I did two reviews this morning for Amazon.com (of Live At Long Beach 1976 by Deep Purple and Evangelion episodes 9-11 on DVD), which made me think back on others I've done for the website. Here are ones I still like today, 9/10/2023:
Redesigning Women, song, The Highwomen:
This is a good Country song. I admit, I only heard of Brandi Carlile before this project (it helps she's from Northwest Washington, like I am), but the harmonies are good, the sense of humor is nice and this sounds like a supergroup that will go far.
American Made, album, BPMD:
I thoroughly enjoy 70s rock and was highly anticipating this release. With the second single, "Evil" as arranged by Cactus, I knew this would be a special album for this year and beyond. As a Skynyrd fan, I really enjoy hearing a cover of "Saturday Night Special," and it isn't often to hear them paired with Aerosmith and Van Halen, so this was a great covers album. Highly recommended to fans of 70s rock and fans of heavy metal.
Zen, song, X Ambassadors, K.Flay and grandson
It's not easy living in lockdown/quarantine/social distancing, and this song accurately describes the feelings caused by this current living arrangement. It helps me know I'm not the only one getting more than a little case of Cabin Fever and is a good way to vent frustrations through music by singing along with some of the lines. We need songs like this because we don't know when this will end.
Children of the Grave, song, Ted Kirkpatrick
This is an intense album that I really love, and this and War Pigs are the standout tracks for me. I like hearing Tim "Ripper" Owens on this song and it's a really great metal cover of a great metal song.
Life Support, audiobook, Sarah McKnight, Yuri Lowenthal, Tara Platt (liked by these 3, too!) and others
I've only gotten to chapter 8 thus far, but I can safely say this is a rather important audiobook. It wrestles with real-world issues in High School through 5 well-crafted characters, the anxious Alex, the kind Rosie, the pushing-herself-too-hard Kendra, Tyler, who is wrestling with romance and being gay and Ricky, who is cynical because of his harsh father. Rosie and Kendra both suffer with eating disorders, as well. Each cast member plays their role well, and I have to give a special nod to Yuri Lowenthal (Ben 10, Naruto, Persona 4, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) and Tara Platt (Naruto, Persona 3, RWBY, Fire Emblem; Three Houses/Fire Emblem Warriors; Three Hopes) as Alex and Rosie, especially how Tara gives the characters in Rosie's parts their own voice. The author herself also does well reading the meetings and brings a special life to the characters. It's very therapeutic to hear Yosuke and (a higher-pitched version of) Edelgard's voices deal with the trials of High School with anxiety and depression, because that's what I had to deal with in it. I hope young people like I once was can find comfort in hearing their favorite video game characters' voices deal with the issues they themselves have to face. Highly recommended.
Patient Number 9, album, Ozzy Osbourne
This has rocketed to be one of my favorite metal albums of all time, tied with Ozzy's live "Tribute" album featuring the late Randy Rhoads as my personal favorite metal album. The performances by Jeff Beck, Mike McCready, Duff McKagan, Zakk Wylde, the late Taylor Hawkins, Tony Iommi and Robert Trujillo propel this album beyond what is normal expected of the genre, creating a once in a lifetime experience that heavy metal fans of Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne should not miss. Sadly, this is likely to be Ozzy's last album. An album like this doesn't get made often and the laid-back "Darkside Blues" to close the album sounds like a soft farewell and closing the book on Ozzy's recording career. If so, this is probably the greatest last recorded album by an artist since The Beatles' Abbey Road. Personal favorite tracks are "Patient Number 9," "Immortal," "Parasite" and "Degradation Rules."
Byleth plush toy
If you like Three Houses, I cannot recommend enough getting this and plushies of your favorite characters to hang around your home. I, personally, have her with plushies of Edelgard and Annette and frequently put the three beside me while working, playing video games, relaxing or sleeping to reminisce on the fun times at tea parties, lunches and choir practices with the three characters, imagining them encouraging me through life. Byleth, here, feels like the core, without which, the world of Three Houses falls to despair and being war-weary. Her kindness to her students, whoever you choose them to be, makes the difference.
Godzilla Ultima vinyl figure
This is a nice vinyl figure of Godzilla's "Godzilla Ultima" design from Godzilla; Singular Point. If you want this design in a figure of comparable size to the NECA figures, I would suggest this as a budget option. It could be more detailed on the mouth and spines, but the point comes across and if you're on a budget, like me, this is probably the best option. This seller offers a red bag to carry the figure in on trips as a nice bonus that seems free of charge.
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