Bob Dylan Raises Bar With 'Modern Times' BY MATIHEW VITA . first sonnds .of ~ h:rrmonica on the album. · Dylan's playmg IS JUst as powerful as ever At ts & Ltfe Edt tot and brings the song to a close making you For five years Bob Dylan fans have been just want more. forced to survive on the steady production Another noteworthy: song is 'Working- of bootlegged albwns, biographies, inter- man's Blues #2" which, like "Spirit on the view compilations, and documentaries. Fi- Water," opens with a soothing piano and nally, Aug. 29, his newest albwn, "Modern gmtar melody with the rest of the band Times," debuted. playing a barely noticeable harmony. The Dylan moves from decade to decade calm atmosphere. that surrotmds the song writing songs and each album he releases creates a seemingly blissful state and soon tells a different story, each has a different enough anyone will lose themselves within voice. He went through lulls and wrote bal- Dylan's powerful lyrics. He rarely pauses lads that inspired entire generations. And to breathe as he utters his poetry that ulti- through it all he maintains a modest atti- mately fades away as it mLxes into the last tude concerning his fame. few notes of the song. Over past years Dylan has toured the The album draws to a close with 'i\in't conntry on his self proclaimed "Never End- Talkin'," a bluesy narrative that lasts over ing Tour." During this time he has fonnd eight minutes. Dylan's vocals cover the time to compose and record a collection of song's ambient melody creating the sonnd songs to make up his new album. Fans can of a solo performance. Yet, in the back- choose between the normal release and a gronnd, a subtle bass line is just waiting to slightly more expensive special edition that be discovered while the drwnmer does his includes special packaging and a bonus part to keep the beat. Dylan's voice gives DVD, made up of four music videos. into the music every now and then, and as The DVD, while alluring, is nothing more he goes on singing a violin fades in and out than an unsatisfactory collection of sub- fwm nowhere. Dylan's ' owning achieve- par songs that Dylan has written in recent ment in past years, 'i\in'• •1tlkin'," creates a years. Two of. the videos are nothing more nearly intimate experien1 for the listener. than performances filmed on a single cam- Dylan's newest album, "Modern Ttmes" was t•eleasecl August 29 Overall, "Modem Tunes" proves that era and are about as exciting as watching Despite the uninteresting DVD, the al- Dylan then rrunbles on, touching upon a Dylan still has what it takes to write great paint dry. Luckily, the other two videos are bum is worth every penny. Senow, Dylan variety of issues that rru1ge from Jove to music. Dylan's old, tired voice combines considerably more inspired. "Blood in My filllS will enjoy the packaging of the special government _ a style he made famous over with the albwns strong blues rhythms and Eyes" features Dylan walking about New edition but others will want to stick to the thirty years ago. · adds to the emotion. "Modern Times" ce­ York signing autographs, posing for pic- . regular release. The final beats of "Thtmder on the Mann- ments Dylan's place in pop culture, and his­ tures, and talking to fans. The video fits the The album opens with the full bodied tain'' fade away, but not a single second is tory, as one of Americas greatest songwrit­ song well and the documentary feel just "Thur1der on the Monntain," a fast-paced wasted as "Spirit on the Water" begins with ers. Any fan of Dylan will love tllis albwn. adds to the song's emotion. "Things Have ballad that filllS of Dylan have become ac- soft piano chords and a hwnble guitar part People who are not familiar with Dylan Changed," an upbeat, though somber, song customed to. The song shows that Dylan that leaves plenty of room for Dylan's voice. could start with "Modern Times," though almost makes buying the DVD justifiable. still knows what he's doing even while talk- The song has a slower tempo and seems to they should consider picking up one of his The video has Dylan irJteractirJg with the ing about modern issues. The song even float on, taking its pace from the piano, as many greatest hits collections before diving various actors and actresses from the 2000 makes a reference to Alicia Keys, for whom Dylan weaves yet another love story. As the irJto this album. movie, 'Wonder Boys': Dylan apparently has quite a bit of respect. song wirJds on, listeners are treated to the at Philadel hia's Trocadero Theatre Th~/u~o9s~~bats Pia resultirJg irJ singirJg, dancirJg, sweat and Staff Writer snliles. With a large screen and projector behind them playirJg hilarious video clips The Aquabats' Myspace website con­ and spoof television commercials between siders The Aquabats "the best band in the songs, The Aquabats provided no opportu­ world." It is difficult to disagree with this nity for the crowd to become bored or tired. after seeirJg the five men clad irJ super-hero Space monsters and super villains, such as getups perform live with special appearanc­ Cobra Man, stormed the stage, and the es by super villains and songs titled "Pizza band irJvited a small child up to perform Day," "Nerd Alert!" and "Super Rad." his first stage dive irJto the crowd. Tills quirky band from Southern Califor­ It seems that The Aquabats only con­ nia has been pumping out albums sirJce 1995 cem'> itself with its costumes and crazy an­ and has experimented with many genres of tics, but the truth is entirely the opposite. music, always combirJed Although they "have as much fnn as pos­ with its signature sarcas­ sible irJ their set," according to the bands tic comic twist. The Aqu­ official website, theaquabats.com, they also abats has its roots irJ ska play incredibly well live. and ptmk music but has Scranton sophomore Eva Piatek, who at­ split irJto more genres irJ tended the show, stated, "I liked how there their most recent album, were so many things to look at. There was "Charge!," including rock so much goirJg on- the movies playing irJ and roll, new wave pop­ the backgronnd, the performance on stage ptmk and a ska sonnd itself, even the crazy irJteractions in the with synthesizers and crowd. But none of it took away from the keyboards irJ place of a PHOTO COURTESY NITRORECORDS.COM The Aquabats sporting their Super-hero costumes musical experience that is The Aquabats." Alison Swetyis horn section. It is rare to encounter a band whose mu­ a sophomore The band performed some dressed irJ homemade super-hero eccentric style by wearirJg blue spandex sic sonnds just as good live as recorded on communication Jnne 8 at the Trocadero outfits- had lined up down Arch Street in shirts with letter As on their chests,. belts its albums, but The Aquabats do just that. If and English Theatre irJ Philadelphia preparation to see The Aquabats. emblazoned with the Aquabats's logo of a you did not get a chance to see the superhe­ major from with supportirJg acts With the MC Bat Commander on vocals, cartoon bat, black superhero masks, and roes of "nerd-core," a label which the band Philadelphia Whole Wheat Bread and Eagle ''Bones" Falconhawk on guitar, Crash helmets. But what would a band of super­ gives its music on the official website, give '-------1 The Aggrolites as part of McLarson on bass guitar, fimmy the Robot heroes be without sttmning costumes? "Fury of the Aquabats, Charge!" or one of its "Tills Better Work Or on saxophone and synthesizer and Ricky As the show contirJued, the bands amaz­ its four other albums a listen. Check them We Are Dead Tour 2006." Before the doors Fitness on drums, the crowd was not disap­ irJg enthusiasm and energy did not die and out at <http://www.myspace.com/theaqua­ opened, a line of teens, adults and children- poirJted. The band showed off its amusingly seemed to spread throughout the crowd, bats> favorite pirate I '1\rrg.:.check out me peg leg!" ~g ... check out me booty!" 'liida Pawls, sophomore, Nick Contardo, senior, Long Island; N.Y. , Long Island. N.Y. .