Category Archives: youth media
Sons of Sylvia Revelation Review
By Samantha PonoroffWARNING: Take this review with a grain of salt, as I am not an avid country music listener. Then again, Sons of Sylvia is not just a country band; SOS takes inspiration from pop, rock, and country music. When listening to their CD one readily notices this eclectic approach: SOS sounds as if they are going through an identity crisis, not able to pick one sound to carry through the CD in its entirety.Bands are often scolded because all of their tracks sound the same. I am doing the opposite. Yes, it is boring when a CD sounds like one 30 minute long song, versus ten three-minute long tracks. But it is confusing when a band makes a CD that sounds like a mix-tape full of ten different bands.. This is SOS’s biggest mistake: making their tracks sound TOO different.Regardless, SOS has far-reaching Top 40 potential: their 2010 debut album Revelation peaked at the number two spot on iTunes’ pop albums chart and they preformed their single “Love Left to Lose” (Track 2) on American Idol, as introduced by American Idol alum and country-music superstar Carrie Underwood.You can find out more about Sons of Sylvia on their myspace, http://www.myspace.com/sonsofsylvia. Meanwhile, check these tracks out:“Love Left to Lose,” their hit single, as preformed on American Idol, a much more ballad-like song with an upbeat twist (it reminds me of Nick Lachey).“50 Ways,” a much more upbeat and pop-inspired song. Check it out ifyou’re in an upbeat mood and just wanna dance!
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.
Mute Math Press Conference at The Fillmore Miami 4-27-10
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.’