Dark Star Orchestra revives the Grateful Dead

Dark Star Orchestra revives the Grateful Dead

http://pittnews.com/newsstory/dark-star-orchestra-revives-the-grateful-dead/

Dark Star Orchestra

Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead

Sept. 22 at 8 p.m.

510 East 10th Ave, Munhall, Pa.

412-368-5225

Tickets: $25-30

Fans, rejoice: The Grateful Dead has been reborn.

At least, that’s the goal of bands like Dark Star Orchestra, which remake and re-enact the original eclectic rock band’s material every night.

Having performed more than 1,600 shows since 1997, DSO makes a point of recreating an entire Grateful Dead concert as faithfully as it can. Although the lineup changes, the band currently features seven members, including keyboardist and vocalist Rob Barraco, who was influenced by the Dead’s sound at an early age.

“For me as a teenager, [The Grateful Dead] was the pinnacle of music,” Barraco said. “No other rock band played with this level of sophistication and had this songwriting talent and lyrical ability to answer to every man. For me, that was important.”

Barraco, who said he was born with music in his “veins,” never wanted any other career but music. He performed with other tribute bands and even with Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh earlier in his career.

The manager for DSO asked if Barraco could step in when its then-keyboardist passed away.

“I did a tour, and I had so much fun and so much respect for these guys because they viewed the music the same as I,” Barraco said. “I asked if I could do it again. It was off and on for a few years, and I finally realized this is really what I want to do.”

Barraco became a full-time DSO member and soon mastered the Dead’s distinctive style.

“This music demands to be improvised,” he said. “We don’t copy. It would be impossible to do so. The Grateful Dead played so many live shows it would take years to recreate their work correctly.”

From the beginning, the cover band grew fast. It played once a week, and its crowd doubled every time. The Internet only fueled the growth, allowing the band to, in Barraco’s words, “share a journey with the audience.”

“We want to create the magic, too,” he said. “Younger kids who never got the chance to see the Dead, they want this experience, too. We provide that for the kids who would never have the opportunity.”

Other members of the original Grateful Dead have played with DSO, including Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann and Vince Welnick.

“[Bob Weir and Phil Lesh] had so much respect for us that they stole our guitar player for their band,” Barraco said. Jeff Mattson came in to replace the original guitarist.

On the road, DSO enjoys a family dynamic. Barraco loves spending time with his band buddies and seeing fans and friends he might have lost touch with if he didn’t travel so often.

“The Deadheads are a cool eclectic group of people,” he said, employing the popular phrase for Grateful Dead fans. “Most are generous and big-hearted. I love talking to them. They’re respectful.”

Even years later, DSO still retains its freshness for fans.

“One of the great things is the Dead had the ability to reinvent themselves every few years and be modern with the times,” Barraco said. “They never stagnated. Because of that, there is so much rich material to draw from. Because we change shows every night, we make sure we don’t repeat every night. We can go four or five shows without repeating a song.”

Appropriately, DSO CDs are all recorded live, although the group is now beginning to write original material with the help of veteran Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter.

Though not a performer, publicist Dave Weissman came in to assist the band in 2002 and has been hooked ever since.

“They’re a big tribute band, and as those words represent, it’s mostly a tribute,” he said. “But they’re a spirit band. They try to step into what the Grateful Dead delivered when they performed. They get to have a fresh take on it every night.”

The Grateful Dead’s music changed so much from era to era that if someone ever grew bored of one style, he could move on to another.

“There’s a breadth and supply of music so great I don’t think they’ll ever get sick of it,” Weissman said.

“Many students were not of age when the Grateful Dead were around and [frontman] Garcia passed,” Weissman said. “This is a great way to carry the torch and hear what the Grateful Dead sounded like in their heyday.”

Both Barraco and Weissman share an excitement for their upcoming Pittsburgh performance. Barraco cited the music hall as a “cool place to play.”

“We already know we are going to play a cool show,” Barraco said. “All I can say is, it’ll be a mind blower.”

New exhibits dazzle the senses

New exhibits dazzle the senses

http://pittnews.com/newsstory/new-exhibits-dazzle-the-senses/

If you still think of paintings and drawings when you hear the words “art exhibit,” the new installations at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts might surprise you.

Amidst the PCA’s six new exhibits, there are two that make use of the senses in unusual ways. One allows the public to touch the pieces — “Touch Me, Please,” by local artistic guild Group A — and another features vocal recordings of Pittsburgh locals: “Five Men, Five Women, One Child” by Lenka Clayton.

The PCA is a nonprofit group that focuses on sharing local artwork and is “committed to the artist and the advancement of artistic excellence in visual arts,” Stefanie Moser, the PCA’s assistant to the director, wrote in an e-mail. The organization focuses specifically on film, video, photography and other digital and creative medias and crafts, she wrote.

“The Center is where the community can create, see, support and learn about visual arts,” Moser wrote. The center also offers educational programs.

Eric Shiner, the Milton Fine Curator of Art at the Andy Warhol Museum, juried the “Touch Me, Please” exhibit. According to Shiner, this particular exhibit defies the usual museum rules that prevent the public from interacting with the artwork.

“It’s an interactive environment first and foremost,” he said of the exhibit. “Guests will walk into a space and immediately feel compelled to interact and touch the artwork. It’s a mix of wall pieces, installation art and sculpture.”

Of course, Shiner was a juror, not an artist. This meant sifting through submissions to find works like Group A’s — pieces that stand out and are thematically appropriate.

“Normally art groups in the city ask me to be a juror for shows,” Shiner said. “What that entails is that artists submit about two art pieces each. I go through everything and pick the things I think are appropriate for the theme of the show. I just select the works that make sense for that exhibition. Ten to 15 percent [of the works] are accepted into exhibition.”

Group A members could not be reached for comment.

Clayton, creator of “Five Women, Five Men, One Child,” made an exhibit of a different breed — her piece is an audio documentary rather than a physical collection of items.

Clayton’s project is a composition of audio recorded by anonymous men, women and a child in Pittsburgh during a normal day in their life.

This exhibit features “11 assorted stereos sitting on white shelves in a semicircle around the gallery, from a quietly humming dusty stereo to a decorated karaoke machine,” Clayton said in an e-mail.

The voices often overlap and cut each other off or go silent altogether, creating an “ebb and flow” of various conversation and argument in the room, she said.

“The recordings are played in the gallery in real time,” Clayton said. “Words once uttered at exactly the same moment by people usually separated by geography and circumstance collide for the first time to form an accidental documentary of the city. It happened, but no one heard it.”

