American psych-pop freaks Of Montreal payed tribute to their Canadian neighbours in their own special, idiosyncratic way.

The show kicked off with a skit featuring a superhero in maple leaf-covered spandex rescuing a U.S. counterpart from a marauding bad guy. Later, our Canadian protagonist returned to magically convert some angry homophobes into left-wing peaceniks. You got the distinct impression that the band had been following recent Canadian political events, and wanted to show where their allegiances lie.

With all the wacky theatrics and surreal allegories though, it's easy to forget that Of Montreal write great music too. In recent years they've been suffering from "Flaming Lips Syndrome;" when a band's reputation becomes dominated by the extravagance of their circus-like showmanship. That's all very well, but on this tour — in support of current E.P. "Thecontrollersphere" — Of Montreal seem to have discovered how to produce a hard-rocking live band performances to underpin all the pretense

With a set drawing from the classic "Hissing Fauna Are You The Destroyer?" album as much as last years "False Priest," the band were consistently funky and tight. The moments when they reached a sonic intensity to match singer Kevin Barnes' dark lyrics were particularly impressive. It was great to hear the them unafraid to disrupt the fun, party vibes with a scary noise coda on new track "Slave Translator."

Plenty of whimsical diversions kept the crowd entertained. Barnes left the stage and band member Davey Pierce sang an 80s-inspired party jam called "Get Strict," backed up by support band Painted Palms. A serendipitous moment occurred when Of Montreal took a brief break from the stage while a crooner appeared to sing "My Funny Valentine," only for a stage-invading audience member to grab the mic and deliver the song herself with considerable aplomb.

I've found that, like a powerful narcotic, Of Montreal's music can induce a first-time high that is difficult to replicate. And a great run of songs in the final stretch of the set got pretty close to that elusive feeling. "A Sentence of Sorts in Kongsvinger" was spectacularly exuberant and by the time Barnes sang "mood shift, shift back to good again" on "Heimdalsgate like a Prometean Curse" the dopamine in our brains was flowing freely.

Closing song "She's a Rejector" saw Of Montreal fully succumb to the threat of chaos. A wrestling match broke out and the band crowd-surfed off stage, with the music descending into noise until only a lone fiddler was left. As we began to recognize the anthemic strains of "O Canada" coming from his violin, it was obvious that Of Montreal's love for the country that gave them their name was fully reciprocated.

Photos by Kaela Greenstien

Aside from being one of (if not) the best music festivals in the country, Coachella also has a history of showcasing fantastic art projects across the field. This year, they've teamed with the Creators Project to bring some of that artwork into the performances and turning the stages and tents themselves into installations. Last night's headliners did so in a big way — with Animal Collective playing a more melodic than bombastic neurological assault below three giant cubes displaying a series of visualizations called "Jumbletron" by Black Dice and later, Arcade Fire closing out the evening with a bunch of videos and a climactic finale of thousands of glowing LED balls spilling from a giant container hoisted well above the stage created by Chris Milk (who directed their immersive interactive "Wilderness Downtown" video). The lighted orbs bounced through the crowd and were controlled through infrared sensors, resulting in a breathtaking synchronized show during set-closer "Wake Up" and into the encore of "Ready to Start", "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)", and "Sprawl II".

It was a fantastic culmination of the second day of the festival; I'm heading in early to catch Portland's Menomena, scheduled unfortunately early-in-the-day. For now, some photos of those bands, plus the Radio Dept., Two Door Cinema Club, Cage the Elephant, Broken Social Scene, Mumford & Sons, Bright Eyes, and One Day as a Lion after the jump.

Parking: with a horrible sense of direction, lacking comprehension of the Indio street grid, and the various parking lot layouts I somehow spend so much time circling the venue that I wind up leaving my car seemingly miles from the venue and arrive so late that I miss ultra-favorites Foals and the Tallest Man On Earth, which was maybe the least effective way of deciding which of the cross-scheduled acts to watch.

the Radio Dept. : I think that their recordings are lush sonic masterpieces, but their performance is exactly as reserved as you'd expect from a bunch of shy sonic detail-obsessed Swedes.

Two Door Cinema Club felt like the breakout act of the day (or the "I'm out of touch with 'what the kids are listening to' act of the morning) with the tent barely able to contain the dancing kids spilling out from the bouncy, driving, upbeat Irish pop.

Dancing Robots @ the Creators Project

Cage the Elephant: brought wiry garage rock in a modest red dress, with frontman Mathew Shultz diving in and out of the crowd (and encouraging them to lick each other's faces for hydration) throughout the blistering afternoon set.

Broken Social Scene: are always reliable for the afternoon. It's kind of interesting how they're now just basically a bunch of cool dads who like to jam on their guitars.

Bright Eyes: Talking to friends, I think that you're either susceptible to Connor Oberst's quavery compositions or you aren't. I definitely am in the former camp and appreciated how well he and the band have committed to the festival set, bringing a ton of old (Fevers and Mirrors, even!) "hits" into the mix of material off of this year's occasionally splendid the People's Key.

One Day as a Lion: It turns out that Zack de la Rocha still has some rage regarding the machine.

Mumford and Sons: hearty banjo and stand-up bass accented foot-stompers leave me pondering whether British people can really be Americana and realize that if you take it back far enough it's all the same kind of folksy. Reflecting more on my hunger than their performance, this was the time in the day that I learn that even people in the VIP section are willing to wait in massive lines to dine from taco trucks. FWIW, Koji's was way more swamped than their competition.

Animal Collective played a more melodic set than the bombastic neurocircuitry remodeling light shows that I remember from their last tour, bookending some new material with "Can You See the Words" and "Summertime Clothes".

Arcade Fire: continue to make maximalist emotionalist rock anthems and seem bigger and better and more effective with every performance. It was amazing to see them playing their fourth Coachella with a triumphant, participatory, and uplifting headlining set from opening to aforementioned LED ball drop to Regine's ribbon-dancing finale. It's all fantastic enough enough that it offsets my eternal walk back to the parking lot and the inexplicable gridlock that follows it. On the way out, the crowds were dotted with people lucky enough to claim one of the inflatable orbs. Apparently they'll continue to flicker and interact with the even after they're dispersed across the world.

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APRIL 12-14, TOWER FARM, BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Papadosio

Jam At The Grove Music Festival is coming back to the stage for the fifth time after a six year sabbatical. The event will take place from August 12-14 2011 at Tower Farm in Bucks County Pennsylvania. Tickets are available now.

Produced by Jason Flager and Marc Gallo of Tower Farm, the two hope to bring back an annual tradition for new audiences as well as steadfast fans. "Jam at the Grove was created to introduce new bands to music fans," said Flager, VP of Jam at the Grove. "This is an opportunity for artists, local bands, and national acts to collaborate and celebrate exceptional music and art with awesome fans."

For the first time, there will be a Kid Zone. Entertainment, arts, and crafts will be available in a safe environment for children with complete supervision. Tickets are available here. Prices: $50 Early Bird/$60 Advance/$70 at the Gate.

Lineup
Conspirator
Psychedelphia
Sophistafunk
Roots of Creation
Papadosio
Wyllys
Kung Fu
The Indobox
Jimkata
Kuf Knotz
Jones Street Station
Sonic Spank
Grimace Federation
Somata
The Dirk Quinn Band
Xylos
Flux Capacitor
Pongo's Groove
FiKus
SpiTune
Wynrise
Trouble City All-Stars
Wineskin
MIXXTAPE

DJ's
ADUB
Honkeytron
Speakerbot

Hi everyone, Steve Vai put out a 5-disc project a couple of years ago entitled Naked Tracks. The project includes most of the original backing tracks from his albums (several tracks are appropriately edited or extended mixes and some of the five discs have two albums on them) with nearly all of Vai's guitar parts removed which means the listener hears only the drums, bass, keyboards, rhythm guitars, voices, sound effects, etc. Vai's purpose behind this was to allow guitar players to hear the foundation for his guitar parts and rather than simply learn and perform Vai's parts (always a challenge!) to instead use the backing track to perhaps develop a completely different melody or simply jam over it. Similar homemade backing track CD's have been produced and are available on eBay for cheap, but this is one of the first commercially available projects approved and produced by the artist themselves using the original backing tracks rather than using MIDI or a cover band :thumbsdn: Personally, I think this was a great idea and as a guitarist myself, I certainly wish I could have access to projects like these from more artists. Naturally, this is an investment for the artist/label and therefore the artist expects an ROI so while it may not be realistic to expect every band or artist to release something like Naked Tracks, I think it would be very, very cool to be able to purchase and experience everything going on musically around the center of attention. FWIW, here is an article & video of Vai's Naked Tracks contest winner: _http://www.codarts.nl/01_home_en/02_cons/02_POP/content/actueel/2010/10/RPA-101026-RorydeKievit_eng.php _ *Q & A: Would you, musician or not, pay to hear a rock, jazz, blues album without the sonic distraction of the leader(s)? If so, which albums come to mind?*

Can't see the video? Click here

Greetings Destructoid cadets, and welcome to our 75th birthday! Well, kind of. It's our 75th episode. That counts, right? So we should get cake, right?

Anyway, apologies are in order for the tardiness of this episode. A vortex at the Revision3 studios managed to delay the episode's release, but things are back in order now and the vortex has been contained and confined to the bathroom. 

First up on the agenda, retro Sonic is making a comeback! This makes me happier than a clam in some jam. Or some other analogy that makes sense. After that, Max declares that Mortal Kombat is more fun than Street Fighter (to which I respond, "I do not care"), and I've got the word on the upcoming Mass Effect anime. Also, there's a rumor going around, something about Ken Levine having sex with puppets.

Arguably the least important news of the day is that Max is now holding a contest to see who can come up with the best way to destroy his old Blackberry phone. Best answer gets a copy of NASCAR The Game: 2011. Now can you really put a price on that?

Psst: Consider this your friendly reminder to 'Like' our Facebook page and follow @dtoidshow on Twitter!

guitarz.blogspot.com:
Most travel guitar are instruments built to a compromise. They are compact and lightweight, and usually this means they are fine for practice or something to bash around on while travelling, but you wouldn't really want to play a gig with one.

Not so the Strobel Rambler, which is a professional quality electric guitar that just so happens to be able to be able to be packed away in a standard-sized briefcase. We first looked at Strobel Guitars back in 2008 when their sole offering, the Rambler Custom, would have been out of the price range of many people wanting a travel guitar. They now also offer the Rambler Classic which takes the same concept but makes it available for $599.

Tommy Castro with his Rambler

Strobel Guitars
Rambler™ Travel Electric Guitar

Want to jam when you get there? Practice in the hotel? Jump on stage and play? Take along a Strobel Rambler™ Travel Electric Guitar - a full scale professional instrument that breaks down to fit in a briefcase or computer bag in minutes. This is a great sounding, great playing instrument perfected for the traveling musician. The Rambler™ offers unsurpassed quality, playability and resonance.

The Rambler™ travel guitar features locking tuners located on the bottom of the guitar with the strings loaded from the top of the neck through the patented StringKeeper™. Dual humbucking pickups are switchable from neck to bridge (or both) to provide a fat full sound and excellent tone. Separate tone and volume controls provide a wide range of equalization. Intonation and string action is set with a fully adjustable Tuneomatic bridge. The adjustable nut (a unique feature of the Rambler™ portable travel guitar), allows adjustment of the string action at the top of the neck.

Weighing in at less than five pounds (and with an assembled length of about 30”), the Rambler™ is a very portable guitar. The Rambler™ Classic comes with a nicely padded embroidered gig bag, fitting nicely in the overhead bin when traveling by air. The neck is 17-1/2” and the body measures just over 15” when disassembled, so they fit in most all computer bags. Scale length is a standard 24-1/2” Gibson scale with 20-21 frets. The nut is 1-5/8” wide and the neck profile is a thin “C” shape.

Travelers typically take the Rambler™ Professional Electric Travel Guitar apart and place the separated neck and body in their carry on luggage. To take the guitar apart, simply loosen the single thumbwheel on the top of the neck and remove the StringKeeper™. Wrap the strings around the body through the StringCatcher™, tucking the StringKeeper™ between the middle tuners. Then take off the neck by loosening the four body thumbwheels. Simply reverse the process to assemble the guitar.

While playing and sounding like a full size electric guitar, the Rambler™ portable guitar has a sonic advantage due to the absence of a headstock. The string energy (normally wasted as the vibrations pass over the nut) is channeled back into the neck, providing superior resonance and sustain. Neck relief is adjustable with the dual action truss rod, allowing more or less relief as desired. The Rambler™ Classic has a solid Maple body, in either Tobacco or Cherry Sunburst. To order a Rambler™, please log on to www.StrobelGuitars.com.

Strobel Guitars also offers the Rambler™ Custom Travel Guitar, with choice of tone woods, neck shape, fretboard, inlay initials and a full line of custom colors. Some of the many custom options include gold hardware, quilted AAA maple tops, coil tapping, on board pre-amp, custom inlay, Piezo bridge, etc. You can also check out the new Rambler Custom Bass Travel Guitar at www.StrobelGuitars.com.

The Rambler™ Classic Travel Electric Guitar
Spec Sheet

• Fits in a computer case for travel
• Easily breaks down without tools
• Removable interchangeable neck
• Full 24 ½” scale length
• 12” fretboard radius
• 20 medium jumbo frets
• Overall length 30”
• Weight between 4 to 5 lbs.
• Double action truss rod
• Adjustable Nut
• Removable StringKeeper™ for fast assembly
• StringCatcher™ to protect finish
• Patented innovative design
• Dual humbucking pick ups
• Volume and tone controls
• Locking tuners
• Tunomatic bridge
• Solid Canadian Maple body
• Tobacco or Cherry Sunburst finish
• Maple neck with Rosewood fretboard
• Mother of Pearl dot inlays
• Expert, proprietary luthier fabrication

Thanks to Russ Strobel for this info.

G L Wilson

Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!

17 years into their career, Lightning Bolt remain one of the planet's most explosive noise-rock combos and a megaton blast in live contexts. Drummer Brian Chippendale harnesses the power of natural disasters on his kit; he's the molten mountain to Hella's Zach Hill. I did a long-ass interview with Chippendale, which took me about 37 hours to transcribe. I tried to keep it fairly whimsical, geeky, and interesting. Please read it. Thank you.

Lightning Bolt play with Flexions and the Planets Sat April 9 at Healthy Times Fun Club, 9 pm, all ages.

Where are you?
Chippendale: Buffalo. This is day two of the tour.

Let’s talk about how Lightning Bolt relax. What do you do to chill after a hard day creating a ruckus in the studio or after a live performance? Your music is so strenuous and combustible: how do you wind down on tour or while you’re recording an album?
Relaxing is something I’ve never learned how to do. Drumming tires me out so much that I can sort of chill out after we play. But at the same time, we’re both somewhat relaxed people. I read a lot. What does the other guy [LB basist Brian Gibson] do? I don’t know… [laughs] You know, we can relax some. But we’re kind of workaholics, so it’s a fine line.

You’re in multiple bands [Mindflayer, Black Pus] and do comic-book drawings.
Yeah. This week I didn’t relax at all. I feel like shit, because I’ve been trying to finish so many things before running out the door.

So you don’t have any special techniques of relaxation?
Hot shower? There are no special meditation techniques. Although I started taking yoga one day a week, a beginner’s class with my girlfriend. That calms me down.

Does it help your drumming?
I don’t know if it helps my drumming. It probably does, because it’s an extra stretching routine every week. So it probably does help my drumming. I have to stay limber somehow, as I age.

Do you guys need to maintain a fitness program to be able to play the music you do? Your drumming is very athletic.
[laughs] I just practice. I do try to maintain a certain level of fitness for my own well-being. But I don’t do anything outrageous. I drum four to six days a week; I do some stretches every night after we play; I bike around town. I do a good amount of physical stuff, but I also spend a lot of time sitting at a desk drawing, which doesn’t do a thing for me. On tour, we’re always carrying these giant boxes around, speakers and stuff. So we’re kind of turning into real super humans.

What are your favorite ambient-music albums?
This goes back to the relaxing question. I get into these habits where I listen to the same things over and over again. There’s a side project from two of the guys in Hair Police… this awesome tape we listened to in the car to chill out to. It was sort of evil. What the fuck was that called? I think the band’s called Sick Hour. Ambient stuff…it’s like an old Jim O’Rourke project, Organum—sort of Terry Riley-style drone. Tubular Bells is always good.

Do you listen to Eno’s ambient work?
I don’t listen to much Eno. It’s a path I haven’t taken yet, but I want to.

It’ll be there when you’re ready. When you’re on tour, do you and Brian have any conflicts with regard to the music you play in the van?
Our big conflict is neither of us even bother to put any on. We have a conflict with the music we don’t play.

What do you do when you’re driving to the next town?
We stare out the window. At the beginning of a tour, we can’t even get our heads together to put on music. but this new van has a CD player. Our shows are so loud and in order to hear the music in the van, you have to crank it up. So we tend toward quiet in the van. Our ears have been through so much. Maybe we’ll slip in some comedy eventually.

Do you think your music is capable of instigating social change?
[laughs] I might have thought that at some point, but maybe I thought it was capable of dimensional change, unlocking secret [inaudible]—which could lead to social change. These days, society seems to be on this serious path. It’s a hard train to steer. I’ll settle for our music kind of being a ticket into something primal to remind you of that. It’s like stretching every day. We’re reminding people that they’re human. Meanwhile, we’re doing interviews on iPhones…

Do your fans ever relate their feelings to you after a show?
I get a lot of ‘Your band made me want to start playing drums’ or ‘Your band made me want to quit playing drums.’ I’m sure Brian Gibson gets some bass comments. But I have talked to kids who’ve said we helped them through a dark time or we opened them up to shaking off the genre traps. So within music and maybe through lifestyle, we’ve helped some people along the way. I’m happy to settle for just having a good time with the music.

Does it appear to you that your crowds are predominantly male?
[laughs] Ooohhh, yeah.

What do you think are the reasons for that?
I think there’s the aggressive quality, which lends itself toward men. I also think we’ve dug our own grave with this play on the floor thing. It even ups the level of physical strength… I know plenty of girls who could beat the shit out of me, but it’s still kind of a male thing, fighting your way to the front to gather around the band.
We’ve been switching that up; we’ve been playing on stages some. We’re trying to appeal the feminine side of our audience—trying to bring em back. Where we play depends on the shape of the room and how big of a show it’s gonna be.

Has your method to set up on the floor of venues ever gone horribly wrong?
Nothing horrible. There’s been some blood, but no major gashes. I’ve gotten hit in the head with a flying amplifier, but I’ve never gotten clocked with a speaker. We’ve been really lucky.

People respect your space?
Not really. People invade our space and break our shit. Our stuff gets fucked up but there have been no major physical issues. Glasses get broken, but that happens at all different shows. But we’ve been lucky. Some of these shows have gotten too big and ridiculous, and that’s why we move to the stage. It’s just not fun or safe. Not even half of the people in the room would even know we’re playing. Just a big pud ball. What’ll happen is, we’ll play onstage and some kid will break his neck stage-diving. Rock and roll brings the risk.

Was the initial impulse to set up on the floor to be unconventional and to draw more energy from the crowd?
It was that and we like designing the room… when there’s not that many people there, it’s a way more memorable show. It elevates the experience for some. But as the shows get bigger, it decreases the experience for others. They can’t tell what’s going on. If it’s a small show on the floor, it could be one of the best shows you’re ever going to go to in your life. Kids who complain when we play on the stage, I tell them sorry you missed it.[laughs]

Are Lightning Bolt mellowing with age?
A little bit. I don’t know about musically, but in general as people. We get along better than we ever have. We’ve always gotten along pretty good. I’m 37 now.

Lightning Bolt started in 1994. Has it been smooth sailing the whole time with Brian Gibson? Do you ever fight?
We’ve had some issues. We’ve had some problems here and there. I get a little aggressive and he sort of steps out sometimes. Our balance gets out of whack. I’m getting way too charged up and he’s getting way too charged down. And that lingers. But it’s been pretty smooth sailing. We took a year and a half off between the last album [Earthly Delights] and the one before it [Hypermagic Mountain], just because we burned out on stuff. Lately, though, it’s been fun.

What have you been dong since Earthly Delights came out in 2009? Have you recorded any new material?
Yeah, we have. We’ve been recording the last couple of weeks and we’re going to record when we get back from tour, the first couple of weeks in May. So we should have an album done—at least the music recorded—by the end of May. We’re playing a lot of new stuff on this tour.
We do other stuff, too. That takes up a lot of time. We’re working on Mighty Robots. Gibson does computer-game stuff. It’s a long process. I’ve been doing some comic-book stuff and other music stuff.

What’s the music you’ve been working on lately going to be a continuation of Earthly Delights or are you going in another direction?
Yeah, like the big, classical orchestra, horn section… [laughs] Oh, god. Can’t do it. Yeah, it’s somewhat a continuation. We’re not taking any giant leaps. We have certain parameters that keep us rooted to a certain kind of thing. There are definitely more vocals going on with the new material. I’ve been doing a lot of solo drumming and singing in the last couple of years. That’s influencing Lightning Bolt to some extent. The stuff we’ve recorded so far is a little more upbeat than Earthly Delights. That was a pretty dark album. We’re bringing the fun back… sort of. We’ve got this song that kind of sounds like Motörhead—really driving rock.

When is the new album going to come out?
If we’re lucky, by the end of the year. If we’re a little slower, it’ll come out the beginning of next year. It feels pretty lively. Each album has a slightly different take on a subject.

How do you know when a track is finished?
It’s a little tough. You make a series of decisions about it and when it finally sounds pretty good and you feel like the decisions after that are trivial, then you sort of quit on it. We’re listening to the new album, so we’re talking about the quality of the recording, but we’re also talking about songs. There’s music that you make and then there’s music that you listen to. There are plenty of people who make music that they want to listen to, but sometimes Brian and I make music that we make. When we finish an album, we made these decisions and put together these songs, and brought them to their logical conclusion, using these parameters that we set up. But we didn’t make that Organum album by Jim O’Rourke, which I might end up listening to more.
I’ve been listening to a lot of stuff off the Sublime Frequencies label. Real raw, repetitive drum and bass songs with simple melodies that repeat and loop… We’re not really a math-rock band but sometimes we kind of out-math ourselves a little bit just because our brains go that way. We get into writing things that have parts. It is a weird thing: why parts? Why begin a song or end a song? I dunno… weird stuff.

Seems like there’s a lot of chaos in the music.
There kind of is.

And spontaneity.
It gets pretty planned out. It’s pretty orchestrated. But at the same time, me as a drummer, I keep a rhythm then play around it a bit, so the drums have an element of spontaneity. I never memorize a fill or that sort of thing. I just sort of go with what’s going on. Gibson’s pretty on target with what he plays. He gets it down. And I get it down for the most part, too, but I’m a little more Fruit Loopy or something. [laughs]

Do your and Brian’s parents listen to Lightning Bolt?
Oh, no. although my dad listens to a few Megadeth albums. He’s a high-school teacher and I was playing him this one Megadeth album for him and he got psyched about the old historical samples. They took me to John Denver concerts when I was a little kid, so that’s where they’re coming from. But my parents have a hard time with Lightning Bolt. It’s too aggressive and too loud. My dad’s sat through a little more of it than my mom. She definitely can’t take it.

Have you ever had sex to your own music? If so, how was it?
While playing?

Haha. No. On playback.
Oh. I don’t usually put that on if I’m trying to seduce a lady. Keep Lightning Bolt off the player. It’s funny—most of the people I’ve gone out with seriously don’t really like us. I don’t know what that means. My girlfriend now is probably one of our harshest critics. But it’s good, because she keeps me down to earth.

If the military wanted to use a Lightning Bolt track for an ad campaign, would you allow it?
[immediately] No.

