| OCR Text |
Show A&EDiversions Friday, Oct. 23, 2009 Page 7 Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.aggietownsquare.com The demon barber opens shop at Utah State ANTHONY EVERSOLE, WHO PLAYS a revenge craved barber in the USU rendition of Sweeney Todd, sings melody revering his razors during a dress rehearsal Tuesday night. The show opens Thursday, Oct. 23 and runs until Oct. 31. CODY GOCHNOUR photo Wii looking better than ever Nintendo repas linear, is fun with puzzles and eneHarrison K. skateboarding) resentatives have well as new features mies that can only be passed with Chelak like customizable precise timing between Link and a been offering exclusive press access to workout cues and second controllable character, the games that will be a calorie counter. phantom. The story is different and released this holiday Let’s go While all of these are the dungeons are new but the bigseason. Great games great, the selection gest change in this game is the train like “New Super of new functions is feature. Link drives a train around Mario Bros. Wii,” small compared to the overworld which, while on a “Legend of Zelda: An in-depth look at what was already fixed track, allows players to choose Spirit Tracks,” and upcoming Wii games there. Still, at only various routes each with different “Wii Fit Plus” were $20 for the game, if challenges and enemies. The train available for play, discussion and players had the previous “Wii Fit” mechanic is in itself an immense, review. and still enjoy playing it “Wii Fit Plus” real-time puzzle that really feels like For those who never got into can only enhance the experience. it allows for exploration even though the crazy Wii phenomenon it is For those who were thinking about it binds players to a predetermined now easier than ever to join the getting “Wii Fit” but never did, “Wii course. For those who liked “Legend crowd thanks to Nintendo dropping Fit Plus” with the balance board of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass,” this the cost of the Wii system for the will cost $100, $10 more than the game will certainly be a hit, but holiday to $200. The Wii system is original but still a solid game. “Wii Fit everybody will have to wait a bit lonlooking better than ever thanks to a Plus” is already on the market. ger, Spirit Tracks hits shelves Dec. 7. number of new features and games. Also, for those gamers on the go, Last but certainly not least, probMost prominent of all is the addition there are several excellent games ably the most promising game to of the WiiMotion Plus to the market. this holiday for the Nintendo DS. be released this year is “New Super This add-on, while not yet utilized by One such DS game of note is actu- Mario Bros. Wii” – the classic Mario many games, holds great promise ally a fashion game, “Style Savvy.” that everybody knows and loves for the system as it brings players Definitely geared toward girls, the brought into the new age. The gamecloser to the 1:1 movement ratio game looks like one that most peo- play is solid, it feels just like “Super than ever before. It may seem a little ple will pass up for more adventur- Mario Bros. 3” with added features much to plunk down $20 for a little ous titles and will most likely be like wall jumping and ground poundbox that plugs on the end of a per- bought by grandparents looking for ing. The motion sensor is used fectly functional controller but like something for their but never feels like Nintendo representative Brent Smith darling granddaugh- “For those a gimmick. It funcsays, “It’s like when the Wii first ter, which is a shame gamers on the tions like a new came out, people didn’t fully under- because “Style go, there are button that allows stand games like “Wii Bowling” until Savvy” offers quite for new moves like they got their hands on a control- a bit. Players own a several excelspinning, sliding and ler.” And it’s true, the add-on really fashion store where lent games this flying depending on brings a whole new dimension to they must suggest holiday for the the current upgrade. the game that can only be felt by and sell clothes to All of the levels feel playing a game that uses it. Games customers. The Nintendo DS.” like classic Mario Harrison Chelak games with new like “Wii Sports Resort” rely much game offers more less on timing, like in the original than 10,000 styles arrangements and “Wii Sports” and focuses more on and the capability to features like shifting aim and finesse in controller move- download content online. With ran- landscapes and mazes of platforms. ments. The only downside is the dom customer demands, a compli- However, the most notable addition small roster of games including “Wii cated economical system and nearly to “New Super Mario Bros. Wii” is Sports Resort” and “Tiger Woods endless freedom to do whatever the ability to play up to four players PGA Tour 10.” Without backward with the shop, “Style Savvy” can be at a time working either cooperativecompatibility, players can only hope played for hours without repetition, ly or