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CD/DVD Review: Motorhead “Clean Your Clock”

“Clean Your Clock”
Motorhead
UDR Music
Not Rated

Our Score: CD: 3 out of 5 stars

DVD: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Clean Your Clock” is the latest live release from the heavy metal band Motorhead. The release captures the bands November 20/21, 2015 shows at the Zenith in Munich Germany and is the bands very last live recorded show. The release captures the natural sound of one of heavy metals most astounding bands and serves as a solid send off to the one and only Lemmy.

Having followed Motorhead’s last tour pretty closely due to the almost daily updates of front-man Lemmy Kilmister’s diminishing health I was a bit skeptical of a release that was going to showcase a show from this run. Would a sickly looking Lemmy be the way I wanted to remember the band? Most definitely not. Having experienced the band live on a couple different occasions and knowing the amount of energy the band exuded during their performances I initially wasn’t expecting a lot out of this release. Thankfully within minutes of putting the DVD portion of the CD/DVD combo in my player I could tell the performance was going to be top notch. The lighting elements of the show look great and include a moving plane which hovers at varying heights through out the performance adding uniqueness to the rather straight forward staging. I’m not going to say Lemmy looks or sound amazing in this because he does not however, for a 70 year old man dealing with what he was dealing with at the time he sounds damn good! Classic tracks like “Bomber”, “The Chase Is Better Than The Catch” and “Ace of Spades” rip through your speakers with reckless abandonment and showcases Lemmy’s signature attitude and sound while fellow band mates Mikkey Dee and Phil Campbell hold down their ends and in my opinion really carry the band throughout the performance. Both the DVD and CD portions of the release sounded nearly identical however the CD seemed to have a little bit more treble present in the mix. This did add some clarity to the tracks but at times the added frequencies were a bit too bright for my liking.

If you’re a devout Motorhead fan then you already know that “Clean Your Clock” is a must have. The release is available in a variety of formats including Blu-Ray, CD/Blu-Ray, CD/DVD and Vinyl however; you will want to check your video player setting as this is a European release which due to its encoding can play havoc with some players. Bottom line “Clean Your Clock” is a sleek, good sounding release that fans of the band will appreciate but, if your newer to the band or are a more casual listener you may want to skip over this one and check out one of the bands older live or studio releases.

Track Listing:

1.) Bomber
2.) Stay Clean
3.) Metropolis
4.) When The Sky Comes Looking For You
5.) Over The Top
6.) Guitar Solo
7.) The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
8.) Lost Woman Blues
9.) Rock It
10.) Orgasmatron
11.) Dr. Rock
12.) Just ‘Cus You Got The Power
13.) No Class
14.) Ace Of Spades
15.) Whorehouse Blues
16.) Overkill

Blu-ray Review “Zootopia”

Directors: Byron Howard, Rich Moore
Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Alan Tudyk, J.K. Simmons, Nate Torrence
Rated: PG
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
Release Date: June 7, 2016
Run Time: 108 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray 4.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Zootopia” is the latest smash hit from Walt Disney Animation Studios! They have been nailing it one hit after another. The story is not only fun but also sets a good picture of the world and gives real lessons (for those that can see them). I really enjoyed this from beginning to end and in fact better with repeat viewings. I have a four year old and we watch one A LOT!!! The voice cast is phenomenal starring Ginnifer Goodwin from “Once Upon a Time”, Jason Bateman from “Arrested Development”, Idris Elba from “Prometheus”, Alan Tudyk from “Wreck-It Ralph” and also Oscar winner J.K. Simmons from “Whiplash”. Keep the hits coming Disney! Can’t wait for “Moana” this fall!

Official Premise: The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like r itzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when rookie Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery.

As expected, like the film, the Blu-ray is gorgeous. The 1080p transfer is yet another winner from Disney. The colors are so amazing and vibrant in this film alone and it just pops out so well. Haven’t seen this in 3D but I can’t imagine it gets much better that this. The level of detail is also notable. I remember when “Monsters Inc.” came out and we saw the hairs moving on Sully and thought “Wow!” This movie improves on that 10x and just looks outstanding. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track also nails it completely. The score is amazing and the track is full and works great with the pop songs, thanks Shakira!

In terms of special features, there are some decent but short extras included here. First up, Research: A True-Life Adventure, which features the filmmakers playing in the real world in order to create this film’s characters and world. The Origin of an Animal Tale takes us through the film’s development from story to themes etc. Zoology: The Roundtables is a three-parter available with an introduction from the film’s star Ginnifer Goodwin aka Judy Hops. There are four short featurettes focusing on the film’s characters, the world created, the animation and the score as well as few Easter eggs. Lastly there is a music video for “Try Everything” by Shakira as well as a few deleted scenes and characters to check out wit intros from Rich Moore (the director).

