Category: reviews

audio review : Blood On The Dance Floor [ History In The Mix ] ( album ) … Michael Jackson

audio review : Blood On The Dance Floor [ History In The Mix ] ( album ) ... Michael Jackson

This album has two titles because it is essentially two sets of songs, two EPs, combined into one.

Blood On The Dance Floor consists of five songs that are new not in the sense of being recent creations; it’s obvious from the start that, despite Sony’s deceptive promotion, the title track is a relic from the Dangerous era; but in the sense that they’ve never been released. They’re new to us, in other words, and, with the exception of the aforementioned title track, they sound awesome. Dare I say, with no hesitation, that three of the five; Morphine, Ghosts and Is It Scary; rank among Michael Jackson’s very best. He sounds irritated, even manic, on these songs; the kid who once sang ABC is now screaming drugs, sex and murder; but the rhythms are riveting. The melodies? Magical.

In The Mix, which remixes selections from the History album for both club and radio play, is a lot less interesting. There are standouts. At least one of these mixes, namely the Classic Frankie Knuckles rendition of You Are Not Alone, might even be better than the original. My favorite part is the singing we couldn’t hear because it faded out on the original. “Got to stop living alone,” Michael Jackson repeats over organs and joyous synth sounds, but on the whole, this set, much like his skin, pales in comparison to what came before it. David Morales ruins This Time Around. Hani’s Earth Song omits the entire choir section. They Don’t Care About Us, the best song on History, gets lost in the mix.

my rating : 4 of 5

1997

video review : Goodfellas

video review : Goodfellas

These “good” fellas are ruthless mobsters. When they need money, they take it and dare whoever it is they’re taking it from to go to the cops. If you cross them, they’ll whack you, bury your body and go out for drinks. They’re organized criminals, wiseguys, above the law in more than enough ways to keep things running smoothly for themselves. As a kid, Henry Hill always wanted to be one of them.

Goodfellas focuses on him doing just that. The first third is mainly backstory and the plot doesn’t really shoot-up until the final third. That’s when the Lufthansa heist goes down and things begin to fall apart. The movie is too long and some of the acting seems caricatural; Karen is particularly annoying; but it’s an interesting glimpse into the (real) life of the Lucchese crime family.

my rating : 4 of 5

1990

Entenmann’s Snack Size Powdered Donuts

Entenmann's Snack Size Powdered Donuts

The best way to eat these is not to put a whole donut in your mouth but to bite it in half. Less is more, or at least better, here. That probably has to do with the donut-to-powder ratio, which assures each piece is covered in tasty whiteness. When it comes to donuts, it doesn’t get much better than this.

my rating : 5 of 5

Fruity Pebbles

Fruity Pebbles

Fruity Pebbles; imagine flattened Rice Krispies tie-dyed in various colors; tasted better when I was a kid. That taste was never really fruity, despite the name, but the distinct (artificial) flavor it does have was stronger and sweeter.

Maybe The Flintstones became health-conscious and decided to include less sugar. Maybe my taste buds changed over the millennia. I don’t know, but the experience of eating Fruity Pebbles has gone from great to merely good.

my rating : 4 of 5

audio review : The Tonite Show ( album ) … EMC

audio review : The Tonite Show ( album ) ... EMC

Yay. They got rid of Punchline. He was an average rapper in a group with three good ones. Now, as a trio, EMC stands as one of the better the pop world has to offer. I say “pop” relunctantly because, though the name Masta Ace may ring a bell to rap fans, they’re hardly known compared to Chief Keef. That’s only part of the reason their Tonite Show concept, in which they imagine themselves guests on The Tonight Show with Jimmy “Falcon”, is so disconcerting. Another is that they already made an album called The Show. But the main reason is that the constant skits; there’s one before and after almost every song; bring the quality of the album down.

It’s a lesson Masta Ace still hasn’t learned after all these years. Ever since the Disposable Arts set, released back in 2001, every one of his albums, solo and collaborative, have been basically ruined with silly skits. They worked for the first two De La Soul albums because they, the skits, were somewhat amusing. These aren’t. That means the songs would have to be amazing to overlook them. These aren’t. The beats are decent, so it ultimately comes down to a lack of catchy hooks. The song with the best one, which also happens to be the song with the best beat; a smooth girl gamer entitled Signtology; is an easy favorite. It’s also the only favorite.

my rating : 2 of 5

2015
 

Jason Friedman :

Agree, they need to tone down on the amount of skits. Skits have no replay value, you listen to them once and that’s it. The second time listening to the LP, you’re hitting the skip button to get to the next song. The 12 songs that are actually songs on this album are INCREDIBLE. You can hear the quality of each song from start to finish. Loved the album, less skits next time. The 12 actual songs get 5 stars, easily.

kyle :

u are a hater too the fullest bring the price down because u think u know wat ur talkin about oh and disposable arts was so good so wasnt long hot summer so stfu fagget

audio review : I Just Called To Say I Love You ( song ) … Stevie Wonder

The verses, in which Stevie lists to a special someone all the seasonal occasions he’s not calling for, sound Wonderful. They melodically and metaphorically warm the heart and are a joy to listen to. The problem with the song is that the chorus is comparatively lackluster.

