theEAGLE SCENE DECEMBER 6, 2012 | 9
Scene staff’s favorite albums of 2012 FRANK OCEAN | CHANNEL ORANGE After its release this past July, Frank Ocean’s “channel ORANGE” has become the soundtrack to my first semester. In his debut studio album, Frank Ocean surprised audiences with his unconventional melodies, midtempo beats and unexpected instrumental arrangements. The album solidified Ocean as the new face of R&B, and an unconventional face as well. Earlier this year, Ocean became one of the first African-American R&B artists to openly announce he had fallen in love with another man in a letter he posted to his fans on Tumblr. Since then, “channel ORANGE” has received rave reviews and JODY AREMBAND / THE EAGLE
Healthy snack options JODY AREMBAND — THE COLLEGE FOODIE Eating out of a vending machine really isn’t satisfying. Every now and then I need a Butterfinger just as much as the next person, but it doesn’t take too much effort to make something that tastes so much better. These are all very easy and quick options for making yourself a delicious meal or snack from things that you do, or probably should, have in your fridge. SAVORY CUCUMBER AND TOMATO: THE POTATO CHIP SUBSTITUTE
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Slice a cucumber very thinly (almost like a chip). Place the slices on a baking sheet covered with a sheet of tin foil over them. Lightly drizzle olive oil or balsamic vinegar over your cucumber slices and put them in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until crispy. This is delicious on its own or works amazingly with spinach and artichoke dip or hummus. A lot of people will make this with some parmesan cheese baked on, which is scrumptious. Either way, you can’t go wrong, and you’re eating a tastier and healthier option than anything from a vending machine. Another option is a tomato pizza. Again, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Slice up a tomato and lightly drizzle with
olive oil and top it with spinach, cheese and anything else you could imagine putting on a pizza, with the tomato acting as the bread and crust.
THE SUBSTITUTE FOR FRUIT GUMMIES: THE EASIEST SMOOTHIE EVER
I think that one of the best decisions I made (food-wise) this semester was buying a bag of frozen berries — they make for the best smoothies. I put a handful of berries and some milk in the blender until it’s creamy. It also works well if you add yogurt (any flavor or type) or peanut butter. I have this for breakfast sometimes or a snack later in the day. It’s also super tasty if you use ice cream for a treat. This way, I get all of the berry taste but more of the benefits and less preservatives.
THE SWEET CHOCOLATY TREAT
I really enjoy oatmeal with bits of chocolate, brown sugar and peanut butter in it. It adds a warm, oozy element like molten lava cake, but you also get other flavors and more fiber. Another option, one of my personal favorites, is spreading Nutella and peanut butter on a piece of whole wheat toast. Whole Foods, as well as other grocers, carries a peanut butter and chocolate combo spread that works well. They have a few different types, but the dark chocolate is by far my favorite. JAREMBAND@THEEAGLEONLINE.COM
KENDRICK LAMAR | GOOD KID, M.A.A.D CITY It only came out this past October, but music critics and fans have almost instantly called Kendrick Lamar’s sophomore album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” a classic. And while it might not have earned that status quite yet, the album easily trumps any rap release this year. Recorded in Los Angeles and executive produced by Lamar’s mentor Dr. Dre, everything from its hazy hooks to Lamar’s own gremlin growl makes it an addicting listen. Lamar spits out so much brutal truth into every narrative-driven track (exemplified by songs like “The Art of Peer Pressure”) and manages to slip in some typical hip-hop bravado on “Backseat Freestyle.” The album’s popularity was also ramped up by somewhat melancholy party numbers like “Swimming Pools (Drank).” Forget all the hype surrounding him — Lamar is already well on his way to joining the ranks of rap superstars. — YOHANA DESTA
TAME IMPALA | LONERISM I loved Tame Impala from my first listen of their 2010 debut “Innerspeaker,” and their newest record “Lonerism” is a wealth of blissfully sprawling psych that, while inspired by its ‘60- and 70s-era predecessors, manages to build its own technicolor landscape. While the backbone of “Lonerism” is still the band’s signature textured, swirling riffs, Tame Impala’s newest record opts for a less linear path, incorporating an instrumental patchwork that’s more experimental and fully realized than their previous work. Frontman Kevin Parker’s simple melodies are as resonant as ever, as the album’s ruminations on being alone take the form of passive and plain-spoken observations. Tame Impala aren’t interested in being a cognitive exercise, and the spirit of “Lonerism” echoes through a blissful physicality, which even at its most languid is propelled by exuberant momentum. With “Lonerism,” Tame Impala has transcended the critical boxing in that accompanied their first album — “They’re psych revivalists!” “With Lennon-esque lead vocals!” — by creating an album with a panoramic scope that serves as the stepping stone between Tame Impala’s ‘60s forefathers and psych disciples of the future. — MAEVE MCDERMOTT
JUKEBOX THE GHOST | SAFE TRAVELS Jukebox the Ghost is yet another entry into the category of fluffy indie pop, but hey, at least they do it well. Their third album, “Safe Travels,” released on June 12, is decidedly dominated by cheery tracks laden with peppy guitar and piano with a synthy twist. Their lyrics, though a bit shallow and sappy, are undoubtedly adorable and performed with such energetic verve that it’s hard not to love each song. Some songs, like the ironically sunny “Adulthood” and the piano ballad “Devil on Our Side,” even abandon the initially optimistic subject matters of love and friendship to deal with deeper themes like aging or death. Despite the album’s insistence on keeping within the range of acoustic and synth-pop, Jukebox sometimes dabbles in sweeping orchestral sounds like in “Ghosts in Empty Houses.” —HOAI-TRAN BUI
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Ty Segall — “Twins” The Weeknd — “Trilogy” Grimes — “Visions” The xx — “Coexist” Beach House — “Bloom” Japandroids — “Celebration Rock”