Must Have Apps For Android Users

So you have a shiny new Android phone but you want to get the most out of it? Well here is my list of The Blurs must have apps for any Android user.

1.     ADW Launcher EX By Anderweb

While there are lots of home replacement apps out there I always end up coming back to ADW. To me ADW is the fastest and most customizable launcher out there. Not to mention how many different themes there are for it. The new scrollable dock is also a very solid selling point for this app.

2.     Advanced Task Killer By ReChild

Anyone who owns an Android device needs to have a task killer unless they like a slow laggy phone. While there are a lot of task killers out there this is the most popular and is pretty light on system resources. Just remember to make an ignore list for all the apps that should continuously run.

3.     Double Twist Player By Doubletwist

Since the battle between iOS and Android first started Apple’s iOS had a solid leg up on Android due to its seamless integration with the users computer through iTunes. Enter Double Twist the first program for Android that allows seamless syncing between Android devices and the users computer. Double Twist is available free on the Android Market and has an accompanying free multi platform download for your computer on their website. This software runs like a tank. Also for a cheap price you can upgrade to Double Twist Air. Air let’s you sync wirelessly over your home Wifi and will make all iPhone users in the vicinity very jelly.

4.     Ice Cream Sandwich ADW Theme By Kovdev

This is my current favorite ADW theme and it is the perfect theme for anyone whose phone may not be getting an upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich anytime soon. Make all your friends jealous with this well made and attractive theme. Hater’s gon hate!

5.     LP New MIUI Icon Pack By TweetyPeety

This is hand down the best icon pack on the market and it’s free! All the icons match very well and this is the only icon pack that ive found that has a replacement icon for almost every app in my phone. The creator of this pack is also very good about constantly updating it with new icons.

6.     Handcent SMS By handcent_market

Handcent SMS is a great SMS replacement app and is the only one I use. Handcent just runs much better than the stock SMS app and has a much better look. Thanks to a wide range of customizability and well made themes this app will fit in with any phones theme. The way Handcent threads conversations is also very nice and can give users an iphone look if they so please.

7.     iPhone VO Theme Lite By Sangmin,Han

If for some reason you ever feel inclined to make your Android phone look like its running iOS then look no further than this theme. The iPhone VO Lite theme is by miles the best iOS theme on the market and it’s free.

8.     Beautiful Widgets By LevelUp Studio

Beautiful Widgets is an all inclusive widget pack that features some of the best looking weather and time widgets on the market. Their home screen clock is my favorite on the market and I have it skinned with a great Gingerbread style theme. All of the widgets are highly customizable and BW has a huge selection of skins.

9.     Pure Calendar Widget By Francois DESLANDES

Pure Calendar Widget is exactly what its name implies a well made calendar widget. This widget has lots of different sizes and even support for tablets. It also features a handy timeline option. Like any great app this is also very customizable and has a large selection of skins.

10. Remote for iTunes By Hyperfine

Remote for iTunes is an awesome simple app that allows you to control iTunes on any computer on the same Wifi as your phone. However is this a lot more than just next, stop, and play this app actually lets you browse your whole library on your phone just as if you were in front of the computer yourself. This app is also great for controlling music during parties.

11. Vignette By neilandtheresa

Vignette is the very best camera app out there. It has a ton of different effects and photo frames to choose from and even has options like steady shot. Vignette will get the most out of any cameras phone. Even on phones with very poor quality cameras vignette will make photos look far better to anything shot on the stock camera app.

12. Where’s My Droid By alienmanfc6

Have you ever lost your phone and went to call it when you realize its on silent? Well get out of that fetal position and do something about this problem! Go download Where’s My Droid. This app works very simply once it is installed on the users phone it helps you find your phone whenever its lost even if it is on silent. Where’s My Droid works by having a keyword whenever another phone texts your phone with this keyword where my droid will automatically start up and turn your phones volume to full and then emit a loud noise until you find your phone.

Album Review: Tycho - Dive

Since I was first introduced to Tycho when Sunrise Projector was released I have become a huge fan of his super smooth style of IDM and after hearing the Costal Brake single I was very excited for his new full length.

Well Dive is finally here and I’m here to give my breakdown of the new album. On Dive we are seeing a strong progression of Scott Hansen aka Tycho as a composer. For this album Scott used a much wider range of interments including guitars and real drums. Talking about the new album Scott said he decided to use more real instruments to allow his live shows to have more personal feel. Without seeing a live show I personally feel this choice adds a lot of depth to Dive and really sets it apart in the IDM world.

