Authors Articles by Jon Birondo '15
Jon Birondo '15
Jon attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Grand Prairie before attending Jesuit. He began writing for The Roundup his junior year, covering his main interests: movies and music. He now heads the Arts & Entertainment section as the Co-Editor. Aside from writing, Jon is a member of the drumline, plays a variety of instruments, and is currently working on a short film. Jon hopes to attend the University of Texas to have a career in the film production business. Jon also co-founded and helps run the music review site Pretty Neat Grooves with his friend Michael White. You can find it at prettyneatgrooves.com. His favorite band is Radiohead and his favorite movie is The Social Network. He lives with his parents, two younger siblings, and dog.
Ariana Grande
My Everything (Deluxe Edition) Album Review
Republic Records
Released August 22, 2014
Genre: Pop, Contemporary R&B
Listen: "Break Free feat. Zedd"
Ariana Grande has slowly risen in ranks as one of the biggest pop stars in our culture. With her second album, although mostly hit-or-miss, Grande proves herself to be, not just a major powerhouse, but also a respectable songstress. While her songwriting...
As we head back into the new school year, let's recap the ten songs that we thought are essential for anyone that cares about music. Even if you don't know any of the songs on this list, please check them out. One of the profiles of the graduate IS Open To Growth.
-In no particular order of importance, because hopefully you'll...
“Bigger Is better”
It’s been sixteen years since Roland Emmerich’s dreadful adaption of the famed monster franchise graced the screens and eyes of America. Since then, every adaption of the timeless monster has been either haphazard or cheesy, or even described as a “shy kangaroo” by famed critic Roger Ebert. Now at the helm of the franchise reboot, new director...
The Black Keys
Turn Blue Album Review
Nonesuch Records
Released May 12, 2014
Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Garage Rock, Blues Rock
You must have been living under a rock for the last decade if you haven’t heard of The Black Keys. From their hit albums Brothers and El Camino, songs in movie trailers, and even drummer Patrick Carney’s amusing feud with pop star Justin Bieber, the ubiquity...
6,240 minutes. 104 hours. 208 episodes. 9 years. 5 friends. 1 story.
Nine years ago, on September 19, 2005, a father named Ted Mosby began to tell his two kids the long and extremely detailed story of how he met their mother; and so began "How I Met Your Mother," a story filled with years of extraneous gags, escapades, and...
Loredo
Trawl EP Review
Released March 10, 2014
Genre: Indie Rock, Post-Punk, Alternative Rock
Debut EPs should accomplish three things: 1) They should showcase artistic strengths, 2) they should be a preview of what to expect from your band, and 3) they should leave listeners wanting more. It’s an effective marketing strategy, make three to five songs, release it, and then continue on...
Tycho
Awake Album Review
Ghostly International Records
Released March 18, 2014
Genre: Instrumental Rock, Ambient, Chillwave
Tycho's previous album Dive delivered an underrated, if not, unnoticed release from the Sacramento producer, visual artist and musician Scott Hansen in 2011. Awake finds Hansen improving on his atmospheric, chilly sound, using a more emotive, direct, and wistful approach towards his music. Hansen's organic, electronic compositions...
Pharrell Williams
G I R L Album Review
I AM OTHER/ Columbia Records
Released March 3, 2014
Genre: Funk, Neo-Soul, Dance Pop
The first word you hear on the opening track, "Marilyn Monroe," is "different," and then gentle strings arrive, like something you'd hear off of a Lana Del Rey album before the song breaks into some soulful territory. From this point on, it's...
