Top Five 2-Minute Songs
Recently I made a post containing my Top Five 5+ Minute Songs and so I thought I’d go for the other end of the spectrum for this one, with my top five short songs.
There were a few less to choose from this time around but it was actually harder to pick from the ones that qualified, making for a pretty solid list overall. Hopefully you agree! (Again, play counts from my Last.fm)
#5
Song: Sorry OK Sorry OK Sorry
Length: 1:58
Artist: Fake Problems
Album: Spurs & Spokes / Bull > Matador EP
Plays: 126
#4
Song: Cold Weather Gear
Length: 1:31
Artist: The Menzingers
Album: A Lesson in the Abuse of Information Technology
Plays: 72
#3
Song: Escape from Capitol Hill
Length: 1:55
Artist: Broadway Calls
Album: Broadway Calls
Plays: 53
#2
Song: Pete Jackson is Getting Married
Length: 1:55
Artist: Less Than Jake
Album: Borders & Boundaries
Plays: 54
#1
Song: 9mm and a Three Piece Suit
Length: 1:56
Artist: Streetlight Manifesto
Album: Keasbey Nights
Plays: 108
I’ve also made a Spotify playlist containing the tracks above for your listening pleasure which can be found here. Suggestions for any future lists are welcome, as always!
‘Til next time.
This Post has an AWESOME Twist
Okay, so in reality it doesn’t actually contain any sort of twist at all (apart from this shocker, obviously) but that’s not the point. My issue here is that movies with a twist are generally made less good just by knowing the fact that there is going to be one at some point.
I find that people do often try to pitch movies to you on the basis that there is some world-redefining turn of events right at the end that makes the entire 90+ minutes before it completely insignificant. Those are often magical moments, don’t get me wrong. Its just that if I know its going to be there, it not only lessens the impact but can sometimes build it up to be something spectacular that it really isn’t.
It’s not just that, either. If you tell me there is a twist, I am one of those people that will, without exception, spend the entire movie creating scenarios in my head and trying to guess what the end will be rather than just enjoying the damn thing. I’m trying my hardest to not use explicit examples here so I don’t do for you what the same knowledge would do (or did) for me, but it’s fairly difficult so I’m going to use a single image from each. They should hopefully clue in those that have sufficient memory of the films but not give them away to those that haven’t seen them.
Movie #1 
So, you recognise the above if you’ve seen my first example. Straight away. This scene is right near the end and directly follows on from the twist in the plot (which is pretty brilliant, I can’t deny). I went into this movie, however, with people having told me previously that it contained one of the “best twists ever”. Guess what?
I guessed it. I’d say a good 20-25 minutes before the big reveal. There is a particular scene I remember that just plain gives it away when you know there is a twist there. I’ll say no more about it other than that my sense of achievement was heightened a bit later on when I was confirmed to be right, but that didn’t outweigh the disappointment with that exact same fact… that I was right.
Movie #2
Moving on, you’ll instantly recognise this movie from this single picture if you’ve seen it, and won’t have a clue what I’m talking about if not. But I can still make the point that I watched this movie for the first time not really knowing anything about it but it’s name and that it contained a particular actor (I’ve taken to not reading DVD blurbs since one the best plot developments in “The Island” was killed early by a simple skim of the back of the box).
I didn’t spend anywhere near as much of my time watching it trying to piece together what the ending would consist of and when it came, I’d had a suspicion of what was coming but hadn’t consciously formed the thought. The experience of watching it was so much better just for that fact.
I’m actually pretty certain the fact that I knew the twist was coming in Film 1 is one of the only reasons I rank it below Film 2. I know I’ve definitely mentioned how epic both of these twists are to people in the past and potentially flattened their viewing experiences, and maybe some people get more out of guessing twists than watching them simply unfold but I’m definitely in the latter camp.
It turns out sometimes it is better to blindly jump and not find out where you’ll be landing.
Top Five 5+ Minute Songs
It’s been a while since my last post (again) but I came up with a decent topic for a list and thought I’d roll with it, in between reading 101 different economic journals and textbook chapters. That topic is songs that last 5 or more minutes.
Sometimes I find myself in a bit of a zoned out mood (mainly on public transport) where shorter songs pass by before I even register they’re playing. That’s when I usually rock the lengthier tracks in my library – which are perfect because they’re typically more chilled out and allow you to just stare into the distance while you absorb them. This is my top 5 (play counts from my Last.fm):
#5
Song: Caribbean War Syndrome
Length: 6:11
Artist: Twin Atlantic
Album: Vivarium
Plays: 30
#4
Song: Convinced I’m Wrong
Length: 5:33
Artist: Polar Bear Club
Album: Sometimes Things Just Disappear
Plays: 69
#3
Song: Spanish Sahara
Length: 6:50
Artist: Foals
Album: Total Life Forever
Plays: 25
#2
Song: Grand Finale
Length: 5:06
Artist: Fake Problems
Album: Real Ghosts Caught on Tape
Plays: 153
#1
Song: 23
Length: 7:13
Artist: Jimmy Eat World
Album: Futures
Plays: 83
Once again, I’ve created a Spotify Playlist which is linked here if you want to check out any the tracks. Plus feel free to recommend others that I may not have heard, I’m willing to give pretty much anything a chance.
