Inside Beat 2011-02-10

INSIDEBEAT FEBRUARY 10, 2011 • VOL. 28, NO. 27

THE WEEKLY ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE OF THE DAILY TARGUM

The New Royal Family Fresh UK imports are reaching new heights

Page 2 • Inside Beat

February 10, 2011

Column

RANT

e d i u G s ’ t o i d I l e v a r to T

BY ARIBA ALVI TV EDITOR

There are a plethora of idiotic shows out there that have no rhyme or reason. Scanning the TV, I ran across a truly idiotic show called An Idiot Abroad. The title was intriguing enough especially since everyone’s favorite idiots (the cast of The Jersey Shore) are going to Italy for season four.

An Idiot Abroad is like a great practical joke on behalf of the show’s main character, Karl Pilkington. He’s a friend of Ricky Gervais (The Office) who has been sent around the world to get cultured. It’s hilarious.

The idea of morons traveling around the world is amusing, especially when you throw them into various cultural situations. On An Idiot Abroad, Pilkington is made to engage in the local culture of wherever he is. So while in India, he’s brought to a cow sanctuary and learns to make cow cakes.

Shows like An Idiot Abroad are fascinating. They are taking people out of their comfort zone and taping the results. These people often do not understand or appreciate the scenes they are seeing and the experiences they are engaging in. Obviously making cow cakes is really not a moving experience (unless it moves you to hurl), but something like seeing the Taj Mahal in person or going to Israel and getting to see the Holy Land can be moving.

Undoubtedly, when the Jersey Shore cast is sent to Italy, it will be interesting to see the light they cast on America as well as what their antics will be. Perhaps they will actually get something from the experience besides new grenades, but you never know. Until then, Karl’s moronic adventures are sure to keep you amused while showing you all the wonders of the world — not to mention it will leave you wondering how someone could be that much of a moron.

EDITORIAL BOARD S TACY D OUEK ................................................. EDITOR ROSANNA VOLIS..............................................ASSISTANT EDITOR ARIBA ALVI..........................................................................TV EDITOR EMILY GABRIELE...........................................................MUSIC EDITOR ROSANNA VOLIS..........................................................FASHION EDITOR AMANDA LITCHKOWSKI.....................................................ART EDITOR NANCY SANTUCCI..............................................................COPY EDITOR RAMON DOMPOR...............................................................PHOTO EDITOR KATHERINE CHANG.........................................................FILM EDITOR NIDHI SARAIYA..............................................................BOOKS EDITOR ASHLEY PARK................................................................ONLINE EDITOR

INSIDEBEAT THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTORS INSIDE BEAT :

TO

Inayah Bristol, Tiffany Gonzalez, Alex Holland, Freddie Morgan, Katelyn Mineo, Alex Natanzon, Jason Pearl, Charlie Rawcliffe, Steve Smoke, Ryan Surujnath, Zoe Szathmary Cover Photo Courtesy of Tinie Tempah Press

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The Look of Love

February 10, 2011

Art • Books • Fashion

BY ZOË SZATHMARY STAFF WRITER

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is about gift-giving as a way to show affection. Of course, what could be better than a stylish gift? Inside Beat has some clothing and accessories ideas for your fashion-conscious friend, girlfriend or even yourself!

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Seriously…

Auctioning Colbert What were they thinking?

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Inside Beat • Page 3

BY AMANDA LITCHKOWSKI ART EDITOR

The unbelievable: a Nazi-like Stephen Colbert in portrait form

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1. Motel Fifi Dress, $75.60 Cherubs look a lot more sinister when set against a black dress, like this one from Motel. It’s sure to let people know a heartbreaker is on the loose.

2. Heart-Shaped Glasses, $7.99 A cheeky nod to Vladimir Nabokov’s novel Lolita, these sunglasses can spruce up an everyday outfit, like a shirtdress and oxfords. The perfect gift for anyone with a ’50s fixation … or Katy Perry.

3. House of Holland Chain Suspender Tight, $28.00 These trompe l’oeil tights are a flirty and clever take on lingerie. Worried about wearability? The fake garters can be hidden under a demure skirt, or boldly displayed with a pair of dress shorts.

