New Mayday Parade album reviewed

Mayday Parade’s self titled album came out on October 4 and it does everything I hoped it would. Mayday Parade, for me, evokes numerous emotions in just a few songs. They are capable of making you feel happiness, sadness, anger, etc. I like them as a band because I can relate to most of their songs. It’s always interesting to see when an artist you like and have related to before, comes out with a new album and you are able to see what has changed in your life and what has stayed the same, and the new songs that relate to your life. Mayday is not an easy listen; listening and thinking are required. They do not have a much different sound in their new album, but that works for them and makes them who they are as musicians.

The quintet (five-member band), recently toured over the summer with All Time Low and The Starting Line, and will be part of their headlining tour “The Noise Tour” this fall, with There for Tomorrow. They had been touring pretty steadily. They were on the Van’s Warped Tour last year in 2010 and continued touring during that year. They obviously found some time in between to record their album, which their fans are happy to see.

The album begins with their single that they released earlier this summer, “Oh Well, Oh Well.” It’s about moving on from the past, and being strong moving forward. Just brush things off and relax, basically, “oh well.” It starts off slowly, and continues with an upbeat tempo. “I took one straight through the heart, and it’s not easy to talk about,” is a line that stands out.

The second track is “No Heroes Allowed,” which is a typical Mayday song. Upbeat, with a nice guitar part, complimented by violin parts, that truthfully makes me very happy. I love how they use strings in their songs. More and more artists are realizing they have a lot of different options and interesting sounds they can create and add to a piece by using string instruments (i.e. violin, viola, etc.). The lyrics are kind of depressing, if you listen. The third track is “When You See My Friends.” This song is also sad and kind of depressing. I really like these two songs though; they are two of my favorites on the album. Love the guitar parts…They really have wonderful guitarists.

“You’re Dead Wrong” is softer and wonderful. The first minute is my favorite part of the song. Their lyrics are endearing and really make you want to keep listening. They have stories to tell and they do it well through their songs. It is about love not being easy and not to jump to conclusions about people. If it’s meant to happen it will happen. “Priceless” is about the girl he would do anything for. “You’ll be the reason, I’ll be uneven.” Everyone makes mistakes, he is going to figure it out, but he is going crazy while he is doing it.

“Stay” is probably my favorite song on the album. It’s sad, but uplifting at the same time (at least to me). There is an amazing string and drum piece in it. “Call Me Hopeless, But Not Romantic” is another album favorite of mine. They are depressing sometimes, but the music draws you in and the lyrics make you stay. Their lyrics are gripping, I think. You can tell they’ve had some pretty bad situations, but what is the best remedy? Music. “Don’t show emotion, let this go.”

“A Shot Across the Bow” livens up the slowness with its upbeat tempo. But of course, listen through the catchy tempo and you will hear intense lyrics. “Everything’s An Illusion” says not to worry if we are not together because we will be together soon. Most likely about being away from home/on tour and not being with their love. The next song’s title just says it all, “I’d Rather Make Mistakes Than Nothing At All.” It’s better to do something, then nothing at all. “Tell me what it takes to move on,” is a good line. “Without the Bitter the Sweet Isn’t As Sweet” is so sad, but so good. “You don’t get lucky twice, and that’s the truth,” is a fantastic and true line. The last song,“Happy Endings Are Stories That Haven’t Ended Yet,” has a different sound. The guitar part makes it sound like Queen a little bit. Acoustic versions of both “When You See My Friends” and “Oh Well, Oh Well,” are also included. I love Mayday’s acoustic guitar abilities. They are amazing at what they do for sure.

The majority of this album is softer and not a lot of completely up-beat songs. Some songs start slow then become upbeat. All of the lyrics are sad and attempting to try to get over someone. The album is like a relationship that keeps going back and forth between I’ll let you go, and it will be okay, and then we will find each other again someday, I love you. I would have liked to hear more string parts in more songs. They put out an EP and it was filled with string parts, and it was beautiful. This has been a highly anticipated album for their fans and I feel that they delivered for their fans. They will be able to bring the songs to life this fall on tour too.

    Amelia Walters
Pierce Arrow Blogger , Arts & Entertainment Editor

Glee…that show still exists?

GLEE. Yes, it still exists. I’m not fully upset because I would not be writing a blog about a show I hate. Although, the first two episodes of the season have got me asking the question ‘how long will this show actually last?’ It is quite entertaining for numerous reasons, but also a little sad. In the past Glee has pulled on my heart strings in ways I never thought possible. I fear those days are over.