Clayton began this project after moving to Pittsburgh from abroad, and had no trouble finding the equipment and permits from local art groups and law offices. Clayton took inspiration for the show from a childhood dream.

“I wanted desperately to become a census taker,” she said. “I love the folly of attempting to count millions and millions of people individually. The census is a utopian idea, full of beautiful glaring holes. I passed the test to be a census taker but was never called on account of my not being an American citizen. This project was a response to the Census Bureau, my own incomplete census of every single word spoken by five men, five women and one child on the first of April, 2010 (census day).”

Some might think putting the project together would be an exercise in tedium, but Clayton remembers the development as a sensory adventure.

“The transcribing process was incredible,” she said. “It was like listening to a three-month-long radio soap opera that progressed a single word at a time.”

Renaissance Festival brings chivalry to Pittsburgh

Renaissance Festival brings chivalry to Pittsburgh

http://pittnews.com/newsstory/renaissance-festival-brings-chivalry-to-pittsburgh/

Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival

When: Sept. 4-6, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26

Where: On Route 31 East,

between West Newton and Mt. Pleasant. Take exit 51A off of Interstate 70. Festival is 1/4 mile on the right.

Phone number: 724-872-1670

Regular Gate Adult

Admission: $15.95

http://www.pgh-renfest.com/

Hear ye, hear ye — Pittsburgh’s fantasy king and queen have opened their doors to the city once again.

Returning for its fourth year under new management, the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival is an annual medieval-themed fair that combines combat jousting, music, comedy, games, carnival rides, costumed performers and a marketplace for handcrafted materials.

“Once you walk through the front gate, it’s all entertainment,” said Jim Paradise Jr., director of marketing.

Every year the festival acts are carefully selected to provide the best entertainment for local residents. The performers are a mix of new talent and old favorites.

One memorable act is Cast in Bronze, a music group started by Frank DellaPenna of Valley Forge, Pa. He plays a carillon, a four-ton medieval instrument made of different sized bells, historically used for weddings and town events.

“I am the Spirit of the Bells,” said DellaPenna, explaining that carillon players in the past were not seen while playing their instrument. To capture the same historical feel, he wears all black with a mask, keeping his facial identity a secret from the general public.

DellaPenna has performed in medieval-type fairs for almost 15 years. He was recruited to Pittsburgh during the Colorado Renaissance Festival.

When performing, DellaPenna plays his bells “as a silent and masked spirit, which is kind of different than what other people do,” he said. “I don’t speak, I perform. I only appear in costume to play the instrument, and no one knows me outside of the costume. It’s a mystical, magical thing.”

Paradise affirmed the uniqueness of the performance.

“Cast In Bronze is something you won’t see anywhere else,” Paradise said. “People sit, not laughing, but enjoying the sounds that come from him.”

Other festival acts this year include a hypnotist, a juggler, a fire-eater, a master piper and jousters. Jousting, in particular, is a quintessential Renaissance Festival staple.

“People enjoy the jousts,” Paradise said. “It says what we are and the different entertainment that we have.”

Bryan Beard, the owner, producer and jouster of Noble Cause Productions, came to the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival after Paradise recruited him from the Colorado Renaissance Festival.

Beard rehearses with three other jousters and their horses three times a week, ensuring that the “good guy wins” after each match.

“We have so many kids coming to see the show,” Beard explained. “They come to be entertained. Sometimes the bad guy will cheat, but they always lose in the end. The good guy is in black and gold, obviously, as a Steeler tribute, and he wins every time.”

Beard enjoys traveling with the crew but also has another investment in the shows.

“I like being able to present an idea of chivalry,” he said. “I don’t say it’s lost, but I say sometimes it’s forgotten. People living up to their own code, doing what’s right and kind — I think that’s something that needs to be emphasized as much as the negative.”

A daily marketplace offers spectators relief from weighty morality plays. Items sold include pots, art pieces, jewelry, handmade soaps, welding, swords and various leather bags and ornaments.

“It’s not your everyday item that you’re going to see,” Paradise said of the marketplace. “We need to be different, and the quality of what we bring in will be appreciated.”

In addition to a diverse product list, each weekend features a specific theme that alters the festival a little, making each day a little different for workers and visitors alike.

“For us, it’s having additional elements to the festival other than what we do every day to make each weekend different,” Paradise said.

Paradise cited Wine Revelry weekend (Sept. 11-12), in which a variety of local wines are available for tasting, as one such theme. Other upcoming themes include Celtic Fling (Sept. 18-19) and Oktoberfest (Sept. 25-26).

The festival has been ongoing in the Pittsburgh area for about 14 years, according to Paradise, with one missed year when ownership changed hands to a private company. The Festival is now managed by Rocky Mountain Festivals, Inc., which owns and funds the Colorado Renaissance Festival as well. Paradise said the new management provides a reliable lineup of features.

“I don’t want to change a lot because of the quality of what we have,” Paradise said about the lineup. “We may bring in two or three new acts and add them to the cast.”

For his part, DellaPenna returns every year because he is asked back and has a fan base in Pittsburgh. He doesn’t mind sharing his music, considering he owns one of only two traveling carillons in the United States. According to Paradise, entertainment like what DellaPenna provides is key to the fair.

“Some of the struggle that we have is that people look at people in costume and think it’s reenactment, but it’s truly a fantasy park,” he said. “You don’t have to come in costume. It’s the Shakespearean entertainment — outdoor, interactive entertainment that people enjoy. You become part of it.”

The Reserves sound like The Fray

The Reserves sound like The Fray

http://pittnews.com/newsstory/the-reserves-sound-like-the-fray/

Band: The Reserves

Album: Life

Grade: B-

Label: The Reserves Music

Rocks like: An upgraded version of The Fray

The old saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” holds true for CDs as well. The cover of Life by The Reserves is a bland image of a road. It hardly stands out on the CD rack, but when the music is playing the tunes are catchy and fairly enjoyable.

The opening track, “Ghost Writer,” kicks off with some upbeat drums and guitar over what sounds like an organ in the background. A little bit odd, but it certainly gives this first track a sound that stands apart from other albums. The track features lyrics about “not wearing your heart on your sleeve,” and the “the world not being ready for your dreams.” The song begs the question of what someone wants to be, playing like a storybook.

Other tracks have similarly strong beats, like “Red Eye.” Not all of the songs feature organs like the first — the album shifts from organ to piano to guitar. The band showcases their mastery of all three throughout the CD.

