PBS “Dives” Into History In New Episode Of “SOTD”

Courtesy: PBS/Public Media Distribution

PBS is taking audiences below the waves in a new episode of its hit history-based series Secrets of the Dead.

Public Media Distribution will release Secrets of the Dead: Nero’s Sunken City on DVD Tuesday, May 9.  This new installment of SOTD follows a group of archaeologists as they investigate the ancient city of Baiea.

The investigation isn’t all easy, though, as more than half of the city sits submerged beneath the Bay of Naples. The submerged ruins are three times the size of those found at Pompeii.  The investigations found roads, brick walls, villas with marble floors and mosaics as well as elaborate spas and more.

The once great city was the personal playground of Rome’s elite class in its heyday.  Now centuries after it was overtaken by the sea, archaeologists set out to find out what led to the city’s disappearance, what once made it such a thriving location and what actually happened in the city.

Secrets of the Dead: Nero’s Sunken City will retail for MSRP of $24.99, but can be pre-ordered now at a reduced price of $19.99 via PBS’ online store.  Audiences can see a trailer for this episode of SOTD online now here.

More information on this and other episodes of Secrets of the Dead is available online now at:

 

 

Website: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SecretsofTheDead

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SecretsPBS

 

 

 

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PBS Examines Da Vinci’s Contributions To Science In New ‘SOTD’ Episode

Courtesy: Public Media Distribution/PBS

A new episode of PBS’ Secrets of The Dead set to be released on DVD this week will take audiences into the life and mind of one of history’s greatest figures.

Public Media Distribution will release Secrets of the Dead: Leonardo, The Man Who Saved Science Tuesday, May 2.  This episode of PBS’ hit series delves into manuscripts that, for more than 400 years, were unpublished.  The manuscripts reveal plans for hundreds of inventions that would only be created hundreds of years after Da Vinci allegedly designed them.

The inventions allegedly discovered in the manuscripts include machine guns, diving suits, construction cranes, robots, flying machines and much more.  It also investigates the originality of other inventions such as the parachute, which has been debated for ages.  Through its investigations, the program attempts to determine Da Vinci’s true role in the creation of so many inventions.

Secrets of the Dead: Leonardo, The Man Who Saved Science will be available for MSRP of $24.99, but can be ordered at a reduced price of $19.99 online via PBS’ online store.  More information on this and other episodes of Secrets of the Dead is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://psb.org/secrets

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SecretsofTheDead

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SecretsPBS

 

 

 

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PMD Taking Families On A Trip With Daniel Tiger’s Family Next Month

Courtesy: PBS/PBS Kids/Public Media Distribution

Everybody’s favorite furry tiger friend is going on a special trip with his family, and families everywhere will get to come along next month.

Public Media Distribution recently announced it will release Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Tiger Family Trip on Tuesday, May 16.  The seven-episode collection will be available exclusively on DVD in stores and online for MSRP of $14.99 and can be pre-ordered online now via PBS’ online store.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Tiger Family Trip is anchored by its title episode, an extended episode. This episode follows Daniel and his family as they go on a trip to see Granpere Tiger.  Daniel doesn’t know what to expect at first, but when his mom gives him a map he learns about all the exciting things to do and see on family trips.

‘Visiting Granpere’ follows the DVD’s title episode. This episode follows Daniel and Granpere as they hunt for buried treasure.

‘The Tiger Family Goes Back Home’ closes out the new DVD’s title story.  Daniel and Granpere go on a sunrise boat ride before he and his family head back home in this episode.

Also included in the DVD are four episodes that focus largely on handling different emotions in different settings.  The bonus episodes featured in this collection include: ‘The Neighborhood Carnival,’ ‘Fireflies and Fireworks,’ ‘The Lemonade Stand,’ and ‘Mad at the Beach.’

