Artist: Ron Boots and Frank Klare
Genre(s):
Other
Discography:
Monumental Dreams
Year: 2004
Tracks: 7
Monday, 23 June 2008
Ron Boots and Frank Klare
Artist: Ron Boots and Frank Klare
Genre(s):
Other
Discography:
Monumental Dreams
Year: 2004
Tracks: 7
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
Spears taken from home in ambulance
Britney Spears has been taken from her house by ambulance, police have confirmed.
A Los Angeles police officer told Associated Press that the 26-year-old pop star was being taken to "get help" but did not say where the ambulance was going.
Earlier this month, Spears was taken to a Los Angeles hospital by paramedics after police were called to her home because of a dispute involving her sons, Sean Preston, two, and Jayden James, one.
She has lost custody and visitation rights with the boys.
Police also went to the house on Monday night after someone reported paparazzi trespassing in the singer's gated community.
When officers arrived, they didn't see anyone trespassing, police said, but citations were issued for several illegally parked cars.Spears has been in a highly public downward spiral since filing for divorce from Kevin Federline in November 2006.
A Los Angeles police officer told Associated Press that the 26-year-old pop star was being taken to "get help" but did not say where the ambulance was going.
Earlier this month, Spears was taken to a Los Angeles hospital by paramedics after police were called to her home because of a dispute involving her sons, Sean Preston, two, and Jayden James, one.
She has lost custody and visitation rights with the boys.
Police also went to the house on Monday night after someone reported paparazzi trespassing in the singer's gated community.
When officers arrived, they didn't see anyone trespassing, police said, but citations were issued for several illegally parked cars.Spears has been in a highly public downward spiral since filing for divorce from Kevin Federline in November 2006.
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Spock
Artist: Spock
Genre(s):
Other
Discography:
1999
Year: 1999
Tracks: 10
Never Trust A Klingon - 2294 A.D. CD5
Year: 1994
Tracks: 3
Astrogirl CD5
Year: 1994
Tracks: 3
Strange Dimensions CD5
Year: 1993
Tracks: 3
Five Year Mission
Year: 1993
Tracks: 10
Never Trust A Klingon CD5
Year: 1992
Tracks: 4
Kiss of death
COLDPLAY fans can relax. Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends is in shops on Saturday. Read the first review here.
After their American-seducing Rattle and Hum tour ended in 1989, U2 closed the decade with Bono stating the band "have to go away and dream it all up again''. On that note, welcome to Coldplay's post-dream album. It's brave, ambitious, romantic and forward thinking. It's also amazing. No strangers to borrowing from the U2 guide to world domination (and paying regular homage to The Edge's guitar history), Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends sees Coldplay recruit U2 sound-subverter Brian Eno to push them out of their stadium rock comfort zone. Where X&Y was indulgent and formulaic (most songs pushing six minutes), Viva La Vida is concise and captivating. Arriving at a time people are buying individual songs not albums, it's defiantly a true old-fashioned album, with songs taking musical detours beyond the bit designed for the Americans to wave their mobile phones to. Here's our track-by-track guide to the most anticipated album of the year: Life in Technicolour Eno hooked the band up with British electronic soundscaper Jon Hopkins, who provides "colours and additional production'' throughout. Coldplay have also sampled his Light Through the Veins for Vida La Vida's musical bookends. This is a gorgeous opener; warm electronica with an Oriental wash. Most importantly, though it's an instrumental it doesn't need Chris Martin's voice to sound unmistakably like Coldplay once the band kick in -- gently. Cemeteries of London Starts a little like Scarborough Fair before Jonny Buckland gets his Edge on again, with a shimmering guitar that slices through the song's folky vibe and sea-shanty chanted backing vocals. Lost! Already surfaced as an acoustic B-side to Violet Hill, this fully grown album version adds hip hop beats and church organ. Comes with more open-ended guitar to give you more U2 flashbacks. All rather beautiful, even if Chris Martin's clumsy lyrics state "just because I'm hurting doesn't mean I'm hurt'' before banging on about big fishes in little ponds, crossing rivers and the shine wearing off. 42 The album's first real surprise. Starts as a tender piano and string moment (with the opening lyrics "those who are dead are not dead, they're just living in my head''); minus all of the stadium nonsense that would have been added three years ago. Then, after barely 90 seconds, it morphs into a twisting and twisted spiky rock tune that lures you into the song's third part -- a brilliant bite-size pop moment with Martin singing "you thought you might be a ghost'' before we're returned to where we started, and all with change left over from four minutes. Most bands would take any of these three ideas and expand them into a hit single; you get three for the price of one here. Think a pint-sized Paranoid Android. Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love The first real taste of the big Coldplay sound. Those old U2-aping stadium habits die hard, with the driving rock rhythm, rollicking piano and melodies to spare. Eno adds some sonic doodling in the background to earn his keep. Reign of Love drops everything right back to first gear, a campfire moment with just piano and, yep, some more U2 haunting guitar. Yes/Chinese Sleep Chant The album's centrepiece and creative peak -- and more mutant two-in-one song action. Starts as heavy soft rock with what sounds like psychotic fiddle and Eastern strings punctuating a woozy flashback to A Rush of Blood to the Head. Just as Yes winds down Chinese Sleep Chant storms into life -- it's their most exciting three minutes of music in years; My Bloody Valentine-style feedback and a dose of welcome urgent guitars as Martin sings random melodies over the top. Brilliant. Viva La Vida Did someone say instant classic? There's no surprise this song was used as an iTunes ad at the same time Violet Hill confused the masses. This is just simply amazing pop, everything you ever loved about Coldplay, but with the trademark Brian Eno twist. There are dancing strings, powerful vocals and a piano line that keeps building and building. But not an ounce of sombre here, rather a truly triumphant anthem-in-waiting that's going to be impossible to ignore. Somewhere Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody is kicking a wall. Very hard. Violet Hill Chosen as the first single, those experimental urges make more sense in this context than rubbing shoulders with Flo Rida on the radio. Strawberry Swing Squealy guitar and quietly pounding drums on a surprisingly subdued moment, with a lovely Beatles-esque spin towards the end. Death and All His Friends/The Escapist Tinkly piano gives way to a strong, moody finale for a band who always end their albums strongly. Hidden track The Escapist is the musical twin of Life in Technicolour, more whizzing electronics. The verdict: * * * * Coldplay relocate the balance between being one of the biggest bands in the world and being one of the most interesting. Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends (EMI) is released on Saturday.
After their American-seducing Rattle and Hum tour ended in 1989, U2 closed the decade with Bono stating the band "have to go away and dream it all up again''. On that note, welcome to Coldplay's post-dream album. It's brave, ambitious, romantic and forward thinking. It's also amazing. No strangers to borrowing from the U2 guide to world domination (and paying regular homage to The Edge's guitar history), Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends sees Coldplay recruit U2 sound-subverter Brian Eno to push them out of their stadium rock comfort zone. Where X&Y was indulgent and formulaic (most songs pushing six minutes), Viva La Vida is concise and captivating. Arriving at a time people are buying individual songs not albums, it's defiantly a true old-fashioned album, with songs taking musical detours beyond the bit designed for the Americans to wave their mobile phones to. Here's our track-by-track guide to the most anticipated album of the year: Life in Technicolour Eno hooked the band up with British electronic soundscaper Jon Hopkins, who provides "colours and additional production'' throughout. Coldplay have also sampled his Light Through the Veins for Vida La Vida's musical bookends. This is a gorgeous opener; warm electronica with an Oriental wash. Most importantly, though it's an instrumental it doesn't need Chris Martin's voice to sound unmistakably like Coldplay once the band kick in -- gently. Cemeteries of London Starts a little like Scarborough Fair before Jonny Buckland gets his Edge on again, with a shimmering guitar that slices through the song's folky vibe and sea-shanty chanted backing vocals. Lost! Already surfaced as an acoustic B-side to Violet Hill, this fully grown album version adds hip hop beats and church organ. Comes with more open-ended guitar to give you more U2 flashbacks. All rather beautiful, even if Chris Martin's clumsy lyrics state "just because I'm hurting doesn't mean I'm hurt'' before banging on about big fishes in little ponds, crossing rivers and the shine wearing off. 42 The album's first real surprise. Starts as a tender piano and string moment (with the opening lyrics "those who are dead are not dead, they're just living in my head''); minus all of the stadium nonsense that would have been added three years ago. Then, after barely 90 seconds, it morphs into a twisting and twisted spiky rock tune that lures you into the song's third part -- a brilliant bite-size pop moment with Martin singing "you thought you might be a ghost'' before we're returned to where we started, and all with change left over from four minutes. Most bands would take any of these three ideas and expand them into a hit single; you get three for the price of one here. Think a pint-sized Paranoid Android. Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love The first real taste of the big Coldplay sound. Those old U2-aping stadium habits die hard, with the driving rock rhythm, rollicking piano and melodies to spare. Eno adds some sonic doodling in the background to earn his keep. Reign of Love drops everything right back to first gear, a campfire moment with just piano and, yep, some more U2 haunting guitar. Yes/Chinese Sleep Chant The album's centrepiece and creative peak -- and more mutant two-in-one song action. Starts as heavy soft rock with what sounds like psychotic fiddle and Eastern strings punctuating a woozy flashback to A Rush of Blood to the Head. Just as Yes winds down Chinese Sleep Chant storms into life -- it's their most exciting three minutes of music in years; My Bloody Valentine-style feedback and a dose of welcome urgent guitars as Martin sings random melodies over the top. Brilliant. Viva La Vida Did someone say instant classic? There's no surprise this song was used as an iTunes ad at the same time Violet Hill confused the masses. This is just simply amazing pop, everything you ever loved about Coldplay, but with the trademark Brian Eno twist. There are dancing strings, powerful vocals and a piano line that keeps building and building. But not an ounce of sombre here, rather a truly triumphant anthem-in-waiting that's going to be impossible to ignore. Somewhere Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody is kicking a wall. Very hard. Violet Hill Chosen as the first single, those experimental urges make more sense in this context than rubbing shoulders with Flo Rida on the radio. Strawberry Swing Squealy guitar and quietly pounding drums on a surprisingly subdued moment, with a lovely Beatles-esque spin towards the end. Death and All His Friends/The Escapist Tinkly piano gives way to a strong, moody finale for a band who always end their albums strongly. Hidden track The Escapist is the musical twin of Life in Technicolour, more whizzing electronics. The verdict: * * * * Coldplay relocate the balance between being one of the biggest bands in the world and being one of the most interesting. Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends (EMI) is released on Saturday.
Big Names, Big Movies, Big Moments: Who Will Make Headlines This Year?!?
Steve Carell, Jack Black, Lindsay Lohan, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Wahlberg,
Seth Rogen, Megan Fox, Jennifer Hudson, Anne Hathaway, James Franco, Rumer
Willis, Brendan Fraser, & Danny McBride Set to Present at '2008 MTV Movie
Awards'
LIVE On Sunday, June 1st at 8PM/7c
SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 19 -- Who and what will the
blogs be buzzing about this year? MTV brings the biggest names of this
summer's most anticipated films together to give fans more spontaneous and
shocking moments as Steve Carell, Jack Black, Lindsay Lohan, Robert Downey
Jr., Mark Wahlberg, Seth Rogen, Megan Fox, Jennifer Hudson, Anne Hathaway,
James Franco, Rumer Willis, Brendan Fraser and Danny McBride are the first
to be announced in the growing list of stars presenting at the "2008 MTV
Movie Awards." They join previously revealed performers Coldplay and The
Pussycat Dolls who will take the stage to debut new music and deliver
eagerly awaited live performances. The 17th annual awards show will be
executive produced by Emmy Award(R) winning producer Mark Burnett. Hosted
by Mike Myers, the "2008 MTV Movie Awards" will be broadcast LIVE from the
Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, CA on Sunday, June 1st at 8pm/7c.
Up for the coveted golden popcorn at the "2008 MTV Movie Awards" are
"Superbad," leading the way with five nominations, and "Juno," receiving
four nominations. Also vying for an award are "Enchanted," "Transformers,"
"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and "Knocked Up" with 3
nominations each. MTV has also partnered with some of the most popular UGC
video sites, including Photobucket, MySpace, Daily Motion, Break, Buzznet,
Heavy and FunnyorDie to give anyone and everyone with a creative vision
their chance to shine in a celeb-filled arena. Finalists for the "BEST
MOVIE SPOOF" will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the "2008 MTV Movie
Awards" where one will be crowned the winner.
The destiny of the coveted golden popcorn lies in the hands of the
viewers. Fans can vote by visiting http://www.movieawards.mtv.com before May 23rd
to support their favorite nominees in each category.
The "2008 MTV Movie Awards" will be available to a potential viewing
audience of more than 1.4 billion people via MTV's global network of 64
channels reaching 559.8 million households around the world as well as
through syndication. In addition, its convergent programming & content will
reach the entire interactive community, via more than 180 MTV digital media
properties around the world.
Mark Burnett serves as Executive Producer for the 2008 MTV MOVIE
AWARDS. Audrey Morrissey is Co-Executive Producer. Jane Mun and Ted Smith
serve as Producers.
Official sponsors of "The 2008 MTV MOVIE AWARDS" are Dibs, Dove Go
Fresh, GM, Old Navy, Orbit(R), Secret and Taco Bell Corp.(R).
