better as a person. I've matured, but still managed to maintain a large element of immaturity too, never mind! I also believe, as others have commented, that I have lost a bit of weight, something that was a main intention as I came here. There was a few weeks where relying on cooking a pizza because I was too lazy to do anything else, but that was followed by an extended period of one meal a day living because either the laziness got too much to even go to the shop, or because I couldn't afford it! Either way, I don't feel quite as much the fat bastard I was when I first arrived.

All in all I feel that, as one era draws to a relative close (I mean, I still have 14 weeks before I get kicked out of this place!) it has been a success. Not only have I survived in a place where so many have fallen, (my course has halved in population since freshers!) but I've gained so much more in terms of new friends, of which I feel closer too than people I've known for the past 2 or 3 years (apart from the obvious ;-) ) along with a new found respect for money, and a grown up sense of independence that living in a small country town at the arse end of nowhere can provide. Not only that, but to make things even better, one person stands out amongst all the positives of this place, and I can only thank her for it. She knows who she is :-)

Anyway, until my next post, which may be sooner than you think, given that I now have nothing to do, take care. And if you find yourself a bit bored, you could always read the musings of my dad on his own blog (paulwaring.blogspot.com) and see what he's been doing the past few weeks! (not that you need it, but theres some publicity for you dad!)

Oh dear...

2009-03-16T16:12:00.000-07:00

So it is then, we go from one monumentally awesome reunion to one monumentally disastrous one. Shortly following the brilliant news that Blink 182, one of the greats, topped only by the monolith that is Oasis, have reformed, I am to discover that none other than The Libertines are reforming too.

Deary deary me.

I wait for weeks on end of NME pages devoted entirely to it.

As the Comedian so adequately put it, 'God help us all'.

Skiing Adventures

2009-03-16T05:42:00.000-07:00

Every year, the European Ski Challenge takes place in the 3 Vallees Ski Resort in the French Alps. Here in the snowy paradase, many skiiers and snowboarders flock to compete.

Below is a video showing the highlights of this years competition.

Not the day...shining armour....with a K

2008-08-18T14:16:00.000-07:00

Just another quick note that I feel has to be said.

The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger's role as The Joker

Oh. My. God.

Seriously

, no joke, one of the best pieces of acting I've ever seen. And

not just because he died shortly after. I realise that many people will go and see the film just because of this fact (much like more

people have come to Weston pier this year, AFTER ITS BURNED DOWN, than last year, but i digress) but even so, his role throughout was incredible, his monologues, his appearance, even the way he moved, it just blew my mind. But sadly enough, you can almost see how playing a rol

e of someone that....insane, can drive a person mad, especially considering the

stories of him locking himself away in order to play the character better. I can only feel privileged that someone would dedicate themselves that much for a role in a film. For entertaining a mostly ungrateful general public.

So for that, Heath, wherever you are in the cosmos, I thank you.

(and you're forgiven for being a gay cowboy)

"You wanna know how I got these scars?...."

It's about time I asked, Amy Winehouse?? Really?!

2008-08-18T13:34:00.000-07:00

Been a while since I wrote anything on this humble page of mine, but considering im now on the verge of being a university student of music journalism, i should get back into the habit of writing. Therefore, this gives you the reader (all one of you...Dad!) a chance to hear my views on a certain artiste that is clogging up the airwaves, and the press, and for a change its not Mr Doherty!

The singer in question goes by the name of Amy Winehouse. I'm sure you've heard of her. Everyone else has. And oddly enough, they all seem to love her too. Whether its her 'amazing voice', 'brilliant songs', 'daring public image', i dont know. Either way, I'm at a loss. Because I just dont see any of it. Controversial maybe? To openly say that one of the biggest stars in Britain, if not the world, is in my opinion, a bit shite? Hell, thats what this job* is about!

Okay, I admit, if I'm going to make a claim like this, I better back it up with some kind of evidence hadn't I? Well, allow me to begin. Her voice. Brilliant some people say, Refreshing others, unlike anything else. How come then, I find that I cannot understand a word she says because every note has a warble or some kind of...excess, that prevents it being heard? I know that I cant really talk when it comes to not understanding what vocalists are saying with some of my music tastes, but still! At least with even the more common examples of Modest Mouse, or even Dylan, there is some musical intrigue too.

