RANDOMora: McVeggies and Salad Kings...WE NEED THEM!!!

I'm not trying to sound like a whiny leaf eater, but rather trying to support the fast food industry with a fresh concept of vegetarian friendly fast food restaurants. I feel excluded when I go to Taco Bell and all I have to order is a bean burrito and those fatty cinnamon twists. I've become the oddball when out with friends, ruining coupon deals and always asking "Is there any meat in this?"

The only vegetarian restaurants around are either both too expensive or create the "mocha drinking, sudoku puzzling, Peta vegan" vibe that places us food minorities as "all the same." What happened to equal rights?! Well, not to say they aren't present, but you veggies (or lack there of) feel me, right? Should I have to be the one to create a McVeggie or Salad King, or has everyone already figured out this rocket science?

Sure, I admit profits would seem a bit challenging to make when considering only 6 to 8 million people in the U.S. (excluding teens) are either vegetarian or vegan. I completely agree that having a round the clock vegetarian fast food restaurants would be an entire waste of time in California, especially since the West has the highest percentage of 5.4 vegetarian/vegan residents than any part of the United States. You also have to consider that 50 percent of U.S. citizens choose not to eat meat, fish, or fowl when ordering from restaurants or cooking from home. The fact that this makes a useless statement for big time companies and restaurants to expand on meatless products and dishes for buyers is just ridiculous!

So, if you have ever come across a vegetarian fast food restaurant (yes some exist), be sure to spread the word next time by investing a couple of bucks. You never know, maybe this ridiculous waste of breath might come to be another equal rights movement standing side by to Gay, Lesbian, and Transsexual's rights. Uncommon? Well, as Peta would say, "Think about it."

For more information visit: http://www.vrg.org/press/2009poll.htm

CARINA 360°: Hollywood Undead, not kind to women

Hollywood Undead is a rap-rock band from Los Angeles. The band consists of six members: Charlie Scene, Johnny 3 Tears, J-Dog, Da Kurlzz, Deuce, and Funny Man.

When I first heard the song, "Everywhere I Go," I thought it was it was the funniest/stupidest song I've ever heard. The lyrics stuck to to head. And like the cool kid that I am, I sang along.

... But then I saw the music video that changed my opinion of the good 'ol boys of L.A to be nothing but women hating alchy's (alcoholics) lacking a bible.

In the beginning of the video, "Charlie Scene" awakes from a one night stand. He tells the girl in Spanish, "It's over b*tch, " pushes her off the bed, then yells at his mom to get him a beer.

As a 16 year-old girl, I felt somewhat disrespected. I mean, I know I wasn't the one pushed off the bed by some guy wearing a handkerchief who still lives with his mom ... but still.

And the constant usage of the b*tch, hoe, slut. I mean you don't see Lil Kim calling men dirty, skanky, d*cks, stupid, and so on ... She in fact, does the opposite. It's just unnecessary to spew hatred

I was reading the YouTube comments and I was expecting some of the things I was thinking. You know, like "How sexist, how dirty, how LAME" But no, people posted things saying, Charlie Scene is a "good rapper" & "hu is awesome!"

Really now.

I did, however, find one comment with some sense:

I'm not a huge fan of them acting disrespectful towards women.. 'b*tch, slut etc'

The lyrics are not kind to females, and, to put it bluntly, stupid:

"Everywhere I go, b*tches always know That Charlie Scene has got a weenie that he loves to show ... Gotta get drunk before my mom wakes up Break-up with my girlfriend so I can bang sluts
... Come on girls I wanna see you drinkin' I wanna see your brain start shrinkin'"

And in the description for the video it asks the ladies to watch to the very end for a "surprise."
Guess what it is! It's Charlie Scene whipping out his ... "cellphone" It's censored of course, but really now ... it leaves me speechless. As if chicks really dig that.

To be fair, some of their songs are okay. I like this band, just not this song.

And if you think I'm wrong, or exaggerating, here's the link to the video. (Only because the video is a little risky, and I wouldn't want my little brother watching it.)

*NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN!!!

