Smashbomb

Search

Search results

All (3305)

Content

Mark Arm recommended Black & White by The Stranglers in Music (curated)

"I just love that record. I love the early Stranglers. The bass always sounds so good. It just drives everything. It's almost the lead instrument. The Stranglers were such a weird band. They've got this sort of Rick Wakeman-esque classical keyboard going all over the place but sometimes, like on Black And White, it's more synthesiser stuff which is cool. It's got my favourite Stranglers songs on it culminating in the last song 'Enough Time'. I think that's just a brutal and great song. I love 'The Tank', 'Toiler On The Sea', 'Do You Wanna', 'Sweden (All Quiet On The Eastern Front)', 'Outside Tokyo' the whole thing about the watches with a strap to sell is really funny. 'Nice 'N' Sleazy' has a really great groove. The bad pun bugs me a little bit but it's still pretty great. Rattus Norvegicus was a great record too, but No More Heroes, of the first three albums, seems the weakest. Or maybe it's the one I haven't listened to as much. Black and White just feels more brutal than the first two records."

Source

Kudos

David McK (3791 KP) rated Troy in Books

Nov 30, 2020

Troy

Stephen Fry | 2020 | Education

8.0

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

Stephen Fry's straight retelling (as much as is possible) of the Siege of Troy, following on from his earlier works 'Mythos' and 'Heroes'.

As such, we cover all the familiar ground: Helen of Troy, Paris, the Gods involvement, Agamemnon, Menaleus, Achilles, Odysseus, that giant wooden horse ...

I have to say, however, for such a well know story this is probably the first time I've ever seen (or heard) a straight retelling of it: we normally get either the Gods left out entirely (see the early 2000s film 'Troy'), a slow and plodding retelling that leaves it up to you to decide whether they were involved or not (BBCs 'Troy'), or a reworking/reimagining where the wooden horse is reworked into a metaphor for something completely different (I'm most familiar with those by David Gemmell, such as in his trilogy beginning 'Lord of the Silver Bow').

Having said that, this also has a bit of an abrupt ending, leaving it - I feel - open for a retelling of The Odyssey to come next!

Kudos

BookwormLea (3034 KP) rated Shatter Me in Books

Jun 25, 2019

Shatter Me

Tahereh Mafi | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry

8.4

(23 Ratings)

Book Rating

Uniquely fantabulous! (0 more)

So good, I bought the second book 3 chapters in.

Contains spoilers, click to show

I can't say this for many books anymore, but I was hooked from page 1. The second I read the page about the cross thoughts and repeats being intentional, I was like 'this is gonna be good'. Juliette is so strong and beautiful and Adam is just perfect. The story flows so well and I never wanted to put it down!! And when I did have to, it was all I could think about. I was right there along with the characters, immersed in such a fantastical world Mafi thought up and shared so beautifully with us. It was like every fantasy I've ever had! Powers, romance, heroes and villains. This book will leave you wishing you were a superhero, fighting a battle for the good guys in a future so crazy, it has to be real!!! I can't wait to read book 2!! I actually bought this in paperback a while ago and after reading up to chapter 3, I had to buy the second one too!

Kudos

Lindsay (1812 KP) rated The Green Dress (True Colors #6) in Books

May 27, 2020

The Green Dress (True Colors #6)

Liz Tolsma | 2020 | Crime, History & Politics

10.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

The Green Dress is about a woman who is staying with the Robinson family. There seem to be strange illnesses or deaths occur. It seems to be about a woman named Sarah Jane Robinson. What is going on in the house is strange.

Harriet seems to bring in a Dr. Weaton. She moved into the Robinson family household but things seem to happen more once Lizzie passes away. But we do not know who it is. As the story goes on and more death occurs. The suspicions rise. Who is killing the Robinson family members and why?

The author does a wonderful job of having you trying to figure out the culprit. You get a history of some of the members. What a way to show some true colors in some folks. This story has you wanting to turn the pages and rooting for the heroes to save the day. You are pulled in emotionally as well. I was guessing Dr. Beers or even Mrs. Robinson. Can Michael and Harriet save the Robinson family members or will it all go bad?