Southampton University’s Finest Entertainment Publication Issue 4 27th November 2008 Editorial

face it, are much better, have announced That’s Entertainment..... that they are not breaking up, despite Assorted nonsense from the world of film and music rumours to the contrary. Hooray! Head Editorial honcho James Murphy told the NME that Good news Beatles fetishists! Popular di- hit a few notes, just wander around. So Hello there, you lovely readers.... a new is on the way, stating that he vorcee and musician Paul McCartney, has that’s what we did and then put a bit of an already had demoed some songs “in my confirmed that an experimental echo on it. It’s very free.” Tis the season to be jolly and so we have head”. Beatles track thought to be some rather good Christmas features to myth does, in fact, exist. The Chris Martin has announced that Coldplay get you in the mood. There’s a picture of Pretentiously named bigshot director fourteen minute long are likely to split up at the end of next Father Christmas and everything! On the McG has promised that the new termina- ‘Carnival of Light’, year. Speaking, to the Daily Express, Interviews front, we’ve a knockout trio of tor movie will ‘reinvigorate the franchise’. which was re- corded he stated that “I’m 31 now and I , Mystery Jets and crazy Danes Speaking at a conference in , he for an don’t think that bands should keep Alphabeat. We also have an assortment promised that ‘Terminator Salvation’ will festival back in 1967, going past 33”. Eagle eyed readers from the world of cheese, with record ‘push the envelope’ with ground-breaking but was never re- will remember this very column reviews of Girls Aloud, The Saturdays, and special effects. A five minute trailer leased because the covered the four piece’s plans Tom Jones (don’t worry, there are some shown to assorted media types in London other three of the fab to record a track with Jay-Z conventional reviews in there too). Our yesterday reportedly featured the usual four thought it was ‘too only a few short months live section is an amazing recollection of action packed array of gunfights, car chas- adventurous’. Cowards. back – maybe a desper- outstanding performances from Oasis, The es, stunts and explosions. Batman hunk McCartney described ate stab at reinvention? Killers, and many more. Film offers you the Christian Bale takes the lead role as John the recording pro- The singer added that in likes of Bond right through to a superhero Connor, leader of the resistance against cess like so: “I said their remaining time left turned attorney at law, and, of course, if the Cyborg army, with unconfirmed all I want you to the band were “trying to after all that you still want to see local live reports circling claiming that Arnold do is just wander pack in as much as possible. music, you can find out what’s on in the Schwarzenegger would make a cameo around all the stuff, Until the end of next year, Gig Guide on the back page. appearance. Whether or not this will lead bang it, shout, play it, we’re just going to go for into a second trilogy is unclear, but the it doesn’t need to make it in every sense. In other We also have a brand new TV section, most telling (and depressing) feature of any sense. Hit a drum then splitting-up related news, over there in the TV (clever, huh?), and a the story is that the series is referred to as wander on to the piano, LCD Soundsystem, who, let’s comedy section which caught up with a ‘franchise’… the Mighty Boosh on tour. If you’ve ever needed an excuse to not do any work today, then The Edge is it. So sit back, put on some Christmas tunes and enjoy what TV Peanuts is definately ‘ University’s Episode 1: An Auspicious Beginning Finest Entertainment Publication’. How unfortunate that I begin this column just a few weeks after one of the biggest news stories in history. An event that few would have predicted possible, with global implications Until next time, for the next four years or more, the people made their choice and the establishment listened. That’s right, Jonathan Ross has been suspended. The crown prince of light entertainment The Edge Team (that makes Graham Norton the Queen I think) has been unceremoniously tipped out of his Editors: Pete Benwell and Hannah throne for 12 weeks, placed on the BBC’s naughty step and told to think about what he’s done. Calcutt Record Editor: Tom Shepherd While Russell Brand will no doubt flourish from his resignation, Ross may find it Live Editor: Rik Sharma hard to regain his stature. His Friday Night show has been replaced with new episodes Features Editor: Holly Hooper of Live at the Apollo, a show which is actually deliberately funny. Ross has been one Film Editor: Dean Read of faces of the BBC for a few years now and seems to be starting to fill the gap Terry Wogan will eventually leave, however his jobs (apart from Film 2008) rely on him being a trusted household name, remove the popularity and his career seems far more unstable. With: Tim Lemon, Amy Cazneaux, Nick Brown, Morgan Taylor, Jack Harding, Will Virgin Media and Sky end their dispute out of court. Expect Sky 1 back on Virgin soon. Yay! Roszyzck, Gemma Price, Martin Foot, Simpsons repeats! Bad news for Virgin Media employees however as 2200 jobs are to be cut Danielle Richardson, Marianne Ward, Sam by 2012. Hampsher-Monk, Richard Thynne, Rachel Millar, Chris Hooton, Hayley Taulbut, Viveka Heroes creator Tim Kring is reported to be bringing back Series 1 Producer Bryan Owen, Alexander Payne, Rachel Gregory, Fuller in an aim to reverse the frankly startling damage the two subsequent series have Emmeline Curtis, Kate Fletcher, Ella Smith, caused. Fuller was responsible for much of Claire’s story so expect more cheerleading! Sophie Etheridge, Kate Golding, Jemma Davies, James Miller, Dan Morgan, Conor 24: Redemption, a TV Movie bridging the sixth and seventh seasons will be shown on Sky McGlone, Jazmin Sherman, Alex Smith, 1 soon. Jack Bauer goes to Africa and has an entirely uneventful time there. Or does he?? Abby Thomas, Will Hayes, Kat Bawmwang and Cedric Letsch. Britannia High is crap and no-one is watching. By Nick Brown

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No, really. Comedy

The Mighty Boosh Portsmouth Guidhall, 10th November

Come with me now on a journey through futuristic ship, stage right, enter Howard guest appearances and songs from some half Howard introduces his new play, time and space... and the Portsmouth Moon, wearing a village people style sailors of the other characters-the highlight of a post apocalyptic look at Earth in the Guildhall. It seems an odd setting to suit, with a crappy blow up dingy around his which for me is the crack fox’s appearance- future, which is ruined by Vince, who has witness the Mighty Boosh’s latest foray into waist and both break immediately into song, and an interactive dance lesson from his own ideas of the future, a prog rock theatre; it’s perhaps more suited to holding ‘Future sailors’. You can tell the characters Bob Fossil, as we all learn to ‘lick the lips, apocalypse with an especially stylish James Morrison (or some other run of the haven’t changed a bit, after their grand then rub the nips’. The first half ends with mutant race inhabiting the world. For mill act), rather than have a full frontal entrance Vince and Howard go into their a bang as the hitcher returns, with a the encore the whole crew take to the attack of psychedelic comedy streamed characteristic start of show conversation particularly massive performance of ‘eels’. stage as zombie grannies, like a night straight from another dimension, although in front of the curtains, their comedic out in a Blackpool Mecca bingo hall and I doubt anywhere in the world is suitably sharpness obviously hasn’t diminished As the Boosh returns for the second prove their niche as the only real rock equipped to really handle the ‘n’ roll stars of comedy, by rocketing vastness and immensity of the through some of their most loved songs, Mighty Boosh. For those not culminating in ‘Charlie’. Stand back in the know, the Mighty Boosh Gallagher brothers, these lads really are consists of electro fop Vince Noir rock ’n’ roll stars. At two and a half hours and jazz nerd Howard Moon, the show isn’t short either, and provides two best friends, who-in the TV for the best night out I’ve had in ages. series- currently live in a vintage store in Shoreditch along with Seeing the Mighty Boosh is an Naboo the shaman and Bollo, experience that everyone should have, Naboos gorilla helper. All the a surreal trip through time and space. characters are here tonight, Buying a ticket not only entitles you to including Tony Harrison, who is an evening of immense entertainment basically a pair of breasts with a but it’s also a first class ticket to another face and tentacles, the hitcher, dimension, via the psychedelic electro a green cockney with a polo for nebular, and around the Camden an eye (who’s partial to sexually galaxy. Like Monty Python in the 60’s assaulting marine mammals), and the Young Ones in the 80’s, these the crack fox and, of course, the guys are breaking the parameters of frankly brilliant Bob Fossil. For comedy itself. They’ve thrown out the those unfamiliar with the ins rule book of the simple sketch show or and outs of the Boosh I’m afraid sitcom and somehow stumbled upon you’ll have to research deeper the phenomenon that is ‘The Mighty for yourself (and I recommend Boosh’. Punk’s not dead; oddly, it’s simply you do) as it would take all day reincarnated in a 35 year old he-she to truly explain the wonder and electro fop and an ageing ‘jazz Dalek’. magic within the Zooniverse. By Morgan Taylor This last year has seen the Boosh explode into the big time; from a small scale BBC3 comedy into a bona fide business empire, with their one bit, even after the 50 something very own festival, book and an apparent nights they’ve already done on this huge movie in the woodworks. Noel Fielding and UK tour. Even incessant interruptions Julian Barrett (who play Vince and Howard) from idiot hecklers don’t put them off, as are officially celebrities now, with everyone Noel (or rather Vince) simply humiliates from teen girls to middle aged men the deluded person shouting from the following the Boosh empires rise to global balcony, and the crowd give a cheer of hate. domination. With this newly found stardom, and with the popularity of their last live show, This tour is bigger than ever, with their the boys have got a task ahead, in keeping very own live band backing them up on the bar high, but tonight they certainly most of the songs adding a new power don’t disappoint, as after only 2 hours and rock ‘n rollness to their comedy. What they have Portsmouth eating out of their with the props (that include a man size hands, with most people, men included, hairdryer, revolving centre stairs and the swooning over Noel, who’s quite literally ‘alabaster retard’ moon), the many costume the coolest person ever, and so to the show. changes (at least six for Vince), the high A short introduction from Joey Moose, production values and new live aspect, the crowd goes wild, enter stage left their show is colossal. Unlike the last tour Vince Noir, in a gold sequined sailors the majority of this show is a mixture of top, standing at the helm of a massive double act stand up from Noel and Julian, Features

Before their gig at Garden Court, Hannah Calcutt and Emmeline Curtis caught up with one half of the Danish sextet Alphabeat: Anders SG (vocals), Anders R (guitar), and Troels (drums), finding out what makes for an uncomfortable party, the worst moment of their UK tour so far, and why the Spice Girls just don’t excite them enough...

make it in the Uk, and how do you think The offer was nothng exciting, and was collaborate with? you have been received here? not in our plans. We also didn’t want to be known as ‘that band that supported the Anders R: Eminem How did you come up with your name? Spice Girls’. Anders SG: We have been well received. Anders SG: Kelly Rowland said she would Anders SG: We had a lot of names we were We signed to Virgin last year and we like to work with us, and that would be thinking of. Because of our Danish label thought it better to move over here than fun. we wanted to have ‘the name’ that we say in Denmark and watch from there. We What would you be doing if you were not Troels: Now it would be realistic, and if the would be known for for years to come. We were really keen on going and touring with Alphabeat? idea was good then we would love to. always thought there was something cool and being present over here. We played Anders SG: You know, if Prince, Madonna, about the alphabet, and we fiddled about some really shit venues, but it was a great Justin Timberlake called, we wouldn’t say Troels: This has been our lives for a long no! with the letters a bit, till Anders R came up opportunity; we found the small tour was time, so it’s hard to say - we have given with ‘Alphabeat’. We all love it. paying off, and what had been a crowd of 100% over 2 years. Before we all had jobs, 30 was now 70 to 100. Fascination was a but were gigging at night. big hit, and we have had two top 20 sin- Anders R: I would start my own cafe. What are the best freebies you have got- gles. We live here, and feel a big difference Anders SG: I would go and work in it. ten since becoming famous? Any tour anecdotes so far? compared to when we go to Germany and Troels: We could do kareoke! France. We have been embraced much Anders: I would make music in some way, Anders SG: I had an embarrassing stunt more here. Anders SG: Not as much as you would at Shepherds Bush Empire in London. We producing or something like that, it would think. We have had a couple if ipods. I were playing for 2 nights there, and on definately be something creative. tend to give these things away though. the second I jumped on top of a moniter Like free clothes, I don’t tend to wear and it fell, and the crowd gasped. You were asked to support the Spice Girls, them. If I buy something then I think a lot Troels: There was no music behind either, but turned it down. Was that a hard deci- What are the best and worst things about more of it. so it was just silence apart from the crowd, sion for you? your job? Troels: You don’t appreciate the free all looking in shock. things as much. Anders SG: It’s ok though, I survived and it looked cool. Anders SG: Not really. We had done loads Anders SG: The best is being able to do of gigs in Denmark at that time, in big what you always wanted to every night. stadiums. We were a bit bored of Den- We always wanted to play music to big Who designed your artwork? mark and had got the chance to come to crowds. It is a strange opportunity, being Is it hard for European bands trying to the UK, even if it was just to do small gigs. paid for what you would do as a hobby. Anders SG: A guy called Ben Eines. When The worst is that on tour you are never we first came to East London, he had 100% well. done all these letters in shop windows, Photo by Cedric Letsch Anders R: We have all had a cold on this and with our name we thought it would tour, and injurys on various body parts. be fun to use. So we went around with our Troels: But it is doing the gigs that causes manager taking pictures, and he agreed the injuries, so you don’t really notice. It’s to let us use them. doing what you love. Troels: We gave him some red wine I think! Anders SG: It just fit well with everthing.

