OMD - Dazzle Ships


Taking a break from my boring rants I have decided to write about OMD. In particular, their 1983 album 'Dazzle Ships'... It is an album which I think has been judged unfairly since it was originally released. Although, it was always going to be difficult to follow up an album such as 1981's 'Architecture & Morality' (which I strongly recommend anyone listen to).

I am already familiar with the singles: 'Genetic Engineering which charted at a UK #20, and the less successful but equally wonderful 'Telegraph'  which reached #42, both singles were released in 1983.

The album was mostly created using samples, played on their newly acquired Emu-Emulator. OMD used an interesting array of samples, including the sounds of Morse code, signals, radio noises, bells and of course the sounds of ships, as mentioned in the album title of course!    

 However, the public reaction upon it's release was a hit and miss one. I get the impression that a lot of listeners were confused or baffled by it. Which I suppose is understandable, but I like to think that adds to the mystique of Dazzle Ships! A year later, OMD released a follow-up called 'Junk Culture. This album continued using sampling, but in different, more poppier way that was more accessible to the general music public. 

In many ways 'Dazzle Ships' was the last of the thing OMD had been doing since they started out their later releases, which although were still fantastic, were more commercial. 

A rant about Jeremy Kyle....


What can you say about the JK show that hasn't already been said. In fact that there are so many things wrong with this "show" that I have no idea where to begin!

I have little sympathy for those who go on the show, it is their choice so yes, they do deserve to be ridiculed. The JK thrives on every stereotypical chav cliche in existence.. Yus, you name it! The fake tan drenched girl with three kids to half a dozen different men, the mouthy tracksuit wearing/larger swilling lout, the obese slob who waltzes onto the stage shouting and raving it off to whoever will listen. And even the occasional child murderer has made it onto the show.

Jeremy Kyle himself is a hilarious contradiction. The saintly Mr Kyle was a something of a serial liar and a self-confessed gambler who stole thousands from his first wife, but that's ok now cos' apparently he has "turned his life" around. Thus making it acceptable for him to judge the great unwashed on his ITV show. Ironically, The JK Show claims to be helping people get over problems such as gambling and is/was sponsored by a Foxy Bingo advert!! I haven't watched it for a very long while but my family members tend to watch it, even just the sound of it in the background makes my teeth hurt.. My dad absolutely loves it and I enjoy reminding him just what I think of it. The same stories on a daily basis, the same type of people and the same patronizing rants from Jeremy holier-than-thou Kyle. Jeremy has boasted in the past that his show enjoys rating of 1.8 million, it makes you wonder what kind of lives they must lead if can enjoy this crap.

The 21st century's answer to the Victorian freak show, you could even say. And that is basically what the JK Show is, a bit like in the olden days when people used to visit asylums just to laugh and point at the inmates, instead we put them on TV so we can laugh and jeer at them.

It makes me laugh the way Jeremy himself is a weak, little coward who gets off on screaming in his guests faces and then hides behind his bodyguards at the first sign of trouble. This show isn't about solving your problems. And if it were, why would you go on television and announce to it to strangers watching at home? As I said earlier, the people who go on his show have a choice and they know what to expect. They only want the five minutes of fame, and that's why I don't have any sympathy for them. Alot of people like to paint the guests as browbeaten 'victims', but this is just not true. The trash that appear on this show love every minute of it, just look at the overly dramatic entrances where more often than not the guests burst onto the stage effing and blinding at whoever is already sat down waiting. The fake tears, the tantrums, and of course they complete it by storming off backstage to be followed by Jeremy and his bodyguards.

Take Mick Philpott for example, apparently he appeared on the JK show in 2007 and was empowered by it. A man who already had a conviction for attempted murder and very recently murdered 6 of his own children in cold blood. Why is this seen as acceptable?

Not forgetting a few of Jeremy's good old catchphrases thrown in for good measure. Usually along the lines of, "put something on the end of it" or "why don't you get off your backside and get a job?" And we mustn't forget "those all important DNA tests"!! Can we!

Or how he constantly interrupts and talks over those trying to speak and then has the audacity to say "shut it! you've had your say now it's my turn".

