Jun 4
Written by EternalWanderer
Microsoft: Solid, if less than revolutionary, line-up of games. Project Natal is a poorly conceived Wii competition, will fail miserably - but won’t really affect the 360 in the long run.
Nintendo: Metroid: Project M looks amazing, Super Mario Galaxy 2 looks surprisingly good from the trailer - I was kind of expecting a sloppy rehash, New Super Mario Bros. Wii doesn’t impress me at all, need some new franchise ideas already. But for being completely conservative, it was good enough. Heart rate monitor accessory is stupid cash in on the Wii fitness market, it will probably be profitable - but it’s kind of pathetic. Wii Motion Plus not looking too impressive, I’ve yet to see anything that really screams killer app for it. I really don’t think it was necessary either, 1:1 motion controls will never be practical - the original Wii ones, used well, are fine. Golden Sun DS is, well, a new Golden Sun game - which is freaking awesome, even though I still have yet to finish the second one.
Sony: PSP Go is attractive, and an intelligent concept as far as using digital distribution instead of UMD - unfortunately, I’ve heard a number of complaints from people who tried it about the button layout. From what I’ve heard, it’s just too small, and to look at the device - this problem seems likely to me as well. With coming Tekken and Soul Calibur titles, along with Gran Turismo (finally), MotorStorm: Arctic Edge, and Rock Band Unplugged, it looks to be a good coming year for PSP games - probably the first one it’s ever had. Sony also is making good on the fact that the PSP hardware was really ahead of it’s time, and as such doesn’t feel dated yet - smart, although then again cell phones now can push these same levels of graphics. Playstation 3 is just as much of a dud as ever, the console is dead in the water - and the loss of Metal Gear Solid exclusivity with the next entry in the franchise is only going to make things worse. It may not be over until it’s over, but at this point - things are looking grim for the PS3. Also, quickly put out to get on the trend second attempt at motion controls looks to be yet another failure. And not a “this is good but just won’t catch on” failure like Microsoft’s Project Natal - I mean, it just fails.
E3 overall: It’s back, and about time too. So glad this didn’t turn into a repeat of last year.
Apr 15
Written by Pacdan
Due to popular demand, an earlier version of the game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl has been released as a free download. I’m not going to go into details, but in essence - this version still has much of the promised content that ended up being cut from the final retail release. Oh, and it’s completely and totally free - for basically a complete game. Can’t beat that. I haven’t tried this out yet, but from what I’ve played of the final release of Shadow of Chernobyl - it’s very much a love it or hate it type of thing. The game is, at least for me, difficult and extremely complicated. I actually found it to be too complicated for its own good - eventually getting frustrating, rather than fun. Which is why it’s still sitting on my hard drive waiting for me to continue playing. But your mileage may vary - and for free, it’s not like you have a lot to lose if you just want to get a feel of what the game’s like. You can grab it over here.
Mar 15
Written by EternalWanderer
You Belong in Generation X
|
You fit in best with people born between 1961 and 1981.
You are fun, laid back, and very independent.
You are willing to take risks and live your life however you see fit.
You are casual, accepting, and friendly. You see everyone as your equal.
|
Mar 13
Written by EternalWanderer
Or more formally, Nightwish - Made In Hong Kong (And In Various Other Places), but that wouldn’t all fit in the title. Anyways, this live EP from Nightwish’s Dark Passion Play - which I was greatly anticipating the release of - ends up being a real disappointment. First, there’s no live recordings on songs from albums before Dark Passion Play. None. Which is really a shame since, based on my two live experiences with the band, new singer Anette Olzon really aces them. I can understand not wanting to bring on more unneeded comparisons between the two singers, but really - not including even a single of the older performances is just a shame.
