ISSUE 1
James Blunt Back to Bedlam (pop/soft-rock)
The name “James Blunt” has been on everyone’s lips (and his songs in everyone’s ears) since his debut album, Back to Bedlam was released in the US in 2005. The British musician has sold 8 million copies worldwide to date, and his hype continues to snowball with every passing week, with Back to Bedlam recently hitting number one in both Vancouver and all of Canada. With his guitar-strumming collection of easy-on-the-ears tunes, it’s not hard to see how Blunt has become the darling of the soft-rock/pop world. The album’s sound nestles snugly below the conscious level, allowing one to enjoy the pleasantly melodious atmosphere without feeling the need to focus too intently on the actual content. Back to Bedlam tends toward the fluffier side of pop, laced with catchy hooks that are guaranteed to stick in the ears for weeks on end (if you’ve heard the chorus of “You’re Beautiful”, you’ll understand that resistance is entirely futile). While Blunt’s high-pitched voice can grate the nerves at times, breaking into a poultry-like warble in “Goodbye My Lover”, its oft-distressed quaver is harnessed during the choruses by the inoffensive guitar and piano accompaniment that smooths it into a pleasing texture. His falsetto is actually quite alluring in “Tears and Rain”, as well as in “High”, a charming song twice released as a single in the UK that smacks of Tal Bachman’s “She’s So High”.
The majority of the album follows a pretty similar structure of power pop mixed with simplistic lyrics. “So Long Jimmy”, a tribute to both Jimmy Hendrix and Jim Morrison, manages to squeak in a single-serving of psychedelic highlights near the end, but not so much that the grandparents will be startled. “No Bravery”, the final song of the album, appears to be Blunt’s sole attempt at profoundness, written while on duty as a peacekeeping soldier in Kosovo. Accompanied only by a piano and drums for the majority of the song, Blunt paints a picture of sorrow that is finally able to match the ever-present trepidation in his voice.
While the album doesn’t exactly push the envelope of modern pop music, it happily serves its purpose of being listenable and enjoyable for those times when you don’t necessarily want to think too much about what is playing in the background.
Price: $13.96
Nine Inch Nails, Everyday is Exactly the Same (industrial-rock)Nine Inch Nails albums usually take their time, with approximately five years spacing between releases since 1989’s Pretty Hate Machine. Thus, Trent Reznor’s release of 2005’s With Teeth was no small deal, as the sole permanent member (along with a helpful band) returned with a whole new set of edgy, gritty creations that have been labelled industrial-rock for lack of a better name.
As the third single to be released from the album, Everyday is Exactly the Same offers a solid six tracks for your patience. The title track is admittedly not the most ground-breaking NIN song. The chorus finds Reznor repeating “everyday is exactly the same” in a way that makes you truly understand the message by the end with an echoed sense of boredom. The mood gives an aura of frustration as if the song is kept on too tight leash; the constantly grumbling bass line never manages to fulfill its threats.
Luckily, Interpol’s ultra-hip Carlos D and Sam Fogarino liven things up a little in their remix version of the song. The tempo is kicked up a few notches, while the focus slides away from the vocals, settling instead on the murkier elements of the background noises. The music is allowed to gather momentum as the song progresses, with the beat growing confidently as the song draws to a more satisfying close.
The single also includes two different remixes of each of With Teeth’s previous singles, “The Hand That Feeds” and “Only”. While the Photek Straight mix of “Hand That Feeds” manages to revamp the song with actively scampering high-hats that seem to perfectly complement the rabid growls of both Reznor and the guitars, the Death From Above remix takes it in a completely different direction. The nine minute track features very little of the original music, replacing it with a clattering beat and various electronic blips that seem to fight the raging vocals with pixel-created fire power. The two versions of “Only” are similarly diverse, with the El-P mix slowing things right down with a lethargic, rarely-there beat, while the Richard X mix features a techno-edged rhythm with a tempo that could accompany a hurried Chihuahua, enticing all your limbs into dance mode.
While the single doesn’t offer any brand new material, it still manages to be jam-packed with innovative material. NIN fans will not be disappointed.
Price: $5.99
Massive Attack, Collected (electronica/hip-hop)
After fifteen years of creating music that has inspired bands like Morcheeba and Portishead, while still maintaining its cool amongst current peers, the UK’s Massive Attack was due for an album like Collected. Featuring fourteen solid tracks plucked from over a decade’s worth of albums, it is remarkable to see firsthand how songs from 1991’s Blue Lines more than manage to hold their own against the more current hits of the past five years or so. The album flows steadily from start to finish, regardless of release dates.
The electronic/hip-hop hybrid of Massive Attack’s sound (sometimes dubbed “trip-hop”) varies from the uplifting piano chords of “Teardrop” (matched
by the clear, enchanting voice of Elizabeth Fraser), to the more sinister grime of the guitar-laced beats in “Inertia Creeps”. The soulful genius of "Unfinished Symphony" (featuring the powerful vocals of Shara Nelson alongside violins and what sounds like spoons clattering on jam jars) is as effective as ever, proving its worthiness of the oft-granted title of one of the greatest songs of all time, even fifteen years after its original release. The diversity seen in each song is held together by the constant pulse of an achingly suave rhythm that would make any of them a suitable background for sauntering in slow motion down a crowded street, sporting the necessary cool shades.
As an added perk, Massive Attack has added a brand new track, the stellar “Live With Me”, to their list, effectively tying their past to their present, and creating an excellent segue way to their promised release in 2007. The compellingly rich voice of Terry Callier, combined with the sigh of the violin produce a truly beautiful effect, ending the album on a powerful note.
A second, more souped-up version of Collected is also offered for the more dedicated Massive Attack fan. A bit more cash will get you a bonus two-sided disc, offering a clutch of rarities and b-sides on one side, with dvd recordings of all the videos on the opposite side. While the b-sides tend to be more experimental and less crowd-pleasing than the original fourteen songs, there is a certain haunting beauty to tracks like “Danny the Dog” and “Black Melt” that make them worthy of a listen, if maybe not a purchase for the less hardcore fan.
Price: $13.96 for the cd
$39.99 for the cd plus the bonus two-sided cd/dvd *
Joanna McIntyre
WHAT : METALFEST
WHERE : THE RED ROOM
WHEN : THURSDAY APRIL 13
WITH : Gross Misconduct, Lunchbucket, Lokjaw, Contraband, and Southgate.
I arrived at the Red Room promptly at 10pm wanting to check out some of the bands before seeing the headliners, Antiquus. The venue is massive and has definite potential for a cool underground sort of club, although the décor is outdate and sort of mid 90’s with its red booths and multi colored lighting. Not to mention I was served my gin and tonic in a plastic cup, maybe that was a wise choice by management for that particular night. I must have been the only one not wearing leather, black boots and chains but all the same the crowd seemed fairly tame.
I played a couple games of pool and tried to enjoy the screaming lyrics of Lokjaw and Contraband. After a few drinks I couldn’t tell one band from another although Contraband did play a few songs that gave me the urge to get up and join the other moshers jumping around the stage.
Antiquus came on promptly at 1am and the crowd seemed fairly drunk at that point but all the same, the anticipation was rising. Who were these headliners anyways? I read they hadn’t been signed but had been acquiring a small cult following.
