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Post by matt on Dec 18, 2021 19:06:12 GMT -5
Screen Violence by CHVRCHES deserves a nod. Blue Weekend by Wolf Alice Glow On by TURNSTILE Inside by Bo Burnham Yep, I loved Screen Violence too. 'Return to form' is such a cliche but as their last album didn't really click with me, it really is. I think it's their best in my opinion.
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Post by matt on Dec 13, 2021 9:26:43 GMT -5
Transcends time, as does his music, and The Beatles' music. What struck me watching Get Back was how it could all have been done last week. From their style, to the music, to their conversations... It's so, so special. What a special, significant but short moment in time. Four lads from Liverpool have had arguably the greatest cultural impacts the world has ever known. And that's what makes it so funny when all the moaners are trying to get them down from the roof. They didn't realise how lucky they were! Nicely said. It's a good point also how much they seem of our own times a half century later. I credit Peter Jackson with making the visuals look so crisp and vivid that it could have been shot yesterday, but it's also true that if you had no clue you could ALMOST believe these guys were from this time ... ( ALMOST because the one glaring difference is the total lack of screens. John isn't tweeting on his phone and George isn't checking his e-mail for that solo record deal ....) That's the one huge cultural shift that you feel and maybe it's why they were able to focus so intensely once the vibe finally got going in that room ... For these reasons, you just wonder if creativity suffers these days as a result. Not saying that 'everything's shit these days' but surely all these distractions in modern day life impact the focus, mindset and train of thought that brings about quality of genuine greatness? Interesting post though, and it makes me think about how modern life encourages short attention spans, and nothing ever really feels like a seismic cultural event anymore. People's tastes are far broader than anything before, but how much thought and time are they giving to these entertainment products? Even if an album with the critical and commercial ratings of Sgt Pepper appeared today, it would just be a passing fad before the next raved review thing comes along. I saw the most watched Netflix shows of all time, and some of these shows have 500 million plus views - a viewership far greater than any of the most iconic highest watched television events or films in history. But in all seriousness, how long will these shows last in the memory? Another TV show will come along and replace it very soon (e.g. the much raved about Squid Game will be a thing of the past in a couple of months time). We're inundated with endless choices of entertainment (music, films, video games, TV, etc) but the modern world doesn't let these entertainment releases settle and deeply root itself in peoples hearts and minds. Easy access also makes things more disposable before another fad will pass along that we will all jump on to.
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Post by matt on Dec 12, 2021 17:35:43 GMT -5
What a pissing joke that was. Biggest farce I've ever seen in any sport.
It's not a sport, it's scripted entertainment for the Netflix masses.
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Post by matt on Dec 7, 2021 17:52:56 GMT -5
A good point about him being the one Beatle who really wanted them to stay together. That control freakery of the band might stem from an insecurity, he’s raging against the dying of the light and won’t let go. As bizarre as it sounds today, he didn’t want to be a solo artist. When you put it like you said above, it’s no wonder Paul was the Beatle who struggled most during and after the split. He basically became an alcoholic, suffering depression and not getting up throughout the day. He was lost while George and John spread their wings solo wise. I found it interesting how, tbf though, Macca always looked to Lennon for guidance. That scene in the first episode where he goes (I'm paraphrasing a bit): "you were always the leader" to John. It's all those subtle moments that are so significant isn't it. Underneath all the bitterness and jealousy, they still both looked up to each other. Even in their bitterest moments, you can always find one revealing quote. Lennon said after the split that he'd only ever write with Yoko and Paul, saying 'that's a pretty damn good pair'. Given how much he loved Yoko, that's a statement right there. And you have the massively underrated Dear Friend from Paul (suspect because it was on the mediocre Wild Life) - you can really hear the pain, resignation and regret from Paul on this. Things like this are sadder to listen with hindsight given what happened to John and the fact that while they became amicable at times towards the end, they never fully reconciled the relationship of old. Like lovers scorned, it turned nasty at times but it's the flip side to such admiration and devotion towards each other.
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Post by matt on Dec 7, 2021 14:58:50 GMT -5
It's a nice song, but I'm not raving about it personally. A solid 3/5.
