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Band: Evanescence
Album: Fallen
Track Listing:
I had no expectations when my friend gave me his extra copy of this album. I hadn't ever heard of Evanescence. I must admit that it was definitely my loss.
Imagine taking the haunting vocals of Paula Cole, the music of Linkin Park, and the arrangements of Sarah McLachlan. Yes, I know - sounds like an unlikely mix, but it works. And works well. The music is haunting and powerful. Amy Lee is only 20 years old, but her voice pierces into your soul with the power and weight of artists twice her age.
And this band is no "one trick pony" either. The musical style ebbs and flows as the album progresses. From the new rock sound of "Going Under" to the ballad "My Immortal", this album has something for just about anyone.
I think I have a new favorite band. I give this work 5 stars out of 5.
The Matrix get Reloaded tonight. Below are my thought and impressions of this eagerly awaited sequel.
Sypher sums it up from the first movie: "Je-SUS! What a mind job..." This movie will really mess with your head. I decided to watch the first Matrix installment before I set off for the theater. There is a level of continuity, but it's not a pre-requisite.
Six months have passed since Neo first blasted off from that phone booth. It is an extraordinary time. More minds have been set free from the Matrix in the last 6 months than the last 6 years. We learn the machines are not standing by for this... ...they are digging. More over, the mystic Oracle is a no-show. As humanity prepares for the on-coming machine army, Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus set out to destroy the Matrix...
The special effects are AWESOME. No doubt about it - special effects houses across the world will look to this movie for inspiration for a long time. But I'm wondering if all the effects counter-balance the story. There were a lot of places that I was left staring at the screen - "...now, WHAT just happened?" One thing that seemed completely out of context was the EXTENDED dancing-in-the-streets scene. Definitely earned the movie it's "R" rating...
The fight scenes are incredible, But it seemed like there were so many of them. I think the writers felt that more is better. ...and it's not just Kung-Fu. They incorporate the gambit of martial arts weapons are employed in this movie. Why? If Neo is "The One", why does he need to restrict himself to the limits of the physical in the Matrix? He surely didn't hold back at the end of the movie...
Don't get me wrong. The Matrix Reloaded has it's place and charm. While the first movie dropped the clutch on this roller-coaster ride, Reloaded seems to strip the gears a bit.
I give it 3 1/2 stars out of a possible 5.
Today From Zero released their 2nd major-label album entitled "My So-Called Life". Here's what I thought of it.
Band: From Zero
Album: My So-Called Life
Track Listing:
Since their first album (One Nation Under), From Zero has really matured musically - and it clearly shows. Their songs show so much more layering and it is clear they took their time to carefully craft these compositions. The music if full, but it isn't quite as in-your-face as their first album was.
I still love Jett's voice. While most bands in this genre try to sound as trashy and gritty as they can, From Zero's vocal style is one of pristine melody. Not to say there isn't a few guttural shrieks and screams, but it isn't the anchor of their vocals. I was surprised by their re-make of Phil Collin's "I Don't Care Anymore". Very well done, guys.
Solid, consistent performance throughout the album give From Zero:
5 stars out of a possible 5
Well, I went to see "X-Men 2". Here's what the major news outlets had to say about it:
By Angela Dawson
Entertainment News WireHOLLYWOOD -- The calendar says May 2, but the summer season officially kicks off with the return of the mutants. We're not talking about reruns of "Celebrity Mole" or "The Bachelor," but "X2: X-Men United," the much-anticipated sequel to the Bryan Singer's 2000 blockbuster "X-Men," based on the popular comic book.
X-Men, of course, are genetically mutated humans with colorful nicknames like Wolverine, Cyclops, Rogue and Storm. They possess extraordinary powers but are shunned by the rest of society. Under the tutelage and protection of Prof. Charles Xavier, the world's most powerful telepath, these gifted students have learned to control and direct their respective powers for the good of mankind even though they are feared and distrusted by those they are trying to protect. In "X-Men," which grossed $157 million domestically, Xavier's pupils successfully fought off evil mutants bent on destroying them. In "X2," the X-Men must unite with their enemies to combat a bigger menace that threatens not only mutants but also all of mankind.
That's all well and good, but what can you REALLY expect? Here's my humble opinion:
"X2: X-Men United" picks up where the first X-Men movie leaves off. Magneto is still in "Plastic Prison", Logan/Wolverine is out on his quest to learn about his past, and the other X-Men continue to teach and guide mutants at the Charles Xavier School for the gifted. Quickly a crisis occurs that puts all mutants into the bad (okay, REALLY bad) graces of the rest of humanity.
The story develops pretty well. Those who felt cheated by the Wolverine/Sabretooth duel atop the Statue of Liberty in the first X-Men will get plenty more action out of our Hairy Friend (Warning to parents: more than a few people get on Wolverine's bad side.). I felt Bryan Singer really teased us too much with the entirely-too-brief (less than 1 minute of screen time) appearance of Colossus. The Colossus effect was quite striking on screen - Hey Bryan, I hope you are already working on "X3", and you give him more screen time to let us get to know him better.
We are treated to the introduction of other heroes such a Nightcrawler, Ice Man, and Pyro. The effects used for Nightcrawler, in my opinion, were the best live-action representation of his comic book illustrated powers. Ice Man really needed a bit more of a role than he got, and Pyro seemed to be a bit like a spoiled brat (although he did have a GREAT line in the movie).
The ending was a REAL killjoy for me. Well, not just me - the WHOLE FRIGGIN' THEATER was in stunned silence. I realize it was a historical point for this character, but GEES!! We are given a small glimmer of hope at the end when this character gives a brief narrative before ending credits roll (similar to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan). Overall, this movie is a wonderful piece of work, and Bryan Singer shows - AGAIN - that he is more than capable of producing a true-to-form comic-to-live-action motion picture.
I give it 4 1/2 stars out of a possible 5.