Alright was the anthem of 90s Brit Pop, but unlike other bands of that era quirky quartet Supergrass have proved they have real staying power. The band celebrates the release of their sixth studio album Diamond Hoo Ha today and it looks set to follow past efforts to the top of the charts. There have been some notable changes within the Oxford group having added a second Coombes brother to its ranks (Charly joins vocalist Gaz) after bassist Mick Quinn injured his back after a sleepwalking accident last year, but the commitment to quality music remains.
The album is described as “spikier” than previous efforts and features eleven new songs including the interestingly titled Rough Knuckles and Whiskey and Green Tea. To order your copy of Supergrass’ Diamond Hoo Ha visit the Play website.
Today marks the start of a long weekend as Easter is upon us. For some this signifies a time of religious observance, while for others it is simply a break from work and a chance to scoff chocolate. The television schedules are sure to be full of family-friendly films, one-off specials and so put your feet up, relax and enjoy the foodie treats associated with the occasion. These include, most famously, chocolate Easter eggs (we picked our favourites at Hotel Chocolat and Thorntons), along with hot cross buns and Simnel cake.
Sainsbury’s offer a range of Easter-inspired food, both savoury and sweet, that’ll be sure to please adults and children alike, while hunting for eggs is a fun way to work off all those naughty calories. For recipes, special offers and all Easter food, skip on over to the Sainsbury’s website to decide what you’ll be chowing down on over the break.
High School Musical has become a phenomenon for Disney – re-establishing the Hollywood studio as a major player in the teen market and making an overnight star of heartthrob actor Zac Efron. The original movie, based on the teenage romance of a jock (Efron’s Troy) and a nerd (Vanessa Hudgens as Gabriella), was a runaway success spawning ice shows, karaoke CDs/ DVDs and so unsurprisingly everyone is back for seconds in this follow-up.
Second time around, the drama revolves around college and how our gang try to stump up the cash to finance such education. As a result of this, Troy is vulnerable to the advances of the scheming Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) as she promises riches in return for him duetting with her at her country club’s talent show. Cue plenty of poppy songs, spontaneous dance routines and lots of clean-cut teenage angst. This might all sound a bit silly and immature – but that’s the charm of it. It’s a Grease for the 21st Century! Catch HSM2 on BBC1 today at 4.05pm and see the website for more information.
Five is the place to be tonight if you like your medical dramas with an American accent. Starting at 9pm is a double bill of US shows with House kicking things off, only to be followed by Grey’s Anatomy at 10pm. It is the fourth series of House and the grumpy doc is back on song. Hugh Laurie is utterly mesmerizing as the pill-popping medical maverick Dr. Gregory House, yet as he comes to terms with the absence of his team (Cameron, Chase and Foreman all quit at the close of season three), he has to learn how to cope alone.
Elsewhere at Seattle Grace, the Grey’s Anatomy team is back for a third series which has already been aired on Living. Once again, the group of surgical interns battle to balance their career demands with their complicated love lives with Izzie mourning the death of Denny while Meredith ponders her future with McDreamy. Five has all the gossip on the shows, so if you just can’t wait until tonight head on over to the official site.
He’s been away for a while, getting married to Tameka Foster and starting a family but R’n'B star Usher is on the comeback trail. His sixth album Here I Stand is due out later in the summer, and as a tasty nibble here is the first single Love in this Club. The clip below is only the song as the official video is yet to be released, but it does provide all those eager Usher fans the first new material since 2004′s Confessions.
The song is a typical slice of the star’s saucy, sexy style and is so laidback and catchy that it’s already proving popular with fans online. The song features rapper Young Jeezy and is due for release here in the UK soon. For all your Usher needs (and we know that girls have them), head on over to the singer’s official website.
For those of you that like to give more unusual gifts, take a peek at some of the Easter treats that online shopping Gods Amazon are offering. No chocolate eggs here, rather they offer a variety of patterned rubber ducks and some cute Peter Rabbit goodies. Of course, these might sound a bit too random and kooky to hand over to your grandparents, but the ducks which come in a variety of colours and themes (choose from horror, gothic, gun, lush, pop and others) have bagged the gift of the year award and have been showcased on TV shows such as Big Brother and Emmerdale.
Peter Rabbit gifts include flower pots, tote bags, toys and jigsaws and are a nice spin on a traditional favourite. To scan these and a whole host of other unconventional Easter gifts, head on over to Amazon.co.uk and if you do give one such treat to your loved ones this Sunday – remember to say where you got the idea from!
It’s what all Eastenders fans have been waiting for – the return of Ricky and Bianca. The iconic couple has been gone from Albert Square for quite some time (Ricky since 2004 and Bianca since 1999), but is set to return in a storyline Eastenders chiefs hope will supercharge the BBC soap. So for those of you needing a re-cap, Ricky and Bianca married in 1997 but after she slept with her mother’s boyfriend Dan Sullivan, the couple split. They had a son, Liam, who accompanied Bianca as she left Walford. A 2002 spin-off show Ricky and Bianca re-united the couple briefly in Manchester, only for Bianca to once again bail on Ricky, this time leaving their son under his care.
And so we’re bang up to date. The teaser trailer below trades on Bianca’s trademark holler of her ex’s name and promises more tempestuous trauma between the pair. Will they get back together? What have they both been up to in their missing years and will audiences still enjoy their noisy rows? Catch all the East End fireworks later in the month and for more on the soap, visit the official website.
Another brand new hit US TV show is coming to the UK and this time it reflects the lives of people with power, privilege and family money.
The shows centred family are the Darlings. Each member of the family have more money than sense and are always getting themselves into sticky situations that they try to employ Nick George, a lawyer for the disadvantaged who watched his father protect the darlings until his mysterious death get them out of. The position which offers an ungodly salary soon shapes into being many positions under one title including therapist, PR expert and all-around problem fixer. Sounds like another scandalous and exciting TV show.
Enjoy the ABC show that begins on Good Friday at 9pm on Channel 4 in the UK that will have you sickened by the scandalous lives of the elitist family the darlings. For more information visit Channel 4 online.
A new website has come to my attention called Fashionspace.com. This website is a website where you can buy, sell, swap and chat about fashion along with other exciting things to look at such as fashion event listings and fashion news.
Everything is welcome to be sold, bought or swapped including your second hand clothing, vintage wear or your independent designed clothing if you have any. What’s more exciting than that? It’s free! Free to list items, free to register and free to set up shop. Choose to shop and sell under categories such as art, accessories, bags, health and beauty and clothes to name a few.
Visit Fashion Space online to see what I’m talking about and register for free.
Love Top Shop? Love Kate Moss? Well good news ladies, as today the supermodel launches her fifth clothing range for the high street chain. The vibe seems to be one of tea dresses and gypsy styles as inspired by the star’s wardrobe. In support of this range is the more expensive and seemingly upmarket Kate Moss Premium range which, through more detailing in embroidery and beading, is asking upwards of £100 for a flapper style dress.
The Oxford Street store looked quite deserted this morning as the items first went on sale compared to Moss’ first launch for Top Shop last year, and speculation mounts that with up and coming stars such as Agyness Deyn Moss might consider retiring soon. But before she waves farewell to the catwalks forever, get yourself down to your local Topshop or visit the website to see which boho pieces suit your budget!