A Graveyard Smash: Halloween II music review September 14, 2009
Posted by style in : Style , add a commentHeather Gioia, Broadside Correspondent
When you think Halloween, you think horror. Along with his hit remakes, Rob Zombie has put a new spin on the horror sounds of the holiday.
The remake of Halloween II hit in theaters in late August, accompanied by the soundtrack, which features a compilation of unique sounds and movie clips. Pop in the 25-track album and be prepared for a complete listening expierence.
The album opens with a clip from the movie entitled “He’s F***ing Dead,” a short clip that sets the Halloween mood. After all, we all thought Mike Myers was dead.
The first song on the album is “Nights in White Satin” by The Moody Blues, a calm and relaxing track.
With a slow beat and a groovy tempo the hook, “because I love you, yes I love you,” is destined be on your lips by the end of the track, creating a mesmerizing sound.
After another movie clip, an upbeat ’80s track blasts from the boom box. Who remembers the 10cc’s “The Things We Do For Love?” The song is yet another mesmerizing track that, after the first few beats, has you swaying and singing along.
Track six, “Amerarockers” by Scream, opens with a fun funk beat that resembles the free sounds of Sublime.
Movie clips such as “Ass Good” are comical fun, while others are moments from the movie. These clips are a great compliment to tracks by well known artists such as Rod Stewart and Motorhead.
After the cast announces they want to party, get ready for an old fashion country rush.
Captain Clegg and The Night Creatures put the country into Halloween in two tracks, “Transylvania Terror Train” and “Honky Tonk Halloween.”
The latter song is a good ol’ honky tonk time. With a classic honky tonk rhythm, fun and up lifting beats, get ready for piano solos you may thought were lost as well as rocking guitars capturing the true twang of country.
Since the country may have taken over your system or overwhelmed you ears, Foghat brings out groovy sounds exclaiming how they “just want to make love to you.”
The bluntness of the lyrics and the popping bass, wailing guitars and unusual drums combined to create a comical track.
The Halloween II soundtrack is, simply put, a great time. From the fun sounds of the ‘80s to country and rock, not to mention movie clip after movie clip, Halloween II captures the ears and sends them on an eventful genre-spanning journey.
Whether your genre is country, rock, hip hop or funk, the soundtrack is a pleasant mix of genres straight from the film that can be appreciated and enjoyed by all.
Get ready to rock. Halloween II is a strange compilation of tracks that are captivating, fun and relaxing.
Mason Alumna’s Got Moves: Yana Blinova Makes Her Mark on Primetime September 14, 2009
Posted by style in : Style , add a commentKatie Miller, Broadside Correspondent
Since its inception, So You Think You Can Dance has proven that America really can dance. And this past season, one of Mason’s own was pulled into the spotlight.
George Mason University alum Yana Blinova, a competitive dancer and teacher, was invited to help choreograph a rumba and a cha-cha for two SYTYCD couples.
Already a nationally-acclaimed competitive ballroom dancer, choreographing for SYTYCD proved to be another achievement for Blinova.
“There are two accomplishments I am proud of,” said Bilnova, “one was winning the World Championships in 2006 as a Pro/am. Second, I was proud of appearing on So You Think You Can Dance twice to help choreograph. That is pretty great for me because there are so many good dancers in Los Angeles, but I was the one that was asked.”
Although the Latin rumba with Tony Meridith was not broadcasted, Blinova’s cha-cha coaching session with Meridith did broadcast on July 12, Season 5 Episode 18.
While Blinova did not major in dance at Mason, she was already actively competing while attending. In fact, dancing has been always been a part of her life.
“My parents are professional ballroom dancers. They opened up a dance studio for Ballroom Dancing in Alexandria, Virginia (Dance Studio Lioudmila) where I was first introduced to ballroom.” said Bilnova. “I don’t think I would’ve taken dancing so seriously or live the life I live now if not for that studio.”
Even though choreographing for SYTYCD was a humbling experience, it was also a new challenge for Blinova.
“The couples were very inspiring. Very devoted, committed, extremely talented and they knew how to have fun. And being on stage gave me an adrenaline rush.” said Blinova. “There was so much I wanted to teach them in four days, I had to be careful not to overwhelm the dancers. It was a fantastic experience.”
