Via the post I just got TWO LoveFILM vouchers that entitles the user to two months FREE on their site/film renting service. It's pretty decent because it basically gives you £37 worth of free credit if you're a new user.

Would anyone here like them? Basically, I will send you the vouchers and then you use a certain code to get the service.

Personally, LoveFILM is fantastic, cheap and easy to use...leave a message and I'll email you for details if so!

Thanks :)

...and very real!

 Volcano is definitely one of the most lovelyst songs...eeeveeerrr. And yes. I know I've spelt it wrong. ;)

I think I might do an All-Time Top 5 selection on Monday, this entry is to kinda remind me that I want to.

 Hello everyone!

Could you ALL do something incredibly useful for me? I need your VOTE for my little Ireland book, many of you probably have it but I'm whoring myself out over the web in hope of a prize fund which would go towards so many useful things, it's mad. I think it's worth a try.

Follow this LINK:  http://bit.ly/IC1t6

And let me hope, hope, hope!! 

Thanks LJer's! Plus, feel free to advertise via whatever way you choose. :)

Draw The Line is David Gray's eighth studio album and finds him taking a leap forward from his previous incarnations, this album portrays Gray at the forefront and still a stand-out silhouette of the singer/songwriter generation, nearly ten years since his breakthrough White Ladder melted into the hearts of millions.
 

The lead single 'Fugitive' pounds in on a resonant drum beat and asks curiously '...is the answer none of the above?' simultaneously highlighting not only choice for the listener but also injecting a dose of what might be achievable. Change and possibility are themes recreated throughout the album but he never fails to keep the balance of reality, questioning mortality 'carnivals of silverfish waiting to dance upon our bones' in the musing title track and a relationship spiralling out of control in the pensive 'Harder'. The track raising questions in their scenario, pondering over the intensity of those lingering doubts we all have had at some point. Also, penultimate song 'Breathe' graciously builds as the song focuses on the confusion of losing your mind and wanting to jump from the ledge. It proposes that its audience takes a moment, steps back and takes its sentiment quite literally. Final track, the potent 'Full Steam', a duet with Annie Lennox is a rousing close to the album. It positions awareness and naivety on the same plate and points out that 'we all saw it coming but we still bought it', an anthemic track and narrative, stitched with feelings akin to our current western world worries and qualms.
 

The interesting thing about Draw The Line is that despite its robust and rugged nature, it doesn't feel like it dwells on struggle. We find highlights of life and love here and how we work through it by accepting that we all doubt ourselves sometimes. If you consider his rise to fame in such a short space of time, Gray is still intensely grounded, this eighth studio album is embedded with organic roots that have more stability than other similar artists that are often mentioned in the same vein. Draw The Line is lyrically tempestuous and abundant with soul and spirit. It may be an escape route for Gray but he also created a passionate, stormy new path to tread and follow in these fast changing times.



 

New Editors album 'In This Light and On This Evening' is their third album and has dived further in the murky depths of industrial-esque darkness. On my initial encounter of lead single 'Papillon', I have to admit I really wasn't convinced at all. Tom Smith's voice appeared to have merged and changed into something different, his sound is so unique they you are not sure whether it needed any re-shaping but that track and the album has slowly altered my perception of what to expect but in such a positive way.

His voice is the catalyst of their inimitable sound, and musically Editors are an impending ominous creation of sounds, they feel like the sparks of indiginant men welding metal together at the top of a skyscraper in an electrical storm. Yet, while we're intoxicated by the visual sound they concoct, there still has to be stability and I think this third effort takes them back home to where they started with The Back Room.

Their second album An End Has A Start pushed them towards commercial success and I felt I liked that album faster, possibly too easily and enough to let it drift over before you were really able to dig your claws into it. I always found myself going back to the start and falling in love again with such songs as Colours or the epic eruption of Elbow-produced Let Your Good Heart Lead You Home.

