PROGRESS #016: Top 10 of 2012 (part 1)

Next week, I will be posting my favorite albums of the year. 

(along with movie, Blu-ray & video game lists.) 

As a preview, I am featuring two tracks each from my Top 10 Albums over the next two episodes of PROGRESS on Rockfile Radio ICE.
This week's show (#016 - 12/31 & 1/2) will feature albums #10 - #6.
Show #017 with #5 - #1 will air 1/7 & 1/9/13.

On this week's show:

#6 - HEMINA - Synthetic

#7 - UNDER THE PSYCAMORE - I

#8 - FLYING COLORS - Flying Colors

#9 - KAIPA - Vittjar

#10 - STORM CORROSION - Storm Corrosion

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Happy Birthday Frank Zappa R.I.P. (video)

Frank Zappa (1940-1993) has been a huge influence on my life.  Hearing his musical experiments in my formative years helped to elevate my eclectic tastes, the ground he broke still haunts my ears. His thoughts and philosophy still permeate my mind.  

Thank you for the words and music, Frank, you are missed!

Frank Zappa: American composer, singer-songwriter, guitarist, recording engineer, record producer and film director. R.I.P.

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The first five minutes of BIOSHOCK INFINITE (video)

As a big fan of the first two Bioshock games, I was a little worried about the direction of the new game.  But, the first five minutes have me intrigued!  

The first two games take place under water...

WARNING: Spoilers

BioShock Infinite will be available for Xbox 360, PS3 and the PC on March 26, 2013.

 

source: Bioshock

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Thank you Coca-Cola for Charlie Brown! (links)

Like a lot of people, it is an annual tradition in my house to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas every December.  But, while watching the documentary included on the blu-ray, I learned many things I did not know about this holiday classic. 

Did you know:

-You can thank Coca-Cola for making it happen.  They wanted to sponsor a Christmas special, the network contacted Charles Schulz and in six months they whipped it together.

-It was the first Charlie Brown special, previously the comic had been animated for a car commercial.

-The music was just a semi-random choice they hoped would work. Vince Guaraldi took the job and the first thing he presented was the now classic "Linus and Lucy" theme.

-The producers and the network thought it was a near miss, try again next time.  The network did not like the amateur child voice actors, the lack of a laugh track or the jazzy soundtrack.

-More than 50% of America tuned in to that first broadcast in Dec 1965. (Today, a "big" number would be 8-12%)  It won an Emmy and a Peabody award and grew so popular, it has played EVERY year since.  

And, started a 15 year relationship between Schulz and the producers to create more specials.

So, thank you Coca-Cola for this yearly treat!

Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Charlie_Brown_Christmas

May your holidays be bright!

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STAR TREK Into Darkness full trailer (video)

I saw the excellent new Star Trek trailer before The Hobbit this weekend.
(Which was beautiful in HFR 3D, by the way!)

See all the formats available:
http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/startrekintodarkness/

source: Star Trek

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