Owner: Greg Rose - Freelance Journalist URL:www.gregrose16.blogspot.com Join Date: Fri, 02 Nov 2007 18:57:29 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Musings and meanderings on music, sport and much more Site statistics:Click here
Radiohead - In Rainbows 2007-10-16 08:39:00 For many, Radiohead
ceased being merely a band long ago. The devastating expansion of their development has consistently revitalised music. Now they’ve set their sights on revolutionising the way we buy it. Which is thoroughly intriguing and commendable, but only if the end result is an album equally praiseworthy.‘In Rainbows
’ doesn’t disappoint. If you have a shrine to Jonny Greenwood in your bedroom, or ever tried to fabricate a squint to venerate Thom Yorke, then it might. It isn’t era-defining (OK Computer), isn’t utterly radical (Kid A), isn’t full of riffs that make your head dance and your body ache (The Bends.) It’s, essentially, ten beautifully crafted, thought-provoking tracks that mark a band from Oxford’s return to form.The key is the composition of an album, rather than a jumble of collective ideas placed under one name. There is togetherness within the record that gives it purpose and clarity. This makes it seem less reckless, seemingly safer than its pr
Kanye West - Graduation 2007-09-17 09:45:00 The self-appointed saviour of rap is all grown up as he releases the final act of his college trilogy. But rather than graduate with honours, the gradient of his grades is descending steadily downwards.Despite moments of dazzling lyrical flair and numerous biting hooks, Kanye
West fails to live up to past standards. Previously, he possessed a charming self-consciousness that precariously balanced his gargantuan ego and created a likeable streak within every verse.Now, with the advent of international superstardom, he believes the hype. ‘Champion’ and ‘Barry Bonds’ are both exercises of self-gratification. What set West apart was his determination not to rely on rap clichés of guns and girls, accompanying his bravado with social relevance. Instead, this is replaced by ropey drones like ‘Drunk and Hot Girls.’West appears indefatigable in his quest to sample every song ever written. Here his cuts include Elton John, Daft Punk, Steely Dan, Public Enemy and Michael Jackson. Liv Read more:Kanye West
Reading Festival Review 2007 2007-09-11 10:39:00 Reading Festival
Review 2007Radio One/NME TentTop Twelve:12. The View (Saturday, 10:30)The four-piece arrive in a climate of mounting delirium; "The View, The View, The View are on fire," fills the tent and lungs. They knock out a tumultuous rendition of 'Coming Down', awash with blazing riffs and raspy vocals. Then it all goes wrong: Kyle says hello. At least, I think he does, couldn't be sure. Bar the odd squeal, he's incoherent. The tent is surprisingly subdued, except for the tight-knit gang of flag-waving disciples centre-stage.Perhaps The View don't lend themselves to festivals. Fans familiar with lyrics lose themselves in the nursery rhyme simplicity of 'The Don' and 'Skag Trendy's shabby charm; interested passers-by are perturbed by the slack playing and slurred singing. However, these Scottish scamps have catchy singles in abundance. Just when they appear ready to crumble beneath their own incompetence, Kyle blurts out the arrestingly relevant phrase: "I've had the s Read more:Reading
V Festival 2007 Review 2007-08-31 10:18:00 V Stage, Hylands Park Chelmsford10. Goo Goo Dolls – Sunday, 1.25pm – 1.05pm.Being past it is problematic, especially when you weren’t particularly great in your prime. However, Goo Goo Dolls don’t let this bother them as they entertain a swelling afternoon crowd with their meandering brand of inauthentic rock. They couldn’t look less cool if they daubed their heads in red bandanas and dyed their greying hair. Hang on – the bass player’s wearing a red bandana, while singer John Rzeznik has definitely been at the Just For Men.But then, when you have a barnstorming, inexplicably epic anthem like Iris in your arsenal, nothing else really matters. Despite the rest of the set sounding like budget Bon Jovi, Iris transforms the lethargic audience into a huge, cheesy choir, screaming back the words with gusto and glee. In three minutes of infectious 80s stadium rock, Goo Goo Dolls become the perfect hangover tonic.9. The Fratellis – Sunday, 4.50pm – 5.40pm.Playing to one of th Read more:Festival
