UPDATE - I'm adding another one to this post, which is the Mirror's Edge theme song "Still Alive" and there's actually an official music video of it (No game footage in the clip, but play the actual game anyway - I will hopefully next month).
I have been listening to Kanye's 808s & Heartbreak lately (not really the final retail version, but close enough to it) and it is some amazing stuff if you appreciate the change Kanye is going for. I put up my current favorite track "Welcome to Heartbreak" here and there are some great songs like the singles that are out so far ("Heartless" and "Love Lockdown"), but I can see myself changing my favorite track to some of the others like "Paranoid" and "Robocop." First of all, this is a different change of pace for Kanye as he sings more than he raps and I do appreciate his effort for trying to mix it up. Plus, this whole album has auto-tune in some form in all of the songs. Basically, he went crazy with it and it worked out well with the theme of the album. Of course, his beats are awesome in most of the songs as he continues to find ways to innovate.
Overall, this is another great album for Kanye whether or not people will dig the auto-tune approach along with his singing. It is definitely one of the better albums out this year by a long shot.
Since I'm 360-less till next week (hopefully), I'm missing out on finishing Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. Looks like the photo mode's showroom is finally up and there's a NeoGAF thread to post great pictures of this special game. Basically, screw the haters because this game is pretty good from what I played so far before it started acting weird leading to my Halo 360's death.
I'll be honest, but ten years ago, I watched TRL at its prime on MTV when the pop explosion was everywhere. I think I stopped caring about the show when Carson left his hosting duties, but still watched it every now and then. Last night was the big finale for the show as the curtain is closed that sparked up many careers and a pinnacle of pop culture for its time. At least they ended with a bang with lots of celebrities there like Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez from N'Sync, Snoop Dogg, Nelly, Ludacris, Kid Rock, Diddy, and more (it felt like the past and present of music in terms of guests that included Miley Cyrus (She's not dead) and Taylor Swift). The performances were also great with Beyonce, 50 Cent, Fall Out Boy, Nelly, Ludacris, Snoop, and Backstreet Boys. Other guests called in like Travis Barker, Christina Aguilera, and Eminem to celebrate ten years of the show. There was a countdown of the top ten videos that had a heavy influence on the show and it was obvious that Britney's "Baby, One More Time" is number one with other great hits. It does suck to see TRL end especially it was the only thing remaining on MTV regarding music, but I guess it is time to move on.
At least MTV still cares about music videos with thousands of them available online and still premiering new ones like Rihanna's "Rehab" featuring Justin Timberlake (video below).
Left 4 Dead is out tomorrow and it is going to be something special for FPS fans. Reviews are starting to roll out everywhere and the second commercial is out now (video above). I'm still buying this next month on 360. Hopefully the game will be still active at that time and I think it will (I can see it top 5 on the XBL charts for a couple of months).
Other than living near the current firestorm (aka the Triangle Complex Fire) here at Southern California, yesterday and so far today is full of emotions.
First of all, I'm still good where I live regarding the current fire at Corona, Diamond Bar, Brea, Yorba Linda, and Carbon Canyon. Good thing it hasn't reached the main vicinity of Chino Hills yet (it has reached Southern sections however), but we are ready just in case to leave and hope for the best.
At least, I tried to distract myself from all this fire coverage by watching Quantum of Solace yesterday with the family. The new Bond movie was enjoyable at best, but obviously wasn't the best Bond movie (Casino Royale is better than this one). Daniel Craig is still a pretty good Bond that has gone to a pissed off direction for QoS (the sequel to CR). Of course, this flick is more personal for him being a revenge tale than just another typical Bond movie. I am surprised of this movie making about 70 million, but I guess it is the strength for the franchise as a whole that helped it.
Last night was the big UFC fight between Randy Corture and Brock Lesnar. I watched this at Buffalo Wild Wings and it was a crazy crowd with the majority hoping Randy would defend his title. Most of the MMA world kind of felt shocked when Brock knocked him down which led to the hammerfists for the victory. It is just crazy that in four fights, Brock is the new UFC Heavyweight Champion. He did come a long way from his WWE days to actually working hard in a real sport to win a title that he earned by defeating the UFC legend. Props to Brock for winning and I'm looking forward to next month's PPV with perhaps the best card for an UFC event.
Yes, my 360 is still dead as I will send it to repairs on Tuesday. I hope it returns in good shape before Thanksgiving for more Banjo and hopefully SSFIIT HD Remix.
Another speculative date for HD Remix courtesy of many web sites is Thanksgiving Day (the 27th). It makes sense at least on PSN, and XBLA could get it the day before. As mentioned previously, it won't make sense to put this game out on the NXE launch day (the 19th) since Microsoft would rather release a game that takes advantage of NXE's features like avatars and Live Party (Kingdom of Keflings is likely out on Wednesday and hopefully Uno Rush). Since my 360 is currently dead and waiting to be sent for repairs hoping to be done by that holiday weekend, HD Remix would make a nice return for me. Plus, those who wanted Banjo-Kazooie XBLA, which is out on the 25th, already got it for free by pre-ordering Nuts & Bolts.
Anyway, here's the 1up Show segment regarding HD Remix.
UPDATE - Now coming out next Wednesday (the 26th) and my 360 better come back repaired by then (sending it in this Wednesday (the 19th).
