Can we blame Adele?

Adele was recently booed at by her own audience after announcing she was planning a 2012 Arena Tour, after saying she would never play one. The crowds reaction may be slightly harsh, but are they right? Are they an effective way of performing to the huge amounts of people, or just simply a money-making scheme?

They are undeniably a good way to perform to vast crowds, but it can't be ignored that these huge performances are often accompanied by equally huge ticket prices. Some tickets, for example Michael Buble have sold for £200+! I've been to big arena tours, and small venue gigs, some I've liked, and some I've not. I have come to realise that I'll never see bands I love such as Green Day in a small venue - arena tours are sadly as good as I'll ever get. But for increasingly popular bands such as The Vaccines, it would be a definite shame for them to ditch their small intimate shows for huge commercialised venues.

I think there's a good argument for both huge arenas and small venues. While there's something magical about the atmosphere of small venues, vast crowds provide huge amounts of energy that small venues can't compete with. That said, if someone said that I could choose between seeing Green Day at a small venue, or an arena, I would not hesitate in choosing the small gig.

As for Adele, yes she may have gone back on what she first said, but who can blame her for wanting to make some more money?

Song Of The Week - 24/9/11

I regret to inform that Song Of The Day has had to become Song Of The Week, as I don't have time. And I'm forgetful.

Anyway, my song for this week is Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. It was released in 2009 and is by no means a new song, but it's new to me. The beautiful laid-back melody gets under your skin, it's an addictive little song. You'll find yourself whistling it long after it's finished! Enjoy!

An apple a day keeps Windows away?

It's common knowledge that I can't go anywhere without listening to music. A normal tiresome bus journey can be transformed with a few songs from my carefully selected 'Happy Playlist', which includes the likes of the embarrasingly sing-along-able' Flagpole Sitta' by Harvey Danger and far, far too much Lady Gaga. However, although it's sad to admit, my beloved iPod is getting rather old, I fear it is on it's last legs.

I'll say this quietly, as my iPod is within earshot, but I have been looking at replacements. Automatically I would choose another iPod, but as they're so expensive I thought I'd look at the iPod's main rivals as well, to see if they compare.

Firstly I looked at the 'Creative en X-Fi 8GB'. (yes, it's meant to be sen spelt with a sed, but for some reason the sed key has broken, roll with it...) I've never liked 'ens', I find the layout confusing and they're far too boxy for my liking.

Next, I found the Sony Walkman A865. It's aesthetically nicer that the 'Sen', but at £149 for 16GB, it's hardly a bargain.

I'm still not convinced by the alternatives to the iPod. Yes they may be cheaper, but I think there's a reason for that.

Song Of The Day - 14/09/2011

When Your Heart Stops Beating - +44


+44 were formed by Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker just 3 months after the split of blink-182. I'd forgotten about this song until I heard it on Kerrang earlier today. It unsurprisingly has a similar sound to blink-182, but that's fine by me!

Song Of The Day - 13/09/2011

Last Night - Good Charlotte

The latest Good Charlotte albums are probably what you would get if you mixed punk-pop with techno. Weird as it sounds, it works. This song is incredibly catchy and fun.

Song Of The Day - 12/09/2011

Stray Heart - Green Day


This is a incredibly scratchy live recording of a new Green Day song. It's good none the less - and gives an idea of what the old album's going to sound like it. It seems to be more in the style of their older albums, which is very exciting! I know I'll be buying the album the day it's released, I can't wait to hear what it has to offer.

What did he expect?

Mike Pedicone, My Chemical Romance's recently sacked drummer, is now trying to defend his actions, after he was caught red-handed stealing from his fellow band members. They were understandably shocked his behaviour, and after confessing to the police, he was immediately asked to leave the band. Guitarist Frank Iero posted on the bands website, saying - "We are heartbroken and sick to our stomachs over the entire situation." They are choosing to not press charges against him, so you would assume he would realise he's gotten off lightly, but no, he is now trying to explain exactly what happened, and why he stole from the people he thought of as friends.
"Almost as soon as I began touring with MCR I ran into problems with a member of the band's crew who i'll not name." - this is part of the statement he recently released, and continues on to explain that he was trying to frame said crew member, as an attempt to resolve the conflict, and did not intend to actually steal from them - "I had no intention of profiting whatsoever...". I cannot understand how someone could expect to be forgiven after doing something like this - regardless of whether it was a greatly misjudged situation or not, he was undeniably in the wrong. I have my suspicions that his version of accounts may be very different to the actual event - it seems all too convenient that his behaviour was 'completely innocent'. I don't think that any decent person would steal from their friends, to bring down an enemy. I completely understand why he has been told to leave the band - behaviour like that destroys any level of trust.

Song Of The Day - 08/09/2011

Graduation Song - Bowling For Soup


This is another one by the wonderful Bowling For Soup. I love that a story is told throughout the whole song, and the acoustic guitar is makes it even better.

Song Of The Day - 07/09/2011

High School - Superchick


I couldn't resist choosing this song, as today was my very last day of school. It's an understatement to say that I didn't overly enjoy school much of the time, so many aspects of it irritated me -the lyrics of the song suggest that Superchick feel the same! It's an insanely catchy song, I cannot stop listening to it!

Barclay's Mercury Prize 2011

I noticed while flicking through my SKY tv guide, that it is the Barclay's Mercury Prize for Album Of The Year tonight. I also realised that I have no idea who is nominated, so I thought I'd find out.

