M a y ‘ 1 3 Iss u e
Featuring
Wa v v e s
Summer Music Guide What’s the Rest of N’Sync Up to?
Pandora, Spotify, or Songza?
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Venues In Ithaca Summer Music Guide N*Sync & JT’s New ALbum Wavves Interview Maximize Your Internet Radio My Chemical Romance: The End Reviews
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Table Of Contents
I remember writing some really bad album reviews for Cake when I was a freshman. Back then, the magazine was printed on regular 8 1/2” x 11” paper in black and white and the staff used crayons to personally color in the logo on each copy of each new issue before distributing them on campus. We’ve come a long way since 2009, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of some key people. So, I’d like to dedicate my last editor’s note to: our advisor Catherine Taylor, whose guidance has been essential since my very first issue as Editor in Chief; my closest friends and roommates, Jaimie Fitzgerald, Emily Gaffney, Paige Hoffmann, Giuseppina Trapani, and Nick Petrella, who participated in several latenight brainstorming sessions with me, supported and encouraged me, and contributed everything they could to Cake for the past two years; and, of course, my partner in crime and successor, Noah Delin, without whom there would be no Cake. Thank you all. I know Cake will reach new heights under its new leadership and I hope you, the readers, continue to support IC’s one and only music magazine. Stay classy, Raquel
Staff List Editor in Chief, Raquel Dalarossa Layout Manager, Noah Delin Publicity Chair, Paige Hoffmann Finance Chair, Adam Rudofker Layout, Kasey Speth Assistant Editor, Jessica Afrin Photography, Tommy Geanakos Twitter Manager, Brian Windschitl
Contributors
Zachary Weg Kirsten Samanich Elise Edmonds Alex Serra Christopher Thomas
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Venues in Ithaca Bored? Hungry? You don’t have to be. Check out some of these cool places and groups in Ithaca:
The Haunt Want to see some live music? Are you a little starving? The Haunt is the place to go! The Haunt is popular for its Razorback BBQ Ribs, along with other delicious foods (from fries to wings). Not to mention, they have live music EVERY WEEKEND. The Haunt also has events throughout the week, like karaoke, trivia, and Free Music Fridays. The Haunt has hosted popular bands such as Ra Ra Riot, Jukebox the Ghost, and Maps and Atlases. And for those of you over 21, don’t forget about their bar. Check out their website for a full list of events: http://www.thehaunt. com/events.html.
The Gates The Gates is an upscale bar in Collegetown that features live music and DJs. Some past performances at The Gates include Sophistafunk and Mutron Warriors, DVDJ Hydro, Pasadena, and Black Is Green. The Gates offers fresh cut French fries, free range chicken wings, and numerous specialty drinks. The Gates also offers a VIP booth that includes a private bar, a personal attendant, and an elevated view of the stage. For more info, here is their website: http://www.thegatesithaca.com/index.html.
The Nines Located on College Ave. in Ithaca, The Nines is another great place for food and live music. Every Sunday at The Nines is Open Mic, which is free! They also host plenty of concerts, with past performers including Thru Spectrums, The Northern Route, and IC’s own Second Dam. The Nines also functions as a restaurant, serving pizza, sandwiches, burgers and more, and also as a bar, serving various beers and specialty drinks. If you want to learn more: http://www.theninesithacany.com.
