So we all know that Apple did not unveil the iPhone 5. Just the iPhone 4s. A phone looking relatively the same, but twice as fast so it could accomodate Siri, a 'personal voice activated assistant.'
And we were all shocked.
But- turns out a voice activated personal assistant like that isn't new to Apple. This video is from Apple's "Futureshock"Knowledge Navigator concept device from 1987! Who know how well it worked. Since they are just now dusting it off- I'll say it tanked.
But still- 1987 had some pretty cool technology!
Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts
From the moment we stepped out of the car, the staff made sure that we were taken care of. When we entered the restaurant and gave our name, the hostess pulled up our reservation, wished us a happy anniversary, and took us back to a table looking out across the Marriot Courtyard's large grass... courtyard... and gorgeous waterwall. It was awesome.
Honestly, any seat in Nantucket would be a good one, everything in it is designed to impress.
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| The restaurant is located on the left side of the courtyard |
The hostess noticed that there was a business meeting going on a few tables away, and asked us if we would like to choose another table (of our choice) if we didn't want the noise. However, I didn't even notice it.
She sat us at the table, and handed us a card, once again saying Happy Anniversary.
The waiter came, bringing two glasses of very nice champagne. He wished us happy anniversary, and was extremely polite. We opened up our card, and it was a hand-written anniversary card that the staff had signed.The waiter came back for our order, and went beyond his duty to help us pick out food, and explaining to us what things were without making us feel dumb. I had chosen their Pan-seared Wild Alaskan Halibut, which is only served for 8 weeks a year, but it came with a tomato risotta (I'm not a tomato person). He told me to choose any side item on the menu to replace it, and gave friendly suggestions to what would go well with it.
Our food was amazing, cooked perfectly. We were checked in on frequently (but not too frequently- I, for one, do not like it when the waiter is hovering at your table). We received and paid our check, and headed for the door.
We walk outside to see our car waiting for us! I'll be honest, and quickly made sure that they had actually taken our car in the first place- they had. The valet turned, handed me the keys, wished us a good night (by name). I was so taken off guard at the little things they had done to make the night special I almost forgot to tip him. I was just standing there trying to piece it all together!
To summarize: Nantucket Grill was amazing. If you want amazing seafood and an even better experience, come to Nantucket. It is on the more expensive side, but for a special occasion like a one year anniversary it was acceptable.
Thank You Nantucket, for the wonderful experience.
$14.02 for Compact Disc,
$13.98 for vinyl on Amazon
As I said before, I cannot wait for this album. I have been on a big Butch walker kick lately, and even covered his cover of Taylor Swift's 'You Belong With Me'.
I'm not a superfan, however. You know what I mean- the people who know all his albums by heart, who know his middle name, know random facts about him and how he writes. I feel like I'm a superfan of Ben Harper, and sometimes Brett Dennen. And I do know alot about Butch, but it would be cruel to his real, hardcore fans for me to group myself in with them.
I have tried finding some early reviews, to see what we are all in store for. Lojinx.com wrote,
The Spade is an adrenaline-pumping blast of hook-fueled rock and roll that features 10 new tracks written by Walker in collabo- ration with his longtime band-mates, The Black Widows.... The record showcases Walker’s sharp lyrical wit and unbridled affection for the anthemic pop of his youth. From first single “Summer of ‘89” (where he sings “Nobody really knew Bryan Adams wasn’t cool / The TV just told me he was”) to “Synthesizers” (“I don’t have a synthesizer / I can still get down like Duran Duran in 1985”), the album is full of knowing winks, half-cocked smiles, and monster sing-alongs. Walker writes with a boozy swagger, leading his band through what sounds like the soundtrack to the world’s greatest house party.
I cannot wait to see what this album is going to hold! I love the month or so before an album releases by any of your 'top' artists- or anyone you like more than others- because in that month, getting that album the moment it releases is the only album you care about.
Butch Walker posted his new single "Summer of '89" on youtube Monday. I am loving it! It has a great classic sound that people will, in my opinion, fall in love with. It's always fun hearing biographic songs (who knows if that is the proper term? Not me.), and Butch is an expert on it.
The album releases August 30th, and although I have only heard this one song- I can guarantee that it's going to be filled with awesome lyrics, amazing music, and a great time!
