Finally - here are the websites I've been wiling away my time on recently:
1. Various Everton fora
The usual summer drill - day after day of painstakingly scouring Everton message boards hoping to see if signed someone, or to glean some inside knowledge on a deal in process. And day after day of disappointment!
I've been a regular visitor especially to BlueKipper and Grand Old Team in particular. The latter is home to one guy who seems to be genuinely 'in the know'. However, his bits of news and info are generally hard to prove, as they largely involved nothing happening whatsoever because the club is skint!
As yet, no news is bad news...
2. Music goodness
A lot of my music finds come via Pitchfork nowadays, although it has to be said that their reviews often reach a level of pretension that is almost unbearable.
The big discovery for me though has been a replacement for Spotify! With Spotify needing the download of a piece of software to operate, it can be a pain to access it away from home. This led to frustration and unwanted musical silences. I tried using the reformed MySpace music site but found it clunky and cumbersome. Listening to the radio was ok at times, but I wanted greater control over what I was listening to. Then, Pete Elliott, a good friend of mine, introduced me to Grooveshark and I've not looked back! It has a lot of the good features of Spotify - ease of use, and a wealth of songs to listen to, absolutely free. However, unlike Spotify, your listening is unlimited, and more importantly, browser based! There's nothing to download at all, so you can listen to it wherever you have an internet connection! I definitely recommend it!
3. Twitter
Obvious I know, but I it's just so much fun. I reckon I find out most of what's happening in the world via Twitter nowadays, and I like how easy it is to find stuff out quickly. Whether it's on my phone, on my iPod or on my computer, I can keep in touch with people really easily, and it's a great source of news, information and acerbic humour!
Facebook is a distant 2nd for me now, when it comes to social networking.
Tuesday 19 July 2011
What I've Been Reading
I've had plenty of books on the go recently. As ever, there's no fiction, as I don't enjoy wasting my time with that nonsense anymore....
1. Bobby Robson - "Farewell But Not Goodbye"
This was one of two books I was kindly lent by my next door neighbour. Few who have followed football in the last 30 years and more will have a bad word to say about Sir Bobby - now sadly departed. This autobiography had plenty of interesting tit-bits in - although could have given some more details about his European exploits, managing PSV, Benfica, Sporting Lisbon and Barca, in my humble opinion. Nevertheless, I learnt some interesting things...:
1. Bobby Robson - "Farewell But Not Goodbye"
This was one of two books I was kindly lent by my next door neighbour. Few who have followed football in the last 30 years and more will have a bad word to say about Sir Bobby - now sadly departed. This autobiography had plenty of interesting tit-bits in - although could have given some more details about his European exploits, managing PSV, Benfica, Sporting Lisbon and Barca, in my humble opinion. Nevertheless, I learnt some interesting things...:
- Robson very nearly became Everton manager in the mid 70s, but backed out on a handshake agreement after Everton leaked the news to the press against his expressed wishes that they keep it quiet until he had spoken to his employers, Ipswich Town. Sad!
- He considered Jermaine Jenas to be capable of being England's key midfielder for 'many years to come'. Oh dear....
- Liverpool bid £3m for Alan Shearer when he was 33.
- He actually had 2 serious battles with cancer before it finally claimed his life a year or two ago
A big chunk of the book towards the end is understandably devoted to Bobby's time at Newcastle, and to be fair, the board there come across as complete pillocks. But that's no great surprise.
2. Barry Fry - "Big Fry - The Autobiography"
The other book I borrowed from my neighbour. Decent- but not as enjoyable for me. Fry is certainly a colourful character, and lived a very different football life to Robson. Some of the characters he's dealt with down the years have been, frankly, mental (Stan Flashman, Keith Cheeseman etc), but I couldn't help but disagree with a lot of stuff he said, and I got the impression he wasn't telling the whole truth a lot of the time!
Still - a decent read.
3. Kenneth E. Bailey - "Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes"
A good, meaty, theological book, with some excellent insights on what Jesus' words would have meant to his actual contemporary audience. There are some really interesting things to think about - but I'm not even half way through the book yet and I think it's taking a little while to get going!
One thing that has challenged me a lot has been Bailey's analysis of the Lord's prayer, in which he highlights the importance of forgiving even when the people we are to forgive have shown no repentance. Jesus is the ultimate model of this - even on the cross, as he shouted out, "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do". It's not easy to forgive people who have wronged us even when they've apologised - but it's a whole new level to show grace to those who have not even asked for it. Challenging!
4. The Bible
Ok - who's going to make the joke about me not enjoying fiction? I'm close to the end now of my 'Bible In One Year' programme, which I've followed since September 1st 2010. It's been tough going at times, but I've kept up to date with it, currently racing through the very challenging books of Ezekiel and James. I've learnt a lot through the year, and have a much improved idea of how it all fits together. Definitely a worthwhile year!
What I've Been Listening To
So...what's been pumping into my ears over the last few months? Some pretty good stuff, as it happens! Some old, some new. Here's a little taste:
1. The Dismemberment Plan - Emergency & I
This is actually an old album (1999) which I discovered purely because Pitchfork re-reviewed it on account of its re-release on vinyl only. Frustratingly, it's unavailable on CD in the UK. It's a superb album - pretty rocky and choppy, with some cool lyrics. What I love about it is that it perfectly treads the fine line between dis-jointed and really well formed indie-rock, with dis-chord aplenty, but also some superb melody and great beats. The track "Memory Machine" (see video) is a perfect example, alternating excitingly between chaos and rocky perfection. The lyrics are good too:
"Some day I'm telling you they'll make a memory machine, to wax our hearts to a blinding sheen.......
