Review

How do you like dem apples

/ Lisa / 1 Comment

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I have always been anti-apple. Always Windows and usually the top of whatever I needed (Dad always knew which.)

That was until last year. I started to use Apple computers, albeit with Windows and they were so nice. I still don’t like the OS, but I can no longer deny the beauty of an apple computer.

That feeling has grown. I had never owned an Apple iPod until last year either. Having had many problems with other mp3 players I decided to go with what was thought of as the best brand.

Yeah… it lasted a good 12 months and then completely crapped itself.

However, I was still convinced to buy another. They do make one 0f the best mp3 players, even if they may not last that long.

As soon as I saw the new touch nano, I fell in love with it. I had to have one. So I did. This time investing in an extended warranty. So if it is to shit itself like my last one, I get a full replacement, basically no questions asked.

Now that is awesome.

So the new touch nano is so tiny. Barely bigger than a postage stamp, seriously. Whenever I stick it in my bag, I can never find it. I have taken to clipping it to my shirt now, because it is basically a massive clip. No more need for those pesky arm bands when you want to get out and do a bit of exercise with music. Whoever thought of doing that deserves a gold star. Or an apple… #seewhatIdidthere

The touch screen is exactly like an iPod touch or iPhone, so smooth and easy. But is it just the basics of an iPod. Strictly music, with the bells and whistles that now come with an mp3 player – radio, pedometer, clock…

The albums, songs, artists etc are now icons on the screen and during play, pause, repeat and shuffle are just merely a touch away. Sliding to the right takes you back, very handy.

There are only three buttons. The main button, which turns the pod on and off and the up and down volume buttons.

Another handy trick is when placing two fingers in opposite corners you can rotate the screen to whichever way you want/need to look at it.

You probably do need to see it to understand how awesome it is, but I would recommend it if you are in the market for a new mp3 player. Once again, apple has redesigned the mp3 market. Or, at least in my opinion they have.

Having just praised apple on their mp3 players, I will do it again with their phones.

My last phone was a Panasonic VS2. I had that puppy for four and a half years. It served me well.

Then it died.

It didn’t take much for me to decide on what phone I would get. I hadn’t liked any other phone that had come onto the market since I bought my trusty old Panasonic, but playing with Dad’s iPhone, I could see the benefits in having one for work purposes (I am now a journalist with an iPhone. Keeping that stereotype alive then, aren’t I?)

I was just going to get a 3GS, but then, when I finally had saved up enough money, the iPhone 4 was released. So I decided to just go for broke and get one. Despite some of the bad press it has had.

I have had no problems with it. It is just fantastic and a much needed upgrade from my previous phone. I honestly don’t know what I would do now if I did not have it.

Yes, it is now an extension of myself, I barely go anywhere without it. There have been jokes about me getting too attached to it. I know where to draw the line though, I hope.

I guess you could say I am now officially an “Apple fan girl”. Except I will not wait in a ridiculous line to get my hands on their newest product. I’d rather be patient and give it a couple weeks. It would just be a waste of my time otherwise. I got livin’ to do!

And if someone were to throw an iPhone 4 off a bridge. I would not jump off as well to save it. I might be an apple fan now, doesn’t mean I’m stupid.

Yeah, Nah, Yeah, Nah, Yeah, Na Na Na

/ Lisa

My Chemical Romance have released their first single from their new album Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys “Na Na Na”.

It is different to what MCR fans will be used to. It is very ‘poppy’ but you can also hear elements of classic rock.

This comes from their second attempt at writing their fourth studio album. It would be awesome to hear what their first attempt was like, but, naturally, they will only do what they are happy with.

The guitar riffs are very catchy, it does get stuck in your head. This song could end up being a big hit. Even though it is a departure from what they have built their sound to be. You can still hear the very distinct vocals of Gerard Way though.

Unfortunately, what many people won’t have heard, is that Bob has left the band. Which makes one question who they have replaced him with on the drums. This makes me a sad panda, because I really loved Bob. He’s dreamy.

Their new album is due for release on November 22. I would say this in the international date, which is not always when it is released in New Zealand. So we will see.

I’m actually excited. It will be interesting to hear what else they have come up with.

You can listen to “Na Na Na” here.

Eclipse soundtrack time… *smh*

/ Lisa

eclipse

It’s that time again. Yes – time for another Twilight film to come out. I like the books. I like the films. I like the soundtracks. I hate the tweens. I hate the hype. And I really hate how the tweens think these bands are brand spanking new. No they’re not. Most of them have had longer careers than you have been alive. And I hate how much they swoon over R-Patz. Yes he is dreamy (I’m team Edward, not Jacob, deal with it.) And yes, I swoon over him too. But the difference between me and the tweens is – I’M THE SAME AGE AS R-PATZ. You, however, are jail-bait.

