The finale of "Chapter Two" of Heroes was last night at 9 on NBC. (I should warn you, there's some spoilers).
I will admit, when I first heard about Heroes I was pretty uninterested. But then Jeff watched it online and highly recommended it. So, this summer, thanks to the sadly no-longer-extant TV Links, I obsessively devoured the first season. I LOVED IT, and was seriously looking forward to the new season. However, it has been kind of a disappointment. At first, I was still really excited about it, despite the slow start. The plot really dragged along, and the end-of-the-world scheme wasn't introduced until halfway in. This resulted in a pretty unexciting season. A lot of the plot points seemed really improbable (for the show, I mean, it's kind of improbable altogether in general but I mean people doing really stupid things). So that bothered me a little, and the finale was kind of anticlimactic and a lot of issues failed to be resolved. Of course, this could have been due to the writers' strike, and may be resolved in the 3rd chapter, which I will probably watch even if it sucks. The second season had been publicized as focusing on entirely new characters - and I think this would have been better than drying to milk more out of the old ones. The new characters that were introduced were barely included in the plot. Also, I am not excited at all about the super-recurring villain thing (i.e., they should have left Sylar dead, that whole subplot was boring and not well integrated). Besides, why would Peter leave the Irish chick in a nonexisting future! They don't even mention her at the end!!! Agh. Anyway. So, yeah, disappointing.
Grade: B-
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The Book of Jhereg
This is actually a collection of three books by Stephen Brust, all of which are in the Vlad Taltos series. These are the first three. Jeff had been trying to get me to read this for quite a while, and I had been somewhat hesitant, because a lot of fantasy is pretty bad, I've gotta say. However, he persisted to the point of bringing the books from home so I could look at them, and I was swayed by his insistence that these were different fantasy novels. So, I dove into Jhereg, the first book. I was pretty much immediately hooked. The real draw is that the world is really well imagined, and it's not written in the typical fantasy style. Brust is not trying to say 'look at this awesome world I've created, at the expense of plot and character development.' In fact, these are very character-driven, contemporary stories that are simply located in a very fascinating world, which is only revealed little by little as things become important to the story. These three novels (Jhereg, Yendi, and Teckla) are about the assassin Vlad Taltos. They each have quite a different tone to them. I was initially interested in only reading one at a time and reading other things between, but I was so into it that I read the whole collection in sequence - granted, each book is only 17 chapters. I really want to get into the next few books but am giving it a rest at a moment, and checking out Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson.
Grade: A
Grade: A
new direction
As the new description indicates, I'm taking this blog to new heights in a perhaps futile effort to save it. Basically I now intend to review anything on here. I decided not to change the title because anything that's speaking out, or eradicating boredom, is in the spirit of conquering silence. I realize that no one really reads this, but I don't really care.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
OH WOW
It has been quite a long time since I posted. I'm kind of giving up on the music blog thing - it's just not something I really have time for. Perhaps I'll occasionally write on here, maybe keep it as a more public blog... as opposed to my LiveJournal.
I guess out of habit... here's my fave artists/songs/albums/whatever right now.
-Jonathan Coulton - a comedy artist whose music is actually really good! He's very clever, has a wide range of topics, I really recommend him.
-The Magnetic Fields - Really great musicians. I've mostly heard 69 Love Songs, only a few other things, but it's pretty great. Not every song is something I love, but that's just it - they're so ridiculously diverse stylistically!
-Tori Amos - Umm, hello, she's amazing.
-Feist - Do I need to tell you how great Feist is? I absolutely LOVE her music... can't get enough of it.
-John Frusciante - randomly his solo stuff is quite awesome! Yes, I like RHCP too, but I've gotten a little tired of them being played as every other song on XM, and that's the only radio I use, so Frusciante's solo material is a refreshing change. In fact it really sounds nothing like RHCP for the most part... so check it out for something fresh.
-the new Honorary Title! - I've only heard a few songs and clips from the rest, but oh-em-gee it's good so far.
I will be grabbing some Bright Eyes off the lovely Michael Vogel in the near future, so maybe I'll get around to saying how that goes.
Also, I saw Guster and Brett Dennen in concert last weekend - and let me tell you, despite not knowing much of Guster at the time, they were really good live performers!!! I was very impressed. Brett Dennen was also pretty good, also an unknown for me, although I found I have one of their songs. The singer's voice seems a little too much the same all the time to make it great. I think one of my favorite things about Guster was their use of bongos. YES, BONGOS!!!
Also, I'd like to point out that the new Lake Matoaka amphitheater is a FANTASTIC venue. The acoustics are pretty much amazing, it's a beautiful outdoors location, and it's just got a cool feel to it.
