Media Junkie

Temporary Hiatus

You may have noticed that my article about James Cameron's Avatar preview did not appear.  Nor did my reviews of the last Summer Pledge concert I attended, the latest comedy from Mike Judge, Extract, or any CD reviews.

Fear not, dear reader(s), Media Junkie is not dead. 

As some of you may remember, earlier this year my family was the victim of a house fire.  That was almost 7 months ago.  A lot has happened in that time and the house is in the final stages of completion.  My free time, which is what I dedicate to this blog, is more sparse while we're out shopping for new furniture, appliances, and necessities.  

Updates may still trickle through, and they will once again become more steady throughout October.  I am also working on several other projects, both personal and public, that will receive the attention they deserve after we have moved back into our real house. 

This is an exciting time for my family and I, but I have not forgotten how much I love writing reviews and sharing my opinion with others.  Media Junkie isn't going away any time soon, and when it returns there will most likely be an overabundance of articles and reviews that I've had on the backburner for some time now, as well as the promised new feature, Approved For All Audiences.

Thanks to those who loyally read this blog!  See you soon!
-Matt A.

New Feature: Approved For All Audiences

It's time to unveil a new feature here at Media Junkie.  It's one I've debated doing for a long time, but I'm just going to run with it.

There are plenty of movie sites out there on the internet.  If you want the latest scoops, you go to Ain't It Cool News, if you want exhaustive information you go to the Internet Movie Database, and if you want trailers, you go to Apple.  Therefore, it seemed kind of redundant to post trailers for films I'm looking forward to at this blog, but then I remembered - this is MY blog.

I'm not trying to compete with those sites.  I love those sites and visit them on a daily basis.  I'm not trying to be the biggest music/movie blog on the internet or paint myself as an authoritative voice.  I'm just a nerd with a passion for these forms of entertainment, a passion for writing, and too much free time on my hands.  Media Junkie is a fun side project for me, so why shouldn't I write short pieces about upcoming features and their trailers? 

With that in mind, I'm going to begin sharing the films I'm excited to see in the feature Approved For All Audiences, and I'm going to kick things off later this weekend with my write-up of the 16 minute preview of James Cameron's new 3D science fiction epic, Avatar, I witnessed yesterday before attending a late screening of Inglourious Basterds.

Nobody is going to come to this blog to see the latest trailers, but that isn't the point.  The point is, was, and always will be to share my enthusiasm for the things I love, and if anybody enjoys reading them, that's just a bonus. 

Friendly Reminder

Need something to do on a Friday night?

Live in the Metro Detroit area?

Love music?

Got $5?

Then come on down to Mr. Sandman's Quadruple Album Release Prom at the Crofoot Ballroom in Pontiac tomorrow!

It's all ages and there will be free cookies.  Who can say no to that, right?

Oh, and for the adults, there will be $2 spiked punch.

Be sure to dress up in your finest prom attire (or at least your closest approximation if you didn't attend your real prom) and be ready to sing da-da-das.  Come on, you know you want to.

Doors are at 8 PM. 

A full write-up will be available here, complete with pictures, on Saturday for those who didn't attend and want to see what they missed.

The Silent Years Detail EP Release Show

It seems like forever since I've been able to attend a live show from The Silent Years.  They've been busy touring the United States to promote their new EP, Let Go, along with Jukebox the Ghost and friend Craig Owens' band Chiodos. 

But all that is going to change on June 5th when The Silent Years will host an EP release show at the Crofoot Ballroom in Pontiac, Mich. that will include fellow Detroiters Deastro, Manna & Quail, Bars of Gold, and The Summer Pledge.  Even better, tickets are only $5! 

To make sure this show is going to be one to remember, The Silent Years have decided to make it a special theme show.  As lead singer Josh Epstein has said in the past, he wants the band's shows to be an experience, and that's why they're encouraging everyone to come dressed up in their finest prom attire.  Yes, relive all those awkward high school memories, or pretend you had them if you skipped your prom like I did.  A King and Queen will even be selected by random ballot. 

You can check out the complete event details right here at the Crofoot's website.

Really, what have you got to lose?  Haven't I jammed The Silent Years down your throat enough?  Just go and see them already!  It's only $5 for an evening of entertainment!  It's cheaper than a movie, lasts longer, you don't have to be quiet, there's free cookies and $2 spiked punch, and if it really is like prom night, you may even get lucky after the show!  How much more convincing do you need? 

