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(04/14/08 4:00am)
The North Carolina women's lacrosse team saw an array of players score in a variety of different ways, but the diverse attack wasn't quite enough to overcome Maryland's high-speed offense Saturday night.
Five different Tar Heels scored in the 10-8 loss. Whether it is the speed of senior Meg Freshwater or the power of freshman Corey Donohoe, the Tar Heels have a lot to throw at a team.
"I think our strengths are that we can score a lot of different ways," coach Jenny Levy said. "I think our weaknesses, though, are if things aren't going on our way, we don't do a good job of going to a couple of things we know we can score on."
Levy said she blames some of that on being a young team with only seven seniors but most of it on a lack of communication.
"They got to communicate, and if they don't, there will be repercussions if they are constantly not communicating in those situations."
Levy said the players aren't selfish but that they just aren't getting the ball to the right people at the right time. And this team has too many options for that to happen.
"I think we're a very balanced attack. I think we get goals and shots from a lot of different people," sophomore Kristen Taylor said. "It shows how diverse our attack is."
Freshwater's speed is one way UNC can gain an advantage. She scored on a breakaway Saturday as she barrelled through Maryland's defenders in transition for a quick goal.
But the Terrapins were too disciplined defensively to let Freshwater surprise them again.
"I always try to run through transition, but once I scored, Maryland's defense kind of clued in on that facet of my game, so they started reacting," Freshwater said.
So UNC had to look elsewhere. Chelsea Parks had an unassisted goal in the first half when she toyed with some defenders before spinning to her left and lofting a shot over her shoulder for a goal.
Then there is Donohoe, the team's leading scorer and ACC rookie of the year candidate, who used her strength to power her way into the middle and score two of the Tar Heels' goals.
Taylor also scored two goals for North Carolina, one assisted by her older sister, Kelly.
This sister-to-sister offensive attack has been working for the Taylors all season.
"They are competitors and they are tough, and we look for them to be leaders for us," Levy said.
"They'll drive the direction of our team in the postseason."
It will be a postseason that will demand all parts of UNC's offense to be working in a competitive ACC.
Eight goals from five players weren't enough against Maryland, but this versatility could bolster UNC in the future.
Contact the Sports Editor
at sports@unc.edu.
(03/27/08 4:00am)
As the weather is heating up in Chapel Hill, so is the No. 7 North Carolina women's lacrosse team.
On a balmy spring evening at Fetzer Field, the Tar Heels beat the Hokies of Virginia Tech 16-6, proving the win against perennial powerhouse Duke last week was no fluke.
The Tar Heels (8-2, 2-1 in the ACC) have hit some speed bumps along the way, but they now are picking up speed at the most pertinent time - the home stretch of the ACC regular season.
(03/20/08 4:00am)
The North Carolina women's swimming team has stressed the importance of teamwork all season, but now with only four swimmers left in competition, it's time for the individuals to shine.
Senior Kelsey Morrissy, junior Whitney Sprague, sophomore Alison Clemens and freshman Katura Harvey are heading to the NCAA championships in Columbus, Ohio, this weekend after accomplishing qualifying times in individual events this year.
While the rest of their teammates went to their respective vacation destinations for Spring Break last week, the four women and the three men who qualified stayed in Chapel Hill to train.
Morrissy, who will compete in the 50-, 100- and 200-yard freestyle, said the atmosphere around the pool was a lot different.
"It's a lot busier," she said. "With fewer swimmers there is a lot more individual attention and individual work; we all just get in there and do what we need to do."
But it wasn't all work and no play as the swimmers took a road trip the first weekend of Spring Break to the beach to relax and get closer to teammates.
Morrissy said that closeness will help the women succeed this year.
"I think it definitely helps being close with your teammates and them supporting you, especially when there aren't as many of us," she said. "It helps knowing that they're there and we're all happy for each other."
Clemens, who will swim in the 200-yard individual medley, and the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke, said she was a little upset about not getting to go on a real Spring Break, but realizes what an opportunity she has.
"I would never trade the experience of going away on vacation instead of going to the championships," Clemens said.
The trip to the championships is nothing new for most of the women, with freshman Harvey being the obvious exception, but it's Rich DeSelm's first time as head coach of UNC.
He said he is excited and is ready for all the preparation to pay off. This week he had his swimmers rest more so their times could be faster and do more dry land and weight training to get their strength up.
"We try to refine the little things," he said.
