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The University of Southampton’s Finest Entertainment Publication Issue 8 29th ``April 2010 EDITORIAL WHAT’S GOING ON IN THIS ISSUE OF THE EDGE INSIDE.. Records - MGMT - Gorillaz - Two Door Cinema Club + More! Live - Tinie Tempah - You Me At Six + More! Film - Kick-Ass - The Blind Side + More! Tinie Tempah, Big Sound Features - Small Festival Feature - Red Bull Academy + More! THE EDGE PLAYLIST Games What’s Been Playing On The Edge Radio Show.. - Final Fantasy XIII Edge Radio Playlist (Surge) The Edge Team.. - Saturday 1pm - 2pm

Editors - Tom Shepherd & Emmeline Curtis 1. Chiddy Bang - Truth Features Editor - Dan Morgan Records Editor - Kate Golding 2. Futures - Boy Who Cried Wolf Live Editor - Hayley Taulbut Film Editor - Stephen O’Shea 3. Gaslight Anthem - American Slang Games Editor - Joe Dart Editor-In-Chief - Jamie Ings 4. Ellie Goulding - Guns And Horses Sub-editors - James Miller 5. B.O.B feat. Hayley Williams - Airplanes 6. Save Your Breath - Stay Young 7. LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls 8. The Drums - Best Friend

We are constantly on the look out for new writers that want to get Want To Get Involved? involved with The Edge. For more info email; [email protected] EDITORIAL ENTERTAINMENT WHAT’S GOING ON IN THIS ISSUE OF THE EDGE INSIDE.. Records - MGMT - Gorillaz - Two Door Cinema Club + More! Live - Tinie Tempah - You Me At Six + More! Film - Kick-Ass - The Blind Side + More! Tinie Tempah, Big Sound Features - Small Festival Feature

- Red Bull Academy SuperGroups + More! THE EDGE PLAYLIST Like fashion, music has a knack for rein- backstage at a festival for fi ve minutes, and soon to release his all-star solo debut album, try which instated ‘Poutine’ (the rather gen- venting itself; or, depending on how you view he’ll probably form a new band and have an with guest spots from hard rock titans Fergie ius combination of chips, gravy and cheese What’s Been Playing On The Edge Radio Show.. it, a nasty habit of plagiarising from a pre- album out before the week is through. Still and Maroon 5... Well you can’t win them all. curds) as its national dish? Clearly they Games vious era and repackaging it as something one can’t help but admire his work ethic, or More often than not, supergroups do have an eye (and an ear) for a good com- new for those not old enough to remember his contribution to workplace stabilty in the not equal the sum of their parts. In trying position. The oncoming months sees new - Final Fantasy XIII it the fi rst time round. The 80s have suffered current economic climate. to be the best of both worlds, the ensuing releases from both the New Pornographers their fair share of exploitation in the last few compromise fi nds them lacking. Much like and Broken Social Scene. The New Pornog- years, whilst we must be thankful, at least, your new Ikea TV cabinet, it looked better on raphers, a who’s who of Canada’s indie elite Edge Radio Playlist (Surge) that the perm hasn’t enjoyed such a come- paper. All the component parts seem to be headed by A.C Newman and Neko Case, back (I’m looking at you, Keegan). This phe- “Like your new Ikea present and correct, yet somehow it’s a bit show the rest how it should be done. Their The Edge Team.. - Saturday 1pm - 2pm nomenon has accelerated to the point where wonky, and ultimately not what you ordered. miniature pop symphonies are genuinely en- even the mid-90s, which only seem like last TV cabinet, it looked Audioslave, whilst an inspired pairing (if an riched by the abundance of talent, intelligent week, are increasingly being ransacked for awful name), in reality left most fans pin- instrumentation and lush harmonies on of- Editors - Tom Shepherd & Emmeline Curtis 1. Chiddy Bang - Truth content, predominantly from uber-kitsch better on paper.” ing for Soundgarden and RATM to reform. fer, without ever feeling like an exercise in Features Editor - Dan Morgan Euro-pop fl oor-fi llers of too recent memory, What tends to occur as a result of such col- irrelevance, miss-matched awkwardness, or Records Editor - Kate Golding 2. Futures - Boy Who Cried Wolf which weren’t even that great the fi rst time Now everyone is doing it. Not since Orville laborations is an interesting, if slightly tragic over-indulged smugness. Live Editor - Hayley Taulbut round. and Keith Harris teamed up for the epoch- phenomenon - a group of middle-aged men But what does the future hold for super- Film Editor - Stephen O’Shea 3. Gaslight Anthem - American Slang The noughties marked the return of that defi ning 1982 smash hit, ‘Orville’s Song’, has basking in each others refl ected glory, each groups? Them Crooked Vultures are cur- Games Editor - Joe Dart great late 60s-70s beast; the concept album. the world witnessed such a wealth of talent trying to regain their former band’s heights, rently recording a second album, and indeed Editor-In-Chief - Jamie Ings 4. Ellie Goulding - Guns And Horses Green Day, My Chemical Romance, R Kelly, coming together; Broken Bells (The Shins/ whilst also mimicking their sparring partner, more offerings from the Last Shadow Pup- they’ve all been at it. Now, in recent years, Dangermouse), Empire of the Sun (Sleepy massaging their respective egos in a game pets, Broken Bells, and Empire of the Sun Sub-editors - James Miller 5. B.O.B feat. Hayley Williams - Airplanes we have started to witness yet another re- Jackson/Pnau), Monsters of Folk (M Ward/ of sickening fl attery, yet in doing so, failing are on the cards. Likewise, workaholic and surgence from this era; one that will strike Bright Eyes/My Morning Jacket), Thom on both counts. If anything, these projects all-round genius Damon Albarn continues to 6. Save Your Breath - Stay Young fear/joy (delete as appropriate) into the heart Yorke’s backing band, Atoms of Peace, provide some light relief, and artistic free- tread new ground with primate supergroup, of many a music fan... the supergroup. The boasting Flea and producer extraordinaire, dom, from the tedium and inter-band politics Gorillaz, taking the caricature idea quite liter- 7. LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls sophisticated older brother of that other Nigel Godrich, Chicken Foot (Red Hot Chili of their day-job, so that they can get back to ally. So perhaps it’s not all that bad. Either anomaly, the ‘side-project’. Granted, both Peppers/Van Halen), the Last Shadow Pup- the real business refreshed. way, it would seem that for the time being 8. The Drums - Best Friend have popped up occasionally over the years, pets, and, of course, Them Crooked Vul- So, who does do it well? Whilst this is then, for better or worse, the supergroup is with varied degrees of success, but never tures, featuring members of rock’s creme- largely subjective, a good place to start, in- here to stay. in such frequency as now. Svengali Jack de-la-creme (Led Zeppelin/Foo Fighters/ terestingly enough, is Canada. This may We are constantly on the look out for new writers that want to get White (White Stripes) collects musicians Nirvana/Queens of the Stone-Age). Mean- not be as surprising as it seems. After all, Felix Rowe Want To Get Involved? involved with The Edge. For more info email; [email protected] like Brangelina collect orphans. Leave him while, Slash (of Guns and Roses fame), is what else would you expect from the coun- FEATURE THE EDGE KNOWS THAT SIZE DOESN’T MATTER...

SMALL FESTIVALS 14th - 18th June

Marketed specifically for students, it is impossible to go through university without hearing about BBL. The festival was in dire straits last year when it lost its license to perform 6 days before it was due to start, but managed to heave the entire operation from Cornwall to Kent and still put on one of the best events of last summer. This gives some idea of the potential for BBL; this year almost twice as many tickets will be sold for the 4-day event, and the festival organizers have secured a stretch of South Wales coastline in which to unpack the Marshalls. BBL prides itself on being about more than just the music (although big bands can be expected), with much emphasis being put on the availability of alternative things to do; this year there will even be a dry ski-slope (perhaps inadvisable in shorts).

Website: www.beachbreaklive.com

By Dan Morgan

Festivals are brilliant. Here at The 4th - 5th September Edge, we can think of no better way to 13th - 15th August spend a summer’s day than standing Rapidly earning a reputation as the big- in a field, caked in mud if you’re lucky gest small festival, Jersey Live has all the SSW is the UK’s favourite family festi- and suffering from heat-exhaustion if benefits of a larger event with none of the val, but also one of the best small festivals not, bouncing along to the very best drawbacks. At £80-90 for a weekend ticket, around. Since it’s debut in 2001, SSW has that music has to offer. The UK has a this is also one of the cheapest festivals steadily earned its reputation for comfort, festival scene unlike any other country, around. JL is primarily an indie/ dance event, safety and excellent all-round approachabil- and as a result continues to attract the and attracts huge artists whilst promoting ity, although this is belied by the top-selling biggest acts ever to wield a Strat. How- local performers. Basement Jaxx, Dizzee acts it attracts (The Streets and The Zutons ever, behind the fever that surrounds the Rascal and The Kooks headlined last year, headlined last year). This is an event aimed big, established events, there is a host and Snow Patrol, Kasabian and the Fratellis at those who don’t see throwing a whitey in of smaller, ‘boutique’ festivals which de- have all appeared in recent years. Jersey it- a spray-painted tent 20 yards behind the serve serious consideration. Here are self is small enough to allow the festival-goer Park Stage as an intrinsic part of the festi- a selection of small festivals we at The easy access to the islands stunning beaches val experience. A calm, friendly atmosphere Edge consider to be the cream of the al- in free moments, and with the most reliable is this festival’s most winning attribute, and ternative crop. sunshine in the British Isles trench foot is un- one that has seen it cemented as one of the likely to pose a problem. most reliably excellent boutique festivals on the circuit. Website: www.jerseylive.org.uk Website: www.summersundae.com FEATURE

16th - 18th July FEATURE 2000 Trees was set up as a reaction to The V-Fest and Reading-Leeds of the fes- THE EDGE KNOWS THAT SIZE DOESN’T MATTER... tival circuit, i.e. the overly commercialised ones. The event organizers want to produce a festival that focuses on the importance of breakthrough artists, respects the traditional 30th - 31st July festival experience and that is environmen- tally responsible. As such, all the performers Global Gathering JUST scrapes into this are UK based to minimise carbon emissions, SMALL FESTIVALS 14th - 18th June feature as it crams in 50,000 people. Hardly food and drink is almost all local and prices a small festival then. However, perhaps due are almost unbelievably low, with a weekend Marketed specifically for students, it is in part to its size, this 18+ Dance Festival is ticket costing only £50. Furthermore, with impossible to go through university with- one of the most established alternative fes- only 2,500 tickets on sale, this event can out hearing about BBL. The festival was in tivals. rightfully advertise itself as an intimate fes- dire straits last year when it lost its license Held at Long Marston Airﬁ eld near Strat- tival. to perform 6 days before it was due to start, ford, GG has been running annually for 10 For those on a tight budget who want but managed to heave the entire operation years, attracting some of the biggest acts the true small-festival experience, this is the from Cornwall to Kent and still put on one of in dance time and time again. This year’s one for you. This year’s headliners will be lo- the best events of last summer. This gives headliners include the omnipresent Dizzee cal boy Frank Turner, The Subways and hot- some idea of the potential for BBL; this year Rascal and weird duo Faithless, promising a prospects Bombay Bicycle Club. almost twice as many tickets will be sold for mixture of mainstream and alternative dance the 4-day event, and the festival organiz- music. Anti-perspirant and a high level of Website: ers have secured a stretch of South Wales physical ﬁ tness are imperative. www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk coastline in which to unpack the Marshalls. BBL prides itself on being about more than Website: www.globalgathering.com just the music (although big bands can be expected), with much emphasis being put on the availability of alternative things to do; this year there will even be a dry ski-slope (perhaps inadvisable in shorts). 15th - 18th July

Website: www.beachbreaklive.com This self-styled ‘Art and Electronic Music Festival’ is the most local of the events in this selection, taking place just outside nearby Winchester. Glade has been running since 2003, and is now established as the UK’s leading electro festival. This is deﬁ nitely one for the dedicated dancer; the festival’s license allows for music until 4am and 6am! Glade has also earned a reputation for attracting some of the best crowds on the festival circuit, who will be rewarded this year by headliner performances from Orbital and Simian Mobile Disco.