More information on this and other Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood DVDs is available online now along with lots of activities and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://pbskids.org/daniel

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/danieltigertv

 

 

 

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Leeds’ Latest LP Succeeds Through Musical, Lyrical Variety

Courtesy: Waldmania PR

Kindie rock stars Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights are scheduled to release their latest full-length album next month.  Brooklyn Baby! is scheduled to be released May 19, 2017 in stores and online. The group’s sixth full-length studio recording and Leeds’ eighth overall full-length studio recording, this latest offering from Leeds and company is another enjoyable offering for audiences of all ages.  That is due in part to the record’s varied musical styles.  This will be discussed shortly.  The album’s equally varied lyrical themes are just as important to discuss in examining this album as its musical arrangements.  The album’s sequencing rounds out its most important elements.  Each element is important in its own right to the recording’s whole.  All things considered, they make Brooklyn Baby! a record that proves to be one of this year’s top new children’s albums.

Brooklyn Baby! is one of this year’s top new children’s albums.  That is due in part to the varied musical arrangements presented throughout the course of its 13-song body.  From one song to the next, Leeds and her band mates—Ian Baggette (bass/vocals), Dan Barman (drums/percussion), Jeff Litman (guitar) and Scott Stein (keyboards)—take listeners through a constantly varying array of genres.  The arrangement in the album’s opener for instance is the type of work that would appeal to fans of Sheryl Crow Shania Twain with its pop-country-esque sound and Leeds’ vocal delivery.  By contrast, ‘Rainbow Bagels From Outer Space’ boasts an arrangement that is just as *ahem* out of this world as its title.  The arrangement in question is a punk-style composition that clearly pays homage to famed New York-based punk forefathers The Ramones.  The fact that the song’s run time is only 1:49 hints at that tribute even more.  Anyone who is familiar with The Ramones music will understand that reference.  On a completely different note (yes, that bad pun was intended) ‘Apples in My Apples’ presents an arrangement that will appeal to fans of John Fogerty.  This proven diversity is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg in exhibiting the album’s overall musical diversity.  ‘Subway,’ the album’s second song exhibits a light, jazzy arrangement that is driven by a pair of maracas and an organ.  ‘Pizza,’ by contrast, is an up-tempo, keyboard-driven pop composition that will put a smile on any listener’s face.  The guitar-driven arrangement exhibited in ‘Shayne Punim’ is just as fun for listeners of all ages.  One could ramble on aimlessly for much longer about each arrangement presented in this record.  All things considered, the arrangements presented here are quite varied.  That maintained variance is certain to keep listeners engaged and entertained.  It is just one of the elements that ensures listeners’ maintained engagement.  The record’s lyrical topics are just as varied as its musical arrangements.

The varied musical arrangements presented throughout the course of Brooklyn Baby!’s 43-minute run time do plenty to keep listeners fully engaged in the record.  It is just one of the items that ensures listeners’ engagement.  The record’s lyrical themes are just as varied as its musical arrangements.  By and large, this record’s lyrical themes are love letters to Brooklyn.  That is obvious in ‘Ferry Nice,’ ‘Subway,’ and ‘Stoop,’ all of which come early in the album’s run.  They aren’t the only songs that pay homage to one of New York’s great five boroughs.  ‘Pizza,’ ‘Hipster in the Making’ and the album’s title track show even more that this album is a virtual love letter to Brooklyn.  However, that love for Brooklyn is just one of the themes woven into the record.  Leeds ties her love for not just Brooklyn but New York in whole into a much bigger theme of unity in ‘Love is Love.’  She writes here, “It doesn’t matter if your house is big or small/It doesn’t matter if you live in New York or Nepal/It doesn’t matter if you’re short or if you’re tall/It shouldn’t matter at all/Cause love makes us family.”  She goes on from here to sing about the irrelevance of people’s religious differences, their cultural differences and their home nations, adding those differences are what should bring everyone together.  This is an important message to which especially adults should listen considering the nation’s current political climate (not to get too political).  ‘Apples in my Apples’ comes across as a commentary about issues with produce and other foods provided to the nation’s grocery stores.  That can be inferred as she sings in the song’s chorus, “You don’t know what you’re getting that the grocery store/It ain’t like what it used to be/When everything was pure.”  Her comments about non-GMO corn, grass-fed cows, free-range chickens and other related matters make even clearer the message in this music.  There’s no denying that at times, it feels a bit preachy.  But she does make a valid point.  On a less controversial note, Leeds also pens a love letter to libraries in ‘Library Book.’  This song sees Leeds singing about the joys of going to the library, finding so many books and simply learning.  In an age when so much of what people consume (including books) has gone digital, having such a lyrical topic pointing out the importance of the printed word and the buildings that house it.  Between these songs and those that profess Leeds’ love to Brooklyn, the whole of the record’s lyrical themes proves to be just as diverse as the record’s musical arrangements.  Keeping that in mind, it becomes clear why those diverse lyrical themes are so important to the record’s whole.  They still are not the last important element to consider.  The record’s overall sequencing is just as important to discuss here as the record’s musical and lyrical content.

