TEA London News & Views

Happy New Year everyone… yes.. it’s a bit late bit hey it’s still my first post for 2012. Besides, it’s not February yet. And to start the year(so to speak), this bunny is actually going to be doing something out of character- a review on a TV show/movie (I’m not sure what it is)

Black Mirror 1- National Anthem

First of all, I have to admit I haven’t got a clue who Charlie Brooker was (I do not own a TV and I only read books with pictures) and basically choose to watch it ‘cos everyone around me told me to (the TEA London crew included). And you know what they say, if you can’t beat them, join them. Besides, I seriously need to write something before the end of the month to fulfil my contract so hey, why not. So I sat down and turn Black Mirror 1 on as I enjoy my supper of pita bread, organic houmous, ham and cucumber.

The verdict:

Ahem.. am I the only person who think it’s shit (yes, that bad)? I am sorry but seriously? If it’s meant to be thought provoking and challenging, then it failed miserably. The only thing that was challenged was my patience. I think I understand what it is trying to do but is way off the mark. Yes, I get the ‘what if’ question, but in order for the ‘what if’ question to challenge our cerebellum, it needs to as grounded as possible i.e. to imitate life. But the real problem I have is not the question, but the answer. I couldn’t care less if the Prime Minister has to have sex with a pig, a toad or a unicorn, but the fact remain there is only one answer to the question. And it’s definitely not the one Mr. Brooker picked.

And when a solution is totally far fetched, the story becomes a mere fantasy. In this case, a fantasy with no action. Imagine LOTR(the trilogy) and Star Wars(all six) with no action at all, and now imagine having to watch them back-to-back. Need I say more?

Honestly, I think the show it’s just an exercise of vanity. Most of us are sensible enough to keep our dirty dark fantasy in our head where it would remain what it is- a fantasy. But Mr. Brooker on the other hand decided to turn it into a show and call it a dark drama. I think he even wrote himself a character in the show but that’s for you to decide.

Notes:

• TEA London totally disagree with me
• I made a comment likening the show to reading The Sun and apparently, that’s the point. But really, if I want to read The Sun, I would buy it. And if I don’t want to read it, why would I suddenly want to watch it on TV?
• What about the effect of Twitter, YouTube etc. ? Err.. is that not common knowledge? It’s 2012 for Pete’s sake!
• Someone said ‘Perhaps you are not the target audience”. I say, “ Perhaps, you are right”

BE

Disclaimer: The views of Bunny Ears is not necessarily that of TEA London’s; or that of anyone else’s for that matter.

Day 3- Caribou

Sore heads, gail force wind and rain rain rain.. Welcome to Day 3, curated by Caribou.

Pharoah Sanders

If you have been following this series of reviews , you should know by now that I, Bunny Ears, cannot do jazz (please see Day 1 review). So to listen to Pharoah Sander first thing in the morning (afternoon) with a sore head should not have been a good combination. And it wasn’t, at first but then the music took a turn into a soothing slow-ish jazz (I can handle slow mellow jazz). It was like Sunday in the park, but only here everyone is chilling out on the carpet, in a dark windowless building, with no sun and away from the rain. O how romantic!

Connan Mockasin

This was one of the band on my must-check-out list for the weekend and this is purely because someone I know has a girlfriend who has a cousin who knows someone that’s in the band (no idea which one). Anyway, Connan Mockasin is absolutely brilliant and they are definitely my favourite new discovery. A little Air, a little Beck, the sound is soft, minimal, pure and very very beautiful. You cannot help but be captivated.

The Ex with Getatchew Mekuria

One is a ‘Dutch post-punk legend’ and the other is a ‘saxaphone-wielding king of Ethiopian jazz soul’. The results well, as jazz as jazz can be. I tried, believe me I tried… but I can’t, I simply can’t.

Let’s go get a drink instead.

Orchestra of Spheres

I have serious issues with bands who wear quirky things on stage, cos more often than not, their so called DIY eccentric I-am-o-so-quirky music is actually O-m-g-are-you-being-serious? And please do not refer to your severe lack of style or the understanding of style as eccentric or quirky. It’s the same reason why there are no stupid people left in Britain, only dyslexics.

Sun Ra Arkestra

More jazz…If I am stuck in a catacomb with this lot, trust me, that will be my nightmare before Xmas (or indeed any other day). One of them is supposed to be from another planet, and some of them have been around since Tutankhamun. Whatever they do, wherever they come from, we definitely worship a different god. O forgive me…

Junior Boys

Yeah.. another must-see for me, Junior Boys seemed to be the current go-to people for remixes. And I can totally understand why. They have created a niche for themselves, making music that adults can enjoy and dance to without having to punch their fist in the air every other second.. I called it ‘Adult Orientated Dance’. Whoever reviewed Roisin Murphy last album and declared ‘Finally, dance music for adults!’ should really get themselves a copy of Junior Boys ‘cos this is finally dance music for adults. O I want more!

