X-Factor: Miley > Britney

Last night was Britney Night on the X-Factor with all the contestants singing one of her hits and another American song. Of course this was all highlighted, supposedly, by a live performance from Ms Spears herself.

Now when Britney appears 'live' we have come to expect that she will be miming, something to do with not be able to sing very well!? Anyway, that is just what she did last night, and while it was just 'ok' it wasn't that impressive and won't be leaving a very positive impression on the UK audience, which is a shame for her first UK performance in 5 years.

On to what was an impressive performance and the rising star of pop, Miley Cyrus. Not only did she sing live but her performance was rocking, to say the least. It seems the Brit could learn a few things from the recently turned Sweet Sixteen star of Hannah Montana on how to put on a show. Miley sung her latest single, 7 Things, and I urge you to check it out, here: linkage.

Chinese Democracy - Success!

When the lady in the shop couldn't find the Chinese Democracy disc I thought my wait for this album was going to be even longer. Thankfully she found it, and it was both awesome and surreal to finally hold Chinese Democracy in my hands. However, I didn't play it until the next day as the Day & Age CD made it into my CD player first!

On the day 2 (this sounds like Genesis!) I finally played the long awaited Guns N' Roses album, and I wasn't blown away. I wasn't even sure I liked some of the songs and I have to admit I felt disappointed. I had only played up to including track 12 so the next day I continued with Track 13; This I Love - wow! The piano, the vocals, the lyrics and the guitar - what an amazing song! This was followed by Prostitute, the last song on the album and also brilliant. At this point I began to wonder if I had been in the right frame of mind when I listened to the first 12 tracks and a 2nd listen of the CD proved I hadn't, as the songs sounded so much better than before.

I've listened to Chinese Democracy 4 times now and I think it's absolutely superb. I'm not really at the stage of naming favourite sings, apart from This I Love, as I am still absorbing them all! It's a great mix of songs with some great lyrics and really, who misses Slash with the awesome guitars on this album? A few days ago a friend asked if me if I preferred the new Killers or Guns N' Roses album - I took the easy way out saying they were different albums and I loved both. Now I'm ready to man up and make a choice - Chinese Democracy, album of the week, album of the year, album of the....?

Killers - GREAT new album

I loved Hot Fuss, even though I only found out about it many months after everyone else so my first listen was more of 'oh I know that one' than listening to it for the first time.

I didn't think much to Sam's Town when I first heard it, the day it came out, and though I have warmed to it since, it's way below Hot Stuff for me.

On to Day & Age and I absolutely loved it, all the way through, on my very first listen, which was yesterday night in the car, on the way home after a hassley day! I love Human which is what got me excited about the album, as before I had no intention of hurrying to buy Day & Age. The standout track for me is Goodnight, Travel Well which is a haunting and magical track that builds wonderfully and at almost 7 minutes long isn't over before it's even started like too many songs these days.

Superb album, now I am motivated to buy their b-sides album; Sawdust.

Happy Birthday Mickey

Everyone's favourite mouse is 80 today, happy birthday Mickey Mouse and we remember you Walt Disney.

Lesnar wins UFC Title!

In only his 4th ever MMA fight, ex-WWE Champion Brock Lesnar defeated UFC legend Randy 'The Natural' Couture to be come the new UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Lesnar looked much improved from his previous 2 fights in UFC, a loss to Frank Mir and a victory against Heath Herring. It was a mighty punch to the side of Couture's temple that floored the Champion and then a barrage of hammer fists from Lesnar had the referee stop the fight and give the victory to Lesnar via TKO.

Next for Lesnar is the winner of the Interim Heavyweight Title fight between Frank Mir and Antonio Nogueira, the current team coaches of The Ultimate Fighter. The eventual winner being crowned the Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Best Cover Ever!

SFX + Watchmen = Greatness!

Issue 177 - linkage

Karate Kid Smith Confirmed

In a follow up from the very first entry of this blog, Jaden Smith (son of megastar Will) has been confirmed as the lead in a remake of the 80s classic Karate Kid. Will Smith will take on the role of producer.

