The Wake, Perfumes And Fripperies. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

The magician will allow you a sneak peek at the illusion they have prepared for you to be entranced by, the artist will refuse you even a cursory glance of their work in progress until they are quite sure that light and truth is perfect alignment, and the guests at The Wake will throw a party whilst the casket is fully open; in this overflowing titbit are we offered the full experience of the Perfumes and Fripperies to which life is seen as both a joy and a reconciliation.

The Wake, Perfumes And Fripperies. Album Review. full post

(391 words, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)

Never Let Go. Film Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * *

Cast: David Oyelowo, Storm Reid, Mykelti Williamson, Alfred Molina, Brian Tyree Henry, Shinelle Azoroh, Byron Mann, April Grace, Omar Leyva, Sarkis Ninos, Ray Barnes.

The concept of Time travel is one that is not new to film audiences, by its very nature it allows us to ask what if?, it permits the cinematic voyeur to believe they can find a way to change a traumatic event into one of benign occasion, and yet for some unfathomable reason, there are those that still find way to build up a story which revolves around the novel way in which it is applied, to make the situation one of consequence and incident, and turn it on its head and deliver a tame, if not submissive, ending.

Never Let Go. Film Review. full post

(470 words, estimated 1:53 mins reading time)

Aaron Ellis, Desolate Days. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

These are days of wonder and spiritual emptiness rolled into one giant ball of unforgiving sense of isolation and barrenness which is hard to contend with, even harder to reconcile and comprehend. In such times we must take every opportunity to beat our breastbone and keep the heart going, to undertake acts of compassion, to feel the warmth of anger, for whilst there is art, hope and the sound of a muscle moving underneath our ribs, then there is every chance the days ahead will clear and reveal we can live with Desolate Days.

Aaron Ellis, Desolate Days. Album Review. full post

(391 words, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)

Playing With Fire. Film Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 3/10

Cast: John Cena, Keegan-Michael Key, John Leguizamo, Brianna Hilderbrand, Dennis Haysbert, Judy Greer, Tyler Mane, Paul Potts, Christian Convery, Finlay Rose Slater.

You can create great drama out of a crisis, you can get the point across of how vital the emergency services are in an insightful way, and you can also give the audience pleasure in seeing how brave and dedicated people react to moments that are away from the front line, the off duty moments, the private instances in which the guard is allowed to briefly be put down, yet to make a full feature comedy, one that has three great supporting actors to whom the genre is engrained, widely misses the mark of what should pass for idea, the presence of the comedic style.

Playing With Fire. Film Review. full post

(452 words, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

Barbara Dickson, Time Is Going Faster. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Everyday we are reminded that Time is leaving us behind in its wake, we might hang on to its digital coattails, we might keep up with it until we start to lose breath, patience or our heart demands we slow down, but in the end, Time finds ways to pursue a different beat to which we cannot fathom the tune, that Time Is Going Faster should be understood, recognised and held onto for as long as humanly possible.

Barbara Dickson, Time Is Going Faster. Album Review. full post

(428 words, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)

Kris Drever, Where The World Is Thin. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The unrest of the soul is universal, we have become damaged, we have declined in our ability to strive unceasingly and make good a promise to keep the planet we live on safe from harm; if neglect was not a wicked enough a crime to commit, to wilfully create disorder, eco chaos and a sickness of self, then to seek out the place Where The World Is Thin and dismiss the atmosphere as delicate, is missing the point, for where the world is thin, then strength of purpose is redoubled, renewed and amplified so that all may hear the declaration of intent.

Kris Drever, Where The World Is Thin. Album Review. full post

(403 words, estimated 1:37 mins reading time)

Des. Television Review.

Cast: David Tennant, Daniel Mays, Jason Watkins, Alex Bhat, Ron Cook, Gerard Horan, Jay Simpson, Ben Bailey Smith, Barry Ward, Bronagh Waugh, Ross Anderson, Oscar Garland, Cal MacAninch, Joel Morris.

If murder is the most despicable of all acts, then where does the publicising of the manner of execution, of slaughter, sit in the national conscious?

Des. Television Review. full post

(703 words, estimated 2:49 mins reading time)

Nora From Queens. Television Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Awkwafina, Lori Tan Chinn, BD Wong, Bowen Yang, Jennifer Esposito, Chrissie Fit, Jon Park, Gabo Augustine, Chris Gethard, Jaboukie Yoing-White, John Sanders, Jamie Chung.

The unexpected should not be classed as unlovable, the temptation to judge before we have allowed ourselves the dignity of understanding is far too often an easier route to walk down, after all, there is only a modicum of shame to be registered when you refuse to see the world through the eyes of another culture or generation, a modicum of shame, but a whole heap of pity and embarrassment to your own self-image.

Nora From Queens. Television Review. full post

(555 words, estimated 2:13 mins reading time)

Snowy White And The White Flames, Something On Me. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

The Situation has passed, but Time does not stand still and wait patiently for the gifted and productive to make their next move; Time’s fortune is to push ever onwards, to inspire, to cajole and persuade all artists to make yet another stand against the beige and the mediocre humdrum of life. Situations pass, balance is restored, and then placed on edge once more, the circle of life and anarchy continue ever onwards, and it takes sensitivity, precision and astute belief to keep the blues at bay whilst allowing the Blues to shine.

Snowy White And The White Flames, Something On Me. Album Review. full post

(346 words, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

Primal. Film Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * *

Cast: Nicholas Cage, Famke Janssen, Kevin Durrand, Jeremy Nazario, LaMonica Garrett, Michael Imperioli, Isaac Santiago, Braulio Castillo Hijo, Tommy Walker, Sewell Whitney, Leon Andrew Joseph, Sebastian Vasquez, John Lewis, Rey Hernandez, Drake Shannon, Jaime Irizarry, Daniel Salinas Gonzalez, Pablo Tufino, Lunarena Del Fresno, Brian Tester, Juan C. Defendini.

Primal. Film Review. full post

(477 words, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)