Sterfish's Place

Write Here, There, And Everywhere

2011-02-18T15:03:00.003-06:00

Wow, I haven't posted here in a bit. Well, let's do some catch up.

I have added another site to the places I write for. It's called Blinded by Sound and it's an awesome music site run by Josh Hathaway. You can find a link to my profile in the sidebar.

Well, here's everything I've been up to online since my last post:

Blogcritics

Reviewed Cee-Lo Green's latest album called The Lady Killer

Listed my Favorite Albums of 2010

Checked out a collection of Tweety & Sylvester cartoons on DVD

Reviewed RJD2's first album under his new alter ego The Insane Warrior called We Are The Doorways (a song is embedded below)

Reviewed the latest (and potentially final) Go! Team album called Rolling Blackouts

Blinded by Sound

My inaugural review for this site takes a listen to Daft Punk's score to Tron Legacy

My goal for 2011 is to create more content versus 2010. With three sites to contribute to (Blogcritics, Blinded by Sound, and ThaHipHop), I just might achieve it.

Two New Music Reviews

2010-11-01T00:31:00.002-05:00

I have finished two new music reviews for Blogcritics since I last posted. First, I reviewed Good Things, the new album by Aloe Blacc. Here's an excerpt:

The album calls to mind the soul music of the 1960s and 1970s but at the same time, feels current. Those frustrated by current R & B music can find solace here as this album is full of great songwriting and memorable vocals.

My other review is of Royksopp's latest instrumental album Senior. Here is an excerpt:

Where their last album was club-friendly, this one is more mellow and more freeform in nature. The result is an excellent work that is at times beautiful, haunting, and sad.

Hopefully, you'll enjoy both reviews.

New Review: The Middle - Season One

2010-09-20T14:25:00.003-05:00

My latest review of the first season of The Middle is up on Blogcritics. Here's an excerpt:

If you did write this show off last season, then you missed a great comedy that deserves more acclaim. Now, you have a chance to catch up with this hilarious show with the release of the season one DVD set.

Coming Up Next...

2010-09-09T01:25:00.002-05:00

The next things on my writing agenda are reviews of the first season of The Middle and Royksopp's new album Senior. These two things will definitely happen because they are assigned to me. Everything else I mention below is not guaranteed.

I want to cover as many of the new show premieres as possible. My DVR will be my friend in this endeavor although Monday September 20 will be a bitch as no less than five new shows premiere across the broadcast networks on this day.

If I think about enough movies, I may do a list of great flops of the last few years. My love of Scott Pilgrim vs The World and Speed Racer made me consider this.

I don't know if I'll get any great ideas in my head for posts but I am considering doing creative writing again. Every time I walked in Borders to kill time while waiting for my sister to pick me up, it inspired me. Once I got home, though, the inspiration disappeared.

Here's What You've Missed

2010-08-10T00:28:00.002-05:00

It's been a while since I've posted here. I haven't quite had the urge to do so but that doesn't mean I haven't done at least a little writing. So, here's the stuff I've done since the last post...

The first review is that of the re-issue of Passion Pit's debut album Manners. It was on my fave albums of 2009 list and the new version adds two bonus tracks. Here's an excerpt from the review which was first published on Blogcritics back in May:

The biggest test of an album is how it holds up over time. My opinions of some albums have changed over time and not necessarily for the better. Fortunately, Manners remains excellent nearly a year after its initial release. The three bonus tracks may not be enough for fans to double-dip but this release is perfect for anyone just discovering the group.

Next up, is a review of Janelle Monae's debut full-length The ArchAndroid. It's a likely shoo-in for one of my favorite albums of 2010. Here's an excerpt from the article which was first published on Blogcritics in June:

Monae tackles a wide variety of styles on this release from R & B/soul to rock, pop, and electronic. While it could have been a disjointed mishmash of an album, instead it's wonderful from start to finish. The ArchAndroid is endlessly creative and marks the official arrival of a unique voice in music.

Then, for a change, a DVD review. This one is of the Tom & Jerry: Deluxe Anniversary Collection. The H-B cartoons are great. Everything else is a little questionable. Here's an excerpt from that review also first published on Blogcritics in June:

To mark the occasion, Warner Bros. has released a new Deluxe Anniversary Collection DVD featuring 30 cartoons that span nearly every aspect of the Tom & Jerry legacy. Animation enthusiasts and collectors who have picked up the Spotlight Collection releases will probably be a bit disappointed. However, if you're a fan who just wants some cat-and-mouse antics at a reasonable price, this set is for you.

Finally, here's my most recent review. It's of The Chemical Brothers newest release Further. Further is not only a departure for the electronic duo...it's their best album in years. Here's an excerpt from that review which was first published on Blogcritics just a couple of days ago:

In a bold move, their new album contains just eight songs and no featured guest stars. Relying only on themselves (and a sparingly used female vocalist), the duo has crafted one of their best albums in years and an experience best enjoyed as a whole.

Well, that gets you up to date on my writing activities. I want to get back to blogging in the near future. I won't make any promises because when it comes to this blog, I usually don't keep them. Instead, I'll ask you to keep watching this space.

CD Review: More Malice by Snoop Dogg

2010-04-24T02:48:00.000-05:00

In December 2009, Snoop Dogg released the full-length album Malice N Wonderland. It was a solid effort from the rapper spawning hits such as "I Wanna Rock," and "Gangsta Luv" featuring The Dream. Just a few months after releasing this album, Snoop returns with the new EP More Malice. Containing mostly new material, More Malice is more of a mixed bag than its predecessor.

More Malice contains eight tracks with five of them being brand-new. Three tracks are repeats from Malice N Wonderland. Two of them are remixes of songs that feature added guest stars ("Gangsta Luv" appears in its original version) . Fresh off The Blueprint 3, Jay-Z makes an appearance on "I Wanna Rock (The Kings G-Mix)." He pays tribute to "It Takes Two" in his verse, which is appropriate since "I Wanna Rock" samples the hip-hop classic.