The four-man band fit the criteria for a real live metal band, complete with a massive drummer who probably rode in on a Harley, two long haired, head banging guitar players and one buzzed cut beef cake bass player.They start up with a slow instrumental and I’m totally intrigued after listening to non stop yelling about death, destruction and lost love, but again the show had just begun.Off stage I hear the lead singer, slowly and menacingly whispering into the microphone, “I believe in slime, stink and every possible ugliness and corruption, you son of a bitch!”The lead singer finally runs out on stage in his too tight leather pants, boots and tucked in shirt and starts belting out some Tom Jones like tunes to this heavy metal music and I wonder if this guy has ran into the wrong band.
He begins by introducing the band and explains the songs they’re about to share are some sort of saga about a sea captain’s voyage. Well he certainly looks the part, singing with one foot up on the amp, teased hair blowing wildly while reaching out to the crowd like he’s directing some sort of sea bound ship with his crew of rock opera sailors. The band seemed to play really well together, like they had been doing this for years. They played songs with some catchy names like, “Redemption Song”, and “I’m alive”, which I started to get into, I must admit. It’s hard not to feel it when someone is so passionate about what they’re doing.I did notice people starting to gather onto the floor half way through the set, keeping in mind there were only about twenty rockers in the entire joint. Some people even knew the lyrics and sung along freely which the lead singer seemed pleased about even offering the mic to an excited fan, which she shyly refused.
The last song was strong and I found myself dancing with my friend who is more classical than rock, and even he enjoyed it. These guys are catchy, and the energy of the entire band seemed more focused and tight than the rest I had seen that night.Except for the sticky floor, puke in the girl’s bathroom, plastic cups and watered down gin, the show was pretty damn good. *
Charity West
WHO : A Certain SomethingWHERE: The Pic Pub
WHEN : Wednesday April 12
WITH : Next Exit, Solidus, and Sonic Posse
Perhaps it was because I hadn’t had a drink yet, or maybe because it was a day before my birthday, but this show put me in a foul mood the moment I walked in the door. I entered half-way through Sonic Posse’s set, and it felt like I was back in Whistler (not a good thing).
Posse gives off the vibe of we-know-the-owner-so-he-lets-us-jam-some-nights-but-we-only-practise-like-once-a-month, and while in certain situations this could be rather endearing, on this night, it was not. Next up was Next Exit. This band read a few books about forming a band, and they formed one with probably the most common and most obvious names of all times. Chalk-full of clichés, such as rhyming ‘beautiful’ with ‘wonderful,’ they reminded me, as bands often do lately, that the Chad Kroger School of Rock has a HUGE graduating class. I totally had thrown in the towel sometime between their cover of Here Comes the Rain Again and when the drummer made knocking sounds as the singer hollered “knock, knock.” Bleh.
Then the headlining ska-funk-rock band, a Certain Something took the stage. This band would’ve been great if everyone hadn’t gotten over the whole horns-in-a-rock-band-thing a decade ago. I felt kind of like I was watching the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Not in a good way, but rather like when they performed on Clueless, awkward and out of their element. A choreographed brass section can only get you so far. Seriously.On the positive, they seem like they are pulling a fast one on their audience. And I like that. With smirks constantly plastered to their faces, I often wondered if it wasn’t all just one big joke to them, and cheeky song titles, like ‘My Compliments To the Chef,’ helped cement that in my mind.It could have been worse, but it could have been a lot better too.
Four and a half matching suits out of ten.*
Joel Gook
WHO : G . LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCEWHERE: The Commodore
WHEN: Thursday April 13. Doors 8pm.
WHAT : Hip hop/Funk/Blues etc.
Sadly I don’t know much of the G. Love and Special Sauce catalogue so I don’t know what songs they played and where. What I do know is that live music isn’t about song titles it’s about feeling something good that’s hard to explain. From Philadelphia the band made up of G. Love (born Garrett Dutton) on guitar/hip hop slash blues vocals/harmonica, Jeff Clemens on drums, and Jim Prescott on upright bass had help from a keys/percussionist and a drums/mc/bassist on a rainy Vangroovie night. A heavy rhythm based hip-hop groove drove these guys to the ‘something good’ destination we all search for when we head out. “Can I kick it?”, G. Love asked the crowd in a mischievous voice a fistful of songs through the set. “Yes you can!”, the crowd replied. “Can I groove it?”, he asked w/ the mic in hand and his guitar in the other as he skipped from one end of the stage to the other like he was trying to ask everyone individually. “Yes you can!”, we replied happily and they funked it up and jazzed it out with playfully eclectic set. G.Love would bounce around the stage playing his guitar chest high in true funk style and turn to his band mates who we’re all wearing matching smiles.
The five piece played w/ a four-man rhythm section attack: Keys, harmonica, vocals and mc-ing all taking their turns to grab the lead. Twin drummers we’re driving the band adding twice the fills, one sometimes jumping on an old Jazz bass (in the Lou Reed cover ‘Take a walk on the wild side’) to compliment the upright bass being played by a man truly from the 70’s with a solid beard and beat. These two took that ‘boo, boop, booooooo’ bass line to a whole new place until the rest of the band kicked back in bringing home the bacon.
Somewhere amongst their driving grooves which were taking their toll on dance floor participants being forced to hit the bar in droves for some refreshments, (myself included) the boys pulled out ‘Goldigger’ by Kanye West bringing loud cheers from the crowd who just had to dance harder. Who’d have thought that a song we’ve all heard a million times could be made so fresh by this group of stand up muso’s not afraid to tackle the new and old classics and do them in their own way damn well. The band left the stage to dimmed house lights, all and sundry went nowhere. (Folks, you know the bands coming back if the house lights don’t come on.)
G. Love returned to sing a few cruisey, bluesy tracks solo. The full floor was treated to an intimate flow of music personalized by our charismatic leading man. The rest of the guys soon joined him and the fast, fun stuff picked up again and so did our feet. I remember pounding keyboard runs, mc-ing that blew me away, (where the only word I understood was ‘…VANCOUVER!’) low bass blows, enthralling double drumming, and a dancing, singing, harmonica and guitar playing front man who have all convinced me to get my hands on some G. Love & Special Sauce stuff.*
Ricky Railer
WHO : THE TREWSWHERE : The Commodore Ballroom
WHEN : Sunday April 9
There are those who opine that a catchy riff attached to a solid rock groove will never lose. They're wrong of course, but the Trews have followed the formulae and still live, neither do they show any signs of slowin down on this side of the border.And they got my feet tapping at the Commodore last weekend, thoughthey weren't quite so jumpin that I needed to join the crowd surfing that featured in this rock n' riot.The MacDonald brothers - frontman Chris and lead guitar John-Angus -lead this Nova Scotia band making it's way up the CanRock ladder. Their cousin Sean Dalton beats the drums, while family friend Jack Syperek manages well enough on bass. John-Angus is Jesus with his long locks and mountain-man beard and - always a sucker for killer guitar play - I am now a believer. His sizzling fingerboard and marathon stage act won me over by the end of the evening, and I even 'allowed' myself to nod
along to Ledd Zeppelin as they wrapped up.
These guys play to win. Their album House of Ill Fame was a runaway success that sold (only) ten billion copies one night when nobody waslooking. The first single from that album, “Not Ready to Go”, ended up becoming the #1 most played track on Canadian rock radio in 2004 . Their album Den of Thieves was recorded around a schedule of some 400 shows over 2 years, narrowly edging out my little brother's barbershop group, though he had no slots with
Evanescence, Nickleback, The Offspring and The Rolling Stones, among others. Nuts.
