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The GW Hatchet

AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904

The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

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Officials name senior vice president, chief of staff
By Fiona Riley, Assistant News Editor • March 26, 2024

QuickTakes

Avril Lavigne
“Goodbye Lullaby”
(RCA Records)

Self-respect is a recurring theme that appears in several of the songs on Avril Lavigne’s fourth album, “Goodbye Lullaby.” The music is a mixture of the powerhouse pop vocals Avril is known for (“What the Hell,” “Smile”) and more mature music that shows how she’s grown as an artist (“I Love You,” “Wish You Were Here”). The 14 tracks on the album can still appeal to a younger audience, but are markedly more mature than tracks on her previous albums. The music is reminiscent of a wide range of artists – Alanis Morissette, Kelly Clarkson and, surprisingly enough, Taylor Swift (“4 Real”). A disproportionate amount of the tracks are soft, melodic love songs that, if left in the hands of another artist, might have faded into the iTunes mainstream – but Avril puts her unique spin on them, delivering a fresh and enjoyable album.?

Hilary Kelly


Fits and the Tantrums
“Pickin’ Up The Pieces”
(Dangerbird)

Soulful, danceable, fun and energetic, Fitz and the Tantrums have made their way onto the music scene pretty quickly since lead singer Michael Fitzpatrick bought his organ from a garage sale a few years back. As the band’s website says, the group is “keeping it real like it’s 1969,” successfully finding the balance between its soulful Motown influences and something fresh enough to not be criticized as just another group trying too hard to recreate the ’60s. The band, though it doesn’t include a guitar, is heavy on organ and saxophone and incorporates the flute and tambourine, played by Noelle Scaggs, the talented vocal counterpart to Fitzpatrick. The songs, although all really good, have a very similar sound to them, so if you’re hesitant to buy the whole album, two tracks to be sure to download are “Breakin’ the Chains of Love,” the first the band ever recorded, and “Moneygrabber.”

Hayley Burgess


Panic! At The Disco
“Vice & Virtues”
(Decaydance Records/Fueled By Ramen)

Armed with the recently replaced exclamation point in its name but short two previous band members, Panic! makes a valiant effort in its third album. With only Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith comprising the band, “Vice & Virtues” is a surprisingly fulfilling album. Some tracks seem to pay tribute to the band’s debut album, “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out,” especially the vibrant track “The Ballad of Mona Lisa.” Other tracks, like “Always” and “Memories,” are sentimental and have a softer sound than what is usually found on Panic!’s albums. However, “Oh Glory!” and “Stall Me” are pure Panic!, featuring a strong mix of pop and rock with strong lyricism and equally strong instrumentals. From the sound of “Vice & Virtues,” Urie and Smith will likely be able to keep Panic!’s innovative albums around for years to come.

Kelsey Grashoff


Jennifer Hudson
“I Remember Me”
(Arista)

In Jennifer Hudson’s sophomore album, “I Remember Me,” it is clear that this is a more personal and emotional album than her self-titled debut, especially since this is her first album since the tragedies in her family in late 2008. Hudon’s resilience shines in her opening track, “No One Gonna Love You,” as she belts out, “I’ve been through some things/Please don’t hold that against me.” Despite the losses she has experienced, Hudson keeps the album light with the title track – a triumphant shout-out to her own strength – and other tracks like “I Got This,” “Don’t Look Down” and “Feeling Good.” Now with the widely publicized weight loss that has reinvigorated Hudson’s appearance, it’s no surprise that Hudson ends her second album with the succinct track, “Believe.”

Jennie Krems

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