Category: Reviews

Your Name

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A REVIEW OF THE ANIME FILM, YOUR NAME

I wish I could aptly express in words the impact 2016’s smash anime hit, Your Name, had on me, but this movie was so unbelievably stunning in every way that I feel slightly lost for words altogether. I’m a long-standing and huge fan of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki’s near-perfect gems, but when the end credits rolled on Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name, I just had to sit back and take it all in for a few moments to truly appreciate how perfectly it was crafted, despite tackling tricky body switching and time travel elements, which can sometimes be a story’s undoing. I’d been meaning to watch this film since its release, and I wonder why the hell I waited so long because for me, it completely blew anything Ghibli have ever produced out of the water. I thought From Up On Poppy Hill was my all-time favourite anime – but not anymore. In short, this film is an absolute must-see, and I urge anyone and everyone to experience this emotional rollercoaster of sheer beauty for yourself.

The story is a rather complex one, following two teenagers, Mitsuha and Taki, who have never met but who are magically tied by a mysterious bond. They periodically find themselves switching bodies in dream sequences and living each other’s lives, which at first is just bizarre but soon becomes very poignant as their unconventional relationship grows and the stakes are raised to life-threatening proportions when they attempt to track each other down. I had no idea where the story was going to go, but I was not disappointed, and the ending left me in floods of tears as I just simply couldn’t keep my emotions in check any longer. It’s hard to really think very critically about something that touches you so deeply, though parts of the story are admittedly a little confusing or at least slightly flawed. Yet somehow, as long as you’re paying enough attention, you can get around these slips.

The main characters are charming in their own unique ways, and the supporting characters are equally interesting. They don’t get much in-depth development, but they complement the leads beautifully, both in the small rural town of Itomori and the bustling streets of Tokyo. Another beautiful thing about Your Name is the animation itself, and of course the impossible love and tension these kids are feeling throughout. It’s mostly romantic drama, but while the plot becomes pretty harrowing at times, the film isn’t without its humorous moments either, such as Taki’s embarrassment when Mitsuha sets him up with his crush, or his obsession with her breasts during his phases in her body. There are some incredibly touching scenes too as they try to understand and engage with each other’s lifestyles, so it’s easy to see why this movie has received so much media attention and was rated the number one film in Japan last year – a title very much deserved.

A Collection of Short Album Reviews

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Gravel & Wine – Gin Wigmore

New Zealand-born Virginia (Gin) Wigmore’s latest album only reached the UK last year, a long time after its initial release. She is not very well known over here, but she should be. Here we have another alternative, sassy lady with a rather unusual and quirky, if not whiney voice, shadowing elements of Nikki Hurst (Lead singer of the band ‘The Vincent Black Shadow’) and more famous names including Duffy, Alannah Myles and KT Tunstall, to name a few. In fact, her voice is so unique that it cannot be directly compared with anyone’s.

Gravel & Wine has a slightly grungy feel to it, and incorporating bits of jazz, soul and blues paints a picture of somebody who is strong, confident and who knows what she is doing. The range of instruments blends perfectly, allowing this music to shy away from your typical ‘girl with a guitar’ stuff, and the songs have solid beats behind them. It is the sort of music you can click along to.

Imagine going back a few years and being in quite a dark and dingy bar, with a small stage at the end and chairs and tables filling the floor. The lighting is dim, there is an old piano in the corner and a mic stand just waiting to be used. A woman comes along onto the stage wearing leather and all the men sat with their pints cheer as she starts to sing, leaving the stage from time to time to visit their tables, and at other times leaning against the edge of the piano creating an informal and relaxed atmosphere. She looks very glamorous, but it is a rough sort of glamour with messy hair. In a nutshell, this is the first sort of feeling that comes to mind.

Heaven in this Hell – Orianthi

Heaven in this Hell is the new album, following Violet Journey in 2007 and Believe in 2009, by 28 year old Orianthi Panagaris, known in her line of work as simply Orianthi. The Australian singer/guitarist is nothing short of brilliant at delivering true rock music that is hard to come by these days. The tunes are catchy and full of life and as iTunes suggests, it will probably appeal to a rock-oriented audience. However, I think it has the perfect balance of being rock but not too heavy, so it may be a great route into rock culture for those who don’t listen to a lot of this sort of thing.

