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August 7, 2008
Last review
November 14, 2008
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September 15, 2008
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frank12345's Reviews

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Sony - Motion Gaming Camera

The PlayStation Eye Camera works with your PlayStation Move motion controller to translate your every move into the game with absolute precision. It also functions as a complete video chatting solution. The PlayStation Eye Camera. Move into the Action.

Customer Rating

unique fun

on November 14, 2008

Posted by: frank12345

from miami, fl

I purchased the Eye Camera seperate from the Eye of Judgement game becasue I really don't play card games. The reason I purchased the camera was so that I could use it with my 5 yr. old who has recently taken an interest in animation. With the free download available on the PSN, you are able to leverage this clever device to do all sorts of fun and unique things. But first, I'll address the camera from a hardware perspective:

It's well built, and sturdy looking. The camera pivots from left to right on it's base, but cannot be adjusted to look up or down. The camera auto-focuses, and seems to do a nice job of it. The lens does twist to provide a "zoom" view of the subject as well. Perhaps the thing I was most impressed with is the sound quality it is able to capture. I recorded a few demo videos to test the functionality, and found that you can easily sit 10 feet from the camera and talk in very normal tones and the camera picks it all up beautifully. The sound is rich and full. I have not had the chance to video chat with it yet, but from what I have seen, it will be nice and easy. The 360 offers a similar product, but the image quality and frame rates are not quite as good, and you are required to wear a headset to transmit voice and pick up sound. Overall, I am pleased with it from a hardware aspect, with he only real downsides being the fact that you cannot pivot the lens up or down.

No software comes with the camera. Instead, you must grab it from the Playstation Store on the PSN. It is a free download, and takes up very little space. The software itself is easy, but does have a small learning curve due to the fact that it does not come with much in the way of detailed instructions. However, anyone with any technological saavy will be up and running in no time. Capturing video is easy and fun. If you are expecting fancy editing software, you'll be dissapointed here, but that isn't the point. The ability to save your videos to the PS3 HD is great, and the fact that they can be transferred to a PC (via a USB storage device) is really cool--especially considering that you can then turn around and email them to family/friends or post them on YouTube. The software offers several effects including various colors filters and distortion modes, as well as the ability to do stop motion and time lapse. The latter two effects are the main reasons I purchased the camera, and I could not be more pleased with how they work. For time lapse, you can set the cam to snap a photo every 5, 10, or 30 seconds, and simply leave the camera untouched for hours on end, simply to return and view the results later. I have left the camera on--pointing out a window--overnight to watch the sunrise. What a neat option! The stop-motion animation function is unbelievably simple. You snap several photos in succession, and then the software combines them into a single video file. You can fit up to 100 frames into each scene, and then the various scenes can be combined to form one long stop-motion movie. For adults out there that are maybe having trouble finding fun things to do with their kids and are intimidated by today's complex video games, I can tell you firsthand that this is a breath of fresh air, and a great way to to intereact with the young ones.

The overall image quality is pretty good. One thing I do not like about the software, is that if you tweak it for specific lighting array, you aren't able to save those settings, which means you need to change them each time you begin using the camera again. There really isn't any excuse for this, but know that changing these settings probably takes less than 30 seconds.

Great product overall. Mind you, this isn't a hi-def camera, but it gives you the tools to do things on a console that have never been done before. In the very near future, there will be additional software released for the camera via the PSN Store. One that intrigues me is an aquarium simulator that looks eerily realistic. The fish react to movement on the camera, which sounds like a great thing to have on the background if you are having people over. All in all, I am pleased with this product and I hightly reccomend it.

What's great about it: sound quality, frame rate, product quality and durability

What's not so great: the camera cannot be adjusted to look up or down

I would recommend this to a friend!

Design

Comfort

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Incanto [CD]

Customer Rating

a wonderful CD

on November 12, 2008

Posted by: frank12345

from miami, fl

A voice like Andrea Bocelli's only comes along every generation or so, (if that) Caruso, Lanza, Pavarotti and Now Bocelli; They are my big 4. Not only does Bocelli have wonderful opera skills, but also tremendous pop singing skills, as well. As for classical singing; Bocelli's breath control is amazing; no one holds high, mid, and low notes (sang either intensely or softly) as long as Bocelli does. His diction is excellent; His tone is wonderful; His color is right in sink to the song being performed, dark or light, and all shads around those as needed. He has that tenor ring that can rise up over an orchestra, he sings just beautifully. As for his pop singing again it's spectacular; Bocelli can sing a pop song either in a classical way, or a bluesy way or almost anyway. He has tremendous versatility, I would rank him right at the top of pop singing for all time. Bocelli can sing big, bold, intense and beautiful, or can show us a soft side it seems like he is singing in one's ear, very sweetly and beautiful.

