The Top 10 Songs That Make Me Laugh And/Or Smile

Some last few smiles fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

Compared to the other 2 lists this month, this one was a bit easier to make. There was a little difficulty to be had, but I was able to assemble the music on here quicker. As you can see by the title of this post, these are 10 songs that make me laugh and/or smile. These aren’t the only songs that have this effect: there are way more tunes that give me some positive. The 10 that are here are just ones I thought of immediately, so that’s that. With that said, here are the 10 songs that make me fell all warm & fuzzy. Let’s begin!

10) Ebro - Got To Move (Song)
I feel so bad for putting this so low on the list! The guy that made this song & video is a very dear friend of mine. Known him for nearly a decade, Ebro is a wonderful human being that has a gorgeous smile & beautiful. On top of that, he can crossdress like a master, and has a hell of a set of vocal pipes! This song got put out fairly recently, which is probably why it’s so low on the list. Regardless, Ebro’s voice is at the top of the game, as it’s vibrant energy & force grabs a hold of your soul, and it’s sure as hell not going to let go. The music video just adds to this, as it’s usage of quirky humor adds to the fun. Please, give the video a watch. The sassy one needs the views!

9) Ministry - Under My Thumb (Song)
Okay, I got a funny story about this one. My folks are fans of the iconic Rolling Stones track, but when I played them the remake by one of the world’s most iconic Industrial Metal band it was pretty much a “Nope” kind of situation. Flash forward to a little later in 2008, when I happen to be playing it for 3 friends of mine. One of them was a little hippy-ish at the time, and was a huge Rolling Stones fan. By the time I was done, his reaction was to slowly turn his head towards me, and go “What the fuck was that?” In addition to be a cover that follows the spirit of the original surprisingly well, my friend’s reaction got me & the other two that were with me laughing, and that makes me smile. Speaking of funny story....

8) Nocturnus - Lake of Fire (Song)
I had known about the Sci-Fi flavorings of Nocturnus for about a year by the time that the 2017 Cosplay Society Halloween Party took place. Their unique take on Death Metal set them apart from the Florida scene, especially with their usage of keyboard & sound effects (Which is a huge no-no among Death Metal purists). I digress: I’m always the guy at the UNYCS that asks the DJ to play metal songs, and 2017 was no exception. Lake of Fire does take a little bit of time before it assaults you with it’s barrage of guitars & drums. The moment that the instrumentation started, I had a female friend go “Yep, that’s Josh’s song”. Moments like that will always get me to keep a song in my head.

7) One Must Fall: 2097 - Menu (Song)
I was a wee lad when this game came out. A little over 7 years old, to be exact. I had be playing the demo for quite a bit by the time of October the 10th, 1994, and I was familiar with the music that played in the menu. However, something about it felt different once I got my hands on the full game. There was something.....more withing the track. Something that wasn’t there in the demo, but seemed to come out once everything was revealed. I never had any true connection to console gaming in the 90s, so when it came to soundtracks like what was in One Must Fall: 2097, I have my own gaming memories from my childhood. I shall forever hold this simple piece of game music close to me heart, and will continue to do so until the day I die.

6) Cannabis Corpse - Dawn of Weed Possession (Song)
Goofy & brutal stoners. That is the best way to describe Cannabis Corpse. Simultaneously a tribute to one of the most iconic Death Metal bands in the entire world, and a hilarious group of guys that just weed. They might look like amateurs that probably won’t go anywhere, but it’s shocking at how skilled they actually are. 2019's Nug So Vile continues this mix of brutality and hilarity, and it’s perhaps the best song on the album that keeps me coming back & laughing. Dawn of Weed Possession, besides being absolutely goofy, is also a tribute to the Maniac Cop horror franchise. At first that seems like a mix that can’t work, but somehow it does to hilarious effect. It can’t be explained, so check out the link above to see what I mean.

5) Sabaton - Primo Victoria (Song)(Live)
I think it’s a safe bet to say that Sabaton will forever be one of the most unique Power Metal bands in the world. Forgoing the typical fantasy trappings in favor of historical warfare (WW1 & WW2 especially), they’ve conquered the world thanks to their legion of fans. You can thank songs like this for their well-deserved fame! The title track to their very first album as well as the first track you hear, you’d think a song about Normandy wouldn’t be an upbeat tune, but you’d be surprisingly wrong. The band definitely has nothing but respect for what they’re singing about, but they also put in quite a bit of infectious energy that’ll get you jumping. I can’t think of many other songs that can effectively help close out a concert quite like this one.

4) Everfrost - Actraiser (Song)
Hey, it’s Everfrost again! No, I’m not tired of bringing them up!

Actraiser was the first song that I ever listened to from these beautiful Finnish weebs, and I’m glad that I did! It’s melancholy aspect prevents it from getting even higher than it already is, but don’t take that as a knock to it’s overall quality. Actraiser is the definitive example of Anime being distilled down into it’s essence, and transfused into Power Metal to such a degree you can’t tell both sides apart. There’s a lot of warm & fuzzy in this track: without giving the story elements away, one of the main characters in Winterider begins having self doubts about protecting the group he’s with, but said group comes together for this character, basically say that they’re there for him no matter what is going on. If that’s not what Anime & Power Metal can accomplish, then I don’t know what does! speaking of Anime.....

3) Silvervale - Home (Song)
If there is an example of one good thing that happened during the plague ridden year of 2020, it would be the rise of the Vtuber. Whether in Japan or in the western world, this somewhat new form of entertainment allowed for content creators to connect with their fans without having to get close. Here in the U.S., Vtubers have really gotten popular, especially with the formation of Vshojo (The American/Western counterpart to Hololive, which in and of itself was a Vtuber agency for Japan/Asia). Though I’ve watched many of the entertainers in Vshojo and enjoyed them, the one I seem to constantly go back to is Silvervale. In her lore, she’s a Sakura Wolf girl that just wants to make a lot of friends & have fun with people. Since last year she’s gotten her model upgraded, and just a few weeks ago her facial animations have gotten a big boost, but the thing she’s wanted to do was a get out a song, and she did!

Home is a melancholy, almost dreamlike tune. There’s not really much in the way of instrumentation: there’s a little keyboard, some piano, and what I think is a pinch of Japanese instruments. What’s really the meat of the track is Silver’s voice. She sounds so cute in her livestreams, but on here there’s a lot of depth & soul with each word that comes from her mouth, and for her first time singing it sounds incredible. As she’s stated a few times, she made Home as a way to show her love for her fans, and it’s that dedication to her fanbase that makes me smile so much when I listen to this.

2) Queensryche - Best I Can (Song)
My jaw hit the floor when I first discovered this song last year. Actraiser certainly surprised me, but Best I Can took me completely by surprise. There have been plenty of uplifting metal songs throughout the decades, but as far as I know there has only been this track about a kid that gets into an accident with his father’s gun, and we later see that he’s permanently crippled....but that doesn’t stop him from trying to accomplish his dream. If anything, the accident just emboldens his desires, and that’s incredible if you ask me. The beginning is a little haunting, but that goes away once the main part of the song comes into play. As for the band that crafted this song, I can say that I’m not surprised that they did it. Queensryche were always on board with making music that had a societal connection, especially when they released Operation Mindcrime 2 years prior to the album Best I Can comes from. Regardless, the message of “Never Give Up” might be hokey sometimes, but it’s done so well on this track it doesn’t come across as lame. Best I Can makes me smile quite a bit, but there is one song on this list that just manages to pass it in terms of happy.....and you won’t be surprised as to what it is.....

And before we get to my number one, I wanted to cover some honorable mentions. Like I said above, there are hordes of songs throughout the 30+ years that have made me laugh or smile. The songs here do exactly just that, but maybe not as much or as strongly as everything else on here. Still, they do their job, and they do their job well. With that out of the way, here are my honorable mentions.

HM1) Travis Meyer - Devil Went Down to Jamaica (Song)
I’ve been listening to this, on & off, for over a decade and a half. Much like Dawn of Weed Possession, this song is pure stoner comedy. Certainly not as graphic as the previously mentioned tune, but maybe packed with more green goodness, this parody of the iconic Charlie Daniels track is lovingly well-made. Maybe a tiny bit crude in terms of it’s humor, but the spirit of it’s source material shines through the smoky haze.