The musical and lyrical content presented throughout Brooklyn Baby! are both key elements to its presentation.  That is because of the diversity exhibited in each.  While they are clearly important elements, they are not the record’s only important elements.  The record’s overall sequencing is just as important to discuss as its music and lyrics.  For the most part, the arrangements presented throughout this record are mid-tempo works.  What is interesting is that the tempos and their associated energies vary just as much as the arrangements and lyrics within each work.  Case in point is the record’s first three songs. The dreamy vibe of ‘Ferry Nice’ set against the more light-hearted, playful vibe of ‘Subway’ and the gentle flowing energy of ‘By Myself’ offers up such a wide variety of energies right off the bat.  The energies exhibited throughout the next three songs varies just as much right up to the album’s midway point that is ‘Pizza.’  That song stands out perhaps more than any others here because of the infectious groove established through its arrangement.  The laid back, almost beachy Jack Johnson style energy exhibited in ‘Shayne Punim’ set against the wild energy of ‘Rainbow Bagels From Outer Space’ and the flowing ballad behind ‘Love is Love’ creates just as much contrast as that presented between the record’s other songs. The energies exhibited in the record’s final set of songs contrast one another just as blatantly as those of the other noted works, too.  All things considered, much thought and time was put into Brooklyn Baby!’s sequencing.  The songs’ arrangements present just as much variety in their energies from one to the next as there is in themselves and their lyrical themes.  Keeping all of this in mind, the whole of this record proves to be yet another enjoyable offering from Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights, and one more of the year’s top new children’s albums.

Brooklyn Baby!, the latest full-length studio recording from Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights, offers plenty for listeners of all ages to appreciate.  From its musical arrangements to its equally varied lyrical themes and its smart sequencing, it will certainly impress fans new and old alike.  Simply put, variance serves as this album’s strongest point.  That variance, in its musical arrangements and energies and in its lyrical themes, makes this record enjoyable from start to finish.  It ultimately makes this album another enjoyable offering from Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights, and one of the year’s top new children’s albums.  It will be available May 19 via Limbostar.  More information on this album is available online now along with all of the group’s latest news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.joanieleeds.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/joanieleedsandthenighlights

Twitter: http://twitter.com/joanieleeds

 

 

 

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Red Sox, Orioles Open 4-Game Series Monday Night On ESPN

Courtesy: ESPN

The Red Sox will play host to the Orioles Monday night live on ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball presented by USAA.

Monday night’s game is the first in a four-game series between the American League East opponents.  It replaces the network’s previously scheduled Indians-Tigers matchup.  The game will be simulcast on television and online via ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN and the ESPN app.

Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET and is subject to local blackout restrictions in each teams’ markets.

Chris Sale is expected to get the start for Boston, though mlb.com has Rick Porcello scheduled as the starter for the Red Sox.  Dylan Bundy is expected to take the mound for the Orioles.

Monday night’s series opener between the Sox and the “Orange Birds” is certain to be an interesting one, going by the numbers.  Baltimore is currently in the midst of a two-game skid, but is 6-4 in its last 10 games.  The team’s weakness is that it has performed better at home (8 – 3) so far this season than on the road (6 – 5).

