April 9, 2016
Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
Photo credit: Angry Jeff
Last night still doesn’t feel real.
Continue reading ‘Concert Review: Iggy Pop in Toronto’
After the runaway success of their self-titled debut, The Lumineers sound a bit disillusioned. Their newest, Cleopatra, is heavy. There are no radio-friendly, hand-clapping sing-alongs; instead there are thoughtful indie folk with songs of leaving those who tear you down, having dreams crushed and dying. Seriously, it’s heavy.
Continue reading ‘Music Review: The Lumineers, Cleopatra’
By Tyler Hodg
Full disclosure: I have never been a fan of anime, nor have I actually fully played any Final Fantasy games.
Blasphemy, I know.
Continue reading ‘TV Review: Brotherhood Final Fantasy XV E01, “Before The Storm”’
I just spent the last 90 minutes watching The Walking Dead‘s Season 6 finale. To say that I am shocked would be a complete understatement. We’ve spent the entirety of the second half of this season awaiting the arrival of the notorious Negan, with hints of who this man is and why we should fear him and fear for our most beloved characters should they come face to face with him. A cliffhanger was not unexpected, but the acting in this episode? Some of the best, most realistic, and visceral I have ever seen from a television show.
Continue reading ‘Why The Walking Dead Still Has Me Hooked’
Perhaps the most important aspect of the Lucha Underground universe is the personality of Dario Cueto. He’s been around in a limited way throughout this season, but only in short vignettes. In “El Jefe Is Back,” Dario Cueto, El Jefe, is definitely, uh, back. He even brought back a fun little staple of the first season of the show, the live performances! This week, we have Chingon, Robert Rodriguez’s band, opening up the show and they add a fun vibe to the proceedings that wasn’t there during Catrina’s reign, and that’s how Dario sets himself apart as a character. As sadistic and evil as he may be, his ultimate goal is to always entertain the audience and, by extension, make money doing so. Catrina just wanted the power of the Temple for its own sake.
Continue reading ‘TV Review: Lucha Underground S3 E10, “El Jefe Is Back”’
By Tim Murr
Over the course of the last week I’ve probably heard just about every sub-genre of metal there is, but I’ve heard nothing like Kralthazar’s Runes. Solo acoustic crooning metal is not a thing I’ve heard before, but I love it. Now, it’s not much of a culture shock for me; I listen to tons of acoustic music, old folk/mountain music, Delta blues, old country, etc. Throughout those styles of music you’ll find several tracks that would translate easily to punk, metal, or rock. Kralthazar brings the metal sensibility to folk music and it’s really cool!
Continue reading ‘Music Review: Kralthazar, Runes’
By Tyler Hodg
After watching “If You Don’t Believe It, It’s Not Real,” it becomes apparent that Season 10 is a slow burn, hopefully one with a large payoff.
The fifth episode has the boys heading out on another job (for those who are counting, this is job number five). The danger attached to each attempt at fast cash is growing exponentially, and the latest hits a new peak.
Continue reading ‘TV Review: Trailer Park Boys, S10 E05, “If You Don’t Believe It It’s Not Real”’
Dear Janiva Magness, thanks for making me cry.
On her follow-up to 2014s Original, Janiva Magness is letting it all out. She’s happy (her self-penned liner notes are completely delightful), she’s in killer voice, and her continuing collaboration with producer Dave Darling is positively fecund. Love Wins Again is a worthy successor to Original, with heartfelt songs of love and hope, and songs of heartbreak.
Continue reading ‘Music Review: Janiva Magness, Love Wins Again’
By Tim Murr
While it may be an EP that’s only 24 minutes long, Tombs’ All Empires Fall is still one of the better black metal albums I’ve ever heard.
Black metal is a genre that I’ve rarely been able to connect with, but does include some bands that are truly innovative and exciting. All Empires Fall is the first Tombs recording with new keyboardist Fade Kainer and while I can’t claim any depth of knowledge about earlier recordings from the band, he’s a welcome addition here.
Continue reading ‘Music Review: Tombs, All Empires Fall’
By Tyler Hodg
The boys are at their greasiest in Season 10 thus far, and it only took four episodes to get there. With the two jobs from the previous installment resulting in no cash, the core three, with J-Roc and T, head to the Denture King dental office to steal anything they can.
Continue reading ‘TV Review: Trailer Park Boys S10 E04, “Sh*t Covered Cave Teeth”’