Anyway, the listing of the soundtrack has been released this week and it comes with some rather interesting additions. We all knew Muse were going to be included – they were Meyer’s inspiration for the books. Personally I wouldn’t be surprised if they appear in Breaking Dawn at some point as a final hurrah! (Wedding band, anyone?) But check out the listing yourselves below.

1. Metric – “Eclipse (All Yours)”

2. Muse – “Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever)”

3.The Bravery – “Ours”

4. Florence and The Machine – “Heavy In Your Arms”

5. Sia – “My Love”

6. Fanfarlo – “Atlas”

7. The Black Keys – “Chop And Change”

8. The Dead Weather – “Rolling In On A Burning Tire”

9. Beck and Bat For Lashes – “Let’s Get Lost”

10. Vampire Weekend – “Jonathan Low”

11. UNKLE – “With You In My Head (featuring The Black Angels)”

12.Eastern Conference Champions – “A Million Miles An Hour”

13. Band Of Horses – “Life On Earth”

14. Cee-Lo Green – “What Part Of Forever”

15. Howard Shore – “Jacob’s Theme”

Imdb lists the NZ release date for Eclipse the movie as July 1. So prepare yourself for the hype, again. The soundtrack is released on May 31. Personally I am looking forward to both the soundtrack and movie. I will, however be waiting a few days while the hype dies down and I don’t get crushed my tweens in a race to the box office.

Another brick in the wall? Shut yo’ mouth.

/ Lisa

I know the video has been out for ages (this post has been sitting here unfinished for ages: go me!) but I just love it so much I thought I would do a little diddy praising it.

“Brick by boring brick” is something rather different, which I love when bands do something a bit out there. Plus it’s my favourite song from brand new eyes – it’s got some pretty decent beats. The theme of the video feels like Alice in Wonderland meets Willy Wonka meets something evil and disturbing (probably because the sky looks like it’s on fire).

I was a little shocked when I saw Haley had gone platinum blond, but it is totally awesome.

The lyrics “and we’ll dig a deep hole” fits in with the gravedigger. And I find it a little disturbing when the little girl falls into the grave and all Haley and the gravedigger do is throw in her doll followed by some dirt. Don’t know why but the words “Psycho Killer” just came to mind.

As you can see the unemployed thing is starting to create some major boredom, thus resulting in some below average blog posts. Weee!

This is war begins with a ride.

/ Lisa

30 Seconds to Mars are back (yay!) and after all the legal struggles they have been through have managed to produce another album, set for release on December 8 (here’s hoping that means NZ too.) The first single, Kings and Queens is set out like a movie and is once again the work of Bartholomew Cubbins.

I personally have been waiting a long time for this. I fall into the category of liking 30 Seconds to Mars for more than just Jared Leto. They actually produce some pretty amazing music as well as producing some fantastic videos for said music andKings and Queens is no exception (From Yesterday is one of the most expensive videos ever made clocking up a $13 mill price tag.) Although I have yet to hear it play the airwaves and it probably won’t get featured on C4 until the CD is released or some other such’n’such nonsense.

Anyway, the video for Kings and Queens has dropped and is directed by Bartholomew Cubbins – probably one of the worst kept secrets of the music industry he actually is Jared Leto, but can also be found as a character in a Dr Seuss book The 500 hats of Bartholomew Cubbins.

Titled “The Ride”, the video follows several hundred cyclists through the streets of LA, led by the band with most wearing comical attire. Breaking up the ride are scenes of the band playing atop, one would expect, a building. It has images of the California hills’ fires and a cyclist getting hit by a car, but then getting up and continuing his ride.

One question I have is, what is with the white horse galloping along the street? Seriously. FFS. And that dude on the really tall bike must have been scared shitless at some point and how in the world did he get up there?. I totally WANT ONE.

Also, how did they manage to shoot scenes of deserted LA street? Sure it was dark, so therefore less traffic, but come on this is LA there can’t just not be any traffic – even Auckland at 3am in the morning has traffic. I’ve just always wondered how they did it, because there must be a way.

And, thankfully, Leto has tidied himself up a bit, because his appearance in recent months has just been shocking. Shocking I tell you.

The video even clocks up an awesome 8:55 length, which you know is going to be cut once it makes it on to music channels. Do music videos really need to be this long? But this is what 30 Seconds to Mars do – From Yesterday (the full version) was 13 minutes long, I guess a million a minute. But it all adds to the listening/watching experience. Their ideas for videos are always well thought out and produced to perfection. Watchers and listeners are transfixed by the video, they don’t even realise how long one is.

I say kudos 30 Seconds to Mars. Kudos indeed.