Billy Corgan
November 7, 2009
“God is just out my back door, yet I choose not to visit. I would rather sit alone and scheme on how to be remembered, on what more that I can do here to cement the evidence that I once walked these roads with you. It is a futile exercise. I know it is, and yet I persist.” – BC
Vincent Gallo – One of my favourite motherphunkers
November 4, 2009
“I’m clearly a small-minded person, with my own petty grievances. Hopefully, my work transcends my own petty grievances and small-minded nature. It’s best for me to remain small-minded on an emotional level and broad-minded on a conceptual level. It doesn’t matter whatever it is that makes me do my work. Neurosis, obsession, wanting people to like me, wanting my parents to feel bad for underrating me, making a lot of money, power, social status, wanting girls to like me or just to meet one girl on a job. All of this doesn’t matter as long as the work that I do to achieve these small-minded needs is a lot more interesting than me and my reasons for making it.” – VG
“Tribal Skank” Official Video by FR3E
October 21, 2009
Tuuuune!
Life – Jesus Christ lizard walks on water – BBC One
October 20, 2009
Basilisk lizard – or Jesus Christ lizard – running on water in super slow motion. Thanks to the speed of its feet it never sinks more than a few inches.
No Doubt – Hella Good
October 19, 2009
I miss Gwen. Come to think of it, I also miss Pharrell, hope they hurry up with the new NERD album… also miss Just Blaze, where are all my favourite producers???
Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Heads Will Roll”
October 19, 2009
Noticed slight similarities between motifs at the respective endings of both this video and the Kanye/Spike Jones mini-movie. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs were one of those bands I’d been meaning to get around to listening to for years and the singles from this album finally got my attention. I now consider myself a convert.
Florence &The Machine – Drumming Song
October 19, 2009
An apt title, reminds me of the opening track on Kanye’s 808s & Heartbreak. Good song, good video, boosted by Florence’s magnificent legginess
Manchester United: Front to Back
October 19, 2009
I thought a couple of months into the season was long enough to allow before I got to pontificating, pointing out the blindingly obvious, making outlandish predictions I won’t be held to, etc… in short, rehearsing for a career in TV punditry (I’m so much cooler than Graeme Souness).
Goalkeepers
Van Der Sar’s early season absence has been something of a mixed blessing. It has allowed for Ben Foster, seen by many (including yours truly) in the build-up to the season as VDS’s long-term replacement, to get a run in the side and show where he stands in comparison to the Dutchman. Clearly, Foster has shown he’s some way off. Terrible luck with injuries over the last few seasons and limited first team opportunities mean he is still very much a work in progress, and though he has shown glimpses of class, I’m not sure I’d back him to perform against quality opposition. His shot-stopping, distribution and command of his area are good enough, but it is his mental attributes, such as his decision-making and concentration, that will need work. He’ll need playing time to iron out the faults in his game. The big question is whether or not Lord Ferg believes his potential warrants patience and further first team opportunities. Kusczak remains a solid back-up option, if not gifted enough to consider for first-choice ‘keeper, and VDS was a reassuring presence in his return match against Bolton over the weekend. VDS is yet to decide if he will carry on beyond this season. I’d personally be happy for him to continue between the sticks, as I can’t see too many experienced alternatives (at least prominent ones) available in the transfer market. Perhaps, Gigi Buffon, although he’l be needing knee surgery soon and Juve might be reluctant to sell. Casillas and Julio Cesar are probably non-starters and most of the other candidates are too old or too inexperienced.
Centre-backs
At centre-back, there might be need for massive changes in the coming summer. Rio Ferdinand has made a few notable errors already this season and has struggled for fitness since leading the team to Champions League glory in 2008. He may have reached and passed his physical peak, or could just be in need of a run of games to sharpen up. The usually solid Nemanja Vidic has had a couple of shaky performances himself, although these might be chalked down to the inconsistency alongside and behind him in the side. After reports linked him to Barcelona in the summer, he is yet to be offered a previously muted new contract (he is on around £50k a week, along with the likes of O’Shea and Park, whereas Ferdinand earns more than double that and Evra is on £70k a week) and there remains a very real possibility of him making his way to Catalunya in 2010. Wes Brown’s fitness concerns have limited his appearances, but he remains a good back-up when fit. The one ray of light is that Jonny Evans seems to grow in stature by the game, and at only 21 looks a near-certainty to be a future club captain. While many have criticised Ferguson for letting go of the technically superior Gerard Pique, I believe Evans is a better defender, if not ball-player; well-suited to dealing with the pacey, physically robust nature of the English game.
