SONG OF THE DAY: 10/7/12

From what I would call a mix between Faith No More and Living Colour on their more funkier exploits; Fishbone's 'Fight the Youth' from their 1991 album The Reality of My Surroundings is a bombastic and catchy tune with political and social issues scrutinized to a funky groove. I came across this song while watching an old episode of Beavis and Butthead and I found myself humming along almost instantly and had to search it out. A band that never got the commercial success that some of their work deserved, it's a shame that songs like this one are forgotten but it is further proof that there are great undiscovered songs out there just wanting to be found. 

FILM REVIEW: A Lonely Place to Die (2011)

Director: Julian Gilbey
Starring: Melissa George, Ed Speleers, Sean Harris, Eamonn Walker and Karel Roden
Running Time: 99 minutes
Genre: Thriller

I saw Julian Gilbey's 'A Lonely Place to Die' knowing very little about the film. Marketed as a mountain climbing adventure that gets out-of-hand by the wonderfully misleading posters/promotional materials for the film that advertise a Cliffhanger-type thriller hide a truly great and thoroughly entertaining thriller that is tough and unforgiving and builds to a highly effective and strong finale. This is all propelled by a strong cast, relentless pace and terrific set-pieces. 

Set in the wilderness of the Scottish Highlands, a crew of inexperienced mountaineers come across a kidnapped young foreign girl buried in a chamber. What follows is their attempts to get to a local town and warn the authorities. However, the kidnappers are on their trail and what should be a routine mountaineering expedition becomes a nightmare for all involved. The group, who are perhaps slightly generic on the surface with the battling female lead, the funny guy/love interest, the arsehole, the mother who misses her child and the fake lead. But with credit to Gilbey, the characters do not have long to fill these roles as once the kidnappers find out the young girl is missing, the action is relentless and the kidnapper's vicious in their pursuit of the girl. We are given very little insight to why the girl is so valuable, but with the introduction of  Darko (Karel Roden) and Andy (Oz's Eamonn Walker) the pieces fall into place. Melissa George is a great lead, tough yet inexperienced, she makes you feel for her plight. Ed (Ed Speleers) could easily be an annoying sidekick, but Speleers does a good job of keeping him amusing and genuine, and his making light of their horrible situation provides much needs moments of comic relief. The villains Mr. Kidd (the vastly underrated Sean Harris) and Mr. McRae (Stephen McCole) are worthy adversaries and are cold, vicious and brutal (as exhibited in their memorable introduction). Not to spoil from the films best set-pieces, but once the first shot is fired, the film becomes relentless in pace with the action non-stop and Kidd and McRae's menace becoming swiftly ominous. 

'A Lonely Place to Die' is a great little thriller. Despite the minor logic flaws, this a tough and entertaining film with George carrying the film with her charisma and presence in opposite to the devilish and sinisterly excellent Harris and McCole. If you like films with a raw edge, non-stop tension and action and a satisfyingly tense finale that packs a punch, 'A Lonely Place to Die' is for you. 

76

SONG REVIEW: Blur - Under the Westway (2012)

Artist: Blur
Song: Under the Westway
Genre: Alternative rock
Release Date: 2 July 2012

Blur's first single since 2010's 'Fool's Day' is a double release; the oddity 'The Puritan' comes the wonderful poignant 'Under the Westway'. While being no die hard Blur fan and more of a casual listener, this came as a wonderful surprise to me. Despite releasing a single in 2010, the band have not released an album since 2003's Think Tank and any worries about the group losing their touch can be cast aside with this sweepingly beautiful and gorgeous song.

Blur's music varies from their more playful singles like 'Country House' and 'Parklife' to the more serious and melodic offerings like 'Tender' and 'The Universal'. 'Under the Westway' is firmly in the latter bracket and is essentially a love song, but with enough Albarn dramatics and strong lyrics for it to avoid being melodramatic of over-emotional to the point of parody. Albarn's delivery is unique and is not the high note hitting masterclass like crooners, but rather a voice driven by pure emotion and therefore infinitely times more effective.