First of all, Chord Overstreet, who played Sam, is not on the show anymore and he was one of my favorite characters. He moved away, so obviously now Mercedes is single. No good things last (well not all of the time at least). Quinn dyed her hair pink, smokes, and is now different…for one and a half episodes. I knew that look would not last long. Her daughter showed up (finally) in the last episode. Sue is just crazy, but funny. She is definitely one of the best characters on the show. But her revenge for the Glee club has gotten a bit old.

The first episode had no story line, it was just a bunch of drama put together somehow. It did not make much sense…and of course they threw a few songs in there. They did a weird rendition of “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead,” it was okay, but they should have just sung it normally. Darren Criss, who plays Blaine sang “It’s Not Unusual.” He is one of my favorite characters and whatever he sings I love, basically. A random set of people sang “Anything Goes.” It was good, but the people were random and there was no warning that any of that was coming. So strange, but good. They sang other songs, but one just stands out the most. “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” from Hairspray is what the night was ended with. Rachel sang it slowly at the beginning…Have YOU seen Hairspray? To me, that song should not be sung slowly ever, because the upbeat tempo and how fast a singer can sing that song, is what makes it great. That probably sounds weird, but it’s true. Thankfully is was brought to its original state, but the beginning was a disappointment.

Tuesday night’s episode had only three songs. Thankfully they were epic songs or else I would have been even more disappointed. Watching Glee is sometimes difficult if you haven’t seen certain musicals or heard certain songs. They sang two songs from West Side Story, “Somewhere” and “Something’s Coming.” Kurt sang “I’m the Greatest Star,” from Funny Girl. Both musicals are some of my favorites. The episode got better as it went along. Finn was actually included in this episode, unlike the first one where we never saw him. Quinn turned back to normal half way through the episode and re-joined Glee Club.

So we shall see how this season goes. It will probably be full of ridiculous lines/music and just in general be ridiculous. Sometimes you need some ridiculous things in your life. I bet the season will start to get heart wrenching in a few more episodes. Until next time.

Amelia Walters
Pierce Arrow Blogger 

Let me entertain you

Hello Everyone,

My name is Amelia Walters. I write this blog “Lend Me Your Comb,” yes like The Beatles song. I had this blog last year and I am very excited to be starting it up again! I will talk about everything and anything, especially music (and anything entertainment.) I love music, it is my life. I am very accepting of all music, I will listen to something at least once and then make a decision (sometimes it takes a few listens to sink in). I go to a lot of concerts, or try to at least. You will be hearing about them on here.

I feel that the arts are very important, without them people would not be who they are today. Dance, theater, music, art, writing, etc. are very important elements that make up our world. Enjoy them, take them in.

“All good music resembles something. Good music stirs by its mysterious resemblance to the objects and feelings which motivated it.” ~ Jean Cocteau 

Until the next time, keep listening to music and enjoy the simple things in life.

Amelia Walters
Pierce Arrow Blogger 

Panic! At The Disco delivers an album of “memories”

It has been a while since Panic! At the Disco has released an album. They released a few scattered singles, one of which was for the movie “Jennifer’s Body” called “New Perspective.” It was a new sound for them, but turned out really well. Brendon Urie (lead singer) and Spencer Smith (drums) are the only two left after the other band members left in June of 2009.

Their new album is definitely different from the last one they released, “Pretty Odd,” which was very mellow, while this one is upbeat and fun. I think they went through their Beatles-like phase and came out of it. This album is definitely like nothing they have done before, and although there are some similarities, it’s pretty new and exciting for Panic.

The first song on the album, “Ballad of Mona Lisa,” was released as a single and music video a few months ago. It’s typical Panic: a scenario played out in a song, kind of like “I Write Sins Not Tragedies.” It is a little weird because it has a cynical vibe and a really upbeat chorus, but it’s a good opener to the album and a good single. If that was the only song you were to listen to, you would not be disappointed.

“Let’s Kill Tonight” is next. This is definitely one of my top favorite songs on the album. In it, they use hand-clapping which adds a fun feeling. It’s about showing that you’re original—”show them all you’re not the ordinary type.”

