Tag: review

Music

Review: Biffy Clyro – ‘Similarities’

Biffy ClyroÔÇÖs B-side compilation album, ÔÇÿSimilaritiesÔÇÖ, is not a waste of time. ItÔÇÖs not a cheap money spinner that tides keen fans over until the next album cycle. It’s a demonstration of the hugely prolific and profound songwriter, frontman Simon Neil, and an exceedingly professional band doing exactly what they do best. The very nature of a compilation dictates that ÔÇÿSimilaritiesÔÇÖ is not as coherent … Continue reading Review: Biffy Clyro – ‘Similarities’

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Music, uncategorized

Review: Morrissey – ‘World Peace Is None Of Your Business’

International tensions are increasing, conflict has provoked much political debate, and whatÔÇÖs more, the UKÔÇÖs general election is fast approaching. It is the time for celebrity cynics and anarchists to force their views upon us, increase their tabloid exposure, and make some money. Unsurprisingly, Morrissey has released a new album. While the opening lyric, ÔÇÿWorld Peace is None of Your BusinessÔÇÖ, does not provide the … Continue reading Review: Morrissey – ‘World Peace Is None Of Your Business’

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Music

Review: Joyce Manor – Never Hungover Again

Joyce Manor have delivered an unpretentious belter of a record. Storming past at a breakneck nineteen minutes long, the Californian bandÔÇÖs third full-length almost ends too soon. More arty than pop-punk and more hectic than plain olÔÇÖ indie, ÔÇÿNever Hungover AgainÔÇÖ forms somewhat ironically the perfect soundtrack to days spent drinking with your buddies. Themes of regret seem to permeate the record and as frantic … Continue reading Review: Joyce Manor – Never Hungover Again

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Music

Review: Futurology – Manic Street Preachers

Written concurrently with last yearÔÇÖs ÔÇÿRewind the FilmÔÇÖ, itÔÇÖs more accurate to describe ÔÇÿFuturologyÔÇÖ as a counterpart than a follow-up to SeptemberÔÇÖs acoustic reflection on middle age. Indeed, a lot of the songs here give a comforting feel in contrast to the heartbreaking moments of ÔÇÿRewind the FilmÔÇÖ. The opening title track bubbles through its verses until a soothing Nicky Wire vocal ÔÇ£one day we … Continue reading Review: Futurology – Manic Street Preachers

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Music

Live Review: Arcade Fire, British Summer Time (03/07/14)

Following a successful show at Glastonbury only a week earlier, Arcade Fire are set to headline the British Summer Time festival. The atmosphere within Hyde Park is relaxed with tinges of anticipation. Combined with a wide variety of stalls and amusements that you would expect at a festival, itÔÇÖs easy to think you were a world away from the capital, rather than at its epicentre. … Continue reading Live Review: Arcade Fire, British Summer Time (03/07/14)

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Music

Review: Ed Sheeran – x

Following up Ed Sheeran’s chart topping album ‘+,’┬á the highly anticipated ‘x’ is set to be just as huge. Expressing his emotions of love, hurt, the pressures of stardom and of course, inebriation, we see Sheeran’s true lyrical talent in his ability to construct depth and meaning whilst keeping each track delightfully poppy. Opening track ‘One,’ whilst a seemingly bleak start to the album, is … Continue reading Review: Ed Sheeran – x

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Music

Review: Every Time I Die – From Parts Unknown

There’s a reason why Every Time I Die are heralded as one of the most consistently brilliant bands in hardcore and their latest output, seventh studio album ÔÇÿFrom Parts UnknownÔÇÖ, is definitive proof. The sombre chords at the outset of opening track, ÔÇÿThe Great EscapeÔÇÖ, signal the calm before the storm. When the song kicks in, it instigates an unrelenting torrent of pure aggression. Vocalist … Continue reading Review: Every Time I Die – From Parts Unknown

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Music

Review: Jack White – Lazaretto

To some extent, you know what youÔÇÖre going to get with a Jack White record. ‘Lazaretto’, White’s second studio album, is no exception with most of the old trademarks present.┬áRaucous riffing and squealing solos? Check. Weird, jarring lyrics? Check. And, rising above it all, you get WhiteÔÇÖs signature hair raising yelp. Although, thereÔÇÖs also a marked emphasis on the mellower side of his sound, with … Continue reading Review: Jack White – Lazaretto

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Music

Review: Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence

Inevitable pressure and expectation: the second albumÔÇÖs labelled ÔÇ£difficultÔÇØ for a reason. Despite extra EPs and deluxe editions, Lana Del Rey has greater expectation than most for her second studio album after breakthrough ÔÇÿBorn to DieÔÇÖ made her a teenage icon.┬á ÔÇÿUltraviolenceÔÇÖ has been received exceptionally well though, as the consensus seem to believe it eclipses ÔÇÿBorn to DieÔÇÖ with its newfound sleepy psychedelica. Del … Continue reading Review: Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence

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Music

Review: Peace – Sin City, Swansea 12/06/14

What initially seems like an odd choice of venue becomes painfully clear upon entering SwanseaÔÇÖs Sin City. ItÔÇÖs packed. Perhaps something to do with the Birmingham quartetÔÇÖs recent appearance on E4ÔÇÖs hit ÔÇÿrealityÔÇÖ show Made in Chelsea? Certainly not. This crowd know exactly what theyÔÇÖre waiting for and it is by no means influenced by a controversial TV cameo. An echoing intro sets the mood … Continue reading Review: Peace – Sin City, Swansea 12/06/14

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Music

Review: ZABA – Glass Animals

As one of the first acts signed to Paul EpworthÔÇÖs Wolf Tone label, the excitement around Oxford quartet Glass Animals has been gradually building over the past two years. Following a trio of well-received EPÔÇÖs that have displayed a willingness to experiment and rework their own material, the release of debut LP, ÔÇÿZABAÔÇÖ, proves reason for the aforementioned excitement. Opener ÔÇÿFlipÔÇÖ begins stripped back, with … Continue reading Review: ZABA – Glass Animals

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Film & TV

Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is perhaps Marvel StudiosÔÇÖ most intricately crafted film yet. The set-up is straightforward enough: ┬áCap and Black Widow are working for Nick Fury when S.H.I.E.L.D. comes under attack. Unsure of whom, if anyone, to trust, they must uncover a hidden threat before it destroys them all. The film not only serves as a strong follow-up to CapÔÇÖs first outing, Captain … Continue reading Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

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Culture

Review: Curtain Call (by Broadway Dance Society), The Gate

Last week the Broadway Dance Society performed their annual showcase, featuring popular musicals like Wicked, Mamma Mia, Billy Elliott, and The Lord of the Rings. Vaiva Seskeviciute reviews the studentsÔÇÖ powerful performance Broadway Dance Society performed ÔÇ£Curtain CallÔÇØ last Saturday at The Gate Arts Centre where viewers could enjoy tap, jazz, ballet, Irish, American high-kick and contemporary dance. During the two-hour show the audience was … Continue reading Review: Curtain Call (by Broadway Dance Society), The Gate

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Video Games

Review: Thief

When a franchise that is beloved by its fandom is rebooted, it is always going to be a divisive game. So in this instance an attempt has to be made to separate the game from its predecessors and judge it on its own merits. Last month after several years of development, anticipation and internet arguments, Eidos Montreal released the simply-titled Thief. First off, the game … Continue reading Review: Thief

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Film & TV

The Musketeers: “Knight Takes Queen” Review

Warning! Spoilers follow Hardly any spoilers are possible for the main plot of an episode called ÔÇÿKnight Takes QueenÔÇÖ, knowing the premise from last weekÔÇÖs preview: some of the Musketeers, Aramis included, are besieged in a convent, trying to protect the young Queen Anne. We already know, from previous not too subtle hints, that she has a weak spot for him, and Santiago Cabrera had … Continue reading The Musketeers: “Knight Takes Queen” Review

Charlie2 Comments
Culture

Review: Major Tom, WMC

A one-woman, one-dog show has come like a whirlwind into Cardiff, and itÔÇÖs a story of celebrity culture and the consequences of putting yourself in the public eye, all wrapped up with plenty of sparkling, simple humour Major Tom is an original one-woman show created and performed by Victoria Melody, detailing her and her bassett houndÔÇÖs (the title character) adventures in beauty pageants and dog … Continue reading Review: Major Tom, WMC

Charlie2 Comments
Film & TV

The Musketeers: “The Challenge” Review

Warning! Spoliers follow First of all, MAJOR SPOILERS FOLLOW. This is because, while still finding the time for a slightly forced ÔÇÿromanceÔÇÖ on the sidelines, involving Porthos (it was his turn again, I believe, according to the rota), and a challenge between the Musketeers and RichelieuÔÇÖs Red Guards, this episode directly tackles many crucial ongoing threads. DÔÇÖArtagnan loses his farm in Gascony and becomes a … Continue reading The Musketeers: “The Challenge” Review

Charlie21 Comments
Film & TV

Interview: Colm McCarthy, Sherlock

Sherlock is back after an agonisingly long wait. In anticipation for the seriesÔÇÖ return Film & TV Editor Charlie Andrews sat down with Colm McCarthy, director of the second episode ÔÇÿÔÇØThe Sign of ThreeÔÇØ, to talk about the show You have worked with the BBC before on programmes such as Spooks and Doctor Who, what was it like to work on a show such as … Continue reading Interview: Colm McCarthy, Sherlock

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Film & TV

Interview: Jeremy Lovering, Sherlock

Sherlock is back after an agonisingly long wait. In anticipation for the series’ return Film & TV Editor Charlie Andrews sat down with Jeremy Lovering, director of the first episode ‘”The Empty Hearse”, to talk about the show   You have worked with the BBC before on programmes such as Spooks, what was it like to work on a show as big as Sherlock? I … Continue reading Interview: Jeremy Lovering, Sherlock

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Culture

Review: Wicked, Wales Millenium Centre

WickedÔÇÖs fourth stop on its UK-wide tour flew into CardiffÔÇÖs Wales Millennium Centre on March 12th and will remain there until 26th April. Jordan Nicholls went to see whether this production defied gravity or not Based on the book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, Wicked traces ultimately how Glinda earns her title of Glinda the … Continue reading Review: Wicked, Wales Millenium Centre

Charlie22 Comments