BLOOD TALLY by Brian Mclellan #Review #Kickstarter #Reading #JustBeingHere

  I was able to procure an advanced copy of Blood Tally by Brian Mclellan, who wrote the amazing Power Mage series which I very much enjoy. When Brian sent me the review copy of Blood Tally he was also amazing enough to also send me a copy of the first book, Uncanny Collateral, which - if you are quick enough you can get it for free on Kindle.      Here is my quick review of Uncanny Collateral: 
A quick and enjoyable read. A slick urban fantasy that brings me back to the days first reading Dresden books. While it has a similar feel it has it's own flair. Language can be rough at times, but it's not too overbearing. Characters are good and I'm extremely interested in more of the story, as well as, what they will do as more comes their way.    If you are a fan of this type of urban fantasy you may want to check out the Kickstarter for Blood Tally. It has already reached it's primary goal, but Brian has been adding other goals to it to make the book even nicer. So check it out and feel free to support how you can.  
Now here is my quick review of Blood Tally:
A nice continuation of this series. I feel that the ante was upped and a new character or two brought themselves into my heart. Still very reminiscent of Dresden files, and it can be hard not to expect Harry to pop up around the corner ready to help Alek out. I still say this has its own flair, but my enjoyment of Jim Butcher's series is certainly helping my enjoyment of this one along. This is such a different feel from Brian's Powder Mage series, which make sense as the magic is different and the setting and technology. I can't help but say I enjoy it. I also like how it does not take extra time to tell a story that can be told in the pages this does... And without really sacrificing too much on character development.
Go ahead and pre-order Bloody Tally from Amazon if you like!

Finally the third book to the second trilogy of the Power Mage series is releasing soon (Dec. 3rd as I'm writing this) - so pre-order Blood of Empire as well!   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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#Review of Murk's "P31" #JustBeingHere #Rap @murkp31 @sohhpr

Murk "P31"

Overall Thoughts

This album has a bit of a modern rap style. The messages are pulling women from being objects and about what is seen to deeper. To what God sees within. This is a good message for all, really. We cannot look on the outside. We cannot make ourselves be about what is seen, but instead what is within. What are our actions? Those speak heavily as well. 

Recording Thoughts - 7/10

Individual Song Thoughts

So Beautiful (4/5) - Creative.. lyrics that fit well to pull around the idea that what is outside is not what should be so important. A simple and enjoyable beat. Kind of an odd way to be able to rap like the world raps, but to turn it all on its head. Really throws you for a loop. Catching it at the wrong time would make you think it was the same trash that is "out there". A good message though. 

All I Ever Wanted (3/5) - Slightly.. VERY VERY slightly dissonant piano that flows perfectly.. odd.. sounding.. but it was just right to fit into a rap feel. I didn't really like the "chorus". The story is a but hard to get through. the rough idea that we can think someone is "all we need". Of course.. it is not true and that is really what this song is about. Life is not that "easy". Turn to the Lord... understand your own failings... your need for Him. 

True Story (4/5) - Great piano work again.. The story of a hard life going up. How can you trust what was believed to have never been there for you before. If you are the only one you can trust... wow... Powerful message. Kind of runs back into the previous song. How long will we continue looking for what is in the world to fill us? This really captures the idea we need our Saviour in our lives. Wow.. .the hard truth of the high brow that the church can have is a powerful point as well. Interestingly as well is the fact that we can just THINK this and it keeps us from the Church Body no matter how "good" it may be... That is what we get for having a focus on man. It will fail.

Royalty Excerpt - A spoken word. A sermon, really. Geared towards women/girls. Peels back the lies we choose to believe about ourselves and opens ones eyes to the adoption into the family of God that makes us Princes and Princesses to the King of Kings. A pretty good explanation and I think it could be something that can really encourage others. 

Royalty (3/5) - The rap/song that captures the idea above. Good message, still. The "strutting".. I get.. but on the other hand it kind of belittles the idea of being humble in God. There is a thin line to tread in these ideas. We NEED to know our importance to God, but also to remember that we never earned this. It is powerful reguardless. 

