Pink Floyd: Dark Side Of The Moon

This week I discovered my sister doesn't like Pink Floyd. W T actual F? I was amazed for two reasons: a) that I didn't know this when we rabbit on about pretty much anything to do with music, film and TV non-stop and b) that we are related. She had no idea I liked them. It's like a massive void in our sisterhood.

Now, I am no Floyd fan girl. I can't wax lyrical about Syd Barrett and every album they made. But some albums transcend everything and DSOTM is one of them. I listened to this a lot when it was obligatory to do so (early 20s) and have always returned to it. While driving across the desert last month with TeenBoy, I was on DJ duties. As previously discussed, in a Venn diagram of what we both find bearable musically, the crossover is very small. Nonetheless, I took a punt on this because any sane person likes this album and stone me if it's not the perfect driving across the desert music! I was proclaimed a DJ genius and we both had a very happy 40 or so minutes listening to the album and then an hour dissecting every song and why we liked it so much. Being married to a fellow geek has its benefits.

My favourite song is Time: "Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day." I love that line. I also adore "Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way." Poetry I tell you. The whole song is a depressing one but it's so masterfully executed, it's easy to not notice.

Basically I think Dave Gilmour is wonderful and could listen to him all day long. I don't want to be shallow but also, he was very, very cute.

Just saying.

Breaking Bad

Apologies for my absence. I've had a busy month, packing up in New York, a road trip, returning to London, flying to Nice and Madrid for work and finally back home to some normality and serious TV watching. All this jet-setting gets in the way of sitting on the sofa, drinking tea and watching some quality television. Thank goodness it's summer and I don't have a ton to catch up on.

TeenBoy and I went to New Mexico for our road trip, I spent a year there at uni and have always wanted to go back and he wanted to see the car wash from Breaking Bad. It was good enough reason to book the flight and car and hit the road. I had not viewed Breaking Bad, I wanted to but somehow it passed me by. So upon my return to West London, I decided it was time to dig in. TeenBoy is rewatching claiming it's that good.

We are on season two and I can safely say it's like nothing else I've watched. Love the Albuquerque scenery and being geeky about where I recognise. Love Jesse. Love the concept. However, the episode I watched last night was so depressing. I guess when the storyline is all about crystal meth, it's not going to be Mary Poppins but gawd. I'm hooked though, as I type this I am wondering what's going to happen next.

I fear I shall be bereft in a few short weeks when I've binged through all five seasons. It's good to be back on the sofa though, seeing the big world is exhausting!

Suits

Suits is a hoot and my new TV obsession. Grey's Anatomy left a huge void in my life and while Suits doesn't exactly fill it (there is nothing like a good hospital drama), it zips along entertainingly. It has many high points:

1) It's set in Manhattan and lovingly shows aerial shots of the city at least 10 times in every episode. I even saw my office building in one episode, very distinctive it was. That pleased me.

2) It has Donna.

Donna is a sassy secretary who knows everything and has an amusing retort for every comment. She is not in it nearly enough but when she is, the whole show just gets better.

3) It also has Louis Litt. You start off hating him but I am just beginning season three and now have a soft spot for him. He is a classic ugly bug who is deeply insecure and just wants to be liked.

4) Jessica's wardrobe is to die for. I watch it and just despair over my slovenly threads. Whoever is dressing her is having a ball. This one made me laugh - how could you possibly wear this all day and expect to get any work done?

Although she doesn't seem to do much work. She strolls around sexily and gives orders. I want to be Jessica. This is a more reasonable outfit. Divine.

5) Harvey Specter. Another actor having a lot of fun, he really feels like a corporate hot shot lawyer. 

There are also low points.

1) The premise. Mike is working at a law firm, practicing law yet isn't qualified. Yes, he is a genius but come on, no law firm would knowingly let this happen.

2) Mike and Rachel. I don't know, they are both really whiny. I don't hate them but I do wish they'd stop being so self-involved.

3) The grandmother storyline is really corny. The writers could have made a bit more of an effort.

