Trailer: Tron Legacy Trailer World Premiere

Earlier today, I was lucky enough to be one of the few hundred members of the public to see the world premiere of the new 'Tron Legacy' trailer in IMAX 3D. Following on from the exciting Comic-Con footage and an engaging viral campaign (check the background over at Latino Review), London had the first IMAX event related to the sequel to 1982's cult classic 'Tron'.

After a lengthy wait outside the screening auditorium, we were let in and given a free "FLYNN LIVES" t-shirt. Even after feeling slightly drained having been left standing for 40 minutes in a hot foyer, there was a still a sense of excitement as to what lay ahead. I can't imagine that anyone expected it to be simply a 2 minute trailer. But that's what it was.

I imagine the trailer will pop up online soon enough so here's a basic summary by Frosty from Collider:

"Essentially, the teaser started with Bruce Boxleitner talking to Jeff Bridges' son Sam, played by Garret Hedlund, about his father, some footage of Sam doing some stunts on a motorcycle in the real world, before pulling up to the abandoned Flynn’s Arcade, going inside, uncovering the Tron arcade game and finding the hidden room behind it.

The Tron world footage included a nice introduction shot to Olivia Wilde’s character, Quorra with a brief bit of a Disc fight with Sam, a quick look at Michael Sheen’s character, and it ends with a light cycle chase that ends in one of bikes smashing into digital bits."

Now for some of my thoughts. There was a palpable disappointment in the audience when the trailer finished, despite the fact that it was pretty great. You don't make hundreds of people wait for an extended period of time and then not let them know that (just) a short trailer would be shown. And not even repeated! Unless you were at the LA event where the lucky sods got to see it twice and have a Q&A session.

There is some exposition so we finally know a bit more about 'Tron Legacy' - Flynn's son Sam enters the Tron world to find his Dad. Or something. The real highlight were the fantastic visuals with the glimpses of the computer world being particularly interesting. And the Disc fight and Light Cycle footage looked pretty amazing. The 3D wasn't in your face but added a nuanced atmosphere to the footage. Hopefully the same will be said about the Daft Punk soundtrack, which didn't play an overt role in the trailer we saw. Overall, a good trailer but a terribly disappointing viral event.

If you fancy reading more indepth thoughts, head to Ain't It Cool News.

Singles: 22 Feb 2010

The weekly edition of singles reviews comes to a close with this explosive ending. Savage. Especially seeing as I quite like Two Door Cinema Club. There should be a return to a (slightly less provocative) monthly version from March.

Words: Kieran Toms

Bombay Bicycle Club - Evening/Morning

One criticism sometimes levelled at Bombay Bicycle Club is that they don't do much new or ambitious. Perhaps this is true. And to underline that point, this is a re-release. But what they do do is lovely. I think that the little riff before the chorus is terrific, and that Jack Steadman has a fine voice. And that those fragile little vocals right down in the mix which pop up occasionally, hardly there, are great too. But maybe you thought that last time it was released.

Spaghetti Anywhere - EP

2.Spaghetti Anywhere - Girlfriends with Boyfriends by poiaus

This EP is genuinely fantastic. The singer has a lovely warm Scottish accent, and such a voice immediately adds extra gravitas to the already excellent lyrics. The EP opens with a gorgeous little tragedy about unrequited love that doesn't sink into melodrama despite [SPOILER ALERT] ending with an attempted suicide. It is quality throughout: quirky and folky, catchy and lively. Definitely worth multiple listens. Download 'Girlfriends With Boyfriends' from the EP above.

Chiddy Bang - The Opposite Of Adults
YouTube Video

This is pretty decent. It samples MGMT very heavily, but well. This is what sampling should be like, not just speeding up some old record and sneering over it pseudo-bombastically. Lyrically it doesn’t really break much new ground - it’s archetypal hip-hop "aren’t I doing well now?" fare, with added emphasis on the difference between when he was a Kid (you see what he did there?) and these days, when he's apparently "ripping up shows" and his "life is a party" but it's likeable enough.

Broken Bells - The High Road

Broken Bells - The High Road by fadedglamourblog

This collaboration has apparently been on the cards since 2004, though Danger Mouse and James Mercer didn't actually get around to doing anything until 2008. After all that time, I was very keen to hear what they'd come up with. I must say that it didn't initially grab me, but multiple listens reveal all sorts of little layers and ideas. The more you hear it, the more the melody gets inside your head, and the better it sounds. I have high hopes for the upcoming album.

Gil Scott Heron - Me And The Devil
YouTube Video

The man is obviously a legend, and has been for quite some time so you could forgive him for just sitting around wallowing in his glory. But instead he has produced this brilliance. It is minimal and brooding, with, perhaps unexpectedly, quite a lot of electronic sounds floating about. He is 60, and his voice sounds it, but in a way that tells the tale of all the things he must have seen in his life. If you buy this, or check it out on Spotify, there is a fantastic orchestral version of the track as a B-Side, too.