P31 (4/5) - Drops some pretty heavy bass. Again the uplifting of the heart with the encouragements that God has taken us in. That He sees us so well. A good call for women and attitude. Still.. I would like to remind of the "thin line" this can take, but man... if we can see ourselves the way God does. To see our potential and run hard after what God wants for us. So, so, so much BETTER! 

Album & Information Links

Murk "P31"
Dedicated Music Group
March 31, 2015

Bio/Background
Included in EPK link below.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22692938/epk-murk-p31.zip
P31 track listing
1. So Beautiful
2. All I Ever Wanted
3. True Story
4. Royalty excerpt
5. Royalty
6. P31

Produced by Mr Del

Links
Twitter: @murkp31
https://www.facebook.com/MURKP31
Instagram: Murkp31
Press Contact
Josh Niemyjski
josh@sohhpr.com
http://www.twitter.com/sohhpr

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#Review of Yaves album "In Winter's Ear" #JustBeingHere @YavesEllis @SlingShotMG @sohhpr

 

Yaves "In Winters Ear"

Overall Thoughts

I gotta be honest. This album was just not all that impressive to me. I found the music to be mostly bland and I just really had a hard time gripping the messages. (see individual thoughts for exceptions)

Recording Thoughts - 5/10

Individual Song Thoughts

Rumble Young Man (2/5) - A pretty cool start.. blending of scripture into some rap beats. I did find it a bit odd to have scripture that spoke of not lifting one self up... and then have the actual rapping sound like it was lifting oneself up. 

Revolver (2/5) - nice beat... delightful vocals (the singing parts at least)... again.. I am really lost on the message of the rap parts... either I am just not getting it... or it is not in line with the rest of the song.

Down Bad (2/5) - "Hate to see you doing good" "love it when you are down bad" ... umm.. I just don't get it.. is this speaking of one against you?.. I am just not sure. 

Good Lord (2/5) - So.. I think this song is about keeping oneself focused on the Lord.. to be able to push through even when things just don't go so right... but again.. I am having a hard time seeing that being the message. 

Chains and Whips (3/5) - OK..  I think I have this one.. this is bringing a bit of awareness to racial profiling. Something prevalent in the media right now. 

Say That (4/5) - This is a call for bearing fruit of God instead of anything else. "living right is living free..." nice point.. 

Blood Covered Snow (3/5) - Otherworldly sound... oddly spectacular ... powerfully poetic... as well as tragic. This just shows the worthlessness of violence. 

Album & Information Links

Yaves "In Winters Ear"
Sling Shot Media Group
Feb. 10, 2015

In Winters Ear track listing & credits
1. Rumble Young Man
2. Revolver (feat. Keisha Soleil)
3. Down Bad (feat. Zoë Boston)
4. Good Lord (feat. King Vada)
5. Chains and Whips (Interlude)
6. Say That (Remix) (feat. Dee-1, Sivion, Big Trant)
7. Blood Covered Snow (feat. Ron Riley)

Production
1, 5 QWOND3R
2-3 Z4L Productions
4 Frank Boi
6 Jay RHDN
7 Ron Riley

Links
Twitter @YavesEllis @SlingShotMG 
Website
Facebook
Instagram : @YavesEllis | @SlingShotMovement
Soundcloud | YouTube | iTunes


Press Contact
Josh Niemyjski
email
Twitter @sohhpr

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Book Review: Shift Omnibus Edition (Silo, #2) by Hugh Howey #scifi

Shift Omnibus Edition (Silo, #2) by Hugh Howey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While I cannot say that this is better than the Wool series, it is good - and I GREATLY recommend reading Wool.. all five. If you do read those... you will want to read these. They are set in the timeline as before but really MUST be read after.

If you were to read these out of publication order you would NOT get the most out of Wool.

The synopsis on these books is really enough to tell you what is up in them. This one may not have been as nail biting as Wool, but is information that I, and likely, any fan wants to know as they read Wool. This is some cool background information and is quite enlightening to the situation of the world and why it is in the state it is.

After reading this I am very excited about the upcoming Dust. It really seems like Hugh has a great ending planned and I do not want to miss it.

