Arts

Papa Roach F.E.A.R. (Face Everything and Rise) (Eleven Seven Music) 4/5 It’s tough to believe that Sacramento, CA-based hard rock band Papa Roach (yeah, the “cut my life into pieces…” nü-metal-lite guys, led by singer Jacoby Shaddix) are already on the eighth album in their seemingly one-hit-wonder careers. Truth is, the band has consistently put […]

Young Ejecta The Planet (Driftless Records) 4.5/5 Juxtaposing the bittersweet melodies of Leanne Macomber (Neon Indian) and potent, atmospheric dance-pop synths of Joel Ford (Oneohtrix Point Never), collaborative project Young Ejecta is a fresh interpretation of electronic pop. Opening track “Into Your Heart” skips in on plucky eight-bit arpeggios and digital violins, characteristic of Macomber’s […]

The Gay Nineties Liberal Guilt (Fontana North) 2/5 The worst thing an album can do for its audience is not offer anything artistically different or honest. Liberal Guilt sounds tired before it even starts; I found myself wanting it to end by the first song. I’m sick of the same “indie-pop” band hitting the scene […]

Local artist Cameron Kidd says that art is something that’s integrated directly into his life. Kidd has been highly involved in perpetuating the youth-art movement in Victoria, and his works have been displayed proudly in many places around town. Polychrome Fine Arts has recognized his skill and will be hosting Wag, which is an exhibit […]

Magic: is it a mystical force that can only be harnessed by witches and wizards? Or is it a kind of power that anyone can evoke? Tony Cain, the director of Alan Bennett’s People, now playing at the Langham Court Theatre, delved into the idea that magic can happen right here in the city of […]

This month, talented artist Carlos Colín will be dedicating an exhibit to the impact of language in our daily life and the definitions that surround it. Definitions will compare, well, definitions from the English language and from his first language, Spanish. Colín’s exhibit will stress the importance and power of language. “Philosopher, poet, and writer […]

The fact that a band as noisy and chaotic as Toronto noise-rock three-piece Metz are even remotely popular is actually quite astounding. That they’ll be in town on January 20 opening up for Montreal’s Death from Above 1979 at a sold-out show with a nearly $50 ticket price? Even more astounding. But Metz aren’t some […]

It’s been hailed as “the people’s music,” and a new local production based on the writings of influential singer/songwriter Pete Seeger celebrates that communal spirit of American folk music. “[Seeger] figured the answer to the world’s problems was communication, and the best way to communicate is to get them to sing together,” explains Ross Desprez, […]

Wu-Tang Clan A Better Tomorrow (Warner Bros.) 2/5 Being a longtime fan of Wu-Tang Clan, I was beyond excited for their latest release, A Better Tomorrow, their first since 2007. Unfortunately, that excitement quickly dissolved after the opening track, “Ruckus in B Minor.” After listening to the album in its entirety, it’s the best song, […]

German composer Felix Mendelssohn was only 17 years old when he read Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream for the first time. Mendelssohn was enchanted by the tale of fairy-crossed lovers and mischievous tricksters in the woods. That evening, after hearing a breeze blow through some leaves in the family’s garden, he sat down and […]