View - De La Soul
Loop Daigakuin - DJ Kentaro
Hanare Banare - Clammbon
Chicago - Clammbon
Reflection Eternal - Clammbon
Linda, Linda - The Blue Hearts
Re: Re: Re: - Kuchiroro
Rat in Mi Kitchen - UB40 (oh yes...)
Fools Rhythm - Two Fingers
Stalker Goes to Babylon - The Pillows
81Summer - Uyama Hiroto
One Dream - Uyama Hiroto
Night Cruising - Fishmans
Hip Hop no Shyokishyodo - Kuchiroro
Pan to Mitsu Wo Meshiagare - Clammbon
Owaranai Uta - The Blue Hearts
PSG 1972 - PSG
Saturday, 26 March 2011
Friday, 25 March 2011
Reflection Eternal
Some of my better pictires from my recent trip to Japan. Overall, I was a little disappointed with the ones that I'd taken. But anyway, here are some of the best ones from Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kamakura put to Clammbon's cover of Nujabes' 'Reflection Eternal' with Yamazaki, Mino and Yamane from Toe...
Every 14 Days...(3)
Do the Right Thing (Ed Guerrero)
I’ve been meaning to get round to reading the BFI books relating to some of the more classic films of the world, looking at them in a more academic context. And so where better to start than my most favourite film that the BFI has published a book about: Do the Right Thing.
Being, as they are, relatively short works, the BFI books are ones that can be got through pretty quickly, before re-watching the film and looking for all those elements that you missed, that a more intelligent person spotted. Putting Do the Right Thing in the context of black American cinema, and the wider civil rights movement, Ed Guerrero’s account is a complete one, looking at all aspects of the controversial film.
Journeying through director Spike Lee’s tribulations in the film’s production and the wide criticism that the film was designed to incite racial violence, Guerrero doesn’t necessarily open any new doors to a film I watched repeatedly in my teenage years, but it does repose the question that the film’s title eludes to.
Days to read: 7
Days per book: 10.8
America (Franz Kafka)
The third and final of the three Kafka novels in my collection, I found ‘America’ a slightly easier read than both ‘The Castle’ and ‘The Trial’, though, ironically, I took my time getting there.
Charting the journey of Karl Rossman, a young German sent to America by his parents, and his inevitable trials and tribulations in his first moments in the ‘Land of the Free’. Meeting a host of characters that both help and hinder him along the way, Rossman soon learns that this land of promises can be short-lived, as opportunities present themselves, only to be snatched away as fast as they came.
Out of the three Kafka novels I have read, I would almost say ‘America’ is the most commercial, if there could be such a thing. Complete with paragraphs, ‘America’ is much easier to read and feels more about a personal journey than a struggle against the system. Though having said that, it is probably the Kafka novel I enjoyed the least; less thought-provoking than the others.
Days to read: 29
Days per book: 13.6
Audition (Murakami Ryu)
Having seen and enjoyed the Takashi Miike film it inspired, I thought it was about time that I read the book by Murakami Ryu.
Quite short in length, the book makes for a good holiday read: nothing too heavy and moves quite quickly The film is very faithful to the book, with the exception of some slight variation in the ending.
What is surprising is that Takashi’s film has a slow and sinister pace, with a large psychological element. The book, however, moves at a quite fast pace, with little of this psychological depth coming across. In many ways, the book almost feels like the script for the film, being that they are similar, with Takashi then given license to work his magic.
Less descriptive and flowing in style than his namesake, Murakami Ryu doesn’t exactly paint a vivid picture in the mind of the reader, but is a good enough storyteller, nonetheless.
Days to read: 5
Days per book: 12.4
The Big Bento Box of Unuseless Japanese Inventions (Kawakami Kenji)
When I saw this book, I had to buy it, answering, as it did, that age-old question: What is the art of Chindogu? Well, as Kawakami Kenji explains, a chindogu is an invention that could possibly serve some purpose and may indeed be proved useful to someone. However, a certain flaw or impracticality in the design makes it almost useless, but not quite. A chindogu has to exist (i.e. having been made), but cannot be patented or manufactured on a large scale, as then it would prove completely useful, and not unuseless, as a chindogu should be.
Edited by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, of all people, ‘The Big Bento Box...’ showcases some of the weird and wonderful inventions that come out of the Floating World.
Being quick and easy to read, I more picked this up whenever I needed a giggle. Highlights include: The Hydrophobe’s Bath Body Suit, Subway Snoozer’s Chin Stand, Face Iron and the Hairy Ego Booster.
Days to read: 29
Days per book: 13.3
South of the Border, West of the Sun (Murakami Haruki)
‘It’s messed up when your mind’s playin’ tricks on you,’ so said the Geto Boys.
I’m fast on my way to having completed all of Murakami’s novels now; a couple more and I’ll pretty much be there. ‘South of the Border...’ is far from his best work to date, on the surface feeling very similar to many of his works: A man struggles for identity, recalling his past loves while listening to an extensive array of jazz and classical music.
