Finals week pick-me-up

Alison Lucci, Cyburr Reporter

Finals week is almost upon us, but that doesn’t mean your body should suffer until the last bubble sheet has been filled. I know people who swear by their strict ramen noodle diets and sleepless nights, but there’s got to be a better way to finish the year. I’ve had my fair share of the finals week frenzy, but now I always maintain a healthier diet during finals week. An old roommate of mine was convinced that bananas, peanut butter sandwiches and soymilk were the way to go. I’m not saying you need to adhere to her sacred diet, but you’re probably better off skipping the Venti lattes and Big Macs. So, in the spirit of healthy finals’ snacks, here is a fruit dip recipe that is sure to make even the biggest fruit hater want to dig in.

1 cup plain nonfat yogurt

1/4 cup sugar

1 tbsp. grated orange peel

1/4 cup orange juice

2 cups thawed fat free whipped topping

Mix yogurt, sugar, orange peel and juice in medium bowl until blended. Stir in whipped topping. Serve with cut fresh fruit for dipping! Best if served chilled.

Enjoy!

American Idol: Rock Week

Jessica Lumpp, Cyburr Reporter

It is Rock Week on American Idol. A tower on stage has collapsed, so the contestants did not get to perform a proper rehearsal. A big surprise, for the first time ever, there will be duets! I have often thought this would be a good idea. Slash is the mentor tonight.

Adam – Whole Lotta Love –   Adam is first! That is a first! No one has ever done Led Zeppelin on Idol. Adam is insanely brave to take one of the biggest rock hits in history. He looks smoking hot. The eye makeup really brings out his baby blues (or are they green?).  I was a little worried about him covering such a classic, but he did an incredible job on it.  Kara calls him a rock god. Simon says nobody can top it.

Allison – Cry Baby – This song suits her voice very well. She sounds really good on most of it, but when she hits the word “cry” her voice seems strained. Overall, it was decent.

Kris & Danny duet – Renegade – I must say it is refreshing to hear some totally different songs than we are used to hearing on Idol.  Danny does better on this one. Kris is more suited to the slow tender stuff. Their voices blend nicely together.

Kris – Come Together   – I  think he could’ve picked something better to showcase his vocals. Although I think he sang it well enough, this is not a very melodic song which I think he excels at. Props to him though for remembering all those funky lyrics.  Kara didn’t like it and said he was trying too hard, and Simon says it was like eating ice for lunch — whatever that analogy means?

Danny – Dream On – Danny always seems to gravitate to songs with themes of hope, perseverance, your dreams can come true, yada yada, in other words — sappy. I thought this was just OK, but that primal scream at the end was BRUTAL. I think we know why the tower on stage collapsed. I am surprised the whole set didn’t implode. I think he is going to take a step back on this one, but he will still be safe. He said he had to listen to his scream on tape. I think he will agree it was over the top.

Allison & Adam duet – Slow Ride -  They are so cute together. They should really become a duo. They sounded awesome! I always hated this song, but now it is stuck in my head (maybe because there are only five words to the song  — slow ride, take it easy).  Simon said they were the winner of the battle of the duets. Kind of unfair, however, pairing the two rocker people together. Simon said Adam may have just helped to keep Allison in the competition.

They should just wrap it up and crown Adam the winner. But as the show must go on, I think Kris will be going home tomorrow — he of the many facial contortions.

Lucci’s Alfredo

Alison Lucci, Cyburr Reporter

If you’ve ever had a home-cooked Italian meal, you know that pasta with canned sauce just isn’t the same. I recently satisfied a craving for my mom’s homemade alfredo sauce by trying out this recipe. It might taste familiar if you’ve ever been to Olive Garden. This recipe is from their Web site. Olive Garden doesn’t compare to homemade Italian cuisine, but it beats canned sauce any day. I served this sauce over angel hair pasta, cubed chicken and cooked broccoli. So make your favorite pasta, add some veggies if you feel daring and pretend you’re a chef at Olive Garden tonight.

1 1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup imported Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 cup imported Romano cheese, grated
6 egg yolks from fresh jumbo eggs
Salt and black pepper to taste

1. Heat milk and cream in a heavy bottom saucepan until it begins to simmer. Turn off heat. Slowly whip in cheese, then remove from heat.
2. Place egg yolks in a separate bowl and slowly whip in a portion of the hot milk and cream mixture. Slowly add egg yolk mixture back into remaining cream mixture. Place back on very low heat and continually stir until simmering. Take sauce off heat so it thickens. (This will increase temperature of egg yolks, known as tempering).
3. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over your pasta.

