Musical Variety, Socially Conscious Lyrics, Strong Sequencing Makes ‘Hola Amigo’ Another Successful LP For 123 Andres

Courtesy: Sugar Mountain PR

Family music entertainer 123 Andres officially returned today with his latest album.  The veteran singer-songwriter/performer is scheduled to release his new album Hola, Amigo Friday.  The 10-song album continues to cement his place in the realm of family music thanks in part to its musical content.  This item will be discussed shortly.  Its positive lyrical themes add to its appeal and will be addressed a little later.  The record’s sequencing rounds out its most important elements and will also be discussed later.  Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of this latest presentation from 123 Andres.  All things considered, they make the album another easy candidate for a spot on any critic’s list of the year’s top new family music albums.

123 Andres’ latest full-length studio recording Hola, Amigo is another positive presentation from the veteran family entertainer.  It is a work that audiences of all ages will appreciate.  That is thanks in part to the album’s musical arrangements.  From beginning to end of the 25-minute album, listeners are presented with a wide variety of musical styles.  ‘Boomerang,’ which comes late in the album’s run, is an infectious hip-hop style composition.  It is followed immediately after with the bluegrass style sound of ‘Hambone.’  The album takes another distinct turn from there with the reggae style approach of ‘Goodbye’ and ‘Hello, Friend,’ the album’s last two songs.  The latter of the pair even adds in a touch of ska for good measure.  This is especially interesting to note because the album opens on a similar stylistic note in its title track.  ‘Keep It Up,’ the album’s second entry, offers listeners a touch of a southern-tinged soulful work at its base, yet again showing the album’s musical diversity.  ‘Un Amor Tan Grande’ (which translates roughly to ‘Such A Great Love’) offers listeners a more pure Latin sound in its arrangement, even further showing the diversity in the album’s musical content.  ‘Rainbow’ meanwhile presents audiences with a neo-folk sound that will appeal to older listeners.  Between all of the arrangements noted here and the rest of the album’s musical arrangements not addressed here, it becomes increasingly clear just how many different styles of music are featured in this record and why that variety is so important to the album’s presentation. It will most certainly appeal to a wide range of listeners.  It is just one part of what makes the album stand out, too.  The record’s lyrical themes play their own pivotal part to the record.

The lyrical content featured throughout the body of Hola, Amigo is important to address because of the positive messages delivered throughout.  Case in point is the lyrical theme at the center of ‘Boomerang.’  Its theme is that of anti-bullying.  Guest artist Konshens The MC states right from the song’s outset, ‘Bullies never win.’  He notes in the song’s lead verse, “The words flow in the wind/Round and round/Like the circle/Ending up where they being/Give a smile/Get a smile/Be nice to your friend/And watch you friend be nice to you/The cycle never ends/Like hands ticking around the clock/Spin the wheel that never stops/Good things come back to you/When given from the heart/Love, peace and light is what I spread everyday/See whatever you say returns to you/Like a boomerang.”  He continues in the song’s second verse, “Like the fetchin’ dog/That’s bringing the ball back/Your words have a way of returnin’ to you/Positive or not/But boomerangs are words are tossed/That travel far/ But are never lost/And come into your atmosphere/Now you understand it clear/every word we say/Holds a little bit of weight/They lift up or break down/Be careful what you say now/Using them for good things…cause whatever you say returns to you like a boomerang.”  That last part of the second verse is a little difficult to understand sans lyrics sheet, but that aside, the song’s overall message is crystal clear.  This is a work that reminds listeners that they need too be conscious of the words they use with others.  What’s important here is that this message is important not just for children, but for adults, too.  That is especially obvious considering who is in the White House and the effect that his words have had on the nation.  He has made far too many people think it is okay to use hurtful words to others.  Considering that, adults need to be reminded about the importance of their words just as much as their younger counterparts.  It makes this song an unquestionably important part of this album, and just one of the album’s most important lyrical presentations.  ‘Hambone,’ which immediately follows ‘Boomerang’ is a key lyrical presentation in its own right.

