5 Of The Best: Books

Yeah it's that time of the year bloggers seem to blog their Top 5 lists. I think I am going to do it a little different for my Top 5's. People always seem to post 5 of the best from that year but I think that's boring. Don't get me wrong 2009 has been a great year for music, art and culture itself. So for my first (and rather late) Top 5, I will be looking at the 5 best books I read this year. Now the lists over the next few posts are not in any order because if you asked me that, my frickin' head would explode!


1. David Simon- Homicide

This year was the year I became aware of the works of David Simon. I decided to pick up season 1 of The Wire (another list, trust me) and I have to tell you, I hate myself for not getting into it sooner, the band wagon is certainly on a roll but I heard it was good so I thought I would check it out. So after watching The Wire I thought I would try out some of the literature and my god! What a brilliant writer David Simon is. Homicide is basically an eye witness account from Simon during a year with the Baltimore Homicide Unit. The book is a brilliant insight into the work of the Homicide Unit. It's hard, it's moving and my god you don't want to put it down. If you are a fan of Police non fiction or a fan of The Wire, I demand you read this book. You will find yourself getting attached to the people and wanting more.


2.Chris Salewicz- Redemption Song the Definitive Biography of Joe Strummer

I am a massive fan of Joe Strummer. I am a massive fan of The Clash, they are my all time favourite band and Strummer to me is probably the best songwriter and social commentator we have ever seen. I guess this choice and mild review is a bit biased but this is a great book for Clash fans or anyone who likes music biographies. Even if you are not too sure, it's just an interesting read. I learnt a lot from this book, not only about Strummer but about myself. I also found out some interesting stories and facts that really made me laugh, cry and everything in between. A touching and true book. This doesn't totally brown nose Strummer, it shows all the good aspects and the few bad aspects of Strummer's life and career. A great book for Strummer fans but chances are, you knew about this book already!


3. Michael Smith- The Giro Playboy

Smith has been labeled "the Hunter. S. Thmpson of Hartlepool" and from this brilliant piece of what I call "indie literature" I can see why. Smith basically talks about his life when he had no money and he was getting fucked up most nights. It's a genuinely funny read and the style of writing is original and genuine. The book is also illustrated by Smith himself and all in all, it's a great package. It has a great D.I.Y appeal. I loved this book from start to finish. I can't really explain why I loved this book but I did. Smith also did a lot of programmes for BBC4. This is where I became aware of Michael Smith and damn am I glad I read this book. It's a witty, brutally honest book with a touch of dark humour in places. It demonstrates how no matter what your situation, you will always have a story to tell. Just fucking read it!


4. David Peace- The Damned United

OK I admit it! I did see the film first. I was interested in seeing how the film compared to the book and from both experiences, both are as enjoyable as each other. Nothing really I can say about this book really. It's a great book if you like Brian Clough and football in general. Even if you are fan of neither this book is funny and you can't help feeling sorry for Cloughie. I even love the way it keeps changing the period of the book from before Leeds and and to his days at Leeds. If you have seen the film, watch the book, it's just as good if not better. I think you will find yourself trying to do a Cloughie impression whenever he talks in the book.... wait.... I'm the only one?


5. Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons- The Watchmen

Finally I bring you the book (well, graphic novel) that I have most recently finished. The Watchmen! Now I won't make out I'm a massive fan of The Watchmen because in all honesty, I have only really been interested in that part of popular culture for a few months. I had heard a lot of good things about this graphic novel after the film came out so I thought I would do the best thing and read the novel first and then watch the film and all I can say is, I was blown away. The novel for me though is the best version. It's an amazing read and it's nice to see the dark and mental side of the super hero. It also seems like a great piece of commentry for what was going in the worls at the time f its release. I can see why it gets the acclaim it has. It was enjoyable from start to finish and from a design point of view... I haven't come across a nicer comic ever. This is one of the first and definitely not the last graphic novels/ comics I have read. Brilliant.

So there you have it! A nice little run down of the 5 best things I have read this year. There are more books but I couldn't be bothered doing a top 10... I think I have bored you enough already! If you would like to discuss my choices feel free to in the comments or get in touch with me direct also if you want to know some oher good suggestions get in touch. Would also be nice to hear your thoughts on the best reads this year! This could even help with your presents?

.acdx

Favourite Computer Game Characters EVER!