competitively. Multiplay allows that developers choose to utilize this if the player is willing to be seen for strategic progression through new accessory to its fullest in many on the bus playing virtual dress up. the levels with the help of friends, future games WiiMotion Plus, “Wii “Style Savvy” will be released Nov. but most gamers will probably end Sports Resort,” and “Tiger Woods” 2. up tossing each other off edges are already available. But the most anticipated game for and pushing enemies in other playAnother aspect of the Wii that the DS this year has to be “Legend of ers’ way in order to steal coins and has been redone is “Wii Fit Plus.” Zelda: Spirit Tracks.” Spirit Tracks upgrades, fighting for the highest While improved and expanded, the plays much like Phantom Hourglass: score. Anybody who has played any game is exactly what it says it is: “Wii same art style, same gameplay of the classic Mario games will defiFit” with some extra. It is essentially mechanics and same overall feel, nitely love this game. “New Super the same game with more exercises, which is not a bad thing but cer- Mario Bros. Wii” enters stores Nov. yoga poses and mini-games (includ- tainly cannot be called an innovative 15. ing chicken flying and rudimentary game. Dungeon exploration, while –H.Chelak@aggiemail.usu.edu Gaming Vandaveer, refreshing change of tempo Vandaveer, also more appealing than I known as Mark would. Landon otherwise Charles Heidinger, The speed and is relatively new as a Hemsley tempo of this album solo artist on the popdoes not vary much at folk scene. His debut all, which is not surprisalbum, “Grace & ing to me. Vandaveer Speed,” did not create employs a moody an epic upheaval in the tone and a sliding musical world when it style to tell his story Grade A was released in 2007, “Divide & Conquer” throughout the album. and Vandaveer’s soon- by Vandaveer Generally, light piano, to-be-released album, drums, acoustic gui“Divide & Conquer,” tar and Rose Guerin’s will definitely not be well known harmonies accompany Heidinger’s in the fast-paced world of top-40 smooth vocals and paint a soft, velmusic. vety picture of the world in which For all these reasons and more, Vandaveer operates. Occasionally, you should definitely give him a lis- an electric guitar will make a brief ten. appearance in order to advance the Changing subjects for just a moody agenda of Vandaveer’s music, moment, I usually have to chase but the appearance is always short down artists in order to be able lived. The overall mood of the album to review their music. I found the would be absolutely wrecked if differchange of pace in Vandaveer’s case ent songs contrasted too much, esperefreshing. You can imagine my sat- cially given the folk style Vandaveer isfaction when I walked into work at performs. The Utah Statesman the other day Simply put, this album would go and found an album there waiting for well with one of my favorite films me to review. It was a life-changing of all time, “Secondhand Lions.” moment. Anyone who’s seen that movie and Returning to the music, Vandaveer listens to the soundtrack indepenis certainly a skilled guitarist and sing- dently from the film will like this er, even if his music is not technically music. Anyone who has no idea what complex. “Grace & Speed” received I’m talking about should go find that generally neutral to positive reviews, movie immediately and watch it. which bodes well for Heidinger. The “Secondhand Lions” is on my top-10 solo artist broke away from DC-based list for the best films of all time. But I folk group “The Apparitions” earlier digress. this decade and began a very busy By far, the best track of this album solo career. is the seventh track, “Before the Great Vandaveer brings a modern vibe War.” If you listen to no other song to the folk arena. Obviously, his music on this album, listen to this one first. is his own, but I feel the influences of “Great War” is great. It’s the most Johnny Cash, James Taylor and espe- upbeat song on the album, it has a cially that of Bob Dylan in his music. great progression, a great beat, it’s I wouldn’t argue with the hypoth- sexy and it tells an awesome story. esis that The Eagles have influenced I often hear from country music Vandaveer as well. fans that country holds a strong What separates Vandaveer from monopoly on the market of qualother similar artists is the strength ity musical storytelling. “Great War” of the progression in his music. The totally exposes that notion as the music flows well, always moving, tell- foolishness that it is and proves that ing a story. The story isn’t necessarily anyone can write a decent story in a happy one, but it is generally pres- musical form. The song is about a ent in Vandaveer’s music and the young woman born during World story is rarely stagnant. I also very War I who grows up during the Great much enjoy Vandaveer’s lyrics. I don’t Depression, faces a mountain of always understand them – they’re pretty deep – but it is because of - See TUNES, page 8 Vandaveer’s depth that I find him Tune Takes |