The album kicks off with a more classic sound that in parts touches on aspects of Queen and Joan Jett, amongst a whole host of other old school types, moving onto some softer pieces that really show off the strength in her voice. While her specialism is guitar, she can do a whole lot more than that. Other songs, while primarily fitting clearly into the rock genre are also slightly bluesy and others have a more pop-sounding beat to complement awesome guitar solos. This girl is not trying to fit into the modern rock world that can honestly hardly be called rock for the most part these days. She portrays all this genre is about in a great roundabout way with upbeat tunes that will soon stick in your head.

Orianthi co-wrote her songs on this album with the help of Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart, who was also Michael Jackson’s lead guitarist before his death and who has toured with Alice Cooper as well! Having this in mind, these songs were bound to be pretty awesome really.

Holy Fire – Foals

Happening across this experimental album, which is Foal’s third, mixed feelings come to mind. It has a very unusual and dreary sound to it, which is quite echoed and distant. The vocals are soft and blend in a little too much with the music, which admittedly, is catchy at times but still not very upbeat. Lyrics are almost too blurred to make out though. Parts of the music are quite jingly and in parts it conjures up images of space or some unknown, alien world, probably stemming from its techno roots. There is that essence of mystery and of being thrust into a psychedelic dream. It is definitely relaxing enough to open up the imagination in such a way, meaning that although the songs are all very samey, they are artistically fascinating at the same time and a lot of work has clearly gone into making them, with the style remaining true to that of their previous releases. While it is clever music that crosses boundaries though, as a form of entertainment, it is honestly a bit of a bore and it is surprising how many good ratings it has received because quite frankly, wherever you go in public, you never hear anything like this being played – and for good reason. Something so artsy should stay with the artists.

Cigarettes and Truckstops – Lindi Ortega

Cigarettes and Truckstops is a masterpiece of an album. Lindi Ortega, who has previously been labelled ‘Indie Lindi’, is a singer/songwriter from Toronto with a voice that can only be described as that of an angel with attitude.

The vocals vary from being soft and beautiful in the slower, more easy-going tracks, to explosive and heartfelt in the songs with power and energy. Every track is great in its own right and the variety of sounds in the instrumentals is quite extensive, with a general country sound and hints of rock ‘n’ roll and even jazz slotted in-between, fitting perfectly with that overall alternative indie feel.

Everything about this music oozes class and sophistication without it being boring or too grown-up. When comparing it with the tacky rubbish you often find in the charts these days, it is easy to appreciate the levels of perfection this album has to offer. It is the kind of stuff you can relate to and understand. It is so just real and believable, and makes you fall in love with all this woman can do.

Lindi was an independent artist for many years before signing to a label and it was a risky move, but it has most definitely paid off and if it wasn’t for that, her songs would probably have never really made it to England, leaving us missing out big time.

Funky, classic, sweet and sassy are just a few words that can sum up what Cigarettes and Truckstops is all about.

Redeemer of Souls – Judas Priest

Formed in Birmingham in the late 1960s, Judas Priest have sold a whopping 50 million albums worldwide and even made their stamp on the fashion world, introducing the leather-and-studs look to heavy metal.

Now, after six long years, the metal Gods are back with a brand new album that opens with a bang, diving headfirst into a catchy guitar beat and high powered, raw vocals. It is clear by a few tracks in that the band mean business once again.

Full of banging guitar solos and riffs the album’s overall sound echoes a truly epic yet haunting journey. For those who have missed the classic music from this influential band, your prayers are finally answered. For those of you new to these guys, you will not be disappointed.

They may seem like simply a group of old men past their prime, but ‘Redeemer of Souls’ is everything any rock music fan needs and it is yours to own, out now.

“We are forging ahead, slamming the pedal to the metal!”

Paramore – Paramore

This album is not quite classic Paramore, but catchy all the same. They’ve gone less rocky but that doesn’t mean this album isn’t still great. There are still some nice songs and it still has the great instrumentals, despite the lack of a rock edge. It is a refreshing step forward and something different, which is gutsy. Again, it may be a far cry from their previous work but good music is good music, regardless of what genre you want to put it in and Hayley is still just as talented. Besides, it’s not like they’ve gone that poppy or anything. Some songs still reflect parts of old style and others are new and exciting. Fans should not back down because of the changes. Lots of bands adapt their style and it’s just a way to stay on top and not become too predictable. Besides, having lost two members, things were bound to be a bit different, right? I feel like some people are just too quick to judge because underneath it all, that raw edge still lives on in their music and should do for years to come. For those unfamiliar with Paramore, they are an alternative rock band with a female front-singer and have been going since 2005. All of their music is top notch and I applaud them for that.

