The Mix Tape

Thinking of you...

2009-03-15T22:57:00.012Z

I'm back from my unintentional hiatus! Sorry I've been away for a month my lovelies! I've missed you all and now I'm up to date with the various courseworks, essays and other demands on my time, I'm back to blogging! :D So let's get right back to it all!

A couple of weeks ago, I heard a song on the radio and thought it was Alanis Morrisette. It wasn't. It was Katy Perry with her new song 'Thinking of you'. The first time I heard it, I hated it and thought she was warbling unnecessarily with a run of the mill power ballad...and I'm not big on ballads.

However, yesterday I thought I would watch the video and give it a chance. After all, I love her last single 'Hot n cold' something chronic! Well let's just say I think it is now one of my favourite songs. The video is pretty emotional and beautifully filmed and put together and I must say without irony, it brought a tear to my eye. All ten times I listened to it. And that just doesn't happen with me and music videos. Ever.

The video comprises of flashback and present day and shows a young couple very much in love, when he goes off to fight in WWII. He is killed and she tries to move on with a new man, but finds herself unable to stop thinking of her previous love; the one. It's pretty heart-wrenching and reminds me a lot of "The Notebook", one of my favourite films that I have posted about before.

Also, before I post some screencaps for you to enjoy; look out for Matt Dallas (of the brilliant Kyle XY) playing Katy's first love. Isn't he lovely? And check out the video here and you won't be disappointed.

L-O-V-E

2009-02-13T20:19:00.002Z

Happy Valentines Day!

Here is this very talented girl Mia's version of a Nat King Cole classic and one of my favourite ever songs; "L-O-V-E".

I hope you all have a lovely day!

In which all credibility goes out the window

2009-02-10T21:08:00.004Z

Ok, to accompany the other videos in my last post, I thought I would post a couple of my guilty pleasures as it were. Here they are:

V- Blood, sweat and tears:

Adam Rickitt - I breathe again:

And last but not least; Chesney Hawkes - The one and only:

Don't you pretend you don't love that last one as much as me! And because the laughs keep rolling, this is a clip from BBC2 music/comedy celebrity quiz show "Never Mind The Buzzcocks". I think it may be one of my favourite tv moments EVER! :D

A couple of new favourites

2009-02-10T20:43:00.009Z

I have finally figured out how to post youtube vids onto my blog. How I wish I had clicked the blogger 'help' button sooner...

Two of my favourite songs are Dire Strait's "Romeo and Juliet" and Bruce Hornsby's "That's just the way it is". So the wonderful Genius application on iTunes suggested some songs that I may like. I immediately purchased "Mandolin rain" by Hornsby and The Killers' cover of "Romeo and Juliet"; both of which I had never heard before.

Here are the videos of each, for you all to enjoy too.

I adore the piano in this song and the video fits perfectly. It's so beautiful.

It's not the easiest task covering a Dire Straits classic, but The Killers somehow put their own unique spin on it. I love Brandon Flowers' vocal.

Some things last

2009-02-09T21:10:00.005Z

Tonight I saw "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". As a rule, I'm not Brad Pitt's biggest fan, but I must say: he moved me. The film was exceptional, which I suppose you would expect considering it's nominated for 13 Oscars.

It's about a man, who ages backwards; born in 1918 an elderly man (look out for the wonderful motif of the railway station clock). Through his life he witnesses the deaths of those he's 'grown up' with and faces the trials of living a life where everybody is ageing backwards to him.

The Telegraph reviewed it as "the anti-Slumdog Millionaire: a film that's stately, tasteful and genteelly melancholic rather than fevered, rollicking and euphoric. It's a film about time that seems almost out of time."

I would agree. It makes you think. About life, death, love and everything in between. And I will admit that out of four of us that went to see it, only two left the cinema without mascara running down their cheeks (and I wasn't one of them). The film was touchingly beautiful, yet makes you consider your own mortality, not something that people usually want to have to dwell on. 2009 is certainly turning out some must-sees.

Guest posting

2009-02-09T07:57:00.011Z

Fran, over at one of my favourite blogs Fishing for Beautiful, has asked me and Rachel (the mayfly, another of my daily reads) to guest on her blog all of this week which will be no doubt lots of fun! You can check out mine and Rach's posts for Fran over there for the next seven days.

We're practically Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins (check out the Sunday Night Project), minus the massive hair, stand up skills and the prowess required to reunite the casts of various 80s shows (Dallas anyone?)

You got me smilin'

2009-02-08T19:55:00.007Z

At work the past couple of weeks, I have kept hearing a song. It's got stuck in my head very quickly and I rushed home today to google some of the lyrics to find out what it was.

I thought it sounded like Birmingham singer Bryn Christopher (whose song "The Quest" has been playing for weeks). I was right and it's called "Smilin". Also, it's been out since August 2008. Catch up Sophie! Anyway, I love it and think you may too (although everyone's probably already heard it haha!) :D

The guy's got style and it goes to show that my work really does play the best music!

He's just not that into you

2009-02-08T19:16:00.006Z

Well I broke the habit of a lifetime last night and went to see a chick-flick with friends (I'm sure you can sense the sarcasm?)

With an all-star cast ranging from Drew Barrymore to Ben Affleck and Justin Long to Scarlett Johansson, "He's just not that into you" had a lot to live up to. Based on the dating guidebook, surprisingly entitled "He's just not that into you" by Sex and the City writer Greg Behrendt; the film (much like the book) gives a rundown of what-not-to-do in the shark infested waters of dating.

For example, do not and I repeat DO NOT, do as Ginnifer Goodwin's character GiGi does and turn up at the preferred bar of the guy she went on a date with once, using the excuse that she came to return his promo pen. Bless her.

On that point, Ginnifer Goodwin is one to watch, I reckon. You may have seen her in Big Love and Mona Lisa Smile (as the equally loveable Connie) , but we will be seeing more of her in the future I am sure.

I haven't laughed so much at a film in ages and laughed we did. Copious amounts. Everyone cringed, hissed and awww-ed throughout the movie and it was brilliant to be in a screening that was so vocal.

I finally found a film that I loved Jennifer Aniston in (Friends has often proved too much to top) and I actually liked Ben Affleck. The characters had chemistry, the plot was intricately woven, yet easy to understand and it was also genuinely funny. Every character seemed to invoke affection and that is rare for such a large cast.

"He's just not that into you" is probably one of the best films I have seen of that genre and has catapulted into my top ten films of all time. Seriously. See it and love it!

Music to blog to

2009-02-08T18:30:00.006Z

Image from www.concurringopinions.com

Yes, I finally got round to making a virtual mixtape of videos! Sorry it took so long but I have been pretty busy :D Terrible excuse I know!

Anyways this will be a regular thing now (I'm thinking 'Mixtape Mondays' although I know it's Sunday today!) so let me know what you think and your ideas for the next one.

