Powerstars

This is the new segment. Basically, I take a look at a film related to music in some way shape or form, and I'll tell you if it was worth said look. A concert film, documentary, history, etc. Tonight...

Kurt Cobain's suicide was a mysterious event. He had injected more than a lethal dose of heroin into his system and then shot himself (That's the official story). How'd he pick up the shot gun? Was he actually murdered? This film focuses on exploring the conspiracy theories. Along the way, producer/writer/director/all-around-cool-guy Nick Broomfield faces troubles with Courtney Love's legal people, and Love's suppression of freedom of speech, which becomes one of the main focuses of the film alongside Cobain's death. Among the people interviewed are Hank Harrison (Love's father), Tom Grant (A private investigator), Kurt's aunt Mary, El Duce (A man who claims that Love offered him $50,000 to kill Cobain), among others, including a very brief appearance and not-really-interview by Love herself.

So, what did I think of this movie. Well, as soon as I listened to Nevermind and became a larger Nirvana fan (very recently), I became very interested in Cobain's death. I had heard about this movie, so as soon as I saw it on Netflix, I had to see it. Along the way, we see various film and hear various audio that takes us through Kurt's life, although, no Nirvana songs, because Courtney is a jerk. We get some stuff Kurt recorded when he was about 2 on his Aunt Mary's recording equipment. She also claims that she saw a lyrics sheet for a song Kurt wrote called "Seaside Suicide." Many of the interviews with people Kurt personally knew suggest that he was in fact suicidal, though Tom Grant doesn't believe he could have picked up the gun after injecting all that heroin into his system, as there is no known autopsy that suggests that anyone could have had that much tolerance for heroin.

I think that, for the small budget the movie had, it's pretty good, although Nick seems to be a little bit of a jerk at times when trying to get information out of people, though in Courtney's case, that's perfectly understandable, as she wouldn't answer his questions. At one point, he talks to someone that he says to be Kurt's best friend, who you can see during the interview, is very quiet and depressed. That part was just saddening. Overall though, if you're interested in the conspiracies surrounding Kurt's death, this is essential. Did it change my viewpoint? No, I didn't know what to think before I saw the movie, and I don't know what to think now. But, overall, it is thought provoking and gets you wondering.

Overall: 65/100

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Powerstars

Review #012 - "The Next Day" by David Bowie

January 8th 2013. After 10 years with no new album or single, David Bowie mysteriously drops a song called "Where Are We Now?" on iTunes, with no announcement or anything. Word of the song blows up all over the internet. David Bowie is back. 2 months later, an entire album of new material drops. This is that album. I picked it up because I had heard some of my brother's Bowie CD's and was curious as to what this one sounded like. Did Bowie still have it? Let's find out!

1. The Next Day
Solid rocker to open the album. Not necessarily the most memorable song, but it works well for an album opener, showing that Bowie's voice has barely changed and that he can still pull songs like this off.

2. Dirty Boys
This is a pretty cool song. A '50s style thing with distorted vocals, the horn section really helps with the feel as does the guitar part. Great song, showing that Bowie can pull off any musical style he dreams of. Hm, now I wanna see him do dubstep (xD).

3. The Stars (Are Out Tonight)
My favorite song on the album, it's a fast paced song with very subtle elements that improve it. The percussion, the bass, the occasional spacey sounds, and the orchestra. The lyrics are about Bowie wanting to live a normal life, but he can't, because he lives right next to celebrities. It's kinda funny when you think about it, especially lines like "They burn you with their radiant smiles." A solid track.

4. Love Is Lost
Another solid one. Opens with cool guitar and synth and the little quirky sounds. Dissonant chorus helps round out this solid, but mildly forgettable track. Don't get me wrong, I really like it, but compared to some of the other songs, it has a harder time sticking in my head.

5. Where Are We Now?
The first look we were offered at Bowie's next masterpiece, it shows that Bowie hasn't dodged aging completely. It's a ballad that I interpret as being about the coming of age. At least that's how I read into it. Touching, catchy, this song was truly the best way to show us that Bowie was back.

6. Valentine's Day
We open with a cool drum intro. Catchy song, with some...OOH! Cool little dissonance. Not enough to be terribly obvious, but still cool! Also, the solo's pretty awesome. Surprisingly good, yet lighthearted lyrics, fantastic song!

7. If You Can See Me
Rocking trippy song! Lyrics seem to be about crossdressing in one of his friend's or his wife's clothes...oh man, classic Bowie. Probably the most kickin' song on the album, just what he needed to restore our interest. Most albums start to drag around 7 songs in, so Bowie decided to kick it up a notch to keep our attention. And, boy, did it work! I can't express how much I like the drums and harmonies!

8. I'd Rather Be High
As the title implies, this is like the perfect song to get stoned to. It's trippy with it's guitars, but sober people like me can still appreciate it because of some of the melodic elements like the chorus and the drum beat. The drum beat almost reminds me of Ringo Starr's experimental style that he had with the Beatles, which is never a bad thing if you're trying to write a song to get stoned to. Nothing much to say but DOOOOD!

9. Boss Of Me
Dat opening. Bowie going for more of a modern rock song, but the bass kinda brings in a mix of '50s/'80s which complements the song well. It's another catchy one, although not terribly notable this time.

