Making: Liagra

I'm off to Newcastle for the weekend tomorrow so I'm posting early - this is a (slightly rough) second ad that I've put together for the GetUp! Oz in 30 seconds competition.

(My first is up here)

It's a little crude in it's inferences perhaps but I kind of don't care.

Have a great weekend

Marking: 200 posts with Star Wars and Manamana

I have a big old workshop to run today (using audio and video in your teaching) so I might just mark the passing of this milestone by presenting a clip that sums up this blog in some ways (not all though).

It's a very nicely edited clip from YouTube that takes the stars of Star Wars and overlays the classic Muppets song Manamana on top. It's a little geeky, works with interesting juxtapositions to create new meaning, stimulates the senses and is hopefully something you will enjoy (I know I like it)

Listening: Airbourne - Runnin' Wild

The much hyped and worth every over-the-top word Airbourne debut album was released on the weekend here in Oz and excuse me while I bang my head a little and smile a dumb rock fevered grin.


(Click on image for full size version - I particularly like the use of Pentridge Prison, Melbourne's old main prison, also known as Bluestone College)

If Wolfmother can build a sound on raiding the best of Sabbath and Led Zep, it's only fair that Airbourne dip deep into the AC/DC well for theirs.

Now maybe it's my bogan roots showing once more (I stand by my respect for Cold Chisel, by the way) but in spite of the fact that I've never really given old Acca Dacca much time, there is something so ROCK about this album that you can't help but love it.

It's loud, it's straight forward and it loves being on stage being a rock star.

I'll post a track by track look at the new album Runnin' Wild soon but for now, here's a sample - I'd really advise turning the sound up.



(Enjoy them now before they get swallowed up by mega-corporate media and played so often that you can't stand the sound of it - I note that this is already underway with the inclusion of this song on the soundtrack to the biggest NFL (American Football) video game - Madden NFL 08. )

Listening: The Mix Up - Beastie Boys

The packaging proclaims this as "their first-ever full album of all-new instrumental material" - just in case you might be freaked out by the surprise of an instrumental album I guess.

It's almost impossible not to hear this as the soundtrack to some very cool film - it drips with atmosphere and the further in you get, the more it seems like the coolest 70's exploitation/blaxploitation film you never saw.

So it's in these terms that I'm going to talk about the tracks on this album.

Overall, it's fantastic - I really like instrumental music when I'm working - the language centers of my brain don't get confused but I still get caught up in the music on more of a subconscious level.

(If you're interested in a slightly more musical take on this album track-by-track, check out this blog - we noted a few of the same things at points)

B For My Name 3:32

Opening with some slinky keyboard driven 70s swagger, this feels like you are the hero strutting down a street in your neighbourhood in the opening scene of a blaxploitation film.

14th St. Break 3:34

This track features a more contemporary clattering drum breakbeat, a buzzy almost-but-not-quite distorted electro riff, plenty of grooves and a sense of movement with an impatience to get there.

Suco De Tangerina 3:17

With a satisfyingly rumbly bassline, reggae beats and a very catchy synth melody, this track puts you somewhere in the tropics but still feeling a little like the hero of some cheesy 70s movie out of their element.

The Gala Event 3:47

Slowing the pace down and adding a certain amount of suspense, this feels like the docks in the early hours of the morning, waiting for someone shady to turn up. Parts of the keyboard remind me momentarily of The Necks' soundtrack to "The Boys", another dark, gritty piece of celluloid.




Electric Worm 3:15

With a healthy bed of wakka wakka guitar and a warm confident bassline, this feels like you're out on the case, doing the legwork, talking to snitches and making some progress.

Freaky Hijiki 3:06

This is a lights down low, slinky track that is close to but not quite the sex scene - there's an extended drum break solo near the end that just wouldn't quite fit (or maybe I'm just a dull dull man :)

Off The Grid 4:36

This could be the end credits - it has an everything's ok now feel to it - it could also be a bit of a drug-den party vibe where the hero is tripping out a little and then goes off into a full dream sequence kind of thing - I like the stretched out spacy quality to this one as well as the dominant guitar in the latter parts.



The Rat Cage 3:37

I get the feel of a sparky but slightly dingy nightclub from this one - you enter from a dirty city alleyway, walking down some stairs. It's another smooth track with the drum beats and dirty distorted but pure guitar putting it into this decade.

