The Music Banter Members' Journals Monthly Update Thread

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by The Batlord

I've loved Keanu Reeves for years. Everything he touches may not be gold but at least he has at least one line in almost everyone of his movies that is brilliant:

The Matrix - I know kung fu.

Point Break - Keanu's Boss at FBI: What do you have to say for yourself?
Keanu: I just caught my first tube today. Sir.

Hardball: I love it when they call me Big Pappa!


And I'm sure I could go on.

[Goofle]

"How's it goin', Frood-dude?"

[The Batlord]

Originally Posted by Goofle11

"How's it goin', Frood-dude?"

I don't think I've seen one of those movies since I was a kid. I miss them.

[Trollheart]

Happy new Year!
Well, after the festivities and the excitement of the Journeys last week (awards are on the way, honest!) we’re back to normal for the first update of 2014. Yay! And there’s been quite some movement, so let’s take a peek and see how your favourite journal authors have been ringing in the new year.

Briks gets the honour of kicking us off as he finally takes Manky’s recommendation on The Wrens’s “The Meadowlands”, and seems very taken with it in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...seur-cave.html. He’s also listening to Elliot Smith, which no doubt will please our 2013 Workaholic Award winner, Ki!

http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ening-log.html is coming along nicely, with entries on, among others, CoinLocker Kid, Strawfoot, Lonesome Wyatt and the Holy Spooks and Lana del Rey. If this keeps up you can make this journal your go-to place for checking out new music!

After returning in triumph last week, just in time for the final update of 2013 but sadly not in any position to be nominated for awards, James is getting his journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ove-stuff.html underway now, with a deep examination of the phenomenon of Arcade Fire. Like them or love them, you’ll want to read his words. A really great start from a long-missed member.

Someone who did win an award, and rightly so, is Junkyard Donner and she’s http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-tripping.html this week with a rather, um, colourful review of “Canyon candy” by Javelin.

The Workaholic is back! Surely he’ll slow down for 2014? Doesn’t look like it. http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html says Ki, and he means it as ever, with an examination of one-hit wonders (neither of which, I’m glad/proud to say, I’ve heard once. Radio? Ray-dee-oh? No, doesn’t ring a bell, mate! MT what?), a review of an album he’s been looking for for some time, which if he says it’s like Theocracy I need to check out, and some games he’s been looking forward to playing. And this all in the first few days of the new year! Expect a lot more, I’m sure we’ll all be blown away by his workrate once again. Chiselling your name on the 2014 award as we speak, man…

Oddly enough, our man Neapolitan, who has not been around for literally months, is back this week with the announcement that http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-journal.html will be starting up again and also beginning a new journal, very interesting idea as he checks out http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ut-albums.html. For once, I wish I had thought of that! What: five journals not enough for you, Troll? Well, now that you mention it…

Another welcome returnee is Plankton, who is giving us the latest chapter from his journey towards guitar herodom in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...um-bucket.html

while Powerstars is really doing it. Ladies and gentlemen, make your way to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html for Trollheart Rip-Off Month! I feel so special! Special delivery for Mister Powerstars: you’ve just been served! He’s kicking off by digging up that annoying worm I used to employ (does he know about the Daily Earworm’s hundred-dollar-a-day addiction, I wonder? And that unsavoury fling he had with my Stacey-Lynn? Hmm) and also reviewing RHCP’s “Blood sex sugar magik” under my banner of “Classic albums I have never heard”. Don’t think I’d consider that a classic myself, but hey, as he points out, this is his journal. Even if he’s using my ideas. Till the injunction kicks in that is…

And http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...all-music.html is back too! Yay! Screen13 is diving right in, with extended sections on Thomas Dolby and Modern English. Glad to see you back man!

Another journal coming into its own is http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...iet-grave.html, where Taxman is slowly learning the joys of Iron Maiden and prog rock, and looking at the Beatles’ classic “Revolver”, as well as his top albums from the nineties, with the likes of Nirvana, Flaming Lips and Ween so far. Sounds like it could be interesting.

