Titus Andronicus

Nick M.

This New Jersey band takes its name from a gory Shakespeare play, a highly appropriate premise for their music.  Wild, flying tunes zoom around in one song, while a thumping drum entices one to tap his/her foot along with the music, or even air drum.  Their second album, The Monitor, is named after the first ironclad Union warship produced for the Civil War, and after buying a hard copy (support the band!) and listening through, I found that the Civil War theme recurs throughout the album, with excerpts of speeches from Abraham Lincoln in the song “A More Perfect Union” (see below).  More passages, albeit recreated, from Walt Whitman, William Lloyd Garrison, and Jefferson Davis ensue as bookends for various songs, giving the album a historic feel, although the music is far from it. 

Notable songs include “A More Perfect Union.” This opener is one of the top songs on the album.  An insanely catchy guitar riff leads the song with pounding force; Patrick Stickles (vocals, guitar, and a plethora of other skills) belts out lyrics about leaving behind New Jersey and his regret in doing so. “Four Score and Seven” - again we see the energy this album carries… along with another killer guitar riff.  “The Battle of Hampton Roads”—named for the pivotal naval battle in the Civil War—is a fourteen-minute epic, bagpipe solo and all. 

The Monitor is definitely a solid album.  With crashing cymbals and pounding beats, led by a fluctuating, distorted guitar that carries riffs above and beyond, this album is one of the best purchases I have made in a long time.  Another pleasant surprise: the booklet that comes with the album is very entertaining to read.  Also, underneath the disk is a list of “Suggested Further Reading”—about half a dozen books involving the Civil War.  You just can’t get this stuff on iTunes. 

Mine in Yours – Cold War Kids

Sarah H.

Cold War Kids has always been a favorite of mine – “Hang Me Up to Dry” and “Audience” have always been on my playlist. But with the release of their newest album, Mine is Yours, I realized how truly amazing the band is. Mine is Yours shows a deep side of Cold War Kids you probably didn’t know existed, as well does Bulldozer. Though most songs are quite new, “Royal Blue” and “Louder Than Ever” bring you back to the old stuff. Personal favorites are “Broken Up” and “Louder Than Ever.” From start to finish, this album shows how different a band can be but also how consistently wonderful. If you are a fan of the Kings of Leon, the Script or the Black Keys, you will probably enjoy this album as much as I do.

Speak Now – Taylor Swift

By Sarah H.

Taylor Swift’s latest, and third, album is her best yet! The twenty-year-old’s music just gets better and better. She wrote every word to fourteen songs, every melody, every guitar piece, everything by herself, and, as she claims, “at three in the morning.” She also says the heartfelt album is a diary of her last two years. The title track, “Speak Now,” is one of her top songs – written about a friend hoping to crash her true love’s wedding. Other popular tracks are “Mine” and “Back to December” – written about Taylor Lautner – both released before to album. My personal favorites are “Haunted,” “Dear John,” (written about John Mayer) and “Mean.” All of the songs, ballads and melodies are beautifully composed, with very upbeat tracks and amazing vocals. I would recommend this passionate album to anyone who appreciates good vocals, great guitar pieces, and just genuinely good music.

Tribute to John Lennon

By Alec B.

John Lennon turned 70 on October 9

Mayor Bloomberg has been given the task to protect and preserve the site in New York City. In a memorial in Chavasse Park in Liverpool, an 18-foot statue has been erected in Lennon‘s honor; the statue th to December 8th, the day that he was shot in front of his apartment in New York City. Back in London, Cynthia Powell, ex-wife of Mr. Lennon, was quoted as saying, "I think the mourning is over for John. I think it‘s time to celebrate. Enjoy the joy that he had, and that we all have, from his music." Ms. Powell was in tears as she said this. She also said, "He was a great man with a troubled life. He tried to avoid his past by helping everyone else so no one had to go through what he did. I did not realize it then, but John always looked after everyone else like he was the father of every child in Vietnam and the other oppressed people of the world." He was a great artist, thinker, and singer and he wrote songs like a pro, but he was even a better man.
was named Peace & Harmony for Lennon‘s commitment to peace. Lennon‘s birthday also went viral. YouTube set up a page where users could submit birthday wishes to Lennon, Ono and other family members. A-list celebrities like Tony Hawk, Jeff Bridges, the Jonas Brothers and Aerosmith made videos for the singer. Former Beatle Pete Best also made a video along with Ringo Starr. Some big names missing included ex-band mate Paul McCartney; McCartney‘s omission surprised the world and outraged some devoted fans. Nevertheless, people in the world sang and listened in celebration of Lennon‘s birthday. Yoko Ono spearheaded the idea and actively contributed in forming celebrations for her husband, including setting up concerts with his former band The Quarrymen in New York. She paid for a restoration of all statues commemorating the ex-Beatle. Julian Lennon made a rare public appearance at the childhood home of his father in Liverpool. He later went to the statue unveiling. Ono spent the day in Iceland with her son Sean, where they put the final touches on the Imagine Peace Tower, a gift from Ono to Lennon. It is to be lit from October 9th. He is celebrated as one of the most gifted artists of all time; his wisdom and compassion encouraged the world to find better ways to bring about peace. People all over the world gathered in Strawberry Fields memorial in New York City to respect his cause: to end wars and bring about love and peace. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon made it an honorary UNESCO site, and created it as a place of peace, love and hope, three values Lennon lived by.

Doo-Wops & Hooligans - Bruno Mars

By Sarah H.
 
If you turn on the radio, three songs you are likely to hear are: ―Just the Way You Are, ―Nothin‘ On You, and ―Billionaire.  What do these songs have in common? They are all sung by Bruno Mars, a 25-year-old Hawaiian singer, whose debut song was ―Nothin‘ On You featuring B.o.B. On October 4th, his new album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, was released. This album is in the style of soft R&B, rock, and soul. Some of the most notable tracks on the album are ―Grenade, ―Marry You, ―The Lazy Song and ―The Other Side (featuring Cee Lo Green and B.o.B). For the most part, the music is light and cheerful, and I just can‘t get enough of Bruno Mars‘s falsetto! I would recommend most of the songs on this album, but as there a few that don‘t come up to par, I don‘t think it is worth it to buy the whole album, and would buy the songs singularly.