This Sounds Good :(

Just read this on a tickets site. I must admit my credit card is still in the wallet...

SUM 41 - The pop punks are playing Brixton Academy on BLAHBLAHBLAH. And tickets are still available. It's bound to be a fun-filled show full of immature antics and lots of catchy choruses.

I'll see you there, OK?

At Last! The 7 CD Toto Set We've Been Waiting For!

This is painful. No one not currently resident in a perma-sealed secure wing wants - or needs - a 7 CD Toto box set. And I certainly don't need to read anything that includes the phrase, "Toto were not a band to rest on their laurels..." or "In the video for Rosanna, a young Patrick Swayze can be seen as one of the dancers..." Not unless I planned on ending my own life in the next five minutes.

Sony BMG presents….

Toto: The Collection

7 Disc Boxset

Released BLAHBLAHBLAH

This beautifully packaged collection includes Toto’s first seven albums plus a fantastic live DVD. These are the albums which shaped their distinctive BLAHBLAHBLAHBLAH.

The Grammy award-winning band were BLAHBLAHBLAH described by Eddie Van Halen as “BLAHBLAHBLAH”. The public obviously agreed – the group has sold over BLAHBLAHBLAH.

This collection is perfect for those who want to discover the magic of Toto as well as being a collector’s item for established fans.

Toto
This was the self titled debut album that launched Toto into massive commercial success, setting the standard for the band throughout the 1980s when they went on to become one of the biggest selling groups of their era.

The album spawned hit single Hold The Line as well as Georgy Porgy and I’ll Supply The Love. The band was nominated for a Grammy award for Best New Artist and shortly thereafter, in early 1979, they embarked on their first American tour in support of the debut album.

Hydra
The successful follow up album to Toto was released in 1979. It featured the hit single 99, which was inspired by George Lucas' cult film THX 1138. This song went on to become one of the band’s most popular numbers. Other singles include St George And The Dragon and All Us Boys.

The band also released a promotional video for the album's title track, though the song was never released as a single.

Turn Back
Turn back was probably the most experimental of their albums. It was a new direction for the group and one which prompted strong responses from critics both positive and negative. The record is very guitar heavy and features less keyboards than their previous two records.

Toto IV
Toto were not a band to rest on their laurels, in 1982 they released their most successful albums to date. In fact, Toto IV became one of the most commercially successful records of the entire decade. The massive hit singles massive Africa and Rosanna are both on this album.

The album was awarded 6 Grammy Awards including Record Of The Year for Rosanna, Album Of The Year for Toto IV, and Producer Of The Year. In the video for Rosanna, a young Patrick Swayze can be seen as one of the dancers, and a young Cynthia Rhodes can be seen as the lead dancer.

Isolation
The follow up record to Toto IV was also a commercial success, achieving gold status. This was the first album to feature new lead singer Fergie Frederiksen. Isolation features fantastic singles Stranger In Town and How Does It Feel.

Fahrenheight
This album was OH GOD ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT MAKE IT STOP ALREADY!

Literally, Who Cares? 2

I wasn't even aware that there was a band called The Higher. Now I discover someone called Tim (or something) has left them. This is terrible, terrible news. What ever shall we do?

THE HIGHER GUITARIST QUITS BAND

Epitaph records The Higher have parted ways with their guitarist and founding member Tom Oakes. The band will still be coming to the UK in BLAHBLAHBLAH

THE HIGHER regrets to inform everyone that due to personal and creative issues, Tom Oakes has decided to take leave from the band. We wish him the best in his future projects.

I think we all know that's a crock of shit, right? Anyway:

THE HIGHER will continue on and will perform at all dates posted. THE HIGHER wishes to thank all their fans for their understanding, support and love during this time and hopes to see you on tour.

”To all of you, I want to thank all of you for what you have done for this band. I am personally shaken about this, but not destroyed. The band is very adamant about continuing on and I have nothing but the most faith in the world that they will not only continue, but succeed.

I refer you to my previous observation.

If any of you have any questions, I am available to speak further. thank you all again and look forward to a successful 2008!” Tom Oakes

"Somebody's got an ology. Tautology!"

There is only one good reason for having typed this sentence - regular finger exercise may delay the onset of arthritis in later life.

Combining blues and soul with a nod to Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile’s music can be described as a sonic soundscape of honest vocals, organic sounds and arresting delivery, she blends raw music with real talent.

*Kills Self*

This just in:

SMOOSH - sorry, no Nottingham date

Following the announcement of their mini-UK tour, SMOOSH are sorry to announce they will no longer be playing: Friday April 18th - Nottingham Liars Club

Is there any point us carrying on, do you think?  

Is This The Worst Festival Ever?

Festivals are - by and large - terrible affairs. But at least you're generally offered a glimpse of someone half decent to make up for the dysentery and downpours. Well, here's one that's bucking that trend with admirable abandon. The Live Nation / o2 Wirelesss Festival 2008 appears to have not one single band anyone in their right mind would ever want to see. In fact, they seem to have plumped for artists that most people feel so unengaged with they wouldn't even accept a freebie in case they missed something midly diverting on telly, never mind actually pay cash money - £40! - to "experience" them all...

COUNTING CROWS HEADLINE HYDE PARK
SUNDAY 6th JULY

BEN HARPER & THE INNOCENT CRIMINALS
AND POWDERFINGER JOIN THE BILL

Sunday at this year’s O2 Wireless Festival sees one of the world’s biggest BLAHBLAHBLAH...New album, ‘Saturday Night and Sunday Morning’ (sees the band split their musical personality with BLAHBLAHBLAH) will be a chance for fans to hear those new tracks alongside the classics that have made COUNTING CROWS one of the world’s favourite BLAHBLAHBLAH...

"Man... Harper, the Criminals and Powderfinger? I'm there!"

Seriously Dude, Kill Me Now

I have no idea who this Faisal J is, but I do know this. I have never, ever read a press release that makes me want to have every single copy of the record it's meant to be promoting ground into a fine dust and scattered across deep space more than this one. I would rather be nailed to a wall than feature this on "the facet" of my blog (whatever that means). And no, I'm not making the email address up.

From: "Purple Vagina" [h****w****@gmail.com]
Date: 14 February 2008 15:26:27 GMT

Subject: Seriously Dude you have to check this track out! (Alavi + Etienne De Crecy + BLAHBLAHBLAHBLAH)

You probably haven't heard about this artist yet, otherwise he would've already been featured on the facet of your blog!

Flairs is the solo projects from the ultimate bass player who BLAHBLAHBLAHBLAH psychedelic Walt Disney on acid video for BLAHBLAHBLAH.

Contact me back on this email if you made a post about it on your blog, so I can link to it on BLAHBLAHBLAH.

Faisal J.