Music wrap-up for 2007 It has been a big music year for those willing to search beyond the mainstream. Although there were no notable big-name pop releases, artists with little radio experience were able to reach high. One of these groups was Radiohead. With a move that could change the way records are released, Radiohead, one of the most popular British bands worldwide, made their latest album, “In Rainbows,” available to the public through a self-released download. Individuals who purchased the album named their own price for it. While the method of release was notable, the big news was the high quality of the album. Other Canadians had notable output: The Arcade Fire, Fiest, Caribou, Handsome Furs, The Besnard Lakes, Frog Eyes, and The New Pornographers. American-based Of Montreal also put out a highly acclaimed record. Of Montreal wasn’t the only American band to release a well-received album, however. The National’s “Boxer,” and Okkervil River’s “The Stage Names” are two of many American records to achieve high regard this year. Deerhunter, Beirut, Menomena, Panda Bear, Animal Collective, Liars, Interpol, and The Shins also put out highly rated American albums. While there was plenty of good music this year, five albums rose above the rest. “Random Spirit Lover” album of the year; it’s their sum. Somewhere in the chaos come strong melodies and hooks. It’s intense and emotional, but also fun. Oh, and the lyrics are among the most clever in recent memory. Not only the best album of the year, it’s the best of the 2000’s. Radiohead, “In Rainbows.” As mentioned before, the unconventional release method is justified by this album’s quality. It’s the band’s most accessible record in a while, but that’s not a bad thing. Made up of many tracks Radiohead has played live for years, “In Rainbows” is more than just a fan favorite. Its beauty and simplicity make it something for the die-hard fans as well as interested new-comers. Iron and Wine, “The Shepard’s Dog.” The best way to describe this one is to call it singer-songwriter with attention to detail. Like “Random Spirit Lover,” the lyrics and the music in “The Shepard’s Dog” are both written carefully. The music conjures images of dusty roads, yellow fields, and tire swings by the pond. The lyrics tell stories about unsavory characters and situations that somehow don’t contradict the back-home imagery of the songs themselves. Deerhunter, “Cryptograms.” A sort of disjointed album, “Cryptograms” seems like two different EPs. The experimental first half of the record features both soothing ambience and aggressive distortion. The closing half features strongly-hooked pop songs that balance the album. “Cryptograms” is the best shoegaze album in years, combining the pop sensibilities of Ride’s 1990 album “Nowhere” with the ambient mood swings of 1995 Slowdive album “Pygmalion.” The National, “Boxer.” Paste magazine’s album of the year, “Boxer” is an indie-pop record led by Matt Berninger’s low, deep voice. The instrumentation is standard, though the band’s drummer, Bryan Devendorf, steals the show. Each song is a strong, well-developed track. No boundaries are pushed here, instead The National took an accessible sound and mastered it. Other albums might make the top five in any other year include: “Person Pitch” by Panda Bear, “The Stage Names,” by Okkervil River, “Hissing Faun, Are You the Destroyer?” by Of Montreal, “Strawberry Jam” by Animal Collective, “They Flying Club Cup” by Beirut, and “The Great Unwanted” by Lucky Soul. Metacritic, a Web site that compiles reviews found for music, and other forms of media, also has a continuously updated top 10 list for 2007. It can be found at http://www.metacritic.com.Liberation in becoming a Platypus One lays in wait in a cocoon for the transformation
of a beautiful Platypus. Turning into a Platypus is
CB’s Sister’s life destination
in the interpretation of the“Peanuts” comic in the play“Dog sees God.” “Dog Sees God: Confessions
of a Teenage Blockhead”
is a twisted play
derived from the legendary“Peanuts” comic strips by
Charles Shultz. The characters
are based according to
the comic characters only in
the current timeframe and in
the age of high school. This controversial performance
dealt with issues of
homophobia, abortion, weed,
and much more. Although
the names of the characters
are a little different, the
qualities from the characters
in life as high school students
are foretold in a vile
approach. The act played
on teenager’s emotions with
depression, death, gossip, alcohol,
slander, relationships,
drugs, and insecurities in a
satiric representation. One of the humorous
highlights of performance
was CB’s Sister, role played
by GRCC student Angela
Shaffer. Shaffer, 22, has
been taking classes at GRCC
for around three years and
is moving to Chicago to
take classes at Second City,
Improv School. She has also
performed in two other productions
at GRCC, “Desdemona”
and “Creation of the
World and Other Business.” Her character in “Dog
Sees God” is dark, melodramatic,
and has an emotionally
deep spirit. CB’s Sister’s
costume attire consisted of
long black dresses with dark
makeup and black hair. Her
appearance is not at all like
the blonde lovable Sally from“Peanuts,” which brought
humor to the production. The same girl, who
splashed love into the world
of comics, now surprisingly
lit a cigarette and smoked it
on stage. Other characters
during the play described
her as being a Bible hugger
one week and into Wicca
the next. Her identity was
constantly shifting and CB
said he could not keep up
with her. Shaffer said she sometimes
played with lighters
and other props offstage
to help get into character
and make everything seem
natural. To set the mood she
also listened to darker music
such as Radiohead to get
the deeper sense of emotion.