What are your musical influences? Some actors have a hard time watching Anders SG: For this record we were in- themselves on screen, do you have a fluenced in a way by the 80s and people similar problem with your music videos or such as Madonna and Bowie, but we are not influenced by anything specific. album? Anders R: Our and guitarist, Anders B, was inspired by a small period Troels: I never listen to the album. I think of time, but on the next record we will it’s part of our Danish humbleness, you focus on something new, something know, not to put ourselves on top of the relevant. world. I don’t put the record on and go ‘wow, listen to this, isn’t it amzing!’ Anders R: If it comes on at a party you kind of want to just disappear and go to You have had a few comparisons to ABBA. the toilet or something. If it’s a private How do you feel about this? party people sometimes do - they do it to be sweet, but it’s very uncomfortable. Troels: I think that came about after an NME guy saw us live and made a com- ment that we were the best thing to come Finally, is there any question you have out of Scandinavia since ABBA. never been asked, but would like to an- Anders R: It’s an honour, but we aren’t re- ally like them. swer now? Troels: ABBA did lots of good things, they were not just some cheesy pop act. Anders SG: Oh, good question....I don’t They are songs that are still listened to think so. today and still good, they kind of had the Troels: What’s your favourite scary film? Beatles effect where 30 years later you can Anders R: ‘What Lies Beneath’. still play them and not think that they are Troels: That’s a good one, it’s really scary, old. because you never actually know what lies beneath.

Is there anyone you would really like to Features

The first song of yours that I Mystery Jets talk vomit blocked toilets, Tracker bars..... heard was ‘Can’t Fool Me Dennis’, Is there a Dennis and how did he fool you? and a little about music with Tim Lemon and Hannah Calcutt William: Henry, Can’t fool me Dennis, did he try and fool you? Henry: Em no. William: I think Dennis was fooling himself. William: Really, when you type in Henry: He was a guy who died young, Where does your name come Mystery Jets. Can anyone change William: Can I ask you something; your and it’s a song about living your life, and from? your Wikipedia. So anyone can piece of paper says Wessex Scene, he actually said, do anything you want as write the biggest load of nonsense.. what is Wessex? Is it West Essex? long as it makes sense. William: We formed the band when we were quite young, about 6 or 7. It still But they moderate it... No, it’s a region in England. Do you have any exciting tour does mean something but it’s become a anecdotes you’d like to share bit more vague. Originally it was Misery Blaine: Checked by the powers that be. William: Oh, it should be West Essex. with us? Jets but we changed it to Mystery Jets. William: Checked by the wicker man, I’d like to be a wicker man some day. In your song ‘Young Love’ you William: We get asked this a lot and my mind For anyone who’s not heard worked with Laura Marling, how always goes blank. Everyday something your music before, how would So have you always wanted to did that come about? chaotic happens because being in a band you describe it? be in a band, or did you want to be that kind of thing happens. anything else like an Astronaut William: It was really simple actually, we Kai: Our toilet got blocked and Trigger William: Poppy. We’re a pop band, or Bee Keeper? spent an afternoon at our producer Eril’s (tour manager) put his hand down there. but I think at the same time we like house and she came in and sang her part in William: You’re joking Trigger put his hand to incorporate quite far out ideas. William: Maybe we still don’t 2 or 3 takes. It was all over in a few minutes. down there, he pulled it all out, but it was Blaine: Yeah, I think pop is a good want to be in a band only liquid wasn’t it? word, although pop encompasses Blaine: I’m quite happy What are you going to Kai: There was sick and red wine lots of things. I mean we don’t for the time being do on stage tonight for William: When did that happen? sound anything like Girl’s Aloud. William: We’ll do it for her part in the song? Kai: It was the two Daises, we had these William: But talking heads were a pop band another six months. two Daises, two girls from Twickenham Blaine: I think the fun thing is to try Blaine: Apparently there called Daisy, and they became instant and see what you can get away with. Then prime was a competition organised Henry groupies because of their postcode. William: Someone described as a minister after where everyone sent in Blaine: ‘Laughs’ futuristic soul band, and I really like that. that? videos of singing Laura William: I don’t remember them. Marling’s vocal Kai: I went to the toilet, it was a combination You’ve sold out across the W i l l i a m : part, but we didn’t of blood red wine, I tried to flush it and it all country with this tour, that must President of know about it. got wedged. be a real power trip for you? the United But we only *Groans from the room* States. No, I found out about Kai: I go “Trigger we’ve got a problem with William: Oh yeah, a massive power trip, think we love it. it a few days our toilet”, he goes “oh fucking hell”, he gets I’ve got power suits waiting for me Blaine: I think before the tour a bin bag, and in one swoop he throws it back in London, big shoulder pads. I’m when it gets so there were a outside, and Nick the driver is freaking out gonna start ordering people about. boring you lot of unhappy and he says don’t worry Nick it’s sorted. change your Laura Marling I’ve heard that you’re famous name, or look-alikes in Do you have anything for the for trashing your dressing room go off on a the crowd. next album yet? and leaving an epic mess, any solo career. William: We plans for this one? didn’t know William: We’ve got a few songs but I don’t Do you about it so it think we’ve really grasped what the album Blaine: This happened once. We did a get many couldn’t really is or what it’s going to be or what the university gig and there’s no way we can freebies? happen. artwork’s going to be. It’s way too early. I make excuses, it was completely uncalled don’t think it’s exciting going into a project for. William: Yeah knowing what the outcome is going to be, William: I would just like to say that I was we get Tracker you go into it not knowing, that’s why you not involved, it was Blaine and Kai, they Bars, and bags do it. I think that’s why you write things, both had a little bit too much, you know, of grapes. you create things, ’cause you don’t really Coca Cola, too much in the blood sugar know what’s going to happen. It could and got over excited and started twating be woeful or amazing, I think it’s that risk each other with sandwiches. that’s exciting. Blaine: We did get charged like £300. William: Quite right. Blaine: It’s quite funny ’cause that story has obviously gotten online somewhere. Well, it’s Wikipedia famous! Records Girls Aloud - Out of Control

By Amy Cazneaux girl’s girly and romantic sides with a a definite listen. ‘Revolution In The ‘Live in the country’ on the other slight 60’s/70’s twist and although hadn’t Head’ is another likely release with hand is purely annoying, for some Out of control is the fifth album from had much radio play before it flew in at its impertinent style vocals. reason the girls decided to collaborate the girls and is compiled of an eclectic number 1, Cheryl’s certainly marketed ‘Untouchable’ is a mammoth track for the drum and bass with a farmyard animal mix, taking influence from many of the the song. This is unquestionably girls, reaching nearly seven minutes long, sound effects machine which obviously best decades of music and although this the best four minutes of the album. it’s alright, but it would be interesting doesn’t have number one written on it, fails to be their best album, it still offers ‘The Loving Kind’ was co-written by watching them attempt to sing it live. however there is definitely something an incredible collection of amazing tracks the and has a definite 80’s One of the best songs on the album is about it that makes it sarcastically British. that will get stuck in your head for days on feel. It offers a much tamer, feminine feel definitely ‘Miss You Bow Wow’; disregarding Overall, I’m not sure I could call this end. When first listening to this album I was compared to some of the more upbeat the title this song is actually pretty good the best album of their career, but when initially shocked to find a soppy, ballad free songs on the album. It’s highly probable and is definitely a future release. It has some they’ve had so many great collection of upbeat fun songs exhibiting that this will be released in the next few fantastic lyrics, in particular, “I remember previously, it’s hard to compete with the the girl’s well-publicised fun sides. months so we all have that to look forward living the dream…Twenty minutes in a benchmark they’ve set themselves. It Whilst this album suffers from to. ‘Turn to stone’ again has an 80’s element, hotel bar… Then I slip into your girlfriend’s contains some amazing catchy hooks a level of overproduction, it’s an but is not the best song on the album, jeans”, complimenting their scrumptiously demonstrating pop at it’s finest. I even improvement on their previous albums. probably put there by the record company sluttish style and feisty attitudes believe that this album could convert a ‘The Promise’ is their to fill a spare five minutes. ‘Fix me up’ (especially in Sarah Harding’s case). non-girls aloud fan (if they exist.) first release and offers up some seductively saucy lyrics incorporates the making it 8/10

Max Tundra - Parallax Error Beheads You By Alexander Payne The lead single from the album is the throw back, all mixed in with experimental Mario Brothers’ or ‘The Sims’, maybe he slightly dubiously titled ‘Will Get Fooled electronic jazz. However, some parts of should re-name himself Mario Tetris. Six years in the making and the English Again’, maybe a humbled reference to the album do seem work. No matter how Overall, the album does push the multi-instrumental musician, singer and The Who for some reason. Nevertheless, insane the arrangements are it sounds barriers of electronic music into bizarre, producer, Max Tundra, is back with his third the intro does sound good with guitars good together. I find it’s an album of two yet interesting territory, but that is album Parallax Error Beheads You. For those and keyboards, backed by a drum ‘n’ bass halves: one half you will like but then its only appeal. This is not the type of of you that haven’t heard of Max Tundra, style rhythm similar to what could be the other half will just be confusing and music to relax to as it’s too experimental he is very much involved in experimental found on a Pendulum song, but then the bewildering; even in the songs themselves. at times and feels disillusioned. Max electronic music using anything he can vocals enter and it spoils it with a strange The down side to the album is that it Tundra is currently supporting get his hands on basically. I would like rapping style trying to comment on the does sound like some guy has just sat on a UK tour and has already played at to compare him to an artist, but frankly I youth generations’ use of the internet by down at a laptop and played around with Southampton Guildhall. I look forward can’t. The range of styles and genres in his talking about myspace and e-bay. It does a music package. I’m not trying to take to his next album which hopefully will music are far too numerous to do so. That sound like one of those annoying myspace away any of the talent that lies within the be more settled than this record and said, it does make me feel like I should be bands that want to be your friend and album, but it feels over-produced and too hopefully his true talent will shine through. walking in downtown San Francisco in tries to be the soundtrack to your life. clean-cut and crisp, lacking feel. It is the the 80’s, holding a boom box to my ear, From here on in the whole album tends type of music that wouldn’t sound out 4/10 in a pink shell suit and playing this record. to skip between lounge music and an 80’s of place on a computer game like ‘Super wessex_ad.qxp 18/11/2008 16:40 Page 1