Bringing us back to me. Now, I must admit that last week I did eff-all in my journals and that was understandable, given all the work I was putting into the review of the year and the awards. But this week I’ve really kicked it, haven’t I? Well, no. Fact is, I’m busy writing stuff for the http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html, which is quickly running out of material. So at the moment all that’s there for 2014 for far is some more Babylon 5 episodes while in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html there’s another entry in The Hook, as well as another Discovery, featuring the Riverdogs. Oh, and a review of an album by Arena. Sorry for such a paltry update, but as I say, I’m working behind the scenes and will be back to my regular multi-updates as soon as I can.

After running some top album and band lists from the seventies, and advising us of some changes to be made to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html, Unknown Soldier is getting closer to catching up with us all, hitting into 1980 with his typical hard and heavy style. 1980 is a year most of us metalheads have been waiting for, because of one six-letter acronym that means more to us than just about anything: NWOBHM. It’s bound to be an amazing ride in the company of the Soldier adn he starts us off with albums from Krokus, Scorpions and Manilla Road. Strap yourselves in! No refunds will be given and no responsibility will be taken for headbanging-related injuries!

With all the excitement about and attention focussing on the year in review and the awards ceremony last week, I hardly got a chance to mention one of the coolest new journals that only started last week. If you haven’t already checked out http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...who-thing.html do yourself a favour and go there now. Whether you’re into the series or not Urban is always a hoot and he has a way of putting things that makes me realise why he likes Charlie Brooker so much. Seriously, go and read it. It may not make you a fan, but I bet anything it’ll make you laugh. Currently he’s on the “worst ever” episodes, so it’s really hilarious, with appearances from Colin Baker, Peter Davidson, William Hartnell and David Tennant, and some great one-liners: “After three and a half episodes of pointless running around someone finally realises...
HEY WE'RE STANDING ON A PLANET MADE OF FUCKING GOLD,
LET'S USE IT TO KILL THE CYBERMEN” Urban, you’re the king. There is no other.

Though his last entry was on New Year’s Eve I didn’t include it in the update last week (probably wasn’t approved at the time, or I was too tired. Or both.) so let’s take a peek at what comes http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ta-coffin.html this week, with another Journey winner, William The Bloody, wrapping up his look at The Smiths and preparing to move on to something new and, no doubt, great.

And finally our mate Zero is also back, where http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-sound.html this time is looking at “Antenna” by Cave In. Interesting little writeup. Also lets us in on some of his favourite tracks from last year.

I’m still a little drained after last week’s efforts so no post of the week but I should be getting back on track soon. January is a time for making resolutions so why not make one to try your hand at journal writing? Few who do ever regret it, and it’s a great buzz.

Until next week,
Toodles!

[Powerstars]

Out of curiosity, have you heard "Blood Sugar Sex Magik?"

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by Powerstars

Out of curiosity, have you heard "Blood Sugar Sex Magik?"

No though my sister has it. I've never been much of a fan of the overly heated crimson things that go in chillis to be honest...

[Powerstars]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

No though my sister has it. I've never been much of a fan of the overly heated crimson things that go in chillis to be honest...

Didn't think so considering you hate hip-hop. In any case, it's older than some things in that journal (Like Elephant), so yeah.

[Trollheart]

I've had a bad week of drama (not here, another forum) and was unsure I would even feel like writing the update this week. In the end I got it done but there's no room for a snazzy intro, so let's just get to the meat of the matter.

Our walking rock encycopaedia, Unknown Soldier, has told The Batlord apparently that he should branch out, so he's surprising us all this week and in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.htmlhe's giving Heavy Metal a go! Okay, eighties compilation metal albums “Metal Massacre”, a period he says he knows little about. But still. Branching out? More like staying at home in the tree! Hey he's The Batlord: metal is in his blood! What do you expect? Check out his reviews of the three compilation albums and see what he has to say about the (ahem) golden age of Heavy Metal.

