Archives› 2007 August
SAN DIEGO — Freshmen year in college has become almost synonymous with weight gain, but a study finds that the so-called “Freshmen 15″ is actually a myth, and can cause psychological harm. The study suggests that the fallacy may cause psychological harm by perpetuating a negative attitude toward weight. Last year, a study conducted at [...]
San Diego State is following suit in political correctness withother universities across the country by dropping the word “foreign”from the general catalog’s “Foreign Language Requirement.” According to Dean of Division of Undergraduate Studies GeoffreyChase, the University Senate decided to delete the word “foreign”from the title last Tuesday. Chase said the extraneous word carriesnegative connotations and [...]
Earmarked by testy comebacks and sharp criticism, President Bush and Sen. John Kerry faced off in an intense debate that provided a stark contrast to divisive topics such as the war in Iraq, taxes, stem cell research and abortion. Bush dove into a military report to justify the war in Iraq. Authored by chief U.S. [...]
Shaggy still sounds like he’s swallowed a frog, and you still have no clue what he’s singing about. But at least you’ll be bopping your head to his boombastic reggae beats. With a plethora of orgasmic sound samples, Shaggy, aka Mr. Lover, wastes no time easing you into his hedonistic world. “Shut Up and Dance” [...]
It’s an epic disappointment when the intro, interlude and outro of your comeback album sound better than the full-length tracks squished in between. Ginuwine’s latest release doesn’t quite get “Back II Da Basics,” since he doesn’t capture the “Pony” Genuwine of 1996. Still, the slow, lovey-dovey R&B songs like “Betta Half” (for your upcoming Valentine’s [...]
A dozen tranquil and somber melodies comprise the emotive set on “White Limousine,” Duncan Sheik’s long-awaited new album (in stores Tuesday), and some tracks are sure to make Midori’s “Big Sonic Chill” radio program. The Garden State native trained his voice, no doubt, which makes for an effortless communication of solemn words. Sheik’s departure from [...]
Jim Adkins walks you through a slow and painful heartbreak on his aptly titled EP. His lyrics don’t fall victim to the classic let-me-die emo mantra, and the remixed “Drugs or Me” might even represent a departure from that genre. It’s reminiscent of Frou Frou, with its stuttering sound samples and distorted bass line. Adkins [...]
Jamiroquai’s “Dynamite” could be the soundtrack to a groovy 1970s fashion show with its strange, eclectic mix of experimental electro-rock, rock-funk and disco-pop beats. Jason Kay provides lots of ear candy on “Electric Mistress,” which sounds like it’s been phased through a Super Mario Bros. game. Most of the sing-along choruses are tailored to the [...]
Take one part Dave Matthews Band, one part Slightly Stoopid and an ounce of the Verve Pipe, stir it up and you’ve got O.A.R. Surprisingly, the reggae-pop-rock mixology works. The grass-roots quintet distills any notion that it’s just another garage band with such catchy tunes as “Program Director,” “Dakota” and “Lay Down.” Frontman Marc Roberge [...]
John Popper cooks up a musical jambalaya that blends rock, blues, soul and even a dash of funk on the band’s ninth album. On “After What,” he translates his recent roller-coaster love life into a cathartic verse, singing Don’t blame heaven or hell / You’ll have to look to your self. But while the album [...]
Phil Kline is no technophile. He doesn’t own an iPod, even though he was involved in marketing the shuffle. He doesn’t own a TiVo because he doesn’t watch TV. And forget the Blackberry. In fact, he could almost be a technophobe by today’s standards if it weren’t for pioneering and orchestrating what he calls an [...]
Georgetown graduates make trial motions, not hit records. Tell that to John Alagia, and he’ll laugh out loud, because he’s been the technical mastermind behind nearly a dozen hit singles. In fact, you can dub him the alt-pop answer to hip-hop magnate (and Grammy-winning recording artist) Kanye West. Both grew up in the Midwest, majored [...]
‘Filipino-Mexican rap label” may induce eyebrow raising, followed by a genuine look of befuddlement. But four local twentysomethings are determined to break hip-hop conventions through their South Psycho Cide Productions, an independent record label, based in Spring Valley. With EMI, Warner Bros., BMG, Sony and Universal dominating the recording industry, launching a profitable indie label [...]
When musicians flaunt their favorite pair of jeans in a TV spot, you know they’ve made it. Until that time, however, they’re usually struggling to book shows, make this month’s rent or car payments and balance rehearsal time with a day job. Consider this: A live show only brings in $300 per band member. And [...]
Somewhere in New York, Unwritten Law’s manager is booking a bunch of press junkets. An interview with the once Poway-based band has to be scheduled nearly two weeks in advance because the group has appearances slated for Fuse, MTV and “The Tonight Show.” After having been thrown back into the limelight following a two-year hiatus, [...]