http://www.geeksofdoom.com Stuff by geeks, about geeks, for geeks. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:00:36 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Copyright © Geeks of Doom 2011 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ webmaster@geeksofdoom.com (Geeks of Doom) webmaster@geeksofdoom.com (Geeks of Doom) Comics, Movies, Technology, Video Games, Books, Toys, Geeks, Geek, Television, TV, Music, Film 1440 http://geeksofdoom.com/GoD/img/2010/04/2010-04-27-geeksofdoomcast144.jpg http://www.geeksofdoom.com 144 144 Your weekly geek infusion The official podcast for all things Geek Comics, Movies, Technology, Video, Games, Books, Toys, Geeks Geeks of Doom Geeks of Doom webmaster@geeksofdoom.com no no http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2012/01/12/music-review-heavy-metal-presents-gates-volume-1-ascension/ http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2012/01/12/music-review-heavy-metal-presents-gates-volume-1-ascension/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:03:06 +0000 Obi-Dan http://www.geeksofdoom.com/?p=108664

Heavy Metal Presents: Gates Volume 1 – Ascension
Melrose and Vine Records
MP3 Download: U.S. | UK
Released date: August 9, 2011

For over 30 years Heavy Metal -- the sci-fi/fantasy comic -- has graced comic shop shelves with visceral covers featuring Adonis-like men with rippling muscles and svelte, pointy-breasted semi-naked women. This year Heavy Metal has released a soundtrack of metal and electronica to accompany its first web comic: Gates. If that wasn’t cool enough, all net proceeds go towards the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund [...]]]> http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2012/01/12/music-review-heavy-metal-presents-gates-volume-1-ascension/feed/ 1 http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/12/22/music-review-motley-crue-greatest-hits/ http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/12/22/music-review-motley-crue-greatest-hits/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:00:09 +0000 Obi-Dan http://www.geeksofdoom.com/?p=128429

Motley Crue
Greatest Hits
U.S.: CD | MP3
UK: CD | MP3
Eleven Seven Music
Release date: December 5, 2011 (UK)

This year marked 30 years since the release of Motley Crue's debut album Too Fast For Love. After that record hit in 1981 the years have been packed with tragedy and infamy (with a sex tape or two thrown in) for the Crue. But in that time they, somehow, continued to make great music, most of which is compiled on this Motley Crue: Greatest Hits package.

The tracks are in chronological order beginning with the untamed “Too Fast For Love” to the more production heavy efforts of the fabulous “Dr. Feelgood” and “Home Sweet Home.” [...]]]> http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/12/22/music-review-motley-crue-greatest-hits/feed/ 0 http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/11/05/music-review-chickenfoot-iii-3d-packaging/ http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/11/05/music-review-chickenfoot-iii-3d-packaging/#comments Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:12:47 +0000 Obi-Dan http://www.geeksofdoom.com/?p=115719

Chickenfoot
III
earMUSIC
Release date: October 24, 2011 UK
November 1, 2011 U.S.

Supergroups are always a precious thing. Usually the ego-meter is higher than the number of tracks recorded, but lower than the probability that it will crash and burn. Having two ex-members of Van Halen in Chickenfoot always sounded like someone was waving a blowtorch at a short fuse. The explosion would surely follow.

And yet here we are, two years after Chickenfoot’s self-titled debut album for album number two. According to guitarist Joe Satriani in his interview with Geeks of Doom, singer Sammy Hagar named the band's second album III because drummer Chad Smith and bassist Michael Anthony wanted to call it IV. Well I’m glad that’s cleared that up then [...]]]> http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/11/05/music-review-chickenfoot-iii-3d-packaging/feed/ 0 http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/10/17/music-review-tracer-spaces-in-between/ http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/10/17/music-review-tracer-spaces-in-between/#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:42:00 +0000 Obi-Dan http://www.geeksofdoom.com/?p=109749

Tracer
Spaces In Between
Cool Green Recordings
Released October 3, 2011 UK: CD October 18, 2011 U.S.: CD

Recently my concern with new rock music is that musicians have stopped listening to blues. The old blues masters is where rock originated and just about every great rock song has a heavy blues foundation. Sure, the new guys say they love the blues but then rip into clone riffs of AC/DC, Led Zep, and all the usual classic rock bands ignoring the nuggets that made those bands great in the first place.