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www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/research Records Singles.. Big Strides - Super Custom Limited David Holmes - I Heard By Conor McGlone Although the music is pioneering it Swap’ is a more laid back piece which Wonders Big Strides, the ambitious trio from still draws on a wealth of influences with incorporates a horn section to great effect By Dan Morgan London will release their third album on The Red Hot Chili Peppers being the most – perhaps a device the band could have To all but the most ardent music November 17th. Though not a household obvious. Tunes like ‘Nothing’ and ‘Your implemented more throughout the album. followers out there, the name David name, the band is already recognised with Supposed Eyes’ are extremely reminiscent The three have a cool aurora surroun- Holmes is unlikely to ring many bells, performances at Glastonbury, Ronnie of ‘Blood Sugar Sex Magic’. Similar to The ding them, perhaps something to do with but the fact the Belfast-based ambient Scott’s and a tour in Japan. Notable Chili’s is the blend of funk and rock and their spontaneity, rawness and unpolished master remains almost anonymous belies exposure came from Jonathan Ross’ the vocal delivery, at times a talking rap presence. It must not go unmentioned the huge spread of his influence. Outside remark “I can’t decide if I love it or if it style. The Big Strides have created their that along with this package they are also clubs, TV ad campaigns and Hollywood upsets me!” Well one thing that is certainly own sound however and it is not simply talented musicians who all play interesting blockbusters regularly feature his work. clear is the originality of the outfit. The jazz, blues, rock or country and western solos and show an ability to slip between Given his success, and the guru-like lineup itself suggests a courageous but an imaginative fusion of them all. different genres with ease. One criticism status those in the know regard him with, uniqueness, featuring a double bass and Brilliant is ‘The Pretty One,’ which is might be that the front man Marcus his latest single, ‘I Heard Wonders’, is a a harmonica. Whilst unconventional, upbeat and clever - the fetching use of a O’Neil does not display the most powerful dull disappointment. After a promising most of the tracks are upbeat, funky and beat adding to the feel-good vibes which of voices. However the overall album is intro of swirling synth crescendos over a completely accessible. This is typified by radiate from this number. The climactic striking and a more conventional voice simple drum beat, the track becomes a the opener ‘No Lower Case Kisses’ where increase in pace fits well at the end and an may have gone against the intended tone. dark mire of ambient synth and simplistic simple riff driven grooves make it hard not underlying jazz influence is demonstrated Anyway, a certain Bob Dylan didn’t have the lyrics. Whilst initially effective, the drum- to nod your head and hum along. Some here with trading fills between the sweetest of voices and he has influenced a track quickly becomes repetitive and of the lyrics are indulgently abstract but instruments. Harmonica driven pop songs generation of musicians all over the world. uninspiring, only serving to highlight the still maintain a certain charm whilst others are uncommon today but as par brief, Big If you want a fresh and funky sound lack of substance to the background synth. are teasingly witty, take: ‘One thought of Strides make it seem perfect sense in the then look no further; this album should Outside of a busy club basement, it is you and I melt like a mars bar in a deep context of the single,‘Hen Night Limousine,’ deservedly raise the profile of the band difficult to see any appeal in this lacklustre fat fryer.’ Bet you didn’t think you would where hectic rhythms and growling bass to a new height – a big stride indeed. contribution. Nothing special here at all. be chirping along to lines like that! line add to the intensity of the tune. ‘Soul 8/10 3/10 Alphabeat - What is Razorlight - Slipway Fires Happening By Alex T. Smith By Hannah Calcutt There seemed to be great promise tortured sound of a genius, similar to really came together. This trend continues Some people have described for Razorlight's third album, Slipway the works of David Gray or Damien Rice. with their new album as the band’s success Alphabeat as mighty cheesy, but I Fires, seemed assured from their new The band have progressed leaps and has become solely reliant on how much think they’re mighty good. With strong single, ‘Wire to Wire’. Unfortunately bounds from their debut album, Up All Johnny Borrel is sounding like a solo artist vocals from both Anders Nielsen and it was met with mixed results. Night, in which their thrashy guitars and and Slipway Fires seem to show that battle Stine Bramsen, this song starts slow ‘Wire to Wire’, seems as though Johnny drums, successfully accompanied Johnny is being won but controlled. I think it may and combines guitar, drums, and some Borrell sat alone for a year, in a room lit Borrell's breaking voice in many of the be time for Johnny to spread his wings. strings to produce a rather nice pop only by the sun peering through cracks songs. Their second album, was a step 7/10 song. After the second chorus this track in boarded up windows, with his fingers in a different direction, the guitars and changes to a fast paced catchy beat at a piano and a crack pipe not too far drums became cleaner and Johnny's with short staccato strings and by the away, and in that dark state, forgot he was voice, more distinct. Fewer songs worked, end has become the dance inducing in a band, and wrote for himself, a solo but where it did, for instance, ‘America’, it music we all expect from Alphabeat. masterpiece. The angst in Johnny's voice This song is far from their past catchy and minimalism of the accompanying hits but Alphabeat are a bit like Marmite, instruments, is breathtakingly articulated. you will either love them or hate them. This sound, appears briefly and less 7/10 developed in their prior single America, Kanye West - Love the sound is one, of just one, Johnny Lockdown Borrell. Where that sound continues, By Jazmin Sherman good music will surely follow. Where that style changes grave errors are made. When Kanye West was first trying ‘You and the Rest’, can be summed up in to break into the industry he had a one word, McFly. And it is an awful sound, hard time getting signed to a record there is a real sense of over compensating, label because they told him he was as if the lack of a band influence in ‘Wire to not ‘hard’ enough for rap, but not ‘pop’ Wire’, led to a free-for-all for attention in ‘You enough to be mainstream. Today a and the Rest’. Unfortunately, the karaoke major part of his success is due to his doesn’t stop there. ‘North London Trash’, versatility. He transcends the markets; is The Zutons meets the Kaiser Chiefs, its he can be R&B, he can be hip-hop, he laughable lyrics are held together by a can be rap, and now, as proven by his god awful beat. Fans of their first album latest single “Love Lockdown”, he can will find solace in all the destruction in also be dance/pop. Driven by tribal ‘Monster Boots’ and ‘Burberry Blue Eyes’. sounding drums and accompanied by a The good times return with ‘60 Thompson’ simple piano riff, it is hard not to dance and ‘The House’, the perfect voice, with when you hear it, which brings me to perfected lyrics, comfortably supported the question, what can’t Kanye do? by a band, brings images to mind of the 8/10 Records Singles.. Bryn Christopher - My World Fat Freddy’s Drop - Pull The Catch By Kate Fletcher By Rachel Gregory New Zealand’s seven piece collective, Since -born Bryn’s first isn’t all great though. The first half of the on the album as it’s brilliantly upbeat. Fat Freddy’s Drop, have returned with an offering over the summer, he has album is fairly mediocre, broken up only The real treat for me though, ultra chilled out new single, ‘Pull The Catch’, emerged with an entire album this slightly by the catchy ‘Smilin’ and ‘The was the penultimate track, ‘My Kinda taken from their eagerly awaited second autumn. Branded by Radio One as the Quest’ – the two songs he’s best known Woman’. Sounding a little like some of studio album, ‘Big BW’. Their hybrid of dub/ male alternative to Amy Winehouse for, but on first listen I found little else The Police’s old stuff, and featuring the reggae, funk, hip-hop and jazz really shines when he emerged onto the mainstream on the album to get particularly excited apt line “You’re so unaware that I’m so though in this tune- mix it together with Joe scene a few months ago. He has a about. ‘Sour Times’ is a courageous cover aware of you”, it’s a beautifully written Dukie’s soulful and meaningful vocals and mesmerising, raw quality to his voice attempt but nowhere near as good as love song – not overly sentimental but a you’ve got yourself a winner right there! and there is a deliciously soulful vibe to the Portishead version. Many of the straightforward declaration of attraction. The catchy chorus is accompanied by a his songs. Winehouse selected him to be songs start off well, but become a bit All that’s missing is Bryan Adams’ gravelly thick texture of brass (Sax, trombone, trumpet one of her support acts on her 2007 tour of an anticlimax as they sound a little.. voice; I must confess that, while I liked and tuba), a funky baseline and a smooth and his first single, ‘The Quest’, which samey, but an album is rarely flawless. Bryn’s voice (similar in sound to Sting, melody that will stay in your head for days. was first released in 2008, featured The second half of the album does incidentally), I would have preferred The conscious lyrics are essentially a metaphor as the soundtrack behind the series get more interesting with every listen; more power for some of the livelier tracks. about mankind working together; “Come, pull finale of Grey’s Anatomy, meaning he’s it contains some genuinely good songs The album was a mixed bag - I the catch as one, food for everyone”, a poignant already started to break America. Kudos. which provide Bryn with the chance to would definitely consider it background message in today’s climate. All seriousness aside Inspired by the likes of Michael show off his voice’s full range. There is a music for my morning coffee, rather though, I totally and completely recommend Jackson, Otis Redding and more recently pleasing, ska vibe behind a few of the later than an album I’d play whilst getting this single and everything else these talented Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, you’d songs, teamed with what sounds a lot like ready for a night out, but it’s relaxing guys have done. You won’t be disappointed! expect this album to be packed with a kazoo playing in the intro of ‘Seconds and chilled. Over all I liked it a lot, and I 8/10 soul and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s full of Ago’ (I consider this a good thing). ‘The look forward to hearing more from Bryn. Darkehorse - Flat Screen pleasant songs with meaningful lyrics. It Way You Are’ is one of my favourite songs 6/10 Suicide By Ella Smith The debut single from Darkehorse, a Northern Jonas Brothers - Jonas Brothers 'Funk/Rock' band, is somewhat familiar with its By Emmeline Curtis guitar riffs. Likewise, their B-side track 'Jack's By Kate Golding ‘Australia’ is also slightly better than I enjoyed it, but would not go so far My Friend' at some points remind me distinctly The Jonas Brothers are a trio of the rest, with some good guitar riffs as to recommend this album to anyone; of Jet's 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl?', therefore, brothers who have been let loose on the which I couldn’t get out of my head, it has a few good songs on that had me they certainly fall into the 'Funk/Rock' category world with guitars and catchy tunes, who as long as you don’t listen to the lyrics. singing along after a while, but most and do so well, with impressive bass and guitar, have sold over a million records in the The best song on the album is ‘That’s of the songs just never live up to the however, this would be more impressive if it US, starred in their own Disney Channel Just the Way We Roll’, purely for the hype surrounding the boyband. The had more flair. The lyrics leave something to be movie, and are about to get their very own bizarreness of the lyrics. “I woke up on Jonas Brothers are similar to Busted desired, at one point being: 'Eye, Eye, Itchy, Eye Disney Channel show. They also have the the roof with my brothers/There’s a whale and McFly, but too squeaky-clean to Eye..' Personally, I prefer the two B-side tracks as winning smiles and wholesomeness that in the pool with my mother/And my really be interesting, and it gets slightly opposed to the actual single, rhythmically they sends teenage girls into crazed screaming dad paints the house different colours” irritating after a while. Parents will have are stronger and generally better produced. frenzies at the mere sight of them; they is just one example of the craziness no complaints, but you might if you I believe their self-definition as a 'British have everything going for them, and are they are trying to exhibit with this actually paid money for this album. unsigned masterpiece' may be a step too far, bound to be as big a hit with teenage song, which actually 4/10 although from the musical arrangements, girls over here as they are in America. works quite well. they certainly have talent, but lack originality. If you are looking for some good 4/10 music though, then you need to look - Elizabeth elsewhere. ‘When You Look Me in By Sophie Etheridge the Eyes’, ‘Still in Love With You’ and ‘Elizabeth’ is the debut single from Kid British. ‘Hello Beautiful’ are examples of what The band sounds like an eclectic mix is wrong with this album: they are far of , Outkast, Blur and the Gorillaz. too sugary-sweet and sickening to It’s hard to fight the feeling that the idea of listen to, and unless you are a teenage personifying money into a girl called Elizabeth girl madly in love for the first time, I has already been done (Mystery Jets – Half in doubt you will be able to make it Love with Elizabeth), but the catchy chorus through the whole song. They soon distracts from this. The lyrics contain some sound like any other love good puns, some slightly cringe worthy puns, song, with nothing and then a handful more puns, just in case you new about them. didn’t quite get the fact that ‘Elizabeth’ (the The album does singer’s girlfriend) “is only money”. Despite this, have a few catchy it’s the type of song that you don’t really need songs, such as ‘Hold to listen to the lyrics; a very fun song, with On’ and ‘S.O.S’ that noticeable ska influences, sure to bring a little make you want bit of summer into the impending dreary winter. to dance around Their catchy hooks, upbeat songs, your bedroom and wide appeal makes Kid British yet when no one is another Manchester a band to look out for. looking, although 8/10 never admit to. Records Singles.. Dorp - Humans Being Dan Black - Yours By Abby Thomas By Will Hayes The band sound typically Indie, with on, including the paradox of the American Style is important, and Dan Black is I approached Dorp’s ‘Humans Being’ guitar-led songs, coupled with lashing Dream in ‘Extreme’, the music industry in undoubtedly about as chic as you can with scepticism as I discovered that what rhythms which drive the album and grab ‘NME’, and sex and relationships in ‘Boy/ get. He’s clean-cut, he’s well-dressed, I thought was a debut album from a the listener’s attention. While this is going Girl’. Dorp are clearly an observant band, and Perez Hilton love him; new band eager to make their mark on on, Dorp throw in the occasional hint of claiming on their website that if there he’s even covered Biggie’s ‘Hypntz’. It’s the music scene, actually turned out to techno through the use of synths and “was ever a time to use your musical undoubtedly all too easy to gush over be an unheard of band’s sixth album in decks, but always maintain a powerful voices to make a statement, it's now”, and Dan Black, and so tempting to compare twelve years. Expectations were low as . What’s very noticeable about ‘Humans Being ‘ is their mouthpiece for him to other fashionable electro-types I began to play the CD, but I was then ‘Humans Being’ is that it wastes no time these musical voices. ‘Humans Being’ is like Calvin Harris and Cut-Copy; but as a hit by the copious amounts of energy with any of the songs, helped by the fact undeniably a good album, but criticisms man who’s been on the music scene for a contained within the first track of ‘Cops that introductions really don’t float Dorp’s may arise when you get to the end of the while, Black deserves a little more credit and Robbers’ and I soon realised that musical boat. This means that the album album and feel that Dorp haven’t really than comparison. ‘Yours’, then, seems to Dorp’s twelve years of efforts to be heard stays interesting, as the songs simply don’t attempted to write any songs that sound have just about everything in the right had finally paid off . ‘Humans Being’ is hang around long enough to bore anyone. different to each other. Despite this, place: it has a funky bass line, a singalong their prize. This energy never takes a If the band’s exceptional sound isn’t ‘Humans Being’ is a highly recommended chorus, jarring and escalating electronics rest on the thirteen track album and enough, then a quick listen to the lyrics album to anyone who wants to hear the – God forbid, it even has handclaps, and can be heard and felt right through to reveals a whole collection of issues which familiar sounds of an indie band, observing is about the most jaunty break-up song the very last song, ‘I Got What You Need’. the band are eager to voice their opinion the modern world through their lyrics. you’ve ever heard. The hushed opening, echoed vocals and repeated verses may 7/10 seem textbook, but when they’re done The Saturdays - Chasing so well – and no doubt, every beat and shout is perfectly placed – it’s easy to By Emmeline Curtis ‘If This Is Love’, is another fun song. of the whole album. It is more heart-felt see why they’re such a safe bet. A track The Saturdays are the newest girl-band The title track, ‘Chasing Lights’ and honest than the other ballads, and like ‘Yours’ is so enjoyable it’s almost to hit our airwaves, and feature two ex-S never really gets going, and is a bit is the perfect song for this wintery time unnerving, and it tells you one important Club Juniors and an ex X-Factor entrant. of a disappointment. If the album is of year and a walk through the snow. thing about Dan Black: forget all this This immediately makes you want to named after one song then it should be One thing I did not like about this Parisian style and relentless modernity, dislike them, but their debut album is something special, but this is sadly not album was the last track - a Wideboys remix and what are you left with? That really, not all bad; it is full of catchy songs that the case. Ballads ‘Fall’ and ‘Vulnerable’ of ‘Up’. I have never understood the need he’s a whole lot of fun. ‘Yours’ is a make you want to get up and dance, and are also not quite up to the standard to put the same song on an album twice, colourful, playful and danceable release. melodies that will be stuck in your head, that the rest of the album reaches, and even if someone has played about with it a 8/10 maybe not for days, but at least a few hours. can be quickly skipped over unless you tiny bit. In my opinion it is an unnecessary Nick Harrison - The album contains a mix of fast- are really in the mood for heart-break. waste of a song, and simply fills space. Something Special paced tunes and slower ballads, but it is The R&B-esque song ‘Issues’ stands The girls do their own brand of electro- By Kat Bawmwang the up-tempo numbers that the girls do out and shows off the girl’s voices well, pop with attitude well, and add a The title of the song brings into best. ‘Up’, ‘Lies’ and ’Work’ are perfect to although at times the background music little sparkly finish to it all. They don’t question whether or not Harrison’s newest sing along to with your friends. ‘Set Me doesn’t let them be heard as much as they let the ballads get too soppy, which release is “something special”. Luckily Off’ has a great melody and sounds as if should. ‘Why Me, Why Now’ is another song is always a good thing, and the lyrics for him, it might just live up to its name. they are actually having fun with it, and that you should listen out for. It really got are feisty and light-hearted. It is not Harrison’s unique vocals work well with their debut single, the Yazoo-sampling into my head and is possibly my favourite an amazing album and has nothing the syncopated electric guitar, flowing original about it, but is good fun if piano melody and catchy beat; producing you are getting ready for a night out. a sort of paradox in sound, both energetic yet chilled out. Perhaps it is the fusion 6/10 between the ska influenced beats and the catchy guitar hooks with the mellower piano that create this. The almost didactic lyrics of the chorus that “you’ve been given something special” and to “put it into good use” stand the test of “would I be okay singing this out loud?”, as well as adding to the infectious tune with more than just confusing or pretentious words that so litter the music scene these days. Harrison’s sound is one that can be added to pretty much anyone’s playlist, so don’t be afraid to have a listen; you might like the whippersnapper you’re listening to! ‘Something Special’ is that little bit of sunshine that could brighten up your day in the cold cold months that face us. So warm yourselves up with the sunny chords of Harrison’s creation and feel very free to bop, dance along and (shock- horror!) smile. 8/10 Records Singles.. - This is a Fix By Jemma Davies Tom Jones - If He Should It seems as if Welsh boys The Automatic up waiting for that all important middle Ever Leave You have attempted a giant leap from 8 to kick in, for that final crescendo that seem to start or finish but merge into one. By Kate Golding their catchy first album ‘Not Accepted makes the hair prickle on your neck and, I liked their debut single Recover – it had Anywhere’, fallen a step short of the oh dear God, all I got was a key change. punch and fire that new songs like ‘Secret What’s new pussycat? Tom Jones’ wobbly wall of progression and smacked I realise that the second album is always Police’ and ‘Magazines’ seem to be flailing new single is what! Tom Jones has been their heads into it on the way down. For a hard one, made even more so perhaps around in the dark for, and who doesn’t like somewhat absent from the music scene want of another tenuous metaphor, I’ll just in this case for the departure of keyboard a bit of ‘what’s that coming over the hill…’? for quite a long time now, but this new say that I think The Automatic fall into the player (and background screecher) Alex A lot of bands get slated if it happens that single shows he has certainly not lost his category of ‘mediocre’. They’re not really Pennie, which can never be easy on a one of their songs becomes their defining magic. This song is a great comeback, decisively indie, or rock, or punk – not band halfway through the recording of image, and in the case of these boys, exactly what the average Tom Jones fan that it’s bad to have a bit of everything, ‘the difficult second album’. The first track ‘Monster’ has probably become bigger ordered. It’s not unusual of his style, in that but especially in this album, they never ‘Responsible Citizen’ is a promising opener, than them, and indeed a target for musical it’s got a big band, the trademark dulcet really seem to rev up their guitars enough with the same grungy crunk guitar tones snobbery. But what The Automatic’s tones, smooth lyrics and even a brass to get into fifth gear. All the way through as bands such as Weezer or Rival Schools, second album could do with is probably solo. Even if the last thing you want to I felt like they were struggling in fourth which is followed by their single ‘Steve a little more fun and frolics, rather than do is imagine a granddad singing of such and it frustrated me. Even when I blasted McQueen’, which isn’t bad, but it isn’t trying to make the jump into ‘maturity’ deeds, it’s undoubtedly a good song. ‘If out their album’s namesake ‘This is a particularly dazzling either. The rest of that is so often one step too far away. He Should Ever Leave You’ definitely will Fix’ I was still staring at the time bar on the album merely follows suit, and as you not be an instant classic like ITunes, watching it count the seconds play through the record the songs don’t 5/10 ‘Sex Machine’ or ‘She’s A Lady’, but nevertheless it’s a solid single - The Hawk is Howling from the W e l s h By James L Miller l e g e n d ; Mogwai come across as a cult hit band, variation within the songs themselves an almost nostalgic nod to arcadia style and a song a remnant of an underground age of is more often than not very poor, with music, it's a fun, high energy, happy track w h i c h music being passed on through friends, next to little progression in songs such that draws the listener in and moves along should be rather than a mainstream music act. Their as 'Kings Meadow'. This is a cardinal sin at a smooth pace, and ‘I Love you, I'm w a r m l y latest album The Hawk is Howling is their in instrumentals. Without the addition of Going to Blow Up Your School' similarly received by 6th album release, however to many they lyrics to tell a story, set a scene or paint any progresses and changes superbly. The his fan base. are an unknown band, and with a name sort of picture for the listener with a singer's instruments are almost symbiotic working like Mogwai and an album with a track list words, an instrumental needs to move, so well together, with smooth variation and 6/10 including 'The Sun Smells Too Loud’ and change and progress to convey feeling and alterations to the composition making the 'Thank you Space Expert', it's an album that emotion; to invoke a mood. Ultimately The song flow much more than other songs. many would be wary of; perhaps rightly so. Hawk is Howling doesn't deliver where it Two high calibre songs however, do not Duffy - Stepping Stone From a technical stand point the needs to, the songs seem flat and lifeless, hold up a ten track album. Ultimately the composition of the album is solid, all ten with tracks such as 'Scotland's Shame' album lacks excitement. The songs are By Dan Morgan songs are instrumentals, not a word is running for well over seven minutes and reminiscent of advert backing music, or sung or spoken on the album, and the hardly showing any sense of progression music as film credits roll on, but nothing You’ve got to hand it to Duffy; in the musicianship is good. There's one or two or change. The names of the tracks are more. From a technical standpoint the ruthlessly competitive world of solo noticeable slip-ups on the album, for often far more evocative than the songs music is solid, the foundations for good musicians, she has pioneered a sound that example the introduction of the drums in themselves, 'I'm Jim Morrison, I'm dead' is instrumentals are definitely there, and the is, whilst not completely unprecedented, 'Local Authority', which seems clumsy, but a pretty hard hitting title given the lack- skill the band has with their instruments is at least a welcome breath of fresh air in this isn't the biggest let down of the album. lustre two-dimensional song it heads. isn't being called into question, but from the smog of acoustic spieled The tracks themselves, whilst being Two tracks stand out as good songs, the perspective of listening to music for out by most recent female singers. varied from song to which out of ten is not good enough enjoyment, look elsewhere. ‘Stepping Stone’, her latest single, is song, leave a lot to at all. 'The Sun Smells Too more of what we have come to expect be desired. The Loud' seems 4/10 from the Welsh singer-songwriter. Whilst not as obviously laudable as her previous hits, the song is instantly gripping, with a powerfully dark, percussive bass intro. Both verse and chorus are effective, and the brooding, introspective nature of the song is perfectly suited to Duffy’s coldly beautiful voice. Let down only by a weak strings bridge towards the end of the track, ‘Stepping Stone’ is another rung on the songstress’ ladder to being head and shoulders above the competition. 7/10

