So HSBC and UBS have been fined massive amounts of money for being a bit naughty. Why are the bosses in court? It would appear that all you have to do to get away with money laundering and interest rate fixing is to be the head of a major banking instution.
What I'd like to ask the bank bosses is 'if you knew your institution was committing criminal acts why did you not act to stop it from doing so? If you didn't know, why didn't you know?'
To be honest, however they answer their goose is cooked. If they knew and failed to act they're guilty of collusion and should do some serious jail time, longer than say, Nick Leeson, who brought down Barings in the Nineties. If they didn't know, then they should be sacked for incompetence and negligence. To not know where your revenue is coming from is unacceptable and gives lie to their insistence they get paid so much because they're the best for the job.
Whilst it's pleasing to note that three traders have been arrested on suspicion of fixing LIBOR rates the question remains: why aren't those higher up the chain being arrested? Surely those who make decisions about how to trade should face sanctions? I refuse to believe that these three individuals made the decision to allegedly break the law purely by themselves.
Thursday, 20 December 2012
Sunday, 2 December 2012
Some music I like.
Alright, the title is possibly probably misleading, as it merely involves a 24 year old song.
Brainscan by Voivod, the French Canadian band formed by four friends. Snake, Blacky, Piggy and Away. Piggy has been replaced now by a new guitarist, Chewy. Nothing to do with artistic differences, more to do with death. Piggy died on 26th August, 2005, leaving enough recorded material for two more albums, Katorz and Infini.
Now, before I begin my critique of the song bear in mind I'm not a muso, merely a music lover. Right. Here we go.
Like most of the songs on Dimension Hatross Brainscan is immediately catchy. Starting with an understated riff and drawled vocals it sort of rumbles along. I'd like to point out here there are more musical ideas in this one song than there are in AC/DC's entire career. Time signature changes, 'happy' guitar, upstrokes, more hooks than a fishing tackle shop, great lyrics and superb musicianship all go to make what is almost the perfect song. It's a symphony in five minutes, but with a rock band not an orchestra.
I love the way Snake uses his voice almost as a percussion instrument, fitting himself between the guitar and bass and over the drums. Said drums are at times almost tribal, sounding like Roots era Sepultura, at times staccato, and rarely in AC/DC standard 4/4 time. Away has joined the list of drummers I adore listening to. This list comprises mostly Will Calhoun, Daryl Jennifer, Dave Grohl, John Bonham and Michel Langevin.
Put simply, if you're a fan of jazzpunkthrashprogmetal you'll absolutely love them. If you don't want to be made to think about how music can blow your ears off you probably won't.
Brainscan by Voivod, the French Canadian band formed by four friends. Snake, Blacky, Piggy and Away. Piggy has been replaced now by a new guitarist, Chewy. Nothing to do with artistic differences, more to do with death. Piggy died on 26th August, 2005, leaving enough recorded material for two more albums, Katorz and Infini.
Now, before I begin my critique of the song bear in mind I'm not a muso, merely a music lover. Right. Here we go.
Like most of the songs on Dimension Hatross Brainscan is immediately catchy. Starting with an understated riff and drawled vocals it sort of rumbles along. I'd like to point out here there are more musical ideas in this one song than there are in AC/DC's entire career. Time signature changes, 'happy' guitar, upstrokes, more hooks than a fishing tackle shop, great lyrics and superb musicianship all go to make what is almost the perfect song. It's a symphony in five minutes, but with a rock band not an orchestra.
I love the way Snake uses his voice almost as a percussion instrument, fitting himself between the guitar and bass and over the drums. Said drums are at times almost tribal, sounding like Roots era Sepultura, at times staccato, and rarely in AC/DC standard 4/4 time. Away has joined the list of drummers I adore listening to. This list comprises mostly Will Calhoun, Daryl Jennifer, Dave Grohl, John Bonham and Michel Langevin.
Put simply, if you're a fan of jazzpunkthrashprogmetal you'll absolutely love them. If you don't want to be made to think about how music can blow your ears off you probably won't.
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