Right, so the first suggestion came from Anna of the wonderful, funny and touching blog "Part Mummy Part Me" and her appropriate suggestion was songs to blog to. And seeing as blogging is what we do, I thought that would be an excellent place to start.

Here are a few songs that keep the inspiration flowing :D (click on the links for the vids). Personally, I like a few of the 80s and 90s classics and a bit of jazz!

1. Robbie Williams - Strong

2. Nina Simone - Sinnerman

3. Texas - Inner smile

4. Emilie Claire Barlow - Les yeux ouverts (dream a little dream of me)

5. Finlay Quaye - Sunday shining

6. MGMT - Electric feel

7. The Only Ones - Another girl, another planet

8. Stereophonics - Just looking

9. Bananarama - Robert De Niro's waiting

10. The Waterboys - Fisherman's blues

11. The Corrs - Would you be happier

12. Katy Perry - Hot n cold

13. Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere

14. Deacon Blue - Real gone kid

15. Del Amitri - As soon as the tide comes in

16. U2 - City of blinding lights

17. Tori Amos - Cornflake girl

18. Bobby Darin - Mack the knife

19. Bryan Adams - Run to you

20. Matchbox 20 - How far we've come

Hope you all liked it and found a few new cool songs :D What music do you like blogging to? And don't forget to leave your suggestion for the net mixtape theme!

The Notebook

2009-02-04T21:41:00.012Z

I love "The Notebook".

It must be one of the best romantic films ever and never fails to make me sob and despite popular belief :D I don't cry at films often! It's a bittersweet, touching tale of star-crossed lovers and the leads, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams are perfection.

After all, surely, 'behind every great love is a great story'.

Snow day

2009-02-03T17:23:00.008Z

Sorry it's taken so long for a new post! Have spent the past week concentrating on coursework and various mundane tasks :D

Today was one of those days that are just perfect. We never seem to get any snow in Shrewsbury and the last two days it has seemed to tumble from the sky!

At lunch in the Quarry (which is our beautiful town park overlooking the River Severn), there was a snowball fight between our college and a neighbouring private school. Over 200 people seemed to be there.

What you get when you mix friends, snowballs and some 'friendly' rivalry is a LOT of fun!

And when lessons started again, Rach (of the mayfly) and I carried on our own little snowfight in a more densely covered patch! She got me in the eye :( but I got her in the ear :D Heehee!

Ladyhawke

2009-01-22T20:21:00.004Z

I have discovered Ladyhawke (aka Pip Brown).

Just a few days ago, I saw her song "Dusk till dawn" on a trailer for the new series of Skins (which I will no doubt post about eventually as it rocks!) and was compelled to listen to some more of this talented New Zealander's stuff. It doesn't disappoint, with an irresistable, somewhat chaotic combo of electro-synthpop, complete with credibility and charisma to boot.

Top tracks? As previously mentioned, "Dusk till dawn" is my favourite (check out the spooky vid!), but equally good is "Better than Sunday" (great chorus) and "Paris is burning" is quickly becoming a top favourite! Current sounding and with the retro-fabulous vibe that I'm so fond of, I hope we will be hearing more from Ladyhawke.

Would play nicely with MGMT's "Electric feel" and the stomper "Kids" and some of her stuff reminds me of "Little lies" by Fleetwood Mac. And that's no bad thing :D

How about a compilation?

2009-01-21T21:27:00.002Z

I was thinking as a new thing for my blog, maybe I should, in the spirit of a mix-tape, start posting a weekly playlist and link to videos for you all to enjoy. What do you think? If anyone wants to request a theme (eg. 'Songs for driving down the motorway with the windows down') for the playlist or something that could be fun :D

And isn't this mixtape necklace absolutely gorgeous?

Maitreya from lovely blog http://craftlog.org/craftlog/ made it herself. Make sure you check out her page as she has lots of crafty things to admire!

The word is on your lips...whether you like it or not

2009-01-21T20:41:00.008Z

I'm a bit of an Alphabeat fan.

It started with "Fascination", their gloriously repetitive debut single. I tried to fight it I really did, but before long I was ignoring cries of "but Sophie, they're sooo annoying" and found myself swept away on a psychedelic tidal wave of happy-clappy 80s inspired melodic pop. And I liked it. A couple of months passed and it happened again when I was browsing the sale racks in Topshop, Colchester. A poptastic song with a great beat blared from the speakers and I found it stuck in my head. Of course I had to track down this song and discovered it to be Alphabeat's "Boyfriend" (which has a video that features a lot of mixtapes!) and I had to buy the album.

To be honest, I don't actually see how I could ever have sidelined Alphabeat being the 80s fan that I am and with inspiration ranging from Prefab Sprout and Deacon Blue and such lovely harmonies, I could not resist. Listening to Alphabeat is like a guilty pleasure. You know it's cheesy but you just don't care as it's just so toe-tappingly, head-bobbingly marvelous. I guarantee it will leave you with a smile stretching from ear to ear.

And have you seen the quirky, retro styling of the band themselves? Stine, the adorable female lead singer's cute elphin haircut is fab fab fab and from wearing a 50s cinched in number, to a 60s shift dress, she carries it off with effortless style. Alphabeat use colour to their advantage. They know what they are and stick with it. Much more interesting than the usual celebrity fare of the much reused LBD don't you think? :D

Plus, 3 of them are called Anders. And that's just plain cool.

Kalle Gustafsson

2009-01-17T19:42:00.004Z

Looking at Betsey's beautiful blog Una Bella Vita, I came across her post of photographer Kalle Gustafsson and once again I am seriously impressed. His use of colour and shade is gorgeous and his photos have an almost otherworldly quality to them. The last picture is definitely my favourite. I love the light behind them, like the sun is setting on a perfect day in the country. It just looks so natural.

Question time

2009-01-11T20:02:00.010Z

So, on a few of my favourite blogs recently, there is an interview question time thing doing the rounds and my lovely friend Rach, of gorgeous blog the mayfly sent me some brilliant questions to answer! Thanks for the challenge and opportunity to go on about these topics for a bit Rach! I'd love to interview any of you readers as well :D

1. If you want to participate, leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.” (And your e-mail address, please.)

2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

1. Your blog is music themed, so its obviously something that is important to you. How did you first "get into" music, and how have your musical tastes changed over time? Why listen to music? Why is it important to you and what does it mean to you?

I can honestly say I think I've always been "into" music. I grew up with my mum constantly playing bands like Pulp, Del Amitri and The Beautiful South in the house, in the car...wherever really and so after a while, I couldn't help singing along too. When I was little, I loved anything my parents played to me and I remember I was bought the Spice Girls first album on tape and I think it was all I listened to for about a year...I still have that tape and there is something magical about it even now!