While the Trews don't pull out anything that I haven't seen before, their act has polish, and their radio-friendly portfolio is enough to win them adulation with the mainstream. So of course I like them, though I wouldn't tell my punk-goth roommate. *
Reuben Jones
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (2005)
In a year (2005) when the number of intriguing or outstanding films was somewhat dismal, David Cronenberg’s ‘A History of Violence’ stands out above the rabble. Based on the graphic novels of John Wagner and Vince Locke, this film is a study of violence in many contexts. There’s the difficulty that lies in trying to escape violence in one’s past. Cronenberg describes himself as ‘a complete Darwinian.’ So it’s no surprise that the theme of survival of the fittest breathes beneath the storyline. And the consequences surrounding the use of violence as a means to settle disputes plays large in this film.
The story opens with a violent encounter, a hint of what is to come. It then drifts into the peace of rural Indiana where Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) operates a café, the kind that serves as the crossroads of the community. This small town American tranquility is shattered when two thugs enter the café and, brandishing guns, threaten the patrons and demand cash. Stall explodes in a dance of violence, disposing the thugs with speed, skill and cold bloodedness. His performance thrusts him into the spot light when he becomes a reluctant celebrity as a result of television news reports. This one event changes Tom’s carefully cultivated exterior and his family reacts with obvious confusion.
The Stall family consists of Tom’s lawyer wife Edie (played resourcefully by Maria Bello) and their two children; a teenaged boy(Ashton Holmes) and a young, primary school aged daughter (Heidi Hayes). As Tom tries to deflect the questions about his surprising ability to dispatch violent thugs, his past begins to squirm from out of the shadows and into the light of his life. The first to intrude is Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris), a man whose face is badly deformed and a man who clearly blames Tom Stall for this misfortune. At first, Tom denies knowing Fogarty but you sense that the quiet intensity of the film is about to ramp up. Fogarty claims to know Tom, as Joey Cusack.
This is the first time that Tom is referred to by this name, a name he neither wants to hear nor recognize but one that clearly holds the key to Tom’s history. In a harrowing scene in the local indoor shopping mall, Fogarty confronts Edie Stall with the question, "Why is he (Tom) so good at killing people?" The second intrusion into Tom’s life is a phone call he receives from Richie Cusack (William Hurt who received an Academy Award for his performance).
As Tom’s family wrestles with the discomfort in knowing that the patriarch of the family may not be who he claims to be, Tom’s son Jack decides to use violence as a means to settle a dispute. In this case, Jack’s intent is to stop the bullying that he has endured at school, an act that horrifies Tom. The survival of the fittest is determined by violence. Though there are action sequences, this is a story of character. Viggo Mortensen as Tom Stall is commanding and powerful with strong support from Maria Bello, Ed Harris and William Hurt. ‘A History of Violence’ s an intriguing meditation on violence.
Cronenberg has crafted a symphony where the main theme ebbs and flows in this deliberate, carefully crafted film. I do recommend this film with the caveat that,
as the title infers, there are graphic violent episodes.
Four Stars
DERAILED (2005) What is it that compels a man (Clive Owen) to initiate an affair when he seems to have everything going for him in his life? And then, when things go terribly wrong, he chooses to keep quiet rather than tell the truth, an act that would extricate himself from the escalating andpotentially violent events that now dominate his life.
Clive Owen is Charles, a successful ad executive. He and his attractive, loving wife Deanna (Melissa George) have a teenaged daughter Amy (Addison Timlin), a young woman who must endure a life threatened by a rare form of diabetes. One morning, on the commuter train to Chicago, Charles meets Lucinda (Jennifer Aniston), whose legs seem to have caught the eye of every man in this particular rail car. Lucinda bails Charles out of an embarrassing jam when he discovers his wallet empty and a train fare to be paid. Though tentative at first,Charles and Lucinda begin to meet regularly until that fateful night when he lies to his wife about working late (the usual uncreative excuse) and ends up in a seedy hotel room with Lucinda. Their failure to properly secure the door allows a stranger (Vincent Cassel) to enter the room and assault and rob the cheating couple. I’ll not go into the next set of plot points, just in case you bother to rent this DVD.
Suffice to say things get more difficult for Charles. He turns to the mail room clerk, Winston (skillfully portrayed by rap artist RZA)for help. Winston has spent some time in the joint and hints at a rather colourful past, compared to Charles suburban lifestyle. He justmight be the muscle needed to relieve this dangerous situation.
My major difficulty with this film was in believing the characters and their motivations. Charles has a beautiful, intelligent, dedicated wife and a child whose health is extremely vulnerable. Yet he is willing to threaten this family dynamic with a casual dalliance. In the storyline, much is made of the sacrifices they have endured to save the money desperately required to insure their child’s health care. Yet Charles is willing to give it all away in order to maintain his lies.
Any parent I know would place the welfare of their child first, especially a child so physically vulnerable. The acting is equal to the intensity demanded of the characters. In playing the role of Lucinda, Jennifer Aniston shakes her ‘Friends’ niceties to play a character with a darker edge. Overall, I didn’t like the characters, I didn’t find the story compelling or believable and I was bored as I kept waiting for something to grab my attention. And then, a funny thing happened in the third act. The movie actually got interesting. Suddenly things became less clear-cut, less linear, more surprising. We rejoice. But was it worth the wait? I didn’t think so. Somewhere hidden in the inconsistencies of character and plot is a pretty good thriller. It’s just not good enough to recommend.
Two Stars *
Allan Stanleigh
Keeping It Real…West Coast Style
Alison Barth is not your typical Vancouver house/tech house dj. She definitely has a certain element that sets her apart of the majority of other djs out there – class, and this is one quality that is quite rare to find among most. Starting out from her humble beginnings as a club goer in 1999 and then soon stepping up behind the decks, Alison has definitely come a long way over the past seven years and has built up her reputation, earning her spot in the Vancouver scene.
Her passion for house music lies within tracks that are produced by the likes of Evil Eddie Richards, Mazi, Terry Francis and Vancouver’s own Jay Tripwire and DJ Ali. The main elements that draw her to these tracks are the strong percussive sounds laced with powerful, rhythmic beats and creative vocals. Her past residencies include "Industrial Strength" at The Plaza, "Bust" at The Drink, and since 2003 she has been a weekly resident at "Overproof" held at the world renowned Lotus Sound Lounge alongside Tom Thomas, DJ Ali, and Mighty Mac.
Holding down three residencies, playing out on a regular basis at some of Vancouver’s finest clubs (Sonar, Shine, Atlantis and Anza Club to name a few) and getting recognition from local heavyweights like Jay Tripwire and Tyler Stadius has helped push Alison’s popularity and made her a household name in and around the city. Her mixing has been showcased on the world renowned radio station, Proton Radio, where she was a guest on the Frying Pan show hosted by Tyler Stadius and Jay Tripwire. Another mix of hers entitled, "Forked Tongue", was the most requested mix for five weeks in a row on the well known Vancouver electronic music website, www.thefreshpage.com, getting 900 requests for streams in the month of November 2004 alone!
Alison is one of the most down to earth people that you will ever meet. Combine that with flawless mixing skills, great track selection, and a keen ability to read the crowd and you have a recipe for one damn fine dj. I recently had a chance to catch up with Alison in Vancouver and here’s what she had to say about her upcoming plans.
CA: How did you first get involved in the electronic music scene?
AB: Friends I worked with at the time introduced me to house music and clubs. I decided to learn to deejay not long after and my involvement grew from there. In the beginning I
played in restaurants mid-week and worked my way to clubs eventually.
CA: Do you remember what one of the first records you bought was?
AB: I believe it was a Sade bootleg. It was not my last Sade bootleg either ha ha.
CA: Do you have any current projects that you are working on now?
AB: I’d like to get a wee website going in order to offer my past sets for download and keep adding to it.