The Melee 3:10

Our hero is walking down the street, intensely focussed on the matter at hand. Things have been happening in the story and it's all getting pretty lively - this could well be on the way to the final showdown.

On the other hand, this could well be the closing credits, leaving you to walk out of the movie on an energised high.

Dramastically Different 3:57

With a little bit of a sitar sounding buzz, this is probably the scene where our hero goes to talk to the free-lovin' hippies for some help - there could well be some kind of wanky montage here.

The Cousin Of Death 3:06

Music for a visit to a loud sleazy stripclub, playing in the background while our hero talks to someone (or possibly roughs someone up - most likely in self defence)


The Kangaroo Rat 3:28

This is perhaps the wild card part of the movie - maybe a chase scene, maybe the part that you thought, wow, I wouldn't have thought of putting that in a film. It has energy and drive but isn't crazy fast or anything - I guess this could conceivably be the end credits (the sound that is playing as you walk out rather than the credits that you sit through to the end.)

Preparing: Monday Sunset 2/7/7

Crazy (Theremin version) Randy George The Ether and Aether Experiment website 2:56

I blogged this last week and liked it so much I have to play it today - there's something about the theremin that just seems so futuristic, even though it's been kicking around for more than 50 years. The whole idea of playing an instrument without touching it, just interacting with electro-magnetic thingamies - it's ace. :)

Race Various Artists Stone 4:16

Stone was a classic Oz bikie exploitation film from the mid 70s - this is one tune from the psychedelia soaked rock soundtrack.

Flame Trees Sarah Blasko Standing On The Outside (The Songs Of Cold Chisel) 5:21

Beautiful cover that gets better with each listening.

High Times Elliott Smith New Moon 3:11

Oh Elliot, why did you leave us so soon? - this is a slightly darker track for Elliot Smith but like all the others, it's fracking brilliant.

This Room Fat Freddys Drop Based on a True Story 5:00

Smooth kiwi dub/reggae from an amazing band live.

I'm Slowly Turning Into You The White Stripes Icky Thump 4:28

From the new album, this features a Jaggerish tint to vocals, slinky rock, layered voices and is a great tune.

Help Save The Youth Of America Billy Bragg Must I Paint You a Picture? The Essential Billy Bragg [Disc 1] 2:48

A little old school Bill - at his barking best.

Everybody Knows Rufus Wainwright Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man 4:30

Great cover from a slightly disappointing album of Cohen covers by people you would think would do better.

Machines Work B(if)tek 2020 3:58

Warm beeps and bloops from a couple of one time Canberrans.

In Front of Me Tzu Smiling At Strangers 3:37

Infectiously lively and upbeat rock hiphop from Melbourne's TZU

Quick Way To Hell The Fuelers Hot Dang 3:42

Very smooth local rockin' country.

No one will Cody Chestnut The Headphone Masterpiece 2:59

Even smoother 70s style soul

Dry The Rain The Beta Band 3 E.P.'s 6:06

The song John Cusack played in High Fidelity with the promise that it would make five people would buy the album - and it is that good

Made of stone The Stone Roses The Very Best Of 4:16

Great early 90s Brit-rock from the Stoneys.

The Room Got Heavy Yo La Tengo I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass 5:10

Amazing album - out there song.

Koolism Is Koolism Diverse EP 3:50

Another one time local outfit, great happy hiphop.

Wonder Riff Baterz Out of Hell 3:03

Smart, funny and perhaps a little odd (but in a good way) song writing from a much missed artist around town.

Hello Pussycat The Titanics Love Is The Devil 1:53

Good fun rock track with a completely unsubtle message

Asthma attack The Fiery Furnaces Gallowsbird's Bark 2:08

Odd bassy and fun rockabilly styled tune

Chinito Chinito Ry Cooder Chavez Ravine 4:52

This is a bit of a fave with the PC and I completely understand

I Don't Want To Play Football Belle & Sebastian Storytelling 0:57

Beautiful and low key ending, taken from a movie that you might have missed.

Making: Good or Just Lucky?: an ad.

Tah daaah - after a few teasers late last week, I'm pleased to present Good or Just Lucky?, my contribution to the GetUp! Oz in 30 seconds competition.



If you haven't come across GetUp! before, they are (in their own words):

... a new independent political movement to build a progressive Australia. GetUp brings together like-minded people who want to bring participation back into our democracy.

GetUp.org.au members use the latest online tools to act on important issues facing the country.

