3 1/2 to 4 Stars, but Pretty Good.
932282
To start, still early to make a proper review. With that said, this unit has its place. Not for every application. I used it for the first time on a gig, last weekend. It was just a three set gig, but made it through the night, no problem. Guessing, it would easily do four sets.
This was used for my bass guitar, directly into my Bose T1 mixer, into my Bose L1 tower. No noise and retained its tone. I noticed when using this wireless unit, it did get noisy into my digital guitar amp. Also, into pedals, it was noisy as well. So, this is where the application of use will matter.
Originally, I thought, just to use this at the beginning of the night and be able to walk out and hear our mix, since we don't have a sound guy. I ended up using it all night. Very easy and convenient, plus I hate cables. The only other flaw, is the design of the transmitter. A slimmer profile would be nice, or if the plug was able to swivel, amongst the rest of the unit. Makes me nervous hanging directly down off my guitar. Seems, a small blow to it, could easily break the unit, but I don't know. In a strat style guitar Jack, I don't think it would be a problem. I hear some say that they are unable to replace the batteries if need be. Looks to me, like you can get inside these, but have not reached that point yet.
For the price, I will keep it and use it. It has its place, for convenience alone.
4936682
Somewhat fantasy, but pretty good action and good story.
4928713
THE GLASSWRIGHT'S APPRENTICE is a competently executed, yet somewhat pedestrian first effort from Mindy Klasky.  The plot never lags, but marches briskly from scene to scene.  Rani is a somewhat atypical heroine, being a glasswright's apprentice rather than a spell- or swordslinger, who makes her way in the world largely by relying on her wits and on her luck. It's clear that Klasky knows her stuff--that she's done research on the glasswright trade, and she manages to work her knowledge into the book without being tiresome about it.

However, the characters and world portrayed herein don't really feel more than two-dimensional (although it is a solid two dimensions).  The world Klasky has created is a world that is hierarchical in which caste is all; yet Rani appears to move from caste to caste with a fair amount of ease without demonstrating much in the way of class consciousness.  Aside from a few minor incidents, neither does anyone else in the book--for example, Rani's brother Bardo is supposedly motivated by a desire to sweep away caste, but it didn't really ring true to me, because we've seen so little of the festering resentment I would expect in a society structured like Klasky's.  The various plotters and schemers are convincingly amoral, and Klasky does a good job of convincing us there is no one good side, however, the political machinations are still fairly simplistic and never rise to the level of, say, GRRM's ASOIAF series (although maybe that's a good thing).  There were several supposed twists in the book that I found instantly obvious, and should have been obvious to the characters in the book as well; for example, Larindolian's role in the conspiracy.

Nevertheless, Klasky has laid a solid foundation for her first effort, and if she keeps working in this universe I see the potential to develop something quite special.
2844505
I'm not a big fan of DCFC's older stuff. Really, anything before Transatlanticism doesn't do much for me. Those old songs aren't bad, but they just don't stand out too much from one another to me. That's also how I might describe the majority of this album. Never bad, but rarely great.

That being said, "Bixby Canyon Bridge" starts things out pretty nicely, building into a rocker in the middle. "I Will Possess Your Heart" has gotten a lot of buzz for it's 8+ minute track length. One of my biggest complaints about many of the songs on this album is that it takes too long for anything interesting to ever happen. Strangely enough, on the longest song on the album, the length doesn't bother me. Sure they could have chopped a few minutes off, but the bass line is pretty tight and the song sounds different enough from the other songs on the album to remain interesting.

Other standouts for me include the Beach Boys-esque "You Can Do Better Than Me" and the headphone friendly "Your New Twin Sized Bed". I also enjoy the production on this album. Chris Walla knows how to get the most out of every drum sound. He does a good job of making the songs sound good on the radio but even better on your headphones.

Overall, I've found there are some good songs on this album, but not as many standouts as DCFC's previous two albums. Too many songs drag on for too long without any type of rewarding chorus. Still, I'd recommend picking this up and giving it a listen and seeing if any of the other songs spark an interest for you.
4321359
I liked this book, probably not as much as "Undeniable," but it was good. Two things: the time travel scenes are well-written, and the conceit she used to move the characters from present to past was pretty well conceived. Also, the characters--especially when they're interacting in the past--are well written.

