Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum Review

 

This clear rum does for rum what Cabo Wabo did for tequila. There is a crispness that goes nicely with a sugary, toasted flavor. Fruit notes, linking together banana, coconut, and even guava, provide greater nuance to each mixed drink and shot.  Where rank and file rum simply works better in mixed drinks, Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum is a perfect sipping spirit for the days by the pool. When placing the Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum into a mixed drink, one will be provided with a bold and delectable drink. We were pleasantly surprised when we made Lava Flows (Beach Bar Rum, coconut rum, strawberries, banana, pineapple juice and coconut cream); there was a slight spicy feel that permeated throughout each sip.

Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum is able to shine in any format, representing a considerably more nuanced and intense set of flavors than are present in any sort of mass-market rum. The stuff will make a Long Island Iced Tea memorable, while throwing it into a rum & Coke will breathe new life into this also-ran. I would wholeheartedly suggest taste-testing the rum at room temperature and in a chilled state; there is a decidedly different bent to Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum as one varies the state of the spirit.

Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum can be purchased at any well-stocked liquor store for around $20-25. Let us know what you, our NeuFutur readers, think of the spirit.

Rating: 9.1/10

Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum Review / 80 Proof / www.sammysbeachbarrum.com
Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum Review

Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum Review

White House Crooks Punk as Fuck CD

01-Whc-united we’ll stand.mp3

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02-whc-no freedom.mp3

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03-whc-victims.mp3

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04-Whc-true americans.mp3

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05-whc-hatred.mp3

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06-whc-red,white,and the selfish.mp3

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07-whc-i belive in unity.mp3

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08-whc-Punx are out.mp3

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09-whc-sell-out society.mp3

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10-whc-i hate this cuntrie.mp3

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11-whc-fuck society.mp3

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12-whc-another religion another war.mp3

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13-whc-last call!.mp3

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White House Crooks Punk as Fuck CD

The Economic Meltdown DVD Review

 

The Economic Meltdown is a collection of five Frontline shows about the ongoing financial crisis on the world stage, which clock in at about 5 hours. Inside The Meltdown provides viewers with a set of actions that contributed to the crash of the economy, with a particular focus on the actions of United States Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke.

Ten Trillion and Counting showcases that the impact of this collapse may not be limited to this generation. In fact, what this episode showcases is that the world economy will never be the same. Breaking the Bank provides a great deal of additional information about one of the key contributors to the crisis. By examining the actions taken by Ken Lewis while at the Bank of America, Breaking the Bank showcases that it was human interaction that created the fiscal situation.

The Warning focuses on the telltale signs that should have been evident to those watching the system, and looks at derivatives (securities that are linked to the value of constituent assets) as one of the factors exacerbating the failure of the system. Cliffhanger is the final episode on The Economic Meltdown, providing viewers with a look into the future. Unless major decisions are made to change the inherent flaws in the system, the chances are good that there will be a large collapse in the future, one that may dwarf what has occurred in the last few years. The Economic Meltdown can be purchased at a wide variety of online retailers. Check out the PBS website for more information about Frontline and other shows.

Rating: 8.4/10

 

The Economic Meltdown DVD Review / 2013 PBS / 300 Minutes / www.pbs.org

The Economic Meltdown DVD Review

Smuttynose ParadoX Beer Review

 

ParadoX is an interesting beer – a Session IPA, the sharpest sides of the IPA style have been rounded off by a bit of cream and floral flavors. The 5.30% ABV of ParadoX is perfect to maintain the fruit (grapefruit, lemon) flavors while providing an imbiber with a filling and refreshing body. The immediate IPA bite that is encountered rapidly dissolves, allowing the sweet side of ParadoX to shine through. The effervescence of the ParadoX allows for the beer to have a more lively flavor than many IPAs. I believe that it is this juxtaposition, this dual nature that allows ParadoX to have such a unique and unparalleled flavor. Our bottle was conditioned since January, allowing slight hints of sweeter malt to become known.

The beer stays composed to a great degree as it warms, shifting to a brighter and more constant effort after a bottle has been opened for some length of time. I feel that the ParadoX will appease fans of a wide swath of styles, and represents a beer through which individuals can introduce themselves to the IPA style. 960 bottles of ParadoX were bottled in 22 ounce size. To find out more information about ParadoX and the Short Batch series, check out the Smuttynose website for more information.

Rating: 9.0/10

 

ParadoX Beer Review / Smuttynose Short Batch #19 / 5.30% ABV /

www.smuttynose.com

Smuttynose ParadoX Beer Review

Skillet Fly-away Contest

NeuFutur and Skillet have teamed up to provide one lucky contestant (and a friend) the chance to be flown out to Chicago or Nashville to hang out with the band. To enter, one just needs to click the link at the bottom of this post. Make sure to do it quickly, as the contest ends on June 6th.

Skillet’s new album, Rise, will be released to online and brick and mortar stores on June 25th.

To enter, sign up on www.totalassault.com/contests/276/id/04032/ .

Skillet Fly-away Contest

NEPHELIUM To Support Beneath The Massacre's Toronto Show June 29 @ The Rockpile

Nephelium, the brutal death metal band that traces its roots back to the late 1990s from the city of Dubai, UAE and have re-established themselves in Toronto, Canada for the last decade are proud to announce they will be supporting technical death metal band Beneath The Massacre on June 29th in Toronto, ON at The Rockpile alongside Blastmycosis, Left Hand Creation, Enter Euphoria, Dead 3 Days, and Taken In Bloodshed. Nephelium will also be performing on Canada Day, July 1st in Oshawa, ON at The Diezel Room with Esoteric Doctrine, Bloodless Child, Jinn Arcana.

‘Coils of Entropy’ Album Stream - nephelium.bandcamp.com

Single Stream Link = Merciless Annihilation - www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRE2UpktFdg

Nephelium released their brutal six track masterpiece ‘Coils of Entropy’ at the beginning of 2012 to international praise along with winning the Best Metal category at the Toronto Independent Music Awards and taking the #9 position on the Top 20 of 2012 Canadian College Radio Loud Charts.

CD Cover Design: Juanjo Castellano (JuanCastellano.com)

Logo Design: Christopher Horst

Coils of Entropy – Track Listing

1. Burial Ground 05:04

2. Merciless Annihilation 06:18

3. Hellborne 05:02

4. Malediction 08:52

5. Halls of Judgment 05:56

6. Coils of Entropy 10:15

All songs written & performed by: Nephelium Album Line Up – Boyan Guerdjikov – Vocals, Alex Zubair – Guitars, Dan Glover – Guitars, Jay Cockerill – Bass, Alan Madhavan – Drums

For more info, tour dates and music from Nephelium, please visit these following links:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nephelium

Twitter @nephelium

Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/nephelium

 

Show Dates

Saturday, June 29, 2013 – The Rockpile – Toronto, ON – w/ Beneath The Massacre, Blastmycosis, Left Hand Creation, Enter Euphoria, Dead 3 Days, Taken In Bloodshed – Show Details

Monday, July 1, 2013 – The Diezel Room – Oshawa, ON – w/ Esoteric Doctrine, Bloodless Child, Jinn Arcana – Show Details

BIO: Dubai is where, in the late 1990s, guitarist Alex Zubair and drummer Alan Madhavan came together to form Nephelium, guided by the sole vision of a band comprised of equal parts complexity and brutality.

Staying true to the roots of death metal, Nephelium was quick to forge ahead with experimentation, pulling in influences from metal and other genres.

With the hope of spreading Nephelium’s insidious gospel across the world, Zubair and Madhavan settled in Toronto, Canada where they completed the band’s lineup and immediately began playing shows and tearing up local stages, which quickly led to opening slots for metal heavyweights Skinless and Deicide.

Following a tumultuous journey spanning ten years, two continents and countless lineup changes, Nephelium is ready to once again give the death metal world a good shaking with the release of their debut album, Coils of Entropy.

The embodiment of Nephelium’s journey to striking the perfect balance between technical death metal, old school metal and Arabian melodies, Coils of Entropy is a six-track masterpiece set to breathe new life into today’s dwindling death metal landscape.

