audio review : The Art Of War ( album ) … Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

audio review : The Art Of War ( album ) ... Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

Who are Bone at War with? “Hatin-ass niggas” according to the Intro, including rappers stealing their style. It’s not the rapid-fire delivery nor the Harmony but their melodies that make them sound better than the average rap group. They’re Thuggish Ruggish R-and-B singers too as all the best songs; Ready 4 War, Look Into My Eyes, Hardtimes, Nothin Changed; have them crooning the choruses all the while toting guns and murdering people.

my rating : 3 of 5

1997

Scoops Ahoy : Mint Flare

Scoops Ahoy : Mint Flare

I don’t like the taste of mint; it’s a shame how difficult it is to find good toothpaste in other flavors; but it goes well enough with chocolate. This Scoops Ahoy ice cream, from the Starcourt Mall in Hawkins (Indiana) on Netflix’s Stranger Things, also includes “chocolate chunks and rainbow confetti”; chewy bits that help make it a lot better than the name suggests.

my rating : 4 of 5

video review : Michael Chandler versus Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314

video review : Michael Chandler versus Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314

I don’t even like Michael Chandler and I was rooting for him to get a knockout win here. That’s how annoying his opponent is. “Whether you hate him or love him,” Joe Rogan declares, “all eyes are on Paddy Pimblett when he fights.” The more he wins, the truer that statement becomes. Chandler is his toughest foe yet and he makes relatively easy work of him without so much as a scratch. Oh well. Maybe next time.

my rating : 4 of 5

2025

audio review : Who Believes In Angels ( album ) … Elton John + Brandi Carlile

audio review : Who Believes In Angels ( album ) ... Elton John + Brandi Carlile

The cover photo is tacky and gay, but Elton John’s been that way for decades. Why he decided to bring Brandi Carlile into his wacky world to the point of making a whole album together is one of the universe’s great mysteries, but conceptually it comes across more like his than hers. She’s not even on the last and best song; a poignant lament entitled When This Old World Is Done With Me.

my rating : 3 of 5

2025