Ithaca Underground Ithaca Underground is currently a developing program that organizes bands and gets them gigs here in Ithaca. Ithaca Underground is devoted to creating a music scene for the local community, open to everyone. Their website also has an up-to-date list of local music events happening here in Ithaca. If you want to get involved, or if you just want to learn more visit:] http://www.ithacaunderground.com. All of these sites are worth checking out. Just give them a shot—you won’t go bored or hungry ever again! Plus, what can beat live music and DJs? Elise Edmonds
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Summer Music Guide
Summer. One of those entities that is both similar and different for each of us. We all spend it in different places—big cities, small towns, summer camps, foreign countries—but we all experience much of the same. An iced coffee while walking on a sunlit street, a jolt of inspiration while listening to a song’s stunning guitar-struck opening, a pang of anxiety, excitement, lust, love, or fear when spotting a person from across the street or room. Summer, like life itself, is transient, and we all know it doesn’t last forever. Summer is for living and enjoying, and we deserve it. Hopefully these songs can help provide a soundtrack to your perfect summer, whatever it may be: That’s How Strong My Love Is-Otis Redding- Our advice: Share this one with friends and a cold glass of [spiked] lemonade. San Francisco Knights-People Under the Stairs- One of the best, most elegant tracks off this Los Angeles duo’s debut. And a thrilling, drum-thudded rendition of The Animals’ “San Franciscan Nights.” Perfect for a solitary, head-phoned walk around the neighborhood. Killer Crane-TV On the Radio- Maybe the most gentle and sweet song of one of the greatest, most exciting bands around, this song IS summer. Just listen. If I Had a Day to Live-Funky DL- Credit to Johnny Kunin for this one who originally played it for me after a rainy day. Play it for a close friend…and then laugh as he/she keeps playing it. His Guiding Hand-Medicine Head- Although they released just two albums, this British duo from the 1970s made some of the most beautiful, sad and moving songs you’ll ever hear. Pay attention to this one’s lyrics. So. Damn. Touching. Big White Cloud-John Cale- A quietly epic, soaring tune from The Velvet Underground co-founder off his solo debut. From its majestic, string-laden opening all the way through, this one goes well with that afterwork, breezy walk. Revofev-Kid Cudi- One of the lighter tracks off the native Ohioan’s devil-driven concept album sequel, this track grabs you right from the start. Play it loud. Straight to Hell-The Clash- One of the best, most moving and thought-provoking songs of the broody yet fun-loving innovators. Play while lying in the sun. Hold You Holy-Rain Machine- Kyp Malone’s from-a-well voice, the back-up singers’ “yes-yes” cheering, and the ever-spindling guitar? Just awesome. Lady-Tune-Yards, Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson, Akua Naru & Angélique Kidjo- Right from ?uestlove’s opening drums to the climactic whirly chant, this song is both lighthearted and serious (listen to the rap towards the end), and such an exciting collaboration. Dance to this one! Dear Prudence-Siouxsie and the Banshees- Covering The Beatles seems like a tricky and serious task. This late ‘70s/early ‘80s British group does it wonderfully, though; they give the great Beatles track their own lick while paying it respect. Great stuff. Valhalla-K-OS- Part Bob Dylan folk, part Outkast rap, but its own thing, really. SO good. Blah Uno-Pete Rock- Just one of the simultaneously fun and insightful songs off the respected-like-God hip-hop producer’s two-hour-long album, this one practically guarantees head-bobs and air-drumming. Perfect for a mid-day barbeque. African Dialects-Peter King-Nigeria 70- With clack-clack-roll-roll drums and Miles Davis-like horns, this one is just fun. Check it out. Miracle Mile (Houses Remix)-Cold War Kids- This remix takes the already larger-than-life single and makes it just synthy enough to become a summer party staple. Grab some drinks and watch the sun set.
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Zach Weg
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Summer A l b u ms These albums will get your party going, help you mellow out around your campfire, or keep your BBQ going smoothly. Dispatch- Gut The Van Outkast- Stankonia Guster- Lost and Gone Forever Wilco- Blue Sky, Blue Sky Roots- Do You Want More?!!!??! Digable Planets- Reachin’ Nas & Damien Marley- Distant Relatives Beach Boys- All Summer Long G. Love- The Best Of G. Love Phoenix- Bankrupt! Atmosphere- Sad Cloud Bob Marley- Exodus Ra Ra Riot- The Orchard
Summer Festivals Summer music festivals happen all over the U.S. Some old, some new. Stay hydrated, festival-goers! Bonnaroo Manchester, TN Warped Tour National Tour Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas, NV Summerfest Milwaukee, WI Mayhem Festival National Tour Newport Folk Festival Newport, RI Lollapalooza Chicago, IL Electric Zoo Randalls Island Park, NY Outside Lands San Fransisco, CA Rock The Bells San Bernadino, CA, Mountain View, CA and Holmdel, NJ Burning Man Black Rock Desert, NV Bumbershoot Seattle, WA Made In America Philadelphia, PA
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AND THE RELEASE OF JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE’S 20/20 EXPERIENCE N’Sync is, without a doubt, one of the most popular boy bands of the mid ‘90s-early 2000s. Whether you were an N’Sync fan, a Backstreet Boys fan or even a 98 Degrees fan, the ‘90s were all about the boy bands. Their catchy pop songs had young girls all across the globe swooning, crying and obsessing over their matching outfits, catchy lyrics and totally rad dance moves. It was rare to find a pre-teen girl without a poster of one of these groups of cuties prominently displayed in their bedroom.