In This Light and On This Evening is a much more complicated effort on a first listen, Smith declaring his love for London in the opening title track but let it be known that love but this album instantly has more of a reflection of raw emotion than throw-away greeting card sentiment. There's no doubting that a new synthetic feel of their music overwhelms the vocals to begin with, yet something is creeping around the corner in something akin to looking around the sewers in the movie The Host. 

Interestingly, lyrically it's so inherently positive and as Smith declares "I swear to God,I heard the Earth inhale. Moments before it spat its rain down on me....London's become the most beautiful thing I've seen." For me, on my recent escape to London and the freedom and possibility it can offer if you want it enough, those words sum it up in a fantastic notion.

Editors are generally easily compared to Joy Division or Echo & The Bunnymen. For me, they still have the same veins of Interpol - who are great in their own right - but Editors take it to the next level. Developing their own sound and this is in clear view with the likes of Bricks & Mortar, Papillon and the stunningly anthemic Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool...a secret love child of Thom Yorke's 'The Eraser', Depeche Mode heart of darkness Dave Gahan's pulsating tones and NIN's 'Only' but with all the swagger and charm of Editors earlier sound with new added passion and defiance.

Without wanting to sound too cliched, The Boxer is a prime example of their gift of a perfect soundscape. A track that starts so simple and builds and builds to a wonder climax, feeling like your walking around the streets of Dark City, trying to escape and then finding a door out to the bright lights of reality. It's another tale of a city exemplified by the lyrics "I'm attracted to the light, I'm attracted to the heat, it's a violent night there are boxers in the street." Feeling the final punch in the final round, spinning to the ground with blood drowning your vision, dazed by the flashing of camera bulbs and hitting the canvas torso first.

The Big Exit is their only downfall for me, a weaker track delving into latter stage Depeche Mode again, lacking the full kick that they are very capable of. And then Walk The Fleet Road, a track that steals a touch from Leftfield and the beauty of an electronic wave, rushing into the shore with a Scottish twist all of its own.

I think what makes this album is the visual insight that is evident throughout the album. Basically, Editors have the bollocks to change their direction a touch and know that it's the right thing to do. You can feel it and you know what, you can even taste it a little. The good, the bad and the beautiful of their elegant, shadowy world.

....can be found on my other Blog, HERE!

If you desire to read about 4th Plinth obsession and  how some of us are failing to cope without any livefeed to look at....haha!!

EDIT: I'm not in Ashby nor do I know where it is! Interesting 'detection' work LJ...!

 One of the nicest things that came from going out with Jenny was her music, her compositions and the change it made in what and I how I listen to different types of music. I love parts of the Atonement soundtrack by Dario Marianelli and have a complete different respect and interest in various pieces of classical music. Granted, some of these may be the more popular kinds but in the right scenario, it can be just perfect.

Having been house sitting this week, I've gradually got a touch of independence back again and my oh my, how I love it. I was in the garden earlier, just clearing moss off the extension roof. Not because I have to or said I would but because it needed it, because the cat was lying in the grass in the sun and because I could. Listening loudly to Claude Debussy's Claire de Lune and the the contemporary change of Marianelli's 'Briony' but also the heartbreaking 'Elegy for Dunkirk.'

I woke up, had some coffee, did some reviews for a website I've not done for a while and wrote a response to a rather derogatory piece about the Fourth Plinth on the Guardian website, my response is in the comments below the piece HERE.

Also, on this coming Saturday...a massive relief, so much so. Jenny's parents are bringing the remainder of my things over from Ireland to me. They emailed and said they are doing it 'for me' and because they want to. They are such lovely people. I wonder if it's also because they still feel a little baffled by everything that happened at the end. Maybe because I did actually move country for the girl and now because I haven't heard from her.....basically at all...which is just strange.

This will give me a fresh start though, I've got no real anger or anomosity towards her. It has fluctuated occasionally but this break will be exactly that, nothing in the back of my head, just me and what I have to do next. 

Oh and it's a beautiful day!

 Sharing this wonderful animation. Those with cats will concur!