It takes balls to create a new sound by taking the most interesting parts and the intricacies of the greats to form something (almost) entirely your own. Tracer are not concerned with just copying the greats on debut album Spaces In Between. They’re interested in balls [...]]]> http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/10/17/music-review-tracer-spaces-in-between/feed/ 0 http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/10/04/music-review-batman-arkham-city-soundtrack/ http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/10/04/music-review-batman-arkham-city-soundtrack/#comments Wed, 05 Oct 2011 03:19:59 +0000 MK2Fac3 http://www.geeksofdoom.com/?p=114359

Batman: Arkham City Soundtrack
Various Artists
CD | MP3
WaterTower Music
Release date: October 4, 2011

As I've stated previously, I am huge fan of the soundtracks from all the Batman films. That might have something to do with the fact that I'm a huge Batman fan, which most of you may know by now, but you may not know my love for music. So, when the two are combined, it's a perfect storm for pure Hunter Camp enjoyment. I mean, Batman-related songs from artists like Prince, Method Man, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and The Offspring have been featured on various Batman soundtracks. That's a great thing. So, when the announcement of the Batman: Arkham City soundtrack came out, to say that I was excited would be an understatement. It has literally been 14 years since the last high profile Batman soundtrack filled with popular music has come out. You may have noticed that Christopher Nolan's Batman movies have only been accompanied by purchasable score audio, and the Arkham Asylum game came with no soundtrack [...]]]> http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/10/04/music-review-batman-arkham-city-soundtrack/feed/ 1 http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/09/27/music-review-sebastian-bach-kicking-screaming/ http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/09/27/music-review-sebastian-bach-kicking-screaming/#comments Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:01:57 +0000 Obi-Dan http://www.geeksofdoom.com/?p=112559

Sebastian Bach
Kicking and Screaming
Frontiers Records
Released September 26, 2011 (UK) CD | MP3
September 27, 2011 (U.S.) CD | MP3

No matter how many years go by, how many reality TV shows he appears on, or how many times he defends Axl Rose, Sebastian Bach will always be the voice of Skid Row. It may be 15 years since he was part of that band and he has even tried to distance himself from that era. Despite these attempts it is clear on his new album Kicking & Screaming that this kind of music is what he does best [...]]]> http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/09/27/music-review-sebastian-bach-kicking-screaming/feed/ 0 http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/09/13/music-review-alice-cooper-welcome-2-my-nightmare/ http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/09/13/music-review-alice-cooper-welcome-2-my-nightmare/#comments Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:30:58 +0000 Obi-Dan http://www.geeksofdoom.com/?p=109266

Alice Cooper
Welcome 2 My Nightmare
Universal Music Enterprises
Released September 12, 2011 UK: CD | MP3
September 13, 2011 U.S.: CD | MP3

After the disbandment of the Alice Cooper band, its frontman went solo and in 1975 released his first album: Welcome To My Nightmare. 36 years later Alice Cooper has released its follow-up, Welcome 2 My Nightmare. And you thought Chinese Democracy took a long time to make.

Ok, ok, so it’s not the same thing. Alice has released 17 albums in between (not including the many live albums and countless best of’s) and been constantly busy. His albums have ranged from the brilliant (Hey Stoopid) to boring (Dragontown). Those who were disappointed with 2008’s Along Came A Spider will be delighted with this return to gruesome form.

As with most of Alice’s past albums, much of this is playful in a twisted way. The one-two of the beautiful “Something To Remember Me By” followed by a tale of grizzly revenge in “When Hell Comes Home” is sure to raise an evil smile [...]]]> http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/09/13/music-review-alice-cooper-welcome-2-my-nightmare/feed/ 0 http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/08/29/music-review-red-hot-chili-peppers-im-with-you/ http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/08/29/music-review-red-hot-chili-peppers-im-with-you/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:56:33 +0000 Obi-Dan http://www.geeksofdoom.com/?p=106246

Red Hot Chili Peppers
I’m With You
Warner Bros.
Produced by Rick Rubin
U.S.: CD | MP3
UK: CD | MP3
Release date: August 29, 2011

A lot has happened to the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the last 5 years. Since the release of their last album, 2006’s Stadium Arcadium, drummer Chad Smith joined Chickenfoot, bassist Flea went to school, singer Anthony Kiedis grew a moustache, and guitarist John Frusciante left due to ‘musical differences’ (why won’t bands just tell the truth and put out a statement that reads – to paraphrase Friends – ‘it’s just...we hate that guy’?). Now with Josh Klinghoffer on guitar duty, the Chili’s have released album number 10, I’m With You.

As I opened the case I kept repeating to myself, “don’t let me down, don’t let me down...”

Someone heard me. Loud and clear.

