Special 101

The other week 101 was illuminated in all white for some reason. A rather special sight.

House Party

Last weekend we finally got round to having our house party. On Friday evening I prepared some of the stuff and then we went to Carrefour on Saturday morning to get the rest of the stuff. Then it was back home to tidy-up and get ready. We managed to be ready by around 5 and after borrowing the BBQ and some chairs from Dorion and Sharon we prepared.

I made a salad and around 6 Maria turned up. We drank, George tried to master the elusive Mojito while we snacked on salad, cheese and bread and some chips and awaited the arrival of others. Finally everyone began to arrive and so the BBQ was started, pasta was made and the music was cranked up. Thankfully a disaster was avoided when Dorion arrived to save the BBQ from burning a massive hole in the old washing machine and Jack took over BBQ duties.

Lots of food was eaten, many beverages consumed and music was listened to. At around 1ish the last had left and we all went over to Jack's. Unfortunately, I was worse for wear and passed out not long after. Sunday was a slow day but at least the party was a success. Good times!!

How to roast a dragon.... or chicken.

We had a relatively quiet weekend this week. On Friday after work we did some shopping then headed home for a night in. On Saturday we got up latish and headed out to do some shopping for the house, some herbs and the throw-over sheets for the chair and closet. Things are virtually complete now. Then on Saturday evening I attempted to make roast chicken and roast potatoes. I wasn’t expecting much but it turned out really good actually. The rest of the night was spent relaxing. On Sunday we headed to Ximen to see another Film Festival movie called Breathless and then saw How to Train Your Dragon which was pretty good. A nice quiet weekend, next weekend will be the house warming party!

Annie's Birthday

A little over the top for a three year old's birthday but 10 out of 10 for originality. A Barbie cake!!

What the hell?

Wait a minute. Now who would actually use the toilet then proceed to stand on the toilet and then flush it? Is it aimed at trained chimps? unbelievable!

First attempt at roasting chicken (and stuffed peppers during the week)

Goldfrapp: 'Head First'

Goldfrapp had three options available to them after releasing their fourth album ’Seventh Tree’. They could have continued on the same path of this down tempo, ambient-folk inspired album; verged off onto yet another new path; or do a U-turn and return to the dance floor which gave them such prominence on the fantastic album ‘Supernature’. For their fifth offering, Goldfrapp decided on the latter path, proving they couldn’t stay away from the dance floor for too long.

This was no surprise as this is what made them so popular in the first instance. Similarly, ‘Seventh Tree’, however brilliant it may be, was such an about turn that it’s hard to see how they didn’t alienate a large portion of their fan base with such an artistic change in direction.

‘Head First’ may very well be a dance album, but the sound is certainly different from its predecessors. Whereas before they dabbled with glam rock on ‘Black Cherry’ and electronic dance on ‘Supernature’, ‘Head First’ is an all out pure 1980’s pop affair. It comes equipped with shoulder pads, sequined leggings, and big perms all heading towards you on roller skates in the vein of Cliff Richard Wired for Sound era. The synths are out in force accompanied by disconnected melodies and dramatic key shifts. We are firmly in 1980s territory.

Not only are we dealing with a 1980s album in sound but also in length and structure. Clocking in at just over 38 minutes and starting off with three huge singles ‘Rocket’ ‘Believe’ and ‘Alive’ harks back to great albums such as Dire Strait’s ‘Bothers in Arms’. This album is a firm example of quality over quantity. Yet again, the majority of the production falls to Will Gregory, who produces the vital Goldfrapp sound. However from listening one would be forgiven for thinking Giorgio Moroder, ELO and ABBA raided the studios here. The production is as glossy as the front cover of Vogue magazine.

When all this is combined with Alison’s voice, which remains as stunning as ever, the result is nothing short of perfection. With her gentle ethereal voice ebbing and flowing over you in waves, it’s hard not to be transfixed by such beauty and taken along for the ride. The lyrics will win no prizes for being deep and meaningful; it’s an all out pop affair with simple couplets and matters of the heart.

The driving leading track ‘Rocket’ with its minor key verse and massive chorus; and the succeeding turbo charged ‘Believer’ are as infectious as anything I’ve heard and up there with the best Golfrapp have ever produced. ‘Alive’ is similarly catchy but is nothing compared to the amazing ‘Dreaming’ which channels some form of downbeat techno to stunning effects. It is not until halfway through when the ballads enter and a more experimental vocal element is included in ‘Voicething’ and ‘Hunt’. However we are treated to one more up-tempo number before the end with ‘I Wanna Life’ which feels as though Ace of Base have returned to making music.

If there legacy was in any doubt before this album then Head First consolidates Goldfrapp’s position as one of the best British duos of the early 21t century. It will disappoint and alienate some fans just as ‘Seventh Tree’ did. Goldfrapp have the confidence to abandon a sound that works and venture into new territory. Come out of the forest, disrobe from the pagan attire and head to the back of the wardrobe for the lycra and head to the nearest club. Goldfrapp are back and as good as ever!

Update...

The past few weeks have been really hectic but finally things appear to be settling down and returning to some sort of normality. After a long and arduous process of packing up everything in the old place and moving it to the new house we have finally arrived. Luckily we got a delivery company to move most of the stuff which was a fantastic idea. The thought of dragging tons of books, CDs and furniture up 6 flights of stairs was hell!

We moved in on Friday 2nd April and luckily the weekend was a long one due to Tomb Sweeping Day falling on Monday. So the whole three days was spent unloading the stuff and arranging the new house. After hours of work and a few trips to Ikea and other furniture stores we now have a open space bedroom, living room and dining area which is quite nice. We have also set-up an outdoor kitchen area. Pictures to come later.

The past week has been a major hassle at school preparing things for the end of semester play which has begun already. We have also been busy with the mini film festival which started on 9th April and runs for two weeks. The majority of movies will be reviewed later but basically most are Polanski movies with some Rocky Horror thrown in for good measure.

The weather has been pretty terrible this April so far with basically non-stop rain most days with the occasional intermittent sunny spell to cheer everyone up for a few hours now and again. Other than that, life goes on...