Reviews – Page 116 – Everything Is Better With Dragons

Review: Fall Out Boy ‘Save Rock and Roll’

Fall Out Boy
Save Rock and Roll
Island Records
Producer: Butch Walker
Released: 15th April 2013 (UK), 16th April 2013 (USA)

After disappearing for four years to have a rest from each other and work on other projects (including other bands, solo albums and novels) Fall Out Boy return with their 5th studio album.

Clearly they were having a laugh when they named the new album ‘Save Rock and Roll’; which is fine because they were also clearly having fun when they made this album. The time apart has been good for them; they have made an album which clearly sits in the tradition they established with their other albums – catchy pop punk with electronic influences. Very obvious pop and electronica influences in this case; it has a tendency to drown out the guitars and drums. But this fusion of genres works for them. It suits their lyrical and vocal style.

The lyrics are occasionally corny – see ‘Just One Yesterday’ for a fine example. I’m not too sure about some of the collaborations – I can’t like ‘Rat a Tat’ no matter how much I try, sorry. My favourite songs are ‘The Phoenix’, ‘ My songs know what you did in the dark (Light ’em up), ‘Young Volcanoes’ and ‘Save Rock and Roll’. None of the songs are quite up to the standards they set with ‘This ain’t a scene, it’s an arms race’ and ‘Tnks fr th mmrs’, although the title track gets close. I can definitely see it being popular live; the line ‘No, No, we won’t go, we don’t know how to quit oh, oh’ could really get a crowd going.

They aren’t going to save rock and roll, but they might improve pop music a bit (besides, it doesn’t need saving, being very much alive and well) but this album is a catchy addition to the pop punk canon. It’s good to see them back.

And that’s my review,

Rose

I just realised something…

I still can’t get hold of Sacred Mother Tongue’s new album. I have realised however, after looking up details of the new album, that the EP I bought last month is made up of four of the songs from the new album. This realisation, and looking at videos on their youTube channel, has made my day.

The album review will have to wait but I can give my initial opinion based on the EP.

If the EP is representative of the whole album they I think I’ll have to get it. I really like the tracks I’ve heard; the singer is competent and the guitarist is spectacular. I saw them live, they’re really quite good.

It’s metal but I like it 😀 there’s next to no shouting. Which is always a good thing. I listened to their first album, I don’t like it nearly as much. They have definitely improved in the last couple of years.

Going now, busy watching dodgy vampire films, good night,

Rose

Review: Nerve End EP’s Axis/This State of War

I mentioned it last night but I’ll re-cap for those who haven’t read the post.

Yesterday afternoon I was wandering around Facebook when a post by some random Finnish metal band appear on my timeline. I suspect because they had tagged a band I like – ‘Reckless Love’ – in the post. Anyway, I thought I’d go and have a look at their website:

http://www.nerveend.com/

I like some metal but I’m not over-fond of the tendency to shout that some metal bands seem to find essential.

Nerve End describe themselves as ‘a four piece metal act from Joenssuu, Finland’ and their genre as ‘metal/progressive/alternative’. They played their first live show a year ago and have since played over twenty shows across Finland, several in some of Finland’s most well-known venues.

Their EP Axis (2011) is available to stream and download for free on SoundCloud. As is their 2010 EP ‘This State of War’. So I did.

Since I was awake stupidly early and got everything else done first thing, I thought I’d give them a listen.

And my opinion?

They’re not too bad. I couldn’t understand what the vocalist was singing a lot of the time; he doesn’t seem to enunciate very clearly, or the rest of the band were playing too loudly.

I was trying to decide who they sound most like but I couldn’t. The sound is familiar but different enough that I found a comparison hard to make. I think it’s more that their vocal and musical style is a part of the same milieu and so there is a continuity in the sound with other metal bands. Does that make any sense? I don’t know, this sleep deprivation is beginning to get to me.

They have one of their videos on youTube, ‘The Squid’ from the EP Axis. It’s pretty representative of their sound.