Anyway, Jeff and I are catching Regina Spektor at the NorVa pretty soon, should be a good time.
So that was, in fact, a music blog.
Maybe other stuff later?
I guess out of habit... here's my fave artists/songs/albums/whatever right now.
-Jonathan Coulton - a comedy artist whose music is actually really good! He's very clever, has a wide range of topics, I really recommend him.
-The Magnetic Fields - Really great musicians. I've mostly heard 69 Love Songs, only a few other things, but it's pretty great. Not every song is something I love, but that's just it - they're so ridiculously diverse stylistically!
-Tori Amos - Umm, hello, she's amazing.
-Feist - Do I need to tell you how great Feist is? I absolutely LOVE her music... can't get enough of it.
-John Frusciante - randomly his solo stuff is quite awesome! Yes, I like RHCP too, but I've gotten a little tired of them being played as every other song on XM, and that's the only radio I use, so Frusciante's solo material is a refreshing change. In fact it really sounds nothing like RHCP for the most part... so check it out for something fresh.
-the new Honorary Title! - I've only heard a few songs and clips from the rest, but oh-em-gee it's good so far.
I will be grabbing some Bright Eyes off the lovely Michael Vogel in the near future, so maybe I'll get around to saying how that goes.
Also, I saw Guster and Brett Dennen in concert last weekend - and let me tell you, despite not knowing much of Guster at the time, they were really good live performers!!! I was very impressed. Brett Dennen was also pretty good, also an unknown for me, although I found I have one of their songs. The singer's voice seems a little too much the same all the time to make it great. I think one of my favorite things about Guster was their use of bongos. YES, BONGOS!!!
Also, I'd like to point out that the new Lake Matoaka amphitheater is a FANTASTIC venue. The acoustics are pretty much amazing, it's a beautiful outdoors location, and it's just got a cool feel to it.
Anyway, Jeff and I are catching Regina Spektor at the NorVa pretty soon, should be a good time.
So that was, in fact, a music blog.
Maybe other stuff later?
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
It's still 2007...
...so I still have time to finish this list!
61. Escape The Fate - Ok, this one's easy, I've heard them before! I have "Situations" and "Not Good Enough For Truth in the Cliche." I was obsessed with both of them for a good while, and amazingly still like them. VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
62. Oh No! Oh My! - I heard "The Party Punch" and it was catchy and bouncy and indie. I like it. VERDICT: Thumbs up!
63. Between the Trees - Listened to "As You Are Reality...", it's interesting electronica, though sort of just reminds me of all the Christian rock I used to listen to. VERDICT: Thumbs up.
64. Moros Eros - Heard "Today Is The Day" and noticed the singer's voice, and sort of the song, is somewhat monotonous. Not my cup of tea, really. VERDICT: Eh, shrug.
65. Sick City - I liked the sound of "XX XY" from the beginning. It is not particularly a new sound, or original, but it is still pleasing to the ears. VERDICT: Thumbs up.
66. Tokyo Police Club - The name of this band sounds quite familiar. Anyway, heard "Nature of the Experiment" and really liked it. Reminiscent of the Arctic Monkeys and the Strokes. Good stuff! VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
67. Every Move a Picture - I have "Signs of Life," and like it a lot. Also listened to "Outlaw," and it was quite aurally pleasing. Similar to the Killers, the Bravery, but they have their own sound. VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
68. Cute Is What We Aim For - Another one I've heard of! I have "There's A Class For This," and I like it but it is sort of blending in my memory with all the other similar-sounding pop-punk... VERDICT: Thumbs up.
69. Everybody Else - Wow, I've heard of them too! I downloaded "Born To Do" a while ago for whatever reason. I really like it. I'd say this is definitely a band to check out, and watch out for. Because they're awesome. Listened to "Meat Market" on Myspace, still hugely impressed. Running over to Hype Machine immediately. VERDICT: Thumbs way up!!!
70. Gallows - Alas, I had to look them up, my expertise has ended. Listened to "Abandoned Ship." It's punk, bordering on Screamo/Hardcore. Urgh. Verdict: Thumbs down.
71. Uncut - Mmkay, heard "Hideaway" on myspace... like it, but not blown away or anything. VERDICT: Thumbs up.
72. Hot Chip - I thought I knew them but I must have been confused. Listened to "My Piano" and liked it. I dunno how to describe the genre, I'd say... cool. VERDICT: Thumbs up.
73. Mikoto - It's a hardcore band. Damn you, hardcore! And damn you Mikoto for being somehow catchy hardcore! Verdict: Thumbs only half down.