‘Hambone’ is important because it is a sociopolitically aware presentation.  It addresses the current civil rights issues that are covering America right now.  Guest artists Cathy Fink, Uncle Devin, and Lolita Walker sing in this song in a call and response presentation, “What were you holding in your hand/I was holding a big old sign/On your sign/What did it say/We want justice/We want change.”  The group continues, “Black lives matter, yes they do/We have lots of work to do.”  From there, the group proceeds to say the names of recent Arican-American victims of violence at the hands of law enforcement, including Trevon Martin, Tamir Rice, and George Floyd.  The roll call of sorts takes up the second half of the song, reminding audiences of how many African-Americans have been victimized by the lesser element of America’s law enforcement community.  That 123 Andres would take the time to join the current civil rights movement and do so in such a straight forward fashion will certainly connect with older listeners.  At the same time, it will also serve as a starting point for adults to have a conversation with younger listeners about what is going on in the world today in regards to police brutality and race relations.  It’s just as serious an issue as that of being careful of the words that we use.  ‘Keep It Up’ is one more way in which the album’s lyrical themes prove pivotal to its presentation.

‘Keep it Up,’ which features a guest appearance by fellow family music entertainment act Sugarfree All Stars, is a work whose lyrical theme encourages listeners to not give up when things get difficult emotionally.  This is yet another theme that is accessible for older listeners as well as younger audiences.  The group sings in the song’s  lead verse, “You’ve worked so hard/You’d better get some rest/This challenge isn’t over/here’s another test/And it feels hard/And it feels wrong/Why do you have to go through this when you’re so young/I have a friend who went through this, too/He told me to tell everyone/Especially you/Don’t give up/Keep it up/Fill your love with all the love around you that will make you strong/It’s okay to cry/but dry your eyes and sing your song.”  The group continues in the song’s second verse, “You’ll realize/That you’re so strong/One day it will be you helping someone sing this song/You will stand up and fall again/You’ll understand this is the game/You have a song/Don’t lose your faith/We are your team/We’re here to stay.”  This is a song that lyrically, will help any young listener feel better in those difficult emotional times.  It is just as welcome and important an addition to 123 Andres’ new album as the other songs addressed here and the rest of the album’s entries.  When it is considered with all of those songs, no doubt is left as to the importance of the album’s lyrical themes.  They clearly play just as much an important part to the album’s presentation as the album’s musical variety.  The two elements together, make the album a strong presentation in its own right.  Even with the impact of the two elements together, there is still one more element to examine here – the album’s sequencing.

As has already been noted, the musical content presented in Hola, Amigo is varied.  One could go so far as to say that considering the album’s overarching lyrical themes, that variety in musical styles plays into the bigger statement of this album, that of collectivity and unity.  While that noted diversity is key in its own right, the varied styles also bring with them, different energies.  The album’s title track/opener is a laid back reggae style piece that presents a relaxed energy.  The energy picks up from there in a series of mid-tempo works that while stylistically different, still present a stable energy that will keep listeners engaged through this aspect.  ‘Fly, Shine, Soar,’ which comes just after the album’s midpoint, ‘Rainbow’ breaks up the album’s energy, serving as the only point at which it really pulls back in its energy.  The whole thing ends in the same relaxed, reggae style as it opened in ‘Hola, Amigo,’ essentially bringing everything full circle for the album both musically and in terms of the album’s energy.  Simply put, the sequencing of Hola, Amigo ensures a stable energy presentation from start to end even as the album’s musical styles change from one to the next.  When this is considered along with the impact of the album’s musical and lyrical content, all three elements join to make the album a presentation that is just as positive a presentation as any of this year’s other family music albums.

Family music entertainer 123 Andres’ new album Hola, Amigo is a powerful new presentation from the veteran performer/singer/songwriter.  That is proven in part through the album’s musical content, which will appeal just as much to grown-ups as it will younger listeners.  The same can be said of the album’s lyrical themes.  They present messages that will resonate with listeners of any age.  Some will even  resonate even more with those older audiences than their younger counterparts.  The record’s sequencing rounds out its most important elements.  It gives audiences a variety of musical styles from one song to the next while also ensuring the album’s energy remains stable throughout at the same time.  Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of the album.  All things considered, they make the album yet another of the best of this year’s top new family music albums.  It is available now.  More information on Hola, Amigo is available along with all of 123 Andres’ latest news at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.123andres.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/123conandres

Twitter: http://twitter.com/123conandres

 

 

 

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‘Ursa Minor’ Is An Intriguing Start For Holden

Courtesy: Dewar PR

Independent hard rock/metal act Holden is scheduled to release its debut album Ursa Minor Friday.  The five-song record is a hard-hitting work from the Richmond, VA-based band.  The musical arrangements presented in this record will appeal to fans of bands, such as Crowbar, Mastodon and High on Fire.  Its lyrical content will keep listeners engaged in its own fashion.  ‘Sparks Between Teeth’ is just one of the songs that serves to support the noted statements.  It will be discussed shortly.  ‘Emperor of Maladies’ shows what makes this record stand out, too, with its musical and lyrical content.  It will be addressed a little later.  ‘After The Fact’ is one more example of what makes Ursa Minor so engaging.  It will also be addressed later.  All three songs are key in their own way to the whole of this record.  All things considered, they make Ursa Minor a work that metal and hard rock purists will find is worth at least one listen.