I don’t dislike them, and I certainly don’t find listening to this band objectionable. The guitars – at least to my ignorant and untrained ear/brain – are cool, the random tinkly bits in the instrumental sections (I think they must be from synths?) are an interesting contrast, and the vocalist really is quite good. Little too ‘shouty’ for me to be able to listen too all the time, but that is what ‘shuffle’ is for.

The tracks aren’t what I’d call catchy but they have the potential to become earworms. The tracks vary between 3 and 6 minutes with more instrumental passages than I was expecting. They were unexpected but pleasant moments; the musicians are certainly talented.

Finland is supposed to have more metal bands per capita than any other country; it could be said that metal is their forte. Nerve End are a capable edition to their ranks.

In addition to their website they also have facebook (like most people) and twitter. From what I can see, someone tries to reply to comments/posts made.

https://m.facebook.com/nerveendband

Their Twitter is @NerveEnd

Check them out. They might appeal to you.

That’s it, I’m done for the day. My brain hurts from lack of sleep.

And I still haven’t had anything to eat.

Bye

Rose

Review: Stone Sour ‘House of Gold & Bones Part 2’

Stone Sour
House of Gold & Bones Part 2

Roadrunner Records
Producer: David Bottrell
Recorded @ Sound Farm Studios

Released
3rd April 2013 Japan
8th April 2013 UK
9th April 2013 US

• Corey Taylor – Vocals, piano and also wrote the associated short story
• James Root – Guitar
• Josh Rand – Guitar
• Ray Mayorga – Drums, synthesisers, piano

And in addition to the band
• Rachel Bolan, of Skid Row, filled in on bass
And the following added strings to ‘The Conflagration’
•Kevin Fox – Cello
•Karen Graves – 1st Violin
•Kate Unrau – 2nd Violin
•Anna Redekopt – Viola

I had to do a bit of reading when I decided to review this album. I’d heard of Stone Sour, obviously, but had never listened to any of their music. It made interesting reading.

Corey Taylor and Joel Ekman formed Stone Sour in 1992, several years before Slipknot formed. In 1997 they went on hiatus during which Taylor concentrated on Slipknot. In 2001 they got back together and produced the first of their four (if you count House of Gold & Bones as a single album) albums. There has been some line-up changes, with Ekman leaving in May 2006 (replaced by Ray Mayorga)and bassist Shawn Economaki leaving in May 2012. For the album he was replaced by Rachel Bolan, of Skid Row.

For years, due to Slipknot’s musical ascendancy, Stone Sour has been known only as Corey Taylor’s side-project, despite the fact that the band had been together longer than Slipknot. This double album (Part 1 was released in late October 2012 and contains the first 11 tracks) finally puts that fallacy to bed once and for all. A concept album, with accompanying comic book (first issue released 17th April 2013, Dark Horse), the tracks are a mix of melodic hard rock tunes and Mr Taylor’s shouting – toned down quite a lot.

The albums were recorded simultaneously in mid 2012 and tell a coherent story, although the storyline does not overwhelm the songs and they can be listened to out of ‘context’. It’s more like a theme that runs through both albums. I had to listen to both Parts 1 and 2 to see it.

Unusually, the full album was available for streaming from the band’s official website from the 2nd April 2013. I wonder how many people have been encouraged to buy it after listening for free? It is now available to buy on DVD or vinyl, and is still available for streaming on the website, as well as Spotify, iTunes and Sound Cloud.

My Opinion

I really enjoyed this album. Definite 5/5. I might even buy a hard copy when I have a bit of spare cash (sorry but if you give it away for free I’ll take it, I’m broke).

They’re at Download on Sunday 16th June, I have every intention of going to see them there. Might give Slipknot on the Friday night a miss though. Stone Sour’s more my thing.

Random Information if you want to know more about Stone Sour:

http://www.stonesour.com/

Corey Taylor was in Kerrang! magazine this week discussing Stone Sour, Slipknot, the many facets of his personality and how the two bands express him differently. Also, an explanation for those horrendous costumes he’s worn to the Kerrang! Awards.