I loved pop music and used to sit in front of my radio every Sunday and tape my favourite songs from the top 40 charts and make my own mix-tapes which is why my blog is named after that!

Over time, my music tastes have expanded readily; I still love the same bands and songs, but have spent years adding to my collection and jotting down lyrics to look up the bands later. I listen to music to feel happy, to remember and to dance myself silly round my room. A lot of my memories are connected to songs. "Living on a prayer" by Bon Jovi ALWAYS reminds me of an amazing 2005 school drama trip to London and "Dreams" by The Corrs always brings up a sunny day driving past a car wash on a trip back from Wales. Random I know, but it makes me smile, see--> :D It's simple really...music means everything.

2. You also blog about beautiful images and places and people... What does beauty mean to you? Is anything ugly?

I definitely think beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Cliched but true. I like to think there is something beautiful in everything, a silver lining if you like. An example of this is from the fields of Flanders, where after so much death and destruction, poppies bloomed in their thousands. A fitting tribute for all those brave soldiers.

I don't think I have ever looked at something and thought "that's ugly". Ever. Either I am extremely unobservant or I prefer to concentrate on the lovely aspects of life. Everything and everyone is beautiful in their or its individual, unique way.

3. If you could spend 24 hours with one person, who would it be? Fictional characters included...

Oh gosh so many people, I can't name one! Sorry Rach, I just can't do it :D Most of them are no longer alive so if that's allowed (pretty please?) I would say Marilyn Monroe, because she was just so fantastic and I would love to see what she was like as a person and disprove all those horrible rumours about her. Audrey Hepburn as she was such an icon- Inspirational, beautiful and a really good person. I would love to spend some time with my nan again as she was such a wonderful woman and memories of her never fail to make me smile! Living? I would love to meet Gwen Stefani as I have loved No Doubt for as long as I can remember! Michael McIntyre because he is simply hilarious and I want to ask him if some of the things he talks about really happen to him! I suppose if I could spend 24 hours with all the people I want to meet or spend time with it would be one long lovely dinner party!

4. Moving back to your lovely blog, why do you blog?

I kept seeing other people's lovely blogs actually and a few people I know started their own(they're all on my list down the side for you to check out too!) and it made me look at what I found beautiful and inspiring and I decided to share some of that in the hope that others may discover something new or vaguely interesting too! Plus I love the community feel of blogging, I love reading about people's lives and looking at gorgeous photography, catchy tunes and seeing life and subjects in a different way to before. I don't mind if no-one reads it as I just love doing it! And if people do take the time to have a peek, then that's lovely :D

5. Finally, do you have a favourite place to be? Be it a park bench or a whole city, we all have those places that for some reason hold a little magic. Why is yours magic?

I have a few places that hold that magic for me. Starting off on a slightly obscure place...the cinema. Strange I know, but I adore the feeling off queuing for tickets for the same film as a group of strangers and sitting there, everyone laughing at the same time, feeling the same emotions and sharing the experience of watching a film. I love that. Plus my friends and I have had some really lovely days out involving cinema trips so it holds some special memories for me! Ditto the Quarry (no not that sort!), a really beautiful park in my home town. It stretches out along the river and the views are beautiful. In the summer, it's a great place to play team games with friends or have a picnic; but I love going for crisp winter walks when it's virtually empty because it's so cold. It's so peaceful and I could sit there for hours. There's always a new corner to explore.

Other places include London in generally as most of my best days ever have been in the capital city with friends, family, laughter and fun! It's vibrant, diverse, gritty, fast paced, with gorgeous architecture and a sense of adventure! For me, the streets there will always be paved with gold, despite the fact I know life there is often very different. Cardiff is also one of my favourite places, as I grew up going there almost every weekend. It's so clean and feels so safe and compact, with just as much to do as any city! It's amazingly friendly and welcoming and I love the views from Cardiff Bay. Plus I love the accent!

Most of all, I love Shropshire. It's got wonderful market towns, rolling hills, fresh air, beauty and scenery like no other. The place never fails to astound me. I don't think I could ever get fed up with it!

Into Versailles

2009-01-08T13:24:00.005Z

Reading Fran's post about about Jimmy Backius, I simply had to check out his work here. And I have to say, I think it is incredible, so full of beauty, simplicity and decadence, colour and light. I absolutely adore the feel of these stylish Marie Antoinette inspired photographs. Thank you Fran! I think he may just be one of my favourite photographers! Hop along to Sisters and Sparrows, her lovely inspiring blog, here.

The true extent of boredom

2009-01-08T12:57:00.007Z

My name is Sophie and I have a problem. No, not that type of problem...a problem regarding daytime television. Having flu for the past week has resulted with me comatosed on the sofa with some very large square eyes and little energy to do more than channel hop. I'm glad to be able to catch up with the lovely Phil'n'Fern from This Morning (they shall never be spoken of separately) and the girls from Loose Women. I've even started wondering if I prefer Andrea McLean heading up the panel, or Jackie "when I lived in LA" Brambles.

And when Loose Women ends at 1.30 I have 1hr and 40 mins to kill before Come Dine With Me (but it's ok as I'm sure there's a Celebrity Masterchef on some obscure food channel). The problem with watching all these cookery shows prove;

a) that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing and I actually think I could create a 3 course dinner for 3 strange dinner guests (2 courses would be toast but that's irrelevant...) and

b) that this actually would end in disaster of the food poisoning kind.

You see? I REALLY need to feel better quickly!

New Year's Resolutions

2008-12-31T21:48:00.007Z

Happy New Year everyone! It's officially 2009! Gosh, I can't believe how fast the year went!

After eating too a year's worth of turkey, drinking too much and spending days lounging on the sofa, too lethargic to even reach for the last delectable Quality Street caramel cup in the ad break of the Christmas special of - insert the name of practically any sitcom/drama/soap here; most of us decide enough is officially enough!

We will snap out of this attitude of excess and abundance! We will join a gym...despite the fact that the majority of people who do this will pay above £150 for a year's membership and go a grand total of twice, spending most of this at the water cooler (you know who you are). We will stop all bad habits! YES, you heard me- ALL! That includes smoking, alcohol, procrastination, taking the lift to the floor above- shunning the pitiful twenty two steps to be climbed.

We will drink health drinks and buy a juicer. No more coffee for us! However anyone who has actually tried to make their own juice know that 6 oranges will only make approximately 10ml of orange juice. They know these things. You, on the other hand, after realising just how much mess and washing up the juicer creates, will be begging the Starbucks guy for your skinny double choca-mocha-no whip-no cream-extra foam quicker than you can say "caffeine fix". You will attempt to give up chocolate, which often involves a couple of days of smugness and then ending up a couple of pounds heavier than you were already when you substitute chocolate for double the cereal bars that often have twice the amount of sugar as your curly wurly.

