METALMAN

Sorry I haven't got back to you before this. All these suggestions look interesting and I definitely look forward to delving into them! (Y) Oh and as for Godspeed!, I must admit not to liking them very much at all(although considering how fickle I am that could well change ) but I can certainly understand why other people might like them, so each to their own, eh? I'll definitely check out your other suggestions when I get the time though Ignition. Mono in particular sounds fantastic. Just a pity that every time I seem to post one of these "i've got loads of spare time to listen to music" threads I start to get a life again and don't have any time to check it out. >_>

I do the odd review for the Uni radio station that I'd be happy to supply if you like. It would be something to do at least.

Okay seeing as I'm on a big strategy game binge right now - as it is all there is to do between university and jobs - is EU: Rome worth getting? I heard it has an expansion pack out. Or maybe I will try and learn HOI 2. I've always really wanted to know how to play it and always been dreadful at it. Or maybe I will just stick to the tried and trusted EU:3, Victoria or CTD Kings >_> I hope Stokerino isn't hibernating or something because I am unsure if anyone else will answer. :/

Has Pitchfork ever given anything a good review in the history of the world? I am yet to see one.

West Ham identify themselves with Eastenders characters. >_>

How essential are the Civ IV expansion packs? I am considering getting them.

Sorry to drag us back to this dead horse, but is Ronaldo officially a Real Madrid player yet?

My votes: 5pts: Chelsea 4pts: Sunderland, Everton, Aston Villa 3pts: Tottenham, Arsenal, Fulham, Blackburn, Portsmouth 2pts: Birmingham, Burnley, Man City, West Ham, Wigan 1pt: Liverpool, Bolton, Stoke 0pts: Man Utd, Hull, Wolves I would have put Middlesbrough at the top but...you know.

I am a terrible person. Two of my favourite songs at the moment are Kasabian's new one and Paparazzi by Lady Gaga. I did my best to hate Kasabian's song. I really did. But then I started liking it.

Attack! Attack! are all really ugly.

Edinburgh's my favourite city in the world. Sometimes I wish I chose to go to uni there. Kilmarnock have released David Lilley apparently.

Finally there will be some Top Gear on iPlayer that isn't that race across London on a bike, car and boat.

Another outline of stuff I've listened to over the past week. Because I can. Bob Dylan - Nashville Skyline (8/10) - Where Bob Dylan went "country" and in the process produced a highly enjoyable album. My favourite song is also the album's most famous - "Lay Lady Lay" - but the album is very enjoyable as a whole. Even Dylan and Johnny Cash's ill-fated effort to sing in harmony on the rerecording of "Girl From The North" country is excellent - though the original on the Freewheelin Bob Dylan remains my favourite. Montée - Isle Of Now (7/10) - Norwegians trying to be Scritti Politti or something here. It is a very enjoyable album, particular in the case of the opener "Entity". However, a weak second half - "Tunnels" and "Secrecy" in particular are awful - lets it down, as does the fact that the album lacks any song that could be described as special. Still worth a listen though, and I put quite a few songs from it on my iPod. James Taylor - Dad Loves His Work (7/10) - "Her Town Too" is a song I love, and is doubtless my favourite song on the album. However, the likes of "London Town" and "Summer's Here" also contribute towards what is for the most part a solid album. The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground and Nico (8/10) - It is hard to say anything about this album which hasn't already been said so I will keep it brief. "Heroin" and "There She Goes Again" are two of my favourite songs ever, while the rest is for the most part very good also. Death Cab For Cutie - The Open Door (8/10) - None of the songs here are anything amazing, but they are all very strong and it is impressive that they can release songs as good as these so soon after an album. Steely Dan - Katy Lied (8/10) - Like pretty much anything by Steely Dan, this is slick, laid back, and great fun to listen to. Particular favourites are "Throw Back The Little Ones", "Black Friday" and "Doctor Wu". Blondie - Parallel Lines (8/10) - Another very good album. "Hanging On The Telephone" is another all-time favourite song of mine and "Sunday Girl" and "Heart of Glass" are also excellent. Would have been 9/10 but for "Fade Away and Radiate" and "Pretty Baby" which are a bit naff. Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral (6/10) - I can understand why this album is revered as much as it is, although it didn't have as great an effect on me. I still found it fairly enjoyable, with the likes of "March of the Pigs" and "Hurt". My favourite song on the album however, is the excellent "Piggy". The Get Up Kids - Something To Write Home About (8/10) - Despite a less than convincing start, this album really comes into its own following "Red Letter Day", which is also my favourite song on the album. Creedence Clearwater Revival - Willy and the Poorboys (8/10) - "Fortunate Son", "Down On The Corner" and "Don't Look Now" are the key features of a very good album. The Horrors - Primary Colours (7/10) - Given the sources that were hyping this album(NME) I was a little unsure as to whether it would actually be any good. However, it does live up to the hype for the most part by sounding a bit like a badly tuned Arcade Fire crossed with My Bloody Valentine. Best songs are "Do You Remember" and "Sea Within A Sea". The Clash - Combat Rock (5/10) - This is perhaps the album where the Clash became decadent and a bit too sure of themselves and released an album that was less than impressive and signalled the beginning of their drastic decline. I know the likes of "Know Your Rights" and "Straight To Hell" are widely acclaimed but they are very average to my ears. This album's one saving grace was the ever-excellent "Rock The Casbah". The Lucksmiths - Green Bicycle Case (8/10) - In recommending this to me, Australian girl said they sound a bit like the Australian Belle & Sebastian, which was a good enough reason for me to listen to them. She is for the most part right, and after enjoying this greatly I will definitely be looking for some more of their work. "Motorscooter" was my favourite song out of an album full of gems. Ryan Adams - 29 (8/10) - This album does falter in places but given that I love four out of its 9 songs - the country chug of "29", the acoustic ballad "Night Birds", the alt-country ballad "Carolina Rain", and the clashing "The Sadness" - it is still a very good album. Idlewild - Post Electric Blues (9/10) - An excellent album, and my favourite of the year so far. Look out for "Take Me Back In Time", "No Wiser" and "All Over The Town".

