Wednesday 25 July 2007

I don't heart Huckabee

Mike Huckabee is one off the many candidates for the US Presidential elections in November 2008 and he "is out to show people the American dream is still alive"
He's pro gun, pro war, anti abortion, anti stem cell research, looking for a troop surge and hey, while he's at it, he's looking for a constitutional ban on any partnership rights whatsoever for same sex couples.

Some dream.

Click here for a comprehensive breakdown of all the candidates and their positions.

Tuesday 24 July 2007

Thrilla in Manilla

Thanks Helen for drawing my attention to this diverting little dance video of over 1,500 inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, Cebu, Philippines practicing a routine to Michael Jackson's "Thriller"

Tuesday 17 July 2007

Still looking for a Summer Soundtrack....

As the hits are few and far between this year, at least for me anyway, I am looking forward to Kennas new album as the late Summer soul saver.

If you have read Malcom Gladwells Blink you may remember reading about Kenna. In the chapter "Kennas Dilemma" Gladwell recounted how even though all the record companies loved him, and there was a great buzz about him on the internet, and Paul Mc Guinness declared "This man right here, he's going to change the World" his 2002 album Sacred Cow failed to break through ostensibly because it couldn't get top 40 Radio Play in the US. It seems that people found him difficult to classify, they just didn't understand.
I think he sounds like a mix up of Depeche Mode and Radiohead with a pop dance edge, Out Of Control for one is a real grower and it's featured on the teaser below
His time may be now. Make Sure They See My Face, his new album is on the way and you can hear a selection from it on his myspace.

Friday 13 July 2007

Random facts or kinda....

8 random facts have been demanded of me by Le Catch, by way of being tagged, He got it of Una who got it of Rick.

It's a kind of meme and there are rules, but I am breaking the rule posting bit and the tagging bit. (a small voice inside says sorry)

Here are some random facts about me.

1. I am completely allergic to Lamb, Mutton, Goat and Sheep Cheese. Cafe Bar Deli is a particular minefield.

2. When I was in school studying grammar was out of fashion and off the curriculum, words like noun, verb and adjective are mysterious to me.

3. Stephen Spielberg once sent me a Christmas card.

4. I collect fridge magnets but I no longer have a magnetic fridge (darned integration) so now they just live in a little box.

5. I briefly dropped out of college, got dreadlocks and hitch hiked to Europe with two friends, a guitar and a tambourine. I survived by busking even though I could only play one song, Talking About A Revolution By Tracy Chapman

6. I spent half my SSIA on a single piece of Art, it's amazing.

7. My first record was an Elvis Compilation, I was obsessed, then I loved Prince (still do) Nowadays I just like a whole bunch of stuff, I miss the singular focus of having one musical hero.

8. I hate Soaps, really really hate them.

Tuesday 10 July 2007

What You Talkin About Willis?

New to the Tuesday Morning Live Drive is the Rhyme at Nine, this morning kicking off with Grandmaster Flash - The Message. To get into the spirit we'll be playing a lot of this track by Scroobius Pip Vs Dan Le Sac

"I'm what Willis as talkin about" declares Scroobius on his myspace
and on Thou Shalt Always Kill, he proceeds to talk about a whole pile of other stuff I wholeheartedly agree with.



The title refers to Hip Hop slang for nailing a lyric by the way, before you all get carried away.

Monday 9 July 2007

Burger Bliss

I went to Jo Burger in Rathmines this weekend, it's already been blogged about here and there and its somewhat crumpleresque website has been commented on here. For those of you who lack patience, you scroll right!
Gourmet burgers are becoming quite the thing, Real* Gourmet Burger on the pavilion in Dun Laoghaire offers a "nutritious and sophisticated" organic burger menu that's not awful, if you are willing to endure the wait for a table (it's very popular) and the surly front of house (not so popular)
Jo Burger is a decidedly more friendly place, the menus are wrapped up in a variety of old annuals (I got a Beano one) and there is a fairly mind boggling selection of burger options available, I had The Dobson - basically a cheeseburger - delicous.
The walls have graffiti style murals, retro lampshades hang from the ceiling and a DJ is in the house 'til 2am Friday and Saturday night. It's all very New York in the Nineties, I believe it gets very busy, but if you get a chance to try it, do.

Friday 6 July 2007

Sampling from a Sampler

The Kanye West album, Graduation, is due in August, here's the new single....



There are loads of reasons to like Kanye even if you think he has done Daft Punk a disservice.
He went off script superbly back at the time of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, Mike Myers managed to keep a straight face, this is the video.

Wednesday 4 July 2007

Transformers - Robots In Demise?

This much awaited geekfest of a movie opened yesterday in the USA to shrieks, gasps applause and fairly predictable reviews.
The trailer, true to modern tradition, tells you everything you need to know. I particularly like the multi movie referencing, for the robot emerging from the sand, think The Mummy, the scared but cute girl clutching teddy gaping skyward is Gertie from ET. There are touches of Herbie, Independence Day, a little Top Gun and even Duel (albeit with a neat little reversal) You've seen it all before, but with the weather we've been having you'll be seeing it this Summer all over again.
I have my fingers crossed that it's going to be pretty cool.

Tuesday 3 July 2007

3121 reasons to buy The Daily Mail

Thanks to Peter for drawing my attention to this.

It seems that, to the tune of much spluttering and bewilderment from the "music industry", my man Prince has decided to give copies of his new CD Planet Earth away with the Daily Mail. Oh the Lunacy.

A spokesman for Prince stated the following on his official website

"Prince feels that charts are just music industry constructions and have little or no relevance to fans or even artists today. Prince's only aim is to get music direct to those that want to hear it. Prince famously took a stand against Warner Records in the nineties when he went on strike and appeared with the word 'slave' drawn on his cheek. Subsequently, he regained control of the publishing rights to his work, and broke down the existing system through his innovation."

What may also be causing some spluttering is the launch of a fragrance, 3121, to coincide with the tour and album. Eau the Lunacy.

Lucky ticket holders for his sold out concert run in London this Summer ( tickets were £31.21) will also be getting a free copy of the album. VIP tickets are still available at £235stg a pop....owe the lunacy anyone?