Hood Golden Eggnog

Hood Golden Eggnog

The Golden bit is appropriate in that this Eggnog; a “limited edition” Hood product; has an almost caramel aftertaste. That helps make it the sweet treat it is, especially when served ice-cold like the neighborhood in the illustration on the carton. There’s also a recipe for Eggnog Cake, which sounds good.

my rating : 4 of 5

audio review : Singing The Word ( album ) … Lyrical Lively

audio review : Singing The Word ( album ) ... Lyrical Lively

The title is mostly true. Lyrical Lively is Singing more and rapping less this time around. The elder; she was 74 on her previous album; actually performs her novelty on just one song; Holiness Is Beautiful. It; the best song; is also the only one she says Uh Huh on, which suggests it’s probably a leftover. This follow-up release is decent but inferior overall.

my rating : 3 of 5

2015

audio review : Uh Huh ( album ) … Lyrical Lively

audio review : Uh Huh ( album ) ... Lyrical Lively

This is the debut of Lyrical Lively; a 74-year-old rapper. That sentence sounds ridiculous, but give it a chance. The beats are much better than you’d expect. The first three songs are actually Good; perhaps more uplifting and certainly more accessible than the Christian God the reverend promotes obsessively. That’s more than I can say for most rap albums, gospel or otherwise.

my rating : 3 of 5

2014

video review : The Age Of Disclosure

video review : The Age Of Disclosure

It may indeed be The Age Of Disclosure. Our leaders have never been so forthright about the possible existence of space aliens. It’s nonetheless a slow leak, so we have to settle for documentaries like this in which people talk about the evidence we’re not yet allowed to see.

“It was the size of a Super Walmart”, Airman Mario Woods says of a UFO or, as this presentation insists, “UAP” he claims to have witnessed. Those accounts are the most interesting parts, but there aren’t enough. Too much time is spent on the lack of government transparency.

my rating : 3 of 5

2025

audio review : Cabin In The Sky ( album ) … De La Soul

audio review : Cabin In The Sky ( album ) ... De La Soul

The overarching theme of this album has to do with Dave’s death. His absence is acknowledged from the opening roll call. Hearing him rap on the same virtual tribute project as if he’s still a living member of De La Soul makes for an awkward listening experience, especially when the inferior demo-like quality of his verse (Package) suggests obvious posthumous shenanigans.

Not that there aren’t hints of the good old days. Prince Paul; the only producer they ever need; is sadly missing in action, but Will Be is nostalgic fun while it lasts. Patty Cake, led by a gorgeous organ loop, could’ve been a lot sweeter with a better chorus. Perhaps the same can be said for Truth; a throwback to when the rappers were more playful with their vocal delivery.

my rating : 3 of 5

2025

Prime Energy Drink : Original

Prime Energy Drink : Original

They call this Original, but it has a citrus (orangey/lemony) flavor that makes it taste a little more refreshing than expected. It’s not quite good, thanks to the fizzy carbonation, but it’s one of the better plain Energy Drinks. The caffeine count is 200 milligrams.

my rating : 3 of 5

video review : Weapons

video review : Weapons

The best thing about this story is the initial premise. A class of elementary school kids go missing after running away from home at “2:17 in the morning”. Once that mystery is solved and its supernatural origins are revealed, you’re left wishing you were watching something more serious than a horror flick with comedic undertones.

That’s not to say it isn’t interesting enough to keep watching, but some of it “doesn’t make any sense at all”. The plot; sliced into nonlinear chapters based on each main character; never really comes together in the end. The whole point of Gladys’ Weapons, in fact, let alone the significance of “2:17”, is basically left to your imagination.

my rating : 3 of 5

2025

365 Organic Eggnog

365 Organic Eggnog

This Organic Eggnog; a Whole Foods Market product; is “Made with Milk from Cows Not Treated with rBST”. It’s also “ultra-pasteurized”. The one unhealthy thing about it is the cane sugar, though its sweetness is somewhat subdued. It’s good Eggnog but not as good as some other (non-organic) brands.

my rating : 4 of 5

Good And Gather Organic Egg Nog

Good And Gather Organic Egg Nog

This Egg Nog; a Target “limited edition”; is indeed Good. It’s not good for you; egg nog is inherently sweet and even Organic sugar is bad for your health; but the ingredients list suggests it’s about as wholesome as the drink gets. The taste of nutmeg is splendidly dominant, but it would be better thicker.

my rating : 4 of 5

SkinnyPop Popcorn : White Cheddar

SkinnyPop Popcorn : White Cheddar

The bag describes this Popcorn as “deliciously Popped” and “perfectly seasoned”, but neither are true. If the adverbs were switched around, it might be perfectly Popped; you won’t find any leftover kernels; but you can barely taste the White Cheddar. It tastes almost like regular salted Popcorn, which is just okay.

my rating : 3 of 5

Twix

Twix

There’s something deliciously inviting about sinking your top teeth into a layer of chewy caramel laid atop one of two crunchy “cookie bars”. They call them Twix, which supposedly stand for Twin sticks or stix. It’s the milk chocolate coating they would probably taste even better without.

my rating : 4 of 5