CD REVIEW: Robopop: The Return

Electronic pop music is not dead. It never has been. It just doesn't tend to get in the charts anymore.

The exception at the moment is Girls Aloud, who (whatever you think of them) have been churning out commercial synth pop - and pretty good it is too - since they started. And of course, my favourites, Pet Shop Boys released a career high album (Fundamental) earlier this year that made very little commercial impact but is as good a collection of PSB material as you're likely to find.

So it IS out there. You just have to look.

Luckily, a new compilation CD, Robopop: The Return, has collected together some of the best electronic pop of the last few months, as well as giving us a chance to hear some upcoming acts. If you have any interest at all in synthpop - or even dance music - you're going to love this collection.

It collects the familiar - Goldfrapp, Lorraine and Tiga - with the less familiar. Ping Pong Bitches anyone? But the over-riding impression is of a music genre which is only improving with age and deserves a wider audience.

Highlights include Tokyo Girls by Matinee Club. Matinee Club used to be called The Modern. They flirted the charts last year with two fantastic tracks, Jane Falls Down, and Industry, but fell foul of the chart regulations and were quickly disqualified from the Top 40. It's a shame, as their output is highly commercial, and could easily fill the dancefloor of every gay club the length and breadth of the country. I also love State of Play by Formatic - a track that was recently heard in the Channel 4 drama Sugar Rush. It's a poppers-rush of a track with an aggressive beat. SuperJupiter's Got To Get Some also stands out as a track that could easily reach the high end of the Top 40 if it were given a wider audience.

There really isn't a duff track on this compilation, and as an added bonus the CD release also contains a second disc of remixes. You can download the album now from iTunes, but at the moment they unfortunately are not offering the remix CD.

If you want dance music with a bit of melody and edge, or if you're looking to find something to fill the gap between PSB or Depeche Mode albums, you could do a lot worse than download or buy this CD.

Essential!

Christmas in Risa.

This morning in Risa, I woke up to a beautiful blanket of snow covering the buildings, the trees and ground. Christmas has officially begun.

I just had to share that with you.

If you own Animal Crossing: Wild World on the Nintendo DS, this post will make perfect sense, and I'm sure you'll share my over-enthusiasm. And while you're at it, feel free to add me to your Friends Roster.

Code: 1976-4743-1726
Name: Monkey
Town: Risa

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

My days and nights are no longer my own.

Prepare yourself. This is going to be gushing. The best game I ever played, and the only game that has ever made me cry was The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo 64. From December 1998 until May 1999, I played it - engrossed - every spare minute I could. I even had friends who would come round just to watch me play it because they too were so engrossed by the storytelling and pure magic that Zelda portrayed.

Ever since then I've been searching for the game that could match it. Majora's Mask got half way there before its complicated time mechanics confused me and I walked away disappointed. I seemed to be the only person who thought that Wind Waker's cel-shaded graphics were beautiful, but alas I walked away from that title too, annoyed and frustrated with the endless sea-bound missions.

Almost ten years later, Twilight Princess on the Nintendo Wii has satiated my thirst for that pure, thrilling, magical gaming experience I had in 1997. And I say that with confidence having only played it for six short hours. Ironically, I'm finding myself playing in small chunks in order to extend the life of the game; even though I know it's the biggest (by far) Zelda title yet and will probably keep me going until at least June next year.

So what is it about this game that makes it so special? I couldn't hope to answer that succinctly. Zelda is all about the detail. It's about the characters and the world they live in, and investing in them. It's about tragedy, heroism, good versus evil and about experiencing a living, breathing life in this beautiful land that has been created for us to play in. The first few hours of Twilight Princess will see you find your place in society. You'll find yourself engaging with local residents, helping them out. You've got a job as a ranch-hand that can't be neglected. Herding goats, fishing and talking to cute little fairy-folk in a forest village may all seem pretty mundane. But look deeper, and you'll see that Nintendo are ever-so subtley integrating you into your new life. After the first 3 hours, you know in your heart you're going to miss this simple life, and these simple people when you are battling evil on a grand scale further down the line. But more than that you're going to WANT to fight to save them. Genius.

Twilight Princess looks and sounds beautiful. You only have to check the video at the top there to see that. It's cinematic. It's more cinematic than a great many movies out there this Christmas. This is Lord Of The Rings - all three movies - rolled into one awe-inspiring game. The revolutionary Wii control methods work fantastically well. Take fishing, for example. Use your Wiimote like you would a fishing rod. Cast your line out and pull the Wiimote back when you've got a bite. Total immersion. On the occasions when the game throws you a seemingly impossible puzzle, all you have to do is stop, find a lake and go fishing. There's no shortage of things to do here. Oh, and that's just one of many innovative uses for the Wiimote during this game.

As launch titles go, the Nintendo Wii couldn't wish for a better start. This game is hands-down reason enough to splash out £180 on a Wii. As a 38 year old gay man, it's very hard to find stimulating, genuinely escapist games out there. Twilight Princess is that game and I can't recommend it highly enough. Let's hope we don't have to wait as long for the next in the series.

Nintendo, once again have made me proud to be a gamer. I can't wait to see where this game has yet to take me...

Things to come.

I've got a cold. A horrible, throaty, chesty, PAINFUL cold; and I need a hug.