Bun B joins Soulja Boy Tell 'Em on the G-Mix of "Pronto," one of the worst songs on Malice N Wonderland. Bun B does elevate the proceedings a bit but this track remains pretty bad. The main problem with this song is the terrible chorus by Soulja Boy Tell 'Em. Some voices still sound okay with Auto Tune but Soulja Boy's does not. Any momentum the verses have is killed every time the chorus is played again.

Kid Cudi joins Snoop Dogg on "That Tree," the best of the brand-new tracks. The unlikely duo work well together on this surprisingly fun song fueled by wonderful production by Diplo. "You're Gonna Luv Me" has Snoop showing a bit of his softer side. “So Gangsta” is notable mainly for its appearance by Butch Cassidy who tries mightily to fill Nate Dogg's shoes.

Things take a harder turn on "Protocol" and "House Shoes." Both tracks feature Snoop by himself rapping with no hook for at least three minutes. "Protocol" is more interesting lyrically with a dismissal of rappers who use Auto-Tune ("We hit licks and gang bang / You on some T-Pain shit") and a comment on the lack of recognition for West Coast artists ("How the fuck ya'll gonna keep havin' all these award shows on the West Coast but ain't no mother fuckers from the West Coast winning no awards?"). "House Shoes" has a more interesting sound with some Arabian-style strings mixed with some sparse drums.

While it's nice that More Malice isn't a re-release of Malice N Wonderland, there isn't enough here to warrant a purchase. The G-Mixes are kind of unnecessary especially when one of them is of a bad song. The new songs are the highlights of the release but most of them (apart from "That Tree") don't make much of a real impact. More Malice might be an okay purchase if you get the CD/DVD version or if you want just the singles from Malice N Wonderland. Otherwise, Snoop fans should just buy a download of "That Tree" and wait for his next full-length album.

Music Review: The Colossus by RJD2

2010-02-08T22:46:00.002-06:00

Three years after taking a detour into pop/rock with The Third Hand, artist/producer RJD2 returns with his new album The Colossus. The first album released through RJD2's own record label, The Colossus is his first major album to feature hip-hop in six years. While it isn't without some missteps, this album is a welcome return to form.

The album kicks off in grand fashion with the excellent instrumental “Let There Be Horns.” The song, with its forceful horns and strings, is a bit of a proclamation of RJD2's return. The track even ends with a chorus of cheers and applause in the background.

The other instrumental tracks fare pretty well too. Live flute courtesy of Heather Fortune give “Tin Flower” a mellow feel that gets utterly destroyed by the end of the song. “Small Plans” is a sort of controlled chaos as vocal samples, electronics, and other instruments shift around each other. Vocal samples are also put to good use on “The Stranger,” the creepy cousin of “The Horror.”

While The Colossus has RJD2 returning to hip-hop, it is not without some pop elements. Fortunately, he seems to have learned from his previous album and handed off most of the vocal work. Kenna is a welcome presence on “Games You Can Win.” Their styles work well together and hopefully, this is not the last time they collaborate.

Phonte Coleman of Little Brother and The Foreign Exchange shows off his singing chops on “The Shining Path.” The song has a nice, old-school R & B feel to it complete with some nice harmonies. There is also one vocal hip-hop track, “A Son's Cycle” featuring The Catalyst, Illogic, and NP. The lyrics aren't much to write home about but the production is amazing. The beat doesn't stay the same and changes to fit each MC.

The Colossus falters mainly whenever RJD2 decides to provide vocals. “Gypsy Caravan” is a failed attempt at 1960's-style rock. It's out-of-place to the point that it is almost unintentionally funny. On the other hand, “The Glow” is polarizing. It's a song you kind of like and hate at the same time. There are elements here that could make a great song but they're spoiled by silly lyrics. The main refrain of “Got the glow! / Got the glow!” is a little annoying but manages to stay in your head. What “The Glow” seems to be going for is better achieved in the album's closer “Walk With Me.” That track, with its bouncy, old-school beat is genuinely fun from start to finish.

If there's one theme that runs throughout The Colossus, it is acknowledging your past and looking towards the future. The album is balanced between the hip-hop fans have come to expect and the pop leanings of his more recent work. It contains a sequel to “Salud,” an interlude from Deadringer as well as subtle reference to that album's “Introduction.” It is a solid album from one of the more interesting and innovative artists out there, hip-hop or otherwise. There's no telling if RJD2's next work will be more pop-oriented, more hip-hop oriented, or something else entirely. However, as long as he focuses on making good music, we will be anticipating what's next.

My Favorite Albums of 2009

2010-01-12T18:18:00.000-06:00

Another year has ended which means it's time for my annual Favorite Albums list. These are the albums that never stayed too far away from my ears in 2009. Of the twelve albums on my list, three of them are debut albums, three of them are “sequels” to great hip-hop albums, two of them weren't heard by me until December, and one is a mixtape.

Before we get to the main attraction, here are the honorable mentions:

Ancient Astronauts – We Are To Answer: The debut from the German duo is a solid combination of hip-hop and other genres that was sadly overlooked.

Animal Collective – Fall Be Kind EP: I never put EPs on my Favorite Albums list so this year-end release ends up here. I'm still amazed that they managed to legally sample The Grateful Dead.

Alex Goose – Blueprint 3 Outtakes: This collection of beats submitted (and apparently rejected) for Jay-Z's album is really quite good. Download it for free right now to hear for yourself.

Basement Jaxx – Scars: I am a fan of this duo but I haven't listened to this album enough to put it on my list.

Peter Bjorn & John – Living Thing: This is the first album I've ever listened to from the duo and I definitely enjoyed it.

Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix: I listened to it and liked it, but I haven't listened to it enough to warrant inclusion on my list.

Wu-Tang – Chamber Music: While it's not a proper Wu-Tang Clan album, it is a nice tribute/throwback to the 1990's style of Wu-Tang music.

