A Video Game That Uses Sound As A Huge Aspect?! I’m All In!

JonathanBarkan — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 23:00:50 +0000

Alright, this might be straddling the line between music and video games but dammit I want some fun too! And if Adam and TJ get upset, well I’ll just have to challenge them to a roshambo match (don’t tell them but I’m going to wear a cup).

So, on to the story. Whilst browsing through the vast awesomeness that is Kotaku, I happened across an article about a game entitled Candle, a stop-motion survival horror game that has some of the most interesting (and creepy) visuals I’ve seen in a long time. But what really grabbed me was one paragraph from the video description: “The gameplay of Candle focuses on exploring and listening. The audio centric game mechanics reward a careful and thoughtful player whilst punishing those with more rushed approaches.”

WhatwhatWHAT?!?! That sounds AMAZING! The last game that I heard of that was based around audio was The City of Metronome, which is, for all intents and purposes, cancelled. So hearing that there is a game where the audio plays such an important and vital role to the core gameplay fills me with all sorts of happy. Check out the visually fascinating trailer below.

What do you think of this game readers? Seem like something you would play?

Got any thoughts/questions/concerns for Jonathan Barkan? Shoot him a message on Twitter!

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[Review] Run For Cover Records ‘Mixed Signals’

Sammy-Key — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:32:00 +0000

Don’t take this the wrong way, but it takes a lot to get me excited. It makes me sound like a horrible music fan, but very rarely am I truly hyped on something enough that I am actually anticipating it’s release. Sure, hearing that one of my favorite bands has got an album in the works is always good news – but most of the time I won’t bother marking my calendar. It might be a bad memory, it might be laziness (or maybe I’m just terminally chill) but most of the time I’ll just end up listening to it whenever I get the chance. However, such was not the case with Run For Cover Record’s newest compilation, Mixed Signals. I was waiting for this baby to drop from the moment I saw Tigers Jaw‘s contribution to the comp was streaming on Run For Cover’s website. And I’ll tell you what, I was not disappointed. I was hyped.

The comp opens with Polar Bear Club‘s “Killin It“, the only song on the album that’s been previously released on another record. It’s a great starting point for the comp as singer Jimmy Stadt’s peals of raspy vocals intertwine with choppy, choked guitars on this “whoa-oh” riddled track. “Killin It” is followed by “Seahorses“, Balance and Composure‘s effort for the comp. Fans of the band’s recently released “Separation” will not be let down when they hear vocalist Jon Simmons’ signature lament-like style of voice, complete with all the warbled worries and weepy guitars so pinnacle to the band’s sound.

Tigers Jaw follows up with an absolutely enchanting tune aptly named “Distress Signal“; an emotionally charged and simple piece of work that is an absolute triumph for back-up vocalist and keyboard player Brianna Collins. Her haunting keys and ethereal, smoky voice compliment the song perfectly, and any huge Tigers Jaw fan (like myself) will definitely get a lot of mileage out of this one. Next up, Hostage Calm steals the show (or the album, rather) with their stand-out track “The M Word“, which has been on repeat in my room for the past week. A little bit Beach Boys, a little bit post-hardcore, “The M Word” is what would have happened if The Beatles started up in this decade. Although it’s a departure from the band’s typical sound, their major-mode-on-the-outside, minor and melancholy on the inside style is still completely present. The Menzingers also provide a poppy yet pissed off song called “Irish Goodbyes” which, by use of energetic guitars and a snap-to tempo, makes feeling bad and getting high alone sound like a damn good time.

“Basset St” by CSTVT is a scratchy garage-rock anthem that fans of any early Saddle Creek records release will definitely dig, and the song “Cursed” by Daylight which follows is in the same way a perfect compliment to its predecessor. “I’ve Got an Idea…” by post-hardcore outfit End Of A Year Self Defense Family is a sad little gem that sounds like a relationship ending, and it’s shiny guitars juxtaposed with solo-artist Caroline Corrigan’s smooth voice will have many heads bobbing. “Texts and Tomes” by Daytrader is a regretful and sad but overall enjoyable effort, and Make Do and Mend‘s addition to the comp, “Coats” is a riotous, raspy, quick-as-a-whip piece that packs plenty of punch and attitude into it’s 3 minute frame. “Die Alone“, a perfectly accented alt-country tune is wonderful. I’m not typically into anything that has a country twinge to it, but this twang-a-lang ballad by The Tower and the Fool is the mid-west at it’s mid-best. Finally, The World Is A Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid To Die closes the comp with a bittersweet, dreamy song entitled “To The Janitor, To The King“. It’s Bob Dylan-esque vocals and twinkly, gentle guitars are a lovely wrap up to an album that is so diverse yet cohesive, it could be called a masterpiece.

The Final Word: Overall, this album is one of my favorite records to be released all year. It’s a must-have for followers of the label, and anyone else who wants what is essentially a pre-made, kick-ass mix tape of excellent music. I strongly advise buying it, listening to it, and loving it forever. Yes, it’s that good.

The post [Review] Run For Cover Records ‘Mixed Signals’ appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

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A Video Game That Uses Sound As A Huge Aspect?! I’m All In!

[Review] Run For Cover Records ‘Mixed Signals’