Ginger goths.
(as seen in Manners Mall yesterday).
b x
22 September 2007
20 September 2007
Computerised Tea
Useful applications for the Mac, how many times have you put your tea on, then forgotten it whilst Adium-ing it baby.
This App times your brew! Rock on.
Love, B
This App times your brew! Rock on.
Love, B
16 September 2007
Snow Report
The blonde and I headed up to Auckland on Friday. Big ups to her for discovering 9am in the morning, and after a brief detour to the 'nui we were on our way. Much music was played, given she's the one that dubbed me the 'music slut' there was never many issues of not liking each others choices.
After a largely uneventful trip up, we checked in, had our free drink (ahhh drink) and meandered down to find food. Very nice pizza from Fresca Pizza (recommended!), then on to the gig. Neither of us wanted to see the support bands. I might have been keen-ish to see Iain Archer, but timing and dinner combined to prohibit that. Definitely wanted to miss Opshop, who, the blonde and I agree on this, are the most over-rated piece of crap thats been inflicted on NZ ears for sometime. Beer prices were feckin horrendous, $7 for a Crown lager poured into plastic container. So yeah it tasted like crap. I mean Crown aint that great to start with, but dumped unceremoniously into plastic? forgeddaboutit.
So to make a point we had two each. No I don't understand that either, but we wanted piss. And options were limited.
We ambled into the venue since the noise had subsided (Opshop had finished), and positioned ourselves kinda centre-left. Blonde had serious evils thrown her way by some chick, I managed to work out why - random chick had fallen for my stunning good looks and was piss-ey that blonde was with me.
So how good were Snow Patrol? Well firstly I like the band, which explains why I was there. And they delivered. Gary (lead singer) had a great rapport with the audience. Funny, amusing and polished frontman. Go the Gaz! The band were very very tight, unsurprising since they've been on tour for a year now - promoting Eyes Open. Their gig consisted of tracks from Eyes Open and Final Straw, with one other track that might have been from the earlier albums (I've only heard a few demos from them). Style-wise it was similar to the recent stuff, so could have been a b-side. Big cheers for Eyes Open, Chasing Cars etc as the hits. But stand-out for me was Run. Admittedly it's one of my all-time favourite songs, but it was very emotionally draining. Run was one of Frances' favourite songs too, and Final Straw was the album we'd played the night we wandered into hospital. Yeah I shed water. But it was nice too.
The gig itself was fun, but I was struck by how weak the drummer is. There isn't a lot of interesting drum parts on the albums, and it showed in the live shows. One nice aspect of the show was that the band did change arrangements a little, and it didn't seem a 'tired' show, which at the end of a tour could have been a problem. So yay Snow Patrol.
Definitely recommend them as a live act, kinda big scale pub band who did manage to connect with the audience.
We headed out in search of drink afterwards and had a fun time drinking and singing while watching a bit of sport in an Irish bar.
Being adorable I had coffee ready when blonde awoke, ok so it was entirely self-interest as I wanted coffee and she happened to be awake, but lets spin this positively shall we? Sushi for brunch (recommended - Sushi Train down by the basin), then meandering around until we left around 3pm. I was excited by her CD player recognising Porc Tree's new album - coming up with titles and band. Yes it's the small things.
All in all, fun roadtrip and gig. And big ups to the blonde for a) a car, b) good music selection and c) fun person to spend many hours with, both sober and not-so-sober :)
me xx
After a largely uneventful trip up, we checked in, had our free drink (ahhh drink) and meandered down to find food. Very nice pizza from Fresca Pizza (recommended!), then on to the gig. Neither of us wanted to see the support bands. I might have been keen-ish to see Iain Archer, but timing and dinner combined to prohibit that. Definitely wanted to miss Opshop, who, the blonde and I agree on this, are the most over-rated piece of crap thats been inflicted on NZ ears for sometime. Beer prices were feckin horrendous, $7 for a Crown lager poured into plastic container. So yeah it tasted like crap. I mean Crown aint that great to start with, but dumped unceremoniously into plastic? forgeddaboutit.
So to make a point we had two each. No I don't understand that either, but we wanted piss. And options were limited.
We ambled into the venue since the noise had subsided (Opshop had finished), and positioned ourselves kinda centre-left. Blonde had serious evils thrown her way by some chick, I managed to work out why - random chick had fallen for my stunning good looks and was piss-ey that blonde was with me.