Now, on to my Favorite Albums list, arranged alphabetically by artist name:

Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion: Animal Collective's music is an acquired taste but this album made it a little more palatable. This doesn't mean that their sound is suddenly conventional. That's not the case in the slightest. It just means that it's easier to enjoy the underlying sweetness beneath the upbeat “My Girls” or the ubridled joy that ends “Brother Sport.” Things still get a bit odd like the didgeridoo on “Lion in A Coma” or the way “Daily Routine” spends much of its running time threatening to drift away. There's no telling what direction this group will go on their next full-length but I'm pretty sure it won't be anywhere near boring.

Chester French – Love The Future: The debut album by pop duo Chester French (aka D.A. Wallach & Max Drummey) is an overlooked gem. The duo condenses influences far and wide into an album that's inventive and ambitious. The production is more lush than you would expect and the music keeps you guessing. The country feel of “Beneath The Veil” is immediately followed by the bounce of “Neal,” which almost sounds like a lost track from The Love Below. “The Jimmy Choos” turns dark towards the end while “Sleep” gets really strange. The “Country Interlude” is, in reality, neither country nor a real interlude. I can't wait to hear what these guys do next.

Drake – So Far Gone Mixtape: As someone who used to watch Degrassi: The Next Generation, I never imagined that the guy who played Jimmy Brooks would become 2009's hip-hop wunderkind. However, this mixtape erased any doubts and showcased Drake's boundless talent. While it's surprising that this originally free mixtape spawned two hit singles, what's more surprising to me is how self-assured it is. With its moody, enigmatic feel, it seems less like a mixtape and more like an album. Even when rapping over others' beats, they are from the likes of Peter Bjorn & John, Lykke Li, and Santigold. It makes sense that Drake is taking a long time to prepare his proper debut. This mixtape is a hard act to follow.

Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest: This album is the latest addition to my favorite albums of 2009 list. Before this album, I had never heard of Grizzly Bear, much less heard any of their music. The only reason I decided to check out this album is because I saw it on various year-end lists. The fact that it made my list should give you an idea how good this album is. Veckatimest is ear candy, plain and simple. It's easy to get lost in the album's relaxed atmosphere but when you actually pay attention, you're rewarded with fantastic arrangements and harmonies. After listening to this album, I plan to spend some of 2010 exploring Grizzly Bear's other work.

Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3: Of the three hip-hop “sequels” on my list, this one had the highest profile and the biggest sales. Jay-Z proved once and for all that he doesn't have to reference drugs to be on his A-game. This is a polished, mainstream hip-hop album. Jay-Z doesn't try to reinvent the wheel (most of the producers on this album have worked with him multiple times) but does deliver some solid music. I really liked the New York love letter “Empire State of Mind,” the “Did-he-just-say-that?” lyrics of “Thank You,” and the message of “D. O. A. (Death of Autotune).” While this album is not better than The Blueprint, it's more worthy of the name than the lackluster Blueprint 2.

Kid Cudi – Man On The Moon: The End of Day: Kid Cudi burst onto the scene with the hypnotic single “Day N Nite” and his debut also stands out from the crowd. Cudi sings, raps, and everything in-between on this quasi-concept album featuring narration by Common. His unique sound pairs introspective lyrics with a sonic backdrop that includes elements of hip-hop, pop, rock, and electronic music. Whether he's trading rhymes with Common and Kanye West over a Lady Gaga sample on “Make Her Say” or teaming up with MGMT on “Pursuit of Happiness,” Kid Cudi is anything but typical.

Maxwell – BLACKsummers' Night: It can be difficult for an artist to make a new album after a long hiatus, but Maxwell makes it seem effortless with this release. He eschews modern R & B trends and instead focuses on making excellent, timeless music. With only nine tracks and a running time of less than 40 minutes, everything has to be well-made in order for the album not to fail. Thankfully, that's the case from the beautiful “Pretty Wings” to the sparse “Playing Possum” and the electronic-tinged instrumental “Phoenix Rise.” If this album really is the first of a proposed trilogy, we can only hope the other parts are just as wonderful to listen to.

Method Man & Redman – Blackout! 2: It took 10 years for Method Man and Redman to reunite for another album but thank goodness they did. Hip-hop has changed a lot in the time between the first and second Blackout! but Meth and Red have not. They don't try to use autotune on every track or imitate younger, more popular artists. They just deliver the same brand of playful music that made them beloved back in the 1990's. As someone with fond memories of that era of hip-hop, I found it refreshing to hear these two together once again.

Mos Def – The Ecstatic: I have not been that fond of the music Mos Def has released since his superb solo debut Black on Both Sides. However, this album made me a believer again. He raps more than he sings. He sounds genuinely excited to be making music. His lyrics are good and the beats are appropriately daring. It takes a little time to appreciate what Mos Def has done here. Once you do, it's hard not to like the energetic “Supermagic,” the Black Star reunion “History” featuring Talib Kweli, or the addictive drums of “Quiet Dog.” Enthusiastic artist + great music = Ecstatic listener.

Passion Pit – Manners: This album is another relatively late addition to my favorite albums of 2009 list. I heard their song “Sleepyhead” in a commercial for the Palm Pixi, sought out their music, and now their debut full-length release is on this list. There's something unusually intoxicating about this album that I can't quite put my finger on. On paper, this music shouldn't work. The voice of lead singer Michael Angelakos is high-pitched and teeters between endearing and annoying. There are electronic and indie rock elements with splashes of funky 1980's pop and even the occasional children's choir. Somehow, it all makes sense together and the result is a blast to listen to. This is one case where I'm glad I sat through a commercial.

Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Pt. II: The original Only Built 4 Cuban Linx not only stands as one of the best Wu-Tang Clan solo albums ever, but also as one of the best hip-hop albums released in the 1990's. It seemed almost crazy for Raekwon to make a follow-up to such a seminal album but 14 years later, that's exactly what happened. Fortunately, this album turned out to be very good. Raekwon assembled a dream team of producers for this endeavor. It includes production by hip-hop greats such as Dr. Dre, Pete Rock, The RZA, Marley Marl, J. Dilla, and Erick Sermon among others. The gritty crime narratives of the original album return as well as the presence of Ghostface Killah on multiple tracks. The original album may be better but this “sequel” is a great album that stands on its own merits.

