12 minute read
Top 5 wacky alternative love songs
SAVANNAH KLUESNER Eclectic love song aficianado
Everyone enjoys a good love song, and while Valentine’s Day is all about mushy sweet feelings, in reality, love is hardly as simple as a few major chords and some cute imagery about hand holding. Sometimes we all need a break from the over-the-top depictions of true love. Here are five alternative songs that provide a whole new take on romance.
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5. “Under a Paper Moon”
It was difficult to pick just one wacky love song from All Time Low’s discography, as one of their favorite topics is relationships that just don’t add up. Ultimately, this tune made the cut, with its high-energy vocals and electric guitarcentered melody managing to toe the line between despairing and hopeful. The song speaks to the somewhat fragile nature of relationships when faced with the pressures of the real world, represented figuratively by minor inconveniences such as “pills in the carpet” and “knots in our ties” that create destructive forces threatening to tear the couple apart. Songwriter and lead singer Alex Gaskarth hints at fears of inadequacy when faced with a more mature relationship with adult struggles. His determination to “build” a world for the two of them to hide in makes this song realistic and endearing. Often love comes under strain when faced with everyday realities, and the realism of needing dedication to work through those trials makes this tune even sweeter than a fairytale love story.
3. “Push”
Avril Lavigne is famous for highlighting relationship woes, but this wholesome tune gives us a more vulnerable view of the reciprocal nature of romantic relationships. As per Lavigne’s typical style, the song eschews sappy sentimentality. She focuses instead on realistic depictions of normal relational frustrations and expectations, such as irritating one another after seeing each other constantly. Lavigne’s view of her independence is particularly refreshing. She claims that she could see herself spending her lifetime with her partner, but ultimately noting that she is “capable of taking care of [her]self” and does not truly need them to be happy. The healthy boundaries that Lavigne sets up lyrically make her persistence to make the relationship work all the more endearing. While the song does not tell a traditional love story, it provides a picture of romance that is more satisfying than a traditional lovestruck fantasy.
4. “(One of Those) Crazy Girls”
Paramore creates a riotously funny rendition of the all-too-familiar trope of the crazed lover who can’t seem to take no for an answer. The song follows Hayley Williams as she calls her ex incessantly, breaks into their apartment and stands in their closet to feel close to them, all while insisting she isn’t “one of those crazy girls.” The beauty of the song is its cheekiness, deliberately playing into the vibe of a traditional love song with a heartbeat bassline and love poetry, complete with on-the-nose couplets that are an apparent lyrical reach never in their normal discography would Paramore even consider rhyming “slow dance” with “romance.” Perhaps most entertaining is Williams’ classic powerhouse reach for the high-notes on the well-fitting line, “As soon as you walk out my door, I’m gonna call a hundred times.” The fact that the song is insanely catchy not only plays into its thesis perfectly but makes it incredibly fun to jam out to as well.
2. “She’s My Ride Home”
Some couples like to go to the movies. Some couples like romantic date nights. Evidently, this couple likes committing crimes together. In all seriousness, this oddly delicate track suggests “killing” the voices of others who might put strain on your relationship through negativity or judgment. The simple guitar intro and the strangely peaceful and beautiful instrumentation, particularly in the keyboards, provide an intriguing backdrop throughout the song. The lyrics could easily become excessively violent, but the tenderness of Justin Furstenfeld’s vocals keeps them in check and transfigures them into a wholesome symbolic message. Combined with sonic imagery from a typical love song, such as violin features and rich, bass-balanced chords, what on the surface appears to be a strangely romantic horror story becomes a beautifully poetic love note complete with promises of faithfulness despite external pressures.
1. “Stand-Up Tragedy”
This cooky, off-kilter profession of love is one of my favorite love songs, wacky or otherwise. Musically, this song is fascinating, with so many Easter eggs and tiny details that it’s difficult to catch everything, even after several listens. Perhaps most compelling is the sweetness of the chords created by the rich background vocals, which are complemented well by the grungy guitar riffs and simple percussive beat. Lyrically, the poetry of this song is perfect, a conglomeration of bizarre and unappealing images that somehow work together to create a romantic patchwork. Despite the fact that Jon Fratelli knows this relationship makes no sense, he can’t help being in love with the romantic interest of this song. Although their love is unconventional, there is no use in denying it. The self-effacing nature of the lyrics creates a playful teasing that comes across as whimsical yet sincere, and it is the innovative nature of lines such as “I don’t do handsome, and you don’t do sympathy” that make this song oneof-a-kind as a romantic tribute. As a side note, the music video, which tells the story of two romantic partners reigniting their love in a residential care facility through dance, only adds to the atypical loveliness of the tune.
Graphics by Cee Spiller
Love in conversation hearts
SAVANNAH KLUESNER Staff Writer
Just imagine the world of discussions Available in a bowl of conversation hearts.
Sugary words boxed in packages Sculpted in that universal symbol, Wrapped in saccharine pastels, The sour and sweet of youth.
When I was in elementary school There was a yearly competition, An estimation game. Guess how many Hearts can be held at once?
I never found out because I Could never figure out how one tiny jar Could contain such big feelings. BE MINE.
2 CUTE.
I LUV U.
It’s strange, the way a heart Made of sugar, dissolving on your tongue, Could find just the words I could never Figure out how to say to you.
