Album Review: Forever the Sickest Kids

After leaving my last writing gig to focus on my own work, I knew music reviews were going to continue to be a large part of any new blog/venture I undertook. But I didn't just want to review everything under the sun. I'm going to be picky about what artists/albums I choose to bring to your attention, whether it be in a negative or positive light. For the second music review for TRROJA (that acronym actually isn't awful), Forever The Sickest Kids' recently released self-titled album serves as a worthy act. A band I've had on my iPod for some time, I had no qualms about blind-buying their latest.

Dropped on March 1st, Forever The Sickest Kids is an infusion of digitized pop-rock awesome-sauce. You read that right. Formed by Jonathan Cook, Austin Bello, Caleb Turman, Marc Stewart and Kyle Burns, this is one band whose engine is just beginning to rev. On the scene since their debut EP in 2007, FTSK marks their second full-length release.

"Keep On Bringing Me Down," the first single off FTSK, jump-starts the disc with a quickened tempo and some well-placed keyboards. Even on this first track, you can hear the distinction in singer Jonathan Cook's amazing vocals (especially in his belt-ier moments), giving the group an advantage over the genre's competition. He's not a choir boy, but Cook has a style of wailing that just feels right, tweaking slightly with each song's instrumentals.

On "King For A Day," the boys put their talents towards the love song genre, furnishing a tune that would surely make the teen girls swoon and scream... if I were near enough to them to witness it. (The idea of being in the same room with them and a young rock band scares me.) Even if you're not of the feminine variety, you'll probably dig it.

Do you remember Nickelback's "Rockstar," that douchey track that described everything a famous a-hole musician would want? Well, FTSK's "Good Life" is the same general idea, but somehow it doesn't feel quite so skeevy. Wait, maybe because it doesn't mention doing designer drugs at a club with washed-up celebrities. That's probably it. This song manages to capture all the fun aspects of getting rich and slaps them on top of a hook-laden melody that keeps your toe tapping.

For "Same Dumb Excuse," Cook's refrain humorously rattles through all the activities that sound easier than telling a girl how he feels. Personal songs like this are where FTSK really shine, because their words keep you engaged as the riffs keep you energized. Other tracks to check out include "I Guess You Can Say Things Are Getting Pretty Serious," "Robots & Aliens" and the softer "Forever Girl."

To be perfectly frank, it was difficult to find songs I didn't like on FTSK. They have catchy hooks, a rich sound and a unique digital power-pop style. Their lyrics don't read like retreads of other modern teen draws, instead  achieving a level of fresh originality while retaining classic relate-able themes for the young and not-quite-as young. (I mean, they're probably not for your parents, but what band of youngins really is?) Go snag it on Amazon Music, where it's only 5.99... for now.

If you're on the ole' Twitter, you can follow each member of the band as well as keep tabs on the official Twitter page. They're on a national tour (with Good Charlotte) as we speak, so don't miss a chance to snag tickets if they're appearing in your general vicinity. I won't.

Blu-Ray or Bust

My Guide to Going High-Def on a Budget

So it's that time. You've gone to your friend's place and have witnessed the awesome-sauce that is his entertainment center. You watched Australia on Blu-Ray... and  actually liked it. Not because of Hugh Jackman's bulging biceps or Nicole Kidman's... pastiness, but because of the pretty colors and loud noises. You know if you liked that epic mediocrity that it's time for a high definition set-up of your own. The only problem: You don't have your friend's job and don't think you can afford a 55-inch TV, PS3 and 7.1 home theater system with wireless rear speakers and Wi-Fi built in.

Well I'm here to tell you not to worry, because you can go high-def on a budget and still compare favorably to any pad around. (Besides that couch... you should really get rid of that thing. That stain that used to be on the top of the cushion you've since flipped? It's still there. And it's still nasty.)