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Post by matt on Dec 7, 2021 14:20:50 GMT -5
So Boris Johnson and pals had a Christmas party while most of us were isolating all by ourselves separated from any social interaction?
I can see how this ends... BBC not reporting it, Tories somehow going 5 points up in the polls, and Keir Starmer staying silent on the matter.
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Post by matt on Dec 6, 2021 15:08:18 GMT -5
People comparing Boris Johnson to the likes of Benny Hill as an insult to Johnson is so frustrating. He plays off that clown image and it totally trivialises what a seriously disturbing and damaging Prime Minister he really is.
So infuriating. So much worse than just an incompetent fool.
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Post by matt on Dec 6, 2021 9:16:00 GMT -5
But as the above says, Paul's a grafter so is going to become tedious and overbearing. His perfectionism, attention to detail and craftsmanship is what set him apart from Lennon and Harrison. Lennon and Harrison certainly more raw, but The Beatles wouldn't have been the lush sophisticated pop band without McCartney. Despite misgivings towards his attitude in some places, he was the one who held it all together and eeked the last bits of greatness from the band. Yeah, it's an eternal riddle: nobody likes being controlled by a control freak but at the same time they get things done. Paul was on such a creative high right then and so driven to keep the Beatles going he was in a completely different headspace than the others. But part of what also seemed to have been happening was that the others were moving on into their own realms and Paul wasn't ready for that yet. That scene where he says "And then there were two" to Ringo and starts to cry ... Most successful bands seem to have at least one control freak (and sometimes 4), but it seems there are only two ways to deal with it over the long-term: just give in and let one person lead for the sake of peace (rarely lasts) or do what say The Rolling Stones and The Who have done: do your separate stuff and then come back together for the occasional tour or albums for the sake of the larger thing.. But I don’t think the Beatles ever felt they could do that because it had become such a juggernaut that it was inescapable for them. It was all Beatles or no Beatles. But one thing I really felt watching John and Macca in Get Back is that there was so much love between them and so much natural creative chemistry, I think they would have done something together again had John lived. Not a Beatles reunion per se, but written and/or performed together on occasion. One can worry that would have tarnished the legacy -- it certainly would all be somewhat different had Lennon lived past 40 -- but then again something amazing might have come of it. They were capable of bringing out the best in one another/ A good point about him being the one Beatle who really wanted them to stay together. That control freakery of the band might stem from an insecurity, he’s raging against the dying of the light and won’t let go. As bizarre as it sounds today, he didn’t want to be a solo artist. When you put it like you said above, it’s no wonder Paul was the Beatle who struggled most during and after the split. He basically became an alcoholic, suffering depression and not getting up throughout the day. He was lost while George and John spread their wings solo wise.
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Post by matt on Dec 5, 2021 18:00:28 GMT -5
Yep, a top talent in the making. Surprised the China boom didn't take off after Ding won this back in 2005, thought it would explode after that but waiting 16 years for another Chinese player to win is something I didn't think would happen. As you say, smooth, slick and composed. A breath of fresh air from the dreary inconsistent lot who make up a lot of the tour these days.
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Post by matt on Dec 5, 2021 17:12:49 GMT -5
Limmy knows the score. But it's also partly true. Although overbearing, The Beatles would have been stumbled to a feeble demise without his intense work ethic and focus. They had weeks to write, rehearse and play an album of new songs live to an audience. Going over the same 30 seconds of one track over and over while denigrating another member of the band was never going to end well. George, John and Ringo were clearly more willing to work in the Dylan style. Working up a song by knowing the basic chords and actually playing it and see where it went. Paul just seems like he’s writing for a studio album with lots of time to do so. It’s mad to think what Let It Be could have been. With stuff like Gimmie Some Truth and All Things Must Pass being rehersed. But as the above says, Paul's a grafter so is going to become tedious and overbearing. His perfectionism, attention to detail and craftsmanship is what set him apart from Lennon and Harrison. Lennon and Harrison certainly more raw, but The Beatles wouldn't have been the lush sophisticated pop band without McCartney. Despite misgivings towards his attitude in some places, he was the one who held it all together and eeked the last bits of greatness from the band.
