UFC 94 Predictions
January 31, 2009
For all the fanfare past superfights have received, tonight’s bout between BJ Penn and Georges St.-Pierre may in fact be the greatest matchup in UFC history. Two champions in their primes, are entering the cage to settle some bad blood that rose out of a controversial decision in their last fight. MMA fans couldn’t ask for more, but in typical UFC fashion, more has been provided with a decent card of bouts leading up to Penn-St.-Pierre 2.
Nate Diaz vs. Clay Guida
If it weren’t for the main event, this lightweight bout would be hands down Fight of the Night. Nate Diaz, a world class BJJ player, who has torn through opponents since winning the Ultimate Fighter is finally being given a step up in competition. Clay Guida, by no means an expert in any discipline save wrestling, is perhaps the most relentless fighter in the weight class and can overwhelm more skilled fighters simply with his exhausting pace. Just ask Mac Danzig.
Top 10 Albums of 2008 #2
January 22, 2009
2008 was a mysterious year to say the least. Guns n’ Roses released Chinese Democracy after 67 years, Lil’ Wayne proved you can still sell over a million records in a week, Ricky Martin had twins, Kanye West became a singer, and Britney Spears isn’t crazy (for now).
The year also saw some notable deaths in the world of music - we lost Isaac Hayes, Bernie Mac (come on, he did skits on Kanye’s records), Jeff Healey and Mitch Mitchell.
But through it all, a handful of albums managed to rise to the top as the best of the bunch. Some you may have heard, some you may not have, but all are great pieces of music.
#10: MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
The Brooklyn based duo of Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden reached pivotal heights of success, and even graced the cover of Spin. Blending electronic and psychedelic pop fuzz, great songs like “Time to Pretend”, “Electric Feel” and “Kids” can get any indie hipster tp dance in their skinny jeans and fluorescent t-shirts.
Red Bull Crashed Ice 2009
January 22, 2009
Saturday, January 24th, 2009, Hardboss Magazine found itself comfortably suffocating in a crowd of 90,000 spectators in Old Quebec City. Everywhere we turned there were throngs of people moving about, faces wiped smooth by the frigid -22 degree wind, mouths chattering quickly, laughing, singing, shouting, cheering, and wild eyes all straining towards the same thing.
Stretching up a hill to the footsteps of the Chateau Frontenac a 550 metre glowing white track of ice, built over the last three weeks using seventy 1,700 lb boxes of crushed ice, wound through the streets. Sitting at the top of this track at any given time during the evening were four daredevils, some professional athletes, some quick but regular Joes, poised to skate down the marked up ice at speeds approaching 50 km/h with only hockey pads and a helmet to stop their bones from snapping and faces from splitting open when they inevitably slip, fall and tumble at some point on their way to victory and the chance to be crowned the new Red Bull Crashed Ice champion.
Top 8 Albums of 2008
January 21, 2009
This year saw a lot of new bands release kick ass debut albums, and a lot of old bands resting on their laurels. Popular music is diversifying more and more and rock and rap are now being challenged by dance/electronica bands and mash ups of all three. The top three albums in this list all could have been number one but what really mattered was which album was the most inspiring. The following list isn’t perfect but the tunes on it are damn near and sure to be played well into 2009 and beyond.
Honourable mentions:
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago - Honest, stark and haunting album. Takes some getting used to, but well worth the extra listens.
She and Him - Volume One - Sweet songs with infectious melodies.
Ryan Adams - Cardinology- An album that you might not rush to turn up, but you’ll never really want to turn off.
8. Hayden - In Field & Town - This album made little noise when released early this year and has garnered little attention since, unfortunately, because though quiet, peaceful and calm, it’s an excellent piece of music. Veering away from his sometimes bizarre tendencies Hayden poured his heart into a typical yet great acoustic rock album that heavily recalls After the Gold Rush. It captures so well, so much, and is one of the most slept-on albums of ‘08.
UFC 93 Predictions
January 17, 2009
The last UFC event, Ultimate 2008 was about as a good a fight card as MMA fans could ask for. Every fight was finished decisively and some in spectacular fashion. Two new champs were crowned and the UFC once again proved it was the best fight organization in the business. Rather then rest on their laurels and take a break the UFC is putting on two shows in January, the first UFC 93, while not a star-studded affair features at least a couple fights worth watching.
Marcus Davis vs Chris Lytle
Two battle-tested welterweight warriors are going head to head in what will be a stand-up showcase. They both asked for this fight and have promised to deliver a Griffin vs. Bonnar type slugfest. Lytle and Davis are both ex-boxers with great chins and should be able to deliver on their promise. This should surely be fight of the night as long as somebody doesn’t get knocked out too early
Cancer Bats – Inhale the Dream
January 7, 2009
Toronto’s hard hitting Cancer Bats are ready to destroy you by any means necessary. Whether it’s ripping out your ear drums with their latest album, Hail Destroyer, or making you break your neck during one their intense live shows, this band knows its strengths.
Having just returned home from a few months in Europe, lead singer Liam Cormier exchanged tour stories, details on the new album and his love for all things Toronto with Hardboss.