TORI AND LOKITA

NEW DARDENNES FILM OUT DECEMBER 2ND

The Dardenne Brothers return with another moral drama that rages against social injustice this time looking upon the hardships endured by two African immigrants as they navigate safe passage while in exile on the streets of modern Europe.

Shot with a hand-held medium to close-up style reminiscient of other works, it destabilises the viewer by putting them very much in the point of view of the adolescents with the peril they find themselves, the watch is not pleasant but when commenting on something as uncomfortable as human trafficking it should not be.

For long periods, the pair are apart from each other as the struggle becomes very real for them both as they have to pay smugglers, work for cannabis growers all off the grid seemingly without their papers. We bare witness to this due to the filming nature and the isolation felt by them is real throughout - the influence of De Sica's Bicycle Thieves remains.

The toil the two young unprofessional actors have to endure is there for all to see, yet the pair Pablo Schils (Tori) and Joely Mbundu (Lokita) conduct themselves admirably throughout, the decision to cast unknowns (a regular occurence in the Dardennes oeuvre) is again a masterstroke as the lack of baggage for the audience with the youthful pair leads to empathy coming to the forefront.

The message of friendship and solidarity between the two is paramount and told so evocatively that the notion of self-sacrifice by one to the other is not a surprise, considering how exploited as individuals they become. The suspense felt is palpable at times. The climatic chase expertly done yet that flourish of action amidst the cruelty beforehand smacks less than those felt by the characters at times. 

This is an angry film about the plight so many people have to endure moving from conflict to conflict as in life though, it is not so much the destination but the journey itself that is the story. Deeply powerful and yet understated in its execution, Tori and Lokita is a watch to endure yet remember.

Tori and Lokita is out from Picturehouse Entertainment on Friday 2nd December

Canada at the 1986 World Cup

Canada, the polite neighbours to the north of the United States of America, are appearing at the 2022 Qatar World Cup for only the second time in their long history of association football.

Their first and only appearance to date was in 1986 when the tournament took place down Mexico way. A tournament feted for Diego Maradona. Gordon Strachan trying to jump pitchside advertising. Gary Lineker's hat-trick. Ray Wilkins red card. Josimar ruining Pat Jennings' birthday.

Yet Canada added some CONCACAF syrup to proceedings, being drawn as bottom seed with then European Champions France led by Michel Platini, the always dangerous Soviet Union and another Eastern bloc power of Hungary.

As history shows, Canada did not muster any points or goals in there three group stage matches, yet they were not humiliated. In their opening game, they held France to a one-nil scoreline, only conceding in the 78th minute to a Jean-Pierre Papin goal.

Following a period of intense training in Colorado for the squad at altitude to prepare the squad for the intensity of daytime heat of Mexico, the squad full of MLS personnel in the majority. The unity of a minnow squad can never be underestimated, while devoid of any marquee name such as say a South American squad which may feature a major European league star - the squad held their head up high after that opening encounter.

Four days later, they faced off against Hungary and in retrospect this was the tie that go away. Hungary had lost their opening game to the Soviets 6-0, so Canada following their resilient 1-0 defeat to the French were made favourites. Unfortunately, the Magyars scored after two minutes and the determination was lacking throughout before a second Hungarian goal ended the tie.

The final match versus the Soviet Union followed a familiar storyline for the Canadians, stout in defence but lacking penetration up front meant the eventual Soviet goals came in the second half from Oleg Blohkin and Olexsandr Zakarov.

Canada's campaign ended on 9th June, eight days after it began. Played three. Lost three. No goals scored. Five conceded. No points.

They have not got close to a World Cup in the intervening 36 years until the past year when a qualifying record containing only two defeats meant they joined confederation counterparts and familiar foes - United States and Mexico in qualifying for the winter World Cup.

Qualification was cemented on March 27th with a 4-0 home victory over Jamaica with goals from Cyle Larin (Canada's all time top scorer with 25 goals), Tajon Buchanan, Junior Hoillet (a name familiar to English fans and playing with Reading currently) and an own goal.

Unlike 1986's twenty two men - this time there are names familiar to World Soccer fans. None more so than Alphonso Davies who is a regular for Bayern Munich at the age of 22, married with the wealth of experience by captain Atiba Hutchinson (aged 39) and will hit a century of caps for his country if he starts all three group games (currently on 97).

Fifteen of the 26 named for Qatar ply their trade in the European domestic leagues. Larin and Buchanan both play for Club Brugge who made the knockout stage of the Champions League post-World Cup in 2023, after previous successful spells with Beskitas and New England Revolution respectively.

Canada are ranked 41st in the world, which is not the worst ranking of those competing and they have not been handed as tough a group as their compatriots were dealt in 1986. They have been drawn in Group F against Belgium, Croatia and Morocco. Now while two of those teams may prompt fear due to their heritage and consistency of recent years - both Belgium and Croatia are reaching the end of the cycle for this particular group of golden players; this promises to be the last World Cup for such luminaries as Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Luka Modric. Morocco as with all African nations, provide a bit of the unknown and unexpected yet that is the last of the three group games for both sides. 

Canada open versus the Belgians on 23rd November before facing World Cup runners-up from 2018, Croatia four days later. The quick turnaround of games due to the truncated nature of this World Cup may provide the opportunity for a surprise across the eight groups. Group F matches with Group E which contains powerhouses Spain, Germany, Costa Rica and Japan. That is difficult for all of Group F sides but who knows when it comes to the World Cup.

Canada are on a rich vein of form, the greatest in their history. Will they score a goal for the first time? Or obtain that historic first point? The co-hosts of the next World Cup in 2026 (along with the USA and Mexico) are guaranteed another appearance, but lets hope the old adage of third time's a charm does not ring true for the Maple Leafs.

Clean Cut Kid - HISS

 

Fourth album from Liverpool quartet CLEAN CUT KID out 11th November via Alcopop! Records

Lo-fi and electronic collide in the self-produced new album by the quietly making noise foursome from Liverpoool. Produced in their custom-built analogue home studio, HISS has been crafted lovingly by this group of musos and songwriters. 

Production started in late 2020 when the world ground to a halt, frontman Mike Halls notes how 'the pain of being separated from pretty much everything I love had begun to turn into music in my head'.

Halls took the opportunity to recontextualise the situation as a gift to prepare yourself for permanent separation from parents and this led to creating demos which was essentially unedited of how he was feeling. 

This vitality has melted into the long-playing album and there are twists and turns as different genres weave into the album from folk and first-person storytelling to stories about grief and a love story masquerading as a tale of depression in the same vein as Springsteen's 'Dancing in the Dark'.

'Little Black Space' one of the singles off the album is that love song, a piece of sonic meditation that is both euphoric but embracing of the person within this relationship. 

