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(03/02/09 4:51am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Of IU’s existing 15.3 million square feet, the IU master plan maps out needs totaling to an increase of 4 million.Part of the needed space has been marked out for new campus facilities. Some schools in need or in the process of expansion include the Jacobs School of Music, the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, the School of Informatics, the School of Journalism, the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation and the Kelley School of Business.The IU master plan, which was released Feb. 19, will be used as a guideline for construction projects.Funding for projects undertaken in the next 30 years will be derived from a mixture of private funding, state appropriations and increased tuition, said IU student trustee A.D. King.“The catalyst will be private funding from donors,” King said. “State funding and tuition will have less of an influence.”King added that 20 years ago, tuition prices could not be predicted – and the same is true today.If a request for more funding is going to be made, be it from the state, donors or students in the form of tuition, people are going to want justification, King said.The master plan will serve as that justification.Private donations and money from endowments through the IU Foundation have already sparked building plans in the Kelley School of Business and the Jacobs School of Music. The School of Informatics and the School of Journalism are prime examples of buildings that have outgrown their resources, officials said.“We are a rapidly growing school. Space is at a premium,” said James Shea, informatics director of planning. “It is very likely we are doing a 10,000-square-foot annex this year.”The school’s self-funded project will be an extension from its current 10th Street location that will house its computer science department.The School of Journalism needs double the space it currently has, said Brad Hamm, dean of the School of Journalism.“There are no immediate plans for the building,” Hamm said, “but discussions have started.”
(02/24/09 5:15am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Not only is it fair to say many have breathed easier because Henry Remak lived, but his benevolence influenced everyone he came in contact with.Remak died last week in his Bloomington home off Maxwell Lane. He was 92. Remak was professor emeritus of comparative literature and Germanic and Western European Studies. Never using e-mail – just a typewriter – and not having driven a car since the 1960s, those who knew him said Remak found joy in life’s simple things.“Gosh, he was the most unpretentious, down-to-earth person I’ve – there’s so many things, so many facets I don’t even know where to turn to discuss what to touch on,” said Larry Lee, a former student of Remak’s.After his graduation in 1996, Lee established the Henry H.H. Remak Professorship. The professorship rotates every three years and acknowledges professors who represent great merit in Germanic studies, West European studies and comparative literature.When creating the professorship, Lee “could not afford to” fund the operation, he said, as he wanted to establish it while Remak was still alive.“I just enjoyed the man and respected him so much. He was the most incredible person I ever met,” Lee said. “It’s hard for me to articulate exactly – he’s a unique combination. He could engage you after an absence of many months or even years.”Remak was born in 1916 into a Jewish family in Germany. He left Nazi Germany at the age of 20 in 1936 to reside in Bloomington. The YMCA program found him a Jewish fraternity, Sigma Alpha Mu, where he could stay for free, and the rest of his family soon followed, just escaping the Holocaust.Without having any way to pay for his education, Remak visited former IU President William Lowe Brian and asked if he could be a student free of charge. Brian, who grew fond of Remak, let him receive the education he sought.Justin Shea, member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, graduated from IU in 2000 – an honor he would not be able to claim if it were not for Remak.“It was after first semester freshman year, and I had tanked the semester. The school couldn’t wait to turn me home,” Shea said. “I was pledging, that’s probably the reason.”After feeling devoid of all hope, a brother told Shea of a professor who was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu.“He heard my story, and without even knowing me he went to bat for me,” Shea said of Remak.Remak pulled the strings he could and got Shea re-enrolled in the University.“It showed how much he owed to the fraternity,” Shea said. “He took brotherhood to a whole new level.”After Shea was given a second chance, he did not lose touch with Remak.Remak was at Shea’s graduation, serving as honorary dean for one of the schools. After congratulations from Remak, Shea explained how he couldn’t have done it without him.“He shook my hand and in some words told me, ‘You did it yourself,’” Shea said.Lee said whenever he returned to campus after graduating, he would visit Remak’s home on Maxwell Lane, either as a first stop or whenever it was convenient for Remak.Lee paused. His voice cracked and broke down.“As I speak, I want to keep it together ‘cause he’s gone now,” he said.After IU, Lee met many people, but he said none compared to Remak.“I’ve went on to Harvard Law School, and I’ve met some incredibly fine professors and fine people from the business world and have rubbed elbows with wonderful, prominent people – and prominent for all the right reasons,” Lee said, “but Henry Remak was unique. He was what humanity is all about.”Although Remak retired in 1987, he was still very much involved in the intellectual atmosphere of IU, said William Rasch, chair of Germanic studies.After Remak’s retirement, he voluntarily taught in the Hutton Honors College.Some are working to organize a memorial service for Remak toward the end of March. His family will try to get his former students to attend, said Remak’s daughter, Heidi Ziff said.“He was a great guy. I’ve been living with him for 62 years,” said Remak’s wife, Ingrid. “That’s a long time.”
