It seems that the collective that is the United Kingdom has fallen behind in creating inspired music. Where there are some acts that possess a solid sound (The Maccabees), a great many of the current acts garnering airplay there are pretty sad. Jonquil is an act that has operated under the radar; Point of Go is their latest on Dovecote records, and looks to do much to repair the…
This is a beast of a keyboard. The construction is incredibly durable, with the decision to include mechanical keys ensuring that ME3 players can beat the hell out of it without utterly trashing it. The ability to create and store macros on-keyboard will ratchet up a player’s ability, and has been implemented in a way that is simple and intuitive. Razer has included a number of aesthetic additions that…
With each month, it seems like more classic films are receiving a Blu-Ray release. Kate & Leopold is a 2001 film featuring Hugh Jackman and Meg Ryan, and has been mastered wonderfully for the new format. The juxtaposition of different moralities possessed by these two time-crossed lovers makes for interesting interactions, resulting in one of the best Ryan roles outside of You’ve Got Mail. The Blu-Ray version released by Lionsgate…
I like the fact that Nick Jr. (and releasing company Anchor Bay) have been on point with the timeliness of the Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! releases. There are a number of childrens’ shows that do not receive a DVD release, or get a release years after the show has originally aired. By capturing each collection of episodes soon after they are originally shown, sales will be stronger and more significant interest…
J Duff is one of the few rappers that are on their way to stardom. The 2012 XXL Freshman Class was filled with has-beens and never-weres, leading listeners to find the best new artists. I believe that J Duff is on a path to become a household name, and this is because of his incredible wordplay and punchy beats. His flow comes forth on the disc’s first cut, Can’t Stop…
Trinity Goodheart is a touching story that is able to bridge the gap between realism and fantasy perfectly. The titular character is on a mission from God; when given a locket that eir mom originally owned, Trinity understands what ey must do. The sheer forces that stack up against this 12 year old are substantial, but it is through eir faith that the title comes to a resolution. The…
Warner Brothers has went alol out in their 70th anniversary boxed set release of Casablanca. The film is provided to viewers in stunning Blu-Ray, which benefits considerably from a remastering of the film that restores it to the quality in which viewers in 1942 originally watched. This is just the beginning; the company has provided so many different bells and whistles to this set that viewers will literally take…
There is such a sense that The All-American Rejects would struggle to create an identify for themselves separate from the singles that they have already released. A number of bands have not been able to follow up on their largest successes, but I feel that Kids in the Street is an essential title for establishing the band’s new style. Sure, there are overtures to their previous work (Gonzo and…
This is one of the most fascinating documentaries about The Beatles that I have ever seen. We kicked the film on at NeuFutur Headquarters, and had everyone stick around for the two-plus hour feature. There are so many stories and anecdotes provided by members of The Beatles’ Apple Records, and these stories do much to paint a different picture of the Fab Four than I previously held. The narration…
After a while of supplementing, there is a good chance that you will get your GI tract all bound up. This is particularly prevalent for those that supplement with protein drinks, Thus, supplementing with a fiber-based product is absolutely essential for maintaining one’s health. Species Nutrition has created Fiberlyze; one need only put a scoop of the product into a drink two or three times a day. After that,…
Everything about this live album works. Where there is some loss of fidelity with many live recordings, Hawkins’ inspiration piano arrangements are captured as clear as day. There is a vibrancy that weaves its way through each of this album’s 15 tracks. I feel that this vibrancy is linked to Hawkins’ narration through instrumental arrangements. With every track here, From The Outside to Love in Winter, there is a sense…
If there were ever a college course designed around the study of Grunge (and you know there likely is) Mark Yarm’s exhaustive study of the Seattle music scene Everybody Loves Our Town is the only text book you will ever need to buy. Just released in paperback, the book is the alpha and omega on the genre that killed hair metal. Told entirely in direct quotes, oral history style, the…
Chronicle: Music From The Motion Picture features a number of tracks from up and coming bands; their unique efforts here make for a compelling and surprisingly cogent narrative for Chronicle. This first track on this CD is Blonde Acid Cult’s Calypso, a track that contains a considerable amount of beefiness that belies the more laid-back style of the instrumentation. Bad Veins’ Gold and Warm comes fresh on the heels…
This is the perfect sort of bathroom book, as it contains the same sort of acerbic humor that makes The Onion and American Dad shine so much in their respective fields. The sheer anger and bile that is brought to I Hate Everyone by author Matthew DiBenedetti may seem over the top at points, but the points that ey bring up are ones that are common beliefs held. I…
I absolutely detest having to purchase a pillow from a department store. The pillows themselves are overpriced and typically made poorly. It is because of this that I have attempted to find a better option, and was able to happen upon the Sleep For Success website. This website provides assistance for all sides of the sleep equation – aside from the pillow that we received, Dr. Maas also has…
Tim Fite is one of those few artists that do not take well to a genre convention. Sure, Fite can be categorized as a singer-songwriters, but there is a level of density and gravitas to the tracks on Ain’t Ain’t Ain’t that belies that tie. When given an indie rock mantle, tracks like My Brother Sings showcases a certain glibness that is unparalleled. Listeners are then provided with an…
Alyssa Graham is an artist that is looking to break the world of the dominance of Adeles and Joss Stones; on Lock, Stock & Soul Graham shows that the true soul cannot be replicated for a mass audience. Rather, Graham’s point with Lock, Stock & Soul is to individually touch each person that listens in. This makes for an album that hits on all cylinders, from the opening strains of…
UNTLD The Exhibit is the new cologne by Marc Ecko, and it shows a robustness that is unmatched in the cologne world. This is because it blends together fruit notes including apples and melons with a hint of musk, presenting an earthy and orange-based feel. There is a sense that UNTLD The Exhibit is looking to provide a varied approach, and does this perfectly. The bottle design will immediately…
Despite the advances in recording technology, it seems that most live recordings do not capture the full spirit of the band. Going Out In Style should act as a blueprint for anyone that looks to make a good live album, as the band is able to showcase their inimitable style over the course of two discs. The band, even in the later segments of the concert, is still able…
The range of qualities that are available in the hair dryer section of a store is substantial. It pays to do some serious research into what each product does. The Cricket 5250 is a stellar buy, as it is leaps and bounds above similar products both in terms of quality and functionality. This ceramic heat dryer is light (13.7 ounces) and has three different heat options. The cold shot function…