Sounds We Loved Hearing

Lisa – “The art – and concept – of the album seems to have disappeared from the mainstream in recent years, so it’s always nice to hear someone construct an entire experience, as opposed to a random selection of crowd-pleasers. One such album is Cosmogramma by Flying Lotus, which I finally got around to buying this week. Well, I say new – it has actually been out since May (whoops!) – but it’s been well worth the wait. A melting pot of ideas and styles, and featuring guest vocals from Thom Yorke, Cosmogramma will now be used regularly for the next few months to warm away the winter. This is the video for one of my favourites on the album, “MmmHmm”"

Geoff – “More radio this week, as I really can’t seem to drag myself away from the plethora of science shows on Radio 4. I spent an enlightening half an hour listening to Tempus Fugit, which was a fascinating look at why time seems to speed up as we grow older. Remember how weeks seemed to last forever and now you can’t stop them flying by? When you get to my age, it will be even worse. Through the various theories devised and tested by some of the brightest minds on the planet, we get about as close as is possible to understanding how time can be distorted in our minds and how to make the most of what we have left. It’s not as depressing as it sounds, honestly…..”

Chris - “Keb Darge is a legendary figure in clubland, both for his phenomenal funk-filled DJ sets, and his earlier career as a Northern Soul- style disco dance competitor, which you can still catch on Youtube. But he has also been known to ditch the funk 45′s in favour of some good, old fashioned rhythm & blues; forgotten classics from the 50s and 60s that still keep one eye firmly fixed on the dance-floor. With a wealth of musical knowledge like that in your head, it would be a shame for Darge to keep it to himself, so we should think ourselves lucky the man doesn’t mind sharing. Keb Darge & Little Edith’s Legendary Rockin’ R&B is exactly what it says on the tin and you should buy a copy for yourself, and your gran. This is the kind of thing to expect and has been on the home stereo for the last few days….”

Sights We Loved Seeing

Lisa -

” I don’t care if you think they have both seen better days, but I think The Harry & Paul Show is just brilliant. Some of the sketches are a teensy bit dodgy but I just love Paul Whitehouse – why doesn’t do a lot more serious acting is beyond me. His attention to detail in his characters is just amazing – so much so, that I can almost forgive him for those Norwich Union adverts. There’s just something right about having Enfield & Whitehouse on our TVs in the autumn. To be enjoyed with a log-burning fire, a cheeky glass of red and a bed-sized pile of pillows.”

Geoff -

“BBC4 are showing a re-run of Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff; for me, the perfect social commentary of what was happening during the time it was screened. 1982 was a very bleak time for those in industrial cities north of the Watford Gap and west of the South Downs; unemployment was rife and life was harsh, uncompromising and uncomfortable, words which sum up perfectly Bleasdale’s expertly written tale involving the struggle through unemployment in Liverpool, when old Maggie T was doing what she did best. However, whilst Blackstuff is steeped in bleakness, it is tempered with some wickedly dry humour.”

Chris -

“Blimey Geoff, thanks for that. You going for a job as arts critic for The Guardian? I haven’t got much to say here today, not after I saw this, anyway. This is all I have….Thank you, TwitPic…..”

Games We Loved Playing

Lisa –

“It’s just me on games this week, I’m afraid. But it’s been a good one. After years of owning a copy of Crysis, I’ve finally been able to play it properly, thanks to my spanking new Alienware M17x laptop and I’m pleased to report that it really has been worth the wait. I can’t quite believe that Crysis was launched close to 3 years ago, and has been laughing in the face of every single computer I have ever owned. Ha! Not any more! The game looks incredible and the gameplay is awesome (and I use that word with intent). You will feel like you have been left in the middle of a jungle at some points and there is no set way to complete each level – whether you want to spend hours creeping around out of sight, or just shoot a clean path through the middle, it’s entirely up to you. I’m nowhere near finishing, but Crysis is fast-becoming my Best. Game. Ever. And it’s only £9 from Amazon – click here to buy it……. Crysis“

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