Frightened Rabbit - Nothing Like You

Frightened Rabbit have gone a little bit more radio friendly, toned themselves down a bit maybe? I was initially disappointed with this, expecting more after enjoying their first album massively. But it’s again a bit of a grower, with a lovely little melody. It's probably definitely chasing a more mainstream audience: there's something vague about cancer in there, to bring a lump to people's throats, and something upbeat about lovers, so couples of whom only one really likes Frightened Rabbit can kiss for a bit.

People who have never heard Frightened Rabbit will love this. “Oh my!”, they’ll say “Frightened Rabbit are my fave band.” That’s fine really. But, hopefully they will listen to other Frightened Rabbit songs as well. Because, in this life of limited time but almost unlimited choice, it's worth spending your time with the real good stuff, which Frightened Rabbit's first album is, and this, despite its many qualities, is not.

FRIGHTENED RABBIT - Nothing Like You by tomrobinson

Speaking of valuable use of time (or not), I now move to the real dregs of this week’s releases.

Here are Two Door Cinema Club, with a song which is completely lacking in any novel idea, emotion or worth. But as it sounds a little like a whole bunch of recent bands that have been a bit successful, they'll get bummed by people who don't really like music but work at record labels. Then they'll be rammed down people's throats, until some of the general public think they like them. Thus, this song is a perfect argument for the destruction of the music industry. It is almost literally unlistenable, full of empty happiness, and false glee that makes this track tear-inducingly bland. Maybe, again, I am being too harsh - perhaps this band are being clever, jumping through whatever derivative hoops they need to now, in order to get signed. Then, their plan is perhaps to release a second album doing what they actually want to do. But until that unlikely scenario plays out, don't listen to this band. Just imagine, if one day, you were 3 minutes from death. Think of all the things you'd long to do in those three minutes. And to think one day you wasted three minutes listening to this song. This irony might, perhaps ironically, kill you.

Sitting next to the Two Door Cinema Club lads in the bland corner is Ellie Goulding. Last year 'Young upcoming solo woman' seemed to become a genre, in the eyes of whatever buffoons make up the music industry. That Florence And The Machine girl has a fairly distinctive voice, and some decent tunes too. And Little Boots had that little tamogotchi-style instrument. Ellie Goulding has nothing distinctive. She’s quite pretty. Does that make up for it? No. There is nothing to make this Ellie Goulding. She might have written it, or maybe a robot wrote it.

The music is forgettable at best. Her voice is alright, it might be good. But this song lends it no opportunity to shine. It's produced as if it could be any poor R'n'B single from the whole host of throwaway pop groups of the last decade or so. Some people will like it, I can believe that. It's so dull as to be barely unlikable. But for me, it's very, very boring.

Other Notable Releases

Chapel Club - O Maybe I // Alphabeat - Hole In My Heart //
Archie Bronson Outfit - Shark's Tooth // Girls - Morning Light // Blood Red Shoes - Light It Up // Muse - Resistance //
Screaming Maldini - EP

TV: This Will Blow Your Mind

The chaps over at Stargate Studios have just destroyed my understanding of television with their "green screen" demo reel. Actually amazing. Everything from 'Monk' to 'Heroes' is green-screened (or blue-screened, apparently) but perhaps not in the way you expected. This is like that programme that deconstructed all those magicians secrets. Mind. Blown. Check the embed above.

They green screened a bus stop in 'Ugly Betty'?! A BUS STOP.

Source: EW // io9

Comment: Five B(r)ands Of The Noughties

Words: Simon Opie

The recent spate of end of decade lists got me thinking about the five best bands of the decade. From there I went on to consider whether the 5 best b®ands of the decade might be more interesting. This is of course the 5 best bands as brands - not at all the same list I was originally considering.

#5 - My favourite b®and - Clutch, the hardest working band in show business.


Relentless touring, true blue collar attitude, expert musicianship and a prodigious output have brought them both critical acclaim and a sturdy fanbase.

#4 - Sonic Youth.


The evergreens of the alternative resurrected their career in the noughties from the ashes of 9/11 with the release of 'Murray Street', and they finished just as strongly with 'The Eternal'. Can't wait for their inevitable Superbowl half-time show.

#3 - The Dandy Warhols. A band who prove (as the late Bill Hicks would say), if there's a war on drugs, then the people on drugs are winning it.

The Dandies led a genre - BRMC, Brian Jonestown Massacre etc. - combining all the hit records and some genuinely brilliant offbeat albums. That's a hard trick to pull off. And although I have total respect for anyone who can write a song called 'Bring Me The Head Of Paul McCartney On Heather Mills' Wooden Peg', it's clear Anton Newcombe has run out of ideas long before his nemesis Mr Courtney Taylor Taylor Taylor...

#2 - "The last great american band standing", Wilco.

