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Soon there will be another installment in the storied Final Fantasy series. Final Fantasy XIII will be here early next year and people have been anticipating it since the release of Final Fantasy XII. It will be the first in the numbered series to release on the PS3 and to some peoples dismay, it will release on the Xbox 360 for the first time. Until then, there is a re-release of the Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children on Blu-ray.

This special edition Blu-ray, released in Japan, will include a demo for FFXIII game. It is a full hour of game play, but does not give away much of the storyline. Just enough to keep people excited.

Screen shots have leaked out into the Internet and they look exceptional, making the wait even more unbreakable. The one disappointing fact to this demo is that it is only available in Japan. Fans from other parts of the world must continue to wait for a demo and game release.

While you what, if you have not seen the Final Fantasy VII movie, now is the time. If you have already seen it, you can now enjoy it even more with it’s re-release on Blu-ray. They have put in many extras, including concept and behind the scenes. You can even enjoy a making of the scenes which goes into the art and music of the movie and the game series.

The movie, continues the story of Cloud and other Final Fantasy VII characters. It creates a new chapter to the story, this time through all cut scenes and exceptional animation. Cloud and friends are challenged by a new form of evil and must overcome large odds to save the day. It is definitely a movie to have in any Final Fantasy fan collection.

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Since the original Game Boy system was released, so many years ago, many things have changes with handheld gaming systems. The most popular handheld console has long been the Nintendo DS, among children and those who prefer Nintendo over its primary competitor, Sony PSP. With the many new features of the latest version of the DS, Nintendo DSi, fans are sure to be excited.

Like previous DS versions, DSi features the same durable shell and interior dual screens, that fans have come to depend on and love. The plastic shell helps protect the system from abuse and the dual screens allow for greater game play flexibility and many options.

There are a vast amount of new features as well, the first being wireless capabilities. This is important, as they try to stay ahead of their competitors, the Sony PSP, who has been already offering this feature. With the new DSi you can not connect to the Internet fro many WiFi “hot spot”.

While the DSi features two screens - one of them a touchscreen - like earlier versions, the ones on this device are larger, allowing for clearer and more engaging graphics. It also facilitates another one of the biggest changes in this new console - it has two separate cameras for users to enjoy. One is located on the hinge and faces the user; the other is on the outer shell. The DSi can be used to take pictures which can then be stored on SD cards which can be inserted in the convenient slots located on the back.

Like the Nintendo Wii, DSi users can log on to a “DS Shop” through their DSi to purchase games and other items using “Nintendo Points”. This way, players can install updates to existing games, purchase entirely new ones, or try out different kinds of applications by simply logging on to the store. This is a feature that is sure to please long time DS fans, many of whom have been eagerly awaiting this kind of ability. With the DSi, Nintendo now offers one of the most robust handheld gaming systems in the world.

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With gorgeous ballads such as Maps and fun freak outs like Date With the Night, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have always left us wanting more. And that has always been exactly the problem. With all that passion and fiery intensity wrapped up in these three musicians, past albums Fever to Tell and Show Your Bones have always had a couple of amazing songs, but yet been otherwise disappointing.

It’s Blitz, has shown the YYYs in a new light. Instead of the edgy punk style they portrayed in the past, their sound is now clearer and delicate. It includes a mix of synthesized tracks and ballads. Karen O fans will not be disappointed as her incredible energy and dynamic psyche shines through in every song.

Its Blitz shows the true talent of YYY composer Nick Zinner as well. While the album has already received comparisons to albums by every band from the BeeGees to Blondie to Radiohead, Zinner produces what is truly a unique sound. And while Its Blitz’s soundscape could have easily become too sonically dense and emotionless, Karen O works overtime to provide a stellar performance, adding all kinds of soul and depth to each song. If you heard the track Runaway somewhere, you probably would never know it was the Yeah Yeah Yeahs if it wasn’t for Karen O’s distinctive vocals. This slow moving ballad starts out with a pretty melody on the piano, which continues throughout the song.

Immediately following ‘Runaway’ is a track entitled, Dragon Queen, It’s an upbeat pop sound perfect for the dance club scene. Although the new dance beats have taken YYY fans by surprise, they are inclined to agree with Karen O, when she stated “How are you not going to get high, high?”, by the catchy Dragon Queen beat.

As also with YYY, ‘Its Blitz’ gained it’s beauty with the tiny details that are in each song. Fans are impressed by YYYs chilled out version of themselves, while still maintaining the energy and uniqueness that have made them famous.

