Indigo

If hardcore equates to praising everything the band puts out, then no. I'm with Noodleman, I preferred them when they were a funk rock band. From Flea's comments prior to its release, I was expecting a funk record. What we've got instead is the sound of a band struggling for direction. While on one hand, they've attempted to return to their roots by funking things up a little, it's totally counter-balanced by their insistance to 'rock out', and the result is a record every bit as dull as its cover. Frusciante needs to lay off his damn distortion pedals for awhile.

Agreed. It's the most generic, unchallenging record I've heard all year. In a word, mediocre.

I read The Times. It's delivered to my door everyday.

I've done a little more revision than you have, but I feel as if I'm in a similar position. I have a Politics mock tomorrow; let's just say I'm not looking forward to it. These next few weeks are going to be intense, but I'm just going to have to force myself to work. I think I might have to free my room of all its many distractions (TV, consoles, guitar etc.) so I can just shut myself in there for several hours each day.

I really wanted to see Flaming Lips, but tickets were sold out before I even knew they were touring. Hopefully next time.

I saw Sigur Ros in March, which was beautiful. I'm seeing Radiohead on May 12th at the Empress Ballroom, Blackpool.

Agreed. I think you need to achieve a little more consistancy. I've enjoyed some of the comics, but others have just seemed dull and predictable; and in this week's case, distasteful. Keep at it though.

I disagree. While New Right conservatives such as Thatcher may have been in favour of such an authoritarian policy, Cameron is clearly much more of a One Nation conservative, and hence it is quite likely that he genuinely does disagree with the policy. I have little doubt, in fact. Oh, and as for '97, the Tories had the slogan "Britain is booming, don't let Labour blow it".

An unlikely scenario, and even if the Labour candidate wasn't in favour of ID cards, it would make no difference. The bill has already gone through its second reading, and besides, a newly elected MP is very unlikely to rebel against their party. Party discipline in the Commons is too strong to possibly think about discarding party policy when you cast your vote. It'd be irrational. The only probable way the ID cards legislation is going to be scrapped is if the Conservatives are voted in at the next general election. For that reason, among others, I think I'd have to vote Conservative if there was a GE today. The Labour supporters who are dismissing the party under Cameron as "same old Tories" are very reminiscent of the Conservatives during the 1997 election campaign, who dismissed Blair and New Labour as "same old Labour", and we all know how things worked out there.

That's a very poor analogy. Put your politics aside and re-read his post, he's right, and it does make sense.

1. She's gone to sea / She's fighting for me / What bravery! 2. Secluded in a marker stone / Not only deadlier but smarter too, smarter too 3. The concrete broke your fall / To hear you speak of it I'd have done anything 4. Faith lies in the ways of sin / I chased the charms but I don't want them anymore 5. Yeah but nobody searches / Nobody cares somehow / When the loving that you've wasted comes raining from a hapless cloud 6. Listen to what you've got, and then you'll realise that it's nothing 7. There's misery in all I hear and see from people on TV / After their tea when life begins again, they'll be happier than me 8. Oh gotta see, gotta know right now / What’s that riding on your everything? / It isn’t anything at all 9. Dafunk back to the punk, come on! 10. Birdie in the hand, for life's rich demand / The insurgency began and you missed it

This thread needs a little sophistication.

I notice that the majority of the discussion here seems to be on the subject of graphic art. I have nothing against graphic art, but obviously there are many other creative mediums that it'd be interesting to explore. I pick poetry for this topic, firstly because I think it's quite an underrated art form, and secondly because it's quite accessible; I think it's fair to say that near enough anyone could write a poem if they put their mind to it. So, if we have any poets here, feel free to share your work and make constructive comments. For now I'll share what is probably my favourite of the poems I've written. Thoughts appreciated. ------------------------- Dusk to Dawn The mark of a lover, scribbled on the table A line through the dust, fingertip fray The static compliments those drooped shadows Exhausted, quiescent and sad Lost in the unknown of artificiality Lost in the silence of night The light-bulb would like to say hi A wish to spark, just this once The monochromatic canvas of early-hour Anhedonic, anxious and afflicted Subsistent in its world From dusk to dawn, nightfall to sunrise Gravity is pulling me I've an appointment with fantasy An adventure out of time An escape from reality The pattern on the lampshade casts its sweet farewell A sigh of relief greets my eye-lid's close Drifting in unconsciousness In her arms I'll stay Masked in bliss By starlight I'll stay Forever in her touch

