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Home , Ben Bridwell, Big Fat Bass, Cease to Begin, Chris Carrabba, Everything All the Time, Further Seems Forever

[email protected] Technique Entertainment Editor: Patricia Uceda 17 Assistant Entertainment Editor: Friday, Entertainment Zheng Zheng April 8, 2011

By Mac Clayton Contributing Writer By Matt Cohen Contributing Writer In 2000, while being the lead singer for the band , a young began writing songs on the side as a way of channeling his thoughts Band ofBand Horses has not reshaped ofthe music industry.Horses They haven’t established an and emotions. This collection of acoustic songs was recorded and released as The entirely new style of music or paved a fresh road for aspiring musicians to trek. In- Swiss Army Romance. Soon after, Carrabba started Dashboard Confessional. The stead, like many other bands, has loosely clung to their roots and has band rose to prominence after recording an acoustic set on television entitled MTV mimicked some of their influences. However, the band has surpassed mere emula- Unplugged 2.0 that would sell over a million copies. This year, Chris Carrabba em- tion and has formed a niche of its own, one with recognizable elements of classic and barked on a solo acoustic tour celebrating the 10-year anniversary of his first , melodic rock, of Southern styling and folk instrumentation. Furthermore, it always with the final show here in at the Masquerade. comes with a twist and something fresh and stirring thrown into the mix. Walking into the upstairs “Heaven,” one was immediately greeted by a large, A lot of this is due to the delivery of vocalist , whose high registered boisterous crowd, eagerly the show. vocals and unrivaled falsetto has prompted comparisons to My Morning Jacket’s Jim CONCERT The grungy atmosphere was surprisingly warm James and singer- Neil Young. Bridwell’s way of enunciating his words in Dashboard Confessional and inviting, with the simple stage lit in a dim such a fluid manner causes the lyrics to flow in an effortless, distinct fashion that blue haze. The setup was just a microphone, a complements the strong instrumentation throughout the . PERFORMER: Dashboard piano and a couple of acoustic guitars. Band of Horses kick-started the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater’s concert sea- Confessional Suddenly, a buzz arose from the crowd as a son on Saturday night with a 22-track LOCATION: Masquerade lively John Lefler walked up to the microphone. set list that encapsulated their finest As the lead guitarist and keyboard player of songs and validated their ever-increas- DATE: April 3 the band, he was a familiar face for many. He ing success, which includes a Grammy opened with “Ordinary Guy” a bright guitar nomination for their third studio al- OUR TAKE: ««««« tune crooning about ignoring social pressures bum, . The band opened the show with a fiery new track titled See Dashboard, page 18 “Bats” and continued from there to the title track of their most recent album, Infinite Arms. It, unlike the studio version containing light gui- tars, gentle timpani rolls and soft harmonies, contained the same

See Horses, page 21

CONCERT Band of Horses PERFORMER: Band of Horses LOCATION: Verizon Wireless Test Monday Amphitheatre DATE: April 2 Study slides and notes OUR TAKE: «««««