Vocally, singers Dave Greksouk and Mike Durham don’t do a bad job. Though they don’t always enunciate, making vocals difficult to understand, they aren’t the worst offenders, by far. Their voices are low and whispery and do an interesting job of setting the mood as they harmonize with the music.

All in all, these guys know what they’re doing. So here’s the lesson: don’t judge by album covers or CD titles.

Pillars of the Earth

Hello, all! It’s Friday, which means classes have wrapped up for the week and I have time to take a breath before the weekend begins. Review time!

This review is admittedly a bit late no matter how you look at it – this series premiered over the summer, and it ended about two weeks ago. However, I love this series too much to pass up a chance to comment on it in my free time.

Pillars of the Earth - Tv-series Intro (title-sequence) - Click here for funny video clips

Originally a novel by Ken Follet, ‘Pillars of the Earth’ recently hit TV as a miniseries released by Starz. The novel was published in 1989. The story? Building a cathedral in an English town during the 12th century. Believe me, this series is far more exciting than that sounds. It is incredible how much emotional invest went into this show (I found myself screaming at the TV at times). Of course, this could be because of the other stories – a deceased prince and king leads to a shift of power and war, corruption and politics get in the way of construction constantly, and drama between characters can take a very long time to be resolved, reminding us things were not always simpler in the “good old days”. Characters include Tom Builder (the man intent on building a cathedral), a corrupt Bishop and family, the town of Kingsbridge, and Prior Philip.

Romance? This novel has it. Drama? Oh, there’s plenty of that. Suspense? Good grief, yes. Part of the reason I yelled at the TV was each episode ending actually left me unsatisfied and angry. I know it was to keep me coming back, but I think they did their job a bit too well in this case.

This story became Ken Follet’s bestseller. Apparently Oprah recommended this book as well – I totally missed this memo, because I somehow didn’t hear about this book until the miniseries was released. Let it be known, I do intend to read it. Since I have not, this review is just me commenting on the miniseries. I have no bias towards the book. I’m sure things were added and removed, but from what I have seen, this may have been for the best.

The miniseries hit TV in an eight-part release after a year of production. The very first episode, I admit, was a confusing introduction. I watched it twice to make sure I knew which character was which. The very first episode explains that a prince has drowned and there are no heirs to Henry I – until years later when the pregnant Princess Maud is told her son will be the next heir. Oh, but then the king is murdered and Maud is tossed aside. The war to reclaim the throne for her son, Henry II, begins.

At the same time, Tom Builder is seen working with his family until they are fired by the angry, corrupt young William Hamleigh. He is angry because Lady Aliena, daughter of the Earl of Shiring, will not marry him. Tom and the family travel and meet Ellen and her son Jack, who introduced as people living off the land. There is also Aliena’s brother Richard and the oh-so-hated Waleran Bigod, a bankrupt bishop with quite a devilish hand in the entire series.

By the way, I didn’t even name half of the characters here.

The good news is that everything and everyone ties together perfectly, so it is far less confusing when you actually watch the show and get into it. Tom’s family travels with Jack and Ellen, trouble strikes Shiring (forcing Aliena and Richard to change their lives drastically), and the series quickly becomes exciting as people try to guess at what will happen next time.

Cast includes Ian McShane, Refus Sewell, Hayley Atwell, Eddie Redmayne, and oh so many more. I will say, I had no complaints with this cast. Every person carried himself or herself perfectly and created a strong, believable character that people could either adore or hate with a passion while watching this show.

Plot wise? Again, I can’t compare to the book, but I left this series with satisfaction – there’s definitely a feel of justice has been served. However, as I did say, the ending between episodes left me begging for more – every episode has a bit of good news but far more bad news, it seemed. Things got darker and more complicated right up until the end. There is a happy ending, but believe me, there is so much sacrifice made in the process.

On that note, this show really is character driven. The trailers showed a ton of war scenes, but in reality, I think the trailers showed every battle scene in the show – and out of eight hours, that’s not a lot. There’s a couple sex scenes, but none that are very long and none that don’t impact the characters somehow.

Overall, the people really are the focus. You want to see these characters grow and deal with their lives and see how they impact the dream of a wonderful cathedral in Kingsbridge.

So after watching the epic beginning that I will attach, find this series and give it a fair chance.

The Pillars of the Earth - Trailer - Funny bloopers are a click away

Kennywood: A Pittsburgh summer classic

Kennywood: A Pittsburgh summer classic


http://pittnews.com/newsstory/kennywood-a-pittsburgh-summer-classic/

Kennywood

4800 Kennywood Boulevard

West Mifflin, PA 15122

412-461-0500 or kennywood.com

When Pitt student Mike Cherpak heads to work every day, he can look forward to a calming day of work, even if everyone around him is screaming.

After working at Kennywood for six years, Cherpak — a Pittsburgh local and Pitt junior — has a good idea about how Kennywood works, at least in terms of park maintenance. He supervises the amusement park-clean up. He said his department offers a laid-back work environment and that the daily similar clean-up routine is also “very calming.”

But wait: what is Kennywood? Put simply, it’s something all Pittsburgh locals know about. It’s actually a bit like the Steelers – if you live here, you better love it.

Entering its 113th season of operation, Kennywood has been around since 1898.

While the park doesn’t release specific attendance figures, 2.1 million people total visit Kennywood or one of its local sister parks, Idlewild and Sandcastle annually, according to public relations spokesperson Jeff Filicko.

According to their website, the Pittsburgh Kennywood amusement park was founded by a railway company, in essence giving the transportation system extra income — trolleys would take people to the amusement park and the company overall would make extra money.

But by 1902 the company was tired of operating Kennywood.

They sold Kennywood to new owners, and over the last century the park changed hands and expanded to include new rides for all ages.

Today it still stands as a “traditional amusement park” even as it adapts to the 21st century, according to the Kennywood website.

“We’re not your mega-plastic, metal-everywhere park,” Filicko said, explaining that Kennywood visitors can ride the “best blend of rides” from metal and wooden coasters to water rides, down to a very slow historical train ride.

Visitors can also bring picnic baskets and eat at picnic tables in parts of the park, or they can purchase typical amusement park foods.

Kennywood recently underwent another ownership change, but Filicko does not feel this has affected the park.

“The main difference is the new ownership structure tends to be on the business aspect,” Filicko said. “The main reason they bought us was they liked the park and the way we ran, so they’re more content to let us run as usual and make changes to the business aspect of things.”