They have a membership of over 180,000 and have already run a number of successful campaigns on issues ranging from funding for the ABC, migration, RU486, the environment and more.

The governing Liberals hate them and consider them a Labor party front but the organisation board includes people from a wide section of the community with concerns about a number of issues that the government has bollocksed up in one way or another.

The competition - modelled on an American one last year called Bush in 30 seconds - calls on people to create their own political ad to be aired in the run up to upcoming federal election here.

It's not about endorsing one party in particular (but the bulk of them do seem to be about highlighting the myriad problems with the current government)

This is my third significant project in Flash and I will admit that it's still on the rough side (calling any FLS Flash gurus - the deadline for this has been extended to the 7th of July and help in making this more funky would be gratefully received) but it does the job.

I took the perhaps unusual approach of looking at something that is generally regarded as a strength for the government - the economy - and dared to ask the question: Is everything as good as it should be or is it a house of cards?

The Australian economy has been in a period of growth since 1993 (3 years before the Howard government), driven largely by a massive demand for resources by China.

Keeping things ticking over is a pretty easy job when the money is rushing in but there are a lot of areas where this country could be doing a lot better and if/when the money dries up (e.g. China gets a better offer).

A combination of massive household debt, poor infrastructure (roads, ports and particularly broadband internet), a lack of innovation, research and development in industry and an ideological neglect of education mean that this country is completely unprepared to stand on its own two feet in the knowledge economy of the 21st century.

Add this to some particularly repressive industrial relations laws which could see workers seriously exploited in an economic downturn and you have a country with a number of problems just beneath the surface.

Getting this all across in a 30 second ad of course is a tough task so I chose to just raise the question and hope that this is enough to spark debate in an area that is considered almost off limits in public debate in this country.

I toyed with the idea of having ships taking resources to China on the map but felt it made the image a little busy. I'm still thinking vaguely about replacing the ch-ching sounds with video game bleeps but have other projects to press on with for now.

I hope you like it.

Updating: No Shampoo challenge - Day 23

I'm heading into Week 4 of the no-shampoo challenge (original story)- no significant news to report. Hair is still sitting a little flat which doesn't worry me and still doesn't seem greasy or smelly.









I think the PC is finding it a little tougher having washed her hair more frequently in the past than I but I know she has the strength to get through.

LOLing: Swearing Johnny Howard

This is something I stumbled across on YouTube just now and while it's simple and crude, it's still pretty funny.

Taking: the 6 week no shampoo challenge.

Today marks the midpoint of an experiment that I'm hoping will liberate me from the shackles of shampoo and conditioner. Apparently after 6 weeks of not using shampoo on your hair, its natural balance of oils returns, leaving it full, clean and shiny. Sounds potentially skanky I know but bear with me.

This graph represents the feedback from more than 500 people who tried this exercise a few months ago after it was suggested by Richard Glover on ABC radio in Sydney.



As you can see, the vast majority of them feel that their hair was as good or better than it was before they started.

The messageboard associated with this gives a lot of extra detail and helpful hints about avoiding smelly, itchy hair and more. There is also a section of the ABC website featuring a six week blog from a 21 years old woman who went through the whole thing and came out the other side with cleaner, shinier and fuller hair.

Here's how the site describe the process:

The theory is that shampoo actually destroys the balance of your hair's natural oils. The cycle might go this way: your hair produces natural oils, and after a few days, starts to feels greasy, oily and dirty. So, you wash your hair with detergent, which strips away the grease.

But, as the grease is natural, your hair and head start to fight back by producing more to compensate for the loss, so you wash your hair again. And so on.

But what happens if you don't shampoo your hair? Well, the theory says that your hair will get more oily, greasy and smelly, but after six weeks it will become sweeter smelling, bouncy, the natural balance will have been restored. It will even look more attractive, more sexy and wonderful than every before!

Evidently I still have the greasy looking stage to work through yet but from all accounts it passes pretty quickly and if you vigorously rinse your hair in the shower it won't smell either.

So far my hair feels ok, it's a little lifeless and lank, it feels slightly dry/dusty but I don't think it looks too bad.

Here's a short clip from today - I guess ideally I would have a clip from the start of the process for the purpose of comparison but you can't win 'em all.

My hair looks a little messy because this is the look (for want of a better term) that I'm trying for. (As for the beard, that's a whole other experiment :)



(I'd also like to thank the PC for humouring my participation in this and also for joining me)

Getting: there

Working on: a project

Here's a teaser - more to come soon.

