Spider Monkey's profile

Conditions, 22 Nov 2009

I came to the music of The Temper Trap, as I'm sure many others have, off the back of `Sweet Disposition' and it has quickly become one of my favourite albums of the year. In fact it is never out of my stereo at the moment. From the opening track `Love Lost' you know you are in for a real treat and this album doesn't let you down at all. This band have their own unique sound and the singer has very distinctive and original vocals, but if you enjoy bands like Death Cab For Cutie then I recommend this album and think it will be right up your street. `Sweet Disposition' is a very strong track and the way it builds with the underlying jangly guitar really adds to it's impact and power. But… Read more

Insomnia, 21 Nov 2009

`Insomnia' is an excellent book from King when he was at his writing peak. It has his usual gripping writing style and engaging plotline that keeps you devouring the pages. Following Ralph, who keeps on waking up earlier and earlier (with startling consequences), this book explores the ideas of fate and death and what starts off as a simple story, soon becomes something more complex and sinister. This is one of those books that quickly becomes a `page turner' and you are soon racing through page after page to uncover the next development in the story. The plot unfolds excellently, keeping enough tension throughout to make you fully enjoy the pay off at the end; when King was on form he… Read more

The Power of Love, 20 Nov 2009

I have been on real eighties cheesy music kick lately and after recently buying a boxset of pop hits I had to move on to some power ballads. `The Power of Love' despite the terrible name seemed to have the best mix of songs, on three discs and at a reasonable price. Of course you get `Total Eclipse of the Heart' (Bonnie Tyler) and `I Want to Know What Love is' (Foreigner), plus songs by Boston, Journey, Mr Mister, Survivor, Europe, BOC and all of those other excellent staples of power rock, but you also get some more modern stuff from the likes of Anastacia and although I'm not too keen on the more modern stuff here, at least it ensures the selection is varied. This is great to put on in… Read more