It didn't stop me going to London this weekend to finally see Wicked, though. It was a fantastic birthday surprise from Barry. What an amazing show it was. I was a proper gay. I got very emotional at all the sad songs, "ooh-ed" and "aah-ed" at the pretty sets and dresses, and went back to the hotel on a cloud. I love it when things move you. And I'll never watch The Wizard of Oz in quite the same light.

All of this conspires though to the crux of this post - my apologies for a lack of Vegetable Soup Podcast 6. Fret not! It's all scripted and ready to go, and once I get rid of this bloody cold I'll get down to recording it. With any luck, it should be available by the weekend. It's a good one too - full of Wii goodness and exciting geeky news. The usual. There's also a possibility of joining The Magic Geek network at some point too, which I'm very excited about. I'll let you know more when I do.

As you were.

Wii will rock you!

They're selling on Ebay for £ridiculous amounts, high street stores sold out in under an hour, and many won't see one until well into the New Year... but I have one sitting proudly beside my telly.

Nintendo Wii is in the Robertson household and is everything it's been cracked up to be. And probably more. Forgive the air of gloating, but these moments really do have to be savoured. Nintendo, more than any other games console manufacturer, know how magical an experience gaming can be. Not for them the bangs, crashes and body counts associated with Sony and Microsoft's consoles (and don't get me wrong, I love my Xbox360); instead we have a machine that, the minute you turn the thing on, just CRAVES your undying attention.

The new controller - the Wiimote - works surprisingly well. Within minutes you'll be poking and prodding the air creating your first Mii, or playing Tennis with the pre-bundled Wii Sports. Everything works perfectly, and just as it should. Everything is just so clean, and white and it makes beautiful little noises. Even the Wiimote - which can give you the willies the first time it happens.

But nothing - nothing - can prepare you for the journey you'll take when you slip The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess into your drive. Anyone with even a passing interest in gaming will know of the Zelda franchise. Each title pushes the boundaries of how a game can feel more than the last. This game delivers hour after hour of pitch perfect gaming. It deserves a post all of its own. Which is what it shall get.

In the meantime, if you're having the same Nintendo sugar rush that I'm having and you want to share, here is my Wii Code - enter it into your Wii, and we can start sharing the love...

8048 3319 8177 0588

JUNK CULTURE

Listening: Wicked - SOUNDTRACK
Downloading: The Magic Geek - PODCAST
Watching: Torchwood - BBC THREE
Playing: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess - NINTENDO WII
Reading: You're Him Aren't You? - PAUL DARROW

For Hazell

HIV and AIDS has been with us now for 25 years.

Today is World AIDS Day and across the world it is being marked by friends, lovers and families. So many beautiful people have been taken from us by this cruel, relentless virus; and today we remember them more than ever.

I lost Dougie Cowen (aka Hazell) - a man I have so much to thank for - in 1995. I met Hazell by accident on a bulletin board, long before Gaydar or Eurowoof. The second I met him outside the Odeon in Edinburgh I knew my life was going to change. Loud, camp and dressed head to toe in a form fitting three piece suit, Hazell brought me kicking and screaming out of my closeted life. Within three months I'd moved to Edinburgh to share a flat with him. That was in 1992 - the year I discovered just how fantastic my sexuality could be. It was all thanks to him. He was a rogue though. He flirted with danger in so many areas of his life, but he always protected me from it. When Hazell told me he was HIV positive, I wanted to find out as much as I could about it. I became a volunteer at Milestone House, an Aids Hospice in Edinburgh. It set me on the career path I am on now. I wanted to help all these gay men who were being killed by this horrible disease. In 1997 I became a volunteer for Gay Men's Health and realised (finally) what I wanted to do with my life. In 1999 I moved to Manchester to work full time for Healthy Gay Manchester - now The Lesbian & Gay Foundation. It was the best thing I ever did in my life. I have never looked back.

Today I have never been happier in my professional and private life. It's all thanks to Hazell. If I hadn't met him that day in 1992, I might still be a quiet, closeted gay man living in a small town. Today I am a confident, proud gay man living in one of the best (and gay friendly) city's in the country.

Hazell - thank you. I still miss you.

Christmas Angel

This very well could be our best issue ever.

While I'm working to get this issue designed and ready, updates here might be a bit thin on the ground. Back to normal in a week or two...

JUNK CULTURE

Listening: What Do I Have To Do? - KYLIE (of course)
Downloading: The Magic Geek - PODCAST
Watching: The Tomorrow People - DVD
Playing: Strip Uno (*cough*)- XBOX 360
Reading: The Stars My Destination - ALFRED BESTER

Vegetable Soup - PODCAST 5

Your podcast is ready sir...

They said it would never last. And they were nearly right. Against all the odds, Vegetable Soup Podcast 5 is now available to download. Celebrating my queer geekery, this Podcast is a far more structured affair than the last one. There's everything here - Doctor Who, ZX Spectrums and Girls Aloud. What more could you ask for? Nothing, that's what.

Click here to listen... Vegetable Soup Podcast - Episode 5

And don't forget to click on subscribe - that way every new Podcast will be thoughtfully downloaded automatically to your iTunes as soon as it's ready.

Back! Again!

I know, I know. I have the attention span of a gnat.

