Album Review: Maroon 5 - Hands All Over (Deluxe Edition)

We have now reached my seventh and last edition of blogs reviewing my favourite albums of the year. Of course, I couldn't not review the new Maroon 5 album considering the love affair I have had going with them since 2004 when I first heard 'This Love'. That is a song which basically got my love for music kick-started when I heard it on the radio. Anyway, after this blog, I will be taking a much needed short break from blogging. I have done nine blogs in ten days. Anyway, let's get going on this album review.

I am slightly biased to this album for the fact that Maroon 5 are one of my favourite all-time bands. My first proper album that I ever brought was Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane. Okay, I had previously brought The Fast Food Rockers album, but you can't hold that against me - I wasn't old enough to know that was essentially the cheesiest of all the cheesiest albums ever produced.

On my first listen through of this album, I was a disappointed that the songs were not as great as I expected. Anyway, on my second listen, I couldn't see my problem and rather enjoyed it (despite one song, but I'll cover that later). It just proves - you shouldn't always judge on your first opinion.

First song: 'Misery'. This is the single which isn't getting much radio time, which is good because it stops me from hearing it too much. As Maroon 5 singles go however, it isn't one of their best. Still rather good, I'll give them that, but lacking that 'raw emotion' we see in the first album singles. However, it is very similar to their singles from the second album. The second song,' Give A Little More' is rather nice and as second songs go, it was alright. It was nothing that jumped out as amazing, but still perfect for the album.

The third song, 'Stutter', is when it all starts. This is the first song on the album that jumps out, grabs you with both hands by the ears and forces you to pay attention. It takes you by surprise and I certainly love the song due to it being incredibly catchy and the lyrics are very nice also. Remember it as one of my favourites. The follow up song is 'Don't Know Nothing', and it seems to work very well. A very well placed song within the album. It has a great catchy tune which has the power to stick with you for hours after listening. The lyrics are also great; but the chorus in this song is beautifully crafted with immense power.

The next song is' Never Gonna Leave This Bed' and is what I would describe as classic, with it having the easy going sound to it and also the deep, meaningful lyrics we expect from Maroon 5. This song goes back to their roots and has everything we expect in a Maroon 5 song, and the first of many which appear on the album; with track six being another example. 'I Can't Lie' is an incredibly catchy song and is, again, what I would describe as a classic Maroon 5 song. It again has that easy, slow sound with a distinctive beat. Not only is the beat catchy to this song, but so are the lyrics.

Then we seem to receive a metaphorical shovel to the head. This is the worst song on the album, and maybe even one of their worse songs ever, due to it sticking out like an out-and-proud gay person in a business meeting. Track seven, 'Hands All Over', which also happens to be the album title track, is what I would describe as 'The black sheep of the album'. Don't get me wrong, it is a good song and it is a catchy song, but it is a song that really does not fit into the album. It sounds like Kraftwerk have done a duet them, and that isn't a good thing, even if Kraftwerk are quite good. It is just completely inappropriate for the album. I have now reached the stage where I just skip it every time I play the album. I want to like it; and maybe I would of if it were in Maroon 5's previous album It Won't Be Soon Before Long.

Then you have track 8, a song called 'How'. It really doesn't work following that disastrous song, but forgetting that, it is such an incredibly beautiful and amazing song which is exactly what I expect from Maroon 5. I adore the song, and it is completely reminiscent of the Songs About Jane album. It is one of those emotional songs that can lift your spirit. In fact, so are the following three songs. They may possibly be my favourite Maroon 5 songs, ever. They are so good; I don't feel at all angry about that absurd song preceding them.

'Get Back Into My Life' has a brilliantly catchy beat to it, and the lyrics are rather powerful and lovely; I also love the harmonies in the song. 'Just A Feeling' is another slow and calm song, which I think to be just very beautiful. It is a song where you cannot help but listen to the lyrics and they are a joy to listen to. I am just in love with the song. It’s moving; yet catchy. 'Runaway' is my favourite of the favourites. The very first song I heard of the album as it was playing when I walked in HMV, and I feel in love instantly. It’s a short song, but catchy, epically powerful and very, very deep.

The final song on the normal album is 'Out Of Goodbyes', which is a duet done with a new, similar band called Lady Antebellum. It is a rather lovely song, but it is very odd hearing a female voice on an album by an all-male band. However, that's not to say it's bad, it's just a tad odd. It has a lovely, country sound to it which I find rather pleasing to the ear.

Due to me buying the 'Deluxe Edition', I get an extra 6 six songs, for not very much more. ‘Last Chance' and 'No Curtain Call' are the last two unique songs on the album and they are very good. The former of the two songs is an incredibly catchy song with great power and is yet again a tad reminiscent of Songs About Jane. 'No Curtain Call' is probably the most powerful song of the lot with the loud, distinctive drum beat which gives it this poignant feel. The lyrics are also really good and it is yet another song on the album I like.

We then get treated to acoustic versions of two songs on the album: 'Misery' and 'Never Gonna Leave This Bed'. Both originals are very good, but I would be very quick to point out that the acoustic versions are actually better. They seem to have more meaning without all the added, unnecessary production. One thing they do, which is cheesy in their acoustic songs, is start with '1, 2, 1, 2, 3' and I just wish they didn't.