Oh, did I mention it's a Friday night?  You're gonna be out anyway, right?

I know I'll be there, and I hope any Metro Detroiters reading this find their way to the Crofoot on June 5th as well. 

(Oh, and any friends who may be interested, I just might be willing to cover your entry fee so you really have no excuse.)

The Envy Corps ready new EP

One of the biggest highlights of 2008 was attending a concert at The Magic Stick on October 18th.  This show was significant for several reasons, not the least of which was that it was the first of many Silent Years concerts I would attend, but also because it introduced me to another great band known as The Envy Corps.

The Envy Corps' last full-length LP, Dwell, made #5 on my Top 10 Albums of 2008, and in retrospect it probably should have been higher.  In recent months, Dwell has been a constant fixture in my music rotation.  Hardly a day has gone by where I haven't listened to either a handful of songs, or the album in its entirety.  I obviously held the album in high regard when I wrote the original review, and my opinion of it has only improved since then.

As a result, I recently retroactively added Dwell the Media Junkie's Essential Albums - records I feel every true music fan should check out, as well as being personal favorites of mine.

The Envy Corps will release their new EP, entitled Kid Gloves, on June 9th on Tempo Club Records, the band's own newly formed label.  In addition, fans in Iowa have a chance to attend the band's EP release show on June 4th at Vaudemille Mews.  Tickets are on sale now via Iowatix for $10 a piece, but you can also net yourself a copy of the new EP by spending $14.

Featuring five brand new songs, Kid Gloves is a forerunner to their new full-length, which is to be called Palawan Scops/I Hate My Host Family.  The tracklisting is as follows:

1. "Briar-Rose"
2. "Screen Test"
3. "The Cursing Choir"
4. "Kid Gloves"
5. "The Dissenter"

You can pre-order the EP now at Smash Clothing, as well as purchase three fancy Envy Corps shirts (all of which I have just ordered myself).

Look for a review of Kid Gloves here, just as soon as I can get my greedy little hands on it!  And for God's sake, guys, please come to Detroit on your next tour!

Media Junkie Review Policy

In recent weeks I have been receiving requests from record labels asking if I'd be interested in reviewing new artists or albums.  Some are artists I have already openly promoted on my own in the past, others are artists I've heard of but haven't gotten around to checking out, and still others are bands I am completely unfamiliar with.  I welcome these opportunities.  In fact, I think it's pretty damn cool.  It's cool that my tiny little blog has been noticed by anyone, and that independent record labels are eager to embrace bloggers.  While I am always open to experiencing new music, there are a few things to consider when contacting me.

I started Media Junkie as a personal endeavor.  I don't have a crack team of writers or an editor (as you will no doubt notice from the numerous typos and grammatical errors that litter various articles).  It's just me.  I am the sole contributor.  I started this blog because I love to write, and I love to write about things I am passionate about.  Trust me, nobody spends an hour or more writing a single article about something unless they truly love it - and I enjoy doing what I do.  I don't do it for profit or personal gain, readership or kickbacks.  I do it for me. 

If you want to send me mp3s or promo CDs then feel free to contact me, but you do so with the understanding that it may receive a negative review, or no review at all.  It is rare that I write negative reviews with the exception of artists I have been a longtime fan of (Prince, Pet Shop Boys, Moby, etc.), but the possibility remains and I have the final say about what does and does not get published. 

This blog has always been a personal project and it will stay that way until the day I no longer enjoy writing for it.  It's a labor of love that I do in my spare time, and in all honesty it does make me feel good when I see that my efforts to promote bands I love haven't gone unnoticed.  One thing this blog will never be, however, is disingenuous.  I will never compromise my own integrity and write anything other than my feelings.  I pay the monthly fee here, and as a result I will voice my opinions - positive or negative - as I see fit. 

You may have noticed that this blog also carries no review scale of any kind.  That is because I do not believe an album, a movie, a book, or any other piece of art can be summed up with the application of a letter grade, stars, or a number picked from thin air. 

I am genuinely surprised and grateful for the chance whenever I'm contacted with an offer to review something, but I would ask that anyone doing so understand that I will not censor myself.

Thank you,
Matt A.

