Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Oh Dear

The internets always offer up such unexpected trash.
Thanks to Tim for this one.

Monday, March 17, 2008

This Little Person Is Weird and Squishy

I became an "aunty" last year.
It is very weird to hold a new baby - it gave me the creeps as well as kinda spinning me out at the amazingness of life.

This is Jack. He smells like milk and powder and is currently learning to use both arms and legs at the same time, in an act we might call 'crawling' but he'd probably call 'dragging'.

Rolling Stone Cd Reviews - We Are Scientists "Brain Thrust Mastery"

We Are Scientists
Brain Thrust Mastery
EMI

**

We Are Scientists brew up a botched concoction of songs.

Opening track “Ghouls” shows a promising start to We Are Scientists’ second long player, and then, well, a ‘steady decline’ is perhaps a nice way to phrase what happens once you reach the second track.

“Brain Thrust Mastery” is so slick and polished that all spunk has evaporated and left behind only the most diluted of efforts – they sound like a bunch of 16 year-old Brits, not the wry 20-something New Yorkers they actually are. The departure of outstanding drummer Michael Tapper has left a noticeable void; gone are the punk, dance stylings of their last outing “With Love and Squalor” and instead, colour-by-numbers keyboards and synthy vocals take their once catchy place.

We Are Scientists have obviously been inspired by touring partners Hot Hot Heat and Maximo Park, but this is a cheap impression of that sound and while it will probably help them grab some new, young fans, it’s sure to bore any old ones.



Check it out here:
http://www.wearescientists.com/
www.myspace.com/wearescientists/

Rolling Stone Cd Reviews - Jamie Lidell "Jim"

Jamie Lidell
Jim
Warp/Remote Control

****

The funk-soul brother triumphs, but does the mainstream beckon?

An erratic sense of joy permeates this heartfelt and intelligent album from Jamie Lidell- the best kept secret in soul. The foot-tapping, head-bopping sense of fun is contagious and uplifting, yet “Jim” avoids Jamiroquai-like shenanigans and instead, plays more as a straight-up-homage to funk.

The frenetic, action packed ‘Wait For Me’ is almost show-tune like in its uproarious nature, however there are a few sappy moments which feel more Jack Johnson then Otis Redding. In particular ‘All I Want” evokes cheesy love scenes in chick flicks from the 90s. Weak points are more than redeemed though, with standout tracks “Another Day” and “Hurricane” picking up any loose ends.

On repeated listens, “Jim” reveals more of the electronic glitches and intricacies used to craft it, courtesy of Lidell’s talents as a beat-boxer, DJ and producer. Hopefully with “Jim”, Lidell will find a bigger audience for his most highly accessible and soulful venture to date.



Check it out here:
http://www.jamielidell.com/
http://www.myspace.com/jamielidell

Creme Egg Rules The Roost

Oh boy, I love me a Cadbury Creme Egg.
I wish that I could be paid money to endorse the egg. I'd talk about its gooey yumminess. I'd mention that weird mix of caramel and yellow "yolk" that lays static in that white goo and how it makes my jaw clench in anticipation of a sugar attack. I'd talk about how I like to bite the top off and like a snake, stick my tongue in and not-so-subtly suck out the embryo of delicious that lies within.

Easter serves only one purpose for me, and that is to fit in a years supply of Creme Egg eatings before they dissapear out of grocery stores. Sigh...

Look at me, I have a blog.

Welcome to the 21st Century, me.