Exit Earth - 'Brandon' : Review

I don't usually write music reviews, but I'm a friend-of-bands, so go figure.

 When 'researching' this article, the first thing I noticed was that Youtube's top suggested link from Exit Earth's 'Brandon' takes you to a clip from BBC1's the voice. Hopefully this is a coding mistake, because Exit Earth are keeping the music scene real (and not in the reality TV sense). On the first listen, Exit Earth sounds like cigarette smoke, rubble and posters ripped out of magazines. If that needs further explanation: 1) get more in touch with your synaesthesia, dammit! , and 2) they're a pretty angsty teenage punk band. But that label puts most people off, so I'm loathe to stick it on them just yet. For an emerging band they have some kick. The choppy guitar reminds me of the Libertines, and clandestine gigs in warehouses where everyone gets drunk and fights/has sex. The accompanying video (which you will spy at the top of this blog) has a similarly thrown-together feel (probably because it was actually home made FUCK DA MAINSTREAM!!!!) Saying that, the cinematography and general feel of the video is pretty good. It features frontman, Symrun Johal, wistfully playing guitar amidst the aftermath of a party, in a myriad of ironic slogan t-shirts emphasising the demoralization associated with being a youth. (Why am I telling you this? Press play! ^^^) 

As far as lyrics go, they're along the same lines. In fact, the lyrics essentially narrate the video. An artistic decision, or just a lack of imagination I don't know, but what I do know is that for me, the lyrics were a little clichéd. With vocals somewhere between the drawling whine of Nirvana and the abruptness of the Vaccines, there is the potential to take these lyrics away from the trope of band practice in your mates bedroom, to somewhere with a little more punch, and hopefully that will happen on their next release. 'Brandon' is a song that fully encapsulates the monotony of modern youth culture in a way that is crisp, involving and current. Personally, if  Exit Earth's “omg shreds” were louder or heavier, so that they make me want to punch someone in the face whilst vomiting, they would make my fave bands list, but that doesn't detract from the frustrated melancholia of this single. For an emerging band these boys are producing something fresh and different, and they are well worth a listen (or a cheeky download). Exit Earth can only improve on this already winning combination. - Rhio

Marvel-ous.

OHKAAAY I never blog about things on time, but TRUST ME I have been excited about The Avengers since Iron Man, and have been watching TONS of Marvel films, talking about Marvel films, and of course whacking on my hipster 3D glasses to watch the newest Marvel film.

It was awesome no? All the fighting and exlosions, and sexy avengers, and fighting, and outerspace robots, and fighting, and clever one-liners and the Hulk smashing things, and did I mention FIGHTING AND EXPLOSIONS???
In homage, I created this (awful) set on polyvore, which got me thinking about my favourite superhero film costumes.

Shockingly for some, I don't actually like the comics (trying to look at the words and the pictures at the same time hurts my brain), which meant I don't listen to criticism about whether the comic is better than the film, and subsequently meant I quite enoyed Suckerpunch. Mainly for the costumes. 

 

The costumes are all feminine but totally badass! I liked the way that by keeping some elements the same in each scenario (like Babydoll's collar) reality was skewed, and it just enhanced the confusion within the girls minds. The muted colours were a good choice, because whilst nude tones are pretty and feminine against the background the girls looked grubby and like their clothes were fogotten about, reflecting the family situations that put them into the home. In the Buresque house scenes, vintage gym-knickers were paired with basques and socks. The juxtaposition mixed innocence with objectification, which heightened the pain that the girls were going through, as it linked them with childhood innocence, and was a constant reminder of Babydoll's abusive stepfather. The mix of innocence and hightened-sexuality was omnipresent in the film, having the girls fight in a lingere type uniform. This style of costume was used in Battale Royale, and I love it, not simply for the fact that watching children facing disturbing adult situations is grotesque, but because pleated skirts are badass!! 

  Mystique and Rogue from X-Men are the next that I'm going to mention.. Mystique, because although its not technically a costume, as she's naked, is still awesome. The detail on her body is beautiful, reminding me of the nascar lines and prehistoric alien theories, which highlights her majesty. The fact she has a bright skin, and the way she moves in the film is lizardlike, reflecting her slippery nature, but most importantly her exact shade of cobalt blue is the new black!

Rogue on the other hand is awesome because although she tries to dress unnasumingly, you can still tell there is something different about her. I love hoods and gloves and long coats, because they shroud the wearer in mystery whilst still being elegant. And Rogue is elegant - look how nicely she scrubs up, making her distinctive hair go from an accident to a statement. 

 Talking of distinctive hair, I love Ramona Flowers from Scott Pilgrim. It's not just her hair (that she changes all the time) but her colourful outfits. Though the style of normal kids, wearing hoodies and jeans etc, the bright colours make her stand out and portray a vibrant personality which is difficult to connect with. The same-but-different persona in her clothes is reflected in the way Scott sees her, and is the main reason she is so alluring. Her choker and rollerblades are awesome too, putting a vintage edge on Ramona's look, which makes her a timelessly cool character.

These are just a few of my favourites, but all the costumes in superhero films are awesome, because superheroes are awesome and badass and can do martial-arts without any training. However, I cannot, so when I wear a cape out I look stupid. 

EXPLOSIONS!11!!!!!!!!!!!!1

XXO