I was until recently unaware of the work of Airport 85. Probably because this is their 1st released work, at least as far as I can discern. One of their number, a man (I believe it is a male anyway, certainly looks so in the photo) whom I follow on my adjoining Twitter profile asked for people to do a review on said social networking website. I have in the past reviewed music, although more gigs than recorded material, and rather enjoying it I put my hand up. I have no major affiliation, friendship or kin with he or any of his number although his Twitterings do suggest he is a decent enough fellow, if slightly accident prone.
Anyway, the album. It opens with 'Knockout', which reminds me a little of Smash Mouth's All Star for some reason. It's a persistent little tune which wouldn't be out of place backing a credits reel at the end of a feel good film about Sandra Bullock's fear of knowing the truth, or some such (sorry, I'll try to keep the crappy 'wouldn't be out of place' shit to a minimum if I can). The guitar sound & harmonised backing vocals are tightly knit and its an enjoyable opener.
'Fifteen Certificates' is a bit more up my street, with a sweet little backing riff with some funky electric tricks & wistful vocals. There is a persistent feeling that this is a rejected latter day Stereophonics track, however one rejected because it showed a little too much creativity for Kelly's liking. The slightly paranoid ghostly lyrics near the end conjure up memories of some late 90s indie which is no bad thing either.
Next comes 'All The Answers' which again wouldn't have sounded out of place on a 'Shine' album, although it would be one of those severely indebted to the 80s like Electronic or the Boo Radleys. I can imagine this would be a great live track with its atmospheric atmospheric chorus and again a strong guitar, although the ending that I expected it to build up to didn't quite happen.
There's been a lot songs about Japan, and unsurprisingly, 'Japanese Movies' is no different. Well, I think so anyway... Some nice changes of heaviness of sound and what sounds like a dual vocal work well, & with a very danceable electric instrumental section that sounds ripe for remix this could well be a popular song. It took me the whole song to work out that it reminded of New Order's Regret, which is probably no bad thing.
I'm unsure if 'Fox' is specifically about an animal fox or a hot female humanoid. I'm assuming the latter unless the band are mates with Otis Ferry and the fox has a lot of problems. A lovely guitar solo in the midst of it gives it some real feeling, as the verses were in danger of boring me slightly. As with the other songs it feels very tight and hasn't been overproduced where it matters. A good sign.
'Cleveland' alas probably isn't about everyone's favourite Family Guy character. The tremoloing sound which probably isn't a banjo or mandolin (or is it...?) gives this song a haunting quality, while the xylophonic sound misfits in a good way, keeping one on one's toes. If I was sat at a party on my own, and drifted off into my own thoughts as I watched others enjoy themselves, I'd expect this to be playing in my minds ear. Well, it would anyway, if I wasn't such a damn party animal. But I digress... My favourite song so far.
'Night Crossing' starts like it might be a bit more, well, Kings of Leony, but the understated vocal tears that illusion apart. There is an anthemic quality (a description I loathe, I'll try and find a better one sometime) to this, and its another welcome return to that early-mid 90s feel. It feels good, radiates positivity, even when the singer declares "I'm hopeless, & I'm falling". I do abhor excessive use of the 'La' in lyrics, so marked down for that I'm afraid. Possible single/indie club material.
And next... 'Always Breathe' starts with a chilled electric sound, it could almost be from Cafe Del Mar. The intro dragged somewhat for me as on the basis of the other songs so far Airport 85 don't fail to get involved early. As the song went on I started to realise that this was probably all there was to it. Sounded ok, but a bit lazy in my honest although not well respected opinion.
However, then comes the spiky riff & sly bass playing at the start of 'River's Edge' to get things going again. Solid verse, and the well constructed bridge vocal harmony almost echoes The Animal Collective. It fires into a chorus at the end in which nothing is resolved (and why should it be?) before crashing to a finish. Good stuff.
A quiet start to 'Persona' moves into a whimsical verse which I'm sure promises "I'll stay till the badgers die", which is an admirable promise to anyone. Is there a woodland creature theme to this album? A little jangly guitar builds into a chunkier if not heavier sound, and another stubborn riff leads us into a chorus that could have been Bernard Butler playing for Damon Albarn. The ending builds up to a fiery final chorus before breaking back down to a slightly overdrawn coda. Another strong song that I thought would befitting to end the album. However 'tis a mere precursor to the finale.
'Saboteurs' starts off feeling like another Cafe Del Mar floaty number but we get some vocals that make it sound like its on a stage at a festival, but not the one your currently standing 3 foot deep in mud next to. Dare I say it sounds like Thom Yorke got some happy pills & some funky synth noises? There, I did. Certainly echoes of some Stone Roses tracks I enjoyed but have forgotten the name of too. Again, another one for the DJs to make a bit of merry hell with.
Overall I've enjoyed Airport 85's debut, and while I listened to it through the player on their site, I will be bookmarking it to buy & download when my next salary comes through (I only buy music/films/books in 1st few days of pay month, rest of excess cash goes on beer for rest of month). There's a few tracks that really stand out for me - 'Persona', 'River's Edge', 'Cleveland' and 'Japanese Movies', and overall I'd say that while there's not a huge legitimately original sound on the album, the way it and most of the songs have been put together shows a genuine musical intelligence and love of their at-times obvious influences, which I can respect. In these changing times I think many would find something to enjoy within these online walls.
I don't do marks, but I'll assign a number anyway:
34
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Monday, 4 January 2010
Queen - Greatest Hits 20 & counting....
