Monday, May 29, 2006
Made for TV Movie: Stephen King's Desperation
The movie begins with great promise as the first few scenes are done in great detail. Sadly this comes to a quick end as more of the story is dropped each scene. So much is left out that watching I felt robbed of any real depth in both the story and characters.
By the end of the movie a person who has not read the book will be lost. Most notably is a phrase Tom Skerrit's character Johnny Marinville says towards the end of the movie... "God Bomb". This phrase makes perfect sense to those who have read this masterpiece, but for those who haven't, all I can say is read the book.
The best thing I can say about this movie is the cast. Although I personally think that Collie Entragian was oddly cast, the rest of the cast was chosen beautifully. It's just a shame that as much attention was not paid to the script.
To summarize, once again I was let down by a stinker of an adaptation, just as I expected to see.
Worst Adaptation of a Stephen King novel:
The Dark Half
The Shining (Kubrick)
IT
The Lawnmower Man (alike in name only)
The Running Man (alike in name only)
NP: Dream Theater - I Walk Beside You
Friday, May 26, 2006
RUSH - REPLAY x3
From rush.com:
RUSH'S FIRST THREE CONCERT HOMEVIDEOS DEBUT ON DVD INRUSH REPLAY X 3 BOX SET
Four-Disc Package Features New 5.1 Surround Sound And Stereo Mixes
The band's first three concert homevideos, each of which is out of print in any format, will be issued for the first time together and on DVD. The four-disc box set Rush Replay x 3 (Mercury/UMe), released June 13, 2006, combines the three DVDs-- Exit...Stage Left, Grace Under Pressure and A Show Of Hands--with a never-before-released CD soundtrack version of Grace Under Pressure.
Each DVD features new 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes created by guitarist Alex Lifeson and Mike Fraser from the original concert multi-tracks as well as digitally transferred and remastered visuals. The package also includes mini reprints of the original tour booklets for the three concerts.
In 1981, the double LP Exit...Stage Left was released. The 60-minute homevideo of the same name, filmed March 27, 1981 at The Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, includes "Limelight," "Tom Sawyer," "The Trees," "Xanadu," "Red Barchetta," "Freewill," "Closer To The Heart" and "YYZ."
The 70-minute-plus Grace Under Pressure, released 1985, was shot at Maple Leaf Gardens in Rush’s hometown of Toronto. Some of the songs included are; as "The Spirit Of Radio" ,"New World Man" "The Enemy Within," "Distant Early Warning," "Red Sector A," , "Witch Hunt" and a finale of "Vital Signs"/"Finding My Way"/"In the Mood."
A Show Of Hands released in 1991 is the the 90-minute video of a 1988 concert in Birmingham, England nearly duplicates the songs on the same-named live album. Perennial favorites were joined by newer songs such as "Marathon," "Turn The Page," "Manhattan Project" and "Force Ten," plus an encore medley of "2112"/"La Villa Strangiato"/"In The Mood."
note from Rob:
Unfortunately it looks like we aren't going to get each of these concerts in full. Although that is not a surprise. The biggest let down is that 'ASoH' will not include "Lock and Key" which did appear on the laserdisc edition.
There will be mini tourbooks included from each of the tours represented so there is that. But the big thing is that we are finally getting this great material. I'm looking forward to 'Exit...' and P/G' the most as I never had those on video, and have only seen crappy pixelated versions on line.
Now if they can just release 'The Camera Eye' video in some form, as well as all of the Atlantic years vids, and the show they recorded on the 'T4E' tour... well, that's all for now...
17 days to Go 'til this release, and my wife's birthday!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Good News!
