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Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll

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Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll‘Heads Will Roll’ is the second single from the Yeah Yeah Yeanhs third studio album ‘It’s Blitz!’. It’s a simple yet effective piece of music which is incredibly catchy, and always a lot of fun to listen to. The simplicity of the track is definitely what’s so brilliant about ‘Heads Will Roll’, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs has certainly done a fantastic job with this one.

A fun piece of music to listen to, ‘Heads Will Roll’ is definitely the kind of track to get the dancefloor moving, and Karen O’s vocals here are just absolutely incredible. The driving instrumental sound really does work well, and combined with the quality vocal sound this really does provide for an intensely enjoyable listening experience.

‘Heads Will Roll’ is an uplifting track that I’d most certainly recommend all to listen to.

Label: Polydor
Release Date: June 29th 2009

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Elliot Minor – Solaris

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elliot-minor-solarisWhen your debut album is a huge success then it’s always going to be difficult to follow it up. Elliot Minor’s self-titled debut spawned such commercially successful singles as ‘Still Figuring Out’, ‘Parallel Worlds’, and ‘Jessica’, and the band is now back with some new music to try and wow the masses.

‘Solaris’ is the latest single from Elliot Minor, and is a pleasant piece of music which suggests that the band’s second album will once again impress. It’s not blessed with the incredibly catchy chorus that the aforementioned singles all have, it is however a very nice track to listen to, and one that fans of the first album will surely appreciate.

The vocals of Alex Davies are excellent here as always, and the keyboard work also is truly exceptional. ‘Solaris’ is perhaps not what you’d expect from a lead single, it is however a very well composed piece of music, and one which provides for a supremely satisfying overall listening experience.

If you were a fan of the first Elliot Minor album then definitely be sure to give ‘Solaris’ a listen.

Label: Repossession Records
Release Date: August 10th 2009

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Rise Against – Hero of War

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Rise Against - Hero of WarTaken from Rise Against’s ‘Appeal to Reason’ album, ‘Hero of War’ is a very nice acoustic track featuring hard hitting, heartfelt lyrics. It’s the only acoustic track from the album, and given its high quality it really is a shame really that the band didn’t choose to further explore this acoustic area on the album.

‘Hero of War’ looks into the subject of the Iraq War, and is written from the perspective of a veteran of the war. The lyrics are absolutely brilliant, and the laid back approach taken here really does come across well on record. Tim McIlrath’s vocals are excellent as ever, and a huge amount of passion can here be heard coming through in the sound.

In terms of style, ‘Hero of War’ is not your typical Rise Against track; it’s mellow and acoustic, it does however contain all the passion you’d expect of the band and more. ‘Hero of War’ really is an excellent track to listen to, with lyrics well worthy of your admiration.

Label: Interscope
Release Date: June 22nd 2009

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La Roux – Bulletproof

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La Roux - Bulletproof‘Bulletproof’ is the fantastic third single from the brilliant British electropop duo that is La Roux. If ‘In for the Kill’ didn’t make you love La Roux, then ‘Bulletproof’ sure as hell should. The beat is incredible, the production sublime, and vocally here Elly Jackson always has a lot to offer also.

La Roux is a band that is clearly keen on bringing back the 80s, and doing so by putting together some incredibly fine music. ‘Bulletproof’ is a track that absolutely has it all; the verse structure is strong, the chorus sublime, and everything about the track just fits together to provide absolute aural perfection.

The band only formed in 2008, an incredible debut album has made this electropop duo massive however, and in a short space of time a huge amount of success has been achieved.

‘Bulletproof’ is an infectious gem of electropop that is sure to get you up on your feet and dancing; La Roux is a band that we’ll no doubt be hearing a lot more from throughout 2009 and beyond.

Label: Polydor
Release Date: June 22nd 2009

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Laid To Rest Review

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Written and directed by Robert Hall, ‘Laid To Rest’ is a slasher horror about a serial killer called Chrome Skull. He stalks and kills his prey whilst wearing a metal mask, making recordings of the murders on his video camera which he later sends to the police. We learn that he’s done this in several states throughout America, and that he’s a 30/40 something Caucasian male; that’s roughly it though, that’s about all the background that we have.

