Featured Product
Digital InnovationsGameDR Excelerator Series Glare ShieldThe Glare Shield really has a two-fold purpose. Not only does it protect the screen from overwhelming sunlight, but it also acts as a protective cover for your precious but naked PSP. The Glare Shield screws into the holes on the back edge of the PSP. The spring-loaded device pops up automatically at a 45-degree angle. To close, fold the sides and push down. While it didn't work perfectly as a sun shield-in bright daylight nothing short of a blanket over your head and PSP will work-it's perfect as a protective cover. For an MSRP of $14.99 you can buy a little insurance for your portable game player. A small investment to protect a $250 purchase.www.digitalinnovations.com
Featured CDThe Benevento Russo DuoBest Reason to Buy the SunRating:Not only in their ability to display virtuosic talent and songwriting, but in their aptitude for performing almost as a single entity, these longtime Brooklyn friends drop an unprecedented freshman disc. The Duo defies those who would lump them into the jam band ber-category. Reason is an album sans genre; incorporating heavy beats ("Becky"), odd-meter jazz ("The Three Question Marks"), start-stop rock ("Welcome Red"), and atmospheric sampling ("My Pet Goat"), peppered with just enough electronic drums to succeed where the Postal Service failed in overkill; all with just keys and drums. www.ropeadope.com-Drew Farrington
Games
Ford Vs. ChevyPlayStation2 and XboxTaking up the rivalry, Ford Vs. Chevy lets players race famous vehicles from both manufacturers on back streets and dirt roads across America. The 48 contemporary and classic rides include the Ford GT and the Corvette C5-R. Racers can upgrade their vehicles with over 100 licensed parts from 20 manufacturers to break down the competition. Race modes include circuit, point to point, 1/4-mile drag racing and performance tests.www.globalstarsoftware.com
Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the ImperfectsPS2Rating:...This is the kind of game we dreamed of when we were kids reading comics and arguing about who's the most powerful superhero. With Ironman, Spidey, The Thing, et al. you couldn't go wrong could you? But this game just doesn't have a chance of possibly living up to any devout comic fanatic's dreams. Perhaps our expectations are too high for a game with a subject we hold a little too dear. This game demands a sequel! With some improvements this could be a killer game.
MediEvil ResurrectionPSPRating:A great driving aid (for the passengers), Medievil should keep kids nicely occupied on those long drives with eight engaging mini game appetizers with plenty of challenges, in addition to the main course. Raise an army of the undead, collect 20 weapons-you can never have enough weapons-and battle 30 enemies. And there are about 100 maneuvers to learn so the game does provide for some challenge. This is a light, fun title with a complementary visual graphics style that's easy to get into with enough going on to last more than a few trips.
DVD
KissRock the Nation Live!Rating:Though they started in the early '70s, Kiss is still going strong. This double DVD set takes a look at the rock band on and off stage. It includes live performances of rarely played songs, previously unreleased footage of the band, behind-the-scenes documentary segments and bonus features, such as seven "Select-A-KISS Songs" in which you choose the band member you want to watch. With talk of a possible new Kiss album, the legend lives on. Rock the Nation Live! captures that in audio and video detail. Must-have for Kiss fans.
CDs
JamisonParkerSleepwalkerRating:This sappy pop rock could barely keep my attention. Everything from the hackneyed vocals, simple melodies and blurry mlange of sounds seems concocted (intentionally or unintentionally) to get your eyelids closed. If you want some mellow background music to knock you unconscious, Sleepwalker might do the trick... if the musical boredom and mopey lyrics don't drive you crazy first. Frankly, the only thing this CD is fit for is 12-year-old girls and others with adolescent musical sensibilities.www.interscope.com -Rob Howe
Candido & GracielaInolvidableRating:Two legends in the world of Afro-Cuban jazz, Candido and Graciela were there in the 1940s as Cuban rhythms combined with bi-band jazz. For this collection of lively traditional Cuban songs, the pair performs with an all-star band featuring Xiomara Laugart, Sonny Bravo, Frederico Britos Ruiz, Andy Gonzalez, Eddie Perales, Nelson Gonzalez, Manny Oquendo, Joseph Gonzalez and Jorge Maldonado. For those of you into the Latin jazz sound and its variants this is a terrific disc that will offer repeated pleasure. And everything is recorded with Chesky Records' high standards.www.chesky.com
ArchitectsRevengeRating:Midwestern rockers the Architects deliver a fast-paced, fiery album whose theme and name are one and the same. Given the energy-filled emotions, there's not one mopey track on the 13-song record. Loud, fast and compelling, Revenge will get the most lethargic listener up in arms.www.anodynerecords.com
Ladysmith Black MambazoLong Walk to FreedomRating:Celebrating 12 years of democracy in South Africa, the group has released a compilation of songs from 30 years ago to the present. Combining intricate rhythms and rich tenor/alto/bass harmonies from South African musical traditions with the sounds of Christian gospel music, Long Walk to Freedom also features guest vocal performances from contemporary pop musicians and notable South African artists. This is a great CD for auditioning your new system in your car. Well recorded and beautifully produced, a great disc for your collection regardless of your musical tastes.www.headsup.com
Ozzy OsbourneUnder CoversRating:On this dual-disc, Osbourne treats us with renditions of some of his favorites in addition to other covers he recorded for last year's Prince of Darkness box set. (Unfortunately some of them are our favorites we didn't want covered!) Still, it does show off another side of Ozzy and sometimes he's spot on, depending on the song. The video side of the dual-disc has the video for "In My Life," a collection of footage spanning Osbourne's 35-year career.www.epicrecords.com
Various ArtistsSumosonic 42Rating:There's not much to complain about when www.heavy.com sends out their Sumosonic compilation CDs out for the mere cost of shipping and handling. Like the other CDs, number 42 features recent and coming releases from a variety of groups falling within the broad genre that is hip hop as well as indie, electro and others from heavy.com's range of hipster favorites. It's a nice mix of tracks that you've probably never heard before and an introduction to some bands you might like to know better.www.heavy.com -Rob Howe