“Hurricane” is also clearly a story and a scenario being played out in song, reminding me of a Fall Out Boy song. They talk about anchors and storms, very “Folie a Due” of them. Hand-clapping and chants are included, but don’t be drawn away, because it is a full-flavor song. “You’ll dance to anything” is a somewhat random song line. But, Panic usually says random, amazing things in their songs. It ends with what I would call elevator music with a trumpet added in.

The fourth song, “Memories,” hands down, is my favorite song of the album. If you want another song to listen to, listen to this one. Urie’s unique and nearly flawless voice is showcased full-heartedly in this song. It is the first slower song on the album. It talks about memories and where they went. “It was beautifully depressing like a ‘Streetcar Named Desire,’” is probably one of the best lines in the album. It ends with violins; they always incorporate strings, which I really love.

“Memories” leads into “Trade Mistakes,” which has the same mellow sound with the presence of Urie’s powerful voice. Panic really has a way with clever lyrics, amazing melodies and rhythms, and just being original in every song. They definitely succeed in being different. There is a part where it decrescendos and Urie’s voice gets louder. Well done.

“Ready to Go (Get Me out of My Mind)” is another one of my favorites. It is fun with clever lyrics. It’s an up-beat song; definitely something that you can dance to. It has a really good beat and uses both electronic music and strings. Like most of the album, this song leads into the next song “Always.” It is a soft and mellow love song, and definitely the opposite of the previous song. Panic’s albums usually tell a story or numerous stories in one album.

“The Calendar” is also one of my favorite songs on the album. It’s the Panic I love. The lyrics are very interesting and intriguing. At one point Urie sings “summer’s on its deathbed.” I wonder if it has something to do with global warming and how summer really is on its deathbed. It ends with weird elevator type music.

“Sarah Smiles” is a cute song with snaps and claps all around. It’s a light fun song.

The album ends with “Nearly Witches (Ever Since We Met…).” It starts with a teacher talking and goes into women singing in French, and organ music. Once you get past that strange sounding beginning, it’s a good song. It pretty much says that the girl, who I’m guessing they were talking about the whole album, is a regret.

Overall this is a good album. There are a few songs that really stand out, but the rest is average. Not bad at all for being gone for so long, Panic. I give this eight out of ten stars.

Amelia Walters
Pierce Arrow Blogger 

Arizona

My spring break this year was actually exciting and I actually went somewhere! I went to Arizona, for Alternative Spring Break and it was amazing!

I flew for the first time ever in my life, so now I’ve been on three planes. I had to drive a van from Rindge to Logan Airport in Boston; that was fun. We got to the airport, I was really nervous because I was terrified something bad was going to happen. We had some difficulty with the tickets, another girl and I didn’t have a seat because the plane was over-booked. I had no idea what was going on, I just said to myself obviously I’m not going to Arizona, or not any time soon. That, plus the fact I had a complete fear of flying was not a good situation for me…BUT they asked for volunteers to stay behind and of course there was some incentive. I didn’t know they did this. So people did, and we made it on the plane to our first stop Charlotte, NC and then onto Phoenix, AZ! I bought a Duke keychain at the airport, I had to, I love Duke. I didn’t know it took five years for the plane to take off, but it does. The waiting was torture, but it was just like a roller coaster for the most part. And I had a window seat twice, and it was kind of frightening but I couldn’t look away. The view was amazing, and we definitely passed by Gillette Stadium.

Arizona was AMAZING! (I’m just going to keep saying that because it really was) We stayed in Phoenix/Goodyear at a church, and we slept on the gym floor…not as bad as you would think. On Sunday we decorated a casita at a woman’s violence shelter. The women there were so happy we came to help them, and that we came all the way from NH. We bought cleaning supplies and room décor to liven up the two rooms. It was fun because the rooms were very bland. My group and I did a spring theme. We got fake flowers and a vase, frames with inspirational pictures and sayings, a new shower curtain, table mats, candles, and a few other things to help the room look pretty. Each woman and child at the shelter are made a quilt by volunteers. I believe over 3,000 quilts have been made. It was a very nice shelter, and very unique from other shelters.

I loved seeing palm trees and cacti everywhere. It was amazing. I had not seen either before this trip. Arizona is a pretty nice state, and there is reasonably cheap living. It’s very diverse, every part of AZ is different. In Goodyear/Phoenix it’s palm trees, hotness, and cacti, and desert-like mountains. We stayed in Prescott (pronounced Prescitt, come to find out) and it was quite cooler than Goodyear. We volunteered at a food bank on the way there. They appreciated our help as well because they usually have elementary school children helping them. In Prescott we also stayed at a church, but it rooms with some couches, also not as bad as you would think. We woke up early every morning and went to bed rather early each night.