Hey! What is this? Rip Trollheart off month? Oh yeah, it is. Well according to Powerstars anyway, of whom more later. But now the Poseur is getting in on the act! Yes, Briks is heading down to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...seur-cave.html to rip off me and blame him. Or something. Anyway, he has a list of (ahem) classic albums he's never heard, so he'll be shooting the first one our way soon. Ah, genius has many fathers but originality is an orphan. Um. Yeah.

Butthead is back! Back from Banland, and hopefully he'll behave himself this time (cough) fat chance! (cough) and stay with us. Over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...therapy-s.html he's enthusing over his Journey Awards (well deserved), promising to behave and be “the face of MB rehabiltiation” (no, I didn't cough. Must be you) and talking about why Sunny Day Real Estate are not so great. Oh, he also advises The World Is A Beautiful Place And I Am No Longer Afraid To Die to shorten their name. I concur. Also, if you suddenly found the world was a beautiful place wouldn't you want to continue living in it? Ah, what do I know? All I can say is, it's good to have the frenetic avatar back again! Let's hope he stays.

http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ening-log.html is always going to be an interesting place, and this week he's listening to, among others, Caravan Palace, Bruno Mars and Alpine, the latter of which I need to move up in my queue. To about ninety, but closer to the top. Yeah, even I, with my boring mainstream taste, am being affected by the Goofle phenomenon.

Back hard at it for 2014 is Ki, who this week has more Christian Progressive Rock with Audiovisions, is talking about Opeth live, looking over his Christmas presents, listing reasons why 2013 was a good year for music and then reasons why it wasn't. He's also reviewing Myrath's “Desert call”, which he loves but which I was not blown away by. Already working on nominations for the 2014 award for hardest worker, our Ki!

His lady, then, is listening to The Sweet, ABBA and Sparks (who knew?) while cueing up an apparently “epic list” soon in her http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-memory.html

The latest to take the step of running two journals, Neapolitan has a tribute to the late Phil Everly in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-journal.html but http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ut-albums.html has yet to get going properly. A lot of interest though. Should be good, should not be rushed.

Powerstars is deep into “Trollheart rip-off month” and in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html he's tackling his first (and probably last) Psychic Album Review. Mind you, in the end he did a whole lot better than I did on my first effort! I haven't forgotten that journal, by the way: I will be returning to it in the near future. Sorry about that.

Screen13 has some random Ghost Mall music in the shape of albums from Cat Stevens and The Nice. Check them out at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...all-music.html

Taxman's journal is coming along, with another dip into his favourite albums of the nineties in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...iet-grave.html; this time he's looking at Blur's “Parklife”.

Bringing us to me, who has been less than his usual prolific self. And that's an understatement! Currently still writing material for http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html, so for the moment all I have there is the second episode of “Mayday”, while all I can offer you in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html is a review of Marillion's darkest album, “Brave”. Take heart though: I'll be getting back to normal soon, I hope.

1980 was a great year for metal with the rise of the NWOBHM, and Unknown Soldier is diving headfirst into this frenetic time of change and rebirth, with albums by Van Halen, White Spirit, Witchfynde and Samson, all in the usual place at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html . Ooh! Maiden gotta be coming up real soon! Looking forward to that one!

Another thing I'm finding I'm regularly looking forward to now, like most of Music Banter I guess, is http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...who-thing.html where his particular brand of humour really sells these episodes --- as terrible. He has another Peter Davidson one up this week. Go look at it. Now!

And so we're at the end of another update. I was going to do Post of the Week but considering we've just about exited 2013 and can still feel the breeze coming in the door as it closes, I thought this might be a decent time to try picking a Post of the Year. And although there were good and great ones, I really had no hesitation in picking this. It's short, it's to the point, it's poignant, it's brilliantly and cleverly written, and it doesn't even have a whiff of self-congratulation about it. Though it probably should. Ladies and Gentlebeings, I give you...