Photo by Basheer Tome / Student Publications Photo by Jarrett Skov / Student Publications Wrestlemania smacks down on Georgia Dome EVENTS for various titles. The interior of tler remaining in the ring. Rock is cookin’?” It was, to say the The match itself saw Edge cele- Wrestlemania XXVII the Dome was overhauled to set Despite the star-heavy cast of least, impressive. brate his easy win by using a crow- up for the event, with a ring set WrestleMania XXVII, nobody The Rock wrapped things up bar to scratch, smash and other- PERFORMER: World up in the middle of the arena, a drew a more powerful reaction after a few minutes, and Wrestle- wise destroy Del Rio’s car. While Wrestling Entertainment massive stage in the backdrop for from the crowd than the man Mania XXVII formally got un- an exhausted Del Rio cut a pitiful LOCATION: Georgia Dome wrestler introductions and sev- who was guest host for the eve- derway with Alberto Del Rio fac- figure as he watched helplessly, the eral thousand floor seats added to ning: Dwayne “The Rock” John- ing Edge in the opening match. crowd had no sympathy, cheering DATE: April 3 make up for the seats blocked off son, the wrestling legend-turned- Here, the ridiculous, over-the-top every time Edge struck the car. by the stage. The result was that movie star who was making his entrances that are so emblematic Of the matches that fol- OUR TAKE: ««««« 71,617 people were in attendance, first significant appearance at a of pro wrestling emerged in full lowed, some were excellent in a record for an event staged at the major WWE event since 2004. force as Del Rio rode onto the all respects. The match imme- By NIshant Prasadh Georgia Dome. The Rock was true to his usual stage in his black Rolls-Royce and diately after Edge-Del Rio fea- Online Sports Editor One of the three formal title form, frequently speaking in the Edge strolled in to an introduc- tured Cody Rhodes, a native of contests, the lumberjack match third person and making constant tory video seemingly designed to The greatest spectacle in pro- between Shaymus and Dan- references to “the people,” and the cause epileptic seizures. See Wrestle, page 19 fessional wrestling made its way iel Bryan for the United States crowd loved it. to Atlanta for the first time as Championship, was the under- For all the stereotypes that may WrestleMania XXVII, the latest card for the event and took place exist about pro wrestling fans, rendition of the wildly success- while fans were still filing in. during that opening sequence ful annual event produced by The bout did not last long be- they produced a truly awesome World Wrestling Entertainment fore the 20 lumberjacks (wrestlers moment. Consider, for a moment, (WWE), took place at the Geor- outside the ring tasked with mak- the trouble that fans at just about gia Dome on Sunday, April 3. The ing sure the wrestlers in the ring any sporting event often have in pay-per-view event did have its stay there) were invited to join in coordinating even the simplest of slow moments, but by and large the action. chants. it delivered on its promise as an The result was a chaotic Now consider that at one action-packed, star-studded four- 22-person battle royal that served point, prompted by the Rock, the hour thrill ride. its purpose, providing an amusing entire arena—virtually every one WrestleMania XXVII featured appetizer before the main event as of the 71,617 people in the Geor- nine matches, including tradition- the Great Khali—who stands at gia Dome—shouted the Rock’s al singles matches, tag-team bouts 7-foot-1 and 420-pounds—took catch phrase in absolutely perfect and three championship fights home the victory as the last wres- unison: “Can you smell what the Image courtesy of World Wrestling Entertainment 18 • April 8, 2011 • Technique ENTERTAINMENT

Dashboard from page 17 and emotions of love lost in “The Sharp Hint of New Tears,” but and the extraordinary feeling of also the hope and excitement of having a girlfriend. In his most beginning new relationships, as in Insidious, incident of clutter memorable song, “Dream Your “So Impossible.” For many teen- FILM Life Away,” he battled notions agers and young adults struggling Insidious from his father about failing as a with finding love and a sense of son. belonging, his songs are anthems GENRE: Horror After Lefler, Memphis, Tenn. for hope of a better life. STARRING: Patrick Wilson native Corey Branan took the After concluding the album stage. While the crowd was hospi- with “Shirts and Gloves,” Car- DIRECTOR: James Wan table, his acoustic-country didn’t rabba began playing some crowd RATING: PG-13 excite. Still, his most memorable favorites and songs from other song, “Girl Named Go,” had the albums, starting with “As Lov- RELEASE DATE: April 1st crowd