Tuesday we did Habitat for Humanity. Personally, this was my favorite service, and probably my favorite community service I’ve ever done (I’ve done a lot). I felt like I was doing something really important, and we worked really hard! We got there at 8 am and stayed until 2 pm. Some of us painted, and we dug ditches, carried wood, cleaned up, and other things. The house was basically up when we got there. Professionals volunteer to build and do everything that is needed to build a house. All of the workmen were wicked nice! We went to Jerome after. Scott Ansevin-Allen and Bill Sweet were the chaperones on the trip. They took us on an adventure up a mountain. Sometimes there were no guard rails and I panicked because it was so scary. I’m scared of heights, and very realistic situations involving heights. Let’s just say my fears were conquered on this trip. Jerome is a mile high town. We went to stores, and people kept commenting on our shirts, and we even got a discount in a store. (habitat shirts)

WEDNESDAY we went to the GRAND CANYON, best experience of my life. If I didn’t hike down it I would have regretted it. I’m so glad I did. It wasn’t bad going down, it was really easy, but the fact that there was a large fall was terrifying. I got over it some-what on the way down. But, I would not go to a rock and stand on it because it was just too scary. The way up was pretty tough. All of these people who looked quite in shape were passing us and they were panting, I just thought “Oh My God, what is happening?” Haha it was pretty intense. The air pressure was different. Our lungs hurt a lot, but we didn’t sweat and my legs didn’t hurt. It was strange but so fun at the same time. We went to see the Route 66 sign after the canyon. It was interesting…

The rest of the trip was amazing, hands down, best trip I’ve ever been on. I did a lot of things I thought I would never do. AND I got sooo tan.

Thursday we did Habitat for Humanity again. So fun! We dug a foundation and then we had to fill a ditch that we dug on Tuesday because it was not in the correct spot. I’m going to tell my dad I will help him with landscaping this summer because now I’m a pro…haha. The people at Habitat were so nice, and we even got to meet the future home owner because they are required to help with the house in order to receive it. And a misconception about habitat is that the people ACTUALLY have to pay some money for their house, it’s not free, but they do not have a mortgage so that’s good. The entire family has to volunteer hours to working on the house. These men named Marty and Tommy were basically in charge and they were really nice! We were finished before 12 that day so we left early. We went to Sonic (my first time). Then we had the decision of going hiking or staying at the church and go walk around town. I chose to go hiking. So, Scott took four other girls (Sam, Liz, Laurie, and Jess) and myself hiking. We go and come to find out the trail is closed due to vultures nesting, I don’t know why. But we go venture to Bagdad, yes Bagdad. Scott says we need gas before we go, okay Scott. I’m in the front seat I look over…we had already been driving a while, and going through areas where there was nothing but desert mind you…the gas tank looks empty to me. Haha apparently I stopped talking and got really quiet, because I was legit concerned that we were going to be stranded on the road. We weren’t and we finally found gas in Skull Valley or something of the like. Bagdad was a small town and people stared at us because they knew we were not from there. Then on our way back we saw a rattle snake! But it got killed on the road.

Friday we went to Sedona…so pretty! And we made our way to Phoenix/Goodyear where we stayed in a hotel. And that night we went to an Indians vs. Rangers Spring Training game in Goodyear. It was interesting…not a Red Sox game at all. Saturday we helped out a Goodyear neighborhood with a car wash. That was fun and they really appreciated us helping.

Such a good trip. I would definitely do it again!

Amelia Walters
Pierce Arrow Blogger

Pre-Arizona!

So I am going to Arizona to partake in Franklin Pierce’s Alternative Spring Break Program. I am very excited to do this. I’ve wanted to go on an alternative spring break ever since high school and I finally had a chance to, so I took that chance.

The trip is tomorrow! It feels like just yesterday it was a few months away, and now it’s only a few hours. I’m very VERY excited, but also nervous at the same time because I have never flown in a plane before. Yes it’s true, unfortunately. But better late than never; I can overcome my fear of flying and hopefully be able to actually fly and go to other places. I’ve never been to the western part of the United States either, and I’m pretty excited to see it. I’ve heard good things about it!