Everywhere I Go - Hollywood Undead

Stockton's Astronaut Not Able to go Until Tommorrow

Wow who would've thought that he would'nt have been able to go because of thunderstorms in Florida. I was so looking forward to it too. UGHH! The news so far is saying that hopefully they will be able to take off tommorrow without any complications, so im really looking forward to it!

Clearly Claire: (500) Days of Awesome

I walked into the theatre, sat down, and waited to be amazed. i had been waiting to see this movie for months and it was finally in Lodi. I have to say, that after the ridiculously idiotic trailers that played before the movie, I was scared that I had wasted $20 to see a cliche romantic comedy or, rom-com for short.

"(500) Days of Summer" was anything but cliche. I loved how original it actually was. It starts off by telling you that it is not a love story, and it actually comes through on that promise. It wasn't a love story. I had my suspicions that at the end the two would work out their differences, and they did, sort of. But it wasn't in the way you thought it was going to be.

The music was also pleasantly weird. If you didn't already notice from my previous blogs, I am very weird and this was just the right amount of weirdness. It was the weird place that you hit right before things get to be a little creepy, but I digress. The music added to the funness of the movie and offered that light and fluffy mood that went perfectly with the tone of the film. I loved how music played into the story line, such as, "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" by The Smiths added so much more that just background noise.

If you haven't figured it out already, I loved this movie. The characters were so sweet and cute, especially Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). He made me actually jealous of Summer (Zooey Deschanel). The actors played their parts perfectly. the down-and-out wannabe architect that was tom was played beautifully. You really felt his struggles to get over his soul mate, Summer. And Deschanel executed her role just as lovely. I really began to hate her in the end, but still had to give her her props. 

This movie was amazingly offbeat and a definite addition to my DVD library. I can't wait to see it again. It is definitely worth seeing."(500) Days of Summer" was totally worth that $20 dollars I spent. 

WOW!! Stockton's Astronaut

Wow who hasn't heard of Stockton's astronaut Jose Hernandez? It was on the radio and everything, at first I was like what the heck are they talking about you know? Then today in my First period class my teacher Mrs.Hebert was talking about it and I was like hey i heard that on on K-win this morning. Its pretty cool how Jose is going to the moon with six other people on the space shuttle Discovery. 

He graduated from Franklin high school here in our little city, amazing right? I think that its pretty awesome because he is getting to fulfill his dream and not a lot of people get to do that, so I guess he's one the lucky ones. Not a lot of people have their dream jobs come true. Like when your little its like mommy , daddy I want to be a fire fighter or a princess or something like that and it does'nt always happen that way, but in Jose's case it happend. He wanted to be an astronaut and look where he is going to go tomorrow. I wish that this would have happend a little sooner beacuase this would have been an interesting thing to talk about in our newspaper.

iMissyRae 2.0: Religion- Annoying, but good?

Religion-- not exactly my cup of tea on a Sunday morning. Though I was raised upon the notion that church is good and beneficial for you, I honestly think that people only attend when they want something, not because they actually want to. 

This is exactly how my mom acts.

"Missy, we need to go church this Sunday; the blessings aren't coming to us this week.." As if blessings come to you anyway-- it's not like their little pets that jump at your feet when you say their name. But anyway..

This is the routine statement that she releases on me when I complain about attending Sunday service and of course it works. So I, being the lazy and whiny teen I am, throw out a stream of complaints meant to irritate and insult to the point where my mother agrees to set the keys on the table and not go, but by this time, my excuses do not work.

You guys are probably wondering why I get so irritated with going to church so I will give you a summary of how I feel when the word religion comes to mind.

I imagine a brain-washed congregation listening intently to a power-crazed preacher. As he condemns society for its flaws, he picks up his special book, and practically slaps it in his audience's face proclaiming that one shall find salvation if they act perfect in public, while hiding their true personalities behind scriptures and communion.

As exaggerated as it may sound, it's how I see it.. Up until yesterday.