And there’s always his book ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ (yes, I read it when it was published last year; our library has some interesting books, someone must have ordered it). It’s quite an interesting book. It could easily be subtitled ‘all the stupid shit Corey Taylor did before settling down a touch’. Interesting structure as well. There’s not much in it about the formation of the bands he sings in but it does seem to explain all that anger.

Ha! I’ve just been to check the details on http://www.amazon.co.uk and it looks like he has another book being published this year, called ‘A funny thing happened on the way to heaven’ (Ebury Press, 20th June 2013). I might have to read that.

Well, I’d best be off, I want my breakfast. See how dedicated to you all I am? I get up stupidly early on a Sunday morning to listen to music and write before I even consider necessities like food, and a cup of tea. I definitely need tea.

Bye

Rose

A band I’ve never heard of, but the EP was free.

A band I like, Reckless Love, were mentioned by another band I’ve never heard of called Nerve End. Facebook does that sometimes. I went and had a quick look at their website and their EP ‘Axis’ is free to listen too, so I shall. And then I’ll get back to you.

In the interests of fairness though, in exchange for free music I thought I’d share their web address and a link for the EP.

http://nerveend.com/

I found their EP from 2010 on Sound Cloud, so I’ve added a link to it as well.

I’ve got a few things to listen to tomorrow I can tell. And then there’s that ebook I’m reviewing for Book Hub. And then I have that short story to type up…oh, I am going to be busy.

Rose

Review: Ernie Beckett’s Traditional Fish Restaurant, Cleethorpes

Ernie Beckett’s Traditional Fish Restaurant, 21 Market Street, Market Place Corner, Cleethorpes DN35 8LY, England

It would appear that someone doesn’t know the difference between a comma and an apostrophe. Which is a catastrophe.

This afternoon I went out for my tea; I tried a fish restaurant I’ve never been too before. I’ve heard about Beckett’s from quite a few people so I thought I’d give it a try. When I arrived I found that the restaurant was full and there was a party of three already waiting. Beckett’s appears to be popular, both with locals and visitors, although it is early in the season. While I was waiting I perused the take-away menu. It was fairly priced. Having a quick look at the already cooked fish, they appeared to be generous portions. We were waiting about fifteen minutes for a table but when tables became available the staff quickly cleared away the debris and took orders.

The Food

Beckett’s serve basic fish and chip shop food, traditional stuff, nothing exotic.

We ordered three large fish, chips and mushy peas (one without the mushy peas), tea and bread and butter. £8.50 each.

The fish a beautifully cooked and very good quality; the batter a was light and crispy. The chips were just right. They were generously proportioned, although I wouldn’t have minded another slice of bread and butter. The tea pot was large and we got several cups each, and there was plenty of milk.

My fish and chips – so big I couldn’t get it all in the picture!

The Staff

Friendly, polite and efficient. The fish cook, James, especially made conversation with customers.

The Restaurant

It is a cafe really. It is small and the tables just about accommodate four people. The doors to the seating area are narrow. They do not take cards, cheques or fifty pound notes. On a nice day it’s probably quicker if you get your meal to take away and find a bench on the seafront. But on a chilly April afternoon it’s quite a pleasant place to sit down and eat.

Overall

It was nice. I’d definitely go there again.

Rose

Review: ‘Who Needs Mr Darcy?’

Jean Burnett

2012

Sphere (Little Brown Book Group)

Opening at Pemberley in September 1815 and concluding aboard a ship to Brazil in 1818, this novel follows ‘The adventures and exploits of the bad Miss Bennet’. Lydia Wickham, married three years and widowed at Waterloo, when her husband had the decency to die in battle (although not as heroically as Lydia was telling people), is at a loose end. Currently in residence at Pemberley, living as a dependant of her humourless brother-in-law Darcy and her sister Lizzy, Lydia dreams of escape, of London, Paris and Lord Byron, of making her fortune by marriage to a rich man and dancing among the fashionable world at Almack’s. She has become her husband’s mirror image. Darcy wants rid of her, and Lydia is eager to be got rid of, provided she can have an allowance from her relatives and the freedom to do whatever she wants.

