The (Next) Week in Pop Culture

In the first of our weekly pop culture guides, we recommend a couple of season finales, an under-the-radar album release and a peek at the next generation of football stars.

Mad Men & Veep

Don at the start of season six

While the overbearing Bob Benson and Megan Draper-as-Sharon Tate conspiracy theories can finally be put to bed, season six of Matthew Weiner's award-winning brainchild still has plenty of questions to answer during its last hour, chief among them - how low can Don Draper go? And what of Peggy's infatuation with the hot-and-cold (and awesome) Ted? Set against the backdrop of civil unrest and high profile assassinations during the late-'60s, the 12 episodes so far have been dark, depressing and unequivocally brilliant. One thing's for sure: Things are about to get a whole lot worse. 
   The decidedly more popular Mad Men is not the only TV show coming to a season's end this week. Veep, starring an inspired Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the bumbling Vice President of the United States Selina Meyer, has delivered plenty of solid laughs and stinging satire in its second season, and we can expect more of the same when Selina and her ragtag staff go into crisis management mode in the aftermath of her decision to run for President. 
Sun, 10pm on AMC and HBO respectively.

Light Heat - s/t
Quentin Stoltzfus has some tough acts to follow. Over the past week, Canadian dark-wave outfit Austra came out of nowhere to dazzle on the gorgeous Olympia, while Sigur Ros's latest effort Kveikur was another beauty to add to the Icelanders' already impressive back catalogue. But judging by some of the George Harrison circa 'What is Life' sounds from single 'And The Birds..', Mazarin mainstay Stoltzfus's new project Light Heat promises to be a welcome addition to a '60s psych-pop revival instigated by Tame Impala and Foxygen in recent years.  
Out Jun 25 on Ribbon Music.

Under-20 World Cup

Jese and Gerard Deulofeu

Sure, there's the Confederations Cup in Brazil, which has so far proven to be great value for entertainment (Italy's dramatic 4-3 victory over a spirited Japanese side comes to mind); however, we can't help but be compelled by the raw talent on show at Turkey's Under-20 World Cup. The opening round of matches on Friday saw sterling performances by the Real Madrid-Barcelona dynamic duo of Jese and Gerard Deulofeu in Spain's 4-1 drubbing of the United States as well as Arsenal-bound Yaya Sanogo in France's convincing 3-1 win over 2009 winners Ghana. More of the same from a tournament that unearthed Luis Figo and Lionel Messi in the past, please?
Until Jul 13.

NBA Finals Preview: Will The Heat Scorch The Spurs?

Will Lebron be holding the NBA title again come the end of June? (Credit: Lebron James Facebook)

Before Lebron James was King, he was merely a pretender to the throne captured yet again by the San Antonio Spurs. Six years after he and his then Cleveland Cavaliers teammates were swept comprehensively by the Spurs en route to the NBA title, the reigning MVP has an opportunity for some Emily Thorne-style revenge (slow and painful that is) when his Miami Heat host the Spurs in Game 1 of this season’s NBA Finals tomorrow.   

Which Big Three will prevail?

The defending champions have spent most of the playoffs relying on James’s virtuoso play, with an unfit Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh unable to recapture their best form over a consistent period. Wade has cause for optimism after a 21-point outing during Miami’s series clincher over the Pacers, but he’s been so off colour lately that it’s difficult to look beyond James carrying the Heat offence once again. The Spurs’ own Big Three, on the other hand, have been scintillating in series wins over the Grizzlies, Lakers and Warriors. Only hamstrung Manu Ginobili has yet to spark into life in the playoffs; the way Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are rolling back the years game in game out, the addition of an on-song Manu could be devastating.

And the best supporting cast goes to...

This term, the Spurs have seen big playoff games off the bench from Boris Diaw and Gary Neal, who will likely provide a sterner test than Indiana’s Tyler Hansbrough and DJ Agustin ever did when the Heat scrapped past the Pacers in the East Conference Finals. Udonis Haslem, Shane Battier and Mike Miller were sporadically brilliant during stretches of Miami’s playoff run so far, and they will need to be more dominant against San Antonio’s wily band of veterans, who will keep the ball better and be more poised than the Pacers were in clutch situations. The unpredictable Chris Anderson, so often the Heat’s most proactive big in the playoffs, could be the wild card that swings the series in Miami’s favour.

