Oh hey there.

I have a blog. I’ve still been writing reviews, I’ve just been too busy to post them here. I’ll start throwing them up on the blog when I have the chance. THANKS.

Scribblenauts (DS)

The best thing to happen to handheld gaming since Tetris. The game gives you a level with either an objective to complete or a star to reach. Then you just type in the name of whatever you need to accomplish your goal, and the game makes it. Don’t believe me? Watch the video. Then go buy this game.

Animal Collective – Sung Tongs

Before I go any further, let me preface this by saying that Animal Collective can be pretty weird at times. Make that really weird. One of the tracks ends with them repeating the word kitties over and over again and meowing in the background. That being said, this may be one of my favorite albums of all time. Excellent musicmanship if a little abstract, this early acoustic album is downright beautiful at moments. These guys really know what they’re doing as far as harmonies go. I love it, but then again I really like it when music is pushed in new and different directions, so it may just be me. Drastically different from their most recent, electronic stuff, I’d still recommend it. Definitely try before you buy to get a feel though.

Highlights: “Winters Love”, “Leaf House”

Le Loup – The Throne Of The Third Heaven Of The Nations’ Millennium General Assembly

One of my favorite albums in a long time, Le Loup ranks right up there with Sufjan Stevens as far as “alternative folk” goes in my opinion. As the band name suggests, they make use of a lot of great loops in their tracks, whether it be electronic beeps and boops or some superb banjo playing. Amazing live, but this album speaks volumes in itself. I’d suggest it to anyone who’s a fan of the new folk style that’s been floating around these days.

Highlights: “To The Stars! To The Night!”, “Breathing Rapture” and “Le Loup (Fear Not)”

Stream the album for free on their website here. No longer working. You can stream their new album Family though.

Y: The Last Man

Every person and animal on the face of the earth with a y-chromosome dies, with the exception of one man and his pet monkey. The question is, how does he keep the human race from dying within the next generation. Probably the best comic series I’ve ever read. They do a great job of realistically portraying what the world might be like without men in a serious, mature way. Printed by Vertigo comics, I’m very glad to have had the chance to read it.

Highlights: Yorrick. Great a-typical hero

Modest Mouse – No One’s First, And You’re Next EP

A collection of B-sides from their last two albums, this is pretty standard Modest Mouse fare. I think my roommate Ryan put it best when he said “this is good and catchy like half of Modest Mouse stuff, not weird and awful like the other half.” Gets progressively more experimental as the CD goes on, but 8 tracks is pretty solid as far as an EP goes. If you liked We Were Dead or Good News for People Who Love Bad News, you’ll probably like this too.

Highlights: “Satellite Skin”, “Guilty Cocker Spaniels”

DC’s 52

Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman quit for a year. Everyone else has to try and pick of the slack. Honestly, that’s about all there is to it. This is the problem with the DC universe though- THERE ARE TOO MANY HEROES. Honestly, they shouldn’t have any problem handling things on their own. And what’s more, they invent about 20 new ones over the course of one comic just to randomly kill off 20 more of the already established characters whenever they feel like it. There’s no sense of consistency. People just kind of appear and disappear. Some cool crossovers, but nothing spectacular. I’d stick to Batman, specifically The Long Halloween if you haven’t read it yet.

Highlights: Lobo makes an appearance

Up

Don’t be fooled by the pretty colors and quirky commercials, this is not your typical Pixar film. Opting for more of a serious drama than previous works, this movie is downright tear-wrenching at time. True, it’s also laugh-out-loud funny and tons of fun, but Pixar really stepped up their game on this one. Please, please, please go out and see this movie.

Highlights: The first 20 minutes.

Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest

I’m not quite sure how to classify this one. It jumps all over the place, from haunting ballads to some truly rockin’ tracks, but ultimately comes together to make one pretty darn satisfying musical experience. Tons of instruments used throughout, with some especially impressive percussion at times. More of a chill out album than anything else I’d say. I love the lead singer’s voice though. Give this one a shot.

Highlights: “Southern Point”, “Two Weeks”

Chrono Cross (PS1)

This was the best RPG I’ve played in a long, long time. Better than even the original Chrono Trigger in my opinion. Classic turn-based fighting, no random encounters and 40 different playable characters make this one a winner. Really interesting story too. I’d rank this up there with any of the Final Fantasy games. My only complaint is that I wish it had gone on longer. Try it if you ever get the chance.

Highlights: One of the biggest twists I’ve ever experienced in a video game. Like Sixth Sense big.