Safety is also a priority at Kennywood.

Filicko said every ride goes through a saftey inspection and has to be signed off before it’s open to the public.

The safety inspection process seems to work; Kennywood’s last publicized accident was caused by bad weather in 2002, when the roof of a ride called The Whip collapsed. One woman was killed. No rides with found problems open, meaning the most harm that comes to guests is frustration when a favorite ride closes for a day.

Cherpak supervises the crew that runs trash pick-up, as well as maintaining the picnic grounds.

He begins his work shift around 11:30 a.m. and, depending on how late the crowds stay, does not go home until 10 or 11 p.m.

The shifts are very similar and not very exciting, he said.

When he’s not on the clock, he can ride whatever he wants in the park, and he definitely recommends certain things to all first-time visiting students.

“The obvious answer for what [Pitt students] should eat is the Potato Patch Fries,” Cherpak said.

He also recommended the Phantom’s Revenge coaster ride as a must; but he added that the new Kennywood coaster might be better. He hasn’t had the chance to ride it yet.

The Sky Rocket is “ little bit different” from a traditional coaster, Filicko said.

Instead of the coaster “clicking” its way up a hill on a chain, Sky Rocket is literally launched up a hill from its station and up a starting hill

The ride is “about 65 seconds long, which seems short, but is every bit as long as the Phantom,” Filicko said.

Cherpak will continue to work at Kennywood during the fall, when the park hosts its annual Phantom Fright Nights. Deals directed at college students are easiest to find during the fall, but Kennywood bargain tickets are available now, too.

“Typically at any given time there are multiple discounts for Kennywood,” Filicko said. “Our college discounts tend to appear toward Fright Nights, as it’s more conducive to when students are around.”

With a new ride in its fleet, Kennywood Park might not have anything new occurring right away — but if history says anything, there will be more changes soon enough at the park.

“There’s nothing definite yet for future plans, but consistently we tend to open new rides or bring back a classic ride,” Filicko said.

Top Ten Disney Films

Top 10 Disney Movies

Disney is just one of those companies – you say the name, and it’s recognized instantly as a classic old company with animated classics as well as some decent live action films (and admittedly, many failures). My childhood memories are heavily dominated by Disney memories. But what films stand out the most over the years and through my childhood?

Well, it took some thought to come up with this list. I immediately had to rule out Disney Pixar, otherwise all ten spaces would have been filled immediately. As I’ve stated before, I consider that company superior and separate – Disney is a financial supporter only. There are some older films on this list, but mostly, these are newer films. This isn’t to say I don’t adore and respect older classics from Disney, just that they all didn’t make my personal top ten countdown.

On that note, let’s see which films are nostalgic and touching even to this day.

10. Treasure Planet: This 2002 release turned the ‘Treasure Island’ story into an animated sci-fi adventure. It was nominated for an Academy Award, but it did poorly at the box office. I’ve never understood this, because I love this movie – and according to most reviews, so did the majority of critics. While not the best film out there, it really was and remains to me a very good, fun adventure. Young boy and delinquent Jim Hawkins travels with a crew after discovering a map to the treasure of a pirate who terrorized the galaxy in the past. On his journey he learns about himself, makes friends, and, well, the usual shenanigans in an adventure. The designs of the galaxies and creatures (remember: it’s sci-fi) were pretty decent, the voice acting was memorable, the characters were interesting even if there were clichés. I wouldn’t consider the animation the best, but it certainly wasn’t bad. Now, I admittedly have not read the novel this was loosely based on – but believe me, this adventure has a wonderful energy whether you’re a fan of the novel or not.

9. Pocahontas: I really do like this movie by Disney. It’s historically inaccurate, but then again, so are most films – I can’t yell at Disney for that. As a little girl I remember loving the main character – free spirited, with simple beauty and strength abound, Pocahontas went through quite the adventure with her animal friends in this movie after meeting John Smith and interacting with the settlers coming to the New World. The animation is beautiful, the voice acting well done, and even if there are inaccuracies, I think I can appreciate this movie even now. It stirs my emotions every time.
But here’s my complaint: why in the world did the re-release change the words in parts to be more PC? Trust me, your children will not be affected by some harsh words in a G rated film (reality has a far stronger impact), and if anything, the fact that the settlers were so racist against the Native American people was one of the few accurate things I remember as a kid. Don’t cushion the truth to make people feel better, please; we learn more that way. (I really am bitter for the company ruining a very powerful song with their edits. Luckily I own the original soundtrack!)

8. Rescuers Down Under: I know a lot of people may not agree with me, but I actually think this is one of about two Disney sequels that improved when compared to its original. I love the first film, but this sequel…just, wow. The original was about two mice rescuing a little girl from the middle of nowhere. The sequel is about the two mice rescuing a boy who is protecting an endangered eagle in a land filled with dangerous animals and people, with a possible love triangle in the mix. The animation is incredible (I ran around as the fantastic looking eagle from this movie on Halloween several years in a row), the villain is a bit more intimidating than the original’s, and there’s just so much more action to appreciate. I think this film is pretty under appreciated, especially for a Disney film. Give it a viewing.

7. Brave Little Toaster: OK, I have to admit, it shouldn’t be surprising that I like this film – a lot of the people on this project went on to become a part of the Pixar team (and I’m not biased at all!). This film turned ordinary house appliances into lonely living beings determined to make it home to their original owner – who is no longer the little boy they remember, but a young man getting ready to go to college. The main characters travel to find him and meet a large variety of other characters, some nice, most of them not. With pretty good animation and a ton of imagination, I still appreciate this movie today.

6. Mulan: Surprise surprise. ‘Mulan’ is one of the newer Disney films, turning the Disney princess into a warrior princess who pretends to be a man to join the army in her father’s place. She and fellow soldiers must train hard to protect their people from the incoming Huns. While there are some things I can criticize in it, let’s be honest: there always are. But honestly, my personal pet peeves don’t change the fact that this movie truly is fun to watch – the animation is lovely, the voice acting very good, and the music and storyline exciting and fun.

5. Beauty and the Beast: This fairy tale about a girl and a beast falling in love quickly became a Disney classic. It was received with incredible positive response, and I don’t blame anyone for it. Honestly, I don’t feel like there’s much I can say about this one. With Belle and the Beast as opposing and yet very appealing main characters, fantastic animation and some of the best composed music I’ve ever heard, this movie is easily one of Disney’s best.