I was reasonably lucky as child, growing up with parents with passable record collections (Pink Floyd, Clapton, Eagles, Kinks, Dire Straits), but there were quite a few aberrations interspersed amongst them (Meatloaf, Chris de Burgh, Phil Collins). One band I think both (long-time divorced) parents, plus my step mother also, would probably agree with is Queen, and as a result my mid-late teens were spent obsessing about this quite frankly preposterously over the top and loud bunch of posers, and ensuring that I had some copy whether on tape, CD or LP of their every work.
This is something I can no longer maintain is the case as I have no desire to listen to whatever it was they released with some guy who isn't Freddie singing and so didn't buy into all that 'Queen +' crap, and my musical tastes have developed a wanting for something with, dare I say it, a little more depth and consideration to it. However, Freddie, Brian, John and Roger will always hold a special place in my heart, and as I once saw Roger Taylor say in some Queen Doc or another, Queen are like "...coming back to mother." That is assuming your mother is hairy, rather loud and fond of skin tight leather clothing. Which she is. Yours, that is...
So anyway, my problem right now is the classifying of Queen's 'Greatest' music. A band unafraid of accusations of cynically exploiting a festive buying period with a 'brand new' Greatest Hits-type album release, Queen have many combinations of what they or more probably their record company deem to be their best work. While Greatest Hits 1 & 2 to some, including me, will have been a classic route into the band's work both have some serious music quality issues. This is especially true of 1, which from their earliest albums completely ignores the well constructed and far easier on the ear tracks such as 'Keep Yourself Alive' and 'Liar' and instead runs with the cringeworthily anthemic 'We Are The Champions' and 'We Will Rock You'. Heresy.
With the advent of the 'Absolute Greatest' compilation currently spamming our TV ad breaks, I've decided that enough is enough, and have decided to put together my own definitive selection of the 20 truly great Queen songs. Criteria is solely personal taste (mine), and while I'm sure many will recognise the vast proportion of these songs I hope that some will discover a gem they were hitherto unaware of. Thus I give you Queen - A Subjective Greatest Hits:
1) Keep Yourself Alive - As soon as that "chigchiggachigchigachigachigachig" guitar starts off, and Roger starts pounding out the beat the hairs on my spine, if it has any, tingle with anticipation. Possibly their best ever song, and hardly anyone's ever heard of it. Scandalous.
2)Innuendo - An epic. Better than Bohemian Rhapsody in my opinion as it doesn't now represent a clichéd or novelty song, but one that tells of a personal struggle, and sounds like it too. A great deal of fun, too, and alongside the cover of 'These Are The Days Of Our Lives' a fitting end to Freddies' living output.
3) Hammer To Fall - For a long time my all time favourite Queen track, this is perfect stadium rock. Punchy solos, definitive vocals. Oh, and some poundingly fiery rhythm work from Messrs Deacon and Taylor. Tight as fuck. Damn they were good.
4) Seven Seas Of Rhye - Talk of privy counsellors, nudism and thunder-fire has never been better placed. Ridiculous lyrics, the drama of the piano-to-drumroll at the start and some good ol' fashioned Freddie screaminess in harmony with the guitar.
5) Stone Cold Crazy - Cracking riff, tick tocking verses and a live essential. Yet more nonsense lyrics (Slide Trombone?) but lets not get too deep about this. Some lovely layered guitar from Brian at the bridge lead into its dramatic conclusion!
6) You're My Best Friend - I don't know, it's a bit soppy but there's something about the 'bdow bow bow bow' and a cracking sentimental performance from Mercury that makes me a bit warm inside.
7) Tie Your Mother Down - Possibly the ultimate Queen live rocker (wait, did I say that before?) the kick-ass riff and over the top performance screams party. I've used this song too many times to get myself in the mood for a night out. And now resolve to go back to this ritual. Its perfect for the purpose.
8) Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy - It's a bit silly but nicely constructed and I think the lyrics paint a picture of that suave sophisticated type of chap who knows all the right things to say that we'd all like to be. And I do enjoy that comical little solo from May at the bridge.
9) Get Down Make Love - The suspense at the start of this would be perfect in an intro to some sort of sexy spy noir thriller. It's some classic seedy Queen focussing on ambivalent sexual themes ("You suck my mind, I blow your head", for example). Naughty.
10) Bicycle Race - And yet more silliness. But it's a bit more - it's a family friendly song that mentions Cocaine, which is a dubious achievement and come on, 100s of naked models riding bikes? I should have just left it at that...
11) Put Out The Fire - Bit more of cock rocky riff here, and some husky lyrics from Fred. To be honest, it's not a great song by any means, but as teenager in front of the mirror with my Lynx can microphone it was a joy to sing along to. And it's anti-guns (I THINK?) so that's all good.
12) Radio Ga Ga - Inspired by Roger's baby child, or so he says, Radio GaGa is a genuine Queen classic that appeals to most fans. Its sentiment while eventually proven not to be a pressing matter, although it was close there for a moment, is worthy and its a classic Queen anthemic chorus without getting annoying. Just.
13) Tear It Up - Maybe their last true rocking song, it has all the key ingredients. Pounding rhythm, guitar genius and some definitive if somewhat nonsensical lyrics. I understand what he wants to do, but can't quite get my around why...
14) Friends Will Be Friends - Again a bit soppy & sentimental, but hey this is Queen. Another one which I can't find too much reason to recommend it, other than it's a well written song beautifully performed. If it hasn't been used in some form of 'friendship' montage in a film it's a travesty.
15) The Invisible Man - Oh yes, now this is Queen at their most ridiculous. The concept of a song about the Invisible Man seems so obvious though, and John Deacon's bass line really gets to the bottom of the subject matter. Ghoulish....
16) I Can't Live With You (Queen Rocks version) - the original was a bit wet so for the (yes, compilation) Queen Rocks they rocked it up a bit. May gets going on his axe and it pumps more than an Arabian desert.