they feel that that part of their lives is over. Since leaving N’Sync, Justin Timberlake has taken Hollywood by storm. He’s shown up on the big screen, hosted Saturday Night Live multiple times and has released 3 solo albums since the break up (Justified;2002, Future Sex/Love Sounds; 2006, 20/20 Experience;2013).
N’Sync specifically blew up in the mid-’90s. Justin Timberlake, JC. Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone and Lance Bass stole a piece of girls’ hearts all over the world. After an indefinite-turned-permanent hiatus in 2002, the band split up. While all five members still remain friendly, it was clear that Timberlake chose to focus on his solo career. While Timberlake skyrocketed to solo-fame, the rest of the members of N’Sync have taken on other jobs and say that a reunion tour is unlikely, as
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Justin’s new album, the 20/20 Experience, which was released earlier this year, has been critically acclaimed since it’s first single “Suit and Tie” dropped. It’s been a long six years while Timberlake focused on his acting career, but this album was worth the wait. 20/20 has a more mature and confident feel than his past albums,
with the shortest song on the album clocking in at just shy of the five-minute mark while most of the tracks climb to seven and sometimes even eight minutes long. The album was once again a collaboration with Timbaland and, while the album has a retro feel, there are some modern and contemporary sounds found within each track. While many of Timberlake’s past songs have been about sex, this album emphasized monogamy and romance, with lyrics like “I don’t wanna lose you now / I’m lookin’ right at the other half of me / the vacancy that sat in my heart / Is a space that you now hold” (“Mirrors”). “Pusher Love Girl” is also a favorite of mine. It’s got a soulful feel that just makes you want to groove. His effortless falsetto is peppered in with his silky smooth vocals and reminds you why you fell in love with JT in the first place. The 20/20 Experience debuted at number 1 within its first week of sales, making this Timberlake’s second number 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. Shortly after the release of this album, he announced a part two that will be released sometime in November of this year. The album is quite a stretch from his humble beginnings on the Mickey Mouse Club and even N’Sync, but we couldn’t ask for more. While Justin has been tearing up popular culture with his various talents, the rest of the N’Sync gang has been involved in some pretty interesting projects.
become a husband as well as a dad. He’s been a contestant on Dancing With the Stars more than once and is the announcer for the TV game show Family Feud. He has also appeared on Broadway in Rent as well as Little Shop of Horrors. Lance Bass is still involved in popular culture with multiple radio talk shows on Sirius XM radio. Along with his band mate, Fatone, Lance is also not a stranger to the Dancing With The Stars stage. He finished third in season 7. Since revealing he was gay in 2006, he has been very active in the LGBT movement. Chris Kirkpatrick has tried to stay in the musical spotlight, but has not had much luck. He attempted to join the country industry with the help of John Rich of “Big & Rich.” He also was a star on Mission Man Band, which took once popular singers and tried to create a new band. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s probably because the show was not successful and the band didn’t work out. He is now a member of the band Nigel 11. While the rest of the members of N’Sync seem to be in a different realm than Justin Timberlake, they will all always hold a special place in our hearts. I, for one, will never forget the lyrics to “Bye Bye Bye” and “Tearin’ Up My Heart” for as long as I live. Paige Hoffmann
Pretty boy, JC Chasez, released a solo album shortly after N’Sync’s break up, but was not met with huge success. He turned to writing and producing music for other artists such as Leona Lewis, David Archuleta, and even, dare I even say it, the Backstreet Boys. Chasez has also dabbled in acting with guest appearances on shows such as The Ghost Whisperer and Las Vegas and was even a judge on America’s Best Dance Crew. Joey Fatone has dropped his pop title to
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An interview with bassist Stephen Pope
Wavves has come a long way since their self-titled album was released in 2008. What started as the recording project of frontman Nathan Williams is now one of the biggest names in the West Coast surf/stoner Rock scene. Their grungy and catchy albums make references to teenage dissatisfaction, playing video games, surfing, skateboarding, getting stoned, and enjoying the sun. In early 2009, Williams self-destructed while on tour as a result of alcohol, valium, and lots of ecstasy. What was the most blogged about story in the indie world quickly led to the band’s hit album, King Of The Beach. A comic book, video game, bandbranded line of weed grinders, and many tours later, the band released their newest album, Afraid Of Heights. We had the pleasure of talking with bassist Stephen Pope about the band, their tour, and their shenanigans.
