Album review: Inform Educate Entertain – Public Service Broadcasting

INFORM EDUCATE ENTERTAIN Public Service Broadcasting (Southbound) The novelty of mixing soundbytes from archival British propaganda material and public information films could so easily fall flat as a musical project but the curiously named J Willgoose Esq and Wrigglesworth, the electronic duo behind PSB, have the sonic nous to “teach the lessons of the past through the music of the future”. The late Margaret Thatcher features prominently on both the title track and Theme From PSB, while the strongest two tracks – Everest – a dazzling synthesizer soundscape about our own Sir Edmund Hillary’s climb to the top of the world, and Night Mail, which blazes with punk fervor and blazing guitars showcase the expansive compositional skills that PSB use to give the past meaning in the present.

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Obama to Merkel: Europe Needs a Leader — and You’re It

Beyond the broad smiles, the jokes about Hillary Clinton’s wardrobe, and the ceremonial reassurances that accompanied German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s three-day visit to Washington this week, there was a clear message that President Barack Obama expects Germany to demonstrate leadership with NATO and in Europe. Considering the context — Tuesday’s love fest on the White House lawn — Obama was outspoken in urging his guest to take more responsibility in Libya, saying that he expected full and robust German support for the ongoing airstrikes.

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