17) Heaven For Everyone - Posthumous release which was the 1st Queen release I definitely remember coming out. I wish I could find the video featuring a Fritz Lang type film as that pretty much made the song. Interestingly (probably for Queen nuts only) done by Roger Taylor's own band The Cross many years earlier.
18) One Vision - Done for some forgotten US war-glorifying film, I believe, another classic riff that stands the test of time. I have to say the lyrics almost border on the Bone-like, which is unforgivable, but I'll let it be as Brian May's guitar work is sublime. And they say 'Fried Chicken' right at the end.
19) Headlong - There's nothing you can, nothing you can, nothing you can do about it. But seriously, it's another pounding rhythm suggesting train travel or similar, and also reminds a little of 70s bands like Black Sabbath. For about 5 seconds. And another great solo.
20) Killer Queen - Camp, silly, & sounds beautiful. Contains possibly the campest solo in British rock, at least. Something about eating cake, China, and a word that sounds like 'beastimulous' which can't be right. But sod it, it's Queen. Enjoy.
OK, that took a while (I actually got about half way about 3 weeks ago and then lost focus, Christmas came & went, and I only remembered again today), but for me at least its been worth it. I've rediscovered a band I truly worshipped as an impressionable teenager, and I think realised why I always liked them in the first place - simply because they are fun. Whether it's rocking socks, getting a bit silly or simply exploring a seedier, dirtier side of life, it's all done in a happy & honest way.
Forget the cheese, try some of these!
Enjoy the 'cliché' anthems if you will, but I reckon given a bit of searching you'll find what Queen were really about right here.
This is something I can no longer maintain is the case as I have no desire to listen to whatever it was they released with some guy who isn't Freddie singing and so didn't buy into all that 'Queen +' crap, and my musical tastes have developed a wanting for something with, dare I say it, a little more depth and consideration to it. However, Freddie, Brian, John and Roger will always hold a special place in my heart, and as I once saw Roger Taylor say in some Queen Doc or another, Queen are like "...coming back to mother." That is assuming your mother is hairy, rather loud and fond of skin tight leather clothing. Which she is. Yours, that is...
So anyway, my problem right now is the classifying of Queen's 'Greatest' music. A band unafraid of accusations of cynically exploiting a festive buying period with a 'brand new' Greatest Hits-type album release, Queen have many combinations of what they or more probably their record company deem to be their best work. While Greatest Hits 1 & 2 to some, including me, will have been a classic route into the band's work both have some serious music quality issues. This is especially true of 1, which from their earliest albums completely ignores the well constructed and far easier on the ear tracks such as 'Keep Yourself Alive' and 'Liar' and instead runs with the cringeworthily anthemic 'We Are The Champions' and 'We Will Rock You'. Heresy.
With the advent of the 'Absolute Greatest' compilation currently spamming our TV ad breaks, I've decided that enough is enough, and have decided to put together my own definitive selection of the 20 truly great Queen songs. Criteria is solely personal taste (mine), and while I'm sure many will recognise the vast proportion of these songs I hope that some will discover a gem they were hitherto unaware of. Thus I give you Queen - A Subjective Greatest Hits:
1) Keep Yourself Alive - As soon as that "chigchiggachigchigachigachigachig" guitar starts off, and Roger starts pounding out the beat the hairs on my spine, if it has any, tingle with anticipation. Possibly their best ever song, and hardly anyone's ever heard of it. Scandalous.
2)Innuendo - An epic. Better than Bohemian Rhapsody in my opinion as it doesn't now represent a clichéd or novelty song, but one that tells of a personal struggle, and sounds like it too. A great deal of fun, too, and alongside the cover of 'These Are The Days Of Our Lives' a fitting end to Freddies' living output.
3) Hammer To Fall - For a long time my all time favourite Queen track, this is perfect stadium rock. Punchy solos, definitive vocals. Oh, and some poundingly fiery rhythm work from Messrs Deacon and Taylor. Tight as fuck. Damn they were good.
4) Seven Seas Of Rhye - Talk of privy counsellors, nudism and thunder-fire has never been better placed. Ridiculous lyrics, the drama of the piano-to-drumroll at the start and some good ol' fashioned Freddie screaminess in harmony with the guitar.
5) Stone Cold Crazy - Cracking riff, tick tocking verses and a live essential. Yet more nonsense lyrics (Slide Trombone?) but lets not get too deep about this. Some lovely layered guitar from Brian at the bridge lead into its dramatic conclusion!
6) You're My Best Friend - I don't know, it's a bit soppy but there's something about the 'bdow bow bow bow' and a cracking sentimental performance from Mercury that makes me a bit warm inside.
7) Tie Your Mother Down - Possibly the ultimate Queen live rocker (wait, did I say that before?) the kick-ass riff and over the top performance screams party. I've used this song too many times to get myself in the mood for a night out. And now resolve to go back to this ritual. Its perfect for the purpose.
8) Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy - It's a bit silly but nicely constructed and I think the lyrics paint a picture of that suave sophisticated type of chap who knows all the right things to say that we'd all like to be. And I do enjoy that comical little solo from May at the bridge.
9) Get Down Make Love - The suspense at the start of this would be perfect in an intro to some sort of sexy spy noir thriller. It's some classic seedy Queen focussing on ambivalent sexual themes ("You suck my mind, I blow your head", for example). Naughty.
10) Bicycle Race - And yet more silliness. But it's a bit more - it's a family friendly song that mentions Cocaine, which is a dubious achievement and come on, 100s of naked models riding bikes? I should have just left it at that...
11) Put Out The Fire - Bit more of cock rocky riff here, and some husky lyrics from Fred. To be honest, it's not a great song by any means, but as teenager in front of the mirror with my Lynx can microphone it was a joy to sing along to. And it's anti-guns (I THINK?) so that's all good.