The Centerpiece

Obviously when we're talking entertainment centers it starts in one place: The TV. The centerpiece of your entertaining, you can't miss on this shot. Picking the right size, brand, type, and most effectively equipped can make or break your fun. So keep to a few guidelines when picking a TV. First, know the brand. Dynex may be cheap, but they're also... cheap. Don't expect it to last more than a few years, where it will certainly be out of warranty, putting you right back at Best Buy picking out another one. Sony (best all-around tech), Samsung (so pretty and almost as good), and Sharp (gorgeous but pricey) sets are your top of the line. You may pay some extra cash for the name, but they're ultimately dependable and look fantastic, and since they're all over the place, it ensures you'll be able to find a deal on the one you want. Underneath that is Toshiba, LG, Vizio, Westinghouse, and various other familiar brands. These names are at least known and can compare favorably with some of the big boys without the hefty price tag. Anything other than those names... be wary. Most of it's recycled parts from other sets slapped into one cheap frame.

What else do you need to know before buying a TV? Know your space. Keeping the TV stand you already own or even getting a new one? Make sure it can support the weight of a decently-sized picture box. Want to wall-mount? Make sure you get the proper mount and know where a stud is in your wall. Check the set's outputs and inputs. HDMI is the wave of the future, so seeing how many possible connections it has can avoid wrenches in the works later. Size-wise? Don't go with anything under 32", especially if it's for your living room. Sets 40" and up are the best bets are don't cost the arm and a leg they did three or four years ago. As for the type? Go LED-LCD or LCD, in that order. Don't go plasma. They're a dying breed.

Now, some go overboard on the television when they don't have to and fail to compliment it with the proper equipment. All that leaves them with is a giantly awesome TV with a crap DVD player and no extra speakers. FAIL. If there's a place to spend a little extra dough, it's on the TV, but you certainly don't have to in order to have a wicked awesome set-up. For a purchase that's going to last, look good and not break your bank, the (retail) price tag will likely fall somewhere between $700 and $900.

The Media Player

So you're got your TV picked out, but now what to do with it? Aside from the antenna/cable/satellite, you're going to want to watch flicks where things blow up. But what to watch them on? Blu-Ray players are cheaper than ever with low-end models around 100 bucks. Now these won't have all the bells and whistles (Netflix streaming, Wifi-Ready out of the box), but they can get you started until you can afford something better. As far as brands go, stick with Sony or Samsung. After that you could be at risk of crapitude. If you have extra money to throw at one, pick Sony's new Blu-Ray machine with Google TV built in. Though if you feel like you'd ever want to pick up a controller and blow stuff up yourself, get a PS3. It's got a great Netflix app and a library of video games that can wonderfully waste your free time.

Lovely.

The Aural Enhancer

Knock it off perv, I said "aural." You're such a child. After picking out a TV and perhaps a media player, you're two-thirds of the way towards your goal. What's left? Making sure you go deaf of course! It's time to pick out a sound system. This is typically where so many people lose their minds and completely give up. Sounds systems come in all different sizes and price points, from already put-together receiver/speaker sets to packages with Blu-Ray players built in to the horribly expensive "build it yourself" varieties. Unless you're a rich sound geek (or just a rich person who has a sound geek for a buddy), I'd avoid the last one.

Sound systems serve two purposes nowadays. Not only do they obviously supplant your TV's tiny speakers, but they're typically designed to be a plug-hub for all your equipment. So you could end up running your cable/satellite box into your Blu-Ray player or receiver, which will then run into your TV. If your TV has multiple HDMIBlu-Rays/video games all have surround sound. Nothing bothers me more than untapped sound potential.

