Archives
By date : 2004
Apple iPod mini - shame it's so expensive
Rant // Steve // 7th January 2004
We heard the rumour of $99 - and we thought, blimey, we’ll take three - but it’s not turned out that way…
Letter from 12,000 feet above New Zealand
Travel // Vanessa // 11th January 2004
A fresh missive from the girl for who every day is another leap into adventure - another chance to laugh at death, danger and destruction. A bit like John Noakes or that one that did the marathon.
2004 re-design is here.
Web // Steve // 24th January 2004
After a week or two of fiddling around, swearing, and swearing a bit more, the amazing 2004 version paper-jam website is here. Rejoice, and then make a cup of tea.
The scariest songs ever?
Music // Jim // 4th February 2004
A new concept in compilation albums .... TERROR is its name. Some of the most disturbing recordings that I could think of in a spare hour or so. Plus excitingly, your chance to win the lot!
Letter from..... Rugby
Rant // Vanessa // 20th February 2004
Our globe-trotting heroine finds herself back in the town known globally as the cement capital of the midlands. Never mind, on the way back she visited some flash places, headbutted a tree and was bored shitless in the Pacific.
The Weather Project, Tate Modern
Art // Steve // 4th March 2004
We travelled a hundred miles to get to an art gallery to lie on the floor, like a pair of stupid hippies. (Some big photos in here...)
Letter from..... the Job Centre
Rant // Vanessa // 15th March 2004
Depending on your politics, either a searing critique of the treatment of the unemployed underclass or a load of moaning from a dole bludger.
The Robot Is Your Friend - The Cybernetic Broadcasting System
Music // Steve // 6th April 2004
Bollocks to the BBC - for my fix of spacey electro, thumping disco and mad Italian soundtracks, I tune to a renegade Dutch internet radio station…
Eurovision 2004 Preview
Music // Adam // 11th May 2004
What to think about the event that almost no-one is talking about : Ad pushes the swear button hard as he takes you through the runners and the one’s he’d like to ride for this years gruelling, almost musical marathon
Letter from ... Employment Hell
Rant // Vanessa // 20th May 2004
She was looking for a job and then she found a job and heaven knows shes miserable now (despite industrial quantities of free food)
Could you get a job at Blockbuster?
Rant // Jim // 30th May 2004
Mcdonalds too mentally taxing? Temping too much like hard work? Why not slip into the blue T-shirt and treat people who bring a film back a day late like drunk-driving, Nazi war criminals? Plus all the out of date popcorn you can eat.
The Timeless Tyranny Of The Tie
Weird // Nick // 9th July 2004
New paper-jam columnist Nick takes us on a journey into the history that most hated (and technically frustrating) element of clothing, the dreaded tie.
Wooden Actors
Film // Jim // 17th July 2004
For no particular reason, it is time to think about who are the most wooden actors working today. Plus which type of wood they specifically resemble, yes we’ve already thought of Reeves.
Full of Prejudice for the new Pride and Prejudice
TV // Vanessa // 26th July 2004
More re-make horror. But this time it is one for the laydeez as Vanessa gets all hot and bothered over the re-casting of Mr Darcy in the upcoming cinema version. Someone sling her a bar of chocolate and a cushion, that should sort things out.
The Great British Beer Festival
Drink // Jim // 10th August 2004
We travel southwards to drink a number of “real” beers, hoping to experience “real” drunkeness and “real” hangovers but without the associated beards and Wicker Man lifestyle choices.
Could The Great Escape by Blur be the most depressing album of all time?
Music // Jim // 17th October 2004
In my humble opinion Blurs fourth album easily eclipses the output of Joy Division, The Smiths and Radiohead as the number one downer album of all time. Cynical, morbid and miserable, it’s got the lot!
Could you be a politician?
Rant // Jim // 27th October 2004
Politics is in the air once more, Arnie is on the campaign trail in the states and Iraq is happily gearing up for a good strong dose of “Democracy”. Over here we are all abit apathetic, we need new dynamic representatives. Maybe you could be one of them?
Bruce Nauman, Raw Materials - Tate Modern
Art // Steve // 1st November 2004
Can acclaimed video artist Bruce Nauman follow Anish Kapoor and Olafur Eliasson, and successfully fill the massive space at Bankside? Well, you’d hope so.
Nick Rants About... Christmas
Rant // Nick // 20th December 2004
The article that does exactly what it says on the tin…
Buffalo Soldiers
Film // Jim // 1st January 2004
Nothing to do with Bob Marley, honest. Trainspotting in the army says popular concensus.“Why couldn’t I see this round here?” says Jim
Tate Britain, The Turner Prize, Saatchi Gallery and Tate Modern
Art // Jim // 12th January 2004
Goes on for so long you may well lapse into a coma or even die of natural causes before the end: A tour of some arty establishments in London.