There is a steady stream of confidence rolling throughout this album, from the calm beginning of opener 'Our Wasted Hours' walk-on music for a band arriving to follow up 'She Take A Pill' a jammy bouncy single to the aforementioned 'Little Black Space' - that is a great opening trifecta. 

   

After that is my only gripe on the album, which is the sequencing. 'Cathy' feels like a slowdown and then the perky 'Louis, Be Brave' does not arrive until track 8. Then the album does end on a high with 'Into The Tall Grass' a metaphor for spirituality and vulnerability and then the finale which is 'Golden Ribbon' an eulogy of sorts for the passing of staying in.

The influences within the album range from Alt-J to Gomez and The Coral to The Zutons. I have mentioned a few Liverpudlian acts there, and that is deliberate due to the rich heritage that city has had in the music culture of the late twentieth century, not least from a certain other foursome who conquered the world.

The album is a journey from calm beginnings to the funereal finality of the album closer. This is an album of majesty, swagger and universality - where there is something for everyone. A gateway of openness and sentiment, HISS is a triumph for song writing and production, sticking to your beliefs and knowing that success will come your way

HISS is out from Alcopop! Records on 11th November.

Clean Cut Kid are Mike Halls (vocals/guitar), Evelyn Halls (vocals/keys), Ross Higginson (drums) and Gareth Bullock (bass).

Honey Harper & The Infinite Sky - Honey Harper

 

New album from alt-country act Honey Harper out now via ATO Records

Honey Harper return with a follow-up to their 2020 breakthrough Starmaker, with a deliberate change in direction with keyboardist Alana Pagnutti taking on a greater songwriting role alongside frontman William Fussell, adding a new dimension to their lyrical output.

The 12-track album feels like a cross-country travelogue through the history of country music, influences of blues, folks and pop with references ranging from Frank Ocean to the Bee Gees and with Pagnutti's input the legendary Loretta Lynn is not faraway.

This is country music but with a kaleidoscopic and spectral in its splendour, from album opener steel guitar dripping 'Reflections' to 'One Thing' with its harmonic melodies resounding out across the John Ford vistas. Top track is 'Boots Mine Gold' a disco tinged line-dancing stomper which comes with a Terminator style video.

Strong hints of Drive-By Truckers ring out in my ears, the vocal delivery of Fussell is a winner throughout. He is ably supported by a stellar band that comprises The Infinite Sky - bassist Mick Mayer, pianist John Carroll Kirby, Alex Fischel (keyboards), Jackson MacIntosh (guitar) and steel player Connor Gallaher.

From highs such as 'Hard to Make A Living' to the mysterious 'Crystal Heart' there is something for everyone on this album from those who cannot tell their opera from their opry.

Honey Harper is out now on ATO Records.

Descendant (2022)

DESCENDANT 

Streaming now on Netflix

Directed by Margaret Brown, whom directed The Great Silence about the Deepwater Horizon and the falllout of that disaster. Here Brown shows another tragic disaster this time focusing on the long known history of a sunken slave ship off the coast of Mobile, Alabama called the Clotilda.

The film is about the attempts to find the remains of a slave ship, supposedly set on fire by slave masters as the transportation of slaves from one country to another had been abolished in 1805 but slavery was still occurring within the United States up to the Civil War

Brown directs with such assuredness and command of the material and resources at her disposal helped by folklorist Kern Jackson, Professor at the University of South Alabama.

The film delicately weaves the narrative about how important it is for the direct descendants of the people who were brought to the Americas from Africa, eventually settling in Africatown, to know the truth about their story, which has been passed down from generation to generation as a story of resilience and survival, providing hope to the generations that follow. This is indicative of the African-American experience claiming their story and their freedom may have come at a price, but their history remains theirs alone.

Featuring readings from Zora Neale Hurston's Barracoon: The Story of the Last Black Cargo, a memoir from a survivor of the ship, read by people who ferment within the narrative. Brown makes sure that the message of legacy and folklore is passed down from person to person, this coupled with VHS recordings of survivors harkens back to a by-gone era. 

Yet there is hope amidst the systemic racism pervaded upon the survivors by the Timothy Meaher family and their surviving family from attempting to wrong foot historians and divers from the true location of the wreckage, to the allowing of huge industrial plants to be built in and around Africatown making the residents unfortunately victims of pollution and environmental danger by way of lead and mills being ever present since their creation, not to mention the destruction to the surrounding water of the gulf region.

From these troubles and the stigmatism of reparations by way a means of accountability to some souls, the message of rising up and reclaiming the narrative is indicative by the end; the ability to curate the story in a new found Heritage house bodes well for the future. 

A dark chapter in the slave history of America is finally rising up from the depths, providing hope to those legacies now and for those descendants now. This powerful tale of storytelling has made this film a frontrunner for the Best Documentary Feature at next years Academy Awards, and it is hard to argue.

DESCENDANT is available to stream now on Netflix.

Alice Boman - The Space Between

 

New album release by Swedish songstress Alice Boman The Space Between, out via Play It Again Sam on October 21st

Boman burst onto the scene in late 2019 with her debut album Dream On, which was greeted with ecstatic reviews and positive feedback the album was a sumptuous mix of hypnotic dream pop songs.

A lot has happened since that album was released, a global pandemic has led to introspection for many people especially creative artists.

This new work is indicative of those months many people who spent that time in solitude and the fear of loneliness that gripped many leading to a real appreciation of mental wellbeing for all people.

This introversion is not a change of style for Boman more an embracing of that which she is good at; her smooth lyrics envelope around the warm melodies she has created here with producer Patrik Berger (Robyn, Lana del Ray). There is a deliberate tone set within The Space Between with ruminations on intimacy and angst, as Boman states, 'Writing is still a way for me to understand myself. As an overthinker, there's this constant motion in my head, so it helps to sit down and write about it to actually understand what I feel or think. Or just to find stillness'

From the outset with opener, 'Honey' there is an earnestness and wistfulness throughout with haunting melody but there is a richness running throughout none more so than on single 'Feels Like A Dream' which features Perfume Genius a song where the marriage of two vocals is reminiscent of Kate Bush at the height of her powers. Unsurprisingly, this was a collaboration brought about by an instagram DM and recorded over the distance, to put how the world has changed into context.

There is a steeliness to Boman's vocals, displaying a softness but a determined nature to be heard by her lyrics, the words which are deeply personal as she comes to grips with settling into a relationship.

This mixture of fear but tenderness is a constant theme that runs throughout an album that is both comforting and spiritual, a treat for those returning to Boman and those who are finding her for the first time. 