Listening: Crazy - Theremin Version & Messerchups

It's got a theremin - it's got to be cool.


(Check out Russian band Messerchups if you like freaky cool electro 50's sci-fi surf music with theremin by the way)

These are a couple of their clips - it's everything you want from modern Russia.





(By the way PC, there's no hidden message in there, I just heard the dialogue samples but it's just such a cool song)

Acting: Gogol & Playing:Consequences

Had an interesting one last night - housemate Jelena's shiny happy people friends came over and did a play reading of Gogol's The Inspector General, a scorching satire of corruption in Russia from 1836. (As you do)

I jumped in for a couple of minor roles in the second half though I wasn't quite up to speed enough to do them in the outlandish accents everyone else was putting on. I can't say I knew much about Gogol before this (beyond that he existed and was some literary figure of note) but it was a very lively piece that showed that some things (toadying, corruption, powergames) never really change.

From there we moved on to a writing game called consequences. I don't think I've played it before (I think I've heard of it though) but it's a group story writing game.

In essence, you write part of a story on a piece of paper, fold your section over so it can't be seen, pass the paper around the circle, write the next part of your story, fold, pass, etc until it is done.

The story takes the form of

• Man's name


• Woman's name


• What they did


• Where they did it


• What he said


• What she said


• Who saw them


• The consequences

I must confess, I was a little dubious about this but it worked surprisingly well.

Here are some of the stories that came of it.

James Packer and Kate Barrow (French resistance figure) were sipping champagne, nibbling on caviar & camembert and discussing the meaning of life on a nudist beach.

He said something to the effect that it was all "that bitch's" fault.("That bitch" pertaining to his ex).

She said take me to the river, wash me down.

The Pope saw them and there was chocolate mousse for all.

Joseph P (French resistance figure) and Marilyn Monroe were playing in a sprinkler in the cheapest room in the worst hotel in the most dangerous suburb of Rotterdam.

He said "Well might you say God save the Queen because noone can save the Governor General"

She said "I think you're mistaken, I'm not a doctor"

A flock of West Canadian geese saw them and several very ugly babies with hot bodies were born.

Haagendaaz and Erica Packer were playing poker in a smoky French cafe where Sartre once had sat and debated on the Existentialism.

He said "I love floating high up in the clouds with you"

She said something inane that nobody really remembers anymore because, let's be honest, it's really not very important after all.

WIN news saw them and the crowd all drank champagne and rode off into the sunset.

Once upon a time Bugsy Malone and Edith Pilaf got married in a secret Scientology ceremony with Tom Cruise presiding in a dirty bistro.

He said "C'est la vie".

She said "This is hilarious and inventive"

Who saw them? Who didn't see them! They had no shame!

Labour won the election - a landslide victory - but the socialists couldn't help but wonder... who would they protest against now?

Kevin Rudd and Maggie Thatcher were enjoying a lemon meringue pie in the sun as their pizza slowly digested on a luxury yacht in the Mediterranean.

He said "I like sucking lemons"

She said "Ooh la la!"

A dolphin called Flounder saw them and a few drunk kids threw up and an old lady fainted but more or less everyone else was at least mildly amused.

They all turned out pretty well I think and it was a lot of fun.

Watching: David Lynch's Playstation 2 ad - The Third Place

There's a gaming blog post on The Age website today about the way Sony revolutionised video game advertising.

Moving away from game footage, Sony successfully delivered the message that PlayStation was an experience that shouldn't be missed. With brilliant campaigns like Double Life and Fun, Anyone?, their ads stirred emotion and showed that games were part of a cool lifestyle.

It goes on to describe the David Lynch Third Place campaign as a misstep but (as a self confessed Lynch fan) I think it's brilliant.

David Lynch hates talking about his work (he never does commentary tracks on his dvds) and prefers to let the work do the talking, so it's fair to say that no-one entirely knows what it's all about but there's nothing wrong with that.

The way I see it, he's a proud standard bearer of Surrealism, mixed up with stylish dollop of 50s Americana. It's very much about a dreamlike place, which crosses over often enough into reality to demand your attention but which at the same time is like nothing on earth.

In this ad, being necessarily shorter, he just dives right on in and dishes up a true surreal experience. We are the man in the suit, navigating an unfamiliar place that just gets stranger and stranger. This represents the trip into the unexplored depths of your mind that the PS2 offers, letting you see and experience things that you never have before.

