And Scarier.

Better : So many bands that I love have announced new albums that it’s hard for me to keep track. Touché Amoré, Balance and Composure, The Devil Wears Prada, letlive., and Defeater all have albums coming out soon or by the end of the year. Pre-orders are already up for letlive. and Defeater. Not to mention all the great tunes that have already been released this year. There’s been solid releases from The Story So Far, Justin Timberlake and Hundredth, and an insanely good release from Daft Punk (not that the others aren’t good, but this has been a standout for me). The Wonder Years released a new album that I haven’t heard yet, and City and Colour’s new album came out today. Musically, 2013 has been a good year.

And let’s not forget about movies! The Place Beyond The Pines was incredible, Iron Man 3 was cool but that’s about it, After Earth was also cool but kind of disappointing, and I still haven’t seen The Great Gatsby! Only God Forgives is coming out in July, Superman will be out soon, Wolverine’s new movie, PACIFIC RIM (damn it looks intense) and a couple more that I can’t think of right now that have me pretty excited for films this year.

Scary : I’m done with school in 6 weeks. 6 WEEKS! A month and a half and I’ll be moving somewhere (probably Los Angeles) to go on my internship. I have hands on proficiencies, certifications, tests, sessions, and finals to worry about while also planning a big move that could affect the rest of my life. I’m excited, but I’m also worried and stressed. I don’t do worried and stressed well, haha. 

Listen to good music guys and girls. And go watch some films that are original and engage your emotions. It’s good for you.

ZN

XXX

The more I hear about the new Ninja Turtles movie the more I get upset about it. 

First bad news : Michael Bay is involved. I don’t care if he’s writing, producing, directing, or sweeping the set; he’s involved and it makes me question the big wigs behind the whole deal and their decision making.

Next bad news : I was initially under the impression (I don’t know if I read it somewhere, or heard about it) that the Turtles were going to be real actors in costumes again. WRONG. It’s a bunch of nobodies doing motion capture work. The actors they chose isn’t really what bothers me though ‘cos we won’t even see them. What bothers me is that I was born in 1988, grew up in the 90s and live action Ninja Turtles are the fucking best Ninja Turtles (besides old comic book Ninja Turtles). If Guillermo Del Toro can make his weird fawn from Pan’s Labyrinth, scary monsters, and whatever else look good with costumes, makeup, and effects then why can’t the people making the TMNT movie do the same??

More bad news (this is where it gets really bad. If you’re pregnant, nursing, have a pacemaker, a weak stomach or are just a generally weak person you may not want to read further) : Megan Fox is playing April O’Neil. GOSH-FUCKING-DAMNIT… Really? Yes, she is eye candy. No, she is not a good actress. April O’Neil deserves better. There are so many beautiful, respectable, good actresses out there and she’s the best they could do? Jennifer Lawrence? Emma Stone? ANYONE ELSE? A slice of pizza could do a better job! Damn.

Worst news : We’ll have to wait and see. This started out as really interesting, intriguing, and exciting for me but has continually disappointed and gone to shit. The Turtles may not be mutants they may be aliens, April and Casey Jones are supposedly going to be teenagers/young adults, and who knows what else backasswards material they’ll come up with. But I’m sure they’re just getting started and when it rains it pours. 

Let me know how my list stacks up against yours! Feedback, comments, and discussion are always welcome! Best of wishes to everyone in 2013.

Top 10 Albums
1. P.O.S - We Don’t Even Live Here 
2. Aesop Rock - Skelethon
3. Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city
4. Converge - All We Love We Leave Behind
5. Big K.R.I.T - Live From The Underground
6.Title Fight - Floral Green
7. Every Time I Die - Ex-Lives
8. Birds In Row - You, Me & The Violence
9. Baroness - Yellow & Green
10. Brother Ali - Mourning In America, Dreaming In Color

Honorable Mentions
The Ghost Inside - Get What You Give, The Chariot - One Wing, The Weeknd - Trilogy, Parkway Drive - Atlas, Action Bronson - Rare Chandeliers

Most Anticipated for 2013
Cecil Otter
Kid Cudi
The Story So Far
Touche Amore
A Day To Remember
Defeater
Alcoa
Blink 182

Favorite Movies 
1. Django Unchained
2. Lawless
3. The Dark Knight Rises
4. The Raid Redemption
5. The Man With The Iron Fists

Honorable Mentions
Looper, Skyfall, Wreck It Ralph, Killing Them Softly

I got an apartment. Kt and I will be living there together. It’s dope. The new Rolling Stone magazine came out. It has MCA on the cover and a memorial article inside. It’s dope. It’s June. Aesop Rock, The Ghost Inside, and Linkin Park will be releasing new albums this month. I just saw the trailer for The Great Gatsby. It looks awesome. I’ll have to read it again before it comes out. I can’t stop listening to letlive. Warped Tour is approaching. I’m going to the SD date. I really want to watch The Ghost Inside, Every Time I Die, and Title Fight. Four The Taking has a website : www.fourthetaking.com - check out our stuff. Work sucks. I know. Be good to each other. To each their own.

- Zach

     My 2011 was a pretty solid one. Like most people’s it had it’s ups and downs but I’m here in 2012 and I’m off to a good start. So here’s my lists for my favorite things from 2011. Enjoy..

Music
1. Balance and Composure - Separation
2. The Devil Wears Prada - Dead Throne
3. Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part Two
4. Doomtree - No Kings
5. Defeater - Empty Days & Sleepless Nights
6. Fireworks - Gospel
7. Touche Amore - Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me
8. Evidence - Cats & Dogs
9. Close Your Eyes - Empty Hands and Heavy Hearts
10. Common - The Dreamer, The Believer
Honorable Mentions : Title Fight - Shed, The Roots - Undun, La Dispute - Wildlife, Atmosphere - The Family Sign, August Burns Red - Leveler, Dessa - Castor, The Twin

Video Games
1. Batman : Arkham City
2. L.A. Noire
3. Mortal Kombat
4. COD Modern Warfare 3
*Short list I know, but I don’t play many games.

Movies
*This one was a little hard because I didn’t get to see two movies that I really wanted to. I missed out on Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and Drive but I’m pretty sure if I had seen them they would be on this list. These also won’t be in any particular order because I can’t recall or decide which ones I liked more/most.
- The King’s Speech
- Moneyball
- Everything Must Go
- 50/50
- Kung Fu Panda 2

Fashion (Clothing/Shoes)
1. The Hundreds
2. 10Deep
3. Nike
4. Jordan
5. Rebel 8

     So there you have them. My favorite stuff from 2011. Now these lists only apply to things that are able to be listed. I had some pretty awesome times in 2011, there were also some bad but the good outweigh them. The times with friends, family, and such are more important than any CD I bought or movie I saw. To all my friends who shared and experienced 2011 with me: thank you. Thank you from the top to the bottom of my heart. You guys, my friends and family, are what keep me going and I appreciate that.

Have a blessed 2012,
Zach