#please it is like the most unoriginal and uninspired idea ever and what does it even do????

[tommygotwrittenoff]

i need 911 to make henren happy and then leave them the fuck alone

[extraordinarygirl]

Feel free to disagree with me, as I’m sure many people will, but I think I’ve finally figured out why I feel so disappointed in Pray for the Wicked.

I know many people find pop punk bands when they’re going through particularly difficult time in their life, and I’ve never had to live through circumstances that were THAT bad, but I would say I found Panic! at the Disco at a fairly pivotal period of my life. 

I think I gravitated towards Panic because of a characteristic that runs through a lot of pop punk, which is darker themes with upbeat musical style. A number of songs on A Fever you Can’t Sweat Out tackled topics such as cheating, alcoholism, and loneliness (Build God, Then We’ll Talk; Camisado; But It’s Better If You Do), yet sound as though there is nothing wrong with the protagonist’s life if just listening to the instrumental track. Ryan’s lyrics were thought-provoking and complex; it is impossible to grasp the full meaning on the first listen. The music completely masks the actual emotion that Ryan is trying to convey with his lyrics. Although sometimes annoyingly difficult to unravel (see practically anything on Pretty. Odd.), the deeper meaning of the words Brendon sings has evolved my perception of the songs over time, as I began to understand the real message.

I think Brendon’s problem is that he has no idea how to do what Ryan did. For me, that’s what Panic was, and why I believe that Brendon has lost the right to use the band’s name to release his music. Although he has spoken at length in interviews about how much he struggled with a lack of creative control, that’s one of the sacrifices that has to be made to be part of a band, and part of what makes bands incredible. As a control freak myself, I can sympathize with Brendon, but the collaboration of artists helps elevate music by workshopping it until it is the very best it can be before it is released to fans. 

I also hate to say it, but Brendon is really not a great lyricist. While some missed the mark, most of Ryan’s songs had a singular theme enveloped in complicated metaphors, some of which I don’t think he ever intended anyone to decipher. I also recently found out that some of my favourite songs on Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! were written by Dallon (Collar Full, Nicotine, This is Gospel, etc.). Even my favourite song on Pray for the Wicked, King of the Clouds, while inspired by Brendon’s words, wasn’t written by him. I’m sure he collaborated in the lyric writing of most of these songs, but Brendon’s lyrics feel very predictable, boring, and uninspired. 

I know there are writers that work with Brendon, but these are his employees, not his bandmates, and I think the distinction is important. Bandmates should have equal footing in decision-making when it comes to songwriting, and they should feel comfortable in respectfully disagreeing with someone else’s ideas if they don’t like them. I fear that the people Brendon surrounds himself with now are “Brendon pleasers”, who just make suggestions, but Brendon has the final say on what goes on the album.

Although Pray for the Wicked does address addiction, the tone is completely different. The “punk” in pop punk is entirely lost in this album. Pray for the Wicked primarily seems to feature radio-ready pop, even in the controversially titled (Fuck A) Silver Lining. One of the Drunks, and Old Fashioned both touch on alcoholism, as the first album once did, and although these songs seem to be more personal than the songs on Fever, they’re also surface level, they’re unoriginal, and for lack of a better term, they’re douchey. 

Brendon’s hubris certainly rears it’s ugly head all throughout this album: (Fuck A) Silver Lining, High Hopes and Hey Look Ma, I Made It all imply that Brendon feels entitled to the fame he has achieved, without acknowledging any of the people from his past that got him to where he is today; King of the Clouds, Roaring 20s, and to some extent High Hopes only seem to exist to boast about his excessive cannabis use, which he has become increasingly vocal about; and Dancing’s Not a Crime and The Overpass are so uninteresting, bland and obvious that I’m not sure how someone with over a decade of experience with songwriting could release them in good conscience. 

I find the departure from extended metaphors, and complex thought within Panic’s new repertoire so disappointing when I see what has been produced in the past. I know there’s essentially no way that Ryan will rejoin Panic, but I really do feel that he was the driving force that caused them to blow up. That’s why I was so disappointed to see that High Hopes had overtaken I Write Sins, Not Tragedies as Panic’s most streamed song, and probably why I haven’t returned to the album since it’s release more than a year ago. 

