After numerous years of action, inaction, deletion and reactivation here on blogger I have decided to move my blogging over to Wordpress.
By way of song to play me out I thought that this tune by Supergrass would be appropriate.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Summer Music
I have had a busy summer in terms of checking out some new albums; I probably overdid it too, as I still have a few albums from my initial splurge at Amazon, HMV and Fopp, to get through. Teenage Fanclub, The Cribs and the Rolling Stones to name but three will all have to wait, it will probably take me into the autumn to get through the rest. Here are those that I did manage to check out.
The Coral - Butterfly House (Deltasonic)
This album should be the soundtrack to a long hot summer; instead it was released just as the clement weather turned into a prolonged period of rain.
The Coral’s fifth, and the first after their singles collection is an album that wears its influences on the sleeve; Uncut magazine described it as ‘sounding more than ever like the Bunnymen transported to Love-era LA.’ I can certainly see where there are going with that statement and if I was not a long-term fan of the band (and the ones mentioned by Uncut) this review would have probably had me scurrying for their new album.
Mid-to-late-60s music has certainly been the accompanying soundtrack to the recording sessions, given the harmonies that can be heard in a number of the songs. The harmonies on ‘Two Faces’ are the most noticeable and give-off that summer of love vibe.
‘More than a Lover’ the album opener is a bold and strong statement of intent, with its lyricism displaying mystical qualities that are on the right side of pretentious.
It is hard to pick out favourites, as it is probably the band’s most consistent collection of songs and this augers well for the future, after fears that the last album may have been a full stop, that said, ‘Butterfly House’ and ‘1000 Years’ are the standout tracks. Given the consistency of the music the only thing the album lacks are the real blockbusters that their first two albums provided.
There is a bonus disc on the extended version of the album that highlights the band’s capacity to experiment is still there, something that may be missing from the proper album.
Overall this is a great album and given the fact that band are still so young, there is more to come from the Heswall band in the future.
Cherry Ghost – Beneath this Burning Shoreline (Heavenly)
Beneath this Burning Shoreline is the second album from Simon Aldred’s outfit, on some levels, it is a more ambitious album than their eponymous debut, it doesn’t stray too far from that template.
Their sound is wonderfully epic, with a twist of the melancholic, and has certain similarities with other northern bands such as Doves, Elbow, and I am Kloot – which is no bad thing.
Tours with the Coral and Doves of late have seen these new songs performed live and have been well received. The more epic moments from the album have been effortlessly recreated live too.
‘We Sleep On Stones’ was the first single and the opener for the album, it is the standout track, but not by much. You are constantly surprised by the quality with each passing tune, the two interludes included, are a must, to enable you to catch breath before the next song comes along.
‘The Night They Buried Sadie Clay’ sounds like a 5-minute kitchen sink drama set to music. In fact most of the lyricism of the album is very character-led and in that northern tradition of songwriters that evoke their surroundings.
The album is strangely subdued in tone towards the end, with ‘Diamond in the Grind’ and ‘Strays on the Ice Pond’, bringing the mood to a more reflective tempo.
This is one of the great albums of the year and surprisingly overlooked for a Mercury nomination too. I look forward to seeing them live in October.
I Am Kloot – Sky at Night (Shepherd Moon)
This is a beautifully understated album and contains some of the greatest moments that the band has committed to record. For me their debut contains their greatest songs (‘86 TVs’ and ‘For You’) but ‘Sky at Night’ is probably their most consistent set.
Like their debut, Craig Potter & Guy Garvey from Elbow produced the album and their presence is all over this. The addition of strings and harmonies, a hallmark of their band, are on display throughout and only add to the usually solid songwriting.
The one thing that has stayed true to the formula are Johnny Bramwell’s lyrics, each song has a line that catches your ear and stops you in your tracks…‘you’re the guy on the bus/who’s not quite one of us’ is one diamond amongst the myriad killer lines.
‘To the Brink’, is typical I Am Kloot, with the earthiness of the lyrics to the fore, ably backed with a haunting string melody, I could see Richard Hawley kicking himself that he had not written this song earlier.
‘Proof’ is a welcome return for a song that was wasted as an earlier single’s b-side and is polished and presented as new here. ‘Radiation’ is the album’s epic song and slowly builds to a rousing finale.
Though the template has been adapted slightly the changes have not been to the detriment of all that is made I Am Kloot good in the past.
This is an album that will satisfy long-term fans and those that have decided to investigate for the first time. Sky at Night is deserving of the accolades that will come its way.
Sleeper – Greatest Hits (Indolent/Epic)
I picked up this compilation fairly cheap on Amazon, on the back of having read Louise Wener memoirs about her time as the songwriter and front person of Sleeper. On the back of that I realised that I only had the one Sleeper album, ‘Smart’, an album that contained all their recognisable hits. For some reason I had left it there and didn’t stick around to buy their subsequent albums.
There are a number of decent tunes on this collection, ‘Inbetweener’ ‘Nice Guy Eddie’ ‘What Do I Do Now?’ and ‘Delicious’ are the album’s stronger moments but on the whole the music has not fared too well over time and this compilation highlights what Wener says in her book that they shone brightly for a short time then faded away.
The Climbers – The Good Ship (Willkommen)
The Climbers is a Brighton-based collective and signed to one of the up and coming labels in the UK. I discovered them when I bought The Leisure Society’s album - which features one of the great songs of 2009. ‘Last of the Melting Snow’.
The Climbers include two members of that band and they are the vehicle for Nick Hemming’s songs. Christian Silva records the songs of Christian Hardy and the Climbers perform the songs of Tim West. The Climbers are ostensibly the afore mentioned three members but with an extended cast of members that augments the band’s sound and that is something that would explain the eclectic nature of ‘The Good Ship’.
‘Bookshop Folk’ is an up and at ‘em stomper that leads in to the more plaintive ‘Anything’. The title track ‘Good Ship’ has that barroom piano vibe. In fact the majority of the album invokes images of the sea, not just with the album cover but the jaunty sea-shantyesque tunes that complete the album.
‘Uncommon’ is another epic song, and probably the stand out track and has a touch of Campbell and Lanegan about it.
There is obviously a great deal of talent within the band and I look forward to future releases by the band and those on Wilkommen Records.
Prefab Sprout – Steve McQueen (Kitchenware/Sony)
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It was good to hear this album again; I had not picked it up in a few years, though I noticed that I did not have a CD of the album. That was remedied over the summer when I purchased the Deluxe Version (a remastered version that was released in 2007). I love Paddy McAloon as a songwriter, and this bunch of songs is deemed to be his finest.
‘Faron Young’ opens the album and it is still a great song and probably one of their finest moments. ‘When Love Breaks Down’ is still one of the saddest songs put to record and is not too far behind in the best song stakes.
The collection includes a bonus disc of acoustic versions of the album. In fact the only new version I didn’t like at first, was ‘When Love Breaks Down’, to me the new version sounded twee, but overtime I grew to like it. My initial reaction probably stemmed from the belief the original could not be bettered.
Songs that may have passed me by when I originally bought this album have become favourites in their new guises. ‘Appetite’ sounds great in its acoustic state. The new version of ‘Faron Young’ almost betters the original, with the deeper tones of McAloon’s voice today taking the song in a direction not envisaged when it was first written.
Speaking of the genius that is Paddy McAloon, best wishes to him after a period of bad health and here is hoping that he opens the vaults on the numerous albums that have been written and recorded, but not yet released.
The National – High Violet (4AD)
A band that has been around for a while but it is only with this release that I have checked out any of their material. The bands previous album The Boxer was the one that thrust them onto the conscious of the record buying public in the UK, High Violet is likely to be the one that will catapult them into the high-end of the numerous end-of-the-year polls.
It’s a subtle album that demands attention; it is certainly not one to be played in the background. Matt Berninger’s baritone is what catches the ear first and then the lyricism that dwells in darker places of the soul. Titles like ‘Sorrow’ and ‘Terrible Love’ gives the game away with regards to what to expect from the overall tone of the album
The opening songs contain lyrics of love gone wrong and complement the textured complex tone of the album. The highlight for me is ‘Afraid of Everyone’ a sad lament in keeping with sombre mood of the album
Another great album and one that has got me interested in checking out the band’s back catalogue.
The Villagers – Becoming a Jackal (Domino)
One of those bands that occasionally Later with Jools Holland brings to your attention. The Villagers is the vehicle for songwriter Conor O’Brien’s music and this album has been shortlisted for the 2010 Mercury Music Prize. The lyrical matter is quite dark at times, but it is also poetic as it deals with life’s twists and turns – it is melancholic, but not in a mournful way.
The arrangements are simple and the title track ‘Becoming a Jackal’ features a performance of voice and guitar highlighting the truest essence of the material. This is the highlight for me and made this album an essential purchase. On ‘Pieces’ sees O’Brien howling at the moon as the track reaches its climax, which on first listen was slightly disconcerting, but it certainly captures a mood.
This is a thoroughly engaging album and like the High Violet it is not an easy one to get in to, but it is worth persevering with though.
John Grant – Queen of Denmark (Bella Union)
I had seen a review and interview with Grant in Mojo and Uncut earlier in the year and this was put on the wish list for future reference. I noticed that he was playing the Static Gallery in August and decided to pop along. I went to that gig without hearing much of his stiff before that; the gig sent me scurrying to get a copy of this album. This is probably the best album that I have heard this year and truly amazing set from someone whose career had seemingly hid the skids.
The album has a sheen to it that on first listen you could think that it was in that AOR tradition, but on closer inspection the lyrics paint a different picture. The highlights of the album are many and its difficult to suggest favourites ‘TC and Honeybear’ is one that I would plump for, the opening track of this stunning collection is a slow building song but its climax is well worth the ride.
The great tunes keep on coming ‘Marz’ recalls a childhood sweetshop and a time when life was simpler. For Grant, times have been tough and it is pleasing to see that the accolades that are coming his way are coming as a result of this album.
The album veers between lush orchestrations to solo songs with just piano balladry to the fore - as an artist Grant is comfortable in either form. ‘Queen of Denmark’ is the perfect closer to the album.
I was lucky to pick up the two-disc version with four bonus tracks ‘Fireflies’ is the pick of these songs and one that was omitted from the main album after a breakdown in communications with the record label. He remarked at the gig I went to see that he thought the label were underwhelmed by it, when in fact they thought it was brilliant. Hence the need for a bonus disc.
This is a truly endearing, at times sad, but overall uplifting album and one that I’m glad that I finally got around to buying.
Human League – Dare (Virgin)
An album purchase, inspired by reading the Louise Wener’s book and this is an album that contains a number of their greatest hits. Dare is ‘the’ Human League with ‘Open Your Heart’, ‘Don’t You Want Me Baby’ and ‘Love Action (I Believe in Love)’. Love Action is probably the band’s greatest moment mainly because of the self-referencing lyric ‘Hey this is Phil talking’ a line that always cracks me up. Bizarrely there is also a cover version of Roy Budd’s ‘Get Carter’ theme tune on this album too.
This is one of the great albums of the 80s (if that’s not damning it with faint praise) and every time I hear the Human League it always reminds of one the greatest gigs I have ever seen.
Tunng - …And Then We Saw Land (Full Time Hobby)
They were a band I had been meaning to check out for a while and had downloaded a number of remix tracks from RCDLB which I liked and made me want to explore further
Tunng are an experimental folk band or folktronica as they have also been dubbed.
‘…And Then We Saw Land’ is their fourth album.‘ that has seen them grow steadily in size. ‘Don’t Look Down or Back’ was the lead out track and is probably one of the few tracks that can be construed as traditional. Over the course of the course of the album sees the folk palette mixed with a number of electronic shades.
‘Hustle’ is a jaunty opener and sets the scene for a folk and beats combination that follows.
They are folk at heart and the experimental edge never gets in the way of the songwriting and it is certainly an interesting album that has me interested in discovering the rest of their catalogue.
Broken Bells – Broken Bells (Sony)
Broken Bells is Brian Burton (better known as Danger Mouse) and James Mercer from The Shins. I had been looking forward to hearing this album since I downloaded a free copy of lead single ‘The High Road’.
The results of this collaboration are that is sounds like a Shins album, no bad thing. The stand out track is without doubt the aforementioned track, but the ‘beats and Beach Boys’ influences throughout lend a very summer feel, non-more so on ‘Citizen’, which is probably the other stand out.
Overall a great summer album and was well worth more than the £3 I paid for it in a HMV sale.