I've neglected this blog of late, but all that is about to change. I've just finished the new Vegetable Soup podcast, so keep your ears peeled (ew!) for that. I've been gorging on games for the last few weeks too. Well, it's Winter, it's dark and cold and the best thing to keep me warm (in the absence of an oiled-up Vin Diesel waiting in my bed) is a good old session of Gears of War. Or Animal Crossing. Depending on what mood I'm in.

Work on outnorthwest is also getting exciting. We're working on the Christmas issue and we're going to town with it. This is really the only time of year where we can let our hair down and have a bit of fun with the mag. So prepare yourself for the outnorthwest Kylie Special! We've been given some EXCLUSIVE (and quite frankly beautiful) new publicity shots by her "people", and the shot we've chosen for the front cover will give all you Kylie fans out there goosebumps. I'll let you know more, and perhaps give you a preview of the cover in the next few days.

In the meantime, why not pick up the latest edition of outnorthwest? It's out best issue yet - you HAVE to read our main feature 'Living With HIV', it's amazing. It's available now throughout the north west of England, or you can download it from the website...

OK. Well, I'm just going to make the final touches to the new Podcast. Catch you soon!

JUNK CULTURE

Listening: Ocky Milk - MOMUS
Downloading: The Magic Geek - PODCAST
Watching: The Ellen Degeneres Show - FIVE LIFE
Playing: Gears of War - XBOX 360
Reading: Edge Presents: File (The Best Features and Reviews from the first 12 issues of Edge) - MAGAZINE

Vegetable Soup - PODCAST 4

Oh my god I've done another one! Already!

Now listen, I did this one in an hour. A bloody hour! It's of absolutely no interest to you if you don't like the Pet Shop Boys, because I do go on about them quite a bit in this episode. But then, I love them, so... you know... whatever. It's also got some of my favourite people (Carol, Andrew, Annie and Simon - hello!) telling you why the Vegetable Soup podcast is the bees knees.

So if you're inclined, why not click below and give it a listen? I would. But probably just because I did it.

Anyway, if you like it you can even subscribe so that the internet postman will deliver it to your iTunes everytime I do a new one. For bloody free! Go on... you know you want to...

Click here... Vegetable Soup Podcast - Episode 4

Why aren't you watching this?

This is why Battlestar Galactica is the best show on TV just now.

Whatever Rupert wants, Rupert gets.

There's no better feeling than finally sending the latest edition of your magazine to print, is there?

After a hectic week of design, editing and layout, outnorthwest issue 62 is finally on the presses, and will be available throughout the WORLD (electronically) from Monday. It's a good one this one; loads of stuff about Liverpool and a couple of really good interviews - including Rupert Everett. He's asked us to organise an event for him on Canal Street here in Manchester. It would be rude to turn him down, so we're working on it now...

Why not download a copy? I would if I were you. You can do it by clicking on the link of the right hand column there, or by clicking here instead - HERE!

If you live in the north west of England, you should nip into your favourite homosexual drinking establishment-slash-venue from Wednesday and pick one up.

Just to let you know; I'm working on the next podcast and it should be out in the next two to three days. At the moment it has a vague Halloween theme. But that will probably change as I slowly realise I can't really fill much time on the subject. Watch this, as they say, space...

JUNK CULTURE

Listening: The Seduction of Claude Debussy - ART OF NOISE
Downloading: Battlestar Galactica Season 3 - TV DOWNLOAD
Watching: Torchwood - BBC Three/Two
Playing: Splinter Cell:Double Agent - XBOX 360
Reading: The Best of Smash Hits 80's - BOOK (Buy this book today!)

Vegetable Soup - PODCAST 3

I finished it early. Clicking on the linky below will take you to the very latest Vegetable Soup Podcast!

Same warning applies: I do this for a laugh, so don't go expecting anything remotely professional. In this edition, lots about New York (I promise to shut up about New York soon). You'll also find previews of my current favourite telly show, and a sneak preview of the BEST track on Robbie William's new album. What are you waiting for?

So, off you go then, click below and listen to my podcast! And if you like it, why not subscribe? Then, everytime you open up your iTunes, and there's a new episode - it will be delivered to you personally! I LOVE THE INTERNET!

Click here... Vegetable Soup Podcast - Episode 3

Shhh... I'm busy.

Just a quickie. Been back a week, and it's taken that long to get my feet back on the ground.

Working hard on the next issue of outnorthwest, which goes to the printers on Thursday, so that's keeping me from the fun stuff. I'm also half way done on my next podcast, so I'll let you know when that's done. Hopefully by tomorrow night.

In the meantime, there's plenty lovely stuff keeping me happy at the moment...

JUNK CULTURE

Listening: She's Madonna - ROBBIE WILLIAMS
Downloading: Lost Season 3 - TV
Watching: Heroes - TV DOWNLOAD (pic above)
Playing: Magnetron - NINTENDO DS
Reading: Pet Shop Boys, Catalogue - BOOK

LIVE from New York: And now the end is near.

The last post. Final visit to the Apple Store, and only six hours before we get on the plane back to rainy Manchester...

This has to be the best holiday I've ever had. New York is a wonderful place and after nine days, I still feel like we've only scratched the surface. The last couple of days has been taken up with sight seeing tours. The best was a two hour boat trip around the island. Got some magnificent pictures. Today has seen a leisurely stroll around Central Park, and it made me want live here even more. Sitting watching musicians, street theatre and sitting by the edge of a lake. You would never believe you were in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the world.