-See what Alison comes up with next week!

American Idol 04/28

Jessica Lumpp, Cyburr Reporter

Tonight’s theme is standards from the Rat Pack. In other words, the contestants will be covering  songs that are as old as dirt. I seriously believe Idol needs to come up with some new themes, because we tend to hear these same songs every year. How about Pearl Jam week, or Indie? Something TOTALLY different, now there is a thought!  Jamie Foxx is the mentor.

Kris – The Way You Look Tonight – Kris looks very dapper and much like a crooner of the ’40s. I think his singing is very smooth tonight and I really enjoyed it. Randy calls it his best ever; however, Simon calls it wet which he never explains just what he means by that. Ryan asks him and he says “not dry.”  Upon hearing this, Kris gives a “sir, you are an asshole” shrug.

Allison – Someone to Watch Over Me – Ah, Allison is 17 now. Her voice is truly unique. I thinks she sings this well enough, but her voice is much better suited to rock songs. At some points I feel she sounds like she needs to clear her throat or just a little too raspy. The judges are yammering on. If it continues like this the show will be running over time again.

Matt – Funny Valentine – This is a popular song choice on old standard’s night of prior years.  They should unearth some different songs from the archives!  Jamie stares intently at the contestants while they are singing — I’m sure they love that.. not.  Matt is pulling off a very nice controlled performance. Thank goodness he is not attempting those falsetto notes which usually fail. Perhaps he could have used a little less runs, but overall I found it to be very good. Kara says she wasn’t emotionally connected, but Simon declares it brilliant.

Danny – Come Rain or Come Shine –  This is the best I have heard him sing in weeks. No pitch issues here tonight. He is really getting down and dirty and growling his way through to the end. Very nice! Adam might be quaking in his eyeliner after this one!

Adam – Feelin Good -  He makes quite an entrance strutting down the very long staircase. He looks insanely cute in a white suit and black shirt. He just has the WOW factor in spades. Once again, he sings perfectly, and that loooooong note, just amazing. The judges are running out of superlatives to describe his performances. Although Kara came up with sleazy tonight.  And I just have to mention that Randy truly needs to stop saying YO!
Its getting very hard to predict who will be leaving, but I know it won’t be Adam or Danny. I think any of the other three are in danger but  I’m putting my money on Matt.

-Check back in next week for Jessica’s review of the final singers!

Album Review: Silversun Pickups’ “Swoon”

Laura Lofgren, Cyburr Reporter

Although released on April 14, I’m just getting around to listening to “Swoon,” Silversun Pickups’ sophomore LP. The quartet released another powerful, well-composed album.

Starting with “There’s No Secrets This Year,” Brian Aubert leads the listener into the album’s in-depth vocals and guitar beats.

“The Royal We” is a song filled with paranoia with the words: “Do you feel safe again?/ Look over your shoulder/Very carefully look over your shoulder.” Probably one of the best songs on the album, it is a catchy, self-doubtful song that’s not as accessible as “Lazy Eye” of 2006’s “Carnavas,” but it is still pretty kick ass.

Aubert, with the backup support of bassist Nikki Monniger’s sweet voice, “Growing Old is Getting Old” is a melancholy, superb sounding effect on the ears, singing “Suddenly, we decompose/ But we’re not alone.” The song is true to Silversun Pickups’ sound: Airy, with a hint of grunge. The grunge resembles The Smashing Pumpkins’ earlier days in the ’90s.

Toward the end of the album, “Substitution” and “Catch and Release” grab your ear’s attention before the end of the beautiful LP. Chris Guanlao pounds on his drum, releasing extreme vibrations to the softest tap in “Substitution.”

“When reactions turn into hurricanes
And the middle comes, seems a little tame
Whether full or empty it’s all the same
It’s so easy to see, everyone can agree, you’re not to blame”

“Catch and Release” starts out slow, with a bass tempo and cymbal beat, progressing with the addition of guitar and still light, but mildly heavier drum influences. Maintaining the airy sound, Aubert croons about lust with beautiful violins in the background.

The last song on “Swoon” has a heavily ’90s-influenced sound. “Surrounded” reminisces past memories, with the lyrics:

“Remember when you broke my halo
Remember how I tied your wings in
Remember how we slipped all the lies we equipped
Just to bring back the goods again”

It is a song about two people spiraling out of control with each other. They have their own little hell on earth, surrounded by consequences and distortion. Just “remember who held you” at the end of the day.

