I was surprised to see The Dead Weather were back again with their 2nd album, Sea of Cowards after such a lukewarm response to the 1st, Horehound. 

So here we are some 9 mths later with the so called difficult 2nd album. Well i'm glad to say its abit of a 5K Klassic. Mosshart & White's particular brand of bluesy garage sassy rock is 35 minutes of just the right amount of soul, attitude & venom that typifies all good rock n roll. The problem with Horehound, was with the exception of a few tracks, good songs were difficult to find. No such problem with the 2nd, the band obviously gelling nicely. The stronger tracks seem to be when Mosshart & White trade vocals which puts abit of sex into the mix.The 1st track, Blue Blood Blues is the perfect example.

With Jack's main band The White Stripes & Alison's The Kills on indefinate hiatus, this is the perfect outlet for both of the them, although i would like to see White vacate the drum stool & move up front alongside the dangerously sexy Alison Mosshart, & watch the sparks fly.

What a relief. For a few terrible hours, it seemed a barmy alliance of the losers could have left Labour clinging to power. As it is, the right parties got the job. Yes – parties. I believe this coalition could be the best result for seeing Britain through the vital economic rebalancing to come. Coalitions led us through World War 2, and the fallout from the Great Depression. Partnerships can work. Here’s my take on what the new Government means for us private investors.

Interest rates: These will surely remain lower as the coalition gets stuck into reducing the deficit faster than if Labour had kept running up unsustainable borrowing Higher personal tax allowance It looks like the Conservative’s have adopted the Lib Dem’s proposal that the first £10,000 earned will come free of tax. As I pointed out before the election, this makes nearly all of us better off. It’s also a clear and simple threshold, provided it applies universally.

Inheritance tax: Threshold will stay at £350,000. I’m in favour of inheritance tax. I believe in equal opportunity, not huge handouts for the genetically over-blessed. If people have made money, let them enjoy it. But let their kids earn their own.

Capital gains tax: Will rise, perhaps to 40% As an investor it was hard for me to complain about CGT being reduced to 18%. But I didn’t really understand the rationale, particularly as short-term trading was taxed at the same rate as long-term holdings. Perhaps the new tax rate that’s apparently on the cards will include the return of taper relief? For now, it’s vital to take steps to avoid capital gains tax ahead of any changes. Active share traders may eventually need to consider running their trading portfolios via spreadbets to avoid CGT altogether.

Tougher property taxes: Will we see the Lib Dem’s £2 million mansion tax? I doubt it. But there are reports that the new CGT proposals could hit the second homes market. In a country with limited housing supply, completely silly house prices and five million on the waiting list for council homes, I can’t shed a tear over that if it’s true.

Middle class welfare cuts: I’m all for the coalition taking an axe to middle class handouts like Child Trust Funds. While I fear a dependency culture, I don’t mind paying for poor kids to have shoes and food. But I don’t see why I should pay for the well-off to treat their sprogs to an Xbox 360. Let people spend their own money.

Limited tax rises: I expect – and certainly hope – that tackling the deficit will be much more focused on cutting public sector spending rather than hiking up taxes. That said, even if the direst predictions of 5-10p on the basic rate of income tax can be avoided now Labour is out (and I think they can), some tax rises are inevitable. A 1% rise in VAT generates £4 billion in extra income, so a rise to 20% or even 22.5% seems a good bet, although there will obviously be a knock-on consequence for consumer spending.

Pensions and ISAs: I believe ISAs are safe under the coalition. Pensions, however, could be the subject of some marital rows between the Liberals and the Conservatives.

God Help the Girl. My new favourite album.

A stunning album written by Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian and with 3 female vocalists providing the soaring melodies and harmonies that make this a standout. THe vocals in Come Monday Night by Catherine Ireton are irresistable and the tune is soooooo catchy. The tunes are great and the lyical story that emerges is fantastic, with shades of Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood.

Ive been a fan of Belle and Sebastian for a number of years and what I originally loved about them, the way it all sounded like it was about to fall apart at any moment, is missing from their later LPs.  But its back in God Save the Girl,. Its an accomplished piece of work and the joy, pain, misery and confusion in getting together with a loved one that stands out in the lyrics is Stuart at his best and the delivery via the gorgeous vocals and the perfect backing from Belle and Sebastian is a joy to behold.... again and again and again...

Most of Edinburgh and Glasgow’s top eateries are positively embracing local produce, and in some cases even foraging for wild food, according to new research. Around two-thirds of the 800 or so restaurants in this year’s List Eating and Drinking Guide were rated good or very good for their food sourcing by the Guide’s reviewers.

Other hot items on this year’s menus have also included: afternoon tea; foraged wild herbs; piccalilli; potted shrimp; flat white coffees; sharing plates and barley risotto. And macaroons are among the contenders tipped to be ‘the new cupcake’.