Neville Skelly – Child of the Morning EP (Setanta)
I picked this up when I went to see the Coral, for whom Skelly was the opening act. Despite the help from the Coral producing this album and the sharing of a surname, he is in fact no relation to that band.
The album is delightfully understated with Skelly’s deep and mellifluous vocal to the fore. He was a quiet character in-between the songs, hiding behind his shades. When the first chords of the songs chimed he came alive. The simple vocal and guitar formula of the live setting is replicated to an extent on the album, with only the inclusion of drums and the occasional other instrument that differentiates from the live setting. The vibe is definitely stripped back and it works well.
Child of the Morning is the title track from this 5 track EP, a taster of hopefully a longer album in the near future, has that Sinatra vibe about it. Though thankfully, not in the way that Robbie Williams popularised. The first four songs all have that laid-back lounge lizard feel, with the closer Poet and the Dreamer the more upbeat of the collection.
It is certainly music for a late night ambient moods, he’s certainly worth checking out in the future.
Spokes – People Like You (Counter Records)
Electtronica/Dance is the listing on iTunes, but to me this is more in that post-rock vain. They do quite loud and quiet in equal measure, they are a more melodic Mogwai. It was ‘End Credits/Loveletter’ that caught my ear on a Clash Music Liverpool compilation. The album is generally instrumental and when lyrics appear they are used sparingly. Opener ‘Young People, All Together’ waits for 4 minutes before a vocal kicks in.
For an EP that is almost forty minutes in length you get value for money with 6 lengthy tracks. It has some weaker tunes but generally it is a good taster of their forthcoming album that is due for release in the autumn.
The Coral - Butterfly House (Deltasonic)
This album should be the soundtrack to a long hot summer; instead it was released just as the clement weather turned into a prolonged period of rain.
The Coral’s fifth, and the first after their singles collection is an album that wears its influences on the sleeve; Uncut magazine described it as ‘sounding more than ever like the Bunnymen transported to Love-era LA.’ I can certainly see where there are going with that statement and if I was not a long-term fan of the band (and the ones mentioned by Uncut) this review would have probably had me scurrying for their new album.
Mid-to-late-60s music has certainly been the accompanying soundtrack to the recording sessions, given the harmonies that can be heard in a number of the songs. The harmonies on ‘Two Faces’ are the most noticeable and give-off that summer of love vibe.
‘More than a Lover’ the album opener is a bold and strong statement of intent, with its lyricism displaying mystical qualities that are on the right side of pretentious.
It is hard to pick out favourites, as it is probably the band’s most consistent collection of songs and this augers well for the future, after fears that the last album may have been a full stop, that said, ‘Butterfly House’ and ‘1000 Years’ are the standout tracks. Given the consistency of the music the only thing the album lacks are the real blockbusters that their first two albums provided.
There is a bonus disc on the extended version of the album that highlights the band’s capacity to experiment is still there, something that may be missing from the proper album.
Overall this is a great album and given the fact that band are still so young, there is more to come from the Heswall band in the future.
Cherry Ghost – Beneath this Burning Shoreline (Heavenly)
Beneath this Burning Shoreline is the second album from Simon Aldred’s outfit, on some levels, it is a more ambitious album than their eponymous debut, it doesn’t stray too far from that template.
Their sound is wonderfully epic, with a twist of the melancholic, and has certain similarities with other northern bands such as Doves, Elbow, and I am Kloot – which is no bad thing.
Tours with the Coral and Doves of late have seen these new songs performed live and have been well received. The more epic moments from the album have been effortlessly recreated live too.
‘We Sleep On Stones’ was the first single and the opener for the album, it is the standout track, but not by much. You are constantly surprised by the quality with each passing tune, the two interludes included, are a must, to enable you to catch breath before the next song comes along.
‘The Night They Buried Sadie Clay’ sounds like a 5-minute kitchen sink drama set to music. In fact most of the lyricism of the album is very character-led and in that northern tradition of songwriters that evoke their surroundings.
The album is strangely subdued in tone towards the end, with ‘Diamond in the Grind’ and ‘Strays on the Ice Pond’, bringing the mood to a more reflective tempo.
This is one of the great albums of the year and surprisingly overlooked for a Mercury nomination too. I look forward to seeing them live in October.
I Am Kloot – Sky at Night (Shepherd Moon)
This is a beautifully understated album and contains some of the greatest moments that the band has committed to record. For me their debut contains their greatest songs (‘86 TVs’ and ‘For You’) but ‘Sky at Night’ is probably their most consistent set.
Like their debut, Craig Potter & Guy Garvey from Elbow produced the album and their presence is all over this. The addition of strings and harmonies, a hallmark of their band, are on display throughout and only add to the usually solid songwriting.
The one thing that has stayed true to the formula are Johnny Bramwell’s lyrics, each song has a line that catches your ear and stops you in your tracks…‘you’re the guy on the bus/who’s not quite one of us’ is one diamond amongst the myriad killer lines.
‘To the Brink’, is typical I Am Kloot, with the earthiness of the lyrics to the fore, ably backed with a haunting string melody, I could see Richard Hawley kicking himself that he had not written this song earlier.
‘Proof’ is a welcome return for a song that was wasted as an earlier single’s b-side and is polished and presented as new here. ‘Radiation’ is the album’s epic song and slowly builds to a rousing finale.
Though the template has been adapted slightly the changes have not been to the detriment of all that is made I Am Kloot good in the past.
This is an album that will satisfy long-term fans and those that have decided to investigate for the first time. Sky at Night is deserving of the accolades that will come its way.
Sleeper – Greatest Hits (Indolent/Epic)
I picked up this compilation fairly cheap on Amazon, on the back of having read Louise Wener memoirs about her time as the songwriter and front person of Sleeper. On the back of that I realised that I only had the one Sleeper album, ‘Smart’, an album that contained all their recognisable hits. For some reason I had left it there and didn’t stick around to buy their subsequent albums.
There are a number of decent tunes on this collection, ‘Inbetweener’ ‘Nice Guy Eddie’ ‘What Do I Do Now?’ and ‘Delicious’ are the album’s stronger moments but on the whole the music has not fared too well over time and this compilation highlights what Wener says in her book that they shone brightly for a short time then faded away.
The Climbers – The Good Ship (Willkommen)
The Climbers is a Brighton-based collective and signed to one of the up and coming labels in the UK. I discovered them when I bought The Leisure Society’s album - which features one of the great songs of 2009. ‘Last of the Melting Snow’.
The Climbers include two members of that band and they are the vehicle for Nick Hemming’s songs. Christian Silva records the songs of Christian Hardy and the Climbers perform the songs of Tim West. The Climbers are ostensibly the afore mentioned three members but with an extended cast of members that augments the band’s sound and that is something that would explain the eclectic nature of ‘The Good Ship’.
‘Bookshop Folk’ is an up and at ‘em stomper that leads in to the more plaintive ‘Anything’. The title track ‘Good Ship’ has that barroom piano vibe. In fact the majority of the album invokes images of the sea, not just with the album cover but the jaunty sea-shantyesque tunes that complete the album.
‘Uncommon’ is another epic song, and probably the stand out track and has a touch of Campbell and Lanegan about it.
There is obviously a great deal of talent within the band and I look forward to future releases by the band and those on Wilkommen Records.
Prefab Sprout – Steve McQueen (Kitchenware/Sony)
.jpg)
It was good to hear this album again; I had not picked it up in a few years, though I noticed that I did not have a CD of the album. That was remedied over the summer when I purchased the Deluxe Version (a remastered version that was released in 2007). I love Paddy McAloon as a songwriter, and this bunch of songs is deemed to be his finest.
‘Faron Young’ opens the album and it is still a great song and probably one of their finest moments. ‘When Love Breaks Down’ is still one of the saddest songs put to record and is not too far behind in the best song stakes.
The collection includes a bonus disc of acoustic versions of the album. In fact the only new version I didn’t like at first, was ‘When Love Breaks Down’, to me the new version sounded twee, but overtime I grew to like it. My initial reaction probably stemmed from the belief the original could not be bettered.
Songs that may have passed me by when I originally bought this album have become favourites in their new guises. ‘Appetite’ sounds great in its acoustic state. The new version of ‘Faron Young’ almost betters the original, with the deeper tones of McAloon’s voice today taking the song in a direction not envisaged when it was first written.
Speaking of the genius that is Paddy McAloon, best wishes to him after a period of bad health and here is hoping that he opens the vaults on the numerous albums that have been written and recorded, but not yet released.
The National – High Violet (4AD)
A band that has been around for a while but it is only with this release that I have checked out any of their material. The bands previous album The Boxer was the one that thrust them onto the conscious of the record buying public in the UK, High Violet is likely to be the one that will catapult them into the high-end of the numerous end-of-the-year polls.
It’s a subtle album that demands attention; it is certainly not one to be played in the background. Matt Berninger’s baritone is what catches the ear first and then the lyricism that dwells in darker places of the soul. Titles like ‘Sorrow’ and ‘Terrible Love’ gives the game away with regards to what to expect from the overall tone of the album
The opening songs contain lyrics of love gone wrong and complement the textured complex tone of the album. The highlight for me is ‘Afraid of Everyone’ a sad lament in keeping with sombre mood of the album
Another great album and one that has got me interested in checking out the band’s back catalogue.
The Villagers – Becoming a Jackal (Domino)
One of those bands that occasionally Later with Jools Holland brings to your attention. The Villagers is the vehicle for songwriter Conor O’Brien’s music and this album has been shortlisted for the 2010 Mercury Music Prize. The lyrical matter is quite dark at times, but it is also poetic as it deals with life’s twists and turns – it is melancholic, but not in a mournful way.
The arrangements are simple and the title track ‘Becoming a Jackal’ features a performance of voice and guitar highlighting the truest essence of the material. This is the highlight for me and made this album an essential purchase. On ‘Pieces’ sees O’Brien howling at the moon as the track reaches its climax, which on first listen was slightly disconcerting, but it certainly captures a mood.
This is a thoroughly engaging album and like the High Violet it is not an easy one to get in to, but it is worth persevering with though.
John Grant – Queen of Denmark (Bella Union)
I had seen a review and interview with Grant in Mojo and Uncut earlier in the year and this was put on the wish list for future reference. I noticed that he was playing the Static Gallery in August and decided to pop along. I went to that gig without hearing much of his stiff before that; the gig sent me scurrying to get a copy of this album. This is probably the best album that I have heard this year and truly amazing set from someone whose career had seemingly hid the skids.
The album has a sheen to it that on first listen you could think that it was in that AOR tradition, but on closer inspection the lyrics paint a different picture. The highlights of the album are many and its difficult to suggest favourites ‘TC and Honeybear’ is one that I would plump for, the opening track of this stunning collection is a slow building song but its climax is well worth the ride.
The great tunes keep on coming ‘Marz’ recalls a childhood sweetshop and a time when life was simpler. For Grant, times have been tough and it is pleasing to see that the accolades that are coming his way are coming as a result of this album.
The album veers between lush orchestrations to solo songs with just piano balladry to the fore - as an artist Grant is comfortable in either form. ‘Queen of Denmark’ is the perfect closer to the album.
I was lucky to pick up the two-disc version with four bonus tracks ‘Fireflies’ is the pick of these songs and one that was omitted from the main album after a breakdown in communications with the record label. He remarked at the gig I went to see that he thought the label were underwhelmed by it, when in fact they thought it was brilliant. Hence the need for a bonus disc.
This is a truly endearing, at times sad, but overall uplifting album and one that I’m glad that I finally got around to buying.
Human League – Dare (Virgin)
An album purchase, inspired by reading the Louise Wener’s book and this is an album that contains a number of their greatest hits. Dare is ‘the’ Human League with ‘Open Your Heart’, ‘Don’t You Want Me Baby’ and ‘Love Action (I Believe in Love)’. Love Action is probably the band’s greatest moment mainly because of the self-referencing lyric ‘Hey this is Phil talking’ a line that always cracks me up. Bizarrely there is also a cover version of Roy Budd’s ‘Get Carter’ theme tune on this album too.
This is one of the great albums of the 80s (if that’s not damning it with faint praise) and every time I hear the Human League it always reminds of one the greatest gigs I have ever seen.
Tunng - …And Then We Saw Land (Full Time Hobby)
They were a band I had been meaning to check out for a while and had downloaded a number of remix tracks from RCDLB which I liked and made me want to explore further
Tunng are an experimental folk band or folktronica as they have also been dubbed.
‘…And Then We Saw Land’ is their fourth album.‘ that has seen them grow steadily in size. ‘Don’t Look Down or Back’ was the lead out track and is probably one of the few tracks that can be construed as traditional. Over the course of the course of the album sees the folk palette mixed with a number of electronic shades.
