Entertainment State of the music industry 02-06-2013

The music review format is predictable by now: the album, song or artist is broken down, and then debated on the merits of the effort before attaching a number of stars, letters, points or flaming CDs.

The problem becomes that this is on too small of a scale and it doesn’t look at the big picture. Who is looking at the music industry as a whole? Who is passing out the flaming CDs for that? Well, it seems like it’s about time someone did.

It would be a waste of time to spend this entire review critiquing all the individual bands. So instead, I will review the latest music trends that are changing the music scene.    

The Good.

“Vaguely folkish Alternarock”  — While folk music conjures up images of old men, banjos and the ‘30s dust bowl, these antiquated images are not what should come to mind from modern folk music. Artists like Mumford and Sons, Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes have set forth a revitalization of this old standard. The upgrade in lyrical content and music style is something other genres could take a few notes from.

“Dubstep” — While dubstep might not be for everyone and has certain negative connotations it is about how lazy and unoriginal by just copying off other people’s work, the spirit behind it is a good one. The barriers to entry are relatively low (some might call this a bad thing). It has the same do-it-yourself spirit that helped birth punk rock so many years ago.

“Technology”  — While technology might not be a genre, it is an increasingly prevalent trend. Audiophiles can rejoice as speakers are getting better, cheaper and smaller. Those $400 Beats by Dre headphones that seem to be little more than a fashion accessory are also technologically superior to most headphones on the market. Technology isn’t only limited to the hardware, as websites such as Pandora, Grooveshark and Spotify have made sharing and discovering new music easier than ever thought possible.

The Bad.

“Dance, Pop, Rock, R&B and Musical Vomit”  — This is really a mash-up put forth by Justin Bieber, One Direction and the Jonas Brothers. Their popularly was unfortunately brought on by teenage girls and older fans who were obsessed with these men 10-20 years younger than them. While it might seem like the stereotypical male college student’s response to hate these bands sight-unseen, this dislike goes further than that. 

Lyrical content, music video production and simple creativity are all null and void when talking about these groups.

“The Paparazzi Whores” — With varying degrees of success, talent and popularity, this is a broad genre, but those in it seem to be increasingly known for their actions off stage. Who remembers Britney Spears’ latest tour versus the time she shaved her head and attacked a paparazzi SUV with her umbrella?

Kanye West’s albums have sold fewer copies with each new release. However, he is better known for knocking up a Kardashian and attacking a photographer in an airport.

While a lot of child stars fizzle out after their shows go off the air, Miley Cyrus has had a moderately successful career after “Hannah Montana,” but has been in the news more for risqué pictures than her latest single.

“The Band that Wouldn’t Die”  — While some bands will put out a handful of albums, break apart and then sink into relative obscurity until a reality TV show is made about them, there is a darker side of music. Aerosmith falls in to the dark side. 

For 38 years the band has been putting out the same crap, across 15 albums. It simply will not die. 

The Rolling Stones ended last year with 50th anniversary tour. Who would have thought even 25 years ago the Rolling Stones would still be on stage into their late 60s?

“Nickelback” — Everyone hates Nickelback, end of story.

Based on this breakdown, music as a whole right now deserves three flaming CDs out of a possible five. While things have been on an upward trend, some of the disasters of the past, boy bands, song-specific dances and hair metal keep the music industry from reaching its full potential.

http://www.westerncourier.com/the_edge/state-of-the-music-industry/article_02f90abe-7087-11e2-a5fd-0019bb30f31a.html

Op-Ed I'm voting because... 10-24-2012

I’m voting because every vote counts.

So often I’ve heard the argument made that, “I’m only one person, and one vote doesn’t matter.” I can’t help but disagree with this argument, based on personal experiences.

My story takes place a few years ago when I was still living with my parents and going to Kankakee Community College. My parents live in an unincorporated portion of southern Will County, Ill. called Wesley Township, which boasts a population of 2,568.

Reading the Free Press Advocate, a weekly paper published in the closest town, Wilmington, that covered the township, I learned they wanted to increase property taxes in the township, small at first but after a few years the growth was going to be quite large compared to what the township was offering in exchange.

When it was time for the election, proudly went to the voting booth and expressed my opposition to the tax increase.

