I remember when Limpbizkit used to be a great band and used to make great records back in the early 2000′s. I remember popping in “Significant Other” and thinking the music on that album was some of the most awesome shit I had ever heard, and idolizing Wes Borland for his incredible guitar licks and wishing I could one day play guitar as great as he could. I remember buying every limp album religiously after that, and loving Chocolate Starfish and even appreciating the often underrated Results May Vary, despite it’s noticeable lack of Wes Borland.

That was then…and boy how do I wish it was now. Gold Cobra is embarrassingly bad. No matter how die-hard limp fans may clamor on YouTube that “the bizkit is back” and spam Linkin Park videos with ‘LINKIN PARK SUCKS LETHAL COCK…GOLD COBRA BITCHES!’, the fact is that this is one album that should’ve never seen the light of day or been given the green light by Interscope to be released. It unfortunately just does not live up to the extraordinary amount of hype that surrounded it, nor does it do anything to re-establish Limpbizkit as a formidable force in the music industry. The bizkit attitude that made their earlier albums so good might still be there, but rather than feel automatic and natural like it did in the past, it feels forced and imitated…as if it was a semi-decent bizkit tribute band trying their damnedest to create a limpbizkit album in the style of pre-Results May Vary. It just does not feel authentic nor does the majority of it sound any decent. In fact I’m pretty sure some licks and song structures were reused from Significant Other/Chocolate Starfish on this album and the sad part is that many people will probably be able to identify the copied songs I’m referring to without me even naming them off. The self-plagiarism on this disc is that obvious.

Now I should make it clear as Wes Borland put it, that this album is not supposed to be “Ok Computer” nor was I expecting that when I listened to it for the first time. However; I find it ironic that Lethal took to Soundcloud/his twitter to diss Joseph Hahn’s DJ-ing style, when as my friend Neil so correctly put it, all Lethal can do on this album is run “a couple of introductory beginner scratches over the same 80s breakbeat” and call it a day. The difference between Hahn and Lethal is that when Hahn contributes to a track, he does programming, samples, scratches and even provides occasional atmosphere to the track. What does Lethal do on Gold Cobra? Sit in the background and scratch periodically to remind you that he is still a member of limpbizkit. Although it should be stated that nothing he contributes Gold Cobra really stands out or makes him a valuable member of the band. Nor does Wes Borland contribute any of his trademark riffs that made him such a untouchable guitarist in the past. You could literally get rid of Lethal, and put another guitarist in Borland’s place and every song (with the exception of ‘Walking Away’ which is the sole standout track on this album) would sound the same as they already do. If you’re going to diss a band that has sold more records than you, and achieved far more success…at least bring something to the table to back up your shit talking. If you’re better, prove it. Don’t release forgettable crap, that is embarrassing in comparison to your older music.

Quite simply put, Limpbizkit has not broken any boundaries with this album. Nor will they be reclaiming any title as “rap-metal” gods with this record. While Linkin Park have drastically stepped away from the original sound that made them famous, and could no longer be referred to as the same genre as Limpbizkit, one thing Linkin Park has always done right is continue to make music that challenges them, and proves their versatility as musicians. They may have lost some fans along the way, but they’ve always stayed a decent band.

With this album, limpbizkit joins the ever growing list of nu-metal acts who refused to evolve and who now sound dated and un-listenable. Take it from me, stick to 3 Dollar Bill, Significant Other and Chocolate Starfish and do not buy this album. It’s terrible, and a scar on the once decent Limpbizkit name.

Score: 1/5

The more I see regarding this Tomb Raider reboot, the more I think this game might end up being the best game in the 15 year history of the series. Completely genius so far, and what a beautifully done trailer (even if it IS all CGI).

GIFSoup

As you’ve probably noticed, I haven’t posted anything on this site for over a week nor been available through Skype/AIM/MSN or any other instant messaging program. Well there’s a reason for that, and it has to do with me currently being a customer of one of the crappiest (and most poorly rated) cable companies in the Northeastern US.