NEPHELIUM To Support Beneath The Massacre's Toronto Show June 29 @ The Rockpile

Littlest Pet Shop Sweetest Pets DVD Review

On the heels of a number of re-dos in childrens’ television (My Little Pony, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Littlest Pet Shop was given new life by the Cahills (Tim and Julie, previously known as the creators of My Gym Partner’s A Monkey). This DVD captures a number of the later episodes of the first season, while providing space for a final release to collect the remainder of the season’s episodes.

Episodes on this DVD include Trading Place, Sweet (Truck) Ride, What’s In The Batter, Topped With Buttercream and Bakers and Fakers. In this collection, Bakers and Fakers is particularly notable as it showcases the negative aspects of lying and cheating. Topped With Buttercream teaches viewers the importance of moderation, no matter how catchy, tasty, or otherwise compelling something may be. Trading Places focuses on the sheer difficulty of being lost in an unknown place, showcasing the necessity of keeping in contact with an adult. The video quality of each of the episodes on Sweetest Pets is stellar, ensuring that viewers will have an experience that exceeds that of the original airing of the shows. An audio quality comparable to that of the video ensures that viewers will be able to hear every utterance on this DVD’s episodes without difficulty.

There is a coloring sheet that is included with a purchase of the DVD. Sweetest Pets can be purchased at any well-stocked DVD stores or from a wide variety of online retailers.

Rating: 8.4/10

Littlest Pet Shop Sweetest Pets DVD Review / 2013 Shout! Kids / 110 Minutes / www.littlestpetshop.com / www.shoutfactorykids.com

Littlest Pet Shop Sweetest Pets DVD Review

Swoll-n Review

Swoll-n is a nitric oxide-boosting supplement that will boost vasodilation alongside an increase in the rate of nitric oxide production. Swoll-n contains Agmatine Sulfate (increase amount/intensity of pumps) along with Nitrates, Citrulline Malate (overall athletic performance), and Pterostilbene (increases overall health). The dose of Agmatine that is provided with Swoll-n is substantial enough to impact workouts to a significant degree; Swoll-n represents an evolution in Agmatine supplementation and should be seen as a blueprint for similar efforts that contain that compound. Three pills correspond to a serving of Swoll-n, ensuring that each bottle of Swoll-n will provide a full month’s worth of benefits.

Swoll-n’s effects can be felt after a few days of supplementation. During a leg-heavy workout, I felt a harder pump and had a better vascularity. This vascularity remained for an hour or two after working out; Swoll-n continued to impact my workouts throughout the entirety of the time which I was able to supplement.  Taken alongside omegas, a multi-vitamin, and a protein, Swoll-n ensures that an individual will be able to reach their personal bests and maintain health even through the most punishing of workouts.

Make sure to purchase Swoll-n alongside the other NLA Performance products – Supp-D, Recover-D, and T-Blast. Check out their website for more information about each of these efforts and how they can be incorporated into your workout routine. The company’s Facebook (www.facebook.com/NLAPerformance ) will provide potential buyers with specials and other offers to make their time supplementing with NLA Performance worthwhile.

Rating: 8.7/10

Swoll-n / 90 Capsules / NLA Performance / www.nlaperformance.com/

Swoll-n Review

Hierophant Great Mother: Holy Monster CD Review

Son of the Tongue’s Prison has a diffuse opening, while gradually bringing listeners into something that melds fury with technical virtuosity. Masters of loudness, Hierophant is able to create something that looks to redefine what metal can do. Cutting off at the three minute mark, Son of the Tongue’s Prison is an early hit for the band. Son of the Carcinoma is the album’s shortest effort, but Hierophant is able to connect with fans intimately. The arrangements are balanced and tell a story, even as the band inevitably rockets to the track’s close.

Son of the Cathartic Cave showcases that the utter fury of Hierophant does not wane as the disc begins to spin to a close. The driving beat and emotional intensity of Hierophant cannot be overestimated; the band creates some heavy stuff for Great Mother: Holy Monster. Only a shade over four minutes, the density of this composition is as fulfilling as an effort with twice the length.  Son of the Black Mirror is the final effort on Great Mother: Holy Monster, representing a track that changes speed and direction at the drop of a pin. Rather than letting the disc spin to a close, Hierophant continue to bludgeon listeners with every screamed vocal, bold guitar riff, and splashy drum hit.

Make sure to check out the band’s Facebook and the Bridge 9 website for more information about the band, live dates, and samples from this title. Hierophant are an absolutely impressive band and craft one of 2013’s best albums in Great Mother: Holy Monster.

Top Tracks: Son of the New Faith, Son of the Cathartic Cave

Rating: 9.0/10

Hierophant Great Mother: Holy Monster CD Review / 2013 Bridge Nine / 8 Tracks / www.facebook.com/HIEROPHANTKVLT / www.bridge9.com/

Hierophant Great Mother: Holy Monster CD Review

Styx The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live CD Review

 

Styx was captured late in 2010 in Memphis at the Orpheum Theater. During this performance, Styx played the entirety of two of their most well-known albums, Pieces of Eight and The Grand Illusion. The audio quality of these CDs are excellent, with the crowd response being the only tell that this was a live performance. The current Styx (including new lead singer Lawrence Gowan) are just as much of an experience as they were during the pinnacle of their careers. The concert begins with The Grand Illusion, establishing the overall tone and feel for the performances that are to follow. What becomes immediately evident with subsequent tracks (Fooling Yourself, Superstars) is that the band has put in the work to render these album tracks as beautifully as singles like the aforementioned The Grand Illusion and Come Sail Away.

Come Sail Away contains all of the masterful progressions and tempo changes that made the track so memorable, and provides ample momentum to allow listeners to finish up The Grand Illusion. The rising action of Pieces of Eight represents a wholly different experience than The Grand Illusion. In this set, Styx begins spectacularly and increases their game for Blue Collar Man and Pieces of Eight. Finishing up the album experience with Aku-Aku, Styx show that they can hang with bands that have been around for half as long.

The The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight performance also has been released in a Blu-Ray and DVD / 2 CD package. The release is available at brick and mortar music stores along with numerous online retailers.

Top Tracks: Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man), Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)

Rating: 8.9/10

Styx The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live CD / 2013 Eagle Rock Entertainment / 131 Minutes / www.eagle-rock.com/

Styx The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live CD Review

Fitz and the Tantrums More Than Just A Dream CD Review

 

Fitz and the Tantrums start out their latest album with Out of My League, a resounding single that touches upon early eighties new-wave like The Cars and Flock of Seagulls. The band is able to inspire current listeners through smart arrangements and hooks that stick with listeners long after the CD has ceased. More Than Just A Dream continues on with Break The Walls, which brings a cacophony of styles and influences into an shifting, eminently danceable effort. After the first quarter of the album, Fitz and the Tantrums are able to expand their sound to include a wider array of influences and styles. Nowhere is this more evident than the sunny and slower 6AM, which succeeds through the inclusion of a secondary set of vocals. During this cut, Fitz and the Tantrums are able to make new and fresh what Spandau Ballet did with True.

More Than Just A Dream showcases a band that is on the verge of breaking big, while still caring about the creation of a cogent statement. Where many bands are more than content to create a few radio-worthy singles and call it a day, Fitz and the Tantrums have placed excellent elements at all sections of this album. Get Away is a perfect example of this, as it links together sixties pop, eighties electronic, and a current set of sensibilities to provide that additional oomph to the late-album registers.

More Than Just A Dream has an alternate deluxe edition that contains a bonus track – Tell Me What Ya Here For – and a remix of Out of My League. The album can be purchased at

Top Tracks: Out of My League, Keeping Our Eyes Out

Rating: 7.5/10

Fitz and the Tantrums More Than Just A Dream CD Review / 2013 Elektra / 12 Tracks / www.fitzandthetantrums.com/

Fitz and the Tantrums More Than Just A Dream CD Review

Alpha Rev Bloom Review

Alpha Rev has evolved their sound considerably since 2010’s New Morning, a fact that is immediately evident with the one-two punch of Lexington and Crystal Colorado. With an ample momentum created by these initial tracks, Sing Long resounds with a tenderness and intense allure. There is an epic sound that resounds through the entirety of this track, with instrumental and vocal elements uniting to create something decidedly greater than the sum of their parts.

