Category Archives: music

artists, cast members, music, youth media

Brand New-“Daisy” a Review

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By: Vanessa Paredes

album: Daisy

Band: Brand new

release date: sept 22 2009

Record Label: Interscope/DGC/Procrastinate! Music Traitors

Formed in Long Island, New York, Brand New has been causing a scene for almost decade now, and with three successful releases, it is safe to say their fourth was highly anticipated. Daisy hit stores Sept. 22, after nine long months of creative juices flowing and hours on end spent in the recording studio. The band sets a noticeably more aggressive tone with Daisy, though the record is still somewhat relevant to their previous album The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me in the way that Jesse Lacey (lead singer/songwriter) delivers a dark atmosphere along with passionately sung lyrics that will have the listener begging for more. Yet it is hard to believe Daisy is Brand New’s work when comparing it to their first two albums Déjà Entendu and Your Favorite Weapon. A once punk band that produced songs that can easily be described as every 18-year-old’s anthem has grown up and changed its ways.

An experimental approach has been taken with Daisy, playing around with distortion and abstract sounds giving it a unique edge. The most notable approach Brand New took in their latest album was the intro/outro. As the first track “Vices” begins you are sent back in time to the 1950’s with a church hymn featuring a vintage vocal and piano recording, and before you know it Brand New dives into an intense introduction that will set the mood for the rest of the album. The subsequent tracks throughout set up a similar atmosphere, yet each one still has something extraordinary to offer. Among these, “At the Bottom” really stands out; it has a catchy melody accompanied by whimsical lyrics and impressive break down that will have you rewinding the song to hear it over and over again. The song is considered to be Daisy’s single.

When it came down to a well written song chances are track 7 “Daisy” will truly satisfy the lyric lover in you; versus like this one really make an impression:“I’m a mountain that has been moved, I’m a fugitive that has no legs to run, I’m a preacher with no pulpit, spewing a sermon that goes on and on and on…Well if we take all these things and we bury them fast , and we’ll pray that they turn into seeds, to roots, and then grass.” The entire album was written by not only Lacey, but guitarist Vincent Accardi as well.

The record finishes off with “Noro” which delivers an upbeat rhythmic drum line that catches your attention instantly, as well as the highly appropriate line “I’m on my way out”. This is easily the best song featured on Daisy. Just as one thinks the song is finished, that same familiar 1950’s Hymn previously heard in the introduction ties it all up, successfully completing the album.

It is important to keep in mind that Daisy is an acquired taste, and it is more than likely that its listeners will have to give it a few spins before it grows on them. In addition, Daisy is not meant for the general mainstream audience, so this album may not be for everybody. Daisy is sure to please Brand New’s die-hard admirers as they will recognize well developed chord progressions, drum and bass lines, as well as thought provoking and mature lyrics. Overall the production of Daisy is phenomenal and should not be overlooked; albums like this one do not come around very often.

artists, cast members, music, youth media

The Sunstreak-A Review of “Once Upon A Lie”

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Rock: the Sunstreak – Once Upon A Lie
by Marissa Liebl
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Being from New York myself, the Sunstreak is one of the most talented rock bands that I have heard from the New York area. This band is made up of 5 members: Gary Foster, David Schuler, Tony Rebis, Jack Flynn, and Jason Sarkis from Rochester and have been bringing their own style of music to the world since the year 2005. Their music is completely mind-blowing and will leave you wanting to hear more. The sound is catchy and keeps you entertained. The members of this band produce a great sound that sweeps you off your feet. The groups music has shown that they have worked hard to get where they are now and that nothing will stop them to achieve their goals.
The lyrics of the songs on the album can be repetitive, yet their music seems to reflect on their feelings of having love and losing it.
The band has performed at Vans Warped Tour in the summer of 2006 and sold over 25,000 records within 2 months. They posted on the Billboard charts without a distribution deal and they were the second band in history to do this.
It has dawned on me that this band produces overall enjoyment for their fans and their progress has proved their greatness and that they can go far in the music industry.
I solely feel that this group can become one of the best rock bands in history if they set their minds to it and follow their dreams.

artists, cast members, music, youth media

An Interview With Fefe Dobson

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Fefe Dobson Watch me Move Video

by Alison Sikes NYU

Alison Sikes: How is it going? How were the VMAs?