Royksopp – Junior: This is the third wonderfully crafted album by the electronic duo and it manages to evoke both of their previous albums without feeling like a retread. A variety of tracks from the bubbly “Happy Up Here” to the dark, epic pop of “The Girl and The Robot” keep things fresh throughout. The collaborations with unique female voices such as Robyn, Lykke Li, Anneli Drecker, and Karen Dreijer-Andersson also give the album a backbone that helps it stand apart. However, just like their previous works, this release leaves you begging for more even as you find more to like about it.

Check out a playlist featuring tracks from 11 of the 12 albums on this list on MOG.

1000

2009-10-23T02:52:00.000-05:00

This post is the 1000th post since I started Sterfish's Place nearly six years ago.

1000.

It's such a large number for me that it's hard to process. It doesn't seem like I've written that many posts over the years. My output for this blog, my original blog, has slowed down considerably in the past couple of years. It's gone through many failed experiments, vows to “post more,” and other lofty goals I didn't make. I've gone from very actively trying to promote it to sometimes making it no more than a repository of my reviews for other sites. Still, it's quite a milestone for me.

A lot has changed across 1000 posts. This blog used to be as much about my life as much as it is about reviews. That's not so much the case anymore, perhaps for the better. Even as what I post changes, there is one thing that hasn't: my love of writing and blogging.

Here's to the next 1000 posts. May they be just as fun to write as the first 1000.

DVD Review: Big Windup! – Part One (Episodes 1-13)

2009-10-08T01:47:00.001-05:00

The new anime series Big Windup! is one of the select few sports-related anime series to ever get released in America. Based on the manga by Asa Higuchi, the show is now available on DVD in a Part One set collecting the first 13 episodes. This drama about a fledgling high school baseball team is filled with appealing characters, good sports action, and strong character development. Whether you're an anime fan, a sports fan, or neither, Big Windup! certainly entertains.

The story begins with Ren Mihashi, a student who has transferred from the private Mihoshi Academy (which his grandfather owns) to the public Nishiura High School. As the ace pitcher for Mihoshi's baseball team in middle school, he was blamed by the team for their losing record. Many felt that nepotism was the only reason Mihashi was the ace in the first place.

Mihashi is a character you will either feel sorry for or hate with a passion. He's a bit of a mess who startles easily, acts awkward around others, and is prone to crying. When he's recruited for Nishiura's new baseball team, he's paired with the team's catcher, Takaya Abe. Abe is pretty much the complete opposite of Mihashi. An intelligent, confident player, Abe is easily annoyed by Mihashi's quirks. However, he's also the one who realizes the true extent of Mihashi's talent.

One of the major strengths of Big Windup! is the way it handles its characters. The first major arc of the series, where the team takes on Mihashi's former teammates at Mihoshi Academy in a practice game, is a good example of this. The show doesn't take the easy way out and completely vilify the Mihoshi team. Instead, it shows things from both teams' perspectives. It lets us get inside the characters' heads and find out their thoughts. As a result, the arc's ending has a bit more resonance than just simply a win or a loss.

Fortunately, the show is not too serious for its own good. There is a good amount of humor, much of it coming from the awkward relationship between Mihashi and Abe. They clash, as one character notes, “like an old married couple.” There are also some homoerotic undertones that produce both intentional and unintentional laughs. Things don't get too silly as to disrupt the drama, though.

This DVD set contains both English and Japanese language tracks (with available English subtitles). The English dub is quite good and the voice actors are well cast in their roles. Listening to the show in English makes some of the more technical scenes easier to digest. The extras on the set are few, consisting only of textless versions of the opening and ending along with some trailers.

Watching Big Windup! makes you wonder why more sports-themed anime aren't brought over. It makes the sport of baseball appealing in a way that's not unrealistic or over-the-top. It also gives non-fans and casual fans a good idea of how much effort really goes into the game. This Part One set definitely leaves you wanting more and with the Part Two set also available, you don't have to wait long.

If you're interested in checking out the show without buying the DVD set, the first four episodes of the show are available to view on a number of sites including Hulu, YouTube, Anime News Network, and Funimation.com.

[Note: Look for the review of the Part Two DVD set to appear on Blogcritics very soon.]

Movie Review: Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs

2009-09-24T17:06:00.001-05:00

Based on the children's book by Judi and Ron Barrett, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs gleefully takes the simple idea of food raining from the sky to ridiculous, over-the-top proportions. What could've been a flashy but uninteresting movie is instead filled with humor, heart, and action. An amazing voice cast, wonderful animation, and a nice 3D presentation all help make this movie a lot of fun.

The story revolves around Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader), an inventor whose creations always seem to wreak havoc in his hometown of Swallow Falls. The town, housed on a small island “under the 'A' in the Atlantic” Ocean, has fallen on hard times. The town's sardine canning plant has closed down and now the residents live only on the leftover sardines.

Hoping to save the town, Flint invents a machine that turns water into food. In an attempt to get the machine working, he launches it into the stratosphere. This destroys the theme park the town banked on to draw tourists. Suddenly, cheeseburgers rain from the sky and everything changes. No one has to eat sardines any longer and the town has something to put it on the map. However, when the machine starts to get overworked, even stranger things start to happen.

When a movie features the credit “A Film By A Lot of People,” you know that it doesn't take itself seriously. Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs has a hip, fresh feel without seeming forced or edgy. There are a lot of great gags throughout the film, including many background gags that callback to things seen earlier in the movie. The movie also pokes fun at Jerry Bruckheimer-esque blockbusters, especially in its action scenes.

The proceedings are also helped by an all-star cast of supporting characters. Anna Faris voices the female lead, Sam Sparks. She is an intern at Weather News Network who gets her big chance covering the food weather of Swallow Falls. There is more to Sam than meets the eye as she and Flint have more in common than you'd expect.

James Caan voices Flint's father Tim, a gruff widower who doesn't really know how to communicate with his son. Mr. T voices the energetic and ultra-athletic cop Earl and Bill Hader's SNL castmate Andy Samberg voices Brent, the town's local celebrity. Other voices include Neil Patrick Harris, Al Roker, Bruce Campbell, Will Forte, Lauren Graham, and Benjamin Bratt, who is hilarious (and unrecognizable) in his small role.