Though the service was honestly the same in terms of singing and praying, the message wasn't and that's how it caught my eye. My pastor had a certain light about him; his eyes were filled with passion (not power) as he preached a message about forgiveness and being able to mend relationships with those who have offended or hurt you in the past. He continued on to say that true maturity comes with not only being able to move forward, but also allowing yourself to revert back to these situations without feeling resentment...

Though I like to think of myself as unbreakable, I'm truly not, and this message hit home for me. Like any other person, I've had my fair share of pain and anguish, and lately I've honestly been feeling down in the dumps. For days, I've been looking for some type of sign as to if there is a "God" and technically, this sermon gave me my answer.

Although church isn't exactly on my priority list, I realized that maybe there is some type of universal power beyond reality that lies out there. Maybe there is someone who assists those in need of help. Maybe there is some type of celestial shoulder that people can cry on. 

In summary, I certainly don't favor religion, but who's to say that it doesn't matter. I used to think it was a waste of a Sunday morning, but now, I'm pretty sure it isn't.

That Religious Guy: The Old and The New

..... *Cough cough* Jeremy Dela Cruz is finally powering up the old blog-o-sphere. [Picture some static electricity flowing through the room, smoke rising to the ceiling] At last, the Internet can be injected with some good ol' fashioned commentary on worship, devotion, and faith from the newly christened That Religious Guy.

..... As is known by a majority of these here associates of mine in The Stagg Line and indeed most of my acquaintances, I am feeling called to the priesthood. I just have a romanticized view of daily Mass, hearing confessions, and baptizing the newborn. Sigh...

..... I recently just heard or rather read an article from that paternal prince of papers, The New York Times, that there is a trend of new nuns and priests joining religious orders that are more traditional. Traditional as in wearing habits, community living, daily Mass, and praying of the Liturgy of Hours. Also, apparently the aging population of priests and religious (Predominantly white) is giving away to a more culturally diverse and ethnic group. Hopefully, one day I too will be a part of that group.

..... After Vatican II, the ecumenical council that transformed the Roman Catholic Church during the 1960s, religious orders began modernizing. Modernizing meant rejecting the uniformity of the habit, moving out of convents, earning higher educational degrees and taking up different professions in the community. Vatican II bred a generation of priests and religious that were bent on bringing the Church to the 20th century any means necessary. However, I feel that during that ecclesial soul-searching, a bit of the specialness of the Faith was lost. Many studies confirm my suspicions. Religious orders that advocate modern reforms like non-habit dress are dying, while traditional ones are gaining momentum.

..... This tendency for traditional stems from how the world is now moving too fast and people just aren't ready for it. Individuals want a stabilizing force in ever-changing environments. They turn to religion for this. But if religion is trying to match the speed of the world, how can the laity catch up? To solve this, many new priests and religious are returning to the old ways. A Catholic it seems is a conservative in a liberal's body. We enjoy the traditions and customs of our faith because it energizes and enhances our worship. Every Catholic can remember the joy of their First Communion, the nervousness associated with First Confession, and learning how to make the sign of the cross by watching their parents at that strange event called Mass. As a Catholic, 2,000 years of history belongs to you and what you do with it depends entirely on personal choice. So it makes sense that new vocations are being developed because of a craving for the traditional.

..... I too have a deep appreciation for the old, the tried, and the true and want to do my part to revive them here in the 21st century. If that means wearing a habit and joining the many who have engaged in ancient styles of worship than so be it. Sooner or later many of these practices will be forgotten but at least a few will remember. :]

- Jeremy Dela Cruz aka That Religious Guy

iCarly

just curious, who watches this show? I do. Yes, I'll be the first one to admit it. Something about Sam, Gibby, and the Groovy Smoothie hangout just makes me laugh. Especially when Sam tries to be all "soft and girly an weak." I don't know if there's really a point to the show, and I've watched all 3 seasons. Each one is getting better, but the show is getting to me. I've started o act like Carly, which i know nobody wants to do. She's the girliest, weakest, most insanely goody-goody two shoes person I ever met.

iMissyRae 2.0: Immortality Truly Breaks Age Barriers?