Singer and composer Natasha Khan of Bat for Lashes has been compared to many other volatile femme fatales including Tori Amos, Bjork, PJ Harvey and Kate Bush. And Khan’s songwriting style definitely fits into in the same genre as these other female artists. However, just like each of them, Khan has a style and dynamism that are totally unique to her.

Khan’s album talks of the age of knights, dragons, and unicorns. In interviews, Natasha explains, she can see the inspiration for her songs in in her mind. Whether her inspiration comes from a childhood filled with the Labyrinth, books about faeries we do not know.

The inspiration for her first album, Fur and Gold, came from a dream about Joan of Arc, inspiring her to begin work on her first album. It was during a time in her life where she worked at a nursery school and was unable to pay bills. After the first album, Natasha had some personal experiences that she wanted to write about, and did so under the name Pearl, her alternate personality. Pearl is a blonde, self-centered bombshell, and a subject of many songs on Two Suns. Natasha states that she would sometimes dress up as Pearl, go to a bar, and get drunk, which helped her understand her feelings about things she was going through.

So when you listen to Natasha’s volatile style of singing, understanding her background makes the music less of a surprise. Bat for Lashes utilizes unusual instruments such as bells, violas, and harpsichords, and fuses them with synthesized. Many of the songs are hauntingly beautiful.

The outstanding vocals and soundscapes, of Two Suns, makes it easy to forget that the lyrics are about knights, and emerald cities. Bat for Lashes fans will truly be impressed at the new level of artistic ability that Two Suns brings forth.

Bob Dylan continues to prove that he is still a force with in the music world. Together Through Life consists of ten tracks from blues to soul. Each song features his unique style and one of a kind voice.

Since 2006’s Modern Times, this is Dylan’s first release, and it was worth the wait for many fans. From the first track, to the last Dylan exhibits why he remains one of the most powerful artists today.

Together Through Life differs from previous Dylan releases in that it seems like the CD was quickly put together. This was Dylan’s intention as he wanted a live music sound. Otherwise, it is familiar territory, for fans.

Much of the album follows classic blues and soul numbers, the oldest influence being “Forgetful Heart”, which is inspired by a 1679 opus called “A Treatise of the Fear of God”. His other inspiration from the oldest book around; The Bible and its Old Testament.

Whether you are a longtime Bob Dylan fan, or are just rediscovering him in his golden years, Together Through Life is a worthwhile CD to listen to. It has enough variety and presence to please even the most discerning music fan, and people who just want to hear a master do his thing will be well served by checking this effort out. Bob Dylan is a true living legend, and he continues to deliver after all these years.

Fallout 3, by the makers of Elder Scrolls has become the blockbuster game that was expected. But why has it gotten so much attention and is it as good as the hype would have you to believe? Well, that all depends on what kind of games you like to play.

If you are one who enjoys RPGs and adventure games with lots of open world choices and wandering around, then this is the right game choice for you. It also a lot of action and consequences for the choices that you are forced to make.

The level of detail is on par with the Elder Scrolls Oblivion games and expansion packs. The thing about this game as compared to Oblivion is that this one has a story that more people can get behind. While the game play and graphics of the Oblivion games were awesome, the story left something to be desired and alienated some players because some players need a story to keep them engaged. I am of that kind of player and get bored if I cant stay in the story and get behind it. If the story is bland, then the action of game play better be top notch and stellar, otherwise I will get bored with the game very quickly.

The Oblivion game had just enough to keep me going, but it wasn’t overly engaging and was a bit of a disappointment in that area. Luckily, Fallout has fixed that problem and improved in my opinion in all of the other categories, from leveling up to game progression. There are so many hidden areas and hidden places to find with a ton of side quests to take, this game will have you playing for weeks and weeks.

Fallout 3 is the best in the series with it’s new direction. The only downfall to the game is the clunky target system and the all to similar landscapes. However, these are minor in comparison to the total game play experience.

The Orange Box includes some of the greatest FPS games of all times. Half-Life 2, Portal, Half-Life: Episode one and two, and Team Fortress 2. With so much on this disc it is a steal of a buy.

Half-Life 2, one of the best FPS games of all time, continues it’s success and storyline with Episode 1 and 2. The newest game, Portal, has a unique story and game process that is mind boggling and fun. It has be receiving great reviews and has made on many game of the year lists.

Team Fortress, a multi player game, is a basic one, however it has unique weapons and great action. Portal, one of my favorites, and It caught me by surprise. Normally when purchasing a compilation disc, you can expect never to play , at least, one game. With The Orange Back, I can guarantee every game will be utilized.

Currently the game has a low price attached to it, making it the perfect time to add it to your collection. It is better then most games out there, and is a fun way to spend some free time.