(02/24/09 3:55am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Ever feel like throwing something at your professor? Here’s your chance.Kelley School of Business students will be hurling whipped cream pies at professors for charity from 7 to 8 p.m. today in room 219 of the business school. The event is held by IU’s Civic Leadership Development to raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters’ largest annual fundraising campaign. Sixteen professors will be participating in the event. “I like pie,” School of Public and Environmental Affairs professor Steven Kreft said. “If you’re smart, you open your mouth.”Kreft said, all jokes aside, the event is for a good cause. “I teach a corporate social responsibility class, and to be able to teach it is one thing and to learn it is another,” Kreft said.Kreft has participated in the event since it began two years ago and encourages his students to participate.$1 raffle tickets will determine who gets to throw a pie. Participants can also buy a $10 T-shirt in exchange for 10 raffle tickets, Brittany Nelson, CLD vice president, said.“Our goal for IU is $40,000,” said Joanne Stebbins, associate development director for Big Brothers Big Sisters. This number will include other fundraisers taking place around IU’s campus that contribute to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Bowl For Kid’s Sake is another fundraiser.The bowling teams were asked to try and come up with $500 to donate, Nelson said.“They are a great, organized group of students with interesting things on their minds. They are very self-motivated,” Kreft said of CLD. “I’ve been very impressed.” Kreft said he is looking forward to the event. “My job is easy,” Kreft said. “I just sit back and enjoy the ride.”
(02/20/09 5:47am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>NEW ALBANY, Ind. – The IU board of trustees, after more than a year of work, agreed Thursday on new architectural master plans but vowed to stay true to the campus’ traditional style.The plans, which will change the campuses of IU-Bloomington and IU-Purdue University Indianapolis, will be implemented over a span of 30 years.IU hired David King, an architect from SmithGroup, last year to help develop the blueprint.King, along with Terry Clapacs, IU vice president and chief administrative officer, delivered the presentation to the trustees during the first day of a two-day meeting at IU-Southeast New Albany.“I’m very pleased to get the master plans approved,” Clapacs said. “It’s been a long and very busy year. The step the trustees made today was a very helpful step.”Part of Bloomington’s master plan involves improved road conditions and integrated bike lanes for better and more economical transportation.The presenters also expressed a desire to extend Woodlawn Avenue and Law Lane, primarily to help increase traffic flow. They also discussed the possibility of a parking garage across from the Indiana Memorial Union and plans to eliminate or improve existing areas for parking.“The specific details will be approved ongoing. It will be as they are presented to us,” said Sue Talbot, the board’s chair. “It’s a long process.”Facility development and expansion were also discussed. Whatever new buildings are to be planned, King said, IU officials want to continue using Bloomington’s classic architectural design of limestone, punched windows and varying rooftops.While trustees said they hope to ensure Bloomington’s style, there was some controversy about what constitutes historic and what is just old.The “outgrown” Ernie Pyle Hall, home to the School of Journalism, was one of the facilities for which the change was suggested. Under the plan, the school would move to a different building, and the existing Ernie Pyle Hall would be utilized by the IMU to make the union a more centralized part of campus.Securing adequate financing for proposed plans, particularly in the current economic recession, remains a central question for the trustees.While IU receives appropriations from the Indiana General Assembly as well as other revenue sources, the current economy could put a damper on the progression of the proposed plan.“We’re all struggling,” Talbot said. “We are waiting for the state legislature to deliver aid.”Plans remain within the budget, and while it is a good time to build, IU is missing a mechanism to fund road construction, Clapacs said.“Certainly things have slowed down on one hand because funding for these projects is less certain than it was six months ago,” Clapacs said, adding that “the good news is it’s a very favorable construction market.”Student trustee A.D. King said he hopes students are aware of the approval of the concept of the master plan.“Overall, I’m thrilled,” King said. “The vision is very progressive and will better the campus and students experience at Bloomington and IUPUI.”Friday’s meeting aims to formally approve the plans. Though only one member was missing Thursday, the whole committee will now be in session Friday.“We really want to maintain the integrity of what Indiana University is about,” Talbot said, “whether it’s in Bloomington, whether it’s in Indianapolis, Kokomo, Fort Wayne – wherever it is.”
