Longform

Music of Angels

By Colleen Koch and Colleen Star Koch · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

Amid the harsh noise of blaring brass and clashing violin that ricochet through the music school, the gentle strumming of Elzbieta Szmyt's harp seems to be the music of angels. As uncluttered and pure as the music she plays, Szmyt smiles and welcomes guests and students alike into her studio, a space adorned with a simple Japanese print in shades of rose and cream and posters from the numerous harp events she has performed in worldwide. Szmyt is an assistant professor of music and the director of the Pre-College Harp Program in IU's harp department, which is the largest in the world. She has performed internationally, including at the World Harp Congresses in Denmark and Prague. Szymt teaches students ranging in age from 6 to late 20's and travels around the world performing and teaching at master classes.

GAO focuses on reality

By Ken Halcom and Kenneth Halcom · Thursday, July 25,2002 4:23 p.m.

Last week, the General Accounting Office, the Republican-headed investigative arm of Congress, announced that it will sue the White House for information regarding Vice President Richard Cheney's contacts with energy industry executives last spring. Mr. Cheney refuses to turn over the records, citing executive privilege, while not using the term executive privilege itself. Understandably, his refusal has generated suspicion. Some say, "If there's nothing to hide, why not turn it over?"

DMB's latest album far from 'Busted'

By Ryan Gunterman · Thursday, July 25,2002 12 a.m.

If I'm former long-time Dave Matthews Band producer Steve Lillywhite, I'm not happy. He produces the deepest and most personal DMB album ever, only to be replaced by pop-producer Glen Ballard on the more-poppy Everyday; but that's not the worst part.

'Eight Legged' sci-fi retread entertains

By -Alec Toombs · Thursday, July 25,2002 12 a.m.

Eight Legged Freaks" harkens back to the tacky sci-fi flicks of the '50s (most of which involved insect mutations and human mutilations i.e. "Them!"), and in that respect it delivers. For once there's a film that's exactly what it purports to be… a needlessly entertaining schlock-fest featuring ham-fisted acting, funny death scenes, less funny dialogue, good lookin' babes and big-ass spiders. If any of the aforementioned traits interest you, go see "Eight Legged Freaks," if not, go catch "Juwanna Man" again.

'Yoshimi' the usual Lips masterful crafting

By Michael Tapscott and Mike Tapscott · Thursday, July 25,2002 12 a.m.

Robert Christgau once wrote about the Flaming Lips in his Village Voice "Consumer Guide" that, "these guys are Not Joking. Ever. Which makes them hopelessly ridiculous." Though I don't plan to contend the validity of this comment, Christgau seems to miss the point.

'Moto GP' races in the middle of the pack

By -Alec Toombs · Thursday, July 25,2002 12 a.m.

"Moto GP" stands among some outstanding racing titles for the Xbox (i.e. "Project Gotham Racing" and "Rallisport Challenge,") but by comparison it's fairly meager. Despite strong graphics and easily executed controls, something's just lacking.

Green Day remains trapped inside punk cage

By Ryan Whirty and Ryan Wirty · Thursday, July 25,2002 12 a.m.

Punk can be a very limited music form. Very few punk bands are able to expand their sound and style very far. Those punk groups that do manage to transcend the genre end up creating a whole now identity for themselves. The Clash, for example, evolved from a straight-ahead, angry-Brit punk combo into a funky, cutting-edge dance band. And like other punks, the guys of Green Day are really trapped inside a musical straitjacket.

Bosstones reveal beautiful and destructive sides

By Mattew Seremet and Matthew Seremet · Thursday, July 25,2002 12 a.m.

Dust off your plaid and prepare yourself for some serious skankin' because the Bosstones are back and better than ever. Some five years after "The Impression that I Get" catapulted them into the mainstream, the Bosstones have come full circle.

Lastest release cooked-up leftovers

By -Mitchell Tellstrom · Thursday, July 25,2002 12 a.m.

The "new" Pixies album is made up of leftovers from The Purple Tape, the infamous first recording session for the Pixies. It consisted of 17 songs, eight of which were chosen for the mini-album Come On, Pilgrim. So the "new" Pixies album is really the oldest Pixies album.

Wasted potential, faulty reactor sink 'K-19'

By Parker Witman and Parker Wittman · Thursday, July 25,2002 12 a.m.

