Music Review: All Time Low

Harriet Stevenson discusses the exciting new single and songs from pop-punk band All Time Low.

All Time Low have been on the scene for just over 10 years and have never failed to impress their fans, bringing out new music often and always to an outstanding standard. Their new single ‘A Love Like War’ with lead singer Vic Fuentes from Pierce The Veil is no exception. With the powerful drumming and exciting guitar rifts this song sets it’s self up with an angsty tone.

Vic Fuentes’ voice lends itself perfectly to Alex Gaskarth’s providing a wonderful variation in tones throughout the song. ‘A Love Like War’ ‘s fast pace and punchy rhythm makes it a song that gets your heart beat racing and leaves you ready to do anything (even that coursework you’ve been putting off!).

Now onto the re-release of ‘Don’t panic’ creatively called ‘Don’t Panic: It’s Longer Now!’,  but we can forgive the name, due to the 3 acoustic songs being absolute paradise. Especially the use of violins in ‘Somewhere in Neverland’, which complements beautifully the slightly husky voice of lead singer Alex Gaskarth.

The new songs on this best selling album are: ‘Me Without You (All I Ever Wanted)’ ‘Canals’ ‘Oh, Calamity!’ and of course, ‘A Love Like War’.

All these new songs are wonderfully inventive and dynamic, something All Time Low has become known for over the past few years. ‘Me Without You (All I Ever Wanted)’ starts with a catchy set of la‘s and da’s which will get you singing along right away!

However my personal favourite is “Oh, Calamity!”. It starts off with a lilting melody of clever image provoking lyrics – “When I was younger I was certain, That I’d be fine without a queen, Just a king inside his castle,  With an ocean in between, Now all I do is sit and count the miles from you to me, Oh, calamity ” which then crescendos into a vibrantly soulful chorus.  Also you can’t forget the amazing guitar rift in there, showing that All Time Low is a band with 4 extremely talented musicians.

So if you haven’t already given ‘Don’t Panic: It’s Longer Now!’ a listen I suggest you do, as it really will be ‘music to your ears’, and I for one can’t stop listening to it!

Listen to the album in a playlist here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKAm0swRNckvQOMuAx7-S8MH0iByki6wb
Website: http://alltimelow.com

The Doctor Who 50th Anniversary

The Doctor returns for the 50th anniversary, but will it live up to fans expectations? WARNING contains spoilers! By Hannah Brown

On November the 23rd 1963, William Hartnell and Carol Ann Ford stepped onto television screens for the first time as the Doctor and his granddaughter, now 50 years  and 1 revival later The Doctor is back to celebrate his 50 years with a special 50th anniversary episode “The Day Of The Doctor”.

Since the BBC announced there would be a special 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who, expectations and excitement have been running high, but will it live up to the expectations of Doctor Who fans everywhere?

Currently little is known about what will be happening in the episode, however the BBC have announced some of the people who will be appearing in the episode. David Tennant and Billie Piper will be returning as the 10th Doctor and Rose Tyler to accompany Matt Smith and Jenna Coleman as the 11th Doctor and Clara Oswald (Impossible Girl).

The monsters who will be returning are the Zygons, who haven’t appeared in Doctor Who since its revival, and the Daleks. Steven Moffat (executive producer) commented “The Doctor once said that you can judge a man by the quality of his enemies, so it’s fitting that for this very special episode, he should be facing the greatest enemies of all.”
 
Excitement has also been brewing after the final episode of the last series, where John Hurt has been introduced as The Doctor. No one knows what this part of The Doctor did and why it “wasn’t in the name of The Doctor,” but fans hope that answers will be given on the 23rd November.
 
Not only is there  the 50th anniversary episode to be excited about, but there is also the Christmas episode where The Doctor will regenerate.
 
Fans will be sad to see Matt go, but there are mixed feelings towards the new Doctor. Some are optimistic, whereas others are still hung up over David.

 When asked how it feels to have been given the part of 12th Doctor Peter Capaldi (pictured above) said “Being asked to play The Doctor is an amazing privilege. Like the Doctor himself I find myself in a state of utter terror and delight.”
 
There is a lot of curiosity over how Peter will interpret the part, but fans are just going to have to wait and see, while enjoying the excitement ahead.

Why we can do anything we want if we say “we can”

Forget Westlife’s infamous “flying without wings”, it’s all about Jessica Cox flying without arms and why it inspires Freya Turner. 

We all have days where we tell ourselves we can’t do things. 25 year old Jessica Cox is an example of someone who goes literally above and beyond the word ‘can’t’. (You’ll get the reference in a bit)! Born without arms, she drives a car, plays the piano, has two black belts in Tae Kwon-Do, and oh yeah, flies planes. She is in fact the first woman in history to fly with her feet. How? One foot is on the controls, while the other is gently controlling the steering column. Not only can she master flying, she excels at it. Her flying instructor says how some pilots come nowhere close to her ability.