Four Tet

Still dancing…Still adult and still very contemporary, Kieren Hebden took everyone up a notch into serious party time. With a more thumping sound and energy, Four Tet is how dance music in a club should sound like (instead of the carry-on DJ sound from the bygone Ibiza years). So put on you dancing shoes matey, the party ain’t over yet.

Caribou -Vibration Ensemble

The final act for the weekend (at least for me), Caribou – Vibration Ensemble is basically Caribou and their friends who have perform during the weekend. And o I cannot ask for a better closing act. One word- Major. This bunny dance and dance like it’s 1999 (or 2000 for some). There was a mellow moment in the middle of the set, but that just make the pick up even more amazing. And when ‘Odessa’ came on, I think I shed a tear of joy. It was absolutely brilliant and the ending, oh unexpectedly perfect. I’m totally shattered.

And there you go, the round up for this year’s ATP- Nightmare Before Christmas.

It has been a total blast. And like I said, I don’t’ like making sweeping statement like ‘ooh this is the best ATP’ but it has been a very very very good one. O sort it. This is the Best ATP!!! (I’ve been to four ok).

BE

Disclaimer: The views of Bunny Ears is not necessarily that of TEA London’s; or that of anyone else’s for that matter.

DAY 2- Curated by Battles

Walls

With their 2010 self titled album picking up Mojo Electronic Album of the Year, what could possibly go wrong with the duo? The answer is, absolutely nothing. With my eyes closed and bum planted on the carpet, their emotional soundscape took me to Norway, Berlin, Hull, Royal Oak (don’t ask me why), and many other places and spaces. It was beautiful, it was lush, it was the perfect start to Day 2.

Washed Out

The electronic theme continues with Washed Out. And basically if you take Walls, turn the encapsulating soundscape down a couple of notches, strip everything else down a little, add in some vocals and then cut everything up into 10 individual songs, and you’ll get Washed Out. It’s a pop version of Wall if you like and I meant it in a good way.

The Field

More electronic..The Field have exactly the same set up as Wall on stage but that’s where the similarity ends. Though both are in the genre of electronic, The Field are a lot dancier but definitely not better. I find their sound tired and dated. It’s like listening to a DJ spinning club music. I got bored very very quickly.

Gary Numan

Is it wrong to say bad things about Gary Numan? I mean he is Gary Numan after all..? Well to be honest, it wasn’t very interesting. Looking very much like Brian Molko (or rightfully the other way right), his new sound is goth. Nothing new, and nothing more. With the exception of Cars in the early part of the set, I felt like I stood there for 40 mins just to listen to Are Friends’ Electric. Sorry…

Cults

Oooh.. I was very much looking forward to see Cults after coming across some of their tracks a few years ago. Live, her voice sounds a lot sweeter and definitely a lot more bedroom pop. Although they didn’t blow me away, I still love what they do and to me, they are what pop music should sound like. Note: I’m still humming ‘Most Wanted’.

Battles

Curator for Day 2, the Battles were fantastic and boy do they work hard! The result; a musical sound that is amazingly dense and frantic with beeps and bleeps coming out of everywhere, followed by rolling thunderous drums and every little squeak an instrument can make. Yes there were moments when it lingered a bit on the same spot but there were many other moments when it felt like all the pinball machines and video games have come alive in an arcade and proceeded to have a full blown sing-song. And that’s what make the Battles a damn worthwhile band to watch.

(And who cares about not having a lead singer when you can just stick people into screens- genius!)

Underground Resistance presents Interstellar Fugitives

Detroit has a saviour and they come in many guises under the banner of Underground Resistance

or is that supposed to be Interstellar Fugitives? Frankly, I haven’t got a clue and the little write up in the booklet just confuses me even more. I don’t really know why but I keep thinking I have seen them before. But anyway, they are pretty good, in a sense that I wouldn’t mind seeing them again but I wouldn’t be rushing out to buy the record or ticket.

And that ladies and gentleman is the end of Day 2.

BE

ps. I did sneak into a DJ session again.. but when Mr. DJ shouted Un, Dos, Tres.. I couldnt get away faster enough.

Disclaimer: The views of Bunny Ears is not necessarily that of TEA London’s; or that of anyone else’s for that matter. (especially the bit about Gary Numan – Ed)