First take Han Solo and Qui Gon Jinn, give them funny Russian accents and appoint them as captains in the Red navy. Next, stick the "Star Wars" alums in a claustrophobia inducing, Soviet nuclear submarine and send it on a mission before it's ready. Finally, give the whole thing the worst and most unappealing title you can come up with, and there it is, "K-19: The Widowmaker."

Satelite radio a sad salvation

By -Val Tsoutsouris · Thursday, July 25,2002 12 a.m.

Upon the launch of XM Satellite Radio on Sept. 25 and its competitor Sirius Satellite Radio beginning last February and expanding nationwide earlier this month, the two companies bet that the average listener has had enough of conventional radio and wanted something different.

Reality shows a cheap way to entertain

By Mike D’Avria and Mike D’ Avria · Thursday, July 25,2002 12 a.m.

They're cheap to make and millions of people like to watch them. Put a few camera-men with some real people, maybe in a weird or dangerous setting, and a few weeks later you have new famous people and hundreds of water cooler conversations.

The Vines' 'Evolved' entangled in hype

By Elizabeth R. Ross and Elizabeth Ross · Thursday, July 25,2002 12 a.m.

In the context of recent punk-influenced garage rock, next to their admittedly tough competition, The Vines make more twists but don't climb as high. Judged on its own merits, The Vines' Highly Evolved is a pretty solid album with a distinct and diverse sound.

Still Jumpin'

By Yahya Chami and Yayha Chami · Thursday, July 25,2002 12 a.m.

Two Bloomington residents, Joshua Silbert and Dylan Wissing, formed a band in 1983, which later evolved into Johnny Socko. They have been enjoying a wild ride ever since.

Police find leads in case of missing woman

By Jackie Corgan · Wednesday, July 24,2002 11:21 p.m.

Three years ago, Lorraine Kirkley was reported missing.

Hoops team to defend national title

By Chris Sanchack and Kris Sanchack · Thursday, July 18,2002 1:46 a.m.

This week the 5th-grade Bloomington Hoosier Hoops team will be going to Cocoa Beach, Fla., to defend their national title, July 21-27. The team is seeded 2nd in the tournament, but only because of the point accumulation system which is in place and not because of a win-loss record. In their age division, the 5th-grade team is 75-0, and it has won six 6th- grade tournaments and a total of 130 games since October, including defeating the State Champion 6th-grade team. The team will be playing in the tournament -- which is similar to the NCAA bracket system -- against a total of 96 teams. "I wish there was something like this when I was younger," said Dan Van Trese, father of one of the 5th-grade players.

Summer season heats up for IU ballplayers

By Michael Schroeder · Thursday, July 18,2002 1:42 a.m.

Cream and crimson litters the United States. Sunburn and ball gloves together again, as the boys of spring have become the boys of summer -- IU ballplayers are polishing their skills in collegiate leagues across the country. From central Illinois to central Florida, from Indianapolis to the Pacific coast, IU baseball players are keeping the faith and keeping pace one cleat dig by home plate and one ground ball to the chest at a time. "We want them to play, otherwise they'll get behind," IU assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Tony Kestranek said. Simple enough. As other programs around the country are also sending players to summer leagues, summer ball is crucial for IU to keep up, let alone maintain a competitive edge mentally and physically.

Lawsuit filed against DNR

By Robert Morris · Thursday, July 18,2002 1:29 a.m.

The Indiana Forest Alliance announced the organization filed a lawsuit against the Indiana Division of Natural Resources and the Division of Forestry Monday.

'Royal' is a DVD treat

By Mattew Seremet and Matthew Seremet · Thursday, July 18,2002 12 a.m.

The Royal Tenenbaums" was one of the finest movies of last year, and the Criterion Collection two-disc DVD set does incredible justice to this unique film.

Crikey mate, this movie sucks!

By Yahya Chami and Yayha Chami · Thursday, July 18,2002 12 a.m.

Steve Irwin is probably the most well-known conservationist to walk the face of the earth. Armed with a witty, fearless and charming personality, an Australian accent and his inherited zoological skills Irwin has conquered the world of animal documentaries. He and his wife, Terri, have made over 100 documentaries showing animals and conservation efforts all over the world. Because of his enormous popularity, "Crocodile Hunter" is shown almost consistently on the Discovery Channel or Animal Planet.