CA: You were a resident at ‘Overproof’ at the Lotus Bar in Vancouver on Thursday nights for quite some time. Can you tell us a bit more about this night and what you sort of music
you played at it.
AB: Overproof was started by my partner Tom Thomas and his friend Mighty Mac about 3 years ago, and thankfully they took me along for the ride as a resident. Overproof has always been about creating a fun, relaxed atmosphere where people can go to socialize, listen to excellent music, get their dance on, and enjoy a few bevvies. Being the
passionate DJs we are, we always strive to offer the latest in electronic dance music, specializing in Tech House, which is our preferred genre and also lends itself well to dancing due to the BPM(around 126-129) as well as head-bobbing and foot-tapping.
CA: You and your partners recently decided to end this night. What led you to this decision?
AB: We didn’t really end it per se. We have changed it from Thursday at Lotus to Friday at the Fabulous Anza Club. We enjoyed the Lotus experience immensely, but a much larger number of people will be able to join us on Fridays.
CA: Any plans to start up another club night?
AB: Not currently. I also play at my partner’s other night called “Lotus Long Weekend” which go off on long-weekend Sunday nights at the Lotus. Those nights are wall to wall!
CA: Who are your favorite producers at this time?
AB: Booka Shade, Dan Berkson, Martinez, Jay Tripwire, DJ Ali, Tyler Lewis, Abe Duque, Hugg (John Dahlback), Catwash (DJ Wild & Chris Carrier)
CA: What are your future plans with music/djing?
AB: To record more sets and offer them for download.
CA: How would you describe your current sound?
AB: Electro-Acid-tinged Tech.
CA: What are some of your favorite labels?
AB: Get Physical, Systematic, Audiomatique, Out of Orbit, Poker Flat
CA: Do you have a favorite dj?
AB: Terry Francis.
CA: What are your current top 5 records?
AB: Jona –Learning From Making Mistakes-Get Physical, DJ Fex – Beautiful – Systematic, Cantrip People – Fool For a Night – Out of Orbit, Peace Division – Club Therapy-NRK, Steve Bug – Smackman – Poker Flat
CA: Is there any deejay that you would like to play with at some point?
AB: Sure, Terry Francis or Evil Eddie Richards.
CA: You have played in many places since you first started spinning, is there one place/city that stands out the most to you?
AB: Actually I’ve played at many places but all locally here in Vancouver.
CA: Where are some of your favorite places to play?
AB: I enjoy the below-ground clubs both for the acoustics and the vibe that seems to go hand in hand with house music. I also really enjoy the outdoor parties. I have played a couple that have been located essentially in the middle of cedar trees which was a great, unique experience.
CA: When you are not djing, what do you like to do with your time?
AB: Gardening, reading, cooking, and keeping it real. *
Colleen Arndt
~ portions of this interview have been omitted~
MUCH WAS MUCH...BETTER BEFORE
I was born in 82 and essentially grew up in the early 90's. At that time there was a different feel to the MM vjs. You had a sort of connection to them ; they were all unique. Now it's like walking down the hall of a junior high. Let's take a walk down memory lane:
Steve Anthony annoyed me when I was a kid. I think mostly cos he annoyed my older sisters actually and they were 5 yrs older than me so I thought hating him was the cool thing to do. But looking back, he is the epitome of Much vjs to me. He was there from the start and left the on-air scene in ’95 . He s a radio host on TO station MIX 99.9 and the voice of the CHUM Television A-Channel Network.
Erica Ehm (left) was the first chickie to work as an on-air host at the station. She was there from the late 80s to early 90s. She was around in the New Kids on the Block days! Come on now. Check her out. www.ericaehm.com
Master T (Tony Young) was the host of Rap City. Throwing out his ‘ baby’ s and ‘ it s cool’s, with his big rings and dread locks, he was quite the showman. VJ since 1990, left the job to some dumb-ass named after a rainbow.
Ziggy Lorenc was the host of Life on Venus Ave which showcased basically love songs/steamy videos in the early 90s. Man she was cute. She' s written a book by the same name. I totally had to steal this pic of her from Flare Magazine cos it was impossible finding another one.
Bill Welychka was a basic on air vj from ’92 – 2000. I totally love this guy! He did so many awesome interviews and was there at the height of my music loving days. He' s since moved over to MuchMoreMusic but, let s face it, the glory days are in that mid 90s vault.
Rick " The Temp" Campenelli won the temp contest in ’94 and … stayed with that title for the next 9 yrs! Aside from doing the general on-air stuff, his specialty was MuchOnDemand. Word is he works for ET Canada these days.
Monika Deol was the host for Electric Circus from ’88 – ’96. for those of you who don t recall, that was the dance show! They d place techno videos and fill the station with professional dancers and ppl off the street and switch the cam from video to station throughout the hour. Yay! She now works for CKVU, a tv station in Vancouver BC .
Dan Gallagher was there from the very beginning. He was a host of The Power Hour from the 80’s til 1990. I remember him from when I was a kid, like seriously a kid. He moved to CBC to host Video Hits in 1991. In 2001 he died at the age of 43 due to health problems.
Diego Fuentes in 1994, won the vj search and by 1999 was hosting Clip Trip, a show dedicated to global music. I remember him as the guy who announced Shannon Hoon died.His show has since moved to MuchMoreMusic, and he' s still going strong
Terry David Mulligan joined Much in 1985 ; also someone I remember from when I was a kid. Although he s not on air anymore, he s kicking it as co-host of CityTv's MT-Movie
Television.
Sook-Yin Lee , fucking awesome Vancouver born vj from 1995-2001. the most intelligent, creative amazing vj the station has ever had. She was a general on air vj and host of The
Wedge which was a display of some freaky ass alternative stuff.
Mike and Mike. The hosts of Mike & Mike s Excellent X-Canada Adventures , the original version of MuchWest & MuchEast as one .
Kim Clarke Champniss kicked it in the 80s! He hosted City Limits an original version of The Wedge. He left in the early 90s to work for Bravo!
Craig F Halket worked on Start Me Up and Combat Des Clips (original version of Combat Zone) in the early to mid 90s. He s now the senior music programmer of Much. *
Laura V
SINNER & SAINT DISCUSS...
Consider the possibility that maybe, just maybe, you are not as wonderful in real life as you are on paper. Or perhaps it’s the exact opposite, and you’re a real charmer once someone spends the time to get to know you but can come across a bit rough around the edges at first glance. None of that matters in the world of internet dating. First, there is no one to talk you up (or down) except yourself, so you’d better be pretty good at selling yourself (think used car salesman – even if things aren’t up to snuff under the hood, you’d better be able to offer a few extra features). Also, you should be able to take a great picture, or at least own a pair of sunglasses – and a porsche. The third factor to consider is whether or not you are able to take cold hard rejection, give plenty of compliments (even if they are simply a cut and paste job) and have the patience of a saint to sift through as many profiles as it takes to meet that “special someone” but not so much as to cause permanent blindness.
This is not to say that internet dating is a waste of time. In fact, it can be a very efficient means of weeding out the misfits and finding Mr Right. Finding Ms Right means that one more requirement be added to the laundry list above: a very very large bank account. That is, if you ever hope for date number two. You see, of all the men that I met while dating online, over 50% of them presented me with “my half” of the bill at the end of the date, and then proceeded to ask to see me again. The answer never changed.
I’m all for equal rights. I own my own condo, my own car and even pay my visa bill off all by myself every month. I’m a grown woman with a career and I’m perfectly capable of paying for my own meal I simply don’t believe that there is anything wrong with a man opening the door or paying for a couple of drinks while he gets to know me. In other words, you can have your $15.95 for the drinks but you’ll never see me again.
