Theatre-in-the-Round presents controversial new play
By Staff Writer | December 2The Communication Department will premiere its latest dramatic performance, "A Few Good Men," this Thursday night.
FEATURES
Dahl's childrens' book gets a fantastic new spin
By Staff Writer | December 2After its theatrical debut on Nov 25, audiences have been mesmerized by "The Fantastic Mr. Fox." Originally a children's novel by renowned author Roald Dahl, this story has come to life in a unique way with the help of director Wes Anderson.
mtvU Woodie awards honor indie cred
By Staff Writer | December 2mtvU held the sixth annual Woodie Awards on Nov. 18 in New York City's Roseland Ballroom. mtvU – the obviously cooler television station for college students that actually plays music – opened their red carpet access to college newspapers and invited hundreds of college students to come to the show for free. The standing room floor audience had access to three bars and two different stages to watch the five amazing performances up close and personal, with celebrities and VIP's mingling within the crowd all evening for a real rock n' roll award show.
Chris Walla talks Twilight
By Staff Writer | December 2The Setonian had the opportunity to speak to Chris Walla, producer and guitarist of Death Cab for Cutie, before he performed Death Cab's new song, "Meet Me at the Equinox," live at the MTV Woodies.When asked about the band's motivation to write a song specifically tailored for the "Twilight" soundtrack, Walla admitted to being a fan of the series and said the recording process was "unlike anything we've ever done. It was the first time that we put a song together with something really specific in mind."Outside of vampires and werewolves, Walla acknowledged the recent success of Death Cab's latest record, "Narrow Stairs," discussing the band's emergence into the mainstream world. Not feeling the pressure to maintain mainstream standards, Walla said, "I don't think that anybody really gets anywhere by sort of specifically tailoring their music to fit what a particular audience wants to hear.""I think that I think we're just going to keep doing what we've always done, which is just trying to make records that we like and that we would listen to if we were buying them," Walla said.For all the fans yearning for the lo-fi albums from the "Something About Airplanes" heyday, Walla will not make any promises. "You're really in a dangerous place if you are trying to make decisions, musical and creative decisions specifically, to please some subset of your fans," he said.There are no new plans for a Death Cab album just yet, though Walla acknowledged that the new record will "probably be a little bit more accessible than ‘Narrow Stairs' was." For now, Walla fans can listen to his studio mastery on the albums he is currently producing from groups like Tegan and Sara, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and The Thermals.Kevin Stevens can be reached at kevin.stevens@student.shu.edu.
"The Fall" certain to rise to the top
By Staff Writer | December 2For the last seven years, Norah Jones has blessed the ears of music lovers with her soft voice and relaxed jazzy sound. On Nov. 17, the Grammy winner's fourth album "The Fall" arrived with a positive musical twist. The album speaks about broken love, ended relationships and, ultimately, steps back into the single life. Considered to be her "guitar album," Jones' newest creation manages to produce an unexpected, but certainly welcomed, bluesy, pop-rock feel that maintains the soulful intonation and personal lyrics listeners have grown to love.
Ronan takes on "The Lovely Bones"
By Staff Writer | December 2Alice Sebold's best-selling novel "The Lovely Bones" will come to life on the silver screen in Peter Jackson's film adaptation opening in theaters on Dec. 11.
Turn the LIGHTS on
By Staff Writer | December 2LIGHTS is the project of Lights Poxleitner (that's her real, legal name), a 22-year-old singer-songwriter hailing from Toronto, Canada. Already fairly well known in her home country, it is only a matter of time before LIGHTS follows in the footsteps of Owl City to make her own mark on the synth-pop scene in the United States.
Twilight fans go gaga for "New Moon" saga
By Staff Writer | November 23It's 12:01a.m, on Friday, Nov. 20. The premiere of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" is about to begin and there is not an empty seat in all of the ten auditoriums at the Jersey Garden's Theater.Unsurprisingly, this is what thousands of other movie theaters across the country experienced that night as well. "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" was even able to break "The Dark Knight" midnight showing record with $74.7 million. It's debatable whether fans came out to see it solely because of the effect the original had on them or because they were legitimately excited for more screen time for Bella and her vampire boyfriend, Edward. Despite the reasons, the film is already a massive hit.
