Review of “Let England Shake”
PJ Harvey's "Let England Shake," is both a love letter to her home and an intervention. War is the theme here, violence and death predominate in the lyrics and the music veers between glittering menace and hypnotic dirges. What else is new?
"Let England Shake" is probably a better introduction to the artist than nearly anything released in 10 years. While very different in tone and sound from her early period, these songs nevertheless return to some of Polly's favorite motifs: catchy, circular guitar work, theatrical vocals and multi-layered instrumentation. 'All & Everything' shines in particular, surging and sagging like the tides of Gallipoli, bearing the shattered bodies of England's patriotic dead.
Video Review: Filco Majestouch in Metallic Blue
For those of you too lazy to read all those words in the previous text review, here's a quick recap of the Filco Majestouch in Metallic Blueco Majestouch mechanical keyboard's features, pros, and cons presented in handy-dandy video format. I'll simply have to ask that you ignore what the auto white balance did to my skin in this video; it's quite horrific.
Keyboard Review: Filco Majestouch in Metallic Blue
Mechanical keyboards: the stuff of legends, history, and mystique. From the fondly remembered IBM Model M to the ludicrously overpriced "Porche-of-keyboards" Topre Realforce, these input devices have gone from everyday to rare and are now on an upswing back through novelty into niche. Expensive, complicated, and typically hard to find, mechanical keyboards can represent a culmination of design, workmanship, and ergonomics unheard of in standard "rubber dome" keyboards. . . or they can be convoluted, overpriced disasters.
My newest acquisition is, I believe, one of the former sort: a $155 Metallic Blue "Click Action" Full-size. Diatec's popular Filco Majestouch line has been around for some time now, but irreconcilable differences with EliteKeyboards of Diamond Bar, CA forced the Japanese-designed, Taiwanese-built mechanical boards out of US distribution for months after a rapid rise to popularity. Now back in force with a new distributor and new models on the horizon, the Filcos are poised to retake their position as a major mechanical keyboard for enthusiasts--if their time away from the market hasn't left them lagging behind the competiton.
Unsure of what a mechanical keyboard is? Curious about how Diatec's latest effort has turned out? Confused about the distribution of these devices? Read on to find out the answers to all your questions and more!
Album Review: The King is Dead by The Decemberists
When I first heard the single Down By the Water from The Decemberists new album The King is Dead I was immediately struck by the sounds of the harmonica and acoustic guitar. I realized this was another change of style for The Decemberists and to my surprise this time around they chose Americana. It is a drastic jump from their last album, Hazards of Love, which can be described best as prog rock. It even deviates from their earlier albums featuring sea shanties, ballads, and dark, eloquent tales of misery. Despite the change in style, there is never a question of who is making the music. The King is Dead is still distinctly a Decemberists album.
Review: Ghost Trick Phantom Detective
After being trapped at home by mountains of snow today I decided to take the opportunity to spend some quality time with my DS and the new game Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective. With Shu Takumi, the creator of the Ace Attorney series, as lead developer I dove in with high hopes for this title. There’s a small corner of my heart that will forever love the Phoenix Wright games and any of the related titles and Ghost Trick, while not a part of the series, is no exception to this. Throughout the game I found myself consumed from time-to-time with a bought of chortles while playing this delightful title.