By comparison, Boston has also performed far better at home (8 – 5) so far this season than on the road (4 – 6) but not quite as impressively as Baltimore.  Boston is 4 – 6 in its last 10 games and looking to bounce back Sunday from a 7 – 4 loss against the Chicago Cubs.

Win or lose in that series-ending game, Boston will be hungry for another “W.”  Looking at the overall picture painted by those numbers, Monday night’s game could go to either team.

More information on ESPN’s MLB coverage is available online now along with all of the latest MLB headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://espn.go.com/mlb

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESPNBaseballTonight

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BBTN

 

 

 

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ESPN Announces 2017 WNBA Season Broadcast Schedule

Courtesy: ESPN

The 2016 – ’17 NBA season is winding down as the playoffs are in full swing, but for those wanting their basketball fix even after the season ends, ESPN and its networks have the answer.

The WNBA’s 2017 season officially tips off May 13 at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN.  Ryan Ruocco will have the call for the game.  He will be joined by analyst Rebecca Lobo for additional commentary. Reporter Holly Rowe will be courtside for all of the latest in-game news and interviews.

The team of Ruocco, Rowe and Lobo won’t be the only well-known names scheduled to appear on espnW throughout its WNBA 2017 season broadcast schedule.  Pam Ward and LaChina Robinson will both appear on select games, too.  Prim Siripipat will serve as a studio analyst for the network’s broadcast schedule this season.

The worldwide leader in sports will carry coverage of 16 WNBA games this season beginning with the season opener between the Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm.  Along with its 16-game broadcast schedule for the league’s regular season, ESPN’s networks will also carry full coverage of the league’s postseason.

This season’s broadcast schedule includes two matchups between the Sparks and Lynx (July 6 and Aug. 27), three games featuring the Storm and three featuring the Washington Mystics.  The New York Liberty and Dallas Wings each have three games on the network’s schedule, too.  ABC, which is also part of the ESPN family of networks, will carry full coverage of the 2017 WNBA All Star game Saturday, July 22 at 3:30 p.m. ET.  espnW’s full broadcast schedule for the 2017 WNBA season is noted below.

Date                  Time (ET)                                   Game                                   Network

Sat, May 13       5 p.m.            Seattle Storm at Los Angeles Sparks            ESPN

Thu, May 18      7 p.m.             Minnesota Lynx at New York Liberty            ESPN2

Tue, May 23      8 p.m.             Connecticut Sun at Minnesota Lynx             ESPN2

Tue, May 30      7 p.m.           Los Angeles Sparks at New York Liberty      ESPN2

Tue, Jun 6        8 p.m.             Washington Mystics at Dallas Wings            ESPN2

Tue, Jun 13      10 p.m.            Dallas Wings at Los Angeles Sparks           ESPN2

Fri, Jun 23        8 p.m.            Washington Mystics at Minnesota Lynx        ESPN2

Thu, Jun 29      8 p.m.              Seattle Storm at Connecticut Sun                ESPN2

Thu, Jul 6         8 p.m.             Los Angeles Sparks at Minnesota Lynx        ESPN2

Tue, Jul 18       9 p.m.                  Chicago Sky at Seattle Storm                    ESPN2

Sat, Jul 22       3:30 p.m.                WNBA All-Star Game 2017                        ABC

Tue, Jul 25       8 p.m.               New York Liberty at Minnesota Lynx            ESPN2

Thu, Aug 3      8 p.m.                 Atlanta Dream at Minnesota Lynx                ESPN2

Thu, Aug 10    8 p.m.                 Phoenix Mercury at Dallas Wings                ESPN2

Wed, Aug 16   7 p.m.         Los Angeles Sparks at Washington Mystics      ESPN2

Thu, Aug 24    9 p.m.            Los Angeles Sparks at Phoenix Mercury         ESPN2

Sun, Aug 27    7 p.m.            Minnesota Lynx at Los Angeles Sparks           ESPN2

