Tuesday, March 3, 2009

First Impressions of "No Line on the Horizon" U2 Album

Here are my initial impressions of the "No Line on the Horizon" album released today by U2. Before reading the impressions, it is important to note that I typically prefer music that is mellow/dark/eerie, features impressive instrumentals (not just left to the background), and has vocals that are not "over the top."

Examples of my favorite U2 songs from past albums are: New Year's Day, One, With or Without You, and Kite. I should also note that it typically takes me four or five listens to a new U2 album before my opinions are finalized and my favorite songs are clear to me.

1. No Line on the Horizon (7 out of 10) - Has a great backbeat and has the potential to be an addictive listen.
2. Magnificent (8 out of 10) - A darker tune. Enjoyed the soft to loud build-up. Could develop into long-term favorite.
3. Moment of Surrender (9 out of 10) - A dark and mellow song with intriguing vocals. Great harmony in the chorus. Impressive guitar-play late in the song. An early favorite off of the album.
4. Unknown Caller (6 out of 10) - Irritating vocals. Difficult to pinpoint exact source of dislike.
5. I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight (6 out of 10) - Vocals unappealing. Guitar-play strong, but overshadowed by vocals.
6. Get On Your Boots (6 out of 10) - Did not care for this song the first few times I heard it. Still feel that way. Fast and upbeat tune with a different sound and feel that I do not identify with U2.
7. Stand Up Comedy (7 out of 10) - Similar in tempo and mood to "Get On Your Boots" with a less campy feel.
8. Fez - Being Born (9 out of 10) - Eerie and haunting. Features an excellent backbeat. Strong chance that this song will be a long-term favorite.
9. White As Snow (8 out of 10) - Quiet. Reminds me of Bruce Springsteen ballads such as "Sinaloa Cowboys." Intriguing rise new end.
10. Breathe (7 out of 10) - Fits into a strange place between mellow and upbeat. Nice use of harmony.
11. Cedars of Lebanon (7 out of 10) - Disappointing finish to the album. Quiet, but not particularly memorable.

Overall average: 7.3 out of 10

"No Line on the Horizon" is a very "listenable" album. The quality of songs increases from songs 1 to 3 before dipping through songs 4 through 6. The album rebounds strongly with "Fez - Being Born" and "White As Snow" before a disappointing finish with "Breathe" and "Cedars of Lebanon."

I welcome your comments.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Kindle 2 Unboxing Photos

Here are a few photos on Flickr from the unboxing of my new Amazon Kindle 2. After I've used the device for a few days I'll have some initial impressions to report.

http://bit.ly/IfooO

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Not So Patiently Waiting

For the Amazon Kindle 2 (link). First impressions later...

Saturday, January 10, 2009

College Football Playoffs (Championship)