This will be Butch's first release under the Dangerbird label, to which he was signed earlier this month.
it's funny how things can get stuck in your head so easily. i don't mean one song- although a song can drive someone insane! i guess i don't mean 'stuck in your head' as i mean 'going on a [insert something here] kick'.
i think i love his music because.... well.... its obvious in the music- its just catchy, connectable, and intimate.
but back to the point (if there is one)- i have been on a butch walker kick lately, and i don't really plan on getting off of it- the way he writes music and lyrics really inspires me to do all sorts of creative things, even if they are more on the depressing side. i think its because instead of hiding emotions behind metaphors like most artists do, he makes the emotion a fore-front and pillar in the song, making every lyric drip with passion.
my top 5 favorite songs by him:
- don't move
- mixtape
- race cars and goth rock
- be good until then
- here comes the...
really, the entire album of letters is amazing, you can't go wrong.
one of the songs that really gets me is "joan". its an incredibly sad song, and when you hear him play it live on leavin' the game on luckie street, you can hear the crowd go deathly silent, as if each and every person held their breath the entire song. it was amazing.
do you go through 'kicks'? if so, what kind of a kick are you on right now?
Ben Harper's eleventh studio album, Give Till It's Gone, released last Tuesday, May 17. I am not going to do a step by step review, because I'm not necessarily good at that, and I want you to be surprised the songs.
Overall, I'd get the album 8 out of 10. It has that classic Ben Harper sound, like the feel of his "Burn To Shine" album. It has a feel of passion in it that is hard to find in anyone but Harper.
There are the quick tempo, rockin' songs like "Rock and Roll is Free", "Clearly Severely", and the instrumental track of "Get There From Here"- which features Ringo Starr on drums.
There are also insanely powerful songs, like "Feel Love". This song would not work with any style but Harper's- the lyrics are great, but it is the passion and desperation in his voice that makes the song cut into you like a knife.
Personally, I feel like the opening track, "Don't Give Up On Me Now" has the same feel to his song with the Relentless 7, "Up To You Now", but is still an awesome song.
This isn't my favorite solo album from him, I think Both Sides of the Gun was a phenomenal album, but this has a different sense than his other solo albums. It feels like he was accessing something different on this album, and it turned out awesome, just had different inspirations.
I really think you will enjoy the album. If you are looking for an album that will speak to your soul, this is the album for you.
And on a side note- there are some unbelievable guitar tones in here. Harper's band's tones have always had a real dirty tubular sound, but the sounds you will here on this album are amazing.
You can purchase the album: on iTunes ($7.99), Amazon MP3 ($5.99), Amazon Physical Copy ($11.59), or at your local music store.
Give Till It's Gone releases tomorrow. In honor of that, I found a live video of one of the tracks from the new record on youtube.
Love the sound of this track! I cannot wait to hear it in studio quality! It has that classic Harper sound that mixes amazing music with unbelievably passionate lyrics.
For those wondering- the album is streaming on Harper's myspace. It is the studio album, but the quality will not be anywhere as good as the quality of the physical copy or even the iTunes copy. So if you just want to hear the songs, go for it.
Also: found the track listing!
Tracks:
1. Don't Give Up On Me Now
2. I Will Not Be Broken
3. Rock N' Roll Is Free
4. Feel Love
5. Clearly Severely
6. Spilling Faith
7. Get There From Here
8. Pray That Our Love Sees The Dawn
9. Waiting On A Sign
10. Dirty Little Lover
11. Do It For You, Do It For Us
You can also see a review he did with Huffington Post here: Ben Harper Interview with Huffington Post.
I will post a review of the album as soon as I get a chance, so tune in!
Ben Harper's first single of his new album, Give Till It's Gone, is on youtube.
I found several other songs, but I think they are leaks, and I am going to be "that guy" who doesn't listen to the leaks until the album comes out.
I am glad to see Ben Harper back on a solo album. His last few albums with Innocent Criminals (Lifeline), and Relentless 7 (White Lies for Dark Times) were great, but they don't have the "Ben Harper solo feel."
I feel like his solo albums have a little more heart in the lyrics. Don't get me wrong- there are some unbelievable lyrics in his band albums, but once while performing his song "Better Way", he cracked a rib while singing. That's passion. (Info from Relevant Magazine, September 2007, page 57).
Lifeline was an album created to be personal. White Lies was about attitude, in my opinion. It was a chance for Harper to not "try to change the world with each lyric", or "invite you into his bedroom and have an intimate chat", but a chance for Harper to have fun playing some good ole' rock and roll with some rock n' roll attitude.
I am not sure what to expect with Give Till It's Gone. His last solo album, which was a double album, had one disc of 'rock' songs, and a 'softer' side. So I may not be able to tell you what the album will sound like, or if it will have an intimate or in your face feel to it. But I can tell you it is going to be good. I have never heard Ben Harper make a bad album (I have not liked some of his albums, like his partnering with Blind Boys of Alabama on There Will Be A Light- on a whole that album wasn't really my style- but it was good on a musical sense)
Tonight NBC's The Voice came on.
It was really cool, it was positive, I liked it all around. The judges weren't making fun of the artists, and it was really cool seeing these "famous" (I tend to not use that word about people very often, they're just people) people, fighting for these unknown artists.
