Minutes to Midnight, the highly anticipated and hyped new album from Linkin Park has been a long time coming, over 4 years since their last self album, Meteora, hit shelves.

Minutes to Midnight shows a massive step in a new direction for the 6-part band, but is it a massive step in the wrong direction?
The albums pace is constantly stumping itself by having a heavy song then a soft song following it, repeat and you have the entire album going up and down, leaving the listener unsure of the albums creative direction. The other issue with this formula is some of the heavy songs are rather soft, making you wonder what happened to the old Linkin Park.

While the album appears to be slopped together rather hastily showing no direction or natural flow that most other albums incorporate, and song-wise, the flow is really slow, with most songs taking a good first half of the song to ramp up. There is still hope for Minutes to Midnight.

The album admittedly takes quite a number of sittings before you catch the feel or vibe of the album. Many people will be shocked during their first listening, as the album has a heavy political and anti-war theme. Almost long gone is the lyrical ways of Chester on past albums, but thankfully we get a good one in the form of "Given Up".

There is one nagging song that I feel, although fitting with the albums lyrical theme and lyrically it is a very powerful song, should of been saved for the new Fort Minor album, (should Shinoda continue the project). Valentines day is also an odd one, starting off soft and then switches to a more heavy sound but ends abruptly and leaving you wanting to hear the end that doesn't exist. "Given Up" and "Bleed It Out" are the two songs that show their worth on this album, while the last three tracks, "In Between", "In Pieces" and "The Little Things Give You Away" just feel out of place and stuck in to fill out the end of the album.

Once you get over the fact that this album is nothing like their previous releases it shines, barely. Unfortunately for Linkin Park the album is quite bland and lacking, finishing the album leaves you wanting more or wondering what happened with the recording process.

6/10

Be there, well actually be here, or be, well you get the point.

The time will come. 

EB games, (ok I know some of you have tuned out already but read further), rang me two days ago asking if I wanted to attend an interview for a position at one of their stores.
The store was undisclosed, so thats one strike against them, is it worth my time if they want me to work at Ballarat? No.
I already have a job at Village, so my interest has dropped significantly. Strike 2.
I applied for this job months before I applied for my job a Village. Strike 3.

Your out?

Not quite, I did say I would attend the interview, which happens next week on Moday afternoon. So I will see how that goes.

As for Working for EB, I think it would be interesting. Selling stuff to people, who either A) know nothing about games and are buying the item for friend/family member. B) People who know what they want and the product sells itself, or C) Think they know everything but really know nothing, and attempt to do everything to prove you wrong (the type that I hate).

[SIZE=9]rant[/SIZE]
Why I wouldn't want to work for EB? Too many reports of 360 fanbabys. Can't blame them though, it sells well. Still annoying when you get one thats determined to *not* sell you a Wii or a PS3 (console/game) because "the Xbox 360 (console/game) is a gazillion times better!!!!!1111eleven" and "All the games on other consoles are being made for the Xbox 360 and being transfered (? its ported idiot!) to the other systems, thats why the Xbox 360 is better, because they are all made for the 360!!!!!!!111eleven *picks nose*"
Honestly, if you dislike it so much, sell it to get the console/game out of your vision.
[SIZE=9]/rant[/SIZE]

So next week, probably Monday night or Tuesday-Wednesday, I'll post a new blog describing the interview process. They really must be desperate because it was literally last year when I applied for the job.

Currently I'm debating whether or not to pick up Oblivion for the PS3. "OMG Why?! Oblivion is only the best WRPG to come out in like, forever!!!11eleven" I telepathetically hear you ask? Well because for one, I already have the game for my PC, but I only got 20-30 hours out of it because giving up due to different issues, mainly I wasn't happy with the performance I got out of my machine (FX60, 7900GTX, 2GB) with the game. I went heavily on to the modding scene for a couple months then completely deterred from the game and it's scene.

I know that the PS3 game doesn't come with the new expansion, but there is hope that Beth-Software will get their DLC working with PS Store and we will see the additional content plus maybe the expansion just as a download.

I'm just deciding whether it's worth getting the game for console, where I will experience clear solid performance without having to worry about tweeking/drivers/etc.
I did enjoy my time in the game, but never got around to finishing it. Did about half way through the Mage Guild quest line and about 1/8th of the way through the main story, and a whole bunch of dungeon crawling. Thats about it.
I know I can easily put in over 100 hours of solid gameplay, so that's enticing.

Basically I'm asking for your help. The battle/debate with myself is about 50/50, I almost picked up the game today in JB, but the price swayed me to wait. I can easily swallow the $89.95 price tag on dvdcrave, or better yet the $78.88 price from play-asia.

So you, the reader, should I get Oblivion for the PS3 or not.

..and now! Start commenting!

So lately I've been listening to quite a number of older CDs, due to the fact that there isn't much in the way or new music coming out right now. There are quite a number of anticipated releases coming soon, Linkin Park and The Used just to name two. So for now I'm contempt with my new Chevelle (read about it in my review of Vena Sera) and a bunch of older CDs in my collection.