4. Miracle of the White Stallions: Now here’s an oldie that I bet almost no one has even heard of. This movie is from 1963, and tells the tale of how the Lipizzaner horses from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna were saved during World War II. It’s based on a true story, and has some fantastic camera work and old actors in it. The horses are the focus and yet are not – the people tell the story, and the horses are a constant presence even when not on camera. Seeing this film makes me want to see these horses on tour again – there are actually two real performances made by the stallions in this film, directed by the original hero from this very story. I was relieved that this film made it to DVD, because even though Disney didn’t give it any respect and didn’t attempt to clean it up at all, I was very happy to see it again.

3. The Lion King: This is another one of those ‘90s classics that I feel doesn’t need any explanation. This fantastic Disney original about a lion cub earning his throne contributed a lot, from more fantastic music to one of the most recognized deaths in cinema. I personally get a kick out of seeing footage of a lion from the zoo being brought to the studio so the artists have a reference for the drawings – and the effort really shows and paid off.

2. Hunchback of Notre Dame: I love this movie – I love the villain, I love the beautiful and caring Esmeralda, and I love Quasimodo and his growth and role in the film as he comes to terms with his looks, learns about his past, and helps the gypsy girl his master hunts. This film actually has a director and a producer from ‘The Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘The Lion King,’ so I guess it shouldn’t be surprising that I adore it as much as I adore those. I know some people may actually wonder how this beat ‘Lion King’ – and truthfully, even though this movie was based on a classic tragic tale, I do think in some ways ‘Lion King’ may have a slightly better story, and in some ways, the other films have better animation sequences. So it still beat ‘Lion King’? Well, honestly, I am a theater lover, and anything that hires a professional choir and Broadway singer to do the music gets instant brownie points – not to mention, there’s Latin in this movie, and that language just screams with power to me. This soundtrack is one of the most stunning, with only one song that I can’t stand – and every other song gives me chills every time I hear it. Nostalgia Critic even granted Frollo’s “Hellfire” the top villain song. Put simply: I cheer when these play on my iPod, and I will always enjoy watching this movie.

So what tops ‘Hunchback’?

1. Fox and the Hound: An oldie but goodie, this movie was actually the last Disney film to favor some old styles in the credits before the ‘Renaissance of Disney’ began. This film tells the simple, beautiful tale of friendship between a fox (my favorite animal – I’m so not biased!) and a hound. Critics said that the film approached an old Disney magic, and I have to agree. The film just feels older and slower paced as it examines how the fox cub and hound pup grow up and how they move through their lives, and sometimes it has the old style animation as well, even if it was released in ’81 – long after a lot of other animated Disney classics. But to this day, I adore this movie. It makes me cry, and that is why this beats ‘Hunchback’ – because while ‘Hunchback’ gives me chills, this Disney film actually manages to bring tears to my eyes as much as its ending warms my heart.

And there’s my top 10 Disney movies. Feel free to agree or disagree, but as always, give each movie a fair chance and at least one viewing.

My Top 11 Films: Nostalgia Critic Style

I think it’s time to post something here, so why not begin with a personal favorite list? (And don’t tell me why not, please. I’m doing it.)

Anyone who has met me probably managed to find out, I love the Nostalgia Critic. One of the acts on thatguywiththeglasses.com, this weekly Internet review host mocks bad movies from before 2000 – generally, movies from the ‘80s and ‘90s. There are jokes and swear words galore as he summarizes his movie of choice. But just as fun is when the host presents top 11 lists of his favorite villains, films, ect. (“Why top 11? Because I like to go one step beyond.”)

So, in the spirit of one of my favorite Internet sites, here’s my top 11 – my favorite movies (as of 2010).

My Top 11:

11. “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” – I have to add this to the end of the list as a tribute of sorts. This is the movie that contributed to who I became in more ways than I can even begin to recall. It inspired me to begin to write, and it introduced me to five wonderful friends (and through them, other people). But the movie itself really is worth checking out when you’re in the mood for a cuter story. It’s a very safe movie for children. But it makes the interesting point of telling a story about a mustang captured and separated from his herd without the animals talking. The main characters are horses, so while there’s dialogue, much of the story is told through body language and facial expressions. Believe me – these animators did a very good job. I still find scenes from this movie impressive, and hand drawing and animating a horse is no easy feat. This may not be a favorite for many people, but it certainly is special to me.

10. “The Wizard of Oz” – An older classic that today contributed to the making of my favorite musical and one of my favorite novels (“Wicked”). “The Wizard of Oz” is such a mainstream item that it’s very hard to go through a month without a reference to it of some sort. Dorothy’s adventure to make it home and the companions she picks up along the way has fascinated viewers and readers for decades now – and while it wasn’t an immediate hit when this film was released, today it has earned its classic stance. (But seriously, people: there is no munchkin hanging from the background. It’s a bird they released on set.)

9. “The Prince of Egypt” – A film that did very well when it was released but isn’t well recognized in retrospect. But honestly, I believe it should be. Even though the story focuses on Moses and mentions Christianity many times (so yes, I understand it’s a touchy subject), the story told is honestly an epic one of brothers who become enemies and of standing by what one believes is right – no matter how difficult the stance becomes to take. The animation is beautiful, the music is awe inspiring, and the voice acting is incredibly moving. Give this movie a chance – it’s well worth it.

8. “Dead Poet’s Society” – An earlier film with Robin Williams and Robert Sean Leonard, the movie follows Williams (who plays a teacher) and the impact he has on his students. The setting is a conservative, competitive private school in the late 1950s. Needless to say, there are clashes between students and parents, as well as with teachers. Trust me when I say that I find this story powerful and emotional, especially Sean Leonard’s character. The setting is also beautiful, which probably contributes to why a story about teenagers is such a wonderful experience. Give this underrated film a shot, and you, too, will probably be saying, “Carpe diem.”

7. “V For Vendetta”/”Inception” – A tie!

“V For Vendetta” – Yes, I tend to like serious movies much more than I do comedies. I fell in love with this action packed sci-fi story the moment it was released – it was emotional and political, perhaps more touchy at the time it was released in some ways than it would be today. But certainly I wouldn’t call it less meaningful. I personally find many dystopian type stories hold important messages and warnings, always. I went on to read the comic this film was based on, and found the comics even more complex. But in both cases, this movie makes the interesting point that its main character is, in fact, a terrorist. Who’s side will you be on? Give it a try and decide for yourself.

“Inception” – There isn’t much I feel comfortable saying, since this film is still relatively new (especially compared to my other choices). All I will say is – Nolan, you did it again. Everything was suburb.