along on the cho- ers Go.” Throughout the show, ruses. he expertly entertained the audi- OUR TAKE: ««««« Twenty minutes later, the ence with a seasoned blend of fast stage went dark and the entire songs mingled with his trademark By Hank Whitson room erupted. Walking on stage, slower laments. Staff Writer acoustic guitar in hand, Carrabba Almost two hours later Carrab- strode to the front. Playing the ba closed the last show of the tour One can tell director James entire with two crowd favorites. Scream- Wan and writer Leigh Whannel album, he opened with “Scream- ing lines from “Vindicated” and love supernatural horror films. ing Infidelities.” The soaring, “Hands Down,” body dripping They love creepy kids, haunted Image courtesy of FilmDistrict shimmering sound of his acoustic with sweat and voice drenched houses, spirit mediums, ghosts, Predictable creepy stuff ensues. that keeps popping up. There is guitar blended perfectly with his in emotion, he pleaded with the demons and exorcisms. They love Objects are knocked off shelves a little boy, a guy who looks like smooth voice and the roar of the crowd to release their hurt and them all so very much that they or mysteriously misplaced. Mali- vampire, before they started to crowd. On just his second song, pain. They obliged, pouring out could not bear to choose between cious whispering is overheard on sparkle, and an entity that bears Carrabba began to harmonize their souls and screaming with al- them. Instead, they decided to the baby monitor. Locked doors more than a passing resemblance with the ever-increasing roar of ready strained vocals. make Insidious, a movie that in- are flung wide-open by themselves to The Phantom Menace’s Darth the crowd. His desire to connect Despite it being the last night corporates all of the above. It is by in the dead of night. The last of Maul. Josh’s mother Lorraine, with the audience was evident as of a grueling tour, Carrabba’s turns boring, frightening, funny these scenes is well-shot, creating a played by Barbara Hershey, con- he stepped away from the mic, vocals were flawless as he kept and ridiculous, but it is entertain- nice, claustrophobic sense of space fesses to seeing the latter in her leaned over the crowd and sang the crowd engaged for the entire ing on the whole. and lighting within the house, but dreams, and she refers the fam- along as they carried his songs. concert. His entertaining perfor- The very beginning of the mov- it is still something you have seen ily to a spiritual medium named His songwriting skills were mance and connection with the ie guides us through the house of a thousand times before. The ob- Elise, played by Lin Shaye. Two evident throughout the set. His audience left everyone in a state a sleeping boy where we see the vious slow build is kind of boring. endearingly dorky ghost-hunters cries not only capture the feelings of bliss. face of a hag and flashes of a title Things start to pick up when run some tests that confirm the card with an awful screech of old- Dalton inexplicably goes into a haunting, prompting Elise to ex- school horror music in the back- coma. Renai starts to see people plain what is happening with jar- ground. After that, things slow that aren’t there. A bloody claw- ring specificity. down. The black and white open- print appears on Dalton’s linens. Dalton is a natural astral pro- ing credit sequence is decades out The younger brother mentions jector, and his soul has wandered of date, and it gives way to a simi- Dalton walking around at night; into a nebulous shadow realm larly well-worn set-up. A young, this is his sole-contribution to the called The Further. All manner attractive family, with hints of movie. After a particularly potent of unpleasant spooks are using his domestic tension, has just moved scare, Renai begs Josh to leave uninhabited body as a doorway to into a large house. Josh, played the house. And unexpectedly, he reality, and a more malevolent en- by Patrick Wilson, is a loving but agrees. This is a refreshing alterna- tity is trying to take over his body slightly disengaged father. Renai tive to characters that idiotically completely. There are some neat is a vulnerable stay-at-home mom decide to dig their heels in as all concepts here, but the clear expla- and aspiring musician, played by hell breaks loose around them. It nation has the nasty side-effect of Rose Byrne. We have a brand new is always nice to see people with killing the unknowable element baby, a younger brother and Dal- good senses in horror films. that is so essential for horror. ton, played by Ty Simpkins, who But the haunting only intensi- Insidious Photo by Jarrett Skov / Student Publications is really the only kid that matters. fies. There is no single bogey man See , page 20

