After their short-lived breakup (2008-2010), the band Yellowcard announced they were working on a new album. Members Ryan Key (lead vocals & rythmn guitar), Ryan Mendez (lead guitarist & bcakup vocals), Sean O'Donell (bass guitar & backup vocals), and Longineu W. Parsons III (drummer) collaborated tunes and had the album recorded by November 8, 2010. This album would become When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes.
The alternative style of the band is completed with the additions of three non-traditional rock-band instruments: a violin (played by Sean Mackin), a viola (by Rodney Wirtz), and a cello (by Christine Choi). From their mix of upbeat, fast jams like See Me Smiling to sleepy, sweet melodies like Sing For Me, the band keeps their faithful followers on their toes.
All lyrics for the album were composed by lead singer and rythmn guitarist, Ryan Key. One particular highlight of the album, is the song Sing For Me, that Ryan wrote specifically for his aunt and nephew. He shared this touching story at shows explaining how once upon a time, his aunt drove him across the country to be in a rockband, when no one else supported him. As we all knew, this band blew up the speakers of America, and became Yellowcard. Tradgically, Key's aunt was diagnosed with brain cancer, and eventually passed away. The devastated Key dedicated the single to her memory, by writing it in a style that makes it seem as if she were singing it to her only son (Key's nephew).
More album favorites include: the thought-provoking, reminicant song, Hang You Up; and the always needed, preppy breakup song, spiced up with a dash of violin solos, For You and Your Denial.
Many fans and critics note that the newest album brings a new hint of fresh energy, suspected to be due to the small break prior to the album's construction. Some also support the band's choice to avoid too many singles of their usual catchy violin-infused tracks. When Your're Through Thinking, Say Yes has the perfect blend of speedy pump-ups and harmonious songs that relate to each listener.
http://youtu.be/ck-5FbEAQoo
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Movie Review: Mean Girls
This witty, over-dramatisation of the "high school world" is a must see coming of age story. Directed by Mark Waters, the comedy was actually written by SNL star Tina Fey, who also has a part in the movie.
The opening picture we get is of an innocent exchange student named Cady Herring (Lindsey Lohan). Cady is from Africa, and has never been exposed to the public American high school. She soon learns that she knows more about it than she thought, because Cady can relate every action of the "mean girls" to wild animals back in her native Africa. Scenes such as teens gathering at the fountain in a local mall, and the climax scene of the junior girls attacking one another, suggest this humorous way of looking at high school drama.
The plot of the movie is established by Cady's second day, where she meets Janice Ian (Lizzy Caplan), a rebelious ex-friend of Regina who is looking for revenge, and Damian (Daniel Franzese), an openly gay male who seems to be in the know. The three decide to attempt to sabotage "queen bee" Regina George's (Rachel McAdams) life. Through many twists, scemes, and yes, DRAMA, the movie pokes fun at the things we all may find ourselves considering important in high school (i.e. status, clothes, boyfriends/girlfriends, ect.).
Somewhere along the line of hanging with the "plastics" just for kicks, Cady begins to get a little too absorbed in her role. She begins acting like them all the time, and learns to control the people around her to get what she wants. In the midst of her transformation, Cady takes part in gossiping with the plastics in what they call "the burn book". In the book the write comments about their fellow junior girls, mocking them. Cady writes one about Ms. Norberry (Tina Fey), her calculus teacher, that gets the teacher into real trouble once the book is revealed.
The climax of the movie is when Regina George knowingly publishes the book after learning of Cady's original plot against her. The junior girls literally attack each other in anguish again taking the theme of the wild animals of Africa.
The movie ends with Cady's realization of how the mean girl lifestyle is nothing but what it's nicknamed: "plastic" and fake. She joins the mathletes with Ms. Norberry, who had encouraged her from the start to be herself, even if it was a little nerdy.
The opening picture we get is of an innocent exchange student named Cady Herring (Lindsey Lohan). Cady is from Africa, and has never been exposed to the public American high school. She soon learns that she knows more about it than she thought, because Cady can relate every action of the "mean girls" to wild animals back in her native Africa. Scenes such as teens gathering at the fountain in a local mall, and the climax scene of the junior girls attacking one another, suggest this humorous way of looking at high school drama.
