Friday, March 19, 2010

Shwingin'



Those loveable country bumpkins Crystal Swing are just going from strength to strength. What started out as an inside joke has turned into an internet phenomenon, quickly morphing into a national treasure.


From blogger love to Ellen DeGenres tweets to The Late Late with Tubbers, the Swing are unstoppable. The family trio even signed copies of their "hit album" in Celtic Note last weekend. Devout fans [and a few closet cases] came to show their support for the crazy Corkonians.

This is the video that started it all and if you have still yet to see it, shame on you.

For those of you who are needing your CS fix, Youtube is aplenty with remixes, interviews and spoofs. In particular, check out Panti Bliss' rendition from her Thursday night drag show in Pantibar a couple of weeks back

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

The Family Jewels

Flashback have a soft spot for Marina And The Diamonds and the Welsh beauty fails to disappoint with her debut album...

Marina Diamandis has produced a record worthy of an Album Of The Year accolade without the year even fully beginning. Spring has yet to awaken our dazed eyes but Diamandis has woken the world up with her slap-in-the-face signature brand of power pop and quirky eccentricity.

The ‘Hollywood’ singer had been hotly tipped to take 2010 by storm by the BBC Sound of 2010 poll and has been buzzed about in cyberspace for nearly two years. With an army of devout ‘diamonds’ (similar to Mariah Carey’s ‘lambs’ except not as creepy) Marina will most likely set the charts ablaze in oh ten, along with her 679 labelmates Little Boots and The XX.


'The Family Jewels' has some fan favourites nestled into its fibres like her debut ‘Obsessions’ animalistic ‘Mowgli’s Road’ and ‘I Am Not A Robot’. Yet it’s the unknown tracks that pose the biggest surprise. ‘Shampain’ is a knock out start to the record with a thumping electronic beat to coincide with Marina’s quirky lyrics. ‘Girls’ tells a story of female empowerment and perception, while ‘Oh No!’ is an infectious little ditty about fame and success, written last-minute in LA while the record was being mastered.

The singer has drawn numerous comparisons to Kate Bush but the track ‘Numb’ full of organ, bell chimes and an angelic, soaring chorus is the only likeness. ‘Guilty’ also stands out for its emotional story paired with a thumping drum and bass backbone.

The album is a tale of honesty, fame, failure and fortune. The writing is relatable and resonant – we all have doubts, fears and opinions, Diamandis is just the one banking on them. Overall Marina has something to say and even better, something original to bring to the table. She’s creative, she’s wacky and she is damn good at what she does.



9/10


Singles to watch out for: Shampain, Oh No

Friday, March 5, 2010

Flash Update

Semester Two is finally here and us Flashback minions are working hard in preparation for issue two!

At the moment we are brainstorming ideas for articles and features...hopefully some are gonna transpire into really great and entertaining articles for you all!
Little hints of ideas are a definite fashion piece (Alexander McQueen, Lady Gaga and Henry Holland have all been mentioned!), a colourful and unique photo feature, possible exlusive DCU vouchers and we hope to have a whole heap of interviews!
Anything that doesn't get into the magazine will be plastered all over here and on our (hopefully) amazing new website so we want as much stuff as we can('t) handle!

The big concept for issue two is COLOUR! winter is over and after a horrendous January of snow/ice/-50 weather/wind etc, Spring is finally here and Flashback want to reflect that and make the most of it! Some colourful changes may be drastic and others minute, you will just have to wait and see!

Hoping to get another launch party for issue two as well so here's hoping! As a final note, a writers meeting will be taking place in week FIVE (next week) for anyone interested!
Come, chat about your ideas, pick up a story or two and bring along some friends! The meeting will also be a really good way to get your foot in the door for the team next year! More on that will be coming later..

for now, those of you who are X-Factor enthusiasts. Diana "the claw" vickers has released her debut video! Have a feeling they are trying to present a sexed-up, pop version of the folksy warbler but, make up your own minds and watch it on Play.Com

Friday, December 4, 2009

flashblog coming soon...

flashblog launches next week