Tag Archives: A&E

A&E, JT Samart

Junior Clay Gulley discusses 1920’s hit ‘Millie’

Leave a comment

By JT Samart

In preparation for the closing weekend of the spring musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and the last full show for the 2012-2013 school year, reporter and photographer JT Samart interviewed lead junior Clay Gulley to ask him what the show is all about.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N49v2pGizzA]

Correction: In the video Clay’s last name is misspelled. The correct spelling is Gulley. We apologize for the inaccuracy and lapse in reporting.

A&E, Jacob Baumann

Imagine Dragons’ album places them among the top new artists

Leave a comment
By Jacob Baumann
Although Imagine Dragons gained mainstream success at the end of last year, their debut album, Night Visions (Deluxe Edition), was not released until Feb. 12.
The band has been on the Las Vegas music scene since 2008, and the best way I can describe their sound is rock mixed with British pop.  The vocal delivery and use of electronics is where the British pop portion can be discovered, and the pounding drums and guitars is where the rock part can derived.  Somehow a bit of a folky style manages to sneak its way into this album, so the only category this group can be put in is indie.
In the early part of 2012, Imagine Dragons released their first EP since they were signed to a record label, Continued Silence, to positive reviews and acclaim out West.  I’ll be honest and say I dismissed it when I first heard the track “Round and Round,” which just happened to be one of the worst songs on the EP, but I am seriously glad that I went back and listened to it.
“Radioactive” is a perfect of example of the benefits technology can bring to the music industry.  The use of synth, voice effects, and the pounding drums on the song are almost hypnotic.  The voice of lead singer Dan Reynolds is very intense throughout the track, but the sound being produced behind his voice is where the power is delivered with even more strength.
For some reason I overlooked “Tiptoe” when I first listened to it, but it is just as powerful as the rest of the songs on the album.  After listening to these first two tracks, I fell in love with the band’s style.  The power that rises from the drums, guitars, and synth really make for a unique experience that can’t be found anywhere outside this group.  The vocals are bit more clear on this track, and the song is possesses a lighter tone.
Probably the most well-known track on the album, “It’s Time,” has been the band’s most successful single from the entire LP and for good reason.  However, this is not my favorite track on the album.  This track is a bit poppy for my taste, but it is enjoyable to listen to.  The instrumentation in this song is similar to folk rock, but the lyrics and vocals give it a more mainstream feel.  Honestly, every band who wants success needs a song like this.  It sounds mainstream, but the rest of their material is very different from it.  Fans of this song will go onto to listen more of their work, and find out if they like them or not.
The fourth track of Imagine Dragons album, Night Visions, is possibly my favorite song they have to offer.  It is less aggressive than the other tracks and has a more emotional feel to it.  The vocal delivery made this song for me, because it seemed so sincere and from the heart.  It discusses how being human cannot be altered, and that mistakes will always happen.  I thought it was really interesting to hear someone sing about something that most people are afraid to admit, mistakes.
When I first heard “On Top of the World,” my first thought was summertime.  This would be the perfect soundtrack for having fun with family and friends outside in beautiful weather.  Every time I listen to this track my spirits are lifted, because I know that even when times are rough I know that I will come out on top somehow.  With that being said, the song may be pretty but it is kind of plain and useless.  Songs like this and “Round and Round” are there for the sake of having a simple tune.
Everything in “Amsterdam” but the vocals scream The Killers, which is not surprising, because the group spawned from  the same place as The Killers and they looked up to them. This song brings up a common theme throughout the album, and that is coming up short of what you hope to accomplish.  The song isn’t really that special, but it is very emotional and lyrically very well executed.
“Hear Me” is a very strange track in comparison to the first six tracks, mainly due to the change up in the vocal delivery and guitar sounds. The song slowly builds up as it progresses to the chorus, and when it reaches its peak it is very powerful. This track is often overlooked, and I’m not sure why.  It is different, but that’s what makes it special. It demonstrates that the group is capable of more than just “Radioactive” and “It’s Time.”
“Every Night” is most definitely the worst track of the entire album.  The lyrics are poor in my opinion, and it doesn’t seem too offer anything.  The song does show off lead singer Dan Reynold’s vocal range and some brilliant guitar playing, but it drags down the album.  It is repetitive, like most modern music, and it felt as though it was there just because they needed another track.
Yet another gem that this album brings to the table, “Bleeding Out” is in my top 5 from the LP.   The song is emotional and slightly intense.  The electronic noises along with clapping throughout the song make it all the more enjoyable to listen to. The emotion journey that this song discusses can be interpreted in many ways. I think of it as someone who has reached a low point in their lives, and wants the person they love to be at the same low as themselves.  The lyrics are really quite underrated and are often overlooked by the everyday listener, so I highly suggest you give this track a listen.
“Underdog” is a bit generic, and it would probably do fair well for mainstream music lovers.  The other songs contain some dubstep-esque sounds, but this just overuses it.  I would personally have thrown out this track, but that’s just me.
Overall, I would have to rate Night Visions a 3.5/5, and it probably the best album to come out of 2012-13 and possibly my new favorite group.  Although a four is a really high score for me, I feel that this group has a lot of potential.  My only worry is that they will start making more and simple songs to satisfy the general public, and this is where most bands fall off the wagon.  I just hope Imagine Dragons continues with work of this quality and not sell out to what fame and riches might bring them.
A&E, JT Samart, Weekly Playlist

