Gavan Reilly's Portfolio writings, ramblings, mumblings

Published on
7 February, 2006

Published in
The University Observer

Sugary Memories

Gav Reilly remembers the sweets that we munched when watching children’s television… Anybody hwo was ambling around the Freshers’ Marquee last September will remember the multitude of sugary freebies being offered by different cliques present – but anyone would splurged and spent €3 joining NetSoc (and thereby helping to break down the invisible nerd-divide between […]


Published on
7 February, 2006

Published in
The University Observer

The Choice Awards

Gav Reilly preview Ireland’s answer to the Mercurys… This month marks the beginning of a new era (okay, that’s a little too emphatic but it’s certainly a sign of consolidation) for the Irish music scene with the announcement of the first winner of the brand spanking new Choice Music Prize for the best Irish album […]


Published on
7 February, 2006

Published in
The University Observer

Album review: Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

It surely isn’t much of an understatement to say that the debut from this young Sheffield foursome was one of hte most eagerly awaited offerings of 2005 – it almost seems that the album appeared in January out of spite. Most of the songs on the contradictorily titled Whatever People Say I Am… have been […]


Published on
24 January, 2006

Published in
The University Observer

Film review: Munich

When it was first revealed that Steven Spielberg was mooting an adaptation of George Vonas’ patchy novel Vengeance, the cinematic world wasn’t quite sure how to react; either cinemagoers would be treated to another Jewish-based epic like Schindler’s List or the offering would instead be a continuation of Mel Gibson’s Passion genre of ‘spinach cinema’ […]


Published on
21 November, 2005

Published in
The University Observer

The Focking Legend returns – it’s Ross’s return for his last hurrah

Book review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightdress by Paul Howard How do you begin to describe Ross O’Carroll-Kelly to a foreigner? It’s a problem that’s shown itself more than once in the online life of yourrs truly. When asked to explain your favourite series of books (I can hear the Potterphiles […]


Published on
21 November, 2005

Published in
The University Observer

How To… Become a Goth in seven easy steps!

Throw out all non-black clothing to accentuate the feeling of nelancholy in your life. ‘Cos, like, there is no happiness, maaaan. Buy a white anti-poverty wristband and attack it with a black marker, out of spite. Thereby sticking it to The Man. Take a fancy to wearing eye shadow, regardless of your gender. Listen to […]


Published on
21 November, 2005

Published in
The University Observer

Whatever Happened To… the Britpop bands?

Gav Reilly takes a look at where the main players in Britpop disappeared to… Blur went weird. Graham Coxon left in 2001, and had a successful solo career (notably the great single ‘Freaking Out’); Damon Albarn lost his hair, went to Mali and made a CD, came back, bought a sampler and started Gorillaz; Alex […]


Published on
11 October, 2005

Published in
The University Observer

Album review: Autamata – Short Stories

To describe Autamata as a band is a tenuous statement – ok, yes, there are three members, but in essence Autamata are as much a band as The Streets, where for ‘Skinner’ read Ken McHugh, who plays a frankly scary list of instruments on Short Stories varying from guitar and ye olde piano to theremin, […]


Published on
11 October, 2005

Published in
The University Observer

Boxed in?

My name’s Gav, and I have a problem. I’m hopelessly addicted to Sudoku. Allow me to set the scene: right now it’s ten minutes to midnight, I’m sitting in bed with my laptop atop my… er… lap (original, huh?) and unlike any other self-respecting student who at this time of night should be (a) schmoozing […]


Published on
6 June, 2005

Published in
Cluas.com

Album review: Oasis – Don’t Believe The Truth

Review Snapshot: Sixth studio album from Manchester uber-deities. With the score for the brothers Gallagher tentatively weighted at two albums ‘for’ and three ‘against’, a band motto “we didn’t have the songs” is losing credibility. Under attack, our heroes retreat to the studio living on borrowed time. Will Father Time catch up with them forever? […]


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