I remember this day clearly because that morning before I left to go vote, I gave a stirring stump speech about taxation without representation that I doubt anyone in my family listened to or remembers to this day.

So, I proudly got off my rear and went to the polling place, and I cast my ballot against the tax increase.

When I picked up my special election edition of the Free Press Advocate, I was met with both surprise and delight to see that the tax increase had been narrowly defeated by one vote. That’s all it took, a single vote. Prior to this election I might have been someone to spout out, “I’m only one person, and one vote doesn’t matter.,” but this experience was all it took to make me a believer.

So, despite feeling that your vote might not matter, despite the feeling that you are one insignificant little cog in the greater political machine that is the electoral college system, just remember that your vote could be the deciding factor. Your vote could what it takes to change the world.

http://www.westerncourier.com/opinions/i-m-voting-because/article_2f57de1e-1e43-11e2-bbab-0019bb30f31a.html

Op-Ed Top eleven stories 12-05-2012

Real zombies found in nature

Zombies are commonplace in the media, but scientists have recently discovered zombies already present in nature. An alarming number of parasites and funguses are creating zombie-like symptoms in their hosts. Barnacles castrating crabs and taking over their brains. Worms growing inside snails, causing them to try to get eaten by birds. The best of these is a parasite living in cat litter that grows inside human brains, affecting behavior and feelings — and is being linked with schizophrenia.

AFT union wants Bar-style exam for teachers

The American Federation of Teachers, which represents more than 1.5 million members, is advising the creation of a Bar-style exam for potential teachers before they make it to the classroom. The exam would be similar to the way lawyers must take an exam before they can start practicing law. The AFT report wants the exam to go in place for all grade levels from kindergarten through college. Currently, all 50 states require teachers to be licensed, which means a bachelor's degree and some in-class experience, but only a handful require exams.

The McRib is back

Starting Dec. 17, the taste sensation that sweeps the nation once a year is back for 2012. There are a number of theories as to why the McRib is put out only once a year, such as pork shortage, pork prices or the scarcity of demand raising sales. But, the important thing is that your favorite barbecue-slathered, rib-shaped sandwich covered in onions and pickles is back for just a few short weeks.

$1,000 dollar bikini airshow

The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) has fined VietJet Air for roughly $1,000 for an in-fight performance that showed off several bikini-clad dancers. Passengers on the inaugural flight between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang were treated to a three-minute show in the aisles of the jet. The big problem with the show wasn’t so much that they did it, but apparently no one remembered to ask the CAAV for permission before the event.

Netflix exclusive with Disney

Despite offering thousands of movies at any one time, it always seems as though there is nothing good to watch on Netflix; however, fans of the media service can rejoice as they have announced an exclusive contract with Walt Disney Studios. All of the Disney classics — be it “Dumbo” or “The Little Mermaid” — will be available now, in true Netflix style (never the one you want to see, but all the ones you don't). Fans of new releases will have to wait until 2016 to see these films.

http://www.westerncourier.com/opinions/top-eleven-stories/article_44e852fa-3f08-11e2-b9b6-0019bb30f31a.html

Entertainment It's Halloween, so try to be original 10-31-2012

Halloween is finally here and can only mean a few things: candy, decorations and, most importantly, costumes. With so little time left before trick or treating (or partying), you need something that is hip and fresh instead of dusting off that Avatar you made as a senior in high school. So, submitted for your approval, here is a list of costumes inspired by events over the last year.

“Snookify” Anything: Snooki has been done as a Halloween costume for several years now time to take it to the next level. Take the tight leopard print dress, high heels and poufy hair a little farther by combining it with another costume. Snooki Vampire? Snooki Iron Man? Snooki Panda? Bonus Points: Little Snookified baby on your waist.

Batman: From $19.97 Walmart specials to $1,600 official replicas, a Batman costume isn’t hard to come by; it’s standing out as one of 37 Batmen at that Halloween party that becomes the challenge. To change things up, try Grandpa Batman (gray hair, cane and a pot belly) or perhaps Bruce Wayne (spend the night telling people you aren’t Batman). Bonus Points: Pink Hello Kitty Batman. 

