Perhaps one of my favorite games is Left 4 Dead. The game is based around four heroes fighting off the zombie hordes, or infected as they are called, in a sort of post-apocalyptic world. Bill, the unofficial leader, is an older man in his fifties or sixties and relies on his skills in the US Special Forces in Vietnam to survive. Opposite him is Francis, the rebellious biker covered in tattoos revealing him to belong to the biker gang "Hell's Legion." Behind him is Louis, a junior systems analyst in the IT department of his company. And last but not least, Zoey, the freshman in college working in filmmaking. Each of them have different relationships with one another that can help or hinder their survival in a number of ways and help them defeat the infected.
In addition to different characters with individual traits, there are also various types of infected called special infected. Each one has mutated differently from the common infected, thus giving them certain abilities others don't. The boomer can vomit bile onto a target, attracting infected and temporarily blinding them. It also emits this when killed, causing an eruption of it within a small radius. Hunters are the opposite, being very small and nimble, capable of pouncing on survivors and pinning them to the ground until knocked off or killed. One of the more disgusting types is the smoker, who strangles its victims with its incredibly long tongue. Then there's the tank; a virtual Hulk of a zombie minus the radiation and regenerative properties. But perhaps the most dangerous and unassuming of them all is the witch. These thin little women sit crying and moaning but once provoked can incapacitate the survivors with one swipe of its long sharp claws. However, none of these infected, including the common type, should be underestimated.
Due to the success of the first one, they made a second, this time with a few changes. They added a new cast of characters; Coach, the PE teacher at the local high school, Ellis the mechanic, an ex-prisoner named Nick and a minor associate producer for a news station by the name of Rochelle. They also added three new special infected to add to the challenge. The charger will charge forward with an over-sized forearm and use the respective hand to grab survivors and pummel them. Jockeys will jump onto your back and attempt to ride you into packs of infected or other dangerous obstacles. One of these threats could be the product of the final special infected, the spitter, who spits a potent acid that forms into a pool on the ground. The sequel also adds several new scenarios and weapons available for use.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
I Wanna Be a VIP in Brooklyn
If you couldn't tell by my last post, I've been on a major jazz kick lately and would like to address it. The jazz band that has captivated my attention for a while now is called the Youngblood Brass Band. It consists of two trumpets, two trombones and, albeit they are actually woodwind instruments, two saxophones. Their percussion section is actually three people with the various parts of a drum set, but not arranged into an actual set (in fact the bass drum is a marching bass drum worn on the chest). And no one who listens to them could ever forget their legendary sousaphone player Nat McIntosh who is renowned for his use of polyphonics* in a sort of beatboxing almost. They all combine in a glorious amalgamation to form one of the top New Orleans-style jazz groups. However do not be fooled as they are no jazz group.
Youngblood Brass Band incorporates several other genres of music into their style, most notably hip hop. This shows in a lot of their music, but one that exemplifies this the best is in the song "Brooklyn." As with all their songs, it has layers of sounds done by the various instruments, the musical lines erratically lining up, especially in the intro. During the verse and chorus, they use call and repeat lines and repetition between instrumental parts to drive home melodies with a constant bass line running though the sousaphone, although the trombone is the featured and most prominent voice among the band in this piece. Then comes the bridge with all instruments playing everything in unison, blasting out a virtual barrier of sound before turning the volume down for the trombone and sax solos, ending with some antics from Nat and a repeat of previous elements.
Youngblood Brass Band incorporates several other genres of music into their style, most notably hip hop. This shows in a lot of their music, but one that exemplifies this the best is in the song "Brooklyn." As with all their songs, it has layers of sounds done by the various instruments, the musical lines erratically lining up, especially in the intro. During the verse and chorus, they use call and repeat lines and repetition between instrumental parts to drive home melodies with a constant bass line running though the sousaphone, although the trombone is the featured and most prominent voice among the band in this piece. Then comes the bridge with all instruments playing everything in unison, blasting out a virtual barrier of sound before turning the volume down for the trombone and sax solos, ending with some antics from Nat and a repeat of previous elements.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
And All That Jazz
Perhaps one of the greatest styles of music is also probably one of the most underrated styles out there in the music world. Jazz music typically incorporates trumpets, trombones, saxophones of all types drums, bass and sometimes piano, guitar and vocals. Everything in jazz music seems to form together using harmonies that fit sometimes and sound dissonant at others to form a sort of controlled chaos. To quote my friend Bel, "[Jazz is] a ton of melodies bouncing off each other [with] several unique features blending to make utter glory. It can convey any feeling." The last portion of this statement is especially true, as jazz truly can express every emotion from happy to sad to angry to relaxed. But when it comes to the overall sounds that accompany jazz I separate it into four groups: jazz bands, jazz singers, jazz guitarists and swing bands.
