The Icewind Dale Trilogy

 

Well obviously there are three books here. This is the first series of RA Salvatore that I’ve read. I’ve seen his works many times before, because they were right across from my fantasy series of choice, the Dragonlance series by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weiss. The main reason I’ve stayed away from his writings is because they seemed to lack a depth that I have enjoyed since I can remember. But being in a strange land far from home does a lot to make you more open. So on a whim and a recommendation I read the trilogy.

The first book is rather blunt and deals you the story in an upfront manner. Magic exists, so do dwarves, elves, dark elves, halflings, and all the other multitudinous fairy creatures of yore. After establishing this fact it slams you into a brief-ish history of the place you’re going to be spending the whole book reading about. Rising action, climax, resolution. They are all there and in great heaping piles too. I just found myself not as engaged as I should be. Something about the writing style coupled with the subject matter, there just seems to be this constant lack of depth and richness. If books were cakes, this one and the other 2 (although they do get better further along the trilogy) would mainly be icing. With some accidentally added cake crumbs.

I would go into further depth about the actual story line, and by not doing that I may be actually defeating the purpose of this entire review. But I’m lacking for time so I’ll wind it up like I usually do.

The trilogy was nice, short, easy reads all of them. Entertaining and missing that hierarchy and history that might bore most others away, the books are clean and crisp. I’d read them again just to get a quick read in.

In short again, these books are like the 10 minute fuck sessions you spend with your girlfriend when there’s not enough time or motivation for something more.

Love from the East.

On an unrelated note, Iron and Wine will be playing in New Orleans while I’m in that region so that’s what’s up.

Junior Boys

I have been going through a electronica spree lately, and the latest album to fall into my lap has been Junior Boys excellent 2006 effort, “So This is Goodbye”. Ever since picking it up it has received heavy rotation on my poor battered iPod.

The overall album feel is smooth mid-tempo groove, and from there it never really wavers. There are no uproarious openers that come down to slower introspective tracks. Unlike other groups such as Justice or LCD SoundSystem, the album will not give you the instant gratification booty shaker right away, at the same time it doesn’t reside with the ultra low key acid jazz/trip hop sound. So This Is Goodbye sits comfortably in the middle, it isn’t pushing you, yet it doesn’t leave you adrift in an ambient sea.

This shouldn’t give the appearance that the record ultimately sits at a plateau, as each song moves a brisk pace, and the album finishes all to quickly. If there was a moment were the sound picks up it would have to be in the center of the record. “In The Morning” begins with a cascade of bleeps and bloops while slowing layering the vocals and bass, building up to a full on dance groove.

While many electronic/dance albums seem to be tailored to very specific situations, So This Is Goodbye is one of those records that feels incredibly versatile, working well socially and for an introspective solo listen. My favorite tracks are The Equalizer, In The Morning, and So This Is Goodbye.

Junior Boys – In The Morning

Shocking Pinks

The lack of recent posts on my end as of late is definately in part due to this album.  I picked up the Shocking Pinks’ self-titled a long while back with the intention of writing about it.  I listened multiple times and enjoyed each, but when it came time to put pen to paper, I couldn’t find the words.  I put it off, even wrote the Oracular Spectacular review in the meantime.  So after much deliberation, here’s my attempt.

Just to get an idea of what Shocking Pinks are all about, they’re an ex-disco/punk band that grabbed some more band members and turned lo-fi/pop with a sensitive side (practically).  Their sound is somewhere in-between Islands, Radiohead, and LCD Soundsystem.  I’m sorry, that’s horrible, I need to stop using other bands for comparisons.

Usually the most sentimental songs incorporate slow, methodical vocals with an acoustic-driven sound.  Not so for this band, most of their emotional material comes from upping the tempo and quick, wavering vocals.  Songs like “Emily” and “How am I Not Myself?” would be the best examples of this unique dramatic experience.  They have their share of acoustic escapades as well though, “End of the World” and “The Girl on the Northern Line” keep Shocking Pinks grounded in the realms of lo-fi.  “Cutout” is Shocking Pinks’ climax, full of intensity and instrumental power.  Tracks “23″ and “You Can Make Me Feel Bad” are the last endeavors of the album; they’re minimalisitic, but have the emotionally drained feeling that synchronizes well with the end of such an expressive album.  Down to it’s conclusion, the progression in this record is something truly unforgettable.

Concluding words-It’s not shocking nor pink, but it is an easy-listening and emotional album that achieves a great deal through simplicity.  Shocking Pinks forms an inexpressable bond with it’s listener, there’s nothing like it.  My favorite tracks were: “Yes! No!”, “Girl on the Northern Line”, and “Jealousy”.

Oracular Spectacular

MGMT – Electric Feel

MGMT is a band that obviously doesn’t take themselves too seriously (they’ve been known for opening sets with The Ghost Buster’s theme song).  So when I picked up Oracular Spectacular on a whim, I didn’t see much potential for a well put together album.  I figured it’d be nothing but disjointed synthed-up party tunes to get some kicks from.  Much to my surprise, I found Oracular Spectacular almost as successful as an album can be.  It instantly got my respect for the way it covers so much ground in its short duration.  

Though the Glam-packed electro-pop gifts of “Electric Feel” and “Time to Pretend” are what immediately catches the listeners attention, the album switches gears many times throughout.  “Pieces of What” and “The Youth” are the first changes of pace in the album, and both give breathing room to an otherwise sometimes suffocating dance album.  Songs like “Weekend Wars” obviously hail progressive rock elements, but it’s done in an more agreeable fashion then, sorry, Muse.  While “4th Dimension Transition” and “Of Moons, Birds and Monsters” individually aren’t great additions to Oracular Spectacular, they work at producing a wider-ranging record.  Through all this, the band keeps a sense of humor to them, and retains the astuteness that alot of danced-up bands miss out on. 

Concluding Words-As far as my testament to how outstanding, revolutionary and genius this album is; I have none.  What I can promise is completeness and accessibility bar none, enough for everyone and his mother to find enjoyment in.  Definately along the lines of; Of Montreal, Spoon, and The Unicorns.  My favorite tracks were:  “Electric Feel”, “Pieces of What”, “Time to Pretend”.

Shotgun Ninja

Once again, another game from prolific developer Cactus. This time we have a tale of an accountant, a Ninja, shotguns and ‘nades, and some pretty fucking intense wall climbing. All in C64 graphics! The game is a simple platformer that has you running around levels, shooting up baddies. The goal is simple, find the key, and reach the exit. The means are simple, you have the ability to wall jump, you shoot with Z (while on the ground) and you can lob grenades with X (using up and down to change trajectories). Shotgun Ninjas also posses an online score board. Not really much else to say about it, just get to playing.

source: tigsource (awesome blog the way, please check them out…

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