HM2) Led Zeppelin - All of My Love (Song)
Like I stated back in 2019, In Through The Out Door is the only Led Zeppelin album I’ll ever like. The more Synth oriented direction, not to mention personal issues among the band members, led the group to create what is their least Led Zeppelin sounding album ever. All of My Love was the song from the album that stuck out to me, and even before I properly listened to the record, I always kinda had a thing for it. An ode to Robert Plant’s son who died two years prior, the mix of love & melancholy seemed odd to me when I was younger. When I got old, I understood why, and that brings a dignified smile to my face.

1) Van Halen - Jump (Song)
You shouldn’t be surprised by this.

The death of Eddie Van Halen in October of 2020 sent waves throughout the Rock & Metal communities, and you can still feels ripples once in a while five months later. Long considered an 80s music icon, his passing as all but assured that there won’t be a return of these legends to the stage ever again. Regardless, the music that he & his compatriots made is some of the best that Hard Rock/Hair Metal can provide, and Jump is in my view the best song they’ve ever created. Like I stated back in June of 2019 (Which you can read here), this song is just pure distilled happiness. The over the top keyboards, the cheery melodies from the guitar, bass, & drums, and David Lee Roth’s strong vocal work all come together to create a phenomenal track (Ironic, given that Roth left after 1984's subsequent tour). It recalls a much happier time. A time where we didn’t have to worry about a plague. A time where we weren’t at each other’s throats over so much bullshit, and a time where we were smiling a lot more. It’s this pure innocence that makes me smile & laugh so much, and it’s that laughter and smiling that has me put Jump as the number 1 song of this list.

And those were the 10 songs that make me laugh and/or smile. Maybe in the future I’ll do another one of these, but for the moment I think I’m good. This list was a relief for me, given what I put out back in January. Well, we got April near, so see you all then for more content. Until then, be sure to laugh or smile a little!

The Top 10 Moments In Television That Make Me Laugh And/Or Smile

Big smiles fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

As we continue on with this month of happy, we move onto the world of television. I’ve watched at horde of TV over the decades, and as such I remember some of the oddest things from that time. It’s ironic I say that, as this was actually a pretty tough list to make. As with the list from January, I’m stretching the definition of what Television is on here. Maybe even more so in some cases, but enough about that! Time for me to show you the top 10 moments in television that make me laugh and/or smile......let’s begin!

10) Deadliest Warrior: Season 3 - Vampires vs Zombies Final Fight (Scene)
I think that even fans of this late 2000s/early 2010s series knew that this may have been it. The problems that were cropping up in seasons 1 & 2 became a bit too obvious, and the direction that season 3 went deviated from the more relaxed approach. However, one laid-back moment came when Vampires vs Zombies premiered in 2011. A bit controversial when it was initially announced, it ended up being one of the most popular episodes of the season. It used a surprising amount of real-world science, all the while being incredibly entertaining at the same time. The final fight that showed off all of the testing was nothing short of magical. It may have been the last time that Deadliest Warrior would appear on the TV screen, but it sure as hell was entertaining!

9) Queen - I’m Going Slightly Mad (Scene)
Back in January I talked about Queen and their emotional track, These Are The Days Of Our Lives. It’s a beautiful song, but also a tearjerker at the same time. This song has none of that sadness. I’m Going Slightly Mad is perhaps the band at their silliest, and is a great counterpart to the more serious tracks. It also shows that despite being on Death’s door, Freddy Mercury still knew how to laugh & enjoy life. The whole band joins in on the antics, and the resulting music video is nothing short of silly chaos. It can’t be further described, so you just have to see it for yourself.

8) Cowboy Bebop - Ein High (Scene)
A Corgi that gets high off of magic mushrooms.....do I need to say anything else!?

7) Outlaw Star - Aisha In The Restaurant (Scene)
If you were to point a gun at my head and ask me between Cowboy Bebop & Outlaw Star, almost always I will say Outlaw Star. Make no mistake: Cowboy Bebop is a classic, and rightfully deserves all of it’s praise. I just have certain issues with it, but onto this scene! What can be said about Outlaw Star’s resident cat girl? She’s cute. She’s muscular & strong. She’s got a hell of an appetite....and she can occasionally be slightly ditzy. Case in point: when Gene & Jim take her to a restaurant because they “felt” bad for her, she decides to try to still go after them. As usual, Gene & Jim escape her escapades, and find some way to make her pay (Comically, of course) for her idiocy. Win!

6) AVGN - Chex Quest Review (Scene)
I gotta thank the Angry Video Game Nerd for venturing into the realm of PC gaming. While handheld & consoles will always be his domain, it’s nice that he’s willing to come over to my side of the fence once in a while, and I was smiling from ear to ear when he took a look at a classic Doom WAD from back in the day. I played the crap out of this in 96, and to see him experience the same joy I did tugs at the heartstrings. Of course, there’s also the Nerd’s patented usage of the F word, not to mention perhaps one of the best sketches he’s ever made in his decade+ career. He’s sent the flemoids to the beyond (And hell), and he’s sent laughter into me at the same time. Nice job!

5) 7UP Christmas Commercial w/Spot 1988 (Scene)
We all have that one commercial that gets us ready for the holiday season. That one commercial that lights the Christmas fuze, and explodes on Christmas day. Though I still believe that the Sainsbury commercial from 2014 is essential to watch once December comes around, the one that unleashes a nostalgia tidal wave would be the 7UP Dots and their quick wintry adventure in 1988.  Santa is leaving a house, when the Dots notice a fire truck fall out of his back. The duo then proceed to drive said truck to it’s rightful owner, and while their journey is indeed quick, there is nothing short of Christmas magic taking place during the 31 seconds it plays. People who didn’t grow up with this commercial might see it as silly, but for individuals like me it’s very significant.

4) Mythbusters - Ask A Ninja! (Scene)
If you were to mention Ask A Ninja, people’s minds would be transported back to the early years of Youtube. Back when things were more rough & tumble, and content creators wouldn’t have to worry about getting canned. In the case of Ask A Ninja, you had a white dude in a sterotypical ninja outfit, being an absolute dork with questions people send him. So when Mythbusters did an episode dedicated to exploring various myths about Shinobi, the Ask A Ninja guy was a perfect comedic fit. Despite the wonderful scientific experiments & analysis, the meat of the episode (For some people) was easily the humor! There was a lot that happened that made me laugh, giggle, snort, and at the very least made me chuckle. If you can ever find the episode or catch it on repeat, then prepare to laugh. Hi yah!

3) Yan Can Cook - Any Episode (Scene)
I talked about this back in January, but I’ll briefly mention it here: the rediscovery of an old childhood favorite tugged at my heartstrings & can get me to cry. This time around, I want to talk about how surprisingly funny an episode of Yan Can Cook can be! Perhaps the humor’s biggest strength is that it’s used at just the right moment. Martin Yan may be gimmicky sometimes with a bit, but it never overstays it’s welcome. As he cooks the signature dish(es) of the episode, he inserts quick little comments that get the audience to chuckle at the least, or laugh out loud at the most. On top of that, his cooking skills and recipes are informative for anyone interested in Chinese cooking.  

2) Yu Yu Hakusho - Genkai vs Suzuka (Scene)
The only reason that this isn’t my number 1 is because it goes by rather quickly. At only a minute & 23 seconds, it’s sort of a “Blink And You’ll Miss It” kind of scene. However, in that brief amount of time you’re treated to perhaps the goofiest fight in Yu Yu Hakusho’s run. From the moment I saw her in Season 1, I have nothing but love & respect for the badass Grandma known as Genkai. She loves her students, but has little tolerance for bullshit. So when a clown annoys her to no end, she goes to town & proceed to maul him like a rabid grizzly bear. She jumps on his spine, unleashes a tornado of punches, and for good measure kicks him square in the face. If for whatever reason you’re not laughing as this plays out, then I don’t know what to say!

Before we get to my number 1, I just wanted to cover some honorable mentions. Now, these points make me feel warm & fuzzy just as much as everything else. The only reason that either of these aren’t on the main list is because I wasn’t sure where to put them. With that out of the way, here are the honorable TV moments that get me to laugh and/or smile.

