Blogs

“The musical refrain climaxes in a prostitutes-on-poppers finale”

3 STARS

Digital Release: May 13, 2012

Physical Release: N/A

I've been really ambivalent about Phillip Phillips on this year's American Idol. Yes, I know he's an excellent singer, and he plays guitar - which always sends a contestant soaring upwards in my estimation. But for me, there's been no real spark.

Until now.

Last night, Phillip took on a Damien Rice song with the theme of "songs the contestant wishes they had written". He chose, Volcano, which is one of my personal favourites.

BRISTOL TERROR SCRIBES 5/5/2012, a Remembrance

By Sue Phillips

The Terror Scribes have never invaded Bristol before and so the town did not really know what to expect. It decided that the safest option was to keep its head down and pretend that this was just another ordinary day. A casual observer might have been forgiven for thinking that all was as usual. The quiver of fear that ran through the streets went unseen, unfelt... but it was there.

Last night we finally found out who the final 45 semi-finalists were and who might be wowing us during this fab week. With the series getting bigger ratings every week, will it find some real stars this year?

Keane - 'Strangeland': 5.2

Keane are one of many British outfits to befall the wrath of the media. Though unlike many, they didn’t even get passed their first album before the praise that lauded ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ turned them into a synonym of soaring sissy-rock; a wetter version of Coldplay.

Here's a brief round up of many (not all) things Matt Cardle over the past few months.

So the Letters album went Platinum a while ago and Matt has been touring Britain promoting it. The warm up tour took in the Highlands and Islands, culminating at the legendary Koko. I was there and his voice was as good as I'd ever heard it. He kicked off with a new version of the title track Letters that was half acoustic, half rocking out and it set the mood for the whole show where soaring falsetto interspersed some belting performances. He was thrilled when the audience sang along to what were still new songs, not yet released, and left the stage exclaiming "Thank you Koko. Best night of my life!"

“Tulisa sings with all the likeness of witnessing the un-anaesthetised vasectomy of a large fruit bat”

1 STAR

Digital Release: April 29, 2012

Physical Release: April 30, 2012

Having enjoyed all of the Marvel movies to date (especially Iron Man onwards), I was looking forward to this film, but not quite as much as a lot of others seemed to be. I've been far more excited about Prometheus, The Dark Knight Rises and Brave, but this has proven to be everything I hoped it could be and more.

“Does everything possible to fortify The Ting Tings image. Unfortunately for them, it’s just not a very good one”

1 STAR

Digital Release: April 23, 2012

Physical Release: N/A

James Walsh has been a busy bee in recent times. It would take a long time to list everything the former Starsailor front man has been up to, but let's look at a few of the more interesting ones before he gets on and does another half dozen.

First he has an EP out and I can recommend giving it a listen. There is also the free track Man on the Hill to download from his website www.jameswalshmusic.com