More information on the 2017 WNBA season is available online now along with all of the latest WNBA headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.wnba.com 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wnba

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Audiences Of All Ages Will “Dig” PBS Kids’ New ‘Dinosaur Train’ DVD

Courtesy: PBS/PBS Kids

PBS Kids’ hit science-based series Dinosaur Train is one of the network’s biggest hits.  That is because of its ability to make science fun with its combination of trains and dinosaurs—two things that almost every child loves.  Over the course of its now four seasons on television, the series has entertained and educated audiences of all ages with that expert balance of material.  That entertainment and education continued in a big, new way with the new “movie” What’s at The Center of the Earth?  The program, which sees the Pteranodon family diving deep into the earth and learning even more new lessons.  That story is, in itself, one of the key elements to discuss in examining the program in its recent DVD release.  The DVD’s namesake movie” isn’t the only story presented in its new home release.  Four other episodes are included with the DVD’s main story.  That will be discussed later.  The viewing options presented to audiences rounds out the most important of this DVD’s elements.  Each element is important in its own right to the DVD’s presentation.  All things considered, Dinosaur Train: What’s at The Center of the Earth? proves to be a presentation that audiences of all ages will *ahem* dig.  Yes, that terrible pun was fully intended.

PBS Kids’ latest Dinosaur Train DVD What’s at The Center of the Earth? is a release that audiences of all ages will “dig.”  That is due in part to the story at the center of its main feature.  The story takes the Pteranodon kids and their dad on a ride deep into the earth with Mr. Conductor and his nephew in search of a spot for a new underground train station.  It is not the first time the series has seen the Pteranodon family digging for gems and other items.  It is, though, the first time that the show’s writers have taken its main characters so deep into the earth.  They have gone beneath the waves many times, into the skies and all around the prehistoric world.  This time though, is the first time the writers have taken audiences so deep into the earth. It should be noted though, that the Drill Train doesn’t go to the center of the earth, but it does take the kids pretty deep regardless.  To that end, the DVD’s main story proves to be an integral piece of its overall presentation.  It is just one part of what makes the DVD such an enjoyable presentation.  The companion stories included with the DVD’s main feature play a pivotal part in its presentation, too.

The main feature of PBS Kids’ new Dinosaur Train DVD is in itself a key part of its presentation.  That is because it is such an original work, considering the series’ history so far.  It is only one of the elements that should be discussed in examining the DVD in whole.  The companion episodes that are included with the main feature are important to note, too.  All four episodes are taken from the series’ fourth season (its latest season).  The first pairing—‘Nest Swap’ and ‘The Herd is the Word’—originally aired together March 18, 2016.  ‘Spinosaurus Super Model’ came much later in the season’s run while ‘Where Have All The Lizards Gone?’ aired almost halfway through the season.  The episodes are not presented in the same chronological order here in which they were presented during their original broadcasts, but the fact that they all come from the same season—the series’ latest season no less—shows that a certain amount of thought was put into their inclusion.  It keeps all of the episodes as close together as possible.  What’s more, the stories presented within each episode each differ from one another, ensuring audiences’ engagement even more.  Keeping all of this in mind, the extra episodes included in What’s at the Center of the Earth? are just as important to the DVD’s overall presentation as the DVD’s main feature.  The viewing options presented to audiences round out the most important of the DVD’s elements.

The story at the center of What’s at the Center of the Earth? and that story’s companion episodes collectively establish a solid foundation for this latest Dinosaur Train DVD’s presentation.  That is due to their content and the fact that they all come from the same season, rather than being from all four seasons.  While the episodes themselves are so pivotal to the DVD’s presentation, they are not its only important elements.  The viewing options used for those episodes is important to discuss, too.  Audiences will be happy to know that they can watch the episodes one at a time or in linear fashion.  When audiences choose the “Play All Episodes” option, that option still presents solid break points between episodes and the mid-show segments with Dr. Scott that allow viewers plenty of time to stop if needed.  Watching the episodes in non-linear style separates the mid-show segments from the episodes and the episodes from each other, too.  Simply put, regardless of what options audiences choose, both options prove to be positive for viewers.  When this is considered along with the DVD’s episodes and their stories, the whole proves to be a presentation that once again, audiences of all ages will “dig.”