DeSelm said he thinks the women's previous experience will help them.
"If you've been there before you have a comfort level you didn't have the first time, you have an awareness of what to expect and how things work," he said.
Surely, being in the position to be a champion is nothing new to Sprague who will be the top overall seed in the 1,650. She placed third in the event last year, gaining All-America honors, and is hoping to build on that this year.
"Whether or not she wins is less of the issue," DeSelm said. "The most important thing is that she gives herself a chance to be competitive and I know she will."
For all the swimmers, DeSelm said he just wants everyone to be able to score.
"That would be batting 1.000, just icing on the cake," he said.
Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(02/27/08 5:00am)
A trip to the Carolina Basketball Museum gave the North Carolina men's swimming team a level toward which to strive.
The team visited the historic museum in preparation for the ACC Championships, which start today at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center in Atlanta, Ga.
"Carolina is known for their basketball, and I feel like one day Carolina can be known for swimming," freshman phenom Joe Kinderwater said.
UNC's swimmers know if they want the same recognition, they must produce the same caliber of results, and all involved think this will be the year it all comes together.
"There is this tension in the air, as well as excitement, because this is our last year to win ACCs for our seniors, and everyone knows this is the year that we can win," senior diver Ryan Funderburk said.
The Tar Heels have demonstrated they're capable of such feats, going undefeated in conference competition this year and most notably beating archrival Virginia on Jan. 20 after a decade-long drought.
But it's just that type of winning that will make it even harder for the men to obtain their ultimate goal of becoming ACC champions - now that every team is gunning for them.
"Revenge is a strong motivator, so I'm sure that a team like Virginia that hadn't lost to us in a while will be well prepared and ready to go," coach Rich DeSelm said. "But so are our guys. It was fun to go undefeated, but it's a clean slate now."
Kinderwater admits he still thinks as the team as an underdog because Virginia always has been the prohibitive favorite - and that's exactly where he prefers to be.
"I feel like that's an advantage when you know you can only improve, you can only go up in the rankings," he said. "I feel like we still have that same mindset."
DeSelm said that he will rely on his marquee players to perform at their usual level but that the ACC Championships also are the time when every swimmer must step up.
"Every single person on our team, top to bottom, has to perform at their peak and do something special because that's what ignites a team," DeSelm said.
"It's what makes a difference; that's how you win a championship."
Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(02/18/08 5:00am)
A mix of strong senior leadership and exceptional freshman play propelled the North Carolina women's lacrosse team to a 2-0 record after its opening weekend at Fetzer Field.
The Tar Heels beat the Loyola (Md.) Greyhounds 13-9 Friday night and rounded out the weekend with another impressive win Sunday afternoon, beating Denver 15-9.
Freshman Corey Donohoe and junior Chelsea Parks led all scorers with eight points in the two games. Senior Julia Ryan also stepped up with four goals in the game against Denver and two assists in each of the matchups.
But it wasn't Ryan's scoring that had the biggest effect on the game. Donohoe said the senior's presence and communication helped calm her down and gave her the confidence she needed to succeed.
Ryan said she has been working on her leadership because she knows coach Jenny Levy is expecting it out of her.
"I'm hoping to step up since I am one of the older girls," Ryan said. "I need to speak up more and get everyone on the same page."
Ryan already has become a useful resource for the freshman Donohoe, helping her get accustomed to life in Division-I lacrosse.
"I talk to her about a lot of stuff - anything," Donohoe said. "On the field if I'm confused or don't know what to do, she gets me focused and tells me where to go, and she's a great leader on the offensive end."
Although the Tar Heels won both games by multiple goals, UNC found itself in a quick hole Friday. Loyola attacker Kate Filippelli controlled the ball off the draw and raced to score just 12 seconds after the whistle blew to start the game.
Tar Heel senior Erica LaGrow quickly rebounded and scored less than a minute later.
Levy said the quick Greyhounds goal could be blamed on some nervousness by first-time starters.
"I think we got a lot of kids who played last year," she said. "But not a lot of the kids who are starting this year started, so I think there were definitely a lot of jitters."
UNC scored the next three goals. Then Loyola responded with three goals of its own.
North Carolina led 7-5 at the half, but the lead was cut to 7-6 in less than two minutes after halftime.
Sophomore Megan Bosica then took control of the game and dominated the rest of the half by scoring three unassisted goals.
The Tar Heels seemed to have their nerves settled by Sunday's game against Denver, who lost to Duke on Friday.