As a competitor and teacher, Blinova understands the difficulties of such a physically taxing activity, but she feels that the experiences and benefits make up for it all.
“Teaching and then practicing can have its toll on your body. However I love my job and I will never regret my choices. I get to travel and compete, meet new people, keep in shape and wear beautiful costumes and jewelry; my job can move with me wherever I plan to move,” said Blinova.
Considering that Blinova teaches dance for a living, the art form is not just a recreational activity, but a way of life. If she weren’t a dancer, she knows to be happy she would have to be in an environment full of movement and creativity.
“If I didn’t dance, I’d either work in the health industry or compete professionally in another sport. I cannot sit still in an office. I’ve tried. I’m not crazy about working in clinics either, I’ve tried that too. Physical, competitive, artistic work is best for me,” said Blinova.
Blinova currently teaches and competes with her husband and partner, Krasi, at their Orange County Ballroom in Orange County, Calif.
Laying the Blueprint Again: Jay-Z Hasn’t Lost His Touch September 14, 2009
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“Please don’t bow in my presence/ how am I a legend?/ I just have 10 number one albums, maybe now 11.”
It may sound premature and just a little cocky, but the preliminary album sales for HOVA’s new album The Blueprint 3 support this speculation.
Sean Carter, better known to the mainstream population as Jay-Z, never ceases to amaze the public or critics with his lyrics and mature musical themes.
Released eight years to the day after his sixth studio album The Blueprint, which marked a historic milestone in Jay’s career, The Blueprint 3 will be serving as a lesson for other artists on how to achieve music that is more than just lyric-deep.
Even though this marks the longest turnaround for Jay-Z, the album hasn’t suffered in any way. The Blueprint 3 opens up with “What We Talkin’ About,” setting the stage for the rest of the album.
The lead in track addresses the lack of meaning in today’s lyrics and the need to reform the rap genre.
“Empire State of Mind” features strong vocals from the fellow New York artist Alicia Keys.
The song shares Jay-Z’s experiences from his home city, describing the everyday activities—both good and bad.
The purpose is to bring awareness to hardships and sacrifices some New Yorkers make. Taking such a strong stance in support of positive reform to a genre that has been straying away from its roots for years—is the reason Jay-Z is one of the greatest rappers in the game right now.
The Blueprint 3 tracks are flooding the radio airwaves and are selling like crazy on iTunes already.
Songs like “Death of Auto Tune (D.O.A)” and “Run this Town Tonight,” feature Jay-Z’s two closest comrades Kanye West and Rihanna.
Fortunately for Jay-Z’s record sales, not all his hits were leaked on to the Internet. Club-bangers like “On to the Next One” featuring the hit producer Swizz Beats, and “Off That,” which features up-and-coming singer and rapper Drake, are destined to be successful.
I won’t delve into all the tracks, but I will say most of them could turn out to be hits. Some critics have said this Blueprint installment pales in comparison to the first, but in my opinion, it is unfair to compare the albums, especially given everything Jay-Z has done since then.
He’s been married, switched record labels and expanded his business ventures. This is not the same Jay-Z and this is not the same Blueprint.
Last Friday, the same day of the album release, Jay-Z gave a concert in his native New York at Madison Square Garden. Proceeds from the concert were donated to the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and the Children’s Benefit Fund, created specifically for extra support for families who lost police officers and firefighters in the 9/11 tragedy.
Jay-Z said during interviews he felt it was important to give back to those who died during the tragedy and that Americans need to “support and honor the families of those that lost their lives in the line of duty.”
Even references to the NYPD and NYFD’s bravery on 9/11 in his track “Thank You,” saying “this is your song, not mine,” exemplify the depths of his passion to bring recognition to an important issue that has been placed on the backburner for years.
Jay-Z fans will realize the greatness of The Blueprint 3 and hip-hop fans will recognize the strong impact this album can have on other rappers.
As Jay-Z warns on one track, “Y’all should be afraid of what I’m gonna do next.”
Hello world! May 19, 2009
Posted by style in : Style , 1 comment so farWelcome to On Mason Blogs. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!