Thursday, March 6, 2014

Back to the football

I bet I'm not the only red that really can't wait for the resumption of the domestic season, am I. The midweek bout of internationals really seemed to grip the imagination of the continent, going of those shots of half empty grounds that I saw, can't think why!
Are the press finally waking up to the fact that Rooney isn't quite the player that they keep bumping him up to be, after his usual bog standard performance for England. The kind of form that is guarenteed to not shake anybody up in Brazil, never mind Rooney exploding in Brazil as Hodgson urged a while back. Welbeck showed far more get up and go when he came on, and though I think the bandwagon for Sturridge is a bit previous, I would have him up front ahead of Rooney. Right that's the usual Rooney bashing done with!
All the hype around Liverpool FC's young guns has got out of hand all of a sudden, it seems to be the latest press fad. A word to the wise, hardly any of those youngsters have had any experience of the the champions league, Liverpool aren't involved, remember. That's where you find out who has what it takes, not meaningless friendlies against Denmark. Even then it took until nine minutes from the end to score the goal that stopped the England team leaving the pitch to a chorus of boos. Does anybody know what system England were trying to deploy, all I could see, was the usual mess, failing to control the midfield, against Denmark, a pretty poor Danish team at that.
Moment of the night has to go to Danish coach Morten Olsen, wishing the England team look in Brazil, because they will need it. A few nicely punctured ego's there!

Music

Akkord - Akkord: I like this debut album from one of Manchester's latest electronica outfits, nicely experimental, it goes down a treat.

Blitzen Trapper - V11: New to this US indie/pop/rock outfit, I'm impressed, cracking songs infused with a touch of the Eagles and the Allman brothers at times, a bit more art rock at others.

Daniel Avery - Drone Logic: This is a bit of a blinding album, bass heavy, I've read his heroes include, the Chemical brothers and Underworld, the biggest comliment I can give the album is it bears comparison to their work.

Elvis Costello and the roots - Wise up ghost and other songs: A heavyweight collaboration prodcuces a heavyweight quality album. A nice mix of hip hop soul, funk and rock, it's a brilliant album.

Milton Henry -  Branches & leaves: Not a lost classic reggae album, though it's pretty darned good, but maybe a lots classic reggae artist, on the album front at least.

Nick Lowe - Quality street a seasonal selection for all the family: I like Nick Lowe, but I'm a total scrooge type when it comes to crimbo, so the last thing you'd expect me to love would be a Christmas album, and yet... This is a great album that overcomes the schmaltz factor with ease. I didn't really think i could love a cover version of Wizard's I wish it could be Christmas, but guess what.

The androgynous Amorphous - The Cartel vol.2: The second part of their Cartel offering doesn't quite match up to the first volume, but it's still excellent listening.

The Liminanas - Costa Blanca: The third album from the French 60's revivalists continue their successful blend of French pop, Velvet underground  and psychedelic fusion that. One of my favourite indie bands of this decade.




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