This is a good example of some Viral Marketing. Well worth watching - enjoy:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-274981837129821058
Credit where it's due of course, this is where I found the link:
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/10/domino-effect.html
And some details on just what Viral Marketing is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viral_advertising
Monday, October 30, 2006
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Time Consuming'ness and Blogger Beta
I've decided recently to make a bit of an effort with this blog - but tonight is the first time I've realised just how time consuming it can be. Put's me off a little. Still, I'll keep trying for what it's worth.
As part of my new found dedication to this blog (it's [dedication] debut you could argue) I also switched my blog to the beta version of Blogger.
Not a lot has changed (at first glance at least), but the important feature for me is the inclusion of labels (such a Google title). This enables me to give keywords to my posts, something I've been wanting for some time now as I'm a big fan of tags in a web 2.0 kind of way.
As much as I dislike people actually reading this blog (god knows why I write it), it would still be good if say someone did a search for "Beta Band" and as a result found my ill-written half assed review of their Three EPs album below.
As part of my new found dedication to this blog (it's [dedication] debut you could argue) I also switched my blog to the beta version of Blogger.
Not a lot has changed (at first glance at least), but the important feature for me is the inclusion of labels (such a Google title). This enables me to give keywords to my posts, something I've been wanting for some time now as I'm a big fan of tags in a web 2.0 kind of way.
As much as I dislike people actually reading this blog (god knows why I write it), it would still be good if say someone did a search for "Beta Band" and as a result found my ill-written half assed review of their Three EPs album below.
First Listen: Beta Band, The Doors
Well I'm currently in the process of listening to the Beta Band's The Three EP's for the first time and had a listen to disc 1 of 2 of The Doors' In Concert earlier:
The Doors - In Concert
I'm really impressed with this. Some critics tag The Doors as being just another pub band, but there does seem to be something more to them than that. On this live recording Jim Morrison is sounding great, having a good laugh with the crowd (well, thats my call on it - if that is the case he's doing it very dryly as he shouts "Shut up!!! This is no way to behave at a rock concert!" (or words to that affect)). Musically it sounds superb. Where as some live albums tend to make you long for the studio version, the versions of the songs on this album seem to be superior. It is also the first time that a band I like have used medleys and got away with it.
The Beta Band - The Three EPs
After buying and disliking the Hot Shots II album by the Beta Band, I've been put off this now for some time. However, this seems like the perfect album for a Sunday evening, with some nice mellow bass lines and sparse and soothing vocals. Good background music. With that in mind I think it'll also work well whilst I'm in work.
The Doors - In Concert
I'm really impressed with this. Some critics tag The Doors as being just another pub band, but there does seem to be something more to them than that. On this live recording Jim Morrison is sounding great, having a good laugh with the crowd (well, thats my call on it - if that is the case he's doing it very dryly as he shouts "Shut up!!! This is no way to behave at a rock concert!" (or words to that affect)). Musically it sounds superb. Where as some live albums tend to make you long for the studio version, the versions of the songs on this album seem to be superior. It is also the first time that a band I like have used medleys and got away with it.
The Beta Band - The Three EPs
After buying and disliking the Hot Shots II album by the Beta Band, I've been put off this now for some time. However, this seems like the perfect album for a Sunday evening, with some nice mellow bass lines and sparse and soothing vocals. Good background music. With that in mind I think it'll also work well whilst I'm in work.
Spending Spree in Taunton
Went to Taunton for shopping today, and as often happens when I avoid spending money the previous time I go to town, I spend way to much the following shop. It doesn't help that last night I watched the Top 50 Comedies on C4 followed by High Fidelity on DVD (that movie always makes me want to go out and buy loads of music as I just love the huge music collection featured in it).
Here's what I bought:
CDs
Tom Waits - The Island Years
I've never bothered with him before - dismissing him, but not in a way where I'd say "I don't like him", but rather that I don't have time to get into him. I heard a track of his on 6 Music the other day and his voice sounded great, so think I'll give it a go. Only a £5.
The Beta Band - The Three E.P's
I bought their second (I think) album and I must admit, I don't think much of it. However I keep on hearing rave comments about this collection of EPs. To top it off, it got a mention in High Fidelity last night and part of a track was played... it sounded good, so I made a note of in on the mobile and picked it up earlier today.
The Doors - In Concert
I've heard a few Doors tracks that were recorded live over the years and they always sound superb, so I decided it was time I got one for the collection. I'm listening to it as I type (When The Music's Over is the track) and Morrison sound's great, as does the trademark organ. 31 tracks for £6, and most of their short recording history is covered.
DVDs
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
A Stanley Kubrick movie (I don't think I've ever watched one of his, but they all seem to be regarded as classics, so it's about time I tried one) about the dropping of an A-Bomb (I think - I try not to read the writing on the back as every now and then it gives a little to much away for my liking). It featured in the Top 50 Comedies and what's more, has been spoofed by the Simpsons (where Homer rides the bomb) so felt like I should give it a try.