You may say I'm cynical about New Year's Resolutions...Only because for the last twelve years I have boldly said "I will quit biting my nails". It is a disgusting habit and I have literally tried everything but sometimes things get tense and that's just the way the proverbial cookie crumbles...So this year, I am starting anew!

1. I will go running more. I have been for the few days again and I must say I am really enjoying it. However ask me again on a college day and you will probably hear a very different story about how sleep is more important and how it has got soooo cold. Even in the summer.

2. I will not regret anything, chalk everything up to experience and stop worrying about everyone and everything.

3. I will try to be more spontaneous and try to have less of a life plan. I must say this really got messed up when I decided nursing wasn't for me. After I'd applied to uni. After years' worth of working towards that goal. BUT it's "cool"...I'm "adjusting" to the uncertainty of having little idea of what "I want to be when I grow up". So at least this resolution may actually work out ok.

What do I want from 2009? As always, everyone to be happy and healthy. World peace would be nice too.

Another resolution...

4. To have as much fun as 2008!

Happy 2009! I can feel it's gonna be great already! Hope all your dreams come true!

PostSecret

2008-12-31T21:35:00.003Z

PostSecret is one of those websites where you are never quite sure what you're going to come across. The premise is simple, people send in a postcard with a secret. What is special about PostSecret is that you realise that everybody has those little secrets and quirks that they could never really tell anyone about. Some are weird, some are wonderful; others are remarkable and a few are morally ambiguous. Occasionally you may come across one that gives you some faith in humankind. Here are a few of my favourites...

After all, it's good to share. Isn't it?

On a cold winter's afternoon

2008-12-31T19:42:00.007Z

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas, I know I did :D

I had a bit of a lazy day today. I didn't wake up until about 12.30 and then thought why start rushing around now? And with that thought firmly in my mind, I spent an enjoyable, rare afternoon lying on my bed shamelessly watching bad chick flicks, drinking copius amounts of apple and mango J2O, starting on my first Christmas chocolates and reading my lovely new cookbook, full of recipes I know I will probably never cook.

Now that's what I call productive!

And on the subject of bad chick flicks, "The Prince and Me" may be a predictable, cliched fairytale, but it is definitely the ticket for a cold, rainy afternoon. I also watched one of my favourites; "27 Dresses". I think it may even be better than the sacred "Bridget Jones's Diary", or at the very least, the American equivalent. Plus it stars the brilliant Katherine Heigl (the blonde from Grey's Anatomy that's not the annoying analytical one of the title) and the yummy James Marsden . Worth looking out for is Judy Greer, who is a SCREAM as Heigl's cutting, sarky best friend.

Continuing with the day's activities and due to a pretty sore throat and about six months exhaustion catching up on me hehe, I am having a quiet night in this New Year's Eve, watching "Just Like Heaven" and the hilarious "Meet the Fockers".

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2009 brings you all health, happiness and lots of love, fun and laughter :D

Eat, drink and be merry!

2008-12-23T23:17:00.004Z

It's that time again. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It's Christmas Eve tomorrow and I for one, have many a present left to wrap. Oops...

I think this photo is gorgeous too. Once again it's Cardiff and an ice rink but I love the way the light falls and illuminates all the vibrant colours. And the sunset just looks gorgeous. From http://www.grouptravelorganiser.com

Twilight

2008-12-23T22:36:00.011Z

Ok, so considering the mass hysteria and mobbings of the cast of "Twilight" I was starting to get worried that the film wouldn't live upto the hype. And sitting there watching the trailers, I was actually quite worried that I would hate the film that I had been looking forward to since I read the books about a month ago (I caught on late, despite being nagged by friends for what seems like 2 years to read them). I need not have worried. I actually loved it!

Some critics have criticised the special effects but praised the acting and I would say I agree to some extent. The vampires movement was far from fluid and seemed a little clunky but I overlooked it seeing as the film was pretty low budget for a blockbuster. The acting on the other hand, was brilliant. Kristin Stewart was the perfect Bella, exactly how I pictured her and Robert Pattinson lived and breathed Edward. The chemistry between them was completely believable and yes, the long intense stares were sometimes overly long and intense (not that the primarily female audience would complain at seeing every perfect pore on Pattinson's face staring at the screen for upto 10 seconds at a time...and I can't even say I completely disagree!) but somehow it worked.

Parts of it really moved me, such as the relationship between Bella and her dad Charlie (credit to the fantastic Billy Burke!), I actually got really choked up at the scene where Bella and him have a major confrontation near the film's most dramatic scenes.

I loved the Cullens, I loved everyone else, I loved the humour (if some of it seemed unintentional. Note the "spider-monkey" line), I loved the breathtaking views and scenery, I loved the characterisation and I loved loved loved the music so much I bought the soundtrack. It's weird really as none of the tracks are really what I thought I was into, but I can honestly say I love almost every single track. It's so different and eclectic and the songs are perfectly used in the film. Carter Burwell's "Bella's lullaby" is gorgeous with a slightly dark edge, Iron and Wine's "Flightless bird, american mouth" (the song used in the prom scene where they are dancing on that lovely podium with the twinkly lights) is beautiful and Rob Pattinson's "Never Think" is stunning and simple. I am however slightly disappointed that they didn't include his song "Let me sign" on the soundtrack, which was used in the climax of the scene in the ballet studio (I won't spoil it!)

I think director Catherine Hardwicke did a great job, making the film stand out in it's own right. Yes it stayed pretty true to the book, but I felt her and the cast took some risks to make it their own. I'm sorry she won't be back for the sequel "New Moon", but am intrigued to see how new director Chris Weitz will handle the challenges ahead.

So all in all, "Twilight" completely lived upto my expectations and made for a great night out with two of my friends. One of them even wants to go and see it again next week in the Christmas holiday--

--It didn't exactly take much persuasion...

Stereophonics

2008-12-18T20:49:00.014Z

On Monday night I saw my favourite band, Stereophonics at Birmingham NIA on their "Decade in the Sun" tour. I can honestly saw that I was pretty excited as I have loved them since I was about three years old (blame the parents!) and they certainly didn't disappoint! They played for about two hours and among classics like "A thousand trees" and "Pick a part that's new",they played some amazing new songs, the rocking "My own worst enemy" and the wonderful "You're my star". I can honestly say I've never screamed or clapped so much in my life. The atmosphere was electric, the crowd was singing and the band never sounded better, thanks to Kelly Jones' trademark gravelly Welsh voice. He sung "Maybe tomorrow" in acoustic on his own on the stage, lit up in a red spotlight and it was mesmorising. When they sung "Local boy in photograph" my favourite Stereophonic's song, I felt so proud to be Welsh and I also discovered a new favourite, the haunting "I stopped to fill my car up" and if you click on the link, you can see the footage from the Cardiff gig of that song on the same tour. I swear, it may just move you to tears. Or maybe that's just me haha!

