Great Speech

Barack Obama at Ebeneezer Baptist Church.

He's quite an orator. In memory of Dr King, Obama addressed the church with a wonderful speech.

"The Scripture tells us that when Joshua and the Israelites arrived at the gates of Jericho, they could not enter. The walls of the city were too steep for any one person to climb; too strong to be taken down with brute force. And so they sat for days, unable to pass on through.

But God had a plan for his people. He told them to stand together and march together around the city, and on the seventh day he told them that when they heard the sound of the ram’s horn, they should speak with one voice. And at the chosen hour, when the horn sounded and a chorus of voices cried out together, the mighty walls of Jericho came tumbling down.

There are many lessons to take from this passage, just as there are many lessons to take from this day, just as there are many memories that fill the space of this church. As I was thinking about which ones we need to remember at this hour, my mind went back to the very beginning of the modern Civil Rights Era. "

READ ON AT TIME MAGAZINE

JOHNNY PARKS BAND – BREAK THE SILENCE

JOHNNY PARKS BAND – BREAK THE SILENCE

(2008)
SURVIVOR RECORDS



Rock music about God has got a bad press over the years. This is odd because song-writers have mined the Good Book for its stories about redemption, betrayal, sacrifice, and love for years. While most 'Christian Contemporary Music' it is derivative of 'secular' artists some can hold its own. It's unfortunate that ill-conceived pre-conceptions will probably stop people listening to 'Break the Silence' because it is a fantastic record.

The Belfast band kicks off with thumping drums, big guitars and a bigger chorus on 'Brand New Day'. Their use of the synth is very reminiscent of The Killers, and elsewhere shows more than a passing reference to Death Cab for Cutie. The majority of the songs are easily accessible sing-a-longs, but that doesn't mean they are lacking in imagination or ingenuity. Johnny Parks has a great voice and is ably complemented by Claire Hamilton. Rooted in it's homeland, the album explores the impact of The Troubles on its inhabitants and their hunger for change and peace. It closes with an epic soaring Sigur Ros style soundscape with "Walk Beside Me Jesus". Hopefully it won't just be people in churches that get to listen to this album.

For fans of: Death Cab for Cutie, Wheat, Arcade Fire
Download: Walk Beside Me Jesus, Our God is Mighty, The Troubles Are Over
Rating: 8/10

Multiplayer Tetris

I love tetris, everybody does. I remember back in school we had these cool physics calculators that we hacked to play tetris against each other under the desks.

Well now you can see how good you really are against up to 8 players. If you get 2 lines in a row they're sent over to help out your opponent. It's incredibly addictive. It's called BLOCKLES. Have fun.

THE WHIGS full album stream and download

You can stream the Whigs entire album "Mission Control" (out January 22nd) at spinner.com right now!

Also, here is a free Mp3 of their song "Right Hand On My Heart"
DOWNLOAD IT LEGALLY HERE

Estelle - "American Boy" ft. Kanye West (Audio)

Kanye West is about as far into rap as I go, so his appearance is always worth noting.

Estelle - "American Boy" ft. Kanye West (Audio)
real:
STREAM REAL
win:
STREAM WIN

Stream whole Interpol Live EP here

Here is the entire LIVE EP from Interpol as streams. You can buy the EP at http://www.thinkindie.com/ .

Pioneer To the Falls (live)

Mammoth (live)

Obstacle 1 (live)

The Heinrich Maneuver (live)

Rest My Chemistry (live)

Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down (live)

New Lenny Kravitz album

Lenny Kravitz Announces
IT IS TIME FOR A LOVE REVOLUTION
New album set to hit stores February 5, 2008

New Single "I'll Be Waiting" is released: STREAM IT HERE

Bono on Al Gore

I'm not really big into the whole climate change thing, but TIME magazine's #2 person of the year for 2007 was Al Gore. First was Putin. Bono wrote the piece on Al Gore and it's an extrodinary piece of writing and makes fascinating reading.



As 2007 closes and 2008 begins, one of the great questions that hangs in the cynical European air is how America will carry itself in the world next year. From the outside, the coming election seems less about "the economy, stupid" and more about America's role in the future of the planet. I think it's even deeper than that. I think this election is about how America sees itself. That's not really an existential question, or a spiritual one; mostly, it's a practical question. In this election year, Americans are looking for leadership that can turn spiritual yearnings into practical realities.

Continue Reading Bono on Al Gore

Dr Who christmas special

happy 2008.

On the first day of this new year I watched a repeat of what is now a BBC institution - the Dr Who Christmas special. I can't understand why Dr Who is as big as it is - compared to its American competitors the acting looks wooden, the scripts cheesy and predictable and the special effects cheap. However the christmas special is a watercooler moment, watched by the majority of the country, the first one, three years ago was great, so perhaps this would be too.

What I saw was one of the worst pieces of television I have seen all year. Set in outer space on an intergalactic cruise liner called the Titanic (and looking identical to the ill-fated ship but for some rockets on the end) the Doctor engaged in a predictable romp using his full arsenal of cheeky looks and quips that could be foretold within the first five minutes. So short on originality it was almost a remake of the The Poseidon Adventure (1972). Yet again robots go wrong and turn against their makers, an evil mastermind is behind it all and Dr Who uses his sonic screwdriver and made up jargon to overcome whatever adversity confronts him. I had to switch off before the end. When HBO is pumping out wonderful drama, can't the BBC do a little better than this? Am I missing something, what's all the fuss about Dr Who?

Fun flash games

Not music related but still fun.

