Phil's Weblog- Media, Music, Tech and Everything Else

New WebSite

Phil — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:58:27 +0000

Hi All,

Please visit my new site philinhd.com, for future posts on technology, music, and lots lots more.

Digital Transition Day is here: Are You ready?

Phil — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:40:41 +0000

So i have been pretty absent from the blogging community for a while thats because i work in Tv and have spent the last 3 years getting ready for today, which is digital Transition day. So today was supposed to be when all full power Television stations were to only broadcast Digtial/HD signals. The deadline has now been moved to June 12th so more people can be prepared. I got news for you if you are not prepared by now you probably wont be, you wont act until forced to but rest assured all tv stations will eventually be converted to digital broadcasting. Which will mean extra side channels from your favorite stations, which by the way cable or sat will not be carrying as of now, you need to use the converter box to get these channels, and better improved audio and video quality. So what is everyone waiting for? I as a station mgr am a little bit angry that this date was pushed back because this has been the last three years of my job was getting the public ready for this transition. Anyway i want to know how the digital transition is going for you, the stations cannot move fwd with this successfully without the public’s input. Did you buy a converter box or two. did you start taking cable or sat service before or after this was announced, are you having antenna issues, did you make your own antenna, what can i do to help you along the conversion process? And also i think this video explains the digital transition perfectly. Happy half Digital transition day. About 600 stations converting today as planned.

What i listenend to in 2008-My Top 10 albums

Phil — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:25:42 +0000

So according to itunes play counts and other factors here is what i bought or obtained in 2008 as my favorite albums for the year:

10. Coldplay- Viva la Vida

9. Kid rock- Rock and Roll Jesus

8. Alkaline Trio- Agony and Irony

7. Apocalyptica- World’s Collide

6. Metallica- Death Magnetic

5. John Mayer- Where the light is-Live in L.a.

4. Third day- Revelation

3. Ac/dc- Black ice

2. Weezer-Red Album

1. Hinder-Take it to the Limit

These all may seem mainstream and thats all that i listen to but that is very untrue, just ask the people who i run around with the kinds of things i listen to. But this list was the most played things of the year for me all very noteworthy efforts.

What were your most listened to albums of 2008 and what do you look forward to for this year. I have got some really diverse tastes going on right now i promise you.

Album Review: Gun’s and Roses Chinese Democracy

Phil — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:05:53 +0000

Well its finally out, so we have been waiting according to the media 12,17, and 19 years for this album to finally see the light of day. And it saw store shelves yesterday only at best buy, which i am still trying to understand that marketing but whatever. So its 14 tracks with no extras. just a plain jane cd with some ok cover art. The title track is definatley a modified sound overall. The rest of the tracks are very experimental indeed with tones,vocals, mixing and drum machines. The album goes down some paths i was hoping it would not go musically and vocally. But the best you can say about this album is that all the songs were throw aways from earlier recording sessions and thats probably what you can expect but if you are in to that like i am you will like the album, if your looking for a rebirth of Gnr or another Appetitite for destruction its just not going to happen, i think the most avaid of fans know that. But as i continue to listen to the album it growing on me a lot and i am willing to give it all the chances in the world.