Top Five iOS Games
I decided that I have enough games and apps on my trusty old iPod Touch, so why not let everyone else know which ones I get the most enjoyment out of? These are my App Store recommendations for when you have 69p to spare and five minutes to kill:
#5 – Angry Birds / Angry Birds Seasons
Angry Birds just about pips another great series of games to the 5th placed spot just because I think it has a much wider appeal than Game Dev Story and its relatives. Although, I’d be surprised if you have an iDevice and don’t have this addictive physics-based puzzle game yet. Fling an assortment of birds with different attributes at evil pigs and then do it again… and again.
#4 – Tiny Wings
Tiny Wings, much like the next game on the list, uses a simple single-press control system to maximum effect and somehow keeps pulling you back for more. The aim of the game is to travel as far as possible by folding your wings in to dive to the ground between hills and valleys to propel your little bird faster and hence further into the air. An absolutely charming little game.
#3 – Jetpack Joyride
Jetpack Joyride is my most recent acquisition on this list and I think it throughly deserves its place, especially after keeping me glued to my iPod screen for 6 hours in total across the first two days that I owned it. It’s effectively a much better and more robust version of that simple side-scrolling helicopter game that everyone has played online at some point in their life.
#2 – Tilt to Live
If Tilt to Live was a boxed retail game not only would I buy it for its simple-but-effective visuals and gameplay, but it would also have the world’s shortest instruction manual – its title. You control a little white arrow and tilt the screen to avoid an ever-expanding army of killer red dots, with the aid of power-ups such as shields, freeze blasts, lasers and spikes.
#1 – Plants vs. Zombies
My number one with more than good reason is the excellent tower defense game Plants vs. Zombies. It sounds absurd as a concept – assembling an army of plants to fight back waves of zombies from your lawn (or pool, or roof) – but it works extremely well in practice. I dread to think how many hours I have spent on this thing, seriously, give it a try.
Like this:
Reading Festival 2011
Its been a while now since Reading 2011 ended, so I’ve had a while to reflect on my first ever festival and my verdict is… can I go every weekend please?
Arriving on the coach on Thursday and trekking miles (literally) to find a decent spot for our tent was a bit of a mission but after that we soon got to grips with the whole camping thing. So that is the only mention of that side of things I’ll include, this isn’t meant to be a camping diary after all. This is my highlights of an awesome weekend at a music festival so let’s get to it:
Most Disappointing Performance
I’m not their biggest fan in the world and had only heard a handful of their songs previously, but I can’t really put my finger on what exactly it was that I disliked so much about Taking Back Sunday. Maybe it’s just that their vocalist straight-up wins the “Person I Most Wanted to Punch” award. They were the only band of the weekend that I honestly could not listen to live and had to find another stage with someone decent on to kill time during their slot.
I was also going to find a clip of their set to embed here but just like their performance at the festival, the quality of any videos I could find was pretty dire.
Most Bizarrely Memorable Moment
I can’t remember exactly whose set this was during, possibly Jimmy Eat World, but a space opened up in front of where we were standing so people were wandering past as you’d expect. Now, a guy in a banana suit walking past you at a festival isn’t all that notable since it happens every now and again but this one was different. This particular banana guy walks past us and has an absolute moment of enlightenment when he and another (completely random) guy dressed in a monkey suit spot each other at the same time. What followed was one of those perfect slow-motion loving embraces you’d expect in a movie scene. Then they just carried on as if the last 6 seconds of their lives had never happened. Brilliant.
Biggest Surprise
Not being the World’s biggest fan of dance music I was a bit hesitant when my girlfriend recommended that we go see Simian Mobile Disco but after leaving the Dance tent afterwards I was definitely a newly-converted fan. So much so that my first trip to the pub afterwards had the jukebox rocking “Audacity of Huge“, a new addition to my iPod.
Most Magical Performance
Now this isn’t a unique occurrence in my life but there is just something about Frank Turner solo performances with an entire room full of people singing along that makes you feel like there is hope for the human race after all. His “secret show” on the Lock-Up stage was classic Frank, another electric performance in front of his true fans, complete with many of his older songs and a guest appearance by Chuck Ragan. The only disappointment is that the crowd wanted them to play a Billy Bragg song over Chuck’s song “The Boat”, I’d have killed to hear that duo sing that song live.