"I can't wait to see the second Twilight film, Missy! You have to come to the midnight premier with me!" These are the first few words that my aunt blurts out to me as she enters my house. How old is my aunt you might wonder? She is thirty-eight-- I am only fifteen.

Now what amuses me the most about this particular memory is that not only did an adult talk to me about a teen-fiction novel, but she also revealed that her co-workers read the Twilight novels too, and saying they love the series would truly be an understatement. So the question is, why is this blog-worthy?

Ever since the vampire craze struck mainstream society, shows like True Blood and Vampire Diaries (set to air on September 10th), are slowly on the rise to stardom, and I can't help wondering what the appeal is.

Is it the beautiful actors and actresses hired to play these immortal beings? Is it the sensuality and sexuality incoorperated into the storylines and plots? Or is it the idea of being able to live, love, and grow without actually having to die?

Whatever it is and whichever the appeal may be, I'm amazed and honestly in awe over how mythical beings once seen as bloodthirsty fiends can bring together a diversity of fans without causing too much chaos -- and if chaos were to ensue, it would be at the upcoming installment of the Twilight series New Moon, which I am definitely going to attend (and promote).

Though some may condemn this vampire trend as.. well as a trend, at least I know that I can talk to my almost middle-aged aunt without having to stumble upon other awkward conversations about boyfriends and school-work. And besides the more humorous comparisons, at least I'm able to bond with an adult who was born to an entirely different generation than mine.

What can I say, I know I'm obsessed with the whole vampire ordeal, but at least I can find similarities with family members who I honestly haven't talked to in years. This is probably just one of those situations that ironically brought me and a family member closer and I truly love vampires even more for that..


- From your friend, Missy 5.0

Speaking of the fair...

Mr.Sherman told us that last year at the fair, they had drive through flu shots....ewww. 

that's kinda weird.  yeah, let's just drive through this alley and let them stick us with a neeedle!! hahaha. I'm curious as to how many people actually got this shot.

Clearly Claire: A concert at the fair

Two Saturdays Ago, my dad, my mom, my aunt, my uncle, my cousin, and I piled into the back of our forest green Honda Odyssey and drove an hour to the Stanislaus County Fair. The reason: my dad wanted to see an old band called Huey Lewis and the News. Now, I am sure that you reading this have no idea who I am talking about. I didn't have any idea either. My dad and I don't really listen to the same music. So instead of spending Saturday night on the couch wasting the day away, I was stuck going to see some old band and watch my parents awkwardly dance to old songs that would suck.

Wow, was I wrong. When the first song began I still had that smug teen angst face on. That face that said I couldn't believe that I was here and at least my friends wouldn't see me, but as the songs progressed, I found my foot begin to tap and my head began to bob. Then I heard a song I actually knew. "The Power of Love" was one of my favorite songs as a kid because I had seen it on "Back to the Future." I uncontrollably began blurting out the lyrics to the song, then turned completely red. I was having a good time. How embarrassing! I wasn't supposed to like this. I was supposed to sit there looking at my parents as if they were ruining my life by having a good time. But then I realized something.

Once I had given into the music, I had so much fun. The songs were actually good, once I began to really listen. I no longer cared if people saw me dancing, I was in my own little world. So next time my parents tell me they want to go to a dorky oldies concert, I am definitely gonna be there. No matter how much of a loser I look like.

--Claire Scheffer

todays reading day....

WAS fantastic!!!
i was reading about opinion writng, and all off a sudden i found myself scrolling through harvard's website.
i'm really aspiring to attend harvard's medical school, or their law school, and their website was phenomenal. I learned so much by reading articles from students and staff. it takes so much to get into a school like that, but i'm definitely going to try!!
if you guys are interested, i'lll definitely post the URL.

THE FRIENDLY FEMINIST: a Hooters experience

The flat screen above plays clips from a sports channel, but I can't hear a thing over the Jimmy Buffet cover playing and the indistinct chatter amongst these young men. I catch an old man looking at me and waving, as if we've met before. We haven't. His 20-something daughter nibbles at her food as my eyes glaze over. I'm still soaking in where I am.