‘Hustle’ is a jaunty opener and sets the scene for a folk and beats combination that follows.
They are folk at heart and the experimental edge never gets in the way of the songwriting and it is certainly an interesting album that has me interested in discovering the rest of their catalogue.
Broken Bells – Broken Bells (Sony)
Broken Bells is Brian Burton (better known as Danger Mouse) and James Mercer from The Shins. I had been looking forward to hearing this album since I downloaded a free copy of lead single ‘The High Road’.
The results of this collaboration are that is sounds like a Shins album, no bad thing. The stand out track is without doubt the aforementioned track, but the ‘beats and Beach Boys’ influences throughout lend a very summer feel, non-more so on ‘Citizen’, which is probably the other stand out.
Overall a great summer album and was well worth more than the £3 I paid for it in a HMV sale.
Neville Skelly – Child of the Morning EP (Setanta)
I picked this up when I went to see the Coral, for whom Skelly was the opening act. Despite the help from the Coral producing this album and the sharing of a surname, he is in fact no relation to that band.
The album is delightfully understated with Skelly’s deep and mellifluous vocal to the fore. He was a quiet character in-between the songs, hiding behind his shades. When the first chords of the songs chimed he came alive. The simple vocal and guitar formula of the live setting is replicated to an extent on the album, with only the inclusion of drums and the occasional other instrument that differentiates from the live setting. The vibe is definitely stripped back and it works well.
Child of the Morning is the title track from this 5 track EP, a taster of hopefully a longer album in the near future, has that Sinatra vibe about it. Though thankfully, not in the way that Robbie Williams popularised. The first four songs all have that laid-back lounge lizard feel, with the closer Poet and the Dreamer the more upbeat of the collection.
It is certainly music for a late night ambient moods, he’s certainly worth checking out in the future.
Spokes – People Like You (Counter Records)
Electtronica/Dance is the listing on iTunes, but to me this is more in that post-rock vain. They do quite loud and quiet in equal measure, they are a more melodic Mogwai. It was ‘End Credits/Loveletter’ that caught my ear on a Clash Music Liverpool compilation. The album is generally instrumental and when lyrics appear they are used sparingly. Opener ‘Young People, All Together’ waits for 4 minutes before a vocal kicks in.
For an EP that is almost forty minutes in length you get value for money with 6 lengthy tracks. It has some weaker tunes but generally it is a good taster of their forthcoming album that is due for release in the autumn.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
August
August for me is without doubt the best month of the year - as it is usually the one where I take the bulk of my holidays. This year was no different, though was very much a staycation, as I had a boiler and new sofa to purchase. The joys home ownership!
Another thing that was no different this year was the weather. For the five years I have been able to take August off, the weather has been dreadful. As I write this, the weather has taken a turn for the better…typical!
The weather has been good for writing, which I have been doing with regularity. The aim is to send more and more stuff out, instead of hording it in folders and on my computer. I have also been tinkering with a website, this will be a portfolio, which is something that I have been meaning to do for a while. That can be found here, I will eventually move this blog over there, all in good time.
I was also planning to set up another blog site but that idea (which I will keep on the backburner for now) was taken over by another idea I had for a football blog. I quite enjoy watching football and if I’m not at Everton then I like to find myself watching non-league football. This is known as Groundhopping, not something I have done that extensively but over the years I have visited a few weird and wonderful grounds.
Speaking of football, the new season is upon us and so far I have seen Everton twice, first for the unique friendly versus their Chilean namesakes, which was an interesting game and good to see Everton winning 2-0...well they could not lose. It was a significant game for me also had a first in nearly thirty years (gulp…thirty years) of going to the game that I had managed to catch one of the toffees thrown by the Toffee Lady. The second game was the first league clash against Wolves, which I haven’t put finger to keyboard to write about, given that it was typically a last-game-on-Match-of-the-Day-type-game. Roll on November, when Everton normally start getting their act together.
After months spent with my head in books researching for new modules and programmes that I will be involved in at work next term it is nice to spend my summer reading books that may not be work related. The range of books may not have been be too heavy or too frothy; I certainly did not envisage reading Joyce’s Ulysses this year, which I did not.
One omission from the reading list that I notice, is that I have not read much fiction of late, I’m not too sure why that is. I have read a few short collections of flash fiction, which I quite liked, one is produced by the University of Chester called Flash. I have bought subscribed to this for a while now and it gets better with each issue. The other publications I managed to check out were Square which I managed to get through a couple of back issues that I had been accumulating. Square is a Welsh based publication with a healthy Stone Roses obsession. As well as Square, I picked up another small-scale flash fiction publications Nutshell. I may not pick up some of these publications again, but its good to see different styles of writing are out there, without having to spend too much time reading them. What I like about Flash Fiction is the ability to dip in and out of publications.
The other books I read included Joe Moran’s On Roads, Luke Haines Bad Vibes and Louise Wener’s which I have blogged about elsewhere on this blog.
Music wise I went to see John Grant and my thoughts on that gig can be found here. Also I have listened to a few albums over the last few weeks, the pick of which is very much the John Grant album Queen of Denmark. My thoughts can be found on that and the others that I listened to can be found here.
In-between my car being on blocks (three trips to the garage of late) this summer has taught me that a new car is needed I tried to get away for a few trips Buxton and Morecombe were the height of my travels which is a might frustrating.
So its back to work and typically the next month will disappear in the blink of an eye…soon it will be a new term and then…I wont say it but you know what.
Another thing that was no different this year was the weather. For the five years I have been able to take August off, the weather has been dreadful. As I write this, the weather has taken a turn for the better…typical!
The weather has been good for writing, which I have been doing with regularity. The aim is to send more and more stuff out, instead of hording it in folders and on my computer. I have also been tinkering with a website, this will be a portfolio, which is something that I have been meaning to do for a while. That can be found here, I will eventually move this blog over there, all in good time.
I was also planning to set up another blog site but that idea (which I will keep on the backburner for now) was taken over by another idea I had for a football blog. I quite enjoy watching football and if I’m not at Everton then I like to find myself watching non-league football. This is known as Groundhopping, not something I have done that extensively but over the years I have visited a few weird and wonderful grounds.
Speaking of football, the new season is upon us and so far I have seen Everton twice, first for the unique friendly versus their Chilean namesakes, which was an interesting game and good to see Everton winning 2-0...well they could not lose. It was a significant game for me also had a first in nearly thirty years (gulp…thirty years) of going to the game that I had managed to catch one of the toffees thrown by the Toffee Lady. The second game was the first league clash against Wolves, which I haven’t put finger to keyboard to write about, given that it was typically a last-game-on-Match-of-the-Day-type-game. Roll on November, when Everton normally start getting their act together.
After months spent with my head in books researching for new modules and programmes that I will be involved in at work next term it is nice to spend my summer reading books that may not be work related. The range of books may not have been be too heavy or too frothy; I certainly did not envisage reading Joyce’s Ulysses this year, which I did not.
One omission from the reading list that I notice, is that I have not read much fiction of late, I’m not too sure why that is. I have read a few short collections of flash fiction, which I quite liked, one is produced by the University of Chester called Flash. I have bought subscribed to this for a while now and it gets better with each issue. The other publications I managed to check out were Square which I managed to get through a couple of back issues that I had been accumulating. Square is a Welsh based publication with a healthy Stone Roses obsession. As well as Square, I picked up another small-scale flash fiction publications Nutshell. I may not pick up some of these publications again, but its good to see different styles of writing are out there, without having to spend too much time reading them. What I like about Flash Fiction is the ability to dip in and out of publications.
The other books I read included Joe Moran’s On Roads, Luke Haines Bad Vibes and Louise Wener’s which I have blogged about elsewhere on this blog.
Music wise I went to see John Grant and my thoughts on that gig can be found here. Also I have listened to a few albums over the last few weeks, the pick of which is very much the John Grant album Queen of Denmark. My thoughts can be found on that and the others that I listened to can be found here.
In-between my car being on blocks (three trips to the garage of late) this summer has taught me that a new car is needed I tried to get away for a few trips Buxton and Morecombe were the height of my travels which is a might frustrating.
So its back to work and typically the next month will disappear in the blink of an eye…soon it will be a new term and then…I wont say it but you know what.
Friday, August 20, 2010
John Grant & The Big House
Thursday 19th August 2010, Live at the Static Gallery Liverpool
Set list: You Don't Have to (Pretend to Care), Drug, Sigourney Weaver, When Dreams Go to Die, Marz, It's Easier, Out of Space, Silver Platter Club, Queen of Denmark, Child I Never Was, Paint the Moon, TC and Honeybear, Caramel, Fireflies, Chickenbones.
On a night that only summer in England can offer, the Static Gallery offered refuge from the rain, with a night of music that drew its influences from across the pond and sunnier climes.
Liverpool’s The Big House featuring Candie Payne and Paul Molloy, the ex-Zutons guitarist were the opening act. Playing only their second gig, they seemed a little nervous and slightly unnerved by the subdued nature of the audience; though quiet, they were appreciative of their performance.
As a band they are very much work in progress but there is a potential in their tunes, the highlights so far are ‘Pebble Lane’ and ‘Counting Thunder’, songs that have an Americana feel to them. In fact there is something of Cash and Carter about the pair the way they interact on stage.
The one element that probably needs work is the vocal duties; at times Payne is slightly sidelined, It’s like having a Rolls Royce and only using it for trips to the shops. Though Molloy has a great voice, the band work best when Payne is using her vocal range as the set closer is testimony to.
The quiet audience was a different beast for headliner John Grant, back in Liverpool for a second gig in as many months; it was certainly not a case of familiarity breeding contempt.
Touring the brilliant ‘Queen of Denmark’ album that on tonight’s evidence has been taken to the hearts of all in attendance. He introduced each song to rapturous applause that suggested the audience were not just familiar with his latest offering but the older songs from his Czars days too.
Microphone trouble put paid to the slow building opening song ‘You Don't Have to (Pretend to Care)’. That was to be the only misstep of the night, throughout Grant delivered each song with passion and genuinely touched by the reaction that he received from the crowd. The end of tour fatigue he talked about was certainly not evident here.
There were many highlights ‘When Dreams Go to Die’ is a minor chord wonder about thinking a lover could make him happy. His between song banter was endearing after the aforementioned song he suggested the London Underground as that place 'where dreams go to die'.
The majority of his songs are of a similar reflective nature and written with a 70s American soft rock focus, that in the hands of other artists could come across as bland and anodyne. For Grant the subject matter and the lyrical content steers it safely away from that direction.
He avoided the ‘false encore’ and offered the audience the chance to select the closing numbers. Calls for ‘Chickenbones’ were turned down; saying his accompanying guitarist and him did not have an arrangement for that song. Undeterred the audience willed him to do it acapela, which he did, aided by the percussive handclaps of the audience. This almost raised the roof of the venue.
It would be greedy to expect him back in Liverpool as soon as he returned here tonight but when he does return he has set the bar high with this performance.
Set list: You Don't Have to (Pretend to Care), Drug, Sigourney Weaver, When Dreams Go to Die, Marz, It's Easier, Out of Space, Silver Platter Club, Queen of Denmark, Child I Never Was, Paint the Moon, TC and Honeybear, Caramel, Fireflies, Chickenbones.
On a night that only summer in England can offer, the Static Gallery offered refuge from the rain, with a night of music that drew its influences from across the pond and sunnier climes.Liverpool’s The Big House featuring Candie Payne and Paul Molloy, the ex-Zutons guitarist were the opening act. Playing only their second gig, they seemed a little nervous and slightly unnerved by the subdued nature of the audience; though quiet, they were appreciative of their performance.
As a band they are very much work in progress but there is a potential in their tunes, the highlights so far are ‘Pebble Lane’ and ‘Counting Thunder’, songs that have an Americana feel to them. In fact there is something of Cash and Carter about the pair the way they interact on stage.
The one element that probably needs work is the vocal duties; at times Payne is slightly sidelined, It’s like having a Rolls Royce and only using it for trips to the shops. Though Molloy has a great voice, the band work best when Payne is using her vocal range as the set closer is testimony to.
The quiet audience was a different beast for headliner John Grant, back in Liverpool for a second gig in as many months; it was certainly not a case of familiarity breeding contempt.
Touring the brilliant ‘Queen of Denmark’ album that on tonight’s evidence has been taken to the hearts of all in attendance. He introduced each song to rapturous applause that suggested the audience were not just familiar with his latest offering but the older songs from his Czars days too.