Fefe Dobson:  I’m doing great. The VMAs were great. It was fabulous. I did a MTV pre-VMA show with Cobra Starship. We judged a couple bands. Cobra guys were really nice and super chill. They seem like they have a good time.

AS: It’s really funny because I went to Fashion’s Night Out the other night (http://www.fashionsnightout.com/) and I saw both you and Gabe Saporta (of Cobra Starship) that night. What events did you go to?

FD: I went to Kiehls. It was awesome. Everyone was doing karaoke. So much cool energy. People were dancing. “Single Ladies” came on and everyone was on the floor, doing the dance, getting down on the ground. I was like “I love Kiehls. This is great.”

AS: Going with the whole fashion thing, how would you describe your style?

FD: I would describe my style as whatever I see and tickles my fancy, I put it on and go. I’m a vintage gal. I really love finding special little pieces and rummaging. In Toronto, we have a huge vintage/thrift store scene. I got a faux-fur jacket for ten bucks and that is what it’s like in Toronto. Vintage is vintage and that’s what I love about it.

AS: Do you think you’ll visit any thrift stores in New York City during your free time here?

FD: I am going to try to for sue. I love street shopping in New York because people make original pieces like jewelry. I find it really pretty.

AS: You new album, Joy, comes out in the upcoming months. How is it different than your previous albums in terms of your sound, inspiration, etc?

FD: As persons, we all grow. If you stay the same person, you have to worry. When I made the first record entitled Fefe Dobson,- very creative name- I was just hitting my teens and now, I am in my early twenties and have evolved from that point. I have gone through different experiences and so, my writing is going to come from a different place. I’m going to feel differently, dress differently, and look at people differently. That comes across [in my music] because that is your art and just like a painter or a poet, they grow and their work becomes a little bit more of a picture.  I think that there is more beauty when things get older and things grow up like my work. I feel like it’s becoming more beautiful to me because it’s growing up for me.

AS: What parts of your life did you draw inspiration from for this particular album?

FD: I drew a lot from love. I always do. I love love. All you need is love. I draw a lot from love and loss. For some songs, like there is a song called “Paranoia” on the record now and that was me being bit paranoid over odd things. I love this song “People are Strange” by The Doors and he describes how he feels how people are always lurking around. I kind of feel that way with cameras. I always think when you’re changing in the changing room that there is going to be a camera in the room. I heard a story about a man that used to put a camera on the tip of his boot and when he walked, he’d look under girls’ dresses. I kind of went there a little bit on that a paranoid feeling as being a women and never really knowing what is lurking behind you or in the changing room. I write about things I’m feeling.

AS: I have to ask the corny question, what kinds of things bring joy to Fefe Dobson?

FD: What brings joy to me? Some good food. I love a good meal. I dance when I eat. I’ll be on the street and if I eat something that is good, I’ll say “Oh” and my foot starts to twitch. Just some good food and I’m in heaven.

AS: It just so happens that Mike Myers is also from your hometown of Scarborough, Ontario. Seeing that he is a funny guy, do you consider yourself to be a funny person?

FD: I try to be. I can make my friends laugh. I can make my best friend crack up. I think she is lying to me. She laughs at everything I say.

AS: When you first came out, I can remember your music being all over the Disney Channel. Now, current Disney stars like Miley Cyrus and Jordin Sparks are all covering your songs. What is that like for you?

FD: It’s pretty wild. It’s hard to describe because they’re not songs that have been out for year and I’m like 55 years of age.  I just made theses gonad n they were on the record, it’s pretty crazy.

AS: What are your plans for the future?

FD: Making more records, making more music, producing. I hope one day I can be like Tina Turner. Be 60 years old, still rocking out with great legs and not feeling like I’m going to fall apart or break.