Dive starts off with “A Walk”. This track is a great precursor to the album and really lets everyone know what to expect. It features some great synth work and drums that really drive the track before some guitars come in later in the song. If you aren’t already in love with the album by the time the grove at the near end of the song hits then this album isn’t for you. “Hours” brings in some airy synths and is exactly the kind of mellow grove we expect from Tycho. “Daydream” kicks off with guitars and progresses from there into a realm only Scott could create with synths drums and bass all weaving into a beautiful electro nirvana. “Dive” opens up with a great sample of a women’s voice and an overall upbeat synth grove interspersed with the same reoccurring sample. The track steadily builds into a blissful crescendo. “Costal Brake” was released as a single prior to the release of the album but still fits in perfectly with the rest of Scott’s newer material. This track is a buttery smooth IDM take on house and trance. This is an all around feel good track that seems tailor made for a video montage. On the track “Ascension” we are seeing a solid progression of the kind of tracks produced on Past is Prologue. This track is 100% classic Tycho and has some great big sounding synths that let up for a pan flute inspired interlude that seems reminiscent of the music of the Native Americans. The next track “Melanine” is my personal favorite on the album. This slow and reflective track is heavy with soulful guitars rifts and a simplistic arrangement that gives almost the feeling of a ballad. “Adrift” is a track Scott has previously released in 2008 on the Adrift / From Home EP. Not much is new here but the track is still as smooth and mellow as ever and cleanly blends with the rest of the album. Epigram is another upbeat jam with all the elements we would expect. This track seems very reminiscent of Send and Receive and Past is Prologue from his previous work. However that does not mean it is a bad track because those were some of my favorite tracks off the previous full length. Dive finally ends with “Elegy” an absolutely flawless final track. This track really shows off Scotts composing skills. The track uses some very original rhythms for an IDM producer and is interspersed with beautiful guitar work. The entire song is a slow glistening reflective track driven along by solid guitar work, bubbling synths, and a great bass line. The guitar leads in this song are absolutely prefect and must make a great impact at live shows.

If you have been a fan of Tychos previous work then you will instantly love Dive and it will find a solid place on your IDM shelf. Even if you have never listened to IDM before Tychos ultra smooth style makes his work appealing and easy to digest for any listener.

For me this album is a solid 10 out of 10

- Jimmy Bishop

Album Review: Substructure - Monolith

St. Louis, Missouri’s Substructure (David Bruno, Jordan Sanders, Kevin Dannerman, Joey Harrel and Joey Nichols) is a group of five guys crafting a sound that they prefer to refer to as “Intergalactic Space Djams.” After a thorough listen, I’d have to agree that the label is pretty accurate. “Monolith,” released in late August of 2011, has set the group on a definitive path to respect and attention.

“Monolith” starts off with “Cassiopeia,” a brilliant piece of art that transcends from extraterrestrial to extremely heavy within a matter of second. Much can be derived from the overall concept of the album in this first two minutes of the EP. A flawless transition leads into the second track, “Canis Minor.” A whirlpool of intricate guitar and drum work are held together by a constant lyrical theme of lost sight and camaraderie, reaching a crescendo with the line “Rise up, this disunity is killing us. We must bond together or this world will bury us.” An interlude at the end of the second track leads right into the third. “Canis Major” is as beautiful as the first two are heavy, retaining the concept with lyrics such as “We must end this constant struggle: awaken the ghost in the shell. We must end this constant struggle: revive mankind from hell.” Over twice as long as the first two tracks, ranging from smooth and jazzy to hellishly intricate and complex, this number is refreshing and unique. “Canis Major” displays ingenious harmonies, effects, beats and leads, highlighting the musicianship and compositional prowess these lads possess.

As the EP begins its final descent into “Telescopium,” Substructures flexes their undoubtedly powerful minds again, pulling some massive tonal shifts without even thinking about asking for permission. “We have fallen to the ground, but the truth it we have the strength to abound” rings out as “Monoceros” roars into sight. Staying in the form of the previous songs, the EP’s fifth track breaks into a groovier side of Substructure’s sound which keeps the listener guessing – as always. With the end unfortunately in sight, “Cephus” rears its head, igniting a salvo of jazzy leads, otherworldly synth pads, opulent ghost notes and rampaging “djent” riffs. After a moments respite, searing leads sweep in and carry you into a Born of Osiris-esque savvy synth break before bringing an apocalypse of low-string open note strikes and palm mutes, complimented with off-beat snare shots and guttural vocalizations that brings “Monolith” to a close.

My first listen to Substructure’s EP was ground-breaking, personally. I listened to it multiple times a day for the first week afterwards and still listen to it regularly. While “Monolith” packs in six songs (one more than most EPs have), there is so much thought put into every single riff and section including a variety of stylistic exploration within each song that makes it all but impossible to deny the strength and quality of their musicianship. Any enthusiast of extreme music will be able to find something to applaud on “Monolith” – be it the perfectly places interludes, dazzlingly original synth pad usage, amazing guitar work, incredibly drumming chops or brilliant vocals.

You liked Born of Osiris’ “The New Reign,” The Faceless’ “Akeldama,” and Structures’ “All of the Above” – you are going to love this brilliant piece of Intergalactic Space Djamage.

10 out of 10, on all fronts.

--Donnie Vitanovo

Welcome To The Blur

For a while now I have been contemplating the idea of starting a blog. The Blur is the manifestation of these thoughts. This blog will cover almost everything I find interesting. Some of the main focuses will be Music, Film, Graphic Design, Architecture, Hookah, and Tech.


Thanks,
Jimmy Bishop