The jazz band is the average jazz band that most people probably think of when the word "jazz" comes to mind. It is the conventional jazz band with four or five trumpets, four trombones, three altos, two tenors and a bari accompanied by drums, bass, guitar and piano. This style of band tends to focus mostly on the instrumental aspect of their music with no words. Some of the most famous bands that made this style famous are big names like Duke Ellington, Thelonius Monk, and Count Basie, among many others. They essentially turned the music world on its edge and reinvented the way music was played.
Jazz singers are one of my personal favorites in the jazz world. Unlike many of the auto-tuned "wonders" of our musical world today, singers back then actually had to have at least something that resembled talent, especially with this style. The other thing I greatly admire about this style is the choice of words and how they convey their feelings. One image that I always like to use as an example compares how lyrics used to convey feelings compared to today. "With each word your tenderness grows, tearing my fears apart." This is how the first song goes, "The Way You Look Tonight," originally performed by Fred Astaire and covered by numerous others, including the legendary eponymous voice of Frank Sinatra. This is compared to what's now considered "genius" by some (aka mostly teenage girls), "baby, baby, baby, oooooh." See the difference? One is well thought out, conveys much more meaning in a much more meaningful way and lasts throughout the ages while the other is just "kinda catchy." Some other famous jazz singers are Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and, more recently, Michael Buble.
Jazz guitarists are somewhat of a synecdoche as they typically also have a band accompanying them. They may not be as big as your typical jazz band (Brian Setzer Orchestra being a great example), but have some brass and/or saxophone and almost always with drums and bass.They are guitarists that play a multitude of jazz styles, typically blues or rock, but add it to accompaniment of other instruments. Some of the most influential of these would be B.B King, Jeff Beck and T-Bone Walker.
Perhaps one of the most fun are the swing bands, specifically the nineties revival era bands. These are bands that have very energetic melodies and songs that come in both major and minor keys with few slower songs. These bands have vocalists and use them extensively, but also have some members of the band sing background. With some songs they will also omit vocals for the song, but keep the energy that goes in tandem with their other music. The major three that emerged were Squirrel Nut Zippers, Cherry Poppin' Daddies and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
The jazz band is the average jazz band that most people probably think of when the word "jazz" comes to mind. It is the conventional jazz band with four or five trumpets, four trombones, three altos, two tenors and a bari accompanied by drums, bass, guitar and piano. This style of band tends to focus mostly on the instrumental aspect of their music with no words. Some of the most famous bands that made this style famous are big names like Duke Ellington, Thelonius Monk, and Count Basie, among many others. They essentially turned the music world on its edge and reinvented the way music was played.
Jazz singers are one of my personal favorites in the jazz world. Unlike many of the auto-tuned "wonders" of our musical world today, singers back then actually had to have at least something that resembled talent, especially with this style. The other thing I greatly admire about this style is the choice of words and how they convey their feelings. One image that I always like to use as an example compares how lyrics used to convey feelings compared to today. "With each word your tenderness grows, tearing my fears apart." This is how the first song goes, "The Way You Look Tonight," originally performed by Fred Astaire and covered by numerous others, including the legendary eponymous voice of Frank Sinatra. This is compared to what's now considered "genius" by some (aka mostly teenage girls), "baby, baby, baby, oooooh." See the difference? One is well thought out, conveys much more meaning in a much more meaningful way and lasts throughout the ages while the other is just "kinda catchy." Some other famous jazz singers are Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and, more recently, Michael Buble.
Jazz guitarists are somewhat of a synecdoche as they typically also have a band accompanying them. They may not be as big as your typical jazz band (Brian Setzer Orchestra being a great example), but have some brass and/or saxophone and almost always with drums and bass.They are guitarists that play a multitude of jazz styles, typically blues or rock, but add it to accompaniment of other instruments. Some of the most influential of these would be B.B King, Jeff Beck and T-Bone Walker.
