Cradlesong

A few years ago Rob Thomas released a cracking solo album called Something To Be that was so good many thought it spelled the end for Matchbox 20.
Great pop/rock songs like Lonely No More, This Is How A Heart Breaks, Ever The Same and the title track suggested Rob Thomas was about to become the next George Michael or Jimmy Barnes and break away from the group that made them famous.

With the release of Cradlesong it seems the future of Matchbox 20 is secure because Rob Thomas has produced a handy, passable follow up that will knock nobody off their feet. I'm a fairly decent fan of Matchbox 20 and Rob Thomas and I liked Cradlesong but I could quite easily put it away and go back to Something To Be.

One problem for me is that the lead single and first song Her Diamonds is pretty annoying. It is a bit catchy but I simply don't like it. Fortunately the third track Give Me The Meltdown is much more like it and leads to a few decent songs. Still Ain't Over You is in contention for best song on the album and the title track and finale Getting Late are excellent and wind up the record well.

If you're a fan you will like it but wonder why he didn't do better. It's almost like he tried to be too laid back and introspective (on some songs) whereas Something To Be had a bit more guts.

I hope it is an album that grows on me, as some do, but even if it does it is still a poor cousin to his debut solo record.

So Rob it's either back to Matchbox 20 or to the drawing board for the solo stuff mate. Cradlesong is nice and has its highlights but you can to a whole lot better than this.

How to win $1 million in style

If you haven't seen this clip it is worth a watch.
I don't know if I could be as composed, or as brazen I might add, as this guy but it makes great television.

The Listener

Every now and then you find a new TV show that's a cut above the drivel the networks serve us up.
Mostly, sadly for us Aussies, to watch the quality stuff you have to rely on the internet. So it is with the Canadian drama The Listener which although it is not a new concept caught my attention in one episode.
Toby Logan (Craig Olejnik) is a mid-20s paramedic who, through something he sees as a curse, can read minds. Only one person, his childhood counsellor, knows of his ability.
With his past somewhat cloudy, Toby starts to see his ability as a gift and seeks to help people (he really does pry quite a lot into things ambos probably don't ever go near).
It's not the concept that makes the show appealing but the characters and certainly the lead, who I have never heard of before.
So far 13 episodes have been produced and it has apparently been picked up by NBC in the States for the summer. It will be interesting to see how it goes, since I am only in the early stages at the moment.

`Head in the sand'

Yesterday I met a guy called Scott.
From what I can tell he'd be in his early 20s and he seems just like anyone else.
I met Scott at a seminar about IBD.
What struck me about him is, just as I said, he appears your average inner-wester, he seems happy.
He also has IBD, not the same as me but not entirely different.
He was there because, in his words, he has his `head in the sand' about it and thought it was a good idea to hear a few experts speak on the topic.
I was there for somewhat similar reasons although I can't get away with saying I've been ignorant because that is far from the truth. If anything I'm a little too informed.
We had a bit of a chat and during it I think something clicked for me.
Here's a young guy who, despite admitting to his ignorance about his condition, has been living life as best he can.
It occurred to me that I hadn't been and today I felt pretty good about myself. All the negative emotions are really not helpful and when they are around things seem to spiral out of control.
I'm not saying I am going to stick my head into the sand and ignore everything but at the same time there is merit in doing it occasionally, in a way.
Before I left I gave Scott a business card (I can't believe I actually had one on me because there have been many times when one would have come in handy and I was out of them) in case he wanted to get in contact. I don't expect him to though (and said that).
The good thing is I learned something by meeting Scott, and I wouldn't have if I didn't go along.

Chance meeting

I don't know whether it is significant or not but today I bumped into a guy I hadn't seen in maybe four years since he left church.
Funny thing was, initially I didn't remember his name. It was on the tip of my tongue but I just couldn't place it. Fortunately we had a bit of a chat and a coffee (well he had the coffee) and when ordering it they asked his name. Bingo, and it saved me a bit of embarrassment.
Ever seen the movie Sliding Doors? Well had I not caught the train I did this afternoon I would have arrived at the shopping centre 20 minutes later than I did and would not have bumped into him. I don't know if that is a significant thing or not. But it was odd after so long.