In canto is a CD of classic Italian love songs (Naples) and are many songs that Andrea has loved since childhood and most of us are familiar with. These songs were made famous by the great tenors of the 19th and 20th centuries, . In canto song selection includes Mamma; O surdato 'nammurato , Era di maggio , Un amore cosi grande , Non ti scordar di me; Funiculi Funicula; Granada, Voglio vivere cosi, Santa Lucia, Pulcinella, Non ti scordar di me, Marechiare, Vieni sul mar, Because, E vui durmiti ancora, Amapola, Un amore cosi grande. It is a wonderful selecton and I love the inclusion of Because, which I have heard Andrea sing live many times, It is the best version since Mario Lanza, and belive it or not Bocelli hits an even higher end note. You will enjoy all the songs hear they are wonderfully done.

This is a must have Bocelli CD.

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Back to the River [CD]

Customer Rating

knockout disc from a knockout

on November 12, 2008

Posted by: frank12345

from miami, fl

I've been a fan of Susan Tedeschi the moment I heard "It hurts so bad".Not only does she really showcase her vocal talents here, she also makes a step forward in songwriting.Very slick and tight arrangements,on each song,makes this a must listen to.Bluesy,rockin',jazzy,gospel too, a fine fine effort ,again, by an under-rated artist.I especially loved the cover of Allen Toussaint's "Theres a break in the road"and Susan on lead guitar.

I would recommend this to a friend!

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+1point

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The Renaissance [CD]

Customer Rating

Re amplified at last

on November 12, 2008

Posted by: frank12345

from miami, fl

Q-Tip's solo career reads like a bad joke. As A Tribe Called Quest's frontman, he led the alternative hip hop movement and helped establish hip hop as a literate and creative art form during the 90s. After the Native Tongues moved on and ATCQ disbanded, Tip released his solo debut Amplified in 1999 and looked forward to a career of production and performing as his abstract genius and legend would warrant. And after ten years, at least three inexplicably shelved LPs (most notably "Kamaal the Abstract," which got as far as promo pressings), and countless record labels, Tip's long awaited follow-up "The Renaissance" arrived almost silently. Release delays date back years, and since rumors of "The Renaissance" have floated for so long, the quick and quiet release seems odd, especially given his huge fanbase and genre-defying appeal.

At 43 minutes and twelve tracks, it's a concise and focused listen and is immediately enjoyable. While it emits a spirit somewhat comparable to a Tribe recording and shows a hint of the smooth Soulquarians vibe of the late-90s, I'd say it's most similar to Amplified. However, Amplified's most frequent criticism is that it is too forced and pop-oriented, and "The Renaissance" does not have that problem. The music is comparably playful, upbeat, and bouncy, but is less poppy and more mature and soulful than its predecessor. The production, mostly piano-based, is layered with a range of artistic instrumentation that sounds classy despite its fun and appealing nature. It's a very clean and consistent sound, and transitions are so fluid that the first half seems like variations upon a single idea.

Tip still has the charm and wit of the wily teen from People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, but his focus has shifted with time and maturity. He's happier to drop a clever one-liner or a latently insightful verse than elaborate upon social ills as he did in the 90s. He doesn't often display the style that led to his "abstract rapper" tag; instead his lyrics concern different manners of love, music, and levels of inspiration. The hooks are strong and his approach is well-rounded, seemingly intent upon the combined quality of the music and rap. No guest MCs appear, but vocal contributors include Raphael Saadiq, D'Angelo, Norah Jones, and Amanda Diva.

The disc opens to the pleasant, bouncy guitar strums of "Johnny Is Dead," which give way to an appealing arrangement with rumbling bass and piano chords and a strong performance from Tip. The breezy "Gettin' Up" and "Official" are similar in approach, structure, and sound to the opener and achieve the same appeal as well. "We Fight/Love" is an excellent collaboration with a particularly airy Raphael Saadiq, who complements Tip nicely over a great arrangement. Another highlight is the hidden title track after "Move," which has a hypnotic beat and the album's most insightful lyrics. "Dance on Glass" picks up when the rich beat finally kicks in about a minute through, and the Norah Jones duet "Life Is Better" is smooth, inspired excellence. "Won't Trade" is clever, and "You" is a decent love song that sounds good but moves too slowly. However, "Believe" with D'Angelo is wonderful musically and lyrically, and the closer "Shaka" is the track that most resembles a classic Tribe cut.