Microphone trouble put paid to the slow building opening song ‘You Don't Have to (Pretend to Care)’. That was to be the only misstep of the night, throughout Grant delivered each song with passion and genuinely touched by the reaction that he received from the crowd. The end of tour fatigue he talked about was certainly not evident here. There were many highlights ‘When Dreams Go to Die’ is a minor chord wonder about thinking a lover could make him happy. His between song banter was endearing after the aforementioned song he suggested the London Underground as that place 'where dreams go to die'.
The majority of his songs are of a similar reflective nature and written with a 70s American soft rock focus, that in the hands of other artists could come across as bland and anodyne. For Grant the subject matter and the lyrical content steers it safely away from that direction.
He avoided the ‘false encore’ and offered the audience the chance to select the closing numbers. Calls for ‘Chickenbones’ were turned down; saying his accompanying guitarist and him did not have an arrangement for that song. Undeterred the audience willed him to do it acapela, which he did, aided by the percussive handclaps of the audience. This almost raised the roof of the venue.
It would be greedy to expect him back in Liverpool as soon as he returned here tonight but when he does return he has set the bar high with this performance.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Bad Vibes: Britpop and My Part in its Downfall
Bad Vibes: Britpop and My Part in its Downfall (Windmill)by Luke Haines
As time creeps on, the period of the 1990s is increasingly being seen through sepia-tinted glasses - stand by for the 20th Anniversary celebrations in the next few years. For now, we have a number of books that encapsulate that period written by those at the heart of the madness. Bad Vibes is Luke Haines take on the period, and he is perfectly positioned to offer a viewpoint on the time, as the lead singer of The Auteurs, as a band who were feted along with Suede to be one of the bands of the 1990s.
This represents another retrospective account of the 1990s music scene - I have avoided the word Britpop for reasons that become apparent when you read this book, with all the characters that you would expect to see from this time are mentioned with varying degrees of venom.
Suede, the band that emerged at the same time as Haines’s band, occasionally get barbed comments, though deep down you can almost sense a begrudging admiration for the band. They even get an acknowledgement at the end of the book.
This cannot be said for a number of his other bands of the time Blur, Oasis, Elastica, Verve, Pulp Sleeper and Echobelly all get the sharp end of his pen in equal measure, and for the second successive book I have read about this period, there is a particularly vituperative attack on the Boo Radleys. The biggest band of the generation Oasis, he describes them as a ‘crap new comedy band…[who are] wowing them in the aisles, and they [the fans] swarm on them like flies on shit.’
Even Britpop flag bearer Chris Evans comes under attack having participated in the pilot of TFI Friday, Haines describes Evans as 'a shallow bullying man-child, a jumped-up kissogram-turned-light-entertainment-colossus.’ Even fans of the other bands get a dose of Haines’ venom; he describes Placebo’s fans as ‘screaming ingrates’.
It is not just his peers from the ‘Britpop’ generation provoke Haines’ ire. The The, the 80s band, led by Matt Johnson are portrayed as ‘humourless’. On one early support tour with the band, the Auteurs are demoted to opening at 7.30 just as the doors open, in favour of the ‘unfunny’ comedian Tommy Cockles. This provokes a stand up row and an attack on Johnson’s guitars, which sees the Auteurs subsequently kicked off the tour.
There are the usual tales of bad luck and poor record companies, as well as brushes with cults in Japan and fans who take his songs about terrorism as a call to arms. As is the case of many a rock journal there are tales of excess, the drug busts in Europe. The way that future bust were to be overcome was by posting the drugs onto venues and hotels while in France. This came with the realisation that they had now moved on from a potential possession rap to that of trafficking – albeit to themselves
The tone is angry throughout, but it is not a bitter account. In fact there are some real laugh out loud moments.Whether you have been a fan of the numerous bands that Haines has been associated with down the years, it doesn’t matter this is a brilliant evocation of that period and serves as a handy companion for those ‘wasn’t it great’ journals that have arrived recently and makes this book an indispensable account of the British 90s music scene.
As time creeps on, the period of the 1990s is increasingly being seen through sepia-tinted glasses - stand by for the 20th Anniversary celebrations in the next few years. For now, we have a number of books that encapsulate that period written by those at the heart of the madness. Bad Vibes is Luke Haines take on the period, and he is perfectly positioned to offer a viewpoint on the time, as the lead singer of The Auteurs, as a band who were feted along with Suede to be one of the bands of the 1990s.This represents another retrospective account of the 1990s music scene - I have avoided the word Britpop for reasons that become apparent when you read this book, with all the characters that you would expect to see from this time are mentioned with varying degrees of venom.
Suede, the band that emerged at the same time as Haines’s band, occasionally get barbed comments, though deep down you can almost sense a begrudging admiration for the band. They even get an acknowledgement at the end of the book.
This cannot be said for a number of his other bands of the time Blur, Oasis, Elastica, Verve, Pulp Sleeper and Echobelly all get the sharp end of his pen in equal measure, and for the second successive book I have read about this period, there is a particularly vituperative attack on the Boo Radleys. The biggest band of the generation Oasis, he describes them as a ‘crap new comedy band…[who are] wowing them in the aisles, and they [the fans] swarm on them like flies on shit.’
Even Britpop flag bearer Chris Evans comes under attack having participated in the pilot of TFI Friday, Haines describes Evans as 'a shallow bullying man-child, a jumped-up kissogram-turned-light-entertainment-colossus.’ Even fans of the other bands get a dose of Haines’ venom; he describes Placebo’s fans as ‘screaming ingrates’.
It is not just his peers from the ‘Britpop’ generation provoke Haines’ ire. The The, the 80s band, led by Matt Johnson are portrayed as ‘humourless’. On one early support tour with the band, the Auteurs are demoted to opening at 7.30 just as the doors open, in favour of the ‘unfunny’ comedian Tommy Cockles. This provokes a stand up row and an attack on Johnson’s guitars, which sees the Auteurs subsequently kicked off the tour.
There are the usual tales of bad luck and poor record companies, as well as brushes with cults in Japan and fans who take his songs about terrorism as a call to arms. As is the case of many a rock journal there are tales of excess, the drug busts in Europe. The way that future bust were to be overcome was by posting the drugs onto venues and hotels while in France. This came with the realisation that they had now moved on from a potential possession rap to that of trafficking – albeit to themselves
The tone is angry throughout, but it is not a bitter account. In fact there are some real laugh out loud moments.Whether you have been a fan of the numerous bands that Haines has been associated with down the years, it doesn’t matter this is a brilliant evocation of that period and serves as a handy companion for those ‘wasn’t it great’ journals that have arrived recently and makes this book an indispensable account of the British 90s music scene.
Different for Girls: My True-life Adventures in Pop (Ebury Press)
Different for Girls: My True-life Adventures in Pop (Ebury Press)by Louise Wener
Different for Girls is a book in two parts; first we get the accounts of the awkward teenager growing up in a typically suburban setting that would be chronicled later in her songwriting. There are moments of poignancy through the early chapters, as she discusses the death of her father.
The second part will be recognisable to all who followed music in the 1990s and her days of relative success with Sleeper, which she likens to a ‘one night stand, albeit a great one’.
The reminiscences about music throughout her teenage years seem the more heartfelt, than her days in the public eye. The tales of taping of Top of the Pops on primitive recording devices and putting together tapes of favourite hits are things that most obsessive music fans can identify with.
Throughout the book Wener comes across as likeable figure and not the sassy loudmouthed front women caricature that the music press portrayed her as throughout the 1990s. The book recalls a time pre-Spice Girls and the laughable claims of Girl Power and the title alludes to her brushes with the music press, Wener was pilloried by the music press for acting up to a caricature, the passages though show her to be a likeable character and not one that press portrayed her as. She pours scorn that bands like the Manic Street Preachers that could wish AIDS on Michael Stipe and would not get the same vitriol that she faced from the press.
The book is lightweight in tone and is easily readable. Possibly the one criticism that could be levelled at the book is that it skirts over a number of points like dodgy deals and record company machinations. She also does not dwell too long on the relationships that she had with the guitarist and drummer of the band, who both had to cope wit there own issues of being dismissed as being ‘Sleeperblokes’ by the press.
Though it is worth reading for an insight from one of the leading players about the other leading bands at the time. The glamour of being serenaded by Michael Stipe in front 70,000 people, tucking into Blur’s cheese rider, having Elvis Costello covering one of their songs through to the not so glamorous days of touring Europe with the Boo Radleys.
There is not a sense of bitterness about her pop years and the general feeling that you get from reading the book is an acceptance of the band’s limitations and it was good while it lasted. There are no rock star clichés of going of the rails at the end either, instead you see the seamless switch that she has made with her literary career, where her eye for the 3 minute kitchen drama can now be fully explored.
Overall it is an interesting account from someone at the heart of the action and would be of interest to anyone who had a passing interest in bands from that era.
Different for Girls is a book in two parts; first we get the accounts of the awkward teenager growing up in a typically suburban setting that would be chronicled later in her songwriting. There are moments of poignancy through the early chapters, as she discusses the death of her father. The second part will be recognisable to all who followed music in the 1990s and her days of relative success with Sleeper, which she likens to a ‘one night stand, albeit a great one’.
The reminiscences about music throughout her teenage years seem the more heartfelt, than her days in the public eye. The tales of taping of Top of the Pops on primitive recording devices and putting together tapes of favourite hits are things that most obsessive music fans can identify with.
Throughout the book Wener comes across as likeable figure and not the sassy loudmouthed front women caricature that the music press portrayed her as throughout the 1990s. The book recalls a time pre-Spice Girls and the laughable claims of Girl Power and the title alludes to her brushes with the music press, Wener was pilloried by the music press for acting up to a caricature, the passages though show her to be a likeable character and not one that press portrayed her as. She pours scorn that bands like the Manic Street Preachers that could wish AIDS on Michael Stipe and would not get the same vitriol that she faced from the press.
The book is lightweight in tone and is easily readable. Possibly the one criticism that could be levelled at the book is that it skirts over a number of points like dodgy deals and record company machinations. She also does not dwell too long on the relationships that she had with the guitarist and drummer of the band, who both had to cope wit there own issues of being dismissed as being ‘Sleeperblokes’ by the press.
Though it is worth reading for an insight from one of the leading players about the other leading bands at the time. The glamour of being serenaded by Michael Stipe in front 70,000 people, tucking into Blur’s cheese rider, having Elvis Costello covering one of their songs through to the not so glamorous days of touring Europe with the Boo Radleys.
There is not a sense of bitterness about her pop years and the general feeling that you get from reading the book is an acceptance of the band’s limitations and it was good while it lasted. There are no rock star clichés of going of the rails at the end either, instead you see the seamless switch that she has made with her literary career, where her eye for the 3 minute kitchen drama can now be fully explored.
Overall it is an interesting account from someone at the heart of the action and would be of interest to anyone who had a passing interest in bands from that era.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Invacar
The first Match of the Day 2 of the day of the series recently ran a feature on, things that you don’t see at the match these days. One of the items that caught my eye was cars parked at the pitch-side, which used to be a feature but has died out over the years.One club that highlights the changing face of football has been Chelsea and its ground Stamford Bridge. The 80s saw Chelsea ply its trade in the top two divisions with a ramshackle ground. Before the days of Chelsea Village and their Russian oligarch, the Shed and the disused greyhounds’ track that surrounded the pitch highlighted a club in decline and a throwback to a different era. With its relatively new incongruous 3 tiered stand, standing out alongside its terraced counterparts. The ground of the 80s was typical of many a top-flight ground of the time - it had potential, a euphemism that estate agents tend to overuse.
What set the Bridge aside from the rest of the topflight was the sandy track that separated supporters from the pitch. Another distinct aspect was that it doubled up as a car park, with the attendant cars giving their owners an advantage of a pitch-side seat to the action. One car was prominent on the touchline at the Bridge and other grounds around the country was the Thundersley Invcar.
Wigan Athletic’s old ground Springfield Park had something of Stamford Bridge about, but on a much smaller scale. The Latics fanzine Mudhutsmedia had a feature glowingly recalling the old Springfield Park and the Covington End where the cars would be parked on the half-circle behind the goal. They reminisced about their non-league days and players such as Billy Sutherland, a Scottish left-back and his habit of bringing the Invacars into play. His wayward shots would bring hoots of laughter and derision when on the many occasions that his shots would cannon off the pitch-side Invacars
One supporter remembers these wayward shots fondly: “It was better than a goal. I can honestly remember one day one of the cars shaking for what seemed like an eternity.”
