"Kick-Ass" soundtrack lives up to its name
By Staff Writer | Apr. 21, 2010The music for the new movie, "Kick-Ass," is exactly what a good superhero movie soundtrack should sound like.
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Old formula missing in new album
By Staff Writer | Apr. 15, 2010Red Sparowes is a five-piece instrumental band that has always had a penchant for the heavier qualities of post-rock. Their 2005 debut, "At the Soundless Dawn," plays like a war documentary with its massive walls of sound. Whereas many instrumental or post-rock bands have aimed to elicit visceral emotions, like melancholy, nostalgia and hopefulness, from their listeners, Red Sparowes have previously attempted to capture human actions, often at their most fierce.
Are you the next Snooki?
By Staff Writer | Apr. 15, 2010This summer, MTV is looking for the "proudest, loudest and wildest to carry on the legacy" in the second season of its newest and most controversial hit show, "Jersey Shore."
SHU theatre gets familiar with "The Foreigner"
By Staff Writer | Apr. 15, 2010An elaborate set looms over the aisles of seats with a warm brown color scheme in the theater at SOPAC. Cream-colored walls with wooden accents, a dark brown bar lined with auburn bottles of liquor, deer and bird taxidermy adorns the walls and a sweeping stone fireplace soars; an ordinary stage has been transformed into a lodge.
Benefit concert on the Green to support college education
By Staff Writer | Apr. 15, 2010Seton Hall band Living Ataraxia will perform a benefit concert for the Mount Vernon Elementary School on April 22 on the Green.
MGMT deserves a "Congratulations" for new album
By Staff Writer | Apr. 14, 2010MGMT burst onto the music scene in 2006 after signing with Columbia records. The Brooklyn-based band is most popularly known for the hits, "Kids" and "Time to Pretend" off their debut album, "Oracular Spectacular."
Long Islanders make own name
By Staff Writer | Apr. 7, 2010It is easy to write off Long Island's Envy on the Coast as yet another band from the emo and post-hardcore scene that emulates, but can never measure up to, the likes of other Long Island supergroups such as Taking Back Sunday, Glassjaw and Brand New. Though the influences are apparent, Envy on the Coast proves on their second album, "Lowcountry," that they have ambitions outside their hometown inner circle, exhibiting musical growth and maturity to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump.
The "clash" between original and remake
By Staff Writer | Apr. 7, 2010The most recent addition to this current Hollywood trend of recycling films is the Warner Bros. remake of "Clash of The Titans," which earned a respectable $61 million in its opening weekend.
Hollywood loves the '80s
By Staff Writer | Apr. 7, 2010Robert Zemeckis' "Back to the Future" hit theaters worldwide in 1985 and now, in 2010, a good way to describe Hollywood's latest trend in movies would be "Back to the ‘80s."
Theatre Council goes nuts for Charlie Brown
By Staff Writer | Apr. 7, 2010The Theatre Council will present "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" this weekend, the first musical to be performed at Seton Hall University during an academic year since 1992.
Take a spin on Chatroulette
By Staff Writer | Mar. 25, 2010Recently, YouTube, MySpace and Facebook have welcomed a newcomer to the online social networking table.
A "God" among us
By Staff Writer | Mar. 25, 2010In the first 10 minutes of "God of War III," the ex-Spartan warrior, Kratos, makes it clear he has only one goal in mind: "If all those on Olympus would deny me my vengeance, then all of Olympus will die."
The new DeLorean
By Staff Writer | Mar. 25, 2010Adam got dumped, Lou is a party guy who is past his prime, Nick's wife is a control freak, and Jacob's obsession with video games keeps him from leaving the basement. These four friends, all bored with their adult lives, travel back in time to 1986 in a magical hot tub with the opportunity to change their futures in the new comedy, "Hot Tub Time Machine," opening in theaters March 26.
Indie charm of She & Him back for "Volume Two"
By Staff Writer | Mar. 25, 2010When people think of Zooey Deschanel, they remember the big, blue, staring eyes of an actress known for her off-beat, humorous performances in films such as "Yes Man," "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and "(500) Days of Summer." They might not know anything at all about her career on the side as one half of the accomplished indie folk band, She & Him.
Epic new album from indie rockers
By Staff Writer | Mar. 25, 2010The first time I saw Titus Andronicus, I became an instant fan. It is hard to scope a band at first listen so I purchased their only album, "The Airing of Grievances," which, somehow, captured the intensity of their live performance. The band, who hails from Glen Rock, N.J., instantly became my jogging music of choice: lengthy punk-rock rhythms and piercing instrumentals over lead-singer Patrick Stickles' spewing of existential lyrics.
New prescription from rock icons
By Staff Writer | Mar. 17, 2010Ted Leo and the Pharmacists are just one of those bands that never seem to age. Churning out punk infused pop songs for over a decade, the often politically charged band seems fixed in their technique: catchy guitar hooks, sing-a-long choruses and ebullient vocals. Despite their simplistic approach, the band has tackled large issues over the years, including failed politics, war, mental illness and religion. Ted Leo's political awareness has made him one of the good guys of indie rock. Sincerity has never been a fault of the band, but by their fifth full-length release, "The Brutalist Bricks," questions have been raised. Can the guys can still produce with the same fervor heard over a decade ago?
Ludacris "battles" it out in latest release
By Staff Writer | Mar. 17, 2010After a two year hiatus, rapper turned actor Chris Bridges, better known as Ludacris, has finally resurfaced with his eigth studio album entitled "Battle of the Sexes," reminding his fans and critics alike why he is still the self proclaimed "King of the South." The album was originally to be a duo featuring his former Disturbing The Peace recording artist Shawna. But with her recent split from the label, the album, thankfully, moved forth as a solo album, turning its attention toward the ladies that generally get neglected in rap albums. With an array of cameos from heavy hitter artist ranging from Monica to Nicki Minaj, Battle of the Sexes is already panning out to be one of Ludacris' best albums in at least the past four years.
Rockin' out at the movies
By Staff Writer | Mar. 17, 2010There have been many movies about music and the incredible musicians behind it. The latest movie to embrace this trend is "The Runaways," which tells the story of the all-girl, teenage rock band of the ‘70s and features Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning as Joan Jett and Cherie Currie. While the critical and commerical success of "The Runaways" can only be determined after its March 19 release, these other films have achieved this and are recommended for music and film lovers alike.
Not in a "league" of its own
By Staff Writer | Mar. 17, 2010The dorky-guy-gets-hot-girl premise of "She's Out Of My League" is simple yet completely overused, with Woody Allen even making an entire career out of it — deduct a point. Almost every funny moment in the film can be found in the trailer or in its commercials — deduct a point. There's a concert scene featuring a Hall and Oates cover band — add a point.
Poor lyricism, no emotion in Whigs third release
By Staff Writer | Mar. 17, 2010The latest record by the Georgian band The Whigs, "In the Dark," comes as a big release to follow a tour with breakthrough festival band, Kings of Leon. Coming from an area of the country that has produced so many amazing southern rock groups, The Whigs don't exactly measure up to par in this reach and miss of an album. While filled with catchy riffs and choruses that try to grab souls and encourage sing-a-long anthems like the hits of Kings of Leon and The Killers, "In the Dark" instead seems to embody that "try the next song" feeling. Like these other bands, The Whigs take the most obvious musical elements, like effortless lyrics about love or sex and a charismatic lead vocal, and apply them to every song.
