Review: Harry Potter (5/7): Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, By J.K.Rowiling (2003)

The longest book in the series at a whopping 800 pages, I don't feel that Order of the Phoenix deserves its length, which seems to drag on and on. The plot basically follows the (spoiler warning) full return of Lord Voldemort at the end of the last book. Basically Harry, his close friends and the powerful headmaster (Dumbeldore; an extremely important character that I feel ashamed for not having mentioned) are the only ones who believe that he is back. Cue torturous reign of horror on the edge of society, bubbling over into the fore-ground just when it's too late to do anything.

The titular Order is a group of "goodies" that are fighting against Voldy, and play a major part in the beginning of the book where Harry faces trial for using magic to stop a dementor that attacked his cousin and he while walking about before meeting a squib. And if that made sense to you, I'm so, so sorry.

Ok, I'll admit that there are a lot of aspects of the plot that I don't mention here. It gets rid of the one-sided potential of the earlier books while building a lot of tension for the serious danger that one can feel coming from the threat of Voldy's armies. So far the books have painted Harry as Jesus and Voldemort as Satan (more of these religious connotations on Sunday), and this is the first book that actually gets to the point where she is obliged to say, "Well everyone's human in the end heh heh".

Again, the prose is beautiful and detailed in a way that doesn't deter from the story. One can feel empathy for the characters, and that is perhaps the most important aspect. One feels frustration at the world's misbelief of Voldemort, and that's just brilliant.

I notice that in the reviews of book 2 through 4 I say that the next book is serious. Just to clarify; we get serious next week! :L

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Review: Paolo Nutini (1/2): These Streets

These Streets - Paolo Nutini (2006)

Paolo Nutini (from hereon Paolo) is a Scot-Italian, whose exterior appearance matches that of a busking student. Like Mr. Blunt, he too has the novelty factor of a voice that has an unusual pitch; thankfully this time, it is down rather than up. Paolo, a 22 year old, sounds like a balding middle-aged man.

Not that that's a bad thing, by the way. It is, to be brief, fucking brilliant. The songs are instantly memorable in a warm, fuzzy kid of way, and imbued with a sort of brief sincerity that matches if not excelling that of dear Blunty. He's also Scottish, and therefore a member of the second-best race of peoples ever.

The album's consistency is brilliant, with excellence throughout. The strained croonings mean that you feel the effort behind every syllable, every efforted word. Particular greats are, "Jenny Don't Be Hasty," "Rewind," "These Streets," and "New Shoes".

Did I mention that the album was triple platinum? While Paolo hasn't had brilliant chart progress, he has been loved by the critics, like myself. Everything he sings is song not only with a passion but a shy humility and charm that makes it an absolute pleasure to listen to.

Brilliant. Simply Brilliant.

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Review: Harry Potter (4/7): Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, By J.K.Rowling (2000)

Things get series in this fourth installment, a transitionary novel of sorts from the lgihthearted nature of the first three novels to the darkness of the last three. Its plot is mainly independant; a legendary tournament between the three great wizarding schools that somehow Harry is elected for, because he's somehow extra-speshuw and then there's this whole revelation and a really important plot point that I don't feel at liberty to mention.

Rowling tormented her fans by saying that a character would die, and she was right, although it was luckily a character we hadn't heard of before this book (he was played by Twilight's Edward Pattinson in the film version, and was accordingly wooden). It also features some important last-three-book features as well as pay-offs for some of the features introduced in earlier books.

Erm... not a lot to say, really. As I remember, the story and writing quality was as excellent as one comes to expect from Rowling. Especially the climax sequence, which had a great sense of tension to it. I've always viewed this book as the story between two trilogies, and as that device (and an independant tale) it works very well.

Tommorrow, we get serious with Order of the Phoenix.

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Review: James Blunt (2/2): All the Lost Souls

All The Lost Souls - James Blunt (2007)

James Blunt is back after his three-year success bath; this time with the novelty worn down with some decent sandpaper. James is still his madcap, high-pitched, clear-cut self, except this time he's lost the newbie appeal of the fallen soldier who can sing a bit.

Nothing really stands out on the album; it's the same as before, sincerely heartfelt ballads that pull on the heartstrings. There's nothing particularly moving in the album, nothing that has any deep meaning.

If you love Blunt, then there's more of his trademark catharsis for you to enjoy. If you're looking for something as special as "You're Beautiful", or "No Bravery" then you'll be sorely disappointed.

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Review: Harry Potter (3/7): Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, By J.K.Rowling (1999)

Here we take a step back from some of the bigger mythology and focus more on character, something Rowling does well. What results is perhaps one of the more intelligent books in the series, if not the most excitable.

The only book in the series that doesn't feature Lord Voldemort, PoA instead makes a villan of Harry's godfather, who supposedly betrayed his parents to Voldemort thirteen years previously. When it is revealed that this dangerous criminal has escaped, Harry is recognisably angry about it. And so follows a tale of misdirection and, strangely, time travel, in which our characters are much further explored as people.

When I began reading Potter the third film had just been released, and so my memories of it are sketchy. The book has less action or grand majesting rambling; just a lot of extra, accumulating detail and character drama. Like previous books, elements important later on are introduced here, and will continue to be introduced even in the final book.

This is the end of the introductory period of books; the end of the innocence of Harry and his friends. The next book is transitionary, into a more mature story, and this is one last savoury pocket of the innocent adventures that came beforehand.

What struck me is that there is no climax. The story doesn't seem to build; it just rolls on and the period that one may call a climax is too far from the end of the book. That's my only gripe with it, however.