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Book Review : "The Death and Life of Superman" by Roger Stern

The Death and Life of Superman by Roger Stern
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Certainly one of my most favorite comic story arc! This novelization was pretty good. Maybe not the most 100% top notch epic type novel I really enjoy to read, but very well done for a comic to prose transition!

If you would like to know more of my thoughts on this story arc take a look at my blog posts (There will be 14 when they are all posted)

http://congruentculture.wordpress.com...

View all my reviews
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John Bunyan - The Pilgrim's Progress : Retold (Free Music, Review) @christianaudio @Noisetrade #audiobook

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For Fans of :    C.S. Lewis, Jonathan Swift, Corrie ten Boom

Honestly.. I have been a fan of this book since I was in college (unless the 'retold' is something I do not know of) 

I am glad to have it in audio format and hope to listen to it soon! 

take a listen ... get a download.. and TIP!!! 

@christianaudio on twitter 

Noisetrade

http://www.noisetrade.com/johnbunyan/pilgrims-progress-retold-audiobook 

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/christianaudio

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The Brother Moon - Dance (Free Music, Review) @TheBrotherMoon @noisetrade #rock #indie

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For Fans of :    Switchfoot, Two Door Cinema Club, House Of Heroes

1 Song

Overall Thoughts:

An awesome semi-hard rock feel.. but quite a good tempo.. cool and right on vocals... good carefree message.. 

Recording Thoughts:

Very Good ... Professional

take a listen ... get a download.. and TIP!!! 

@TheBrotherMoon on twitter 

Noisetrade

http://www.noisetrade.com/thebrothermoon/dance 

Blog

http://thebrothermoon.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheBrotherMoonMusic

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Sean O'Brien - Standing On The Rock (Free Music, Review) @SeanOBrien888 @Noisetrade #gospel #rock

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For Fans of :    Lincoln Brewster, Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, Kutless, Jesus Culture

7 Songs

Overall Thoughts:

Almost an 80's rock feel.. but also.. contemporary worship.. I actually kind of like the pace.. and of course the messages of lifting Christ are great though quite common covers and themes

Recording Thoughts:

Good ... Semi-Professional

take a listen ... get a download.. and TIP!!! 

@SeanOBrien888 on twitter 

Noisetrade

http://www.noisetrade.com/seanobrien/standing-on-the-rock 

Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/user/SeanOBrien888

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/SeanOBrienMusicPage

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3 Days Leave - Rebuild My Heart (Music, Review) @3DaysLeave @Noisetrade #gospel #rock

 

No longer on Noisetrade 

 

For Fans of :    Switchfoot, The Afters, Needtobreathe, Third Day, Abandon

Reveiwed before HERE : http://derkopenedeyes.blogspot.com/2012/09/3-days-leave-sound-of-redemption-free.html 

1 Song

Overall Thoughts:

Very smooth and uplifting beat.. no matter the fall we have.. we can keep our heads up and move on in God's grace! 

Recording Thoughts:

Very Good ... Professional

take a listen ... get a download.. and TIP!!! 

@3DaysLeave on twitter

Noisetrade

http://www.noisetrade.com/3daysleave/rebuild-my-heart 

Website

http://www.3daysleave.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/3daysleave

itunes

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-sound-of-redemption/id499881854

Amazon

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John McCants - Singles Vol. 1 (Free Music, Review) @mccantsmusic @Noisetrade #pop #indie #favorite

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For Fans of :    Mat Kearney, Ryan Tedder, Derek Webb, Josh Garrels

6 Songs

Overall Thoughts:

Sounding like Josh Garrels is exactly right.. awesome vocals.. great acoustic and other instrumentation.. and some funky.. good harmony.. with a taste of rap.. techno.. and pop dance beats... very good sound.. I really enjoyed each song! 

I am adding this to my favorites

Recording Thoughts:

Very Good ... Professional

Stand Outs:

"I'll Stand" - great uplifting song!  Great stuff!

"Soldier On" - another great message.. stick to it... more about a relationship.. but really.. it is a good message.. and he oddly sounds very much like Derek Webb in this one...

"Stars" - very slick rap.. I REALLY liked it! 

take a listen ... get a download.. and TIP!!! 

@mccantsmusic on twitter

Noisetrade

http://www.noisetrade.com/johnmccants/singles---vol-i 

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