Jeff Tweedy's project has gone from strength to strength - despite the wreckage left in its wake - and also have the distinction of starring in the best rock n roll movie of the decade - 'I Am Trying To Break Your Heart' by Sam Jones.

#1 - Quintessentially a nineties band, and arguably one of the best, Radiohead are the biggest b®and of the noughties.


They pulled some great branding illusions these past 10 years. They got everyone to believe they had stopped playing guitars - leading people to proclaim their genius. They convinced everyone that they had given away 'In Rainbows' and, despite their enormous wealth, their gesture was perceived as revolutionary - elevating a tired, insipid album to legendary status. Finally, the release of their 'Greatest Hits' album was portrayed as an insult by their former label to their body of work. Stunning. Altogether now, bring me the head of Thom Yorke on Leo Fender's wooden peg....

BBC iPlayer: Eastenders Live Episode

Eastenders celebrated its 25th anniversary with its first ever live episode. Who killed Archie Mitchell? Alicia's on hand to guide you through it. Expect SPOILERS and perhaps employ split screen (i.e two windows side by side) technology.

Words: Alicia McBride

Watch (available until 22.59, 26/02/10)

"Another chance to see tonight's live episode of EastEnders in which the Walford residents enjoy Ricky and Bianca's wedding reception and the identity of Archie's killer is revealed."


Hello and welcome to 25 years of Eastenders. I haven’t watched this programme for several years and have no idea what’s going on. Let’s begin.

00.38 – did Bradley and Stacey get back together?
00.58 – who is that girl with awful hair? Good lord, it’s Ian Beale’s daughter! When did she start dressing like a slut? And why is Phil Mitchell shouting at her?
01.08 – Bianca and Ricky are back in it? They just got married? Janine’s back?!
01.55 – Jack has forgotten his lines and is just shouting incoherently. This is actually quite brilliant.
02.25 – Stacey is pregnant by a mystery someone. Ooh.


03.16 – "you did this to me". Did what? There’s nothing on your face, love.
04.30 – Peggy hasn’t even aged! Incredible.
04.35 - POKERFACE.
05.31 – oh Dot, are you still banging on about Nick?
05.56 – June’s daughter is the other bride? Stacey and Bradley got married too?! And she’s pregnant?! The scandal never stops round ‘ere.
06.05 – ‘Sip, flip or strip’ with the cast of Eastenders. I am struggling to think of anything that would be more horrific right now. Especially as Minty is playing.
06.26 – a black girl who isn’t that loudmouthed, pretty one. What was her name? Chelsea? Oh yeah. Did she leave and need to be replaced so that Eastenders could maintain their ethnicity quota? Anyway, this one seems mute.
08.40 – Peggy threatening Janine followed straightaway by Phil slapping around Ian. I see the Mitchells haven’t lost their touch.
10.13 – Stacey seems obsessed by some red handprints on a piece of paper, could this be a clue? Is someone concerned about having blood on their hands?
11.17 – who is the father? I am quite confused.
11.50 – I wonder just how many times Phil has threatened to kill Ian now.
13.13 – Max and Stacey seemed a bit close there, hmmm.
13.45 – Mute Girl is doing her famous Aqua Marina impression, once again.


14.25 – Minty has no shirt on. Oh dear.
15.16 – was that supposed to be blood? Because it looks like poster paint.
16.52 – oh god, they’ve got a home video from 1985. I guess this where the ’25 years of Eastenders’ part comes into play then.
18.24 – trying to make a stealthy get away in stilettos wasn’t exactly a good idea now was it?
19.11 – it’s those two blonde sisters who live in the pub and squawk a lot. Why would the one with the fascinator think her sister would lie about being raped by her dad? She’s clearly quite dense.
21.35 – alright Bradley, so you’ve forgotten the passports. Go into hiding in England then, you don’t have to go abroad! JUST DON'T GO BACK!!
23.13 – the sisters (Ronnie and Roxy?) are fighting! Of course it’s going to take a seasoned matriarch like Peggy to sort them out.
23.41 - PEGGY KNOWS THE TRUTH ABOUT ARCHIE’S DEATH *DRAMATIC PAUSE*
25.03 – turns out she just found him lying on the floor and decided to leave him there...........boring.


25.16 – oh god, all these old clips are awful. And because they’re taken from old episodes, not at all believable as a home video.
26.13 – oh no, the tape’s broken. What a shame.
27.29 – "you got away with it". So Shirley, are you saying Phil is responsible?


ENTERING HEAVY SPOILER TERRITORY. SPOILERSPOILERSPOILERS.


29.05 – get chased by the police, climb a roof. Of course it’s logical!
29.50 – lots of terrified faces. Mute Girl is back. Did she love Bradley or something? Also, she hasn’t been on screen for 16 minutes, was she just stood in the square the entire time?
30.16 – probably the most comical falling off a building committed to screen. One minute Bradley is fine, then realises he has to fall so stumbles a bit and off he goes.
30.29 – everyone else is screaming and crying, Mute girl remains mute.
31.02 – oh lovely Max, that’s really pleasant. Thank god they cut away from your ghastly attempts at being sick.
31.08 – a supposedly dead Bradley just moved a bit, haha.
31.50 – so it was YOU! And now your husband is dead. And you are pregnant by someone else. Unfortunate.
31.55 – here come the drums......that was a bit rubbish.