The album ends with two covers of other people’s songs, which I they do very well, but I see no obvious point to them. The covers are Alicia Keys - 'If I Ain't Got You' and Queen - 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love'. They work really quite well and they certainly have done the songs justice. It also is a very nice way to end and round off a very good album

Despite the Deluxe Edition carrying on for little over an hour, the album doesn't feel very long. You can listen to the whole album of 18 songs, and still think 'That didn't last long' and then realise you've lost an hour of your life. I don't know why that it is, but either way, it is one heck of an amazing album. I have become addicted to the album. Maroon 5 are my drug at the moment. I can't listen to one song, without having to listen to the rest. It has incredible power.

Would I recommend this album? Most certainly yes! I love it. Better than their last album and a close contender with Songs About Jane. If you love Maroon 5's original songs, then you will love this album (despite the one song). It isn't as depressing as their last albums either, and that's what makes them even better. My top album of the year, easily!

Album Review: The Divine Comedy - Bang Goes The Knighthood

Most of the albums I have reviewed thus far regularly contain the words 'deep', 'meaningful' and occasionally 'powerful', when describing the songs. To be honest, it just shows how rubbish I am at reviewing albums. I just sound like a broken record; but you can bet that the record that is broken could be described as powerful, meaningful and deep. Anyway, I shall try and expand my vocabulary before attempting this again, but let us crack of with today's album review.

I like this album cover with the lead singer of The Divine Comedy, Neil Hannon, sitting in a bath, dressed as an aristocrat, with a black Labrador; which is a symbol for the song 'Bang Goes The Knighthood. It is different, and it strikes me as looking slightly 'Pythonesque'; as if he would fit in nicely in the 'Ministry Of Silly Walks' sketch.

The Divine Comedy is not going to be an album in which I will regularly comment on how deep and meaningful the songs are; because they really are not. As the band name suggests, the album is just a load of comedy songs. Maybe not songs that make you fall about in hysterics, but if you think about them and listen carefully, then you can chuckle. I have always quite liked them; and this album isn't any different. As producers of music, they are quite catchy songs too; so it's all good!

The first song is 'Down In The Streets' which is pleasant and has a very nice beat. It really is just an introductory song, and it works in that way. It is a good song. The next song is 'The Complete Banker'; a song about the recession essentially, and it happens to be my favourite on the album. It is very catchy and easily gets stuck in my head, and if you listen to the lyrics carefully, you hear the humour. If you don't listen, well it still makes for a good song.

'Neapolitan Girl' is on the subject of exactly what the song title is. It is another well made, catchy song, but there isn't a lot to say about it, other than that I like it. The album title track; 'Bang Goes The Knighthood' is a song about aristocrats and their risky sexual adventures. It isn't a great song but it is still good and has a nice, swaying beat.  'At The Indie Disco' is obviously about young people and their social and musical ways. It’s a nice song to just listen too with good music production again.

'Have You Ever Been In Love' does exactly what it says on the title. It's about the joyous event of finding love. It has a lovely symphony behind the song and it is quite nice, lovely, and pleasant; as a song of this topic should be of course. 'Assume The Perpendicular' is also a nice song, but I'm not a hundred percent on its actual topic. Anywho, it's still good to listen to. 'The Lost Art Of Conversation' is a great, catchy song which yet again is exactly what it says on the tin. The lyrics are on the random side, and it lifts the album up again. It is full of beautiful whimsy.

'Island Life' has a lovely tune but as for the actual song, I'm not entirely sure of its point, but it doesn't ruin the album, and with it having a lovely, calm feel to it; can easily be listened to. The actual music sounds like it could be from an old Disney film from the 1950's which is set in Victorian Britain. 'When A Man Cries' has (Yes, he still manages to say it in this review) deep emotion as it is a thoughtful evocation of mans vulnerability and it has this powerful element. The orchestra in the song also make it sound magnificent and poignant.

'Can You Stand Upon One Leg' is a lovely, silly song and is full of whimsy, and is another edition to 'The Best Songs On The Album'. I actually rather love the lyrics, and it is partly about the writing of a funny song. The lyrics "Can you write a silly song? It's harder than you think" stick out for me. Towards the end he holds a note for rather impressive 30 seconds, which lasts to the end of the song. It's a daft song! The final song on the album I like and is called 'I Like'. It is a lovely, catchy love song and is still lovely and daft. The line in this song that sticks out to me is "I love your mild, political stances". A nice end to the album.

I will admit that the album has its occasional misfires such as 'Island Life', but I really like the album. It blooms at the start, and then withers a tad in the middle before reviving and coming back into bloom towards the end. The Divine Comedy is essentially a Comedy, Orchestral Pop band, which is still going strong, even with this being the tenth album.

It is a shame though, because they still don't really get the praise they truly deserve. Their most popular song happens to be 'National Express', which people may not know by name, but if you were to listen to it on YouTube, I expect you would recognise it once it got to the chorus. It is a shame. My favourite song of The Divine Comedy is 'To Die A Virgin', which has some of the best lyrics I have heard in my opinion. One of the little gems in the song in my opinion is "With all the bombs and bird flu, We'll all probably be dead soon, And here we are in your bedroom, Oh did I tell you I love you...” just for how apt it is and also it's clever rhyming. Anyway, I recommend this group to anyone who likes subtle satire and orchestral music.