About MTV
MTV is the dynamic, vibrant experiment at the intersection of music,
creativity and youth culture. For over 26 years, MTV has evolved,
challenged the norm, and detonated boundaries -- giving each new generation
a creative outlet and voice that entertains, informs and unites on every
platform and screen. On-air, MTV has been the number one rated 24 hour
ad-supported cable network P12-24 for 16 straight years. Online, MTV.com
scored double-digit growth in 2007 and MTV launched ten dynamic online
communities and six new virtual worlds. On the go, MTV Mobile is the #1
music brand in the wireless space -- delivering 90% more streams than in
2006. And MTV's successful sibling networks MTV2, mtvU and MTV Tr3s each
deliver unprecedented customized content, super-serving music fans, college
students and young American Latinos like no one else. MTV is part of MTV
Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world's leading
creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Wanna know
more? Come on in ... http://www.mtvpress.com.
About Mark Burnett Productions
Mark Burnett Productions (MBP) is a leading production company for
primetime television, cable and the internet, and has produced 1,100 hours
of television programming which regularly airs in over 70 countries around
the world. MBP revolutionized television with hits such as Survivor (CBS),
The Apprentice (NBC), The Contender (ESPN), Rock Star: INXS (CBS), the
Steven Spielberg and Dreamworks Television co-production On The Lot (FOX),
and the smash hit Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (FOX) which is
currently being produced in 51 countries. In the summer of 2007, MBP
entered the world of Award Shows, when Mark Burnett served as executive
producer for the 2007 MTV Movie Awards. Since 2001, MBP has garnered a
total of 47 Emmy nominations with 5 wins, and has won 4 People's Choice
Awards. Mark Burnett has been named one of the most influential people in
the world by TIME magazine and named TV Guide's most valuable player. He
has won both BRANDWEEK'S Marketer of the Year Award and the prestigious
ROSE D'OR FRAPA Format Award. In 2007, Mark Burnett was inducted into the
Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame.
See Also
Seth Rogen, Megan Fox, Jennifer Hudson, Anne Hathaway, James Franco, Rumer
Willis, Brendan Fraser, & Danny McBride Set to Present at '2008 MTV Movie
Awards'
LIVE On Sunday, June 1st at 8PM/7c
SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 19 -- Who and what will the
blogs be buzzing about this year? MTV brings the biggest names of this
summer's most anticipated films together to give fans more spontaneous and
shocking moments as Steve Carell, Jack Black, Lindsay Lohan, Robert Downey
Jr., Mark Wahlberg, Seth Rogen, Megan Fox, Jennifer Hudson, Anne Hathaway,
James Franco, Rumer Willis, Brendan Fraser and Danny McBride are the first
to be announced in the growing list of stars presenting at the "2008 MTV
Movie Awards." They join previously revealed performers Coldplay and The
Pussycat Dolls who will take the stage to debut new music and deliver
eagerly awaited live performances. The 17th annual awards show will be
executive produced by Emmy Award(R) winning producer Mark Burnett. Hosted
by Mike Myers, the "2008 MTV Movie Awards" will be broadcast LIVE from the
Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, CA on Sunday, June 1st at 8pm/7c.
Up for the coveted golden popcorn at the "2008 MTV Movie Awards" are
"Superbad," leading the way with five nominations, and "Juno," receiving
four nominations. Also vying for an award are "Enchanted," "Transformers,"
"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and "Knocked Up" with 3
nominations each. MTV has also partnered with some of the most popular UGC
video sites, including Photobucket, MySpace, Daily Motion, Break, Buzznet,
Heavy and FunnyorDie to give anyone and everyone with a creative vision
their chance to shine in a celeb-filled arena. Finalists for the "BEST
MOVIE SPOOF" will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the "2008 MTV Movie
Awards" where one will be crowned the winner.
The destiny of the coveted golden popcorn lies in the hands of the
viewers. Fans can vote by visiting http://www.movieawards.mtv.com before May 23rd
to support their favorite nominees in each category.
The "2008 MTV Movie Awards" will be available to a potential viewing
audience of more than 1.4 billion people via MTV's global network of 64
channels reaching 559.8 million households around the world as well as
through syndication. In addition, its convergent programming & content will
reach the entire interactive community, via more than 180 MTV digital media
properties around the world.
Mark Burnett serves as Executive Producer for the 2008 MTV MOVIE
AWARDS. Audrey Morrissey is Co-Executive Producer. Jane Mun and Ted Smith
serve as Producers.
Official sponsors of "The 2008 MTV MOVIE AWARDS" are Dibs, Dove Go
Fresh, GM, Old Navy, Orbit(R), Secret and Taco Bell Corp.(R).