Now if only the games could be that good.

Playing: Songs for Lost Highway tonight

Tune in to 2XXfm - 98.3 in Canberra. 9.30 til 11.

Walking after midnight Cowboy Junkies 6:02 The trinity sessions

Languid bluesy cover of a great Patsy Cline song

Spaceball Ricochet Marc Bolan 4:42 Acoustic Warrior

Better known for his glam-rock with T.Rex in the early 70s, Marc Bolan put out a great album of acoustic tracks

World On A String Neil Young 2:25 Tonight's The Night

A lesser-known Neil Young track from one of his sadder, more personal albums.

Central Reservation (Spiritual Life - Ibadan Edit) Beth Orton 4:04 Central Reservation

A lively remix that doesn't overwhelm the beauty of the original song

Promise What You Will Iron & Wine 2:24 The Creek Drank The Cradle

Moving back to something a little more low-key, sweet gentle voices work well with slightly rough-hewn guitar

Woman Of Ireland Weddings Parties Anything 2:47 Trophy Night

A good Weddos party song, with a pacey beat, rockin' accordion (now that's something you don't get to say often) and Michael Thomas' passionate vocals

I'll Fly Away Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch 3:57 O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Old-time bluegrass gospel sung by a couple of angels

Labour Of Love Frente! 3:10 Whirled

One of my favourite lo-fi acoustic songs of the 90s, I remember playing this over and over at times. Check the recorder solo.

Liar Randall Blair And The Wedded Bliss 4:57 Tattoos And Taillights

The more I hear from this local outfit, the more hopeful I become about the Canberra music scene - can't really compare them to anyone but listen and enjoy.

No Reason To Cry The Go-Betweens 3:53 Oceans Apart

One of the best Oz bands ever, everything in this song (from their last proper album) just works - I noticed there is a tribute album to the Go-Betweens out now (Write your adventures down) which I will chase up.

You turn me on I'm a radio Joni Mitchell 2:39 Hits

One for the Pussycat but it's quickly becoming a personal fave as well. Joni's sassy and smooth :)

Amnesia Machine Translations 3:33 Happy

It's a mystery how Machine Translations has flown below the radar for so long, everything they do is so special and unique. (J Walker has played with a band in recent years after doing the whole thing solo for a long time)

Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole Martha Wainwright 3:14 Martha Wainwright

Martha vents a few issues and everyone gets to enjoy it.

Warren's Waltz Dirty Three 7:06 Sad & Dangerous

Another fantastic but under-rated Oz outfit, the Dirty 3 play some amazingly emotional tunes with just a violin, guitar and drums. Here's an early one.

Harry Was A Bad Bugger Tex, Don & Charlie 5:19 All Is Forgiven

Fantastic story telling in a nearly spoken song from some music greats, playing together because they enjoy it.

Just Twisted Penelope Swales 5:57 Justifying Your Longings To The Doctor

Bouncy, acoustic tunes from a strong woman with a bunch of talent.

Casimir Pulaski Day Sufjan Stevens 5:53 Illinois

This guy just writes some amazing songs - he's working on a project apparently to write an album about each American state, this is from the second - Illinois. (Michigan was first)

Helpless k.d. lang 4:15 Hymns Of The 49th Parallel

One Canuck pays tribute to another - kd lang sings Neil Young and it sounds great.

Thirteen Elliott Smith 2:43 New Moon

Another great cover from a sorely missed acoustic maestro - this time of a Big Star track.

Reading: Labor's dastardly secret plan for Australia

There's something about the way Phillip Adams writes that often rubs me up the wrong way - he's clearly highly intelligent but possibly just a little self-satisfied. (My friend Buj assures me he is a fantastic presenter and interviewer on the radio though.)

On occasion though, he absolutely drills it and his piece in The Australian (a generally repugnant right wing Murdoch rag in which he plays token lefty) on the weekend was an absolute pearler.

It beautifully makes light of the increasingly shrill and desperate smear and fear campaign that John Howard is bringing forth about the possibility of a Rudd Labor Government by dramatically exposing Kevin Rudd's secret plans for the country.

Here it is in it's full glory:

"We're facing annihilation," John Howard told his weekly meeting with Coalition MPs, referring to his Government. As a consequence, so are we. We being us - 20 million Australians. For make no mistake: if Howard goes, we're all stuffed.