The Space Between is out now from Play it Again Sam on all platforms

Cassian Andor - Transcendentalism

Watching Andor the brand new Star Wars series streaming exclusively on Disney+ one is struck by the balance between two worlds inhabited by Andor, that of nature and outer space.

The brilliant new series created by Tony Gilroy that tells the origin story of the hero, Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) of Rogue One and how he became the spark to light the fire amidst the rebellion versus the Galactic Empire.

The first series is following a story arc structure of twelve episodes split into three part arcs. The first three part arc ended with Cassian being taken from his homeland, Kenari, by Maarva Andor (Shaw) where he eventually learns languages, interaction and beliefs of his own away from the indigineous life he was living previously.

The second arc ends with Cassian succeeding in his first rebel mission on behalf of Luthen (Stellen Skarsgaard) as they kidnap a galactic payroll to bankroll the rebels. This again involved Cassian flying in a ship at the conclusion heading to the sky which is never attainable.

This threw me back to the conclusion of the much loved Rogue One, the first film following the purchase of Lucasfilm by Disney, that told the story of how the rebels obtained the plans to destroy the first Death Star in the 1977 film A New Hope.

At that film's conclusion, Andor and Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) are on the beach of Scarif, they have succeeded and the plans are away in the hands of Princess Leia providing hope to the rebellion. While that portion of the mission is completed, Andor and Jyn are about to be destroyed by the Death Star itself. They stand together embracing each other, knowing that despite their impending doom they are confident that what they have done will change the course of the galaxy.

Yet it is this closeness to nature, the rich green of Scarif to be the last resting place of Andor is fitting as he was born on a leafy planet such as Kenari - in essence it is a return to Paradise for him.

So for me, Andor in the new series is being portrayed a salt of the earth soul as very much, high on morals but looking out for himself firstly, tired of the empire he thinks a difference can be made and is eager to do so at any cost. He does not discriminate when using his blaster, we knew as much at the commencement of Rogue One when he very much went Of Mice and Men on an informant of his. Already he has killed three people in cold blood in six episodes when he feels threatened by someone's rationale.

Yet for me, it is no coincidence that Andor is comfortable in any climate or is so fond of nature he is most at peace when in nature, it also got me thinking about Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem 'Nature' where he lays about the essence of transcendentalism and gaining a divinity through nature, you can only understand reality through studying nature.

Andor is a proponent of this due to his being born within nature and being nutured by nature somewhat - how to live and survive - before he is taken from his planet by a starship and absconded halfway across the galaxy via hyperspace. That episode at the end of Ep 3 'The Reckoning' shows us Andor like we have all before staring into the vastness of space, a new sort of nature for Andor to explore and attempt to touch the untouchable but forego the relationship he has built up previously with the wood and trees. He would now live in a world of greys and darks, built up environments of cement and concrete, with buildings as tall as redwoods and animals are scared of people and do not live in harmony.

And so begins Andor's journey

But every night come out these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishing smile. In the woods, is perpetual youth 

And so begins Andor's journey into this beauty, one that he must have thought unattainable. The stars smile upon him and they promise him much, but it is down to him/man to obtain his reward. Emerson goes on to mention that the stars are unattainable, yet with technology at his disposal, they become reachable. Nature evokes poetry, simplicity and childlike wonder - the advent of technology to Andor is a shock to the system as Fiona Shaw's character first meets Andor smashing up consoles of a crashed spaceship, his fear of the new immediately strips away his innocence to create this now young adult full of anger and rage at this new way of life.

In the woods, is perpetual youth 

This could have been written for Cassian. Born within nature, and part of it. Emerson writes, in the woods we return to reason and faith. And at the start of the series, Cassian is looking for his sister a meaning or relic of his past life, and in the series so far he is surrounded by builidngs but nature is not far away. The Scottish Highlands substitute for Aldhani, and you can feel the howling gust of winds in this Star Wars galaxy - yet Andor looks at home and comfortable; as Emerson writes, he finds something dear and connates with the wilderness far more than in streets and villages.

The need to reach the horizon is as beautiful as his own nature, and for Andor that is an attempt to return back to his wilderness and a place of belonging. This is indicative of his rebellious character, someone who is unsure when his reckoning shall occur, but nevertheless always looking over his back, gun at hand.

The remaining six episodes of Andor promise a lot and I for one cannot wait to see his relationship with nature bloom further.

Jonathan Jeremiah - Horsepower For The Streets

 

Fifth album from London singer-songwriter out now from PIAS Recordings

Recorded in a renovated monumental church near Amsterdam, with a 20-piece string orchestra, Jeremiah has imparted a heavy European influence into his new work.

The new album was written during a break of a European tour in France, the sort of time devoted to long walks in the fire. Upon first listen of the album, this listener realised how good of a vinyl listening experience the LP would provide.

The opening title track features imagery of road racing and reminiscing with a vibe of positivity bursting from the seams. The orchestral element of the arrangement helps elevate the composition, and this will become a recurring theme throughout the album - soulful vocal delivery married with sweeping strings.

Sounding like Michael Kiwunaka or Gregory Porter supplanted from the 1970s, the album has many highs and comes across as a warm blanket of comfort like a flavoured latte from your favourite coffee shop in the run up to Christmas.

Jeremiah is a very visual storyteller, he admits being introduced to German painter Neo Rauch - and this approach of 'art influencing art' for him. Using imagery to his advantage in the tales he tells putting you in the position of the protagonist, JJ must enjoy people watching as he sips on that coffee after a midday stroll through his local village.

A self-confessed detached character, JJ is not immune to love and tells those stories in his songs. This detachment is paramount on a song like 'Cut A Black Diamond' a song where he wrestles with his emotions, the backing vocals being the devil on his shoulder.

'Restless Heart' is a tale of triumph, a train that will reach the end despite the hill he must climb. This album begs for re-listens and appreciation on many a scale. 

Quiet, unassuming and humble, Jonathan Jeremiah is an artist I was unfamiliar with but one eager to explore more of in the future.

Horsepower for the Streets is out now from PIAS Recordings and on all platforms

Innerspace (1987)

Martin Short is back on television screens featuring in the new Disney+ streaming series 'Only Murders in the Building' alongside long-time comedic partner, Steve Martin. It got me to thinking though how Short like Martin has been a mainstay on American screens for nearly forty years from his break in Second City and then Saturday Night Live to his filmic role opposite Martin and Chevy Chase in the brilliant Three Amigos.

That film like the one I am writing about was released in 1987, and it earmarked Short as a comedic force to be reckoned with. Whereas, Martin was as cool as the other side of the pillow and Chase wanted to be the smartest and sexiest person in the room; Short was a different breed of comedian - a mimic and vaudevillian who could contort his face into any gurn, and deftly make you laugh without saying a word much like the legendary Buster Keaton or Charlie Chaplin.

