‘Airplanes’ singer talks to The Villanovan about successful year
Year after year, Villanova students clamor for an on-campus concert that brings the house down. Depending on whom you ask, that hasn't quite happened in the past couple of years, but this time, Campus Activities Team decided to do things differently.
‘Volume III/IV’ (Release Date — Dec. 14)
Ryan Adams has gone a little cuckoo lately, hasn't he? In early 2009, he announced that he was quitting his long time band the Cardinals, just after their new album "Cardinology" was released only a few months before. He cited his disillusionment with the music industry, the media and his own fans as reasons for leaving.
This year, the holiday movie season features films like "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1," "Tangled," "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," "The Tourist" and "Little Fockers," but there is one movie that sets itself apart from the others.
Arts & Entertainment staff compiles favorite music of year
Lady Gaga wore a meat dress, Katy Perry showed us how multi-talented her breasts are and Justin Bieber flipped his hair…a lot. Somewhere amid all of the dramatics, 2010 proved to be an astounding year for music. Indie favorites She & Him and Vampire Weekend both avoided a sophomore slump with critical acclaim of "Volume Two" and "Contra," respectively, while new acts, such as Best Coast and Wacka Flocka Flame, finally released full-length debuts, after much Internet hype.
The Rest is Just Noise
As the year spirals toward an end and people everywhere scramble to prepare for the new year, a series of lists begin to circulate: New Year's resolutions, holiday shopping items and, of course, the best albums of the year. The beauty of these inventories lies not only in the author's ability to choose but in the subjective nature of the list itself.
In 2006, one of hip-hop's true legends, Nas, released an album titled "Hip Hop is Dead." Meant as a commentary on the stagnant, declining condition of modern hip-hop, the album itself was ironically, or maybe fittingly, a bit forgettable. Aside from a few solid releases from the underground each year, nothing about hip-hop at the time was very exciting.
‘Broken Dreams Club’ meets high expectations left by ‘Album’
The San Francisco-based indie band Girls debuted to almost universal acclaim with the creatively titled "Album" in 2009. The band had a compelling, attention-grabbing back-story: Lead singer Christopher Owens was raised in a cult, escaped and fended for himself before a millionaire discovered his talent and helped support him.
‘It’s a Beautiful Life’ (Release Date — Nov. 16)
Around this time last year, an English super group by the name of Bad Lieutenant released its debut album "Never Cry Another Tear." The band was comprised of former members of New Order, Joy Division and Blur. Their experience showed in their music, creating an album of vintage '60s pop and sophisticated song-writing, albeit sometimes too reminiscent of their predecessors but nonetheless different from their previous excursions.
Although it can be a very difficult decision, everyone has a favorite album or, at the very least, a favorite song. So, consider for a moment, what it would be like to hear the demos that spurred the careful composition and painstaking production behind your record of choice.
Although Brooklyn-based Deluka just released its first full-length album, "You Are the Night," only about a month ago, it found itself holed up in a New York City studio last week, rehearsing and creating new music. For many bands, this kind of work ethic would seem unreasonable, but for Deluka, it's just business as usual.
The University's newest coed student a capella group, Minor Problem, features 12 members who have a passion for music and a desire to share their talents with the Villanova community. One of seven student-run a capella groups on campus and one of the two coed a capella groups, Minor Problem is a unique pop and choral group that performs varying genres of music simply for the love of music.
Top 5 reasons to watch this over-looked, office sitcom
When NBC recently announced changes to its winter primetime schedule, fans of the critically acclaimed comedy, "Parks and Recreation" rejoiced. When freshman sitcom "Outsourced" was picked up for a full season run, fans of "Parks and Rec" feared their beloved show wouldn't return.
Zombie fans rejoice: Your prayers for a show based on those loveable flesh-eating monsters have been answered. On Oct. 31 AMC's new TV series, "The Walking Dead," premiered to an overwhelming 5.3 million viewers, which makes it the most watched AMC premiere of all time.
Director Danny Boyle, actor James Franco at their best in new film
Just to get this out of the way early on: Yes, it's absolutely horrifying when James Franco tears his arm off at the end of the film in full view of the camera. But the real story with "127 Hours" isn't the four minutes of graphic dismemberment.
‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ (Release Date — Nov. 16)
Who is your Kanye West? Is he your clown, your punching bag, your hero, your savior, your ringtone? What is it about Kanye that makes him such an intriguing character? It's been six years since "The College Dropout," and we still have yet to get a grasp on it.