New Noise: The Unwinding Hours

Back when I was into slightly heavier music, I occasionally came across Scottish outfit Aerogramme. They split up a couple of years ago. I wasn't particularly saddened by that news. I'm actually rather pleased now. Because it led to The Unwinding Hours.


Craig B and Iain Cook from Aereogramme have now birthed an epic six minute masterpiece, entitled 'Knut'. A swirling, slow burning post-rock number, 'Knut' is an epic in all senses. Even the sparingly used lyrics become a repetitive motif, both contrasting and drawing attention to the astonishing wall of noise that they are inseparably connected to. Spellbinding. Download below.

The Unwinding Hours - Knut by fadedglamourblog

While the eponymous debut album (released this week) may not reach the intense heights that 'Knut' reaches, it's still worth seeking out. It's on Spotify and we7. Failing that, they're also in session on Vic Galloway's Radio 1 Show this Monday.

'The Unwinding Hours' is out now on digital download and for physical release in the UK here

Website // MySpace // Twitter

New Noise: Primary 1

A new song from Primary 1 premiered over at Gorilla vs Bear yesterday, featuring Nina Persson of The Cardigans fame. And while 'The Blues' is fine and dandy, I'd rather draw your attention to Primary 1's free demo collection instead. Cheating, I know.

'Sometime Wannabe' is chillout dream pop, and has a suitably hypnotic video, which is embedded above. Download the track below. Shame it's only 1.55 long really. But still, there's plenty more goodies to be had from the demo collection, entitled 'Mess Detective'.

Primary 1 - Sometime Wannabe by fadedglamourblog

Primary 1's debut LP will feature Diplo, Gonzales and Phillipe Zdar (who produced one of my favourite albums ever, last year's 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' by Phoenix) and he's currently in rehearsals putting together a live set so for the time being, tide yourself over with 'Mess Detective' here.

MySpace

Singles: 15 Feb 2010

While I'm going round telling people that this week's Brit Awards were an embarrasment to British music, Kieran's going round telling people that Enter Shikari are an embarrassment to British music. See below for further details.

Words: Kieran Toms

Los Campesinos! - Romance Is Boring



This is a proper sing along, nay shout along track. Typically eloquent Los Campesinos! lyrics find a rousing tone, and are matched by uplifting guitars. Female vocals sometimes appear to add a little extra something, and this song, despite its title, manages to be very heartfelt as well as very fun.

The Big Pink - Velvet



This starts very promisingly. Electronic noise and little melancholic glitches promise something epic. It is delivered, in a way, though it is far from flawless. It seems a little too compressed, so the quiet bits aren't really that quiet, and when it builds up it doesn't sound as monstrous as it could. It's a perfectly decent track, though perhaps not worthy of the praise that has been lavished upon them from some quarters.

Calories/William - 4 Track Split 7"

Calories - The Mortal Boys by LukeSlater

'The Mortal Boys' by Calories is neither shit nor good. It's just a tad boring. Thus it is hard to write anything interesting about it. It sounds like a whole bunch of other songs, but not neccessarily the good parts of them. On the plus side, it is nice and short so I suppose there is not that much time to get bored.

William - 'Lustreless' by LukeSlater

William's 'Lustreless' is better. It's got more identity, and the singer actually sounds like he cares, wailing on morosely in a way which is pleasant on the ears. It loses its way towards the end, but there is certainly potential here.

Dum Dum Girls - Jail La La
Free MP3 at Pitchfork

It's nice and fluffy. you can imagine 'cool dudes' and 'pretty girls' dancing to this in a kind of dainty way. It's got a good dollop of warm fuzzyness and a cute serving of little pretty harmonies, but it's all a bit too harmless, and you could perhaps even say it borders on vacuous. In fact I just did.

Enter Shikari - Thumper



If this song was a football team, it would be bottom of the league. If this song was standing in an election, it would lose its deposit. If this song was a club it would be one of those shitty clubs frequented by faked-tanned idiots who drink WKD. That's not to say this is a particularly chavvy song, no sir, it's just a shame that anyone likes it at all.

