Music Musings - Beyonce Is No 4-ce To Be Reckoned With

My return is now permanent, thanks to the end of exams. Expect a horrific stream of selfless plugging on my Twitter feed.

Yes yes, I know, worst pun known to man, but it is unbelievably true.

Yesterday, Mrs Jay-Z, otherwise known as Beyonce Knowles, released her fourth album in the UK, and today in the US. The record, called '4', funnily enough, is a far step from the likes of I Am... Sasha Fierce, but has stripped back all the big drama to the old Destiny's Child days. It is a work of art, rather than a record. It is something you would happily have on a loop all day. I've waxed lyrical about how good Lady Gaga's new album is, likewise Elbow's, but Beyonce's record reinvents her sound, but at the same time manages to keep it the same - something the previous two haven't done. It really is quite special.

So, having spent the last two days having a few listens, in typical GMOAI fashion, let's take you for a quick spin round the album...

The record begins with the beautiful 1+1, a ballad that takes us right back to the album tracks from her first album Dangerously In Love. Performed as part of her headlining gig at Glastonbury on Sunday, the song captivated the audience, albeit with slightly creepy lyrics like 'Make love to me', having just told everyone the song is all about peace and being anti-war...

I Care has a heartbeat strewn throughout with the world's most catchy drum beat, and sounds like a cross between Leona Lewis and Nicki Minaj, with her smooth R&B vocals over the top. The synthesised layers from I Miss You give a soft '80's feel, and take the tempo right back down. Beyonce doesn't use power in her voice, making it a quite stunning record, combining her new sound with the old sounds we all know and love. Even the slow fade out isn't expected in the slightest, and immediately pulls up the next one.

B's new single, Best Thing I Never Had, has a wonderful orchestral backdrop, with strings and the piano making up the foundations for the synthesisers to make her voice sound quite so incredible. The heavy drums through the chorus, and singalong backing vocals make this one a big crowdpleaser, and the message of revenge, and how karma has bitten back makes this one something everyone can relate to. Not the one you want sung to you, put it that way.

Kanye makes an uncredited appearance on Party, which also features vocals from Andre 3000 - and it's verging on hip hop. His rap breaks the whole thing up, and adds a different element to a B track that we haven't properly seen since Deja Vu with Jay-Z. Yet Beyonce makes this one work, not Andre, and the chorus of 'We like to party, ay, ay, ay' creates images of this track appearing in every nightclub across the globe over the coming weeks. Rather Die Young is quite a disappointing follow-up to Party, and will be a track that will work on tour, but not on the charts. The repetitive verses just don't work here, but having seen that Luke Steele, of Empire of the Sun fame, wrote the song, you can begin to understand the ideas behind it.

Start Over has an African feel to it, and Beyonce begins to pull it out the bag here. Up to this point, the record is actually just quite a good one, but from here onwards, it's something special. A full-on emotional song, presumably about trying to break up with someone, it is something you can feel, and begin to 'interact' with. If it's even possible to interact with music....

But then comes my favourite moment from the whole album - Love On Top. Now this record could quite have easily been from an early '90's Mariah album, and has that fun, soulful production to it. Backing vocals are high, lots of horns, unbelievably catchy chorus, wonderfully-cheesy quadruple key change, and plenty of smiles. I mean, towards the end of it, only the cats could hear. Lyrically, it could win Eurovision, but in its final form, this will be a massive, massive summer smash if it gets a release.

Countdown received massive airplay when initially leaked, and the continual countdown from 10 to 1 adds a strange element to a track that wouldn't go amiss in a carnival. Again, very hip-hop, but the chorus reminds me a lot of Signs, another track from Dangerously In Love, that had a listy feel. This just works. For some strange reason, mind you. It really shouldn't.

A big build-up at the start of End Of Time continues the carnival theme, and just makes you want to dance. Beyonce seems to want to get through lyrics very quickly on this album, but it got big cheers on Sunday at Glastonbury. The beats are back, and the horns make a triumphant return, and this could quite easily have been straight off a Shakira record. Found myself humming 'Say you'll never let me go' all day as well. Beautifully produced, too.

Diane Warren appears as writer for the penultimate track, and it has a very Diane Warren sound too - if you know what I mean. Heavily strings based, I Was Here is a track I personally find really disappointing. Not a fan of Warren, but this really does just take the mick - repetitive, slow, horribly dull, and made even worse by what follows - Run The World (Girls), the track that was lead single off the album, and is a real grower. Heavy, heavy beats, cracking bridge throughout, catchy chorus and amazing dance moves to pull off in any club - this is the one that just tops off the record.

