Mario the Musical: Bravissimo!!!

Alpha Dog: The New Beast of Burden?

This is a prototype from Boston Dynamics. Meet the 'Alpha Dog'. This four legged, robotic device is pretty amazing considering stuff like it was science fiction just a decade ago. It's called 'Alpha Dog' but perhaps a better name for it would be 'Awesome-sauce robot dog'.

A few things to note in the video: The weights being carried by the dog weigh a total of 400 pounds and this robot can carry that load up to 20 miles (30 kilometers) over the course of 24 hours without having to refuel. Also, when the robot is on the ground it was not do to any mechanical problems. The robot collapses into a "safety frame" because it runs out of room. Lastly note the guys pushing it with all their strength and it doesn't phase it a bit. It stays on it's feet. Now the real test is can I it be ridden? If it can I am going to start saving for one right now.



Now as cool as this robot is, the range of its payload and range has kept it from being a realistically deployed system. It will need to push its current limitations before it will be see as a useful tool for its cost and bother. But those over at Boston Dynamics are encouraged and optimistic that this will eventually be fully realized.

This is an artist rendering of a potential end product that could become the standard for military operations and planetary exploration. I can't wait till the first AT-AT is created. My dream is to see one in every nerd's garage.

Music Highlight: Biffy Clyro

Time for another music highlight, which I haven't done in months. After a friend asked me about the band last night I had another listen to their music and loved it more than when I had first come across them. These guys are Scottish and it shows in some of their vocal melodies. There is just something about this band that makes me want to toss it all to the wind and let life take me where it wants to. Take a listen to a few songs of theirs below.

Biffy Clyro - Bubbles


Biffy Clyro - Many of Horror (When We Collide)


Biffy Clyro - God and Satan

Rhys Darby: One Of My Favorite Comedians

Deion Sanders: He Can Sing Too? Oh, He Can't?

Did you know that one football's legends also moonlighted as an R&B star in the early 90s. He actually made it to #70 on the Top R&B Hip-Hop Albums list. Bad Lip Reading needs to do a cover of this song.

Monkey Gamers: Online Gaming Will Never Be The Same

I guess this proves that even "less-evolved" brains can play video games - this can't say much for those that boast in their thumb skills. Check out this video of a chimp playing a first person shooter (Far Cry 2). Now I love this, highly underrated, first person shooter game series, but now that I see even a monkey can do it I feel a little less compelled to enjoy it.

I don't know what this means for the future of monkeys and/or video games but here is a thought: If monkeys can be trained to shoot virtual guns what's to stop a country from training monkeys to use real guns and forming a monkey military? Should World War III come, it could end up looking a lot like a scene from Planet of the Apes.

Bad Lip Reading: Music Videos

This is both funny and genius. Just watch.



If you didn't catch on I'll just go ahead and say it: This is not the actual song or lyrics that go with the music video. Some of the comments on these videos crack me up because people don't realize this is a joke. I guess that just speaks to how well these videos are done if they can trick people into thinking they are genuine. But to be honest I like these songs they come with much better than most of the pop music they are dubbing over. This is like Weird Al for the mod-generation and done much better I might add. They have several "bad lip reading" videos on their channel but with lines like "And braid his show-dog, Tiny Timmy Tokyo... and I'm pregnant" and "Please help me down from this swing... I got my plasma sword and I'm ready to crank it!" this video is my favorite so far.

"Let's buy two big industrial windmills. I already got one. Who needs three? Well, the first one... I broke it."

Check out more at youtube.com/user/BadLipReading.

Rad To The Max: Technology

It's never too early to start making your Christmas list and this stuff is at the top of mine.


Robotic Dinosaurs

The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Japan has made some really cool dino-bots. They are still far from making one that could actually be mistaken for the real thing - t T-Rex head shakes when it walks, it's very slow... rounding corners would be an issue and its skin is obviously rubber - but I still want one. Just think of how much gas you could save by riding it to work.

link: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology


The Reactable Mixer

"...an electronic music instrument that combines a tangible tabletop interface with concepts or techniques such as modular synthesis, visual programming and visual feedback." What more do you need to usher in the music of the future? The Music Technology Group has made their mark in the music industry. This is another must for me. The idea of combining visuals with music is brilliant. It makes music tangible and that is the best way for people to learn. I am excited about this technology entering the home in the near future.



source link: Music Technology Group


Zelda Theme, Electrified

Now, I am a huge Zelda fan. I have followed the series since the beginning starting with that Christmas years ago when I got the gold special edition for the NES. After that I was hooked. I also like all things science, though I don't always understand it... always being a generous word. So, when I saw that someone had used Tesla Coils to create the original Zelda theme music I became an instant fan. That electricity would look great flying across my living room.