Mayer's newest album leaves too many "Battle" scars
By Staff Writer | November 20With his first three solo albums making the Top Ten charts, widely respected and revered singer-songwriter John Mayer claims to have taken a new, record-in-home approach on "Battle Studies," that unfortunately often seems futile. Set to be released on Nov. 24, Mayer's album veers away from his traditional, political and opinionated lyrics and into a much more personal and emotional realm. Band mates Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino join Mayer in a relatively lackluster musical compilation- one that demonstrates talent but certainly is not the Grammy winner's best work.
Call of Duty: Modern Controversy
By Staff Writer | November 18"Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" was released last week to a mass craze for fans and gamers across the country. However, what appears to be a near perfect first-person shooter turns out to have a mission in it making avid gamers, casual video players and others turn their stomachs inside out.
"Sesame Street" goes green for its birthday
By Staff Writer | November 18"Sesame Street" will be celebrating its 40th anniversary of broadcasting on Nov. 10. According to "The Muppet Newsflash" online, the new season is called "My World is Green and Growing" and will continue teaching children through songs, lessons and games while focusing on creating a green environment.Sesame Street Workshop will release two new books. "Sesame Street: A Celebration of Forty Years of Life on the Street" by Louise Gikow discusses the idea of show, starting with the pilot episode and how it has changed through the years. The book includes pictures and an exclusive look of the characters and writers of the show. "Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street" by Michael Davis will look at the creation, development and success of the show, including interviews with the main characters of the show. The show has gone through many changes since it first debuted on PBS and many new characters have been added to the show through the years. Another change occured in 2004 when "Sesame Street" began its "Healthy Habits for Life," which teaches children about healthy living habits, such as brushing their teeth and eating well. According to the website, the project also helps build self confidence and shows fun ways to grow up healthy and happy. Muppets, such as the Cookie Monster, teach healthy habits by singing songs such as, "Cookies Are a Sometimes Food.""We're helping children establish an early foundation for healthy habits," the web site said. "We're fostering respect and understanding among the world's children. We're bringing education's building blocks to children everywhere. We're helping children build the resilience they need to cope during tough times."In the past seasons many celebrities have appeared on the show ranging from singers such as Norah Jones, Andrea Bocelli, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder. Jamie Fox, Jack Black, Christopher Reeve, Ellen DeGeneres and Jay Leno, as well as Barbara Bush and Michelle Obama have also made guest appearances on the show.According to "Muppet Newsflash," viewers can expect Kobe Bryant, Tiki Barber, Jeff Gordon, Jason Mraz, Hugh Jackman, Eva Longoria and many others to make guest appearances in the 40th season. Students at SHU have some fond memories of growing up with the show."I remember the Cookie Monster," freshman Stephen Paramo said. "He was my favorite just because I liked cookies as much as he did. I never liked Big Bird because when I thought of a girl, I never thought of a girl that towered over my face."Junior Kristen Henry said her favorite character was Snuffaluffagus. "Everyone forgets that he's there, but he's so cute," she said. "I used to watch with my younger brother, and he used to have a hard time learning numbers. I would learn counting and letters from there and try to help him from there. There's characters you'll never forget. Certain character's names you don't forget where they're from."
No "Echo" of praise for Leona Lewis
By Staff Writer | November 18"Echo" is the newest arrival from rags-to-riches diva Leona Lewis. The 2006 "X Factor" winner's first album, "Spirit," left critics unfulfilled in spite of its great technical accomplishments. The last album was received as an over-manufactured, substance-less spotlight on the singer's vocal prowess. It lacked soul.
Mickey Mouse turns 81 years young
By Staff Writer | November 18The Walt Disney Company will be celebrating 81 years of its legendary cartoon character, Mickey Mouse this month. On Nov. 18, 1928 Mickey Mouse grabbed the attention of audiences by appearing in the first ever synchronized sound cartoon, "Steamboat Willie."