After a night of incredible music and more than 20 songs, they hadn't played "Dakota" and I don't think I've ever seen anyone get so nervous about a song as my mum was, when it looked like, after 2 encore songs they were'nt going to perform it.

But they did. And in a haze of bright yellow lights, they closed an amazing show with an equally amazing song. And the journey out of the 13th level of the gigantic multi-storey car park is another story... It was worth it though and I highly recommend seeing them live if you can!

Oh, and if you want something a bit different, check out their version of "You sexy thing" which is pretty surreal...

Snow is falling all around me

2008-12-11T19:28:00.009Z

I love the picture above. It would be wonderful to go to New York and go ice-skating outside. I think it's so iconic! Straight out of a film!

My Christmas Hits Cd has finally arrived! I have been waiting with baited breath for two weeks and when I got home from a fabulous time bowling with my friend Vicky (she beat me. THREE times!), I saw it lying there on the mat in it's little brown cardboard box. :D Of course now I will play nothing else until December 26th at least.

Also, it got me thinking about favourite christmas songs. I think my favourite favourite is The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl-Fairytale of New York. Kirsty MacColl is a huge inspiration to me anyway and I love her music; the song has such charm and I love how it tells a story. It's bittersweet quality invokes such emotion and the music is amazing with a sort of Irish charm. Another current favourite is Mariah Carey-Christmas (Baby please come home). I keep hearing it at work and it always makes me smile and start to sway haha! Ooo and I also love Olivia Olson's version of Mariah's classic, All I want for Christmas is you, from the amazing movie "Love Actually". I love that film. It's like Christmas in a dvd case! :D

Ooo I'm so excited now!

Above is a picture of Kirsty and The Pogues.

I want to play dress-up

2008-12-10T18:17:00.004Z

I think I may have found the dress for my work party :D It's from New Look and I LOVE the vintagey, Victorian, gothic vibe it has. Plus the ruffles are pretty! The weird thing is that it should look pretty terrible on me due to the high neckline and everything, as I am more of an hourglass shape. But, after much persuasion from a couple of very patient friends who sat there while I um-ed and ah-ed and the fact that it has a nipped in waist (thank god or I'd look like a sack!) I'm sure it's the dress for me! Although I will probably change my mind tomorrow!

Honey put on that party dress

2008-12-09T20:15:00.012Z

(Pictures from Celebrity Mound)

I'm looking for a dress at the moment for my work Christmas party on Saturday. I came across this picture of Scarlett Johansson and Eva Mendes at The Spirit Launch Party last week. I wish I could find a dress similar to either of them. Scarlett's has such a vintagey 1940s vibe to it and I wish I could carry off bright yellow as well as Eva! They both have such amazing style and I especially love Eva's hair and her blue eyeliner which is maybe slightly more attainable! :D

Outnumbered

2008-12-09T19:29:00.002Z

Since I discovered BBC1 gem Outnumbered a few weeks ago at the start of the second series, I have been going on about how good it is, in the hope that someone else will have seen it. Sadly only about two people have! It's about a normal, slightly dysfunctional family, consisting of Mum (Claire Skinner) and Dad (Hugh Dennis) and three unruly children, who are the real star finds of the show. Karen especially, played by the amazing Ramona Marquez, is an absolute credit. She looks like a little angel, but behind the curls masks a child capable of unleashing a stream of constant, unrelenting interrogation at the unsuspecting adults, with a sort of warped logic that actually sounds pretty realistic. From past stories, I have an idea that I too, was constant questioner; "why?" being a particular speech habit.

It's semi-improvised, especially for the children, which gives a lovely dimension to the show; that just like in real life, you never quite know what a child will say next.

One of my favourite clips is when Karen announces she is leaving home "really". Claire Skinner, who I think is a fantastic actress anyway, plays the mum, Sue spot on, going along with her daughter's scheme, not realising she is quite, quite "selious".

I only wish I had caught on to this brilliantly observed comedy last year when series 1 was shown, but I will definitely right this soon!

V is very very, extraordinary

2008-12-04T21:43:00.006Z

Well I hadn't blogged for a few days and whilst I was on a 'favourite songs' trip down memory lane, I thought I would go on a bit about the incredible Nat King Cole. I think I have mentioned in a couple of other posts (Parent Trap one perhaps?) my love for his appropriately named song "L.O.V.E".

I really love old music like Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and the like, but N.K.C, with his voice like warmed cognac really is the best of the best for me. I like his style and the way, when I see a video of him, he seems to look at the camera with a smiley knowingness, as if he has the answers and he's going to be nice enough to share the secrets with us too!

Particularly great ones to listen to are: "L-O-V-E" (of course!), "Let there be love" and "Mona Lisa".

And if you decide to look up Nat King Cole, you might like his daughter, Natalie Cole's music too, which is also brilliant, especially "This will be", another gloriusly uplifting song and her duets with her father. She also does a nice little version of "I say a little prayer" with Whitney Housten too!

Let's all meet up in the year 2000

2008-12-04T21:00:00.004Z

Considering my blog is called The Mix Tape, I think now is the time to mention one of my personal mix-tape classics (yes I do indeed make them!). I think the ingredient for a great mix-tape song is something that maybe holds some memories or just makes you feel happy (or sad, depending on your current temperament!) and this is exactly what Pulp's "Disco 2000" is for me. I have possibly put it on every mix-tape or compilation I have ever made!

Thanks to a mother who adored Pulp and other incredible bands such as Del Amitri, The Stereophonics and The Beautiful South, I grew up constantly listening to them and it comes as no shock that they are among my favourite bands still.

But "Disco 2000" is probably my favourite song of ALL time. And I'm not joking! I said for a while that it was Mark Ronson feat. Daniel Merriweather's version of "Stop me", but now I realise that was just a short-lived, if, rather wonderful phase. Yes I love the equally brilliant "Common people", especially the genius lyrics (thank you Jarvis!), but for me, "Disco 2000" holds the edge.

It reminds me of driving on the way to one of my favourite places, Cardiff, at the age of five, drinking a carton of apple juice and singing along to all the words.

In case you don't know, it tells the story of the narrator falling for a childhood friend, Deborah, who is a) more popular than him, and b) completely unaware of her friend's slight fixation and he imagines what it would be like for them to meet up again in the year 2000. It perfectly conveys being a teenager and is a song that seems to scream "90s" from it's every syllable. And I love that, because I loved the 90s!

It is the first song I can remember classing as a firm favourite, the only song to have remained in my top 5 of all time (I like imaginary top 10 lists!) since the age of 5 and the only song I try not to overplay for fear of ever getting sick of it.