Live

Bring Me the Horizon, Southampton Guildhall, 23/10/08

into the crowd. The magazines didn’t ing. If you’re in a band, you need to stay in exaggerate when they claimed these boys’ shape - pure and simple, but although the show was all the rage at Vans Warped vocal performance in the show is sub-par, Tour, because there’s hardly a breathing the band’s sheer energy keeps the show break in their explosive set. JJ Peters busts rocking. Luis Dubuc joins Oli on stage to on stage during “Football Season is Over” do the clean vocals for “The Sadness Will to deliver his parts in that track, and the Never End” in his usual, synthesized voice, first half of the set seems to accelerate making that song sound like a happy disco with every song, culminating in “It Was tune instead of the dose of despair it’s sup- Written in Blood” before a moment of calm posed to be. “Traitors Never Play Hangman” with the cheeky sample that precedes “No and “For Stevie Wonder’s Eyes Only” can- Need For Introductions...” There’s plenty of cel out the disappointment though, and old in there too, in the form of “Pray For “Chelsea Smile” as the closer leaves most Plagues” and “Tell Slater Not to Wash His of us impressed and screaming “I know Dick”, and it’s these songs that stir up some something you don’t know!” of the most impressive moshpits I’ve seen, stretching across the entire venue. Unfortunately it quickly becomes obvi- ous that Oli Sykes cannot deliver live what Review and photo by Martin he can on record. He runs out of breath Foot mid-song repeatedly with the effect that his screams aren’t sustained and he’s forced to deliver the new style of vocals he adopted for “Suicide Season” in a manner that resembles talking rather than shout- Bring Me The Horizon enter the stage one launching straight into “Diamonds Aren’t by one amid soundtracks for the respec- Forever”. In a matter of minutes Oli, dis- tive superheroes that they are dressed guised as Superman, climbs onto of a The Black Seeds, Southampton Soul as, and waste no time for introductions, speaker stack, yelling “I can fly!”, and dives Cellar 05/10/08 Vampire Weekend, London Forum, What an absolutely electric perfor- about the more dedicated fans). The New mance! I was still buzzing the morn- Zealand band has some great characters, 25/10/08 ing after. The very renowned ‘Uplifter’ Barnaby is the lead singer and a guitarist. opened the night in true Soul Cellar The other members all helped out with the vocals and proved they were all multi- As I was queuing up waiting to go into The sounded even better than on the album style with MC Tanja, a very talented talented. The bands instruments included Forum, I didn’t have the usual excitement I (which, really, is how it always should be), reggae/dub skat style vocalist. More bass, drums, keyboards, saxophone, bon- normally do when I go to see a gig, it was and got the right balance between chat- musical magic was brought to the gos, wood block, tambourine and some more apprehension. I had loved listening ting to the crowd just enough to make you stage when Boston based band ‘Boy other unidentified-flying-percussions…lit- to the quirky sounds of the New Yorker feel involved, and got some good audi- Com’ blew the crowd away, opening erally. There was also some stunning brass quartet on their self-titled debut album, ence-participation going, encouraging their short yet mighty sweet set with work going on from the trumpet corner; but had come to the conclusion that with everyone to help him out in ‘One (Blake’s ‘Come On In’, which they dedicated one of the most memorable moments such a unique sound, their live perform- Got A New Face)’, always a winner. to the great cellar of soul and every- was a very long sustained note that the ance was likely to be either really good, Personally, my favourite part of the gig one who had managed to make it on trumpeter held impressively. Let’s just say, or really bad. To my relief, I found it was was in the encore. By powers of deduction the night. Boy Com are a nine piece, for example that if your average Joe was to the former. Their performance was pretty the band had played all of their album dub/reggae/hip-hop group, and get exhale for that long that his insides would much flawless. apart from ‘Walcott’ by this point - plus a the party started they certainly did. no longer be on the inside, they would Opening with ‘Mansard Roof’, the first couple of new songs they had apparently It wasn’t long before the whole room have unfortunately vanished altogether. track of the album, got everyone excited played at the festivals over the summer… was, quite literally, a sea of groove. So basically, my point is that you shouldn’t and dancing straightaway. Unlike when but didn’t mention what they were called After their part of the show they joined try this at home, but more importantly; you see many other bands, there were no – so I was interested to see if ‘Walcott’ the fellow audience to enjoy the rest of these guys are bloody fantastic musi- fights, no blood from mad moshpits, no was all we would get. Nope, shortly I was the night and witness The Black Seeds cians, entertainers and performers. Every getting elbowed in the head. I think this listening to Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Everywhere’ in action. song was performed effortlessly yet left must be down to the music – Vampire a la Vampire Weekend, amazing! Even if Whilst the fireworks were exploding us breathless. They mixed the old and the Weekend’s essence is both dance-inducing you’re not a fan of cheesy 80s hits, you in every direction outside on bonfire new classics. ‘Slingshot’ was brilliant, ‘Fire’ and chilled, and extremely eclectic. Being at least have to give them credit for not night, they were just about to com- was burning, ‘Take Your Chances’ we did. I true to their sound on the album, the guys being predictable! mence in the Soul Cellar. After weeks took a chance and went to see these guys had three girls playing violins and a cello So, basically, if you get a chance to go see of anticipation, suspense - and agony live, no regrets. Cheers to the Black Seeds for the tracks ‘M79’ giving a genuine, clas- this band at some point, I would recom- as it turned out, for one of the audi- and their supporting acts. They came, they sical edge, whereas the hits ‘A-Punk’ and mend them 100%, you’ll sing your heart ence members who had actually had played, they conquered! Let’s hope they ‘Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa’ have Afro-pop out, you’ll dance, and you’ll see some the Black Seeds logo tattooed onto his come back for more. influences, where the extremely talented genuinely talented musicians in their ele- chest! The pain must have been worth drummer, Christopher Tomson, moves on ment. What more could you ask for? it because he was more than happy to to play the bongos. show me with a grin on his face. Just Throughout the performance lead singer, for the record, I have no objections if By Marianne Ward Ezra Koenig – like the rest of the band – By Danielle Richardson any nice man wishes to show me his six-pack, (Well it is my job to find out Live