These are minor quibbles, it's good fun and worth watching. It's very highly produced and the money is on sets, aerial shots of New York and the wardrobe. It's not on the writers.

Great music videos

I am an MTV kid of the 80s. I used to go and spend summers with my dad in Boston and while he worked, I would watch MTV for hours and hours. We didn't have it at home, there was no such thing as cable or satellite when I was a teenager let me tell you and certainly not in Essex. So I used to soak up the videos like a sponge. Some songs I swear I like because of the videos. I believe the golden age of video is behind us or maybe I think that because I am nostalgic for the 80s. There probably are some wonderful music videos being made now but they are so overly sexualised. I don't want to see tits and ass. I want creativity, innocence, humour and images that fit a song to perfection.

I've been musing on this for a while now and as such, here are some videos I think just work. They complement a song and make it sound better. They are videos that you instantly think of when you hear the song on the radio.

Michael Jackson understood the power of the video and it's hard to imagine a better video that the one for Billie Jean. The steps lighting up! It's all unmistakably 80s but it works beautifully. I much prefer it to the video for Thriller.

 

While I am on Jacko, Beat It. Also fantastic and so iconic with that red jacket. In fact, this video is all about the red jacket. I used to jump for joy when this came on MTV.

Lionel Richie, All Night Long. This is the perfect video. It evokes warm summer night and a party atmosphere. I love how colourful it is. I can't watch this without dancing. Also, cute kids!

A large house at night, a gothic atmosphere, a full moon, a wind machine, doors being opened dramatically, long white dresses, curtains billowing, mysterious ninja dancers, men in pants cartwheeling. It can only mean one thing. Bonnie is in the house. It's all just fantastic.

Duran Duran were a huge video band. Bands often became over ambitious as they became uber successful. Wild Boys is a ridiculous video. However, Rio is perfect. It doesn't take itself seriously. It's glam and aspirational. We all wanted to be on that yacht with a blue telephone.

Club Tropicana has a similar feel. I prefer this to Rio (much as I love Rio) because a) George Michael can actually sing b) it's a better song and c) It has Shirley and Pepsi in it! Also, I still want that lilo. Listening to this transports me to Spanish holidays of my youth.

George Michael made some great videos. I also love Careless Whisper (of course) for its utter cheesiness, Fast Love, and of course, Freedom. Supermodels! Every time I watch this I am captivated by Naomi Campbell's drop dead beauty.

Madonna. This entire post could be devoted to Madonna videos. She understands the power of video like no other. The Like A Virgin video makes an average song sound good and that's a real talent. I can't think of a single Madonna video I don't like. Obviously the pinnacle of her career is Vogue. If I had to pick my favourite video of all time, then this would be it. The dancing still looks as fresh as a daisy and the entire concept is genius.

I also love Hung Up, especially when she struts into that club. The woman knows how to dance.

Madonna's natural successor is of course, Lady Gaga. Poker Face is a beautifully looking video. That opening shot of her coming out of the pool is so cool.

Bad Romance as well. I could watch this over and over. The visuals in this are stunning. She was so good and now, meh. Whatever.

And finally, Beyonce, Crazy in Love. Utter perfection.

I shall be returning to this theme as I think of more great videos I love.

Lenny Kravitz

How have I neglected Lenny? I am ashamed of myself. Lenny was an obsession that lasted for several years and I still love him. Recently I've been listening to Lenny again for the first time in years and am delighted to report that his songs still sound good. Not all of them, some were clearly written under the influence of too many substances, however there is some greatness to be had. In a moment I shall pick out a few but let's just take a moment to appreciate the gorgeousness of Lenny.

He is ludicrously photogenic. My obsession extended to waiting for hours so I could be in the front row of a concert at Brixton Academy. Here is my photo:

I can't believe that was over 20 years ago. He threw me his plectrum and I still have it somewhere. Oh I do love a good obsession.

Anyway, to his music. I always felt he wasn't given enough credit. He wrote some fabulous songs. Here are some of my favourites.

I adore Heaven Help, it's such a cute little song.

