Artsweek

April 3, 2003

T-Love | Long Way Back | Astralwerks

By Mr. Bell

There is nothing more attractive than an intelligent, socially conscious hip hop head. Examples vary by sexual preference, but T-Love suits my fancy just fine.

April 3, 2003

The Libertines | Up the Bracket | Rough Trade

By Drew Atkins

Every once in a while, a band will come along that will make you think about feelings, whether by screaming and rapping about them over pseudo-metal beats or singing them over radio-friendly guitar riffs.

April 3, 2003

Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks | Pig Lib | Matador

By Drew Mackie

One might guess the Jicks that Stephen Malkmus hangs with on his new album Pig Lib are his new crew, but they're actually the same keyboardist and bassist from Malkmus' bull's-eye, of a self-titled 2001 album.

March 7, 2003

Tour-du-Fest

By Jessica Jardine

For most cinephiles scattered across the country, film festivals are a far-off notion, tucked away among the palm trees of L.A. or the ski slopes of Aspen. Not so, in Santa Barbara's case...

March 7, 2003

Ten Tear-jerking Years of Tibet

By Jessica Jardine

Arriving at the premiere of "Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion," was already an overwhelming experience. The film festival, thus far, had consisted of mostly filled theaters and complacent audiences.

March 7, 2003

Asian-American Awakening

By Drew Mackie

Director Eric Byler discusses being young, Asian and American in a novel way: by never directly addressing the subject in his film festival entry, "Charlotte Sometimes."

March 7, 2003

Slices of Celluloid

By Jessica Jardine Drew Mackie Staff Writer Luke Chamberlain

"Marion Bridge" serves as a reminder as to why so many people are in love with independent cinema. Set in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the film follows the youngest of three sisters, Agnes, as she returns home to help care...

March 7, 2003

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds | Nocturama | Mute/Anti

By DJ FatKid

When someone really wants to emit an aura of creepiness, they lurk around, glare ominously, mumble about doom and despair and occasionally make passes at members of the opposite sex in awkward but unusual ways.

March 7, 2003

Les Nubians | One Step Forward | Omtown

By Mr. Bell

The name Les Nubians reminds me of lesbians. I mean, all you have to do is remove the "Nu" from their name. And look at that cover. Are they gonna kiss?

March 7, 2003

Supergrass | Life on Other Planets | Island

By Owen Salisbury

Here's an exercise in futility: Imagine a music scene where pop does not exist. Almost as futile: trying to sort out how to describe Supergrass' new album, Life on Other Planets, without listing half of the pop acts the ...

February 27, 2003

Waking the Complacent Consumer

By Jessica Jardine

It's hard to imagine hip hop poet/actress/playwright Sarah Jones ever not commanding the spotlight. She's one of those people who dominates conversation, but for all the right reasons.

February 27, 2003

The Guru | HOLLY + BOLLY = STAY HOME

By Jessica Staff Writer Drew Staff Writer

Like chicken tikka masala prepared by careless American chefs, Daisy von Scherler Mayer's Hollywood-meets-Bollywood quasi-musical "The Guru" suggests that some things should stay on their respective continents.

February 27, 2003

Taming The Rock ‘N’ Roll Bull

By Alex Scordelis

Thumb sucking, microphone stand humping and rip-roaring rock 'n' roll: These are all staples of a live show by the Pattern, Lookout! Records' purveyors of punk rock boogie-woogie.

February 27, 2003

The Postal Service | Give Up | Sub Pop

By Jessica Jardine

Packed with distinctively '80s retro beeps, boops and clicks, this album so marvelously finds the pulse on electronica's ever-frigid wrist.

February 27, 2003

Fischerspooner | #1 | Capitol

By Sara Ferracone

There is a great reward waiting for anyone who checks their bias at the door and just listens.

February 27, 2003

Meanest Man Contest | Merit | Plug Research

By Mr. Bell

I was brainwashed by the Meanest Man Contest last year. Obsessed, really. My psychotherapist prescribed ragtime music, which was supposed to squander a relapse, should more tracks be manufactured.