About MTV
MTV is the dynamic, vibrant experiment at the intersection of music,
creativity and youth culture. For over 26 years, MTV has evolved,
challenged the norm, and detonated boundaries -- giving each new generation
a creative outlet and voice that entertains, informs and unites on every
platform and screen. On-air, MTV has been the number one rated 24 hour
ad-supported cable network P12-24 for 16 straight years. Online, MTV.com
scored double-digit growth in 2007 and MTV launched ten dynamic online
communities and six new virtual worlds. On the go, MTV Mobile is the #1
music brand in the wireless space -- delivering 90% more streams than in
2006. And MTV's successful sibling networks MTV2, mtvU and MTV Tr3s each
deliver unprecedented customized content, super-serving music fans, college
students and young American Latinos like no one else. MTV is part of MTV
Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world's leading
creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Wanna know
more? Come on in ... http://www.mtvpress.com.
About Mark Burnett Productions
Mark Burnett Productions (MBP) is a leading production company for
primetime television, cable and the internet, and has produced 1,100 hours
of television programming which regularly airs in over 70 countries around
the world. MBP revolutionized television with hits such as Survivor (CBS),
The Apprentice (NBC), The Contender (ESPN), Rock Star: INXS (CBS), the
Steven Spielberg and Dreamworks Television co-production On The Lot (FOX),
and the smash hit Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (FOX) which is
currently being produced in 51 countries. In the summer of 2007, MBP
entered the world of Award Shows, when Mark Burnett served as executive
producer for the 2007 MTV Movie Awards. Since 2001, MBP has garnered a
total of 47 Emmy nominations with 5 wins, and has won 4 People's Choice
Awards. Mark Burnett has been named one of the most influential people in
the world by TIME magazine and named TV Guide's most valuable player. He
has won both BRANDWEEK'S Marketer of the Year Award and the prestigious
ROSE D'OR FRAPA Format Award. In 2007, Mark Burnett was inducted into the
Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame.
See Also
Clinic, Do It! Album Review
Clinic
Do It!
Domino Records
Album Review
You make the assumption that four grown men who've persisted throughout their career with appearing in surgeon's masks aren't taking themselves too seriously. Given also that the only people outside your local hospital who've mirrored this trend were a bunch of seventies football hooligans from Millwall who called themselves The Treatment (oh, and the guy who came in fancy dress to our Halloween party last year, drunk too much sangria and threw up in the Rhododendrons), it's also reasonable to assume that the record buying public's lack of interest isn't anything that's going to turn around anytime soon.
Assumptions of course make an arse of you and me, but first things first. Formed in the rubble of brit pop during 1997, Clinic are from Liverpool, a city that's produced a string of astute bands which mostly lack the chippy provinciality of those from bumptious neighbour Manchester. And it also has to be said that despite the commercial apathy, the quartet have rock friends in high places. They've toured with Radiohead, secured a Grammy nomination for their second album Walking With Thee and have been leant major kudos by big name fellow mavericks Scott Walker and Jarvis Cocker.
Their fifth album, Do It! is steeped in the hyper extended r n' b of sixties garage rock, occasionally played at an amphetamine driven tempo which frothy coffee drinkers approaching their dotage may subconsciously identify with. Opener Memories sets the tone, with singer Ade Blackburn's reedy vocals piping hypnotisingly against a chugging guitar backdrop that's part psychedelia, part Ouija board. Given that it's influences are so catalogued, it would be easy for Blackburn & co. to trade on the fact that their reimaginings are relevant simply because of their uniqueness in today's environment, but their lack of compromise mostly wins the day, with Tomorrow, The Witch and Shopping Bag all remaining eruditely in character enough to conjure up retro menace and lava lamp resonance aplenty.
True, this intransigent energy does begin to dissipate towards the end of the journey with finale Coda lapsing into pseudo Wurlitzer pastiche, but if Alison Goldfrapp can reinvent herself as the elfish daughter of Kate Bush and Portishead can produce an album full of krautrock dirgery, then Clinic can be forgiven for this minor lapse. Now that the Beta Band are little more than a fading memory, the masked scousers are our last link to the sixties that doesn't need to go to the toilet four times a night.
7/10
Andy Peterson
See Also
Driver remains coy about baby's father
Actress Minnie Driver has remained tightlipped about who the father of her unborn baby is, despite hinting that he is also in show business.
Speaking to The Independent, the singer and actress said: "This was an unplanned pregnancy, but it's been very happily received by everyone. Which is great."
"It's something I've wanted to do my whole life; I can't believe I've waited this long."
Referring to the father of her baby, Driver said that she has no plans to get married.
"It's not important to me. I don't think a piece of paper lends itself to the idea of being a good parent and I want to be a good parent."