I suppose one of the other things that bothers me, is that, in a similar sense to Doherty a few years ago, there is a media intrigue to her because of public bust ups with family members (Yeah, he wants to send you to Rehab, cos you're on smack and he's looking out for you!) or husbands (you dont need to sing about it, I really do know that you're no good!) and the whole being-on-drugs-and-still-making-music...thing. Dont get me wrong, drugs and music can be a beautiful combination! Just look at Dark Side! But when it becomes more about the drugs than the music, but still they end up on front pages of Magazines, and above headliners on festival t-shirts (as if Amy should have been above Kings and Jay Zizzle!) while everyone else is left in the shadows, then it starts to get to me! Particularly considering the lack of, in my opinion, real talent.

I've heard people say that she is so good because of the uniqueness of her style. It being a sort of hybrid of pop, soul and jazz, which is only really being matched by the likes of Duffy, and that because this style of music was originally only being done by black people, then it shows great creativity or bravery or something, but i dont really see how that makes someone good. I mean, people still dont like Eminem, being one of the very few white artists in his genre. I just dont see how what goes for one person, does not for another, and vice versa.

I know that to some people who read this (if this was put out to a mass audience) would still disagree. Would still think that she's 'got balls' (as she said about Jay-Z in a field in Pilton recently) But thats their opinion, im not trying to change minds, hell, im not Hitler. I just hope that some people will see the other side of the argument. See that perhaps she is just a smackhead who cant sing and has hair that is taller than her! Or maybe not. Either way, just dont ever play that godawful cover of 'Valerie' near me!

But wait, that was by Mark Ronson wasn't it? *rolls eyes*

*I realise I dont actually have a job in this yet, but hey, I'm practicing!

Production value

2008-05-30T06:56:00.000-07:00

I've noticed something that is becoming a bit of a trend within the music industry, and I cant help but feel that I may be the only one who seems to notice/care about it. That is, that with a lot of new songs coming out that are produced by rather well known people, (e.g Mark Ronson, Timbaland) are being credited to said producer, rather than the band themselves. Something which in my opinion is bizzare. It comes to mind after the ridiculous over-playing of Amy Wankhouse's shocking cover of The Zuton's 'Valerie'. (I seem to be the only person who hates her for some reason, despite the fact she's shite!). While it is clear that it is her singing it, and her backing band performing it, the song is still classed as being by Mark Ronson but only 'featuring' Miss Winehouse. Not taking anything away from producers, im sure it's a challenging job, but come on, surely, even if it was Ronson's idea to do it, it should still be accredited to Amy?? Or would that be too obvious?
Another example of this strange new thing is 'Apologise' by OneRepublic, or should that be 'featuring' OneRepublic. This song, which was entirely written by the band, was only slightly remixed by big name producer Timbaland, with the only difference really being a touch more bass and a more obvious drum beat, along with the kind of annoying 'eeh, eeh, eeh' bit that he does over the top. Despite this minimal change it is still classed as being 'Timbaland featuring OneRepublic. Taking basically all the credit away from the band, despite them being the writers of the song.
My main concern with this is why. Why do the producers take all the credit away from a band who wrote the song originally only because they twiddled some nobs and pushed some buttons? If this is the case, one can only fear what happens in the future. Will there not be any bands anymore? Will everything be released under the producers name, with the dreaded 'featuring' the only credit any band gets? Who says it isn't going to go any further and just be the label that gets any name? Will we be hearing about that new Geffen album featuring Metallica? Or Domino records new album, featuring Arctic Monkeys? I for one hope that surely common sense will prevail soon enough and people will see that the likes of Timbaland and Mark Ronson are NOT the ones who are writing the songs, are NOT the ones performing the songs, and are only producing it, meaning that their names should be on sleeve notes where they belong.

But then again, common sense kind of seems to be lost on the general public when it comes to music. I mean come on, who actually thinks Amy Winehouse has a good voice?!

An attempt at sporting journalism

2008-04-08T12:59:00.000-07:00

Just been thinking, with regards to football and the strange, confusing ways in which the industry as it is now becoming, works, whether that, if it were not for the events of the Heysel disaster, we would be seeing a different football team on top of the football tower?
Now this is not just because I am an Everton fan that is bitter about the club being barred from the Champions League after winning the old English First Division and the Cup Winners Cup in the mid-80's, in fact quite the opposite, with the team now being back on the rise and on the verge of breaking in to the 'Top 4' (although recent performances leave room for improvement) after a successful run in the Eufa Cup. Just curiosity, considering that at the time of the incidents in Heysel, Everton were arguably, along with the gobshites across the park (as much as it pains me to say that) firmly on the top of the pile in terms of domestic football. And following victory in the Cup Winners Cup, and league success, we would have been entered into the Champions League. One merely has to speculate as to how well the team would have done. Most would agree that chances of success there would have been high, which begs the question, we do well in the Champions League, perhaps even win it, therefore gain more recognition across Europe, and indeed the world, therefore attract more quality players, therefore get more success in the league and Europe, therefore more recognition and so on and so forth, until we reach today, and perhaps it is a different team from the North West of England (no, not you kopites) that are the most well known team in the world?

