Screamadelica (Boxset)

I got this delightful boxset for my 18th birthday. Screamadelica has been a firm favourite album of mine since I first heard it around two years ago. The album is a genre defying mix of guitairs, trippy electronics and even a slight hint of gospel on some tracks! Despite this though the album sounds so cohesive and regularly crops up on lists of the best albums of all time. Anyhow, this boxset was made to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the albums release in 2011. The boxset is tremendous value, it cost around £70 but has so much in it: vinyl of the album, a book, art cards, a tour replica T-shirt, not to mention four discs of music and a DVD of music videos and the making of the album. A fantastic boxset, if you're considering this I strongly recommend it!

Michael Jackson Canvas #1

This is the first of three canvases of Michael Jackson that I have on my wall. As you can see the canvas' main picture is that of a picture from Dangerous Tour, with a smaller image of a picture from the iconic Bad photoshoot. For once I actually bought these in a store. I got these about two or three years agoin a store called Wyse Byse which is near the shop my mum works in. Interestingly, Wyse Byse actually used to have a few Michael Jackson related items, I got all of my canvases and two money boxes from there. Its been a while since they've had any MJ collectables there though, but I've got loads of various MJ bits and bobs so that's probably a good thing!

Electronic - Disappointed 12"

Well as I'm sure you're all aware, I love Electronic, and particularly Disappointed, their gorgeous collaboration with Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys. On 18th of May 2012, me and my Dad went into town, and into a small little memorabilia shop that sells VHS tapes, vinyl, comics, books and an assortment of different things. Sitting dead center in the vinyl rack was this little gem which took me by surprise, Electronic aren't an artist I would find in town at all in record stores! The record itself only cost £1, and is in really good condition, there is a mark under the title that you can probably see, but honestly in real life it doesn't actually look as bad as that. Even though its not much, its one of my favourite songs in the world ever and I am so happy I found the vinyl of it!

A Very Unusual Birthday

As some of you may or may not know, I entered adulthood and turned 18 on the 15th April, nearly a month ago now. My birthday was good, I got spoilt rotten with presents, had a meal and did all the usual things that such a special birthday entails. Absolutely nothing though, could have prepared me for the shocker that was to come several weeks later, but first of all I must explain the original plan. I was having a birthday meal on the 15th, and my Aunt Jo-Ann had ordered something to be delivered by the day itself, so that I could open it in the restaurant in front of my family. It was a joke gift (or so she told me), something which is very much a common thing for my family to send on birthdays and Christmas or various other occasions.This hadn't worked out though: the present hadn't arrived and a waiting game ensued. My mum said that it was best to forget about the gift as it was likely not going to arrive at all. She asked me did I want to know what the suprise was, but I maintained that it was best not to as the present could still arrive (I thought that it was from something like Ebay. I'm glad she hadn't told me actually as if I was told my Aunt had contacted them to do this and they didn't for whatever reason I would have been so upset). During this period, I then became as ill as anything the week before last with a stomach lining problem and it had made me seriously miserable as I worried my epilepsy was coming back and I couldn't eat properly. Yesterday would change that though, Dad came in with an envelope, and I could tell that the present had arrived. I opened the envelope and saw a picture of Pet Shop Boys, and said to Dad that it was a good gift because I needed a picture of them for my wall, then Dad told me it was extra special because it was from them. I looked again and literally went numb with shock

On it the picture said "For Clare" and was signed by both Neil and Chris, I could have absolutely cried my eyes out with joy! Literally, you have no idea how much that utterly floored me. I sat basically shaking for about ten minutes. I didn't actually cry, I think I went numb with shock to the point were I lost the ability to convey any human emotion at all. Even the mere thought that two people I've looked up to so much ever since I started listening to their work actually know who I am... it's just the weirdest feeling.

It turned out that my Aunt had emailed their management saying that I was a massive fan of theirs and that I was turning 18 soon, so she asked would they be able to sign something or do something to that effect at least. Obviously as I live in Northern Ireland the options are somewhat limited. My Aunt had received an email back with the guarantee from the management that they would be delighted, and the rest is history. The thing that makes it extra special for me is the fact that they've been working on a new album (woo-hoo!) yet took a little time out from their busy schedule to do a seemingly small gesture that meant the absolute world to me. Such small acts are always the kindest I say, and the fact they did it for no money or any other reason just makes it extra special, and proof that they really do value their fans.

To Neil and Chris, you've made my birthday one I'll never forget, and given me another reason why I love your music but moreover, personalities so much. Thank you <3