Best Overall Performance
I’ve been a fan of theirs for years now but had never really gone out of my way to see them live, and had pretty much resigned myself to never seeing them… until Reading gave me the opportunity. The band I’m on about? The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Their set had everything I wanted and certainly a lot more than I expected from the Skacore veterans – tons of energy and by far the friendliest atmosphere of the entire weekend. Their most famous song “The Impression That I Get” may have been amazing but for me their best song of the night was one I hadn’t even heard before. It was my highlight of an epic weekend and is the perfect way to finish this blog, so until next time… This is All Things Considered.
Top 10 UK Theme Park Rides
Having now been to Drayton Manor, Alton Towers and Thorpe Park and going on absolutely everything each one has to offer (most multiple times) I feel like I’m in a decent position to make this kind of list. I may not have been to Chessington World of Adventure or Legoland but to be honest hardly anything at any of those looks that interesting anyway. Even those that do seem alright just look like close replicas of rides at other parks. Flamingo Land is the only one where I may be missing out on something with a few big rides that look like they might change my mind on this Top 10.
Despite not having visited everywhere, the parks I have been to all provide a fantastic day out but the question answered here is: which of those has the best individual ride experience?
10. Storm Force (Drayton Manor)
Kicking off the list is what I consider the best water ride in the country. It lasts a bit longer than the main competition due to its backwards drop and doesn’t quite get you as wet as Tidal Wave at Thorpe Park which really is a case of “you may as well jump in the water” – you seriously come off it that wet. Storm Force may have been the ride that drenched my suede shoes but I still love it.
9. Oblivion (Alton Towers)
Of course no water ride is going to match a proper thrill ride though, so this is where the list really begins with Oblivion at Alton Towers. This ride is a pure one-shot thrill as it just consists of hauling you up a huge ramp and then dropping you off the other side a matter of seconds later. I actually think the journey up is scarier than the drop on your first time due to the anticipation of what is to come but that’s not what it is all about for me. In terms of fun factor and the view from its peak Oblivion is a top-quality ride, not to mention it being pretty wide so you can get some potentially epic group photos on it. This is only denied a higher spot due to it being over too quickly considering the queue.
8. Stealth (Thorpe Park)
Stealth is another one much like Oblivion where it is over in a flash but you can still walk away satisfied after queuing for over an hour. This is a ride where you have to see it up close to appreciate the scale of it – it does 0 – 80 mph in less than two seconds before rocketing you up and over a huge 205ft arch. If speed is your thing this is the one for you, plus it is effectively just a more exciting version of Rita from Alton Towers.
7. Saw: The Ride (Thorpe Park)
I starting queuing for Saw not really expecting too much, just from the general history of anything that is a movie tie-in. What I got, however, when I finally stepped onto it was something that I didn’t really expect at all – a fantastic rollercoaster with elements of many others rolled into one compact ride. It has a dark section, water and air jets, plenty of corkscrews and a great more-than-vertical drop which combine for an experience I wanted again as soon as I came off it – not something that can be said for the underwhelming live action Saw maze.
6. Nemesis (Alton Towers) / Nemesis Inferno (Thorpe Park)
I have decided to group these two together since they are effectively one and the same ride, with the few differences they do have not enough to boost one above the other in my estimations. The Alton Towers version was one of the first real rollercoasters I went on and it became an instant favourite with its knotted track and outside-loop providing one hell of a fun ride. You won’t be able to see much from either of these rides due to their rapid, twisting nature but they’re some of the best you’ll experience anywhere.
5. Air (Alton Towers)
I don’t think anyone can come off Air without having an awesome time, even those who hate rollercoasters or are terrified at the thought of them. It is such a nice ride – it lasts for a while, has the most comfortable harness ever and is the closest you’ll ever come to achieving flight with the upside-down part where you’re staring up at the sky for a second or two being a particular highlight. Plus it really is a ride that is worth queuing that little extra time to get in the front row, which can’t be said of many others.
4. Maelstrom (Drayton Manor)
I have been on so many pendulum rides now and none of the others quite match the feeling that you get on this one. I think it is just the fact that Maelstrom is an outwards-facing variation that seemingly hurls you towards the sky that sets is apart from many others which just have you staring at an overweight woman opposite you for the entire time you’re on it – after they’ve finally managed to secure her harness, that is.
3. Colossus (Thorpe Park)
Colossus is the best rollercoaster I’ve been on, its as simple as that. It doesn’t do anything special but it is as perfect an example of a classic rollercoaster as you’re going to find. It has loops and corkscrews galore, lasts a lot longer than most others I’ve been on, and while it may not be the fastest or most spectacular ride ever but it is almost certainly one of the most fun.