I’m sure there are Panic stans ready to attack me, but all I can ask is that you please read my points before forming an opinion of me. Whether you like Panic’s new material or not I think we’re on the same side; we want music with heart rather than market appeal. Please remember that I’m not just one of those old fans yelling about how Panic’s older music was better from my rocking chair. I’m still a fan, I’m just disappointed that I now feel ashamed to call myself one, because of the direction the “band” is going. I’m not sharing this opinion to instigate debates or drama with anyone, I’m just expressing these sentiments in case there are other fans who feel similarly and don’t understand why, because it’s taken me this long to figure it out myself.

[thetypedwriter]

The Final Six Book Review

The Final Six Book Review by Alexandra Monir

So this book was like a cross between The Hunger Games and Apollo 13 in which it deals with teenagers and a ravenous competition, but this time the victors go to space instead of surviving and winning food for their district. If this seems like an odd mix, you are not wrong. In fact, this book had so many unrealistic aspects to it that not only was I constantly reminded that what I was reading was considered juvenile fiction, but also how much cliche and repetitive tropes are saturated within this genre as a whole.

Sometimes YA fiction can be amazing. It can hold magic and details and pacing that parent fiction lacks and can bring people of all ages together over magnanimous characters like Harry Potter or swoon-worthy characters like Edward Cullen or history and friendship like Percy Jackson. However, these are the good examples and more often than not, also the exceptions. I’ve been on a fairly decent binge recently with YA books and the maturity and fluidity they’ve contained, but this book very heavily reminds me of how most of the genre is: mundane and uninspiring.

The Final Six by Alexandra Monir is pretty basic. It isn't awful, it’s not the worst thing I’ve ever read, but that’s the whole point. It’s not much of anything worth any kind of remarkable substance at all. Our two main characters, Naomi from America and Leo from Italy, are two of several finalists chosen from around the world to go start a new civilization of the human race on Jupiter’s moon, Europa. I know what you're thinking right now…What?

What is right.

The premise is already pretty recycled from the get-go. The world is ending, natural disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes plague the world due to excessive pollution and the destruction of earth’s environment has turned it into an apocalyptic death-trap, and no one can come up with a better solution than sending six teenagers to Jupiter’s moon to start another civilization to save the human race. Yeah.

So, the idea at first is pretty cringe-worthy but the promise of an Iranian-American biracial female character chosen for her intelligence and cunning was too much of an alluring draw to resist. Unfortunately, Naomi becomes nothing more than a hero-worshipping flat character that my 11-year-old-self could have eaten and spit out for a short story assignment in sixth-grade English.

There’s nothing to Naomi. She is selfless perfection wrapped up in a pretty bow: no flaws, character detriments, or complexities. In other words, she’s the embodiment of a Mary-Sue and so unoriginal that I wonder how the book got published in the first place with her spearheading it. The time of goody-two shoe characters who are also brilliantly smart, have great families, and get the boy are so overrated I want to rip my hair out. Where is the depth? The challenge? The humanity? How can she never think selfishly? Or badly? How can she not mess up once or be too lazy? This character is boring to read about because she’s not relatable or even realistic.

Our other main character, Leo, is a bit better, but still cliche. Having lost his whole family to a tsunami that wiped out Italy makes Leo a bit more desperate with a lot more at stake, and yet he’s still a heartfelt young man that doesn’t seem to be too angry and wishes the best for everyone.

Please.

Even the so-called villain of the novel, Beckett, seems very one-dimensional and flat. Namely: my mommy and daddy don’t pay attention to me because they’re filthy rich and my life is hard as a straight white handsome male and I’m sad cause I want more love and attention so I’ll walk all over others to get there.

Boo freakity hoo.