The film starts with our main lady (Bobbi Sue Luther) trapped inside a coffin, and almost from the very second she escapes from the coffin she witnesses Chrome Skull in killing action. She makes her way to the road, and a man named Tucker (Kevin Gage) picks her up, taking her back to his home where he and his wife Cindy (Lena Headey) offer her shelter for the night. She doesn’t know who she is or where she’s from, all she knows is that there’s a killer on the loose in the area, and she therefore wants to get to the police to tell them about it. The station’s some way away, and they all intend to make the trip down there in the morning after some breakfast; things don’t quite go as planned though, and before long it’s time to take off and run again as Chrome Skull has tracked them down.

Whilst watching ‘Laid To Rest’, I wasn’t really too sure what to make of the film at times. The death scenes are pretty gory and gruesome, there’s no real substance to the film though, and even when the killer claims another victim there’s no real emotional attachment there. The acting quality is okay on the whole, no one puts in a show stopping performance however, and Bobbi Sue Luther is quite weak as the film’s leading lady.

Director Robert Hall obviously has a passion for horror, and this is something that comes through here, the ‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’ makeup artist should perhaps stick to his day job though, as I’m not too sure that directing is really his forte.

If you like your gore then you should be fairly impressed with the death scenes in ‘Laid To Rest’, the film doesn’t build particularly well though, and whilst it may be gory; none of it is hugely memorable. ‘Laid To Rest’ is lacking in substance, and whilst it’s clear that Robert Hall is pretty clued up on his slasher horror films from the past; this is by no means a slasher classic.

If you’re a fan of slasher horror then it’s probably worth renting ‘Laid To Rest’ for a one-time viewing, after you’ve seen it once the chances are that you won’t want to be watching it again though, so it’s probably best not to invest in this one. I’ve seen worse at the cinema than the direct-to-DVD slasher that is ‘Laid To Rest’, and didn’t feel that it was a complete waste of 90 minutes; whilst it could be worse it’s still no classic though, and not a film that I’m ever likely to be viewing again in the future.

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Deadgirl Review

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Directed by Marcel Sarmiento and Gadi Harel, ‘Deadgirl’ is an impressive horror film which presents some very interesting ideas. The film shows two best friends, both of whom react very differently to an incredibly unexpected situation. A lifetime friendship is broken by the way that the two teenage friends respond to the situation they find themselves in, and the film presents a very clear battle of wills. The two friends appear to respond very differently to the situation, just how different are they though when it ultimately comes down to it?

‘Deadgirl’ tells the story of Rickie and JT, and how skipping school one day changes their lives forever. Heading to the old abandoned mental asylum, Rickie and JT wreak havoc as they drink, smoke, and just generally trash the place. Deciding to explore, the two friends come across a dog deep down in the asylum, and as they get away they end up running into something that they’d never, ever expected. There’s a naked woman, chained up to a table and covered in plastic, deep in the depths of the asylum, and both friends have very different ideas about what they should do. Rickie’s immediate reaction is to inform the authorities of what they’ve found, JT meanwhile isn’t so certain that’s the best option, and whilst Rickie decides to leave; JT remains alone in the asylum with the deadgirl.

What happens beyond this point is what makes ‘Deadgirl’ so interesting, and never is the film in the least bit predictable.

‘Deadgirl’ will at times make you cringe, and at certain points you just won’t be able to stop yourself from looking away. It shocks, it scares, and it’s just a very interesting look at a strange situation, and people’s different responses to it. A seriously disturbing film to watch, ‘Deadgirl’ has some very impressive qualities as a horror, with the only real weaknesses of the film perhaps in the factor of the unrealistic nature of the situation, the freeness with which certain people adapt to it, and what some of the characters resort to here. It’s certainly a strong film, but what many of the very greatest horror films tend to have in common is the fact that they really could happen.

Some of the acting quality is supremely strong here, with Shiloh Fernandez (Rickie) and Noah Segan (JT) in particular putting in some hugely believable performances. They play their parts well, with their characters developing powerfully throughout the film. Wheeler, played by Eric Podnar, is the stereotypical teen stoner character, and the jocks also are fairly generic horror favourites; the performances of Shiloh Fernandez and Noah Segan are both brilliant though, and theirs are the characters that we spend the most time with.

Marcel Sarmiento and Gadi Harel are both relatively new to the world of directing, watching ‘Deadgirl’ you can tell that both have a clear passion for film though, with the film always packed full of energy and excitement. You really do feel that the directors believe in their work here, and full credit must also go to Trent Haaga for being the film’s writer.