Performances here are mostly solid, but none will replace the album version like Ever Dream from the band’s End of an Era DVD & CD release did. However, based on both my own concert experiences and various bootlegs, these are definitely not the best performances of each song from the tour. Which is perfectly understandable, since it’s just some recordings - not a handpicked best of - but I’m still just a little bit disappointed at already having heard all of these songs performed better on bootleg recordings. The live version of instrumental track Last of the Wilds is a complete dud - losing all the atmosphere and charm of the original. The strongest point here is definitely The Poet And The Pendulum, which translates beautifully into live performance. Recorded audio can never capture the mind blowing experience of hearing the band play that song live, but frankly - it’s still pretty awesome. Stunning performances from every band member, especially Olzon who sings a part in the middle which is done by a choir boy on the album - a great improvement over how it was originally recorded, in my opinion.
Unfortunately, there’s something completely beyond the band’s control bringing this release down - the audio quality. While it benefits for having the chance to be tinkered with in studio, I”ve heard audience recorded bootlegs that sound much better. This is just sad, and near impossible to overlook. With all but the one exception mentioned before, the band plays admirably - their passion for the music evident - but for all their efforts, this release is really brought down by something completely beyond their control. The biggest offender here is Emppu Vuorinen’s guitar, which sounds like it’s being amplified through a tin can, but it’s very noticeable in other places as well - albeit less consistently so. Also, the tracks don’t all start or end along with the actual song - in some cases including bits of the band members speaking as well. This can be taken as a positive or negative thing, depending on what you’re looking for from this release, but for me it was a negative. I’d be expecting that if this were a full concert release, but since it’s not - I was hoping those bits would be cut out.
As for the non-live tracks on the album, Escapist is phonemonal - combining the feel of their new (Dark Passion Play) and their old (Wishmaster) - though the guitar riff in the song is far too similar to the one from She Is My Sin. But this is only a minor quibble, it’s a great Nightwish song. However, due to this being at least the fourth release this song has been featured on - I’m sure most Nightwish fans have already heard it. For those who haven’t, I’d strongly recommend just grabbing it from a legal download service (it’s available from Amazon MP3, I just looked, so presumably is also on iTunes). While Your Lips Are Still Red is another great track, actually not a formal Nightwish track at all but a song that (composer and keyboard player) Tuomas Holopainen wrote for a film which also features vocalist and bass player Marco Hietala and drummer Jukka Nevalainen. While it sounds nothing like most Nightwish tracks, the song is lyrically and melodically beautiful - along with being one of Hietala’s best vocal performances. However, unless you’re a collector, my recommendation is the same as the above - find this track elsewhere. And if you are a collector, I’m sure you already bought this without reading my review, or if not - will buy it no matter what I might say. The last track, Cadence of Her Last Breath (Demo Version) is a rougher mix of the same song from Dark Passion Play which features Marco on vocals. While it’s nowhere near as good as the demo version of Eva - which is as stunning as the album version in its own right - it’s at least listenable, unlike the demo version of the epic The Poet and the Pendulum. While hearing this gives the impression that the album version may have been improved by including some of Hietala’s vocals, as it stands now - unless you’re a really big fan of his vocals - you’re probably not going to want to hear it more than once.
I love Nightwish, I really do - but I simply can’t justify the purchase of Made In Hong Kong (And In Various Other Places) to anyone other than the most die hard fans, and I think even they’ll be disappointed by it. A real shame for a great band, especially when this release really did have potential. If you have the chance, I strongly recommend seeing one of the last few gigs on Nightwish’s Dark Passion Play Tour - seeing the band live is an incredible experience. Unfortunately, this EP isn’t. 5/10
Mar 11
Written by EternalWanderer
Today’s is Diablo Swing Orchestra - Ragdoll Physics. Seems somehow fitting, all things considered in the world, and I just wanted to share it.
*can’t get it to embed right*
Oh, just listen for yourself!
