By Nolan Lewis
Captain’s log: star date ten zero-five twenty-zero-four. Captain James T. Kirk, a.k.a. William Shatner, releases an album appropriately titled Has Been. His mission? To boldly go where no other captain of the Enterprise has gone before–top of the music charts. With Ben Folds arranging the music and producing, the album deserves the attention of both… Continue reading Spun: William Shatner
Despite a poor album title and even worse rap name, Royce Da 5ïž´9 delivers great rap music. He rhymes with an intensity many mainstream rappers just lack. From the opening track “Buzzin”, you’ll notice Royce is pissed at a lot of things and this key ingredient let him cook up a solid hardcore rap album… Continue reading Spun: Royce Da 5′ 9"
By Jaime Burnet
If you thought a Jakalope was a cross between a jackrabbit and an antelope, you were wrong. As the new release It Dreams proves, Jakalope is actually a cross between industrial and Baby Spice. The music isn’t bad–minus the vocal track. Katie B.’s painfully unremarkable voice takes you through a monotonous 12-song wait for a… Continue reading Spun: Jakalope
By Alan Cho
Glazed eyes and gun in your mouth, the image plastered on billboards and magazines to promote Encore says it all, Eminem. Suicide–it’s like the new abortion. How controversial! Abandoning your once renowned smirking hypocrisy and satirical jabs, you’ve become the thing artists’ fear most–boring. With soccer moms humming the last single and politicians moving on… Continue reading Spun: Eminem
By Ken Clarke
Imagining No Doubt without Gwen Stefani is rather dismal. However, the No Doubtless Stefani is a much more interesting prospect, demonstrated on her first solo outing, Love.Angel.Music.Baby.Predictably and purposefully shallow, the disco diva’s sultry vocals are supported by a variety of collaborators including Dr. Dre, the Neptunes and Andre 3000. Unfortunately, they provide the obligatory… Continue reading Spun: Gwen Stefani
By Chris Tait
With provincial elections come and gone, Calgary returns to skin-tight business pants, despite the best efforts of many a student and hippy. Political differences aside, we share a common interest–sex. And Calgarians saw it come and go last weekend during Taboo… The Naughty but Nice Sex Show. “Anybody can find a black skirt in the… Continue reading Boobies and dildos
As the fallen leaves become coated with their inevitable winter blanket, November marches boldly into December. For some reason, perhaps because of the coming bleakness, peoples’ minds turn to thoughts of celebration. The dance community is no different. Every year, when heavy coats and comical toques are trundled out, Calgary dancers embrace Dance Montage, a… Continue reading Dance Preview: Dancers of the proletariat unite
Time for a quick Gauntlet lesson in jazz. Today’s lecture consists of two parts: pay attention or it’ll go past. First, the three Rs of jazz–revitalize, relax, and reflect. The music penetrates the human body, causing a toe-tap. Then comes the finger-snapping and head-flapping sensation, because the soothing element of jazz allows for contemplation. The… Continue reading Music Interview: Sigesmund’s legend continues
By Jesse Keith
Punk bands, past and present, have never shied away from making overt political statements. Bands like NOFX or Propagandhi devote entire albums or even careers to presenting a bold political front. So, it wouldn’t be outlandish to expect a band named The Million Dollar Marxists to come on stage wearing Red Army gear and waving… Continue reading Music Interview: The Million Dollar Marxists’ manifesto
By Paul Jarvey
Think of a gin-soaked breeze from hell, painted over a Brechtian rock opera dredged out of one of David Lynch’s dreams and you’re somewhere close. The Black Rider brings insanity and bliss shuffling across the stage like the devil himself. Where no fairytale is safe from the tattered ravages of the streets of a proverbial… Continue reading Theatre Preview: Chocolate Jesus and the Soft Machine