Mid-Semester Update: Applecore

When I am not attending class, hitting the books at Gelman, clocking in hours at my part-time job, or (occasionally) sleeping, I am the host of a little show called Applecore on WRGW District Radio. I play hardcore and metal, and participate in one-man moshpits in the studio from 10pm to 12am on Saturday nights. With spring break over and midterms (mostly) over, it is more than appropriate to provide an update on the best of what I’ve played in my unprofessional opinion.

1. The Word Alive- 2012
If the world is truly ending in a zombie apocalypse, this is what I’m using as a weapon. I don’t have much physical strength, but I’m fairly sure that Tyler “Telle” Smith’s vocals are guaranteed to kill zombies. Who transitions from scream to clean vocals better than Telle? No one, that’s who.

2. Parkway Drive- Karma
I’m obsessed with the guitar riff at 2:15. I’m obsessed with the buildup to that riff. Alright, I’m just obsessed with this song. I love the fast drums in the beginning- they immediately engage you. Not to mention there are few people with as distinctive, powerful screams at Winston McCall.

3. La Dispute- A Poem
There is something about this song that will always remind me of driving around aimlessly in downtown Waterville, Maine, yelling the lyrics at the top of my lungs. La Dispute is my go-to bad mood music. If you’re in a good mood, the vocals seem whiny, but when you’re upset, it’s therapeutic.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZetLFYwE8Rc&w=420&h=315]

4. We Came As Romans- Just Keep Breathing
While I was somewhat underwhelmed by We Came As Romans’s sophomore release, Understanding What We’ve Grown To Be, I am in love with Joshua Moore’s lyrics. While the songs has a tendency to be clumsily arranged to fit the rhyming patterns of these incredible lyrics, “Just Keep Breathing” is one of the songs that this band got right. Every word hits home, and helps me let go of my white girl problems.

5. August Burns Red- Carpe Diem
Leveler is definitely August Burns Red’s most ambitious release yet, incorporating a lot of different elements and styles to add depth to their metalcore sound. “Carpe Diem” is a standout track on the disc, starting out slow and building up to the August Burns Red that fans have grown to love. This is a band that works well together to craft their sound, and this track displays their musicianship incredibly.

6. Of Mice & Men- Second & Sebring
I’m a fan of music with meaning behind it. While metal and hardcore are stereotyped as devil-worshipping music, this track is a tribute to vocalist Austin Carlile’s late mother, who passed away when he was seventeen. Behind all of the screaming, he just wants his mother to be proud of him. Who can argue with that? Not to mention, this song kickstarted my current preoccupation with (now ex)bassist Shayley Bourget’s clean vocals.

7. Hands Like Houses [ft. Jonny Craig and Tyler Carter]- Lion Skin
Everything about debut release Ground Dweller screams “typical Rise Records band”. However, this band seems to get everything right in this addictive track. The guest vocals on this track are the cherry on top- the combination of Craig and Carter’s R&B-esque vocals guarantees perfection every time.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw8DoHzoYQk&w=560&h=315]

But it’s only the halfway point. There’s a lot more where that came from. Tune in next week from 10pm- midnight on Saturday at gwradio.com to see next week’s playlist.

-Sara Schlosser (DJ on Applecore, Saturday 10pm-midnight)

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