Mar 10
Written by EternalWanderer
I’m going to go out there and say I didn’t really love this one. It is by no means a bad album. Just, for my tastes, not a spectacular one. And I do appreciate the innovation that is going on here, both comparitive to “extreme metal” of the time and to their previous releases, really I do. If anything, that’s the album’s strongest point. The vocals of Karyn Crisis are as good as one could as for in this type of music, occasionally slipping into the melodic but primarily being screams. Don’t take that as a bad thing, however, she’s very good at what she does and uses a surprising amount of variety within that style. I’ve read praise of the album’s lyrics, but frankly - the fact that I couldn’t understand most of them renders the point moot for me. Of course, when in a genre of music where the lyrics are typically laugh worthy - just having ones that aren’t cringe inducing when they can be understood is a plus. Taken further into the realm of avant-garde metal, this could really have been something special - but as it stands, it’s little more than a slightly about average album that has some neat ideas but never fully explores them to their potential. If you’re looking for something a little bit less straightforward than the latest offerings of Arch Enemy and The Agonist but more accessible than the likes of Unexpect, this might just do it for you. For me, though, while there’s certainly potential there, The Hollowing just isn’t fulfilling. 6.5/10
Mar 8
Written by Pacdan
The new 2.0 patch and Titan pack expansion have really impressed so far. The patch improves performance greatly, allowing me to turn up texture detail by one setting and still get a better framerate than I was before. It’s always looked gorgeous, but now is both gorgeous and smooth. Yay! I can’t pinpoint what’s different, so it could be just in my head, but the game feels much more balanced as well. I was really having a good time playing, even getting absolutely destroyed (I don’t invest enough time to seriously play games online, and probably naturally lack in skills anyways). What I’ve played of the Titan pack maps so far have been mostly great, though there’s a couple of duds in there. Haven’t tried any of the new modes yet, but I’ll probably end up firing it up again tomorrow, pretty good for a game I previously hadn’t played in months. The combination of the two enhancements makes the game infinitely better, this is the first time since I got it that I actually felt it to be worth the investment (I paid $35, it’s probably cheaper now).
Mar 8
Written by Pacdan
So would it seem like:
Case
CPU
RAM
Video card (basically only for composite out, I have an old TV) [alternative, which depends on s-video to composite (included)...worked alright in old laptop, not in mine but seems to be Vista issue - this one still low end but faster]
Motherboard (slightly above minimum to get optical audio out and save on sound card)
Hard drive
and power supply
could make a neat little PC for TV hookup and storage, combined with an old DVD burner and cheap IR receiver from eBay that hopefully can be made to work? I hate to spend the money, all things considered, I really do - but laptop speakers are five degrees of suck, and I really need more storage space. As does father, which is why it was the intention to have him help pay for the hard drive, rather than buying an external, and back everything up to it. I mean, it’s not that much in the grand scheme of things but guilty guilty guilty I also really should be putting everything I have towards…me. And I feel bad not to. But there’s so much use that can come of it, not the least of which being a reduction in the amount of use my laptop is getting…which if it helps it to last, could actually end up working out cheaper. I just, know there’s more important things and…*sigh*. But at the same time, I really would benefit from it. Anyways, that is enough of my bloody ramble, any thoughts on the specs?
Heh, I’m not nearly as indecisive about this as I sound…I’ve already got video, optical audio, and network cables literally sitting there waiting for it…just having trouble being convinced to actually take the plunge, so to speak.
TV tuner was wanted so as to have it as a DVR as well, but got cut out to keep cost down. And running XP, trying a Linux distro was tempting - especially since it would probably be faster to start up - but I’m afraid it will end up being a major headache, so let’s just keep things straightforward.
Feb 19
Written by Pacdan
This to be the single best promotional idea ever. Get paid one dollar (via paypal) to download Officer Roseland’s new album Stimulus Package or alternatively choose to have them donate the dollar to charity. I have not had this confirmed to be legitimate, though it very well may be (I chose to donate) but regardless it’s music for (less than) free! Quite the idea, way to go! Haven’t listened yet, but thought you’d all be interested anyways. You’re really got no reason (other than a slow connection) not to.
