“Karmacode” builds on where Lacuna Coil’s 2002 breakout album “Comalies” left off and seems virtually guaranteed to bring the mainstream success they deserve. Metal babe and songstress Christina Scabbia’s vocals compliment Andrea Ferro’s more standard gutteral counterpoint, mixing the Gothic tones of The Gathering or The Mission UK with classic metal theatrics into a heavy yet accessible vision of headbangers bliss. The songwriting never sacrifices melody for volume and even ups the arena-friendly production value to a fine polish.

Lead single “Our Truth” begins with a military snare riff, then brings Christina’s amazing range together with a densely harmonized sing-along chorus. “Karmacode” ably demonstrates why Lacuna Coil are the reigning rulers of Goth Metal.

8/10

See that receipt there on the left?

That’s PAYOLA.

Microsoft and Epic Records to Offer Ongoing Exclusive Entertainment Content on Xbox Live
The online entertainment network features Natasha Bedingfield as first Artist of the Month, and offers music videos and Game with Fame sessions.

REDMOND, Wash., and NEW YORK — March 16, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. and music giant Epic Records today announced an agreement to make available a full year of exclusive artist content and high-definition music video downloads free for all Xbox 360™ gamers. Over the next year, Xbox 360 and Epic Records will showcase 12 up-and-coming artists through the Artist of the Month (AOM) program via the Xbox Live® service, the first and only unified global online entertainment network. Through the alliance, millions of Xbox Live members can enter a monthly sweepstakes with a prize of gaming against some of the hottest musicians through the Xbox Live Game with Fame™ program.

“This program really taps into the passion and excitement that surround both video gaming and music,” said Cory Llewellyn, vice president of Epic Records Digital Marketing and Promotion. “We are excited to bring our strong roster of developing artists together with Xbox Live for a variety of great experiences for consumers.”

Read more about why my friend Cory is so good at his job at microsoft.com.

Thanks to BossBlog, I (and now you) are the proud owner of the new Streets single.

Um…

it….

SUCKS.

Like, hardcore sucks. Like makes me question the first record as a fluke sucks.

Check it out at vice-recordings.com.

Sorry, Adam.

Via the brilliant, and deservedly popular PostSecret.

(for all the HTML geeks in the hizzouse)

Check out the top 2 styles in Microsoft Connect’s CSS file.

[via CSScreator.com]

Woohoo! Animaniacs and Pinky & The Brain on DVD!!

Animaniacs - It’s Official: Date Confirmed, Eps & Extras, 2 Possible Covers For Animaniacs - Vol. 1 !

Pinky and the Brain - Art, Info, & Confirmation of Date…The Pinky & The Brain - Vol. 1 Plot Exposed!

Update: now with trailery goodness!

Jeff Bridges, Ted Danson, and uber-hotness Lauren Graham star in The Moguls, about a small town who bands together in the name of unity to make “an adult film”. Watch the trailer at uip.co.uk.

OK, maybe I just wanted an excuse to put Lauren in a sentence with the phrase “adult film”, but it looks really funny, too.

And really, can you blame me?

[via TheMovieBlog]

You know whats funny? Whenever one of those AIM viruses goes around its always the people you know to be … a little slow on the uptake… who end up IMing you with it.

It’s really like an IQ test.

For anyone who has sent that stuff to me…um… I didn’t mean you.

The Matrix trailer redone with muppets.

Genius.

Credit to these guys

Anyone other than me grow up watching the wacky antics of the cast of Square One TV on PBS?

Well, some enterprising lad has posted his full collection of MathMan videos from that show on YouTube. This clever parody of Pac-Man challenges our intrepid hero to only eat numbers that match certain criteria, or risk being eaten by the tumultuous Mr. Glitch.

Check it out, true believers.

And when you’re done, look at the newgrounds video of why he pissed me off.