(02/16/09 5:13am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>As part of an effort to raise $60 million to renovate and expand undergraduate facilities at the Kelley School of Business, a $15 million donation to the school, announced Friday, aims to jumpstart that campaign. Although the gift came from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, the donor was intricately aware of the project and made the donation to get construction underway, said Rick Dupree, Kelley School of Business assistant dean of development and alumni relations.“The way this is going to be structured will significantly change the way the undergraduate program is delivered. It’s going to be absolutely extraordinary,” Dupree said.The entire project is scheduled to take five years, and construction is expected to begin by May 2010, Dupree said.Because of the gift, the architects are now willing to “get serious about the campaign,” Dupree said. “They were simply waiting for us to show some, for lack of a better word, good-faith money.” The project will involve two phases. The first phase will be the 71,000-square-foot expansion of the original undergraduate building, Dupree said. Once the expansion is completed, the interior building will be renovated floor by floor.The project will eventually expand the building to the corner of 10th Street and Fee Lane, said IU spokesman George Vlahakis. “Our plan is to create space that will facilitate technology-mediated global collaborative learning,” said Dan Smith, Kelley School of Business dean, in an e-mail. “For example, the new facilities will make it possible for students to partner with students at other universities across the globe to work on projects for companies and government organizations.”Improvements include a lab for researchers, a trading room with resources similar to most Wall Street firms, a communications lab, a 2,000-square-foot multipurpose room on the third floor and a student commons on the first floor, according to the press release. The entrance as well as some facilities will be designed to be more welcoming for potential undergraduates and parents who come to visit the school.“The project has been on our wish list for at least three years, but needless to say, the economy has been a little sour, so for someone to step up to this level is not only wonderful in terms of the campaign itself, but really kind of heart-warming,” Dupree said. And while the recession could force some parts of the University to cut back, it seems the Kelley School will only continue to expand. “It’s great, saying this as a business major, that they are expanding and improving their facilities,” said senior Ariana Breckner, president of the business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi. “But at the same time I see a lot of students outside of the school that are upset the business school is constantly expanding and receiving increased funding.”
(02/10/09 4:01am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU saw its endowment value decrease 0.7 percent between June 30, 2007, and June 30, 2008. But while the University had a less than stellar year, it was better than many universities. Despite the drop, IU moved up in the national public ranking of endowment value from No. 14 to No. 12.The turn of profits from university endowments nationwide have heavily decreased due to the downfall of the stock market, but donations made to IU have helped make up for some of the loss. IU received contributions from more than 110,000 donors last year, said Barbara Coffman of the IU Foundation.“Endowments work in two ways, investment returns and new gifts from donors coming in, and we are very grateful for the contributions from our donors,” Coffman said.The 0.7 percent decrease in endowment value might affect the University, Coffman said, but not until later in 2009 because of the smoothing technique IU utilizes.The smoothing technique allows IU’s campuses and schools to receive a steady flow of income throughout the year, Coffman said. That flow of income might draw down the endowment, she said. Reports from the National Association of College and University Business Officers showed that only five Indiana colleges have experienced an increase in endowment value, Coffman said. This number includes the University of Notre Dame, which had an 11 percent increase in its endowment.Purdue had a $1.7 billion endowment in July 2008 and ended the year with a $1.4 billion endowment, according to a Lafayette Journal Courier article. This is similar to IU’s decrease from $1.5 billion on June 30 to $1.1 billion December 31, Coffman said.The United States has not seen such a significant drop in endowments since the 1970s, John S. Griswold Jr., executive director of the Commonfund Institute, said in The New York Times. As a result, many schools are facing layoffs, enforcing wage freezes and stopping construction.“I have a suspicion that the results from the next fiscal year, unless the stock market changes dramatically – schools are going to see a dramatic decrease in their endowment,” said IU spokesman Larry MacIntyre.