Full-backs
As for the full-backs, Evra remains ever-present and is without doubt one of the outstanding left-backs in the European game. De Laet and Fabio provide promising cover, particularly going forward, but are likely to struggle against good wingers, although De Laet has shown very good tackling ability in his limited appearances. The one weakness to which Evra can be susceptible is his lack of height, as shown by the headed goals scored recently at Old Trafford by Wolfsburg’s Edin Dzeko and Bolton’s Matthew Taylor, both beating an isolated Evra to headers with relative ease. However, his non-stop running and incisive attacking play more than make up for this. At right-back, John O’Shea seems to have cemented a place. While a fully-fit Wes Brown is a better defender and Gary Neville’s reading of the game is more impressive, O’Shea is reliable, strong in the air and gets forward well. However, his positional play may have been brought into question by the wonder-strikes from distance scored by Andrei Arshavin and Craig Bellamy, for both of which the right-back may be seen as somewhat culpable for not closing down the space in front of him. Rafael, when fit, is the best player in this position going forward, if defensively naive, but I think if Wes Brown can recover the form of two seasons ago, he will be a strong candidate for the right back berth.
Central-midfielders
In central midfield, Scholes, Fletcher, Carrick and Anderson are all competing for two spots, with Fletcher seeming to be favoured slightly ahead of the others. Arguably the club’s most consistent performer over the past year or so, his energy, decision-making and the steel he adds to an otherwise lightweight midfield have been commendable. Scholes remains the best passer in the league, let alone at the club, but his contribution in terms of ball retention is at times overshadowed by his lack of pace, a liability when facing midfielders who close down well. Carrick, after a slow start, has had some impressive performances. A classy player, but something of a flat-track bully, as he can drift out of games against opponents who keep the ball well. this could also be held against Anderson, who is still adapting to the role of central midfielder and can be guilty of costly lapses in concentration. However, he remains the club’s most promising young player and is probably second to only Rooney in terms of his potent combination of technical, physical and mental attributes. He seems to perform better alongside a player who provides him with defensive cover (Fletcher or Hargreaves), providing him with attacking license. If Fergie allows him a run in the side, as opposed to the current persistent rotation, he could grow into one of the league’s more dominant midfield performers. Owen Hargreaves remains some weeks from recovery, but when fit will be a fantastic option, particularly when facing dangerous attacking midfield players.
Wingers
Ferguson’s return to an orthodox 4-4-2 formation has revealed the wings to be the weakest area of the team. While the ever-green Ryan Giggs is putting in some of the best performances of his career, Nani remains inconsistent, Park has barely featured and is probably more of a defensive force than an attacking threat, Valencia is still bedding in and Obertan and Tosic have not featured. The 18-year old wunderkind Adem Ljajic should join the club in January, but will probably need time to adapt, while tabloids have linked the club to Valencia’s gifted David Silva. His club could do with the money, although the player himself might not be so keen on a move away from Spain, particularly with the World Cup fast-approaching.
Strikers
Of the forwards, Rooney has been the stand-out performer thus far. his more advanced position has lead to more goals, but has seen him cutting a frustrated figure in some games where a lack of midfield creativity has seen him isolated up front, against Sunderland in particular. If he is to take on this role, it is important that he becomes a more consistent goal-scorer, rather than his previous tendency to score in bursts. He is a number 10 playing like a number 9 so that Berbatov, the actual number 9, can take on the second striker role and pull the strings between the opposition lines. The latter has started the season well, particularly as far as his relationship with the fans goes. The change of system and time spent training with the rest of the squad are benefiting his integration into the team. Michael Owen looks good value for the role of an impact player, although he has yet to impress when starting games. Always a striker who tended to score in streaks, he may struggle with not starting regularly. Macheda and Wellbeck will probably contribute some goals as the season progresses, although neither looks anywhere near a consistent match-winner as yet.
This is a good enough squad to win a Premier League that looks up for grabs, with none of the top sides defending particularly well. However, it is questionable whether United will have success beyond the domestic honours. Relying heavily on a 36 year old Ryan Giggs for midfield creativity might be risky in the Champions League’s latter stages and the recurring fitness problems of several of the defenders could also be a source of strife later in the season. If the likes of Hargreaves and Fletcher remain available and the main strike pairing are wrapped in cotton wool when possible, a good European run could be in the offing. However, Liverpool, Chelsea and the big two from Spain will take some seeing off when it gets to the final eight.
The Night Day
October 19, 2009
“We Were Once A Fairytale” – Kanye West Dir: Spike Jonze on Vimeo
October 19, 2009
Short Film from Kanye West and Spike Jonze. Quite sad, but at least he remains self-aware.