There's a sign that spoofs a warning on the high level of peroxide in the the air, and its effect on our brains.

But I'm pretty sure any effect isn't from that.

Maybe it's the way my waitress in spandex shorts sways toward my table. Maybe it's how exclusive I'm supposed to feel when she writes her name and a heart in scripty listick on my napkin. Maybe it's the wink her sultry, heavily made-up eyes give me when she's done taking my order.

Afterall, no one comes for the food.

So what's a feminist blogger doing in a place where women are paid for their boobs and flirty demeanor?

For starters, I was curious to how this Hooters differed from the previous one I went to. Most importantly, I wanted to know how on earth a woman worked knowing her income rested in her assets.

So when it was finally my turn to order, my question boiled inside. I decided this girl deserved a warning.

"Can I ask you a personal question?"
"Sure ... "
She looked around a bit, and I continued.
"I don't want you to get offended, like, I just want to know, seriously -- "
"Just ask."
I could tell she was irritated and trying to maintain her poise. I figured if I tried to warn her any longer, her claws would come out and toward my face.

"How do you feel working here and being objectified?"
She looked around the same impatient way she did before.
"I just ... work. I don't think about it. I just work."
"So do you get guys that like can't look past your boobs?"
"Oh yeah. I get those."

I tell her I'll take some curly fries, and yes, that will be all.

A part of me is glad this chick is getting her money's worth for what she's got and milking men by looking good. A bigger part of me is afraid. Afraid that she can't separate business from personal life. I can only hope she has a good head on her shoulders. It's an EXCELLENT thing to be smart, pretty, and know what you want.

But what if she's just pretty?

Because when you realize you're worth as much as you look, do you pay much attention to anything else?

I don't know.
That question will have to wait until next time.

ReaLiz: Mexico 2 - 1 United States; a bitter sweet victory

As any person can imagine, soccer is a major part of living a Latino lifestyle. So as the days led up to today, a major component in our discussions was about none other than the upcoming game with the Mexico and United States national soccer teams at the grand Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

So as I sat and listened to the never ending discussion about "Wuthering Heights," I could only turn and look at the clock. Hoping that time could possibly go by faster, allowing me to watch just a while of the classic game. As I got home I quickly had a scavenger hunt, going mad because I couldn't find the remote. At last I found it, and I was able to watch 20 minutes of the highly talked about game.

As the camera's gave a rotation of the Stadium, a sea of people in green Mexico soccer jerseys cheered with every move of a Mexican soccer player. Already a goal had been made by American Charlie Davies in 9 minutes at the start of the game. But the American glory lasted only 10 minutes, the Mexican team was quick to respond with an amazing 27-yard shot from 29-year-old Mexican player Israel Macias Castro.

Yet, both teams made it clear that this wasn't the end of the game. Both teams were looking for a victory that would stand for so much more. If the U.S. won, they would end the losing streak that they have against Mexico in the Mexican's turf. The American team is ranked as number two in the world, right behind the Brazilian team, their B-team had a major loss of 5-0 against Mexico last month in the Gold Cup. While the Mexican team needed this to just have hope that they would get to next years World Cup.

The Mexican team used their small stature and amazing speed to their advantage and made another goal at the 81-minute. By none other than Miguel Sabah, who hadn't even touched the ball in this game before his goal.

The game came to it's closing seconds, and all I could help to feel was a mixed sense of happiness and devastation. My father is a devoted Mexican soccer team fan, yet I stand on the other side, always being critical of their mistakes. My dad complains that I have no pride in my heritage, but could this really be the case? While I cheer on the American team, my dad just looks at me with disappointment. These soccer matches may just be a game, but each time I ask myself do I really have no pride in my heritage? Could my lack of liking for a soccer team mean that I see my heritage as a burden, and more something that I can criticize? While my dad rubs in my face that Mexico won, I can only hope that the U.S. will win next time, showing him that America is better.

For a summary of the game go to: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=262901&cc=5901

John Hughes: the original Brat Pack member

"Bueller?... Bueller?... Bueller?"