This really enlightened me. Although you may naturally feel disadvantaged to do as well as someone else, it is likely you will actually do better than them. Perhaps we should all stop worrying about what other people are doing. It is more than likely that that dreaded essay everybody else seems to have under control may in fact give you an A and your classmates a D!

Jessica believes that “through creativity and recognizing there is more than one way to do something... I figured it would be best to buckle the seatbelt first before sitting down.” It is unsurprising that Jessica is now known around the world as an inspirational speaker.

Although it may sound clichéd, I’m going to try to take a leaf out of Jessica’s book and try to tell myself I “can” on “can’t” days.

Must See Films of the Month

Whether you’re a pansy looking for a quiet night in, or a fright night fanatic ready to sink your teeth into a gory horror this Halloween, we have a film to make you weep or screech.

For the pansies: ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’

Now I know I’m a little behind on this, but this film really is a must see.  All about a troubled freshman named ‘Charlie’ who has just joined an American High School, this tale follows a group of introverts who come together through their oddities and embrace the new schoolboy into their friendship group.
This film is perfect for anyone interested in the 80s scene, with plenty of music references, including Bowie and Dexy’s Midnight Runners.

What I personally  love about this film, is the twist it withholds until the very end which I found both unpredictable and original, something which appears hard to convey these days.

Filled with laughter, good music, men dressed in suspenders and a heart-breaking narration, ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ will keep you glued to your seat until the credits. Brilliant actors, brilliant storyline, brilliant film.

For the people who enjoy a good horror film at Halloween: ‘Alien’

Why is Alien the classic horror you need to watch this  Halloween? Well for starters if you have not seen a Ridley Scott film you are in for a treat, as this classic is not one to be missed. The film stars Sigourney Weaver as the titular character of Ripley who  embarks on a journey (along with other crew members) to help  a nearby planet after they send out a help. signal to the Nostramus (groups ship) them to help. This film is one you must watch for so many reasons.

They become embroiled in a story which pits them against new creatures that they never thought existed, which is what makes this film so enjoyable. This classic horror is a must see for anyone, especially with Halloween fast approaching. So why not kick back, relax and watch Alien this half term.

Film Review: Colfer strikes his way onto cinema screens

Prepare to be Struck by Lightning with Chris Colfer’s debut film. By Kayleigh Peters

Striking his way into the film world, young actor Chris Colfer is definitely one to watch out for. Making his debut into the world of fame through the musical comedy Glee, Colfer has decided to try his hand on the other side of the camera with screen writing with the teen comedy Struck by Lightning.

This electrifying film follows the life of  high school reject Carson Phillips, played by Colfer, who’s in his senior year and trying to get into the College of his Dreams, Northwestern University, where he hopes to graduate and become a bestselling New York Times author. However, escaping the town he grew up in and learned to hate along the way is proving much harder than he first thought.

In an attempt to achieve his dreams, Carson decides that writing a literary magazine is the only way to do this. This doesn’t go down too well with his with his shallow peers. So Carson brings out his true mischievous side, and blackmails half the school in order to get entries for his magazine along with his sidekick, Malerie Baggs (Rebel Wilson, the star of Pitch Perfect).

Carson’s home life isn’t running smoothly either. Living with his divorced, jobless, forever drunken and drugged up mother (Allison Janney), who walks the town in her pyjamas and steals from shops isn’t a stroll in the park. Aren’t parents supposed to be responsible and watch over their children, or is it the other way around? Just as things are starting to look up for Carson, Dad (Dermot Mulroney), decides now is the time to take an interest in his life, after years of neglecting his son. Then to top it all off, we follow Carson’s heart-clenching relationship with his Alzheimer’s ridden Grandma. The only person that ever supported him in his dreams, his number one fan, can’t even remember who he is thanks to the memory stealing disease.

After hearing that comedic genius, Rebel Wilson (Malerie Baggs), and sweetheart Polly Bergen (Grandma) were cast, I knew straight from the off this film would be the perfect balance of witty, teen comedy and unbearable heartbreak, both bringing tears to my eyes for opposite reasons. They turned what was sure to be ‘just another film’ that explores teen problems into something truly inspirational to anyone who watches it.

This fast-moving film won’t fail to impress with its whimsical one liners. It’s the perfect tribute to all us struggling and stressed college students. For Colfer’s first film, it’s safe to say there’s a future here for him, unless extremely rare natural disasters are anything to go by. Even though there are improvements to be made, I’m sure they’ll be ironed out as he gains experience in this field, so it’s definitely worth keeping your eyes peeled for him in the near future.

Director: Brian Donnelly
Screen writer: Chris Colfer
Running time: 90 minutes
Released: 11/01/13

Review: ‘Moiranex’ EP by Sleepless Wild

Lucy Neill reviews the EP ‘Moiranex’ by Sleepless Wild— a Suffolk-based quintet with hip-hop and alt-rock sounds fresh on the scene in July.

