...a little disappointed by: Vanity Fair'sprofile of Justin Bieber. Given the magazine's reputation for thorough, warts-and-all character analysis, we were expecting this month's cover story to unearth something a little meatier than his musical influences and the admission that he's "not normal".
. . . listening to
Atiba Song
The new track from Panda Bear augurs well for the Animal Collective mans forthcoming solo album, Tomboy.
Sports
The debut album by San Francisco trio Weekend: a blast of rock so energetic it feels like it could hasten the onset of spring.
...playing
Civilisation V on the MacThe greatest strategy game is back in a new, sleeker, even more attractive iteration. Apparently, some players try to nurture relations with neighbouring countries rather than attempting to wipe them out mercilessly. These people are weird.
...unimpressed byAlexandra Burke in the Grand Canal Theatre. "Are you ready to go all night long?" she asks at regular intervals, but it's a promise she won't be held to, as one album coupled with a Destiny's Child medley does not an all-night concert make. Rosemary Mac Cabe in The Irish Timeson Wednesday
...watching
The films of Ramin Bahrani Sitting back with the beautifully shot, character-driven meditations Goodbye Solo, Chop Shopand Man Push Cartis time well spent.
. . . glad to see the return of 'Mad Men'
Season four kicked off on RTÉ on Monday night. Finally, Don Draper’s marital issues look set to come to a head. Despite the fact that RTÉ choose to screen it at midnight, the show still makes for compulsive viewing, particularly for anyone who may have received a box set for Christmas.
...happy we went to
The Certain Three tour Three terrific Irish indie acts – Windings, We Cut Corners and The Ambience Affair (above) – have been winning over discerning music fans with their nationwide tour. It lands in Cavan tonight before visiting Cork next Friday and Limerick next Saturday.
...reading
The United States of McSweeneys: Ten Years of Accidental ClassicsA cracking anthology of short stories chosen by Nick Hornby and Eli Horowitz – perfect for readers who prefer to take their time.
Dominic Sandbrook, State of Emergency: The Way We Were: Britain,1970-1974
In the introduction to his third volume of books addressing modern Britain, the historian claims that, contrary to common preconceptions, the early 1970s were not all strikes, bombs and inflation. He then goes on to describe strikes, bombs and inflation. Gripping stuff.