‘Deadgirl’ is a film that plays out well on screen, and although it takes it’s time to really get going; once the action gets started, never does the film let up for a second. The beginning of the film serves to show us Rickie and JT’s status as the high school outcasts, and we’re then treated to some fine horror display as the true action of the film unfolds. It’s a quality effort from the directorial duo of Marcel Sarmiento and Gadi Harel, and although not perfect; ‘Deadgirl’ is a film that is definitely well worth watching for fans of horror. It’s not your typical throwaway teen horror, but instead is a film that will no doubt stay with you for a long time to come.

Special Features:-

– Commentary With Cast and Crew

– Behind The Scenes

– Make-Up Effects Gallery

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One Eyed Monster Review

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When it comes to the top names in porn; you just can’t get any bigger than Ron Jeremy. ‘One Eyed Monster’ is a comedy horror film featuring our favourite porn icon, and makes interesting use of his much known member. Aliens take over Ron Jeremy’s manhood, and his tackle detaches itself and goes on a killing spree, working its way through a cast of porn actors up in the mountains to record a new movie. Veronica Hart also features here, as well as a strong cast of actors which includes Amber Benson, Jason Graham, and Bart Fletcher (amongst others).

Although slow to start; ‘One Eyed Monster’ does provide a fair few laughs, and therefore provides for quite an entertaining overall viewing experience. The film in many parts relies on you using your imagination, and in this respect the action is carried out well, there are definitely times when the action is not so impressive however, times when the film feels a little lacking. With the good you also have to take the bad, but overall ‘One Eyed Monster’ does leave you feeling fairly satisfied, and the 93 minute experience of watching this film is a pretty enjoyable one.

The acting quality is reasonable and the jokes are definitely carried out well when they come, and in terms of films of this sort; ‘One Eyed Monster’ is probably one of the best. I felt that more could have been done with ‘Teeth’, and although the same is true here; I do feel that director Adam Fields has done a better job with ‘One Eyed Monster’ than Mitchell Lichtenstein did with ‘Teeth’.

Getting Ron Jeremy and Veronica Hart on board definitely helps add to the fun of it all with ‘One Eyed Monster’, and whilst the film is not spectacular, it is still pretty entertaining to watch. Like most comedy horror films it has its flaws, but you can certainly do a lot worse than ‘One Eyed Monster’ in this genre.

If you enjoy comedy horror films then ‘One Eyed Monster’ is definitely a film that is worth watching; it’s not a particularly groundbreaking effort from Adam Fields, but a watchable one nonetheless. The film will make you smile, and probably cringe at times too, it’s nice and light-hearted, providing for an entertaining, if unspectacular, 93 minutes of visual entertainment.

Special Features:-

– The Original One Eyed Monster: An exclusive interview with Ron Jeremy

– Going Deep: A look back with Ron Jeremy and Veronica Hart

– Confessions of a Dick Wrangler Trailer

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Zombie Virus On Mulberry Street Review

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A low budget film from director Jim Mickle; ‘Zombie Virus On Mulberry Street’ has finally come to DVD in the UK, three years after its completion back in 2006. Originally titled ‘Mulberry Street’, Mickle’s debut feature has definitely proved to have been well worth the wait, and despite its low budget; Jim Mickle has here put together a very impressive horror film indeed.

The basic premise here is that an infection is spreading throughout New York City, and when bitten by rats, people are slowly turning into oversized rodents, and feeding on the flesh of others. Once bitten by either a rat or the infected; a person will become one of them, and join the growing population of rat people that is currently taking over the streets of New York City. The infection has been contained within Manhattan, and all bridges and tunnels to the island have been sealed off. For those that are left alive in Manhattan; staying alive is becoming an increasingly more difficult task.

Clutch (Nick Damici) is our main man here, and is expecting his daughter Casey (Kim Blair) to return home anytime soon. He braves the infected streets of New York to help his friend from downstairs Kay (Bo Corre) arrive home safely from work, what he doesn’t yet know however is that at the same time as this; his daughter Casey is also fighting her way through the infected streets of New York, attempting to arrive home at 51 Mulberry Street. They’re both battling hard against the infected, but will they be able to survive?

‘Zombie Virus On Mulberry Street’ truly is an absolutely brilliant horror film; Jim Mickle is here able to put together a film that is incredibly tense from start to finish, and the film can certainly never be accused of being dull. You’re left guessing all throughout the film, and right up until the very last scene; you’re still never sure just what will happen next.

