MGS: Critical Reviewing Action

minor update..

2009-12-03T21:49:00.001-08:00

If anyone has been paying attention, they may have noticed the lack of activity on here for the past month. The first slew of reviews was a sort of test run to see what kinds of submissions I'd get, and how much I could get out. I am very happy with the amount and quality of the music I've been receiving, and will jump back into more consistent reviews staring in late December/early January. Thanks for checking back, and hopefully I'll see you again in a few weeks!

Rammstein, "Liebe ist für alle da"

2009-10-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

The German industrial metal outfit Rammstein has always been known for pushing the envelope. For a band that's nearly 15 years old, one would have thought that nothing's shocking anymore. Yet once again, they've managed to turn heads their way with their latest album, Liebe ist für alle da.

After being somewhat under the radar for the past four years, they released a music video for their lead single "Pussy," which put their name right back into the spotlight. Blurring the line between music video and straight up porno, this video was definitely the right selection for a single since it got people talking and spreading it around. In a recent interview one of the band members said that there had been 12 million views in just two weeks! The song however, is also arguably the worst on the album. This isn't to say that it is a bad song by any means, it is just clearly a fun party song, whereas the rest of the album has a much more intricate and dark sound to it.

"Rammlied," the album's opener, really sets the mood by building slowly from what sounds like a religious sermon into the unforgiving, heavy riffage that is trademark Rammstein. Having been off the radar for four years, this song is their triumphant announcement that they have returned. "The ones who wait with prudence/ will be rewarded at the right time/now the waiting has ended/lend your ear to a legend/Rammstein!" (Translation from German by Affenknecht.com).

They don't let their guard down for a second as they power through the album's next two tracks, "Ich tu dir weh" and "Waidmann's Heil." Next up is "Haifisch" which has a large, stomping beat and a catchy chorus which will no doubt get your head bopping. This is the kind of song you would go running to, or drive to, and feel like a total badass.

Besides the riffs, the other most recognizable Rammstein trait is the voice of Till Lindemann, the band's singer. He really gives us a lot of range on this album, from his commanding chants to his terryfing screams, and even some peaceful singing. "Frülung in Paris" is a slower ballad which has a chorus that reminds me of a sequel to "Seemann" from their first album.

The only song I can't really seem to get into on this album is "Mehr." To me, it feels like too much of the same without bringing anything new or necessarily interesting to the table. It is still distinctly Rammstein, but it is the only track which I felt like didn't have that extra "UMPH" that makes the rest of this album so great.

The album maintains its pace throughout, until the final track, "Rotersand." A massive departure and new direction for the band, this is the perfect closer for the album. It features a little whistled tune in the beginning that shows up throughout the song which gives it a sort of Wild West atmosphere. Dropping the heavy beats and crushing guitars for a couple soft riffs and light orchestration, the track is dark and beautiful.

Things don't stop there. For those who still haven't picked up this album, I strongly recommend grabbing the two disk deluxe version. It features five extra songs, and each one is great. I would have liked to hear the tracks "Führe Mich" and "Donaukinder" on the real album, perhaps in place of "Mehr" and "Fruhling in Paris." The bonus disk also features two "alternate versions" of "Rotersand," the first with alternate instrumentation and the second with the same alternate instrumentation, but this time complete with entirely new lyrics. Seeing as "Rotersand" is one of my favorite tracks on the album, I was really happy to have so many versions of it so that I wouldn't have to ruin just one by playing it over and over again too much.

Overall, this album is great. Believe the hype. Give it a listen. Nobody does heavy like Rammstein. They have created their own world with this album, and I urge you to go and visit.

Recommended Tracks: "Rammlied", "Haifisch", "Rotersand", "Donaukinder"(from bonus disk), "Liebe Liese" (from bonus disk)

Dark Soul

2009-10-17T17:26:00.001-07:00

Dark Soul sounds like what would have happened if one were to have given Kurt Cobain a drum machine and a synthesizer in his early days of making music. Their debut EP, Blood=Sock evokes the raw grungey feel of Bleach while adding whole new layers of electronic influence to the mix.