Originally Posted by Junkyard Donner

The Feeling Seller ... As Brought To You By Bell Orchestre

So I've been trying to get myself to do more creative writing. It's a hobby I had and employed at a much greater frequency in my teenage years, and something I've really been missing and needing to do again. In order to surmount the incredible amount of writer's block I experience, I've been giving myself prompts. Today I decided to revisit and album I adored a few years ago and see what feelings it brought up and whether or not they could be translated into a story of some kind. This is what I ended up with.

I do suggest playing the following song while reading, as my words are inspired by the music:

(Trollheart's note: sorry but videos aren't included in any extracts I publish. Steph's journal though is only a mouseclick away, where you can get the full experience she intended.)

The Feeling Seller[/CENTER]

The Feeling Seller stood at the intersection of Murphy and Lynch, twirling a thick cardboard sign he had designed himself that read “HAPPINESS® BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND.” In the window of his modest shop in front of which he stood rested against the fingerprint smudged glass a Help If Wanted sign. He was a successful man for a man in his trade, and the Feeling Seller’s integrity was a feature in itself that brought in loyal customers again and again. His patrons often requested Integrity® from the Feeling Seller, but were consistently sent away with a prescription of Temporary Disappointment® to be taken with a light dose of Pride® and a hot meal. In his integrity, the Feeling Seller was careful not to over-medicate: he took every case seriously and attached a great deal of import to his work.

There were people in the Feeling business of course, with less integrity than the Feeling Seller. These were people aptly referred to as Feeling Dealers. Feeling Dealers were only in it for the money, and would commonly, dangerously, prescribe their customers large doses of Positive Feelings without taking care to balance out Joy® or Contentment®, for instance, with Humility® or Melancholy®. Those customers tended to lack, on a general level, any Empathy® and would more often than not end up back at the Feeling Seller’s small shop where their Feelings, if repairable, would be returned to their respective default settings after being given careful amounts of Introspection® and Optimism®. The Feeling Seller knew the harm of giving a person too much of a good thing, and subscribed to the notion that less, especially when in regard to feelings, was more.

There's nothing more I can say. Why does this lady not write more? Why do more people not read it? Why why why?

Till next week at the same time(ish)
Toodles!

[Trollheart]

In a week where we found ourselves in Google's crosshairs and many smutty, sorry tastefully erotic avatars went to an early grave, my own included, Urban tried to lighten the mood by presenting his rebuttal (never a pretty sight!) in the form of http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...egetables.html, which though it wasn't really a journal deserves a mention for sheer cleverness and satire. So here is where I'm mentioning it. Other than that, what's been going on down at the new, improved, Google-approved Journaltown? Yeah I know, but it sounds good. It'll be Journaltown from now on. Look, it's either that or Camberwick Green! Okay? Okay. Journaltown it is then.

Anteater promised us an interesting series on an artiste a while back in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...n-dollars.html, and true to his word, he has delivered, in the shape of the history of ... Gino Vanelli! No, he did NOT invent the Cornetto! Get educated, for god's sake! Ant can help you, but only if you admit you have a problem...

As we anxiously await the reopening of the Batcave, its proprietor has lots of metal to listen to in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.html, where he's following up on those Metal Massacre compilation albums by dipping into the albums of those listed, including the likes of Third Stage Alert, Malice and, er, Warlord, whom he seems to have fallen deeply in metal love with. Can't say I feel the same...

One person taking the piss isn't enough it would seem, so now Briks is also ripping me off, specifically my “Classic albums I have never heard” idea. Well that's all fine guys: just watch this space is all I can say! Down in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...seur-cave.html he's looking at albums by Green Day, Jimmy Eat World and the one and only Number of the Beast, which I'm amazed he never heard before!

