![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Phantogram “voices” its return
With meshed layers of resonating synths and sensual vocals, the music of New-York based electronic band Phantogram crafts a multidimensional ambience that truly reflects its name, defined as two-dimensional images that appear three-dimensional. Its latest album, Voices, is no exception.
Released on Feb. 18, Voices shatters any doubts the public may have had for the sophomore album after Phantogram’s successful 2009 debut album Eyelid Movies, proving that it was worth the five-year wait. The highly anticipated album featuring 11 tracks shows the progression of the band as the sound delves into darker tones.
Album opener “Nothing But Trouble” starts off the album strong with a pulsing drumbeat, guitar riffs, and the ever so gentle yet hauntingly powerful vocals of singer Sarah Barthel.
Barthel continues to spearhead the album in the following tracks “Black Out Days” and “Fall in Love,” where her vocals are interlaced together in echoing layers. Voices’ most popular track to date, “Fall in Love,” is surprisingly not a love song as the name may suggest. Barthel boldly sings, “Love, it cut a hole into your eyes. You couldn’t see you were the car I crashed. Now you’re burning alive.” In addition to the evident synthpop the track also incorporates hints of hip-hop that drives the energy.
Phantogram’s other half, Josh Carter, showcases his vocals as well in “Never Going Home” and “I Don’t Blame You.” Though not as potent as Barthel, Carter delivers a poignant side of Phantogram. The only negative elements are the chorus lyrics of “Never Going Home: “If this is love, I’m never going home,” which sounds like something taken directly from a cheesy love song.
Another standout track of Voices is the slow and melancholic “Bill Murray.” The swirl of Barthel’s soulful voice, synths, and guitar line is absolute perfection. It’s music that you can lie down at night and listen to on loop for hours on end.
The last two songs “Celebrating Nothing” and “My Only Friend” further showcase the fresh, deep, and distinct sound Phantogram has come to embody, a perfect conclusion to a solid album.
Phantogram recently played at Fox Theater in Oakland on Feb. 20, a day after the release of Voices.
This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on Mar. 12, 2014.
A member of the journalism program since freshman year, senior Allison Sun is the Features Editor and Webmaster of Harker Aquila. She was also TalonWP...