4. Charlotte Russe Lip Print Cardigan, $20.00 Get kissed all over with this shrunken cardigan. It’s a great gift for a girl who loves the sexy librarian look when worn with a pencil skirt and heels

QUEENS OF HEARTS

BY INAYAH BRISTOL STAFF WRITER

February is the month that really brings out the romantics. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s the perfect month to curl up in your room with a good romance novel. Here’s a list of romance authors who are known for their ability to stir up emotions and weave tales full of passion, desire and steamy conflicts

The culprits: Shepard Fairey, Andres Serrano and Frank Stella The down-low: During an episode of The Colbert Report, guest Steve Martin gave an unfavorable review of a portrait of Colbert by stating that it was “about a $19 item — that’s if I wanted it.” Spurred

by Martin’s judgment, Colbert invited Fairey (the street artist behind OBEY), Serrano (a photographer famous for using corpses as subjects) and Stella (a modern abstraction artist) to spice it up.

They really added a lot — Fairey stenciled “OBEY” onto the portrait, Serrano used a Sharpie to give Colbert the signature Hitler mustache, and Stella “glanced at it,” according to Comedy Central.

The unnecessary fun facts: The piece, titled “Portrait 5, Stephen(s),” is going up for auction from Feb. 25 to March 8 at the Phillips de Pury & Company auction house. All proceeds will benefit classrooms through the charity DonorsChoose.org. In a recent statement Colbert said, “I am honored to be sold in the prestigious manner usually reserved for foreclosed homes and champion hogs.”

COURTESY OF COMEDY CENTRAL

The Weird Sisters Eleanor Brown | B+

JENNIFER GREENE Jill Allison Hart, known to many as Jennifer Greene, has been known for her romance writing. She has written numerous romance books and was also inducted into the Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame. Her books are great in terms of plot, and with books such as Madam’s Room, Foolish Pleasure and Slow Dance, Greene sure knows how to create the ideal love story.

NORA ROBERTS Nora Roberts is very well known to the romance audience. With more than 200 romance novels published, she is no amateur at writing. She has won several RITA awards, the highest honor for a romance author, and was inducted into the Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame. Many of her books have made appearances as Lifetime movies, such as Northern Lights, Midnight Bayou and Angels Fall. Roberts has definitely owned her craft, and with books such as Birthright and Blue Smoke she clearly knows how to make memorable characters that readers can relate to and enjoy.

JUDITH MCNAUGHT Judith McNaught is a force to be reckoned with in the romance genre. She has been writing both contemporary and historical romance novels since 1985. McNaught has gained recognition by many and has picked up a few RITA awards as well. She is even recognized as being one of the first romance authors to receive a multi-million dollar contract and have her novels published in hardcover. One of her standout novels is the book Paradise, which is a part of her Paradise series. McNaught, now 66 years old, has not shown signs of slowing down. With the fifth book in the Paradise series expecting a release in early 2012, romance fans won’t expect this veteran to slow down any time soon.

BY INAYAH BRISTOL STAFF WRITER

Anyone who has read Shakespeare is probably familiar with the “weird” sisters from Macbeth.

New author Eleanor Brown has taken the name from Macbeth and concocted a story of her own.

In her debut novel, The Weird Sisters, Brown creates a very charming story about sisters that, while different from the ones in Macbeth, are equally as interesting.

The Weird Sisters tells the tales of sisters, Rosalind, Bianca and Cordelia. Because their father is an English literature professor, the girls have a very advanced vocabulary and love to read, especially Shakespeare — but that is the only thing they have in common. Rose, the eldest, is a perfectionist who likes living a simple life and is completely against change. By contrast we have Bianca (known as Bean by her family), the dramatic sister who enjoys the finer things in life, and Cordelia, the free-spirited wan-

derer who is used to having others make decisions for her.

All grown up now, the three have gone off into the world and are doing their own thing. The only problem is, none of them seem to be doing their “own thing” very well. So at the hardest time in their lives, they all manage to wander back home.

The book is told in a way that leads you to believe that one of the sisters is telling the story, but you never know which one is specifically speaking, which adds dynamic to the book. Brown also does a very good job of presenting readers with three strong main characters and believability. Her character description, details and setup of the plot are all very good and show that she has a lot of potential as a writer.

