Album Review: The Chemical Brothers - Further

Words: Jon Sidwell

Chemical Brothers - 'Further'


Imagine being referred to as pioneers of what is arguably the most successful strand of electronic music, ever. The 90’s saw a young British duo take their form of dance music, now commonly known as “big beat dance”, to mainstream success not just in the UK but across the globe. That sort of tagline or billing has affected many artists before; they simply cannot live up to their former glories and slide away into the musical abyss. It is no small feat then that 15 years since the release of their debut album 'Exit Planet Dust', The Chemical Brothers return with a brand new album for 2010, still pushing boundaries and certainly all the right buttons.

Film Review: Robin Hood (2010)

Words: Paul Dean

'Robin Hood' (2010)

Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Max von Sydow, William Hurt, Mark Strong.


I'm a little late jumping on the 'Robin Hood' review horse and, to be fair, the thing really has bolted by now anyway, but I still think it's worth saying something about this film simply because I feel the criticism it's received has been unkind.

Surfacing: Sunday Girl

We're all miserable after England's abject "football" performance earlier today so hopefully here's something to lift you out of depression. And all the more appropriate, bearing in mind that it's Sunday.


Jade Williams is a twentysomething Londoner, who goes by the moniker of Sunday Girl. Not because she's into Blondie but because she used to work in a pet shop on a Sunday. I imagine pretty much every review ever will mention this. Anyways, she's moved from pets to major labels, having signed to Geffen, and has worked with "shit hot" producers Diplo and Jim Eliot. Not withstanding that she's a fittie too. The future's looking good.

Short: The Black Hole

"Championing undiscovered talent". That's a good tagline. And one we embody here on this blog.


Basically, Virgin Media are running a competition for budding filmmakers to submit short films (by noon on Monday 28 June) of up to 140 seconds length and have the chance to win all kinds of pretty snazzy prizes. Most notably, one winner will receive £30,000 funding for their next film, while 12 people will also have their shorts screened in cinemas across the UK. Head to virginmediashorts.co.uk to enter. And hurry!

As it happens, I saw one of the 2008's winning short film in the cinema a couple of years ago, and I wanted to share that with you.

Album Review: The Drums - The Drums

Words: Alicia McBride

The Drums - 'The Drums'


Oh, The Drums, you poor Drums. The band have constantly been compared to the English C86 bands of the late 80s, whose rebellion against the Thatcherite era imbued the music with passion and intelligence. Yet The Drums have come under fire for perfecting the style, but losing the substance. All I can say is, who cares? When music is this fun, I don’t need substance.

BBC iPlayer: Zidane A 21st Century Portrait (2006)

Watch until 5.59am, Sun 27th June (UK users only)


SYNOPSIS: "Impressionistic and captivating film about the art of a great footballer and the intensity of a live experience. 17 cameras follow Zinedine Zidane ceaselessly during Real Madrid's home match against Villareal in 2005, and the resulting film depicts the entire 90-minute match entirely from his perspective." (BBC.co.uk)

Surfacing: The Smiles

With the UK suffering from a mini-heatwave at this moment, I think it's probably appropriate to point your ears toward some summer pop. Today's dose is courtesy of Los Angeles quattro The Smiles, who specialise in "tropical grunge", which they claim is what you get if you combine The Beach Boys and The Strokes.

Comment: Guitar Heroes?

Words: Simon Opie


In recent times it has become unfashionable to be a guitarist and it is often assumed that the golden age of the guitar was back in the 60s/70s/80s when extended solos were de rigeur. And in that sense I’m glad its over. Nonetheless there’s a lot of really great guitarists around just now, some well known like Graham Coxon, who arguably had to also sing before his talent was recognised, and others like Tad Kubler from The Hold Steady whom hardly anyone has even heard of since Craig Finn takes all the attention in that band.

Trailer Catch Up: The Illusionist, Never Let Me Go, Somewhere etc

I think trailers have officially jumped the shark now that they're also video games. Although the phrase "jumped the shark" has probably also jumped the shark. Basically, the world is a messed up place. But there are things to be hopeful about, as evidenced by the clutch of actually-quite-decent trailers this week. Including the beautiful film that contains the image below, 'The Illusionist'.

Album Review: Rangda - False Flag

Words: Simon Opie

Rangda - 'False Flag'


This album is a challenge – make no mistake. But it’s also music of the highest quality, so persevere.

BBC iPlayer: Somers Town (2008)

Watch until 00.14, Monday 21st June.