Kate Nash - Made of Bricks 2007-08-17 06:38:00 The melodious melancholy of her first hit may have enlivened the charts, but Kate Nash’s debut album doesn’t quite surmount the hype built up around her.Made of Bricks
has been rushed out following the refreshing, massive success of ‘Foundations’. The track is a tantalizing pop creation; a distant hopefulness simmers in the twinkling piano while disillusionment is gradually nurtured with each awkwardly candid line. It sounds almost naively mature, charmingly mirroring its clumsy yet accomplished writer.‘Foundations’ neatly encapsulates the album as a whole. The bits that sound sincere and fresh are here, but so is the cringe-worthy bluntness and misplaced social commentary. While the defiant ‘Mouthwash’ contains driving drums and fervent vocals, ‘Dickhead’ resembles the results a bored schoolgirl would achieve in a double GCSE Music lesson.Lyrically, Nash is more Peggy Mitchell than Joni Mitchell. Simplicity and straightforward storytelling replace any deeper meanin
Interpol - 'Our Love To Admire' 2007-08-01 11:14:00 If you’re still searching for the sun-kissed soundtrack to your summer, this isn’t it. If you crave something with a little more substance, Interpol
’s haunting third album is more refreshing than sipping Pimm’s in a paddling pool. After moving to a major label and witnessing Editors find considerable commercial success by plundering their sound, Interpol could be forgiven for trying to appeal to the masses. Instead, they’ve turned inwards to generate eleven songs that gnaw themselves into your consciousness. Previous album ‘Antics’ hinted at a more mainstream direction; bringing in Franz Ferdinand producer Rich Costey did nothing to dispel this. However, ‘Our Love To Admire’ actually revisits seminal debut ‘Turn On The Bright Lights’, with darker melodies and fewer pop hooks. ‘Pioneer To The Falls’ is a masterful statement of intent, building into an eerily epic opener. Next, ‘No I In Threesome’ demonstrates the band’s dark sense of humour wi
Festival International De Benicassim 2007 2007-08-01 11:08:00 Spain: sun, sea, sand, sangria…..and The Stooges. Benicassim’s heady mix of Mediterranean hedonism, blissful beaches and a high class line-up allowed thousands of Britons to swap their wellies for flip-flops and escape to paradise. Arctic Monkeys and Muse topped the bill admirably, ably backed by the cream of international indie bands, superstar DJs and a smattering of Spanish artists. But it is the sheer audacity of the surroundings that make this event peerless. Imagine a festival with no fighting, no mud and, wait for it, no rain. Oh, but there was Peaches Geldof – some things never change. Four days of music ran from mid-afternoon through the night until 7am, meaning festival-goers could avoid the heat of the day. The event was shrewdly organised; afternoon sets consisted of chilled out acts, headliners appeared at 1.20am and DJs closed each night for those who could last the pace. This reduced chances of fans collapsing from heat exhaustion and allowed the action t Read more:Festival
, International
Complaints of a Commuter 2007-06-23 05:51:00 “You need to sort yourself out young man. You need some direction. You’re wasting your time.” It’s 01.47am; we’re on the last train home from Kings Cross to Peterborough, getting advice from a woman who keeps hiccupping between words. She’s about 45, drunk, peroxide blonde and a pathological liar. Not your average careers counsellor. It’s just another day commuting.But I have got direction, I think to myself. (Not daring to argue with the half-cut divorcee in full Boots No. 7 war paint.) It just so happens that my direction is eighty miles south on clapped-out public transport every morning.The time wasting though – she may have a point. Fifteen hours a week in a carriage decorated a putrid cream, hoping the bloke who sits down next to me doesn’t smell. The greatest journeys start with the smallest steps. What kind of journeys start with removing a half-eaten apple and some ketchup sachets from a frayed, dusty seat? Commuting journeys.Yet the daily slog to the Big Smo
The Great Escape Festival Review 2007-05-20 16:25:00 It’s five in the morning at Brighton Pier and a guy with an acoustic guitar has just pulled over a van. He’s then climbed on top and freed a seagull trapped on a wire using a knife procured from a shifty-looking stranger. Welcome to The GreatEscapeFestival