Other Notable Releases:

Ono Palindromes - The Cum EP // Andrew WK - I'm A Vagabond // dÉbruit - Heart Beats 4 Haiti // Errors - A Rumour In Africa // Alkaline Trio – This Addiction // Uffie - MCs Can Kiss

Film Review: A Single Man

Words: Alicia McBride

'A Single Man'

Director: Tom Ford
Cast: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Nicholas Hoult

To say I was filled with excitement and anticipation at the release of this film would be an understatement. I wholeheartedly believe that the UK trailer (embedded above / the American one is a bit pants) is one of the greatest trailers ever made. If you need proof, here is an excerpt of me waxing lyrical on my own blog: "The juxtaposition of Matthew Goode's character lying dead on the snow surrounded by blood, with Colin Firth in bed surrounded by black ink is one of the most spectacular things ever committed to screen. Plus it has Julianne Moore! JULIANNE MOORE! The woman is a goddess." You get the gist. The film is about expat professor, George (Firth), who is still struggling to come to terms with the death of his partner (Goode) eight months previously. The narrative takes place within one day, with flashbacks to their life together filling in the blanks.


The film has Tom Ford at the helm – the man who single-handedly saved Gucci and made it the label it is today. He now has his own fashion line and has modelled in the past. His background seems incongruent with this emotionally intelligent and heartbreaking film, yet he has created a masterpiece. Clearly he is more than aware of the power of a strong visual and it is his visionary crafting that makes the film so special. Every shot is beautiful. There is no other way to say it. The Times reviewed the film as a "thing of heart-stopping beauty" and they were not wrong. George’s every day existence is leached of colour, at times the film almost feels as though it has been shot in greyscale, yet whenever he has a significant meeting with someone or an emotional connection the screen is flooded with colour. Admittedly, this effect started to grate after a while. It is striking and used very effectively in a conversation between George and Kenny (Hoult) but it does become predictable and sometimes is so saturated with colour it feels like Dorothy first entering Oz all over again.


The real power of this film comes from the emotion of the story. The end is poignant and bittersweet and incredibly sad. The exploration of isolation and loneliness is poetic in its form, yet still accessible. George’s life may be beautifully tragic (or tragically beautiful?) but it is still possible to relate to him and understand his pain. Often films with such artistry and emotional scope can alienate the audience but this remains engaging. The Oscar nomination for Firth’s performance is well-deserved. In fact, I am surprised the film was not nominated for more. I cannot recommend it enough.

New Noise: Kate Nash

Another day, another reinvention. I'm getting a little bored of it all really. Not that I could ever have envisaged Kate Nash's turn. Maybe this is what happens when you have a minor indie celebrity (Ryan from The Cribs) as your boyfriend. Certainly, she's updated her "look"....although perhaps not in a favourable direction. I think one Ida Maria is plenty really.

Photo credit: Richard Johnson, NME.com

New track 'I Just Love You More', available for free download on Kate's website, has come out of the leftfield. To call it divisive would be stating the bloody obvious but judging from my Twitter feed, it's almost 50/50 as to whether you'll love this or absolutely hate it. I'm a fan.

This isn't the Nash of old - no more piano pop. Instead, this is a Le Tigre-meets-PJ Harvey punk anthem, wailing and yelping its way to your ears. Throw in some strings and repetitively minimalist lyrics and you're not sure if it's a complete mess or not. But maybe you're like me. Maybe you like things a bit messy.

KATE NASH - I JUST LOVE YOU MORE

The forthcoming Bernard Butler-produced album is out on the 19th April in the UK.

Website // MySpace

New Noise: Operator Please

Now I was never that enamoured with Aussie tykes Operator Please. In fact, I felt the most exciting thing about the band was the news that their ex-keyboardist became a porn star. Seriously.

Anyways, they spent the last year away writing and recording their new album, and now they're back with a scuzzier sound and a weird promo photo. Yo homies, camera's over here yeah? I'm definitely not qualified to talk about fashion but I'm not down with string OR sequined tops. And sort the facial hair out, son.


Luckily, the track they've come back with 'Logic' makes up for other failings. Funky bassline. Cowbell. Punchy chorus. Dirty pop. Makes me think that new album 'Gloves' might actually be worth checking out when it comes out at the end of May.

OPERATOR PLEASE - LOGIC

If you pre-order 'Gloves' here, they will send you the album in mp3 format over a month before its physical release.

Website // MySpace // Twitter

Singles: 8 Feb 2010

Fresh off his stint writing capsule reviews for some of your albums of the decade (here and here), Kieran's come on to write a few bits and pieces on this blog. If you'd like to do the same, send me an email - see sidebar.

It's a bumper week for singles but the elephant in the room is the Helping Haiti charity single. I think it's pretty bad but if you haven't donated to the Haiti relief fund then I would suggest that you either buy the single (details here) or donate to the DEC. Or do both if you fancy. Now onwards with the singles column...

Words: Kieran Toms

Speak & The Spells - She's Dead
MySpace

Maybe this shouldn’t be very good at all. It is all raw, Sonics-y old school garage rock, and on paper could perhaps be filed alongside countless other boringly derivative landfill garage bands. But of course songs aren’t listened to on paper. Unless you are really good at reading sheet music. But that’s doesn’t count.

'She’s Dead' clatters around wonderfully, speeding up and slowing down like a demented rollercoaster. It’s got enough depth to warrant multiple listens, and a sort of authentic magic that means you can’t help but rate this very highly indeed.

