World War Z audiobook review April 23, 2008

With a cast of dozens, including the likes of Alan Alda, Mark Hamill, and Henry Rollins, I had high hopes for this. The sections that dealt with America and Canada, and had those actors, certainly met those expectations, but this is only a third of the book. Do I really need to know how a zombie world war affected countries like Cuba, Egypt, Israel, and countless others? Do I want to hear how each country reacted politically, and used their military power? I found out that I didn’t. One MAJOR reason why is that the thick accents of these foreign personalities are hard to understand. Also, Brooks doesn’t pull off the believability of these characters as well as the English speaking ones. Brooks imagination went into overdrive regarding every single facet of a zombie problem, and if we ever have this problem, this book will be priceless. Recommended to only die-hard zombie fans, of which the domestic episodes are particularly memorable.  Rating: 5/10

Pendulum – Propane Nightmares video April 21, 2008

The Aussie drum and bass rockers are back, and this time they will settle for nothing less than world domination. The beats drop around the 1:15 mark, and the album goes worldwide on May 12.

 

Inside review April 14, 2008

This is one of the goriest, yet well-made, films I’ve seen, and at the Fantastic Fest screening a lady lost her Alamo Drafthouse food. This co-directing team were pegged after this to helm the new Hellraiser “remake” with a “new” Pinhead (but alas, they have been “removed”, see comments below).  This one grew on me after the movie was over. The movie is so realistic that it isn’t really concerned about tricks to entertain you. It just goes about its business, and leaves you in its wake.

Rating: 8/10

Trance is cool too April 9, 2008

I haven’t praised any trance tracks yet, mainly because I think 90% of it is cheesy. But here are a few recent ones that have fallen between the cracks and range from excellent to pretty good, and I would gladly spin these if asked.

1. Ronski Speed vs. Rex Mundi -The Perspective Space (Markus Schulz mash-up)

The trance bassline to end all basslines. This is a festival killer.

2. Sia – The Girl You Lost to Cocaine – (Stonebridge club mix)

These vocals sound better tranced, and chicks love Sia.

3.  Lemon and Einar K – Anticipation (Original mix)

Great synths and pure euphoria.

4. Sander van Doorn – 15

One of the best trance DJs delivers some gentle and understated tech-trance.

5. Rex Mundi – Sunrise in Ibiza

Beautiful piano and more of his killer basslines.

Late of the Pier – “The Bears are Coming” video April 5, 2008

This indie dance troupe delivers my favorite single of the month. It kind of has this “Human Behavior” Bjork feel to it. Enjoy.

15 for April, love-. April 4, 2008

If there were a few dodgy selections in last months chart, this month should set the record straight, because the top five could easily contend for record of the year. Rock n’ rave continues to grow, drum n’ trance makes its debut, and Moby can only get honorable mention.

1. M83 – Saturday = Youth (album)

The album isn’t flawless, but the tracks that work here are monumental. “Kim & Jessie” sounds like the rediscovery of a great, lost 80’s song. It’s all about emotion.

2. Paul Woolford presents Bobby Peru – The Truth (album)

For an original techno album this just might be a masterpiece, and I don’t use that word lightly.

3. Hercules and the Love Affair – (self-titled album)

Wait, Antony (of Antony and the Johnsons) singing over craftily produced disco? I’m beside myself-. “Blind” is classic.

4. Crystal Castles - (self-titled album)

Your Atari grows up, goes hardcore, and dates a synth-pop star. Incendiary debut.

5. The Kills – Midnight Boom (album)

How did this drop this far? Creative rock, drop, n’ roll that you can’t get out of your head.

6. Does it Offend You, Yeah? – You Have No Idea What Your… (album)

Solid rock n’ rave debut from these electro pranksters.

7. V.A. – Kitsune Maison vol. 5

This is literally a party-in-a-box and might be the best Kitsune compilation yet, and if you’ve heard the other 4 you know that’s saying something.

8. Neon Neon – Stainless Style (album)

Electropop and rap are thrown into a blender for a concept album about John DeLorian. I swear this was my idea first, oh well-.

9. Late of the Pier – “The Bears are Coming”

Whew, we’re through with albums. Classic electro-rock track.

10. Siriusmo – “All the Girls (Yuksek mix)”, Boyz Noize – “& Down (Siriusmo mix)”

Nobody can touch Siriusmo right now, seriously.

11. Martyn – “Twenty-four”

Progressive house that has an electronica or intelligent side.

12. John B – “Red Sky” + “Mr. Freud”

Leave it up to John B to perfect d n’ t, thats drum and trance, and no I’m not kidding.

13. Sam Sparro – “Black and Gold” 

Incredible talent on the vocals, and I’m supporting him now before he goes all Justin Timberlake.

14. Bag Raiders – “Nil By Mouth (Knightlife mix)”

Aussies got some kaleidoscopic tricks up their wizard sleeve.

15. Commix – “Faceless (Marcus Intalex)”

Solid d n’ b roller.

Horrorfest at your House April 2, 2008

The 2008 After Dark Horrorfest’s 8 Films to Die For recently showed up on DVD shelves, and they need to go ahead and reconsider calling this 2 Films to Live For, because only two are worth your time on a dark evening.

   1st place: Borderlands     Rating: 7/10

When you look at this movie as a true crime story about a serial-killing cult that lured Spring Breakers into their doom, then this takes the cake for producing the most heebie-jeebies. But I might be biased since I’m a Texan who’s heard of this case and been to these areas.

   2nd place: Mulberry St.     Rating: 6/10

There needs to be more horror movies set in NYC! This captures the grit and character of New York while making a good zombie movie along the way. But the problem is that rat-people make me laugh. I just expect them to start singing and dancing (Rats).  This could have been a smash had the zombies been a little more normal.

Only watch if your a devoted horror completist:

The Deaths of Ian Stone (creature effects were better in the 60’s)

Tooth and Nail (kinda ridiculous, but what gives?)