2. Apocalypse (Drayton Manor)
The first time I went on Apocalypse I was still pretty young and didn’t fully appreciate or enjoy it because I was still really scared of heights – and my God this thing is tall. When you’re on it you just seem to be ascending forever but when you reach the top the very few seconds that you get to absorb the view are spectacular – That is before you plummet back to the ground and have your picture snapped in the process. If you’re brave enough I’d definitely recommend the standing-up seats without a floor, they really are so much better.
1. Ripsaw (Alton Towers)
When you’ve experienced Ripsaw in the dark on Halloween several times consecutively it really is impossible to not consider it your favourite ride. Being spun in two different directions at the same time with the light in front of the seat shining up at you, and then being suspended face-first over water jets is something I don’t think I’ll be able to forget. Ripsaw is an amazing ride and it’ll take something phenomenal to knock it off my top spot – but the new “Swarm” ride that opens next year at Thorpe Park could just do that, only time will tell.
There you have it then, what I consider to be the best 10 UK Theme Park rides! But whatever you think of the list, there is no doubting which ride is the best for pictures…
Premier League Prediction 2011-12
Having just put the finishing touches on my fantasy football team for the upcoming season (until the inevitable transfers and injuries at least) I feel like its an appropriate time to attempt to predict what is going to happen in the 2011-12 Premier League. I’m going to give my thoughts on how I think the final table will look as well as a bunch of other random stuff, so let’s jump straight in with the top half of the table and work our way down…
Champions League (1st – 4th)
I think this season could be a very interesting one in terms of the title race (for once) with quite a few teams shaping up to potentially lift the trophy come the end of the 38th match. I think the four main teams in it this year will be the obvious favourites Manchester United and Chelsea and the significantly strengthened forces of Liverpool and Manchester City. Of course it could go either way with the latter two depending on how new players settle and merge into the team but I think they will both have very strong seasons. At the end of the day though (and as much as I hate to say it) I can’t really see the other teams I’ve mentioned quite knocking the established might of Man United off their perch this season. This is my top 4:
1st Manchester United
2nd Manchester City
3rd Chelsea
4th Liverpool
Europa League (5th – 8th)
I know not all teams in these positions qualify, but I think it will mainly be the teams that finish in 5th-8th that will have been contesting for that spot in Europe. You’ll notice that Arsenal haven’t got a mention yet and that is mainly due to the possible imminent departure of two of their star players and their sheer inconsistency. If Fabregas and Nasri do leave then I think they’ll just miss out on the top four this year but still have enough quality to keep Tottennham off 5th place. Just following them will be two teams that will have put up a good fight throughout before tailing off at the end of the season – Everton, who always perform under David Moyes, and Sunderland who have made some great additions to an already strong team for a little bit of depth that will push them up the table:
5th Arsenal
6th Tottenham Hotspur
7th Everton
8th Sunderland
Mid-Table (9th – 14th)
The least interesting part of the league table come the end of the campaign – that clogged middle bit where the inseparable teams squabble over that one point or goal difference that will cause them to swap places. It is generally the same kind of teams that end up in these 6 slots each year, with one or two surprises thrown in (or out). It’s impossible to guess the order this group will end up in but my best guess is something along these lines:
9th Aston Villa
10th Stoke City
11th Fulham
12th West Bromwich Albion
13th Newcastle United
14th Wolverhampton Wanderers
Relegation (15th – 20th)
Of course the relegation battle will involve half of the teams in the league, and not just these six but it is generally the teams that finish near the bottom that will have been down there all season with just the odd exception. I don’t think any of the teams from 12th downwards are truly safe this season, but it is the remaining six that are the most likely to suffer the drop. Bolton are only as low as they are due to the departure of Elmander, the return of Sturridge to Chelsea and injuries to Chung-Yong Lee and new boy Tyrone Mears. If they don’t find suitable replacements then I think they could struggle this season. QPR pick up the distinction of being the highest-placing newly promoted team and the only ones to avoid immediate relegation. As for Wigan, well, they pulled it off last season didn’t they? Although this time round they’ll have a bit more of a task on their hands after losing Charles N’Zogbia to Villa.
15th Bolton Wanderers
16th Queens Park Rangers
17th Wigan Athletic
18th Norwich City
19th Blackburn Rovers
20th Swansea City
Sorry Norwich, Blackburn and Swansea fans, but I don’t think you’ll have much to celebrate come the end of the season.
Misc. League Predictions
Top Scorer: Carlos Tevez (Manchester City, if he stays). Failing that, then: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
First Manager Sacked: Steve Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
Cup Winners
FA Cup: Chelsea
Carling Cup: Manchester City
Champions League: Barcelona
That is that then, sorry about the spoilers but with my legendary powers of prediction there is no chance that any of the above is wrong. Probably.
