ALBUM REVIEW: SUNPILOTS - KING OF THE SUGARCOATED TONGUES

2014-04-27

The Sunpilots – King of The Sugarcoated Tongues. 

Album Review.

Free album download at: 

http://thesunpilots.com/sugarcoated

Having stumbled across the Sunpilots on Twitter, I took the opportunity to listen to their Album - King of The Sugarcoated Tongues.

What I initially listened to was the first song on the album – The Pipers Mirror.

The Pipers mirror: came with with an accompanying cartoon/video, setting the song to an anime mix. My first thoughts were, oh oh, someone’s attempting to be like The Gorrilaz, that Damon Albarn of Blurs creation. Perhaps I spent too long looking at the cartoon initially, where their was a character resembling Captain Haddock in the adventures of Tin-Tin but as I concentrated on the song, I was pleasantly surprised.

The songs lead vocalist has a good range of vocals and the song had a good guitar riff running through it allowing the instrumentation and vocals to harmonise.

3 Minutes to midnight was a decent follow up to The Pipers Mirror, following on from the harmonising instrumentation.

King of the Sugarcoated Tongues, from which the album takes its name, is a song that was disappointing when considering the opening two songs…not altogether a bad song but the tune was a little plain.

The song: The Captain – opens on a long instrumental lead into the song. Now again, we hit good form. A refreshing change in direction from the previous songs and a tad lengthy at 8:33 minutes. 

God Science: A fair song that sits well on the album. Perhaps its most experimental and vocally challenging. A good attempt.

Sex and TV: Another Albarnism? in that it could be a reference to Blur’s Coffee and TV written by Graham Coxon..., No really it isn’t and probably just coincidental. I loved this song – great harmonies, constant changes in tempo and useful lyrics and riffs in the guitars to die for. Lyrically seems to be a reference to a populous whose minds are captured and controlled by TV. Undecided as to whether this is the best song on the album.

Rain: like king of the sugarcoated tongues, it disappointed a little. Following on from Sex and TV, it was an anti-climax too. Every album has a weak song; I guess this is the one.

Exodus: A return to form and a tidy end to the album, it bursts straight into the lyrics with little intro giving it a different start to some of the albums other songs. I live songs that dare to change tempo, and this one does it best. 5 minutes in, the song seems to begin again and raises itself to a vocally liberated hiatus. Good final song

Summary

A decent album, the pilots have obviously spent some time on their songs and are a talented bunch. If I am honest, I’d like to see them attempt some ballads and slow down their songs once in a while as the lead vocalist has a wide set of vocals to draw on and in my mind could have tested his range further in this album.

New Offices of A1 Jobs Limited

NEW OFFICES OF A1 JOBS LIMITED

www.a1job.co.uk

31 March 2014.

Today, after 8 years in Coatbridge,  my company, A1 Jobs Limited moved to a much larger and newly refurbished office in Glasgow city centre. On the corner of Hope Street and Gordon Street it looks directly onto the entrance of Glasgow Central Train Station and the location is ideal for commuting and access throughout Glasgow.

A1 Jobs are a recruitment agency specialising in a few areas, including Technical & Engineering,  Oil & Gas, Construction,  Industrial,  Driving, Removals, Renewables, Commercial and Information Technology.

I am looking forward to employing some extra staff and to the continued growth of the A1 Jobs brand throughout the UK. A1 jobs feel that Better employment times lie ahead and as Managing Director of A1 jobs, I look forward to playing a part in this growth.

A1 jobs also operates A1 Jobstrades. This part of our company hires tradesp to home owners and landlords alike. We can build you a patio, roughcast your house, fit a new kitchen, rewire your property, plumb in a sink, etc. Just ask to see our competitive costs. All jobs are carried out by our own Quantity Surveyor and all tradesmen are qualified. We also hace our own Architect should you wish for any design work to be carried out.

www.a1job.co.uk

www.a1jobstrades.co.uk

Danny Kane 10 Year Memorial

Danny Kane was amongst the most inspiring individuals it has been my good fortune to have known.

Sadly, Danny lost his fight to cancer on 12th March 2004 and left behind many happy memories.

This is a small tribute to him 10 years on.

PLANNING A MEMORIAL

So how to plan a memorial for Danny? First ask, what did Danny love most? Well...Danny was an enthusiastic amateur rocketeer. With that in mind, Lucie (my daughter) designed her own rocket as a tribute to him. You can see Lucie's rocket in the pictures,  propped up against Danny's gravestone. Thanks for this Lucie. It beats flowers and I'm sure he would approve.

SPECIAL MESSAGES

Danny's friends (some here today, and some unable to attend) then wrote a special message to Danny and they were placed inside Lucie's rocket. Im certain Danny will have read them wherever he is tonight. You can read some in the photographs. Some were more private and are not shown. I believe Graham gave Danny a special update on all the things that have happened over the past 10 years.

