For The Lumineers, acoustic instruments, strained vocals and catchy choruses are three aspects that are a must. Their self-titled album helped the band catapult to fame, grabbing the attention of every radio station and music festival and in turn, that got them a strong and supportive fan base.

After such a strong start, fans had even higher expectations for their second album. Finally, after a long wait, “Cleopatra” was finally released. There is no doubt that The Lumineers created strong lyrical substance to show their talent, but unfortunately, the record is so dull that it fails to leave any impact on the listener.

If one could describe the national anthem for road trips, “Angela” would be a perfect fit. The song describes a loved one, probably named Angela, leaving town “with the windows down, and the wilderness inside.” The beauty and flow of the lyrics together makes a perfect road trip track.  Along with the light drumming background and the clapping to emphasize the chorus, this song  just makes you want to jump in the car and drive away.

Separation anxiety is a reoccurring theme throughout “Cleopatra.” “In the light,” a lullaby-like song, features an acoustic background with a piano melody that emphasizes lead singer Wesley Schultz’s mellow vocals. Ironically, The Lumineers speed up the tempo throughout the track, making it more upbeat than probably intended. This song masks the sadness that the singer faces when a lover drifts away — though “the idea’s gone, I just can’t let go.”

This theme continues with the title track of the album “Cleopatra,” where Schultz addresses, from a female’s perspective, how a woman is madly in love with another person though she is with someone else, just like the real life Cleopatra and Marc Antony. It’s not an ideal love story for a song, but Schultz masks this with upbeat chorus and a more rock background with drumming and electric guitars. Though, the song captures beauty and innocence, it’s a track that doesn’t leave an impression on the listener. I had to listen to the song several times to try to remember what the song was about.

The most memorable track off the album is “Ophelia.” Schultz breaks down the word Ophelia, creating a beautiful catchiness to the syllables of the name. Along with the piano and tambourine in the background, all aspects of this track flow quite well together, which has made it one of the most successful tracks off of the album.

When a debut album is as successful as “The Lumineers” was, it creates higher expectations for the artist to create something even better for the sophomore album. It is evident that The Lumineers tried to make “Cleopatra” just as successful by using recycled content from their first album to replicate the effects, from the similar tempo of “Ho Hey” in “Cleopatra” to “Stubborn Love” in “Ophelia” to all acoustics background that they have only done.

Unfortunately, it does not work. The sophomore album uses the same tempo and rhythms on their first album, except this time it plays as dull, because the songs become forgettable. Hopefully, The Lumineers will try something new, so they aren’t recycled like their music.

The post The Lumineers’ “Cleopatra” should be let go appeared first on The Retriever.

When students are asked what UMBC is, they often start by describing it as a small research university. Yet, UMBC is classified as a liberal arts school.

But what differentiates a liberal arts college from a ‘regular’ university? This seems to be lost on many UMBC students who focus much more on the research side of things. A liberal arts university aims to educate their students in culture, arts and humanities in order to provoke critical thinking about society, and the world around us.

Students need to start taking the liberal arts aspect seriously if they plan on graduating as well rounded students. No matter how unimportant these classes may seen, they play a critical role in helping students touch on things that typical STEM classes don’t.

I realized the value of liberal arts classes as a junior after forcing myself to take that culture class that I had been putting off for so long. It was midway through the semester and we had already talked about everything from racism and Islamophobia to white privilege and social mobility.

They differ greatly from the typical STEM courses where you read a textbook, memorize and “learn” the material, and spit it back out onto an exam. Liberal arts classes are subjective, and aim to promote a higher level of thinking, independence and open-mindedness.

Some topics were very “sensitive” ones. The class put me in an environment where I was able to openly discuss my opinions with my peers, and also hear the experiences and opinions of people from other cultures. Where else can you find an environment that puts together diverse groups of people of different backgrounds to talk about such things?

Coddling the students of America from discussing these “sensitive” topics prevents them from gaining a better understanding of the people, community and world around them. We live in a country described as the cultural melting pot of the world. On an even more local scale, we attend a university that presents itself as being a diverse learning space with students from all around the world. Students need to understand and take advantage of the benefits that come from that.

Since it’s just another college course at UMBC, it may not seem like anything special. Yet, I ended up shaking the hand of a mayoral candidate for Baltimore, DeRay McKesson. Ultimately, I felt that my understanding of major societal issues was greatly bolstered.

Plenty of UMBC’s own refuse to follow the mayoral race, or issues in the city. They ignore candidates’ platforms and vote blindly, if at all. Yet, shaking McKesson’s hand, I heard his take on the damaged state of the city. It taught me the importance of being an involved citizen, and the impact that you can have on the community around you.

Liberal arts universities provide the benefit of close interactions between students and faculty through small class sizes, making it easier for classes to engage in important discussions over unfavorable but important topics. Those classes are there to help you think critically, not shape how you think. They provoke the development of a higher sense of moral and cognitive development. As students, and for the future of our country, we need to become involved and take advantage of these opportunities presented to us.