However, I wish that the introductory chapters had been more fleshed out to reveal more about the main characters--their history up to the point they meet, their personalities, etc. It felt as if the author rushed the introduction just to get to the meat of the story, which was quite good. All in all, a small sacrifice, and I look forward to reading more of Ms. Alexander's work.
877422
Pretty good, but not all it's cracked up to be. I'm not sure why people make it such a big deal.
1293927
Decent story, decent writing, decent characters -- not outstanding, but it kept my interest. Better than three stars, less than four.
1098773
If there were increments, I would probably have dropped this to a 4.5-star review.  Since I can't, and I like to support good authors, 5-starts it is.  Characters were unique and reasonably well developed, settings were good, action was good.  The reason I only say the book is OK is because it was quite predictable.  There were no real surprises, no twist ending, no extra spicy sauce to make it more memorable.  It wasn't bad though... just not spectacular.  I should note that I listened to the audiobook, and the reader did a fine job of bringing the characters to life.

Things I liked: the laughing man... cool.  The Mowry warrior... not a commonly represented race, and I found that to be refreshing.  I'm a sucker for space opera, and this was a little bit that.  Not my all-time-favorite, but certainly better than the last two "sci-fi" audiobooks I listened to.
2951377
This is a good series. It's not perfect, but there's a lot to like about it. This volume has the same strengths and weaknesses as the first collection, with a new wrinkle or two added to the mix.

The first story here is basically a two-part team-up with Wolverine, and it's sort of a mixed bag. This one might have fit in better a little bit later in the series, but Marvel decided to kill Wolverine (at least for the time being), which meant if Ms. Marvel was going to team up with him, it was now or never (or at least until they eventually bring him back, but tomorrow waits for no one). So it feels a bit soon, but it's a cute story. The art is solidly above average, falling short of regular series artist Adrian Alphona, which is to be expected.

Alphona returns for the second story (a four-parter), and with him comes new cast member Lockjaw, the giant teleporting dog always hanging around the Inhumans. And he's a welcome addition, providing Kamala with a sidekick as well as some comic relief. It's a different comic with him in it, and even though the series was very strong as it was, that's a good thing. He's a ridiculous character, and he provides a surprising element to this story that has for the most part remained relatively earthbound. Yes there are super powers and super villains and the main villain has the head of a cockatiel, but it's all set in a world that feels surprisingly grounded thanks to Alphona's quirky, almost folky art and Wilson's charming script.

There are a few flaws here. As with the first volume, I still don't feel any honest sense of consequences, neither the mortal consequences of a superhero career, nor the domestic consequences of hiding a double life from strict parents. And I think Wilson is aiming to pull off both. Suffice it to say you'd have to suspend a lot of disbelief and really give yourself up to the material in order to feel any tension within these pages. When I'm invested in a story, I often feel genuinely anxious about what's going to happen. Not so here. It just feels to me like there is no real threat of any ramifications. Maybe Wilson will blindside us somewhere down the line and it will feel like a gut punch, but it hasn't happened yet. And that's really the one thing that's keeping this book from a five star rating. Most good superheroes have a backstory marked by tragedy. Most are faced with difficult choices. Neither of these elements is a factor here, and especially for a series that's so down-to-earth (at least in terms of voice and characterization) I feel like real life repercussions should be a regular theme.

There's also an odd bit where the main storyline is resolved and some characters reveal motivations that are pretty absurd-- motivations that are important to the story-- which was a pretty big turn-off. I don't want to spoil anything, but there's a significant twist that's basically impossible to take seriously. It doesn't matter all that much, since I take this as a fun, light series with incredible art. But I did roll my eyes.

So there you have it. It's a very solid comic with gorgeous art, loaded with personality, and it's fun to read. Well worth checking out.
830838
I waffled between 3 and 4 stars.  I leaned toward 3 stars because I was underwhelmed at first with both style and the clique characters.  But, they didn't stay that way.  About 1/3 of the way through it seemed to find its legs, and while there was only one spot where I said, "I didn't see that coming".  It still managed to stay far enough ahead of me to be very enjoyable. The characters picked up some depth and managed ti shake off thier stilted begining.  Well worth the price of admission.
4870148
Solid non-LP single and B-side. Not their absolute best pair of tracks, but enjoyable nonetheless.
4604528
I LIKE this record. I'd give it 3.5, maybe even 4 stars. If I'm still listening to it in a few years, then the 4th star will be warranted.
After only a few listens, there are several songs that have captured my appreciation. I enjoy the sound of Anders voice. It has this piercing yearning quality that has always appealed to me in singers. Alex Chilton of Big Star singing a song like 'I'm in Love with a Girl' conjures up that same feeling for me.
I can understand how some might now appreciate her vocal delivery though, and I was quite amused by some of the descriptions below. She does have a limited range, and there is a sameness to some of her vocals, so I can understand some being put off. Perhaps joining a band having dual or mutliple singers would be the best showcase for her, thus masking and enhancing some of her limitations as a vocalist.
All I can say is that I'm touched by this melancholy record. It was better than I was expecting. Good slow to mid-tempo rock record, with contributions by rock legends, PJ Harvey and J. Mascis.
Can they by so wrong? Decide for yourself.
1699767
Well I would only give 3 1/2 stars, but you know.  This is a good album, some songs are a bit dull.  But for the price it is on here it's a good deal.
4767530
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Bloodfist-IV-Die-Trying/dp/6305824738/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Bloodfist IV: Die Trying</a>&nbsp;doesnt seem like a movie that demanded a remake, but even with the golden age of home video behind them, writer-director Paul Ziller and star Don Wilson decided to produce it anyway. Moving Target changes names and locations, but the premise and the general course of the plot remains the same as its predecessor. Die-hard Wilson fans may consider this a step down, given decrease in star power and production values, but personally, I think its a minor improvement over the so-so original.

