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Show W&tenrfDiversions Page 6 Friday, Jan. 23, 2009 Sound Affects: Music reviews and ratings impulses. On the songs where this approach works, namely "Not a Robot, But a Ghost" and "Anonanimal," Andrew Bird: "Noble Beast" the results are stunning com(Fat Possum) (rating: 6) plex songs that sound organic, rather than fussed over. With the exception of However, where it doesn't a few standouts, "Noble quite work the results are Beast" finds Chicago multi- mixed; songs meander in instrumentalist Andrew Bird search of an ending, melinching toward the middle of odies float in the air but the road. Luckily, the instru- never quite come into focus. mental bonus disc "Useless Most of the songs that make Animals" picks up some up "Noble Beast" fall into of the slack. If "Armchair the latter category, making Apocrypha" was Bird's it the most uneven album reaction against his previ- in Bird's solo catalog by a ous albums' string-heavy wide margin. Bird should bent, then this latest full- have reworked a few of the length in turn serves as a selections from "Useless reaction against "Armchair Creatures" into experimental Apocrypha." Cone are the pop songs, thereby tempersonically generous com- ing his lack of risk taking on positions, as well as much "Noble Beast." By pursuing of the apocalyptic subject just such a hybrid approach, matter and black humor of Bird could have reconciled that record. In their place his two halves: pop auteur you'll find breezy melo- and experimental composer, dies, acoustic instrumenta- neurotic producer and easytion and songs that easily going improviser. stretch out to six or seven - Mehan Jayasuriya minutes. On "Noble Beast," you hear the sound of the Robert Pollard: "The maestro at his most relaxed Crawling Distance" (Guided as he loosens his grip on the by Voices) (rating: 8) reins, allowing melodies to blossom at their own pace. If Robert Pollard's postUnfortunately, this approach Guided by Voices career has cuts both ways. Bird is a seemed a bit aimless and notoriously meticulous song- impermanent, it's not due to writer and composer and a lack of output. Uncle Bob here he makes an obvious is as prolific as ever, but for attempt to confront those the past couple of years his From POPMATTERS.COM Associated Press Twelve/' "Prophets" and "Thunderbolts" all have a stop and go nature to their melodies. But though the first half of the record is a solid set of songs, it is just a warm up for the brilliant second half. The one-two punch of the Donald Barthelmereferencing "The Palace at 4 A.M." and "Changeling (Get Guilty)" are perhaps the finA.C. Newman: "Get Guilty" est songs Newman has ever written. The former is the (Matador) (rating: 8) closest "Get Guilty" comes If we're to believe A.C. to sounding like the New Newman's take on his own Pornographers. It's on the work, then the last New sixth or seventh listen, when Pornographers' album, the album starts revealing "Challengers," was the mel- secrets to you, where the lowest record he can make. real juice can be found. Therefore, his sophomore It's that depth that makes solo "Get Guilty" is a move Newman one of the finest towards something more songwriters going today, rock. What might have held and this new album could "Challengers" back is that be his best work to date. the album felt a little con- "Get Guilty" isn't a record trolled. Newman's meticu- that you just listen to, it's an lous recording was laid bare album you live in, an album without a bunch of heavy you get to know, an album guitar riffs, and it made the you'll find hard to forget. record feel like it was over- - Matthew Fiander thought in places. It's not rock music in that way. But Actress: "Hazyvilie" (Werk) it is a guitar driven record (rating: 7) and, like Newman's first solo album, it strikes a nice balDarren J. Cunningham, ance between his intricate co-founder of the laudable arrangements and an imme- Werk Discs label, finally diate, opened-up sound. At releases his long-awaited first listen, the album seems and long-hyped full-length to pull away from Newman's album as Actress, and it's natural talent for melody. a good 'un. Werk's recent "There are Maybe Ten or stable of high quality CD 'cause that's who you are" you can feel a freedom in him. The way he sings on this record notes makes him sound like he's found the joy in rocking, again. In short, he seems to have rediscovered who he is as a performer. This is an album you can build a career around. - Matthew Fiander career has seemed to lack a sturdy center. Until now. With the advent of his new band, Boston Spaceships, Pollard seems to have been jolted back to life. Their first disc, "Brown Submarine," was a brilliantly goofy pop album, and brought back a childlike zeal in Pollard. "The Crawling Distance," his new solo album, takes that energy and launches it in a completely different, more cohesive, direction. This is the most consistent and energetically catchy batch of songs Pollard has given us in a decade. "Faking my Harlequin" announces his intentions with propulsive drums and a clear, high in the mix Pollard sneering through the verses, before his high and nasal keen flies us through ihe choruses. From there, the record shows a surprising amount of variety in its ten tracks. Pollard offers some slower numbers, like the mid-tempo "Red Cross Vegas Night" and the acoustic ballad "It's Easy." Neither loses its bite by slowing down, and each offers a refreshingly emotional performance. "The Butler Stands for Us All" is classic Pollard in both elements and execution. The melodies are airtight, the sliding guitar note is infectious, and when he sings "It pays to know who you are, Kappa Delta Sorority Flags: Behind the controversy Making GREAT Things Happen! Perfect Partner. Committed to inspiring each and every member to lead a values-based