So how good were Snow Patrol? Well firstly I like the band, which explains why I was there. And they delivered. Gary (lead singer) had a great rapport with the audience. Funny, amusing and polished frontman. Go the Gaz! The band were very very tight, unsurprising since they've been on tour for a year now - promoting Eyes Open. Their gig consisted of tracks from Eyes Open and Final Straw, with one other track that might have been from the earlier albums (I've only heard a few demos from them). Style-wise it was similar to the recent stuff, so could have been a b-side. Big cheers for Eyes Open, Chasing Cars etc as the hits. But stand-out for me was Run. Admittedly it's one of my all-time favourite songs, but it was very emotionally draining. Run was one of Frances' favourite songs too, and Final Straw was the album we'd played the night we wandered into hospital. Yeah I shed water. But it was nice too.
The gig itself was fun, but I was struck by how weak the drummer is. There isn't a lot of interesting drum parts on the albums, and it showed in the live shows. One nice aspect of the show was that the band did change arrangements a little, and it didn't seem a 'tired' show, which at the end of a tour could have been a problem. So yay Snow Patrol.
Definitely recommend them as a live act, kinda big scale pub band who did manage to connect with the audience.
We headed out in search of drink afterwards and had a fun time drinking and singing while watching a bit of sport in an Irish bar.
Being adorable I had coffee ready when blonde awoke, ok so it was entirely self-interest as I wanted coffee and she happened to be awake, but lets spin this positively shall we? Sushi for brunch (recommended - Sushi Train down by the basin), then meandering around until we left around 3pm. I was excited by her CD player recognising Porc Tree's new album - coming up with titles and band. Yes it's the small things.
All in all, fun roadtrip and gig. And big ups to the blonde for a) a car, b) good music selection and c) fun person to spend many hours with, both sober and not-so-sober :)
me xx
13 September 2007
Eagle v Shark
It's a lovely movie, best word I can think of to describe it - whimsical.
Geek love is usually pretty painful to watch, and this movie is no exception. But the leads are convincing, particularly Lauren (Shark) - her's is a wonderful performance. Jermaine (of Flight of the Conchords fame) is Eagle, a geekboy set on revenge against a high school nemesis. Love doesn't so much blossum, as well, stagger.
Now NZ movies do tend to have a large level of insecurity (we ain't good enough to compete) - although thats kinda disappeared since LotR, and generally are disturbing (good example: In My Fathers Den). Cultural cringe pops up too. This movie has none of those. These definitely geek cringe, but I didn't notice any cultural cringe.
Most reviews I've seen have compared it to Napolean dynamite. That's doing Eagle v Shark a disservice. EvS is a love story, ND wasn't. EvS is character driven and focussed, ND is largely situation based. I also got the vibe that there was far more caring of each other by the characters in EvS. All of which makes it an entirely different movie. there's also some nice quirks, the revenge scene itself is a good example.
The Blonde didn't like ND but liked EvS, and Suz (with whom I went) thoroughly enjoyed EvS as well. It has to be said she's a movie slut too...
Nice quirky soundtrack by The Phoenix Foundation and many of their various offshoots. Worth a spin, but would have been better if they'd used a few *other* bits from the album!
Summary: go see it. Good date movie that won't make you want to scream...
Love, B
Geek love is usually pretty painful to watch, and this movie is no exception. But the leads are convincing, particularly Lauren (Shark) - her's is a wonderful performance. Jermaine (of Flight of the Conchords fame) is Eagle, a geekboy set on revenge against a high school nemesis. Love doesn't so much blossum, as well, stagger.
Now NZ movies do tend to have a large level of insecurity (we ain't good enough to compete) - although thats kinda disappeared since LotR, and generally are disturbing (good example: In My Fathers Den). Cultural cringe pops up too. This movie has none of those. These definitely geek cringe, but I didn't notice any cultural cringe.
Most reviews I've seen have compared it to Napolean dynamite. That's doing Eagle v Shark a disservice. EvS is a love story, ND wasn't. EvS is character driven and focussed, ND is largely situation based. I also got the vibe that there was far more caring of each other by the characters in EvS. All of which makes it an entirely different movie. there's also some nice quirks, the revenge scene itself is a good example.
The Blonde didn't like ND but liked EvS, and Suz (with whom I went) thoroughly enjoyed EvS as well. It has to be said she's a movie slut too...
Nice quirky soundtrack by The Phoenix Foundation and many of their various offshoots. Worth a spin, but would have been better if they'd used a few *other* bits from the album!
Summary: go see it. Good date movie that won't make you want to scream...
Love, B
12 September 2007
It's a ProgDay Today
I've decided it's a nuffink but Prog day today. Obviously I opened with 'Grendel' and the rest of B-Sides Themselves, and have moved onto Luke Buda 'Special Surprise' - Luke is the prog boy of Phoenix.
