review
Torchwood. Not sure. Slick, stylish, funny, a little heavy on the exposition, with one or two large clunky setups and teasers thrown in (”Torchwood 4,” anybody? Cap’n’ Jacks inability to die. The fact that a large chunk of the audience are wondering hiow he got from satellite five at a point waaaaaaaaay in the future to Cardiff today). The look is fab, the aeriel shots of Cardiff making a visual reference to all those American series set in bustling metropolises where you could believe that a race of serial killing aliens could be on the rampage without anyone noticing. I’m not sure if I’d believe that in London, but in Cardiff? You buy a new duvet and half the town would know. Sill,watching episode two tonight, and looking forward to it.
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La Mirren in PS6. Fantastic.
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Robbie ‘Rudebox‘ - how can someone so washed up produce something so good? It’s not a masterpiece. It’s very derivative (and what has he done that’s been anything but derivative), but it’s, musically, fun, and lyrically, in some places, the wittiest and most personal stuff he’s done in ages. “The ’80’s” and “The 90’s” are lyrically fab, if (in the case of the latter) being another addition to the ‘It’s hell being R Williams Esq.’ cannon. “She’s Madonna” “Kiss Me” “Don’t touch that switch” and “Actor” are fab and sparkly and great pop tunes. “Louise” and “We’re the Pet Shop Boys” are pretty pointless, al told: Karaoke pop. It’s a giant vanity project that might have been better put out under an assumed name; but then EMI wouldn’t have been able to guarantee the sort of sales they’re no doubt guaranteeing. I’m just not sure how much ‘damage’ this could to to his already slightly wobbly fanbase here int he UK (the suburban ex-lads and their missuses, who don’t usually rush out to buy electro albums).
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The New Janet Jackson is also quite derivative - this time, of her own back catalogue. It’s got stuff that sounds like “Rhythmn nation” “Escapade” “Nasty” and various other highlights of her 20 year career. None of which is a bad thing. It;s also, perhaps, her best (if shortest - perhaps the two things are linked) album is a while.
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New PSB album out today. First one i haven’t rushed out to buy - because, dear readers, I am not made of money. Still, have downloaded the new tracks from their recent singles, as well as acquiring (thanks to my hubbie) the vinyl verison of ‘Numb’ with a wonderful acapella version of this beautiful song. “Concrete” can go on my Christmas List, along with This. And This. Can you tell i’m a pethead?
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Something kinda oooh makes it to #5 on downloads alone. Woo, and, indeed, Hoo!
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The iPod is 5! Happy birthday to my new best friend.
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My Dad’s visiting. Book shopping on Saturday brought me back to two of my oldest friends, and introduced me to one of their newer (and, quite frankly, more gay supertexted) adventures, which I hadn’t read. I can so see where my obsession with ancient history, historical fiction and big Menhir delivery boys came from.
That’s it.
October 23rd, 2006 at 11:54 am
I was a good boy and went to bed after Prime Suspect, saving Torchwood for later.
OMG, how brilliant was Helen? Best TV i’ve seen in a really long time. (except for Deal or No Deal, natch)