The Silent Years Sign to SideCho Records

This afternoon, I received a press release in my inbox that The Silent Years have inked a deal with the independent label SideCho Records.  You can read the full press release below:

Los Angeles, CA - Sidecho Records confirmed today The Silent Years is the latest addition to their roster.

James Cho, founder of Sidecho Records, remarked, "The Silent Years' songwriting ability definitely stands out, but more importantly, their work ethic is something that I can model after for all future bands on Sidecho Records."

Hailing from Detroit, The Silent Years is one of the most prolific up and coming alternative rock bands in the Midwest possessing a true D.I.Y. attitude.  It is the incredibly strong work ethic that led Cho to sign the band.  The Silent Years has previously released 2 full length albums since 2007.  Under the Sidecho label, the street date for their latest EP Let Go will be July 14 with a plan for a full length due in late 2009.

In 2008, The Silent Years reached new heights as the band charted in the CMJ top 100 radio charts for five straight weeks.  They received heavy support from NPR after the release of their critically acclaimed The Globe and rave reviews in publications from The Onion to Spin Magazine.  The band has since licensed The Globe to European and Japanese labels and is planning on doing some touring all across the world in 2009 beginning with a US tour on April 30.

Just to clarify, the release date for the Let Go EP is July 14, however, it will be available digitally starting on April 21.  This was confirmed by a representative from Sidecho Records. 

You can also head on over to Sidecho's website to read up on Let Go.  But stick around, interested parties, because later this very evening I'll have a review of the entire Let Go EP up!

Congraulations to The Silent Years and Sidecho for what will hopefully be a fruitful partnership!

The Hiatus is Over

I had debated mentioning this on Media Junkie because it is obviously a very personal and rough thing for my family and I to deal with, but tomorrow marks the two week anniversary of the devastating fire that ravaged our house and all our possessions.

My family and I are safe, thankfully, and we have started the long rebuilding process. Thousands of CDs, hundreds of movies, games, and books, not to mention all my concert posters, t-shirts, hoodies, and ticket stubs were all lost.

However, the time for sadness is over. We are rebuilding our collections and I have a nice, fancy new PC ready to be moved into a rental house within the next two weeks.

With that in mind, I will begin updating Media Junkie again. Updates may still be more sporadic than they've been over the last few months until we're settled in to our new place, but later tonight I will be posting an exhaustive review of Zack Snyder's long awaited big screen adaptation of Watchmen.

Thanks for sticking around, loyal readers. We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.

-Matt A.

"And here we...go!" - Batman Week begins tomorrow!

In less than one week, the most anticipated film of the summer hits theaters - The Dark Knight.

As you may be aware, the entire month of July here at Media Junkie has been dedicated to the films of Christopher Nolan and Batman himself.  However, during the week of The Dark Knight I am going to be focused strictly on Batman, beginning with my review of Tim Burton's 1989 classic tomorrow morning.

Tuesday will feature my review of Batman: Gotham Knight, the direct-to-DVD collection of animated short films.  Thursday will feature my review of Batman Begins, the film that kick started the much-needed franchise reboot.  All of this will lead up to not one, but TWO reviews of The Dark Knight on Friday.

The first review will be a spoiler-free review and it will be written immediately upon returning from the 12:01 AM IMAX showing.  The second review will appear later in the day and will be a spoilerrific review for those who have seen the film. 

In between all that, there may be another little treat, similar to the Dark Knight Media Blowout, during the week. 

The Dark Knight hits theaters July 18th, and I hope you enjoy it as well as this week's content.

Why So Serious?

In honor of The Dark Knight, opening July 18th across the country, I am going to be dedicating the month of July here at Media Junkie to both Batman and the films of Christopher Nolan.

I will be reviewing the classic 1989 Tim Burton version that originally set the standard for comic book movies, as well as the direct-to-DVD Batman: Gotham Knight, a collection of short animated films that bridge the gap between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.  In addition to this, I will review all of Nolan's previous films including Batman Begins, his independent feature film debut, Following, the classic Memento, and his remake of Insomnia.

Of course, the big event of the month will be my full-length review of The Dark Knight which I pledge here and now to write and post immediately after returning from my 12:01 AM IMAX showing the morning of July 18th. 

I hope you'll enjoy this month's look at one of the most talented filmmakers of our generation.  To kick things off, I'll direct you to my review of Nolan's fifth feature film, The Prestige.