1 January 2015

ALBUM REVIEW: McBusted

So I don't think I've mentioned it yet but I really love Busted and have done since I was about 4 or 5. As you can imagine, when it was announced that McFly and (most of) Busted were joining forces, I couldn't contain my excitement. I bagged tickets for their tour and they were absolutely immense! However, the only thing they were lacking was new content which they promised was coming soon.
 
And, when at last it finally did come, it was amazing!
 
 
The style of the music on the self-titled album is quite different from both of the bands' old stuff but if I had to pick the main style influence, I would say that it resembles Busted's previous albums more; pop with a edgy rock element.
 
I think this album is simply amazing and it has everything that you would expect to find on a McBusted album. There's a mixture of upbeat and mellow, the occasional rude lyric and plenty of guitar and drum solos - a McBusted fan's heaven!
 
If I HAD to pick my top 3 songs, I would have to choose:
Hate Your Guts (ft. Mark Hoppus)
Before You Knew Me
What Happened to Your Band
 
I absolutely love the catchy, upbeat tune of 'Hate Your Guts' and I think Mark's vocals add a unique sound to the track. Also, the lyrics are funny but are easy for many to connect with.
 
"I hope when I'm out on tour you lose your keys to the door
Because I hate your guts
And I wish I didn't love you anymore"
 
I like 'Before You Knew Me' for similar reasons but mainly because of the imaginative, funny lyrics, my favourite being:
 
"You were Hannah Montana
But now you're licking things like Miley"
 
Finally, I chose 'What Happened to Your Band' for two reasons. I love the energetic tempo of the track as it makes it a really uplifting song and creates a feel good vibe. However, the main reason I like this song was because of the inspiration behind the lyrics. James Bourne (member of McBusted and writer of many of their songs) was pestered by a worker in his local supermarket after the Busted split and was persistently asked 'What Happened to Your Band?'. It happened so often that James decided to write a song based on the phrase!
 
I love this album and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who is a lover of pop music with an edge. It's not quite the music you would hear on radio stations such as Capital FM but that's what I like about it - it's originality. Have a listen to the songs I've listed above if you're not familiar with McFly/Busted and who knows, a new McBusted fan may be found!
 
See you soon,
Charlotte x
 
 
 

SERIES REVIEW: The Infernal Devices

Ok, so the first series I wanted to review is ‘The Infernal Devices’ by Cassandra Clare. I won’t include spoilers so feel free to read my review even if you haven’t read the series yet.
 
Book One: Clockwork Angel
 
 
 
Firstly, I’d like to say how much I adore the cover as I think that it really captures the essence of the story, from the famous London landmarks to the dark and mysterious colours used to illustrate it.
 
The series is set in London 1878 and the basic outline of the story is as follows: Tessa Gray, a 16 year old American, receives a mysterious letter from her missing brother, Nate, asking her to come and live with him after the death of their aunt. However, upon Tessa’s arrival in London, she is kidnapped by the Dark Sisters who claim to know the whereabouts of her brother. They discover that she has a special power and use it to their advantage, relying on Tessa’s love for her brother to keep her under their control. After being trapped for what felt like an eternity Tessa is rescued by Will and Jem, the mysterious Shadowhunters who she knows nothing about. She allows them to take her to the London institute – where the head of the London Shadowhunters lives, as well as Will and Jem – and begins to trust them more and more as time goes on. The rest of the book follows the adventures of Tessa and the residents of the London Institute as they attempt to find and rescue Tessa’s brother Nate and capture the Magister who is supposedly holding Nate captive.
 
Being a huge fan of the Shadowhunter world that Cassandra Clare has created, I began reading this book with a positive expectations, knowing that I would love the story purely because I love ‘The Mortal Instruments’ series – also by Cassandra Clare. However, to begin with, I found that the storyline was very simple and dull with minimal drama and few exciting events. Upon making myself persevere, I found that my first impressions were completely invalid and that the book was full of drama, suspense, action and a fair amount of romance.
 
Overall, I thought that it was a well written, intriguing start to the series that leaves the reader desperate to get their hand on the next book and indulge in more Shadowhunter goodness!!
 
Book Two: Clockwork Prince
 
 
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The second book in the series focuses strongly on the Magister and his connections to Tessa and the Shadowhunter world - including how he knows so much about the London institute residents. Tessa is fighting with her inner demons as she becomes more aware of the trouble and pain she is causing whilst staying at the Institute but she just can’t make herself leave because of the feelings of attachment she has developed towards both Will and Jem.
 
I enjoyed reading this instalment just as much as the last book for very similar reasons. I was desperate for more Shadowhunter action and had fallen in love with the storyline just as much as I loved ‘The Mortal Instruments’. ‘Clockwork Prince’ is jam-packed with just as many plot twists, lots of romance and an abundance of drama.
 

Book Three: Clockwork Princess

 
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“I am catastrophically in love with you.” - Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Princess
The final, highly anticipated novel in the series, ‘Clockwork Princess’, gives closure to many unanswered questions that were imposed in the first two instalments, and details the end of the search for the infamous Magister who always seemed to be just out of the reach of the demon hunting Shadowhunters. Tessa is facing all new kinds of problems as the Magister’s desire to own her is greater than ever and he will do anything to have his own way. However, Will and Jem – both of whom are cherished by Tessa – will do anything to protect her as they cannot bear the thought of life without her. Finally, Tessa’s engagement!! To who? Well that would be telling…
 
This book had a better ending than I could ever have imagined as well as a well planned, intricate plotline that, at points made me want to sob in despair and sometimes even bawl with happiness! I want to thank Cassandra Clare for the amazing journey she took me on; it truly was an emotional rollercoaster. The epilogue of the novel was written fantastically and had definite cliff-hangers that I’m hoping will be followed up in other series (please Cassie!!).
 

Overall Opinion:

 
I would recommend this series to anyone who thinks they would enjoy a well written, action packed, drama filled trilogy with a good sense of humour and a love of romance. The storyline is phenomenal and proves you wrong just when you think you’ve got it all worked out. Clare never ceases to amaze me with her witty, intriguing style of writing and her ability to think outside of the box for new and original ideas. If you’re considering reading this series…do it. I can almost guarantee that you’ll fall in love with Will or Jem or maybe even both of them!
 
 
See you soon,
Charlotte x