2007.Seagull saving aside, an enormous collection of new bands along with a smattering of established acts is the reason why 5000 people have flocked to the seaside. From Canada to Camden, France to Finland, an international melting pot of music is on offer.Or maybe three days of queuing in the drizzle. Having enjoyed a soothing set of quaint folk from Dan Mangan in the shark pool of the Sealife Centre, spirits are high. But then, even with a magic Press Pass in tow, entry into Concorde 2 to watch CSS is impossible. Lines of people snake along the seafront looking disgruntled as they are turned away, so it’s off to catch 1990s instead.Inside the cavernous treasure trove of Audio, the Glaswegian three-piece sounds like a budge
Review - Cat Power 2007-05-11 19:33:00 Right...I'm taking a considerably more gonzo take on this reviewing lark today. Seeing as it's been a difficult few weeks and the amount of work i've got done ranges from managing to get out of bed to buying bogof pizzas at the repulsive sainsbury's down the road, I'm amazed I'm doing anything mildly productive. Do forgive me.Anyway...this gig happened in lovely Kentish Town not eleven days ago. It was ten days ago. I wasn't going, I had two enormous law exams the following day. But Cat Power
does own a voice so hauntingly soothing I thought it could be therapeutic.Having met my brother's charming fiance in a place called Harrow-On-The-Hill...(I know, I didn't think that was a real place either) I trundled alone down the Tube to meet Mr Sean. Durkin, fellow connoisseur of Cat Power's blissful blues.Upon arrival a young lady from Brooklyn, New York decided to engage me in conversation. It was fun, she talked funny. Then, to our amusement, the back door opened where three group
Gig Review - Good Shoes and VIncent Vincent & The Villains 2007-04-07 05:57:00 Good Shoes and Vincent Vincent and the Villains
Concorde 2, BrightonWednesday 28th March"Everything's OK and everything's alright!" Good Shoes neatly summarise their live show with one shouted lyric. Nobody leaves Concorde 2 disappointed, but they are trawling in the middle ground between elation and frustration.Support band Vincent Vincent and the Villains arguably show more promise than the headliners. Seemingly knocking around for years, the three-piece have built a repertoire of blues infused numbers that sound like they were written to soundtrack a Happy Days rip-off. Instead they were probably penned in the pub down the road last week.Frontman Vincent radiates charisma, holding a guitar as shiny as his suit. Every toe taps in time to penultimate tune Johnny Two Bands; the Villains manage to conjure a sound that – almost – sounds modern.Their set is timed impeccably, leaving the infectious On My Own until last. Vincent converts the crowd into an added rhythm section with his
Should Zimbabwe and Bangladesh retain Test status? 2007-03-27 14:50:00 “The strongest principle of growth lies in the human choice.” George Eliot.At this moment, the world cricketing authorities have the choice whether or not toallow Zimbabwe
and Bangladesh
to maintain their Test status. Both countries havestruggled to adapt to Test level, while pressure mounts on the International CricketCouncil to take action. Should these fledgling cricketing nations be allowed time toblossom, or will staying at the highest level stunt their growth?The reasons for the precarious position of each country’s cricket differ, withBangladesh’s problems more straightforward than Zimbabwe’s. “My mum wouldhave scored runs and taken wickets against the Bangladeshis,” blasted ex-England player Geoffrey Boycott. “She’d have wanted to bat and bowl at both ends!” (Boycott, 2005) Bangladesh simply don’t have enough top quality players to compete at Test level. Given Test status in November 2000, they’ve won once in 40 Tests – against a depleted Zimbabwe side
Andy Bishop Profile 2007-03-19 21:28:00 Not many 22-year-olds would name Lionel Ritchie and Jamie Oliver as major influences on their life, but Andy Bishop
is a man with an old head on young shoulders.His formative years have seen the Leicester lad take in the sights of Europe, attend two major football tournaments and embark on two university degrees.Andy’s passion for travel was ingrained into him from his father, who moved to Leicester at 18 from his home in London’s East End. “I support West Ham because I wanted to be like my dad, he was a bit of a trailblazer. I want to see where the journey takes me too.”So far, Andy’s journey has taken him to both Newcastle and Brighton Universities. “I studied Economics at Newcastle, but realized within 10 minutes of my first lecture that it wasn’t for me. I have no regrets though, just more experience.”This led him to make a more informed decision when he came to Brighton University, choosing to study Sport Journalism. Here, he is able to satisfy his major passion
