West Cross Timbers - Amanda Shires

Advantages: Catchy riffs and grooves.
Disadvantages: Could be doing with a few more tracks after a 3 year break

...After a 3 year break, re-grouping, re-focusing and re-energising as they put it, Therapy? are back, and dare I say it, better than ever, with "Crooked Timber" - a follow up from 2006's "One Cure Fits All". An album they themselves describe as focusing more on rhythm than melody, it is certainly a step away from their previous rough and raw releases of "Suicide Pact - You First" and more recently "Never Apologise Never Explain" from 2004. This album seems much more suited to the mainstream, much like their previous effort. Here's my run-down of the tracks as they play on the album. The Head That Tried To Strangle Itself (3:25) If you've got a sub woofer, turn it up. Beginning with a heavy mix of guitar and drums, this is an good opener and sets out the focus of the album from the start.. Instructed to sing like he speaks... Read review

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Advantages: Frothy, light, funny, witty, easy to read
Disadvantages: A bit too shallow for some?

...Mel is a likeable, unambitious twenty-something who works for a stationary company, who's life has been slightly a mess since her commitment-phobic boyfriend upped and left for America a year ago. She lives with a dumpy recluse called Linda who she knows nothing about, and her best friend is Fran, a sarcastic man-eater aspiring actress. The two of them have a vague 'friend' called Amanda, who announces she's getting married. To Mel's old university crush, Fraser, who owns a pile of rubble (unknown to Amanda, who is busily an at home feature deal with OK), inherited from his father. Amanda is a petite blonde PR girl, all sports cars and leather trousers. She's snobby, gorgeous and all the men love her. She also happens to be filthy rich, thanks to her father who spoils her mercilessly. It is obvious that Amanda is marrying Fraser... Read review

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Advantages: Close to town and all amenities
Disadvantages: none

...I have never stayed in the Premier Inn before, but I felt I had to share my experience of the past weekend. The staff in both reception and the restaurant were fantastic, they were really helpful and made you feel right at home. The room and bathroom were both spotless, warm and the freeview television meant that my daughter didn't miss her soaps while she was away. The bed was both big and comfortable and we didn't have any trouble getting to sleep. We opted for the breakfast deal and we were not disappointed, the food was well cooked and warm there was also plenty of choice. Access to the hotel was excellent for both able bodied and non-able bodied people, we didn't have a wheelchair but we did have a six month old baby and a pram, and even though it is situated next to Charing Cross rail station we didn't hear a thing from... Read review

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