Even at the tightly packed ground that is Goodison Park I’m sure I can remember seeing footage of an Everton game in the 70s with one being tucked away in the corner of the ground between the Bullens Road and Park End stands.
The name itself was something from a far-flung era – Invacar is a contraction of invalid and car that in these PC times would have been dismissed at the outset.
In March 2003, it became illegal to drive an Invacar on British roads, though they probably died out not so much to do with road safely more to do with the fact that the name of them.
The veteran vehicle could not stand up to modern day safety standards. During the 1960's and 70's the Invacar with its modern fibreglass shell, ice blue colouring and belt drive were produced in the tens of thousands. There were still around 200 Invacars in Britain prior to the 2003 recall and scrapping program.
So in an era of corporate facilites being the alternative to being sat on the terraces spare a though to the Invacar and their alternative views of the game.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Around the Grounds
I have decided to set up a football related blog for the forthcoming season. That can be found here.
The reason was mainly that I have become a bit lazy over the last few years and not really been attending football matches as much as I used to. Recently though I have had thoughts of returning to covering football matches as I did a number of years ago. I enjoyed my time covering non-league and lower league clubs. Mainly as these grounds always had character and were worth closer inspection.
The journey will cover clubs from A to Z and I had the idea came for this blog when I was sat at Moss Lane the home of Altrincham, so obviously A for Altrincham and is the beginning of the journey.
The reason was mainly that I have become a bit lazy over the last few years and not really been attending football matches as much as I used to. Recently though I have had thoughts of returning to covering football matches as I did a number of years ago. I enjoyed my time covering non-league and lower league clubs. Mainly as these grounds always had character and were worth closer inspection.
The journey will cover clubs from A to Z and I had the idea came for this blog when I was sat at Moss Lane the home of Altrincham, so obviously A for Altrincham and is the beginning of the journey.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
July
This is always the month in work where the frenetic pace of the year begins to slow down. Another good things about this month is that there is no marking to do either.
Away from work, most of my weekends this month have been spent helping people move house (my girlfriend, as well as a colleague from work). Note to self: put all thoughts of moving house out of mind…it’s far too stressful.
The World Cup finished this month and overall I have to say I was not really that impressed. There was the occasional flash of brilliance, but there were few classic games that will spring to mind in the future. The Final itself was won by Spain, who thankfully overcame Netherland’s more aggressive style of play.
Another aspect of the World Cup that has been a disappointment has been the coverage, especially the level of punditry. They have constantly showed a lack of research, which even a cursory glance at Wikipedia could have overcome. Another thing that annoyed me was the lack of respect for referees from smaller nations…the typical ‘what would they know’ mentality was constant. Invariably they would be the better performers.
The other bugbear of mine was the incessant chatter about Forlan's re-emergence. He had two bad seasons at Man United, since then he has been constantly doing well in Spain, first with Villarreal and then Athletico Madrid. Yet the myopic coverage of the commentators constantly talks as though his career is tainted in some way The coverage of the Tour de France, which started this month, only served to highlight the inadequacies of the football commentators and pundits. As ever ITV’s coverage was superb.
It has been a month of weddings, not mine, but that of two friends. They were nice occasions and I was glad to be a part of them. I have attended three weddings this year, thankfully I have no outstanding invites...otherwise I would be bankrupt.
In music, I went to see the Coral and Cherry Ghost at the Lowry, both bands were on top form. They both are touring in support of new albums, they are pretty good an well worth checking out. Other albums I have bought this month include the National’s album ‘High Violet’, which has been getting good reviews from the music press. I also listened to Nouvelle Vague's ‘Late Night Tales’, and the Mumford & Sons album, which is all over the place at the moment. It is pretty good and can see why they have emerged as a big band in the last few years. No doubt they are going down a storm at the various festivals this year.
I also dug out my XTC albums as it had been a long time since I had given them a spin. Like Prefab Sprout the month before you forget what brilliant work that they produced. In Andy Partridge they have a genius, whose talents are not really appreciated as fully as they should.
By the end of the month the football season returned, well in pre-season form. I foolishly ventured out to watch a pre season friendly at Altrincham, despite the weather looking like a grey day in November. Being at this game inspired me to set up a football blog, which can be found here.
Away from work, most of my weekends this month have been spent helping people move house (my girlfriend, as well as a colleague from work). Note to self: put all thoughts of moving house out of mind…it’s far too stressful.
The World Cup finished this month and overall I have to say I was not really that impressed. There was the occasional flash of brilliance, but there were few classic games that will spring to mind in the future. The Final itself was won by Spain, who thankfully overcame Netherland’s more aggressive style of play.
Another aspect of the World Cup that has been a disappointment has been the coverage, especially the level of punditry. They have constantly showed a lack of research, which even a cursory glance at Wikipedia could have overcome. Another thing that annoyed me was the lack of respect for referees from smaller nations…the typical ‘what would they know’ mentality was constant. Invariably they would be the better performers.
The other bugbear of mine was the incessant chatter about Forlan's re-emergence. He had two bad seasons at Man United, since then he has been constantly doing well in Spain, first with Villarreal and then Athletico Madrid. Yet the myopic coverage of the commentators constantly talks as though his career is tainted in some way The coverage of the Tour de France, which started this month, only served to highlight the inadequacies of the football commentators and pundits. As ever ITV’s coverage was superb.
It has been a month of weddings, not mine, but that of two friends. They were nice occasions and I was glad to be a part of them. I have attended three weddings this year, thankfully I have no outstanding invites...otherwise I would be bankrupt.
In music, I went to see the Coral and Cherry Ghost at the Lowry, both bands were on top form. They both are touring in support of new albums, they are pretty good an well worth checking out. Other albums I have bought this month include the National’s album ‘High Violet’, which has been getting good reviews from the music press. I also listened to Nouvelle Vague's ‘Late Night Tales’, and the Mumford & Sons album, which is all over the place at the moment. It is pretty good and can see why they have emerged as a big band in the last few years. No doubt they are going down a storm at the various festivals this year.
I also dug out my XTC albums as it had been a long time since I had given them a spin. Like Prefab Sprout the month before you forget what brilliant work that they produced. In Andy Partridge they have a genius, whose talents are not really appreciated as fully as they should.
By the end of the month the football season returned, well in pre-season form. I foolishly ventured out to watch a pre season friendly at Altrincham, despite the weather looking like a grey day in November. Being at this game inspired me to set up a football blog, which can be found here.
Monday, July 19, 2010
The Coral
Live at the Lowry Salford, Saturday 17th July 2010
Set list: More Than a Lover, Roving Jewel, Walking in the Winter, Jacqueline, In the Rain, Simon Diamond, Two Faces, Green Is the Colour, 1000 Years, Spanish Main / Who's Gonna Find Me, Pass It On, Butterfly House, Falling All Around You, She's Coming Around, Wildfire, Calendars and Clocks, Goodbye, Dreaming of You, North Parade.
After a time out of the spotlight and with a well-received new album to promote the Coral return to the live arena in the plush surroundings of the Lowry, not necessarily the typical venue for the band but with a more sedate sound this may be a newfound natural habitat.
Added to the many plaudits that band have received for their new album, tonight they can add the testimonial of Mancunian royalty Mani to that ever expanding list, who introduced the band and heralded ‘Butterfly House’ as the best since the his old band the Stone Roses’ eponymous debut.
Tonight that new album formed the basis of the set ‘More Than a Lover’, ‘Roving Jewel’ and ‘Walking in the Winter’ three new songs that opened the set. These new songs were appreciated by the audience with some restraint in the comfortable seats, it was when songs form the band’s back catalogue were rolled out that the trouble started for the security guards tonight. A number of fans were ushered to sit down when ‘Jacqueline’ and ‘In the Rain’ were played, then the venue’s no standing, no moving to front policy was thrown asunder when ‘Spanish Main / Who's Gonna Find Me’ was rolled out amongst the equally-well received recent singles ‘1000 Years’ and ‘Butterfly House’.
A number of fans took to the stage and prompted lead-singer James Skelly to mouth an unambiguous message to a stage invader , which left him in no doubt as to what he wanted him to do. Skelly commented that he was possibly the politest invader he had ever encountered.
With the rockier numbers the band upped the volume a little louder when encoring ‘Dreaming of You’ and album closer ‘North Parade’ this saw the front of the stage almost submerged with diehards.
The thing that strikes you about tonight’s performance is that the new and older material sits well together and that the Greatest Hits collection that came out a couple of years ago can now be seen as a point in time, as opposed to a full stop in the career of the band.
Their live credentials have never been in question but the new album highlights with the omissions from the set list tonight that the band has an impressively expanding back catalogue. On tonight’s evidence, and that of the new album, the band goes from strength to strength.
Set list: More Than a Lover, Roving Jewel, Walking in the Winter, Jacqueline, In the Rain, Simon Diamond, Two Faces, Green Is the Colour, 1000 Years, Spanish Main / Who's Gonna Find Me, Pass It On, Butterfly House, Falling All Around You, She's Coming Around, Wildfire, Calendars and Clocks, Goodbye, Dreaming of You, North Parade.
After a time out of the spotlight and with a well-received new album to promote the Coral return to the live arena in the plush surroundings of the Lowry, not necessarily the typical venue for the band but with a more sedate sound this may be a newfound natural habitat.Added to the many plaudits that band have received for their new album, tonight they can add the testimonial of Mancunian royalty Mani to that ever expanding list, who introduced the band and heralded ‘Butterfly House’ as the best since the his old band the Stone Roses’ eponymous debut.
Tonight that new album formed the basis of the set ‘More Than a Lover’, ‘Roving Jewel’ and ‘Walking in the Winter’ three new songs that opened the set. These new songs were appreciated by the audience with some restraint in the comfortable seats, it was when songs form the band’s back catalogue were rolled out that the trouble started for the security guards tonight. A number of fans were ushered to sit down when ‘Jacqueline’ and ‘In the Rain’ were played, then the venue’s no standing, no moving to front policy was thrown asunder when ‘Spanish Main / Who's Gonna Find Me’ was rolled out amongst the equally-well received recent singles ‘1000 Years’ and ‘Butterfly House’.
A number of fans took to the stage and prompted lead-singer James Skelly to mouth an unambiguous message to a stage invader , which left him in no doubt as to what he wanted him to do. Skelly commented that he was possibly the politest invader he had ever encountered.
With the rockier numbers the band upped the volume a little louder when encoring ‘Dreaming of You’ and album closer ‘North Parade’ this saw the front of the stage almost submerged with diehards.
The thing that strikes you about tonight’s performance is that the new and older material sits well together and that the Greatest Hits collection that came out a couple of years ago can now be seen as a point in time, as opposed to a full stop in the career of the band.
Their live credentials have never been in question but the new album highlights with the omissions from the set list tonight that the band has an impressively expanding back catalogue. On tonight’s evidence, and that of the new album, the band goes from strength to strength.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Writing
I read a number of writing blogs and subscribe to Writers' News. So I'm well versed in the mantra that to be a writer you have to write every day. That it is a given, but the problem tends to be when it comes to describing yourself as a writer. As yet I have not been published for my creative works - despite numerous resolutions that I will start sending this work off, that still sits on a hard drive or when I’m feeling really proactive in a folder.
Most of the advice tends to be the obvious, but the one about writing everyday alas that has not been possible of late given my commitments in work and somehow I’m no further down the road to achieving my goals.
This year I didn't bother writing down my resolutions for the year - though somewhere at the back of my mind I have a number of unwritten goals that I would like to achieve.
If I had resolution it would have been to send out more of my writing, which I have not really done – though I did send out a final draft of play that I had written. This was rejected though I’m not despondent about this, as I know why it was not suitable. This will give me pointers for the next one that I write.
So the summer months, where I will hopefully get a long break from work. I hope to devote a bit of time to a number of writing projects as well as getting this blog sorted, as it has been somewhat neglected of late.
Most of the advice tends to be the obvious, but the one about writing everyday alas that has not been possible of late given my commitments in work and somehow I’m no further down the road to achieving my goals.
This year I didn't bother writing down my resolutions for the year - though somewhere at the back of my mind I have a number of unwritten goals that I would like to achieve.
If I had resolution it would have been to send out more of my writing, which I have not really done – though I did send out a final draft of play that I had written. This was rejected though I’m not despondent about this, as I know why it was not suitable. This will give me pointers for the next one that I write.
So the summer months, where I will hopefully get a long break from work. I hope to devote a bit of time to a number of writing projects as well as getting this blog sorted, as it has been somewhat neglected of late.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
June
Like April and May, this month was spent with the less than edifying task of wading through a mountain of marking. I managed to get to the bottom of that pile towards the end of the month and not before time. The weather was also rather kind to me too – it was constantly raining while I attended this stack of work.
