Posts published in “Reviews”

(Archive April 2017) A Musical Review: Wicked is Wicked Awesome

By editorialteam on September 10, 2024

By Courtney Wentz | Editor-in-Chief

Source: “Dennis Beck / Broadway Tour,” BroadwayTour.net

The Wizard of Oz is a fun movie, but Wicked is even more fun, dazzling, and has many surprising twists.

Wicked the musical tells the story of everything leading up to the death of the Wicked Witch of the West, but they do it with catchy songs like “Dancing Through Life” and “One Short Day.” Then there’s the annoyingly catchy song “Popular,” sung by Glinda about making Elphaba, the wicked witch, popular.

The stage was set up like the insides of an old timey clock, along with a mechanical dragon perched at the top of the stage. Anytime Elphaba used magic, the dragon’s eyes would glow red and smoke would come out of its nostrils. The Wizard also has a mechanical head that looked like it was floating, while he was talking to Glinda and Elphaba. read more

(Archive April 2017) How Chance the Rapper Shines a Bright Light on Rappers

By editorialteam on September 10, 2024

By Jamie Parker | News Editor

Chancelor Johnathan Bennett, also known as Chance the Rapper, has been making moves lately that show how different he is from other rappers. In the beginning of March, Chance donated one million dollars to Chicago Public Schools. This along with his message he raps, show that he is shining a whole new light on modern day rappers.

Chance the Rapper is a product of the Chicago Public Schools, which have gotten a lot of negative attention recently for their current state. This is what sparked his idea for the donation. Rising to fame without the help of a label has put Chance in a unique position of unrestrained artistry, and freedom. He seems to be using this freedom to convey a holistic sense to his listeners. With the message of God flowing strongly throughout his newest album, “Coloring Book,” he is truly proving to be doing the work of a greater being. read more

(Archive April 2017) Ned Flanders-Themed Metal Band Shows How Pursuing Your Ideas Pays Off

By editorialteam on September 10, 2024

By Jason D. Greenough | Observer Contributor

Have you ever had an idea that you thought would be great, but then never built onto it because you second guessed yourself? Did something ever cross your mind, and you got excited about it, but feared that some people might look at it like a joke, so you passed up the opportunity? Well, I have a story about how going through with that one really strange idea can really turn out to be an awesome experience.

I love going to concerts. Metal and punk shows, mostly. The atmosphere is wonderful, and especially when there are lesser known bands on the bill, it makes it even more interesting, because I get to hear some new music that I usually wind up liking later on. Every band has something to offer, and when those opening acts blow the roof the place, which they often times do, I sometimes feel a sense of connection to the band, and it’s mainly due to the fact that I could be on that same stage if I just worked out a single idea longer than a week or so. I know I could be, but I second guess myself too much. I always have that feeling of connection, but it really hit me hard when I went to see Mac Sabbath at the Worcester Palladium on March 25^th. read more

(Archive March 2017) Interview/Review of Local Musician Julie Cira

By editorialteam on September 10, 2024

By Bryon Harris | Observer Contributor

Julie Cira hails from the Happy Valley of Northampton, MA. She describes herself as alt-country/Americana, sometimes lo-fi indie rock, a femme-fatale, punk at heart. Cira is relatively new to the Western Mass music scene and has made a notable entry with her self-titled three song EP. All three songs on the EP display solid, engaging song-writing delivered by Cira’s warm and intimate vocals. It is clear that Cira has passion and heart. Her music is soulful. read more

(Archive March 2017) Book Review: I Was Here by Gayle Forman

By editorialteam on September 10, 2024

By Mariah Boisvert | Observer Contributor

I Was Here by New York Times bestselling author Gayle Forman and published by Penguin Random House LLC is a coming of age novel dealing with the loss of someone who is important to you. I loved this book from beginning to end. It deals with love, loss, friendship, secrets, mystery and forgiveness.

Open chapter one, “I regret to inform you that I have taken my own life. The decision has been a long time coming, and was mine alone to make.” – Megan Luisa Garcia read more

(Archive March 2017) A Music Review: Defend the Rhino

By editorialteam on September 10, 2024

By Bryon Harris | Observer Contributor

Defend the Rhino is an instrumental post rock band you won’t want to miss out on. Drawing their influences from groups like Mogwai, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Explosions In The Sky, Defend the Rhino has a gorgeous sound and wonderful musicianship. Their latest CD There’s No Place Like Home shows off the undeniable potential of their works.

Starting off with “Milestone,” Defend the Rhino presents their musical identity with a soothing musical experience. “Milestone” begins with some ambient crackling accompanied by a set of piano chords. These are then slowly built upon adding tasteful guitar licks for about half the song. This progression then breaks into a steady groove bringing the composition together with layered guitar, bass, drums, and some additional production. The mix is professional and sounds as if it could be used in movies or television soundtracks, which speaks volumes about the musicianship and talent of Defend the Rhino. read more

(Archive February 2017) Things are Getting Strange..?

By editorialteam on September 5, 2024

By Santiago Ferreira Vila | Observer Contributor

Early last week Marvel Cinematic Universe released its latest film in their franchise, Doctor Strange. Based off the comic book of the same name, Doctor Strange follows main character Dr. Stephen Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, an esteemed neurosurgeon who ends up in a horrific car crash, which ends his career after his hands are injured beyond repair. Following the crash, Dr. Strange finds himself studying the possibilities of fixing his hands, in which he ends up studying the mystic arts, entangling himself between the fight of good and evil. read more

(Archive February 2017) Retro Nintendo System Gets a Reboot

By editorialteam on September 5, 2024

By Tyler Morgan | Observer Contributor

When the Nintendo came out in 1985 it was the best thing ever for a kid, there was no other thing you would rather do then get home from school and play it. Now 36 years later, we have consoles like Xbox and PlayStation that are very high tech, especially with graphics.

About two weeks ago, adults could finally enjoy a childhood console that I’m sure they didn’t have any more or forgot about. The Nintendo classic was released and there was a very high demand for it. I was able to get out and see if there were any lines at the local GameStop and Walmart, what I discovered was a long line of people waiting to bring it home. read more

(Archive February 2017) Comedy Review: Neal Brennan’s 3 Mics on Netflix

By editorialteam on September 5, 2024

By Jason D. Greenough | Observer Contributor

If you’re like me, live stage performances tend to hit you right in the feels. Something that always affects me is stand-up comedy, and for many different reasons.

The first, and possibly the most prevalent, is that I agree with most of the views and ideas that some of my favorite comics share. The story doesn’t change much with Neal Brennan’s new Netflix special, 3 Mics, but it hit me deeper than any other special has in recent history.

It’s deep, it’s innovative, it’s hilarious, it’s raw, and it’s real. read more

(Archive February 2017) Overwatch: Review Edition

By editorialteam on September 5, 2024

By Joshua Needham | Observer Contributor

On May 24^th 2016, game giant Activision Blizzard dropped on the world its newest massive success: Overwatch.

Blizzard has built itself up as the parent of some incredibly successful game franchises, including StarCraft, WarCraft (subsequently World of Warcraft), and Diablo. However, Overwatch was their first venture into the world of first-person-shooters (FPS).

Seven years prior, Riot Games launched the highly successful game League of Legends (LoL). LoL was a multiplayer-online-battle-arena (MOBA) style game, where players would choose from various hero characters, each with different attributes, strengths, and weaknesses, to fight for control of their enemy’s territory. Players could identify with various heroes in the game, gaining skills in playing one hero in particular, while forging new friendships and rivalries within the community the game created. read more