Friday, February 1, 2013
THE DAILY BEACON • 3 Arts & Culture Editor Victoria Wright
ARTS & CULTURE Local Natives score hit with second album
vwright6@utk.edu
Assistant Arts & Culture Editor Melodi Erdogan
merdogan@utk.edu
Comedian to perform on attending grad school Victoria Wright Arts and Culture Editor The title of the show may sound abrasive, but the content is anything but somber. The Graduate Researchers in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution organization will host a performance and reading from Adam Ruben’s book, “Surviving Your Stupid, Stupid Decision to Go to Grad School” Friday in the UC Ballroom. Sara Kuebbing, organization president and graduate student in ecology and evolutionary biology, said the organization decided to bring Washington, D.C. based comic to speak to UT students to address common concerns every graduate student has. “He writes and speaks about something that most UT graduate students have thought about at one time or another, and what any UT undergradu-
ate student should be thinking about if they are considering applying to graduate school,” Kuebbing said. “Personally, I am really happy with my decision to attend graduate school because I am really interested in what I study, and I think my degree will be critical in helping me in my future career.” Ruben, who balances his schedule as a molecular biologist, writer and comedian, will address some of the downsides of graduate school by reading from his book, a satirical survival guide to post-baccalaureate education. One concern he addresses are the pangs surrounding a student’s graduation date, which Ruben said can be shrouded in mystery. “You’re not really sure when you’re graduating, and you can’t plan your life at all,” Rubin said. “It’s an inability to plan your life.”
That hard lesson came when he began applying for jobs during his fifth year of graduate school. Though the prospect seemed positive, Ruben was unable to seal the deal because of issues with his graduation plans. Despite some of the dififuclties he experienced, Rubin said he has used his writing as a means to ease the pains he experienced in his schooling. “It’s kind of the way you suffer through something and find a way to look at it through humor.” Kuebbing said the benefits of attending a graduate degree outweigh the low points, but said she notices some students who enter programs only to realize they no longer want to pursue the degree. “There are lots of good reasons to pursue graduate education and an equal number of bad reasons to want to attend
graduate school,” Kuebbing said. “Adam’s frank communication on graduate school allows folks to consider why they really want to go to graduate school.” Kuebbing hopes students will break from a night of studying and attend the show for laughs, but also for a chance for some introspection. “I hope that students will walk away from the event tired from laughing so hard,” Kuebbing said. “Laughing about the annoying and exhausting (but very true) parts of graduate school is a great way for folks to feel better about what they’re doing and realize that lots of other people share their feelings.” “Surviving Your Stupid, Stupid Decision to Go to Grad School” begins Friday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. in the UC Ballroom. Admission is free and open to all students.
Around Rocky Top • Photo courtesy of Local Natives
A member of the Local Natives shows their hit single, “Breakers.” The song is the top hit off their most recent album, “Hummingbird.”
Spencer Hall Staff Writer The curse of the “sophomore slump” is a hurdle that many bands fall victim to. As was the case for musical artists such as MGMT and The Strokes, the hype around a stellar debut album often results in an average follow-up record. However, after the critical acclaim of their late 2009 debut album, “Gorilla Manor,” the Los Angeles-based rock band Local Natives are making sure they aren’t just another one-and-done act like so many of their peers in the independent circuit. After a three year recording process, the band is back with their latest LP, “Hummingbird,” and they are ready to show off their evolving sound with a strong sophomore album. “Hummingbird” doesn’t try to duplicate the distinct sunny California sound Local Natives produced with “Gorilla Manor.” The album provokes a deeper and much more moody, harmonious sound without completely straying from what made their fans fall in love so many years ago. Through their heartfelt lyrics and lush musical arrangements, the band captures the listener’s attention and guides them on an emotional journey full of love and heartbreak. With pounding drumrolls and an echoed keyboard introduction, the album’s second track, “Heavy Feet,” is the first standout of the record. As the song builds, the delicate singing voice of lead vocalist Kelcey Ayer gradually blends in with the harmonies of vocalist Taylor Rice leading into an explosive chorus. The track is closely similar to The National’s song, “Brainy,” most likely due to the fact
that The National’s Aaron Dessner has songwriting and performing credits on the album. The first single from the album, “Breakers,” is clearly the breakout hit of the record. The track is perhaps the most ambitious song on the album, complete with layered harmonies comparable to Grizzly Bear, a drumming pattern similar to Arcade Fire and a fast-paced tempo reminiscent of bands such as Dodos and Morning Benders. As the album progresses, so do the emotion in both Ayer’s and Rice’s voice. Two of the more stripped down and forthright songs on “Hummingbird” are “Mt. Washington” and “Colombia.” The tracks pull at the listener’s heartstrings with earnest simplicity evoking a raw emotional angst. On “Colombia” Ayers sings the lyrics, “If you never knew how much/if you never felt all of my love/I pray now you do.” He questions if his efforts for his love’s affection are sufficient as he sings, “Every night I ask myself/am I loving enough? Am I?” Both ballads show the growth Local Natives have taken as lyricists. These songs showcase that they have the ability to create a toned-down song that can still achieve their goal of reaching out to their audience. With “Hummingbird,” the band shows that they will continue to grow with each album. Not satisfied with making the same record time and time again, they will continue to please fans with thought provoking lyrics and a progressive sound. Getting over the sophomore slump has proved not to be a challenge for Local Natives, and the years of consideration put into “Hummingbird” will delight fans eager for a longawaited album.
Janie Prathammavong • The Daily Beacon
A vandalized Volkswagen beetle says “U R GAY” in a scene from the documentary “Fagbug” in Hodges Library on Jan. 23. The next film in the LGBT series is “Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement,” which will be shown on Feb. 13.