Website: www.gladefestival.com By Dan Morgan

Festivals are brilliant. Here at The 4th - 5th September Editor Suggests: Edge, we can think of no better way to 13th - 15th August For me, this is probably the greatest spend a summer’s day than standing Rapidly earning a reputation as the big- Brown Eyed Girl ‘summer song’ ever recorded. Everything One Love One of Bob Marley’s best known songs, in a field, caked in mud if you’re lucky gest small festival, Jersey Live has all the SSW is the UK’s favourite family festi- about it, from the light, dancing intro to the One Love neatly sums up the mentality and suffering from heat-exhaustion if benefits of a larger event with none of the val, but also one of the best small festivals Van Morrison lyrics encapsulate everything that we Bob Marley and philosophy of Reggae’s favourite not, bouncing along to the very best drawbacks. At £80-90 for a weekend ticket, around. Since it’s debut in 2001, SSW has associate with the summer. The lyrics exponent. More ska-infl uenced than much that music has to offer. The UK has a this is also one of the cheapest festivals steadily earned its reputation for comfort, describe the simple, nostalgic warmth of a of Marley’s work, this song is typically up- festival scene unlike any other country, around. JL is primarily an indie/ dance event, safety and excellent all-round approachabil- fi ctional summer romance, that nevertheless beat, encouraging the rastafarian ideas of and as a result continues to attract the and attracts huge artists whilst promoting ity, although this is belied by the top-selling effortlessly takes the listener ‘slipping and peace and love over violence, hatred and biggest acts ever to wield a Strat. How- local performers. Basement Jaxx, Dizzee acts it attracts (The Streets and The Zutons sliding along the waterfall’ that the singer consumerism. ever, behind the fever that surrounds the Rascal and The Kooks headlined last year, headlined last year). This is an event aimed describes. The fact that this song fi rst appeared on big, established events, there is a host and Snow Patrol, Kasabian and the Fratellis at those who don’t see throwing a whitey in Brown Eyed Girl is widely recognized as the Wailers’ debut album back in 1965, of smaller, ‘boutique’ festivals which de- have all appeared in recent years. Jersey it- a spray-painted tent 20 yards behind the Van Morrison’s signature song, although in and is still recognized as one of the most serve serious consideration. Here are self is small enough to allow the festival-goer Park Stage as an intrinsic part of the festi- his words he has written “300 which [he] popular reggae songs of all time, speaks a selection of small festivals we at The easy access to the islands stunning beaches val experience. A calm, friendly atmosphere prefers”. Upon its release in 1967, the song volumes of its quality. This is one of Edge consider to be the cream of the al- in free moments, and with the most reliable is this festival’s most winning attribute, and reached No. 10 in the US charts and was history’s greatest musicians best works. ternative crop. sunshine in the British Isles trench foot is un- one that has seen it cemented as one of the one of the bestselling singles of the decade. likely to pose a problem. most reliably excellent boutique festivals on the circuit. Website: www.jerseylive.org.uk It’s true! You can now follow Website: www.summersundae.com Follow Us On Twitter! The Edge on twitter; @theedgesusu FEATURES THE EDGE GIVES YOU WINGS... The Red Bull Academy

By Jazmin Sherman The Academy has no home. Instead, in true Red Bull style, it travels to the distant Two words, one company, and its massive world’s corners and back to inject various impact. How is it that Red Bull has become cities with far more than just energy. Over so much more than simply an energy drink? the last twelve years the Red Bull Music ...To be honest I don’t know, but someone in Academy has taken place in Cape Town, their head office definitely deserves a raise. New York, Berlin, Dublin, Sao Paulo, Rome, Seattle, Melbourne, Toronto and this year’s Since its inception, Red Bull has home, London. Dubbed on its website as infiltrated itself into various elements outside “a yearly celebration of all the journeys and of the energy drink arena. Most surprisingly, breakthroughs, all the dreams and intrica- and possibly most abstract from its product cies that go into the music we love...”, the is Red Bull’s involvement with music and cul- Red Bull Music Academy is exactly that. ture. Red Bull upped its game in 1998 when Once accepted into the Academy, you are they created a bigger and better way to get instantly immersed into a world where directly involved in music, and the scene that music isn’t just what you listen to, it becomes surrounds it, by starting the Red Bull Music part of your lifestyle. Participants on the two Academy. Red Bull marketed its Academy to week program are given instruction on the the music world as a place for highly diverse, lessons we can learn through music if we individual and creative people to come look hard enough and provided with the in- together to talk, make and listen to music. struments, technology and stages to take Red Bull Music Academy is not about that knowledge and go to town with it. being discovered and not about learning how to get into the industry; it’s simply about The Red Bull Music Academy breaks the the music. barriers of music bullshit that today’s industry seems to continue to churn out and instead offers participants a chance to experience sound in all its authentic glory. Participants and their ‘lecturers’ discuss “Red Bull has chord progressions, sick beats and drop-ins and then have the chance to DJ, create mix- created the music es, write songs and perform them at some of the most prestigious stages in cities across lover’s haven, and the globe. Red Bull Music Academy boasts a range of talented lecturers including artists have captured such as Gilberto Gil, Tony Allen, Jazzie B, Derrick May, Bob Moog, Biz Markie, Mulatu everything pure, Astatke and The Mizell Brothers as well as more recent successes such as Buraka Som authentic and true Sistema and Skream. about music.” Red Bull has created the music lover’s haven and have captured everything pure, authentic and true about music, thrown in the most legendary artists, gathered talented Along with the Academy’s diversified students and put them all under a roof where group of participants, the music studied is a creativity and talent oozes uncontrollably. fusion of genres, extracting all the goodness Although I am not certain, I believe the crea- of each style. Red Bull Music Academy is a tors, ‘lecturers’ and participants all empa- mix-up, mash-up and organic clash of all thise the following quote legendary journalist musical brilliance found under the sun. Hunter S Thompson exposed: Music junkies beware, along with its musical collision, the musical legends who act as “Music has always been a matter of en- lecturers at the Academy are also from ergy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental various cultural backgrounds. This kind of people call it Inspiration, but what they really diversity goes far beyond the flat characters mean is fuel.” of mediocracy and instead Red Bull has created a cultural infusion of musical tastes And from this, I think it’s safe to say music and talents. is definitely Red Bull’s fuel. FEATURES THE EDGE GIVES YOU WINGS... The Red Bull Academy

Good: Will keep the real fans happy.

Bad: Lack of singles, MGMT a few filler tracks to avoid! 7. At long last the album every MGMT fan ‘I Found a Whistle’ is a strange track has been waiting for, the artist’s seemingly which recollects explicitly, as you might ex- smug titled third album Congratulations. Al- pect, the discovery of a whistle. It is by no though the album title appears boastful by means a master stroke by Andrew VanWyn- the duo, it is in fact a playful jibe at the music garden and Ben Goldwasser, and feels like industry and was chosen way before their more of a filler track. Track 6 is the 12 minute meteoric rise to fame and success. mammoth ‘Siberian Breaks’, reminiscent of It takes just one glance at the album cov- a similar 10 minute track ‘Metanoia’, it is pro- er to discover the band have not strayed far gressive in that the flow and tempo constant- from their trippy hippy roots. However, it is ly change as they could tell a story and could precisely this reason that MGMT may lose arguably be split into several smaller tracks. some of their ‘mainstream’ following. Unlike Penultimate track ‘Lady Dada’s Night- Oracular Spectacular, Congratulations is mare’ it is a sure sign of MGMT tipping their not peppered with anthem hits and singles proverbial hat in Lady Gaga’s direction. An such as ‘Time to Pretend’, ‘Kids’ and ‘Electric unlikely pairing you would think but given Feel’, but takes the shape of the latter, less that both Congratulations and The Fame are well known, half of the album both inspired by living with stardom it seems This is not to say, however, that the album fitting. The track itself, given there are no lyr- is without merit. On the contrary the album is ics, could quite easily be passed off as Pink lined with catchy melodies and well endowed Floyd, ‘Great Gig in the Sky’ being its closest with large sounds combining to create a 44 counterpart. As the name suggests it is lit- minute journey rather than an album. The tered with dark sounds intended to take you album breaks straight in with ‘It’s Working’; outside your comfort zone. quick tempo’d, it is almost Beach Boy-esque Title track and album closer is a complete with its light hearted harmonies. ‘Someone’s antithesis. Light and melodic you wouldn’t be Missing’ is the shortest track on the whole afraid to play it around your Gran. Altogether, album and seems to pass at lightning speed the album is a move into a new direction and Congratulations - after a slow build into the climax of the track deserves a few listens before discarding it. Columbia it tantalisingly fades away leaving you feeling cheated and aching for more. Tom McKenna RELEASED April 13th

TRACKS TO Hide’ and ‘Can I Take You Home’, and really DOWNLOAD; You lets itself loose by ‘Something Else’. Unfor- Cannot Be Saved, tunately, after such a build-up the last few Run And Hide, Can scattered songs don’t have many places to I Take You Home go, slowing down into the somewhat lacklus- The Automatic tre ballads of ‘Sweat Heat and Noise’, ‘Race to the Heart of the Sun’ and ‘Tear it Down’. If there’s one thing that Wales does well, In spite of a few staff changes in the it’s producing high quality rock outfits, and band, namely the replacing of keyboardist Tear The Signs Down Cowbridge-born boys The Automatic are no Alex Pennie with new arrival Paul Mullen, exception. Following the high acclaim of Not life in the Automatic camp would appear to Armoured Records Accepted Anywhere and This Is A Fix, the be business as usual, and when you listen RELEASED March 8th band rolled out their third studio album Tear to the album it’s difficult to uncover any dis- the Signs Down. However, whether their lat- tinct sounds or vibes in the songs that can’t est creation has measured up in success be found in their previous two albums. For and overall staying power to their previous diehard Automatic fans this is likely to be a albums is, in a word, debateable. delightful surprise, but for the rest of us who In keeping with the themes of This Is A were expecting a breath of fresh air, Tear the Fix, the third album seems to follow the ‘more Signs Down is likely to leave a lot of listeners guitars, less synth’ mantra that steered them feeling a little like the girl whose boyfriend away from the electro-disco categorisa- keeps taking her to Burger King for dinner. tion of Not Accepted Anywhere. In fact, any significant use of synth – other than two or Sam Thomas three seconds worth in song introductions - is restricted to tracks such as the opening Good: Old Automat- ‘Insides’, ‘List’ and ‘High Time’. From there, ic fans will be hap- electro morphs into good old fashioned rock pily surprised. with the powerful vocals and tantalising riffs of ‘You Cannot Be Saved’. This level of fast Bad: No sound pro- paced heavy sound follows into ‘Run and gresssion. 6. TRACKS TO DOWNLOAD; Rhinestone Eyes, Gorillaz On Melancholy Hill ALBUMS Plastic Beach RECORDS Parlophone/Virgin REVIEWING ALL THE BEST RECORDS RELEASED March 3rd I’m just going to put this out there, Plas- Eyes’ and ‘On Melancholy Hill’ are those tic Beach is an album for music lovers. As where there are no guest artists (the latter Good: Will keep the real fans happy. contrived as that may sound, it truly is an track in particular is one of those you can’t album best enjoyed without the partisan believe hasn’t been written already). Bad: Lack of singles, blinkers that come with being a fan of any That’s not to say everybody will enjoy MGMT a few filler tracks to one particular type of music. This is because this – as is often the case, great music isn’t avoid! 7. what Damon Albarn and co. have done here necessarily the stuff you like immediately is craft an album that draws on the various – and there’s not ‘Clint Eastwood’ or ‘Feel At long last the album every MGMT fan ‘I Found a Whistle’ is a strange track relevant musical genres of the modern age, Good Inc.’ type tracks here per se, which, al- has been waiting for, the artist’s seemingly which recollects explicitly, as you might ex- creating a sound that is effortlessly ‘of the though the album doesn’t suffer for, wouldn’t smug titled third album Congratulations. Al- pect, the discovery of a whistle. It is by no moment’ without sounding too deliberate go amiss either. Lead single ‘Stylo’, unlike though the album title appears boastful by means a master stroke by Andrew VanWyn- (all whilst featuring past greats such as Lou previous Gorillaz singles, is a much more the duo, it is in fact a playful jibe at the music garden and Ben Goldwasser, and feels like Reed, Paul Simon and Mick Jones from The subdued affair. Mos Def’s low key delivery industry and was chosen way before their more of a filler track. Track 6 is the 12 minute Clash). bubbling along with the looped bass line until meteoric rise to fame and success. mammoth ‘Siberian Breaks’, reminiscent of One thing that is immediately obvious is Bobby Womack’s booming soulful voice hits It takes just one glance at the album cov- a similar 10 minute track ‘Metanoia’, it is pro- the number of collaborators here, with the – it’s a somewhat strange choice for a single er to discover the band have not strayed far gressive in that the flow and tempo constant- majority of the tracks featuring a big name given there’s no chorus or sing-a-long from their trippy hippy roots. However, it is ly change as they could tell a story and could from the world of music - some are used moment, but the sheer quality of the precisely this reason that MGMT may lose arguably be split into several smaller tracks. to colour Albarn’s music in their respective performances means it’s still a great track. some of their ‘mainstream’ following. Unlike Penultimate track ‘Lady Dada’s Night- Overall, as has been the case in the past, Oracular Spectacular, Congratulations is mare’ it is a sure sign of MGMT tipping their Gorillaz have delivered a top notch album – not peppered with anthem hits and singles proverbial hat in Lady Gaga’s direction. An “This album is for and for those who won’t want to sit through such as ‘Time to Pretend’, ‘Kids’ and ‘Electric unlikely pairing you would think but given the whole album very often or who are put off Feel’, but takes the shape of the latter, less that both Congratulations and The Fame are music lovers.” by what may seem like too many collabora- well known, half of the album both inspired by living with stardom it seems tors from years past, rest assured this is very This is not to say, however, that the album fitting. The track itself, given there are no lyr- much an album of its own time. There’s sure is without merit. On the contrary the album is ics, could quite easily be passed off as Pink shades (such as Lou Reed’s NYC cool on to be at least a handful of tracks that you’ll lined with catchy melodies and well endowed Floyd, ‘Great Gig in the Sky’ being its closest ‘Some Kind of Nature’ or Mark E. Smith’s enjoy. with large sounds combining to create a 44 counterpart. As the name suggests it is lit- stark, ranting turn on ‘Glitter Freeze’) where- minute journey rather than an album. The tered with dark sounds intended to take you as other tracks are centred on the guest art- Dhanesh Patel album breaks straight in with ‘It’s Working’; outside your comfort zone. ist (such as the bouncy, positive vibes on quick tempo’d, it is almost Beach Boy-esque Title track and album closer is a complete ‘Superfast Jellyfish’ courtesy of De La Soul). Good: Overall an with its light hearted harmonies. ‘Someone’s antithesis. Light and melodic you wouldn’t be Each style works well, and stops the album excellent album - Missing’ is the shortest track on the whole afraid to play it around your Gran. Altogether, from feeling like Damon Albarn’s take on fans will not be dis- album and seems to pass at lightning speed the album is a move into a new direction and Congratulations Timbaland’s ‘Shock Value’ album concept, appointed. - after a slow build into the climax of the track deserves a few listens before discarding it. Columbia so to speak. Bad: No stand out it tantalisingly fades away leaving you feel- The album is certainly a Gorillaz one, and single track as with 9. ing cheated and aching for more. Tom McKenna RELEASED April 13th indeed many highlights, such as ‘Rhinestone previous albums.