I'll keep this brief as there's just so much I want to say about this visit that it really needs a bit more thought behind it. At the moment, I'm tired and emotional. So the next couple of days at home will see at least a one more retrospective blogs about New York.

If you've never been to this city - you must. It's as simple as that. Whether you have positive or negative feelings towards the United States, a visit to New York will either change your mind or confirm your doubts.

Me? I love this place for it's diversity and its positive attitude. No word of a lie, in the last nine days I've not come across a nasty, unfriendly or unsmiling American. Back home, it would take me only nine minutes to meet at least one of each type.

Looking forward to getting back to Manchester though. It is home, after all.

New York. It's a helluva town...

LIVE from New York - Falling my length...

Day 6 and still no sign that I'll ever want to leave this city. So any of my friends who are reading this, could you let work know I'm never coming back...

Today has been Shopping Day. Which, for those who know me, means DVDs, games and perhaps the odd t-shirt or two. Which is precisely what I've bought. The inevitable embaressing moment of the trip occurred today when we visited Abercrombie & Fitch on 5th Avenue and I fell head-first down the last four steps (the very steps you can see in the picture above) and landed at the feet of a very perplexed, but stunning looking model. Poor guy didn't know what to do. I couldn't get up quick enough to hide my shame.

Anyhoo. Avenue Q - the Broadway musical we went to see was hilarious. Worth downloading the soundtrack, which I'll do on my return to Manchester. The songs, puppets and story were excellent, and I know it's on in London, so if you get a chance -go and see it. Unfortunately, we couldn't get tickets for Wicked, so we're going to see Beauty and the Beast instead. That's tomorrow night.

Tonight, after shopping of course, we're heading back to the Hotel to watch the season three premiere of Lost. Again, to those who don't know me, this may seem a little odd and not the best way to spend an evening in New York, but trust me - to me it's important.

Yesterday we did the NBC studio tours, and were this close to being in the audience for Late Night With Conan O'Brien. Shame we didn't get in - Claire from Lost was one of the guests. Other than that, still have Central Park to do, and we're also off to do some tourist bus and boat trips tomorrow, so still plenty more to take in!

Weather today has been gorgeous - wish I'd worn my shorts.

Anyway, I'm getting shifty looks from the Apple staff here, so I'll end it here and hopefully get one more report in before we fly back on Monday.

LIVE from New York - Highs and Lows

Here we are again then, back in the Apple Store on 5th Avenue and three full days into the visit to New York. The picture above is me and Barry in the Apple Store :-)

Had a very eventful couple of days, the highlight (if you can call it that) being a visit to Ground Zero. I didn't think it would affect me as much as it did, but staring into that big hole in the ground triggers some horrific images into your mind and really brings home the scale of what happened on 11th September 2001. A touching tribute nearby shows images, remnants from the site and personal stories from those who lost loved ones. To actually touch a twisted metal girder recovered from the area really brings a chill to your heart.

I guess I really felt like I had arrived in New York when we were standing beneath the Statue of Liberty yesterday afternoon. It's an impressive sight indeed. The boat trip out to Liberty Island was great too as it gives you a monumental view of the Manhattan Skyline as you sail out.

Today we've been to the top of the Empire State Building. I was terrified. I've never been that high up and found it really hard to peer over the edge of the 86th floor. I've taken some pics, and although I may be smiling in them, I certainly wasn't smiling on the inside. A great experience though, nonetheless - and I wouldn't have missed it. I called my mum from the top of the building, which I'm sure she appreciated.

Still to come today we're off to see Avenue Q on Broadway - check it out on Google. I'd put a hotlink in, but i've forgotten the HTML tag :-) Later in the week we're going to see Wicked, as well as a day in Central Park, the NBC Studios tour (and hopefully tickets to as TV recording) and a day of shopping on Wednesday. I shall no doubt return with a maxxed out credit card.

Loads more has happened and been seen, but this store is getting crowded and my mind is going blank.

Will try and get at least one more post in before returning home on Sunday...

LIVE from New York - 5th Avenue

I've come home. Well, my spiritual home at any rate.

I'm writing this live from the Apple Store on 5th Avenue in New York. I can't believe I just typed that line. New York is amazing and everything I hoped it would be - only bigger. The flight over here was great - no turbulence and time... flew. Our hotel (Chelsea Pines Inn) is great. It's a gay hotel and every room is themed around a film star. We are staying in the Mitzi Gaynor room. Obviously.

Last night we took a trip to Christopher Street - the NY equivalent of Canal Street I guess. I said 'i guess' - see I'm speaking the lingo already. Took in a couple of nice bear bars, one of which was showing the Christmas special of Doctor Who. That was odd.

Today is our first proper day and we've spent it sightseeing on Broadway. Lots of pictures already taken so I'll put together an online photo album when I get home.

I can't really get across here just how exciting all of this is. I can't wait to see this area at night - it surely will look like it does in the movies. With any luck we'll be taking in a Broadway show while we're here. I fancy seeing Wicked. Even if we don't manage that, there's just so much to take in just walking around.

I'll try and update with another report live from New York in a few days. I'm sure I'll have even more to report then.

Wow. I mean, like totally... wow.

Where Seventh Avenue Meets Broadway

I'm about to put a tick beside one of my life-long ambitions. In 48 hours I'll be in New York City.