Yeah there are a lot of *Best Of 2009* posts right about now. Whether it be best albums, best songs, best blogs... blah... blah... blah I thought I would do something different. I will be doing an uber big best of 2009 post just before the year ends but this is going to be a bit of a different post. As you can see from the title..... I am going to share my 5 favourite computer game characters ever. Why am I picking the best of all time and not of the year? Well for me, Christmas always reminds me of my childhood and getting brand new computer games. Yeah the geek glasses and giant stomach is showing now, let's begin:


1. Solid Snake

I love, love, love Solid Snake. Ever since I first played a Metal Gear game (Sons Of Liberty.. I know, pretty late in the series huh?), I fell in love with his attitude and hey, he looks cool as fuck! I actually loved the fact he's a charcter in Super Smash Brothers Brawl. He smokes, he has a beard and he still kicks ass when he's old... need I say more?


2. Cartoon Link

How can you not love Cartoon Link? Link himself is an amazing character in every game but my favourite reincarnation of Link is from The Wind Waker. Cell shading itself is a great visual theme but when they mixed it with Link, they where on to a winner. He's cute, he has musical instruments as main items and how nice is the green tunic and blonde locks? That's a mifght fine outfit haha.


3. Fox McCloud

For me, Fox McCloud and the Starfox saga itself are very underated in the gaming community. Lylat 64 is what had me though. He just oozes cool. A fox! A fucking fox! How amazing is that!? It's unexplainable but I just love Fox McCloud. He has a great costume, he's a fox that flies a Space Ship and he's a great leader haha.


4. Goemon

My first experience with Goemon was when I was a wee lad with my SNES. I got given an imported version of Mystical Ninja and I was hooked when I first played it. It's like Link, he's just a character you can warm to. He uses a pipe as a weapon and has blue hair! My favourite Goemon moment is Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon on the N64. It's one of my favourite games. I grew up with him, I love Japanese characters.... I love Goemon!


5. Pyramid Head

This guy needs no introduction. How can you not love this disturbing son of a bitch!? He is the face of Silent Hill I suppose. Just the whole idea of him just pleases me and the stories and symbolism people come up with for him really appeal to me. He catches your imagination, he haunts your dreams and he is just a fucker haha. He's great to look at and think about and he is representing all the characters/ monsters from the Silent Hill series.

So now you know I am a pure geek! In my defense though, I grew up playing some great games. It's nice to go back to the classics, lose yourself and think of the times when you played your old consoles with your cousin... Ok that's just my memory! I don't think I would last if I didn't have computer games in my life. Thank you Nintendo for being my favourite games company!

I might do a top 5 games post soon... hmmmmmm *ponders*

.acdx

Utopia Me Giorgio

I think everyone has heard a Giorgio Moroder song even if they do not know who he is. For those who know who Moroder chances are, they rate him as one of their favourite artists. Moroder has 3 Grammys under his belt as well as a ton of soundtracks (including Scarface, Cat People, Midnight Express and American Gigolo), some great original albums (including Knights In White Satin, E=MC2 and From Here To Eternity), an Olympic Anthem and has collaborated with some great artists (including Bowie, Blondie, Donna Summer and Phil Oakey).



I won't bore you with all the details of his life so go check out wikipedia for the actual biography. This post is more of a tribute to one of my favourite artists (who incidently I only became aware of the past couple of years) and a big inspiration to me towards my woeful attempt at electronic music. Not only does he have all this talent... he also has a fucking killer moustache! I don't think I have come across a Moroder production that I didn't at least like. He has this amazing body of music and there no songs that you want to skip.



As you can see from the picture above, my favourite Moroder album is Knights In White Satin. It's a dreamy disco album that just flows and it's so suave and back in the day, I could imagine this album causing a lot of children to be born (if you know what I mean right? right?). Saying that though, even though disco/ funk music seems to have an aged and cheesy image (thanks to the walking adverts of Topman we call today's youth) this album still sounds quite fresh and relevant to me. Although this is my favourite album, my favourite Moroder song is a toss up of What A Night from E=MC2 or one of his most popular songs, Chase from the Midnight Express soundtrack.



I literally could watch that video 100 times over. It just oozes cool! As a treat for you guys (and a sort of introduction to Moroder's music for all you newbies) I have compiled a list of 5 of my favourite songs related to Moroder and given you a brief review of each one:

Giorgio Moroder- What A Night
Taken from The E=MC2 album. This song just for some reason reminds me of a guy walking on the strip in his white suit and aviator shades drenched in the lights of the disco clubs on a cool summer night looking for love. Yeah that translates to this song being (pardon my French) Cool as fuck!