PBS Kids’ new Dinosaur Train DVD What’s at the Center of the Earth? is a program that, in its recent home release, that audiences of all ages will “dig.”  The story at the center of its main feature supports that statement in part.  The companion episodes that come with that central feature strengthen that statement even more.  The DVD’s viewing options round out its most important elements.  Each element is important in its own right to the DVD’s overall presentation.  All things considered, they make this DVD yet another enjoyable offering from PBS Kids and its hit series.  They make it a DVD that the whole family will “dig.”  It is available now in stores and online, and can be ordered online direct via PBS’ online store.  More information on this DVD is available along with more Dinosaur Train activities, news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://pbskids.org/dinosaurtain

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DinosaurTrain

 

 

 

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IFC Films Bringing New Romantic Dramedy To Audiences Next Month

Courtesy: IFC FIlms

IFC Films has a new romantic dramedy on the way this spring.

Between Us will be released exclusively on DVD on Tuesday, May 16. The movie made its original limited theatrical release on January 6, 2017 and stars Ben Feldman (Mad Men, Superstore, Cloverfield) and Olivia Thirlby (Juno, Dredd, No Strings Attached) as thirtysomethings Henry and Diane in the story’s lead roles.

After dating for six years, the couple’s relationship is put to the test when both meet someone else on one fateful night.  The results of those chance meetings could have lifelong impacts on all involved.

Between Us be available in stores and online upon its release.  More information on this and other titles from IFC Films is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.IFCFilms.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IFCFilmsOfficial

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ifcfilms

 

 

 

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Zombie Motors Wrecking Yard’s Debut LP Is Good, Not “Super”

Courtesy: Napalm Records

Zombie Motors Wrecking Yard’s debut album Supersonic Rock ’N Roll is a good start for the Australian hard-rock outfit.  However it is not as super as its title leads listeners to believe.  Even with that in mind, listeners should know that while not a total success, it is also not a total loss.  That is thanks in part to the musical arrangements presented throughout the course of the album’s 10 songs.  This will be discussed shortly.  For all of the good that those arrangements do for this record, the album’s sequencing detracts from the record’s presentation just as much.  This will be discussed later. Even as much as the record’s sequencing hurts its overall presentation, its mixing and production make up for that negative, coupling with the arrangements directly to make the album a work that, in whole is still worth an occasional listen.

Zombie Motors Wrecking Yard’s debut album Supersonic Rock ‘N’ Roll is not the best hard rock album to be released so far this year, but it is still an enjoyable start for the Australian-based hard rock outfit.  That is because over the course of its 11-songs it completely destroys its competition.  That is made evident first and foremost through the songs’ musical arrangements.  The songs’ arrangements take the best elements of Motorhead, Clutch and Pantera, mixes them with a healthy dose of stoner rock sounds for a whole that ensures listeners’ maintained engagement.  ‘Dead Smile,’ which comes very early in the album’s sequencing solidly supports that comparison thanks to the vocal delivery of the band’s front man “Mark” and the song’s dual guitar attack.  “Mark’s” vocal delivery instantly conjures thoughts of Motorhead front man Lemmy Kilmister while the song’s guitar attack just as quickly conjures thoughts of Clutch’s finest riffs.  On another note, the arrangement at the center of ‘Bad Boy Benny’ mixes elements of Clutch with AC/DC for a sound that will keep listeners just as engaged as ‘Dead Smile.’  It is much more down tempo than ‘Dead Smile’ (much like the majority of the record’s second half—this will be discussed later), but is no less heavy in its presentation.  To that end, that it is still an impressive composition in its own right, and shows again why the record’s musical arrangements are so important to the record’s overall presentation.  ‘Grind The Grinder,’ the record’s opener is one more example of why its musical arrangements are so important its overall presentation.  The song’s powerhouse guitar riffs and vocals couple with the song’s vocals to create a composition that is one part Pantera, one part Motorhead, one part Clutch and all rock and roll.  The rest of the songs featured throughout the record are musically similar to the works noted here.  Al things considered, they proves the record’s overall content to be the backbone of its presentation.  While the record’s content proves to be solid throughout, its sequencing sadly is not as solid.

