The regular half assed review crew is back as we continue on our journey through the Prime Universe films with Star Trek: First Contact. Join us as Mr. Cool and Berg get the General to defend a movie that's not his favorite as they both gush about their love for this movie featuring the Next Gen cast. As always, Listen and Enjoy. Thanks for stopping by.

Talking Trek Wars returns to its HAR series with the launch of the Next Generation films beginning with Generations. Berg and the General are joined once again by Mr. Cool as they continue their deep dive. Listen and Enjoy. Thanks for stopping by.

Recorded on August 5th, 2018 the regular crew of the General and Berg sit down the wrap up the original crew on their journey through the prime universe films with Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. As per usual we use our good/bad/ugly format but this time go in reverse order and find stuff to argue about over our favorite Star Trek movie. As always, Listen and Enjoy. Thanks for stopping by.

Episode Redux. Do to a strange occurance where libsyn removed half the show we've redone all the links to the new edition of this episode.

The General returns to join Berg as they continue on their Half Assed Review of the "Prime Universe" with the fifth installment, The Final Frontier. Originally recorded on June 17, 2018. Listen and Enjoy. Thanks for stopping by.

And the adventure continues as the journey through the Prime Universe brings us to Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. This week the General is away but he emailed his list so returning guest Peter Cooley and Berg can continue their half assed review. As always, listen and enjoy. Thanks for stopping by.


​Note: We recorded in a new setting that through the accoustics into a echo throughout. 

After a slight schedule delay the guys are back to share a new installment in their "Prime Universe" half assed review of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. As always, listen and enjoy. Thanks for stopping by.

We return for another edition in our HAR series, this episode has us covering the original series episode "Space Seed" and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Join Berg and the General as we break them down. Listen and Enjoy, and as always Thanks for Stopping By.

Greetings listeners! In this all new episode the crew sits down with first time guest Peter Cooley to begin their Prime Universe review series of the Star Trek films. We begin with The Motion Picture to discuss the good, bad, and ugly of the film. As always, listen and enjoy. Thanks for stopping by.

Lance and Berg saw a movie. That movie was Jupiter Ascending! Hear our review of it and our recommendations. We try not to spoil it initially so you can hear the bare bones review and leave before we really get into the movie. As this is the first HAR in a while we tend to tangent off the movie. Listen and Enjoy.

Another week and another new HAR!  This week I decided to review a “new” release from another of my favorite bands, The Gaslight Anthem and their “B-Sides.”  Without any more fluff and rambling lets get into it.

The Album:

Collecting their b-sides from the Side One Dummy years this release comprises several acoustic tracks, covers, radio spots, live and digital exclusives.  For completist (for which I am one) this will round out their early years from unknowns to knowns.  Some of the tracks are different versions of their more notable songs.

The Good:

Let me first state that I truly enjoy all of these songs except maybe one.  I think what really comes through is the bands talent at writing songs and Brian Fallon’s ability to alter and tweek these songs in multiple ways giving new layers and depths to songs that are already pretty deep.  Some of the acoustic tracks are just Brian and his guitar, others are truly different acoustic tracks with added instruments, changed tempos, altered lyrics and a different vocal delivery. Examples of this can be heard in track 7, “Great Expectations,” and track 10, “Boxer,” to name two.

As for the covers on this album the one that I like the most is “Tumbling Dice.”  Now, it may just be due to my love of the Rolling Stones but I could listen to this song over and over again.  I’ve heard many covers by The Gaslight Anthem up to this point.  Their iTunes Session album consisted mostly of covers and there are numerous others to be found on YouTube, this band seems to have an uncanny ability to take songs and present them faithfully or recreate them as their own. I’ve always enjoyed covers and I think it is a great way to also get to know the band and those that influenced them.

The Bad and Ugly:

I’m joining the two categories here because I do not have too many negative criticisms to warrant seperating the two.  For the bad I would choose the “State of Love and Trust Live” tack.  It is not that I dislike the song and I understand the band loves Pearl Jam, for me, it is a personal preference that there isn’t much to distinguish it from their studio recording of it.  The real benefit of having this album, as stated above, is the difference from the studio recordings that set it apart.  

As for the “ugly,” I would lean towards the selection and their availability already.  Most of these tracks can be found elsewhere and I would have enjoyed more.  Last year I purchased the “singles collection” boxset of 45s.  All of which are the same as the B-Sides LP.  The packaging was better and had a nice asthetic that cost more but gave more, I feel.  Is it more  convienent to have them on one LP and not having to go through the process of switching out 7” after every song, yes, but the tedium is overshadowed by the presentation of each single and the collectors item that accompanied.  

Addressing the song selection, though I enjoyed what was given I would of loved to have a double album comprising all that which is hard to come by.  For example, the “Antonia Jane” and “Queens of Lower Chelsea” tracks came from the KEXP interview Brian did just prior to the release of “American Slang” LP, on that performance were other songs too that I would have enjoyed as well as the version placed here.  Furthermore, versions of “She Loves You” BBC and the record store release of “Misery” EP would have rounded it out nicely.

The Wrap Up:

All in all I”m happy with the release.  Gripes aside, it is a good rounding out for fans.  Will this bring in new fans?  That is something I’m not so sure of.  Those already familiar with the band are fully aware of their talent and ability to change up songs for different presentations.  If  anything it further demonstrates the song writing and crafting of the band to make songs that are good in any setting.

Til next time and please remember that I don’t really know anything, I’m just half assing it.