As long as I can remember I've wanted to go, and this week, thanks to lastminute.com and a Google search on cheap New York Hotels, it's happening. I'm unbelievably excited. Of course, at the moment I can't see beyond the 8 hour flight - I hate flying - but the reward will be 10 days in the best city in the world.

We're staying in Chelsea, in a gay hotel in the middle of the gay district. The first thing I want to do is have breakfast in a small coffee shop in the Village. Then of course it's the Apple Store (priorities!), Macys, Central Park, the Staten Island Ferry, Rockerfeller Center and Grand Central Station. I'm going to be an unashamed tourist - I want to see it all.

I'm hoping to make at least two or three blog entries from New York, so come back soon and check out what I've been up to.

In the meantime, I have a suitcase to pack...

JUNK CULTURE

Music: And what have you done with my body, God? - ART OF NOISE
Podcast: Slice of Sci-Fi
TV: E! News - E!
Game: Saints Row - XBOX360
Magazine: SFX

For the gays

If you live in the north west of England, or indeed if you live in the world, you can see the new issue of outnorthwest now.

outnorthwest, for those who (quite rightly) haven't read every post I've ever... posted... is the magazine that I edit and design in Manchester. It's for the gays - of which I'm one - and it's now 62 issues old. Which is great for a free magazine, really.

This one I am particularly proud of. It marks Black History Month, amongst many other things, and it has the most amount of interviews we've every printed in a single issue. Five. That's 5.

I'm dead proud of outnorthwest, and every month I get more and more proud.

If you'd like to read the culmination of 62 issues of 'proud', then why not download a copy? You can do it by clicking on the link of the right hand column there, or by clicking here instead - HERE!

If you live in the north west of England and like to go to gay pubs, you can pick up a proper physical copy from tomorrow.

JUNK CULTURE

Music: Kiss You Off - SCISSOR SISTERS
Podcast: New York Minute
TV: Spooks - BBC One
Game: Animal Crossing - DS
Magazine: Time Out New York

They were dancing in the fountains.

It's not often you witness a huge, gleaming milestone on the candy-striped road they call 'pop'. I mean, like, first hand.

Scissor Sisters live in Trafalgar Square was the defining (pop) moment of the year. It started as it meant to go on with our saviour Kylie Minogue tottering on to the stage and looking ravishing. From then on, as she introduced the Scissors, you just knew that you were about to witness something very special indeed.

And it was.

They came on and started with a song most bands would kill to have as their final encore. Take Your Mama has always been a favourite of mine, and it served to whip the red-festooned crowd into a frenzy that would last the better part of two hours. It went straight into I Can't Decide - one of the highlights of the new album, and a crowd pleaser of the highest order. Which is some feat considering this is a tune that most people hadn't even heard yet.

Part of the magic of a Scissor Sisters gig is the feeling of connecting with the band. Jake, and particularly Ana, can hold any crowd in the palm of their hands and there was some real comedy gold on offer. On hearing that Prince William had recently attended a fancy dress party as Britney Spears (correct me if I'm wrong), Ana delighted in the fact that "the future King of the country has a little bit of queen in him".

Jake admitted that he was extremely nervous about the gig, as they were playing brand new songs and didn't know how they would be received. He needn't have worried, the new songs are immediate, crowd-friendly and pure pop. Everyone around me was singing along by the second chorus of most of the new songs.

The highlight for me (there were many), was Ana's tour-de-force Kiss You Off - the ultimate 'up yours' song, this translated live into a HUGE, bombastic bastard of a song and really needs to be a future single.

it wasn't all glitter and spectacle though. The gig was staged to help promote RED, a charity aiming to help eradicate AIDS in Africa. The ticket asked the crowd to wear red, which a good 70% of the audience gladly did. The message of the night was not overly pushed and it never became mawkish, but the sentiment was true and as Ana stated, almost everyone within the confines of Trafalgar Square is, has been, or will be affected.

The 'goosebump' moments of the night go to - in no particular order - Land Of A Thousand Words, the rumoured second single from the album and a beautiful ballad. Jake sang the song note-perfect and there was nothing but pure love from the crowd for him as he delivered one of the best performance I've seen him give.

Second - Comfortably Numb. It's always going to be their signature track, and the crowd exploded during the opening "Hello.. is there anybody in there...". By this point they were dancing in the fountains and every single one of us was intoxicated by the atmosphere of the night.

Finally, the encore. The current single I Don't Feel Like Dancin' was followed by a massive version of Filthy Gorgeous as the stage was invaded with huge costumes, dancing Nelson's Column's and Jake topped it all off by stripping down to his pants. Stunning.

It was all over far too quickly, but it only whetted my appetite to see them again in Manchester this November.

JUNK CULTURE

Music: Kiss You Off - SCISSOR SISTERS
Podcast: Vegetable Soup
TV: Afterlife - ITV1
Game: Zoo Keeper - DS
Magazine: Doctor Who Season 2 Companion

A cut above

This CD has been a long time coming and the knives have been sharpened and ready to carve up this second album as proof that Scissor Sisters were a one trick pony.

Wrong!

Ta Dah, in many ways, is a stronger, more coherent album than the first one. And the last one was a masterpiece. This is a band just hitting their stride and it’s fantastic to have them back and firing on all cylinders.

So, here’s my track-by-track, one line review of all of the treats on this superb album.

I Don’t Feel Like Dancin is the best song about staying in ever. It’s number one in the singles chart right now because it’s supposed to be.