Even though the Pioneers often took control of the ball for extended periods of time, it was UNC that used its time efficiently, easily outscoring Denver.
North Carolina had a well rounded attack with five different scorers and even got an offensive assist from defensive whiz Amber Falcone.
The turning point of the game came when Donohoe scored two consecutive goals in little more than two minutes towards the end of the first half, going high and hard to the net both times.
She scored a thundering goal off a confusing scramble in front of the net with 8:51 to go in the half that seemed to seal the deal for UNC.
Levy said the officials really slowed down the game for both teams by calling too many fouls and stopping the game so often.
"I'm really pissed," she said. "The game of lacrosse is supposed to be a fluid game, and I thought the wind was taken out of both teams' sails."
Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(02/15/08 5:00am)
A year after leading the ACC in fielding the UNC softball team came into 2008 looking to improve at the plate.So far this season North Carolina has succeeded beyond expectations and put up numbers unlike any in the team's history.Offensively the Tar Heels have managed astronomical production breaking the school record for runs twice in the season's first weekend. Fueled by such offensive explosions UNC now stands at 5-0 on the season.Junior outfielders Emily Troup and Whitney Allen have led the Tar Heel offense with a combined three home runs and 16 RBIs.UNC coach Donna Papa attributed her team's improved run-scoring ability to an offensive focus in the off-season and of all things pitching.She said her batters are better prepared to face tough pitching this year because they see it in practice.Posting an ERA of 2.57 junior Lisa Norris has pitched two complete games for a dominant UNC staff.Of course even the Tar Heels' blazing bats and steady arms are no match for Mother Nature. The Tar Heels had to nix a set of road games against UNC-Wilmington on Wednesday because of rain.The Tar Heels' next test comes this weekend when they escape the weather for Gainesville Fla. and a matchup with No. 10 Florida.Though Papa expects an elevated level of competition from the Gators" she said her team will try not to prepare any differently.""We try to worry about ourselves more"" Papa said. We focus on what we need to do to win a game.""Lacrosse begins season""Excited"" is the word of the preseason for the North Carolina women's lacrosse team. UNC coach Jenny Levy said they're just ready to play.After weeks of practice and an exhibition tournament last weekend in Chapel Hill"" Levy said the girls are pumped for Loyola tonight.""We're excited about this year's team"" she said. Our defense is going to be great.""Since the exhibition games did not keep score"" Levy said the main thing the team is worried about is getting in the right competitive mind-set.""There will be a little bit of a mental change from preparation mode to competition mode"" she said.UNC played teams including Louisville and UVa. in the South of the Border Tournament at the Finley Fields practice complex in Chapel Hill.Despite the fact that there were no official scores, Levy said she was happy with the team's overall performance because she could see the preseason practices coming to fruition.Junior Amber Falcone is expected to be the defensive leader - a grueling task, considering that Levy believes UNC's defense will be the Tar Heels' biggest strength this year.But for tonight's game, the defense isn't at the forefront of Levy's mind.We need consistent play and to just put the ball in the back of the net"" she said.Wrestlers head northAfter coming off a strong win Feb. 8 against ACC rival N.C. State, the North Carolina wrestling team is looking forward to an action-packed weekend filled with similar success.UNC coach C.D. Mock said the decisive victory provided a big boost for the Tar Heels.It was a great win" particularly because State has such a strong following" Mock said. And they're also pretty hostile.""Indeed" no love was lost during the match with continued dominance from redshirt junior Keegan Mueller" who recorded his second pin of the season to keep a streak of 17 straight victories alive.""Mueller has been great - he's stepped up and demonstrated"" Mock said. He shows the huge difference between wrestling with confidence and without it. That's the hardest thing for coaches to teach.""UNC's toughness will be tested with a busy schedule this weekend" as the team faces Ohio tonight and No. 22 Pittsburgh on Saturday. To make matters worse UNC will face personnel shortages throughout both matches" with redshirt senior Drew Forshey sidelined until the ACC Championships with an ankle injury.""Against Ohio we'll be bringing up a true freshman at 125 (pounds) who's seen no college competition" Mock said. But Ohio we should beat" and we're capable of doing the same against Pitt.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(01/22/08 5:00am)
As more and more Carolina blue filled the stands, it became apparent that this was not just any ordinary meet for the North Carolina swimming and diving teams.