It’s very much a Murakami paint-by-numbers piece, but that’s not such a bad thing, and being that it’s short like ‘Audition’ before it, it makes for a short and sweet holiday read.
Feeling like a story full of too many convenient coincidences to start, towards the end we soon realise that the mind of the lost hero, Hajime, may be playing tricks on him as his past memories grow to obsessions, pressing him with important questions.
Days to read: 6
Days per book: 10.7
I’ve been meaning to get round to reading the BFI books relating to some of the more classic films of the world, looking at them in a more academic context. And so where better to start than my most favourite film that the BFI has published a book about: Do the Right Thing.
Being, as they are, relatively short works, the BFI books are ones that can be got through pretty quickly, before re-watching the film and looking for all those elements that you missed, that a more intelligent person spotted. Putting Do the Right Thing in the context of black American cinema, and the wider civil rights movement, Ed Guerrero’s account is a complete one, looking at all aspects of the controversial film.
Journeying through director Spike Lee’s tribulations in the film’s production and the wide criticism that the film was designed to incite racial violence, Guerrero doesn’t necessarily open any new doors to a film I watched repeatedly in my teenage years, but it does repose the question that the film’s title eludes to.
Days to read: 7
Days per book: 10.8
America (Franz Kafka)
The third and final of the three Kafka novels in my collection, I found ‘America’ a slightly easier read than both ‘The Castle’ and ‘The Trial’, though, ironically, I took my time getting there.
Charting the journey of Karl Rossman, a young German sent to America by his parents, and his inevitable trials and tribulations in his first moments in the ‘Land of the Free’. Meeting a host of characters that both help and hinder him along the way, Rossman soon learns that this land of promises can be short-lived, as opportunities present themselves, only to be snatched away as fast as they came.
Out of the three Kafka novels I have read, I would almost say ‘America’ is the most commercial, if there could be such a thing. Complete with paragraphs, ‘America’ is much easier to read and feels more about a personal journey than a struggle against the system. Though having said that, it is probably the Kafka novel I enjoyed the least; less thought-provoking than the others.
Days to read: 29
Days per book: 13.6
Audition (Murakami Ryu)
Having seen and enjoyed the Takashi Miike film it inspired, I thought it was about time that I read the book by Murakami Ryu.
Quite short in length, the book makes for a good holiday read: nothing too heavy and moves quite quickly The film is very faithful to the book, with the exception of some slight variation in the ending.
What is surprising is that Takashi’s film has a slow and sinister pace, with a large psychological element. The book, however, moves at a quite fast pace, with little of this psychological depth coming across. In many ways, the book almost feels like the script for the film, being that they are similar, with Takashi then given license to work his magic.
Less descriptive and flowing in style than his namesake, Murakami Ryu doesn’t exactly paint a vivid picture in the mind of the reader, but is a good enough storyteller, nonetheless.
Days to read: 5
Days per book: 12.4
The Big Bento Box of Unuseless Japanese Inventions (Kawakami Kenji)
When I saw this book, I had to buy it, answering, as it did, that age-old question: What is the art of Chindogu? Well, as Kawakami Kenji explains, a chindogu is an invention that could possibly serve some purpose and may indeed be proved useful to someone. However, a certain flaw or impracticality in the design makes it almost useless, but not quite. A chindogu has to exist (i.e. having been made), but cannot be patented or manufactured on a large scale, as then it would prove completely useful, and not unuseless, as a chindogu should be.
Edited by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, of all people, ‘The Big Bento Box...’ showcases some of the weird and wonderful inventions that come out of the Floating World.
Being quick and easy to read, I more picked this up whenever I needed a giggle. Highlights include: The Hydrophobe’s Bath Body Suit, Subway Snoozer’s Chin Stand, Face Iron and the Hairy Ego Booster.
Days to read: 29
Days per book: 13.3
South of the Border, West of the Sun (Murakami Haruki)
‘It’s messed up when your mind’s playin’ tricks on you,’ so said the Geto Boys.
I’m fast on my way to having completed all of Murakami’s novels now; a couple more and I’ll pretty much be there. ‘South of the Border...’ is far from his best work to date, on the surface feeling very similar to many of his works: A man struggles for identity, recalling his past loves while listening to an extensive array of jazz and classical music.
It’s very much a Murakami paint-by-numbers piece, but that’s not such a bad thing, and being that it’s short like ‘Audition’ before it, it makes for a short and sweet holiday read.
Feeling like a story full of too many convenient coincidences to start, towards the end we soon realise that the mind of the lost hero, Hajime, may be playing tricks on him as his past memories grow to obsessions, pressing him with important questions.
Days to read: 6
Days per book: 10.7
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Gamba Osaka vs Cerezo Osaka
Film of the Gamba Osaka 'Sledgehammer Bros' before the opening game of the J-League season. Second city derby against Cerezo Osaka, so they were in fine voice. Kept it up for about 90 minutes. Though not sure how many more J-League games there will be this season just now...
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