The plot of the movie is established by Cady's second day, where she meets Janice Ian (Lizzy Caplan), a rebelious ex-friend of Regina who is looking for revenge, and Damian (Daniel Franzese), an openly gay male who seems to be in the know. The three decide to attempt to sabotage "queen bee" Regina George's (Rachel McAdams) life. Through many twists, scemes, and yes, DRAMA, the movie pokes fun at the things we all may find ourselves considering important in high school (i.e. status, clothes, boyfriends/girlfriends, ect.).
Somewhere along the line of hanging with the "plastics" just for kicks, Cady begins to get a little too absorbed in her role. She begins acting like them all the time, and learns to control the people around her to get what she wants. In the midst of her transformation, Cady takes part in gossiping with the plastics in what they call "the burn book". In the book the write comments about their fellow junior girls, mocking them. Cady writes one about Ms. Norberry (Tina Fey), her calculus teacher, that gets the teacher into real trouble once the book is revealed.
The climax of the movie is when Regina George knowingly publishes the book after learning of Cady's original plot against her. The junior girls literally attack each other in anguish again taking the theme of the wild animals of Africa.
The movie ends with Cady's realization of how the mean girl lifestyle is nothing but what it's nicknamed: "plastic" and fake. She joins the mathletes with Ms. Norberry, who had encouraged her from the start to be herself, even if it was a little nerdy.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Feature: Emily Petry
This is Emily Petry. A rosy cheeked, bubbly brunette from the midwest, with a fitting love of country music and Hawkeye football. Her quirky, chopped bangs hug her face, and give her a look of innocent friendliness. A seemingly hard-working, organized junior with her life mapped out before her. At least, on the outside.
The first thing that strikes you about Emily is not what you observe on the outside, but what you discover lies just below the surface. When approaching her, the conversation and welcoming smiles flow naturally, if not out of human habit. However, the moment you awaken that nerve inside of her; you ask that one question holding a fiery significance to who she really is, you’ll know.
Her eyes immediately begin to change. Almost hesitantly she tries to retract the emotion her eyes have allowed to leak through. You can see the processing taking place, and the final, defiant choice of confidence. The passion that touches her whole being gives Emily the ability to, not only draw a person in with her stare, but also to captivate and engage them in what she has to say. The warm sincerity she projects has her audience completely alert, and on board with whatever she is telling. One can easily be taken aback by her truly heartwarming stories, and humble selflessness when it comes to what she aspires to be. She mentions that her mother triggers this inspiration, and hopes to be more outgoing, and have the ability to comfortably put her true self out there for the public eye. It is clear that she has long been on her way to finding herself, and taken action to progress towards that person she knows she can be.
This is a story about life’s winding, confusing path each and every one of us must learn to conquer alone. How one moment in time can change a life forever. How random, jumbled situations can lead you in exactly the right direction. A story of how little we truly know about this crazy game of life, and ourselves.
Who is Emily Petry? Not just another country girl; not just another common, warm-smiling face; not another Twi-heart swooning over a romance between the pages of a book. She isn’t a girl who can be told where to go, or how to live her life. She has sky-high dreams, and refuses to settle for anything less, no matter who/what gets in her way. “Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind”; a favorite quote of Emily’s that she says people often forget. She reminds others that true friends are the ones who will help you achieve your dreams, and won’t care if they’re not the same as their own.
It is was the first week of journalism class. Emily had joined to fulfill her graduation requirements; not giving it much thought. Her teacher began making the rounds of the classroom, handing back past assignments. When her paper was finally laid onto her desktop, she picked it up as she has with thousands of other assignments. The story was written on her school’s show choir, an activity Emily was well interested in and involved in. She hadn’t given much thought to the enjoyment she’d previously had writing it. She assumed it was solely because of her involvement. However, that big red circle at the top of the page made her double-take. There, in the center of her heading, was a perfect score. Emily had always been a good student, but something about this score was different. Journalism wasn’t something she had planned on achieving at. For Emily, journalism was no longer just a get-by class.