Giorgio Moroder- Chase
Taken from the Midnight Express soundtrack. There is something strange and cosmic about this song for me. Every time I listen to it, it just gives me a weird dreamy feeling and I go on a cosmic journey. Ok, it's not the most trippy song ever but maybe it's just me. Either way, this is an amazing song, it has a good flow and the synths sound amazing. Look out over the web or Hype Machine for the Vitallic remix of this classic.

Giorgio Moroder & Philip Oakley- Together in Electric Dreams (Extended Version)
Taken from 12" I'm guessing. This is the song your mum and dad know. If you are a fan of mainstream 80's music you will already know this song. It's a classic. Need I say more?

Giorgio Moroder- Sooner Or Later
Taken from Knights In White Satin. This is typical 70's sexed up funk. A great piano steers you through the song and Giorgio's gruff and whispered voice seduces you (I hope if you are a girl!) and keeps you hooked. The whole album is amazing and this is just a small piece of the greatness.

Giorgio Morder & Paul Engermann- Push It To The Limit (12" Promo mix)
This is taken from the Scarface soundtrack but this version is the 12" promo mix. Push It To The Limit was probably the first Moroder song I ever heard and if you are a fellow gamer, you will know why. This along with most of the Scarface soundtrack appeared on the amazing Grand Theft Auto 3. I love this song and I have loved it since I first heard it. Thanks to my Uncle TNUC (look in the links to the right for his amazing blog) I became aware of this version. Amazing synth sequences and that stupidly awesome heavy guitar solo midway through makes this a must listen!

So there you have it. I just thought I would post a little tribute to one of my heroes. If you like the songs or are just curious anyway, get in touch with me and I can send you most of Moroder's albums because I am a Moroder fan boy!

Have a great Sunday and enjoy the tunes

.acdx

MC's Can Kiss

OK not really an original post but basically a re post from Busy P over on the Cool Cats blog (check the links on the side to check out the blog.... I cannot be bothered to do the HTML haha).



Yep, it's a new Uffie song. I think it's from the new album coming up? Anyway, I like Uffie but it's not really for her lyrics. This song is produced by my personal favourite from the Ed Banger family, Mr. Oizo. I think he and Feadz (and SebastiAn on the new album) make the songs listenable but don't get me wrong, I think Uffie is bad ass and cool as fuck. She has great fashion sense, she is super hot and I respect what she is doing. This song is one of my favourites by Uffie but maybe that's because this year has been a very Oizo worshiping one for me.

I look forward to hearing the remixes by Zombie Disco Squad and Starkey and for the whole album.

As a gift I will show you why Oizo makes Uffie that bit special for my ears:

Mr. Oizo- Steroids (featuring Uffie) (Mr. Oizo Remix)

.acdx

Welcome To The Videodrome: Cobra

Continuing with the Stallone theme. The next film for review is the 1986 Stallone action fest, Cobra.

Marion Cobretti aka "the Cobra", a police officer from a division of the police known as the “Zombie Squad”, is called into a hostage situation at a grocery store when negotiations fail. Cobretti kills the gunman, but before his death the criminal mumbles of a "New Order": a group of supremacists who believe in killing the weak and leaving only the strongest and themselves to live and rule the world.

When the bodies were taken out of the supermarket, Cobretti is admonished by Detective Monte for his seeming disregard for police procedures and protocols. At the time, what was not known is that the supermarket event is connected to a string of recent and seemingly unconnected acts of violence and murder that have broken loose in Los Angeles perpetrated by the same supremacist group referred by the supermarket gunman.

After witnessing several individuals including the "Night Slasher" (the Order's leader) at the scene of one of the murders late at night, Ingrid Knudsen becomes the target of the group because she was the only living witness to their crimes. After one attempt on her life, she is placed under the protective custody of Cobretti and his partner, Sergeant Gonzales . After several attempts were made on their lives by various individuals, Cobretti theorizes that there is an army of killers operating with the same M.O., but his suggestion was rebuffed by his superiors. The police department decided it would be safest that they relocate from the city.

Cobretti becomes romantically involved with Ingrid shortly after venturing out into the countryside, but one of the Order's leaders (who is a police officer traveling alongside the Cobretti) reveals the location of their whereabouts — despite Cobretti's suspicions and mistrust of the said officer, he does nothing and stayed the night in a motel.

The Order moves in at dawn and besieges the small town that they were staying. With barely enough time to react, the attackers stormed the motel room Cobretti is in with Ingrid, wounding Gonzales in the process. Killing several members but with more swarming into the town, Cobretti and Ingrid escape in a Dodge Ram pick-up truck. After the truck becomes severely damaged, the two bailed out on foot into a lemon grove and escape into a nearby factory.

