One such band is Artist Vs Poet and their new album release Favorite Fix. The album isn’t bad, but it isn’t great either. It’s entirely composed of pop music with heavily girl-centered lyrics.

The best thing about the album lies within the lyrics. The song “Car Crash” holds a powerful hidden meaning directed towards relationships. The visual aid of a car crash pulls the listener into an intense and mixed view of love.

Artist vs. Poet is a band that has great vocal talent and can play a strong pop song, but in order to add more listeners to their fan base, they need to break out from all the other pop bands. Artist Vs Poet has the potential and shows so in their new release Favorite Fix, but the band needs to break away from the generic pop sound in order to gain more listeners and storm the music charts. The radio is ready for something new.

For quite some time now, I’ve been addicted to The Rocket Summer’s sound. Just the other day, I couldn’t get “So Much Love” out of my head. It’s music that makes listeners happy (the best kind, in my opinion).

The opening track of The Rocket Summer‘s newest release, Of Men and Angels, is entitled “Roses” and explains a debate between self-doubt and positivity. I think I can, I know I can‘t. Even with the deep subject matter, it’s incredibly catchy.

The next song on the album, “You Gotta Believe,” is slightly more upbeat. It features inspiring lyrics and can turn any bad day around.

“Hills and Valleys” slows down the tempo and adds a piano, softening things up a bit. Singer Bryce Avery’s voice is showcased beautifully when it’s not being masked by loud, poppy music. The clapping in the chorus further serves to make the sound more unique and set it apart from others.

“I Want Something to Live For” serves up a helping of nostalgia to listeners. Deeply honest lyrics waft their way through the constant beat of the drums until the end of the song.

The fifth track, “Walls,” is slow, sad, and stuffed with self-pity. Every great album needs a dramatic ballad, right? Piano dominates the song, which would become boring if it weren’t for the pick-up in tempo around the chorus.

The title track, “Of Men and Angels,” offers more edge. The music is a little rougher and a bit more angry, but it still fits the mold of happy pop/rock that I love so dearly. It salvages the album from falling into that nasty trap of repetitiveness and keeps things moving and listeners engaged as the CD progresses.

But my favorite would have to be “I Need a Break…but I’d Rather Have a Breakthrough.” If the witty, Fall Out Boy-esque title weren’t enough to have you sold on it too, it’s your classic anthem about losing yourself.

Other tracks on the album such as “Nothing Matters” (a story within a song) and “Hey!” (peppy and full of life) keep listeners hanging on until the very end.

I had my reservations about this CD, but The Rocket Summer failed to disappoint, making for one very happy fan ready to see a live performance at this year’s Warped Tour. The Rocket Summer will be playing along with other bands such as Alesana, NeverShoutNever, Motion City Soundtrack, and The Cab on Jul. 6 at Verizon Wireless Music Center.

The 20 songs on the charity album show the contrast of destruction versus rebuilding, despair versus prayer, and loneliness versus togetherness.  Songs titled “Motherless Child”, “Driven to Tears”, and “Alone and Forsaken” speak of how the earthquakes rocked that country to the core, leaving so many with so little, some without family, friends, or any material goods to cling to.  But then, of course, “We Shall Overcome”, “I’ll Stand By You”,  “Lean  on Me”, and many more show, just as this CD itself does, the Haitians are not alone; everyone in the world is watching and praying for them, and with our help, they too “shall overcome.”

With both brand new tunes partnered with covers of old, well-known ones such as “Let It Be” by Jennifer Hudson, “Lean on Me” by Sheryl Crow Keith Urban, and Kid Rock, and Beyonce’s revamped version of “Halo”, listeners can both add new songs to their favorites list and hear how ones they already know and love carry a special meaning so perfect for the people struggling in Haiti.  And with numerous big name singers – Jay-Z, Dave Matthews, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys and many more – everyone can find at least a song or two by an artist they enjoy.

But though these artists come from many different time periods, backgrounds, and genres, all the songs the sing on this CD revolve around a single message: even in the darkest times, hope and love prevails, and every song on this CD fits this message to a T.

I’m always a little skeptical when coming across new musicians. I like familiar things. But Ryan’s album is proof that change can be good.

The first track, “I’d Follow You,” was my favorite right away. It’s a simple love song. Although I would normally be a tad bit frightened at a man’s promise to “follow” me, Ryan does so sweetly, not stalker-ish-ly.