What some of you will see when looking at sound systems is a set of numbers that applies to them. Usually ranging from 2.1 to 5.1 to 7.1. This refers to the number or speakers or "channels" that the system employs, with the ".1" being a sub-woofer for that bassy goodness. You probably want that. 7.1 packers are ungodly expensive, clocking in at over $600. They're easily recognizable because they feature a set of dual front speakers that are a great deal taller than the rest, most often on a thin stand. While those extra speakers are nice, the systems aren't worth you spending the extra $200 (at least.) Already owning a PS3, I snagged a decent 5.1 Sony receiver/speaker combo for (at the time) $350. I recently picked out a Samsung Blu-Ray player / speaker set-up at the same price for my father as a Christmas gift, which he's entirely happy with. I mean, he's old and likes things loud, so it works for him.

If you have a smaller room, then a sound bar is a safe, cheap alternative to a high-priced package. Sound bars are exactly what you'd think they are, like this Sony Sound Bar over at Amazon. They typically range from $150 to $250 (but can get cheaper) and produce a healthy amount of sound for the price. Most come with a sub-woofer and simulate 2.1 through 5.1 surround sound without the multiple speakers but still feature enough inputs to compete. (Though HDMI will probably be your only connection option.)

What Makes it All Work

HDMI cables are the new revolution of cables. Just plug it in and go. So make sure you don't forget about them. Nothing is more disappointing than setting up all of your equipment and finding out you forgot the little bit of rubber and wire that connects them. Still, that doesn't mean you need to drop $90 bucks on some behemoth of an HDMI cable at Best Buy. So unnecessary. A quick search on Amazon or eBay will find you plenty of HDMI's on the cheap. (In fact, I bought three cables at a cheaper price than it took to ship them.) Spending more than $15 bucks on a cable is sheer lunacy. Don't do it.

Finally, here are a few extra tips. Never buy a TV unless it's on sale. You'll steer clear of the eventual frustration you'll feel when you see it for $100 less only a week after you bought it. Keep an eye out for package deals as well. Start saving now. The earlier you start putting some money aside, the better technology you can buy. This will keep you from needing to upgrade in the near future. Finally, buy a few choice 'splodey or special effects filled Blu-Rays to show off your new system. I know you love Superbad, but it can wait.

Sorry fellas.

After all is bought and paid for, you should be able to easily and completely overhaul your in-house entertainment experience for under $1500. Have at it!

Have any experiences/comments? Leave them below!

And before you say it, I'm not a Sony fanboy. I just happen to have a ton of experience with their products.

A Newb's Lessons for Escaping Black Friday

For those of you that don't engage in the supposed insanity that is Black Friday, you might be missing out on great deals... or great stress. I thought I'd relay my experience to you so that you'll be more educated for next year's shopping bonanza.

On Black Friday, there are two types of shoppers: those are looking to buy something very specific and those that are there just to enjoy the savings! This year I was part of the latter. In my second go-round at Black Friday, I made trips to Target and Best Buy in search of Blu-Ray's and DVD's on the cheap... and was successful! It did not come without some frustration though.

Since Target opened at effing 4 AM, I decided to arrive fairly late, not showing up until 4:30 in the hopes of avoiding massive crowdage. Lesson one of the trip: If you don't need to get there early, don't. The instant I arrived in my car, I was greeted with parking lot chaos. After a few minutes of futile spot searching, I parked on the street without effort. Lesson two: if you don't have to, avoid parking where everyone else does. Getting inside with only a short wait (less than four minutes), I quickly made my way to the electronics, which was unquestionably the most crowded section of the store. Being small and without cart, I snagged the few movies I was looking for and made a quick dash for the registers. I was in and out of Target in less than 20 minutes. Good trip so far...

Onto Best Buy. Last year I had gone to Best Buy in a different section of the city, but was unable (thanks to public transportation) to get there early enough to get a voucher to buy a laptop. Not needing anything that was in heavy demand, I was able to make a small list of the movies and TV seasons I wanted to pick up and make my way through through the small crowd and grab everything I had come there for. Lesson three: Don't pay more than ten bucks for any single movie. If it's a TV show on DVD or Blu-Ray, fifteen should be the limit. Keeping it cheap enables you to pick up a size-able impulse purchase as well. Lesson three: Scan the store's ad well before you get there and make a list and formulate a budget. If you get through it quickly, you can spend a few minutes shopping unencumbered by necessity. All Black Friday's ads are online a few days before and finding them is no problem at all. Do your homework and budget ahead of time.