I know it is all very wordy, and song-by-song doesn't do it justice - you need to hear the whole thing to really appreciate quite how good an album this is. Yes, there are moments that based on personal opinion, it isn't great - but doesn't every album have that? It's quite brilliant, and won't get as much publicity as it deserves. So go get it. Please?

And as added incentive to go find the album, here's Run The World (Girls), from Sunday night's Glastonbury show!

Taken from General Musings of an Idiot: http://www.gmoai.com

The Examination Season - An Aged Necessity?

As many of us know, the examination season is well under way, with GCSE's coming to a close, AS exams all but finished and A2 exams continuing till the end of the month.

On a personal level, I've already undertaken five exams, with three more to come over the next two weeks. Having been involved in the Impossible Question scandal, it threw us all a little, and then on Friday, the third of the Business Studies exams was one of the worst I have ever sat, and that will probably be that in terms of gaining a university place.

But as we have all suffered in our lifetimes, exam seasons are the most stressful, time-consuming periods of time you will ever undertake. Especially in recent years, so much rests on doing well in these exams. For example, a bad exam, like I had, will now force my hand into paying three times as much money to the government to gain a degree I need to do well in my chosen career path. It's a very cruel, vicious circle.

Put it this way - one of my teachers knows one of the Chief Examiners very well, and asks him every year how he can do this to kids when he himself hated exams. 'Exams are necessary to improve education.' How can he set exams, when he hates them too?

It begs the question - why do we still have exams?

About 18 months ago, Denmark's education system trialled the use of the internet within examinations. They figured that in the 21st century, all information needed was accessible via an ethernet cable and an internet service provider. Those who took the exams said they found it tough, as the questions were made more difficult. But there was a sense of calm in the pre-exam build-up, and then in the exam hall too. So why not embrace the technology available to us?

Or what about snap exams? Revision is supposedly the refreshing of what you have already learnt. So why does everyone who revises every hour of every day feel that they're learning certain points for the first time? Surely a snap exam - one that is just handed to you with no warning - is the best option to test what you actually know, rather than what you have taught yourself? That way, not only do we test raw knowledge, but the testing of the education system becomes more realistic, and we can see where the faults are in specific centres' departments.

The final option we have available is to ditch them altogether, and use the likes of coursework and practical exams to assess students across the academic year, rather than allowing for two weeks at the end of your schooling life to define what you will become. Coursework allows for high grades to be attained through the use of skills learned throughout the 14 years you spend in school, rather than in the six weeks beforehand when you cram before an exam.

Exams, in their current format, are not what will help educate the young adults of the UK. We will soon learn that fact when our candidates are overlooked for students from Asia and Scandinavia. Until we bring our education system into the 21st century, the stress and heartbreak students feel before and after exams will shadow the grades achieved come August 18th. There needs to be a change to make sure we remain the most employable nation in the world.

Taken from General Musings of an Idiot: http://www.gmoai.com

Music Musings - Katy B

Nearly 7,500 site views. 71 posts, over 100,000 words. And I managed to neglect you. For that, I apologise profusely. But as you can imagine, exams are becoming the bain of my life....

And despite the exams, I still managed to blog about football on other blogs. I've also started to set up some exciting plans for GMOAI, but when they come to fruition I don't know.

But right now, my revision is accompanied by a truly brilliant album. If you haven't got it yet, get it. I urge you.

It's called 'On A Mission', and it's by the lovely Katy B. It's a dubstep-pop album, and it's just brilliant. There aren't many albums that have come out this year that you smile to all the way through, but this is just cracking.

Many of you will know her as 'that bird from that Magnetic Man song'. Some may know her as 'that one with the nice eyes'. But once you've heard the album, your opinion will change. Or not. Depending on your initial opinion.

I'm sorry for confusing you.

Anyway, below is her new single, 'Easy Please Me'. Brilliant record - listen. Please?

Taken from General Musings of an Idiot: http://www.gmoai.com

French Open 2011: Rafa's Reign Rolls On - Final Report & Game-by-Game Analysis

Rafael Nadal won the 2011 French Open after a scintillating final against Roger Federer, beating him 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 6-1, on the Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros.