Perhaps one of the most fun are the swing bands, specifically the nineties revival era bands. These are bands that have very energetic melodies and songs that come in both major and minor keys with few slower songs. These bands have vocalists and use them extensively, but also have some members of the band sing background. With some songs they will also omit vocals for the song, but keep the energy that goes in tandem with their other music. The major three that emerged were Squirrel Nut Zippers, Cherry Poppin' Daddies and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
World at War (Kind Of)
Perhaps my favorite and most played real time strategy game is actually a franchise of games. The Command and Conquer series follows various campaigns, starting with the struggle between the the military organization created by the UN, the Global Defense Initiative (GDI) and the radical religious extremist terrorist group known as the Brotherhood of Nod. The other conflict that makes up the bulk of the series is the age old war between the Allied nations and the Soviets, specifically the US and Russia. However, one of the most recent installments in the series, Command and Conquer Generals, takes a different turn. It includes the USA as a faction, but the enemies are instead China and a middle eastern faction called the Global Liberation Army, a terrorist organization that wishes to tower over all other nations. They also give units abilities to utilize and add generals powers that can be unlocked through skill points earned, adding a brand new dimension to the game. And if that wasn't enough, the expansion pack, Generals: Zero Hour adds three specific generals to all three factions, each with their own modifications that pertain to their specialties.
The USA rely heavily on technology and innovation to overcome their enemies. Their primary means of defense are small missile batteries capable of attacking both land and air targets accompanied by fire bases which can hold up to four infantry. Primary infantry used are US Rangers and missile defenders backed by snipers known as pathfinders. Their armor consists of crusader tanks and humvees with mobile tomahawk missile carriers as artillery. All vehicles can be upgraded with a drone that either increases sight range or fights and repairs the parent vehicle. However, America's true power lies in their air force with their ability to build Raptor fighter jets and Aurora bombers, along with the Comanche attack helicopter and stealth fighters. Using its abilities, the US can also call in an A10 airstrike and paradrop. But all of this pales in comparison to their superweapon, a new technological development known as the particle cannon which focuses a high powered laser onto satellite which redirects it to the intended target.
China, like its live action counterpart, takes pride in its military might and computer prowess. Their basic infantry units are the Red Guard and are trained two at a time, alongside the tank hunter. They can also train hackers, which have the ability to either disable building or provide a free, steady stream of cash. Battlemaster tanks are the workhorse of their armor section, accompanied by dragon and gatling tanks to take care of pesky infantry. In terms of artillery, they're certainly no pushover either, raining down fire upon their enemies and launching nuclear shells out of nuke cannons. The most feared tank in their arsenal, however, is the overlord, capable being upgraded with a gatling gun, bunker or speaker tower to regain health and already loaded with twin cannons that can level most buildings in seconds. Their explosive power doesn't stop there as they can also call in artillery strikes and drop cluster mines in strategic locations. And, their most destructive explosive, a missile tipped with a nuclear warhead. They combine to make a potentially deadly foe.
The GLA may not be as advanced as their enemies, but they are not to be taken lightly. Their primary strength lies in mobility and unconventional tactics. This is made easy through tunnel networks with a mounted machine gun and demo traps that explode when an enemy gets within range. They can create a lot of mayhem with units like the terrorist, which is a suicide unit that can also enter civilian cars to increase damage potential. Another unit that can be utilized well is the hijacker with the ability to take over enemy vehicles. They can also train angry mobs that gain a bonus when upgraded and attacking buildings. Their means of attack and transportation is a small truck with a mounted machine gun called a technical. Scorpion tanks are typically accompanied by their primary anti air unit, the quad cannon, which can also be used en masse. These vehiclescan also collect salvage materials from destroyed vehicles to upgrade weapons and armor. Perhaps their greatest strength, though, lies in toxin technology that can either be pressurized and released through a hose such as the case with the toxin tractor (and yes it is exactly as it sounds) or put in a warhead and used in a missile such as the SCUD launcher. These missiles can also be launched several at a time from what is known as a SCUD storm.