We are doing a “tour” of community service. On Sunday we are going to the New Life Center where we are going to make over two casitas for the Adopt a Casita Project. On Monday we will be at the All Faiths Community Outreach. On Tuesday and Thursday we will be doing Habitat for Humanity. [I’m quite excited for this.] On Saturday we are doing a neighborhood project in Goodyear. On Wednesday we are going to the Grand Canyon!!!  And on Friday we are going to an Indians Spring Training game! Those are basically the big things we have planned to do in Arizona.

I think this will be a positive experience and I will hopefully learn a lot from it. It will be interesting to see another area of the United States. AND it will be WARM! I’ll let you know how it goes!

Amelia Walters
Pierce Arrow Blogger

Grammy’s!

The Grammy’s were on Sunday February 13th. The night started off with Lady Gaga coming in an egg. She said she was incubating, and would not talk to anyone. The show started off with a tribute to Aretha Franklin. Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch (from Florence and the Machine), Martina McBride, and Yolanda Adams all sang different Aretha Franklin songs as solos and together. I think this was a good choice of women in music now to sing Aretha Franklin songs, and it definitely showed a wide range of music. I was surprised to see Florence there but in a good way because I love her and her voice.

Now onto Lady Gaga’s performance…it was not as crazy as I thought it was going to be, compared to her other performances. At least she didn’t hang herself again. She came out of the egg she had been in, and she sang her new single ‘Born This Way,” which is pretty good. I used to not like Lady Gaga but she has definitely grown on me and I appreciate her music more. I’m not a main-stream music type of girl, but I have a few exceptions. The song is similar to a Madonna song, and her performance and hair/costume were Madonna-like. She was wearing a nude-colored, plastic costume thing. It was supposed to represent an embryo that just came out of the womb or in this case an egg. Her dancers were also in the same type of costume. Lady Gaga’s dancers are ALWAYS incredible and so talented. She has them do weird choreography but it’s fantastic! I also love that Mark from So You Think You Can Dance is one of her dancers. Love him! They’re performances are always mind-blowing to me.

I love that Justin Bieber didn’t win anything. He doesn’t deserve it right now…how old is he? like ten…he’s got a few more years to go. Yes okay he’s kind of talented but so is a dancing squirrel. I like when other people cover his songs because it usually sounds better.

Paramore, Train, Glee, Arcade Fire (whom I’ve never heard of before, but are not really main-stream which is awesome), Muse, The Black Keys, and others were nominated for Grammy’s. Although Paramore and Glee did not win anything that was pretty cool that they were nominated. Album of the Year went to Arcade Fire, pretty cool seeing as not a lot of people know who they are. To name a few: Record of the Year went to Lady Antebellum; Best Rap Album went to (no surprise here) Eminem; Best Rock Album to Muse; Best Pop Performance by a duo or group went to Train; and Best Alternative Album went to The Black Keys. Rihanna and Lady Gaga were among the other winners. Rihanna’s performance with Drake was okay, she is not the best singer live. Katy Perry’s performance was pretty epic though. She has improved a great deal in her live performances in the last two years. I used to not be able to watch or listen because her voice was so bad live.

***My favorite performance of the evening was of course by Mumford and Sons. I am in love with them and they are even better live! Then of course when Bob Dylan came out to join them! I know he’s getting old and can’t really sing anymore but he’s still awesome! Give the guy a break! Best performance of the night in my book…I am in love with Mumford and Sons!

That’s all for now!

Amelia Walters
Pierce Arrow Blogger

Super Bowl Sunday Fiasco in the world of music and entertainment

That might be over-reacting a little bit, but overall it was not the best night in entertainment, besides the game. I didn’t really care because the Patriots weren’t in it, but anyways…First off, half-time show. The Black-Eyed Peas/Fergie ruined it for me, the best part was Usher and his wonderful dancing. Thank you Usher for rescuing a horrible performance. Then it just got bad again. I love how the theme seemed to be “Tron” (not really). Random people with lights on them, so fun…it did look pretty cool when you could see everyone on the field dancing and glowing. I saw some people not in-sync with others though…and…Why did they chose to the Black Eyed Peas? They aren’t that big right now. Maybe I’m wrong, but they could have picked someone better.