This contest was against Virginia, a team that had beaten the Tar Heel men for 10 straight years in dual meet competition.
But on Sunday at Koury Natatorium, the men's team took a first place finish with a 151-149 win against the Cavaliers.
The long history between the teams has led to the development of a serious rivalry.
"The guys' energy and spirits are focused," UNC coach Rich DeSelm said. "It's never hard to get up for UVa. It's a good rivalry, and they bring out the best in us."
The meet was as close as it can get with North Carolina (3-2, 3-0 in the ACC) having to get a second-place finish in 400-yard freestyle relay to get the win. They did just that, and the home fans erupted.
The Tar Heels swam the Cavaliers (6-3, 3-1) close the entire meet but had to overcome costly disqualifications after two UNC swimmers swam in the wrong lanes in the 50-yard freestyle.
It was thanks to a record-breaking performance in the 1,000-yard freestyle by freshman Joe Kinderwater that the Tar Heels did not fall too far behind.
Kinderwater swam a 8:58.09, beating the school record by 4.29 seconds. Sophomore Chip Peterson previously held the record. Kinderwater's time also was the second best in ACC history.
"When I found out my time I was shocked, it was one of the best feelings I've ever had," Kinderwater said. "But the best feeling of my life was when we won at the very end; we really came together as a team."
Kinderwater also swam a career best 4:26.04 in the 500-yard-freestyle.
Tyler Harris and Ryan Funderburk also shined for UNC. Harris won the 200-yard butterfly and 200-yard breaststroke, and senior Funderburk swept the two diving events.
Kinderwater credited the fans as one of the reasons the team won.
"The crowd definitely helped," he said. "I think we feed off of one another, they feed off of us and we 100 percent feed off of them. It played a huge role."
The North Carolina women's team did not share the same success as its male counterparts. UNC got out to a slow start and was never able to catch up to a Virginia squad (7-2, 4-0) that seemed to do everything right. In the end, the Tar Heel women fell 191-109
For North Carolina, (3-3, 2-1) diving was a bright spot for the women with the Tar Heels winning the top three spots in three-meter diving. Erica Schiffler took first with a career best 314.93 points.
Tar Heel junior Whitney Sprague also performed well in the 1,000-yard-freestyle with a time of 9:47.81.
Sprague said it was easy for the women to stay positive through the event.
"Even if you don't win, you have to know you tried hard; that's how you stay positive," Sprague said.
"You've done all your work. You can't control what other people do."
Contact the Sports Editor
at sports@unc.edu.
(11/30/07 5:00am)
Members of the Student Health Action Coalition are quick to say the organization is the oldest free student-run health clinic still operating in the U.S.
But members are also quick to admit that SHAC needs financial support.
This year, SHAC's 40th in existence, the group plans on gathering financial support from a benefit concert tonight at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro.
"We try to throw some events to raise awareness in the community to let them know we're there and to make some money," said Bonnie Jones, SHAC co-director. "We're hoping the concert will do that."
(10/26/07 4:00am)
The production team of The Lab! Theatre chose to produce "Arcadia" because of its eternal relevance.
It also did not hurt that the show's selected director, Caitlin Rain, had studied the play's intricacies and understood the complex nature of "Arcadia," a play with diverse themes that can be difficult to grasp.
The Lab! Theatre's production of "Arcadia," written by Tom Stoppard, opens today and runs through Oct. 30 at the Elizabeth Price Kenan Theatre.
The play is set in the year 1809 as well as the present time. Scenes go back and forth between the two periods as two scholars living in the present try to find out what happened during a weekend in 1809.
"It provides a glimpse into why we study history," said Ike Smith, who plays Septimus Hodge, "because you have these characters in the present day trying to figure out what is going on in the past, and most of the time they're getting it wrong."
"Arcadia" is Smith's first performance with Lab! although he has had experience in Pauper Players and community theater.
Smith said he thinks the play will touch audience members, especially college students, because of its themes of academia.
"It's an incredibly well-crafted script and very challenging because the themes are woven in to every line so tightly," Rain said.
Rain said "Arcadia's" themes range from the clash between ideals of time periods, the second law of thermodynamics and the impossibility of being able to say what truly happened in the past.
"Arcadia" is commonly described as a play about the law that Newton left out - the law of attraction.
Rain said sex is a central theme of the play and she hopes that will entice people to come and see the play, though she said she thinks audiences will enjoy "Arcadia" for other reasons as well.