Sadly I have to go and upgrade a computer so it's a bit of a prog break now. More updates later.
In forthcoming blogs:
* Anapsid v Diapsid III - one of the loyal fanbase reminded me that this was missing. I'll aim to fix that over the next few days.
* review of Eagle v Shark which I saw last night (that's a nice segue from the start of the post).
B x
Sadly I have to go and upgrade a computer so it's a bit of a prog break now. More updates later.
In forthcoming blogs:
* Anapsid v Diapsid III - one of the loyal fanbase reminded me that this was missing. I'll aim to fix that over the next few days.
* review of Eagle v Shark which I saw last night (that's a nice segue from the start of the post).
B x
11 September 2007
Ahhhh good times
I'm sitting here having been playing my organ (well it is National Organ week as many people have pointed out), sipping very nice Scotch and listening to the new Joe Henry album. It is all good.
Love, B
Love, B
10 September 2007
Napalm Death
Right, the review of Napalm Death.
As some of you have probably gathered, I like my metal. And I like my black metal. ND are variously described as grindcore/death metal. Definitely grindcore - and they are generally credited with inventing the genre. Grindcore is loud, fast and very full-on, think a metal version of punk - or punk-extreme - or something like that. It's not a genre I'm that keen on, preferring the death/black metal stylings of the Norwegians and Swedes - Borknagar, Dimmu Borgir, Opeth etc.
Originally formed in 1981 (?!) (thanks Wikipedia) by the time the first album was recorded, Sd2 had none of the original band members on it.
So the gig. Nick had been grumbling about not going to Cannibal Corpse - mainly cos it was expensive and although we kinda liked the band, we didn't like them *that* much. Much the same arguments had been advanced for ND, until I won tickets which was a much better price. So in true rock'n'roll style, we met at Midnight Cafe and had a long black and discussed country music. We skipped the first band, Backyard Burial as we'd seen them a few times and caught most of the 2nd act 'Graymalkin' who were quite good.
ND were good, they ain't the most talented bunch of musicians, but they were having fun. Stage presence was good, and the lead singer did interact with the audience a bit. They played for about 75 minutes, which felt about right.
So why did I go? Given I don't like the genre that much, it's a good question. For a start, we get so few hard metal concerts I thought I should go, and it turned out to be free. I enjoyed it, and came away with a bit more appreciation for ND than I went in with. The crowd was fun, and i was surprised by the amount of chicks there - and they didn't seem to be hanging off anyone so were apparently there *for the music*.
I'm not going to be rushing out to buy an album, and am happy sticking with the metal bands I already like. But as I said it was a good intro to grindcore, a genre I wasn't that familiar with. And I'd hate to be accused of not being keen on exploring new music :)
Thanks to Steel Mill for the tickets :)
Oh and I found this t-shirt on amazon, and no, I haven't bought it.
Me xx
As some of you have probably gathered, I like my metal. And I like my black metal. ND are variously described as grindcore/death metal. Definitely grindcore - and they are generally credited with inventing the genre. Grindcore is loud, fast and very full-on, think a metal version of punk - or punk-extreme - or something like that. It's not a genre I'm that keen on, preferring the death/black metal stylings of the Norwegians and Swedes - Borknagar, Dimmu Borgir, Opeth etc.
Originally formed in 1981 (?!) (thanks Wikipedia) by the time the first album was recorded, Sd2 had none of the original band members on it.
So the gig. Nick had been grumbling about not going to Cannibal Corpse - mainly cos it was expensive and although we kinda liked the band, we didn't like them *that* much. Much the same arguments had been advanced for ND, until I won tickets which was a much better price. So in true rock'n'roll style, we met at Midnight Cafe and had a long black and discussed country music. We skipped the first band, Backyard Burial as we'd seen them a few times and caught most of the 2nd act 'Graymalkin' who were quite good.
ND were good, they ain't the most talented bunch of musicians, but they were having fun. Stage presence was good, and the lead singer did interact with the audience a bit. They played for about 75 minutes, which felt about right.
So why did I go? Given I don't like the genre that much, it's a good question. For a start, we get so few hard metal concerts I thought I should go, and it turned out to be free. I enjoyed it, and came away with a bit more appreciation for ND than I went in with. The crowd was fun, and i was surprised by the amount of chicks there - and they didn't seem to be hanging off anyone so were apparently there *for the music*.
I'm not going to be rushing out to buy an album, and am happy sticking with the metal bands I already like. But as I said it was a good intro to grindcore, a genre I wasn't that familiar with. And I'd hate to be accused of not being keen on exploring new music :)
Thanks to Steel Mill for the tickets :)
Oh and I found this t-shirt on amazon, and no, I haven't bought it.
