6 I The Behrend Beacon 1 “"1 "I 1 c _-_av_isi: Why the American Dollar isn’t dead yet The United States economy may be floundering, but the band The American Dollar's recent release A Memory Stream released in August is as solid as a rock. The band was started as a project by two friends. John Emanuele (drum, keyboard, bass, and guitar) and Rich Cupolo (guitar, keyboard, bass, and percussion) in 2005. As partial as I am towards instrumental music with little or no lyrics. I can still say that this band has surpassed my expecta tions of what music can be. A Memory Stream has pretty much become a pleasant sound track to mellow me out no mat ter what I'm doing. The music paints a calming portrait in your mind, putting you at ease to think about what ever you may. All of the American Dollar's music is like this; delicate guitar or keyboard melodies blanketed by satisfy ing beats and splotched with some ambient tones. It's great to listen to whenever I study, walk to class, relax, or even sleep. Let me get back to the new album. A Memory Stream. Generally, the sound and overall feeling of the song reflects an abstract theme from its title. The opening two part song "The Slow Wait" stalls with a very ghostly ambience, then brings in a peaceful sounding keyboard melody. It slowly develops building up with gui tars and other mystical tones. The songs climax with a vibrant and smooth guitar solo, quickly drying up all of the progression. Part two brings in an upbeat Forward Hall continued from fr<>nt /uiw Forward Flail has been featur ing many performances lately, as the venue has just come under new management. For a number of months, the venue w as having little to no concerts. The venue w'as recently purchased by Trie Michael Schauffele. who is the owner of Ink Assasins Tatoo MATTIIKW SCHWABKNBAIHR / The Behreml Beacon Tommy Rodgers of Between the Buried and Me sings at Torward Hall The By Justin Pekuiar contributing writer jjpsoKs(n psu.edu percussion, while the back- ground ambience from the pre vious song keeps things moving. More and more of these parts develop and it gels very intense, as if "The Slow Wait" is over and something has begun. Try listening to this song as you leave home for class. Oddly enough the progression will get you amped for the day. You may be thinking this sounds boring, but it really isn't. The reason I like this band so much is because your day gives context to the music. Another awesome song, for any moment is "Starscapes." It's ethereal at first, building the sound-scape for the rest of the sons. Right as you don't expect it. the billowing patterns fade as ambient tones play, and before you're used to this calmness it builds right back up. An intense and catchy drumbeat pops up making you want to tap your toes. 1 forctot to mention this song is nine minutes long. Things finish up eventually, after the band playfully tweaks their dynamics like you'd never expect. The American Dollar falls into the somewhat obscure and hidden genre of post-rock. It's almost like a movie's sound track. interestingly enough; ills not . 1 get just as tmteh pleasure out not really paving intention as I do out of focusing intently on a song. There are no words, just rich textures of sound that slow- ly evolve to keep your interest. If thev sound intriguing to you. check out their last.fin or my space page, all of their songs are free to listen to. Shop on Peach Street in down town Flic. Tickets for anv upcoming shows can be pur chased at the shop. For more information upcoming local concerts, visit www.erieshovvs.com. Also, you can join the Facebook group to receive updates and notifications direct- Arts & Entertainment ’erieshows' High school continual from front page. Donch says he has the same problem with unmotivated stu dents, but “[the students] know that if they don't do anything during class, they will get an F." He says despite the number of kids that don't have an interest in music, there are still kids that do want to play. “Some kids will come and get a pass if there is a substitute teacher upstairs, to come down here and play." states Donch. He says he feels he can relate to these students because he felt the same way when he was their age. “1 lived for band when I was in high school," Donch states. According to George W. Bush's policy for NCLB on whitehouse.gov. schools that show improvement in students performances in math and sci ence will be rewarded with gov ernment funds, and those that don't will be penalized. This program is intended to motivate schools to improve on reading, science and math. “If it’s not sci ence or math, it’s not important,” states Ohmer. Donch said Strong Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is strong By Ryan P. Gallagher news editor rpg. ! ’(H)4@psu.edu Fusing Michael Cera's {Superbud. Juno) bone-dry humor with a grungy music scene and a romanticized New York City night, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist records a note of love, haphazard friend ship, and ultimate warmth in this latest garage-band-esque enter prise. Though Nick and Norali's is more of a ride along with classic friends and real times, the lack of creative conflict doesn't stomp the genuineness of the characters and story, leaving the audience content at the least. Cera’s char acter. Nick, reminiscent of his character from Juno (Best Original Screenplay, 2007) in the ranks of dry humor, soft spoken intelligence, and youthful rela tionship chaos, is anything but fake and strives for self satisfac tion. If Cera's witty deliveries have made you chuckle in the past, this film will likely have the same affect. Kat Dennings (Charlie