23Feb2009

Life: The Review (First of Few?)

I decided to post my reviews here, just because.


iPod Touch - Thumbs Down
Wow, someone is actually standing up to Apple? That's right. I've had it up to here with this new fad, and I really want to say something about it. Now, I'm a fan of the original iPods, but this is just taking it too far.

Now, the iPod touch has a very unique thing going for it: it's basically a handheld laptop. The ability to download apps has allowed it to transcend it's original function, a music and video player. However, because it's software and small memory limit it, it is truly mediocre as a laptop.
The apps themselves are a lame excuse for software; they are basically gimmicks designed to make the iPod more appealing. There may be truly practical software out there, but I haven't seen it yet.

The music/video/pic function of the iPod is always improving. The interface used to scroll is fantastic, only needing a flick of the finger. However, it's much more annoying than the scroll wheel of the original because it plays music OFTEN while you are just trying to "flick-search." The video capabilities are also fantastic. The size of the screen allows for great viewing of video, much better than the old iPods or any other handheld device out there.
The m/v/p (heh) functions are what define the iPod and make it a good buy. HOWEVER, the fact that one can only buy a 32 gig touch infuriates me. To go from a 180 gig (the size of small computers) to 32 is a huge setback. Now, I'm sure this will be fixed in the future, but for now it's definitely a loss.

So, overall, iPod touch gets a THUMBS DOWN.

Note: Sorry if this is disconnected in thought. This is my first review, so I'll definitely strive to make them better.


Ska - Thumbs Up

Here's a genre! Haha. Ska, ska, ska. Oh, how I love your stylings of the 90's. The skank (dance), the offbeats, the instruments... Ah.......

Now for those of you who are ignorant of this style of music, ska is basically "band geek punk rock." At least, that's how Reel Big Fish Describe themselves in a commentary of their live DVD. However, it's more than that. If I had to describe it: I'd describe it like this: take a punk singer, give him a reggae-like band, add jazz ensemble instruments w/ rock licks, and you've got yourself a ska band!

I think there's one thing that sets ska apart from the rest of the musical community, though. THEY HAVE FUN! They can take a song about hate and anger and make it feel just as happy as one of their songs about unicorns and daisies. That's ska. Fun music that's played just for the sake of playing music.

Well, I can't really describe ska, you have to discover it for yourself. So, I give you a list of my favorite ska bands!
Reel Big Fish
Less than Jake (Warped '09! I'm so pumped!)
Oreskaband
Five Iron Frenzy (RIP)
The O.C. Supertones (RIP)

Now, some songs!
Sell Out (Reel Big Fish)
Yeah! Ska Dance! (Oreskaband)
The Impression That I Get (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones)

Oh, yeah. Ska music = THUMBS UP. (Way up.)

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