74. Jonezetta - Ooh, I had forgotten about Jonezetta! I heard them on XM a while back and loved them. I think it was "Hot Machete" that I really liked. Listened to "Imagination", it was awesome! VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
75. The Horrors - Hmm, I am not such a fan of punk... but it is not bad. VERDICT: Eh?
76. Band of Horses - Weird, I found two songs by them on my iTunes that had never been listened to. Also the genre is Children's Music? Listened to "The End's Not Near" and it was chill and good-sounding. VERDICT: Thumbs up!
77. The Devil Wears Prada - Oh dear. More thrashy hardcore. VERDICT: Thumbs down.
78. Shitdisco - I like the name! Heard "Reactor Party," it's catchy and very much Scottish. :D VERDICT: Thumbs up!
79. Bound Stems - Listened to "Refuse the Refuse," and agreed with AP that it has similarities with Modest Mouse, and also liked it a lot! VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
80. Hot Like (A) Robot - They don't actually have their own myspace page, so I perused some fan-run ones, and heard all I needed - it was not pleasant. VERDICT: Thumbs down.
61. Escape The Fate - Ok, this one's easy, I've heard them before! I have "Situations" and "Not Good Enough For Truth in the Cliche." I was obsessed with both of them for a good while, and amazingly still like them. VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
62. Oh No! Oh My! - I heard "The Party Punch" and it was catchy and bouncy and indie. I like it. VERDICT: Thumbs up!
63. Between the Trees - Listened to "As You Are Reality...", it's interesting electronica, though sort of just reminds me of all the Christian rock I used to listen to. VERDICT: Thumbs up.
64. Moros Eros - Heard "Today Is The Day" and noticed the singer's voice, and sort of the song, is somewhat monotonous. Not my cup of tea, really. VERDICT: Eh, shrug.
65. Sick City - I liked the sound of "XX XY" from the beginning. It is not particularly a new sound, or original, but it is still pleasing to the ears. VERDICT: Thumbs up.
66. Tokyo Police Club - The name of this band sounds quite familiar. Anyway, heard "Nature of the Experiment" and really liked it. Reminiscent of the Arctic Monkeys and the Strokes. Good stuff! VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
67. Every Move a Picture - I have "Signs of Life," and like it a lot. Also listened to "Outlaw," and it was quite aurally pleasing. Similar to the Killers, the Bravery, but they have their own sound. VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
68. Cute Is What We Aim For - Another one I've heard of! I have "There's A Class For This," and I like it but it is sort of blending in my memory with all the other similar-sounding pop-punk... VERDICT: Thumbs up.
69. Everybody Else - Wow, I've heard of them too! I downloaded "Born To Do" a while ago for whatever reason. I really like it. I'd say this is definitely a band to check out, and watch out for. Because they're awesome. Listened to "Meat Market" on Myspace, still hugely impressed. Running over to Hype Machine immediately. VERDICT: Thumbs way up!!!
70. Gallows - Alas, I had to look them up, my expertise has ended. Listened to "Abandoned Ship." It's punk, bordering on Screamo/Hardcore. Urgh. Verdict: Thumbs down.
71. Uncut - Mmkay, heard "Hideaway" on myspace... like it, but not blown away or anything. VERDICT: Thumbs up.
72. Hot Chip - I thought I knew them but I must have been confused. Listened to "My Piano" and liked it. I dunno how to describe the genre, I'd say... cool. VERDICT: Thumbs up.
73. Mikoto - It's a hardcore band. Damn you, hardcore! And damn you Mikoto for being somehow catchy hardcore! Verdict: Thumbs only half down.
74. Jonezetta - Ooh, I had forgotten about Jonezetta! I heard them on XM a while back and loved them. I think it was "Hot Machete" that I really liked. Listened to "Imagination", it was awesome! VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
75. The Horrors - Hmm, I am not such a fan of punk... but it is not bad. VERDICT: Eh?
76. Band of Horses - Weird, I found two songs by them on my iTunes that had never been listened to. Also the genre is Children's Music? Listened to "The End's Not Near" and it was chill and good-sounding. VERDICT: Thumbs up!
77. The Devil Wears Prada - Oh dear. More thrashy hardcore. VERDICT: Thumbs down.
78. Shitdisco - I like the name! Heard "Reactor Party," it's catchy and very much Scottish. :D VERDICT: Thumbs up!
79. Bound Stems - Listened to "Refuse the Refuse," and agreed with AP that it has similarities with Modest Mouse, and also liked it a lot! VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
80. Hot Like (A) Robot - They don't actually have their own myspace page, so I perused some fan-run ones, and heard all I needed - it was not pleasant. VERDICT: Thumbs down.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
not getting back to the list yet...