Bartlett, 40 Year-Old Virgin) nails the role of the counterpart Norah, who comes off as an enigmatic music adorer and a witty intellectual. Her father is a big-time record producer in the city, something that had essen tially constructed her to be who she was throughout the entire film. She loves music, this much is clear. In fact, everyone in the film loves music, but I suppose that’s what fueled the plot in a The story is relatively simple, which is not much of a surprise, Artistic, creative or abitious? Write for the ARTS page of Theßehrend Beacon E-mail Evan Koserat emksllo@psu.edu lacking Vincent had to cut two wood shop teachers, one music (Mr. Ohmer), one home economics and one art teacher, all to cut down on funding. This policy leaves arts pro grams at a disadvantage. Ohmer says that his schedule is not even done correctly. He reportedly has two classes scheduled during the same time: Music Appreciation and Choir. "You can't split the room in half," he says. Block scheduling is one thing “The class is now a dump ground; all except two people are incapable of doing anything. If I can get them to sing middle grade songs , Pm lucky: ” that could fix this problem, but it has been done before and there were problems with it. according to Donch. Some students "were lost" because they were having a difficult time sitting for a whole class period listening to a lec ture. The blame is not only with the students, however. as this type of genre hardly offers variety in the way of conflict and innovation. The film com mences with Nick on the phone in his bedroom, leaving a voice mail with his ex-girlfriend Tris (Alexis Dziena) until the mes sage eventually runs long and is cut off and never recorded. It's an extremely comical, hopeless romantic portrayal from Cera. Janet Neff Sample Center for Manners & Civility “There is no duty more impor ing that our children’s rights that their welfare is protected, are free from fear and want music programs in structure According to Donch the teach ers were having a difficult time making the transition. The teachers were reportedly told to use different methods of teach ing in their lessons such as lec tures. student presentation, and group projects but they only stuck to lecturing. This led to restless students, which led to bad behavior and thus led to removal of the blocking sched ule. The only thing fighting for Robert Ohmer, music teach© music programs in schools is an informal music organization. According to Ohmer, the organi zation does not currently have anyone in charge. They meet on a regular basis and discuss options for concerts in the spring. Ohmer until his two homosexual band mates. Thom and Dev, arrive at Nick's home convincing him to get out of the house to play a gig that night. After some weak reluctance from Nick, the DJ on the radio in the background, timely announces that the band Where's Fluffy? will be playing a secret show at an undisclosed venue at some point in the night. Michael Cera aiul Kat Dennings. grow up in peace.” •* ?i*' j " * * f v „ f* , S//* * i * *<i j, » *s* «/ . ( v rr «. 4 Kofi Annan ;^ J ■ ;• '* V>' , 1 i^‘<,'' : ' --. ft "d Friday, October 10, 2008 and Donch attended on Thursday October 7. Donch said the meeting was pro ductive, and they brainstormed ideas about after school music programs for some districts. Donch’s personal project is to expand the Erie All City Marching band from three schools to 13. The plan is to go to 13 schools in the district in an attempt to recruit members. Depending on how many people sign up, Donch has several ride options for the students to get to one location. “[The music pro gram] will survive if we can get this project [functioning],” States Donch. Ohmer has eight years of experience in teaching music. Besides East and Strong Vincent, he has taught at Central High School and Roosevelt Middle School. Ohmer states on the music curriculums future, “Things can only get better from here, because they can’t get any worse.” Donch agrees that things are different from how they were, stating, “The music program is changing here and if I don’t change with it, I’m going to get lost.” This band being Nick’s (and the majority of the cast of charac ters) all-time favorite group, he decides a night on the town may not be an awful idea. The story rocks on from there in more ways than one. After Norah's best friend Caroline has a bit much to drink, the film presents us with several missions in which our characters are chasing. Caroline’s situation causes her to stray away from the main group, leaving Norah in a state of panic considering it’s the big apple and they’ve not even graduated high school. Nick’s incessant obsessiveness with his ex, constantly interferes with the idea of Nick and Norah becom ing anything but two lost musical souls in a hopeless world. Nothing extraordinary really sparks this film, so I’m not sure why it’s so effective. I suppose it is not a movie that everyone should run out to spend eight dollars on. The soundtrack is diverse and flavorful with bands like Modest Mouse, Bishop Allen, Vampire Weekend, Band of Horses, Shout Out Louds, and many others. There always seems to be some form of music going out in the film through it’s entirety and that’s one of its finer qualities. Robust with dry humor, vari ous comedic cameos, real music, youthful acting, and a memo rable message, this film could amaze or dissappoint, depending on your cinematic taste. If the bands on the soundtrack appeal to you and you’ve taken a fancy to recent films featuring Cera, then I would imagine this would be right up your alley.
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