Consider the following questions, and try to answer them as honestly as you can. Are you married? Have you ever been married? Do you like kids? Do you have kids? Do you want kids? What is your religious background? Do you drink a) regularly b) socially or c) never? What is your annual income? Do you like dogs? What colour are your eyes? If you still have your hair, what colour is it? What kind of car do you drive?
And when you’ve finished, if I like your answers, I may even ask your name.
Find this intrusive? If the answer to that question is yes, then internet dating is not for you. Most online services offer searches that screen for criteria that would match any of the answers above and if you don’t tell me what I want to hear, I won’t even know that you exist. Made too little on your T4 last year? I won’t see YOUR profile. Already have kids? You won’t show up either, even if your children really are angels and can actually emit a halo when they enter a room. Now, if you drink socially (which on my profile is a lie already since you’ll find me with an open bottle of wine within 5 minutes of arriving home from work each night) and you are in the right age bracket with all of your teeth, we might get a chance to talk. If you bought some credits, that is, since I’m not wasting any of my hard earned money on a dating site just to talk to some loser I don’t even know.
Do I sound jaded? Well, get used to it, most women are. One might even wonder why we women are all on there if we are such miserable wenches who have already made our minds up about you before our first meeting. My response would be that lucky for you, we are ever the optimists and have been told since youth that meeting one of you fools is something to spend time doing. Otherwise, we may end up living like one of our crazy old aunts (c’mon ladies, we all had one) living with 26 cats in a house with a stench that just won’t die.
Jody Winder is a freelance writer who resides in Vancouver, B.C. with the love of her life…. A man she met on the internet who still opens doors and cooks dinner every night. Sorry ladies, he’s one of a kind. *
Jody Winder
So, you’re lonely. And you have a computer. But you’re too busy playing World of Warcraft to possibly get off your ass and meet people. It’s OK; enter the wonderful world of online dating.
The concept of online dating reeks of geekdom. In fact, anything that is consistently referred to as ‘the wave of the future’ or appears on the Maxim website quite often reeks of geekdom (see TAG scented body-spray and the Segway). One’s mind tends to become flooded with thoughts of nerds hovered over their homebuilt PCs, groaning over images of potential mates – halitosis in full swing; nay, this is simply not the case.
According to a recent Thomson-Nelson study, the people who use online dating services are among the wealthiest and best educated in Canada (Gold-diggers take note). Therefore, couldn’t it be assumed that the pick of the litter spends their time in the Internet sandbox? After all, I know when I spend my whole day making piles upon piles of money just by simply hanging out with my old buddies from Yale, I just want to kick off my shoes, pour myself a glass of wine, and find myself a mate online!
So, they’re smart and rich, but this same recent survey also discovered that a large number of Canadians who use online dating services are, brace yourself, married. In fact, 18%of all Canadians dating online are either married or living common-law! And I can guarantee the majority of these guys and dolls don’t let their dolls and guys in on this little secret. I think that’s my main trepidation when the topic of online dating comes up: lying. You can be anyone. The tight, little yoga-body down at the gym. The high-profile attorney that spends night and day defending justice. The exotic foreigner from afar. It just seems so easy to deceive someone when the majority of your contact with them occurs through text, but, I must admit, deceiving someone about your entire background and lifestyle does seem rather appealing. Adventurous, even. Hmm.
But what strikes the deepest chord with me is the true irony of it all. Dating, and eventually falling in love, is probably the most social thing a person can ever undertake, so why turn it into a solo, anti-social affair?
I’ll tell you why: because it works. People are falling in love, and they’re doing it while typing on their computer. In their underwear.
The entire culture of online dating has become something far bigger than just a fad, and it has to be understood that this trend simply would not have blossomed if it was not successful. Over 1 million Canadians have tried online dating, and that means there are a lot of lonely hearts out there looking for a connection. So brush off the threat of being called a geek and maybe give this thing a shot. Besides, where else can you sift through thousands of potential suitors, in mere seconds, based on age, race, family status, financial status, hobbies, favourite time of day, and astrological sign? OK, aside from The Roxy!
Joel met his boy-toy online over a year and a half ago. After Joel apologized for not being a well-built lawyer from Nairobi, they fell in love. *Joel Gook
WHAT TO READ WHEN YOU DON'T READ ... If your reading schedule consists of magazines and cereal boxes or you just prefer a quick read that keeps your attention, one of these books should be right for you.
#5 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon Mark Haddon’s the curious incident of the dog in the night-time is a series of diary entries by Christopher John Francis Boone; a teenaged boy with autism. This book’s freshness lies in its quirky narration. Though the story deals with sentiment and family struggles, Christopher is unable to feel and make sense of emotion which allows this book to read more as a detached mystery novel then an after school special. Haddon entangles a childlike plot with adult issues to produce a unique and new type of novel. The suggested price of this book in hardcover is $29.95, but you can get it at Chapters.ca for $20.06, which is worth it when the paperback runs at $19.95.
#4 The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom The Five People You Meet in Heaven has the opposite effect with its sweet sentimentality. The story begins with the death of Eddie, a lifelong amusement park worker. Eddie then meets five people in death that he was profoundly connected to in life. Written by Mitch Albom, who also wrote Tuesdays with Morrie, the five people you meet in heaven was a #1 New York Times Bestseller. I loved this book, you will love this book, your mom will love this book. It is a sugary story to breeze through while contemplating your own mortality. This book is listed at $29.95 (hardcover), but you can buy the hardcover at Chapters.ca for $17.97, or $16.00 if you like paperback.
#3 The Coma by Alex Garland If you don’t like reading, why not start with an author whose books tend to be produced as movies. Alex Garland, who also wrote The Beach and 28 Days Later, infuses this psychological drama with illustrations by Nicholas Garland. The protagonist of this book, Carl, finds himself in strangely unfamiliar world after emerging from a coma induced by a subway accident. The Coma explores the gray lines of the conscious mind. This book reads like a movie and has pictures to set a suspenseful mood; it is designed for the non-reader. The Coma is listed at $29.00 (hardcover) but you can steal it from Chapters.ca for $6.99!
#2 Angels and Demons by Dan Brown Dan Brown, another #1 New York Times Bestselling author, has the ability to make you want to call in sick, stay home and never put this book down. Angels and Demons, the prequel to The Da Vinci Code, features high-paced adventure, Illuminati conspiracy, the creation debate, and of course, the potential for love. You can read this book all at once, or in short stints over a year and never lose interest. Angels and Demons is listed at $11.99 (paperback) but you can get it at Chapters online for $5.99.
#1 Post Secret by Frank Warren If you love a juicy story but don’t have the time to finish a book, here is your answer. Frank Warren’s Post Secret is your answer. This book is the result of an “accidental art project” that Warren induced by distributing self-addressed post cards with the request of anonymously shared deepest secrets. This book is a collection of postcards that he received depicting secrets ranging from admissions that “I give decaf to people who are rude to me,” to “he’s been in prison for two years because of what I did.” Post Secret delves into that which makes us human. This book is a mandatory addition to your coffee table. This book is listed at $32.95 and goes for $22.07 (hardcover) or $13.95 (paperback) at Chapters.ca. *
C.S.