The musical arrangements presented throughout the course of Supersonic Rock ‘N’ Roll’s body collectively create a solid foundation for its presentation.  That is thanks to the fact that the arrangements take the best of so many stoner and hard rock acts that have come before and melds them into one.  The end result is 10 songs that clearly pay homage to ZMRY’s forebears while also creating the band’s own musical identity.  While the record’s musical arrangements are impressive, the sequencing of those arrangements is not as impressive.  As many other critics have already pointed out, the album’s first half is a full-throttle (bad pun fully intended) rock and roll ride.  However, the record’s second half, while still heavy in its own right, is much slower than the first half.  The reason that this is so problematic is that the change in style is so sudden.  Varying the songs’ energy throughout the record’s 31-minute run time would have been far wiser than taking the course of action presented here.  That is the case even with the album ending on the same upbeat tempo on which it started.  That lack of variance in the songs’ energies is ultimately a major detractor to the record’s presentation.  It makes the record a good start, but far from super or even supersonic.  Even as much of a problem as the album’s sequencing proves to be for its presentation, it is not enough to make the record a total loss.  The album’s mixing and production couple directly with the album’s musical arrangements to make it an album that is worth an occasional listen.

The overall sequencing used for Supersonic Rock ‘N Roll’s body is a negative that cannot be ignored in examining the album’s overall presentation.  One can’t help but wonder who made the final choice in deciding the final ordering of the album’s songs.  As much of a problem as this poses, it does not make the album a total loss.  The album’s production and mixing couple directly with its arrangements to make the songs overall well worth the listen.  At no point throughout the songs do any of the separate parts overpower one another. Given, sometimes the song’s vocals get muddied and lost a little bit within the music, making understanding what is being said a little difficult.  However, this never becomes too much of an issue.  Again, the same can be said of the other parts throughout each song.  Those behind the boards are to be commended for their attention to each part’s power.  It is thanks to their work that the record’s full impact is felt from start to finish (again despite the sequencing).  Bringing everything full circle, that wise work finishing each song is what brings out the influences of the bands which this fledgling band emulated.  Taking that into account, the two elements do enough to make up for the record’s not so wise sequencing and make it overall, a record that is well worth the occasional listen by any hard rock purist.

Supersonic Rock ‘N Roll is a good start for Zombie Motors Wrecking Yard.  However, it is not super or supersonic.  It is not a total loss, though.  Powerful musical arrangements that channel the likes of Motorhead, Pantera, Clutch, and even AC/DC couple with production and mixing that expertly brings out those influences.  Their coupling makes up for sequencing which was anything but wise.  All things considered, while the record was a good start for the Australian-based band, it shows there is still room for growth, which gives some hope for the band’s future.  Supersonic Rock ‘N Roll is available now.  More information on this record is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

 

 

 

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/zombiemotorswreckingyard

 

 

 

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Trombone Shorty Launches ‘Parking Lot Symphony’ Support Tour

Courtesy: Blue Note Records

Trombone Shorty hit the road this week in support of his latest album Parking Lot Symphony.

Shorty, whose real name is Troy Andrews, launched his latest slate of live dates Monday in New York City.  His next live performance will be May 4 at Shorty Fest at the House of Blues in New Orleans, LA.  Andrews’ latest tour also includes a performance at The Ritz Raleigh on Saturday, June 3, Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre in Wilmington, NC on June 4 and The Fillmore in Charlotte, NC on Sept. 26 as well as performances in Pennsylvania, Montana, Texas and many other states across the country.

The current schedule for Trombone Shorty’s new tour is noted below.

TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE – TOUR DATES (new dates in bold):

May 4 – Shorty Fest 2017 @ House of Blues – New Orleans, LA

May 7 – New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

May 20 – Central Washington University Concert Hall – Ellensburg, WA

June 2 – Dominion Arts Center – Richmond, VA

June 3 – The Ritz – Raleigh, NC

June 4 – Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre – Wilmington, NC

June 6 – Ridgefield Playhouse – Ridgefield, CT

June 8 – Burlington Discover Jazz Festival – Burlington, VT

June 9 – Ocean City Music Pier – Ocean City, NJ

June 10 – Boarding House Park – Lowell, MA

June 11 – College Street Music Hall – New Haven, CT

June 15 – Sherman Theater – Stroudsburg, PA

June 16 – Westbury Theater – Westbury, NY

June 17 – Aura – Portland, ME

June 24 – Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Festival – Norfolk, VA

June 29 – Meijer Gardens Amphitheater – Grand Rapids, MI

June 30 – Summerfest – Milwaukee, WI

July 1 – Grandview Park Bandshell – Sioux City, IA

July 2 – ESSENCE Festival – New Orleans, LA

August 3 – Freeman Stage at Bayside – Selbyville, DE

August 4 – Newport Jazz Festival – Newport, RI

August 5 – Summer Spirit Festival – Columbia, MD

August 14 – Wilma Theatre – Missoula, MT

August 16 – Red Rocks Amphitheater – Morrison, CO

August 17 – Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre – Salt Lake City, UT **co-headline with St. Paul & The Broken Bones**

August 19 – Edgefield – Troutdale, OR **co-headline with St. Paul & The Broken Bones**

August 20 – Woodland Park Zoo – Seattle, WA **co-headline with St. Paul & The Broken Bones**

August 22 – Mountain Winery – Saratoga, CA **co-headline with St. Paul & The Broken Bones**

August 24 – Green Music Center – Rohnert Park, CA **co-headline with St. Paul & The Broken Bones**

August 25 – Avila Beach Amphitheater – Avila Beach, CA **co-headline with St. Paul & The Broken Bones**

August 26 – The Chelsea – Las Vegas, NV **co-headline with St. Paul & The Broken Bones**

August 27 – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre – San Diego, CA **co-headline with St. Paul & The Broken Bones**

August 30 – Hollywood Bowl – Los Angeles, CA **co-headline with St. Paul & The Broken Bones**

September 14 – ACL Live at the Moody Theater – Austin, TX

September 15 – Aztec Theater – San Antonio, TX

September 16 – Pavilion at the Music Factory – Irving, TX

September 19 – House of Blues – Houston, TX

September 20 – Saenger Theater – Mobile, AL

September 21 – Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA

September 23 – Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival – Franklin, TN

September 24 – Bourbon & Beyond Festival – Louisville, KY

September 26 – The Fillmore – Charlotte, NC

September 28 – Jannus Live – St. Petersburg, FL

September 29 – Revolution – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

September 30 – Revolution – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

October 1 – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall – Ponte Vedra, FL

October 10 – Orpheum Theater – Boston, MA

October 11 – The Fillmore – Philadelphia, PA

October 13 – Terminal 5 – New York, NY

October 14 – Terminal 5 – New York, NY

October 20 – Palace Theater – St. Paul, MN

October 21 – Riviera Theatre – Chicago, IL

October 23 – Danforth Music Hall – Toronto, Canada

October 24 – Danforth Music Hall – Toronto, Canada

October 26 – The Fillmore – Detroit, MI

October 27 – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre – Indianapolis, IN

Along with his new live dates, Andrews has also released the latest single from his new album.  ‘No Good Time,’ the record’s third single, is out now.  It is streaming online now here.  The song mixes elements of gospel, blues, jazz and R&B for an interesting new offering.

More information on Trombone Shorty’s new live dates, album, news and more is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://tromboneshorty.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TromboneShorty

 

 

 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/tromboneshorty

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.