Showing posts with label cd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cd. Show all posts
Saturday, October 25, 2014

Manic Drive's Brand New Album "VIP" and Giveaway! (US/CA)

About:

Electronic tones, rhythmic drives, and catchy melodies, VIP is a heart-thumping musical mesh of pop and rock.
         Tracks
01. Electric (f/ Trevor McNevan)               
02. VIP (f/ Manwell Reyes)         
03. Street Lights               
04. King of Mercy            
05. Good News
06. I Hide You Seek         
07. Song to Sing               
08. Fire
09. Indestructible            
10. Rhythm

ABOUT THE BAND:
Manic Drive has been widely known as a Canadian band who always delivers a great show, but over the past few years and project releases, they have added to their extensive touring of Canadian and US markets multiple Billboard Top 10 & 20 singles on CHR & Christian Rock Radio. Manic Drive is clearly very intentional about reaching their generation and inspiring them to pursue a deeper walk with Christ and to get involved in changing the world they are inheriting. And they are uniquely equipped to do so. The band members, all in their early-mid twenties, have made sacrifices to pursue God’s call on their lives. Their life experience, spiritual maturity and ministry have opened doors to speak into the lives of their own generation and that is perhaps the most defining characteristic of this group of guys.

Review:

Before I had the chance to review this album, I wasn’t familiar with Manic Drive. Their music is very fun and very catchy. It has a great beat and sound to it. I actually really enjoyed it! I think there’s a song for everyone on this album, no matter where they are with their faith. Some of the songs are about wanting to share your faith, and other songs focus on matters of the heart. It’s a great album for anyone who loves a good beat, loves good music and for anyone who loves Christian Rock.                                                                                                                                               
Check out Manic Drive’s Title Track Video on YouTube!
Official Website: http://manicdrive.com

Giveaway!


Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
 
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.


#manicdrive  
Monday, July 7, 2014

Pimsleur French 1 Language Learning Course



About:

Principle of Anticipation


Our brains are hard-wired to automatically process speech and “anticipate” a correct response. It’s an intricate thought process that most of us take for granted. Dr. Pimsleur’s research demonstrated that new connections are activated whenever this dynamic system is triggered. By systematically asking for understanding, pausing for a response, and then reinforcing the correct response, Pimsleur courses accelerate learning, increase understanding, and activate new neural pathways in the learner’s brain.

Core Vocabulary

Effective communication in any language depends on mastery of a relatively limited number of words and structures. Trying to learn too much at once substantially slows the process, and many people quickly become discouraged. Pimsleur courses deliberately limit the amount you learn at any one time, giving your brain a chance to internalize each new item before moving on. Once this foundation is built, adding new words and phrases becomes easy and natural because there’s a clear framework to attach them to.

Organic Learning

Every new item introduced in a Pimsleur course is given within the context of a conversation or exchange. This helps learning and retention in a multitude of ways, from allowing your brain to automatically integrate intonation, rhythm, melody, and pronunciation, to embedding prompts for your memory. When you need a word, it’s there – seamlessly on the tip of your tongue.


Review:

To start out, I’d like to say that I have wanted to learn a new language for a long time. I’ve taken 4 years of Spanish in High School, however that was quite some time ago! I also took a year of French. I have wanted to learn more French, and this seemed like the way to go. I could pop a CD in the car and learn while I’m driving to and from work (which is 45 minutes or so each way).



When I first got the program, I was extremely impressed with the packaging of the program. It came in a very nice box with a magnetic flap to keep it closed. Discs 1-8 were in one sleeve, and discs 9-16 were in another sleeve. It also came with a “passport” with information on how to use the program. It also had a paper with a link to go and view the owner’s manual and reading booklet. I thought this was a nice added bonus.

So here are the pros and cons of this program:

The Pros:

It is entirely verbal. This helps us to learn better as when we hear a languages rhythms, etc. we can learn it better.

You will improve your pronunciation. This program is set in a way that makes you pay attention to how you are saying the words. You are listening to native speakers so you will be able to better able to compare your pronunciation to theirs.

You are encouraged to learn grammar naturally. They explain some of the more complicated grammar, but for the most part, you are forced to learn it on your own. I really feel that helps us learn and understand better as we learn naturally.

There is a lot of repetition. You will hear and say the same words over and over again. This is great for retaining the material.

You learn in clusters. You learn words on their own, and in a phrase or sentence. You will able to use and understand these words in part of a conversation.

The Cons:
It can get a little boring at times. While repetition can be wonderful for learning, it can get boring when you are saying and hearing the same word over and over.

It’s a slow pace. You will learn maybe 10 new words a day and review a few other words. I think it may be speedier learning to increase the words learned per day.

The vocabulary you learn is limited and sometimes odd at times. You don’t seem to learn enough words to put together a simple conversation right away.

It is a little pricey. It might be a little pricey, but other programs cost much more.

Overall Opinion:
Overall, I think you really are getting a great value and program here. You won’t be fluent from this program but you will be able to hold a simple conversation and be able to pick up key words in phrases/conversation. I think that is truly beneficial. If you can pick up key words, you are one step ahead of the game.

You will also learn how to properly pronunciate words and have the basic tools to make it through a trip to a foreign country!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
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