Prepare to Get Losted

Colin and I’s latest video is now available for your viewing pleasure on YouTube. This particular video entry follows the exploits of survivalist enthusiast Badger Stevens and his struggle to survive deep within the seething cesspool that is the Canadian Wilderness.

Fun Facts
– This was filmed at Crestwoods off the trail near some old beer cans and a giant wooden cross chained to a tree.
– The “Land Monster” was a wig!
– The fake urine was made by watering down apple juice
– The innards of the “Land Monster” was actually a slice of Schwarzwälder Schinken (which is basically Black Forest Ham) covered in fake blood.
– Badger’s dead son’s journal entries had actual writing and illustrations on them by myself and Paul
– The nazi pistol was a customized nerf gun made by Paul
– If we had just turned the camera slightly in a few shots you’d be able to see a bunch of houses. There was also a lot of construction noise in the background which fortunately didn’t turn up much on the final product.

Thanks for watching.

I’m Hooked

Last night I watched the inaugural game of the Seattle Sounders FC. This is the first time any of us has experienced an expansion franchise first hand and I honestly did not know what to expect. Despite playing soccer for most of my life I never especially liked the game and only had a mild interest when the World Cup came around. But there is something about the word “Seattle” on a jersey that just tickles my Cat Fancy.

I’ve heard the horror stories of expansion franchises but it seemed that Drew Carey and the crew had done a good enough job. They signed the best US national team goalie who has spent most of his career in Europe. They hired Sigi Schmid, a two-time MLS cup champion coach, to head the operation.

It was exciting to see Qwest Field electric again and the boys in green scored goal after goal, undressing the New York Red Bulls in all aspects of the game. Casey Keller, our goalie, made 2 great saves on the only two shots on goal he had to worry about. Fredy Montero was the star scoring two goals and assisting the third.

With a franchise being awarded to Vancouver, BC, and Portland which was announced today, I feel like soccer is finally breaking through and I am excited for a rivalry with close proximity. It was a rough year, but with the Huskies in the tournament, the M’s having hope, and the Seahawks turning things around, everything looks like its on the way up.

Rumble in the Jungle

Resident Evil 5

I’ve pretty much lost interest in most games these days. So really the only thing to attract to me to a video game now is something a little different or perhaps nostalgia. Luckily RE5 has both, by which I mean it has competent multiplayer (Which seems to be somewhat rare in this era dominated by online gameplay) and it’s one of my all time favorite game franchises. So since Paul and I beat it today I thought I’d reflect a little on my experience.

I find it’s a shame that the series has strayed so far from it’s original zombie premise though I suppose it’s kept the series relatively fresh. Traveling to Africa this time round, Chris Redfield and his sidekick Sheva Alomar or something are pit against bloodthirsty infected Africans and a slew of slimy behemoths including giant bats and this messed up whale thing. I was surprised to find that I enjoy the enemies increased levels of intelligence in this installment. With guys sniping at you and rockets blazing all around this is probably the most action packed resident evil yet.

The gameplay is fairly smooth and simple (yet we did have some initial trouble correctly saving our co-op game without losing items) and the co-op gels perfectly when playing with a pal. I’ve heard some guys say that the co-op makes the game less tense but I strongly disagree. In RE5 there’s more tight situations than you can shake a stick at. The exotic locations here look fantastic as well and the claustrophobic atmosphere is always a nice touch.

So though it’s loads of fun, RE5 isn’t perfect. The series has always been cheesy and this one is no exception. The main villain’s motivations are ridiculous and all the flashbacks and narration are cliche to the max. Another thing that pissed me off in the last RE and this one is the addition of a troll boss. C’mon a troll? What is this Lord of the Rings? Those have never made any sense to me in this series. Let’s see… Oh yes, can you believe you fight a battle in an active volcano? That’s physically impossible. RE has never strived be realistic in anyway but this series has gone a little too far in some areas if you ask me. Fortunately these are minor complaints that I’d already anticipated.

There’s a lot for me to try and take in here right now, but for the most part it’s a very entertaining addition to the RE series. I’d probably say I like it better than it’s predecessor and I really hope they keep this co-op feature for future installments, you just don’t see enough solid multiplayer games anymore.

C.A.T: Full Moon Fever

Tom Petty – Full Moon Fever (1989)
Veteran rocker Tom Petty has created quite an impressive catalog of classic rock radio staples over the years. Often accompanied by a solid backing band in The Heartbreakers, Tom and the gang have put together some great rock albums but who would have thought that Tom Petty’s first solo album Full Moon Fever, released in the spring of 1989 would end up being the album that basically defined Petty as a rock legend?