This book is very simple and is something many people can relate to. Anyone who has siblings can relate to the girls’ sibling rivalry and opposing views. So for a debut novel, Brown excels with her writing. The Weird Sisters is definitely a book worth having.

CHASEANDSTATUS.CO.UK AND STATUS COURTESY OF GOULDING.COM; CHASE ELLIE OF Y RTES COU G OM; ELLIE GOULDIN COURTESY OF BIFFYCLYRO.C CLOCKWISE: BIFFY CLYRO

New Age Age Brits Brits New

ELLIE GOULDING

If you’re into KE$HA or LA ROUX check out

Location: Hereford, England | Genre: Pop

Recommended Tunes:

“Starry Eyed” “Lights”

This 24-year-old pop star (pictured top right) has quite a few things going for her. Her catchy choruses and forceful beats give her strong ground to stand on. Having numerous nominations for awards in England, including the U.K. Festival’s “Best Breakthrough Artist” award, Goulding clearly has a lot of talent. Her first full-length album, Lights, was released only a year ago, and her popularity has certainly sky-rocketed since then. Goulding rereleased her album Lights under the new name, Bright Lights, which contains six new studio-recorded songs. Her appealing persona and foottapping songs are sure to get you hooked.

TWITTER: @elliegoulding | FACEBOOK: facebook.com/elliegoulding

BIFFY CLYRO

Location: Kilmarnock, Scotland | Genre: Alternative

Recommended Tunes:

“Mountains” “The Golden Rule”

This three-man-band (pictured top left) has been around for a bit, releasing their first official CD, Blackened Sky, back in 2002. But they’ve just started to build more of a reputation in the last year. Simon Neil, James Johnston and Ben Johnston write songs with melodious guitar riffs and raw, truthful lyrics — creating songs that will undoubtedly resonate in your head. Their latest album, Only Revolutions, has brought the trio much fame in the U.K., and they are about to invade the states. Biffy Clyro is set to make its debut in the U.S. Feb. 12, at the Gramercy Theater in New York City. Grab some tickets to be one of the first to witness Biffy Clyro’s uprising.

TWITTER: @Biffy_Clyro | FACEBOOK: facebook.com/biffyclyro1

TINIE TEMPAH

Location: Plumstead, England | Genre: Hip-Hop

Recommended Tunes:

“Pass Out” “Obsession”

If you’re into JACK’S MANNEQUIN check out

If you’re into KANYE WEST or KID CUDI check out

He’s the next big thing in the hip-hop game. Patrick Okogwu Jr., better known by his stage name Tinie Tempah (pictured on cover), has large stardom potential. From his lyrics to his flow, he offers a unique approach to the rap game. Though it may seem strange to hear a rapper with a British accent — unless you love Dizzee Rascal — the lyrics he spits out contain clever punches in nearly every line. Disc-Overy, his first full-length album, was released around a year ago, and since then has won Urban Music Award’s “Best Hip-Hop Act” award, among others. With electronic, hard-hitting drum and bass beats to complement his steadfast lyrics, you’d be foolish not to bump his music.

TWITTER: @Tinie Tempah | FACEBOOK: facebook.com/tinietempahofficial

LAURA MARLING

Location: Hampshire, England | Genre: Folk

If you’re into KATE NASH or COLBIE CAILLAT check out

Recommended Tunes:

Clocking in at 21 years young, Laura Marling is a folk sensation. This singer/songwriter has definitely made her presence known in the indiefolk scene. I Speak Because I Can is her second full-length album that was released just last year. It had great success reaching No. 4 on the charts in the United Kingdom as well as achieving gold status. Marling’s poetic lyrics and serene guitar playing, reminiscent of bands like Mumford & Sons and Noah and the Whale, has attracted listeners throughout six different countries — and the United States will be next.

