One profound entertainer, it’s what’s commonly used to describe singer, performer, and actress Beyonce Knowles.

Her fierce gladiator pose gives way to 13 dynamically different snapshots that grace the cover of her new album “Beyonce 4”. Sexy renaissance and playful vintage along with musically spiced bars are the themes that tie together her 12 sultry tracks.

Columbia Records introduces the new release as a “melting pot of musical style” and Knowles similarly describes it as a “musical gumbo”. She drew inspiration from her life experiences and the styles of different musicians around the world and integrated them with bridged 70’s master pieces and 90’s melodies to create her very own version of classic.

“I really want people to think when they listen to my music. I want it to help them through their painful memories, their painful moments, and their most happy moments. I want it to be a conversation,” revealed Knowles.

The lyrics in “1+ 1” is sultry and “Best thing I never had” is bound to stir up conversation. “Start Over” and “Love on Top” will be facebook “liked” and musically favored. Beyonce 4, is an acquired taste. Treat it like wine, let it sit for a minute, swish it around, and sip it. Musical appetites will taste the “bold” that Knowles aimed to ferment. For those who aren’t keen on the flavor, chances are, they will at least appreciate Knowles talent.

Contributing Writer: Harshith Mali

Grab a fresh pint of Guinness and be prepared to be carried away to a Celtic Pub by the Celtic punk sounds of Flogging Molly’s fifth album, The Speed of Darkness. Flogging Molly is no stranger to the Celtic Punk music scene with its use of Traditional Celtic instruments such as the fiddle,tin whistle, mandolin, accordion and mandolin, combined with with the more modern electric guitar and 6 piece drum set.

The first song in the album which is also called the “Speed of Darkness”, starts off with high tempo and upbeat riff that will make you want to get up and do your best set dancing interpretation that would make all of Ireland proud.

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However, by the time we get to the “The Heart of the Sea” we see the tempo slowed down in comparison to there previous album. The band tries to take a more traditional sound of slowed down rhythms to accompany Bridget Regan’s fiddle and tin whistle arrangements.

From that point onward we see the band painting a bittersweet image dreams and despair which is brought about by the current economic downturn. Songs like “The Powers Out” further vent these frustrations with Dave Kings accusing lyrics against the corporate establishment, “Yeah the Power’s out. Guess its par for the course. Unless you’re a blood sucking leech CEO,CEO”.

The last song “Rise Up” offers a glimpse of hope for those that fight the good fight for whatever struggle is put into your life.

Although, this album vastly differentiates it self from previous previous Flogging Molly albums with its downbeat attitude. The Speed of Darkness is an album I would recommend if you need to take a break from the monotonous and predictable punk sound.

The Speed of Darkness, Flogging Molly

By April Ancheta
Staff Writer

My Chemical Romance released their follow up album to the 2006 “Black Parade” on November 22, 2010. “Dangers Days:

The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys” is the band’s fourth album, thus far.

This album is based on the idea of the band’s alter egos, the Killjoys and a futuristic view of California in the year 2019.

As demonstrated in their video for the albums catchy single, “Na Na Na (Na Na Na…)”, the band members are outlaws with alternate names to match.

Lead Vocals Gerard Way is Party Poison, lead guitarist/vocals Ray Toro is Jet-Star, rhythm guitarist/vocals is Fun Ghoul, and bass guitarist Mikey Way is Kobra Kid.

Their alter ego names cleverly match their swank gun designs.

A YouTube fan comments on the video, “MCR [is] the best band ever they have helped me so much and their music is Amazing [with] a capital ‘A’!

Danger Days is the best. I love the fact their songs have [stories] and hidden meanings…MCR You have changed my life” (Queenb036)

The overall album has a futuristic feel, especially with the occasional experimental onomatopoeia—space ship like sounds.