Escapology – Maylee Todd

This album opens up in the most catchy way you can think of, with an upbeat soul-sounding hit that will become instantly addictive. With an unusual and encapsulating voice, this woman can sing and gets the tone just right with this easy-listening music that will leave a lasting impression. Don’t let the first track fool you as it gets much softer as the album progresses, but it is still just as edgy in a different way with toe-tapping tendencies. It is certainly different to a lot of music you find being released these days and almost seems a little old-fashioned.

Sempiternal – Bring Me The Horizon

Coming from a fan of heavy rock and metal music, Bring Me The Horizon are one of those bands that have always been hard to accept. I didn’t believe I could ever say this but most of it is just noise. Pure noise. That is all. Thankfully, BMTH have taken a tiny step in the right direction with Sempiternal by incorporating some more “melodic” pieces that echo at times the likes of Linkin Park and are even slightly mystical and eerie in their feel.

The band certainly won’t disappoint fans with this new release as they are one of those groups that is consistent in their style of heavy, screamy stuff with some music in the background. Granted, there is no way to fault the instrumentals. If more of their stuff sounded like how some of the tracks on this new album did though, they would probably reach out to a more diverse fan base.

If you were interested in this style and this band then Sempiternal wouldn’t be a bad introduction to Bring Me The Horizon as it is by far their best release yet. Even better though would be to give this group a miss altogether. They’ve had enough chances now and there are plenty of metal bands out there to choose from, most of which are a lot better.

Alone Aboard the Ark – The Leisure Society

One of the appeals of The Leisure Society is their ability to put a smile on the face on anyone they pass. Alone Aboard The Ark does not deviate from their positive vibes and charm and is the perfect album to play if you’re feeling down or just waiting for the summer. The great thing about The Leisure Society is that they are not afraid to mix things up a bit. Unlike a lot of bands where you can hardly tell one song from another until you learn them, this album has plenty of variation and plays with different sounds and melodies across a range of different instruments. It is easy-listening and genuinely feel-good music that is well worth giving a chance.

It probably won’t be your favourite album, but there will always come the perfect time for it. The only slight negative is the fact that odd songs sound just like your typical “guy with a guitar” kind of thing, but luckily, this feeling is sparing and most of it makes up for that beautifully. Formed by Nick Hemming and made up of a decent handful of guys and girls from all different musical backgrounds, there is plenty of room for experimenting and they have certainly made the most of it. Previous albums of theirs include The Sleeper (2009) and Into The Murky Water (2011).

Temper Temper – Bullet for my Valentine

Temper Temper was released just over a week ago and opens in typical Bullet style with a long scream and heavy beat, but it turns out there is actually much more to it than that. The Welch metal band first formed back in 1998 and is still producing solid music to date.

One thing that stands out with this album is that it offers the perfect balance between heavy metal elements and harmonious melodies and vocals. In other words, it is not just noise as many people think everything in this genre is.

Their first studio album, Poison, released in 2005, features a song called ‘Tears Don’t Fall’, which quickly became popular. Temper Temper has introduced a second part to this old favourite, using some of the same music and lyrics as the original, but with a whole new direction. This is one of the softer tracks, along with ‘Dead to the World’, which starts off giving almost a western feel.

Still, for the most part, Temper Temper is catchy and upbeat, with some excellent guitar riffs and instrumental sections. Just listening to the music highlights their immense talent and they have so much potential. Unfortunately, this album hasn’t seemed to live up to expectations, but having said that, every song is still pretty damn awesome and there is no doubt fans will want to get on board.

One thing you cannot fault Bullet for my Valentine for is the fact they have stayed determined and stuck to their roots. After getting slightly more aggressive in their second album, ‘Scream Aim Fire’, they have since pulled it back and not changed too drastically. Although there is a lack of development, you always know what to expect from a Bullet album, and in a way, that is a very important factor to consider and one reason why this one is such a cracker too.

Nothing special, no better than previous albums, but still has a lot to offer and is a great listen for anyone into rock and metal music, whether an existing Bullet fan or not.

