Book: The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

You know when you watch a movie and THEN read the book, how it can often ruin the book? Not so, with The Big Sleep. The only reason I say this is Humphrey Bogart. Humphrey Bogart IS Philip Marlowe.

Philip Marlowe is the archetypal hard-boiled detective who gets by on wits alone it seems, for he is rarely "packing heat" and when he is it is always someone else's gun.

The book reads quickly, and there is not a lot of filler: every word written contributes to the plot. I was surprised how risque some of the scenes are in the book, considering it was published in 1939.

While I was able to visualize the style of the time and the characters, having seen the movie, I often found myself comparing the movie to the book. Due to the enforcement of the Hays Code, a fair amount of the plot elements were either omitted or altered in an effort to censor the work and make it more acceptable for the masses. (If only they'd have known where we'd be 60 years later.)

If you're looking for a good detective novel, this is it.

I look forward to reading more of Marlowe's cases.

CD: Endgame by Megadeth

This is my first blog/review. So, please bear with me.

Well, I suppose I'm a bit late to the party on this one, but I thought that I'd start with this album for my first review since it is my latest purchase.

Endgame by Megadeth is receiving a lot of great reviews: 10 out of 10, 5 out of 5, etc.

Personally, I thought that the last album, United Abominations, was a 10 out of 10 and that their latest effort was not up to par; however, after multiple listens and a study of the lyrics I can understand why this album is receiving the praise it is due (I can't get the songs out of my head).

The guitar work is much more intense than it has been on recent releases, and there is a definite feel of purpose as Dave and Chris burn through their respective solos.

Highlights of the album include "44 Minutes" about the bank robbery in North Hollywood, CA that occurred on 2/28/97. Where local police were not properly equipped to deal with what hell spit out that day. What Heavy Metal album would be complete without a song about a Medieval torture device? "Head Crusher" delivers in both lyrical content and musical symbolism as the listener can truly feel his head being crushed as the guitars crunch through their riffs.

"And what of love," you ask? "The Hardest Part of Letting Go...Sealed With a Kiss" touches on that subject as Dave has his love "immured" in a wall alla Edgar Allan Poe.

The title track "Endgame" refers to a bill signed in secret by former president GWB and its implications for a "New World Order." Whether you agree or disagree with the politics, the idea of concentration camps or detainment centers in the USA is enough to take notice.

Conspicuously missing is the requisite ode to nuclear war, alas there are two conventional war-inspired epics: "This Day We Fight!" and "How the Story Ends."

Much has been debated pitting Megadeth vs. Metallica. Personally, I enjoy both bands and am a fan of each. Metallica's 2008 release, Death Magnetic, was a definite 11 out of 10 and contains some of their best work. On a similar note, Endgame, does the same for Megadeth. Both of these albums prove that "Rock n' Roll will never die!"