In my opinion, Stars is the best band in modern existence. They have good (an untampered with) voices, deep and emotional lyrics, and just an overall good sound. The best way to test how good a band really is (at singing) is to go on to Youtube and look up a live performance. Or better yet, several live performances. Even better than that, live performances in small studios or NOT in front of huge crowds. Torquil, the lead male singer and Amy, the lead female singer, thoroughly aced that test.
Amy's best song.
Torquil's best song.
This Canadian band is listed as indie, and though they are not very widely known, they have been nominated for album awards and have opened for Coldplay, though they have become more reknowned since then. Here is a little different style of song from Stars:
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Alien Invasion!: Part 2
Earlier this year I did a post on the Sci-Fi 80's mini-series V: The Final Battle and I said that I would let y'all know when I finally got around to watching the updated version on ABC. Well, my friends, that time is now. The newer series is just as good as I expected it to be (Juliet from Lost is the main character!) The whole plot is different, primarily because it is a TV series rather than three short films. The characters are different too, though the basic idea is the same. Instead of Diana, Anna is the evil reptilian Queen. Erin Evans is the equivalent of Juliet. The rest of the cast includes Erin's son, Tyler; rogue V Ryan; his PREGNANT human girlfriend Val (remember the whole hybrid baby thing from the 80's series?); Jack the priest; Kyle Hobbes, gunman for hire; Lisa, Anna's daughter (assigned to seduce Tyler); and a plethora of other characters that either don't matter, or that I don't care about. Here's a picture of the new cast:
Tyler Evans, Lisa, Chad Decker, Erin Evans, Jack Landry, Anna, Ryan Nichols, Valerie
Even though I am quite fond of the cheesy acting and horrible special effects from the 80's version, I like this newer take on V better. There is a more confusing plot, complex characters, and a constant sense of confusion (as in people that matter will actually die). Almost every episode ends with a cliff hanger (Lost anyone?), which is unfortunate because I just finished the first season and the second season is still on TV/I never know when it is on. Preview!:
The special effects could still use some work, but they are a huge step up from the earlier version.
I'm looking forward to the second season as Diana from the original V will be an added star (playing the part of Anna's mother) I'm hoping that you will try out this new series too!
Even though I am quite fond of the cheesy acting and horrible special effects from the 80's version, I like this newer take on V better. There is a more confusing plot, complex characters, and a constant sense of confusion (as in people that matter will actually die). Almost every episode ends with a cliff hanger (Lost anyone?), which is unfortunate because I just finished the first season and the second season is still on TV/I never know when it is on. Preview!:
The special effects could still use some work, but they are a huge step up from the earlier version.
I'm looking forward to the second season as Diana from the original V will be an added star (playing the part of Anna's mother) I'm hoping that you will try out this new series too!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Alien Invasion!: Part 1
Lately, and oddly enough, I have had an urge to watch Sci-Fi TV shows about aliens, the two shows in question being Roswell and V: The Final Battle. Since attempting to talk about both at the same time would be both difficult and confusing, at least for me, I will focus on Roswell first. Roswell is a 90's TV show targeted at a teenaged audience. (like me!) Here is the overview of the show:
The thing that I love most about this show is not the theme, however that does play a big role, but the music. The music that is chosen to accompany each scene fits the mood PERFECTLY, not to mention that it is actually good music. The only problem I have is that a lot of times it cuts off suddenly and randomly, but usually it isn't that big of a problem.
I lied. My favorite part of show is the opening. I can honestly say that the opening of this show is my favorite out of any show ever. See for yourself:
(it's not usually this fast)
The best part about this is that there is an actual title sequence. Some shows (like Lost) just flash the title without introducing the characters and they're general personalities. A good opening is one that you never get tired of.
As far as the episodes of Roswell go, they are addicting. Multiple plots are being built up within each episode, Max and Liz's relationship, a clue about their home planet, Sheriff Valenti finding evidence of Max and his friends being aliens, and so much more. True, sometimes the plot can be a little bit ridiculous or even superficial, but overall the plot seems to move along at a nice pace and without too many flaws.