Has your music ever been used in an ad or a film?
It’s been in some films. There was one of our songs in some Mandy Moore movie that Deerhoof did the soundtrack for or something. I forget what it was called. I wanna say Domestication. It was one word. I think we’re going to be in some South American movie, something like The Band of the Machete. Nothing too mainstream. [laughs] We were in a European movie called The Drummer. We were in the opening credits. It was a crazy scene. It ends in a rape scene and it takes part over this whole song. It was weird because the bulk of it is comedic. It’s all played backwards. Have you ever seen Irreversible? It wasn’t that guy. But it has that true brutality feel to it. It was kind of funny for a while and then it went to this rape scene. It’s his thing, but we let him use the music.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve witnessed in Lightning Bolt’s 17 years as a band? It could involve the music industry or your band or your fans.
It’s been a pretty smooth ride. There have been some stupid tour stories. Just the fact that we’ve lasted this long and people seem to know who we are. I’ve met some bands I’ve really been into and they know who we are. First meeting Sonic Youth was mind-blowing. Meeting Jesus Lizard was pretty amazing. Being in this band led me to meet Björk, which was pretty awesome. That was kind of through ATP festival. A friend of hers is part of that and she was looking for live drummers and he played her a clip of us playing there. So I ended up playing on a couple of songs of hers through that.

Didn’t you play on Boadrum 77?
Yeah. I remember seeing the Boredoms in the early ’90s and thinking this is the most far-out thing I could ever see. And the idea that years later I would be sitting around with those guys. One of the first times I met Eye, he rode his bike home to go get me the Boredoms’ new record and rode back with it. Little things like that. I thought, ‘Eye is riding his bike home to get me a record.’ [laughs] Me? Why? That’s insane.

Lighting Bolt’s longevity is surprising because the music is very uncompromising.
We’ve really just followed our own muse for how we do things. We’ve never thought, ‘Let’s make a hit.’ We just jam. It all comes from jamming. Some of our jams this time around have been more poppy. We’ll see what that does. Sometimes the jams that are poppy fall off at the last minute and don’t work out.

Has Load Records ever told you do anything a certain way?
No. Those guys don’t tell us anything.

They just love you and put out your stuff, obviously.
Yeah, I guess so. They’re just super nice. They’ve given up all hope of actually making money from all this stuff.

Wait, Load doesn’t make money?
They make some. They definitely make money off our records, but most of the Load catalog just breaks even. It’s not like we’re putting out records that often. But Load’s doing well right now. They’ve really brought down the number of releases per year. [Load boss Ben McOsker] was trying to put out as much as he could for a while and I think it evaporated all the cash really quickly. Now he can’t do that.

Will you be doing Lightning Bolt’s greatest hits for this tour or a lot of new material?
Probably a lot of new stuff, plus a couple of greatest hits. We always try to throw a couple old songs in there. I tend to go toward more old stuff while Gibson likes to do more of the new stuff, so we try to find a balance between the two.

What’s your favorite song to play?
‘Mega Ghost’ off Hypermagic Mountain is always super fun. It’s got a beat that’s really different. This new song we have called ‘Horsepower’ which is our Motörhead-y song. It’s really fun to play.

How about “Rotator”?
We’ve pulled ‘Rotator’ out on tours recently. That song works better in certain rooms. If the room’s getting a lot of saturated high end, then it sounds good, because the bass line has a lot of these walking high notes. Our shows are weird. Sometimes we’ll play shows where there’s a lot of low end and some of the notes get lost and that song kind of fizzles. And there are the old classics. We’ve played ‘Dracula Mountain’ [off Wonderful Rainbow] a million times, but it’s still fun to play.

Do you still wear the mask when you play?
Yep. I think I’m on like mask number 7 or 8 now.

How do you know when to get rid of them?
They just become so torn up they disintegrate. They’re just T-shirts that I sew together. I’ll go get little kids’ T-shirts with, like, funny flowers and stuff on em.

Do you wear the masks so you don’t become too famous?
Yeah, right. The mask is so I permanently look like I should be in Slipknot. The general purpose of the mask is it holds the microphone. It still does put me in some kind of zone. It also hides the ridiculous drum faces—especially the ridiculous drummer-singing faces. Sometimes I wonder about it. It’s fun to breathe, too. And I don’t want people to look at us like we’re a clown band or a zany band. I dunno, but I keep wearing it.

Who’s your favorite singing drummer... besides yourself?
I dunno— ‘In the Air Tonight’ is pretty good. Phil Collins. I was a huge Hüsker Dü fans, so Grant Hart was a big deal to me when I was growing up. He might be my favorite.

What do you think about when you’re playing live?
Last night I was thinking, ‘I’m fucking dying.’ The first night of a tour is so hard. I was thinking, ‘Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out.’ but I try to get past that. I try to not think about stuff. Occasionally stuff leaks in there and either throws me off or hypes me up. Sometimes I generate images, some emotional thing. My lyrics aren’t necessarily the same all the time; sometimes I’ll stumble upon lyrics that have some emotional impact on me and get sucked up in it. But I try to keep thinking to a minimum.

Do Lightning Bolt get a lot of groupies.
It’s a guy-heavy show, so I’d say most of our groupies are guys; they just want to talk. The other Brian tends to find girls to talk to, but I usually end up talking to young guys who are just sort of pysched. If I was single, I probably wouldn’t like this at all, but it’s kind of a good safety device for being in a relationship, being on tour—it’s better to just talk to the guys. [laughs] But sometimes you get into a good conversation, but I’m also happy to talk to girls. They tend not to fight their way to the front and afterward, though.

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Rapper A-1 does this BADASS Power Rangers rap cover that I haven't been able to stop listening to. He has some other awesome nerd related raps including Pokemon and All That on his channel. Check it. Via The Awesomer.

We have forums, a new NBA JAM was announced, win some Gunnar Optiks eyewear, we reviewed the Stacking DLC, Sega looks to be announcing another Sonic game, Akira Yamaoka's guitar sells for a ton and more happened on 4/5/11.

Destructoid Originals:
Live Show: Supremacy MMA today at 4PM PST
New Destructoid Show: Penisfingers, Ninjas, & WonderCon?!
Forums, we have them: April 2011
Live Show: Mash Tactics with Supremacy MMA and 505 Games
Live Show: Backlog still lost in the Forsaken Kingdom

Community:
No Clip: Red Dead Redemption

Contests:
Contest: Win Gunnar Optiks Digital Performance Eyewear!

Reviews:
Review: Bio Force Ape
Review: Stacking: The Lost Hobo King DLC

Previews:
Preview: Battle Slots

News:
Sony Android tablets might hit this summer
The Sun: 3DS is getting returned to stores in droves
Black Ops DLC 'Escalation Pack' details and date leaked
Anonymous is getting personal, goes after Sony employees
Hi-Rez reveals more Tribes Ascend concept art
SEGA registers Sonic Generations
Pitchford finds publishers too focused on multiplayer
Battlefield 1943 and Bad Company 2 DLC on sale this week
Killzone 3 patch out tomorrow, adds custom games
Jeffrey Katzenberg joins Zynga's board of directors
EA scraps Dead Space 2 Wii, Simpsons games
Gears universe will live on after Gears of War 3
The Rock talks about DOOM, wants a Black Ops movie
Free App of the Day: Zombie Crisis 3D: Prologue
Interview stamps out Mother 4 dreams... again
PopCap's new small games label, 4th & Battery
Sonic's 20th anniversary celebration begins Thursday
NBA Jam: On Fire Edition this Fall, new NBA in 2012
Dragon Age II breaks 1 million, provides free copy of ME2
Sorry, you didn't win: Akira Yamaoka Silent Hill Guitar
Good games in Amazon's buy two get one deal
Tokyo Game Show 2011 is on track, will host charity event
Layton's first game goes platinum in Japan
Real: Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker clothing line for men
Japan disaster may delay the NGP
Shrug and sigh: Rock Band 3 is $19.99 now
Realms of the Haunting and Guilty Gear XX #Reload on GOG
Amazon deal: Credit on Xbox 360 or Kinect purchase
PlayStation's GT Academy down to the final 16

Media:
Portal 2's Turret sales video makes me wish it was real
Being a Smooth Criminal with Kinect in MJ: Experience ad
Ferry on my wayward son
Gameloft rips off Split/Second for its Fast Five tie-in
Brink is ready and able in this new trailer
Red Faction: Battlegrounds now on PSN, on XBLA tomorrow

EA Sports today announced a new NBA Jam that is wisely going to be a downloadable game with support for online roster updates, a very welcome feature that might be useless next season as an NFL-like lockout is very possible. Hidden alongside that news was a brief note that the next game in EA's line of simulation basketball products will be next available during fall 2012. This will be the second year in a row without a successor to what was once called NBA Live (and is now, at least until it's changed again, titled NBA Elite), something that is certainly costing EA tremendous amounts of money. But it should be applauded for giving the game's developers time to get it right; before being canceled, NBA Elite 11 was going to be a major overhaul for the series, which had been lagging behind NBA 2K for years. It may or may not result in a superior game in 2012 than 2K's product. Whatever the result, I might very well buy it just to support EA's decision not to push out what it knows is a lackluster product.

Today's highlights:

• Leaked details on the next Call of Duty: Black Ops map pack.
• Publishers are wrong to shoehorn multiplayer into games.
• A movie based on GTA or any Rockstar game would be developed in-house or with top talent.
• GameStop has contemplated releasing its own gaming tablet.
• Sony's PlayStation-certified tablet will be out this summer.
• Tron's Legacy: Where Film and Game Collide
• Does the original Tron hold up?
• 1UP Gameathon for Japan kicks off this Thursday.
• Play 1UP's interactive Silent Hill parody game.

And here's what else happened today:

Sega Kicking Off Sonic 20th Anniversary Celebration This Week

<p>Denver-based band Mythica takes listeners on a sonic rollercoaster ride by fusing Celtic and <span id="lw_1296971490_1" class="yshortcuts" style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer;">World music</span> with rock, funk, jam, folk, electronic, and Newgrass to produce a musical <span id="lw_1296971490_2" class="yshortcuts" style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer;">melting pot</span> tied together with powerful vocals, addictive melodies, and provocative lyrics.  Dubbed "Celtic fusionists," the members of Mythica are in their element while fusing Celtic with genres like Breton, funk, and chicha (South American surf rock).  Mythica tours nationally, and since 2005 they have shared the stage with the <span id="lw_1296971490_3" class="yshortcuts" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted #366388; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer;">Spin Doctors</span>, <span id="lw_1296971490_4" class="yshortcuts" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted #366388; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer;">Sister Hazel</span>, <span id="lw_1296971490_5" class="yshortcuts" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted #366388; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer;">Black 47</span>, the Makem Brothers, Celtic Crossroads, Tom Chapin, Young Dubliners, <span id="lw_1296971490_6" class="yshortcuts" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted #366388; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer;">Three Dog Night</span>, and many others, and they have appeared at some of the largest Celtic and World festivals in the country. www.MythicaMusic.com</p>

It’s been four years, but French bangers Justice have finally dropped a new single, following their lauded debut Cross. Seattle’s 107.7 The End has a stream of the track, called “Civilization,” here. Holy Ghost! has another sneak peek at their upcoming with “Wait & See,” a new-wavin’ synth pop jam that calls to mind aRead more...

<p><img title="www.mythicamusic.com" src="http://www.mythicamusic.com/images/Mythica2009_credit-Nicole_Ferrara.jpg" alt="Mythica in concert, www.mythicamusic.com" width="281" height="186" /></p><p>Denver-based band Mythica takes listeners on a sonic rollercoaster ride by fusing Celtic and <span id="lw_1296971490_1" class="yshortcuts" style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer;">World music</span> with rock, funk, jam, folk, electronic, and Newgrass to produce a musical <span id="lw_1296971490_2" class="yshortcuts" style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer;">melting pot</span> tied together with powerful vocals, addictive melodies, and provocative lyrics.  Dubbed "Celtic fusionists," the members of Mythica are in their element while fusing Celtic with genres like Breton, funk, and chicha (South American surf rock).  Mythica tours nationally, and since 2005 they have shared the stage with the <span id="lw_1296971490_3" class="yshortcuts" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted #366388; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer;">Spin Doctors</span>, <span id="lw_1296971490_4" class="yshortcuts" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted #366388; cursor: pointer;">Sister Hazel</span>, <span id="lw_1296971490_5" class="yshortcuts" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted #366388; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer;">Black 47</span>, the Makem Brothers, Celtic Crossroads, Tom Chapin, Young Dubliners, <span id="lw_1296971490_6" class="yshortcuts" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted #366388; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer;">Three Dog Night</span>, and many others, and they have appeared at some of the largest Celtic and World festivals in the country.</p>

The holidays may be behind us but that doesn't mean holiday sales are. Best Buy, Kmart and Amazon are having post-holiday sales on their collection of video games spanning from the PS3 to the the Nintendo DS. If there are games you may have passed on during the year now is the time to pick them up. Keep reading for a list of the games on sale.

 

Best Buy has an online ad showing off all their deals. Page 1 and 2 are all video games whose prices have been slashed. Turn the pages to see them all.

 

Amazon.com is selling select video games for up to 60% off. Some of the games include Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The sale lasts until the end of the year or until games are sold out.

Kmart may not have an e-magazine full of ads but they do have plenty of great deals, ripe for the picking.

• Epic Mickey (Wii) $39.99
• Ravin Rabbids Travel in Time (Wii) $39.99 (reg. $49.99)
• Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii) $39.99 (reg. $49.99)
• Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii) $39.99
• Michael Jackson: The Experience (Wii) $29.99 (reg. $49.99)
• Goldeneye (Wii) $29.99 (reg. $49.99)
• Call of Duty Black Ops (Wii) $29.99 (reg. $49.99)
• Pacman: 30th Anniversary Edition (Wii) $19.99
• Biggest Loser Challenge (Wii) $19.99
• Red Dead Undead (360/PS3) $19.99
• Call of Duty Black Ops (360/PS3) $49.99 (reg. $59.99)
• Sly Cooper Collection (PS3) $19.99
• Apache Air Assault (360/PS3) $29.99 (reg. $49.99)
• Splatterhouse (360/PS3) $39.99
• NBA Jam (360/PS3) $29.99
• Grand Theft Auto IV Complete (360/PS3) $19.99
• Save $10 on the following Kinect games:
• Your Shape Fitness Evolved
• Sonic Free Riders
• MotionSports $39.99 (reg. $49.99)
• Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout $39.99 (reg. $49.99)
• Fighters Uncaged $39.99 (reg. $49.99)

 

Kmart, Best Buy and Amazon's sales start today and end on Saturday, January 1st. Which deals do you plan on taking advantage of? 

Section: Gaming News, Consoles, PS3, Wii, Xbox-360, Gear, Displays, Gear-Other, Ads & Media, Print, Advertisements, Genres, 2D, 3D, Action, Adventure, FPS, Shooter, Sports

Remember all those really nice gaming coupons Kmart was offering the last couple weeks? Well, it looks like the store is taking a break. The December 26, 2010 through January 1, 2011 ad is now out and there isn’t a gaming coupon in sight. There are, however, 18 sale games, one sale accessory and three reduced HDTVs.

First, let’s go through the games. A number of them are pretty darn good and desirable, and the after Christmas prices on them are quite reasonable. Let’s go through them.

• Apache Air Assault (PS3, Xbox 360) - $29.99
• The Biggest Loser Challenge (Wii) - $19.99
• Call of Duty: Black Ops (PS3, Wii, Xbox 360) - $29.99 for Wii, $49.99 for PS3 and Xbox 360
• Disney Epic Mickey (Wii) - $39.99
• Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii) - $39.99
• GoldenEye 007 (Wii) - $29.99
• Grand Theft Auto & Episodes from Liberty City The Complete Edition (PS3, Xbox 360) - $19.99
• Kirby’s Epic Yarn (Wii) - $39.99
• Michael Jackson: The Experience (Wii) - $29.99
• NBA Jam (Wii) - $29.99
• Pac-Man Party (Wii) - $19.99
• Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time (Wii) - $39.99
• Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare expansion (PS3, Xbox 360) - $19.99
• The Sly Collection (PS3) - $19.99
• Sonic Free Riders (Xbox 360) - $39.99
• Splatterhouse (PS3, Xbox 360) - $39.99
• Your Shape: Fitness Evolved (Xbox 360) - $39.99
• There’s only one accessory on sale this week. It’s a PS3 Bluetooth headset. Normally it’s $49.99, but it’s temporarily knocked down to $39.99. In case you need a new HDTV for your console, Kmart also happens to have three on sale. Here’s what you can pick up this week:
  • - $429.99
  • RCA 22” LCD HDTV with built in DVD player - $249.99
  • Samsung 32” LCD HDTV - $349.99

  Site [Kmart]

  Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

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Delphic, Marina and the Diamonds and Tinie Tempah are among the contenders for this year's debut album prize

Last year's winners were the xx, but which of these 10 will take home the 2010 Guardian first album award, the coveted statuette, which will be chosen some time after Christmas from the extensive range at the trophy shop round the corner? The shortlist was voted for by the Guardian's music writers, and despite strong support, the likes of the Count & Sinden, Fenech-Soler and LoneLady were unfortunate to narrowly miss the final 10. This year, Guardian writers Alexis Petridis, Laura Barton, Rosie Swash and Will Dean will be joined on the final judging panel by the great Edwyn Collins – a man chosen for supporting young artists in his guise as a producer – and (commitments permitting), a representative of the xx. The winner will be announced on 28 January.

Delphic

Acolyte

What the Guardian said: "When indie bands meddle in dance music, the result tends to either be lumpily awkward or involve their identity being submerged beneath a remix, but there's something impressively organic about [Acolyte] … The bleeps and beats never feel bolted-on: someone involved in Acolyte's production has a perfect understanding of the build-and-release dynamics of the dancefloor." Alexis Petridis

Everything Everything

Man Alive

What the Observer said: "Everything Everything scorn the obvious. Why play four-four when your rhythm section could try to emulate the sound of a marching band skating on quicksand? Singer Jonathan Higgs is the north-easterner trying to cram as many syllables into a line as a rapper, while sounding like a choirboy eating a dictionary." Kitty Empire

Gold Panda

Lucky Shiner

What the Guardian said: "Gold Panda's signature trick … is messing with samples; leaving them to skip and jam like a stuck CD, then knowing exactly when to stop before the feeling of slight wrongness becomes actual annoyance. A lot of these samples are of Indian and Chinese instruments – shopworn stand-ins for 'the exotic' that he makes sound genuinely strange by half-breaking them." Tom Ewing

Ikonika

Contact, Love, Want, Have

What the Guardian said: "Sara Abdel-Hamid, aka Ikonika, is aware she has an unusual background for an electronic music producer. She was raised in west London under the roar of the jets coming in and out of Heathrow … a sound that finds its echo in the walls of synths that drench her debut album. She works with a deliberately limited sonic palette, but the variety of uses to which she puts it is remarkable." Alex Macpherson

Male Bonding

Nothing Hurts

What the Guardian said: "John Peel used to talk approvingly of records that sounded as if they had made themselves – referring to music so unbridled that the guitars seemed to have wrested control of themselves back from their human owners. The debut album from … Male Bonding is one such record. Like the Canadian duo Japandroids, they are looking back to the early 90s for inspiration, to the overdriven-yet-blurry guitar sound J Mascis brought to bear with Dinosaur Jr." Michael Hann

Marina and the Diamonds

The Family Jewels

What the Guardian said: "The Family Jewels [is] … crammed with eccentric pop-rock anthems that appear inaccessible, but prove on repeated listening to be irresistibly infectious … Her voice is tremulous and quirkily operatic, rich with vibrato as she inhabits a succession of self-penned songs pitched at, or near, the end of an emotional tether." Ian Gittins

Mount Kimbie

Crooks and Lovers

What the Observer said: "One of post-dubstep's bright lights is Mount Kimbie … Their debut album pushes the sound into lonely, fragmented places, but locates pockets of warmth. The haunted piano-wire of Before I Move Off is nicely offset by a strolling guitar riff and playful vocals. It may feel slight at times, but Crooks & Lovers leaves you wanting more." Killian Fox

Rumer

Seasons of My Soul

What the Guardian said: "There's something pleasing about the way it eschews all the standard baggage that comes with middle-of-the-road, Radio 2-playlisted artists … [It] has the pleasing sense of an album made to the artist's vision rather than the focus-grouped demands of the marketplace: almost uniquely in its chosen milieu, Seasons of My Soul sounds like a hit album without sounding like all the other hit albums." Alexis Petridis

Stornoway

Beachcomber's Windowsill

What the Guardian said: "Beachcomber's Windowsill offers evidence that anyone put off Stornoway would be missing out. Zorbing rewards anyone who can get past the opening line by showing off the band's remarkable melodic facility: it rises and rises to an authentically life-affirming crescendo of brass and massed harmonies. Fuel Up is even better, a painfully acute, beautifully observed series of vignettes that start with a bored nine-year-old boy in the back of a car and end with him 18 years on, trying and failing to reconnect with a schoolfriend on a visit to his hometown." Alexis Petridis

Tinie Tempah

Disc-Overy

What the Guardian said: "For most of Disc-Overy, Tinie Tempah pulls off the not-inconsiderable feat of being funny while still suggesting you take him seriously. Despite its flaws, the good bits of the album … sound like the work of a major talent, who might get better when he realises that he doesn't need to follow trends, that he's at his best when he's being himself." Alexis Petridis

By: Dennis Cook

New Album

"Tell me have you heard the story going down the line?

Say the name Railroad Earth and instantly images of steam engines, high crested mountains and open plains spring to mind. There's a rooted romance to this band, a sonic cousin to Terrence Mallick's Days of Heaven, the lingering Wild West imagination, and traveling spirits up to their eyeballs in living, dreaming aloud and game to hit the road with just a carefully packed bindle and a pal or two. It's both a personal and widescreen vision that's finally finding fruition on album with the self-titled Railroad Earth (released October 12 on One Haven). Produced by Angelo Montrone (Matisyahu), the album pares back the group's sound and sharpens their focus, marking a new chapter in RRE's nearly decade long history.

"When the band first started we were intentionally focused on being more of a bluegrass band. The first shows we booked were like the Telluride and Grey Fox Bluegrass festivals, and we were a string band with a bluegrass approach and a drummer," explains singer-songwriter-guitarist Todd Sheaffer. "We've grown beyond that narrow category, and you can't really describe it that way anymore. There are elements of bluegrass, rock, pop, country and traditional music. It's a lot of stuff, and we've definitely gone past our original starting point. It's something much more than that now."

"This album is a demarcation point. This is Railroad Earth at this moment," says violinist-singer-guitarist Tim Carbone. "This record sounds different than any of our other records. For me, as the fiddle player, there's one actual solo on the album. But there are three times as many guitar solos, which is a departure. When I produce records I try to emphasize the songs, and I think that's what was going on here. The producer wanted to keep the arrangements sparse and focus more on the vocal arrangements. That creates some difficult choices live because the vocal arrangements aren't something we can completely, 100-percent duplicate live. So, we've had to make intelligent decisions about what vocals we do live."

Tim Carbone by Ian Rawn

The arrangements on Railroad Earth have a lot more air in them than previous studio releases, and while it doesn't mirror the live RRE melange, it does allow individual instruments to shine while further utilizing the studio's pleasant differences.

"That was actually a conscious approach to make the arrangements less dense and focus on and support the melody more than passing solos around. [It's] a little more pop approach," says Sheaffer. "Other than The Good Life (2004), our albums are self-produced, and this is the first time since then that we've brought in a producer and turned it over to them to really shape and have significant input. Of course, we had discussions about what we wanted to do, and one thing we wanted was to do more with our vocal harmonies. We have a bunch of singers in the band and some really good ones, and it's a side that's been under-utilized in the past. There are a lot of vocal textures [on Railroad Earth] used in ways we haven't normally used them. We experimented and stretched our vocabulary."

"We got all six of us singing on some tracks like 'Long Walk Home.' It was pretty exciting," continues Sheaffer. "One of the things that gets overlooked about our group is Carey [Harmon's] singing. He does most of the harmony singing with me, and he gets singing parts above me, which can be pretty high, and he sings them with power. He has an incredible feel for singing harmony, where he's really feeling the mood and emotion of the songs not just playing the drum parts."

There's little doubt that Railroad Earth represents the band's best shot yet at penetrating the mainstream. "Long Walk Home" and "On The Banks" have strong single potential, and other than endlessly mining the jam scene that's already embraced RRE wholeheartedly, the mainstream represents the next logical step. The upside is that while they aren't likely to be bumping off Tom Petty or Paul Simon anytime soon, they do craft music with the same high level musicianship and stand a chance of snaring the general public that wants more than fluff from their radio rock.