"I hope that students experience a very enjoyable evening, and that "Arcadia" gives them something to talk about," she said, "whether its literature, or science, or relationships or just how moving human interaction can be."
Sherrie Donecker, who produces the play, said she considers "Arcadia" an interesting contrast because of its witty nature and its complex, deep levels.
"This play is all about relationships across time, so it is still relevant today," she said.
"Arcadia" is the first play Rain has directed but she said she stayed true to the script because it's the actors who will make it their own.
"It's the actors who in their approach to their characters bring the characters to life in a way that's never been done before and will never be done again," she said.
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(09/13/07 4:00am)
After Hurricane Katrina, Danielle Vignes said she felt that she had an obligation to tell the stories of Louisiana residents.
The St. Bernard Parish, La., native will tell some of those stories in the finale of a three-part cycle of narratives about Louisiana culture today and Friday in Swain Hall.
Vignes' one-woman performance, "Hang It Out To Dry," includes eight narratives from Louisiana residents, as well as Vignes' own stories about Hurricane Katrina's effect on her hometown.
But the doctoral candidate in the Department of Communication of Louisiana State University, did not always have "Hang It Out to Dry" in her original script, which consisted of two installments.
"I can make these voices heard through telling the struggles that many Louisianians faced throughout that time and are still facing today," she said.
The interviews that Vignes collected for the performance are from friends, family and people she met at furniture stores.
"Furniture stores were a great place to meet people because everyone had to buy new furniture since all of theirs was destroyed," Vignes said.
Vignes said it was her professors and colleagues that helped her come up with the idea of "Hang It Out to Dry" as a way to cope and come to terms with her family's struggles.
Vignes said she preferred the one-woman performance to a traditional show because she feels close to the issues she is writing about - plus she likes to be challenged.
"It's extremely emotional because a lot of those people I have a connection with, and knowing the struggles that they face is very emotional," she said.
Stace Treat, a teaching assistant in the UNC Department of Communication Studies, saw Vignes perform "Hang It Out to Dry" last year at LSU.
He said he knew right away he wanted to bring it to UNC because of Vignes' talent and the performance's subject matter.
"It really illustrates and augments the power of live performance in helping us learn and understand different types of people and different types of places," Treat said.
"It also gives students a new perspective on the Katrina tragedy."
Vignes said she thinks her message is especially important for students like herself.
"Hopefully I'll get other people interested in these stories and get them researching different problems and challenges that our nation faces when disasters occur," she said.
"We're the ones that will eventually be trying to fix the problem."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
GO TO THE PERFORMANCE
Time: 8 p.m. today and Friday
Location: Swain Hall, Studio 6
Info: college.unc.edu
(08/24/07 4:00am)
The Deep Dish Theater Company's production of "How I Got That Story," which opened last night, epitomizes the adage "less is more."
A play involving 22 characters might seem contradictory to the phrase, but then comes the catch.
"How I Got That Story," written by Amlin Gray, follows a fictional reporter, played by Kit FitzSimons, while he is covering a fictional war.
During the course of the play he encounters 21 different characters collectively known as "The Historical Event" who generate all of the reporter's material.
Each "The Historical Event" character is played by Deep Dish veteran actor Derrick Ivey.
Director Paul Frellick said he thinks the two-actor dynamic couldn't fit the story more perfectly.
He has wanted to direct this play for as long as he could remember.
Frellick said he personally approached Ivey to ask him to perform the play because he was so impressed with the actor's work in other productions.
Ivey has previously worked with Deep Dish in "Orson's Shadow" as the title role.
"With two actors, you get a real fascination of putting the war onstage." Frellick said.
"You get to think of all the people involved in war, from people in combat to reporters, to politicians, to victims."
But while Frellick hopes the two actors will make the play more personal, he admits it also makes it harder to produce and direct.
"The technical challenges were a mess," he said.
Deep Dish Theater, located in Chapel Hill's University Mall, is located in a space more traditionally filled by retail shops or restaurants.
In order to provide more space, the set portrays an open field, but there are hidden corners where Ivey continuously changes his wardrobe during the play.
Set in a country that is supposed to look like Vietnam, the play focuses on the culture of war as opposed to the actual Vietnam War.
Frellick said that this gives the play a timeless quality as well as makes it particularly appropriate in the present day.
He also said it was a good time to bring this play to Deep Dish because of its connection to current issues, in particular, the young men and women "that we've always called upon to do our fighting for us."
