Longform

Sicko? Maybe. R&B Legend? Definitely.

By Natalie A. Trout · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

Maybe it's just contributing to the "Keep-R.-Kelly-Out-of-Jail" fund, but the R. in R&B Collection, Volume 1 is a must-have for anyone who's ever lived a memory to an R. Kelly song. And who hasn't danced to an R. Kelly song at a junior high dance or raised their voice at every party last spring when the remix to "Ignition" came on?

Why two is better than one

By Natalie A. Trout · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

Andre "3000" Benjamin and Antwan "Big Boi" Patton took rap music to a level that not even the godfathers of rap could ever imagine. It was 1994 when these rap artists busted onto the scene with their debut album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik.

New Peacock drama is one big Caan job

By Jennifer Whalen · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

For a drama-filled Monday night line-up, "Las Vegas" heats up the scene with a fast-paced lifestyle, interesting plot and a beautiful cast. The show follows Danny McCoy (Josh Duhamel), an ex-Marine who serves as a surveillance expert for a Las Vegas casino.

'Duplex' built on shaky foundation

By -Paul Straw · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

Built on a slightly shaky foundation, Duplex does have its funny moments, but overall it's a fixer upper. Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore star as Alex and Nancy, a couple who move into this seemingly perfect duplex in Brooklyn.

EVEN IF IT'S TOO LATE FOR THE TEAM...

By Alex Pappas · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

Rumor has it that IU tailgates don't live up to those found on other Big Ten campuses like Purdue or Michigan. A close friend from high school might tell you, "Man, we had the most out of control tailgate last weekend! I can't remember the last time I had so much fun at the game!"

Drive fast, turn left

By -Mitch Nelson · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

Playing EA Sports' Nascar Thunder 2004 for only a moment reveals it as an attempt to keep the die-hard racing fans happy and still entertain the everyday video game player. The game itself is a fast-paced, action-packed racer that is graphically superior to others in its class. Some new features in this year's game include a draft function and the grudge and alliance feature.

Rock On

By C. Warner Sills and Sam Shahrani · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

For some time now, America has been without a good, bankable action hero. The '80s and early '90s were the heyday of Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Harrison Ford and even Bruce Willis, along with their friends Glock, Smith & Wesson and Colt.

Mullan examines institutionalized evil

By by Isaac Edwards and Isaac Edwards · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

Peter Mullan's latest film bears the unmistakable mark of the beast, the sign that sets certain films apart from the rest of the world of celluloid. A torrent of controversy has surrounded it, primarily coming from the Catholic League, which has denounced Mullan's film as anti-Catholic.

The Limpest Bizkit yet

By Jessica Smith · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

First of all, why is the new trend whining rock stars? You're a ROCK STAR. What do you POSSIBLY have to whine about?!

RIGHT SIDE DOWN MOVES UP

By Christine Jang · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

Every band starts from the beginning, with local recognition usually being the initial step of success. However, most bands get filtered out in the process of ascending the industry hierarchy, and few are fortunate enough to experience anything beyond the local music scene.

Mr. Black schools us all in the ways of 'Rock'

By -Alec Toombs · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

If ever there was a movie tailor-made for its star, School of Rock would be it. Jack Black headlines as Dewey Finn, a portly yet pint-sized slack rocker with a sharp tongue and a sharper ax. It is, in essence, a fully fleshed-out extension of his beloved Barry character from High Fidelity, and more so, an extension of Black's being (or, at the very least, his public persona).

Unfortunately, Must-See TV isn't becoming a joke

By Casey Comstock · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

As the opener for the final season of "Friends," I was expecting an episode packed with back-to-back laughs. Though there were moments of typical "Friends" hilarity (Monica's experience with cornrows and Ross's extreme reaction to the "shampoo explosion" in his suitcase), the script seemed stretched.

Still more human than human

By C. Warner Sills and Chris Freiberg · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

At the very least, Rob Zombie deserves credit for being true to himself. His creepy rock has not always been the most popular music on the market, but it's what he believes in producing and he hasn't changed it for anybody in the past 20 years.

Still down with O.P.P.

By Kelly Phillips · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

What IU needs, concert promoter Eric Purnell is willing to provide. According to Purnell, IU's needs are quite simple: Bigger, better music venues. Big name artists. Action. Noise. By establishing and promoting the first annual Fhat Fest 2003, set to take place Saturday, Purnell plans to meet at least 75 percent of those needs.

Costello shows musical direction with 'North'

By C. Warner Sills and Adam Tierney · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

Whether out of boredom or creative restlessness, Elvis Costello has spent the last decade reinventing himself. Every year or two he's popped up wearing a new mask, playing the part of an R&B crooner ("Kojak Variety"), a classical composer (The Juliet Letters) or a lounge stylist (Painted From Memory).

Same old, same old for alt-rockers

By C. Warner Sills and Josh Kastrinsky · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

Sticking to a proven pattern has worked for many artists. However, the proven pattern must occasionally be tweaked or the sound goes stale. On Vertical Horizon's fifth album, Go, the Boston foursome continues the sound which made them a smash success on 1999's Everything You Want.

Bangles bungle comeback album

By C. Warner Sills and -Mitchell Tellstrom · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

To understand this review, one should know a little about me. I love pop music. I have no problem nor do I even possess any kind of aversion to pop hooks, vocal harmonies, catchy lyrics or songs about love and whatnot.

Time to Spin

By Kelly Phillips · Thursday, Oct. 2,2003 12 a.m.

Deep in a jumble of overflowing crates of records, two turntables and a mixer, tangled black and white wires and three hijacked computer speakers, Bloomington DJ Tom Slick is nevertheless completely in control of the beat.

Cancel my reservations at the Hilton

By Erin Revtyak · Wednesday, Oct. 1,2003 6:52 p.m.

Now I confess, in my downtime I, like most, enjoy the chance to take some time and zone out in front of that little black box which can be traced to the decline of our generation -- the TV.

Bryan Adams sucks- Am I going to Hell?

By C. Warner Sills and Brian Elliott Johnson · Wednesday, Oct. 1,2003 6:50 p.m.

A few weeks ago I was trying not to laugh at my friend as she explained some of the details of her newfound pagan religion. I suppose I should have been more supportive, but because of my total intolerance of anyone different than me I found it difficult.