The Iowa music scene was pretty diverse in 1995. Sadly, the band a majority of the world most commonly associates with the music scene there is Slipknot, the ridiculous costumed metal kids whose shtick is only rivaled in goofiness by the Insane Clown Posse. It’s strange to imagine then that a gimmick-free band, with actual musical talent like The Nadas, was formed in the same year just 30 miles apart.…
Strawberry Harvest is the latest effort by Abita Brewing Company, and it has dropped down at the perfect time. As the weather continues to become warmer, this lager will be perfect for any party or get-together. What I personally like about the Strawberry Harvest is the nuanced flavor that it has. While there is a smoothness to the beer, the effervescence present makes for a crisp and refreshing experience. A…
This is a versatile headset that will be a perfect fit for a wide array of users. While these would fit perfectly in high-level competitive gaming, the headset will work on handheld consoles (DS/PSP) and cellular phones (iPhone). The Y-250C headset is one of the few that fits well enough to accompany glasses; every other pair of headphones / headsets that I have utilized have become painful with extended…
Not to be confused with the just-released memoir by Arista Records legend Clive Davis (The Soundtrack of My Life), Don Silver’s slim, paperback memoir covering much of the time he worked with Davis is actually a far more interesting read. Yes, Davis admits to his bisexuality and battles with Kelly Clarkston in his autobiography, but Silver is far more revealing about just how much of a jackass his former boss…
Kikwear’s 32” New Super Deluxe Pants will take a tremendous beating while still being ultimately fashionable. No matter whether one is out at any of the upcoming outdoor festivals, foam, or paint parties, this denim will still shine. The color of the denim immediately differentiates the Kikwear jeans from others on the market, while the pair of pants is set off with the choice of bright red stitching. As is…
GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling is a documentary that looked to capture the unique tenor that the titular promotion had. The production was on par with the regional federations at its time (GLOW was formed in 1985), while the vignettes and characters seemed to forecast the New Generation era of the WWE. While the wrestlers were a blend of trained and actresses, there was no…
This is perhaps the best antenna that we have ever seen; while there are a number of efforts on the market, The Leaf Ultimate surpasses them in sheer quality. The mud-flap styled design (established originally by the U.S. military) provides a large surface area. This allows the antenna to pick up the widest array of signals; The Leaf Ultimate has a range of 50 miles. The Leaf Ultimate is multidirectional,…
The cohesiveness of Costa’s new album will bring a number of new fans aboard. The album opens up with Loving You, a track that looks back at 2010’s Mobile Chateau while allowing Costa to shift things considerable. Lyrical intensity melds perfectly with an approachable instrumentation to give the album the momentum it needs to succeed. Early November is the shortest effort on the title, but Costa utilizes the 2:30…
In 2011, indie publisher Re-logic released Terraria on PC, and saw sales erupt to the tune of 1.6 million copies. Two years later, and backed by international publisher 505 Games, Terraria has made its way onto Xbox Live Arcade, and the result is one of the most robust offerings on the platform to date. Terraria is a 2D platformer with a heavy emphasis on exploration, harvesting materials and crafting. It’s…
Gabriel Iglesias has evolved considerably since eir initial stand-up specials. I feel that what has changed the most is Iglesias’s pacing. There never was an issue to be had with the material or the interaction that ey had with the audience, but Iglesias does well in Aloha Fluffy to ratchet things up considerably and establish a strong cadence for each joke. What results in Aloha Fluffy is bar none one…
Shugo Tokumaru has continually evolved eir music to create something substantively different each time out. In Focus? is Tokumaru’s latest album, and the compositions that issue forth are some of the most complex efforts we have heard outside of full-blown concertos. The combined efforts of In Focus? provide listeners with a darkly emotive look into Tokumaru’s psyche as ey moves through indie to twee and even world music. Circle…
Which artists are you listening to right now? How have they contributed to your overall sound? ASAP rocky, Kendrick Lamar, big Sean, Kanye, drake and belly plus I always bump my fav classics. Been listening to GMC & Dialect from local artists. I try to take the best bits of any artist I like and blend them into my style without ever biting their sound, rather to create my own.…
Natsume’s Book of Friends is far from typical fare. There is a certain care put into the small details. This means that the backdrops feel as if the characters live in the real life, instead of a set of (more or less) static locations. The show itself has legs, keeping things fresh even after the completion of two full seasons. The show has a tremendous knack at resolving…
There are very few modern musicians whose life is as well documented as Bob Dylan. There are libraries filled with biographies on the man and his own memoir is split into three separate planned books (Volume One has already been released); the big screen movie of his life I’m Not There, featured everyone from Christian Bale to Cate Blanchett playing the troubadour; and there have been countless concert films and…
Mercury Nashville singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves will perform the television debut of next single “Blowin’ Smoke” on the Emmy Award-winning The Ellen DeGeneres Show on April 10. Check for your local listings for broadcast time and network. “Blowin’ Smoke” was shipped to radio this week and is the follow-up single to the top-10 hit “Merry Go ‘Round.” Kacey co-wrote “Blowin’ Smoke” with Shane McAnally and Luke Laird. Kacey’s album…
The Mystery of a Hansom Cab is a feature-length presentation, a murder mystery which stars Oliver Ackland and is fleshed out with the inclusion of John Waters (Offspring, All Saints), Jessica De Gouw (Arrow, Underbelly), and Felix Williamson (Me and My Monsters, RAN). Based off a Fergus Hume title, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab will absolutely titillate any fans of mystery; with fleshed-out backstories and intrigue abound, few…
This Blu-Ray captures the creative process of McCartney through the time spent on 2012’s Kisses From the Bottom. What viewers will immediately see is the sheer looseness of McCartney. Coupled with this friendly nature, an utter mastery of music pervades each of the jam sessions that occur. The sheer star power that is present here is astonishing, with Eric Clapton, Diana Krall, Stevie Wonder, and John Pizzarelli contributing their…
Don’t Go Messing With My Heart is the introductory track on Castles in the Sand, with an instrumentation that shines while highlighting Stockert’s imitable vocals. Stockert and the Como Brothers are able to make a very contemporary track built off the doo-wop and country traditions; a wide swath of listeners will be able to find something to appreciate. What They Say is a track that is destined for radio…
Chicken With Plums focuses on the life of Nasser-Ali Khan, a masterful violin player. When an unfortunate act leaves eir violin in shambles, Nasser-Ali completely gives up on life. Not moving from eir bed, a period of self-realization has to occur to make Nasser-Ali’s life whole again. What Khan ultimately figures out in this dark period is the reason for taking up the violin in the first place. The broken…
Mark Walton is a tremendous resource when it comes to keep individuals active and lively when it comes to their occupation. During Boundless Potential, Walton is able to showcase the steps that individuals need to take to make themselves out to be great hires in this current, post-recession economy. With a greater segment of the workforce possessing a college education, those older workers need to ensure that they are not…