TRACKS TO Hide’ and ‘Can I Take You Home’, and really DOWNLOAD; You lets itself loose by ‘Something Else’. Unfor- Cannot Be Saved, tunately, after such a build-up the last few Run And Hide, Can scattered songs don’t have many places to I Take You Home go, slowing down into the somewhat lacklus- The Automatic tre ballads of ‘Sweat Heat and Noise’, ‘Race Coheed & Cambria to the Heart of the Sun’ and ‘Tear it Down’. If there’s one thing that Wales does well, In spite of a few staff changes in the it’s producing high quality rock outfits, and band, namely the replacing of keyboardist verbose vocals across the widest Tear The Signs Down Cowbridge-born boys The Automatic are no Alex Pennie with new arrival Paul Mullen, Year Of The Black Rainbow scale you’ll hear in rock music. Armoured Records exception. Following the high acclaim of Not life in the Automatic camp would appear to Columbia The band also take small forays Accepted Anywhere and This Is A Fix, the be business as usual, and when you listen RELEASED April 13th out of their comfort zone, for ex- RELEASED March 8th band rolled out their third studio album Tear to the album it’s difficult to uncover any dis- ample songs such as ‘Guns of the Signs Down. However, whether their lat- tinct sounds or vibes in the songs that can’t Summer’, is not a traditional C&C est creation has measured up in success be found in their previous two albums. For Think of Alternative or Progressive metal, Year Of The Black Rainbow, if you know song. It borrows elements of both and overall staying power to their previous diehard Automatic fans this is likely to be a Coheed & Cambria might come to mind – the band, is the prequel to their other four techno music and power metal and some- albums is, in a word, debateable. delightful surprise, but for the rest of us who and it should. If you’ve not heard of them be- albums detailing the story surrounding The how it works rather well. In keeping with the themes of This Is A were expecting a breath of fresh air, Tear the fore you’d be forgiven for thinking they were Amory Wars, a galactic story that lead singer One criticism is that it is a little too full-on Fix, the third album seems to follow the ‘more Signs Down is likely to leave a lot of listeners an odd cacophony of instruments fronted by Claudio has pioneered through the music and relentless. One thing the band doesn’t guitars, less synth’ mantra that steered them feeling a little like the girl whose boyfriend a woman talking nonsense, but listen to a and also comics and graphic novels If you show well in this particular album is their away from the electro-disco categorisa- keeps taking her to Burger King for dinner. whole album or a few tracks and you’ll real- know the story lines this album is amazing, softer side, there’s nothing akin to ‘Time tion of Not Accepted Anywhere. In fact, any ise you were initially wrong. They’re a band but if you don’t know the story it’s hardly less Consumer’ or ‘Mother Superior’ from their significant use of synth – other than two or Sam Thomas of intricate melody fused with tight rhythms enjoyable to listen to the music. previous works; this is definitely an album three seconds worth in song introductions - and vocals that can only be described as Stand out tracks on the album include for the slightly heavier listener, but that’s Good: C&C expand is restricted to tracks such as the opening Good: epic; and their latest release, Year Of The ‘Here We Are Juggernaut’, the first single something that’s down to your tastes. Old Automat- their horizon whilst ‘Insides’, ‘List’ and ‘High Time’. From there, ic fans will be hap- Black Rainbow is a tour de force of all that from the album, and ‘The Broken’, the first For me, this album takes the best ele- producing an excel- electro morphs into good old fashioned rock pily surprised. is best about Coheed & Cambria but with song they showcased to the public. The ments of older works and combines them to lent album. with the powerful vocals and tantalising riffs a slight twist – it manages to be both their songs encapsulate the work of the band form their best work to date. Bad: A little too Bad: heaviest and their most melodic release to of ‘You Cannot Be Saved’. This level of fast No sound pro- over the last six years – seamlessly weav- relentless in ‘epic- gresssion. date. ing lead-riffs and changing rhythms with 9. paced heavy sound follows into ‘Run and 6. James Miller ness’. Tourist History Kistune Music ALBUMS RELEASED March 1st Two Door Cinema Club Very few albums demand that you play combined with a down tempo beat makes the whole album again immediately after this track irresistible. ‘This Is The Life’ and listening for the first time. Two Door Cin- debut single ‘Something Good Can Work’ ema Club’s Tourist History does just that. A have a feel which is comparable to Jack fair amount of hype has built up around the Penáte, the vocals on the latter superbly fast Northern Irish band, being placed on BBC’s with excellent rhythm. sound of 2010 long list and supporting acts The closing trio of tracks are reminiscent such as Foals, Delphic and The Wombats. of Industry sweethearts Phoenix, who are Upcoming single ‘Undercover Martyn’ supporting at London’s Roundhouse in the is arguably the best track on the album. A Summer. All in all the album represents a fast paced track pierced with pockets of promising future for the band. It is not ho- melancholy, it is contemporally comparable mogeneous like so many other small indie to Vampire Weekends A-Punk, but catchier bands and the album grows on you ex- and is sure to receive extended airplay. ponetially with each and every listen; there Most tracks initiate quietly before burst- is a general feeling that they have only just ing out into a catchy rift, and although it fea- scratched the surface with potential for tures on most of the tracks it fails to tire as greater things. Incidentally the album is cur- each new melody is fresh and unique. The rently streaming free on the bands myspace album’s first two tracks ‘Cigarettes In The (myspace.com/twodoorcinemaclub) and I Theatre’ and ‘Come Back Home’ act as ex- strongly recommend you give it a listen. cellent feelers into the album. Tom McKenna You have to wait for the third track to re- Good: Fresh and ally start seeing the diversity of the band. ‘Do unique. You Want It All’ sounds like it has just been lifted straight from Human League era 80’s Bad: electropop, with beautiful smooth synths Very little - be 8. sure to check it out!

