Gorillaz

Well I haven't god forbid gone all monkey on you but I bought this new album last week after hearing samples on Amazon.
In shocking move I even got it as an 'album download' unheard of for me for anything new just because it was more convenient for me to listen to on the PC or via my MiniDisc unit on the commute.
Let me say if you like Eclectic and don't have a big issue with rap as style of delivery you'll love this as it seamlessly meanders through classical, soul to rock.
It is well recorded with -gasp - real dynamics for once that will be appreciated by those who are waiting for the vinyl edition to come out.
I blame Pug for getting me into it! xD!!
















While I was at it and as 7Digital had it on special offer for £4.49 I downloaded this the 2005 release that features Feel Good Inc.












As well I picked up this, the first Gorillaz album that started it all with the smash hit Clint Eastwood on it.

Thank you!

Not entirely unconnected with the last post, it did happen to be my birthday a few days ago and I would like to thank every at CK Forums and the 'Angelic place' for their birthday wishes.
I had paper money, a Amazon voucher and a dvd which I hope to review soon.

Cheap Trick

Currently I'm getting a number of albums on CD by this US Hard Rock band that I've liked from the late 70's.
In Color: Those who know me may recall I used to play this one at high school recess on the music centre from a pre-recorded cassette I had at the time. If anything this really showed how they could take Hard Rock and at the same time add to it poppy choruses you could sing along to together with much melodic playing.
The album features the hit 45 "I Want You To Want Me" as well as "You're All Talk" and "Oh Caroline". I have the first American made cd of this title which sounds pretty good.
Heaven Tonight: It's an album where they get a tad more adventurous with longer numbers such as the Title track and has the 45 "Surrender" and a spirited cover of the Move's "California Man"
I have the last of the European cds before some (but not all) of their albums were re-mastered in 2006 and this isn't as good as my UK lp more kind of acceptable (a bit thin sounding). I might get a cheap 5Disc set that has the album included from the re-masters.
Dream Police: This masterpiece came out in 1979 and easily is one the best albums they ever did with the epic "Gonna Raise hell" and the hit 45 "Voices".
I got the 2006 re-master of it on Epic/Legacy and it's really worth going with that cd not just for the excellent sound but the many bonus tracks included.
At Budokan is a legendary concert issued original as a single lp in Japan in 1979 but rush released in the states and reissued briefly on cd in a two cd complete concert form.
I recently got the 2006 remastered US single cd of this and while not being exactly audiophile it matches the original yellow vinyl lp.

A Curious Thing

Just out next Monday, this is the much anticipated follow up to "This Is The Life" by the Glaswegian singer songwriter Amy McDonald is out now and includes the lead of single "Don't Tell Me That It's Over".Personal favourites include the slow atmospheric number "My Only One", "No Roots" and the album closer "What happiness Means to Me"
Available on enhanced cd and Mp3 download at Amazon.

Coraline

Typically the Baftas gave the award to Mr Fox rather than this for the best animated movie category for 2009. Grrr!
My copy of the DVD is 2D cos I have a visual impairment affecting my left eye that makes 3D movies and Magic Eye books a pain to view.
Although a bit scary in parts for younger children it is a tale of courage in defeating the deceptive other version of her life on the surface 'better' life on the other side as they try to trap her.

Ocean Waves

This entry is a bit late as I've had the dvd since it's release over here one that wasn't without being put back a few times. It's also worth noting that this title isn't and will not be released in North America because it was not part of the deal done by Disney who distribute Studio Ghilbi there.
This offering was one that Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli and the director of many highly regarded Ghibli titles played no part in. This has left this title which gives younger staff members an opportunity to shine to be neglected in the West
Ocean Waves is a story impacting only on three characters, Taku and Yutaka who are joined by Rikako (a transfer student from Tokyo), locked inside their own small little world. It's a story covering the journey towards adulthood of three high schoolers, where the friendship of two is damaged by the one thing besides hate that can destroy bonds - love.
It is a moving story which I enjoyed although the characterization revealed in the story for Yutaka was too short and we only see the selfish side of Rikako rather then the mature woman she became.

Sade: Soldier Of Love.

It seems so long from the groups last releases Lovers Rock Live never mind the Lover's Rock itself.
In that time much in the World has changed and not necessarily for the better.
The good thing I would say about this album is just that - it's basically the same vibe - just updated with lyrics that match our needs today surrounded as we are by conflict and mutual misunderstanding.
As ever Sade have come up with sophisticated pop, with heartfelt lyrical themes and lithe acoustic guitars often played against snappish synthetic beats. The lead single Soldier Of Love is aurally ornate, with military-issue snare drumming. Be That Easy is feathery country soul, and In Another Time waltzes slow to a minor key. There’s no big-beat single, nor is their any of the all too prevailing auto tune. Strongly recommended.