Zanesville by Kris Saknussemm Zanesville takes place in the not so distant future, a time when an evil mega-corporation, Vitessa, rules in place of the government and America has been turned into a gigantic nationwide theme park whose inhabitants are too strung out on Vitessas’ mass marketed psychotropic drugs to offer much resistance. Into this neoned dark utopia a man awakens in the middle of Central park, he has no name, no memories, no idea how he got there or where he might be going. He is taken in by a small band of freedom fighters and renamed Clearfather. Fearful of his presence exposing them, the rebels unleash the healthily endowed Clearfather into a celebrity worshipping, pill popping America on a crazy cross country trip to discover who he is and what his place might be in a Vitessa controlled world.
If Kurt Vonnegut, Tom Robbins, Chuck Palahniuk, and George Orwell got together, watched Boogie Nights for inspiration, decided to collaborate on a book and asked Hunter S. Thompson to edit it, the end result might indeed look something like Saknussemm’s novel Zanesville. At times laugh out loud funny, this book is still rife with political and social satire that is chilling in how easy it is to see ourselves slip into this media saturated world.
And as strange a main character Clearfather is, he is still easy to relate to as he travels the country trying to find love, acceptance, and a sense of self in a place where people know more about movie stars then they do about their own neighbors. hat being said, and as enjoyable a read as Zanesvilleis, it is perhaps a little too ambitious for a debut novel. The reader feels knocked over the top pf the head by the satire, and the fairly obvious symbolism used throughout the book. This is a novel that will appeal to the most intelligent of readers, and I think Saknussemm underestimates them.
In many ways Zanesville falls prey to the very celebrity fixation that it is meant to warn about. What could have been an extremely powerful scene in which giant holographic ‘eidolons’ rampage throughout Los Vegas ( a carnivalesque combination of Las Vegas and Los Angeles) degenerates into a litany of Giant Oprah beating up Giant Dooley Duck on the corner of Chevy Chase Boulevard and Harrison Ford Street name dropping that becomes tedious to read. Some of the celebrities that Saknussemm chooses to usealready feel past their 15 minutes of fame. They work for now, but I fear in just a few years the novel will feel dated.Still, though, there is something about this book and its message that cannot be ignored. Culturejammers, anyone who has ever slapped a “Support OPEC, Buy an SUV” sticker on a neighbors Hummer, or ripped the back label off their designer jeans in an effort to refuse branding will want to read this book. *
Renee Mallett
The Top 10 Movie Remakes
Remakes are made when a writer or director has no original ideas, and though I am not a fan of them, here is a list of films that I think
made the cut.
1) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)A slight change in title from the 1971 film made from the Rohl Dahl children’s novel. It is an amazing rendition with the artistic direction from the fantasy world of Tim Burton. The star is Johnny Depp, who has worked numerous times with Burton, playing an interesting character as Willy Wonka. Now I do love Gene Wilder’s wildness for the part, but I do love me some depth of Depp. After seeing the movie, I reread the book and actually the remake of the film is closer in detail to the book, with the exception of a few parts added by Burton.
2) Scarface (1983)
I did not know this Pacino classic is a remake, let alone made in the 1980’s. Many movie-goers don’t know the original was from the early 30’s, when the nudity, violence and language that makes the ’83 version a classic, was even considered back then. This is a great gangster flick with plenty of cocaine and guns.
3) John Carpenter’s “The Thing” (1982) An alien flick with a little more. This is one of the few remakes that I think is better than the original. Plus, it has Kurt Russell with a beard. An adaptation from the mastermind behind “Halloween,” John Carpenter. It is a bit gory at times, but never over the top. If you like alien mutations popping out of the stomach cavities of sled dogs, then this movie is for you.
4.) The Italian Job (2003) After this awesome movie, starring Edward Norton and Mos Def, I want a Mini-Cooper (probably everyone did after seeing it). It’s a rockin’ remake with a few more known names than the original from 1969. Definitely a must-see for fans of cars and heists.
5.) The Wizard of Oz (1939) This color adaptation of the 1925 black and white version has a much scarier witch and Judy Garland as Dorthy. The monkeys are still scary and the color adds a lot to the entire film. So grab the popcorn and sing along with the cowardly lion and friends.
6.) Night of the Living Dead (1990) A color adaptation of the ’68 Romero classic directed by the master of horror FX, Tom Savini. This version provides the gore with an updated farmhouse, providing color to the rotting human pulp and cannibalistic instincts of the zombies. A good, no-homework Friday night flesh fest. It cannot compare to the classic, but as far as remakes go, it’s golden.
7.) Planet of the Apes (2001) Another Tim Burton film makes the list. It is a bit more intense than the version from 1968; angrier monkeys, which the original didn’t have, and unfortunately lacks an appearance of Dr. Zaius, who was immortalized by Troy McClure in The Simpsons. Burton likes to change scripts around a bit and here is no exception.
8.) Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005) Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie replace Carol Lombard and Robert Montgomery as the always-fighting secret assassins. This movie promises lots of cool guns, explosions and a steamy love scene with the spicy Jolie. It’s a cool action flick with not a lot behind the curtains.
9.) Ocean’s 11 (2001) An all-star, motley cast including: George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Man Damon hit this film with a new millennium edition of the 1960 black and white version. This movie has got it all; from guns and girls to prison and heists. It’s a regular run-of-the-mill action thriller for popular movie fans.
10.) The Ring (2002) This is one of the more decent horror films in recent years. A bit better and creepier than the 1998 Japanese version. This is an honest attempt at remaking a film where the original was a close second to the redone version. Plus, the girl in the American version is really scary. *
Nick Coury
Flirtation 101
So how do you flirt, anyway?
You’ve been over it and over it all day long. You know what you’re going say, you’ll be cute, and charming and say all the right things, and finally get his number right? You’re heart’s pounding, your mouth goes dry. Your inner voice urges you on, “ Be cool,” it says, “be cool”. Here comes the big moment AND….Flop! You fumble awkwardly through “hello” and make a b-line for the door! WHAT
HAPPENED?!
The art of flirting is just that. Some are naturally gifted, others practice, and a lot just have no idea. I consider myself to be a bit of an expert - an expert of making an idiot of myself in the name of love. I’ve been successful, failed miserably and yes, made a complete boob of myself (more times than I care to admit).
So what does it take exactly to be a good flirt? How does one seal the deal, or know if they should ask that special someone on a date, or even (GULP) go in for the first kiss? After talking to many people and drawing from my own silly endeavors, I have compiled a list of do’s and don’ts on flirting.
Do’s-Smile. (note to self, check for spinach in teeth, better yet, have a mint just in case)
-Laugh (unless you laugh like a hyena) It’ll show that you are comfortable and people like that.
-Be Yourself. Go with what you have, if you are shy, use it to flirt. If you are funny, be funny. If you aren’t oozing with sexuality don’t try to be oh so sexy (I once did this and ended up on my butt, wondering how the hell you walk in super high stilettos!)
-Ask questions. Please don’t interrogate, just learn a little about them to keep the convo flowing.
-Be honest. The truth hurts but lies hurt even more in the end!
-Disagree with them! Believe it or not, having your own opinion is a very desirable trait. Also, you can use this disagreement to flirt, for example “If your team loses to mine, you have to take me out for dinner!” and VOILA, you are on your way to Datesville. Population : the two of you!
-Put your body language to good use. An open stance says “approach me” a crossed arm stance says “you come near me and I’ll get the pepper spray!”
-Touch them. If you’ve established a rapport, feel free to brush by their arm, or if you’re feeling ballsy, brush a piece of hair out of their face
-ASK FOR THEIR NUMBER!!!!! Most people I interviewed said that their biggest inability when it came to flirting was “closing the deal”. Most women said that men NEVER ask for their number, even when they were obviously flirting. It doesn’t matter if you are a guy or a girl, if there is a connection, both of you will feel it. Either one of you could DO
SOMETHING about it!
