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Show A5 Monday • June 16, 2008 Lamborghinis, Sacs, and the Senior Captain of the Wilderness Brethren A L B U M R E V I E W S THE RED ALBUM: not so great Greg W i l c o x J Life writer <*••' ' £ • % Gian Pierotti Allan Ludwig Sego Art Center's latest exhibit stimulates thoughtful dialogue amongst artists gression and narrative in curatorial settings," Sego Arts Director Jason Metcalf said Displaying the talent of in a recent press release for local artists is at the heart of the event. Each artist has their own what the Sego Arts Center in unique sets of strengths, each Provo seeks to accomplish. telling interesting stories and With its latest art exhibit the vanguard institution does giving well-developed messages in their art. just that. Allan Ludwig's art presOn June 6,2008, the Sego Art Center opened Lambo- ents animate and inanimate rghinis, Sacs, And The Senior objects and geometric shapes Captain Of The Wilderness and forms in what at first Brethren, an exhibition cu- seems to be an arbitrary arrated by Jason Metcalf with rangement. But, when given work by three emerging art- time to sink in, the shapes ists: Allan Ludwig, Rebecca and forms Ludwig uses yield sophisticated relationships Neely, and Gian Pierotti. This artistic endeavor which help to create equality seeks to display what these between the complete work artists have to offer, leaving and its parts, which possess it to the viewers to find what individual and relevant identities. connections they may. Rebecca Neeley's piece "This three person exhibit draws formal and con- is composed of nearly 1000 ceptual lines between the crudely made sacks of fabric three artists' lines which are that each represent, physioften not straight or read- cally and symbolically, a ily discernible, and which day she has sought concepsometimes travel beyond the tion. The cloth, sewing, and sphere of the artist, resulting gender specific theme refin a show which challenges erences feminist materials, viewer's experiences of pro- which forms an important Greg WIIcox -,. Life writer C O N C E R T | part of the piece's concept. Gian Pierotti's 3-D creations, also on display, resemble extraterrestrial polygonal forms or amphibious creatures. Seeking to overcome the lumpy context in which clay is usually molded, Pierotti has created large pieces that defy convention. Offering insight into the unique methods Pierotti employed, Metcalf explained, "This aspiration was a product of having a Lamborghini Countach poster placed on his wall as an adolescent in the late 1980s. The slick lines of the race car, ingrained within his subconscious, inspired Pierotti to achieve machined edges in a material that defies precision." Exhibit open to the public through June 28th, 12-8 Monday through Saturday. Sego Arts Center located at 169 N. University Ave, Provo UT. www. segoarts.org. When Weezer announced that they would be releasing their sixth album, fans held out some tonguein-cheek hope that the geekrock pioneers would find their groove again. Though their last release, Make Believe, had its moments, for the most part it was lackluster and uninspired. Still, those brief encouraging moments were a dangled carrot above the devout fans' heads, and hope, albeit small, still existed. But after a listen through of The Red Album, that idealistic and hopeful thought has been vanquished. Starting off the album with a song called "Troublemaker," Cuomo tries to assert how much of a, well, troublemaker he is. It sounds like it would be a rockin* sound to hear and see live, but the attempt at irony in the lyrics comes off as sappy. Though revealing, "Heartsongs" is underwhelming and tediously boring. On this track, Rivers describes his early metal influences that taught him "how to shred," describing with intimate detail the moment he first heard Nirvana and how that redefined his musical direction and "broke his bonds." "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived" is painful to listen to. Sorry, but Cuomo just shouldn't rap; it's not his style. This song reeks of the maudlin. The worst is when Rivers does the midsong talking he introduced • on the dreadful "Beverly Hills." He says, "Act one, Amazon.com I was struggling to survive. Act two, I hit the big time, and bodies be all up on my behind." If that's not bad enough, it's followed by a curious part where a choir sings counter-point melody, and it doesn't fit well. It could have been a really good song if they followed the format of the last 40 seconds. But the unbearable aspects of the song weigh too heavily and preclude any possibility of listenable redemption. "Thought I Knew," a song that the now softer Cuomo let Brian Bell put on the record, is all right. Its problem is also the biggest problem with the album in general: the way in which it was recorded. It's too pol- ished, like the way Christian Rock is, and seems to beg to be on a commercial. I blame Rick Rubin. Since he took the helm with Make Believe, this is the result Weezer has been getting. Apparently they have no qualms with his methods, so long as their albums sell. Long gone are the loud and obnoxious overdriven guitars, key changes, feedback, and tasty solos of the band's first albums. "Everybody Get Dangerous" is closer to something written by Kid Rock than Weezer. Nevertheless, it's on the album, and will confuse the band's core fans. "Dreamin"' is too squeaky clean, and is a rehashed "hit." The sad thing is that it is probably one of the better songs on the album. In sum, this album is more similar to modern pop-country