Let's start with some Staind, the good stuff not some of the newer softer CDs. Rocking the Tormented and Break the Cycle CDs. Got some older Breaking Benjamin as well, Saturated. Smile Empty Soul, (which are also coming out with a new album, yay!), Self Titled. Lo-Pro (I hope a label picks these guys up soon, stupid Geffen), Self Titled.
These are just a few of the albums I've been listening to recently in the music drought.

You got some new music, or older music, you think I would like? Post a comment and tell me about it! I'm a music junkie can't get enough of the stuff.

So, recently I went for a job interview at Village Cinemas, Sunshine for their Gold Class section of the cinemas. There were 12 people in the interview from 500 so that made me feel really good, but then positively depressed because I knew I wouldn't have much chance of going through to be employed.
As luck would have it, yesterday I received a phone call, "Hello Julian? Yes this is Frank* from Village Sunshine, congratulations you got the job!" Like a giddy school girl who just got her first kiss, I held my composure until I hung up then jumped around shouting "HUZZAH!"
So now I have a steady job and will be able to move out, finally.

 

 

* Name changed because I honestly do not remember the guys name. Shame on me.
Yes I did make 2 blogs in a row, feel free to read both and comment on both :)

So a few of you might have seen my forum post stating that I had quit playing in the LOTRO Beta. Well it is true, you did read correctly, and yes I did write a blog highly praising the game.

So why did I stop you ask? Well due to a number of reasons, leaving FFXI last year due to completing everything in the game I had set to accomplish, I came out of that MMO with a very high standard of MMOs, and although I knew I would only truly be happy playing a game similar to it I knew that I didn't want to sink the time and effort into a new MMO. I was looking for a MMO that would give me a good community like FFXI but more gameplay that would allow for casual play. LOTRO did provide that for me, don't get me wrong I still think it is a fantastic game and I recommend anyone who is remotely interested in RPGs or MMOs to check the game out.
Back to the reason why I stopped playing LOTRO. I stopped playing because I wasn't happy like I was in FFXI. I know I was asking for casual content but I'm still a heavy gamer, and I really did fly through the content provided, end game didn't pose any lasting appeal to my tastes, and I couldn't help finding myself thinking, "I need more". I finally realized that any MMO I play would need to be a time sinker, as other games provide me with the "casual" aspect.

So now I have set my sights towards wanting to test Gods and Heroes and Age of Conan, both upcoming MMOs. They both seem to provide a more dedicated experience and I have really high expectations of both games, G&H moreso.

So Chevelle released their 4th Studio album and I must say, it's killer.

The once all brothers band, now turned two brothers and two changes to their Bass player, still manage to rock on in a great fashion with Vena Sera.
Chevelle have certinally gone in a different direction, a different light than their previous albums, while still retaining the Chevelle feel to their songs. Heavy hitting rock tunes as well as melodic rock tracks compile the 11 tracks this beauty has to offer. With Pete's vocals being better than ever, nailing every melodic tune to every gut wrenching-primal scream. You have to wonder where these boys have been on previous albums, although each great in their own right.

Vena Sera seems to be their milestone album, showing off their knowledge of being in the industry as long as they have been.
Their intro song, Antisaint draws you in, and leaves to wanting more as you listen to track after track until you hit Saturdays which almost seems like their "J-Lo - Jenny to the Block" or the "Fergie - Glamorous" of rock songs (not in a bad way either).

Chevelle haven't pushed their envelope this far since they released "Wonder What's Next" and this album shows it.
Recommended if you want a new rock album, or just interested to see what good rock sounds like.

9/10

 

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Thanks for reading my first ever album review. Got any suggestions? Was it crap? Did you like it? Why didn't I review xyz album? Let me know and make a comment! 

So, been awhile people. I know your all anxious for the next installment of Interview with GSAU Staff, I *really* promise you it's coming soon! Slight delays in the form of the PS3 Launch and GDC. I hope you can understand.

So, what have I been up to you ask? Oh, you don't ask? Oh well.
I've been rocking up Motorstorm, finally finished it, fantastic game, love it to death. One race was so frustrating but I pulled through and claimed the title. All first in all races :)

S.T.A.L.K.E.R has been taking up the majority of my game time. This is one of the few games that comes around and grips me, and just doesn't let go. It's got some really spectacular ideas, implemented not perfect, but it works, and thats what really matters in games. I look forward to an expansion/sequel.

Not much Resistance lately, looking for some people to play with, hook me up on PSN ID: Macros86

 

In other news, my friends got married and that happened on Sunday. I was the Groomsman, so it was pretty exciting. The wedding was far from a traditional Church wedding. It was different, had a few ceremonies, there was a hand fasting, sharing of the Honey Mead, and offering of symbolic tokens in the form of a sword and beads. It was very Celtic based even though neither have Celtic roots.
All in all the night was fun and really blurry now that I think about it. Thats what ya get when it's all paid for booze!

Next month I'm having my (late) 21st party. So that will be pretty big, I think about 100-150 people, although it will probably end up being a bit more. Another reason to drink senselessly!

P.S.  Someone needs to teach me how to write properly, too many darn commas!

Congrats to whomever was my 1000th view, wow what a milestone.
Unfortunately you get no prize, other than the warm fuzzy feeling of being my 1000th view.

Heres to the next 1000! (lol, as if that will ever happen)