Speak & The Spells - Brianna by fadedglamourblog

Download b-side 'Brianna' above.


Maccanuvas - Empty Vessels



Remember when the NME decided that ‘grindie’ was a real genre? Thought it might be a good idea - some grime was good, some indie’s good. Thought this might be a good song - I like Roots Manuva, I like The Maccabees. It almost is, but it just sounds something someone wanting to make the next 'Grey Album' would do in between studying for their GCSEs.

I’m not even really sure what’s that wrong with it, the two parts of Manuva and Maccabees are decent enough as separate components, but they just don’t go together very well. This song made me want to go and listen to Roots Manuva and The Maccabees, but separately. I suppose, as singles these days are promotional tools, maybe that was the point.


Placebo - Bright Lights
YouTube

I wonder what life’s like for Placebo. Just travelling round, playing to a bunch of kids who are crazily fanatic, but will probably grow out of you soon enough. Sure they’ll probably look back on you favourably, through a haze of nostalgia, but they’ll be gone. But on Placebo will go, peddling their decent-enough music to a new bunch of musical beginners. Fun for a bit I guess, but I imagine it would all start to feel a bit empty.

Here it shows, as Placebo go through the motions. It’s not that bad. The kids can sing along and feel comforted in their teenage turmoil, but it’s not that good either. You just don’t really believe him.


Late Of The Pier - Blueberry



The weird soundscape at the start sounds it wants to be like the end of 'A Day in The Life'. Then it sounds like a bit The Beatles, with a nice simple pleasant melody. Then it sounds like a bit like a Beatles Mashup, with said melody interrupted by funny noises. Then it sounds like if the Beatles had gone to the moon listening to electro, instead of going to India to see that guru fella, all swirly synths and electronic grandeur. Although, thinking about it, that would be amazing. This is by no means amazing. It has lots of ideas, but they are not always that brilliantly executed.


Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo - Nostalgia
YouTube

This is a delicate little number, with some good instrumentation enabling Emily Barker’s voice to sound particularly lovely. It is perhaps though a little too fragile for it’s own good though. It always threatens to really get going but never quite does, and you are left wishing the song writing had been a bit more ambitious.


Field Music - Them That Do Nothing



In the mid noughties, the North East produced The Futureheads and Maximo Park, who were both very good, and received plenty of praise and attention. But the North East also produced Field Music. And they were better, so I imagine they were a bit pissed off by the misdirected public lavishing most of their attention on the other two.

Luckily any anger has not affected their sound. Instead they have carried on doing what they do best, which is crafting beautifully inventive pop songs, like this one, which warrants listen after listen in order to appreciate all the terrific little ideas going on inside it.


Johnny Foreigner - Every Cloakroom Ever
Last.fm

I like this. It is perhaps lacking in some of the manic energy that is a key part of many of their songs, but it makes fine use of bassist Kelly Southern's voice, which interacts well with Alexi Berrow's. Perhaps might not immediately grab your attention, but it is nevertheless a good solid single.

Other Notable Releases:

Esben And The Witch - Lucia At The Precipice

The Besnard Lakes – Albatross

Kid Cudi feat Ratatat & MGMT - Pursuit Of Happiness

Japanese Voyeurs - That Love Sound

tUnE-yArDs – Real Live Flesh

Film Review: The Wolfman (2010)

New writers! New writers! Fancy joining in? Send me an email at music(at)fadedglamour.co.uk if you'd like to write about film/music/or both and I'll see if we can sort something out. No experience necessary.

Words: Alicia McBride

'The Wolfman' (2010)
Director: Joe Johnston
Cast: Benicio del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving

'The Wolfman' is nothing that viewers have not seen before. The image of the werewolf running wild by night and the man reconciling himself to this fate by day is hardly new to our screens, leaving the film with quite a challenge - how do you do something new with a tired genre? While the story isn't brilliant the superb crafting of this film saves it from becoming another low grade horror film. In fact, it would be doing the film a disservice to lump it in to that particular genre. Instead, this is storytelling at its most gothic and macabre, although still full of plenty of gore for horror fans.

The film focuses on Lawrence Talbot (del Toro), an actor who is called back to England by his brother’s fiancée (Blunt) after he disappears. His brother’s corpse becomes one of several who have been found ripped apart in the local area and so ensues the hunt for the beast responsible. This ultimately leads to Lawrence getting bitten and transformed. Set in the 1880s the action takes place in a gloomy, windswept England which is as disconcerting for the viewers as the characters - you remain well aware that things may be lurking at the edge of the screen that you cannot quite see.



Overall, the film feels as if it is of two halves. The first half is gripping - the screen is often littered with lost limbs and disembowelled bodies that are made all the more terrifying because the beast is still an unknown quantity. Once the audience see a fully transformed Lawrence much of the horror and intrigue is lost. The first hour is also very tense, with plenty of jumpy moments, many of which are completely unexpected, making it exciting and rather scary to watch. In true gothic style, there are many small and worrying clues as to the tale’s conclusion that add to the eerie atmosphere and sense of unease that pervade the film.

