Dougherty’s musicians shine and display mastery in their final concert of the year
Arul Kirubakaran, Maitri Parikh, and Natalie Rubio-Licht
May 30, 2017
Filed under A&E
The musicians of Dougherty Valley High School concluded the musical year with the strongest, most energetic, and soulful and passionate performances of the year, from the dramatic intensity of Treble Clef’s performance of “Dies Irae” to the energy and rhythm of Jazz Band’s “Little Big Gumbo”....
Adolescent Albums capture coming-of-age struggles
Taylor Atienza, Staff Writer
May 30, 2017
The first thing that may come to your mind when you hear “coming of age” is an eye-roll-inducing spate of trite life lessons, but it’s not my intention to present such sentiments. Indeed, while music that reflects this theme may seem as though it would lend itself to cheesy, saccharine melodies ...
“Everybody” hates Logic’s new album
Kavin Kumaravel and Arul Kirubakaran
May 30, 2017
Logic finds himself acting as a repetitive and incoherent pseudo-intellectual who raps about the problems of his biraciality while also falling prey to a victim complex and faux existentialism, finding amateurism where other rappers would find maturity and development in their careers. The horror...
Dougherty’s musicians gear up for the final concert of the year
Natalie Rubio-Licht and Maitri Parikh
May 19, 2017
Filed under A&E
The final concert for instrumental music and choir is right around the corner, and the music program is prepared to display their best sounds yet for the audience. Although their repertoire isn’t completely established, each choir has a wide array of pieces prepared that exhibit their vast improve...
13 reasons why you should watch Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why”
Pranav Chillappagari, Amanda Lin, and Anika Garg
May 19, 2017
Filed under A&E, Reviews, Showcase
(CAUTION: SPOILER ALERT!) “See, the truth isn’t always the most exciting version of things, or the best or the worst. It’s somewhere in between. But it deserves to be heard and remembered” (Asher). In Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why”, protagonist Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford) sets out to tel...
“Narkopop” turns pop music inside out
Armaan Rashid, Co-Managing Editor
May 19, 2017
Filed under A&E, Reviews, Showcase
German electronic producer Gas’ fifth album “Narkopop” lives up to its name: this is narcotic pop music, hazy yet ecstatic, like a rave filtered through a dream. It’s the album to hear this spring. Gas is one of many monikers of German electronic maestro Wolfgang Voigt, whose legendary run of a...
“Get Out” of your house and watch Jordan Peele’s debut movie
Brandon Shi, Assistant Opinions Editor
May 19, 2017
Filed under A&E, Reviews, Showcase
In addition to bloody lobotomies, socially awkward conversations and an unfortunate deer crossing, creative vision and multiple layers of social commentary meld together to form “Get Out,” a horror film marking comedian Jordan Peele’s directorial debut. With a 99 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a ...
Pleasanton Rita’s Ice fails to please
Anumita Jain and Andrew Chuang
May 19, 2017
Ambiance: Situated in a cozy corner of Downtown Pleasanton, Rita’s Italian Ice blends in with the old western town aesthetic of its surroundings with its classic brick-walled exterior and patio-like outdoor seating area. However, its more modern, almost industrial interior contrasts with the antique qu...
Kendrick Lamar’s new album is hotter than hellfire
Kavin Kumaravel and Arul Kirubakaran
May 19, 2017
After releasing two classic albums, Compton’s Kendrick Duckworth Lamar reaches canonization as a “Black Beatle” as he stands at a point in his career where virtually nothing can go wrong. As he makes his way into the conversation as one of the greatest rappers of all time, his latest release, “D...
Beats’ finally hits the right beat
Kingsun Cheung, Staff Writer
March 30, 2017
After years of producing headphones that are overpriced, poorly made, along with their signature “bassy” sound quality, Beats has finally created a pair of wireless headphones that are worthy of one’s consideration. But first, how do these earbuds compare with other headphones? To find out, I com...
Future’s new album “HNDRXX” is as incoherent as its name
Arul Kirubakaran, Staff Writer
March 30, 2017
With a rapid follow-up to his disgustingly lukewarm self-titled album, the Atlanta trap-lord drifts even deeper into the abyss of cough syrup and depression, opening the year of mumble rap albums.With drowsy vocals from Rihanna, and deep, slow numbers on the track, HNDRXX proves itself to be Future’s ...
“I Decided” That Big Sean is Mediocre
Kavin Kumaravel and Arul Kirubakaran
March 30, 2017
Spearheaded by the bass-dripping single “Bounce Back”, rapper Big Sean explores the consciousness that propels the album; poverty, dedication to his craft and lucid conversations with God. From exploring the motivational energy that drives him forward, to a bombastic bravado that stretches from “...