The animation in this film is top-notch. The movie has a cartoony style that fits the material. The animators do a great job with everything thrown at them whether it's a tornado made of spaghetti or a flying car evading slices of pizza. The digital 3D presentation is very nice as well. The whole “objects flying out the screen” cliché is thankfully not overused. The 3D isn't a must but it certainly makes the movie a little more fun to watch.

First-time feature directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller (best known for the animated series Clone High) have crafted a really fun and delightful film in Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs. They packed a lot into the movie's short running time but it all works. This is another winner for Sony Pictures Animation after the supremely underrated Surf's Up. More movies like this and they'll provide some real competition for the Disney/Pixar, Dreamworks, and Blue Sky trifecta.

CD Review: The Ecstatic by Mos Def

2009-08-22T03:53:00.001-05:00

In recent years, Mos Def has become more well-known for his acting than his music. His latest album suggests that it should be the other way around. With a unique sound all its own, The Ecstatic is one of the more intriguing hip-hop albums released so far this year. While its quirks take some getting used to, this album is certainly worth your time.

The feel of this album is quite different from a lot of hip-hop efforts. Most of the tracks on the album (nine out of sixteen) are less than three minutes long. Three of those tracks are less than two minutes long.

However, don't let the length of the tracks fool you. None of them are pointless interludes or skits. Every track actually feels like a song. “Priority,” with its deceptively simple beat courtesy of producer Preservation, is both a highlight of the album and its shortest track.

Working with a variety of producers, Mos Def has created some interesting sounds for The Ecstatic. One thing that stands out is the use of Eastern music samples. “Supermagic,” gets the album off to a rousing start with passionate sampled vocals and some funky guitar. The stellar “Auditorium” glides over some beautiful strings with a Bollywood feel. The Madlib-produced track is aided by the appearance of hip-hop legend Slick Rick.

“The Embassy” starts off as a skit taking place on an airplane and becomes something else entirely. A smooth beat is interchanged with a jangling, Eastern music sample. Other tracks on the album sound closer to what many would expect of Mos Def. He reunites with Black Star colleague Talib Kweli on “History,”and teams with Georgia Anne Muldrow on the R & B-tinged “Roses.” The album's closer, “Casa Bey,” has him riding a jazzy track.

The Ecstatic is a solid album from start to finish. The production is top-notch and its sound makes it stand out from a lot of other hip-hop albums. Mos Def thankfully spends more time rapping than singing as well. The only thing about this album is that it can take some time to get into. Traditional song structures are thrown to the wind on some of the tracks here and that can be jarring.

However, this is an album that gets better with each listen as you begin to appreciate what Mos Def is doing. If you are a Mos Def fan or someone looking for hip-hop that's a bit more artistic, you should check out this album.

The New TV

2009-08-01T04:23:00.001-05:00

A little while back, I blogged about my experience with TV's and how my sister's TV made me want to get a new one for the first time. Well, I took the plunge and bought my first-ever brand-new TV. Of course, I didn't decide to get a new TV just on a whim. I had an "excuse."

The TV in our basement, where my sister and I have set up our Wii, essentially went haywire. It suddenly would cut itself on and off and go to full volume (without letting you turn it down). The interesting thing about this is that this TV was one of the newest in the house. It was barely three years old and until my sister got her TV, it was the only TV in the house with a digital tuner.

I guess it was a case of "you get what you pay for" as not only did the TV come from Wal-Mart but it was also less than $150. Still, considering that it wasn't used all that much compared to the other TV's in the house, it didn't last as long as I thought it would.

Anyway, with that TV out of commission, it meant that there was no TV to use for the Wii. The basement is the only logical place to put the Wii because it's the largest area in our house and the only one where multiple people could play without hitting something. This made me decide to buy a new TV so I could take my previous TV (which still works) downstairs for us to play Wii on.

I narrowed down my choices to two TV's. One was exactly like my sister's and the other was larger, and slightly more expensive. I decided to splurge on the larger one. It's a 26" Insignia HDTV and I've been enjoying it quite a bit in the few days I've had it. I have an HD DVR (just like my sister) and I've been watching random stuff I normally wouldn't watch just to see it in HD.

Insignia is one of Best Buy's private brands and although my previous experiences with Best Buy store brands have been hit-or-miss (computer mouse--good, portable CD player--bad), I'm kind of glad I got this TV. For one thing, it came with a component video cord and a VGA cord. It also came with a remote control holder.

One side note: How come animation looks so much better in HD than live action? Many of the Disney Channel's animated shows are done in HD and they look spectacular. Even a show like The Replacements just pops.

Lately, I had been spending more time at the computer than watching TV in my room. Now with my new TV, the reverse is true.

10 Years Is A Long Time

2009-07-28T02:30:00.000-05:00

The other day at work, I saw someone I went to high school with. I had not seen that guy since I graduated. When I saw him, it dawned upon me how much time has passed. It's been 10 years since I graduated high school.

I don't associate with any of the people I went to high school with now. There are a few reasons for that. For one thing, I didn't have any good friends in high school. I knew and connected with a decent amount of people (especially considering that in general, I'm shy) but I never hung out with them after school or over the summer. I saw them at school, talked with them, and that was it.

Also, I graduated in the days before social networks. Hell, I didn't own a real computer of my own until I went to college. It's a lot easier to keep in touch with people now if you want to.

Frankly, I didn't really like high school that much. I went to a small Catholic school from K-8 and it was a jarring experience for me to go to a large public high school. I got picked on somewhat throughout my time there and many people made assumptions about me.

The guy who I saw at work was actually one of the people who did pick on me a bit. In hindsight, nothing he did was really that bad. However, considering that I was quite unhappy in high school and that I had no real friends, it was really annoying at the time.

Whenever you see movies with high school reunions, the general rule seems to be that the nerdy guys change for the better and the douchebags remain douchebags. The guy I saw at work was surprisingly easygoing towards me compared to the way he was in high school. People can and do change. Ten years is a long time.