Interested in photography? Come to the Technique’s weekly photo staff meetings. Thursdays at 6 p.m. Flag building, room 137 [email protected] ENTERTAINMENT Technique • April 8, 2011 • 19

Wrestle from page 17 performing a double backflip and The WWE Championship slamming her opponent Michelle match between John Cena and Marietta, Ga., facing Rey Mys- McCool into the turnbuckle. the Miz was the main event, with terio in a singles match. It was Snooki quickly pinned for the vic- the polarizing Cena facing the de- the first contest between the two tory amid stunned silence. fending WWE champion in the since Mysterio used his own knee Grading the no-holds-barred final match of the night. This was, brace to smash Rhodes’ nose dur- contest between Triple H and however, the Rock’s moment to ing WWE Smackdown in Jan., the Undertaker and the WWE shine. The Rock ultimately helped and the mutual hatred sparked an Championship match between the Miz to defeat Cena and de- action-packed match that main- John Cena and the Miz depends fend his title, and he began to tained a fast pace from start to on one’s familiarity with the world walk away before pausing. finish, keeping the crowd roaring of pro wrestling. A moment later, the Rock dove with every hit until Rhodes finally The entrances of Triple H and into the ring, beat up the Miz CITY SCENE pinned Mysterio for the victory. the Undertaker were both excel- senselessly for a minute, and then Photo by Chris Gooley / Student Publications Other matches suffered for lent—Triple H’s introduction executed his signature finisher— By Zheng Zheng various reasons. The match be- to the tune of Metallica’s “For The People’s Elbow—to end the Assistant Entertainment Editor tween announcer Michael Cole Whom the Bell Tolls” was par- match and conclude WrestleMa- and newly inducted WWE Hall- ticularly cool—but the match nia XXVII. Lil Wayne: I’m Still Music of-Famer Jerry Lawler was under- featured multiple long stretches Satisfying as it was to see the whelming, mostly because Cole of inactivity where both wrestlers Rock drop his most famous move Lil Wayne will be bringing it down on the Philips Arena stage this proved to have no wrestling abili- were lying on the mat, unable to at a WWE event for the first time Saturday, April 9. As part of his I’m Still Music 2011 Tour, Lil Wayne ties whatsoever, and his attempts get up and fight due to both ex- in years, there was a definite sense will be joined on stage by fellow hip-pop sensations Rick Ross and to rile up the crowd simply proved haustion and injury. of letdown; the hope was that Nicki Minaj. Having been nominated for and won countless MTV, more annoying than anything To the diehard fan, it was a Austin, a longtime enemy of the BET and Grammy awards, Lil Wayne’s uniquely identifiable voice and else. tense and exciting contest as two Rock, would make an appearance style makes him one of the most iconic rappers of this generation. With However, the presence of the longtime WWE superstars beat in the final moments of the event. special guests Travis Barker from Blink-182 and Mixmaster Mike of legendary “Stone Cold” Steve each other senseless while the WrestleMania XXVII left the Beastie Boys, this show will be full of pleasant surprises. The show Austin as the guest referee for Undertaker’s 18-match Wrestle- some things to be desired, but all starts at 7 p.m. and the ticket price ranges start around $60 based on Cole-Lawler made up for it. Aus- Mania win streak hung in the bal- in all it turned out to be exactly seating. This star-packed performance is definitely worth the cost and tin helped Lawler beat up Cole, ance. To the casual fan, though, what was advertised. will certainly make this weekend an unforgettable experience. Refer to and the two proceeded to open the several-minute periods be- As the Rock himself put it www.philipsarena.com for more information. beer cans and drink in the middle tween failed pin attempts were while addressing the crowd early Vampire Love OnStage of the ring, to general amusement. frustrating and drained the excite- on, an event intended to produce Some moments were simply bi- ment from the match. Ultimately, “heart-stopping, elbow-chopping, Grab one of your last chances to see a production of Johnny Drago’s zarre, but generally in an amusing the Undertaker forced Triple H electrifying action” did just that Kiss of the Vampire this weekend at OnStage Atlanta. In its second to sense. In the ring, an eight-person to tap out, extending his historic for the majority of the four hours last weekend of showing, the play is comedy fest centered on the lives tag-team match midway through WrestleMania win streak to 19. it lasted. of gay couple Vince, who is bitten by a blood-thirsty bat, and Arthur, the event lasted just over one min- who attempts to stop his boyfriend from transforming into the undead. ute and was little more than a Theatre buffs with less of a conventional mindset will no doubt enjoy chance for the Big Show, a 7-foot, this sexy romantic comedy. On the other hand, Twilight fans might be 485-pound behemoth, to bash a disappointed through the lack of realistic vampire tree-jumping action. few opponents around. Performances start at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. on Various celebrities, including Sunday. For the ticket price of $12-20 and a $3 discount for students, Snoop Dogg and Pee Wee Her- bring a date or friends and enjoy a strangely humorous weekend. Please man, made brief cameos during check www.onstageatlanta.com for more information. video clips shown in between Atlanta Blooms! at Botanical Garden matches. As per WrestleMania tradition, a celebrity also took Spring is here and the Botanical Garden is celebrating the season part in an actual match when with its Atlanta Blooms! event. Witness 200,00 buds bloom in an eye- Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, of Jersey blindingly colorful display. The buds will consist of a mix of tulips, Shore fame, fought in a three-on- daffodils, hyacinth, crocus and many more, half of which were newly three tag team match. planted last fall, just for the occasion. This is a great alternative for those Snooki was soundly booed who prefer a quieter weekend activity than concerts and shows. The when she walked to the ring, event is for Friday and Saturday only, and the ticket will cover all other but about two minutes into the events in the Garden as well. Refer to atlantabotanicalgarden.org for match, she surprised everyone by Image courtesy of World Wrestling Entertainment more information. 20 • April 8, 2011 • Technique ENTERTAINMENT

