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THE ITHACAN

The Student News Site of Ithaca College

THE ITHACAN

The Student News Site of Ithaca College

THE ITHACAN

On Sept. 8, U.K.-based group Moose Blood released a two-piece Spotify exclusive, Stay Beautiful. From left to right: Kyle Todd (bass), Eddy Brewerton (vocals/guitar), Glenn Harvey (drums), Mark Osborne (guitar).

Review: Moose Blood’s raw vocals shine on ‘Stay Beautiful’

By Stephanie Miller, Contributing Writer September 19, 2016
The group made waves with “Stay Beautiful,” a two-piece acoustic Spotify exclusive, released Sept. 8. Following the release of their second full-length album, “Blush,” “Stay Beautiful” is a coupling of two songs that successfully encompasses the two themes that are most prevalent in Moose Blood’s music: family and love. Their deeply personal lyrics translate beautifully into the stories told by the E.P.’s tracks, “Glow” and “Knuckles.” The first track, “Glow,” opens up with slow, melodic guitar strumming, which sets a melancholy tone for the rest of the track. The instrumentals are followed by the lyrics, “I said goodbye today / I just watched you drive away / I just stood with mum and waved.” The combination of Eddy Brewerton’s raw vocals and the guitarist’s soft melodies add a heart-wrenching touch to the song. The lyrics provide insight to the difficulties of being separated from one’s father, while sweet melodies and instrumentals envelop the listener. Released as a single on Jun. 1, “Knuckles” is a true anthem to those who have experienced unrequited love. Opening up with the lyrics, “It wasn’t hard to fall for you / You had it all planned out, didn’t you,” the song offers an introspective look at love. The track builds on this knowledge, providing slow, low instrumentals to accompany it, adding to the emotion. It continues later with “That thing you said, stay beautiful / Even though that I know that it’s second hand,” providing more evidence of the heartache being felt by the artist while also referencing the name of the E.P., “Stay Beautiful.” During the last run through of those lines, there are moments of unaccompanied vocals where the listener is left with nothing between them and the music. It’s a period of reflection, for both the listener and the musician.
In Southside With You, an organic, budding relationship sprouts between Michelle Robinson (Tika Sumpter) and Barack Obama (Parker Sawyers), eventually developing into one of Americas favorite couples.

Review: ‘Southside With You’ viewers follow a budding romance

By Colin Barrett, Staff Writer September 19, 2016
Viewers meet Michelle Robinson (Tika Sumpter) as she gets ready in her mother’s home for what she calls a “business meeting.” Her mother teases her, saying, “I thought this wasn’t a date?” To Robinson, it wasn’t — until she met the ever-so-charming Barack Obama (Parker Sawyers). Obama and Robinson visit countless places on their date, such as an Afro-Culture museum exhibit, a church meeting and a theater to see the film “Do the Right Thing.”
Review: A Day To Remembers Bad Vibrations misses the mark

Review: A Day To Remember’s ‘Bad Vibrations’ misses the mark

By Hayley Tarleton, Staff Writer September 17, 2016
This album jumps right into its harsh sound with title track “Bad Vibrations.” While old fans will recognize the dark, emo sound and possible nostalgic themes of early 2000s punk, other listeners will skip over this song. Under lead singer Jeremy McKinnon’s screaming vocals, a loud guitar riff follows an overdone beat, producing nothing more than a blaring tune.
Review: Bayside makes waves with seventh studio album Vacancy

Review: Bayside makes waves with seventh studio album ‘Vacancy’

By Stephanie Miller, Contributing Writer September 6, 2016
“Vacancy” provides a sense of Bayside’s old sound, which fans can get behind, while still introducing a unique, complicated change to its music.
In “The Little Prince”, the Aviator (Jeff Bridges) tells the classic tale of the Prince to the Little Girl (Mackenzie Foy) in the stop-motion film remake of the classic childhood novel of the same name by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

Review: ‘Little Prince’ transports viewers back to childhood

By Jake Leary, Contributing Writer September 4, 2016
Netflix’s “The Little Prince,” based on the classic work of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, delivers such a rich range of emotion, moral and visual complexity. This complexity is evident in “Prince” — each chapter of the Prince’s quest, from his home on the minuscule Asteroid B-612 to the vast expanse of the Sahara Desert, is rendered in stop-motion.
Review: Glass Animals alt-indie album shatters expectations

Review: Glass Animals’ alt-indie album shatters expectations

By Kate Nalepinski, Assistant Life and Culture Editor August 30, 2016
Somehow, Glass Animals created a sound so intricate that regardless of the listener’s environment, the album feels full and complete. This album is ideal for loud parties on Friday nights, but it also includes tunes that can create a calmer atmosphere more appropriate for a rainy evening.
Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) is a psychotic clown with a terrifying backstory in the movie adaptation of Suicide Squad.

Review: ‘Squad’ adaptation refuses to stay true to comics

By Kate Nalepinski, Assistant Life and Culture Editor August 22, 2016
The concept of the Suicide Squad — a group of supervillains who are signed up to do the government’s dirty work — is strong. But when a director subtracts the action, emotion and comedic relief, and replaces it with backstories and unaddressed abusive relationships, it fails.
Review: Musician goes back to roots on Golden album

Review: Musician goes back to roots on ‘Golden’ album

By Angela Poffenbaugh, Staff Writer August 22, 2016
Walker’s unexpected instrumental changes work to his advantage: While the songs take a bit of time to adjust to, the different style will slowly grow on the listener.
Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig), Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones), Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon) and Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy) unite, complete with uniforms, to fight off Manhattans ghosts in this satirical remake of the 1986 original Ghostbusters.

Review: Satirical remake of ‘Ghostbusters’ fails to please

By Mary Ford, Staff Writer August 7, 2016
It’s obvious the “Ghostbusters” team put a great deal of thought into how best to bridge the gap between old and new. In the end, however, the original wins out.
Review: Genius film lacks intelligence and purpose

Review: “Genius” film lacks intelligence and purpose

By Mary Ford, Staff Writer July 8, 2016
Ironically, what “Genius” needs is a good editor, an outside eye to trim the fat of excessively flashy production value and mine down to the characters who drive the story and the excellent cast hired to portray them.
Review: Film pleases mothers and fathers alike

Review: Film pleases mothers and fathers alike

By Jacqueline Borwick, Staff Writer May 4, 2016
The film addresses deeply emotional familial issues like divorce, the loss of a parent or partner, insecurity about marriage, a daughter’s trying to reunite with her biological mother, and sisters’ trying to making amends with their parents. Each moment is brought to life on screen by the cast in a way that is honest, relatable and believable.
Review: Suspenseful plot and rich characters carry Quantico

Review: Suspenseful plot and rich characters carry ‘Quantico’

By Jacqueline Borwick, Staff Writer April 22, 2016
The show is full of suspense, drama and mystery, and each episode reveals new information that will ultimately lead to the finale episode.
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