Category Archives: Uncategorized

Videodrome. Max Renn is the president of a less than savoury TV station: Channel 83 specialises in everything from softcore porn to hardcore violence. Publicly, Max justifies the choice of programming as a means of economic survival: he offers viewers content they won’t find on other networks. Privately however, Max regularly indulges in the reprehensibleContinue reading “The Cinema of 1983.”

Let’s Dance. The sax-laden, funky bass enriched melodies, dripping with Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Texan blues guitar, on Bowie’s fifteenth (!?) album are really rather good. Owing much to the co-production by Chic’s Nile Rogers, Let’s Dance has a more accessible sound than is the case on some of Bowie’s other records, with “Modern Love”, “ChinaContinue reading “The Sound of 1983.”

Films Videodrome. Nostalgia. The Ballad of Narayama. Tootsie. L’Argent. Albums: Murmur – REM. Let’s Dance – David Bowie. Swordfishtrombones – Tom Waits. Power, Corruption & Lies – New Order. Depois do Fim – Bacamarte.

Dubnobasswithmyheadman. Fellow passengers stare at me on the bus. Underworld’s heavy bass electronica reverberates through my eardrums, stimulating the muscle memory in my jaw. As I sit there at 7:30am on a Monday morning, gurning to the anthemic rave bangers, I understand the strange looks. They’re looks of jealousy. “Why am I not listening toContinue reading “The Sound of 1994.”

January: American figure skater Nancy Kerrigan is attacked by an assailant hired by Tonya Harding’s ex-husband during the US Figure Skating Championships The Irish Government announces the end of a 15-year broadcasting ban on the Provisional IRA and its political arm Sinn Féin US President Bill Clinton and Russian President Boris Yeltsin sign the KremlinContinue reading “The News of 1994.”

Four Weddings and a Funeral. Charles is a Hugh Grant type, nervously charming and charmingly nervous, by happenstance portrayed by the man himself. Charles is a serial monogamist, he’s had a string of girlfriends but is seemingly incapable of commitment. While serving as best man at his friend’s wedding he becomes transfixed by mysterious American,Continue reading “The Cinema of 1994.”

Back to the 90’s we go… What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Philadelphia. Cronos. Ladybird, Ladybird. Four Weddings and a Funeral. Dog Man Star – Suede. Protection – Massive Attack. Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain – Pavement. Dubnobasswithmyheadman – Underworld. Re – Café Tacvba.

January: The pilot episode of Hone and Away airs The Phantom of the Opera opens on Broadway Margaret Thatcher becomes the longest serving 20th century UK Prime Minister , having been in power for eight years and 244 days February: The Winter Olympics are held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada; the Soviet Union top the medalContinue reading “The News of 1988.”

Beetlejuice. Adam, portrayed by the greatest actor of all time, Arec Alec Baldwin, and his wife Barbara, Geena Davis, are staycationing in their quaint village hometown. Constantly interrupting their tranquil holiday is their real estate agent neighbour, who is adamant they should sell their house to a wealthy family from New York. On the wayContinue reading “The Cinema of 1988.”

Tracy Chapman. It’s a shame that in the playlist obsessed culture in which we live, that Tracy Chapman’s enduring legacy, for most people, will be “Fast Car”. It is without doubt a great song, but Chapman’s entire self-titled debut album is filled with unique songs, each containing poignant political and social commentary. She questions theContinue reading “The Sound of 1988.”