Tales From The Workplace: The Most Annoying Customer Ever

2009-07-23T22:36:00.002-05:00

Today's installment of the new Tales From The Workplace series involves the most annoying, nerve-wrecking customer I have ever dealt with. This story involves everything from general douchebaggery to essentially sexual harassment. And, once again, it's all true.

My encounters with this customer took place a couple of years ago, when I was an associate working on the sales floor. The customer in question was a married man, likely in his 30's. When I first met him, he came to the store looking for bikes for himself and his wife. I talked to him and showed him the various bikes we had.

He found one bike he liked and that's when things started to get weird. This guy is one of those people who chats up everyone he meets but instead of coming off as a nice guy, he comes off as a little creepy. He found one bike he liked and started riding it in the store (a big no-no). He liked the bike so much, he felt the need to go up to every other customer who came into the area. He didn't just tell them about the bike, he essentially made them get on the bike to try it for themselves.

He did this to two people. The first person was an attractive woman. He charmed her and had her get on the bike (which was way too big for her). It seemed like the guy was just a natural flirt and certainly enjoyed helping this woman without his wife around.

The second person he did this to, however, was quite different. A young, muscular white guy in a sleeveless shirt and shorts came by the department. The man chatted him up too, asking about his football team (the guy had on a high school tee), his workout regime, and happily commenting on how buff he was. He then also asked this guy to ride the bike too. It wasn't exactly the same as the incident with the woman as he was less touchy feely. However, it still felt a bit odd.

The man would come back a couple more times to the store and most of the associates on the floor did not want to deal with him. Hell, even the store manager at the time didn't want to deal with him. Trying to sell to him was like trying to sell to an uncontrollable pixie. At times, it felt like he had adult ADD.

However, the final incident with him was the last straw for me. The man, his wife, and his kid all came to the store as he finally decided to buy bikes for himself and his wife. I was at the register with him and he saw one of the female cashiers. She was black and had what another associate called a "stupid big booty." He quietly started making lewd comments to me about her. He then looked down at my crotch and told me that it looked like I was reacting to her too.

While I was uncomfortable, I didn't let it faze me and just ignored his comment. His wife noticed my discomfort, though, and it led to something even more bizarre. I left the register area to continue working when his wife caught me. She asked me what her husband told me and I didn't really say anything. Then she dropped this bombshell: "I'm asking because I want to know if I have a gay husband."

I told her exactly what he said and she then apologized for him. When he saw me after the conversation with his wife, he shrugged it off saying that "women don't understand how men talk."

I've helped plenty of customers who were annoying but none of them can top the married man with the douchebag personality who flirts with anything that walks, makes secret lewd comments to me about my co-workers, and managed to make his wife ask me if he was gay.

Tales From The Workplace

2009-07-20T03:50:00.000-05:00

I have a notorious history of starting up series of posts on this blog then letting them die. This time, though, I might have one that will stick.

Introducing the first installment of Tales From The Workplace. These are true stories from my job as a cashier at a sporting goods store. Obviously, I'm not going to name any names but I also will not embellish these stories. The truth is usually far more interesting than anything I could come up with.

Today's story involves an older Italian-American mother and her adult son. One of my fellow co-workers was helping the mother as her son (who had to be at least in his late 20's or early 30's) hung around the register. He was looking at the gum we sell by the piece on the counter. I rung him up for a piece and he started chewing (and enjoying) it.

We also sell the gum in bags and he put a couple of bags on the counter next to the stuff he was getting. The mother comes back with some clothes and sees the gum. She turns around to her son and tells him how the sugared gum is bad for him. She says "Fuhgettaboutit" and puts the bags of gum back.

The mother goes back to look for more clothes and the son, who was sitting in a chair by the register, approaches the counter. He picks up the bag of gum his mother put back and proceeds to get a couple more. He tells me to ring him up and motions for me to do it quickly.

He takes the bags of gum and hides them in the box of one of the pairs of shoes he's getting. The son says to me "Don't tell my mom I bought these."

Let me restate this. A grown man asked me to hide his purchase of some gum from his mother. Now, I've seen husbands tell me that they're defying their wives by buying some golf clubs or kids pestering their mother or father for some candy. But in the four years I've been at my job, that is the first time I've ever seen a grown man try to hid any purchase from his mother.

I didn't say a word about the gum to his mother when she came back to buy her and her son's stuff. I even opted not to open the box of shoes where the man hid the gum. I aided and abetted the man's sugary gum sneakery.

I have to wonder. If that man is so afraid of his mother that he'd hide a purchase of some gum, what would've happened to me if I made a mistake while ringing her up?

CD Review: We Are To Answer by Ancient Astronauts

2009-07-16T05:26:00.000-05:00

After spending years remixing for others, German duo Ancient Astronauts have dropped their debut album We Are To Answer. Featuring hip-hop tracks alongside songs from other genres, this album has a surprising amount of variety that will appeal to hip-hop and non-hip-hop fans alike.

A mix of vocal tracks and instrumentals make up the 13 tracks of We Are To Answer. "I Came Running" is the first real song on the album and it's a dark, somewhat enigmatic instrumental. Moody vocal samples and keyboards help set the tone. While it is a very good song in its own right, it also feels like it could be the perfect backdrop for the right rapper.

"Everybody," another instrumental that appears later on the album, is almost the complete opposite of "I Came Running." It's an upbeat and funky crowd-pleaser. The drums are quite forceful here and the use of other types of percussion liven things up. The pace is quicker and less deliberate. The song floats by so quickly, you'll be surprised when it ends.

The first vocal track on We Are To Answer is "Classic" and this song very nearly lives up to its title. Imani and Bootie Brown of legendary hip-hop group The Pharcyde appear on the track, which is one of the best moments on the album. A great beat and well-timed scratches courtesy of DJ Icewater make this song instantly appealing, especially to fans of the earlier days of hip-hop. Raashan Ahmad of Crown City Rockers appears on the album's other standout vocal hip-hop track, "Risin High." The rather low-key beat lets Ahmad's lyrical gifts shine easily.

