OCR Text |
Show 11 ™DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE Thursday, April 27, 2006 Buzz-killefs Eryn Green Broken Social's self-titled release of 2005 is one gorgeous monster—a delicate stack of stray melodies, whiny vocals and rhythms so driven they nearly knock the whole arrangement off its base. From its stumbling opener, "Our Faces Split the Coast," Broken Social Scene is a fantastic joyride in one of indie-rock's premier vehicles—full of surprises, sharp turns and gear-changes. Broken Social Scene achieves a complexity and diversity on BSS unmatched by any other album of 2005—all while maintaining impressive focus and clarity. Poised for failure, Broken Social Scene released an album that surpassed even sky-high expectations— earning it a top spot as the best album of 2005. -M.H. Chronicle A&I: Editor Marshal Hogan Chronicle Writer Kanye West, Late Registration Kanye West is oversized in every way. The dude's got a big mouth (just ask George W.), a bigger ego (just ask Kanye) and the biggest record of 2005, period—Late Registration. Haters disagree—criticizing Kanye's soft-style spitting, uppercrusty fashion and pop-sensible hooks—but one of Kanye's greatest talents is his unfailing ability to use the vitriol of his detractors to his benefit. The equation follows: Kanye + Criticism * The Absolute Need to Prove Himself Over and Over and Over Again. And he does it, too. Evidenced by the slew of hits populating Late Registration—ranging from the biting "Diamonds From Sierra Leone" to the bio-hazardous "Goldigger" to the self-aware/gangsta-ass "Crack Music" and "Drive Slow"—Kanye proves he is one of only a handful of rappers equipped with the skill to back up his ego. What separates Late Registration from the rest of the 2005 pack is Kanye's ambition and scope. After his breakout debut, the classic College Dropout, Kanye could have sat on his ass and watched the money pile up based on reputation alone. But he didn't. Instead, Kanye opted to experiment with his sound, fingering orchestralweirdo Jon Brion to produce his sophomore album and collaborating with an all-star roster of dissimilar hip-hop heavyweights (from Nas to Jay-Z to Common to Adam Levine), I My Morning Jacket, Z My Morning Jacket front man, Jim James, has the coolest name in rock music. Just say it: Jim James. Say it slowly: Jiiim Jaaaaames. It rolls off the tongue. It kind of tingles. Sonically, it's nearly perfect. All of the same can be said of My Morning Jacket's stellar 2005 release, Z. It is at once a simple, peaceful record and an electric, energetic rock offering. Tracks like "Anytime" and "Lay Low" could've (and would've) been hits in at least seven different points in time over the last 20 years. The album seamlessly blends the band's former jam-rock disposition with a refined, catchy brand of pop restraint. The that Canadian-bred Broken Social result? One of the most creative, Scene would disappoint in 2005. Af- genre-busting records in years. ter all, 2002's You Forgot It in People Z has an almost Buddhist air of was one of the best indie-rock al- transcendent calm about it—a kind bums released this decade. So how of patience and faith in the beauty did this Canadian collective answer to the expectations? Loudly. See T O P A L B U M S Page 12 2 Here are 2005's standout albums, haters be damned proving that not only does he have the Louis Vuitton Don? Better question: What's not? the respect of his peers,'but also the -E.G. ability to hold his own alongside the best of them. (tie) Broken Social Scene, The only question left to answer in Broken Social Scene the wake of Late Registration's outstanding success is: What's next for It was almost a, sure bet A CELEBRATION OF SALT LAKE'S FOLK AND ETHNIC ARTS HIVING Rill110 May 19, 20, 21 Salt Lake City & County Building 1 LOTTE M07IE8? Pfrove i t ... Self Lake Film UPCOMING FILMS: Are you Lonely Tonight? Want some candy little girl? •IKHMH C 20O6 \ Sundance • J opening April 28th Film Venivtl^ ADMISSION IS FREE it's the 21st anniversary of the Living Traditions Festival and here's your chance t o get involved. By volunteering at the Living Traditions Festival, you have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the best traditional music, dance, crafts and foods of Salt Lake's ethnic communities! Shifts are available from May 17 - May 22 and times vary. .V"'.VV Volunteer opportunities include beverage t-;••••£$&' sales, merchandise sales, maintenance, • set-up & take-down, and many other exciting positions. Please contact Maggie k a t the Salt Lake City Arts Council, f 596-5000 or maggie.willis@slcgov.com for . more information and to sign-up. . 'Presented by Ihe Sail Lake CilyA/ts Council wilh su PP° r l ' I o m N10 U' a t l A r l s Council Folk Arts Program. BRICK opening May 12th '•Pin... the Pin?" "The pin, yeah." "I did what she said with the brick, I didn't know It was bad, but the pin's on ft now..." Call For details. Release Dates subject to change. Visit us online al www slcgov.com/3rt1 \ SA FILM LT LAKE V £ 5-J y film festival ^ ^ SOCIETY II a l l year Ions BROADWAY CENTRE TOWER THEATRE 111 E. 300 S. 876 E. 900 S. 801,321.0310 www.saltlakefilmsociety.org Enhance your ^^, __ EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES and become a ^ _ VALUABLE ASSET! Sub'siarxre abuse atYecrs millions ofAincricans, Substance (Smployyes cost their employers twice us much in medial and worker compensation claims ns non-using workers* Substance abuse will n(Tect you at some point in your lire it may be yourself, n family member, n Friend, n neighbor, or nn employee I n o n l y 3 s e n i c s l o r s , &<*>n t h e k n o w l e d g e a n d s k i l l s necessary to address these challenging issues. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Newly Approved Undergraduate Oeitificate help you open doors Applications are now being accepted Deadline for Ihe 2006-2007 program is June I , 2OO6 Find out more! U C'all Irene ot (SOI ) 58 I SO I 3 or y o online to www.socwk.utnh.edu/pikce - v; \ \ | | l x \ •) . College of Social Work n tL-: ur-Jivim*iri Y o r U I A I I |