8 Arts & Life Editor Joe Wolfe Arts & Life JADA struts around University stage COMMENtaRY BY familiar voice from hosting his middle of their performance, DERVELA O’BrIEN popular show, A.J. in the After- covering an a capella version Staff Writer noon, as he introduced the four of The Beatles hit “Oh! Darling.” young women of Jada onto the Students sang along to the fa- The University of Scranton stage. miliar tune, and were impressed Programming Board (USPB) cof- The members of Jada confi- with each of the group member’s feehouse hosted another live dently walked on stage in their solo performances. musical performance on Oct. stiletto heels and skin-tight par- According to the band’s Mys- 20 in the McIlhenny Ballroom ty clothes, eager to perform for pace, the girls met six years on the fourth floor of the De- Scranton students. ago while studying together at Naples Center. Unlike the many The McIlhenny Ballroom Boston’s Bristol Recording and coffeehouse acoustic musicians turned into a loud dance party Voice Studios. Though each of that have performed on campus once Jada took the stage. Their the members have strikingly in the past, the USPB changed voices and booming beats different voices, they work well things up a bit by inviting Jada, echoed across the room and into with one another, creating music an all-female pop/hip-hop group listener’s ears. which their Myspace character- from Boston, Mass., to perform. Committee co-chair Jake izes as a “bright and brazen mix Students fortunate enough to Youngman said he was impressed of pop, soul, dance, and R&B, attend the event were welcomed with Jada’s overall performance. spiced with... gospel-inspired with free giveaways, including “I thought that Jada was harmonies.” COURTESY OF USPB JADA TOOK its act to McIlhenny Ballroom to perform for students. lanyard key chains, pens and an extremely talented group,” Youngman said he was also bottle openers, as well as a ter- Youngman said. “From the very pleased with how much the au- rific opening dance performance first song to the last in the set dience seemed to enjoy Jada’s purchased a copy of Jada’s collec- they recently released a music from Urban Beats. The hip-hop [which was their single ‘American performance as well. tion of songs after their perfor- video. dance group encouraged enthu- Cowboy’], they sang and danced “At the show we had surveys mance. Youngman said he was im- siasm from the audience both in unison and had the crowd in- for people to fill out where they “Jada was actually really good! pressed with how personable the before and throughout Jada’s volved.” could judge the show as well as I liked them a lot and found them band members were both on and show. With a sound similar to art- recommend other acts that they to be awesome performers,” Pic- off the stage. After the Urban Beats’ per- ists such as Ke$ha and Lady would like to see,” Youngman cione said. “They had some good “After the show, Jada sat at formance, the USPB coffeehouse Gaga, Jada was unique in their said. “The results were over- beats, and the show ended my their merchandise table to take committee co-chairs Jake Young- well-rehearsed vocals and chore- whelmingly positive, indicating night in a dancing mood.” pictures, talk with audience man and Kelly desRosiers excit- ography. that the audience loved Jada.” Toward the end of their per- members and sign autographs,” edly welcomed A.J., the celebrity Though the majority of Jada’s One attendee and USPB formance, Jada invited audience Youngman said. DJ from the hit radio channel music was quite poppy and up- member, senior Lauren Piccione, members on stage to dance 97 BHT, to introduce the band. beat, Jada surprised the audience said she enjoyed the coffeehouse with them during their hit single Many students recognized A.J’s and slowed things down in the event so much that she even “American Cowboy,” for which SEE “JADA,” Page 6 Download of The Up-and-coming band Week “Last Kiss” BY set to hit Scranton TAYLOR SWIFT It was nearly two years ago that The song is about how the narra- COMMENtaRY BY Green River Ordinance have gar- voice of The Fray’s lead singer, fans of Taylor Swift saw the young tor is still feeling the pains of loneliness JOE WOLFE nered since the release of “Out Of Isaac Slade. “Uncertainly Cer- country singer-songwriter grow up from the person that left her. Through- Arts & Life Editor My Hands,” the band was listed tain” may be the best track on into the pop superstar with “Fearless.” out the song Swift flashes back to as one of the bands to watch in the EP, mainly due to the piano “Fearless” brought Swift much acclaim times that the two were together: she On Nov. 5, Green River Ordi- 2009 according to “Alternative that’s featured in the instrumen- with tracks such as “Love Story” and recalls the time the two would go to nance will perform at The Uni- Press” and “BlogCritics.” tals. The piano provides the same “You Belong With Me.” The aspect of a party and “You pull me in / I’m not versity in support of the release The EP itself is a rather role in “Uncertainly Certain” as Swift’s music that separates her from much for dancing/But for you I did.” of its recent EP, “The Morning stripped down version of the the harmonica did in “Dancing other pop acts, however, is her quality She recalls the little things, such as Passengers (Acoustic Sessions).” band’s sound when compared Shoes.” as an actual singer-songwriter. Swift’s his handshake and the way he walked, “The Morning Passengers” marks to “Out Of My Hands.” As indi- The EP ends on “Where The lyrics pack more emotion than some of but, most importantly, she remembers the fourth release for the band, cated in the EP’s title, the entire West Wind Blows,” which seems the best writers in the industry, which “How you kissed me when I was in the which began its career in 2005 EP is acousticallly performed. Its to be a proper ending for an is quite impressive for a musician that middle of saying something.” In the with “The Beauty of Letting Go.” opener, “Dancing Shoes,” sounds acoustic EP that toes the line of a is so young. end, Swift is on the floor, wearing his The band gained much notoriety reminiscent to the alt-country stripped down performance. Recently, Swift released her third clothes and thinking back to their last last year with its major label de- sound of Ryan Adams on “Heart- The track begins with a uke- album, “Speak Now,” which shows kiss, which she’d never thought would but “Out Of My Hands” on Virgin breaker.” The harmonica in the lel-like introduction until Jenkins Swift’s maturity as she ventures into be their last. Records. background adds a distinctness begins his vocals. To no surprise, even stronger themes. The track that “Last Kiss” represents a person who For those unfamiliar with the to the stripped down album—a the song’s peak comes at the cho- encompasses the evolution of Swift’s will do anything and everything to be band, its sound is comparable to certain flavor to take away from rus when the band harmonizes sound is the six minute and seven sec- with the person whom they still love. those 90s/early 00s bands that the dullness that can occur on to give the track its catchiness. ond ballad, “Last Kiss.” It’s those little things that they can’t flooded the airwaves with its such an album. Green River Ordinance is defi- The track begins with the soft get out of their head: the stupid jokes, catchy pop singles. In the case Lead singer Josh Jenkins gives nitely a band that is worth a visit strumming of an acoustic guitar, lay- the quirky mannerisms, kisses in the of Green River Ordinance, its a strong vocal performance on when it comes to The University ered with a few notes of the piano that elevator and even notes they’d leave catch pop single was in the form “The Morning Passenger.” The Nov. 5. Students will be pleased repeat every five to seven seconds un- for each other. After all, it’s the little of “Outside,” as it found its way more you listen to the album, the with its sound since it is reminis- til the song’s conclusion. The gentle in- things that matter, and the little things onto MTV’s “The Hills.” more you begin the hear similari- cent of so many popular bands strumentals add to the song’s emotion, you’ll never forget, the little things that Among the accolades that ties between his voice and the on today’s scene. as it complements Swift’s vocals. will always make you want more. Campus Comment What are you dressing up as for Halloween? “Zombie.” “Referee.” “TMNT.” “White Trash.” “Sailor, Fairy, Greek goddess and ” a freshman. Tom Conmy Gina Staller Olivia Annitti Nicole Lamoureux Brittany Esbin Junior, Scranton Sophomore, Philadelphia Sophomore, Allendale, N.J. Sophomore, Roxbury, N.J. Junior, Stroudsburg.