12) Radio Ga Ga - Inspired by Roger's baby child, or so he says, Radio GaGa is a genuine Queen classic that appeals to most fans. Its sentiment while eventually proven not to be a pressing matter, although it was close there for a moment, is worthy and its a classic Queen anthemic chorus without getting annoying. Just.
13) Tear It Up - Maybe their last true rocking song, it has all the key ingredients. Pounding rhythm, guitar genius and some definitive if somewhat nonsensical lyrics. I understand what he wants to do, but can't quite get my around why...
14) Friends Will Be Friends - Again a bit soppy & sentimental, but hey this is Queen. Another one which I can't find too much reason to recommend it, other than it's a well written song beautifully performed. If it hasn't been used in some form of 'friendship' montage in a film it's a travesty.
15) The Invisible Man - Oh yes, now this is Queen at their most ridiculous. The concept of a song about the Invisible Man seems so obvious though, and John Deacon's bass line really gets to the bottom of the subject matter. Ghoulish....
16) I Can't Live With You (Queen Rocks version) - the original was a bit wet so for the (yes, compilation) Queen Rocks they rocked it up a bit. May gets going on his axe and it pumps more than an Arabian desert.
17) Heaven For Everyone - Posthumous release which was the 1st Queen release I definitely remember coming out. I wish I could find the video featuring a Fritz Lang type film as that pretty much made the song. Interestingly (probably for Queen nuts only) done by Roger Taylor's own band The Cross many years earlier.
18) One Vision - Done for some forgotten US war-glorifying film, I believe, another classic riff that stands the test of time. I have to say the lyrics almost border on the Bone-like, which is unforgivable, but I'll let it be as Brian May's guitar work is sublime. And they say 'Fried Chicken' right at the end.
19) Headlong - There's nothing you can, nothing you can, nothing you can do about it. But seriously, it's another pounding rhythm suggesting train travel or similar, and also reminds a little of 70s bands like Black Sabbath. For about 5 seconds. And another great solo.
20) Killer Queen - Camp, silly, & sounds beautiful. Contains possibly the campest solo in British rock, at least. Something about eating cake, China, and a word that sounds like 'beastimulous' which can't be right. But sod it, it's Queen. Enjoy.
OK, that took a while (I actually got about half way about 3 weeks ago and then lost focus, Christmas came & went, and I only remembered again today), but for me at least its been worth it. I've rediscovered a band I truly worshipped as an impressionable teenager, and I think realised why I always liked them in the first place - simply because they are fun. Whether it's rocking socks, getting a bit silly or simply exploring a seedier, dirtier side of life, it's all done in a happy & honest way.
Enjoy the 'cliché' anthems if you will, but I reckon given a bit of searching you'll find what Queen were really about right here.
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Roy Keane: The Voice Of Reason?
1st up, I recognise this blog is fast becoming a football blog, which was never my intention. The title of the blog could only fit that topic but I will endeavour to write about something more interesting in the near future.
But for now it's all about the week's main talking point - the Hand of Frog. I think given the view I'm going to take I should first qualify a few points:
I am not Irish, but have always enjoyed an Irish big tournament appearance for the fun, ridiculous optimism and spirit they bring, and was gutted that they did not beat the ageing and frankly SO 1998 French. I do not agree that just because 'everyone does it' that the handball was 'ok', and in fact this incident has started to make me believe that technology should possibly be brought into football sooner rather than later, which is not how I've felt before. The seeding of the play-offs by FIFA was in itself a low and cynical move, and while the games could have been exactly the same, few would have complained had France and, say, Portugal met to rid the World Cup of at least one overblown posturing team of diving, handballing and whingeing cheats. But then for that description you could subsitute England, Spain, Brazil and yes, Ireland. And this is my point...
Ok, so I'm sure everyone's at least read what Roy Keane has said, but if not it is here. I couldn't agree more - GET OVER IT. As I type this John Motson is also talking more sense on Football Focus, and to be honest I think the print media alongside the FAI more than anything else have blown this out of the water more than anyone else.
The incident itself, as anyone who plays football will tell you if speaking honestly, was essentially pure instinct and it's something that most of us would do if the ball was travelling across the body going out of play when you're in the 6 yard box in extra time to go to the world cup. You do it, and ask questions later, or at least wait for them to be asked. I don't believe that the act itself is a moral issue because, especially in the culture of the game as it has evolved in the last 20 or so years, football cannot claim any kind of moral leadership, or indeed character, when every 90 minutes (or 120...) is rife with attempts to win free kicks, whether fouled or otherwise, waste time, steal yards, influence the referee, wind up the opposition and yes handle the ball. I do it in Duchy League Division 4 as much as Thierry Henry does it (yep, I did just include myself in a sentence with Henry, shoot me) in a World Cup Play Off.
I'm afraid that in this day and age football has lost any kind of nobility and yet we still love it. Why? Well for the drama of course. The theatre of it, the passion of it and yes, the controversey. Fair play is at best a side dish, served when it suits people in normally the least important circumstances. If it were any different there wouldn't be the money, the TV coverage and the rainforests of trees taken up by the likes of that idiot Henry Winter at the Telegraph (ban Henry? Then ban anyone else who 'cheated' during WC qualifying) that there is today. Some might say that the big teams/nations get favoured by referees and that may have some weight but that's not the point, at least here. Me and a friend, who I'll refer to as Virgil, were just discussing this and he reckons that if it had been Brazil instead of Ireland the game would have bee replayed. I don't think that's how FIFA work myself, they're far more underhand and wouldn't do it so blatantly. But again, it's not the point. And as I said, morals and decency ain't football's way.