Noah Delin
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your previous album King of The Beach. Did something happen in between albums that sparked the feelings expressed in this album?
The cover image is from a book of photos of tattoos from the late 1800’s/early 1900’s. There were a ton of interesting images but this one in particular just looked great. I think this kid had stabbed someone and got a knife tattooed on his forehead.
It just kind of naturally happened that way. We recorded King of the Beach in the winter time in Mississippi but it somehow came out “sunny”. I think with Afraid of Heights we were just cooped up in a dark room for an entire year shut off from everything and everybody so it probably affected our minds a little bit.
Who came up with the idea for the “Demon to Lean On” music video? We worked with a production team called Black//Doctor on 3 videos. We met up at Roscoe’s Chicken n Waffles and The Lord of the Flies idea came up. They took it from there. Does the title of “Demon To Lean On” or even the album title have any personal significance to the members of the band? Nathan wrote that song. I’m sure it has some personal meaning to him but he’s crying right now so I dont want to bother him. Afraid of Heights seems a lot darker than
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First things first—you guys recently released a new album, Afraid of Heights, which is amazing. Who is that on the cover and does the picture have any deeper meaning?
Nathan was quoted saying “The general theme of the record is depression and anxiety, being death-obsessed and paranoid of impending doom,” how would you describe the theme of of your newest album? I can see how that’s the theme. We didnt go into it thinking there would be a specific theme to the album, but we did want one cohesive piece of work. Nathan and his brother recently released Jenova, their third beat tape following Stay Calm and Eternal Champ. Has his focus on beat making affected the band at all?
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I dont think so. In the little down time we have Nate works with his brother. His brother is the real computer wiz too so Nate can come up with stuff on the road and his brother can put it all together at home. Back in 2011, you were asked to leave the VMA’s for having weed on you, how’d that go down? Nate and I walked the red carpet and saw all the celebs and everything, but then we decided to go outside to drink before the show started. I guess I got too drunk and when we went back through the first line of security the LAPD grabbed me, took my weed, ripped up my pass to the VMAs, and threw me in a little holding cell during the event. They let me go eventually. Wavves has its own line of grinders, which seems like every pot smoker’s dream. Do you use your own brand? I do frequently use it. The keef catcher works really well. What’s the role of alcohol and drugs within the band’s creative process?’ It’s usually there to help with it but it’s not needed. Obviously too much can hinder the creative process. You’re currently on a pretty extensive tour, playing shows almost every night of the week. What do you guys do to keep the touring lifestyle fun and exciting? We just upgraded to a sprinter van with an Xbox and we bring a little mini nerd vortex football. And we gamble. What music have you been listening to on the road? I’ve been listening to Guided by Voices, Franki Valli, Gary glitter, and Metallica.
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Oh and karaoke versions of ‘90s songs on Spotify. Are there any artists you’d like to collaborate with? I’d like to be in a David Lynch project if that counts. I’ve always loved Bradford cox and Deerhunter’s work too. How do you get your music these days? Are you an avid music purchaser, or do you illegally download? I do both. I used to collect records but my collection is so spread out everywhere now. ITunes, Spotify, YouTube, and illegal downloading. I do it all. Last, but not least- what’s your favorite type of cake? My mom makes a rum cake that is yellow cake in a bundt pan soaked in rum. It’s delicious.
