Sportsthoughts (152) – Why were England so bad against Iceland?

Posted on June 28, 2016 by John S

So we lost 2-1 to Iceland in the last 16 of the Euros. Had we won, we would have been up against France in the quarters, and didn’t have high hopes about that one. But it would have been par for the course – or at least the course until recently, when we have been losing much earlier (last two World Cups as well as yesterday).

I listened to a BBC 5 Live discussion tonight about what went wrong. As host Mark Chapman said, this is a biennial discussion. Every World Cup, every Euro.  Hope turns quickly to pain.

But why is that?

After the ritual slagging of the manager and the players, the discussion turned inevitably to the structure of football in England – the dominance of the Premier League, which is an international festival, the way the game is coached, the win at all costs mentality when the kids are young. The same themes as ever.

I don’t think it’s that bad.

We have good players, though it is true that some don’t get the chance in the big Premier League teams. But what the team seems to lack at tournaments is really basic stuff: a plan, a formation, confidence, leadership. That is in large part a managerial issue.

Here’s an example of why it is so. The England rugby team, immensely talented, badly managed, had a disastrous World Cup in the autumn of 2015. Finally we got a good coach – the Australian Eddie Jones. He’s tweaked the side, with the awesome Itoje the key addition; but largely the same team as in the World Cup has won the Six Nations and just beaten Australia three times in Australia. The latter is unprecedented. Each game was so close, but England battled to victory each time. How did that change? It can only be organisation, structure, belief. Imparted by the manager, but quickly absorbed by the players, who were always good.

Contrast with last night. Credit to Iceland – they had a plan, a structure, and tons of belief. It won them the game with 30% possession. They are a good team – they knocked Holland out of the qualifiers. Undoubtedly we underestimated them – but we should still have beaten them.

Instead it was possibly the most embarrassing England performance ever. By the end, Harry Kane, a fine centre forward, top scorer in the Premier League last season, couldn’t trap the ball, hit a free kick ten yards beyond the awaiting players, and off the pitch. It looked like he’d had a footballing breakdown. Confidence completely shot. I feel sorry for him -what brought that about?

Well, I can only surmise, but it seems like clueless management. The players are good. But they need a plan, a structure. Need to have a plan B. need to know what is expected of them. It looked like no-one knew last night. And there are no leaders to take a grip on the pitch, if things are going wrong mid-half. That’s about confidence. Why weren’t Cahill, Rooney, Hart doing that? It was as if no-one knew what they should do.

That has to be traced back to Roy Hodgson.

His reputation when he became England manager was as a fairly conservative manger who favoured 4-4-2. And 4-4-2 is still what English players instinctively understand. But he bowed to the pressures and tried all sorts of different formations, and ended up not having a clue what he wanted. And so last night we played 4-3-3, with Sterling, whose confidence had gone, and Sturridge, a central striker, out wide. Guess what, it failed. The central striker, Kane, didn’t have to take corners any more, but was still taking free kicks, instead of being in the box to score. Rooney was converted to a deep midfielder at the last minute. He did it quite well, but it disrupted the system that worked well when we beat Germany and France in friendlies. And so I could go on. The point is, it was all improvisation at the last minute, and against the national instinct. Against the grain. With, clearly, little buy-in.

So with a classic 4-4-2 that everyone understood, what could we have done? Kane and Vardy could have done the business upfront. Kane the target man, Vardy roaming, exploiting his pace. Delle Alli or Rooney (not both) could have been the forward-lying midfielder, the No10. A couple of players could have patrolled the middle – maybe Lallana and Wilshere, or Henderson; and Dier could have provided the anchor. The full backs could still have bombed up and down, but with a bit more cover. The particular personnel aren’t the point. It’s the structure, the plan. Players knowing what they have to do – and how to adjust when things go wrong. It’s generally easier to adapt when you know what you should be doing in the first place.

So, maybe it’s the structure of English football that determines whether we can win a World Cup in the long term; but to make at least the semis of these quite weak Euros, it just needed good management and the confidence which would have flowed from that. We didn’t have it. Roy failed the test, just as he did at the Brazil World Cup. He should have gone then.

Of course the players – those pampered, obscenely wealthy players – must take the blame too; but in fairness to them, they need to know what they are supposed to be doing. They clearly didn’t.