Sportspeople In The Media 2007-03-19 21:26:00 The Role of Sportspeople in the Media: ‘Broadsheet’ NewspapersThe ‘quality’ newspapers have experienced an increasing tabloidisation within the past decade. This is most pointedly seen in the adoption of ‘compact’ size newspapers, or ‘Berliners’ in The Guardian’s case. The desire for increased readership is depicted by the gap in sales between the tabloids and broadsheets. While The Sunday Times can boast sales of 1.35 million, its tabloid competitor The News of the World dwarves this with 3.6 million sales. Obviously, tendencies to move towards the most popular ways of selling newspapers are likely to occur.One way to achieve this is to use current and ex- sports stars as not just interview fodder, but to compliment the journalists who have taken a more traditional route to sports writing as columnists. This is seen at The Times, where, of 14 regular sports columnists, half are currently ex-professionals. These include Matthew Hoggard, Michael Owen and Martin Johnson
Book Review - Laptop Dancing.... 2007-03-19 21:20:00 Laptop Dancing
and the Nanny Goat Mambo by Tom Humphries“ABSOLUTE truth,” said Hunter S Thompson, “is a very rare and dangerous commodity in the context of professional journalism.” Tom Humphries hunts for this virtue amongst a maze of media frenzies, teenage millionaires and fellow dissilusioned hacks. Welcome to the life of a sportswriter.Humphries, a journalist for the Irish Times, complains frequently about his bad timing. “Day after day of never being in the right place.” However, Humphries times this book like a fairway-bound drive from his hero Padraig Harrington. Within twelve months, he reports on the Ryder Cup, Winter Olympics, All Ireland Finals, New York Marathon, Champions League Final and World Matchplay Golf in California.Oh, and the World Cup. Humphries spends seven eventful weeks in Japan and South Korea, reporting on The Republic of Ireland’s campaign and contributing to the biggest football story of the year. An interview with Roy Keane for his paper is Read more:Laptop
Gig Review - The Twang 2007-03-19 21:18:00 The Twang Engine Rooms, BrightonSunday 11th March 2007Stepping into Engine Rooms is like being transported to another era. Where are all the women? It’s a gentlemen only club, except the men are all drinking Stella and there isn’t a cigar in sight.There’s more band members than girls watching them. The simple explanation is The Twang’s music targets blokes like The Angling Times targets anglers. It’s loud, brash and uncomplicated. But is it any good?Saying the band draw heavily on their influences is understatement. Either Way recalls The Stone Roses without the melodic grace, while singer Phil Etheridge stalks the stage doing his best Shaun Ryder impression. The Happy Mondays imagery is completed by the presence of a Bez figure.However, Martin Saunders doesn’t have Bez’s comic gift, instead resembling a clapping seal. The only explanation for Saunders membership in the band is friendship; th
Pointless Football Friendlies 2007-03-19 21:16:00 England International Football
Friendlies – What Is The Point Of Them?“Pavarotti is not judged by how he sings in the shower.” Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard makes the point that people shouldn’t be evaluated unless they are giving it their all. This clearly doesn’t happen in international friendlies.The ever decreasing relevance of international friendlies has been illustrated by the FA’s decision to reduce their schedule of friendly matches from 20 to 18 over the four-year period from 2008. England Assistant-Coach Terry Venables believes this is a positive step. “You end up concentrating on a match that isn’t important rather than one that is.”A recent example of this is England’s 1-0 defeat by Spain. “As much as we needed to prepare for our qualifier against Israel we had to ensure we did not leave ourselves too open to a beating by Spain.” The weight of expectation for England to win every game they play means that room for experimentation is small; results Read more:Pointless
