Before I start, there is just something I need to say. I can't stand the Colorado Avalanche. I can't believe the Stars are down 2-0 in this series. Hopefully they will come together, but they will have to do it on the road. Watching has been frustrating
Seems like I decided to do this at the right time. This week, iTunes is celebrating the free songs they've given away the last two years. They talk about all the ones that went on to be big. It's an impressive list.
This week there are three free selections from which to choose.
The first is Dimension by Wolfmother. If you like Black Sabbath, you'll probably dig this. It sounds good. The music transitions from sounding very familiar to something that sounds like a new twist on the genre, but overall, it is pretty formulaic. The problem for me was that I felt like I was listening to a song that was playing in the background of That 70's show. While the song was well put together, I just didn't enjoy it enough to put it on my iPod so I give it a 2 of 5. (Note: Metal fans will likely enjoy this)
The next track is Zambra by Willie & Lobo. It is the Discovery Download of the week. The talent is evident on this track, and I think this would be right at home as part of a movie soundtrack. The quote from iTunes is (..puts a Middle Eastern spin on their full-bodied, tasteful Latin Jazz and funk). If that sounds confusing, you'[re not alone, but surprisingly, it fits in pretty well. When the track began, I figured I would not be keeping it, but as it went on, I actually enjoyed it and think this would make great background music. It's not something I would jam in the car to, but that's not really the point. All in all, pretty enjoyable. 4 out of 5.
Finally, there is the Preface and Chapter 1 of Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick. The book is about how America began going beyond the simple story of the Pilgrims. This audiobook clip is about an hour and 18 minutes long, so I have not had the chance to listen to it yet and as such, will not be reviewing it. This is more of an FYI.
Last week I mentioned the Clip Show from The Apprentice. It turned out to be great. It went through all the tasks that have gone on so far and showed a lot of un-aired footage as well. If you are a fan of the show, you'll love it. If you're curious about this season, you should check this out. If "Reality TV" doesn't do it for you, then you'll probably stay away. 4 of 5.
Well, that's it for this week.
PJ
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
iPod/MP3 Reviews - 4/18/2006
Welcome to this week's iPod/MP3 Review.
In deciding to do this, I mentioned my favorite media player Media Monkey. This program will do just about anything you want it to. Ripping CD's (limited unless you buy the application), converting audio formats(MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV, FLAC), playlists, and tag editing are pretty much standards when it comes to media players these days and MM handles them like a dream. Where it distinguishes itself is in the organizational aspects of audio. The media library can be sorted in a number of different ways (again standard), but provides the ability to auto-tag songs based on data from Amazon.com. This includes album art which can be stored inside the MP3 file if that is available. Once you've got your tag data down, you can instantly rename the track based on whatever configuration you specify. The ability to do this with your entire library at once makes this program great. In fact my only want is that it would play AAC audio. The app will sync with your iPod, but I don't recommend this as the iPod is a very tempermental gadget. I really love mine, but the fact I've had to reload it twice based on lock-ups really irks me. I give Media Monkey a 4.5 out of 5.
Freebies:
So, iTunes is treating us to three free downloads this week although one is not available at the moment (More on that in a moment).
The first is Damone - Out Here All Night. I really enjoy this song. It's got a great rock-beat, good guitar licks without any hair-metal band solos, and the vocals aren't screaming like a ton of bands seem to do. I've always been a fan of bands with female lead singers especially in rock bands. The band sounds polished but not so much in a way that makes you feel like they would sound really bad live. The song is a lot of fun actually. The fact that they released their album on my birthday this year bodes well for them too. All in all, I'm planning on keeping this song on my iPod and would give it a 4 out of 5.
The next is MSTRKRFT - Easy Love. It is iTunes' Discovery Download of the week (Pronounced Master Craft). All in all, I'm not much for techno. It's great if you're at a club, but if you're not, it feels a little like you're stuck in a Night at the Roxbury skit. I know it takes a lot of skill to put together something like this especially with the digitized voice not sounding like a voice prompt in a call center. I'm sure this fits right into some people's style, but it's just not mine. Repetition is only good if you like what you're repeating. Therefore, I'm giving this a 2 of 5. It's probably not that bad for the style, but I don't enjoy the style. Sorry guys.
Finally, the last freebie of the week is a "Clip Show" from the Apprentice. I'd love to tell you about this one, but when you click it right now, it says "This item is being modified. Please try again later." So, I'll review it later.