Album Review – Metallica – Death Magnetic

Phil — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:02:30 +0000

So Metallica is back with their 9th studio album Death Magnetic, all i can say is that is was a very high anticipated wait for all. Coming back on the scene with producer Rick Rubin(I would have chose no other) and a new bass player the album doesn’t disappoint. Except for the facts it is only 10 tracks and comes with no extras like a dvd or bonus material. Overall i like it as a whole its pretty driving and in your face. There were some things that annoyed me, The single “The day that never comes” has been identified by some as the new “One” Im not so sure i agree as the musicianship is kind of all over the place with the annoying drumming(check out the snare on st. anger,in the same category), and the many guitar riffs it tries to incorporate it just makes the song go all over the place. My three favorite tracks were Cyanide, and My Acocalypse, and Judas Kiss because they are most like and what we expect from Metallica. But i do like the varations they implent on the other tracks. I was in San Francisco when this album came out back in September and we were listening to some rock radio station out there and the dj was asking listeners if it was anything like the “Old Metallica”. I have always hated this argument about them since their black album came out, it just wont die. i’ve heard prople say “it sucks, its not like the old days when they were good and aggressive and didnt sell out”. what exactly does any of that mean?, they are still musicians, artist, who are playing the music they hopefully like and want to play and putting it out there for us. Rather we like or not is another story, but damn people shut up about if its like the old days and old albums that was them then, and this is them now. We have a right to say rather if we like it or not Its still just as good i think, you improve with time and every album, piece of art or vocal, and it is not going to be a masterpiece every time but if your out there playing, writing, singing, drawing or whatever it is you do i applaud your effort and I will buy your effort every time.

Election Day Humor:Even Homer likes Obama

Phil — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:17:31 +0000

A little Laugh on Election day:Even Homer wants to vote for Obama

AC/DC Electrify BitTorrent Album Downloads

Phil — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:51:17 +0000

AC/DC will release its new album ‘Black Ice’ worldwide on October 20th, in physical format only since the band doesn’t sell its music online. However, the upcoming album has already been digitized by pirates, as it leaked to BitTorrent five days. In that time it has taken the trackers by storm, racking up a staggering 400,000 downloads.

Thank you

Phil — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:15:24 +0000

I want to give special thanks to our friends Casey and Jill Stephens who came to rescue of a 4-6 week year old puppy, who was dumped off at my wifes dads place of work one evening. Casey and Jill saw a need and responded, sometimes I just can’t believe the way some people treat animals but great people such as casey and jill will give him a great home and I think Lucky Socks Pistol Pete(his tentative new name) couldn’t be happier. Thank you again Casey and Jill.

Puppy needs a home

Phil — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:18:16 +0000

Calling all readers: we have found a puppy that was dumped off with my wife’s dad at his place of work. We dont know much about him other than he is 6-8 weeks old maybe. We are unsure of the bread but could be a heinz 57. We would take him ourselves but we already have two other dogs. We are wanting someone who can provide for him and be with him a lot and give him a good loving home in the Oklahoma City area. If you you are this person please email me at phbrooks@cox.net or comment to this thread. Thanks so much.

Album Review- Chris Tomlin – Hello Love

Phil — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:56:25 +0000

When Chris Tomlin released Hello Love i was waiting in anticipation to see what he would bring to us the listener, worship service, and worship leaders. After all being a staple in christian music for a long time, and many of his songs are used to lead worship services, praise bands, etc seems like much was expected off this release called Hello Love. I wasnt to crazy about the title or even the album artwork for that matter, but thats only part of the story with this release. Early reviews of the album stated why couldn’t Chris learn more than 4 chords?(yes his songs are pretty simple guitar pieces i know this because i have played them in worship), More of the same, His greatest album yet,some people like i just did critize the artwork. But for me the release delievers a great worship experince vocally, it has everything i like and even somethings i dislike about christian praise music. But overall the album tracks out with a good opener Sing, Sing, Sing and keeps a good flow setting the tone for a great worship experince. So i can agree the lyrics are pretty typical but i dont think formulated by any means like some might say. Musically i was probably hoping for a little bit more tones that we havent heard before and little more experimental work. But that being said it is still a great album and will probably be on my top 10 for the year. its not to be missed. My feeling is this the artist is writing and playing and recording and thats enough for me but dont get me wrong it still needs to be a qulaity piece of work which this most definately is.( see my review of Metallica’s death magnetic where i will get into this a little more). Now for the worship leaders out there my church bought the worship leader- limited edition version and it comes with a pdf disc of the whole album with chord chart lyrics and all the leadership tools you will need to incorporate chris’s music latest work into your worship service. It’s a very neat bonus and not that much more expensive. So anyone agree or disagree with me on chris’s latest?