Region

Bleu cries for the real world

By Jessica Halverson and Jesscia Halverson · Thursday, Feb. 20,2003 12 a.m.

Morning breaks over Bleu's Creek. There sits dejected Bleu on the deck, gazing at the sunrise. Last night his girlfriend dumped him. Read the lines of depression and frustration in his face. Then from nature's quiet, an acoustic guitar crescendos. In comes a melodic, slightly lost voice, singing words that rhyme. Welcome to Bleu's Redhead. With just enough distortion so as not to scare all the little girls away, Bleu has penned ballads that are more prone to the "Real World"/"Road Rules" episodes (four tracks have been used for those shows already) than to playing on anyone's CD player

A quiet disturbance at the window

By Elizabeth R. Ross and Elizabeth Ross · Thursday, Feb. 20,2003 12 a.m.

A vague disturbance is making me anxious, like I'm being watched. This must be how it feels to sense an earthquake's approach or feel the air change just before a funnel cloud drops. A contemplative pause reveals the storm's origin is outside Massive Attack's 100th Window. Played loudly, it would be a quiet album. At moderate to low volume, it's somehow more effective and sneaky. As a guest vocalist, Sinead O'Connor's gentle vocals had lulled me into a relaxed, introspective mood. But, as the album progressed, it began to fill the room like a murky, sick-green smoke.

All hail the new kings of rock &roll

By K James Sward · Thursday, Feb. 20,2003 12 a.m.

If only rock and roll was a monarchy, Kings of Leon would fit right in. In an industry where talent is said to be in abundance there have been few records released to justify such a reputation -- until now. In their debut EP, the Kings of Leon serve up classic sounds in the style of 60s rock. At times the Nashville quartet's lead singer, Caleb Followill, calls upon the smoky, soulful vocal style of the late George Harrison, but the bulk of the material rings with originality.

Rock and Roll classes offer a new twist on school

By Jamieson Hawkins · Thursday, Feb. 20,2003 12 a.m.

Classes are sometimes thought of as dry and dull, compromised of tasks used more as nap time than for taking notes. But that's what you're paying tuition for, so you drag yourself through the slush against your will. But if you look hard enough, you can find classes that genuinely spark your interest and have you actually looking forward to the next lecture.

Directors latest a throwback to previous work

By -Alec Toombs · Thursday, Feb. 20,2003 12 a.m.

Fans of Steven Soderbergh's "Out of Sight," "Erin Brockovich" or "Ocean's 11," expecting to see something similarly light and entertaining from his recent work, "Full Frontal," will be gravely disappointed.

Affleck less than daring in 'Daredevil'

By -Alec Toombs · Thursday, Feb. 20,2003 12 a.m.

Having been a longtime fan of "Daredevil" (especially the issues penned by Frank Miller and Kevin Smith), I had high hopes for its cinematic incarnation. Lo and behold, I emerged from the theater in bittersweet fashion. Much of what's presented is well done, but a lot also sucked bad.

9 bullets plus 19 tracks equals 50 Cent

By -Daniel Minchella · Thursday, Feb. 20,2003 12 a.m.

Being the hot new rapper of the moment means having Eminem and Dr. Dre as your mentors, two singles in the top 5 and wearing a bulletproof vest every day. Having the most hyped album in hip hop and having beef with almost everyone gives 50 Cent a good reason to put his vest on before his underwear. Such is life in the spotlight and the crosshairs.

Dreamy album colorfully moody

By Jessica Palmer · Thursday, Feb. 20,2003 12 a.m.

One Bedroom, the 5th release from Chicago's The Sea and Cake, is a soft interpretation of music as an expression of art. The music itself is what truly drives this album, as synthesizers and guitars blend with quick, danceable beats to form tight, refined pop grooves. The breathy voice of singer Sam Prekop is a complement to the instrumentation, and his echoed, dreamy approach gives the album some continuity and helps establish the mellow tone of One Bedroom. The album is easy to listen to, but is best suited to specific moods of the listener, something to pop in when you're feeling quiet, reflective or creative.

Cunningham helps art live on

By Natalie A. Trout · Thursday, Feb. 20,2003 12 a.m.

When Michael Cunningham finished what he thought would be his artsy little novel, he expected to sell a few thousand copies and retire as gracefully as possible. It never crossed his mind, or the mind of his agent or editor, that "The Hours" would be a hit. Little did they know that it would win the Pulitzer Prize or be elegantly turned into a movie that would garner Golden Globe and Oscar nominations.

Almodóvar at his finest, arguably also his tamest

By by Isaac Edwards and Isaac Edwards · Thursday, Feb. 20,2003 12 a.m.

Near-unsolvable moral dilemmas. Sexual expression a la kink. Criss-crossed gender roles. No, I'm not talking about the latest political scandal. Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar is back at his old tricks with his new film, the critically-acclaimed and controversial "Talk to Her." Cleaning up on an international level, the film has garnered a mass of awards and has been nominated for two Academy awards, for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.

Around The Region

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Feb. 19,2003 11:57 p.m.

Second pension worker charged with ID theft Leak might have started fire at BP Amoco refinery Accused man accepts life without parole for murder of sheriff's deputy

Grant to benefit blast furnace research

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Feb. 19,2003 11:56 p.m.

HAMMOND -- Researchers at Purdue University Calumet plan to use a $1.3 million grant to develop technology that will help prolong the life of blast furnaces by predicting where erosion is occurring.

Evansville plans $25 million stadium

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Feb. 19,2003 11:55 p.m.

EVANSVILLE -- City officials are pushing ahead with plans to begin construction of a $25 million downtown minor-league baseball stadium in June. The city's Redevelopment Commission approved resolutions Tuesday to allow the borrowing of up to $13 million and the hiring of companies to design the 6,000-seat stadium.

House endorses gambling bill

By Alyson Brodsy and Shannon Dininny · Wednesday, Feb. 19,2003 11:55 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Two House committees endorsed bills Wednesday that would expand gambling in Indiana, including one that would allow the state's two horse tracks to install slot-like machines at four sites.

Proposal for local Best Buy faces community concerns

By Lori Geller · Wednesday, Feb. 19,2003 11:53 p.m.

Best Buy, the nation's top electronics retailer, may face many obstacles before coming to Bloomington. As a result of the community's negative response, Best Buy's two- year effort to build a store in Bloomington is being put on hold. The construction of Best Buy raised community concerns regarding traffic problems and the possible relocation of many local businesses.

Bleu cries for the real world

A quiet disturbance at the window

All hail the new kings of rock &roll

Rock and Roll classes offer a new twist on school

Directors latest a throwback to previous work

Affleck less than daring in 'Daredevil'

9 bullets plus 19 tracks equals 50 Cent

Dreamy album colorfully moody

Cunningham helps art live on

Almodóvar at his finest, arguably also his tamest

Around The Region

Grant to benefit blast furnace research

Evansville plans $25 million stadium

House endorses gambling bill

Proposal for local Best Buy faces community concerns

Can you spare a dime?

Are you a good fan?

NATO approves Turkey aid

Israeli forces invade Gaza City

India refuses meeting with Pakistan

IU employee arrested after pointing firearm at cyclists in Bloomington

UPDATED: Braun announces 3 new members of the IU Board of Trustees. Here’s what to know:

Faculty letter criticizes IU’s removal of Rick Van Kooten as arts and sciences dean

Tom Froehle appointed IU vice president and general counsel

GUEST COLUMN: IU must lead the reconstruction of academic freedom and civic life