“New Romantic” “Ghosts”

TWITTER: @lauramarlinghq | FACEBOOK: facebook.com/lauramarling

CHASE & STATUS

Location: London, England | Genre: Dance/Electronic

Recommended Tunes:

“End Credits” “Blind Faith”

If you’re into R SKILLEX or BASSNECTA check out

Duo Saul Chase Milton and Will Status Kennard (pictured bottom) are excellent at producing one thing: dance beats. These two producers are destined to have fans at their feet begging to dance. They’ve produced beats for Rihanna, but their talent has yet to be noticed in the states thus far. In 2008, they released their first album More Than a Lot, which won the “Best Album Award” at the Drum and Bass Festival in 2009. Since then Chase & Status released a second album, titled No More Idols, which will hopefully be a catalyst to their popularity in the United States.

TWITTER: @chaseandstatus | FACEBOOK: facebook.com/chaseandstatus

The United Kingdom is known for constantly producing artists who have made huge contributions to the music world, especially in America’s music sphere — from the classics to the contemporaries, from The Beatles to Muse. These British natives have a lot to offer listeners, and their accents sure are appealing. By Emily Gabriele, Music Editor.

Page 6 • Inside Beat COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES

BY JASON PEARL STAFF WRITER

Alister Grierson | C

Sanctum

BY ALEX NATANZON STAFF WRITER

In a time when animation was dominated by kid friendly cartoons and the antics of tricky rabbits and big-shoed mice was the norm, it was Ralph Bakshi’s (October 20, 1938) uncensored, fullbearing adult animations that pushed against the mainstream and forced people to think. Bakshi was a pioneer in his field who stirred up much controversy with his films. Like George Carlin, Bakshi sought the line and crossed it.

Bakshi originally worked for Terrytoon animation studios in the late ’50s and ’60s. He took part in such shows as Deputy Dog, Heckle and Jeckle and Spiderman.

But Bakshi was unhappy with the direction that the cartoons were going, and in 1972 created his most celebrated piece. Based on

February 10, 2011

Film • TV

Robert Crumb’s infamous adult comic book series, Fritz the Cat became the first X-rated cartoon.

It touched on issues of war, politics, drugs and the counter-culture movement that swept the nation at that time period. In the following years, Bakshi would go on to make some of his most poignant films, which explored race relations in the city, and tackled many risqué topics. These films included Heavy Traffic, Coonskin and Hey Good Lookin. Bakshi was no stranger to controversy, and his adult-oriented cartoons garnered as much heat as they did praise.

Many of his cartoons were banned from certain countries and were constantly censored.

Bakshi turned to fantasy in 1977 with his film Wizards. The movie told of a dystopian, future fairytale world where an evil wizard plans to enslave people using an old film

Sanctum is a thriller loosely based on the real-life experiences of the film’s co-writer, cave diver Andrew Wight. While the jungles and rock formations of Papua New Guinea are beautifully shot, the mediocre script and weak supporting cast squander the film’s potential.

Sanctum tells the story of a group of explorers, led by veteran Frank (Richard Roxburgh, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) who are mapping one of the last unknown caves on earth.

Frank’s rebellious son Josh (Rhys Wakefield, The Black Balloon) and benefactor Carl (Ioan Gruffudd, Fantastic Four) later join him down in the cave. Shortly after they arrive, a powerful storm hits

projector with footage of Adolf Hitler. While the subject matter may seem a bit out there, it was nevertheless beautifully animated and attempted to cover issues that no one else had. Bakshi also helped pioneer a style of animation called “rotoscoping.” This technique involved shooting live action footage of the actors, and then tediously coloring over them to give the animations a realistic feel and movement.

Bakshi implemented this technique in his film The Lord of the Rings and his collaboration with artist Frank Frazetta in Fire and Ice. Bakshi is unfortunately not recognized for his contributions to film and animation as much as he should be. He helped revolutionize the industry and injected his cartoons with an unrelenting realism. He was unafraid to show things for what they were, and for this he is a pioneer of his craft.

the area earlier than expected, and the caverns begin to flood. With their only known exit blocked by a fallen boulder, Frank, Josh and the others must push on deeper into the cave to find another way out.

Despite the overall movie being second-rate, some aspects of Sanctum are surprisingly well done, the highlight being Alister Grierson’s (Kokoda) direction. Grierson, along with cinematographer Jules O’Loughlin, masterfully frame nearly ever shot in the movie. The decisions they make regarding the lighting, cuts and camera angles all service the vibe of each scene and the spirit of the film overall. Strength also comes in the form of the performances of the three leads. Wakefield, Roxburgh and Gruffudd all give convincing, emotional performances

in spite of the inadequate script.