Funeral For A Friend, Portsmouth Pyramids 31/10/08

Post hardcore is hardly the most inspir- was expected and well received by the from every album and is and has always new bassist, Gavin ‘the rage’ Burrough, ing genre; its critics often claim that it fans with the obligatory circle pit, also been a cracking band capable of produc- who replaced Gareth Davies, who left ear- lacks originality, maturity and intellectual from their new album was the stirring ing knock out tunes, phenomenal riffs, and lier this year to spend more time with his content. As Simon Gavin recently said, ‘Maybe I Am’ and ‘Can’t See The Wolves killer choruses. The set proved also that American wife and family. Gareth, formerly “The problem is that people don’t buy it- For The Trees’. All of which are featured there were different genres to be heard of Hondo Maclean, Ghostlines, and The they steal it.” This fact means that it often on the fourth studio album, ‘Memory and in F4AF. Such musical ambidexterity is Future, promises to be a welcome addi- doesn’t get the airtime it deserves. Humanity’, which seems like a return to perhaps unusual in post hardcore. Whilst tion to the F4AF family. Matt Davies said Funeral’, or F4AF, combine metal riffs, form after a slightly experimental dynam- most songs are energetic, musicianship of Gavin “His enthusiasm gives us a second punk melodies, hardcore vocal lines, and ic interlude with the third (most popu- and a generous dose of melodic harmo- wind”. This enthusiasm was clearly evident even pop influences to achieve their lar album) ‘Tales Don’t Tell Themselves’. nies ensure that songs are not offensive, on Friday (even if he didn’t oblige to the signature sound - a combination of ear- It wasn’t just new material; Novella and and others are downright poignant. ‘Your crowds requests for him to “Strip, Strip!”). catching rhythms, poetic (if elusive) lyrics, Juneau from the 2003 album ‘Casually Revolution is a Joke’, being one acoustic The band clearly enjoyed performing as impressive guitar parts, and close vocal dressed and Deep in Conversation’ were example of this. Crowd appreciation and much as fans enjoyed seeing it. My only harmonies, all of which has been packed spectacular and unexpected treats, as participation was exemplary - even if sing- criticism of the night would be that it into the four studio albums F4AF have were ‘History and Roses for the Dead’ from er Matt Davies had to remind the circle pit didn’t go on longer, and Matt even apolo- released to date. Members of the F4AF fan- ‘Hours’. Including earlier material in the of ‘Pit Etiquette’! Such social conventions, gised for that! Evidently a new member base were out in Portsmouth in force last set list, although a slightly unusual choice once commonplace, are now perhaps guarantees another chapter in what is Friday, dressed to the teeth in black and for a new album tour, is proof that F4AF unfamiliar in a time when health and safe- becoming a post hardcore saga. Based on red (though, to be fair, it was Halloween!) haven’t merely improved as a band since ty laws often forbid such public displays of tonight’s performance I hope there will be at the unlikely venue of the Pyramid’s their formation in 2002, but they also appreciation. Is it just me who thinks there many more chapters after this. swimming pool. started off pretty well too. is something cathartic about circle pits for F4Af showcased an hour and fifteen Such a set was not just an audio visual underprivileged teenage Emos? By Sam Hampsher-Monk minutes of their finest material from four treat for more long term fans, but proof The Memory and Humanity tour is also albums: recent single ‘By the Waterfront’ that the band does have strong material a chance for Funeral to introduce their Oasis, Bournemouth BIC, 21/20/08

Oasis may be a band of many clichés, of posture, raspy voice & attitude as well and fans-favourite “Wonderwall” all a massive 2009 UK Stadium tour- including the Gallagher-attitude, of Britpop and of Noel’s legendary guitar riffs, and indeed arrived, as well as an all-acoustic version three nights at Wembley Stadium- is sing-a-longs, yet they are still one of the it wasn’t long before they whipped the of “Don’t Look Back in Anger”, something significant. How long is it before we bands you must see live. This is why tickets crowd into a storm with anthems like which was new for an Oasis show, but will be able to see the Gallaghers & were so sought after for their UK arena tour “Cigarettes and Alcohol”, “Morning Glory”, which was effective nonetheless. By the Co. in such close proximity again? Be in support of their seventh studio offering “Slide Away” and “Supersonic”. Particular time the band delivered “Champagne certain to keep your ear to the ground... ‘Dig Out Your Soul’. So when the Oasis bus highlights for the audience were the longer Supernova” to a vociferous and vocal rolled into the seaside retirement destina- spells with the acoustic guitar when Noel crowd, before closing with Beatles cover “I tion of Bournemouth, and the intimate would take centre stage and his brother am the Walrus”, the Bournemouth audience International Centre, south-coast fans had would disappear backstage (we know how needed no convincing that Oasis are still Review and Photo by Richard their chance to see this legendary band up- they have never liked ‘competing’ for the on world-beating form. That this gig took Thynne close and personal. limelight). “The Masterplan”, “Songbird” place on the eve of the announcement of The gig opened with Brooklyn-based band Alberta-Cross. Look past the long hair and hillbilly-esque lumberjack coats and there were a few soulful blues tunes, but they were the only thing standing in the way of the headliners, and the New-Yorkers were largely met with a series of ‘Who are ya?’ chants. Their set didn’t last long, and the tension while waiting for Oasis’s arrival was palpable. The audience, many of whom I suspect had been drinking something stronger than shandy, waited impatiently, but the lights soon dimmed and Oasis burst on with “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” which was quickly followed by “Lyla” from their 2005 ‘Don’t Believe The Truth’. The classics were to be expected, but they were soon exhibiting their new material, debuting “The Shock of the Lightning”, which I suspect may become an all-time Oasis classic, as well as “Waiting for the Rapture” , “To Be Where There’s Life” and the Liam Gallagher-penned “I’m Outta Time”, his quieter, melodic tribute to John Lennon. All the staple elements of an Oasis performance were present- Liam’s singing Live

The Killers, London Royal Albert Hall, 03/11/08

They don’t really need any introduction. Taking to the stage in a modest blaze of thesizers, a catchy tune, repetitive lyrics, fans, it may just have been the best live The Las Vegas indie band with a distinctly glory, the four-piece receive a deafen- and lots of “uh uh oh”-ing. All good stuff music I have ever experienced (and not to British 1980s disco-synth sound, have sold ing roar from those lucky enough to be for Killers fans looking forward to more of rub it in, but I have seen Muse at Wembley). ridiculous amounts of records, their first there. After opening with current single the same. Having thanked London for starting it all two albums reaching number one on this ‘Human’, the band pleased the crowd with An acoustic version of ‘Sam’s Town’ for the band, Flowers proceeded to the side of the pond, as well as going multi- tracks from ‘Hot Fuss’ and ‘Sam’s Town’. brought us back into familiar territory, front of the stage and reached out to the platinum. ‘Mr Brightside’ is even the first ‘For Reason’s Unknown’ brought to their with the audience accompanying Flowers audience for the entirety of the song. I’m choice track on Top Gear’s ‘Seriously Cool feet the few who were not yet standing. on vocals. ‘Read My Mind’ followed and not sure whether band or audience were Driving Music’ CD. This is one seriously Flowers danced his way over stage and reinvigorated the audience into a dancing more grateful for the privilege of being popular band, even Paul McCartney is amplifier, exciting the crowd but making and clapping frenzy, particularly the guy in there. here. it difficult to take a decent souvenir photo. front, who was so excited that I expected New tune ‘Neon Tiger’ began the encore, “Are we human, or are we dancer?” poses ‘Somebody Told Me’ energised the audi- his vigorous arm waving to send his girl- calming the crowd before raising them frontman Brandon Flowers. I’m still none ence enough before a couple of tracks friend over the balcony and into the crowd up again with ‘All These Things That I’ve the wiser, but to be honest I don’t care. from b-side album ‘Sawdust’, and then The below. Upbeat new song ‘Joy Ride’ echoed Done’ and ‘When You Were Young’ to close There are inflatable palm trees and fairy Killers sold us their new album, ‘Day and previous releases and promised old fans the show. It will be interesting to hear the lights and the Royal Albert Hall. It’s a regal Age’. the new album aims to please. much anticipated new album after the hit setting, but its suspended upside-down ‘Losing Touch’ left the audience atten- A cover of Joy Division’s ‘Shadowplay’ fol- and miss choice of new tunes throughout mushrooms provide relief from echoing tive but subdued which was probably to lowed; some sang, others enjoyed Dave the night, but however indie-cool The acoustics and create an incredibly intimate be expected. Whilst the song might be a Keuning’s tinny guitar, but most were indif- Killers might have become, they sure know venue. It’s a Radio One night, and Zane grower, the crowd weren’t too enthralled. ferent and wondered when ‘Mr. Brightside’ how to put on a show. Lowe has suitably warmed up the crowd Thankfully, ‘Spaceman’ reinstalled hope for would make an appearance. Then it did. with a DJ set during which (uncharacter- the new album and brought back the Despite the feeling of imminent death due istically and much to his advantage) he party atmosphere, and lots of clapping. to the possibility that the Albert Hall might By Rachel Millar decided to let the music do the talking. A likely future classic, ‘Spaceman’ has syn- just collapse under the weight of jumping