"I think that as we were putting the season together, it was hard for me not to put a play in that was talking about war in some aspect," Frellick said.
"It doesn't seem possible for any of us to go through a day without it coming on the radar screen."
Frellick said he hopes UNC students in particular will find relevance and enjoyment in the play.
"I think it is a big thing that students here are considering how their present experience fits into the our historical continuum."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
ATTEND THE PLAY: "HOW I GOT THAT STORY"
Time: Various times through Sept. 15
Location: Deep Dish Theater, University Mall
Info: www.deepdishtheater.org
(08/21/07 4:00am)
Some might think professors teach a couple of lessons a day, make their own rules - and the most enticing part - get weekends and summers off.
But a lot of a professor's work takes place behind the scenes with research, often during those "free" weekends and summers.
Students rarely see their professors' work, but the Ackland Art Museum has devised a way to showcase professors with its new exhibit, "Practicing Contemporaries."
It displays the work of UNC studio-art faculty until Sept. 9, just in time for incoming students to come visit. There will be a welcome-back reception from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The show consists of more than 40 works of sculpture, photography, prints, drawings, designs and other media.
Christine Huber, assistant curator of exhibitions, went to the artists' studios and handpicked the works to be displayed.
"The faculty artists are like other faculty in the University in that they spend time teaching, but they also do research to enrich their teaching," Huber said.
"It's the Ackland's chance to show the results of their research."
The museum previously hosted faculty pieces in 2005, and Huber said she could not wait to host their work again because it was so well received before.
Some participating artists said they are thrilled to be part of the display because they think students sometimes forget they are artists and only view them as teachers.
Dennis Zaborowski has taught painting and drawing at UNC since 1968 and said that when students ask to see some of his work that he does not have an outlet to show them.
"I think students are very influenced by their teachers, and seeing this show might help them gravitate toward certain teachers rather than others," Zaborowski said. "It helps direct students toward teachers who are best fit for them."
Susan Harbage Page, a third-year professor of photography and imaging, also said the exhibit could have a considerable effect on teacher-student relationships.
"I think the exhibit is important because it shows the research all the faculty has been doing, dealing with very contemporary, current issues - creating a dialogue that would not exist otherwise," she said.
Huber said that the exhibit lives up to its claim of contemporary art and that its relevance will surprise many students.
"Students and community members are pleased when they see how much conscience there is in the exhibition and how many thought- provoking ideas are presented with everything from racism to the war in Iraq."
As with all art, viewers will form their own opinions and assessments, but Huber said that after viewing the exhibit, most will agree that these professors are not lazy, but hardworking.
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
SEE THE EXHIBIT
When: Through Sept. 9
Location: Ackland Art Museum
Info: www.ackland.org
(11/30/06 5:00am)
MUSICREVIEW
Foo Fighters
Skin and Bones
3 stars
Acoustic albums and live albums are two popular cop-outs for bands wanting to come out with "new" material.
They are often unoriginal and redundant. It turns into a way for fans to spend even more money on their favorite bands.
But the Foo Fighters have broken the unfortunate trend with a feat so impressive, it might not be seen again.
The Foo Fighters' new release, Skin and Bones, is both an acoustic and a live album, but instead of falling into the trap of redundancy, it's surprisingly refreshing and new.
Such hits as "Best of You" and "My Hero" sound like different songs on Skin and Bones, and the acoustic guitar adds a whole new dimension never heard before.
Along with playing the acoustic guitar, Dave Grohl heads up an eight-man band including a violinist.
The album was recorded almost entirely unplugged during three days at the Pantages Theatre. It's easy to forget it's a live album because the crowd isn't intrusive and the band doesn't talk to them in a way that is seen on many live albums.
The acoustic style fits Grohl's voice perfectly. His voice is surprisingly gentle for a rock band, and it adds depth to songs while letting the listener actually hear and understand the lyrics.
For example, in "Best of You," obviously a fan favorite on the record, Grohl's voice comes across as inspiring because it is not interrupted by too much noise in the background.
Drummer Taylor Hawkins also gets to display his voice in "Cold Day in the Sun," one of the few tracks on the record that uses electric guitars.
Some of the songs missed the boat with the acoustic version though. "Times Like These" sounds better loud. It is too toned down on the record and doesn't resound like it should.
What makes Skin and Bones so good is that the Foo Fighters didn't try to make a greatest hits album, they tried to find the songs that would sound best unplugged, and they almost always succeeded.
