THRICE Live

Found this on another blog the other day, enjoy until the DVD comes out!

New Glassjaw Track

Legendary post-hardcore pioneers Glassjaw have posted a new song.
You can hear the track "You Think You're (John Fucking Lennon)" on their WEBSITE.

The song plays after about a minute and a half of a loop on the page, so wait for it.

This sounds extremely promising, and could be huge.

Black Friday Madness

Haha, so the image above ISN'T from black friday, it's a hardcore show. But they kinda remind me of these.

Anyways.
My story isn't that great. I'll sum it up.
In Lexington (big city close to where I live), there are 2 Best Buys, but one is fairly new, and people tend to forget about it. We went to this one. At the other one, people where camping in tents at 10 P.M. the day before.

I got up at 3:30 A.M., stood in line at 4 A.M. and only waited in line for 45 minutes, got in and got everything I wanted.

So...
Needless to say, I conquered black friday.

Anyone else have any crazy stories?
Other than the poor fellow who died yesterday :-(

New Watchmen Trailer

[link]

Amongst all the hype, i've simply been skeptical of this movie. I didn't know how well it was going to translate over to film. They need to push the drama envelope with this film, because that's what the graphic novel did.

It's not a super hero flick.
It's a mystery/drama about a group of people struggling with personal issues INSIDE of a reality where there are super heroes.

Just saying
I'm sure the flick will be great.

Doing More Reviews

I kinda got away from that for a while, but apparently people like that.
So...
I'll try to do more!

Thanks
-Jaye

REVIEW: Saints Never Surrender - Brutus

If there has been one trend as of late, and one I can't say I mind, it's the list of ever growing bands that draw from the "melodic hardcore" or Shai Hulud-esque influences. I personally grew up listening to bands like Beloved, Strongarm and Life in Your Way, both pioneers of the genre, and then later on grew to love bands like With Honor, and yes, Shai Hulud.

Though many bands try to imitate Shai Hulud's sound, they always seem to come close, but lack something, and it's usually the same thing; the technicality.

Saints Never Surrender's latest effort, Brutus is their third release, and second full length. This time aronud, they come out of the gate with the noticeable improvement of recording quality. The entire record is excellently pu ttogether. The guitar tones are both crisp and firm, the drums are precise, and though the records biggest flaw, the vocals, seem to detract, their recording is done nicely.

Brutus begins with a guitar tapping intro, extremely melodic, slow, and atmospheric, but this is the only time we see the band slow down. The album is extremely fast paced, and doesn't slow down. Mixing hardcore drumming with some very intricate arrangements as far as technicality goes. Songs are comprised of tons of short parts that rarely repeat, and transition so fast, it's even hard for me to keep up.

Where the music is strong, the vocals tend to lack. I'm personally not fan of the singers voice, but it does its job. However, some of the rythms don't follow the technicality of the music. They tend to jump around quite oftenm leaving the listener scratching their head.

while it's easy to get lost in the vocals, it's imparative that the listener pays attention to the music, as this is the records strongest suit, and what makes this an incredible record.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Kicking Off Christmas Movie Marathon

I'm kicking off Christmas movie marathon today by heading to the theatre and watching Four Christmases.

I'm a big Vince Vaughn fan, and this movie looks really funny.
I'll let you know my thoughts later.

Awesome Tee

I check out a few sweet t-shirt websites for designers, and there are always some pretty interesting shirts out there.

I'd like to think that I have a more particular tastes in the shirts I appreciate as well. It has to do more with cleverness and effectiveness as opposed to technicality of the design.

Anyways, This one IS awesome.

Top 25 Records of 2008 (COMING SOON)

I've been seeing alot of people's lately.
I simply can't bring myself to post mine yet, it's just too early.

However, it should be a great list because there have been some amazing records this year, even a few surprises.

Till then...
-Jaye

Hard Candy

Told my girlfriend I wasn't going to do this, but she knows me all too well.

We watched a crazy movie tonight that has been out for quite some time, but nonetheless, I encourage everyone to watch it. Great movie.

Carlton Cuse on Season 5 of LOST

Sorry, i'm going LOST crazy now.
Here is an interesting little interview with Carlton Cuse, one of the two main writers for the show.

At 3:20 he says something pretty interesting.

LOST Season 5 Promo/Subliminal Message

Last week during Grey's Anatomy, ABC debuted the first official cable promo for LOST Season 5.

For those that don't follow, this is the second to last season of LOST, and things are simply getting more intense than ever.

Check out the promo below.

Also inside the promo, just like most other things in LOST, and more notably, the promos, there WAS a subliminal message at approx. 1:34

A symbol/logo for AJIRA AIRWAYS.

What this actually is, is a mystery, but after doing some research, there is another fake website for the company that is much like some of the previous fake promo sites.

Here's some other info i've found relating to the logo.

