Strangely, when it comes to video games, I tend to never watch trailers or read previews or see gameplay footage for them, in the run up to their release. I wait until the final review is out and, regardless of the score, if its something that looks like I could have fun playing, I'll get it. I steered clear of all media coverage regarding Naughty Dog's latest offering, The Last Of Us (LOUS). I couldn't even say if I knew it was a Naughty Dog game at the time. But, I just...steered clear of it all. I can't even say it was intentional or not. Maybe it was just ingrained in me that I was going to get this game regardless of hype and review?
Naughty Dog are the creators of the Crash Bandicoot series, the Jak and Daxter series and, most importantly, the Uncharted franchise. The Unchartered series is one of the most well regarded, critically acclaimed, universally loved and all round freakin' best games you will ever play. FACT. For these reasons, Naughty Dog have become, in my mind at least, the Pixar of the video gaming world. They can do no wrong (unlike Pixar...Ratatouille? Cars? Up (not for the first 10 minutes, mind you.)
Moving on, I pre-ordered my copy and, as luck would have it, got it in the post the day before it was 'officially released'. I whipped it into my Playstation so fast it'd have given you whiplash! I won't go into details in case you're one of the sad people out there who have yet to play it or, worse....don't have a Playstation. Suffice it to say, it's the most gut wrenching start to ANY game I've ever played and it just keeps going. They marketed the game as a character driven story, not an end of the world/society action adventure game. It's being compared to The Road (the below average film based on the well written but depressing as hell book by Cormac McCarthy. I've read and seen each one and didn't appreciate them.)
One friend of mine also finished it but has started to play it again straight away. I couldn't do that for two reasons. 1) I lent the copy to my brother 2) I very rarely play games a second time. The only game I can think of that I've played multiple times (I think 5 times) is Metal Gear Solid on the PS1. In my mind, I played Last Of Us, loved every minute of it the first time. A second go around would, obviously, still be immensely fun to play but....I don't know. It just wouldn't feel the same in some way.
Not a long 'review' then and probably a lot of pointless drivel. But whatever, GO PLAY IT!
Wednesday 26 June 2013
Sunday 16 June 2013
Wembley's Darkness - Springsteen Review
Born to Run or Born In The USA? These were the two most rumoured and obvious choices for Bruce to play a full album run through for his first gig in the new Wembley Stadium. Almost everyone was convinced (and rightfully so) that it would be BITUSA. Oh how we we were wrong! What we did, in fact get, was Darkness On The Edge Of Town from start to finish. I'll use this time to spare a thought for the casuals who wanted BITUSA. That's enough of that though. I'll get on with my view of the show.
The day started a bit wobbly. I went online to buy our National Express bus tickets that would take us direct from Oxford to Wembley Stadium and back again. Only to encounter a 'booking failed' message every freakin' time! Turns out they stop selling tickets a day before or something so they can get their 'passenger list' in order. Whatever. Then, my boy found out that we could take a quick 20 minute drive to Bicester and get the train direct from there to Wembley Stadium! It worked beautifully and, more importantly, the last train from Wembley was 23:55pm! We wouldn't have to leave Bruce early to get the train even! Must remember this for next time we got to to Wembles! Anyway, on with the show...
Before we got to our seats we met up with some friends of mine (the lovely bastard John Styles, follow his blog here http://johnstyles.blogspot.co.uk, and his better half). It's always nice meeting up with good friends you've not seen in a while. It's even better when you happen to meet up at a Springsteen gig and drink beer together! Strangely, when we were discussing the possibilities of what would be played, he hoped for Bobby Jean! I thought it would be more than possible considering we were bound to get a full BITUSA play through...