The ten-day break between series can only work wonders for the well-rested Spurs and the meticulous Greg Popovich, as the Heat had to go the full distance against Paul George, Roy Hibbert and co last time out. Boasting a solid defence, penetrative ball movement and peerless outside shooting, the Spurs have shown time and again to be the most well-rounded team in the NBA. Even with home court advantage and Lebron in the form of his life, this could be the year San Antonio breaks the heart of the world’s best player...again.

Desire Lines by Camera Obscura Review: Underachievers No More

Perfection? Close, but no cigar (Credit: Camera Obscura Facebook)

Camera Obscura have certainly come a long way since they came out of nowhere to impress on debut Biggest Bluest Hi Fi in 2001 and the sensational Underachievers Please Try Harder in 2003. The retro lo-fi sounds of yesteryear, along with John Henderson’s warm vocal pairings, that drew inevitable comparisons with fellow Glaswegians Belle & Sebastian were ultimately replaced with lush, wistful twee-pop in 2006’s Let’s Get Out Of This Country and 2009’s My Maudlin Career, which were well-received efforts that had critics waxing lyrical about the group's growth and new-found confidence.

The quintet has invariably stumbled upon an infectious combo of complementing its trademark breezy, stylish jangle-pop with a few noticeably slower ballads, a formula that continues on its latest record Desire Lines. Swinging lead single ‘Do It Again’ follows the grand traditions of its contemporaries ‘Lloyd, I’m Ready to Be Heartbroken’ and ‘French Navy’, although subtle lyricism takes a backseat to catchy hooks and dramatic sexual references this time around. Frontwoman Tracyanne Campbell’s deadpan yet emotive delivery and eye for witty pop culture name dropping remains an integral part of what Camera Obscura do, and she’s in imperious form on the Neko Case-assisted ‘Fifth in Line to the Throne’ and the saxophone-heavy ‘This is Love (Feels Alright)’.

From the groovy disco-tinged ‘Troublemaker’ to the jazzy Billy Joel-mentioning ‘I Missed Your Party’, Camera Obscura’s uncanny ability to make melodies and styles from the ’50s and ’60s sound fresh and timeless is once again apparent on Desire Lines. This is a gem of a fifth album by a consistent band that already boasts one of the most formidable catalogues in recent indie-pop.

Verdict 7.5/10 poppys

Camera Obscura will be touring with She & Him to Chicago, Ann Arbor, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Boston and Vienna in June and July. We here at Poppy Deeds highly recommend these Scots, having seen them live in Melbourne's Corner Hotel in 2010, when Campbell mistakenly exclaimed 'hello Sydney' to grave silence. For more on the band, go here.

Suarez Be Gone: Who Next for Liverpool?

Bye bye baby, baby bye bye (Credit: Luis Suarez Facebook)

In light of Luis Suarez confirming his desire to leave Liverpool yesterday, we round up a shortlist of realistic targets who could replace the want-away Uruguayan striker without a ludicrous Andy Carroll-priced hangover.

Credit: David Villa Facebook

David Villa Barcelona

The lack of European football for the Reds next season may not go down well with Spain's all-time national leading scorer, but the 31-year-old former Valencia man is seeking a move after losing his starting spot at the Nou Camp following eight months out with a broken tibia. With only 12 months remaining on his contract, Villa could well be available for a cut price fee this summer.

Credit: Loic Remy Facebook

Loic Remy Queens Park Rangers

Despite only arriving at Loftus Road in January, the former Marseille forward, who has a rumoured six-million-pound relegation clause in his contract, quickly established himself as the only capable performer in Harry Redknapp's sinking ship. With a credible six goals in 14 appearances for the relegated Londoners, Brendan Rodgers and co will likely face competition for the French international's signature from the likes of Newcastle's Gaelic-Toon army.

Credit: Christian Benteke Facebook

Christian Benteke Aston Villa

Fresh from a two-goal haul in Belgium's convincing 4-2 friendly win at USA in midweek, the towering 22-year-old enjoyed a tremendously successfully debut season at Villa Park, where he single-handedly guided the Midlands outfit to safety with his physical presence and goal threat. Linked to Falcao-less Atletico Madrid, soon-to-be-Lewandowski-less Dortmund and virtually strikerless Tottenham recently, the erstwhile Genk starlet would be spoilt for choice if he ever decides to quit Villa.