Innerspace is one of those wonderful American original films that they just do not make anymore. Directed by Joe Dante, that conduit for science-fiction cinema in America who takes those small nuggets of ideas and creates majesty out of them, helped by the producer that is Steven Spielberg. Based upon the 1966 film Fantastic Voyage, the film tells the story of Tuck Pendleton (Dennis Quaid) a Navy pilot who volunteers for a crazy experiment following a break-up with girlfriend Lydia (Meg Ryan) to be shrunk to the size of a microbe whilst in a small vessel and then injected into a rabbit, all in the name of science. However, upon the day of the experiment and after being shrunk, Tuck's laboratory gets raided by a villainous firm who want to kidnap the miniaturisation technology for themselves. Supervisor Ozzie Wexler knowing their intentions flees the scene with Tuck holed within a syringe, upon being chased Oz injects Tuck into the unknowingly Jack Putter (Short), a lowly supermarket clerk who is a hypochondriac and about to start a vacation.

Tuck soon realises that Jack is not the rabbit he hoped for, and upon learning that the limited oxygen supply is diminishing so begins a race against time for Jack to save Tuck whilst rekindling the relationship between Tuck and Lydia.

The film could have been the run of a mill science fiction throwaway fodder, yet throughout the 1980s especially during the summer blockbuster season you had films that took on a life of their own as they became cult classics or well regarded films from Batteries Not Included to Cocoon to Flight of the Navigator.

Those films had the benefit of a great ensemble cast, those familiar faces that bring comfort and solace to you none more so than those faces in Cocoon a mixture of Hollywood veterans - Hume Cronyn, Don Ameche- and up and comers, Steve Guttenberg and Brian Dennehy.

Innerspace featured three bright young stars - the matinee idol Dennis Quaid who like Kurt Russell has worked consistently and solidly for 40 years but at this stage of his career had not yet had the lead role to show his charisma and the role of Tuck Pendleton was a risk, he was for the majority of the film restricted to a box and had to carry that role mostly on his own when conversing with Short's Jack. Martin Short was from Saturday Night Live, a goofball but able to garner human emotions with his vulnerability and appeal. They were matched with America's sweetheart, Meg Ryan, this coming a year after her appearance in Top Gun and a year before her lightning in a bottle performance as the eponymous Sally in When Harry Met Sally. The director Dante, himself not long from the success of Gremlins had three stars at the start of their ascendancy and this very much helps the film.

For all of the stardom and good looks of Quaid and Ryan though, the star of the film is Short. His career-best performance is so impressive as his character goes on an arc from hypochondriac and meek mannered Jack to courageous Jack by the film's conclusion.

At the beginning of the film, Jack is in a psychoanalysis session where he tells a dream of having a gun pointed at him by an unhappy customer, he wakes up and soons causes chaos in the doctor's office due to his nervous neuroses. Following the literal injection of Tuck into him, Jack begins this reawakening of something inside of him and Tuck becomes a guardian angel or seemingly the strength within Jack he did not know he had, at Tuck's insistence he downs some vodka, dances uncontrollably and even punches out a villain. Jack hunts down the people who want to steal the technology, he tracks down Lydia, kisses Lydia and ultimately saves the day with a combination of bravado and new found resilience.

Once Tuck is returned to normal size in the nick of time, Lydia (who is pregnant) and Tuck marry with Jack as best man. The villains attempt to follow the newlyweds, yet Jack recognised an accomplice of theirs, 'The Cowboy' posing as a limousine driver. Jack commandeers a vehicle himself and chases after them to save the day again.

Short steals the film with his contorting face, quick one-liners and his believability as a man gaining new powers. On his small shoulders does the film rest, with Tuck essentially sidelined for much of the film contained within his capsule, Jack must be the thrust of the narrative engaging with antagonists and helming the plot to his advantage.

He is an unlikely hero which is in direct contrast to the bombastic 80s action films featuring the muscle bound behemoths of Sylvester Stallone's Rambo or Schwarzenegger's range. However, that is what makes the film so gratifying and pleasing to return to, Jack Putter is a man who finds the strength within to make the change for the better using the device of listening to that voice inside yourself, of course it took having it injected directly into him.

It is a shame that producers continued to cast Short as second fiddle in more films from the unheralded Three Fugitives (opposite Nick Nolte) to the Three Amigos, he was never given the chance to lead a film himself until Clifford in the 1990s when again he is supported by Charles Grodin.

In a decade full of memorable performances - Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, Bruce Willis as John McClane, Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly - which remain cemented in your consciousness, it is important to throw light on those that have been somewhat forgotten or lost in the weeds. 

Short (like Steve Martin) is having a twilight period of his career, some may think he is reborn. The truth is Martin Short has never gone anywhere, his greatness has always been apparent.

Nebraska - 40th Anniversary

1982 saw the true birth of the new romantic era in music, MTV had been on the air for merely four months since September 1981 and the world of popular music was changing as promotional videos became the new vanguard for artists to share new material with their adoring public - while this saw Adam Ant, Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet rule the airwaves with the second British takeover of American radio. We were still a year away from the behemoth that Thriller would become under Michael Jackson, and two years away from the glorious unveiling of Prince's Purple Rain, even two years away from the debut of Madonna.

Another zeitgeist shifting artist of the 1980s and more especially the glorious year of 1984 was Bruce Springsteen who had burst onto the scene as the future of rock n roll in 1975 with the Born to Run album and had become a prolific live act with the E Street Band. He had only just released 'The River' in 1981 which featured his first Top 10 single 'Hungry Heart' which itself benefitted from a pop music video following the birth of MTV in September of the same year.

The sky was the limit for The Boss, and yet the following year he decided to take a left turn into parts unknown and go back to basics and show the powers of his songwriting capabilities in a stripped back manner. This came to fruition with the album Nebraska, a ten track album that would become a masterpiece of storytelling as an artist laying bear his inner workings.

His sixth studio album, is essentially a solo album without the able support of his band, and in stark contrast to the exuberant joy of youth as seen in previous works. This was an album about outsiders, loners and outcasts, full of darkness and sombre melodies and lyrics.

From the opening title track, which tells the story of killer Charles Starkweather, this is not an album for the happy-go-lucky Springsteen fan; the tales he weaves are about those who are at the edges of society. 

It was certainly a departure from the norm for Springsteen, and the mixed reception of the album commercially spoke volumes as he returned with the globally-dominant, bombastic 'Born in the USA' in 1984. However, there is many a trope of Springsteen's oeuvre running throughout - the one man on his own, that seeking for connection amidst the darkness and the sense of fear in what is ahead in the unknown. 