Stadium Arcadium had, apart from a small selection of songs including “Dani California” and “Hump de Bump,” had very little to revisit. At 28 tracks long, it was too much and a little self-indulgent. I’m With You includes half its predecessor's number of tracks and twice the quality [...]]]> http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/08/29/music-review-red-hot-chili-peppers-im-with-you/feed/ 0 http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/08/16/music-review-muppets-the-green-album/ http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/08/16/music-review-muppets-the-green-album/#comments Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:30:04 +0000 The Geeks of Doom http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=104128

Muppets: The Green Album
Various Artists
CD | MP3
Walt Disney Records
Release date: August 23, 2011

NPR is currently streaming the upcoming compilation album Muppets: The Green Album for free (you can listen to the entire album right here below). The album features many of today's most popular artists covering classic Muppets tunes.

I generally stay clear of “tribute” albums or compilations where your new favorite bands are assembled like some kind of snotty superhero team. This is because the implied mission of these records is to teach us morons how cool people like Buddy Holly were. (See: Rave On. Actually, don't.) And besides, for those of us who already enjoy the subjects being covered, you only want to put the originals on when these little smug-fests are over. I get it. You like Leonard Cohen. So do we.

However, Muppets: The Green Album is one of the more fun various artist collabs I've heard since that Carpenters joint from the nineties. Starting with The Ok Go's wonderfully reworked version of the "Muppets Theme," you're immediately invited into a world where the narrative isn't so “Hey, dum-dum! I know better than you!” Alkaline Trio's “Movin' Right Along” will have you tapping your toes at your cubicles. And The Fray have a great time with "Mahna Mahna.: Although, just about every performance is more optimistic than the next, My Morning Jacket runs away with the album with an absolutely gorgeous version of “Our World.” [...]]]> http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/08/16/music-review-muppets-the-green-album/feed/ 0 http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/07/19/music-review-captain-america-the-first-avenger-soundtrack/ http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/07/19/music-review-captain-america-the-first-avenger-soundtrack/#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 01:48:32 +0000 BAADASSSSS! http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=98761

Captain America: The First Avenger Soundtrack
CD | MP3
Alan Silvestri
Walt Disney Records
Release Date: July 19, 2011

This summer movie season has brought us the now customary overpowering glut of blockbuster superhero epics, and with them some interesting but ultimately unmemorable orchestral scores. It's disappointing when esteemed composers like Patrick Doyle and James Newton Howard are put to work on movies such as Thor and Green Lantern and they can't even be moved to create good music for them. Neither musical score packed even the slightest amount of the mystery, tension, and high adventure all classic action-movie scores bring to their accompanying films, although to be fair Doyle's Thor soundtrack had its share of moments worthy of the God of Thunder. If the music doesn't care about the characters and the on-screen action, then why should we? Most composers tend to fall back on the same musical motifs that do little to stand out as nothing more than the components of a standard soundtrack. It all sounds nice, but you won't be humming the themes for hours or days after you see the movie or purchase the soundtrack CD [...]]]> http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/07/19/music-review-captain-america-the-first-avenger-soundtrack/feed/ 3 http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/07/10/music-review-philip-sayce-ruby-electric/ http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/07/10/music-review-philip-sayce-ruby-electric/#comments Sun, 10 Jul 2011 15:48:04 +0000 Obi-Dan http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=97280

Philip Sayce
Ruby Electric
Produced by Dave Cobb and Eddie Kramer
Provogue
Released July 18, 2011 (UK) CD | MP3

Recently blues rock has seen a resurgence in quality in new, young musicians. Far from imitating their parents’ record collection, the devil’s new breed is creating blues rock that is entirely their own. Wah-wahing his way to the front of the pack is Philip Sayce with his debut album Ruby Electric. But unlike blues godfather Robert Johnson, I’m pretty sure Sayce did not consort with His Unholiness to unleash his devilish talent.

Welsh-born, Canadian-raised Sayce is a very talented guitarist with some imaginative solos. His guitar licks are a mixture of Jimmy Page and John Frusciante; lots of choppy blues funk but can pull out a rocking tune like the no-messin’ “Take You Away.” For me the very best of the young blues players is Joe Bonamassa, and Sayce has the serious talent to wail on that fretboard alongside him [...]]]> http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/07/10/music-review-philip-sayce-ruby-electric/feed/ 0 http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/06/20/music-review-black-country-communion-2/ http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/06/20/music-review-black-country-communion-2/#comments Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:56:50 +0000 Obi-Dan http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=94929

Black Country Communion
2
J&R Adventures
Produced by Kevin Shirley
Released June 14, 2011 U.S.: CD | MP3
June 13, 2011 UK: CD| MP3

Rock supergroups are often a collaboration amongst musicians when one or more of their respective bands goes belly up. Sometimes, however, they are formed when musicians are taking time away from being awesome in their ‘day job’ to be awesome elsewhere. This brings us to Black Country Communion, a supergroup made up of Glenn Hughes ( ‘the voice of rock’ of Deep Purple fame), Jason Bonham (son of late Led Zeppelin drummer), Derek Sherinian (formerly of Dream Theater), and the new blues king, Joe Bonamassa.