NOTE: Fall Out Boy, The Temptations, Cayucas

Leave a comment

By JT Samart

New and Popular:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkIWmsP3c_s]

Fall Out Boy has been a part of our musical scene since the early 2000’s. Their recent “indefinite break” caused many to wonder if they would return. Well, they are back with a new and gritty single. In “Fall Out Boy” fashion the title is a mouthful, but the song has a great amount of energy. It is heavier than their other tunes, like “Dance, Dance” or “Sugar We’re Going Down” but then again the song is about arson. Either way it is nice to have “Fall Out Boy” back.

Old:

[yotube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltRwmgYEUr8]

The Motown sound has become legendary and will forever stick in the mind of those who hear it. “My Girl” is a song that is crafted to be forever engraved in our subconscious. From the catchy guitar lick to the vocal harmonies, this love song was written by Smokey Robinson for his wife Claudette Robinson. Soon “The Temptations” turned it into their number one hit and became one of the many legends of Motown.

Try It:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io8PqddrRIs]

Cayucas

Genre: Indie Surf-Rock

Label: Secretly Canadian

Album: Bigfoot (release date: April 30, 2013)

Website: http://cayucas.com

Surf rock was developed by the Beach Boys to give a tropical atmosphere to music. Cayucas has given the genre a slight twist and brought the genre back to life. Cayucas’ sound is based on the rhythm of each song. The bass riffs and drums usually are the catchy parts of the songs. The full album has not been released yet but my favorite song is “Cayucos”. It has a sound that will make you want to go to the beach and surf.

Enough:

Junior Olivia Horesly: “Feel Again” by OneRepublic

“The song repeats twice and is not original in anyway.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghb6eDopW8I]

“Little Talks” by “Of Monsters And Men” is one of those songs are great to hear for the first time. It is fun and follows the newly accepted rule that a chorus can have random “yeahs”, “ooos”, or “heys”. Yet again the radio overplays the song and ruins it. There is not a problem with it but I am sick of it.

A&E, Guest Reporters, Live Blogging, Online Only, Spotlight

The Big Apple: live blogging from senior Jared Murray

Leave a comment

By Jared Murray
Guest Reporter

It’s 10:29 p.m. on March 3 and the FC Symphony Orchestra is almost home! Despite sitting on a bus all day long watching Mean Girls and Spongebob,  it’s been exhausting and right now almost everyone is catching up on lost sleep. I’ll have to admit, I originally did not want to go on this trip. I went 3 years ago and figured that I saw and heard everything I needed to then. Why I thought that is beyond me, because one can never fully understand New York and I’m truly glad I came again and was able to perform at the Lincoln Center one more time.

Thank you FC Bagpiper for letting me show you an inside look into the FCHS Symphony Orchestra, I’ve really enjoyed it!

Blogger, out.

A&E, Guest Reporters, Live Blogging, Online Only, Spotlight

The Big Apple: live blogging from senior Jared Murray

Leave a comment

By Jared Murray
Guest Reporter

It’s 3:21 p.m. on Saturday March 2, and the orchestra is setting out to the high seas for a dinner cruise, dressed to impress, of course. Earlier today we competed in the finals of The National School Orchestra Championships. Although we did not place in the top four, we received a nice participation trophy. I won the award for Best Low String Solo for my solo in the piece “Oblivion” by Astor Piazolla! Right now I am standing in line for the buffet on the ship, and it looks delicious. I have yet to have a bad meal here in New York and I doubt I will before we leave. After dinner we are moving upstairs to dance on the dance floor. Hopefully no one will take a picture of me in the middle of an embarrassing dance move. After dinner we’re going to see Mary Poppins on Broadway. This is my second Broadway show and I’m really excited! This is our last night in the city so I’m hoping to make it legend. . . wait for it. . . dary!

 Make sure to keep checking the Bagpiper Online for more updates on our travels!