Unfortunately, the worst part of this film is also arguably the most important— the screenplay. The dialogue throughout the entire first half of the film is dull and doesn’t sound realistic. The second half gets a little better, if only because there are less characters speaking. While the lead actors succeed, the supporting actors fail. Perhaps it is more the script’s fault. Yet, the actors with the least screen time also put in the least effort.

In the end, with its stunning natural splendor, poor script and some lackluster per formances, Sanctum almost feels like a Discover y Channel special as opposed to a feature film. While the direction was excellent, it simply could not make up for its other shortcomings.

Ralph Bakshi A True Pioneer

PHOTOS COURTESY OF RALPHBAKSHI.COM

British Invasion: America’s Best UK Imports

COURTESY OF FOX

BY ALEX NATANZON STAFF WRITER

The highly anticipated prequel to Spartacus: Blood and Sand returns with a mighty battle cry in the mini-series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. The abundance of pulse-pounding violence, oceans of blood and sexual content that is the trademark of the series is quite present in Gods of the Arena. While the titular character of Spartacus is not in the prequel, many of the main characters of Blood and Sand make a return as their stories are explored and further elaborated.

What is interesting about Gods of the Arena is that the characters the audience has grown to know in Blood and Sand are introduced in a new light. The viewer gets to witness their evolution from the personas highlighted in the first series.

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena is set in the city of Capua during the time of ancient Rome and follows Batiatus, (John Hannah, The Mummy) a “lanista” (manager) of a “ludus” (collection) of gladiators. The plot tracks Batiatus’s rise to power, and his ambitious undertakings of getting his gladiators to perform in the primus. With his wife Lucretia (Lucy Lawless, Xena: Warrior Princess) by his side, nothing will stop Batiatus from climbing the ranks of influence.

Gods of the Arena does not hold back when it comes to depicting an almost overwhelming amount of adult content. While the squeamish may wince when witnessing a man’s jugular being ripped out or a gladiator disemboweled in the arena, those who do enjoy stylized violence and intense action sequences will find this show a delight. What set the series apart from being just a

BY FREDDIE MORGAN STAFF WRITER

American television producers are always looking for the next big hit, so it is understandable that they would keep an eye out for a successful series across the pond and adapt it for U.S. audiences.

But anyone who falls in love with a brilliant British show knows the frustration of watching it become butchered without proper care.

Skins, Shameless and Being Human were successful back in the UK, but in America the shows are facing public backlash. This, coupled with the ugly portrayal of adaptations in Episodes, makes viewers wonder if crossovers really do work. While many shows translated poorly in the United States, the following are some that attracted massive appeal.

Whose Line Is It Anyway cannot be underestimated as it is a huge

mindless bombardment of gore is the enticing storyline. The plot and performances from the cast draw viewers in and submerge them into the drama.

Newcomers to the series can watch Gods of the Arena without ever having seen its companion piece; the story of the prequel stands strong by itself and is far from confusing. The show suffers in that it is a mini-series — certain key plot elements may be summed up too quickly, and a few supporting characters might not be developed enough in six episodes.

Spar tacus: Gods of the Arena is a high-powered, thrilling ride that will have viewers eagerly anticipating ever y strike of the sword and roar of the crowd. It fuses a compelling storyline with solid acting and more than satisfying action to bring to the screen a wild and breathtaking television experience.

crossover success in the United States. The improvisational sketch show ran for 10 years with rotating guests and a few regulars. When it was brought to the states, two regulars, Colin Mochrie and Ryan Stiles, went with it. The format of improv games in front of a studio audience showcased comedic talent that isn’t seen very often on television here. It has become as beloved as the original, even now that it has moved to late night reruns.

The United Kingdom has been the petri dish for countless unscripted programs that have gone on to creep across the American pop landscape. But one show rose above the rest. Ratings juggernaut American Idol revolutionized the way reality competition winners were selected by giving the audience the power. The show has gone on to produce a great number of successful singers such as Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clark-

son and Jennifer Hudson, to name a few. Idol has had an irreversible effect on U.S. television and the music industry and will continue to be a popular institution in American pop culture, even as the judge panel shifts in its 10th season.