The ambient opener, "IN00" brings up imagery of waiting at a train station, late at night. This song seems to imply that the listener is about to be taken on a dark and mysterious trip, a view which becomes solidified when the next track, "Burning Flight" kicks in. Starting with a tired synth riff and mumbling lyrics, we are snapped to chaos when heavy distorted guitars kick in, accompanied by programmed drums and the blood curdling screams of Kurt- er... Saxy Dorian, the band's lead guitarist/singer.

This style carries pretty consistently up until track 6, "Heavy Snow." Dropping the drums, and replacing it with what sounds like an old music box this track brings you down the back alleys of a rundown carnival with Dorian's wailing vocals moaning vehemently in the background.

The album ends on a very creepy note with the Residents-esque closer, "Virus Blast Fast." A distorted tonal riff repeats throughout the entirety of the four minute song, with low grumblings of white noise and distant vocals. A fitting choice for a closer.

Overall, Blood=Sock is a very creative album which brings up the early 90's lo-fi grunge nostalgia while still managing to throw in some fresh sounding electronics. While I would have liked to have seen the synthesizers featured a little more throughout the actual songs instead of just as segues, they added a nice touch.

Be sure to download the album for FREE, right here

Zombieland (film review)

2009-10-06T19:08:00.001-07:00

Zombieland takes us to an alternate America which has been overrun by a viral infection, turning most US citizens into zombies. The film places us in the shoes of Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), a Texas college student who is trying to make his way home to Columbus, Ohio to try and find his parents. He explains early on that while he's never been close to his parents- or anyone for that matter- he would feel good just being able to see their faces again. To see any face again, that's not dripping blood from its mouth. He also explains various rules he has created to increase his survival, which we are reminded of throughout the film by smartly-placed blocks of text which appear when a rule is followed.

Throughout his journey he encounters Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin). These are not the characters' real names, but indications of where they are originally from. This decision is made based on the idea that they should not get too close to each other, as it would be much harder to deal with if one of them were then to be bitten or killed by the zombies.

At it's heart, this film is a comedy, much like Superbad in that it deals with an awkward virgin college who just wants to get laid. This differs this from other "horror comedy" films like Shaun of the Dead, whose jokes were more about taking familiar themes from zombie films and putting a comedic twist on them. Here, the zombies are just an inconvenience, standing between Columbus, and, well, anybody else.

This is not to say that the zombies or the violence is pushed to the back however. Zombieland is full of creative ways to kill the zombie attackers. It even becomes a competition of one upping as Columbus and Tallahassee strive to outdo each other to earn the "Zombie Kill of the Week." This film has blood and gore galore and never starts to feel repetitive or uninspired in the ways of killing the zombies. Zombieland drops Zombies like Inglourious Basterds drops Nazis: Hard.

The character development in the film is done through flashbacks and dialogue throughout the film. By the end you really have a sense of who the main characters are, and what drives them.

Jesse Eisenberg does a great job as the awkward, quirky, paranoid main character. Woody Harrelson's character also brings a lot to the table: from his care-free badass persona to repressed emotions which are revealed in pieces throughout the film, Harrelson never stops entertaining.

Emma Stone as a queen of deception does very well acting like someone who is just acting most of the time, which give her moments of honesty an even more raw and realistic feeling. I would also like to point out that, throughout most of the film, she very much resembles Alison Mosshart from the Kills and The Dead Weather, especially in their recent video for "Treat Me Like Your Mother." Finally, Abigail Breslin has come a long way from Little Miss Sunshine. All four of the film's stars pulls of convincing roles, making it a truly enjoyable experience to watch their relationships with one another grow from start to finish.

Zombieland is a coming-of-age tale of friendship, in a world where there is absolutely nothing else one could hope for. The mood is light, but the sentiment is sincere. Mixing comedy with over the top violence, this is a film which can be enjoyed by fans of Freaks and Geeks to fans of Saw, and anywhere in between. Plus there's a really funny, unexpected cameo in there as well which many people will get a kick out of.

