"Mad" Mick Murphy Will Blow You Away
353726
Free Range Institution
By: Michaels Haskins
Copyright February 2011
Publisher Five Star

When journalist Liam "Mick" Murphy lies to the chief of police in order to get a story, he uncovers a conspiracy to smuggle a cheap, lethal cocaine-based drug through Key West. Before long, local authorities, federal agents and drug cartel hit men are looking for Murphy because of what they think he knows. With help from an eclectic group of friends, including an old black[ops acquaintance from Central America, Murphy sets out to prove who's behind the smuggling plot and distance himself from the violence that has spawned havoc on the island.
Soon, Key West starts to look like the Wild West as bodies are scattered in the streets and businesses get shot up. Murphy and his ragtag army do their best to survive and strike back, but stopping the drug delivery becomes impossible when the smugglers outgun Murphy's crew in a grisly battle on the water. Back in Key West, Murphy escapes more mayhem and confronts the conspirators, with devastating results.

Liam "Mick" Murphy had a career in journalism that took him all over the world.  After a devastating event cause him to quit full time reporting, he semi retired to the Florida Keys.  There he works as a free lance writer and journalist for hire.  A phone call from a friend causes him to be caught at the sight of that friend's demise.  He knows he shouldn't lie to the cops, he knows that it will only come back to bite him in the rear. But he does it anyway because he also knows that his friend's death is not a suicide.
Within days of his friend Jay Bruels' death he is caught up in what turns out to be a very nasty murder and conspiracy operation by elected local officials, bought Federal Agents and a South American Drug cartel. These people were using the Keys as their entry point to bring their drugs into the country, and now they also wanted to bring in an extremely cheap and extremely deadly new drug.
Mick and his on again off again girl friend Tita Toledo (a very sought after attorney) are going to have their lives and their relationship stretched well past the breaking point.  With the help of a rag tag group of friends, (who by some coincidence are all agents, former agents) plan and run their own investigation into the murders and drugs.  There will be shoot outs, high speed boat chases, and well... You'll just have to read the book to find out who does what to whom, and who wins out at the end.
This was my first taste of a Mad Mick Murphy book and I love it.  Mick reminds me a little of Travis McGee what with the way he gets involved in things and helping friends.  I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series for as long as the author offers stories to read.
961569
This is the high water mark for both the Automator and Kool Keith. Everyone thinks everything the Automator ever did was genius, but Dr. Octagon pretty much sums up his career as far as I'm concerned. Kool Keith isn't your average MC. He's a mental patient who somehow got a record deal. This is the genius of this record. Dope beats and a total psycho rhyming.
2328527
Malevolent Creation has released a real juggernaut with this album. as with every Malevolent Creation album, expect a beatdown on your ears. Mick Thompson of Slipknot does the second solo on the song "Deliver My Enemy" and his solo is awesome, considering that I am not a fan of Slipknot. this album deserves a 5 star rating. I recommend this album to those who appreciate real metal.
2979103
This album rocks from start to finish but give me a break, give the obvious influences their due! This album sounds like it was made by the baby brothers of the FACES & the STONES, that could be Ron Wood on guitar and a young Mick on vocals. If you want a recent album to take you back to the rock'n'swagger of "Never a Dull Moment" & "Exile on Main St" you'll certainly appreciate this gem. Sit back, bottoms up & crank it!!!
1616948
This film is a perfect case of how a filmaker can be crucified for doing something completely different, intellectual, and to experiment, and push his style even further beyond most people's comprehension. This film is a masterpiece, period. This is the biggest psychological ride you will take since " The Usual Suspects". You'll probably have to have two viewings to fully inhale the mastery of this story, the whole film is a chess game of self exploration, with a serious, and stylish noirish comic book feel, especially from it's charecters. This is not Snatch, and this is not Lock, Stock, this is Guy Ritchie executing one of the smartest films I have ever seen in my life. Don't listen to what you've heard, people are in LOVE with Snatch, and Lock Stock, and just want to see it copied by him over, and over, that's why we have the sub par "Rock-N-Rolla" . Guy Ritchi, as well as Jason Statham prove that their bigger than that, and that they should keep moving forward, and not backwards (Rock-N-Rolla, and Jason's hollywood action fare).