Spotted this in the Guardian here.

This has been a staggering year for freebie Flash games. If, for example, you miss out on Valve's Orange Box collection, which includes the brilliant mind-bending puzzler Portal, check out Portal: The Flash Version (tinyurl.com/2u6m2j) - a lovely 2D take on the game by two indie coders. If it's shooting action you're lacking, try The Last Stand (tinyurl.com/2mjwxy), a relentless zombie blaster with decent visuals and a generous stocking-full of deadly weapons. Even music games like Guitar Hero have their browser equivalents. Super Crazy Guitar Maniac Deluxe 2 (tinyurl.com/2crol8) is a keyboard-based rhythm action romp with 14 songs and a huge online following.

The Flash scene has also propagated its own fads and genres, often based around gameplay found in larger retail releases. This year saw dozens of "tower defence" titles, in which the player protects a citadel from encroaching invaders. This would be a mere snippet of a major real-time strategy title such as Warcraft, but in the Flash realm, coders have modified the idea into a style in its own right. My favourite is Onslaught (onslaught.playr.co.uk).

Elsewhere, one of last year's big Flash titles, Line Rider - a snowy level design challenge in which you drew ski slopes then let a physics-enhanced sledge plummet down them - has started a new craze for sandbox experiences. Free Rider is an utterly enthralling BMX version where you design a track then race along it collecting stars. An even better sequel has just been released, and can be found at tinyurl.com/2u4knu.

The visually accomplished Stackopolis, where you place blocks on an isometric grid according to an increasingly complicated blueprint, is much more fun than it sounds. I also love another physics-based challenge, Ramps (tinyurl.com/2vvnu9). If none of these do it for you, check out aggregation sites like Newgrounds.com and Kongregate.com, or play any of Ferry Halim's beautiful relaxing experiences on ferryhalim.com/orisinal.

Interpol free live tracks

Check out these tracks from Interpol's LIVE EP (out now.) They were recorded live at London's Astoria.




Mammoth (live)


Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down (live)


You can find a list of indie stores where you can purchase the EP at http://cimsmusic.com/.

Hate sprouts at Christmas? You'll love this

For everyone who sees Brussels sprouts as a necessary evil at your Christmas dinner and push them around your plate, then this game is for you.

Defend your plate from attacking hordes of sprouts!

http://www.christmastimeuk.com/game/

2007 - end of year top records

I've enjoyed plenty of records of 2007, and as the curtains close on this year it's customary for about the music to list it's favourites. I should add that there are plenty of records I believe are good but haven't heard this year, but the list below reflects the ones I loved from the ones I heard.

In the order they occurred:

Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger

I count this as a return of a great Ryan Adams record. Really it's a Cardinals record but with quality control. Every track is great, some fantastic and because the filler is omitted, even though it's a shorter album than previous Cardinals releases, it feels like a better one. Old classics emerge like "Off Broadway" and new ones are born like "Everybody Knows". Still haven't tired of it.

Beirut - The Flying Club Cup

This record rather snuck up behind me and burrowed into my iPod. Inspired by a 100 year old photograph and travelling eastern europeans in Paris, but recorded in America, this short album is something of a gem. Horns abound but above all is the strength of the melodies - rock solid.

A Fine Frenzy- One Cell In The Sea

Ever since I heard a demo record I've been a fan. Seattle born 22 year-old Alison Sudol has an amazing voice and her piano led songs are astounding. Ranging from incredibly intimate "Almost Lover" to Amy Mann style "Ashes and Wine" she has hints of Coldplay, Bjork, Motown. I haven't enjoyed many albums as much as this in a while. A real find.


Wilco - Sky Blue Sky.

Eagerly anticipated (at least by me) and it didn't let down. Some were dissapointed by a more accessible record without some of the noise of A Ghost is Born and certainly not the curve ball that YHF was, but it sounds like a band comfortable in its skin. Nels Cline adds beauty to every song with perfect guitar playing and for once, Jeff Tweedy sounds happy.

The National - Boxer

Following on from the slow-burning success of Alligator, Boxer delivers another solid punch. Some were dissapointed that the rockier moments of Lit Up and Mr November weren't replicated but what is present is more strong songwriting.

Band Of Horses - Cease to Begin

I was late to discover Everything all the Time but when I did I loved it. Cease to Begin follows on and progresses what Everything started. Not quite the Shins/My Morning Jacket cross over of the previous record and more their own band, but still throuoghly enjoyable.

Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter

Josh probably did the right thing by opting not to write another Animal Years, instead going the other way with a relaxed, jamming big band sound. Gone is the earnestness and back is the fun, resembling more of his live performances than previous albums.

Bright Eyes - Cassadaga

I was initially disappointed with this, but found myself listening to it all the time. As obvious as it may be, it sounds like a cross between Lifted and I'm Wide Awake It's Morning. "Four Winds" is great and it doesn't really drop from there.

John Mayer - Continuum

I dismissed him as too poppy for a long time, but on hearing this album had to reevaluate my opinion. My only criticism is it's almost too perfectly produced, sounding too smooth for its own good, but he writes the sexiest music of any white man alive.

Horse Feathers - Words Are Dead
This album blew me away when I heard it early in the year. Think Iron & Wine, but with the murmurs of early R.E.M. Great banjo playing, hushed lyrics leading to some almighty cacophonies. One I constantly return to.


If I was allowed another 3 they would be Iron & Wine's "The Shepherd Dog", The Shins' "Wincing the Night Away" and Kings of Leon - Because Of The Times deserve an honourable mention