Bruce and the band took the stage at about 1920 and got off to a fantastic start with a Land of Hope and Dreams (bit of a surprise for me) but I thought it worked really well as an opener. He then went into Jackson Cage from the River Album. I know the River album but not as well as I know other albums. I was not that familiar with the song but knew it was a bit of a rarity. He then took a request for Save My Love off The Promise, an album full of outtakes and unfinished songs from when we was recording Darkness. Again, I knew the song but didn't care for it...until I heard it live (this happens a lot!) Then, the OMG moment of the whole show for me....Lost In The Flood. This one had been a favourite of mine since watching the Live In New York DVD. It is a phenomenally powerful song.
After a few more regulars (not including my first live Hungry Heart and sing a long), The Boss gave us a choice: He could keep taking requests OR they could do Darkness from beginning to end. In my opionion, both were met with the same roar of approval. For me though, it had to be Darkness. Aside from the old warhorses he plays every concert (Badlands and The Promised Land) I hadn't heard any other song from it (with the exception of Racing In The Street - he played that at Hyde Park in '09). So, yeah, I was pretty amped to hear the entire album and also to experience a full album show. Each song was brilliant, obviously. However, the stand outs for me were Adam Raised a Cain, Something In The Night (Max's drums at the end just sent shivers down my spine.) and of course, the titular track. I finally heard it live!!!
Once the intense playthrough had, erm, been played, the hits started to roll...sort of. Shackled and Drawn from the new album (it's a great track) Waitin' On A Sunny Day which I hate but you can't help but sing a long and smile when he gets a kid to sing it with him. To the end the main set The Boss broke out Light Of Day. I only know the version on the Live In New York DVD and freakin' love it. This version was slightly different and not as fast paced and frenetic as the DVD version but it was still fantastic hearing it live.
The encore started with a very jolly 'Pay Me My Money Down', the same as he did at Metlife night 3 last year. It's a great little romp of a song. Oddly, Bobby Jean (a sign request) was played (just for Styles, I like to think). Dancing in the Dark, 10th Avenue and Twist and Shout rounded out the encore. The band all made their way to the front to take their bows and soak up the praise from the crowd, all of them saying good bye. Bruce showed each of them down the stairs to the back, a night rocked...a night not finished. Bruce came back, harmonica and acoustic guitar in tow. Thanking the fans for supporting the band he sent us home with the most beautiful, emotional, haunting Thunder Road I've ever experienced. The entire stadium was quiet. No one daren't speak. It is quite something when 73,000 people are dead quiet and actually LISTENING to a song as opposed to talking over it. It was the icing on an already brilliant tasty cake.
This review is, obviously, my own opinion and based on my own personal experience. And yeah, I'm biased as hell towards Bruce and the band. I don't think it's feasible for them to even have a bad gig. And so, my June, my self titled 'Month Of Rock, is winding down. The last stop is the 29th of June at the Stade de France in Paris. Expect another totally unbiased review of that one as well.
Thursday 13 June 2013
Bon Jovi in Cardiff - Review
Wednesday the 12th of June 2013 was shaping up to be a good day. Work wasn't grating on me like usual, I was happy to the point of annoynance to my colleagues AND I had a very tasty lasagne for lunch. However, that was all just an added bonus to the already planned events for the evening. Wednesday was my last day of work prior to my four days holiday and to start off this fantastic four days off we'd be road trippin' (we were fully loaded with snacks and supplies as well) to Cardiff to see Bon Jovi on their latest tour dubbed 'Because We Can Tour'.
Strangely, they were playing the Cardiff City Stadium...NOT the Millennium Stadium as I, luckily, found out a few days before. I found this to be strange considering that the Millennium Stadium is larger, and in my opinion, a much more popular and better organised venue. It took us about 2 hours to make the drive from the good ol' Shire. When we got there we drove past the stadium looking, naively, for parking at the next door ASDA. Alas, finding parking was proving to be futile. We caved and decided to plump for the park and ride (that we had already visited but decided that WE would be lucky enough to find parking right by the stadium). Side note: At the park and ride they were filming Holby City/Casualty/Don't really know because I don't watch that crap.