Lost In Translation
Film // Jim // 25th January 2004
Extremely laid-back movie. Has what is already being described as the greatest opening shot of all time. We certainly liked it.
NME Awards Tour - January 27th 2004
Gigs // James // 31st January 2004
Jim W just about gets to the Birmingham Academy in time to see Franz Ferdinand, The Von Bondies, The Rapture, and Funeral For A Friend
Will Franz Ferdinand change your life?
Music // Jim // 14th February 2004
Big things are expected of this artschool indie band that you can dance to. Does their debut album live up to the hype, or are they destined to be sweeping up in Tesco with Shed Seven this time next year?
Things to do while watching The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Film // Jim // 1st March 2004
We’ve watched it so you don’t have to. If you find yourself in a position where you have no choice, this article could help you retain your vital signs.
Good bye Lenin on DVD
Film // Jim // 4th April 2004
Finally we’ve written something new. This excellent film allows me to moan about how we should all watch more films with subtitles.
Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre
Literature // Jim // 18th April 2004
Excellent, award winning first novel from an exceedingly dodgy geezer. Bought it from Fopp for two quid or something. Bargain.
Shaun of the Dead
Film // Jim // 24th April 2004
Can I use the word excellent for the third time in a row? Find out inside. The Spaced people make the jump to the big screen while I rant about annoying people in the cinema. Grrrrrr…
Kill Bill Volume 2
Film // Sledge // 10th May 2004
After our complete failure to cover the blood-drenched volume one, paper-jam despatch a new correspondent to check out the second bit of Tarantino’s Samurai action flick…
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
Film // Jim // 15th May 2004
Has the presence of the annoying Jim Carrey ruined what sounds like the most intriguing film for ages? Is that ELO song in it? How many takes did they make Dunst do in her pants?
Morrissey, You Are The Quarry
Music // Jim // 18th May 2004
I have dashed back from the shops to bring you news of the return of the quiffed one. Is it like a load of unbeaten Your Arsenal or a pile of shameful Kill Uncle?
The Ladykillers
Film // Jim // 4th July 2004
Finally we crawl out of our televised sports induced hibernation.... So, re-make of a classic fifties Ealing comedy, is it any good? Or is it Stallone doing Get Carter all over again?
Kaito + Radio 4 - Brum Academy - 21st June 2004
Gigs // Steve // 5th July 2004
We forego the pleasure/pain of watching England play to go and watch tipped angular guitarpop types Kaito and discoguitar people Radio 4 shake their funky stuff in a shithole in Birmingham. Two weeks later, and our hearing has just about returned…
Fahrenheit 911
Film // Jim // 20th July 2004
Michael Moore returns to give Bush and his buddies a right old kicking. You may love it, you may hate it but you should definitely go and see it.
Zatoichi on DVD
Film // Jim // 6th August 2004
Why make a film in just one genre when you can make a samurai, spaghetti western, comedy-drama, gangster movie with loads of sword fighting and tap-dancing? Once again a Japanese film saves us from the usual boring shite.
The Chronicles Of Riddick
Film // Jim // 12th August 2004
Pitch Black was a great film wasn’t it? So given a shedload of money the same bunch of people should make an even better sequel shouldn’t they? Lets find out whether this first film of a proposed trilogy is a turbo diesel or a wimpy unleaded.
All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace by Brave Captain
Music // Jim // 13th September 2004
Even a knackered phone line cannot defeat me, we are back with the exciting (by now not that) new release from Martin Carr who is turning into a scary robot like in that mad Japanese film, Tetsuo. I reckon.
Faded Glamour: The Best Of Animals That Swim
Music // Jim // 9th October 2004
Finally the eagerly awaited collection of the most underrated bands finest moments. A message to Keith Dooley: Yes you really should buy this album
Pink Grease, Coventry Colosseum
Gigs // Steve // 11th November 2004
Sleaze-aholics Pink Grease bring their sweaty glam racket to the ever-lovely Coventry Colosseum. We want to love it. But…
The Corporation
Film // Jim // 7th December 2004
Yes we are still alive. Another month - another worthy left-wing documentary film, which being a worthy, left-wing sort of person I liked a great deal. Lets all go out and campaign outside GAP (unless the sale is on).
Road Test! BMW 1 Series
Games // Jim // 29th December 2004
In the first (and probably only ever) paper-jam road test, we put my housemates company car through its paces. Will it be any good? Is it fast? Will I leave it on a double yellow outside a bank with the hazard lights on?
The House of Flying Daggers
Film // Jim // 31st December 2004
The follow up to Hero is another massive spectacular martial arts epic. But is the plot up to the action this time?