Oh and in case anyone is interested, Wikipedia informs me that "it is believed that the fountain referred to as the meeting place is Goodwin Fountain, located on Fargate, in Sheffield city centre".

So now you know.

And please, please, please watch the wonderful video and it will all make sense!

Letters to crushes

2008-11-30T21:04:00.002Z

I came across this wonderful website whilst browsing blogs the other day. It's rather lovely, with anonymous letters to crushes. Some are eloquent, some are simple, some are sad, most are optimistic and most of all hopeful. It makes me want to find out the stories behind the words.

The Parent Trap

2008-11-30T18:34:00.004Z

So, Channel 4 is currently showing one of my favourite films of all time is the 1998 film version of "The Parent Trap", starring Lindsay Lohan (with an incredibly cute clipped English accent for one ofher two twin roles as Annie), Natasha Richardson and Dennis Quaid. I love everything about the film. I love how it reminds me of the 90s, I love the acting, I love the sentimentality and I love the music. With my favourites, Nat King Cole's "L.O.V.E" (in my top ten songs of all time), The La's "There she goes" and of course, The Beatles "Here comes the sun", the whole soundtrack fits perfectly!

It's worth watching purely for Elaine Hendrix's performance as Meredith, the epitome of an evil soon-to-be-stepmother. She may look like Marilyn Monroe, but her gold-digging take on the character is pure class and pretty hilarious as she fails to outwit two eleven year olds (especially during the camping scene!). If you like her in this, please watch Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, you won't regret it!

As well as being very, very funny, the film is also adorably touching; especially the interaction between Hallie and Annie (played to perfection by Lohan), but most of all in the relationship between their estranged parents Nick and Elizabeth which is both recognisable and relatable (if a tad cliched, not that that is a bad thing). The ending and montage of photos at the end is a perfect ending to, in my opinion, a perfect film for all ages. I certainly won't ever grow out of it!

Little black book of style

2008-11-28T13:16:00.017Z

In search of my dream future career, I have discovered Style Bible. It is going to become one of my favourite websites I can tell!

In the words of the website; "Stylebible.com is a luxury lifestyle and concierge directory. Membership offers access to the ultimate online little black book with insider information, designer sample sale alerts, special offers and exclusive access to the most stylish venues around the world, in addition to a directory of exceptional travel, lifestyle, fashion and beauty establishments."

I love the whole idea of having a place which reviews and details all of these amazing places, clothes, boutiques and restaurants. It also has some really good articles. Plus one of the best things about it is the exclusive sample sale directory. This is where all those amazing shops and designers have secret, impromtu sales of their goods at a fraction of the price with near perfect quality. Shame the ones nearest to me are usually in London.

I would love to have afternoon tea at The Ritz one day. It looks so lovely and civilised. But I still can't quite believe you have to book pretty much 12 weeks in advance.

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

2008-11-27T21:20:00.005Z

So, even if you weren't sure who sung the song, you may have seen the Apple Ipod Touch advert, which features "Around the bend" by The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, a new Danish band.

I really think I'm going to like them, they have a cool, psychedelic, summery sort of sound.

Lead singer, Mette Lindberg is on Never Mind The Buzzcocks at the moment and I love her style!

To me, they're a mish mash of 60s soul, 80s indie with pinch of a space age vibe! Oh and they have saxophones :D

Soundtrack to life

2008-11-26T18:03:00.006Z

IF YOUR LIFE WAS A FILM, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?

So, here's how it works:

1. Open your music library (iTunes, Media Player, iPod, etc.)

2. Put it on shuffle

3. Press play

4. For every question, type the song that's playing

5. When you go to a new question, press the next button

6. And no making up appropriate songs haha :D (because you so would!)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Opening credits: Tina Turner - Steamy windows

Waking up: Boyzone - When the going gets tough

First day at school: The Small Faces - Itchycoo park ("what did you do there? I got higgghhh!" haha!)

Falling in love: Sixpence None The Richer - Kiss me

Fight song: Bananarama - Robert De Niro's waiting (could you get a less appropriate song? Ha!)

Breaking up: Kirsty MacColl - A new England

Prom: Louis Armstrong - Mack the knife

Everyday life: Spice Girls - Wannabe

Mental breakdown: New Order - Blue Monday

Driving: Bran Van 3000 - Drinking in LA

Flashback: Thurston Harris and The Sharps - Little bitty pretty one

Wedding: The Beloved - Sweet harmony

Birth of child: Tom Jones - I can see clearly now

Final battle: Duran Duran - Rio (again = big laughs!)

Death scene: ABC - When Smokey sings (at least it's happy :D)

Funeral song: Nat King Cole - L.O.V.E

End credits: The Beatles - Hey Jude

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well from that little escapade I can clearly see that the odds on me picking a miserable song (do I even own one?!) are slim to none.

Never mind though- who could ever have a final battle to Duran Duran? It would be highly entertaining! I am rather pleased with the end credits though! I can imagine the film ending with a rousing "naaaaa, na na, na na na na, nananana, heeeyyy Judee". The whole soundtrack made me smile, see ----> :D

Reasons to be cheerful

2008-11-24T21:23:00.003Z

It seems lately that everyone I know has been pretty miserable, me included and as a happy person, I think this should change. I came across this rather amazing website which inspired me to create my own list of the little random things that make me cheerful.

Warming my hands around a mug of hot chocolate with lots of froth
The smell of cinnamon
The cold side of the pillow
A good old rom-com
80s music
Movie soundtracks
Pearl necklaces
Cosy patterned jumpers
Finding books I have wanted for ages in second hand book stores
Mix-tapes, not CDs (appropriately)
Old fashioned brooches
Forests
Late night Christmas shopping
The sound of heavy rain when I'm warm indoors
Department stores
The postcards they have free at the cinema
City skylines
Little coffee shops
Stepping on that crunchy looking leaf
Dancing round my room
Old fashioned printed wrapping paper
A brand new textbook
Synchronicity
A fleeting shared glance
A crisp winter's morning
Hysterical laughter shared with friends or family
Britpop
Cuddles
Observational comedy
Boys with hair you can ruffle up
Going to the cinema
The friends you think of as family
Family
Black and white photographs
Pink t-shirt days at work
Bridget Jones's Diary (the film) solves a mulitude of petty problems
Those moments when you realise how great it is to be alive

I feel happier already :D

What things make you all smiley?

Boyzone

2008-11-21T21:22:00.003Z

I've gotta say, I have really missed Boyzone! Their song "love you anyway" absolutely makes me want to get up and dance lots. It's my new wake up alarm.

After all, Simply Red was getting old...

Bright lights, big city

2008-11-20T19:27:00.032Z

I actually love London.

I love the architecture, old and new...

I love the fact, that even when you're from the same country, you can shamelessly play tourists...

...Although admittedly, shouting "It's all London baby!" repeatedly may just be taking this a bit too far...