Top 5, pt. 1
For the first Top 5:
My Top 5 Favorite Songs from some of my favorite bands -
Rush:
Natural Science
Hemispheres
Here Again
Everyday Glory
Prime Mover
Dream Theater:
Octavarium
In the Name of God
Voices
Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Only A Matter of Time
Frank Zappa:
Flakes
Don't Eat the Yellow Snow / Nanook Rubs It
Muffin Man
Packard Goose
Broken Hearts Are for Assholes
Spock's Beard:
The Great Nothing
A Flash Before My Eyes
The Healing Colors of Sound
Go the Way You Go
The Good Don't Last
Neal Morse:
Cradle to the Grave
The Creation
Broken Homes
California Nights
Wasted Life
Pink Floyd:
Wots... Uh the Deal
Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun ('Ummagumma' version)
Brain Damage / Eclipse
Atom Heart Mother
Sheep
Monday, May 22, 2006
Taken Way Before Their Time
A Little Birdy Did Some HouseKeeping
Well, thanks to one tiny mistake somewhere along the way, this entire page needed reprogrammed and whatnot. I don't mind saying that it took me hours to try and fix the mistake, then give up and start from scratch. I toyed around with the idea of a complete overhaul, but decided that the original layout was something I'm sort of fond of, so I stayed with the original.
So... what does this mean to all of you, my dear constant readers? Well, it means that I am a big geek. Now, it's not that I have ever tried to deny this fact, it's just kind of depressing getting it out there into the open.
Anyhow, that's all for the moment kiddies. Have a good day!
NP - Rush: Everyday Glory
Friday, May 19, 2006
Album of the Day - Rush: R30
To celebrate a thirty-year recording career, Canadian rock group Rush hit the road to give their fans the best live representation of their illustrious catalogue as they could. The tour was mainly of North America, but for the first time since '91's 'Roll the Bones' tour, the band went over seas to end the suffering of their long waiting fans.
Recorded in Frankfurt Germany, 'R30' is a collection that spans Rush's entire 30-year career. Kicking off not with the Stooges theme, or a classical recording, but an instrumedley of their earliest material, covering the self-titled debut through '78's 'Hemispheres'.
From the way the band are playing it's hard to believe that these guys are in their 50's. They plow through the older numbers with the fire and passion of yester-year, and the newer numbers are played nearly flawlessly. That's not to say that a few mistakes don't slip through the cracks. Most notably, during "Roll the Bones", where the "Tom Sawyer" sampling can be heard throughout.
The biggest problem with the set, and there are so very few, are the songs that were performed but not released. For whatever reason, somebody decided that many of the cuts that had appeared on 2003's 'Rush in Rio' would be left off 'R30'. Such Rush classics as "La Villa Strangiato", "By-Tor and the Snowdog" and "The Trees" were needlessly cut.
In the end, the setlist (which Rush stayed with the entire tour), which featured four cover tunes, was ultimately a pleasing representation of a catalogue so big it would have been impossible to please all of the fans. Those who wish to obtain the audio discs of the show can only do so by purchasing the deluxe DVD package, but the extra cash is definitely worth it.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
The Empty Penny is the Friend of the Quarter Moon
I made up a quick message board for people to communicate with me. Why you ask? I really don't know... but check it out. Registration is free, and the results will amuse me... I'm sure of it.
http://com1.runboard.com/brobmallorysr
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Dancing On Fire with Cheese
I'm back again today with another list of five albums that I am fond of.
Since I posted Victor yesterday, the demand for this album has flooded in from 1 person:
In keeping with my prog obsession, this great album about wheat:
that make this album an absolute classic.
And for my third trick, an AOR masterpiece:
There is one rap act that I do enjoy:
Kottonmouth Kings - High Society
A forgotten gem, or "ignored gem" if you're Jon Anderson:
Okay, so whoever decided to throw a few Buggles into the Yes mix was either very crazy, or a genius. My opinion, genius. With Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes Yes created my personal favorite album. Kicking off with the incredible "Machine Messiah" you know the only thing that has really changed is the lineup, the music is as good as anything the band have ever done. Not to be missed are "Into the Lens" and "Tempus Fugit", among others.
And there you have it kiddies. Murder, mayhem, prog, and weed. I hope you enjoyed this episode, and we look forward to seeing you next time on
"Amazing Albums not played by Rabid Rabbits with Radishes". I'm YtseRob, wishing you a happy nappy.
NP - Kansas: Hold On
Yeah, I'm Very Bored
((for some reason blogger will not let me insert fake .html tags here, so instead...))
::drumroll::
::/drumroll::
TRAPPED INSIDE THIS...OCTAVARIUM
NP - DREAM THEATER: Octavarium (Razor's Edge)
Just so you know...
