Once again running behind... I swear eventually I will get in the swing and write this thing every week. 3 entries for the past couple of weeks, but as previously mentioned one of those is a 3 album effort, which makes it essentially 5 discs of listening. Rather than do a separate blog, I'll just say a couple of things about games I've been playing.

I'm enjoying Mini Nijas. It isn't particularly complex or hard, but it's still good fun. Sometimes I like games a bit more simple. A bit more variety in the attacks and enemies would be appreciated, but what's there is decent enough. I also tried Far Cry 2. Does anyone want to give me a reason to keep playing? I found trudging around the map when you don't have a car (or it breaks down) to be extremely tedious. A few other things didn't sit right with me; I never seemed to be able to distunguish some enemies from their surroundings, and enemy patrols chasing you down when you can shoot from your vehicle were also annoying. Shooting mechanics and story seem decent enough, but I think those other factors are going to drag it down too much for me.

So I decided to play Halo Wars. This is the first time I've played an RTS for a long time (unless you count tower defence). So far it seems to be what I was looking for; an RTS that isn't overly complex, is easy to manage and doesn't require hours and hours to complete a single map. After the first 3 maps I figured it was going to be really easy, but the fourth map offered me some challenges and I haven't completed it yet. Will probably give it another shot after I write this blog, have a fair idea of what I need to do now to complete it. For those who've played it, it's the map where you have to escort civilians to the drop ships. I'm pretty sure though that part of the mission is the 3rd drop shop blowing up even if you defend it. I'll try and defend it again to confirm. Shame the game is a bit on the ugly side though. The lack of detail on units is a bit disappointing, but it doesn't really detract from the game.

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Ella Fitzgerald - Sings The Gershwin Songbook - 1959
Prior to this album I've been exposed to Ella through one song that Megan has on her ipod; It's Cold Outside. I really love that song even though it is nothing like the music I generally like. So I was looking forward to hearing the rest of what Ella had to offer, and this album serves up 3 discs. While not her sound specifically, I'd compare her to Sarah Vaughan who I reviewed earlier in this series. Her voice is amazing, with clean vocals. Music on this collection is perhaps a bit more pronounced, and there are a few zingy numbers. I can hear some odd instruments in some songs that I can't identify, I think they are possibly some kind of wood instrument or something, that gives some of the songs some extra character. She is also the master of matching up rhymes where none should really exist. They are as obvious as all hell, but she still seems to manage to pull them off. For example, who thought dumber and succumb could rhyme? Really drag that B in succumb, even though it should be silent, and you can make it work. Or at least Ella can.

After listening to these discs a few times, it was easy to pick up the swing and sing along (even though I sound terrible trying to imitate it), though the timing for this sort of thing still eludes me at times. Often in songs that repeat their chorus and verses later in the song, there is different emphasis which often feels like it is keeping the album fresh. This collection of songs is certainly one that I can enjoy when it is on; I just won't go out of my to listen to it. Once again an album I acknowledge is good, great even, but isn't quite what I'm looking for. Be assured I will sing along if I hear them though. Especially 'Let's Call The Whole THing Off', probably my highlight of this album.

The Crickets - The Chirping Crickets (1957)
Can't say I've ever heard of The Crickets. So I was really surprised when I put this album on, and recognised some tracks. Then I realised that I was listening to Buddy Holly. I ponder, when these have been played in recent decades, were they attributed as Buddy Holly songs and I've never know that they were The Crickets? Neverthless, heading a bit more rock for this album. Still a few slower numbers as well, but a bit more upbeat. Still, outside of those few tracks that I've heard before, nothing is really inspiring me here. Decent tunes, but nothing that has affected me a lot.

Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley - 1956
I can just imagine the circumstances under which this record was produced. "Hey Elvis, I dare you to put this ferret down your pants, and then see if you can still sing the songs, and see if the audience notices!" Sorry Elvis, I've caught you out. Ok, I might be exaggerating a bit. But there are some tracks where his voice wavers a bit as though he is desperately trying to maintain composure while being distracted. I know this is just how Elvis is, but I couldn't help but think it. Can't say I'm amazed by Elvis. Some well known cIassics on this album, like Blue Suede Shoes and Tutti Frutti. Interestingly, the reviewer in the book lists a number of other songs as his favourites. I ponder whether those are truly the ones s/he prefers, or whether it's just to buck the trend. The recording quality on the album is a bit varied as well, and I wondered whether it was the same album as the voice changed between tracks. More than likely it was recorded in multiple places. After knowing the aforementioned ****cs, the slower songs were a bit of a surprise, but not too out of place either.