Funny that, isn't it?

Anyway, it would appear that I am toeing the line of controversy now, so i'll just leave that thought with you.

In that contemplative, looking-back-on-life stage..

2008-03-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

Been thinking a lot recently. Not about anything in particular, just life and all the little absurdities that come along with it. Why people are the way they are, what makes someone a good person, or indeed a good friend, to what extent does one 'bring it on themselves', that kind of stuff. Having only watched 'High Fidelity' the other day (great film, and book, would recommend both to anyone with an interest in music, and relationships, that kind of stuff) it could be said that im in one of those 'what does it all mean' sort of moods, but still, the thoughts are there all the same.
It is difficult to determine why life is the way that it is, why it all pans out the way it does, whether or not there is some omniscient being watching over it all. Would be good to know what people are thinking when they look at you, when they joke with you, or about you. If they're laughing with you, or at you. But then, alas, we weren't created that way. How were we destined to be though? Was it ever intended for us to become 'rulers' of the world? Were we meant to thrive and adapt and evolve? None of this is really relevant to the feelings and thoughts that I am having, but still are worth questioning.....to an extent.
Basically, i guess, it all boils down to the way that someone can have friends, and have a fairly active social life, but still feel alone. Someone can be on top of the world, then brought back down to the lower ends of life in an instant. Maybe its the way that society has indoctrinated us to feel a necessity to be liked, a necessity to have all the latest gadgets, trends, fashions, all that malarky (irony is beginning to creep in, from the guy with the iPod, fcuk jacket, Levi jeans, and Vans shoes, but still...) a necessity to be out on the weekend, 'on the pull' as it were. But what happens when that doesnt all work out? When you dont have the coolest clothes, when you dont have the girl, when you dont seem to 'fit in' with society's 'norms', what then? Are we destined to be outcast? Left alone to sit in front of your computer writing your feelings on a blog site that only your dad will read, because only he knows about, or cares about it? Seems that way. But then who am I to complain, 'you bring it on yourself'.
Ah well, c'est la vie.

Don't worry dad, i'll be fine! ;-)

Be Here Now? Doesnt appear to be!

2008-03-03T11:52:00.000-08:00

When the band Oasis comes to mind, the primary albums that people immediately spring to, and indeed the band themselves class as their biggest successes would be, somewhat obviously, ‘Definitely Maybe’, ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’ and possibly even b-side collection ‘The Masterplan’ (perhaps THE best b-side compilation ever!). While it can be said that there was a blip around the middle of their decade spanning existence, with the relative flop of albums ‘Standing on the Shoulders of Giants’, and more so ‘Heathen Chemistry’, the band still recognise the partial success of both of these, with recent best-of ‘Stop the Clocks’ including a solitary song from each album. However, the band’s 3rd studio album, ‘Be Here Now’ appears to have been completely forgotten about, which to me begs the question of why?
When the album was released in 1997, just over 10 years ago, it was a success, much like, if not more so, than the previous 2 albums, with two of the three singles taken from it reaching number one in the charts, and the other single peaking at number 2. This does therefore not seem to suggest an album that is lacking in quality, and although there are not as many stand out classics as there were from ‘Definitely Maybe’ or ‘What’s the Story…’ the three singles, (‘D’you Know What I Mean’, ‘Stand By Me’ and ‘All Around the World’) are fantastic, and indeed the rest of the songs do not seem to be merely filler songs. So why then does the band seem to ignore it? With the sell-out ‘Familiar to Millions’ gig at the old Wembley Stadium only containing one song from the album with just one album released in between it and the tour. It can be seen from listening to it that there has been a development or progression from the sound that made the first two albums so successful, with it sounding rockier than the brit-pop sound that made them so famous. But even this could surely not be a sign for it to be cast away and forgotten about? Because even in sounding slightly different to the aforementioned successes, the signature vocals of Liam Gallagher, and the awesome guitar of elder brother Noel are still ever present.
Even though I am sitting here saying how the band do not seem to appreciate the album much at all, it does still gain recognition from other areas, as last year Q Magazine wrote a special report on the making of it, being the 10 year anniversary, and a collaboration of photographs taken whilst the album was being recorded and on the world tour that followed it being published in the book ‘Was There Then’, by Jill Furmanovsky. Which still begs question as to why the album that, of the 3 singles, 2 went to number one, when the only other single to do so beforehand was ‘Some Might Say’, is still not appreciated or recognised by the band themselves?
However, it could be argued that, while it did bring them more success, it was perhaps too much success. As beforehand, the band was still very much from the working class lifestyle of Manchester, and after the success of the first two albums, this hugely changed. Perhaps shown by the ironic artwork of the band all standing outside a rather large country house (an attack on the single of then rivals Blur?) with such frivolous items as an old gramophone, and a fancy car in a swimming pool, shows that maybe the band were reaping the benefits of fame, and maybe had the feeling, as many do now, that they no longer have many real issues to write about. Perhaps this can be why the band disregards it, as a way of trying to forget their own luxury?
Though on the other hand, one has to remember that, as it was the first album that I ever bought (the original copy I still own, and play, after 11 years, which don’t half make me feel old!) and I am prone to a certain degree of bias towards it! But that is beside the point; the main point of this argument is that, in my opinion, the band should still recognise and appreciate one of, although not quite the, better albums they have recorded.

