By Allie FernandesBored of even your newest play list? Wish someone would simply tell you a good band that you could try out listening to, even if it is just so you do not end up listening to the same Cobra Starship songs for the 7823472384th time? Well, meet: Biffy Clyro.
Biffy Clyro is a rock band from Ayrshire, Scotland, formed in 1995. Known for their heavy, yet melodic sound and complex, interwoven guitar riffs, the band is very different than many popular bands of today. All three members sing at some point, creating even more of unique sound. They released their first album, Blackened Sky, in 2002 to positive reviews. Their follow-up album, the Vertigo of Bliss, was released in 2003 to reviews praising the more experimental sound. Five years and two CDs later the band is still at it, planning on releasing their new album in 2009.
Biffy's sound has often been compared to that of Nirvana, the Pixies and Fugazi. That being said, the members themselves often cite Metallica and Rush as some of their biggest influences. They also have been reported as listening to the emo legends, Sunny Day Real Estate and Mineral and a band that they once supported onstage, Weezer.
If you think Biffy Clyro is a band that you might like, is my recommendation that you try listening to "Justboy" or "Joy. Discovery. Invention" from their debut album. Then I would suggest "Machines" off of their fourth album, Puzzle. Finally, I would suggest my favorite song by them that I have heard, "Mountains" which if the single for their upcoming release. All in all, Biffy Clyro is a band that you want to give a shot.
Alone II (11/24/08)
By Allie FernandesTuesday November 25, 2008 may not seem that important to most people music-wise but for some fans, it could be potentially epic. November 25th is the release date for Rivers Cuomo's second compilation album, Alone II: the Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo. It is the sequel to 2007's Alone: the Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo. I know what your now thinking, who is Rivers Cuomo and why are the names of his albums so pathetic? Well to understand the second, you first need to know the first.
Rivers Cuomo, for those who do not know, is the lead singer of popular rock band Weezer. The band, which was formed in 1992, has released six albums during their time together. Three of their albums have been named "Weezer" and referred to as the "blue album", the "green album", and the "red album", based on the cover of the album in question. He is known to have accumulated recordings throughout his life. The recordings range from old Weezer demos to songs he created with earlier bands to songs he simply recorded on his own. It is said that he has nearly 800 unreleased songs in his collection.
Cuomo's newest album is his way of releasing some of the better ones to the public. There are 19 new tracks on the album and it would be difficult to doubt that other CDs of similar nature will be released in the future. I would recommend the album to anyone who listens to Weezer or bands similar to them. Even listeners not normally fans of their style of music may like Cuomo's newest release in that it spans a great deal of time in the creation and is almost guaranteed to have an eclectic mix of songs. Alone II is an album any Weezer fan needs to have in their library.
A Cumberland High Christmas! (Not really though) (12/8/08)
By Allie Fernandes
Out of all of the movies, the shows, and the specials, the first one to come to mind when you tell me Christmas is coming is easily "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (a close second being the Chanukah episode of Rugrats… you just had to love it). Although it came out in 1965, the classic is aired multiple times around the holiday season. The special started the entire series of movies based off the Peanuts comic strip including "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and "It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown".
As in all Charlie Brown specials, he is underappreciated by his peers and feels depressed by what surrounds him. He has received no Christmas cards and been talked into directing the nativity play. Everywhere he seems to go he finds himself witnessing the commercialism of Christmas taking the attention away from the true meaning of Christmas, which everyone else seems to have forgotten. His friends want the play to be more modern, complete with dancing and jazzier music but Charlie remains faithful to the traditional story and then sets out with Linus to find a Christmas tree in order to set the right mood. They then proceed to get the now famous, small baby tree, which is the only real tree on the entire lot. When he returns to the school for rehearsal, he is admonished for having picked a "pathetic" tree. He then begins to wonder if everyone else knows the meaning of Christmas and he was wrong all along until Linus, quoting the bible, tells Charlie that he was indeed correct. Charlie then, happy that he now knows that he is not alone, attempts to decorate the tree but soon believes he has killed it. His friends then, having realized they were too hard on him, decorate the tree and surprise him, showing him that they too know the true meaning of Christmas.
This feel good classic is sure to be loved by people of any age. From the now signature style in which the lines were delivered due to the young casts illiteracy to the message behind the entire program. Everyone can appreciate something teaching the importance of being kind to one another delivered in a cute, animated package. The special is to air next at 8pm on Tuesday December 16 on ABC Family. It is also available for purchase on DVD.
The Best and the Worst of Comedy TV this Year (12/16/08)
By Allie Fernandes
So there is a good chance that you have seen top 10 and worst 10 lists a lot the past week or so considering the year is beginning to draw to a close. Rolling Stone has released their list of the 50 best albums, 100 best singles, and the best movies. This list is a bit different. It is a list of the funniest three shows based on the most recent season this year.
THE BEST:
3. The Colbert Report: Although it is technically not run in seasons, the past few months of Steven Colbert's news show on Comedy Central has been hilarious. Between "humbling Kanye", having his own Christmas Special and delivering the news as only he can, the Colbert Report is easily one of the best shows on TV. The Colbert Report airs Monday through Friday on Comedy Central at 11:30pm and is re-aired multiple times the following day.
2. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Possibly the most underrated show on the list, FX's It's Always Sunny has had a phenomenal season. If you enjoy laughing at horrible people in the most absurd situations, you will love this show. Episodes based around the solving of the gas crisis, two characters faking their deaths and a musical based upon a fictional character created within the show. Sadly, the season is over so fans only have the DVDs to watch until they return with a new season on FX, Thursdays at 10pm.
1. Family Guy: Everyone has seen this show at some point in time but the current season is possibly my favorite so far. This show has gone there more than ever before with episodes based in Nazi Germany, and jokes about everything from Horton Hears a Who to Aquaman. Family Guy has very much returned to their prime with writing and has once again become one of the best comedies on TV. Family Guy can be seen Sundays at 9pm on Fox and then multiple times throughout the week on TBS and Fox, as well as on DVD.
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