Album Review: Smile It's The End of the World - Hawk Nelson

By: Will Floyd

“Smile, It’s the end of the World” is the second album released by Hawk Nelson in 2006. I came to love Hawk Nelson many years ago, however this was my first time giving the whole album a listen. Although it has aged poorly, the first Hawk Nelson album was fantastic and in my top 10 favorite albums of all time. This album wasn’t as high on my list but it still had some phenomenal songs.

The One Thing I Have Left: 10/10

This song has always been one I keep going back too. It’s just such a good “state of the world” and “I’m hanging by a thread” type of song. It’s very intense in all the right ways.

The Show: 3/10

It is alright but it’s way too long. It feels like it’s being stretched out and that just ruins it for me.

Bring em out: 7/10

It’s a good pop punk party song but it’s nothing special.

Everything you ever Wanted: 12/10

Yes I did rate it off the scale. This song is one of my absolute favorites of all time. It’s super moody, sad and angsty. It really helps me feel the feels.

Something on my Mind 3/10:

It’s just really “mid.” I don’t have too much to say about it.

Is Forever Enough 8/10:

It seems like a good rage song and has a sick guitar riff

Zero 6/10:

Not bad, but really nothing crazy. It feels very Simple Plan esque and not in a way I like. I didn’t care for the mid-song monologue, it felt too much like a randomly inserted mewithoutyou song but not in a good way. It really killed the mood for me.

Nothing to Show, Head on Collision, Hello 5/10:

They’re all just kind of there.

It’s Over 7/10:

A solid angsty breakup song

14 7/10:

I expected to not really care for the slow pace of the song but it is actually really nice. More of a “vibey” song than the usual punchy pop punk stuff I’m used to from Hawk Nelson. Usually I hate hearing “oohh” repeatedly in a song but I actually really like it in this one.

Overall I give the album a 8.5/10. Going into it I was expecting there to be some songs I didn’t care for, and there certainly were. But there are also some songs I absolutely love so it was worth the experience of the less enjoyable ones. If you enjoy pop punk I would definitely recommend “The One Thing I Have Left” and “Everything You Ever Wanted.” Aside from that it’s not something I’ll ever listen to all the way through again.

Songs That Made Me Fall in Love with Switchfoot

By: Will Floyd

One of my favorite bands of all time is none other than Switchfoot. The San Diego based alternative rock band is named after a surfing move that is apparently very complex and uncomfortable. They’ve said this represents their music well, as they write very lyrically complex songs while not shying away from the uncomfortable.

Switchfoot released their first album “The Legend of Chin” in 1997 and are still releasing albums today. As of now they have around 200 songs from their 13 albums. They have also released EPs and have side projects but I want to focus on just the albums. My list is primarily made up of older songs, as they tend to resonate with me a bit more.

Meant to Live

The first song I’d like to talk about is “Meant to Live.” This song was released in 2003 on their 4th and most successful album “The Beautiful Letdown.” Although in my opinion it isn’t their “best” song or even in my top 10 favorite Switchfoot songs, it is on my list of top rock anthems of all time. It has a hard-hitting riff that just drives itself into the depths of the soul. Earlier on in my Switchfoot fan era I would’ve said that I actually really didn’t care for the song because lyrically it just didn’t hit me as hard. For a moody teenager, I think that makes sense. However as I’ve grown, the song really resonates with me a lot more. It starts out with the line “Fumbling his confidence and wondering why the world has passed him by” delivered in a way I can only describe as very “punchy” in between strong guitar riffs. Then in the chorus follows with “we were meant to live for so much more, have we lost ourselves?” While this is very hard hitting lyrically to the right person, I think the real reason for its popularity is actually the riffing, it’s so perfectly aggressive and uses that to speak its underlying message. Just because it isn’t my favorite doesn’t mean it isn’t great. The bar for their music is just so high it pales in comparison.

Your Love is a Song

This song was my absolute favorite song when I discovered their music. It’s a deeply spiritual love song that instrumentally has “just the right vibes.” I always feel like I’m sitting on top of skyscraper, watching a sunset and meditating on my life while listening to it. Why that imagery? I have no idea. But it continues to put me in a more mindful mood when I listen to it.

Dare you to move

This song was my gateway to the band. I heard “Dare you to Move” on the local Christian radio station where every song sounded the exact same one day and it piqued my curiosity that I listened to the station for hours every day until finally I figured out what the song was. At the time I found it to be very encouraging, unlike other songs it wasn’t in a cheesy way. It was gritty, genuine and even a little grungy. There were several versions of the song released. The version being played by the radio station actually is not on any of their albums. The closest version I could find of it was from an official music video posted to YouTube in 2010, 7 years after the song was released. A demo version had been released on "Learning to Breathe” in 2000. Then in 2003 the primary version of the song was released on “The Beautiful Letdown.” This song was also widely popular although seemingly not as iconic as "Meant to Live.”

