Top of the Charts - Music in Greece - Rolling in the Deep by Adele

Though I wouldn't have recognized it by name, this is a song I've heard on U.S. radio stations, unlike Barbra Streisand by Duck Sauce. I already enjoy it, so I guess I'll go into a bit more technical detail about it. The vocal element is really strong, accompanied by strong, but simple percussion and a simple 5 note instrumental pattern during the versus. The instrumentation kicks up a bit during the chorus, but the chorus seems a bit shorter than "usual." The background singer-like accompaniment during the chorus and final verse gives it an interesting feel, taking it from very modern to feeling a bit like something out of the 60s (as far as stuff that was popular in the U.S.).

I watched the music video and.......I'm not sure I get all the symbolism. The general theme seems to be destruction; dishes being thrown at a wall creating a huge pile of broken pieces, a paper city burned down by the end of the video, some pyrotechnics, and the lyrics speak of a love gone sour. But then there's a dancer robed in black dancing in a room with black walls with a floor covered in powder, a floor full of partially filled glasses, Adele sitting in a room with most of the walls and the (sparce) furniture covered in plastic just singing to no one. I'll have to chalk it up to pure visual fluff.

As I said, I already enjoy the song, and I think it stands up to repeat listens. The music video however, might only be worth watching once.

NGP Getting 3G-less Version in Europe

Andrew House, the head of SCEE said they are working with wireless carriers in Europe at the moment, and also stated that there would be a version of the NGP with 3G, and one without in Europe. It has still not been mentioned whether there will be a subscription fee associated with 3G use on the NGP.

From hearing some more talk about the subject of 3G subscription fees, it seems pretty unanimous that Sony can't afford free 3G for the kind of data transfers that would be taking place. But I'm kinda shocked that they wouldn't just include the 3G in all models to make a subscription later fairly painless; it just seems like the kind of technology push that Sony would make, even if it meant it was a bit more expensive for users that swear not to use it. But maybe Europe (and Australia) is a different beast, and both Japan and the U.S. will get 3G only versions.

Source

Podcast Review - Podcast Beyond!: PSP2, NGP, and You (ep. 172)

Lots of little subjects this week about one big subject; the recently revealed NGP from Sony.

Hear the podcast here.

(right-click to save)

Anarchy Reigns, a New Game From PlatinumGames (the makers of Madworld, Bayonetta)(PS3/360)

Shortly known as Max Anarchy, this game from PlatinumGames is an online third-person multiplayer brawler coming to the PS3 and 360 this fall. The game's director, Masaki Yamanaka said this of the game:

 "Anarchy Reigns is unique in that allows a large number of players to go fist to fist in online multiplayer battles. The challenge of creating a brawler like this is second to none, but neither is the gameplay. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat are both amped far beyond what you would ever experience in a shooter. I'm making this the game that I have always wanted to play, and I won't stop until that goal is met. I hope you all look forward to brawling online."

Screenshots show that there will be quite a selection of brawlers, including a very familiar looking chain-saw wielder:

For a game that seems somewhat MMO-ish, the detailing looks very impressive, but I personally don't have an interest in this kind of competitive third-person perspective brawler.

Source

January 27th Sony Conference - My Thoughts

So late last night (for the U.S.) Sony blew the lid off of their new portable gaming machine. Codenamed the NGP (Next Generation Portable), this bad boy has a 5 inch OLED capacitive touchscreen, two "micro analog sticks", the usual array of cross, circle, triangle, square buttons, cross-pad, 2 shoulder buttons, hardware for motion and gyroscopic controls, a digital compass (for the LiveArea functions, I presume), 1 camera on the front, 1 on the back, a 5 inch touch-panel on the back, built-in microphone, Wi-Fi (n/g/b compatible), 3G, GPS, bluetooth, a slot for a flash-based cards, stereo speakers, standard 3.5mm headphone jack, and all this while promising "close to PS3" level graphics with a "target" battery life like that of the PSP 3000 (4 - 6 hours).

What's New (pussy cat)?
Not much, honestly. As far as stuff that wasn't leaked before the conference we got info about the LiveArea functionality, Near functionality, a look at the UI, and a look at some games/tech-demos. Otherwise we got a spot on list of specs, spot on info about the controls (dual analog, touch-screen, touch-panel), and a fair representation of what kind of graphics to expect before the event even happened. The confirmation is nice, but I really wish Sony could keep their secrets a secret.

Co-Creator of the Ant Farm dies at Age 97

Thought I would try a bit of a different story. "More than just video games" after all.


Martin Levine, the co-creator of the Ant Farm died at the age of 97 on January 16, 2011 of natural causes while at his nursing home. The son of Martin only just released this information to the press today. His company, Uncle Milton Industries became a multi-million dollar business, in part thanks to selling over 20 million Ant Farms since its production starting in 1956.

I was more of Sea Monkeys kind of kid, as far as living science toys go, but this toy's existence was definitely a piece of my child-hood.

News I Missed - A Law that Almost Changed My Life (maybe I'm being dramatic)

I'm particularly fearful of being hit some legal recourse on this story, so I'll give you a brief summary and link you in to the story.

A law was nearly passed to make it illegal to walk or run in Arkansas with both ear-canals plugged up with headphones, but the Senator backed off.

http://www.4029tv.com/r/26625584/detail.html

I live in Arkansas. I love to run on the local public bike/walk-ways for exercise. But I love to run and listen to music or podcasts. If passed, it seems it would have been okay to listen with one headphone, but when you've got a really powerful tune going, you need that stereo to give you that push to keep it up. At least I do. Besides that the free ear just opens you up to more "wavers", people expecting the friendly hello which can take you out of a podcast conversation or a riveting tune instantly. It takes the "me time" of running and makes it more of a "me, oh and you, and you, and sometimes you time", if you know what I mean.

I guess it's not worth dwelling on that much, since it didn't pass, but I think this leaves the door open for someone else to come in and outright outlaw any music listening (one in-ear-monitor or otherwise) while walking or running in my state or area, which I'm not okay with. As easily as this situation skated just under my radar, I worry that it could happen again.