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Show 0 3: 8 - DIXIE SUN Set yourself to Motion; Dropkick that eardrum CD REVIEW BY JARED BURTON Dixie Sun Sports Editor Thank you to the music gods for not only one, but two buyable releases from Dropkick Murphys and Motion City Soundtrack. After Tuesdays release of their third album, Motion City Soundtrack, who has released all three albums off Epitaph Records, are even more primed now to receive national spotlight. The group has already tasted some success because of the immense popularity of singles such as The Future Freaks Me Out and the huge single off their second album Commit This To Memory, Everything Is Alright. The new album, Even if it Kills Me, is sure to please audiences of all listeners. The label they often receive is poppunk, but who cares what they are? They produce great music. Even if it Kills Me will be released on Epitaph Records, which also houses such acts as Pennywise, Bad Religion and Converge and has the stereotype of being a haven for bands with heavier sounds. If that is what youre looking for then dont pick them up because they will not fill that full-lengt- h Motion City Soundtrack drops their third album on Epitaph records, Even if it Kills Me. need for your musical hunger. Motion City Soundtrack has more music that makes you feel great about life in general. Lead singer Justin Pierres vocal styling remains melodic and at the same time can seem as wild and loud as his appearance would suggest. One thing that you will notice is this album, as opposed to the other two, has a sense of completion to it. This could be partially due to the fact that the album had great music minded producers Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) and Rick Ocasek (The Cars). The constantly maturing sound the band is producing is amazing and contradictory to the poppunk scene. MCS has been notorious for having deep, meaningful lyrics sung over a well put together, energizing music bed. None of this is more evident than in songs like Broken Heart in which Pierre discusses past hardships. The lyrics on this album are one of the most influential parts of MSCs music. Songs like Dropkick Murphys look to gain more national appeal with their sixth studio album, The Meanest of Times." Even if it Kills Me and This is for Real" are relatable for listeners. for This is a must-buanyone who is a remote y fan of the group. Now on to a staple of rock: The Dropkick Murphys are back with their sixth album, The Meanest of Times, on Born & Bred Records. Dropkick has been around the punk music scene since 1997 after their first release of Do or Die" and have gone through several lineup changes. However, they did not seem to be truly noticed by the average full-lengt- h music fan until Martin Scorsese used their music from their last release, The Warriors Code, on the soundtrack of the award winning film, The Departed. So many have asked the question of how the band would respond to their most successful album to date. Answer: Not only as a fan of the group and a fan of everything Boston, I think they followed up extremely well. If you have never heard the Dropkick Murphys then I truly feel sorry for you. To imagine the sound, think of the die-har- d consummation of punk rock and Celtic music fused together like in the segment called If They Mated on Late Night with Conan OBrien." The majority of their songs are written with that working class hero feel to it with lyrics to match. The band has a perfect blend of everything from bagpipes and accordions to mandolins and thin whistles. The first single on the album is called The State of Massachusetts," which deals with abuse and the state taking families kids away. This real ly seems to be the theme of the album, and that is dealing through the rough times in ones life The thing that is great about Dropkick albums is they speak the truth through their lyrics, and it never seems to be a feeling of despair. The music suggests good things will happen, and there is constant hope with constant struggle. I can tell you all you would ever want to know about either of these two great albums, but the fact of the matter is that you will still need to hear them and experience them for yourselves to get the true heart and emotion out of them. If you want to listen to some sample tracks of each album I suggest MySpace or visiting each bands Web sites at or Sears Art Gallery to showcase Reunion on DSC campus BY JACKIE FLETCHER Dixie Sun A&E Editor Showcasing 24 different artists from around the United States, the newest show at the Sears Art Gallery is a unique addition to the Dixie State College campus. Reunion, as it is called, displays the work of artists who are all friends and who have all attended Brigham Young University within about a span, said Kathy Cieslewicz, Sears Art Gallery curator. Cieslewicz said the opening of the show on Sept. 7 was very successful, with about half of the artists in attendance. She said she qame up with the theme of the show while talking to her friend, Rebecca Wagstaff. We were talking and I asked her if she could put together a list of her friends because I knew who a lot of them were, and I wanted to have them in the gallery, Cieslweicz said. We just started making a list of friends that she knew that were successful, and then I asked those people to think of other people, and we came up with the 24 artists who pretty much know each other and are successful? artists. Cieslewicz said I t although they attended the same" college, the artists were all influenced by different teachers, mak-inthe artwork very diverse in g The featured artists of Reunion include Clay and Rebecca Wagstaff, Steven Lee Adams, Cassandra Barney, Brad Aldridge, Bruce Brainard, Michael Workman, .Chris Young, Douglass Fryer, Brian Kershisnick, Ron Richmond, Stephen Bartholomew, Joe and Lee Bennion, Royden Card, Jenni Christensen, Patrick Devonas, Mark England, Doug Himes, David Linn, Todd Stilson, Kraig Varner, Laura Lee, Stay Bradshaw and LeRoy Transfield. The art ranges from sculptures, pottery, oils on linen and canvas, and original prints just to name a few. About half of the artwork displayed is for sale, Cieslewicz said. While much of it is more expensive than most college students can afford, Cieslewicz recommended that students think more about collecting artwork for investment purposes or otherwise. Cieslewicz said: We have wonderful artists in Utah. Students should start thinking about how they can become art collectors. Its important to get original artwork into your home as artwork historically never goes down in value. She said it is appreciated when art is purchased from the show, as purchases contribute to keeping the gallery up and running. Art is subjective; it really has to be something that moves you, and what moves you may not move me , or the next per-son- Cieslewicz said. Everything that you do m style. your life brings Child of Light by Laura It made it Lee Bradford you to that point is among kind of hard several statues on display where youre to hang and at the gallery. standing in front of that painting, organize the show because it is so whether it moves you or diverse, Cieslweicz said. not. Mark England portrays his view of the United States and South America with Gallery will be showing Reunion" until Nov. 17. Cieslewicz said students are always welcome to go to her office in the Eccles Fine Arts Center if they have questions or would like a tour of the gallery. She also said the gallery is always in need of volunteers to help put up shows, take them down, or simply just to watch the gallery. Art professor Glen Blakley said he thinks Reunion is a great show. He said the turnout for its reception was exceptional, with at least 250 people in attendance. Blakley, who used to teach at BYU, even gave artist Joe Bennion his first pottery class. He said he has always respected Bennion and his work, as well as that of his wife, Lee's Lee is a very talented painter, Blakley said. Blakley said he thinks the show is very powerful, and he is amazed that all of the artists were willing to send their art from all over the United States. I enjoyed it immensely," Blakley said. To see art that is new and fresh is like tasting food youve never tasted before. He said he thinks Dixie State College is lucky to have Cieslewicz, as she has done a lot for the arts. We are just blessed to have her here; she is a first-ratcurator, Blakley said. Cieslewicz said her main concern about the gallery is that students are aware of it. Part of getting a good education is knowing about culture and art, so this is a really good opportunity for students," Cieslewicz said. She said students are welcome to go in and sit in the gallery anytime it is open. Students can go in there and sit on the couch and just contemplate the rt, Cieslewicz said. They can read, and its a quiet place Reunion" can be seen in the Sears Art Gallery Monday-Frida- colors and intricate details. The Sears Art y 9 a.m. to pm. through Nov. 17. Arrangements can also 5 jssel be made for Saturday viewings. e Ron Richmond displays subtle beauty in his paintings. Three of pieces can be seen in "Reunion. I s |