I'd eventually get around to it

Before you read this you should be aware that I haven't listened to this Jedward band or the album in question (although some of their covers have filtered their way into my news stream and I've watched them).

The Guardian, of which I'm a huge fan, recently gave the Planet Jedward album 1 out of 5 stars. Now I know how you're feeling: something along the lines of "It's utter tripe, completely useless and to give it even one is an insult to the star." However that's not the worrying point for me. The review gives no real insight as to why the result was given, only complimenting their efforts on one or two songs. It seems to me that if an album is worthy of such a bad marks then surely there should be some long winded complaint about the dreadful thing this piece is doing to music and the surely horrific things it instills in the young people who will follow in their footsteps. The review was lacking. It's almost as if they hire one person to write the review another to attach the stars.

It's not the first time The Guardian has posted strange reviews. Within two weeks it's possible to see two reviews of the same band (for live shows or even albums) with completely different star ratings and comments being made. It seems to me that in order to maintain journalistic credibility there is a need to be at the very least consistent. Poor show Guardian, poor show.

I just don't know

Inception: I've not much to say about it. The acting is decent, the plot is stirring and overal certainly deserves the praise it's getting. People seem to be dealing with the whole thing on a very philosophical level which baffles me to be honest. The ending is annoying and the film would've done much better had it been about half an hour shorter. The lack of urgency of characters grinds my gears in the dying moments of the film. Without giving anything away, the characters have a deadline and seemingly have time for long winded conversations about nothing remotely important to the task at hand. Inception? More like interruption. Get to the point. That is all.

Been playing some pitch and putt lately with my Grandfather which has been nice. Considering the man plays golf at least once a week it's nice that he finds time to bring my brother and I out for 12 holes in the local course. However I have noticed one thing which although it seems painfully obvious was not something I had entirely anticpated. When did I become too young to swing a club around? Seriously I don't think I could see the flag or even the green among the masses of chinos, cotton vests and polo shirts. Stepping on to the course I feel like Marty McFly looking at his future self, minus the double tie and without the fun of stealing hoverboards of kids. Not that I mind of course. I'm well aware that golf is connected to business men, middle-aged folks and people who've got a bit more money than the rest of us. So why do they have to use our PUBLIC course? Seeing as I pride myself on dressing well, it's rather annoying to be shown up by people that, one they step off the course, have next to no fashion sense whatsoever. I am the scumbag of my local pitch and putt course. Didn't see that coming.

Mercury Prize nominees are out. Have I listened? But of course. Do I have the winner picked out? Not yet, let me get back to you on that one. I'd like to see The Villagers take it but danger is that it'll go to that dreadful album The xx. It seems if you can play an instrument in some sort of conherent manner, and throw in a few pretentious lyrics you can make it no problem. It's sickening that talentless halfwits end up taking these prizes leaving the rest in utter confusion.

Tunes for the road (mostly for sleeping)

It's been a slow week, no denials there. I think we all need some music to mellow out to:

first some fifties stylin'
Tennis

getting a little stranger
Julie Feeney

rise in tempo, eerie and haunting in parts
Boccherini

That's it for now champs, stick with it.

Sorry to bring this up again

Vuvuzelas. Believe me enough has been said about the World Cup and their impact already. I think it's time someone stood up for sense in the music world which seems to be regarding this plastic horn as a banner of minimalism in music.
Minimalism as a manner of orchestration cannot be used in conjunction with the vuvuzela for one main reason: it's stupid. And people talking about it in any sort of serious manner sound like arrogant music snobs.
It's a horn and it's really annoying. Making concertos to the sound of Bb doesn't impress anyone. It gets laughed at. That is all.

Dear me

A week of disappointments it has been I'm afraid. Couple of things went on, some big, others not and some a little less impressive than others. There is some good news in the middle of it all, so bare with me.
Firstly I applied for an internship with some Senator or other which obviously didn't go through but sure what can you do. The lack of working in a Senator's office will look well on my CV I'm sure. I'll put it down beside the list of jobs I already have:

July - August 2009: worked in Senator Blogg's office. Oh wait, no I didn't. Balls.

Went to a few gigs last week one of them being Dara O'Briain. Now I've seen him before, twice actually. I happen to have quite a high opinion of the guy, or at least I did right up until Friday night. It's not that the show was bad, and most people seemed to enjoy it and laughed along. I felt it was a little forced. Awful lot of 80s references which although understood, didn't feel very relevant to me. I would barely get a handshake let alone a hug from Calvin Harris for being born so late in the 80s. And there was this huge section on parenting and pregnancy which I wasn't feeling at all. Diamonds in there, but none seen.

I watched the World Cup Final there. Needless to say I'm disappointed for the Netherlands because I thought based on their previous performances, they could have played a lot better tonight. For once Dunphy had it right though: illness in the game. I'm not a football fan generally, my family aren't either but all of us could tell that it was a disgraceful game.

Civil Partnership Bill became Act. That'll teach those protestors outside the Dáil. Absolutely delighted with the outcome. Ireland can overcome the Catholic Church and it will with time.

Listening to this track at the moment by One Night Only. Now I interviewed their frontman, way back when, he's not the greatest of guys. And being honest, I thought him a cut-paste of Luke Pritchard from The Kooks. Still it's not a bad track. Thought I'd send it on.

Seriously?

If there's one thing that annoys me in this world it's unproven lies that are spread through ignorance to cause doubt and give rise to conspiracy. What really surprises me is that it seems like well renowned artists such as MIA are jumping on the band wagon.
"Google and Facebook were developed by the CIA, and when you're on there, you have to know that."
Seriously what is the world coming to when we have to be barraged with unfounded accusations?Is there evidence to suggest that the CIA are taking an interest into Google and Facebook? Doubtless there is. But I'm pretty sure that the CIA have plenty of interests in other search providers and social networks - and no more than other intelligence agencies.
Conspiracy and controversy are the themes of MIA's recent album with her responses to critics, her videos and now her rash statements. Still, it sells. I'm well aware of her past, and have little doubt that her music and her actions are to raise awareness for the situation in Sri Lanka. However when I listen to her music, watch her videos or follow her statements, her history isn't the first thing I think about. It comes across somewhat ill-informed, conspiracy rable serving only to show how controversial she can be.
Who knows, maybe my phone number will be tweeted next: especially seeing as I'm clearly working for The Man because I need proof before I make statement.