Music Monday: Atmosphere – When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold

On By The Past Due ReviewIn Music, Writing1 Comment

Album: When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold by Atmosphere

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When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold

Released: April 22nd, 2008

Band Info:
Atmosphere is an American hip hop duo from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The group consists of rapper Slug (Sean Daley) and DJ/producer Ant (Anthony Davis) and has released eight studio albums since its formation in 1989. Well known within the Twin Cities rap and hip hop scene, Atmosphere is a founding act from the record company Rhymesayers, which is also based in the Twin Cities. The duo came to critical success after the release of their 2008 album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, which features varying samples and instrumentation as well as strong storytelling within each song.

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Ant and Slug of Atmosphere

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Serenity (2005) – Review

On By The Past Due ReviewIn Film, Film Review, Writing14 Comments

Serenity (2005)Poster.jpg

Directed by Joss Whedon

Written by Joss Whedon

Cast: Nathan Fillion, Sean Maher, Summer Glau, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alan Tudyk, Gina Torres, Jewel Staite, Adam Baldwin, Morena Baccarin and Ron Glass

Length: 1 hour and 59 minutes

Genre: Action, adventure, space western

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Description from IMDB:

“The crew of the ship Serenity try to evade an assassin sent to recapture one of their members who is telepathic.”

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Roboute Guilliman – Review

On By The Past Due ReviewIn Book review, Writing8 Comments

Roboute Guilliman: Lord of Ultramar by David Annandale

Published in 2016

Pages: 181

Genre: Science fiction, military fiction

“One empire had come to Thoas to crush another.”

In Roboute Guilliman: Lord of Ultrimar, by David Annandale, pragmatic stoicism meets the unhinged rage of insane aggression as the mighty Ultramarines seek to destroy their green-skinned foe. This is the first in a series of books following the Primarchs; a group of demigod warriors in the year 30,0000 who lead the armies of the Emperor of Mankind in his quest to take over the stars. Tales of heroism, folly, and philosophical quandaries all mix in this short, but entertaining, book. Continue reading “Roboute Guilliman – Review” →

Master and Commander (2003) – Review

On By The Past Due ReviewIn Film, Film Review, Writing8 Comments

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)Poster.jpg

Directed by Peter Weir and John Collee; based on the novels by Patrick O’Brian

Written by Peter Weir

Cast: Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, George Innes, Robert Pugh, Max Benitz, Max Pirkis, and Lee Ingleby

Length: 2 hours and 18 minutes

Genre: Action, adventure, drama

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Description from IMDB:
“During the Napoleonic Wars, a brash British captain pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of a formidable French war vessel around South America.” Continue reading “Master and Commander (2003) – Review” →

A Constellation of Vital Phenomena – Review

On By The Past Due ReviewIn Book review, Writing4 Comments

A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra

Published in 2013

Pages: 379

Genre: Novel, war, literature about Chechnya

“On the morning after the Feds burned down her house and took her father, Havaa woke from dreams of sea anemones.”

A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, by Anthony Marra, describes the tragic lives of displaced peoples in the aftermath of the dissolution of the U.S.S.R. Featuring a cast of characters connected by seemingly inconsequential coincidences, the novel explores the notions of family, loyalty, and shared humanity. Through the troubled, war-torn history of a nation, lives are woven together by the decisions of a few while the fleeting and beautiful aspects of life find common ground. Continue reading “A Constellation of Vital Phenomena – Review” →

Music Monday: He Is Legend – Popular Culture and Other References

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Band Info:
He Is Legend is a southern rock band from Wilmington, North Carolina. Formed by original members Schuylar Croom (singer), Adam Tanbouz (guitarist), and Matt Williams (bassist), the band has had multiple lineup changes while maintaining a uniquely heavy yet dynamic sound. First coming to prominence in the post-hardcore scene after the release of their debut in 2004, I Am Hollywood, the band would release three more albums before their 2017 album few. This album was crowd-funded by fans in 2015 and released after much anticipation since the band is not signed to a label after having been treated badly by their former representation. Though considered a relatively underground band, He Is Legend has cultivated a strong fan following and is cited as an influence for many of their contemporaries.

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He Is Legend circa 2017

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