We made our way to the stadium on the bus. Once we got to the ASDA drop off point, certain members of our group decided they needed to pee. I made the most of this unnecessary stop and decided to pre-empt a full bladder and had a piss as well. With the delays of finding parking and pissing about (literally) we finally got into the stadium just as Bon Jovi were half way through ' Shot Through The Heart'.
Upon first entering the stadium and the pitch (we were standing) I was struck by how small the venue was. I hadn't been this surprised by a stadium's size since U2 at the Don Valley Stadium on the 360 tour. It's a strange stadium/arena type size. I may be making this seem like a bad thing but it really isn't. It helps make it the gig more intimate than the larger stadiums. Once we found our spot on the pitch, I then paid brief attention to the stage. What a stage! Even know I'm not sure if I liked it or found it to be cheesier than Bon's songs. See the below photo (taken by me!) for reference:
Strangely, they were playing the Cardiff City Stadium...NOT the Millennium Stadium as I, luckily, found out a few days before. I found this to be strange considering that the Millennium Stadium is larger, and in my opinion, a much more popular and better organised venue. It took us about 2 hours to make the drive from the good ol' Shire. When we got there we drove past the stadium looking, naively, for parking at the next door ASDA. Alas, finding parking was proving to be futile. We caved and decided to plump for the park and ride (that we had already visited but decided that WE would be lucky enough to find parking right by the stadium). Side note: At the park and ride they were filming Holby City/Casualty/Don't really know because I don't watch that crap.
We made our way to the stadium on the bus. Once we got to the ASDA drop off point, certain members of our group decided they needed to pee. I made the most of this unnecessary stop and decided to pre-empt a full bladder and had a piss as well. With the delays of finding parking and pissing about (literally) we finally got into the stadium just as Bon Jovi were half way through ' Shot Through The Heart'.
Upon first entering the stadium and the pitch (we were standing) I was struck by how small the venue was. I hadn't been this surprised by a stadium's size since U2 at the Don Valley Stadium on the 360 tour. It's a strange stadium/arena type size. I may be making this seem like a bad thing but it really isn't. It helps make it the gig more intimate than the larger stadiums. Once we found our spot on the pitch, I then paid brief attention to the stage. What a stage! Even know I'm not sure if I liked it or found it to be cheesier than Bon's songs. See the below photo (taken by me!) for reference:
As you can see it, its the front of an old American muscle car (not the back like first thought).
Once we got settled in, I could finally start paying attention to the actual concert. This was the 4th time I was seeing Bon Jovi live. The first one was in Hyde Park in '02 and is memorable because it was my first ever rock concert (and possibly the largest), the second was for the "Lost Highway' tour in '08 at Twickenham and was, until Bruce in NY, the best concert I had ever been to. The third was at the 02 when they did a few dates to fill in for Jacko. That was OK. Back to Cardiff though. I'm not sure if it was because of the general rush we were in, the arriving late, the smaller venue, the welsh or, hell, it was a weekday, but there Cardiff effort really seemed to miss the mark. There was too much unknown crap for my liking (lets be honest, if you're going to see Bon live, you're going to hear the classics not his new piss-poor efforts).
It was an odd experience. Much like looking a Jon's brilliant white horse chompers he's got on them. Seriously, they were insane!
They didn't play for very long either. Only 2 hours at the most. They finished off, naturally, with Livin' On A Prayer. I thought they were going to come out and do another encore but they did not. No Bed Of Roses. No Always. No more cheesy 80's rock :( To be fair, Jon didn't seem like he could be THAT bothered. After all, it was only Wales....who can be bothered!?
PS: Only joking, I love the welsh. Especially their cakes.
Thursday 6 June 2013
The Month Of Rock ( and roll, I guess)
So, after the pop-tastic surprise ending of May with the Chime for Change concert, June sees my return to the world of big stadium rock and roll! Glory freakin' hallelujah!
