Album review: Casualties of Cool

Casualties of Cool

Casualties of Cool is the debut of Devin Townsend and Ché Aimee Dorval's collaboration - not technically a Devin Townsend Project release, but a Devin album all the same. It's atmospheric and ambient, something not typically associated with Devin's catalog, but very much an interest of his. He refers to this album as "late night music, completely isolated sounding and different than anything I've done."

The concept is described as being about a traveler that is lured to a sentient planet, which feeds on the traveler's fear. We're not talking about Ziltoid here, although a second Ziltoid album is in the works with a hopeful 2014 release. Certainly the Casualties concept is an odd one, but not for Devin and his appeal for creativity and thinking outside the box!

"Daddy" and "Mountaintop" kick off the album as bluesy appetizers to an impending journey, followed by the ambient, tranquil "Flight," which is space-like and has what I consider a lonely vibe. Perhaps the feeling of loneliness is intentional. Dorval's wispy, majestic vocals (also featured in 2009's Ki) are perfect for this.

"The Code" is one of my favorite songs, and you can hear frog calls that are similar those in "Blackberry" of Ghost, also one of my favorite songs on that album. It's bouncy, catchy, and features Devin's mellow vocals. He practically whispers and you'll get lost in the experience during the meat of the album. On the other end of the spectrum is the 8-minute "The Bridge," featuring goose bump-inducing vocal harmonies, woodwinds, an epic choir, and a whirlwind of a finale.

Overall, Casualties took a few listens for me to really appreciate since I much prefer Devin's heavier side, but it's right up there with Ghost. At the very least Devin says the album "sounds like haunted Johnny Cash songs" and makes for great background music. Give it a chance even though it may be different...

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USDA provides $8 million to boost honey bee population

Did you know? North Dakota is the top state in the U.S. for honey production.

That's right, the barren tundra known as North Dakota produces the most honey. And they're about to get some assistance along with their Midwestern neighbors to help boost the declining honey bee population.

Today the USDA announced they'd be giving $8 million in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) incentives to farmers in the following states:

• Michigan
• Minnesota
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Wisconsin

"American agricultural production relies on having a healthy honey bee population," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "In recent years, factors such as diseases, parasites, pesticides or habitat loss have contributed to a significant decline in the honey bee population. This $8 million is part of the Administration's ongoing strategy to reverse these trends and establish more plant habitat on Conservation Reserve Program lands to restore the bee population."

The $8 million will serve for establishing new habitats to combat the declining honey bee populations and hopefully promote growth. Earlier this year, the USDA designated $3 million to the Midwest. And earlier this week, President Obama urged U.S. government agencies to take to protect and restore domestic populations of pollinators, including honey bees. The priorities of our country are finally changing and recognizing the serious consequences if honey bees become extinct. To put it in two words, NO FOOD.

Did you know? According to the USDA, the number of managed honey bee colonies in the U.S. has dropped from 6 million in 1947 to 2.5 million today.

In 2005 the USDA reported 2.4 million managed colonies (in comparison to 2.5 today), so it appears there has been a slight stabilization in honey bee population, but the fear of a continued decline still lingers.

Photo from http://starsenior.wikispaces.com/Colony+Collapse

FREE Lyft code: $25 with code SETH375

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1. Download the app.
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3. $25 credit will automatically factor into your payment for your first ride.

One-night stay at the Hampton from She Scribes

She Scribes is giving away a one-night stay to any Hampton hotel in the United States. The Hampton Holiday program is all about helping hosts navigate these dilemmas and maximize their hospitality during the holidays with tips inspired by Hamptonality. If you have guests coming this holiday season then why not treat them to a stay at a Hampton Hotel near you? With over 1,900 locations worldwide, there is bound to be a Hampton Hotel near you.


From her blog:

Hampton Hotels would like to give a lucky reader a FREE NIGHT STAY! Hampton will send the lucky winner a  “Be My Guest” card which entitles the bearer to (1) free night stay at a Hampton location.
Read more at http://www.shescribes.com/2013/12/holiday-hosting-tips-hampton-hotels-giveaway-ends-122213-hamptonholiday.html#o8k4kOUqdQI0kYji.99

A night (or two) stay at a Hampton Hotel would make a great gift too – especially for a couple who would like to go on a romantic getaway.