The other thing about this novel that drove me up the wall were the scenes that frankly made no damn sense or were so completely unrealistic I was laughing… sardonically. Like why on earth does the serum that allows people to go up to Jupiter’s moon only work on teenagers?? And why on earth would you have a three-month competition to determine six finalists that are saving the entirety of the human race reduced to a few weeks?? And how on earth could Naomi hack into the most intelligent AI in existence and not get caught??? There were so many scenes that were downright baffling and it made the whole book lose credit and any ethos it managed to scrounge together.

Overall, despite my bashing and criticism, this book wasn’t awful. It’s cliche and the characters are so shallow even babies could swim in it, but it’s not the worst YA book out there by far. If you want a really easy read and are fascinated by space and the consequences of not being eco-friendly then this could be a golden catch for you. The cute relationship between Leonardo and Naomi actually seems genuine (despite the rushed timing) and the diversity of the characters is refreshing, but overall not a landmark novel for the YA category.

Recommendation: If you’ve been waiting for a Hunger Games fan fiction space AU this whole time, your moment is finally here. Otherwise, you’re better off getting your apocalyptic space needs somewhere else-namely the discovery channel or your local observatory.

Score: 3.5/10

[actutrends]

FanSided’s favorite sports and entertainment figures as Christmas gifts

Image by INA FASSBENDER/AFP by means of Getty Images

Christmas gifts can be amazing, or they can be downright disappointing. For the holiday, our FanSided staff chose to compare our preferred sports groups, professional athletes, movies and TV shows to what might be waiting under the tree.

From short articles of clothes to present cards to more interesting and distinct presents, Christmas gifts can be awesome or disappointing, frequently with little ground in between. We have actually all had that one auntie who demands providing you socks when you wanted toys to play with, that a person godchild who continues to provide mama vital oils she’ll never utilize, or that cool relative who just asks your parents what to buy so they really get it right.

Throughout the significant sports and entertainment industry in general, 2019 has been jam-packed with teams, professional athletes, motion pictures and TELEVISION shows that have mesmerized us in addition to underwhelmed us.

With the peak of the vacation season completely upon us, it’s time to have a look at FanSided’s preferred teams, players and binge-able content and compare them to the types of Christmas gifts we can expect to find under the tree this year.

New England Patriots are a tie for dad

Father doesn’t truly desire a tie for Christmas, but it does not matter because he’s getting one anyway and the same thing keeps occurring to every NFL fan beyond New England. Nobody wants them around any longer, however they will damn sure be there in the end.– Patrick Allen

Joe Burrow is a shiny brand-new computer game console

There’s always going to be one marquee present awaiting you under the Christmas tree. In some cases you believe you have a great idea of what it might be based on the size, shape and weight of the present. But most times you truly have no hint what is waiting for you under the wrapping paper. That’s what LSU quarterback Joe Burrow was en route to his Heisman season. He is the greatest revelation in college football, and LSU fans will never forget the moment they got this present.– Patrick Schmidt

Star Wars is a 1977 Chevy Impala

Take an appearance at this old classic. It’s from a well-known brand name, and it keeps getting updated throughout the years. That is, you were delighted to see this old car back in the late ’90 s because it’s such a traditional, however it type of dissatisfied you. Now, it’s trying to live up to its old reputation, and naively, you anticipate it to be great when again. Unusual enough, this old thing still runs quite well, and you’re pleased to have it back!– Mia Johnson

The New York Knicks are an unsightly woolen sweatshirt from grandma

Remember over the summertime, when the New York Knicks were supposed to land all these huge fish in free agency? And after that how they didn’t and chosen Julius Randle and the rest of the league’s experienced power forwards? And after that how they began the season 4-13 and hosted an interview to essentially toss their head coach under the bus? Like the extra-large, woollen sweatshirt that grandma knitted herself, you feel bad, but the Knicks are simply flat-out awkward. In the words of Kevin McCallister, “You can get batter for wearing something like that.” That’s what it resembles to be a Knicks fan in 2019.– Gerald Bourguet

Video Game of Thrones is a Red Ryder air rifle

In A Christmas Story, all young Ralphie wants on the planet for Christmas is a Red Ryder air rifle. After quick frustration in which his moms and dads subvert his expectation, he gets the gun. Regrettably, when he goes to play with it, he shoots himself in the face (well, kind of) and after that breaks his glasses. Still, when he goes to sleep, he states it the very best gift ever.