"The Renaissance" is not the revolutionary opus that some might expect from Tip after such a long layover, but as Dr. Dre should soon learn, hype builds around years of delays. The music is totally enjoyable and well-produced even if not totally uncharted (granted, some of these tracks are years old), and the LP reminds me why I had so eagerly anticipated Q-Tip's return a few years ago. This album is a great listen and should not disappoint.

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Damn Right, Rebel Proud [CD] [PA]

Customer Rating

Best hank III album ever

on November 12, 2008

Posted by: frank12345

from miami, fl

Hank III's highly anticipated new album "D@mn Right, Rebel Proud" hit stores today and was well worth the wait. The album tightly packs classic country, rock, punk and metal into a mix that III is famed for (fondly called "hellbilly" by the fans.) The band lineup includes Joe Buck on stand up bass, Andy Gibson on stand up steel, Shawn McWilliams on drums and many other greats including some sic guitar pickin' from Johnny Hiland! We also hear some of the most ingenious and inspired III lyrics ever written. The tracks are authentic, righteous and smoldering. Some songs are classic and upbeat enough for stepdancing. Also included are a few ballads so sweetly raw they darn near break your heart. III has surely inherited his granddads fervency. Rather he has fought to maintain his own strength of character through years of battling an industry that would cream to have him sell out. III has remained humble and principled regardless of his potential for huge commercial success. God bless him. The real blessing in his righteousness is III's persistence to write songs without the shackles of censorship. All his previous albums have been lyrically candid and musically pure. With each consecutive album, III further develops his original sound. Yet no track is over-mixed. No murky layers of effects for this purist. The quality remains clean as spring water. With each album, III's lyrics become more personal and frankly telling. Yet "D@mn Right, Rebel Proud" has more complexity and variety than his previous major releases. The songs are brutally honest ...whether autobiographical or otherwise. (After hearin out Joe the Plumber, McCain and Obama should get a load of the song "Workin' Man" in which III collaborated with Bob Wayne.) These tunes are layered with genuine experiences and pain. I took a break between some tracks just to absorb it all (and throw back a couple shots of jack!) This is one of the most intimate albums ever recorded. After listening to "D@mn Right, Rebel Proud" you'll feel like you spent one of those highly memorable evenings at a small bar with one very, very dear friend.

I would recommend this to a friend!

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+5points

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You Are My Sunshine [CD]

Customer Rating

sonic masterpiece

on November 12, 2008

Posted by: frank12345

from miami, fl

...and a lyrical one, too. Vocalist Aaron Marsh, a creative genius, has outdone himself with 'You Are My Sunshine', the latest offering from alt/indie/emo band Copeland.

This is also perhaps the best production, recording, and engineering job on a record I have ever heard. You need a set of high quality stereo headphones to fully appreciate how good it is.

This could easily do double-duty as a relaxation CD, with each song flowing seamlessly into the next. If you need to mellow out, put those headphones on and let yourself soak in the lush, peaceful atmosphere it creates. Many of the songs are centered around an electric piano of some sort, but almost every sound and instrument imaginable are used, from traditional guitars and fat-sounding drumkits, to real and electronic strings, horns, clarinets, flutes, synthesizers and drum machines...topped off by Aaron's amazing ethereal vocals...the vocal doubling and harmonies are so tight they sound electronically generated or altered (and may be).

Although this is not a work filled with catchy, upbeat pop songs, the album starts out strong with 'Should You Return', a well-crafted melodic tune with what sounds like a dozen voices singing in unison...it sets the stage well for what's to come, and nothing here disappoints. In fact, every song has a beautiful melody...and incredible lyrics. The lyrics on 'Chin Up' will really strike you..."Everybody knows that you'd break your neck to keep your chin up"...I still can't get that out of my head.

The tempo remains pretty much even keel throughout, although 'What Do I Know?' amps things up a bit. The music generally has a "chill'n" effect, and lyrically you'll actually find a lot of positive, uplifting messages and thoughts.

As with most non-cliche' records, this gets better with every listen...don't expect to be blown away after hearing the songs once. And don't compare this Copeland album to any of their previous efforts...while there are some similarities, 'Sunshine' stands uniquely on its own, and the foundation is strong. One of the best albums of the year.

I would recommend this to a friend!

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+1point

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Season of Poison [CD]

Customer Rating

not perfect yet important fun

on November 12, 2008

Posted by: frank12345

from miami, fl

After releasing their first album three times with evolving track listings and mixes, Shiny Toy Guns have unveiled their long-awaited second album on an historic election day in the U.S., no less. Drama becomes them.

