Recent Pick-ups #2

Bruce Spingsteen - Born In The USA (12").

Probably a must have for any record collection focusing on rock n roll. We all know about The Boss and THAT sleeve so I won't bore you with the history and intricacies of this album. The album has some of Springsteens must haves; Born In The USA, Dancing In The Dark, I'm On Fire. I am very pleased  to say that I got this album for a total bargain, a meer £5! It's in fantastic condition, the only thing really wrong is the 'includes...' sticker has folded a bit but it's done no damage to Springsteen's right elbow! 

Jake Bugg - Messed Up Kids EP (10")

I resolved to buy this EP purely because my attempts to buy Jake Bugg vinyl singles before this was released seemed to evade me at every opportunity. The EP has 4 tracks on it, and I'm sorry to say that I'm still waiting for a turntable so I've not heard the other 3 tracks yet. They are on youtube if you are interested. For £8 I think this is a bit of a bargain. £8 and 10" of quality music is worth anyones money right? I honestly can't wait to get into this. I'm hoping to have a turntable by the end of the week (I've said that before!)

Standing At The Sky's Edge numbered Artwork.

Yes, last but by no means least is a piece of art. This is basically the cover art of Richard Hawley's album 'Standing At The Sky's Edge' on an A3 (sort of, it's an odd shape) and is numbered, I have number 232 of 500. It's a really cool piece of memorabilia and I can't wait to get it it's own frame as it's currently being kept safe whilst I sort some stuff out. Oh and it was only £2. If you like that album go and buy it, it will look quality of your wall!

Right, I'm quite shocked I've done this. I'm happy to say I got 14 LPs yesterday for only £7 and there's some right crackers in there, I think I might do a bigger Recent Pickups next time and get them all in!

Peace and love.

SJ.

Ludus-ing! Tomb Raider.

Another review and another selection from a past PS+ update. I do play games that I have paid for, honest! Tomb Raider came out in the March update and it has taken me a while to play. I actually borrowed this game from a friend about 6 months after it had came out with every intention to play it but I spent a lot of time ruined by how good The Last of Us was. I must say that I am disappointed in myself, Tomb Raider isn’t in the class of TLOU but it was actually a really enjoyable game!

I did get about 15 hours out of the game I think. I might go back onto the game and do some more of the tombs and collectibles so could boost that up to 20 or so hours.

The game basically acts as a bit of a reboot to the series. Everyone who games knows about Tomb Raider, and Lara Croft, so I won’t drown on about it to simply fill up space (because I’m fucking good at that and do it a lot!) It tells the story of a young Lara Croft and how she struggles with jumping, shooting, killing, manipulating areas and cracking puzzles during her first struggle because of a wronged expedition.

There isn’t really many dislikes I have about this game. I decided to just play this on normal instead of hard because I prefer to enjoy games like this; I’m an average gamer, and whilst I do think I could have completed it on hard I’d probably miss out on crucial segments of storyline because of either relief or annoyance. With games like Tomb Raider, and Uncharted for example, I can never seem to get used to the physics of the game. The amount of times I’d fall off of shit because the camera angle had gone funny or something like that throughout the years is astonishing. Not really a fault with the game I know but I still have reservations about these style of games because of that. Apart from that the only things I didn’t like was the jerkiness from when the computer was in control until you get control. Just looked a bit daft!

Now for the good bits. The story is impeccable, we obviously know bits and pieces from past Tomb Raider games but this takes it a step further. It is an absolute pleasure to play the game and learn why and how Lara Croft had become such a total bad-ass (or is that bad arse Lara?) through the PS1 and PS2 years. Not only that, but the actual story is interesting and fun and I would enjoy it if it was Doureen Smith (random person I made up) fighting to get the ultimate objective (avoiding spoilers!) Add the legacy of Lara to the great story and it’s totally worth your time.