Album Review: Train - Save Me, San Francisco

I should just point out, in case you have not yet figured it out from these music blogs; you shouldn’t expect great in-depth analyse of the production of the music. I don't know enough to even try and blag my way through pretending. To be honest, I just know what sounds good and what don’t; what works and what doesn't and why I like it or why I don't like it. You could say I am naive and ignorant to the ways of music. I am a user. I will happily take the music and listen to it, but I'm not giver. I don't know all about riffs and the like. Anyway, I have more albums to ignorantly review.

Despite that fact that I have only ever owned, and indeed listened to, one Train song previous to this album, I was already a huge fan. For as long as I can remember, I have had their song 'Drops Of Jupiter' on every single computer, laptop, Phone, MP3 Player and iPod I have ever owned. I never looked up any other songs or albums for fear of being disappointed, due to 'Drops Of Jupiter' being such a fantastic and influential song to me. It is definitely in my top 5 songs - ever. I approached buying their newest album with great trepidation; worried that I may ruin the magic they have created in my head. Thankfully, it wasn't a waste of money and my respect for them has only increased. Some of the most beautiful songs I have heard for a long time.

The first song just so happens to be the album title track: 'Save Me, San Francisco'. It’s a happy song; a very happy song. It’s a catchy song; a very catchy song. I like it rather a lot. It doesn't have the deep meaning which other songs have, but it’s just a song, and a very pleasant one at that. A good opening song; and it convinced me straight away I hadn't made a mistake buying it. The next song is 'Hey, Soul Sister' which is their single and is also one my many favourite songs from the album. It is from the same league of 'Drops Of Jupiter' in meaning, emotion and catchiness. I think the song is really good and I can just keep listening to it.

'I Got You' is another example of a Train song being very catchy and having the ability to evoke deep meanings. It is a distinctive song which almost seems to have a soul feeling. I can imagine an American black soul choir being able to sing the song. I very much love the song. 'Parachute' is yet another song which is just squashed full of deep meaning and emotion (are you noticing a trend with this album yet?), and as a result, it is a great song with immense power.

As you can probably predict by the song title, 'This Ain't Goodbye', this is indeed another song which is full of emotion. It is yet another great song on the album that is easy to get stuck into your head and fall in love with. I adore this song just because of how much deep meaning this song must have. 'If It's Love' is the next song and it still has that emotion, but this time it evokes happy emotions, which is a nice change. The song is very catchy and, yet again, I love the song.

'You Already Know' is the catchiest of them all I think; once you have got past the one minute long introduction. You will be sat there pre-empting what I’m about to say, that ‘the lyrics are deep and meaning’... And you’ll be correct - it is. I also really love this song and it yet again has that happy emotion and also has such huge power. The, despite the fact the first note he sings has the ability to take you by surprise and scare you, 'Words' is a very good song. It has a powerful, dramatic feel to it and surprisingly has that air of emotion to it.

'Brick By Brick' is very pleasant with the usual and expected deep meaning that makes up every other song. It sounds great and the power of the singer’s voice really makes the song seem special. 'Breakfast In Bed' is in the line-up for my favourite song on the album. It has deep meaning, is catchy and it is just an amazing song in my opinion. When listening to this song, I like to just sit back, close my eyes and think (apart from when I'm driving - that'd be dangerous). I adore the lyrics of the song too. "You're the best book I ever read, You're the smartest thing I ever said". Sure, they may be a touch on the cheesy side, but it just an example of how superb, at least I, think they are.

Obviously, 'Marry Me' is a lovely, poetic song with lots of deep, beautiful meanings. I think maybe this song is just taking it a bit too far for them. It's a good song, and I like it - it's lovely, but I can't help think maybe they have exceeding the emotion limits for the album. That is my only criticism of the song. Otherwise, it's great. The last song is the cherry on a delicious cake. 'Drops Of Jupiter (Live)'. Okay, so I do have the real version of the song, but it is nice hearing it live; you appreciate just how good they are as artists. Also, you can't have too much of a good thing!

I am overjoyed that I brought the album now. The album makes for fantastic listening in my humble opinion, and is one of the best albums of the year. There isn't one song on it that I don't like, and it is just very consistent throughout. I cannot fault it at all. I find it hard to choose which song is my favourite. I think if someone put a gun to my head, I'd say either 'Hey, Soul Sister' or 'Breakfast In Bed', but I'm afraid they would have to shoot me after that, as I can't honestly choose between the two. I am now driven to buy some of Train's previous albums, now I know that 'Drops Of Jupiter' wasn't just a one-off song.

Album Review: Slash - Slash

We're now half way through my all my album reviews (well, technically, half way is half way through this very blog), and I am trying my best to be as 'professional' with it as possible. However, I seem to have used the words 'deep', 'meaningful' and 'powerful' quite a lot; and this blog is no different and nor do expect it to change too much. It just helps prove that music reviews are not my forte.

The album is full of completely different songs which are all sung by different artists.