HM1) Sabaton - When Kids Show Up On Stage (Scene)
As a dear friend of mine once said: Sabaton are badasses with a heart of gold. Nothing shows off this fact more when the bad decides to bring kids up onto the stage. It’s an absolute treat for the kids, who are probably never going to forget the experience, and Joakim & the rest of the band become like a second metallic family to them. There’s multiple instances of moments like this from over the years, so it’s hard to say which one’s the best. Regardless, as the front Swede often says: Heavy Metal is for everyone!

HM2) Monster Girl Doctor - Diagnosing Spider Girl (Scene)
The spiritual successor to Monster Musume, this surprisingly wholesome fantasy series is also quite charming with it’s cast of ladies. One could make some easy connections to Okayado’s flagship series, but that would also be doing it a disservice. There’s a little more maturity, a little less fan-service, and the main character can be a bit more professional that the one from MM (Even though he’s a good guy in his own right). One of the best scenes happens towards the end of the show: after catching a near-theft, the resident Lamia and Centaur are sitting the Arachne seamstress down so she can explain herself. The conversation that comes up is actually rather sweet & realistic, and what happens at the end is nothing short of smile inducing.  

1) Monster Musume - Kimihito Kurusu Hugs Centorea Shianus (Scene)
I wasn’t able to find the best hug scene from this series, but luckily I managed to find one that’s just about as good. For as fan-servicey as a show about having a harem of monster girls can be, Monster Musume also happens to have some surprisingly tender & serious moments. Case in point: the lovable Kimihito is getting chased down by a giant boar (Who decided to chase down a devil girl that was causing them issues earlier), when the valiant centaur comes in & gives it a beating. Our lead begins to thank his rescuer, when she lets out an emotional outburst. Stating that’s she’s only useful when she’s already caused trouble, she eventually begins to cry by the end. Kimihito jumps on her backside to ride due to his ankle getting hurt. She still doubts herself, when the lovable dork gives her a hug of confidence, and the warm & fuzzies come right out. MM isn’t truly a deep show, but it’s moments like these that give the series (And the franchise by extension) more depth than people realize.

And those were the 10 moments in television that make me laugh and/or smile. I’m still surprised at how challenging this one was, but I managed to complete it all the same! Well, I got 1 more list around the end of the month, so tune in on the 28th when I’ll talk about the songs that make me fell all warm & fuzzy. See you then!

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If you’re curious about Yan Can Cook, then check out the link below:

Yan Can Cook (KQED)

The Top 10 Moments In Movies That Make Me Laugh And/Or Smile

Happy March fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

As you no doubt recall this past January, I unleashed a torrent of sadness on all of you. This month is going to be the exact opposite, and a tidal wave of happiness is gonna crash right on top of you! All throughout March, I got 3 lists showing of things that make me smile, make me laugh, or a pleasant combination of both. Today, I’m showing off the scenes in all of cinema that warm my soul, and give me the biggest grin. So let’s not waste anymore take, and take a look at the top 10 moments in movies that make me laugh and/or smile!

10) Honey I Blew Up The Kid - Diane & Oscar (Scene)
I am always a sucker for warm & fuzzy moments where characters reunite. The scene before this (Which I talked about here) is an absolute tearjerker, and I won’t lie when I say that this moment can get a tear or two out of me also. However, the smiles that come from seeing mother & son come back together are far more numerous than the tears that fall down my face. Honey I Blew Up The Kid isn’t quite as mature as the original movie before it, as this one is considerably more cutesy, but I cannot deny that I still get a kick out of this scene. Speaking of warm & fuzzy.....

9) Rugrats the Movie - Family Reunited (Scene)
As I said above, warm & fuzzy reunions are a-okay in my book. There’s just something about characters coming back together after being separated that tugs at my heartstrings, and this scene fundamentally is the same as above: a tragic event happens before, and then the happy counterpart happens not long after. I think I rate this one a little bit higher than the one at no. 10 mostly because of the connections to their beloved pooch. It’s odd that I’ve just watched this movie in recent years, when I recall growing up with Rugrats when they were on Nickelodeon. If you ever want to reconnect with your inner child, then you might want to watch this film.

8) Army of Darkness - This Is My Boomstick! (Scene)
I was one of those weird people that actually saw Army of Darkness before Evil Dead or Evil Dead 2. So when it came time to see the 1st two films, I experienced a big case of whiplash in terms of tone! Regardless, for a movie that tries to bank on it’s scary moments, it also happens to be equally hilarious at the same time. A big example of this is when Bruce Campbell climbs out of the pit at the castle: pretty peeved at being falsely accused of being with King Henry, he shows off the power & majesty of his “Boomstick”. He even manages to turn his sales pitch for it into a threat towards the crowd in front of him, and said crowd completely falls for it. It’s the kind of scene that only Bruce Campbell can command, and you’ll be laughing as you try to speak the lines!    

7) Jackass 3d - Duck Hunting (Scene)
Sometimes, you need a movie that just shuts your brain off and turns you to mush, and all 3 of the Jackass films easily fit the bill for me. However, if there was one dumb stunt of their’s that gets me to howl like a hyena, it would be in the 3rd film where I just shake from laughter. It’s nothing much: Just 6 guys out on a duck hunt from boats......with paintball guns.......shooting at “ducks” that are launched from an inflatable balloon. Honestly, it’s a hell of a lot more hilarious when you see it in motion, so give it a watch!

6) Die Hard - Hans’s Fall (Scene)
One of the most, if not perhaps the most essential action film, Die Hard’s legacy is without question. From the explosions, to the other practical effects, to the one liners, and to the characters, it’s easily to see why it’s in the public’s consciousness a little over 30 decades after it’s release to theaters. Though there are plenty of scene that’ll get you to jump out of your chair & cheer for Bruce Willis, it’s at the near end when he’s rescuing his wife that gets this reaction out of me. After practically destroying Alan Rickman’s gang, he corners him. After a scuffle, he promptly takes a bullet from Bruce, and almost drags Bruce’s wife with him. Fortunately, she’s saved from a crushing death. Alan on the other hand falls down, and turns into a bloody pancake. I can’t think of any other way to kill a 80s bad guy quite.....like.....this!

5) Schindler's List - Ending (Scene)
There are two kinds of “Hell Yeah” moments in film. You got the ones that make you jump out of your seat like the one above, and then you have scenes like this one. A much more dignified kind of “Hell Yeah” scene where one keeps quiet, takes in what unfolding, and a small smile shows up. Make no mistake: the ending to one of the saddest films in all of history will leave you crying your eyes out, but in an odd way I smile. As horrific as the events in the movie were, it is nice to see a “Light in the Dark” situation take place. 1,100 Jews were saved by the hand of a man once concerned with wealth & his ego, and it took an act of horrific cruelty to change his mind. Schindler’s List may not be for everyone, and I can understand why some would stop the movie after a point, but it’s moments like this that actually make it worth seeing till the end.

4) Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade - Airplane Tunnel Car Chase (Scene)
A movie that, to this very day, proves to me why cinema can be awesome! I remember sitting down with my parent’s tape, putting it into the VHS, and sat there for 2 hours & 7 minutes. Baring witness to one of the 80s best action films, Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade has become my number 1 movie of all time (Read here for further details), and also became a film for when I want to laugh. Case in point is when Indy & his Dad are in their getaway car, and they’re being chased by 2 Nazi pilots. The first one, in an act of incredible brilliance, decides to follow them into a tunnel. His wings are torn off, and becomes a flaming mass that contains a rather confused pilot. Then there the other pilot, and without getting into details.....yes just say he has his own moment of The Birds. It’s such an absurd set of circumstances, it somehow makes sense.

3) The Mummy - Wrong Side Of The River (Scene)
I remember way back in 1999 when I saw this movie in the theater with my folks, and despite how scary it was to me at the time, I love the absolute hell out of this movie! An example of how to do a remake right, The Mummy was a late 90s action legend, but it also had some pretty good humor spread throughout the film. A good example is when our heroes managed to fight back against some river pirates, but are forced to jump ship when it becomes too damaged. They end up being on one side of the river, and their rivals end up on the other side. The rivals state that they have all the horses, and......well, just watch it!