The second half of the film gives itself over more fully to the story and the blossoming romance between Lawrence and Gwen, although a brief stint in a lunatic asylum and the impressive and unsettling transformation scenes between man and wolf mean it does not become staid. A darkly comic turn from Weaving as a policeman investigating the beast adds another layer to the story and keeps it fresh and entertaining.

Anyone looking for a horror film will be disappointed by 'The Wolfman' but those who enjoy well-told tales of the macabre should find this rich with mystery and may even get a fright along the way.

Trailer: Toy Story 3

I think we've all been waiting for this moment. The full-length trailer for Toy Story 3 has finally dropped.

With Andy now all grown up and on his way to college, his mum ("mom") accidentally gives away all his toys to a nursery. Buzz, Woody, Rex, then have to frantically try to get back to Andy before he leaves. With a host of new characters and a sinister underplot to boot. Judging from the trailer, expect tomfoolery and madcap adventuring.

As ever fun for all the family, plenty of lols to be had - especially the moment when Ken meets Barbie to the tune of 'Take My Breath Away'.

The only rubbish thing about this being the fact that the UK has to wait until July 23rd for the film to be released, whereas America has it from June 18th. Gutted.

Source: HeyUGuys

Surfacing: The Shimmer

Brother-sister duo The Shimmer have been getting some serious blog love lately. I'm going to continue that tradition.



Elements of rhythmic post-punk and glorious electro-pop are cleverly combined, and with ex-Clor man Luke Smith twiddling the knobs as producer, there is more than a hint of his old band in The Shimmer. With Clor long gone, that's a brilliant thing.

The Shimmer - No Surprise At All (Demo) by IllegalTender

The Shimmer - Lovers Void by fadedglamourblog

Keep an eye out for the tracks above ('Lovers Void' is downloadable, by the way) to appear as a single on Hit Club in the near future.

MySpace

Surfacing: Celestial Bodies

You might remember Semifinalists, who somewhat inexplicably were signed by V2 a few years ago. Don't get me wrong, they made interesting music but certainly didn't scream commercial success.

Since then, one member left the band while the other two embarked on new projects at the start of 2009. Chris Steele-Nicholson went onto the Young & Lost Club backed Oh Minnows and Ferry Gouw is now leading Celestial Bodies.

You might be more indirectly familiar with Gouw's work, as he's a pretty creative person, directing videos and doing artwork and what not. In fact, I'm pretty sure he did the Celestial Bodies video that I've embedded above.

'Vanity' is haunting, noir-pop sitting in the middle of The xx and Esben And The Witch. Eerie.

Celestial Bodies - Vanity by fadedglamourblog

Presumably, it'll be out as a single sometime soon seeing as the video was uploaded at the weekend. For now though, listen/download above. With thanks to Pinglewood for providing the original mp3.

MySpace

Singles: 1 February 2010

I might rename this column as 'I listen to Jedward so you don't have to' but that'd just be a lie. Especially as I thought their single was surprisingly fun. Marina And The Diamonds are the centerpiece this week though.

Marina And The Diamonds - Hollywood



"I'm obsessed with the mess that's America". Well, that's just shot yourself in the foot for any kind of future American breakthrough. But on this side of the pond, this looks set to be Marina's moment, almost inspite of her distinctive vocals. 'Hollywood' bubbles along with a variety of melodies and hooks, and with a glamourous video to match Marina's glamourous looks. A splendid pop single.

Now to decide whether "OH MAI GAWD! YOU LOOK JUST LIKE SHAKIRA, NO NO, CATHERINE ZETA...ACK-CHA-LLY, MY NAME'S MARINA" is the greatest or worst lyric of 2010 so far...."puking American dreams" definitely isn't though.

Jedward ft. Vanilla Ice - Under Pressure (Ice Ice Baby)

Jedward - Under Pressure (Ice Ice Baby)

The original was pretty amazing. The Vanilla Ice version was a lot of fun. This X Factor spin off combines the two and adds a couple of oddball identical twins - the cultural phenomenon that is Jedward. With some studio magic and Vanilla Ice actually laying down some of his rhymes, it's surprisingly entertaining. And undoubtedly divisive. Regardless, check out the video for a hearty chuckle then confusion.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Skeletons


I didn't fall in love with the latest Yeah Yeah Yeahs album in the same way that many critics did. But one of the outstanding highlights of that was the beautiful 'Skeletons'. Recalling the fragility of 'Maps' but with a more epic soundscape. Be sure to check out this enrapturing cello cover by Andrew Carter.

Hot Chip - One Life Stand

One Life Stand (Radio Edit) by HOTCHIP

Hot Chip are back with a smooth grooves-disco-ballad which is far too reminiscent of Laid Back's 'White Horse' and consequently has me singing "If you wanna be rich, you've got to be a bitch" along to Hot Chip. Which is a bit weird.