10. Dancing Out In Space
Really cool spacey stuff in this one. It sends me almost a Killers-y vibe mixed with a showtune. It's creative, it's cool, it's trippy. Bowie just had to do another song about space.

11. How Does The Grass Grow?
Another trippy rocking song, this one has a really weird sound with the lead instrument (it sounds like a harpsichord) and the harmonies. The lyrics aren't exactly the best, but it doesn't matter. I like the sped-up part with the YEAHYEAHYEAHYEAH. It's a really cool song. AND DUDE THE FREAKING SOLO IS SO COOL.

12. (You Will) Set The World On Fire
Guitars sound pretty cool. It's another pretty cool song, with female vocal harmonies. It's fairly catchy. Drums are once again pretty cool and we have the really nice subtle elements like percussion.

13. You Feel So Lonely You Could Die
Opening harmonies and synth are a good sign. A cool ballad with a subtle orchestra, that somehow reminds me of easy listening while completely avoiding that tag by being actually good. A very nice song, it's catchy, it's lovely, and I love it.

14. Heat
Downtempo song with cool harmonies, spacey effects, and dissonance. Emotional, it almost makes me want to cry at times. It ends the album in an eerie light, which is the only way to end the album.

Conclusion: Solid album with little to no flaws. It brought back Bowie in the best possible way.

Overall: 92/100 (B-B-Bowie's back?)

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Trollheart

Great review man: I told you you'd like it!
One or two points though: "Love is lost" a weak track? Man that's my favourite on the whole album! Bowie doing Krautrock? Sweet!

And the lyrics to "Valentine's Day" are anything but lighthearted: it's about someone who's setting a plan to go on a killing spree at his school....

Other than that, solid review and nice work. As you say, the TWD is back!

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Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

Powerstars

Teasing a new segment. Don't worry, the segment will fit in with the rest of the journal fine.

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Zer0

The Killers were part of an indie rock fad? I thought they were a pop band with guitars?

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Powerstars

No no no...they were the opposite: a rock band with synths.

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Powerstars

Oh, Dragonforce. One of the most controversial metal bands of all time. People consistently argue over whether or now they're talented or talentless. Personally, my stance used to be that they were amazing, but now I'm kinda indifferent. I received this album for my birthday and now there are select tracks I like to listen to. Of course, most people know about Dragonforce because "Through The Fire And Flames" was in Guitar Hero 3, including myself, but most people don't know anything about them beyond that. So here I am, diving into their only album that people actually bought!

1. Through The Fire And Flames
Oh here we go! Their only song anyone actually cares about. I can't knock it too much, the opening riff is beyond catchy and, even though no one gives a damn about them, the vocals are solid. It's a good opening track to set the mood of the album.

2. Revolution Deathsquad
Once again, catchy opening. The rest of it isn't very catchy, but it's still a pretty ok song. Solos are good, but also not very memorable. The record scratch thing was cool though. Also, autotune at one part...o-kay?

3. Storming The Burning Fields
Opening with the sound of something starting on fire and phaser sounds, this is slightly faster and heavier yet than the 2 previous songs and certainly more catchy than "Revolution Deathsquad," but not by much. Chorus is freaking brilliant in it's catchiness and heaviness.

4. Operation Ground And Pound
Apparently, this is one of their better-known songs. And it's tad more unique compared to the others in that, while it's heavy, it's not just rapid playing and actually has a foundation...until about 45 seconds in. *sigh* Oh well, chorus at least has a decent foundation, but seriously Dragonforce, try something new. Oh well, can't knock this one too much with the dissonance that I love so much.

5. Body Breakdown
Pretty decent verses that are less heavy, and the chorus is catchy, but it's standard Dragonforce fare. The bass groove was a welcome surprise though.

6. Cry For Eternity
Opening riff is pretty cool. Standard, but rather great song. It's really growing on me. Spacey effects are really awesome and ska-like guitars at times are random, but cool

7. The Flame Of Youth
Eh, more generic Dragonforce fare, though the soft drums during the first verse is okay.

8. Trail Of Broken Hearts
What's that? Dragonforce tried something different, you say? A power ballad,you say!?! That's right, a unique song. And it's a damn good one. Catchy, light, yet heavy, and epic. They did something unique.

Conclusion: Sorry I wasn't able to go as in depth as I usually do, but this album is too repetitive for that. Overall, if you're looking for a fantastic listening experience, don't buy this. If you want an album for your party, take it. Also, don't just get this. Get the special edition that leaves out off quite possibly the best song on the album. But anyways, yes, I believe this could work as a party album with "Trail Of Broken Hearts" being the climax where all the drunken party goers get together and wave lighters in the air.

Final Score: 49/100 (Way repetitive, but it has some decent moments)

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Powerstars

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Powerstars

Considering, for the first time in my life, buying some iTunes gift cards so I can buy up Nirvana's studio discography and some of their other songs without my mom seeing stuff like "Incesticide" and "Rape Me"

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Powerstars

I got 3 albums I wanna review, which one should I do first?

Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full
Ben Folds Five - The Sound Of My Life Of My Mind
The Black Keys - Brothers

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