2) Mystery Men - Silent & Deadly (Scene)
We all have that one movie scene where it harkens back to our juvenile sense of humor. Where we forgo good taste, and embrace the wonder that is toilet humor. Despite it making only half of it’s cost, Mystery Men’s status as a cult-classic superhero parody cannot be denied. With a surprisingly great cast, it’s no wonder that it’s still talked about among it’s fans. If there was one scene that shows off how childish some of it comedy can be, hands down it’s when The Spleen shows up. I won’t get into details, but let’s just say that if you like fart jokes.....then this one is a gas!

Now before we get to my number 1, I want to cover some honorable mentions. Make no mistake: These scenes get me to laugh & smile as much as everything else on here. They’re not lesser in any way because of being at this point on the list, and no-one should think so. With that out of the way, here they are!

HM1) To Kill a Mockingbird - Scout Meets Boo Radley (Scene)
I spoke of this scene back in January, and I’ll say this again here: this scene is a tearjerker. From the mood and to the music, it’s obvious that this moment in the movie was meant to tug at the heartstrings. In an odd way, however, Scout meeting her mute savior is also a very heartwarming scene. Robert Duvall played the roll of the gentle (For the most part) giant without any hiccups, and Mary Badham’s pure innocence as Scout just makes for a beautiful moment in cinema history. If you don’t use a tissue during this scene, or if you’re not smiling, then something is very clearly wrong with you.

HM2) Lethal Weapon - Riggs vs Mr. Joshua (Scene)
Fun fact: I was a bit of a latecomer to Die Hard, but a much later arrival to the Lethal Weapon series. To me, I find both franchises to be action-packed classics. Filled to the brim with great actors, over-the-top set pieces, and some well placed humor, the Lethal Weapon franchise deserves it’s reputation, and it’s all thanks to fight scenes like this. Ironically, this is one of the more basic fights, but as a way to conclude the first film it’s more than appropriate. As with the death of main baddie Hans Gruber, seeing Mr. Joshua get mauled to death by Mel Gibson will get you to jump out of your seat & cheer loudly. You definitely don’t want to skip this!

1) Blazing Saddles - Welcome Sheriff (Scene)
I think it’s a safe bet to say that a movie like Blazing Saddles will never be made again. Thanks to certain people (*Cough* LEFTISTS *Cough*), we’ll never see this kind of film again (Despite it being written by a Black Man & one of the world’s most iconic Jewish comedians). It’s funny, it’s clever, and whether it was intentional or not, it is also one of the best pieces of anti-racist media to have ever been made. It’s ironic I say that, as my favorite scene also happens to be the most racist! I recall watching this movie for the first time in my late teens (17 if I recall correctly), and when I got to this scene my jaw dropped.....and I proceeded to laugh my ass off! If you want to know why I did, then give this scene a go. You might laugh a lot too!  

And those were the top 10 moments in movies that make me laugh and/or smile. Last year was harsh for all of us, but if we watch something that’ll give us a chuckle.....maybe it’s not all bad. Speaking of watching, I got another list coming, and that’ll be on the moments in television that get me to laugh. See you soon!

Anime Review: Yu Yu Hakusho (Season 2)

Let’s fight fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

Last May I took a look at season 1 of the classic Shonen series (Read here), Yu Yu Hakusho. Long story short: I really liked it! The voice acting, story, and characters weren’t exactly the strongest, but I found the worldbuilding to be surprisingly engaging. After waiting for nearly a year, I’ve finally managed to sit down & watch the second season. Tensions are higher, danger is stronger, and characters are put to the ultimate test.....but do I still like it? Well, let’s not waste anymore time, and let’s take a look at Yu Yu Hakushi season 2. Let the review begin!

Story/Setup
Taken from the box:

“From cutting classes to brawling in the streets, Yusuke Urameshi is not your typical role model. In fact, this kid’s nothing more than a fourteen-year-old delinquent with a talent for trouble. But in a single selfless act Yusuke dies while saving another. For such noble sacrifice he is given a second chance at life, but it’s to be a life far different than the one left behind. Now a Spirit Detective, the young man must track down demons and humans alike who desire to rule over the three realms of reality.

Survival is the order of the day as Yusuke and his allies face off against the worst that the Demon World has to offer. Locked into a competition set up by the criminal underground, more than the fighters’ lives are on the line as the Dark Tournament unfolds round by brutal round. Pain and suffering are redefined, a demon from the past is reawakened, and the mysterious masked fighter will step forth. Their situation is worse than grim as the Tournament Finals are set to begin.”

Like I said in my review of the first season, the story in that part of the series was the trial run. The story & it’s characters are given a basic establishment, and we’re given a basic view of YYH’s world. Season 2 definitely gives us a hell of a lot more, as more things unfold during the course of this brutal fighting championship. The world expands out much more, despite most of this season being confined to an arena (2 arenas technically), and we find out a bit more about how things work in the Spirit Realm. We also find out that things aren’t quite as black & white as they were in season 1, and this is going to be a huge issue for me when I get to season 3 (More on that in the eventual review). If there was one issue I had with this season’s story, it would be the copious usage of screwjobs. Like in every good & stereotypical Shonen series, the bad guys attempt to screw over our heroes, and that’s no exception here. The problem is that the villains attempt to mess with Yusuke & his crew far too often, making it almost rather tiring to see the good guys getting screwed. The first 1 to 2 times was good (Even clever in one case), but when it gets to what I believe is half a dozen screwjobs, I almost threw my hands up in the air! Other than that, season 2's story is good. Definitely kept me glued to my seat, that’s for sure!

Animation
(See review of season 1 for details)

Voice Acting
For the most part, the voice acting in season 2 hasn’t changed all that much when compared to the 1st season. There are a host of new characters (More on that below), but the same rules still apply: voice acting doesn’t sound good at first, but is actually better than it’s first listening to. Like I said above, nothing really different changes here.

Characters
So here’s where things gets interesting. Season 2 has a considerably beefier cast of characters, which is good & bad. This is good because while the characters we’re introduced to in season 1 were nice, we didn’t actually meet that many people. That was definitely fixed here! We’re introduced to a much higher number of characters, and because of that the world of YYH expands considerably. Good guys, bad guys, and anybody else in between are all given time to shine. My particular favorite character that was added was Jin the Wind Master. In addition to having an Irish accent & being kinda cute (Don’t judge!), he was a hell of a fighter, and was actually a really fun character to watch. Where things fail is that most of the new characters we’re introduced to.....don’t really have that much depth to them. There are a couple of them that do have some more to their personality & character, but for the most part just about everybody else are rather one-dimensional. What makes this worse is that a bunch of them die during the tournament, and so they don’t stick around in our heads for long. Whether this persists into the 3rd & 4th season, I’m not sure.

And then we have our original cast. Everybody gets a bit of an upgrade, as they go through a lot more trial & tribulation in this season. They become stronger through training and their opponents, but their also go through some genuinely tough emotional spots. I won’t get into spoilers for those who haven’t watched yet, but you’ll definitely feel a lot for Yusuke by the time things are done. If there was one thing I’d complain about with the characters (And by extension the story, which I’ll potentially elaborate in my reviews for season 3 & 4), it would be that things get a bit too melodramatic at times. Some of the melodrama actually works well, while other moments just had me rolling my eyes. It’s really confusing, but with the core characters it works better than the newer cast.

Availability & Pricing ***
Before I get to the actual pricing, I got a funny story about how I got this collection. It was Katsucon 2020. I was going through the behemoth that was the dealer’s room on Saturday or Sunday (Can’t remember the specific day), and I hadn’t bought any shows yet. Lo & Behold, Funimation’s big booth of DVDs had a sale where I believe certain titles were 20 dollars. Seeing an opportunity, I managed to spot Season 2 of this series (Along with 3 & 4), and swooped in to pick them up. The rest.....is obviously history.

As to how you can actually acquire it, you can actually find it easily. FYE and Best Buy easily has copies, as does Amazon. On that site, new copies range from $27.99 to $29.99, and that makes for a relatively well-priced purchase.

Overall Impression & Rating
Yu Yu Hakusho: Season 2 is definitely a hell of a ride. While a couple cracks do start to form here, it’s still a thrilling and entertaining show. The story advances, characters grow, and the stakes were raised considerably higher. Will this level of quality advance when we make our way to Season 3, and will I be enjoying this series as much as I am right now? We’ll find out......later this year!

Yu Yu Hakusho: Season 2 gets a 8 to 9 out of 10.

