The Big Worm

You may remember me writing about Tera Melos Patagonian Rats album a few posts back. Well, I got the album and it is infact fucking amazing (as expected). It definitely has a cohesive album vibe. With a clear beginning, middle, and end. It’s very trippy and awesome. I was planning on writing a long blog about it but I somehow lost my motivation. Does that ever happen to you? In my head I was all like “Yeah! Gonna write about the new album!” But now that I’m here, I just don’t feel like it. Later on I’ll post an official review, with a track by track analysis for you.

Also,  I got a USB dac for my computer. That’s a Digital Audio Converter for you non tech people. It’s basically a high quality external sound card/headphone amp. I got the Audinst MX1, and it fucking blows away any integrated sound card I’ve ever heard. For the money, it’s even better than my X-FI. Image separation is very clear. The soundstage is friggin’ perfect. The mid range is fantastic and the sound is very detailed. I also noticed that the bass and mid-bass were really improved. I honestly can’t find any complaints. It even sounds better than my Music Hall turn table. It’s handled every genre I’ve thrown at it with no problem. I have some Alessandro MS1 headphones that I use with it and they pair perfectly. If you can spare the money, pick this thing up. Check out head-fi’s review right here.

I also got Mafia II. The game is boss. Again, I planned on writing a long article about it and how it’s NOT  a sandbox game and that if you go in thinking it’s a sandbox game you’re going to be disappointed, but I lost my inspiration. I’ll write a nice review soon, maybe in a couple days? But seriously, it’s not a sandbox game dumb dumbs. In fact, I would go as far to say it has much more in common with a game like Alan Wake than it does with GTA. It is a very story driven experience, and there really isn’t much of an exploration aspect. The city itself is used mostly as a tool to drive along the story, rather than a crucial part of the gameplay. In fact, there’s no clear distinction of when a mission starts or when a mission ends. In GTA, for example, you do a mission, complete it, and thats it. The game won’t move forward until you do another mission. There is a clear separation between the sandbox aspect and the mission aspect.

Mafia II isn’t like that. It’s much more linear. There’s no definitive “start” or “stop” of a mission. The game begins, and you keep playing until it’s over. This was intentional on the developers part and honestly the story is much more effective because if this. It’s a sick game that takes a shitload of cues from Goodfellas and every Mafioso movie ever. Anyway much more updates to come. Expect a nice read about how awesome Tera Melos is sometime in the future.

This kid maybe has some issues.

Here’s a little history lesson. This video was uploaded over a year ago, and has since become one of the most popular youtube videos of ALL TIME! ALL TIME! Over 31 million people watched this kid freak the fuck out and stick a remote up his butt.

The user, wafflepwn, has uploaded several videos of his brother freaking out, all of them with millions of views. I still question the legitimacy of these videos but they’re fucking hilarious to watch. I also like the after math video. These videos have gotten so popular that the uploader has even made his own website dedicated to his brother’s freakouts: wafflepwn.com. Stephen, the freakout kid, has even become so famous that he was featured in an episode of Comedy Centrals tosh.o.

No real point to this blog, but check out his other videos because they are all hilarious. Especially the after math video, which is Stephens reaction to seeing the WoW freakout video.

UPDATE: The correct URL for the site is http://www.wafflepwn.com/, thanks James.

Irrational Games (formerly 2K Boston, and creators of the original Bioshock) have announced the next chapter in the Bioshock series. This one is much, much different than what you might think. Before you read further, watch the 2 minute teaser below.

Holy. Shit. The underwater rapture is gone – er, hasn’t been created yet. This game takes place in 1912, way before the events of the first two games. Ken Levin, creative director of Irrational games hasn’t said yet weather or not this game has any connection with the first two games, so this may not be a prequal. It might be an entirely new storyline.

According to Kotaku.com, Bioshock Infinite “…signaled that Infinite is a first-person return to the style of idea-driven historical science fiction of BioShock, but set in the skies.” Fuck yeah. Also, Levine told Kotaku “…the game is thematically tied to the work he did in first BioShock in that it is another game about a strange and yet strangely familiar place as well as about expressive, variable gameplay.”