(02/05/09 5:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Students gathered at the Indiana Memorial Union Burger King commons to show off their video gaming skills at Mario Kart Wii.The charity event took place with cooperation from Burger King and the IMU. The winner received a free Wii and the chance to pick his or her own charity, which will also receive a Wii.“We are trying to live up to the title we got of the Union being the most fun place on campus,” said Damen Morris, IMU marketing manager. “This is one of the things that validates that.”Burger King promoted its name with free beach balls, T-shirts, sweatshirts and sling bags.“We wanted to do something to give back to the students,” said Burger King manager Holly Parient, who came up with the event.About 20 people participated. Sophomore Michael Cummings was late after taking a test. Upon arriving, Cummings ran back to his apartment to get his Wii nunchuk controller after refusing to race with the Wii steering wheel. After a long wait by opponents at the IMU, Cummings returned with the different controller and set the new high score on the Mario Kart time trial. Cummings, who ended up winning the tournament, made his donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters.“I’m gonna sound like a dork, but I play this game a lot,” Cummings said. Members of GameZombie.tv, a student-run Web site offering news and features on video games, were also present.“I love myself some Mario Kart, and when you mix it with a charitable organization it makes it all the better,” said junior Aaron Collins.
(01/23/09 6:07am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With the economy in a slump, the number of people hoping to obtain a degree in Indiana is on the rise, even with possible further cuts to state funding and hopes from IU officials to reduce the size of the incoming freshman class.That means getting into and paying for college are going to be harder to do.Last year IU saw a record of about 31,000 applicants, and the number of people applying is on the rise.“At the moment we are not seeing a significant impact in terms of applications,” said Roger Thompson, vice provost of enrollment management. “We are up 10 percent in terms of applications compared to a year ago.” He added there is currently a “boom period” of high school graduates.Hanover College, a private school in Hanover, Ind., is experiencing a record-breaking 45 percent increase in applicants.Despite the school’s relatively high price tag – slightly less than $30,000 per year – officials there say the key to keeping enrollment high is to maintain competitive financial aid.There are 1,050 students enrolled at Hanover College, according to the school’s Web site.“Historically schools do better in times of recession because people realize how more important it is to get a college degree,” said Rhonda Burch, Hanover’s director of communications and marketing.But it is a different story for other colleges nationwide.One-third of state institutions’ revenue is from state appropriations, and across the nation some universities are looking at 20 to 30 percent cuts in government funding, said Philip Powell, clinical associate professor in the Kelley School of Business.This will mean about a 10 percent cut in an institution’s revenue. IU is currently bracing for budget cuts from the state.“Our state is in much better budget shape, so we will experience a cut, but it will not be as large,” Powell said. “Our governor has balanced the budget. I give all the credit to him.”With more cuts to the revenue, some say tuition will have to increase.Powell said the new presidential administration realizes the need for loans as the economy struggles and jobs are scarce.“People are placing more reliance on federal loans,” Powell said. “Those aren’t going anywhere. If anything they will increase.”And with this year’s freshman class the largest in history, Thompson said University admissions needs to become more selective.“Our goal is to shrink a little bit,” he said. “We felt that this year’s freshman class is a little bigger than desired.”Naturally, an increase in applicants plus a desire to decrease class size will only make it harder for high school seniors to get accepted.“You have to be an even better student,” Thompson said.Bedford North Lawrence High School’s Director of Guidance Rebecca Sprinkle has been encouraging parents and students to seek financial aid if money is tight.In December, the school hosted a financial aid workshop for parents and students, discussing what to do if a family member is laid off, she said. “There has not been a reduction in scholarships available for students, but that might change in time,” she said. “We encourage students to apply for everything.”