-To the men : It is clear that you are PAYING ON THE FIRST DATE!!! If not, the ladies ain’t gonna be a flocking! I know its old fashioned and all, but most of the women I interviewed said they’d offer to pay, but if the cheap skate let them, there was little chance of a second date.
Don’ts :-Ask for their number too quickly. When a man does this to me, I feel it’s very insincere, as if he works by volume. The more women he asks out, the better chances of one of the many to say yes! Learn a bit about them first. This way you’ll stop being a “serial first dater” and maybe get to lucky date number 5!
-Show too much emotionally . Even if you really, really, REALLY like them, don’t give it away. Keep them guessing a bit. Men and women love to be intrigued.
-Show them too much skin. Show a little, everyone enjoys a little peacocking, but you want him coming back for you, NOT your body (but if that’s what you want, you should be
reading the sex column!)
-Show off too much. Cocky good, arrogant bad.
-Try to be someone you are not… just because you heard “that’s the type of person they like”, you’ll look like a fool
-Let them see you flirting with someone else. Man or woman, this just looks bad.
-Point out your own flaws. Men don’t notice the little belly you have or the cellulite you have on your thighs, honest. If you point it out, then they will notice.
The most common problem women experienced when flirting was that men had no idea they were even flirting! Apparently, women are quite subtle in their tactics.Men said that women were hard to read. Hmm, I see a connection here. So what about this, why not just do it? Really, what is the worst that will happen? They’ll say no, you’ll feel
like a tit for a grand total of 5 minutes, and then move on, right?
Still, some people are shy. That’s ok. If it feels right, it is, if it doesn’t, the time will come, don’t worry!
The craziest thing I heard was from a buddy of mine, who truly is a flirting guru. He keeps an extra water bottle (and band-aids with him) and sits on the park bench and waits for
parched looking ladies to run, bike or rollerblade by. Like the gentleman that he is, he offers them a seat, water, and if need be, a band-aid! Wow, you’ve gotta give him credit, that’s
creative!
So, regardless of what you do or say, just remember that no one is perfect. Only you know about your flaws when you muster up the courage to go talk to them. Next time you are walking up to say hi, and your mouth goes dry; remember the do’s and don’ts, and if all else fails, just hope there is someone totting a water bottle and band-aids nearby to come to your rescue! Good luck and happy flirting! *
Lisa Powell
Art : Jason Willmann (c) 2006
Title: Metal Gear Solid 3: SubsistenceRetail: $59.95
# of Players: 1-8
Graphics: 5/5
Sound: 5/5
Final Score: 5/5
2004's Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater came out of the gates with all barrels blazing and took a great many by surprise, especially those who had been more than a little disappointed with MGS 2's character switch and post-modern story line. Snake Eater took a bit of a break from the long running saga of Solid Snake to tell the origins of the tale, focusing on the reason for Snake’s existence, the rise of Big Boss in the 1960's.
As far as video games go, Snake Eater rose to new levels of artistry. Get past the somewhat heavy-handed script and strange, Bond-esque characters and you’ll find a game that strives to be so much more. The story twists and turns, the music is exceptional and driving and the graphics do things that the aging PS2 should not by all rights be capable of. The last hour or so alone feels like you’re playing through the best action that Hollywood could ever offer.
The March release of Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence might scare off some people who have already bought the original Snake Eater release, but it really shouldn’t. Double-dips are so common place amongst the music and film industries that the public expects it to happen, but the rising cost of video games make the newly emerging gaming double-dips a bit of a hard sell for most gamers. In most cases the re-releases are just not worth it, attempting to sap whatever cash they can from our pockets, but Subsistence is a different story. This is the new high watermark for all future re-releases.
The only complaint most logged against the original Snake Eater release was that it stuck to a standby of the entire Metal Gear Series so far: the top down camera. By today’s standards, it feels archaic. Most clamored for Splinter Cell style camera, one that sits on the 3-D world over the shoulder of the player, quick and simple to manipulate. Done. The first disc of the 2-disc Subsistence package has just that, a reworked main game with the option of using either the traditional Metal Gear camera system or the new, fully 3-D one. It definitely does change things up a bit. For one thing, the world opens up, begins to feel far more alive. Instead of just walking through a digital re-creation of a jungle, you start to feel like you are actually somewhat immersed in the environment. Everything seems just that much more lush and complete.
The only fundamental change the new camera has on the gameplay is in regards to the boss fights - one fight in particular with a villain, subtly named The End. The environment and the older camera setup created a state where the player’s vision is constantly impaired and forced to rely on sound more than anything, but with the new setup, it makes it that much easier to follow the movements and patterns of The End without having to throw yourself in the line of fire. It’s not so grand a shift that it makes the fight feel broken, but it does take away some of the suspense, and that’s half the fun.
The second disc of the release, the Persistence disc, contains another new feature to the Metal Gear Universe - online play. Permitting eight players through five different modes of play, it doesn’t try to reach to the heights of a PC FPS or something like Halo, but rather a style all it’s own. It works, and it’s fun to play, but the experience is somewhat lacking compared to the exceptional single player experience. Also on the disc are a number of mini-games, a duel mode that pits you against the game’s bosses, and the real prize, reworked translations of the original Metal Gear that was released on the NES back in the day, and Metal Gear 2, never before seen on these shores. Finally the whole story can be played before the future PS3 release of Metal Gear Solid 4, reportedly the last in the series.
Can’t think of a better run leading into the final stretch than this. Buy now, thank me later.
Title: Kingdom Hearts 2Playstation 2/March 2006
Price: $59.95
# of Players: 1
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 3/5
Control: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5
2002's Kingdom Hearts came out of nowhere as a seemingly weak attempt at cashing in on two of the biggest cash cows in entertainment: Disney and Final Fantasy. What most regarded on first glance as nothing more than a cash grab ended up taking everyone by surprise when not only did it sell boatloads, but, shock of shocks, it was actually pretty damn good! So it is with some lofty expectations that Kingdom Hearts 2 has now been released to the public. And yes, just like it’s predecessor, it is an enjoyable ride, but it is not without it’s share of issues.
First and foremost, the game is an action RPG, so it does have a fairly dense narrative at it’s core. For those who’ve played the first game, and maybe even it’s pseudo-sequel for the GBA, the story picks up fairly quickly, taking a risk with a somewhat abstract opening. I won’t give anything away for those wanting to experience it for themselves, but the first few hours are actually a little disorienting for those planning to pick up chasing after King Mickey and Riku and the door of light.
Credit also has to be given to the director of this game in that he had the guts to start a game that is more than likely geared towards a younger audience, with a very abstract first three hours. It’s not something that you see very often in games, let alone a game with such a strong Disney focus.
For the uneducated, The Kingdom Hearts series takes place in a world in which a malevolent race called the Heartless seeks to take over and cover the world in darkness. What’s so interesting about these worlds is that each one takes place in a certain Disney universe, so you have Ariel’s Grotto, the Beast’s Castle, the Olympus Coliseum, the 100 Acre Woods, etc., with cameos not only from as many Disney characters as possible, but also some fan service in the form of Final Fantasy favorites (even dead ones!) The player takes charge of a character named Sora, an original design from the game’s creator and voiced by the creepy little teenager from the Sixth Sense, that Osment kid. In a sense, he and his two friends that are caught up in this tale serve as the bridging point for the two franchises being brought together. And the surprising thing is that it works. The game is exciting, interesting and just damn fun to play.