Zombieland is rated R for horror violence/gore and language. Playing now in theaters everywhere. Check it out!

Diduct

2009-10-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

Looking for something to listen to while Nine Inch Nails is on its indefinite break? Check out Diduct. This guy brings all the things we love about NIN together, while putting his own spin on the style, creating lush atmospheres of sound that stand alone as great music.

So far, he has released 5 songs from his "Trinity" project, all of which explore different areas of the industrial genre. From the bluesy-industrial "Soul" to the heavy, moody atmosphere of "BigArmBigStar" Diduct is no one-trick horse. We are then brought to "Messfit," a big-stomping self-reflective jam which takes elements from the first three tracks but mixes them all together with a more confident and polished sound.

Finally we have reached "CoatedInDecay," which features a Rammstein-esque beat with Trent Reznor-inspired vocal intonations. This song is massive. This song is violent. Near the halfway point, things really start to heat up when all the noises come together, creating a loud thumping effect which cuts straight into your head and pounds on your brain before dropping suddenly to a quiet, whispering fog. A distorted moan brings the beat back, before ramping up the brutal thumping to all new extremes. The song is an aural powerhouse, meant to be heard through very loud speakers.

With these initial tracks, Diduct is attempting to find his place in this new music era, figuring out the best mediums to deliver his music to the world.

Along with being available for free on his website, they are also available through all the major digital distributors like iTunes, Amazon MP3 and so on.

To check out Diduct, head on over to www.diduct.com now!

Recommended tracks: "BigArmBigStar", "CoatedInDecay"

Albums To Look Forward To- October Edition

2009-10-02T15:15:00.000-07:00

October 6th

Air, Love 2

Powerman 5000, Somewhere on the Other Side of Nowhere

Daniel Johnston, Is and Always Was

October 20th

Rammstein, Liebe ist für alle da

Late October

The first track from Smashing Pumpkins' Teargarden by Kaleidyscope

Hemy/Rowell

2009-10-01T07:36:00.000-07:00

What Lies Below, the debut album by ambient/drone duo Hemy/Rowell, takes the listener on a sonic journey into the darkness.

We begin our descent with "Burning Ghost" the album's opener. It begins with a quiet guitar riff before exploding with sound. Slow, distorted guitars, high pitched beeps, and many other subtle noises set the tone of the album. This flows right into "Dead Setting." As the title suggests, the song evokes images of a vacant area of some sort. A low hum sits throughout the track, while some guitar floats above in a slow, dreamlike manner. This is one of the more ambient songs on the album, less about variety and more about setting a mood, which it does well.

This is followed by the 12 minute epic, "Addiction." A gong-like noise is heard in the background, repeating slowly. Above this are some unsettling scratching noises, which grow more intense as the song rolls on. My mind floats to a man sitting at his boring office job, growing more and more impatient as he waits for a chance to get his fix. The scratching, gnawing sensation continues to grow before finally he is compensated for his waiting. At this point the song kicks into a low, growling doom-metal breakdown. Frantic, but calming. All the layers have been stripped away, and the listener can melt away into bliss.

The low hum of the guitar is quickly contrasted by the following track, "Shimmer," in which all bass is removed in exchange with high pitched glass-like sounds backed by a drawling guitar solo. "What Lies Below," the album's title track, brings us back to the beeps and boops of "Burning Ghost," this time going deeper into the ghostly ocean of sound. The closing track, "Ghostly Fire" features a light guitar riff that carries the song along, being interrupted throughout by a growl of distortion. The two sounds begin to morph together as the song progresses, before cancelling eachother out and leaving us with some broken circuit-esque sounds which fade out into silence, waking us up from the dream world that Hemy/Rowell has painted over our eyes.

Overall, this is a very solid album. Hemy/Rowell seamlessly mixes styles from drone, to ambient, to electronic, and doom metal. The world they create is a dark one, but one that you will find yourself going back to again and again in order to discover What Lies Below.