(01/23/09 4:23am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Residential Programs and Services and other campus businesses have suspended the sale of peanut butter as a precaution following a national salmonella outbreak and the national recall of more than 100 peanut butter products. Contaminated peanut butter products have contributed to the death of six people nationwide and have sickened at least 486 people nationwide.Items such as Keebler’s peanut butter crackers and Clif Bars have been temporarily taken off the shelves in C Stores and dining halls as a precaution, said Sandra Fowler, director of RPS Dining Services.Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches returned to shelves Thursday, Fowler said. Gordon Food Service, an RPS food supplier, said the peanut butter GFS buys is safe.The move to stop selling peanut butter is cautionary and not because any IU students have gotten sick, Fowler said. The Jif peanut butter containers in C Stores are safe, she said. “When something like this happens, until we know the source, we pull everything,” Fowler said.Two years ago, RPS stopped serving fresh spinach after an outbreak occurred, Fowler said.“What we do at RPS is try to be proactive,” said RPS Executive Chef Ancil Drake.Peanut butter products might return this week or next, when the items are determined to be safe. Fowler said this is normally how long it takes, in her experience, to track down the source of outbreaks.Sugar and Spice in the Indiana Memorial Union also stopped selling peanut butter products.“We wanted to take extra precautions,” said manager Suzette May, though she said the peanut butter the shop uses has not caused outbreaks.Sugar and Spice’s best-selling cookies, like chocolate no-bake and Special K Chewy cookies, have peanut butter in them, she said.The cookies won’t be sold again until the recall is over, May said. She said they follow the FDA guidance, and the cookies will return when the government agency says it’s safe.
(01/22/09 4:37am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Energy drinks plus liquor equals liquid crack? Some might believe so.MillerCoors’ Sparks energy drink is no longer in production due to pressure from state attorney generals. Thirteen states and San Francisco comprised the coalition against MillerCoors, saying the alcoholic energy drinks target young people and are unsafe. “It’s a political thing between Miller and people who are anti-drinking,” said John Glumb, regional manager of Big Red Liquors. Along with Sparks’ being discontinued, MillerCoors will have to cough up $550,000 to the 13 states and San Francisco to cover the investigation expenses.The drink will still be around; however, caffeine, ginseng, taurine and guarana will be removed from the beverage. Also, the plus and minus signs on the can to make it look like a battery will be removed as well as any other marketing tools to make Sparks look like an energy drink. Sparks was somewhat popular in Bloomington. “We sold a little bit of the drink, not a lot. Sparks is a small category, not like Bud Light or anything,” Glumb said.Be that as it may, Sparks was gaining popularity nationwide and saw a heavy increase in sales compared to the previous year. The urban myth suggests that mixing energy drinks, which are stimulants, with alcohol, a depressant, is harmful for the body and causes stress on the heart. However, there really is no concrete evidence that can fully support this claim. To say the least, don’t expect to see people walking around with orange tongues for a while.
(01/09/09 3:51am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Executive Vice President and Provost Karen Hanson added two new vice provosts to IU’s staff Thursday.Hanson chose Sonya Stephens as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Thomas Gieryn as Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs. “These are entirely new positions,” said Steve Hinnefeld of University Communications. “A new way of restructuring and organizing IU’s undergraduate academics.” Research for the new positions began in October 2008. According to October’s press release, two full-time vice provosts would be chosen to oversee the Office of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculties. The goal of this is to reconstruct some of the campus administration. “There are innovations that we expect to come out of this and improvements in our services to undergraduate students,” Hanson said. As vice provost for faculty and academics, Gieryn will deal with issues related to academic policies as well as managing promotions and tenure processes. Gieryn, former chair of the department of sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been with IU since 1979. He also serves as a professor in history and philosophy of science.Stephens obtained a Ph.D. and B.A. from the University of Cambridge and an M.A. from the University of Montreal. She came to IU in 2006 and is professor and chair of the department of French and Italian. Stephens’s role as vice provost will mainly entail dealing with the undergraduate curriculum and school deans to better students’ education.“The schools provide the courses and have control of their curriculum and degree requirements,” Hanson said.
