I appear to be on something of a “creative hiatus” at the moment, what with my depression and alcoholism finally getting the better of me, but I have been slipping in the odd cultural taster in between bouts of nihilism, so here are some of my brief highlights of sobriety.
Wow, that was a long sentence. I did try to slap a full stop in there somewhere, but it seems to flow naturally as it is.
Anyway, speaking of hiatuses…
HARD-FI ARE BACK!
Three great albums of suburban punk by four adorably dimwitted cockneys…. then nothing. It appears they went on a 13 year hiatus after the lead guitarist stood down. They’re such sweet boys they just couldn’t, in all good conscience, continue without him. Bless. Well, each week since 2011, I’ve been vigilantly checking to see whether they’ve released anything new, usually to no avail. However, last night, as I lay in bed bracing myself for yet another night of insomnia, there they were! Their new song, “Don’t Go Making Plans”, is classic Hard-Fi stuff, with that The Specials-meets-The Class sorta Two Tone vibe riding high. I’m not sure whether this is part of the fourth album they had ready to go before going quiet, or completely new stuff, but I’ll take it. They’ve even updated their Spotify artist photo with a new one featuring their more mature selves (including the returning guitarist), so this is for real, and not just a one-off b.s. charity single or some such bollocks. Woo! I’m genuinely excited.
CLASH OF THE TITANS
No, not the classic Harry Hamlin one (how is that guy getting more handsome the older he gets?!) but the 2010 “let’s cash in on the historical/fantasy epic fad” one. I’m only about 45 minutes in, but I’ve been laughing out loud nonstop. I ended up pausing the disc due to exhaustion, but I do wish to continue in the coming weeks. I feel this may make its way into my so-bad-it’s-good collection. I’d say they poured all their money into special effects so had no money left for decent actors, but Ralph Fiennes is in there, for goodness sakes! So what went wrong? Or right? Who knows, but I’m enjoying how utterly embarrassing it is, so I’lll dust it off soon enough and give y’all a double bill review, along with its sequel.
I WAS BETTER LAST NIGHT
When I saw Harvey Fierstein had a memoir on audiobook that he reads himself, I simply said: “Yes, I will buy that”. I didn’t say it excitedly, or dramatically, or emotionally, I said it just a statement of fact. I would own such a miracle. I’m only a chapter in, as I just purchased it before bed last night, but I’m already charmed by a man I actually know very little about. I’ve only seen him in a few things, but know I want to experience more. We already seem to share some traits, like boozing and man-boobs, both of which I’m sure curse our lives. He loves to be the centre of attention though, which I absolutely do not whatsoever. I shall update you on my progress!
FOO FIGHTERS
A band I’ve been avoiding for years, mainly due to Dave Grohl’s multitracked vocals hitting my ear wrong and none of their songs really grabbing me. But I’ve always been meaning to give them a proper go, especially since Grohl is, officially, one of the nicest guys in the world. So, after a day of giggling to Tenacious D (for whom he is the drummer), I thought I’d finally give the Foo an honest listen. I failed to be charmed by their charming first album, but then, during their second, I came to the song “My Hero”, which has one of those life-changing melodies that pinned me down instantly. Even the guitar riff has something captivating about it. So, yes, I’m sold.
BLUE JEANS
A contender for my “Subtitles Off” sub-series of posts, but I simply don’t have enough to say about it for a full review. I just wanted to mention it in passing. It’s a 1977 French coming-of-age film, about an exchange student visiting England who discovers he has an inclination towards other boys. It’s surprisingly chaste for a French film and sort-of peters out towards the end, but it’s enjoyably awkward and full of budding emotions, as such films usually are. Perhaps if I’d known what the actors were saying, I’d have been more engaged. But I didn’t. So I wasn’t. Still, the young actors successfully put the general message across in their physical performances, and the odd spattering of English dialogue, clearly written by someone for whom English is not their first language, is amusing. It’s also interesting how, while most of the 70s-era fashions are dependably grotesque, the lead actor has a timeless look to him. Perhaps that was intentional, due to there being, well, something different about his character.
Well, it’s been my birthday this week, so I’ve actually not been drinking, what with it being customary to do something out of the ordinary for such an occasion. This is my second day of sleep deprivation, however, so I believe I am about to crack. Say what you like about alcoholism, but at least you get your rest. I’ll have a shower and see how I feel. You’ll know what I decide should my next post take another fortnight.
Do stay in touch, darlings.
Toodles!
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