Author: Michael

Posted in Album Reviews

Yard Act – The Overload (2022)

Posted on by Michael

The four member band from Leeds saw their debut zip to #2 in the UK charts when released in January. Their groove based political rants take in the spirit of the No Wave Movement of early NY as well as the pop of Art Brut and politics of Sleaford Mods. The title track comments on the state of the youth before giving out some free band advice. The chorus uses punk rock harmonies that make it pop.  The peppy, “Witness (Can I Get A?)” flies by at just 82 seconds but manages to declare, “I’m suing your God for the ice on my step/stepped outside, nearly broke my neck”

A number of songs take a laid back, bass groove and ride it such the “bababa” laden “Land of the Blind”. “Tall Poppies”, the longest track here, is a character study of the handsomest lad in the village who lives and dies there.  “Pour Another” is a joyous tune of drinking while the world burns before ending on “100% Endurance”. The final highlight that sees the band questioning life, saying that “it’s all pointless” before asking for “some of that good stuff, that human spirit”. On The Overload, Yard Act are able to mix their politics with humour and on the final three tracks, a wealth of human emotion.

8/10

Posted in Paper Chase

Q4 Read It 2021

Posted on by Michael

A bit late with this posting, but here it goes:

A Clash of Kings: A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 2

A Clash of Kings is the second novel in George R.R. Martin’s series, A Song of Ice and Fire. Like it’s predecessor, there is a lot plot covered in its many pages. A few highlights include the struggle between Stannis and Renly Baratheon to take the crown, Arya Stark’s journey, Theon Greyjoy’s heel turn, Tyrion Lannister becoming the king’s hand and Jon Snow travelling well behind the wall.  With so many characters and plot points, it would be easy to get lost but Martin does a masterful job of keeping everything together.  While it doesn’t pack as much of a punch as the first novel, it is still a terrific read and the description of the war at King’s Landing is a thrill.

9/10

The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph

The first of Ryan Holiday’s big three stoicism books is The Obstacle Is The Way.  Released in 2014, the book is broken into three main sections – perception, action and will. The format is familiar to some of his other books of short stories taken from history.  While summarizing some of those historic lessons, Holiday can make it all very simplistic to prove his point. After several years of reading his writing, some of the stories and lessons may be blunted by being familiar but Holiday does have a unique ability to make the reader want to learn more about the many stories he shares.

7/10

Sponsored Ad – British Classics. Great Expectations

Great Expectations is Charles Dickens’ 13th novel and one of his most beloved. The story follows Pip, starting as a young lad who lives with his sister and her husband in the country with dreams of becoming a gentleman in the city. His dreams come true through a secret benefactor that pays his many bills.  Along the way, Pip falls for the beautiful Estella who he meets through the mysterious Miss Havisham.  Great Expectations is a very good story with many memorable characters and a few twists and turns to keep the reader engaged.

8/10