nikotine withdrawal

December 31st, 2011 Espy NYE Listened to this one playing quake champions classic[1] on quake's first episode. I like playing as commander keen for the pogo stick, thus the art above featuring that. I'm mostly used to jank source engine air control, so having a more responsive and stick-based method of pogoing feels like an uncertain breeze: Worryingly strong and still refreshing. When you get in a groove, movement is a nimble dance around and atop beasties. It's a beautiful thing.

From track one, Elbow, it feels closer to the band's later stuff. Not in a bad way, mind. I really like the newer stuff, probably more. I don't know why. Is it the harmonica? With each live show it feels closer to Nonagon, the album I've listened to the most. Is it the vocals growing more tamed, no longer the Mischief Brew hollering[2]? All the same, its a smoother pull off the jam cigarette. Still got those premium calls and responses at time. Chant-able

The experience of experimenting with modded Quake movement blends into beautiful, Bob Rossian hues with this show. The guitars and percussion alone vaguely remind me of the surf. Crashing, but not destructively. The tide isn't fully out, the waves brush roughly against the rocks without disrupting the barnacles and snails. The fluidity of bouncing around quake levels, platform to platform, goomba stomp to goomba stomp. This matches well with the music.

Give it a listen. Strong closer for the year.