My favorite songs of the night? (Not in order, just from memory- I'm writing this as it airs)
-Rolling In the Deep (Vicci Martinez)
-Breakeven (Xenia) (dang that 16 year old could sing!)
-Just The Way You Are (Tje Austin)
-Live Like Your Dying (Patrick Thomas) (I think he lacked range but made up for it with amazing control)
-American Boy (Kelsey Rey) (possibly my favorite of the night)
-Time After Time (Javier Colon)- This was an amazing mix of acoustic and soul on a song known for its production and 80's feel. This might also be my favorite. The judges were right- it was perfect, and tasteful. He could have gone crazy vocal-runs on it, but he showed what he had while keeping us wanting more.
I really liked the duo, Ellenowen singing "Falling Slowly", until the dude tried singing harmony. I'm sure they are great singers, it was probably just nerves.
I am happy to see Adam Levine's team get stacked as the night went on. Javier is gonna be a staple in his team! I'm a big Maroon 5 fan, and even though I wasn't a big fan of their latest album at first, it really really really grew on me!But Blake has Xenia, which is going to be a hard person to beat!
What were your thoughts on the show? Do you think it will have a season 2? I think it will be a hit. People enjoy Idol for the humor, but I know tons of people who like it for the talent, and the show is starting to have a hard time appealing to both I feel like. And when they do- its America who chooses, not seasoned professionals.
So- your thoughts?
Brett Dennen's album, Loverboy, released today.
This album is awesome. I have listened to it four times today alone, in its entirety! The sound is similar to his previous album, Hope for the Hopeless, but much stronger. He branches out so much more.
Each song is meticulously crafted with a great melody, at least in my opinion. It makes for very easy listening, and you will find yourself singing or humming along very quickly.
The song, "Comeback Kid (That's My Dog)," features a great fun sound that is very unlike Brett's previous music- in an awesome way.
The lyrics, as with all of Dennen's songs, are awesome and deep. The song, "Dancing At A Funeral", for example, talks about celebrating the life that has been lived rather than mourning the life lost.
Go get the album. You won't regret it. I know this is a quick review, but honestly, the album speaks for itself.
One of my favorite bands, Tyler Read, broke up a few months ago. They have released some of their B-sides and unreleased songs, here.
- Bible Belt
- Barfight
- Becoming A Man That Rules the World
- Too Late For Leaving
- Hallelujiaville
- The Jesus Song
- Back From The Dead
- Those Faces
- Revelator
If you enjoy good Rock music, you should download this!
Their previous album, Hallelujiaville, was amazing- they really found their sound in it, in my opinion. Just an amazing album, all around.
This collection of songs, obviously, has less 'production' in it. But the quality of the songs themselves all stand on their own. "Back From The Dead" may be one of my favorites off of it, just has amazing rock feel that isn't "screaming in your face" like rock music now.
Go download it now! You won't regret it.
If you are a Christian in between the ages 18-50 who enjoys reading and has access to news, you have probably heard about the whole Rob Bell situation. Basically- there has been a lot of hub-bub about his new book, Love Wins. Mainly on the subject of Hell. In Bell's promo video, it seems that Bell is proposing the idea that no one will be in Hell, that a loving God would not send someone to Hell simply for not believing in him.
I have my personal opinions, and I will let you have yours. I have believed Rob Bell has had beliefs that go against scripture for quite awhile and he hides it behind clever videos and sayings- but I'm not going into that here. I believe Universalism is wrong, and even more, I think it is dumb for Christian pastors to preach that, because if everyone goes to Heaven despite what they do, why would anyone come to church? But a blog is no place to post one's personal opinions. O wait.....
Love Wins was released today, and I believe this will be a day people remember for a while. Not necessarily because something extraordinary is going to happen, but because everyone has an opinion, and it is hard to have a "well, it doesn't really matter" type opinion when someone with alot of influence says that there might not be a Hell.
So today is officially Love Wins-day. I got you a card.
1) The red white and blue. You can't argue with patriotic colors. Seriously- try.
2) The artwork lines up with the message of the album name in a great artistic way.
3) Its simplistic.
It seems like album artwork in 2011 is no joking matter. I know it really makes no difference on the music itself, but it looks awesome.
Take a look at this one, from Daniel Bashta:
This album cover is great because:
1) It has a lion head with the body of a man screaming fire while beating a war drum standing on a mountain of skulls.2) It is a worship album with a lion head/man body screaming fire while beating a war drum standing on a mountain of skulls!!!
3) It is a great use of colors.
4) Bashta's song 'Like A Lion' has gained popularity by being covered by David Crowder and by Kristian Stanfill. This album artwork definitely is a representation of that song in a great way.
Or what about this one from The Script from their album "Science and Faith"
This album artwork is good because:
1) It shows the balance that they are trying to describe in the title.
