The Fishbox

Fishbox’s Top Albums of 2008

fishboxen — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:38:32 +0000

AlbumWall

Here’s a quick round-up of my favourite albums of 2008. It’s long overdue, but I’ve been away for the blog for quite some time! Will any get added to the list off all time greats? Stop squinting and hit that link!

Honourable Mention:

Health - Disco

Health – Disco

A remix album from a band I had not had the grace of listening to beforehand. Not the greatest recommendation for an album, but bear with me, for this album has a number of good tracks and even a couple of greats, too. The sounds experienced during a sitting of DISCO are, as the name implies, meant for the dancing environment – tracks such as Crystal Castle’s remix of Crimewave and C.L.A.W.S.’ remix of Lost Time have real dancefloor potential.

The blending of rock and electronica has been derided in many quarters – not least in places where the more commercially driven artists are prominent – this album goes to show that one should not disregard the experiment.

Stand out Track: Crimewave (vs. Crystal Castles)

Short-game: A very good remix album with a nice variety of sounds.

Score: 3.5/5

Football Manager Live – First Impressions

fishboxen — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:41:26 +0000

Having been signed up for the stress-test BETA for the last week, I feel it’s time to lay down some first impressions of the game. Needless to say, I’ve already pre-ordered the game proper, which launches on the 27th of this month.

More after the click —>

The first thing that attacks you in FML is how different it is to Football Manager 08 – whilst retaining a sense of familiarity, looking for your choice of screen can be a bit disorientating at first. This is mainly due to the extensive ‘gutting’ of the mechanics in order to transform the game into something that will play nice on-line. For example, the training system has been completely removed as has the scouting system. Instead, you are given a set of skills (you can choose an initial set at the start of the game) that you can learn in return for bonuses in various areas. In order to train your players, you can learn coaching skills in the basics or very specific areas, which will progress players’ training in notches of 5%.

Scouting is a very interesting affair; with only basic scouting skills, you will be unable to find players in the filter menu below a certain reputation. You will be able to find players if you search their exact name, however they will be grayed out and you will be unable to sign them until you learn higher coaching skills. This can be slightly annoying at first (especially if you have a certain player in mind) but the value of it becomes obvious later on in the game.

Classic Threads: Top 5 Albums of 2007 (03.01.08)

fishboxen — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:18:54 +0000

I continue my classic threads section with a look back at the top albums of 2007. Much more after the break!

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#1

Justice – Cross

This has been the year of Justice – from the annymous remix band famous mostly for the shambolically commercialised “We are your friends” came a truly seminal album, launching them crucifix-first into the forefront of pop-dance culture. The scope of the album may be limited in terms of their range, but the areas they decide to concentrate on do not dissapoint. You can tell this album has been a true labour of love – the amount of work taken in getting all those sounds to form cohesively into a tune, altering frequencies, playing with effects – it comes together in the end a perfect, beautiful mess.
Stand out tunes include Phantom pt. II, Waters of Nazareth and D.A.N.C.E. (to which the video is supplied below:)

#2

The Good, The Bad and the Queen – Eponymous

Damon Albarn back to his melancholic best – this album had been on repeated play for me earlier in the year,and has not dissapointed on re-listen. This album showcases the talents of Albarn – both in his nous for word-smithery and his ear for a beautiful, soulful tune. The albarn sweats the malaise of man becoming disenchanted with the town he once reveled in – the contrast between this and “Parklife” is a telling sign of a man mellowing with age. Whilst Albarn is undoubtedly the star of the show, that’s not to distract from the excellent supporting cast. Simon Tong (The Verve) returns again to Albarn’s side, with ex-clash member Paul Simon on bass and Tony Allen providing afrobeat drums. The cast is diverse, but brings together the facets of Albarn’s musical heritage with the kind of charm one would expect of the man.
As far as tunes go, the eponymous track stands out but overall this album is an absolute joy – well, maybe that’s the wrong word, but you get the idea.

#3

Rapture, The – Pieces of People We Love

Technically released in the states in Sep 2006 – but I just can’t get enough of it. This album is a real, real grower. When I first heard it, I thought that LCD Soundsystem’s Silver was the better offering of the two – but listen to this album for any length of time, and be prepared to hum these tunes for the the forseeable future. The bands funk-laden inide sensibilty is something you either love or hate, and this album has more of that than previous efforts; be prepared for another marmite situation. But percevere with it and you’ll soon be nodding your head and tapping your feet to an excellently put together album.
The stand out tune, which encapsulates this album for me, is “Get Myself Into It” – check this out for pointers:

#4

Babyshambles – Shotter’s Nation

A lowly fourth for the ‘Sambles? Surely not! Well, it’s true. This ablbum WAS a let down. Sure, it wasn’t a phenomal bomb, but there’s something about Stephen Street’s production that just doesn’t sit well with me. I much prefer the rock-cliché, don’t-give-a-fucness of the previous album, but maybe that’s just me. Anyway, the one thing that binds the two albums is the quality of Doherty’s songwriting, which here, as ever, is top notch. The man has an eye for a lyric that sets him well and truly “A’Rebours”. Overall the album is perhaps superior to “Down in Albion” but the high-notes are more muddied amongst general decency than the previous effort (where tracks such as “Albion”, “A’Rebours” and “Killamangiro” shone against lesser-quality tracks) and this balance is something rather new to a Doherty piece. Overall an album worth owning, especially if you prefer “The Libertines” to “DOwn in Albion”.
The stand out tracks are hard to pick – it’s all 7 or 8/10 fare – but my personal favourite is “French Dog Blues”.

#5

LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver

As mentioned in the Rapture synopsis, I really, really liked this album for a while earlier in the year. It combines the tasty funk and elctro influences of earlier efforts, but in a much more effective way than ever before. It’s certainly got it’s heart in the right place (unlike a lot of recent electro-indie nonesense) and just like the Rapture, it’s a real grower.
Stand out tracks include “Time to Get Away” and “North American Scum”.

Classic Threads: 5 Neat Vista Tips & Tricks

fishboxen — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:16:21 +0000

#1 This is a cool little tool that allows command-driven gadgets -within- the start menu.

http://brandontools.com/files/folders/33/download.aspx

Very useful for quick googles and looking up photos I’m sure you’ll agree.

#2 Use Windows Key + Tab to cycle through in 3D-flip, just like Alt+Tab. No need to click that icon!

#3 Ever wondered how to stop Vista’s power button from putting your PC to sleep? You can customize both the software and hardware power buttons by going: Start> Control Panel> Power Options> Power Plan> Change Plan Settings> Change Advanced Power Settings> Power Buttons and Lid

#4 Add tickboxes to any folder (for selecting multiple files, ala Ctrl+Click) by opening any folder then going: Organize> Folder & Search Options> View and checking “Use Check Boxes..”

#5 For a classic windows shut-down dialog box, click on the taskbar and press Alt+F4. Here is a shortcut you can place anywhere you like that will open the dialog: http://www.herbystweaks.net/files/ShutDDB.zip

(More tips & tricks @ http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=499870)

Classic Threads: 5 Timewasters you should play (14.01.08)

fishboxen — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:13:08 +0000

I’m currently purging my old blog accounts, so there will be a few new posts today. Here’s the first, a list of cool indie timewasters for PC.

#1 Crayon Physics (Demo) Kloonigames

Kloonigames

#2 Gesundheit! (Demo) Matt Hammill

TIGSource link

#3 Chalk Joakim Sandberg (Konjak)
Konjak

#4 I Wanna Be The Guy! Kayin Nasaki
Kayin.Pyoko

#5 Cursor*10 Yoshio Ishii (Nekogames)

Neko Games