Ursa Minor, the debut album from independent metal outfit Holden is an intriguing outing for the band that metal and hard rock audiences will find is worth at least one listen.  That is proven through the record’s musical and lyrical content, as is proven in part through the record’s second song, ‘Sparks Between Teeth.’  The song’s musical arrangement is a heavy, blistering work whose heavy guitars, pummeling drums and fuzzed vocals create an overwhelming sound that fully envelopes listeners.  It is a presentation that leaves listeners knowing they have experienced something significant by its end.  It is just one part of what makes the song worth addressing.  That pummeling musical arrangement works with the song’s lyrical content to make the song overall even more impacting.

Front man Palmer Sturman sings in the song’s lead verse, “Red and constantly rising/Flames spark between clenched teeth/Smoke that churns from a pariah/Torching sensibilities/Pissing it all into the dirt/Bleeding it out/Feeling the hurt/Tortured souls are the first ones to hit the ground/Grip/As I dangle from the edge of the world/A casualty of hate/Like a black tar seeping through my veins/A saving grace/Blind dogs foam from their teeth/While you tremble ‘round.”  He continues as the song progresses, “Splayed and stretched ‘till you’re breaking/Hounds gnash your flesh when weak/Extinguishing the spark that once burned between your teeth.”  One of the song’s possibly most important lines comes even deeper into its seven-minute-plus run time, with Sturman singing, “Bottled it all/Drawn straight from the dirt/Keeping it in/Churning the hurt/Absorbing the pain/Feeling it win/When does it stop/How did it begin/The only point to these dogs is to chew the fat.”  This is all extremely deep metaphorical speak that no doubt will leave listeners having plenty to discuss after the song is over.  It continues in similar fashion from here, ensuring just as much, listeners’ engagement.  Ultimately, the lyrical content is so deep in its metaphorical that it leaves even this critic guessing as to its message.  That very fact is actually good in its own right because it will create so much discussion.  That discussion, coupled with the engagement and entertainment generated through the song’s musical arrangement, makes this song a key addition to the record. It is just one of the album’s most notable works, too.  ‘Emperor of Maladies’ stands out in its own fashion.

‘Emperor of Maladies’ presents an arrangement that also boasts a certain wall of sound effect with its absolutely powerhouse guitars drums bass and vocals.  The sound is its own, but stylistically, it uses the same type of approach as that used in ‘Sparks between Teeth.’  That arrangement works with the song’s lyrical content to make the song in whole even more striking.

Sturman sings in the song’s lead verse, “Hello child/Your face looks so hollow now/How can you rest inside such a shell/There’s a vacant aura ‘round your soul/A black source inside/Brittle bones hold your hull/Cracking, breaking, penetrating/Sin of skin/Buren decays/Living mound unto the fray/Grotesque molding formed around you/Face is there/But eyes are gone/Windows shut before the dawn.”  He adds in the song’s second verse, “I will take you into the eart/You can close your burdened eyes/’Take my pain’ you finally cry/Radiant waves flushed before you/Pouring from the salted skin/All that ends must now begin/Cracking, breaking penetrating/Ripples out in agony/Any less is blasphemy/No more sharing/Humbled body/Focus now and rid yourself of parasites/That cling to cells.”  Once more, here is something that is extremely metaphorical, and in turn, left to plenty of interpretation.  On the surface, it seems rather nihilistic, and maybe it is.  Either way, the discussion that again, will be generated through this along with the engagement from the song’s musical arrangement adds even more power to this song’s presentation.  Together with ‘Sparks Between Teeth,’ the two songs together show even more why this record deserves at least one listen.  They are not the record’s only notable works.  ‘After The Fact’ does its own share to show why the album deserves a chance.

‘After The Fact’ is quite the intriguing work, as exhibited in its arrangement.  The song is a blatant doom metal piece at its base.  What is so interesting is that even with the doom metal sound, Sturman’s vocal delivery comes across this time as more of a death/black metal sort of approach, which is completely unlike his delivery style in the record’s other songs.  The grinding, pummeling sound of the instrumentation, coupled with that distinct vocal style makes for quite the engaging listen to say the least.