Black Sky is a bit of Americana that links classic performers like Simon & Garfunkel and John Melloncamp with a more contemporary, Dave Matthews meets Bright Eyes type of sound. Eden Home is a late-track effort that keeps listeners focused in. There is a sense of fancy that is weaved through this track, with each subsequent lyric imprinting itself in the minds and hearts of listeners. You Belong is the final track on Bloom, and it maintains relevance through the sheer dedication of the band. The overall feel of You Belong is reminiscent of Want One-era Rufus Wainwright, while the track itself has enough in common with the band’s preceding efforts to place an emphatic exclamation point on Bloom.

Make sure to check out the band’s website for more information regarding their new tracks, tour dates, and the video and pictures that they put up. Bloom is Alpha Rev’s finest album, and is a title that any fan of indie rock should immediately search out.

Top Tracks: Crystal Colorado, When You Gotta Run

Rating: 7.9/10

Alpha Rev Bloom Review / 2013 Kirtland Records / 10 Tracks / www.alpharev.com / www.kirtlandrecords.com

Alpha Rev Bloom Review

Pro Whey PW-30 Protein

We have just finished our supplementation with PW-30, and have been impressed by this protein. This is because the product contains a wide complement of amino acids (with a lion’s share of BCAAs L-Valine, L-Leucine, and L-Isoleucine) along with 30 grams of protein per 45 gram scoop. The calories ensure that a two-scoop shake will provide imbibers with 60 grams of protein on only 290 calories (18 calories of fat), and 13.2 grams of carbohydrates (~4% of RDV). The specific blend of proteins – Egg, Whey Isolate and Concentrate, and Potassium caseinate – ensure that the benefits of protein last for the longest possible time. With the inclusion of amino acids, the muscle that is created through working out and protein supplementation will not be catabolized. Finally, the presence of CLA will ensure that the lean muscle is absolutely visible at all points – weight is kept down even as individuals pack on the pounds of muscle.

The miscibility of the PW-30 is stellar, ensuring that one is provided with a constant smoothness through  each of the shakes that they make. We were able to test out the company’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie flavor, which ultimately is similar to the fudge popsicles that were such the rage when I was a child. SNI also has Cookies & Cream and Vanilla Cake Batter flavors – which will allow individuals to mix and match their ways into 6 different combinations.  Whether created with milk or water, the shakes utilizing PW-30 will be delectable and filling.

Make sure to check out the SNI website for more information about the company’s line and the array of new products that they will release this year.

Rating: 9.0/10

Pro Whey PW-30 Protein / SNI / www.sniglobal.com

Pro Whey PW-30 Protein

Mr Selfridge The Showman Behind the Retail Empire

 

The Original UK edition of Mr Selfridge stars Jeremy Piven (Entourage) and is helmed by Andrew Davies (Bridget Jones’ Diary, Bleak House). Mr Selfridge is a title that looks into the life of Harry Gordon Selridge, who was responsible for the success of Selfridge’s department store in the city of London. Piven is joined on Mr Selfridge by a slew of stellar actors, including Frances O’Connor as Harry’s wife, Rose, Samuel West as the journalist tasked with capturing Selfridge properly. In a similar fashion, those behind the production of Mr Selfridge go into detail about the many innovations that Selfridge instituted in eir own store.

The set and costuming present in Mr Selfridge is absolutely extraordinary, ensuring that viewers will be completely immersed in the action taking place. Whether it is the brisk dialogue, superb story-telling, or fully fleshed-out characters, Mr Selfridge is a title that will be readily devoured by viewers. Mr Selfridge showcases that events which occurred about a century ago can still be tremendously interesting to contemporary viewers. While the video quality is beyond reproach, the audio is so masterfully crafted that viewers will not have to strain to hear any of the dialogue. Taken together, the audio and video make this into the definitive version of Mr Selfridge.

PBS has provided Mr Selfridge: The Showman Behind the Retail Empire The DVD also contains a behind the scenes featurette that provides a rare look into the relationships that were created over the filming of Mr Selfridge. Mr Selfridge: The Showman Behind the Retail can be purchased at well-stocked brick and mortar and online retailers for around $30.

Rating: 8.4/10

 

Mr Selfridge: The Showman Behind the Retail Empire DVD Review  / 2013 PBS / 480 Minutes /http://www.shoppbs.com

Mr Selfridge The Showman Behind the Retail Empire

Public Enemy Planet Earth The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Greatest Rap Hits Review

I’m not going to wade into the debate of whether or not Public Enemy actually belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (they do, by the way), but their recent induction is obviously the impetus for this latest collection of re-mastered hits. And if it took an induction to get these songs on vinyl again, well hell, it was worth it.

Yes, it’s frustrating that only 11 songs are represented and it largely ignores their first two albums (what, no love for the groundbreaking It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back?), but there is not a single track on this record that doesn’t deserve to be here. From the stellar opener “Welcome to the Terrordome” to the triumphant “Fight the Power” there is no filler on this album.

Lyrically the band could not be touched, deftly rapping about politics and social issues, and coming out with some of the most original samples. At a time when the genre seems to focus way too much on shout outs to luxury bands, a song like “By the Time I get to Arizona” – still remarkably relevant decades later – rings out like a clarion call for progressives.

Though it may have its faults, Planet Earth is still a superb celebration of one of the most important bands to come out of the 90’s – in any genre.

Top tracks: “911 Is a Joke,” “Welcome to the Terrordome” and “By the Time I get to Arizona”

 Public Enemy – Planet Earth: The Rock and Roll hall of Fame Greatest Rap Hits /11 tracks/MVD Audio/ 2013

Public Enemy Planet Earth The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Greatest Rap Hits Review

Public Enemy Planet Earth The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Greatest Rap Hits Review

The Exhibitionists Unrated Limited Edition DVD Review

The Exhibitionists is a title that is incredibly meta in that it captures the exploits of a filmmaker, Walter Todd, (Richard Short, 666) as ey delves into increasingly blue subject matter. Capturing the dark side of everyone at a holiday party, Todd is able to titillate as well as education. The Exhibitionists captures the creative process as well as the relationship between the filmer and those being filmed, showcasing the lengths that individuals will go to feel accepted in their circle of friends. Nowhere has there been a film that has looked at the creation of cinema so candidly, and The Exhibitionists is able to push salient points through the fictional narrative that the title covers. The Exhibitionists exists in the junction of

There are a number of bonus features that can be found on this DVD. This means that there is a further look into the characters introduced during the film (“Who Are The Exhibitionists?”) along with an intricate audio commentary that is laid down by the film’s director, Michael Melamedoff. The value of The Exhibitionists increases considerably with the inclusion of a download link for the soundtrack, along with an additional interview conducted with Richard Short and Melamedoff.

The Unrated Limited Edition of The Exhibitionists can be purchased at any well-stocked independent video store or from a slew of online retailers. The title is unrated, so make sure to find something for children / younger siblings to do while watching The Exhibitionists.

Rating: 7.6/10

The Exhibitionists Unrated Limited Edition DVD Review / 2013 Brinkdvd / 88 Minutes / www.brinkvision.com

The Exhibitionists Unrated Limited Edition DVD Review

Adult Limeade Review

We had received a bottle of Adult Limeade for review in NeuFutur, and to be utterly honest, I was a little scared of the stuff. However, I feel that what the Adult Beverage Company has done with Adult Limeade is actually craft a liqueur that can succeed as a sipping spirit just as much as it will in ice or as a shot. While there is an easy comparison that can be made to a margarita, I feel that doing that comparison ignores much of the complexity that is present in Adult Limeade.

The resposado utilized for Adult Limeade has the perfect blend of sharpness and sweetness; while the tequila is assertive, it can be taken down by those that would not normally be a fan of the stuff. The higher alcohol percentage (40 proof) of Adult Limeade over many flavored malt beverages would typically be a stumbling block for those that are sensitive to mixed drinks, there is an alluring smoothness to this liqueur. Adult Limeade is a liqueur that should be searched out, as it captures the titular drink while putting an additional twist on the classic.