80

TV REVIEW: Deadwood: Season 3 (2006)

WARNING *major series spoilers follow*

The third season of HBO's acclaimed Western-drama follows the high standards set by the previous seasons. Unfortunately, all the promise and set-up for a fourth season is squandered after the show was prematurely cancelled. This is rather infuriating (but understandable give the high production costs) and cuts short one of the finest television shows ever created. As with the previous seasons, the set-design, characterization and writing are all of an enormously high standard. The added threat of this season's stand-out charismatic antagonist George Hearst (terrifically performed by a menacing Gerald McRaney) gives the show extra edge and menace (as if it didn't have enough of that before).

Season 2 ended with the arrival of the sinister and feared Hearst and his disdain for the camp gives a new immediate threat to all the settlers. Hearst's arrival not only increases an already intense climate in the camp, but starts a bloody campaign that threatens the lives of major characters. Early in the season, we see no one is sacred in a brutal scene between Hearst, Captain Turner (Alan Graf) and series favourite/anti-hero Al Swearengen (an impeccable and devilishly cunning performance by Ian McShane) where Al is learns first hand (or finger) of Hearst's ruthlessness. The interactions and tensions between the three main factions (Hearst, Swearengen and Cy Tolliver's (Powers Boothe) crew) provide the main storyline for the season, while the addition of Brain Cox's Jack Languishe and his theatre provide new faces. Seth Bullock's (Timothy Olyphant) struggle to contain his aggression in the face of goading by Hearst and in particular with his  continuous intimidation of Alma Garrett (Molly Parker) lead to to arrest Hearst and drag him to jail by ear. The ongoing storylines from previous seasons continue, like the tumultuous relationship between Sol (John Hawkes) and Trixie (Paula Malcomson), the tragic relationship between Alma and Mr. Ellsworth (Jim Beaver) and the burgeoning friendship/maybe more between Jane Canary (Robin Weigert) and Joanie Stubbs (Kim Dickens). 

As plans are laid out and tensions between Hearst and Swearengen rise, it brings about some of the finest episodes in the 36 episodes of the complete show. Episodes 10 and 11 (titled 'A Constant Throb' and 'The Catbird Seat') are the best episodes of the series run where threats are turned into actions with the attempt on Alma's life and when Mr. Ellsworth becomes victim to Hearst's orders at the hands of the Pinkertons. These (like the death of William Bullock in season 2) are gorgeously choreographed scenes, as is an enthralling and brutal fight between Captain Turner and Dan (W. Earl Brown). Despite these scenes of violence, the show remains true to the previous seasons set-up, rather than ending up with full-on war and sacrifice of wonderful dialogue for brutal action, concessions are made and bitter agreements put in place. But knowing that their is no fourth season leaves a slight sour taste. As yet again, like with the previous seasons, the final episode is used to relieve some season storylines, but to build up others for the next. So we are left with a raft of unanswered questions and character arcs that have not finished. It is a terrible shame and overshadows the final scenes of yet another wonderful season of essential television viewing. 

Despite this being the final season of Deadwood, one can only feel that this show was only starting to get into its stride with the major underlying themes that were still only being established in the previous seasons. Despite this abrupt end, Deadwood was one of the most consistently brilliant and best written (and acted) shows ever to be made. As said previously, the gorgeous and expansive set-design ultimately was too ambitious for a show with a small loyal following and ultimately led to its cancellation, but can still be regarded as one of the most ambitious, brutal and tense shows ever produced. A joy.

90

EURO 2012: Ireland vs. Spain preview

The comfortable 3-1 defeat to Croatia in the opening game of Ireland's Euro 2012 campaign was a shock to some in Ireland. Inside 3 minutes of our first international championship in 10 years, we were brought back to reality with one dodgy header that trickled in. On an RTE poll, 86% of those who text in thought we would actually beat the Croatian's (a team who are currently ranked 8th in the FIFA rankings). Excuses were made, but the stone cold truth is that we're just not that good and Croatia, despite not being all that much better, could do the basics better and took advantage of our slack defending to punish us.