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Finding a good spot and pulling your car in. Rolling down the windows to enjoy the night air. Munching on buttery popcorn while looking up at a giant outdoor movie screen and a sky dotted with stars. Sounds like something out of a fifties movie, right? Think again.

This is the typical weekend experience for those who visit Bengies drive-in movie theater in Middle River. Opened in June of 1956, this theater is the only drive-in still operating in the state of Maryland. In addition, Bengies boasts the largest outdoor movie screen in the country, measuring a whopping 52 feet high and 120 feet wide.

Bengies is typically open from early spring to late fall, rain or shine. From Friday to Sunday, guests can enjoy the latest movies. New movies are played each weekend as part of double or triple features, so you really get a lot for the affordable price of admission.

Even though this theater has been around for 61 years, they have kept up with the times. Instead of the traditional outdoor pole speakers, Bengies adopted their own radio station so guests can listen to the movies with ease. They even have speakers on top of the snack bar that project the station, making sure that those annoying trips to the bathroom during the best part of the movie are a thing of the past. To also please the eyes, Bengies projects each movie with a clear HD picture. Even when guests are in line at the snack bar, they are sure to get a clear view of the movie.

Speaking of the snack bar, Bengies has quite an extensive menu. They have the essential movie theater concessions like popcorn and candy, but they also have much more. Hot dogs, cheeseburgers, french fries, meatball subs, ice cream, even shrimp rolls and whole pickles — there is something to please every palate. With all these choices, the line does get pretty long throughout the night. To combat this, Bengies has two service lines. One line offers the entire menu and the other line offers only the essentials like soda and popcorn. It makes a trip to the snack bar a little quicker.

Of course, as with any movie theater, the concessions can be a bit pricey. For those guests wishing to save some money, Bengies offers an Outside Food and Beverage Permit that can be purchased with their admission tickets. For a small fee, guests can bring in any amount of food and drinks.

Bengies does make for an enjoyable evening, but be aware of their House Rules as they are strictly enforced. They are detailed in a pamphlet that guests receive upon admission. Some of them are typical, like no running and only park in one parking space. Perhaps the most emphasized rule is that photography or video taping of any kind is prohibited within the theater. Even selfies or pictures of your party are not allowed — breaking this rule could result in having to leave the theater without a refund.

All in all, a trip to Bengies makes for a fun and unique experience. So the next time you are looking to get away from school stress, come on out and visit them. Bring a blanket, a group of friends and enjoy a movie under the stars.

The post Bengies Drive-in delivers 61 years of fun appeared first on The Retriever.

On Tuesday, April 19, the Spice Girls celebrated 20 years since filming their very first music video for their hit song “Wannabe.”

Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown (also known as Mel B), Melanie Chisholm (also known as Mel C) and Victoria Beckham formed the group back in 1993 when Heart Management Ltd held open auditions for a record deal.

Halliwell posted a throwback picture of the group on her Instagram on Tuesday with the caption saying, “20 years ago we shot a video for #wannabe Time flies. I still remembering running around in my Mary Quant platforms, the sparkly leotard I bought from nottinghill market. Awh #younggirlsbigdreams.”

20 years is a huge milestone, seeing that the song is still one that can be heard in the background of television shows and on throwback radio playlists. Their video has over 163 million views on YouTube and the single itself has over 84 million plays on Spotify compared to the next most popular song of theirs, “Spice Up Your Life,” with only 11 million.

Although the group has not been in the spotlight together for a while, fans are still holding on to the hope of a Spice Girls reunion. Whether that means a reunion world tour or a single televised performance, there is no doubt that it would be one for the books.

Since their last album “Forever” was released and went platinum in 2000, the Spice Girls have gone on their own paths. They briefly reunited in 2007 and 2008 for a world tour and their last performance together was at the 2012 London Olympics.

Beckham, who is married to and has four kids with David Beckham, still has that “posh” reputation as a fashion designer. Mel B is well known as being a judge for multiple television competitions such as “X Factor UK” and “America’s Got Talent.” Mel C, although more unknown to American listeners, has actually released six solo albums since their split. Halliwell, who left the group in 1998 due to “differences” between her and the other girls, has a new album in the works although details are unspecified. Bunton took on the role of a radio and television host briefly and like the other girls, has turned her focus towards her family.

Halliwell and Mel B seem the most keen on some sort of reunion. On the red carpet of the Brit Awards, Halliwell said, “There was a conversation this morning with Melanie B and we were saying there has to be something. I’m not announcing anything officially, but I’d like something as much as you.”

There have been reports from TMZ that Beckham has made it clear that she does not want to take part in a reunion. While it would be disappointing not to have the whole group together for one last show to commemorate such a milestone, the world has seen many great group performances without all original members. Down a member or not, the discussion of a possible reunion is good enough to hold fans in anticipation until a proper announcement is made.

The post “Wannabe” nostalgic? So do the Spice Girls appeared first on The Retriever.