June was also the start of the World Cup, with the constant drone of vuvuzelas and pundits alike, being the constant talking point so far. That along with the inevitable England capitulation; in all their games they just didn’t get going at all and they finally went out to a vibrant Germany side. Roll on the Premiership a nation was heard to utter in unison. The World Cup so far has not got going hopefully, now that England are out it will do. The only positives you could really draw after England’s displays was that at least John Terry would not be getting a knighthood for winning the World Cup.
Given that work is easing up slightly, I picked up my guitar for the first time in months and somwhow picked up a shoulder injury that nearly forced me out of a football match. I have no idea how that happened as I was only sitting with an acoustic guitar gently strumming - I was hardly throwing rock shapes with a Gibson Les Paul.
Musically, I have dragged myself away from the marking to check out The Maccabees, ‘Wall of Arms’ album. It was one of those 2 for £10 punts in HMV. I had seen them on a recent NME front cover, which these days see me preceding with some trepidation of a band’s output. I had not heard much of their stuff before to be honest, though I did get a download of ‘Can You Give’, which was given a brass band makeover with support from the Dodworth Colliery Band. I have to say that ‘Wall of Arms’ is a great album, one that I had missed last year when it came it out.
The version of the album I have has the original 11 tracks plus 4 additions, which includes a version of Roy Orbison’s ‘I Drove All Night’. This laid back tune quietly plays out the album. It is a great album from start to finish with the eponymous song ‘Wall of Arms’, ‘No Kind Words’ and the Roots Manuva inspired makeover ‘Empty Vessells’ are all particular favourites.
The thoughts of the World Cup had me running back to songs from summers of old hence the appearance of Primal Scream, China Crisis, New Order and Prefab Sprout on the month’s soundtrack. I don’t know what it is about World Cups, but my mind always strays to Italia 1990, that in my mind is perceived to be a great tournament, though something the statistics do not back up. I even downloaded Nessun Dorma a song which takes me back twenty years to that World Cup.
Not much in the way of gigs this month but I was blessed with great weather when I visited the Africa Oye festival in Sefton Park. I always try and attend this festival but in the years that I have been coming the weather has let them down. Thankfully this year, the weather was more in keeping with what an African Festival should be I met up with a few colleagues from work which added to the event. Overall I had great time. There was a brilliant atmosphere, with great food and music.
June was also the start of the World Cup, with the constant drone of vuvuzelas and pundits alike, being the constant talking point so far. That along with the inevitable England capitulation; in all their games they just didn’t get going at all and they finally went out to a vibrant Germany side. Roll on the Premiership a nation was heard to utter in unison. The World Cup so far has not got going hopefully, now that England are out it will do. The only positives you could really draw after England’s displays was that at least John Terry would not be getting a knighthood for winning the World Cup.
Given that work is easing up slightly, I picked up my guitar for the first time in months and somwhow picked up a shoulder injury that nearly forced me out of a football match. I have no idea how that happened as I was only sitting with an acoustic guitar gently strumming - I was hardly throwing rock shapes with a Gibson Les Paul.
Musically, I have dragged myself away from the marking to check out The Maccabees, ‘Wall of Arms’ album. It was one of those 2 for £10 punts in HMV. I had seen them on a recent NME front cover, which these days see me preceding with some trepidation of a band’s output. I had not heard much of their stuff before to be honest, though I did get a download of ‘Can You Give’, which was given a brass band makeover with support from the Dodworth Colliery Band. I have to say that ‘Wall of Arms’ is a great album, one that I had missed last year when it came it out.
The version of the album I have has the original 11 tracks plus 4 additions, which includes a version of Roy Orbison’s ‘I Drove All Night’. This laid back tune quietly plays out the album. It is a great album from start to finish with the eponymous song ‘Wall of Arms’, ‘No Kind Words’ and the Roots Manuva inspired makeover ‘Empty Vessells’ are all particular favourites.
The thoughts of the World Cup had me running back to songs from summers of old hence the appearance of Primal Scream, China Crisis, New Order and Prefab Sprout on the month’s soundtrack. I don’t know what it is about World Cups, but my mind always strays to Italia 1990, that in my mind is perceived to be a great tournament, though something the statistics do not back up. I even downloaded Nessun Dorma a song which takes me back twenty years to that World Cup.
Not much in the way of gigs this month but I was blessed with great weather when I visited the Africa Oye festival in Sefton Park. I always try and attend this festival but in the years that I have been coming the weather has let them down. Thankfully this year, the weather was more in keeping with what an African Festival should be I met up with a few colleagues from work which added to the event. Overall I had great time. There was a brilliant atmosphere, with great food and music.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
April/May
A busier time of late than March and one that brought a much-needed break. I was glad to have a few days off at the start of the month to draw breath. The Easter holidays were pretty good, well apart from the fact that my boiler gave up the ghost. No doubt it had been slightly overworked given the winter we have just had. So far the quotes for a new one have done nothing but bring about a wince and a high pitched shriek from myself!
So away from home-based disasters, I went along to a gig at my favourite venue the Citadel to see Radio 2 DJ Mark Radcliffe's band the Big Figures. They have been playing in his local for a number of years and have this year ventured out on tour. They play a number of Dr Feelgood tunes and early classics. I’m sure there may have been one or two of their own songs in the set too. a band that before now had passed me by. It is quite timely given that Oil City Confidential the documentary about the band was released - it has even made it on to BBC4. I enjoyed the gig and Radcliffe is a fine front man. His humour and talent shine through. I’m looking forward to when he gets the Family Mahone back together for his now legendary Christmas gigs.
As a result of the gig I have checked out ‘Oil City Confidential’ the movie and the accompanying soundtrack. It includes a number of their songs plus a couple from Johnny Kid and the Pirates (a band that influenced the nascent Feelgood). There are some great tunes on the album (live and recorded). You can see why a number of punk bands have cited them as an influence.
Another album that I had been looking forward to being released finally materialised this month. Pavement is the American band who inspired Blur’s conversion from the Britpop style to a more American sound, have released a 23 track compilation album called ‘Quarantine the Past’. I was a late convert to the band and was looking to hearing something that encapsulated their whole career. I’m not sure this is it, the die-hard fan will probably say that there is a lot of stuff missing. ‘Stereo’ remains a favourite of mine, as well as ‘Spit on a Stranger’ that was covered by the folk singer Kathryn Williams to good effect on her ‘Relations ‘album. Its a good introduction to the band and is well worth checking out. Listening to it has got me inspired in checking out the other bits of back catalogue that have been remastered to coincide with this Greatest Hits and reformation of the band.
It was a good month for album releases, the Amazon wish list was served with a number of new additions. One that was instantly purchased was the new Paul Weller album ‘Wake Up The Nation’. Given my devotion of all things Weller, it was always an album that I would be purchasing. A number of publications have given it favourable reviews and compared it well with his previous release ‘22 Dreams’, which was quite eclectic in the number of styles on display over the course of the album. ‘Wake Up The Nation’ is a more stripped down approach and weighs in at less than 45 minutes long, but covers a similar range of styles. One song ‘Trees’ is like a mini-symphony at less then 5 minutes long. The title track rails at the Facebook-age and is quite an impassioned track. I have to say that the album has been seldom of my player since HMV sent it out to me two days before its release (thank you). To these ears I think it is possibly his best solo album and certainly not far off the Jam’s best album Sound Effects. It’s that good. Not bad for an artist who has passed the milestone of his 50th birthday and he is still going strong, where other contemporaries are churning pale imitations of their best work. I look forward to hearing these tunes performed live later on in the year.
The Arctic Monkeys album, I have to say it washes over me in some ways and the reviews that I had read about lacking a little lustre of the first two albums ring true. Lyrically it is still top notch, just lacking in tunes. There are probably two tracks that stand out, with first song ‘My Propeller’ being my favourite, as well as ‘Pretty Visitors’.
Another new band for me is Wild Beasts, who hail from the Lake District. Like the Arctic Monkeys, ‘Two Dancers’ is an album that was released last year, I have seen them mentioned in passing and have heard a few tunes on a number of Uncut free cds. I’m glad I bought the album, it is one of the best new albums I have heard in a long time. It’s very 80s in places and with a bit of Bunnymen thrown in too, which is no bad thing. The highlights for me is the opener ‘Fun Powder Plot’, reminds me of something that for now I’m sure what, and ‘Two Dancers (II)’. I look forward to checking out their previous album in due course.
The last day of the month a rare term time day off and off to Poland where a friend of Silvi was due to be married. We flew by Wizzair and thankfully the flight was less stressful than my previous flight with Ryanair in January. The weekend was busy to say the least we flew into Katowice and then had to get a bus from their to Krakow and then on to Tarnow, where the wedding was taking place on the Saturday. Sunday was spent Krakow were a short trip around the city was only possible.
It was good to finally see Krakow and would like to visit there again in future though with a longer time to sightsee and with less travelling. As is usually the case when flying for me these days, there was a delay to the flight of 5 hours. Which meant a 7 hour stay at Katowice Airport, a place not noted for its abundance of resources. Sadly it was Silvis birthday, so we had to spend the day celebrating it at an airport. When we finally made it back in the evening we only really had time for tea in a pub with my parents who had come to pick us up from the airport.
After that bit of excitement, May can be summed up by one activity. Marking, marking and more marking. Never mind, it will soon be the summer!
So away from home-based disasters, I went along to a gig at my favourite venue the Citadel to see Radio 2 DJ Mark Radcliffe's band the Big Figures. They have been playing in his local for a number of years and have this year ventured out on tour. They play a number of Dr Feelgood tunes and early classics. I’m sure there may have been one or two of their own songs in the set too. a band that before now had passed me by. It is quite timely given that Oil City Confidential the documentary about the band was released - it has even made it on to BBC4. I enjoyed the gig and Radcliffe is a fine front man. His humour and talent shine through. I’m looking forward to when he gets the Family Mahone back together for his now legendary Christmas gigs.
As a result of the gig I have checked out ‘Oil City Confidential’ the movie and the accompanying soundtrack. It includes a number of their songs plus a couple from Johnny Kid and the Pirates (a band that influenced the nascent Feelgood). There are some great tunes on the album (live and recorded). You can see why a number of punk bands have cited them as an influence.
Another album that I had been looking forward to being released finally materialised this month. Pavement is the American band who inspired Blur’s conversion from the Britpop style to a more American sound, have released a 23 track compilation album called ‘Quarantine the Past’. I was a late convert to the band and was looking to hearing something that encapsulated their whole career. I’m not sure this is it, the die-hard fan will probably say that there is a lot of stuff missing. ‘Stereo’ remains a favourite of mine, as well as ‘Spit on a Stranger’ that was covered by the folk singer Kathryn Williams to good effect on her ‘Relations ‘album. Its a good introduction to the band and is well worth checking out. Listening to it has got me inspired in checking out the other bits of back catalogue that have been remastered to coincide with this Greatest Hits and reformation of the band.
It was a good month for album releases, the Amazon wish list was served with a number of new additions. One that was instantly purchased was the new Paul Weller album ‘Wake Up The Nation’. Given my devotion of all things Weller, it was always an album that I would be purchasing. A number of publications have given it favourable reviews and compared it well with his previous release ‘22 Dreams’, which was quite eclectic in the number of styles on display over the course of the album. ‘Wake Up The Nation’ is a more stripped down approach and weighs in at less than 45 minutes long, but covers a similar range of styles. One song ‘Trees’ is like a mini-symphony at less then 5 minutes long. The title track rails at the Facebook-age and is quite an impassioned track. I have to say that the album has been seldom of my player since HMV sent it out to me two days before its release (thank you). To these ears I think it is possibly his best solo album and certainly not far off the Jam’s best album Sound Effects. It’s that good. Not bad for an artist who has passed the milestone of his 50th birthday and he is still going strong, where other contemporaries are churning pale imitations of their best work. I look forward to hearing these tunes performed live later on in the year.
The Arctic Monkeys album, I have to say it washes over me in some ways and the reviews that I had read about lacking a little lustre of the first two albums ring true. Lyrically it is still top notch, just lacking in tunes. There are probably two tracks that stand out, with first song ‘My Propeller’ being my favourite, as well as ‘Pretty Visitors’.