The current world and defending Euro champions Spain present us with an even greater threat, but more importantly with a surprising opportunity. Depending on which Spain turns up; the one that wants to play some football or the one that wants to have a whine and a moan, there are two possible outcomes. The first is; the Spain that has won all the major international tournaments turn up and we are thought a footballing lesson, where only a miracle of biblical proportions could defend us from being destroyed by a potent Spanish attack. Not being unfair to the players who are representing us; but players like Stephen Ward and Stephen St. Ledger (who has done terrific and scored a great goal against Croatia) who has had limited football time at his club Leicester City (not even a Premier League team) is worrying and up against the likes of Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas. In the game against Croatia, we saw Ireland giving the opposition too much space and if that trend continues against the Spain, it could very well be a long night.

The second (and slightly less likely event) is that we get at the Spanish back four. In our favour, the Spanish defence is far from solid and there is definitely room to get amongst them and give them some hassle and put them under pressure. Seasoned veterans like Robbie Keane and Damien Duff are good enough to keep the Spanish defence busy and carve out a few chances. But these chances will be few and far between as Spain will no doubt have the majority of possession and will dominate from the off. A possibility and likely to happen will see us crowd the midfield and have two banks of 4 in front of every Spanish move and then attempt the counter. Glenn Whealan and Keith Andrews will have to have extraordinary games and have utmost discipline to keep them at bay. And possibly if the Spanish grow frustrated and their fans start getting on their backs, who knows? As seen in the Champions League this season, the best footballing teams don't necessarily mean victory. Even at that, as remarkable and astonishing it would be to see Ireland get a result against Spain, going by what we have seen in the first game, it is not all that likely of happening. But we can still all dream. Fingers crossed.

ALBUM REVIEW: The Smashing Pumpkins - Oceania (2012)

Artist: The Smashing Pumpkins

Album: Oceania

Label: EMI/Caroline Distribution/Martha's Music

Genre: Alternative rock

Length: 60:02

The Smashing Pumpkins heyday in the 1990's found them universal acclaim, multi-platinum album sales and a legion of dedicated followers. Rock music in general has suffered considerably in the past decade and the decline of The Smashing Pumpkins has coincided with this decline with a long chronicled tale of infighting which led to their eventual split in 2000. Now reformed with frontman Billy Corgan as the only original member in the line-up and with 2008's ugly and disappointing return Zeitgeist behind them as well as the partly finished 44-track experiment hit-and-miss fest Teargarden by Kaleidyscope put on-hold for the release of this "album-within-an-album", Oceania.

Oceania is everything that Zeitgeist isn't. Zeitgeist's overproduced and grinding guitars are largely absent from Oceania despite opening similarly heavy; the end product is a far more melodic and gentle album. Depending on your tolerance levels for Corgan's unique vocal delivery and his often pandering lyrics, this album will satisfy Pumpkin fans who adored the Adore-era output of the band and those who saw any sort of promise in the ambitious Teargarden by Kaleidyscope project. The production here is top notch and the songs are wonderfully varied with traditional Pumpkins mainstays of heavy riffs and gentle tracks to the psychedelic and use of electronic (used to fantastic effect in the great Pinwheels). Corgan's voice is in great shape and always has had a hauntingly beautiful quality to it (when he is not waling at least). Album stand-outs like Violet Rays, Pinwheels, Pale Horse and Wildflower are gorgeously textured tracks and are sweeping in scale and ambition. Violet Rays is an early hint that this group of musicians have finally clicked as a unit and are flowing seamlessly and with artistic vigour. Corgan's grandiose compositions are no surprise given his talent, but rarely (lately especially) has it all come together so well. The best song on the album is the lively and infectious Glissandra and comes at a stage in the album (track 11 of 13) where a kick in adrenaline is needed and it is pitch perfect and invokes memories of some of their biggest hits.

This album is a supreme return to form by Corgan and company. After the bad taste Zeitgeist left, Oceania is a vibrant, expressive joy of an album. The album is a wonderful reminder that while the original line-up of The Smashing Pumpkins may be gone never to reform, Corgan and his choice of replacements have recaptured a sound that has not been heard at anywhere near it's best since 1998's Adore. Unexpected as it may be, this may very well be one of the albums of the year.

