Do not adjust your eyes. That giant face you see above? The one that looks like it could easily front a terrifying (and lame) Norwegian black metal band? Yep, that one. Guess what? That’s not a photograph. Instead it’s just one of many similar painted creations by Spanish artist Eloy Morales. The ridiculously talented Madrid-based artist uses himself, his family and friends as his subject matter, in order to better develop the psychological aspects of his work. Fair enough, but how does he make them so damn realistic? Over to Eloy…
“Many people think that my work is based on details, but it is not that way… for me, the secret is in the correct valuation of tones… tonal transition must be smooth to avoid abrupt cuts.” Caught In The Net, for one, welcomes our new giant hyperrealistic overlords and would like to remind them that as a trusted magazine column, we could be helpful in rounding up others to toil in their underground paint caves. For more of Eloy’s eyebrow-raising work, check out vimeo.com/52323892 and eloymorales.jimdo.com
If you’re unfamiliar with the modern art of high speed liquid photography, then right that wrong immediately by checking out the phenomenal work of Italian photographer Alberto Seveso. His new series, entitled Dropping, came about thanks to dropping mixtures of coloured ink into a container of oil before inverting the final images. Have a look over at burdu976.com/?portfolio=dropping
NICHOLAS CAGE PILLOWCASES. Ahem. Sorry, got carried away there. But yes, you can now bed down each and every night and drift off to the Land of Nod with the unflinching visage of cult hero Nicholas Cage for company.
Each pillowcase is made of luxurious poly-cotton and fits a standard 20 x 30-inch pillow. A range of styles is available too, including Ghost Rider Cage and Season of the Witch Cage, but you’ll be buying all of them, right? View the whole collection at amzn.to/191SYP9 Fans of Aaron Sorkin’s The West Wing will fondly remember Allison “C.J. Cregg” Janney’s spirited take on Ronnie Jordan’s ‘The Jackal’. Janney apparently hasn’t forgotten (most of) it either, as she treated Arsenio Hall to an impromptu rendition on his talk show. You can view that at bcove.me/2tepaa7p. Relive the original and best version at youtu.be/Q7H_L5cYkg8 Star Trek fanatics will want to get their mits on a fantastic new art book that reimagines all 80 episodes of the original series in the form of separate retro sci-fi movie posters. The unique collection comes courtesy of graphic artist and hardcore Trekkie Juan Ortiz and is available for your perusal and purchase at amzn.to/143ypAp
Finally, It’s a staple of any great ‘80s (and beyond) cop movie; the Furious Chief of Police. Empire magazine have acknowledged this classic cliché in the form of a 30-strong rundown from everything to Dennis Franz’s memorable turn as the John McClane-bothering Carmine Lorenzo in Die Hard 2 to John C McGinley’s smart-arse Ben Harp in Point Break. Get the full list at bit.ly/17WTb61 This is not a photograph for the Downton Abbey Christmas special. SOLAR TAXI Broken Brother’s Secret Bells ALBUM DOWNLOAD As if winning their first minor hurling
All Ireland in 61 years wasn’t enough, Waterford finds itself in the spotlight again this week thanks to local outfit Solar Taxi, who have made their debut album available as a free download to mark its one year anniversary. A beguiling mix of alt.rock and electro, with a distinct pop sensibility, the record also showcases the powerful vocals of singer Aisling Browne, and overall acts as a perfect introduction
to a band with considerable potential.
BRIAN WALTON Love Makes You Crazy From the famous Walton’s Music family who’ve been a fixture of Dublin’s instrument scene for over a hundred years, Brian Walton and his multi-national band (formerly Fusion Family) have been busy out in LA working on a new album with several big name producers. This first taster from it augurs well for the immediate future; ‘Love Makes You Crazy’ is a breezy, reggae-tinged but mainly soulful, up-tempo stew of sounds. With punchy brass fills, shimmering organ and gospel-style backing vocals, it’s a tune that would sit easily on a Billy Joel or a Hall & Oates album in the 1980s. CAT DOWLING Somebody Else CAN DO RECORDS From her superb and deservedly acclaimed album, The Believer, ‘Somebody Else’ boasts fiery, flanged guitars, a chugging brooding rhythm section and compressed vocals all of which combine to create an irresistible, greater-than the-sum-of its parts whirlwind of a record. The tune itself is perfectly realized. The chorus, in particular, features just Dowling’s vocal and a harmonium sound. It is an inspired piece of arranging. Clocking in at just over two minutes it leaves you begging for more. RONAN O?‘SNODAIGH Can Am From his upcoming album Sos (meaning rest/breather) comes a chiming, polyrhythmic, syncopated workout from the former Kila man. Sung in Irish, in his own inimitable and highly distinctive manner, O’Snodaigh’s shaman-like approach is a wonder to behold and he performs the lyrics with break-neck speed - at one point easing into a tribal yodel. What it lacks in a memorable melody it more than makes up for in instrumental might featuring, as it does, a truly impressive cast, including Pete (Pamf) Ruotolo on guitar, Nick Seymour from Crowded House on bass, Liam Ó Maonlaí on piano, Stephen Mogerley on double bass and Conor Murray on drums.. THE WOULD BE?‘S Beautiful Mess INDEPENDENT RELEASE Stellar indie guitar-pop from 1990s hopefuls, once feted by the likes of John Peel and Morrissey, not to mention being courted by every A&R man worth his expense account. Whatever about their much written about trials and tribulations with the music industry, their return to the fray last year was as welcome as it was overdue. Time certainly hasn’t eroded the Cavan outfit’s penchant for a memorable tune, as this three minute slice of near pop perfection attests. Thumping drums, jangling guitars and the effervescent vocals of Julie McDonnell remain among the hallmarks of the still-youthful five piece. Neat brass stabs and a punchy bass-line complete the picture. Solar Taxi: Cab you dig it? The Cage Case Star Trek goes retro Critical Mass