By subterfuge Lydia gets her way and travels to London to stay with the impecunious and immoral Selena and Miles Caruthers, friends from her days as an army wife. On the way she is robbed by a handsome highwayman, in London she plays with marked cards and becomes involved with a banker. Travelling to Brighton she meets the Prince Regent, becomes involved in a murder and robbery, and is kidnapped by her highwayman

Eventually Lydia finds her way to the no longer fashionable Bath, as her banker is arrested and she acquires a new admirer. Plans are made for Paris, but first she must go to Pemberley. Here a letter arrives from Longbourne; Kitty, who Lydia has kept informed of all her adventures, has had an attack of conscience and drops Lydia in it up to her neck. Sent away to be a companion to a rich, elderly widow (it was that or the asylum, suitable husbands not being forthcoming) in Bath, Lydia despairs.

Until she hatches a plan and her employer is persuaded to end her retired life and go to the Continent. Lydia is ecstatic and finally gets to see Paris and Venice. But her past catches up with her and she is forced to work for the British Government in a delicate matter.

This Lydia is has learnt no restraint, no humility or respectability. She is as immodest, reckless and ignorant as would be expected from the youngest Bennet girl. She blames all her misfortunes on others and takes no responsibility for her actions. She sees her family as interfering, disapproving and spiteful.

She is not an endearing character at all, and the plot has too much gothic extravagance about it to be very enjoyable, and yet I raced through this novel. More could have been made of the royal intrigue, financial scandal and international politics, which are the main drivers of the plot and which effect Lydia’s fate the most, but the story, like it’s narrator is rather shallow. Leaving Lydia and her criminal beau aboard ship and bound for Brazil clearly leaves the way open for a sequel should the author choose to pen one.

I think this would have been a fun book, in the mould of Regency romances, if the main character had been an original rather than a pale attempt at writing Lydia Bennet. Jean Burnett simply does not write Lydia Bennet as well as Jane Austen drew her two hundred years ago. The character is a flat caricature. It’s enjoyable enough I suppose but I wouldn’t go out and buy it. That’s what the library is for.

And that is all I have to say on the subject.

Bye,

Rose

In none writing related news…well, actually…

I have a job interview next week.

If I get the job I’ll probably be working twelve hour shifts, which means I’ll have less time for writing, but more money to do the things I like to write about. It’ll work out somehow. I’m not going to stop writing just because I finally get a decent lab job.

That’s it, that’s all I was going to say.

Hang on, no it’s not.

I was reading ‘The shifting price of prey’ by Suzanne McLeod, but I couldn’t get into it, despite enjoying the earlier books in the ‘Spellcrackers.com’ series. It’s going back to the library. I might take it out again in the future.

Books I’m looking forward to reading this year include:

The Science of Discworld IV by Terry Pratchett, Jack Cohen and Ian Stewart
Published 11th April 2013

The Long War by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter
Published 20th June 2013

Albums I am looking forward to hearing this year:

Fall Out Boy
‘Save Rock and Roll’
15th April 2013

Sacred Mother Tongue
‘Out Of The Darkness’
15th April 2013

HIM
‘Tears on Tape’
29th April 2013

30 Seconds to Mars
‘Love, Lust, Faith + Dreams’
21st May 2013

I intend to review them all.
And now I must go, I’ve got a computer booked at the library in ten minutes.

Bye Bye

Rose

Restaurant Review: The Barge, Grimsby

29^th March 2013

I’m sat on The Barge

Bored

Waiting for my food

I can’t drink because I’m on my

Scooter

And my head feels funny

Because I’m

Waiting for my food

It’s always worth the

Wait

Though because the food

At The Barge

Is the best in

Grimsby

So I’ll sit here

People watching and writing

Waiting for my food

Yes, while waiting I composed a poem about The Barge. I had little else to do except write and wait for my meal. I’ve eaten at this particular place a few times and never been disappointed.