Insidious from page 18 The movie abruptly shifts in suffers from sophomore slump pace and tone at this point. While MUSIC similar bands are infamous for. the beginning is a little too slow Yelle Julie Budet, the frontgirl, and the haunting understated, writes most of the lyrics and things intensify and the focus of sings them. She sounds capable shifts away from Re- LABEL: Barclay enough, but nothing extraordi- nai toward Josh, who has a hidden nary is attempted. In fact, unlike past that effectively transforms GENRE: Pop, electric most bands where the frontman the film into a heroic journey TRACK PICKS: “Safari Disco and his voice lead the group, Yelle rather than a horror film. Club,” “La Musique” and “J’ai is exactly the opposite; the front- The pacing also goes com- Bu” woman and her voice are just one pletely off-the-rails in its third act, part of a very complex machine. trying to fill the void of mystery OUR TAKE: ««««« In fact, long passages pass with- with over-the-top special effects out any vocals. Yelle is a fantastic and bizarrely creepy set pieces. By Chris Ernst collaboration between musicians Dalton’s brother and sister disap- Senior Staff Writer where not one of them wields a pear into Lorraine’s care, proving dominant hand. that they were only included for a Yelle is a French band cur- The men behind the curtain, couple of easy scares early on. The rently touring with . Tepr and GrandMarnier, are ac- movie also succumbs to an aw- Safari Disco Club is their second complished musicians and excel- ful, nonsensical twist ending that fantastic album after four long lent producers. In addition to does not set-up a sequel so much years. While many fans will be playing instruments in the live as it transforms the entire movie disappointed by the more ma- shows, they program the music into a ludicrous parody of horror ture sound the band found, their in the studio. Pop Up had better conventions. This movie needs an music reaches many more people production than on many main- editor like a fat kid wants that af- now because it is less flamboyant- stream albums of , espe- ternoon snack. ly youthful. Safari Disco Club is a cially in 2007 when bassy rap has If the film had a more focused very fun album, and it is entirely such a heavy influence on culture. narrative and better pacing, In- Image courtesy of Barclay cheerful and infectious. However, Tepr and GrandMarnier consis- sidious could have been a quality it is also entirely in French and tently whip up glittering sonic the scene, and it caused waves of same time, it is easy to hear they horror movie, in the same league guessing the lyrics is part of the wonderlands, and this trend does popularity and excitement. Un- are passionate about their music as The Sixth Sense or The Ring. fun. The band’s name is actually not stop with Safari Disco Club. fortunately, Safari Disco Club is and they are making the music As it stands, however, it is most an acronym for “You Enjoy Life” Pop Up heavy handedly shoved the not as revolutionary. While the they like. In four years, tastes similar to 1982’s Poltergeist, which made feminine in French. Yelle is aural aesthetic down the listener’s production shimmers, it does not change. The band is critically and jumped the fence between funny stylistic, rhythmic and electronic throat, making them aware this is pop and sparkle with the same je commercially acclaimed so their and frightening with its mash-up while remembering past lives in cool music and it makes you feel ne sais quoi. Safari Disco Club is evolution in style comes from a of TV ghosts, killer clown-dolls faraway native tropical lands, and cool listening to it. Pop Up had tamer and more mature, almost relaxed sentiment of not having to and Indian burial grounds. the music is always hard to catego- the kind of music you wanted ev- like the band does not have any- try to “make it” anymore. Despite its horrible pacing and rize. eryone to know you liked. Safari thing to prove anymore like an ag- Safari Disco Club is objectively lack of focus, Insidious is undeni- Yelle’s music is rather hard to Disco Club is a little different in ing rock and roller. a great album; it mixes elements ably entertaining. If you are a su- define, and that is the most no- that it is more subtle and invites Safari Disco Club takes a step of pop, electronic and a little rock pernatural horror movie buff who ticeable hallmark of their style. the listener in to really listen. closer to the center of mainstream to make what may not be an en- was bored to tears by Paranormal Yelle incorporates a little of this Yelle’s previous album was by utilizing more melodic and tirely singular sound, but one Activity, this movie was made for and a little of that to make some- very edgy and ahead of its time lyrical melodies, familiar song that is accomplished and by far you. Fans of more subdued hor- thing that sounds familiar but in 2007. While not very melodic structures and traditional vocals. the best. The new style may not ror will have fun piecing apart all still is unlike anything else. On or lyrical, the album possessed a Yelle’s wares can now be appreci- appease die-hard fans, but given the film’s various influences. Even the surface, the band seems like sound design and aesthetic unlike ated by many more people. Many the chance, Safari Disco Club will if you think horror movies are any other electro-pop band with a anything around. That sound has fans will not like this shift in style join your regular rotation. Yelle’s dumb and nonsensical, Insidious is sultry front girl and a mysterious since been copied and recycled from blatant loudness to a more sound evolved into something an easy target for Science Mystery duo of musical wizards wielding many times to make hipster’s nos- subdued introspection. It is defi- more mature and “normal,” but it Theater 2000-style sarcastic com- and drums, but a lis- talgic of yesteryear, in which they nitely a disappointing step to have is still a great sound. Safari Disco mentary, and it makes an amusing ten reveals that they make up so were three years old. Pop Up was such a leading band back down Club is actually a good place to accidental comedy in its second much more than a flash in the pan hard to define when it burst onto from their position, but at the start becoming a fan. half.

