Siblings serenade Grape Street Pub

NINA SCIMENES

NMS722@CABRINI EDU STAFFWRITER

Lively new music was performed at the CD release party of Jenn Stang and Emmit Stang. Talent runs in the family of these two young aspiring artists. The Grape Street Philadelphia in Manayunk hosted the night with an open bar, hors d’ouvres and a comfortable atmosphere. The crowd was very enthusiastic for the performance to begin, since the audience was witnessing the music of both artists for the first time.

The CDs released were prerecorded live performances at the Grape Street Pub in Philadelphia. Two nights in December, the siblings took stage with a mission in mind. The music was taken to the studio and edited to create two CDs and two DVDs.

Jenn Stang was first to perform with her younger brother, Emmit, 17, backing her up on the guitar. Jenn is only 20 years old, but one would never know her youth because of her mature voice and large tonal range of sounds.

CHRISTINE ERNEST A&E EDITOR CME722@CABRINI EDU

Texas indie rockers Spoon are still going strong since their start in 1994. With influences ranging from The Pixies to Pavement, they have had numerous critically acclaimed albums, EPs and a handful of 7-inches released thus far in their career.

Now, Spoon is set to release yet another album entitled “Gimme Fiction” (Merge Records) on May 10, 2005. Even though it has only been a few years since the highly successful album, “Kill the Moonlight,” was released in 2002, Spoon has created another masterpiece expanding their creativity and songwriting finesse.

catchy chorus and handclaps in tow, the listener cannot help but feel happy as a leaf, carelessly blown through the air by a summer’s breeze. One can put “Gimme Fiction” in, push play and let Spoon take him or her back to those moments right before the alarm clock jars them awake in the morning; Spoon makes everything seem right in the world.

“She sounds great. Her music is a cross between Tori Amos and Fleetwood Mac,” said a fan in attendance.

Jenn includes a lot of influences from past experiences. Her family has lived in South Ameri- ry of a more rock genre. He has been in love with music since childhood and plans to pursue a professional career that will take him places. His fingers move so gracefully on the strings of the guitar and he makes it look easy.

Aside from their last name, Jenn and Emmit also share the same bass player. His talent helps bring their music to life. A bass player can either make or break a band. His music was the backbone to both performances.

This significant night marks the first time for both to have a CD out to the public. The work that they have put into this night has reflected their seriousness about their music. No better arrangements could have been made with the Grape Street Philadelphia.

The standout track, “I Turn My Camera On,” features an energetic, pulsing guitar over a simple drumbeat that carries the song from beginning to end. With lyrics such as, “I turn my feelings off/ you made me untouchable for life,” one starts to realize the many layers that form this carefree yet fervent masterpiece.

One of their more upbeatsounding tracks, “Sister Jack,” highlights the happy-go-lucky side of Spoon. Along with a ca, Europe and Canada. Her music has a lot of soul in it and is pleasant to listen to.

With a sparse guitar line for most of the song, a steady drum beat and random other sound effects, Spoon proves that less can definitely prove to be more on the track, “Was It You?” Even in Spoon’s simplicity, singer Britt Daniel’s voice floats over the instrumentals in such a poignant way that the listener cannot help but to be drawn to his soulful lyrics.

Just as with wine, Spoon got better with age. One would enjoy a glass of wine that had only aged one year just as one would enjoy Spoon back in 1994 with their 7inch release of “Nefarious.” Both would provide entertainment, yet it is the aged wine that is the best for it has the most invigorating taste. Yes, Spoon can definitely be declared one of the forefront runners of a modern-day Bordeaux.

Emmit Stang was second to take the stage at the Grape Street Philadelphia and rocked the place. Compared to his sister’s music, it would fall in the catego-

Outside of the stage area there was an arrangement of tables that were full of promotional giveaways from local establishments such as Lucky Brand Jeans of Manayunk. Everyone in attendance was fortunate to walk away with a free copy of two CDs: “Jenn Stang” and “Stang.” http://w w.cabrini.edu/ econdary/Academic/ari tanoe_que •1onn.Ire.a p