Sleepless Wild are an Ipswich based five-piece, founded in April, who have a unique blend of hip-hop, rock and alternative music, all fused together with vocalist Lewis Clarke, guitarists and vocalists Fagan Alexander and Ade Parkinson, bassist Josh Lee and drummer Rayna Vandèl.

The 6-track EP includes the songs Cut Scene Conversations, Stay, Benny Was Cold, Jackie Jones, Stay (Part 2) and This Hype. The first song on the EP, 'Cut Scene Conversations', starts off diving into the rock side of their sound before hitting into the frontman's smooth rhymes, while still keeping the alternative element. The catchy riffs leading to the melodic vocals from Fagan and Ade really tied the song together. Lewis' upbeat lyrics mixed with the alt-rock from the rest of the instruments is something you don't hear often; it's such a exceptional tangle of talent, two genres working perfectly with each other. It's no wonder Sleepless Wild have already had such great feedback on their sound. 'Cut Scene Conversations' ended with a slower, slightly reggae-ragga-ish-but-not-quite tune with the more melodic vocals, a good choice in the first track to introduce the rest of the EP.

'Stay', the second song on Moiranex, is slowed down a lot in comparison to Cut Scene Conversations. A more relaxing track, and a shorter one too. Both Lewis' vocals and the melodic vocals weave together with the rhythmic 'jazz-funk' guitar parts and flirtatious lyrics. There are so many different parts to this song, different instruments and vocals working in the background to make 'Stay' the great track that it is.

'Benny Was Cold' comes next. Unlike the first two, the feel of this track is darker with different emotions projected through the lyrics. Not only that, but there's a whole story in this song, of violence and family and betrayal, while also having the balance of the different vocals and guitar work, playing with different tempos and vibes. The constant guitar melody in the background is almost haunting in reflection of the lyrics.

The first thing that comes to mind when listening to 'Jackie Jones' is the two different vocal styles mixed in with Jack Johnson, merged with Arctic Monkeys, and some Santana-esque tones on the guitar. It's an interesting and a confusing crossover - in a good way, mind. The song gives off mellow vibes, and it surprised me how the hip-hop essence could be shown really well with the relaxed soft-rock sound.

The fifth song, 'Stay (Part 2)', has the same theme to it as the second song on the EP, but has more playful guitar parts and is a little bit more upbeat, and focuses more on the melodic vocals in the chorus'. This song has a hip-hop base, with bit of indie-rock in the middle and the smooth vocals layered on top to give it flavour. While Lewis' lyrics are just as libidinous and flirty as they were in 'Stay', the lyrics from Fagan and Ade are more amorous, but at the same time, not head-over-heels kind of lyrics.

Concluding the EP is 'This Hype' - returning to the alternative-rock that came with 'Cut Scene Conversations', this song is loud and boastful and fierce. With big rhymes and catchy guitar riffs, this is the heaviest song on the EP. Also, there are no melodic vocals on this track, and that with the exuberant sound from the guitars, bass and drums, show that Sleepless Wild want the last song on the EP to go out with a bang.

It's safe to say that Sleepless Wild have certainly made an amazing first impression on the local music scene, especially for a band who only formed in April. They have such a sophisticated blend of sounds that's shown so brilliantly through Moiranex, something that I've never come across before and will surely take the music industry by storm. If all this sounds like a band in search of a style, you'd be wrong, as they're not searching for a music style that suits them, but have actually found and developed one that is such an interesting crossover of styles, and I think with just a little more production, this rather unique combination could be very big indeed.

Facebook—http://www.facebook.com/sleeplesswild

FALL INTO AUTUMN ○ TRENDS

1. Topshop 2. New Look 3. River Island 4. Cambridge Satchel 5. New Look

Tartan is the perfect print for the Autumn time with it’s darker shades and geometric print. Wear  preppy when paired with a structured blazer, oxfords and chinos or give it a more 90’s grunge edge if you wear the trend with some studded leather and distressed denim. Tartan is one of the most versatile prints of the moment and is something everyone can translate into their personal style.

SHOP THE PICKS

1. is this oversized tartan print tee from Topshop— wear a black long sleeved top underneath for the winter months or with some highwaisted jeans for  the fall.
2. Next up is this plaid shirt -an easy way to work the trend without anything to over the top: Purchase from New Look.
3. Velvet: Another huge Autumn trend and this River Island dress has the perfect mix of the two. The skater style of the dress is classic and the print gives a more contemporary vibe.
4. Tartan can also translate into accessories; the subtle touch of print on this satchel is so unique and unusual. Purchase from the Cambridge Satchel Company.
5. My final pick is this tartan scarf which has a mixture of both paisley and check: scarfs are a must in the Autumn and this  one from New Look is essential.

Tartan is overall a really converted trend this Autumn/Winter, after getting spotted on the catwalks in London Fashion Week. Definitely one to test out when you are looking for something unusual for the cooler months.

by Lucy Knowles