FACEBOOK/TWITTER RANT

I was reading a blog earlier which came up with some good comments regarding your typical Facebook/Twitter user posting inane comments (usually a stolen quote from Marilyn Monroe) such as "If you can't handle me at my worst, you don't deserve me at my best". These are usually posted by selfie posing chavs and dramatic scene girls.

There are so many of these daft pages set up by gormless idiots.
GirLs don't bReAk BoYs hEaRt
Oh really?

Boys Like To Break Hearts , Men Like To Pick Up The Pieces < 3
Schmaltzy, immature drivel.

Example.
 "I can go days without talking to you, months without seeing you, but not a second goes by that I'm not thinking about you." Is the kind of thing that pops up on a regular basis. It's almost as cliched as the "Like This If You Hate Cancer" posts!

Why do social network users fall for this rubbish? I've been an avid user of Facebook and Twitter for 3 or 4 years and it seems to have steadily gotten worse over time. 

The same goes for the people who think wearing geek glasses and granny jumpers is 'individual'. Please.... 

And the annoying 'selfie' which more often than not consists of someone photographing themselves, mobile in hand and pulling a 'quirky' facial expression. Good lord make it stop!

I haven't even started on the odious fangirls who gang up on unsuspecting FB/Twitter users just for saying something bad about their favourite boyband. Some of the things these cretins say are really nasty and bitter. And of course there are the ones who go into 'hate' pages calling the haters names, their comebacks usually consist of "sad" and "jealous", or much worse.

Things that get on my nerves....

As everyone probably knows the latest in the GTA series was released recently, and one of the best things about the game is it's soundtrack. I have no problem with GTA itself, I have played several of the games myself, but those idiots who think they are being clever and funny by bombarding Youtube videos with inane comments usually spell something like "GTA 5 brought me here". Just stop!.... Why do people insist on spamming videos with this crap? It's boring and done to death, who cares if a video game or a fictional radio station brought you here? Why not just enjoy the music for what it is?? I give up....

My other pet hate is television adverts. ESPECIALLY Bingo/Loan Adverts!!!! I swear I can't pick up the remote control quick enough, these adverts actually disgust me. Take for example for creepy Wonga puppets.. Not only are these companies allowed to exploit the public but they are allowed to promote it on TV! This advert has been replaced by a newer (shitter) advert.
Ah yes, and now onto Bingo adverts. Everyday there seems to be a new bingo advert on our TV screens, and the list is ever-growing... Cheeky, Wink, Jackpot, Foxy, Party, Costa, Wink, Tasty, 888 Ladies... The list is endless! And they are on what feels like every five bleeding minutes, great attitude from those in telly-land. Great to see you encouraging gambling in these times of cuts and debts!

Also... anyone hate the Plusnet Broadband ads? Surely I'm not the only one!

On a much happier note...
Back in June/July of this year, the toxic slime 'Cara' from Confused.com was replaced by the much funnier, less annoying Brian the Robot. The new adverts are almost a joy compared to the old adverts which were skin crawling beyond belief! And that is it... :)

Finally starting to get the hang off this blogging lark!
I haven't been on in a while but I suppose that is a good thing as it gives me the chance to discover new things of which post about.

Anyway, when I find something good enough to upload I shall start posting some of my artwork. It is average at best but I'd still greatly appreciate people's opinions on it.

Here are some of the songs that I have discovered in the past few months, there is a mixture of anything and everything. I wish I could write about everything I have heard but I just don't have the time... 

Marshall Hain - Dancing In The City (1978)
A wonderful mellow song that I've known for a few years but has become one of my regular plays these past few days. Ties in perfectly with the era in which some of my stories are set.

New Order - Mr Disco (1989)
Ahh... New Order! Never a track that I ever really listened to, my favourite from the Technique album was always 'Vanishing Point' but I think this might be stealing it's crown. Some nice sounds from the Emulator III too; such as orchestral hits and the ghostly choir voices.