Swanton Bombs - Viktoria



Continuing the garage rock revival (but in a good way) although slightly lacking in the energy and effervescence of last single 'Shock'. For a two-piece, they don't half make a racket. Also, thumbs up for including a b-side called 'Anaconda Vice', which like the band's name is a wrestling move. Look out for the album, due out on Feb 15th.

Cha-Cha - Phonographic Love



Who releases a single on a Sunday?! Cha-Cha, that's who. And they're bringing back disco pop. Well, after a minute of stadium indie rock anyway. Didn't really do much for me. More importantly however, I wish they'd stop calling themselves "London's best kept secret".

Egyptian Hip Hop - Wild Human Child/Heavenly

Egyptian Hip Hop - Heavenly by Pure Groove

Double A-side from the hotly tipped youngsters. I prefer the ambient electronica of 'Heavenly' over 'Wild Human Child' and its sub-Late Of The Pier stylings. Not sure about the vocals though. Bit grating. Still, they're one single away from exploding.

Other Notable Releases

The Victorian English Gentlemens Club - Bored In Belgium

Mirrorkicks - Anything

I Blame Coco ft. Robyn - Caesar

Factory Kids - THey Used To Call Me Baby EP

Ash - Neon

Basia Bulat - Run

Trailer: Wes Anderson's Spiderman

What if Wes Anderson directed 'Spiderman'? I may not have been the biggest fan of 'Fantastic Mr Fox' but I love me some classic Wes Anderson. Jeff Loveness channels Wes Anderson in this nifty parody trailer of a Spiderman reboot. The Owen Wilson impression is brilliant.

Source: /Film

p.s if you missed the Oscar (and Bafta) nominations, my friend Katie's written about them here.

Singles: January

A new year, a new decade (well, technically not a new decade), a new feature on Faded Glamour. A singles column. Less about dating tips, more about reviewing releases. Hopefully it'll prove handy for my Festive Fifty as well - check out the 2009 edition here.

Not sure about the frequency of the column, nor if it will continue to be written by me (yes, new writers are possibly around the corner) but for today, this is a review of January's UK singles.

Good Shoes - Under Control (04/01/2010)

Good Shoes - Under Control by fadedglamourblog

Recalling the anthems of the debut album, Good Shoes yet again produce a hyperactive slice of excitable, jerky indie pop but lose the glossy production values of yesteryear. The video is somewhat disturbing, featuring female bodybuilders.

Delphic - Doubt (04/01/2010)

Doubt by delphic

The stand out track from Delphic's recently released debut album, 'Doubt' is hyperactive, euphoric pop with elements of We Have Band 'Oh!'. New Order or new Klaxons?

OneRepublic - All The Right Moves (11/01/2010)



From the surprisingly good second album, 'Waking Up', this is a bombastic, percussive demonstration of Ryan Tedder's supreme skills as a pop songwriter.

Plan B - Stay Too Long (11/01/2010)



After you press play, you'll wonder whether this is indeed that snarling, foaming-at-the-mouth London rapper or the latest popstar. But then the rapping kicks in, the swearing soon follows and you sit back in the realisation that this is a brilliant genre-splicing single.

Princeton - Calypso Gold (18/01/2010)



Beautifully sweeping strings and vibrant calypso pop. Could this be anything other than a winner? Like the best bits of Vampire Weekend and Animal Collective mixed together in a refreshing summer cocktail. I fancy an ice cream now.

Lightspeed Champion - Marlene (25/01/2010)

Lightspeed Champion - Marlene by DominoRecordCo

Dev "Test-Icicles" Hynes continues to confuse and inspire with his latest outing as Lightspeed Champion. Jerky guitar lines, epic strings, utterly ridiculous guitar solo - melodramatic pop song? Indeed. Complete with a suitably amazing video.

Stairs To Korea - All Of Your Friends (25/01/2010)

Stairs To Korea - All Of Your Friends by brainlove

Will Vaughan is an Icelander meets Londoner and is also Stairs To Korea. If 'All Of Your Friends' is anything to go by, he's also pretty fantastic, producing a joyous brand of gloriously tangled bedroom pop.

Other Notable Releases

Lostprophets - Where We Belong (04/01/2010)

Active Child - She Was A Vision (11/01/2010)

Is Tropical - When O When (18/01/2010)
Hurts - Wonderful Life (Arthur Baker remix) (18/01/2010)
Chew Lips - Play Together (18/01/2010)

Munch Munch - Cyclorama (25/01/2010)
Cold War Kids - Behave Yourself EP (25/01/2010)
Get Back Guinozzi - Carpet Madness (25/01/2010)
Othello Woolf - Stand (25/01/2010)
Dimbleby & Capper - Slick Maturity EP (25/01/2010)

Gorillaz - Stylo (26/01/2010)