The Guide has long championed the issue of food sourcing. To emphasise this, the 2010/11 Special Award has been given to Tim and Fran James, who run the Creelers restaurants in Edinburgh and Brodick, in recognition of their longstanding commitment to the promotion of sustainable Scottish seafood. 

Fran James set up the Seafood Cabin at Skipness on Kintyre in order to sell fisherman Tim’s freshly caught prawns, scallops and crabs in 1988. Two years later the couple opened Creelers in Brodick on Arran, and Edinburgh followed in 1995. Fran has also been a mainstay of the Edinburgh Restaurateurs’ Association for many years, supporting independently run eating places in the capital.

The guide covers 953 bars, restaurants, bistros, cafés, takeaways, diners and sandwich bars in Glasgow, Edinburgh and, for the first time, around Scotland. 

At least 113 new restaurants have opened this year, despite the economic turndown, of which 28 are in brand new premises.
The Guide is divided into 18 sections, covering different categories and cuisine types. Each section contains a Hitlist of the best places. The Glasgow and Edinburgh 2010/11 Eating and Drinking Guide is available free with The List magazine until Tuesday 11th May, £3.50

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46598992@N08/

Awards in 2010/11:

List Readers Awards in association with Taste of Edinburgh
Edinburgh: Urban Angel
Glasgow: Lebowskis

Edinburgh Newcomers of the Year 2010
For showcasing Scottish and sustainable seafood -- Ondine
For putting real food into neighbourhood eating -- The Water of Leith Café Bistro

Glasgow Newcomers of the Year 2010
For skilled but accessible city-centre dining -- The Dining Room
For breaking the mould of local eating and drinking -- Cookie

I was horrified to read about the cigarette in the McDonalds Happy Meal as printed in the Metro newspaper on 26/04/2010.... Terrible story.....

But not because there was a cigarette in the box, as this was obviously a mistake on the part of the person serving the customer, and its a poor show that the Mother is going to sue.. typical money-grabber..

No, it was the fact that this 'Mother' was buying a Happy Meal for a baby in the first place !!!

It didnt give the age of the child, but going by the photo in the MEtro, the child is far too young to be fed burger and chips... Whats wrong with the kid's Mother? Stupid, careless, doesnt give a toss..... Probably all of the above... Looked like a ned on the take.. Maybe it was her own cigarette, or one the kid had dropped from behind his ear after the Mother gave the fag for consumption later. This is going to be one more fat kid with poor diet, no teeth and a drain on the NHS...

Mum has refused a replacement meal and vouchers, an investigation by Trading Standards and wants more done.. Obviously not enough payment offered. Dont give this money-grabber a penny. She sees this as a means to an end and using the kid is awful.

Thanks Mum... Can I have a coke with that.. In fact, make it a diet coke...

The baby can be seen here:

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/823254-mcdonalds-happy-meal-came-with-cigarette

Watched Harry Brown with Michael Caine last night and I thought it was a very good film with more fantastic acting from Mr Caine, as was to be expected. The film was extremely brutal in places and some of the scum crawling around the ghetto that was the council estate that the action took place in, be it Manchester, London, Birmingham, Glasgow or Edinburgh, were horiffic. They guy who Harry went to buy the gun from with the horribly cut up body and emaciated face was especially sickening and the things that guy got up to were frightening. Noel, the young gang leader was a yob of insane disregard for human dignity, life, respect etc. All the norms seemed to be missing and the attitude of his mother was a pointer to those of today who bleat about the scum they have dragged up, without knowing what they actually get up to in the underpass of an evening. Any parent who lets their children use profanity in the home and against the police must be considered as not doong their best for their child. Thats not a home, thats a farm.

And the scum that the police have to deal with on a daily basis makes me thankful that we have a force and that they need help from other authorities if this move toward a menace that will become unstoppable at some point is to be halted. Who would be the lawyer who has to defend shit like that ? We, as a society pander too much to those who move themselves outside of the society, and so i think we should just help them out of society and create some offshore haven for them to tear each other to pieces in, parents, uncles and all. To hell with them, cos if we dont do something, then we will be going to hell with them as a silent and suffering majority.

It really made me consider the underbelly that seems to see violence against innocent persons as entertainment (as Harry said). These people exist in very large numbers and those that are hidden must number a lot more. I dont know what has happened to this country, but these people are here and we/the authorities dont seem to be able to do anything about it. There is a dangerous lack of respect in some people and it was highlighted in the film when the barman, Uncle Sid, calmly and brutally murdered the police officer and then almost without regard for what he was asking, saying to Noel to kill the female detective, whilst he stood and watched. Horrendous.

And Scotland is still considering whether to automatically jail knife-carriers ? Unbelievable. Gun and knife criminals should be made to pay more with their 'human' rights more than the thief. I wouldnt give them paper to wipe their ass, never mind a playstation and a daily walk.  Rot.

