The problems do not necessarily lie within the movie's excessively violent protagonists or adult themes but rather in its unintentionally silly way they’re carried out.
Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor March 14, 2016
Taking in the bold new sonic directions that Iggy Pop has taken his decades-honed sound in is a heady task. It's a puzzling trend, considering the relative success the reunited Stooges have had in the last half decade, but in an odd way, it suits Iggy. He embraces his elder-statesemanhood with all the grace the man responsible for "I Wanna Be Your Dog" can muster, and Josh Homme is the perfect muse for Iggy to experiment on/with.
...rookie director Dan Trachtenberg proves his is a name to keep an eye on. Surpassing the original film in every way, 10 Cloverfield Lane is exactly the simple and fun white knuckle thriller it needed to be.
Unlike how seasons one through three are heavily influenced by the clockwork of Washington, season four sheds the spotlight on the facade surrounding presidential election seasons. Obviously Underwood’s campaign is important to the show, but House of Cards has become more about corruption than politics. Some of the shows greatest highlights come from scenes when Frank delegates tasks throughout the political spectrum, and that is the biggest qualm there is to be had with season four. Losing much of the shows politically technical intrigue, its smarts are replaced with the gossipy campaign zeitgeist that is seen by the public eye.
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.
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.
'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.'
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