As in reality, the #1 Oklahoma Sooners met the #2 Florida Gators for the national championship on neutral ground in Dolphins Stadium in Miami, FL. However, in our simulation, this match-up was the product of a 16-team college football playoff. Oklahoma received the opening kickoff and immediately drove into Florida territory. However, the Sooners were unable to capitalize from 1st and Goal from the 7-yard line and were forced to kick a 21-yard field goal for the early 3-0 lead. Both teams then swapped punts after three-and-outs. After beginning their possession at midfield, the Gators were finally able to drive down to the Sooners 16 before connecting on a 33-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3. This score held through the end of the 1st Quarter with both teams again trading punts. Oklahoma then strung together a 47-yard drive that resulted in a 34-yard field goal and a 6-3 lead. Both defenses then held and forced punts. Florida then relied on special teams, with a punt return to the Oklahoma 23 given the Gators excellent field position. Four plays later, Percy Harvin ran in from 6-yards to give Florida its first lead at 10-6. Oklahoma responded with a 46-yard drive that resulted in a 49-yard field goal to close the gap to 10-9 at the half. In the 3rd Quarter, Oklahoma held the Gators on their first possession and then drove to the Florida 13 before booting a 30-yard field goal to regain the lead at 12-10. The Gators took little time responding with a three play drive capped off by a 57-yard touchdown run by Jeffery Demps to go ahead 17-12. The next three possessions featured stiff defense and resulted in punts as the 3rd Quarter came to a close. The Gators opened the scoring in the final period with 10:57 to play as Demps ran in from 10-yards to give Florida a 24-12 lead. With desperation setting in for the Sooners, Oklahoma responded with their first touchdown drive of the game. Ryan Broyles scored from 38-yards on a reception from Sam Bradford to close to within five at 24-19. With a chance to potentially seal the victory, the Gators again scored quickly. Demps took a draw from Tebow and galloped 50-yards to score to give the Gators a 31-19 lead with 5:30 to play. With little choice but to score quickly, the Sooners began their drive at their own 35. The Oklahoma drive came a screeching halt at the Gators 18 yard line as the Florida faithful could sense a championship at hand. In a final blow, Percy Harvin evaded the Oklahoma defense and sprinted 68-yards for a Gators touchdown to extend the lead to 38-19. The Sooners final drive ended with a turnover on downs in Florida territory. Tim Tebow took a knee to seal the Gators second national title in three years and to extend the SEC's championship streak to three years.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

College Football Playoffs (SemifinalRound)

#1 Oklahoma vs. #4 Alabama

Traditional football power met in Norman, OK in the first semifinal match-up. Alabama stunned the Sooners crowd by breaking free for a 42-yard touchdown run just two minutes into the game. Alabama kicker Leigh Tiffin missed the extra point for a 6-0 Alabama lead. After Oklahoma's first drive stalled, Tiffin would redeem himself with a 23-yard field goal with 6:25 left in the quarter to give Alabama a 9-0 lead. After trading punts, Oklahoma's Jimmy Stevens blasted a 50-yard field goal through the uprights narrowing the lead to 9-3 at the end of the first quarter. The Tide missed several chances to add to their lead early in the second quarter including a Tiffin miss from 45-yards. Alabama finally scored again late in the quarter on 32-yard pass from John Parker Wilson to Mike McCoy to give the Crimson Tide a 16-3 lead and send a wave of concern through the Oklahoma crowd. The Sooners methodically drove the ball down the field after the Alabama TD and booted a 34-yard field goal through with 37 seconds left in the 1st Half. Wilson and Julio Jones were not content to take the 16-6 lead into the half and connected on two passes totaling 45-yards to put Leigh Tiffin in range to make a 43-yard field goal as time expired in the half to send Alabama to locker room leading 19-6. The second half would prove to be a stark contrast to the first two quarters. Oklahoma opened the 3rd Quarter with a 69-yard touchdown drive, capped by an 8-yard run by Chris Brown to make the score 19-13. Late in the quarter, Brown with break away on a 55-yard run that eventually set-up a Stevens 36-yard field goal to narrow the Alabama lead to 19-16. Both teams stalled on offense on their next possessions as the game rolled into the 4th Quarter. The Sooners forced an Alabama punt and then drove just over 80-yards in four minutes to take their first lead of the game on a DeMarco Murray 16-yard touchdown reception. Alabama began their next drive down 23-19 with just over six minutes remaining. The Crimson Tide was unable to mount a successful drive and punted the ball back to Oklahoma with just under four minutes remaining. The Sooners methodically drove the ball into Alabama territory, forcing the Crimson Tide to expend all three of its timeouts, before booting a 33-yard field goal to take a 26-19 lead with 54 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, Wilson was sacked for a five yard loss and forced to spike the ball on second down to stop the clock. On third down, Wilson was chased from the pocket and ran out of bounds for no gain. A last gasp effort on 4th and 15 fell short as Wilson's deep ball was broken up by the Sooners defense. Sam Bradford took a knee for Oklahoma sending them to the national championship game with 26-19 win over the Crimson Tide.