The Spaniard won his sixth French Open championship, equalling Bjorn Borg's record, and retained his title as World Number One, in a four-set match that involved both players playing to the top of their game and proving why they have been so dominant in previous years in Paris. Nadal has now won 10 Grand Slam titles from 12 finals.

After winning the coin toss, Federer chose to serve, taking the first game with relative ease. However, Nadal made some costly mistakes in the second game, but managed to take it to deuce, but Federer took the fourth break point on offer, before winning the third game with a brilliant ace and the classic Federer serve-volley, extending his lead to 3-0.

Nadal avoided a second break, winning a highly-contested game, but it wasn't enough to settle his nerves. Federer's third service game saw more unforced errors from Nadal, as Federer's powerful backhand began to pull off angles only possible here at Roland Garros, with the swirling wind. Federer proved his dominance, with a cross-court return in the sixth game, which he ploughed into the back corner of the court, but it wasn't enough to avoid losing the game.

Federer played some exceptional cross-court shots to take the score to 5-2, before Nadal called for the trainer, unveiling a heavily-taped foot, which the BBC's Andrew Castle said 'may explain what has happened so far'. The Spaniard looked to have taken his eye off the game, serving a wild double fault, before Federer's incredible form shut out Nadal, winning four consecutive points to take him to set point, but Nadal recovered to allow for Federer to serve out the set. Not all went to plan though, after further unforced errors allowed for Nadal to break and take the set to 5-4.

The sun-baked clay was slowly becoming the scene of a great tennis match, with the wind, heat and crowd all becoming factors as to who would take the trophy home. Nadal's comeback was led by his serve, and after winning his third consecutive game, and taking the set to 5-5, Federer's earlier supremacy had diminished and the world number one started to prove why he had that title. Incredible rally after incredible rally followed, but Nadal's new-found confidence brought another break point, which he took, and then in his service game, brought a set point, and after 62 minutes, Nadal took the first set 7-5.

The first 12 games of the 2011 French Open Final could not have been more different. The on-court movement from both men saw some quite remarkable shots being played, but since the appearance of Nadal's trainer, it was all about the Spaniard, and Federer could not get a foot in the door. If he was playing anyone else, however, he'd have already won the game, never mind the first set, but it proves just how good these two are - the greatest of all time versus the world number one.

Federer's confidence looked to have completely disappeared, and shots that would have seemed so simple to the Swiss early on in the match ended up in the net, allowing for Nadal to break again, and then serve out the second game too. Federer won the third game to break the run of seven consecutive games for Nadal, but could not return to the form that has won him 17 Grand Slams, and further errors allowed for Nadal to take the fourth game of the set, and lead 3-1.

Two big aces and two incredibly powerful one-handed backhands pulled the next game from double break point to Nadal to a Federer win, and the elegance of the former world number one's shots led to a roar from the crowd in Paris. These shots continued, however Nadal also joined the party, pulling off some quite brilliant down-the-line shots to take the score to 4-2.

A big 40-0 game win for Federer pulled the set back to 4-3, and further encouragement from the crowd saw his confidence return. Some quite exquisite shots, including a beautiful back-court backhand and an incredible rally where he forced Nadal into every corner of the court whilst playing with ease, saw him break Nadal for the first time since the third game of the first set. However, despite playing some more wonderful tennis, Federer could not get a grasp on the ninth game, and Nadal took another break point to lead 5-4. Again, Nadal took a stronghold on the next game and looked like to win the second set, but at 40-40, we saw the expected rain, and play was suspended.

The 10-minute rain delay allowed for the players to have a brief rest, but Nadal returned with a slight unease to his game. Federer managed to save set point, and gain a break point himself, which he won after an unforced error from the Spaniard, who seemed a little shaken after the rain. The clay, although very moist, retained the heavy bounce we have seen throughout the tournament, which Federer used to his advantage, using the momentum gained from the previous few points, winning the eleventh game, and turning the score around to 6-5.

The crowd were behind Federer, but Nadal's determination won him the game, taking the set to 6-6, and a tie-break. Nadal took the initiative, and led 4-0, before the Swiss began to up his game. However, Nadal's forehand was far too much, and he won the tie-break 7-3, to lead the match 2-0.

Federer needs to wake up now - he is playing thinking his reputation will win the match for him. Although his shots are elegant and beautifully played, he isn't playing well enough to force his way into the game. Nadal is playing some great shots, and winning the games, but at times he is riding his luck, and Federer needs to react to that. You get the feeling that if things stay like this, the match will be over very, very quickly.

