Category: Features

Posted on: February 9, 2009 Posted by: anfnewsacct Comments: 0

Apocalipstick – Apocalipstick Now (CD)

Coming out of San Francisco, Apocalipstick really channels the energy and brashness of the earlier era of California punk, with a comparable attitude to bands from the area like Fear, X, and even The Germs. That is to say, they play a forward style of punk rock that is loud, nasty, dirty, and overall fun. Some of the songs show a desire to experiment with the limits of the music…

Posted on: February 6, 2009 Posted by: Kristopher Shepard Comments: 2

1090 Club – Natural Selection (CD)

Every so often I’m given the opportunity to review a band that has that something special and I usually tout it about that I’ve stumbled upon the next BIG thing. Well this time I’m almost certain that I have. 1090 Club, a four piece from Billings, Montana, sophomore release on SideCho Records titled Natural Selection is as complete as it gets. Over ten tracks 1090 Club completely grabs your attention…

Posted on: February 3, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Jackdawg – S/T (CD)

It is really surprising that the Jackdawg disc remained unreleased for such a long period of time. This is due to the fact that the members of Jackdawg were some of the members of the best known rock bands of the last fifty years. The members of the act are linked to acts as diverse as CCR, Van Morrison, and even Eikichi Yazawa. With a set of recordings that get…

Posted on: February 2, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Oliver and Company 20th Anniversary Edition (DVD)

I remember when Oliver and Company was first released; I was 6, and recalled wanting to see the film when it was first released. However, in the years that passed, the film has fallen out of my memory, until Disney announced plans that they were going to release an updated DVD for the film’s twentieth anniversary celebration. This DVD is what we hold in our hands, and it features a…

Posted on: February 1, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Veev Acai Spirit (60 Proof)

We have gotten a number of bottles of the major types of alcohol (Gin, Rum, Tequila, Whiskey, and Vodka) in the last few months. However, what we have not received much of are types of spirits that look to break free of the overarching typology. VeeV looks to do just that, but has a major hill to climb before it will be recognized as such. First off, despite labeling upfront…

Posted on: January 31, 2009 Posted by: Kristopher Shepard Comments: 0

What nineteen means to me.

What nineteen means to me. A very, very short essay by Kristopher Shepard I’m nineteen-years of age not old or young like some would say. Just plain ol’ nineteen, stuck between becoming an adult in the eyes of the Constitution and leaving my teen years behind me. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about that for a while now, why does nineteen suck the big one so much? It’s…

Posted on: January 30, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Eric Margan & The Red Lions – Midnight Book (CD)

“An Ocean Blue” is the first track on “Midnight Book”, and the solid nature of the track is exactly what is needed to ensnare listeners and ensure that they will stick with the album through all its different tacks, approaches, and general twists and turns. The track itself is important due to its opening position, but even if the song ended the disc it would be interesting. “Bay of Naples”…

Posted on: January 30, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Brian Eno Music for Airports (DVD)

This DVD set has a high value for fans of ambient or new takes on classical music. This is due to the fact that Brian Eno’s (and Bang on a Can All-Stars) “Music for Airports” is present, while Frank Scheffer’s “In the Ocean” operates as the B-side to “Music for Airports”. Together, these pieces hover at about 105 minutes, allowing viewers to get deep into the heads of everyone associated…

Posted on: January 29, 2009 Posted by: anfnewsacct Comments: 0

Ar Tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica (PS2)

I know that in the past few decades, Japanese imports of games have either been Japanese-language only or have been created at such a limited amount that only a few players were lucky enough to pick up the title. I hope the latter is not what happens to Ar Tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica. It is one of the best RPG titles that I have had the chance to play…

Posted on: January 28, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

All Star Cheer Squad (Wii)

The amount of customization that players can have in All Star Cheer Squad is simply fantastic. Of course, players can go forth and create their own hairstyle, hair color, and countless other features about themselves, but the ability for players to choreograph cheer routines is on par with a Smackdown vs RAW or similar title. Do note that the routines that are learned in the game are not just unrealistic…

Posted on: January 28, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 1

Agave Loco (71 Proof)

Tequila is one of those spirits that are stereotypically associated with Mexico. Hot peppers are associated in much the same way. That, I believe, is why Agave Loco Brands commissioned Mexico tequila producer La Cofradia to go forth and craft a spirit that blended both things into a cohesive spirit. When I had the chance to actually same the spirit, the first thing that hit me was the intense pepper…

Posted on: January 26, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

The Bloody Beetroots Rombo EP Review

The Bloody Beetroots come forth on their “Rombo” EP with Rombo, a track that links together Gabber with The Crystal Method and The Chemical Brothers. When there are vocals, they are ancillary and are used more for their instrumental quality rather than a narrative one. The act suffers slightly from a level of repetition during this track that is a little high, but looks to come back strong with I…

Posted on: January 26, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Being There (Blu-Ray)

Being There is a 1979 film; it was originally interpreted and created based on a work earlier in the decade by author Jerzy Kosinski. Chance The Gardiner (SellerS) is an individual that, for the entirety of eir life, has been charged with tending the garden of a well-to-do individual. When ey is put out onto the street, ey is hit by a car. The individual that hit Chance, Ben Rand…

Posted on: January 25, 2009 Posted by: Danica Comments: 0

Act of the Month: The Heartland

1. When did you start the band/act? The Band was started by Al and Lance in 2004, went through a bunch of lineup changes etc etc and finally found its first solid lineup in 2005 when we started touring for the road to singapore (Our first EP) 2. Who are the band/act members? Brian Yuhas Drew Matz Steve Zimmerman Billy Brock John Thompson 3. Who are your influences? As a…

Posted on: January 25, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Henry Poole Is Here (DVD)

Henry Poole is Here is a film that discusses the moving-in of a neighbor (Luke Wilson) after getting some morbid news from eir doctor. Instead of being seen as a charity case or someone to pity, Henry Poole looks to do nothing but spend eir remaining time trying to be left alone. Moving to the suburb seems to be the perfect way to go and do that, bringing Poole into…

Posted on: January 24, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Pokemon Battle Frontier Box 1 (DVD Set)

With a run time that approaches 9 hours, the Pokemon Battle Frontier collects the first half of the titular series. For those individuals that do not know where exactly Pokemon Battle Frontier fits into the whole Pokemon storyline, the events that take place during this box set are stuck right between the Advanced Battle and the Diamond and Pearl Saga. For individuals that may have not had the chance to…

Posted on: January 23, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 9

Commander in Chief: Geo-Political Simulator 2009 (PC)

As a political science graduate student, Commander in Chief is a game that really interests me. It is an up to date (using data for values up to January 2009). The game itself is touted as placing players in President Obama’s shoes, but don’t let that limit your imagination. No matter what state, what individual, players want to be, they take on the duties and roles associated with those heads…

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

Tommy Bahama White Sand Rum (80 Proof)

Tommy Bahama is a hell of a brand, storied and well-known through all of the cultured cliques, worldwide. To have a rum receive the honor of being stamped with the Tommy Bahama label is a tremendous honor, and this Barbados spirit does not fail to impress. This clear rum begins with a bouquet that marries a floral scene with a delightful alcohol bite. Ultimately, the Tommy Bahama White Sand Rum…

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

National Lampoon’s Stoned Age (Unrated) (DVD)

National Lampoon has had a few movies that they have purchased the rights to that have fallen on their faces in the last few years, but Stoned Age is a movie that seems to right that ship. The film is set in the prehistoric age, and follows director Adam Rifkin as Ishbo, a caveman that wants to take the next step forward in development. Faced with a tribe full of…