Cobretti had most of the Order killed or disabled by at this point, but there were still a few members that followed them into the building. After eliminating every member aside from the Night Slasher himself, Cobretti and the leader ultimately engage in a deadly hand-to-hand duel inside the steel mill, ending with the Order's leader being impaled in the back by a large roaming hook and burned alive by Cobretti.

In the aftermath, Cobretti's department has arrived and begun clean-up of the town, giving medical aid to Gonzales — the Order is all but eliminated. Detective Monte appears apologetic but confronts Cobretti again about his lack of regard to police protocols. Cobretti punched Monte out and the ending credits begin with Cobretti and Ingrid climbing onto one of the many motorcycles left by the Order and riding away.



I fucking love this film! It's got Stallone playing a bad ass but with an actually funny sense of humour, it's got some killer action in it, it has the amazing car chase, it has Bridgette Nielsen when she was hot, it has an amazing score (see a trend already with film reviews?) and a super hot ending.... no pun intended.



This is a must for anyone who is a fan of good 80's action films. If you are a Stallone fan, chances are this film rates as one of his best. I can safely say for an 80's action flick, the cheese factor is turned down to a minimun. The romance is actually fun to watch, the humour is well done, especially Stallone's one liners, the action is kick ass and it has an extremely good story to it. You will find yourself watching this film a few times.



The soundtrack itself is a totally whole different level of awesomeness. The soundtrack is a must download because I can't find a fault with any of the songs... even the song that didn't make it for the film but made it's way to the game (which, due to the time restraints does not have boss at the end of the game, it just loops) is great. To finish up this review I have selected my favourite tunes from the film for yr pleasure:

Gary Whright- Hold On To Your Vision

Jean Beauvoir- Feel The Heat

Silvester Levay- Skyline

Silvester Levay- Chase

.acdx

New Designs- 7th December 2009

I seem to have strayed a little in my posts over the past few days but as you've guessed this blog is a bit of everything. So as you guessed from the title I have some new designs to share with you all (I actually do not know how many people actually read this rubbish)! So without further or do let's go!

This first piece is a little gift for my friend, Gabriel Maroner a.k.a Gabrielmister a.k.a 480000000000. I posted about this beautiful bastard before but to recap Gabriel is a musician who specialises in IDM. Without Gabriel I would not have the vast music library I have today. I have learnt a lot from this guy plus he is just a great friend and his music is awesome as hell!

The design in question is actually a still from a video that both Gabriel and I actually hurt ourselves laughing to. If you are aware of Mega64 you will know funny Rocco is.

Here is the video that this still is from:


So yeah that was just a joke that actually I am pretty proud of to be honest! You should go give Gabriel some Myspace love and check out Mega64 on Youtubezzzzzzz.


My second design is yet another gift for a friend who admitedly, I have only just "met" but I have to say we are rather close! Her name is Barbara and she makes gorgeous music under the name of Oh That's Splendid! Plus between you and me.... she's really cute.


I really am proud of this piece (even though it's not the usual for me I have to say) because I really like how the font came out plus who doesn't like unicorns!? If you don't.... then you don't have a soul! So you guys should go check her myspackle and give her some love!

Well that is all on the design front for now, look out for more design posts when I do more designs... obviously! For the bigger versions of the designs in this post and for ALL my design work head over to my myspackle and add me as a buddy!

To see us out on this post I present to you:

The Alan Parson's Project- Mammagamma

.acdx

2010......

2010 should hopefully be an exciting year for anotherclicheddesigner and especially the blog.

I have recently become aware of AdSense and I am really thinking about putting this on my blog. It makes sense to me that I can make myself a little bit of money from this but is it really worth me putting this on the blog?

Aside from that 2010 will finally see get a paypal account. This is so people can donate and so I can start to make money from my talent.... you did know I was a Graphic Designer right?

Before anyone complains that I am a scab because I am proposing I use AdSense and donations but hear me out! Money I would make from this blog and my work would obviously go into design tools, potential money for maintaining a website, DVD's and CD's for reviewing pupouses and general stuff like that.

So 2010 should hopefully be a good year for me and anyone who follows and reads the blog.

So it would be nice to hear your thoughts on this. Am I being a scab? Am I being greedy? Do you think it's a good idea? Remember, your thoughts are always well recieved.

.acdx