G Fuel Energy Drink : PewDiePie

G Fuel Energy Drink : PewDiePie

I don’t follow PewDiePie’s YouTube channel, so I don’t know if it makes sense for him to have his own beverage, but he is perhaps the most popular (video/computer) gamer in the world and Gaming is what the G in G Fuel stands for.

The picture on the can has him levitating what looks like a handful of cherries, which are included on the ingredients list, and that’s what this Energy Drink sort of tastes like, but they’re apparently supposed to be lingonberries.

my rating : 3 of 5

audio review : Rule Of Thumb [ Rule 1 ] ( album ) … E-40

This was supposed to be the sequel to Gift Of Gab, but, assuming the Rule 1 subtitle implies there’ll be a part 2, E-40 decided to save the title for a whole new series. Not that it matters much. These days his albums sound very much alike.

The rapper used to pen an array of vocal styles/flows, but now his Game is mostly generic. The same with these basic beats; Lovin Somebody, which sounds like an outtake from R Kelly’s Happy People set, being an obvious exception.

my rating : 3 of 5

2023

G Fuel Energy Drink : Hype Sauce

G Fuel Energy Drink : Hype Sauce

This Energy Drink; the G apparently stands for (computer/video) Gaming; is supposed to be based on raspberry lemonade, but you wouldn’t necessarily know by the taste. You certainly can’t tell by reading the can, which mentions neither flavor, though the ingredients list does include some interesting oddities like blueberry and broccoli.

my rating : 3 of 5

audio review : Taste Of Chocolate ( album ) … Big Daddy Kane

audio review : Taste Of Chocolate ( album ) ... Big Daddy Kane

Big Daddy starts the new (1990) decade with a Taste Of Chocolate; his third album in as many years. It’s Hard Being The Kane, he claims, as if having “girls in more areas than a Sky Pager” is a lifestyle most guys can sympathize with. Mr Pitiful is his response to Biz Markie’s Vapors.

The raps are smooth, often clever and occasionally brilliant. At one point he speaks of a kid who “smelled like he washed in Oil Of Oh Shit.” The beats are funky. The songs falter mainly at the breaks where, for some unknown reason, guest Barry White never actually sings.

my rating : 3 of 5

1990

video review : Robin’s Wish

video review : Robin's Wish

I don’t think Robin Williams, despite being a comedy icon, was funny in the least, so the worst parts of this documentary for me are the career highlights; clips from his shows, movies and interviews. It gets interesting when it delves into the details of the underlining theme; the Lewy body dementia that ultimately led to his suicide; via anecdotal accounts from his wife and friends.

my rating : 3 of 5

2020

audio review : Looks Like A Job For ( album ) … Big Daddy Kane

audio review : Looks Like A Job For ( album ) ... Big Daddy Kane

The Prince Of Darkness seduced the ladies on his previous album. This one is for waxing the ass of competitive rappers. “I’m making the nonbelievers believe what I’m dishing up,” he proclaims, sometimes straddling the line between clever and corny, “and people that’s still fans will be air conditioners.”

The best songs are the first two and last two, or last two before the Nuff Respect bonus Remix, along with the sole romancer; a Very Special duet with Salt N Pepa’s DJ Spinderella. Stop Shammin, the beat of which is produced by Easy Mo Bee, is another highlight, though the breaks get clamored with noisy samples.

my rating : 3 of 5

1993

audio review : TP3 [ Reloaded ] … R Kelly

audio review : TP3 [ Reloaded ] ... R Kelly

TP doesn’t really stand for 12 Play anymore. The charm of the original album is that there are only 12 songs. This one has 19, or 15 if you don’t count the Trapped In The Closet sequels. The inclusion of five Chapters instead of limiting it to one song, or perhaps hiding the set as bonus tracks, makes for an incredibly awkward playlist.

After being Saved by Jesus and doing a club dance called the backslide, R Kelly is nonetheless Reloaded. He’s Kickin It With Your Girlfriend, Touchin on her body, about to Hit It Til The Mornin. This is the worst TP in the trilogy, thanks in part to that messy Closet, but at least it sticks to raunchy romance, which fits the theme.

my rating : 3 of 5

2005

audio review : Burning ( album ) … Deep Forest

audio review : Burning ( album ) ... Deep Forest

It would make more sense for the concept if Burning Sun and Sunriser were switched around, but at least they have proper titles. Most of the others; not the songs but their titles; sound like they’re still in the demo stage. It’s also odd how the album starts with the longest songs, leaving what’s supposed to be the second half considerably shorter than the first.

Technical gripes aside, there is decent music to be heard. Deep Forest; now a pseudonym for Éric Mouquet; may no longer hold the mystique of its 1990s heyday, but this project fares well enough. Nothing matches Sweet Lullaby or Lament; the vocals here are limited to short bits; but Allison is pretty and Who Did That has the potential to be a (dance) club favorite.

my rating : 3 of 5

2023

Monster Energy : Ultra Gold

Monster Energy : Ultra Gold

The Gold color, Greek design and stony texture; you can actually feel it; give the can a premium, almost epic feel. This drink is based on the mythical “nectar of ambrosia” with “the heavenly fresh flavor of biting into” a “perfectly ripened golden pineapple”. Those last bits are, of course, silly promotional hyperbole.

my rating : 3 of 5

audio review : One More Time ( album ) … Blink-182

audio review : One More Time ( album ) ... Blink-182

Tom DeLonge is back. That should be good news for longtime fans. The rest of us won’t notice much of a difference as Blink-182; a “punk rock kid” band growing old; continues on. The title suggests this album, of which nostalgia is the main theme, may actually be their final. If that’s the case, it’s a decent farewell. The Fuck Face and Turn This Off bits are funny. Song highlights include Fell In Love and Other Side.

my rating : 3 of 5

2023

Crown Prince Kipper Snacks

Crown Prince Kipper Snacks

These; “fillets of kippered herring”; are among the healthiest Snacks you can eat. You wouldn’t know it by taking a quick glance at the box, which brings to mind movie theater candy. These aren’t as tasty, but they’d be better without the salt. The “naturally smoked” flavor; made with oak, ash, maple and beech chips; also adds an interesting touch.

my rating : 3 of 5