Credit: Younes Belhanda Facebook

Younes Belhanda Montpellier

The Moroccan international's stock has dropped drastically in recent times following a miserable season when Montpellier relinquished their Ligue 1 title to PSG without a whimper and he fell out dramatically with the club's hierarchy. Nonetheless, the enigmatic 23-year-old, who operates as a number 10 or right winger, could free Daniel Sturridge/Fabio Borini from wing duty and revel in a free role alongside Brazilian wunderkind Coutinho. 

Credit: Gonzalo Higuain Facebook

Gonzalo Higuain Real Madrid

A Juventus and Manchester City target, the French-born Argentine could be an attractive makeweight for Liverpool in Real's ambitious bid to land a seemingly interested Suarez. Whether the River Plate youth product is willing to make the step down to a club with no European involvement next term is another question altogether, but he is arguably the only striker on the list capable of filling Suarez's massive shoes right away.

Who do you think Liverpool should sign to replace Suarez?

Arrested Development Season 4 Recap: The Reunion Conundrum

Tobias: disoriented, confused and battered. Much like season four (credit: screenshot)

The prodigal family returns

When Arrested Development was cancelled seven years ago, I was crushed (much like Gob in a Bluth model home). Here was a brilliant albeit little watched TV show that was cut down mercilessly in its prime, much like Freaks & Geeks, Undeclared and Party Down before it. Sure, we were treated to Michael Cera’s best impersonations of George-Michael in Superbad, Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Juno, Youth in Revolt and Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (and basically every other movie he’s been in since), but even his best solo efforts couldn’t mask the fact that the Bluth family that’s dysfunctional together, needs each other. So when creator Mitchell Hurwitz announced earlier this year that Netflix would be releasing brand new AD episodes in an experimental single character focus per episode format (due to Hurwitz’s limited time with his busy cast), I was wary.  
  
It’s a slog. A meandering and lumbering slog.

This format, more often than not, worked for Skins, but the British teen drama didn’t have 15 episodes stretched roughly over the same period of time. Ron Howard’s narrations, which were a fixture in earlier seasons, are lengthier this time around and feel tedious as viewers are introduced and reintroduced (and sometimes, even rereintroduced) to a plotline that was already overly bloated, confusing and intricate in the first place. Diligently going through the collection of episodes from a different character’s standpoint on virtually similar events leading up to a shambolic Cinco de Quartro ultimately reveals certain motivations and misunderstandings that weren’t originally apparent, but in most scenes, you’ll be left harping after memories of a time when the complete ensemble was sharing the same joke at the same place and time.

But it’s not all bad.

Kristen Wiig as young Lucille? Masterstroke. Seth Rogen as George Sr with hair? Less so. The slew of I-can’t-believe-it’s-him/her cameos in the new AD is far-reaching, if mostly hit and miss. Terry Crews’s hilarious turn as bungling conservative politician Herbert Love elevated Lindsay’s second individual episode (the puntastic ‘Red Hairing’) to a season standout; in contrast, the Workaholics trio (quartet if you count Erik Griffin) unfortunately added nothing to the Michael-based pilot, ‘Flight of the Phoenix’. The show’s trademark whacky flashbacks, zany metafiction humour and blink-and-miss self-referencing remain front and centre of the show’s modus operandi (‘Showstealer Pro Trial Version’, THAT IS ALL). You can also bet your banana stand that Gob, Tobias and Buster (who contribute to the funnier individual episodes) are still around firing on all cylinders in a belated puzzle-like season that sees Michael trying to produce the elusive Bluth family movie and Lindsay going from India to Balboa Towers via an ostrich farm.

So what now brown cow?

One of the most attractive elements of the AD universe was a fan’s ability to watch large sections of the first 53 episodes consecutively without feeling bored or disinterested. The highly anticipated 2013 edition, ironically designed for binge viewers, is a different beast altogether. It’s harder to stomach in a single sitting, a lamentable fact that can be attributed to its longer screening time (one particular episode hit 37 minutes, in comparison to its earlier 20-minute episodes) and slower pace. The first few uninspiring episodes set up the entire season nicely in terms of storyline, but the genuine vintage AD moments are fleeting and only really present during the latter stages of season four. If given an option of which AD to rewatch in years to come, this slowburner of a bumpy season would decidedly be my fourth choice.