Spring Break
In case you weren't listening...
Animal Collective, Fall Out Boy lead pack of winter hits you may have missed
Alyssa Carroll
Issue date: 1/22/09 Section: Focus
A much-deserved pause in the academic year, winter break gave students not only time to catch up on some much-needed rest, but also to discover some new CD releases. Though the post-holiday season tends to have a lull in the entertainment industry, a few artists did put out some great, and not so great, music during this time. Some popular CDs that may have been missed between cups of eggnog and sledding include the following:
Animal Collective
"Merriweather Post Pavilion"
Released Jan. 20, this is the ninth full-length album from the popular indie/noise/experimental group. With a slightly more electronic sound than its previous albums, this CD has been well-received among longtime fans of the group as well as reviewers. The album blends ambient vocals with clashing musical chaos. A really well-produced, written and executed album, fans of The Dodos or Fleet Foxes will definitely find this album worth listening to. Make sure to specifically check out "Summertime Clothes" and "My Girls," two of the more catchy songs on the album, as well as the interesting optical illusion album artwork.
5/5 stars
Fall Out Boy "Folie à Deux"
The third album from emo/scene kings Fall Out Boy, "Folie à Deux" delivers exactly what one would expect from the group - a catchy, upbeat, sound similar to that of Panic at the Disco. This is a slightly more mature album for the group, incorporating slightly more difficult guitar parts along with some catchy dance beats. Lead singer Patrick Stump keeps his shaky vocal style, but now he seems to have even more vocal range, perhaps the result of continuous exposure to skinny-jeans. The radio hit and single off the album "I don't care" features lots of happy shouting, angst driven drum beats and is a song sure to get stuck in your head. A dance-rock album, this CD will be well-received by previous fans of the group.
4/5 stars
The All-American Rejects "When the World Comes Down"
A catchy album, "When the World Comes Down" is one album that will be stuck in your head all day whether you're a fan of All-American Rejects or not. The first single off the album, "Gives You Hell," is a dance song that would have been successful if it weren't for the odd cheerleader-esque yelling and chanting toward the end. The second single off the album, "Mona Lisa," is whiny, cliché and boring and will be the favorite song of eighth-grade girls everywhere. An average yet infectious album, "When the World Comes Down" essentially sounds just like every other CD release from the band, but previous fans will not be disappointed.
3.5/5 stars
Animal Collective
"Merriweather Post Pavilion"
Released Jan. 20, this is the ninth full-length album from the popular indie/noise/experimental group. With a slightly more electronic sound than its previous albums, this CD has been well-received among longtime fans of the group as well as reviewers. The album blends ambient vocals with clashing musical chaos. A really well-produced, written and executed album, fans of The Dodos or Fleet Foxes will definitely find this album worth listening to. Make sure to specifically check out "Summertime Clothes" and "My Girls," two of the more catchy songs on the album, as well as the interesting optical illusion album artwork.
5/5 stars
Fall Out Boy "Folie à Deux"
The third album from emo/scene kings Fall Out Boy, "Folie à Deux" delivers exactly what one would expect from the group - a catchy, upbeat, sound similar to that of Panic at the Disco. This is a slightly more mature album for the group, incorporating slightly more difficult guitar parts along with some catchy dance beats. Lead singer Patrick Stump keeps his shaky vocal style, but now he seems to have even more vocal range, perhaps the result of continuous exposure to skinny-jeans. The radio hit and single off the album "I don't care" features lots of happy shouting, angst driven drum beats and is a song sure to get stuck in your head. A dance-rock album, this CD will be well-received by previous fans of the group.
4/5 stars
The All-American Rejects "When the World Comes Down"
A catchy album, "When the World Comes Down" is one album that will be stuck in your head all day whether you're a fan of All-American Rejects or not. The first single off the album, "Gives You Hell," is a dance song that would have been successful if it weren't for the odd cheerleader-esque yelling and chanting toward the end. The second single off the album, "Mona Lisa," is whiny, cliché and boring and will be the favorite song of eighth-grade girls everywhere. An average yet infectious album, "When the World Comes Down" essentially sounds just like every other CD release from the band, but previous fans will not be disappointed.
3.5/5 stars
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