October 2008 Archives

[Moozik: The Cure - The Only One]

Depending on which band releases a new album in any given year, my favorite band of all time tends to switch between Depeche Mode and The Cure. Getting to see The Cure in concert earlier in the year and the fact that they just released a new album this week means you can probably guess who is on top at the moment.

4:13 Dream is The Cure's 13th studio album and I must admit that after listening to it for a couple of days, I really like it. The Pornography (1981) => Disintegration (1989) years for me are the classic Cure years and I must admit that I've been a little underwhelmed with the post Wish (1992) years. So the fact that I was impressed with this album after just the first listen was a really good sign.

The album opens with Underneath The Stars. It's classic Cure. The washy guitars and distorted vocals take you off to your happy Cure place. I've loved this song ever since I heard it when they opened their concert with it. It also happens to be my favorite track on the album at the moment. I love the guitar work.

The Only One was the first single from the album and it's a poppy effort that zips along nicely. "I love what you do to my head/It’s a mess up there" is a classic Smith line.

The Reasons Why has some excellent bass work reminiscent of Hooky and this is one of my favorite songs on the album. I found myself hitting repeat a couple of times on the first play through of the album. "I don’t want to bring you down about my suicide". Robert, chripy as ever.

Freakshow changes pace entirely and I'm not entirely sure what I think about it yet. Funky is not exactly a word I feel comfortable using at the best of times let alone to describe a Cure song. But it's the only word that comes to mind. Hmm, maybe this is a grower.

Then unfortunately we have Sirensong and The Real Snow White which haven't really left any kind of impression on me. Again, they might be growers.

The Hungry Ghost is redeeming and another of my favorite songs on the album, excellent rhythm guitar and Robert in fine voice. Switch starts with some electronics and guitar distortion and ramps up into quite the head nodder. Turn this one up.

Hmm, then it's three in a row that I've found myself not immediately thinking anything of except they're Cure By Numbers songs: The Perfect Boy, This.Here And Now.With You, and Sleep When I'm Dead.

Then just to shake things up, comes The Scream. Wouldn't sound out of place on Kiss Me... and I love it. My second favorite song on the album and I have a feeling this will end up on a future fave Cure songs from any album list.

So overall, my initial impression is that this is a solid Cure album. Whether it's the best album of the post Wish era remains to be seen and it's a little to soon to tell. It is a little hit and miss but the hits are good and the misses will probably grow on me anyway.

[Moozik: The Cure - Underneath The Stars]

As a followup to my post about starting from scratch, another change you'll notice in my future rambles is that you'll be seeing we where in the past it had just been I. Well, there's a reason for that.

I've been somewhat remiss in discussing a massive part of my life of late. My girlfriend. Now, while some other blogs have pet names for their significant others: "the fella", "mrs rob", or "she", I'm going to try and make a point of keeping that part of my life somewhat private. So, for the time being anyway, we will be all you'll get.

Unless it isn't of course and I change my mind. Because I'm good like that.

[Moozik: The The - GIANT]

I was somewhat surprised to find this email in my inbox this morning.

Hi Kevin,

I just came across your image of the Empire state building lit green for our our event this past May and I wondering if you would be so kind to grant us permission to use it?

In the short term it might be used in the lobby of the Empire state building.

You will be given image credit of course if the image is ever reproduced.

I appreciate your time and consideration ,

Kindest regards,

Michele

--
Michele Petri
Development Coordinator
Rainforest Foundation US
32 Broadway Suite 1614
New York, NY 10004
www.rainforestfoundation.org

Which I thought was very cool. The photo in question is this one.

I gave permission of course so now I'll just have to wait and see if they actually use it.

[Moozik: Depeche Mode - Nothing]

This is one of those how did I not know this video existed videos.

Depeche Mode, Enjoy The Silence, on top of the World Trade Center.

Thank you Dan ;-)

[Moozik: The Cure - Harold And Joe]

If you ever get the chance to go to Dublin, go. Really. We spent a whirlwind two days there and I would certainly go back. Everyone is extremely friendly and laid back. In fact I think that sums up Dublin in a nutshell.

We stayed in the Temple Bar district which was home to some really quaint cobbled streets.

Taking the hop-on, hop-off bus tour is certainly a great way to get around the city.

Dublin has some really amazing Georgian buildings.

And one particular surprising one. Look familiar?

Dublin has 800 pubs.

So of course, it's only polite to visit a couple of them. Complete with Irish music...

...and pints of the obligatory black goodness. Hmm, spot the odd one out?

And what visit to Dublin would be complete without a visit to the Guinness brewery.

After taking the tour, you go up to the gravity bar which offers really spectacular 360° views of the city...

...and everyone gets one free Pint of that yummy goodness. I've never seen so many people drink Guinness in one place before.

So yes, you must go to Dublin. And sample some of that Guinness for yourself.

[Moozik: Seabound - Scorch The Ground]

Anyone who still visits this blog instead of reading via the feed will notice a little change I've made around these parts. I'm starting from scratch.

I've been blogging for about seven years in various forms and have found the decision to start over really rather liberating actually. So here's to another seven years then.