Longform

Local band fights red tape, continues to rock

An experiment almost three years in the making, Drowse has been around Bloomington for a long time. But its growth into recognition as one of the town's established acts has been slow and painful.

Shades of Mellencamp

He could have just as easily been Johnny Indiana. How about Johnny Puma, Impala or Mustang? It really didn't matter. Introduced to the nation in 1976, Johnny Cougar, a commercial product, was destined to bomb. As a youth, Mellencamp had an unmistakable identity, one he'd chosen for himself. He was the rebel every mother warned her children about. Every small town had one, and Seymour, Ind., was no different.

The week in music

The 'Secret' is out

"Joe Gould's Secret" is a surprisingly intimate, moving and profound recount of the friendship between two literary legends of mid-1900s New York City. There's Joe Gould, an eccentric panhandler who claimed to have written a million-word account of "The Oral History of Our Time." Then there's Joseph Mitchell, the brilliant New Yorker reporter who profiled Gould.

Tim Meadows fights the ladies off with a bat in 'Ladies Man'

"The Ladies Man" has broken a stigma among many a Saturday Night Live movie (excluding "Wayne's World") because it doesn't completely and utterly suck.

Good 'Soul'

Yes, it's official, Collective Soul has finally reached the point in its career where it can perform with Elton John. But is Collective Soul worthy of such an honor? Considering the band is one of the most successful modern rock acts of the '90s with three platinum albums and countless radio hits, it most certainly is. With Blender, Collective Soul continues to do the same thing it's always done; make great rock tracks in many different ways. Blender is much more enthralled in rhythm guitar beats and the occasional sampling than any other Collective Soul album to date. While it is a far cry from the group's traditional rock debut, Hints, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid, it is the next logical step from 1998's Dosage.

\'Winter\' all beauty, no substance

All of the attention-grabbing flyers and ads of "Winter Sleepers" that are currently plastered all over campus tell you that the film is made by the director of last year's art house hit, "Run Lola Run." What it doesn't tell you is the fact that German director Tom Tykwer actually made "Winter" one year prior to "Lola."

Choosing the least worst

The editors of IDS Weekend have stong ethical and moral ideals to live up to. There is a proud tradition to uphold and a yet to be printed mission statement to follow, all with the sole purpose of providing you, the reader, with heartfelt, emotion-filled features and the best CD and movie reviews. Also included is an opinion page, where columnists get to spout off anything and everything that's happening in the entertainment world.

Virginwool too pop for their own good

Emerging from the house that Hootie built, Breaking Records, comes Orlando-based rockers Virginwool and its freshman effort, Open Heart Surgery. While the band doesn't "blow" as much as a majority of Orlando's musical sons, i.e. most of the boy bands inundating pop music, they aren't entirely good.

WIUS Pick of the Week

It is rare in today's music climate to have a record that embraces both sonic power and quiet beauty. With the double disc Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven, Montreal's Godspeed You Black Emperor! has created an album of emotional power that stems from a roller-coaster ride of powerful highs and somber lows.

Letter

Hollywood addresses politics as usual with 'The Contender'

It was only a matter of time before Hollywood addressed the concept of sex scandals and the U.S. presidency -- or in the case of Dreamworks' new film "The Contender," the vice presidency.

'Ladies Man' soundtrack smooth

It's basically a given that there is little good to be had out of any movie starring a "Saturday Night Live" character made famous through short skits on the aforementioned television show. "Ladies Man," starring Tim Meadows as Leon Phelps, might or might not break that mold.

Williams transcends pop music

In a year when pop music is dominating the American music industry and Brit band Radiohead has claimed the top spot on the Billboard charts, it is mind-boggling that Robbie Williams is not doing as well as he should be in this country. After all, he's got the best of both worlds -- the looks of a pop star and the substance of a serious rock star. While Williams continues to make headlines in other territories, the recent release of his latest album, Sing When You're Winning, made little splash in America.

A journal of a film festival

Although I am a college student with more than just movies on my mind and no transportation at my fingertips, I had the opportunity to attend the opening weekend of the 36th Chicago International Film Festival, Oct. 5-8. During these four days, I saw 13 movies, shook hands with some of the best directing talent and had a crash course in the world of big league film criticism. The following is my account of this overwhelming celluloid experience.

Around the arts

Union Board's annual Live From Bloomington project will take musical submissions until 5 p.m. Friday. Applications are available in the Union Board office and at the Indiana Memorial Union activities desk. Completed forms should be submitted at the activities desk.

Auditorium concert opens String Cheese Incident tour

Many concerts today are note-for-note replications of the artist's studio efforts, making the shows little more than a live performance of the album. Artists seem afraid to stretch their musical creativity on stage. These types of shows are entertaining, but since every show is similar, there is little reason to see the artist perform again.

30 years later Raitt still rocks

If the measure of a performer's longevity is the age range of the audience, then Bonnie Raitt is still rocking well into her third decade of performing.

Local politicians square off in forum

Four sets of county government candidates met last night at the Monroe County Public Library for an open debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.

Undecided voters quiz Bush, Gore

ST. LOUIS -- The town hall format in Tuesday night's presidential debate not only allowed the candidates to walk around, but gave more room for swinging a few punches.