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Horses from page 17 core, and broke into ’s “Monsters,” their fiery punch as the opening track final track of the main set. The of the show. Delivering the songs track began with Bridwell lightly Starz’s Camelot underwhelms with such drive was made easier picking a pedal steel guitar and TELEVISION by the mercilessly loud speak- gradually crescendoed into one of Camelot ers of the amphitheater. Despite the high points of the show. the harsh volume level, Band of Bridwell’s falsetto rang out NETWORK: Starz Horses was able to preserve the above the running guitar lines WHEN: Fridays 10 p.m. flawless, beautiful harmonies and and clanking ride cymbal hits and the melodious guitar parts present swelled into a fullness that ended STARRING: Jamie Bower in their songs. as abruptly as it began. The band This was especially apparent bound off the stage with little OUR TAKE: ««««« with Everything All the Time’s “The thought, swaying the crowd into a Great Salt Lakes,” a crowd favorite fit of clapping and cheering, wait- By Alex Klusmeyer filled with some of the most pleas- ing backstage only a few minutes Contributing Writer ing guitar riffs the band has mus- before making their reappearance. tered, and ’s “No For the encore, the band per- Camelot, which premiered One’s Gonna Love You,” which formed a cover of Graham Par- April 1, represents Starz’s second contains seamless vocal hook after son’s “She” before unveiling their foray into the world of premium another. As the show progressed, magnum opus, “The Funeral.” cable television, following on the the band was able to perform over Bridwell calmly opened the song heels of their Spartacus series. half of the tracks, consisting of with his chilling voice and light Starz, late to the party so to all the crowd favorites, on each of guitars, but the song soon explod- speak, is the last of the big three Image courtesy of Starz their three studio albums. They ed into a wall of sound with the premium channel packages to arranging of old Arthur motifs pass through the Dark Ages, the persistently kept the crowd excited biggest build of the night, releas- start producing its own TV se- than a total rewrite of the concept. show presents little care or un- by performing one hit track after ing all of their energy and putting ries, after HBO and Showtime. The plot of the first season fo- derstanding for historical setting the other, which is not a difficult it towards propelling the song It has, with this series, attempted cuses on telling of his contest for at all, concluding that the Dark task with such a consistent song through its gorgeous melodies. to continue to forge a niche which the throne between Arthur and Ages consisted mostly of people collection like theirs. The stacked set list and superb makes its shows unique to that of his half sister Morgan, who in the in stone forts who looked like Vi- They were also able to perform performance from the band made the aforementioned channels. first episode initiates the struggle kings. these tracks without the slightest the show a strong and memorable The problem is that it’s not that by secretly poisoning their father Both of which, of course, aren’t glimpse of a flaw or blemish. The one, reinforcing the growing suc- good of a niche. While HBO has King Uther. really the case for England during vocals were spot-on, the guitar cess of a great modern-day band, the hour long drama all but locked This, of course, quickly estab- the time Arthur was supposed to section didn’t lack a single bend or one that is well past the days of up, and Showtime has proven it- lishes Morgan as a villain. exist, but it is close enough for strum and the harmonies soared mere television commercial air- self in making primarily half-hour The half sister gains the help Starz. even higher than on the albums. play and now in a world of Gram- comedies, Starz seems to take the of rival king, King Lot, through There’s a wide range of talent After performing 19 straight my nominations and sold-out am- unrated aspect of premium cable seduction, while Merlin retrieves in Camelot’s cast which gives the tracks, Bridwell announced the phitheater performances. Despite and just run with it for the sake of Arthur, who has been raised not show an uneven feel. There are band’s “fake final track,” blatantly that, however, Band of Horses is ensuring that any lack of plot or knowing his lineage, and takes some great performances, like hinting at the approaching en- still true to the sound. character development is drowned him to an abandoned Roman fort, Eva Green as Morgan, delivering in a sea of nudity shots. Camelot, to assemble his host. at least one solid villain for the Now I’m not a prude, but I After that, it’s a confronta- show in her scheming to secure know filler when I see it, and it’s tion to set the pace for the rest of the throne. painfully obvious that this show, the season, as Morgan demands Merlin, the wizard/mentor of though less than Spartacus, uses Arthur backs down, and Arthur the show, is played well by Joseph the gratuitous element as more of finds the will to fight her. Fiennes, who generally acts as the a crutch then plot mechanism to Camelot drapes itself, slightly, brooding behind the scenes man cover up the fact that really, the with history, but it is no historical of politics since the show in gen- show’s just not that good. drama by any means. eral doesn’t get wrapped up in the Camelot has been marketed as Beyond the obvious fact, that magic aspect too much. a modern take on the classical tale the legend of King Arthur is fic- On the other hand there’s of King Arthur, which is true in tion and, at best, the characters James Purefoy as King Lot, the that it is the first American show are loose completions of multiple mesmerized rival for the throne, on the topic in a decade, and not persons during England’s tumul- Photo by Basheer Tome / Student Publications in the sense that it is more a re- tuous and poorly documented See Camelot, page 22 22 • April 8, 2011 • Technique ENTERTAINMENT