There's Something About Mary
Another movie featured on the Top 50, I get the impression that much like American Pie and Wedding Crashers, I could watch this movie time and again with Becky. Always worth having to hand. Very funny movie.
Wayne's World 2
It's about time I bought this. Very funny send up of rock music. I shouldn't need to explain myself here :-)
Syriana
One of two independent movies that George Clooney has made that I'd like to see (the other being about a warmonger during the Cold War - the Cold War being an interest of mine makes it an appealing movie), this one is about the oil industry and the corruption in the US that surrounds it. Considering the Iraq war a few years ago, this seems quite a topical movie.
Walk The Line
The story of Johnny Cash. When I watched it in the cinema I didn't think it even came close to 'Ray' (the story of Ray Charles) but I still enjoyed it, and it even got Becky familiar with Cash's music (I was playing a track of his and she asked if it was him - has to be said, I was very impressed with that).
The 40 Year Old Virgin
I've been meaning to get this since I seen this at the cinema, but haven't got around to it. Me and Becky watched it last week when we were baby sitting our nepthew and it was even funnier than I remember - so I snapped it up for £5 today from Asda.
And those are my purchases. All bargains as well.
2 movies I did want but wasn't willing to pay full price for (I would have had I not just spent £45 on other stuff) were This Is Spinal Tap (I watched it a couple years back and didn't find it funny, but keep on seeing clips and they make me laugh) and Monty Python's Holy Grail (well, same as Spinal Tap really.. I've seen it, didn't find it funny but I see bits now that make me laugh.. maybe I compared it to much to Life of Brian and the Flying Circus Series).
Here's what I bought:
CDs
Tom Waits - The Island Years
I've never bothered with him before - dismissing him, but not in a way where I'd say "I don't like him", but rather that I don't have time to get into him. I heard a track of his on 6 Music the other day and his voice sounded great, so think I'll give it a go. Only a £5.
The Beta Band - The Three E.P's
I bought their second (I think) album and I must admit, I don't think much of it. However I keep on hearing rave comments about this collection of EPs. To top it off, it got a mention in High Fidelity last night and part of a track was played... it sounded good, so I made a note of in on the mobile and picked it up earlier today.
The Doors - In Concert
I've heard a few Doors tracks that were recorded live over the years and they always sound superb, so I decided it was time I got one for the collection. I'm listening to it as I type (When The Music's Over is the track) and Morrison sound's great, as does the trademark organ. 31 tracks for £6, and most of their short recording history is covered.
DVDs
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
A Stanley Kubrick movie (I don't think I've ever watched one of his, but they all seem to be regarded as classics, so it's about time I tried one) about the dropping of an A-Bomb (I think - I try not to read the writing on the back as every now and then it gives a little to much away for my liking). It featured in the Top 50 Comedies and what's more, has been spoofed by the Simpsons (where Homer rides the bomb) so felt like I should give it a try.
There's Something About Mary
Another movie featured on the Top 50, I get the impression that much like American Pie and Wedding Crashers, I could watch this movie time and again with Becky. Always worth having to hand. Very funny movie.
Wayne's World 2
It's about time I bought this. Very funny send up of rock music. I shouldn't need to explain myself here :-)
Syriana
One of two independent movies that George Clooney has made that I'd like to see (the other being about a warmonger during the Cold War - the Cold War being an interest of mine makes it an appealing movie), this one is about the oil industry and the corruption in the US that surrounds it. Considering the Iraq war a few years ago, this seems quite a topical movie.
Walk The Line
The story of Johnny Cash. When I watched it in the cinema I didn't think it even came close to 'Ray' (the story of Ray Charles) but I still enjoyed it, and it even got Becky familiar with Cash's music (I was playing a track of his and she asked if it was him - has to be said, I was very impressed with that).
The 40 Year Old Virgin
I've been meaning to get this since I seen this at the cinema, but haven't got around to it. Me and Becky watched it last week when we were baby sitting our nepthew and it was even funnier than I remember - so I snapped it up for £5 today from Asda.
And those are my purchases. All bargains as well.
2 movies I did want but wasn't willing to pay full price for (I would have had I not just spent £45 on other stuff) were This Is Spinal Tap (I watched it a couple years back and didn't find it funny, but keep on seeing clips and they make me laugh) and Monty Python's Holy Grail (well, same as Spinal Tap really.. I've seen it, didn't find it funny but I see bits now that make me laugh.. maybe I compared it to much to Life of Brian and the Flying Circus Series).
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
So Grundge wasn't a genre of music after all?
Was reading a Neil Young fan site tonight and it highlighted a great blog by 'Shelley the Republican'. I can't decide whether she is for real or just a democrat fan sending up Republican voters.
In the blog entry, titled "Neil Young: An Enemy Of George Bush. An Enemy Of God.", she lays into Neil Young on the basis that he wrote a song titled 'Lets Impeach the President', all about George Bush. As Shelley suprisingly correctly points out, the album it's from (Living With War) is a protest album aimed at the current administration.
The blog is chock full of rubbish - some choice quotes include..