Book Review - The Secret Life of Tony Cascarino 2007-03-19 21:12:00 “The sportswriter from Dublin had arrived to paint his shiny, happy portrait of a perfectly balanced life.” (1) But Paul Kimmage didn’t find what he expected. The result is Tony Cascarino’s autobiography. Cascarino manages to reminisce past glories and failures, though the football pitch isn’t always the setting. By letting readers into his head, Cascarino recreates the image of footballers as men, not stars. Vast amounts of money and leisurely lifestyles don’t stop footballers like Cascarino suffering and failing like everyone else. In fact, as Cascarino explains with such brutal honesty, it often means the opposite.The book strives to move away from the usual formulated style of football autobiographies and give an account of Cascarino’s life, not a sugar-coated version of his career. He’s “not interested in talking about games I’ve played or wankers I’ve met in dressing rooms.” (1) At the end of his career with nothing to lose, he paints a self-portrait of a
Film Review - The Hurricane 2007-03-19 21:09:00 Review of ‘The Hurricane’“Here comes the story of The Hurricane,The man the authorities came to blameFor somethin’ that he never done.Put in a prison cell, but one time he could-a been The champion of the world.” (4) Bob DylanThe Hurricane is a film that dramatically unravels sport’s role in the wider contexts of politics and the human spirit. Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter, a promising boxer with a troubled past, falls victim to political and racial prejudice. After a night out, he finds himself framed for a triple homicide and facing life in jail. As the film progresses, the portrayal of Carter’s fights is surpassed by the greater fight for freedom. However, the primal fighting instincts of a boxer are central to his resistance and eventual conquering of all restraints. “Knocked down….never knocked out.” (1) The role of boxing in the film is vital, despite only three b Read more:Film Review
Gig Review - Prinzhorn Dance School 2007-03-19 21:08:00 Prinzhorn DanceSchool
Funktion Rooms, EastbourneTuesday 6th March 2007Sometimes a band can be so exciting they just inspire people to pick up an instrument and play. This band does exactly that, but only because you know you couldn’t possibly be any worse than the noise heard tonight.Battling rain and street cleaners to make it through Eastbourne’s town centre, an upbeat mood encircles the 100-plus people inside Funktion Rooms. Hey, it’s Tuesday night, a fair few people have turned up and the DJ’s spinning The Strokes. What’s more, cutting edge New York label DFA’s newest signings are playing live.DFA have released danceable rock by the likes of The Rapture, Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem, operating with a small collection of bands equally inspiring and innovative. Now they’ve signed Prinzhorn Dance School. Why they have done so is as incomprehensible as the reasons a bloke at the bar is dressed as a ballerina.Pri
Michael Johnson - The Greatest Sportsperson Ever 2007-03-19 21:06:00 MICHAEL Johnson
sums up everything a sporting hero should be. A record-breaker. A role model. A revolutionary. He achieved extraordinary feats in a ground-breaking way. Nobody ran 200 metres and 400m; Johnson was ranked number one in the world at both distances four times. Johnson won Gold at both events in the same Olympics.The man in the golden shoes also won an incredible nine World Championship Gold medals, the most in history. At Seville 1999, he broke the 400m World Record. At Gothenburg 1995, he won nine races in nine days to win Gold at 200m, 400m and 4 x 400m relay. Winning 58 consecutive 400m Finals over eight years confirmed his domination.His unique running style captured the imagination of the world. “He runs like a statue” said coach Clyde Hart. With upright back and high knees, Johnson was nicknamed ‘The Duck.’ Five Olympic Gold medals later, the nickname had changed to ‘Superman’, such was his invincibility.When questioned about his innovative method, Johnso Read more:Michael
, Greatest
Gig Review - The Killers 2007-03-19 21:05:00 Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Killers