A secret report, prepared in the Prime Minister’s office, has been leaked to trusted journalists. But I got one anyway.

First of all, under a Rudd government, homosexuality will be compulsory. The confetti from gay marriages will blow blizzard-like through our churches and fall like heavy snow on the footpaths outside registry offices. Subsuming all other festivals, the Mardi Gras will shove Anzac Day aside, forcing veterans to march in the side streets. The traditional Aussie salute, employed to brush away the blowies, will become limp-wristed and Kevin Rudd will stack the High Court with drag queens who’ll also take over as weather girls, nuns, nurses and Qantas hosties.

From coast to coast, deviance and decadence will destroy the last skerricks of decency. Family values will be irrevocably trashed. Unprotected by Howard and his ministers, the bathrooms of the nation will cease to play a role in personal hygiene and will be used instead to produce hydroponic marijuana. The lounge rooms of Australia will reek from reefers. You’ll have to protect your pets from outbreaks of bestiality.

Cannibalistic trade unionists will eat employers. Others will prowl places of business, forcing workers into socialist slavery. Entrepreneurs, merchant bankers and other producers of wealth will be dragged through the streets in ACTU tumbrels to the guillotines erected in Frank Lowy’s shopping malls. The decapitated noggins of Macbank millionaires will be displayed on pikes in Sydney’s Martin Place. The stock market will collapse and real estate values will follow family values down the toilet. Hyperinflation will force families to sell their children into prostitution or for medical experiments. Within weeks it will cost millions for a loaf of bread and shoppers will use their trolleys to lug devalued currency to the checkouts.

As Rudd’s megalomania grows he’ll become the Robert Mugabe of the South Pacific; Opposition politicians will be subject to the Pacific Solution, with Philip Ruddock spending future Christmases on Christmas Island. Even worse, the English will refuse to play cricket with us.

Robert Manne will become Australia’s first President. Ric Birch, the Busby Berkeley of great public occasions, will synchronise vast crowds in North Korean-style celebrations of Kev Il-Sung, our glorious leader. The ABC, chaired by Phillip Adams with Bob Ellis as managing director, will be simulcast on all radio stations and TV channels. The erstwhile commercial networks will still be used for mind-control experiments, but the emphasis will change from US and corporate propaganda to ACTU/ALP indoctrination, previously limited to the ABC.

The “coalition of the willing” will be abandoned, our alliance with the US immediately cancelled and Movie World closed on the Gold Coast. Posh private schools will be bulldozed. All right wings will be removed from Qantas aircraft, as will millions of magnets from Australian fridges. Terrorism will be actively encouraged via grants from the Australia Council.

In a radical attempt to control global warming, all exports of coal will be rounded up for return to Australia and reburial in the Hunter Valley, but not until the harbourfront mansions of Liberal-voting billionaires have drowned beneath rising sea levels. Only Kirribilli will be saved for Kev Il-Sung, our glorious leader.

The show trials of Howard, Costello, Downer and Abbott, judged guilty in advance, will be screened by the ABC. Robbed of the object of their passionate detestation, Howard Haters will be given grief counselling. Covered by Medicare.

Private patients will be dragged from their hospital beds, Advance Australia Fair replaced by The Internationale, lobotomies performed on Quadrant readers and anyone who cannot recite at least half the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Abu Ghraib experts imported to extract confessions from Liberal voters, electoral laws modified (one unionist, two votes), ASIO replaced by the Fabian Society, and Gough Whitlam’s self-beatification officially endorsed by the new head of the Catholic Church in Australia, Cardinal Keating.

Millions of Muslim refugees will arrive on luxury liners run by government-subsidised people smugglers, to be granted immediate vacant possession of Liberal-owned homes. Aborigines will make land claims on your barbecue area. In line with Kev Il-Sung’s language preferences, Mandarin will be mandatory in kindergartens.

Well, that’s the first chapter in the leaked document, prepared by ASIO, ASIS and the ONA. The PM’s office has denied there’ll be a fear campaign in the run-up to the federal election.

Listening: The Good, The Bad and The Queen - The Good, The Bad and The Queen

The Good, The Bad & The Queen is a new project for Damon (Blur, Gorillaz) Albarn, Paul Simonon (The Clash), Simon Tong (The Verve) and Tony Allen (Fela Kuti).

As a new sound, this takes a little more listening to than some. It's very multilayered, a bit like swimming in a sea of sounds and ideas - the more I listen to the more I'm reminded of the spirit of OK Computer - which isn't to say that it's derivative, more like a worthy successor.