Case in point: you'll probably be hearing a lot in these pages about the firing of Carah Faye Charnow and her replacement by Sisely Treasure as the female half of the vocal team. Some fans are not taking it well, to say the least, and it probably won't help that the very first track, an explosive little ditty about child abuse, features Ms. Treasure -- get ready for this -- rapping. (GASP!) Personally, I'm enthralled by just how well it works when played at an appropriately loud volume, and I am declaring "When Did This Storm Begin" to be my favorite Shiny Toy Guns song at this moment in time. It's just that good.

From there, we segue into "Money For That," a guitar rocker that would do the Foo Fighters proud. Then on to "I Owe You a Love Song," which from title to first note to last note would have fit in perfectly on _We Are Pilots_. Only a clumsy and unnecessary pair of modulations in the final minute detract.

"Ghost Town" is next, with a rap-over-drums in the verse that reminds me kinda frighteningly of Toni Basil's "Mickey" -- but we're all children of the eighties here and are okay with that, right? Well, I am, at least.

"It Became a Lie on You" is basically the ballad sequel to the opening track. I get what it's trying to do, but it bores me.

The same can't possibly be said of the spectacular "Ricochet!", the first single and an all-too-short 2:39 of joyous swing-time dance-industrial sass. Go watch the video. (For bonus points, check out the fan-produced video, which I'd have to say is even better.)

Next up: "Season of Love," whose chorus goes (and I quote) "Love love love, love, love love. Love love love. Love love love, love, love love. Love love love." Apparently it's about love or something. As much as I'm in favor of love, I don't know what on earth they were thinking with this. Please make it stop.

On to "Poison," which is an enjoyably bold excursion into prog-rock territory, complete with a cappella harmonies at the 4:15 mark that would have made Queen proud. Then they mess around with a pipe organ for three minutes for no apparent reason. Those wacky Shinys!

"Blown Away" is a decent song, though it contains more bombast than actual songwriting goodness, IMHO.

"Turned to Real Life" will be familiar to fans of the first album. It's a beautiful song, and I can't possibly object to its reappearance here, except that -- okay, I have to say it. Carah sang it better. I'm not convinced that Sisely entirely gets what she's singing about here.

"Frozen Oceans" wraps things up on a power-ballad note. It's a good song...and if you like it, make sure you check out "Happy Home," which occupies the same position on the most recent Garbage album, because that's a *great* song.

Keep firing, dear Shinys. (The toy guns, that is. Possibly not the singers.)

I would recommend this to a friend!

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4of 4voted this as helpful.

Play: The Guitar Album [CD]

Customer Rating

very different but not necessarily in a bad way

on November 12, 2008

Posted by: frank12345

from miami, fl

Let me first start off by saying that this CD is not for everyone - especially those who are looking for a typical Brad Paisley "Time Well Wasted" type album. "Play" has only four songs that have vocals on them, which makes it pretty much a bluegrass/instrumental album. Very well done, but very non-traditional and not "cookie cutter" radio ready country music. It's a big gamble, and a lot of people are not gonna be happy about it.

That being said - wow, can this guy play the strings! Listen to him tear them up on the first two tracks "Huckleberry Jam", and "Turf's Up". There are also some mellow instrumental tunes such as "Kim", which is one of my personal favorites. The album is a little similar to Union Station and Nickel Creek type guitar play. Different stuff - and you really have to hear it for yourself to decide if it's for you or not.

Overall, I find it very interesting and ironic that two of country music's biggest stars (kenny chesney and brad paisley) both come out with non-traditional country albums within a month of each other. Kenny with his island style, and now Brad with his guitar play. Maybe this will shake up the music industry a little bit, and open the door to a wider range of new music coming into the genre.

I would recommend this to a friend!

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3of 3voted this as helpful.

Twilight [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] [CD]

Customer Rating

looking for more

on November 12, 2008

Posted by: frank12345

from miami, fl

After reading a few of the reviews, sounds like there will be another soundtrack CD coming out after the movie's release. Looking forward to that. I'm liking the tracks on this one, and I'm a coming-up-on-60 Gramma. My grandson is taking bass and lead guitar lessons, and I really loved introducing him to Supermassive Black Hole, my favorite. He was impressed that I knew who Muse was. Most of the tracks create tension, which is excellent, but Stephenie made it clear that 'Bella's Lullaby' was something that Edward hummed for Bella in her room as she was going to sleep before really fleshing it out on his piano at the Cullen mansion. Gotta say that, as a vocalist, this composition is COMPLETELY "unhummable"!! And not particularly romantic, either. Now I just have to get to a matinee while the kids are all still in school so I can get a seat to see the movie and which scenes the different tracks are used in.

I would recommend this to a friend!

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+2points

2of 2voted this as helpful.