The USA rely heavily on technology and innovation to overcome their enemies. Their primary means of defense are small missile batteries capable of attacking both land and air targets accompanied by fire bases which can hold up to four infantry. Primary infantry used are US Rangers and missile defenders backed by snipers known as pathfinders. Their armor consists of crusader tanks and humvees with mobile tomahawk missile carriers as artillery. All vehicles can be upgraded with a drone that either increases sight range or fights and repairs the parent vehicle. However, America's true power lies in their air force with their ability to build Raptor fighter jets and Aurora bombers, along with the Comanche attack helicopter and stealth fighters. Using its abilities, the US can also call in an A10 airstrike and paradrop. But all of this pales in comparison to their superweapon, a new technological development known as the particle cannon which focuses a high powered laser onto satellite which redirects it to the intended target.
China, like its live action counterpart, takes pride in its military might and computer prowess. Their basic infantry units are the Red Guard and are trained two at a time, alongside the tank hunter. They can also train hackers, which have the ability to either disable building or provide a free, steady stream of cash. Battlemaster tanks are the workhorse of their armor section, accompanied by dragon and gatling tanks to take care of pesky infantry. In terms of artillery, they're certainly no pushover either, raining down fire upon their enemies and launching nuclear shells out of nuke cannons. The most feared tank in their arsenal, however, is the overlord, capable being upgraded with a gatling gun, bunker or speaker tower to regain health and already loaded with twin cannons that can level most buildings in seconds. Their explosive power doesn't stop there as they can also call in artillery strikes and drop cluster mines in strategic locations. And, their most destructive explosive, a missile tipped with a nuclear warhead. They combine to make a potentially deadly foe.
The GLA may not be as advanced as their enemies, but they are not to be taken lightly. Their primary strength lies in mobility and unconventional tactics. This is made easy through tunnel networks with a mounted machine gun and demo traps that explode when an enemy gets within range. They can create a lot of mayhem with units like the terrorist, which is a suicide unit that can also enter civilian cars to increase damage potential. Another unit that can be utilized well is the hijacker with the ability to take over enemy vehicles. They can also train angry mobs that gain a bonus when upgraded and attacking buildings. Their means of attack and transportation is a small truck with a mounted machine gun called a technical. Scorpion tanks are typically accompanied by their primary anti air unit, the quad cannon, which can also be used en masse. These vehiclescan also collect salvage materials from destroyed vehicles to upgrade weapons and armor. Perhaps their greatest strength, though, lies in toxin technology that can either be pressurized and released through a hose such as the case with the toxin tractor (and yes it is exactly as it sounds) or put in a warhead and used in a missile such as the SCUD launcher. These missiles can also be launched several at a time from what is known as a SCUD storm.
Queen is King
Everyone knows the legendary band Queen and their greatest hits. Everything from the simplistic beats of psychage that come from "We Will Rock You" to the victorious theme of "We Are the Champions;" from the tune that emphasizes women with large rear ends "Fat Bottomed Girls" to the one that cries out for love in "Somebody to Love." And who could forget the iconic riff of the bass in "Another One Bites the Dust." But perhaps one of their most famous, and my personal favorite of theirs, is the most musically intensive and well written of them all.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a great song that exhibits some of Queen's best qualities. The song starts with a five-part harmony among the group members, remaining mostly a cappella with a light piano background joining in halfway through the intro. The song continues into a ballad, ending with a guitar solo that leads into a key change from B♭ to A major. The second part in the new key also switches styles from ballad to operatic and reincorporates a liberal use of harmonies. The voices that generate the harmonies somewhat battle with the lone voice of Freddie Mercury, Queen's lead singer. After this, they lead into a style closer to the style of the era, a hard rock sort of feel, going back to and ending with the original ballad feel it started out with.
One thing about Queen that they do really well in their music that prominently stands out, in this song especially, is how well they showcase the talents of all their members. Roger Taylor (drummer) and John Deacon (bass) are both featured throughout, mostly in the rock section of the piece. Brian May (guitar) shines through in one of the greatest solos in rock history at the end of the ballad portion as well as the hard rock section and transition back to ballad. And Freddie Mercury shows off not only his piano skills, but his amazing five octave vocal range. The other part of this that adds to the overall musicality of the song are the dynamics. Vocals get soft when they need to be soft and increase in volume when it needs an increase in volume. It gives the song that much more power and emotion that sets it apart from most other songs.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a great song that exhibits some of Queen's best qualities. The song starts with a five-part harmony among the group members, remaining mostly a cappella with a light piano background joining in halfway through the intro. The song continues into a ballad, ending with a guitar solo that leads into a key change from B♭ to A major. The second part in the new key also switches styles from ballad to operatic and reincorporates a liberal use of harmonies. The voices that generate the harmonies somewhat battle with the lone voice of Freddie Mercury, Queen's lead singer. After this, they lead into a style closer to the style of the era, a hard rock sort of feel, going back to and ending with the original ballad feel it started out with.