Make sure to check out Adult Beverage’s website for more information about their product line and further releases that they will be rolling out through 2013 and into 2014. If they are a fraction of the quality of Adult Limeade, they should be immediately snapped up.

Rating: 8.5/10

 

Adult Limeade Review / Liqueur / 40 Proof / www.adultbeverageco.com

Adult Limeade Review

Eve Minor Dime Te Deseo / Ima Freak / The O Song Singles Review

Dime Te Deseo is a slinky single that ties together glitch and dubstep with the strong female feel of a Ke$ha or Blackout / Circus – era Britney Spears. Where much of pop music feels as if it has been polished to perfection, listeners can hear that Minor’s vocal track relies solely on her talents. What results is a mélange of organic and electronic, as easily at home in a gym as it would be in a nightclub.

Ima Freak / The O Song keeps the energy high while assuming a more house, goth and industrial feel. Eve Minor is able to bring listeners to this track through this blending of disparate styles. The tracks sound so well together because Eve Minor touches upon each element, rather than fall into the typical pop star mentality of only providing the vocals. It has been a while since a performer has been able to wear all of these hats, but Minor is able to do just that with each single.

The production of each Eve Minor track is absolutely stellar, allowing for these singles to have the best possible chance to be picked up on radio or online services (Pandora, Turntable.fm). Make sure to check out her Facebook or Soundcloud for new tracks, news, and other updates from Minor herself, and pick up the Ex Rated EP when it is disseminated to the masses.

Top Tracks: Until We Sleep, Dime Te Deseo

Rating: 8.0/10

Eve Minor Dime Te Deseo / Ima Freak / The O Song Singles Review / 2013 Self /www.facebook.com/pages/Eve-Minor/311404299042 / soundcloud.com/eveminor

Eve Minor Dime Te Deseo / Ima Freak / The O Song Singles Review

Tracy Walton Interview

What specific life events lead you to become a musician?

My older brother had a serious record collection and a really expensive stereo system when we were kids. Sitting in your room cranking Zeppelin and AC/DC for hours just gets under your skin. I couldn’t wait to get a guitar.

 

How have these life experiences molded your overall sound?

Learning to play before the dreaded video came and killed the radio star, I learned to really listen to songs and get lost in them for nothing more that the sound. I still try to write that way. I try to tell stories and move people. In the end, I listen to playbacks and ask if I believe it. If the answer is yes we move on. If it’s no we hit delete and record again. I hate recording 17 versions of a song and than going back and choosing the right one later. Or worse, cutting and pasting a song together.

 

If I Ever Get Away is your new album. What does this album possess that separates it from your other musical endeavors?

I really hit my stride with this record in terms of writing to the strengths of my voice. I am way more Johnny Cash than Freddie Mercury vocally. I think I have finally learned to exploit that strength.

 

What’s the craziest time that you’ve had at a performance?

I was doing a gig playing bass for Vernon Reid’s (Living Colour) solo thing; He explained to the audience that guitar was really simple. His explanation of his right hand technique consisted of saying “pick” for literally two minutes straight, followed by saying “pull off” just once. He than said “pick” for a few more minutes. It was really surreal and uncomfortable for everyone there. I loved it.

 

In a related vein, who would your dream jam session include?

I would like to sit in for Geezer Butler in Black Sabbath, as long as Bill Ward was on drums. I’d also like to sit on a porch with McCartney and just pass a bass and guitar back and forth. Considering he’s left handed, I should say take turns playing bass and guitar.

 

Do you feel as if there is an album-wide cohesion to the tracks on If I Ever Get Away?

It’s not a concept album where I sat down and tried to write a continuous piece. But I do feel like the album has a flow and an overall vibe that is very cohesive. I usually start thinking about the flow of the album about 4 tracks into the writing process. I am still all about making albums and not just writing singles. Albums can be life changing, singles don’t really have that power.

 

 

Does the overall context of a Redeemed or Songs For You change when a listener listens to it separately?

I think those are two of the strongest songs on the album, so they really stand on their own. But in the end it’s the listeners choice. If they want to make a connection, than they should. Music is not math, there is no absolute answer. I honestly try not to explain what my songs mean to me, because it may conflict with the connection the listener finds in the song. We all bring different life experiences with us when we listen to songs. I think the best songs are the ones that leave some things open to interpretation.

 

What does Rich Hinman, Walton’s bandmate, bring to the table?

Rich is one of my favorite guitar players, so it’s really nice to have him on the album. His nickname is Richy Right Note, because he voice leads so well that he really never plays a bad note. He works with Roseanne Cash, Ben Kweller, and Rhett Miller to name a few, so he gets what it means to be a pro. It’s also nice that he plays, guitar, mandolin,  and pedal steel. It makes over dubbing a lot of fun.

 

Where will your 2013 tour dates take you? How can listeners get ahold of you?

I will be playing a bunch of concert series and outdoor gigs in the North East this summer. I’m doing Musikfest 2013 in PA this year. I’ll also be doing an East Coast tour this fall from New England to Florida and back. You can keep up with me at www.tracywaltonmusic.com You can find tour dates, links to the album and my social media shenanigans.

 

What are your final thoughts for NeuFutur Magazine / neufutur.com ?

I have been doing more and more house concerts lately. I really love the intimate vibe and the connection I make with people at these. It’s funny, but I would rather play for 30 people in a living room, where every person gets lost in the songs, than to play is a much bigger room and not have that connection. If you’re reading this and are interested, please contact me at my website. It’s become a great way for me to fill dates on a tour.

Tracy Walton Interview

Jim Hagen S/T CD Review

On the Scene is the introductory track on this album, and it provides listeners with a very taut and alluring set of arrangements. The music ties together smooth jazz with a hint of funk to establish a timeless quality to Hagen’s music. Midnight Drive contains a tremendous amount of rhythm, crafting an interesting dynamic between the organic and electronic instrumentation. The narrative that is created during this self-titled release far outstrips vocal bands, as the interplay between the different instruments creates a voluminous text that has to be heard to be believed.

Friday at Five looks back to the rock of the late seventies and eighties for inspiration, linking together the works of Ted Nugent and Loggins and Messina with a bright and effervescent jazz feel. The placement of Friday at Five in the middle of the album is smart, as it will provide listeners with the momentum that they need to follow through to an effort like See You Next Spring. The titular season is alluded to during this composition, which provides the beginnings to the inevitable close of the album. Jim Hagan’s self-titled album ends with Sincerely, a touching type of effort that will resound with listeners long after the album closes up.

For those individuals that wish to purchase a copy of this album, visit Hagen’s website or CDBaby (www.cdbaby.com/cd/jimhagen ) for more information. While on Hagen’s site, take a look for live dates and further information about what influenced Hagen’s musical development, live-action (and studio) pictures, and ways through which one can contact him.

Top Tracks: See You Next Spring, Friday at Five, Walk With you

Rating: 8.4/10

Jim Hagen S/T CD Review / 2011 Self / 10 Tracks / www.jimhagenmusic.com

Jim Hagen S/T CD Review

Pontus Gunve Feature

 

Pontus Gunve (who performs as PHWG) has just released his latest album, The Observer. Gunve has had countless compositions utilized for art installations, performances, and commercials. The Observer is a title that will showcase the sheer multitude of styles, approaches, and overall feelings present in Gunve’s career. Aside from acting as a retrospective, what The Observer feels like is an evolutionary step forward. With each track on The Observer, Gunve looks to challenge his listeners and establish more than the expected music / vocal dichotomy.

I feel that much of the dismissal of this accepted approach to music comes in Gunve’s assumption of a wide variety of roles during the creative process and in live performances. Gunve lays down guitar riffs but marries them to a multimedia experience, all while the rest of the band (including tabla, drums, cello, violin, and bass guitar) fills out each composition. The various influences and styles that are touched upon during a PHWG performance are similarly diverse – the band easily sails through progressive rock, psychedelic, new age, and world music genres. Under a Lime Tree and Tale of a Mariner’s Wife, two tracks from The Observer, illustrate this point perfectly. While on the same album, the overall approach, influences, and sound of the tracks could not be more separate. The effort of each band member makes the tracks work as part of a greater whole.