Contact the Diversions Editor at dive@unc.edu.
(11/16/06 5:00am)
MUSICREVIEW
Jason Michael Carroll
Waiting in the Country
3 Stars
When describing music the word clich
(10/12/06 4:00am)
MUSICREVIEW
Portastatic
Be Still Please
4 Stars
Be Still Please is an ironic title for Portastatic's latest album.
Mac McCaughan, the brains behind this Superchunk spinoff, cannot know the meaning of being still.
Most noticeable for his work in Superchunk and his creation of Merge Records, McCaughan is a busy guy. And fortunately he does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
McCaughan is one of North Carolina's best, and his greatness does not cease in Portastatic's second release of 2006, Be Still Please.
Portastatic has an ever-revolving lineup, with McCaughan's vocals always leading the way.
After the last two releases, Bright Ideas and Who Loves the Sun, Portastatic's talent was evident, and Be Still Please is just more of the same.
McCaughan has a way of making even the saddest songs sound upbeat with his buoyant, boyish voice.
In "You Blanks," he pairs his drum skills with his vocals to create the catchiest song on the album, even though the lyrics reek of bitterness.
"Well that got better the rest got worse/ and now every horse I dream about/ is pulling a hearse."
McCaughan won't be getting pity anytime soon with all his success and another good new album to show for all his work.
He underestimates his enticing voice on one of the best songs on the album, "Sweetness and Light."
"I know my voice is like a broken saw/ I know my voice is like a tightening screw."
How wrong he is. His voice has the qualities of making every girl swoon and every guy jealous.
Not all the songs sound upbeat, though. "Like a Pearl" is a slow song, and even though the melody is depressing the refrain is catchy enough to sing along to.
It seems like everything McCaughan touches turns to gold, and Be Still Please just adds to his already overflowing treasure chest.
Contact the Diversions Editor at dive@unc.edu.
(10/12/06 4:00am)
Column after column, blog after blog, ad after ad, every couple of hours a new artist or band is begging you to come to their show - they really are the next best thing, they promise.
The constant barrage leaves the average fan feeling confused. Who should I see? Which shows are really going to be worth the trip and the price of admission?
With visions of neon fliers dancing in our heads, these questions haunt us daily.
But, this week, I have a different plea. I don't care who you see, or how often you go, or how you get there, just go.
And where better to go than our own lovable Cat's Cradle?
For those who don't know (and you deserve a harsh chastisement), the Cat's Cradle is in the same Carrboro strip mall as ArtsCenter and TJ's.
It has been in that spot since 1993, after moving farther and farther down Franklin Street.
The Cradle has gotten more publicity lately with the WXYC '80s dance, but let's not forget what makes it so great.
It manages to bring acts on the verge of breaking into the mainstream, as well as big-name acts at more-than-reasonable prices.
We can speculate what has led to this phenomenon. Maybe it's longevity, good management or influence of the college, but this isn't a research paper, and no one really cares why it's great. We just care that it is.
That being said, don't take it for granted. I'll admit, I've done it. It's easy to forget to check the schedule or buy tickets, but think of the memories and stories you're missing.
People come from all over to see acts play at the Cradle, and it's only a 20- or 30-minute walk - tops - for most students.
The beauty of Cat's Cradle is its size. Small venues lend themselves to more personal shows, and it's always a plus to be able to actually see the band you paid money to see. And hey, you might even catch a drumstick or sweaty towel.
At small clubs the bands are more willing to hang out after the show and talk and sign autographs. The Cradle usually gets the bands that haven't been jaded by the music industry and actually like playing shows.
I saw The Academy Is. and The All American Rejects play my freshman year, and they hung outside in the parking lot for hours after the show just chatting with fans.
It's a story I tell over and over to whoever will listen. You too can be the annoying kid who won't stop gushing about how nice her favorite band is. Don't miss out.
Let's clarify, I'm no music expert, I'm a music lover. I might not know what's coming out next week or what genre is breaking into the scene this year, but I consider myself a true fan for one reason: I love going to shows.
A true fan knows going to see live music is just as important as getting a record. The band gets more money from shows anyway.
I don't care who you see, just check the Cradle schedule and buy the cheap tickets for your favorite bands before they get too cool for you.
Your sweet collection of ticket stubs and concert T's can thank me later.
Contact Beth Mechum, a sophomore journalism major,
at bmechum@email.unc.edu.