Brighton Centre, BrightonSaturday 3rd March 2007Sam’s Town rolls into Brighton, a juggernaut of glitter and glam. This isn’t a gig, it’s a concert; a carnival of showbiz fresh from the Las Vegas strip the band calls home.Entering the usually uninspiring vacuum of the Brighton Centre eyes are drawn to a theatrical stage setup, complete with a dazzling logo just in case anybody wandered in oblivious to who was playing. This is unlikely – tickets were changing hands for £280 outside.Black Rebel Motorcycle Club provides support, seeming out of place in this spectacle. Launching into Spread Your Love, they combine the vitality of Kasabian with a soulful groove. There’s an affecting urgency to their music as Punk Song’s arresting bass line stirs the attention of a thousand apathetic people.Debuting numerous new songs is astute. Few audience members seem to know any of the material so true reflections of the son
Anything Ricky Can Do... 2007-03-19 21:01:00 Amateur boxing bouts at Audience With Ricky
Hatton, Eastbourne Winter Gardens, 17/02/07Body-blowing Buchannon puts on a show for his hero HattonHastings Westhill’s Barry Buchannon stole the show in Eastbourne at the top of an entertaining bill. With Ricky Hatton as well as undefeated IBF World Light Welterweight Champion Terry Marsh in attendance, the local fighters were determined to put on a show.Buchannon fought Guildford City’s Stacey Ayers in an explosive 4 x 2 bout. The window cleaner stopped his opponent in the second round after a barrage of body-blows knocked Ayers down for an eight-count. Buchannon’s relentless all-action assault allowed no respite for Ayers, whose corner threw in the towel.“That was the biggest buzz of my boxing career, fighting in front of Hatton;” said Buchannon. “I look up to him, especially for his body-blowing style.”Earlier, Jimmy Davis defeated Moulescoomb ABC’s Jason Harman in a fiercely contested fight. Both boxers began in conservat
Hitman Hatton Comes To Town 2007-03-19 20:58:00 Ricky Hatton climbed under the ropes, the crowd erupted, anticipation reached fever pitch. But something wasn’t right quite right.Introduced as “Britain’s fifth ugliest sportsman” rather than his usual ‘Hitman
’ moniker, Britain’s most exciting boxer was in the seaside town of Eastbourne instead of the glitz of Las Vegas. Hatton was wearing a suit and shoes, not shorts and gloves. Finally, the man himself explained the key difference: “It’s nice to be stood in a ring without somebody trying to punch you in the face!”No, Hatton wasn’t boxing tonight. Instead there was a seven-fight bill of amateur bouts, with Hatton and fellow undefeated Light-Welterweight World Champion Terry Marsh watching on intently.The pick of these three-round contests was a punishing battle between Stacey Ayers and Barry Buchannon. Ayers’ considered approach contrasted with Buchannon’s all-action style, with the latter emerging victorious in the second round after a barrage of body-blows
Gig Review - The Rakes 2007-03-19 20:56:00 The Rakes
Audio, Brighton05/02/07There’s a peculiar sensation down by the sea tonight. Seeking solace from a miserably wet Monday, those in the know gather in the wondrous underground cavern that is Audio. This is a specially arranged gig to see a band that is rather specially arranged itself.The excitement brewing inside is partially extinguished by a drab support band. The Social’s moody, melancholic sound borrows heavily from Joy Division; their singer looks like an outside bet in a Morrissey look-alike competition and sounds as awful as said fictional contest. The queue for the bar swells somewhat.By 9.30 though, London’s finest architects of spiky, surprisingly clever post-punk amble onto the stage. The World Was A Mess But His Hair Was Perfect opens both the set and new album ‘Ten New Messages’ with a nervy surging quality that manages to sound simultaneously serious and inane.New single W
The Raveonettes Live 2007-11-19 05:38:00 The RaveonettesBrighton BarflyThursday 15th November 2007“I used to live in Brighton,” says The Raveonettes’ Sune Rose Wagner, with a wry smile to some friends in the crowd. Maybe this is how a rock gig in a raw little venue has appropriated this homely, wholesome feel. The band play nostalgic music with an ear to the future, garage rock with an eye on ‘50s pop; there’s something for everyone to enjoy – and everyone seems to.As Sune saunters onstage, he appears distant but at ease. Fellow singer/guitarist Sharin Foo glides into view looking equally comfortable; a radiant muse for Sune’s understated persona. They plough into new material with little introduction. ‘Blush’ stands out as a showcase for sun-soaked guitars and simple rhythms. The duo is joined by a drummer who provides a platform for their gentle two-pronged guitar combination.Old favourite ‘Love In A Trashcan’ allows those whose tapping feet desire more strenuous movement to scratch their itch. The mor