Nadal, who recorded an Open Era record-equalling sixth victory at the French Open, played some very simplistic shots in order to open up the third set, but Federer continued to make unforced errors, and the Spaniard took the first game. A strong service game from Federer, including a majestic ace, managed to pull the score back to 1-1, but the world number one silenced the crowd with some great serves, to lead the set.

A closely-fought fourth game was won through brute force, with Federer attacking the ball and taking the score to 2-2. Nadal completed the next game in a very efficient way, taking each point in three or four shots. Federer's next game was a disaster, with Nadal winning three break points to take the set to 4-2. His serve was nowhere to be seen, and the lacklustre performance in the game summed up his match.

But three break-back points was enough for Federer to turn his game around, and several drop shots allowed for the set to hit 4-4. Nadal won the game on his serve, before he won the game on his serve, and suddenly the Swiss looked to be on top of this set. Crucial shots began to go in his favour, and the powerful elegance we saw all through the match broke Nadal, put Federer 6-5 up in the set, and allowed him to win two set points on his serve, and take the third set 7-5. The Roland Garros crowd made a noise never heard before, as the court erupted with eager tennis fans cheering.

What a third set - back and forth, back and forth. Federer looked dead and buried at the start of the set, but he turned it around and his mentality changed, allowing for a change to his game, and suddenly he was hungry to win that trophy. After three games, he looked a broken man. After three sets, it's now all to play for.

Nadal started the fourth set with a look of dismay in his eyes - the expectation of winning in three sets suddenly over in 20 minutes. Within minutes he was facing three break points, but he turned it around to take the game and start the set in a manner in which he wished it to continue. Federer has a way with the tennis ball that he can place it wherever he wants on the court, and he used this to his advantage to take the second game with such accuracy. However, Nadal can do the same, and with such precision, placed the ball in areas that Federer could not reach, to lead the fourth set 2-1.

A double fault led the Spaniard to three break points, which he took, but this was no excuse for Federer's poor serve during the fourth game. He dragged his serve, allowing for faults to appear. The crowd booed Nadal at the end of the fifth game, as he walked off the court before the umpire had confirmed an 'out' call. Federer played some great tennis, but Nadal, again, played better, allowing him to lead 4-1.

Another break led Nadal to 5-1, despite Federer's incredible fightback. His poise was wonderful, likewise his movement on-court, but Nadal was just a little bit better, allowing for Nadal to serve for the championship. As the sun again lit up Paris, the King of Clay was crowned again, winning three championship points and blinked away tears. Federer, always magnanimous in defeat, embraced the Spaniard at the end, but it wasn't enough to stop the disappointment showing on his face. Nadal's unbelievable tournament finished in style, but leaves both players in great shape for Wimbledon in two weeks' time.

An incredible game that neither player deserved to lose. If Federer had played anyone else, then he would have crushed his opponent. But Nadal is too strong on clay, and this will lead to a three-way tug at Wimbledon between these two greats, and Novak Djokovic. A prospect to savour.

Big thanks to the BBC Sport team for the photos used in this post.

Taken from General Musings of an Idiot: http://www.gmoai.com

Change. Why?!

Right now in my life, I'm going through massive changes. There isn't a day that goes by where these changes don't become more apparent, or suddenly take place. It's a very bizarre situation to be in - one that you only see once or twice during your lifetime.

At the end of April, I turned 18 - now old enough to vote, smoke, earn more, buy a home, and be put on jury service. I can go in a pub, and order a pint. So that change is good - I'm an adult.

But what about other things? University is beckoning now - I need AAB to get to university, which isn't going to happen unless changes happen to my revision plans, and my exam technique. I bottle exams because I get terrified, and then spend half an hour calming my heart rate to stop myself having an Inbetweeners moment and shitting myself.

And then we have technological changes. I want an iPad - it'll help me in my future career as a journalist, but only if I get the grades... Funny how they're all linked?!

Likewise, I need to change my blog host to gain a bigger impact on the blogosphere and become someone recognisable on Google. And that's not gonna happen without a change.

In case you hadn't noticed, I'm in a bit of a fluster tonight - it's been a bizarre couple of days as the realisation of the future kicks in. Just cross everything (I mean everything) that it all goes well.

Smile. Honestly, it's the cure to all. Apparently.

Taken from General Musings of an Idiot: http://www.gmoai.com