Jamming Jamming
with Jack
JACK RATLIFF Staff Writer
The COVID-19 lockdown was an interesting experience, with many turning to baking bread and binging shows to pass the time. Sir Elton John, like most of us, spent his time watching popular shows, however, unlike most of us, he recorded a new collaborative album. Released Oct. 2021, it features numerous pop stars displaying their talents alongside John. While none of the songs are likely to become classics, they are nonetheless a testament to the pop music prowess of John. The album kicks off with “Cold Heart,” a fun song with Dua Lipa and PNAU that poaches the chorus to “Rocket Man.” “After All” with Charlie Puth is a fun, catchy and anthemic song that displays John’s more mature and deep voice, proving that some voices age like fine wine. One of the album’s undisputed standouts is “Chosen Family,” which touches on close friendship and familial bonds regardless of blood ties. The song features Rina Sawayama, whose voice bears an uncanny resemblance to Lady Gaga’s. It is an incredible song and a highlight of the album.
The album also includes Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters.” Miley Cyrus appears on the track and excels, and although the riff is strange to hear synthesizers play, it is a good cover. In “Simple Things,” a country-inspired duet with Brandi Carlile. A stellar vocal performance by Eddie Vedder meshes well with John’s vocals, and while they sound good, it is barely enough to salvage an otherwise unremarkable song. Arguably, the album’s best song is “Finish Line,” a duet with Stevie Wonder that draws masterfully on Wonder’s soul and gospel roots. They are joined by an angelic choir that elevates the song to new heights, creating a truly beautiful song.
“The Lockdown Sessions” is a good album, but one that is unlikely to be considered one of John’s greatest. It is notable for its wide variety of modern pop talent, and the feat of stringing together a record during a pandemic. Although there are some incredible performances and great songs, there are numerous that are incredibly forgettable. Moreover, the album feels more like a collection of wannabe singles crammed together to make an album rather than a definitive album with a coherent message or theme. Still, the album shows that John not only still has the clout to bring in young pop acts, but has the chops to outshine them.
Run time: 65:15 Date released: Oct. 22, 2021 Featuring: Dua Lipa, PNAU, Charlie Puth, Rina Sawayama, Miley Cyrus, Brandi Carlile, Eddie Vedder, Stevie Wonder
Graphics by Cee Spiller
“The French Dispatch” is Wes Anderson at his best
JOEY DOUGHERTY Staff Writer
After facing delays from COVID-19, director Wes Anderson released “The French Dispatch” to theaters during late 2021. Like many of Anderson’s films, “The French Dispatch” is a freewheeling journey through a deeply niche world, in this case, the world of features journalism. To the same degree, the film is so charmingly witty and rambunctious that one can’t help but duck and dive through each of its narrative turns.
Set at the titular news firm — an outpost of an American newspaper based in Liberty, Kansas — “The French Dispatch” follows three journalists as they interview their subjects and write stories. The first story is a tale of modern art and greed from the perspective of a clinically insane painter. The second is a tale of rebellion at a private university from the perspective of its young revolutionaries. The third is a tale of abduction and intrigue from the perspective of a criminal investigator and his son. Interweaving these stories are moments shared by French Dispatch Editor-In-Chief Arthur Howitzer Jr. and the journalists themselves as they write and edit.
One will immediately notice what has become typical of Anderson’s body of work: an eye for detail unlike any other director. The sets and settings of “The French Dispatch” are diverse, quaint and carefully constructed to immerse the viewer in each scene.
Fictional French town Ennui-sur-Blasé comes alive under Anderson’s style, as do the locales of each story — a drab penitentiary, a lively college campus, and the streets and alleyways of a city at night. The writing on display is quick, funny and injected with the delightfully deadpan wit of other Anderson vehicles.
The humor is dry and plentiful. Rarely does the script miss a beat, and when it does, the whole thing chugs on without pause. The cinematography and framing are likewise commendable. Director of photography Robert Yeoman presents remarkable interior and exterior shots. Scenes of color mix with scenes of monochrome depending on when each one takes place, the transition between the two natural and necessary. One chase scene is delightfully animated, contributing to its slapstick nature. Anderson’s signature style of symmetrical framing coupled with his tracking shots — while not everyone’s cup of tea — adds to the film’s overall penchant for peculiarity.
“The French Dispatch” is a star-studded film, featuring several big-name actors in each of its segments. Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand and Jeffrey Wright make up the three main journalists, J.K.L. Berensen, Lucinda Krementz and Roebuck Wright, respectively. Swinton occupies Berensen’s overwhelming nature expertly, setting her apart from the calm characters Swinton usually plays. McDormand as Krementz is as blunt as ever, playing to the actor’s strengths. Finally, Jeffrey Wright as Roebuck Wright performs the dialogueheavy character with all the grace expected of such a respected actor. Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody and Timothée Chalamet likewise impress.
Ultimately, “The French Dispatch” exists in much the same manner as Anderson’s past ventures: as a love letter to one small pocket of the world. It is a story about storytellers, one that exemplifies a labor of love on the part of cast and crew, showcasing some of Anderson’s best and most intimate work. In the same way that “The French Dispatch” is a love letter to journalists, Anderson’s regard for nononsense, punchy storytelling bespeaks a love for the film industry.
Graphics by Jinyu Li
How do you plan on celebrating Valentine’s Day this year?
Amelia Pelaez, junior Bailey Redford freshman
Bellacino’s wins best pizza at Spike’s Annual Pizza Bowl
Winston Vanderhoof stands at a table at the Pizza Bowl. The event is an opportunity for various businesses that sell pizza to give pizza away to students who then vote on which pizza is the best. Photos by Oliver Malone
Em Smith receives a slice of pizza. The Pizza Bowl featured pizza from Bellacino’s, Casey’s, Domino’s and Hy-Vee.
Above: students eat pizza in the SUB. The event was held in honor of national pizza day.
The event featured pizza-shaped balloons. The event was called “Spike’s Annual Pizza Bowl”.
Students receive pizza from Hy-Vee. Students were able to vote for the pizza they thought was the best.