There is more than hip-hop to be found on We Are To Answer as Ancient Astronauts dabble in other genres. The instrumental "Dark Green Rod" is a drum and bass song benefited by Ulf Stricker's live drums. Two vocal tracks feature reggae sounds. The better of the two is "All of The Things You Do," featuring Tippa Irie. It's a fun, catchy track with a deeper message than you expect. Another instrumental track, "Lost in Marrakesh," has a smooth world music sound reminiscent of Thievery Corporation.

Kabanjak and Dogu, the members of Ancient Astronauts, have created something that will appeal to hip-hop fans and beyond in We Are To Answer. The duo's ease in shifting from hip-hop to reggae to electronic music in the short span of this album is quite remarkable. Works like this can often have a disjointed feel that can frustrate listeners. Even with a couple of missteps, that feeling is nowhere to be found here. We Are To Answer is an immensely enjoyable album and further proof of hip-hop's global reach.

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

2009-06-25T19:35:00.000-05:00

The King of Pop has passed away. He was a phenomenal artist and a polarizing figure in the later years of his life. I feel for his family and his three children. I don't know what's worse...people who hated him suddenly saying that he was a great person or the inevitable deluge of nastiness that will surround his death. Larry King said it best when he talked about his death. "He gave us his talent. Let's celebrate that."

When Is Diet Soda Not Diet?

2009-06-11T14:35:00.004-05:00

When you hear the term "Diet" in regards to beverages, you assume the drink is going to be sugar free. That is the case for virtually every Diet drink from Diet Pepsi to Diet Green Tea. However, I found out recently that some companies (or at least the Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group) have been using the word "Diet" to simply mean "lower-calorie."

My sister purchased some Diet Crush Orange the other day for our mom. Our mother is a Type I diabetic and she likes orange pop, so it seemed like a no-brainer. Then, when I tried a can of it, I looked at the nutrition facts and discovered that this drink wasn't sugarfree. The second ingredient after carbonated water is the ubiquitous high-fructose corn syrup.

One can of "Diet" Orange Crush has 25 calories and six grams of carbohydrates. To be fair, this is a lot lower than regular Crush but it is certainly misleading. Why? Well, maybe because nearly every other Diet beverage has 5 calories or less and almost all of them do not have or sugar in them.

A big trend in drinks is to mix regular and sugarfree sweeteners. However, most companies do not call drinks with this mix "Diet." Vitamin Water has been touting its Vitamin Water 10 as having 10 calories per serving. It mixes crystalline fructose with the new natural sugar-free sweetener Truvia. However, nowhere in its advertising does the word "diet" appear.

The same can also be said for Propel, which mixes HCFS, simple syrup (sucrose syrup) and artificial sweeteners. A bottle of Propel usually has about 30 calories but, again, it is never described as "diet."

If any word is used to describe the mix of regular and sugarfree sweeteners it is "Light." That's what Minute Maid uses to describe its Lemonade with fewer calories. Again, the word "diet" isn't used.

The use of the word "Diet" on Diet Crush Orange may not seem like a big thing, but it's troubling for those who want (or need) to avoid sugar/HFCS-sweetened products. The Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group should seriously consider either changing the name of their product to remove "Diet" or making it clear on their packaging that this product is not sugarfree.

The TV, The TV

2009-05-27T00:38:00.003-05:00

After really watching HD, I think I want a new TV. Although I don't really watch TV in my room, I probably would if I had a nice, mid-size HDTV.

My history with TVs in my bedroom is surprisingly lame.

I can't remember exactly how old I was when I got my first TV in my bedroom. I want to say I was maybe 12 years old or something like that. My first TV was a 20-inch Zenith with a dial for VHF and a dial for UHF. It became my TV when we got a new TV for our living room. The TV that was in that room became mine.

That TV was not cable ready and it was so old that you needed a special attachment in order to hook cable to it (the antenna connection involved screws). I have fond memories of staying up late on Friday nights (the only weeknight I could stay up) and watching The Tonight Show on that TV.

When that TV konked out, the next TV I got was the first (of two) that would come courtesy of one of my grandmother's friends. It was the first cable ready TV I had and the first TV with a remote. It was brown and the channel number was visible on a red LED display on the right side of the TV. The one main thing I remember about that TV was how I had to push the buttons really hard in order to go to a channel.

When that TV stopped working, I got my current TV. It also came from my grandmother's friend and it's notable for being the first TV with inputs on it (mono though...it's not stereo). It's not really a bad TV. The picture is just a little too dark. I never really noticed it until my family had to use it as our living room TV while I was at school. Watching stuff on that TV looked a lot darker than on any other TV in the house.

Even though I've had it for at least seven or eight years, it hasn't stopped working yet. It illustrates one thing about me...I'm reluctant to spend a lot of money at once. I could afford a new TV right now but I can't just drop $300 without doing some research. I buy a lot of stuff I don't really need (DVDs and CDs especially) but I rationalize it because it's in small doses. Spending $20 five separate times doesn't seem as bad as spending $100 at once.

A new TV is one of a list of things I should buy in the near future like a new bed, new bedroom furniture, and a new computer. I'm going to get one and I deserve to buy myself the first brand-new TV I've ever owned. It's going to just take time, I guess.

Updating

2009-05-27T00:06:00.003-05:00

-Yeah, so no full-on Star Trek review. I really wanted to do one but I had trouble with it. It annoys me quite a bit when I can't write the type of review I want to write. I can't bring myself to write something short and post in anywhere other than here. It's basically like if I'm going to post it some place where a lot of people could read it, I want it to be the best thing I can do. The only time I ever write a review even when it isn't the way I want it is when I have to do it (assigned review).

-I want to review the last two CD's I've bought, Divided by Night by The Crystal Method and Blackout! 2 by Method Man and Redman. My early opinion on Divided by Night is that it's kind of meh. My early opinion on Blackout! 2 is that it's quite enjoyable. Of course, the more I listen to these albums, the more that opinion could potentially change.

