ARGH!

I don't know about anyone else but i'm getting seriously annoyed with the endless and pointless 'news' stories on Pete Doherty. The poor guy can't turn on the tap without it being covered by several hundred newspapers.
It's pathetic.
The most recent story is because of this picture -



It was posted on some dodgy celebrity gossip site, Perez Hilton. And now there are stories all over the place talking about Doherty's "Gay scandal". Including one at nine msn news who I thought were a little more reputable.

The thing that really annoys me about this is no one seems to be doing their research.

For starters these photos were taken way back in 2004 by rock photographer Andrew Kendall and the full series can be found here at his site.

And the man he's kissing who most sources are labelling as 'unknown' or 'unidentified' is actually Peter Wolfe (aka Wolfman), one of Pete's best mates who co wrote 'For Lovers' with him. It wouldn't take much time to figure this out. Just a few well worded searches in google and you'd get all the information you need. It's really not that difficult.

okay i'll stop ranting now. It's just frustrating is all...

Babyshambles - Shotters Nation review

::NOTE:: I wrote this review forever ago (The week it was released actually) but I've been listening to it non stop the past few days so I thought I'd post it here.

As Far as I can tell there are two Pete Dohertys. The most recognisable one, unfortunately, being the drug addicted ex boyfriend of supermodel Kate Moss who has appeared in more gossip magazines then almost anyone else alive today.

The second is Peter Doherty, the poet/musician who spent most of his early life obsessing over the likes of Byron, Keats, Wilde and The Smiths. The second is the kind of person who can find beauty in the smallest of things and wants nothing more then to share it with the world.

Doherty may have lost his way to some extent but the new release from his current band, Babyshambles, is proof positive that he’s slowly finding his way back.

I have to admit, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Babyshambles debut album, Down In Albion. The only tracks I really liked turned out to be unreleased demos from Dohertys previous band, The Libertines.

However, the new album, Shotters Nation had me hooked halfway through the first listen. The recordings are cleaner and far better produced. But more importantly the songs have a clarity and honesty which had been missing up until now.

One of the real standouts, 'Delivery', was chosen for the first single release. For me it was one of those all too rare tracks you find yourself utterly lost in, unable to escape and with no real desire to do so. And with lyrics like - “This song might deliver me straight from the harshness of misery,” who could blame me.

Other tracks worth mentioning are 'Un Bilo Titled', 'The Lost Art of Murder', 'French Dog Blues' and 'Deft Left Hand'. All of which scream of the Doherty I feared was long gone.

I’m still not convinced Babyshambles will ever really reach me the same way The Libertines did. Personally I just don’t think Peter Doherty and Carl Barát work as well apart as they did together but I’m looking forward to any and all future releases in the hopes I’ll be proven wrong.

If you’ve yet to discover Doherty’s music then I suggest starting at the beginning but if that seems like too much effort then by all means give Shotters Nation a Spin. It’s quickly becoming one of my favourite releases of the year.

Across The Universe Soundtrack review

The Beatles. What can really be said about them that hasn’t already been said a hundred times before? They were one of the greatest bands of all time. That much is clear.

And I feel I should make it known that when it comes to people covering their songs; songs which I adore, I’m usually against it because they inevitably take away whatever original magic was there, replacing it with something cold and lifeless.

I’ve listened to more Beatles covers then I care to mention and have been continually disappointed. I never thought it would take a bunch of actors to create what I think is the most amazing collection of Beatles covers I’ve ever come across. But somehow that’s what’s happened.

The recent film by director Julie Taymor, Across The Universe, is an amazing movie. Visually gorgeous, fantastic cast, great storyline; however, the thing which makes it special is its soundtrack. The movie is actually more of a musical, with most of the story being told through song. More importantly the songs of The Beatles.

The actual soundtrack album is an incredible double disc package featuring 31 Beatles tracks. Most of which are sung by the core cast. The majority of which don’t consider themselves professional singers. If you listen very closely you might also catch a few guest performances from the likes of Joe Cocker, Bono and Eddie Izzard.

The result is just incredible. The songs have an energy and life to them I think most fans would enjoy. And the arrangements are respectful yet still manage to be innovative.

The standout track for me would have to be the incredible ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ sung as a duo by Jim Sturgess and Joe Anderson. Others I can’t seem to stop listening to include ‘It Won’t Be Long’, ‘I Want You (She’s So Heavy), ‘Dear Prudence’, ‘Happiness is a Warm Gun’ and ‘Hey Jude’.

If you’re a fan of The Beatles in any sense then I strongly recommend Across The Universe. Whether you see the film or just listen to the soundtrack I promise you won’t be disappointed. It completely altered my perception of covers. Let it do the same for you.