The lyrical content that accompanies the musical content featured in ‘After The Fact’ makes it well worth the listen, too, as it is just as deeply metaphorical as the content in the album’s other songs.  Sturman sings in the song’s lead verse, “I’m feeling sick/Your voice is  in my throat/I can smell your taint on my body and in my clothes/Know this rapture claimed/All those that you’ve left exposed/And there’s nothing left to give/except those holy notes.”  He continues in the song’s second verse, “Lilted and brown/Like roses after the fact/sweet smelling with sneering lips, split and cracked/Keystrokes pumping out/Answers plain as day/Pixels shredding hope/That’s been left stripped away/Spread your written word/You soapbox coward/Every character/Stalked and registered/Gaze on with the flock/See who gives a f***/Digital imprints/Sold in bargain bins/Fall in line/Stay in line/tacked in time/All online.”  This comes across as Sturman addressing someone with whom he has quite the issue.  That final line about the “soapbox coward” spreading the written word” and the mention of the “keystrokes pumping out answers plain as day” leaves one to wonder if he is referencing the so-called keyboard warriors who take it on themselves to sit in front of their computers and spew their own anger-filled comments from the safety of their basements, etc.  Of course, that is just this critic’s own interpretation.  It could very well be wrong.  Regardless, the fact that the song’s lyrical content can generate such thought and even more discussion makes even more clear why the song is worth examining in the bigger picture of the record.  When it is coupled with the song’s powerhouse musical arrangement, the whole of the song becomes even more powerful and more proof of the record’s strength.  When it is considered along with the other songs addressed here and the rest of the album’s works, the album in whole proves itself worth at least one listen among the hard rock and metal masses.

Holden’s debut album Ursa Minor is a work whose musical and lyrical content cuts with the power of a grizzly bear.  It is a start that hard rock and metal audiences will agree is worth at least one listen as a result of that, as the songs addressed here prove.  When they are considered along with the album’s other two songs, the whole of the album proves to be quite the engaging and intriguing work that deserves at least one listen.  The record is scheduled for release Friday.  More information on Ursa Minor is available online at:

 

 

 

Website: http://judgeholden.bandcamp.com/releases

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

 

 

 

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Tracy McGrady Joins ESPN’s On-Air Team

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN has added another big name to its NBA broadcast team.

NBA great Tracy McGrady has officially joined the ESPN family. McGrady, a two-time scoring champion, seven-time NBA All Star, and two-time All-NBA First Team pick, was announced today as an NBA analyst for the worldwide leader in sports. In his new position with ESPN, McGrady will make regular appearances on Rachel Nichols’ new daily NBA program. The program will air from ESPN’s Los Angeles Production Center. It will air daily on ESPN M – F at 3:30 pm ET. Along with his appearances on The Jump, McGrady is also expected to contribute analysis to ESPN’s news an informational programming.

McGrady was the 9th overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft. He was drafted by the Toronto Raptors in his rookie season. He played there until 2000 before spending time with the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets. McGrady’s last stint as a player in the NFL was the 2011 – 2012 season in which he played for the Atlanta Hawks.

More information on McGrady’s signing wth ESPN is available online now along with all of the latest NBA headlines at:

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

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

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Star Trek: TOS DVD Set Is One Of 2015’s Best New Re-Issues

