Star Wars/Adidas 2010 World Cup Ad

To create something cool for the 2010 World Cup (and promote their new line of clothing to an extent I suppose), Lucasfilm and Adidas put together this neat little video mash-up of the famous Cantina scene from Star Wars (a.k.a. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope), but with famous (or should I say semi-famous) athletes, actors, and musicians.

Among the inclusions are Daft Punk, ex-Oasis member Noel Gallagher, Ian Brown (of the Stone Roses), Snoop Dogg, David Beckham, and the annoying voiced Jay Baruchel (She's Out of My League, How to Train Your Dragon). Apparently there's a couple others in there as well, but I don't recognize them.

The mash-up is done pretty well, but if I was to start a sci-fi flame war right now, I'd say the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode, "Trials and Tribble-ations" was a way cooler use of new footage in old footage, and did it fourteen years ago. And there's Forest Gump.

I mean, Daft Punk looks awesome and extremely fitting in the Cantina, but who really wants to see a classic scene covered in product-placement and including Jay Baruchel in there like he's actually in the same realm of accomplishment as the rest of the people here are in their respective fields. Just saying, to use a pun, Star Wars is out of his league.

C'mon, "Celebrate Originality"? Really?!

Noel Gallagher leaves Oasis

So much for expecting to hear even better material from Oasis, especially after their stellar album, Dig Out Your Soul, which released last October. Why? Because as of last night, Noel Gallagher, the principal songwriter and only consistent member (along with his brother Liam) of Oasis, quit the band. And because he's the principal songwriter it pretty much leaves the band's entire future in jeopardy. Noel left this statement on Oasisinet.com:

"It's with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight. People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer."

A full statement from Noel regarding his resignation from the band can be found here, but it will require you to register on their website. For your sake though, I've already done that and clipped what you need to read:

"As of last Friday the 28th August, I have been forced to leave the Manchester rock'n'roll pop group Oasis.

The details are not important and of too great a number to list. But I feel you have the right to know that the level of verbal and violent intimidation towards me, my family, friends and comrades has become intolerable. And the lack of support and understanding from my management and band mates has left me with no other option than to get me cape and seek pastures new....

...In closing I would like to thank all the Oasis fans, all over the world. The last 18 years have been truly, truly amazing (and I hate that word, but today is the one time I'll deem it appropriate). A dream come true. I take with me glorious memories."

Now, everyone probably knows that turmoil between the Gallagher brothers is nothing new, but this is the first time that either of them have ever said, "I quit." So I'm going to assume that this really is it for the band, sadly. I mean, it's possible that Liam can take the band on his own, but I just don't think he could do it and the band wouldn't feel the same. Maybe now Noel can get on to doing that long rumored solo album...

Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul

As if I haven't covered it enough, I finally have Oasis' latest album, Dig Out Your Soul, in my hands, and I love it! But don't let me get into my love craze just yet, I still need to talk about this record.

Dig Out Your Soul is Oasis' first new album since 2005's Don't Believe The Truth, which, after three years away, was Oasis' real return back in the spotlight. It's now three years since that album, and in the mean time Oasis has released a greatest hits album, Stop The Clocks, a documentary of their 2005 tour and single titled, "Lord Don't Slow Me Down". While those 3 years only left us with one new track, the new album more than makes up for it.

And while I am a big fan of all of Oasis' album, I being completely honest when I say this feel's like their most whole album since 1995's (What's The Story) Morning Glory?. It may sound a little fanboy-ish, I know, but I've never been so engaged in an Oasis album as much as I am now, and the closest experience is 1995's album. What really make's it great is that Oasis has reinvented themselves, and it's for the better. Don't get me wrong, it still sounds like Oasis' but now there's just more expression, and it works wonders.

Another part of the album I like is Noel Gallagher's presence. While I enjoy Liam's vocal styles, even while it slowly deteriorates, I definitely enjoy hearing Noel's voice every so often. Dig Out Your Soul delivers 5 songs with Noel on vocals, a few paired with Liam at one point or another. As with Don't Believe The Truth, songs are written amongst all members of the band, not just the Gallagher brothers. However, Noel has the bulk of the tracks this time around.

While I think the album as a whole is great, I'm sure a few of you out there want to know the best songs. Personally, I don't think I'll ever get "Bag It Up" "The Turning" and/or "The Shock Of The Lightning" out of my head, I've just never heard Oasis songs that are so up-beat, catchy, and just sheer, in your face, rock. But there's a balance, with beautiful tracks like "I'm Outta Time" and "Falling Down", the former of which contains an excerpt from a BBC interview with John Lennon, taken just days before his assassination. As stated though, while I feel these stand out the most, you'd be doing yourself a huge favor by listening to Dig Out Your Soul as a whole.

However with all of this good there has to be a bad, somewhere, right? Well there is, its length, despite each track being great, the album runs at a total of about 45 minutes. It's not a terrible length, as Don't Believe The Truth ran only 42 minutes, and the band's longest album is just over an hour. I just feel that with such good material, it seems to go by way too fast. Other than that, there's no reason for you not to check out this album, fan of the band or not. You have to hear this!

Overall Score - 9.7/10

I personally went for the single disc version of the album, however there is also a bound, CD/DVD combo that contains a booklet, the album, and a 40 minute DVD of the band's tour and recording sessions. The real reason I didn't go for the CD/DVD? I have collector's OCD, and not only does the binding not match my other, jewel cased Oasis albums, it also had a Parental Advisory logo printed right into the artwork, which just ruins album art for me. Ridiculous, I know.

For more on Oasis visit oasisinet.com