The only common factor in all the songs, surprisingly, is the man with the big black hat playing guitar, incredibly well, on every track. Infact, you can guarantee every song to have a guitar solo of some sorts; and why not – it is his self-titled debut album after all.

The first song is ‘Ghost’, which is sung by our English Ian Astbury from The Cult. He seems to have a good voice which really works with the song and also the heavy guitar music. It is a very interesting song with the range of this man’s voice, mixed with the range of instruments from, the distinctive drum beat to the powerful guitar solos. It’s a good first song which I rather like.

The next song on the album is the oddly named ‘Crucify The Dead’. Then you realise it’s sung by Ozzy Osbourne and then the song title finally makes sense. When it comes to Ozzy’s voice, I am a hard one to please. On occasions it can sound awful, but on others it can sound really good. This is one of those times. The song isn’t full on hard rock like I expected, and it is really good and, believe it or not, I believe the song to have some depth.

‘Beautiful Dangerous’ is sung by Fergie from The Black Eyed Peas. I have mixed opinions about her. I dislike her in Black Eyed Peas, but on her own, she is very pleasant. Her voice really is brilliant with the power she has to put into this rock song for it to work. I actually really love it, and I wish she would do more like this; she sounds great in the chorus when she really has the powerful voice; I bet she had a sore throat the next day though.

‘Back From Cali’ is sung (and written) by Myles Kennedy. This too is a great song, which is characteristic of what one was expecting from this album, with it being a typical powerful rock song. It has the loud powerful voice and the great guitaring, obviously.

The next song is one of my favourites, which is completely different to the previous track. This song is ‘Promise’ sung by Chris Cornell, who hit his popularity peak a few years ago. Anyway, this song has this uplifting feel which always lifts my mood. It is a powerful rock song, but yet it seems to have this deep emotion, and it is purely beautiful. It’s a song I can listen to over, and over again.

‘By The Sword’, with Andrew Stockdale from Wolfmother (Yeah, I know rock music better than I thought) singing, is an okay song. Nothing which got me excited, but as a piece of music it is very good. The tune is really good and I like it, but I’m just not overly keen on the slightly whinny voice of Andrew if I’m honest.

Unsurprisingly, this next song is my favourite. ‘Gotten’ is sung by Adam Levine, and in case you don’t know, he is the lead singer in Maroon 5. It is a classic Maroon 5 song with its emotion and power. I am pleased that he has stuck to his normal voice, rather than try to emanate a classic rock voice. This is another song I can listen to over and over and over again, and I love it. I love its deep meaning, and I even love Slash’s solo. It’s nice to hear Adam’s voice without the rest of the Maroon 5 clang.

‘Doctor Alibi’ is sung by another English rock star Lemmy Kileister. I don’t like him really and I don’t particularly like his band Motorhead. I like hard rock music, but that is just over the limit for me. The song is okay but out of my own personal preference, I don’t like it that much. However, that doesn’t matter on an album like this though, with so much variety.

‘Watch This Dave’ isn’t sung by anyone. It is instead a jamming session between Slash, Duff McKagan on another guitar and Dave Grohl on the drums. If you can appreciate pieces of just music without any singing, and you like rock, then you can like this song. It is quite nice to just listen to their musical abilities. It’s a good song.

‘I Hold On’ is sung by Kid Rock; another rock singer I don’t always like. In this instance it is quite a nice song and I think it works particularly well, with it being toned down a bit and being of the slightly ‘emotional’ type. That is what makes the album so good, with its different ranges. It has a rather good, catchy beat which you will find yourself tapping the table to, while listening to it.

‘Nothing To Say’ is by M.Shadows (Wikipedia tells me he is in Avenged Sevenfold). His band’s music, I either like or loath as yet again it can be just over my limit, so I didn’t hold out high hopes. I don’t have any strong feelings for this song. It’s okay. If I comment on the guitaring in this song, I will be quick to say it is brilliant, but as for the singing, well I won’t be quite so quick to say that it’s brilliant. It is (or at least feeling like) a very long song…

Myles Kennedy returns to sing another song he’s written called ‘Starlight’; another song which I really like. I really like his voice on this song and with the guitaring of Slash, it surprisingly works well and I really quite like it. It seems to have this deep meaning and has quite a powerful impact. Myles is from a band called Alter Bridge (according to Wikipedia again), so I may have to listen to some of their stuff.

‘Saint Is A Sinner Too’ is sung by someone called Rocco DeLuca from a band called Rocco Deluca and the Burden (Thanks Wikipedia). I really like this song; it is rather beautiful and I really like his voice. It is a great song. You don’t hear a lot of Slash’s guitaring in it, but it still is a great song. Another band for me to research and listen too – I think I might quite like him.

The final song is a happily named ‘We’re All Gonna Die’, sung by ‘That Disgusting Man From The Annoying Insurance Adverts’ Iggy Pop. I quite like his music, so I was looking forward to this. It is a rather good song and I quite like it; even though Iggy does half through seem to do an Elvis impression. Not sure it is a great final song for the album, but that is just a technicality.