And that was my review for season 2 of YYH. It stumbles just a little, but the overall quality still holds fast. I’ll start watching season 3 as soon as I can. In the meantime, March is about to hit us, and I got some goodies planned. See you all then! 0


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If you’re curious about my view on Katsucon from last year, check out my review below:

Convention Review: Katsucon 2020

Metal Overview: Majestica

 Hi fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

Today’s post will most likely be the shortest Overview I have ever done so far. With two albums to their name, you think that there isn’t that much to listen to and analyze. You would be wrong. The newly resurrected side-project of Sabaton guitarist Tommy Johansson is a Power Metal force to be reckoned with! Though Majestica haven’t been around for very long, the content that they’ve been putting out has been nothing short of epic, and it’s that epicness that I want to look at today. So join me will you, and let us explore the mighty world of Majestica. Let’s begin!

Side Note: Yes, I know that ReinXeed came before, and were the original band before Majestica. The only reason I’m not covering them here is that I really haven’t that much exposure to them, so trust me when I say that they’ll eventually get their own overview sometime down the road.

Above The Sky (2019)

Our story begins in the relatively recent year of 2019. For 6 albums prior, Tommy Johansson & his original band ReinXeed has been tearing up the Power Metal charts, but destiny would come a calling. In 2016, Sabaton guitarist Thobbe Englund would leave the band because he was going to be a Dad (As Joakim once said: A little Sabaton baby). The metal gods came to Tommy, and said that he was destined for greater things, and so he joined the band, but never disbanded his old group. Flash forward to the previously mentioned year, and ReinXeed would sign a deal with Nuclear Blast Records, but they realized that at this new phase of their existence, a name change seemed necessary. Majestica would become the name of this newly resurrected ReinXeed, but even before they signed Tommy & the gang were diligently working on something juicy. We wouldn’t have to wait long, for on the 7th of June, Above The Sky was released! For the ReinXeed faithful, this was a wonderful welcome to form, and it was a huge treat for me back then as well.

Best Track? I think it’s hard not to say that the title track is the best damn thing on here! Above The Sky the song is the ultimate example of Power Metal cheese: over-the-top guitars and bass, pounding drums, keyboards that generate some wicked noise, operatic vocals, and heaving piles of warm & fuzzy. Tommy Johansson is a talented musician in so many ways, and this monstrous opener of a song is just another well earned feather in his cap.

Above The Sky

A good 2nd best track would have to go to the oddity that is Majestica’s cover to the theme of the Mel Brooks classic Star Wars spoof, Spaceballs. At first it seems like a dorky thing to do a cover song for, but it’s shocking at how well it works out. The band have one foot firmly in the 80s in regards to nostalgia & following the spirit, but they also have the other foot in modern day production and Power Metal goofiness. I can certainly see why some wouldn’t like this, as it’s maybe a tiny bit too silly, but this is the kind of stuff my ears live for!

Spaceballs

But even with those two songs, it’s basically impossible to find anything bad on here. Even the exceptionally over-the-top & moronic Father Time manages to be a treat to listen to, despite it being a mishmash of oddness that’ll leave you scratching your head by the time it’s done playing. I was grinning from ear to ear while Above The Sky as I let the Power Metal flow through me, and I know it will for you also.

Worst Track? Above The Sky is perfect! Damn perfect in fact. Tommy knew what the hell he was doing in his original band, he knows his way within Sabaton, and now he’s on top in his resurrected band. No song on here is bad my any means, and anyone who thinks so is quite clearly insane. The only bad things I can say about this album, is that the production is just a tiny bit rough. It is actually difficult to tell, but in certain places on the record things just lapse ever so slightly backwards in terms of sound. If I’m being honest, I wouldn’t even have noticed this lapsing if I didn’t read some reviews, but after listening to this masterpiece of Power Metal.

Above The Sky. Despite the very minor rough patch in the production, I can very sincerely say that Majestica’s first album is a perfect slice of Power Metal cheesecake. If for whatever reason you weren’t a ReinXeed fan, then you might want to give this release a try. Next album!

A Christmas Carol (2020)

I think it’s safe to say that 2020 is perhaps one of the most soul-crushing years in recent memory. Rampant plague, hordes of people all over the world dying to the plague, cancellations of so many concerts & conventions (Along with other events), the worst politics from the Trump administration, etc. With such a bleak year, you’d think that something like Power Metal couldn’t shine. Wrong! Heavy Metal may not have been able to come to the people, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t go into hibernation. Majestica is no exception, but what nobody expected was that their metallic offering would be a bit on the......Christmas-ey side. Released on the 4th of December last year, A Christmas Carol would prove that Tommy’s resurrected band was nothing to snicker at. In the case of this release, they decided to use the timeless Charles Dickens tale as inspiration for their music, and boy oh boy did they deliver! A Christmas Carol is by far one of the best Power Metal albums of 2020, and one of the best releases in that genre period. It has all of the things that are traditional within that genre, but it’s been given a Christmas coat of paint with loads of choirs, church bells, chimes, and just about any instrument/sound effect you can think of. Given it’s nature, you can see why it was one of my 3 number one albums of 2020.

Best Track? The Joy of Christmas has to be one of the most emotion, sickeningly sweet, and incredibly heartwarming Christmas/Holiday songs that have ever been released. If you recall my 10 top songs that make me cry list (Read here), you’ll know that I spoke of this there. This is the part of the story where we get a brief glimpse of the world through Bob Cratchit’s eyes, and his thoughts about his cruel boss. He wonders how much Scrooge’s life would have been so much better if love, friends, and the Christmas spirit were in his soul. This is translated into beautiful piano, elegant usage of traditional holiday instruments, and some righteous guitarwork towards the end. Funny enough, I played this for my Mom a few months back, and she said that she got a Disney vibe off of it. After listening to it a few more times, I can kinda here what she was talking about.

The Joy of Christmas

But go ahead & throw a dart at the board! Virtually every single song, outside of one (See below for details), is absolutely fantastic! Not a single track is slapdash or lazy, and it’s production doesn’t have that faint roughness that Above The Sky has. The other good thing I can say about A Christmas Carol is that it’s one of a terribly few piece of Christmas/Holiday media you can listen to all year. With something like A Twisted Christmas, you really can’t listen to it outside of December, but given the Power Metal suit that A Christmas Carol wears, it’s not out of the realm of possibility you can listen to it at any other time of the year.

Worst Track? To suggest that there’s a bad song on A Christmas Carol is to suggest that Santa isn’t real, or that homemade fruitcake is the anti-Christ (When in reality it’s incredibly delicious if made properly). That being said, if somebody was to pick A Majestic Christmas Theme, then I may not complain. The concluding track of the album, it is a nice instrumental piece, but is ultimately unnecessary since it basically just retells the story of the album all over again. While I don’t think it’s a time-waster, I sometimes press the “Skip” button when I get to this point.

A Majestic Christmas Theme

A Christmas Carol. An album that manages to soothe the soul & heal the heart from the ravages of the plague-ridden year that was 2020. If you want to have pure Christmas magic ring in your ears in December or any other time of year, then yule (Not going to apologize for that) want to seek this out!

And that was Majestica! Tommy & friends know exactly what they’re doing across their tiny discography, and given a few more albums, who know.....they might become a new Power Metal titan for all to worship. Well, with that said, I got 1 last post for February, as we’re returning to an old school series that’s been long overdue for a review. See you all next week!



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If you’re curious about listening to these albums, then click on the links below:

Above The Sky

A Christmas Carol

The Top 5 Greatest Anime Butts

Hello fellow Otaku & Metalheads! Let’s make February a little naughty this year!

In the last few Octobers, I do an annual Top 5 Greatest Anime Chests list for Breast Cancer awareness. I know it doesn’t really do anything, but I figure it gives a small sliver of something good to anyone who sees it. This list is far from contributing to a good cause! Today’s list is dedicated to some of the best rumps the world of anime has provided us weebs over the years. Some of the choicest animated butts so fine, they’d make Sir Mix-A-Lot drop his jaw! So, keep your hands where I can see them, and let’s take a look at 5 of the greatest anime butts of all time!

