The first thing to grab me about the album is the dissonant start to "A Grand Scheme for a Color Film." Once it kicks in, it does not let go until the album has run its course. From the chaotic heaviness of the guitars to the wild drumming to the screaming of "Bring out the shotguns, we're going to town!" it really gets the blood pumping.
Watching me get into this is an interesting thing. You see, just a couple of years ago I probably would have turned a cold shoulder to the chaos that is brewing on this disk. I know, I know, this album wasn't here a few years ago, but I am sure that you get the idea. For some reason or other, that I will never be able to explain, could not get into this style of music. This year has been a bit of an eye-opener, I may not have the most varied tastes, but I am open to discovering something new, and this world of post-hardcore/metalcore and even a bit of screamo is beginning to unfold before me.Norma Jean is an interesting beast. They seem to be striking that balance between mainstream appeal and fringe extremists. The music is easy to get into, yet isn't exactly the most easily accessible of tunes. They are toeing the line between experimental dissonance and more crushing/melodic metalcore. The barrier is being pressed to the breaking point in a way for a younger generation. While not nearly at the same level, but I could see some similarities between them and what Pantera was doing some 15 years ago, pushing the boundaries of where, in their case, metal ended and noise began. Again, Norma Jean isn't the only band that is playing both sides against the middle, but the inspiration may be able to be traced back to Dimebag (RIP), Phil and the rest for their envelope pressing.
Since their last album, they have seen the exit of their vocalist and bass player. They have since been replaced by Cory Brandon on mic duty and Jake Schultz on bass. Now, I am unprepared to comment on the differences between the lineups, but I will say that Brandon has an energy that really seems to drive the rest of the band forward. Behind him the guitars of Chris Day and Scottie Henry have a focused, laser-like precision to their orchestrated chaos whish is the heart and soul of the band.
Granted, I do not love the album or the band, but the more I listen to it, there is more to listen to. The biggest problem uncovered as those layers are peeled back is the lack of variety. There are definitely songs that stand out, such as "The End of All Things will be Televised" and "A Small Spark vs a Great Forest," but if you listen straight through, there is not a lot of variety from song to song. I am not asking for ballads or straight up hardcore, but the structures are very similar.
Bottomline. This is a good album. There is a lot of inventiveness in the orchestrated insanity, heaviness countered with brief bits of melody, plenty to keep the metalcore fan happy. This is a band to keep an eye on, this could be the start of something much bigger.
Recommended.
Flushed Away is a movie that is equal parts success and disappointment. I was actually quite let down as I left the theater. It is a frantic film that doesn't take the time the time to slow down and let its heart out. It seems to be content put all its eggs in the basket of style, while letting the story and character development twist in the wind. The end result falls into the realm of mediocrity. Which is sad, because there is a lot to like about the movie.
No sooner is he unceremoniously dumped into the sewers, Roddy finds himself in the middle of some Indiana Jones style drama between a treasure hunting rat named Rita (Kate Winslet) and The Toad (Ian McKellan). She has her eyes set on a priceless ruby, while The Toad's plans are much more underhanded. The movie becomes a chase with Roddy at its center.
The look of the film is its biggest drawing point. It doesn't look like the animation being put out by any other house. It is fun to watch and has an inherent "cuteness" to it that doesn't cross the line into syrupy sappiness. The animation is clearly rooted in the style of its forefathers of clay, while also using the advantages afforded by CGI. The computer usage allows them to replicate the style, while also giving the animation a smoother look and provide the ability to show a lot more detail. It also gives the opportunity for more inventive action and chase sequences.
In addition to the animation, the film is populated with big name actors providing the voices. Oftentimes I feel the use of celebrity voices is out of place, serving only as a way to help put the butts in the seats while overlooking the plethora of skilled voice talent that is out there. However, the voices work well here and fit the characters. Hugh Jackman does a fine job as Roddy, while Kate Winslet is serviceable as the feisty Rita. Sir Ian McKellan does a great job as the villainous toad, and his French cousin is voiced by none other than Jean Reno, bringing a suave gruffness to the hit frog.