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Maximize Your Internet Radio We now interrupt your melodious, entrancing stream of music to bring you a word from our sponsors-- insert mundane and obnoxious advertisement here. Thanks, Pandora, but no one wants that. With the rising popularity of media-sharing websites, so comes the rising intrusiveness of their pop-ups and blatant interruptions. So how can one seek the luxury and ease of Internet radio without the constant musical speedbumps? To answer this plaguing question I went deep undercover into the seedy underbelly of the online music world-- just kidding. I clicked on some links and listened to some things. But the sentiment is the same. Pandora, in all its shiny, seemingly unyielding popularity, is not the only option, nor is it even the most accessible for that matter. While Pandora does carry an impressive variety of genres and song combinations, coupled with extensive artist bios and song lyrics, I am not entirely convinced that this is anything above and beyond. Its search and sorting techniques, through which a user can type in any genre, artist, or composer and be met with a handcrafted playlist to suit his/her mood, are almost entirely parallel to a handful of other sites on the net. The setup and aesthetic are also strikingly ordinary, if not borderline dull. Pandora also seems to have the most consistent and abrasive flow of advertisements, and to top it all off, you must register in order to access any of Pandora’s features, while other sites ask virtually nothing of you beyond your musical tastes. Among Pandora’s close opponents are Songza, 8Tracks, Last.FM, and Spotify, while some of the weaker runners-up (for the desperately-starved consumers) are Google Music, Rhapsody, and Youtube ‘Playlists.’ I say weaker because the first two require credit card information-- snort-- if not monthly payments-double snort-- and the latter is inconsistent and choppy at best.
8Tracks has an interesting variety of style and the lack of ad interruptions is a major plus. It’s also very user-oriented, yet for this reason a lot of the information provided, i.e. artist and song names, is often incorrect. Spotify, though it downloads directly to your computer and thus is not transportable, is among the top contenders. But the cons for these options make them mere runners up to the true cream of the crop in internet radio. To maximize your Internet radio experience, look no further than Last.FM or Songza. In my perilous journey far and wide, I have determined that these two sites conquer the rest in terms of variety, convenience, aesthetic, and, perhaps most honorably, freedom from interruption. Songza’s innovative approach categorizes playlists by day of the week and time of day to make it even easier to find the perfect tunes for every moment. Last.FM, on the other hand, provides some extra eye candy in the form of extensive interviews and photoshoots of the artists you’re listening to. So in the event that your iTunes becomes a Groundhog’s day experience and you are in desperate need of some fresh and flowing music, I suggest you start with one or both of these sites. Kirsten Samanich
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Team Cake Cake Zine is looking for dedicated members to be on our Executive Board for the Fall 2013 semester.
+Layout/Design Manager +Assistant Layout Manager +Head Editor +Assistant Editor +Social Media Manager +Finance Chair +Photographer Interested in filling one of our E-board positions? Wanna know what the responsibilities of each position are? Send an email to cakezine@gmail.com with a little bit about yourself, your desired position, and your related experience!
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THE END. My Chemical Romance was a New Jersey rock band created in late 2001, when singer Gerard Way witnessed the attacks on the twin towers on September 11th and decided he needed to do something more meaningful with his life. There is no doubt that forming MCR led to be that something, because millions of fans around the world soon claimed that this band saved their lives. MCR has won awards, gone platinum on a few records, and even had a song featured on Glee, but on Friday, March 22, 2013, My Chemical Romance posted an 82-word-long statement on their website, announcing that the band had officially broken up. Their album that was supposedly in the works will never come out, they will never tour again, and they didn’t even label it as a “hiatus” like Fall Out Boy did. It was suddenly over, and they are not planning on coming back. It’s very easy to be sad, or even angry about this, seeing as MCR was one of those bands that said they were like a family, and would be together forever. Their songs were dark but inspirational, their albums were awesomely conceptual, and their live shows were entertaining to the last few seconds, but unfortunately, it seems all good things must come to an end. The short statement that was posted on their website did not offer any insights as to why the band was over. It basically just said, “Thanks for the good times, but goodbye.” A few days later, some more statements came out of the individual members. Guitarist Frank Iero said that the band ended for the “right reasons,” bassist
Mikey Way just said that his recently ended marriage had nothing to do with it, and guitarist Ray Toro tweeted, “Thanks for the memories,” with a compilation of every time James Hetfield of Metallica said “YEAH!” to describe his feelings about his time in the band. Gerard Way wrote what could be called an essay about the break-up and said that the band had done what it was created to do, and now new things must come about. He also recalled the bands last show, which was at Bamboozle 2012 in Asbury Park, NJ (a show that Blink-182 was originally supposed to headline, but MCR filled in for them at the last minute when their drummer had some health problems), and wrote about how something just didn’t feel right anymore. It is important to understand that things like this do happen for a reason, even if we might never know what that exact reason might be. A beloved era may have just ended, but now there is a possibility for an even better one to begin. Gerard will probably keep working on his comics, the Eisner Award winning The Umbrella Academy and yet to be released Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, which actually inspired the same-titled album from 2010. He’s also opened a P.O. box for fan mail (Warner Bros Records c/o Gerard Way 3300 Warner Blvd Burbank, CA 91505), and hugely underestimated the amount that he would receive. Frank is already touring again with his new band Death Spells on Mindless Self Indulgence’s US and Canadian tour. He will also be playing both days of the Skate and Surf festival in NJ as part of Death Spells, and his recently reunited band Leathermouth. There is no word on what Mikey and Ray are up to yet, but surely there will be new music from every member at some point. My Chemical Romance might be over, but their music and legacy will continue to exist without them. Who knows, maybe one day they’ll get back together just like Blink-182, Fall Out Boy, and countless other bands have, but until then we’ll all just need to learn to be content without them. Singing along to “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” might help a bit.
