Lancer Spirit Online

‘This Unruly Mess I’ve Made’ a well-intentioned dud

Isaac Owens, Broadcasting Manager | March 8, 2016

Part of the reason TUMIM doesn’t work is its rapidly varying genre types. Lyrically and musically the songs contradict the image Macklemore wants to produce. From soft political tracks to upbeat straightforward rap, the styles switch with almost every new track. That being said, while much of the album sounds like basic Macklemore some very welcomed changes were made to his routine. Bringing more and better features than his previous album, The Heist, the new record includes hooks from Chance the Rapper, Leon Bridges, YG, and other rappers of yesteryear. By itself Macklemore’s frail vocals have rarely brought many positives additions to the music, but with these features added to the production, some of the songs are surprisingly catchy.

Read Story

‘Painting With’ an enjoyable experiment in retrofuturism

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor | March 3, 2016

Painting With is one of Animal Collective's most accessible releases, with tracks like the sublime reggae-accented "Floridada" or the sitcom ode "Golden Gals" being among their most danceable and radio-friendly songs. That isn't to say AnCo has lost their edge; Painting With remains singularly abstract and ofttimes inscrutable.

Read Story

‘Deadpool’ a riotous, hard-R take on superhero movies

Isaac Owens, Broadcasting Manager | March 3, 2016

After too many years of Ryan Reynolds’ attempts of getting his favorite comic book hero on the silver screen, it finally happened. Against all odds the incredibly risky project hit theaters and quickly...

The Best of 2015

Conor Battles, Isaac Owens, and Cristian Flores | February 29, 2016

After a series of heated debates and cutthroat confrontations, the Lancer Spirit staff has finally come to a conclusion of what is the best entertainment had to offer in 2015. Here are our top ten choices...

Top Music of 2015

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor | February 29, 2016

In a year full of albums focused on social change and global, universal concepts, Earl Sweatshirt kept the door locked and the shutters closed. The Odd Future expat followed up 2013’s acclaimed Doris with a moody, atmospheric collection of lo-fi beats and grimy, distortedly grotesque verses; a warped funhouse mirror’s view of the artist rather than outright introspection. I Don’t Like S**t, I Don’t Go Outside is a sparse, focused effort that distills the pathos of the 21-year-old through moody, atmospheric production and intensely personal bars. IDLSIDGO is a snapshot of a subculture in disarray; twentysomethings everywhere can wake up and smell the smoke.

Read Story

Top Movies of 2015

Isaac Owens and Conor Battles | February 29, 2016

Ridley Scott’s adaptation of Andy Weir’s sci-fi yarn about a marooned astronaut manages to combine grounded, realistic science with pulse-pounding action and endearing characters. In a role that mostly consists of explaining plot points to a camera, Matt Damon engrosses the audience in his captivating and frequently funny performance. Being no stranger to the sci-fi genre, Scott delivers one of his most lighthearted yet intense space epics in recent memory. Resurrecting what was one of history's worst summer blockbuster seasons, The Martian was just what the industry was looking for. With its incredible visuals and visionary storytelling, it is one of the most exciting and satisfying blockbusters of the year.

Read Story

Top Games of 2015

Cristian Flores, Conor Battles, and Isaac Owens | February 29, 2016

Another massive open world game of complete destruction and shenanigans is Just Cause 3. Actually Just Cause 3 is currently the game with the largest open world map in any RPG and to be honest the amount of destruction and creativity and the amount of different things you can actually do in this game is almost endless. Yet it seems the biggest issue with this game is that the story itself doesn’t really hold most people enough to keep them constantly playing.

Read Story

Kanye West’s “album of the life” discordant, triumphant

'The Life of Pablo' lives up to its lengthy release schedule. Mostly.

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor | February 15, 2016

'The Life of Pablo' lacks the distinct, unifying sound that underpins past releases. Rather, West takes up a more abstract, harder-to-define sonic palate, blending orchestral gospel, murky R&B, and trap-influenced beats to create a sound as unique as it is derivative. Kanye trades in his unabashed sense of perfectionism for a distinctly broader brush, and The Life of Pablo can feel more than a little disjointed at times. There are soaring, anthemic moments on 'TLOP' that fit in well on an album once known, briefly, as 'So Help Me God,' and there are goofier, mindless moments befitting an album formerly known as 'SWISH.'

Read Story

‘5th Wave’ presents a heroine who can get things done

Lizy Stubbs, Opinions Editor | February 10, 2016

This film does follow the trend of other dystopian novels like The Hunger Games and Divergent, but what it lacks in originality it makes up for in heart. There are several touching moments, not limited to Cassie herself, and these moments prevent the movie from becoming just another alien horror flick. There are also a few one liners, and while they don’t make the film a comedy, they do bring some lightness to an otherwise heavy tale.

Read Story

Classic Review: Queens of the Stone Age – ‘Songs for the Deaf’ (2002)

Joe Conry, Reporter | February 4, 2016

While the majority of this album is made up of the hard rock/desert rock jams that Queens is best known for, it's the songs where they go offbeat from their normal style that really stand out. The best example of this being the closing track “Mosquito Song”, an eerie folk ballad featuring a multitude of instruments including accordion, brass and string sections, piano, and of course acoustic guitar. Clashing symbols, quivering vocals, and a false ending give “Mosquito Song” an epic feeling unlike any other track on the album.

Read Story

Anderson .Paak defies genre on ‘Malibu’

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor | February 1, 2016

Malibu is that rare album where the opening track is easily the best on the record, but don't let that turn you off; just about every track on Malibu is exquisitely crafted and utterly enjoyable. The lush, summery production, courtesy of living legends like Madlib and 9th Wonder, is some of the tightest .Paak has ever boasted, merging West Coast classicism with boom-bap and chipmunk soul. Simply put, Malibu was made to be bumped in low riders down Rosecrans Avenue and danced to at a vogue night club with equal aplomb. There is nary a dull moment over its 61 minutes.

Read Story

Rihanna underwhelms with long-awaited 8th release

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor | February 1, 2016

Rihanna barely feels like the star of her own album. The production, from heavyweights like Boi-1da, DJ Mustard, and Timbaland, is more multifaceted and interesting than the uninspired vocals laid over them. The roster of guest features, from SZA on opener "Considerations" to Drake on "Work," outshine Rihanna herself in their performances.

Read Story

A & E

Lancer Spirit Online