She’s My Man keeps the pace upbeat and dancey. Great lyrics.

I Can’t Decide Love it. This will raise a smile as Jake decides whether he should kill his lover or not. “Oh I could bury you alive, but you might crawl out with a knife to kill me.” Banjo’s, accordians and the old Joanna mix to create a killer Scissor’s track.

Light It starts out like the cheesiest porn movie music you’ve ever heard and then turns into a disco stomper with brass and trip-out chorus.

Land of a Thousand Words Beautiful, just beautiful. Could be the next single. Think Mary mixed with Return to Oz.

Intermission A bit odd this one. Sounds like something from the 1930’s. Great melody though.

Kiss You Off The highlight of the CD for me. This is a high energy disco rock-out of a track sung by Ana (who is curiously absent from the rest of the album). HAS to be a single. A real poppers track.

Ooh The demo of this track has been floating around the web for over a year. This is very similar to the demo, but with a bit more production. Obviously. A highlight, but incoherent lyrics.

Paul McCartney He’s not mentioned anywhere in this track. Another disco stomper with a fantastic bridge and a real party atmosphere.

The Other Side This wouldn't have been out of place on the last album. As typical as a Scissors track can be.

Might Tell You Tonight The album's other ballad. Gorgeous again, a story of unrequited love with a heart-breaking melody.

Everybody Wants The Same Thing They did this at Live 8 - a crowd pleaser of a track, this is going to go down a treat at their new shows.

I'm a fan, so I was always going to love this album. But even I could only have dreamt that they'd deliver something as polished as this. It'll keep them on the map for at least another year and will reap the awards come next year's Brits. If you get a chance to see them live this year - do it. You won't see a finer live band,

Talking of which, I'm off to London tomorrow to see them perform live at Trafalgar Square. Expect a report on Monday!

Where do I plug it in?

Never let it be said that I'm too engrossed in XBox360 and iPod to indulge in a bit of classic literature.

Thanks to a fabulous website called The Daily Lit, I'm currently enjoying Grimms Fairy Tales. Every day, at a time you specify, this site will send you a chunk of your chosen classic book that can be read in less than 5 minutes. What better way to get yourself educated and generally feel a bit smug?

OK, so Grimm's Fairy Tales is hardly War and Peace, but it's a start. I think I'll go for Dracula next...

To get started, visit the site by clicking here - The Daily Lit - and choose your first read!

Amazing.

This...

... is the best album. Ever.

Full review later.

Far-out son of a lung

My first download from the new iTunes 7 Music Store has been Teachings from the Electronic Brain by Future Sound of London (FSOL).

iTunes is carrying the Bonus Edition with extra tracks and remixes - 20 full tracks for under a tenner. Bargain.

FSOL are one of those bands that you don't know that you know. Chances are you'll be familiar with at least two or three of these tracks.

There are many highlights on the set, Papua New Guinea still sounds amazing, and Lifeforms is still gloopy and lovely. However, it's best enjoyed from beginning to end with no interruptions, or on your iPod on the walk into work, or the walk home.

I love music that creates an atmosphere. The spookier the better, and this album does it in spades. The older tracks haven't dated at all, and have lost none of their dreamy ambience. Ironically, it's the later tracks like Semtex and We Have Explosive that grate. Too screechy. Although, they do remind me of playing WipeOut on the PS1 all those years ago...

In my head, when I listen to this album, I am wandering around the ruins of a post-apocalyptic city underneath deep red and purple skies; piloting a starship skimming over mountainess planets; or having really good sex with a futuristic, buzz-cut, space-marine.

But then, that's just me.

JUNK CULTURE

Music: Lifeforms - FSOL
Podcast: Hot Fuzz - VIDEO PODCASTS
TV: Battlestar Galactica 1978 - DVD
Game: Lego Star Wars 2 - XBOX360
Magazine: Mac Format

Let's blow this thing and go home

I've rediscovered my love for two childhood obsessions this week. Star Wars. And Lego.

Lego Star Wars 2: The Original Trilogy on the XBox360 is lodged firmly inside my console, with no signs of it coming back out again for a while. I've not had as much pure, unadulterated fun playing a video game since I first sat in the Space Harrier hyrdaulic chair in an arcade in Cornwall back in 1987. Seriously.

I bought this game on the same day I bought the critically acclaimed Dead Rising. I've yet to even break the seal on that game.

Maybe it's the original music. Maybe it's the tongue-in-cheek humour. Maybe it's the complete faithfulness to the source material. Maybe it's the gorgeous graphics. Maybe it's the pick-up-and-playability.

It's all of those things. This game is just so bloody shiny. It's proper Lego, and it's proper Star Wars. From the minute you start playing until the second you put down the controller, you'll have a smile on your face.

It's also the first game in ages that's had any significant impact on my Gamerscore, so for that reason alone I love it.

JUNK CULTURE

Music: Passacaglia - BEAR McCREARY
Podcast: 1UP Yours
TV: Medium - DVD BOXSET
Game: Lego Star Wars 2 - XBOX360
Magazine: X360

So say we all

Battlestar Galactica is the best programme on television at the moment. No arguments. If it wasn't science-fiction, it would be winning awards left, right and centre.

The second season was amazing (buy the DVD set now!), and the third season is about to start both here on Sky One, and in the States.