Concert Review: “Rock N’ Derby” Schaghticoke, NY

Rock N’ Derby
May 20th-May 22nd 2016
Schaghticoke Fairgrounds, Shaghticoke, NY

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Upstate New York came alive on May 20th- 22nd as it hosted the inaugural “Rock N’ Derby” festival in the humble town of Shaghticoke, NY. Despite only being in its infancy the three day event offered a sprawling layout and variety of activities from professional wrestling and demolition derby’s to performances by some of today’s biggest artists including Five Finger Death Punch, Lamb of God, Halestorm, Shinedown and Megadeth.

With more and more multi-day festival popping up around the country it’s hard to figure out which ones are the real deal and which ones are merely just jumping on the band wagon. I am here to tell you that “Rock N’ Derby” is in fact the real deal. Despite being in a rather remote location which require traveling a variety of back roads the 3 day festival was easily one of the most enjoyable concert going experiences I have had. The festival offered plenty of room to move around, ample vendors and facilities including three well placed stages that didn’t require a lot of walking back and forth. To top it off the sound at all three stages was top notch the entire weekend. Though we weren’t able to be on hand for the events first day we talked with plenty of people in attendance who stated that the day’s events were highlighted by some killer performances including those by Lamb of God, Clutch and Five Finger Death Punch. Knowing all of those bands bring incredible live shows I’m sure they set the bar for the rest of the weekend. The main stages for day two of the event kicked off around 2pm with an intense set by the Ohio metal-core band Miss May I. Vocalist Levy Benton and company did an impressive job early in the day setting the standard for those who followed. As we bounced back and forth between the two main stages (the Derby Stage and the Rock Stage) we caught some really great performances by acts such as All That Remains, Chevy Metal featuring Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters and as the day shifted to night Halestorm who put on an impressive set which included a full scale demolition derby taking place in the near fore ground. Closing out the night on the Derby Stage was the always energetic A Day to Remember. The band hit the stage with bursts of giant multi colored confetti and dozens of beach balls which bounced between the stage and crowd. The band sounded great and was very fun to watch as they played to one of the larger crowds of the day. Closing out things on the Rock Stage were thrash legends Anthrax. The NY natives also played before a very large crowd as they shredded through some of their classic back catalog which included songs like “Antisocial”, “Got the Time” before ending the night with “Caught in a Mosh”.

The main stages on the third and final day of the festival started up around 3pm with the hard hitting Trivium commandeering the Derby stage for an hour long set which helped re-energize the crowd from the previous day’s undertakings. Shortly after the opening of the Derby Stage the Rock Stage would be opened by none other than Dokken. Though only Don Dokken and Mick Brown remain from the bands classic eighties line up newer members guitarist Jon Levin and bassist Chris McCarvill handled their duties with ease as the band performed their hour long set. Aside from the days headliners the biggest talk around the grounds on Sunday was the performance of Ghost. The masked Swedish occult themed metal band played an incredible set that not only excited the festival crowd but also conjured up a wind and rain squall that added a different element to the bands theatrical performance. With the weather subsiding shortly after Ghost left the Derby Stage Nikki Sixx and Sixx A.M. got things going on the Rock Stage performing to a slightly dampened crowd. For me the performance matched the poor weather as they were one of the only acts over the three days that didn’t sound good. Sixx’s bass dominated the mix making the rest of the band barely audible and sent us back to the Derby Stage quicker than expected. Coheed and Cambria would take the Derby stage around 7pm putting on a stellar performance. The band was extremely tight making their intricate songs sound as good if not better than the studio recordings. It was great to finally here songs like “The Hardsell” and “A Favor House Atlantic” live as I had up until this day been unable to catch the band live. Needless to say they did not let me down. As the festival slowly started to come to a close Megadeth would be the last artist to take the Rock Stage where despite finding out about the passing of long time band member Nick Menza only a few hours before the group performed like true professionals. Mustain and his crew played a mixture of new and older material including “Hangar 18” and “The Threat is Real” prior to pausing and taking a few somber moments to recognize Nick’s passing. After a heartfelt moment of silence the band closed out the night and the stage with three of their more popular songs “Symphony of Destruction”, “Peace Sells” and “Holy Wars…The Punishment Due”.

While Shinedown was still holding court on the Derby Stage we made our way through the various camping locations and parking lots. Despite the large number of people at the festival things still remained uncluttered and in control. Festival goers moved freely out of the gates as did cars out of the lots. This was something I could greatly appreciate as anyone who has been to a concert of this size knows getting in and out can be one of the worst experiences ever. From our stand point “Rock N’ Derby” was a really fun and well organized event. Great acts, great vendors and a sizeable venue with ample facilities made the entire experience enjoyable and something we hope becomes an annual event.