The first film I liked, it was an enjoyable film for the family and still stands as one of Tim Allen's best big screen outings, of which there are few. That one introduced us to Scott Calvin, a self-centered businessman who lacks any kind of strong ties to his family. One fateful night, he startles ole St. Nick, causing him to plummet to his death from the roof of Calvin's house, leaving good ole Scott to don the red jacket and ringing in a new era. The second film had Scott/Santa having to find himself a wife. I do not remember the details outside of being bored and not particularly caring for it. Now, Scott is firmly entrenched as the man of cheer which brings out the aspirations of fellow legendary figure, Jack Frost.
While the Missus shows the family around, Jack Frost goes about his plan to get the red coat off of Scott and onto him. Now, the film involves a little bit of time travel. We all know the quandaries and paradoxes that time travel can introduce, all I can say is to just go with it. If you try to make sense of what happens, you will do nothing other than give yourself a killer migraine. Once the deed goes down, we get a glimpse of the Jack Frost run holiday, and it is not pretty. His vision is the embodiement of the materialistic and commercial nature of the season, he gives us the Santa-centric amusement park.
Despite my general lack of enthusiasm for the finished product, it is not a complete waste. There are a couple of things that are worth spending the 90 miutes. First and foremost among them is Martin Short. Short is clearly relishing the role of the nefarious Jack Frost. He sings, dances, and quips his way through the role of the man who would be red. He literally breathes life into the movie, he is a fun character. The other performance that I like is that one played by Alan Arkin as the father of the bride. There is something I just find funny in his nay saying and desire to do everything he wants, his way. The cast is rounded out with Elizabeth Mitchell, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, and Ann-Margaret, with cameos by Aisha Tyler, Peter Boyle, and Kevin Pollak.
I have seen the premiere in an unfinished state, there were some missing effects and music. Something I found a little disconcerting at first, as I had expected it to be the finished episode. The show seems intriguing. It has elements of other current medical shows like House and Grey's Anatomy, but it is far from being a clone of those other shows. Something that I reacted to strongly is that it will definitely need a few episodes to catch on to. I do not feel all that strongly connected to what is going on.
A blend of the good and the bad, the seeds are here to create a compelling medical show. It may seem similar to those other shows, but it really does have a different take, and in some ways may be more inventive. There are a number of inventive visual touches to represent the mind of the patient, and the way things with regard to, I assume, Hansen's past are realized within is proximity.
The stage was cleared and reconfigured for our main act. It was nearly time for the mighty Mushroomhead to own. Their brand of experimental progressive doom metal, there I go again with my genres again, has to be heard. This time out, the band has changed their look up a bit. The macabre masks and makeup is still there, but there is a bit more of an incividual style creeping into their look. Pig Benis has crafted a mask that is more pig-like, Gravy's mask has the look of stretched flesh, Skinny's mask just looks a lot darker and evil, then there are Schmotz and Stitch whose masks have more or less remained the same. While I was looking at their new looks, I realized something was missing. Where's Bronson? They were missing an axeman. I found out later that Bronson has left the band, reportedly to go back to film school. Well, you will be missed and I wish you the best of luck.
Along with the look change, their stage presence felt a lot looser. I am not quite sure how to explain it, but they seemed to be more comfortable in their their performance than I have seen in the past. They bring a lot of dramatic, theatrical elements to the stage. When Mushroomhead hits the stage you have to be ready for their stage show. This show brought some new elements, including a pair of floor toms at the front of the stage that they would cover with water being based rhythmically by Schmotz and Stitch with lights shining up from beneath. Waylon is settling in as co-frontman with Jeffrey Nothing, the interplay between the two vocalists keeps getting better. Perhaps it is the fact that they have a new album out and are reinvigorated by playing new music, but they just sound great. If there was something missing, it is Bronson, the lack of a second guitar, the sound was a little bit thinner. Hopefully, they will be able to find someone to fill the slot soon.
The past couple of times I saw them, they opened with "Kill Tomorrow." This time around, that got moved to the encore, and the opening went to the new song "Damage Done." The set was a nice mix of their three major releases, leaning towards the new release. It added a nice spontanaity to the show. Where before you may be able to predict the set, this kept you guessing, while still hitting the classics like "Sun Doesn't Rise" and "Bwomp."