-Since my review copy never came, I bought the second (and final) season of Freakazoid! recently. I intend to review it. As I watch it, I'm still struck by how much it may have influenced later animated comedies. There was a gag in an episode, for example, that purposely went on for far too long. It was really reminiscent of how some Family Guy gags go on for a lot longer than they should. I can't be sure that the writers of Family Guy watched Freakazoid but it certainly caught my eye.

-I'll probably do an anime thoughts post soon but I will tell you that this season I've watched Cross Game, Eden of The East, 07-Ghost, Hanasakeru Seishounen, K-On, and Sengoku Basara.

Quick Thoughts on Star Trek

2009-05-09T03:16:00.002-05:00

I saw Star Trek on Friday morning and overall, I enjoyed it. It's a lot of fun to watch and it's a great way to introduce/reintroduce the characters of this new Star Trek universe. I want to do a full review of the film for Blogcritics but I'm not sure if I will. If I don't do that full review, I'll post a lighter one here.

DVD Review: Death Note - Volume 2 Box Set

2009-05-03T15:58:00.000-05:00

The anime version of the popular Death Note manga concludes in the Death Note Volume 2 Box Set. The series comes to an end but not before a flurry of new characters, twists, and shocking character deaths.

[Note: If you are not familiar with Death Note, you should probably check out the review of the Volume 1 Box Set first to learn about the characters and premise.]

When we last left the characters of Death Note, Light had relinquished ownership of his notebook in order to lose all his memories of it. He did this in order to gain L's trust and eliminate suspicion that he was Kira. He even arranged it so that another person, an exec at a large corporation, could continue killing as Kira in his absence. The episodes on the Death Note Volume 2 Box Set begin with L and Light working together to find the current Kira.

The current Kira is caught in dramatic fashion but when Light touches the man's notebook, all his memories involving the notebook return (as well as his evil personality). Light kills the current Kira and resumes his plans to stop L from within his organization. L and the task force also learn of the existence of shinigami, the gods of death that normally use Death Notes.

Much happens over the course of the episodes on this set. Light triumphs against one foe only to gain a brand new one just as suspicion of him grows in the Japanese anti-Kira group. He grows colder and more sinister in his attempts to keep enemies off his trail and further his goals for a new world. He manipulates a shinigami's feelings to make it do his dirty work. He exploits the affections and admirations of two different women to get them to kill as Kira. He considers killing his own sister when her kidnapping threatens his plans. He even uses his own father to attempt to kill one of his enemies. The scene with Kira in the hospital with his father shows how evil Light has truly become.

These episodes also give us a look at how the world has reacted in the years since Light first used the Death Note. Tasteless TV producers make programs appealing directly to Kira and his fans. One man even claims to be Kira's official “spokesperson” and organizes a riot against the headquarters of the new group going after Kira. People's names make them vulnerable as criminals refuse to reveal their names and kids threaten bullies with the promise of putting their names on the Internet. Even whole countries aren't immune to Kira. The President of the United States receives a call from Kira and gives in to his demands.

There are many interesting themes and questions within Death Note. However, the simplest one is that absolute power corrupts absolutely. At the beginning of the series, Light is a brilliant young man with a bright future. By the end of the series, he is a shell of his former self. He has become a sociopath with a God complex who is hellbent on ruling a new world with only those he judges worthy. The contrast between the the young man he was and the man he has become are what make the final sequences of the series so haunting.

The five-disc Death Note Volume 2 Box Set is packaged in a handsome digipack with a slipcover that mirrors the Death Note Volume 1 Box Set. Inside, you will also again find representations of the instruction pages of the Death Note (the text is different this time around). The first four discs of the set contain the episodes. The fifth disc is a brand-new bonus disc exclusive to this set.

The excellent presentation from the last set is carried over to this one with little to complain about transfer-wise. The episodes are available with both Japanese and English audio with available English subtitles. Unfortunately, the ridiculously long sequence before the main menu remains on these discs. However, the sequence is also skippable like the previous set.

There are a nice amount of extras on this set. The first four discs each feature a behind-the-scenes featurette with voice actors for the English dub of the show, audio commentary on one episode each with people involved with the English dub, and production art. The first disc also has the clean version of the show's second opening and ending.

The extras on the fifth bonus disc revolve around the original Japanese version of the show. There is a behind-the-scenes featurette with the Japanese voice actors along with an interview with the the show's animation director and character designer. There are also conversations with the Japanese cast and crew as well as the original Japanese interstitials and a larger gallery of artwork.

If you enjoyed the first Death Note anime box set, then you will likely enjoy this one too. These episodes leave you at the edge of your seat until the very end. Although things get a little confusing at times, the journey to the show's conclusion is often exciting. While this is the end of the anime series, there is plenty more Death Note out there including three Japanese live-action films, a companion novel, the original manga series, and a Hollywood remake potentially on the horizon. This is likely not the last time you'll ever hear of Death Note.

Blogcritics Redesign

2009-05-01T01:40:00.003-05:00

Blogcritics recently got a nice new redesign/relaunch. The new look takes a little getting used to but I like seeing more images and the new logo. Although I haven't written a new article since the redesign, I did update my writer page with a new (terrible) bio and a twist on the picture I've used to represent myself on this blog for the past five years.

Although the look is different, all the great writers are still there. I'm looking forward to posting my first article for the new BC, my review of the second Death Note anime box set, very soon.

Brief Thoughts on Dragonball Evolution

2009-04-26T03:03:00.003-05:00

Last weekend, my sister and I went to see Dragonball Evolution. This movie was about 10 years too late to be a success but I enjoyed it. There were some changes to the original story (the word "saiyan" is never uttered once, for example) but a lot of things were kept in. I really thought they were going to change Bulma's last name but, no, they didn't. It was funny to hear Emmy Rossum introduce herself as Bulma Briefs.

The fight sequences were pretty decent. I enjoyed the opening "fight" between Goku and Grandpa Gohan. There's also a nice one which consists entirely of Goku avoiding attacks by a group of bullies. Also, the fight between Piccolo and Goku featured DBZ's trademark "punching at high speed at close range."

Overall, it's a nice PG-rated action flick that took me back to the days when I was a DBZ fan.