Festival Line Up:

Friday, May 20th, 2016
Five Finger Death Punch, Lamb of God, Clutch, Parkway Drive, Wolfmother, Pop Evil, Scott Stapp, Corrosion of Conformity, Red Sun Rising, Wild Throne, Schism

Saturday, May 21st, 2016
A Day To Remember, Halestorm, Anthrax, Chevy Metal, Hollywood Undead, Extreme, State Champs
Sebastian Bach, Bear Tooth, Memphis May Fire, We Came As Romans, All That Remains, Avatar,
Thy Art Is Murder, Stray From The Path, For Today, Cliver, Rings of Saturn

Sunday, May 22nd, 2016
Shinedown, Coheed and Cambria, Megadeth, Sixx A.M., Ghost, Collective Soul, Sevendust, Dokken, Trivium, Enter Shikari, Born of Osiris, Like A Storm, Currents, Bad Case of Big Mouth

(All photos are Copyrighted and cannot be used without permission)

Film Review: “It’s So Easy And Other Lies”

“It’s So Easy And Other Lies”
Starring: Duff McKagan
Director: Christopher Duddy
XLrator Media
Runtime: 86 minutes

Our score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Based on the New York Times best-selling memoir and featuring exclusive archival footage “It’s So Easy And Other Lies” is an authorized music documentary of Duff McKagan- founding member and bass player for Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver and other bands. The film chronicles Duff’s meteoric rise to fame and fortune, his near fatal struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, and his remarkable life transformation.

One half performance footage from Duff’s book reading at The Moore Theater in Seattle, WA and one half documentary consisting of archival footage and new interviews with former/current band members and friends. “It’s So Easy And Other Lies” is a unique spin on your standard biographical documentary. I really enjoyed the clips of Duff reading passages from his book backed by a band performing melodic renditions of such classic GN’R songs as “Rocket Queen” and “Paradise City” as it was a really cool addition which makes the film stand out from other films in the genre that I have seen recently. With interview from Duff, Slash, Mike McCready and others acting as segues to the performance material you really get a nice balance of music and dialogue.

Though I found some of the editing to be a little awkward at times as the performance footage tends to start and stop without the viewer really knowing where we are at in Duff’s story. At times it’s as though large portions of Duff’s story are either not expanded upon or just plain left out as is the case with some of the earlier days of Guns N’ Roses. Because of this gap and a few others it made things seem as though Duff one minute is a struggling young musician and the next he’s in the biggest band in the world. Obviously when a book is transformed to film parts are going to be left out or trimmed down but this seemed to be a really large piece of Duff’s story that sort of just got skirt around. That aside whether you are a fan of Duff and his countless successful projects or not “It’s So Easy And Other Lies” is an enjoyable film that keeps the viewers attention throughout its entire run time however, If you want a more in-depth experience I recommend picking up a copy of the book first and then check out the film.

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Filed Under: Film Reviews, Movies Tagged With: easy, film, lies, review

Album Review: Poison Headache “Poison Headache”

“Poison Headache”
Poison Headache
Metal Blade Records
Producer: Phil Sgrosso/Taylor Young
Tracks:

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Poison Headache” is the self titled debut album from the band of the same name. Consisting of vocalist/guitarist Andy Kukta, drummer Kyle Rosa and vocalist/guitarist Phil Sgrosso Poison Headache are releasing their 10 track album via Metal Blade Records. If Sgrosso’s name sounds familiar you may have recognized him as the former guitarist of As I Lay Dying and/or from his current band Wovenwar. Along with Taylor Young, Sgrosso also produced the album which is a unique blend of heavy metal stylings.

Infuse early 80’s NY hardcore with guitar driven modern heavy metal and you have the foundation for the debut album from Poison Headache. The group which originally formed and started writing material several years ago after the demise of the band Internal Affairs was initially just for fun however, over time the idea of doing a full album became more real. Over the course of the album you can clearly tell that the records tracks are sort of a meeting of the minds so to speak as both Kukta and Sgrosso’s signature styles shine through at various points. The albums opening track “Sin Eater” along with tracks like “Rot With Me” and “Never Again” lean more to Kukta’s hardcore roots while tracks like “Grey Skies” and “Death’s Design” showcase Sgrosso’s heavy metal back ground. Though the albums cohesiveness is a touch off it was because of this that I kept listening. You never know what is in-store with each subsequent track. This not only made the album fun to listen to but also added to its over all appeal.

Fans of the trio’s previous works and various groups will certainly want to pick up a copy of “Poison Headache”. The album not only showcases the member’s musical roots but blends each member’s uniqueness and what it may lack in cohesiveness it makes up for in raw energy and power.

