#7
arts & entertainment. THECLOCK
Black 7
March 2, 2012
Another Instant Classic from the East Bay Ben Theriault For the Clock
J
esse Michaels knows how to make a comeback. Classics of Love’s self-titled debut album was released on Feb., 14th, 2012 on Asian Man Records, and it does not dissapoint. This is the band’s first full-length album since forming in 2008, having released only a 6 song EP, Walking in Shadows, in 2009. The band boasts some of the most influential musicians in the East Bay punk scene, and considering the area’s fruitful punk history, that’s saying something. Max Huguenor of Shinobu, Morgan Herrell and Max Feshbach from Pteradon, and the icing on the cake, Jesse Michaels of Operation Ivy,
form the body of COL. This record is sure to rekindle the idea that “punk’s not dead”, creating faith in an otherwise dismal music scene. Classics of Love features 12 tracks sure to rattle your bones. Songs like “What a Shame” and “Bandstand” are reminiscent of the Operation Ivy-style sing-alongs of old, while other tunes like “Dissolve” and “Last Strike” feature the gritty d-beat style punk that revolutionized the genre in the early 80’s. One of the more interesting tracks featured on Classics of Love is the tenth; “Light Rail.” This song features a complex form that is very unlike Operation Ivy, Pteradon, or Shinobu’s straightforward beats. Rather, Classics of Love take a cacophony of sound and transforms it into a melodic jam with a hook that eerily resembles Elton John’s “Saturday Night’s Alright (for Fighting)”. The
album’s final track, “We Need a Change” is a breath of relief for Op-Ivy’s fans, seeing that Jesse Michaels’ ability to create powerful lyrics and present them in a manner that riles reveille within the scene is still prominent 24 years since he first appeared at 924 Gilman Street. Nothing is perfect, however, and this record is no exception. Track 6, titled “Moving Pictures” is a disappointing attempt at a “poppy” song by this hardcore quartet. Imagine Cannibal Corpse doing Sonny and Cher covers; it’s not a pretty picture. The song is extremely repetitive and only offers one break from its redundant nature: a sub-par breakdown into a simple solo that even Franché Coma would scoff at. It’s also a disappointment to see the band didn’t utilize its strong ska roots further, only featuring a heavy ska influence in two of
the twelve songs. Although it is not flawless, Classics of Love is a step-up from other new releases influential punk bands like Rancid’s largely lame 2009 effort Let the Dominoes Fall, NoFX’s disappointing Coaster, or even Bad Religion’s less-than-stellar New Maps of Hell. This album is a definite must for those of you who want to cry every time Skrillex releases a new song, or Phish comes off another hiatus. If you regularly wake up with a broken nose from that gnarly concert last night, this album is guaranteed to rock your socks and split your wig. If you also couch-dive to scrounge up $2.00 in change so you can buy another pack of rolling tobacco, you can listen to the record for free at Pure Volume.
Jan Berenstain; Never Forgotten an Berenstain, the co-creator and illustrator of the popular children’s book series The Berenstain Bears unfortunately passed away Fri., Feb. 24, 2012. Berenstain, who was a ripe old 88 at the time of her demise, underwent a stroke late Thursday and never regained consciousness, before being pronounced dead the following day. She had lived in Solebury, Pennsylvania for many years. She wrote The Berenstain Bears series with her late husband Stan, whose 2005 death preceded her own. The Berenstains brought to life the family of Berenstain Bears, Mama Bear, Papa Bear, Brother Bear and Sister Bear, for over fifty years. Many
children and their parents were touched by the series, which often had a moral lesson concerning family values ingrained within the text and colorful illustrations. Accoridng to Fox News, since the 1962 release of the first Berenstein book, The Big Honey Hunt, over 300 different books have been released in 23 different languages. The books had become wildly popular in schools and homes, and were even made into a cartoon for television. The series was based off of the Berenstains real family, lending a touch of reality to every story. Family was clearly important to the Berenstains, whose sons later became involved in the business. The oldest son and writer Leo is now involved in the business and financial end while Mike, the younger son,
helped illustrate the later books. According to the Pennsylvania Center for the Book, Jan Berenstain was influenced by her own interest in how rhyming helped her learn new words and read as a child. Her major influences on the series included her own life events, for example the book The Berenstain Bears’ New Baby was written after Mike was a new addition to the Berenstain family. This was the wonder and charmer of the series, which parents and children loved alike. Each book held a lesson or moral that could be taught, and an outlet to help children cope with events that might be going on in their life. The books’ themes were universal enough to be marketed all over the world, and local enough to be enjoyed right here at home.
The Berenstains were extremely successful authors, and sold over 240 million copies of their children’s books, fifteen of which were featured in the 100 top children’s paperbacks. Throughout their career, Jan and Stan received awards ranging from the Ludington Award for Educational Paperbacks to multiple Philadelphia Children’s Literary Roundtable honors. Even with the honorable and notable honors they have received, it has been said that their favorite and most important honors were from their children. Berenstain leaves behind her two sons, Mike and Leo and four grandchildren. Although Stan and Jan are both deceased, their name will live on in the heart-warming books they created and brought to life.
Pictured is artist Mikea Pauly who came to Plymouth State on Mon., Feb. 27, 2012 to perform for PACE's Fireplace Sessions.
CLOCK PHOTO / MARIE SHAHEEN
J
For the Clock
CLOCK PHOTO / MARIE SHAHEEN
Lauren Guida