Overall, Silversun Pickups have produced an awesome sophomore album. Believe me, it’s not quite as catchy as Carnavas, but that is because “Lazy Eye” was so goddamn catchy. It is an album filled with ’90s grunge influences with a sprinkling of indie, soul and beauty that comes deep from within the band. “Swoon” is not a direct sequel of the band’s previous album but more of an experimental debut for the Los Angeles quartet. Well, my friends, I would have to say that the experiment was a success.

-Check in again for more reviews by Laura!

Honey Chicken for your hunny

Alison Lucci, Cyburr Reporter

Honey Chicken Stir-fry

• 1 lb. chicken breasts, cut into pieces
• 3 tsp. olive oil
• 3 tbsp. honey
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
• 1 (16 ounce) package frozen stir-fry vegetable blend
• 2 tsp. cornstarch
• 1 tbsp. cold water
• Garlic powder

What to do:

1. In a large nonstick skillet, stir chicken in 2 teaspoons oil. Add desired amount garlic powder. Add the honey, soy sauce, salt and pepper.
2. Cook and stir until chicken is lightly browned and juices run clear. Remove and keep warm.
3. In the same pan, stir the vegetables in remaining oil for 4-5 minutes or until heated through.
4. Add chicken back to the pan; mix well.
5. Combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir into chicken mixture.
6. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened.
7. Best if served over rice.

-Check back next Friday for another great recipe from Alison!

Disco night on American Idol 04/21

Jessica Lumpp, Cyburr Reporter

So this is disco night. Wouldn’t it have been really fun to hear Scott (blind guy) sing a disco song? It appears there will be no be chatting to the contestants tonight about their song choices. Probably due to the fact that this move will free up more time for the judges repetitive critiquing.

Lil – I’m Every Woman – Well the first thing I notice is this girl’s backside goes on for days. But her singing just falls flat once again. I think she just made a hot mess of this song. The judges aren’t pleased either, and while listening to their feedback, she gives a look that says, ” NOT this same old bull crap again!”

Kris – She Works Hard for the Money – When I first heard Kris was doing this song and he had his guitar, I was a bit worried, but it was actually very cool. I felt like I was sitting in some little intimate club. His vocals were awesome. Entirely original and as Kara would say, “Now that’s artistry!” He should record this version!

Danny – September – Danny is sporting some facial fuzz tonight. He sounds a tad hoarse, and also I feel like he is shouting the song at some points. I do like his raspy voice though. He always seem to be so joyful when singing and you can’t fault that. Simon sees no star quality however.

Allison – Hot stuff – WOW, the stairway is all aglow in red, I feel like I am about to see a headliner act — Miley Cyrus ain’t got nothin on Allison. She is wearing some really tight spandex. This is a slower, more rocker version of the original. I just think Allison can do no wrong. I always like her performances and my mind is boggled that she is only 16. Can we see a birth certif? The judges don’t really care for the arrangement, but I enjoyed it.

Adam – If I Can’t Have You – Oh what a devious trickster our Adam is. Everyone was expecting him to do a diva act with a high voltage fast disco song which he could shriek his lungs out on. But he goes the other route, and totally changes up the original to a slow, tender ballad. The camera pans to Paula looking as if her puppy has just gotten run over by a bus. Simon is pulling faces as she blabbers on with her remarks. Ryan says she is reduced to a pool of Abdul. That’s pretty funny! Seems Adam has gotten his formula down — one week a high energy song with much wailing, next week slow heart wrenching song.

Matt – Staying Alive – Ohh, I don’t know if I cared for this. I do not like when he goes into the falsetto voice; it always sounds a little weak to me. Seems a bit rushed and frantic.

Anoop – Dim All the Lights – Anoop actually looks cute tonight. He too has facial hair. I find his performance very nice, until perhaps that last line of the song went wonky on him.

Adam and Kris were my favorites.

I think Lil and Matt are goners in the double elimination.

-Check in next week for Jessica’s update on American Idol.

Edie’s dead?! 04/19 Desperate Housewives recap

Jessica Lumpp, Cyburr Reporter

So, Edie is dead. I’ve had a long love/hate relationship with her throughout the seasons. Apparently, Nicollette Sheridan wanted out of the show because she thinks the series is becoming “complacent” — whatever that means — MSNBC reported.

Now, she’s finally gone and we get to endure another episode of flashbacks of her life like the episode about the dead handyman. After weeks of suspicions of wondering if Edie would survive or not, we get a filler episode? Come on Marc Cherry. Even my boyfriend was excited for this episode. That’s saying a lot.

Nothing groundbreaking happened besides being thoroughly creeped out yet again by Dave’s red face.