Happy is a Yuppie Word

This song comes from their album “Nothing is Sound” which I like to think is the most depressing of my favorite albums of all time. It is a collection of heartfelt resentment toward anything and everything wrong with the world. Needless to say, I love it. This song in particular has been the validation to my melancholic attitude towards the world over the years.

You

I don’t even have the words to tell you how much I love this song. I’m not a judgy person but when someone tells me they don’t like the first 3 Switchfoot albums, especially “Legend of Chin” you might as well change my name to Judy. Yes I agree there are some lame songs on the album but it’s made up for by the ones that are good. Now my passion for the album aside, this song specifically is more of a “vibe” song to me. It’s calm, peaceful and is certainly not “for everyone” but it is “it” for me. I couldn’t tell you why, but it remains one of the few songs that is in my regular rotation from this album.

Don’t be there

This song is also from “The Legend of Chin” and is truly one of my favorite songs ever created. It’s deeply melancholic but in more of a simplistic way than the other songs on this list. The line that sums up the song is “did I get shot, or shoot myself?” Sometimes you gotta wonder I suppose.

Ba55

I’m usually not a big “experimental” fan but this song really scratches all the right experimental itches for me. “Ba55” or “Bass” spelled fancily is sort of what I would describe as their take on psychedelic rock. It’s main purpose was to let their bassist Tim Foreman have his time to shine, but I think it also really shows how wide of range they’re able to go with genre. This song is on “Fading West” which is actually a fairly upbeat album. So to have this right smack in the middle of it is a bit jarring but in a good way. The only other song on the album even close to it in terms of vibes is “say it like you mean it” which is also notable as a song I enjoy but not enough to be on this list.

Home

Not to be confused with “This is Home” featured in one of the Narnia movies, “Home” is very similar to “You” and “Don’t be There” in that it’s simplistic, peaceful and has a dash of “I’m sad” sprinkled in. I’d say it’s a tinge more hopeful than other songs in the album which makes it stand out to me personally.

Only Hope

This was the second Switchfoot song I fell in love with after “Dare you to Move.” I liked it for similar reasons to “Your Love is a Song” but this one felt a little more raw and emotional. It didn’t feel like the aftermath of a crisis, it felt like moments of trying to hold it together during one. It still remains a favorite Switchfoot song of mine especially during the difficult moments of life.

Free

In my opinion one of the most underrated Switchfoot songs of all time. No one talks about this one and I have never understood why that is. This song is my second favorite song from my favorite Switchfoot album “Hello Hurricane.” It’s only topped by “Your Love is a Song.” There are a few underrated songs on this record like “Sing it Out” and “Red Eyes” but this one is just so “freeing.’ It has a particular pizzazz to it that I just can’t describe. It’s somehow subtle yet intense, it makes me feel like I want to “break free.” Break free from what? I have no idea.

Where I belong

Generally I think songs over 4 minutes long should be illegal but this one is actually really good in spite of that. I have to be in a very particular mood to want to hear this song but when I’m in that mood it really hits. Switchfoot has many songs about “waiting to be where I belong” but this one really gives it that meditative atmosphere that only Switchfoot can do.

Twenty Four

I would certainly get some very salty reviews if I didn’t include this one. A fan favorite from “The Beautiful Letdown” that is just a good song. If you asked me when I was fifteen what my favorite number was I’d probably say 24. “Twenty-Four” embodies aspiration, it’s deep, admirable and overall just a good song. Another song in its vein is “On Fire” from the same album. They both have a deep sense of spiritual longing and self examination. The chorus of “Twenty-Four” goes “Life is not what I thought it was Twenty-four hours ago Still, I'm singing, ‘Spirit, take me up in arms with You.’ And I'm not who I thought I was twenty-four hours ago. Still, I'm singing, ‘spirit, take me up in arms with You.’" I feel it is another one of those songs that isn’t for everyone but is someone’s cup of tea, I’m certainly someone.

This concludes my list of songs that made me fall in love with Switchfoot. I hope you enjoyed and will consider checking these songs out along with the rest of Switchfoot’s discography.

Get to Know Hush, a New Jersey-Based Rock Band

By Victoria Peters

Hush is a New Jersey-based band that formed in September of 2021. After guitarist Alex and bassist Jake started to play together, the band was formed. After being friends since the first grade, both wanting to make a band and both playing instruments, it only made sense for the band to form.

Over time, more members of the band joined. Michael, the drummer, joined in May of 2023 after Alex and Jake reached out to him through Instagram, asking if he would like to join the band.

The band went without an official singer for a while and would have brief fill-ins for their live performances.