In the run up to the new season, the SciFi channel are producing regular mini 'webisodes' that you can watch on their website. Or You Tube. Unlike previous attempts at this kind of thing, these mini-episodes actually have a bit of thought behind them, are well produced, and really do add to the storyline.

The above video is the first webisode, and you can watch the rest on You Tube. Do it now. Roll on Season 3...

JUNK CULTURE

Music: See You - DEPECHE MODE
Podcast: Mark Kermode - BBC PODCAST
TV: Medium - DVD BOXSET
Game: Animal Crossing Wild Word - DS
Magazine: Butt

Apple let me down...

Last night, in California, Apple made some big announcements. They do this from time to time.

I love Apple. I really do. I get a stiffy everytime I'm near an Apple Shop. But - and god is this difficult for me to type - I'm a bit disappointed with what they announced last night.

The event was tagged 'It's Showtime.', so there were rumours and reports flying around the internet of a brand new, wide-screen, proper video iPod. As the announcement rumbled closer, it almost seemed inevitable they'd confirm it.

They didn't.

Instead, we've got some cosmetic upgrades to the Nano which makes it look just like the old iPod Mini; a miniscule iPod Shuffle which looks frankly ridiculous; and some cursory upgrades to the existing 5th generation video iPod. My constant hovering over the Apple online Store last night waiting to order my wide screen 6th generation was completely in vain. I felt so let-down.

Apple also announced a movie download service, which as usual is not available in the UK. It's been a year now since the launch of the video iPod, so when are we going to get a TV and movie download service over here? The BBC archive is bursting at the seams with old (and new) TV shows I'd download in a heartbeat. Yet, still we're waiting...

It wasn't all bad though. We've now got iTunes 7, which incorporates Cover Flow, a fantastic animated archive of all your music. It's bloody gorgeous. Not only that, iTunes will now add cover art to all your tunes at the click of a button. The cosmetic changes to iTunes are welcome too, and from just a couple of hours playing with it last night, it's much MUCH easier to navigate and control. Nice.

Oh, and being able to play pretty decent versions of Bejeweled and Tetris (amongst others) on my iPod is a sweet little bonus. I played for the best part of an hour at Bejeweled last night, and it had very little effect on the battery, so that's encouraging.

Every Apple event always ends with "One other thing...". This time it was iTV. They'll have to change the name in the UK though, surely? This Apple 'set top box' will make it possible to stream all the media content on your Apple through the telly, with the customary gorgeous front-end and menues. It looks like they're going to be keeping the cost of this gadget pretty low as well, so that'll be on top of the shopping list in the New Year.

All in all, not the huge announcements I was hoping for, but some nice little bonuses for the Apple faithful. Hopefully we'll get word of the 6th generation iPod in the New Year.

JUNK CULTURE

Music: Pictures - SIA
Podcast: GG's Podcast 21 - VIDEO PODCAST
TV: Medium - DVD BOXSET
Game: Bejeweled - iPOD
Magazine: Doctor Who Adventures (free pencils!)

Back. Back! BACK!

There's a very simple reason I haven't been doing much with this Blog. It doesn't really have a theme.

Initially I thought it should just be random thoughts and various reports on interesting things I've done. But then there's the fear that you would - quite rightly - not be very interested in what I'd had for dinner or how many lengths I'd swum (is that even a word?) at the pool that night.

So, I've been thinking long and hard about it, and I've decided to make this blog a celebration of my geekiness. How original, you're probably thinking. But hang on a minute. This is a celebration of GAY geekiness. So that give it a bit of an edge. Right?

Whatever. The fact is, I spend a great deal of my time gaming, downloading and worshipping at the alter of Apple, so you'll find a great deal of this blog will now be dealing with those kinds of things. Even better, there will still be the occasional random thoughts, which means I can still call this blog Vegetable Soup (the thought behind the name was that there would be a bit of everything, a bit like vegetab... you get the picture.)

I'll also be ending every entry with Junk Culture - the stuff I'm currently playing, listening to, reading and watching. Which you've seen done on every other Blog you've ever read, I'm sure, but I think can give more of an insight into someone than five paragraphs of rambling text can.

Paragraph Six. So that's it really. I've got a renewed enthusiasm for this now that I have a 'theme', so look out for an overload of blog entries over the coming days.

Oh, and leave some feedback. It would be nice to know at least one other person is reading this.

JUNK CULTURE

Music: Teachings from the Electronic Brain - FSOL
Podcast: On The Spot - GAMESPOT VIDEO PODCAST
TV: Battlestar Galactica Season 2 - DVD
Game: Lego Star Wars 2 - XBOX360
Magazine: SFX Star Trek Special

Vegetable Soup - The PODCAST!

How very VERY exciting. Not only is this the first update in ever such a long time, it's also my very first ever Podcast! How 21st century of me...

OK, before you go headlong into listening to it, remember this... It's my first attempt, so it's probably not brilliant. The sound levels are probably weird, and it'll be about stuff you've got no interest in. But hey, it's only 10 minutes long, and 10 minutes is nothing.

So, off you go then, click below and listen to my podcast! And if you like it, why not subscribe?

Click here... Vegetable Soup Podcast - Episode 1

This, of course, could change.

After over a week off work, it's back to the grindstone.