Are You Gonna Go My Way. This still has one of my favourite introductions to a rock song. I love bouncing around to this. It's a great workout song.

Always On The Run. Another fantastic introduction. Lenny and Slash. I think my uterus just skipped a beat. I think this is possibly my favourite Lenny song. I adore it.

Except I also adore Stand By My Woman. The perfect love song.

I also have a soft spot for Believe.

Let Love Rule will always be my favourite Lenny album and the title song is still perfect. I can always listen to this.

Be. I used to listen to this over and over.

I don't have much time for later Lenny but I am enjoying his new career as an actor. He's pretty good as well. Now all he needs to do is get back together with Lisa Bonet and arrange for me to bump into them in New York and I can die happy.

Veronica Mars movie

I am so excited. The Veronica Mars movie is out in just three days. The TV series ended too soon after three seasons and never felt resolved. There is much to be said for leaving your fans wanting more. The money for this movie was raised on Kickstarter in record time. Had I been quicker off the mark, I would have certainly invested. For a relatively modest $10,000 I could have had a speaking part in the actual movie. For $6,500 I could have named a character in the movie. Kickstarter is such a brilliant idea. I have backed Beyond Clueless which is a film about teenage movies. Find out more here. My name is going to be in the credits!

Anyway, back to Veronica. All the cast return, especially Logan. We like Logan. I cannot wait. 12.01am - I really might have to watch it at that time in the cinema.

Top Ten female TV characters

I did my Top Ten annoying TV characters but I never did my favourites. What an oversight that was. Allow me to inform and inspire you. In no real order since all these are marvellous.

We start with CJ Cregg. I actually think CJ is the greatest female character on television past and present. She was smart, funny, sexy and yet one could relate to her even when she ended up as Chief of Staff. She did the Jackal. And she was played by Allison Janney who will, one day, be my best friend.

Alexis Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan (I had to look up Rowan, who was Mr Rowan?) There is no greater entrance to a show than her walking up the aisle of the courtroom at the end of season one (which frankly is deadly dull) in that white hat. Joan Collins is a legend and I can't imagine anyone playing Alexis better than her. She also had the best costumes in the TV soap history, a perfect combination of 80s, Aaron Spelling and glamour. I still wish I could wear my hair in a turban like Alexis and smoke out of a cigarette holder.

Christine Cagney was simply awesome. All these women are such good role models. OK, maybe not so much Alexis who schemed and stepped on everyone to get her way (although all the men did the same thing). Cagney was epic, a character who had no children and a career back in the 80s and wasn't a bitch. Until she descended into alcoholism, I wanted to be Cagney. Busting criminals and shopping in her spare time. Who wouldn't want to be her?

Rachel Karen Green. Choosing a favourite Friend is hard and I adore them all (even Ross) but Rachel is the one who gives me belly laughs. Her princessy, bitchy side is just the right side of endearing. Jennifer Aniston will never be better than this.

Tami Taylor. The mane of wondrous hair. The pearls of wisdom dispensed but never lectured. The loyalty to her yummy husband. Tami was ordinary but yet extraordinary. Her life wasn't soapy, epic or front page news yet she was so easy to watch. God I miss Friday Night Lights.

Hotlips Houlihan. Basically there was nobody cooler than Hotlips.  She played with the boys and always had one up on them. Her and Hawkeye's barely simmering lust for each other built up over so many seasons until, at last, in the final episode they kiss. Awwwwwww.

Lorelei Gilmore. She made many bad choices and could be selfish but boy Lorelei was funny. Boring little Rory was so lucky to have her as a mum. The pop culture references in Gilmore Girls were always hilarious and rang true to someone like me who felt the need to start a blog about all this.

Miranda Hobbes. The only Sex and the City girl surely anyone intelligent could relate to. She was a kick-ass lawyer and memorably called the other girls on their incessant talk about sex and their relationships. I have been rewatching this show and Miranda is fabulous, funny and gorgeous.

Veronica Mars. 14 March people. What's your damage?