Hot Chip, Southampton Guildhall, 23/10/08

Hot Chip appear on stage like one of your Chip adopt a very different style, with forced cheers for an encore ensue which projects is really quite magnificent. It is more macabre daydreams in a Monday expanses of music that wash over fans in Hot Chip naturally comply with and singer a soft ending to a thoroughly confusing morning seminar; a firing line of washed- a trance-like way and reach stunning, lay- steps upstage to perform a gig and despite a thunderous response to out lecturers, they stand in a straight line ered climaxes. Yet while this might work gorgeous and quirky cover of Sinead O’ the singles some of the show falls flat with confronting the audience behind a mul- with earth-shattering success at 5am in Conner’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ whilst talking from the audience even drowning titude of synths and percussive weapons. a warehouse in Berlin, in a conventional blue spotlights roam the Guildhall illumi- out more downbeat numbers. It all feels Unlike most of their electro-pop peers the gig set-up the periods of silence between nating the crowd and swaying cigarette a bit routine and with a fourth album in London-based 5-piece have long since songs jars somewhat, leaving the audi- lighters of enthusiastic smokers. Despite progress we hope that Hot Chip will find kissed their 20’s goodbye, as to my sur- ence feeling pulled in all different direc- his slight frame Alexis has great stage pres- news ways to excite. prise have most of their fans. The small tions. ence, appearing like a neurotic member of gaggle of teenage girls to my right wear- ‘’ a massive tune full of in thick-rimmed glasses and a ing at least three quarters of Topshop and squealing synths and beats that shudder button-down white shirt and the voice he By Chris Hooton dancing in a circle look fairly out of place across the dancefloor provides some relief amongst the somewhat subdued thirty- from the lull in excitement something audience. and it is clear that Hot Chip Hot Chip arrive to rapturous applause how- are very technically skilled at ever, punctuated by hazy drones and with reproducing their music live. the striking artwork from their most recent As expected radio-friendly album ‘’ looming large hit ‘Over and Over’ breathes overhead, before launching into ‘One Pure a new lease of life to the gig Thought’ their latest single. Immediately as well, sending the crowd heads begin nodding and toes begin tap- into rhythm convulsions ping as the pulsing beat that is so iconic from the moment the lyric of Hot Chip’s sound seeps into the crowd ‘Laid back’ is uttered. and it is not long before this entrancing Trying hard to divert my rhythm is compounded by crowd favour- gaze from the quite fan- ite ‘And I Was A ’, perhaps tastic older gentleman in the band’s finest song which perfectly front of me in a suit, sweat- combines singer Alexis’ melancholy voice ing profusely, jumping up with chiming guitars and a driving snare and down, yelping, pulling beat, creating an altogether haunting and shapes and the classic ‘the- heartbreaking number. In fact so much roof-is-on-fire’ dance and so that it is when these pulsating songs exhibiting a look of sheer subside that the gig loses its consistency. delight at being alive, the In an era when electro is dominated by show draws to a close. the fidgety and erratic beats of pioneers Perfunctory and slightly like Justice, Sebastian and , Hot Live

Less Than Jake, Southampton Roger from Less Than Jake (Photo by Cedric Letsch) Guildhall, 10/11/08

Although the crowd at the Guildhall could barrier between what Roger called “band, have easily fitted in a venue half its size, audience and assholes” by trying to get all four acts did not let this get to them. her to “shake her ass” to their music, which Imperial Pleasure opened up with their of course only created a greater distance boppy ska failing to get much of a reac- between the three, with Shirley appear- tion, but they certainly set the tone for the ing to hate every second of it, leaving remainder of the night with their enthu- the stage to a soundtrack of eponymous siasm and energy. Beat Union followed, chants. Less Than Jake also allowed three again failing to make much of a stir, but female fans on stage to compete for the when Hawaian three piece band Pepper prize of a lifetime. The task was to repli- hit the stage, the half empty Guildhall cate an American accent successfully to erupted into a skanking frenzy, that lasted be judged by the crowd, and the winner, right the way through till 11 ‘o’ clock when Hayley, who managed to generate most Less Than Jake vacated the stage, leaving crowd attention, got a prize that sums up behind a happy and exhausted crowd. Less Than Jake’s sense of humour perfectly What makes Less than Jake such – nothing at all. a brilliant act to see live is not their ability The night was wrapped up with to almost replicate a pre-recorded sound, a two track encore, ‘Plastic Cup Politics’ or their amazing talents to sing in perfect and ‘Gainsville Rock City’, with the ska- harmony, but their hilarious antics, and rockers leaving the stage to a thunderous their enthusiasm which manage to extend applause that they truly deserved. Less over any crowd that has the pleasure to Than Jake did not merely play live, they put see them. Five piece Less Than Jake had on a show, and they had every audience the audience captivated with their feel- member hanging off their witty vocals and good-ska-punk-rock from start to finish, trombone squeals, and rightly so. Next with tracks from their new album GNV FLA time Less Than Jake grace the south coast incorporating every style that they have with their presence, it will doubtless be experimented with so far, getting as good with a bang, and the opportunity should a reaction as classics such as ‘The Science be grasped with both hands by every ska of Selling Yourself Short’ and ‘All My Best fan in the city. Those who missed out this Friends are Metalheads’ and ‘Automatic’. time, do not miss out again: you will cer- Highlights of the show included tainly regret it! dragging female security guard Shirley on stage in an attempt to break down the By Hayley Taulbut Easy Star All Stars, Oxford Carling Academy, 30/10/08 Since we missed their performance here in as. The chorus’ are just as strong as the Stars seems to take centre stage though. the covers are in fact covers. An hour and Southampton, I accompanied my reggae- originals, and the energy from such classic The singers, for example, alter who leads a half goes past, and all in all it exceeds my loving boyfriend all the way to Oxford for songs is infectious, with both the artists for almost every song, ‘I Lost Myself’ has expectations. The band may be famous their performance at the Carling Academy. and the entire audience loving it. a soulful female singer, whereas ‘Karma for doing covers, but they make the songs Fortunately we weren’t to be disappointed The place is packed, the support- Police’ uses a much more manic male their own, and deliver them excellently. and the trip was worth it. For those who ing artists are on, and building energy. singer. The atmosphere is very inclusive, The artists are extremely talented instru- have not heard of the Easy Star All Stars, There is a very chilled out vibe, a few and relaxed. I even find myself singing mentalists, ranging from the sax to the they are a group of dub reggae artists hippies dancing through the crowd on along, and joining in with the audience- flute. Even if this experience has not com- based in New . I was introduced to the dance floor, so far, nothing out of the artist banter. The All Stars switch between pletely converted me to a fully fledged them via their album ‘Dub Side of the ordinary. The set begins with some of their their original tracks and the covers with reggae fan, it has definitely made it far Moon’ (Yes, it is a play on Pink Floyd’s Dark original music; interestingly none of the effortlessness and it is easy to forget that more accessible for me. It is a diluted varia- Side of the Moon). This album is a dub tion of reggae; however their reggae roots reggae interpretation of Pink Floyd’s clas- and beats were authentic enough and it is sic songs. Their second album was a song- a true pleasure to hear the iconic introduc- by-song cover of Radiohead’s album, now tion to ‘Money’ by Pink Floyd redone with named “Radiodread”. Now, I have to point an equally iconic reggae twist. I would out that sometimes a classic song being recommend Easy Star All Stars, however re-worked, can sometimes be rather dis- if you just don’t like reggae then even this appointing, especially for those intimately may not change your mind, but if you do acquainted with the original. However, like Pink Floyd or Radiohead, then it won’t apart from a few moments when they get hurt to give it a go. carried away, the remade songs are com- pletely recognisable as what they began By Viveka Owen Live

Frank Turner + Chris TT, Winchester Tower Arts Centre, 30/10/08 I had never been to the Tower Arts centre Commie’ as Frank was later to call him. His fans don’t know the words and the songs wise, and the tiny Tower Arts centre was before the night of the gig and I was sur- songs were also well received; many of his have less impact than they might in a few unique in that respect. prised to say the least, though perhaps I fans are also fans of Frank too, as the artists months. Further highlights were the ode He finished the set with ‘Love, Ire and shouldn’t have been, considering firstly are closely linked. Playing the deliciously to punk rock ‘Back in the Day’, and ‘Once Song’, before coming back for the encore, that we were in a school, and we were in malevolent ‘Ankles’ as well as new single We were Anarchists’. The latter song I par- accompanied by Chris TT and Emily Winchester. Expecting a normal gig venue, ‘We Are the King of England’, he was also ticularly enjoyed, having not seen him per- Barker, to play ‘St. Christopher is Coming it was strange to see a reasonably small given rapturous applause, however, I was form it before. The crowd loved ‘Father’s Home’, and a gloriously elongated, rous- space for standing at the front and then disappointed to see (or not to see) that he Day’, probably Frank’s most popular song, ing sing-a-long ‘Photosynthesis’. During a lot of steps going round the room to sit did not play ‘When the Huntsman Comes accompanied by an excellent new intro the last song, (‘and I won’t sit down / and or stand on. So, expecting a normal gig, it A Marching’, which is the one song of his and outro, from the new keyboardist. The I won’t shut up / and most of all, well / I felt strange to be sitting for the first sup- that I truly love. Nevertheless, an energetic atmosphere was strange, wholly positive, will not grow up’). Frank charged about port act, Emily Barker. Her gentle songs performance set the tone for Frank to take but it was weird to be able to stand so the stage, singing those lyrics in a style met with applause and polite silence dur- to the stage. close to the front without having to take that he would have sung in a certain ing the performance of them. The latter He opened with ‘The Ballad of Me and My evasive action from elbows and legs; part hardcore band of old in, into the faces of was definitely to do with the style of the Friends’, something that for a long time of this is due to the crossover appeal Frank those in the front row. In these fantastic intimate venue – I can safely say that if he has been closing his sets with; very has, and also the soporific effect the venue moments, the words from ‘Back in the this had been at a traditional place, such weird, however, it formed the first part of a has. Warm applause greeted the end of Day’ came to mind; ‘Punk rock’s in the as the Joiners, the mood would have been fantastic opening salvo including ‘Reasons every song, and it was a far cry from the ink that’s in my skin / (the) attitude’s in different. The former though, was because not to be an Idiot’, ‘Imperfect Tense’ and raucous atmosphere Frank’s set at Reading every song I sing’. If there was any doubt she was an engaging act, and deserving of ‘Nashville Tennessee’. He then played a Festival got. Chris TT mentioned that the at all about the truthfulness of those lyr- the crowds recognition. new song, ‘Live Fast, Die Old’ which sound- Winchester crowd were lucky, because ics, it was well and truly quelled by the Chris TT and his backing band ‘the ed reasonable, though of course, as is many of the other venues on the tour fantastic finale. Hoodrats’ were next; Chris TT ‘the bearded often the case with new songs at gigs, the had been around the 1000 mark, capacity By Rik Sharma

Having watched Frank and his band sound one thing that I would want to do with it is it and everything, but the kind of attention check before the gig, there was time R: Have you ever thought about… you try and do mostly songs by friends of mine! that it attracts is not what I’m interested enough for a chat with him afterward. often play some cover’s in your set; infact I’d really like to do an EP of a ‘Kid Harpoon’ in. I’m not a fucking protest singer, not last time you played in Southampton you song, ‘Get Cape’ song, ‘Ben Marwood’ song, even a political singer. I’m a songwriter, it’s Rik: Do you want to introduce yourself… did an AC/DC cover… ‘Jonah Matranga’ song, that would be kind what I do. I don’t want to spend the rest of of cool you know. my life playing trade union benefit shows Frank: My name’s Frank Turner, and I’m a F: Yes! Yes I did. R: Which songs do you love playing live you know. I think that people… first of all folk singer from Winchester. most, out of your set? because it’s got the word ‘Thatcher’ in it, R: Thought about putting out an EP and secondly because anybody who sings R: Your next release is a bundle of stuff, between albums, of just covers? F: That’s like asking me to choose children! protest songs is generally considered to what’s gonna be in that? [laughs] A singalong’s always great… be hard left. People make a lot of assump- F: Yeah, I do think about that quite a lot. though I must admit, I’m pretty thorough- tions about my politics based on that song, F: Well, basically, I have this principle of try- The problem is, I’m on quite a small, hand ly bored of doing ‘The Real Damage’. At which are just plain old fucking wrong. I’m ing to not duplicate songs across releases. to mouth, indie label – who are great and the moment, which you just caught a bit not left wing. I maybe was, about six years But what that’s meant was, at the moment, I love them dearly! – but the thing is… of; at the end of the set we’ll get Emily ago, a little bit but I’m a libertarian above one would have to go shopping for a lot of releasing covers and stuff… Barker and Chris TT on stage, and we have anything else. Neither left nor right. I’m out of print stuff. So, we thought we might seven people and instruments on stage, just a bit bored of people coming down, as well make life easier, particularly for R: Do you have to get permission to do it? and we do two songs like that; ‘St. and going ‘Yeah! Support the Unions and the new people coming on board. I think Christopher is Coming Home’ and the Welfare state!’ I’m just like ‘Really? I we have twenty four songs on there now. F: Yeah, well… its not even so much ‘Photosynthesis’, and it’s been don’t know. I haven’t made my mind up on Some of them are re-workings of earlier that you have to get permission, really fun and great ways to that one yet actually.’ versions of songs that were on albums, but basically, the margins of prof- round off the evening. So, I’d and there’s a whole shitload of songs not it for an indie label in putting out say those two for now. R: You gotta tell a joke to leave… on either album. It’s called ‘The First Three a release are pretty small any- Years’, which is a homage to Black Flag’s way… and then if you include R: What songs do people F: I am addicted to jokes! Honestly I am ‘First Four Years’. I actually just took the payments to all the bands that want you to play that you fucking obsessed with jokes. I subscribe to front cover and just scanned it, and… you cover… it would just have to just won’t play? a number of different joke websites! Jokes be a labour of love, because you are my favourite thing ever. Okay, I’ll tell R: Took a bar off? would never see any return from it, F:‘Thatcher Fucked the one… Guy goes into a library, and asks to and my is of course, Kids’. Not playing that get a book out about suicide… librarian F: Yeah yeah, and that’s gonna be out a business so… yeah. But fuck- song again. goes ‘Fuck off! You won’t bring it back!’ soon. ing hell! I would love to do a thing like that. I’d totally R: Ever? Is that You know… I fell off a fifty foot ladder the R: Do you have any plans for new mate- love to end up doing my guaranteed? other day. It was alright, it was only on the rial? own Spaghetti Incident… I first rung! have a list of songs as long F: [sighs] No… F: Well… plans have gone a bit up in the air as my arm that I want to it’s not guaran- I ended a long term relationship the other for me a bit recently. We were just gonna cover. teed… I’m sure day, not too bothered, wasn’t mine There crack on with the new record, writing I’ll be talked we go, there’s three terrible jokes. My band and recording, in the new year but, with R: Me First and the Gimmee into it with alco- fucking hates me for it, because every day, the way that everything’s gone recently… Gimmies style… hol sooner or later. in the van, when I get on the net, I’m just things have been a bit mental! Which is It’s just… I like the like guys, guys, guys! great obviously. F: Yeah… I’ll tell you what, song, and I stand by Christmas Christmas Time ’Tis the season of indulgence It’s late November which can mean only one thing: for the next few weeks it’s prolonged-Christmas time! The coming weeks might be financially crippling but they do allow us to justify the unhealthy excess of food and alcohol, under-the-mistletoe promiscuity, the Argos catalogue and of course sentimental Christmas films. At present (woo…presents!) the obligatory Christmas montage adverts are yet to bless our small screens but we can expect at least a few of these seasonal classics and by golly we’re going to enjoy them. By Holly Hooper The Nightmare Before Christmas: Bringing the macabre to the season of joy, we can expect no less from Tim Burton than a Elf: dimming of the bright Christmas lights for a Santa, elves, Christmas darkly magical take on the Christmas adventure. carols, laughter, joy and This cult film is stop-action animation that could of course Will Ferral in sing its way into even the Scroogiest of hearts. yellow lycra leggings, make this a lovely addition to It’s A Wonderful Life: the Christmas Film genre. A beautiful and timeless classic that will Don’t expect the genius of warm the cockles on a cold winter’s day, no Anchorman but do expect matter how many times you’ve seen it before. a wonderfully seasonal film If you haven’t seen it…may god have mercy on that has a few very funny your soul. moments… “fruit spray?”