The film has been supremely well shot, and an incredible amount of excitement has here been packed within the film. The acting quality is high from all of our key protagonists, and although you can tell that the budget was low; this merely adds to the appeal of it all, and makes the film all the more enjoyable to watch.

For the entirety of the film’s 84 minute runtime; ‘Zombie Virus On Mulberry Street’ most definitely had me hooked, and everything about the film really does provide for a very entertaining viewing experience. The film ends very abruptly, and when the film does finish it’s actually quite unexpected; the great thing about ‘Zombie Virus On Mulberry Street’ though is that is leaves you wanting for more right up until the very last second. It keeps you on your toes at all times, and is most definitely one of the very best horror films I’ve seen in a long time. You actually care about the characters here, you want them to survive from the infected, and feel a genuine connection with them. The idea of the film is excellent, and the way that it has been carried out in all areas truly is absolutely sensational.

It’s not often that you’ll come across a low budget horror film as high in quality as ‘Zombie Virus On Mulberry Street’, this really is a very impressive horror film, and Jim Mickle certainly shows supreme strength here as a director. This may be Mickle’s first feature film, but hopefully there’ll be many more to come from him in the future.

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Bug (2006) Review

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Directed by William Friedkin (The Exorcist), ‘Bug’ is a psychological thriller which builds suspense strongly throughout, with Friedkin always displaying his fine talent as a director here. ‘Bug’ builds and builds, becoming darker, and increasingly more disturbing as the film progresses.

Agnes (Ashley Judd) is a lonely waitress that lives in a motel in Oklahoma. Her friend from work R.C. one night introduces her to a man named Peter (Michael Shannon), a troubled soul who used to be in the army. He spends the night sleeping on her sofa, and as time progresses these two trouble souls develop a rather interesting friendship. They have sex with each other once; it’s not a romantic relationship that they share though, but instead a rather bizarre connection on a pretty disturbing level. They both become convinced that there’s a bug infestation in the hotel room, and as time progresses they become more and more convinced of the existence of the bugs, and increasingly more paranoid about what it is that the bugs are doing in the motel room.

Ashley Judd and Michael Shannon gel well with one another here, and their supreme quality of acting really does stand out strongly. We spend much of the film with these two actors, and their success as actors here is therefore crucial to the overall outcome of the film. The way they speak to each other is certainly not conventional; the only conversation they share tends to be on the subject of bugs, they’re drawn to one another though, and the way they interact together is not just disturbing, but also incredibly interesting to watch and observe.

‘Bug’ is an odd film which focuses in on two seriously disturbed people; their increasingly fragile state of mind is brilliant to watch played out on screen, and never for a second is the film in the least bit boring. Friedkin directs the film beautifully here, and the intense nature of the film really does come across incredibly well.

Right from the word go there’s an inevitability here that the film is going to become incredibly dark, and this is something that makes the film or the more compelling. The film is forever building, and as it all progresses; Friedkin’s fine thriller certainly doesn’t disappoint.

‘Bug’ really draws you in, and the quality of acting is at all times absolutely sensational. It’s the acting that really stands out, and although the script and quality of directing is excellent here also; it’s really the connection between Ashley Judd and Michael Shannon that makes the film feel so real.

‘Bug’ is an incredibly high quality thriller, and a film that I’d most definitely recommend watching.

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Nick Harrison – Oi Rude Boy

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Nick Harrison - Oi Rude BoyHeavily influenced by the sound of ska, Nick Harrison is a solo artist from Folkestone, and ‘Oi Rude Boy’ his debut single. A very chilled out, relaxing track to listen to; ‘Oi Rude Boy’ sounds incredibly refreshing, and it’s hard to listen to Nick Harrison’s fine sound without resisting the urge to dance.

There’s an indie edge about the vocals here, but both lyrically and instrumentally the ska sound is let loose, providing for a very entertaining piece of music that is incredibly enjoyable to listen to.

Nick Harrison is a mighty talented solo artist, and as ‘Oi Rude Boy’ is available for free download; I thoroughly suggest that you see about obtaining this one as soon as possible.

Download ‘Oi Rude Boy’ right now, and prepare to be impressed.

Label: A&M Records
Release Date: August 25th 2008

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