Friday, July 24, 2015

Thoughts on pre-season

I've never been one to get worked up about pre-season, yes there's been no football for a bit, I'm usually glad of the rest. I've liked the signings we have made so far, at long last we have a central midfield that shouldn't be found wanting.
As usual, the dickhead element of our support have gone all soft in the legs for the headline signing of Schwinsteiger, whilst Schneiderlin seems to have flown under the radar fro most of them. I was more excited about the ex Southampton man myself. He's been excellent for the south coast side during their resurgence as a top half table side over the last couple of seasons. He's 25, so hopefully we'll have him as he enters the peak of his career. On the playing side, he has the physique, has pace, is more than decent on the ball and can score a goal or two. I have a feeling it may be him becomes the mainstay of the midfield with the others jostling to play alongside him.
It Looks as if Shaw has got himself fit, hopefully he can put the injuries behind him because he has looked the part over his two 45 minutes spells so far. He showed plenty of potential last season, he could hardly spring two games in a row though.
Centre half still looks a weak spot, but at least this season they will have some proper protection in front of them. The Smalling Evans combination has looked especially weak. Blind is good on the ball, but there is no way in the world he has enough pace to play centre half against the better sides.
It's looking increasingly as if Depay has been bought as an all purpose front man rather than as an orthodox winger. He has looked reasonably promising so far, especially considering he's been paired with Rooney who's looked rusty as fuck.
As far as more transfer business is concerned, I'd personally love to see Bale in a red shirt and a quality experienced centre half. I'm not one who thinks we desperately need a new centre forward. As for the goalkeeping situation, who knows?

Music
Bill Fay - Who is the Sender: Two excellent albums on his return from obscurity, this follows a similar path to the first album and is just as good.

Dan Deacon - Glass Riffer: Not easy to categorise, but easy to like, even if it's a grower of an album.

Earl Sweatshirt - I Don't Like Shit I don't Go Outside: He's been namechecked in the music press over the last couple of years and this album definitely delivers on that hype. 

Eternal Tapestry - Wild Strawberries: Another band difficult band to categorise. Out there psychedelic jams, it's almost jazz like in it's meanderings, most of the tracks seem to be way too long on the first few listens. Yet I grew to really like it and no it's not too long.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Asunder, Sweet and other Distress: Only really got into these a couple of years ago, they are a really top band and this is another belting album.

Lonelady - Hinterland: I enjoyed her debut album, this takes a left turn into a kind of industrial funk, that is possibly even better.

Mikal Cronin - MCIII: A contemporary of Ty Segall he ploughs a similar field of scuzzy guitar fueled 60's influenced rock that delivers. He's not quite as good as Segall, but he's well worth a listen.



Thursday, July 9, 2015




Music

Duke Garwood - Heavy Love: Enjoyed this, very Mark Lanegan like, not surprisingly he has recorded with him recently.

Jane Weaver - The Amber Light: Mark Riley has gone pretty big for her over the last few months and I can see why, it's a pretty good modern Psych/Folk album.

Jon Spencer Blues Exploson - Freedom Tower No Wave Dance Party: Their last album was excellent and they're a groupI really like, but though it has it's moments, this isn't up their with their best work.

Josh Rouse - Embers of Time: Not Earth shattering, but fairly enjoyable from the US singer/songwriter.

Kate Pierson - Guitars & Microphones: Pretty good solo album from the former B52 member.

Polar Bear - Same as You: A breath of fresh air when they appeared on the scene, they seem to be veering slowly away from their modern experimental jazz to a more electronica/jazz for want of a better word. I like this album, it's pretty good with a couple of great tunes on it, but I thinki prefer their earlier sound.

The Amorphous Androgynous - The Wizards of Oz: Future Sound of London's alter ego delivers a superb compilation of psychedelia from down under, it really is full of cracking tunes assembled brilliantly.

The Supernaturals - 360: I thought they were a decent band, and hadn't heard they had got back together. They haven't lost their knack for a catchy tune, though possibly not quite as immediately in your head as at their peak.