5) Chii - Chobits

We being this list with a character from a series that, for the most part, is quite pure. Though the show does focus on the fanservice side a little more, the titular Chii is incredibly wholesome. In a way, it feels really weird putting her here, as it almost comes across as exploitive given her child-like nature. On the other hand she is really cute, and is physically attractive despite basically being an android. Though her posterior isn’t seen often or directly, but on the occasions that you get a glimpse......it is nice.

4) Nonsummerjack - Ecchi Cosplayer

I confess I’m stretching the term of Anime with this choice, but hear me out. Sometimes, cosplayers practically bring that world to life with their costume work, and one of the best I’ve seen is Nonsummerjack. She’s been around since 2013 if my info is correct, and since then has produced some of the best ecchi cosplay. She never goes full nude, but maintains a perfect balance between sexy, sultry, fun, and even cute in some of her sets. As you can plainly see, I definitely like photos of her from......behind.

3) Rias Gremory - High School DxD

If there’s one thing I’ll give the High School DxD franchise credit for, it’s that it knows it’s a fan-service fueled action thrillride. If there isn’t a fight scene, or some talking among characters, there’s some particularly potent fan-service. Though virtually every single female could be placed here, I think the resident demon deserves this spot. Rias is a perfect balance between calculating, physical, and sexy. She knows when to think, when to fight, and when to show off a little skin. Not only that, but there is a caring side to her, and she knows when to use that part of her mind as well.

2) Centorea Shianus - Monster Musume: Everyday Life With Monster Girls

Though in the manga Papi is jokingly referred to as the “Butt” girl, but I think that’s a lie when compared to the resident centaur of the harem. Centorea (Or Cerea to those she trusts) is not only a noble knight, but is physically attractive as well. Though her chest is top notch, her rear end is something to behold. Yeah, it’s a horse’s end. Yeah, there’s horse parts down there. However, she’s not a horse, now is she? What’s really funny about her is that she always gets embarrassed when she’s in a dirty situation. Yet, there’s something endearing about that, and that’s one of the reasons why Centorea the noble knight is an endearing character.

1) Every Girl from Maken Ki

If putting a ecchi cosplayer on this list was a stretch, then this is a copout. As dirty as High School DxD could be, in a strange way it also had an odd sense of shame within it. Maken Ki? If it has any shame in it, it’s never shown in any way. It takes the concept of fighting & fanservice, turns the knob up to 11, and breaks it off! Picking just one girl to take is impossible, since every one of the main female cast members has a posterior that’s just perfect. Hell, every one of them is deliciously curvy, and many of them have an ample chest. Beyond ample, in certain cases.

And these were 5 of the greatest anime butts. Certainly an interesting selection, and if this series gets popular, perhaps I’ll do another one of these lists some other time. Whether next February or another month, I’m not sure. See you all soon!

Metal Overview: Twisted Sister

Hello there fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

With the rather depressing January behind us, it’s time to return to some happy! All through February, I’ve devoting my posts to as much happiness as I can fit in here. To start things off I’m taking a trip back to the 1980s for my first overview of 2021, and there was one band that was up to the task. One band so out their. One band so wild, and one band so.....twisted.....they were the only natural choice. That’s right, I’m covering Twisted Sister!

Now I managed to cover this guys back in December of 2018 (More on that towards the end of this overview), but that was just one album. Today, I’m getting down to the nitty gritty, and I’m taking a look at their entire main discography. Despite being one of the small Hair Metal bands from the 80s, they none the less maintain a sizable cult following to this very day. I’ve enjoyed the group for ages, and it seems that in recent memory things are twisted enough that their music makes sense. So, without further adieu, here’s my overview on Twisted Sister! Let’s begin.

Under The Blade (1982)

Our story about this twisted back actually begins in the 70s. 1972, to be exact. Originally called Silver Star, the name change would happen rather quickly when John Segall (later renamed to "Jay Jay French") was added following auditions in the "band house" located in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey in late December 1972. The original incarnation of the band was composed of founder & drummer Mel Anderson (Mel Star), Billy Diamond (lead guitar), Wayne Brown (lead vocals and guitar), Tony Bunn (bass), and Steve Guarino (keyboards). The band’s original purpose was to be the "New Jersey version" of the New York Dolls, but J.J. disliked the name. The change in the band name would come in February of 1973 during a rehearsal, when Michael O'Neill took over the lead singer role from Wayne Brown, and he came up with the name that would echo throughout metal history. Along with this change in names, there were stylistic shifts that eventually resulted in an amicable parting of ways for some members. Bassist Tony Bunn and keyboardist Steve Guarino left soon after first lead singer Brown. Guitarist Billy Diamond, drummer Mel Star, Johnny Heartbreaker (soon to change his name to Jay Jay French), and new bass player Kenneth Harrison Neill made up the next lineup of Twisted Sister.

After a few years of playing in clubs with some modest success, it was suggested by their manager in February of 1976 that they pick up this guy Danny Snider to take the roll of lead singer of Twisted Sister. Danny would change is first name to the more famous Dee at the suggestion of J.J., and the band’s 6th incarnation came....and went just 6 few weeks later. It was also around this time that the band’s musical influences changed as well: originally inspired by  David Bowie, Slade, Mott the Hoople, the Rolling Stones, and the New York Dolls, they became more influenced by heavier bands like  Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Slade (Still), and Alice Cooper. On top of this, they acquired the services of new bassist Mark Mendoza to replace Kenny Neill, who left due to alcohol issues.

With the shift in stylings & band members, the group seemed to be gaining more ground. So much so, that they eventually managed to sell out at the Palladium, but began to aggressively pursue a recording contract, due to the fact of to the club circuit’s impending collapse due to the upcoming change of the drinking age from 18 to 21. They managed to secure a deal with Secret Records, a small British label that was mainly an outlet for Punk, in April of 1982. They still went through a few more changes, with AJ Pero becoming the permanent drummer for Twisted Sister after a string of changes. This would ultimately be considered the true “original” incarnation of the band because they were responsible for almost all the studio albums, singles, videos and DVDs. In June of 1982, they released their first EP, Ruff Cuts, on their new label, but it would be just a few months later on the 18th of September that their first full album, Under the Blade, was released.

As stated by Wikipedia:

“Modern reviews are very positive. Greg Prato of AllMusic reminds how the band moved to the UK, which was having a "heavy metal resurgence (dubbed the New Wave of British Heavy Metal)", to record with UFO bassist Pete Way "many of the band's best compositions from their club days" and finds Under the Blade "one of Twisted Sister's hardest rocking albums... highly recommended to lovers of early-'80s British heavy metal." Also Exclaim! reviewer Ian Gormely considers the album "a must for anyone with an interest in the history of American hard rock". Despite "the raw production... and lack of an obvious hit... it laid the groundwork for their future success", thanks also to Twisted Sister's "tongue-in-cheek presentation that latter-day hair metal bands clearly lacked." Adrian Begrand of PopMatters reviews the album as a "near-classic" and "the most ferocious of the band’s career." He writes that the musicians may have "bar band roots", but on the album "the fun side of Twisted Sister is set aside in favor of something a lot darker", which brought to "a hell of a debut that not only connected with British heavy metal fans, but would eventually lead to a contract with Atlantic Records, paving the way to stardom a couple years later." Canadian journalist Martin Popoff considers Under the Blade "dead serious despite the garish imagery, a good four-fifths of it rocking with hellacious clout, attitude and clever economy" and remarks how the influence of Judas Priest is evident in Dee Snider's compositions.”

Best Track? Have to give it up to the title track, and for two reasons. First, as an song it’s fantastic! You’re given a barrage of excellent guitarwork & bass, drumwork that’ll break eardrums, and Dee Snider’s signature style of singing is just perfect. Even the atmosphere the band creates is pretty sinister, as it feels like you’re witnessing something pretty gruesome. As for the other reason why I’m picking this, it’s gotta do with the holier-than-thou PMRC. During the hearing in 1985, Tipper Gore stated that the song was about sadomasochism, bondage, and rape, as well as promoting violence. Dee countered Ms. Gore’s words, stating that the song was actually about surgery and the fear it instilled in people. He concluded his testimony stating that the only sadomasochism, bondage, and rape in the song is in Ms. Gore’s mind. That’s a great way to get me to like a song!