D'ya know what, when I was 20 I did this and accidentally found out about a party being planned for me and also because I used to be a bit too jealous about really stupid things. I'm a lot more secure in myself these days and so if I'm with someone, I have to trust them. I always say that if you don't trust them and check such things, why are you with them?

 Oooh GIANT PHONE BILL *gulp*

Currently no web, phone (well, outgoing for a few days until I can pay it) aaaand moving tonight/tomorrow.

I'm alive though, things could be worse, I could be someone else. ;) Is that modest or rude? hah.

Went to a fantastic house party on Saturday night up in Bristol, drank copious amounts and found a megaphone, yeap...entertaining :)

BACK SOON....xx
p.s. Download the track I'm listening to if you haven't, beautiful.

Well, with my sanity slightly returning. I think. Fantastic bad editorial work yesterday from the Daily Express, you have to check out this LINK. 

Amazing stuff! Back in the shed today, desks are massively underrated as is a decent internet connection. Helping my brother move Tuesday, think I should be going to Bristol Saturday for a house warming party and tomorrow...contemplating Exeter and temp-ing agencies just to get some work/money/something.

Now, here's some rain sounds and news:

I went to San Francisco. I found someones' heart.

I did offer a kidney to someone once, however I was sat in the chiller of the meat aisle and they asked me to get out. This is where I also learnt that there's just no way of explaining where the sausages are when you're in the back of a Police Van.

In all seriousness....if it were possible and if I was the only option, why wouldn't I? :)

I thought the title was 'Interspecies Communion' for a minute there...

A rather cunning cat stole my crisps once and I swear winked as she dragged them behind the sofa.

On a visit to my Mother's last week, I took a Tesco's bag with some Orange Juice and an Apple in it. I left the bag by the back door to say hello to my Step-Dad and as I turned outside again, the Labrapoodle had my OJ in his mouth, wagging his tail and the Border Terrier was munching through my Apple. I smirked though. Clever things.

And finally...I did take confession from a rather guilt-ridden Squirrel earlier this week. He had stolen some 'shiny things' from a rather bemused Crow. He'd stolen them to sell them to 'Money4Silver.com'. He said he had seen an advert on E4+1+2-3= Repeats.

 ...I believe I should actually be a cat...or a dog. I love comfy things. I love sitting in water (dog then maybe) and I'd like to fed and I have a rather strange over excitement if you throw me a tennis ball.

Maybe a Jack Russell or a Labrapoodle, a black curly haired one.

Or a Siamese....or Burmese.

I REALLY need to get back to some work ;)

For anyone who doesn't know, the superband was rather impressive as well and this sounds very exciting!! Now....all I need is some money to get to one of the gigs....heh.

Snow Patrol are delighted to announce a very special UK and Ireland tour that will take place in November and December 2009. ‘Snow Patrol Reworked’ is a live celebration featuring highlights from the bands 15 year career to date and will feature a selection of Snow Patrol and Reindeer Section songs reinvented by the Patrol, additional musicians and many special guests. The Reworked tour offers a chance to look back on the early days of their career as well as giving fans the opportunity to hear their work interpreted in a brand new way. The unique shows will also encompass the songs of the Reindeer Section - a collection fronted by Gary Lightbody and featuring members of Belle & Sebastian, Idlewild and Teenage Fanclub among many others. Each ticket to the Reworked tour comes with a free Live download of the incredible ‘Lightning Strike’, the epic trilogy that mesmerised fans nationwide. Tour dates are: Tickets for these shows will go on sale to the general public on Thursday 27th August at 9am.However SP.com are offering their hardcore fans the chance to purchase tickets early via mySPon SnowPatrol.com. You can access pre-sale tickets from Wednesday 19th August at 9am by clicking here. Excited...So are we! The Eskimos www.snowpatrol.com

In this meme I have to write about 5 things which other people normally associate with me. My friend jamesofdoom  picked Music, Writing, Sheffield United, Ireland and...Travelling like a Hobo.....hah

If you like, I'll give you five words that remind me of you. Then post them in your LJ and explain what they mean to you.