From the demo sessions, the basis of 'Born in the USA' was created, a track that is actually less patriotic than people may recall. Throughout the album, it feels like Springsteen alone singing with his acoustic guitar married with the haunting harmonica on occasion as in 'Atlantic City'.

For diehards, this remains the pinnacle of Springsteen's writing material, such tracks as 'Highway Patrolman' and 'State Trooper' resonant and have lasted nearly 40 years. This also marked a chance for the Boss to proudly share his influences such as Chuck Berry on 'Open All Night' and Alan Vega on 'State Trooper'.

'Johnny 99' is a romping track, a distant echo from the late 1950s a la Ike Turner's Rocket 88 with harmonica and acoustic guitar clashing in the dark; a tale about a laid off worker, who after murdering someone asks for the death penalty instead of serving the 99 years of his sentence. A mythic tale wrapped in a folk legend, the eponymous man of song is motivated not by psychopathy but by his economic surroundings. At this moment a lot of American car industry plants were shutting down such as the Ford Motor Company based in Detroit, Michigan; was this really America as the working class man became secondary to saving money for the board?

For many it would be too risky a gamble to release a stripped back album so soon after your biggest selling album, yet for Springsteen this provided an opportunity to reset and compartmentalise his thoughts culminating in some of his most creative works incorporating the darkness of the soul with the light of day. 

Surprisingly, some forty years of reflection, Nebraska perhaps speaks more clearly to the truth of the American dream than that of is successor would. Whilst 1984 there was a euphoria around the music, in Springsteen's masterpiece the sense of despair is all-pervading.

Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints

Putting the INT in International Series

On Sunday 2nd October, the NFL returns to London with the first game of the International Series taking place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. As ever the match up brought to the Great British NFL public on paper when first announced looked like an intriguing one, and yet as we enter Week 4 of the season the sides start to take shape in terms of narrative and you can never account for injuries.

This season brings us Minnesota Vikings (2-1) versus the New Orleans Saints (1-2) in a battle between aspirational sides trying to usurp divisional heavyweights and for some people it is the last throw of the dice.

The Vikings had a great start to the season, dominating divisional rivals Green Bay Packers with an emphatic 23-7 home victory, although truth be told the Packers were depleted with two offensive line starters absent and Allen Lazard missing for Rogers, not to mention the easy touchdown grab dropped by Christian Watson which may have shifted momentum. However, Justin Jefferson shredded a depleted defence for 180 plus receiving yards and two touchdowns. 

However, as dominant as that victory was the next game saw a reversal of fortune as a road trip to Philadelphia saw the Eagles win 24-7 with Jalen Hurts ruling the roost and forcing Kirk Cousins to endure another painful prime time outing. Cousins threw for three interceptions, two sacks, a fumble and a completion percentage of 58.7. 

Last Sunday, the Vikings held on against a resilient Lions side 28-24 with Cousins showing more maturity and less mistakes, with two TDs off of 260 yards but still a low percentage rate. Yet the side did enough to gain another divisional victory and stay atop of the NFC North.

The New Orleans Saints are entering the first season of a new regime without Sean Payton and still attempting to gain an offensive identity post-Drew Brees. They decided to go with Jameis Winston, a former overall No.1 pick in the draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015 but for whom bad luck has followed him around with mistakes aplenty in his arsenal. This season after one game it was announced that he is suffering with four separate back fractures, which naturally, is not helping with his mechanics. this worry of his health has led to a return of poor play with bad decision making.

Following the fourth quarter week one comeback on the road at Atlanta - 27-26 with 269 yards for two touchdowns with no turnovers; the next week at home versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (his former team) bad Jameis returned with a nightmare performance - 25-40 236 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions, 6 sacks and a fumble as they succumbed to a stellar Tampa D who won 20-10 on the road.

On Sunday, Jameis attempted to outdo himself in Carolina but threw for two more interceptions meaning five in two games and two further fumbles to gift the Panthers there first win of the season. Yet he still threw for 300 plus yards meaning the modus operandi of the Saints is to throw when possible, and he seems to have made a good connection with rookie speedster Chris Olave who had 147 yards off of nine grabs and thirteen targets of Winston's 41 total passes, that is a third of them. Michael Thomas had 49 yards off of five targets (no drops). 

Jameis played in Tottenham Hotspur stadium for the Bucs in the last season before Brady and famously threw a pick six on his first possession in a game versus the Carolina Panthers. That was one of the first games at the Premier League stadium and that pass was greeted by a mighty roar helping cement the North London venue as a leading location for NFL games in Europe; there is for the first time this season an NFL regular season encounter in Germany when Tom Brady faces off against Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City Chiefs in a repeat of SuperBowl LV when he won his 7th ring.

Yet the Vikings and Saints are both undefeated in London, both 2-0 in their history, so something is going to give on this neutral territory.

What to expect this Sunday in London, well that is sometimes the beauty and curse of the NFL. In a quarterback driven league, it is hard to say what you are going to get from either of these guys under center. Cousins (when not on Prime Time) can manage this Vikings side to the playoffs, he has an abundance of talent around him to find; while Jameis' body is the big question mark. Luckily injuries to Thomas and Jarvis Landry are not considered to be long lasting and so both will be given the opportunity to star on Sunday.

What can be certain is that there should definitely be big plays - Olave had a 49 yard grab versus Carolina in defeat, and Justin Jefferson's scored two big TDs on opening week - so the potential for big plays under the lights is there. Can Kirk and Jameis deliver excitement and chaos that we adore about the NFL, or will they put the INT into the international series?

NFL 2022 Week 3 Preview

 

Week 2 was a chaotic set of games as there were huge comebacks from teams deep in the mire, teams close to their first win could not seal the deal, unlikely sides maintained perfect starts to the seasons and some teams showed their true colours.

After the hype of Week 1 there was much mayhem with crazy endings. Six teams remain unbeaten with two meeting in the match of the week

                                                                    GAME OF THE WEEK 

 vs

BUFFALO BILLS (2-0) at MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-0)

The Dolphins comeback on the road in Baltimore backed up the offensive potential shown in season opener when dismantling the Patriots at home, yet to come back from such a deficit versus the better Baltimore Ravens will certainly help people take notice. Tua had 6 touchdowns in a career day, but this was helped by the speed of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle whose running of routes essentially gassed the Ravens secondary who had no steam left come end of the game.

Now they face the rampant Bills at home in a tasty AFC East contest for superiority at this early stage of the season. The Bills though provide a true test in terms of elite offence and defence, how does the Miami offensive line cope with Von Miller's explosive play-making which forces mistakes and with Josh Allen playing at an early MVP standard the Bills balance on run and pass with Allen as a run option himself this will be a true test of the Dolphins playoff credentials. For me though the Bills should have no problem handing the Fins their first L of the season.