Make sure to keep an eye on Gunve as he plays at various live efforts throughout New York City, and keep an eye on his social media websites for more information about any future recordings or events at which he may be performing. The Observer, along with Gunve’s previous albums (Great Wall of Sound and Movements) can be purchased on his CDBaby – www.cdbaby.com/Artist/PHWG . Have you had a chance to experience PHWG? Comment and let us know.

Pontus Gunve Feature / gunve.com/gunvedotcom/ / www.facebook.com/PHWGmusic

Pontus Gunve Feature

Ruben Studdard The Return CD Review

For those individuals that have been living under a rock for the last five years, Ruben Studdard was one of the American Idol finalists. This is actually eir second album; eir first album, “Soulful” had the catchy song “Sorry 2004”. However, this album starts out very weakly. The first track on “The Return” is the title track, which has the unfortunate tag line of “Of The Velvet Teddy Bear”. I understand that this is supposed to be a catchy, more R&B type of track, but any catchiness present with the hook is diminished by the goofiness of Studdard standing in as a “Velvet Teddy Bear”.

The drums that start out “Change Me” are pure early-nineties cheese; the lines sang by Studdard on this track are removed from this dated sound and fits them in between the work of a Joe and Bryan McKnight. “Change Me” barely cracked the Hot 100, but it deserve being bumped up about twenty slots from that. However, this is not the level of a “Sorry 2004”; the opening of “Make Ya Feel Beautiful” does not help “The Return” out in the slightest. The fake scratchiness of the composition, ostensibly to create a more close feel for anyone listening in, is lost on the vocals on the track. The flow finally reaches some level of decency during the chorus, but the lengthy times between choruses sinks this track by into the morass.

“Get U Loose” is another track that does not really impress, even if the instrumentation breaks free of the eighties/early nineties sound that inexplicably is present throughout most of this 2006 release. Ruben Studdard uis at a point during eir career that ey can either try to reinvent eirself or create more albums that are similar to “The Return”. If ey is willing to reinvent, the results will be impressive. However, if ey just tries to recreate “The Return”, chances are good that we will not hear much else from this crooner in the next few years. There are only a few tracks of any consequence during this album; while it is true that Studdard can sing, there are few tracks that could be at the level necessary to burn up the charts on “The Return”. If you are an American Idol completist, buy this album. If not, avoid this and see if Studdard does any better with eir next album.

Top Tracks: Change Me, Our Story

Rating: 3.5/10

 

Ruben Studdard The Return CD Review / 19 Recordings / 14 Tracks / www.rubenstuddard.com / www.jrecords.com /

Ruben Studdard The Return CD Review

The Refreshments Reunite for the First Time in 15 Years

In the mid-1990s, the “southwestern sound” had its time in the sun, with Gin Blossoms, The Meat Puppets and The Sidewinders all on the charts. The Refreshments not only entered that niche, but entered Billboard charts at the top. The Refreshments will reunite for the first time in 15 years at Circus Mexicus XXII in Rocky Point, Mexico on June 8^th, 2013.

 

 

 

The Refreshments’ were a classic SXSW story, signed to Mercury in 1993 after an epic A&R showcase at the conference. The debut record, FIZZY FUZZY BIG & BUZZY, included the hits “Banditos” and “Down Together.” The unforgettable theme song of the 13-season Fox comedy show “King of the Hill” was a pre-show warm-up jam of The Refreshments. The band toured across the country, and released a second record before breaking up in 1998.

 

 

 

Founder and frontman Roger Clyne went on to form Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, and

start the yearly Circus Mexicus “rock & roll, tacos and tequila” festival. Circus Mexicus now attracts fans from all over the U.S. (and last year, from seven other countries!). Just a three hour drive from Phoenix, Rocky Point is a perfect destination for the four days of activities, including a charity soccer tournament. The event earned The New Times Best of Phoenix award for “Best Rock & Roll Road Trip” and made Phoenix Magazine’s Bucket List of “things to do before you die.” www.circusmexicus.net.

 

 

 

While there is a full weekend of events planned, the highlight is always the 3+hour Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers concert. Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers have released six consecutive albums that have debuted in the top 10 on Billboard’s Internet Sales chart, the first independent band to ever accomplish that feat. In addition to their headline shows, RCPM have opened for Dierks Bentley, John Fogerty, Willie Nelson, Live, Blues Traveler, Sammy Hagar and Kid Rock, among others.

 

The Refreshments Reunite for the First Time in 15 Years

The Refreshments Reunite for the First Time in 15 Years

Four Loko Loko Margarita Review

I have had some major time spent with the heavy-ABV 24 ounce cans. Whether it was Steel Reserve or Camo Black Ice, there was much value to be had with one of these big boys. Four Loko has provided individuals with a heavy amount of alcohol and an ample amount of flavor to hide the alcohol bite. Phusion Projects, the company behind Four Loko, has created “Loko Margarita”. This means that for each sip of Loko Margarita, individuals have a lime bite and a sweeter aftertaste. The flavor profile of the Loko Margarita changes over the course of a can, with a more assertive flavor dominating in the latter third of the can. The Loko Margarita shines brighter if one has the opportunity to place the beverage in a freezer for about an hour. I feel that the Loko Margarita is a perfect ending to a night, providing a je ne sais quoi to a session.

Four Loko, and the new Loko Margarita, can be purchased for about $2 or $3 at beer stores and gas stations (for those individuals that live in states where that is allowed). Comment this post if you have had the Loko Margarita flavor – how well did it capture the Margarita flavor, and how did the beverage taste compared to the earlier Four Loko offerings? As  it says on the cans, the Four Loko Loko Margarita contains alcohol and should only be purchased and consumed by those individuals that are of age.

Rating: 7.0/10

 

Four Loko Loko Margarita Review / 12.0% ABV / www.drinkfour.com

Four Loko Loko Margarita Review

Strychnine Oakland Stadtmusiranten Live in Bremen Germany CD Review

Usually, I would stay away from live recordings from smaller labels like TKO just for the fact that many of these bands really don’t have the equipment necessarily to make their live performance not sound like shit. Take for example the Leftover Crack live show from Reading, PA in which it is virtually impossible for an individual listening to the disc to actually figure out which lyrics are being sung, much less which tracks are being played. However, Strychnine is able to counter these traditional flaws and put out a killer live disc that showcases the last show the band would ever play. While the disc suffers in many of the audience/Jimi conversations (as the mics are suited for loud, brash singing instead of rumbling crowd noise), the performance of each track is something that any band should strive for, regardless of whether it is being recorded or not.

So, onto the actual band themselves. I have to be honest, I hadn’t even heard of Strychnine before I got this CD, but I can honestly say that I like this band. Strychnine may be from California, but that isn’t anything to hold against them – they play punk in a drunk vein, something like Dead Kennedys, D.R.I., and Pink Turds i n Space. Loud, brash, and reading to do a breakdown in a seconds’ notice, this band is able to get the audience involved in a way that not many acts are able to this way. In tracks like “P.C.A.T.I.P.O.M.”, Strychnine can do a multi-part harmony that isn’t as embarrassing as Taking Back Sunday and All-American Rejects, and even of a harder bent than even Bad Religion. Strychnine does not just play that over-distorted type of power chord song each and every time up at the mic – while some of the breakneck-tempoed songs might be that way, the lead up to tracks like “Of Dignity” shows the technical agility of the band.

Each member has their moment in the sun, whether it be the chugging-along bass lines of Joe Fucko or the guitar slides and trills of Hoody and Idon. Simply put, Strychnine was the carrier of the banner of this harded-edged punk rock that is curiously absent from many definitions of what punk should be now-a-days. Where bands like Fear can milk out the same tired tracks about beer, Strychnine had to actually put out decently-written, excellently-played tracks – and yet again, we notice a hell of a lot more Fear CDs in the major stores than Strychnine – why is that? The simple fact is that a great number of people are not wanting to hear anything original, but the same formula rehashed. Strychnine is original and talented, and try to go everywhere with their music, instead of pulling an Unwritten Law and doing the same album for the last 10 years. If you are adventurous, or simply like good music, pick this up.