I feel like I should finish that list but at the moment I am going to fawn over things I'm loving at the moment.
-"Must Be the Moon" by !!! - a great, catchy song.
-Imogen Heap - she's an awesome singer-songwriter, I just love her.
-Brandi Carlile - Another great singer-songwriter, has a new album out now!
-Bjork - what I've heard of Volta is amazing.
-Noisettes - super dancy and catchy, and amazing.
-Arctic Monkeys - they're just amazing.
-"Tonight" by Kate Walsh - I got it free off of iTunes, and I think I've found a new great singer-songwriter.
-Interpol - Zach gave me Antics, and WOW it is good.
Last but not least, Pandora online radio. It KNOWS me SO WELL!!!
I think I should sleep now.
-"Must Be the Moon" by !!! - a great, catchy song.
-Imogen Heap - she's an awesome singer-songwriter, I just love her.
-Brandi Carlile - Another great singer-songwriter, has a new album out now!
-Bjork - what I've heard of Volta is amazing.
-Noisettes - super dancy and catchy, and amazing.
-Arctic Monkeys - they're just amazing.
-"Tonight" by Kate Walsh - I got it free off of iTunes, and I think I've found a new great singer-songwriter.
-Interpol - Zach gave me Antics, and WOW it is good.
Last but not least, Pandora online radio. It KNOWS me SO WELL!!!
I think I should sleep now.
Friday, April 13, 2007
and so it continues...
51. Evaline - I listened to "Calm Touching" on their myspace. They put an impressively original spin on your usual rock/pop stuff. I like it a lot. VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
52. Chin Up Chin Up - Cool indie pop. I heard "This Harness Can't Ride Anything." Quite catchy. VERDICT: Thumbs up!
53. The Transit War - I heard "Radar" and was immediately hooked. I really like it - catchy guitar, cool vocals, it's just high quality. VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
54. Envy on the Coast - I really like this too! I recommend "Temper Temper." For some reason I'm fond of songs that repeat words (like "C'mon" by Go Betty Go). This is great! VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
55. Job For a Cowboy - This is some pretty brutal death metal. In fact, too brutal for me. At least the song "Embedded" is. VERDICT: Thumbs down.
56. Bomb The Music Industry! - I heard "I Don't Love You Anymore" and it lives up to their self-proclaimed genre label of ska/happy hardcore/punk. It's quite catchy, with trumpet and piano and it's super good! VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
57. Forward Russia! - Listened to "Don't Be a Doctor," it was pretty sweet atmospheric indie for the first third, then transformed into something... else. Whatever you'd call it, it was good. VERDICT: Thumbs up!
58. Page France - Wow, I listened to "Bush," and it satisfied my current indie/folk craving with something a little different. I love it! VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
59. Fallen From The Sky - The music wouldn't load, will try again later.
60. New Year's Day - They don't have a myspace! Their site though is http://www.newyearsdayrocks.com/ . I heard "I Was Right" and I really like it. Reminiscent of Paramore but mainly in the whole female-lead-vocalist sense. VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
52. Chin Up Chin Up - Cool indie pop. I heard "This Harness Can't Ride Anything." Quite catchy. VERDICT: Thumbs up!
53. The Transit War - I heard "Radar" and was immediately hooked. I really like it - catchy guitar, cool vocals, it's just high quality. VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
54. Envy on the Coast - I really like this too! I recommend "Temper Temper." For some reason I'm fond of songs that repeat words (like "C'mon" by Go Betty Go). This is great! VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
55. Job For a Cowboy - This is some pretty brutal death metal. In fact, too brutal for me. At least the song "Embedded" is. VERDICT: Thumbs down.
56. Bomb The Music Industry! - I heard "I Don't Love You Anymore" and it lives up to their self-proclaimed genre label of ska/happy hardcore/punk. It's quite catchy, with trumpet and piano and it's super good! VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
57. Forward Russia! - Listened to "Don't Be a Doctor," it was pretty sweet atmospheric indie for the first third, then transformed into something... else. Whatever you'd call it, it was good. VERDICT: Thumbs up!
58. Page France - Wow, I listened to "Bush," and it satisfied my current indie/folk craving with something a little different. I love it! VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
59. Fallen From The Sky - The music wouldn't load, will try again later.
60. New Year's Day - They don't have a myspace! Their site though is http://www.newyearsdayrocks.com/ . I heard "I Was Right" and I really like it. Reminiscent of Paramore but mainly in the whole female-lead-vocalist sense. VERDICT: Thumbs way up!
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