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

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

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

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.

Read Story

‘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.

Read Story

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.

Read Story

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.

Read Story

Kid Cudi should stop making music

'Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven' chronicles Scott Mescudi's decline

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor | December 7, 2015

'Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven' is a snapshot of an artist who wants desperately to be something he can never be, and it's made all the more disappointing because of just how talented Cudi can be with the right material.

Read Story

‘Poison Season’ an enjoyable tenth outing

Destroyer crafts a dreamy, ethereal pop symphony

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor | December 3, 2015

Poison Season is an album that benefits from showing its age.

Read Story