Rating: 8.5/10

Top Tracks : P.C.A.T.I.P.O.M., Of Dignity

Strychnine Oakland Stadtmusiranten Live in Bremen Germany CD Review/ TKO Records / 20 Tracks / www.tkorecords.com /

Strychnine Oakland Stadtmusiranten Live in Bremen Germany CD Review

Modern Day Escape Launch Pre-Orders For New Life LP

Standby Records has launched pre-orders for New Life, the upcoming LP from Orlando, FL’s Modern Day Escape. The LP was produced with Don Debiase ((Modern Day Escape, Beneath The Sky, For All Those Sleeping) of Studio D and recorded at The Standby Studios in Cleveland, Ohio and will be released on June 11. To pre-order New Life: merchnow.com/catalogs/modern-day-escape.

 

Track listing:

 

1. 20 years

2. bound by blood

3. control

4. DRUGS

5. Gets me Higher

6. Leavin Home

7. Mi Demonia Amor

8. Saying Goodbye

9. Scared as Hell

10. Suicidal

11. This aint love

 

 

Album art:

 

 

www.facebook.com/OfficialMDE

www.standybyrecords.net

Modern Day Escape Launch Pre-Orders For New Life LP

Nobody Walks Blu-Ray Review

Nobody Walks concerns the relationship that Martine (Olivia Thirlby) and a Los Angeles couple, Peter and Julie (Rosemary DeWitt and John Krasinski); Peter has offered to do audio work on Martine’s initial film as a favor to one of Julie’s collegiate friends. The addition of Martine to Peter and Julie’s family is enough of a catalyst to get the whole family in a tizzy. Ry Russo-Young (The Color Wheel, Hannah Takes the Stairs)’s touch on the film will make this tale extremely endearing.  Nobody Walks’ conclusion is something that needs to be viewed – viewers will be unable to guess the conclusion even when they are three-fourths of the way through the title. While the title feels as if it is a view into Hollywood through the eyes of those that create it, the feelings established in Nobody Walks are something that a wide segment of the viewing public will be able to appreciate.

There are a number of bonus features that have been included in the Nobody Walks Blu-Ray. This means that there is further context given to Thirlby’s character in the film, the original theatrical trailer, and a deleted scene. Nobody Walks has a tremendously clear audio track that ensures that viewers will be able to easily discern all dialogue, while the beautiful video of the Blu-Ray edition creates a realistic but popping color palette.

Nobody Walks can be purchased at any reputable online or physical video store; keep an eye on the Lionsgate website for more information about their 2013 slate of theatrical and home entertainment titles.

Rating: 9.2/10

 

Nobody Walks Blu-Ray Review / 2013 Lionsgate / 83 Minutes / www.lionsgate.com

Nobody Walks Blu-Ray Review

Elmo the Musical DVD Review

Episodes present on Elmo the Musical include Prince Elmo, Mountain Climber, Sea Captain, President, and the titular Elmo the Musical. The youngest set will appreciate the action which takes place in these episodes, while fans of Elmo will still be able to appreciate what is going on. The video quality of Elmo the Musical is absolutely stellar, ensuring that viewers will have an experience that parallels watching the original airing of the show. The audio quality of the dialogue and songs is similarly strong, allowing viewers to hear every utterance and line sung during each of Elmo the Musical’s episodes.

The Elmo the Musical DVD contains a number of bonus features. For those musically-inspired children watching this film, Warner has included a full-length video for “Let’s Make Music”. The DVD also provides a link for parents to print out activity sheets, which will increase the value of the purchase considerably. Finally, there are a set of tips for parents that will ensure that children get a leg up on their schooling, no matter how old they may be.

Elmo the Musical can be purchased at any online retailer or physical store that deals with Childrens’ DVDs (Target, Best Buy) for around $15.00; an online version of the title will run about $10. Keep an eye on the Sesame Street website for new activities and news about the franchise.

Rating: 9.0/10

Elmo the Musical DVD Review / 2013 Warner Bros. / 88 Minutes / www.sesamestreet.org

Elmo the Musical DVD Review

THE PIANO GUYS Release THEir NEW Music Video “HOME”

Utah’s favorite dads, The Piano Guys, release their latest self-made music video “Home,” from the 2012 American Idol winner Phillip Phillips.

 

This new video finds the band in their home state of Utah.  It was filmed in the town of Springdale near Zion National Park. Check it out here: youtu.be/aF-Z1A0ujlg.

 

“We love being on tour and meeting our fans!  However, as we travel along with our equipment, cellos and baggage one thing never gets checked away – we miss home. We miss our family. When we first heard ‘Home’ we couldn’t help but be emotionally drawn to it,” says Steven Sharp Nelson.

 

“We love to incorporate classical music snippets into our arrangements. The Largo theme from Dvorak’s ‘New World Symphony’ is one of the greatest classical “folk” melodies ever written. It was a natural fit because the melody is the sound of yearning for home,” says Jon Schmidt.

 

The Piano Guys started making music videos together for fun and their “hobby” turned into a worldwide phenomenon when their self-made YouTube videos amassed millions and millions of views (over 220 million to date). Signed to Sony Masterworks’ imprint label Portrait, The Piano Guys released their second album The Piano Guys 2 on May 7^th, 2013.

 

The Piano Guys 2 features their unique take on music from Pachelbel to The Turtles to Bruno Mars. Also available is the Deluxe version which includes the CD plus the 11 corresponding music videos – available for the first time on DVD! The album is comprised of imaginative mash-ups and arrangements that made their last album so successful, plus a few original recordings including the previously unreleased song “Berlin” as well as “Waterfall,” creating an incomparable style that appeals to audiences from all walks of life and across generations.

 

For more information on The Piano Guys and tour dates visit www.ThePianoGuys.com.

 

THE PIANO GUYS Release THEir NEW Music Video “HOME”

Open Air Stereo Primates CD Review

 

Give Me Everything is a smooth track that could easily be played on rock radio rotation, where it succeeds tying in late nineties rock (311, Saliva) with a more contemporary feel. Where Do We Go has an absolutely furious instrumental arrangement that highlights the soaring vocals on the track. Hints of Foo Fighters and Maroon 5 can be heard in the vocals, with the track’s production tying together the disparate elements. Open Air Stereo is able to create an album that touches upon a number of distinct styles and genres while keeping listeners focused and digging what is contained within.

Hung Over You is a solid post-rock track that balances a hard rock edge with emotive and compelling vocals. Where previous efforts on Primates had been more rock-centered, Hung Over You is a track that elicits hints of Simple Plan and Good Charlotte. Your Way is My Way is the final track on Primates, and it strips down Open Air Stereo’s sound to something more primal. The guitar riffs that dot this track are more in the vein of acts like Jet and The Strokes, allowing the band to ride a tremendous wave of momentum into the closing strains of Primates. Furthermore, the bold step taken during this final track may be some indicator where the band will go on subsequent recordings.

Make sure to check out this album at Goomba’s website, or from a number of online retailers. While it may have taken the band a few years to create this album, listeners will be rewarded handsomely for the wait – check out Primates today.

Top Tracks: Give Me Everything, Where Do We Go

Rating: 7.9/10

Open Air Stereo Primates CD Review/ 2013 Goomba Music / 10 Tracks / www.openairstereo.com / www.goombamusic.com

Open Air Stereo Primates CD Review

Cosmic Suckerpunch Breathe EP Review

 

Cosmic Suckerpunch have just released their Breathe EP, a collection of five tracks that provide listeners with a sense of the band, their influences, and where they may ultimately go in the years to come. That Voice is a straight-forward rock track that succeeds because it blends hints of alt-rock and psychedelic into the overall Ramones / Cure / Strokes vibe that is established. The Breathe EP succeeds because Cosmic Suckerpunch are able to touch upon each decade of rock, from the 60s to the current period. Glad You’re Here Now is a no-brainer rock radio rotation track, replete with a driving beat and alluring vocals. Imagine a meeting of the minds between The Cars, Joshua Tree-era U2, and The Psychedelic Furs for some idea about the band’s Breathe EP.