So who should be the next manager? Who should we pin our hopes on? You know, I have no idea. I’d love it to be Jose Mourinho, but he’s just started at Man Utd. I’m erring towards an Englishman who really understands the heart of English football, even in these Premier League days. A man who is prepared to delve into the Championship if he can’t get the defenders he needs from the Premier League options (which are thin). My God, I’m almost talking myself into Sam Allardyce, although I hated having him at West Ham.  Some of the stars might object, but, you know why not just leave them out and get a team that plays with passion and discipline.

No, no, no, not Sam! But someone similar. Accept our limitations and build on our strengths.

It might get us to the quarter finals at least.

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Oh England!

Posted on June 24, 2016 by John S

I live and die through England,

Through England,

It leaves a sadness.

(“England” by PJ Harvey)

It’s democracy for sure… but oh England, what have you done?

A vote for isolation, division, racism, hatred.

A deluded vote that doesn’t recognise that we live in an interconnected world. “Taking back control” simply isn’t an option. To prosper in the modern world you need to collaborate, cooperate.

A deluded vote that imagines we can or will stop immigration. We need immigrants for so many of our industries and services (including the beloved NHS), and to pay the taxes which will fund the pensions of all those old people who voted to leave.

A reckless vote that will probably break up the United Kingdom. Scotland will want another referendum for independence. Northern Ireland – at least the Catholic half – will say a UK government has no right to take it out of the EU, severing links with the rest of Ireland.

An irresponsible vote which may lead to the breakdown and breakup of the EU, the institution that has stopped war in the most war-like of continents.

OK, let’s not get too apocalyptic. We’ll probably muddle through, and maybe not much will change after the initial shock.

But this is the worst of England – aloof, uncaring, living in a mythological past of standing alone. It’s the voice you sometimes hear in the countryside: “You’re not from round here, are you?”

London voted massively to stay in. It’s a city state which thrives on diversity, and has increasingly little in common with the rest of the country. But its tax revenues subsidise the rest. Maybe London should seek independence and stay in the EU.

It leaves a sadness…

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Sportsthoughts (151) – Euro 2016 predictions!

Posted on June 11, 2016 by John S

Slightly slow off the mark, as the tournament started yesterday, but France beat Romania as expected, so nothing’s happened to change my views yet.

So here are my predictions for the tournament. Guaranteed to be wrong!

Winners : Spain

Second: France

Semi-finalists: Germany and Italy

Quarter finalists: England, Belgium, Switzerland, Wales

Top scorer: Olivier Giroud, and if not him, Dmitri Payet (genius). Both France.

Top scorer aside, these outcomes were derived by a highly scientific guess at the score in each game.

The semi-finalists are as boringly predictable as you could imagine, but I make no apologies. They are the best teams (with Belgium possibly vying with Italy right now) with the best track records. Belgium and Italy are in the same group and I have Belgium coming top, but that puts them on a collision course with Germany in the quarters. Auf wiedersehen!

Italy come up against En-ger-land in the quarters – fans already disgracing themselves in Marseilles, a city which has suffered from English hooliganism in the past. You’d just think they’d have a bit more sensitivity and respect for a country which has enough other security issues to worry about. But, no, not some of our lads. A big je suis desole to any French readers. Italy may not have a much-admired team at the moment, but they know how to progress in top tournaments, like few others. The opposite of England, who rarely play to their potential once serious proceedings start. We have an exciting young team at the moment, with real pace going forward. But central defence is suspect and the midfield untested at this level. And Roy Hodgson is still trying to work out how to play Wayne Rooney without disrupting the balance of the rest of the team. We’re in a kind group, which we should win, though I still approach tonight’s game against Russia with trepidation.

So fingers-crossed – let’s hope they can emulate the magnificent England rugby performance against the Aussies this morning (as opposed to their World Cup form last autumn!).

The other two quarter finalists, Wales and Switzerland, benefit from getting second place in weak-ish groups and then have last 16 games which could go either way. Wales have Iceland, who kept helped keep Holland out of the tournament, but ought to be beatable. And, of course, they have Gareth Bale! The big assumption about second place is that Wales will do better than Russia in Group B, England’s group. And Russia could be anything. I’m assuming that the loss of a couple of their midfield stars to injury is going to hurt them, but we shall see tonight!

Anyway, if Italy progress to the semis, which will require beating Portugal in the last 16 – the biggest clash in that round – they should come up against Spain, who seem to be over their 2014 World Cup wobble. A bit of new blood, but still the class of the last ten years, still playing a brand of possession football that no-one else can manage (or would want to manage). I think Spain will be too good for Italy (remember the last Euro-final?) and make it to Paris for a go at a Euro-hattrick.