Daft Punk, Nile Rodgers & Pharrell - Get Lucky (2013)
'Get Lucky' is one of the most important songs currently in the charts at the moment. Everything about it oozes late 70's/early 80's disco perfection, and it features the legend that is Nile Rodgers on guitar. It doesn't sound cheap or tried, it sounds to me like the genuine article. Could it possibly get any better! It got to #1 for three weeks last month and I couldn't be happier for Daft Punk, Pharrell or Nile. They have earned it!

The Newbeats - Run Baby Run (1971) 
The past few years have seen me delving into the wonderful treasure box that is 'Northern Soul'. Since I became hooked on this song earlier this year, I read a wonderful review online which describes RBR as sounding like 'The Four Seasons to a Motown beat!' Really can't imagine how many times I have played this....

Disclosure ft. AlunaGeorge - White Noise (2013)
I love AlunaGeorge because they are different, they have a refreshing sound which sounds nothing like the mundane David Guetta crap which is currently clogging up the charts. 'White Noise' sounds to me like a modern take on classic 80's/90's House records! It's vibrant and noisy, with emphasis on the drum pattern, and the bass line is pretty impressive too. I hope AG go far, listen to their other stuff like 'You Know You Like It' or 'Catching Flies' and you will see what I mean!

Blancmange - Blind Vision (1983)
"Blind hope, blind vision, blind centre, one centre" sings Neil Arthur on this frantic early 80's dance anthem. I've been paying alot of attention to Blancmange especially since I discovered 'Game Above My Head' last summer. Although I've always known and loved 'Living On The Ceiling' I'm getting to know their other stuff better and they come across as a bloody good band, criminally underrated. More on Blancmange down below.

Blancmange - Don't Tell Me (1984)
The second of three Blancmange singles I am writing about, reminds me of the months leading up to Last Xmas and I was.... uh, researching local history. The lyrics to this are genius, quite witty infact! And if you ever get the chance you should watch the music videos to both this and the above mentioned BM track! ^

The Pearls - Guilty (1974)
Now I like the odd 'guilty' pleasure or two, or ten! and this song is no exception. As I am writing a story set in 1974 I've been delving into that years pop culture in order to name-drop to make it sound interesting. Without trying to sound patronising I think it's a very cute song, very sweet!

Otto Knows - Million Voices (2012)
I came across this earlier in the year after hearing it regularly and liking the tune, but I never knew who it was. I don't even know what it's about but it's fascinating!

Don Partridge - Blue Eyes (1968)
Another song which I have mentioned alot in my stories, this and 'Breakfast On Pluto' get played on a regular basis in my house. RIP Don!

Blancmange - Making Areoplanes (Without Victoria) (2012)
Third and final BM track as promised. Taken from the duo's first album in 20 years (I may be wrong on that), this is a good song. Bizarre to say the least but enjoyable to listen too! They are on top form with this song, it's refreshingly new but still retains their signature sound, ie; mystical sitars etc.

I've never written a blog before so I'll have to apologise if this sounds poor...

To put it simply, I love music. I live it, breathe it, think about it.. Hopefully if I can remember to blog regularly I will share some of my favourites with you. The last couple of months, since the end of last year I have been really exploring bands like Simple Minds and Blancmange. Those two in particular! though I'll explain more later... Also around Xmas a group called Miami Horror came to attention. Wonderful 80's inspired dance tracks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn7FXGaHTNs

There is definitely a touch of New Order about that particular track, ie; the icy bass  Peter Hook guitar. I don't think Miami Horror get enough recognition so I'll do my best to try! They make such wonderful songs, 'Holidays' samples 'Sugar and Spice' by Luther Vandross, as the original is a big favourite of mine I'd say that they did it justice. I'm not normally a fan of sampling but I believe if it is done tastefully it can work. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF8dt1hpZ9M





Waaaaaay back in March 2010 (I'm good at remembering such things) I came across a similar type of dance orientated group. 'Can't Shake This Feeling' by Grum is a cover of an 80's funk/disco song by Klique and this one song introduced me to both Grum and Klique who before I had never heard of either!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7-glnSlIjM

And finally...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qosNxx4vQKo
A duet with Electric Youth, whom I also adore. I like to imagine this being played in a futuristic disco circa 1986.