Taken from LOSTpedia

* Ajira is Hindi for "island" or "isle".
* Ajira in Sanskrit may mean "a place to run or fight", "area" or "court".
* Ajira in Sanskrit also means "The Body" and "Any object of sense, air, wind, a frog" "Swift"
* Ajira in Islam means "Eternal life after Death"

I think the most interesting one of these, is the Eternal life after Death one. Possibly the island IS some place to go after death, or in some New Age practices (which J.J. Abrams is apart of), the island could be the utopia, trying to be corrupt by man, and life off of the island, or (the real world) could be considered death.

Your guess is as good as mine haha.
Add that to the list of theories.

Dustin Kensrue in Covington Kentucky

Thrice frontman, and alternative country singer Dustin Kensrue is coming to The Madhatter in Covington Kentucky. Excited? Uh, yeah.

Dustin has been known to obviously sing his own songs, possibly his new Christmas songs, as well as Thrice songs, and a cover or two or three.

My personal favorite is his cover of "Round Here" by Counting Crows, which I have a recording of.

Catch him on January 29th.

Kanye West - 808's & Heartbreak

I've been a big Kanye West fan ever since I heard his story on "Through the Wire". An aspiring musician, and the big brain behind so many great rappers, such as the king himself JAY-Z, and all of his production just about, his near death accident, and his debut album seemed captivating to me.

Throughout his career, West has gained much criticism, not for his music, but his cocky attitude. Indeed he has lived up to the criticism, but credit must be given where it is due, his skills are simply un-matched. A self proclaimed heir to the throne of Jigga, West has built up quite the prominence.

His talents are displayed in his lyrical content, his production abilities, and over all artistic vision behind his record, and he always seems to set the bar for innovation in the rap world.

His last record Graduation, saw West's collaborative attempts with a wide array of artists, again to make a great record.

Now, after his mother's tragic death, and a renaissance of sorts, Kanye has re-created himself, and again become the embodiment of innovation. On his latest record 808's & Heartbreak he takes a back seat on what has made him so huge, his rapping. Instead, he switches his style, to a more pop infused dance, and melodic approach, one that he does very well.

To describe the style, all one can say is that he has kept low key throughout. Every song features the same drum sound, a real live 808 drum sound that is carried throughout the album, mixed with synth based textures and keys, then layered here and there with string arrangements. Though West shows his rapping ability, 90% of the record is based off of his singing. This alone can be a noticed differnece, the addtion of Auto-Tune, and synth pop vocals. Something that has been a new trend, especially in underground music lately, however West does it the way it's supposed to be done.

Each melody is superb, both hooky and catchy, but most of all subtle. So many times that we've heard the use of dramatic auto tuning, it's all over the place, and is not masked or done with taste at all. The emotion behind each song makes up for the breakup album of the century.

Bottom line is that THIS is Kanye's defining record. Probably not one he will capitalize on over and over again, but it's the fact that he went out on such a limb to do what he is doing, and therefore, breaking boundaries, and setting fourth on his own journey.

FINAL GRADE: A+

Christmas Move List

So Christmas is my favorite time of the year as i've already stated. I just get super hyped for it.

But with all great themed holidays comes movies.
So.

Starting the day before Thanksgiving, my girlfriend and friends will be starting Christmas Movie Month.

The goal is to try and watch all of these movies!

- Elf
- Christmas Vacation
- Home Alone 1 & 2
- Jingle All the Way
- A Christmas Story
- Fred Clause
- The Santa Clause
- Bad Santa
- Christmas With the Kranks
- Eight Crazy Nights
- The Grinch
- The Muppet Christmas Carol
- Polar Express
- Scrooged
- A Nightmare Before Christmas
- A Charlie Brown Christmas

iPHONE Tips

Just thought i'd post a couple random iPhone tips that people may or may not know.

When texting/typing, if you double tap the space bar, it adds an automatic period and space.

If you double tap the HOME button, it brings up an iPod controller to skip songs, or pause.

There ya go.
;-)

HIDDEN DANGERS: Starbucks Salted Caremel Hot Chocolate

So i'm into figuring out nutrition things for alot of regular places I go, especially ever since I got EAT THIS AND NOT THAT.

Basically, im not trying to make people feel bad, but im gonna at least approach this as an educational tool to inform people what to stay away from.

Bottom line, it's the little things that count when you're trying to cut pesky pounds, or just stay healthy.

Starbucks in itself can be a huge danger if you're not making small int picky decisions.
Here's a quick rundown.

DESERT BASED DRINKS v.s. NORMAL BEVERAGES

The first thing people should recognize when going to Starbucks is the difference between a specialty desert type of drink, and a normal coffee drink.