1800732
Odd, - I always thought that 'man overboard' was a Blondie B-side from back in the 70's until i discovered sm*rnoff.......No matter!
SO - the master of the '3 minute opera' (his descriptor of popular songs, i believe) re-visits 'MAD SHADOWS' and delivers an absolutely stunning tour-de-force.
Randy Newman, Gordon Lightfoot, Loudon Wainwright, Neil Young WISH they were capable of songwriting at this level. Even Bobbie Dylan looks back with anguish these days.
Ian, my old mucker, them pipes are getting a bit ragged, but you still sound orlrigght to me! Nice production work too!
In short, if you've ever enjoyed 'pre-dudes' Hoople, or any of Ian's solo work - just two words of advice - GET THIS - cos i know you'll enjoy it!
Peace.
3507276
This is absolutely incredible.  I have tons of Mickey's records worn out, but to be able to hear it all - especially San Francisco Mable Joy - on CD was a real tear-jerker.  I started listening to Mickey back on KSFO (?) in  the late 1960's - got turned on by Bobby Dale - anyone remember him?  If  you want to hear the best music ever by the best musician this is it. Bring  on the hankies....
2515700
This cd is a masterpeice that melds technical songwriting with sheer brutality.  There is even some twisted melodies thrown in the mix.  One of the best things of this cd is the drumming by Sean Reinert of Cynic fame.  His double bass chops are truly amazing.  Reinert even manages to throw in some jazzy percussion.
The dual guitar attack complete with harmonies is outstanding.  The riffs are all masterpieces.  Schuldiner's vocals are powerful without being too undecipherable.  Too bad this band is no longer  around due to Chuck passing away.  He will be missed.  R.I.P.
4007396
Will Rage Against the Machine (RATM) go down in history as one of the greatest live acts ever? Only time will tell, but this DVD is testimony that they are serious contenders.  And with recent news that lead singer Zack de la Rocha will be leaving the band, this may be the final testament of RATM at their peak.
The energy is nuclear in this concert.  RATM does not hold back and the crowd is bursting at the seams of the enormous venue.  Especially in the popular "Bulls on Parade", the roar from the crowd will send chills down your spine.  You have not heard RATM until you have heard them live, but playing this DVD on a high quality sound system comes close.
Chances are, if you are reading this, you are already a fan.  If you are not already a fan, this DVD is an excellent introduction to the Rage phenomena.  Here, you can truly appreciate RATM as the speaker for an entire generation of angst.
There are two quirks to this DVD that may bother some viewers.  First, snippets of political documentary are spliced in between songs of the concert footage.  In these snippets, Zack describes his leftist political views in an abbreviated documentary-style format and one understands better the source of his piercing anger.  If you are a strong-minded right-wing politician, you will hate this DVD even more than their studio albums.  The inverse is true for left-wingers.
Second, there are two audio tracks that each have a shortcoming.  In the high-quality 2-channel audio track, the energy of the crowd is very much evident, but the "F***" words are muted.  In the lower-quality but enveloping 5-channel Dolby Digital track, no lyrics are muted, but the crowd noise is almost completely absent.
4406946
I have to say this is probably the best mixed and engineered CDs I've ever heard. It's like you're actually there at the concert. To boot, Ronny's brother is absolutely awesome as a vocalist as well as the band. People, do not fret that this band isn't the original......they kick it. I love this CD  as loud as it will go....well, with a little help from Jim Beam if you know what I mean...talk about taking the stress off ya from a hectic week. Just buy it, you won't regret it and you heard it from me first!