Hampton Hotels would like to give a lucky reader a FREE NIGHT STAY! Hampton will send the lucky winner a  “Be My Guest” card which entitles the bearer to (1) free night stay at a Hampton location.

A night (or two) stay at a Hampton Hotel would make a great gift too – especially for a couple who would like to go on a romantic getaway.

Hampton Hotels would like to give a lucky reader a FREE NIGHT STAY! Hampton will send the lucky winner a  “Be My Guest” card which entitles the bearer to (1) free night stay at a Hampton location.

Read more at http://www.shescribes.com/2013/12/holiday-hosting-tips-hampton-hotels-giveaway-ends-122213-hamptonholiday.html#o8k4kOUqdQI0kYji.99

A night (or two) stay at a Hampton Hotel would make a great gift too – especially for a couple who would like to go on a romantic getaway.

Hampton Hotels would like to give a lucky reader a FREE NIGHT STAY! Hampton will send the lucky winner a  “Be My Guest” card which entitles the bearer to (1) free night stay at a Hampton location.

Read more at http://www.shescribes.com/2013/12/holiday-hosting-tips-hampton-hotels-giveaway-ends-122213-hamptonholiday.html#o8k4kOUqdQI0kYji.99

Review: Aurorae lavender pledge candle

I'm not a big fan of strong scented things, but the scent of the Aurorae candle is pleasant and not overwhelming. It's nice! If there is one candle to consider for relaxation, it's lavender. Lavender has many beneficial properties, and in this case, it can calm the mind and also soothe headaches.

I keep the candle at my bedside so I can easily light it, lay back, and relax. After long days of staring at computer screens and fiddling with my smartphone, it's not easy to "turn my brain off." Burning nicely without any black smoke, sometimes it helps me fall asleep, and sometimes it doesn't. Either way, it's great for when bedtime is nearing. I'm curious to know if Aurorae will make another other scent...

Like my review? Please leave a "yes" helpful vote for my Amazon review. Thank you!

Album review: Megadeth - Super Collider

Megadeth - Super Collider

 
If you've heard the first single off this album, "Super Collider," chances are you're probably feeling it's lacking. It sounds like it came straight off the Risk or The World Needs a Hero, two albums notorious for having very mixed reviews and receptions. Personally, I didn't mind those albums, and the first single is OK. It's not thrash, though.

Let's face it - the thrash bands of decades past are not what they once were. But despite the revolving door of Megadeth musicians, Dave Mustaine and company have managed to release new music pretty often, and that's a blessing in the grand scheme of things. I'm happy to have Super Collider even though it pales in comparison to albums of old. David Ellefson is back for another album (welcome back, Junior!), and that's something to be psyched about. He has writing credit for the opening song, "Kingmaker," a nice thrash appetizer to set up the rest of the album... which is hit and miss.

If you pay attention to other musicians' interviews and Tweets, some of them have harsh criticisms about this new stuff (Oderus Urungus of GWAR is pretty obnoxious). There are some really bright spots, however. "Burn" is a killer song and Dave Mustaine sounds great. Probably my favorite on the album. "Don't Turn Your Back" begins with some classic rock jamming and then the riffage really gets rolling. And the bass, oh, the bass. I don't understand why the song is so far down in the track listing, though. Move this one to the top please!

David Draiman has small parts in "Dance In The Rain" and "Forget To Remember." Ever read the Dr. Seuss story, Too Many Daves? Draiman's contributions are insignificant. There's also a Thin Lizzy cover, "Cold Sweat," which is pretty heavy. It'll get ya moving.

Overall a mixed bag for Megadeth and not one of the best albums, but there is material to be happy with here. It just might take a couple listens to appreciate.

Like my review? Please leave a "yes" helpful vote for my Amazon review. Thank you!

The best snow tube for adults

As a kid, snow tubing was my favorite outdoor activity in the winter, and as an adult it's still one of my favorite things to do. Check out my list of tubing and sledding spots in Newton.