Another new band for me is Wild Beasts, who hail from the Lake District. Like the Arctic Monkeys, ‘Two Dancers’ is an album that was released last year, I have seen them mentioned in passing and have heard a few tunes on a number of Uncut free cds. I’m glad I bought the album, it is one of the best new albums I have heard in a long time. It’s very 80s in places and with a bit of Bunnymen thrown in too, which is no bad thing. The highlights for me is the opener ‘Fun Powder Plot’, reminds me of something that for now I’m sure what, and ‘Two Dancers (II)’. I look forward to checking out their previous album in due course.
The last day of the month a rare term time day off and off to Poland where a friend of Silvi was due to be married. We flew by Wizzair and thankfully the flight was less stressful than my previous flight with Ryanair in January. The weekend was busy to say the least we flew into Katowice and then had to get a bus from their to Krakow and then on to Tarnow, where the wedding was taking place on the Saturday. Sunday was spent Krakow were a short trip around the city was only possible.
It was good to finally see Krakow and would like to visit there again in future though with a longer time to sightsee and with less travelling. As is usually the case when flying for me these days, there was a delay to the flight of 5 hours. Which meant a 7 hour stay at Katowice Airport, a place not noted for its abundance of resources. Sadly it was Silvis birthday, so we had to spend the day celebrating it at an airport. When we finally made it back in the evening we only really had time for tea in a pub with my parents who had come to pick us up from the airport.
After that bit of excitement, May can be summed up by one activity. Marking, marking and more marking. Never mind, it will soon be the summer!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Scriptfrenzy 2010
Today is the first day of Scriptfrenzy a month long writing contest, one that I signed up to take part in last year. It is similar to Nanowrimo and all those other do-something-creative-in-a-month competitions that internet has helped popularise.
Last year, I signed up at the very last minute (as chronicled here) and enjoyed every moment of the experience. This year, I have another idea for a script that I was looking forward to getting stuck into but unfortunately I won't be at the starting line with all the other writers. The main reason I guess is that I have surveyed the month ahead and that from a work point of view (work of the paid kind) I just won’t have the time to give the attention that it deserves. Marking season will soon be upon me!
From a writing point of view I also feel like I have a number of half-finished ideas that I need to get out of the way first before I undertake another project such as this. Last summer, I started a novel, which at this moment stands half completed. I also lined up at the start of Nanowrimo in November - unfortunately work got in the way again so I’m left with another half finished novel. Added to this is the small matter of the last year’s script, which is still at the first draft stage and has been filed away and has not been read since its completion.
This last week while I have been off work I have been surveying a number of pieces of work that I had written for other workshops of late and some other bits that that I had forgotten I had written. So I think for now I should really be concentrating on clearing the decks and start getting some of my already completed/soon to be completed work out there.
That is why with great reluctance that I won't be lining up with other ScreenFrenzy participants. I wish them every success in what is an interesting, frustrating and ultimately enjoyable experience.
Last year, I signed up at the very last minute (as chronicled here) and enjoyed every moment of the experience. This year, I have another idea for a script that I was looking forward to getting stuck into but unfortunately I won't be at the starting line with all the other writers. The main reason I guess is that I have surveyed the month ahead and that from a work point of view (work of the paid kind) I just won’t have the time to give the attention that it deserves. Marking season will soon be upon me!
From a writing point of view I also feel like I have a number of half-finished ideas that I need to get out of the way first before I undertake another project such as this. Last summer, I started a novel, which at this moment stands half completed. I also lined up at the start of Nanowrimo in November - unfortunately work got in the way again so I’m left with another half finished novel. Added to this is the small matter of the last year’s script, which is still at the first draft stage and has been filed away and has not been read since its completion.
This last week while I have been off work I have been surveying a number of pieces of work that I had written for other workshops of late and some other bits that that I had forgotten I had written. So I think for now I should really be concentrating on clearing the decks and start getting some of my already completed/soon to be completed work out there.
That is why with great reluctance that I won't be lining up with other ScreenFrenzy participants. I wish them every success in what is an interesting, frustrating and ultimately enjoyable experience.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
March
The year seems to be slipping away fairly quickly already, somehow it’s April tomorrow. On some level this month has been something of a write-off. Work has just got in the way of everything really and the month has been an exercise in bobbing along.
I suppose one highlight this month was catching up with a few mates for a birthday in Liverpool, I realised that it had been nearly two years since I had caught up with them. That’s just too long but that seems to be the case these days with too many of my friends.
Only one visit to the cinema this month after an almost prolific month last time and that was to see Crazy Heart, which has Jeff Bridges & Maggie Gyllenhaal in the main roles. The story is a well-travelled path, but it's worth a watch. The music is good too, if you like Americana that does not stray into that clichéd Rhinestone Cowboy sound.
I think I only watched one DVD and that was Cloverfield, which frankly annoyed the hell out of me. Instead of wanting the main cast members to survive, I was glad when they were killed off one-by-one. I liked the concept; just the actual execution of the film was not that great.
On the music front I checked a couple of albums that I had been meaning to check out for a few years. Wolfmother, was one album that I managed to listen to they are an Australian band that obviously own a few Led Zeppelin albums. It is fairly rocky stuff - but not too bad.
Another band that wear their influences on their sleeves is the Gaslight Anthem. Their album ‘59 Sound’ is a couple of years old and I have been meaning to check them out having read about them a fair bit in Uncut. The New Jersey band not only shares a state with Bruce Springsteen but also a sound - they have even shared a stage in the last few years. This is a great album if you like that impassioned American rock sound; ‘Great Expectations’ is the stand out track. They have a new album in the offing, which I hope to check out when it is released.
I also took the time to limp down memory lane with a blast through the Wonder Stuff, doing ‘Hup’ live. The release is an updated version to celebrate 21 years since it came out. It’s a DVD and cvd package of recent gig in Birmingham and the songs sound great after all these years. It was interesting to hear on the album that the lead singer Miles Hunt considers it to be his favourite Wonder Stuff album, something that I fully agree with. Though ‘Never Loved Elvis’ is a contender for my favourite too as it contains ‘Here Comes Everyone’ and was the album that really got me into the band.
That’s a bout it for March, hopefully next month can be a little more productive than the one that’s just gone.
I suppose one highlight this month was catching up with a few mates for a birthday in Liverpool, I realised that it had been nearly two years since I had caught up with them. That’s just too long but that seems to be the case these days with too many of my friends.
Only one visit to the cinema this month after an almost prolific month last time and that was to see Crazy Heart, which has Jeff Bridges & Maggie Gyllenhaal in the main roles. The story is a well-travelled path, but it's worth a watch. The music is good too, if you like Americana that does not stray into that clichéd Rhinestone Cowboy sound.
I think I only watched one DVD and that was Cloverfield, which frankly annoyed the hell out of me. Instead of wanting the main cast members to survive, I was glad when they were killed off one-by-one. I liked the concept; just the actual execution of the film was not that great.
On the music front I checked a couple of albums that I had been meaning to check out for a few years. Wolfmother, was one album that I managed to listen to they are an Australian band that obviously own a few Led Zeppelin albums. It is fairly rocky stuff - but not too bad.
Another band that wear their influences on their sleeves is the Gaslight Anthem. Their album ‘59 Sound’ is a couple of years old and I have been meaning to check them out having read about them a fair bit in Uncut. The New Jersey band not only shares a state with Bruce Springsteen but also a sound - they have even shared a stage in the last few years. This is a great album if you like that impassioned American rock sound; ‘Great Expectations’ is the stand out track. They have a new album in the offing, which I hope to check out when it is released.
I also took the time to limp down memory lane with a blast through the Wonder Stuff, doing ‘Hup’ live. The release is an updated version to celebrate 21 years since it came out. It’s a DVD and cvd package of recent gig in Birmingham and the songs sound great after all these years. It was interesting to hear on the album that the lead singer Miles Hunt considers it to be his favourite Wonder Stuff album, something that I fully agree with. Though ‘Never Loved Elvis’ is a contender for my favourite too as it contains ‘Here Comes Everyone’ and was the album that really got me into the band.
That’s a bout it for March, hopefully next month can be a little more productive than the one that’s just gone.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
A Quiet Pint in the Everyman
After my recent road to Damascus like conversion to real ale, in the middle of a week off from work, I picked up my copy of Around the Pubs in 80 days. I suppose if I was to start a drinking odyssey around Liverpool it would be difficult to know where to begin such a journey
For me, I suppose that journey would begin in the Everyman Bistro. If I were a permanent inhabitant of Liverpool city centre this would be my local. It is not typically a real-ale pub but on some levels adheres to the ethos of what a real-ale pub should be. I should hate this place on account of the low beams of the ceiling; this is on account of it being in the depths of the Everyman Theatre. I can’t help but feel a little self-conscious when the place is full.
Thankfully I have popped in on a quiet Thursday afternoon, it is just me, and a couple of members of staff. I have my usual a quick bottle of Cain's lager before I’m due to meet my friend later on. With French music station on in the background and a beer in my hand it is quite relaxing. It's quite good to have a pub to yourself to contemplate the world. The music is good too and has that French lounge-core feel. On second thoughts it sounds Spanish.
Sadly they are going to renovate this place soon - hopefully the new building will retain some of this place’s character. Though hopefully with a better ceiling space for the non-vertically challenged, like myself.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
February
The second one of these monthly round ups - I have not got bored of doing them as yet…though give it time. I always regard February as the true start to the year. January feels like a shutdown and nothing much really happens. Due to varying factors, this has certainly been the case in 2010. It’s been yet another month that has been blighted with snow.
Well as things start up again the he first weekend of the month saw the first gig of the year. I managed to get to see Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls of the Wonder Stuff, doing one of their acoustic sets at the Liverpool Philharmonic’s intimate Rosewald Suite. The gig was a well-travelled path for the audience but Hunt was in good form both with his songs and ever engaging reflections that Hunt dwells upon in-between the songs. I have lost count at the amount of times I have seen him play in his numerous guises down the years and look forward to future gigs.
Music wise it has been a slack month really, nothing new has really caught my ear. I have not listened to anything interesting apart from catching up with a couple of the free Uncut cds from the last few editions. Uncut magazine and its accompanying cds are normally good at throwing up new bands to check out.
One album that I have been listening to of late has been the Florence and the Machine album, I know that the album had been getting a bit of a mention in the papers with Florence becoming something of a ubiquitous figure, something that’s not always good. I have to say the album is good and lives up to the hype and yes she does have a touch of the Kate Bush about her - which is no bad thing. The songs which have appeared on adverts bear up to closer scrutiny but I have to say my favourite song on the album is Drumming Song. I picked up a free remix from RCD RBL, a decent website that offers daily free legit downloads.
With the bad weather returning, trips to the cinema have been the order of the day. Despite putting it off and thinking it could not live up to the hype I finally got around to watching Avatar. Though the plot is fairly flimsy, apparently a carbon copy of Pocahontas, watching it in the cinema in all its 3D glory was certainly something that made the film for me. The clips of future features in 3D looked good too. This month I also went to see Invictus and An Education, though not as visually as enticing as Avatar, they are highly recommended films based on true stories.
I suppose the main highlight of the month, in an ever so geeky way was finally getting hold of an iPhone. After a period of limbo with Vodafone, my contract finally ran out. As someone who had previously taken the easy option of upgrading to the latest Sony Erricson model. Thankfully Apple's exclusivity deal with 02 had ended and I could stick with more reliable Vodafone network.
So what is so good about the iPhone? Well, it's a camera, which has a reasonable spec - better camera phones do exist. The phone is pretty good with some nice features too; the chance to browse emails is also good too. It also enables you to play music too. It feels like the future - well it did until the day of its arrival Apple launched its much heralded tablet computer, which looks good though the iPad I’m afraid that’s for another year.
The iPhone has a head start over other devices given its iTunes store, which offers a number of free and paid for applications. The interests that I have reflect the choices of applications that I planned to download. First up was the Everton app and the Echo and the Bunnymen app.
When you first pick up the box that the iPhone comes in, it is hard not to be overcome by a feeling of ‘is that it?’ Given the economy of space that Apple use with its packaging - all the elements - cables, headphones and instructions. It is bundled together pretty well Once you open up and load your iPhone then these disappointments dissipate.
The one gripe that is common in the reviews that I have read previously is that the battery life is not that great and if you use it constantly then you are lucky to get more than a day out of the device. This I have found so true. That aside, I have to say I like my new toy and have enjoyed the month familiarising myself with its many features.
Well as things start up again the he first weekend of the month saw the first gig of the year. I managed to get to see Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls of the Wonder Stuff, doing one of their acoustic sets at the Liverpool Philharmonic’s intimate Rosewald Suite. The gig was a well-travelled path for the audience but Hunt was in good form both with his songs and ever engaging reflections that Hunt dwells upon in-between the songs. I have lost count at the amount of times I have seen him play in his numerous guises down the years and look forward to future gigs.