(12/10/08 7:24pm)
Three WEEKEND reviewers discuss the newest tracks in music.
(12/03/08 8:49pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>On Day & Age, The Killers have perfected the sound that made them so popular in the first place. Their newest release makes 2006’s Sam’s Town look like a scrappy, thrown-together album released under pressure due to their great success from their debut Hot Fuss. Here the band seem to have found a new direction and just gone with it. They have experimented with a combination of the Springsteen-riffed rock of Sam’s Town and the new-wave lush of Hot Fuss, in addition to adding several new sounds. The Killers have also compromised a bit, turning down the epic, surreal, anthem-esque vibe down a notch. “I Can’t Stay” does not utilize the electric guitar once and makes up for it with maracas and a soloing sax. It is easy to see that this album has been put together well, but it’s hard not to miss the rock ’n’ roll build-up present on tracks like Hot Fuss’ “All These Things That I’ve Done.” Don’t get me wrong, the most familiar-sounding lead single “Human” is a great song, but I can’t rock out to it in my car. Instead, Day & Age brings a lot of sloppy pop music that will be popular, but it’s not as good as The Killers’ previous efforts.Opening track “Losing Touch” starts the album off right and is probably the least bizarre track lyrically. This one of the only tracks that could be labeled as anything close to rock, and the one that will stick with me for an extended period of time. “This Is Your Life” is also worth a listen. The introduction to the song is looped recordings of weird vocals that sort of remind me of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which is cool, right? Day & Age is a well-produced album that branches off from The Killers’ typical style while still incorporating elements from their past. But when it all comes together, the result is hit and miss, and ultimately disappointing.
(11/19/08 5:32pm)
Three WEEKEND reviewers tackle the latest in music.
(11/05/08 8:37pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Although their popularity has increased dramatically with their previous two releases Final Straw and Eyes Open, A Hundred Million Suns should make them even more accessible to audiences worldwide. It is safe to say that they are easily on the same playing field as Coldplay and etching closer to the poppier Radiohead tracks. On each release, Snow Patrol never stray too far from their smooth and catchy base sound, but still manage to give each album its own feel. A Hundred Million Suns is the perfect title for this album. It’s riddled with acoustic nothings, piano melodies and sonic build-ups. To say the least, it’s a great, more subtle release.I am a big fan of Snow Patrol’s pop anthems, and here they have switched it up a bit. The songs are presented with more acoustic sounds that deliver a darker and mysterious feel. One song that recalls the Final Straw days would be “If There’s A Rocket Tie Me To It,” the best track on the album. At times on this track they sound so much like Radiohead it’s scary, but the pre-chorus and the chorus still scream typical Snow Patrol as vocalist Gary Lightbody croons “A fire a fire, you can only take what you can carry.”“Set Down Your Glass” represents A Hundred Million Suns the best. This track shows the listener the direction the band wanted to go with this album. It’s a bit weird, with a slow movement that sounds like it was originally forged in a fast paced, electric environment. If you have not gotten into Snow Patrol yet, I’m afraid it’s too late. But if you are familiar with the band’s previous work, you will recognize the slightly different and acoustic sounds here and welcome them with open arms.