Track Listing:
1.) Sin Eater
2.) Pity the Backseat
3.) Rot with Me
4.) Conspirator
5.) Gray Skies
6.) Benumbed
7.) Death’s Design
8.) Hail, Colossus
9.) Never. Again.
10.) Discloser

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Filed Under: CD Reviews, Music Tagged With: album, headache, poison, review

Product Review “Zen MONQ Aromatherapy Inhaler”

Who says ads that you read on Facebook aren’t effective?! I came across the company MONQ from one of those very ads. What is MONQ? Well it is an aromatherapy inhaler…right away you are thinking…an e-cigarette? No, it’s not! It has 0 tobacco, 0 nicotine and 0 additives. So simply it is just a personal portable devices that is used to enhance your mood with blended and heated aromatherapy. 100% Organic and Natural.

How does this differ from your typical topical oils or household diffusers is that MONQ directly inserts aromatherapy into your olfactory system. So there is no only no harm to your body say instead of vaping or smoking but this product actually helps you find purity, sharpness, and coherence through their mentally relaxing blends which are made from raw plants that have been used throughout throughout history for meditative practices.

The first blend that I was given to try is “Zen MONQ” is said to actually lowers stress levels! Now who doesn’t need a little of that?! Well let me tell you it does actually do what it says it does. I was very impressed with this product. The MONQ Therapeutic Air device are single use and approximately 150 breaths with most lasting between 1-2 weeks. There is no buttons. No charging. No stress. Just breathe in and relax!

The Zen MONQ is made up of the following scents Frankincense / Orange and Ylang-ylang. It smells fantastic and gives off a really nice vapor quantity as well when exhaled. So I like to call this the even healthier way to “smoke”, especially if you are trying to break that habit or fill the need to do so. I found myself very relaxed when testing this product and I am very excited to be trying the other blends as well, so stay tuned to find out more!

Just a closing note, just so that there is no confusion you do not need to be a smoker/ex-smoker or anything to enjoy this product at all. If anyone is looking to inspire some peace and calm feelings and looking for natural clarity that I highly recommend checking out this product ASAP! Go to https://monq.com/ and tell them Media Mikes sent you!

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Filed Under: Style Tagged With: aromatherapy, inhaler, monq, product, review, zen, ...

Film Review “The Nice Guys”

Starring: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling and Kim Bassinger
Directed by: Shane Black
Rated: R
Running time: 1 hour 56 mins
Warner Bros
Our Score: 4 out of 5

Film review by Mike Smith

1977. A young man sneaks into his father’s bedroom and removes a magazine from underneath the bed. He takes it to his room and begins studying the curves of a young lady named Misty Mountains. Suddenly a car screeches outside. The boy hears the crash and goes out to investigate. Who is the driver? Old MM herself.

Outrageously funny from start to finish, The Nice Guys is a period piece co-written and directed by Shane Black, creator of the Lethal Weapon series. Like those films, the story rests on the shoulders of two incredibly gifted dramatic actors given a chance to be funny; Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. Their chemistry comes across from their first scene together and the film is much richer for it.

Jackson Healy (Crowe) is a leg-breaker. If someone is bothering you and you want them to stop he’s the man you call. Currently he has accepted the task of protecting a young woman named Amelia (Margaret Qualley). Holland March (Gosling) is a private investigator and single father whose latest case has him searching for a young woman named Amelia. Things go progressively from bad to worse for both men before they realize that they need to team up to get to the bottom of things. As they say in the funny papers: hilarity ensues.

I’ve always loved Shane Black as a writer. He has written some of the funniest scenes in some of my favorite films, including Lethal Weapon, The Last Boy Scout and The Last Action Hero. He also wrote and directed the very highly underrated Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Here he creates two more indelible characters. With his ever present cigar and rumpled clothing, Jackson Healy (sounds more like an insurance company) is the tough guy with a heart whereas Holland March, who ensures a negative outlook on life by sporting a tattoo that reads “You Will Never Be Happy,” is the wise-ass who loves his precocious teenage daughter Holly (a very well-cast and wise beyond her years, Angourie Rice). You never question why Holland takes Holly with him on dangerous cases. You just realize that she is his partner in everything. The two leads play off each other perfectly. Crowe is ruff and gruff while Gosling sometimes comes off as an air-headed fool. In fact, once scene has him sputtering and mumbling so much that you would have thought he had channeled the spirit of Lou Costello.

Period wise, the film gets high marks for highlighting the fashion and art of the era, even if some of the items featured are a year or two off in context. A great billboard advertising Jaws 2 would have been out in 1978 while Rupert Holmes’ hit “Escape (the Pina Colada Song) didn’t hit the charts until 1979. That being said, these are minor quibbles with one fantastically funny film.

DVD Review: “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour Country Special”

“The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour Country Special”
Glen Campbell
Shout! Factory
Not Rated
DVD Runtime: 92 min.

Our score: 4 out of 5 stars

For the first time on DVD join country superstar Glen Campbell for a spectacular celebration of music with “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour Country Special”. The DVD is being released via Shout! Factory and features a pair of episodes from Glen’s variety show which aired on January 1st 1972.The release is packed full of laughter and music including performances by Johnny Cash, June Carter, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Jerry Reed, Mel Tillis and Minnie Pearl.