That's all...
NW - House, Episode 216: Safe
I Ate the Real Karma Chameleon
This first album involves someone stepping out and cheating on his day job.:
And now my little turkey lovers, disc two:
Joe Walsh - Songs for A Dying Planet
Lets get a "three three" ya'lls:
I don't listen to a whole lot of pop, but Ashlee Simpson is an incredible exception. When she released her sophomore album I was worried about her ability to follow up her excellent debut, but Ashlee was definitely up to the challenge. There are moments when this album is much better than it's predecessor, like the title track, "Dancing Alone" and "Beautifully Broken". She may not be a great singer live, but with studio magic, Ashlee is phenomenal.
Did hell freeze over?:
Time to close out this little charade:
So I've wasted enough time on this for the day, so goodbye.
NW - House, Episode 215: "Clueless"
Slipping On A Banana Peel is Unlikely But Can Happen
There are a few things that really bother me that I could probably mention here:
1. The biggest being that zero is NOT a letter. "O" is a letter, "0" is pronounced "ZERO". That just drives me friggin' nuts.
2. This is aimed at my fellow American's, or United States citizens are we technically are. When somebody asks you what country you are from on the phone, the answer is NOT the state you live in. Texas is not a country (no matter how much many Texans would hope). This country is the United State, or U.S.
3. I am also not particularly fond of the phrase "pet peeve". I don't know why this bothers me, but it does... so stop saying it hosers.
4. Psychics are not real, and you geniuses who think they are should have your heads examined.
5. You perverts who wait for your wife or girlfriend to fall asleep so that you can call a phone sex line... get a life. You are sick and need help. And if you absolutely must waste your money to talk to someone who is probably a 400 pound fat man with a high voice, speak up. The operator taking your CC information does not want to hear someone, especially a pervert, talking sweet nothings in their ear.
The above are all related to my job... ugh (No I am not a phone sex rep, I just take credit card info. from perverts).
Finally, I hate pop music. There are very few exceptions to the rule (Two: Ashlee Simpson and Hoku... I didn't ask you to insult me for this, so don't bother doing so, it won't bother me).
One last thing I'll write about for now, if you want to be added to my friend list, post a message. If I add your name to my list, and you add mine to yours, the traffic can only go up, and our important words will reach an ever growing public...
Good day
NW - House, Episode 214 - "Sex Kills"
Monday, May 15, 2006
Cookies Have Stuff that You Don't My Friend
Today, the first album is an epic tale of corruption:
For our number two, a compilation:
The Beavis and Butt-Head Experience
And another compilation, just one band this time:
Van Halen - Best Of, Vol. 1
I'm guessing that we won't ever see Vol. 2 of this set, but with the incredible line-up of tunes on the first, I guess that can be forgiven. Amongst the classics on the disc, we are treated to two new Roth tracks ("Me Wise Magic", "Can't Get This Stuff No More"), and a Sammy track not previously available on a Van Halen album (the incredible "Human's Being" from the Twister soundtrack, one of my favorite movies).
How about a classic debut from a supergroupd:
One more disc to end this episode, and it's another debut:
Mr. Big - Mr. Big
I saw these guys open up for Rush on the 1990 'Presto' tour, and was lucky enough to get this album the following Christmas. First off, I must mention the incredible "Addicted to that Rush", with a bass line from Billy Sheehan that just smokes. There is also "Blame It On My Youth", "Wind Me Up", the beautiful "Anything for You", and many other excellent tracks. When I got the CD version some years later, I learned that there had not been enough room on the record for "30 Days in the Hole", thank God for CD's... eh?
Well, it's time once again to end this gansta round of pony rides. I hope you got pictures, and at least one piece of cake before the chickens roosted in it's roots. Tune in next time for more words, more pictures, and dammit, more good times.
