MagicaLicious

MagicaLicious

This cereal; a Laura Lynn product distributed by Ingles Markets; is a blatant ripoff of Lucky Charms. If the similarity of the frosted oats and marshmallows weren’t obvious enough, the mascot is a Magician dressed like a leprechaun.

It tastes better though. What put me off Lucky Charms is when they started skimping on the marshmallows. These seem to have enough. Even if they didn’t, the oat pieces, all of which are shaped like stars, taste better than theirs.

my rating : 4 of 5

the Udison Portable Speaker

the Udison Portable Speaker

While certainly Portable, this would more accurately be described as a Udison Bluetooth Speaker considering it can’t be used without said technology. With just four buttons; the blue light, which can be distracting in the dark, can’t be turned off; its features are as basic as the name. Still I like it, especially in regard to its handy size and durability.

my rating : 4 of 5

Checkers Crispy Fish Sandwich

Checkers Crispy Fish Sandwich

This; a rare example of a popular fast-food Fish Sandwich available any time of year; is “topped with iceberg lettuce and tartar sauce for”, as Checkers describes it, “a boatload of flavor”.

That last bit is clever hyperbole; I wish it came with more sauce than it does and usually add my own mayo to compensate; but it’s a damn good alternative to a typical hamburger.

my rating : 4 of 5

Funyuns

Funyuns

Funyuns are a snack conceptually based on onions; you’re supposed to have “Fun” eating them; but they’re not as bad as that sounds. They actually taste quite good partly because, aside from onion powder, they aren’t actually made with real onions. They’re “onion flavored rings” for whatever that’s worth.

my rating : 4 of 5

Great Value Ice Cream : Birthday Cake

Great Value Ice Cream : Birthday Cake

This Ice Cream, which includes swirls of blue frosting and “confetti” candy sprinkles, really does taste, and sort of looks, like Birthday Cake. The concept is appropriate considering the two desserts are traditionally eaten together. The flavor also, for what it’s worth, reminds me of Lucky Charms marshmallows.

my rating : 4 of 5

Pierre Drive Thru Cheeseburger Sliders

Pierre Drive Thru Cheeseburger Sliders

I don’t really get the Drive Thru bit, but it’s probably a nod to White Castle and the like. These “microwavable sandwiches” aren’t as good as a fresh batch of Sliders from a fast-food restaurant, but they are tasty in their own right. They’re also mighty cute, thanks to their little soft round buns.

my rating : 4 of 5

audio review : Fading Lights ( song ) … Genesis

This is the coda of We Can’t Dance. What a hell of a way to end an album. Conceptually it’s one of the most epic I’ve ever come across. Phil Collins sounds spectacular on the vocals. It’s the extended bridge, where the band breaks for what sounds like an impromptu jam session, the song would do better without.

It should’ve been limited or edited down to the final eight bars; the best part. As is, it takes up nearly half the song, which, as a result, times out at over ten minutes. Still Collins shines. “Days of life that seemed so unimportant,” an old man ponders, “they seem to matter and to count much later on.” Poignant stuff.

my rating : 4 of 5

1991

audio review : We Can't Dance ( album ) ... Genesis

Little Caesars Pizza : Classic Italian Sausage

Little Caesars Pizza : Classic Italian Sausage

I wouldn’t call this Pizza a Classic in the aesthetic sense. It’s good stuff, but it isn’t up there with Pepperoni; rather an occasional alternative when you have a taste for something different. It actually reminds me of a surrealistic version of the pizza they used to serve at lunch when I was in elementary school.

my rating : 4 of 5