So, we first stop of in Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium (NOT the Millennium Stadium as I found out yesterday) for Bon Jovi. No, Bon may get a 'bad rap' sometimes (and with the majority of their new material its not hard to see why) but lets get one thing straight: They put on an incredible concert. They literally get EVERYONE rocking out (thankfully their members stay in). I last saw them live when they did about 20 dates at the 02 (to take some of the dates booked by Jacko). However, it was not as good as when I saw them in Twickenham in '08. Hands down one of the best gigs I've ever been too.
I'm extremely excited about this one. It should be good (despite it being on a weekday...what's that about!?)
Then, just three days later on the 15th of June, The Boss is taking class at Wembley Stadium. This (I think) is the first time he's playing Wembley since 1988 (he's obviously played the Arena, but who cares about that?) There are strong rumours going around now (based on his other European shows he's been doing lately) that he'll perform Born In The USA in full. I won't be particularly thrilled if he does as I've heard the majority of the album live already. But, I've not experienced a full album play through live before, so that'll be an experience. Plus, it's the freakin' Boss! I'm just thankful I get to see him live again.
Once The Boss has finished doing his thing in Wembley, we fast forward to June 28th in Paris. Drew and I are taking my mom and her bestie to Paris for their Christmas present (for last year) and while there, who happens to be playing in the 29th?Why The Boss again! It isn't really a coincidence. I've been promising my mom that I'll take her to see Bruce again (she came with me to my first Springsteen gig at Wembley Arena when he was doing the sessions tour). I would have taken her with me to all the other's but she can't do the standing for hours on end and I always end up standing. So, we've got seats for this one (fairly good ones I think.) It was Drew's idea to take her to Paris. They are both extremely excited (my mom and her bestie). Drew and I have been to Paris before so I'm just really looking forward to Bruce in Paris!
An that rounds up the month of June for me. I can't see me going to any other concerts this year (mainly because I won't be able to afford food for the rest of the year let alone more gigs!)...saying that, Belle and Sebastian are playing at Bestival on The Isle Of Wight in September, Drew might REALLY like to go to that one...shit.
So, we first stop of in Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium (NOT the Millennium Stadium as I found out yesterday) for Bon Jovi. No, Bon may get a 'bad rap' sometimes (and with the majority of their new material its not hard to see why) but lets get one thing straight: They put on an incredible concert. They literally get EVERYONE rocking out (thankfully their members stay in). I last saw them live when they did about 20 dates at the 02 (to take some of the dates booked by Jacko). However, it was not as good as when I saw them in Twickenham in '08. Hands down one of the best gigs I've ever been too.
I'm extremely excited about this one. It should be good (despite it being on a weekday...what's that about!?)
Then, just three days later on the 15th of June, The Boss is taking class at Wembley Stadium. This (I think) is the first time he's playing Wembley since 1988 (he's obviously played the Arena, but who cares about that?) There are strong rumours going around now (based on his other European shows he's been doing lately) that he'll perform Born In The USA in full. I won't be particularly thrilled if he does as I've heard the majority of the album live already. But, I've not experienced a full album play through live before, so that'll be an experience. Plus, it's the freakin' Boss! I'm just thankful I get to see him live again.
Once The Boss has finished doing his thing in Wembley, we fast forward to June 28th in Paris. Drew and I are taking my mom and her bestie to Paris for their Christmas present (for last year) and while there, who happens to be playing in the 29th?Why The Boss again! It isn't really a coincidence. I've been promising my mom that I'll take her to see Bruce again (she came with me to my first Springsteen gig at Wembley Arena when he was doing the sessions tour). I would have taken her with me to all the other's but she can't do the standing for hours on end and I always end up standing. So, we've got seats for this one (fairly good ones I think.) It was Drew's idea to take her to Paris. They are both extremely excited (my mom and her bestie). Drew and I have been to Paris before so I'm just really looking forward to Bruce in Paris!
An that rounds up the month of June for me. I can't see me going to any other concerts this year (mainly because I won't be able to afford food for the rest of the year let alone more gigs!)...saying that, Belle and Sebastian are playing at Bestival on The Isle Of Wight in September, Drew might REALLY like to go to that one...shit.