Queer As Folk was perhaps the only drama to successfully cross the waters. The explicit sex and subject matter surrounding gay culture, stereotypes and social issues caught the attention of Showtime executives.

The result was the most explicit series, gay or straight, on television, until the The L Word in 2004.

What about Shameless, Skins and Being Human? Will these new shows live up to their predecessors? It’s too early to tell, but a lot can go wrong with controversial subjects like drunkenness, teenage debauchery and the paranormal.

However successful these rookies could be, they still have high standards set out for them.

COURTESY OF STARZ

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

Starz, Fridays at 10 p.m.| B+

February 10, 2011

Music • TV

Inside Beat • Page 7

Flogging Molly: Green 17 Tour PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALL EYES MEDIA

Party Store | B-

BY ALEX HOLLAND STAFF WRITER

The Go! Team Rolling Blackouts | C-

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PRESS HERE PUBLICITY

BY CHARLIE RAWCLIFFE STAFF WRITER

It’s been four years since The Go! Team released their sophomore effort Proof of Youth, but not much has changed for the British collective.

Rolling Blackouts is an album of contrasts; mesmerising at its high points, tedious at its lows. Opener “T.O.R.N.A.D.O.” fits its title perfectly, rushing out as a pure wave of noise, complete with The Go! Team’s trademark catchy chants.

Unfortunately, the quality isn’t sustained, even if the level of energy is.

Rolling Blackouts is full of great hooks, both instrumental and lyrical, but nearly every song fails to develop and leaves a slight aftertaste of disappointment. “Secretary Song” opens fantastically but fades into monotony. “Buy Nothing Day,” featuring Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast, fails emphatically to do anything interesting, and “The Running Rage” is

a just a mess of clashing noises.

That’s not to say the album is without merit. At times it’s so listenable it becomes ever so slightly infuriating when the standard drops away again.

The intermissive “Super Triangle” clocks in at just less than two minutes and is entirely instrumental. It offers an island of calm, and uniquely for Rolling Blackouts, a sense of a fully developed song. Closing track “Back like 8 Track” acts as a reminder of how good The Go! Team’s debut LP Thunder, Lightning, Strike was, but by and large it’s an underwhelming affair.

The problem doesn’t come from lack of trying — it’s perfectly evident that the four years between albums have been spent formulating new, experimental ideas. Rather, it stems from the lack of editing. Too many songs contain clashing melodies and act more as a barrage of noise than anything particularly pleasing.

There’s enough good material here to avoid despair, but that’s about as much praise as can be given.

Eye On:

The Real Housewives of Atlanta

The Real Housewives of Atlanta just came to its season three finale and left Bravo in a state of shock. Housewives of Atlanta broke viewership records for Bravo, something no other Housewives has done in Bravo history.

On Jan. 30, Housewives averaged 4.4 million total viewers, making it the most-watched episode in the history of the Housewives franchise. These housewives, Sheree Whitfield, Kim Zolciak, Linnethia “Nene” Leakes, Kandi Burruss, Phaedra Parks and Cynthia Bailey have surely been the viewers’ favorites, even when weighed against the longest running The Real Housewives of Orange County.

Compared to the other Housewives on Bravo, Housewives of Atlanta’s unprecedented issues leave many questions unresolved, leaving viewers wanting more. Viewers are anxious to see the lovehate relationship of Nene and Kim unfold weekly — not to mention celebrated attorney Phaedra and her crumbling marriage. Viewers are on the edge of their seats waiting for the next season. What will the Housewives of Atlanta be up to next?

—Tiffany Gonzalez

Flogging Molly has recently finished recording their fifth album, The Speed of Darkness, which is set to be released on May 24. This is their first release that isn’t from SideOneDummy, but of the band’s own label, Borstal Beat. Bob Schmidt, the band’s banjo and mandolin player, describes having their own label as “a dream come true” and that it “really enable[s] them to control every aspect of the process.”