On a cold, snowy Sunday morning of my Midwestern youth, my eldest sister invited me to join her in a weekend tradition. Eager to be included, I climbed into her bed without asking questions as she fidgeted with her radio dial. After navigating through the static, she landed on Chicago's 93XRT.
The holiday season is a time for gathering with family members and enjoying each other's company, but millions of Americans are setting aside their busy schedules every Wednesday night to spend some time getting to know the clan that is quickly becoming TV's wittiest and most lovable family, the Pritchetts of ABC's hit comedy, "Modern Family.
‘The Weight’s on the Wheels’ (Release Date — Nov. 16)
Oh Canada! It's the home of Wayne Gretzky, maple syrup, Rush and oh yeah, Arcade Fire. Needless to say, this country has a pretty impressive track record when it comes to hockey pucks and, more importantly, music. There is one Canadian band, however, that has unfairly been thrown under the radar: the Russian Futurists.
Last week, the University welcomed Grammy award-winning songwriter Scot Sax to discuss his experiences in the music industry. Hosted by the Villanova University Business in Entertainment Society, the hour-long event featured an overview of the songwriter's journey to fame, followed by an interactive discussion.
Scottish rockers grace the Starlight Ballroom, talk to The Villanovan
Times are good for animal bands. The latest subculture permeating music is caged within the interspecies web of Animal Collective, Band of Horses, Deerhunter, Gorillaz, Wolf Parade and multiple classifications of panda. Perhaps unknowing of the taxonomy trend, Frightened Rabbit has unassumingly wedged its way into the music zoo.
We've all said it. We've heard our friends say it. Some of us have even heard our brothers, our sisters, our mothers or our fathers say it. "I would do anything to meet them." As dedicated music fans, this hyperbolic statement doesn't always seem so outlandish.
As the temperatures drop and the chaotic holiday season begins, movie fans will be able to find refuge in cinemas, and with a diverse range of movies premiering in the upcoming weeks, there is sure to be something to please everyone. For audiences wanting a light comedy to take their mindS off the chilly weather and stress of holiday shopping, several comedies are slated for release.
Days from the premiere of his new venture, ‘Coco’ fans anticipate long-awaited debut
It's been nine long months since Conan O'Brien's orange pompadour has been emblazoned upon America's TV screens. As you may recall, the gangly funnyman was unceremoniously relieved of his duties by NBC back in January after hosting "The Tonight Show" for less than eight months when the network grew impatient with his disappointing ratings.
‘Speak Now’ full of juicy gossip about werewolves, Jonas Brothers and John Mayer
Once again Taylor Swift has wow-ed the world with her sweet lyrics and equally sweet voice. This time, however, she's got more than teenage love stories to sing about. Several celebrity references are made in Swift's new album, "Speak Now," including shout outs to the man who interrupted her acceptance speech at last year's VMAs, Kanye West, and her ex, Taylor Lautner.
Molly Schreiber
What is it about music that makes it so hard to describe? The basic elements of music are almost mathematical in principle, with each instrument carefully added and subtracted in order to equate to a successful composition. Despite the simplicity of the formula, bands with similar levels of talent and potential fare far better than others.
Jeff Yerger
On a warm night in June, a few hundred people gathered in a gymnasium-sized ballroom at the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J., not to gamble but to see the return of Kings of Leon. Eight months before, they wrapped up their tour for 2009's massively successful "Only By the Night," capping off what was their biggest year in America to date.
‘Bank Place Locomotive Society’ (Release Date — Nov. 7)
What's the biggest trend this year? Vampires? Even though Halloween's over, America sure does love its vampires and anything that has to do with them. This might have something to do with Vampire Weekend's popularity, or perhaps it could just be that their two albums are pretty darn good.
Imagine encountering communists, propaganda and mistaken identities all during your next family vacation. That doesn't sound like something that usually evokes riotous laughter, but this play promises comedy. For its first show of the 2010-'11 season, Villanova Student Theater, the undergraduate campus theater group, is presenting Woody Allen's "Don't Drink the Water!" While on the last leg of their European tour, New Jersey natives Walter Hollander, his wife Marion and daughter Susan are suspected of espionage and almost arrested in the communist country of Vulgaria after accidentally wandering into a restricted area and snapping photos.
Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert celebrate America in unique way
Bus terminals, highways and D.C. metro stations were flooded with thousands of people on Saturday, Oct. 30, to participate in Jon Stewart's Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. They hailed from all over: from Missouri, Wisconsin, Arizona, South Carolina, New Hampshire and even Brazil.
In today's hip-hop climate, stardom can be achieved in many ways. You can piggyback off of your previous work (Jay-Z). You can find a niche for your idiosyncratic weirdness and make it appealing to lots of people (Lil Wayne). You can star on a Canadian teen soap and hope that covers the fact that you have nothing interesting to say (Drake).
Pop culture costumes for you to rock (or avoid) this weekend
It's getting colder, and the trees are turning colors. This could only mean one thing: Halloween is on its way. For many, the stress of finding the perfect costume is worse than the fear of haunted hayrides and horror films. However, today's media-and pop culture obsessed society will provide some recognizable, if not ubiquitous, costumes.
One Book Villanova choice depicts staggering journey of US soldier
Craig M. Mullaney's memoir "The Unforgiving Minute" is a vivid, fascinating portrayal of a man's extraordinary journey to become a U.S. Army soldier. Mullaney's memoir is an eloquent, honest look at the brutal education of a soldier and a deeply provocative read into the kind of life-changing challenges that, fortunately, most of us will never know — from West Point to Oxford University, and, eventually to Iraq, Mullaney experiences a full, but uncommon life.
Gone are the days when the radio was the only way for penniless music fanatics to hear their favorite songs and when record stores were the best places to discover new artists. While not quite obsolete, these resources are arguably endangered in the wake of online track streams, music blogs and, of course, iTunes.
After Animal Collective flirted with mainstream success upon the release of 2009's "Merriweather Post Pavilion," it was easy to imagine the band members settling into the comfortable zone of complacency that is so often inhabited by indie bands that achieve a sizeable audience.
‘C-L-A-W-S’ (Release Date — Oct. 26)
Up until now, the Arizona-based rock band Gospel Claws has never really had the opportunity to prove that it's more than just a band immersed in the Phoenix arts scene. For four years since its formation, all it's had to its name was an EP made up of only a couple songs.
Remember the name Suzanne Collins. She is the latest author poised to join the ranks of mega-bestselling scribes J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer. Her first novel of the series, "The Hunger Games," was published in 2008 and launched rather quietly, but by this August when the third book was released, there was no doubt that Collins' series had became the latest literary phenomenon.
Villanova students, alumni reveal extracurricular activity
What started simply as a fun project among friends transformed into the new sensational rap group known on campus as The Collective. Much like the success stories of Drake and Mike Posner, who both rapped as a hobby, The Collective was formed by friends rapping about good times that they had together.
If the old adage is true and imitation really is the greatest form of flattery, why do cover bands get such a bad rap? While I have been guilty of writing off cover bands simply because of the genre, I'm not exactly sure why. I've certainly seen my fair share of mediocre tribute shows, but I have also seen some pretty incredible ones.
Despite Villanova's athletic-heavy reputation, the University boasts a significant population of artistically inclined citizens. Perhaps the field of music is one of the few places where business majors, engineers and journalism specializations can (momentarily) get along.
Normally when one thinks of the Seattle music scene, grunge, long hair and flannel shirts come to mind. The Moondoggies are a bit of an anomaly when it comes to the Seattle stereotype. Though they did start out with garage rock roots, these guys have come a long way since then, creating a surprisingly polished, roots-rock sound.
‘Passion, Pain & Pleasure’ shows grown-up side to R&B singer
Trey Songz's much-anticipated album, "Passion, Pain & Pleasure," reveals a new, mature, multi-faceted artist, reaffirming his title as one of the best male R&B singers of this day and age. Finally finding his niche by crossing back and forth between the hip-hop and R&B genres, Trey has formed a winning combination of integrating R&B, rap and soul in an approach that caters to a wide variety of audiences.
Fall is officially upon us. And, aside from the turning leaves and the brisk weather, autumn can only mean one thing: the long awaited arrival of fall music releases. As always, there lurks a simple question: can the fall record releases compete with summer albums? The summer of 2010 offered music fans an exciting rotation of new music.
The much hyped NBC drama, "The Event," premiered this week to mixed reactions. Non-stop advertising this summer was aimed at inciting the level of fan frenzy that "Lost" addicts had displayed for six years. NBC hoped viewers would tune in asking, "What is the ‘Event?'" Though viewers did not get an answer to this question, they did get an interesting look at the latest high-concept sci-fi conspiracy drama on TV.
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