That this has brought so much contraversey is perfect for the game in it's current state, whatever people may say. It show's people care. Even in Ireland where football is probably not the 1st or 2nd sport in the country, they care. I wish they had made it, that Henry hadn't handballed and that Shay Given had gone on to save 5 penalties (and lets not forget that Ireland weren't at the point of going through when the Henry handballed), and that they'd gone on to be drawn with Brazil, Netherlands and Ivory Coast and beat them all to set up a 2nd round tie with England only to be spiritedly beaten by a Rooney hat trick, but it didn't and won't happen.
If we start challenging referee's decisions post match and replaying games based on it then we start losing any shroud or shred of RESPECT the sport has in its on field officials. And that's not counting the amounts of games those poor overworked football types would have to play - probably at LEAST 3 a week, poor dears. The tribal battle, the intense nationalism and the personal pride - all these things would have infuenced Henry's instinct and while we shouldn't congratulate him for it, we have to allow for it to keep the game at the pinacle of international sport.
And if we lose all that, what more does the game have?
But for now it's all about the week's main talking point - the Hand of Frog. I think given the view I'm going to take I should first qualify a few points:
I am not Irish, but have always enjoyed an Irish big tournament appearance for the fun, ridiculous optimism and spirit they bring, and was gutted that they did not beat the ageing and frankly SO 1998 French. I do not agree that just because 'everyone does it' that the handball was 'ok', and in fact this incident has started to make me believe that technology should possibly be brought into football sooner rather than later, which is not how I've felt before. The seeding of the play-offs by FIFA was in itself a low and cynical move, and while the games could have been exactly the same, few would have complained had France and, say, Portugal met to rid the World Cup of at least one overblown posturing team of diving, handballing and whingeing cheats. But then for that description you could subsitute England, Spain, Brazil and yes, Ireland. And this is my point...
Ok, so I'm sure everyone's at least read what Roy Keane has said, but if not it is here. I couldn't agree more - GET OVER IT. As I type this John Motson is also talking more sense on Football Focus, and to be honest I think the print media alongside the FAI more than anything else have blown this out of the water more than anyone else.
The incident itself, as anyone who plays football will tell you if speaking honestly, was essentially pure instinct and it's something that most of us would do if the ball was travelling across the body going out of play when you're in the 6 yard box in extra time to go to the world cup. You do it, and ask questions later, or at least wait for them to be asked. I don't believe that the act itself is a moral issue because, especially in the culture of the game as it has evolved in the last 20 or so years, football cannot claim any kind of moral leadership, or indeed character, when every 90 minutes (or 120...) is rife with attempts to win free kicks, whether fouled or otherwise, waste time, steal yards, influence the referee, wind up the opposition and yes handle the ball. I do it in Duchy League Division 4 as much as Thierry Henry does it (yep, I did just include myself in a sentence with Henry, shoot me) in a World Cup Play Off.
I'm afraid that in this day and age football has lost any kind of nobility and yet we still love it. Why? Well for the drama of course. The theatre of it, the passion of it and yes, the controversey. Fair play is at best a side dish, served when it suits people in normally the least important circumstances. If it were any different there wouldn't be the money, the TV coverage and the rainforests of trees taken up by the likes of that idiot Henry Winter at the Telegraph (ban Henry? Then ban anyone else who 'cheated' during WC qualifying) that there is today. Some might say that the big teams/nations get favoured by referees and that may have some weight but that's not the point, at least here. Me and a friend, who I'll refer to as Virgil, were just discussing this and he reckons that if it had been Brazil instead of Ireland the game would have bee replayed. I don't think that's how FIFA work myself, they're far more underhand and wouldn't do it so blatantly. But again, it's not the point. And as I said, morals and decency ain't football's way.
That this has brought so much contraversey is perfect for the game in it's current state, whatever people may say. It show's people care. Even in Ireland where football is probably not the 1st or 2nd sport in the country, they care. I wish they had made it, that Henry hadn't handballed and that Shay Given had gone on to save 5 penalties (and lets not forget that Ireland weren't at the point of going through when the Henry handballed), and that they'd gone on to be drawn with Brazil, Netherlands and Ivory Coast and beat them all to set up a 2nd round tie with England only to be spiritedly beaten by a Rooney hat trick, but it didn't and won't happen.
If we start challenging referee's decisions post match and replaying games based on it then we start losing any shroud or shred of RESPECT the sport has in its on field officials. And that's not counting the amounts of games those poor overworked football types would have to play - probably at LEAST 3 a week, poor dears. The tribal battle, the intense nationalism and the personal pride - all these things would have infuenced Henry's instinct and while we shouldn't congratulate him for it, we have to allow for it to keep the game at the pinacle of international sport.
And if we lose all that, what more does the game have?
Monday, 16 November 2009
Post Brazil Game Follow Up
I just sent the following message to a certain Polish friend which pretty much sums up my feelings after this game:
"well... basically it proved little. A few points to take from it:
1)Darren Bent, Jermaine Jenas, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Wes Brown and Wayne Bridge are not good enough to go to the world cup and if any of them go there better be a shit load of injuries.
2)James Milner might well go and did OK, but lets not start sucking his dick yet.
3)Only when JT, Rio, Gerrard and Lamps are out, and probably Becks too, should Rooney captain England at this stage in his career.
4)We really need to find Vermeulen an English passport.Our reserve centre half options are frankly dire.Can Woodgate get fit and form in time?"
That Is All
"well... basically it proved little. A few points to take from it:
1)Darren Bent, Jermaine Jenas, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Wes Brown and Wayne Bridge are not good enough to go to the world cup and if any of them go there better be a shit load of injuries.
2)James Milner might well go and did OK, but lets not start sucking his dick yet.
3)Only when JT, Rio, Gerrard and Lamps are out, and probably Becks too, should Rooney captain England at this stage in his career.
