Review: 'Our Own War' by Project 62 for Rave Magazine

Didn't even realise until just now this had gone to print already, but here's a review of Project 62's record, 'Our Own War' for Rave Magazine issue 929, which you can view online here, page 24. I was recently taken on as a freelance contributor with them, and have a few things coming up in the next issues as well. Watch this space!


PROJECT 62 – Our Own War
(Independent)

Grizzly rockers come together to gather an army

Our Own War, the first release for Toowoomba based
eclectic rock quintet Project 62, follows a burgeoning
reputation as a solid live act. It’s a record
of playful contradictions: deep vocals over bluestinged
tracks; the sweeter, melodic ballad Without;
and angrier, heavier rock tracks with political agendas
like God’s Gift. The record is driven lyrically by
a staunch, nearly religious rejection of passivity,
both personal and political. Project 62 presents
a raucous, self-aware but likeable meld of rock influences,
lined with the earnest ethos of old-soul
punk-rockers. Our Own War comes complete with
a handy appreciation guide for listeners: “1. Play it
loud. 2. Read the lyrics while you listen. 3. When the
album seems over, keep listening – you might be in
for a surprise!” Ideal listening would be live from a
dank, darkened country bar, but if that’s not possible,
try suggestion 5: “For best results, serve with
whiskey and/or beer.”
ANNA ANGEL

Review: 'Valentine's Day' for Tom Magazine

A generous review of Valentine's Day, taking into account the general standard of American RomComs, for Tom Magazine. I hear they're already planning a sequel, 'New Year's Eve'. Ouch.

VALENTINE’S DAY

Director: Gary Marshall
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Julia Roberts, Jessica Biel, Jaime Foxx, Topher Grace, Jennifer Garner, Shirley MacLaine, Jessica Alba, Patrick Dempsey, Taylor Lautner, Queen Latifah, Taylor Swift, and more.
Reviewed by: Anna Angel

One morning, King of the RomCom, Gary Marshall said to himself, "How many celebrities can I fit into one movie and still attempt to build a heart wrenching story arc for each?" The answer was around nineteen, plus cameos. This film - essentially a ‘day in the life of’ interweaving narrative, set in LA on the big day itself - borrows a lot from the success of Love, Actually. While it features seemingly unrelated characters, throwing them together in unexpected ways, Valentine’s Day is more on the romance side than the comedy. Since they’re naturally going to be compared, I’m going to set it straight right now - Love, Actually wins hands down. This movie is cute, funny and clever at times, but nowhere near as frequently as its predecessor is.

Etc.

Column: 'Pop-stars are not just pretty faces' for lip Magazine

I've recently started up as a blogger for lip Magazine, my first entry can be found here.


pop-stars are not just pretty faces
by Anna Angel

Only a few years ago the words “female pop star” would conjure up images of scantily-clad, pouting sex kittens with a vocabulary limited to ‘ooh’, ‘baby’, and the occasional ‘oh, baby’. True to the ‘Ten Things I Hate About You’ classic deadpan, “I want you, I need you, oh, baby, oh, baby,” many of the artists on the airwaves were no more than synthesised hotties. Right now, more than ever, the music industry is making way for scantily clad and pouting female pop singers with a brain and personality behind them. Whether you like their music or not, and it’s evidenced that many do, the likes of Beth Ditto, and Lily Allen are leading a brigade of songstresses that have powerful voices and something to say with them.

Etc.