I've missed out June and we're onto the July reviews. I've just noticed I started doing these last June, so I think I can officially say this site is at least a year old! I should have noted the date it started. Anyway, onto the reviews.
This is for folk music fans, though I would suggest everyone listen to the fourth track, Motorway, and see what you think. You can probably find this in shops somewhere, perhaps specific kinds of music shops, but I bought it off the performers themselves after hearing them play in an Oxford pub. My friends and I were so impressed we bought CDs after hearing about five or six songs, all composed by the musicians themselves. You may find me reviewing one of their other CDs in a few months after I borrow it off Jo. Tony wasn't there, which after hearing the CD is a real shame because he has an excellent voice, well suited to this type of music. This group play guitars and percussion and they all sing. They all get their own solos, which works well. There is only one track I'm not that keen on; Fenham Carr, but the rest are excellent, particularly McAlpine's Feast. These guys are on tour at the moment, so look out for them in local folk music pubs. They also have a webpage if you're interested in ordering music. I strongly recommend it, and give them a 7 out of 10.
This is very funny! Anyone with a basic knowledge of science fiction will get a lot of this. You don't have to be a Trekkie to find it amusing, but it does help! I have to clarify I am not a Trekkie, but as many of my relatives are I got most of the in-jokes. This is highly entertaining, with some great acting and send-ups of sci-fi steroetypes. Alan Rickman is particularly good, as always, and Tim Allen makes a great leading man, but I personally loved the guy that ends up as the engineer (I didn't catch his name) in the way that he understated everything and had a laid-back reaction to crises. The best bits though were down to the glorified extra, who knew he was the red-shirt guy because no-one knew his surname! He was hilarious. Humour was also provided by the geek who helped them, and the absurd constructions on the ship. Watch this film, it's light-hearted and a bit short, but good for a rainy day and an absolute must for any Star Trek fan. 7 out of 10.
Again, no book review. I'm starting my English reading list at the moment, so maybe I'll have some of them ready soon, but then most of them would be boring to most people. Except perhaps Heart of Darkness, I'm looking forward to getting to that one. I just don't have time in my life these days to read the books I want to. Sad but true. One I can recommend, which I was reading a bit last term, is the official Alpha book by Nicky Gumbel. I know this won't appeal to everyone out there, but if you have ever had questions about faith or feel something is missing from your life, this book is the way to find answers. It is called Questions of Life, and has made a huge difference in many people's lives, as has the Alpha course itself. Give it a try!
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