ered by a pulsating martial drumbeat and a celebratory chorus, while adding soaring strings to the equation to impressive effect. That is not to say that the album is a uni- versal success. ‘The Wrestle’ rests upon a Frightened Rabbit sparse, understated bass-line, but the song becomes repetitive and dirge-like, while ‘Foot Shooter’ repeats the problem, failing to ‘Swim Until You Can’t See Land’ being the ever take off in the way that it should. While Winter Of Mixed Drinks most obvious example. The first thing that the attempts to bring in new sonic textures strikes the listener about the album is the and layers are admirable, occasionally the Fat Cat sheer depth of the sound; though Frightened band seems to lose focus amongst the com- RELEASED March 1st Rabbit have maintained their ramshackle plexity. charm, the songs are full of lush, textured ar- The band leave it to the last song on the Frightened Rabbit are at the forefront of rangements, a refreshing progression from album, ‘Yes, I Would’, to show, in a synthe- an exciting new generation of British indie the stripped-down acoustics of their previous sis of their best qualities, just how good they bands. It is to their credit that, only four years efforts. Opening track ‘Things’ is a perfect have become. Hutchinson’s vocals sound into their career, the release of their third al- example of this new approach, beginning beautifully fragile, cracking as he reaches bum came with a great deal of expectation with droning keyboards and building with a a falsetto. The track perfectly encapsulates and perhaps even trepidation. Not only was spare, ascending vocal melody as pounding the mood of the whole album, both sonically The Midnight Organ Fight a great record, percussion mixes with dissonant feedback to and lyrically: the delicate optimism of the it had an almost unparalleled intensity that drive the song to a euphoric conclusion. album’s protagonist is matched by Fright- only a break-up album can create. Sensibly, The best of the album takes this newfound ened Rabbit’s own willingness to change they have not sought to recreate that ca- depth and combines it with the elements that and progress. The Winter of Mixed Drinks thartic energy, instead opting for a unifying made Frightened Rabbit exciting in the first is an impressive album; what is yet to come concept based around themes of escape, place. Second single, ‘Nothing Like You’ should be even better. rebirth and renewal. Atmospherically, this could easily act as a companion piece to ‘I Duncan Smith proves extremely effective. The Winter Of Feel Better’ from their previous album, filled Good: Impressive Mixed Drinks was written in the small Scot- as it is with the same rousing urgency and with few weakness- 2010 looks to be an exciting tish coastal village of Crail, and the inspira- insistent claims of renewal and change. es. Bad: year for Frightened Rabbit tion is obvious; the expansiveness of the Elsewhere, ‘Living In Colour’ is probably the A few songs let 7. music is extremely evocative, first single group’s most relentlessly upbeat song, pow- down the album. Well, good news! There are even more record reviews Want More? Course You Do! available at; www.wessexscene.co.uk/the-edge Tourist History Kistune Music ALBUMS RELEASED March 1st SINGLES Two Door Cinema Club Very few albums demand that you play combined with a down tempo beat makes the whole album again immediately after this track irresistible. ‘This Is The Life’ and listening for the first time. Two Door Cin- debut single ‘Something Good Can Work’ ema Club’s Tourist History does just that. A have a feel which is comparable to Jack fair amount of hype has built up around the Penáte, the vocals on the latter superbly fast Northern Irish band, being placed on BBC’s with excellent rhythm. sound of 2010 long list and supporting acts The closing trio of tracks are reminiscent such as Foals, Delphic and The Wombats. of Industry sweethearts Phoenix, who are Upcoming single ‘Undercover Martyn’ supporting at London’s Roundhouse in the is arguably the best track on the album. A Summer. All in all the album represents a fast paced track pierced with pockets of promising future for the band. It is not ho- melancholy, it is contemporally comparable mogeneous like so many other small indie to Vampire Weekends A-Punk, but catchier bands and the album grows on you ex- and is sure to receive extended airplay. ponetially with each and every listen; there Most tracks initiate quietly before burst- is a general feeling that they have only just ing out into a catchy rift, and although it fea- scratched the surface with potential for tures on most of the tracks it fails to tire as greater things. Incidentally the album is cur- each new melody is fresh and unique. The rently streaming free on the bands myspace album’s first two tracks ‘Cigarettes In The (myspace.com/twodoorcinemaclub) and I Theatre’ and ‘Come Back Home’ act as ex- strongly recommend you give it a listen. cellent feelers into the album. Tom McKenna You have to wait for the third track to re- Good: Fresh and ally start seeing the diversity of the band. ‘Do unique. You Want It All’ sounds like it has just been lifted straight from Human League era 80’s Bad: electropop, with beautiful smooth synths Very little - be Breed 77. Mumford & Paramore. Plan B. 8. sure to check it out! Zombie. 8. Sons. 8. The Only 5. Stay Too 8. ered by a pulsating martial drumbeat and a celebratory chorus, while adding soaring La Rocka The Cave. Exception. Long. strings to the equation to impressive effect. That is not to say that the album is a uni- Records. Island. Fueled By Ramen. 649/Atlantic. versal success. ‘The Wrestle’ rests upon a Breed 77, Gibraltar’s biggest metal band, Summer is on its way; you can almost This ballad makes for an interesting lis- For a song that has two choruses, by 45 Frightened Rabbit sparse, understated bass-line, but the song latest release is a cover of The Cranberries smell the waft of barbeque smoke and feel ten at least, particularly since it provides a seconds I was surprised that the song was becomes repetitive and dirge-like, while song of the same name. Breed 77 gives the the balmy breeze of unbridled leisure - yes real contrast with their usual punk-rock an- so long. However, on further listening the ‘Foot Shooter’ repeats the problem, failing to song a more Latin feel to it via an acoustic my friends, it’s time to get your folk on. So, thems. The smouldering guitar riffs, pound- song is more complex than it first appears. ‘Swim Until You Can’t See Land’ being the ever take off in the way that it should. While guitar that drives the song, and the grunge whip out your acoustic guitars, banjos and ing rhythms and the brilliant jump-up-and- It kicks off with Plan B’s distinctive high Winter Of Mixed Drinks most obvious example. The first thing that the attempts to bring in new sonic textures overtones have mostly been removed. tambourines and deck yourselves in sandals down energy they are famous for are absent vocals and a sound not too dissimilar from strikes the listener about the album is the and layers are admirable, occasionally the However, the song still retains its emo- and swishy skirts. here in favour of a more low-key and mellow Jamiroquai with the guitar forming the ba- Fat Cat sheer depth of the sound; though Frightened band seems to lose focus amongst the com- tion and Breed 77 creates a more intense Mumford & Sons will be a serious con- tone. Paramore have claimed that it is their sis of the song, which is unusual for a rap- RELEASED March 1st Rabbit have maintained their ramshackle plexity. version, with some well-constructed break tender to be the soundtrack of your summer. “first love song that speaks about love in not per. However, it is the drums which drive charm, the songs are full of lush, textured ar- The band leave it to the last song on the downs and a clever solo which adds more For those of you who are still folk virgins and a negative way. It’s a more positive light”. the song, forming a loose drum n bass style Frightened Rabbit are at the forefront of rangements, a refreshing progression from album, ‘Yes, I Would’, to show, in a synthe- depth to the song. have yet to be converted, Mumford & Sons Well, it’s a nice tune with a lilting lullaby- rhythm. an exciting new generation of British indie the stripped-down acoustics of their previous sis of their best qualities, just how good they Breed 77 have changed a few of the lyr- are the band to lead you down this sunny like feel and a catchy chorus, but honestly, What makes ‘Stay too Long’ a great song bands. It is to their credit that, only four years efforts. Opening track ‘Things’ is a perfect have become. Hutchinson’s vocals sound ics to make the song more contemporary, toe-tapping road of catchy jigs accompanied I’m not convinced. It’s slow, easy listening, is the juxtaposition between the melody into their career, the release of their third al- example of this new approach, beginning beautifully fragile, cracking as he reaches poignant and relevant. I think this shows by lyrics worthy of being called poetry. ‘The and really a bit boring. As far as the ballads and the breakdown into more conventional bum came with a great deal of expectation with droning keyboards and building with a a falsetto. The track perfectly encapsulates they have thought about what they are doing Cave’ is the third single from their debut of Paramore go, it is definitely not one of rap with Plan B’s East End heritage coming and perhaps even trepidation. Not only was spare, ascending vocal melody as pounding the mood of the whole album, both sonically rather than just covering a good song - an album Sigh No More and although not as their best. Instead, Hayley Williams’ vocals, through in his accent and dark subject mat- The Midnight Organ Fight a great record, percussion mixes with dissonant feedback to and lyrically: the delicate optimism of the easy trap to fall into. This is why the song overtly catchy as ‘Little Lion Man’ it retains which are usually so edgy and piercing, frus- ter. Plan B isn’t afraid to sing and rap, which it had an almost unparalleled intensity that drive the song to a euphoric conclusion. album’s protagonist is matched by Fright- works so well for them. the lovable charm of jangling pop mixed with tratingly lack the hypnotic power that they brings a new dimension to his material and only a break-up album can create. Sensibly, The best of the album takes this newfound ened Rabbit’s own willingness to change Those who like the original song, which is bluegrass and country; capturing a sense of had in the band’s previous single ‘Brick by really accentuates his talent on this single. they have not sought to recreate that ca- depth and combines it with the elements that and progress. The Winter of Mixed Drinks rather nonchalant and raw in its sound, may sepia-tinted nostalgia for days gone by. Boring Brick’. Moreover, listening to the cli- His talent, on this song at least, is backed thartic energy, instead opting for a unifying made Frightened Rabbit exciting in the first is an impressive album; what is yet to come find this cover a little too much, especially if It builds up layers of sound; starting from chéd lyrics really makes me want to inject up by lyrics that are original and true to Plan concept based around themes of escape, place. Second single, ‘Nothing Like You’ should be even better. metal is not their preferred taste. Neverthe- a rolling guitar riff and vocals and slowly add- some subtlety into them – “I had sworn to B as he sings about topics which have an rebirth and renewal. Atmospherically, this could easily act as a companion piece to ‘I Duncan Smith less, this cover is tastefully pulled off. ing on piano, banjo, horns and harmonies. myself that I’m content with loneliness, be- impact on him and where he’s from, rather proves extremely effective. The Winter Of Feel Better’ from their previous album, filled Good: Impressive Breed 77 stay true to the song and them- The culmination of sounds result in an al- cause none of it was ever worth the risk”. than stereotypical rap lyrics. Overall, this Mixed Drinks was written in the small Scot- as it is with the same rousing urgency and with few weakness- selves by making a good song, great. Their most anthemic cry of “I will hold on hope’” Overall the song is not a bad one as such song highlights Plan B’s diversity and ability 2010 looks to be an exciting tish coastal village of Crail, and the inspira- insistent claims of renewal and change. es. reinterpretation of the original is sympathetic and “And I’ll find strength in pain/ And I will (I probably wouldn’t bother skipping it on to mix conventional singing with rap; it’s one Bad: year for Frightened Rabbit tion is obvious; the expansiveness of the Elsewhere, ‘Living In Colour’ is probably the A few songs let 7. but their input has made it more relevant and change my ways”. And with that I leave you shuffle) but it disappoints, particularly com- of his best. music is extremely evocative, first single group’s most relentlessly upbeat song, pow- down the album. distinct by putting their own spin on it. to leave the cave of winter and sigh no more ing from a strong album. Just don’t let it put with Mumford & Sons. you off the rest of the album. Well, good news! There are even more record reviews Want More? Course You Do! available at; www.wessexscene.co.uk/the-edge Alex Payne Kat Bawmwang Sarah Colson Alex Payne LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN... Sigur Ros’ front man JONSI announces UK tour that will grace the South Coast, coming to Bournemouth on 13th September.

LADY GAGA brings her crazy sound to London for two dates at the O2 arena, LIVE playing 30th and 31st May. You Me Original ska-sters SQUEEZE come to our very own Southampton Guildhall on LIVE December 6th. BLONDIE announce UK tour taking place over the summer, appearing at the O2 The Best Live Music In The South Academy Bournemouth on June 19th. At Six

TIGER TIGER the lyrics would have carried on, the crowd PORTSMOUTH reciting every word like schoolchildren recit- GUILDHALL Tinie ing the alphabet. Unfortunately, this was the SOUTHAMPTON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26 end of his repetoire, and the crowd returned to their drunken debauchery. THURSDAY, MARCH 18 As I hung on after the show eagerly await- Having been a fan of Tinie for a few years ing my interview with the man himself, the now, I was a little overexcited to see his euphoric sensation that ensued whilst Tinie show. However, upon arriving and speak- Tempah was on stage remained at a height, only ing to his manager (Tinie was going to be adding to my anticipation. Finally, the news All things considered, I expected to be over a white curtained back- at least an hour late) this fervour soon dissi- came. Tinie had gone. He’d had to rush off to severely disappointed with You Me At Six, drop to reveal the Surrey pated. Walking into the club it looked like any another gig. Another gig – at 2am?! Clearly who have seemed to rocket to fame almost borne fi ve-piece’s silhou- usual student night, scantily clad girls being the price of fame is high. Disgruntled, disap- as quickly as I grew up. With this accelera- ettes, I realised You Me At Six eyed up by (unusually short) boys; maybe pointed, I dragged my friends back to the car. tion to success came a plethora of tween would do this right. there is some truth to the height/intelligence But then, the call came. A phone interview! fans, whom I expected You Me At Six to The drums kicked theory. After grabbing a drink, we headed to Tinie felt so bad about leaving he was will- cater largely to, but against all my in to ‘Safer to Hate the clubroom where Tinie would perform. Af- ing to do it over the phone. That impressed. reservations I was pleasant- Her’ from their latter an hour of waiting there was still no sign After pulling over in an abandoned car park ly surprised. est release Hold of the elusive Mr Tempah. I made the call. He answered, swagger true Support Me Down, the Finally, as 12:30am (an hour and a half to form, “Hey Ele, how you doing?” We pro- came crowd went after the original time I’d been told and three ceeded to chat about his recent rise to fame from crazy, and and half after the published time), movement - “It feels like a roller coaster ride, I just keep For- I ate my occurred. Music blared, a man with a mike getting higher and higher”; the Dizzee com- ever meta- ran on stage and cameras started fl ashing. It parisons - “I don’t mind, it’s such a compli- the phorical was soon apparent this was not Tinie, but his ment”; his recent collaboration with the Go- Sickest words. hype man, sent to stall/warm up the crowd for rillaz - “Meeting Damon Albarn was such a Kids and Yet, it was by no the ‘impending’ performance. Still the crowd proud moment, I was starstruck”; - and who We The means a perfect Visually, it was absolutely stunning, went wild, grabbing his hand, thinking this has inspired him currently - “G-fresh, Giggs, Kings, who, set. The vocal and so much more than I anticipated. After Voice from was the Tinie Tempah. I’m not sure whether Princess Nya: Best of British”. Finally, I had to be perfectly talents of Josh just three tracks the sirens of ‘The Conse- it was ignorance or alcohol, but it served to to ask, “Have you now been to Scunthorpe?”. honest, sound- Franceschi quence’ screeched over the stage, rising to The Crowd illustrate how fi ckle the music market is: one “Ele, Mate, I don’t think anyone’s been to ed so similar I were some- signature distortion and punch of the drums. hit and you’re it, shame no one bothers to Scunthorpe”. That weekend Tinie got his fi rst found it diffi cult to times a little At that very same moment, the white curtain fi nd out who ‘it’ is. Regardless, half an hour number 1 hit with ‘Pass Out’. Somehow, I keep track of who shaky, or that provided such an explosive entrance later Tinie did show up, and I’m happy to say: don’t ever think Scunthorpe’s where he’ll be did what and when. lost alto- dropped to reveal a three tiered stage set boy did good. After paying homage to his going. Throughout the en- gether up, elevating the drummer ten feet above few loyal fans with renditions of ‘Wifey’ and tirety of the support, I the rest of the band. The backdrop was re- ‘Tears’, he did a little ‘thank the fans routine’, ELE BOWE couldn’t help but feel I placed with the artwork from their latest re- then went straight for the crowd pleaser: had missed something lease and hundreds upon hundreds of white ‘Pass Out’. Two words. Smashed it. Having crucial. They just weren’t lights appeared, giving the remainder of the Paul Ward, 20, Southampton seen many respected rappers (Kanye, Jay, my bag, and never are they amongst the show a refreshing new dimension that was even our Dizzee) at times shout their lyrics, I Good: Musical mas- likely to be. But credit where thrashing guitar totally unexpected. “FTSK weren’t too bad, but the was positively impressed that such a young tery that excedes his credit is due: there was noth- tracks, whilst the drums Although the show was far from out- Jimmy cover was blasphemy!” rapper (only 21 years old) could perform comporaries. ing inherently wrong with either were a fraction out of time for standing, it was unexpectedly engaging under pressure with such clarity and com- performance – Forever the Sick- almost the whole set. Franceschi and stimulating, with You Me At Six push- posure. The audience loved it, so much that est Kids were tuneful and melodic, also had a tendency to direct the micro- ing their boundaries and blowing out the Bad: Timing, audi- Tinie could have walked off at any time and whilst We The Kings kept the crowd phone toward the crowd during lyrics that cobwebs. They demonstrated a surprising ence and venue. 8. moving for almost the whole support, even only a small number of fans seemed to maturity and crowd awareness that catered succeeding to master a note perfect cover know, making some tracks sound a little like to a greater demographic than young girls of Jimmy Eat World’s hit ‘The Middle’. Blankety-Blank. That being said, You Me At who would appreciate the show regardless But this did nothing except accentuate Six really excelled themselves during the of whether it was any good or not. And I’m the sense of impending disappointment slower numbers, with ‘Liquid Confi dence’ pleased to say it was a solid and striking per- that was sweeping over me. As the lights and ‘Fireworks’ really standing out. Notably formance. dimmed and the Guildhall erupted into sublime and beautiful, they fl oated through screeches of a thousand decibels, I folded the melodies with the ease and confi dence HAYLEY TAULBUT my arms and prepared to roll my eyes. of acts as old as time, really demonstrating Yet, as the strobes fl ashed relentlessly a maturity that I was not expecting. Good: Visually impressive and varied set.