As you’re already aware from prior articles on here, I live in Pennsylvania. And not just in PA, but a very secluded area that isn’t really a part of a major city. This has both it’s advantages, but also it’s disadvantages…due to the fact that where I live puts me out of the viewing area of many cable companies like Comcast or fiber optic companies like FIOS. For the past seven years (or as long as I’ve lived at this current address) one cable company has had a monopoly on the entire borough in which I live, and has made my viewing experience a living hell in terms of their piss poor customer service and overall lousy quality of the product in which I am paying for.

I have suffered through severe static on my regular cable TV channels (an issue that wasn’t fixed until the FOURTH time a technician came out; as the first three had no clue what they were doing), issues with my internet staying connected, double charges on my card, HD signal hiccups and numerous replaced DVRs because the DVRs they have are “refurbished” and don’t typically last more than a few months before malfunctioning. I’ve been treated awful by their customer service reps (who are ALWAYS miserable when you come in to get a new DVR), and at one point were even threatened to be banned from using their service as “cable TV is not a required utility by the government” and they can “deny me service if they want because they are not required to provide it”.

In short, their message is clear: Either deal with our inadequate service, and take whatever we give you…or we ban you from being a customer (since we have the monopoly on the lines) and then you’ll never have TV or internet for as long as you live at that address.

After being tired of dealing with their customer service reps, I decided this month I was going to make them wait for their payment, as I wasn’t happy with their service, and in the list of priorities…cable TV came in absolute dead last. Of course, as was expected…they shut off my service, but this time they sent someone out to the pole and terminated it completely. This would mean that even if I were to pay them the amount due, it could take anywhere from 1-3 weeks until my service is completely restored. A downtime I obviously wouldn’t receive any credit for on my next billing statement because even when I was double billed, they never gave me a credit on my account…so why would they here?

Before people criticize me and say starting a war with them is a bad idea: they’ll be paid next week. By this time next week, my account will be in good standing and all will be well in the world, but until then…they can take their piss poor service and shove it because I’ve found a temporary alternative!

Above is a USB 3G Modem available through Virgin Mobile’s Evdo Broadband2Go service. For the cost of a 120-150 dollar USB modem, and a 40 dollar per month agreement (which is far less than my cable company is requesting I pay) I have now had full unrestricted internet access (at 3G speeds which proves to be slightly faster than DSL but slower than cable) complete with unlimited data usage and a 5GB speed cap. I can’t believe how well this thing has worked in a pinch, and I’d recommend it to anybody who is in a pinch or is traveling and needs constant internet.

It’s certainly saved my ass and I can’t recommend it enough. Go Virgin Mobile!

Hollywood: Why cant we make movies like this anymore?

Released in 2008, (and directed by Moulin Rouge! director Baz Luhrmann) Australia is a beautiful film that somehow managed to slip under the public radar, and despite it’s high production values (130 million) never really got the respect [nor the attention] it deserved.

And what a shame that is because this movie is extraordinary. Combining a war movie with the western, romance, comedy and drama genres effortlessly, this movie is the closest Hollywood has come to a ‘Golden Age’ quality movie in decades. While some parts are predictable and easy to read, what makes this movie something special is that it never tries to be something that it’s not. Rather than resort to explicit sex, scenes of nudity, or graphic violence to win viewers..Australia is a wholesome, honest tale about corruption and prejudice during World War 2, that begins in 1939 and ends shortly after the Japanese bombing of Darwin in 1942. Because of the time period in which the movie takes place, allusions are made to important historical and cultural events of the time, including the attack on Pearl Harbor and even the release of The Wizard of Oz.