Download the album for FREE here: http://www.mrsveerecordings.co.uk/audvee18/register.php

Recommended Tracks: "Burning Ghost", "Addiction"

Hi, How Are You? -iPhone Game review

2009-09-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

Hi, How Are You is a new iPhone game based off of the music and artwork of lo-fi antifolk legend Daniel Johnston. Known for his simple but powerful lyrics, his obsession with Satan, and his eerie drawings, I'm sure I wasn't the only one who was surprised to see that he had released a video game.

The premise is simple: You are a frog (or at least, a frog as drawn by Johnston from his 1983 tape, Hi, How Are You) and you must hop around each level with the objective of turning each panel on the floor from grey to green. Once this is completed, you must hop to the exit, and start the process all over again in the next level. Johnston's songs play as background music to your panel hopping quest, and each level ramps up the challenge by adding more creepy critters and obstacles to make your task a even more difficult.

The graphics are simple and cartoony, but the 3D engine runs very smoothly and adds a certain fluidity to the experience. Mix this with the barrage of colors and you can't help but smile your way through each of the game's 25+ levels.
The gameplay is as also as simple as can be: tilt the iPhone to change the frog's direction, tap the screen to hop, and tap the sides of the screen to change camera angle. It even comes complete with a long list of achievements to unlock, which adds a lot of replayability for completists.

If you already know and love Daniel Johnston, this game is a must get. If you have never heard of him before, this is definitely a fun way to be introduced to his music and aesthetic.

Hi, How Are You is available now on the App Store for a special introductory price of $0.99.

Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy (indie film review)

2009-09-29T12:44:00.000-07:00

Anyone who looks at a big-budget Hollywood film which came out in the past ten years that has been based off of a video game would probably come to the same conclusion: "That was crap." So what happens when you take away the big name actors, the million dollar special effects, and well, any budget whatsoever? A really great film, apparently. Meet Hive Division, a 50-strong team of dedicated film-makers who have just finished their first film (and first part of a trilogy), Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy.

Based on the popular video game series by Hideo Kojima, the film takes place in between Metal Gear Solid (Playstation) and Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (Playstation 2). As the subtitle suggests, the film focuses on "Philanthropy," the anti-Metal Gear group founded by the series' hero Solid Snake (played by Giacomo Talamini, voiced by Philipp Sacramento), and Otacon (uncredited, only his voice appears in the film), master engineer and friend of Snake's. Labeled as a terrorist group by the media due to their extreme tactics, they pursue any path that leads to nuclear weapons with the singular goal of destroying them, and exposing the truth.

This film takes the team to a village deep in Russia, where they must find and rescue Senator Abraham Bishop (played by Giovanni Contessotto, voiced by Adam Behr). He is the only politician who has a strong connection with ArmsTech, the company responsible for producing the Metal Gear bi-pedal tanks which have the capabilities to launch nuclear weapons. The senator is to be brought back to the states where he is to stand trial for the bribes he has taken to make sure the truth about ArmsTech never leaked. If Philanthropy can prove Senator Bishop's guilt, then ArmsTech will have nowhere to hide anymore.

Although Snake usually goes solo, this time he has back up. His first task upon arrival in Russia is to meet up with two new members of Philanthropy: first class sniper Pierre Leclerc (played by Nicola Cecconi, voiced by Lucien Dodge) and former Delta force Corporal Elizabeth Laeken (played by Patricia Liccoroli, voiced by Laura Post), who has been "delisted due to disciplinary reasons."

The film does a great job in capturing the spirit of these games, from the camera angles to the pale coloring of the film. It even manages to re-create some of the lighter, more comedic moments in the series without feeling cheesy or forced. Another interesting point about the production of the film is that the entire thing is dubbed over by voice actors. While the dubbing is mostly on-point, there are moments where you can definitely notice that it is dubbed, which in a strange way only further adds to the video game cutscene aesthetic. The quality of the special effects in the film are also worth nothing. From gunfire, to explosions, to the Metal Gears themselves, the viewer will forget that they are watching a movie made with no budget.