Bad: Not always musically sound, 6. and mediocre support acts. LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN... Sigur Ros’ front man JONSI announces UK tour that will grace the South Coast, coming to Bournemouth on 13th September.

Bad: Not always musically sound, 6. and mediocre support acts. LIVE FOUR BANDS ONE VENUE and a lot of SKA TALKING HEADS SOUTHAMPTON TUESDAY, MARCH 16

Zebrahead, MC Lars, Orange & Kids Can’t Fly

Fresh from the release of their latest record Joe Dexter over him for the remainder of the brilliant. encapsulates everything that Zebrahead are Panty Raid, Zebrahead crossed the Atlantic show. But nothing can overshadow the head- all about – not taking anything too seriously with a cheeky spring in their step to embark Thankfully, MC Lars, Stanford graduate liners this evening. My reservations about and having a damn good time, a sentiment upon their Spring tour. and nerdcore hiphop starlet, was there to Zebrahead’s performance were quashed shared by the entirety of the Talking Heads Often difficult to pigeonhole, the five save the day. Performing the entirety of his within moments of their explosion onto the this evening. And although at times the lev- piece that somehow transcend all musical set from his laptop, Lars unfortunately suf- stage, opening with hectic ‘Let Me Go’ that els were a little off, overwhelming the listen- genresFresh came from to the Southampton release of with their an latest im- fered technical issues with the sound cut- had the audience dancing and screaming, er with so much sound it was impossible to recordpressive Panty array Raid, of fans an albumand a solelydefinitive devoted goal ting out the whole way through his first three an enthusiasm that would not dip through- distinguish one line of music from another, it to– tofemale have ancover awesome songs, time.Zebrahead crossed numbers. Yet he really took this in his stride, out the entirety of the set. was an almost flawless performance. Even theEven Atlantic the with support a cheeky was spring striking. in their Up step first turning a technical hitch that essentially It is almost impossible to communicate when the stage was invaded by several over towere embark local uponlegends their Kids Spring Can’t tour. Fly, who sup- could have ruined the set into a highlight, just how crazy this show was. Vocalist Ali excited fans, the performance did not suffer portedOften Zebrahead difficult to onpigeonhole, their last the UK five tour, piece a breaking out into freestyle directly in the mid- spent almost half the set amongst the pleth- for a second – it was pure musical genius. thatcommendable somehow transcend feat in itself. all musical During genres that dle of crowd favourite ‘Mr Raven’. ora of hardcore fans that populated the front Overall it was a great show. From the off- cametour, Zebraheadto Southampton were with so an impressed impressive with ar- From then on, the set was plain sailing. row, whilst lead guitarist Greg oscillated be- set a feeling of pure unadulterated bliss cov- raythe ofSouthampton fans and a definitive based six goalpiece – tothat have they an Crowd pleasers ‘Download this Song’ and tween running around in circles, and play- ered the room, and justifiably so – it was the awesomeasked the time, KCF a horn goal sectionit is safe to to join say them was ‘White Kids Aren’t Hyphy’ were executed ing his guitar with a bottle of Jack Daniels. perfect excuse to throw off the blues from achievedon stage three every times night, over. un- The crowd interaction was also second to the dull and utterly miserable weather, and fortunatelyEven the ansupport event was that striking to say the none. Between dragging crowd members dance. Fantastic! least.was notUp first repeated were local during legends Kids Can’t on stage, forcing them to stage dive, insist- Fly,this who show. supported Nonetheless Zebrahead on their last ing the crowd to make the ‘minge’ sign with HAYLEY TAULBUT UKKids tour, Can’t a commendable Fly put on an feat in itself. Dur- their hands, and entreating the entire room Good: ingawe that inspiring tour, Zebrahead performance were so impressed sit down, it is a wonder they had time to play Utterly crazy performance. withthat the set Southampton the tone for based the six piece that any songs with conviction. theyremainder asked of the the KCF evening. horn section to join Although much of the pleasure of the themEffortlessly on stage energetic every and night, unfortunately show came from the sheer madness that anincredibly event thatintense, was theynot repeatedhad during this ensued from start to finish, it would also Bad: Technical hic- show.the crowd Nonetheless moving Kids almost Can’t Fly put on an be difficult to find coughs and poor 9. aweinstantly, inspiring with performancetheir enthusi -that set the tone fault with the mu- support act. forasm the spilling remainder over ofthe the crowd evening. Effortlessly sic. The set was energeticin excess. and incredibly intense, they had a great mix of theUnfortunately, crowd moving L.A almost based instantly with their tracks, crammed enthusiasmfoursome Orange spilling were over dis the- Talking Heads so full that they crowdtinctly inuninspiring. excess. Their music sounded far fantastically and flawlessly, with the crowd had to skip over tooUnfortunately, much like a 1994 L.A Green based Day foursome throwback Or- dancing so much the lights were rattling on the conventional angefor my were liking, distinctly whilst the uninspiring. performance Their was music dry the ceiling. His short set was rounded off vacating of the soundedand dull. farThere too wasmuch nothing like a 1994 exciting Green in their Day with a collaboration with 60% of Zebrahead stage before the throwbackset, and everything for my liking, about whilst them the screamed perform- for ‘Hot Topic is Not Punk-Rock’ that was so encore to ensure ancesuperficiality. was dry and The dull. only There redeeming was nothing point energetic I had reservations how Zebrahead they played all the excitingcame from or freshtheir coverin their of set,the classicand everything Beatles would be able to supersede his sterling per- fan favourites. For abouttrack them ‘Help’, screamed during whichsuperficiality. they swapped The only formance. It was an incredible supporting me, the show’s redeeminglead vocalist point to Perry came Ladish. from It their was cover a good of set, refreshingly intelligent and witty, whilst pinnacle came in thesolid classic cover, Beatles with vocals track ‘Help’, so competent during which you remaining somehow modestly indebted to the form of ‘An- theycouldn’t swapped help wonder lead vocalist why they to hadPerry favoured Ladish. the same music scene he mocks – utterly them’. For me, it LIVE LIVE FOUR BANDS Erland & ONE VENUE The Carnival SKA supporting The and a lot of Wild Beasts TALKING HEADS SOUTHAMPTON TUESDAY, MARCH 16

Zebrahead, MC Lars, Orange & Kids Can’t Fly WEDGEWOOD ROOMS PORTSMOUTH Fresh from the release of their latest record Joe Dexter over him for the remainder of the brilliant. encapsulates everything that Zebrahead are WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 Panty Raid, Zebrahead crossed the Atlantic show. But nothing can overshadow the head- all about – not taking anything too seriously with a cheeky spring in their step to embark Thankfully, MC Lars, Stanford graduate liners this evening. My reservations about and having a damn good time, a sentiment upon their Spring tour. and nerdcore hiphop starlet, was there to Zebrahead’s performance were quashed shared by the entirety of the Talking Heads Often difficult to pigeonhole, the five save the day. Performing the entirety of his within moments of their explosion onto the this evening. And although at times the lev- piece that somehow transcend all musical set from his laptop, Lars unfortunately suf- stage, opening with hectic ‘Let Me Go’ that els were a little off, overwhelming the listen- The man behind the now-disbanded folk popular numbers, Erland and Co. quickly very enjoyable set. My one and only criticism genresFresh came from to the Southampton release of with their an latest im- fered technical issues with the sound cut- had the audience dancing and screaming, er with so much sound it was impossible to outfi t Vultures opens this evenings gig at get in the swing of things trotting confi dently however was that the band lacked a little en- recordpressive Panty array Raid, of fans an albumand a solelydefinitive devoted goal ting out the whole way through his first three an enthusiasm that would not dip through- distinguish one line of music from another, it Portsmouth’s Wedgewood Rooms with a through current singles ‘Was You Ever Seen’ ergy at times, and I felt that this sometimes to– tofemale have ancover awesome songs, time.Zebrahead crossed numbers. Yet he really took this in his stride, out the entirety of the set. was an almost flawless performance. Even joke - he’s left the other fi ve members of his and ‘Trouble in Mind’. Despite this early con- affected their otherwise brilliant perform- theEven Atlantic the with support a cheeky was spring striking. in their Up step first turning a technical hitch that essentially It is almost impossible to communicate when the stage was invaded by several over band at home to free up some room in the fi dence the crowd seemed muted and it re- ance. Having just returned from a large tour towere embark local uponlegends their Kids Spring Can’t tour. Fly, who sup- could have ruined the set into a highlight, just how crazy this show was. Vocalist Ali excited fans, the performance did not suffer tour van. The apparent abandonment of his mained like this for the length of the set. It’s of America though, it is hardly surprising. portedOften Zebrahead difficult to onpigeonhole, their last the UK five tour, piece a breaking out into freestyle directly in the mid- spent almost half the set amongst the pleth- for a second – it was pure musical genius. band does however hold some truth, as this not that Erland and the boys lack talent, it’s thatcommendable somehow transcend feat in itself. all musical During genres that dle of crowd favourite ‘Mr Raven’. ora of hardcore fans that populated the front Overall it was a great show. From the off- is the fi rst gig as his reincarnation as singer- just that the type of folk they’re peddling is All the bands that played that night are cametour, Zebraheadto Southampton were with so an impressed impressive with ar- From then on, the set was plain sailing. row, whilst lead guitarist Greg oscillated be- set a feeling of pure unadulterated bliss cov- songwriter ‘Lone Wolf’. a little dated in style, and with mainly tradi- worth seeing and all for different reasons, raythe ofSouthampton fans and a definitive based six goalpiece – tothat have they an Crowd pleasers ‘Download this Song’ and tween running around in circles, and play- ered the room, and justifiably so – it was the tional instruments being used, their simplis- whether it’s Wild Beasts edgy indie, Erland awesomeasked the time, KCF a horn goal sectionit is safe to to join say them was ‘White Kids Aren’t Hyphy’ were executed ing his guitar with a bottle of Jack Daniels. perfect excuse to throw off the blues from Lone Wolf goes on to embark upon a sol- tic pop arrangements simply lack spice. and the Carnival’s strange take on folk-pop, achievedon stage three every times night, over. un- The crowd interaction was also second to the dull and utterly miserable weather, and id set, managing to entrance the few people or Lone Wolf’s solitary and traditional folk, all fortunatelyEven the ansupport event was that striking to say the none. Between dragging crowd members dance. Fantastic! not at the bar with his simple yet poignant Next up were ‘Wild Beasts’ who’s popu- of them offer a talent that should be seen. least.was notUp first repeated were local during legends Kids Can’t on stage, forcing them to stage dive, insist- brand of folk. After a short break and with the larity this year has shot up, mainly due to They’re all at various festivals this summer, Fly,this who show. supported Nonetheless Zebrahead on their last ing the crowd to make the ‘minge’ sign with HAYLEY TAULBUT small venue now fi lling up we fi nally come lots of positive press surrounding their sec- so why don’t you go witness them yourself? UKKids tour, Can’t a commendable Fly put on an feat in itself. Dur- their hands, and entreating the entire room Good: to one of the night’s main attractions, Erland ond album, Two Dancers. Hayden’s impres- ingawe that inspiring tour, Zebrahead performance were so impressed sit down, it is a wonder they had time to play Utterly crazy & The Carnival. The trio are currently trying sive voice was one of the main attractions to JOSH TREACHER performance. withthat the set Southampton the tone for based the six piece that any songs with conviction. to make a name for themselves, presum- their latest record with, comparisons able to theyremainder asked of the the KCF evening. horn section to join Although much of the pleasure of the ably aiming for the success that other folk be made with Antony Hegarty (of Antony and themEffortlessly on stage energetic every and night, unfortunately show came from the sheer madness that tinged pop bands like Mumford & Sons have the Johnsons fame). Yet, it is not his voice Bad: anincredibly event thatintense, was theynot repeatedhad during this ensued from start to finish, it would also Technical hic- managed of late. They certainly have poten- that carries the band through their live per- Good: coughs and poor A great solid show.the crowd Nonetheless moving Kids almost Can’t Fly put on an be difficult to find 9. tial and in the case of lead guitarist and ex- formances, it’s the stabbing new-wave gui- performance, musi- support act. aweinstantly, inspiring with performancetheir enthusi -that set the tone fault with the mu- Verve/Blur man Simon Tong, experience too. tars, the danceable bass-lines and the vocal cally sound. forasm the spilling remainder over ofthe the crowd evening. Effortlessly sic. The set was talents of both singers, equally Hayden and energeticin excess. and incredibly intense, they had a great mix of This new band is no rehashed collec- Tom that do it. The danceable nature of Wild theUnfortunately, crowd moving L.A almost based instantly with their tracks, crammed tion of fossils though, as twenty something Beasts music is also refreshing especially Bad: Perhaps a little enthusiasmfoursome Orange spilling were over dis the- Talking Heads so full that they lead singer Gawain Erland Cooper takes amongst a scene that isn’t known for danc- lacking in energy. 7. crowdtinctly inuninspiring. excess. Their music sounded far fantastically and flawlessly, with the crowd had to skip over the stage. Starting with one of their more ing much, and that evening it made for a tooUnfortunately, much like a 1994 L.A Green based Day foursome throwback Or- dancing so much the lights were rattling on the conventional angefor my were liking, distinctly whilst the uninspiring. performance Their was music dry the ceiling. His short set was rounded off vacating of the soundedand dull. farThere too wasmuch nothing like a 1994 exciting Green in their Day with a collaboration with 60% of Zebrahead stage before the throwbackset, and everything for my liking, about whilst them the screamed perform- for ‘Hot Topic is Not Punk-Rock’ that was so encore to ensure ancesuperficiality. was dry and The dull. only There redeeming was nothing point energetic I had reservations how Zebrahead they played all the excitingcame from or freshtheir coverin their of set,the classicand everything Beatles would be able to supersede his sterling per- fan favourites. For abouttrack them ‘Help’, screamed during whichsuperficiality. they swapped The only formance. It was an incredible supporting me, the show’s redeeminglead vocalist point to Perry came Ladish. from It their was cover a good of set, refreshingly intelligent and witty, whilst pinnacle came in thesolid classic cover, Beatles with vocals track ‘Help’, so competent during which you remaining somehow modestly indebted to the form of ‘An- That’s right! You can fi nd even more live reviews and up- theycouldn’t swapped help wonder lead vocalist why they to hadPerry favoured Ladish. the same music scene he mocks – utterly them’. For me, it But Wait! There’s More! coming gig news at; www.wessexscene.co.uk/the-edge CULTURE OUR VERY OWN CULTURE CLUB