4)We really need to find Vermeulen an English passport.Our reserve centre half options are frankly dire.Can Woodgate get fit and form in time?"
That Is All
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Premature World Cup Thoughts...
I've been thinking more and more about the World Cup next summer in South Africa, and more specifically England's chances at said tournament. I know it's a long time away, with a lot of football to be played, injuries to be surmounted and form to be gotten into and out of, but I'm excited as hell and I want to talk about it...
So, my feeling is based on the qualifying tournament and how Capello has transformed the atmosphere around the camp. I think there are 3 sides that are definitely better than England, Brazil, Spain and despite qualifying struggles under the mercurial but flawed Maradona, Argentina. Holland, France, Italy, Germany, Portugal and Russia are all potentially on the same level as England, and the African Nations Cup in January will potentially demonstrate the ever increasing strength that exists in that continent. Of the contenders outside of the top 3, England appear to be finding form and consistency, the match in Kiev aside, and I think that the semi finals are a realistic possibility, and by then its one off matches all the way. Yep, I'm fantasising completely here...
England will have to pray that the form and fitness of their top players are both peaking next June and there are already a few worries that need resolving. Ferdinand's struggle to maintain his high standards, and play more than 1 game in a row could potentially break up England's long serving defensive partnership, but the who else is there? Would you want Matthew Upson or Wes Brown, good as they can be, trying to break down Kaka, Luis Fabiano and co in a pressure cooker quarter final? I'm not sure, but there is time to go. Can Joe Cole be fitted into a talented attacking force? What role may Owen Hargreaves play, if any?
As much as Capello says that no player is safe, I think it's pretty clear that there are a number of players who would struggle to play bad enough to miss out. 10 excluding Heskey, for now...) of Capello's apparent preferred line up must be nailed on to go, and one or 2 others who have excelled from the bench or as viable alternatives to start. So already I think that the following will fly to South Africa, if fit, for sure:
Green
Johnson, G
Cole, A
Terry
Ferdinand
Barry
Lampard
Gerrard
Walcott
Rooney
Defoe
Upson
James
So, that means there are 10 more to find. For me, I think the overall make up of the squad should reflect a combination of the quality of play a player produced in the previous season and quality global football experience, be it Champions League or international tournaments. England do have a number of players available who fulfil this requirement, and of those I would also take:
Robinson
Woodgate
Hargreaves
Beckham
Lennon
Cole, J
Crouch
Owen
Heskey
There's a few that I've left out which may be surprising. Wes Brown isn't naturally first choice for Man Utd, and Woodgate has the sort of game to possibly back up Ferdinand and provide the same kind of balance, and I've gone with no direct right back cover as I believe that Hargreaves (who is obviously massively reliant on keeping is fitness for the season once he returns) can do a excellent job at right back, and would be a contender to start there against certain opposition.
King's fitness is too questionable and against Arsenal looked a shadow of his old self. Carrick is having a bit of scratchy season so far, desperately searching for passes that aren't there and not being allowed to control midfield area as he prefers. Wright Phillips always seems a bit of a headless chicken for England, and the emergence of Walcott and re-emergence of Lennon, plus 'the Beckham Option' means for me he's 4th choice for the right wing. There are probably others who slip my mind just now also...
There is sometimes though room for a bit of a wild card. From those without perhaps that sort of experience, but have emerged more recently I pick only one, Kieran Gibbs, as from what I've seen he has the tenacity, quality and attitude to understudy Ashley Cole, and Wayne Bridge hasn't looked assured in an England shirt for some time.
That means that the likes of Carlton Cole (Heskey has the nod for me as the 'big bustling line leader' category), James Milner (has impressed for England but too soon), Stewart Downing (injured currently anyway, but generally flatters to deceive), Gary Cahill (who?), Joleon Lescott (fails to convince at this level), Ben Foster (a few errors this season and not likely to be a regular at his club), Darren Bent (could make a late run, but unproven at international level), and I'm sure many more, are left hoping for injuries or others' serious form loss to have a chance of making it on the flight.
It's a tough exercise and when I'd first thought about it a couple of weeks ago there were a few differences to the above, but having considered what it takes to win tournaments (guts, quality, experience, an 'x' factor, perhaps?) this is what I've gone for. I'm sure most would disagree somewhere with the selection, and I'm surer I will by the time the squad is selected, but thats how I currently see it, and I think there is the ability within those players to beat anyone on their day, even with one or 2 of those in the squad suffering injuries mid-tournament.
With that in mind, I also had a think about who might be selected to start in that big match quarter final against Brazil, for example, after 4 games already of intense pressure and nail biting drama. I'm allowing for the way that some players emerge from the shadows in big tournaments that may not have started that crucial first group game and become important to the cause. For what it's worth, which is little, my XI for a quarter final against Brazil, fitness permitting, would be:
GK: Green
RB: Hargreaves
LB: Cole, A
CB: Terry
CB: Ferdinand
CM: Barry
CM: Lampard
AM: Gerrard
RM: Walcott
LM: Cole, J
CF: Rooney
The added composure of Owen Hargreaves would be such an asset in this game, and his big match experience for me puts him above the impetuous Johnson, who could though make an excellent impact sub if things aren't going England's way. I struggle to see Capello leaving out the sublime Joe Cole of the starting line up for too long, and while against weaker sides it may be Walcott who misses out allowing Rooney to roam behind Heskey, I think that 5 in midfield, with the wingers charging on where possible, would provide England with the best platform to attack the hapless Brazilian goalkeeper!
What excites me most is that we have some pretty good options to bring on if needs be. Aside from Johnson and Heskey, the likes of Lennon, Beckham, Defoe and Crouch can make discernable claims to be potential game-breakers.