The next song, “Sugarlaced,” is just as full of romantic fervor as the first. He showcases his vocal ability and offers a nice break from the computerized harmonies we’re so used to today.

The short album is rounded out with “I’m Not In Love,” “Skip,” and “Paris.”

In all honesty, “I’m Not In Love” is nothing special compared to the rest of the album.

“Skip” is cute (I mean, who wouldn’t rather skip than walk, right?), but by this point the lovesick theme is getting repetitive.

“Paris” ends the EP on a positive note and gives listeners a vision of the city itself through a wistful song about chasing dreams.

I was intrigued enough after listening through Ryan’s CD that I YouTube-creeped some of his acoustic performances. The man’s got talent, even if his songs may sound like they belong as background music in a Starbucks.

CD releases

2/2

A Chorus of Storytellers – The Album Leaf

Smoke &Mirrors – Lifehouse

Body – Jamie Foxx

2/9

Soldier of Love – Sade

Thug Motivation – Young Jeezy

2/16

Raymond v. Raymond – Usher

Constant – Story of the Year

2/23

Everything Comes and Goes – Michelle Branch

New Amerykah, Part II: Return of the Ankh – Erykah Badu

Of Men and Angels – The Rocket Summer

Live Shows

ES Jungle

A Skylit Drive

Feb. 10

Murat Egyptian Room

Killswitch Engage

Feb. 21

Jack’s Mannequin

Feb. 24

The Emerson

Get Carried Away

Feb. 5

Conseco Fieldhouse

Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, Larry the Cable Guy

Feb. 6

Cirque de Soleil: Alegria

Feb. 11-14

Northside News Cafe

Pholly

Feb. 13

School Events

ACT Testing

Feb. 6

ISSMA
Feb. 6

Academic Success Night

Feb. 12

Winter Formal

Feb. 20

Faculty Night Live

Feb. 25

Orchestra Concert

March 16

When I sat down with a copy of Animal for the first time, I had reservations, but I was pleasantly surprised by “Your Love Is My Drug.” It has an infectious beat and catchy lyrics like “TiK ToK,” but the songs don’t sound so similar as to be annoying.

By the time I made it all the way to “Stephen,” I was aching to pick up my iPod and drown out Ke$ha’s singing with some acoustic guitar and a voice that wasn’t quite so painful to listen to. My face did brighten slightly at the song title, though. I thought of Taylor Swift’s “Hey Stephen.” Ah, something familiar. But however pathetically predictable it may seem, the two songs can’t even be put in the same family. I was sorely disappointed. “Stephen” seemed rather boring and dry compared to Ke$ha’s other songs, and honestly, the lyrics were pretty disturbing. She may very well qualify as a stalker.

When I came across “Party At a Rich Dude’s House,” (gee, I wonder where she was when inspiration struck) I was tiring quickly of the mechanical music that seemed to be without emotion. It sounded to me as if it could have been written on a fast food napkin in five minutes. Everything on the album started to hopelessly mix together into a mess of predictable lyrics and synthesized background noise.

Songs like “Hungover” and “Animal” offer some salvation to the album. They’re both unique and more raw. The tempo slows down and listeners get a chance to hear Ke$ha’s real voice and feel the impact of lyrics that are about more than just partying.

I‘d like to say that “D.I.N.O.S.A.U.R.” shocked me with how creepy and repetitive the words are, but in all honesty I wasn’t surprised that it was thrown in with the other songs. It seemed to me that the songwriters got lazy halfway through and just stopped trying.

I had high hopes for Ke$ha, but I was disappointed in her debut CD. Although I still have a tendency to turn up “TiK ToK” when it comes on the radio, I think I’ll leave it at that. Sometimes less is more.

Image from www.tumblr.net.

Knowing nothing more about Tegan and Sara than what the NOFX song “Creeping Out Sara” provides, I was a little scared about what I was getting myself into after being assigned this review.

My musical taste is pretty much confined to bands labeled as “alternative”: The Cab, Every Avenue, Forever the Sickest Kids. On iTunes, Tegan and Sarah’s newest album Sainthood is under the “alternative” category. This made me feel slightly more at ease…until I pressed play.

I can’t say that I was particularly surprised at what came out of the speakers. In fact, it was probably just about what I was expecting.