Carey Harmon by Susan J. Weiand

"We're basically the sum total of all our influences, as most natural sounding bands are. Believe it or not, there's nothing overly contrived about us at all. We've never ever said, 'We need to write a song that sounds like this or that.' Yet somehow, we still manage to sound like ourselves, and I think that's one of our strengths," says Carbone. "We have a lot of options for sounds within the band. We have a number of multi-instrumentalists, so we have the luxury of artists with a full complement of colors available to them. I always advocate using ALL the colors, but I was sometimes a lone voice."

"There was a strong sense that we needed to stay on the acoustic side of things for a long time, but we got a producer this time out that said we needed to bring in some electricity. So, I immediately broke out the electric guitar on 'Black Elk Speaks' and he loved it," continues Carbone. "I played all the tremolo and feedback on that song, all the stuff that sounds like the world's about to be destroyed [laughs]. Live, I've figured out how to do that without destroying anything. In the studio, I blew up one of the producer's amplifiers. I was overfeeding it signal from this distortion box he had and felt the amp and it was red hot. He told me, 'Keep going! Don't worry about it!' At the end it was smoking out the back."

"We're holding fast to the [album] arrangements for the most part live. We've figured out the right ways to sing them with the layers of vocals in them. On the record, I'm like a little mini string orchestra, which I'm not able to reproduce live, but I'm playing parts that are sympathetic to the idea that there's more than one string part going on," says Carbone. "I'm a believer that a record is a separate kind of art form. We don't need to be overly worried about reproducing it live the way it is on record. We've always been really good at the live thing and we've made good records but not great ones. And I think [Railroad Earth] is our best one yet."

What Divides And Connects Us

Todd Sheaffer by Josh Miller

Beyond the shifts in style and approach, Railroad Earth is littered with big American ideas, stuffed with a drive and reach that has marked the best - and sometimes worst - parts of the American character, as exemplified by "The Jupiter & The 119" and "Black Elk Speaks."

"Those two songs, even though they're back to back, are sort of the thematic bookends of the record. The other songs touch on the ideas in these two in various ways. They're the ideological pillars of the album, the dark and the light of those big American ideas," says Sheaffer. "I wrote these songs around the time the Obama campaign was making its way around the country, really reviving a great American spirit as this momentous event is taking place and we're all a part of it. That kind of spirit is in ['The Jupiter & The 119], an optimism that we can overcome our differences and do great things. And 'Black Elk' is about a people who've been completely displaced and lost their home."

Within these two songs and the reverberations throughout the new album, Railroad Earth divines the conscience and ambition of the United States, the Westward Expansion spirit and the bloody trail it left behind. The bright lilt of "The Jupiter & The 119" is shaded by a clear-eyed engagement with death that ultimately lands the listener in "Potter's Field."

"'Day On The Sand' also comes to mind along those lines. It's a sad song but there's also redemption. That song is about clearing out the house of a loved one that had passed away, going down to box up their belongings and clear out the house and close it down. The last verse is the memorial service on the beach," explains Sheaffer, touching on the fact that Railroad Earth doesn't exactly make pop music despite a real facility with hooks and snappy choruses. Face it, Railroad Earth don't exactly churn out ditties. "That one definitely doesn't qualify as a ditty [laughs]. Somebody just dropped dead - sing along! But, I find those are the songs that really mean something to people, the songs that touch them and they crave and need, like the song 'Storms' from The Good Life. I can't tell you the number of people who've sent me letters and emails saying how much it meant to them, and other songs, too."

Railroad Earth by Dave Vann

One of the functions of music is to communicate these prime experiences in a form that transcends simple conversation. The melding of music, emotion and ideas truly is greater than the sum of its parts, particularly when the situations and feelings are as strong as death, birth and other signpost events in a life. Railroad Earth, under Sheaffer's stewardship as primary songwriter, excels at creating music that encapsulates and elevates these key moments that most of us experience. More simply, what they do is a good companion for the winding, rocky road, music for the long haul that lift heels and raises a weary head.

"When I first started out, a lot of my songs and shows were really funny. That's not always clear sometimes," chuckles Sheaffer. "We have a song called 'RV' that's in our shows these days, and it's kinda funny, light in spirit, but at the same time it's got a warmth and sweetness to it. It's about Phil and Stacy, who work for the band, and they started coming around and showing up at shows with their RV and cooking food for us and taking care of us. They had retired and this is what they wanted to do - cruise around the country with Railroad Earth. I have songs like that in addition to things like 'Black Elk."

Up Around The Bend

Andy Goessling by Susan J. Weiand

Like kindred predecessors the Grateful Dead and The Byrds, Railroad Earth taps into the Great American Songbook, which comprises the fine, enduring ideas drawn from every possible genre but derived from a distinctly American spirit that longs to blur lines and bring old ideas together into something new.

"If you don't have those limitations within yourself, then why not? It's the heart of this band really that we can do a LOT of different things," says Sheaffer. "We have some great players. For instance, Andy [Goessling] can not only do a lot of things but he can do them well. It just opens things up, even for me as a writer. I can bring any kind of material to the group and we can handle it."

And for anyone concerned about Railroad Earth putting a toe into the mainstream, there's still elements far outside the VH1 sanctioned corridors on RRE's latest. No one on that channel is offering up swinging, complex instrumentals like "Spring-Heeled Jack," for example.

Tim Carbone by Keith Berson

"That song was one take, completely live. There are no overdubs at all. It is as it was played," says Carbone. "Actually, a lot of the record is that way. Bass, drums, scratch vocal and scratch rhythm guitar were done first, and then we set up in the main room of this very small studio around three microphones facing each other and violin, guitar and mandolin were basically played live. Then, any of the string parts would be duplicated later, which was big. I would do two violin parts and a baritone violin part, and each part would be doubled or tripled. So, we're talking a minimum of nine tracks of violin and one time I think I did twelve [laughs]."

Much of Railroad Earth deals with life in sickness and in health, acknowledging the awful dips as well as the exhilarating highs.

"I don't think you can appreciate the highs if you haven't been through the lows," says Sheaffer. "I don't consciously try to write about anything. I write what's in my heart and on my mind at the time I'm writing a song, and I try to detail and capture it as honestly and purely as I can. Then, I find if I'm able to hone in on something that's true to me, I tend to find there's other people out there that relate to it and it means something to them. Ultimately, that's the goal and reward - to share this common bond of humanity with your family and friends through the idiom of music."

The sense one gets with Railroad Earth is their story is still unfolding. Rapidly approaching their tenth anniversary, it seems like much is still left to be written in their shared history.

"It's pretty wide-open," says Sheaffer. "It's just a matter of choosing which direction we'll go next."

Railroad Earth Tour Dates :: Railroad Earth News :: Railroad Earth Concert Reviews

JamBase | Rollin' Steady
Go See Live Music!

Filed under: Free MP3 Download of the Day

Artist: Dinowalrus
Hail From: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Song: 'Phone Home From the Edge'
Sounds Like: Sonic Youth, Deerhunter

In Their Words: "This song came out of a jam back in 2009, but we shaped into a psychedelic dance song. The main guitar riff is a bit like 'Soon' by My Bloody Valentine. The main chorus vocal on 'Phone Home' is a bit like the chorus vocal on 'Godstar' by Psychic TV. So yeah, maybe its about E.T. And, of course, the drumming is straight-up Madchester Stone Roses baggy style! We also have a cool background sampler loop though most of the song that's a blend of flutes, bells and vocals smashed through effects that we put into our sampler. Kinda Eno-ish. On that note, the noodly intro guitar stuff at the beginning kinda sounds like Frippertronics. Anyway, hopefully we whipped up a chill, psychedelic, space-age dance rock song for the masses to enjoy!" -- Guitarist Pete Feigenbaum

What were the best Nintendo games released over the last 12 months for either Nintendo DS or Wii? I asked notable Infendo staffers to name their picks. Here’s what they said.

Derek

1. Super Mario Galaxy 2 – A masterwork of creative, inspired game design.
2. Donkey Kong Country Returns – Retro Studios reinvigorates another icon.
3. Kirby’s Epic Yarn – A seamless marriage of clever art and gameplay.
4. Sin and Punishment 2 – Proof that the Wii can be hardcore, pigs can fly.
5. GoldenEye 007 – An excellent recreation of a multiplayer classic.
6. Metroid: Other M – An ambitious game that finally makes Samus Aran human.
7. Disney Epic Mickey – Stellar art, surreal concept put Mickey back on the map.
8. No More Heroes 2 – Suda’s latest is as irreverent, bold as ever.
9. Mega Man 10 – Even ten Mega Man games isn’t enough.
10. Trauma Team – Wii’s surgery simulator evolves, stays fun.

I don’t play much DS. Guilty as charged.

David

1. Professor Layton and the Unwound Future – continues the grand tradition of this series with tighter integration of puzzle and plot
2. Rock Band 3 – yes, the keyboard completely revitalized this genre
3. Dragon Quest IX – eases you into an amazing world and then blows your mind with so much to do
4. Super Mario Galaxy 2 – it’s a great expansion on the original with a lot less screwing around in between levels
5. Bit.Trip Runner – punishing in its intensity, rewarding in it’s graphics and music and fun
6. Puzzle Quest 2 – they made the puzzle RPG feel more like a true RPG
7. Wii Party – a huge improvement over the tired Mario Party series and fun to return for the minigames; I never knew hide & seek could be so much fun as an adult!
8. Kirby’s Epic Yarn – how can you not love Kirby, even as yarn?
9. Sin & Punishment Star Successor – lots of fun shooting critters in beautiful landscapes
10. Metroid: Other M – fun action, lame voiceover

Still haven’t played: Donkey Kong Country Returns, Epic Mickey, or the new Golden Sun

Jack — To lazy to submit his picks. Fart-knocker.

Richard

1. Super Mario Galaxy 2 – This perfect, awesome game introduced the world to lava hippos.
2. Rock Band 3 – It’s like a vast, fully-customizable musical theme park.
3. Professor Layton and the Unwound Future – This game’s final scenes are unforgettable.
4. Donkey Kong Country Returns – A stunning game that’s going to keep me challenged for weeks.
5. Kirby’s Epic Yarn – Jaw-dropping imagination at work, here.
6. Epic Mickey – Its incredible art direction, animation and concept compensate for oddly-paced gameplay.
7. Lego Harry Potter – Funny and charming from beginning to end.
8. Warioware D.I.Y. – This perfectly-tuned mini-game creator is a work of genius.
9. Wii Party – A lot more fun than it looked.
10. Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem – Tiny wind-up Marios hit DK in the face with rockets–What more could you ask for?

Blake

1. Donkey Kong Country Returns. Better than Super Mario Galaxy 2.
2. Super Mario Galaxy 2. Star Wars is to Super Mario Galaxy as Empire Strikes Back is to SMG2.
3. Call of Duty: Black Ops. Explosive gameplay, superior controls, inferior graphics.
4. GoldenEye 007. Split-screen bliss, sneaky campaign.
5. Epic Kirby. Not as good as Canvas Curse, bet clever background duality gameplay.
6. NBA Jam. Retro four-player riot with a modern look.
7. Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors. For those who dig Hotel Dusk…
8. Michael Jackson: The Experience. Just Dance 2 plus better dance music.
9. Guilty Party. Better than Wii Party.
10. Red Steel 2. Best Wii Swordplay ever?
11. Monster Hunter Tri. Snoozer opening, huge second and third acts.

Games I still haven’t played but would like to: The incredibly high-scoring Shantae: Risky’s Revenge for DSiWare. Udraw for Wii. Sonic Colors.

Enough about us. What are your top 10 Nintendo games of the year?

Don Van Vliet—aka Captain Beefheart, who passed away Dec. 17—was an original musical visionary. (Stop yawning.) His career abounded with amazing albums, almost all of which differed in style from one another, but all of which contained that essential Beefheartian weirdness (even those blatant sellout LPs—Unconditionally Guaranteed and Bluejeans & Moonbeams—possessed little nuggets of strangeness).

A reputedly monomaniacal dictator with his band mates (he supposedly kept the Magic Band captive and barely eating in a house for eight months as they rehearsed the songs that appeared on Trout Mask Replica, which is totally believable after you listen to that record), Beefheart had a strong Dadaist bent in his lyrical and sonic approach. While his early recordings trafficked in thickly muscled R&B; (The Legendary A&M; Sessions EP) and desert-mirage garage rock (Safe As Milk), Beefheart and his Magic Band soon ventured into much stranger territory. No matter in which mode Beefheart directed his bizarrely talented musicians (psychedelia, blues, avant-garde songcraft, proto-post-punk angularity), Van Vliet put his own stamp of grotesque beauty over it. His lyrical skills remarkably matched his compositional outrageousness, which in turn proved to be an ideal playground on which his freakishly expressive vocals could gambol.

Captain Beefheart had so many moments of one-of-a-kind greatness over his 12 albums, it's hard to pinpoint just one representative song. Some of my favorites include "Dropout Boogie," "Abba Zaba," Kandy Korn" (especially the Mirror Man version), "Sugar n' Spikes," "Woe-is-uh-Me-Bop," "I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby," "White Jam," "Clear Spot," "Sun Zoom Spark," "Bat Chain Puller," "Owed t'Alex," "Tropical Hot Dog Night," "The Floppy Boot Stomp," "Ink Mathematics," and, hell, all of Doc at the Radar Station. (There, that should get you started on your mixtape.)

Nearly all of Van Vliet's work exists in a timeless sphere, an endlessly fascinating, frayed-at-the-edges world forged from the demented whimsy of his own unfathomable rules.

Below is the first 13 minutes of a John Peel-narrated documentary. Watch the whole thing and marvel at the man's mad uniqueness (Van Vliet's, not Peel's).

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Section: Gaming News, Consoles, PS3, Wii, Xbox-360, PCs, Windows, Handhelds, iPhone & iPod Touch & iPad, Ads & Media, Advertisements

This is Target’s last week of videogame sales before Christmas. If you had been holding out for that last minute mega deal from Target, I hope there’s something here for you. I must say this isn’t the most spectacular set of deals we’ve seen here. EA Sports Active 2 is selling for $69, which is $30 off the original price, but Amazon has a better deal going on right now. That doesn’t mean this sale is a bust. Tron: Evolution and Fallout: New Vegas are selling for under $40. There’s hope for us yet!

I’ll be honest, you can probably find better deals on DJ Hero 2 and NFS: Hot Pursuit if you look online. The catch is you run the risk of not having the product in time for Christmas morning. There are some gift card offers for buying a 4GB Xbox 360 Kinect bundle or 8GB iPod Touch that are worth looking into.

Don’t let Target get you down, there are still unreleased sales ads from other competitors that may save you even more money. When they are released, check back here to compare the deals.

Without further adieu, check out Target’s gaming deals for next week.

• Xbox 360 4GB Kinect bundle - $299.99 with $20 Target gift card
• Apple 8GB iPod Touch - $225 with $40 gift card
• EA Sports Active 2 - $69
• DJ Hero 2 Turntable Bundle - $69
• Tony Hawk: Shred w/ board - $69 (Wii)
• Fallout: New Vegas - $39.99
• Mafia II - $50
• Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit - $50
• Medal of Honor - $50
• NBA Jam - $40
• Tron: Evolution - $37
• Shaun White Skateboarding - $29.99
• Glee: Karaoke Revolution - $49.99
• Babysitting Mama - $39.99
• Sonic Colors - $39.99
• Cars Toon: Mater’s Tall Tales - $29.99
• Toy Story 3 - $19.99 (PC)
• The Sims 3 - $19.99 (PC)
• The Sims 3: Late Night Expansion - $29.99 (PC)
• The Sims 3: Ambitions - $19.99 (PC)
• Medal of Honor - $39.99 (PC)
• Lock On Platinum - $16.99 (PC)

Read [CAG] Also Read [Vertical Wire]

Full Story » | Written by Jeremy Hill for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

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Section: Gaming News, Consoles, PS3, Wii, Xbox-360, Handhelds, DS & DSi & DSi XL, iPhone & iPod Touch & iPad, Ads & Media, Print, Advertisements

Toys R Us’ latest ad almost makes you want to do all of your Christmas shopping at the last minute. It is filled with lots of video game deals. It almost seems like the last three pages of December 19-24, 2010 ad is dedicated to gamers. Whether you need a console, some games or even just some accessories, you’re set if you shop at Toys R Us this week.

Let’s jump right in with all of the console and handheld deals Toys R Us is offering this week. Since there are so many, let’s look at a list of what you can get: To make things simpler, I stuck the Kinect and uDraw tablet deals in there too.

• All DS Lites come with a $20 Toys R Us gift card.
• If you buy a DSi ($149.99) or DSi XL ($169.99) and a DSi Game Tray ($24.99), you can get any $29.99 DS game in the store for $9.99.
• All iPod Touch and iPod Nano purchases come with a $10 Toys R Us gift card.
• If you buy a $199.99 black or white Wii and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games for $49.99, you get a $50 Toys R Us gift card.
• If you buy the uDraw Tablet bundle ($69.99), you can get either Dood’s Big Adventure or Pictionary for free.
• If you buy the 250gb PS3 Move bundle ($399.99), you get SingStar Dance and a PS3 Move glove for free.
• If you buy a 4gb Xbox 360 Kinect bundle ($299.99), you get a PowerStand Charger for free.
• If you buy a Kinect ($149.99), you can get a copy of Brunswick Pro Bowling or Sonic Free Riders free.

Then, there are the games. No matter what system you have, there are games on sale. Most importantly, all games $19.99 are part of a buy one, get one 40% off promotion. So you can get cheap games for even cheaper. For those who are jumping on the Kinect or Move bandwagons this month, all PS3 Move and Xbox 360 Kinect games are $10 off the normal price. Also, all Mario Wii games are $10 off the normal price, with Super Mario All-Stars (Wii) being the only exception, as it is still $29.99. Also, the Wii versions of the DJ Hero 2 bundle, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock guitar bundle and Tony Hawk Shred bundle are $49.99 each.

Let’s see the lists of sale games!

All DS “Top Picks” are part of a two for $40 deal. Here’s the list of qualifying games”

• Batman the Brave and the Bold
• Ben 10: Cosmic Destruction
• Beyblade
• Call of Duty: Black Ops
• Club Penguin Herbert’s Revenge
• CSI Unsolved
• Dora’s Cooking Club
• Goldeneye 007
• iCarly 2
• Kung Zhu with hamster
• Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4 with accessory
• Littlest Pet Shop 3 with toy
• Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
• Marvel Super Hero Squad: Infinity Gauntlet
• Megamind
• Michael Jackson: The Experience
• Naruto Shippuden: Naruto vs. Sasuke
• Petz Fantasy with toy
• Petz Nursery 2
• Phineas & Ferb Ride Again
• Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time
• Scooby Doo The Spooky Swamp
• The Sims 3
• Sonic Colors
• Spiderman Shattered Dimensions
• Star Wars The Force Unleashed II
• Super Scribblenauts
• Tangled
• Toy Story 3
• Tron Evolution
• Yogi Bear
• Zhu Zhu Pets 2 with hamster

Select Wii games will be $15 off.

• Batman: The Brave and the Bold
• The Biggest Loser Challenge
• Cars Toon: Mater’s Tall Tales
• iCarly 2
• Karaoke Revolution Glee
• Michael Jackson: The Experience
• MySims Sky Heroes
• NBA Jam
• Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time
• Scooby Doo: The Spooky Swamp
• Sesame Street: Elmo’s A to Zoo Adventure
• Toy Story 3

Select PS3 and Xbox 360 best selling games are part of a buy one, get one for $20 promotion. These games qualify.

• Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
• Bloodstone 007
• Call of Duty: Black Ops
• Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
• Fallout: New Vegas
• Medal of Honor
• Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
• Shaun White Skateboarding
• Spiderman: Shattered Dimensions
• WWE Smackdown vs Raw

Finally, some accessories will be on sale. Some select Wii and DS accessories will be 30% off, though the ad doesn’t really say which ones. It looks like the Action Replay DS is among the sale items though! And, if you decide to get someone an iPod Touch this year, all iPod cases and accessories are 15% off.

Site [Toys R Us]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

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Section: Gaming News, Features, Lists, Consoles, PS3, Wii, Xbox-360, Handhelds, DS & DSi & DSi XL, PSP & PSPgo, Gear, Accessories, Controllers, Wireless, Gear-Other, Ads & Media, Print, Advertisements

Toys R Us’ ad for December 12-18, 2010 is out and, yet again, there are promotions starting to help encourage shoppers to stop by and save money. The focus this week is on gift cards, as certain game purchases will net you one. But, the game gift cards only come with certain titles, so you have to be mindful of that while shopping. But while gift cards and games are the main focus, Toys R Us is ready to help you out if you still need a console too.

If you need DS, PSP or Wii games, then you could be rewarded with $5 or $25 Toys R Us gift cards. It all depends on how many games you get. One of the applicable games gets you the $5 card, and two gets you the $25 card. Take a look at the list of what qualifies, so you know what to buy.

• Batman The Brave and The Bold (DS) - $29.99
• Ben 10 Cosmic Destruction (PSP) - $29.99
• Beyblade (DS) - $34.99
• The Biggest Loser Challenge (Wii) - $29.99
• Call of Duty: Black Ops (DS) - $29.99
• Create (Wii) - $39.99
• Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure (Wii) - $39.99
• God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PSP) - $39.99
• Goldeneye 007 (DS) - $29.99
• Hasbro Family Game Night 3 (Wii) - $39.99
• Hello Kitty Seasons (Wii) - $29.99
• iCarly 2 (DS) - $29.99
• Imagine Fashion Stylist (DS) - $29.99
• Invizimals (PSP) - $39.99
• Just Dance 2 (Wii) - $39.99
• Just Dance Kids (Wii) - $29.99
• Kung Zhu (DS) - $34.99
• Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4 (DS) - $34.99
• Littlest Pet Shop 3 (DS) - $34.99
• Michael Jackson The Experience (DS) - $29.99
• Monopoly Streets (Wii) - $39.99
• Naruto Shippuden: Naruto vs Sasuke (DS) - $29.99
• New Carnival Games (DS) - $29.99
• Petz Fantasy (DS) - $29.99
• Petz Nursery 2 (DS) - $29.99
• Scooby Doo The Spooky Swamp (Wii) - $39.99
• Sesame Street Cookie’s COunting Carnival (DS) - $29.99
• Sonic Colors (DS) - $29.99
• Style Lab Fashion Design (DS) - $29.99
• Super Scribblenauts (DS) - $29.99
• Tangled (DS) - $29.99
• Toy Story 3 (DS) - $29.99
• Tron (DS) - $29.99
• Wheel of Fortune (DS) - $29.99
• Yogi Bear (DS) - $29.99
• Zhu Zhu Pets 2 (DS) - $34.99

There’s also a similar promotion that applies to certain Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 games. The only difference is, you get better gift cards. You’ll get a $10 Toys R Us gift card when you buy one of these game, and a $40 gift card when you buy two of these games. Again, there’s a list of what does qualify for a gift card, which you can see below.

• Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (PS3) - $59.99
• Babysitting Mama (Wii) - $49.99
• Big Buck Hunter (Wii) - $49.99
• Call of Duty: Black Ops (Xbox 360) - $59.99
• Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (Xbox 360) - $59.99
• Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock (Wii) - $59.99
• Disney Epic Mickey (Wii) - $49.99
• DJ Hero 2 (Wii) - $99.99
• EA MMA (PS3) - $59.99
• Fable III (Xbox 360) - $59.99
• FIFA Soccer 11 (Xbox 360) - $59.99
• Halo Reach (Xbox 360) - $59.99
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (Xbox 360) - $49.99
• Karaoke Revolution: Glee (Wii) - $59.99
• Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest (PS3) - $59.99
• Madden 11 (Wii) - $49.99
• Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii) - $49.99
• Michael Jackson The Experience (Wii) - $49.99
• Motion Sports (Xbox 360) - $49.99
• MySims Sky Heroes (Wii) - $49.99
• NBA Jam (Wii) - $49.99
• Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (PS3) - $59.99
• Nerf N-Strike V (Wii) - $59.99
• Pac-Man Party (Wii) - $49.99
• Rock Band 3 (Wii) - $59.99
• Shaun White Skateboarding (PS3) - $59.99
• The Sims 3 (Xbox 360) - $59.99
• Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions (Xbox 360) - $59.99
• Sonic Colors (Wii) - $49.99
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 (Wii) - $49.99
• Tony Hawk Shred (Wii) - $79.99
• Toy Story 3 (Wii) - $49.99
• Tron Battle Birds (Wii) - $49.99
• WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011 (PS3) - $59.99
• Your Shape Fitness Evolved (Xbox 360) - $49.99

Then, there are the 30% off accessory deals. In each case, you can get three accessories for 30% off their normal price when you purchase the console they go with.