Home Alone (and Home The mandatory Spielberg Alone Two: Lost in film: New York): I’m taking bets now, bookies Surely favourite is currently Hook but every child’s E.T. is a very close second. Let’s fantasy is face it, whichever Spielberg encapsulated makes a festive appearance, we in this are guaranteed a heart-warming Christmas adventure underscored with a story of moral message and culminating a familial happy fuzzy feeling so sickeningly neglect. A sweet that you have to tell some kid pre-rehab Macaulay about Rudolf’s coke problem just to regain Culkin is separated from a sense of normality. No-one should have a Jingle All The Way: his rather careless parents on nose that red. The Governor of the state of California, in two consecutive Christmases allowing his former glory days as a beefed-up action him to finally have the freedom to hero, is on a mission to buy the affections lounge around in his PJs, eat nothing but of his son in a slapstick celebration of the massively unhealthy food and concoct brutality of Christmas Eve shopping. The elaborate booby traps: the Christmas film is a necessarily cheesy and schmaltzy Dream. affair which makes it a Christmas must.

Dr. Who Christmas Special: A Christmas Carol: Okay, so it’s not a film but it is an Jean Luc Picard. Need I say undeniable tradition that the primetime more? BBC1 drama produces a feature length treat for all the adoring fans. Dr. Who is a veritable institution and its many adoring fans can immerse themselves in the last moments of the lovely David (I just want to pick him up and put him in my pocket) Tennant. Christmas ...Mistletoe and wine? Christmas Songs, you gotta love them. Or do you? There’s one thing that Bob the Builder, the Beatles and the Spice Girls all share in common, that’s right, it’s the Christmas number one. There have been a lot of Christmas songs throughout the years, even if it now seems that X factor will hold the top spot for the rest of eternity. We at the Edge, in light of the festive season, thought we would do what we do best, and criticise as many Christmas songs as we could fit on one page. By Richard Yates and the odd addition by Hannah Calcutt

year) and was, let’s photo of Mt. Kilimanjaro? Besides, half The Best: face it the only song of Africa has its summer in December you know by Wizard. due to the tilt of the earth’s axis, so the War is Over (Merry Xmas) – I remember a time absence of snow is understandable. John Lennon and Yoko Ono. when I believed in Hands down the best ever festive the sentiment of this I Want to Give You One For tune, written by one of the 20th Century’s song and while those Christmas – I don’t know who it’s by, greatest and most popular . ignorant days may I couldn’t even find it on YouTube. John Lennon also had a hand in this one too. be over, any song A Christmas song from a more modern with a child choir era, fraught with shameful innuendo, Fairytale of New York - The Pogues and jingling bells which is about as subtle as a……. and Kirsty McColl has got to be good. This song seems to bring a warm tingle to everyone’s hearts at Step into Have a Cheeky Christmas – The Christmas, albeit after several Christmas – Elton Cheeky Girls pints of Guinness. Shane John “Everybody come together, it’s a hot McGowan had drunk It’s Elton John, hot Christmas night, make the magic last at least eight before how could it not be for ever, have a cheeky Christmas time”, stumbling into the good. Many people you know it’s bad, I know it’s bad, and they studio to record won’t agree with that know it’s bad. If you bought it, burn it. this timeless last sentence but track: “Iwwaz Mistletoe and Wine – Cliff Richard Chrissssmuss Oh, just bugger off Cliff. ebayyyy / in allll reciting Shakespeare. A final thought for nevertheless ‘Step Into Christmas’ can the dredderrrrr health nuts: McGowan, despite having be found on any Christmas compilation *One editor in particular rather likes “. For all we consumed more alcohol and nicotine than worth having. Big platforms and one this song and will be singing it at top know he the entire population of Finland, is still very large piano, I’ll step into Christmas volume this year, but it the interests of could trucking along at the ripe age of 50. The with you Reg. (Sorry that was terrible.) personal taste it remains in the worst list. b e comparatively squeaky-clean Kirsty McColl died at 41 in a freak Mexican speedboat accident. Make of that what you will. The Worst: Merry Xmas Everybody - Slade Last Christmas - Wham Aside from being a successful peanut This is quite possibly the worst song salesman, Noddy Holder could glam rock of all time. Or the best, depending on with the best of ‘em back in the 1970s. which way you look at it. Either way I’d Given that the main competition was rather gouge my eardrums out with Gary Glitter you could view this as a fairly a rusty spoon that listen to it again. minor achievement, however, Slade’s classic glam Xmas singalong still brings a Do They Know It’s Christmas? - smile to the faces of young and old alike. Band Aid * What’s more, Noddy had the last laugh as Yes, it was all done for a good cause, Glitter’s attempts at cracking the peanut blah, blah, but the actual song? Perhaps advertising market failed laughably. Morrissey summed it up best: “One can have great concern for the people of I Wish It Could Be Christmas Ethiopia, but it’s another thing to inflict Everyday – Wizard daily torture on the people of England.” This song narrowly missed the top Although what else should we expect from spot back in 1973, only beaten by Slade Bob Geldof, the Irishman with the world’s (1973 must have been one Christmassy most skewed ‘actual musical talent/ego’ ratio. “There won’t be snow in Africa this Christmas time” – has Geldof not seen a

Film

Editorial Starring: Gary Cole, Thomas Series 1 of this gem has just been analyse their current cultural relevance. Hey everyone of you sexy film section Allen, Stephen Colbert, released on DVD and contains 12 readers! It’s been a while since I’ve indulged episodes. Even a fan such as myself has If there is one real complaint I have myself with an editorial (who doesn’t love DVD Release Date: Out Now to admit that the first two are a little about this DVD it’s that I just want more seeing their brain dumped out on paper?); rough, focusing too much on in-jokes of Birdman trials and tribulations, this an unfortunate consequence of the decent Harvey Birdman? What’s that? How is that require significant background just isn’t enough! I think it is definitely a content I have been getting to fill the that the name of an attorney? Is this a knowledge about the characters polariser, you will either not get it at all or section with for the last couple of months. spin off from that stupid show about (I’m not too up on my Johnny Quest wonder why you have never heard of it the inept stick thin lawyer woman? unfortunately, otherwise I probably before, either way 1 episode is only about As a little something different for this These might all be things you are would have thought ep.1 was a riot). 15 minutes. What have you got to lose? issue I thought I would further gratify my asking yourself when appraising the However once these have served as I highly recommend you give it a shot. own wants with a brief rundown of films title of this section, but you also might an intro the writers strike the right I have seen recently and my impression of be saying “Harvey Birdman is fucking balance of parodying nostalgia 4/5 them. Clearly this bite-sized snippet of my awesome and I can’t believe they are and bringing the funny that makes opinion may be frustrating as I won’t bother finally bottling that awesomeness into a Harvey Birdman what it is – plus Dean Read backing up my points like I would with a DVD. How the hell will it all fit?” Both of Peanut shows up… Peanut is king. full review, but I hope it can point people these responses are in fact in the direction of some decent flicks or equally valid. Unless you’re One of the areas stinkers to avoid. Either way it might not used to watching late night where HBAL really reappear after this issue so it’s probably Adult Swim cartoons on the shines is the quality not a big deal anyway. Let’s get started. Bravo channel there is no of voice talent. If reason why you should have ever heard you skim to the top of the article the Requiem For A Dream of Attorney Birdman and his antics, but names Gary Cole and Stephen Colbert Well, well, well…. While watching, I can tell you, you’ve should be my view was that this was definitely been missing out. immediately something a little different but I couldn’t recognisable at the time decide whether that was a Imagine if you will a to you. Cole good or bad different. After a little while little known 1960’s shows up all to mull it over I’ve decided it’s definitely era Hanna-Barbera over the place a bad different. The message “DRUGS (the guys who brought us classics such nowadays, but most notably as Ricky ARE BAD” is emblazoned over the whole as the Flintstones and the Jetsons) Bobby’s no show father in Talladega thing right from the beginning and cartoon called Nights. Here the ending so ridiculously over the top Birdman and he is brilliant that it’s almost like this film was made the Galaxy as a bit of an for people off their face to understand. Trio. It starred idiot with a lot of bravado i.e. Harvey Also a brilliant piece of suspense-full an assortment of superheroes and Birdman. Colbert is more famous across music is over used to the extent that it supervillains doing what superheroes the Atlantic than over here but his show will probably hold no weight ever again. and supervillains do. Now add The Colbert Report is incredibly See it, just to understand my disdain. about 40 years, a propensity to witty and he brings all of that to turn kitsch historic animation into the table as Birdman’s somewhat Disturbia something severely more anarchic hyperactive boss with a ridiculous list of Everyone seems to hate Shia and I guess and you have Harvey Birdman: Attorney demands. These two are notable as they I can see why at a push but I have no real at Law (HBAL). The old superheroes are famous outside of this cartoon but problem with him. This was definitely a are now attorneys working at the law the quality of the voice acting pleasant surprise, entertaining throughout firm of Sebben & Sebben, and is excellent across the board. but with an ending that could have been battle against their former foes a little less expected. Also the guy who in the court of law. The worthy It is an interesting plays “the best friend” (you know what I souls now being defended are the venture which Cartoon mean) steals the scene every time he is in beloved characters from our childhood, Network undertook when it. A bit contrived is the girl who moves in Scooby, Shaggy, Fred Flintstone; the greenlighting this series. They next-door. She looks like a Victoria’s Secret whole gang get up to shenanigans are in a situation of taking model rather than a suburbanite, this which Harvey has to bail them out of. their old cartoons, which I however is definitely a plus for the film. am sure are money-spinners This rather factual description in to this day and parodying The Counterfeiters no way conveys the experience of them in a very astute way. NAZI era Jews being used to forge the watching an episode. If we are to take In a lot of cases parody done British pound in a slightly above average as some sort of basis an episode of very well (which HBAL definitely is) concentration camp to destabilize our family guy, where the humour is pretty makes the original almost unwatchable economy. Sounds like a real party doesn’t random and in a lot of cases in no way without referring to the piece that it. Well it is definitely a story worth telling related to the characters and therefore has lampooned it so fully. A good and the gruesomeness that comes along completely unearned. Now take that example of this belongs to Wes Craven, with it is necessary. It’s amazing that randomness, place it onto culture where he initially tore to pieces the events, which occurred 40 years before I defining classic characters who most teen slasher genre conventions with was born can disgust me, but when you people have some frame of reference Scream just to be butchered by the see the attitude of the guards in this true for and you are starting to get to what original Scary Movie. Luckily this is not story it is difficult to understand how this Harvey Birdman is all about. Birdman the case for HBAL. It is in a very loving regime was promoted to power. Good is much more along the lines of short way that these classic characters are watch but unsurprisingly depressing. sharp and very funny, think Aqua Teen used, almost making me want to watch Hunger Force rather than the Simpsons. the old cartoons again rather than Dean Read Film