Better to burn out than to fade away

2008-03-03T07:49:00.000-08:00

Just to rid you of any suspicion, no, this is not about Neil Young, or indeed about the suicide note of Kurt Cobain, but more about the way that a lot of songs end. Perhaps one of the most annoying things about music, apart from some of the mindless rubbish in the form of X Factor, Razorlight, various 'R & B' artists, etc, is the way that a large amount of songs fade out at the end. My question is why?! Why must a song, that in some cases has been particularly fantastic all the way through, end on such an anti-climax?? It almost makes me think that they just could not be bothered to think of a way for the song to end, so thought 'I know, we'll play the main riff over and over rather than properly finish it!', which to me is rather a shame, not least because 2 of my favourite songs of all time, (New Order's 'Blue Monday' and 'Slide Away' by Oasis) both fade out at the end. Yeah fair enough they might say that, as said in the humourous 'Montage' song in Team America, 'if you fade out it seems like more time has passed', but thats not what I look for in a song, I would much rather have it end on a held note after the main chord progression has been played a couple of times than have it fade out with said progression continuously playing, that way it would at least be like the song has actually finished. I think the line, which I have used as the title of this particular thought process, sums it up best, so in the words of Neil Young, yes kids, Neil Young, listen to 'Hey Hey, My My'...or 'My My, Hey Hey' (there is a difference!) and you will see, I feel that, when it comes to a decent song, of any genre, be it pop, dance, rock, punk, anything, it really is better to burn out than to fade away.

The Libertines - really that good?

