The screen cap in question.

Major Lazer-Guns Don’t Kill People, Lazers Do

2 of the whitest looking lads imaginable making sick Trip-Hop/Dancehall. Dj/Producers Diplo and Switch come together to make this beauty.

Track to listen to: When You Hear The Bassline

And So I Watch You From Afar-The Letters EP

Northern-Irish Post-Rock giants, the immense And So I Watch You From Afar. Their new EP, recorded on a couple of days off from touring and it really does not show. They’re playing Andrews Lane Theatre March 26th, with Bats and Jogging supporting, and I am dying of anticipation. Speaking of Bats…

Track to Listen to: S Is For Salamander

Bats-Red In Tooth And Claw

A bit of a deviation from their debut ep “Cruel Sea Scientist”, Bats first full length album is a beautiful marriage of Math Rock and Post-Hardcore. Even with 3 guitarists it doesn’t sound cluttered. Really looking forward to seeing them with the aforementioned And So I Watch You From Afar.

Track to Listen to: Shadow Fucking

Amusement Parks On Fire-Out Of Angeles

Thanks to Hobbit for turning me onto them, or should I say, him. It has really gotten me back into Shoegaze and has me going back and listening to M83 and My Bloody Valentine (of course). The track “A Star is Born” is fantastic, subtle synths play with the standard guitar, drum, bass setup of Shoegaze. There’s and EP that off-shoots from this album with the title track of “In Flight”, that has an amazing cover of MBV’s “You Made Me Realize” which is really worth digging about for.

Track to Listen to: A Star Is Born

My Bloody Valentine-You Made Me Realise EP

What can I say? If you haven’t heard My Bloody Valentine, please do. You Made Me Realise was one of their breakthrough hits, and the EP is my personal favorite of all their work.

Track to Listen to: You Made Me Realise

M83-Before The Dawn Heals Us

With the Shogaze and Post-Rock vibe I am currently on, revisiting M83 was the next natural step. A massive sound coming from a range of influences, the drone of glide guitar is obvious but not as obvious are the small details in every track. Easily re-listenable, every time you find something new.

Track to Listen to: Car Chase Terror

I have no idea what I was talking about, I mean I had some loose ideas but for the most it’s bullshit. I am “you” and my victim is “stranger”. Now, lets begin shall we?

In memory of Poe, Stoker and Lovecraft.

One day he was gone, I was heartbroken. I asked my Mam, she said that she tried to wash him and he fell apart. We did not speak for two whole weeks. Slowly I forgave her, though till today I still strangely miss him.

I told my girlfriend this story when we started going out. This Christmas past I opened my presents to find:

A teddy, while cute, I didn’t get it until I saw the tag;

I apologise for the poor image quality,  but as you can see it says “White Bear II”

Best Christmas present ever.

“X Factor winner Joe McElderry has said that his main rival for the coveted Christmas No1 slot is a “dreadful” track, according to a report.”

We all know Joe McElderry is known for not only his song writing skills, but his renowned critiques on music of all form. Yes, if you didn’t know that was sarcasm. Dreadful? This ignorant little fucks musical knowledge more than likely does not stretch beyond the liner notes on a Britney Spears record. I mean for fuck sake he’s covering a Miley Cyrus song, let that speak for his tastes.

“McElderry told The Sun: “They can’t be serious! I had no idea what it sounded like. It’s dreadful and I hate it. How can anyone enjoy this?

“Can you imagine the grandma’s hearing this over Christmas lunch?”"

“They can’t be serious!” That’s what I thought when people call McElderry an artist, he’s no better than a wedding band. As for enjoying it, it has substance, the people singing it have emotion invested into it, it’s a piece of art. As for the grandma comment. What sort of anti-social fucks are you that you have the radio on at Christmas dinner? I know poor little Joe cant write a song but I’m sure he can hold a conversation, or does he just quote other people? Also who’s granny gives two shites about the pop charts?

Joe said that he was unimpressed with the rock track and he stood up for his X Factor boss Simon Cowell.

He said: “It’s a nought out of ten from me. Simon Cowell wouldn’t like it. They wouldn’t get through to boot camp on The X Factor – they’re just shouting.

Joe once again showing his impeccable review skills. Little know fact; X Factor is the final word on all music.