Under The Blade

Worst Track? If Under The Blade has one single & rather big flaw, it would be that the album sounds incredibly dated. Now, I did listen to the remastered version, but even then it still sounds like something from the early 80s. It didn’t ruin the experience for me for the most part, but I did feel a little distracted by how old it felt, which is ironic considering that other albums from the same year sounded & aged far better than this one.

Under The Blade. Definitely dated, but it kicks ass regardless, and is a perfect window into the world of Twisted Sister. If you’re in the mood for some early 80s Hard Rock/Hair Metal, then this is a good choice. Next album!

You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll (1983)

Under The Blade, while definitely a great way for Twisted Sister to start, certainly could be improved. Well, wish fulfilled! After appearing on the TV show The Tube, the band was approached by Atlantic Records and was signed on shortly after (Ironic, given that the company rejected T.W. during their club days). It was under Atlantic that You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll was released. Coming out on the 27th of June, 1983, the record sounded far better than Under The Blade, and was just as heavy (More on that in a bit). Upon the success of this album, Atlantic Records began to push the band, and Twisted Sister’s first music video was made, as it’s comedic nature helped popularize them. By November of 1995, You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll went Gold in the United States, selling 500,000 copies.

Best Track? Virtually ever single song on this record is fantastic, but my favorite is the opening track, The Kids Are Back. This isn’t just a song, but a statement. A statement from the band saying that they’re back, and stronger than before. This is translated into the drumwork, which comes across like marching sometimes. This is translated into the guitarwork, which is precise yet powerful, and this is translated into Dee’s voice, which sounds like someone that shouldn’t be messed with. Overall, a great song & great opener!

The Kids Are Back

Worst Track? You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll’s only fault happens to be the same as that of Under the Blade. The production on here isn’t necessarily the best, and the datedness of the previous album creeps onto here as well. That being said, it has aged far better than Under the Blade. Sure the production could be better, but it’s a big step up from what came before, and thanks to the remastered version it sounds considerably fresher.

You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll. Still dated, but in comparison to what came before it’s a considerably better produced, and has aged far better. If you liked the feel of Under the Blade, but wanted a cleaner sound, then this is what you’re looking for. Next album!  

Stay Hungry (1984)

As the band progressed further & further in the Heavy Metal scene, Twisted Sister was getting more & more attention. Under The Blade & You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll definitely got people’s attention, but people wondering if the group had a card up their sleeve. Something that would blindside everyone, and make them truly take notice. In May of 84, the card in question would be Stay Hungry! Released on the 10th of that month, Stay Hungry hit people with the force of a Mach truck, and is the definitive Twisted Sister album. Masterful instrumentation, excellent guitar work, perfect usage of humor & in-your-face themes, etc. How successful was this album you ask? Well, during the tour for the album, an up & coming Metallica were big supporters of Stay Hungry (And Twisted Sister by default). On top of that, the album would eventually go multi-platinum in the United States, selling more than 3,000,000 copies!

However, Stay Hungry would also be the album where controversy would finally catch up with them. In 1985, the band would be targeted by conservative groups & the infamous PMRC for what they claimed was violence against parents and teachers in the music videos for We’re Not Gonna Take It & I Wanna Rock, and during the hearings the songs Under the Blade and We're Not Gonna Take It were specifically mentioned. Snider, along with folk legend John Denver and musical oddball Frank Zappa, testified before a Senate committee during these hearings on September 19, 1985. Snider’s testimony was particularly potent, as he managed to shutdown many of the criticisms flung his way. If I was to describe how he did it, I’d say it was in a fashion that would have impressed Sun Tzu.

Dee Snider PMRC Testimony

Best Track? I think it would be absolutely insane to not say We’re Not Gonna Take It. Though I Wanna Rock is just as badass & over the top, it was the previously mention song that effectively put Twisted Sister into the spotlight. Wild guitars, pounding drumwork, and the rough-and-tumble nature of Dee Snider’s vocals are all highly evident on this song. On top of that, the humorous and absurd music video that went along with the song just made it work so well. Definitely a track that’ll get under some people’s skin!

We’re Not Gonna Take It

A good second place song would have to go to the surprisingly emotional The Price. Taking a slightly more serious route with this one, it portrays the band as worn-down heroes, and as they journeyed to become one of the baddest bands out there, they’re pondering whether it was actually worth it or not. They’ve sacrificed quite a bit for what they’ve gained, but they’re thinking that perhaps they sacrificed too much in the process. Still, with great instrumentation and vocal work, The Price is a catchy song that’ll stick with you long after you’re done listening to it.

The Price

Worst Track? If there is any bad aspect (and I mean any) to Stay Hungry, it would be that the band may have set the bar too high for themselves. I don’t think this was necessarily intentional, but at the same time they went all out on this record and in the process the next few albums to come didn’t quite live up to this classic cornerstone of mid 80s Hard Rock/Hair Metal. As superb as almost all of what was to come, it never quite managed to achieve what Stay Hungry did.

Stay Hungry. An absolute treat to blast through your speakers, it’s a testament to it quality that it’s still remembered by many even today. If you wanted to known why the 1980s was the bedrock of Heavy Metal, Stay Hungry is a perfect place to look at. Next album!

Come Out and Play (1985)

And here we begin to see the downfall of Twisted Sister. Don’t take this the wrong way: 1985's Come Out and Play isn’t a bad album by any means. Despite being less successful critically and commercially, it did eventually go Gold as it sold more than 500,000 copies. It was the circumstances that lead to the band going downhill, and they’re kinda rough. After the massive and unexpected success of Stay Hungry, Twisted Sister came to a crossroads. To the left was a more pop-oriented direction, and to the right was a return to their Heavy Metal roots. They ultimately decided to go down both roads, but in doing so began the descent to their demise. The album's first single Leader of the Pack (A Shangri-Las cover) intended to continue the band's popularity and commercial appeal, but proved very unpopular with Twisted Sister fans. Ultimately, neither it or it’s second single (More on that in a moment) received the positive reaction that the band and their record label were expecting. Coupled with the fiasco that was the supporting tour for the album, not to mention Drummer A.J. Pero leaving the band after the tour ended in 1986.....you can see why they eventually fell apart after their 5th album.

Best Track? Be Chrool to Your Scuel has got to be an 80s guilty pleasure. For starters, Twisted Sister teamed up with the Shock Rock legend Alice Cooper, and given the theme of the song it’s quite appropriate. A second plus is the old school 1950s Rock ‘n’ Roll flavoring used in parts of the tune, adding even more to it’s atmosphere. Finally, what makes this track so good is the music video made for it. Bobcat Goldthwait is a over-energetic teacher at a school who’s students would probably maul him to death like a rabid grizzy bear, but a fateful trip to the Teacher’s Lounge changes everything. How you ask? Well, click the link below to find out!

Be Chrool to Your Scuel

Worst Track? While I wouldn’t say there’s any bad tracks on this album per se, I do find the abundance of ballads on here to be overwhelming. Not in the league of something like Ozzmosis, but when I think that a quarter of the album (Maybe even half of it. I’m not quite sure.) is nothing but ballads it comes across like the band is spinning their wheels in the mud a little. What is a little worse is that Come Out and Play isn’t that much different than Stay Hungry. A touch more commercial in terms of sound & feel, but for the most part sounds similar to the previously mentioned record. Whether it’s because the group was hesitant to leave their comfort zone, or they didn’t know what to do apart from Stay Hungry, I’m not sure.

Come Out and Play. Not bad by any means, but a step backwards when compared to everything else that came before. Still, if it happens to come your way, it’s definitely worth a listen. Next album!

Love is for Suckers (1987)

So this is it. The last Twisted Sister album, and it’s not necessarily a bad album to go out on. Released on the 13th of August, 1987, Love is for Suckers was actually supposed to be a solo project for Dee Snider. In 1986 he began this project  reportedly approaching future Iron Maiden guitarist Janick Gers, but this didn’t end up happening. Instead, there was programmed drum, and featured several session musicians such as Reb Beach on guitar and Kip Winger (just before they formed Winger) and Steve Whiteman of Kix. Atlantic Records refused to release it unless it was under the Twisted Sister name, and that’s how the 5th record under the band’s wing came to be. In a huge change, the band members removed the makeup that they had been wearing since their early days. The music video for the lead single "Hot Love", featuring the band members without their makeup, had some moderate success on MTV. Commercially, Love is for Suckers was a complete failure and many of the band's metal fans were disappointed with the more Pop/Hair Metal sound (More on that in a bit). It’s ironic that the record was considered a disappointment, as Dee Snider said in 2009 in an interview with Ruben Mosqueda:

“There's some great stuff on there man! The thing is, that was supposed to be my first solo album. The thing was the record company and management pressured me into making it a Twisted Sister record. There's some stuff that was in the Twisted Sister vein but it was supposed to be a solo record, that album was meant to give the band the break we needed. I felt that by releasing a solo album I could put that out there, get it out my system, and then after a short break we could regroup and work on a new album. The recording, the promotion and touring of Love Is for Suckers went on to kill the band. Management and the record company in their infinite wisdom know best. Oh let's put five guys who can't stand each other in a studio for three months!”

