The Swipe Volume 3 Chapter 20
It has been another—entertaining week, with existential fear for the future mangled up with some really rather nice moments. I’d elaborate but to be frank it’s probably best to put the whole thing in my rear-view mirror and move on.
I’m writing this on the train to That London for tomorrow’s Diamond League athletics meet at the London Stadium. I’ve booked next week off (pal Ryan sweetly called it a half-term break, which seems about right) and have fun things planned, including two trips to the cinema, a big family birthday and C and I’s 31st weddiversary. Time doth fly—doesn’t seem like more than a couple of months since the last one. The lesson for this week: look ahead and don’t stress about the things you can’t control.
Wherever you are, whenever you are, however you are, welcome to The Swipe.
Rob is reading…
Polostan by Neal Stephenson. The Grand Old Duke of cyberpunk does 20th century espionage. As dense, rich and chewy as you’d expect, but this time round in a handy bite-size portion—well, for Neal at least. Fans are moaning that this, the first part of a trilogy, is ‘only’ 300 pages long. I’ll take that any day, thank you.
Rob is watching…
Bookish, as trailed last week. Mark Gatiss’ post-war detectory really hits the sweet spot between cosy crime and a darker, more noirish approach. In the second episode I loved the visual tributes to certain British films of the late 40s, which really went hard on the deep shadows and Dutch angles. The show’s a treat, go check it out.
Rob is listening…
to Chuck Prophet. I’ve been a fan since his Green On Red days, but the dude has decades of solo music to enjoy. Tell Me Anything is the current obsession, the ear worm I sing under my breath while wandering about at home and work. A heads-up—the clip below contains near-nudity, poorly-depicted violence and really obviously fake gore.
Rob is eating…
Hummus. Watch to the end.
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Rob’s Low-Key Obsession Of The Week…
Look at Brendon Flowers’ face all the way through this clip of their encore at Madison Square Garden, and tell me he’s not having the time of his life. I still think Sam’s Town is the best album Bruce never made. Nice to see the band got the note—look busy, The Boss is coming.
My cinema double this week is a hopeful one—that both the DCU and MCU have finally figured out that grimdark is not the approach which works when depicting the delightfully absurd pantheon of modern gods. Gritty and realistic doesn’t really work for me. The nadir was Joker, which mashed up Scorsese and Frank Miller to depressing effect. Still tempted to see the nutso musical sequel.
I’m going large on Superman this week, because I’m so pleased to see James Gunn and his merry band finally got the goofy charm of the material completely right. Ian Dunt on the faux furore around the boy from Krypton’s immigrant status. Some good further reading recommendations at the end, too.
Pete Paphides again, this time on the hard sums everyone involved in the music business has to work through in the 21st century. Yes, I know, links from Pete two weeks in a row. Go subscribe to his Patreon, the guy is doing great work.
A new metric in hi-fi audio testing—whether the music is replicated truthfully enough through the equipment to make you cry. I am happy to report that played through a Sonos Beam soundbar, Tom Waits’ Martha still gets me misty. Then, it always did, whether on vinyl or a cheap Dixon C90 homemade mixtape.
Let us celebrate Reading’s version of the Bayeaux Tapestry, free to view at our lovely red-brick museum. It’s a beautiful example of Victorian craftswomanship. Enjoy the extra pants. Shoutout to pal Kelly who spotted this first.
A fascinating insight from director Danny Boyle and cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle on how they shot 28 Years Later. Some genuinely innovative techniques at play here.
How to make last year’s most iconic snack. Simple, delicious, and the name tells you exactly what you’re gonna get.
In celebration of the return of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, here’s a look at the show’s greatest special effect—the towering construct colloquially known as Pike’s Peak.
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One last thing.
We’ll Outro with ZZ Top, live in Germany in 1980, at the height of their pre-synth glory. The brothers in beard have all the bomp you can yomp, but make sure you save room for a side of southern-fried boogie.
See you in seven, fellow travellers.