Kasey Speth
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REVIEWS [ALBUMS] Youth Lagoon Wonderous Bughouse
Fat Possum Records Released: Mar. 5th, 2013
A
At this point, I have listened to the new album by the twenty-four-year-old, curly-haired, mole-eyed musician who goes by the elegantly poetic name, Youth Lagoon, about twelve times. Really. I’m pretty sure that is accurate. There is just… something about this record, something strange yet soothing about Lagoon’s cluttered, from-a-well voice, something dark yet warm about the sounds on here. In all of the sways, loops, pings, clasps, and wallops on this album, Lagoon a.k.a. Trevor Powers has created the most rewarding type of musical experience: one that reveals itself, and slowly shows its meanings and intricacies, with each listen. Inspired by the idea that people considered “crazy” have a stronger sense of reality than “normal” people, Mr. Powers has made an album that digs into the human mind, dissecting—and championing—its restlessness. Not too long ago, Mr. Powers’ debut as Youth Lagoon, The Year of Hibernation (2011), blew listeners away, its opening of distant whirs and Powers’ soft voice drawing them in instantly. There was so much gentleness on that album, so much quiet beauty. As a lyricist, Powers remarkably conjured up tender scenes. “When I was seventeen,” he sung. “My mother said to me: Don’t stop imagining. The day that you do is the day that you die.” Ahh!! So…poignant. So true. On his latest album, Powers is surging forward with his musical ingenuity and songwriting sensitivity. On the album’s second-to-last track (and a potentially addicting song), he sings and sings, “Everybody’s wanting to see.” True, right? Aren’t we all trying to “see,” trying to live this crazy life? On Wondrous Bughouse, Powers pulls you into his life, his world, a place where “craziness” and “strangeness” are welcomed, maybe even celebrated. Kind of like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, this sophomore album by Mr. Powers is a sort of light-faded carnival, a carousel that is circling backwards and holding scared, anxious people. Mr. Powers, with his openness about his own anxiety, is a kind of prince of Anxiety, a young man who isn’t scared to confront his own demons. For him, he does so by creating marvelously strange music. As Kid Cudi did on his thrilling second volume of the Man on the Moon concept album, 2010’s The Legend of Mr. Rager, Mr. Powers opens the door to his mind on Wondrous Bughouse and allows you to enter, coddling you forth with his slowly-cracking, yet ever-gentle voice. Go in. He won’t leave you. Zach Weg
Atlas Genius When It Was Now
Warner Bros. Records Inc. Released: Feb. 19th, 2013
B
Atlas Genius has finally released their long awaited debut album When It Was Now more than six months after their EP Through the Glass. Being their rookie album, When It Was Now is pretty impressive. Just like any sports rookie has bright spots in his first game, Atlas Genius has presented a very good first attempt in the music world. Heralding from South Australia, Keith Jeffery (Vocals, Guitar), his brothers (Michael on drums and Steven on bass) and Darren Sell (keyboards) put together a very solid album. There is a heavy emphasis on synthesizer which gives the indie rock band a modern yet completely retro sound, while still using live instruments for the majority of the music. There is nothing too aggressive or sophisticated in their lyrics; it is more about having fun and writing feel-good music. The songs are also very creative with a lot of interesting guitar sounds and techniques sprinkled over the album. The only issue with the album is that there are few memorable songs presented. All the tracks are great songs, but few stick in my head other than “Trojans” and “Electric”. “Trojans” has been playing on my iTunes library for the past year and it’s still irresistible. While the lyrics on the album are average, my favorites are the chorus of this song “Your Trojan’s in my head”. It’s a genius idea using a Trojan horse as a metaphor for unwanted memories creeping in. Also, the title track “When It Was Now” displays the retro theme of the music to its fullest. This album is a very solid first step for a relatively new band. Just like all rookies, this band has huge potential. While I won’t remember every song on this album, all the songs together are excellent enough for me to stay hooked for their sophomore album. Christopher Thomas