Week 3 Schedule 

Houston Texans (0-1-1) at Chicago Bears (1-1) - Tricky affair to predict as teams aim to get the season moving, yet home field advantage will count here albeit in a low scoring affair

Las Vegas Raiders (0-2) at Tennessee Titans (0-2) - Someone's season is starting Sunday, yet neither team has wanted to win as yet. The Raiders have the explosive players and the Titans could turn it round but this is two teams with bad luck facing off against each other. Raiders by a field goal.

Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) at Indianapolis Colts (0-1-1) - The Chiefs looked to have clicked into gear and not missing Hill at all. The defence should eat up the Colts who have flattered to deceive to date, expect Ryan to turn the ball over plenty and KC to motor to another win

Detroit Lions (1-1) at Minnesota Vikings (1-1) - The Vikings (well Cousins) came crashing back to earth on Monday night in Philly with a classic 3INT prime time outing. The Lions lost a game scoring 35 points and scored 36 in a victory last week. They seem to have a bit more invention on offense this year and enough game changers on D to make some noise and not fear going into US Bank Stadium. Fancy Detroit for a road upset here.

Baltimore (1-1) at New England (1-1) - Both teams sit at .500 yet have huge question marks. The Ravens were run ragged by Miami last week, whereas this will be a more attritonal affair in the trenches. Lamar has the x-factor but Damien Harris holds the key for the Patriots in their first home game of season.

Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) at New York Jets (1-1) - Its Burrow v Flacco. One for the ages here. Old vs new. AFC best vs AFC worst from last year yet the Jets have the better record and their D-line has enough potency to give Burrow some sack fever again. Jets might just have enough if the Bengals again fail to click. Jets by 4

Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) at Washington Commanders (1-1) - Will Carson Wentz haunt his former side, well it is reliant upon his defence stopping the run machine of Philly and Jalen Hurts who shows flashes of brilliance in each game thus far. However, the weapons at the Eagles disposal is too much for Washington to overcome here. Eagles stay perfect

New Orleans Saints (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-2) - The disappointing Panthers return home versus the Saints for a tough divisional battle. The Saints showed some battle but with Jameis Winston less than 100 percent with back injuries the opportunity for Carolina to get on the board here.

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) at Los Angeles Chargers (1-1) - This should be an intriguing contest. Jags are pretenders to the throne and their division is wide open and perhaps they are facing the similarly upstart Chargers who despite losing to the Chiefs had their moments. Hopefully Herbert is 100 % if not the potential road win is on the cards due to the Jaguars offensive capabilities.

Los Angeles Rams (1-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-1) - this is a game about consistency, can Kyler Murray put four quarters of electrifying play together or will the Rams defence upset his rhythm, while they had kittens nearly versus the Falcons last week you feel experience will be key here. Rams in a close one.

Atlanta Falcons (0-2) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1) - but for a few plays going the other way, the Falcons could be 2-0 instead they are winless and are on the road versus the Seahawks, a team with a bit of fight left but no playmakers. Geno Smith versus Marcus Mariota is one for the die hards but again home field should count for much here. Similar to Chicago's contest.

Green Bay Packers (1-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) - speaking of history, Rodgers v Brady one more time. Tampa have a plethora of injuries and need to get some sort of fluidity in their offense if possible, while their D was more impressive in New Orleans last week. It seems Green Bay are giving the ball more to Aaron Jones and not Rodgers, so if the Bucs can stop the run they win the game.

San Francisco 49ers (1-1) at Denver Broncos (1-1) - Sunday Night Football was made for Jimmy G, the true Mr. Unlimited, there is nothing he cannot do. While the question marks remain on Denver and Nathaniel Hackett's playcalling and unwillingness to let Russ cook coupled with a limp red-zone efficiency, you think the 49ers have a little bit more to offer and with George Kittle possibly returning and their sterner defence the 49ers are primed to take first place in the competitive NFC West

Monday Night Football

Dallas Cowboys (1-1) at New York Giants (2-0) - the game that is on prime time every season features an undefeated Giants side who will be hopeful that Daniel Jones can lead them to victory, although Micah Parsons and his fellow Cowboys defence look ready to wreck havoc on the G-Men. Cooper Rush led the Boys to an unlikely victory last week but a two game winning streak is here for the taking.

Follow me @JamieGarwood for more NFL takes/opinions

NFL 2022 Week 2 Preview

Week 2 Preview

Well Week 1 of the NFL never fails to disappoint. From stunning upsets in Chicago, to exemplary play from Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, to the regular fourth quarter downfall of the Atlanta Falcons to the belligerent Seattle Seahawks usurping Russell Wilson's return with his new team Denver Broncos.

I have not written a preview piece in some years, yet some things still remain. Tom Brady for one who won another season opener and Mike Tomlin proving doubters wrong.

Week 1 Predictions: 9-7

Week 2 is loaded with some great games and it kicks off with a humdinger for Thursday Night Football

Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs

The AFC West is the most loaded of all eight divisions, and the clash of two potential AFC Champions in Week 2 promises fireworks with over 60 points predicted. Mahomes looked imperious throwing 5TDs in his first game without Tyreek Hill. Herbert looked solid also throwing 3 TDs while Derek Carr threw 3 picks. On the road though I feel the Chargers may not have enough to combat the offensive prolifigacy of the Chiefs who pulverised the sorry Cardinals. A home win here but it might come down to a field goal score.

GAME OF THE WEEK

 vs 

Miami Dolphins @ Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens were very professional in their road win at the Jets, and the Dolphins were efficient so this could sneakily be the best contest of the weekend. Now the Ravens had trouble containing dynamic WRs last year such as Jamarr Chase so the two punch of Hill and Jaylen Waddle may provide a test. Can the Dolphins D nullify Lamar will be a big question? Looking forward to this game.

REST OF THE SLATE

New York Jets @ Cleveland Browns

The Jets remain woeful while the Browns picked up an impressive road win in Carolina who failed to click, yet the tandem of Hunt and Chubb remains for Jacoby Brissett to marshall and game manage. Now the Browns have a chance to go 2-0 early in the season while Deshaun Watson serves his 11 game suspension. The Jets showed some heart but no potency and Zach Wilson's return cannot come soon enough, yet they look like they may be picking Top 3 in the draft again.

Washington Commanders @ Detroit Lions

The Lions showed some real spirit in their loss to the Eagles, and the Commanders came from behind to defeat the troubling Jaguars. Wentz threw for 4TDs but still 2 INTs so if the Lions D can shake off some first half rustiness they have shown the ability to get stops but this could be a high scoring affair.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints

The Bucs did more than enough to defeat the Sadboys of Dallas, and the Saints came back from a 16-point deficit to win on the road in Atlanta. The Saints did better in 2nd half and they may be able to combat or restrict Leonard Fournette who was the motor for Bucs easy road victory in Arlington. Another division battle for the Saints may serve them well again, though you feel experience will provide the Bucs and Brady with a 2-0 start to the season on the road.