After picking up everything on my list, I spotted an iPod/iPhone alarm clock with a price tag I could not pass up. Now I was done shopping. Lesson five: You must get something for yourself if you're going to be up that early shopping. Otherwise you'll be staring longingly at all the items you "shouldn't" buy. Buying yourself something you want will also keep you from getting too grumpy.

It took about a half-hour to clear through Best Buy with what I wanted, so now it was time to check-out. Unlike Target which has a plethora of check-out lanes, Best Buy only had about six, which kept the lines lengthy. I waited in line for no less than forty minutes. Lesson six: Have something to do while you're in line. Whether you brought a friend or are simply texting somebody or if you have your iPod or phone at the ready, you're going to need something to occupy your time.

I left my apartment a bit after four and got back around 6:30, which was a win in my book. Lesson seven: The earlier you start, the earlier you finish. Now, I had to go to work on Black Friday, but next year YOU might be able to go home and get some much-deserved sleep after dropping some dough.

Finally? Lesson eight: Try to have fun. Nothing is more ridiculous than being up at 5 AM with a bunch of inconsiderate a-holes. Don't add to the number and you'll have a better time, I promise.

Keep these lessons in mind and you might master Black Friday in 2011!

Joe's Album Review: Josh Groban: Illuminations

For the first ever album review for the The Random Ramblings, I'd like to make an admission.

I am a Josh Groban fan.

There. I said it. While I certainly don't have the fervor of the 14 year-old girls (and their mothers), I've been listening to the Grobester soon after he arrived on the music scene. On Tuesday, Josh dropped his latest album Illuminations onto an anxiously awaiting fan base. As one of his fans, I took it upon myself to see if I could objectively give my opinion on his latest release.

Can't even shave for an album cover. The definition of "cool."

After the more "mysterious" (for lack of a better word) album that was Awake, I was looking forward to seeing Groban trend further in that direction. Instead, Illuminations has the feel and sound of an Americana-style sampling with songs like "War at Home" and "Bells of New York City." Simply from a musical composition perspective, the chords used in some of these tracks (like in "Hidden Away," which has no patriotic context) are similar those found in more "national pride" type of pieces. It's not a bad thing per se, but it can deliver a different feeling than some of Groban's more pop-like releases.

As with every Groban release, you can expect a mix of freshly written tunes as well as foreign classics. Though of the disc's thirteen tracks, only three are of sans-English, so don't be afraid. Still, Groban is undoubtedly at his best when he's expounding upon love, and there are no shortage of those songs to be found on Illuminations. "Hidden Away" and "Love Only Knows" are two of the best tracks on the album and it's because you can clearly hear Josh's own emotions behind his lyrics.

My Favorite Tracks:
"Bells of New York City," "Hidden Away," "Love Only Knows."

Oddest Track:
"Galileo (Someone Like You)"

I have NO idea where this track comes from. It's a decent enough song and I understand the concept, but seriously Josh? A love song involving Galileo? Way to pull the odd reference.

The Verdict:
If you're a Grobanite, then you already have this album and have already fallen in love with Groban's vocal styling. If you're not, I'd steer clear of Illuminations... for now. If you're desperate to try him on for size (I said it), I'd go for Awake first. If you've been with him for some time, you'll have no qualms with his newest. Go get it and clutch it close to you at night while you're sleeping...sicko. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to let Josh lull me to sleep.

Come on in and stay a while!

Welcome to the first official blog at The Random Ramblings. After writing for other websites for so long, this will become the catch-all blog for all my opinions on music, politics, and nerdy happenings. I'll be dropping all sorts of great reads for you in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes on the horizon...