NP - LANA LANE: Ill Wind (You're Blowin' Me No Good)
Stream of Passion - Live in the Real World
Live in the Real World double CD (2006)
CD1
1. Intro
2. Spellbound
3. Passion
4. Waracle
5. Wherever You Are
6. Computer Eyes
7. Calliopeia
8. Valley Of The Queens
9. Haunted
10. The Charm of the Seer
11. Deceiver / Songs of the Ocean
CD2
1. Day One: Vigil
2. Day Three: Pain
3. Nostalgia
4. Out in the Real World
5. The Castle Hall
6. Into The Black Hole
7. When The Levee Breaks
8. Day Eleven: Love
The release dates for Stream of Passion's live double CD and DVD "Live in the Real World" are as follows:
Benelux: June 15th
Germany: June 16th
Rest of Europe: June 19th
USA: July 18th
Live in the Real World DVD (2006)
1. Intro
2. Spellbound
3. Passion
4. Waracle
5. Wherever You Are
6. Computer Eyes
7. Calliopeia
8. Valley Of The Queens
9. Haunted
10. The Charm of the Seer
11. Deceiver / Songs of the Ocean
12. Day One: Vigil
13. Day Three: Pain
14. Nostalgia
15. Out in the Real World
16. The Castle Hall
17. Into The Black Hole
18. When The Levee Breaks
19. Day Eleven: Love
Features
Live in Concert (Dolby 2.0 and 5.1)
Behind the Scenes
Photo Gallery
Video Clip: Out in the Real World
Making of the Video Clip
Tour Diary
A 140 minutes worth of material!
The DVD will be available in both PAL and NTSC (region-free).
Additional information
The release dates for Stream of Passion's live double CD and DVD "Live in the Real World" are as follows:
Benelux: June 15th
Germany: June 16th
Rest of Europe: June 19th
USA: July 18th
You can now pre-order signed and unsigned editions of the Live in the Real World release; special combo deals are available! Click here to visit the online store. All orders will be shipped at around June 17th.
for more information and updates visit: http://www.streamofpassion.com/
Single Pigeons, and the Cousins that Love Them
I start this tale with an album that does make my top 10 list:
Released in 1999 this progressive rock conceptual masterpiece was the bands first album with new keyboardist Jordan Rudess. The epic story
tells of a man who is fighting to uncover a murder conspiracy centered around the woman he used to be in a past life. The music is pure prog rock and really shows off just how talented each musician is, each at the top of their game.
The second album is far from my top ten, but does show up somewhere in the top 100 without a doubt:
Not a whole lot of non-Prog albums make my top 100 list, but this one has had a spot since it's release in 1991. I've never been a big fan of REM, but this album is satisfying from start to finish. Sure it's radio saturated pop, especially songs like "Losing My Religion", "Me In Honey", "Radio Song" and "Shiny Happy People", but the album is a five star favorite of mine.
Third on today's list is an absolute classic:
Although I am new to the world of Frank Zappa it's obvious to me that FZ was out for the jugular on this release, focusing a bit more attention at
insulting as many people as possible. The lyrics are downright crude at some points, but isn't that half the fun? As usual, the music is also very pleasing, melding perfectly with lyrics on tunes such as "I Have Been In You", "Flakes", "Bobby Brown Goes Down" and "Dancin' Fool". This is a must have album.
And now, on to fourth:
Released in 1981 'Moving Pictures' is far from my favorite Rush album, but still an all time favorite disc in my list. Though the band really gained a lot of ground in the mainstream with their previous outing (1980's 'Permanent Waves'), 'MP' opened a lot of doors for the band. From the radio smash "Tom Sawyer", to the epic "The Camera Eye", the hard rocking instrumental "YYZ", and the classic "Limelight" it's no wonder that 'Moving Pictures' is the bands highest selling album of all time.
And since it's such a nice round number, here is my number five:
For all intents and purposes, this was the last Poison album to bask in the majority of the public's eye. This 2 CD live set has a nice number in my top 50 Favorite Albums of all time list. The band are on fire as they tear through favorite from all of the studio albums that really matter in their catalogue (although the post 'STL' albums are all decent). Of particular note are the bonus studio tracks that would mark the end of Poison Mark 1. Definitely worth picking up for any "hair metal head", such as myself.
And that's the list for the time being, I hope you enjoyed a peek as some of my favorites. More posts like this will be along in the future, as it was kinda fun. Now, it's time to get back to writing my book. Thanks for tuning in.
