Fall Out Boy play intimate Boston show
By Jocelyn Cote Reviews Editor The evening of Sunday, May 26th marked a celebration amongst local fans of distinguished Chicago pop-punkers Fall Out Boy. Nearly five years and one hiatus later, the band was scheduled to make their long-awaited return to Boston at the House of Blues. Fall Out Boy released their comeback album Save Rock and Roll in April, and embarked on a club tour in support of the record this month. The 2,500 capacity venue was intimate for such a popular band, and likewise the show sold out in less than 20 minutes when tickets went onsale. The…
The Wonder Years Deliver Masterpiece
By Ethan Walshe Editor-in-Chief “I ended up as food for wolves for trying to take the world on” proclaims Dan “Soupy” Campbell, vocalist for the Pennsylvania based pop punk outfit The Wonder Years, who dropped their fourth full length album The Greatest Generation via Hopeless Records on May 14. The Greatest Generation concludes the trilogy of albums chronicling the band members’ lives as they deal with teenage angst, growing up, and the whole new slew of problems that come with becoming a more well-known group. The latter is the focus of this latest album. Led by the single “Passing Through a Screen…
Wacapella concert ends sucessful year for music department
By Amy Keum Staff Writer Last Thursday,May 9th, the Westford Academy Music Department came together for their last concert of the 2012-12013 school year. Previously called Wacapella night, the annual concert featured the unaccompanied voices of the many singing groups alongside with the new addition of the string ensemble called the Troubadours. The Troubadours kicked off the night of music with an exciting piece from the soundtrack of the movie Pirates of the Caribbean. The group is composed of middle schoolers and WA students who all had to try out to join. The talented troupe continued on to more classical pieces, performing…
Vampire Weekend create a modern triumph
By Jocelyn Cote Reviews Editor Today, May 14, indie rock sensations Vampire Weekend release their latest album, Modern Vampires of the City. The New York City natives have become forerunners of the city’s indie scene since their formation in 2006. Both their 2008 self-titled album and 2010 follow-up Contra have achieved both chart and critical success, and Vampires is set to continue that streak. Style-wise, the album picks up where Contra left off. The band has expanded upon its original straight guitar/bass/drums formula to include more electronic elements such as additional layers of synthesizers and artificial beats that only add…
Fall Out Boy fail to Save Rock and Roll
By Amy Keum Staff Writer Pop punk band Fall Out Boy have released their highly anticipated comeback album, Save Rock and Roll, which hit the shelves on April 12th. After more than a two year break, the band come back together to produce a completely new and somewhat generic sound, making this album fall just short of its bold title. When the Chicago-based band released their second album From Under the Cork Tree in 2005, Fall Out Boy broke out of the underground scene and became one of the biggest pop punk acts of the time. The album reached double platinum status, selling 2.7 million copies…
F.A.M.E. dances for Westford music programs
By Craig Brinkerhoff Staff Writer On Friday night, F.A.M.E. held its Spring is in the Air Dinner Dance. Held at the Chelmsford Elks lodge, the annual fund-raiser featured performances by the Westford String Troubadours, the Westford Academy Honors Choir, Westford Academy Jazz bands, and individual/duet performances. In addition, a raffle was drawn, giving the grand prize winner a brand new 32 Gb iPad Mini. F.A.M.E., or Friends Advancing Music Education, are a version of a booster organization. They support all levels of music throughout the Westford School system, by way of bolstering the music education programs in town. The Troubadours,…
Green Day takes Providence for a spin
By Jocelyn Cote Reviews Editor On the evening of Tuesday, April 9th, the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island was abuzz with music fans young and old numbering over 10,000 gathering to see one of the most popular modern punk bands of all time, Green Day. Some went as far as camping out overnight to have the chance at a front row seat, and a line stretched around the block hours before door time. This was Green Day’s first show in Rhode Island in sixteen years – the last being at downtown club Lupo’s in 1997. The band is…
“Comedown Machine” takes a step in the right direction
By Amy Keum Staff Writer New York based indie rock band The Strokes have released their fifth album, Comedown Machine, which hit the shelves on March 26th. This latest release has improved by leaps and bounds from their last effort in 2011, Angles, by bringing back their original sound which had once captivated listeners. When the five-man band released their debut album Is This It in 2001, their sound became a sensation as the group transformed dull New York rock into a thrilling symphony of bright guitars and catchy tunes. They were seen as the saviors of rock music and their debut…
Pickwick releases debut
By Craig Brinkerhoff Staff Writer “You said your works in the air, touch me to complete the current sound,” Galen Disston begins “Halls of Columbia” with this line, setting in motion the sound and style that will encapsulate Seattle based indie rock band Pickwick’s debut album Can’t Talk Medicine. Pickwick plays standard indie rock with a heavy emphasis on soul and blues. The band released the album on Tuesday, March 12th. “Halls of Columbia” begins with a biting piano bit, but soon transitions into quintessential soul rock, with clean guitars and the piping vocals of the ever talented Disston. The song fades off into distorted rhythms and…
David Bowie stuns fans with release of “The Next Day”
By Jocelyn Cote Reviews Editor Today, March 12, rock legend David Bowie released his first album in ten years, titled The Next Day. Since the release of his last album, 2003′s Reality, Bowie has kept a low profile, leaving many to believe he had retired from the music industry for good. The Thin White Duke took both fans and critics alike by surprise in January when he announced the album, which was recorded over the course of two years in secret with producer Tony Visconti. Despite being 64, Bowie’s vocals are still as impressive as ever and retain the singer’s…
Video: February 15th Listening Lunch
By Jocelyn Cote Reviews Editor On Friday, February 15th, the Westford Academy library was host to a variety of students showcasing their musical talents at this month’s Listening Lunch. Students from all grades both performed and attended, providing a warm and welcoming environment to all that were present.
The Killers bring ‘Battle Born’ to Boston
By Jocelyn Cote Reviews Editor On Monday night, a freezing rain storm hit the city of Boston, but this didn’t stop a flock of devoted fans of Las Vegas rockers The Killers from braving the elements to see one of America’s most celebrated bands of the 21st century. The concert was held at Boston University’s Agganis Arena, an almost intimate venue for the band. The 7,000 capacity arena was rumored to have sold out in two minutes when tickets went on sale this past September. Last week, The Killers had to indefinitely postpone three shows, including their gig at New…
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