And then there was Glee…so I personally think there was way too much hype for the Super Bowl episode. First of all, the beginning wrecked the whole episode, or was a foreshadowing that the episode would be mediocre. The cheerios did a routine to Katy Perry’s song “California Gurls.” Someone should have been singing it. The best performance was “Bills, Bills, Bills.” As of now Blaine and Kurt and the boys’ school is the best part of the show. They mixed “Thriller” with some ridiculous song…you don’t mix “Thriller” with anything! They didn’t even do the “Thriller” dance…but the dance was good, I must say. I loved the costumes and the makeup, as well. The commercial they did was quite similar to their JUMP commercial for mattresses. Don’t get me wrong, I liked their commercial.

Sue Sylvester’s character keeps getting more and more insane. At one point she mentioned she had “raccoon hormones” injected into her. What? Just what? That’s even funny, it’s stupid. Then her rampage through the high school, and not to mention she wanted to shoot Brittany out of a canon; She is crazy.  ATTENTION SPOILER ALERT: I hated that Finn and Quinn kissed. Can we please not go back to that, please? She is adorable with Sam, and Finn should just get over what Rachel did and go back with her. And once again I am disappointed in Glee. I feel like this is a pattern though. The first half of the season is not so great, then out of the blue they get amazing! Like the first part of season two, the last five or so episodes were phenomenal. We are stuck at another roadblock of is it worth it to watch it? Yes, I will continue to watch Glee hoping that will improve and situations on the show will get better.

[P.S. The “Silly Love Songs” episode was very good, I thoroughly enjoyed it… “Silly Love Songs” and “Firework” were amazing…so far so good. Unfortunately, Finn and Quinn were confused about their feelings for each other still, poor Sam and Rachel. The second episode saved the first one.]

Amelia Walters
Pierce Arrow Blogger

“We Can Work It Out”

So, I have wanted to write about music for a while now, so here it goes. Specifically, how music is a huge part of my life and everyone’s life. Wherever you go, there is music. You either connect with the music or you don’t.

Music relates so much to my life. I love when I realize that a song somehow relates to my life. It happens to everyone; I think that’s why people love the artists they do. People find artists and then get attached to them through who they are and their music. When I find new artists/music I always try to see if it coincides with my life somehow at that period of time. Recently, this band I know, Small Talk, released a new song called “Ice Cream.”  It is amazing and you should all check it out, and their new EP coming out 11/16, “Nothing to Do with Love.”

I love when a random song comes into my head just because, and I automatically want to go find it on my iPod. Or if someone says a phrase or even a word sometimes, I will start singing a song with that word or phrase in it. My roommate says “I have a song for everything” which is undeniably true. I always have a song in my head. I think it’s ironic when you’re in the car and all of a sudden a song comes on and you stop and you’re like oh! Haha well this is a coincidence, either because you were just thinking about it, or it relates to what is going on in your life, or some other reason. When I hear one of my favorite songs I always think it’s a sign from God that something good is going to happen, but usually nothing happens, which is kind of sad.

I’ve been listening to The Beatles, Every Avenue, and Mayday Parade A LOT lately. If you don’t listen to any of these bands, you should start because you are missing out. [P.S. The title of this blog is a Beatles song, if you didn’t know.] Hey Monday came out with a new EP a while back, but I just got it. It’s very promiscuous compared to their first CD. They’re probably just trying to attract an older audience range, or just maturing? I don’t know. I do not like everything on it, though. I’ve been disappointed by music I have acquired recently. This includes Punk Goes Pop 3, there are a few songs but definitely not all of the songs, I say proceed with caution while listening; Hey Monday; Glee; and a bunch of random songs. Is the new Kings of Leon album good? Because if it’s not I don’t want to waste my time. Please let me know! And I still need Jimmy Eat World’s new one, I must get on that. I’m not ready for another disappointment, so I am weary of getting them.

Okay, but I must say this…My friend recently gave me a bunch of new music. It included numerous Beatles songs, Tame Impala, and Jason Mraz. All amazing! Jason Mraz is wonderful!

I love re-listening to wicked old music because you get to experience the amazingness again! Or just some artist/band you love, but you haven’t listened it to in a while. One of the best feelings ever. For example…All American Rejects, Three Doors Down, Anarbor (you probably have not heard of them, go check them out right now!), Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, old Paramore, Blink 182, Fall Out Boy (I forget how their songs are full of amazing lyrics), Panic! At The Disco, Linkin Park (like “In The End” LP), and so many others. Go listen to all of these people right now!