When I read the news that it had all been confirmed a little bit inside of me died. The only glimour of hope I have is that the renewed attention on the original means it will have more chance of being released on Blu-ray, but after waiting so long for a DVD release I don't hold out much hope.

Captain America has Director!

Set for release in 2011, ahead of The Avengers film, the First Avenger: Captain America film has a director in the form of Joe Johnston.

As a director Johnston was at the helm for films like Jurassic Park III, Jumanji and The Rocketeer. Away from the director's chair he has much cooler accolades in the visual affects department for the original Star Wars trilogy and Raiders of the Lost Ark!

GRΣΣK - see you in'09

GRΣΣK: It's funny, fluffy TV that you can switch your brain off for and relax. In its second season it seemed to stop broadcasting after episode 10, the reason for which soon became clear; Episodes 11 onwards will be airing in Spring 2009!

There is no writer's strike this year so this decision is slightly puzzling, and more than a little irritating, for those of us with short supplies of patience!

What will become of Casey; her dreams to get into politics and her new boyfriend? How will life change for Rusty now he'd survived Hell Week and is a fully fledged member of Kappa Tau Gamma? Will Frannie's new sorority rip Zeta Beta Zeta apart, and which way will Rebecca turn? And what of Cappie, and his complicated little world?

All will be revealed in 6 months!?!

Pirate Brand - arhhh!

Rumours are abound that recently disgraced (by way of a Daily Mail bandwagon) Russell Brand will star in the next Pirates of the Caribbean as Captain Jack Sparrow's brother.

He has the look, as the above photo of him dressed as Captain Jack shows, and his general demeanour is pretty much there already. Does he have the acting skills? I've not seen St. Trinians or Forgetting Sarah Marshall to pass comment on that, but I have high hopes...on the high seas?

Alonso Stays At Renault

Amongst speculation that he may go elsewhere, 2 time former World Champion Fernando Alonso has signed with Renault for another 2 years. Given the progress Renault made in the 2nd half of the season and the fact that all the competitive teams have their drivers signed up for the 2009 season, this announcement comes as no surprise. What may surprise some is that he has signed for 2 years. Neither Kimi Raikkonen or Felipe Masa is contracted for the 2010 season and Ferrari is the team Alonso has been linked with on numerous occasions.

Also not going to Ferrari is 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Though his short term future is set with McLaren, through to the end of the 2012 season, Edie Ervine said earlier this week that Hamilton must drive for Ferrari at some point in his career. Hamilton yesterday confirmed what he has always said, that he wants to stay at McLaren and has no plans to ever drive for Ferrari.

Returning to Team Renault, it was announced yesterday that Nelson Piquet would be returning as Alonso's team mate in 2009. Having a somewhat troubled season, the rookie improved in the 2nd half of the season, much like his esteemed team mate, and obviously did enough to secure his drive for 2009.

Pirates Online - 1 Year!

MMOG = Massively Multiplayer Online Game

Pirates Online is a Pirates of the Caribbean MMOG, apparently! I recall hearing about this when it was in development, but then our son came along and I thought nothing more of it. It's been going for a year a now and some fun stats about the game are thus:

- Ships Sunk: 121,602,136

- Hands of Blackjack Played: 19,815,360

- Number of Ship Repairs Completed: 33,829,645

- Tattoos Purchased: 288,547

It's free to play and can be downloaded here - maybe when things calm down a bit I too can fulfil those pirate dreams, virtually.

Lewis Hamilton - World Champion

He had to finish 5th, he qualified 4th, he finished 5th...just!

What a way to end a Grand Prix season - the title was Hamilton's and then it seemed to slip away as Vettel passed him and Glock didn't pit - had it all gone wrong, again? As Hamilton's many fans watched on in dismay the impossible (or not as it would seem) happened as Hamilton passed a very slow Glock to come in 5th and claim the World Championship. Ahead of him, and almost an afterthought, Masa finished his season with the victory in Sao Paulo and 2nd place in the Driver's Championship.

Hamilton deserved to win, Masa deserved to win - we are guaranteed one heck of a season in 2009, especially with the improvements Renault have made and Alonso behind the wheel of that much improved car.

Congratulations Lewis Hamilton, 2008 Formula 1 World Champion, the youngest ever.