Artsweek

November 1, 2001

Saul Williams | Amethyst Rockstar | American

By Staff

Saul Williams wasn't breast-fed. The 28-year-old goes beyond mere personal tragedy to the world's ills on his debut album, Amethyst Rockstar.

November 1, 2001

Various Artists | Give the People What We Want: Songs of the Kinks | Sub Pop

By Staff

The only valid purpose of a tribute album, as far as I can tell, is to get the listener to ask of each band, "How in the hell can their song sound like this?"

November 1, 2001

Mogwai | My Father King | Matador

By Staff

Like the wrath of a vengeful God, Old Testament style, the new 20-minute instrumental opus from Mogwai channels enough power to level both Sodom and Gomorrah in a single haunting melody.

October 25, 2001

We Interrupt Our Program…

By Erin James

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the most terrifying thing I have ever witnessed ... Wait a minute! Someone's crawling out of the hollow top. Someone or ... something.

October 25, 2001

“From Hell”: Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter…

By Patrick Wright

There is more pathology and suspense in an episode of "Blue's Clues" than in the contrived "From Hell."

October 25, 2001

The Cranberries | Wake Up and Smell the Coffee | MCA Records

By Staff

The Cranberries | Wake Up and Smell the Coffee | MCA Records The early ’90s Irish rock band that combined pre-Brit pop textures with a touch of the Celtic world returns to their roots on Wake Up and Smell the Coffe...

October 25, 2001

Death Cab for Cutie | The Photo Album | Barsuk

By Staff

The Seattle-based indie pop quartet has released two full albums in the last two years, and may not be esoteric for long. Their recent outing is a welcome supplement to previous work.

October 25, 2001

Milemarker | Anaesthetic | Jade Tree

By Staff

The band isn't soulless like Rush - head buried firmly in the ass of spandex and high concept; rather, it's soulless like Devo - nervingly alien and unerringly critical of the human condition.

October 18, 2001

Tangled Up in Blue and Gold

By Patrick Wright

I love seeing a live music performance, but I hate concerts. There are always too many damn people to ruin the whole experience.

October 18, 2001

Titans of Chamber Music

By Staff

The haunting, intense soundtrack from the acclaimed Darren Aronofsky film was performed by this innovative string quartet. Now they are coming to UCSB.

October 18, 2001

Opera: the Best Russian Export Since Vodka

By Patrick Wright

Some stories are universal: love, death, betrayal, murder. They speak to the human condition now as they have for centuries. But we do not often get the opportunity to see how these themes are interpreted through the eye...

October 18, 2001

Roxie and Velma Rock Santa Barbara

By Armando Alvarado

All of my close friends know one thing about me: When it comes to entertainment, I will pass up almost anything in favor of seeing a Broadway musical. Hello, my name is Armando and I am an addict.

October 18, 2001

“Iron Monkey”: A Tail as Old as Time

By Cara Jennison

"Iron Monkey" may not have the beauty and artistry of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," but it is "Dragon's" critical acclaim and international commercial success that directly resulted in "Monkey's" belated U.S. release...

October 18, 2001

“Lumumba”: A Light in the Heart of Darkness

By Patrick Wright

Sometimes, in spite of all your attempts to change the world for the better, the world is not ready to change and irresistible forces silence you.

October 18, 2001

Oysterhead | The Grand Pecking Order | Elektra

By Staff

Let's get this out of the way quickly: Oysterhead is Les Claypool from Primus, Trey Anastasio from Phish and Stewart Copeland from the Police.

October 18, 2001

Dilated Peoples | Expansion Team | Columbia

By Staff

Hide your implements of combustion. Dilated Peoples' Evidence, the sticky-fingered lighter thief has struck again. He rejoins Iriscience and Babu for the new LP Expansion Team, the second release from Dilated Peoples.