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Post by matt on Dec 4, 2021 16:10:34 GMT -5
eva @mimmi I know I have heard DLBIA and Wonderwall from this, but Im sure the video hasnt been out there for a long time, or am I wrong? Ha, always wondered what this gig was back in 2009, so good to see it after so long - it was the one that got them banned from playing in China in 2009!
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Post by matt on Dec 4, 2021 16:01:10 GMT -5
Limmy knows the score. But it's also partly true. Although overbearing, The Beatles would have been stumbled to a feeble demise without his intense work ethic and focus.
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Post by matt on Dec 4, 2021 7:47:05 GMT -5
He was tragically shot to death by the LAPD in 1976. Unfortunately like The Beatles themselves, many within their circle struggled personally after the split. Evans was a big loss. Sad endings all round for a large group of Liverpudlian folk who were all a tight unit well before they were famous.
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Post by matt on Dec 4, 2021 7:30:19 GMT -5
Might be an unpopular opinion but I think Alright Now is one of the best songs to come out in the post Oasis era. I absolutely love it. I love it too. Not the usual kind of song he sings, as is a song like What Are You Dreaming Of. But as ever, he pulls it off brilliantly.
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Post by matt on Dec 2, 2021 16:26:46 GMT -5
Given how dreadful Dune was, the next film I go to see has to be great.
So it makes me pleased to see that Spielberg's West Side Story is getting rave reviews. The film looks stunning based on the trailer.
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Post by matt on Nov 30, 2021 15:18:24 GMT -5
Finished the series. Some thoughts. - Very interesting that after the playback for “Long and Winding Road”, George Martin, George Harrison and Glyn Johns all tell Paul the song needs strings because the two pianos and guitar are all canceling one another out. So it wasn’t just random that Phil Spector did it a year later. It seemed to be the popular production choice. - I’m shocked they didn’t package the complete roof top performance on the bonus CDs. Or even make an additional vinyl EP of the best takes from the roof. Something like: Get Back (Take 2) Don’t Let Me Down (Take 1) I’ve Got A Feeling (Take 1) One After 909 Dig A Pony Get Back (Take 3) I think we all would have eaten that shit up. I can imagine George Martin's orchestration would have been far more tasteful than the saccharine Disneyfied stuff that Spector put there.
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Post by matt on Nov 29, 2021 13:29:21 GMT -5
I didn’t think it was possible but Spheres has taken the mantle of being Coldplay’s worst album top to bottom. Left to right. Sure it’s got a mega chart topping single but not much else of substance except for Colortura at the very end. Disappointing results after a 6-7 month build up. 8 full tracks with 4 interludes is a huge problem. Plus 4-5 of those 8 are weak offerings. Maybe Volume 2 will be better? It's dropping like a broken lift in the album charts too, already number 22 in the charts, and another 20 positions further and it will be selling at the pace of an album 26 years old (a certain Morning Glory). I could see the point if it was sustaining very healthy chart positions like Head Full of Dreams, but this one ain't doing it. It's not like there's any obvious single left either, they've all been used up - it's not teeming with chart toppers and it's not critically revered either, making the whole thing pointless. Should have just been an EP - you get the chart topper with My Universe but saving yourself from selling a dud album too. God knows it feels like an EP already.
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Post by matt on Nov 27, 2021 8:39:44 GMT -5
The dislike button is there, but not the counter. At least not on my userface. They are planning on removing it regardless. Silly decision. Ranting and raving at the injustice of removing the dislike button and criticising people's sensitive 'feelings'. Oh the irony.
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Post by matt on Nov 26, 2021 17:30:13 GMT -5
This is shit and boring, someone has to say it. Wow, you see them work and create. Yes, that is the footage that exists. I am talking about PJ's work here. He did nothing special at all. Plus, video and audio are also nothing special. Everybody can remaster old videos today, I have seen much much better work. All that is good about this has nothing to do with PJ and production team. If you are Beatles fan, this can never be bad but like I said, everything that is good about this doesn't have anything to do with PJ. This could be so much better. I've not seen it yet, because I don't have a damn Disney subscription. But this kind of take is what I feared and expected. I was originally looking forward to this being in theatres and I still have this nagging feeling it is a subject matter that doesn't need to be stretched over 8 hours and should have easily been contained in one 2 hour sitting in a cinema.