with it. A lot of the Oxbridge has a rich tradition of comedy jokes come out of for Little Dark to follow in the footsteps of, lines that you use in but Chris is modest about their chances of life. You hear some- reaching these great heights. “We’d like to, it one say something would certainly be nice. I think it is very hard that’s funny, you to do comedy well, and we do it well enough steal it,” revealed to work on an amateur level at the moment. Josh Anderson, ex- In a year we might be ready for The Edin- plaining how the burgh Fringe. When you’ve done the Fringe group start out with I think you fi nd whether you can hack it as an a sketch. “You then actual group.” cut down by running “It’s something I really enjoy doing and it over and over and would like to keep going, but I’m not entirely seeing who laughs sure any of us are of that caliber yet,” adds at what. If it doesn’t make us laugh, we are quite brutal. I “I dance half naked don’t think we have had a sketch that is in the show - I am bad. We have had a couple that have willing to do anything died, but we weren’t doing them right!” to get laughs; I don’t Little Dark have certainly got the sketches in this think you can ever go show right however, and despite too far in comedy.” performing in a tiny room with no light- Josh. “We have had quite positive feedback ing or staging, the from fairly well established comedians on group still managed the amateur circuit, which is ego infl ating.” to draw the preview Despite not even having this show off the audience in and ground, Little Dark have got plans for many Photography by Urska Mali leave them in fi ts of more: “After this show, which is about 75 Oxford Playhouse, and after witnessing their laughter. minutes long, we’ve got another hours worth press preview I would be very surprised if If you like bizarre yet hilarious sketch of material, because this one has stand-up the show was not a big hit. comedy, then make sure you check out Lit- comedy in it. Josh and Nick are very talented Chris Turner describes their show as tle Dark. Be warned though, their unique musicians, and in the next show we have a “an amalgamation of sketches we all wrote brand of comedy is not for the faint hearted song about cannibalism – it’s called ‘You’ve separately and then put together. There’s no – the show is full of disturbing ideas and Got Good Taste In Me’. The third show is real theme. It doesn’t really matter though, attention grabbing one-liners the innocent going to be written together as a joint effort, Oxford based comedy sketch group Lit- in the sense that you have a lot of different should not hear. “The crisp packet thing is more like a comedy play.” tle Dark have already performed successful sketches with a lot of different writers. I tend probably the most disgusting thing we go, Sadly for those who cannot get to Oxford shows in Oxford, London and Sheffi eld, and to write shorter, sillier sketches, along with a but surprisingly about 10 people walked out to see the show, Little Dark have no current next have their sights set on taking their own couple darker. Josh and Nick tend to write on the line from ‘The Godfather sketch’,” plans to take it on the road. “We would like brand of surreal and dark comedy to The Ed- slightly longer sketches.” revealed Chris, when asked how the audi- to. If anyone wants to invite us, do! We’re inburgh Fringe. The collective of writers and Despite there being no theme to the ence take some of the more extreme ele- happy to make 3-hour car journeys,” laughs comedians, formed by Chris Turner in 2009, show, the sketches were all linked by the ments of the show. “I dance half naked in Chris. “We intend to travel with this show, but is made up of Josh Anderson, Phill Brown, same dark humour over mundane everyday the full show - I am willing to do anything to at the moment there are a lot of exams for Caity Parker and Andrew Stilborne. occurrences, such as recycling and waste get laughs; I don’t think you can ever go too us. If Southampton will have us though, we’ll The group is currently preparing to take collection. “The way we do it is to pick some- far in comedy. You can upset a few people, do it!” their show to the Burton Taylor Studio in the thing wrong with the world and then just run but we try not to.” Emmeline Curtis CULTURE OUR VERY OWN CULTURE CLUB

The Disappearance Of Alice Creed J. Blakeson Gemma Arterton bumpy ride, and almost makes the audience self made prison in the third act of this fi lm, Released April 20th forget that this is a fi lm with only three cast comes the removal of the constraints that Rating: 18 members, their personalities are split into had been confi ning both the story and acting. that many pieces. However, the attempts to “Had the script been Cue another three or four twists, some gen- simulate real humanity and feeling in these uine fear and compulsion to watch on and characters is entirely hollow. It is clear from better crafted to re- the audience become once more hooked by First of all I’d like to congratulate Union the earliest moments of the fi lm that the Arterton’s skilful performance as Alice. Films and all those who voted to make sure script is not going to allow these characters fl ect any genuine hu- A very good element of Alice Creed was that we held the premiere right here at Union to develop real human reactions to fear and its sumptuous soundtrack. Whilst in at least Films in Southampton. pain, despite the casts’ (particularly Arter- man emotion or ac- two scenes, it was entirely ill-placed and un- The Disappearance of Alice Creed has ton’s) stellar attempts to force it to happen. fi tting, in some, the score worked perfectly been hailed as the new Taken by critics, and Gemma Arterton gives Alice Creed its tion, this fi lm could and beautifully refl ected the otherwise un- condemned as not even a fi lm about a dis- most compelling hook. Her versatility has believable emotions of the characters. This appearance by others. In short, the fi lm re- been demonstrated in her previous work, have worked very however, alongside the notable turnaround volves around the abduction of Alice Creed, from the stunning portrayal of innocent des- in the third act of this fi lm wasn’t enough to by two men wishing to extort a large sum of peration in Tess of the D’Urbervilles to the well.” make it a great, or even a very good fi lm. cash from her unseen father. Without wish- slick and sexy Strawberry Fields in Quantum ing to spoil the (multiple) twists of this picture, of Solace. Alice Creed opens the door into a in Alice Creed, such scenes may have slot- Charlotte Woods The Disappearance of Alice Creed certainly new world altogether for Arterton. Her eyes ted in as necessary, real representations of provides an original approach to the claus- look straight through you as she stares down human nature, but here, they felt out of place trophobia thriller. The shock factor applied the camera in the ransom video and this in- and jarring. In Alice Creed’s defence the nu- by the use of strong language, violence and teresting effect of feeling psychoanalysed by dity and soft porn did not pervade the en- overt sexuality brings another layer to a fi lm the character as you descend into the claus- tire fi lm, but when it did appear, its strength that if nothing else, is certainly an interesting trophobia of Alice’s prison is a trick that is not made for some equally strong reactions from attempt at creating a multi-faceted picture. often seen. the audience. For the most part, Alice Creed relies on Some of the scenes in this fi lm which What’s clear however, is that the 18 cer- cheap twists, soft porn (which is more than brought its classifi cation up to an 18 were tifi cate was as much given for violence and http://uf.susu.org a tad sadistic in places) and everyone’s fa- frankly, completely unnecessary. Why the psychological horror as it was for sex. Had vourite F and C words in place of a strong ransom picture taken of Alice needed to be the script been better crafted to refl ect any dialogue. Whilst this is in part due to Alice taken with her gagged and tied to the bed- genuine human emotion or reaction, this fi lm being gagged for the majority of the fi lm, the posts with legs spread is, I hope, beyond any could have worked very well, with impecca- words that are said are not well construct- audience member hoping to write a decent ble performances from all three cast mem- Good: The score ed, or particularly gripping. What’s more, is review of Alice Creed, and not Gemma Arter- bers (despite Arterton’s impassioned crying and the acting. that within ten minutes they are rendered ton’s assets. Why we need to watch Alice starting to grate towards the end.) irrelevant, as yet another new twist makes pee into a bottle that the men helpfully put in After the fi rst two thirds of Alice Creed, the story jolt off down another track again. place for her also doesn’t need much analys- it looked as though there was no salvaging Bad: Unneccessary In some ways, this works. Alice’s move- ing. As in many great fi lms that have come it from becoming a middle of the road, soft sexuality and poor 6. ment between vulnerable, to powerful, to under fi re for overt sexuality, had the story porn-come-thriller bargain bin movie, but dialogue. controlling, to desperate again makes for a and the depth of human reality been present with the removal of the characters from their Kick-Ass FILM