With the amount of music he listens to I've become firmly convinced that Goofle11 is the Devin Townsend of Music Banter. Or that he has clones running around. More varied selections this week in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ening-log.html with the likes of Jenny Hval, Antioch Arrow and The Teardrop Explodes among them. Hey, I remember them!

Hammering away in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html as ever is Ki, who at the moment is on something of a Tad kick, but also fitting in Daturah (?) and talking about Queensryche and my man Devin. Oh I should mention: he's decided to do features on bands that came or come from his hometown of Seattle, so that's kind of where Tad come in. Nirvana soon no doubt.

If you've been following the recent threads in the main section you'll know some people are making it their life's goal to get me into jazz. Yeah, good luck with that... Neapolitan is another one, and in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-journal.html he's very kindly provided some “Jazz for Trollheart”, which I will listen to once everything stops exploding I mean once I get a chance to slow down.

There's more ripping off of poor old Trollheart --- hey: imitation is the sincerest form of flattery they say! Yeah. --- in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html, where he has another Daily Earworm for you (why didn't I put a non-competition clause in that worm's contract? Or have him sign a contract?) and his first selection from “Run for cover”. Internet phenomenon, here I come. Probably not.

Screen13 has been a busy boy this week! Not only has he a review of Devo's “Shout” and a new feature on The Icicle Works in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...all-music.html but he's also opened his second journal, sorry third if teh Rare Singles one is still going, in which he's taking us on a trip through exploitation, horror and grindcore movies. Not in any way my scene, but if http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...reen-13-a.html is yours, then head on over because you know it'll be a great read.

I continue to lag behind the pack again, however I should point out that I am at present working on three major articles for http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html, not to mention tons of material for http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...c-emporium.htm, so my actual published output has been and probably will continue to be on something of a drip-feed for a while. Also, if you've been as I say following the threads, particularly this one, you'll know that the guys have managed to convince/embarrass/threaten me into trying out one of my least favourite genres, and from probably about July I'll be changing the focus of the second “Stranger in a strange land” to shine the spotlight on ... da da da daaaaaaa! Jazz. Yeah. That's what I said. We'll see what happens.

Until then, here's what's happening this week at the Playlist: there's another Roll of the Dice with a great band called Break My Fucking Sky, and another example of MUSH with Hazel O'Connor. Over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html there's the fifth episode of “Les Revenants” and more Frasier. I know it's been slim pickings there recently but be assured there are lots of new series due to start soon, and some more film reviews on the way, to say nothing of the odd other section planned.

That's it from me then for this week but as I say, watch out you rip-off merchants because the master is about to return! Keep watching the skis!

And so Unknown Soldier immerses himself deep in the metal of the NWOBHM, an exciting time as 1980 hots up in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html with albums from Triumph and Quartz. Ah,that sure takes me back!

Finally, http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...who-thing.html is shaping up to be quite the journal, even if he has only now realised the enormity of the task he's undertaking! Hey, think about me and my jazz odyssey later in the year man! Currently Urban is looking at some of the rather crappier robots and machines who “Could have been bigger than the Daleks”. But weren't. Obviously.

And now to return to that old favourite, my

and really, with the week we've had could it be anyone else?

Originally Posted by Urban Hat€monger ?

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LINK REMOVED COURTESY OF


LINK REMOVED COURTESY OF


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So that's us all wrapped up and snuggly for another week. Hey, it's getting cold you know! See you all back here next week for another update, when hopefully more of you will be coming out of hibernation as the birds begin to sing and the sun comes out ... sorry I forgot where I live for a moment!

Till then.
Toodles!

[Neapolitan]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

If you've been following the recent threads in the main section you'll know some people are making it their life's goal to get me into jazz. Yeah, good luck with that... Neapolitan is another one, and in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-journal.html he's very kindly provided some “Jazz for Trollheart”, which I will listen to once everything stops exploding I mean once I get a chance to slow down.

Till then.
Toodles!

I thought since you review everyone's journal, maybe you wouldn't mind “Jazz for Trollheart.”