If you like rock music, you are sure to find songs which you like, but don’t expect to like every song due its range. As for Slash, despite the fact it is his album, he doesn’t impress anymore. If you like Slash, you know how good his guitaring is, but don’t expect to listen to the album, expecting him to push himself to the limit of his guitaring ability.

Album Review: Goo Goo Dolls - Something For The Rest Of Us

I should just point out, in case you have not yet figured it out yet from my music blogs; don't expect great in-depth analyse of the production of the music. I don't know enough to even try and blag my way through pretending. To be honest, I just know what sounds good and what don’t; what works and what doesn't and why I like it or why I don't like it. You could say I am naive and ignorant to the ways of music. I am a user. I will happily take the music and listen to it, but I'm not giver. I don't know all about riffs and the like. Anyway, I have more albums to ignorantly review.

Second to Maroon 5, Goo Goo Dolls are my favourite band. This band has a huge collection of music and all of it varying and appealing to different tastes. ‘Iris’, their most popular song is a lovely, calm song with real passion, but a typical Goo Goo Dolls song will be a lot louder and generally appeal someone with a ‘harder’ taste in music. For those people who do love ‘Iris’ and wish they had more songs similar, this is your lucky album in my opinion. It compromises. It still has the harder sound, but mixed with the passion that comes across in ‘Iris’.

The first song on this album is ‘Sweetest Lies’, and I happen to think this is the perfect opening song for the album. It gives you a feel for the rest of the album and for even better things to come. Then along comes the song ‘As I Am’, which is very catchy and is rather a meaningful song; as most of them are.

That is then followed by the single, ‘Home’. This is a song which is truly original to the Goo Goo Dolls sound, with it somehow managing to have a hard sound, but still comes across as meaningful and lovely, which is more typical of them. The song is very significant and is accompanied by great lyrics. It also has the classic key change at the end which somehow doesn’t sound cheesy, like it does when Westlife do it.

‘NotBroken’ is a very annoying song title and is somewhat confusing to my grammatical mind. I keep wanting to put a space in it – there should be space in the title. It for some reason infuriates me that they done that. Forgetting that, it is yet again typical of the Goo Goo Dolls, and is indeed a powerful song. ‘One Night’ is a song which is rather similar sounding to the rest of the album, but for reasons I cannot fathom, it still manages to stand out; a great song by that reckoning.

‘Nothing Is Real’ has an uplifting feel to it which is really enjoyable and I love songs which can raise your mood just by their lyrics and impact, like this one. ‘Now I Hear’ is yet another classic Goo Goo Dolls song, in particular with its rough, gravelly voice which is somehow beautiful. It is a great song with immense meaning. ‘Still You Sing’ has this very catchy sound to it and great lyrics, which work well and I rather like it.

The album title song, ‘Something For The Rest Of Us’ is a much slower song, and because of that, it probably has the more significant impact and meaning than any other song on this album. ‘Say You’re Free’ is one of those songs which are nothing special, but it still works quite well on the album with the other songs. Then we have the two, final tracks on the album.

‘Hey Ya’ is a real, attention seeking song which jumps out at the end and almost takes you by surprise. The power it has to it is incredible and again rather emotional. It is such a beautifully created song. The final song; ‘Soldier’ is a superb final song for an album. This song seems to be really deep and meaningful, with it being the most emotion-evoking song on the album, but it still manages to have this uplifting beat to it. ‘Soldier’ is my favourite song on the album and I listen to it constantly.

It is very typical of Goo Goo Dolls for their last song on an album to fit those criteria, with ‘Iris’ being the final song on its album, and that too is my favourite song. This band does not receive the credit they really deserve for their music. I only found out that the album was coming out two days previous to me purchasing it; that is how much of an effect they have upon me!

Album Review: Barenaked Ladies - All In Good Time

To celebrate two years of my blog, and also to challenge myself slightly, I am going to review some of my favourite albums of the year so far. Most of them are relatively well-known artists and bands, so there isn't anything too abnormal to try and get your heads around. One review a day for the next seven days. Yes, my blog goes daily, for one week. One point I will keep pointing out is that these are MY favourite albums. Don't like it - tough.

 As beginnings to albums go, this has to be one of the best I have heard for quite some time. The first three songs have grown on me a heck of a lot. The first song ‘You Run Away’ is a truly great song with deep meaning as is different to what one might expect from the band. The following songs, ‘Summertime’ and ‘Another Heartbreak’ are of the same criteria and are as equally great. I’ve listened to them so much of late; I can now sing all the lyrics with ease.

The fourth song on the album is ‘Four Seconds’; a song that is in the top percentile for songs I have heard this year that I really, really, really like. It’s the best song on the album by far. ‘Four Seconds’ is an incredibly weird and brilliant and catchy song that just has everything. Purely amazing and it has the ability to bury itself in your head so you randomly hum the distinctively unique tune. The rest of the album is still good, but doesn’t match up to the epic opening four songs.

‘On The Lookout’, the song that has the tough job of following ‘Four Seconds’, is completely different from it, but it somehow works. The song is somewhat pleasant and is again, quite a meaningful track. ‘Ordinary’ has a very catchy tune, and it maybe doesn’t have the same depth as most, but the tune makes you enjoy the song. ‘I Have Learned’ is the last of the memorable songs on the album, and again is a song with great power and depth to it that you will remember.