“I think people are jumping on this to have a go at Simon and The X Factor rather than me. But Simon gives people a shot.”

He gives them a shot… at losing all their artistic integrity.

Joe also confessed that he would be upset if his debut single, `The Climb’, does not reach the top of the charts.

He added: “I will be really disappointed if doesn’t get to number one after all the effort I’ve put in to this and winning the show.”

Greedy, little, fuck! You’re lucky enough you’re not clearing glasses and giving BJ’s in the mens jacks on the side. As for effort? You didn’t write the lyrics or the music. You showed up, avoided having a cold and sang shitely… that’s effort? I wonder if in the morning he gets out of bed to take a slash or just lies in his own juices.

Fuck you Joe, fuck you.

Crimbo shopping is hard

Yamamori is my favorite restaurant ever

Blazers are cool

People who work in lush are too friendly

I love carrie

The Offending Tree. Excuse Cam-phone pic, couldn't find a decent camera with batteries.

It’s quite upsetting to see memories you thought you shared with others disregarded as if they meant nothing to them. To have my childhood treated like a polystyrene cup. I wont be home for many more Christmas, with school ending and college starting, I meet the stench of responsibility and duty. I will have no chance to turn these decorations into memories.

I guess it’s part of growing up, but I ask, is it too much to ask to leave, a sentimental fool like myself, the memories?

Is it?

8 (Somewhat) Amazing Alternative Christmas Songs

1. Blue Christmas~Bright Eye’s

Originally a country song, Blue Christmas was made a rock, Christmas staple when Elvis covered it. It since has been covered by The Beach Boys, The Misfits, Bon Jovi but Bright Eyes is by far my favorite

2. Is This Christmas?~The Wombats

Not much to say about this, but it is awesome!

3. Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)~The Ramones

You don’t get more alternative then The Ramones. Slightly punky with a hint of 80′s new wave.

4. Must Be Santa~Bob Dylan

The great eccentric Bob Dylan with a song of his new Christmas album “Christmas in the Heart” released last October. A Jew, releasing a Christmas album in October… enough said.

5. Hark! The Angels Sing~Weezer

It’s a played out gimmick, traditional carol played in a punk styling. The again it is Weezer, so it’s automatically amazing.

6. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)~Death Cab for Cutie

As with anything else Ben Gibbard has done it’s beautiful, heart wrenchingly so.

7. That was the Worst Christmas Ever~Sufjan Stevens

Folksy little tune about a rural upbringing with an abusive Father, at Christmas. I have a feeling that your family wont want to play charades afterwords.

8. Christmas Steps~Mogwai

Not necessarily a Christmas song, as it it instrumental. Nor does it have the slightest vibe of Christmas, but hey it has Christmas in the name. So I close with this offering from Scottish post-rock giants Mogwai

The question I pose to you is; What is your favorite Christmas song? Be it obscure or a carol.

I’ve been reading a lot of Yotsuba&! and I have to say it is the most adorable manga ever. It gives you a warm fuzzy feeling inside. No complex layered stories just simple every day happenings with a not so every day girl

So the strike isn’t on, the school hasn’t flooded and the Billy Barry’s weren’t on the Late Late Toy Show. Either someone’s crushing my dreams or the world is a darker place. In a world with an economic climate as stable as a bi polar bear (punctuate that to fit your own interpretation) we all need our simple pleasures, be it a lie-in, a couple of days off or watching some prats on T.V.

What are your guilty pleasures I’d really like to know so leave and aul comment below.

P.S I’ve really gotten back into last.fm so if anyone wants to give me an add click here

• Bleach boxset (Vol 1-21)
• Yotsuba&!  Vol 6&7
• Hellboy Library Edition Vol.3
• Hellboy Jr.
• BPRD vol.1-9
• Hellboy Talking Board
• From Hell
• Umbrella Academy: Dallas
• Crayon Shin Chan Vol. 1-4
• Buffy Omnibus Vol.1-3
• A Region free D.V.D player (or at least one that I can easily find a code for)
• Full Metal Alchemist Season 1; part 1&2, & Season 2; part 1&2 DVD
• Outlaw Star Complete Collection DVD
• Soul Eater Vol.1

EDIT:

• Deathnote: L save the world (the novel not the dvd)
• The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, complete collection Dvd