...even if Joey from F.R.I.E.N.D.S did it. Actually- especially because he did it!

I loved our hotel, The Grange City and I loved the bar, Isis.

I loved finding a Davies Street and losing the London Eye.

I loved Emma not knowing where the Houses of Parliament were. When we were looking straight at them.

I loved watching the sun set across the Thames whilst looking at the Eye and Big Ben.

I loved seeing that there were some of those amazing, old fashioned, red telephone boxes left in the country.

I loved rushing around on the tube and laughing so much we missed our stop and therefore our train home.

I love the amalgamation of cultures, languages, styles and people; all in one city.

I LOVE LONDON

But most of all, I love having friends to share all this with.

And so the lion fell in love with the lamb

2008-11-16T20:35:00.016Z

For the past...well, forever (at least the past two years), many of my friends have been gushing about the novel (now saga!)
"Twilight", by Stephenie Meyer. So after god knows how long having barely any time to read any more than English literature required books and random chapters of chick-lit, I saw it and I bought it. I have now read it. It has been a while since I have got so excited about a book and can honestly say that I could not stop reading it. I think it may just be my favourite book ever. It's about a girl named Bella who moves to a new town and meets a boy called Edward. Except he's a vampire. And obviously that causes some problems. I loved it and ordered the following three books the minute I finished the last sentence.

Anyway, before I read the book, I saw the trailer for the new film that comes out in December. I was utterly intrigued and enthralled and now, after reading the book, I am majorly looking forward to it! A lot of friends are worried that it will spoil the book for them if they see the film, but I see them as two separate entities. I can honestly say that I have not counted the days for another film since Pirates of the Caribbean : At World's End, and I'm sure I won't be disappointed.

Plus it has Robert Pattinson in it (whose hair deserves a credit of it's own).

'Nuff said.

The play's the thing

2008-11-12T15:54:00.009Z

I love the theatre. There's something amazing about sitting in an often small room with mostly complete strangers, sharing the same emotions at the same time.

Seeing "Hamlet" with David Tennant in the very beautiful Stratford-Upon-Avon with great friends, great food (courtesy of the Garrick Inn. Go there for both the culinary delights and the atmosphere! http://www.thegarrick.co.uk/ Oh- and they do mulled wine!) and a starry starry night :D was absolutely brilliant. David Tennant should definitely continue with theatre (although I will miss him lots from Doctor Who!) as his Hamlet was darkly humorous, agile and there was something rather heartbreaking about seeing him break down when he was alone in the second scene. Plus so much love for him saying "clumsy" when the guy dropped the recorder.

On another note, "Oh What a Lovely War" last night at Wolverhampton, was INCREDIBLE. These five men did everything; played all the parts, played all the instruments and acted their brown military-issue socks off. It was so moving seeing the performance on Armistice when it is about the failings of the First World War. Haunting, humourous, tragic, informative, thought-provoking and beautifully acted, everyone should see this play! It was another wonderful night!

Gosh, all this makes me realise how much I'm glad I finished biology. To think I could have been walking round a beach in the pouring rain...

We will remember them.

2008-11-11T10:10:00.005Z

Today is the 90th anniversary of Armistice Day and now it's again a time to think about what people fought for and gave up for us. Thank you to every one of those men and women. I don't know how you did it.

For the Fallen

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. We will remember them.

Laurence Binyon

Dancing in Times Square

2008-11-10T16:51:00.005Z

Wow I'm actually starting to enjoy this blogging thing although I much prefer my friend Rach's. It's quite addictive but more fun than Facespace (I love that phrase, my Uncle uses it as in his eyes there is nothing to distinguish Myspace from Facebook!)

I was thinking today how much I would love to have a time machine (preferably the Tardis with the Doctor included!). I'd really like to visit the 50s and 60s. The fashion was amazing (see Jackie O left is a legend!) and the music was even more brilliant. Take Kim Weston's fantabulous song "Take me in your arms (rock me a little while)", it's just unbelievably catchy. I love the fact that people could literally go to a dance and actually DANCE. I like going out as much as the next person but I don't get the whole techno-house-trash they keep playing. That's not dancing dammit! It would be so cool to take jive classes! I'd love to be on Strictly Come Dancing. It must be amazing to learn all those dances and wear the gorgeous colourful outfits. I think Tom Chambers should win (not just because I'm a Holby addict!), his quickstep to "Town called malice" by The Jam was excellent, for his facial expressions and leg swinging at the start alone! It must have been so much fun to get dressed up and go to a dance! I love how in the 1930s and 40s, despite the war, people tried to keep up morale and organised these tea dances and the like. I love the music from this time and one of my favourites is "In the mood" by Glenn Miller and his orchestra. I think it's such a happy song. I first heard it in the 1997 version of "The Parent Trap" (one of my favourite ever films) when they're walking through the hotel lobby and it's been on my internal jukebox ever since!

I love this picture, "V-J Day in Times Square", taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt for Life magazine. I think it's photography at it's best, capturing a rapturous moment in history and it really captures the joy of the moment. I love looking at old photographs and articles from the wars. I think it was fascinating how, in those awful circumstances, people just got on with it and especially with Armistice Day tomorrow, I think now is a good time to once again appreciate what the men and women gave up for us.

I'm looking forward to seeing "Oh What a Lovely War" in Wolverhampton tomorrow. Not only will it be brilliant to see in action one of the plays that could feature in our English A level synoptic unit, but it will have extra special meaning tomorrow as it's been 90 years since the ceasefire in 1918.

Sundays and Scotland

2008-11-09T20:27:00.006Z

I had such a good day at work today. Came down from the staff room today to the music blaring out "Life is a highway" by Tom Cochrane and I love that song so that set me off in a brilliant mood. I've always thought it was cool how music can influence your mood which I think is why I love happy music :D

Who wants to be miserable?! So, I think I looked like I had some sort of cheshire cat grin on my face all day and was on the tills subtly shuffling my feet (dancing!) when it was quiet. I almost did a moonwalk behind the tills but I drew the line there.

I seem to have some strange interest in adverts. The Visit Scotland ones are a particular favourite. You know, the "see it, touch it, taste it" one. The track used was "North" by Paul Mounsey but a cool "senses" version done especially for it. And yes, I did track it down which took ages, and yes I did download it. And I also picked up a Visit Scotland brochure with the full intention of booking a minibreak. And actually going (I still want to). I'm like an advertiser's dream. Plus the next lot they did, about the "perfect day" involved The Waterboy's song "Fisherman's Blues" which is the most incredible song. Honestly, it makes you feel all summery and happy. :D I had only heard "The whole of the moon", but after seeing that minute long ad, I bought the greatest hits. It's amazing and if you download one song all week, it should be this! I love how it celebrates the simple things in life and it really is one of those songs you could listen to all day and find something new in it and whenever I press play I can almost hear the sound of crashing waves. That's how good it is!