At least 2 things wrong with this:
1) is the fact that Young never likes to call himself the Godfather of Grunge. This is something he's referred to by the music press and maybe (to be fair I can't remember for sure) a grunge band such as Pearl Jam.
2) Anyone who knows even a little about 90s american music will realise that, that description of grunge is truly shocking! (For those who don't know, bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam etc are classed as grunge)
Another quote:
It's as if Matthew Wright was an american republican zealot! I don't give anyone any credit who is daft enough to include a statement like that in their blog and expect to be taken seriously.
I don't really need to comment on this.
The blog can be found at:
http://www.shelleytherepublican.com/2006/08/21/neil-young-an-enemy-of-george-bush-an-enemy-of-god.aspx
And credit where it is due. This is where I found the link to the blog entry:
http://www.thrasherswheat.org/wheatfield.html
In the blog entry, titled "Neil Young: An Enemy Of George Bush. An Enemy Of God.", she lays into Neil Young on the basis that he wrote a song titled 'Lets Impeach the President', all about George Bush. As Shelley suprisingly correctly points out, the album it's from (Living With War) is a protest album aimed at the current administration.
The blog is chock full of rubbish - some choice quotes include..
He likes to call himself the Godfather of Grunge. I have heard that this name is a reference to a sick sex-act during which his fellow Canadians (Young is Canadian by the way! He ought to be ashamed!) and caffeine-crazies from Seattle cover themselves in a disgusting gloop (the “grunge”) and embark on unspeakable rites and crypto-pagano-sex rituals. It’s disgusting!
At least 2 things wrong with this:
1) is the fact that Young never likes to call himself the Godfather of Grunge. This is something he's referred to by the music press and maybe (to be fair I can't remember for sure) a grunge band such as Pearl Jam.
2) Anyone who knows even a little about 90s american music will realise that, that description of grunge is truly shocking! (For those who don't know, bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam etc are classed as grunge)
Another quote:
Naturally, I haven’t heard it and have no intention of doing so, but I can tell you with utmost confidence that the music is rubbish too.
It's as if Matthew Wright was an american republican zealot! I don't give anyone any credit who is daft enough to include a statement like that in their blog and expect to be taken seriously.
Why would anyone want to impeach the greatest President in the history of the world [Bush] rather than Bill Clinton the infamous sleaze? What crime has Bush committed? What has he done that’s worse than adultery? I don’t get it.
I don't really need to comment on this.
The blog can be found at:
http://www.shelleytherepublican.com/2006/08/21/neil-young-an-enemy-of-george-bush-an-enemy-of-god.aspx
And credit where it is due. This is where I found the link to the blog entry:
http://www.thrasherswheat.org/wheatfield.html
Friday, October 13, 2006
Daft Punk - Discovery
I've been listening to Daft Punk's discovery this morning in work. The reason I put it on was because my thought process somehow got around to thinking just how good the tune Harder Faster Stronger Longer is (my favourite dance track I'd say) so I thought I'd have a change from breaking in the new purchases and listen to an old favourite in the name of hearing that song.
What I failed to remember was just how good the rest of the album was. I remember the first 4 songs are corkers (I forgot just how corking though) and the rest of the album keeps up the high standards.
It's a suprisingly loved up album as well, with some great lyrics in. Not something you expect when you put on a dance album.
It's just a shame their long awaited follow-up album didn't even come close to it.
What I failed to remember was just how good the rest of the album was. I remember the first 4 songs are corkers (I forgot just how corking though) and the rest of the album keeps up the high standards.
It's a suprisingly loved up album as well, with some great lyrics in. Not something you expect when you put on a dance album.
It's just a shame their long awaited follow-up album didn't even come close to it.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
www.last.fm
Haven't posted anything about music in a while so here we go...
As of around a month ago I started using an app call last.fm - I find it's most usual feature (amongst many more) is the fact it notes what music you are listening to on a MP3 application of your choice (mine being trusty Winamp) and then generates stats at the end of it. If you are curious about what I listen to, you can find out here:
http://www.last.fm/user/greg711/
This week's stats are a bad example as I've been abroad for much of the week. But you get the idea.
My only gripe (it's an unfair one I know) is there is no reasonable way of tracking what I listen to on my Creative Portable MP3 player - this is where I listen to the vast majority of my music (on the train and then in work). Although in fairness, when I am sat at my desk at home I do tend to listen to the bands I'm truly into, where as the MP3 player is more about getting into new albums.
As of around a month ago I started using an app call last.fm - I find it's most usual feature (amongst many more) is the fact it notes what music you are listening to on a MP3 application of your choice (mine being trusty Winamp) and then generates stats at the end of it. If you are curious about what I listen to, you can find out here:
http://www.last.fm/user/greg711/
This week's stats are a bad example as I've been abroad for much of the week. But you get the idea.
My only gripe (it's an unfair one I know) is there is no reasonable way of tracking what I listen to on my Creative Portable MP3 player - this is where I listen to the vast majority of my music (on the train and then in work). Although in fairness, when I am sat at my desk at home I do tend to listen to the bands I'm truly into, where as the MP3 player is more about getting into new albums.
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