Region

Soccer to end season on road

This weekend is supposed to be an uneventful one for the men's soccer team. Coach Jerry Yeagley traditionally gives the team a week off before the Big Ten Tournament so it can rest -- both physically and mentally. But this year will be different.

Decade of dance, lifetime of hope

Many students struggle to stay awake during class, let alone trying to stay awake for 36 hours of dancing. But that's exactly what 700 dancers in the 10th annual Dance Marathon will be trying to do this weekend. The Marathon begins at 8 p.m. tonight in the Health, Physical, Education and Recreation gymnasium.

Colin Powell to speak

Gen. Colin Powell, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff -- a man urged by many to seek the presidency, a philanthropic leader and, depending on the outcome of the presidential election, a likely candidate for Secretary of State -- will visit campus today and speak in the IU Auditorium.

Hoosiers to face Athletes in Action

After weeks of slamming against themselves in practice, men's basketball will finally face another team. The Hoosiers' preparation for the regular season begins against Athletes in Action at 2 p.m. Sunday in Assembly Hall. IU will play a second exhibition game Nov. 10 against Marathon Oil before facing Pepperdine University in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament Nov. 14.

Style, flair distinguish sophomore's play

Juggling and whipping soccer balls across the field to wide-open teammates and tricking defenders, Marcus Chorvat, a sophomore midfielder on the men's soccer team, is known for his stylish play.

Freshmen's season disappoints

Freshman midfielder Emily Hotz can't even remember the last time a team of hers had a losing season.

Time runs out for winning season

No longer does IU have next week to fall back upon. After every loss, the Hoosiers have quickly turned their attention to the next week. But this is it. There are no more weeks to look to if IU plans on a winning season or a bowl game bid.

Small size, big plays for Floyd

Junior defensive back Marcus Floyd said he's blessed. He's not blessed in physical stature. Floyd stands just 5-foot-9 and weighs 191 pounds.

'IDS' editor selected

The IDS Publications Board picked the spring semester's editor in chief Thursday

Linkin Park\'s \'Hybrid\' perfect in theory, not in practice

The term "oversaturation" is about as common among music executives as the word "surrender" was to Napoleon. If the A&R leaders sign one more "nu-metal" (aka Korn) band, the count will be at one more than I can handle. Enter Linkin Park.

Guru holds his own with guest singers on \'Jazzmataz Streetsoul\'

Usually when a CD is showered with guest vocalists on every single song, one must proceed with caution. It is a frequent sign that the singer cannot pull his or her own weight. However, Guru's Jazmatazz uses these guest vocalists efficiently, and his soulful style is not overshadowed.

Local band\'s new album as solid as \'Wood and Steel\'

The Deric Rush Band is further proof of the range and depth of the Bloomington music scene. The blues-mixed-with-classic-rock sound is a great listen every time. The music is new, but it has the awesome, true feeling most often associated with the rockers of days past.

Aesop\'s lyrics \'Float\' above the rest

Hip-hop's metaphorical king, AesopROCK, has a lot to say on his first label-supported album, Float. The 20-track LP offers some of hip-hop's most interesting lyrics to date. Float's production has its ups and downs, but overall, the beats prove to be a perfect soundtrack for Aesop to confuse us with.

Ja Rule\'s new album more radio-friendly, lacks imagination

Anyone who listened to Ja Rule's 1999 debut Venni Vetti Vecci and the compilation Irv Gotti presents … The Murderers knows how annoying the Murder Inc. crew can get. Both of those albums are so single-mindedly obsessed with murder and death that you get tired of them before you want to play them again. But who can blame the Murder Inc.? Half of the East Coast rappers, including Cam'ron and The LOX, mistake trash talking with street cred.

Nonpoint not bad

South Florida metal band Nonpoint made a pretty decent debut with its freshman release Statement. Unlike many of its metal compatriots, Nonpoint can actually harmonize and, for the most part, exceed the clichés of incoherent lyrics, over-bearing guitar riffs and the angsty B.S. that so many other metal bands are rife with. Sounding like a hybrid of 311 and the Deftones, Nonpoint exudes a smooth yet ruffled sound.

Music school alum jazzes it up on new album

IU's jazz studies department can be proud. Kyle Quass, hailing from the School of Music with his master's in jazz studies, has just released another CD that testifies to the nation's top jazz program. Eye of the Beholder starts strong and carries the talent all the way to the end.

New Less Than Jake album less than stellar

Borders and Boundaries marks Less Than Jake's 77th release and fifth full-length album of original material. It is quite an accomplishment for a band that has only been around for eight years and has released most of its material on independent labels. The band's latest album might be an example of how all this time and non-stop touring has taken it toll.

\'Giving birth to a stone\' just Peach-y

Somehow this reviewer thinks that giving birth to a stone would be horribly painful, but listening to Peach's rerelease of Giving Birth to a Stone is surely not.

Clowns

"Shhh, it's a dead body in my trunk. Wanna see it? F**k around and you\'ll be it." That's right, Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope are back -- back and lamer than ever. The shock-rock rap duo Insane Clown Posse just released its latest album, Bizzar, which fails artistically on a number of levels. Poor spelling is the least of ICP's woes. Then again, that's something of a given -- it would be hard to say Insane Clown Posse has a lot going for it in terms of band concept. Granted, rock isn't known for a rich intellectual tradition. Still, the psycho ninja clown schtick -- it really can't get any more inane.

The week in music