Courtesy: CBS DVD/Paramount Studios Home Entertainment

As 2015 begins to wind down, most people are beginning to turn their thoughts to 2016. For those that might not have known, 2016 is a big year in the history of television. That is because it will mark the fiftieth anniversary of one of television’s most iconic series. The series in question is none other than Star Trek: The Original Series. While its original run on NBC lasted only three seasons, it has proven in the years since to be one of television’s most beloved and important series. Since it ended its run in 1969, no fewer than four other series have come and gone along with a number of big screen features and box sets containing each series. This includes box sets containing all three of the original series’ seasons. The original series has been released in its own standalone sets on both DVD and Blu-ray and a full series set on Blu-ray. Interestingly enough for all of its various releases Star Trek: The Original Series has never gotten a full series run on DVD. That is until now. Paramount Studios Home Entertainment released Star Trek: The Original Series–The Complete Series on DVD for the first time ever on Tuesday, November 3rd. In examining this first-time release it can be said that there is so much to say to its benefit that it is one of the best of this year’s new box sets for grownups if not the year’s best. The main reason for that is the very presentation of the episodes in their setting here. That will be discussed in more depth shortly. Moving on, another reason that the box set proves so enjoyable is its bonus material. There are trailers, commentaries, retrospectives and so much more added to the set from its first disc to its last (for the record, the series’ seventy-nine episodes and bonus material are spread across a total of twenty-fix discs in this box set) for more than seven hours of extra entertainment and insight for audiences. Last but hardly least worth noting in this brand news DVD box set’s positives is the combined work of the series’ writers and cast. The adventures crafted by the series’ writers were (and are) more than enough reason in themselves for any fan to purchase this box set. The cast’s interpretation of the episodes’ scripts rounds out the presentation of Star Trek: The Original Series–The Complete Series. Each element in and of itself plays its ow important part in the overal presentation of Star trek’s new full series run on DVD. Together they make Star Trek: The Original Series–The Complete Series a must have for almost any Star Trek fan and one of the best of this year’s new box sets for grownups.

Star Trek: The Original Series–The Complete Series is one of the best of this year’s new box sets for grownups. It is a collection that those without any of the series’ previous releases on DVD and Blu-ray will especially appreciate. That is thanks in large part to its very presentation. All three seasons of Star Trek: TOS (as it will be referred to from here on out) have been previously released in their own standalone season sets both on DVD and Blu-ray. The series has even received its own full-series set on Blu-ray as recently as 2009. For all of these releases, the groundbreaking sci-fi series has never received a full series release on DVD until now. All seventy-nine of the series’ original episodes are included in this set. The twenty-five disc (yes, twenty-five discs) is just as impressive because of its price. It retails between forty and forty-five dollars. Considering the ratio of the number of episodes to discs and the amount of bonus material that is actually not that bad of a price. That is especially the case considering that the show’s full series Blu-ray box set retails for nearly double that depending on the retailer. It proves the DVD box set to be relatively affordable. What’s more, the episodes look and sound quite impressive from one to the next. It is even obvious where the episodes have in fact been re-mastered just as is advertised on the set’s outer box. That is even discussed in one of the set’s bonus features, which will be discussed later. Getting back on the subject at hand, the only major downside to the overall presentation of the series here lies in its packaging. Unlike most multi-disc sets released today, the discs are packaged in what would now be considered something of an unconventional fashion. They are placed two to a side on each of the set’s plastic inserts with the discs overlapping one another. This is not the best idea when it comes to packaging. But considering that the set is spread across twenty-five total discs, it is something of a necessary evil. Had the discs been placed one to a side as is the case with most multi-disc sets, it would have potentially taken up twice the space and required even more space for the discs. To that extent Paramount’s home entertainment division can be forgiven for the set’s packaging. All things considered here Star Trek: TOS–The Complete Series‘ packaging proves that while it is not perfect, it is still be a solid positive to the set’s overall presentation. The presentation of its episodes on the other hand is wholly positive. The end result of both elements together creates a presentation that every Star Trek fan will appreciate.

The packaging of Star Trek TOS–The Complete Series, while not perfect, is a necessary evil. It allows all twenty-five of the set’s discs to be housed in a single box rather than forcing them to be spread across multiple boxes. The presentation of the episodes across each of those discs is in itself quite impressive to say the least. Together they make up just one part of what makes Star Trek: TOS–The Complete Series an impressive new release for this classic series. The bonus material included throughout each of the series’ twenty-five discs adds even more enjoyment to the series in whole. There is an ongoing series of featurettes titled “To Boldly Go” that spans all three seasons. This series of featurettes examines the series and its impact on both television and American culture in whole. If that isn’t enough for audiences, Season One includes a bonus featurette titled “Spacelift: Transporting Trek Into The 21st Century.” This leading bonus examines the work that went into re-mastering the series in terms of its special effects. Those special effects include the look of the Enterprise against different planets, interior shots of the Enterprise, and other elements including the work done to re-master the Enterprise for the special inclusion of the Star Trek: DSN episode “Trials and Tribble-ations.” Speaking of that episode, it is included, too, in whole as a companion piece to the famed TOS episode “The Trouble With Tribbles.” There is even a complete episode of Star Trek: The Animated Series titled “More Tribbles, More Troubles” included as its own companion bonus to the TOS episode. There’s also a bonus in which the cast of TOS discusses the many romances that took place throughout TOS. This includes not only Captain Kirk’s own various romances but those enjoyed by other members of the cast including a rumored romance between Spock and Uhura. And even that bonus isn’t the end of the set’s extensive bonus material. There are discussions by the cast on a number of different topics throughout the set that will entertain audiences for hours if not days. That vast collection of bonuses set against the presentation of the series’ episodes here and its packaging makes Star Trek: TOS–The Original Series that much more entertaining for audiences and that much more of a must have for any Star Trek fan.