The Killers - Human

Human is the lead single from The Killers third album, Day and Age. It was the first song recorded for Day and Age, and actually came from the sessions for their B-sides and rarities collection Sawdust. Brandon had written the song prior to meeting Stuart Price who was working with them on a number of Sawdust tracks and when Stuart said to Brandon his studio was free after dinner, they decided to go and record Human. By Brandon's own admission, the song never actually changed that much during the recording process, as when they recorded it initially they knew it sounded like a strong track. Stuart Price would then go on to produce the rest of Day and Age. Brandon described the song as sounding like a hybrid of Johnny Cash and Pet Shop Boys, and from what I've read I think a lot of people think it has a Pet Shop Boys sound to it, Neil Tennant has said that many have said that to him also. Coincidentally, Stuart Price ended up working with Pet Shop Boys too so I do wonder if Human acted as a catalyst for that given that they are fans of The Killers. Having said that t I can't say I could imagine them performing this track so I don't think it sounds overly like a Pet Shop Boys song. I used to love the synth work, but the song itself made no sense to me and that did put me off it somewhat. The most notable aspect of the lyrics is its confusing chorus which has garnered much debate: "Are we human, or are we dancer?". Not only does that not make grammatical sense, but some have also questioned whether or not Brandon says "denser", which I initially used to think too. After some research though, the song actually makes a lot more sense and I can appreciate it a lot more. The song is based on a quote from Hunter S. Thompson (known for writing Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas) which is "We're raising a generation of dancers". The quote I think is a social statement that people are afraid to fail to comply with the norms of society and would rather be one of the crowd, which I think is emphasized by the line "sometimes I get nervous, when I see an open door.". On the subject of Hunter S Thompson, some have questioned is the line "wave goodbye, wish me well, you've got to let me go" a tribute to him, given that he committed suicide in 2005. The second verse deals with the subject of changing values in society, Brandon has said that the references to devotion were to do with the way that his parents were married for 45 years but in changing society this, among with other values like "grace and virtue" seem to be lost. Really you could say the song is a social critique on a variety of levels. In some ways I do think that's a possible similarity with Pet Shop Boys as it is one of the most common things they do in their work: songs that are danceable and catchy enough to sound commercial but when you research into their lyrics there's a lot of hidden depth. In any case, I think this was a great song for lead single as its got the right balance of commercial appeal and depth and showcases a very strong album!

Initial thoughts of Madonna - MDNA

Yesterday I picked up the Deluxe Edition of Madonna's new album MDNA on the first day of release! I've given it two full plays so far (hoping for a third listen later on possibly), I've still got to listen to the second disc yet, so this is just some initial thoughts about the main album. It's not a full review, I'll start working on that next week possibly when I've given both discs multiple plays. So far I'm really enjoying it and think its going to be charting high on my list of favourite Madonna albums!

• I have to say its a big step up from Hard Candy (which I did like). Most of the songs have instantly grabbed me, and there is no song on the album I dislike (I disliked a few on Hard Candy). 
• Gimme All Your Luvin doesn't really represent the album, I think it was chosen for the lead single purely for the "L-U-V Madonna!" chants to tie in with the Superbowl half-time performance. Its actually quite a sparse arrangement compared to the other tracks.
• Its incredibly contemporary, much the way that Hard Candy was, but also harks back to older Madonna (Hung Up sample in Love Spent and Superstar has a sort of True Blue era vibe I think).
•  Its probably not as introspective as I was expecting, and its incredibly dancey, probably her most danceable album along with Confessions On A Dancefloor. It definitely benefits being played from on a good set of speakers.
• It definitely needs repeated listens too. It's very chaotic in the sense that a lot seems to be happening. Its worth noting though that during my initial first play, I had just heard some sad news about a teacher that I respected very much who died unexpectedly at the weekend, which would have affected my ability to take things in. Although I don't think its possible to take it all in on one listening, and there's a lot of breakdowns and build-ups, it feels like at least if at least one (if not both) every track. Many of the tracks also tend to start off one way, then change into something pretty different, Love Spent being a good example, the song initially doesn't sound that much like the leaked snippet at all.
• There are some tracks which I think will go down as Madonna classics: Gang Bang, Love Spent and Falling Free in particular, but I like every song (so far I have to say that Some Girls and I Don't Give A are my least favourites, but even still they're both good songs) Masterpiece also fits in surprisingly well, and has really grown on me, I now really like it!

808 State - Pacific State

This is a total dance classic, and one of my favourite electronic songs ever! It initially appeared on the EP Quadrastate, but was then remixed prior to becoming the group's first release on record labetl ZTT records (founded by Trevor Horn and former NME journalist Paul Morely and whose roster contained Grace Jones and Frankie Goes to Hollywood among others.) The was key in gaining the group commercial success after it was picked up by BBC Radio 1 DJ Gary Davies. It reached a very respectable #10 on the charts, but the song's influence and sustained popularity transcends its chart placing in my opinion. The remixed versions have their own respective titles: Pacific 707 refers to the 7" version and Pacific 202 refers to the 12". The version found on their sophomore album, Ninety, is the 202 version. The track's arrangement is also unique, typically bass lines in techno music tend to be short and repetitive, whereas in Pacific State the bass part has its own melody which constantly changes during the course of the song. For me, what makes the song stand out is the horn. It gives the track a timeless feel and gives it an organic kind of quality, whereas some other electronic tracks from the same era can sound a little bit stagnant or stale. It's a versatile song for me, you can relax to it (again thanks to the horn melody) but it also has an incredibly infectious and danceable quality which makes it a classic. I first heard this song a few years ago, on a compilation called In The Mix: Rave Revival, this was when I was just dabbling in electronic music. The song blew me away, as it was unlike anything I had heard before, and I've loved it from that initial hearing. The song is a staple feature on many compilations of the era and rightly so, it is one of the finest electronic songs ever!