The Yeti snow tube (found at Toys R Us and Amazon) is the largest snow tube I've ever had. As you can see, it's a double-rider for kids, but it's the perfect size for an adult. I'm 6'5" and I fit comfortably and safely. I picked up this 54-incher for under $20 and it's a great deal. Available in other sizes for kids, too.

Cruising down the sledding hill aboard this Yeti mobile is like being on a hovercraft. It's plump and comfy, and glides pretty smoothly. While you may not get the wild speed as you would from a plastic or wooden sled, you won't have to deal with bumps and a sore butt on the Yeti tube!

Features:

• 4 heavy-duty color coordinated handles
• Extra heavy-duty 16 gauge vinyl construction
• 48 in. inflated / 54 in. deflated
• Bright, colorful Yeti graphics
• Special K-80 cold-crack additive to help vinyl withstand the extreme cold
• Recommended for ages 7+

Places to go sledding in Newton, MA

Looking for a few cheap, fun winter activities? Let this be list be your guide for free sledding and snow tubing in Newton! Beware that none of these spots are monitored by staff like Nashoba Valley or Amesbury Sports Park, so please use discretion and be safe.

I've been scouring the internet for sources for sledding spots in Newton, and I'm compiling a list which will continue to be revised and added to. Please leave comments with suggestions of your own - anything sledding in Massachusetts! Or even better, sledding in Newton!


Fessenden School (map)
Street: Albemarle Rd or Fessenden Ln
Comments: The parking lots are free. There are two big hills here - one goes straight down, which is classic, and the other hill, which is more risky, curves around ("dog leg" in golf terms) with a half pipe-like ridge that prevents you from flying off course. Check out the dog leg hill if you're after thrilling tubing in Newton.

Casey Park (map)
Street: Watertown St
Comments: Only on-street parking available, but it's free. One of the weakest sled hills I've seen, it's more for kids sledding.

Claflin Field (map)
Street: Lowell Ave
Comments:

Charles River Country Club (map)
Street: Winchester St
Comments: One of my favorite spots for tubing in Massachusetts. No convenient parking so you'll have to park on a nearby side street. Beware that the golf maintenance road (marked with a sign) is off limits - I've parked there and was approached by a police officer saying I can't do that.

Brae Burn Country Club
Street: Moffat Rd
Comments:

Bobby Braceland Park
Street:
Comments:

Looking for sleds for adults? I have a snow tube that's amazing, and very affordable.

Statesman Ties Customized Tie Giveaway

Statesman Ties is giving away to one lucky reader any tie in the shop with the customization you want!

http://babygiveaways.blogspot.com/2012/09/statesman-ties-customized-tie-giveaway.html

All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. PDT on Thursday, October 11. The winner will be announced on Friday, October 12.

My best albums of 2011

My Amazon list

Devin Townsend Project - Deconstruction

Devin Townsend Project - Ghost

Revocation - Chaos Of Forms

Mastodon - The Hunter

Eddie Vedder - Ukulele Songs

Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

Hooray For Earth - True Loves

Primus - Green Naugahyde

Red Fang - Murder The Mountains

Stephen Malkmus - Mirror Traffic

Live bootleg: Lady Lamb the Beekeeper - Wild Honey Pie Buzzsession

1. Aubergine
2. Crane Your Neck
3. Sunday Shoes

Buzzsessions is a live session series made by The Wild Honey Pie. With each new episode, [they] travel with a different band to a different part of New York City and record sometimes-intimate/sometimes-wild versions of two or three songs which are given away for free.

File share download here.

Thanks to The Wild Honey Pie!

“All I Really Want To Do” by Lady Lamb the Beekeeper

File share download here.

Thanks to Brooklyn Based!

Some of Aly Spaltro’s earliest memories involve sitting in her closet with a flashlight, waiting for her favorite ‘60s girl-group songs to come on the radio so she could record them to a cassette tape. The 22-year-old Spaltro, who performs as Lady Lamb the Beekeeper, doesn’t think that era has had a conscious effect on her own songwriting, but she says it was “the music of my childhood, my favorite music of all time.” So it’s perhaps not a surprise that for BB Songs she decided to record Cher’s jangly Phil Spector-produced cover of Bob Dylan’s “All I Really Want To Do,” from her 1965 album of the same name.