The first single off the album, “Don’t Shut ‘Em Down” has a distinct Motown feel. “The song reflects the time the band spent in Detroit. Some hardcore fans are concerned about the lack of the Irish elements, but they don’t need to worry, the rest of the album has

plenty of the traditional Irish sound.” On writing the new album, Schmidt said, “We’re more open to trying new styles. With seven members, it’s a dysfunctional democracy. The songs go through many changes and take a while to take shape, but they always end up as Flogging Molly.”

The band just set off on their seventh annual Green 17 tour. “We’ve always enjoyed celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, and the fans have too.

Eventually…a bunch of people ask[ed] us to play St. Patrick’s Day

Dinosaur Eyelids

BY EMILY GABRIELE MUSIC EDITOR

at their place, and it just made sense to do a tour bringing the St. Patrick’s Day celebration to everyone.”

Flogging Molly has built a reputation for raucous live shows that never disappoint. “We try to bring passion and honesty to the stage and I think the fans really respond to that.” If you want to hear some of the new album before its release, be sure to catch a show when Flogging Molly stops in Atlantic City on Feb. 19, Philadelphia on Feb. 25 or New York City on March 2.

COURTESY OF PATRICK MCKNIGHT

It’s been three years since Detroit’s The Dirtbombs have released a new LP. Following the release of the band’s previous studio album, We Have You Surrounded, their new album Party Store is filled with heavy bass riffs, dark vocals and fuzz box guitars. The album’s opening track “Cosmic Cars” has vocalist Mick Collins singing about “putting my foot to the gas” with a deep and menacing voice over a grooving rhythm section.

Tracks such as “Sharivari” and “Jaguar” will make even the most jaded of listeners nod their heads.

Thanks to the album’s in-your-face

bass riffs and infectious drumbeats, you can imagine these songs best being played in a dark and smoky club in downtown Detroit. While Party Store has a unique and capturing sound, it does tend to wane in appeal and creativity as the album goes on. For instance, “Tear the Club Up,” offers the same elements heard earlier in the album.

The only track that doesn’t use the same ingredients as the rest of the CD is the 22-minute track “Bug in the Bass Bin,” which is a cover of Detroit-based, techno artist Carl Craig’s song. While it does add something different to listen to, it is maybe too different than what the rest of the album encapsulates. Even with these flaws, Party Store stands on its own feet as a very well put together album that gets its listeners engaged and grooving.

STAFF WRITER

Local Corner

COURTESY OF DIRTBOMBS.NET

The Dirtbombs

BY STEVE SMOKE

You’ve probably seen the flyers posted everywhere throughout New Brunswick with “Dinosaur Eyelids” written all over them. If your curiosity hasn’t gotten the best of you yet, well then you’re missing out. Evan Staats, Scott Staats, Dan Fishtein and Patrick McKnight are the guys behind the name. The New Brunswick based quartet is set to release their second full-length album Down the River Tuesday, Feb. 14.

The 14-track album contains many elements that should not go overlooked. From the get-go, Down the River wails with gritty guitar riffs, accompanied by subtle yet engaging rhythms. Songs like “…And the Gods Made War” and “Further Down a River” exemplify the band’s undying energy that is put forth in their music.

But don’t underestimate Dinosaur Eyelids diversity — tracks such as “Conditionals” and “Across the Sea” add a tranquil vibe to the album’s entirety. “Across the Sea” creeps into a suave state as lead singer Staats croons, “so now I’m drifting across the sea/and where I drift to don’t mean much to me.” The song truly makes listeners feel as though they are drifting across the sea, which heeds much praise toward the fabulous songwriting. All of the tracks on the album contain deeply heartfelt lyrics that can be accredited to Staat’s poetic nature.

Dinosaur Eyelids have struck a chord displaying their imminent talent with Down the River. Playing gigs ranging from local hot spot, the Court Tavern to Fontana’s in New York City, the road ahead for Dinosaur Eyelids seems promising. Don’t miss out on the talent that’s right around the corner.