Infact, Oz fans may be surprised to find out that The Wizard of Oz plays a large part in telling the story behind Australia, as the film’s uplifting story about following your dreams, and traveling “over the rainbow” serve as an inspiration to Nullah, a mixed-race aboriginal boy who faces hardship and intense racism brought on by his heritage and ethnic background. Nullah is instantly captivated by “Over The Rainbow” and hints of the song can be heard throughout the movie’s 2 hour and 45 minute span, serving as a (at times) tear jerking nod towards Nullah’s ambitious dreams of one day being a man and following in the footsteps of his grandfather “King George”. The casting of a REAL Aborigine by Luhrmann was a genius move, and lends a feeling of authenticity to the overall story. While many directors would’ve cast a mixed-race boy from America, and taught him an Australian accent, Baz Luhrmann went the extra step in shooting on location/casting real Aborigines and the results pay off.

It is these little touches, and the wonderful script writing by Baz Luhrmann, Ronald Harwood, Stuart Beattie and Richard Flanagan that really makes this movie what it is. I could go on forever, and make an even longer review of this movie, but instead I will simply recommend that you watch this movie as soon as possible. While some modern audiences will dislike the movie’s serious tone and almost 3 hour run time, those who appreciate a well told story, and beautiful imagery will likely find this movie to be one of the most underrated and well done romance epics of 2008.

Plot Summary:

“Set in Australia on the brink of World War II, Lady Sarah Ashley, an English Aristocrat (Kidman), travels to the faraway continent where she has inherited a cattle ranch, owned by her late husband. When Australian cattle barons plot to take her land, she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn local known as The Drover (Jackman) to drive 2,000 head of cattle across hundreds of miles of the country’s most unforgiving land, only to still face the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese forces that had attacked Pearl Harbor. When tragedy strikes and Lady Sarah becomes unofficial guardian to a “half-caste” boy, the unlikely couple must come to terms with a prejudiced society, dishonorable business associates and the impending arrival of the Japanese.”

Screenshots:

Please let me know what you think of my latest mixes in the comments, and of course be sure to follow my youtube page for more mashups as they become available!

My latest mashup featuring Linkin Park’s “Blackout” and the 80s classic “Blue Monday” by New Order is now available. I’m very proud of it and I hope you will enjoy it too. Please watch in HD. Download link in description (450kbps mp3). Enjoy!

Note: I was surprised to see just how well Blackout fit over the track in the first demo I created. This is the final result after 4 (!!) different versions of the song.

DOWNLOAD LINK: http://www.4shared.com/audio/lEEii3-P/New_Order_Vs_Linkin_Park_-_Bla.html

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-kill-team-20110327

NOTE: Play the video on the right first. You must start the video on the left literally AT THE MOMENT the video on the right says :00 for it to work best. Really awesome concept.

Mashup courtesy of YouTubeDoubler.com

Click Here To View The Rest Of The Set

Back in January of this year, my longtime friend and fellow LPA staff member Todd, came down from Saint Louis, MO to join Me, Andrea (LPA staff), and Amanda (LPA ID: .in.the.shadows.) for a Linkin Park concert at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. During his stay there, we toured the Eastern State Penitentiary. Pretty spooky stuff. This was my second visit there, and it still gives me chills every time.

Wow, the last time I updated this site was in February of 2010. I’m not entirely sure what happened over the last 13 months that lead to me abandoning this site and it’s updates altogether, but I guess with everything that was going on in my life this last year…Silent Hope kind of fell to the wayside. I’ve always intended to keep this place updated a lot more regularly than I have, but with everything else going on it was just too easy to neglect this site (and more importantly) other things in my life as well.

Well not anymore. I’ve grown convinced that I don’t really have a place to give my opinions or thoughts on the internet, so this site will be it. As many of you may have noticed, several sections are no longer listed in the menu, and Red White & Crude is gone from the website entirely. This was done in order to refocus Silent Hope as more of a personal website than as the politically driven site it was before.

I’m hoping these changes are received well, and I’d love to know what you guys think about the new direction the site is heading. I’m definitely excited for the future.