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BRETT ANDERSON
brettanderson.co.uk ♥ myspace.com

Those who follows our W♥M Podcast, you'll know that between Sally, Kristen, and I, that we really, really love our Britpop music. When Suede burst on the scene, with all their hype*, I was a bit, what's the word? Resistant.

I eventually got over it when I heard Metal Mickey, a nice rock n roll glammy track with aggressive Butler guitars and Anderson's unique voice. The songwriting duo of Anderson/Butler did not last for long, and Butler's replacement, Richard Oakes, seems only a pale copy of the original. I think everyone knew that, and eventually, Bernard Butler and Brett Anderson got over their differences and re-united - but not as Suede... they were then The Tears. I think everyone was confused on how to interpret it at first (personally I think it's like tears/crying, not ripped/tear).

The Tears didn't live for very long, and by 2007, Brett Anderson releases his inevitable solo self-titled album. I never bought his solo stuff, because I don't think his music post-Suede's Head Music** were ever re-release or re-marketed to the US audience, so the few promo downloads that he's made available for free, I wasn't so impressed with. I remember thinking his debut solo album was trying to be orchestral (based on what I've heard).

Imagine my surprise when I got a chance to listen to a few tracks from his latest album, Slow Attack, officially via We7.com. It was all very operatic, almost minimalistic in its approach of piano and percussions. I did like that it brings out Anderson's voice loud and clear, but it generally made all of his music to be on the sadder end of the scale.

While I think one or two slow songs would be OK for a full length, all of the tracks I sampled were in that very similar tone. Kind of ballady and depressing.  I kind of miss the old Suede stuff. The only redeeming value is that at least, his voice isn't altered/over-produced as with Suede's Head Music and Coming Up.

I suppose, Anderson's much older now, wow you can see his cheek bones sticking out of his face... such a difference of imagery, from a time when mean-spirited fans were calling him "fatty" (we all kind of knew it was the getting off the drugs that was causing the weight thing... allegedly).

Anyway, if you were looking for the glory rock days, don't bother looking into Slow Attack. If you're a hardcore fan, chances are you probably own the limited edition anyway. The album will probably not be released in the US, as were all his previous releases. Import costs are generally cheaper these days, but expect to pay about $20 for an import album (Amazon is listing $19).

Brett Anderson is touring in 2010, so if you live in the UK, you can relive your youth days. If he were touring the US, I might leave my hibernation to see him. As you know, I've met the band before at a special "after-party", I'm sure he'll have no idea who I am.

* "Best Band in Britain" before releasing their album? Really, Melody Maker, really??)
** Suede's last album, A New Morning was never released in the US.

TRUE NATURE
truenatureband.com ♥ myspace.com

As you know, I also run a website on artist George Perez, and it's rare when my music and comic website mix. How does True Nature and George Perez cross paths, you ask? The cover artwork for True Nature's EP, Feels Like Centuries, stars actress/model Tonya Kay (with some artwork and directions from Glen Wexler).

Perez, through his associations with Fetish Con, have actually drawn Tonya Kay as a print, for Fetish Con's "Who's the Best Bondage Super Heroine?" contest. The original artwork was auctioned off for charity.

So, there's the connection. As for True Nature's EP, Feels Like Centuries, based on the cover artwork, it looks like they're also marketing themselves as somewhat of a spiritual rock band. I reckon if you like classic American progressive-type rock, you might enjoy this EP. Despite having only five tracks, the EP is "centuries" long (so long that it felt like a chore to get through). It's not that I dislike singer/songwriter, Lou Barlow's vocals, it's just really not the type of music I enjoy.

Their best track is the opening song, "Truth I Have To Steel (Simple Heart)", which started off strong and remain steadily so throughout the song. You can sample the entire track on their official website.

You can pick up Feels Like Centuries at CD Baby or Amazon. Although, not really my thing, I'm glad that there was at least a common connection for me.

Happy Holidays everyone!  Hope everyone out there is having (or had) a wonderful white Christmas. 

Me, not so much.  I wish I could say I've been having a good time, but it's not everything I had expected.  Somehow things that I thought were going to happen didn't.  Usually when things sound too good to be true, it most likely isn't good at all.  Funny how that picture from Thursday is so relevant to this post.

Some good news did happen though -- I got a job offer from a website as a video game writer.  Pretty simple gig, since it's basically the same thing as what I do here (lol).  Will it take away time from this blog?  Probably, but the good side of it is that I get to speak my mind a lot easier here then over there.

At any rate, Happy Boxing day!  Be careful out there; the weather's a bit nuts all over the place...


【2009年】 2ちゃんねらー達のクリスマス 【画像まとめ】:【2ch】ニュー速VIPブログ(`･ω･´)
Last year a group of otaku posted pics about how they spent their Christmas holiday with their 2D waifu -- welcome to 2009's collection.

ゲーマー達のクリスマスお祝い画像集:オレ的ゲーム速報＠刃
...yet even more pictures...

Canned Dogs » Blog Archive » Eroge characters comment on restrictions
You gotta read the comments in the script lol, so hilarious!

Kung fu monkeys beat up trainer | ZuZu Top
Too bad there's no video, this sounds absolutely golden lol

Seth: No guard crush, but SSF4 will be more offensive : News : EventHubs.com
Looks like Super Street Fighter IV might be getting a guard meter.  Only time will tell how it turns out for gameplay, but if it takes the turtling mechanic out of this game, I might jump back in it again.

2009's Top-Selling Blu-ray Discs in Japan (Overall) - Anime News Network
I've always wondered how well Blu-ray discs did in Japan.  Now I know that they're not doing well at all.  Just look at those prices...ouch.

2009's Top-Selling DVDs in Japan (Overall) - Anime News Network

DVD sales aren't that much better.  Can you imagine how much more they'd make if they actually reduce the prices and threw in more content?

Star Wars Weather Forecast « Tom Scott
lol, this is awesomeeee!

Reality Manga 4 - Worth1000 Contests

Was done before, but worth putting it out there again.  Real life pictures photoshopped to look like anime style = creepy.

Was playing on my Japanese quiz thing to kill some time when this gem of a question popped into my life.  Guess which one is the right answer?