Containing a handful of songs co-written with producer Jeff Lynne, Tom decided to do a solo album after deciding that his latest batch of songs were too different from the normal Heartbreakers fare. Recorded primarily by Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Heartbreakers multi-instrumentalist Mike Campbell and drummer Phil Jones (not to mention some guest musicians including the likes of George Harrison, Roy Orbison, and Del Shannon) Full Moon Fever is hit after hit of pop rock perfection.

“Free Fallin'”, “I Won’t Back Down”, “Runnin’ Down a Dream”, “A Face in the Crowd”, “Yer So Bad”… It’s like listening to a greatest hits album. Jeff Lynne gives the album that tight, polished sound with rich vocals that often accompanies his work as a producer. As a matter of fact, it was agreed by the members of The Traveling Wilburys that this felt and sounded so much like a Wilbury’s album that The Traveling Wilburys called their second album, released in 1990 Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3.

A very positive and enjoyable listening experience this is probably my favorite Tom Petty related work I’ve heard. From the lush acoustic opening of “Free Fallin” to its energetic finale in “Zombie Zoo.” This album never fails to deliver the goods.

Favorite Tracks: “Free Fallin”, “I Won’t Back Down”, “Zombie Zoo”

Three’s Company

Wow no posts since last thursday huh? Well it happens from time to time, I don’t have a lot to say but I figured I’d try and come up with something. I plan on doing a review of the new Resident Evil game once Paul and I advance a little further but aside from that not a lot is going on.

On to main topic of my post, can you believe Jack White has formed another band? The front man for the likes of such bands as The White Stripes and The Raconteurs has now formed a third group calling themselves The Dead Weather. Strangely enough Jack will be donning drumming duties with some vocals, but accompanying him will be vocalist/guitarist Alison Mosshart of The Kills, guitarist Dean Fertita a touring member of The Raconteurs and member of Queens of the Stone Age and Greenhornes/Raconteurs bassist Jack Lawrence. All members will contribute towards the band’s compositions.

Signed to White’s Third Man Records, the band’s debut album Horehound is due out this June and the lead single “Hang You from the Heavens”, sung by Mosshart, is already available on itunes and for streaming on the band’s official site. I checked it out on Youtube and I’d say it’s more or less your typical Jack White esque garage rock. Not sure what I think yet but I’m a Jack White fan so I’ll stick around to see what happens.

Puttin’ On the Blitz

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz!

New York trio the Yeah Yeah Yeahs adopt a Dreamlike, electronic sound on their latest album which although occasionally enticing, is a far cry from their angsty sound of yesteryear. The addition of synths and lessening of guitars is fun experiment with dance music, but as I listen to the ballady, power pop of It’s Blitz, I can’t help but yearn for the guitar driven rock that used to define this band.

It’s Blitz still has a few standouts that I find even out the experience. Leadoff single “Zero” took some time to grow on me, but I’ve slowly come to appreciate it’s simple melody and driving techno beat. “Heads Will Roll” is another single friendly track, but not long after that my ears begin to wander. My interest returns with the surprisingly funky “Dragon Queen”, but it’s lost not long after.

My main problem with It’s Blitz is the melodies or lack thereof. The songs don’t feel as inspired or memorable as previous Yeah Yeah Yeah. The group’s first album felt brimming with inspiration and youthful energy. It’s Blitz feels like another day at the office. I got the last Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ E.P. Is Is last year and even on that the group was producing more exciting compositions than on this album.

I felt alienated by the new sound of It’s Blitz, though I can’t deny the three tracks that I enjoy and a few other memorable moments. In the end I think the path taken was an intriguing venture, but in the future I’d prefer this group get back to basics.

Favorite Tracks: “Dragon Queen”, “Heads Will Roll”, “Zero”

C.A.T: Out of Time

R.E.M. – Out of Time (1991)
Continuing my trend of doing CATs at the last minute possible when it becomes clear no one else will do one, it’s Out of Time. Today, this album’s biggest hit, “Losing My Religion” was released for Rock Band, so I figured now was as good a time as ever to talk about this little album.

But I’m hella tired. Hopefully I’ll edit this later to explain why it is deserving of this honor. But if not, then just know that it is. It’s quite good.

Night.