Of course there are many ifs and buts between now and squad/team selection stage, and its almost guaranteed that at least one of the players I've "selected" will be out injured. And yes, it will probably be Owen Hargeaves. But I'm an optimist, sometimes, and am very much living in a fantasy world here, and so therefore I declare that the above will represent a successful method to England's inevitable rise to the post of World Champions!
You'll see...
So, my feeling is based on the qualifying tournament and how Capello has transformed the atmosphere around the camp. I think there are 3 sides that are definitely better than England, Brazil, Spain and despite qualifying struggles under the mercurial but flawed Maradona, Argentina. Holland, France, Italy, Germany, Portugal and Russia are all potentially on the same level as England, and the African Nations Cup in January will potentially demonstrate the ever increasing strength that exists in that continent. Of the contenders outside of the top 3, England appear to be finding form and consistency, the match in Kiev aside, and I think that the semi finals are a realistic possibility, and by then its one off matches all the way. Yep, I'm fantasising completely here...
England will have to pray that the form and fitness of their top players are both peaking next June and there are already a few worries that need resolving. Ferdinand's struggle to maintain his high standards, and play more than 1 game in a row could potentially break up England's long serving defensive partnership, but the who else is there? Would you want Matthew Upson or Wes Brown, good as they can be, trying to break down Kaka, Luis Fabiano and co in a pressure cooker quarter final? I'm not sure, but there is time to go. Can Joe Cole be fitted into a talented attacking force? What role may Owen Hargreaves play, if any?
As much as Capello says that no player is safe, I think it's pretty clear that there are a number of players who would struggle to play bad enough to miss out. 10 excluding Heskey, for now...) of Capello's apparent preferred line up must be nailed on to go, and one or 2 others who have excelled from the bench or as viable alternatives to start. So already I think that the following will fly to South Africa, if fit, for sure:
Green
Johnson, G
Cole, A
Terry
Ferdinand
Barry
Lampard
Gerrard
Walcott
Rooney
Defoe
Upson
James
So, that means there are 10 more to find. For me, I think the overall make up of the squad should reflect a combination of the quality of play a player produced in the previous season and quality global football experience, be it Champions League or international tournaments. England do have a number of players available who fulfil this requirement, and of those I would also take:
Robinson
Woodgate
Hargreaves
Beckham
Lennon
Cole, J
Crouch
Owen
Heskey
There's a few that I've left out which may be surprising. Wes Brown isn't naturally first choice for Man Utd, and Woodgate has the sort of game to possibly back up Ferdinand and provide the same kind of balance, and I've gone with no direct right back cover as I believe that Hargreaves (who is obviously massively reliant on keeping is fitness for the season once he returns) can do a excellent job at right back, and would be a contender to start there against certain opposition.
King's fitness is too questionable and against Arsenal looked a shadow of his old self. Carrick is having a bit of scratchy season so far, desperately searching for passes that aren't there and not being allowed to control midfield area as he prefers. Wright Phillips always seems a bit of a headless chicken for England, and the emergence of Walcott and re-emergence of Lennon, plus 'the Beckham Option' means for me he's 4th choice for the right wing. There are probably others who slip my mind just now also...
There is sometimes though room for a bit of a wild card. From those without perhaps that sort of experience, but have emerged more recently I pick only one, Kieran Gibbs, as from what I've seen he has the tenacity, quality and attitude to understudy Ashley Cole, and Wayne Bridge hasn't looked assured in an England shirt for some time.
That means that the likes of Carlton Cole (Heskey has the nod for me as the 'big bustling line leader' category), James Milner (has impressed for England but too soon), Stewart Downing (injured currently anyway, but generally flatters to deceive), Gary Cahill (who?), Joleon Lescott (fails to convince at this level), Ben Foster (a few errors this season and not likely to be a regular at his club), Darren Bent (could make a late run, but unproven at international level), and I'm sure many more, are left hoping for injuries or others' serious form loss to have a chance of making it on the flight.
It's a tough exercise and when I'd first thought about it a couple of weeks ago there were a few differences to the above, but having considered what it takes to win tournaments (guts, quality, experience, an 'x' factor, perhaps?) this is what I've gone for. I'm sure most would disagree somewhere with the selection, and I'm surer I will by the time the squad is selected, but thats how I currently see it, and I think there is the ability within those players to beat anyone on their day, even with one or 2 of those in the squad suffering injuries mid-tournament.
With that in mind, I also had a think about who might be selected to start in that big match quarter final against Brazil, for example, after 4 games already of intense pressure and nail biting drama. I'm allowing for the way that some players emerge from the shadows in big tournaments that may not have started that crucial first group game and become important to the cause. For what it's worth, which is little, my XI for a quarter final against Brazil, fitness permitting, would be:
GK: Green
RB: Hargreaves
LB: Cole, A
CB: Terry
CB: Ferdinand
CM: Barry
CM: Lampard
AM: Gerrard
RM: Walcott
LM: Cole, J
CF: Rooney
The added composure of Owen Hargreaves would be such an asset in this game, and his big match experience for me puts him above the impetuous Johnson, who could though make an excellent impact sub if things aren't going England's way. I struggle to see Capello leaving out the sublime Joe Cole of the starting line up for too long, and while against weaker sides it may be Walcott who misses out allowing Rooney to roam behind Heskey, I think that 5 in midfield, with the wingers charging on where possible, would provide England with the best platform to attack the hapless Brazilian goalkeeper!
What excites me most is that we have some pretty good options to bring on if needs be. Aside from Johnson and Heskey, the likes of Lennon, Beckham, Defoe and Crouch can make discernable claims to be potential game-breakers.
