Reviews

OCEANIA – a full-feature film by Harry Dehal

Heartbreak, broken homes and teenagers. Those three things are the main elements that you'll find in Oceania. The film is written and directed by Harry (Harpreet) Dehal and revolves around the lives of teenagers as they handle the breakup of their parent's marriage in a small California coastal town. Although the storyline is a bit jaded, the storytelling and cinematic style is intriguing at best. For a film done on less than a $4,000 "lifetime savings" for then 17 year old Dehal, it's a film that showcases what a whiz kid, a camera, a passion for storytelling and film can do.

Paper Navy – All Grown Up

Paper Navy’s style of indie pop mixed with a slight alt. country accent is impossible to resist. Much of it has to do with the Shawn Anfinson’s boyish vocals but the entire band sounds like it is having fun. The album All Grown Up is a delightful blend of folk rock and innocent sounding pop tunes. For instance, The title tune and “Tongue Tied” reminds me of the 70s anthems by Supertramp and 10CC. But when they visit their Nashville roots on “I Can’t Read The Stars” and “Make Time”, which is my favorite track , they show a country rock style that screams of early Poco. Whatever you hear in this music, it quickly become evident that this music hold up on its own and is all Paper Navy.

Pondlife Fiasco by Heifervescent – Indie Pop Rock with Shimmering Guitars

Jangly mixed up pop rock music from Andy Doran's head. Heifervescent is essentially Andy Doran creating beautiful, sullen, sometimes dark but often melodramatic songs for his own and everybody else's pleasure. Doran echoes a Britpop flair in almost all his compositions and creates a nice synth orchestra background. Pondlife Fiasco is filled with 10 tracks that deal with various topics and subjects. It might not be an album that sends cupids arrow straight on like love at first sight, but it definitely gets to you after a couple of listens.

Alien Arena

Hailed by many gamers as one of the best free FPS games online, Alien Arena is certainly one game any FPS game lover should not miss out on. Apart from the fact that it’s completely free (as of the moment anyway), it features pretty good graphics and gameplay for an online game.

Sever “Coma Circle” LP – hardcore scream metal

With a great mix of hardcore metal and rock that will knock your socks off, Sever is a band worth listening to. With the traditional line-up change expected from a band that's more than a decade old, Sever's current lineup is as perfect as can be. Coma Circle features 10 tracks filled with energy and rawness that's hard to find nowadays. Perhaps the fact that they are relatively unknown (as of yet) adds to the appeal, but this German band certainly deserves a chance to be heard.

Kadohadacho – free compilation release from Exponential Records & Friends

2010 SXSW might be over already, but you can still get some good free music from many labels. Exponential Records, Ninja Tune, Stones Throw, Daly City, Creaked, Innovative Leisure, and Fake Four have put together a 19-track compilation for you enjoyment and made is available as a free download to everyone. With tracks from all over the world and across many different genres everyone is destined to find something they will like.

Dirty Wings by Josh Woodward – Pop Rock with Quirky Lyrics

The one-man alterno-acoustic livewire act from Ohio strikes again. One of the most consistent creative commons artists out there, Josh Woodward is definitely one artist to watch out for every time he releases something new. Dirty Wings is actually an older album from his entire collection, but like most of his work, its filled with catchy, pop, acoustic indie tracks that are nice to sing along to.

The Story of Bottled Water with Annie Leonard – How Manufactured Demand pushes what we don’t need and destroys what we need most

The Story of Stuff Project is behind the original animated video "Story of Stuff", which has earned more than 10 million views since it's release in December 2007. "Story of Bottled Water" is a short, simple, informative and at the same time entertaining animated short that exposes the hidden dangers and irrationalities of drinking bottled water most of us don't think about when we spend $1 or more at the store. Watch it and pass it on!

Another Quiet Winter by NCThompson – Music for Quiet Moments

NCThompson, an American musician, officially steps into the online scene for the first time with an EP called “Another Quiet Winter.” From the title, one could easily expect an easy listening experience, perfect for a winter that is, well, quiet. Asked about his insights on his new EP, NCThompson says, “These songs just seem connected by the loneliness of looking up and seeing nothing but a cold gray sky; when all that’s left is a longing feeling for times once passed. And as depressing as that may sound, I think there’s something to be said for the kind of emotions that such longing can inspire.”