Feb 15
Written by EternalWanderer
Is today like national anti-Scientology day and I missed the message? Not that you really need a special occasion for it, just wondering if there was some special reason for it to be in such high prevalence that I’m missing. Yeah, I tend to be kinda oblivious to the world sometimes.
Feb 5
Written by EternalWanderer
That I pass on the news that metal band After Forever is no longer. *moment of silence*
But OMG Floor Jansen solo album with fricking Jorn Lande!!! Still, it won’t be the same.
Feb 1
Written by Pacdan
This movie just made me die a little inside. Is nothing sacred? Nothing??? That’s just awful, and the trailer looks like a complete abomination. Maybe they’ll at least release the TV remake of Escape to Witch Mountain on DVD now. Yes, I liked it. Was nowhere near as good as the original (which I already have) of course, but I still liked it enough that I would want to see it again.
Jan 23
Written by Pacdan
I’m sorry, but quite frankly - anyone who would support these people is committing a crime against humanity by living.
Sorry for the violent outburst, I blame icky testosterone.
Jan 23
Written by Pacdan
OK, people need to learn that there is a huge difference between dominating a market because of forward thinking and offering the best services and having a bloody fucking monopoly. Assholes, go back to suing Microsoft.
Jan 16
Written by Pacdan
You’re going out of business! Go you Circuit City.
Note to everyone else (*cough*Best Buy*cough*) high prices and horrible store layout do not pay in the long run. The City of Circuits shall be missed, though, there was at least some good to come of that store. My first MP3 player…*sigh of nostalgia*
Jan 7
Written by Pacdan
So, the year is gone…now the question is - which albums will reign supreme??? Umm…I mean, who will I choose for the best of 2008? Well here it goes:
1. Band’o - Huu
Stunningly beautiful, there’s just nothing quite like this. I’m not going to try to put it into words, just listen.
2. Angelspit - Blood Death Ivory
Wonderful album from front to back, great evolution for the band. You can read my full review over here.
3. Tearwave - Different Shade of Beauty
“…the single best shoegaze album to be released since Split by Lush - almost 15 years ago. Brilliant in every since of the word, and an instant classic of the genre.” I’ve heard some other really great shoegazer albums since I wrote that…but I still stand by the sentiment.
4. Amanda Rogers - Heartwood
“By far her best album yet album yet, every track is simply a joy to listen to combining quality songwriting, Amanda’s pretty but never bland vocals, skillful piano, and sensible guitars and strings that never overpower the rest of the music. It’s simply a triumph of “indie pop” music, and definitely one of this year’s absolute must listen albums. Strongly recommended to anyone who doesn’t mind their music a bit on the lighter side, and anyone who is a fan of Rogers’ previous releases should love it.”
5. Ayreon - 01011001
Not the best of Ayreon, but still quite brilliant. Great ending chapter, and of course…the vocalists. When you have Jorn Lande, Anneke van Giersbergen, Simone Simmons, Floor Jansen, Daniel Gildenlöw, and (the highly underrated) Marjan Welman all on an album written by Arjen Anthony Lucassen…how could things actually turn out badly? I’m not sure they could, and they certainly didn’t here. The Human Equation may be a more accessible starting point, but Ayreon fans should love this album…and non-Ayreon fans should find it quite enjoyable too, other than not being able to understand the story.
6. Marit Larsen - The Chase
Wait, you mean the Marit Larsen who was half of (Norwegian teen pop duo) M2M??? Yes, her. But hear me out, things have matured a lot since those days - the songs are solid, Marit’s voice is enchanting, and the sugary production is crystal clean. No, it’s not going to revolutionize anything - but that’s hardly a crime. What it lacks in moving power, The Chase more than makes up for simply being enchanting. Pop music at it’s best, and props to whoever arranged the album’s orchestration…it’s very well done.