Carolina Panthers @ New York Giants

It is so good to see Saquon Barkley back playing well and with purpose, the G-Men came back from double digits down to defeat Tennessee on the road. The Panthers were sluggish and nearly had a comeback of their own to crow about yet could not seal the deal. This should be a tight perhaps ugly affair with the Panthers D possibly stepping up after looking lacklustre versus the Browns.

New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers held on to beat the Bengals on the road in OT, while the Patriots had a tough time in Miami barely landing a punch on the Dolphins. With worries over Mac Jones' lower back, the Steelers now without TJ Watt will still feel they are able to beat the depleted Patriots with Trubizky doing enough. Back the under in this one as the Steelers seek a 2-0 start.

Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars were a disappointment in my eyes, some open TDs dropped and not enough impetus to attack Wentz denied them a road victory, T-Law does need to start leading this team to some wins. A homecoming may provide that versus the Colts who could only tie with the Texans. Michael Pittman had a huge game as did the ever dependable Jonathan Taylor now if Matt Ryan could just eliminate those turnovers.

Miami Dolphins @ Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens were very professional in their road win at the Jets, and the Dolphins were efficient so this could sneakily be the best contest of the weekend. Now the Ravens had trouble containing dynamic WRs last year such as Jamarr Chase so the two punch of Hill and Jaylen Waddle may provide a test. Can the Dolphins D nullify Lamar will be a big question? Looking forward to this game.

Atlanta Falcons @ Los Angeles Rams

The Superbowl champions got hammered by a rampant Buffalo Bills at home, and the Falcons fly into town and whilst the Falcons had moments it was that less than stellar D that undid the good work by Mariota in the first half. You think the Rams will be able to bounce back here by double digits.

Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers lost in a bathtub to Chicago so most of the team get a pass, except coach Kyle Shanahan whose questionable play-calling continues to plague him. The loss of Eli Mitchell did not help, nor George Kittle to support Trey Lance who showed flashes of his potential amidst the monsoon. Geno Smith led Seattle to a big win versus a returning Russell Wilson, so can the defence maintain that form against an offence that will definitely want to prove themselves on dry land.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are in a sorry position at the moment; Dak Prescott is out with a thumb injury the dearth of talent on both sides of the ball is there for all to see. They were limp versus the Bucs, while the Bengals nearly pulled off a great comeback. The talent was there and while Burrow was still sacked 7 times, you feel give him a clean pocket his weapons will be far too much for the Cowboys this Sunday.

Houston Texans @ Denver Broncos

The Broncos need a bounce back and they need to be on the same page, they had nearly 200 more yards than the Seahawks and lost by a point. They were moving up and down the field with ease versus the Seahawks yet could not make it count. The Texans did okay but allowed the Colts and Taylor to pound them to a tie. So in DFS play Javonte Williams to have a big day and Mr. Unlimited to have a big day at Mile High.

Arizona Cardinals @ Las Vegas Raiders

This is a crossroad game for both sides with dynamic offensives which had question marks hanging over them going into the first week of the season, now enter Week 2 with those question marks still hanging over them. Derek Carr had three interceptions, Kyler Murray looked inefficient with Deandre Hopkins absent. Kliff Kingsbury may well be on the hot seat as on paper the Raiders have that little bit more.

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers

Green Bay for the second season running were punched in the mouth during Week 1; the Vikings had their way with them as Justin Jefferson had 184 yards and two touchdowns, one he had so much room he had nobody within 15 yards of him until he got five yards from the endzone. The Bears showed some solidarity and character in overcoming the 49ers and the elements to surprise the 49ers. Justin Fields has his moments but is do they have enough talent is a question and Rodgers missed Allen Lazard massively.

Monday Night Football Doubleheader

Tennessee Titans @ Buffalo Bills

The Bills made a statement with their rampant victory in Los Angeles putting a marker down for the first game of season, Josh Allen was accurate and Stefon Diggs/Gabe Davis did wonders while Von Miller shone on defence. The Titans are in a quandry as they have an ageing star players - Derrick Henry looked sluggish, Tannehill is he over the hill - and again bad luck with kickers.

Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles soared to a three point victory on the road in Detroit, yet they were never in danger of succumbing to the Detroit Dan Campbells as they ran the ball at will, all three running backs and Jalen Hurts rushing for a TD. The Vikings perhaps had the most impressive overall performance on both sides of the ball from a team cutting up the Packers and laying a marker down in that division. Fittingly, the last game of this week could be the best.

Follow me on Twitter @JamieGarwood

All My Friends Hate Me - DVD review

 

Released on DVD via BFI on 29th August

This original movie from writing partnership Tom Palmer and Tom Stourton, is set about a weekend from hell for the lead character Pete (Stourton).

Pete is ready to celebrate his birthday with his old university friends, who invite him to a country house for the weekend. Upon arrival, Pete is alone though other cars are around. He sits alone awaiting their arrival, when they have invited a feral stranger from the local pub. As the weekend unfurls, old truths rise to the surface and Pete fears he is being persecuted and picked on.

Directed by Andrew Gaynord, who along with the writing tandem, has cut his teeth on the Channel 4 sitcom Stath Lets Flats, the film shares the DNA of cringe comedy and social anxiety with that BAFTA winning series.

Pete and his friends are all aspirational and would be fair to categorise them as middle-to-upper class, working in the public sector and yet able to have fun in each other's circles. Yet the introduction of Harry (Dustin Demri-Burns who is brilliant) opens up old wounds about Pete's personal demeanour and makes him very much the posh twat he tries not to be. Pete has recently done some work in a refugee camp in Africa, and now turning 30 he is ready to settle down with his long-term girlfriend Sophie who is working class and very much the chalk to his privileged cheese.

Throughout the film, Pete is an embodiment of a man who finds any situation awkward and ultimately makes that engagement more awkward than it needs to be, overthinking matters too much and questions everything asked of him by his friends. Sometimes you can be yourself the most in front of those who have seen you at your best and worst; in this weekend Pete is struggling to find a sure footing when his hang ups and esteemed nature comes to the fore too often.

A mixture of part social comedy, country house horror the film delicately walks the fine line of making the viewer as uneasy as Pete is, you come away not enjoying yourself but that is the point the film is trying to be made. So often we as a society are trying to be perfect and enjoy life that sometimes any action's consequence is forgotten about for the zest of exciement.

