This week I have been mainly

This week I was mostly listening to
A Plea For Purging - Depravity
A bosting lead single, a huge lead singer who has a wonderful self-depreciating sense of humour and just a huge chunky sound. Their best release to date.
Portishead - Third
After being silent for neigh on a decade the trip hop pioneers take a slightly more industrial turn on this 2008 release. It’s a nice album to chill out to when you get you fancy a break from rock, metal and hardcore.
David Crowder Band – A Collision
One of only a handful of truly creative worship bands. Chris Tomlin, Bluetree and the Glorious Unseen are the only other artists that readily spring to mind.

This week I was mainly watching
The Apprentice
It’s picking up nicely now and I have a weird admiration for the series villain. If anything the show that follows, You’re Fired, is better than the programme itself!
Sideways
Lisa had not seen it and before whacking it on ebay we gave it a watch. This was the third time I’d watched it and I still love it!
A lot of negative TV coverage against the police
TV news of the last few days has been giving a lot of coverage to Hillsborough and ever since G20 of people making claims against police brutality. Both stories show the police in a negative light and I’d like to go on record of showing my support to the boys in blue. It’s becoming increasingly hard for them to be able to carry out their job. Yes there a few idiots in the force – same goes for every profession.

This week I was mainly reading
Brochures of things to do in and around York and a lot of the gubbins that you get when you go to the places in and around York.

Other things of note from this week
Tuesday and Wednesday I went to York with Lisa. Maybe at some point I’ll go into detail as to what tickled and inspired me whilst there but for now I’ll just do a simple list of things we did and saw (so I don’t forget them!). Castle Howard, a walk around the city wall, York Minster, York Dungeons, lots of twee little shops and museums, York Art Gallery … but not The Tandoori Night, despite all the subliminal advertising.

This week I was mainly...

This is a weekly thing that is pretty much for my own edification and nobody elses. It's a nice way of reminding me of things I really enjoyed once upon a time and to rip into anything that disappoints me. Obviously I encourage you to take up some of my recommendations.

This week I was mostly listening to
Funeral For A Friend – Casually Dressed And Deep In Conversation
I'm seeing them in Leeds you see. Juneau is still probably their best track but the album is not as good as my hazy memory has promised.
Believer – Gabriel
I'm still loving their comeback album and really enjoyed my interview with Kurt last Saturday. You can listen again to the interview here. The audio will also go on the Facebook group for The Rock and Hard Place soon too.
Dragonforce – Ultra Beatdown
Rather disappointed by this one I have to say. Their cheesy power metal seems to have rather lost it's way. Much preferred Theocracy's latest if you're looking for open-fisted theatrical metal.

This week I was mainly watching
The Apprentice
Clough
Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle
None of these three need any explanation, they just need to be watched ... via iPlayer (I don't watch TV at home).

This week I was mainly reading
The Shack (William P. Young). I should have finished it by now, come on Sammons!
The Week. I'm actually about three weeks behind so it's more like The Week Three Weeks Past.

Other things of note from this week
Er, well last week I went to see Count Arthur Strong in Buxton with Lisa. She wasn't acquainted with the character prior to the show and as such spent the first half trying to work him out! He rather dragged out a very short show but there were some great moments, including his appearance in the Ask The Family pilot and his telling the silent audience to stop interrupting him.

Oh and I'm not actually a particularly big fan of the Fast Show in case you ask.