Quick Update

A small change has been made to the blog - a "filters" section has been added to the sidebar. This allows you to read posts on a specific subject. Enjoy!

Blog Hiatus

electric overdrive will be taking a breif, four to five day hiatus this week. Once it has ended, I will come back with an "Overview" of all the news I had missed.

June 25: A Day That Will Live In Infamy

Today, the world was stricken with grief as Farrah Fawcett, after a long battle with anal cancer, passed away. But, unfortunately the pain would not end as it has been confirmed that Michael Jackson has also passed away today.

Farrah Fawcett, who was most famous for playing Jill Munroe in the hit TV series Charlie's Angels, was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006, acted as a role model for cancer patients with her aggressive attitude toward her disease. She unfortunately passed away early this morning, at 9:30 PDT. Her documentary, Farrah's Story, aired a little over

a month ago, and documented her time with cancer. Fawcett also acted as a sex symbol of the 1970s.

Jackson's death, while confirmed by TMZ and the LA Times, has been met with both grief and skepticism. Because he is "known for his theatrics", a few believe that this may be a stunt - unlikely, however, has he did suffer a serious heart attack earlier in the day. Jackson was one of the most popular musicians of all time, having been admitted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. His most popular song, undoubtedly, was Thriller.

Fawcett and Jackson will be greatly missed, and June 25 will surely be a day that no one forgets.

Image credit: HamovHotov (here), ESPN (here).

Rest In Peace, Ed McMahon

Earlier today, it was reported that famous The Tonight Show co-host Ed McMahon had passed away. While no formal cause of death has been released, it has been reported that McMahon was previously suffering from pneumonia. The pneumonia may be an effect of a toxic mold problem he and his family faced several years ago. He was also recently diagnosed with bone cancer.

McMahon worked on a number of TV shows, as well as a few movies, but he is undoubtedly most popular for his role as co-host on The Tonight Show. Alongside host Johnny Carson, he provided plenty of laughs with his booming voice and signature "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!". His role on the show gave him the nickname "Human Laugh Track".

McMahon was also the host of Star Search for it's entire 12-year run, and has appeared in Alf's Hit Talk Show as co-host. He has written two memoirs: Here's Johnny!: My Memories of Johnny Carson, The Tonighty Show, and 46 Years of Friendship, and For Laughing Out Loud. Ed McMahon was 86.

Image credit: msnbc (here).

More Info Released On Sony's Motion Controller

At this year's E3, Sony unveiled a wand-like motion controller that received positive feedback at the show for it's accuracy. And now, a few weeks after the Expo ended, Sony has revealed more details on the accessory, and it's launch date.

Telling developers that the controller will work "with any games across all genres, from casual to core", Sony has seemingly ignored an angry fan reaction. As Sony "fanboys" mocked the Wii for it's "childish, gimmicky" controls, their future games might force them to buy this new controller for themselves.

But Sony remains confident. They are "currently looking into the possibility" of using the motion controller in combination with the DualShock (the regular controller) to play games. The example they used was being able to use "the motion controller as a sword and use DualShock 3 as a shield". The new peripheral is set for release in Spring of 2010.

Teaser Trailer For 'The Last Airbender' Released

Just yesterday, fans were given a treat when the teaser trailer for M. Night Shyamalan's upcomin film, The Last Airbender, based on the Avatar: The Last Airbender TV series. And while I was initally skeptical of the casting choices (and still am, somewhat), I am much more confident about the entire movie's ability to mirror the series.

The Airbending effects look much better than I had expected, and the sight of the fire nation ships bombarding the Air Temple was amazing - even if we still haven't seen Katara and Sokka, I can tell that the movie is shaping up to be amazing. However, it will still be quite a while before we get an actual trailer that will divulge some details.

Top Ten: Final Fantasy VII Songs

Not too long ago, I announced my plans to compile a Top Ten list of the greatest video game songs of all times, despite the fact that I already had with Project Playlist. However, it has come to my attention that this a near impossible feat without smudging my own opinion - why? Because, all the songs belong to Final Fantasy VII.

I do hope to create another Top Ten list of the greatest video game songs in the future, but this list will have to exclude Final Fantasy VII to be fair. For the record, the Mario games, the Zelda games, and the Sonic games would all have gotten at least one song on this least would it not be for Final Fantasy VII. So, I present to you, the Top Ten greatest songs in Final Fantasy VII.