The story: An American kickboxer (Wilson) visiting Ireland is caught up in a deadly manhunt when he comes into possession of a case of beer containing nuclear detonators sought by the IRA.

The films lack of widely-recognizable performers, handheld camerawork, and fleeting tone give the film a kind of throwaway feel, like something produced for television. For general viewers this may be an unshakable qualm, but I think the films one main strength helps make this an above-average feature for Wilson. The quality of the fight scenes is relatively strong, thanks in part to a good stunt ensemble. Don tends to prefer one-sided brawls, but a few of the nine fights feature a lot more back & forth action than the mans norm, with his initial bout against Bill Murphy (<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Spacejacked/dp/B0001KNHPO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Spacejacked</a>) setting the tone for a slightly more mortal performance from The Dragon. Occasional slow motion and sloppy choreography keep this one from really shining, but overall, I declare it enjoyable.

The plot can be a little confusing at times when it comes to the IRA inter-faction rivalry, but for the most part this is standard action stuff and easily digestible. Some things make the story stand out, including the Irish setting and Wilsons relationship to his onscreen girlfriend Eileen McCloskey. The first part of the movie wherein Dons character tests the waters of new surroundings and a new romance make for some cozy viewing; I almost wish the movie were simply about a tourist in Ireland without the action portionsor at least without the thriller storyline.

Don Wilsons tremendous foothold within the low-budget scene would allow him to hold onto his solo career longer than other action stars of his status following the crash of the video market, and Moving Target is an example of how he was able to roll with the punches as adeptly as if this were a kickboxing match. Fans of the man ought to give it a try, and B-movie lovers in general might have some fun with it, too. Everyone else, though, can stay away.
1555984
"Torch Song" takes us on a journey with mercenary Rica Marin, who has been commissioned to root out various evils in a post-apocalyptic future.

On the negative side, the pacing of this novel drags somewhat at times, and characterisation falls just short of real depth for some of the characters (especially the villains), which also impedes the romance aspect. I also ended up feeling as if this novel was the set-up for a sequel, which isn't something I appreciate.

On the positive side: In spite of the fact that Rica is hardly a "kickass" heroine, she is a very likeable protagonist. Also, quite a lot of the static nature/plot issues/less than stellar characterisation is balanced out by very vivid and solid writing from the author.

Does the good balance out the bad? For me it did. In a genre where readers really give more leeway than they should when it comes to quality, Singer has taken a lot of care, and it shows. If I could have added half a star, I would have.
416612
Pretty good, but a bit disjointed and "rushed" in places
1917355
This book was very highly recommended to me. I'm always looking for a story that grabs me by the throat and won't let go, so was looking forward to reading this "guaranteed awesome" book! My verdict? Not bad, but not awesome either.

The story followed several different characters and, as I read the majority of it during my lunch hour, it was a little confusing at times to keep track of everyone. Would have probably been easier if I'd read it straight through, but who has time to do that nowadays?

Catherine and Oliver are a married couple, and I think they're supposed to be the main characters. There's also Catherine's mother, Catherine's childhood friend and her daughter, Oliver's children and ex-wives, Oliver's mistress, and another woman who I didn't figure out how she fit into the mix until the end of the book.  All in all, a little confusing.

The book starts off with Catherine's childhood friend dying in a car accident, and the ripple effects from the accident are felt by all of the other characters. Can't say that I really cared for any of the characters, as they were all a little unlikable. Not unlikable like evil bad guys, just unlikable as in flawed and/or weak. I think I liked the orphaned teenager Cattie the most, as she seemed the only one to have a backbone and any character.

Gave this one a 3/5 as it was okay, just wasn't for me. Nelson is a talented writer and I had no complaints about the story structure or pacing or anything, I just didn't care for the characters or the plot. Think someone else might enjoy this more than I did.