A release in this genre is something that’s generally not on my radar being that I am not a huge country fan. However having heard my fair share of classic country growing up something about this DVD caught my attention. What stands out about this release is the caliber of guests who appear. Everyone from Merle Haggard and Jerry Reed to Johnny Cash and Buck Owners are on here performing either solo, with Glen or as a group. This was something I really enjoyed as the show comes off very light and fun. Throw in some skits by Minnie Pearl, Mel Tillis and beardless Merle Haggard and you have a fun 90 minute video.

I can’t say enough good things about Shout! Factory as they truly do a great job bringing back vintage television specials and series. “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour Country Special” is no exception as both the audio and video are crystal clear. There were one or two spots where the audio was a touch out of sync however it wasn’t enough to even cause a bump in the entertainment factor. If you grew up watching this show or are a fan of some of the artists I named who appear on this release definitely grab a copy as it’s a fun trip down memory lane.

Performance Listing:
1.) Country Boy- Glen Campbell
2.) Folsom Prison Blues- Johnny Cash & Glen Campbell
3.) Comedy Skit- Minnie Pearl, Johnny Cash & Glen Campbell
4.) Banjo Break- Glen Campbell, Buck Owens & Larry McNeely
5.) Comedy Skit- Mel Tillis & Glen Campbell
6.) Carolyn- Merle Haggard & Glen Campbell
7.) Comedy Skit- Glen Campbell & Mini Pearl
8.) I Saw the Light- The Mike Curb Congregation
9.) Comedy Skit- Glen Campbell & Mel Tillis
10.) Another Puff- Jerry Reed
11.) A Thing Called Love- Johnny Cash
12.) No Need To Worry- Johnny Cash & June Carter
13.) Comedy Skit- Mel Tillis & Glen Campbell
14.) Born To Lose- Glen Campbell, Jerry Reed & Larry McNeely
15.) Easy Living- Freddie Hart
16.) Comedy Skit- Glen Campbell, Mel Tillis & Minnie Pearl
17.) Comedy Skit- Glen Campbell, Minnie Pearl, Buck Owens & Jerry Reed
18.) I’ll Still Be Waiting For You- Buck Owens
19.) Merle Haggard’s Musical Impressions Medley: Mary, I’m Moving On, Love’s Gonna Live Here, Jackson- Merle Haggard, Glen Campbell, Buck Owens & Johnny Cash
20.) Medley- A Boy Named Sue, I’ve Got a Tiger By The Tail, When You’re Hot, You’re Hot, I Want To Go Home, Act Naturally, I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am, Long Legged Guitar Pickin’ Man, Oh Lonesome Me- Glen Campbell & Guests
21.) For The Good Times- Glen Campbell

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews, Movies Tagged With: campbell, country, dvd, glen, goodtime, hour, ...

Book Review: Under the Big Black Sun: A Personal History of L.A. Punk”

“Under the Big Black Sun: A Personal History of L.A. Punk”
Author: John Doe w/ Tom DeSavia and Friends
Da Capo Press
Hardcover: 227 pages

Our score: 4 out of 5 stars

“Under the Big Black Sun: A Personal History of L.A. Punk” was written by X vocalist/bassist John Doe along with help from Tom DeSavia and laundry list of who’s who from the late 70’s and early 80’s L.A. punk scene. For the first time in one place the true story of a scene often overlooked is told in all of its gritty and grimy detail by none other those who experienced it and by those who helped create it. This is not your typical memoir however as this book tells not only of how the scene began and developed but also how it went on to change music forever.

Before I get into my review of the book I want to point out that if you are unfamiliar with the scene this book documents or the bands that appear grab a copy of Penelope Spheeris film “The Decline of Western Civilization” as a majority of the people’s names and a lot of the places featured in the film coincide with those who are also in the book. After a very brief forward by Green Day front man Billie Joe Armstrong we are quickly whisked back to the not so glamorous side of Los Angeles. Just a few brief years before hair metal would dominate the sun set strip bands like X, Black Flag and the Minute Men were the bands to go see. John Doe does a great job recounting his stories from this era with vivid detail and truthfulness that make you want to keep turning the page. As an added element to Doe’s story there is often even more colorful commentary provided by other musicians or friends who were there to experience everything as well. Not only does this add different angles to a previously told story but it fills in gaps with intricate firsthand accounts. For me this only pulled me further into the already captivating story. To go along with the stories there are several black and white photo sections which are chocked full of rare photos that by themselves are worth the price of the book.