3272749
I know what you may be thinking, who the hell are Dropkick Murphys? Well, I'll tell you. They are a Boston punk rock band, one of the best by far. Anyway, onto the album review. This CD is simply stunning. Every single track is well done and sounds great. From traditional sounding Irish songs like "Cadence to Arms" to fan favorites like "Barroom Hero," Do or Die is just awesome. If you're a true punk rock fan, you should own this.
1365034
Take any album that you believe is hard core wether it be Muddvayne, Slipknot, or the fastest punk possible, or the fastest SKA you could imagine! This album will be more hardcore times 10. You could mosh like a madman, or you could Skank so fast you couldn't tell what your feet are doing, or you could head bang hard enough that your head might fall off!!! This is the most amazing album I have ever heard and I believe these guys should be up their with Rancid
825110
These guys are absolutely incredible!  This DVD finally captures the entire essence that is the Asylum Street Spankers.  Their musicaly ability is incredible and has been evidenced on their past CDs, but this DVD finally gets the whole scene down.  It's not just the notes, sounds and words, it's the facial expressions and actions that create their unique form of acoustic vaudville-ish performances.  If you can sit through this and not be alternately amazed and on the floor doubled over in laughter...then you definitely need some help!  Buy it!
3090147
"What Could Possibly Go Right," which is their first CD that contains 8 tracks is simply amazing so I had high expectations for this album. It's odd that the album title is "Prepare To Be Let Down." This CD is anything, but a let down. It's 21 minutes of balls out hardcore with vocalist Rob Sullivan delivering the lyrics with so much raw emotion and energy. It's as if he's letting out his last dying breath and along with super face paced melodic music, it's extremely fitting. This CD kicks you in your jaw and leaves you wanting to hear it over and over again.
682211
To the Stryper band members I say, stop drilling, gentlemen, you've hit oil!! There's way too much heavy metal sonic bombast in this album to mention! Relentless, slamming lead guitar from both Oz Fox and Michael Sweet; heart-stopping drums from Robert Sweet; deep, growly bass from Timothy Gaines; and Michael Sweet's Holy Spirit-infused lead vocals with plenty of those world-famous "screams" (I think he hits HIGHER high notes today than he did in the 1980's).  Think of "No More Hell To Pay" as "To Hell With The Devil"---Styper's iconic, chart-topping album from 1986---infused with at least 20 Starbucks venti pumpkin spice lattes and a shot of Rockstar Energy Drink.  Stryper's amps are definitely turned up to 11 for 2013, so if you don't want to be mowed down, you'd better get out of their way! :-)
3651522
I thought the reviewer who wrote how Jagger stole his thunder from Don Covay was a little tacky until I actually heard the CD - Covay sounds like Mick, without any of the tension. And that translates into way, way better. And Covay provides all the vocals, and is the master of many types of singing and personas. Look at his picture - he is just that smooth and ever so cool sounding. He be harmonizing and/or improvising with himself from opposite sides of the stereo field. Stops a few centimeters short of becoming "slick", if you dig what I mean.
I still like the Stones, but henceforth I'll probably always be laughing a little inside when I listen to them. One must note though, that Mick's voice is as similar to Don's as early Nick Drake's voice was to Donovan's. Neither was slavishly imitating - it was probably more honoring someone whose style the imitator truly loved. It's uncanny how Covay's various vocal inflections are mirrored by Mick, just as Donovan's were by Nick.
Anyway . . . this music is astoundingly good, and it is energising, even empowering. The intensity and verve is relaxing, and grabs your guts in an inviting, friendly way. It's smoky, deep, a little dark at times, and never coldly metallic. Lord knows the band members provide good home cookin' . . .
4553568
This is unbelievable! Never before have I heard such a brilliant combination of sophisticated intricacy and brutal outbursts of fury. This is on par with bands like Dillinger, Cult Of Luna, Rorschach, or Mastodon, without copying them in any way. You might actually be disappointed if you expect this record to sound "like Mastodon", as some people say. To me, this is the same league, but an entirely different sport. Hope there'll be a US tour soon. Can't wait to see them...