6. “The Dark Knight” – I doubt this is a surprise, either. While I was never a Batman fan as a child (I certainly recognized the character and why people loved him, but the Batman series did not have a place in my household due to a parent’s dislike for him), Christopher Nolan’s movies changed my feelings towards this hero quickly. But where ‘Batman Begins’ was a very fun action flick, the sequel had me on the edge of my seat, questioning morals and ethics, and oh yes: terrified of Heath Ledger. I was very jumpy when I left my late night screening. I thought his performance was phenomenal. By now, I would be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard something about this film, and all I can say is: it captures and puts me in awe every time.

5. “The Prestige” – Also a Christopher Nolan film (I’m not biased at all!), this movie fascinated me from day one. It tells the story about two competing magicians and how far they go to surpass the other and stay in business. Truthfully, I’ll say up front neither man (played by Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale) is a good man, but neither is an outright villain. While this story is science fiction, the characters truly feel human and honest – and you as the viewer decide whom you agree with, what you’re comfortable with. The movie, though, is definitely like a magic trick. The first time through, you won’t really be looking. But once you know the secret? It becomes incredibly obvious. (Yes, I just semi-quoted the movie.) But the acting is suburb, the screenplay is very good, and I always found the visuals stunning. Give this movie a go. It shouldn’t disappoint.

4. “The Lord of the Rings” – Really, do I NEED to explain this? I love Tolkien’s novel(s), and I love Jackson’s screen adaptation. I love the acting, I adore the land it was filmed in. The effort put into this film astounds me. The tale is an epic adventure, and every character faces trials that are fascinating. I can always watch this trilogy and find and notice something new. Even the commentaries entertain me more than some other films. And honestly, as we go on ten years following their release, I can look back and say they left a lasting impression and gave my childhood a fantastic nostalgic trilogy.

3. “Freedom Writers” – By now you can tell I like a serious movie; I also like activism related stories given my own involvement in some organizations. I consider this one of the better-made serious, human-story films. Based on diaries kept by the real people involved, “Freedom Writers” explains how one teacher struggles to reach and teach her students – all of them from different backgrounds and gangs in the early ‘90s. This story will have you questioning the education system as well as how you look at people themselves. It’s inspiring, emotional, and just a fantastic and deep story about people from a time not that long ago.

2. “How To Train Your Dragon” – As much as I love serious films, I often adore younger audience/family films just as much – I truly believe that since they cannot sell with sex and violence, they tend to try to put a bit more effort into the story. And while this doesn’t always make the movie good, it certainly contributes a lot to the ones I adore.
Ironically, after this rant I remembered this film HAD battle scenes. Whoops?
Anyway, this one gets the number two spot because, FINALLY, we got to see decent looking dragons that weren’t flat out evil on the screen. This movie had me leaving the theater pouting because I couldn’t go out to find my own Toothless to train. The main character is adorable (never thought I would say that about a Viking), but the dragons steal the show. Just give this film a shot. It’s incredibly entertaining.

So wait: what could possibly top dragons and Vikings?


I’ll tell you.

1. Every Pixar film ever made.


Honestly, it’s impossible to pick a single favorite when it comes to Disney Pixar (which, honestly, I always consider it’s own separate department with talent surpassing ordinary Disney. Seriously, guys: quit making direct to DVD sequels. They’re no good). Every single film has something that makes me love it as much as the others. The very early films like “Toy Story” invoke pure nostalgia since I was a child when they were released, while later films like “Wall-E” bring both fantastic fun and an element of seriousness to the big screen. The very first ten minutes of “Up” never fail to make me misty eyed. All of the films, though, have the same things that make them classics to be: fantastic animation, wonderful casting and acting, and just flat out enjoyable stories. I’m especially looking forward to their 2012 epic tale “Brave.”

There’s my list of favorite movies. Agree, disagree – but be fair and give them each a viewing first

Iron Man 2 is a worthy sequel

http://pittnews.com/article/2010/05/11/iron-man-2-worthy-sequel

Iron Man 2 is a worthy sequel

“Iron Man 2”

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke

Director: Jon Favreau

Studio: Marvel Studios/Fairview Entertainment

Grade: B

Nothing says summer has arrived like the release of “Iron Man 2,” and if this is any indication as to how the best months of 2010 will play out, we’re in for a wild ride.

First, the plot: “Iron Man 2” opens with a flashback to the first film’s surprise ending, in which Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) reveals that he is Iron Man.

Now, six months later, Stark has seemingly found the key to world peace. Because he is — or at least believed to be — the only person with the ability to create the Iron Man technology and suits, no one even tries to match him in a fight.

Demonstrating his typical flamboyance, Stark heaps credit upon himself for ending global conflict, promising never to share his suits or technology with anyone.

But behind the smiles and the flash, Stark is in trouble — the very device keeping him alive and powering his suit is poisoning him.

Also, there’s a fierce old Russian (Mickey Rourke) emerging with one purpose in mind: get revenge on Tony Stark for his father.

Soon, Stark finds himself battling friends, enemies and his failing condition — warding off both supervillains and the military’s constant attempts to steal his technology.

But enough about the plot. “Iron Man 2” is, after all, an action film, which means that only the action should impress — and it does.

Although “Iron Man 2” isn’t quite another “Dark Knight,” the impeccable fight sequences keep viewers satiated.

Some of the gadgets Stark created in the first film have been reinvented, and some new toys have been added. They’re flashy, they’re powerful and they’re fun to watch in action, particularly on the big screen.

Of course, the actors bring their own enjoyment.

Downey Jr., for his part, plays his character in a similar fashion to the first film — walking a fine line between lovable overconfidence and insufferable arrogance.

In other words, even when there isn’t a large explosion or a shiny suit to admire, nothing falls short. When there aren’t gun battles and fist fights, there are lively back-and-forth quips— usually concerning the fate of the Iron Man technology.

Of course, the ultimate question with a sequel is whether it surpasses or betrays its big screen predecessor.

Well, “Iron Man 2” by no means surpasses the first, but it’s certainly worth watching on the big screen.

Audiences will get Anchored at Altar Bar

Audiences will get Anchored at Altar Bar

http://pittnews.com/article/2010/04/21/audiences-will-get-anchored-altar-bar-0

Anchored
Altar Bar
April 25, 6:30 p.m.
$17
(412) 263-2877

The band Anchored markets itself as a band that plays “dirty Southern modern rock,” but the newly formed five-person band doesn’t feel that’s the best way to describe its music.