83

EURO 2012: Ireland's Euro 2012 vision

Ireland made it to their first major football competition in 10 years with an emphatic (yet unsurprising) demolition of Estonia in the play-off decider. What awaits us in Group C is another monster completely. The might of Spain and Italy mixed with grit and underdogs Croatia who have sprung more than a few surprises in their time. Realistically, our hopes of progress rely firmly on the Spaniards contracting the Ebola virus (even at that, I predict a 1-1 draw), the Italians withdrawing from the competition altogether after reports of several squad members betting accounts have offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands and the slight chance that Croatia is assimilated back into Yugoslavia and embrace love over the violent and conflict-filled game that is football. But if that doesn't happen, how will Ireland's adventure to Poland and the Ukraine go?

Our opening game versus Croatia will basically decide our progress beyond the group stages. A win against the tricky Croat's will no doubt build up confidence to immeasurable levels and the Spanish and I-talians will no doubt crumble at the mere sight of WHELAN and ANDREWS, a partnership that makes the tiki-takaier's Xavi and Andrés Iniesta look like schoolboys (size wise anyway). On the field however, I would expect Spain to dominate possession. As they inevitably do. Always. However, as boring European Champions Chelsea exhibited against the cool teams like Barcelona and Bayern Munich (or as I always prefer to call them; FC Bayern Munchen, rawr), boring football bores the opposition into submission. Chelsea's reliance on long-ball Jackie Charltonism may have worked a treat against Barca and Munchen, and could well do so again against the handbag carrying Spaniards, but how will it work against those dastardly I-talians?

Charltonism: Jack explains route one football to an unfortunate player

Traditional Italian football standards in the group stages suggest a slow start and a great finish (usually over-performing to levels that generally consist of finishing as Semi-Finalists or winning it). But based on their slow start and overly defensive set-up against out overly defensive set-up, don't be surprised if the scoreline ends up something like -1 apiece. So, based on my calculations of our results from those first three games will leave us with something resembling 9 points or thereabouts, which would give us a slight chance of making the Quarter-Finals. This means France or England (or ideally Sweden or Ukraine, but this is a serious article so we'll keep it that way). Both France and England seem like tantalising revenge jobs. The English, perpetual Quater-Finalists and hazy after heavy partying for the Queen's Jubes will only field six players due to injuries, excuses and hangovers while the French will receive 7 red cards for continuously handling the ball (clichéd I know) and will eventually forfeit in embarrassment as super-sub Paul McShane scores a 70-yard screamer. 

Paul McShane: Thundering lummox or footballing superstar?

After making it that far, I assume the greatest challenge to our European domination will be the Germans and the Dutch. The Netherlands will be as fiesty and competitive as they come. Tackles would fly in and cards will be shown at will. The deciding moment of the match will be a clash between Irish member of the Night's Watch Richard Dunne and Dutch warlock Nigel De Jong. After extra-time, Dunne finishes De Jong off in a brutal submission maneuver that renders De Jong's loins void for the rest of his life. Win via submission and IRELAND ARE IN THE FINAL. But against the Germans. A force so powerful in European football they stole it from 1933-1945. A final of terrific spectacle, some of the finest football ever to be seen will be played on this night. Silky Mario Gomez versus the now world class and £54 million quid rated Paul McShane is the battle of the century. But with all the talent on display, it's a shut-out 0-0 at full time. Extra-time breaks Irish hearts with the introduction of 57-year old powerhouse Angela Merkel. As shown on numerous occasions before, The Irish teams inability to deal with the lofty German enforcer costs us dear. But despite falling at the final rotund German hurdle,  it will be a great tournament for the Irish. Beaten finalists is nothing to be ashamed of. Neither is conceding multiple sucker punches to a 57-year old German lady. As they say, that's football. Bring on BRAZIL in 2014 where the Irish team will have the pleasure of watching in Ireland.

Angela Merkel: 114 goals in 21 German appearances.