Choke who’s spun a wretched swindle to pay and its author’s recklessly unique voice. form. This approach worked an absolute for his dementia suffering mother’s It isn’t pretty, nor is it what you would treat for David Fincher and Gregg’s clearly Wry, dry and riled. A slap-up hospital care: pick a restaurant at random, call akin to the norm. Choke is an off- taken note. His droll cameo tops off a meal for Fight Club cronies... wine there, dine there, then pretend the-rail, raw and dirty-minded character good all-round job. Sure, the first time you’re choking on a hunk of food so driven comedy interspersed with helmer’s no Fincher and Sam Rockwell’s Given the simplistic, dark and not- that the patron who “rescues you” will outrageous moments that rarely cease to no Edward Norton but, then again, what so-divine qualities of Chuck Palahniuk’s feel emotionally and, more importantly, entertain or amuse, touch or transgress. right does any aspect of any movie really writing, it was only a matter of time financially responsible for you for the rest have to compare itself to Club!? Ok, Choke before a second of the “transgressive” of their life. Hideously shrewd, right? Well As Victor Mancini, Sam Rockwell may feature a forlorn anti-hero who takes author’s novels made that proverbial Mancini’s that kind of bloke. Palahniuk’s defines the archetypal comedy anti-hero: some odd pleasure in attending group leap from page to screen. A matter of that kind of writer, and Choke’s that kind droll, charming, cynical, but a man of therapy sessions, but to compare the two time - yes, but an adaptation’s certainly of film. So if sexually explicit scenes and odd principle. Imagine Austin Powers on in terms of celluloid and social worth and been a long time coming. Too long in dialogue, morally wrong narration, randy Prozac. Hurled onto the streets of a society- innovation would be off beam and unjust. fact. I mean come on- it’s been 8 novels conmen, breast crammed daydreams and sanctioned, institution-shrugging America: and 9 years since David Fincher cast the chronic masturbators fail to float your unruly, dense and sneering. The character Choke is a stand alone, illicitly moral pages of Chucky P’s robust debut into boat then…oh what the hell- Choke is a fits Rockwell like a glove. Giving the ever and blissfully satirical film that all but a combustible black satire - reducing must see as far as this month’s movies are impressing thesp’ his best role since Chuck lives up to the quality of Chucky P’s novel- commercialism and consumerism to mere concerned. After all, it’s not all dicing with Barris in George Clooney’s Confessions of even though Gregg’s attention to detail ashes as viewers looked on in shock and death and decree and sexual compulsion: a Dangerous Mind. He acts up a sardonic and depth he was willing to dive into the awe. The result? A stone cold classic, but elements of intimacy and romance do storm in a turn to top the character’s kudos. psychology of Mancini was somewhat of all the books to follow Fight Club onto surface in this cloudy con/sex pool. Add to Rockwell’s performance those of shallow. As a fan of the book, this came film, few could’ve expected Palahniuk’s the supporting cast (Angelica Huston as the only real letdown. But I guess this reluctantly praised, riotously quaint yarn, Echoing Fight Club’s depressing sense as mum Ida, Kelly Macdonald as Nurse sort of thing has to be expected when 300 Choke. A seedy, semi-psychotic headscrew of modern life, Choke - at heart - is a Marshall, Brad Henke as dirty Denny) and page novels are streamlined into 90 minute about sex, sons, sex, mothers, sex, love gross, exaggerated and hyper-kinetic you’ve got yourself a very well acted film. movies. Cutbacks get made. Details get and scams that’s now, thanks to bit-part journey through one of the dark and shaved. Episodes altered. Pages lost. Thus, actor-cum-director Clark Gregg, strutting marginalised veins lining the underbelly And the direction? Neat. Clark Choke’s not a film that lodges hard in the ominously into cinemas across the UK; of urban America. Sounds a tad dense Gregg’s coughed up a wryly amusing, memory, but one that’s chock full of wit, horny as hell, gagging for some action. but it’s relatively placid when compared ably structured spin on one of modern grit, raunch and revolt. Just not enough to the schemes and statements slurred literature’s most repugnant and hilarious strength to stifle the worth of the book. Originally penned by Palahniuk back by Club. Rarely does the film’s squalid books. There’s no disguising that. He in 2001, Choke sucks us into the oddball tongue venture too far from its cheek. cuts close to the source material in many 3.5/5 life of Victor Mancini (Sam Rockwell), a Here, Clark Gregg just about captures areas but occasionally drifts towards his Colonial times reenactor-cum-sex addict both the demeneted nature of the novel own incentives regarding the tale in film Jack Harding

of one character. It’s that simple; every Simmons (or Juno’s dad to many) manages character in the film is utterly pathetic in to almost steal it away in an appearance as one way or another, and as a result, it makes a C.I.A. boss who is totally mystified by the the madness that unfolds that much more events going on around the agency with hilarious to watch, because there is simply this disparate group of people, and he no empathy you feel for these people. serves to embody us, the viewers, in his total bemusement at their antics. Swinton Clooney, Malkovich and McDormand seems to keep getting these heartless, have the majority of screen-time, and icy women roles, but she plays them Malkovich’s short-fuse insanity is used to so well that she may as well keep it up. great effect throughout. Clooney plays a parody of the public perception of himself The film is not without fault: I enjoy in Pfarrer - a man who is always in need many Coen films, but they require a After the Oscar-winning success of unbeknownst to him, his ice-cold wife of women, and sex, played by one of the certain sense of humour, and I don’t want their last film ‘No Country For Old Men’, (Swinton) fools around with sleazeball acting world’s most notorious bachelors. to encourage people to see a film that Joel and Ethan Coen effectively could Harry Pfarrer (Clooney), an unhappily McDormand and Swinton are the two they may not find at all funny. It’s also have just stopped, taken a breather, and married and promiscuous Treasury agent. women presented here, and as with very short, and this, along with the all-too enjoyed glancing at the lil’ golden men on Gym trainer Linda Litzke (McDormand), most Coen movies (‘Fargo’ in particular, serious little scenes along the way (it is their mantelpiece for a few years, but here who wants to drastically change her which also starred McDormand), Litzke dark comedy after all, not all laughs), does again we have a star-packed Coen Brothers appearance, and her colleague, the idiotic is a complete kook, causing massive make it quite a disjointed and perhaps movie. In terms of comparison to ‘No Chad Feldheimer (Pitt), discover a disc ripples in search of a pathetic reward. rushed effort. Simmons’ character, at the Country...’, ‘Burn After Reading’ continues which serves as a catalyst for the five halfway point of the movie, orders his the trend of dark, madcap comedies to come into contact with each other, Support-wise, Brad Pitt dominates. He’s colleague to ‘report back to me when it all from the writing and directing siblings, and what’s on the disc is nowhere near not so much stretching his acting talents makes sense’ - a sentiment that some will and once again, their quirkiness, with a as important as the chaos that ensues... as playing an idiot and getting paid for find in the complexities of the plot (though little help from Messers Pitt, Clooney and it, and his character Chad is one of the only some). Regardless, it’s suitably mad Malkovich, creates a quite crazy little movie. Mere months after ‘No Country...’, the highlights of the movie. Everything he enough for any person looking for a good Coens have managed to rustle up some of says is totally moronic, and his actions laugh, and for fans of the Coen Brothers, it’s Oswald Cox (Malkovich) works for the the best actors out there (and some friends throughout his and Linda’s machinations a must-see addition to their filmography. C.I.A. as an analyst – not a high-profile from previous flicks) to make what can are so ridiculous they serve as further job there, but one that nevertheless he is best be described as a dark comedy. Trust hilarity (a sequence with a phone call, 4/5 angered to be demoted from. Furious at me in saying that watching this movie, you followed by a meeting with another the agency, he writes his memoirs, whilst may find sympathy for the mere minimum character embodies this idiocy). J.K. Will Roszczyk Film

Beware! Bond is back and more brutal than ever!

Fuelled by grief and revenge for the death of his beautiful girlfriend, Vesper Lynd, Bond’s mission this time around is more dangerous and more gruelling - mentally and physically- than ever. This time it’s not only duty – it’s personal! His private revenge fuels the dark plot of Quantum of Solace which picks up where the 2006 hit, Casino Royal, left off. (I would strongly recommend viewing Casino Royale first!)

Speeding off with an adrenaline charged Aston Martin chase, the plot is picked up again in Lake Garda, Italy. The stunning opening shots of Bond racing to Siena, with hostage Mr. White in the boot of his car, render the audience speechless, captive to the sheer pace, energy, and suspense of the chase. I guarantee you’ll be so exhilarated by the time Jack White and Alicia Keys’ version of ‘Another Way To boat trip to Italy, all by the time Bond’s other Bond film) we watch as our hero past. The special earpieces concealed Die’ kicks in, that you won’t have realised passports and credit cards are revoked by moves around the globe, staying in in gift bags, and Bond’s up to date you’ve been gripping the seat, barely M. Surely the extent of fast paced action luxurious hotels and liaising with mobile phone, which sends MI6 photos breathing the entire time. The riveting spanning the globe give this Bond an edge beautiful women, however it could be of the Quantum members as they flee thrills of the chase do not end there. that action junkies won’t forget in a hurry. argued that even the Bond girls in this an Austrian theatre, ensure that the Having safely delivered Mr. White to his film seem edgier and grittier than ever. gadget box is ticked by any avid fan. interrogation, the pace surges forwards This film proves that a new Bond era is Beautiful brunette Olga Kurylenko, plays again, as M’s bodyguard reveals himself well and truly underway, with many already the part of feisty, Russian-Bolivian born, My final comment is this, at times too as a traitor and member of Quantum, putting Craig forward as the best iteration Camille Montes - a woman also out for much appears to be going on for the by setting Mr. White free. As the mission in history. Craig’s portrayal of Bond is gritty, vengeance. Whilst this livewire initially audience to keep up. Perhaps a momentary unfolds Bond tallies a remarkable death sexy, and brutal. Whilst this may not appeal clashes with 007 on their first meeting in loss of concentration during one of the toll, whether in the crowded streets of to more traditional fans, who favour the the Caribbean, it is safe to say that he most action packed scenes would perplex Siena or on to Haiti in the Caribbean. By wit and natural charm of Pierce Brosnan, or soon wins her round as she discovers even the sharpest of viewers. Furthermore, the light-hearted stance of Roger Moore, it he is the only person she can trust. Fresh- probably since it is a follow-on, Quantum seems that Craig’s dark, cold and ironic faced, English actress Gemma Arterton, seems to lack any real plot and once the portrayal is perhaps more fitting adds another dimension to his romantic rapid momentum of the first half slows, as creator Ian Fleming attachments as she plays Strawberry Fields, the audience see that the only real threat is envisa-ged. a fellow MI6 agent working in Bolivia. an eco-maniac who never truly intimidates Perhaps our hero. Attention could begin to slip. this is On the other side of the scale to w h a t the stunning girls, Quantum of Solace Whilst this film offers unforeseen twists B o n d also ensures that the bad guys are well and is so crammed full of action you s h o u l d represented through the eccentric villain, struggle to focus on it all, we never really b e . Dominic Greene, a dedicated member of doubt the safety of the world and this villain Quantum. As Greene manages to turn all seems like nothing Bond can’t handle. This C r a i g closest to our hero against him our interest film is worth seeing, although mainly for the time the trail leads to beautiful Bond demonstrates skill at portraying a man is well and truly captured. Whilst the Craig’s inspiring interpretation of 007 and girl number 1, Camille Montes (Olga caught between the dangerous divide appearance of Greene may not be all that for the simple reason that it is a Bond film. Kurylenko), 007 has impersonated one of of duty and personal vendetta and his frightening, his plans to create a drought, the baddies, zipped along on a motor bike original portrayal is probably the film’s charging double for water, certainly are! 4/5 and is preparing to commandeer a speed best attribute. This Bond works best in boat. No one could say that this film fails the midst of fast paced, exhilarating As one would expect, Quantum Gemma Price to deliver where action is involved. There action scenes and in nearly-naked advertises the usual gadgets that is a fast paced and invigorating gun fight love scenes with those beautiful girls! traditionally dominate Bond films, in a restaurant in Austria, a bodyguard although these might seem less fun and falling from a roof top, and another Shot in 6 countries (more than any quirky than some of the gadgets of the