http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Thu, 28 Nov 2002 22:49:46 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/ Phillip WinnSunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding. Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/11/28/224946.php Jacob LalondeI climbed the stairs and crouched down for a good look at the cars as they pulled in for the deal. Seconds later I was caught in a melee of gunfire desperately trying to pick off Cuban gangsters as we were getting slaughtered in an ambush. Mission Failure, and as far as I made it last weekend in the new PlayStation 2 game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.All but the staunchest of Tetris nerds will admit after a game or two that the main strength of this game is the nebulous fun factor. The designers purposely avoided changing the game too drastically from the popular formula of GTAIII, mainly adding a new venue and a new story. Most of the missions involve driving around the circa-80s beach city in stolen vehicles ranging anywhere from clumsy buses to screeching motorcycles. The driving is a highlight and more than once I was to rudely reminded by anxious friends to stick to the missions and stop cruising around aimlessly on my motorcycle. And of course if you are brazen enough to break the law near a cop your wanted level increases and you can quickly find yourself in a chase with Vice City's finest. You spend the rest of the time exploring Vice City on foot, which can admittedly get a little slow, or completing special missions such as planting bombs with remote control choppers. The storyline centers on a cocaine deal gone bad and develops like a cliche Pacino gangster drama as you work your way through the crime underworld looking for the lost loot. The plot is weaved into the game with video sequences that give your character the motivation for his next mission. One of the strengths of this game is the simplicity of the missions, in "Waste the Wife" you simply chase down and smash up said wife's car to make it look like an accident. Nothing to it. The retro detail is for the most part impressive, and in the game your friends will still talk to you if to throw on pastels and shades and jump in a CRV blasting Foreigner on the radio. Although I was surprised the first time the game asked me to answer my 80s cell phone and it wasn't the size of a suitcase. The most distracting element of the game was definitely the little map in the bottom-left corner of the screen that you have to glance down at for directions, often the cause of more trouble than the police. As well Vice City may not the best choice for very young children since it does carry the 'Mature' rating. That said, it is generally difficult to find negative feedback on Vice City from anyone who has played it and if you are in the market for a PS2 game, Vice City seems to be emerging as the the safe bet for 2002. Culture2049@blogcritics.org Thu, 28 Nov 2002 22:49:46 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/11/10/182424.php Jacob LalondeMy Discman is dead. It bore the wear-and-tear of acting as car Discman and improvised home unit for years without complaint. It survived a damaging 25 mph bike accident and many chill Canadian winters, but I simply wore it down with years of continuous spinning. As homage to my player I present the albums that played the biggest role in its demise. These albums have formed a bit of a personal soundtrack for 2002.Deftones - White Pony (re-release) - Some quick math tells me my CD player has probably spun this album over 5 million times this year. I will need a full page for this review. The Cure - Greatest Hits - Simple not simplistic lyrics, songs range from angst to flamboyance.Tool - Lateralus - It is refreshing to hear songs you can't sing along to the first time you hear them.Radiohead - Kid A - A bit short, but some of their best stuff.Vivaldi - The Four Seasons - Great introduction to classical.Pink Floyd - Echoes - This is the first Pink Floyd album I actually bought. I quickly invested in a few more.Outkast - Stankonia - One of the few rap albums that fit in the 'rap albums that are good all the way through' category. One of the many rap albums that fit in the 'rap albums with too many annoying skits I have to fast-forward through' category.Various Artists - The Rebirth of Cool Vol. 3 - You feel cool just listening to it.Soul Coughing - Ruby Vroom - Great driving music.Bach - Violin Concertos - Sunday afternoon fare. Music1765@blogcritics.org Sun, 10 Nov 2002 18:24:24 EST