Friday 27 February 2009

How to dismantle a rock band

I'm a little reticent to write on this topic. Criticising U2 is a bit like taking a pop at America's past President or claiming the Brits just aren't 'edgy' anymore. It's an easy target for one, plus you run the risk of boring yourself and everyone else into a cliche induced coma. All that, for what is widely accepted, common knowledge anyway i.e. they're all a bit crap.

Still, having watched last weeks Culture Show Special on U2, I just can't help myself. I don't have much against their sound per se (what can I say? - I like the sound of guitars), I don't even want to rally against Bono's incessant ear bashing of political leaders in the name of the environment and famine - I'm sure he believes passionately that he's doing good and it's impossible to argue with the cause, even if you disagree with the methods.

No. My problem is the lack of artistry. There's not a smidgen of depth to any of their music, its banality is unmatched. "So what?" I hear you say, "there's a million and one bands you could describe that way." Well, yes you're right but it's not that alone that's the issue.

Bono prides himself on his political activism, but why then, does not an ounce of that manifest itself in his art? It would give his position as one of the most popular rock stars of our time some purpose, some reason. Instead we're left to pontificate over the great message of "It's a beautiful day".

As I've already said, it's an obvious criticism but the simple fact is, they are one of the biggest selling bands ever and therein lies a danger. Because they're a "rock" band, because they have guitars around their necks and because of past glories, they are untouchable. People believe this is the pinnacle of the genre - "they are the biggest, they are the greatest."

Rock music, or art itself, should be, and can be, so much more. U2 could be, and should be, so much more.

Monday 23 February 2009

Ich bin Berliner


I'm still reflecting on my trip to Berlin for Gaz's stag-do last week. It was very strange flying on my own for the first time and if I'm honest a little lonely (everywhere you looked there were friends, lovers, families - It felt like the opening scene of Love Actually) but as soon as the rest of the lads had touched down on German soil to join me, all such thoughts were banished.

Berlin is a fantastic city. Maybe it's just my rose-tinted spectacles but there seemed to be an effervescence about the place. I can see now what must have attracted Bowie. Perhaps it's the cathartic escapism of a city shrugging off its past; perhaps it's the juxtaposition of youthful vibrancy against the bleak, cold war architecture.

We were welcomed into the pubs, bars and clubs and glorious times were had by all. Chatting and dancing with the local Berliners, I was surprised at the general bonhomie towards us 'Britishers' but then maybe that says more about me and my hang-ups, brought up as I was on on a diet of Dad's Army and the like. Even the landlord had the good humor to joke when we checked in, "and what ever you do, don't mention the war."

Ultimately it was an excellent send off for the husband-to-be.

I wonder if I'll ever get back to Berlin. Having been to Germany three times in recent years, I feel fondness for the country. Is an Englishmen allowed to say that?

Wednesday 18 February 2009

Album Review - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand


****
I was truly ready to hate this album. The false starts in recording, the numerous producers rejected, the fact that it's a concept album about a night out, even the sight of the album cover turned me off. It all led me to believe that after a four year gestation period, this album was going to be a huge disappointment. Well, much to my surprise, it isn't.

What Kapranos and Co have done is not so much reinvent themselves as push things forward - a cop out you might suggest? Possibly, but where they were in danger of disappearing up their own backsides, they've instead managed to strike the balance between innovation and maintaining their ever so precious pop sensibilities.

'Ulysses' is a red herring. It almost sounds like a self parody with it's trademark "la, la, la's" but once you get passed the opener and the underwhelming 'Turn It On' you start to realise that there's plenty to appreciate. 'No You Girls' is a fantastically gleeful stomp, pulsating in all the right places, 'Twilight Omens' is infectious and urgent and 'What She Came For' has a guitar solo of the likes never heard on a Franz Ferdinand track.

The band's new sound is far more cerebral than before. The electronic influence is of course very in vogue but they uniquely weave their synths with guitar licks to great, if not immediate, effect. They always said they wanted to make girls dance but it's on this album that the music sounds most suitable for the dancefloor - even of clubs not frequented by the indie fraternity.

'Lucid Dreams' is where this is most evident. An epic and intoxicating 7 minute assault on the senses that evolves into a techno style wig out. If they're bold enough, perhaps this is where Franz Ferdinand will eventually arrive musically.