WHISKEY

Danny did also hsve a fondness, its fair to say, for a wee tipple, so we cracked open a nice bottle of whiskey and shared it amongst ourselves, as well as a wee offering or two do Danny as well. We toasted his good friendship and memory.

FLYING DANNYS ROCKET

After a few pictures, we assembled in a neighbouring field to the cemetery where we fired off a few rockets. One of Danny's own rockets was launched and a couple of Raymonds that have flewn in competition as well. Raymonds flew the distance but Danny's rocket flew with panache and style.

RETIRAL

In the best ASTRA and Airdrie tradition, the group l retired to the warmth of the Robert Hamilton pub for a few convivial jars.

SPECIAL THANKS

I'd like to especially thank Greg, Raymond, Lucie, William,  Keith, Graham, Andy, John and others for their support.

DANNY

Danny was a huge character.  He inspired people into Education, into Engineering, and to believe in themselves.

Danny was a leader, a gentleman, a scholar, a bundle of fun, and a good friend. If you didn't get to know Danny, you will recognise his spirit because it still lives on in Airdrie Public Observatory, so everyone still benefits.

We miss you Danny. Keep a bright light on out there in the vastness of the Cosmos.

Review - Knack on Sony Playstation (PS4)

The Hero of the hour - Nik Knack Paddywack

OVERVIEW AND GAME SYNOPSIS:

OK, First things first. I am reviewing my first purchase for my new PS4. My most recent games consoles are a PS4 and a Nintendo Wii, so I know I am comparing 2014 gaming consoles with something rather more dated. Any game (in terms of graphics and sound would look good in this light) but I will attempt to give my honest opinion.

The game itself revolves around the character named Knack. Knack was created from ancient relics and stones and he comes in various shapes and sizes, all depending on where he is in his adventures, though he does have a propensity to grow and enlarge as the game advances.

The human world in the game is under threat from an arms growth where arms are being provided to troll like characters and robots under the direction of the ever more evil Viktor.

Taking on the guise of Knack, your job is too seek out and destroy various enemies and to cease the supply of arms to the "bad guys"

GRAPHICS

The graphics are very colourful and well detailed, however they are quite "cartoonish" to be honest. There is even a character who strongly resembled that Mike Myers creation, Shrek. Yip, old Shrek, turned bad - this is what a life of drink and debauchery all without the love of his wife the princess Fiona would have done in a parallel universe.

Shrek - Where's Donkey?

The game revolves around thirteen chapters with a storyline that...won't win any Oscar's but its fine. Once I discovered the fast forward button I was happy again.

REPETITIVE

There are many scenes throughout the game but the main emphasis of Knack is to walk into a room and see off the baddies who vary from venom spitting insects, Giant Robots and Sword and Gun Wielding Gnomes and trolls (Sorry, I never know my trolls from my gnomes). These guys have some big real estate issues, buying up all the local caves, woods and castles (poor attempt at Tolkienesque lands). Wherever you are, you will be jumping or kicking and there are few controls and skills needed to see off your enemies. Cutting a long story short, the differences are only variations on the same theme throughout.

Stealth Knack Mode

KID FRIENDLY

Looking back at the game, its obvious that the game is more suited to kids gaming. It has an age 12 certificate on the version I bought but I think 7-11 is the ideal game range here. Certificate x it most certainly isn't. My 11 year old does seem to enjoy the game and for parents seeking out a safe role play game, I'd recommend Knack.

Knack defeats Toy Town Tank

IN SUMMARY

For serious gamers who enjoy Call of Duty, Need for Speed or Grand theft Auto, you will find the game tame (its like comparing Justin Bieber to Led Zeppelin - just not comparable). If you prefer something safe and are looking for a game for younger kids then this is the game for you. The storyline attempts to emulate a Hollywood film but essentially fails. I finished the game off in approximately 15 gaming hours. I would prefer my games to be challenging and to last Longer.

STAR RATING (Out of 5 Stars. 5 being the maximum, 1 being the minimum)

Challenge: 2 Stars
Graphics: 4 Stars
Storyline: 2 Stars
Overall Enjoyability: 3 Stars

Thanks for reading my blog

Paul , phendrixx@aol.com

76 Trotters Lane

DR WHO AT 50

"76 Trotters Lane"

The Three Doctors Davidson, Pertwee and Smith AKA William, Paul and Lucie venture out into this cold planet called Glas-gow to seek out Davros, the ringleader of the Daleks.

 Paul in "Pantomime"

William, the quintessential Englishman - Bowls em over

Lucie, Leaving the Tardis

Having successfully guided the tardis into Glas-gows Merchant city, many alien lifeforms were checked. Some had mysteriously taken on the image of Bins and Car Parking meters.

We then took the Tardis and landed right in the midst of a shopping district these Glas-gwegians call "Buchanan Street" There we sought out and fought off some Autons who had taken over the sacred ghouse of "New Look"

 Landing in Buchanan Street (Lucie and William)

 Landing in Buchanan Street (Paul)

Paul fights the Evil Autons

We then temporarily entered the Forbidden planet we we encountered many strange beings including those from the galaxy Star Wars. These were obviously inferior creations and had not even mastered rudimentary time travel. So we moved on, preferring not to extinguish these alien creatures.