Music: Although I am stunningly brilliant at playing - at least - 3 or 4 chords on guitar and piano, playing music still hasn't come naturally to me. Interestingly though, the one link with my writing is my poetry is written rhythmically in my head.  Songs and lyrics, I think, have literally saved my life and in certain points probably given me a moment to carry on. Music might be the most underrated part of human kind, it can take you through every emotion but most of all....it usually can inspire many many positive things.

Writing: Something that has kept me sane in my hours/years of madness. Writing for me is my ultimate release of thoughts, feelings, ideas and possibilities. There really isn't an ounce of existence that can't be covered by words on a page. There are no limits to imagination and no boundaries to where you can take it.  I started when I was about 14/15 and there probably hasn't been a day gone by where I didn't try to do something creative. It's as natural for me as to smell or see. There's rarely any planning, there's mostly just a barrage of words that come out and find themselves in front of me suddenly, it's a nice obsession. 

Sheffield United: The football (That's Soccer for you American and Canadian lot OR 'bananas' for you Izzard fans) club that I've been cursed with from a young age. Originally supported by my Dad when he was younger because he was grew up 'up North', kinda Derby way and had their kit when he was young and naive. Hah. The trouble with football is once you've got a side, there is no way of getting rid of them and even if you pretend not to care about constantly average results and 'nearly' achieving big things, the Blades are an absolute part of my psyche. They make me so happy and then so frustrated and angry. I'm passionate about my football club. I will shake nervously if its the last minute if we're hanging on to a very important game. I will swear and shout at the radio, tv or game. I should support Yeovil Town because I was born there BUT I only lived there for the first 18 months of my life and they aren't exactly much better. However, my Dad thought it would be amusing to get me Yeovil shirt for my birthday with '29' printed on the back. Strangely, I like it.

Ireland: Eire. Oh what this country has given me is so much joy! The South and the North, I do love equally. Everyone I met in Northern Ireland was so friendly and if you get involved, chat and Make Eye Contact...then you're normally in from what I can tell. Plus, if I'm completely honest...England actually pisses me off quite a lot because of the negativity that surrounds much of it. It's deeply ironic that they generally expect all this respect and the 'English' side of things when I say.....the majority of us are mongrels.

ANYWAY. Ireland: If you've not been, go to Cork because it's escaping excessive tourism but it's been nicely done up. I did adore Dublin. Just stay away from Grafton Street because you could be anywhere in the world really. However, I do love St. Stephen's Green, the WW1/2 Memorials, Guinness and find a way off the back streets to a proper bar. 

And Belfast, my secret love. It's a small city and after all...there is only 1.5m Northern Irish but it's a good size between too big and not too small. There's a rather wonderful music scene, there's a world class University and quite beautiful Northern Irish girls. I think it's safe to say that they have a passion for fun and music. I really do miss much of it but not sure if I could live there again because I need quick access to bigger UK cities. When I'm earning enough, I'd consider it though!

Travelling Like A Hobo: Haha, thanks mate! You know that when my funds were in a healthier state that I had so much fun doing this! I was living from my suitcase but I was busy and it was positive, surprising, unsuspecting, exciting and to a state where you're probably quite turned on by not knowing where you're going next. I was and probably am a little concerned that I'd addicted to moving on all the time. I've lived in probably about 25 different places locally and nationally in the last 9 years and you wonder why I'm so unsettled? ;)

As I have ALWAYS said, I'm pretty convinced now that if I don't live in London then I'll live somewhere else in the world. There are No Limits.

Heh :)

Continuities

By Walt Whitman

1819-1892

---

Nothing is ever really lost, or can be lost, 
No birth, identity, form--no object of the world. 
Nor life, nor force, nor any visible thing; 
Appearance must not foil, nor shifted sphere confuse thy brain. 
Ample are time and space--ample the fields of Nature. 
The body, sluggish, aged, cold--the embers left from earlier fires, 
The light in the eye grown dim, shall duly flame again; 
The sun now low in the west rises for mornings and for noons continual; 
To frozen clods ever the spring's invisible law returns, 
With grass and flowers and summer fruits and corn.