Category: Features

Posted on: July 27, 2009 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Steve Singh – Heavy Metal Sunset (CD)

Toronto-based musician Steve Singh has taken the DIY ethos to heart. On his latest, Heavy Metal Sunset, the singer/songwriter wrote, performed, mixed and produced all 10 songs. Mining a stellar list of influences as varied as Stevie Wonder and Glenn Tillbrook, Singh makes pop music like no one else performing today.

Posted on: July 27, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Seagram’s Smooth Brazilian Rum (80 Proof)

There are so many rums present on the market now that it honestly feels as if most buyers will have no idea where to go for their rum needs. The amount of information differentiating the brands from each other is paltry, making it almost inevitable that buyers will pick out a sub-par rum sooner rather than later. However, Pernod Ricard has crafted a new rum and placed it under the…

Posted on: July 23, 2009 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Cool Devices – Self-Titled (CD)

Just seconds into Cool Device’s self-titled debut, through the blistering gnash of distorted chords, its clear front man/guitarist Jason Frederick has some demons to exercise. You can’t blame the guy; the whole reason he started Cool Devices was a reaction to news that his old Columbus, OH-based group The Means were getting back together without him. Now based in Chicago, Frederick’ new band Cool Devices manages to rip through seven…

Posted on: July 23, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

An American Affair (DVD)

An American Affair is set in 1963, where JFK’s affair with a CIA member’s wife is seen as nothing too far outside of the norm. A stacked cast, including Gretchen Mol (Rounders), Mark Pellegrino (National Treasure), and James Rebhorn (Cold Mountain) take up this historical piece and make each of the players living and breathing. Where there has been a number of films made in the last twenty years about…

Posted on: July 22, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

John Adams (Blu-Ray)

I feel that a number of individuals that were important to the foundation of these United States get shorted on coverage in American history textbooks if their names are not George Washington or Benjamin Franklin. HBO’s John Adams miniseries looks to rectify this issue, and the Blu-Ray version of the release ensures that this series will not be forgotten anytime soon. For those that missed out on the miniseries, Paul…

Posted on: July 22, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

The Doomsday Key (Novel)

The Doomsday Key is one of many (actually, six) in the Sigma Force series, but author James Rollins takes more than enough care to ensure that readers are caught up before the crux of the action begins. A crew is placed together to figure out what exactly happened in Africa, where a highly cutting-edge type of agricultural development has been completely torn to the ground, all the individuals there killed.…

Posted on: July 21, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

British Sea Power – Man of Aran (CD)

British Sea Power is one of the acts that, despite all the fame that they have received in the 6 years since their first album, The Decline of British Sea Power, we have not had the chance to cover here for NeuFutur. Luckily enough, Rough Trade US sent us on over a copy, and we were quickly floored by the band. “Man of Aran” starts off with a titular track…

Posted on: July 21, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Blackest Night #1 (Comic)

Along with Batman: Whatever Happened To The Caped Crusader?, the first issue of the eight-part Blackest Night storyline is the first comic that we have reviewed from a major company. Geoff Johns begins this arc with positive imagery, showcasing exactly how many in the DC Universe were able to move on from major events. Those that were in Coast City were able to firmly mend themselves in the years since…

Posted on: July 21, 2009 Posted by: Danica Comments: 0

Bonetown (PC)

The minute I heard about Bonetown I knew wanted to try it, this game allows you to use drugs and alcohol. It also lets you have sex with the girl of your dreams… when your balls get big enough. The game is fun and very addictive. At first I didn’t think I was going to enjoy the game, the interface is sort of confusing at first. After reading the directions…

Posted on: July 20, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

A Skylit Drive – Adelphia (CD)

A Skylit Drive has just released their second full length (their third release) in “Adelphia”. This June release has expanded considerably the band’s sound from 2008’s “Wires…and the Concept of Breathing” and 2007’s “She Watched The Sky”. The disc itself begins with “Prelude To A Dream”, a track that sets the tempo of the disk with clear guitars, rocking drums, and a set of vocals that both attack and smooth…