Those who have never played a Metal Gear game will still be able to follow the story, but there are plenty of subtle things scattered throughout the film that the long-time fan will enjoy.

This hour-long film is packed full of action, character development, some witty dialogue, and a brilliant score (created by Daniel James). It is part one of what will, hopefully, become the trilogy it was envisioned to be. The Hive Division website says, in reference to the sequels,

"We do not really know when we’re going to produce

the two sequels of Philanthropy. This will depend

on many factors: the reaction of our public, the future

of professional Hive Division, who is looking for financial

partners to realize our next projects and partners to

become a real Production Studio, and, for sure,

Konami’s reaction to the project. We feel and hope that one

day Snake, Elizabeth, and Pierre will complete their journey."

I hope so, too. The film is available for free online for streaming or download. Any fan of the Metal Gear Solid series, or any supporter of independent film should do themselves a favor and check out this film now.

To watch the film, or to learn more information about the film and the Hive Division, go here: http://www.mgs-philanthropy.net/eng/

Lobotomy Baby

2009-09-27T15:57:00.001-07:00

Somewhere between Radiohead and Korn lies Lobotomy Baby, brainchild of Daniel Speaks. He has just released a new seven song EP entitled Baby, It's a Violent World, as a free download online.

"Intro To Jonestown," the album's premiere track, kicks off with some light guitars reminiscent of Radiohead's OK Computer before bringing in some deep, pulverizing guitar riffs that can be held up to the rage and power felt in Korn's Untouchables. The mixture of these styles actually works out quite well, and really pulls the listener into Speaks' "Violent World." The song has no vocals except for a sample of some sort of paranoid monologue which closes the track.

The album flows right into "The Villain", which consists of Thom Yorke-style vocals sung over another heavy, angst-filled guitar riff. The beat evokes a feeling of suspense, which is satisfied by the distortion-heavy solo halfway through the song. The pace suddenly changes one we reach track three, "Seconds of Sorrow." Calm guitar, light drums, and even a synthesized string section to carry the song swiftly through its break-up letter lyrics ("you've got a huge crown/but you're no queen/can you sense the real me?/ for such a collector, you sure throw a lot of things away"). Despite the pain expressed in the lyrics, the tune is actually quite positive, as if the singer is glad to finally get these feelings off of his chest.

The next track, "Sunlight" is a nice, calm instrumental that would easily compliment a windows-down drive on a warm afternoon. This is followed by "Entitlement," a track which begins very quietly, laying out a distant sound to set the mood for what is about to come. The beat kicks in, and a couple short verses are sung before fading into an instrumental hazy reverie. "Dream Chaser" continues the calmness, but this time features heavily distorted vocals, making them sound as if they are being sung from a left behind walkie-talkie; sad and hopeful that someone will listen. We are then brought to the closing track, which is fairly titled, "A Beautiful Ending." It builds slowly but smoothly, adding some vocals, beats, and guitars to the original lone piano track. It is an explosive finale, and definitely the most varied track on the record.

Overall, while I would have liked to hear more of the heaviness that was featured in the first two tracks, this is a solid release packed with some real emotion. Lobotomy Baby manages to draw from elements of songs that feel familiar while adding a new hint of flavor to the mix.

Go download your copy of Baby, It's a Violent World for FREE at http://lobotomybaby.bandcamp.com

Movies, Games, and Songs

2009-09-26T14:38:00.001-07:00

Hello and welcome to the grand opening of MGS: Critical Reviewing Action!

This blog will review all the latest in movies, vidogames, and music!

We're always open to suggestions, so if you have a project you'd like to see reviewed on here, just send an e-mail to mgsblog@gmail.com!

Patient 113

2009-09-26T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hailing from Los Angeles, California, the mysterious new alternative group Patient 113 has been turning some heads in the music world. From having one of their songs remixed by Jerome Dillon to getting their music featured in the 2009 horror flick, "The Collector," these guys clearly know what they are doing.