The game also looks stunning, Lara looks great and the areas and backdrops are sometimes simply jaw dropping. It has a vastness that is so much more detailed than previous Tomb Raider’s and games like Uncharted. The detail in minor things is fantastic also; looking at Lara’s bruised, cut and just generally battered face whilst noticing the first bow you get is made up of branches just looks great and makes the game feel really immersive. Add this attention to detail to how great trees, water, sand and fire look and you have a really nice feeling game. Graphics aren’t always a major selling point for me, but I would be quite happy to spend a bit of money and get the Definitive Edition on PS4 whenever I get one.

Probably tied into the two good points already mentioned, I’d like to mention how great it was to play as Lara Croft. She is definitely one of my favourite ever gaming heroes, although I don’t shout about it very often. The developers did a really good job of having a young Lara Croft going through struggles and triumph and watch her grow into the Lara we all know and love. I also absolutely love her shouting “take that you bastard” in perfectly phrased posh English as you blow away from dude with your shotgun. Also, and lastly, the use of the bow in this game was great. It had some great combat effects allowing for the removal of hostiles in silence, as well as having practical uses as you climbed, slid and blew shit up to get through the game.

In all, I thought Tomb Raider was pretty fantastic. I enjoyed every minute of it and am still annoyed with myself for not playing it earlier. I really hope that this is the next Lara Croft we see in a future sequel. Hopefully it’s a total reboot so developers don’t have to stick too closely to timelines dictated by earlier games (if there is one, I don’t really remember!)

I would definitely play this again, and as mentioned earlier I could be tempted to go back into the world to do some of the extra stuff it was that much fun. The sequel should be great fun and it’s definitely in my list of favourite PS3 games.

Inabit.

SJ.

Things to do before a mis-kick of the bucket - Buy a guitar from Denmark St.

Denmark Street. Tin Pan Alley.

Situated in London, not far from Leicester Square, is a little street. A street that is simply known for one thing.

Musical instrument shops.

I have been to Denmark St twice and it is a magical place. First time I went into every shop and had a proper nosey around. Second time was a quicker visit visiting my favourite shops from last time.

The street has everything you can imagine, from 1930s Gibsons to brand new Squiers, you just have to know what shop to go in. Acoustics, electrics, bass, pedals and amps are everywhere on this street, as well as dedicated shops to brass instruments and keyboards and pianos. I really felt like a kid in a candy shop both times I went there.

Since I found out about the street about 5/6 years ago, I've always said that I wanted to visit and purchase a guitar from there. To purchase an instrument from the place that has the history that Tin Pan Alley has would be a great story and definitely add an extra dimension to my instrument.

I'll just give some quick name drops as to why this street has this history. Apparently Jimi Hendrix recorded at Regent Sound Studios, just like the Rolling Stones. The Sex Pistols lived at number 6. Elton John wrote "Your Song" whilst at the street. Names like Jimmy Page are not unfamiliar with these streets, and George Harrison bought a guitar or two here. I'm sure many other famous musicians have bought, recorded, or had instruments set up at this street. As well as many thousands of other people.

I'd love to become a part of that history, so before I become brown bread I'd love to walk to the street, strum a few chords and walk away with a guitar.

I'm thinking that an acoustic would be the best choice. I play a lot of my stuff by myself and my EJ200 probably needs a buddy so she can have a rest!

My favourite shops are Wunjo's and Regent Sounds. Regent Sounds have a great range of Gretsch and Fender guitars and bass guitars, and they have that history. The shop is nice and simple and features everything from Affinity Strats to one of Jeff Beck's signature Strats! Wunjo's is also great. Both times I have walked into Wunjo's I've been told to let someone know if I wanted to plug something in. At this point I've only just walked in! The story has everything; with a good range of lower end models to the all-out balls-out mega pieces normally under lock and key. It's one of the only places I've also seen a bunch of Airlines, which is nice. The acoustic room is nice, with a few different brands (some I wasn't familiar with) and it would be the first place I head to with money when I buy my acoustic from Denmark Street!