“This recording is so fun,” she says. “The way it’s produced feels like everyone’s in a room playing it live, the production is so warm.” With friends in the groups Milkman’s Union and the Age of Rockets as her backing band, Spaltro stayed true to Cher’s version of the song. Spector was known for his production work, especially with harmony-driven girl groups, and the art of recording is what inspired Spaltro to make music after graduating high school in Brunswick, Maine, four years ago. Spaltro is recording and producing the first formal Lady Lamb LP — which follows last year’s ragtag collection, Mammoth Swoon — all herself, out of her Greenpoint apartment. “I started making music to record it,” she says. “That’s my real love, and so I’m very stubborn about how it’s recorded.”

Devin Townsend Project - Terminal (NAMM rehearsal)

FLAC and MP3 downloads here.

A message from Dev:
This is a recording done in Daves basement the other day for the Namm show next week. We recorded it on a Zoom HN4 handheld recorder, and we had to be quiet because Daves roommate was sleeping. Kat Epple, flute, is playing with us at the Namm show and I'm thrilled about that. Anyways... here's where rehearsals for the quiet project are at. Enjoy! Dev.

Devin Townsend Project - Drench

FLAC and MP3 downloads here.

A message from Dev:
Here's an out-take from the Ghost sessions. Please enjoy, it's not as much of a 'song' as it is a 'vibe'...

Dev.

Devin Townsend Project - Ki Bonus Materials (2009)

FLAC and MP3 download here.

A message from Dev:
Hey folks! Dev here…here’s three tracks for ya. I think they’re cool, but they’re just ‘bonus’ stuff for Ki…take em, love em, hate em, burn a disk and enjoy...(or not)

Track 1) SYNCHRONICITY FREAKS: This is the first song I wrote for Ki, didn’t end up quite right though…I like it and it’s cool to hear (I think) It’s unmastered.

Track 2) KI JAM: This is Me, Jean and Duris kind of jamming in between takes while we were recording the album…yup. It’s unmastered too.

Track 3) TESTING SOME FENDER TOYS: This was a sunny afternoon and I’m just messing around with clean sounds and different pickups. It was a Fender 57 Twin reissue with some Mullards, My EJ strat, and a Keeley compressor. Echos were after the fact. Aaaand, unmastered. Get yer wank on.

Theres lots more stuff I’ll put up here in the next month or so. Music is life, thanks for letting me continue to do it!

Devin.

Live bootleg: The Wildhearts - Reading 1994

The Wildhearts
August 28, 1994
Reading Festival
Reading, England

FLAC and MP3 download here.

Ginger - vocals, guitar
Devin Townsend - guitar
Danny McCormack - bass
Ritch Battersby - drums

01 Caffeine Bomb
02 Everlone
03 Greetings From Shitsville
04 Nothing Ever Changes But The Shoes
05 Suckerpunch
06 Drinking About Life
07 Shut Your Fucking Mouth
08 Liberty Cap
09 My Baby Is A Headfuck
10 Love You 'till I Don't

Devin Townsend Project - Live EP (2011)

Devin Townsend Project
Recorded: February 1, 2010 @ Sonar, Baltimore, MD
Released: 2011

MP3 download here.

Thanks to Inside Out Music!

A message from Dev:
Hey folks, Devin here. How's tricks?

So here's the deal: I'm in the middle of an absolute monstrous amount of work, Ghost, Deconstruction, Ziltoid Rockband, Live videos, Guitar prototypes, Namm, and getting ready for tour. In a nutshell: Things are great! I'm happy to be working so much and thrilled that I don't have to write music that sounds like every other shit ass commercial rock band I hear on the radio.

My friend Brett Caldas-Lima, who did sound for us on our first tour ever as the Devin Townsend Project (Last January with BTBAM, Cynic and Scale The Summit) contacted me a while ago saying he had gone ahead and mixed one of the shows from that first tour. In listening to it, I kind of thought we sounded pretty good! Granted, it was the first tour and we were playing to a crowd that couldn't have cared less, (hence the proliferation of tasteless ad-libs on my part...apologies) but really, all things considered, it's not a bad recording and when it surfaced online, people were asking how to get a hold of it. So um... here it is!