NP - RUSH: YYZ
Friday, May 12, 2006
Terrible Napkins
I realized that I could post nearly anything and the entire population of this crazy planet would hang upon my every word, my every witty sentence. What does that say about the people that inhabit this planet? I think I may actually cry for a civilization that is now eternally lost.
I suppose it's time to give this post some meaning, a little reason in a life of nothing... or a blog of nothing, I haven't fully decided just yet.
As you'll see to the left the band (or artist as this case may be) of the month is the legendary Frank Zappa. Recently I asked myself why it took me so long to give this incredible musician's work a chance, and I had no satisfying answer (talking to myself and not getting decent answers seems to be a pattern in my life).
Anyhow, I picked up 'Strictly Commercial' and was immediately blown away. Since then I have picked up 'Them or Us', 'Tinseltown Rebellion', 'Apostrophe', and 'Sheik Yerbouti', each album being incredible. I'll be getting many more in the months ahead.
One last thing before I let you all go. Since October I have been writing my first novel. The first draft was finished in late December and I have been working on the re-writes and edits since. Today I hope to have finished the 2nd draft of the first half of the novel. I also finally decided on a name, "The Stranger Within'".
Here is a short excerpt:
Stephanie had recently discovered that her husband Travis was living a double life, but that was not the burden currently troubling her mind. Generally when Travis was away, and he was away a lot, he would call Stephanie every other day at noon, she could set her watch by it. In the last few weeks she had not heard from the man at all. She spent day and night beside the one telephone in their home and had not received a single call from her husband. Her nerves were shot, and her sanity was slowly slipping away from her like water down a drain.
That's it for now Kiddies... have a good 'un.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Dream Theater - Octavarium
The album kicks off with "The Root of All Evil", the 3rd installment of Portnoy's AA saga. The song is in your face and all out crunch. The vocals from Mr. LaBrie are nothing short of phenomenal.
The second tune, "The Answer Lies Within'" is outright beautiful. The music works incredibly with the vocals, and this may be one of the best DT ballads to date.
"These Walls", while my least favorite track on the disc, is still an excellent number.
"I Walk Beside You" is another beautiful tune with very inspiring lyrics, and another great performance from LaBrie.
"Panic Attack" may well be one of the best metal tunes that this band has ever composed. Bassist John Myung is on fire throughout, and the whole band are like musicians possesed.
"Never Enough", despite the controversy the lyrics may have cause among the bands fan base, is just a great tune. Obviously inspired by the band Muse, I can see this one in the bands live set for years to come.
The surprise of the disc comes in the cover of lyrics from LaBrie. The mans lyrics have really come a long way since the beautiful "Anna Lee" (from 'Falling Into Infinity'). Inspired by the events of 9/11/2001, the song is a tearjerker, with not only emotional lyrics, but music as well.
And finally, to throw out another cliche, the band saves the best for last, the title track. It's hard to describe this tune in just a word or phrase, but "eargasm" may come close. Never before has the world had the pleasure to hear such an incredible piece of progressive rock history. I'm telling ya, this one WILL go down in the epic songbook.
I don't know what else I can say about this album that has not been said before. When 'Scenes from a Memory' was released I was sure that DT would never top it. I am very glad that the boys proved me wrong. Now I just have to wait for the Radio City Music Hall album to be released later this year to hear some great DT/Orchestra tunes!
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
My First Post Here
Well, in case the subject of this post was in any way misleading, let me tell you once again that this is my first post here. What does that mean? Well, that means that while I have posted things in the past, never before have I posted them on this blog.
I hate that term, "blog", it sounds so... what's the word I'm looking for here? "Stupid". Yep, that's the word. However, who am I to badmouth a revolution started by whatever nerd has spent the most time in his mothers basement? I guess I can't... but I will. I feelt it's my duty, no, my right, to do so.
There is one major reason for my being here, and that is that I have no life. I sit at work overnight fighting to stay awake, and posting here seems to be something that might stave of my exhaustion for at least a few minutes longer (or however long I feel like typing mindless drivel like this).
So that's it for now... goodbye.