Anarbor-“The Words You Don’t Swallow”

by Alex Rivera


On Anarbor’s new record, the band keeps true to what they know best: give their fans ballads about heartbreak and relationships with a pop-rock feel. The new album, The Words You Don’t Swallow, is the band’s first full-length release since their EP Free Your Mind in 2009. The new album includes some songs from the EP, but the majority of it consists of newer songs.

For the most part, the CD is good, but not anything great or different than what the band puts out. Actually, it sounded as if I were listening to the EP all over again, just longer in length. The incorporation of songs off of the EP didn’t make listening to the record any better, either.

Although I am an Anarbor fan, I have to pass on this one. It just didn’t do anything for me, and the songs on the album sound just like everything else out in the scene: generic and mundane. Nothing really set this new record apart from anything else released by them. Thus, The Words You Don’t Swallow is a hit for newer listeners of Anarbor, but it’s a miss for older fans.

“School Gyrls” Review

by Alex Rivera

Upon first glance of “School Gyrls”, I thought “Dear God, spare me the agony of yet another wannabe girl group.” My thoughts were semi-correct.

I’m not going to lie, the beats in this song are really, really good. But, the vocals are somewhat of overkill. It doesn’t really sound like singing, but more like whining. Also, the random guy trying to sound like Lil Jon and screaming in the background doesn’t make it any better. Plus, the lyrics aren’t anything special. The entire song is about going to a party and dancing. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Honestly, this group sounds like Ke$ha, but worse (considering that I actually like Ke$ha). They can’t really sing, and the whole “cutesy” schoolgirl image has to go. Stop trying to gain a fan base by dressing like you’re half-naked in provocative outfits and singing like the Cheetah Girls. It’s not going to work.

Eminem Relapse: Refill Review

Eminem Relapse:Refill Review By Samantha Ponoroff

Eminem’s Relapse:Refill caters to two different completely different audiences. On one hand, these CDs are perfect for one who loves to kick-back and relax, while, on the other hand, these albums are also great for one who loves to go out and party. That is the magic of Relapse:Refill, its ability to adapt to which ever situation it may be in.
Despite being absentee from the music industry for so many years, Eminem has made a seamless transition from the old to the now, a few things abstaining, of course. To begin, Eminem continues to put “skits” into his CDs, as always. These skits, although childish, are imperative to the CD because they serve the dual roles of breaking up the CD and helping the listener understand the different stages in which Eminem went through in his relapse and recovery from drugs. And yes, the CD does need to be broken up; even the most avid Eminem fan will notice the CDs extraordinary length.
On the other hand, there are a few unsavory things about Relapse: Refill. To begin, on some of the tracks Eminem’s voice sounds completely different–and not a good different (you can hear it on ‘Buffalo Bill’). In addition, fans of Eminem’s famous extended choruses (i.e. ‘Mockingbird’) will be very upset: the choruses on these CDs are MUCH shorter. Lastly, Relapse:Refill carries a much more lighthearted tone, in comparison to Encore and Curtain Call.
Moreover, there are both many good and many bad things about Relapse: Refill. No, Relapse:Refill does not compare to many of Eminem’s earlier albums, but it is still Eminem, and it is not bad.

Check out some of my favorite tracks!: ‘My Mom,’ ‘Insane,’ ‘Hello,’ ”Old Time’s Sake,’ ‘Underground,’ and ‘Music Box.’