"Ferris Bueller's Day Off", starring Matthew Broderick, was just one of the many teen films created by director John Hughes during the 80's. This one, like his others, seemed to focus on the misfits, the weirdos, the social unacceptable. It is because of this that I, as a teen, flocked to his movies, like a kid who just got his braces off flocks to taffy. But why have I brought this up? Hughes passed away last Thursday and my movie channels were playing his movies all weekend long.


It was during this long weekend that I realized that even though his movies were made in the 80's, their message still seemed true to teens nowadays. Take my favorite movie, "Sixteen Candles". This movie is about a girl whose parents forget her sixteenth birthday, then a geek begins to ruin her reputation, and the boy she loves doesn't know she exists...or does he? Hughes not only seems to completely capture the fears, the cheers, the ups, and the downs of the teenage girl, but he also does it in a way that is real. We can all recall at a time when we seemed to feel all alone. Who hasn't had to death with that annoying freshman who just won't leave us alone? Movies about teens nowadays, picture teens as they wish they could be, but Hughes never did that. He showed raw teen angst at its highest and lowest. He never tried to make life into a big fantasy where every end is tied up nicely.





Now guys, don't worry. Not all of Hughes' movies were about girls and their drama. "The Breakfast Club", in all its Brat Pack glory, was about a group of teens from different cliques (a brain, a princess, a jock, a weirdo, and a rebel) stuck together because of Saturday detention, but by the end of their stay, they learned more about themselves and each other, than they did about not getting into trouble. This movie was the reason that sometimes I forget to bring my lanyard, hoping that I will end up in Saturday school. This movie seemed to capture every teen because it had us all. No one us can say that at one point in our high school career, we weren't branded by a label. I, myself, am a brain. But the point of the movie wasn't to show us what we are, it was to show us that we aren't our labels. I am a brain, but I also rebel, sometimes I act weird, I play sports, and sometimes I wanna be a princess. We are everything, and not one thing defines any of us.



So not only should we mourn the loss of a terrific director and fellow brat pack member, but we should also celebrate the fact that he made movies that have stood the test of time. Next time you are at Blockbuster, walk past the romantic comedies and explosive action movies and rent one of his. You may be surprised what you learn about yourself in the process.


---Claire Scheffer

THE FRIENDLY FEMINIST: Haven for sex offenders

If you ever find yourself being a transient sex offender, worry no more.
There is a place for you.

Randy Young is the landlord for Brevard, Florida's "Habitat for sex offenders" -- a place built for people just like him (or you, but I'm hoping you're not a sex offender. If you are, please leave this site, and get some counseling).

Because it is hard to find housing for them nowadays. In Florida, you have to stay 1,000 feet away from churches, day-care centers, libraries, and schools. Where's a sex offender to go?

Even the flea bag motels with dimming vacancy signs, live and kicking roaches won't take them anymore. It's as if people convicted with such crimes aren't welcome...

Which is true. I would hope my neighbor wasn't a sex offender. So it makes sense to just throw them all in one place, right?

Maybe.

So what happens when you throw a bunch of sex offenders in one neighborhood? I don't know. I suppose they'll be better supervised, and people will know where NOT to trick or treat. But they'll probably go on their business, as long as it doesn't conflict with a few rules:

No kids (even for visitation rights)
No smoking
and a shirt is required for leaving the house.

I hope they remember to keep their pants on too.

CARINA 360°: Laura Ling & Euna Lee, Now Free.

Finally after 5 grueling months of waiting, the two Current TV journalists have been pardoned and will be in Los Angeles to meet their families.

Former President Bill Clinton met with leader Kim Jong II. In the meeting, Clinton had "sincere words of apology" for the "hostile acts" committed by the two.

To recap: Back in March, the women were arrested reporting on the border of North Korea. Then in June, they were sentenced to 12 years in prison for crossing illegally to conduct a smear campaign.

The treatment Lee and Ling received wasn't as bad as one may have perceived. They supposedly stayed in a guesthouse and were fed properly. But no doubt they are happy to be free and together with their loved ones.