She did not reveal who the baby's father is, saying: "I want to shield the baby's dad as much as I can because it wasn't his choice to get roped into all this stuff."
"It'll come out in time and there'll be some other bump people will be interested in and I'll have this baby and get on with my life."
She did confirm that the baby's father is English and is "sort of in the same business".
Speaking to The Independent, the singer and actress said: "This was an unplanned pregnancy, but it's been very happily received by everyone. Which is great."
"It's something I've wanted to do my whole life; I can't believe I've waited this long."
Referring to the father of her baby, Driver said that she has no plans to get married.
"It's not important to me. I don't think a piece of paper lends itself to the idea of being a good parent and I want to be a good parent."
She did not reveal who the baby's father is, saying: "I want to shield the baby's dad as much as I can because it wasn't his choice to get roped into all this stuff."
"It'll come out in time and there'll be some other bump people will be interested in and I'll have this baby and get on with my life."
She did confirm that the baby's father is English and is "sort of in the same business".
Paul McCartney, Anfield
As the compere, Peter Kay, inadvertently acknowledges by mentioning Liverpool council to a chorus of booing, the city's tenure as the European Capital of Culture has thus far been a difficult one.
Back in January, the launch event opened with a film that proclaimed Liverpool "the centre of the creative universe". Intended to provoke a riotous standing ovation among the audience, the remarks were instead greeted with a ripple of sardonic Scouse laughter. The laughter turned out to be that evening's highlight - a far better tribute to the Liverpudlian spirit than the ensuing shambles on stage. But worse was to come.
An Audit Commission report deemed Liverpool city council the worst performing council in the country, and made particular reference to the Capital of Culture celebrations: a £20m shortfall in funding was later covered, but only by closing two care homes for the elderly.
Then, in April, another report appeared, this time by the Department for Communities and Local Government. It had used something called a "deprivation barometer" to divine that Liverpool was still England's most deprived district in England: new investment spurred by its Capital of Culture status had failed to boost local income or employment. No wonder they're booing.
But the Liverpool Culture Company has one cure-all ace up its sleeve: enter the city's most famous son, oozing bonhomie in full-on Fab Macca Wacky Thumbs Aloft mode.
The Liverpool Echo has been carrying stories in which Sir Paul McCartney talks up his contribution to the Capital of Culture celebrations, using his celebrated aw-shucks-the-Beatles-were-a-great-little-band-style. Admittedly, it's been carrying them alongside stories that - in keeping with the festival's carefully-chosen themes of acrimony and financial chaos - 11,000 extra tickets had to be issued and the stage reconfigured to accommodate the gig's soaring costs. But a sense that his concert at Anfield is the one absolutely guaranteed success of the year prevails. And so it proves.
"Every time I go back to Liverpool all the memories come flooding back. My time with the lads," he told the audience. With one or two minor alterations - a guest appearance by The Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl on Band On The Run and Back In The USSR and an unlikely opening cover of Hippy Hippy Shake (which was performed by the Beatles before lesser Merseybeaters the Swinging Blue Jeans had a hit with it), it's the same live set he's been hawking around the globe for the best part of the decade to widespread euphoria.
Without wishing to belittle the level of public annoyance at the Capital of Culture celebrations, nor Liverpool's apparently unceasing ability to set the deprivation barometer spinning like a ceiling fan, McCartney's live show, unstinting on the Beatles' hits and pragmatically light on new material has faced tougher challenges than this. It's already won over a Glastonbury audience who were infinitely less partisan than the one gathered here, followed the reunited Pink Floyd at an overrunning Live 8 and been packed off to America after 9/11 with the intention of cheering the entire nation up, as the initial arrival of the Beatles was reputed to have done in the wake of JFK's assassination.
The band are drilled to perfection, the selection of songs triple-tested: Penny Lane, Eleanor Rigby, The Long And Winding Road. A sequence that sees him passing through Hey Jude, Yesterday and A Day In The Life in quick succession is so undeniably winning that it's surprising that McCartney didn't try striking up with it earlier this year in the family division of the high court, in the hope of melting his ex-wife's steely resolve and thus saving himself a few quid.
Established even before McCartney has taken the stage, the infectious party atmosphere prevails throughout, even during the few moments that you might expect to be longeurs. The crowd even go for the early-70s cod-reggae novelty C Moon, which seems sporting of them.
Midway through the set, he plays Blackbird alone on an acoustic guitar and the entire stadium appears to join in. There's something strangely touching about hearing so many voices singing gently along with such a muted, crepuscular song.
For tonight at least, the Capital of Culture celebrations seem to be sending Liverpool's citizens home happy.
See Also
Pussycat Dolls Prepare For MTV Movie Awards Performance -- And 'The Next Level'
BURBANK, California — It's a scene that probably wouldn't be out of place up the road at Hef's humble abode, but here in a dance studio in Burbank, it's a decidedly different affair.
The Pussycat Dolls — a five-piece now, since the departure of Carmit Bachar back in March — are bumping, grinding and sweating with a shocking level of precision and professionalism. They're putting the finishing touches on their performance for Sunday night's MTV Movie Awards, a shimmying, gyrating showstopper that's designed to both drop jaws and promote "When I Grow Up," the first single from their upcoming new album (due later this year).
And though there is plenty of giggling and a fair amount of horseplay, it's also clear from their drill-team synchronicity and the looks on their faces that the 'Cats clearly mean business.
"This is a big deal for us. We just want to kill it. It's all about the Dolls right now, and we're coming strong," said Nicole Scherzinger, the de facto leader of PCD. "We feel really good about this new album, we feel really good as a group, and we feel like this new album is really the next level for us. If you liked the first one, you're going to love this one."
That's big talk, because lots of people liked their first album, the glossy and flossy PCD, which, based on the success of singles like "Don't Cha" and "Buttons," sold nearly 3 million copies in the U.S. alone and made the Dolls the heirs apparent to the Spice Girls' bedazzled throne. So, clearly, there's a fair amount of pressure on the group this time out, which is why they've turned once again to some old friends for help on album number two.
"We're working with some of the same crew on this one. Timbaland is executive-producing, Cee-Lo Green is on it, Polow Da Don, Sean Garrity — they're on it too," Scherzinger said. "There are songs on the album that people wouldn't expect from PCD — some smooth, slow jams, some alternative jams. We're really coming ferocious with the music this time out."
Of course, first single "When I Grow Up" is neither a slow jam nor a particularly alternative one, but it's most certainly ferocious. A hyper-speed slice of super-pop produced by Rodney Jerkins, it features sirens, handclaps, pitch-shifted vocals and a certifiably undeniable chorus that attempts to dive a centimeter or two deeper than your average radio fare.
"All of us started with a dream. I know when I was young, and I would sign people's notebooks, I wrote, 'Remember me when I'm famous,' and I don't know of a little kid who hasn't aspired to be someone," Scherzinger said. "The lyrics go, 'When I grow up, I wanna be famous, I wanna be a star, I wanna be in movies,' but there's a twist at the end, because it says, 'Be careful what you wish for, because you might just get it.' "
It's a theme that's getting plenty of traction these days — beware the high cost of fame — but Scherzinger and the Dolls say they're not trying to talk to the Britneys and Lindsays of the world. Rather, they want the song to inspire but hope that listeners will grasp the cautionary tale contained within. Or, you know, something like that.
"We're not pointing a finger, because we don't think it's nice to judge," Scherzinger laughed. "Because sometimes people judge us, and it's mean."
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See Also
Massive Attack
Artist: Massive Attack
Genre(s):
Trip-Hop
Alternative
Electronic
Pop: Pop-Rock
Dance
Other
Discography:
Collected
Year: 2006
Tracks: 24
Mad Storage
Year: 2005
Tracks: 15
Bullet Boy
Year: 2005
Tracks: 2
Danny the dog
Year: 2004
Tracks: 21
100th Window
Year: 2003
Tracks: 9
Teardrop (Single)
Year: 1998
Tracks: 5
Singles 90 98 (CD11)
Year: 1998
Tracks: 7
Singles 90 98 (CD10)
Year: 1998
Tracks: 5
Singles 90 98 (CD09)
Year: 1998
Tracks: 5
Singles 90 98 (CD08)
Year: 1998
Tracks: 5
Singles 90 98 (CD07)
Year: 1998
Tracks: 7
Singles 90 98 (CD06)
Year: 1998
Tracks: 6
Singles 90 98 (CD05)
Year: 1998
Tracks: 7
Singles 90 98 (CD03)
Year: 1998
Tracks: 6
Singles 90 98 (CD01)
Year: 1998
Tracks: 5
Mezzanine
Year: 1998
Tracks: 11
Live At Albert Hall
Year: 1998
Tracks: 7
Inertia Creeps (Single)
Year: 1998
Tracks: 7
Inertia Creeps
Year: 1998
Tracks: 7
Angel (Single)
Year: 1998
Tracks: 5
Angel
Year: 1998
Tracks: 5
Risington (Single)
Year: 1997
Tracks: 5
Remix Album
Year: 1997
Tracks: 13
Protection (Single)
Year: 1995
Tracks: 6
Protection (Karmacoma)
Year: 1995
Tracks: 16
Protection
Year: 1995
Tracks: 10
No Protection
Year: 1995
Tracks: 8
Karmacoma (Single)
Year: 1995
Tracks: 7
Karmacoma
Year: 1995
Tracks: 7
Sly (Single)
Year: 1994
Tracks: 7
Sly
Year: 1994
Tracks: 7
Karmakoma
Year: 1994
Tracks: 7
Hymn Of The Big Wheel
Year: 1994
Tracks: 5
Hymn Of The Big Wheel (Single)
Year: 1992
Tracks: 5
Unfinished Sympathy
Year: 1991
Tracks: 5
Safe From Harm
Year: 1991
Tracks: 6
Blue Lines
Year: 1991
Tracks: 9
Daydreaming (Single)
Year: 1990
Tracks: 5
Daydreaming
Year: 1990
Tracks: 5
Indian Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - (Lounge)
Year:
Tracks: 1
The pioneering power slow the surface of trip-hop, Massive Attack were among the most forward-looking and influential groups of their generation; their mesmerizing intelligent -- a in darkness sensual and cinematic fusion of rap rhythms, soulful melodies, knight grooves, and choice samples -- set the gait for a great deal of the dance medicine to emerge end-to-end the nineties, paving material the way for such acclaimed artists as Portishead, Sneaker Pimps, Beth Orton, and Tricky, himself a Massive Attack alumna. Their history dates back to 1983 and the formation of the Wild Bunch, one of the earliest and most successful sound-system/DJ collectives to get in on the U.K. music aspect; illustrious for their seamless integration of a full range of musical styles, from punk to reggae to R&B, the group's parties rapidly became can't-miss events for the Bristol clubhouse crowd, and at the bloom of their popularity they drew crowds so tremendous that the local live music scene basically ground to a block.
When the Wild Bunch folded during the mid-'80s, two of its members -- Andrew "Mushroom" Vowles and Grant "Dada G" Marshall -- teamed with local graffiti artist 3D (born Robert del Naja) to form Massive Attack in 1987; some other Wild Bunch alum, Nellee Hooper, split his meter between the new group and his other stick out, Soul II Soul. The group's number 1 single, "Oneirism," appeared in 1990; it featured the sensual vocals of isaac M. Singer Shara Nelson and raps by Tricky, some other onetime Wild Bunch quisling. The classic "Unfinished Sympathy" followed, as did some other compelling effort, "Safe From Harm." Finally, in 1991 Massive Attack issued their debut LP, Blue Lines; piece by no substance a huge commercial success, the record was met with major critical praise, and was dubbed an exigent classical in many living quarters. Nelson, featured on many of the album's most memorable tracks, exited for a solo career shortly after, and the radical then bewilderingly changed their name to only "Massive" to debar whatsoever implication of favourable reception for the U.N.'s policy towards Iraq; in the wake of the fatal U.S. spell that followed, many were quick to write the band off right then and in that respect.
Afterwards a three-year layoff, Massive Attack -- their full name now the right way reinstated -- resurfaced with Auspices; again working with Hooper and Tricky, they besides brought into the plica singer Nicolette, as well as Everything merely the Girl's Tracey Thorn. Three singles -- "Karmacoma," "Guileful," and the statute title track -- were released from the LP, which was besides remixed in its totality by Mad Professor and issued as No Protection. A drawn-out tour of duty followed, and over the side by side several age, Massive Attack's solo put to work was principally confined to remixes for artists including Garbage; they besides worked with Madonna on a track for a Marvin Gaye tribute record album. Finally, to promote their appearance at the annual Glastonbury music festival, the group issued a new EP, Risingson, during the summer of 1997. The third full-length Massive Attack effort, First balcony, appeared in mid-1998; in add-on to reggae singer Horace Andy, making his third back-to-back LP appearance with the mathematical group, outspoken chores were handled by the Cocteau Twins' Elizabeth Fraser and newcomer Sara Jay. Entresol became a cult strike among critics, clubs, and the college crowds, spinning successful singles such as "Teardrop" and "Inertia Creeps." A spell of America and Europe followed, merely Vowles left the dance band after disagreeing with the artistic direction of Mezzanine floor. Del Naja and Marshall continued as a duet, after working with the likes of David Bowie and the Dandy Warhols, merely Marshall later took a leave of absence to elevate his kin; producer Neil Davidge took up the slake. In February 2003, after a five-year wait, Massive Attack released their fourth record album, centesimal Window, including collaborations with lynchpin Horace Andy as well as Sinéad O'Connor. Danny the Dog from 2004 marked the group's entry into the world of soundtracks.
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