I Don’t Know is a brief moment of weakness for Cosmic Suckerpunch, as the band takes a page from the Hedwig and the Angry Inch soundtrack. While the track is punctuated perfectly by the percussion, I feel that the interplay between the guitars and vocals is a little messy. The Breathe EP concludes with Mindbender, an amazing song that builds up to a similarly-fantastic conclusion. The slight brooding that the band touches upon with the vocals and angsty guitar work makes for a track that simply must be heard to be believed.

Breathe EP can be purchased at the iTunes store, while That Voice (the latest single from the band) can be downloaded at their website. Check said website for more information about the band and any tour dates or new music that may be issuing forth.

Top Tracks: That Voice, Glad You’re Here Now

Rating: 8.0/10

 

Cosmic Suckerpunch Breathe EP Review / 2013 Self / 5 Tracks / www.cosmicsuckerpunch.com/

Cosmic Suckerpunch Breathe EP Review

Bruised But Not Broken Sign with Standby Records

Charlotte, NC metalcore 5-piece, Bruised But Not Broken have signed with Standy Records and will release their debut EP digitally on 5/21. Although the members are just out of high school, they are hitting the scene with a unique blend of hard-hitting metalcore with a techno twist that is captivating crowds every show they play.

 

Check out the band’s signing video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-6nBpoOZZ4&feature=youtu.be.

 

Front man Hudson Hower says, “Simply saying that we are ‘excited’ would be an understatement. We’re beyond blessed to be teaming up with the guys at Standby. These are some of the hardest working guys you’ll ever see in the industry, and we are hoping to match and honor that work ethic. The “Just(defied)” EP release is coming in the next couple of weeks, and we are hoping to push it as a solidified foundation of our future to come with Standby Records. Come July, we’re going into the studio to record our first full-length album. The future of this industry is coming quickly, and Standby is about to imprint themselves as forerunners in the upcoming music field. As we said, we’re just getting started. This is only The Beginning.”

 

www.facebook.com/bbnbband

www.standybyrecords.net

Bruised But Not Broken Sign with Standby Records

Strike Fire Fall Still Life CD Review

 

Strike Fire Fall is an absolutely perfect emo-rock that hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The style of tracks like “Stay Awake” mixes acts like Amber Pacific with The Starting Line to create something that is emotionally deep but still holding of a musical intensity that can never be quenched. Each of the tracks on “Still Life” are just perfect for video games, music videos, or radio; another track that really is the king of kings when one is talking about “Still Life” is “Freud Said It Was Cool”.

Mixing a smoothed-out vocal style with a brand of guitar work that threatens to get harsh at the drop of a hat, Strike Fire Fall really move away from the style that incorporated emo vocals and punk choruses to something that is much more balanced. The splashing of the drums during the track do more than merely acting as a timekeeper; they pound the rhythms of the band deep into the mind and hearts of all who listen in. “U-Turn” toughens up the sound of Strike Fire Fall slightly, but the winning nature of the vocals make the band sound like another (former) Takeover Records band – Yellowcard.

Specifically tying their fortunes to a sound that is similar to Yellowcard’s “Ocean Avenue”, Strike Fire Fall mix in a heady atmosphere in the track and clapping to drive the track home. While the style of music that comes through on “Still Life” is not the cutting edge of music, the fact that Strike Fire Fall can come up with fourteen cuts and succeed with all of them is evidence that the band can breathe life into a style that gets more stale with each passing day. “Awkward Pose” starts off with a much harder sound than any of the previous tracks on the disc, but the bouncy sound that the band eventually settles into is reminiscent of MxPx; the drums again come into prominence during this track. It is during “Awkward Pose” that Strike Fire Fall really vary things. Aside from making the bass audible, the band incorporates horns into this track, a move that might be first of its kind in the genre. Strike Fire Fall deserved to win the “sign my band” contest and deserve much more from the music industry; here’s hoping they have a long and successful career. A disc of hits, “Still Life” should be in everyone’s disc player for months to come.

Top Tracks: U-Turn, Flying Blind

Rating: 6.5/10

Strike Fire Fall Still Life CD Review / Takeover / 14 Tracks / www.strikefirefall.com / www.takeoverrock.com /

Strike Fire Fall Still Life CD Review

Audiko

Audiko is a service that will provide individuals with the sort of awesome selection that they need when they are looking for the latest ringtones. To find free ringtones at Audiko, all one needs to do is to visit the website. Audiko has provided individuals with a design that is utterly intuitive. It is nothing to find rapidly the tracks that you would like on your phone and get them placed into your memory. For example, I was able to visit Audiko and I immediately found tracks from Daft Punk, Miguel and J. Cole, Kelly Rowland, and even Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. The tracks that are presented on the main page of Audiko continually change to capture the most popular tracks in a wide variety of genres. The website also contains a search feature, which allows individuals to type in the name of their favorite artist. When one types in a Lil Wayne or Florence & the Machine, there are a surprisingly large array of singles and non-single tracks alike. Finally, for those individuals that are looking to find new music in a specific style or type of fashion, Audiko has a large amount f different genres with which to pick. Tell us what you think about the Audiko service and what things that you would institute to ensure that the website continues to be the best possible stop for Android and iPhone ringtones. I know that whenever I wish to update the ringtones that I am currently utilizing that I check Audiko out to see what they have included. If you want to hear the newest and best music of 2013 for example, Audiko’s got a list that is constantly updated. Check them out today if you want to have the latest and most contemporary tracks on your phone.

Audiko

Strike Anywhere To Live in Discontent CD Review

“To Live in Discontent” is a collection of Strike Anywhere’s out of print EP and other 7 inch work – when the disc starts off with “Asleep”, one can hear the intense sounds of the band even if the mastering and recording is not necessarily up to “Exit English”-standards. Something that is immediately recognizable is the cohesion of sound that Strike Anywhere has created over the course of their post-Inquisition careers; the only thing that has really changed is the quality of the songwriting and presentation. Don’t get me wrong, a track like “Antidote” has the catchy aural hooks of Thomas but still seems like a logical precursor to the music that was to follow. In fact, the tracks marking the beginning of the “Chorus of One” EP shows a better recording than the prior tracks as well as a more distinct set of instrumental parts, and “Question the Answer” shows an intensity that is unrivaled on any Strike Anywhere disc past or present. The main charge that was levied against Strike Anywhere on their “Exit English” disc was the fact that everything was too smooth and recorded too well. “Question the Answers” shows a side of Strike Anywhere that is simultaneously raw and intense while still being solidly recorded and professional.

Cracking barely one minute, a track like “Earthbound” cuts away all of the bullshit to make the essential Strike Anywhere track – a chorus of multiple people, an iconic set of guitar lines, and some of the most meaningful screaming ever. The slower tempoes of “Notes On Pulling The Sky Down” make the track almost untenable – it literally seems as if someone put this recording on the wrong speed, even with the faster bridges at the ending of the track. “Two Fuses”, a track that found its way to the cutting room floor during the “Exit English” sessions, really has the sound of the rest of the “Exit English” disc but lacks in the presence that the majority of the rest of the songs on the disc have. “To Live In Discontent” ends with a trio of covers, of which “Two Sides” smacks of pure Strike Anywhere. In fact, that may be the strongest part of “To Live In Discontent” – even though some of the arrangements are a little odd (Dag Nasty’s “Values Here”), Strike Anywhere re-creates each of the tracks in their own sound. For those fans of Strike Anywhere, this is essential. For new fans, this creates SA’s entire discography in petit.

Top Tracks: Where Are They Now, Earthbound

Rating: 7.9/10

Strike Anywhere To Live in Discontent CD Review / Jade Tree / 13 Tracks / www.strikeanywhere.org / www.jadetree.com /

Strike Anywhere To Live in Discontent CD Review

Dallas SEO

There are a number of websites that provide individuals with seo information. However , the companies that offer Dallas seo are few in number. To find a company that will provide individuals with the best possible chance at getting the results that they are looking for, finding the perfect company is absolutely essential. It is not enough to have a flashy website or even a quick response to emails, but to be able to accurately provide the boost that a company or firm needs to the SEO terms that are germane. This means that if you want dallas internet marketing for a food place, to have the specific terms that your company deals with. For a chicken place, one would want their results to come up on the first page for “dallas chicken”, “dallas chicken restaurant”, or “dallas wings”. While it may be easier to get a website higher up on longer terms like “dallas open chicken restaurant”, the amount of new visitors that will be brought onto your site is considerably less.