• A DSi XL Luxe Case, Nerf Universal Case or Game Card Case is 30% off when you buy a DSi XL
• A Nerf Sports Pack, 2 Remote Power Cradle Charger or Lego Play & Build Remote is 30% off when you buy a Wii.
• A headset, Energizer Charging System or Xbox 360 Afterglow Controller is 30% off when you buy a Xbox 360
• A PowerStand Charger, 5-in-1 PS3 Game Essentials pack or Pro Elite Wireless Controller is 30% off when you buy a PS3

Yes, Target’s sales next week are much better, but still. It’s always nice to get a gift card or cheap accessories.

Site [Toys R Us]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

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Section: Gaming News, Consoles, PS3, Wii, Xbox-360, Gear, Displays, Ads & Media, Print, Advertisements, Genres, 2D, 3D, Action, Adventure, Children's, Fighting, Role-Playing

As usual, Kmart’s released another huge ad for this week. If you shop there between December 12 and 18, 2010, you can find even more gaming coupon promotions and discounted games. Just like usual! The ad this week is 48 pages, so you may not find it in your local paper. Instead, you’ll have to check online or visit an actual Kmart store to get one.

First, let’s look at the gaming coupon promotions. When you buy the following games or system, a coupon will print out at the register. You can then use that coupon on a future video game purchase. Think of it as a gift card that prints out on paper. You can only get one with each purchase though, so keep that in mind when you shop.

• A $10 gaming coupon comes with every $29.99 copy of Super Mario All Stars (Wii).
• A $20 gaming coupon comes with every $49.99 copy of Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (PS3, Xbox 360)
• A $20 gaming coupon comes with every $49.99 copy of WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 (PS3, Xbox 360)
• A $50 gaming coupon comes with every $199.99 Wii. You also get double the ShopYourWay reward points.

Kmart is also taking between $10 and $20 off of assorted popular and family video games as well.

• The Amazing Race (Wii) - $19.99
• Dance on Broadway (Wii) - $19.99
• Dragon Age: Origins Ultimate Edition (PS3, Xbox 360) - $39.99
• Fable III (Xbox 360) - $39.99
• Family Feud Decades (Wii) - $19.99
• Halo: Reach (Xbox 360) - $39.99
• Hollywood Squares (Wii) - $19.99
• Jeopardy (Wii) - $19.99
• Just Dance (Wii) - $29.99
• Just Dance 2 (Wii) - $29.99
• Just Dance Kids (Wii) - $19.99
• NBA Jam (Wii) - $39.99
• Nickelodeon Fit (Wii) - $29.99
• Nickelodeon Fit Fun and Fit Kit (Wii) - $79.99
• Sonic Colors (Wii) - $39.99
• Wheel of Fortune (Wii) - $19.99
• Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Wii) - $19.99
• Wii Fit Plus (Wii) - $89.99

Consoles and games aren’t much good if you don’t have something to watch them on. So if you need a TV, you may want to check out and splurge on the Panasonic 50” plasma HDTV that’s on sale for $599.99 this week.

Site [Kmart]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

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PRESS RELEASE—When confronted with a wide range of Black Friday retail options, U.S. holiday shoppers again turned to Nintendo. Nintendo sold 900,000 combined units in the Nintendo DS™ family of systems and 600,000 Wii™ consoles between Sunday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 27, according to the company’s internal sales estimates.

“U.S. shoppers bought about 9,000 Nintendo hardware systems nonstop for every hour of every day during the week of Black Friday,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “For the past several years, consumers have decided that Nintendo defined both top value and all-inclusive entertainment, and that sentiment continues again at the start of this shopping season.”

Nintendo’s Black Friday surge was fueled by multiple new hardware colors, each of which comes bundled with games. The bundles provide a great value for shoppers who are looking to get the biggest bang for their video game bucks. These bundles, all of which are available while supplies last, include:

* Limited-edition Mario red Wii hardware in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Super Mario Bros.™ game on the NES™. It includes a new red Wii system, a red Wii Remote™ Plus controller, a red Nunchuk™ controller, and games New Super Mario Bros.™ Wii and Wii Sports™ at a suggested retail price of $199.99.
* A limited-edition red Nintendo DSi XL™ bundle in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Super Mario Bros. game on the NES. It features a Mario red Nintendo DSi XL system with three iconic Super Mario Bros.-themed graphics, the Mario Kart™ DS game and preloaded software, including Brain Age™ Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Math and Photo Clock. It is available at a suggested retail price of $179.99.
* Orange and green Nintendo DSi™ systems, which are bundled with the Mario Party™ DS game. They are available at a suggested retail price of $149.99.

In addition to the great hardware bundles, shoppers have dozens of great video game options for everyone on their shopping lists. Some exclusive games for the Wii console include Super Mario Galaxy™ 2, Metroid™: Other M, Wii Party™, Kirby’s Epic Yarn™, PokéPark™ Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure, FlingSmash™ (which comes bundled with the new Wii Remote Plus) and Donkey Kong Country™ Returns. Third-party Wii games include New Carnival Games® from 2K Play, NBA JAM from EA Sports, Just Dance® 2 from Ubisoft, Sonic Colors™ from SEGA, GoldenEye 007™ from Activision Publishing Inc. and Disney Epic Mickey from Disney Interactive Studios.

On the portable Nintendo DS family of systems, shoppers can choose games like DRAGON QUEST® IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies™, Professor Layton and the Unwound Future™, Pokémon Ranger™: Guardian Signs, Art Academy™, Mario vs. Donkey Kong™: Mini-Land Mayhem! and Golden Sun™: Dark Dawn. Some key third-party Nintendo DS games include Super Scribblenauts™ from WB Games, Rock Band® 3 from MTV Games, GoldenEye 007 from Activision Publishing Inc. and Sonic Colors from SEGA.

Cheaters force Sega to reset the rankings.
Sega has wiped the Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I leaderboards because of rampant cheating.

Click here to read the full article

Section: Gaming News, Features, Lists, Consoles, PS3, Handhelds, PSP & PSPgo, Ads & Media, Other Media, Genres, 2D, 3D, Action, Adventure, Casual, Updates, Playstation-Store

This week’s downloadable PlayStation 3 game is Crescent Pale Mist for $5.99. In this side-scrolling fighter, players control a sorceress named Yunou who happens to be the only magic user able to use a deadly magic known as Pale Mist who must stop the toxic pale mist from leaking into the outside world as well as deal with the ones responsible for the leak—her former comrades. Check out Crescent Pale Mist:

This week’s PlayStation Portable Download is Who’s That Flying!? for $5.99. Players control the Guardian of Earth who happens to be on trial for allowing an invasion to enter the city. While on trial the Guardian must recount his actions leading to the trial allowing players to play his flashback in a side-scrolling shooter combined with elements of a tower defense game to stop as many invaders as possible from entering the city. How you play the game changes the flashback. The game features a story mode with full animated cut scenes, five unique stages with more than 40 individual levels and 24 unique unlockable trials, bonus artwork and awards, various combos, medals and power-ups to discover as players battle 17 different enemy types and more. Check out “Who’s that Flying!?”:

Price Updates

• The Mystery of the Crystal Portal (PS3/PSP/Original Price $4.99/Now $2.99)
• Crash Bandicoot (PS3/PSP/Original Price $5.99/Now $2.99)
• PSOne Classic: Cool Boarders (PS3/PSP/Original Price $5.99/Now $2.99)
• Punisher: No Mercy (PS3/Original Price $9.99/Now $4.99)
• Jeopardy (PS3/Original Price $9.99/Now $4.99)
• Droplitz (PS3/Original Price $9.99/Now $4.99)
• Riviera: The Promised Land (PSP/Original Price $14.99/Now $7.49)
• Steambot Chronicles Battle Tournament (PSP/Original Price $14.99/Now $7.49)
• R-Type Command (PSP/Original Price $14.99/Now $7.49)
• Blade Kitten (PS3/Original Price $14.99/Permanent Price Now $9.99)
• Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost And Damned (PS3/Original Price $19.99/Permanent Price Now $9.99)
• Hammerin’ Hero (PSP/Original Price $19.99/Now $9.99)
• Crimson Gem Saga (PSP/Original Price $29.99/Now $14.99)
• Hexyz Force (PSP/Original Price $29.99/Now $14.99)
• Class of Heroes (PSP/Original Price $39.99/Now $19.99)
• Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble (PSP/Original Price $39.99/Now $19.99)
• Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable (PSP/Original Price $39.99/Now $19.99)
• Shin Megami Tensei: Persona (PSP/Original Price $39.99/Now $19.99)

Here’s what else is new

New Games

• 3, 2, 1 …Supercrash! (PSP/$2.99)
• Fort Commander II: Counterattack (PSP/$4.49)
• Jewel Keepers: Easter Island (PSP/$4.99)
• Japanese Import: Money Idol Exchanger (PS3/$5.99)*
• Japanese Import: Arcade Hits: Sonic Wings Special (PS3/$5.99)*
• Crazy Taxi (PS3/$9.99)
• Peggle PSP (PSP/$9.99)
• 3D Ultra Mini Golf Adventures 2 (PS3/$9.99)
• Sky Fighter (PS3/$9.99)
• Prince of Persia: Sands of Time HD (PS3/$14.99)
• Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype Complete Bundle (PS3/$14.99)*
• Monster Jam: Path Of Destruction (PSP/$19.99)
• Game Show Party Bundle (PS3/$19.99)
• Knights In The Nightmare Bundle with Yggdra Union (PS3/$29.99)*
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 (English & Spanish) (PSP/$29.99)
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 (French & Canada Only) (PSP/$29.99)
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 (Portuguese & Mexico Only) (PSP/$29.99)
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Predator (PSP/$29.99)
• *The Knights in The Nightmare bundle includes a free copy of Yggdra Union with purchase. This offer is only available for a limited time. Japanese Import games Money Idol Exchanger and Arcade Hits: Sonic Wings Special is a direct import from Japan, text is limited and the game is presented in original Japanese form. For translations or help playing the game visit www.monkeypawgames.com. The Game Show Party bundle includes full versions of the following games: The Price Is Right, Family Feud and Press Your Luck. The Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype Complete Bundle includes the original game and expansion packs.

Demos

• Apache Air Assault Demo (PS3/Free)
• CSI: Fatal Conspiracy Demo (PS3/Free)
• 3D Ultra Mini Golf Adventures 2 Trial (PS3/Free)
• PSMove: Start The Party Demo (PS3/Free)*
• Saw II: Flesh & Blood Demo (PS3/Free)
• John Daly’s ProStroke Golf Demo (PS3/Free)
• Sky Fighter Demo (PS3/Free)
• Vanquish Challenge Demo (PS3/Free)

Avatars

• Darkstalkers Donovan Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Darkstalkers Morrigan 2 Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Mega Man Legends 2 Servbot (Waving) Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Mega Man Legends 2 Servbot (Yelling) Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Mega Man Legends 2 Data Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Mega Man Legends 2 Data (Rear) Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Devil May Cry 4 Kyrie Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype Avatar Bundle 2 (PS3/$1.49)*
• Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype Avatar Bundle 3 (PS3/$1.49)*
• *Bundles include random Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype avatars already available in the store. If you already own an avatar from the series you may want to avoid buying the bundle as there are no refunds for purchasing the same item twice.

Bonus Content

Warning: Players downloading any bundle should own a copy of the game or the system required for the item to work or function properly. Always make sure you have the game the add-on was intended for before downloading as there are no refunds for anything mistakenly purchased from the PlayStation Network Store.

• LittleBigPlanet Anniversary Costume (PS3/Free)
• PSEye: EyePet Winter Sports Pack (PS3/Free)*
• PSEye: EyePet Hoodie Pack (PS3/Free)*
• Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood – Copernicus Conspiracy (PS3/Free)
• DJ Hero 2 Compatibility Update (PS3/Free)
• Just Cause 2: Chaos Parachute (PS3/Free)
• PAIN – H8 Squadder Character (PS3/99 Cents)
• The Fight: Lights Out – Bottle of Win Pack (PS3/99 Cents)
• The Fight: Lights Out – Chinese Secret Pack (PS3/99 Cents)
• The Fight: Lights Out – Energy Drink Pack (PS3/99 Cents)
• The Fight: Lights Out – Lubrication Pack (PS3/99 Cents)
• The Fight: Lights Out – Reindeer Horn Pack (PS3/99 Cents)
• The Fight: Lights Out – Rigged Betting Pack (PS3/99 Cents)
• The Fight: Lights Out – Russian Medicine Pack (PS3/99 Cents)
• The Fight: Lights Out – Street Surgeon Pack (PS3/99 Cents)
• ModNation Racers – Ratchet and Clank Mods (PS3/$1.99)
• Hustle Kings Carom and U.K. Billiards Pack (PS3/$1.99)
• Vanquish Weapon Pack – Tri-Weapon Pack (PS3/$1.99)
• Scott Pilgrim – Knives Chau Add-On Pack (PS3/$1.99)
• Space Invaders Infinity Gene – Bonus Stage Pack 3 (PS3/$2.99)
• Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet – Captain America Collection (PS3/$2.99)
• Front Mission Evolved: Wanzer Weapons Pack 2 (PS3/$2.99)
• PSEye: EyePet – Dinosaur Pack (PS3/$2.99)*
• Front Mission Evolved: Wanzer Pack 3 (PS3/$3.99)
• Super Street Fighter IV Ultra Femme Fatale Pack (PS3/$3.99)
• Need For Speed Hot Pursuit Racer Timesaver Pack (PS3/$3.99)
• Need For Speed Hot Pursuit SCPD Timesaver Pack (PS3/$3.99)
• Worms 2: Armageddon Battle Pack (PS3/$4.99)
• Fist of the North Star – DLC Pack 2 (PS3/$4.99)
• Comet Crash Bionic Swarm Expansion Pack (PS3/$4.99)
• Split Second – Onslaught Pack (PS3/$9.99)
• *Players must own the PSEye device for any EyePet add-ons to work properly.

DJ Hero

*Warning: When purchasing a track pack always review your play list carefully before purchasing as most songs are also included in other track packs or sold individually. Always check first to avoid paying extra for a song you may already own as there are no refunds for purchasing the same song twice. If the song is available in a previously purchased track pack consider purchasing the remaining songs individually.

• Electro Hits Mix Pack (PS3/$7.99)
• Tracks include:
• “Hustler” by Simian Mobile Disco vs “Pump Up the Jam” by Tecnotronic*
• “I’m In The House” by Steve Aoki ft. Zuper Blahq*
• “I’m In Miami” by LMFAO*
• *Individual tracks are not sold separately for this pack.

Def Jam Rapstar

*Warning: Some songs intended for use with the Def Jam Rapstar game have not been rated by the ESRB, players must own a copy of the game to use the following tracks. Also, when purchasing a track pack always review your play list carefully before purchasing as most songs are also included in other track packs or sold individually. Always check first to avoid paying extra for a song you may already own as there are no refunds for purchasing the same song twice. If the song is available in a previously purchased track pack consider purchasing the remaining songs individually.

Individual Song Tracks:

• “Around The Way Girl” by LL Cool J (PS3/$1.99)
• “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” by Kanye West (PS3/$1.99)
• “Crank That” by Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em (PS3/$1.99)
• “Lavish” by Cool & Dre (PS3/$1.99)
• “My Humps” by Black Eyed Peas (PS3/$1.99)
• “Regulate” by Warren G (PS3/$1.99)
• “Say Something” by Timbaland (PS3/$1.99)
• “Tango Cash” by Bangladesh (PS3/$1.99)
• “Wasted” by Gucci Mane (PS3/$1.99)
• “Get Me Home” by Foxy Brown (PS3/$1.99)
• “Hustlin’” by Rick Ross (PS3/$1.99)
• “Mind Is Playin Tricks On Me” by Geto Boyz (PS3/$1.99)
• “Over” by Drake (PS3/$1.99)
• “Playmaker” by Nitti Beatz (PS3/$1.99)
• “Right Round” by Flo Rida (PS3/$1.99)
• “Stadium Status” by Danja (PS3/$1.99)
• “The 15th” by DJ Khalil (PS3/$1.99)
• “Wyld Money” by Danja (PS3/$1.99)

Rock Band 3

*Warning: When purchasing a track pack always review your play list carefully before purchasing as most songs are also included in other track packs or sold individually. Always check first to avoid paying extra for a song you may already own as there are no refunds for purchasing the same song twice. If the song is available in a previously purchased track pack consider purchasing the remaining songs individually.

Individual Song Tracks:

• “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum (PS3/$1.99)
• “The Thrill Is Gone” by B.B. King (PS3/$1.99)
• “Blue Monday″ by New Order (PS3/$1.99)
• “Burning Down the House″ by Talking Heads (PS3/$1.99)

• The Bee Gees Pack 01 (PS3/$9.99)
• Individual Tracks Include:
• “Jive Talkin” by The Bee Gees (PS3/$1.99)
• “Night Fever″ by The Bee Gees (PS3/$1.99)
• “Stayin’ Alive″ by The Bee Gees (PS3/$1.99)
• “Nights on Broadway″ by The Bee Gees (PS3/$1.99)
• “Tragedy″ by The Bee Gees (PS3/$1.99)
• “You Should Be Dancing″ by The Bee Gees (PS3/$1.99)

• Bon Jovi Greatest Hits: Rock Band Edition Album (PS3/$19.99)
• Individual Tracks Include:
• “Bad Medicine” by Bon Jovi (PS3/$1.99)
• “Blaze Of Glory″ by Bon Jovi (PS3/$1.99)
• “Have A Nice Day″ by Bon Jovi (PS3/$1.99)
• “I’ll Be There For You″ by Bon Jovi (PS3/$1.99)
• “It’s My Life″ by Bon Jovi (PS3/$1.99)
• “Lay Your Hands On Me″ by Bon Jovi (PS3/$1.99)
• “Livin’ On A Prayer″ by Bon Jovi (PS3/$1.99)
• “Runaway″ by Bon Jovi (PS3/$1.99)
• “Wanted Dead Or Alive (RB3 version)″ by Bon Jovi (PS3/$1.99)
• “We Weren’t Born To Follow″ by Bon Jovi (PS3/$1.99)
• “Who Says You Can’t Go Home″ by Bon Jovi (PS3/$1.99)
• “You Give Love A Bad Name (RB3 version)″ by Bon Jovi (PS3/$1.99)

Rock Band Network

*Warning: When purchasing a track pack always review your play list carefully before purchasing as most songs are also included in other track packs or sold individually. Always check first to avoid paying extra for a song you may already own as there are no refunds for purchasing the same song twice. If the song is available in a previously purchased track pack consider purchasing the remaining songs individually.

• “Blood Red Rock” by Bang Camaro (PS3/99 Cents)
• “A Drug Against War” by KMFDM (PS3/$1.99)
• “Dethroned” by Death Angel (PS3/$1.99)
• “Scavengers Of The Damned” by Aiden (PS3/$1.99)
• “You Ain’t No Family” by iwrestledabearonce (PS3/$1.99)
• “Curse You All Men! (Live)” by Emperor (PS3/$1.99)
• “Fight To Kill” by Holy Grail (PS3/$1.99)
• “In Circles” by Sunny Day Real Estate (PS3/$1.99)
• “Radiator” by Family Force 5 (PS3/$1.99)
• “Spin” by We the Kings (PS3/$1.99)

Game Videos

• The Tester Season 2 – Episode 2 (PS3/PSP/Free)
• The Tester Season 2 – Episode 3 (PS3/PSP/Free)
• Pulse 11/9 Edition (PS3/PSP/Free)
• Ys: The Oath In Felghana Game Trailer (PSP/Free)
• LittleBigPlanet 2 – Bounce Pad Featurette (PS3/Free)
• Eat Them! – Gameplay Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Patapon 3 – Story Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Prestige Edition Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Ben 10 Ultimate Alien: Cosmic Destruction Trailer (PS3/Free)
• nail’d Environment Trailer (PS3/Free)
• nail’d Gamescom Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Dragon’s Lair Game Video (PS3/Free)
• Need For Speed Hot Pursuit Arms Race Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Need For Speed Hot Pursuit Settling The Score Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Need For Speed Hot Pursuit Uncovered Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Need For Speed Hot Pursuit Wanted Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Red Dead Redemption – Undead Nightmare Launch Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Red Dead Redemption – Undead Nightmare Undead Overrun Trailer (PS3/Free)
• WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011 MVP Mocap Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood Enter Rome Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Crescent Pale Mist Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Mafia II – Clothing & Cars Packs Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Mafia II – Joe’s Adventure Trailer (PS3/Free)
• NBA 2K11 – Cooking With Rose Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Single Player Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Dead Space Ignition Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Need For Speed Hot Pursuit Sun, Sand, and Supercars Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II – Snow Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II – Wall Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Red Dead Redemption – Undead Nightmare Graveyards Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Red Dead Redemption – Undead Nightmare Weapons Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Vanquish Gameplay Trailer #8 (PS3/Free)
• Vanquish Launch Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood Comic-Con Multiplayer Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood E3 CG Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood Gamescom Singleplayer Walkthrough (PS3/Free)
• Heavy Rain Interface Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Heavy Rain Action Trailer (PS3/Free)
• PlayStation Move Heroes Gamescom Trailer (PS3/Free)
• The Sly Collection Store Trailer (PS3/Free)

Themes and Wallpapers

• Crescent Pale Mist Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• Dragon’s Lair Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
• Valkyria Chronicles 2 PSP Theme (PSP/Free)
• Gothic Maidens Theme (PS3/PSP/$1.49)
• Creation Theme (PS3/PSP/$1.49)
• Bombshell Babes Theme (PS3/PSP/$1.49)
• Spider Silhou Theme (PS3/$1.49)
• Abstract Lasers PSP Theme 1 (PSP/$1.49)
• Abstract Lasers PSP Theme 2 (PSP/$1.49)
• Abstract Smoke PSP Theme 6 (PSP/$1.49)
• Abstract Smoke PSP Theme 7 (PSP/$1.49)
• Inner Warrior PSP Theme 1 (PSP/$1.49)
• Inner Warrior PSP Theme 2 (PSP/$1.49)
• Abstract Smoke Premium Theme 2 (PS3/$1.99)
• Abstract Lasers Premium Theme (PS3/$1.99)
• Dragon’s Lair Premium Theme (PS3/$1.99)
• Son’s Of Anarchy Theme (PS3/$1.99)
• Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare Premium Theme (PS3/$1.99)
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II Dynamic Theme (PS3/$2.99)
• Aqua Teen Hunger Force Dynamic Theme (PS3/$2.99)
• Bees In Bloom Dynamic Theme (PS3/$2.99)
• Vintage Sunsets Dynamic Theme (PS3/$2.99)
• Journey To Frisco Dynamic Theme (PS3/$2.99)
• Virtual Fireplace Dynamic Theme (PS3/$2.99)
• A Tranquil Stream Dynamic Theme (PS3/$2.99)

Read [PlayStation Store Blog]
Site [Monkey Paw Games]

Full Story » | Written by Lucy Newman for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

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Lot's of good choices this week! Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, uDraw, NBA Jam -- so much good games! I can't even decide, well aside from the new Need for Speed. The game is SO good.

What's looking sw33t to you? Check out the full list of releases below!

