Discussing Film, Music, TV, Books, Video Games and More
Music is always moving and evolving with the times, and as it pertains to the genre of alternative, it evolves rather quickly. So to help analyze the genre, I’ve recruited James from the Appetite for Distraction Alternative Top 10 Countdown to help me look into where alternative music is, where it’s going, and who is leading the way. Hope you enjoy. [Read more...]
Have you ever listened to a friend talk about what “great new music” they have been listening to? That topic is usually followed up by saying that “They knew them first.” As annoying as that is, we all do it in our most subtle ways (like saying that “I love Three-Oh-H” instead of saying “I love 3Oh!3). Below are just some of the best new music to come out in the past year, and with very promising futures. Hopefully, this will help you battle that annoying topic with some other musical examples of your own. Enjoy! [Read more...]
About a year ago, I picked up an album that would later become one of my favorites of all time; Brand New’s 2001 release Your Favorite Weapon. The album was a breath of fresh air in a time where NSYNC was popular and Shaggy was a thing. Songs like “Jude Law and a Semester Abroad,” “Sudden Death in Carolina,” and “Mixtape” are just a couple of songs that I play on loop from that album. To this day, I will still listen to the album in its entirety, and then have to listen to the rest of their library.
But sometimes you have to put and album down and move on. However, after listening to Sister City’s Carbon Footprint, it gave me the same feeling. If someone handed me this album, and never told me who or what it was, my first guess is that this is the Lost Tapes of Brand New’s Weapon. I’m not saying that it’s a bad thing at all. In fact, that is one of the highest compliments I can give to a rock band. [Read more...]
We are now halfway through the year, and I must say, it has been slow. There have been some great albums, but lots of weeks where there has been little to no new music to enjoy. But one like myself, can only wish of some new things to come. This is just a list of wishes, NOT promises, so enjoy. [Read more...]
If you know anything about Taking Back Sunday, you know that their line-up has never truly stayed the same. From early on with Jesse Lacey (now fronting Brand New) to Fred Mascherino (fronting The Color Fred and Terrible Things), TBS has had 11 different members, with only three constants through each release (singer Adam Lazzara, rhythm guitarist Eddie Reyes, and drummer Mark O’Connell). And, along with each release, the band has been evolving, putting out a more mature sound with every album.
But last year, it was announced that the members who helped release their debut album in 2002 were coming back through this very special blog post:
“Sometimes it takes some time to remember where you were headed in the first place and the people you intended to go there with. There’s no hard feelings, just the future.” [Read more...]
The Fast & Furious franchise is back with its sixth entry, and whatever the series has done for you so far will most likely hold true for this … (more)
The Hangover Part III is a step in the right direction, it is just such a long walk back to being good after Part II. … (more)
Kon-Tiki is a pretty straight forward biopic in its construction, but it tells an incredible story that allows some gorgeous imagery. … (more)
J.J. Abrams is back for another trek into Star Trek and fans of his first entry will have little to complain about with Into Darkness. … (more)
Baz Luhrmann brings The Great Gatsby to the big screen with a style and visual wonder that is irresistible, even when the story doesn't connect as … (more)
Love them or hate them, Vampire Weekend’s latest album Modern Vampires of the City is a must listen of 2013. … (more)
Allison Weiss latest effort Say What You Mean brings a punky charm to a rather plastic singer/songwriter scene. … (more)
Iron and Wine continues his road down the glossy, highly produced road with Ghost on Ghost. This time around, however, he knocks this album out of … (more)
Kid Cudi third rap album Indicud reminds us just how unique and fun the former G.O.O.D. Music artist is, as he rides in and out of the most unique … (more)
Fall Out Boy comes out of hiding to release Save Rock and Roll, their highly anticipated fifth full length that doesn’t fall flat when it comes to … (more)
Daenerys army continues to grow, Samwell Tarly displays his brave side, Ser Davos becomes literate and Sansa's last name is Lannister in this … (more)
As I wipe the tears from my eyes, I think it is safe to say that Arrow knows how to end a season. … (more)
Right before our eyes, Jaime Lannister has gone from being one of the most hated, to one of the most respectable characters in the Game of Thrones … (more)
The new HBO show from Christopher Guest and his gang gets off to a great start that shows a lot of promise for the future. … (more)
Apparently, modern day witch hunts do exist. In case you haven’t heard the story of the West Memphis Three, now is your chance to read all about … (more)
Ross Matthews is right about one thing – any self-confidence he feels about his writing skills is without a doubt delusional. He’d have to be … (more)
Yes, this might possibly be (i.e., definitely is) yet another World War II book review that you by now have probably come to expect from me; but … (more)
I am really struggling to come up with an introduction that does this book justice, because to me, Me Before You was perfection. … (more)
Ken Levine deserves some kind of medal. First, he introduced us to the world of Rapture, where we would kindly roam the halls of a forgotten city … (more)
Plagued by delays and shortcomings, 2012 was an up-and-down year for video games. We saw triumphant returns to form, fantastic new IP's, and some … (more)
For future reference: when skydiving, be sure that your projected landing zone doesn’t happen to be an island full of evil pirates that are more … (more)