Sunday 2 June 2013
Chime For Change concert- REVIEW
It was a sort of spur of the moment thing.
In an extremely rare opportunity, I had an actual weekend off. A Saturday and a Sunday (gasp!)
Drew decided earlier in the week to buy tickets to some concert at Twickenham Stadium called 'Chime for Change'. I didn't bother to research it much so all I knew was it was for women's rights and Beyonce was headlining it. I was quite excited by this as I quite like Beyonce and her songs. I saw her half time show for the Super Bowl in February and watched her set at Glasto back in 2011 (on TV), and was quite impressed with the show she put on.
But Beyonce was at the very end of the show and there were some other singers to go before her and other noise makers to make sure we didn't enjoy everything that was on offer. First up Jessie J.
I don't have any feelings towards her other than with her shaved head she looks either like a less pretty Natalie Portman from V for Vendetta or Annie Lennox. I know the one song she does (Price TAg, but beyond that I haven't a foggiest...and don't care to find out more either.)
In between each act we were shown various videos of various women being oppressed throughout the world. It was all very Live Aid (which makes sense as it was produced by one of the founders of Live Aid). Normally when I watch these things on the TV I roll my eyes at these pleas to help the less fortunate. You get huge money stars begging Joe public for money. I can't help but always think 'Why don't you just give them the money? You have plenty of it.' However, I was quite touched by most of the videos and speeches by the, surprisingly large amount, of stars that were there...except Madonna. What.A.Cunt. Cannot stand her. Everyone else was A.OK in my book.
The stand outs for me were: J.Lo. Never been much of J.Lo listener but she put on one hell of a show that got everyone jumping. Saying that, I only made it for her final 2 songs: Come Together feat Mary J Blige (who got a massive pop. I was kind of hoping she'd get a chance to do Family Affair but to no avail.) and Get On The Floor. I had spent the first 10 minutes of her set waiting in an impossibly long queue to get some drinks for the 4 of us. When it was nearly my turn some CUNT FACES saw there friend who was in front of me and just jumped right in front of me. I could feel myself getting hot in the face, heart pumping, knuckles clenched and teeth grinding. Those fuckers. There is literally no need for them in the world.
The absolute star of the whole thing for us was Florence and The Machine. I had obviously heard of them and had heard snippets of their stuff in various commercials etc. Never having listened to a full song I thought I knew what to expect. She did a acoustic type set that was just transcendent (?). Beautifully played violins and harps started and slowly built while Florence floated around the stage barefoot looking ethereal in a very flowy teal dress. Combined with her long flowing orange locks she looked positively awe inspiring.
The harps and violins built to their climax only to silence...waiting for Florence to utter the first sentence: Sometimes I Feel Like Throwing My Hands Up In The Air...
And with that the audience popped in a way I've not experienced since Paul McCartney joined Bruce onstage at Hard Rock Calling last year. She sang it effortlessly. Her vocals flawless. She literally brought me to tears (again, not done that at a concert since Bruce in New Jersey last year). I've not listened to any of their stuff since hearing them live at Chime for Change and kind of don't want to. Just in case it isn't as good as it was then. What if it disappoints...
Ellie Goulding was the last act before Beyonce came on. I've heard her name mentioned but thats pretty much it. Even now I couldn't tell you a song of hers. I do remember that I found her voice to be quite intriguing though.
So then Beyonce came on. And although did not disappoint, I wasn't exactly blown away. She did all her required hits. A particularly touching rendition of At Last (what a song!) accompanied by violins started her off. She did 'If I Were A Boy' (my favourite one) mixed with a funky Bittersweet Symphony (I think) remix. It was very good. My one problem with Beyonce though, is that she seems more pre-occupied with dancing her dance routines (and she does very very well) than actually singing the songs.
All in all, it was definitely one of the better concerts I've been to and should they do it next year, I'd quite like to go again.
