reviews-andthings-blog

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Liam Gallagher: For what it’s worth

Liam Gallaghers third single ‘For what it’s worth’ from his forthcoming debut album as a solo artist, ‘As you were’, is, in my opinion, the best so far. It has a definite Oasis in their heyday feel to it, and is sure to be a blinding success. The song itself is an apology, for what, only the enigma that is Liam Gallagher can know for sure. Some might say that it is about his ongoing feud with brother Noel, others could claim that it would be about his multiple ‘hiccups’ in his personal life. Whichever the case may be, it makes for a true belter of a tune. It definitely makes a fan of the notorious frontman look forward to the release of his album, and excited for what the future holds for the younger Gallagher brother.

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Review: T2 Trainspotting  

The long awaited sequel to Danny Boyle's cult classic Trainspotting, T2 Trainspotting, was released in UK cinemas on Friday 27th January. I went to see it on opening night and the cinema was packed with old and new fans alike. The film follows the original characters, 20 years on, showing how much life has changed. Mark 'Rent Boy' Renton has returned to Scotland for the first time since the end of the last movie to find his betrayal has had a lasting impact on his friends. Simon 'Sick Boy' Williamson is still taking drugs, albeit more on the cocaine side of things, and is running a pub, alongside being a pimp. Francis 'Franco' Begbie is in prison, with a massive vendetta against Renton, and Daniel 'Spud' Murphy is still taking heroin.

Without giving too much of the plot away, the film shows how perhaps life doesn't always turn out how you expected it to, and can be a disappointment at times, but happiness and hope can be found when you least expect it. It also reinforces how times change, with music, jobs and even crime not being the same as it used to, and how generations adapt and cope with this. The film has humour in the same vein as the original, a personal highlight for me being the song about Catholics, along with impressive visual effects and another truly fantastic soundtrack. It revisits the iconic 'choose life' speech with a new modern twist on it, 'choose Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and hope that someone, somewhere cares'

When I first heard that they were making this sequel, I was worried that they'd ruin the original brilliance of the film and the characters, but I was also excited for them to revisit it. They didn't, however, disappoint. It is one of those films that makes you glad to have watched it, sad that it's over, but also help you to think where you'll be in 20 years time and if you'll look back in regret or think that you have truly lived.

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Album Review: Hamburg Demonstrations

Peter Doherty, co frontman of the Libertines and singer of Babyshambles released the follow up to his 2009 grace/wastelands on Friday 2nd December entitled Hamburg Demonstrations. As expected from anything he produces, it is both poetic and raucous much like many of his live shows. It features a reworking of 'flags of the old regime' which was written in honour on the late, great Amy Winehouse. 'Hell to pay at the gates of heaven' is a song that Peter wrote following the Paris terrorist attacks, which is fitting seeing as he recently played at the newly reopened Bataclan. The lyrics suggest that maybe music should be chosen as oppose to terrorism via the lyrics 'come on boys, choose your weapons, J45 or an AK47', one of which being a guitar that John Lennon owned and the other being an assault rifle. This very serious topic is then juxtaposed by the almost jolly tune of the song.

The album itself follows a more relaxed tone than anything he has done with both the Libertines and Babyshambles, being more in the same vein as his debut solo album. It's one that can be listened to from start to finish, without feeling the need to skip any tracks or stop half way through, which I, personally, find is a rarity these days in the current state of music

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Vinyl revival: don't believe the hype?

With the vinyl revival in full swing, I have to admit that I am part of it. I enjoy the whole process of going into a record store, flicking through the LPs, having an actual physical form of an album that I can admire in all its glory. There's a building anticipation of arriving home, removing the sacred vinyl from its sleeve and placing it on the turntable.  It is not the same experience at all purchasing a CD or downloading a track, no, it brings a great sense of satisfaction.

Ask anyone what their favourite part of listening to an album on vinyl is, and they'll tell you that it is the faint crackling sound before it actually begins. The first LP I owned was Oasis' Definitely Maybe. It came on two discs. Rock 'n' Roll star was the first track on it, and as soon as I heard the crackling, followed by the iconic opening riff, I knew.

The thing about vinyl is that it's very difficult to just listen to one song on a particular album and then immediately change to a different album or artist. You have to listen to it from the opening track to the closing one, which makes it more of an experience than a pass time. Don't get me wrong. I love the fact that with the rise of music streaming apps, I could change from the likes of The Jesus and Mary Chain to One Direction in a matter of seconds, not that I would ever subject my ears to such a traumatic experience, I'm just grateful that I have the chance, should I so wish to do so.

However, one of the problems I've found with the revival is that many 'hipster' types are quick to jump on the bandwagon. They buy the LP, purely with the intention of just being able to say 'oh yes, I collect vinyl records' but never actually listen to it. This, I have found, leads to some record store owners having a bias towards the older generation, as they feel that they are the only 'real music' listeners. They seem to obtain some kind of superiority complex, and can be condescending to younger genuine music listeners as they feel that they are only just following another trend. These people, however, are the ones that will tell you that anything the Beatles did after their split was worth listening to, although I admit that Ringo Starrs' work in Thomas the tank engine was quite impressive, even by my standards.

You also have the age old problem of the vinyl getting warped or scratched, and not knowing what to do except look on in despair at what has happened. I recently got 'Psychocandy' on vinyl. It is one that I have fawned over for months. When I got it home, I put it straight onto my turntable, only to find that it was skipping. I was distraught. I didn't know what to do with myself. I knew that it would have to go back, and the excitement I had felt mere hours ago had all but gone. This being said, I wouldn't trade that feeling for the world. When you listen to your favourite album on vinyl, it is a completely different experience to hearing it digitally, and so I therefore thank the revival for giving me that.