Fire Emblem Echoes (And why it’s better than Awakening)

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A REVIEW OF NINTENDO 3DS GAME, FIRE EMBLEM ECHOES: SHADOWS OF VALENTIA, FOR VOXX MAGAZINE (26/05/2017)

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, the latest title in the Fire Emblem series on Nintendo 3DS, is finally with us. It’s fair to say Fire Emblem has had its ups and downs, and here in the west we never even got to experience it for the first time until many years after the concept was first created. Still, it is a great thing that it reached our territory, as the depth of story and the distinct strategy battle style were something I feel we really needed. Fire Emblem Awakening (2014), also for 3DS, still seems to be considered the defining Fire Emblem title of modern gaming, and in a way it was by preventing the entire franchise from being cancelled, so the question that keeps being asked is “Can its success still continue three years on?”

Fire Emblem Echoes is a reimagining of Japanese classic Fire Emblem Gaiden, and it does wonders at pulling at your heartstrings while offering plenty of combat-based gameplay. The story follows estranged childhood friends Alm and Celica, who each set off on a journey to find each other again and put an end to the war that has befallen their country. We begin with Alm and his friends from the village, summoned by The Deliverance of Zofia to fight with them to reclaim their castle and land from the Rigelians.

Right from the off, we are already getting to learn about each character’s distinct personality and relationship with their comrades, and we also have the ability to choose the classes of four of our units so we can have control over crafting our ideal teams. As the story develops, the army grows and tensions rise between them, mostly based on the social divide between nobles and commoners, which gives it an authentic touch. Then suddenly, we leave Alm behind and meet Celica, who has a whole new army of her own in an entirely different corner of the country, switching out brigands for pirates. It’s easy to miss the characters you’ve been raising and building attachments with so far, but this really just means you almost get to play two games in one as Mae, Boey, Genny and Saber are added to the mix – and when the groups finally come together, you have an extensive character bank to create an unstoppable force.

Gameplay runs very similarly to that of past Fire Emblem titles, with an overworld map to move through and combat stages that consist of a grid-like turn-based battle of strategy and wits. Added to the mix are the various dungeons and shrines throughout the story, which see you taking third person live control of Alm or Celica as you run around taking on enemies and collecting supplies. This is a new feature that we didn’t see in the other games, and it adds more interest to the dynamic.

The triangular weapon advantage system has also been scrapped, creating a greater reliance on strength and resistance in battle, as have custom support relationships – relationships here are canon however you play, so if you’re looking for more shipping, you’re out of luck. But while the gameplay is extensive and exciting, it’s the beautifully executed cut scenes, support conversations and just the overarching story in general that is the real selling point. It’s amazing how attached you get to these fictional sprites in such a short space of time, which makes the thought of losing them even harder.

Yes, the series’ staple “permadeath” is back. Permadeath basically means that when one of your units dies in battle, they die for real, as in gone forever and never coming back. This is not only heartbreaking thanks in large to the magnificent voice acting involved (Boey’s voice when Mae dies though!!), but it also makes strategy even more crucial, as you’re going to need to keep as many units alive as possible for later fights. Too intense? Worry not. Much like in Awakening and Fates before it, you have the option of turning this feature on or off. Casual mode sees your units recovered after every fight, dialling down the pressure considerably. You can also choose between difficulty levels, tailoring your experience to make it a challenge for veterans while still accessible for novices.

I still stand by the characters being the most immersive part of Fire Emblem, and though we’re stripped back to basics here with the exclusion of Awakening’s relationship and marriage system, it’s still so easy to fall in love with the pre-determined pairings, both romantic and otherwise – and we can actually focus on playing the game to win, rather than to build support between two characters who really don’t work well together in combat. For example, villagers Tobin and Gray are best friends, and if Tobin survives, Gray fights for the kingdom, but if he dies, Gray turns to the bottle instead. It’s the little details that don’t affect how the game is played as such, but that affect how the characters feel about each event and how their lives turn out following the war. This adds a more human element, making the experience all the more meaningful.

If you enjoyed Awakening, you’ll probably enjoy this one, but having played both I can confidently say it is a very different experience. While playing matchmaker has its charms, this game allows you to focus on more on what’s important. I also feel the storyline itself is more solid and more structured (partly because they haven’t had to factor in elements like time travel for it to make any sense), like it really knows what it wants to be and sticks with it rather than trying to cram in as many elements as possible – plus, postgame content, enough said. Don’t get me wrong, I am a genuine fan of the series as a whole and so I naturally thought Awakening was an awesome game and spent countless hours playing it, but the fact of the matter is that this is just better; cleaner and more polished. In fact, Fire Emblem Echoes has quickly become one of my favourite games of all time – completely addictive in the moment, and then one that stays with you long after the end credits roll. I would most definitely recommend it.