POP CULTURE AS SEEN AND HEARD BY KEVIN MATHEWS
Episode 1: “Olivia”
Fringe returns, now fully committed to splitting screen time between Earth-1 (ours) and Earth-2 (other), so to speak. When we last left the show in the season 2 finale, the Earth-2 Olivia had infiltrated Earth-1 in the guise of Earth-1 Olivia, whilst Earth-1 Olivia was stuck on Earth-2.
MAROON 5 Hands All Over (A&M/Universal)
Like the cover of its latest album, the music of Maroon 5 is sexy but delivered in a manner that can only be described as over-the-top. For a band that has already sold more than 15 million albums worldwide, it has upped the ante by bringing in renowned record producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange to polish an already blindingly shiny product.
After poor results against Arsenal and West Ham, Spurs looked underwhelming for the 1st 45 minutes against Dutch champions FC Twente in its first-ever home Champions League game. Harry Redknapp had opted for a 4-4-2 formation with Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko up front with Modric, Huddlestone, Van Der Vaart and Bale getting the nod in midfield. Rafael Van Der Vaart (who was Spurs’ player of the half) even had a penalty saved after some decidedly unsporting behavior from the FC Twente players.
With the number of review requests increasing and writers’ contributions diminishing, I have decided to revive Blurb-O-Rama – capsule reviews of albums which might not otherwise have seen light of day in Power of Pop.
SARAH BLASKO As Day Follows Night (Universal)
Songs that transcend genre are the forte of singer-songwriter Sarah Blasko. Originally hailing from Sydney, Australia (and now transplanted in the United Kingdom), Blasko appears to mine the similar vein that fueled the imaginations of Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Bjork and Fiona Apple. Ethereal creatures that based their otherworldly songs on structures borrowed from jazz, classical, folk and music hall traditions.
RUSH Classic Albums: 2112/Moving Pictures (Eagle Vision)
This is not the first time, the Classic Albums DVD series features two classic albums by one band/artist. Previously example would be Frank Zappa’s Apostrophe & Over-nite Sensation albums. Does that indicate that the band/artist in question cannot fill up an entire episode with one classic album and thus two is required? It does seem a little odd. On the other hand, for the consumer, it does mean a two-for-one deal, which is always good. Cup half empty or half full? Well, you decide.
Whatever.
Heavy but light-hearted.
Metal is probably one of the most misunderstood rock genres. Associated with dark themes, metal often gets religious groups all riled up but really, a metal performance is no more “satanic” than a rendition of the Faust opera! Ultimately a metal concert is a show, with dark theatrics thrown in for good measure, with the contributors no more “satanic” than the Faust opera performers.
WTF!
BEFORE I GET OLD
For more than a decade I wrote for Before I Get Old (BigO) magazine. The magazine was set up by Michael and Philip Cheah (with Stephen Tan) who were formerly writers with the now long defunct Singapore Monitor. BigO set themselves up as the only independent rock magazine in Singapore and actively promoted the Singapore music scene. Some might say that they single-handedly kickstarted the 90s revival but perhaps it’s more accurate to say that they were major contributors.
PoPTV – Talkin’ the Line spoke to Linda Ong (Lunarin) about the new release Duae and the album launch coming up on 1st October at Playden, Arts House.
Details of album launch here.
Talkin’ the Line is presented jointly by Power of Pop and Walk On Music.
Interview conducted by Kevin Mathews, video produced and edited by Patrick Chng.
(Answers by Adam Allen – Vocals / Guitar & Marc Allen – Vocals / Guitar)
SUPERCHUNK Majesty Shredding (Merge)
Is Superchunk the quintessential indie rock band? It’s certainly difficult to argue otherwise. I mean, the geeky singer-songwriter, the female bass player, crunching guitars, the DIY approach and most of all, the infectious melodic edgy pop songs…
You may not be too familiar with Mick Karn but Karn is one of the most influential bass guitar players of the post punk era as a crucial member of Japan and Dali’s Car (with Pete Murphy of Bauhaus).
A special PoPTV – we focus on the meltgsnow album launch tomorrow, 25th September at SCAPE Labs.
A pretty fine S-ROCK lineup if I say so myself. Be there! Perfect way to chase the Monday blues away… (but you knew I was gonna say that!)
Here’s an event all you S-ROCKers out there dare not miss.
First in a new series of video interviews brought to you by Power of Pop and Walk On Music. We interviewed US singer-songwriter Dion Roy who is performing at TAB from 21st to 26th September 2010. Video produced and edited by Patrick Chng.
There will be an acoustic gig on Friday (24th September) from 7 – 11pm, at the KR50, at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, 50 Kent Ridge Crescent, National University of Singapore, featuring performances by Edmund, Mike and Pengsing (E.M.P.), The Cockettes and more!!!
More information here.
I feel really sorry for the Spurs fans who turned up at White Hart Lane to watch this shambles of a game. That the Spurs manager Harry Redknapp would field a weakened team was never in doubt but did he also have to select an unbalanced side that had little chance of winning?
(Answers by Roll Martinez)
Who are Parenthesis and how was it formed?
Parenthesis is composed of Roll Martinez (Vocals/Guitars/Piano/Synths/Ukulele), Jio Clavano (Guitars/Vocals), Poch Villalon (Bass/Vocals), Kaka Quisumbing (Drums/Percussion) and Chino David (Violin/Keyboards/Vocals). We were formed early this year when I started to write songs outside of my former band, Hale. I asked friends and fellow musicians for help to recorde the songs in the studio at my home. Thankfully, they obliged and one by one, the lineup was formed.