As much of a fan as I am on Glenn Hughes -- Deep Purple’s Burn is without question one of the greatest rock albums of all time and You Are The Music…We’re Just The Band by his first band Trapeze is one of the most underrated albums of the '70s -- it was the inclusion of guitarist Joe Bonamassa which really piqued my interest in this band. For me, Bonamassa is one of the most exciting and talented blues rock musicians alive. His solo albums demonstrate his great talent in fusing traditional blues with the sheer power and sometimes frightening speed of rock; something which makes blues music more interesting and, quite frankly, cooler. He brings all this and more to the BCC table and to its second album, simply titled 2 [...]]]> http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/06/20/music-review-black-country-communion-2/feed/ 0 http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/05/11/music-review-anvil-juggernaut-of-justice/ http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/05/11/music-review-anvil-juggernaut-of-justice/#comments Wed, 11 May 2011 19:07:22 +0000 Obi-Dan http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=91850

Anvil
Juggernaut of Justice
U.S.: CD | MP3
UK: CD
Produced by Bob Marlette
The End Records
Release date: May 10, 2011

The great thing about Anvil is that no matter what, they will keep on rockin’, keep on poundin’. Where some of their younger contemporaries have embarked on or completed farewell tours, insisting age has claimed another victim, Anvil will keep going.

For years now they have raised the bar for themselves with each new release. On their latest album, Juggernaut of Justice, they have raised that bar very high indeed; these are the best songs Anvil has ever written. After over 30 years together and in the form of their lives, they would be foolish to stop this juggernaut now.

Anvil previewed title and opening track “Juggernaut of Justice” on their Facebook page ahead of release. It’s a storming metal song with a typically catchy lead riff and unyielding rhythm that got me very excited and gave back-up to my argument that Lips is one of the most underrated lead guitarists in metal. The dildo-wielding, naked photo-posing Lips of old may not be around any more, but the most significant difference in him is that Lips is now an even better guitarist. His scintillating solos on the rampaging, Motorhead-esque “On Fire” will bring a smile (and an air guitar) out in all Anvil fans [...]]]> http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/05/11/music-review-anvil-juggernaut-of-justice/feed/ 0 http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/05/06/music-review-thor-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/ http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/05/06/music-review-thor-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/#comments Sat, 07 May 2011 01:19:56 +0000 BAADASSSSS! http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=91497

Thor: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
CD | MP3
By Patrick Doyle
Buena Vista Records
Release Date: May 3, 2011

One of the things I love most about seeing a movie for the first time is experiencing its music score. I have many favorites but the ones that affect me the most are the great adventure scores, from Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s jaunty and propulsive The Adventures of Robin Hood to John Williams’ endlessly hum-worthy Raiders of the Lost Ark. The best of these scores tend to plant themselves deep in my mind and always pipe up at moments when I need those sounds the most and my MP3 player is nowhere to be found. They calm my soul and motivate me to conquer each of life’s challenges, be they minor or potentially life-threatening, with a hearty laugh and my arms jutted forward like I could take off flying at any moment [...]]]> http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/05/06/music-review-thor-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/feed/ 0 http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/04/02/music-review-soundgarden-live-on-i-5/ http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/04/02/music-review-soundgarden-live-on-i-5/#comments Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:14:19 +0000 Obi-Dan http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=87205

Soundgarden
Live on I-5
CD | MP3
A&M Records
U.S. Release date: March 22, 2011
UK Release date: March 21, 2011

Soundgarden is a band almost impossible to neatly define. So diverse is the band’s sound that anything they try -- be it punk, grunge, rock, acoustic -- nothing sounds out of place. Like contemporaries Faith No More, they manage to mix all of these influences together while still possessing an identifiable sound. This keeps their audience guessing, not just from album to album, but from each track to the next.

On new live album, Live on I-5, Soundgarden keeps this excitement going. It was recorded at various U.S. and Canadian venues at the tail end of 1996, just a few months before the band’s eventual break up. Thanks to this, there is a definite sense of anger within the performances, which added to the band’s natural energy and power on stage makes for an intensely frenetic and hugely impressive live album [...]]]> http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2011/04/02/music-review-soundgarden-live-on-i-5/feed/ 0