From cover to cover Doe and DeSavia and crew nail it. Aside from actually being around during this specific time I don’t think you could get any closer nor could it be anymore real. There were a few times when I wished Doe had kept going from his perspective as sometimes when the story teller switched you were in a sense re-reading some of what was just told however, that aside “Under the Big Black Sun: A Personal History of L.A. Punk” is a great book for not only punk rock fans and music but for those wanting to learn about a period of time in Los Angeles that isn’t sugar coated with all the normal glitz and glamour LaLa Land is often associated.

Album Review: Jim Breuer and the Loud & Rowdy “Songs From The Garage”

“Songs From The Garage”
Jim Breuer and the Loud & Rowdy
Metal Blade Records
Producer: Rob Caggiano
Tracks: 11

Our score: 2 out of 5 stars

Accomplished comedian Jim Breuer has been mixing his love of heavy metal into his stand up acts for years. Be it through real life stories, impersonations and even adding a live band to portions of his comedy shows. “Songs From The Garage” is the debut music album from the actor/comedian who was a staple on “Saturday Night Live” during the late 90’s. Produced by former Anthrax and current Volbeat guitarist Rob Caggiano the album features 11 tracks which combine in your face guitars and drums with Breuer’s off kilter comedic stylings.

From his portrayal of “Goat Boy” on SNL to his role as the lovable stoner Brian in “Half Baked” Jim Breuer’s comedy is something that I have grown up with so, when I heard he was going to put out an album of actual metal music I couldn’t wait to check it out. Sadly what I found on the albums 11 tracks was a mediocre comedy album with a band playing your typical 80’s style metal in the back ground. There really was just nothing spectacular here. Not even a guest appearance by long time AC/DC front man Brian Johnson on the track “Mr. Rock n Roll” could turn this around for me. Knowing Jim’s love of heavy music and the fact that his backing band consists of Mike Tichy, Joe Vigliotti and Metal Mike Chlasciak (all great players) the two just didn’t mesh well and came off as stale and forced. Aside from a few fun titles like “Raising Teenage Girls” and “Be a Dick 2nite” I just couldn’t find anything that I would listen to more than once.

When a performer crosses mediums it can go one of two ways, either really well or in the case of “Songs From the Garage” really bad. I appreciate the attempt that Breuer and company made on the record however I was torn between the mix of comedic tracks and those that were more serious as it caused me to question the direction of the album. Was it meant to be a serious attempt at a metal record or just another comedy record with musical elements? I think the album would have come off as way more cohesive if that common element was defined clearly. Yes I understand Jim Breuer is a comedian so there will undoubtedly be comedic elements to his works but, knowing his level of musical fandom especially when it comes to rock and heavy metal music it makes me question why he did this the way he did.

Track Listing:
1.) Thrash
2.) Raising Teenage Girls
3.) Old School
4.) Be a Dick 2nite
5.) My Rock n Roll Dream
6.) Mr. Rock n Roll
7.) Who’s Better Than Us?!
8.) Family Warrior
9.) Sugar Rush
10.) Wannabe
11.) The Unexplained

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Filed Under: CD Reviews, Music Tagged With: album, breuer, garage, jim, loud, review, ...

Album Review: Pierce the Veil “Misadventures”

“Misadventures”
Pierce the Veil
Fearless Records
Producer: Dan Korneff
Tracks: 11

Our score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Post-hardcore heart throb’s Pierce the Veil are back with a brand new studio album titled “Misadventures”. The album which is being released via Fearless Records consists of 11 tracks produced by Dan Korneff (Breaking Benjamin, Paramore) that dig deep into a variety of topics such as self-worth, an individual’s ability to shine and dreams of leaving everything behind for love.

“Misadventures” combines Pierce the Veils energetic, genre blending sound with internal struggles that the bands fan base can surely all relate to. From the albums opening track “Dive In” a track which ungulates back and forth between tempos while a somewhat sinister sample plays in the back ground all while acting as the foundation for what’s to come. Upbeat radio friendly tracks like “Texas Is Forever” and “Circles” were among personal favorites of mine while tracks like “Gold Medal Ribbon” and “Songs For Isabelle” show the band stretching their musicality while not drifting too far from the sound which has made them a common name spoke between cafeteria lunch room tables.

For fans who have worn out their copies of 2012’s “Collide with the Sky” the wait is over as Pierce the Veil’s latest offering showcases the bands progression both personally and professionally while staying true to the sound that got them to where they are today. “Misadventures” is even a great starting point for newer fans of the band as the album is solid incorporation of a number of musical styles which only adds to the albums over all appeal.

