Big Game Energy : Cotton Candy

Big Game Energy : Cotton Candy

The flavor of this Energy drink; a product of Bucked Up; is more akin to Lucky Charms marshmallows than Cotton Candy. That’s a sweet thing as it makes for a delight for the taste buds. The scent brings to mind fresh-baked birthday cake; another sweet kids treat that has little to do with hunting Game.

my rating : 3 of 5

Cap’n Crunch’s Halloween Crunch

Cap'n Crunch's Halloween Crunch

This Limited Edition (October) cereal is basically plain Cap’n Crunch with “ghosts”. The fact that they “turn milk green” might be fun for kids, but it’s otherwise nothing more than a quirky party trick. The flavor is akin to Cap’n Crunch’s Crunch Berries, though the regular version tastes better than both.

my rating : 4 of 5

Big Game Energy : Sour Gummy

Big Game Energy : Sour Gummy

This Energy drink really does taste like Sour Gummy candy. There even seems to be malic/tartaric acid crystals left over when you get to the bottom of the can. It’s much more sweet than sour though; there is “zero sugar”, but it does contain sucralose as a substitute; so the (applelike) flavor is better than the name suggests.

my rating : 3 of 5

Yerbaé : Pumpkin Spice

Yerbaé : Pumpkin Spice

“What does Pumpkin Spice energy feel like,” the can reads, “an energy so perfect it pumps you up for all three months of fall.” What does it taste like? Watery tea with a hint of carbonation. That makes this energy drink, though Yerbaé is among the healthiest of the harvest, mighty hard to “enjoy”.

my rating : 2 of 5

audio review : Bad [ Bigger And Deffer ] ( album ) … LL Cool J

audio review : Bigger And Deffer ( album ) ... LL Cool J

There’s no rapper Bigger And Deffer than LL Cool J on the grandiloquent title song. It starts the album with such a bang that the following “love” ode (Kandy) comes across as rather anticlimactic, especially considering the fact that J and his boys are Bad at hooks. The best songs are the ones without one; namely The Breakthrough, The Do Wop and My Rhyme Ain’t Done. I Need Love is another standout.

my rating : 3 of 5

1987

Banquet Chicken Pot Pie

Banquet Chicken Pot Pie

The best part of this Chicken Pot Pie is the “flaky crust”, which Banquet promotes as being “made from scratch”. Microwave or conventional oven, you’ll never get it to look as good as the picture on the box, which omits the top slit and cooking container, but it makes; rather two or three make; for a hearty homestyle meal.

my rating : 4 of 5

Kraft Mac And Cheese : Original Flavor

Kraft Mac And Cheese : Original Flavor

This Kraft Original is, as far as my childhood is concerned, the quintessential Mac And Cheese. The cooking instructions say to add margarine or butter; an optional tip that makes it even tastier than it already is; but you can ignore the milk bit as it’s better less creamy. Eat with bacon or sausage for the full effect.

my rating : 4 of 5

Monster Energy : Ultra Blue

Monster Energy : Ultra Blue

The “flavor profile” of this Monster Energy drink is listed as “light citrus and berry”, but it’s the latter that stands out. The taste is, as the name suggests, akin to Blueberries, which typically grow in the summer and spring. The concept, in contrast, has more to do with winter “snow trips” to “mountain towns” like Aspen and Chamonix.

my rating : 3 of 5

audio review : Blockbusta ( album ) … Busta Rhymes

audio review : Blockbusta ( album ) ... Busta Rhymes

This album is executively produced by Pharell, Timbaland and Swizz, so perhaps it’s no surprise the best thing about it are the beats, most of which have enough bass to blow your woofers (up) like the blurry cover image. Busta also holds it down with the Rhymes; guest rappers include YGs Kodak Black and Coi Leray; but Blockbusta would be better without the blatant song samples and annoying Tigger duet at the end.

my rating : 3 of 5

2023

Little Debbie Chocolate Christmas Tree Cakes Ice Cream

Little Debbie Chocolate Christmas Tree Cakes Ice Cream

This Chocolate version is an alternative to Little Debbie’s plain Christmas Tree Cakes Ice Cream. I prefer the latter, but they both serve as tasty treats. The Chocolate here tastes like fudge or hot cocoa, which makes for an especially yummy experience when you melt it down to a goo.

my rating : 4 of 5

Java Monster : Cold Brew [ Sweet Black ]

Java Monster : Cold Brew [ Sweet Black ]

This Cold Brew Java Monster; an energy drink made with “nitro infused coffee”; is Sweet, yes, but it’s only “subtly sweet”. That leaves not much to distract from the relatively “bold” flavor of coffee; somewhat of a disappointment for those of us who drink it for the caffeine and don’t like the taste.

my rating : 3 of 5

audio review : Gravity ( song ) … Tinashe

The bridge is tranquil and drumless, but, with a title like Gravity and all its spatial implications, I’d imagine the whole song would sound like that. Perhaps it’s a good thing it doesn’t. The Machinedrum (and-bass) breakdown at 2:13 is the best part. This is also one of Tinashe’s better songs, albeit one that continues her fixation with the cliché concept of romance, in the way of vocal melody.

my rating : 4 of 5

2023

audio review : BB Angel ( album ) ... Tinashe