X360: NBA Jam, Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1, Apache: Air Assault, EA Sports Active 2, Create, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

XBLA: Pac-Man Championship Edition DX

PS3: NBA Jam, Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1, Apache: Air Assault, EA Sports Active 2, Create, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

Wii: Pictionary, Dood's Big Adventure, uDraw Studio, Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1, EA Sports Active 2, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, EA Sports Active NFL Training Camp, Sonic Colors, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon

PC: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1, Create, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit

DS: Pictionary, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem, Need for Speed: Nitro-X, Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, Sonic Colors

Releasing 11/14:

Pictionary (Wii, DS)



Dood's Big Adventure (Wii)



uDraw Studio (Wii)

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem (DS)



Releasing 11/15:

NBA Jam (X360, PS3)



Releasing 11/16:

Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors (DS)



Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet (PS3, X360, Wii)



Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 (PS3, X360, Wii, PC)



Apache: Air Assault (PS3, X360)



EA Sports Active 2 (PS3, X360, Wii)



Create (X360, PS3, PC)



Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (X360, PS3, Wii, PC)



EA Sports Active NFL Training Camp (Wii)



Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (X360, PS3)



Sonic Colors (Wii, DS)



Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon (Wii)



Releasing 11/17:

Pac-Man Championship Edition DX (XBLA)

Section: Features, Columns, Japanese Imports, Lists, Nostalgia, Previews, Consoles, PS3, Handhelds, PSP & PSPgo, Gear, Clothing, Gear-Other, Ads & Media, Web, Advertisements, Other Media, Updates, Playstation-Store

This week’s downloadable PlayStation 3 game is actually special bonus content and one bonus pack price drop for the game MAG. The first is the MAG Interdiction Add-on Pack which has just been reduced from $9.99 to its new permanent price of $4.99. Interdiction features new armor, medals, ribbons and trophies as well as adding new missions allowing players to use convoys to survive an offensive onslaught. Next is the Escalation Mission Pack for $9.99, this pack adds an Escalation game mode that throws Raven, SVER and Valor factions into simultaneous battles on three brand new maps. This pack also give players access to nine exclusive weapons they can use ranging from assault rifles to machine guns. The third is the MAG Starter Kit for $14.99. The starter kit includes both Interdiction and Escalation packs and a 30-day trial for MAG character slots B and C, six official MAG PS3 avatars that include Raven, SVER and Valor characters and badges, and three dynamic themes featuring each faction.

Check out the new MAG Escalation game mode:

This week’s PlayStation Portable Download is No Heroes Allowed! for $9.99. This is the third in the Badman game series featuring Badman, of course. Players are the bad guys as they help Evil Overlord Badman dig out a dungeon full of monsters to stop annoying heroes from invading his dark underworld. Then help Badman and his daughter Badmella conquer new worlds across 33 stages in single story or multi-player mode. A new feature in this third game is the Dungeon-A-Day mode that challenges players daily with more than 100 different dungeons to create.

Check out No Heroes Allowed!

Price Updates

• Spyro The Dragon (PS3/PSP/Original Price $5.99/Now $2.99)

Qore Subscription

• Qore Episode 30: November 2010 (PS3/$2.99)
• Qore Annual Subscription – November 2010 (PS3/$24.99)

Here’s what else is new

New Games

• PSOne Classic: Virtual pool 3 (PS3/$5.99)
• Hoard (PS3/$14.99)
• God of War Collection (PS3/$29.99)
• Ys: The Oath in Felghana (PSP/$29.99)
• God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PSP/$39.99)

Demos

• Split Second Demo 2 (PS3/PSP/Free)
• Aqua Panic! HD Demo (PS3/Free)
• Rock Band 3 Demo (PS3/Free)

Avatars

• Darkstalkers Felicia 2 Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Darkstalkers Jedah Dohma Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Darkstalkers Q-Bee Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Darkstalkers Rikou Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes Ieyasu Tokugawa Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes Masamune Date Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes Mitunari Ishida Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes Yukimura Sanada Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)

PSHome Items

Please Note: Some PSHome items can be purchased on PSHome through individual stores at the Mall or in any kiosk located in the Theater and Central Plaza. All PSHome items unless otherwise marked in parenthesis ( ) are available for both male and female avatars.

• God of War PlayStation Home Tattoo T-Shirt (PS3/99 Cents)
• God of War PlayStation Home Leaping Kratos T-Shirt (PS3/99 Cents)

Bonus Content

Warning: Players downloading any bundle should own a copy of the game or the system required for the item to work or function properly. Always make sure you have the game the add-on was intended for before downloading as there are no refunds for anything mistakenly purchased from the PlayStation Network Store.

• PAIN: PAINaMotion (PS3/Free)
• Fifa Soccer 11 – Ultimate Team (PS3/Free)
• Front Mission Evolved: Wanzer Weapons Pack (PS3/Free)
• Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. 2 – Bonus Pack (PS3/Free)
• God of War III – Phantom of Chaos Skin (PS3/99 Cents)*
• God of War III – Morpheus Skin (PS3/99 Cents)*
• God of War III – Forgotten Warrior Skin (PS3/99 Cents)*
• God of War III – Apollo Skin (PS3/99 Cents)*
• PAIN: Creepie Character (PS3/99 Cents)
• Dead Rising 2 – Skills Pack – Ninja (PS3/$1.99)
• ModNation Racers – Kratos Mod and Kart (PS3/$1.99)
• Spider-Man: Shattered Dimension Cosmic Costume (PS3/$2.99)
• Space Invaders Infinity Gene – Bonus Stage Pack 2 (PS3/$2.99)
• Fist of the North Star – DLC Pack 1 (PS3/$2.99)
• Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. 2 – Russian Power Pack (PS3/$2.99)
• EyePet: Music Pack (PS3/$2.99)
• Sports Champions – Reverse Course (PS3/$2.99)*
• God of War III – Challenge of Exile Arena + Dominus Skin (PS3/$2.99)*
• God of War III Kratos Skin Bundle (PS3/$2.99)*
• Super Street Fighter IV: Ultra Shoryuken Pack (PS3/$3.99)
• Front Mission Evolved: Wanzer Pack 2 (PS3/$3.99)
• Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype: The Last Chapter (PS3/$4.99)
• Medal of Honor – Hot Zone Pack (Ps3/$9.99)
• High Velocity Bowling – Move Bundle (PS3/$39.99)*
• *God of War III Kratos Skin Bundle includes all the individual skins listed, please note you would still have to complete the game to unlock the skins. The Challenge of Exile Arena and Dominus skin pack includes 7 unique challenges and would also be unlocked after completing the game. The Sports Champion reverse course unlocks 18 new tees and holes for the Disc Golf challenge. Once players download this pack they must access it through the Free Play menu to play. The High Velocity Bowling Bundle allows players to play the game using the PSMove controller.

DJ Hero

*Warning: When purchasing a track pack always review your play list carefully before purchasing as most songs are also included in other track packs or sold individually. Always check first to avoid paying extra for a song you may already own as there are no refunds for purchasing the same song twice. If the song is available in a previously purchased track pack consider purchasing the remaining songs individually.

• DJ Hero 2: Hit Makers Mix Pack (PS3/$7.99)
• *The Hit Makers Mix Pack includes “OMG” by Usher featuring Will.I.Am, “Umbrella” by Rihanna VS “Let’s get it on” by Marvine Gaye and “Shutter Bug” by Big Boi featuring Cutty VS “Return of the Mack” by Mark Morrison. These songs are not sold individually at the moment.

Def Jam Rapstar

*Warning: Some songs intended for use with the Def Jam Rapstar game have not been rated by the ESRB, players must own a copy of the game to use the following tracks. Also, when purchasing a track pack always review your play list carefully before purchasing as most songs are also included in other track packs or sold individually. Always check first to avoid paying extra for a song you may already own as there are no refunds for purchasing the same song twice. If the song is available in a previously purchased track pack consider purchasing the remaining songs individually.

Individual Song Tracks:

• “Dey Know” by Shawty Lo (PS3/$1.99)
• “Party Up” by DMX (PS3/$1.99)
• “Ice Cream Paint Job” by Dorrough (PS3/$1.99)
• “Got Money” by Lil Wayne (PS3/$1.99)
• “Grindin’” by Clipse (PS3/$1.99)
• “Make Me Better” by Fabolous (PS3/$1.99)
• “Throw Some D’s” by Rich Boy (PS3/$1.99)
• “Shoulder Lean”by Young Dro (PS3/$1.99)

Rock Band 3

*Warning: When purchasing a track pack always review your play list carefully before purchasing as most songs are also included in other track packs or sold individually. Always check first to avoid paying extra for a song you may already own as there are no refunds for purchasing the same song twice. If the song is available in a previously purchased track pack consider purchasing the remaining songs individually.

Individual Song Tracks:

• “Subdivisions″ by Rush (PS3/$1.99)

• The Doors Greatest Hits: Rock Band Edition Album (PS3/$19.99)
• Individual Tracks Include:
• “Hello, I Love You” by The Doors (PS3/$1.99)
• “L.A. Women″ by The Doors (PS3/$1.99)
• “Light My Fire″ by The Doors (PS3/$1.99)
• “Love Her Madly″ by The Doors (PS3/$1.99)
• “Love Me Two Times″ by The Doors (PS3/$1.99)
• “Peace Frog″ by The Doors (PS3/$1.99)
• “People Are Strange″ by The Doors (PS3/$1.99)
• “Riders On The Storm″ by The Doors (PS3/$1.99)
• “Roadhouse Blues″ by The Doors (PS3/$1.99)
• “Soul Kitchen″ by The Doors (PS3/$1.99)
• “The Crystal Ship″ by The Doors (PS3/$1.99)
• “Touch Me″ by The Doors (PS3/$1.99)

Rock Band Network

*Warning: When purchasing a track pack always review your play list carefully before purchasing as most songs are also included in other track packs or sold individually. Always check first to avoid paying extra for a song you may already own as there are no refunds for purchasing the same song twice. If the song is available in a previously purchased track pack consider purchasing the remaining songs individually.

• “Revolution” by Bang Camaro (PS3/99 Cents)
• “Determined (Vows of Vengeance)” by Kataklysm (PS3/$1.99)
• “Hello Fascination” by Breathe Carolina (PS3/$1.99)
• “The Gun Show” by In This Moment (PS3/$1.99)
• “Uncivilized” by Texas in July (PS3/$1.99)

Game Videos

• The Tester Season 2 – Episode 1 (PS3/PSP/Free)
• Valkyria Chronicles 2 Post Launch Trailer (PSP/Free)
• NBA 2K11 – He’s Back Trailer (PS3/Free)
• NBA 2K11 – The Jordan Interview Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Official Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode 1: Casino Street Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode 1: Lost Labyrinth Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode 1: Mad Gear Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode 1: Launch Trailer (PS3/Free)
• LittleBigPlanet – Marvel DLC Trailer (PS3/Free)
• LittleBigPlanet 2 – Grappling Hook Featurette (PS3/Free)
• Heavy Rain: Cutting Room Floor (PS3/Free)
• Heavy Rain: Non-Linearity (PS3/Free)
• Beat Sketcher – Gameplay Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Surround Sound System Video (PS3/Free)

Themes and Wallpapers

• No Heroes Allowed! – PSP Theme (PSP/Free)
• No Heroes Allowed! Wallpaper 1 (PSP/Free)
• No Heroes Allowed! Wallpaper 2 (PSP/Free)
• TV Superstars: Big Beat Kitchen Theme (PS3/Free)
• TV Superstars: DIY Raw Theme (PS3/Free)
• TV Superstars: Frockstar Theme (PS3/Free)
• TV Superstars: Hosts Theme (PS3/Free)
• TV Superstars: Let’s Get Physical Theme (PS3/Free)
• TV Superstars: STAA Theme (PS3/Free)
• TV Superstars: Set Theme (PS3/Free)
• Spectrum Theme (PS3/99 Cents)
• Manga Theme (PS3/99 Cents)
• Redemption Theme (PS3/PSP/$1.49)
• Blue Tiger Camo PSP Theme 1 (PSP/$1.99)
• Blue Tiger Camo PSP Theme 2 (PSP/$1.99)
• Blue Tiger Camo Premium Theme (PS3/$2.99)
• Dead Nation Dynamic Theme (PS3/$2.99)

Read [PlayStation Store Blog]

Full Story » | Written by Lucy Newman for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

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PlayStation 3

• Apache: Air Assault
• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
• Create
• DanceDanceRevolution
• EA Sports Active 2
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
• Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet
• NBA Jam
• Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
• Zumba Fitness

Xbox 360

• Apache: Air Assault
• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
• Create
• DanceDanceRevolution
• Deca Sports Freedom
• EA Sports Active 2
• Game Party: In Motion
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
• Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet
• NBA Jam
• Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
• Zumba Fitness

Click through to see new releases for Wii, PSP, DS, and PC.

Wii

• Create
• DanceDanceRevolution
• EA Sports Active 2
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
• Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet
• Naruto Shippuden: Dragon Blade Chronicles
• Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
• Pac-Man Party
• Pictionary
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2011
• Sonic Colors
• Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon
• uDraw Tablet with uDraw Studio
• Zumba Fitness

PlayStation Portable

• Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Predator
• Split/Second

Nintendo DS

• Dragon's Lair
  
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
• Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet
• Naruto Shippuden: Naruto vs. Sasuke
• Sonic Colors

PC

• The Ball
• Create
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
• Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit

http://www.mahalo.com/ultimate-ninja-storm-2-walkthrough Check out the rest of the Naruto videos here! Naruto Shippuuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=DCAFD5138B30888A This is a video walkthrough of the "Chapter 3: Immortal Akatsuki" (PT. 3/11) in the action/fighting game, Naruto Shippuuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 2! Check out these related Mahalo Video Game Walkthroughs: Fallout New Vegas: http://www.mahalo.com/fallout-new-vegas-walkthrough Castlevania Lords of Shadow Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-walkthrough NBA Jam Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/nba-jam-walkthrough Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/the-lord-of-the-rings-aragorns-quest Front Mission Evolved Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/front-mission-evolved-walkthrough Dead Rising 2 Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/dead-rising-2-walkthrough Death Spank: Thongs of Virtue Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/death-spank-thongs-of-virtue-walkthrough Halo: Reach Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/halo-reach-walkthrough Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/spider-man-shattered-dimensions-walkthrough Shank Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/shank-walkthrough Metroid: Other M Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/metroid-other-m-walkthrough Kane and Lynch 2 Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/kane-and-lynch-2-dog-days-walkthrough Red Dead Redemption Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/red-dead-redemption-walkthrough StarCraft 2 Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/starcraft-2-wings-of-liberty-walkthrough Check out these Mahalo Video Games Specialty Videos: Enslaved Journey to the West Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weypnkdfKTc Sonic 4 Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10EHiZH8En0 Fallout New Vegas: Failout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCp02TujP4A DJ Hero 2 Beginner Mode with John Mahalo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ba-9KCCk7o Dead Rising 2 Review: ...

A year after Assassin's Creed II, the story of Ezio Auditore shifts to Rome with Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, the week's major core console drop. Others of note include Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, Sonic Colors, and NBA Jam in high definition. More »

New release slate led by Ubisoft's stealth action game, EA's racer reboot, NBA Jam; other notable launches include Harry Potter 7: Part 1, EA Sports Active 2.0, Apache: Air Assault.

 

Last week Activision released Call of Duty: Black Ops to critical acclaim and unprecedented monetary success. This week's focus shifts from the Cold War to Rome, racing, and active sports.

Leading the pack this week is Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The stealth action game follows the long-knifed Ezio as he once again hunts down the Templars seeking vengeance, but this entry has a twist. Instead of fighting alone, Ezio's adventures in Brotherhood will allow him to recruit an army of killers to fight alongside him.

Further, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood will feature a multiplayer component, a first for the popular series. In this game mode, players will receive contracts for the heads of other players. They must sneak around the multiplayer environments and kill their opponents before they fall by the knife to another player.

Also hitting shelves this week is Electronic Arts' Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit. Revisiting the premise of the original 1998 Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, this year's installment in the series allows players to play as--or race from--the long arm of the law. The Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC versions of the game also feature "Autolog," an overarching social network that links players' experiences to that of friends, tracking accomplishments, sharing photos, and recommending events to try.

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit was developed for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC by Criterion Games, with a Wii version on the way from Exient. Criterion is best known for the Burnout series of games, the last of which--Burnout Paradise--debuted to critical acclaim in January 2008.

While NBA Elite 11 has been officially canned, NBA Jam is due out on the PS3 and Xbox 360 this week priced at $50. The arcade basketball title will drive the lane for high-definition consoles on November 15 at the same price point as the Wii version. The game was originally set to be included exclusively with copies of NBA Elite before that title was cancelled.

When NBA Jam ships, players will be able to take part in the game's Remix Tour and Classic Campaign but will have only limited access to the game's online multiplayer component. According to EA Sports, players choosing to take their skills online will initially have only one avenue in which to do so. Players can jump into the classic two-vs.-two online mode on day one but will have to wait until December for a content update that will bring a host of new features.

For the health-minded gamer, EA releases EA Sports Active 2.0 this week. Developed at Vancouver-based EA Canada, the title will support Kinect and will also feature a nine-week, three-phase program to help motivate players to carry through their fitness regimen. The company will also be releasing new mini-program workouts as downloadable add-ons and will have new virtual trainers. The game's release will be accompanied by the launch of an online hub that will let players upload and share their workout data. The site will also feature fitness tips, forums around certain workouts, and a messaging system that will let players interact.

The first chapter of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows hits theaters on Friday, but gamers can pick up the game based on the film this Tuesday. EA's Bright Light studio developed the game, and according to production head Jonathan Bunney, Deathly Hallows will be "darker and more action oriented" than previous installments in the series. Notably, the protective walls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry have been left behind, as Potter and his cohorts face off against Voldemort's nefarious hordes in the lead-up to the young magician's final face-off with the rogue magician.

The studio emphasized the perilous situation that Potter finds himself in on his quest to find and destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes, and players will battle the likes of Death Eaters and snatchers. Also on hand will be various other creatures from previous installments in the series that Potter must use his magic to vanquish.

Those hankering for aerial action can pick up Activision's Apache: Air Assault this week. The game was developed by Russian studio Gaijin Entertainment, whose most recent release was 2009's aerial combat title IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey. The title promises players several variations of Apache attack helicopters and 16 multistage single-player missions throughout volatile regions of Africa, the Middle East, and Central America.

Apache: Air Assault has two options of play for virtual pilots. Arcade mode is designed to introduce players to the game's controls. In addition to the introductory level, the game features a Realistic mode, where "realism and precision" are the core focus.

In addition to the single-player experience, the title includes a cooperative component where two players team up as pilot and copilot and fly through a combat experience together. Further, the game supports online multiplayer in the form of Team Deathmatch, Ground Attack, Capture the LZ, and Ground Strike.

For further details on the week's games, visit GameSpot's New Releases page. The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later this week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Dood's Big Adventure--Wii--THQ
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem--DS--Nintendo
Pictionary--Wii, DS--THQ
uDraw Studio--Wii--THQ

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15
NBA Jam--X360, PS3--EA Sports
The Sims 3--Wii--Electronic Arts

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
3D Ultra MiniGolf Adventures 2--PS3--Konami
Apache: Air Assault--X360, PS3--Activision
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood--X360, PS3--Ubisoft
Barbie: Groom and Glam Pups--DS, Wii--THQ
Create--X360, PS3, PC, Wii--Electronic Arts
DanceDanceRevolution--PS3, Wii--Konami
EA Sports Active 2.0--X360, PS3--EA Sports
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1--PS3, X360, PC, Wii, DS--Electronic Arts
Hello Kitty Seasons--Wii--Zoo Games
iCarly 2:iJoin The Click--DS, Wii--Activision
Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011--Wii--D3
Man vs. Wild--PC, PSP--Crave
Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet--Wii, DS, PS3, X360--THQ
Mechanic Master 2--DS--Crave
Namco Museum Megamix--Wii--Namco Bandai Games America
Naruto Shippuden: Naruto vs. Sasuke--DS, Wii--Tomy Corporation
NatGeo Quiz! Wild Life--Wii, PS3--D3
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit--X360, PS3, PC--Electronic Arts
Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors--DS--Aksys Games
Pac-Man Party--Wii--Namco Bandai Games America
Pro Evolution Soccer 2011--Wii--Konami
Sesame Street: Elmo's A-to-Zoo Adventure--Wii--Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Shawn Johnson Gymnastics--Wii--Zoo Games
Sonic Colors--DS, Wii--Sega
Split/Second--PSP--Disney Interactive
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon--Wii--Ubisoft
Winter Sports 2010: The Great Tournament--PS3, X360--Zoo Games
Wizards of Waverly Place: Spellbound--DS--Disney Interactive

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Deca Sports Freedom--X360--Hudson Entertainment
Game Party: In Motion--X360--Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Zumba Fitness: Join the Party--X360--Majesco Games
Zumba Fitness--PS3, Wii--Majesco Games

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

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http://www.mahalo.com/ultimate-ninja-storm-2-walkthrough Check out the rest of the Naruto videos here! Naruto Shippuuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=DCAFD5138B30888A This is a video walkthrough of the "Chapter 2: Their Renunion" (PT. 10/11) in the action/fighting game, Naruto Shippuuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 2! Check out these related Mahalo Video Game Walkthroughs: Fallout New Vegas: http://www.mahalo.com/fallout-new-vegas-walkthrough Castlevania Lords of Shadow Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-walkthrough NBA Jam Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/nba-jam-walkthrough Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/the-lord-of-the-rings-aragorns-quest Front Mission Evolved Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/front-mission-evolved-walkthrough Dead Rising 2 Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/dead-rising-2-walkthrough Death Spank: Thongs of Virtue Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/death-spank-thongs-of-virtue-walkthrough Halo: Reach Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/halo-reach-walkthrough Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/spider-man-shattered-dimensions-walkthrough Shank Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/shank-walkthrough Metroid: Other M Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/metroid-other-m-walkthrough Kane and Lynch 2 Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/kane-and-lynch-2-dog-days-walkthrough Red Dead Redemption Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/red-dead-redemption-walkthrough StarCraft 2 Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/starcraft-2-wings-of-liberty-walkthrough Check out these Mahalo Video Games Specialty Videos: Enslaved Journey to the West Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weypnkdfKTc Sonic 4 Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10EHiZH8En0 Fallout New Vegas: Failout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCp02TujP4A DJ Hero 2 Beginner Mode with John Mahalo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ba-9KCCk7o Dead Rising 2 Review: ...

Danny Clinch's name is synonymous with rock photography. He has trained his camera on most of rock's royalty -- Dylan, Cash, Springsteen, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Willie Nelson, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Radiohead and many, many more -- and come away with many of the artists' most iconic images. His work has appeared all over the world in publications like Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, SPIN, The New Yorker and The New York Times, and Clinch is the official photographer for The Grammys and The Tibetan Freedom Concerts. And while his concert work is impressive, Clinch is best known for the incredible images he gets backstage and in the studio; Clinch has access that makes most other concert photographers (myself included) green with envy. Tonight at National Geographic, you can hear the stories behind these images during the first event in Nat Geo's new series "Music On Photography" featuring moderator Mark Seliger (tonight's event will be moderated by Juliet Blake, senior vice president at the National Geographic Channel. Seliger will moderate two of the remaining three events in the series.). We spoke to Clinch late last week about a number of subjects, including how he got his start in the music industry, how natural light is the best light to shoot in and how he feels about "first three, no flash."

The event with National Geographic, how did that come about?

Through a friend of mine that works with the Dave Matthews Band. They told me [National Geographic] were looking for people, musicians that take photographs was really the focus of it, and I'm a photographer that really likes music, so they let me slide.

So what will the event be like? Will it just be you discussing your photos?

There's a moderator there who will have some questions for me and engage in some conversation, and I'm going to show 30 or 40 images of mine and I'll tell some stories about stuff, because there are tons of great stories that go with the photographs. And then I'll answer some questions and we'll see what happens.

I read online that you mainly shoot film. Do you ever shoot digital?

I do shoot some digital these days, because a lot of times people are expecting it and they need something quick and it's just become part of that world. But I mostly shoot film. I throw a 5D on my shoulder and shoot some of that stuff too, just thinking that someone may need something ASAP and I can go back and knock it out. I still shoot a fair amount of Polaroid 665, which is a really great medium, and that's how I used to show people what I was thinking, what we were doing, "Here, look at this Polaroid," you know. With the disappearance of that kind of stuff, I've been shooting a couple of digital frames and show them that -- it still serves the purpose because you can make a print from it, if need be.

I was wondering what your process for developing film is like. Do you outsource it to a lab or have someone on staff?

I have a relationship with a lab and they'll process them.

One of the things I read about you is you got your start back in the day shooting hip-hop artists, back when that was a sort of a new genre.

Yes. I got a couple of assignments from SPIN Magazine, and one of the assignments was to shoot 3rd Bass. And I got the photos back and I was very proud of them. I thought they were really good photos and I thought, "What now? What am I going to do with these photos?" And I decided to take them to Def Jam Records, because they were on Def Jam at the time, and I thought I would take them over there and see what they think of them. So I tried really hard to get an appointment with these guys and they were like "No, no just leave us your portfolio. Drop it off on a Wednesday, pick it up on a Thursday." And I finally said "I just shot 3rd Bass for SPIN and I got some really good stuff." And so I finally went over and met with these people at the Drawing Board, which was the name of the art department at the time, and we just really hit it off. They really liked the photos I took of 3rd Bass. Back then in hip-hop, there weren't big budgets. The bands were very popular commercially, you know 3rd bass, LL Cool J and Public Enemy, but they weren't big budget jobs, so the big photographers could really care less. And so I started to get some of those jobs and it was a really good thing for me. So I was a young photographer that was getting album packing jobs, and it was really exciting.