Me xx
9 September 2007
Rasputin and Abigails Ghost
Must be time for more music reviews. Today 'Abigails Ghost', a band I came across on a Porcupine Tree mailing list. I figured it was worth grabbing a copy since it was a) cheap and b) the US dollar very weak. So what's it like, well the stuff on the list described it as Porcupine Tree like - and thats definitely true. It is quite similar to the more recent PT sound (In absentia, Deadwing and Fear of a Blank Planet), and in places there are echoes of Blackfield.
These similarities come from, initially, the vocalist who does sound a lot like Steve Wilson. The music does have similarities with PT as well.
Criticisms? yeah I've got a couple. Firstly the major difference with PT is the quality of the recording. Everything is very very flat, and the drums sound really bad. According to the website there is a drummer, but honestly they sound more like a machine. There's no depth to most of the album, so the musicianship - and it is good - is lost.
As a debut it is reasonable, as an album it looses something due to the recording.
Given the similarities to PT (honestly, I'd call Abigail's Ghost, PT-lite), I'd skip this and get some PT.
And now, a video. With thanks to Andrew for this one - a metal-ish version of Rasputin. Great Stuff.
Turisas - Rasputin
Add to My Profile | More Videos
Love, B.
These similarities come from, initially, the vocalist who does sound a lot like Steve Wilson. The music does have similarities with PT as well.
Criticisms? yeah I've got a couple. Firstly the major difference with PT is the quality of the recording. Everything is very very flat, and the drums sound really bad. According to the website there is a drummer, but honestly they sound more like a machine. There's no depth to most of the album, so the musicianship - and it is good - is lost.
As a debut it is reasonable, as an album it looses something due to the recording.
Given the similarities to PT (honestly, I'd call Abigail's Ghost, PT-lite), I'd skip this and get some PT.
And now, a video. With thanks to Andrew for this one - a metal-ish version of Rasputin. Great Stuff.
Turisas - Rasputin
Add to My Profile | More Videos
Love, B.
Wagner - NZSO
In the continuing OTT bloggage for today, here's the review of the NZSO on Friday night.
Wow. This concert was a stunner. One of the blondes and I wandered along, I would have been going anyway cos I really like Wagner. My biggest problem is that I don't like 'greatest hits' packages and would rather listen to the full opera. But eh, beggar's cannae be choosey. The line-up was:
Die Meistersinger Prelude
Lohengrin Prelude (Act 1)
Tristan und Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod
The Flying Dutchman Overture
Tannhaüser Overture
Gotterdammerung: Immolation Scene
So very much a 'greatest hits'. But hells bells. This rocked the phat one. The NZSO generally sounds very good, but this time I'm out of superlatives. Everyone was clear, in tune, and generally stunning.
Margaret Medlyn was wonderful in her two pieces, and the guest conductor was very in to it.
The passion that Wagner should have was there, tempered nicely by the raw power of the size of the orchestra's his work demands. The brass sections were in great form - and if they aren't any good, you certainly know it after a Wagner.
Tannhauser, possibly my favourite opera, was wonderful - very clear, very precise and just rockin' with passion. Ahhhh.
The night was topped off by Long Island Iced Teas, the league and a brief appearance at a 21st (!).
Tomorrow: a review of Napalm Death.
B.
Wow. This concert was a stunner. One of the blondes and I wandered along, I would have been going anyway cos I really like Wagner. My biggest problem is that I don't like 'greatest hits' packages and would rather listen to the full opera. But eh, beggar's cannae be choosey. The line-up was:
Die Meistersinger Prelude
Lohengrin Prelude (Act 1)
Tristan und Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod
The Flying Dutchman Overture
Tannhaüser Overture
Gotterdammerung: Immolation Scene
So very much a 'greatest hits'. But hells bells. This rocked the phat one. The NZSO generally sounds very good, but this time I'm out of superlatives. Everyone was clear, in tune, and generally stunning.
Margaret Medlyn was wonderful in her two pieces, and the guest conductor was very in to it.
The passion that Wagner should have was there, tempered nicely by the raw power of the size of the orchestra's his work demands. The brass sections were in great form - and if they aren't any good, you certainly know it after a Wagner.
Tannhauser, possibly my favourite opera, was wonderful - very clear, very precise and just rockin' with passion. Ahhhh.
The night was topped off by Long Island Iced Teas, the league and a brief appearance at a 21st (!).
Tomorrow: a review of Napalm Death.
B.
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