Metronomy - The English Riviera
I can understand why this has been nominated, it's a great and completely unique album. 'The Bay' is reason enough in my opinion - such a fantastic song!
Best song on the album: The Bay

Adele - 21
This is a superb album. Each song is beautifully written and perfectly performed. In actual fact, I'd be very surprised if this album doesn't win.
Best song on the album - Someone Like You

Everything Everything - Man Alive
It's just a matter of taste, and I know they have many fans, but in my opinion I don't think this album is worthy of the prize. They are increasing in popularity, and I wish them every success, but I guess this album just isn't for me.
Best song on the album - Photoshop Handsome

Ghostpoet - Peanut Butter & Melancholy Jam
I have to admit I didn't make it the whole way through this album. I'm sure it's fantastic - the lyrics are good, I'm just not the right person to review it fairly - it's simply not a style of music I enjoy.
Best song on the album - Survive It

Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi
This album has a very distinctive sound - it reminds me of a slightly bizarre yet appealing mixture of Marina and The Diamonds and Bjork. I'm not sure it can beat the heights of Adele's album 21, but it's certainly a solid album.
Best song on the album - Desire

Tinie Tempah - Disc-Overy
I was given this album last month, and although it's by no means the kind of music I'd normally listen to, I approached to it with as much positivity as I could muster. I can honestly say, it's nowhere near as bad as I though it would be. I've heard 'Pass Out' lots of times at parties, and never really minded it. Although I think it's safe to say I won't be listening to it again any time soon, I can understand it's appeal.

Elbow - Build A Rocket Boys
'Open Arms' is one of my favourite songs of the year. I thought their previous album 'Seldom Seen Kid' was utterly beautiful, and while I don't think 'Build A Rocket Boys' reaches he heights of that album, it's very good.
Best song on the album - Open Arms

Gwilym Simcock - Good Days At Schloss Elmau
While I love jazz piano, and this album is undoubtedly good, I'm not sure it really packs enough punch rival it's opposition.
Best song on the album - These Are The Good Days

James Blake - James Blake
He has a nice voice, but I think this album is trying to be a bit too indie and original for it's own good. It's not something I would rush out and buy, and I don't think it deserves the Mercury prize.
Best song on the album - The Wilhelm Scream

PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
I know there has been a lot of praise for this album, but I find the songs pretty uninspiring. Her voice irritates me - it's definitely not an album I particuarly like!
Best song on the album - The Glorious Land

Katy B -On A Mission
Once again, this isn't the kind of music I'd listen to, but this time I really quite liked it. Her voice couldn't suit this kind of style any better.
Best song on the album -Katy On A Mission

King Creosote & John Hopkins - Diamond Mine
This is a beautifully-crafted album. It really stands out from the other nominations.
Best song on the album - Bubbles


There are some nominations with a really worthy of the Mercury Prize, and some others that I feel perhaps are not, but overall I think the most worthy contender is 21 by Adele.

Song Of The Day - 05/09/2011

Friendly Goodbye - Bowling For Soup


Bowling For Soup are probably one of the most talented, but under-rated bands around. They write catchy, often funny and genuinely good songs. Friendly Goodbye, the 'swearing-without-swearing' song is one of their best.

Song Of The Day - 04/09/2011

Something Good Can Work - Two Door Cinema Club


I spent last Friday night learning the chorus to this song off by heart, which is no mean feat by any means - there's a lot of syllables to fit in! It's a quirky, happy, and slightly addictive little song.

Song Of The Day - 2/09/2011

If I Ever Stray - Frank Turner


Frank Turner's music is like a more powerful Mumford & Sons - it's mixture of rock and folk, and it works really well. If I Ever Stray is a lovely, happy song, and probably the best song on his latest album.

Z Factor

Time after time, year after year, hundreds of hopeful singers audition for the X Factor, convinced that they're the next big thing, only to have their dreams crushed by a panel of increasingly Z-list celebrities, much to the delight of millions of misery-seeking viewers. Although the majority of the normal judging panel have thankfully been replaced, Louis is still hanging around, more reliant on ITV than Katie Price is on Botox, presumably unable to cope with life without the show. I don't blame him for staying though, it must be difficult to compete with Simon Cowell when Westlife and Jedward are your only business assets. It's not all bad news though, as Kelly Rowland and the girl from N-Dubz have joined the panel, who are at least pleasant to the auditionees (sorry, I can't remember her name, and I'm not going to google it incase some some N-Dubz accidentally plays, and sabotages the Metronomy song i'm listening to). The best news of all however, is the addition of the lovely and not too ugly Gary Barlow. He seems to be a replacement for Simon, but he doesn't pull it off too well - he's simply can't compete with his predescessors harsh attitude.
I can't help wondering though, if all the competition to succeed in the X Factor is actually worthwhile. There have been some successful winners, such as Leona Lewis, but each series there are also an abundance of arguments, tears and tantrums, when an often delusional contestant is denied their "life-long dream" of a singing career - it can't be ignored that there are so many previous finalists and winners who have simply sunk without trace, despite the promise of fame, fortune and success.
Although it could be argued that auditioning for the X-Factor means you are leaving yourself open to ridicule, it seems somewhat cruel to deliberately choose people who are clearly not talented singers, simply for the viewers entertainment, particularly if they honestly think they have what it takes. This may be hypocritical of me, as I have many a time laughed at car-crash auditions, but it's sometimes easy to forget that these are actual people singing on stage - real people with real feelings. So, while I can't promise I won't stop watching the auditions (Gary Barlow, enough said), I may at least consider the fact that these people are doing the best they can, particularly as they have Louis Walsh staring back at them - knowing that he is the key to your future can't fill you with a great deal of confidence!