So that leaves the concept to be untangled. It's a bit hit and miss but there are moments when Kapranos perfectly captures the enigmatic, sexual tension of a night out. The desire, the uncertainty, the excitement - the anticipation in the "Twilight Omens".

Lines such as, "flick you're cigarette and then kiss me/kiss me where your eye won't meet me" and "yes I love... I mean I'd love to get to know you" evoke that adolescent naivety and nightclub glamour that will inevitably evaporate come the morning after. Add to that Kapranos' knack for imagery, particularly in the line, "Eyes like marbles on a washing machine", from the delicate album closer 'Katherine Kiss Me', and it's a concept that you find yourself quite willing to be play along with.

This is by no means a classic album then and it's true the band do risk falling between the two stools of wanting to move forward and not alienating their existing fan base. However, there's more than enough to be praised in the meantime and if Franz Ferdinand do have the wherewithal to make that leap into the unknown, they could still remain one of the most interesting acts of modern times.

Sunday 15 February 2009

Getting the Horn


Laura and I visited the Horniman Museum in Lewisham yesterday as part of a dummy run for a possible school trip Laura has planned for the kids. It also made a nice Valentine's day outing for us too of course so we hopped onto the train to Forest Hill.

Collections included, typical Victorian natural history, pictures of Darwin and family at his residence (apparently once a stones throw from where the Museum is today), African artifacts (including an Egyptian mummy), a fantastic collection of musical instruments from every corner of the globe and an aquarium (Laura's favourite).

The weather was unexpectedly great (look at the picture above - blue skies and everything) so we had a walk around the gardens too.

It was fantastic to actually feel the warmth of the sun on us (I'd almost forgotten what it felt like). Gave hope that spring isn't too far away.

Thursday 12 February 2009

It wasn't built in a day Roman

So Scolari, World Cup winner and all round lovable Brazilian, is sent packing after just a few months in charge.

Over the course of this season, the last remnants of Mourinho's Chelsea have ebbed away to nothingness - some of his players remain but their spirit is broken.

When the Portuguese swanned into the Premiership spotlight announcing himself as "a special one" back in 2004, a formidable new power in European Football was destined to emerge. Chelsea transformed from the inconsistent sleeping giant, into the resolute conquerors of all before them. At their peak they suffocated teams, not with great flair or skill but with their character, togetherness and resolution.

This obstinacy, although not likely to win them many friends, was their hallmark and resulted in back-to-back Premier League titles and the most successful period in the club's history.

For Abramovich however, this wasn't enough.

Unfortunately, the Russian's desire for fluid, attacking, flair football has ultimately come to undermine the clubs past success. Not satisfied with Mourinho's demands, nor Avram Grant taking Chelsea to within literally a few inches of the European Cup, Scolari, with his history of managing Brazil and Portugal, was to bring the Samba to Stamford Bridge. Now the party is over, the Russian turns to his long time friend Gus Hiddink - a sign of desperation?

Successful clubs require consistency and allow managers to imprint a philosophy on a team. Managers must feel free to sign the players needed to implement this philosophy, melding together the correct ingredients to make a whole greater than the sum of its parts.

When Mourinho had ingredients forced upon him, the likes of Shevchenko in particular, things began to turn sour. You only have to look at the approach of Randy Learner to see how a talented manager can be allowed to flourish.

Until Abramovich realises this, the continuing demand for immediate success on his terms may be the key to his and Chelsea's downfall.

Tuesday 10 February 2009

Feed the world

Partly as a result of being asked by my CEO to encourage interaction between our members and partly for my own personal interest, I've been looking into the wealth of new sites that have been popping up hither and thither all in the name of social networking.

There's 'digg', 'del.ico.us' and the increasingly popular 'twitter' championed by none other than Stephen Fry and Kermode/Mayo. It's all intriguing stuff, although I'm not taken with all of them, many seeming to offer the same experience as the 'veteran' Myspace and Facebook websites.

One element of this new Web 2.0 world that does interest me though (purely as continued professional development for my career in information of course), is the use of web feeds to automatically update users of new material appearing on the web.