It takes a good company to raise a store or individual’s ranking in the terms that matter, and a pay per click dallas campaign is absolutely needed to ensure success. Make sure that you find a company that can actually do what they promise, and the amount of business that will come your way will be substantial. We were able to utilize SEO tactics in the past and still are reaping the benefits of the various campaigns that we have created. If you want to become successful in the internet age, there is no reason why you should not remove your money from print and television advertising and move it into online advertising. What do you think about online advertising, and how has your company benefited from it?

Dallas SEO

HABITS Launches Trippy Video for “HAACKSAW”

Hailing from Los Angeles, Habits is the sensational brainchild of Dustin Krapes, an electronic-post-punk musician who is about to blow your mind. Just releasing the trippy new video for his current single, “Haacksaw,” which landed on Baeble Music this week, the intriguing piece is the result of hours of found video footage, which creates an artistic masterpiece. The carefully crafted piece is a montage of perfectly fitting visual images that creates a unique background to the track.

Habits makes synthesizer and sample based music, which Krapes performs on his “vintage” Macbook alongside live contributors on stage. The song “Haacksaw” originated from sampling a Bruce Haack beat, in which Krapes built a song around, while creating the perfect melody. With influences ranging from David Bowie, Animal Collective to Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Habits creates quite a cocktail.  Drawing lyrics from abstract reflections of isolation, Krapes often tries to express a sense of wonder about reality.

LINKS

Facebook
Official Website
Twitter

Shows:

May 20^th – Los Globos – Los Angeles, CA

May 25^th – Back to the Grind – Riverside, CA

July 6^th – Echo Outpost – Los Angeles, CA

HABITS Launches Trippy Video for “HAACKSAW”

Street Drum Corps Street Drum Corps CD Review

 

Mix the Blue Man Group with The Avalanches and Kid Koala, and one will have a good idea of what the Street Drum Corps sound like. The disc starts off with “Wrecks”, a track that really does not need to be three and a half minutes. The use of sampling during the track gets a little repetitive by the two-two and a half minute mark, and is only saved by a little bit of interesting arrangement to finish up the track. Still, individuals still might feel as if something is missing from the Street Drum Corps.

There is obviously a great sound created by these three, but it just seems as if the final part – a rapper or the like – is missing. Tracks like “Rabbit” flow by almost too quickly, where the title track really links the Corps to the music of Herbie Hancock. Understanding that most of the Street Drum Corps music is tribally-based, is it too much to ask for one track that uses the same drums that fuel the rest of the disc but actually incorporates a rock/punk sound? At some point, fusion acts like The Transplants were interesting when they meshed together styles; how about Street Drum Corps do something like this on their next album? The Spartan sound that is created by the band in the limiting of different styles on this self-titled release has to be the major stumbling block for this band. While there are a number of different sounds that assault listeners during tracks like “Flaco 81”, the fact is that the Street Drum Corps are doing the same thing that was present on the rest of the disc.

Add a live track, or add a vocal track to this disc and chances are that individuals will be more apt to make it through the entirety of the disc. The shtick is interesting for a good half of the disc, but there needs to be more done by the band to keep individuals interested throughout the length of the EP (and by extension, an entire LP). The fact that this album is bundled with a DVD that shows a little more of what the band is and what they do helps individuals understand the music a little bit better, as well as increasing the value of the disc. Regardless, this music is decent, somewhat fun but seems to be lacking a differentiation needed to really bring matters to the next level.

Top Track: Bang!!

Rating: 5.0/10
Street Drum Corps Street Drum Corps CD Review/ Warcon / 8 Tracks / www.streetdrumcorps.com / www.warconent.com /

Street Drum Corps Street Drum Corps CD Review

Halo V Headband Review

 

When we received a Halo V headband for review, we were a little skeptical about how well sweat would be shunted from our faces. The headband is incredibly fashionable and thin, consisting of a shiny fabric (Dryline) that looks too sheer to hold any moisture. After completing an exercise in the Halo V, we were absolutely astounded at how well the company’s headbands work. The SweatBlock Seal (patented by Halo) keeps all moisture away from the face and eyes, while the headband’s closure ensures that it will remain wherever one places it.

Halo V comes in black, white, red, and royal blue colors, and can be utilized equally well by males and females. Halo has provided purchasers with a full one-year warranty to protect against manufacture issues. We’re pleased to report that after a few workouts that the Halo V has not become deformed or any less efficacious in its primary duty. Making sure that the headband is clean is utterly simple; make sure one hand-washes the head band and hangs it up to dry. The silver ions that are present in the Halo V decrease anti-microbial growth, which has been determined to be a primary cause of the “workout clothes” funk.

The Halo V can be purchased online for around $15, and will work perfectly for any sort of workout, occupation, or situation in which an individual would sweat. Visit the Halo Headband website for more information about their variety of products and to receive the latest news about the brand.

Rating: 9.0/10

Halo V Headband Review / haloheadband.com / store.haloheadband.com/halo-v-adjustable-headband-p/hv.htm

Halo V Headband Review

Dewar’s Highlander Honey Review

Highlander Honey is a new addition to the Dewar’s line, and it provides imbibers with a considerably different flavor than has been present in Dewar’s bottles up to this point. There is a greater sweetness to Highlander Honey that matches well the inimitable Dewar’s bite; the Dewar’s White Label is mixed with honey created from honeybees in the Scottish heather. By keeping the proof high, what Dewar’s has done with this product is to create a perfect stepping-stone from no-name whiskies into the full range of Dewar’s expressions. For those imbibers that are already fans of scotch, the Highlander Honey is sufficiently different from what is already in liquor cabinets that a night with the spirit will be unforgettable.

The infusion of honey ensures that, no matter what drink one creates with the Highlander Honey (neat, on the rocks, or some mixed drink like a Whisper or a Clansman’s Coffee), there is a much more complex and interesting flavor profile. Hints of peat and moss can still be discerned, but the touch of sugar creates something exciting that has to be experienced. I would recommend putting an ice cube or two in with a measure of Highlander Honey, as the added water will provide further complexity for anyone that is sipping the scotch.

Make sure to check out the Dewar’s website for more information about their product line and cocktails that can be made with their products. Highlander Honey can be purchased at any well-stocked liquor store for around $24.

Rating: 8.6/10

Dewar’s Highlander Honey Review / 80 Proof / www.dewars.com

Dewar’s Highlander Honey Review

The Colombian Connection DVD Review

 

The Colombian Connection is a film that is set in 1976 and features a framed cop looking to get eir revenge after being convicted of a crime that ey did not commit. The individual that was involved with Jack Hooks’ (Robert Thorne, Poker Run and The Majestic) time in prison is eir ex-partner Frank Rossi (Tom Sizemore), who is in cahoots with major marijuana dealers.  Along with dispatching Rossi, Hooks has to bring down the head of the drug ring, Carlos Huerta. Whether Hooks is ultimately successful in eir mission, and can spend eir life with Elena, Huerta’s love interest without losing eir life is the crux of The Colombian Connection. Viewers will be on the edges of their seats with this title. The Colombian Connection benefits from smart costuming and set design; viewers will feel as if they are transported to this earlier period.

The video quality of Inception’s DVD transfer is absolutely stellar, adopting a realistic set of colors. Atmospheric noises and dialogue is captured faithfully, ensuring that this tale of revenge is clear and easy to follow. The Colombian Connection can be purchased at well-stocked physical retailers and from a variety of online retailers detailing with DVD sales (a quick look found copies of the film new for around $10).

Rating: 7.8/10

The Colombian Connection DVD Review / 2013 Inception Media Group / 98 Minutes / www.inceptionmediagroup.com

The Colombian Connection DVD Review