Star Wars Legacy

I suppose that most of you aren't familiar with all those expanded universe things - books/comic books/games and other stuff from Star Wars merchendise which was released after the movies and creates the whole new ammount of content. The adventures of secondary characters and history of the galaxy far, far away are just the tip of the iceberg. Many of the titles actually have better plot than I-III movies! (not that I'm a hater, they weren't THAT bad). My post today is about, what I am convienced, the best Star Wars besides the movies, the Legacy series.

Star Wars Legacy is a comic book series, which started a new era in expanded universe. It takes place 130 years after episode IV: A New Hope, and is totally different from any Star Wars before. The galaxy is not as it used to be. Sith are rising again. But not like it was in the movies: Darth Sidious-Darth Maul, Darth Sidious-Darth Vader, etc. The rule of two is outdated. Now it's One Sith. One Order. Which means? Shitloads of red lightsaber blades united under one Emperor.

Darth Krayt, responsible for the rebirth of Sith, usurps the throne of Galactic Empire (which emerged after the one known in movies, leaded by the military, not force-weilders) and attacks The Jedi Order. Jedi Knights, not prepared, are slaughtered, some of them flee and become hidden for a long years. One of the younglings, after witnessing the death of his father, becomes a member of the Bounty Hunters Guild, and starts his new life with the company of pirates. Who is this one? A descendant of Luke Skywalker, Cade.

That's just the beginning, but I don't want to get too far, as the plot is really good. The writers did much better work than Lucas while writing the prequels, the characters are deeper than usual in Star Wars. Finally, there is a protagonist which is not dragged by any particular side of the Force - Cade is sliding on the edge of Light and Darkness, which makes him one of the most interesting lightsaber-weilders ever. Talking about the sides, did I mention completely new order of knights, neutral in Force, the Imperial Knights? Serving Roan Fel, the real, dethroned Emperor.

Star Wars Legacy was something new. The main story of comic books has already been finished, but there's probably more to come. I hope so. It's fresh, it's intriguing and was greeted very well by fans. I really recommend it, it becomes addicting, I've spent long hours reading non-stop. It takes places after yuuzhan vong war, you don't have to read it, few articles on Wookiepedia and you can hop right into the new amazing world of Star Wars.

I would love to see a full SW movie set in these times, but to be realistic, it won't probably happen, as Lucas restricted making any new movies even after his death. The new universe has a huge potential, it would be shame to not use it more than in one comic book series. They could make a Legacy game instead of releasing those crappy Force Unleashed ones.

Start reading, and join me in waiting for more stories from the future of Star Wars.

Cheers!

Uke!: An art of interpretation

Ukulele is a simple instrument, but it has got a soul that speaks to many brave musicians. Opposed to the size and notes limitation s (as you can't get a lower sound than C4) they try their best to rearrange pretty complicated songs with accuracy and passion to make them sound good. These three are my favourite covers done on ukulele:

The Legend of Zelda Medley

Yeah, I know, the quality sucks, but this one is just a little genius. He managed to play our beloved theme with such a passion. It's got the softness of good uke sound, yet it doesn't lack obligatory Legend of Zelda epicness. Also his skill is unbelievable.

Hoppipola (Sigur Rós)

This is huge. Dude in this video makes wonderful work by making free tabs and lessons online, yup, you can actually play this just like him with a little training. His site is ukulelehunt.com. This cover is amazing. It shows that uke can be used not only to play cheerful, happy songs, you can really get some moving tones from this little box!

Lullaby (The Cure)

Play by Entertainment for the Braindead, a one-girl project. I consider making another post about her, she releases her music for free, and is a very tallented musician. Ukulele is not the only instrument in this video, she uses guitar and sampler too, but in my opinion, the most beautiful thing is her voice. So calming, yet the song's lyrics aren't very positive.

So, do you like these ones? Or maybe you have some other favourite ukulele covers? Discuss :).

Boys Don't 109

Hello there.

Another musical finding of Tenment! I've been digging this artist for a while though, but I haven't really heard all of his stuff, he is very productive, has shitloads of demos, EPs, and still releasing new. Who I am talking about? Toro y Moi of course! 