Best Track? Wake Up (The Sleeping Giant) is the best example of a protest song if there ever was one! Written in direct response to the PMRC’s actions from a few years prior, you can just feel the anger coming from Dee Snider’s voice, and the absolute disdain the rest of the band is showing through their instrumentation. Even the lyrics are venomous, as all of the words are coated in a “Fuck you, we’re stronger & we outnumber you” mentality. This is all ironic, given how intelligent & well-spoken Dee was during the hearings, but it’s still great to hear the band perfectly articulate how so many bands, metalheads, and even music listeners in general were feeling. Great way to start the album, btw!

Wake Up (The Sleeping Giant)

Worst Track? Much like Come Out and Play, there isn’t anything bad per se. The only thing that’s an issue is just how hard the band is trying to be like 80 to 90% of the Hair Metal bands in the late 80s. It comes across as incredibly forced in terms of vibe & feeling, which is a crying shame since all of the albums before this felt natural when it came to it’s atmosphere. Even Come Out and Play felt more natural in this regard, and that record felt forced in a completely different way.

Love is for Suckers. Much like the album before it, it’s not a horrendous release. However, with the forced Hair Metal vibes shoved in, and the band seemingly in turmoil before & after it was released, makes it the least memorable out of Twisted Sister’s discography. Still, if for whatever reason you’re curious about the music on here, it’s not a boring sit through by any measure. And so, with that marks the en.......wait, we’re actually not done everybody! Love is for Suckers may have been their last album of the 1980s, it wasn't necessarily the end of their adventure, as the early 2000s would get just a little......twisted. Next album!

Still Hungry (2004)

With the release of Love is for Suckers, that was basically the end of Twisted Sister. The band would breakup after just 2 months of the record’s release, and the members would go on to pursue solo projects & other things that suited their fancy. However, ironic & tragic fate would somehow bring these gentlemen back together. More specifically, the benefit concert for the NYPD and FDNY Widows and Orphans Fund in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in November of that year. Over $100,000 was raised for the charity, and Twisted Sister was one of the groups that played. The reaction to their first concert in 14 years was overwhelmingly positive, and the demand for more live dates was so immediate, that the band took the first steps toward returning to the stage. After a few years of releasing compilations, featuring their music in video games, and even reuniting again for the Sweden Rock Festival in June 2003, they went into the recording studio in March of 04, and on the 19th of October of that year, Still Hungry was released.

Reportedly, the band wasn’t happy with the original production of Stay Hungry, so this time they produced it themselves, and included seven bonus tracks (Some of which weren’t release on the original record). This album is......a step backwards from the original. Let me state that Still Hungry is bad, cause it’s not. I’ll be stating it again in a bit, but I don’t think the music is bad. It’s great to hear these classic songs with more modern recording & production behind them, and for anyone that’s never listened to the original album this isn’t a bad place to start getting into the band. However, it’s simultaneously pointless to listen to Stay Hungry when, in my opinion, a superior version was released 20 years prior. Alex Henderson of AllMusic suggested that casual listeners "start out with Stay Hungry, not Still Hungry", but he also added:

“for collectors and hardcore fans, Still Hungry paints an enjoyable, interesting picture of the sound that Snider and friends originally had in mind for their most famous album.”

Best Track? Rock 'N' Roll Saviours tickles my fancy in just the right way. One of the 7 bonus tracks on this record, this songs sounds like something you’d actually hear from the 80s, which isn’t a surprise as it was actually a song from their club days. Only now, you have far more modern (For 2004 anyway) recording & production in addition to more experienced band members. Dee’s vocals still sound as good as they did in the 80s, AJ Pero still knows his way around a drumset, JJ French & Eddie "Fingers" Ojeda still hold a crowd with their guitar work, and Mark "The Animal" Mendoza is an eternal force to be reckoned with when it comes to the bass. Out of all the bonus tracks.....this is one you shouldn’t skip.

Rock 'N' Roll Saviours

Worst Track? The redo of We’re Not Gonna Take It has to be one of the biggest slaps to the face I’ve ever felt! It goes through all of the motions of the original, but everything just comes across as off. Dee’s vocal work sounds fine, as does the instrumentation, but something just comes across as out of place. Like something with the sound seems to have shifted a little, and not exactly in a good way.

We’re Not Gonna Take It

Perhaps the biggest issue with Still Hungry has to be that.....it really wasn’t needed. Most of the music on her isn’t bad, and in some cases it’s actually excellent to hear a few of these made with more modern recording & production behind them. However, I’ve already listened to these songs before on Stay Hungry. Listening to them again here, while not bad (And even fun to a certain extent), feels rather redundant considering that fans have already heard these songs 20 years prior.  

Still Hungry. Not a bad album by any means, but it’s one that only the most hardcore of the band’s fans, or people who are new to Twisted Sister, should go for. Recommended, but cautiously recommended. Next album!

A Twisted Christmas (2006)

After the fun but flawed release of Still Hungry, it seemed as if their return was just a nostalgia grab. However, there was the odd sound of sleigh bells echoing in the sky, and snow seemed to be coming out of nowhere. Come October of 2006, and the disciples of Twisted Sister would discover the source behind this early Holiday magic! Released on the 17th of that month, A Twisted Christmas was the cause of this Holiday cheer, but it’s origins are rather....twisted.

According to Dee Snider himself from their Christmas show in Vegas, 4 years prior they begun a reunion tour due to renewed interest in the band from the public. After one of these shows, he went up to J.J. French and suggested to him about doing a Christmas record in addition to the one coming in 2004. He liked the idea, and in 2006 they released their rather strange baby to the public for all to listen to. As for the Las Vegas show itself, Dee goes on to say that the idea came from when he & his family went to Radio City Music Hall for their holiday extravaganza spectacular. They watched the whole show, and at the end he turns to his kids and asks “Watcha think of that?”. His oldest child turned to him and very bluntly says “Father (A joke from Dee), that show made me hate Christmas”. From there, you can guess the rest.

Best Track? Oh Come All Ye Faithful is one of the most baffling combinations I’ve ever heard in music. On the one hand, we have the spiritual successor to We’re Not Going To Take It. From the guitar to the drums and to the singing, the band are bringing back the 80s hard. On the other hand, we have the lyrics to one of the most Christian of holiday tunes. Upon the surface it looks as if this wouldn’t work, but somehow Twisted Sister make it work. You’ll be rocking around the Christmas tree & giving thanks to Jesus at the same time as this song plays!

Oh Come All Ye Faithful

Worst Track? Like I said in my review a few years ago, A Twisted Christmas’s only major fault is that it’s a one-trick pony. It’s a Christmas album, and you can’t really listen to it outside of the season. As great as it is, the holiday trappings would just make things weird if you listened to in any month other than December. There’s an album I’ll be talking about towards the end of the month that suffers from a similar situation, but I won’t get into it here.

A Twisted Christmas. Definitely a record firmly rooted in Christmas cheer, but still twisted all the same. If you’re looking for a collection of holiday music that’s off the beaten path......then you’re easily find it here. Recommended for everybody that’s twisted around the most wonderful time of the year!

And that was my look at the career of the classic Twisted Sister. A tragically small career, but one in which they left an undeniable impression upon those that listened to them. Whether past or present, the ways of this 80s cult classic shall never be forgotten by it’s followers! Well everybody, I got a bit more happy for this month, so join me next week for a look at some booty.....and I don’t mean gold. See you then!


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If you want a more clear look at the band, check out the link below:

Twisted Sister (Wikipedia)