*I did boycott the new Taylor Swift album for a while, but I was recently told that one song “Better Than Revenge” sounds like Paramore, so I had to listen. It’s amazing, and yes it’s Paramore/Avril Lavign-ish. Oh T.Swift! (as I roll my eyes) She was the last person I needed to listen to in my life. I don’t need sappy love songs in my life, thank you very much. Dear T.Swift, Love sucks! Get a helmet! Sincerely, Amelia. GIRLS, just listen to Paramore. Hayley Williams knows what is going on with life. But it looks like I’m wrong about T.Swift’s new stuff, but I don’t know I only listened to that one song. But I’m truthfully not in the mood for “love songs.” But in the near future I would be open to check out the rest of it.

I went to see Carrie Underwood…do not judge me. It was totally against everything, but I must say she is a true talent. That girl can sing! And she puts on an amazing show! I needed to go to a concert so bad, which was the only one available, so I went with my friends. I was not disappointed one bit.

So that is all, until next time. Feel free to comment!

P.S. Check out Kanye West’s mini movie thing, that’s like 34 minutes long. It’s amazing. The dancing is amazing! Just watch it, you won’t be disappointed.

& My Chemical Romance’s new single is called “The Only Hope for Me is You” it is epic! Go listen to it!

Amelia Walters
Pierce Arrow Blogger

“I Wanna Rock”

Last weekend my sister, Martha, and I went to see the musical Rock of Ages. Constantine Maroulis, who was in American Idol a few years back, is the lead, Drew, in the musical. My sister has been in love with him since American Idol, and we have always wanted to see Rock of Ages on Broadway, but unfortunately Broadway shows (first unfortunate thing about Broadway/Shows) don’t last forever. So, when we heard Rock of Ages was in Boston we immediately bought tickets, and we found out Constantine would be playing Drew in the tour. Needless to say we were extremely excited for the day to come when we would finally see Rock of Ages with Constantine Maroulis. So, the day came. So many things led up to this day. We saw Wicked in Boston the week before and we went to a few concerts, and my sister said this was going to be the best of them all, and I was pretty sure it was going to be too (but I’m a Wicked fan all the way).
We planned to spend the whole day in Boston, go see Rock of Ages, even possibly meet Constantine, and then go visit our two friends that go to school in Boston. My sister and I were so excited as we waited in the hall to get to our seats. We had amazing seats, we were a couple of feet away from the stage and no one was in front of us, so the actors were looking at us the whole time. We were getting pumped up for an amazing musical and my sister was getting pumped up to see Constantine, as 80s rock music played in the background. Then, it began…a few minutes went by and this peculiar boy came out…that looked like the character Drew was supposed to be…but it definitely was not Constantine…unknown by was introduced as Drew…where was Constantine?! I truly thought it was a joke, and any minute they would switch the actors…Then, a man said, “Wait, something’s missing!” uhm yeah something is missing! Unfortunately that thing missing was a girl lead. OMG. I looked at my sister’s face and it was not a happy face. I’m quite a loud person so I was kept saying “this is a joke, right? Okay any minute now.” I continued through the whole first act waiting for Constantine to come out. I could see the disappointment on my sister’s face and I felt horrible. She had been waiting for years to see him. So I, being the best big sister I am, leave during intermission to yell at someone because we had nothing that said the understudy would be playing Drew or anything…before I went to “yell” at someone I went to check the front board where it might have said something about the understudy. Sure enough, turned so that not everyone would be able to see… “Today so and so will be playing the role of Drew.” Of course we didn’t see it!

That’s just how it goes with the theater. The same person cannot always play the role, that’s why they have understudies. I checked later on twitter and Constantine said it was the perfect day for Dan, I think his name was, to take over Drew for the performance, and that nothing was wrong with him. Of course, the day Martha and I go. I guess that’s the luck of the theater.

Overall it was an amazing show, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, although I did not picture that boy playing Drew, I pictured Constantine, and I had difficulty watching him sometimes, but it was okay. He had an amazing voice and was really good. Maybe it will come back around some other time. I do recommend you go see it if it does. It’s filled with some of the best 80s rock songs from Journey, Whitesnake, Styx, Bon Jovi, and more. Yes, “I Wanna Rock” was in it. I felt like I was at a concert, there were even a few times where we got up and danced because we couldn’t help but dance. There was a band on stage the whole time, and it was formatted nicely to ensure complete entertainment. It is also one of the only shows I’ve been to where almost all of the main characters walk through the aisles, and through the audience. It was an amazing experience, besides the fact that Constantine was not there.

Amelia Walters,  Arts and Entertainment Editor
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