It’s not perfect though. The visuals really have not gotten much in the way of a facelift from the first game, but then they really didn’t need it. The camera system is improved, but still a royal pain a lot of the time. It’s a catch 22 in that the system could be helped with fixed, cinematic cameras, but then you’d lose the 3-d exploration that makes the moments between fights so much fun.
The music is also fairly good, with a lot of original tunes as well as some great renditions of classic Disney stuff as well. The voice acting, however, is really hit and miss. The Disney characters all sound phenomenal, just like you’d hope, but surprising it’s some of the celebrity voices that knock the score down. James Woods is hysterical as Hades, but I swear, Mena Suvari as Aerith could not act to save her life. It’s actually almost painful.
Aside from those few nitpicks, it is a great experience to just lose yourself with. Just go in with an easy spirit and you’ll be fine.
Indigo ProphecyPlaystation 2/September 2005
Price: $29.95
# of Players: 1
Graphics: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Control: 1.5/5
Overall: 2.5
This title slipped through the cracks for most people, but it might be worth checking out if you’ve got a burning desire for something a little off the beaten path. Indigo Prophecy, more than most games that have come before it, really wants to draw you into the experience on the same level as a film would. It even prompts you at the title screen not to start a new game, but a new movie.
One of the things that bothers me most about games is that everyone focuses on graphics and sound, making everything better and bigger aesthetically, but so few focus on storytelling. There are some out there with exceptional stories, but they tend to take you on a sprawling, 50+ hour adventure more often than not. For the most part, the market for a short and sweet, but altogether riveting experience is there, but not utilized. David Cage’s Indigo Prophecy tries to fill that void. It tries, but doesn’t necessarily succeed.
The game starts off very cinematically with the main character being taken over by some force in the bathroom of a New York diner, only to end up being forced to kill some random man. From there on you play both sides of the coin: from the perspective of Lucas, trying to figure out what made you kill an innocent man, and from Carla’s point of view as she and another detective do whatever they can to track you down and solve the murder. It’s definitely an interesting and unique spin on the typical adventure game, but it does unfortunately shoot itself in the foot a few too many times.
A game like this is made or broken by the quality of it’s story. It starts off brilliantly, building an actual feeling of tension and suspense despite the somewhat heavy-handed dialogue, but things go downhill so steadily that you get the impression that the writer/director got bored with his own tale. Coincidence after coincidence quickly becomes too much to suspend disbelief for, but then the story, which has been on an hour-by-hour clock at this point, suddenly jumps ahead 20 days or so. In effect, the story has the buildup and resolution, but is missing the climax, the personal revelations that need to come in the second act to make you care about what happens to the character. This story, is missing it’s entire second act.
This situation isn’t made any better by the fact that the graphics are about 3 years past their ‘best by’ date and the control feels fundamentally broken in some parts. A great deal of the game revolves around timed events and button pushes, but so much time is spent inputting presses in a ‘simon says’ style of play that you hardly notice what action is actually happening on screen. It might make it an enjoyable game to watch for someone else, but it’s just a strain on the eyes for the player.
The voice acting in this game is actually fairly good, though. Some characters are a little too stereotyped (I won’t even go into the token black cop who picked himself up off the streets to do good in his neighborhood), but that’s not a fault of the acting so much as the writing.
In the end, I admire the ambition of the game and it might be a good rental, but it’s really not worth much more than that. If anything, I hope the company tries again because they might be just about onto something cool. It’s not bad, it’s just not great either. *
Andrew Wilmot
Every Girl's Spring " Must -Have" List
Spring is in the air, and we all know what that means – women everywhere have just finished cleaning out their closets, and are in desperate need of the newest and hottest Spring trends! Look no further, as Kira’s Eye walks you through your Spring shopping list...
1. THE WEDGE HEELED SANDAL
Finally, the height that makes your gams look great without the potential hazards of stiletto heels! The wedge is hot this Spring, and it’s versatile look can be paired with absolutely anything. Take your outfit from the office to the club – these sexy sandals will keep up with you from morning ‘til the wee hours.
2. THE EXTRA-LARGE BAG Remember the days where you had to choose between your lipstick OR your drivers license, as they wouldn’t both fit into your “ultra-slim” purse at the same time? Well, ladies, revel in the days of the fabulous big, big bag! New materials and great colors have turned these former granny favourites into the hottest new accessories. No more hard decisions – take it all, baby!
3. THE SKINNY JEANS Not for the faint of heart, these jeans announce a rebel soul with an attitude. Spring’s hot new denim trends see a resurgence of the retro skinny jeans. Although sometimes hard to pull off by those of us who are a bit more “bootylicious”, these do look great tucked into a pair of calf length stilettos or cowboy boots.
4. GOLD GLAM And all that glitters this Spring truly is gold, as metallic hues dominate both the runways, and soon, your closet. From ballerina flats to glitzy tops and accessories, use this gold fever to bring out the Diva in you and revel in feeling glamorous and exciting.
5. PAINT YOURSELF WITH WATER COLORS Pretty pastels are once again in bloom, as Spring takes on a fun and flirty dress code. Keep it light by wearing delicate accessories and strappy heels, or give those pinks an edge by pairing with sharp black or metallics.
6. NAUTICALLY INSPIRED Get on deck with the newest take on sailor stripes and blue/white/red combos. Celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and Katie Holmes have been seen sporting this casual new look, and you can lighten it up by pairing one funky, sea-worthy piece with jeans and your old Keds.
7. THE BLAZER GETS FEMINIZED Breaking out of the board rooms as the season’s essential outerwear, the boring old blazer has been redone in fresh new designs and using a wide variety of textures and fabrics – occasionally all within the same coat! Look for a unique and vibrant blazer that matches your own personal spark, and toss it over any outfit to make your statement (and to keep warm!)
8. WHITE IS THE NEW WHITE What’s that, you say? What the heck is so new about white? Expect to see it everywhere in the coming months as the new favourite love of fashionistas everywhere. No more plain white button-ups for this shade – white is taking a stand as it becomes the coolest way to get noticed. Dress all in white for a startling eye catcher, or pair it with it’s good friend gold for a warmer tone.
9. VICTORIAN FLASHBACKS Lace and ruffles and ribbons, oh my! Unlock your hidden but extremely feminine side, along with your Nana’s old trunks in the attic. Victorian is back with a vengeance, and becomes new again by combining classic materials with modern designs. These pieces should really remain the focal point of any outfit, so keep it subtle with barely there earrings or add a little funk with a cute pair of sandals.
10. BELTS – SO WIDE, SO MANY Once banished from our closets or hidden under shirts, the belt has made a huge comeback – literally! The wider, the better seems to be the current motto of the modern belt. These flashy and funky accessories refuse to be hidden any longer, so wear your new wide belt over top of a tunic or t-shirt for the ultra-confident look. If you are still a bit shy with the huge belt trend, grab a few of their thinner brothers and wear them in a trio over your Ramones tee for a punk feel without the weight.
Well, ladies….why are you still sitting there reading? Race you to the mall, anyone? *
Bonnie Lynn
OVEN BAKED COOKIE
KATE BECKINSALE
Never liked her. I thought she was annoying and overplayed. She was in Pearl Harbour - yawn , she was in Serendipity - boo hoo, she was in Van Helsing - ugh. But it wasn’t until I saw her in Tiptoes where she plays Matthew McConaughey' s ( the only normal heighted person in a family of dwarves) funky fiancé that I actually titled my head and though ‘ hmmm’. The one thing I like about her is that in interviews she never hides that she s a bit naughty. The British accent just makes it less noticeable. You can see her of course in Underworld: Evolution and the upcoming Click with Adam Sandler and Christopher Walken. *