Director: Shane Meadows
Cast: Thomas Turgoose, Piotr Jagiello, Kate Dickie, Perry Benson


SYNPOSIS: "Urban drama. Tomo has just turned 16, and as a result he is no longer under parental care. Eager to escape the Midlands and seek out a better life in London, he sets out for the big city and strikes up a friendship with Polish immigrant Marek while traversing the streets of Somers Town. Together they discover the woman of their dreams." (bbc.co.uk)

Surfacing: Boy Mandeville

There's something irresistibly pleasant about Cambridge-formed-but-currently-London-based quartet Boy Mandeville. Even when they're telling Christina to "get out of the house" on new single 'Christina', they do it a wonderfully agreeable manner. More so, they avoid slipping into sickly sweetness and manage to stay on the right side of the summery pop divide.

Film Review: Greenberg (2010)

Words: Alicia McBride

'Greenberg' (2010)

Director: Noah Baumbach
Cast: Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Rhys Ifans, Jennifer Jason Leigh


"Tender, charming, insightful and very funny"

Album Review: Sweet Apple - Love And Desperation

Words: Simon Opie

Sweet Apple - 'Love And Desperation'


Jack White’s influence is widespread in the world of rock’n‘roll. Not just because he forms so-called supergroups in which he eschews guitar and plays drums but also because almost every new rock record you hear these days sounds somewhat like one of his bands.

Short: Mortal Kombat Rebirth

I'm not that down with the 'Mortal Kombat' franchise, perhaps stemming from the particularly rubbish films, but this new spec footage for a possible new film has piqued my interest. The short features Michael Jai White ('Spawn', 'Black Dynamite') as Jax and Seven Of Nine/Jeri Ryan as Sonya Blade. And some other people playing some other characters. The more realistic imagining might have the fanboys up in arms but I quite like the way it played out. Check out the footage and decide for yourself.

For full details, head to /Film.

Live Review: LCD Soundsystem at Bataclan [May 2010]

Live: LCD Soundsystem at Bataclan, Paris (09/05/10) // Words: Kieran Toms

The dynamics of a French show are different. Despite getting in very late indeed my friend and I passed through the crowd with ease and ended up very close to the stage. In Britain standing in front of the stage would lead to a sort of wrestling match as you struggle to hold your position amidst the crush. But here there is room to move and, importantly, dance.

Trailer Catch Up: Scott Pilgrim, The Adjustment Bureau, Dogtooth etc

It's been a while since I did a trailer round up, although I'd argue the number of AMAZING trailers has been at a bare minimum. There's been plenty of weird and wacky ones though. Also, apparently it was the 25th anniversary of 'The Goonies' and while I didn't think the film was that great, have an ace picture of Data from the film. Check out the trailers after the picture.

EP Review: Hot Club de Paris

Words: Saam Das

Hot Club de Paris - 'The Rise And Inevitable Fall Of The High School Suicide Cluster Band' EP


I love Hot Club de Paris but honestly, their song/EP/album titles are ridiculous. I mean, 'The Rise And Inevitable Fall Of The High School Suicide Cluster Band'? Really? And that comes after their other EP this year called 'With Days Like This As Cheap As Chewing Gum, Why Would Anyone Want To Work?' - although it's nigh on impossible to beat debut single 'Sometimesitsbetternottostickbitsofeachotherineachotherforeachother'. To make up for all the nomenclature sillyness, Hot Club actually produce wonderfully energetic math-poppy, jitter-punk with scant regard for consistent time signatures.

Film Review: Exam (2010)

Words: Saam Das

'Exam' (2010)

Director: Stuart Hazeldine
Cast: Colin Salmon, Jimi Mistry, Luke Mably, Adar Beck


Eight candidates. Eighty minutes. One exam paper. One armed guard. One invigilator. One question. One answer. Three rules: 1) Do not speak to the invigilator or the armed guard. 2) Do not spoil your paper. 3) Do not leave the room.

Singles: May 2010

Words: Saam Das

Standards are slipping. I think this is the second month in a row where this singles column has lagged. Although I have had to write 30,000 words of essays in those two months which was traumatic to say the least. So while life has been pretty abject, bears continue to be the best animals ever. Or at least joint best with elephants. Singles of the month after the jump, including a welcome return from The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster and some ace offerings from Wild Palms, Foals and Johnny Flynn.

BBC iPlayer: Michael Clayton (2007)

[Watch, until 11.54pm Sunday 13th June 2010] (UK users only)


Director: Tony Gilroy
Cast: George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, Sydney Pollack

SYNOPSIS: "Michael Clayton is a high-priced law firm's problem fixer. He is brought in to clean up the mess after one of the firm's top litigators suffers a breakdown while representing a corrupt chemical corporation in a multi-billion dollar legal suit. With the case in jeopardy, Clayton is under pressure to resolve the situation and appease the firm's clients, represented by chief legal counsel Karen Crowder. Having discovered the seriousness of the chemical company's iniquities, Clayton finds himself torn between his desire to do the right thing and a pressing need to pay off spiralling personal debts." (bbc.co.uk)

Live Review: The National at The Electric Ballroom

Words: Kieran Toms

Live: The National, May 5th 2010, The Electric Ballroom.