All anyone might speak about this spring was the highly expected last season of Game of Thrones, however the last act reviewed like a BB pellet to the face. (Surprising, undesirable, ultimately safe.) Still, fans will tell you it’s the finest program ever.– Shea Corrigan

Lionel Messi is an incredibly generous check from your grandmother

It’s the very same every year, to the point where you kind of forget how fantastic it is, however in terms of what you’re really getting, it can do things that no other present can. Sure, it used to be part of a sophisticated plan and now it simply comes tucked into an easy card, but the value is still there and it should be valued. Do not forget to compose your granny a thank you note, and do not forget to completely value Messi, whether you think he’s the GOAT.– John Wilkinson

BoJack Horseman is that restorative self-help book you didn’t understand you needed

When you initially receive this sort of present, your initial response is feeling shocked and potentially even insulted. This could not possibly be for me, you think to yourself. But when you dive in, you find it to be charming and insightful. It’s laugh-out-loud funny sometimes and thoroughly heart-wrenching at others as you discover aspects of yourself. No one is declaring BoJack Horseman has all the responses, just as no self-help book can cure all that ails anybody … but damn it if this story about an animated anthropomorphic horse’s battle with celeb, anxiety, substance abuse, relationships and self-acceptance hasn’t blown away expectations for those who have actually provided it more than a passing look. — Gerald Bourguet

Avengers: Endgame is a brand name brand-new iPhone

This is something that you’ve been waiting on permanently to come out, and you’ve been counting down the days ’til you might have it or see. Everyone’s been hyping it up, and it’s going to be larger and better than the last one. Endgame definitely did blow past everyone’s expectations, and the iPhone 11 provided another effective upgrade to the long-running line. They’re exciting, they’re costly, (and there’s a lot of them), however you love them either way.– Mia Johnson

The Houston Firecrackers are money

Getting cash for the holidays is uninspiring, and no place near as amazing as getting an actual present. Simply put, it’s not everybody’s cup of tea. With that being said, it still finishes the job at the end of the day. James Harden and the Firecrackers’ ability to acquire routine season wins are a lot like getting a $20 costs in a Christmas card: Not everyone enjoys their design, but at the end of the day, it’s still a W.– Gerald Bourguet

The Mandalorian is a fuzzy blanket

Infant Yoda … that is the only description needed!– Carrie Bennani

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a sweater that inadvertently got a bunch of holes in it

The Pittsburgh Penguins have actually been a constant playoff presence in hockey for several years. The last time they missed out on the postseason was the 2005-06 season, a lifetime back for some of us. This year, however, the team has sustained injury upon injury, to the point where their lineup each video game looks like it was taken out of a hat at random from throughout the NHL’s bottom six. This is definitely not the method Pittsburgh prepared this season, just like how your aunt did not strategy to have moths eat the sweatshirt she worked relentlessly on all fall for you. The great news, though, is that Sidney Crosby might have the ability to spot the holes in the Penguins’ lineup through sheer force of will, though it might take some time.– Mary Clarke

Alabama is an Amazon gift card

Present cards are what you get individuals when you don’t know what to get them. They’re likewise what you get people when you’re too lazy to get them a personalized or meaningful gift. It’s uninteresting. It’s unoriginal. It’s been around permanently. It’s definitely not interesting or something you hurry to have fun with or utilize on Christmas morning.– Patrick Schmidt

The Oakland A’s are a leased computer game

You know what’s enjoyable? Opening up a present. You know what isn’t enjoyable? Being informed that the gift is only yours for a couple of years, and after that you have to give the gift away to the richest kid on the street. This is what it’s like rooting for the A’s. You have Marcus Semien, Matt Olson and Matt Chapman in your infield? Damn! Enjoy that, they’ll all be using pinstripes and underperforming in four years.– Matt Verderame

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