Germany and France come together in the other semi. The Germans don’t seem quite the team they were in 2014, but still have class and power and, like, Italy, know how to play tournaments. France have huge potential, with an awesome midfield led by Paul Pogba, star of Juventus, once offloaded by Man Utd (good call there, Fergie! Goes with the one about Gerard Piquet). And there’s even West Ham’s hero Dimitri Payet, who scored a magnificent winner against Romania last night. Could he make all the difference at this relatively late stage of his career? France may be a bit vulnerable at the back, where they have suffered injuries. A team that relies on Koscielny for stability in defence – step forward Arsenal – always have the capacity to fall apart at some point. My son thinks I’m harsh on this point, but I’ve seen it too often in the past to rule it out as a risk.

Home support and an underlying quality might just take France past Germany in the semi-final, leaving a confrontation with Spain in the final, a repeat of the 1984 final, in which the great (but now disgraced) Michel Platini orchestrated a 2-0 French victory. The outcome this time will be very close. Are Spain really back to their best? Have France eliminated the self-destructive tendency? Can Spain weave their spells around France’s dynamic midfield? Can the French defence withstand the probings of Silva, Fabregas, Iniesta, Busquets, Koke, Thiago Alcantara – whoever plays?

I wish I felt confident enough to go for a patriotic punt on England, but fifty years of disappointment makes victory hard to envisage, with a team which shows promise, but isn’t the full works yet. Where are those English centre backs of yore?

Assuming England can’t win, my support is with France. They are an exciting side, and Dmitri Payet is playing for them. (England have ignored all West Eam’s English players, notably Mark Noble). And it will give a much-needed boost to a traumatised country, which I love and admire.

Allez les Bleus!

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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Wembley Stadium, 5 June 2016

Posted on June 8, 2016 by John S

So, three years on from Bruce’s last appearance at Wembley, we were back on Sunday to enjoy the latest instalment. Last time, in June 2013, I concluded in my review that it was the best concert that I had ever seen. That was because he played the whole of “Darkness on the Edge of Town” all the way through. My favourite album of all time. We didn’t get anything quite like that this time – how could we? – but we did did get three and a half hours of glorious music that spanned most of his back catalogue. A celebration.

The tour is branded “The River” tour, because, early on, it was promoting that album, originally from 1980, which has been re-released in multiple forms. But tonight there were only six tracks from the album – one more than “Born to Run”, which in the end, was supreme, as it usually is.

There was an uptempo feel to much of the set, Bruce and the band celebrating their rock’n’roll and soul/R&B roots. “The River” was always an album of two halves, mixed up: one the straightforward rock’n’roll celebrations, the other a dark, restrained reflectiveness, which built on “Darkness” and presaged the pared-down bleakness of “Nebraska”. Sunday’s concert selected songs mainly from the first category – not only the staple “Hungry Heart” but lively blasts like “Out on the Street”, “Sherry Darling” and “You can Look (but you better not touch)”. Of course we got “The River” itself, but not “Independence Day” or “Point Blank”. No complaints about that; this was a communal celebration, focused on Bruce’s 80s output, and therefore well-received by the crowd, many of whom may have first come into contact with Bruce through “Born in the USA” or “The River”. The responses suggested that.

As ever there were so many highlights and moving moments, but here are a few that stood out for me:

  • The opener, “Does the Bus Stop at 82nd Street?”, just Bruce and his piano, a nostalgic return to his first album, “Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ”. We got a wonderful “Spirit in the Night” from that too.
  • Turning the whiplash sparseness of “Johnny 99” into a rockabilly, rocking, R&B celebration.
  • The double of “Candy’s Room” and “She’s the One”. Classics, both. We had “Promised Land” and “Badlands” too.
  • A pounding, incessant “American Skin (41 Shots)”, a powerful tale of injustice and brutality.
  • Bruce and wife, Patti Scialfa, cheek to cheek, singing the awesome “Tougher than the Rest”, from “Tunnel of Love”, his 80s breakup album. This was always one of my favourites from the era, and it was a truly moving performance. And it was followed by a searing “Because the Night”, with Nils Lofgren letting rip on the guitar. The  maestro.
  • And best of all, obvious maybe, a wondrous rendition of “Jungleland”, sung with depth and passion by Bruce. Those familiar words, the poetry, those images and the dreams amid the despair, expressed as well as I’ve ever seen. And as for the sax break in the middle, the peak moment of the song, played beautifully by Jake Clemons, son of the mighty Clarence, the Big Man – a moment of real emotion. The summary of so many things. And then “Jungleland” rolled straight into “Born to Run”. A crowd eruption. What more could you want? Well how about the last song of all, an acoustic version of “Thunder Road”. Bruce, guitar, audience, in unison.

