RUSH

One of my favourite comedy films at the moment is I Love You Man, starring the hilarious Paul Rudd and Jason Segal. If you haven't seen it already then I really recommend it. It puts a crude and blokey spin on the Rom-Com genre - it's one of those that you can convince your lady to watch on date night, as well as enjoy with your mates. It is one of the few films that I could feasibly watch every day.

The film however is not the main focus of this article today. This being (loosely) a music blog, I want to focus on the band that Peter Klaven (Rudd) and Sydney Fyfe (Segal) are both obsessed with - Rush. The duo's friendship blooms through their love of the band and their jam sessions to songs of which.

I am actually ashamed to say that it was the film made decades after the formation of Rush that made me have a listen to them. Originating from the same era as Sabbath, Purple and Hawkwind, the equally Daddish prog-rock trio are still going strong nowadays, and even appear in the film itself.

The two songs that were in the film and that convinced me to have a listen to some old Rush albums are Tom Sawyer and Limelight. Neither are as progressive and intricate as some of the other more complicated tracks - one particular symphony called The Necromancer (hmm) is a 12 minute journey that truly expresses the smokey intricacy of the band.

Neil Peart is one of the greatest technical drummers in the business, and it definitely shows in Rush's music. He is one of the drummers that actually uses every part of his behemoth kit, none of it for show. Every track is filled with impossible drum fills and double bass drum blasts - one of the aspects of any band that sucks me in consistently. This old video of the track YYZ is an exciting showcase of the talent of the trio:

Though this band aren't my favourite of my Dad's record collection, the technical brilliance of the band and prog rock genre has to be admired. I guess you have to be in a certain mood to listen back to any big rock band of the era, but if you have a classic/prog rock playlist, make sure you get a few of the mentioned key tracks on there. I find it great music to cook to for example.

Watch the film too if you haven't already. Actually watch any film with either of both of the main actors in it. Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up, Anchorman, 40 Year Old virgin etc.

Breaking Bad - My new favourite thing ever.

You know when you have got some spare time and you want a new television programme to sit in front of? Well my favourite watches used to be Friends, Scrubs, Heroes, The Office etc., all great shows (in my opinion) but I have watched them all multiple times. Previously ignored suggestions from friends included The Wire, Californication, and most devastatingly Breaking Bad. but after hearing all about the series and being implored to watch it multiple times I decided to sign up for another free month with Netflix and get stuck in.

I was instantly and pleasantly surprised to learn that Bryan Cranston played the starring role of Walter White. Cranston most famously played Hal in the series Malcolm In The Middle, which used to be one of my favourite daytime programmes. after reading a brief synopsis of Breaking Bad, I was intrigued to witness how Bryan Cranston would play such a different character to Hal Wilkerson - a happy go lucky Dad of four boys who was endearingly clumsy and eccentric. Whereas Walter White is presented to start with as a meek and often frail fifty year old family man and over-qualified chemistry teacher. The simple premise of series is as follows: Walter White is giving only months to live, so he turns to cooking his own perfect recipe of crystal meth with his ex-pupil sidekick, in order to leave his wife, son and unborn daughter with enough money to get by once he has gone.

The partnering performance is put in by relative unknown Aaron Paul, playing Jesse Pinkman - the ex-pupil of Mr White and a slap-dash drug dealer who evades the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) by the skin of his teeth every time. Pinkman's character is oddly warming, as he yos and bitches his way through a never ending plethora of unfortunate events.

Now I don't want that guy that gives away the whole plot and spoils it for everyone, so I will try not to be. But one thing that strikes me now I am into the third series is how grippingly the characters are developed throughout the episodes. The transformation Walt goes on throughout is utterly compelling, as he battles through two jobs, illness and parenthood. And at the same time, Pinkman develops with his 'partner' and they go from being an unlikely pairing, to a couple of the most powerful drug lords in Albequerque, New Mexico.

The supporting performances have to commended too, without giving too much away. Mr White's son Walter Jnr. suffers with cerebral palsy. Actor RJ Mitte also suffers with the illness, but had to regress from his therapy in order to portray the heightened symptoms that the character is subject to. Walking only on crutches and slurring his speech, Walt Jnr. tugs at the tightest heartstrings and is the cornerstone of the White family, with his Dad and Mum thinking only of his comfort.

Mother Skyler White is played Anna Gunn. She is the only part of this series that consistently grates on  me - she always has something to complain about. And her eyes are really scary and off putting, and what a shit name.

Mary and Hank Schrader are Skyler White's sister and brother in law. They are the supportive secondary family to the Whites, and though seemingly minor irritant in the script to begin with, they become increasingly pivotal in later series. And you will also come to learn that DEA Hank Schrader is one hard bastard.


I'm not sure what else I can say about the show without giving the brilliance away. But it has become one of my favourite series of all times - up there with Scrubs and Friends, and if you know me, then you will realise how much of a big deal this is. It is not necessarily an easy watch, but it is as compelling as they come - every episode ends with a hook to keep you interested. Honestly, if you have 45 minutes to spare every day, you'll get through most of the episodes before your free month with Netflix is over.

And people doubted Netflix's value for money!

Back to blogging

It has been a fair while since my last blog and I really need to get back to it. I have had a load of shit thrown my way in the last few months but it is time to get back on the horse. I am going to open up this blog to more than just music, for when I feel like boring you lot with football, films or food.

Coming up is a generous post about my recent trip to Bestival, as well as some of the better films and or music releases I have listened to recently. I also want to give writing about my apparently experimental cooking habits recently, even if it is just to give me something to do while I'm being a bum/job hunting.

See you soon.