Visit any major news website nowadays, say the BBC or Guardian sites, and you'll see a small, square, orange logo, often with the letters 'RSS' next to it (commonly understood to stand for Really Simple Syndication). Even this very blog - 'Jocky's Corner' - has it (see the bottom of the left hand menu bar) which allows people to 'subscribe' to the content.

Needless to say, I've gone for this hammer and tongs, signing up to my favourite columnists and bloggers, NME album reviews, BBC Radio 1 videos etc etc. Now when I open my browser at home, I have a list of bookmarks automatically updated with the content I'm interested in. As soon as Charlie Brooker posts a new blog, it appears waiting for me to click and devour. For a library and information worker like me, this is exciting stuff.

Of course it doesn't stop on the social front, Visual Learning Environments (VLE's) are becoming increasingly popular in academic environments allowing students to access learning resources remotely and online, interacting with their counterparts on forum, blogs and wiki's all in the name of education. Add to that the likes of 'Linked In', a professional tool for business people allowing them to network with colleagues, clients and join groups of like-minded people in their field, and you do wonder where it will all end.

Titter ye not....just 'twitter' instead!

Friday 6 February 2009

New Media Dictionary

In light of yesterday's post and all the nonsense that's surrounding the media at the moment, read Charlie Brooker's latest column and laugh/weep at the ridiculousness of it all. I wish I could write blogs like this.

Thursday 5 February 2009

Hate Mail

How the recent events surrounding Carol Thatcher's comments have come to highlight all that its truly despicable about the Daily Mail.

The catalyst for all the furore involving Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand, hypocritically, the paper is now attempting to come to the defence of one of its own, suggesting the sacking of Thatcher for comparing a tennis player to a golliwog is a display of 'political correctness gone mad'. It even claims the BBC has some kind of vendetta against her as a result of past difficulties with her former PM mother, Maggie.

Apparently, the comment was made in private which makes it acceptable according to one of the papers columnists - Bollocks! Firstly it wasn't in private it was on the set of a BBC program during recording and secondly, even if it was in private, how does that make using an unacceptable reference with commonly known racial overtones okay? Put simply, it doesn't.

The BBC was right to sack Carol Thatcher as she flatly refused to apologise despite knowingly upsetting her fellow employees on 'The One Show'. Brand and Ross on the other hand, who did both apologise for what was tantamount to bullying but no more, are hung from the nearest yard arm by the media.

Why not all jump on the 'outraged' bandwagon!!! Here's my best effort:

Britain - a country of prudish, hypocritical racists!

Super Bowl Sunday (Reprise)



Super Bowl XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers 27-23 Arizona Cardinals


I meant to post this reprise earlier in the week but like most I've been distracted by the weather. To anyone who watched the game last weekend, I hope you enjoyed it - It was a cracker!

Perhaps not as exciting as last years contest when the New York Giants won on the final drive of the game (a drive including this 'miracle' play by Giants Quarterback Eli Manning) but still a fantastic spectacle, including a 100 yard interception return for a touchdown - the longest in Super Bowl history - and a fantastic 4th Quarter in which the lead changed hands twice.

Great stuff!!! If you didn't catch it all, here are the highlights!

Tuesday 3 February 2009

Snow Business Like No Business


Snow!!! Loads of it! Another day off work too.

I expect it's not the first thing the economy needs in troubled times i.e. half the south eastern workforce unable to get into the office (although the north of England and Scotland have heavy snow every winter yet things seem to keep ticking over up there).

Apparently there's more to come and although it's nice to have days off work, I think I might be starting to go a little stir crazy. Also, I get all unsettled by a break from routine.

It doesn't help that I took two hours this morning trying diligently to get into work only to discover the decision was taken yesterday to close the office!! The email informing me had slipped into my spam folder. Ultimately, I needn't have bothered.

On the plus side, we went for a walk yesterday and everything looked amazing. It was a strange sight - so many people taking to the streets with no work to go to and with the roads out of commission.

I can't remember it ever snowing this much in my lifetime.

We even built ourselves a snowman called 'Lumpy' and to top it all off, lit a wood fire in the living room fireplace to make it all warm and cosy in the evening gloom - Beat that! It was like a day taken straight out of a Dickensian novel.

If only it could have come at Christmas it would have been even better. Still, maybe next year.