THE BEST GAME I EVER PLAYED 25pts

Ready to hear about the game I believe to be the best one out there? If you guessed Dishonored, you would be absolutely correct. I myself am not a major video game player, but I found myself captivated by the story-line and  the game play. Fight off legions of people out for your head! Save the Princess! Reclaim your honor! KICK SOME ASS!!! Dishonored; if you haven't played it yet, DOOOOO ITTTT!


So Dishonored is a first person "shooter" game in the style of Steam Punk. You play Corvo, who is the empress' body guard/ close friend. You fail at fighting off attackers and thus the empress is killed and her daughter is captured. If that isn't bad enough, you yourself are charged with her murder by her less then savory council (who you don't have to be a rocket scientist to come to the conclusion that THEY are behind it). The game starts with you at this point escaping from prison (which is hard, let me tell you). And meeting up with a rebellious party who seeks vengeance for their late empress. The rest of the game is slowly killing off each member of her killing party, finding the princess, etc. I have not made it past a certain point, so I am still  a little behind in what happens, but let me tell you so far it is an awesome game. I love it because unlike other first person shooter games, there is a story; a quest you must adhere to. Those games are my favorite, and I get made fun of for liking such games as "Lego Harry Potter" (well, the Lego games in general), but I like having goals in a story line.

HOW DOES IT FEEL… TO BE A ROLLING STONE? 50pts

Abbey Road (The Beatles Album)

Listening Phase 1 (Rhythm)

Source each instrument in their "arsenal" if you will tends to give its own sense of rhythm. The drums are the obvious lead in creating their rhythm, but the bass and guitar definitely add a layer of rhythm you normally don't hear. Even their voices contribute, as you can clearly hear in Come Together

Time/Tempo the time signatures tend to be 4/4 time, but sometimes they sneak in creatively placed changes in the rhythm.

Groove the Beatles cannot be described as having any one sort of Groove, but it's definitely rock and roll at its finest.

Listening Phase 2 (Arrangement)

Instrumentation overall, you get the standard arsenal of rock and roll instruments: guitar, bass, drums and keyboard. they also tend to put stringed instruments into their songs to create more of a melodic sound

Structure/Organization sometimes the Beatles stick to the normal (verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, etc), but often times they do song patterns you aren't expecting. It almost seems to be within the song itself (song, another song, first song again)

Emotional Architecture I don't know about you, but each Beatles song leaves me feeling a different feeling. For instance, Maxwell's Silver Hammer has a light-hearted feeling to it, even though it's not the most uplifting song. (It almost sounds like something you'd hear in A Clockwork Orange). Comparing this to the free-flowing, melody changing I Want You (She's So Heavy), you get moments of passion, followed by a dark, dismal sound when it gets to the "She's so heavy" part.

Listening Phase 3 (Sound Quality)

Balance

-       Height The Beatles know very well how utilize different pitches in their songs. There is no one range they decide to stick with in regards to High or Low pitch

-       Width their songs tend to be very width, you get a sense that at least in the recording it is not only them playing, but sometimes even a small orchestra. It definitely keeps you interested

-       Depth As I've mentioned a few times, there is quite the abundance of instrument sounds. You got the main rock and roll instruments, often along with woodwinds and i may be wrong, but i feel like i hear some brass in their as well

Now that I have given you an analysis of this caliber of the Album, I would like to talk about the lyrics and how it made me feel. I am a sucker for a while written peace as far as wording. That being said, SOME of their songs on this album were a bit annoying. I know they are the Beatles and are a major force behind rock and roll history, but i get tired oh so quickly of "I Want you... I want you so bad.. she's so heavy" being the only lyrics in their songs. Granted, they have other songs that make up for the lack of creativity lyrics wise in that one, but still. Just the one bothers me.

I love me some Beatles. I almost always make emotional connections with their songs. Come Together Makes me feel strong and proud; determined almost. Maxwell's Silver Hammer is one of those songs that i could listen to on a day where I just want to relax and feel good (despite some of the lyrics in the song, hehe). 

Hands down, they are one of my favorite bands.