Track Listing:

1.) Dive In
2.) Texas Is Forever
3.) The Divine Zero
4.) Floral & Fading
5.) Phantom Power and Ludicrous Speed
6.) Circles
7.) Today I Saw The Whole World
8.) Gold Medal Ribbon
9.) Bedless
10.) Sambuka
11.) Song For Isabelle

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Filed Under: CD Reviews, Music Tagged With: album, pierce, review

Album Review: Hatebreed “The Concrete Confessional”

“The Concrete Confessional”
Hatebreed
Nuclear Blast
Producer: Chris “Zuess” Harris
Tracks: 13

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

The kings of Connecticut hardcore Hatebreed are back with their first new album in three years titled “The Concrete Confessional”. The album which is being released via Nuclear Blast was produced by Chris Harris features 13 brand new tracks from the New Haven natives and serves as the follow up release to the bands 2013 album “The Divinity of Purpose”.

Hatebreed come out swinging with their latest offering “The Concrete Confessional”. Packed with crushing guitar riffs and brilliant break downs there’s very little (if anything) missing from this release. Front-man Jamey Jasta sounds as powerful as ever while the rest of the band consisting of Chris Beattie, Wayne Lozinak, Matt Byrne and, Frank Novinec provide equally impressive performances over the course of the albums 13 aggressive tracks. Songs like the albums opening track “A.D.” and “Us Against Us” hit you square between the eyes pummeling your senses while tracks like “Seven Enemies” and “Slaughtered In Their Dreams” feature a slightly slower pace yet still retain the bands ferocity and drive. From a production standpoint the album has a solid mix that does a great job showcasing the bands signature sound. Despite a lot of the songs being in lower tuning registers tones sound equally audible and lively on both headphones and larger speakers.

If you are looking for something to kick start your senses grab a copy of “The Concrete Confessional” and go to town! From start to finish the album is pure intensity as it will quickly take your adrenaline levels to the extreme. Any fan of hardcore/metal music will want to check this album out as it is truly a solid piece of musical work.

Track Listing:
1.) A.D.
2.) Looking Down the Barrel of Today”
3.) Seven Enemies
4.) In the Walls
5.) From Grace We’ve Fallen
6.) Us Against Us
7.) Something’s Off
8.) Remember When
9.) Slaughtered in Their Dreams
10.) The Apex Within
11.) Walking the Knife
12.) Dissonance
13.) Serve Your Masters

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Filed Under: CD Reviews, Music Tagged With: album, concrete, confessional, hatebreed, review

Album Review: Rob Zombie “The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser”

“The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser”
Rob Zombie
Zodiac Swan
Tracks: 12

Our Score: 1.5 out of 5 stars

Master of the macabre Rob Zombie is back with his 6th studio album titled “The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser”. As the follow up to his 2013 release “Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor” the new album features 12 tracks from the former White Zombie front man which blend his unique brand of 70’s tinged rock and roll with eerie b-movie samplings which seem to permeate from every crack and crevice.

With an album title like “The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser” one would hope for the music to be equally as impressive. Sadly this is not the case as the new album from Rob Zombie is an uneven blend of chaotic, multi layered samples that lack any real musical substance. Over the course of the albums twelve tracks which only clock in at a measly thirty one minutes Zombie’s once unique blend of horror infused rock comes off as stale and tiresome. Despite a few shining moments in the way of tracks like “Well Everybody’s Fucking in a U.F.O.” and “The Hideous Exhibitions of a Dedicated Gore Whore” the album seemed to be absent of any real hook or catchiness and, instead comes off as a scattered mess. Even with such an impressive band behind him consisting of bassist Piggy D, guitarist John 5 and drummer Ginger Fish there still just wasn’t enough musical appeal to warrant a second listen.

Some impressively wordy titles are about all you will find in the latest release from Rob Zombie. With a three year lapse between albums I was certainly hoping for more and, in the case of “The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser” I needed a lot more. The albums lack of focus and its brief runtime really left me unfulfilled. This is easily Zombie’s weakest release however if you’re a long time fan and want it for your collection go for it but, if you are just know checking out Rob’s work I highly recommend skipping this and going to his impressive back catalog.

Track Listing:

 1.) The Last of the Demons Defeated
2.) Satanic Cyanide! The Killer Rocks On!
3.) The Life and Times of a Teenage Rock God
4.) Well Everybody’s Fucking in a U.F.O.
5.) A Hearse That Overturns with the Coffin Bursting Open
6.) The Hideous Exhibitions of a Dedicated Gore Whore
7.) Medication for the Melancholy
8.) In the Age of the Consecrated Vampire We All get High
9.) Super-Doom-Hex-Gloom, Pt. 1
10.) In the Bone Pile
11.) Get Your Boots On! That’s the End of Rock and Roll
12.) Wurdalak

Film Review “Keanu”

Starring: Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele and Tiffany Haddish
Directed by: Peter Atencio
Rated: R
Running time: 1 hr 38 mins
New Line Cinema

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Abbott and Costello. Laurel and Hardy. Martin and Lewis. Cheech and Chong. Just four of some of the most popular comedy teams that went on to success on the big screen. Time to add a new team to the list: Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, who take over your local multiplex this weekend in the new film “Keanu.”