Yeah, not everyone likes regular coffee, I understand that. However, if you're drinking a WHITE MOCHA, CARAMEL MACCHIATO, FRAPPUCINO, PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE etc. Chances are you're building up in the calorie department, even if you get it with non-fat milk. They fill these suckers with syrup, so just watch out.

Instead, if you're looking for flavor, tryin a simple flavored latte with NON-FAT MILK, and NO WHIP CREAM (I shouldn't have to highlight this). Generally you're looking somewhere under the 200 calorie mark, so give it a try.

I RECOMMEND
- Grande Non-Fat Hazelnut Latte
- Grande Non-Fat Caramel Latte

Which brings me to my next point.

MILK

If you're concerned about small nit picky things, the #1 change should be in your milk. ORDER EVERYTHING NON-FAT. Unless it's regular coffee, 9 times out of 10, you wont be able to tell the difference, but nonetheless, just get off of the whole or 2% milk. Your calorie and fat intake will be significantly cute down.

Which brings me to the main event.
Around the beginning of October, Starbucks introduced their new signature hot chocolates, and im just gonna say, they are incredible. But MAKE SURE this isn't your everyday drink because you will regret it.

Below are the numbers for a GRANDE salted caramel signature hot chocolate with NO WHIP CREAM and NON-FAT MILK.

CALORIES - 510
FAT CALORIES - 180
TOTAL FAT - 20
SATURATED FAT - 12
CARBS - 78

So as you can, this is something that could easily be a meal. Especially when you think...

THIS DRINK HAS MORE CALORIES THAN A BIG MAC!!!!!!!!
So just be careful!

For more info, check out Starbucks nutrition calculator on their website!
[LINK]

Thrice Live CD/DVD

I have been calling for this for quite sometime.
Stoked to see it finally coming out.

This is one of the best bands of our generation. Hands down.

UFC 91

UFC 91 is tonight, im gonna start posting my fight predictions on here.
I only have 3 predictions for tonight. The card honestly isn't THAT great, but it's good to see fights.

Randy Couture Vs. Brock Lesnar

I honestly think this fight is kind of a joke. Yes, Brock Lesnar is big as hell, and he was a great wrestler. But 3 MMA fights and already a UFC heavy shot? Nah, not for me. It's kind of a slap in the face to Couture I think. Nonetheless, I think Couture's experience is gonna take this one!

WINNER
Randy Couture
(submission, early second round)

Kenny Florian Vs. Joe Stevenson

This is the fight i'm looking forward to the most. Both fighters are technical as crap, and are fun to watch. It's gonna be close, but I think Joe Stevenson out matches Florian based on technicality. This fight is going to come down to who's judo can defend against the stand-up, and visa versa.

WINNER
Joe Stevenson

Nate Quarry Vs. Demian Maia

I love Nate Quarry, he's a great fighter, and to be honest, I don't know anything about Maia other than he's supposed to be a supperb fighter. I'm looking forward to this fight, but i'd say it's a tossup.

WINNER
Toss-Up

Christmas Music Recommendations

The holiday season is upon us, and every year I make quite the extensive Christmas playlist for myself, and most of my friends. I try to make a good mix of traditional songs by unconventional artists.

Here are some of my recommendations.



RELIENT K - LET IT SNOW BABY... LET IT REINDEER

Relient K came out with their first Christmas recording in 2003, called Dec the Halls and Bruise Your Hand, this record is actually included in their most recent release, Let it Snow... Let it Reindeer, which also offers a handful of new recordings, amoung original songs.

Their version of the 12 Days of Christmas mixes the normal version with pop punk riffs, and even gives a few humorous calls in the chorus. Definitely a pick up.


DUSTIN KENSRUE - CHRISTMAS ALBUM -

So this record doesn't drop until November 18th, but we got a little taste of it on this guy's previous release. The man above's name is Dustin Kensrue, and he's the vocalist/guitarist for post-hardcore powerhouse: Thrice. Last year he put out an Alternative Country solo release, which included a couple Christmas songs. Now, later this month, Kensrue will drop his second record, but this one is a full Christmas album, including both original songs and Christmas Carrols.

Christmas List

I don't know what everyone is thinking about getting for Christmas, i'll have my eye on some of the black Friday deals (more on that later),but here are some of the top things on my list.

Flat Screen Computer Monitor- I've been looking to run dual monitors while I design for quite some time, and now more than ever is the perfect time to get this done!

WACOM Bamboo Fun - A Wacom tablet is a tool graphic designers and artists use. You have a digital pen, and it allows you to get closer edits and more precise designs.

TOMS SHOES - My first pair are getting a whole, I need a new pair.

Arrested Development Series - Became one of my favorite shows this past summer, and I would love to have it.

Assorted Posters - I need to decorate, and finding a good mix of movie posters, show posters etc. would be nice.

Later on i'll post a few black Friday deals, and what my plans are for that.
Stay tuned!