Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Series 5.4 Review, Part One

by Crazy Ivan

With a cool mix of old and new, a welcomed return to several classic fabrics and a few new takes on the most beloved designs, the 5.4 series offers a unique array of Myachis that should excite the collectors, the jammers and the newbs.  Within days of its release it was already being heralded as the most buzz-worthy series in the past 2 years.  The series is marked by bright colors, variegated fabrics and bold, striking patterns.  It seems almost like a throwback that would have nestled comfortably between series 2.1 and the 2.2; a series that mixes all the fabric variety of series 3.2x with the bold patterns of the 4.1.

The series was a response to much of the criticism of the 5.3/5.3x release.  While those sacks were beloved for their jammability and the originality of their patterns, they were seen as "predictable" compared to the sacks from the last couple of series.  They were 100% corduroy which made them great jammers, but got kind of dull for collectors and even people who want a bit of variety in their shred.

So without further ado, I present you our answer to the call for more variety; a series that reaches both forward and backward in time to show you what was, what is and what will be...

 AZTEC RED 


 We'll begin with a long-beloved classic.  The Aztec Red is one of two re-releases in the series, a move that shocked many collectors who got into the game over the last two years.  We haven't done many re-releases in that time period and we haven't done any for a sack as iconic as the Aztec Red.

The popularity of this Myachi has spawned a whole family of similar designs.  The Aztec Blue, the Aztec Black and the Aztec Orange all owe their inclusion in previous series to the overwhelming popularity of this simple sack.  This actually marks the 3rd rerelease of the Aztec Red, tying it for the third most rereleased sack of all time (tied with the Red Line, behind the Slater and, of course, the Black Butter).  However, this time we've returned the orientation the classic horizontal pattern (all the previous rereleases were vertical), a move that anyone who ever broke in an original 4.0 Aztec Red is excited to see.

Long considered a quintessential corduroy in the same class as the Beards and Lines, the Aztec Red is a must have for anybody who follows the evolution of the series.  And for those that have been in the game since the original release, I assure you, it has aged well.

 CHECKERBOARD 



Here we see a strange hybrid of the old and the new.  Everyone who was in the game when the 3.2 series came out fondly remembers the Finish Line, the Starting Line and the Red Line.  They were some of the earliest corduroy sacks and their pattern was popular across the board.  They were remembered as spectacular wide-boarders and staple jammers.

Well, here we see the same pattern in a new color arrangement with a whole new fabric.  Instead of the classic corduroy, the Checkerboard offers a short shag reminiscent of the Tainted Love.  What's more, the fabric actually has a different feel between the black and red squares, making for an awesome contrast in grip during a shred.

But the most exciting aspect of this Myachi is that it had already proven to be a notorious wide-boarder; perhaps even more than the original Lines.  I've seen one stretched out to the point that it was almost a square, though that may have been an anomaly, as I haven't been able to widen one out quite that much on my own.

Suffice to say it's a unique jamming experience, but in a very good way.  Anyone who is a bit standoffish about committing to a shag might consider the Checkerboard as a good introduction to the fabric.  The short shag makes it really easy to get used to and the contrasting feels of the fabric give it a very microsuede-like grip.

 SHADOW BOX RED 


Sitting next to the vibrant colors and striking designs of the series, one could be forgiven for dismissing the Shadow Box Red as 'boring'.  Admittedly, it is an understated sack that lacks the flashiness of the Python Blue, the Starburst and the the Braveheart Orange.  But in a series so marked by bright colors, Myachi Man was careful to include something for everyone.  We know from experience that many gamers prefer a darker, less showy Myachi that allows the jammer to be the star of the shred.

The Shadow Box Red is a phenomenal jammer that breaks in quickly.  It is a typical corduroy that would have been at home in any of the last three series, so in a series that reaches so far into Myachi antiquity, this one is a bit of a stalwart, reminding us of the continuing evolution of our game.

 BLACKHOLE SUN 



Building upon the popularity of sacks line the Dreamcoat, the Night Rider and the Drag Strip, this horizontal corduroy is at once both over and understated.  It is as brightly colored as any sack in the series (with the possible exception of the Starburst), but it doesn't have the gripping designs that so many of the 5.4s contain.  Instead, it is a simple randomly colored pinstripe design.

These designs have long been popular with serious jammers, as the pattern really comes to life once the Myachi starts spinning and flipping its way through a standard popcorn shred.  This should make it significantly more popular with jammers than collectors, as the beauty of this Myachi can't really be seen if it is sitting on a shelf amid a large collection.  To see the Blackhole Sun is to see it in action.

Oh, and if you're curious about the name, you're clearly not getting enough 90s screech-metal in your diet.

 PYTHON BLUE 


Perhaps the boldest design in the series, the Python Blue is a also one of only 2 true shags in the series.  This was one of the fabrics we all looked to immediately when it came time to pick the new series.  The combination of pattern and color is irresistible and the temptation of resurrecting the Shag was too great.  The Python Blue was, in many ways, the sack that inspired the whole series.

Like all classic shags, this one will take some effort to break in.  This fabric doesn't offer the instant gratification that corduroy, soft suede and microsuede do.  Many people find shags a bit frustrating over the first couple of days of jamming.  But anyone who ever had the chance to shred with a well broken in Black Bear Shag or a Cotton Candy will assure you that it is well worth taking the time to break one in right.

I've had a chance to break a Python Blue in almost all the way and already I love it as both a solo jammer and as a complimentary sack in a two Myachi shred.  The eyes of your audience can't help but follow along with this Myachi so it is downright hypnotic when used correctly.

 BAGPIPE BLUE 


Alright, so let me get the obvious part out of the way first.  This sack is almost indistinguishable from the Bagpipe Green in series 5.2.  The pattern is actually almost identical, though it is a slightly smaller version of the same pattern.  Without the series numbers on the back of the tag, it would be quite difficult for the average Myachi Maniac to tell the two apart.  With the two sacks having such similar names, it seems almost like an intentional invitation to confusion.  And for that, I apologize.

But sweeping all the to one side, we're still left with a great jammer in an epic pattern.  Since the first plaid Myachis were introduced in the 3.0/3.1 co-release, they have remained among the most popular patterns in the game.  Nearly every series since then has included at least one (and usually two) new varieties on the plaid patterns.  The very fact that we've used Highlanders, Bravehearts, Bagpipes and Lumberjacks should be all the evidence you need that it's been a pretty popular pattern.

The Bagpipe Blue is definitely doing its part to keep plaids in the good graces of Myachi Maniacs the world over.  It is a vertical corduroy, and most of the ones I've jammed with seem to stay tight (small) even once they're broken in (soft).  That makes it a great Myachi for the younger jammers that are getting serious about their game.  It's also a good number two in a doubles shred with virtually any brightly colored sack.

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There are still 6 more sacks in the series, but I didn't want to overload anybody just yet.  Be sure to check back in tomorrow for the second part in the review where we'll get to the ones you've all been waiting for (the Jolly Roger and the Starburst).
  



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