Flashing Off the Record - Album of The Year - Nominations

Back in March I announced it will be a different competition this year for the Album of the Year, it actually didn't have to be an album, but I have made it a double up competition this year, on Boxing Day I will publish the Album of the Year and then on New Years Day I will publish the Anything but an Album of 2017. Both will be published on Flashing off the Record.

In March Drake's More Life playlist was nomination number one for the Anything but an album of 2017. Now L D R U join's Drake in the race.

L D R U (aka Drew Carmody) out of Sydney has had a string of singles that have made all of Australia (and the world in the case of Keeping Score) dance. Keeping Score was a massive success, Next to You, To Be Free and the brilliant Me have all been brilliant dance friendly tracks.

L D R U you are the king, well done for this MixTape, an Anything but an Album nomination for 2017.

Now to the BIG one, two Album of the Year Nominations. Not one but two and one is here for Splendour in the Grass, it's HAIM! In 2013 they gave us a sensational record, Days are Gone. It was my favourite for the year and really got the girls onto the world stage.

HAIM made us wait a LONG four years before the brilliance of Something to Tell You.

The sisters are back and back better than ever. Right Now, Want You Back and Little of Your Love have all made impact on the radio here and abroad.

The girls have been here for Splendour, done a CD signing in Newtown, Sydney and continued to be that effortless cool that marketing departments at record companies can only dream of. So who are HAIM facing off for the Album of 2017? Well they are also from the USA and feature Rihanna and U2 on their 4th studio album.

It's King Kendrick Lamar and DAMN.

Kendrick Lamar is unstoppable, HUMBLE. has been a monster hit, DNA was an audio assault and Loyalty shows a softer side. As does outstanding cut Love featuring Zacari.

God this album is good, I am in love with every song on this record. Kendrick and HAIM really are leading the pack this year and in coming months more albums with join them before the big Boxing Day announce.

Tomorrow I head back to the movies and on Flashing off the Record we will have a new feature album after focusing on Lana Del Rey today.

Game of Thrones Season 7.

Game of Thrones x Ed Sheeran, WHAT? Yes Ed Sheeran the original Galway Girl himself, that Ed Sheeran. Maybe that explains the high numbers of viewers, 10.11 million in fact. This is interesting as the show opened up at 2.22 million viewers when it begun in 2011.

It feels like a lifetime ago since this show aired for the first time on HBO.

The show has gained and gained momentum and now is so big that it completely fucked up Foxtel's new streaming service or maybe not new just refreshed streaming service.

Foxtel had a lot riding on this series returning, a lot of new subscribers to a more basic streaming service. Don't get me wrong Foxtel is kicking goals around Wentworth however their monopoly around series like Game of Thrones and other HBO series really sucks for Aussie viewers. Like viewers who would pay week to week on iTunes for new episodes.

Now before posting the below trailer to this post I noticed (as of 19 July) the trailer has 22.8 million views. That is insane, HBO and Foxtel (in Australia) really will be lost without this show when it wraps next year with it's eighth and final series.



That said some spin offs are in the mix (apparently) and unfortunately for me the dragon lady AKA my favourite character is already calling it, no dragon prequels or spin offs.

Where will the world be without the biggest show on TV? Will the Walking Dead just reign supreme? Will Westworld get a shit load more popular or will Netflix (despite a few flops lately - I'm watching Gypsy currently, oh dear) just slay.

Anyway we have to steer clear of online spoilers and hope Foxtel Now or Play or whatever the fuck rebranding they are calling works for episode two.

Claws Season 1.

Girls who rule the world! Or GIRLZ who rule the nail salon. This new TNT series (originally set for HBO) is halfway through it's first season and a second season will most likely air next US Summer.



Niecy Nash fresh from Scream Queens (Cancelled now after two seasons), Carrie Preston (True Blood), Judy Reyes (unrecognisable from her goody two shoes Devious Maids role), Karrueche Tran (Chris Brown's ex girlfriend) lead this cast of misfit nail technicians in Florida.

It's sexy, funny, action packed and features some interesting dance/pool dance scenes. It could be my breakout hit of the US Summer season. That said there is not much competition this year.

If you liked Niecy Nash as one of the breakout stars in Scream Queens as security guard Denise, you will love this. It's camp, over the top and best of all easy to binge, so line some episodes up this Winter and smash away dear TV lovers.

Silver Screen in 2017 {Spider-Man: Homecoming}

So three years after the Andrew Garfield two Amazing Spider-Man films, we're back! With the franchise being revisited for the third time since 2002.

Tobey Macguire and James Franco kicked it off it the early 2000's and now we have young Tom Holland as a high school Spider-Man introduced in the last Captain America film.



So we had a bit of the back story in the last Captain America film so it's no surprise he is back in this film via videos at Peter Parkers school.