10. Hurry Faster

One of the most appropriately named songs in the game. Most notably played in the "Battle Arena" at the Gold Saucer, the song conveys the thought of "hurrying", and is used in perfect combination with a timer. It's hurrying theme is noticeable in those who have never even heard it before, making it a true masterpiece.

9. Stolen Materia

Because of the fact that I am an avid clarinet player, you may believe that my choice of this song is somewhat biased as it features clarinets heavily. But that is not the reason I choose it - those who have played Final Fantasy VII know that this song ties in with Yuffie, who ends up stealing your materia because of her thieving ways. The song's light-hearted tune reminds me of that entire section of the game, as well as Yuffie's character. This tune's memorability also earned it a spot on the list.

8. Cait Sith's Theme

I couldn't include every character's theme on the list, and quite honestly, I didn't want to. Most do capture the true essence of the character (a very important quality), but they don't have the familiarity of a tune such as Cait Sith's Theme. You'd be hard-pressed to find a fan of the game who couldn't hum Cait Sith's tune, but even for those who haven't played the game can enjoy the jazz like qualities of this theme.

7. Shinra Army Wages A Full-Scale Attack

Again, you may believe that I picked this song with a bias, because of the fact that I am in marching band and this song is designed after a march. But, again, that is not why I picked it. The songs epic feel mirrors the mood of the scenes in which this theme is played very well. For fans of the game, hearing this song can only bring back memories of Shinra from the game. Expertly composed, this song undoubtedly has earned a spot on the list.

6. Highwind Takes To The Skies

Being one of the most epic songs in the game, I knew immediately that this theme would have a place in the Top Ten. While I initally wanted to place it higher in the list, there was just too many songs that beat it out. Regardless of that, this song highlights one of the most exciting points in the game: taking the Highwind and flying across the world for the very first time. Truly an amazing piece.

5. Still More Fighting (Boss Battle Theme)

Most of the songs on this list (and, in fact, in the entire game) are classical, even if some have a faster tune. But the boss battle theme, known as "Still More Fighting" is, undoubtedly a rock song. It may not have lyrics, but those who have not played the game will still find this song great, simply because it's a great deal more modern than the rest. If you played the game, than you remember the first time you heard this song, and the excitement it carried as you battled your first boss.

4. Crazy Motorcycle Theme

Ah, yes, the "Crazy Motorcycle" theme. Fans of the game will immediately remember the amazing in-game movie that pushed the PlayStation's graphics to the extreme as Cloud hopped on a motorcycle, armed only with a sword, and proceeded to destroy all the Shinra soldiers tailing him and his friends. Memorability definitely played a huge role in this theme reaching the number four spot, but no one can doubt that this a great and catchy tune.

3. Tifa's Theme

Quite possibly one of the most beautiful peaces in the game, "Tifa's Theme" is the perfect song to one of the most developed characters in the game. The slow, woodwind-based melody is quite soothing, and the whole song is carried with tons of emotion. For those who have played this game, it's a trip down memory lane - for those who haven't, it is still a beautiful tune.

2. Victory Fanfare

It may seem foolish to such a short tune above some of the greatest songs in the game, like "Tifa's Theme" and "Highwind Takes To The Skies". In fact, I doubted myself at first when I put the song so high on the list. But its length doesn't detract from the fact that this fanfare is, without a doubt, the most recognizable song from the game. Heard more than any other, the short trumpet blast will fill any player's heart with glee.

1. World Crisis

The length of this song is daunting, but that shouldn't stop you from listening to the whole thing. While slow, the beginning is quite beautiful, but the best comes later, when the song "explodes" into a very fast section. Composed perfectly, "World Crisis" is undoubtedly the greatest song from Final Fantasy VII. The slow parts are beautiful, the fast parts exciting, and the entire thing created with amazing precision. If I had to describe this song in just one word, it would be "epic". This song's epicness is truly what brought it to the top spot on the list. Listen, and enjoy.

And that concludes the Top Ten: Final Fantasy VII Songs. I truly hope that you listened through each song, as each earned a spot on this list for a reason.

Thanks to Entertonement for making this list possible!