Elanna

Hi,

I have not yet posted my photo, but will soon. If anyone is interested in folk music, Lisa Hannigan is an incredible Irish folk singer! My favorite album of hers is Sea Sew.

Alkaline Trio "This Addiction"

Alkaline Trio’s 7th album, This Addiction has Matt Skiba and crew doing the cliché “back to basics” album. But it works. While it is no Goddamnit, (lets face it, they can never reproduce the magic that is that album), it takes cues from their dearly loved earlier records. When This Addiction opens with the title track, the guitar rips into a riff almost identical to the opening bars of their classic “My Friend Peter.” In fact, instrumentally, much of the album sounds like it could be new lyrics dropped on classic tunes. The highlight track on the album is Dan Andriano’s “Dine, Dine My Darling”, putting a cutesy spin on the Misfits classic “Die, Die My Darling”. It’s a great sing-a-long and is far more successful than Skiba’s “Live Young, Die Fast”; on 2008’s Agony & Irony…get it? Instead of the Circle Jerk’s classic “Live Fast, Die Young” he cleverly flips it to change the song’s meaning! Musically, while the band is using poppier structures than they used in the earlier days, much of the rawness and trademark shred that created their loyal following are really back in full force.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban movie score

John Williams is one of the most talented composers of ALL TIME! His genius is best illustrated in this score for the Harry Potter film, and it's easy to see why he is one of the world's greatest composers for film scores. "A Window to the Past" is my personal favorite, and its haunting flute translates well stylistically into the film. "Hedwig's Theme" (from the first film) is probably his most recognizable piece, and it's been adopted as the main theme throughout the entire series. Unfortunately, he didn't compose the latter films, but hopefully studio execs will realize their mistake in hiring Hooper and Doyle, and get Williams back on board for Deathly Hallows I and II.

-Amanda S.

The Cider House Rules Movie Score

Rachel Portman captures perfectly the beauty and serenity of the east coast in this emotionally moving score. It's impossible not to get whisked away to some quaint coastal town while listening to this, and it is one of my absolute favorite scores of all time. It's powerful and nostalgic, and preserves the distinct dreamy quality unique to Portman.

- Amanda S.