music than the defining music that Weezer graced us with in the 1990s. Their music since has been on the decline; now we're at the rock bottom of their legacy. It is true that they face harsh judgment as a result of their previous work. Still, one cannot simply wipe away the past, and Weezer has permanently set high the expectations for their band. After this album, though, it seems these will never be fulfilled. Chris Merrit releases second album with a barbeque R E V I E W S Breeders showcase Mountain Battles at the Depot Jonathan Poole Life writer | ers.' On June 21 at 8 p.m. when local band Chris Merritt releases their second album, Pixie And The Bear, at extravagant at all. But there Venue, it would have been a seasoned rock stars. the Velour Live Music GalGreg Wilcox • The band covered "Hap- is a humility and light-heartfull house. lery in Provo, you'll be getLife writer ting an indie rock show and Starting off the set with piness is a Warm Gun" by edness the Deals carry with them that makes their efforts the Beatles, and also a couple a free barbecue - two out of "It's the Love" and "Little Rock royalty often grants at continuing to make music songs from fellow Dayton the three things that make Fury," the Breeders cranked the Deal sisters and their very appropriate and endearOhio neighbor bands Guided summer in Utah tolerable, up the amps and let the reband, the Breeders, staing. By Voices and and that isn't bad. verb loose. tus and respect amongst its The Tasty's. The crowd this night felt The drunkAfter their 10-day tour elites. Kim Deal, having At one point, like cheerleaders. We wantin Japan, Chris Merritt's been the bassist for the leg- en crowd Kim got con- ed the Breeders to succeed show here will be the only endary Pixies, ensures that w h o o p e d fused as to against the adversities of holplace to get the brand-new, the group at least has a con- and which po- age, the typical years of pre- 22-song, double-disc album sideration in this category. lered besition the vious drug-use turmoil, and for a couple weeks, since But the Breeders, with their tween every switch on her the overwhelming expectait will debut on iTunes and sporadic releases, have also song. The guitar needed tions that usually make rock Amazon in early July. And, managed to earn their own crowd could to be at to reunions more pathetic than according to the band, it admirers, inspiring one band hardly recool. Fortunately, instead of play rhythm will be entirely worth it to strain their to write the song "Cool As pathetic, it was fun, and they and asked get this release early. adoration, Kim Deal.". And, indeed, ireg Wilcox/ UVU Review succeeded. Kelly for cool she is. "It just sounds epic ... there are a lot of cool conThe Breeders stopped by b u r s t i n g The Breeders playing at the Depot. help. They also discept songs," band manager to jam out at the Depot on out, "I love The Breeders newest and drummer Tim Fellow Tuesday, May 27, shortly you Kim! You too Kelly!" cussed the challenges of album, Mountain Batsaid. after performing at The Sas- Throughout the set, Kim having a mother afflicted tles, was released April 7 and is available online quatch Music Festival the and Kelly engaged in witty, with Alzheimer's. Chris Merritt, the titular True, the Breeders have and everywhere CDs are front man and songwriter previous weekend. It wasn't sisterly banter that removed a huge crowd for this venue, the veil of mystery and supe- already had their glory days, sold. was also very excited. but had it been at, say, In The riority sometimes shrouding which arguably were not that "It's just crisp and it just explodes out of the speak- For the uninitiated, Virginia native Chris Merritt joined with two Utah locals in 2007, going on to win the Velour Summer Battle of the Bands last June. Last July they were selected as one of the six finalists in the Independent Music World Series. This past year Chris Merritt has toured extensively, hitting venues in California, Nevada and the East Coast, as well as opening for Ben Folds in April. And while the band has a good time on tour, they'll always have a special place in their hearts for Utah. "We feel like rock stars when we play Utah," he said. Tickets for the show will be available at the Velour Live Music Gallery when the doors open at 8 p.m. for $6. Tickets are general admission. The barbecue is free. Pixie And The Bear will be on sale after the show for $12. UVUreview.com |j Festival Cinemas By University Mall 959 South 700 East - Orem (801) 226-1770 WE ARE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS 11:30 LITTLE Made Of Honor PG-13 1:10 3:10 5:20 7:30 9:40 11:40 writers photographers designers Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who G 11:20 1:20 3:20 5:20 7:20 11:30 apply in SC220 Nims Island PG 1:30 3:30 5:30 7:35 9:30 11:30 Married Life PG-13 11:30 1:30 3:30 5:30 7:30 9:20 11:20 Under The Same Moon (La Misma Luna) PG 11:20 7:10 9:20 11:30 LOWEST ADMISSION & CONCESSION PRICES IN UTAH VALLEY IJ CARE May 30 through July 24 HALF PRICE TICKETS-STUDENT RUSH • Students w/current ID con buy HALF PRICE Monday - Thursday tix week of show date. • Students w/current ID can buy HALF PRICE Friday & Saturday after 4 p.m. day of show. HALE CENTER THEATER OREM Regular price on any cut and I | s r 801.226.8600-v 225 West 400 North " vnvw.HaleTheater.com t J §5"OUUU st >'*e» co'or sWiee or perm 2230 N. University Pkwy., (Cottontrw Square) • Pro™, UT 84604 Advanced Studio excluded Coupon Expires June 3 0 . 2008 All *rvka ptrft>med by staJtw in • MustprtftMlii*pcmNoi\iiriJ*itfimyoiherprvmotianl |