Elaine Canby

Their best album since the 5 album run of Static Prevails (1996), Clarity (1999), Bleed American (2001), Futures (2004) & Chase This Light (2007). It’s more experimental than their previous two records, with a darker edge and some teeth; case in point, “Pass the Baby.” Other amazing tracks include the 1.2.3. Punch of “You with Me”, “Sure and Certain”, “It Matters” & and the excellent closer “Pol Roger.” The rest of tracks are great as well. It does sound a little generic in places, but that’s probably because my relatives listen to Christian Music Radio Channels which copy paste this sound over written with their “messages” about God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and whatever other imperialistic messages about converting the non-believers this week. Choking on the Second-Hand Smoke that is Mainstream Christian Music. But back to the album, this is a grower. Give an actual band with great lyrics this sound and it works. I would say this album is a A (9.5 or 9) out of A+ (10), almost a masterpiece, a great album from a great band that still has integrity to make great music without selling out. 👍

Emperor Nero was called a tyrant by many, but all accounts are either fragmented or lopsided being written by people long after his time or those who were in positions of power who opposed him. It was said that the common people loved him and the nobility and others in power hated him. This series uses the pop culture backdrop of The Great Fire of Rome in 64 A.D. as a framing mechanism to say that Nero started the fire and blamed the Christians for his own actions. Nero and the Roman Centurions are portrayed as villains from old looney tunes cartoons with Nero in particular being designed a man of short height with a Napoleon complex, God complex and a terrible singing voice. The opening synopsis that plays at the beginning uses animation cuts from different episodes from the series and some unique ones only during this sequence. Some character models are off key, especially with Tacticus who goes from a sunken eye look in early appearances to a more natural look after his conversion. The animation is janky and slow most of the time and the voice acting doesn’t match the lip movements. Another major animation flub is the character going back and forth between having 4 fingers and then 5. Awkward facial expressions are seen throughout as well. Most of the 13 episodes have three New Testament Bible stories told over the course of the episode with a overarching theme connecting to it. Two compilation films were made by string three episodes a piece together to make a running plot, one about Easter and one about Christmas. Featuring additional sappy songs to go with reused animation and montages from previous episodes. While there may be some nostalgia after seeing it again, watching the lazy/poor animation will infuriate some and bore others. If you want something more historically accurate and for kids (and all ages), checkout Horrible Histories. Much funnier, clever and witty.