Next up: A preview of June 2013...the month of my return to ROCK!!!!
In an extremely rare opportunity, I had an actual weekend off. A Saturday and a Sunday (gasp!)
Drew decided earlier in the week to buy tickets to some concert at Twickenham Stadium called 'Chime for Change'. I didn't bother to research it much so all I knew was it was for women's rights and Beyonce was headlining it. I was quite excited by this as I quite like Beyonce and her songs. I saw her half time show for the Super Bowl in February and watched her set at Glasto back in 2011 (on TV), and was quite impressed with the show she put on.
But Beyonce was at the very end of the show and there were some other singers to go before her and other noise makers to make sure we didn't enjoy everything that was on offer. First up Jessie J.
I don't have any feelings towards her other than with her shaved head she looks either like a less pretty Natalie Portman from V for Vendetta or Annie Lennox. I know the one song she does (Price TAg, but beyond that I haven't a foggiest...and don't care to find out more either.)
In between each act we were shown various videos of various women being oppressed throughout the world. It was all very Live Aid (which makes sense as it was produced by one of the founders of Live Aid). Normally when I watch these things on the TV I roll my eyes at these pleas to help the less fortunate. You get huge money stars begging Joe public for money. I can't help but always think 'Why don't you just give them the money? You have plenty of it.' However, I was quite touched by most of the videos and speeches by the, surprisingly large amount, of stars that were there...except Madonna. What.A.Cunt. Cannot stand her. Everyone else was A.OK in my book.
The stand outs for me were: J.Lo. Never been much of J.Lo listener but she put on one hell of a show that got everyone jumping. Saying that, I only made it for her final 2 songs: Come Together feat Mary J Blige (who got a massive pop. I was kind of hoping she'd get a chance to do Family Affair but to no avail.) and Get On The Floor. I had spent the first 10 minutes of her set waiting in an impossibly long queue to get some drinks for the 4 of us. When it was nearly my turn some CUNT FACES saw there friend who was in front of me and just jumped right in front of me. I could feel myself getting hot in the face, heart pumping, knuckles clenched and teeth grinding. Those fuckers. There is literally no need for them in the world.
The absolute star of the whole thing for us was Florence and The Machine. I had obviously heard of them and had heard snippets of their stuff in various commercials etc. Never having listened to a full song I thought I knew what to expect. She did a acoustic type set that was just transcendent (?). Beautifully played violins and harps started and slowly built while Florence floated around the stage barefoot looking ethereal in a very flowy teal dress. Combined with her long flowing orange locks she looked positively awe inspiring.
The harps and violins built to their climax only to silence...waiting for Florence to utter the first sentence: Sometimes I Feel Like Throwing My Hands Up In The Air...
And with that the audience popped in a way I've not experienced since Paul McCartney joined Bruce onstage at Hard Rock Calling last year. She sang it effortlessly. Her vocals flawless. She literally brought me to tears (again, not done that at a concert since Bruce in New Jersey last year). I've not listened to any of their stuff since hearing them live at Chime for Change and kind of don't want to. Just in case it isn't as good as it was then. What if it disappoints...
Ellie Goulding was the last act before Beyonce came on. I've heard her name mentioned but thats pretty much it. Even now I couldn't tell you a song of hers. I do remember that I found her voice to be quite intriguing though.
So then Beyonce came on. And although did not disappoint, I wasn't exactly blown away. She did all her required hits. A particularly touching rendition of At Last (what a song!) accompanied by violins started her off. She did 'If I Were A Boy' (my favourite one) mixed with a funky Bittersweet Symphony (I think) remix. It was very good. My one problem with Beyonce though, is that she seems more pre-occupied with dancing her dance routines (and she does very very well) than actually singing the songs.
All in all, it was definitely one of the better concerts I've been to and should they do it next year, I'd quite like to go again.
Next up: A preview of June 2013...the month of my return to ROCK!!!!
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