However, in all happy endings their is always a Grinch! Some critics argue that sending someone as high-rank as former President Clinton to help is making North Korea look like the big bad boss in charge. Conservative and former Bush administration U.N. ambassador, John Bolton said, "It comes perilously close to negotiating with terrorists."

But it doesn't matter much now, the point is they're home. A little girl will get her mommy back and a husband will once again have a wife. In a statement made by the two families; "We especially want to thank President Bill Clinton for taking on such an arduous mission and Vice President Al Gore for his tireless efforts to bring Laura and Euna home."

Laura Ling's father, Doug Ling, said upon hearing the news, "One of the best days in my life ... I figured, sooner or later, they'd be back."

-carina360.blogspot.com

Thumbs-Up Michy: All Time Low - Nothing Personal

All Time Low's new sound really is 'Nothing Personal.' Their style has changed, but not drastically, since 'So Wrong, It's Right.' No longer do they have that poppy happy feel, their sound has become more mature and the album contains deeper feelings and emotions. It's as if their hidden talent had been kept away but was finally unleashed and let out. 'Nothing Personal' conveys more of the band's developing style, and isn't always as upbeat and happy as 'Poppin' Champagne' and 'Dear Maria, Count Me In' were from the previous album. I'm not saying the album is more cutting edge and depressing. It still has that pop-rock feel throughout. It was definetly a change for the better, because I personally would get sick of their same sound, just as anyone else would. It's as if they started out with that pop-rock Boys Like Girls style, and developed into a more punk-hard rock Madina Lake sound.

Their hit singles 'Weightless' and 'Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't)' have that familiar feel as the last album. Weightless seems like a song that wasn't good enough for So Wrong, It's Right and so it ended up as the single for this album. 'Damned If I Do Ya' however, at first listen I could tell All Time Low was different. The catchy drum beats with Alex Gaskarth's almost perfect voice makes the song addicting throughout.

I absolutely loved 'Break Your Little Heart.' As you can tell by the title, the song isn't very lovey-dovey. Gaskarth sings about heartbreak, instead this time, he's the one breaking them. He mocks how the girl is a drama queen and how he won't fall for any of her remorse. I found the lyrics to be rather humorous, because it made the term "heartbroken" more light and funny. At first, when he sang, "I'm gonna break your little heart/Watch you take the fall/Laughing all the way to the hospital/Cuz there's nothing surgery can do when I break your little heart in two," I thought the song was pretty cruel. Despite the fact that Gaskarth seemed heartless at first, this song was amazing and caught my attention with its' stunning guitar riffs and melodious beat. It simply made me think the message he was sending was 'nothing personal.'

'Lost in Stereo' revealed more of that Madina Lake style. This was another of my favorites. With the chorus repeating the faint echo of the words 'lost in stereo' along with Gaskarth's distinctive voice makes this song infectious. 'Keep the Change, You Filthy Animal' opens up with a familiar beat from their first album 'Put Up Or Shut Up' which was more punk than pop. This was another track that I've come to love.

A track I didn't like so much was 'Too Much.' This song was more mellow and calm than the rest, but it had 'too much' synthesis and seemed over-produced. It didn't seem like All Time Low, and I think I would've preferred it to be plain acoustic than have all of this unneeded synth. Lastly, 'Therapy' is another slow and soothing track, except it was executed way better than 'Too Much.' At first, I didn't like the song, but it really grew on me and now it is my absolute favorite off the album. I simply love the acoustic feel and it reminds me of their acoustic track 'Remembering Sunday' from 'So Wrong, It's Right.' This song really touches my heart, I love Gaskarth's voice in the chorus when he says 'give me therapy/I'm a walking travesty/but I'm smiling at everything.' It gives me chills. The beat reminds me a little of Green Day, but surely isn't a replica of any of their songs.

Overall, their album made a dramatic change, but a change for the better. I enjoyed the CD and it is my favorite from All Time Low. Like almost every band, their sound matured. We can't all be the same forever. But hey, it's 'nothing personal.'