Monday Music Highlight: Edison Glass

These guys have been doing their thing for a few years now so it's nothing new. But if you have never heard them it's about time you check them out. These guys are music geniuses. You don't have to like their music but their understanding of composition and music theory has to be appreciated. And the drummer... if I didn't know any better I'd think he injects "perfection" and "creativity" into his arms and hands. His timing is unbelievable and he rarely skips a beat. And the bass player... well, let's just say I could write a blurb about each of their talents but I'll let the music speak for itself. I will say that their live performance is shadowed by their great work in the studio but just to watch them is worth the price of a ticket.

Interesting fact: Their name is taken from the names Thomas Edison and Philip Glass.

Check out www.indievisionmusic.com for an interview with the band.




Check out more at www.myspace.com/edisonglass

Monday... er Tuesday Music Highlight: Sarah Jarosz

So, I am still trying to get into the habit of keeping a writing schedule. So, to make up for my forgetful memory I am posting what I had intended to post yesterday.

I saw this chick a few weeks ago on Austin City Limits. I can't say I was immediately blown away by her performance. But after watching through three songs she, and her accompaniment, began to plant a seed in my mind. I could begin to hear the potential in the arrangements. By the end of her set I was scrambling through the internet trying to find all her music. I have to say her live performance is slightly lacking; it left me wanting. But her studio work is amazing. I won't say much more. I'll let this video interview say the rest.

Here are six of her songs that I think are great examples of her studio work.

Check out more at sarahjarosz.com.


On another note: I have been using Grooveshark for years now. I found it shortly after its launch. It has become my favorite online streaming player. If you don't know about it check it out. I also discovered the Grooveshark widget (music player) recently. I think they did a great job with it. Its design is simple but good and the colors are customizable to fit your site. It's also a functional player which is more than I can say for some other player widgets. I have yet to see any problems with it. If you use widgets you should definitely check it out.

Grooveshark.coom

Epic Meal Time: I'd Eat That

I found these guys last year in the fall and have been following them since. Despite the thousands of calories, the large amounts of liquor and bacon strips, bacon strips, bacon strips... I still never fail to get hungry watching them. I would eat anything they make. I would probably regret it later but, yeah, I would eat it. You know you have made something special when you "about to get drunk off pancakes".

Check out more at www.epicmealtime.com or check out their Youtube Channel.

Monday Music Highlight: States

In this music post I am going to highlight a band that is a phoenix from the ashes of two bands that have made huge impressions on my own music. Those bands are Copeland and Lydia. I was sad to see the end of Lydia and even more upset (understatement) to see the demise of Copeland. But there is redemption in the form of a brilliant new sound coming from a new band called States. This collaboration is made of former guitarists, and brothers, Bryan and Stephen Laurenson (Copeland) and vocalist and keyboardist Mindy White (Lydia).

Line 'Em Up is their first release and is already making its way to the top of playlists. Anxious seems to be the flag ship song garnering the most exposure but the rest of the EP is not to be skipped over. In fact there is very little criticism to be had with this first release. Line 'Em Up is a solid introduction for a band with a great deal of potential.

www.statesmusic.com



Here is their song Anxious. Check out the rest of their EP on www.myspace.com/states.

Fighting Robots: The Future Is Here

Robots fighting robots... what more could one ask for? There was a time when Battlebots was gaining popularity but it has since lost its appeal. However, these robots, perhaps because of their human form, are redefining the tech-sport of bot battling. I wish we were this cool in the states. I doubt this would ever really catch on here unless we could make the robots say f*@#, bleed profusely and/or have sex in between matches. For now I'll have to settle for videos on Youtube.

Most of the time these robots fall over and flop around like a fish out of water and yet I am still compelled to watch. Though, every now and then they do pull off some really cool moves. I read that the robot engineers that create these "fight-bots" are having to renovate their designs about every six months to keep up with the increasing pace of the evolution of technology. That is intense. I can't imagine how much money these people must be sinking into such a relatively ridiculous activity but as long as they do I'll be watching.

You can see more at www.robots-dreams.com.

Monday Music Highlight: Walk The Moon

WALK THE MOON "Anna Sun" OFFICIAL Music Video

Now I need a keytar. I'll be keeping my eye on these guys. I have a feeling they will be making an impact sometime in the next couple years.

www.walkthemoonband.com