Posted on: July 20, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Infernal: Hell’s Vengeance (Xbox 360)

Players may remember that Infernal: Hell’s Vengeance was originally a PC title, and has just been made into a Xbox 360 game. Where there were some issues with the PC version of the game, the time spent bringing the game to the Xbox 360 has ensured that those over at Playlogic could iron them out. For those that missed out on the story behind Infernal: Hell’s Vengeance. This shooter allows…

Posted on: July 20, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 1

The Castaways (Novel)

Many intrepid readers are already familiar with Hilderbrand’s work, as eir 2007 novel Barefoot was a mainstay on the New York Times bestseller list for a solid half-year. The Castaways surrounds the interactions between four families: Kapenashes, Wheelers, Drakes and MacAvoys – that end up vacationing together practically every year. Where the groups have a very clean air around them, certain issues present ensure that no family is truly innocent.…

Posted on: July 19, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Trevor Horn and Friends: Slaves to Rhythm (DVD)

I have to admit, I had not heard of Trevor Horn before popping this DVD into my player. Turns out, ey was the co-writer for “Kiss From A Rose”, Seal’s hit, along with being associated with acts like The Buggles, Art of Noise, and Yes. This DVD links together Horn’s tremendous skill with a number of eir friends, in a list that includes the Pet Shop Boys, Grace Jones, Seal,…

Posted on: July 19, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Blue Angel Vodka (80 Proof)

The bottle that we received of Blue Angel looks to have drawn influence from Grey Goose and the 700 Club; the frosted bottle and blue top will remind imbibers of the former, and the name, cloud motif and halo on the bottle will remind them of the latter. Compared to many vodkas, the astringent alcohol nose of Blue Angel is very mild, and even inviting. When the imbiber first gets…

Posted on: July 19, 2009 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

The Jayhawks – Music From the North Country: The Jayhawks Anthology (CD)

Despite releasing seven studio albums, and a catalogue of truly great alternative country songs, The Jayhawks were never able to move past the cult band status before going on hiatus in 2003. Listening to their just-released anthology – 20 songs culled from all of the band’s records – it’s a bit surprising that the Minneapolis band never reached rock star status.

Posted on: July 18, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 1

The Mighty Boosh (DVD)

While I have heard bits and pieces about The Mighty Boosh before its initial American run on Adult Swim, I must admit I was by no means familiar with the show. Most American viewers will know the show from this run, as it really represents the pinnacle of post-2000 British comedy. While shows like Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace and Look Around You were shown first on American television, I feel as…

Posted on: July 18, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Kaze No Stigma Volume 1 – Wind (DVD)

I know that this has been explored in previous reviews of anime that we have conducted here at NeuFutur, but I really love the fact that intrepid companies like Funimation are closing the gap between when the anime shows they release in the United States come out and when they originally were shown in Japan. This time, the break in time between the original and United States release is only…

Posted on: July 18, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Utkins U.K. 5 Organic Vodka (80 Proof)

The versatility present in the Utkins U.K. 5 Organic Vodka is simply stunning. Where it will do fine when individuals sip at it on the rocks, I feel the spirit shines brightest in a shot or mixed drink type of setting. While the vodka has a pretty astringent type of nose to it, imbibers should look beyond this and dive headfirst into what is a pretty damn good vodka. At…

Posted on: July 17, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Dream Theater – Black Clouds & Silver Linings (CD)

Dream Theater was always a band that a number of my friends like, but that I never found myself getting into. I was tapped to review this, their latest album, and am glad that I had a chance to review their tenth studio album. The album is expansive, with the band approaching progressive rock, traditional metal, and even more instrumental and ambient sorts of compositions over the course of the…

Posted on: July 17, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

This Is A Shakedown – Love Kills (CD)

It seems that 2009 may just be the year of Ohio bands breaking it big. Where Bobaflex first flexed their muscles on a national stage years ago, this year, both Kid Cudi and This Is A Shakedown look poised to make some major splashes in their respective genres. “Radio” starts off with solid interplay between the guitar and drums, while the vocals fit in to the mix in a way…