Well, that's it for this week,
PJ
In deciding to do this, I mentioned my favorite media player Media Monkey. This program will do just about anything you want it to. Ripping CD's (limited unless you buy the application), converting audio formats(MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV, FLAC), playlists, and tag editing are pretty much standards when it comes to media players these days and MM handles them like a dream. Where it distinguishes itself is in the organizational aspects of audio. The media library can be sorted in a number of different ways (again standard), but provides the ability to auto-tag songs based on data from Amazon.com. This includes album art which can be stored inside the MP3 file if that is available. Once you've got your tag data down, you can instantly rename the track based on whatever configuration you specify. The ability to do this with your entire library at once makes this program great. In fact my only want is that it would play AAC audio. The app will sync with your iPod, but I don't recommend this as the iPod is a very tempermental gadget. I really love mine, but the fact I've had to reload it twice based on lock-ups really irks me. I give Media Monkey a 4.5 out of 5.
Freebies:
So, iTunes is treating us to three free downloads this week although one is not available at the moment (More on that in a moment).
The first is Damone - Out Here All Night. I really enjoy this song. It's got a great rock-beat, good guitar licks without any hair-metal band solos, and the vocals aren't screaming like a ton of bands seem to do. I've always been a fan of bands with female lead singers especially in rock bands. The band sounds polished but not so much in a way that makes you feel like they would sound really bad live. The song is a lot of fun actually. The fact that they released their album on my birthday this year bodes well for them too. All in all, I'm planning on keeping this song on my iPod and would give it a 4 out of 5.
The next is MSTRKRFT - Easy Love. It is iTunes' Discovery Download of the week (Pronounced Master Craft). All in all, I'm not much for techno. It's great if you're at a club, but if you're not, it feels a little like you're stuck in a Night at the Roxbury skit. I know it takes a lot of skill to put together something like this especially with the digitized voice not sounding like a voice prompt in a call center. I'm sure this fits right into some people's style, but it's just not mine. Repetition is only good if you like what you're repeating. Therefore, I'm giving this a 2 of 5. It's probably not that bad for the style, but I don't enjoy the style. Sorry guys.
Finally, the last freebie of the week is a "Clip Show" from the Apprentice. I'd love to tell you about this one, but when you click it right now, it says "This item is being modified. Please try again later." So, I'll review it later.
Well, that's it for this week,
PJ
My idea for a new feature
So, I'm horrible at staying updated on this and on our home website. It's not that I'm lazy exactly, it's mostly that I'm forgetful. I constantly think that I should update the blog and also the website, but something comes up before I actually do it, so Karen and I have scheduled time to do a website update even if it is just to write what has happened this week. I decided that I would do something that I have been looking for and couldn't find.
I love my iPod. It hardly leaves my side and saved me on my last business trip when I wanted to zone out of business and concentrate on anything else. It has brought many an album back into my life which for a music junkie like me is great! iTunes is even growing on me. While it's not my favorite media player (that would be Media Monkey), it is very efficient in ripping cds, burning cd's, purchasing music, etc. One of the musical highlights of my week is looking at iTunes every Tuesday to see what the new free song of the week is. I have recently started doing this as I kept noticing in reviews of songs or albums that I like someone commenting, "I got this when it was the free download". So, I thought I need to start checking these out. This brings me to my idea for the new feature of my blog that will ensure that I update at least once a week. I'm going to review the free content that is provided on iTunes. So, look for a review of Damone - Out Here All Night (Note, the link only works if you have iTunes installed.) coming later today. I need to listen to it a few more times before I offer my thoughts.
Later,
PJ
I love my iPod. It hardly leaves my side and saved me on my last business trip when I wanted to zone out of business and concentrate on anything else. It has brought many an album back into my life which for a music junkie like me is great! iTunes is even growing on me. While it's not my favorite media player (that would be Media Monkey), it is very efficient in ripping cds, burning cd's, purchasing music, etc. One of the musical highlights of my week is looking at iTunes every Tuesday to see what the new free song of the week is. I have recently started doing this as I kept noticing in reviews of songs or albums that I like someone commenting, "I got this when it was the free download". So, I thought I need to start checking these out. This brings me to my idea for the new feature of my blog that will ensure that I update at least once a week. I'm going to review the free content that is provided on iTunes. So, look for a review of Damone - Out Here All Night (Note, the link only works if you have iTunes installed.) coming later today. I need to listen to it a few more times before I offer my thoughts.
Later,
PJ
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