ematic adaption of Mark Millar’s take on the traditional comic book superhero. The fi lm sees Spiderman meet Kill Bill in FILM spectacular style, with a c-bomb-dropping thirteen-year-old thrown into the mix. This WATCHED SOME GOOD FILMS independently fi nanced fi lm stays true to the original comic and is the classic story of a comic-loving teen wanting to make a differ- ence and impress the hottest girl in school along the way, with a twist - this guy is no Peter Parker. Aaron Johnson plays the unnoticed high- school loser, Dave Lizewski, who buys a wetsuit online and with no super-powers, or even so much as a few Taekwondo lessons, decides to take on the ‘baddies’ as ‘Kick-Ass’ in an attempt to help his fellow man. Although he gets his ass quite spectacularly kicked in his fi rst attempt at fi ghting crime he doesn’t The give up the dream and ends up falling into forces with the real superheroes of this fi lm, ‘Big Daddy’ and ‘Hit Girl’, the foul-mouthed, fl ick-knife wielding pre-teen with a thirst for the blood of drug dealers. Nicolas Cage and Chloe Moretz play the slightly unhinged but deadly pair who are fi ghting a very real war Disappearance against a powerful crime kingpin, leading to Matthew Vaughn some spectacular fi ght-scenes and a hilari- Aaron Johnson, Christo- ous encounter with a bazooka. pher Mintz-Plasse, Mark Not to be taken too seriously this black- comedy will have you in stitches, mostly Strong, Nicholas Cage courtesy of Moretz who also brings a few mo- and Chloe Moretz ments of emotional depth in the fi nal quarter Of Alice Creed Released March 26th of the action. Despite all of the criticisms for J. Blakeson Rating: 15 over-the-top violence and language from Gemma Arterton thirteen-year-old Moretz, Kick-Ass does not bumpy ride, and almost makes the audience self made prison in the third act of this fi lm, fail to entertain; a must-see for anyone who Released April 20th forget that this is a fi lm with only three cast comes the removal of the constraints that I must admit that I was amongst those enjoys action, comedy and a little bit of con- Rating: 18 members, their personalities are split into had been confi ning both the story and acting. who groaned at the news of yet another troversy. that many pieces. However, the attempts to “Had the script been Cue another three or four twists, some gen- comic-book adaption hitting cinemas, but simulate real humanity and feeling in these uine fear and compulsion to watch on and surprisingly, this latest fi lm from Matthew Jess Read characters is entirely hollow. It is clear from better crafted to re- the audience become once more hooked by Vaughn, the director/writer of Stardust and First of all I’d like to congratulate Union the earliest moments of the fi lm that the Arterton’s skilful performance as Alice. producer of Snatch, provides a fantastic cin- Films and all those who voted to make sure script is not going to allow these characters fl ect any genuine hu- A very good element of Alice Creed was that we held the premiere right here at Union to develop real human reactions to fear and its sumptuous soundtrack. Whilst in at least Films in Southampton. pain, despite the casts’ (particularly Arter- man emotion or ac- two scenes, it was entirely ill-placed and un- The Disappearance of Alice Creed has ton’s) stellar attempts to force it to happen. fi tting, in some, the score worked perfectly been hailed as the new Taken by critics, and Gemma Arterton gives Alice Creed its tion, this fi lm could and beautifully refl ected the otherwise un- condemned as not even a fi lm about a dis- most compelling hook. Her versatility has believable emotions of the characters. This Interesting Fact appearance by others. In short, the fi lm re- been demonstrated in her previous work, have worked very however, alongside the notable turnaround volves around the abduction of Alice Creed, from the stunning portrayal of innocent des- in the third act of this fi lm wasn’t enough to Kick-Ass writers Matthew Vaughn and by two men wishing to extort a large sum of peration in Tess of the D’Urbervilles to the well.” make it a great, or even a very good fi lm. Jane Goldman, Johnathan Ross’ wife, also cash from her unseen father. Without wish- slick and sexy Strawberry Fields in Quantum wrote the hit fi lm Stardust together. ing to spoil the (multiple) twists of this picture, of Solace. Alice Creed opens the door into a in Alice Creed, such scenes may have slot- Charlotte Woods The Disappearance of Alice Creed certainly new world altogether for Arterton. Her eyes ted in as necessary, real representations of provides an original approach to the claus- look straight through you as she stares down human nature, but here, they felt out of place Good: trophobia thriller. The shock factor applied the camera in the ransom video and this in- and jarring. In Alice Creed’s defence the nu- A good bal- by the use of strong language, violence and teresting effect of feeling psychoanalysed by dity and soft porn did not pervade the en- ance of action and comedy. overt sexuality brings another layer to a fi lm the character as you descend into the claus- tire fi lm, but when it did appear, its strength that if nothing else, is certainly an interesting trophobia of Alice’s prison is a trick that is not made for some equally strong reactions from attempt at creating a multi-faceted picture. often seen. the audience. Bad: Some of Hit For the most part, Alice Creed relies on Some of the scenes in this fi lm which What’s clear however, is that the 18 cer- Girl’s scenes sway 8. cheap twists, soft porn (which is more than brought its classifi cation up to an 18 were tifi cate was as much given for violence and http://uf.susu.org a bit too far towards a tad sadistic in places) and everyone’s fa- frankly, completely unnecessary. Why the psychological horror as it was for sex. Had shock-mongering. vourite F and C words in place of a strong ransom picture taken of Alice needed to be the script been better crafted to refl ect any dialogue. Whilst this is in part due to Alice taken with her gagged and tied to the bed- genuine human emotion or reaction, this fi lm being gagged for the majority of the fi lm, the posts with legs spread is, I hope, beyond any could have worked very well, with impecca- words that are said are not well construct- audience member hoping to write a decent ble performances from all three cast mem- Good: The score ed, or particularly gripping. What’s more, is review of Alice Creed, and not Gemma Arter- bers (despite Arterton’s impassioned crying and the acting. that within ten minutes they are rendered ton’s assets. Why we need to watch Alice starting to grate towards the end.) irrelevant, as yet another new twist makes pee into a bottle that the men helpfully put in After the fi rst two thirds of Alice Creed, Kick-Ass, showing at Union Films Sun- the story jolt off down another track again. day 13th November 7:00pm place for her also doesn’t need much analys- it looked as though there was no salvaging Bad: Unneccessary In some ways, this works. Alice’s move- ing. As in many great fi lms that have come it from becoming a middle of the road, soft sexuality and poor 6. http://uf.susu.org ment between vulnerable, to powerful, to under fi re for overt sexuality, had the story porn-come-thriller bargain bin movie, but dialogue. controlling, to desperate again makes for a and the depth of human reality been present with the removal of the characters from their FILM Shutt er Island

Within hours of handing in an adaptation responsible for the death of his wife. As a Daniels with a new kind of maturity that has essay on Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Inno- hurricane confi nes the marshalls to the is- begun to emerge from his roles (most nota- cence, I celebrated by going to see his new land and the investigation unravels, Daniels bly Revolutionary Road and The Departed). installment Shutter Island. With the intention comes to believe that all is not as it seems, Both ambiguous performances from Kings- of spotting all the classic ‘Scorsese-isms’ I and that senior psychologist Dr. Cawley ley and Ruffalo are immaculately judged and had just fi nished analysing, (cameos, rapid (Ben Kingsley) may be involved in unethi- delivered with considerable aplomb on both editing, long tracking shots, gangs, red...) I cal experiments in a sinister lighthouse on counts. found that my scrutiny was replaced by ten- the island, and that the island is the scene Yes, the narrative is meandering, berserk sion, suspense and total enjoyment. of Nazi-style experimentation on prisoners. and often trite at times, however, all this styli- US Marshall Teddy Daniels (Leonardo Scorsese, the Raging Bull of directors, sation, including Daniels’s garish choice of DiCaprio) and partner Chuck (Mark Ruffalo) will undoubtedly receive both praise and necktie is accounted for. As it turns out, there take the ferry across the Boston Harbour to censure for this fi lm. With no real violence is perhaps method in this madness. the offshore asylum for the criminally insane, and not a gangster in sight, it will be said of Shutter Island. Daniels is investigating the Scorsese that he should return to the Mean Amy Steadman mysterious disappearance of Rachel Solan- Streets where he belongs. However, now do, a murderess who manages to escape that Scorsese has won his much deserved Good: from her locked cell, leaving a cryptic note Academy Award, let’s allow him to ‘play’ for A fantastic ending. suggesting that the asylum harbours an ad- a while. And this fi lm is playful, in a creepy, ditional inmate. However, Daniels, plagued inchoate, menacing kind of way. The compli- by nightmarish visions of his own tragic past, cated plot of Dennis Lehane’s (also respon- has other more pertinent reasons from visit- sible for Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone) Bad: A meandering ing the facility. He wishes to confront Andrew 2003 novel, continually sees the rug being narrative. 8. Laeddis, an imprisoned arsonist he deems pulled from under the protagonist’s feet (as well as the readers). In the fi lm, whilst you think you’re watching a conspiracy mystery Martin Scorsese thriller, it then turns into a full-on visceral Leonardo DiCaprio, “Performances from horror, and then into a psychological melo- Mark Ruffalo and Ben drama, and ultimately is a combination of all Kingsley and Ruffa- three. Kingsley DiCaprio (whose fate in terms of Academy Released March 12th lo are immaculately Awards, I fear will be comparable to Scors- Shutter Island, showing at Union Films Rating: 15 ese’s) is swiftly taking the place of DeNiro Sunday 6th June 7:00pm judged.” and Keitel as Scorsese’s muse. Whilst this is not his best performance, he still infuses http://uf.susu.org FILM Shutt er Island The Blind Side FILM

Within hours of handing in an adaptation responsible for the death of his wife. As a Daniels with a new kind of maturity that has essay on Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Inno- hurricane confi nes the marshalls to the is- begun to emerge from his roles (most nota- real star of the family quartet is Jae Head, cence, I celebrated by going to see his new land and the investigation unravels, Daniels bly Revolutionary Road and The Departed). who’s entire way of being is an infectious installment Shutter Island. With the intention comes to believe that all is not as it seems, Both ambiguous performances from Kings- and childlike happiness. I defy anyone to not of spotting all the classic ‘Scorsese-isms’ I and that senior psychologist Dr. Cawley ley and Ruffalo are immaculately judged and be completely drawn in by this four foot tall had just fi nished analysing, (cameos, rapid (Ben Kingsley) may be involved in unethi- delivered with considerable aplomb on both comedian. In this film though, it is not only editing, long tracking shots, gangs, red...) I cal experiments in a sinister lighthouse on counts. the family that provide a fantastic basis for found that my scrutiny was replaced by ten- the island, and that the island is the scene Yes, the narrative is meandering, berserk Michael. It is also his tutor, Miss Sue, played sion, suspense and total enjoyment. of Nazi-style experimentation on prisoners. and often trite at times, however, all this styli- perfectly by veteran actress Kathy Bates US Marshall Teddy Daniels (Leonardo Scorsese, the Raging Bull of directors, sation, including Daniels’s garish choice of that provides the young boy with excellent DiCaprio) and partner Chuck (Mark Ruffalo) will undoubtedly receive both praise and necktie is accounted for. As it turns out, there motivation. But finally we must come to the take the ferry across the Boston Harbour to censure for this fi lm. With no real violence is perhaps method in this madness. real star of this film in the shape of the seven the offshore asylum for the criminally insane, and not a gangster in sight, it will be said of foot tall Quinton Aaron who plays Michael. Shutter Island. Daniels is investigating the Scorsese that he should return to the Mean Amy Steadman mysterious disappearance of Rachel Solan- Streets where he belongs. However, now do, a murderess who manages to escape that Scorsese has won his much deserved Good: from her locked cell, leaving a cryptic note Academy Award, let’s allow him to ‘play’ for A fantastic ending. suggesting that the asylum harbours an ad- a while. And this fi lm is playful, in a creepy, “ It is in the acting that ditional inmate. However, Daniels, plagued inchoate, menacing kind of way. The compli- by nightmarish visions of his own tragic past, cated plot of Dennis Lehane’s (also respon- this film latches on to has other more pertinent reasons from visit- sible for Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone) Bad: A meandering ing the facility. He wishes to confront Andrew 2003 novel, continually sees the rug being narrative. 8. the audience. Every Laeddis, an imprisoned arsonist he deems pulled from under the protagonist’s feet (as well as the readers). In the fi lm, whilst you think you’re watching a conspiracy mystery single person in this Martin Scorsese thriller, it then turns into a full-on visceral Leonardo DiCaprio, “Performances from horror, and then into a psychological melo- film is perfect in their Mark Ruffalo and Ben drama, and ultimately is a combination of all Kingsley and Ruffa- three. roles and there is no Kingsley DiCaprio (whose fate in terms of Academy Released March 12th lo are immaculately Awards, I fear will be comparable to Scors- Shutter Island, showing at Union Films one at fault.” Rating: 15 ese’s) is swiftly taking the place of DeNiro Sunday 6th June 7:00pm judged.” and Keitel as Scorsese’s muse. Whilst this is not his best performance, he still infuses http://uf.susu.org

Aaron exudes an almost Lenny, see Of Mice and Men, style character of this lumbering but gentle giant. But as the film rolls on it is clear that this boy is so much more. His soft “There’s a moment of orderly silence be- he protects his quarter-back’s blind side, and calm demeanour is so at odds with his fore a football play begins, players are in for all those unfamiliar with the positions in size and presence that the casting for the position, line men are frozen and anything American Football. In reading this synopsis part is simply perfect. It is Aaron that causes is possible…then, like a traffic accident stuff of the film it would be easy to dismiss it as the audience to truly fall in love with him and begins to randomly collide”. This Oscar sea- corny or airy, but this is a story of so much his story. son seemed to combine rewarding brand more. It pulls the audience through a huge Overall a quite simply beautiful story new talent, such as Christoph Waltz and range of emotions and feelings and brings brilliantly told, expertly portrayed, though a Mo’nique, with commending those who had them out the other side feeling warmed, hav- slight tendency to slip into the range of corny been in the movie game for a long time but ing marvelled at a great film. is perhaps an unavoidable occupational haz- were yet to receive any acclaim, such as Ka- The direction in this film is excellent ard when dealing with material of this nature. thryn Bigelow and Jeff Bridges. It was this throughout, from the great use of real ar- It is only a small side step here and there in latter category that Sandra Bullock seemed chival footage to remind people that this is an otherwise flawless piece of film that does to slip into when she was granted the award based on a true story, to the games of foot- what so many films fail to do; it entertains for Best Actress for her turn in the film The ball which are done very well but at the same you while you’re there, keeps you thinking Blind Side. However, for me this film was not time are not too often or overwhelming. The as you leave and keeps you talking about it made great simply by its leading lady, it was expert writing by the director, Hancock, also for days after. Sign me up for the next John instead a heart warming and brilliantly told comes through with some obvious but often Hancock. emotional story with everyone involved in it meaningful and funny jabs at southern stere- doing a really quite amazing job. otypes. It is in the acting however, that this Stephen O’Shea The Blind Side depicts the true story of film latches on to the audience. Every single Michael Oher, a homeless African-American person in this film is perfect in their roles, youngster from a broken home, taken in by there is no one at fault. Special mention the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who must be given to almost the entire main cast, Good: help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, making the mentioning decidedly less spe- Marvellous Oher’s presence in the Touhys’ lives leads cial. Sandra Bullock is phenomenal as Leigh and gripping per- John Lee Han- them to some insightful self-discoveries of Anne Tuohy and with a pitch perfect drawl formances. their own. Living in his new environment, the southern accent portrays the kind and giv- cock teen faces a completely different set of chal- ing nature of a woman so selfless and confi- Sandra Bullock Bad: A tad corny in lenges to overcome. As a football player and dent that she creates an aura of care around places. 9. Released March 26th student, Oher works hard and, with the help her. Tim McGraw and Lily Collins also hit the Rating: 12A of his coaches and adopted family, becomes mark as the reluctant but kind father and the an All-American offensive left tackle where more cautious teenage daughter. The other If you love films as much as we do, you can find even Calling All Film Buffs! more film reviews at; www.wessexscene.co.uk/the-edge FILM

