Queens of the Stone Age were born out of the death of Kyuss, one of metal’s best underground bands. What’s most refreshing about Queens is their lack of pretension. Founder and guitarist Joahua Homme seems to view the band as a vehicle for making music, not a medium to force his personal neurosis and sappiness… Continue reading Queens of Stone Age — Restricted
Month: June 2000
Billy Bragg and Wilco — Mermaid Avenue Vol. II
By David Kenney
Somewhere Woody Guthrie is smiling. Not only has his legacy endured everywhere from Bob Dylan to Ani DiFranco, but it’s been reborn again. Mermaid Avenue Volume II continues the same inspiring interpretation of the folk legend’s lyrics set to music by Billy Bragg and Wilco. And this time it’s edgier. Tense vocals and gritty folk… Continue reading Billy Bragg and Wilco — Mermaid Avenue Vol. II
Matchbox Twenty — Mad Season
By Nicole Kobie
Matchbox Twenty’s debut sold millions, and lead singer Rob Thomas had a hit single last year with "Smooth" thanks to Santana. Could their new release Mad Season match that financial success? Not likely. Mad Season has potential, but it just doesn’t reach it. Sticking to their tried and true formula of tightly written pop-rock songs,… Continue reading Matchbox Twenty — Mad Season
Alice Cooper — Brutal Planet
By David Kenney
"There’s no parole, there’s no escape," fumes Alice Cooper on the title track of his new album Brutal Planet. How true. Once, Alice’s tales of the world’s creepy crawlies stood for dark carnival intrigue. Now, an older Alice just sounds like a misguided high school counsellor bawling over the mean old world. Sorry Alice, preaching… Continue reading Alice Cooper — Brutal Planet
Anthrax plagues MacEwan Hall
By Еvan Osentоn
What does a film need to be successful in these exciting, heady times in the movie industry? If you said deadly bovine diseases, a High River RCMP officer and nudity, you’d either be insane or somehow affiliated with Anthrax. The latest big-budget movie to use Calgary as a backdrop, Anthrax tells the, um, unique story… Continue reading Anthrax plagues MacEwan Hall
Chicken Run shakin’ fun
By David Kenney
After years of laying small golden eggs, claymation connoisseurs Aardman have finally hatched the big one–and it’s no goose egg. Chicken Run, the first full-length animated feature from the Wallace and Gromit team, is one hilarious hen-house send-up. Set in Bristol, England, the claymation film features a prison-like chicken farm complete with the warden-like Mrs.… Continue reading Chicken Run shakin’ fun
Where, oh, where, did diversity go?
By Editorial
After four or more years of mind expansion, of attempting to view the world through different eyes, University of Calgary graduates face convocation ceremonies rife with the very things they’ve been taught to challenge. It starts with the Christian blessing and snowballs as it becomes obvious that the stereotyped Western world is over-represented.First, many brush… Continue reading Where, oh, where, did diversity go?
WPC: The recap
By Еvan Osentоn
My favourite quote this week came from the Sun’s Bill Kaufman."It’s too peaceful, it’s just too damn peaceful," he said of Sunday’s WPC protest at Olympic Plaza. "All the stuff we’ve written is just a bunch of nonsense now."Kaufman was surely referring to the pre-congress coverage the mainstream media gave the WPC–coverage that centered on… Continue reading WPC: The recap
Peacekeeping needs adjustments
Major General (Retired) Lewis MacKenzie will be granted an Honourary Doctor of Laws degree today during the convocation ceremony. MacKenzie received most of his acclaim for his service as the UN Commander of Sector Saravejo in 1992 as combat raged around the besieged city’s airport. Recognition of his achievements brings to mind the pitfalls of… Continue reading Peacekeeping needs adjustments
Top Gun, Anne of Green Gables quite gay
By Todd Jackson
As a boy, I didn’t read Anne of Green Gables much. I confess I never could make sense of all the attention given to Lucy Maud’s work. Anne is, without question, cute and precocious, but not enough to carry the story. Granted, I never did understand the intimacy between those P.E.I. schoolgirls. I, too, had… Continue reading Top Gun, Anne of Green Gables quite gay