I would love to visit all these places above! I want to see the cities at night and catch a fish and visit castles and walk for hours and hours in gorgeous scenic mountains and forests. Yes, really!

The Best of Del Amitri : Hatful of Rain

2008-11-01T20:51:00.002Z

Ok, I'm biased. Del Amitri are one of my all time favourite bands so this review should be a little on the positive side! Del Amitri are a Scottish pop-rock guitar band, hailing from Glasgow, Scotland and formed in 1980. The line up has undergone a few changes over the years, with originator Justin "voice like chocolate" Currie (lead vocals, bass and guitar) and Iain Harvie (vocals and guitar) the longest standing members. "Hatful of Rain", released in September 1998, is a compilation of their greatest hits and what an album it is.

The variation between songs is huge and Del Amitri showcases with raw talent, the emotional velocity of the music. "Cry to be found" perhaps isn't the best opener to the CD but has a mellow feel that sets up what's to come next, which is a lot lot better in my opinion.

Next up is the undeniably catchy "Roll to me", the song everyone has heard (whether they realise it or not!) and the one the radio stations pick on the rare occasion that they actually decide to play a Dels song. Upbeat and positive, it has a summary vibe that is guaranteed to cheer you up on the rainiest of days. Promise.

Track 3 is one of my personal favourites, "Kiss this thing goodbye". A song about a relationship that should have ended some time ago is maybe not associated with tinkling pianos and merry guitar strumming, yet nethertheless despite the bittersweet lyrics, it has, to me a fairly humorous tone.

Skipping past "Not where it's at" (a nice but not particularly memorable song) to Del Amitri's highest charting single at number 11, "Nothing ever happens" is something great. Seemingly bored with mundane life, it appears to be a rather cynical look at modern life (well 1990 at least). It couldn't contrast more with the chirpy chorus in "Roll to me", lyrics such as, "American businessmen snap up Van Goghs For the price of a hospital wing" are rather biting and perhaps a nod to capitalism or the recession in the early 90s. It seems to resonate loudly with the current economic troubles.

"Always the last to know" is about another relationship gone wrong, albeit with a twist at the end.

As I'm writing this review, I am listening to the album and found another little gem in the form of "Here and now", a song that I haven't heard properly in about 9 years! It's one of those songs that could easily be overlooked and has been by myself on many a time; but on closer listen, it has some lovely simple lyrics that make for a relaxing listen.

"Just like a man" is not my favourite song to be honest. More rocky and definately not chirpy, it is a bit edgier but a little high pitched, which sounds unusual for Currie's deeper voice. But around 3/5ths of the way into the song it gets pretty good and nice use of the electric guitar! But then back to the chorus...

Track 9, "Spit in the rain" is a wonderful song with great use of imagery, conveying a feeling of uselessness but the last line brings a realisation that "with a little luck and a little time / you'll pull through". Excellent song.

"When you were young": a song about looking back at your younger self and at first considering that you are not what you had hoped to be, "the disappointment of success". But by the end of the journey of the song, a subtle change to the repeated "is it who you always hoped you would become / when you were young" to "it is..." which leaves the song on a happy note and the listener with a smile on their face. Which makes a change from the more thought-provoking songs. Oh, and it has a jaunty (love that word!) little tune near the end. Sort of like a whistle, but not.

"Driving with the brakes on" is perhaps one of my favourite favourites on the album. It has a haunting quality and genuinely feels like you are on a long, tiring car journey, looking out the window, which is what I depict when I listen to it. You get the feeling that something bad has happened as they are trying to change the conversation, "from / the thing we've done". It is one of those songs that feels really literal and empathy is created for the people in the song, even though there are not obvious hints as to what has happened. Also the title seems to symbolise futility and uselessness as it is nigh to impossible to drive with brakes on and hence it may be impossible for the people in the song to move on.

Moving on to "Stone cold sober". A bit of an odd song but great none the less. To me, the lyrics seem to suggest some sort of influence from something, the media maybe. Plus the lyrics, "whole generations thinking of themselves / as infidels and pop stars" suggests a more hedonistic lifestyle which, like "Nothing ever happens" fits quite well with today's culture. Although the repeated chorus line "stone cold sober, looking for bottles of love" seems to convey that alcohol and the shallower things in life will not fill the void that appears to be missing. Again, it's a darker and more cynical song.

"Tell her this" is an unconventional love song in that it is not directed straight at the person he's referring to, more 'relayed'. However it's simple, unusual format is brilliantly catchy and has a pretty lovely acoustic touch. And is that an accordian in the background?

I rediscovered "Move away Jimmy Blue" a couple of years ago and realised just how much I used to love it. Seems to be saying that people either move out of the "four walls" of the small villages and towns they grew up in, or be destined to continue in the same cycle as those who went before them. It's a fantastic song and very moving and paints a realistic picture of everyday life for many people in this country. It's also quite sad, as the Jimmy seems to be trapped in the catch 22.

If I had to pick a favourite song from the overall album, it would be "Be my downfall". The melody is amazing and a story is weaved, alleging to a possible infidelity or temptation. However it is not as it sounds and does not seem in any way shady, but very moving. Gorgeous lyrics make the song as a whole, a favourite among fans.

"Some other sucker's parade" is one of those double edged sword types of song. On the one hand it is upbeat and cheery message that whatever's happening in life, someone has always got it worse, or your luck can change and it will "rain on some other sucker's parade", but it also alludes to the idea that it "ain't no sin to drink when you're suffering". However the optimistic attitude ultimately wins the day.

The album ends on the excellent "Don't come home too soon". Scotland football team's 'official' World Cup song in 1998 is a refined, slow tribute that "even long shots make it". However don't let the sporting association put you off, it's an emphatic tale of chasing a dream and making something of yourself. It's a hopeful end to an unforgettable album.

To reference firstfoot.com, Del Amitri "have always remained stubbornly true to themselves, lending an integrity and timelessness to their music of a kind that only truly original bands achieve". Despite limited chart succuss, they are in their fan's opinions, sorely underated which is a great shame. In my opinion, they are one of the best bands to come out of Britain, with heartfelt songwriting and charismatic performances. My mum being a massive fan, I grew up listening to their songs over and over and they have since become my own favourite band. The songs invoke many memories and I hope that many more people will start to listen to them. Justin Currie has released some excellent solo material and as there has been no official word of the group splitting, I, along with many others, hope they are just on a prolonged haitus, getting ready for a comeback tour! Fingers crossed! So hopefully you may be persuaded to look them up, even watch a video on Youtube! I will guarantee you that you almost certainly won't be disappointed as there is a song for everyone and my words cannot do justice to the songs, hard as I have tried for my first review!

Happy listening! More soon! :D