The Cinerama Cup

      The last 16: ties 5-8 While most agreed that the first four ties of the last 16 were rather tortuous decisions, there were different views this time. Ian found it 'tricky'; Dave thought there were 'four solid tracks, and four not so solid tracks.' What is certainly true, is that we had the two most one-sided contests in this batch, plus the closest one... 5.  Kerry Kerry v Starry Eyed Johnny was drawn to the 'sinister, dark-alley brooding of Starry Eyed... that insistent draw towards the dark corners despite the best advice…the uncomfortable ache, the stifling air, the uneasy knot in the guts, all there, but still, still a perfect, beautifully brilliant shot across the bows…and that semi-sinister glockenspiel riff, a moment of brilliance.' Keg, on the other hand, said that as 'a fan of the "proper" Cinerama, it surely has to be "Kerry Kerry".' Gav M was of a similar mind: whilst finding the other three ties almost impossible (he...

     The last 16: ties 1-4 This where it gets really difficult: as Jona put it, 'a torturous task.' 1.  Cat Girl Tights v Barefoot in the Park A real 'TWP Cinerama' vs 'classic Cinerama' tie, albeit one where even most devotees of the 'true' Cinerama sound have to acknowledge the quality of CGT. Not that it's entirely without its Cinerama-esque features; as I said in the blog : Although 'Cat Girl Tights' contains some Cinerama elements - the strings swoop a little in time-honoured fashion; there's a spot of ethereal backing vocals, tinkling glockenspiel and moody Hammond organ - it's a song where you can feel the balance tipping to TWP. Johnny, however, was steadfast in his support for 'Barefoot': 'Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. All those adjectives that ‘he’ uses for ‘her’ - they all apply to the song itself. Give yourself up to it, let it wash over you, succumb…it’s what you need.' In addition, props to Bob for des...

    The last 32: ties 13-16 Another three one-sided contests, but also one nail-biter... 13.  Maniac v Hard, Fast and Beautiful There was quite a lot of positivity regarding 'Maniac'. John, for example, considered it to be 'Gedge at his menacing best.' But, as Johnny put it, the 'perfect pop of "Maniac"' was 'unfortunately... washed away by the dirty, filthy, unwashed tidal surge of "Hard, Fast and Beautiful".' Maniac 4 - Hard, Fast and Beautiful 16 14. Get Up and Go v Quick Before It Melts Rather closer than I expected. Derek found it 'a tough choice,' while John went as far as to describe this tie as 'like choosing which of your children you love the best.' It really went down to the wire, with the score being 10-9 before the final vote came in. Get Up and Go 9 - Quick Before It Melts 11 15. Your Time Starts Now v Wow Like tie 13, there was quite a bit of sympathy for the loser. In fact, Gricey surprised himself by g...

   The last 32: ties 9-12 After quite a few nail-biters in the first two sets of ties, this batch was made up of four notably one-sided contests... 9.  Gigolo v Kerry Kerry 'Gigolo' is a pleasant enough track, but it only just squeezed through from a relatively weak group, so it wasn't a surprise to see it trounced by the Cinerama debut (a 'hot chunk of vibrant pop from the Greggs cheese and onion pasty oven of the indie disco,' according to Johnny). Gigolo 2 - Kerry Kerry 18 10. Tie Me Up v Starry Eyed There was only ever going to be one winner in this all- Torino tie. A few judges found it a tough choice: Kirk 'agonised' over this one, and Johnny thought that the 'lush orchestration' and 'sweeping, aching lyrics' of 'Tie Me Up' was 'just about bettered' by 'Starry Eyed'. Most didn't though.  Tie Me Up 5 - Starry Eyed 15 11. Always The Quiet One v Your Charms I was a little surprised to find ATQO in the last 32,...