Of course there are many ifs and buts between now and squad/team selection stage, and its almost guaranteed that at least one of the players I've "selected" will be out injured. And yes, it will probably be Owen Hargeaves. But I'm an optimist, sometimes, and am very much living in a fantasy world here, and so therefore I declare that the above will represent a successful method to England's inevitable rise to the post of World Champions!
You'll see...
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Newton Faulkner Gig Review
I quite like loud, lively music, and have generally remained apathetic towards modern male singer songwriter music as I tend to find it doesn't improve on what has gone before, most pertinently during the 60s. And yes, I know that's a huge generalisation, but in areas of apathetism I tend towards the general.
Newton Faulkner falls into this category, although before I attended his gig at the Hall For Cornwall I had probably only heard a couple of his songs on the radio, and one of those was the sweet but safe rendition of Massive Attack's 'Teardrop', and so my judgement was threadbare at least. And I'll say it now, I wouldn't have gone if it hadn't been free due to an old friend of mine being in Faulkner's employ. But go I did, and glad I am of it.
Faulkner has a strong Cornish following as his breakthrough partly came as a result of a gig at the same venue some time before, and so he couldn't really lose with the crowd. His stage presence was friendly, cheery and reactive, and even when a few idiots kept on shouting out interupting him he carried on regardless, which is a sign of a performer confident in his reportoire and repartee. As some may have seen on Never Mind The Buzzcocks weeks before, he also has a keen self-depreciating wit, and all this combined kept everyone comfortable in his company.
Musically, for me there were maybe 5 or 6 songs that really grabbed me, and mostly for the splendid use of his guitar, by plucking, tapping, strumming and more. The best of his songs, which I'm afraid I'm unable to name any of which (an unforgivable sin in a review I know), used unconventional chord structures, clear, concise and clever lyrics, and a keen ear for an impressive melody.
The use of extra instrumental sections was also innovative, both from the pedalled string section and the prerecorded melodica and backing vocals that were delivered from a projection screen featuring Faulkner's always entertaining features. There was though much fodder, especially in the mid section of the gig, which could have been stolen from the lost reaches of Ben Harper or Jack Johnson, and my long legs were noticably aching for some time, a sensation I don't normally get until well after a good all round gig.
I suspect that many of those attending would not have minded this however, and indeed got what they expected. Me, I left with a smile, which meant it was worth the petrol money at least, but I can't admit to being left with a desire for more. There was the odd occasion from my position to the right of the stage nearish the back (I noted a certain other reviewer at one point not far behind me) when I wished it were the sublime Tim Minchin (see last week's Jonathan Ross on iPlayer for his genius) on stage, which I occasionally thought it might almost have been. But I'm not complaining.
Good For: Fans who bought the CD, those who enjoy a relaxed gig with a bit of a laugh, fans of the Blackstreet Classic No Diggity (Faulkner's half-cover was very fun).
Bad For: Those with limited attention spans, the easily and medium easily bored, Lee Trewhela.
Newton Faulkner falls into this category, although before I attended his gig at the Hall For Cornwall I had probably only heard a couple of his songs on the radio, and one of those was the sweet but safe rendition of Massive Attack's 'Teardrop', and so my judgement was threadbare at least. And I'll say it now, I wouldn't have gone if it hadn't been free due to an old friend of mine being in Faulkner's employ. But go I did, and glad I am of it.
Faulkner has a strong Cornish following as his breakthrough partly came as a result of a gig at the same venue some time before, and so he couldn't really lose with the crowd. His stage presence was friendly, cheery and reactive, and even when a few idiots kept on shouting out interupting him he carried on regardless, which is a sign of a performer confident in his reportoire and repartee. As some may have seen on Never Mind The Buzzcocks weeks before, he also has a keen self-depreciating wit, and all this combined kept everyone comfortable in his company.
Musically, for me there were maybe 5 or 6 songs that really grabbed me, and mostly for the splendid use of his guitar, by plucking, tapping, strumming and more. The best of his songs, which I'm afraid I'm unable to name any of which (an unforgivable sin in a review I know), used unconventional chord structures, clear, concise and clever lyrics, and a keen ear for an impressive melody.
The use of extra instrumental sections was also innovative, both from the pedalled string section and the prerecorded melodica and backing vocals that were delivered from a projection screen featuring Faulkner's always entertaining features. There was though much fodder, especially in the mid section of the gig, which could have been stolen from the lost reaches of Ben Harper or Jack Johnson, and my long legs were noticably aching for some time, a sensation I don't normally get until well after a good all round gig.
I suspect that many of those attending would not have minded this however, and indeed got what they expected. Me, I left with a smile, which meant it was worth the petrol money at least, but I can't admit to being left with a desire for more. There was the odd occasion from my position to the right of the stage nearish the back (I noted a certain other reviewer at one point not far behind me) when I wished it were the sublime Tim Minchin (see last week's Jonathan Ross on iPlayer for his genius) on stage, which I occasionally thought it might almost have been. But I'm not complaining.
Good For: Fans who bought the CD, those who enjoy a relaxed gig with a bit of a laugh, fans of the Blackstreet Classic No Diggity (Faulkner's half-cover was very fun).
Bad For: Those with limited attention spans, the easily and medium easily bored, Lee Trewhela.
Some Time Later....
This is an interim post which no-one will probably read. Hopefully.
but basically I've written nothing since god knows when on here, and may now start writing a bit more. Should probably jazz up the look of things here, but probably won't.
All I'm really trying to say is that what came before this post was another time, another place, and what comes from now will be more frequent and hopefully more varied.
Anyway, without further adieu...
but basically I've written nothing since god knows when on here, and may now start writing a bit more. Should probably jazz up the look of things here, but probably won't.
All I'm really trying to say is that what came before this post was another time, another place, and what comes from now will be more frequent and hopefully more varied.
Anyway, without further adieu...
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