The setting also adds a lot to the show. It takes place in the dry desert terrain of Roswell, New Mexico (hence the name) and includes the alien themed Crashdown Cafe, Roswell High, The Sheriff's station, each character's house, and several other interesting places, one being the actual pod chamber in which the aliens were "born."
The characters in this show... well, they could use some improvement. Most of them are pretty one-sided, with the exception of Michael and Tess. Max could use a sense of humor and a huge serving of moral failings. No one is a saint. Not even an alien king. Liz is pretty likeable, but she could use some more personality as well. Other than that, I think the characters are adequate.
I hope that my review of this show has caused you to consider watching this show. If not, then I really wish I could force you. Roswell definitely ranks up there as one of my favorite TV series and it will hopefully be the same for you.
Living among the citizens of the infamous New Mexico city of Roswell are some who are not there by choice. They are there to follow a destiny given to them by the members of their dying race, a race that they are someday destined to save. This is the background behind the WB series "Roswell". Max Evans, Isabel Evans and Michael Guerin are teenage humans with extraordinary gifts - gifts that are "not-of-this-earth". They are human/alien hybrids, sent here to complete their destiny. Their counterparts have already perished in a war of attrition, thus one day, they will return to their home planet and save their race. Before a fateful day in 1999, the teens hid their gifts. The event that forever changed their lives was when Max healed Liz Parker (a classmate) after she was fatally shot in the stomach in a dispute between two customers at the restaurant where she waitresses. A close relationship then develops between Max and Liz. Central to the first season were the relationships between the hybrids and their human companions. That focus has shifted during the drama's second season. "Roswell" is now distinctly a science-fiction show built on the relationships between humans and aliens. (IMDb)As you can see, this show is distinctly teenaged. The great thing about it is that it is also distinctly 90's. There is no recurring theme of sex and drugs (MTV) or the life of an undercover pop star (Disney Channel). The theme is trivial adolescent problems, with a twist. Despite the fact that yes, three of the main characters are aliens and they're biggest problem is being discovered and used as lab rats by the government, they are just like you and me. They have relationship problems, family problems, school problems, and so forth. The blandness is what makes the show awesome, not the extravagance.
The thing that I love most about this show is not the theme, however that does play a big role, but the music. The music that is chosen to accompany each scene fits the mood PERFECTLY, not to mention that it is actually good music. The only problem I have is that a lot of times it cuts off suddenly and randomly, but usually it isn't that big of a problem.
I lied. My favorite part of show is the opening. I can honestly say that the opening of this show is my favorite out of any show ever. See for yourself:
(it's not usually this fast)
The best part about this is that there is an actual title sequence. Some shows (like Lost) just flash the title without introducing the characters and they're general personalities. A good opening is one that you never get tired of.
As far as the episodes of Roswell go, they are addicting. Multiple plots are being built up within each episode, Max and Liz's relationship, a clue about their home planet, Sheriff Valenti finding evidence of Max and his friends being aliens, and so much more. True, sometimes the plot can be a little bit ridiculous or even superficial, but overall the plot seems to move along at a nice pace and without too many flaws.
The setting also adds a lot to the show. It takes place in the dry desert terrain of Roswell, New Mexico (hence the name) and includes the alien themed Crashdown Cafe, Roswell High, The Sheriff's station, each character's house, and several other interesting places, one being the actual pod chamber in which the aliens were "born."
The characters in this show... well, they could use some improvement. Most of them are pretty one-sided, with the exception of Michael and Tess. Max could use a sense of humor and a huge serving of moral failings. No one is a saint. Not even an alien king. Liz is pretty likeable, but she could use some more personality as well. Other than that, I think the characters are adequate.
I hope that my review of this show has caused you to consider watching this show. If not, then I really wish I could force you. Roswell definitely ranks up there as one of my favorite TV series and it will hopefully be the same for you.
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