Their EP, "Half Empty" which is available on Amazon Mp3 or the iTunes Music Store is a five song first impression with a firm handshake. Their MySpace page lists influences such as Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, Autolux, Radiohead, and Elliott Smith among others, all of which can be recognized at different points throughout the record.

Starting with the grunge-romp "Words of Wisdom," people would think that this band has come straight out of the 90's alternative scene. With crunchy guitars, a brutal bassline, and and enough energy to break glass, Patient 113 is not only introducing themselves, but also announcing that they're going to be around for a while.

The intensity just keeps on building throughout the next two tracks, "Gem" and "Mr. Jameson" (whose spacial guitar riffs in the verses further brings back the 90's nostalgia) before taking a breather with "Saltwater." Losing the drums, the distortion, and the screaming, we are left with a haunting acoustic confessional that is sure to give the listener chills.

Just when you think they've calmed down, however, we are presented with the closing track "Fire and Ice" which picks up right where the first half of the album left off. Packing all the punch seen in the first three tracks into an explosive closer, singer Andrew Reed concludes the song by claiming "I will stick around!" I sure hope so.

Check out their MySpace page by heading to http://www.Patient113.com

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Demo Review

2009-09-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

Fans of Metal Gear Solid were equal parts excited and disappointed to hear that the newest game in the series (or rather, the newest one to be written and directed by series creator Hideo Kojima) would be a PSP exclusive. On one hand, it was a new MGS! On the other hand, the PSP has its limitations, and gamers feared that these limitations would take away from the experience.

The demo was released just a couple days ago for download, and after having played it I can proudly say: This is going to be the real deal. The graphics are stunning for a PSP game, and the controls work very smoothly. Unlike Metal Gear Ac!d, or Metal Gear: Portable Ops, which both sacrificed certain gameplay aspects in order to run the game on the PSP, Peace Walker has managed to arrange the controls in a way that gives close to the level of control of Metal Gear Solid 4. Gone is the first person mode, and the crawling (at least in the demo), but from what I have played these features are unnecessary. Mastering the controls takes a little bit of practice, but they are fairly straightforward and easy to use.

The cutscenes switch beeetween 3D and animated comic-book style drawings. It looks beautiful, but because I cannot read or understand Japanese I wasn't able to tell what was going on, storywise.

I did not have a chance to try out the co-op modes, but if I get the chance I will add my impressions to this review.

In many ways this is a huge improvement from Portable Ops, and from the looks of this demo it will be able to make a name for itself among the console versions.

Surrogates: Movie Review

2009-09-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

This new sci-fi thriller starring Bruce Willis imagines a not-so-distant future in which people can control humanoid robots, or "Surrogates," to lead out their everyday lives. These machines were originally designed for people in wheelchairs, or with other disabilities, so that they could be fully functioning in society. However, the trend caught on and ended up being adopted by about 98% of the world's population. Soldiers no longer have to worry about dying. They don't even have to leave their base! They just sit back, plug in, and get their Surrogate to do the fighting for them. No need to leave the house to go to work anymore, just plug in and go about your day without even leaving your room. Your surrogate can look however you want it to, and you no longer have to worry about physical pain. Cool, huh?

Things aren't all perfect, however. There are groups of people throughout the world, called "Dreads," who are against the use of Surrogates. They live in gated communities, urging people to return to normal life and leave the machines behind. They aren't interested in finding a peaceful balance. They want to put an end to Surrogacy once and for all.

The central plot of this film revolves around a murder mystery, however this backdrop leaves ground for many interesting and innovative new takes on the genre. Pack that in with great action sequences, a few surprising twists, and realistic special effects (the makeup for the surrogates looks especially good. While played by human actors, they still have a sort of subtle plastic look to them) and you've got yourself an intriguing, worthwhile film. If you're a fan of action, suspense, sci-fi, or Bruce Willis, you've got to check out Surrogates.