Credit should go to Stourton who takes on the role of Pete with aplomb and showcases an emotional thrust by the film's conclusion when he finally breaks down and ably supported by the ensemble especially Burns who relishes the role of provocative Harry. 

All My Friends Hate Me is a socially awkward comedy that is very much of this social media driven, image first culture we are living in nowadays; it is the sort of cringe inducing comedy the British are especially adept at

All My Friends Hate Me is out on Blu-Ray/DVD from the BFI now

Extras on the disc include and audio commentary by Gaynord, Palmer and Stourton. A Q&A with journalist Leigh Singer, 7mins of deleted scenes, a short film by the trio The Soho Diaries from 2013 and a gallery.

My thanks to BFI for the review opportunity.

The Saphead - Buster Keaton

 

Eureka Entertainment release another classic silent cinema film featuring the legendary Buster Keaton.

The Saphead was made in 1920 and was Keaton's first leading role following his apprenticeship with Fatty Arbuckle.

The story revolves around Keaton as Bertie Van Alstyne, a pampered son of a Wall Street tycoon, who having never known any other way of life bar privilege he has to navigate new social situations, unknowing of the obstacles ahead of him.

While Keaton was not the creative force behind this adaptation of a stage play, nevertheless, the film is important in creating the now universally known screen persona of Keaton as the Stoneface and the stoic nature of his performance. His undaunted aspiration in a changing world who may well laugh at him, yet usually the quiet man who has the last laugh.

Keaton does not have to do much to garner laughs, and you can see in contrast the theatricality of other actors comes to the fore and has aged in nearly a hundred years of passing, whilst Keaton's calm is front and centre.

In contrast to the other major silent comedian of the time, Charlie Chaplin, there is a naturalness that remains to Keaton's work. While Chaplin specifically was playing a character in The Tramp, a parody or caricature that ultimately garnered world acclaim who was thrust into moments that became comical. Keaton on the other side of the coin was a person who made situations funny, whereas Chaplin could have you laughing before he did anything with the twirl of his cane and funny walk. 

Again while Chaplin would do small movements like a dancing potato to illicit maximum potential of laughter, Keaton would use big sets and stunts with his still centre in the middle of frame an ocean of calm as chaos surrounds him with Chaplin a feverish ball of energy in an altogether calmer milieu.

With it being his first lead role, you do see Keaton being more a ensemble member in this instance and his character's behaviour is more akin to that of say Adam Sandler or Rowan Atkinson, a person of lesser intellect but into an elitist world and whose humble mindset shocks the upper classes and puts them in there place. 

The new release from Eureka Video is a Blu-ray release for the first time features essays, a featurette on different adaptations, The Scribe (1966, Dir. John Sebert) - Keaton's last film role; a two hour audio interview between Keaton and Kevin Brownlow from 1964 as well as the collector's booklet.

The Saphead is out on August 22nd from Eureka Video.

My thanks to them for the review opportunity.

The Way It Is Now - Garry Disher

 

New novel by Australian author THE WAY IT IS NOW 

out from Viper Books 4th August  

WHO SHALL INHERIT THE SINS OF THE FATHER?

This thrilling novel is set in Australia and tells the tale of a mother gone missing and how suspended policeman Charlie Deravin tries to solve the case following the discovery of two bodies in a local building site.

Disher weaves a clever tale throughout here, making sure you understand the motivations of his characters whilst taking the time and not rushing unnecessarily. He follows Deravin from counselling following his suspension to the difficult family relationships - his mother and father were going through a divorce at the books beginning in the year 2000 where the book begins. His mother is reported missing and we jump forward to Christmas 2019 and the beginning of the global pandemic which would engulf us all.

The book is prominently set in a small seaside town of Swanage, which for this reader is a lovely notion of kismet as I spent significant formative summer holidays with my family in the English seaside town of Swanage, Dorset. So anytime I read that name, I myself am transported to those wonderful halycon days of beaches, ice cream, cricket and Punch and Judy.

Disher writes effectively and with great nous throughout, short chapters keeps the reader engaged and while it might not be to everyone's taste it kept my attention nonetheless. And you would expect nothing less from a writer of over 50 titles, this is the first time I have encountered Disher and I am sure it will not be the last.

My thanks to Viper Books for the opportunity to review a new title at short notice and the copy sent in the post.

Happy reading one and all

Wilder Maker 'Male Models'

 

Latest album from New York band, Wilder Maker, out 29th July from Western Vinyl

The new album from trio Wilder Maker features an eclectic list of guest vocalists, combining with the sun-kissed soulful dripping indie rock that is on offer. Guests range from Adam Duritz (Counting Crows), Katie Von Schleicher and Felicia Douglass who each lend their vocals to another heartfelt folk laden composition married with Gabriel Birnbaum's insular narrative laden lyrics.

Male Models' inspiration is as eclectic as the sound it carries with influences ranging from novels to basketball and Thin Lizzy to positivity. The band comprises of frontman Birnbaum with long time collaborators Nick Jost and Sean Mullins, with the album being recorded live over several days. The overriding impression you get from the first listen is that this is an album for a vinyl listening party, something you put on in the background but every now and then you have to stop in your tracks because you are hearing something fresh, invigorating and hypnotic.

Birnbaum admits, 'I've been keeping an ever-expanding playlist of songs that I never want to skip. I wanted to make a record that sounded like a playlist in this way; it became a kind of songwriting challenge for me.'

The album succeeds in bringing that effervescence to your speakers with a balance of jam inspired soul and funk with pulsating indie rock that is reminiscent say of We Are Scientists but this really reminded me of a band called Video Age and their album 'Pleasure Line' while that had hints of yacht rock in it, that album and Male Models shares a strange sounding DNA and both had a summer release.

Latest release 'Static' is one of those such tracks featuring vocals by VV Lightbody; a jaunty jam of funk that marries summery vocals with a neat bassline.

'Silver Car' is a personal favourite of the band themselves and that features Katie Von Schleicher guesting and the album has these moments of calm amidst the fevered excitement elsewhere such as ballad 'Surfers Trace' which is sun-kissed and elegiac.

Following the global pandemic, there is a real sense that this big world did become a lot smaller as we all had to experience the change to our daily lives and routines. It forced us to reach out to those we may not ordinarily make contact with and provide support to those in less fortunate positions but also the chance for collaboration. 

Male Models is indicative of this sea change as music is made across zoom calls and ideas are shared frequently across continents and nations - the finished product fills you with a great sense of joy and pride that perhaps the good in humanity will win out as wars and corruption still appear in our society. This album speaks to the good in people and the light that shines in us all.

Male Models is out from Western Vinyl on 29th July.

My thanks to One Beat PR for the review opportunity.