(10/29/08 6:59pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Brett Dennen is one of the most buzzworthy artists around. Rolling Stone named him as one of its “10 Artists To Watch” in 2007, and this year Entertainment Weekly called him a “guy on the rise.” A former middle-school teacher who taught a class on peace and resolution, Dennen brings that chill resolve to his music. But I’m not really sold. He has a genuine, West Coast sound, a high-pitched voice and meaningful lyrics. But the lyrics on his new record Hope for the Hopeless fail to hold any weight, and the package doesn’t come together.He has too much of a happy-go-lucky, innocent and whimsical feel to him, not to mention that his voice can be annoying at times. Really, some songs here remind me of that classic scene of a guy playing an acoustic guitar on the street until someone comes up to him to take the guitar and bash it against a wall. “San Francisco” is the first track on the set and has a flimsy pop feel that sets the tone for the album’s direction. It’s a song about going to San Francisco to get over a girl. Please tell me why everyone thinks California will solve your problems?Nevertheless, the album is not all bad. Aside from the occasional whine in his voice, Dennen’s music really is an easy listen. The standout track from Hope for the Hopeless is the closer “Ain’t Gonna Lose You,” which sees him slow down the pace. Lyrics like “I can’t stand / the thought of another man / No I ain’t gonna lose you” help the track end on an extremely high note. This song actually feels like Dennen is finally reaching his true songwriting potential and not just singing to kids. Another one of the standouts here is “Make You Crazy,” which features some of the cool stylings of the African musician Femi Kuti. For as much buzz as Brett Dennen has received recently, Hope for the Hopeless is a bit of a letdown. If Dennen completely ditches the kid-friendly act, he’ll have the potential to be great. But until then, his career doesn’t have much hope.
(10/22/08 10:10pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Travis have come up with a fresher new sound than any other already established act this year. Their new album Ode to J. Smith is going to revolutionize the Travis concert experience and rejuvenate their mostly static career. Ode to J. Smith totally revamps Travis’ sound with electricity and power while not jeopardizing the band’s catchy melodies and piano-tinged feel they are known for. The plethora of unique sounds and instruments clashing together with Fran Healy’s genuine voice make Travis’ sixth album a must-listen and probably their all-together best album. As far as songs go, do not expect any big standout hits like “Love Will Come Through” or “Eyes.” This album is definitely more of a whole piece that must be listened to all at once. Nevertheless, the lack of shining singles doesn’t mean there aren’t songs here that impress substantially.“Long Way Down,” the album’s opener, is absolutely the best track simply because of what Fran Healy does with his voice. Longtime fans of the band will be surprised, and newbies should embrace it fully. If you were to listen to another important track here, it should be “J. Smith.” At one point in this song, it sounds exactly like Sigur Ros vocalist Jon Thor Birgisson is rockin’ the mic, and it even has a bit of a Mars Volta-esque feel. If it seems hard to explain, it’s because the greatness is easy to get lost in. Even after a few full-run listens to Ode J. Smith, there still remains an element that I cannot put my dirty critic finger on. There are so many sounds here that sound familiar, yet completely new. There are too many influences running through the tracks to mention. And the album shows skill, maturity and development. Damn, I love Scottish bands.Headphones will not do the album justice. Your first listen to Travis’ new album should be through high-quality surround sound speakers around 3 a.m. while letting yourself submit to the electricity radiating from this masterpiece.
(10/08/08 9:58pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Christian rock sucks. Just like how annoying southern accents in country jeopardize the music, Christian rock does the same with faith undertones. But even though Anberlin’s roots stem from Christian rock, their music doesn’t deserve to be associated with it. Anberlin reminds us that all is not lost in the alternative-rock genre, a conclusion that would be easy to come to with all the crap heard on the mainstream airwaves. Stephen Christian’s powerful and unique voice is still after my own heart and defines what Anberlin is all about. New Surrender, the band’s new album and major label debut, combines the best of their previous two efforts. Present are the soaring hooks seen on 2005’s Never Take Friendship Personal, as well as the maturity present on 2007’s Cities. Here Anberlin use hand claps and acoustic guitars to the best of their ability, keeping the record diverse throughout. Which brings us to “Younglife.” The band doesn’t use the acoustic guitar too often, but the track utilizes a combination of acoustic strumming and the classic whirling guitar sounds Anberlin is known for. Moreover, “Soft Skeletons” is the obvious standout track on New Surrender. It delivers the perfect combination of the old and the new Anberlin and puts an edgier spin on the classic love ballad. “Retrace” is a bit more conventional, but is in the same vein.There are really no bad songs here, but the addition of “Feel Good Drag,” a rerecorded song from Never Take Friendship Personal, seems out of place with the rest of the album. It’s a good song, but there’s no reason for the band to think they need it to make it big. Anberlin continues to break away from the stage dives and the swinging guitars with New Surrender. Their ability to combine more mature songwriting and catchy hooks makes them one of only reasons to still listen to mainstream alternative rock. If there’s any justice in the world, their career will take off so more people can experience their greatness.