If the structure has to be flawed, it should be the other way around. A song with a chorus that peaks during the verses is anticlimactic by default. Not to say it’s not a nice ballad because it is. Just to say it’s not great as it seems like it’s going to be before the chorus kicks in.

my rating : 4 of 5

1984

Vanilla Chex

Vanilla Chex

The problem with Vanilla Chex is that they’re mixed with regular Chex, which results in a sort of anticlimactic eating experience. The two don’t mix particularly well because you (I) typically have a craving for one or the other. Imagine eating a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch if half of it didn’t have any cinnamon or sugar on it.

my rating : 3 of 5

video review : You Rock My World ( song ) … Michael Jackson

video review : You Rock My World ( song ) ... Michael Jackson

“You” is an Asian-American girl. She doesn’t talk or smile. She just poses and dances. Her allure is the basis of the song, but make no mistake about it; Michael Jackson is the star of the show. It’s the first song video from his Invincible album and it’s an epic affair; a 13-minute mini-movie, in fact. That Chris Tucker, along with Marlon Brando, Michael Madsen and Billy Drago, are featured is almost a side note, as is the erratic plot. You Rock My World is all about Mike and how cool he is.

The video doesn’t match the aesthetic quality of the song, one of his best, but it is visually appealing. From the cinematography to the set and costume design; 1940s/1950s Mafia era; it’s all warm and sleek. Michael Jackson, I must say, looks damn good here and the man can still move. The best parts are when he’s doing a new strut I’d describe as a sort of reverse Moonwalk. It’s an exquisite display of artistry and I wish it weren’t edited down to just a few seconds near the middle.

my rating : 4 of 5

2001

Amazon Basics On-Ear Headphones

Amazon Basics On-Ear Headphones

I guess the sound quality is fine. I don’t know. I can’t wear these long enough to tell. The headband is too tight. Even at its widest stretch, it feels like it’s designed to induce headaches.

I’m an adult male with I think a normal-sized head, but even if I have a relatively large one, these headphones should be marketed for, because they’re perfectly suited for, petite women and kids.

I love the way they look though. They’re all black with no visible logos. The included black pouch also comes in handy even if you give your headphones away like I did. I use mine as a murse.

my rating : 2 of 5

audio review : Rebel Heart ( album ) … Madonna

audio review : Rebel Heart ( album ) ... Madonna

Madonna is Iconic. Now that Michael is dead, she’s the biggest music artist alive, but you wouldn’t know it by listening to this album. She’s long been overrated to me, so I’m not surprised, but these songs are so-so. Inside Out at least has a pleasant chorus. If more songs did, Rebel Heart could be something relatively special. As is, it isn’t even on par with her previous release.

MDNA; even when her vocals dissatisfies, as it often does; pulsates with innovative club beats. Rebel Heart sounds more like the cookie-cutter pop fluff they play too much on the radio these days. But forget innovation. That’s unnecessary, especially at this point in her career. Madonna, while she may have the Heart, simply lacks the talent needed to make a good album.

my rating : 3 of 5

2015
 

tvicon :

Some of the demos were really good but most of this album is just awful. It could have been a fantastic album but it turned out so bad like if it was recorded in a tin can

Crispy Cocoa Rice

Crispy Cocoa Rice

This cereal, one of Mom’s Best, is a more natural version of Post’s Cocoa Pebbles. That one has artificial flavor added. This one doesn’t. There are four main ingredients; rice, sugar, coconut oil and cocoa; but it’s the latter that gives the cereal its sweet chocolatey flavor. The aftermilk reminds me of those little cartons of chocolate milk we used to drink in elementary school.

my rating : 4 of 5

audio review : The Firewatcher’s Daughter ( album ) … Brandi Carlile

The Firewatcher's Daughter ( album ) ... Brandi Carlile

Brandi Carlile rocks the house on The Things I Regret. It’s not a song of celebration, quite the contrary, but, with it’s stomping drums and chanty refrain, it should be. Elsewhere the album isn’t quite as fun. She makes country/folk music that falls relatively easy on the ears, but there’s nothing special about most, if any, of it. Sparks are too far and few between, even when she’s belting her heart out with the Hanseroth twins harmonizing in the background.

my rating : 3 of 5

2015