7. Opeth - Watershed
Easily Opeth’s second best album after Blackwater Park - the unexpectedly quiet opener picks up into a full fledged brutal album that is…everything you could want in an Opeth album. Mikael Akerfeldt’s vocals are brilliant as always, and the perfect balance of acoustic and death metal that made this band famous is perfectly intact.
8. The Dresden Dolls - No, Virginia
The Dolls (who are unfortunately now on hiatus for…who knows how long) at their best! Great release, even better than Yes, Virginia. You can read my original thoughts here. Unfortunately, while still solid, Amanda Palmer’s solo debut doesn’t live up to this legacy.
9. Ani DiFranco - Red Letter Year
Radical lyrics? Check! Sharp vocals? Check! Acoustic guitar too often overpowered by studio production? Check! Yup, it’s a modern Ani DiFranco album. Fortunately, it’s also a significantly better one than her somewhat disappointing last few releases. Non-fans should probably start extra, but fans will eat this up…just like everything else she does, and for me - Red Letter Year is also a bit of a return to form after some fairly average releases.
10. M83 - Saturdays = Youth
To be honest, I only even listened to this because Morgan Kibby is on it. But, I was pleasantly surprised to find that in addition to some great use of her voice - even the tracks that don’t have her are really great. This album is incredibly addictive, and has become one of my default choices when I don’t know what I want to listen to.
Honorable mentions:
Rachael Sage - Chandelier (this might have gotten a place if I hadn’t forgotten about it, but I’m not going to rework the list)
Edenbridge - MyEarthDream
The Killers - Day & Age
Repo! The Genetic Opera Soundtrack
Lau Nau - Nukkuu
Amanda Palmer - Who Killed Amanda Palmer
Sarah Brightman - Symphony
Jan 6
Written by Pacdan
Common sense does still exist in the American legal system…occasionally.
Dec 27
Written by Pacdan
After much nagging I’m finally on Twitter.
Thought you should know…
Dec 24
Written by Pacdan
To all of the blogworld!
Dec 21
Written by Pacdan
That not being able to blog a word of my life for the combination of parental and future employment reasons sucks.
I’d also like to point out that chicken and cheese quesadillas made in the microwave are not a healthy dinner and I should never eat that crap again…ugh. Of course, if someone would actually buy real food it would help…though I should have just made a salad.
Loving the gorgeous new theme, though, other than that I miss the graphical header. I could probably hackity in a new one…I’m supposed to be good at these things, they tell me.
Dec 14
Written by Pacdan
Worse than finals: papers taking the place of finals. Though in the case of the sure to be impossible and not at all easy to study for Computer Organization & Design final, it’s quite a close race. Actually, I can fully think of two things that are much worse…but I can’t really write either of them here 
Enjoy Christmas shopping.
You may think I was joking, but I’m the weird person who actually does enjoy it. Probably only because I have to buy for only three people, plus forcing stuff upon my mother to buy for me. Other than when you buy something and find it cheaper someplace else, which pisses me off. Or when two different stores overcharge you (and only one of them you notice it while still there), also very annoying. *sighs*
Oh, and finally getting close to having my room sort of finished being cleaned, though there’s still a lot of decorative touches that need work (which usually means money I don’t have). But still…
I rant.
Dec 8
Written by Pacdan
Not a pizza? When it’s rather using a garlic-olive oil rather than the sauce you were expecting. Which is not to say I had a problem with it, actually it was better than the normal cheese pizza, just unexpected. Plus free water means only $3.10 for lunch, unusually cheap.
Dec 6
Written by Pacdan
Your Attention Span is Short
|
What attention span? It’s difficult for anything to keep your interest.
You are so easily distracted, it’s a wonder you could finish this quiz!
You find focusing a challenge. Your mind tends to wander to the strangest places.
While it may be hard for you to complete tasks, you’re very creative.
You are easily inspired, and you are often thinking of something interesting.
