by Manuel Marino | Guitar, Music
Photo by RobStone
When it comes to the guitar, there are numerous icons that have left a lasting impact and made it cool. Throughout the years, these individuals have helped define the sounds and styles of their respective times. Here are just a few of the guitar icons who have left their mark:
Robert Johnson is a significant figure in early guitar history. Despite his tragically short life, he brought a fresh and more vocal sound to blues. His inventiveness and sense of fun, which may seem contradictory, make him an excellent role model for generations of guitarists. For other blues legends, one can explore the works of BB King and Skip James, who not only invented blues but also epitomized cool.
Rock guitar emerged from the ashes of blues, and Jimi Hendrix stands as a legend among legends. While some of his groundbreaking innovations may now seem commonplace, he truly deserves the accolades he has received. Prior to Hendrix, there was Eric Clapton, whose contributions were significant but were somewhat overshadowed by the sheer genius of Hendrix. Hendrix’s first appearance in London B52 - Wade Crawley is back with a great B52 concert review! If you remember, Wade wrote … ...Read the rest.
“Influential Guitarists”
by Manuel Marino | Music, Voice
Photo by wiuxflickr
There have been countless arguments over who the greatest rapper is, but few people attempt to define what makes one rapper better than many others.
Is it speed? Freestyle hip-hop abilities? Battle proficiency?
While these aspects may be significant to certain emcees, such as battle rappers like Eyedea or Supernatural, the ability to freestyle does not necessarily translate into record sales, nor do freestylers create timeless songs that leave a lasting legacy. If you’ve ever listened to battle rappers’ albums, you’ll realize this immediately.
So what are the elements of a dope MC? First and foremost, an MC should have a distinctive sound that is instantly recognizable. Listeners shouldn’t have to be told who they’re listening to; they should know from the very first word. An MC should have clever lyrics and memorable hooks, but without a strong voice, the songs will fall flat.
What is vocal character, and how do we define it? There are three aspects of the sound that need to be mastered:
- Range: Can an MC rap over both fast and slow hip-hop beats? Can they convey anger, sarcasm, sexiness, strength, confidence, vulnerability? The wider the range of emotions a rapper can cover,
… ...Read the rest.
“How to Become a Rapper – It Ain’t Just the Lyrics”
by Manuel Marino | Movies
Photo by 1541
This post typically discusses the phenomenon of television during the fall season. There are far too many shows for the average individual to keep up with in a given week. It is truly the only time of year when I find myself needing to catch up on my TV viewing. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing, but hey, it is what it is.
The following television shows are, in my opinion, the most interesting shows on TV in the fall.
Dexter tops the list. Showtime shows as a whole have recently gained momentum, but regardless of the network, Dexter is my personal favorite TV program.
Another show that I find hilarious is Bored To Death. It’s essentially about nothing, but it’s absolutely hilarious. This show is in its second season and stars Jason Schwartzman, Zach Galifinakis, and Ted Danson, who steals the show.
FX is another network that has been producing some quality programming in recent years. I have to give credit to It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia for starting this trend. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia is one of the dirtiest, raunchiest, and funniest shows on TV.
No list of my favorite shows would … ...Read the rest.
“This Season’s Most Entertaining TV Shows”
by Manuel Marino | Arts
Photo by mseckington
Generating a definitive list of the top dark fantasy books is impossible due to the sheer volume of outstanding works available. The selections presented below were chosen because they are relatively recent contributions, each serving as an excellent representation of the genre and showcasing the author’s skills. While they provide an excellent starting point for readers new to the genre, they are also highly recommended for veterans.
Brent Weeks – The Night Angel Trilogy: Dark and gritty, these books follow the story of Azoth, an orphan and guild-rat who becomes an apprentice to the wetboy (a magically-enhanced master assassin) Durzo Blint. Azoth must now transform into Kelsier Stern, a wetboy-in-training. He must leave his old life behind, immerse himself in a world of dangerous magic and deadly politics, and, above all, embrace his role as a harbinger of death.
Weeks’ characters are expertly crafted, and his dystopian world is so vividly realized that you can almost smell it. If you enjoyed Christopher Nolan’s take on Batman, you will love this trilogy.
The Keys To The Kingdom Series by Garth Nix: Arthur Penhaligon is in the midst of a life-threatening asthma attack when a stranger saves him by … ...Read the rest.
“Dark Fantasy Books: Three Great Series For You To Enjoy”
Manuel is a passionate, driven, and techsavvy AV technician, 
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