To the rhythm of the war drums
There are often times that I want to play something straight forward and without overly complicated mechanics, it’s at this point I usually fire up AudioSurf. Despite being over 4 years old the game still feels unique and high quality, plus it’s an awesome way to expand the enjoyment of your music in a unique way.
There are 3 levels of play and within each of those levels are 14 of game types, each is unique and has it’s own benefits and pitfalls. Despite playing the same style of track then difference between the game types is one of the reasons the game remains exciting and enjoyable.
As well as playing DRM-free music on your machine you can play songs from AudioSurf radio or you can opt to play a track from the Orange Box soundtrack which covers the music from the Value games Half-Life 2: Episode One, Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal and Team Fortress 2.
A sequel called AudioSurf Air was announce earlier this year, the visuals look good but may indicate the game is moving to an even more Wipeout style track. I hope that the core game elements remain the same otherwise I’ll just have to keep booting up the older version forever more.
If you haven’t played it you can find in on Steam for £5.99 at the moment, but it does normally make an appearing in the Steam sales.
Going Rogue Soundtrack
I was rather happy to see and announcement that there is a soundtrack purchasable for the upcoming City Of Heroes expansion Going Rogue. The music has been composed by Jason Graves who I feel as capture the features of the existing game music, enhance and twisted it to reflect the new world that is fast approaching.
The track list is as follows:
- Welcome To Nova Praetoria
- Just Another Day In Utopia
- Run Resistance, Run
- Chasing The Dream
- Beyond The Horizon
- Shadow Of Doubt
- Building A Better Tomorrow
- Very Dark Places
- The Dark Side Of A Perfect World
- The Tempest
- Stepping Into The Void
- Ghost In The Machine
- The Hamidon Wars
As you can see the titles have some reflection of the new content and how it is going to feel, Well sound (music-wise), to us players.
If you are fan or just interested I’d head over to Amazon and sample the previews. And don’t worry the second song isn’t a Phil Collins cover.
Birthday albums reviews
Seeing as it was my birthday today I thought I'd write up a quick review of both albums I recieved.
Dresden Dolls : No Virgina
This is the 3 studio album offering from the Bostons Amanda and Brian, although not it's not a completely new abum. It comprises of recording left over from the recording of Yes, Virgina, additional it contains b-sides and songs released on complalations.
All that said it's a damn fine offering including a few new tracks from the Punk Cabaret duo. Also on the album is a cover of Psychedelic Furs – Pretty in pink which is very different and also very good.
This album isn't really one to pick for anyone that wants to start listening to the band but for fans it's well worth getting.
Track listing:
1 Dear Jenny
2 Night Reconnaissance
3 The Mouse and the Model
4 Ultima Esperanza
5 The Gardener
6 Lonesome Organist Rapes Page Turner
7 Sorry Bunch
8 Pretty in Pink
9 The Kill
10 The Sheep Song
11 Boston
Cavalera Conspiracy : Inflikted
I hadn't heard that this album was out so it was quite a suprise when dok starting playing in his car asking me to guess the band. So he grabbed me a copy as my birthday present.
This debut album by the Cavalera brothers Max and Igor and was interestingly produced by Logan Mader. It was indicated as being similar to Sepultura's earlier work but with heavier undertones.
I've just spent the last couple of hours with it playing in the background and I have to admit it's bloody good. The whole album feels very new and raw but at the same time very familiar. This albums captures all that good about the brothers earlier work and takes up a lot of notches.
If you liked early Sepultura then seek out this album.
Track listing:
1 Inflikted
2 Sanctuary
3 Terrorize
4 Black Ark
5 Ultra-Violent
6 Hex
7 The Doom Of All Fires
8 Bloodbrawl
9 Nevertrust
10 Hearts Of Darkness
11 Must Kill
Annoyingly I just spotted that the band is going to be at Download and doing one show in London ont he 17th of this month. Too short notice sadly as I've like to have caught them live.
