Amazon Vine Review: Chameleon

I'm on a roll! My review of Tim O'Brien's Chameleon is now up for your edification on Amazon. I really enjoyed reviewing this CD because it is something that I would have never come across otherwise. It's not going to be something that I constantly listen to, nor will it receive much radio play. However, if you like old-timey or bluegrass music, it's worth a listen.

Until next time...
PH

Amazon Vine Review: Giving Up the Ghost

My review of Jackie Greene's Giving Up the Ghost is hot of the press! This is easily the best CD that Amazon has offered on Vine to this date. I also don't expect any future Jackie Greene CDs to be available through Vine. This CD is full of radio friendly tracks, and it is really easy to listen to. Between his home page and his My Space page seven of the twelve songs are currently available for full length preview so check it out. You'll be hearing from him sooner or later so why not join the early crowd how liked Jackie Greene before liking Jackie Greene was cool?

Until next time...
PH

Weekend Getaway

Christy and I just got back from spending the weekend at Fall Farm, a bed and breakfast, in Mineola, TX. It was quiet and relaxing out there, and the breakfast was great! The food in the surrounding areas was so so, but we also enjoyed a trek up to Lou Viney in Winnsboro. We both tasted four wines, and we each chose a bottle to bring home. I opted for the Chenin Blanc while Christy went for Miranda Lambert Private Label "Belle", a sweet red wine. I told her it didn't even taste like wine, and she said that that was probably why she liked it! Here are a few pictures of Fall Farm to enjoy. I'll send a full photo album on dotPhoto later on.

A view of the property from the road

Our room included the upstairs porch and the wall to the left of it

A covered porch swing on the back of the property

The ever important coffee

Until next time...
PH

April on the Vine

It's that time of the month again, and Vine had some nice offerings yesterday. I choose a couple of CDs from the early newsletter. One is by an artist that is definitely out of my usual genre. Tim O'Brien's latest CD, Chameleon, is on the edge between country and bluegrass. I played some clips for Christy last night, and she said, "He sounds like he belongs on O' Brother, Where Art Thou." I can't really argue with that assessment. I guess it's up to you whether or not that is a good thing.

The other CD I choose was by a more mainstream sounding artist, Jackie Greene. Amazon has started to personalize they Vine newsletter using the same "Recommendations" feature on the main site, and I think that I was offered Giving Up the Ghost because I gave the Wisely CD five stars a couple of months ago. Christy was amused by Greene's home page because he is smoking in most of the pictures and as you move your mouse around on the page a trail of smoke follows it. However she did think his music was pretty good.

There was also some really bad music on the list too. The band MGMT's latest CD, Oracular Spectacular, was another option that I had. I wasn't too excited about it because of the parental advisory label. I decided to check out their site and see if it was worth a try anyway. If you've gone over and pressed play, then you know the answer I came to. I think the advisory label is on the CD because the music is so bad that you will be inclined to cuss after listening to it! Wow, is that awful, or what?

I should be getting both of these next week so my reviews should be up in about 7-10 days.

Until next time...
PH

Amazon Vine Review: So Brave, Young, and Handsome

While trying the new coffee at Starbucks, I was also finishing my last novel from the Amazon Vine program, So Brave, Young, and Handsome. I have now posted my review, and of all of the books that I have read through Vine I expect this one to have the broadest appeal. While adults will enjoy it, I think it could also make a great choice for the junior high or high school boy looking for the subject of his next book report. The book is under 300 pages and has fairly short chapters as well.

Until next time...
PH

Followup on Starbucks' New Coffee

As I mentioned in my last post, Starbucks has rolled out their new Pike Place Roast coffee. I think most newspapers had some mention of it along with a coupon for a free 12 oz cup. Since Tuesday I've also noticed a new drink in addition - a Cafe Misto (first on the list, at least as of this posting). It compares pretty well to a Cafe Latte, but the coffee gives a smoother flavor than the Espresso of a Latte. It's not a bad drink, and it is almost a dollar cheaper for a Venti by comparison. The Pike Place Roast is also selling cheaper than the regular coffees. I think that this is an attempt to combat Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's both of whom have added their own spin on "premium" coffee and coffee drinks. Whatever the reason, it's worth a try if you usually get a Latte.

Until next time...
PH

Starbucks' New Coffee

You may have heard that Starbucks has launched their new Pike Place Roast coffee. I had seen a billboard for it recently, but I actually got to try it this evening. Courtesy of an offer in an insert in the newspaper (check yours if you haven't thrown it out already), I had a tall decaf on their dime. In the spirit of reviewing, here are my thoughts. It doesn't taste like Starbucks coffee - regardless of whether you are a Verona, Breakfast, House, or Sumatra fan, this is a major departure. As noted in the link above, this blend is made from arabica beans which account for a sweet, nutty flavor that is rather uncommon from Starbucks. It was pleasant for what it is, but it made me wonder, "Who is going to drink this day in and day out?" Most of the people I know who go to Starbucks want a bold, rich flavor which this is not. I came across an article from a Houston TV station that has some similar questions. Perhaps they are trying to reach out to a new customer base, but it seems that they are tampering with their formula of success. If you get a chance to try it, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Until next time...
PH

Amazon Vine Review: P2 DVD

This was an interesting change of pace. I had not selected a DVD from the Vine program yet, but they only had one book and no music this month. So as I mentioned in my last post I decided to give P2 a shot, and as you will see in my review, it was worth a watch. I had a great headline for a negative review if it had been a real clunker. On the front cover the subheading is "A New Level of Terror", and I was set use "It should have said A New Level of Terrible!". Oh well, someone else who thinks less of it may come up with that. I have to admit that it's not terribly original.

Until next time...
PH

Amazon Vine Review: A Fraction of the Whole

I had mentioned previously that I was reading A Fraction of the Whole through Amazon's Vine program. Well I've finished the 500+ pages, and just posted my review. It was an interesting read. Much of the content goes against what I believe, but I think that you grow when you understand opposing views without losing your own.

In addition Vine now has a secondary offering each month a week after the initial batch. I took a couple of additional selections that I will be reviewing over the next couple of weeks. One is a shorter book called So Brave, Young and Handsome and the other is a DVD for a thriller called P2. I initially dismissed the novel because I thought the title sounded like it was targeted for women. However, the synopsis actually sounded pretty interesting. On the DVD, the trailer looked like it would be worth a watch on Amazon's dime. I guess we'll find out.

Until next time...
PH