Of course, what is interesting about Emily, is she doesn’t feel a need to “specialize” in any type of journalism, and she’s willing to spontaneously follow the stories life throws her way. She says her written voice varies depending on the piece she is working on, but her goal is to reach each of her readers differently, and in way that they can relate to it. She has found that she enjoys the digging, and engages it takes to get the story she’s looking for. It allows her to feel like she’s really making a difference, and giving her fellow students a chance to voice their opinions.
Writing and reporting have given Emily that opportunity to express herself, and help her further the inner journey she was on her way to discovering. By continuing her journalistic career, Emily’s wish is to offer other students the chance of finding themselves and their inner voice.
The first thing that strikes you about Emily is not what you observe on the outside, but what you discover lies just below the surface. When approaching her, the conversation and welcoming smiles flow naturally, if not out of human habit. However, the moment you awaken that nerve inside of her; you ask that one question holding a fiery significance to who she really is, you’ll know.
Her eyes immediately begin to change. Almost hesitantly she tries to retract the emotion her eyes have allowed to leak through. You can see the processing taking place, and the final, defiant choice of confidence. The passion that touches her whole being gives Emily the ability to, not only draw a person in with her stare, but also to captivate and engage them in what she has to say. The warm sincerity she projects has her audience completely alert, and on board with whatever she is telling. One can easily be taken aback by her truly heartwarming stories, and humble selflessness when it comes to what she aspires to be. She mentions that her mother triggers this inspiration, and hopes to be more outgoing, and have the ability to comfortably put her true self out there for the public eye. It is clear that she has long been on her way to finding herself, and taken action to progress towards that person she knows she can be.
This is a story about life’s winding, confusing path each and every one of us must learn to conquer alone. How one moment in time can change a life forever. How random, jumbled situations can lead you in exactly the right direction. A story of how little we truly know about this crazy game of life, and ourselves.
Who is Emily Petry? Not just another country girl; not just another common, warm-smiling face; not another Twi-heart swooning over a romance between the pages of a book. She isn’t a girl who can be told where to go, or how to live her life. She has sky-high dreams, and refuses to settle for anything less, no matter who/what gets in her way. “Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind”; a favorite quote of Emily’s that she says people often forget. She reminds others that true friends are the ones who will help you achieve your dreams, and won’t care if they’re not the same as their own.
It is was the first week of journalism class. Emily had joined to fulfill her graduation requirements; not giving it much thought. Her teacher began making the rounds of the classroom, handing back past assignments. When her paper was finally laid onto her desktop, she picked it up as she has with thousands of other assignments. The story was written on her school’s show choir, an activity Emily was well interested in and involved in. She hadn’t given much thought to the enjoyment she’d previously had writing it. She assumed it was solely because of her involvement. However, that big red circle at the top of the page made her double-take. There, in the center of her heading, was a perfect score. Emily had always been a good student, but something about this score was different. Journalism wasn’t something she had planned on achieving at. For Emily, journalism was no longer just a get-by class.
Of course, what is interesting about Emily, is she doesn’t feel a need to “specialize” in any type of journalism, and she’s willing to spontaneously follow the stories life throws her way. She says her written voice varies depending on the piece she is working on, but her goal is to reach each of her readers differently, and in way that they can relate to it. She has found that she enjoys the digging, and engages it takes to get the story she’s looking for. It allows her to feel like she’s really making a difference, and giving her fellow students a chance to voice their opinions.
Writing and reporting have given Emily that opportunity to express herself, and help her further the inner journey she was on her way to discovering. By continuing her journalistic career, Emily’s wish is to offer other students the chance of finding themselves and their inner voice.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Last year I was the entertainment editor for our school newspaper, and I absolutley loved it. I love getting different stories from people that any other school wouldn't be able to get. I haven't done a lot with sports or editorials, but I'd love to explore it more. My staff/newspaper has only been around for two years, so we struggle for ideas and ways to make it our own, we more just follow the stereo type to get it done. I'd love to bring some new ideas back to share with my team.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)