#2 Florida vs. #3 Texas

Gainesville, Florida provided the setting for the second semifinal match-up. The two high-powered offenses failed to dazzle in the first quarter, with the only real scoring opportunity coming from a 45-yard field goal attempt that was missed by Florida's Jonathan Phillips. The Longhorns finally broke the scoring drought early in the 2nd Quarter after their drive stalled and Hunter Lawrence drilled a 42-yard field goal. Florida then took over seven minutes to finally score as Phillips narrowly made a 34-yard field goal. The score remaining knotted at 3-3 as the teams went into the half. The 3rd Quarter would provide more scoring for both teams. After the opening kickoff return of the 2nd Half gave Texas the ball at their own 43, the Longhorns quickly drove into Florida territory and scored on an 18-yard Foswhitt Whittaker touchdown run to take a 10-3 lead. The Gators responded with a 47-yard drive capped off by a 36-yard Phillips field goal to close to 10-6. Brandon Spikes then intercepted Colt McCoy. Florida immediately took a deep shot down the field that paid off with a 56-yard touchdown grab by Riley Cooper to take a 13-10 lead. Both teams traded punts and time in the third quarter expired. Early in the fourth, Texas' Hunter Lawrence missed a chance to tie with a field goal attempt from 42-yards. Florida responded to the miss with another quick score, again by Cooper with a 66-yard touchdown reception to stretch the lead to 20-10. Lawrence would miss again for Texas from 47-yards with just over nine minutes remaining. After a Florida punt, Lawrence would finally redeem himself by connecting from 39-yards to bring Texas within to within seven at 20-13. The Longhorns then forced the Gators to go three and out, giving the ball back to Texas on their own 36 with just over three minutes to play. The Longhorns were able to pick their way to the Florida 41-yard line before a holding call pushed them back to their own 49 and set-up a 2nd and 21. An incomplete pass and a sack forced Texas to go for it on 4th and 26 at their own 44. McCoy was flushed from the pocket and forced to scramble, only to be tackled for no gain, giving the ball back to the Gators with 59 seconds remaining. Florida's Emmanuel Moody broke free for 17 yards on the first play of the new drive, sealing the game for the Gators as Tebow took a knee twice. Florida, with the 20-13 win advance to face Oklahoma for the national title.

Monday, January 5, 2009

College Football Playoffs (Quaterfinal Round)

#1 Oklahoma vs. #9 Boise State

After upsetting Penn State on the road, Boise State traveled to Norman, OK and fell in a shootout to the #1 Sooners. Oklahoma jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first six minutes with two Chris Brown touchdown runs (including a 74-yarder). The Broncos fought back and trailed 21-14 at the end of the 1st Quarter. The 2nd Quarter featured more back and forth with Boise pulling to within three at 31-28 with five minutes to go before half. The Sooners responded with a 51-yard touchdown run and after a Boise turnover a field goal to go into the half up 41-28. A Sooner touchdown and Broncos field goal left the score at 48-31 after three periods. Oklahoma added a field goal and Boise scored on the final play of the game for the final score of 51-38. Oklahoma running back Chris Brown was named game MVP after a 287 yard rushing performance including four touchdowns.

#4 Alabama vs. #5 USC

A defensive struggle emerged in Tuscaloosa as the Crimson Tide hosted the Trojans. The teams remained knotted at 0-0 after the first half. Seven minutes into the 3rd Quarter, Alabama's Leigh Tiffin connected from 44 yards to give the Tide a 3-0 lead. The Trojans responded with two quick field goals (33 and 47 yards) to take a 6-3 lead at the end of the 3rd Quarter. Early in the 4th, a Glen Coffee 2-yard plunge gave Alabama a 10-6 lead. Tiffin added a second field goal from 45-yards to close the scoring at 13-6 and send Alabama to the Semifinals at #1 Oklahoma. Coffee's 107 yards rushing and one touchdown gave him the game's MVP award.