I think I might copy you there. >_>

Idlewild's could possibly just have released my favourite album of the year, just like they did back in 2002. I'm really pleased with how good their album is, especially seeing as a number of other favourites of mine - Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Beirut and Camera Obscura - have released quite underwhelming albums this year. In fact, if I were to name my top 10 bands ever, I'd probably put Idlewild in it. They've released six(and a half) albums and I really like them all. Very very very good band. And my second favourite Scottish band unless Frightened Rabbit release an album just as good as their last two in the near future. haha.

I'm quite surprised England had such a narrow win over Finland. I was expecting them to win by quite a larger margin. I don't know much about Belarus U21s - or Sweden's for that matter - but perhaps a 5-1 win isn't too inconceivable. I hope Italy wins the whole thing though. Purely because I like Balotelli on FM 09. My prediction is for Spain to top group A with second place a straight fight between England and Germany. I'd say England go through on goal difference. I'd be surprised if Italy don't win group B. I'm expecting Serbia to follow them.

hahaha. I just find it strange though. I might be a bit behind the times here but I was under the impression that Aston Villa's strongest position was on the wings with the likes of Agbonlahor, Young and Milner. Bentley is a winger isn't he? Or maybe I'm just deluding myself because I haven't seen him play in so long.

Why do Villa even want Bentley?

So to get us started this is how I think the SPL will pan out this year: 1. Rangers 2. Celtic 3. Dundee United 4. Hearts 5. Kilmarnock 6. Aberdeen 7. Motherwell 8. Hibs 9. Hamilton 10. St. Johnstone 11. St. Mirren 12. Falkirk

Tiesto's Pirates of the Caribbean remix. All night. On repeat. yeah!

Yes, his behaviour isn't different from most teenagers, but someone in his position should be expected to act with a higher degree of professionalism given his status as a role model and such, similar as to what was said about the similar problems Wayne Rooney had with his mood. Obviously it is difficult to cope with pressure at a young age but there are a number of examples of people managing to that - most obvious being Rafael Nadal, who is just a year older than Andy Murray if I remember correctly. Furthermore, I'm not on some zealous proving-Andy-Murray-is-a-knob crusade. When I originally said that it was quite obviously a joke rather than anything else. I just took exception to the sarcastic remarks I received in return. It wasn't very nice. :/ ha. So yeah...basically that is me conceding defeat because this isn't really going anywhere and I've got to out now. haha.

I never said at any point that being moody was a "turn up for the books". I said it made him a knob. Which is a perfectly reasonable assessment. The fact that he was young can be used to mitigate his actions to some extent, but it doesn't completely excuse him from any responsibility

Lots, but as I said before, nowhere near as frequent as they previously were. Probably because he wins now.

Most definitely. How dare Andy Murray win? I don't mind the frequent temper tantrums at all. It's just the winning I can't stand!