(09/28/06 4:00am)
COMEDYALBUMREVIEW
George Lopez
El Mas Chingon
.5 stars
Shticks can work.
Rodney Dangerfield's "I don't get no respect," or The Three Stooges' antics are both memorable and still elicit a laugh.
Unfortunately, there is such a thing as a bad shtick.
What's even more unfortunate is, in the case of George Lopez, there is such a thing as a horrible, mind-numbing, headache-inducing shtick.
His new comedy album, El Mas Chingon, uses the shtick of being Mexican as its main means - only means - of comedy.
As with most race and ethnicity heavy comedy, the act fails miserably. It takes a special type of comedian to be able to use race as his only means of evoking laughter.
Besides being a socially conscious issue that many people are afraid to laugh about, it's hard to keep people's attention with the lack of variety.
Comedy is funny when it relates to real life, but if faced with a diverse audience, George Lopez would fail miserably.
Even with a Latino audience, Lopez probably would still fail because almost an hour's worth of a forced accent should be unbearable to anyone.
Even if the jokes were funny, they're hard to believe. Lopez jokes about being mistaken for the gardener, or being called dirty, or not fitting in the entertainment industry.
It's not like he's so hard off. He lives in a big house, with a pretty wife, and has his own television show. He won't be receiving much sympathy.
George Lopez can be funny, and his television show is mildly entertaining. But El Mas Chingon is a blip in his otherwise impressive career.
When a comedy album isn't funny, it's time to start changing the jokes.
Contact the Diversions Editor at dive@unc.edu.
(09/28/06 4:00am)
MUSICREVIEW
Nevertheless
Live Like We're Alive
2 stars
Nevertheless fits the clich
(09/21/06 4:00am)
MUSICREVIEW
The Fray
Live at the Electric Factory: Bootleg No. 1
1 star
The Fray is impressive.
The band has two of the most popular singles out on the radio with "Over My Head (Cable Car)" and "How to Save a Life."
Not a bad r
(09/21/06 4:00am)
In the current era of convoluted music genres with imperceptible differences that combine to create the bastard stepchildren of the music industry, there is one genre that has remained relatively stable.
Mention ska music and a definitive image comes to mind. Whether it's No Doubt, Madness or even Rancid, ska bands and bands influenced by ska are easy to recognize, and more importantly, fun to listen to.
Walk into any bookstore and you'll be bombarded by books purporting to tell you the true meaning of rock. It's exhausting to keep up with, but ska doesn't need the documentaries - pick up any album, and it's obvious.
It's often a forgotten genre overtaken by more popular styles such as punk or indie, but ska has remained a staple in some form since the 1950s.
And ska even has its own culture, its own dance - called "skanking" -- and a lasting influence on punk, post-punk, new wave and pop.
This week it's time to dust off the ol' 2-Tone Records LPs, pork-pie hat and dancing shoes, The English Beat is coming to town.
The English Beat is everything ska music is known for -- socially conscious dance music with a poppy reggae beat.
Ska music originated in Jamaica in the '50s and later found new life in England in the '70s and '80s after many Jamaican workers migrated there.
The confluence of black Jamaicans and white English created what came to be called "2-tone," as much for racial integration as for the two-step beat.
In England the Jamaican music, heavily influenced by jazz and calypso, combined with the pop and punk that was popular in England at the time.
It wasn't until later that ska music hit American shores.
And it hit hard. Remember when No Doubt's Tragic Kingdom had about six Top-40 singles?
Even if there aren't a lot of self- proclaimed ska fans, the genre has permeated the history of music to the point where it would be hard to find someone not influenced by it.
Artists such as The Clash, NOFX and even Paris Hilton have been affected by the ska's syncopated dance rhythms.
If mention of Desmond Dekker, The Skatalites, The Specials or The Selecter doesn't resonate, No Doubt, Reel Big Fish or Less Than Jake should ring a bell.
And The English Beat is one of the most influential and popular ska bands of the time. On Tuesday, The Beat will be at the Cat's Cradle. Don't let the honor of being graced with the presence of ska royalty slip away.
It's a hard opportunity to pass up - think of the stories to tell the kids. Grandpa was once hip, he rocked out to the best ska music of his time - or any time for that matter.
Ska music is one of the few genres that hasn't been diluted over the years, and its demise cannot be seen in the near future.
Contact the Diversions Editor at dive@unc.edu.