That's interesting since when I read other photographer's blogs and photo websites, one of the things the old guard tend to go on and on about is up-and-coming photogs doing jobs for less money and taking jobs from more experienced photographers. But it sounds like this isn't a new phenomenon.

Yeah, you can blame it on the digital, you can blame it on the fact that everyone has has a camera and they think they can take pictures.

Everybody's a photographer these days.

Yeah, everybody's a photographer. But the fact is there is that sort of snapshot aesthetic that people can get away with -- but if your photos suck, then your photos suck. If you don't have an interesting point of view or something like that, then it doesn't matter if it's a digital camera or what. There are a lot more people out there that they're willing to give a chance to and that's flooded the market a bit. But it's tough, it's always been tough to make it in the music industry as a photographer. Now I think it's tougher than ever, because everyone's budgets have been slashed so badly -- and then on top of the budgets being slashed, there are so many people out there willing to do it for next to nothing. Once you own a digital camera you don't have to pay for film and processing, you just do it on your laptop. Even in low light situations, you take a digital camera these days and you can shoot in almost non-existent light. And you couldn't do that with film. And if you could, you were shooting with TMZ or something like that, and it was really, really grainy and it was black and white, which I happen to love but not everybody does. And nowadays you crank up a 5D to 6400 and you get a reasonable image.

The lighting in your photos is so even and nice, it's very impressive. Do you use lighting setups at all?

I would say, if at all possible, ambient light is the most beautiful. These days I tend to use a Kino Flo. I just kind of throw up a constant light into a corner somewhere and just kind of create a direction. But if I get a big ad job or something like that I'll bring in more lights and stuff like that so I can make sure it is what it needs to be. And I won't use the word perfect because I never really want it to be perfect.

I've noticed that you've been doing more advertising work lately. Is that just something that has come along or is it something you are out there pursuing?

A little bit of both. Especially since the music budgets have started to peter out, it's necessary. Not only in photography, but in music too, where you'll see someone like Jay-Z hook up with Absolut because he likes the brand.

Right, you guys did that film together, right?

Yeah, so you have a guy like Jay-Z not being afraid to align himself with a brand, which makes it easier for me to say, "You know what, I'll do an Absolut thing or a shoot for Budweiser or Chevy if that comes along." People like my style because it's loose, so if I can do something that is keeping with what my style is...

The main word that is used to describe your style is unobtrusive. You have incredible access to a number of very popular bands. How do you work that?

It's relationships over the years. When I started shooting for SPIN back in the day, like how else would you meet a band? You'd get an assignment from a magazine, show up and hopefully take good photos and get along with them. Later on, you tell the publicist "I want to show you these photos" or they see them in the magazine and like them. And then hopefully they are like "You know, that guy was cool, he was easy going, he got great photos. If we need to do more photos, let's see if he's interested." And a lot of that stuff happened for me through SPIN. My relationships with the Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, Green Day were all bands I shot back in the day.

Doing stuff with Springsteen, Pearl Jam and Radiohead -- these are bands that are very protective of their image and I think it says a lot that they all trust you. That's pretty amazing. Once you have that trust, are you talking to them about how you intend to use the photos since you have this incredible access that not many other photographers have? Because I find that's one of the biggest obstacles for music photographers today -- 3 song limits, photo releases that are basically rights grabs, all these obstacles. Do you ever have to deal with those things?

I don't, but I'll tell you what, if I'm doing something with somebody, whether it's putting a photo out, doing a gallery show, I always make sure a band is comfortable with it. And if I don't think they are going to be comfortable with it, I'll definitely run it by them or by management. And if I come out of the blue to the Foo Fighters and say, "Hey I got this photo I love and I want to use it for something, I just wanted your blessing," I think management is even surprised when I do that. They're generally like "Oh, yeah, we're cool with that. There's no reason why we wouldn't be." And I think in the end, I think if you have that relationship, then you are in good standing with them and they are willing to cut you some slack. I just want to make sure that I don't put a photo out there that they don't want out there.

How do you feel about rights grabs? Lots of times I'll go to shows, especially bigger arena-type shows, and they'll stick a contract in my face and tell me to sign if I want to shoot the show. And by doing so, I am signing away my copyright to the photos.

I wouldn't do that myself. The fact is I have done it, I've just scribbled on the piece of paper. But I wouldn't scribble on it if it said they owned it. If I am giving up my right to shooting those photos for free, then I wouldn't do it. But if I'm in that position as a young photographer and I need the access and I got a chance to shoot a band like Arcade Fire, and you're a big Arcade Fire fan and you have a chance to shoot them somewhere and you're like "Damn, I really want to shoot these guys but they are telling me to sign away my rights," then you know, you do it. And you shoot the photos...if you sign away your rights and you give it to them and they end up using it for something, use that as your opportunity to go to them and say "Hey, I took that photo and you liked it, right?"

How do you feel about three songs in the pit?

I think it kind of stinks. But I think as an artist, I think having eight photographers in the pit the whole time I am trying to play a show would be distracting.

I agree with that. The thing that drives me nuts is the lighting for the first three songs is always the worst of the show. And then the stage magically brightens up during songs four, five and six.

Yeah. Sometimes that's on purpose, but I would think that most people would want to look good.

But that's my point. If you know there are going to be photographers there, wouldn't you want to be well-lit and take the best photos possible?

I would think so, yes.

Like last year, I shot KISS for the first time and we got two songs in the pit, but for those two songs, they played directly to the photographers. And everyone got amazing photos. So few bands are savvy enough to do that.

Yeah, and then Jay-Z comes out and he's in silhouette in the for the first song. [laughs]

Exactly. Moving on, the industry has changed a lot over the last ten or so years. How do you see the industry in the future? With the Internet and mobile devices, content delivery is changing, and at this point it's hard to even know where your images end up online or how they are being used.

I just had this conversation with someone just before you called. I was talking to this guy about the fact that I found this site on eBay, and the guy has basically taken my photographs -- the ones that I sell at a gallery for $1,000 -- and he's selling them for $7 on eBay. And we're going to track him down and take him out back and give him a beating. No, seriously, we're going to serve him with a cease and desist. What are you going to do? I've had to do that on several occasions and it's just something you have to do. And I not only have my copyright because I am the photographer, I also register the photos, so if I got into a real legal battle, where someone took my images and was making money off of them in a big way, it would be a federal offense.

What projects do you have coming up in the future?

I'm working on a few documentaries. I have a documentary on Ryan Adams which I am excited about. I do the John Varvatos ads every year. So I'm doing a new one of those. I think I'm going to do some press for My Morning Jacket coming up soon. So I'm pretty busy.

The last thing I wanted to ask you about is your progression into film and moving images. It seems like quite a few of the big name guys, people like Anton Corbijn, have made that transition. Is that sort of a natural progression after shooting still images for so long?

Not for everyone, but I always thought I wanted to make some documentaries. I always just take it as it comes. I don't have any grandiose plans, but I like making concert films and documentaries and a few videos here and there.

Danny Clinch takes part in National Geographic's new "Music on Photography" series tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 for NG members and $20 for the general public. The series continues in December with Neko Case, Ben Folds and Andy Summers.

http://www.mahalo.com/ultimate-ninja-storm-2-walkthrough Check out the rest of the Naruto videos here! Naruto Shippuuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=DCAFD5138B30888A This is a video walkthrough of the "Chapter 2: Their Renunion" (PT. 7/11) in the action/fighting game, Naruto Shippuuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 2! Check out these related Mahalo Video Game Walkthroughs: Fallout New Vegas: http://www.mahalo.com/fallout-new-vegas-walkthrough Castlevania Lords of Shadow Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-walkthrough NBA Jam Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/nba-jam-walkthrough Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/the-lord-of-the-rings-aragorns-quest Front Mission Evolved Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/front-mission-evolved-walkthrough Dead Rising 2 Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/dead-rising-2-walkthrough Death Spank: Thongs of Virtue Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/death-spank-thongs-of-virtue-walkthrough Halo: Reach Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/halo-reach-walkthrough Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/spider-man-shattered-dimensions-walkthrough Shank Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/shank-walkthrough Metroid: Other M Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/metroid-other-m-walkthrough Kane and Lynch 2 Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/kane-and-lynch-2-dog-days-walkthrough Red Dead Redemption Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/red-dead-redemption-walkthrough StarCraft 2 Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/starcraft-2-wings-of-liberty-walkthrough Check out these Mahalo Video Games Specialty Videos: Enslaved Journey to the West Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weypnkdfKTc Sonic 4 Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10EHiZH8En0 Fallout New Vegas: Failout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCp02TujP4A DJ Hero 2 Beginner Mode with John Mahalo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ba-9KCCk7o Dead Rising 2 Review: ...

http://www.mahalo.com/ultimate-ninja-storm-2-walkthrough Check out the rest of the Naruto videos here! Naruto Shippuuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=DCAFD5138B30888A This is a video walkthrough of the "Chapter 2: Their Renunion - Naruto vs Yamato" (PT. 3/11) in the action/fighting game, Naruto Shippuuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 2! Check out these related Mahalo Video Game Walkthroughs: Fallout New Vegas: http://www.mahalo.com/fallout-new-vegas-walkthrough Castlevania Lords of Shadow Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-walkthrough NBA Jam Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/nba-jam-walkthrough Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/the-lord-of-the-rings-aragorns-quest Front Mission Evolved Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/front-mission-evolved-walkthrough Dead Rising 2 Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/dead-rising-2-walkthrough Death Spank: Thongs of Virtue Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/death-spank-thongs-of-virtue-walkthrough Halo: Reach Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/halo-reach-walkthrough Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/spider-man-shattered-dimensions-walkthrough Shank Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/shank-walkthrough Metroid: Other M Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/metroid-other-m-walkthrough Kane and Lynch 2 Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/kane-and-lynch-2-dog-days-walkthrough Red Dead Redemption Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/red-dead-redemption-walkthrough StarCraft 2 Walkthrough: http://www.mahalo.com/starcraft-2-wings-of-liberty-walkthrough Check out these Mahalo Video Games Specialty Videos: Enslaved Journey to the West Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weypnkdfKTc Sonic 4 Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10EHiZH8En0 Fallout New Vegas: Failout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCp02TujP4A DJ Hero 2 Beginner Mode with John Mahalo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ba-9KCCk7o Dead Rising 2 Review: ...

Words by: B. Getz | Images by: Dave Vann

Phish :: 10.29.10-10.31.10 :: Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall :: Atlantic City, NJ

Pop over here to see the full gallery of pictures from the Halloween run!

Like a whirlwind of ocean and sand, the tidal wave that is Phish 3.0 stormed into Atlantic City for a Halloween weekend to close their fall tour. Halloween runs are always an event for the band and its minions; this would be no different as the boys gave new definition to "Boardwalk Empire." Phans descended on the nearly century old Jersey Shore landmark, funneling a much needed boost to the off-season economy of this blue-collar destination while also taking full advantage of its 24 hour playground. The hotels, casinos and nightclubs were crawling at all hours with revelers, costumed and imbibed like only we do.

Friday, October 29

Photo by Dave Vann © Phish 2010

An elated, palpable excitement permeated the salty ocean air as people filed in for the first gig. Though a sea of heads clogged the boardwalk outside the venue all three nights, the stately hall slowly filled as tickets were hard to even give away Friday. Yet once the band lined up for a barbershop quartet "Star Spangled Banner," everything was set in place for an blockbuster weekend.

The first set of music started out innocently enough, brevity and excitability contained within spirited takes. "Light Up or Leave Me Alone" shifted gears quickly, a sonic foreshadowing of treats to come, Page's gleeful verses and choice Fender Rhodes Winwood-isms sparking the twilight. The second portion of the first frame sought to harness the frenetic energy within the room. "Timber Ho," "Axilla" and "Rift" saw Trey Anastasio charging with fierce Languedoc tones, leading the tightly wound troupe into proper funk. "The Moma Dance > Cities > 46 Days" only served to up the ante, low-rider, uptempo cow-funk giving way to raging arena rock bombast, a collective effort in spades. The first set displayed command of some of their dramatic yet cohesive amalgams of style and substance.

Friday's second set saw more sonic diversity, showcased by the devastating "Sand > Carini." If the stutter-step crunk of 3.0's "Sand" is criminology, then this is Exhibit A. The intoxicating dance riddims and sensual aural layers detonated an aggressive, steppin' groove. Trey juxtaposed a forceful metallic vengeance - a "Carini" segue wrought with rampant redhead riffage as Cactus digi-bombs bludgeoned and shared descending insanity culminating in a clav-drenched milieu.

To steer into port, the boys demonstrated distinct intent with a masterful tandem of "Slave" and "Fluffhead." The former was a beacon of 3.0 reinvention, blissed-out and ethereal in flight, its emotional command tangible. "Fluffhead" was a love letter from the boys, signed, sealed and deliberate, as was the atypically tipsy "Loving Cup" that kissed us off into the windswept midnight Jersey shore.

Friday Setlist
Set 1: The Star Spangled Banner, My Soul, AC/DC Bag, Ocelot, Sample in a Jar, Light Up Or Leave Me Alone, Sugar Shack, Timber (Jerry) > Bouncing Around the Room, Axilla > Rift, The Moma Dance > Cities > 46 Days
Set 2: Punch You In the Eye > Sand -> Carini > Prince Caspian, Corinna, Piper > Theme From the Bottom > Golgi Apparatus > Slave to the Traffic Light > Fluffhead
E: Loving Cup

Order the show for Download on LivePhish.com

Saturday, October 30

Photo by Dave Vann © Phish 2010

Despite the typically great opening night, nobody could have dreamt the magic of the penultimate show Saturday night. After a soundcheck filled with their songs and a heavy-traction rumor that picked up steam, "Zeppelin" was on the tips of many tongues. On this marvelous evening, Boardwalk Hall would be adrift, a Mischief Night passage to a haunted house of the holy.

The punked-up bluster of "Cavern" announced an early fever, a tightly wound "Guelah Papyrus" scorched with concision. As the band careened skyward during "Chalkdust's" fierce jam, Trey and Mike hijacked the vehicle with a potent "Whole Lotta Love" riff and the boys initiated a weighty liftoff. The 'trick' was unveiled with this vigorous verse, only this was a mission not a small time thing. A crunk detour in "Ha Ha Ha" and an anthemic "Walk Away" marched to an uber-funky ‘Wolfman's." Toward the end of this boogie hustle, a peculiar vocal jam began bleeding into focused, mathematical cyber-funk sonic malevolence. This wicked display piloted into a phenomenal take on "Undermind." With such first class Phish on display throughout the first frame, unmitigated bliss permeated the setbreak, and it seemed the band was keen to treat fans maybe not blessed with a Halloween ticket to their own magic carpet ride on this chilly Saturday night.

A second frame opening "Tube" was a proper funk workout, a lesson in premeditated groove science, but it was the open-ended "Tweezer" that set the room ablaze with an endless spate of getting the Led out. Portions of "Heartbreaker," "Ramble On" and the exquisite "Thank You" were all stuffed inside the Zepplified "Tweezer," only to cap the madness with an emotive rendering of "Stairway to Heaven's" final coda, complete with Robert Plant-ish crooning and proper Jimmy Page-like wailing.

Lighting director Chris Kuroda was locked and loaded in furthering this mission, and per usual his accompaniment was indescribable visual delight. Phish fulfilled the Zeppelin rumor by bringing it to fruition - Halloween delivered early-style with gusto. The room was still reeling as "2001" announced more funk ferocity, the band one nation under a groove, a collective in the zone, rolling into a magnificent "Bowie." In suitable fashion, the evasive "Sleeping Monkey" settled back down to earth, with a colossal "Tweeprise" the exclamation point on a ridiculous penultimate journey.

Saturday Setlist
Set 1: Kill Devil Falls, Cavern > Foam, Guelah Papyrus, Chalk Dust Torture > Whole Lotta Love > Chalk Dust Torture, Ha Ha Ha, Walk Away, Wolfman's Brother > Undermind > Bathtub Gin, The Squirming Coil
Set 2: Tube > Possum > Tweezer > Heartbreaker > Ramble On > Thank You -> Tweezer > Stairway to Heaven, Halley's Comet > Also Sprach Zarathustra > David Bowie, Show of Life, Backwards Down the Number Line > Good Times Bad Times
E: Sleeping Monkey > Tweezer Reprise

Order the show for Download on LivePhish.com

Sunday, October 31st

Photo by Dave Vann © Phish 2010

After arriving and receiving the welcome news (via the PhishBill) that the musical costume was Little Feat's 1978 live album Waiting for Columbus, the anticipation was bountiful. Boardwalk Hall was levitating as, appropriately, Page McConnell's keytar-led "Frankenstein" ushered in the final excursion. Halloween had arrived and the natives were restless. Costumes were plentiful and more than creative, the sold-out AC massive quaking in its boots. After the astonishing Saturday show, the bar was more than raised for the last gig of the tour. An early and snaking "Ghost" traversed slowed-funk riddims as Trey unveiled "Spooky" to fit the premise. "Divided Sky," "Roses are Free" and "Boogie On Reggae Woman" also brought the goods. This particular trifecta was intricately woven, disparate in design yet similarly methodical - wide-ranging, cohesive jamming, all strikingly diverse intentions extremely well executed. Surprisingly, it was the dark, foreboding jam tucked within "Stash" that not only illuminated the night's haunted aura, but most defined the limitless potential of a reinvigorated foursome.

I would like to add to the chorus of applause for this musical costume. Little Feat's seminal double live record, recorded in London and Washington D.C. in 1977 was a perfect marriage of styles, song craft and spirit for Phish to tackle. Augmented by a five-piece horn section consisting of Aaron Johnson, Stuart Bogie, Ian Hendrickson, Michael Leonhart and Eric Biondo for several tunes, the band was ably assisted by Giovanni Hidalgo on percussion for nearly the entire set. From the opening "Fat Man in a Bathtub," the vibe peaked with a strong, emotional expedition through this great record. Highlights speckled the whole frame, and included the Cajun-fonky "Oh Atlanta" and the familiar "Time Loves a Hero" and "Dixie Chicken".

However the strongest for this writer was the excruciatingly dirty swank of "Spanish Moon." Fish carried a drunken funk swagger while Hidalgo mixed it up in the space between as Gordon laid down merciless grooves, half steppin' along as they let the horns blow. Later, "Willin'" simply wowed; masterfully introduced by Mike Gordon's sublime piano and expressively crooned by Fishman in full frontman mode. The band in full even took a victory lap around the arena wearing shit-eating grins. From start to finish Waiting for Columbus was an absolutely ideal collection of songs and jams that was expertly executed by Phish with extraordinary accompaniment.

Photo by Dave Vann © Phish 2010

The final set of tour was a celebration of sorts, a fantastic voyage through the Phish songbook. A restarted "Disease" settled into a jovial "Jiboo" that saw climatic band interplay achieve a galloping pace. Beginning with the swagger-funk of "Camel Walk," bubonic Gordon bombs crunched Red's descending riffage with authority, culminating in a sinister, grinding "Wilson" metal jam that pulverized the venue to the core, Trey's leads channeling the ghosts of Hendrix and Stevie Ray. "Hood" and "Silent" offered introspection and an emotive dalliance, and "YEM" was what Phish is in its essence - a passionate, joy-fueled romance between a band and its audience.

The "Julius" encore was icing, with the full complement of horns and Hidalgo returning for a feisty rollicking sendoff that may have been the finest rendition this writer has heard.

There were few walking out of the venue not completely blown away by this incredible three-day Phish display. Even the most jaded tour veterans were nearly speechless, delighted, cheesy grins abounded as full-blown dance parties ignited at the bars and casinos that dotted the boardwalk. Magic was in the salty ocean air as people traded superlatives to describe their own takes on the "Zeppelin trick" or "Little Feat treat." Nights, weekends and tours like this solidify the arrival of a new era for this band. The comeback sun has set, and as hoped, IT happened - once again.

Sunday Setlist
Set 1: Frankenstein, Big Black Furry Creature from Mars, Ghost > Spooky > The Divided Sky, Roses Are Free > Funky Bitch, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Stash, Character Zero
Set 2: Fat Man in the Bathtub, All That You Dream, Oh Atlanta, Old Folks Boogie, Time Loves a Hero > Day or Night, Mercenary Territory, Spanish Moon, Dixie Chicken > Tripe Face Boogie, Rocket in My Pocket, Willin', Don't Bogart That Joint, A Apolitical Blues, Sailin' Shoes, Feats Don't Fail Me Now
Set 3: Down with Disease > Back on the Train > Gotta Jibboo > Camel Walk, Suzy Greenberg > Wilson > Harry Hood > The Horse > Silent in the Morning > You Enjoy Myself

Order the show for Download on LivePhish.com

Continue reading for more pics of Phish's 2010 Halloween shows...

10/29/10 - 10/31/10 - Phish @ Boardwalk Hall (Atlantic City, NJ) View Photos

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See a bit of gesture-based combat at high speed.
Sega has released a new trailer showing off the weapons in Sonic Free Riders, the Kinect compatible racing game that will launch alongside Microsoft's peripheral.

Click here to read the full article

Section: Features, Collecting, Columns, Lists, Nostalgia, Previews, Consoles, PS3, Handhelds, PSP & PSPgo, Gear, Displays, Gear-Other, Ads & Media, Web, Other Media, Updates, Playstation-Store

This week’s downloadable PlayStation 3 game is Blacklight: Tango Down for $14.99. This game is a fast-paced, action-oriented, first-person shooter that takes place 25 years into the future. In the game, players take control of an elite covert ops team that is sent after an American Colonel and his personal Blacklight team. As players progress through the ranks, they will unlock new items and attachments to add to their fully-customizable weapons, giving them literally trillions of weapons combos to play with and endless hours of combat. Check out Blacklight: Tango Down:
Warning: This video requires an age verification to watch due to combat scenes, if you’re sensitive to violence you may want to skip this video.

This week’s PlayStation Portable Download is Z.H.P.: Unlosing Ranger VS Darkdeath Evilman for $29.99. In this game players act as the protagonist who just left a convenience store and heading home when you witness a fatal hit-and-run traffic accident. When your character tries to help the victim, the victim hands you a belt that morphs you into “Absolute Victory Unlosing Ranger” who must take on a wide range of characters on random maps leaving the fate of the world on your shoulders. Check out Z.H.P.: Unlosing Ranger VS Darkdeath Evilman:

Price Updates

• MX Vs ATV Reflex Track Pack 1 (PS3/Original Price $4.99/Permanent Price Now $1.99)
• MX Vs ATV Reflex Track Pack 2 (PS3/Original Price $4.99/Permanent Price Now $1.99)
• Resident Evil Director’s Cut (PS3/PSP/Original Price $9.99/Now $4.99)

Here’s what else is new

New Games

• Flick Fishing (PSP/$4.99)
• Superstars V8 Racing (PS3/$19.99)
• Bakugan: Defenders Of The Core (PSP/$19.99)
• WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2011 (PSP/$39.99)

Demos

• Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Demo (PS3/Free)
• Blacklight: Tango Down Trial (PS3/Free)
• Dragon Ball Raging Blast 2 Demo (PS3/Free)
• Majin And The Forsaken Kingdom Demo (PS3/Free)
• TV Superstars Demo (PS3/Free)

Avatars

• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Doughnut Drake Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Doughnut Lazarevic Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Glowzor Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Marco Polo Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Skelzor Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Tetram Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Genghis Kahn Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Lt. Draza Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Piatzor Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Zorskei Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Darkstalkers Jon Talbain Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Darkstalkers Lord Raptor Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Darkstalkers Oboro Bishmon Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Darkstalkers Victor Von Gerdenheim Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Dead Rising 2 Fat Lady Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Dead Rising 2 Zombie Cop Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Ghouls ‘n Ghosts Arthur (Jumping as an Old Man) Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Ghouls ‘n Ghosts Arthur (Jumping Naked) Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Ghouls ‘n Ghosts Arthur (Running Naked) Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Ghouls ‘n Ghosts Arthur (Walking as an Old Man) Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Ghouls ‘n Ghosts Asaroth Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Ghouls ‘n Ghosts Cerberus Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Ghouls ‘n GhostsGargoyle Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Ghouls ‘n GhostsLucifer Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Ghouls ‘n Ghosts Magician Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Ghouls ‘n Ghosts Pigman Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Ghouls ‘n Ghosts Reaper Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Ghouls ‘n Ghosts Vulture Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Kung Fu Rider Toby Avatar Bundle (PS3/$1.49)*
• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Avatar Pack 5 (PS3/$1.49)*
• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Avatar Pack 6 (PS3/$1.49)*
• *The Uncharted 2: Among Thieves avatar pack contains the avatars already listed, Pack 5 includes Doughnut Drake, Glowzor, Marco Polo, Skelzor and Tetram. Pack 6 includes Doughnut Lazarevic, Genghis Kahn, Lt. Draza, Piatzor and Zorskei. Kung Fu Rider is a bundle package only no separate avatars available.