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Review: James Blunt (1/2): Back to Bedlam

Back to Bedlam - James Blunt (2004)

He's not called a "soft rock" musician for nothing; as noted by many of his critics at the time, James' unique selling point is his brilliant voice, which easily reaches into low tenor without sounding like a British Michael Jackson.

Most if not all of his songs are attempts at emotional ballads, and for me they work. Maybe I'm too kind to the posh bastard, but he actually does a decent job with what he's been given; realistic but slightly flowery love songs, most of which deliver the right punch to be entertaining. Some of them are based on past relationships; one song ("No Bravery," a personal favourite from his works) is based on the dissolution of Yugoslavia, and is bloody depressing.

One of the things that makes the songs so powerful is perhaps another asset of the British clear-cut voice, although on this occasion is sounds as if Blunt has been licking the Queen's arse serving his country for years. And, as comes with the accent, some of the songs are witty. For example, in "Wiseman" James is questioning a woman and for some reason is telling her about how the biblical three wisemen live in, "a semi by the sea" and that she should access her place in life. Complete and total pig swill but also witty humour.

James is part of my first double bill this week because as a child I was indoctrinated into the James Blunt Cult (that's a tongue twister that can have some unsavoury results) and so I've decided to actually listen to his second album, which I shall be reviewing tommorrow.

So, in summary: completely bonkers powerful tear-wrenching dramatic light rock with a toff's accent and a voice that would shatter a wine glass. Brilliant.

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Quick new timeline

A quick update on some of the long-term plans for Audenshaw Reviews in the next twelve months.

The closest big event is my review of Alton Towers in July. There I'll be reviewing the changes since my last visit, the gardens, and overall park hospitality. Expect some swearing.

In the first two weeks of summer I won't have internet access, but I'll still be writing reviews of attractions in North Devon, which will then be published when I get back. Don't expect as much swearing.

Then I get back to school and I start rehearsals for Oliver - see how I do, and each week of rehearsals, I'll write a piece on it. Expect an Oliver Review either way.

Then, some time before or after Christmas, expect another Hallé for Youth review.

Next week I'm planning to review The Script and A Series of Unfortunate Events, in four-book groups.

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Review: Gary Go

Gary Go - Gary Go (2009)

Another unimaginatively named debut album, Gary Go and his eponymous collection present some sleeping tigers. The feel of the entire album is somewhat subdued; but yet strangely triumphant. It combines emotional development with rationality; cut-throat honesty with soppy encouragement.

Gary Baker has an interesting voice that he masters to an excellent degree. His lyrics are often comparable to other strange British artists; unconventionally commn or uncommon words that don't distract from the message of the song but instead enhance it.

This is one of the reasons that a lot of my preferred bands/singers are British; American just don't get the subtlties that come with wit and charm. And this album certainly has those qualities. His skill with the English language certainly enhances the album, with entire songs being metaphors for engines and the workings of a car, while still containing enough emotional sustainance to be capitvating.

If you're looking for interesting, intellectual listening, then Gary Go fills that hole perfectly. I don't love the album, but I certainly enjoy it.

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Review: Harry Potter (2/7): The Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, By J.K.Rowling (1998)

The first book I read without pictures; a story that delves further into the mythology of the series without coming over any darker than previous. It's as if the series is still keeping its cards close to its chest, slowly placing low cards that will add to more later.

I won't go into any more detail about Rowling's brilliantly immersive style; other than that there is as before a marked increase in maturity in the characters as the story progresses. She also trickles through small elements of story that seem only useful for diversity here but will play deep parts in further stories, like racial purity and other little ideas.

Of course, this marks the first time we see a form of Lord Voldemort, the evil wizard that killed Harry's parents (Well, he was a face on the back of a proffessor's head in the last book), in the form of his teenage self. We learn that for some reason Harry has taken on some of Voldy's powers, which seems interesting but not yet important to the plot.

Overall, this book is a necessary step between the introductory first book and the more serious third. It introduces some important mythology and most of all it gives neccessary advancement in the maturity of the characters.

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Review: Harry Potter (1/7): The Philosopher's Stone

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, by J.K.Rowling (1997)

If you don't know the basic story of Harry Potter, you've obviously been banged up in some Cuban jail somewhere, or had your head encased in concrete, or most likely both. But for those few who have suffered this unfortunate treatment, the basic idea is that the orphaned Harry Potter discovers on his eleventh birthday that his parents were in fact wizards, and tht he is famous for being the Chosen One who survived being almost-killed by a big evil wizarding type.

It reeks of familiarity and cliche, but for some reason it's strangely endearing. Maybe it's the realism and detail in which Harry's thoughts are covered; maybe it's the child audience. Whatever it is, it means that when one first encounters the series, one is hooked. I'm not just talking about some small compulsion, I'm talking about this book's brilliant ability to immerse the reader in it's world of magic and wonder.

Harry's early innocence is a good place to start the tale; naivity and youth work well together, and in the following books we watch as Harry's detailed personality matures and wrinkles. The fluency and detail of this book and of the whole series are perhaps I think what makes it so damn readable, and the immersive qualities of those traits make a good book.

While still being a good book, it seamlessly introduces a wildly varied backstory and a set of consistent rules that this magical world follows. It has identifiable drama, moments that will make you laugh and despair, moments that, due to their sheer beautiful simplicity, will have a smile erupting onto your face.

The atmosphere of the book is an interesting parallel to Harry's maturity, as it's light and idealistic nature dilutes as the book and the series goes on. You can physically feel that the book's style is different at the end than it was at the beginning, reflecting the change in the protagonist.

A book that should be read by all children who aspire to read properly, write fluently and expand their imaginations beyond the material world. Simply brilliant.

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