February 10, 2011

Theater • Video Games

COURTESY OF LOVELOSSONSTAGE.COM

Westside Theatre | A

COURTESY OF GAMESTOP.COM

Love, Loss, and What I Wore

Inside Beat • Page 8

BE STRONG

BY RYAN SURUJNATH

BY KATELYN MINEO STAFF WRITER

Hate Valentine’s Day? Looking for some feel-good entertainment on a night out? Love, Loss, and What I Wore is the perfect show to remind you that love doesn’t just come from romantic relationships, but from our daily relationships with family, friends … and our purse.

Based on the book by Ilene Beckerman, Nora Ephron (Julie & Julia, When Harry Met Sally...) and daughter Delia bring a play that portrays love stories of different women and what they wore on that special occasion. What audiences will enjoy most about this piece is the focus of love among various interactions with the specific people in women’s lives. It makes you realize that an annual occasion like Valentine’s Day is actually a holiday to individually reflect on the love from all of those around us. The play delivers with humor, sincerity and honesty.

Aside from the storyline, what makes Love, Loss... so relatable and

STAFF WRITER

intriguing is its current stellar cast of five fabulous women: Alexis Bledel (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray), Anita Gillette (30 Rock), Rutgers alumnus Judy Gold (Sex and the City) and Pauletta Washington (The Parkers). The stage is very simple, set up with five chairs that the actors remain seated in during the entire show. But don’t let that be a turn off — the cast may be small but their work is powerful. Previous cast members have included Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked), Rosie O’Donnell, Stacy London (What Not to Wear) and recent Golden Globe winner, Jane Lynch (Glee).

Bledel plays various roles throughout the show with similar personas to the cute, quiet and bashful character that she typically takes on. She speaks of how she has absolutely “nothing to wear” in her closet — something that a number of us can relate to. Blonsky does a fantastic job taking on various characters; from a 12-yearold mad at her mother for buying the most heinous outfit, to a girl frustrated with weight she can’t

seem to take off no matter how much she exercises and diets.

Gillette pulls in the older crowd as she looks back on her first, second and third marriages and her experiences with men. Washington and Gold are crowd-pleasers with their sarcastic sense of humor and wit. Speaking about hating their inevitably overfilled purses that are, unfortunately a reflection of themselves, will have audiences rolling on the floor with laughter.

With characters of all ages, sexual orientations, races, body-types and interests, this play has something every viewer can relate to. It will have you reliving your first kiss, first heartbreak, stupid fights with your mom, all while remembering the special bond of sisterhood; how everyone looks good in black, and that beauty is always more than meets the eye. Even men should experience the “chick flick for the stage” since it can help them wittingly learn more about the female sex. This Valentine’s Day, make it a special occasion to remember all the love you have had in your life.

EA and developer Crytek have released a new trailer titled “Be Strong” for the upcoming game Crysis 2. The scene is a New York City ravaged by aliens in the year 2023.The setting is in stark contrast to that of the first Crysis, which took place in the North Korean jungle. Based on what has been released, it seems Crytek’s rendition of the Big Apple is coming together nicely.

“Be Strong” focuses on showcasing the various abilities made available to players via the new Nanosuit 2. This futuristic suit of armor has the ability to amplify the players speed and strength, as well create a stealth field to render the player virtually invisible. These abilities are familiar to those who have played the first Crysis, and unfortunately the trailer does not feature some of the new powers that have been speculated about.

The brief combat footage looks amazing. In two minutes, the trailer shows a variety of ways players can approach the enemy,

whether it be through superior agility, stealth, using the environment or thorough brute force. In addition to fighting aliens, in certain parts of the trailer the player also seems to be fighting against what appear to be other nanosuitclad soldiers.

Cr ytek has also officially revealed the minimum PC specifications required to play Crysis 2.

PC gamers will no doubt remember the original Crysis as a game that, at time of its launch, defeated almost ever y processor and graphics card that was on the market. That being said, the minimum requirements are not too steep* and should be accessible for decent multimedia PCs that have been purchased within the last year. Crytek is yet to release the recommended specifications.

Crysis 2 is scheduled to be released on March 22 on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, and so far, looks like a promising game. *In terms of processing, an Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon 64 x2 with a speed of 2 GHz is needed. Crytek has also specified 2GB of RAM and 9GB of free hard drive space and NVidia 8800 GT or ATI Radeon 3850 HD video cards.