As a whole, it could be seen as something of a snapshot of modern unease in the West in the wake of the Bush years and a shift to darker times but it still manages to hold on to a sense of hope at the end that we can drag ourselves out of this mess.

A very rich sound that will take a number of listens to explore and each one will be worthwhile. Not necessarily an easy one to process though and the bleak vibe suggests picking your time/mood to listen to it.

82%


History Song (3.06) - Interesting opener - looped acoustic guitar riffs beneath bouncy beats, organ and an almost Radioheadlike downbeat vocal. Hints of reggae in there as well as a bit of noodling away on piano

'80's life (3.28) - Bit like a 50s rock ballad underwater with a pounding piano (I think) and plenty of ooooohs, counterpointed by a Britpop vocal style.

Northern Whale (3.54) - Farty and clangy electro beats that hark back to Gorillaz a little, again the tapping piano, there's something about the vocal that makes you wonder what the song might be like sung by someone else but which at the same time works well with the sounds to create a distinct almost slightly wistful mood

Kingdom of Doom (2.42) - Back to a more conventional intro with a plainly strummed guitar and wanting to be heard bassline - shifts to piano from the chorus and the sound gets progressively thicker. Another less than chirpy song - I get the feeling Damon isn't too happy about the state of the world



Herculean (3.59) - Driving piano and a working mishmash of beats and sounds underscore some distant vocals (that at times sound sung down the phone line) - sense of a dischordant society (again)

Behind the sun (2.38) - Sounds like a cold, wet night in a lonely city - sirens howl in the background as Albarn sings of bleak existence but suddenly lifts to a sense of hope which brightens the song no end

The Bunting Song (3.47) - A persistent yet gentle and sometimes happy tune underlined with a sadness in the background, more Brit-bleakness in the lyrics, which feel political without being explicitly so

Nature Springs (3.10) - Gentler and more hopeful in sound but still low-key - nice acoustic guitar work (including the squeaks and squeals from changing chords), some blips and bleeps, again with the fragmentary echoes of OK Computer (a compliment, don't get me wrong). Oh and whistling - who doesn't love a bit of whistling in a tune.

A soldiers tale (2.30) - Another lighter song, gentle guitar and strings underneath happier sounding vocals, again with the OK Computeresque lyrics which are slightly crytic but feel meaningful. More whistling.

Three changes (4.15) - A more passionate and energetic track, slightly downbeat vocals, layers and layers of sounds giving it a Gorillaz vibe, catchy buzzy hook, slightly dystopic view of England in the 21st century, interesting shift at the end to a slightly reggae beat. In my top two for this album.

Green Fields (2.26) - A gentle acoustic reflection on the changes in life in the last few years, which picks up the pace to bring it home



The Good, The Bad and The Queen (7.00) - Bit of a rocking epic, quickly dispensing with the more hopeful lyrical part of the song and launching into a buzzing, rushing, relentless emotional frenzy of clashing drums, grungy guitar and almost whistling synth and slowly fading out.

Plugging: the FAT awards

(Well, two posts today - I think I'm going quite mad :)

The annual Film and Television (FAT) awards for CIT (Canberra Institute of Technology) are on tonight at the National Museum in Canberra.

Roll up for a night of diverse short films by CIT media production students.

I haven't seen any of them yet but I'd like to make a few predictions (having made and been to my fair share of student film screenings)

Some will be dark and showcase the extraordinary inner angst through a series of moody images of people gazing sadly into the distance and walking slowly.

Some will be great stories well told.

Some will completely abuse the digital tools available in the editing software and apply filters and transitions all over the shop.

At least one character will die for every two films (and possibly more).

There will be at least two fairly funny Tropfest style one joke films.

Some of the films will appear to have been much more fun to make than to watch.

Some will be far more fun to watch than they were to make.

Small pockets of the audience will cheer, laugh and applaud disproportionately when certain films begin (and at key points within the film)

Hopefully all the film makers (I was going to quibble about whether digital video counts as film but given it's widespread use in the industry, meh, whatever) will:

A) Get a massive buzz from seeing their work with an audience
B) Learn something from their work and that of their colleagues which makes the next one even better.

Going to see short films is always something of a raffle but it's generally always worth it.