Rell Williams (Peele) is feeling down. His woman has just left him and he’s hit rock bottom. At least until he finds a cute little kitten outside his door. Taking him in and giving him milk, he names the cat Keanu, which he believes means “cool breeze.” Artistic at heart, he begins taking photos of the cat recreating various movie scenes for a calendar. This strikes his friend Clarence Goobril (Key) just a little bit odd. When Rell’s house is broken into by drug dealers, who mistake it for his pot-selling neighbors’ home, Keanu turns up missing. Obsessed with finding his new friend, Rell convinces Clarence to pose as rival drug dealers in an attempt to retrieve their feline friend.

I’ve been a huge fan of Key and Peele from the time I caught their skit, “I Said Bitch” on Comedy Central. Like their popular show, the jokes in the film fly fast and furious, as the two take on the persona of the “Allentown brothers,” a pair well known for their bloody battles with rivals, in order to do business with the “Blips,” the gang that defeated both the Bloods and the Crips! Rell also meets a lady member of the Blips, the tough but tender Hi-C (Haddish). As Rell and Clarence go deeper to find Keanu, the action picks up to a tornadic level.

Teaming with their former television show’s director, and relying on a script co-written by Peele, the two leads are comfortable on the big screen. Each has their own individual moments to shine, but it’s when they are together that they work best. Whether they’re staring down a rival gang leader or instructing others on the impact of the music of George Michael, Key and Peele are a welcome addition to the big screen. If you aren’t familiar with their work, I urge you to head to YouTube. If you are, I urge you to head to the theatre. You won’t be disappointed.

Make sure to check out our interview with Keegan-Michael Key

Film Review “Papa: Hemingway in Cuba”

Starring: Giovanni Ribisi, Joely Richardson and Adrian Sparks
Directed By: Bob Yari
Rated: R
Running Time: 109 minutes
Yari Film Group

Our Score: 2.5 out of 5 Stars

Having to write about Ernest Hemingway is a daunting task, but having to write about “Papa: Hemingway in Cuba” is fairly simple task considering how humdrum it is about its biographical choice. So I’m lucky in the sense that I’m going to be telling you about the latter. I’m not lucky in having to admit I’ve never ready anything by Ernest Hemingway or know that much about the Pulitzer Prize winning author, so I can’t refute anything in this movie or speak about Hemingway with any familiarity.

Ed Myers (Ribisi) is a Boston Globe reporter that became infatuated with writing after reading Ernest Hemingway’s (Sparks) works. He’s too timid to write Hemingway a letter, but a co-worker, behind his back, sends off a letter he’s been mulling over for years. Much to Myers’ surprise, Hemingway responds and gladly picks him up in his own boat off the coast of Florida. From there they head off to Cuba to enjoy drinks, laughs and musings.

The movie follows Myers and Hemingway’s relationship over the course of 1959. The problem that arises from the get-go of the movie is that the film never knows how to settle and focus. The movie reflects on Hemingway’s alcoholism, suicidal tendencies, funding and supplying of Cuban rebels, his possible PTSD, his tumultuous marriage, his writer’s block, and probably more that I’m forgetting. Hemingway was known for saying a lot within a few short words. “Papa: Hemingway in Cuba” barely say anything in 109 minutes.

The most interesting conflict, at least the bit that the actors chomp at, is Hemingway’s alcoholism and his seemingly toxic marriage with Mary (Richardson). Some of the tensest scenes involve Myers and the Hemingway’s. Their conversation goes from passive aggressive jabs to violent outbursts. Because so much happens within one scene, there’s the unshakeable feeling that “Papa: Hemingway in Cuba” may have been better off as a dramatic stage play. The theory is given further credence by presence of Adrian Sparks, a renowned stage actor.

Bob Yari may have not been the man to direct this movie since he only has one other credit to his name. He has produced some magnificent movies, but then he’s credited as the executive producer for the “Agent Cody Banks” movies. My research online yields articles and interviews about how this movie has been in the works for years, but “Papa: Hemingway in Cuba” seems like a passion project without any passion.

Yari doesn’t have the director’s touch. So much of “Papa: Hemingway in Cuba” feels like a TV movie with a few ‘F’ bombs to spice it up. There are transitions that feel like they should be followed by commercials or a spokesman for PBS asking me to donate money. Even the casual viewer will be able to notice awkward cutting in between scenes. It begs the question if Yari was a simple fill-in.

For all its faults, it’s well acted and has a lot of gripping ideas. For those who don’t know much about Hemingway, this could serve as a bridge to learning more about one of America’s greatest authors. If that’s the case, this movie does serve some importance. For Hemingway fans and those familiar with American literature, they’ll be scratching their heads and wondering if Hemingway is turning and tossing in his grave.

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Filed Under: Film Reviews Tagged With: cuba, film, hemingway, papa, review

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