Record Report Card

NOFX“Coaster”

NOFX goes back to basics; loud, fast and in your face, making this one of its best releases in years.

Lead singer and owner of Fat Wreck Chords record label, “Fat Mike,” spent most of the last decade using his music as a political agenda fighting against Bush. Now that we have a new president, it’s back to some good old-fashioned punk rock.

The amazing guitars solos are produced by "El Hefe" that you can hear on the tracks such as "Eddie, Bruce and Paul" and "Blasphemy." An unusual track titled “My Orphan Year” is a song where you might think that “Fat Mike” has grown up a little bit, talking about his relationships and losses of his parents.

Not to be let down the humor that all NOFX fans have come to love is vividly apparent with the track “First Call” where well past alcohol being sold, he heads to the local bar for the first drink of the day at 6 a.m.

It’s good have you back, guys!

Grade: B+

Mike Jones“The Voice”

First off, why is this album called “The Voice?” Mike Jones does not say anything on this album that could make him stand out as “The Voice.” I get it, his “schtick” is overly using his name as to remind you of who you are listening to. But now that we learned who he was on his last album, do we really need to hear it on this album? And if we do, does it have to be on every song?

If you are a multi-platinum recording artist, why would you constantly remind your fans that women wouldn’t like you if you weren’t rich? We get it, women only like you for your money. This is strike one.

The track “Cuddy Buddy” is a track that features T-Pain, Twista, and Lil’ Wayne. This sounds more like a T-Pain track that features everyone else. And if you’re going to have Lil’ Wayne on the track, make sure he brings his talent. Since when is it rhyming when you rhyme the word tonight with tonight three times in the same sentence? This is strike two.

I would put a strike three here except other featured artists save a couple of Jones’ songs. “Drop and give me 50,” with Hurricane Chris uses Hurricane's fast lyrical style to keep this song up-beat and will make this track the next big dance hit. Trey Songz saves the track, “I Know” with a soothing voice that will have you grabbing your woman and hitting the dance floor.
This album will have you asking "Mike, why?"

Grade: D-

Ben Lee“The Rebirth of Venus”

In an album that Ben Lee dedicates to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, Lee brings a positive vibe for the negative times.

This album keeps a smile on your face from beginning to end. “I Love Pop Music” is an ironic take on the world today; a pop melody backs lyrics that touch on world issues. Lee gives hope to those who are searching to find themselves on “Boy With a Barbie,” saying it’s okay to just be you.

"The Rebirth of Venus" goes on to bring happiness, positivity and beauty through music. This album is a must-hear and don't be surprised if you are reminded of Bob Dylan after listening to this album.

Grade: A-

Spotlight: Laura Cerna




by: Scott Garite


For some students, they attend school focused on working towards their future goals.
Cosmetology major Laura Cerna may be going to school for something she loves to do, but her passion is singing.
Cerna is a bilingual vocalist that has been singing for as long as she can remember, looking to take singing more seriously.
She may not have a CD out yet or a band that she performs with but nonetheless, she is determined to follow her heart and make music a much bigger part of her life.
Q&A:
Talon Marks: How did you first get involved with music?
Laura Cerna: I've always been singing but when I was in high school, I was in the chorus and realized how much I enjoyed it. I was given a chance to sing solo and fell in love with performing.

TM: What is it that attracts you to music?
LC: I know that overwhelming feeling that I get when a song touches me; I want to share that feeling with others. I want someone to come up to me one day and say, “Your song changed my life.”

TM: Are you trying to pursue a serious career in music?
LC: Absolutely. I write lyrics, come up with melodies, and basically write my own songs. I have collaborated with musicians to help produce my songs.

TM: Why go to school for cosmetology and spend your hard money on something separate from music?
LC: Music isn’t a guarantee. I love cosmetology, but my passion is for singing and music.

TM: For those who have never heard you sing before, what are your influences?
LC: Mariah Carey was my idol when I was little, but Amy Winehouse and Alicia Keys are more my style. I love R&B, soul and oldies.

TM: What have you done to try and break into the music industry?
LC: I wouldn’t say I’ve broken into the industry, but after performing solo my senior year at the Hispanic Pride Organization assembly, I knew it was for me. I plan on trying out for the next American Idol. My father also supports me; when we went to Mexico, my father and I drove all around stopping at every restaurant performing wherever and whenever possible. It helps that people support me.