Venturing along Buchanan Street, we stumbled upon some University students who interviewed and filmed us as part of their University Project. We were naturally delighted, although the doctor should always maintain a low profile and ensure he is extinguished from Earths historical records.

Finally, we partook of every doctors ultimate adventure and entered the Willow tearooms where we partook of tea, cake and conversaton, reflecting on the day. We never met Davros or any Daleks, theorising they had been visited by the Baker Doctor previously and thrown back to Skaro

The three doctors take Tea

We found this - another hero

France - Holiday 2013 (8 july)

Another hot and sunny day, So we planned that today would be a "long lazy hazy summer day" lazing about in the Gite garden.

And that's what we did.

Little Gecko who lived outside our front door

Early in the morning (well close to 11) we walked to the Gite Garden where the pool is armed with out books, swimming cozzies, magazines, headphones, cold drinks, towels and suncream.

Isn't lounging out in 30 degrees wonderful when you have all that and a cool pool to yourselves?

I was (am) reading The authorised biography of Graham Chapman. I would recommend that you pick it up and learn something of this (at first glance) quintessentially English Monty Python comedian who became more and more flamboyant with fame but still retained a sense of fun without ever being "too stuck up".

The late Graham Chapman

So winding forward, after lunch and a beer and an odd coke, etc...oh yes and dinner, I settled down for a wee while before deciding to use the bikes the owner of the Gite, Jon had kindly left for us to use and that I had used the previous night.

On I got and cycled out the gite gates with my daughter Zoe in tow.

We cycled out through the fields of wheat, vines, sunflower, barley and wheat to arrive at a little grove of trees surrounding a circular pond (with a central island). It made the pond more of a "doughnut" shape.

Golden Pond

We sat down for a while chatting before circling the pond, where there were some local fishermen on the other side.

Pondering at Golden Pond

Weather was superb.

When we arrived back at the gite, we showered and settled in for the night.

Jodie and me (damn bunny ears)

FRANCE - HOLIDAY 2013 (7 July)

Settled into our Gite at last, I woke up to a sore head...I can only put this down to the lack of sleep from the previous few days...travelling, driving on other side of road, etc. Nothing to do with the wine.

Anyway, we woke up to a glorious sunny day. We planned to stay at the Gite today and soak up some rays.

Kids were in the pool early on and I slumbered round with a drink, phone (for music) and a good book. I had picked up a biography of Graham Chapman of Monty Python fame a couple of weeks earlier. so thought it would make interesting holiday reading.

I was soon lying on a lounger in the lovely pool garden, birds singing. a gentle breeze and easily 30 degrees +  today. Sipping cold drings and taking it easy while listening to Jodie and Lucie splashing around in the Pool.

Zoe and I sat for a while chatting about music and we were soon joined by Lucie, Jodie and Angela.

By two o'clock thoughts were turning to lunch, so Zoe and me went off and made a lovely salad consisting of ham, juicy tomatoes, cucumber, french cheese and a traditional baguette.

Soon, I rejoined the book and we all took in more rays  on what was proving to be a lazy hazy day

Thoughts soon turned to dinner and the plan was for pasta salad, but we had mistook gnocci and had bought some tiny potatoes instead, therefore our pasta salad became a potato salad.

The potatoes were lightly boiled and then bathed in melted butter and garlic for 1 minute with some fresh thyme from the garden adding an extra special twist....mmmmm.

This was all added to a salad of peppers, tomato, spring onion, brie, mustard and lettuce with some magnificent local bread and washed down with a lovely cool drink. We had dinner out in the sunnt=y back garden, surrounded by roses in full bloom...magnificent.

Clearing all away quickly, I took the advantage of borrowing a bike from the Gite owner and cycled into the countryside. It was tres formidable. I cycled through field of vines and barley to the vollage of Puy de Notre Dame. We had seen it the evening before in the distance when out walking.

Puy de Notre Dame was a small olde-world place with crumbling buildings but amazingly neat and tidy streets. The big church walls were quite crumbly when I touched them. I think they consisted of limestone.

Church at Puy de Notre Dame

Some information on the region

Street view of the church

After circling and touring the streets on the bike - time to return. Soon I was pedaling out of the small village and back out amongst the vines and fields of the Loire region. Cycling through legions of flys I stoppes alongside a quiet lane to watch the sun as it dipped below a small grove of trees in the distance. It was a lovely sight and it was unexpectedly nice to be on my own, nothing but evening bird song and a gentle breeze as the Sun decended into the grove, casting its orange/gold glow in my direction.

The winding roads of The Loire

More quiet country roads

Sunset

Sunset behind the trees

I was soon cycling again and reached the gite in no-time. I retired with a well deserved cold beer and my feet up on the couch in front of the TV. What a nice way to round off another glorious day.