I could have gone without watching this one especially with my boyfriend reminding me, “she’s hot” every time Gabrielle pops on the screen.

Will Edie be the new dead narrator? Guess we will find out next Sunday, which looks pretty good by the previews!

-Have something to say about Desperate Housewives? Want to get in on a discussion with Jessica? Comment us and check in next week for more Desperate Housewives news!

Pizza Bagels the old fashioned way

Alison Lucci, Cyburr Reporter

“When pizza’s on a bagel, you can eat pizza anytime.” The Bagel Bites people hit the nail on the head with this unforgettable jingle. I’ve never actually eaten a bagel bite, yet I can recite the entire song. Pizza is a staple in many college diets regardless of the time of day. I’ll fully admit, I’ve enjoyed cold pizza for breakfast on more than one occasion. But contrary to popular belief, there are ways to satisfy your pizza craving that won’t harm your bank account or your waistline as much as traditional takeout. Pizza bagels are a less greasy way to enjoy this eternally popular meal and the ingredients are relatively inexpensive. So the next time you’re told that delivery will take an hour, consider your options. It might be pizza bagel time.

Pizza Bagels

Needed:

Bagels

Pizza sauce

Cheese

Recommended:

Toppings: pepperoni, veggies, etc.

Spices: oregano, Italian seasoning

1. Cut bagels in half. Place halves on cookie sheet.

Trick: If you like the crust crispy, toast the bagels ahead of time

2. Spread pizza sauce on bagels. Sprinkle with cheese.

3. Add desired toppings and spices.

4. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until cheese melts.

-Check in next week for another great recipe from Alison!

04/14 American Idol Recap

Jessica Lumpp, Cyburr Reporter

Tonight we are being treated with songs of the cinema. Quentin Tarantino is on board to assist the singers. I have no clue what qualifies a director to mentor singers, but the says he will “direct” them in singing.

Only two judges will be speaking per singer tonight due to the fact that they ran over time last week. Maybe they should have thought about the amount of time the volume of mindless jabbering would eat up when they decided to add a fourth judge!

Allison – I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – At the beginning she sounds nervous and gaspy. I have heard better from her. She usually sounds spot on, but this performance seemed disjointed to me. Simon, however, gives her praise, which surprised me.

Anoop – Everything I Do – Quentin’s advice is to roughen it up.  Good thing he didn’t listen to him. Ballads are definitely the nerd boy’s niche. I found it pleasing to the ear. No complaints.

Adam – Born to be Wild – He comes skipping out on the stage, the most rambunctious of the group. I feel like it’s an Adam Lambert concert. His vocals are of course impeccable, and he does a lot of his patented “screeching” as some people refer to it as. But this screeching is on pitch. He really is a electrifying performer and I think the first contestant in Idol history who can prance around a stage without looking like a fool. I always smile when watching him. Paula, ensconced in a bejeweled dog collar, pronounces him the bravest contender ever. The audience goes wild.

Matt – Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman – I did not like this. Too many rough moments versus the good ones. He also had some pitch problems on the high notes he attempted.  He looks cute though. Why is Simon making retching motions in the background while Kara is talking?

Danny – Endless Love – No glasses tonight, not sure I like it. Wow, the beginning is really rough. Once he gets going though it is 100 percent improved. If only the start was as good as the finish.  Simon is disappointed he didn’t change the song in anyway and gave him props for obviously singing a song that meant a lot to him. I suppose some  people will see this as pulling the dead wife pity card again, but remember, Simon brought it up, not Danny.

Kris – Falling Slowly – I do not know this song? But it did win an Academy Award in 2007. It is a pretty song, and I thought he sang it well enough, but it just didn’t grab me, perhaps because I was unfamiliar with the song. Of all the songs to pick, I am sure he could’ve come up with something better. Randy said it was pitchy, but Kara says it was one of his best moments.

Lil – The Rose –  There is just something about Lil I can’t put my finger on that I do not like. She sings well enough at times, but other times she sounds off. I think I have to agree with Simon when he says she is not the same artist as when the competition started.  I liked her more in the beginning.  Maybe she should go back to her short hairdo, cause it has been covered with wigs for many weeks now and maybe she lost her identity under those wigs.  Simon said he is frustrated with her, but I’d say that she is with him as well.
I think this has to be the most disappointing show. The two that gave a good performance  through the whole song, not just parts of it, were Adam and Anoop.

The one going home is hard to pick, but  I’m guessing Matt, Kris, and Lil will be the bottom three.

-Check back in next week for Jessica’s latest recap!