Nothing new, Pitchfork (hipsters) has been fapping to his music since 2010, he's playing on most of the major alternative music festivals in the world, but most of listeners don't go any deep into his earlier stuff, and in my opinion, that's where you can find the best of his songs. Todays choice - '109'. Very lo-fi, very pleasant, little surf-like vibe, sounds like it was recorded on a tape, huh?

And why the title?

Because it sounds very similar to another delightful song which is following me recently. Chord progressions seems to be identical, maybe it's the voice - neither Toro y Moi nor Robert Smith has huge singing potential.

Judge, 'Boys Don't Cry':

Rip-off? Inspiration? Coincidence?

Doesn't matter, both of the songs are kick-ass.

Jetpack Blues Sunset Hues

What's up!
Another, not necessarily normal music thing. I've been playing my Nintendo DS really hard recently and it woke up the mood for 8bit awesomeness. 'Jetpack Blues Sunset Hues' is a song by a band called Anamanaguchi, very bright mixture of 8bit and happy punkish guitar. Three minutes of pure, colourful joy, Nyan cats vomiting all over the place, take your sword and go on an adventure! Oh, it would perfectly fit Adventure Time soundtrack.

Prepare for a digital awesomeness raping your ears:

Movie Reviews: Into the Wild

It's been a while since I've posted last review, so here it comes. Latest ukulele posts lead me to Eddie Vedder, an author of soundtrack to this movie. I gave it a listen and it immediately made me want to watch it again. Totally worth it.

'Into the Wild' is a movie based on a biographical book about Chris McCandless, fellow who left all of his previous life behind him and began his big journey to the Alaska. It's quite unbelievable that the story is in the matter of fact real, life of Chris was so fascinating. So, who he was? Young, recently graduated student, in a perfect physical shape, with great perspectives on the future, but there was something that made him different from others. Passion in looking for a meaning of life, a huge admiration of living in the pure nature, unwillingness to become a regular part of society of egoists and conformists. Add bad relationship with family (except his younger sister) and you have a full reasoning of his decision.

His first step was to abbadon his possesions. He gave his money to the charity, left his car on a desert, burned his money and id. He took up a new name: Alex. Alex Supertramp. He began to hitchhike, worked on an ocassion and met many interesting people on his way.

Those people was the real treasure of his journey, they shaped him in some way. Wheter it was a couple of hippies, which befriended him, farm owner, who gave him a job or an old veteran without a family, who treated him as his own son, Chris got on well with them, opposed to his earlier relations with people. He was very passionate about his goals. All of the people he met tried to help him realise how crazy it was, but he was stubborn. Chris enriched them in some way, even changed a life of a few of them.

After few years of just travelling he managed to settle in deep forest of Alaska. He found an old bus, which served him as a new home. Chris finally felt alive. He was alone with the nature, living on his own, his life was depending only on his will to survive. He spent whole days just reading his favourite books, hunting for food or just meditating in the wild. It was all he ever wanted.

 

And here comes the tragedy. Chris wasn't prepared properly. He ignored the fact that the nature is changing, and when he finally wanted to come back, he had no way to escape, the river cut the road he came from. With reduced food nations, he was sentenced to starvation. He died after eating poisonous berries, alone.

The picture is really moving. The main actor played his role flawlessly, he really put much work to resemble real life Chris. The soundtrack is a thing which makes the impression even stronger, it's obvious that Vedder was fascinated by the story.

The movie is really thought-provoking and controversial. Some people say that Chris was an idiot, he tried to survive in the wild without any training, with too little food and necessary equipment. Some say that he was a loser, he couldn't fix his relationship with the family and people in genreal, so he ran away, not facing the real problems. It's hard to not agree with such opinions, but a part of me still admires Chris and his actions. He was really brave to follow his dreams, of course he could do it without hurting others, but he is still an impressive person, and more important, inspiring person. Every time I see the movie I immediately want to leave all of the unimportant worries of everyday life and go on a journey full of adventures. Not necessarily on Alaska to live without others, but I feel that sooner or later it will happen, just because I'm young, stupid and as naive as Chris was :).