‘Every Subway Car’, track 8, is when the album starts going downhill. The album now reaches a point when it becomes repetitive with the sound. The song doesn’t stand out in any way from the others and just blends in; repetitive, but still quite nice. However, the following song, ‘Jerome’, is probably the worse song on the album, and that is because it is very boring. The song never actually gets going, and with every chord change, you expect something to come which will define the song. It never does.

‘How Long’ blends in well, just like ‘Every Subway Car’ does so it is difficult to actually make a unique observation on it. Then we have ‘Golden Boy’, which is certainly a very pleasant and listenable song, but yet again it lacks the individualism. It’s like they found a sound the liked, so decided to use it most the way through the album. ‘I Saw It’ is refreshingly different. It has a soulful, acoustic sound to it again, which is indeed very pleasant and also has the depth and meaning.

‘This Love We’re In’ returns to the similar sound of the majority of the album, but yet again I still seem to really like it. ‘Watching The Northern Lights’ is a great final song for an album. It has a calm and somewhat ‘resolutionary’ sound to it, and feels the album is coming to a slow stop. It is a very good song and is probably good song to listen to before you go to sleep.

I still recommend purchase of the album if you do like their sound. It is also worth it for those first four, amazing and defining songs which really make the album seem like a success. However, if you don’t like their sound, then I don’t suggest the album I just suggest you listen the song ‘Four Seconds’. You will love its individual sound, and if you don’t, then have no sense of rhythm my friend.

Two Years Of Cynical, Angry Blogs

It is now one year since I celebrated my blog reaching its first birthday, which therefore means that I have now been blogging for two years. First of all; I would like to apologise for me spewing this out all over the Internet for such a long time. Not bad for something that started out as an ICT coursework project. Mind you, I am still doing my ICT coursework, but it will be finished by Christmas, I promise!

Two fingers, happily celebrating the second birthday of The Blog Of Stuart

It is fair to say that in the past year my blog has certainly increased in popularity. It may be due to the fact my Headteacher mentioned it in an awards ceremony at school to a few hundred people, but I doubt that somehow. It may because I have a lot more followers on Twitter and every time I post my blog they look at it; possible. The most likely option in my opinion seems to be my increasing Internet presence. Did you know that a lot of my views come from people Googleing 'Depressing Britain' or things similar? I love that really; the reputation of my blog that I complain about British life.

Out of all my 108 blogs (so far), it is easy to distinguish which ones are the most popular and least. All of my driving blogs about my driving lessons and tests were completely huge failures. I regret doing them, and if given the choice again, I would have at least created a different blog to put them on. That is my biggest mistake in my blogging career so far. My more popular blogs seem to be my television reviews. My Doctor Who reviews have proved a huge success, as did my review of Sherlock on BBC 1 and Ant and Dec's disastrous show at the start of the year. They are my most read, which I am proud of.

My Internet presence is showing to have grown. I am actually receiving Emails in reply to my blogs. I will just point out now; I never reply to Emails - I don't like the thought of talking to a complete stranger who I cannot see. However, feel free to Email me, I do like to read them and they do tend to put a smile of my face. I have received two notable Emails. An Email a few weeks ago asked me to help contribute to an American video website in which you create videos explaining how to do things. It’s not really my thing as A) I wouldn't be able to rant and swear and B) It is American, and I doubt they would understand half of my ramblings.

My other notable Email was a few months ago in reply to my '10 Reasons Why Britain Is Depressing' post. I hope they won't mind me sharing what they said, because I am going to. Not only is it my only proper review, but it is sparking with praise:

"Hi, is this the guy who wrote that blog - "10 Reasons why life in Britain is depressing"? Well first of all - Great article. It was so good I honestly thought someone had hacked into my brain and stolen some of the things I find depressing and made it into a top 10 list. Yeah, you pretty much summed up all the major and minor inconveniences no-one bothers to talk about because they're either too shy or too damn lazy. Good on you! If you hadn't have done this I would have. I hate Facebook, every single "Celebrity", mobile phones and Channel 4 ruined the Simpsons..."

I feel sort of guilty for not replying, but I'm sure he didn't cry about it. This put me on a massive high for days. To think that I am actually appealing to other people, all over the Internet, is mind boggling. It's also nice to know that I'm not the only cynical teenager alive who seems to have a strong dislike for everything and pretty much agrees with all my points.

To be honest, I wasn't even expecting to still be blogging. Well, to be honest, if I went to University, I'm not sure I would have carried on. I in fact think, had I gone to University this year, today I would be posting my very last blog. So, to any regular readers out there - you should be grateful I got Chicken Pox. My target for the next year is to instead get my career sorted. Try and turn my blogging skills into a job in Journalism; even if it is just making coffee and tea for a few years. I hope not though, purely because I'm rubbish at making drinks and I would never get a promotion.

I read my very first blogs, and I am still quite happy with them. I seem to have the same, cynical mindset and hatred of the same things in society. Comparing them to my newer blogs, then you can honestly see an evolution in my writing ability. Obviously, that is at least partly due to the fact I have done A-level English Literature for two year, but I don't think that it the main reason. The more you write and practice, the better you get and that is exactly what regular blogging does. I make mistakes (quite regularly really, if I'm honest) and I realise them, or other people do, and that is exactly how you learn - by making mistakes. If you don't write, you can't make mistakes and you can't improve. Simples!