InsideOut Music and Century Media (two truly progressive labels) are full of music lovers and good people. A great team to be on, and they offered to post this on their site. Awesome IOM/CM! Thanks for years of support! Of course, on the net you can download anything I've ever done as it is, so in a lot of ways I consider the fact that some of you spend actual money on my stuff a really nice gesture. I was going to release this on Soundcloud, but when the label asked to be involved, we decided the best idea was to put it up on their site. There's so much stuff coming out this year that costs actual money to produce that the least we can do to thank you for your support is throw you a bone every now and then.

There's 5 songs performed by my live project 'dtp' straight out of the board and then mixed by Brett:

Supercrush!
Kingdom
Truth
Om
By Your Command

The goal this year is to accumulate enough interest in what I do to work with symphonies in a live context. As the second of 4 bands on our first tour though, it's not really an option yet :) Ok, gotta get back to work...cheers! Come see us on tour if you get a chance!

Dev

PS: Please visit Brett's website Towerstudio.net, he does a great job at the production thing, and he is also the mastermind behind the band Kalisia, so yay Brett!

Live bootleg: Lady Lamb The Beekeeper

Lady Lamb The Beekeeper
Brighton Music Hall - Boston, MA
April 14, 2011

File share download here.

Thanks to visible voice!

Master bootleg: Dead Cats Dead Rats - 2011-02-11 - All Asia Bar, Cambridge, MA

Dead Cats Dead Rats, winners of the best Boston punk artist of 2010. They often play in the New England area, so visit their site to see if they're playing near you. Grab their latest album for free too.



FLAC and MP3 downloads here.

Dead Cats Dead Rats
February 11, 2011
All Asia Bar
Cambridge, MA

Source: Audience
Taper: sethrich
Generation: Master
Lineage: SP-BMC-9 > SP-SPSB-8 > Edirol R-09HR
Transfer: Edirol R-09HR (16 bit, 44 kHz WAV) > pyro Audio Creator LE > WAV > Trader's Little Helper > FLAC

Matt Reppucci - vocals, guitar
Chris Wolz - bass
Travis Tenney - drums
deadcatsdeadrats.com

01 -Intro-
02 -New slow song-
03 -New fast song-
04 Skeletons
05 Rocket Seed
06 Eventually The Monsters Will Win
07 Pillage The Village
08 Coil Eyes
09 The Hunt
10 Wanted Man
11 Plaidypus
12 Studder
13 Cross Bones
14 Jungle Carpet
15 No Money No Honey

IBS Audio Program 100 for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Trying this program was a last resort for me. I had high expectations after seeing extremely positive reviews and claims that this is the closest "cure" for IBS out there. I was excited and hopeful, but ultimately disappointed. My symptoms were only reduced by perhaps 10% or so, but I also did not fully complete the 100-day program.

During the first 50 days I looked forward to getting immersed in the hypnotherapy with my headphones. I happily took time out of my day and I found the sessions to be very relaxing. A few times I even fell asleep which is perfectly acceptable. The sessions feature just hypnotherapist Michael Mahoney's voice and subtle music. My thoughts tend to run wild, so staying focused was a bit of a challenge.

Around day 75 I began to lose interest due to lack of results, and the business of my life conflicted with the program schedule. I became frustrated that I wasn't experiencing noticeable changes and I essentially quit. I cheated myself, but I hope to return for a second try and maybe the results will be different.

I like to think I've become more of a relaxed person since doing this therapy, but unfortunately my symptoms haven't faded. I've learned to try to be calm in stressful situations, but my body often wins that battle. I enjoyed the sessions and appreciate that these CDs are far less expensive than visiting a therapist. Would I recommend this to IBS sufferers? Absolutely, but everyone's results may vary.

I've since started doing guided meditations and these are actually proving to reduce my symptoms. Time will tell how effective they can be, but I really enjoy Meditainment's releases that incorporate very life-like sounds alongside soothing narration. The sounds really help me picture the setting, thus relieving my mind of all other thoughts, something the IBS Audio Program 100 lacks. I recommend Stress Relief as a good place to start, and I also highly suggest visiting Meditainment's website.