RSVP to 6207 4348 for tickets.
Films start at 7pm

Listening: Beyond - Dinosaur Jr

Soaring, varied, I like it but there's a bit of a sense that nothing much has happened in the world of music in the last 15 years and you're not listening to a contemporary album. Does this matter when it's done so well? You could argue that this is like saying Mozart would be better with some drum loops - maybe it's just irrelevant and I should enjoy it for what it is.

My knowledge of Dinosaur Jr is a little superficial but I saw Mascis (solo) supporting Sonic Youth a couple of years ago and he mopped the floor with them.

Nice article in The Age yesterday if you'd like to be brought up to speed

Update: Ok so I've been giving this album a good third listen while installing Firewire cards in a bunch of our lab machines and I think the penny dropped or something clicked but this really is a great album. I was a little concerned that a few of the tracks sounded the same as a few others but when you dig down and find the differences (and the increasingly impressive guitar solo noodling), it just gets better and better.

85%

Track by track:

Almost Ready (3.08) - Lively starter, wall of guitar, it's either as though we slipped back to the early 90s or Dinosaur Jr never went away



Crumble (4.04) - Reminds me of "Out There" from Where you been. A more low key song than the others and leaving a vague sense of beautiful sadness

Pick me up (6.32) - Returns to more conventional DJr ground but brings in some outthere whistly synth at points (I think) to keep the freshness up. Loving the guitar in this one, it's gold and has put the song up into my top 2 for this album.

Back to your heart (4.31) - The sound that a hundred mediocre commercial rock bands strive for and just fall short of - nothing wrong with it, just drags a little for my taste - although the solos lift it up a rung or two

This is all I came to do (5.21) - Lighter slightly poppier rock track, still great but perhaps a bit samey.

Been there all the time (3.40) - There's just something about J Mascis' voice that works, it seems like it was made to complement soaring, buzzing electric guitars



It's me (5.14) - Back to their old-skool electric sound - possibly a tiny bit buzzier than before - great solid DJr rock, best track so far on the album to my mind

We're not alone (4.35) - Another sad one, with a relative pop-rock jangle and another great soaring solo which puts this into my top 3 for the album

I got lost (4.37) - Shift to moody acoustic - what was I saying about Mascis' voice complementing electric guitars? I think I meant guitar in general (and evidently cello). Thinner sounding song but kept from starlet anorexia by a well balanced mix of sounds

Lightning bulb (3.45) - Moody, crashing rocker with a real sense of something looming over you and some eery/haunting guitar in the middle. I like it

What if I knew (4.01) - Ooh, moody - might have a new favourite track on this album, song of confused romantic angst and regret. Loving that guitar and the underlying riff.

Listening: Icky Thump, The White Stripes - track by track

Made to be listened to Loud with a capital L, Icky Thump is a welcome addition to the White Stripes body of work. It mostly sticks to their winning formula but adds a few shifts in pace and style to keep it interesting.

There is a reasonable amount of variety in the album, so if one track doesn't do it for you, the next probably will. (And the one after that)

85%

Track by track


Icky Thump (4.13)

A good rockin' teaser for the album and a great track in the White Stripes canon.
(YouTube clip at the bottom)

You Don't know what love is (You just do as you're told) (3:51)

Great angsty song of love

300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues 5:28

Cruel Sea vibe/riffs - very nice.

Conquest 2:48

Metal mixed with mariachi

Bone Broke 3:14

Ok rock track which any mainstream rock band would be proud to call their own but in this context it's slightly more filler than killer

Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn 3:05

Dainty rock - country fiddles, contagious melody, driving drums, some kind of bagpipe?, it's all happening here.

St. Andrew (This Battle Is In The Air) 1:47

Meg sings, hyperbeat, more fiddles and bagpipe, fascinated by this, a little mindblown

Little Cream Soda 3:42

More metalesque guitar but a great sound nonetheless, song of regret

Rag & Bone 3:45

Great dirty southern rock song and lyricism

I'm Slowly Turning Into You 4:28

Jaggerish tint to vocals, slinky rock, layered voices,

A Martyr For My Love For You 4:16

And into a ballad - noice, stylish use of soft loud soft,

Catch Hell Blues 4:14

Ry Cooder slide, another rootsy, Texas blues sound for a while, mutates into some kind of screechy butterfly

Effect & Cause 2:57

"Darlin' it hurts" (Paul Kelly) vibe in there so obviously a great song - stripped back acoustic bluesy number


Icky Thump on YouTube