I wonder if a Harry Brown is waiting in the wings...... Lets hope so

Zhyrlings?

A powerful instrumental band starting where Mogwai left off. Give the band a listen and hear for yourself.

Soundscapes that free the imagination.

A band that are under the radar...one of a few that use the power of emotion and don't pander to the bullshit of today's fame seeking musical bandwagon.

Yes I know them, Yes I am shamelessly promoting them...Zhyrlings deserve your ears!

www.myspace.com/zhyrlings

If you are a film fan then CCA's packed film programme is bound to have something for you...

CCA is introducing three diverse new film strands for April 2010 to March 2011, including Distant Voices, Beta Movement and Reflections on Black. Screening Scottish classics such as Whiskey Galore! and enchanting artist films like Aurélien Froment’s Théâtre de Poche (Pocket Theatre), the CCA film programme presents a varied and exciting selection of films rarely screened in Scotland.

Highlights coming up include Yvonne Rainer's 'Privilege' on the 29th of April.

Tickets are only £3, or £2 concession, and if you come along to three screenings, you get your fourth ticket free!

See our website www.cca-glasgow.com, contact our box office on 0141 352 4900 or pop into CCA on Sauchiehall Street to find out more...

The American dream... work hard, try hard and you can be as successful as you want.

The European / UK nightmare..... work hard, try hard and the government will take your hard earned off you and give it to those who dont work or try at all.

Im a hard working Scot who pays tax and the debt our government have got us into is shocking and how, by the threat of jail through non-payment, I will be paying for their debt.

The Liberal Democrats have stated in their manifesto that they want to do the following:

- raise the threshold for income tax payments to £10K

- free 3.6 million low earners from income tax completely

- introduce a mansion tax for properties over £2 million

- close loopholes that benefit the wealthy

OK, so IM not that wealthy and my mansion is not worth 2 million, but it seems to me that the stating that the above points will "make the tax system fairer" is lies. Fair to who? Those who dont try. So, in reverse, this is making tax more unfair to the wealthy. That cant be right. So you do your best to better your lifestyle for oneself and one's family, only to have the do-gooding politicians give it to those who cant be bothered. Why should low income earners bother to fight their way to a better wage when they will be hammered by the tax man for it ? Shocking.

This country is overrun by over-weight public services and Labour seem to have ducked the issue of cutting back here.. And their pensions.. And who is paying for all this...??

Labour as follows:

- No stamp duty for 1st time buyers on homes worth less than £250K. Paid for by 5% rate on homes worth £1 million and over

More hammering of the rich to help the poor. I had to pay stamp duty when I bought my first home, and what first time buyer can afford a 250K property. More unfair taxes on the rich.

The Conservatives dont seem to have any firm tax policies that are unfair on the rich and successful as expected. Although they going to negate stamp duty as per Labour, but they dont say how it will be paid for.

In my opinion, it is shocking this move to take from the rich, although I suppose its nothing new and who can blame the rich for employing tax avoidance strategies..

Its not right that I should be unfairly taxed to the benefit of those who havent tried as hard as me. I got to where I am through not sitting on my backside watching afternoon tv, faking health issues to avoid work, getting stuck in a low-paid job or taking benefits which in turn introduce more and more benefits. I tried, succeeded and am being unfairly treated because of my success. I will be seeking more avoidance of tax.

I think we should get back to making the poor work harder, reduce benefits to force people into some form of tax paying work and to initiate some form of reward for success. That would push those lazy good for nothings to get off their backsides as they would be rewarded for effort, not for the lack of it.

A friend of mine doesnt work, and neither does his wife. He has a house, a car, a plasma tv, holidays and nice clothes......... all from the benefits... Why the hell should he bother? Why should I try any harder to be better when Im only assisting him do less by rewarding his laziness?

I have had enough...

Had been wondering what to do that was a wee bit different with the kids during Easter break and a mate recommended the Wigwams at Tantallon Caravan park in North Berwick, so having never been in a Wigwam, off we went.

It was a great couple of days, spent relaxing and messing about with the boys and the missus. I was worried about how cold it would be a night and so we brought lots of duvets and sleeping bags, but the fears were unfounded as the nights were warm and the boys found it all very exciting.

Berwick has a nice wee beach and harbour, a few pubs and a bit of shopping. Apart form that, its basically it. But the Wigwam, the beach and the company made it for me. There is a wee kids playpark in the site, but no entertainment. I reckon it could really benefit from a restaurant and some family entertainment.

Tantallon Castle is however a must visit. Its a ruin, but you can climb to the ramparts and turrets and down into the dungeon depths. My two boys loved this and thankfully, they dont seem to have their Daddy's vertigo. I was shitting myself up there let me tell you, and the steps are steep !!

So for something different and a relaxing time, the Wigwams in Tantallon North Berwick should be considered.