Sometimes now after
the production people notice
qualities of CB’s Sister in
Shaffer’s real life. Shaffer
laughed when describing
how one of her friends said
to her “I want to talk to Angela,
not CB’s Sister.” While CB was mourning
the death of his dog that
died of rabies, his sister was
busy trying to recreate herself
into a platypus. Sally's mind was always
a little out there, “but she
always meant good,” Shaffer
said. In CB’s Sister’s monologue
it was fun “showing
how ridiculous my character
really was” Shaffer said. Shaffer enjoyed reading
Charlie Brown comics and
looked forward to reading
them Sunday mornings in
the newspaper. She was
disappointed when Shultz
retired from making the
comics. One concept that did not
change was how Sally used
to chase Schroeder around
the piano. Only this time,
she had a little competition,
her brother CB. This was
a shocking experience for
the crowd suddenly seeing
CB’s attraction to Beethoven
through his venting about
his dead dog. This upset CB’s Sister
but broke through to a
deeper connection with her
inner being to begin the
transformation of becoming
a platypus. It was very “liberating I
felt like I could do anything
I wanted to” Shaffer said. “I loved doing the scene
because there were no
boundaries.” In the “Charlie Brown Christmas” episode of Peanuts, the ending scene of them dancing to Schroeder playing the piano was similar to the dance moves at the high school party in the play. Each character did one repetitive movement throughout the song while dancing on the stage blocks. Our director Fred Sebulske challenged us to pick one dance move and try to mimic it during the song, Shaffer said. Traditional favorites for the season Many GRCC Students are energetic
about the Christmas season. Thanksgiving has come and gone,
and students are now looking forward
to Christmas; a time they will spend
with family and friends while carrying
out holiday traditions. Christmas movies are popular
with GRCC students. Students Rick
Vande Kopple, Audrey Hollstein, and
Kelli Ripley agreed the best Christmas
movie is “Elf,” starring Will Ferrell. “‘Elf’ might be the best movie ever,
not just the best Christmas movie,”
Hollstein said. “Even though ‘Elf’ is
my all-time favorite, my family always
watches ‘White Christmas’ together on
Christmas Eve.” Students Kenny Anderson and Chris Campbell voted “A Christmas Story” as their favorite holiday movie. Students have many unique Christmas
traditions. GRCC student Kris
Shear said he and his family read the
Christmas story in the Bible before
opening presents on Christmas day
to remember what the holiday is all
about. “My aunt and uncle always come
over to my house Christmas morning
to open presents and eat breakfast
with us,” student Emily Siegel said. “They don’t have any kids, so my
sisters and I are kind of their kids on
Christmas.” Surprisingly, a lot of GRCC students
do not travel over the holidays.
Campbell said, “I personally don’t
travel during Christmas break. My
family does on occasion, but I generally
stay home to work.”
Vande Kopple said he doesn’t typically
travel anywhere for Christmas.
His family only travels across town to
his grandparent’s house. Food is also a large part of these
students’ Christmas traditions. Ripley
said her favorite Christmas foods are
mashed potatoes and corn, while Hollstein
said she loves to eat sticky buns. “All I know is I want ham and some
mashed potatoes,” Campbell said.“My favorite holiday foods are
monkey bread on Christmas morning,
and my mom also makes these delicious
Buckeyes, which are peanut butter
balls covered in chocolate,” Shear
said. Not only is food very important
during the holidays, listening to
Christmas music is a favorite. “I love
anything by Josh Groban,” Hollstein
said. Siegel said she has always enjoyed the song “Happy Holidays” by N’Sync, and Ripley said her favorite Christmas song is “Grown up Christmas List.” Shear said he is not a huge fan of Christmas music, but “I Celebrate the Day” by Relient K or dogs barking“Jingle Bells” are two of his favorites. Christmas is an exciting holiday for these GRCC students who look forward to it each year. A&E Briefs for Dec. 12, 2007 Blue/Orange
presented
by GRCC
Players Christmas
and holiday
traditions
around the
World UICA gift for the holidays: Dinner & a Movie - $60 Good tidings in your heart and reindeer in your belly The most famous reindeer at your house will
be these cute munch-able treats Prep Time: 45 min 4 ounces chocolate-, vanilla- or butterscotch-flavored candy coating (almond bar) copped 1. Place candy coating in 1-cup microwavable
measuring cup. Microwave uncovered on
High 30 to 60 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds,
until melted. 2. Dip pretzel twists into melted candy
coating. Place on waxed paper. Let stand until
coating is set. 3. If necessary, re-warm coating. Dip top 2
inches of pretzel rod into melted candy coating;
attach pretzel rod to bottom of pretzel twist.
Place on waxed paper. 4. To make reindeer, press on chocolate
chips for eyes and red candy for nose using
melted candy coating. Cut scarf from fruit roll;
attach to reindeer using candy coating. Press
on green candy for button using candy coating.
Place on waxed paper. Let stand until coating is
set. Store coated pretzel rods loosely covered at
room temperature no longer than 2 weeks. For more holiday recipes check out http://www. bettycrocker.com. "Simply havin' a wonderful Christmastime" Collegiate's pick of their favorite holiday tunes:
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