Bonus Content

Warning: Players downloading any bundle should own a copy of the game or the system required for the item to work or function properly. Always make sure you have the game the add-on was intended for before downloading as there are no refunds for anything mistakenly purchased from the PlayStation Network Store.

• MX Vs ATV Reflex Special Series DLC (PS3/Free)
• High Velocity Bowling Move (PS3/Free)
• Piyotama PSP: Halloween Skin (PSP/Free)
• ModNation Racers – Stunt Props Pack (PS3/Free until November 9, 2010)
• LittleBigPlanet PSP – Costumes of Killzone (PSP/99 Cents)
• PAIN – Souxxie Character Pack (PS3/99 Cents)
• PAIN – I, Probot DLC (PS3/$1.99)
• Dead Rising 2 – Skills Pack – Sports Fan (PS3/$1.99)
• EyePet DLC – Halloween Pack (PS3/$2.99)
• Super Street Fighter IV – Ultra Challengers Pack 1 (PS3/$3.99)
• Red Dead Redemption – Undead Nightmare Pack (PS3/$9.99)
• WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2011 – Fan Axxess (PS3/$9.99)
• The Sims 3 Online Pass (PS3/$9.99)
• Red Dead Redemption – Undead Nightmare Collection (PS3/$19.99)

Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock

• The Rocky Horror Picture Show Track Pack (PS3/$5.49)
• Individual Tracks Include:
• “Sweet Transvestite” by The Rocky Horror Picture Show (PS3/$1.99)
• “Hot Patootie” by The Rocky Horror Picture Show (PS3/$1.99)
• “Time Warp” by The Rocky Horror Picture Show (PS3/$1.99)

Individual Song Tracks:

• “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden (PS3/$1.99)
• “Birth Ritual” by Soundgarden (PS3/$1.99)
• “Blow Up The Outside World” by Soundgarden (PS3/$1.99)
• “Burden In My Hand” by Soundgarden (PS3/$1.99)
• “Fell On Black Days” by Soundgarden (PS3/$1.99)
• “Hands All Over” by Soundgarden (PS3/$1.99)
• “Hunted Down” by Soundgarden (PS3/$1.99)
• “My Wave” by Soundgarden (PS3/$1.99)
• “Outshined” by Soundgarden (PS3/$1.99)
• “Rusty Cage” by Soundgarden (PS3/$1.99)
• “Spoonman” by Soundgarden (PS3/$1.99)

Def Jam Rapstar

• “This Is Why I’m Hot” by MIMS (PS3/$1.99)

Rock Band Network

*Warning: When purchasing a track pack always review your play list carefully before purchasing as most songs are also included in other track packs or sold individually. Always check first to avoid paying extra for a song you may already own as there are no refunds for purchasing the same song twice. If the song is available in a previously purchased track pack consider purchasing the remaining songs individually.

• “How We’d Look On Paper” by The Main Drag (PS3/99 Cents)
• “Life Unworthy Of Life” by Warpath (PS3/99 Cents)
• “Rip’Er” by Lead the Dead (PS3/99 Cents)
• “Cheat On The Church” by Graveyard BBQ (PS3/$1.99)
• “Chiron Beta Prime” by Jonathan Coulton (PS3/$1.99)

Game Videos

• The Tester Season 2 Preview Episode (PS3/PSP/Free)
• God of War: Ghost of Sparta Origins Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Dead Nation – Upgrades Trailer (PS3/Free)
• NBA 2K11 – Bulls Vs. Genghis Khan Trailer (PS3/Free)
• NBA 2K11 – MJ Present Day Trailer (PS3/Free)
• NBA 2K11 – MJ’s Greatest Moments Trailer (PS3/Free)
• NBA 2K11 Launch Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype The Last Chapter Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Medal of Honor – Friends From Afar Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Medal of Honor – Gunfighters Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Splatterhouse Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Superstars V8 Racing Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Debut Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Sonic Adventure Launch Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Vanquish Gameplay Trailer #6 (PS3/Free)
• Vanquish Gameplay Trailer #7 (PS3/Free)
• Homefront – Multiplayer Debut Trailer (PS3/Free)

Themes and Wallpapers

• Dead Nation Theme (PS3/Free)
• TV Superstars Dynamic Theme (PS3/$2.99)
• Spartacus Blood and Sand Dynamic Theme (PS3/$2.99)
• The Rosa Acosta Wild West Show Dynamic Theme (PS3/$2.99)
• Northern Lights Dynamic Theme (PS3/$2.99)

Read [PlayStation Store Blog]

Full Story » | Written by Lucy Newman for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

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After taking off like a rocket in 2005 with Guitar Hero, music games have been disappointing lately. But Ubisoft is betting its upcoming Michael Jackson The Experience game will bring the genre back from the dead.

The French video game company is launching the first Michael Jackson dance video game for the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, and Sony PlayStation Portable on Nov. 23. Versions for the Microsoft Kinect and Sony PlayStation Move (the new motion-sensing systems for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3) will be available in early 2011. To stoke sales, Ubisoft promises a special-edition white glove for anyone who pre-orders the Wii version or buys it on the first day. In the game, you learn a bunch of dance moves set to Michael Jackson’s biggest dance tunes.

The thinking is that there is a lot of pent-up demand for a game based on the King of Pop, who died in June, 2009. There was never a game made when the singer was alive. From 2007 to 2009, music titles such as Guitar Hero created a multibillion-dollar genre in video games.

But the titles ran out of gas due to lack of innovation and crashed in the past couple of years. Music games generated $152 million so far this year in the U.S., down 50 percent from a year ago, according to Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter. In 2009, music games generated $875 million in sales, but this year the category will be lucky to generate $500 million, Pachter believes. That weakness is one of the reasons the overall video game business is down 8 percent year to date in the U.S., according to market researcher NPD.

“We think the dance genre is a big part of the market and that music is due for a comeback,” said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Ubisoft in North America, in an interview. “We also think that Michael Jackson’s legacy is strong” thanks to the rebirth of his music after the singer’s death as well as the hit “This is It” Jackson film from last fall.

Fifteen of the game’s Michael Jackson songs have already been announced, ranging from “Bad” to “Thriller”, and more are being announced each week. Key says that any Michael Jackson song that makes you want to get up and dance will be included.

Key is optimistic because the company has shipped more than 4 million of its Just Dance games for the Wii, despite a slowing down of sales on that platform. Earlier this fall, it released Just Dance 2 on the Wii. Early next year, Ubisoft will also be shipping Child of Eden, a music game from Q Entertainment for the Kinect on the Xbox 360.

Other big companies are also betting heavily on music games. MTV is releasing Dance Central for the Kinect on Nov. 4. New versions of DJ Hero and Guitar Hero are also on the market. Def Jam Rapstar and PowerGig: Rise of the SixString were released this month. Sonic Boom announced today its Rhythm Zone downloadable music game on the PC. Instant Action also recently released its InstantJam Flash-based social music game for the PC.

And Rock Band 3 has gotten a makeover with its new release that could appeal to non-musicians who want to learn how to play musical instruments.

With all that activity, the King of Pop will be leading the charge for music games. Jackson sold more than 800 million albums worldwide, including 13 No. 1 singles, but he never authorized video games based on his likeness. Michael Jackson may not be coming back from the dead, but music games just might.

Do you believe music video games will make a comeback?Market Research

Tags: Michael Jackson The Experience

Companies: Ubisoft

People: Michael Jackson, Tony Key

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eJf4Q7D6nk&feature=player_embedded

Listen. I just played the crap out of Kinect tonight. It was actually fun. Like seriously, I can't believe I'm saying it. It's one of those things you just have to give a chance. We'll have some preview stuff for you on Monday.

Dale loves Corgis way too much, Nick loved Rock Band 3, Holmes checked out Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, win some awesome Enslaved stuff, Olivia Wilde will be in TRON: Evolution and more happened on 10/21/10.

Destructoid Originals:

• Beating Super Scribblenauts with Corgis?

Reviews:

• Review: Super Scribblenauts
• Review: Rock Band 3

Previews:

• Preview: Golden Sun: Dark Dawn

Contests:

• Contest: Win Enslaved, a rare statue and more!

News:

• Sonic Fan Remix Project demo now available
• A table tennis controller for Wii on its way soon
• Nintendo announces red Wii, DS bundles; Wii Remote Plus
• Parasite Eve coming to PlayStation Network
• Fantastic Pets, THQ's augmented reality Kinect game
• The first Fallout: New Vegas patch is out on PC
• Olivia Wilde and more lending voices to TRON: Evolution
• NBA Jam for PS3, 360 dated, price; will have online play
• Deal North: Kinect bundle, Fable III and other discounts
• Onimusha, Dino Crisis not forgotten, but revivals unlikely
• Witcher 2 was 'never confirmed' for consoles
• Call of Duty: Black Ops PC requirements are reasonable
• Visceral is not making a new Command & Conquer, actually
• Scribblenauts dev revealing new game next week
• Love Zombie gives the apocalypse a cute and cuddly makeover
• 2011 IGF brings in almost 400 games, go check them out!
• 24hr Flash game Thomas was alone now available
• Community creators earn big with Team Fortress 2 items
• What's new with Minecraft: Server portals, DDoS, and cannons
• Jim Cramer says 'That whole gaming business is a sell'
• Go buy Catherine on February 17, 2011
• One of these girls will be in Mega Man Legends 3

Media:

• Behold the first 'official' Kinect commercial
• Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam expansion price at $14.99
• Fallout: New Vegas: Phantom Keyboard edition
• Irrational teases with four more BioShock Infinite screens
• Avoid calluses, watch this Rock Band Pro Guitar video
• Red Dead Redemption's Undead multiplayer is a spooky delight
• A bad joke, a new Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom trailer
• Metal Gear Solid 3DS demo footage compiled
• The Horror: Babysitting Mama tutorial video
• New Sonic Colors trailer brings the purple frenzy
• Mastering this Chun Li combo could net you $50

In episode 2 of the Mr.Sock Show, Mr.Sock covers the latest headlines like, the Panasonic Jungle, Nintendo 3DS gets a date and price in Japan, and World of Warcraft: Cataclysm's release date. Also newly released games, Halo Reach, NBA Jam, and Sonic 4 are shown.

Words by: Eric Podolsky | Images by: Josh Miller

Treasure Island Music Festival :: 10.16.10-10.17.10 :: Treasure Island :: San Francisco, CA

Check out Josh Miller's fab photo gallery here.

Treasure Island Fest '10 by Josh Miller

As far as urban music festivals go, the Bay Area has got it made when it comes to gorgeous, out-of-the-way-yet-accessible locations to stage big parties. Now in its fourth year, Treasure Island Music Festival takes the cake for most unique location, situated right on the shoreline of the man-made island, a few miles offshore from SF. As there was no parking on the tiny island, a brigade of upscale buses provided free shuttle service to and from the island from downtown SF, which proved to be convenient, comfortable and efficient. Once inside the fairly small festival grounds, we were greeted to gorgeous views of the SF cityscape across the bay. Unfortunately, our luck ran out with the weather, as the Bay Area was bombarded with cold, clouds, wind and its first rains in months, right in time for festival weekend (after highs in the 80s earlier in the week). This took Saturday's under-dressed crowd by surprise, and many were seen huddled against the Bay's whipping winds, which swept across the exposed festival grounds.

With two closely situated stages sharing one field and no overlapping sets, this festival was a marvel of convenience that made it easy to expend as little effort as possible to catch your favorite bands. There were no half-mile walks from stage to stage, only leisurely strolls within the field's confines. The icing on the cake was the inclusion of the Silent Disco this year, which offered the crowd a headphone-dance-party alternative to the main acts throughout the day. DJ Motion Potion's set really got my Saturday evening going right, as he induced a big headphone-funk dance party under a canopy of lit-up trees.

This year's lineup was as indie as ever, and with the two days distinctly separated into "electro-dance-DJ day" and "sentimental-indie-rock-collective day" you may as well been at two different festivals over the course of the weekend. Saturday's sold-out raver crowd swelled throughout the day, reaching a saturation point for Deadmau5's Daft-Punk-scale house music extravaganza. The electro beats of band after band carried the neon island party into the night before we were forced to board the buses, which deposited us back into the real word of downtown San Francisco.

Sunday was a different animal altogether, as cold and rain hit early in the day, putting a damper on affairs early on. Fortunately, the rain disappeared around 2 pm, and the rest of the day went along smoothly, and we were serenaded with the finest indie music around. Lovely harmonies, huge bands and well-crafted songs dominated the day, and the noticeably subdued and smaller crowd was all smiles, with many a couple seen making out all over the place.

The separation of each day into a general musical genre proved to be a smart decision that paid off for everyone, as people were able to choose which day to attend based on their musical tastes. Overall, even with lousy weather, the bands delivered in a big way, and the setting was naturally breathtaking and surreal. What more could you want from a festival?

Continue reading for Saturday highlights...

Treasure Island Saturday Highlights

LCD's James Murphy by Josh Miller

1. LCD Soundsystem :: 9:35-10:50 :: Bridge Stage

After the straight house music barrage of Deadmau5 whipped the crowd into a manic frenzy with larger-than-life beats, headliner James Murphy and Co. took the stage and built their set organically with a mighty patience, letting the music breathe, swell and build to epic heights. Decked out in a brilliant white suit, Murphy was a straight crooner on this night, singing to us with a confidence and clarity I haven't heard from him before. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand at every moment, and he knew it. Opening quietly with the slow-burner "Dance Yrself Clean," Murphy forced us to lean into the music right off the bat, even before the song exploded into the dance party we were all waiting for. From there, Murphy led us through his infectious catalog of ass-shaking analog dance-rock, putting special emphasis on dynamics. His well-oiled band cranked out song after song of finely crafted, polyrhythmic grooves, and it was awe-inspiring. Many things blew me away about this set, most of all the sonic perfection of the mix. Every instrument came through bright and clear, and the band's big, spacious sound filled the festival space perfectly. With drummer Patrick Mahoney driving the groove with his incessant pocket, the masterful maturity of this band shone through in the ever-urgent, slow builds of "Daft Punk Is Playing At My House" and "Tribulations," which peaked in epic fashion before the band closed with the happy sing-along groove "Home." My favorite set of the weekend.

2. Die Antwoord :: 3:00-3:45 :: Bridge Stage

It's safe to say that this set left the entire crowd with their jaws on the ground. Storming out the gate on their first U.S. tour, South African MCs Ninja and pint-sized lady Yo-Landi Vi$$er blew our fucking minds with their over-the-top stage presence and lewd gestures, and backed it all up with some of the best MC skills I've ever witnessed. Presenting themselves as unabashedly white trash gangsta, it was easy to laugh at their weird haircuts and ridiculous braggadocio, but as soon as Ninja started rapping, his incredible skills more than justified any antics. Simply put, the set was pure, blazing hip-hop. Ninja speed-rapped with amazing clarity over minimal slice-and-dice beats, and it was off the charts awesome. Running around the stage in his boxers, shaking his dick around and sneering, he spat dirty sex rhymes and amazing freestyles, and blew us all away with pure MC skillz. Throughout the set, Yo-Landi Vi$$er acted as a sort of Joe C to Ninja's Kid Rock, for lack of a better analogy. Her otherworldly, little-girl delivery complimented the songs, but mostly she was all attitude and sexuality, grabbing her chest with a snarl and mooning the crowd a couple of times. An truly tremendous concert experience.

3. !!! :: 4:35-5:25 :: Bridge Stage

I've known about these guys for a while, and was excited to see them for the first time. This band was one of the first to patent the now-widespread dance-rock movement a number of years back, and they still deliver live. Theirs is a dirty-punk groove approach, with Tyler Pope's funky, deep-fuzz basslines driving the songs forward. The band themselves was fantastic, but I couldn't say the same for vocalist Nic Offer, whose breathy, low delivery didn't compliment the band very well. At times it seemed like he wasn't trying very hard, and it was often hard to hear his mediocre voice above the consistently engaging grooves. When the band decided to get instrumentally serious and jam a bit, it was fabulous, bass-bombing psychedelic dance-rock, complete with electro-glitch bloops and bleeps. The band's horn section seemed under-utilized to me, as they were used more for sonic color than anything else. I danced my butt off anyway.

4. Holy Fuck :: 1:30-2:15 :: Bridge Stage

These guys pack a sonic wallop. This instrumental band is just a rhythm section and a couple of dudes tweaking and fiddling with knobs, but they sure make a lot of sound. They crafted an eerie ambiance with their weird toys, which complimented the driving rhythm. But this wasn't really dance music, more a soundscape of ethereal groove-noise. Vocal loops and modulators evoked Lee Scratch Perry level experimentation in a rock setting (there was even a melodica), and the audience responded warmly to the out-there results, especially considering the set was so early in the day. Hunched over their toys, these mad professors won me over with their exploratory, order-in-chaos approach to music.

Deadmau5 by Josh Miller

5. Little Dragon :: 7:05-7:50 :: Tunnel Stage

I had never heard of this Swedish band before I caught this set, and their synth-soul-pop sound really caught my ear. Sometimes evoking the icy early-80s sounds of Grace Jones or even Bowie, Little Dragon has catchy songs and an airy-cool ambiance created by well-placed synths, which serve the melodies well. Their lead singer Yukimi Nagano is soulful yet detached in the languid, catchy way that synth-pop works best. This was one set that succeeded in inspiring me to actively seek out the band's material. Great nighttime music.

6. Deadmau5 :: 7:55-8:45 :: Bridge Stage

Having no ear for or experience in the world of house music, I was somewhat baffled at the hordes of adoring fans that came out for this guy. His fans were definitely the most visible on Saturday, and the crowd was absolutely packed for his set. As I'm mostly unable to tell house music apart from other electronic music, I can say that his was a very simple, stripped-down style of epic tension-release beats and electronic sounds meant solely to make you dance. His stage show was the most elaborate of the weekend, taking a page straight out of the Daft Punk playbook. Deadmau5, with glowing mouse head on at all times, was perched atop a giant cube, which projected various images and light displays. This all combined to be a fun, high-energy experience, though not musical in nature. Talking with a fan later, I learned that the man uses no samples in his live show and creates all sounds in the moment with analog equipment. That said, I respect Deadmau5 for what he does, but can't say the music engages me.

Continue reading for Sunday highlights...

Treasure Island Sunday Highlights

Broken Social Scene by Josh Miller

1. Broken Social Scene :: 5:35-6:25 :: Bridge Stage

Though I was mostly unfamiliar with this Canadian musician collective before this set, I was soon converted. Their ensemble approach to playing continually surprised me, with musicians continually switching instruments after every song. The band plays a sort of alt-rock chamber music, with each musician in the eight-piece band playing a very specific role in the sound and always serving the song. The set started with four guitars jangling away, and yet the sound was lean and not overly busy. "7/4 (Shoreline)" was rocked out nicely, and the mid-tempo "Texaco Bitches" was made interesting with some bloopy synths. At times the band evoked the wide-open-spaces feel of early U2, with shimmering guitar parts and soaring vocals. But the peak of the set had to be "Anthems for a Seventeen-Year-Old Girl," a slow-building loop of a tune which repeated itself, each band member gradually adding something new at every repetition until it built to a soaring, heartfelt crescendo. As the band peaked the song out, singer Kevin Drew successfully crowd-surfed all the way back to the soundboard - a triumphant way to end the set.

2. Superchunk :: 2:30-3:15 :: Bridge Stage

I'd never heard of these guys either, and they thoroughly impressed me with their meaty, poppy punk rock. Superchunk has influenced countless indie rockers having been around for over 20 years, and listening to them play it's easy to tell why. They work as a unit, slugging it out with duel guitar power chords and a rockin' female bassist, her axe slung low, to boot. Singer-guitarist Mac McCaughan was right on all set with his great voice. Their new track "Digging for Something" had me rocking hard, and included the first real guitar solo of the entire weekend, believe it or not. "My Gap Feels Weird" was also awesome, and the anthemic "Crossed Wires" had a rip-roaring, jangly guitar duel. They closed their utterly satisfying afternoon set in grand rock fashion, with thrashing guitars and windmill power chords.

3. Belle & Sebastian :: 9:05-10:20 :: Bridge Stage

Another band I haven't given a chance, these guys closed the festival out on a cheery note with their immaculate, gorgeous pop-rock melodies. In a day filled with large ensemble bands, this group beat them all with an 11-piece band, complete with horn and string sections. Lead man Stuart Murdoch was in high spirits, bouncing around the stage while his band churned out bright, meticulously crafted pop. All the songs were light and catchy, with a high gloss production that gave them a kind of George Martin feel. Songs like "I'm A Cuckoo" were amazingly clean and precise in their sound, and the audience was all smiles and extraordinarily attentive. Indeed, in between songs, I had never heard a quieter, more well behaved audience in all my years. This allowed the band to give their music the delicacy it required, what with its lovely flute and string parts and three-part madrigal harmonies. Tunes like "Suki In The Graveyard" and "The Boy With The Arab Strap" were gleaming, radio-friendly nuggets that got people bouncing around before the epic, feel-good climax of "Sleep The Clock Around" sent us to the shuttle buses, closing out a big day of music.

4. The National :: 7:15-8:15 :: Bridge Stage

This band is Matt Berninger. Everything about the archetypal indie rock this band plays revolves around his aching, Morrissey-like baritone and the heartbreaking lyrics it delivers. In this eight-piece band, all instruments function to serve the song, first and foremost. Strings, horns, guitars and keyboard are all complimentary color to his deeply soulful voice. Most all of his songs are about relationships and getting older, and all are tinged with melancholy. The music is always achingly beautiful, and tunes like "Apartment Story" and "Conversation 16" make you feel more than you might expect. This was a deep show, and every now and then Berninger would freak out, as he did in "Abel," screaming, "My mind's not right!" His performance contrasted drastically with his funny, witty stage banter - definitely the winner for best banter of the weekend. Berninger has great stagecraft, and knows how to be a leading man to great effect. Some other lead singers from the weekend could have taken a tip or two from him...

M. Ward by Josh Miller

5. She & Him :: 4:00-4:50 :: Bridge Stage

This collaboration between M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel was a fun afternoon romp into 60s era doo-wop pop. Their band had a jukebox feel to it, with M. Ward's soul-fried guitar work leading the band. Though Deschanel has a great voice, it was a cold, windy day, and she seemed a bit unsure onstage, and her voice didn't fill the open field very well as a result. This would clearly be a great band to see in a small venue, but their delicate sound didn't translate very well to a gigantic, open-air stage. Regardless, songs like "Black Hole" were fun and lighthearted, with backup singers doo-wopping it up. My favorite song had to be "This Is Not A Test," a sunny, strummy, acoustic feel-good number. Another highlight included M. Ward leading the band through a folkified version of "Roll Over Beethoven" to close out a fun set.

6. Papercuts :: 1:55-2:25 :: Tunnel Stage

A short 30-minute set started my day off right with an introduction to Papercuts' etheral indie-pop. Based in SF, they are led by vocalist Jason Robert Quever, whose high-pitched, quavering tenor blends with the band's lo-fi sounds. Their songs are punctuated with strange washes of organ sounds, and are catchy if a bit generic sounding. I would definitely give them another chance, as a half hour is not much time to prove one's worth as a band.

Continue reading for Josh Miller's photo gallery...

10/16/10 - 10/17/10 - Treasure Island Music Festival (San Francisco, CA) View Photos

JamBase | Surrounded By Water
Go See Live Music!

Fallout New Vegas: 8/10 Civilization V: 7/10 Fable III: 8/10 Vanquish: 8/10 Prof. Layton and the Lost Future: 8/10 NBA Jam: 5/10 Sonic 4: Ep 1: 7/10 Medal of Honor: 6/10 Quantum Theory: 3/10 Pro Evolution Soccer 2011: 7/10 Castlevania: Lords of Shadow: 7/10 Amnesia: The Dark Descent: 8/10 F1 2010: 8/10 Final Fantasy XIV: [...]

