Since the end of March is fast approaching, it's time for a quick review of the books I've read during the first quarter of 2010. Sorry, I'm not actually reading new books here - none of these have been published during the first three months of this year, they're just what I've been reading of late. Anyway, here goes (hover over a thumbnail for comments).
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Monday, 22 March 2010
Music in adverts
I've written about the perils of using music in adverts before, but I can't help myself, I've got to do it again. Imagine my pleasure at hearing Isla de Encanta by Pixies wafting from my living room - brilliant! Then imagine me going into the living room and finding Black Francis et al are being used to soundtrack capitalist debt-mongers Visa and their sponsorship of the forthcoming World Cup. Yes, Visa! Why, oh why, aren't a band I believe in being used to sell us a product I can believe in?
But it's a double-edged sword, music use in adverts. If not for the Virgin Media advert I saw at the cinema a few weeks ago, chances are I would never had heard of Slow Moving Millie or her beautiful songs Beasts, which soundtracks the Virgin ad. Here it is for your viewing, and listening, pleasure.
Oh, and if you must, you can catch the Pixies/Visa ad here - just close your eyes when you play it, forget all about credit cards, and enjoy the music, okay?
Friday, 19 March 2010
Art, comedy, or a statement?
Something clever is happening on the streets of my adopted home town... to prove it, here are some snaps of graffiti I've found there recently. Is someone trying to be artistic, funny or subversive? Or all three? Whatever, if graffiti must exist, then it should all be like this.