Music wise it has been a slack month really, nothing new has really caught my ear. I have not listened to anything interesting apart from catching up with a couple of the free Uncut cds from the last few editions. Uncut magazine and its accompanying cds are normally good at throwing up new bands to check out.
One album that I have been listening to of late has been the Florence and the Machine album, I know that the album had been getting a bit of a mention in the papers with Florence becoming something of a ubiquitous figure, something that’s not always good. I have to say the album is good and lives up to the hype and yes she does have a touch of the Kate Bush about her - which is no bad thing. The songs which have appeared on adverts bear up to closer scrutiny but I have to say my favourite song on the album is Drumming Song. I picked up a free remix from RCD RBL, a decent website that offers daily free legit downloads.
With the bad weather returning, trips to the cinema have been the order of the day. Despite putting it off and thinking it could not live up to the hype I finally got around to watching Avatar. Though the plot is fairly flimsy, apparently a carbon copy of Pocahontas, watching it in the cinema in all its 3D glory was certainly something that made the film for me. The clips of future features in 3D looked good too. This month I also went to see Invictus and An Education, though not as visually as enticing as Avatar, they are highly recommended films based on true stories.
I suppose the main highlight of the month, in an ever so geeky way was finally getting hold of an iPhone. After a period of limbo with Vodafone, my contract finally ran out. As someone who had previously taken the easy option of upgrading to the latest Sony Erricson model. Thankfully Apple's exclusivity deal with 02 had ended and I could stick with more reliable Vodafone network.
So what is so good about the iPhone? Well, it's a camera, which has a reasonable spec - better camera phones do exist. The phone is pretty good with some nice features too; the chance to browse emails is also good too. It also enables you to play music too. It feels like the future - well it did until the day of its arrival Apple launched its much heralded tablet computer, which looks good though the iPad I’m afraid that’s for another year.
The iPhone has a head start over other devices given its iTunes store, which offers a number of free and paid for applications. The interests that I have reflect the choices of applications that I planned to download. First up was the Everton app and the Echo and the Bunnymen app.
When you first pick up the box that the iPhone comes in, it is hard not to be overcome by a feeling of ‘is that it?’ Given the economy of space that Apple use with its packaging - all the elements - cables, headphones and instructions. It is bundled together pretty well Once you open up and load your iPhone then these disappointments dissipate.
The one gripe that is common in the reviews that I have read previously is that the battery life is not that great and if you use it constantly then you are lucky to get more than a day out of the device. This I have found so true. That aside, I have to say I like my new toy and have enjoyed the month familiarising myself with its many features.
Monday, February 8, 2010
24 Hours in the City
Today’s events could have been anywhere. Our mission to encapsulate the plan of the day was shrouded in a fog of grey cloud that meant it virtually impossible to see the skyline and the coast of the morning light.
It was a long day that encompassed all that Liverpool has to offer football, commerce, music and family are things that all can relate to. Given the nature of Sky and their demands as a broadcaster all points on the day were set up, lunchtime with the family watching the game reflecting on yet another derby defeat for Everton.
Then shopping in the afternoon at the wonderful Liverpool 1, the novelty has not worn off for me yet about this place. Numerous coffees consumed, and for the first time for me Sushi, though of the vegetarian kind.
In the evening still in the heartbeat of the city, a quick drink at the Everyman and then it was off to see Miles Hunt doing his stuff , not in the main auditorium but in the Rosewald Suite of the Philharmonic hall. He gets better every time I see him.
Tentatively heading for our mode our transport with thoughts of returning home after the day’s events, at a time when thoughts should be turning to bed, I still find time to pop in briefly for my cousin’s 30th birthday. Finally an hour and half into the new day, I make it into bed. It was a long day but an enjoyable one all the same.
The events took place on Saturday 6th February 2010
It was a long day that encompassed all that Liverpool has to offer football, commerce, music and family are things that all can relate to. Given the nature of Sky and their demands as a broadcaster all points on the day were set up, lunchtime with the family watching the game reflecting on yet another derby defeat for Everton.
Then shopping in the afternoon at the wonderful Liverpool 1, the novelty has not worn off for me yet about this place. Numerous coffees consumed, and for the first time for me Sushi, though of the vegetarian kind.
In the evening still in the heartbeat of the city, a quick drink at the Everyman and then it was off to see Miles Hunt doing his stuff , not in the main auditorium but in the Rosewald Suite of the Philharmonic hall. He gets better every time I see him.
Tentatively heading for our mode our transport with thoughts of returning home after the day’s events, at a time when thoughts should be turning to bed, I still find time to pop in briefly for my cousin’s 30th birthday. Finally an hour and half into the new day, I make it into bed. It was a long day but an enjoyable one all the same.
The events took place on Saturday 6th February 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
January
Man alive this month has been bleak, it has constantly been snowing and that has made the briefest of journeys difficult. The newspapers have been speculating that this is the onset of the apocalypse! I was even snowed in at some point for three days and that resulted in having to work from home – which is not easy when you have lectures scheduled. I tried to set off for a 9.00am lecture - an hour later having trundled less than a mile, I turned and headed for home. So the best plan for this month was stay indoors and enjoy the warmth of a glowing fire and some cultural treats.
Of the highlights of the month, the main highlight was something that began in the last days of 2009 and went through until 2nd January. It was a different start to a new year for me. Normally I like to spend that unnamed period between Boxing Day doing as little as possible. This year that changed as I spent the period in Slovakia. I stayed in a place called Kosice in the east of the country with my gf and her sister and was made to feel thoroughly welcome.
Having flown in on Monday evening the week was something of a whirlwind but I have to say enjoyable. I only arrived in Kosice after – two flights from Manchester to Bratislava, then Bratislava to Kosice. The next two days were spent exploring the city and even included my first ever game of squash…which I managed to survive. New Year’s Eve was spent in a club called Wig Wam – which was interesting to see how a different culture celebrated New Year - no different as it turned out.
The final day was spent in Bratislava (where we were due to fly home from), this required an early start to catch the 5.30am train. Bratislava is very nice and is obviously geared towards the tourist trade with the number of quirky and different statues it has littered around the streets - which I took the opportunity to snap and pose in front of. The flight home was my first encounter with Ryanair and everything that I had heard about them is true - cheap without ever troubling the cheerful side of that cliché.
Added to the fun of the flight was the rapid decent due to turbulence…twice. This was conveniently ignored by the pilot, given it happened more than once was a little disconcerting to say the least. When we eventually landed the relief turned to hilarity when the announcement congratulated everyone for being of ‘90% of the flights that landed’…thankfully this was not an admittance of their poor flying abilities mainly the announcement had cut out before it could add the ‘on time’ which was of importance to that mention. A day of rest was called for after all that, alas that was not the case as it was my parents 40th Wedding Anniversary celebrations the next day. This was good and it was good to catch up with family so soon after Christmas.
So the cultural highlights of the month, given that I was a little skint after Christmas it was mainly catching up with the stuff that had been piling up. The pick of the albums that I have been listening to was the Eels, who are now in the veteran stage of their career and now have enough tunes to release a greatest hits collection (not that not having enough hits usually deters other bands). The collection is not the cheeriest but seemed to be fitting giving the weather so far this year.
The other albums listened to this month was the Leisure Society’s, The Sleeper an album I had been meaning to listen to for a few years after hearing their excellent single Last of the Melting Snow on the Mark Radcliffe show. The album was quite cheap on Amazon and contained a bonus disc of equally interesting material. Apart from the afore mentioned song A Matter of Time was my favourite other track.
Another album that I had on constantly this month was the Swell Season’s new album – another bargain considering the package contained an a disc of new tracks, a live cd and DVD. The Swell Season is Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, stars of the 2007 film Once, a favourite of mine, who their song Falling Slowly won an Oscar in 2008 for the Best Original Song…something of a left field success. The album is a follow on from the soundtrack and continues the line of upbeat melancholia.
My only venture to the cinema this month was when I was in Slovakia at the start of the year, thankfully I dodged a Jennifer Anniston movie (my gf and her sister decided to watch that) instead I watched Sherlock Holmes. I liked the look of the trailers but on the whole I think the movie came across as smug and feeling too wrapped up in itself - the film also ends quite abruptly with a sequel obviously in the offing.
The pile of dvds is finally dwindling, I finally got around to watching the Inbetweeners DVD that my brother bought me for Christmas, I had already seen both series but it was well worth watching again. I also watched American Splendor and Finding Eric which I had purchased before Christmas.
Not much new on the old gogglebox apart from the new series of Curb your Enthusiasm which is showing on More4, and was especially entertaining as it reunited the cast of Seinfeld and thankfully did not trash the memory of the series. I also made a start on wading through the earlier series, which are still good after all these years.
That’s it for now; hopefully I can keep this going next month. Here’s to spring which can’t come soon enough.
Of the highlights of the month, the main highlight was something that began in the last days of 2009 and went through until 2nd January. It was a different start to a new year for me. Normally I like to spend that unnamed period between Boxing Day doing as little as possible. This year that changed as I spent the period in Slovakia. I stayed in a place called Kosice in the east of the country with my gf and her sister and was made to feel thoroughly welcome.
Having flown in on Monday evening the week was something of a whirlwind but I have to say enjoyable. I only arrived in Kosice after – two flights from Manchester to Bratislava, then Bratislava to Kosice. The next two days were spent exploring the city and even included my first ever game of squash…which I managed to survive. New Year’s Eve was spent in a club called Wig Wam – which was interesting to see how a different culture celebrated New Year - no different as it turned out.
The final day was spent in Bratislava (where we were due to fly home from), this required an early start to catch the 5.30am train. Bratislava is very nice and is obviously geared towards the tourist trade with the number of quirky and different statues it has littered around the streets - which I took the opportunity to snap and pose in front of. The flight home was my first encounter with Ryanair and everything that I had heard about them is true - cheap without ever troubling the cheerful side of that cliché.
Added to the fun of the flight was the rapid decent due to turbulence…twice. This was conveniently ignored by the pilot, given it happened more than once was a little disconcerting to say the least. When we eventually landed the relief turned to hilarity when the announcement congratulated everyone for being of ‘90% of the flights that landed’…thankfully this was not an admittance of their poor flying abilities mainly the announcement had cut out before it could add the ‘on time’ which was of importance to that mention. A day of rest was called for after all that, alas that was not the case as it was my parents 40th Wedding Anniversary celebrations the next day. This was good and it was good to catch up with family so soon after Christmas.
So the cultural highlights of the month, given that I was a little skint after Christmas it was mainly catching up with the stuff that had been piling up. The pick of the albums that I have been listening to was the Eels, who are now in the veteran stage of their career and now have enough tunes to release a greatest hits collection (not that not having enough hits usually deters other bands). The collection is not the cheeriest but seemed to be fitting giving the weather so far this year.
The other albums listened to this month was the Leisure Society’s, The Sleeper an album I had been meaning to listen to for a few years after hearing their excellent single Last of the Melting Snow on the Mark Radcliffe show. The album was quite cheap on Amazon and contained a bonus disc of equally interesting material. Apart from the afore mentioned song A Matter of Time was my favourite other track.
Another album that I had on constantly this month was the Swell Season’s new album – another bargain considering the package contained an a disc of new tracks, a live cd and DVD. The Swell Season is Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, stars of the 2007 film Once, a favourite of mine, who their song Falling Slowly won an Oscar in 2008 for the Best Original Song…something of a left field success. The album is a follow on from the soundtrack and continues the line of upbeat melancholia.
My only venture to the cinema this month was when I was in Slovakia at the start of the year, thankfully I dodged a Jennifer Anniston movie (my gf and her sister decided to watch that) instead I watched Sherlock Holmes. I liked the look of the trailers but on the whole I think the movie came across as smug and feeling too wrapped up in itself - the film also ends quite abruptly with a sequel obviously in the offing.
The pile of dvds is finally dwindling, I finally got around to watching the Inbetweeners DVD that my brother bought me for Christmas, I had already seen both series but it was well worth watching again. I also watched American Splendor and Finding Eric which I had purchased before Christmas.
Not much new on the old gogglebox apart from the new series of Curb your Enthusiasm which is showing on More4, and was especially entertaining as it reunited the cast of Seinfeld and thankfully did not trash the memory of the series. I also made a start on wading through the earlier series, which are still good after all these years.
That’s it for now; hopefully I can keep this going next month. Here’s to spring which can’t come soon enough.
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