There were dignified and defiant performances of two key songs from “The Rising”, the post 9/11 album – the title track and “My City of Ruins”. As well as the easy pop of “Waiting on a Sunny Day” – a real crowd favourite, especially given the weather. I find it a bit cloying, but can’t deny the catchiness and the unity it brings.  And who can deny the infectiousness of the closing three of the first encore: “Tenth Avenue Freeze Out”, the Isley Brothers’ “Shout” and crowd-pleaser “Bobby Jean”? I think that last one really speaks to the crowd…

We liked the same music, we liked the same bands, we liked the same clothes…

That’s Bruce Springsteen in 2016. Grown up, at one with the crowd, speaking their language, articulating their feelings. Everyman and a spokesman. Still in love with music and its redeeming power. Still a fan, still a consummate performer, showman, cheerleader, musician, poet. A leader.

The Boss.

The full setlist, courtesy of the brilliant Setlist FM, is here.

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My Top Twenty – Most played songs on iTunes/iPod

Posted on June 4, 2016 by John S

I’ve compiled plenty of lists of favourites in the past – top tens, twenties, hundred albums, even a 200 tunes. But do they actually represent what I listen to most? I thought I’d  sort my iTunes by “plays” and see. Below are my twenty most played songs from the past few years. They aren’t the most played on the system – they are beaten out of sight by “One Thing” by One Direction (a massive 1643 plays) and “Doo Wops & Hooligans” by Bruno Mars (1392). I don’t even know these songs! But I have three children…

So here it is.

  1. Silver Dagger – The Staves – 196 plays
  2. Lies – Chvrches – 155
  3. Give up the Ghost – Radiohead – 147
  4. Tin Star – Lindi Ortega – 142
  5. Mexico – The Staves – 139
  6. She’s a Witch – Genghar – 137
  7. Master of my Craft – Parquet Courts – 134
  8. Codex – Radiohead – 133
  9. Give Out – Sharon van Etten – 133
  10. Powder – Genghar – 132
  11. Borrowed Time – Parquet Courts – 127
  12. Tether – Chvrches – 121
  13. Icarus – The Staves – 116
  14. Flutter – The Unthanks – 116
  15. Weird Fishes/ Arpeggi – Radiohead – 114
  16. Pause – Emily Barker and the Red Clay Halo – 113
  17. Light on our Limbs – Daisy Vaughan – 111
  18. You Said Something – PJ Harvey – 111
  19. I Try – The Staves – 111
  20. Gone Tomorrow – The Staves – 109

Well, what to make of that? I’m a bit of a softie at heart in my listening habits, I guess. Especially in recent years. And The Staves’ early EPs became a real staple for me when I discovered them. They still are: music to return to when you just want to chill, clear your head. A few indie favourites too: Chvrches, Genghar, Parquet Courts. That makes sense. Radiohead well represented, but with some of their recent, more reflective numbers. If you have regularly read my blogs, you will have read effusive words about all this lot, so no surprises really.

Slightly further down the list comes some more dance-orientated stuff, mainly from my Gilles Peterson playlist, a few recent rock favourites like Royal Blood and The War on Drugs, a bit of Bob Marley and Bowie and a bit of noise from the likes of The Pixies and Smashing Pumpkins. Joni Mitchell and Massive Attack feature too; and Wolf Alice are coming up on the rails, as I’m still playing “My Love is Cool”a lot.

But hats off to the Staves!

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Let’s Eat Grandma at Electrowerkz, Islington, 1 June 2016

Posted on June 2, 2016 by John S

Last night my friend Jon and I ventured up to Islington and a venue in an old warehouse called Electrowerkz to see a new young duo called Let’s Eat Grandma. Jon had heard them on 6 Music, and they are due to appear at Latitude, so we thought we’d give them a try.

Some brief research beforehand told me they were Jenny Hollingworth and Rosa Walton, two 17 year olds from Norwich. Still at college, studying music. NME had an interview with them, which suggested they were making waves in the music industry. They had a few videos on YouTube which were inventive and the music, well, it was pretty hard to pin down. There were dance beats which came from their generation, but also a pot pourri of sounds and voices which reminded me variously of Bjork, Kate Bush, Lorde… and 70s prog. How did that come about? Listening to their parents’ records? Picking it up from their studies? Or just a natural desire to experiment? Whatever, it sounded promising.

Electrowerkz is very basic. The first floor of an old warehouse in a mews not far from the Angel. Everything painted black. The main room was like a cave. The bar sold cans of just about cold Red Stripe. The staff, dressed in regulation Goth black, clearly regarded it as a call beyond duty to smile at the customers. Welcome to North London!

First on was Fifi Rong, a woman of Chinese background, backed by two guys on bass and drums. The beats were mid tempo electronic and there was something quite exotic about it all. Fifi was pretty striking, and had a lovely voice. I guess my reference points would be Portishead (their mellow side), Innocence and Sade. She ended with a cover of The Cure’s “Friday I’m in Love”, which was an interesting choice. Good stuff – I’ll be checking out her music on line. I did wonder how she had wound up at Electrowerkz supporting Let’s Eat Grandma. Especially later when I saw she had over 44,000 Twitter followers. I think she may have a following in China.

So on came Jenny and Rosa. They look like twins, with near identical big hair which would be the envy of any metal lead guitarist. The Lorde/Kate Bush thing again. There were an array of key boards, drums, guitars, but just the two of them. They really worked in partnership, taking turns, often during a song, on the machines and the drums, as well as vocals. The saxophone made a brief appearance, there were a couple of interesting guitar riffs, an electric mandolin – and a recorder added to the sense of wackiness on a few occasions. Underpinning everything was a contemporary pop/dance sensibility. My girls, who are about the same age, would recognise that, I think. I look forward to the day I hear them waxing lyrical about Let’s Eat Grandma and I can really annoy them by saying, oh yes, I saw them at Electrowerkz a year ago!

The set was fairly short – about 45 minutes – which is no surprise as they only have four songs out so far. I think an album is due quite soon. The tunes lend themselves to the extended workout live, and there’s always a surprising development just around the corner. But there’s method to the apparent randomness – these are cleverly constructed pieces.

I imagine this may have been the biggest concert to date, even though it was in a pretty shabby venue. The pair didn’t say a word to the audience – part of the image or nervousness, I don’t know. Maybe it would have helped if they were playing to more of their own generation. The audience was probably, on average, 25-35, with a sprinkling of oldies like us, and a few teenagers. I guess exam season on a chilly Wednesday night isn’t the most auspicious time to get the youth contingent out. I’ll be interested to see who comes to watch them at Latitude.

Anyway, a really interesting evening. I didn’t know what to expect, but what I got was two intriguing and enjoyable sets. Watch out for Fifi Rong and Let’s Eat Grandma!

Here’s the latest Let’s Eat Grandma video. A paean to Shiitake mushrooms …

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Safety in numbers!

Posted on May 30, 2016 by John S

Today Kath and I, with our friends Jon and Maggie, walked along the Thames path from Cholsey downstream to Tilehurst, just outside Reading. Some very beautiful scenes, which I’ll post later this week; but I loved this scene of some Canada geese leading their youngsters to a safe place. This was just downstream from Whitchurch and Pangbourne. Real organisation: adults at the front, throughout the line, with a few others hovering to the side and rear, watching for threats, as a gull flies overhead.

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Destination reached!

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Radiohead at the Roundhouse, 26 May 2016

Posted on May 28, 2016 by John S

The first Radiohead concerts in the UK since 2012, and in London they chose to play three nights at the Roundhouse. It’s a great venue – maybe my favourite – but it only holds about 3,000. So fewer people will have got to see them (tonight’s the last one) than if there were one O2 Dome appearance, which is where they appeared last time.

So I was very lucky to be there!

So very lucky, because it was a magnificent gig, which featured the new album “A Moon Shaped Pool” heavily, but also paid tribute to pretty much all the albums that went before, except the very first, “Pablo Honey”, home of that one-off, proto-Radiohead hit, “Creep”.

As I said in my review of “A Moon Shaped Pool” the other day, Radiohead are the best band in the world right now, and tonight they confirmed that. There’s no-one else who can combine anthemic angst, beautiful, twisted ballads, leftfield electro and awesome rock power the way they do. It’s the result of a history of constant restlessness, an evolution of their sound which has sometimes felt like revolution. The biggest step change always seemed like the one from “OK Computer” to “Kid A”, which for a moment seemed to signal the end of guitars in the band who had made some of the great guitar anthems on “OK Computer” and its predecessor, “The Bends”. And yet, as we have passed through the initially obscure meanderings of “Amnesia” and especially “Hail to the Thief”, the perfection of “In Rainbows” and the angular electro and vulnerability of “The King of Limbs” it feels like “Kid A” was simply a bridge, a natural step.

Radiohead’s musical journey has been intriguing and exhilarating, and that is why their fans are quite happy to go a concert and hear it begin with five new songs on the trot. They know they are going to be good and that they will hear a few old favourites too. Radiohead respect their audience. They take it to new places, but they don’t disown the past. In fact they celebrate it big time.

And that is what we lucky few got on Thursday – and Friday, I know from other friends. With a similar core of new songs on both nights, but a hugely different array of earlier songs. The concert lasted two and a half an hours and 25 songs were played. On my night there were eight from the new album. The first five, as I said above, were from “A Moon Shaped Pool”. In fact the first five in sequence from that album. “Burn the Witch” was less jagged, but if anything, more urgent than on the album. A blistering opener, followed by the intense, cinematic beauty of “Daydreaming”. Right now I feel that this is one of the band’s very finest moments, one of the new songs destined to become an old favourite very quickly. “Decks Dark” continued that beautiful reflectiveness. I read in the Guardian/Observer review of “A Moon Shaped Pool”, by Kitty Empire, that the new album, at least lyrically, is Thom Yorke’s break-up album, after the ending of his relationship with his long term partner. That makes sense, but it’s never maudlin, just hauntingly lovely. Immersive music. “Desert Island Disk” is acoustic and introspective; and then…

The most striking song on the album, “Ful Stop”. That sense of paranoia and anxiety, those enveloping siren-like sounds over the urgent bass line, which I described in my review of the album, became truly dramatic as the blue lights flashed and the beats became overwhelming. In an evening of high points, I think it may have been the high point.

The dynamic had to change after that. We had the electro of “Lotus Flower”, a diversion into the B-sides with the sparse “Talk Show Host”, from “The Bends” era, and then, greeted like a long lost friend, “My Iron Lung” from “The Bends” itself. And my, did that rock! And really, the rest of the concert was just a fantastic journey through Radiohead’s back catalogue with a few more representations from the new, “Identikit” being a standout for me. Highlights for me were the last three in the main set – the lovely “Reckoner” from “In Rainbows”, the iconic duo from “Kid A”, “Idioteque” (featuring Thom’s dervish moves) and “Everything in its Right Place” – then a haunting “Nude” (with false start as one of Jonny’s machines wasn’t working) and a searing “Planet Telex” in the first encore; and last of all, the song we were probably all waiting for. “Paranoid Android” of course. What can you say about “Paranoid Android” other than the obvious? It was truly awesome and sent us all home elated.

That was my third Radiohead concert, and each one has felt like it was one of the greatest gigs I have ever seen. I do hope they return soon, and play some bigger venues so more people can see them – and I can again! Because I know it will be completely different, but just as good. Radiohead are the benchmark for excellence.

I’ve attached a link to the full setlist here. From the brilliant Setlist FM – they had this up within an hour of the concert finishing. Take a look at the 27 May set too. All sorts of other favourites like “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi”, “The National Anthem” “Pyramid Song”and “Karma Police”. But no “Paranoid Android”. Well you can’t have everything.

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Have You Heard? – (74) “A Moon Shaped Pool” by Radiohead

Posted on May 23, 2016 by John S

 

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A week or so ago I downloaded three albums that I felt would transform the music of 2016 so far: PJ Harvey’s “The Hope Six Demolition Project”, James Blake’s “The Colour in Anything” and, the big one, Radiohead’s “A Moon Shaped Pool”. I can’t really comment properly on the first two yet because, inevitably, the Radiohead album has taken over. Top of the league, as ever…

We knew something was happening as there were a few tour dates and then two videos, for the tracks “Burn the Witch” and “Daydreaming”. As it happens they are the two opening tracks for the album and are, perhaps, its signature tunes.

“Burn the Witch” is maybe the closest thing to a classic Radiohead song, if you still hanker after the more upbeat sounds. Upbeat in rhythm that is, not in lyrical content. That is the usual paranoia and alienation! There’s a difference in the sound though, as the song is introduced with some jerky violins – not an instrument that has featured too much in earlier Radiohead, but more prominent on this album.

“Daydreaming” symbolises what I felt most about the album when I first listened all the way through, which is that it feels like a film soundtrack – there’s a lot of space in the music, the pace is often languid, there are layers upon layers of sound, which slowly reveal themselves. Association with film isn’t new for Radiohead – “OK Computer” had a track called “Exit Music (For a Film)”, and “Kid A” ended with “Motion Picture Soundtrack”, but this album is suffused with the atmosphere of film music.

I loved both of the opening tracks, and it wasn’t long before others made a real impact. “Ful Stop” especially. An ominous bass drone, some sounds that sounded almost like sirens. Eerie, unsettling. In a sense, similar to the impact that “The National Anthem” had on me when I first listened to the groundbreaking “Kid A”. And then, as the paranoia and angst hits just the right level, the first line:

You really messed up everything…

Good ol’Thom, always knows how to poop the party. And we love him for it!

In keeping with that film soundtrack air, “A Moon Shaped Pool” strips out most of the hard edged beats that have populated the last few Radiohead albums – beats that really come into play live. And brilliantly at that. “Identikit” tends the electro flame, and could fit nicely onto “In Rainbows”. It has a twist though, when a kind of gospel chorus appears half way through. It’s as if Radiohead are acknowledging some of the things that feature in modern pop, without falling in line with the mainstream. The track ends with a slightly beserk, scratchy guitar solo. Not something you’d get on an Adele record! (Not yet, anyway).

Another of the tracks which made an early impression is “Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor Rich Man Poor Man Beggar Man Thief”. (Radiohead like to use everyday sayings in their songs, which contrast with the other-worldliness of their music). It’s another slow-paced piece, which slowly builds up the atmosphere, and entrances. Those violins, or something that sounds like them, resurface. Radiohead go orchestral – but in a weird way, of course. We had a foretaste of this when the band put their theme for the last Bond movie, “Spectre” online. It didn’t make the cut for some reason, but it was perfect.

We even get a bit a little bit of samba – Radiohead style – in “Present Tense”, another song that might have worked well on “In Rainbows”. The more I’ve listened to “A Moon Shaped Pool”, the more I think the other it resembles most – in spirit and variety of sounds – is “In Rainbows”, although the more stately pieces retain that beautiful sadness that seemed to characterise its immediate predecessor, “The King of Limbs”.

Radiohead, as ever, move on. Further than ever away from the rock sounds of “The Bends” and “OK Computer”, which I suspect many fans would love to see return. They probably never will, and I, for one, am more than happy to stay with Radiohead on their musical journey. Forever fascinating, different, taking in the sounds they hear around them. Twisting them, adding depth, melody, angst. Beauty. So much beauty.

The album ends with “True Love Waits”, which I remember Thom playing solo on the piano at the O2 in 2012. It is a love song. Lyrics a little ugly if you read them. Deliberately of course. But this must be an ode to someone. The closest maybe, that Thom will get simply to declaring love. We should treasure it!

And I’m sure it will feature at the Roundhouse this week. Yes, I’m lucky enough to have got a ticket, for Thursday. I just cannot wait to hear – and see – how the new album is presented. That’s one of the great things about Radiohead. The audience welcome all the new stuff. As much as the old favourites. And new ones become old favourites very quickly. A band that set out its stall very early and said, we will do different things. Come with us if you will. And so many of us did.

“A Moon Shaped Pool” confirms that Radiohead are the best band in the world.

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Sportsthoughts (150) – To Lyon for the rugby – and more!

Posted on May 15, 2016 by John S

This weekend, my friend Jon and I treated ourselves to a weekend in Lyon, one of France’s great cities, for the two European club rugby finals. Both France v England clashes: on Friday evening, Montpellier v Harlequins in the Challenge Cup final – rugby’s Europa League. And on Saturday, Racing 92 of Paris v Saracens. Our excuse was seeing Quins, of course, but we got tickets to the Saturday final too.

Both matches were held at the Parc Olympique Lyonnaise, a new stadium just finished, rather late, for the European football championships this summer. It’s another magnificent structure, and when full on Saturday, absolute boomed with atmosphere.

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Quins came into the game off that disastrous 24-62 home reverse against Exeter the previous weekend. I didn’t expect a repeat, but it did make you wonder what the team had left in the tank. But they had a full strength team out, so there were no excuses.

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The game was entertaining, but Quins lost out to the power of Montpellier up front, and that determined the game. It was only towards the end of the game that they started to break through and narrow the margin. As we reached 80 minutes the score was 27-20 to Montpellier, but Quins had regained possession. Now was the time to edge their way up the pitch, taking it into contact, recycling, making sure there were no knock ons. Memories of the game against Stade Francais in the Heineken Cup in 2008. In that one we scored after 28 phases, with Nick Evans getting a drop goal to win the game 19-17.

Could it happen again? Ben Botica, on for Nev, received the ball in space. Time to run forward, gain few yards. He kicked it. Away. Kicked the game away. Inexplicable. On a par with his moment of madness against Northampton earlier in the season, when, receiving the ball behind his own try line, all he had to do was kick the ball out, but he kicked upfield, Saints kept it in and scored a try to win the game by 1 point.

What brings on these moments of misjudgement? There is pressure for sure, but Botica is a professional fly half, trained to expect pressure, contact, most times he gets the ball. Simply no excuse. But unfortunately, the conspiracy theorists have an explanation. Ben is joining Montpellier next season…

I can’t believe that could have been a factor. But his team mates certainly were disgusted. Our chances of playing in the European Championship next season kicked away. Of course, we didn’t deserve to win, and we fell away badly in the Premiership, from the moment we lost so many players to the Six Nations. But there was that last chance – and Ben Botica kicked it away.

Ben started so promisingly a few years ago. I even blogged about him being the new hope, here. But he never quite fulfilled the early promise. He generally kicks the points efficiently, but his decision-making isn’t top notch – and you get those aberrations. I hope he does well at Montpellier, but it is ruthless in France. He will have to sharpen up.

Lyon is a grand and beautiful city, with two magnificent rivers, the Rhone and Saone, flowing through it and joining to form one. We had a good walk along the Rhone on Saturday, before turning in to Vieux Lyon and making our way up the hill at Fourviere, to Notre Dame, where the view over Lyon was awesome. Lyon was also an important Roman centre, and the amphitheatre is well-preserved.

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We walked down into the old town and stopped at a cafe restaurant for a leisurely lunch. A three course menu, great value at 24 Euros, washed down with a couple of carafes of local red wine. I often judge a French restaurant by the quality of its creme brûlée. This one, subtly infused with pistachio, was right up there. The Onglet steak was top quality too, with delicious pommes gratin dauphinois. It’s great when you just stumble upon a place and enjoy it so much.

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It’s fair to say we both felt a bit sleepy on the tram out to the stadium. The first half of the game didn’t help much either. Something of a forward and midfield battle, with the ball rarely going wide. The four wingers didn’t get a look in.

The second half stretched a little, and Saracens dominated, winning 21-9. Disappointingly, Kiwi Dan Carter limped off after a few minutes of the second half, so we didn’t get to see any of his magic. But the atmosphere was terrific, enlivened by Racing, with their bands and sky blue and white flags. No wonder Jon, a Man City fan in football, was rooting for them!

So well done to Sarries. First English team to win the Championship (previously the Heineken Cup) since 2007. Not pretty, but ruthlessly efficient. A bit like Chelsea under Mourinho, this season excepted. To be admired, but not loved. A few years ago their reputation was of a team of dour South Africans; but that has changed, and they (with Quins) provide the core of the rising England team – with the awesome second rower, Maro Itoje, to the fore. He was man of the match on Saturday – and the semi and quarter finals too.

Still don’t like them though!

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The teams coming on at the start.

We finished the evening off back in the centre, with a good French craft beer at a bar called Ninkasi, and what you could call Lyonnais tapas (ie, rather elaborate and delicious) accompanied by a tasty bottle of Pouilly Fume at a restaurant in the area between the two rivers, 5-10 minutes walk to the north of the Place Bellecour, where hundreds gather to play pétanque during the day. The area we ended up in was pretty lively – clearly one of the places to visit at night. I think the street may have been Rue Merciere, just off the Place des Jacobins. Border of 1st and 2nd arrondissements.

So, Lyon, the City, got a huge thumbs up from Jon and me. And the stadium was superb too. The rugby was a mixture of disappointment (Quins) and grim efficiency (Saracens). But both times the atmosphere was to be savoured. A great experience.

Lyon, nous retournerons!

PS. A word of warning to fans going to a game in Lyon at the Euro-football. Plan your journey back carefully. The new tram station next to the ground cannot cope with the number of passengers. On Friday, when the stadium was only half full, there were thousands queuing for the three-carriage trams. Jon and I took one look and decided to walk down the road and hope something might turn up. We got lucky when a taxi came by. On Saturday, when Sarries had it wrapped up, we snuck out a couple of minutes before the end, and dashed about 15 minutes up the road to a station on the main T3 line, called Decines Grand Large. It was already busy, but we got on the first tram to come along. An alternative may be to walk to the terminus at Meyzieu, which is probably about 20 minutes away. It may be that the authorities sort it out before the Euros – these rugby matches may have been a trial run – but if they don’t, it could be mayhem. And football fans, after a few beers, may be less tolerant than the rugby variety.

 

 

 

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