“It’s Southern pop rock, pretty much,” singer Brandan Narrell said. “They put dirty in because of the first single [titled “Dirty in Texas”]. But it’s a clean record with no swearing. It’s about happy and kind of chill songs where you could be on a boat fishing or in a club.”

Anchored is Southern-oriented in many ways, according to Narrell. The band formed in Texas nine months ago, gaining support through radio shows before beginning its first tour.
The band will perform at the Altar Bar along with the groups Saliva, October and Bishop Clay as part of its kick-off tour.

But Dallas, where the crowds were especially fun, had plenty to offer the band, Narrell said.

“It’s always a wild show,” he said. “All the bands around [Dallas] are super hardworking and nice. With some scenes you never know, but I love all the guys and bands.”

As Anchored tours and brings its music to other cities, the members hope to discover welcoming music scenes other than that of their home-base city. The band brings plenty of its personality on tour to welcome new fans.

“At some shows we do a Texas BBQ so we can get closer to the fans,” Narrell said, explaining he hopes the band will have cookouts and grill by the tour buses so that fans can come speak directly to them and “just have fun” getting to know the members.

The tour will also include quirky merchandise that anyone can buy, including stylish undergarments and condoms, Narrell said. It’s the merchandise and music that will give the band a strong financial base.

“For every guy in the band, music is our life,” Narrell said. “It’s cliché, but it’s true for us. We can’t go away until we get this out. That’s why we try to sell all of our merchandise as cheap as possible, and we also care about the fashion. You may not like the band, but you may like the products.”

The band’s tour will also be the only place to find its new album for at least three more weeks. The album is actually the reason the band exists, according to Narrell.

“It just sort of happened,” Narrell said about the band’s formation. “I wrote the whole album about a year ago. The [other members] came in after-the-fact. The band was created because of the record.”

And since he was composing and writing it, Narrell’s life became the focus of “Listen To This.”

“I wrote the album based off of life at home,” Narrell said. “This time I did it in a home studio. So I was in the room 12 hours a day for a month. Every word on the album is true, and it happened because of my daughters or my wife. I tried to put a twist on it to where you can relate it to anything.”

The stories about relationships and everyday life are all stories that could happen to anyone or anything, Narrell said.

“This album wasn’t that hard to write, because for three years I wanted to do an album like this,” Narrell said, explaining he used to perform in a band, Advent, that sounded more like Drowning Pool.

Now that the album is composed and recorded, the band is on tour for the first time. All of the members enjoy similar things, and although they currently spend their weekends on the tour buses, they would rather cook, go fishing or go out with other bands, Narrell said.

“Everybody’s got humor,” he said. “You’ll see that [if you see us perform]. We’re just a bunch of good old boys that like to play music.”

Too Late for Roses 'Debut' a dissapointing album

Too Late for Roses 'Debut' a dissapointing album

http://pittnews.com/article/2010/04/13/too-late-roses-debut-dissapointing-album

Too Late for Roses
Debut
LPE
Sounds Like: Pacific Dust
Grade: C+

Too Late for Roses? But the band’s album Debut is just debuting now; don’t they deserve roses?

Described as alternative and punk, Too Late for Roses kicks off its album Debut with a song that fits its genre mold. “Take Me Out” runs through swiftly with a solid-sounding instrumental mashup of guitars, drums and the other necessities of just about any punk band.

The vocals sound like they were run through a synthesizer, blending into the music. When are they understandable? When the singer screams, “Take me out.”

The band tones it down for most of the album, begging the question: Why compose two hard punk and techno style songs that don’t fit in with the rest of the album?

None of the other songs really tune into the “punk” genre, instead becoming soft alternative and guitar based. Even then, whatever the band members sing is often not noteworthy. It’s easier to listen to their music and stare into space daydreaming than it is to pay attention to their lyrics.

But the last track on the album, “Winter Tide,” is almost 20 minutes long. And while it starts this finale off with a fantastic acoustic guitar, it fills about 15 minutes with what sounds like static. What was the point, guys? Static is for bad cable connections, not album releases that need to make a good impression.

This album isn’t bad for a “debut” — but seriously, it lost a ton of points for static.

Mucisian Votolato stays true to folk music passion

Mucisian Votolato stays true to folk music passion

http://pittnews.com/article/2010/04/11/mucisian-votolato-stays-true-folk-music-passion

Guitarist Rocky Votolato has always felt that he belonged in the folk music scene.

Even when he performed as the guitarist for punk rock bands like Waxwing, he wrote acoustic songs on the side for himself. Votolato described the composition as an unconscious process.

“I played in a bunch of punk bands, but on the side, I was always writing country-sounding songs,” Votolato said. “I was always writing on the acoustic guitar. My mom bought an acoustic guitar from a pawn shop, and that was always the guitar I was writing songs on in my bedroom.”

In 2003, Votolato emerged as a solo artist with songs that combined his life and fictional aspects. He has used this songwriting style ever since while slowly gaining support.

The singer prefers to perform in small venues, often participating in charity shows. Ten percent of the royalties from tomorrow’s show will go to One Day Foundation’s wages to help fight extreme global poverty. Votolato said he does not consider himself a large-scale, famous singer.

“I’ve always been kind of under the radar with my career,” he said. “I do good in a lot of places in the country, but I started out kind of subtle and it was a slow climb.”

Votolato stayed positive and always had help from a support system of friends, family, fans and reliable music labels. His name is known in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Even though his name has gone international, he still holds to one of the values of folk song writing — closeness.
“It’s still at a level that it’s very intimate,” Votolato said about his music. “Most of my shows are from 200 to 500 people. I like that right now. I’m happy with it. If it continues to grow, I’ll try to do two nights in each city since I like small venues. It’s just me and my guitar.”

Votolato said he also loves the “sense of community” he creates with his music.

“The communication at shows, having a group of people there to experience art and take away something meaningful” is his favorite part of the shows, Votolato said.

“That’s what drew me in originally,” he said. “It has the ability to change people’s lives, hopefully for the better.”

He said his own life has taken extremely fortunate turns.” He balances time between tours and playing music with being with his wife and children in Seattle.

“In Seattle, it’s beautiful,” Votolato said, explaining he dislikes seeing scenic landscapes disappear, and he is lucky to be able to walk in the forests with his children. He plays at least once per year for a show that contributes its proceeds to conservation efforts.

Most important to Votolato is having good music to perform.