2008-03-02T15:16:00.000-08:00

In 2002, we saw the arrival of a small band by the name of The Libertines that apparently changed the face of modern music, according to some people. While they may have been one of the first of the new rise in ‘indie’ music, some claims that they were the ‘band of a generation’, to me, seem a bit farfetched.
Although when listening to their music there is, on some songs, a certain likeability to it, there does not seem quite enough to cement them as one of the defining bands of an era. Some have claimed that many of the new bands to emerge into this ever growing ‘indie’ scene are merely copycat bands of The Libertines, and while one can see some similarities between them and some other bands, it seems far too general to claim that they are all just copying them. But then when you consider that The Libertines were perhaps one of the first bands from this new era, the new bands coming out of it are bound to have some influences, and after all, what are influences if not something to base what you are doing on?
Perhaps one of the main reasons as to why this band are idolised by so many people within the music, and indeed entertainment industry in general, may be because of the high profile relationship of the two songwriters, Pete Doherty and Carl Bârat, and of Pete's addictions to heroin. In a similar sense to Nirvana and Kurt Cobain in the mid-90’s, The Libertines may have become martyrs in their work as they ‘struggled to cope with addiction’ yet still managed to produce an album, some would say, of great quality. Admittedly ‘Cant Stand Me Now’ does act as a telling tribute to the demise of such a strong relationship between the pair.
However, to say that this was a relationship as strong in its song-writing ability as say, Lennon and McCartney, Page and Plant, or Morrisey and Marr would be a bit false in my opinion, as in the sum total of 2 full length albums and 4 or 5 EP’s, there only exists about 4 or 5 genuinely top quality songs. While the remainder is not particularly bad, there is little there, in my opinion, to suggest that this band is as important as some seem to make out. Just to look at both the infamous pairs new bands (Babyshambles for Doherty, Dirty Pretty Things for Bârat) and their failure to reach as similar heights as The Libertines would back this up Although it is undeniable the influence that this band have had on the music industry, to say the rise in indie bands following their split was solely down to them would be quite over exaggerated.
The talent that this band possesses may also be put into question, as even Doherty admitted that when he met his soon to be band mate, he couldn’t even play the guitar. At the risk of sounding harsh, this shows in the music. The guitars sound, particularly in the solos, awkward and flimsy. However, to criticise this band based purely on their slightly below par playing would be unfair, as in my view, one of the defining guitarists of the 90’s in Kurt Cobain possessed very little talent in his guitar playing ability, but was able to write some of the best songs of the era.
When listening to The Libertines, one has to question what it is that makes so many people worship this band and its frontmen so much, as, on a strictly musical level, there is not that much there to inspire. I can only assume that, in an unfortunately similar sense to the aforementioned ‘grunge’ band from Seattle, this band gained largely in fame after their unfortunate demise, and that, instead of focussing on the music, people, such as those at the offices of NME, continue to worship the ground on which Mr Doherty walks, simply because he was in a partially successful band, that came to a controversial end, with strong links to drugs. Although the fact that he is even still living may be some explanation! So while we can draw obvious signs from one of their few decent songs in the form of ‘Time for Heroes’, this music fan does not believe that these ‘Heroes’ came in the form of the ‘Likely Lads’ otherwise known as The Libertines

Who the Fuck are the Arctic Monkeys

2008-03-02T15:09:00.000-08:00

The somewhat ironically titled new EP by Sheffield’s finest can be classed as a great follow up to their debut album ‘Whatever People Say I Am…’, and although it is not quite as good as that album, it does show signs of some great things to come.
At first, you could be lead to believe that this is just a new single from the album, as it opens with the fantastic ‘A View from the Afternoon’. This probably only just edges it as the best song on this 5 track record. And with the re-recorded version of original demo ‘Cigarette Smoke’ (entitled ‘Cigarette Smoker Fiona’) following it up, this idea might still be sticking around. However, the sheer quality of this song makes you think again. As its raw aggression would make innocent young children wet themselves! The lyrics remain passionate as ever, although the veteran fans (if there can be such a thing due to the speed in which this band has risen to fame) might be a bit confused with the change of lyrics, the new ones are by far better, and slightly, if not by much, toned down. Nonetheless, it is still a fantastic song and one which will no doubt be loved by audiences over the world.
The third song on the EP, ‘Despair in the Departure Lounge’ is a solo effort by the lyrical genius that is Alex Turner, and although the opening lines (‘He’s pining for her in a people carrier’) might raise a few eyebrows, that’s what made us love them in the first place! This is one of those songs that you can imagine them playing in front of thousands of lighters in one of their world stadium tours. It also shows a more mature, grown up side to this band which, lest we forget, the members are still in the bottom end of their twenties. It’s the sort of song that you could imagine people with the calibre of Noel Gallagher playing. And it shows signs of what might be to come from this band.
As you listen to 4th song ‘No Buses’ there appears to be a sort of 60’s, Beatles vibe about it. Which isn’t a bad thing if you like that! It could be one for the older fans of the band, and although it isn’t the best song on this EP, it is still very good, and will no doubt end up being played on radios all over the world.
The final song, which shares its name with the EP, is magnificent. It is catchy and toe-tapping, however, there seems to be a darker side to it as the lyrics wonder what will become of the band (‘In five years time will it be ‘who the fuck’s Arctic Monkeys?’’). And halfway through the song, it takes a turn to the heavier side, combining two of their best attributes for this song, the melodious, catchy side, and the more aggressive side.
Although some people will be questioning their decision to release a new EP of songs so soon after the success of their debut album, this features some quality songs that will no doubt become classics. And while some people will be saying that this four-piece will be getting to big for their breeches, the quality of their music still remains, and will for quite a while yet! So in five years time will it be ‘Who the fuck’s Arctic Monkeys?’…..no chance!

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2008-03-02T15:00:00.000-08:00

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