Point of Recognition “Refresh, Renew” (2001) Review

A lineup change would completely balance out Point of Recognition for the release of their sophomore record. This time around, they would be on the famed Facedown Records, a Christian hardcore and metal record label that would gain serious notoriety in their respective Inland Empire locale in Southern California. The bands on the label would produce Christian music that you would not hear in any major church, that’s for sure.

“Refresh, Renew” is different than their previous record in that you get a guttural scream, no dual vocals, and a more steady hardcore pace. Less metal, more hardcore, and a firm stance lyrically on the foundations that made the band stand out initially. With a new focus and sound that was more akin to Hatebreed than metalcore, Point of Recognition found themselves creating a standout second record. It was just different enough from the first one and a leap into hardcore sounds.

Through the tracks, you still get a sense of Christendom, which may turn off some fans. However, the steady pacing, heavy riffs, breakdowns, and constant onslaught of hardcore hold their own against others in the genre. Even 21 years later, “Refresh, Renew” still sounds like it could be released today and stay the course with other hardcore bands. The production value is higher here, and the songs are mostly brief, making this a suitable hardcore record to play every now and then.

Brother Ali “Shadows on the Sun” (2003) Review

I always have a hard time reviewing hip-hop records, because there’s so much to them. You have the beats, the words, and a lot of scribbling into the void, and hope for someone to hear. That’s where I find myself in trying to review “Shadows on the Sun”. I find myself scribbling and trying to figure out how to paint a picture with a confident prowess, and yet, I fail. Brother Ali is one of those artists who receives a lot of acclaim, yet many people haven’t heard of him or his work. This blog probably won’t change that, but at least it can shine light on “Shadows on the Sun”.

“Shadows on the Sun” is the second studio album from Brother Ali, and with it, he presents a wealth of lyrical elements that are urgent, important, and speak volumes to the artist. It’s not just another hip hop record, mind you; it’s got a lot of different samples, moments of bliss, and can be bass-heavy at times. There’s a certain bravado to it, mind you, as a lot of rappers, but there’s also a conscious focus at times, similar to that of Talib Kweli.

“Shadows on the Sun” features 18 songs of what can only be stated as conscious hip hop. Brother Ali presents a diverse range of perspectives on life, without being preachy, which makes the record all the more urgent and critical. It’s a standout hip-hop record with over an hour of music to keep you engaged.

Favorite tracks: “Room With a View”, “Champion”, “Win Some Lose Some”

Frankenstein (2025) Review

Guillermo Del Toro helping actor with performance for Frankenstein

At this point, Frankenstein has been talked about to death. It’s much like Dracula, done to death. However, we now have a new version of it on Netflix, and I wanted to take a look. This review is more of an exercise in writing, as I won’t simply say it’s good or bad; instead, I’ll try to think a little more about it.

First and foremost, Frankenstein doesn’t focus on a monster story in the traditional horror sense. Often, we get the notion that science has gone wrong, but that’s not what we get regarding this movie. Instead, we are presented with the idea of father and son, a battle between creation and the creator, told through two narratives. There’s a sense of abandonment, identity, and the director doesn’t make the creation a “monster” that has no depth. The novel does this well, making you figure out who the real monster is and whether the creation is not to blame, but rather a more personal effect to be discovered.

You cannot go through the movie without applauding the set design. I loved the costumes and the visual elements, all of which help bring the story beyond the pages of the book or the screen, for that matter. Del Toro lavishly works through a tactile visual design flow, bringing Gothic horror to a new level. There is a great deal of attention paid to the gore, to the creation, the science, and the medical elements as well. There are emotional wounds that are visually represented, and perhaps that is scarier than the story alone.

One thing that I wanted to emphasize, and something I saw immediately, is that this is not a traditional horror movie. In fact, Del Toro himself said that Frankenstein is not a horror movie. It’s not going to get you to that place; although it can be horrific at times, it is not played out that way. I agree with that, it didn’t hit me with the horror mallet. Instead, it hit me with a dramatic focus on emotional drama that happens to have elements of Gothic storytelling and horror. The pivot is interesting because audiences are probably expecting something familiar, but instead, we get a saturated drama that focuses on human emotion more than the traditional notion of horror. The drama prompts you to think about monsters in a different light, and rather than fearing them, we strive to understand them. That depth makes this an outstanding film that is worth watching.

Haven’t read the book? What are you waiting for? Buy “Frankenstein” here, then watch the movie on Netflix.

Pigeon John “And The Summertime Pool Party” (2006) Review

Pigeon John and the Summertime Pool Party CD Cover

2006 was an interesting year for me; I was living in Los Angeles and was in college. The Art Institute isn’t there anymore, but I’m glad that I went to college and even got a master’s, and along the way I’ve had many different soundtracks to push through, including Pigeon John’s fourth record, “And The Summertime Pool Party”. Released in 2006, the MC would solidify himself as a positive rapper with a lot of swagger, melody, and much more.

The record, like many hip-hop records, deserves more than just a skip to the prominent tracks. Pigeon John assembles a record that is not only cohesive but also hilarious at times, serious at others, and a slice of life that truly showcases the MC’s prowess. From the opening track, “Welcome To The Show”, to the last song, “Growin’ Old”, the record features a diverse range of music and melody that, while remaining true to hip hop with its rhymes, also filters through something else. There’s just a lot to dissect here, and it’s a fun summertime type of record, hence the name “And The Summertime Pool Party”.

Released in 2006, Pigeon John toured for the record, and I got to catch him in Seattle at a sold-out show with the likes of Ohmega Watts. This record is just fun; it features many standout tracks and flows exceptionally well. John’s lyrics range from personal struggles to storytelling about random things, and, of course, bravado, like any other lyricist. It’s positive, and that’s something that holds up well even after all of these years.

Favorite tracks: “Do The Pigeon”, “Freaks! Freaks!”, “I Lost My Job Again”

Saves The Day “Through Being Cool” (1999) Review

The year was 1999, and while I was still trying to figure out and navigate high school, the band Saves the Day put out what could be one of the more essential records in the history of emo, pop punk, or whatever you’re going to want to classify this record as. Once again, I’m going to turn to the definition that was placed in Rolling Stone Magazine, which cited “Through Being Cool” as being a pop punk record, one of their top ones at that.

The second record from Saves The Day would show them slowing down, even though their first record said they couldn’t. Instead of a melodic hardcore punk sound, the band opted for something a bit more pop-influenced, and it worked. “Through Being Cool” features song after song of catchy tunes that mesh well together. The record just fits, and it comes together in 12 songs, 33 minutes, and is somewhat magical the way it works out. I’m not just waxing poetic about the record; it really is one of those records that you couldn’t help but listen to on multiple occasions. “Through Being Cool” is a melodic, rocking pop punk track that holds up very well. The record appears on numerous top 10 lists and top 50 lists if you delve deeper into the genre. I, for one, love “Through Being Cool” and recommend it heavily as part of your music collection, if you don’t already have it. I’m preaching to the choir, I’m sure.