::note:: So I know I've written a bit of an Across The Universe rant a little further down but I write a weekly album review for a local newspaper and since it was a pretty slow music week I decided to just write up a quick soundtrack review. I'm sure you don't mind.
:)

endless rain into a paper cup

Some albums are like home to me. I listen to them and everything’s okay. I don’t have to worry cause’ I’m safe and secure and just plain happy when I’m in their presence. I’ve never really been like that with movies. They just don’t seem to have the same effect on me.

Of course there are films that I absolutely adore - Velvet Goldmine, The Producers (Gene Wilder version, not the new one…), High Fidelity, Empire Records…

Hmmm just realised that I only listed films with or about music there…didn’t really mean for that to happen. I’m sure I love some other films that have nothing to do with music - can’t think of any right now. But I’m sure they’re out there.

Anyway, not the point. I’ve just never really been that big of a movie person.

Until now.

Wow, did that sound as ominous as I think it did!? Meh, anyhow.

Lost my train of thought again…

Okay I’m back on track. Sorry -

Alright so I saw Across The Universe (a.k.a the best movie ever!) on Friday. Actually I saw it on Saturday as well. That’s how much I loved it.



For anyone who hasn’t heard of the brilliant, Across The Universe, it’s a film by director Julie Taymor and it tells the story of Jude, Lucy, Max, Sadie, JoJo and Prudence.

Now if those names are sounding at all familiar/suspicious to you then it’s with good reason as all of the characters are named after Beatles songs. Because the film is actually a musical and the story is told basically through Beatles songs.

Now if this is sounding somewhat lame to you then I’m not explaining it right because it is incredible. I was actually a little dubious at first because I adore The Beatles. They were the band that made me realise what music could be, what it is meant to be. And I’m sure they did that for a countless number of people but I have to say that without them I wouldn’t be a music Journo, I wouldn’t be at uni and I wouldn’t have the wonderful friends I have now. In fact I’d probably be working retail, bored out of my mind and listening to Justin Timberlake or someone else equally horrendous.

But yeah, suffice to say I was worried. I’m usually not a fan of people covering songs that I adore since they inevitably stuff it up. But I was just beyond impressed. The casting for ATU was amazing. The core group was incredible. They all were not only beautiful actors but they had incredible voices and just brought both the story and the songs to life.

I was basically in awe from the very beginning. It starts with Jude (played by the incredibly handsome Jim Sturgess) sitting on a beach in Liverpool. He looks into the camera and starts singing Girl. One of my favourite songs. I couldn’t help it, this huge grin took over my face and I was in love (with the film by the way, not Jim/Jude. Although he is lovely).

It’s been such a long time since a film has effected me so emotionally. I was invested from the very start smiling and laughing (and curbing the urge to sing out loud) and then it got to the part where Let It Be is played. Now I won’t say what’s happening during this sequence for those of you who haven’t yet seen it but lets just say - I burst into tears. I was a mess.

Seriously, it was awful. I was just so emotionally engaged and that really took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting to be so moved by the film as a whole but I was.

There are at least three scenes that bring a tear to my eye (not always because it’s sad…I’m a happy crier. Annoying, I know.) and countless others which have me laughing out loud.

The entire experience was simply excellent. I can’t recommend this enough. It’s just pure brilliance.

Favourite music sequences include - I Want You (She’s So Heavy), Dear Prudence, Hey Jude, With a Little Help from My Friends, Revolution and All You Need is Love.

Favourite Characters would have to be Jude and Max hands down. Even though I really do love them all.

And The all time best quote ever would have to be when Max is trying to talk his way out of the army -

“I’m a cross-dressing homosexual pacifist with a spot on my lung.”

Pure brilliance. Max is my hero.

Now I know there is so much more I want to say about this film and with more clarity then I’ve managed so far but I’m far too tired to make sense right now so it’ll have to wait til later.

Cheers and go and see the film right this instant or at least rent/buy it when it comes out on dvd!

punctured bicycle on a hillside desolate

There is something so satisfyingly comfortable about a good cup of coffee. The way it warms you up and calms you down. Just perfect. The only thing more perfect is hearing a song that you absolutely adore when you’re not expecting it.

I was doing some last minute Christmas shopping, feeling utterly frazzled and just about ready to give up when I walked into a store that was playing ‘This Charming Man’ by The Smiths. A huge smile spread across my face and I could feel every muscle in my body unclench. It just completely relaxed me. I stopped what I was doing, closed my eyes and let Morrissey’s gorgeous voice wash over me.

I most likely looked like a crazy person but I really don’t care. It was exactly what I needed. When it comes down to it I guess it was exactly what I always need. Music. It just makes every aspect of my life better, clearer and more fun.

Just needed to get that out…