Anyway, some bastards think it's better to get rid of this famous, chaotic, popular, fun, eccentric, historical street. So go sign some petitions and tell the powers that be, that they're idiots!

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/head-of-democratic-services-don-t-bin-tin-pan-alley
http://louderthanwar.com/stop-the-demolition-of-tin-pan-alleydenmark-st-and-the-12-bar-now-join-the-campaign/

Thank you ladies and gentlemen.
SJ.

Chapman Guitars.

2009 saw the birth of arguably the most progressive guitar brand for many a long year. Owned by Rob Chapman, and I believe Lee 'The Captain' Anderton (though not entirely sure) the guitar company has done incredibly well in 4 years. I cannot begin to explain how important this guitar brand for the future of guitar; this is why I've decided to write this blog post.

Just to give some more background about the who, what, where and when. Rob Chapman, the founder of Chapman Guitars, is most definitely the MAN of guitar-geeky goodness on YouTube. He has a tonne (and more!) of subscribers and he regularly posts stuff up about all kinds of different stuff; guitar reviews, pedal reviews, stuff to do with his bands (Dorje, go and listen!) as well as really helpful guitar tips and tricks. Lee Anderton, sometimes better known as The Captain, is very important in this situation. I believe he co-owns Chapman Guitars a little; but he is important as he owns a guitar shop called Andertons. This relationship between the two owners (sorry if that is actually wrong) and why it's important is gonna come up in the next paragraph.

So why are Chapman Guitars the most progressive guitar brand for a good few years? Well let's just discuss the process of building and then selling a guitar, but backwards. If you ordered a Chapman guitar right now, you would receive it in a few days. Before this it's stored in Andertons warehouse. Before that, the guitar will be on a pallet with maybe 20 others from the factory in Korea. And before that it will be painted, the wood been cut, things will have been sanded and some have electrical magic put on it in Korea. But here, before Korea/pallet/Andertons/through your front door is where the progressive-ness (that's a word, yeah?) is where it is at! (Yes, excitement coming!) Instead of having a designer... you are the designer! Go onto the Chapman Guitar forum and you can have a vote on what the next guitar will look like and the features it will have. Sounds simple in theory, in reality it seems to be just as easy. You log on, vote on something, then it gets built. Personally I think this a wonderful idea, you get to have a say on a guitar that you will be interested in buying! And if that's not enough, because of that 'special' relationship between Chappers and the Captain; it means you get a quality guitar for actually quite cheap.

You can go on Andertons right now, and in my opinion, get a better guitar than anything Fender, Epiphone, Gibson or Ibanez are offering from about £370 to £500. Proper woods, and usually great Seymour Duncan or actual Chapman designed pick ups, with really great hardware.

You get a serious machine for the money.

The standout model for me is the Chapman ML-1. The ML-1 is a coil-splitting, S-style body shape with a HSS configuration. It's mahogany, with a maple neck and an ebony fretboard, it also comes with a gigbag. You get the Chapman pick ups in this and it sounds great from YouTube and has received great reviews. It was also nominated for Best Electric Guitar 2013 by Guitarist magazine and won Best Budget Guitar from MusicRadar. You get all this amazing spec and well received reviews for only £369.

I think we'll all agree that is simply ridiculous. If anyone would like to buy me one, please go ahead!

If I was to design my own guitar for Chapman Guitars (say I bribed Chappers with enough coffee) I'd go for an SG shape, it would differ because the horns would be symmetrical, as well making sure every fret was accessible (like we all know SGs do). I'd have two Chapman Guitarnivore Humbuckers which can be coil split, with a 1000 series Floyd Rose bridge (like on the Rabea signature). It would be all mahogany, ebony fretboard and would be called the ML-Sam.

I can dream aye!

Honestly, go and have a look at the guitars on Andertons. Then go to Rob's youtube channel for some great guitary goodness. This is the future of the Guitar, ladies and gentlemen.

Bless.
SJ.