Cristina Yang. I can't tell you what season of Grey's I am now on, I'm a bit ashamed. Except not really because Cristina makes every episode worth watching. She's cynical, competitive, downright mean and very talented. I honestly feel that Cristina and I would be great friends.

It's so life affirming to write something complimentary about great female TV characters. I feel like a good person.

Haircut 100

The 80s was the decade of some truly perfect pop. I was not a huge Haircut 100 fan but who doesn't adore Love Plus One? It's a bonkers song: "where do we go from here? Is it down to the lake I fear?" It's so catchy and frothy though. This song will always remind me of rollerskating in Maldon. I only went once (not being someone who is fond of balancing on tiny wheels) but they played this and I thought I was fabulous. No doubt I was wearing neon too.

Also, when I worked at Our Price in Kingston, Nick Heyward came into the shop. It was terribly exciting.

Stevie Wonder

I'm having a Stevie Wonder moment. Here's the thing, it's impossible to sit still listening to Stevie. I am listening to him as I write this (Superstition) and am jigging about like a demented woman. Also, how completely brilliant is the above photograph?

I don't pretend to be a Stevie expert, I don't own all his albums and I don't know about rare B sides. I am pretty populist in my Stevie love but honestly, the man is a genius. One of my favourites is I Wish:

It's just funka-rama. It's impossible to be miserable listening to this.

Superstition. Perfection. One of the best introductions in popular music.

Everyone's favourite wedding song:

Another great wedding song. I hadn't properly appreciated what lovely songs Stevie writes. They are so uplifting. For Once In My Life. I love the backing singers on this.

Another great introduction here.

Putting I Just Called To Say I Love You to one side, Stevie also does a fine line in love songs.

Another classic here, this one just sounds like summer.

Unusually for Stevie, here is a more torturous love song. This was used in Scandal. I think Shonda Rhimes is a huge Stevie fan, he features a lot in Scandal.

Lately has always been one of my favourite love songs. I can listen to this over and over.

I could go on. Special mention to As, All I Do, Higher Ground and oh so many more. How can anyone not listen to Stevie? They must have no soul.

Grey's Anatomy

I present myself ready to eat humble pie. I have dissed this show for some time based on snippets I've seen where someone is always crying. Also, the music montage with a band like Snow Patrol playing over people crying. Also, the protagonist has a squeaky, irritating voice and she opens nearly every show with a voiceover saying stuff that means nothing: "in a world where all we have are dreams, it doesn't hurt to sleep a little." I made that one up but you get my drift. Anyway, I had decided Grey's was not for me.

I admit it. I was wrong. You can get your diaries out and make a note of the day. I have been watching Grey's on Hulu (fab online TV service for peanuts) and I am addicted. I started watching this about two weeks ago and I've just finished season three. I am not proud. In my defence it's brutally cold here in New York and it's January. I am trying to save money. Also, I've been sick. Nonetheless, like I say, I am not proud. But damn, if it isn't addictive. My initial impressions still stand. There is an inordinate amount of crying, there is generally too much emotion for my taste, the musical montages are overdone and Meredith is annoying. So why am I watching it? Let's look at the evidence.

Miranda Bailey. One of the finest characters I've seen on television. Miranda takes no prisoners. She's hilarious, the actress delivers her lines beautifully. She bosses around her interns and I love her. I want to be her.

Cristina Yang. I really like Sandra Oh and she plays the over-achieving, highly competitive Yang so well. Another one who has great lines.

Preston Burke. It's all a bit unfortunate what happened here with the actor because Preston is a fine character. I like his mother too.

Callie Torres. I want to have this woman's hair.

McDreamy. Patrick Demsey, who knew? This is a case of being all about the character. I don't fancy Patrick Demsey but man, I fancy McDreamy. He is definitely at his best in season one, he is getting a bit tired and emotive now but the scene in the lift when him and Meredith kiss is dreamy indeed. Plus he's a brain surgeon.

I have major issues with Meredith who is just wet. I don't have a huge amount of time for Izzy who makes bad decisions all the time and George is plain annoying. However, I admit it, I am loving this show. And it's still going at season 10! I have so much to watch. Excuse me...