Reviews

Punk’s Undead: Punk’s Undead Volume 1

Punk is not dead! For the many punk lovers out there, Punk's Undead Volume 1 might just be the album you've been looking for. This 28 track compilation features great tracks from various punk rockers in the Chicago area and neighboring cities. Released under Illinois indie netlabel, Sematary Records; the compilation is one big punk fest featuring songs that are energetic and quite raw in places. Described as the record label from the grave, Punk's Undead - Volume 1 is definitely an interesting compilation fit for any true blue punk rocker.

Perfect App Protector

Tired of people around fidgeting with your smartphone and content? Friends constantly spying on your texts or kids playing long hours on your smartphone. Well, your solution has arrived in the form of Perfect App Protector. This is one of those few apps that does exactly what it says. Developed by Morrison Smart Software, the same people who have developed other security solutions for the Android ecosystem. This is truly a genius in its genre.

Thefft: The Primer EP

The newest release from ambient electronic netlabel, Cut Records, is from Thefft. It seems the artist has been brewing underground for awhile and now he's ready to show off his skills with his EP, The Primer. Much of the hype is warranted though as the album skillfully intertwines beats, bass and synths to create a delightful fusion fit for some good old dancing in a bar or club. The man behind all the glorious beats is Jack Robertson aka. Thefft. Although he's not a full newcomer, he's definitely making the rounds this time and causing a stir. Born in London, he's currently based in New York, creating and producing sonic tracks that are worthy of a listen.

Goodbye Kumiko: My Wild Arms

What is there to say about Goodbye Kumiko? Well maybe the fact that there is nearly nothing I could find on the artists standing behind the album... So let the music speak for itself. My Wild Arms is a wonderful collection of ten tracks, each with it's own flavor. They come in all shapes and sizes and range from the Beatlelesque cuts to chamber-pop sounds with some dream like instrumental and piano additions. The album, recorded in Philadelphia with Bill Moriarty (Man Man, Dr. Dog, et al), is currently offered as a pay what you want/free download from the bands' Bandcamp website, so enjoy every bit of its wonderful chill out sounds.

The Revolution Will Be Animated

The Revolution Will Be Animated is a twenty-minute documentary created by Marie Lormant Sebag that presents multiple viewpoints on the concept of copyright laws and free culture. It focuses on Nina Paley, the creator of the animated film Sita Sings the Blues which is available for free download. The film captures well-selected footages of Paley while talking about the copyright problems that she had encountered while creating the said film. These experiences lead to her new advocacy of allowing free content dissemination to the public domain.

Nueva Noventa: Colors

A product of years of work and countless rehearsals; Colors by Nueva Noventa contains a lushness that only time could have filled and created. Nueva Noventa is a four piece indie rock crew from Santiago, Chile. Their sound focuses on indie pop rock but also introduces elements of electronica once in awhile. There's nothing much out there about the band or the members themselves. It seems they're among the few bands who like to let their sound do all the talking instead. Frankly, this works just fine as their music is capable of communicating and reaching out to its audience.

Skitch

If scribbling on pictures was your childhood obsession, then you have the chance to live it all-over again with Skitch. Yes, this app allows users to scribble on any past, current and every picture you can lay your hands on. It not only allows to scribble but also annotate, edit, and save right on the device. The buck does not stop there, users can also sketch something entirely new, makeup an existing photo, and save it to Evernote or share with various applications and sites.