The world would be a boring place without people like you.
|
Dec 5
Written by Pacdan
A developer is doing something right when I look at a screenshot of a game and say, “Wow, this is some of the most beautiful 2D art I’ve ever seen - what game is this?” - only to realize after looking at the caption that the game in question is Street Fighter IV…with full 3D art style. Wasn’t the first time I’d seen it either, but it’s still an incredibly gorgeous game - I guess I’d forgotten quite how much so. Excited for this game? You bet I am (which is quite something, since I didn’t even like Street Fighter II that much - the Alpha series was much better).
Dec 4
Written by Pacdan
You can be assured that we have reached stage two of the cycle by which I:
1. Ignore my blog for a month.
2. Blog like crazy for a couple of days
3. Jump: 1
Dec 4
Written by Pacdan
Just happened to put in an old mix CD from when I was like a freshman (in high school). Kind of an off assortment, though I think I still have at least half of these on my Zen.
Jethro Tull - Fire at Midnight
Bangles - Eternal Flame
Moody Blues - Nights In White Satin
Boston - Something About You
REO Speedwagon - Can’t Fight This Feeling
Michelle Branch - Everywhere
Kansas - Carry On Wayward Son
Bob Seger - Turn The Page
The Who - Behind Blue Eyes
Simon & Garfunkel - I Am A Rock
Barry Manilow - Could It Be Magic/Mandy
Elton John - Your Song
Elton John - I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues (which is a masterpiece, BTW)
Moody Blues - Tuesday Afternoon
Styx - Lady ‘95
Styx - The Best of Times
Eagles - Desperado
Dec 4
Written by Pacdan
So, since the economy is slowing because people aren’t spending money - we’re supposed to…not spend money until it recovers? Isn’t there a bit of a catch 22 in there somewhere?
Anyways, ordered used on Amazon yesterday:
Anna Nalick - Wreck of the Day
Eisley - Combinations
Evanescence - Fallen
Jewel - Pieces of You
Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega
Suzanne Vega - 99.9 F°
Tori Amos - Boys for Pele
Tori Amos - Scarlet’s Walk
Tori Amos - To Venus and Back
Vanessa Carlton - Be Not Nobody
The average comes out to $4.53 a piece, really not bad. The music industry is screwing themselves over with CD prices - they should not go above $8 or $9 for a new standard edition CD, especially around Christmas time but really throughout the whole year as well. But that’s a rant for another day.
Dec 3
Written by Pacdan
Projekt Records are having a 20% off any order of $35 or more in their webstore. Lots of great stuff on their, if you’re interested. I’ve always ordered from them before and it’s always been great! The sale is good through December 11th.
You can get me = this, this, and especially this. Well it’s Christmas time, right? Spirit of giving and all. I know, I know - you’re all broke too. Sorry about that part.
Dec 3
Written by Pacdan
A 20 year old watching an R rated movie is not something worth noting. It is not a big deal. It is not, nor should it be, out of the norm. Certainly, it is not something upsetting.
The fact that college students are required to watch R rated movies is no more shocking. It is not strange. It is not at all, or in any way noteworthy.
It was even a pretty tame movie.
Even if you must insist on denying and/or ignoring reality, do not expect to be able to force that twisted worldview upon other people.
Dec 3
Written by Pacdan
Too many requests? What do you mean too many requests? Of course I made a bunch of requests, I was searching for products…on a website…that’s made for shopping…what else would you expect me to be doing on there?
Also under the category of things that would seem like a joke but are actually completely serious, to dispell any confusion - those are my nails. And yes, they are painted pink. You’ll get over it, I rather like the pic…which is rare, since I usually hate having my picture taken. That is all.
Update: Holy crap! They’re completely serious! Apparently this is Amazon’s way of artifially competing with 3rd party vendors on their site (who generally have better prices). Not only are you limited in the number of times you can search one store, once you’ve used up your limit - you can’t search any 3rd party store on the entire site. Now that’s bad business in its finest form.