The Retriever Weekly OCTOBER 5, 2010 arts 13 Linkin Park releases latest effort, A Thousand Suns never done a concept album and faced album, starts out with a classical begin- the above, and in a moment; fast lyrics a giant risk of alienating their fans (the ning and keeps a sad track that rises to and confusing melodies clash with digi- teen-angst crowd). As every musician let it go. Whatever it may be, it seems tal tunage to collide with Bennington’s knows, music is an art that grows with that the band has grown with this and screaming. The song is very raw, but the performers, and while the beat of isn’t evocative of their teen-angst sound doesn’t maintain that way and eventually yesteryear may have sky-rocketed you to from their previous albums. Then again, does calm down. stardom, the process is a growing experi- one doesn’t have a choice when, “And in Regardless of how ever-present their ence. a burst of light that blinded every angel/ song “Catalyst” is, it has to be included The culmination of Minutes to Mid- As if the sky had blown the heavens into because it seems that it is the commen- night (a countdown till destruction) re- stars/You felt the gravity of tempered tary to everything that has taken place. sulted in A Thousand Suns (a phrase taken grace/ Falling into empty space.” The song has gained popularity for not from a Hindu scripture that describes “Jornada Del Muerto,” which roughly being like Linkin Park’s old stuff and combustion of a huge light in the sky). translates to Journey of the Dead Man, is reached number one on the Billboard For Linkin Park, this was the symbolic track 7 and combines rising vocals and 200 charts. The intro tune is ghostly and meaning of nuclear war. The new CD synths to create a climb that invokes the creates the feeling of smoke settling after features 15 tracks that take the listener to image of the doomed man as he travels the destruction. Mike Shinoda’s voice the moments of the nuclear holocaust. the final road to annihilation. The sound appears with, “God bless us every one/ Very soft and hopeless would be the fades in and out and brings with it a wea- We’re broken people living under loaded way to describe the third track “Burning ry feeling. As I’ve said before, the album gun,” filling the listener with the feeling in the Skies.” The band pulls out the full feels like a series of events, not songs. of anxiety over the scenario that just mu- hopelessness with this one and if any- I was really curious when I found out sically took place. The song breaks away Courtesy warner bros. records thing, it is this album’s “Shadow of the about the album and if the big disaster and uses electronic music that signals Although much different from their pre-Midnight albums, Linkin Park’s Day,” from their previous album. Syn- would ever be presented musically, but war and retribution with a chanting of latest release, A Thousand Suns, contains a familiar feel that fans will thesizers bring in the opening with Ben- Park does something that is very cin- “Lift me up”. appreciate. nington’s voice poetically singing, “I used ematic to the mind. They portray all While it is very different from their Derek Roper stores last month. They started working the deadwood to make the fire rise/ The the events leading up to it and through pre-Midnight albums, the tracks con- Senior Staff Writer on their album (which is their fourth), blood of innocence burning in the skies/ musical and mental clips, they capture tained feel familiar and perfectly tie up having Linkin Park’s rapper Mike Shi- I filled my cup with the rising of the sea/ the moment, but never in one big ex- what their previous album had set up. Back in 2008, Linkin Park came to the noda and Rick Rubin (Beastie Boys) co- I poured it out in an ocean of debris.” plosion (but I have to remember this is First Mariner Arena on their Minutes to produce it (They had previously worked Rob Bourdon’s drums echo throughout, an album and not a full length feature Comments may be sent to Midnight tour, the first stepping stone in together on the Minutes to Midnight complementing Bennington’s hymn. film; although, at times it feels like it). [email protected] releasing their CD that just exploded in album). Back story aside, the band had “Iridescent,” the twelfth track on the “Black Out,” the ninth track, does all of

Q: My mother is coming into town to visit from Pennsylvania and I need an easy Q: I’m worried about the job market. I’m graduating after this semester and my way to give her directions so that she can get around campus. The parking permit networking hasn’t really improved. I work a low-end job to help pay for school and ev- thing has been a little confusing for me. Can you help give directions to her around erything, but it won’t be enough pretty soon. I want to find something career-relevant campus? for me. Who should I talk to so I can get a headstart or find a job?

A: The first step is easy. For an interactive map she can look at from home, go to A: First, you’ll probably be interested to hear of UMBCs Career Fair. This semester, it UMBCs home page and then look in the upper-right hand corner for Maps. From will be held on October 6 and you don’t need to register or anything to participate. there she can get an interactive map to look at and there’s also a downloadable map You’ve probably heard about it from somewhere (like e-mails) but it’s surprisingly to print out so she can bring it with her. For places actually on campus (in case she overlooked by the student body as a source for information in general about employ- loses the map or naturally gets lost when she arrives) she can look at one of the mul- ers. It’s good for networking, too, when relevant companies attend. It lasts from titude of new directories that have been put up all around the loop and parking lots. 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in the RAC. If you’re having a difficult time finding a job, though, Best of luck and I hope the visit goes well. there is always UMBC’s Career Services Center in Math/Psy 212. It’s open Monday- Friday from 2-4 p.m. Ask Archer. Archer, I have found that in recent years, I have no problem getting a girl’s number. The problem is that once I have a number I do absolutely nothing with it. I have a whole list of phone numbers that are too old to call. How do I overcome this hurdle? With Love, Rolodex of Hope

Dear Derelict Digits, Well, the solution to the issue depends largely on the reason why you cannot seem to follow up and make the phone call once you have the number.

If it’s because of a fear of rejection, then there are a few things you need to keep in mind. If you don’t make an attempt then you are essentially forcing them to reject you with- out even getting a chance to accept your offers. Yet, I know as someone who is afraid of rejection myself that it is never so simple. What is even more important to remember is that genuine expressions of interest and romance are increasingly rare these days. More than once I have gone out on a limb to ask a pretty and enchanting girl on a date and I am usually met with lots of enthusiasm because I am honest about my intentions and no one asks people out on dates anymore. More and more, college romance finds its foundations in hook-ups and alcohol so when you ask someone out on a date it is a welcome surprise. Keep in mind this is no guarantee of anything further beyond a chance at a date, but it is a foot in the door.

Alternatively, if you are finding yourself uninterested after getting the number then the person may just not be right for you. The chase is fun, and once you get the number you may get bored. If that is the case, then I would just say wait for the right girl to inspire the want to call in you.

Yours, Archer

Askarcher.tumblr.com/ask