The Barge is a popular place to eat and drink in Grimsby, especially for those who enjoy their music heavy (the most ‘pop’ music I’ve ever heard on their jukebox was Bon Jovi, and that’s only during the day. After 5pm it gets heavier and louder). Today it is particularly busy, their ‘2 jumbo fish, chips and peas for £14.99’ offer might have something to do with that. Despite its popularity The Barge is never packed during the day.

I ordered the ‘Barge Gourmet Burger’ for £7.95 and the special ‘Crème Egg Cheesecake with Vanilla Ice-cream’ for £2.00 (£2.95 if I hadn’t bought a main course as well), as well as a large Diet Pepsi (£1.95). The staff are friendly and polite, and although it took about 20 minutes for the food to arrive, they brought my cutlery and any sauce I requested immediately.

The burgers were just cooked, only just for my taste, but succulent and full-flavoured, the cheese generous, I could have done with a bit more bacon, although it was just right in terms of how well it was cooked. Any longer and it would have been too crispy. The onion rings, fresh, home-made onion rings, were perfect. They actually tasted of onion for a start; they were hot, but not scolding, crispy and golden. The chips were also home-made, chunky and golden. There didn’t appear to be a lot at first sight but the size of them made up for that. The salad and coleslaw was no mere accompaniment either but an integral part of the meal. The coleslaw was fresh, and also home-made, large slices of cabbage, onion and carrot well covered by mayonnaise. It was lovely.

My dinner: The Barge gourmet burger, with chips and salad

I wasn’t sure I’d have room for a pudding after the main course but I thought I’d give it a try. And I was well rewarded. The base was thick and the cheesecake topping creamy. The ice-cream was excellent quality.

All in all, though it is a little expensive, if you happen to be in Grimsby for any reason and want a decent meal, ignore McDonalds and take a walk to the Freshney. You can’t miss The Barge, it’s a bloody great big barge concreted into the dock.

Bye for now

Rose

Review: The City’s Son: Book 1 of the Skyscraper Throne

Tom Pollock

Jo Fletcher Books (Quercus)

2012

I picked this up in the library about two weeks ago and it’s taken me a while to get through it. I think it’s meant to be a YA fantasy, but I had trouble deciding who the target audience were. The main characters were certainly adolescent, but it could as easily be read by adults.

Set in contemporary London the story follows the adventures of teenage graffiti artist Beth Bradley and her best friend and poet of the streets Pen (Parva Khan) as they get drawn into the war between the Urchin Prince, Filius Viae, and Reach, the Crane King.

Switching between the viewpoints of Beth and Filius the story tells of the midnight encounter with a railwraith by Beth and her involvement with Filius, as Pen is fighting her own battles. Betraying her only friend after one particular night of artistic revenge on a bullying teacher, Pen loses Beth to the hidden London. Beth’s father goes in search of her and Pen comes along to help. Unfortunately they are ambushed by Reach’s minion ‘The Wire Mistress’ who takes Pen as her avatar.

Meanwhile Beth and Filius are trying to build an army while waiting for his Mother, the Goddess of the Streets to return and help them; an army of statues, and lamp people, and one homeless Russian. Plus a person made of rubbish.

In fighting the war many battles are won and lost, lives lost and choices made. Sometimes you have to make a deal, and pay the price in the end. But the price of victory might not be worth paying. Beth has to decide as she becomes Filia Viae to Filius’s Filius Viae.

Although it took me a while to read this, I enjoyed it and will probably read the next one. The book feels allegorical; do we allow skyscrapers and things of glass and steel to destroy the life found in old city streets, is it progress or the killing of a place to change it? Renewal or ripping away of life? These are clearly pressing matters to think on and a balance or compromise has to be found, as Beth does. We have decisions to make, will we choose right, strike the right bargains and are we willing to pay the price for our choices?

Bye, for now

Rose