One of their singers was a girl named Grace, whom they met at a local diner called Beats. She was in a band called Sugar Rush, and after seeing her perform backing vocals for Sugar Rush, Alex’s dad went up to her after the show letting telling her they needed a singer for their band, and she joined not long after that to play a few gigs with them, but nothing long-term.

During this time, the band Hush was originally called Concord, which was almost exclusively a cover band. As a band, they “just didn’t like it. That name came out… two years prior, just sort of slapping a name on a band we had.” As they started to branch away from that cover band era, they wanted a new title to go with it. That’s when the name Hush was born.

They went without a singer for over 6 months before they finally met their current lead singer. During this time, Alex sang a lot of their songs for practice and writing purposes, but they were in desperate need of a lead singer.

It wasn’t until February of 2024 that they got a lead singer, Chris.  He reached out to the band after seeing they needed a singer on an app in which you can try to find band members by adding your wants and needs called Band Mix.

When it comes to music writing, they’re almost like a puzzle. They said their process usually starts with either Alex, the guitarist, or Jake, the bassist, coming up with a riff, and then Michael builds from them with lyrics coming in last, fitting to the song.

When asked about their favorite thing about performing live, Michael said, “When you’re playing in front of all that equipment at its highest volume, so you’re hearing everything out of it, and it sounds massive. I love that.”

After facing challenges throughout the band’s career, such as the period with no singer, and trying to get into the studio to record their music. They had limited time with the recording studio, which made them feel very rushed in their process.

Hush plans on getting new music out soon, so keep your eyes out for a new album and possible singles.

WSYC’s Picks for the Perfect Autumn Playlist

By Nadia Owens and Lindsay Smith

It is the time of the year when the leaves change color and the breeze is in your hair. Holiday drinks are available at Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts, and you have to decide if you are in the mood for a pumpkin chai or a peppermint mocha. With the colder season comes new music choices. Songs that make you feel warm inside and get you ready for the winter months. WSYC has been making sure that the Shippensburg airways have felt all of the fall vibes. Here are just a few of the songs that have been on repeat in the station: 

Station Classics:

Only Over You by Fleetwood Mac… This song is soft and dreamy, capturing the feelings of love and devotion. It’s perfect for a slow morning and fall afternoons.

Cooler Than Me by Mike Posner… This song brings all the fun beats and is an awesome one to blast in the studio and sing along to when no one is watching.

Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts… Not only is this a throwback to the 2006 Pixar movie, Cars, but it also started as a 1991 hit by Tom Cochrane! With its upbeat and feel-good vibes, this song is perfect for cruising into fall.

Butter by BTS… Smooth like butter, this BTS hit gives off the perfect feel-good energy. Its catchy hooks can brighten up any playlist, whether you're dancing in your room or just need a mood boost!

Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison… A blast from the past! This one is popular with many DJs who like to play throwbacks. Its suave nature is the perfect song to play while studying outside.

Chicago by Sufjan Stevens… Another chill song that gives cozy fall vibes. Chicago is known for beautiful fall leaves and fun festivals such as Oktoberfest.

Move Along by The All-American Rejects… A nostalgic, early 2000s anthem that still hits, “Move Along” is all about persevering through hard times with your head up. This song is for the days you need a little push to stay motivated!

Chasing the Sun by The Wanted… With daylight savings, the clock will go back one hour, and we will end up having to soak up all of the sun that we can until it gets colder. This song from the early 2010s catches this vibe perfectly.

Queens of Pop: 

Oops!... I Did it Again by Britney Spears… Britney Spears remains a timeless pop icon more than 20 years after her debut! She’s an example of a pop queen. This song is always a classic!

Silk Chiffon by MUNA and Phoebe Bridgers… Phoebe Bridgers' music is made for the early days of fall when the leaves are changing and the air feels just a little crisper! Silk Chiffon is a great one if you have not listened to many of her songs.

Red by Taylor Swift… We could not create a playlist without the queen herself, T-Swift! “Red” is a classic for the fall time with its subtle hints to the season. The DJs have also been loving her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” “Opalite” has been a crowd favorite.

Blowing Smoke by Gracie Abrams… Gracie Abrams is an artist who has skyrocketed over the past year. This is one of her more relaxed songs and fits the fall vibe perfectly.

The Subway by Chappel Roan… Gaining popularity at record speed, Chappel Roan is taking over playlists everywhere with her pop anthems and unapologetic style. This song came out in late July and is a staple.

Just Keep Watching by Tate McRae… This song came out right after the spring semester ended. It was on repeat all summer but carried into the fall as well. We could not resist adding this song!

Of course, we could add a million more songs to this playlist, but these are just a handful of the songs our DJs have been playing that scream fall. Check out our Spotify (WSYC 88.7) to keep up with our most recent song selections. Also, make sure to tune in to WSYC 88.7 FM or download the app on the App Store or Google Play to hear our favorite songs live!