Category: Features

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…

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

Moon (DS)

The one thing that I feel that the DS has sorely missed in the years since its debut have been first person shooters. However, with the creation of Moon by Mastiff Games, the hole that previously existed has been filled by one of the best titles of the new year for the platform. The first thing that players will notice is that the graphics to speed ratio has been carefully…

Posted on: January 15, 2009 Posted by: anfnewsacct Comments: 0

Pronto – All is Golden (CD)

Those expecting Wilco keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen’s side project to play the same alt-country indie rock his full time group is known for may be in for a disappointment. Rather the Jorgensen-fronted Pronto sticks to a brilliant combination of classic AM radio pop with a healthy dose of lyrical cynicism. All is Golden, 13 tracks of truly imaginative rock music, was actually recorded in 2006 with members of Iron & Wine…

Posted on: January 14, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Anne Weiss – Concrete World and the Lover’s Dream (CD)

“I Ain’t Got No Reason To Lie To You” is a track that showcases Weiss’ strength, putting her in a perfect position between a Sarah McLachlan and a Natalie Cole. The track, easily single quality, gets listeners interested in what is to come on “Concrete World and the Lover’s Dream”, the latest effort by Weiss. “I Ain’t Got No Reason” also feeds well into “The Song About The Affair That…

Posted on: January 13, 2009 Posted by: anfnewsacct Comments: 0

OHNO!THEROBOT #10

Another zine randomly received somehow, OHNO!THEROBOT is the brainchild of Chrix Morix. This Canadian showcases the fact that, beyond the kilometer/mile difference, that there is little distinguishing Americans from Canadians. This zine showcases Chris’ life, without assuming that an individual has had any familiarity with OHNO!THEROBOT before receiving this issue. Hitchhiking, moustaches, and relationships are what Chris focuses on most heavily during this issue. Despite the fact that the issue…

Posted on: January 10, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Zero Boys – Vicious Circle (CD)

Before receiving “Vicious Circle”, the defining statement of the early-eighties punk/hardcore act Zero Boys, I thought Secretly Canadian was strictly an indie-rock label. Turns out that my assumption was misguided, and the label will release anything that is solid. For those who did not remember (or were not born when the band released this album, including myself), the Zero Boys were an Indianapolis quartet that lit a flag under the…

Posted on: January 9, 2009 Posted by: Jay NeuFutur Comments: 0

Skins Volume 1 (DVD)

Does anyone remember the MTV show from the late nineties, Undressed? If so, they will find out that there is a show that blends the hectic sex and actions of the main characters of that show with the youthful indiscretions of a movie like Thirteen. However, unlike Undressed, the characters that are present in Skins are fleshed out and are not seen really as only vessels for gratuitous sex scenes;…