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Post by matt on Nov 19, 2021 17:56:03 GMT -5
30 years since one of the greatest albums of all time was released. With all said and done, still their best.
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Post by matt on Nov 16, 2021 15:45:24 GMT -5
Dune - has anyone seen it yet?
Looked forward to this, enjoy Denis Villeneuve's other films and a slower paced blockbuster seemed up my street after tiring of the sensory annihilation of Marvel films. But never have I disagreed with the wide opinion of a film as much as this. I thought it was awful. In fairness, sci-fi/fantasy worlds are not my thing but even I appreciate epics like Lord of the Rings.
Characters were awful - one note, incredibly shallow and no depth to them at all. They all speak in militaristic hierarchical terms, nobody smiles and it takes itself so seriously. A film so utterly lacking in humanity it defies belief. CGI was naff and the widely praised cinematography left me wondering if I had seen a different film - all one tone, dull and unspectacular. Comparing it to the other desert films, there's none of the epic sense of scale and scope done so wonderfully in Lawrence of Arabia or Good, Bad & The Ugly. Hans Zimmer's music was just an intrusive and overbearing drone too. And top of that, it was unbelievably dull.
A huge disappointment - not objectively the worst film I've ever seen in the cinema, but certainly the most disappointing one in terms of expectations versus reality.
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Post by matt on Nov 16, 2021 13:54:53 GMT -5
Wondering what they could do in all honesty if there is anything. They pretty much emptied the vault for the 20th anniversary. A tour like Joshua Tree wouldn't work; Achtung Baby, along with the tour, is very much a timepiece compared to the more universal and timeless themes of Joshua Tree. It's culturally of that early 90s moment. Plus the band as individuals would never get away with it these days - they are so far removed from the guys they were now that it would be nothing but insincere to try and replicate. Live album of Zoo TV would be great though. Incredible for a band of their reputation that the only thing they've ever done is Under A Blood Red Sky back in 1983. I mean they have issued dozens of live albums via their U2 fan club. PopMart and Zoo TV. I have both of them. Great stuff. Does it not count as a live album if it doesn’t end up at a chain outlet or Spotify?I'm not a member of the fanclub so I don't count those as official releases - I've been able to get downloads of them somewhere but until its available on Apple/Spotify and in the stores, nobody apart from hardcore fans know of it. The exclusivity of such live releases is bizarre. For a band of their live reputation, can never understand why they don't release even some kind of anthology of live performances. Some great performances, especially the deeper cuts like Mofo, go under the radar like Popmart in Leeds 97.
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Post by matt on Nov 15, 2021 13:25:28 GMT -5
I've had a listen and like the later Gorillaz stuff, it's all meandering stuff lacking any hook or punch.
I realise the intention isn't to be pop, but in all honesty I don't know what the intention is. It's not immersive as defmaybe says, it's not atmospheric, and it doesn't evoke any emotion.
It's just background music, it's simply ponderous 'muzak' if ever there is such a thing.
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Post by matt on Nov 9, 2021 16:57:07 GMT -5
Rumors of U2 doing a 30th anniversary for Achtung Baby. Wondering what they could do in all honesty if there is anything. They pretty much emptied the vault for the 20th anniversary. A tour like Joshua Tree wouldn't work; Achtung Baby, along with the tour, is very much a timepiece compared to the more universal and timeless themes of Joshua Tree. It's culturally of that early 90s moment. Plus the band as individuals would never get away with it these days - they are so far removed from the guys they were now that it would be nothing but insincere to try and replicate. Live album of Zoo TV would be great though. Incredible for a band of their reputation that the only thing they've ever done is Under A Blood Red Sky back in 1983.
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Post by matt on Nov 9, 2021 15:46:19 GMT -5
I saw the Only Fools & Horses musical last night. A bit of a sceptic but was surprisingly very good. Went back to watch old clips and always reminded of this brilliance.
This is the moment it went from being a hilarious sitcom to one of the greatest TV shows ever made.
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