Issue 9 - North Canton City Schools - sparcc

Noise
Rihanna
‘A Girl Like Me’
In the past year, Rihanna has been one successful Barbadian import. With steady
Caribbean beats that continuously flow through her album, “Music of the Sun,” her style is
a flavorful mix of laid-back reggae and island-infused dance hits that are worth a listen.
While most of the world has heard this 17-year-old’s chart-topping hits, “Pon De Replay,”
and “If It’s Lovin’ That You Want,” this girl is no one-hit wonder. Listen for her upcoming
track, “S.O.S,” and her new album, “ A Girl Like Me.” Both have enough originality to
continue her success for a while, and are catchy enough to rejuvenate her lyrics, which
are at times dry.
However, while the island rhythm is perfect for Rihanna’s dance mixes, attempts at
mellow tracks like “Don’t Even Try,” do nothing to separate her from the crowd. Without
her signature, carefree background beats masking her voice, listeners can hear that Rihanna’s
raw vocal talent is only average at best, which hinders her chances of longevity.
Note to Rihanna: Enjoy fame while it lasts. Most of Rihanna’s releases are optimistic
and ideal for chilling on a late summer afternoon, but behind her native island groove is
not enough talent for Rihanna to have more than a brief career.
Hawthorne
Heights
‘If Only You Were Lonely’
Although time has passed since the release
of their 2004 debut album, Hawthorne
Heights hasn’t changed with the times as
seen in their newest release, “If Only You
Were Lonely.”
Hawthorne Heights is perhaps best known
for their hit single, “Ohio is for Lovers,” and
it appears that they tried to mimic that same
sound in the 12 tracks that make up “If Only
You Were Lonely.”
If it weren’t for the few moments of
silence in between each song, one might
confuse the whole album to be one long,
drawn out song.
Not much has changed lyrically – it’s the
same tragic story about finding and losing
love. Song titles such as “Saying Sorry” and
“Cross Me Off Your List” pretty much sum
up the content of every song on the album.
Those who purchased their first album
need not purchase “If Only You Were
Lonely,” unless you want to hear the same
songs all over again.
– katie rojek
Van Morrison
‘Pay the Devil’
Van Morrison belongs to a small but
creatively-persistent group of musicians
who, for lack of anything else to do,
continue to make music well beyond their
more exuberant heydays. Generally, the
success of these artists varies from album to
album. It’s hit or miss. In Morrison’s case,
“Pay the Devil” is definitely a miss.
Every one of the 15 songs that are
featured on the album adhere to the rigid
and tedious guidelines of traditional country.
Not once, other than the faintly bluesy ballad
“Playhouse,” does Morrison stray from this
formula. While some songs provide brief
entertainment, like the slide guitar lick in
“Don’t You Make Me High,” Morrison
does little in the way of providing creative
insight.
For those that are looking to enjoy the Van
Morrison that once cast a formidable shadow
in the recording industry, it would be better
to buy “Astral Weeks” or “Moondance”
than suffer through this
album.
Blast...
Journey
from the past
‘Infinity’ – 1978
Parents often have a great influence on
what their children listen to, which means
that most students have listened to Journey
at lease once in their lives. Journey’s album
“Infinity” was their fourth release and
included two hits that can still be heard
today: “Lights” and “Wheel in the Sky.”
Journey focuses more on vocals and lyrics
rather than guitar and drums. However, all
the elements are there. Gregg Rolie, lead
vocalist, has a voice that soars through
notes and captures the listener in lyrics that
are simple yet deep. Lyrics such as “wheel
in the sky keeps on turnin’/ I don’t know
where I’ll be tomorrow” capture the anguish
of everyday life.
Even though Rolie’s vocals dominate
Journey’s sound, all would be lost if the
guitars were off or the drums were sub-par.
Journey’s sounds blend together to create
a remarkable listening experience. Even
though this album was released in 1978, it is
still a great listen in 2006.
–Ashley kline
– Aaron miller
– ashley fogle
03.24.06 the viking views 31