Album sure to bring "Glee" to all
By Staff Writer | November 18"Glee" owes much of its credit to the past, from television shows like "Freaks and Geeks" to movies like "Pretty in Pink" and "10 Things I Hate About You." It is also indebted to "American Idol," a competition that has aroused the self-confidence and aspiration of every teenager who sings a G-flat in the shower. The first soundtrack includes 17 songs from the show, which is themed around a high school glee club and performed by its talented cast.Though the vocal performances are of a finely-tuned caliber, listeners unfamiliar with "Glee" may prefer the original songs to the cover versions on the soundtrack. But the album's diverse mix of songs has its own appeal; where else would you find a mix tape that includes tracks from Neil Diamond, Young MC, REO Speedwagon and "Cabaret"? Non-Glee-club members can also appreciate the inventive choral arrangements on Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and the girls' background harmonies on the 1989 rap hit "Bust A Move." Avid watchers will remember the cute teacher, Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison), and his wildly entertaining dance moves as he raps on Kanye West's "Gold Digger," feel conceited star Rachel Berry's (Lea Michele) heartache as she sings into a mock microphone on Rihanna's "Take a Bow" and reminisce to the fast-paced routine led by cheer captain Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron) to the Supremes' "Keep Me Hanging On." They'll relish the harmonies and recall the group's triumph on Queen's "Somebody to Love" and smile again at Will's bowling-alley duet with Kristin Chenoweth on Heart's "Alone."Missing from the soundtrack, though, are the memorable mash-ups of Bon Jovi's "It's My Life" with Usher's "Confessions" and Beyonce's "Halo" with Katrina, and the Waves' "Walking on Sunshine." A second volume of "Glee" music is set to hit stores next month and listeners can hope that these tracks will be on the new mix. Fans of Fox's radically flippant musical comedy show will love this soundtrack. This soundtrack includes a variety of well known songs from show tunes to pop culture from the past two decades. It's top notch singing is sure to keep people tuned in to the hit show and shoppers buying the soundtrack for everyone on their Christmas list.
Tim Burton brings horror to MoMA
By Staff Writer | November 18Ascend to the third floor of the Museum of Modern Art, past the topiary carved in the shape of a buck and enter through a doorway in the disguise of a monster's gaping jaws. Screams, horrific laughs and cries can be heard from the monster's throat, a hallway lined with screens showing the heroics of "Stainboy." Just beyond the viewing gallery is a backlight room with a trippy rotating carousel composed of various monster parts.
Fire up the old Game Boy
By Staff Writer | November 18What do the Frisbee, Monopoly, the Bicycle, G.I. Joe and the Easy Bake Oven all have in common? They are all toys that have found their way into the National Toy Hall of Fame. And now, Nintendo's Game Boy joins their ranks.
Old blood gets fresh sound with remastered collection
By Staff Writer | November 18The holiday season is steadily approaching and ‘tis the season for record companies to release the inevitable: box sets, remastered albums and DVD documentaries. In hopes that their product will make it onto fans' holiday wish lists, record companies will dig out the b-sides, live performances and extended or alternative artwork from albums, which offers both prospective and dedicated fans a new and extensive opportunity to investigate influential bands.
This Christmas Jim Carrey gets animated
By Staff Writer | November 11From early November until late December, people everywhere are bombarded by countless holiday songs, TV specials and movies. Even though each season presents original programming nothing can replace the classics like Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."
Posner gets personal at SHU concert
By Staff Writer | November 11For the first time in over three years, Seton Hall hosted a long-awaited on-campus concert on Nov. 6 featuring Detroit singer-songwriter Mike Posner for a crowd more personal than your typical house party. In front of a group so small that it was possible to be at the front and the back of the audience simultaneously, the charismatic Posner commanded the room and interacted with the students as if he was performing at Giants Stadium.
Walsh gallery gets some new threads
By Staff Writer | November 11The Walsh Gallery has unveiled its latest exhibit, "Uncommon Threads," which contains the works of 15 contemporary fiber artists. The exhibit, which is free and available to the public from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, opened on Nov. 2 and will run until Dec. 11.