Section: Gaming News, Features, Lists, Nostalgia, Consoles, PS3, Handhelds, PSP & PSPgo, Genres, 2D, 3D, Action, Adventure, Casual, Fighting, Shooter, Horror & Suspense, Music, Puzzle, Role-Playing, Sim, Updates, Playstation-Store

This week’s downloadable PlayStation 3 game is Dead Space Ignition for $4.99. In this prequel to Dead Space 2, players follow the story of an engineer named Franco Delille and his partner Sarah Andarsyn who find themselves stranded when the Necromorph outbreak occurs and must make their way across the Sprawl to multiple locations to hack into the system and escape. This game is actually a graphic novel that tells the story of the events that take place before Dead Space 2 but players do get a chance to help Franco hack into the computer through mini-games to try and contain the virus from spreading further in the ship. The game has four unique endings to the story that can change based on the puzzles solved. There are three different hacking puzzles to solve—Hardware Crack, System Override and Trace Route. In Hardware Crack, players must align projectors and reflectors to bounce lasers to complete circuits on a grid to crack through the broken control panels. System Override is similar to a tower-defense game except players are on attacking not defending. Trace Route is a race to the central computer core. As added bonus, players who complete Dead Space Ignition will be rewarded with unlockable items for Dead Space 2 which includes exclusive hacker suit and matching weapon skins for the main character Isaac Clarke. Check out Dead Space Ignition:

This week’s PlayStation Portable Download is NBA 2K11 for $19.99. NBA fans will want to grab this game, because Michael Jordan makes a debut appearance in NBA 2K11. Now players can follow Jordan’s career by completing the Jordan’s Challenge mode and play his most memorable games to unlock other challenges. Or play the game using classic teams in exhibition or association mode complete with classical looking stadiums to name a few. Check out NBA 2K11:

Halloween Special

Starting this week, there’s a new category in the PSN store for Halloween-themed games such as Burn Zombie Burn, PSOne classics like Silent Hill, PSP games like Undead Knights, premium themes and more. Now until the end of October keep checking this category for more content.

Price Updates

• PSOne Classic: Fighting Force (PS3/PSP/Original Price $5.99/Now $2.99)
• Astro Tripper (PS3/Original Price $4.99/Now $2.99)
• Resident Evil 5: Untold Stories Bundle (PS3/Original Price $12.49/Now $5.99)
• Blue Toad Murder Files Episodes 4-6 Bundle Pack (PS3/Original Price $14.99/Now $7.49)
• Ultimate Ghosts N Goblins (PSP/Original Price $19.99/Now $9.99)
• Power Stone Collection Legacy (PSP/Original Price $19.99/Permanent Price Now $9.99)
• Section 8 (PS3/Original Price $29.99/Permanent Price Now $14.99)
• Fate Unlimited Codes (PSP/Original Price $29.99/New Permanent Price Now $19.99)

Here’s what else is new

New Games

• PSOne Classics: Arc The Lad (PS3/$5.99)
• PSOne Classics: Alundra (PS3/$5.99)
• Zenonia (PSP/$6.99)
• Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode I (PS3/$14.99)
• FIFA Soccer 11 (English/Spanish) (PSP/$39.99)

Demos

• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II Demo (PS3/Free)
• Dead Space Ignition Demo (PS3/Free)
• Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode I Demo (PS3/Free)

Avatars

• Darkstalkers Hsien-ko Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Darkstalkers Sasquatch Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Mega Man 10 Proto Man (Running) Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Mega Man 10 Tango Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Street Fighter Ken Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype Buzzsaw Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype Cyclops Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype EDF Marine Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype Nyx Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype Vielkopf Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype Vielkopf2 Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)
• Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype Wuchtklinge 2 Avatar (PS3/49 Cents)

Bonus Content

Warning: Players downloading any bundle should own a copy of the game or the system required for the item to work or function properly. Always make sure you have the game the add-on was intended for before downloading as there are no refunds for anything mistakenly purchased from the PlayStation Network Store.

• Red Dead Redemption – Hunting & Trading Outfits Pack (PS3/Free)
• ModNation Racers – Progressive Insurance “Flo” Mod (PS3/Free)
• Disney Sing It: The Party Hits “Ordinary Girl” – Hannah Montana (PS3/Free)
• LittleBigPlanet PSP – Costumes of UNCHARTED (PSP/99 Cents)
• Dead Rising 2 – Skills Pack – Psycho (PS3/$1.99)
• Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. 2 – Cold War Pack (PS3/$3.99)
• Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. 2 – Mig Alley Pack (PS3/$3.99)
• Moto GP 09/10: Twin Track Pack (PS3/$4.99)
• PAIN: Alpine Ski Lodge (PS3/$5.99)
• Split Second – Survival At The Rock Pack (PS3/$6.99)

Rock Band

*Warning: When purchasing a track pack always review your play list carefully before purchasing as most songs are also included in other track packs or sold individually. Always check first to avoid paying extra for a song you may already own as there are no refunds for purchasing the same song twice. If the song is available in a previously purchased track pack consider purchasing the remaining songs individually.

• “Are You Experienced: Rock Band Edition” Album (PS3/$19.99)
• Individual Tracks Include:
• “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix (PS3/$1.99)
• ”Manic Depression″ by Jimi Hendrix (PS3/$1.99)
• “Hey Joe (Live)″ by Jimi Hendrix (PS3/$1.99)
• “Love or Confusion″ by Jimi Hendrix (PS3/$1.99)
• “May This Be Love″ by Jimi Hendrix (PS3/$1.99)
• “The Wind Cries Mary″ by Jimi Hendrix (PS3/$1.99)
• “Fire (Live)″ by Jimi Hendrix (PS3/$1.99)
• “Third Stone from the Sun″ by Jimi Hendrix (PS3/$1.99)
• “Foxey Lady″ by Jimi Hendrix (PS3/$1.99)
• “Are You Experienced″ by Jimi Hendrix (PS3/$1.99)
• “Stone Free″ by Jimi Hendrix (PS3/$1.99)
• “Highway Chile″ by Jimi Hendrix (PS3/$1.99)

Rock Band Network

• “Parhelia” by Heaven Ablaze (PS3/99 Cents)
• “American Underwater” by LoveHateHero (PS3/$1.99)
• “Death Metal Guys” by Reverend Horton Heat (PS3/$1.99)
• “Incubus” by Amberian Dawn (PS3/$1.99)
• “No One’s Gonna Love You” by Band of Horses (PS3/$1.99)

Def Jam Rapstar

*Warning: Players must own a copy of Def Jam Rapstar in order to play or listen to these tracks properly. These tracks will not work with any other music game.

• “I Got Five On It” by Luniz (PS3/$1.99)
• “Passin’ Me By” by The Pharcyde (PS3/$1.99)
• “Ridin’” by Chamillionaire (PS3/$1.99)
• “You’re A Jerk” by New Boyz (PS3/$1.99)

Game Videos

• Phantasy Star Portable 2 Story Trailer (PSP/Free)
• Dew Tour 2010 Portland – BMX Highlight (PS3/Free)
• Dew Tour 2010 Portland – Event Highlights (PS3/Free)
• Dew Tour 2010 Portland – Pedro Barros (PS3/Free)
• Dew Tour 2010 Portland – Pierre-Luc Gagnon (PS3/Free)
• Dew Tour 2010 Portland – Playstation Pro Moments (PS3/Free)
• Dew Tour 2010 Portland – Ryan Guettler (PS3/Free)
• Dew Tour 2010 Portland – Skate Highlight (PS3/Free)
• Dew Tour 2010 Portland – Skate Park Course (PS3/Free)
• UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves – GOTY Announcement Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Bulletstorm Cliff Bleszinski E3 Demo Commentary (PS3/Free)
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II – Combat Documentary (PS3/Free)
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II – Hero Documentary (PS3/Free)
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II – Story Documentary (PS3/Free)
• Red Dead Redemption – Liars And Cheats Pack Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Vanquish Gameplay Trailer #4 (PS3/Free)
• Vanquish Gameplay Trailer #5 (PS3/Free)
• Deus Ex 3 TGS Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Dungeon Siege 3 Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days – Additional Content Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Sky Fighters Gameplay Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 Gamescom Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One PAX Demo Walkthrough (PS3/Free)

Themes and Wallpapers

• Top Gun – Wallpaper 2 (PS3/Free)
• Top Gun – Wallpaper 3 (PS3/Free)
• Scion Dynamic Theme (PS3/Free)
• Dragon Theme 1 (PSP/$1.49)
• Dragon Theme 2 (PSP/$1.49)
• Scenic Toy Village Theme (PS3/$1.49)
• Toy Harbor Theme (PS3/$1.49)
• Halloween Horror Theme 1 (PSP/$1.49)
• Halloween Horror Theme 2 (PSP/$1.49)
• Vampires Theme 5 (PSP/$1.49)
• Vampires Theme 6 (PSP/$1.49)
• Clown Theme (PS3/$1.99)
• Halloween Horror Premium Theme (PS3/$1.99)
• Vampires Premium Theme 2 (PS3/$1.99)
• DJ Hero 2 Dynamic Theme (PS3/$1.99)
• DP Aquarium Dynamic Theme (PS3/$3.49)

Read [PlayStation Store Blog]

Full Story » | Written by Lucy Newman for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Nimm14QIY

The brand new Destructoid show launched on Revision 3, we relaunched Destructoid, we gave life to N33T and Flixist and the relaunch of Japanator and Tomopop are set to hit this weekend. So yeah, we've been pretty damn busy lately. Thanks for sticking with Destructoid as we go through all the bugs.

We got even more new stuff planned for you folks, including the return of your favorite podcast series.

{{page_break}}

Destructoid Originals:

• Exclusive: Twisted Pixel talks about Manga Comic Jumper
• Destructoid (the show) is a thing you can watch
• Win awesome prizes in our Extra Life marathon!
• Destructoid (the show) Ep. 2: Call of Turismo Deepak THQ Boy
• Watch Sonic Colors on our Extra Life stream!!
• NYCC: Chibiterasu found!
• NYCC: Renegade Accordion is amazing
• NYCC: Video of Sega's Captain America in action
• NYCC: Inafune, Niitsuma and other badasses in attendance

Reviews:

• Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1
• Review: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
• Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1
• Review: Medal of Honor
• Review: NBA 2K11
• Review: Shantae: Risky's Revenge
• Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 (iPhone)

Previews:

• A look at Dance Central's Dirty Vegas 'Days Go By' routine
• Impressions: Faery: Legends of Avalon
• NYCC: SonSon is hard, son!
• NYCC: First look at Sega's Captain America: Super Soldier
• NYCC: Backstreet's back...alright!

Contests:

• Win a one-of-a-kind Comic Jumper themed Xbox 360

Events:

• Marvel vs. Capcom 3 'Fight Club' invading Atlanta
• Final Fantasy: Distant Worlds special Tokyo show

News:

• Bit.Trip team working on 3DS game, profit inevitable
• NPD removing most of their hardware/software sales data
• Next Halo novel detailed, explores the Forerunners
• Dead Space 2 prequel coming to XBLA/PSN tomorrow
• Hell in Minecraft looks appropriately creepy
• DJ Hero 2 demo hits Best Buy stores
• Get Mew for Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver via Wi-Fi soon
• MonkeyPaw brings RPGs! Alundra and Arc the Lad for PSN
• Pinball FX 2 bumped back to October 27
• Own Borderlands for Steam? Here, have some Duke Nukem
• Capcom needs your help designing Mega Man Legends 3
• THQ making games based on writings of Deepak Chopra
• Pitchford: Aliens: Colonial Marines announced 'too soon'
• Play Wisdom Tree's awful Bible NES games today!
• Dead Space 2 Collector's Edition outed
• Gran Turismo 5 delayed a bit
• The Doors first downloadable content for Rock Band 3
• Hefty title update now live for Monday Night Combat
• Dota 2 hits PC and Mac in 2011 by way of Valve
• Full Dance Central track listing revealed
• Crazy Taxi getting HD-ified for PSN/XBLA in late Nov.
• Mechner puts original Prince of Persia screenplay online
• Atlus drops more details on Catherine, sexy texting
• DJ Hero 2 DLC announced, backwards compatible update coming
• Games on Demand finally nabs Gears of War 2
• Crimson Skies dev has 'several' AAA titles in the queue
• Arc the Lad, Alundra took one year to bring to PSN
• Atari is reviving Star Raiders for PC, Xbox 360, and PS3
• Blizzard didn't ban over single-player StarCraft II cheats
• Bit.Trip Fate gets priced, dated, and teased
• Castlevania PS3 has evil save bug, patch incoming
• Native Netflix app coming to PS3 next week
• Linkin Park tracks coming to Guitar Hero, DJ Hero 2
• Shoot Many Robots will see robots shot in 2011
• So sorry: Crysis 2 multiplayer beta is 360 only for now
• Nintendo World Store in NYC getting a makeover
• Rumor: Steam to let you 'trade and exchange' games (Update)
• Historical shmup Guwange is coming to XBLA on Nov 10
• Pokemon Black/White soundtrack: 4 hours, 170 songs
• Capcom and Bandai have made a Resident Evil card game
• 'Free upgrade' Dragon Age II Signature Edition announced
• Duke Nukem: Next-Gen fan project is a go
• Concept art for upcoming film looks mighty familiar...
• Ex-LucasArts executives form Fearless Studios
• Red Dead gets 'Undead Nightmare' on Oct 26, DLC disc
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned canceled
• NBA Jam for PS3 and Xbox 360 will be a retail release
• NYCC: Archie Comics to publish a Mega Man comic
• Sonic Anniversary revealed, remaking classic Sonic levels
• Kevin Butler threatens puppies
• NYCC: Chewbacca and his clone get down to some Jackson
• NYCC: X-MEN Arcade welcomes you to die on PSN/XBLA soon!
• PS3 only does Helghast in sexy new Killzone 3 trailer
• Tales of Monkey Island is absurdly cheap on Steam
• NYCC: New Capcom Arcade Classics coming to Wii in 2011

Offbeat:

• Mega Man 8-bit Deathmatch is out, still super neat
• Super Metroid would've sounded rad as a Genesis title

Media:

• Shaun White Skateboarding vs. reality
• Early footage of Mega Man Legends 3 surfaces
• Super Meat Boy 'will destroy your face'
• Batman: Arkham City sure is looking smooth
• This Call of Duty: Black Ops trailer doesn't exist
• Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit's social features look slick
• 'Noble Map Pack' hits Halo: Reach November 30
• LEGO Wii Remote is as incredible as you'd expect
• Gender bending new Rune Factory coming to PS3 and Wii
• Conduit 2 now slated for a February 2011 release
• New Splatterhouse images show off splatters, a house
• Call of Duty: Black Ops teaser for a trailer
• NYCC: Magneto and M.O.D.O.K. in Marvel vs. Capcom 3

LIT*
Part verbal Fight Club and Def Poetry Jam, Literary Death Match pits writers against each other to be judged by a panel and the audience. The event comes to LA’s the Mountain Bar in Chinatown tomorrow with readings commencing at 9:15 sharp. Tickets: $10 at the door.

SHOP+PLAY
Fun While It Lasted--a pop up retail fashion, art and music space—opened today and runs through Saturday in Echo Park. The space showcases 23 established and emerging brands during Los Angeles Fashion/Market Week, including Blood is the New Black, Elizabeth Knight Jewelry, Wackerhaus, Carlos Campos and more. Girlie Action Media will be curating the evening concert series. Located at 106 Mohawk St at Sunset. Opens daily at 10 am with nightly music performances at 7:30.

MUSIC
The Do LaB presents a sonic journey around the globe that fuses eclectic world rhythms and sounds with electro, ragga, hiphop, dubstep, breaks, and lotsa bass tonight with producer-composer-multi-instrumentalist-DJ David Starfire, El Papachango and SaQi. 9 pm at King King. Tickets: $15.

VARIETY
The live comedy-music-variety show Lost Moon Radio starts its residency at Café-Club Fais Do-Do tonight. Each night features different one-hour collage of original sketches, song and metaphysical ramblings. Runs tonight and tomorrow and Oct. 21-23 at 8:30 pm. Tickets are $11 in advance, $13 at the door.

MUSICLACE hosts Earthquake Quartet #1 composed by Andy Michael tonight from 7-9 pm. It’s an “experimental concept-driven piece written for trombone, cello, voice, and seismograms from actual earthquakes manipulated to create audible pitch…” that will be performed by USGS geophysicist Andy Michael, Stephanie Ross, and Lucy Jones--yes that earthquake expert Lucy Jones--with a presentation about LAMoves from D.V. Rogers.

*Pencil pick of the day

Want more events? Follow me on Twitter.

[quote user="Bell Tone Easy"]

Mg:
It was a lot of fun! Notice my goofy grin the whole song long.. I rarely get to jam with people anymore.

Bell Tone Easy sent me a really good video camera, and more tapes than I can use in a lifetime! No more snap crackle or ear drum removing pops and squeaks.
Thanks a lot Dave! This Buds for you!

So good to hear and see things got sorted. I am looking forward to more. :)

As for drunken harmonica players, here in Missouri anyway, it's considered ok to shoot them, as that has been upheld as sonic self-defense. Check local laws however before going out to bag one, as these laws can and do vary widely.
[/quote] We can't shoot them in this state, unless we are bow hunting Turkey and they start playing. This guy I tell him to quit in this vid, so he stops until the end of the song and comes back in and sucks real bad. Lucky for him I only brought one guitar , or it would have been El Kabong time. He has the wrong key harmonica, and he is ruining all my songs, and standing near the camera! Even people from the audience tell him to shut the hell up. The bar was understaffed and never got around to kicking him out. Why can't harp players learn to not walk on everything and everybody! What is up with that? You don't play the whole song with a band! Ever! Dammit. Just goes to prove that even tho you can play an instrument it does not make you a musician. Shh.. be vewy,vewy qwiet.. I'm taking harmonica players hunting this year..

Read the Paul Cutting Soulcuts UK review @ : http://soulcuts.wordpress.com/2010/10/03/tom-glide-the-luv-all-stars-in-the-name-of-luv-review/In the Name of Luv is the brainchild of fellow Frenchmen, Tom Glide and Patrick Smadja. Years ago, as students, the two promised one another that they would one day record an album with a bunch of Earth, Wind & Fire musicians. Fast-forward a few years and Tom Glide has assembled his dream team (including RahmLee, Larry Dunn, James Gadson and a whole host of top-brass soul luminaries) to produce the most joyous album I’ve heard this year. It’s an unabashed love letter to the classic American soul sounds of the early eighties, replete with punchy horns, sweet strings, real musicians and a truckload of fantastic tunes. The album kicks off in fine style with the punchy Get It Off, a spirited dancefloor groove, replete with a sterling arrangement and some impressive horns centre-stage. It’s an A-grade cut that’s wholly representative of the overall quality of the project. Get It Off There’s nothing showy about any of the arrangements here, no long solos or musical masturbation, everything fits together in support of the song and the groove. And that groove takes for its inspiration the music of EWF, Quincy Jones and the more sophisticated dancefloor soul of the late 70s/early 80s. Although it’s far from simply being a collection of retro-soul, In The Name of Luv accurately distils its influences to create an album that sounds like a lost Earth, Wind & Fire record. It magically captures the spirit of first discovering EWF or The Dude; recalling a time when music sent a shiver down your spine. What’s Your Fantasy What’s Your Fantasy is an exemplary slice of soulful disco that deserves to be a huge. It’s a real step-up from the proto-disco Jamiroquai has been releasing over the past ten years, showing how it should be done, not skimping on the soul for the sake of the groove. I’m Crazy drops the tempo for a beautiful Philly-styled ballad complemented by a lush, romantic string arrangement that recalls Larry Gold’s excellent Don Cello & Friends album (check Bunny Sigler’s Can I from that album!). Along with the title track, it’s one of only two ballads on the album, both delivered with style and finesse by Orlando Johnson. I’m Crazy The horn led Fanfare segues into Can You Feel It, another tight groove propelled by a superior funky horn arrangement and some storming percussion. The quality just does not let up on this album. There is not one poor track. Even the slightly cheesy title and one-dimensional lyrics of Kool Party can’t hold things back, delivering another absolute belter of a jam; a superior slice of Saturday night soul! The absolute stand out cut is Love is Coming Up. It’s hard to single out particular tracks for attention on such a consistently excellent album, but this track has now taken the top spot in the SoulCuts 2010 chart. The horn and vocal arrangements on this track are stellar, sending a shiver up the spine. The intro is masterful, a little synth, some scat vocals and the track builds, bringing in bass and drums before driving forward with those punchy horns. There’s a subtlety to the track that brings to mind that sophisticated late 70s/early 80s sound you’d usually associate with a Norman Connors or Quincy Jones production. Yes, it’s that good. Love is Coming Up In the Name of Luv ends with the title track, a stretched out romantic ballad with Orlando Johnson on lead vocals. It’s a wonderfully smooth end to the album with a restrained horn arrangement and delicate keys. A subtle track on which to end an album full of energy, spirit and passion. This album shines brightly as an absolute labour of love. It transports the listener to a better place. It may not be a revolution in sonic terms, or songwriting. Some may even view it as not being particularly progressive for soul music, but I’d argue the case that this is exactly the kind of music we need to be hearing right now, born out of love for the genre with an expressed desire to entertain, move and delight the audience. In the Name of Luv may be the successful realisation of a long-held dream for its creators, my only hope is that it’s a recurring dream and that this soulful troupe continue to make music together for many years to come. Please, don’t delay, go grab a copy of this album now and enrich your soul! A physical copy will be out sometime in the future on the excellent Expansion label, but you can currently download it at iTunes, quick, jump to it! Visit our site and check the sessions trailer @ http://www.tomglideandtheluvallstars On iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/in-the-name-of-luv/id393967909 I'm Not The Same Man available on Traxsource http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc;=tpage&cr;=titles&cv;=69299 On Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/qid=1286043885/ref=sr_gnr_fkmr0?ie=UTF8&node;=78144031&field-keywords;=TOM+GLIDE+LUV Thanks so much ;0) Tom SOULTRACKS REVIEW : Go down the names in the credits of In the Name of Luv, the latest album by Tom Glide and the Luv All Stars and you will notice a couple of familiar names - especially if you're an Earth, Wind & Fire fan (as I am). Rahmlee Michael Davis gets credit for the horn arrangements, producer, trumpet, clavinet and vocals. Larry Dunn gets credited for his work on the keyboards and synthesizer. Rahmlee Michael Davis might be better known as a member of the Phenix Horns, the outfit responsible for the sound that gave EW&F; one of soul and pop music's best horn sections. Dunn was EW&F;'s keyboard player and founding member. So it is not surprising that Tom Glide and the Luv All Stars sport a sound that is deeply influenced by Earth, Wind & Fire. The fact of the matter is that EW&F; has been around for such a long time that the band's influence is a mile wide and just as deep. That influence can be seen in the many rap groups and singers who have sampled EW&F; songs, as well as in the groups and individuals ranging from The Emotions and Denise Williams to The Tubes who have been produced by Maurice White. That influence can also be seen in the many EW&F; alums taking the group's sounds in many different directions. Chris gave me the assignment to review the album Transoceanic by the group Audio Caviar soon after I joined the Soultracks staff in 2007. That group included several EW&F; alums including Ralph Johnson, Al McKay, Phillip Bailey, Morris Pleasure and Paulinho DeCosta. Audio Caviar became a link to the days before EW&F; became a worldwide soul and pop phenomenon by playing the jazz-based funk and soul that the group was known for prior to That's the Way of the World. Tom Glide's sound moves a decade up on the EW&F; chronology to the late 1970s and early 1980s - an era that includes Grammy winning albums like I Am and some that are perhaps under appreciated albums like Electric Universe. Energetic up tempo songs that feature blaring horns and inspirational lyrics and solid ballads like "Crazy" and "In The Name of Luv" will remind listeners that EW&F; was as much an ideal as a band. The group was always about uplifting and making people feel good. Through the use of original music, Tom Glide and the Luv All Stars provides a solid overview of the music EW&F; made during a productive if somewhat underappreciated period. Who knows, the blaring horns and tight vocal harmonies on a song like "Love is Coming Up" might encourage someone to take another listen to some of that old EW&F.; Recommended. By Howard Dukes Read more: Tom Glide and the Luv All Stars | Review - In the Name of Luv | SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews