the uk blog of recycled news, gadget tidbits, new media pipedreams, search engine marketing fluff and record collecting tales.

Friday, July 30

it's a little bit funny, this feeling inside

Recently I've been re-assessing Elton John; Admitably because of the Scissor Sisters aping of him and me finally getting a copy of Tiny Dancer from almost famous. And I've come to the conclusion he's under-rated.

Its far to easy to file him under Diva, not particularly helped by Bo Selecta's "i'm gonna bum you into next week" Pastiche, but re-listening to his greatest hits ignoring all the Queen of the Divas stuff surprised me.

I've always loved "Your Song" and the fact I quite like Moulin Rogue certainly helps my appreciation of that track, i love the sentiment of the lyrics and msuically its and old school earworm.

(As an aside anyone who wants to answer this exam question feel free... "Baz Lurhman is the second most excellent director with decent soundtracks behind Quentin Tarintino, Discus")

"Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word" is another belter that I can appreciate even with Blue's involvement, It's a real sing-along-with-your-headphones-on-whilst-on-a-train-much-to-the-embarasment-of-onlookers kinda song.

Granted the Candle in the Wind Song was a bit ill advised in terms of gaining kudos from a cynic...

Wednesday, July 28

Statistics Bloody Statistics

The more I think about filesharing, the more guilty I feel, but I can't help but agree with this artical, theres very few albums ofr songs i've downloaded that i would have gone out and bought and/or afforded.

The the dodgy CD's I have that I might have bought tend to be those I copy off my mates, and completely removed from the whole napster issue.

Thats something that kinda irks me is all the literature about filesharing I've read seems to completely ignore the role CD duplication technology has had in the piracy problem.

I admit I downloaded music before I could burn it to a CD but how many people actually did?


And I know theres iPods now but I can seriously only name five people I know who own one. bare in mind I am nearly 21, internet-savvy music fan from Brighton a fairly trendy city so I woulda thought I'm ideal friend of iPod material.

Is it because Dell, Sony and the other PC's are geniune businesses the Music industry doesnt want to challenge their involvement?
(ignoring big brother style this corporation owns this one who owns this one style connections between companies)

Instead the consumer and the inovative maverick programmers who get the brunt of legal action.

If the willingness and foresight had been there legal download services of iTunes/Napster v2 could have been in place before the napster case even reached court.

And while I'm riling, send journos, radio stations etc mp3 promo's even with DRM, it would save the companies a fortune, i know how many promos get made and how many sit around offices etc never getting used, this simple step would surely make the labels and the artist more money and maybe do the environment a little good and help the "leaked" album syndrome....


am i rambling ?

Wednesday, July 21

You wait all year for a music prize then two come along at once...

Well i swore this year I would bet on who I wanted to win.

Too often in the last few years iIve guessed right

Which means I won'tt stand a chance this year but I can try at least

Anyhow my thoughts....


Basement Jaxx – ‘Kish Kash’

I don't actually own this album so I can't say for definate but i can't see this winning, they are already pretty big and to be honest I don't think anyone else can.

Belle & Sebastian – ‘Dear Catastrophe Waitress’

Prob to big to stand a chance, I mean they've won a brit award before... a great album mind and probably my favourite from the list, still I don't fancy a punt.

Franz Ferdinand – ‘Franz Ferdinand’

Apparently the favourite, and I have to say its quality album and deserved to make the shortlist, however not so sure it will take home the money, it seems the Mercury see's its self as a highlight of new and less wellknown music, you can't really say that FF need the exposure.

Jamelia – ‘Thank You’

I have to say its good to see Jamelia in there, I havent heard the album thru but based on the three singles you've gotta say its prob one of the best straight ahead pop albums of the year

Keane – ‘Hopes And Fears’

Indie is dead long live Indie, I like Keane, they make big song that sound good on the radio about feelings and girls not liking you and stuff, which is admirable and praps been lacking of late, but best album of the year and mercury winner methinks not.

Snow Patrol – ‘Final Straw’

Same really applies for snow patrol, its a decidely average album, i do like spitting games the current single mind, they are Radio 1 a list playlsit material not exactly in need to any help to reach critical mass really

Joss Stone – ‘The Soul Sessions’

The backlash against her has already started, poor girls been lumped with Jamie Cullum and Katie Mealauauahwhaha, plus the fact its a covers album, poor lamb doesnt stand a chance.

The Streets – ‘A Grand Don’t Come For Free’

It's really surprised and in a way peeved me that everyone seems certain Skiner is gonna be there or thereabouts, original pirate material was a far more deserving effort than this, granted its a quality album and "Dry your eyes" might be his first number one blah blah blah, this is a good lil Streets album, it isnt the groundbreaker that Original Pirate Material was, it might win but it would be a travesty.

Ty – ‘Upwards’

I don't really know ty, but i've heard he's good from a few reliable sources which i reckon makes him a good bet, in fact i might end up putting my money where my mouth is on this one. He sounds good and is unknown perfect mewcury material.

Amy Winehouse – ‘Frank’

Hmmm might be my favourite for a bet, not the best album ever but its been a slow grower and has definate 50 quid man potential, might not be a worthy winner but almost certainly a contender

Robert Wyatt – ‘Cuckooland’

I know nothing about this bloke which loadsa people seem to think is a pre-requsite for wining the mercury, personally i can't see it happening, still being nominated aint bad

The Zutons – ‘Who Killed...The Zutons’

I don't have their album but i have to say i've seen them twice and both gigs are prob in my top twenty ever and prob the best of the last 12 months, i don't think they will but i would like them to win, they aren't as well known as some of the more fancied acts but, thats what it is sposed to be about, prob not a sensible bet but worthy winner. if the Daily Mirror are to be believed (which they prob arent) they reckon this is a 100-1 shot in which case i might find it hard to resist everone loves an underdog



Prehaps bit more admirable is the popjustice's twenty quid music prize

And appropriately in this modern utopia world were no one buys albums, they legally download music from iTunes to there iPod to listen to on the tube (apparently in the eyes of some papers and websites everyone is 25-34 and lives in london owns an iPod etc etc) popjutice are focusing on singles

Which i think is infinately more relevent

So here they be:

Emma Bunton 'Maybe'
Busted 'Crashed The Wedding'
Girls Aloud 'The Show'
Jamelia 'Superstar'
Javine 'Surrender'
Keane 'Somewhere Only We Know'
Shaznay Lewis 'Never Felt Like This Before'
McFly 'Five Colours In Her Hair'
Rachel Stevens 'Sweet Dreams My LA Ex'
Rachel Stevens 'Some Girls'
Sugababes 'Hole In The Head'
Will Young 'Leave Right Now'



Now there are some amazing tracks in there
I heart "the show" and "some girls" for my sins...

That might be because they are still fresh mind;

And the Jamelia, Mcfly, Sugababes and the debut offering Miss Stevens all worthy contenders

I've got a feeling Girls Aloud Might win it like last year, but you can help decide
at a yet unannounced "ceremony" the readers of popjustice.com will be discusing the merits and choosing the winner

Now Thats What I Call Democracy 45

I'll be there if i can convince some people to come with me

Any takers....

Tuesday, July 20

this man seems to be a genius

been messing around reading blogs and not writing my own again

came across 50 quid man

seems to be right on if this

so who's setting one up in brighton then...