life & providing opportunities for lifetime involvement. Let us help plan your big day. Growth through lifetime learning Responsibility for our own integrity & ethical actions Your Best Choice for Wedding Invitations & paper goods Engagement in social and civic interests Altruistic service to others Truth and loyalty to each other & our University Membership Recruitment Events: Jan 27 (7 pm) and Jan 29 (8 pm) 675 North 800 East, Logan 630 West 200 North || SQUARE O N E 753-8875 I* R. I N I I N G www.kappadelta.org » « } • * • ! - • . • * , • ' » » * * • •A ' T'R'E'E Center ^iantdruf ( with (Engagement Ring purchase Jne Diamond halleru 12 West Main ^RexBurg,TO83440 208-359-2500 (Wejcr to Taco WeCC) 45 ^fortd Uain • Logan, 'UT*84321 ' 435/53-4&/O ext t0 releases put the imprint on the electronica map, first with the warped ragga of Disrupt's "Foundation Bit," then with the wonky dubstep of Zomby's "Where Were U in '92?," As dubstep and this stripe of J Dillainfluenced downtempo resurged simultaneously in 2008, Werk became a bellwether almost overnight, its preferred musical trends and preferred medium of distribution the secret recipe for its success. Following in the tradition of Werk albums before it, "Hazyvilie" attempts to tackle another genre currently enjoying a renaissance: deep house. As it turns out, though, Actress's version of deep house isn't very deep at all. "Hazyvilie" is a far cry from a horror soundtrack, but its brittle and uncommonly rubbery textures can leave us feeling out of sorts, bewitched and bewildered. It's a testament to the music that despite the cloud of hype hanging over the record and the hallowed place it holds in the Werk catalogue, it still has a peculiar out-of-nowhere aura about it. With its eerie black-and-white cover art as a visual reference, it'll provoke a reaction of "what is this thing?" - Mike Newmark : Tersian Teacocfy i/3/ <tfurCey <Drive TocaTeRo,TO83202 208-238-9700 ("Across From *Ross) tExcfudes affother offers, "Restrictions ma\j ajtpfy. See store for details, 9 continued from page 4 According to Sanctioning the public desecration of the flag will tarFreedomForum.org, Justice William Brennan, in writing nish its value- both for those who cherish the ideas for for the 5-4 majority said, which it waves and for those > "We do not consecrate ihe who desire to don the robes flag by punishing its desof martyrdom by burning ecration, for in doing so we it." dilute the freedom that this cherished emblem reprePhil Monday, sophomore sents." , .. in English creative writing Megan Brown, sophosaid, "The flag is a symbol of more in nursing, said burnwhat the United States is, a ing the flag is a harmless country built upon the ideas action which should not be of freedom and equality." prohibited. The flag represents peo"We don't need more laws ple of every race, religion or taking away more of our sex, he said, and "burning it freedom." she said. is like destroying those ideMike Kushlan, freshman als." in physics, said he agrees Heraldextra.com reportthat actions such as flag ed that Sen. Orrin Hatch burning should be protected supports the amendment of as a form of free speech. outlawing flag burning and said he will never give up "The action itself is nonfighting fork, although he violent and merely shows said he does not see it as "a how one feels about the curmatter of winning or losing." rent government," he said. "We have the right lo free "This is for my brother, expression and since this my brother-in-law and my action does not cause anyone other brother-in-law/' Hatch harm it should be allowed." said. Hatch's relatives died Although the majority or were severely injured in of Supreme Court justices combat, Hatch said on the voted to allow flag burning Web site. as freedom of expression, Michelle Hill, sophomore there were some dissentin elementary education, ing opinions in the case, said she understands people Strickler said. They made should have freedom to the point that there are lots express themselves, but she of ways to express ideas, he feels biased towards the flag said, and believed that flag because her uncle was killed burning should be the excep- in the Vietnam War. tion, because speech could "I never even got to meet be expressed and underhim," she said. "When somestood through alternative one degrades theflagand methods. the country, I take it perMichelle Topone, junior sonal because I feel like my in public relations, said uncle died in vain." burning the flag is a way Despite the many feelof self expression but she ings and opinions regarddoesn't think it's appropriing the American flag, it is ate. unknown whether or not the "If you have a feeling and situation will change in the want your voice heard, you near future. Hatch said he should get people to sign a plans to bring up the issue petition and get other people again in a few years and to join your cause," she said. believes "It's just a matter of "You can express your opintime " but Bennett said he ion with words and get your expects it to continue to fail point across a lot better." and "it probably ought to Strickler said one specific stay defeated." dissenting voice was Justice Topone said she thinks John Paul Stevens, who is the people have the power known as one of the most to influence the passing of a liberal judges, was expected constitutional amendment. ; to stick up for Johnson "I think that there are but did not. Strickler said enougli of us who truly care ;; Stevens wrote about his about the nation and want to "< experience fighting in World . protect our flag and what it War II and said burning the * stands for," she said. "It's up : flag is an insult to American to us to lobby our opinion, veterans. let our voices be heard and Stevens' dissent read, help make history." "The value of the flag as a -natalk.curtis@aggiernail. symbol cannot be measured. usu.tdu* |