No more excuses, for twenty dollars it is the best game your money can buy. The best part is the multi player game can be played online, or split screen with a friend, giving it an old school feel.

With his sixth and latest release, Relapse, rapper Eminem attempts to prove himself relevant so many years after his last album. Indeed, that was back in 2004, with Encore; a lot has changed in the world of rap music since then, and with this ambitious new CD, Eminem is working hard to show why he still matters to his fans.

Once again, Eminem has teamed up with Dr. Dre to produce many of the album’s twenty tracks. While a couple of songs, “Tonya” and “Paul”, are short skits, the rest return to Eminem’s roots, combining a little new with a lot of old.

There has been much speculation regarding when, or if, ‘Relapse’ would be released. Luckily, for fans, it has, and it lives up to, if not surpasses, the standards they have come to expect. This album can even turn his biggest skeptics in fans.

Like most of his albums, ‘Relapse’, opens with a theatrical, and hilarious, scene. From there, we hear “3am”, a track depicting the thoughts of a prescription pill abusing psychopath. Eminem’s controversy factor, continues through this album, and fans will be excited that he maintain that focal point in this album.

During the progression of the album, Eminem continues with many cringing lyrics and funny innuendo. As always he berates him mother in a track entitled “My Mom”. This is is most confrontational album to date, and that is saying a lot for Eminem.

Whether you are a die hard Eminem fan, or if you are simply curious about what all the fuss is about, Relapse is a spectacular way to hear the artist at his finest. Those who thought that Eminem had no more tricks up his sleeve are proven dead wrong thanks to this ambitious, perfectly produced album.

21st Century Breakdown, Green Days eighth album, is scheduled for a worldwide release on May 15, 2009. This album was the first, of eight, to be prodiced by Garbage band member Butch Vig.

In an interview with Kerrang!, Billie Joe Armstrong, the lead singer, mentions that 21st Century Breakdown takes more of a religious turn then their previous albums. Armstrong also stated that they were influenced by legends such as The Beatles, Queen, The Who, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, The Clash, and Bruce Springsteen. The new CD, which is more power rock then punk rock, reflect on the past three years and creates melodies with bold statements. The American Idiot, rock opera style, is continued with this new album, as the lyrics are political with anti-war statements incorporated.

21st Century Breakdown is consists of three acts: Heroes and Cons, Charlatans and Saints, and Horseshoes and Handgrenades. It tells the story of a young couple, Christian and Gloria, and the challenges, of the 21st century, that they have faced during the reign of the 43rd president.

Know Your Enemy, the first single of the album, was previewed for ninety seconds at the beginning of the 2009 NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament Championship game. It was the released, worldwide, on April 16, 2009.

Other songs on 21st Century Breakdown include: Song of the Century, “Viva la Gloria!, 21st Century Breakdown, “Before the Lobotomy, Last Night on Earth, “Christian’s Inferno, Peacemaker, East Jesus Nowhere, Murder City, Last of the American Girls, “”Viva La Gloria? (Little Girl)”, Horseshoes and Handgrenades, Restless Heart Syndrome, The Static Age, See the Light, American Eulogy, and 21 Guns. Billie Joe Armstrong wrote all of the songs.

Many of the songs can be heard on Green Days official website. Seven of the new songs from the new CD will be played on many radio stations across the US from May 4 to May 14, 2009. Spin Magazine stated the title song; 21st Century Breakdown is Green Days most epic track. The new album was also praised by The Observer Music Monthly who rated it four out of five stars and stated that it could be compared to Bruce Springsteens albums.

Green Day is a California-based punk band that has been around since 1987. In 1994 their release “Dookie” made their sound known to all. Green Day soon became very popular with there punk background and unique looks and sound. It was long before they were mainstreamed into radio rotation, with keeping their punk undertones but adopting a more listener friendly sound.

“21st Century Breakdown” is scheduled for a May 15th release, the bands first since 2004. Billie Joe, Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt return with a new approach to their previous seven albums. “21st Century Breakdown” is a three-part musical about the lives of a couple of young kids who are trying to make the best of what was put forth during the 21st century.

The album’s focus is political in nature, with references to the George W. Bush, religion, and anti-war ideals. All being criticized in their own way.

“Even more ambitious than American Idiot” is what Rolling Stone is saying about “21st Century Breakdown”. Green Day has chosen to move farther away from straight punk and more towards a radio-friendly, rock sound. This new sound reminds one of bands like NOFX and Good Charlotte, who also went form a punk sound to politics and religion messages.

Butch Vig is producing Green Day’s new release. He has also produced for bands such as Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins, which shows that they are moving in a new direction then their previous albums. “21st Century Breakdown” is sure to be a winner for Green Day fans.