Hundred Handed/Everything Evil Released: Feb. 5th, 2013
A
For those of you who don’t know already, Coheed and Cambria is a concept band, and even more, they’re a sci-fi concept band. Now, the term concept band has a very broad definition and can be taken many different ways, but for Coheed it means the music is more than just music: there is an underlying story, and music is only one of the ways to explain it. Just to give you an idea, lead vocalist, Claudio Sanchez, has transcribed several comic books and a fulllength novel to accompany their music. That understood, Coheed’s new album, The Aftermath: Descension, is a continuation of their 2012 album, The Aftermath: Ascension. Coheed’s new album is phenomenal. Always experimenting with and looking for new sounds to incorporate into their music, Coheed hits a variety of genres including indie rock, hard rock, alternative, electronica, and even a touch of blues here and there. Coheed has also successfully kept their sci-fi sound by including eccentric effects; techno beats; and animated voice-overs. Not to mention, Coheed’s epic choruses and riffs have yet to let me down. Coheed always seems to know the appropriate way to execute a song, like when to play acoustic, when to add appropriate sci-fi effects, as well as when to change vocal stylings. Coheed is a band of professionals that understands how to maximize the quality of their sound. Even better, they can successfully add emphasize to pieces of the concept (storyline) by repeating certain riffs and lyrics in various songs, but they alter the way these repetitions are executed in order to give every song a unique sound. If you get a chance to listen, definitely try and check out the artwork for the album. Each song has a corresponding work of art that interprets the song and applies it to the concept. Looking at the artwork while you listen to the music definitely enhances your experience. Also check out the storyline: Amory Wars.
My Bloody Valentine mbv
Pickpocket Released: Feb. 2nd, 2013
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Coheed and Cambria The Aftermath: Decension
B
While consumers and critics feel that My Bloody Valentine has treated them like Rose from Titanic (“It’s been 84 years...”), the groundbreaking Irish shoe-gazers nonchalantly released m b v online this past Groundhog’s Day. This is their third full-length record, the first since 1991’s Loveless, which simultaneously created an underground subculture and bankrupt their label. My Bloody Valentine’s four core members reunite on m b v; the airy vocals and reverberant guitar of Kevin Shields and Bilinda Butcher blare again with bassist Debbie Googe and drummer Colm O’Ciosoig. Interestingly enough, the album tonally breaks itself into three parts: the past, present, and future of the band’s sound. The first track (“She Found Now”) recalls the warm, groovy slumber of their classic “When You Sleep,” as the record’s beginning itself showcases Valentine’s mesmerizing repetition. m b v’s midsection tapers off the grittiness for Radiohead-esque space moods, like the spiraling guitar effect in “If I Am.” MBV improves with O’Ciosoig introducing more organ into his repertoire, as Butcher takes on a more straight, pop-oriented vocal style. The final three tracks present My Bloody Valentine’s new experiments and possibly establishing new influence for the later 2010s. “In Another Way” rumbles with a heavy bass beat á la The Prodigy, and the Doppler Effect airplane woosh enchants the album’s final song, “Wonder 2.” Perhaps in a few years m b v will captivate amateur alt-rockers as it’s predecessor did twenty years ago. For now it may only satisfy loyal listeners as opposed to bringing in new fans. The band’s new material is expected improvement, but an improvement nonetheless. It’s welcoming that My Bloody Valentine are still willing to experiment and take risks, something that hasn’t changed for them over the past three decades.
Alex Serra
Elise Edmonds
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