#3 Texas vs. #11 Cincinnati

After upsetting #6 Utah in the opening round, the Cincinnati Bearcats traveled to Austin to face the #3 Longhorns. Cincinnati stunned the Texas crowd with an opening touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. The Longhorns took nearly seven minutes to tie the score before the Bearcats connected on a 49-yard field goal to lead 10-7 at the end of the 1st Quarter. Texas responded quickly in the 2nd Quarter, scoring 20 unanswered points before Cincinnati added a field goal just before half to make the score 27-13. Two Texas touchdowns early in the 3rd Quarter turned the game into a rout at 41-13. Cincinnati closed the gap to 48-26 by the end of the 3rd, but the defense wilted early in the fourth as the Longhorns added two more scores to lead 62-26. The Bearcats closed the scoring with two minutes remaining on a 13-yard touchdown pass. Final score: 62-33. Colt McCoy's 19 of 22 passing day for 347 yards and three touchdowns earned him the game's MVP award.

#2 Florida vs. #10 Ohio State

This rematch of the 2006 National Championship Game looked eerily similar to the game two years earlier. The Buckeyes were dominated by Florida's speed on both sides of the ball and trailed 27-0 near the end of the 1st Half. A Terrelle Pryor hail mary to Brian Hartline at the end of the half gave Ohio State its only points of the half and the Buckeyes trailed 27-7. The Gators did not let off in the 3rd Quarter, adding two quick touchdowns for a 41-7 lead. Ohio State scored a touchdown late in the 3rd to trail 41-14. The Buckeyes were still no match for Florida's second stringers as the Gators poured on 17 unanswered points to close the game and win 58-14. Florida moves on to host #3 Texas in the Semifinal Round.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

College Football Playoffs (First Round, Part 2)

#6 Utah vs. #11 Cincinnati

A back-and-forth game left the Utah Utes fans shocked as the Big East Conference champion Cincinnati Bearcats escaped with a 27-23 upset victory. The teams traded field goals in the first quarter before the Utes scored on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Brian Johnson to Bradon Godfrey. The Bearcats responded with a touchdown drive, but a missed extra point left the score at 10-9. Cincinnati added a 21-yard field goal to take a 12-10 lead into the half. By the end of the third quarter, the score stood at Utah 20-18 after a Utes touchdown and field goal and two Bearcats field goals. After a 28-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter stretched the Utah lead to 23-18, the Bearcats took the lead for good with 1:43 left in the game on a touchdown and missed 2-point conversion (24-23). After a Utes turnover, the Bearcats added a field goal for the final margin of 27-23.

#3 Texas vs. #14 East Carolina

The East Carolina Pirates stunned the Longhorns for one quarter, taking a 10-7 lead into the second period. Texas then reeled off 38 unanswered points to take a 45-10 lead. East Carolina scored a final touchdown late in the fourth quarter for the final 45-17 margin. Texas advances to host Cincinnati in the Quarterfinal Round.

#7 Texas Tech vs. #10 Ohio State

Leading 13-7 after the third quarter, little could have prepared the Texas Tech Red Raiders for what happened next. A 14-yard run by Daniel Herron gave Ohio State a 14-13 lead. After a Texas Tech fumble, a 31- yard Beanie Wells extended the lead to 21-13. The Red Raiders then went three-and-out and another Wells touchdown gave the Buckeyes their third answered touchdown and a 28-13 lead. Ohio State added a late field goal for the 31-13 final score.

#2 Florida vs. #15 Buffalo

The #2 Gators steamrolled to a 30-0 halftime lead over the Mid-American Conference champion. The Bulls scored 13 points in the 3rd Quarter to close the gap to 30-13. The Gators then responded with a 21 point 4th Quarter to claim a 51-16 win. Florida advances to host Ohio State.