“It sounds obvious, but there are people who want to market and have a plan,” Votolato said. “But I think it comes back to the songs. People know it when they hear a good song, and if they feel it, you have a shot at a career. I stay focused on the music and writing, and stay true to what’s in my heart with it.”

Votolato’s music career thus far has given him a sense of longevity, and he said he is grateful that his life has worked out the way it has.

“I knew from a young age this is what I wanted to do,” Votolato said. “When I had kids, I struggled with the idea of if I could take the chance [of performing for a living]. It’s a big risk, especially if you have kids. I worked other jobs, but no other vocation I really wanted to do. I got my degree in English literature, so maybe I could have taught, but I don’t know. For me, I’ve made up my mind.”

Share Heart-filled adaptation of 'Wizard of Oz' comes to Heinz Hall

Heart-filled adaptation of 'Wizard of Oz' comes to Heinz Hall

http://pittnews.com/article/2010/03/28/heart-filled-adaptation-wizard-oz-comes-heinz-hall

photo credit: Courtesy Peter Coombs

The cast of 'The Wizard of Oz' takes a trip down the yellow brick road.

“Wizard of Oz”
March 20 – April 4
Heinz Hall
Presented by PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh
(412) 392-4900 or at pgharts.com
$27.50 through Pitt Arts

Just as the Tin Man embarks on a journey to gain a heart in the perennial classic “The Wizard of Oz,” Peter Gosik sees his involvement in the musical in a similar fashion, and he would like audiences to take away a message he has learned from the show.

“Everybody, as we grow up, has to have a heart and [has] to love people,” Gosik said.

All of the characters — and all of the heart — from the classic 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” are singing and dancing their way into Heinz Hall in a family musical meant to bring the magic of the movie to the stage.

Gosik, who graduated from the University of Michigan in 2008 and plays the Tin Woodman, or the Tin Man as he is more commonly known, said the stage version of “The Wizard of Oz” only adds to the fantastic elements of the film.

“You can’t get away from the movie, and you don’t want to because it’s such a classic piece of culture,” Gosik said. “We keep and honor everything wonderful about the film, but we do things that you can only do on a live stage.”

The additions to the stage show include an extra dance number (“Jitterbug”) that was filmed but never added to the final version of the movie, as well as extra lines of dialogue that flesh out the characters.

“You get to know the characters better than you do in the movie,” he said.

According to Gosik, this also helps the theater make the production unique to that particular creative team.

“You don’t want to go into it trying to copy the movie,” he said. “That is somebody else’s performance, not yours. We’re fortunate in that our script fleshes out [my] character more than in the movie, where they just find him and he comes along. You get backstory.”

The backstory includes a romance that ends with the Wicked Witch casting a spell on the Tin Man and replacing his parts with tin, Gosik said.

“It was a revelation when I read that,” he said. “He really is a real person. Approaching him that way and finding honest emotions, not being a caricature of a walking statue, helped me come at it not from 1939 but in 2010. His quest to find a heart is very special to me.”

The Tin Man travels with Dorothy looking for a heart, only to be told by the Wizard of Oz himself he is lucky not to have one at the end of his journey. The Tin Man, however, says something that strikes Gosik.

“There’s a moment where he says ‘I still want one,’” he said. “For me, that is the message of the show. You have to risk having your heart broken. To me, playing that part is really affirming.”

Gosik grew up watching the film with his mother. He believes the show has something to offer everyone and that “The Wizard of Oz” is not dated, despite its age.

“The ultimate message is that you have all these people who think they are missing something, and I think everybody feels that way — that there’s something wrong with them. What you come to learn is you are good enough; the thing you think you lack has always been there, you have to see it in yourself,” he said.

Gosik also hopes that children who see his show will react the same way he did when, in the second grade, he saw his first musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” with his mother.

“I fell in love right there,” he said. “This is my first tour and I’m glad to do it because of the kids. I hope there are kids who react the same way I did and that I can spark a love of theater, as actors or audience members.”

The Cave Singers bring 'Welcome Joy' on second album

The Cave Singers bring 'Welcome Joy' on second album

http://pittnews.com/article/2010/03/30/cave-singers-bring-welcome-joy-second-album

The Cave Singers

Welcome Joy

Matador Records

Rocks Like: A toned down The Alternate Routes

Grade: B

The Cave Singers deserve to emerge into the spotlight. Welcome Joy is the Seattle-based band’s second album and a welcome new addition to the genre of indie folk. I’ll say this up front: This band knows its way around a guitar.

The Cave Singers boasts both a harmonious acoustic guitar and an electric guitar, and the guitarist knows how to manipulate both instruments to instill the right emotions in the listener. With such prevalent guitar playing, the songs match the instrument: simple, sweet, soft and emotional. They blend together to form a story meant to be heard in one go, so don’t turn off the iPod before it’s over — it’ll ruin the vibe. The album has a slow tempo overall, with only one song notably faster than the rest. There’s an echo throughout the album adding an element of folk sound and mystery.

Even if this means it’s not always possible to understand the lyrics, the great guitar makes up for the lost words. There are also harmonicas and other blues and folk instruments introduced at certain points, but really, the guitar steals the show.

Though the album will not revolutionize the genre, it will still be a “welcome joy” for The Cave Singers and indie folk fans alike.

The Unthanks are something to be grateful for

The Unthanks are something to be grateful for

http://pittnews.com/article/2010/03/29/unthanks-are-something-be-grateful

The Unthanks

Here’s the Tender Coming

EMI

Rocks like: A pop-style Loreena McKennitt

Grade: B

The Unthanks might deserve a round of applause for style, but its songs’ topics on the album Here’s the Tender Coming are a bit of a downer.

Labeled as an English folk band, it’s hard to ignore that The Unthanks has a hint of pop stirring beneath the surface, with a sharp drum and piano accompanying almost every song it composes and releases.

Yet it focuses on old-style topics, like drowning sailors, young mine workers and weddings gone tragically wrong. It uses classical music brass and string instruments instead of simply guitars, as well.

The piano especially feels like the centerpiece instrument that helped create the band’s identity, adding an element of eeriness to every song.

The keyboards create relaxing atmospheres yet stay sad throughout the album. The vocals are so soft they sound ghost-like.

Randomly introduced instruments, such as a brass instrument, don’t feel random at all. They might only be used once, but they are used perfectly, easing into the song in which they are used and fitting the mood.

But the beautifully haunting vocals work and draw attention to topics, and the melancholy beauty makes the listener think.