Godspeed You Black Emperor! - The Dead Flag Blues The car's on fire and there's no driver at the wheel. And the sewers are all muddied with a thousand lonely suicides. And a dark wind blows. The government is corrupt. And we're on so many drugs with the radio on and the curtains drawn. We're trapped in the belly of this horrible machine, and the machine is bleeding to death. The sun has fallen down and the billboards are all leering and the flags are all dead at the top of their poles. It went like this: The buildings tumbled in on themselves. Mothers clutching babies picked through the rubble and pulled out their hair. The skyline was beautiful on fire. All twisted metal stretching upwards. Everything washed in a thin orange haze. I said: "Kiss me, you're beautiful -- these are truly the last days." You grabbed my hand and we fell into it like a daydream or a fever. We woke up one morning and fell a little further down -- for sure it's the valley of death. I open up my wallet and it's full of blood. Probably the most affecting monologue on record.

What's the fuss over analysts? It's not as if these opinions carry any more weight than those of your average forum poster.

Awful album cover. I used to be into the Peppers, but I think my tastes have developed and moved on since then. I'll occasionally give Blood Sugar Sex Magik a listen, which is still a classic, but Californication and By the Way have fallen out of my favour. Lyrically they're very very weak, and while Frusciante and Flea are consistantly excellent, it's hard to ignore the lyrical aspect. Kiedis' style worked well when they were a funk band, but on By the Way particularly it just seemed too random, shallow and nonsensical. I'll probably still give it a listen, but I don't expect much. I hope it'll be such a return to their roots that it'll turn all their new fans off, but I doubt it.

Damn right, the Captain Scarlet theme is the jazz. As is the Stingray theme for that matter. They evoke such nostalgic memories.

Coursework is a breeze, particularly GCSE. It's just the thought of it that's off-putting, as it can be very time consuming; especially if, like me, you're discontent unless it's up to the standard you know you're capable of. It does pay off though. As for the coursework vs exams debate, I'm partial to neither really. I like the fact that with coursework I'm not under much of a time constraint, so I have the liberty of being able to redraft and edit it until I'm satisfied. Although with exams I like how it's all over once you've left that exam room.

I'd withdraw an extra £400 from my savings account and purchase a Fender Blues Deluxe amp.

I'm expecting this to be good, but certainly not great. The comic's creator doesn't approve of the film, which is never a promising sign, and I'm sceptical that there'll be too much of a political slant.

I've always had a liking for Fantasia. It doesn't get nearly enough appreciation, despite being one of Disney's most innovative works. When you consider it was made as far back as 1940, its visuals are breathtaking. Ranging from the delicate to the explosive, and so surreal and beautiful. An audio-visual masterpiece.

I used to be solely a lurker, but over these last few weeks I suppose I've stepped out of my shadow. I like it here.

You won't be disappointed. My personal favourite novel, and just as relevant as ever.

I've been meaning to pick this up for awhile, but I've never quite got around to it. How is it?

Opening credits : Sigur Rós - Glósóli Waking up: REM - Get Up Average day: Modest Mouse - 3rd Planet First date: Weezer - Across the Sea Falling in love: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Modern Romance Love scene: Air - La Femme d'Argent Punch-up scene: Radiohead - A Punch Up at a Wedding Breaking up: Arcade Fire - Crown of Love Getting back together: REM - So. Central Rain (Acoustic) Secret love: Smashing Pumpkins - Soma Life's okay: Miles Davis - So What Mental breakdown: Godspeed You Black Emperor! - Providence Driving: REM - How The West Was Won And Where It Got Us Learning a lesson: Belle & Sebastian - Century of Fakers Deep thought: REM - E-Bow the Letter Flashback: Sigur Rós - Untitled 1 Getting Ready to Go Out: Flaming Lips - Suddenly Everything Has Changed Partying: Daft Punk - Around the World Happy dance: REM - Animal Flirting: Interpol - Take You On Cruise Regretting: Idlewild - The Bronze Medal Long night alone: Radiohead - How To Disappear Completely Death scene: Johnny Cash - Hurt Closing credits: Radiohead - Motion Picture Soundtrack