Camelot from page 21 who doesn’t work as well for one Fatale falls short on depth, originality main reason. MUSIC third song. Sung with as much To anyone who has seen HBO’s fervor as when someone clips their Rome, he will be instantly recog- toenails, Spears’ attempts at an- nized as Marc Antony, which is Femme Fatale other titillating album fall short awkward considering he seems to LABEL: Jive of expectations. reprise effectively the same role. The album begins with the Romanced by females with GENRE: Pop, Electropop new radio sensation and Britney’s political ambitions and claim to TRACK PICKS: “Till the World favorite track, “Till the World power? Check. Opposing the in- Ends” and “Hold it Against Ends.” This opening number is an- tended heir? Check. But the per- Me” other soon to be forgotten dance formance feels more phoned in club beat. The majority of the the second time, especially when OUR TAKE: ««««« tracks, including “Inside Out,” “I this show seems to be a poor man’s Wanna Go,” “Drop Dead Beauti- version of the political schemes By MK Johnson ful,” “Seal it with a Kiss” and “Trip featured in Rome. Contributing Writer Your Heart,” all share the same Sadly, the weakest cast member Eurodisco rave synths and coinci- is also the most important, that of Britney Spears’ seventh studio dentally, all sound alike. Howev- King Arthur himself, played by album was released this past week, er, one song does stand out. “How Jamie Bower. marking the beginning of another I Roll” is unlike many of the other His look is more Robert Pater- year of Britney’s roboticized vo- tracks on the album for its use of Image courtesy of Jive son of Twilight than ‘Dark Ages cals controlling the clicks, lasers, pops and elongated ers, Max Martin and Dr. Luke. tale,” her love life and her personal Warlord.’ charts. Get ready to be tired of slides. It doesn’t carry the identi- Martin and Dr. Luke play the trainer. Of her album, Spears said He spends a large portion of this album. Her album, though cal energy of the other callisthenic puppeteers well, responsible for “really fun, it’s a really, really fun time fantasizing over love inter- praised for being highly revolu- based tracks but instead ventures seven of the 12 tracks including record.” Her other ideas about the ests, and his youthful whininess tionary, is in short and nothing into a new territory for Britney. the song, “.” album included “my best work in the pilot treads dangerously more than synthesized sex. She’s Her true voice is most clearly dis- Britney’s manufactured vocals are yet,” “great to workout to,” and close to Hayden Christensen in selling the same idea as Oops… I tinguishable in this track, giving another product of the puppeteer “upbeat.” Spears’ primary goal the prequel Star Wars series. Did it Again, and Cir- a new air of relaxation. Sadly, its partners. Her voice is stripped and was to make a “good mood” al- While it is in part meant to be cus, but this time entitled Femme lyrics again fail to offer depth and shredded beyond recognition in bum. Femme Fatale does just that. a coming of age tale, it’s hard to Fatale. Don’t be fooled into pur- continue onward through themes almost all tracks. With that for- Its redundant lyrics masked by see this person becoming a char- chasing her erotically charged of sex and partying. mula, one would assume failure, high energy beats create the “good acter who was considered the em- workout music. The most elementary and but both producers’ experiences mood” feeling that Spears was bodiment of the medieval idea of Femme Fatale truly personifies prominent ingredient of Britney’s have taught them both different- aiming for this year. chivalry. an attempt at that expression. An album is the use of repetition. No ly. Martin and Dr. Luke puppet However, the lack of depth is Overall, Camelot pales com- attempt but not a success, as much song escapes this plague of sim- other pop icons, including Katy clear in the lyrics. Spears is not pared to previous premium cable of Spears’ music is so manufac- plicity. “Big Fat Bass” repeats “you Perry, Avril Lavigne, Ke$ha and entirely to blame for this as she historical dramas like Rome and tured that her sexuality becomes can be the bass” over 30 times in Pink. doesn’t leverage a prominent role the Tudors, and while it shows almost comical. Lyrics like “baby its short, four minute composi- Spears was reluctant to give in the writing of any of her songs. Starz is working on producing let me blow your mind tonight” tion. Its redundancy is irritating an interview with Ryan Seacrest All in all, the lyrics send the same better series to one day rival HBO and “I wanna show all the dirt I and meaningless. on March 4 about her upcoming juvenile messages, and the rave and Showtime, the network still got running through my mind” The pop princess is no more album. She fielded his questions synths can’t compete in the pop has some work to do before it can begin to lose their flavor by the than the puppet of her produc- confidently about “Femme Fa- world where Lady Gaga is queen. compete on the same level. ENTERTAINMENT Technique • April 8, 2011 • 23