XFM Big Night Out - Maximo Park & The Maccabees Live 2007-11-17 10:06:00 Maximo Park’s second album was rubbish. The Maccabees have been plodding out the same set for the last two years. The chances of this night out being as big as its name suggests are slim. The possibility of everyone staying in the pub to watch the rugby is high. So how was this gig so bloody good?Regretfully, Pete and the Pirates are sacrificed in favour of Jonny Wilkinson and “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”, meaning Gigwise is left with a mad dash to catch The Maccabees. They are already onstage as throngs of patriotic gig-goers bustle into the Academy. With the excitement of greetings and jubilation of English victories, the band struggle to press their authority over the hubbub. ‘Toothpaste Kisses’ is lost beneath its own daintiness and the boisterous crowd’s inattentiveness.Their set needs something to trigger a turnaround. This duly arrives with ‘Latchmere.’ The childish purity of its refrain echoes around with gleeful contagiousness. There’s a gripping nonchalance to Read more:Night
, Maximo
, Maximo Park
Jack Penate - Live Review 2007-11-17 09:51:00 Jack Penate The Old Market, HoveSunday 7th OctoberWith his debut album’s release only hours away, Jack Penate looks nervous as he meanders onstage hid beneath a hoodie. Soon though, fuelled by the screams of an adoring crowd, pure adrenaline releases the born performer inside him.His anxiety is shown when he races through ‘Spit at Stars’, often a centre-piece of his sets, to open the show. The tension, coupled with Jack’s own frenetic style, makes it seem over prematurely. Soon though, he is charming his way through anecdotes about “breaking in his new guitar” and throwing up last time he came to Brighton. Phew, he’s finally relaxing.This is clear as he rumbles into a tumultuous rendition of ‘Got My Favourite.’ It includes an extended intro that burns away the image of Penate as sensitive songwriter. The alteration of numerous tracks, while showing rapid musical progression, suggests he is tiring of them already. The readiness to rearrange and alter is as much for his
The Killers - Sawdust 2007-11-16 07:21:00 ‘Tis the season to be jolly – unless you’re a music reviewer. In a plentiful period, pickings are slim. While children look forward to presents, the music industry gives gifts of turgid greatest hits churned out with tedious inevitability. The Killers
haven’t sunk this low, disguising their cash cow as a B-Sides and rarities collection.The Las Vegas quartet’s albums are notorious for their lack of consistency. They mix bona fide pop classics with misplaced overindulgence on sub-Springsteen epics. Sawdust has a similar variety of quality. ‘Under The Gun’ is a pulsating cut of gleaming synths and vociferous drums. An Abbey Road recording of ‘Sam’s Town’ shines similarly, showcasing Brandon Flowers’ underrated vocal exuberance.Yet also present are versions of ‘Where The White Boys Dance’ and ‘Glamourous Indie Rock and Roll’. This record is going to appeal to existing fans, not attract new ones, so why include old album tracks as familiar as Brandon’s bristl
UK Flavours Press Release 2007-11-24 10:58:00 UK Flavours Festival – British-Russian festival of new cultureThe territory of the Peter and Paul Fortress, Saint-PetersburgA new type of festival set in the Russian heartland of Saint-Petersburg is set to promote multiculturalism through music this summer. Lily Allen tops the impressively varied mix of acts, with Dub Pistols featuring The Specials’ Terry Hall also on the line-up.UK Flavours Festival, organised by The British Council, will celebrate the positivity of diversity in society. However, it doesn’t want to force-feed these values, preferring to allow an eclectic musical line-up to illustrate its message. The all-day festival will attract a wide range of people from Saint-Petersburg; its 4.7 million population includes over 50 different ethnicities.The line-up depicts the evolution of multicultural influence in British music. With reggae, ska, dub, bhangra and jungle all developing into fashionable music trends as the decades have passed, as a consequence they have integ Read more:Press
, Release
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