MCR manages to stay in your face and Gerard Way wails exactly as he did four years ago. Lyrics can be interpreted in many ways; it can play on the album’s science fiction story line, ironically running parallel to our modern day world or speak directly to a person’s own experiences. Songs speak to teen angst and to the angry and fed up. “I hope you’re ready for a firefight/

Cause the devil’s got your number tonight/(They say!) We’re never leaving this place alive /But if you sing these words we’ll never die!” is from “Save Yourself—I’ll hold them Back” seems reminiscent of ballads from the past.

If you’re a fan and haven’t grabbed this yet, go out and do so, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. If you’re as hesitant as I was, try it anyway—you might find track that speaks to you.

By Scott Clark

Staff Writer

Kanye West is back with his first album out since dissing Taylor Swift on the MTV Video Music Awards. “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” was released Monday, Nov. 22 and is currently the No. 1 album on the United States Billboard 200.

There has been some discussion about West’s new album, some good and some bad but mostly good. One thing is for sure; Kanye put exactly how he feels into his music.

“My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” gives us a little bit of the old Kanye sprinkled with a darker twist to it. It has some dark and ominous strings gelled together and some of his classic drums.

His rhymes are as good as I feel he’s had before. There is something for everyone. The song “All of the Lights” features the sounds of Elton John’s piano and has “hit single” written all over it. The song could also possibly be used for various athletic ads and commercials.

The opening song, “Power,” is very engaging from the first beat. There are chaotic chants and a pulsating beat quickly followed by Kanye’s “boom-bap” style of hip-hop, and it works. West provokes a dark landscape of hard-hitting beats and rhymes for people who are really into his earliest stuff.

The album features a lot of talented voices. Alicia Keys, John Legend, The-Dream, Fergie, Kid Cudi, Elton John, Ryan Leslie, Charlie Wilson, Tony Williams, Elly Jackson and Rihanna can all be heard on the album.

On his last album Kanye tried to be more of a singer, for who knows what reason, but on his latest, Kanye seems to have gone back to his roots. There’s not much speaking from Kanye in “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.”

Although I don’t feel there is much hope for the club scene with this album, knowing Kanye there are some exhilarating remixes most likely rounding the corner.
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Dana Salzman’s new album “Rising” is definitely the spirit of soul funk and first impression made vibes like Lucy Pearl come to mind. This native of Dayton, Ohio is a protégé of Slave, Bootsy Collins of Parliament Funkadelic and other late 70s couplings of soul and jazz talents.

The first couple of tunes quickly introduce a new retro spin. For some it might bring about a recalling of oneself, exploring music freely with a Casio or like version keyboard.

“Rising” is light, airy and more than singing. Salzman is simply speaking as a woman. Her music addresses things such as entertaining thoughts of loving, reminiscing, what’s good, what she wants, and feelings – it’s everyday, Sunday to Sunday.

If the album were lemonade it would be the chemistry between the mint and syrup, refreshingly sweet. If it was poker Salzman would be laying her cards on the table putting it all out there with everyday emotions.

Emotions perhaps in some souls are unspoken and in others are way too loud to be understood.  Salzman’s creativity inspires listeners to be freely jazzed about themselves and the everyday. Track 9 “Slow down,” for example, can be perfect for a moment to find a happy median and discover one’s life pitch and song.

Salzman’s talent began with her own being. Her musical fundamentals and piano lessons were taught by her mother. She obtained jazz exposure by Bay Area and Broadway’s very own Don Haas, who became her mentor at the age of 11.

“He taught me the foundations of improvising. He taught me how to understand chords and harmonies on a whole different level,” says Salzman referring to her mentor Haas.

Salzman attended California’s Stanford Jazz Workshop during the summers of 1993 and 1994. Her first band, from San Jose, was called Pigeon Talk.

Salzman later went on to earn her degree in jazz performance through New York’s New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music. Her first CD, “It’s Out Of Your Hands,” was released in 2007.

Salzman’s experience and inspiration brings new bars to music. Now she has returned to her second home, the Bay Area, to allow the aroma of her musical creativity to inspire and continue “rising.” Listen out for her in upcoming venues and events.