(10/01/08 9:30pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>California’s Cold War Kids spun heads with their 2006 debut release Robbers & Cowards. A bluesy, rock-oriented band with roots that dig deep into the music that initially forged rock ’n’ roll, Loyalty to Loyalty is an interesting listen, to say the least. However, Loyalty to Loyalty is a major letdown. A lot of times it’s difficult to pinpoint where a wrong turn was made on various albums, but it’s blatantly obvious as to why Cold War Kids didn’t come through on Loyalty to Loyalty: The songs here are not catchy. Similar to their first album, the lyrics here try to be overly blunt, but now they no longer complement Nathan Willet’s vocals as well, leading to a mush of sounds. Nevertheless, the rest of the band are seriously talented musicians. The arrangements and technical aspects here make up for the lackluster lyrics and save the album. Seriously, Cold War Kids, next time just produce an instrumental EP. Even if I couldn’t speak English, I would still have to yank my headphones off while listening to the band, and it’s because Willet’s lyrical tone and flow are absolutely unbearable on Loyalty to Loyalty. “Show, don’t tell,” was the phrase that my high school English teacher endlessly repeated to me, and the song “Everything is Not Right With Me” proves that the band never heard that phrase. The song repeats the lyric “Everything is not right with me” too much, and I guess we’ll just have to take his word for it. “Mexican Dogs” features asinine lyrics such as “Like Mexican dogs, no one gave us names.” Here, Willet is too cocky and at one point just mumbles shit into the mic. Tracks like “Dreams Old Men Dream,” “Relief” and “Cryptomnesia” are more bearable to listen to outside the context of the rest of album.But despite those exceptions, Loyalty to Loyalty is one of the biggest disappointments of 2008.
(09/17/08 11:12pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Unlike the majority of sitcoms on television, “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia” is actually good. The show’s tagline is “Seinfeld on crack,” so if you like “Seinfeld,” and you like crack, then this show is for you. “Sunny” is probably the most original thing to make it on TV since “South Park” weaseled its way onto Comedy Central, and the two shows aren’t as dissimilar as you’d think. The show is a product of a few guys who made a pilot episode that was subsequently picked up by FX. It was so good, they convinced Danny DeVito to play a lead role in the sitcom. What’s somewhat unique about the show is the lack of continuous plot threads. There are some recurring characters that pop in and out, but there is no real order to the episodes. Thus, viewers can watch any episode with ease; again, just like “Seinfeld.” However, “Sunny” does not take on a light-hearted persona like its older relative. The tone is dark, like midnight in Alaska during the winter dark. The show covers hot topics like dumpster babies, North Korea, sex offenders, retardation, molestation, incest, huffing inhalants and homeless masturbation in alleys and exploits them for the purposes of comedy. It’s simply genius. But even for this show, the plots in season three got out of hand and were too unbelievable. The crazy season falls a bit short of the greatness of the first two, but it has plenty of great moments. The bonus features are a little lacking. The “Sunny Side Up Vol. 2” featurette finds the cast/creators during their recreational wrestling match, and they pretty much remain in character throughout. If you are looking to buy some “Sunny,” go with the season 1 and 2 box set, which features a solid “Making of” featurette. Even with a wacky season three, “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia” remains one of the best comedies on television. Seriously, any show that has the balls to feature babies in dumpsters is tremendously awesome in my book.