Bioshock Infinite takes place during 1912, in Columbia, a floating city created by the US that symbolizes their idea of excellence in a post-civil war society. “This is not a floating world’s fair. Columbia is a Death Star.” says Levine. Apparently something bad happens and Columbia takes off and hides up into the clouds.

You play as Booker DeWitt, a former Pinkerton Agent. He gets contacted by a man who knows where Columbia is, and asks Booker to go there and rescue Elizabeth, who was raised on Columbia. There’s hasn’t been any gameplay videos released yet but apparently it is faster and more action packed, but still retains that Bioshock feeling. This is clearly a thinking mans first person shooter.

This game has been in development for years, probably just as long if not before Bioshock 2. Bioshock Infinite is slated for a 2012 release date. More details to come.

Tera Melos is a rock band that plays a very weird blend of technical jazz (I guess?) and rock music. They started off as an instrumental band but have recently added vocals. Their new album Patagonian Rats comes out in September and is going to fucking blow people’s faces right off. From the few tracks that I’ve heard so far, it seems like they’ve taken on a much more direct sound. The technicality is still there, but in a more straight-forward no-nonsense sort of way. It’s like they tossed out all the unnecessary parts and just left us with a really calculated use of their sound. You can check out the music video for their first single below. It’s called The Skin Surf and it’s trippy as shit. I hear a bit of 90′s “indie” influence in some of their songs. In fact, they released an EP that consisted of nothing but covers from bands like The Pixies, Weezer, and they even covered that song Hey Sandy, which you probably know as the Pete and Pete theme song.

I saw these guys a few years ago with The Fall of Troy. I had no idea who they were back then but I have since become a big fan. Oh yeah, you can also find more song samples from youtube. They’re worth watching because they’re fucked up. Finally, you can listen to ANOTHER full song from the album below. It’s called Frozen Zoo. It’s got a more relaxing vibe than the Skin Surf. I have this shit pre-ordered in vinyl and can’t wait to hear it!

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You can download this track over at the band’s bandcamp page. I realize this post pretty seems like a shameless Tera Melos plug but they’re THAT good.

Thanks again for all the recent traffic, but the site’s been getting spammed like crazy lately. Stop it.

Badass? You better believe it.

I Know I may not post a huge amount, but shit guys this is one of the greatest things I’ve seen in a long time. this guy Kabuto the Python is what could be considered a “Nerdcore” rapper. Nerdcore being people who rap about nerdy ass stuff, scanning planets in ME2 being one such subject. Needless to say i love this video,  it could be because I love mass effect with a burning passion, it  could be because it rocks ass.  I think it’s a little of both.

‘Til next time.

Perfection, I think.

My niece Layla is the cutest baby ever. I’m not saying this because she’s my niece, I’m saying this because she’s freakin’ awesome, and cuter than every baby.  She’s probably cuter than all those other Gerber baby contestants (yeah, they’re cute too, but come on, look at Layla, LOOK AT HER); so please, PLEASE vote for her by CLICKING THIS LINK, or anywhere on this entire sentence because a baby as cute as Layla deserves an entire sentence used as a hyperlink, instead of the traditional one or two words.

I’ve also added a VOTE FOR LAYLA link on the site’s sidebar, remember you can vote for her once a day, and I expect every single one of you to do just that.

Also, you may remember a post I made about Japanese screamo band ENVY a while back. Well, coincidentally, they just announced a US Tour (their first in four years!), and a new album, entitled Recitation. ANNNDD they went ahead and released a track off of the new record. It’s called Dreams Coming To An End. You can check out more details and download it over at BrooklynVegan, or you can just stream it below. It’s probably the catchiest thing they’ve ever recorded. It’s almost… happy? Uplifting? Whatever it is, it’s DAMN GOOD, and a huge progression for Envy. Me and some of the staff of TBW will be at the September 28th show at Harpers Ferry in Allston. Come hang out with us and get drunk.