Winter blues

For a few weeks I've been feeling a little lower than normal. It's not depression but a lot of the time I'd describe myself as a bit negative.
And it is getting to me.
It is clear to me that the biggest issue I have is that I worry too much and that is a big part of this lower mood as I tend to allow what most people would deem minor things become potentially major. Mountains and molehills and all that.
This became apparent yet again today as I felt crummy for most of the day and spent too much time and energy over analysing what was going on.
I'm far too sensitive to what the body is up to and as a result the imagination starts running. I wish there was a button I could push that will stop the times of worry.
I know that it is a battle I have to fight harder, to condition myself not to get caught up in `what if' and everything else that goes with it.
Is it as easy as saying to yourself `I won't worry today' or something to that effect? Like everyone else I want an easy fix but I realise it ain't going to happen like that. They don't call it the hard way for nothing!

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

To the surprise of everyone, Transformers was a massive hit and rightly so because it absolutely rocked.
Sadly, Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen comes in a disappointing second as someone forgot to hire an editor to keep the film flowing.
While the original film was fast paced, tongue in cheek and packed with action its sequel is high on the action but low on the editing and as a result we have an overly long movie that lags far too often.
It is also childish in its humour, largely, as opposed to laughing at itself.
Now that I've said that you'll think I hated the film. I didn't hate it, I just didn't enjoy it as much as I expected and it definitely didn't live up to the hype.
Like the first film, the best thing going for it is its lead Shia LeBeouf as Sam Witwicky. His presence is what holds it together and what helps it later in the movie when he finally becomes the human focus. Megan Fox provides the eye candy and, sadly for her, she is reduced to just that as she is stuffed into short shorts and tank tops and asked to do a lot of running. Yeah we were all drooling, and that's what they were going for, but geez.
I thought the sidekick Leo had potential but he turned into a wimpy, blubbering mess midway through and that wasn't funny. His focus on his groin was pretty amusing though.
Of course, being Transformers, the story revolves around the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons and the writers went ahead an confused us right from the start by introducing the character called The Fallen and not explaining him nearly enough. Some of the new robots are either annoying (the twins) or just plain weird.
We're taken from prehistoric times when he landed on earth to him holed up near death on some outer planet waiting for the energy source he needs to be found. Hello? We need continuity people.
When things did get going it was great action and even though it did wind up pretty quickly (as opposed to taking forever to get going) there was some redemption. But at 150 minutes they were pushing it.
Hopefully when Transformers 3 comes around they can produce something slick like the original and not rushed like this second outing. My advice, lower your expectations. It gets a 7 out of 10 - the original got an 8.5 from me.

My top 5 Michael Jackson songs

Like most people around the world I reacted to the news of Michael Jackson's passing with a fair amount of shock.
But, and I wonder if this is a different thought to others, it's because he was one of those personalities you thought would be around forever. Some people, above the rank of celebrity, seem immortal. Princess Diana was one of those.
So in honour of the King of Pop, these are my favourite Michael Jackson songs. They may not be his biggest sellers or signature tunes but I reckon they were supreme anthems.

5. Man In The Mirror
A haunting memory from my high school days, this song is actually quite inspiring. If you want to change things start with yourself, a great message.
4. Smooth Criminal
I'm not exactly sure to this day what the song is actually about but it is so infectious.
3. You Are Not Alone
This song is a perfect example of what he was capable of, a perfect ballad. It's heartfelt and moving and I never tire of hearing it.
2. Come Together
While the Beatles version is excellent I think this is one of the few covers that surpasses the original. What he did to this song was give it the guts it needed, the heavier sound. It's also the only song I have sung karaoke more than once.
1. Give In To Me
Dangerous was the first CD I ever owned and this song was always the standout. With Slash on the guitar, this song also has guts and a sound that makes me want to scream out the words. The video clip is awesomely cool as well.