A Dramatic Turn Of Events, Reviewed

One of the first reviews of the new Dream Theater album, A Dramatic Turn Of Events, is now available and, sure the author’s an old Dream Theater fan and so is prone to gushing, but then again so am I and I figure, what he likes, I would probably like too.

Some highlights from the review:

  • ‘Keyboard player Rudess has talked of how he would write sections to fit snugly around John Petrucci’s riffs’
  • ‘The growling vocals have vanished to be replaced with typically complex DT musicality and countless melodies, and critically the album is not immediately gratifying, and requires several listens in order to fully grasp exactly what the band have achieved here.’
  • ‘It also showcases Myung’s talent as a bass player — which many have claimed has been left in the background in the recent past — and it’s a pleasure to hear him so prominent in the mix once again.’

September cannot come soon enough. Only question is, should I pre-order the collector’s edition?

Mmm, when managers speak of hunger in footballers, could they be referring to this?

Blackburn Rovers Venkys advert!

One thing you learn keeping an eye on both news and The Onion, parody is finding it increasingly hard to keep up with reality these days. This…THIS….is a good example. After all the chicken jokes, you try this for real, Venky’s? Seriously? David Dunn also looks like he could shed a few pounds, so a half-time poultry orgy doesn’t help in the slightest.

Maybe Samba is worried about possible racist clichés too, hence the desire to leave for certain North London clubs we shall omit to name. Good thing the tea lady wasn’t at the door with a plate of watermelon slices to wash it down.

R.I.P. Amy Winehouse

I told you that I was trouble, you know that I’m no good

It is truly a sad day to learn another singer has joined the infamous “stupid club”, a name coined by the late Kurt Cobain’s mother during her eulogy during her rock star son who died at the tender age of 27 just like his famed peers, namely Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and of course, Jimi Hendrix.

Unlike them though, Winehouse only managed to ever release two studio albums. Her last effort, the multiple Grammy winner, ‘Back to Black’ still remains a favourite in my iPod despite of a period now when I hardly listen to albums anymore.

The beautiful blend of jazz, soul and R&B sprinkled with painful lyrics and a dash of irony, resulting in a collection of songs reflecting on romance (or the death of it) and it’s soul mate, bitterness, sung brilliantly by her.

The saddest thing for me is knowing now that my fantasy of her being picked to sing a Bond theme song will never materialise. It is something that seems to me like a perfect fit as I liken her to a modern-day Shirley Bassey.

In an ‘era’ where Lady Gaga and Justin Bielber yet to exist, Amy Winehouse both presented the world a gift of rare talent and the curiosity like that of a car wreck, all in one package. It is the likes of which the audience has not witness since the days of Kurt Cobain.

Similarly, like her fellow ‘club member’ before her, Winehouse downward spiral in her personal life and her appetite for drugs and alcohol has always seem to make her entry into this club look pre-destined.