OH YEAH! I started watching It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, and it is absolutely hilarious. By far the best comedy in recent memory. It’s almost hard to believe that some of the language and situations the characters get in actually made it on regular cable. I’m on season 3, and from what I can tell, the stories get more and more bizarre as the series progresses. I was thinking today that it sort of embodies a live action version of South Park. Seriously. It’s about a group of friends, one of them always has a CRAZY idea, and they always get into ridiculous situations. Okay, I know that description sounds like pretty much every single show ever, but just watch it, you might see what I mean. Whereas the first season was mostly comprised of crude pointless humor (which I love), the later ones sort of  add upon that by trying to prove a point, or comment on a relevant situation (much like more recent South Park).

Finally, I’ve noticed that lately this site has been getting somewhat steady traffic. Thanks for that by the way. Peace for now bitches.

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Shavo Odadjian, bass player for System of A Down, wrote up a post on the bands facebook page back in April. He had this to say:

Fellow System heads,

As many of you know, I’ve been doing all the visual arts for System Of A Down tours, videos, etc, since way back in the day on our first record. I wanna turn you all on to an art piece I’ve been working on that has become very dear to my heart. I hope it strikes you deeply, the same.

Remember–
Think freely and stay dangerous

See you all next year…

Peace,
Shavo

Oh, cool, interesting, blah blah blah. Oh, wha, wait, what? What did that say? SEE YOU NEXT YEAR?!?! What does it mean? Possible tour? Album? New SOAD material? TELL ME MOOAARR!!! I love SoAD. I love anything Serj or Daron shit on. Serj could release an album of him yodeling for an hour and a half, and you know what? He would make it sound fucking awesome because he is, infact, fucking awesome. If SoAD tour in 2011 I will be there. I don’t give a fuck if I have to drive to fucking Germany, which is impossible, because it’s across the ocean, but I would figure out a way to drive there anyway. That’s how hardcore a fan I am.

Want to know what their best album is?  Impossible. They’re all the best. Ha ha ha ha, fooled you. Trick question! But no seriously the self titled is the best. Good riffs, simple songwriting, catchy weird structures and nice crunchy guitars, topped off with Serj’s weird opera Armenian voice.

Scars on Broadway is really good too. I like them because they fucking rock. They released a new song just a few days ago. It’s called “Fucking”. You can check it out on their website and download it right over here. Or, you can just play that shit below.

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8/11/10 UPDATE:

After researching a little bit more, I found this video of John Dolmayan being interviewed at some poker tournament he was playing in. Yes, looks like it’s going to happen!

There are no words that can describe the crazyness in the following video, so I won’t even try. Just… here you go.

I had no idea that The Electric Company was even still around. I vaguely remember this show from my childhood. IT’S A LITTLE MAGNIFICENT ISN’T IT? I watched this with fellow staffer Bill. We were hungover, hungry, and bored. This video popped up on PBS and we knew right away it was going on the site.

IGN UK posted an article yesterday with rumors that the next GTA may be set in Hollywood (or Hollywood “clone”). We’ve seen Hollywood before in GTA San Andreas – just like we’ve seen Liberty City before in previous GTA’s, so this move makes sense. Personally I would love to see an entirely new location. Maybe GTA Mexico or some shit? I want something different anyway. GTAIV is by far one of my favorite games, so regardless of where the location is set, I’m sure the game will fuckin’ rule. When it boils down to it, GTAIV’s story was a  commentary on American life and pop-culture, and if GTAV is set it Hollywood, I’m curious to see what Rockstar has to say about the phony ass Hollywood lifestyle.

We might be seeing these ghetto ass signs again sooner then we think.

In an unrelated note, Yakuza’s new album, Of Seismic Consequence, is awesome. I’m listening to it as I type this and it’s some powerful shit.

So I just remembered that I missed out on Cake, and alternative band you may remember from the 90′s (they did that popular song “The Distance”). They played in my hometown Lowell, MA, outside, during a thunderstorm. That is fucking awesome. I didn’t go because I already had plans to see Inception (which was also fucking awesome, by the way. I’ll post a review soon but I want to watch it again in IMAX before I review it). There isn’t much of a point to this post other me wanting to state the obvious: Cake is awesome. Check them out. They’re playing Boston in September and I’m DEFINITELY not going to miss it.

They definitely have their own unique sound. Simplicity really works for them. This shit is catchy as hell.