2) It is simplistic. It isn't a overused photo of the band looking in different directions. It is simple not in the design but in the lack of unneeded things. I can't put a finger specifically on it, but I like it.
So what about you? What album artwork do you really like this year? What don't you like?
NBC has gotten rid of the familiar Peacock logo. With the Comcast merger came a new logo, one that I believe is hideous.
Take a look:
I liked the Peacock, not because it showed what NBC did, stood for, or anything like that- but because it was branded. You didn't have to see the letters "NBC" to know what station you were on. The peacock was there. the NBC chimes matched perfectly with the Peacock's feathers.
What are your thoughts on the new NBC logo? You can't really even call it a logo. Its just words.
Erwin McManus is a creative genius in my opinion. He breathes creativity into everything he does- whether it be pastoring a church, writing books, making films (Boy and Rocket), heading up Awaken Group.
I found out this morning that he is also behind Temple Bags. This store makes 'authentic bags for any journey'. Most of them are some sort of leather, WWII themed. Everything from duffels, to laptop bags, to iPod cases. And they are all gorgeous.
I love McManus' thinking process. it is basically 'Why can't Christians do this? And do it well!' He and his church won the Dorito's Crash the Super Bowl commercial last year with the funeral commercial:
Basically- McManus finds something and doesn't 'make a Christian version', but uses it as a way share a story, to inspire, to start a journey of self-exploration.
Way to go Erwin!
My senior year of high school, I was a huge rock climbing fan. I bought Ralston's book, Between A Rock and A Hard Place, and read it cover to cover multiple times. It is highlighted, written in, underlined, I think it has some of my tears. I don't know why- but that story resonated with me as if it was about me.
If you don't know the story- Ralston was hiking and climbing in Blue John Canyon (he told noone where he was going in order to get away from everything), got his hand crushed and stuck between a fallen boulder and rock wall, inside of a canyon. He was stuck for 5 days with a small ration of water, and even less food (if my memory serves me correctly, part of his food was a gas station burrito)
He was forced to drink his own urine in order to survive, and eventually came to the conclusion that he was going to die. In one final effort, he realized that he could break both bones in his forearm, and then cut the skin, muscle, and tissues surrounding them in order to break free. After that, he hiked 8 miles and climbed 65 ft to rescue- all without going into shock.
That part of the story was cool- but his book was more about his thoughts while he was stuck. One phrase he wrote and haunted me: life goes on for the living.
He was thinking over how when his family learns that he is dead, and that while his life is ending, their must go on. His sister was going to get married, and while the pain of him not being there will hurt, she will still get married. those six words have consistently haunted me.
Anyway- so I see the movie trailer- and obviously, like any true story, the movie will be much different. I think James Franco is a perfect fit for Ralston. One thing that I saw differently (and this may just be me thinking naively)- but I never pictured Ralston to be quite as ... "egotistical" as Franco's impersonation. The movie is showing a self-proclaimed hero who gets stuck and deals with his own morality, when I have always viewed Ralston as a normal person who dealt and overcame the mistakes he made. No- I viewed it even simpler- as a person who broke off his own arm and hiked out of a canyon. And he was my hero for it.
I understand that most people don't want to see a normal person dealing with problems, because, let's face it- we can just look in the mirror. And I think the movie is still going to be brilliant (I'm aware that it is already released, I have found that being married and on a budget apparently constrict my entertainment).
Today, I started my new music monday. I have found that if I get new albums,it normally takes me a good 3 months before I listen to them, on average. By this point they are already on Top 20 countdowns or hopelessly criticized and overplayed on many accounts. So I am starting a once a week session where I just listen to the music I have gotten recently and haven't listened to.
Recently, I got the new Maroon 5's new album "Hands All Over." I have always loved this band's sound. I found out yesterday that the sound isn't as much tones as it is carefully and technically set using precise frequencies. Either way- it sounds good. I am currently on the 9th track, and the only songs I have been really blown away by are "Misery" (that bass line is great!), and the overall feel of "Stutter". This feels more like it could have been a sophomore album, not the third album. It's a really good album, don't get me wrong- but most times the sophomore album is the one that could be passed up.
There is a feature for Lady Antebellum on the album- and it sounds alright, but the song has more of a "Lady Antebellum feature Adam Levine" that "Maroon 5 featuring Lady Antebellum". It has very stripped down feel, I guess this would be the ballad of the album.
The next song, "Last Chance", opens up with a great bass line, and almost sounds like a Kevin Max song
More on the monday playlist is Phil Wickham's new album- "Heaven and Earth", Mumford and Sons- "Sigh No More", The Script- "Science and Faith", and Charlie Hall- "The Rising".
What new music have you gotten or listened to that you think is pretty decent?
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