TM: If you were in Mexico performing, does that mean you sing in Spanish?
LC: It does but I want to break out in English first and hopefully I will be lucky enough to cross over into the Spanish market.

TM: Anything that you would like to say?
LC: I would love to collaborate with anyone that is passionate about music. It’s always fun to bring talents together and see what happens. I am also very open to singing for a band. I just want to do something that will give me the opportunity get on stage and sing, that’s the ultimate high.

Record Report Card

Record Report Card
By: Scott Garite

Artist: Silversun Pickups

Album: Swoon

Crunching guitar’s that almost squeal in pain, bass hook’s that reel you in, drums that take over the beat of your heart, all with the soothing voice of Brian Aubert to tie together a very well rounded sophomore effort for the Silversun Pickups.

Swoon, released April 1, is SP’s follow up to their debut release, 2006 Carnavas. SP may not have come out of the gates full force in their first attempt, but they definitely put a little hustle in their get-up on Swoon. There are tracks like “Little Lover’s So Polite” that drag the first couple times you listen to it, but after a few rotations it will have you wanting to go on a road trip just to sing along. On other tracks such as “Panic Switch” and “Growing up” you slip back into the buzz of the 90’s grunge with the fuzzy guitars that wrap you up in a warm, beautiful blanket of noise.

There are a couple dips that might have you skipping to the next track to keep up with the theme of Swoon, but as the SP continues to find their voice you will be pleasantly surprised to hear how much they have matured.

Grade: B+

Artist: The Color of Violence

CD: Youthanize

Simply put, this is a side project that should definitely remain a side project. Travis Richter and Derek Bloom (both members of the band From First to Last) seem to be two musicians that have way too much noise going on in their heads. Youthanize the first release by The Color of Violence is like an unsafe carnival ride that will have you hurling up that 6 day old churro that you ate just before stepping aboard.

With band members that go by stage names like Guy Nucleosity (Richter) and Glitch Killgasm (Bloom) it’s clear that it’s a band that is all about fun. Guy rips ferociously on the guitar as he screams bloody murder over the microphone, while Glitch tries his hardest to hit a hole through each skin on his drum kit as fast as he can.

You would of thought with the talent of these two musicians that you would be treated to a little bit of ear candy. Instead tracks like “Go Gave Me Deeze Nutz” , is just painful to listen to and “Large Hardon Collider” leaves you confuse on what exactly it is that you’re listening to.

Bottom line, the record pulls you in too many directions that leave you sorry that you ate that stale churro.

Grade:C-

Artist: Pastor Troy

Album: Feel me or Kill me

I don’t feel him nor do I wish to kill him. Pastor Troy’s tenth CD release sounds just like what you might expect from an artist with nine albums already under his belt, regurgitated. There is nothing that stands out on this new release and sounds a lot like what you’ve heard him release before.

Troy has his own style that is clever with word play and taking any word, giving it more syllables than thought possible. “See the Swag on That Boy”, featuring Mr. Mudd, is a track that tries hard to be an anthem, but falls short when hearing the generic, fast tempo drum track that is laid down behind keyboard induced horns. “All I know” and “Heaven is Below” are tracks that you are almost impressed with. You start to hear about his relationship with God and deciphering between what is right and what is wrong, but again distracted by over-used drum tracks.

His distinct style will always stand out and the talent is definitely there, but there is nothing on this album that will keep you listening to it unless it’s back ground music at house party, and there’s nothing left to listen to. His talent and ten years worth of followers are what keep him on the map. But if he doesn’t put out something fresh soon, you might see this pastor at church more often than on stage.

Grade: C

Missed you

We've been keeping busy with our school newspaper, but want you to know that we are not going to give up on the Audio Braintrust plan.

We would like to make every effort to get the talent of cerritos college students into the lime light and promote the talent of fellow Falcons.

So here is what has to be done to help us help you, email us at audiobraintrust@yahoo.com.

Come on everyone, especially the singers, musicians, lyricists, producers, etc...

We hope to hear from more of you as time goes on. Give us the chance to help make you SHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

much love,

Audio Braintrust & Talon Marks