Lancer Spirit Online

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.

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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.

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Jesu, Sun Kil Moon collab a disappointing miss

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor | January 25, 2016

There are a few moments on Jesu/Sun Kil Moon where that erratic blend manages to converge. Tracks like "Father's Day" and "America's Most Wanted Mark Kozelek and John Dillinger" are undeniably solid, and the differing styles of Jesu and Kozelek manage to combine to a greater sum, but such moments are few and far between over the album's daunting eighty minutes.

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‘Blackstar’ David Bowie’s perfect swan song

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor | January 11, 2016

Why else would Blackstar reek so thoroughly of death? The jarring imagery of the album, from the dusty, bejeweled skeleton of a lost astronaut in the video for the ten-minute title track to the Biblical-epic-turned-musical-number of "Lazarus," explores death and decay in ways only one close to the end could. If, then, Blackstar is meant to be viewed as Bowie's mournful last goodbye, a reappraisal of its content and message is in order.

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‘The Big Short’ flawed in direction but excelling with performances

Isaac Owens, Broadcasting Manager | January 8, 2016

Overall, The Big Short is quite a good movie; beholding a compelling story and an excellent ensemble cast. The film falters with McKay’s at times sophomoric direction, but it is a compelling and perhaps needed insight into the U.S.’s economy.

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Jingle Bell Rock: A by-genre guide to holiday playlists

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor | December 23, 2015

There is still a wide world of holiday music out there to pore through, making the prospect of individually hunting down the perfect string of songs for your holiday festivities more than a little daunting. Fortunately, we at the Lancer Spirit have done plenty of poring through the thousands upon thousands of Christmas songs out there to find some of the best tracks in each genre to flesh out the perfect holiday playlist.

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‘Force Awakens’ reinvigorates beloved franchise

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor | December 21, 2015

Disney didn't have to do much for this film to be a success. The first new Star Wars movie in a decade, no matter if it's good or bad, will make more money than God. That much is more or less certain. But the aim is not to suck in as much cash as possible in one go - Disney has its eyes on a franchise. As such, the pressure on J.J. Abrams and co. to put out a product with staying power was astronomical. Fortunately, this movie has staying power in spades.

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‘Battlefront’ hollow but enjoyable

Mike Weisse, Reporter | December 16, 2015

The studio nailed the graphics, rendering that small puddle on Endor to the iconic AT-AT Walker on Hoth with equal care. The detailed graphics and the immersive fantasy has a certain quantifiable appeal. The game, in all its glory, is still flawed. With the widely different yet similar multiplayer game styles, the game is lively -- for the first week. The thrill of piloting an X-Wing or charging the shield generator on Hoth is undeniable, but the repetitive nature and lack of content causes the game to start to lose its flare rather quickly.

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Bill Murray, Netflix team up for Christmas trash

Isaac Owens, Broadcasting Manager | December 10, 2015

While it is a musical disaster, its tone is also entirely confusing. Murray plays a lonely and depressed version of himself, but as the special carries on it progressively feels less like an act. Murray (and frankly most of the actors) appear confused to why they are there. While that is partially part of the story’s shtick, there is something genuine about it.

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‘Fallout 4’ an irradiated good time

Derek Rouse, Reporter | December 8, 2015

The core experience is like any other Fallout in the last few years. There are levels to gain, quests to complete, and mutants to kill. Enemies don’t hesitate to bombard you with grenades, or mow you down in a hail of gunfire. Fallout is as unforgiving as it always has been, and to add insult to injury, some enemies have gotten stronger since their last appearance.

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Mockingjay – Part 2: a decent end to a decent franchise

Isaac Owens, Broadcasting Manager | December 7, 2015

While it still has the production feel of a teen dystopian, this last movie loses all of the light of the previous films. With its brooding near two hour and twenty minute run time, the movie can at times be exhausting.

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Fratellis mount an endearing return

Mike Weisse, Reporter | December 7, 2015

The band strayed from their typical repertoire, bringing in a variety of new influences and sounds that give the songs a big boost. Still, there is enough of the familiar Fratellis sound so as to not alienate longtime listeners.

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