Another reason for my evolution is probably Charlie Brooker. The man is a God to me and certainly an idol and inspiration. I read his articles regularly and constantly reading every one of his Tweets. That has certainly impacted on my own writing. Now, I am reading his books which contain his best articles written for The Guardian. Reading them, I see a faint likeness to my own blogging these days. Even some of the metaphors are things that I would think up. I have slowly gained Charlie Brooker's mindset; and I'm not sure that is a healthy thing to do... Mind you, if he can be engaged to Konnie Huq, then it gives other Socially Inept people, like me, hope that we too can find a girl willing to love us.

I thoroughly enjoy blogging. I now have enough free time to allow me to always be blogging due to me being not very busy. The beginning half of the year didn't allow me to blog much, what with the impending A-level exams, so free time was little, and I missed blogging. It is a way of letting frustration out. Ranting about something, anything, seems to help. I find some of my better blogs are written when I'm in the worse moods. Anyway, blogging is free so therefore cheaper than physiatrists, so I'll stick with what I'm doing as it seems to work.

I love finding out Statistics about my blog. Last year, I done a word count of how many words I had written over the course of the year, and the end number was 46,587 words. Very impressive! However, in this second year, I smashed that record, despite writing fewer blogs. The magic number is 64,747 (including this blog); A rather high and unexpected number. Those of you good at maths or with access to a calculator, will know that means that over the course of two years I have written 111,334 words. How amazing. Granted it shows that I kind of need to develop a life and get out more rather than sitting in my room and hitting my keyboard with a red mist, trying to express my feelings, but who cares.

The past year has been mainly reviews of things I have (or in the case of Big Brother, haven't) watched on TV or at the cinema. It is also filled with comments on world events like The World Cup or it is me giving my view on a news story and pretending to have a good awareness of politics. I know nothing really about Politics, but I like to pretend. I am glad to announce that the next year will much of the same. The next two blogs will be reviews of my favourite albums of the year. I have other blogs in the planning stage. I will, at some point, be doing a special about Advertising and how much they lie or annoy in order to sell their kitchen roll or service.

I also have other blogs scheduled for the end of the year. I plan on doing my usual Review Of My Year and also this year’s Stuart Awards, in which no-one wins a real award. There will also be a return of my blog reviewing My Comedy Nights. Hopefully they will all go well. Who knows what else is in store for the next year? I'm sure any disastrous world events will get their media coverage scrutinised and I'm long overdue a rant about the News and Gossip Magazines in general. I'm sure there will be more mundane blogs about my uninteresting life. We shall have to just see what the year has in store for me and the world.

You may have noticed the Jade Goody rants are becoming rare in my blogs. You see, the thing is, she's dead. She is failing to find new ways to annoy me in the media spotlight anymore, and what-with Big Brother dead, mentions of her will probably soon end. I don't want it to end, but I don't think I have a choice. I think it's the end of an era for Jade and my rants. However, my blogs will try and continue. I'll just have to rant about other things.

And on that sad bombshell, it's time to end...

Heavy Rain. Yeah, The Weather Has Been Rubbish Actually

A bit of a change from my normal realms of blogging in which I might moan about the mere mention of that dead Jade Goody or a review of a drama or reality show on BBC or ITV. This blog is part of a series of blogs which are reviewing different formats. I have a few blogs planned reviewing music and some of the albums released this year. However, this blog is reviewing a game. Yes, a game which you would insert into your games console; or in this particular case, a Playstation 3. And the game I shall be reviewing? Heavy Rain - a game exclusive to the PS3.

I have actually completed the game, something which is very rare for me. I never have the patience to bother trying to complete missions and end up just running around and driving cars pointlessly being a villain. I have only completed one other game previous and that was Grand Theft Auto IV; and that took a few years. The ability to roam around free often used to beat the temptation of having to complete missions. Heavy Rain only took me a month to complete. To a hardcore gamer, that seems like a long time, but you have to remember that I actually live a life in between twiddling my thumbs to control a character on my television. Anyway, a month seems quick to me, and that is because A) the game is relatively simple and B) it just isn't that long.

An Origami Figure in the Heavy Rain. The story summed up in one picture.

What is the point of the game? Well, I'm not particularly sure. It would have worked just as well being a movie, what with it having such a thought-provoking storyline. They would have probably made more money as well. However, I do know why they chose not to. The main idea of the game is that the player can make decisions, and each decision made has ability to change the entire outcome of the story. You could choose to jump of a building; killing one of your characters. You also play numerous characters, all of which are involved in the story line and all, at some point, interact with each other. I mean, there are 22 different possible endings. You could play the game so many times and never have the same story.