An Interview on Southampton’s Red Carpet

being at a students’ union cinema and gets a bit annoyed at me because I made Yeah, I think so. I mean this was really With the red carpet rolled out and South- not in London? her come audition for it. I’d seen her in St. exhausting and hard, this is the hardest thing ampton students massing, the stars of The I think its fantastic! We went to Toronto for Trinian’s and Quantum of Solace but it’s ob- I’ve ever made. I couldn’t do this all year Disappearance of Alice Creed arrived at its the Film Festival and to London for the Film viously very different from this, so she came round, I need to do a bit of froth in between. I World Premiere, held at Union Films cinema. Festival, so this is great to come out of Lon- and she read and was just phenomenal. I’m compare it - this is like Radiohead and Clash As the sun began to set on the warn sum- don and be here with you guys. It was a very more excited by the fact that she’s a fantas- of the Titans is like Aerosmith. They’re both mer’s day, The Edge was given a precious pleasant surprise. We set up the competition tic actress and makes the film really good brilliant but one’s a real show and the oth- few moments with the producer, director and knowing it could be anywhere. People kind rather than the fact that she’s becoming a er’s a more intelligent hard make. Both are star of the film. of mobilised themselves and got their friends huge star now. I mean obviously that helps great. This was hard but satisfying, and I will to get involved in it all and that was really the film but I think the best thing about it was always try, if people want me, to balance it. that she was fantastically talented. With an all male cast and director how How do you feel having your first big did you feel filming what were often quite film premiere at a students’ union? intense scenes? (With a real giddiness in his voice) I think From the beginning laid the boundaries. it’s great! We played at film festivals which Everyone was very respectful, that’s the is great, but now we’re taking it out to the main thing. When these things happen it’s kind of people who’re actually gonna go pay really tense, and as the female you’re in con- and see it. This is where it has to work. I was trol because they’re all so worried about you. part of my university film society and if this I would diffuse the situation actually because had happened there it would have been the sometimes it was a bit much. I decided to highlight of my entire time at university. So do the job, if I hadn’t have wanted to do it its great that we can come here and have then I wouldn’t have. I’d make a joke and such a great turn out of people. try and make them laugh. It’s a difficult thing to shoot anyway and if you’re being difficult Gemma Arterton was held up signing au- with it it makes it even worse. No, it was fine. tographs for her waiting fans, but we soon What do you think of the premiere be- got the chance to chat to her.. ing surrounded by students? Do you think the bow tie’s (see photo) I’m amazed! I’m amazed because every- First up to us was Producer Adrian Sturg- important. We’re really happy, although too much? one’s a lot more stylish and you’ve got the es, who talks about his reaction to being in the traffic getting here was awful! No, I love bow ties, especially yellow red carpet and everything. It’s actually really sunny Southampton. ones. At least it’s not a spinning one. nice as I often find premieres quite stressful Did you come up with the idea for the Next we met the mastermind behind the What do you prefer doing, big Holly- and boring, so it’s nice to chat to people - public to decide the premiere’s location? whole film, Director J Blakeson. wood blockbusters or small Indie movies everyone here has been really nice and re- It was the marketing team. They created Is there something special about di- like this one? spectful. a Facebook application where you generate recting something you’ve written? They all have different things that they points by recommending your friends and I think so, because it just means that you offer. I found this one more rewarding as it Stephen O’Shea, Emmeline Curtis and it took off. What was nice was that people know the material really really well and you’re was a much shorter and more intense film- Tom Stacey competed for it; its probably the first time its not second guessing. When an actor comes ing period. It demanded a lot more of me. been done. up to you and has a specific query you don’t But when you go and see the big Hollywood Do you think it’ll happen more often, have to invent anything. It just made it easier films there’s an amount of glory surround- letting the viewers decide? to know exactly what I wanted, I wasn’t in- ing it, you know, it’s what you imagine when Yeah, the media is changing so much and terpreting it, I was just continuing the work. you’re a kid. It is different and I don’t know if social networking is so important now. It’s a Was it a big deal to get someone like I can really compare them. great way for people to get involved. Gemma Arterton to do a film like this? Do you think it’s good to switch be- How do you feel about the premiere It was fantastic to get her, though she tween the two? FILM GAMES FFXIII - UNLUCKY FOR SOME? An Interview on Southampton’s Red Carpet being at a students’ union cinema and gets a bit annoyed at me because I made Yeah, I think so. I mean this was really With the red carpet rolled out and South- not in London? her come audition for it. I’d seen her in St. exhausting and hard, this is the hardest thing ampton students massing, the stars of The I think its fantastic! We went to Toronto for Trinian’s and Quantum of Solace but it’s ob- I’ve ever made. I couldn’t do this all year Disappearance of Alice Creed arrived at its the Film Festival and to London for the Film viously very different from this, so she came round, I need to do a bit of froth in between. I World Premiere, held at Union Films cinema. Festival, so this is great to come out of Lon- and she read and was just phenomenal. I’m compare it - this is like Radiohead and Clash As the sun began to set on the warn sum- don and be here with you guys. It was a very more excited by the fact that she’s a fantas- of the Titans is like Aerosmith. They’re both Final Fantasy mer’s day, The Edge was given a precious pleasant surprise. We set up the competition tic actress and makes the film really good brilliant but one’s a real show and the oth- few moments with the producer, director and knowing it could be anywhere. People kind rather than the fact that she’s becoming a er’s a more intelligent hard make. Both are star of the film. of mobilised themselves and got their friends huge star now. I mean obviously that helps great. This was hard but satisfying, and I will PS3/360 to get involved in it all and that was really the film but I think the best thing about it was always try, if people want me, to balance it. XIII that she was fantastically talented. With an all male cast and director how How do you feel having your first big did you feel filming what were often quite Final Fantasy is arguably the most well ers are often rewarded with a little additional three times or attack once and then use a released on a console. The in-game graph- film premiere at a students’ union? intense scenes? known and loved RPG game series there plot and then immediately thrust into the special ability during one turn. This adds an- ics are very similar in quality to the Full Mo- (With a real giddiness in his voice) I think From the beginning laid the boundaries. is. For years, Square-Enix have been able next dungeon area. To make matters worse, other tactical element to fights as there are tion Video clips; it is occasionally hard to it’s great! We played at film festivals which Everyone was very respectful, that’s the to consistently release top quality games full dungeons tend to be linear in design as well, multiple actions that characters can perform tell when the game has actually switched is great, but now we’re taking it out to the main thing. When these things happen it’s of fantastic characters, intricate stories and making it feel as though dungeon explora- per turn. between the two. Character models are de- kind of people who’re actually gonna go pay really tense, and as the female you’re in con- deep battle systems. Final Fantasy XIII is the tion consists of endless battles and not much Similar to previous FF games that have tailed and environments are polished and and see it. This is where it has to work. I was trol because they’re all so worried about you. first iteration of the series to be released this else. The game is streamlined to further the had a ‘job’ system, characters can be as- vibrant. The menu interfaces are a joy to part of my university film society and if this I would diffuse the situation actually because generation, and remarkably the first time a plot and as a result players are given very signed one of six roles in battle. Changing navigate being simply and cleanly designed. had happened there it would have been the sometimes it was a bit much. I decided to game in the series has been simultaneously little space to explore using their own free a character’s role will alter the abilities avail- The PS3 version of the game edges out the highlight of my entire time at university. So do the job, if I hadn’t have wanted to do it released for multiple platforms; specifically will. This problem is somewhat rectified by able to that character as well as their be- 360 version with its higher resolution and its great that we can come here and have then I wouldn’t have. I’d make a joke and Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, meaning that the fact that once players reach Chapter 11 haviour in combat. Commandos are strong lack of disc switching but the game runs well such a great turn out of people. try and make them laugh. It’s a difficult thing more gamers than ever will be able to take they are presented with a vast environment physical attackers whereas Ravagers are on both consoles. to shoot anyway and if you’re being difficult the series for a spin. to explore filled to the brim with side quests. experts in offensive magic. These roles can Final Fantasy XIII is a worthwhile pur- Gemma Arterton was held up signing au- with it it makes it even worse. No, it was fine. The game focuses around a band of Unfortunately these benefits arrive a little too be set before battle and a player can easily chase, despite its various flaws. The battle tographs for her waiting fans, but we soon What do you think of the premiere be- six characters on the run from a tyranni- late, as by this stage players could have eas- switch between them on the fly as they are system and story are two shining examples got the chance to chat to her.. ing surrounded by students? cal government after having been branded ily clocked up well over 20 hours of game- needed with a simple click of a button. of an RPG done right. The game is genuine- Do you think the bow tie’s (see photo) I’m amazed! I’m amazed because every- as ‘Pulse L’Cie’ (enemies of Cocoon, the play. This is not to say that the main bulk of Another significant aspect of the battle ly challenging which should please veterans First up to us was Producer Adrian Sturg- important. We’re really happy, although too much? one’s a lot more stylish and you’ve got the world in which FFXIII takes place). The cast the game is not an enjoyable experience, it system is the ‘chain gauge’. Enemies tend of the series but may prevent it from being es, who talks about his reaction to being in the traffic getting here was awful! No, I love bow ties, especially yellow red carpet and everything. It’s actually really is diverse, ranging from stoic, ex-soldier just requires more perseverance than some to have high defence against regular attacks sufficiently accessible to newcomers. Hard- sunny Southampton. ones. At least it’s not a spinning one. nice as I often find premieres quite stressful Lightning to Sazh, single parent with a baby gamers might possess. and therefore the usual aim of battles is to core RPG fans might be disappointed with Did you come up with the idea for the Next we met the mastermind behind the What do you prefer doing, big Holly- and boring, so it’s nice to chat to people - Chocobo living in his afro. The game is fully Other than the story, the most rewarding raise an enemy’s chain gauge in order to the linear feel to the game but it still offers public to decide the premiere’s location? whole film, Director J Blakeson. wood blockbusters or small Indie movies everyone here has been really nice and re- acted by a range of talented voice actors aspect of the game is its battle system. To ‘stagger’ it. Once staggered, enemies are plenty to the discerning RPG enthusiast. It was the marketing team. They created Is there something special about di- like this one? spectful. who really help to bring the characters to life; the game’s detriment it takes several hours left vulnerable, meaning that they’re wide a Facebook application where you generate recting something you’ve written? They all have different things that they vitally important in such a narrative heavy for all aspects of the battle system to be open for a severe beating. The battle system Joe Dart points by recommending your friends and I think so, because it just means that you offer. I found this one more rewarding as it Stephen O’Shea, Emmeline Curtis and game. The storyline engages the player available to the player. Enemy encounters has a lot of depth to it but it also simultane- it took off. What was nice was that people know the material really really well and you’re was a much shorter and more intense film- Tom Stacey enough to keep them coming back to see are fought using Active Time Battle (ATB) a ously helps to streamline fights by provid- Good: Well execut- competed for it; its probably the first time its not second guessing. When an actor comes ing period. It demanded a lot more of me. what plot twists will happen next. staple battle system for the series. Charac- ing options such as ‘Auto-Battle’, in which ed battle system. been done. up to you and has a specific query you don’t But when you go and see the big Hollywood Final Fantasy XIII actually suffers some- ter actions cost a certain amount of the ATB the computer automatically selects the best Do you think it’ll happen more often, have to invent anything. It just made it easier films there’s an amount of glory surround- what from being so focused around plot. gauge to complete. For example, an attack course of action for characters and performs letting the viewers decide? to know exactly what I wanted, I wasn’t in- ing it, you know, it’s what you imagine when The game is incredibly slow to get started command takes up one section of the gauge it. This is a useful function considering the Bad: Yeah, the media is changing so much and terpreting it, I was just continuing the work. you’re a kid. It is different and I don’t know if as a ton of information about the vast world whereas a special ability command takes fast paced nature of enemy encounters. Extremely lin- social networking is so important now. It’s a Was it a big deal to get someone like I can really compare them. of Cocoon is thrown at the player. The rigid up two. At the start of the game a charac- The production values in Final Fantasy ear progression. 8. great way for people to get involved. Gemma Arterton to do a film like this? Do you think it’s good to switch be- story ends up making the game a very linear ter has three sections to their ATB bar, so XIII are astronomical. It is simply one of How do you feel about the premiere It was fantastic to get her, though she tween the two? experience. After completing an area, play- players, for example, could choose to attack the most visually impressive games ever April/May TheGigGuide THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 29 30 1 2

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