However as the Marvel world interweaves we see Iron Man join this film and so many Avenger references it's almost like a 133 minute promo piece for the next Avengers film.

Donald Glover AKA Mr Childish Gambino has a small role which is nice, Michael Keaton almost reprises his award winning role as the Bird Man and Marisa Tomei plays Peter Parkers aunt.

This Spider-Man has been well reviewed and a sequel is coming this time in 2019, he will also join the next Avengers film.

It's not perfect but it's not bad. Marvel has done well in the past, and it's future with a new Thor film, Black Panther and said Avengers film looks to keep them leaps and bounds ahead of DC.

I wasn't 100% sold on Tom Holland as a hero, I mean he is 21 in real life but checking out a "15" year olds abbs feels a little wrong.

It's not a game changer for the superhero film but it's a decent film, 3 Stars.

Dear White People

I recently loved GLOW on Netflix, I was in for something even more loveable in Dear White People.



Dear White People is easily one of the most sensational shows I have watched on Netflix. Airing late April 2017 (mid US mega TV season) this show does deal with race, but so much more as well.

Logan Browning as Samantha White is insanely good, her other current (well not sure if she is moving over to BET with Hit the Floor) as Jelena Howard is such a contrast. A socially unaware diva, but on Dear White People, damn GIRL!

As a gay the character of Lionel Higgins is an outstanding revelation and such a nice portrayal of a gay growing up through college/university/general growing pains.

Being black in the USA seems all sorts of fucked up right now, being anything in the USA seems fucked up right, did you see mad old Kellyanne Conway, she was in the wildness for a while and now she is back with vengeance! GIRL



Back to Dear White People, it's because of people like Ms Conway this show is so fantastic, I loved every second of these short but to the point and direct as fuck episodes.

The world needs change, the world needs visionaries like Justin Simien and leaders to lead not loose slogans to follow.

This show has thank god been renewed for a second season and I for one, CANNOT wait. See you next season, this was one of the best shows of 2017 thus far. Easily.

Why Australia Needs Ninja Warrior

Australia has a new favourite TV show and I for once don't mind. The show has been one of the most watched shows since it started. It launched this Sunday gone with a monster 1.6 million viewers. Nine continued the strong start to the week with a huge Origin audience (2.49 million) on Wednesday to boot.

So while Masterchef hangs around like a fart in a lift on episode 51 (or thereabouts) and Channel 7 had another week of affairs in the press.

So why does Australia need another reality franchise? Well for one this promotes fitness and being active. Being the best you can be. Not a weigh in race against others, it's YOU against the course. And that is what being healthy is all about YOU.

Yes if people don't make the course they are out, but there is no stupid long winded evictions after long ad breaks, it is fast and furious, you can be out in 30 minutes.

After talking to co-workers, local gym goers, randoms, this show is the water cooler TV moment TV networks have been waiting for. Netflix is so dominate at present (a review/story on Dear White People to come, PS it is AMAZING), Foxtel has slashed it's prices and advertising hardcore and pirates/Foxtel viewers can only wait for one thing.... Game of Thrones.

TV is a dog eat dog world and for once it's nice seeing audience members encouraging contestants and best still unlike other reality franchises this will be done and dusted in three or so weeks. No doubt next year it will be longer or they will milk two seasons in one year, but this is the first quality reality series in years.

Australia needs to take back it's sport loving, healthy national identity, we have become obsessed with the FAT of the West and adore/look up to the United States of Take Away & Fatty foods.

Australia this is your Winter test to get you ready for Summer or like me the City 2 Surf.

It is great to finally see something positive with limited back stories that involve crying and dull drama we have seem numerous times before. Thanks Channel 9 for having the balls to screen a series which is bringing families together at night to watch healthy contestants show off their healthy lifestyles, well done.

Silver Screen in 2017 {Baby Driver}

So one of the years most anticipated films is here, is it any good? HELL yes! Well that is the simple answer. The longer answer for the purpose of this BLOG is there is so much to like here.

1. Car chases and cars - tick
2. Attractive cast - tick
3. Kick ass soundtrack - tick
4. Sensational action sequences - tick
5. Sky Ferreira is Baby's Mum - TICK, Tick, Tick



Ansel Elgort loves music (well at least Baby and his multiple iPods does), director Edgar Wright loves music and this film features 30 odd songs across it's 113 minute run.

I also loved Jamie Foxx as Bats and Lily James as the love interest is heaven. I can't go past Lanny Joon who is sexy as fuck too and described as putting the Asian in Home Invasion - YES!

Kevin Spacey is also featured (and not as President Underwood) and plays bad, well and that is really no surprise dear Netflix fans.

So Baby Driver, car chases, robberies, action, a young romance, music from Beck, Blur, The Beach Boys and loads more, this is a hit. Apparently a sequel is in early discussions and it's no wonder why.

I had a blast at this film last night, 4.5 Stars, Excellent.