You play a father, who at the beginning of the game loses his son who dies being hit by a car. He then again, after a few months have passed, loses another son who this time has been kidnapped. As a result of his first son's death; he suffers blackouts (a slightly important detail they are slow to point out). Another character is a private detective who suffers with asthma (a pointless detail they are quick to point out) and is trying to solve the case. Another character is a female Journalist who is introduced through a nightmare sequence and suffers insomnia (a pointless detail they are quick to point out). There is also an FBI agent, who has to work with the local police to try and help solve the case of the missing child, and he suffers from some kind of strange vision (a pointless detail they are quick to weave into the story). You sporadically change between the characters.

The four characters staring thoughtfully into the distance.
From left: The FBI Agent, The Journalist, The Father, The Private Detective

If you wanted to play the game in the same way you play Grand Theft Auto for example, you would be quickly disappointed and bored I think. This game does not test the players skills (luckily for me), and if you wanted to get a packet of crisps, you could do without pausing; because nothing bad would happen, like in any other game. If you want to play the game for the actual story then you would enjoy it. I go into both categories, so I suppose that makes me kind of apathetic towards the game.

In some games you will be pressing buttons quickly to make the character run, shot his gun and jump at the same time, while alternating between different angles to get the best shot a man’s head being blown off. This game has tried to make the controls as life-like to the actions on the game as possible. Opening of a door will require pulling the analogue downwards then turning it. Repeatedly shaking an orange juice carton requires you to shake the motion sensitive controller. A shake of the controller could be used to kick open a door or push away an attacker. Turning of the controller will turn the car during the one car chase scene. A more awkward action like picking a lock may require you to press and hold a sequence of buttons, which are awkwardly arranged from the controller layout.

The controls can get frustrating at times, but luckily, it tells you which buttons to press or move in order to complete an action. Sometimes if you make a mistake, it will allow you another chance or it may just result in you being kicked in the head, and once you get lost in the action of the game, it is very easy to make a mistake. You can also hear the characters inner thoughts by pressing a button or you can make your game changing decisions by pressing just one button. However, there is no need to fear if it sounds awkward, because the first hour or so of game play and storyline is there to teach you how to use the controller. It may get tedious, but you’ll be thankful for it later in the game.

In this instance, you shake the controller to get the bald-headed freak off

I was worried when it came to a sex scene. I started to become a bit disturbed at the thought that I may have to use the directional buttons to thrust, but it cuts out before that stage. The only influence you have in the sex scene is the order you choose to take characters clothes off. Yes, I will point out now: You see CGI breasts, and to be honest, for breasts generated on a computer, they aren't very perfect.

The graphics however, are exceptionally brilliant. You can watch a conversation scene between characters and forget that it isn’t real. It is so easy to get lost in the game and its plot thanks to the superb facial expressions and life-like motions of the character. You can see them breathing. The reason for it being so life-like is because it is all filmed with different actors and actresses playing characters, and their movements are logged onto a computer where they create the game; clever really.

**SPOILER ALERT**

If you haven't played the game, and have an intention of playing it and don't want to ruin the ending for yourself, then I suggest you skip the next three paragraphs...

As for the rest of us:

At least one of your characters will inevitably die and it is full of surprises and it is completely based on your own decisions which character(s) it is who is killed. At points, as the father for example, you are given the choice to kill yourself in order to save your son (I didn't take these options, and yet I still saved him). The big surprise is who the Origami Killer is. You see, the general idea, is that every year a kid is taken and put into flood drains, during Heavy Rain (thus it's name, surprisingly), and the kid is supposed to drown slowly as a result. The police become convinced that the father is the killer, so he has to also convince them he isn't the Origami Killer as well as save his son.

Eventually, my story finished with the child being saved by the father and the Journalist. The father and journalist ended up living together happily ever after with the saved son. The FBI agent ended up quitting his job for pastures new as his 'Strange Visions' are a result of his job. The Private Detective, you know, the one with Asthma, is killed... BY THE FATHER! Do you know why? Do you want to know why? Because the Private Detective is the Origami Killer. *Gasps*

The fat bastard was only doing it because, while stupidly playing on a construction site with his brother as a young child, his brother fell into a flood drain, and drowned. At one point in the game we get to relive the event, and to be honest, it isn't that sad really. Anyway, I chose to shoot the murdering bastard a few times to so he fell of a crane and into the water, where he ironically drowned and died. I am rather pleased with my ending. I was a very lovely and charitable player; despite the end killing.

**END OF SPOILERS**

Welcome back. 

My general thoughts of the game were all rather positive. I was a bit disappointed by how little action you really do and how short the game ended up being, especially for the price! However, it was completely different to other games and I enjoyed it. I love the idea that the outcome of the game is completely dependent on how you play the game and the decisions you make. No other game allows you to do that, and it is certainly unique. The musical score of the game too, makes it even better. It has been beautifully crafted to accompany the game’s storyline; enhancing a dramatic or emotional scene perfectly. It can subconsciously prepare the player for an impending threat. It is exactly how you would expect a musical score for a feature film to be.

The game and story has incredible depth which you would never expect to get from a console game and is so very intense if you really get into it. If you are prepared to play the game with an open mind, like I did, then you will love the experience and really have empathy for the characters; and seeing as the game is based around a father’s love for his child, then what else would expect. I would suggest buying the game to anyone who has a Playstation 3 and is fed up of playing the same-old shooting or racing games you find on the console, and now that it has gone down in price from when I brought it, there is no reason not to.