Theme Crossword: Having A Ball By Robert Zimmerman United Features Syndicate 43. Seed cover 84. Kentucky blue, for one 44. Biol. branch 86. The “I” ACROSS 45. Earl -- tea 88. About: 2 wds. 1. Collar insert 46. Senior member 89. Gilels or Jannings 5. Loud sounds 48. Dynamo: 3 wds. 90. Students at Yale 10. Surmounting 51. Law: abbr. 91. Recruit 14. Rum-soaked cake 52. Harris and Asner 93. Troglodyte pads 18. “-- -- of Two Cities” 53. Fateful day in Rome 95. One of the Judds 19. Lover 55. Spanish poet 97. Deception 20. Verve 56. Child of Silas Marner 98. Discernment 21. Glacial ridge 58. Set off 100. Foil relative 22. Pioneering 61. CLVII + CCCXLV 101. Change chemically comedienne: 2 wds. 62. Hangman’s rope 104. Alma -- 24. Fountain-pen 63. Under covers 105. Friendly successor 64. Analyze 109. Alert: 3 wds. 26. Impala 67. Provo’s state 112. Player with the 27. A berry, believe it 68. Some TV shows pigskin: 2 wds. or not 70. Burning 114. Food fish 29. Tsar’s order 71. Means of 115. A second son 30. Island bird transportation 116. Spiritual love 31. Ants 75. Beatles’ “-- Road” 117. Glacial deposit 32. Abbr. in a journal 76. Semitic letter 118. Slipped 33. Early indoor mall 78. Advance 119. Numbers for 36. Circumstance 79. Feather scarf crunching 37. Ornamental shrub 80. “-- Today” 120. Feel 42. Scandal-sheet specialty 81. Plumpish one 121. River in England

DOWN 1. Blow away 14. Reservation 38. Jor-el’s wife 2. Ambassador’s forte 15. 1980s supergroup 39. Slip up: 3 wds. 16. Interdicts 40. Strange 3. Disaffect 62. -- hoop 82. Part of a lunch order 101. Friend of Joey 17. Museo’s contents 41. Actress Winona -- 4. Yawped 65. Quantity of beef 83. You said it! and Chandler 18. Gulf state: abbr. 43. Support 5. Crinkled fabric 66. Mel or Pam of country 85. Prepare, in a way 102. Lab compound 23. Single 44. “Out of --” 6. Leaf part music 87. Stole 103. Legendary king 25. Aqua -- 47. Thorium’s atomic number 7. “I -- -- Rock” 68. Caesura 92. Campground 105. “Heidi” setting 28. Converged 49. Geezer 8. Haphazardly: hyph. 69. “Peer Gynt” author 93. Cry heard on a 106. Messenger’s wheels 31. Vile anagram 50. Pate de -- gras 9. Funereal 72. Drum sound soundstage 107. Dregs 32. Celebration 54. Little League coaches 10. Monastic head 73. -- the Riveter 94. Protozoa: var. 108. Stray 33. Supplemental 56. Gourmand’s passion 11. Of travel at speeds near 74. Impudent 95. Samoan capital 110. Unfit to eat 34. -- -- Janeiro 57. Arrange Mach 1 76. Melody 96. Hush-hush 111. Goat-hair fabric 35. Aid to scrying: 2 wds. 59. Cor-anglais cousin 12. Anoint 77. Flowing water 99. Water arum 113. Office-wide PC 36. Annihilated 60. Widen 13. Officeholder, for short 81. Mouthful 100. Act as host installation 24 • April 8, 2011 • Technique COMICS

Piled Higher & Deeper by Jorge Cham Non Sequitur by Wiley

Crossword Solution from page 23 COMICS Technique • April 8, 2011 • 25

Non Sequitur by Wiley DILBERT ® by Scott Adams