One thing about Queen that they do really well in their music that prominently stands out, in this song especially, is how well they showcase the talents of all their members. Roger Taylor (drummer) and John Deacon (bass) are both featured throughout, mostly in the rock section of the piece. Brian May (guitar) shines through in one of the greatest solos in rock history at the end of the ballad portion as well as the hard rock section and transition back to ballad. And Freddie Mercury shows off not only his piano skills, but his amazing five octave vocal range. The other part of this that adds to the overall musicality of the song are the dynamics. Vocals get soft when they need to be soft and increase in volume when it needs an increase in volume. It gives the song that much more power and emotion that sets it apart from most other songs.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
The Wall
1. Another brick in the wall is what some people say
2. About people's lives and much to my dismay,
3. I'm now stuck at the Wall, being bricked off for years
4. Saying I'm comfortably numb but I still wish you were here
5. But still after everything I can't seem to find
6. They way to my problem and leave it behind
7. Until I encountered the obstacle I needed
8. To carry out my actions, outcomes unheeded.
9. Smash goes the Wall so I may let myself shine,
10. Smash goes the Wall that I might claim what is mine
11. And as I step through the hole atop bricks and debris
12. I stand a shining new man, the man I wanted to be.
Lines 1-12: Analogy. Meant to convey the message of overcoming an obstacle.
Line 1: Metaphor. Another brick in the wall is used to describe life events that occur that build upon a "wall" used to separate yourself from others.
Line 3: Symbolism. The Wall represents a physical representation of an abstract barrier that one must overcome.
Line 4: Oxymoron. Comfortably numb contrasts the two words.
Lines 1, 3 and 4: Allusion. "Another Brick in the Wall," "Comfortably Numb" and "Wish You Were Here" are all songs by the band Pink Floyd and The Wall is one of their albums. The first builds upon the Wall that represents the problem at hand. The other two songs are used to contrast, showing that while he says he's fine with the problem he wishes it was gone.
Lines 9 and 10: Onomatopoeia and Anaphora. These were used to emphasize the overcoming of the obstacle through a loud "noise" and the repeated act that caused it.
Lines 11 and 12: Imagery. I wanted to give the final image of standing triumphantly over the now conquered obstacle.
2. About people's lives and much to my dismay,
3. I'm now stuck at the Wall, being bricked off for years
4. Saying I'm comfortably numb but I still wish you were here
5. But still after everything I can't seem to find
6. They way to my problem and leave it behind
7. Until I encountered the obstacle I needed
8. To carry out my actions, outcomes unheeded.
9. Smash goes the Wall so I may let myself shine,
10. Smash goes the Wall that I might claim what is mine
11. And as I step through the hole atop bricks and debris
12. I stand a shining new man, the man I wanted to be.
Lines 1-12: Analogy. Meant to convey the message of overcoming an obstacle.
Line 1: Metaphor. Another brick in the wall is used to describe life events that occur that build upon a "wall" used to separate yourself from others.
Line 3: Symbolism. The Wall represents a physical representation of an abstract barrier that one must overcome.
Line 4: Oxymoron. Comfortably numb contrasts the two words.
Lines 1, 3 and 4: Allusion. "Another Brick in the Wall," "Comfortably Numb" and "Wish You Were Here" are all songs by the band Pink Floyd and The Wall is one of their albums. The first builds upon the Wall that represents the problem at hand. The other two songs are used to contrast, showing that while he says he's fine with the problem he wishes it was gone.
Lines 9 and 10: Onomatopoeia and Anaphora. These were used to emphasize the overcoming of the obstacle through a loud "noise" and the repeated act that caused it.
Lines 11 and 12: Imagery. I wanted to give the final image of standing triumphantly over the now conquered obstacle.
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