To be frank, they’re two sisters with what sound to me like completely identical voices, minimal instruments, and honest lyrics.

As far as style goes, they’re pretty indie. If you like radio music, a strong beat, and synthesized vocals, they probably won’t do much for you. But if you like music that sets itself apart from the typical Top 40 hits, then you’ve most likely found yourself a new favorite.

Their style is reminiscent of New Wave artists from the past decade, although they still possess unique qualities that keep them from sounding like imitations of earlier groups.

The songs themselves aren’t what I would describe as uplifting or empowering. There’s no pounding bass or speedy tempo. They’re probably not ideal for a hardcore cardio workout, if that’s your thing. They provide better background music for a lighter activity, perhaps writing, reading, or something else relatively tame.

Tegan and Sara belt out songs from the female perspective, which may be a breath of fresh air if you, like me, listen to bands primarily fronted by male singers.

Their voices also aren’t bad by any means. They harmonize together well, but I couldn’t tell them apart to save my life.

The one song that really impressed me was “Northshore.” It’s the only part of the whole CD that I would feel remotely inclined to listen to on my own.

Halfway through playing “Paperback Head,” my little sister walked into the room. “Do you actually like this?” she asked, confused. I shook my head slightly. “It’s horrible.” With that she left. I can’t say I completely disagree.

To be fair, Tegan and Sara are talented. And compared to many other groups out there, their music is most definitely tolerable. But as far as my personal taste goes, I’m just not impressed. Give me some electric guitar and a love song.

The Swell Season's third album, Strict Joy, was released in the United States on Oct. 27.

When Once hit the big screen in 2007, the world of independent music fell in love with Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.

Hansard, a middle-age member of Irish band The Frames, and Irglova, a 19-year-old unknown from the Czech Republic, were roped into doing the film by a mutual friend. Having worked together in the past, they gladly agreed to play the roles of a Dublin busker and an immigrant flower seller who has a knack for playing piano. Long story short, they fall undeniably in love both on-screen and off, and end up making, ahem, beautiful music together.

In the two years following the release and success of Once, Hansard has indicated that they’re no longer a couple.

Sigh. Unfortunate, isn’t it?

Their music hasn’t stopped, though.

Strict Joy, Hansard and Irglova’s third album together, was released on Oct. 27 and has been given overwhelmingly good reviews.

An honest, pure collection of songs, Strict Joy is “…another installment in the life we lead,” as Hansard describes it.

Performed with nothing more than guitars, piano, fiddle, bass, drums, and a smattering of horns, emphasis is placed more on vocals than instrumentation. Lyrics are more poetic, more thought-provoking than the average songwriter’s drivel. Where many falter, Hansard and Irglova don’t miss a beat.

“Back Broke”, Hansard’s heart-meltingly sad tale of desperation and longing, and “In These Arms”, the album’s only single, are the most notable of the album’s 12 songs. In “Love That Conquers”, the duo takes a relative nosedive into flat-out rock. It lacks the oomph of stronger, more simple tracks. The less-than-stellar few, though, serve as good filler.

Listeners can assume that Strict Joy finishes Hansard and Irglova’s Once-prescribed love story, and there’s no telling what’s next for The Swell Season. From here on out, they’re making it all up. There’s no reason, though, that we can’t follow along.

When summer hits everyone takes off on vacation, hangs out with friends, and just relaxes. For a couple of other students they only have two things on their mind — marching band and state fair.

“You really have to pour your heart into band.” Sophomore, Jessica Turner said. Several days before band camp marchers started hydrating and checking their instruments for problems. If one person was not prepared for the hot days of camp the whole band would suffer.

“Band camp is hard but it’s awesome!” junior Kathryn Welder said.

During the days of band camp the marchers went through series of drills. The marchers had to do basics twice every day, which consisted of learning music, learning dances and following their chars. Following the basics the marchers had to then go through the songs and make sure they had their articulations, rhythms and dynamics just right. Not only did the marchers have to work hard to keep things in order so did band director Stacey White.

“I had to call all of the band staff, call to make arrangements for food and most importantly the music.” White says.

When the five long 12 hour days came to a close, everyone was ready for the fair. At the end of the day show the band was in 12th place. Upon finishing the night show the band remained in 12th place but were not sad with the out come.

” I wasn’t disappointed. We got a standing ovation and you just can’t bottle the feeling of knowing you did the best you could,” Turner said.