Reviews

Modifythevan: Welcome to Modifythevan

Released about two years ago, Welcome to Modifythevan is still a great compilation folk pop lovers will enjoy. Judging from the great roster this creative commons netlabel supports, you're bound to enjoy something from this record. The label is owned by Robin Grey, who has been featured in our Frostclick blog for his other effort, I Love Leonard Cohen. Composed of several artists and their music; this special album takes 10 tracks from Ben Oliver, Blue Swerver, Johnny Berliner, Madelaine Hart and Richard Godwin, in addition to Grey. The album creates a beautiful mix of folk pop, melodic music you'll love to have running on your player.

PicsnCaps

Sometimes, it's the little things that can make your life so much more easier. PicsnCaps is a sweet little program that lets you easily add captions to your images. With society's obsession of capturing and keeping memories through photographs, you can be sure that this little software will become quite useful in adding those special anecdotes to your captured moments. The program was created by Dare Software, a small company down under and headed by an "amateur sketcher." PicsnCaps showcases tons of useful features that its users can take advantage of. Plus, it's offered absolutely free of charge.

The Legend of Action Man (Dingoman Productions)

For a $200 budget, independent movie outfit, Dingoman Productions has created a funny and very entertaining film. Now, the poster might not be much to look at but trust me, this one will be worth it. The Legend of Action Man is a 100 minute film about a guy who likes to dress up like a superhero. Everything would have been dandy if only he wasn't the one causing so much of the problem in the first place. Think Kick-Ass minus the Hollywood costumes, special effects and budget. Created by Derek Papa and Andy Young, the storyline was based on a short film that the duo created while they were still in highschool. With more time on their hands, they've turned their quirky idea into a hilarious, home made, short film that's worth checking out.

Re-Stoned: Vermel

My very first experience listening to the band might have included pressing play and patiently waiting for the lead singer to come out with his/her powerful vocals among the equally powerful electric guitar solos... patiently waiting, and waiting. But as the times goes by and you find yourself so into the flow of the music, listening to every riff and hit of drums - that initial need for vocals seem to fade. Well, Re-Stoned is not your average band - so the traditional set up fronted by a lead singer was instead replaced by the true craftsmanship of guitar, bass, and drums creating a fully instrumental experience. Vermel, Re-Stoned latest album, certainly brings us back to the golden style of the 70s classic rock, and with its world class hooks and true fuzzy rock the album definitely upholds the tradition of the decade well.

Joe Jack Wagner: Ghosts Revisited

Joe Jack Wagner is a well known electronic instrumentalist band that's known for their covers. Originally from Victoriaville, Quebec; the band has released several albums and EPs since they first came together back in 1997. Their sound breaks down all bounderies, mixing electronic industrial, french pop, progressive, folk, slacker punk and everything in between. Covering anything they fancy and crossing genres here and there, the band places their own stamp on the music allowing for a new sound to emerge. Ghosts Revisited is Joe Jack Wagner's take on the Nine Inch Nails sixth studio album, Ghosts I-IV. It's an amazing remix that keeps listeners intrigued throughout.

Chicktionary

Chicktionary is essentially TextTwist with chickens. For the uninitiated, TextTwist is a popular word game that was created by GameHouse and runs in Java. As mentioned, Chicktionary is similar to TextTwist in that you have to come up with words using a provided set of letters. The only difference with this one is that you get clucking chickens who "hatch" the letters to form the words. Created by Blockdot. Inc, the game used to be offered for $1.99 when it first came out but currently it's being offered for free on the App Store. If you're up for some fun and maybe testing your vocabulary, give the game a go.

Bobby Blunt: A Traveleres Notebook EP

Swedish music blog, Apple Juice Break, has been posting about music ever since 2008. More recently, however, AJB decided to venture just a bit outside of their comfort zone into the world of art & graphic design and ... even more music. Their recently created collective YES WAY!, has brought us a great new free EP, A Travelers Notebook, (made available on June 17th) by Virginia based vocalist & rapper Bobby Blunt and Australian born producer TA-KU. The EP is a hip-hop, neo-soul, rap influenced 5-track release with just a hint of electronic sounds and some stand-up vocals. Overall, a pretty sweet first collaboration project.

Heartless: The Story of a Tin Man

We all grew up with The Wizard of Oz. Some had the story read to them before going to sleep and some could not stay away from the television set while watching Dorothy and her magical red shoes. As much as we know about our little heroine, do we know just how the other characters in this timeless classic came to be? Whitestone Motion Pictures decided to do just that, and with their beautifully executed twenty minute film take us to the beginning on a journey through the life of Tin Woodsman.

Let Me Crazy: Contraflow

Formed back in 2007, Let Me Crazy, breaks into the music scene brandishing their brand of upbeat and catchy punk rock. Currently based at Huntington, NY, the guys originally formed and got together at The Big Easy. Contraflow is the second compilation from the group and it's filled with a series of thrashy, good-old kick-balls punk rock, performed by a bunch of guys who sing about New Orleans and the various situations that come up out of living in a hurricane zone. Describing their music genre as "shred-era power slurdge" might not be much of a help, but trust me, this is an awesome punk record worth your time.