If they can make machines to save us labor Someday they'll do our hearts the very same favour
The wails of ruined lives brought to a halt
By the serene hum of computers in air-conditioned vaults"
Anyway - it won't be to everyone's taste, but if you bands like Pavement and The Pixies, I reckon you'll enjoy the D-Plan.
2. Bon Iver - "Bon Iver"
After the brilliant debut album, "For Emma, Forever Ago" (easier to type than say!), I was massively looking forward to Justin Vernon and co's follow up album. I have not been disappointed! The sophomore release is a thing of absolute beauty - but is also very different. Where the first album was very much about a girl, this one seems much more to be about a sense of place, rather than person. The music is different too - less instantly accessible, but more varied and exciting. "Perth", the first song on the album takes the listener's breath away, with marching drums dramatically replaced by the crashing of 3 kits/percussion sets in the climax.
But for me it's the hauntingly beautiful "Wash" (see video), with its echoing piano and swooning strings which takes the album to a whole new level. Just brilliant.
3. Bethel Church - "Be Lifted High"
Very rare that I recommend a worship album - largely because I don't often enjoy whole ones, given what I perceive to be a musical inferiority to secular stuff (sorry!). But this album combines excellent musicianship with brilliant lyrics and I've found myself really drawn into worship by it. The stand out track for me is Brian Johnson's song, "What Would I Have Done" (see video) which builds slowly to a rousing and emotional chorus which asks on behalf of all believers that intriguing question - where would we be without the love and forgiveness of God? Great music, with a powerful message.
4. Metronomy - "The English Riviera"
Cool little album this - and today it was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize. I got into this one thanks to Radio 6, and have really enjoyed it. There are hints of Phoenix, Daft Punk, Zero 7 and Postal Service in there if you listen hard enough. The stand out track is the latest single, "The Bay" (see video), which has a fun rhythm section and some superb harmonies. Love it!
5. Fleet Foxes - "Helplessness Blues"
I had the pleasure of seeing these guys in concert in June and they didn't disappoint. Their second album is every bit as brilliant as their first, with sensational harmonisation over folksy music. The title track for me is the stand out song....(see video).
1. The Dismemberment Plan - Emergency & I
This is actually an old album (1999) which I discovered purely because Pitchfork re-reviewed it on account of its re-release on vinyl only. Frustratingly, it's unavailable on CD in the UK. It's a superb album - pretty rocky and choppy, with some cool lyrics. What I love about it is that it perfectly treads the fine line between dis-jointed and really well formed indie-rock, with dis-chord aplenty, but also some superb melody and great beats. The track "Memory Machine" (see video) is a perfect example, alternating excitingly between chaos and rocky perfection. The lyrics are good too:
"Some day I'm telling you they'll make a memory machine, to wax our hearts to a blinding sheen.......
If they can make machines to save us labor Someday they'll do our hearts the very same favour
The wails of ruined lives brought to a halt
By the serene hum of computers in air-conditioned vaults"
Anyway - it won't be to everyone's taste, but if you bands like Pavement and The Pixies, I reckon you'll enjoy the D-Plan.
2. Bon Iver - "Bon Iver"
After the brilliant debut album, "For Emma, Forever Ago" (easier to type than say!), I was massively looking forward to Justin Vernon and co's follow up album. I have not been disappointed! The sophomore release is a thing of absolute beauty - but is also very different. Where the first album was very much about a girl, this one seems much more to be about a sense of place, rather than person. The music is different too - less instantly accessible, but more varied and exciting. "Perth", the first song on the album takes the listener's breath away, with marching drums dramatically replaced by the crashing of 3 kits/percussion sets in the climax.
But for me it's the hauntingly beautiful "Wash" (see video), with its echoing piano and swooning strings which takes the album to a whole new level. Just brilliant.
3. Bethel Church - "Be Lifted High"
Very rare that I recommend a worship album - largely because I don't often enjoy whole ones, given what I perceive to be a musical inferiority to secular stuff (sorry!). But this album combines excellent musicianship with brilliant lyrics and I've found myself really drawn into worship by it. The stand out track for me is Brian Johnson's song, "What Would I Have Done" (see video) which builds slowly to a rousing and emotional chorus which asks on behalf of all believers that intriguing question - where would we be without the love and forgiveness of God? Great music, with a powerful message.
4. Metronomy - "The English Riviera"
Cool little album this - and today it was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize. I got into this one thanks to Radio 6, and have really enjoyed it. There are hints of Phoenix, Daft Punk, Zero 7 and Postal Service in there if you listen hard enough. The stand out track is the latest single, "The Bay" (see video), which has a fun rhythm section and some superb harmonies. Love it!
5. Fleet Foxes - "Helplessness Blues"
I had the pleasure of seeing these guys in concert in June and they didn't disappoint. Their second album is every bit as brilliant as their first, with sensational harmonisation over folksy music. The title track for me is the stand out song....(see video).
Time to catch up...
Despite my best intentions, I've not got around to blogging for quite a while now. And there are so many things I could talk about! In my own little world, there's the been quite a lot going on...
- George's continuing development - 5 and a half months old now, and sitting up!
- Some pretty dramatic weight loss - 24 pounds and counting!
- My first ever preach at Gateway Church
- Cricketing exploits aplenty
- Beavering away at work
- Having quality time with Mrs Butland
- Planning the new FC Gateway season
It's all happening. But tonight I have a bit of time on my hands - so I'm going to update you on the REALLY important stuff. Namely, what I've been listening to, what I've been clicking on, and what I've been reading! I'll release a little blog for each section!
I know you're excited...
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