Artsweek

September 17, 2009

Relevatory Resistance ****

By Nicole Sands

Muse's fifth album, The Resistance, is a perfect display of what the Brit band does best: It blends hard rock rhythms with haunting, orchestral melodies to create one very eclectic listening experience. But, while Muse's...

September 17, 2009

This Wrong’s Alright ***

By Stephanie Leong

A product of the burgeoning Brooklyn scene, Vivian Girls attracted a lot of attention and acclaim over its 2008 self-titled debut album - along with a lot of reductive backlash. The trio's enthusiasts cite the group's at...

September 17, 2009

Let’s All Go To The Movies: Fall 2009

By Hunter M. Daniels

The summer of 2009 was Hollywood's most profitable ever, with studios raking in over $4.3 billion. Of course, most of the movies sucked. From the obnoxious "Wolverine" to the soporific "Transformers: Revenge of the Falle...

August 26, 2009

The Idiot’s Guide to Local Culture

By Virginia Yapp

Any dummy can figure out how to navigate Isla Vista's ridiculous party scene, but if you're looking to make the most of your four (or five) years in this crazy little beachside community without completely losing your mi...

May 28, 2009

A Vintage Filmgoing Experience

By Steven Morris

Hats off to Lillian Nicklesen, Sara Weitz and Carl Lindner for producing a quality show that ran smoothly and on time more so than any previous year I've attended.

May 28, 2009

“T4” Is Mechanical As They Come *

By Hunter M. Daniels

When it came out back in 1984, "The Terminator" was a wild ride full of action and adventure with killer science fiction hook.. It was so good that few people noticed that the sequel, subtitled "Judgment Day" was ostensi...

May 28, 2009

Danger Mouse’s “Dark Knight” Stalled ***

By Aaron Harms

The album Dark Night of the Soul is headed by musical artists Danger Mouse and Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse, and includes various musical collaborations like The Flaming Lips, Frank Black, James Mercer of The Shins, Jaso...

May 28, 2009

“Brothers Bloom:” Con-ning Linguists ****

By Hunter M. Daniels

In a summer full of dumber-than-dumb spectacles, and subtext-free action-porn, "The Brothers Bloom" is a breath of fresh air.

May 28, 2009

Jazz Reggae Fest Tops Extravaganza

By Matt Connolly

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending UCLA's Jazz Reggae Festival, the featured annual music event of our southbound University of California neighbor. Much like our very own Extravaganza, the performance wa...

May 28, 2009

Festival Offers Up TwoUnique Theatrical Works

By Karen Urrutia

In a continuation of world premiere presentations by the UCSB Dept. of Theater & Dance, the 2009 UCSB New Plays Festival showcased two extraordinary new works by UCSB theater students. The New Plays Festival presents sel...

May 28, 2009

Guess Who’s Back… Back Again? ****

By Sara Weitz

It has been almost five years since phenomenal rap artist Eminem has graced the public with any new music. But now he's back: His latest album, Relapse, is his most raw, intense and overall in-depth look into his usually...

May 21, 2009

Extravaganza 2009

By Hunter M. Daniels

Hot off the heels of the one-two punch of its 2008 EP, The Bake Sale, and its 2009 mix-tape, Gone Fishing, The Cool Kids played a mid-afternoon set at this weekend's Extravaganza.

May 21, 2009

INTERVIEW: The Cool Kids

By Matthew Schmitt

Artsweek writer Matthew Schmitt talks to The Cool Kids - a.k.a. Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish.

May 21, 2009

Campbell Hall To Host Reel Loud Friday

By Steven Morris

Finally legal and of age, the 18th annual Reel Loud Film Festival will fill Campbell Hall tomorrow evening. Each year, Reel Loud challenges local filmmakers and musicians to make a silent project on 16mm film stock and c...

May 21, 2009

A Cross-continental Affair

By Karen Urrutia

Long ago, Barbara Lebow's parents took a trip to Cuba. A photo of them taken there, in front of a tiled fountain with palm trees in the background, gave the playwright her first glimpse of the island. Nine years ago, sto...

May 21, 2009

Kings of Leon Rock the KROQ Weenie Roast

By Sara Weitz

While most students were at UCSB's Extravaganza this past Saturday, I ventured all the way out the Irvine Verizon Wireless Amphitheater to see KROQ's annual Weenie Roast. This year's lineup was one of the best, featuring...