The next issue of outnorthwest is due at the printers this Thursday, and - for the love of god! - I have about 40 pages still to edit and design. Ah well, at least the cover is done! Above you can see what our recent interview with Sia is turning into. Personally, I think this is the best cover we've done for a while and moves the magazine into a direction I'd love to see it take. The time feels right for us to grow up and take the road less well travelled by other gay titles.

This, of course, could change. I still have to run the cover past the editorial team and they might hate it. So, if they DO think it's pants, consider this attempt a little bonus.

Best get back to it then...

Cheerio, love...

Oh, and I didn't get the job.

Achievement unlocked...

There are few more fulfilling moments than the little 'pop' noise that accompanies an 'Achivement Unlocked' moment on XBox 360.

Forget Playstation 3, the next generation of gaming has been with us since November last year, you fool. Anything Sony does now with their next gaming platform will be a pale imitation of what Microsoft (yes, Microsoft) is 'achieving' right here here and now.

Don't follow the herd, follow the gamers. With the 'Achievement Unlocked' moment, Willy Gates has taken gaming back to its roots with that all important high score feeling. Only, in this millennium, it's not a high score, but an 'achievement' that is uniting, and dividing (in a purely healthy and competitive way, you understand) the video gamers of the planet.

It could be a cheap XBox Live Arcade download, or a full price Tomb Raiding adventure that hooks you, but after a week or so you'll be obsessing over your Gamerscore. It's simple really, the more you play, the better you get, and the more you'll achieve. Better yet, everyone will know about it. You might be sitting in your lonely little bedsit in Whalley Range, but the minute you break the 40 wins threshold with online Uno, the whole world is going to know about it... and you'll feel mighty.

Playstation 3 is over £400 (and 6 months away), and you'll have to start your poor-copy Gamerscore with a pathetic Zero and a handful of poor launch titles. But... if you snap up your 360 tomorrow (£200!), you could be scoring highly with the best of 'em and truly living in harmony with your digital 'hub' and moving forward...

After 5 months, I'm approaching 1800 Gamerscore Points... and I dare you to catch up with me....

POP... Achievement Unlocked....

You'd better hurry....

Distractions

It was awesome.

What a privilege. Not only were we able to watch Zero 7 sound checking on Friday night in Manchester, we also spent the best part of 40 minutes in a makeshift garden interviewing the GORGEOUS Sia. Over the last seven years, through the course of working on outnorthwest, I've interviewed a number of celebrities. Hands down, without a doubt, Sia has been the best.

A more accommodating interviewee you will never find. We all got on so well, she started telling us things she wasn't supposed to! Want to know which (VERY) famous celebrity chatted her up once? Well, you can't. That's for Sia, Annie and me to know... :-) "My god, you're not my friends! I shouldn't be telling you these things!"

The show itself was amazing. The best I've ever seen Zero 7 perform. Pageant of the Bizarre gave the whole crowd goosebumps. What. A. Voice. And the birthday dedication to Annie just before Destiny capped one of the best nights of the year.

If you're interested to read the results of our time with Sia Furler, check the outnorthwest link on the right there towards the end of the month.

I can Sia clearly

Today is a good day. One of those days I'll look back on with a big smile.

The sun is shining in Manchester. It feels like the hottest day of the year. It's a Friday and I'm off work most of next week. All good. Even better, tonight I'm going to see Zero 7 playing at The Academy in Manchester. Even better than THAT - I'm interviewing Sia (Zero 7 singer and all round effortlessly sexy girl) after the band's sound check later this afternoon! The cherry on this cake is that I'm sharing the whole day with Annie (the UK's leading lesbian - FACT) who's birthday it is today. Happy Birthday my love!!!!

If today got any better, I'd probably vom.

Zero 7 are perfect for sunny Summer Friday's, as their new album The Garden proves. Cliche time, but if you buy, or download one album this week, make it this. It'll put a smile on your face and help you make your peace with the world. While you're at it, download their other two CD's too - When It Falls is in my all time top ten albums.

So, yeah. With any luck there might be a picture or two with Sia appearing on this site in the next couple of days.

GET IN!

The Doctor will NOT see you now...

Nearly three weeks ago I had an interview for a job on Doctor Who Magazine. And, believe me, for a person like me, this is the dream job.

Like most of the country at the moment, I'm a fan of the show - and have been since I was a kid. The position on offer at the official magazine was Designer, which is what I'm doing at the moment here in Manchester. Two of my favourite obsessions all wrapped up in one fabulous job. How could I NOT apply? So anyway, I got the interview, which was down in Tunbridge Wells, and it went tremendously well. I met the rather sexy Editor, Clayton Hickman - who, by the way, is currently plastered all over any Who-related telly programme at the moment - and got on very well with both him and their current designer, Peri.

Part of the interview involved laying out a sample 4 page spread, based on the recent episode that featured Sarah-Jane Smith and K9 School Renunion. Aside from the fact I started the layout on a single page, rather than a double page (big no-no, but hey I was nervous), I think I did a good job in the limited time they gave me. I left Tunbridge Wells on a high, thinking I'd have a pretty decent chance at bagging the job.

Three weeks later and I'm still waiting to hear back from them. So what should I do? Call them and risk sounding like an over-eager fan-boy? Wait patiently in the hope that one random day in August Clayton Hickman will suddenly remember "that bloke from Manchester who we interviewed"? Chalk it up to experience and move on? Watch this space, this story isn't over yet...