The bonus material included in Paramount and CBS DVD’s new re-issue of Star Trek: TOS–The Complete Series couples with the presentation of the series’ episodes and its packaging to make it one of the best of this year’s crop of new re-issues. As important as all of the noted elements are to the whole of this massive box set, they are not the set’s only important elements. The cast’s interpretation of the scripts rounds out the whole of this presentation. William Shatner has been spoofed countless times over ever since Star Trek: TOS went off the air for his portrayal of Captain Kirk. Yet for all of the jabs that have been taken at him over the years, there is no denying his work on camera. No, there will be no dumb puns here. The fact of the matter is that Shatner was (and is even today)wholly believable as the head of the Federation’s flagship starship. Sure, he gets a little cheesy in his interactions with all his various female co-stars. But in general his firmness as he leads the crew through some very tough situations makes suspension of disbelief quite easy. Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley are both just as impressive as Spock and Bones respectively. Whether on their own or together with one another (and with Shatner) both men hold their own throughout every episode. From handling serious moments to more light-hearted, comical moments all three men are a joy to watch. That is not to ignore any of the show’s other main cast members either. Nichelle Nicols, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, and George Takei are equally enjoyable to watch when they get their time in the spotlight. Whether for their work, for that of the series’ main cast, or any of the supporting and guest cast, it can be said that the work of the series’ cast plays its own important part in the whole of Star Trek: TOS. Together with the work of the show’s writers and the overall presentation of the episodes in this new DVD box set, all the noted elements make this collection a must have for any Star Trek fan. Those elements coupled with the set’s packaging and companion bonus material, the set in whole proves to be one of the best of this year’s crop of new re-issues.

Paramount and CBS DVD’s new DVD presentation of Star Trek: TOS–The Complete Series is one of the best of this year’s new re-issues. Its episodes look just as impressive today as they did in their original run on television. In some cases they even look better thanks to the work of those that re-mastered the series for its presentation here. The writing and acting that went into each of the series’ nearly eighty episodes make the set in whole even more of an enjoyable presentation. The set’s packaging, while a necessary evil, partners with its bonus material and those already noted elements to make Star Trek: TOS–The Complete Series a must have for any Star Trek fan that does not already own the series’ Blu-ray box set. Not only that but they combine to make Star Trek: TOS–The Complete Series one of the best of this year’s crop of new re-issues, if not the best. It is available now in stores and online. It can be ordered online now via Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-Original-Leonard-Nimoy/dp/B013Q1BVIE/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1448647397&sr=1-1&keywords=star+trek+the+original+series.  More information on this and other Star Trek DVDs and Blu-rays is available online now along with all of the latest Star Trek news at:

Website:  http://www.StarTrek.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/StarTrek 

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PBS Examines Avian Evolution In New Episode Of Nature

Courtesy: PBS

PBS take audiences into the world of birds once again this December in a new episode of its hit wildlife series Nature.

This fall, PBS will release Nature: Big Birds Can’t Fly. It will be released Tuesday, December 1st. Over the course of the episode’s roughly hour-long presentation famed broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough examines why some of the world’s ten thousand plus species of birds don’t fly, unlike others. More specifically, he examines why larger species such as ostriches, emus, kiwis, rheas, and Cassowaries don’t fly. Attenborough’s research into why said birds don’t fly reveals a rather interesting find. It reveals that the ancient ancestors of these birds could fly. It also reveals how competition for resources and the eventual lack thereof might have in fact led to the evolution of the birds into their current state. Audiences can view a trailer for this episode of Nature online now via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXJ6Lj09lDo.

Nature: Big Birds Can’t Fly will be available Tuesday, December 1st exclusively on DVD. It will retail for MSRP of $19.99. it can be pre-ordered online now via PBS’ online store at a discounted price of $17.99 at http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=72882196&cp=&sr=1&kw=big+birds&origkw=Big+Birds&parentPage=search. More information on this and other episodes of Nature is available online now at:

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

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

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