Death Magnetic [CD]

Customer Rating

review for the old school fan

on November 8, 2008

Posted by: frank12345

from miami, fl

Many Metallica fans have thought of them as sellouts ever since they released their first music video to "One" back in 1989. After they enlisted producer Bob Rock for "The Black" album, Metallica became "radio friendly" with many songs coming in at around five minutes or less. Load and Reload did little to reverse this, and St. Anger was easily the worst CD that Metallica ever released. So it is with good reason that many have been sceptical about what to expect from Metallica's latest offering Death Magnetic.

Some significant things have changed since St. Anger. This is the first release from Metallica on their new record label, Warner Bros. Many will cheer that producer Bob Rock is also gone having been replaced by renowned career resurrector Rick Rubin. All of this is somewhat academic, though, unless the music also changed as a result.

I'm pleased to report that Death Magnetic is somewhat of a Renaissance for Metallica. While it will not be mistaken for what many consider to be the best trio of metal CDs made (Ride The Lightening, Master Of Puppets, and ...And Justice For All), it is a marked improvement over what Metallica has had to offer over the past 15 years. Much of what you will hear falls somewhere between Justice and The Black Album.

Right out of the gate on "That Was Just Your Life" many of the signs of old school Metallica are on display. This song starts with a simple, bare, and undistorted guitar line, but it builds to full on thrash as we see that Lars Ulrich has remembered what drums on a Metallica album are supposed to sound like. Before the first verse starts, James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett remind us what the dual guitar lines can sound like. And yes, Kirk Hammett's soloing is also back, and he does not disappoint. The next two tracks continue to crunch along, but some will lose heart when "The Day That Never Comes" come up. However, it manages to finish much stronger than it starts. As if sensing that they needed to dial it back up, "All Nightmare Long" returns to full on shredding and goes from there. The combined guitar lines and drum line create a tempo that feels like it could match the speed of helicopter blades. This song also finds Metallica on the familiar theme of mental stability heard on "Welcome Home Sanitarium" and "The Frayed Ends Of Sanity" from days of old.

When I looked at the track listing before hearing any of the songs, I had concern when I saw "The Unforgiven III". My first thought was, "Do we really need another rehash of the radio hit 'Unforgiven'?" However listening to the song showed me that my concern was in vane. While "The Unforgiven" and "The Unforgiven II" are fairly straightforward, "The Unforgiven III" is more metaphoric as it relates life's torment to sea adventures in search of gold gone awry. The lyrics actually don't include the word "unforgiven" making the title choice a bit puzzling, but I think that "The Unforgiven III" is better than either of its namesakes.

All in all, Death Magnetic is solid heavy metal CD, but I expect reaction to it to be very mixed. The part of the Metallica fan base who will enjoy this the most are those who liked ...And Justice For All and The Black Album. They don't reach far enough back for the oldest of old school fans while those looking for Load or Reload will also likely be disappointed. Hopefully having a better idea of where this fits in the Metallica spectrum will help you decide if it is for you or not.

Download this: All Nightmare Long

I would recommend this to a friend!

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frank12345's Answers

Speakers

Read all questions and answers for this category

What characteristics make a speaker a good and powerful one?

I need a small but powerful external speaker for my laptop.

When bass is strong and the sound does not get distorted with high volume. when highs and lows are noticeable makes the musical experience more pleasant.
Materials are important...if the speaker looks made out of cheap plastic, of course the sound is going to be cheap also

15 years, 6 months ago

frank12345

miami, fl

Digital Cameras

Read all questions and answers for this category

Where can I get my camera fixed?

My camera fell on the floor, and its kind of broken. The zoom lense wont go in or move at all, even when i close it.

normal warranties won't cover this type of accident (or any other), but few extended warrantied do. So if you have an extended warraty, specially from BB, then you can go and ask. they honored one of my extended warraties once, by just replacing the product, that is the reason why I get all my guilty pleasures at BB. If you don't the you should reconsider purchasing a new camera and buy a good carrying case this time around.
pd: normally fixing an electronic such as this one, is more expensive that just replacing it (getting a new one), since this producs are the result of mass production, then materials are cheaper when sold to the manufacturer and builder. So getting a piece of replacement specifically for YOU is going to be RIDICULOSLY expensive.

15 years, 7 months ago

frank12345

miami, fl

Digital Cameras

Read all questions and answers for this category

what is SLR short for?

The single-lens reflex (SLR) camera uses an automatic moving mirror system which permits the photographer to see exactly what will be captured by the film or digital imaging system, as opposed to non-SLR cameras where the view through the viewfinder could be significantly different from what was captured on film.
HOPE IT HELPS

15 years, 7 months ago

frank12345

miami, fl