7/17/2008
The Cold Spot, by Tom Piccirilli - Review by D.S.
City Come A-Walkin', by John Shirley - Review By D_Davis
Hellboy II: The Golden Army - Review by Braden A
What's up everyone? Doing good here. Great actually. I recently bought a pedal steel guitar, and I heard from the guy that built it that it is finished and it has been shipped. I am hoping it will arrive at my work tomorrow. I can't wait to start playing it. It's gonna be hard - I've gotta learn a whole new tuning (E9th) and wrap my head around three pedals and four knee levers - and it's also going to be awesome.
I've also recently heard one of the best albums I've ever had the pleasure of listening to.
The band: Farflung
The album: A Wound in Eternity
I've liked these guys for a long, long time. I got into them around the same time that I got into Hawkwind. These guys actually helped Nick Turner (ex-Hawkwind dude) out as his live band when he went solo. Anyhow, Farflung is, without a doubt, the best space rock band to ever walk the face of the Earth. That we mere mortals are graced by their presence is a minor-miracle. They've put out some amazing albums before, but nothing touches this newest one.
It is an absolute masterpiece of space rock - each song is composed with layer upon layer of incredible guitar work, infectious rhythms, interesting vocal work, analog synths, and atmosphere to spare. While the band used to allow their songs to meander quite a bit, often drifting past 15 minutes in length, here they have boiled everything down to only the necessary elements - the longest song is under 7 minutes long. Each song is packed with memorable moments, moments that leave you wanting more; they are songs I want to hear again as soon as they are over.
It is a brilliant record. I cannot recommend it enough. Please check it out. These guys aren't huge, they aren't rock stars, and I doubt they make much of a living, but they deserve far more than most bands that do. This is music. This is life.
Farflung on the web
Anyhow, tonight we have three updates for you. Braden presents a really well written review for Hellboy II, D.S. has a review for another Tom Piccirilli book (an author I need to read soon), and I've got a review for a totally rockin' cyberpunk book.
Enjoy, D_Davis.
7/10/2008
Devil May Care, by Sebastian Faulks - Review by D.S.
The Dreaming Jewels, by Theodore Sturgeon - Review By D_Davis
The Machine Girl - Review by Braden A
Boarding House - Review by Seth
Good evening. Tonight we have a healthy round of updates for you to read. First, I have posted a review of the new James Bond novel, which, unfortunately, is appropriately titled in the negative sense. From D_Davis we have a review of another Sturgeon book; from Braden A, a review of a very fun film, The Machine Girl - definitely a top 10 contender for me this year; and from Seth, a review of Boarding House, an 80s schlock horror film that Seth has rescued from forgetfulness.
Enjoy. D.S.
7/2/2008
Electra Glide in Blue - Review By D_Davis
Hello every one. Tonight, we've got two new film reviews for you all. First up is Braden's review for Wanted, a film that I think looks like a rediculous amount of fun. I can't wait to see it when it comes out on DVD. This is Braden's second review in a row for a film that starts with the letter "W". Did somebody say...Wonder? Next up is a review from me for Electra Glide in Blue, a film that blew my socks off. It is definitely going on my revised top 100, and it has overthrown SUkiyaki Western Django as the best film I've seen for the first time in 2008.
D_Davis
6/25/2008
The Kingdom of Thorn and Bone, by Greg Keyes - Series Review by D.S.
The Enemy Stars by Poul Anderson - Review by D_Davis
Good afternoon readers, and welcome to your . . . I don't even know what to call this update, as we've been messing with the days we do post new material. Moving on: this afternoon I am posting two print reviews. First, I have reviewed Greg Keyes's Kingdom of Thorn and Bone, a four-book series in the fantasy genre; second, a review of an older Poul Anderson book from D_Davis, who continues to navigate the work of writers who helped to shape the science fiction genre.
Enjoy, and good night. D.S.
6/18/2008
Top 10 Lists: 2007
Steve Magnum's Top 10 for 2007
Seth JG Goodkind's Top 10 for 2007
Here they are, our Top 10 lists for 2007. Once we again, we rate our top 10 first time viewings, not just films released in 2007. We've also uploaded our 2007 Year End Review podcast. Enjoy!
D_Davis