Kristen Stewart: The clothing doesn’t make this costume; the key to this costume is to keep an emotionless face for the entire day. Don’t blink, don’t smile and, whatever you do, don’t let any emotion show. Bonus Points: Have a secret relationship with anyone dressed as a vampire and then cheat on them. 

“The Avengers”: The best way to get this costume to work is with a large group of friends and to represent everyone from the movie. I don’t just mean Iron Man and Captain America, but also lesser characters like Special Agent Phil Coulson, Dr. Erik Selvig and Georgi Luchkov. Bonus Points: Anyone (even those in the costumes) who recognizes and can name the minor characters. 

“The Hunger Games”: Short of a movie grade special effects flame suit, the easiest way to establish this costume is a tight jacket, cargo pants and weapons. Swords, bows or explosives make sure everyone knows you will be the winning tribute. Bonus Points: Not getting arrested for carrying around a sword and threatening those in your way. 

Honey Boo Boo: All you need are a tutu, tiara and a sequin-encrusted dress. Make sure to stock up on lots of “Go-Go Juice” to give you the energy to win that beauty pageant or costume contest. Bonus points: Carry your pet pig Glitzy around with you all night and try not to eat him. 

“Fifty Shades of Gray”: This costume could go two different ways: First, there is the dedicated fan, wearing the recognizable gray tie, handcuffs and blindfold as you announce to the world your love for suburban mom porn. The second is to acquire 50 gray paint samples and attach them to your clothes to take on the book in a literal sense. Bonus Points: Creating a tasteful combination of both the ideas.

Psy: Sunglasses, tuxedo, bow tie and a healthy amount of pomade give you the look, but mastering the “Gangnam Style” jockey dance is where the costume is made. Bonus Points: Convincing all the sexy ladies to do the “Gangnam Style” dance with you. 

Clint Eastwood: Carry a chair around with you all night, keep talking to it and keep telling it that you won’t give in to its demands. Bonus Points: If you can get a friend to dress up as your chair.

“Magic Mike”: No shirt, a tie and a pair of tight pants make this costume easy to put together. Who doesn’t love a topless man on a 36 degree Halloween night? Bonus Points: Being in shape enough to pull the costume off or out of shape enough to make it hilarious, think Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze on “SNL.”

My Little Pony: Don’t let gender pigeonhole you on this one. Pick your favorite pony (Applejack will always hold a special place in my heart) and match your clothes to the pony’s color. Don’t forget to sew a few wigs together for your fabulous mane. Bonus Points: Making this costume that’s based upon a children show as sexy as possible.

Vintage Internet: The Internet is a strange place compared to where it was 10 years ago, and the perfect costume might be informing people of this fact. So break out your “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” T-shirt and inform the people of the amount of time it took to download a song off LimeWire on your 56k modem. Just remember, Internet Explorer is the only way to go, Yahoo! provides your search results and Facebook is still two years away. Bonus Points: Give people a rousing rendition of that dial-up sound and make sure to yell at your mom for picking up the phone before making the sound again.

http://www.westerncourier.com/the_edge/it-s-halloween-so-try-to-be-original/article_7274ee00-2387-11e2-bc4e-001a4bcf6878.html

Op-Ed More parties, better options 11-9-2012

"The lesser of two evils” became a phrase as common in this presidential election as “hanging chad” was back during the 2000 election. 

The phrase is usually used to describe the choice between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, but what if this election season, people had other choices — 27 choices even — wouldn’t that make for a better election? 

The truth is, Americans did have that many choices, but third party candidates are often unknown and looked upon with a level of disdain normally reserved for child molesters or Nickelback. 

Following the coverage of third party candidates, one subject was mentioned often — the magic 5 percent. It seems as though getting 5 percent of the vote would be such a small and insignificant amount, and it’s certainly not going to get anyone into the the White House. 

But, winning isn’t what all candidates are looking for. Third party candidate Gary Johnson acknowledged this fact in a recent interview with the politics website Politico, “I think Obama’s going to win; that’s what I think.” 

With winning out of the picture, what 5 percent does get a candidate is movement of their political party to the status of an official minor party. As an official minor party, they are given access to federal funding, which makes it easier for them to get on the ballot — a particularly important issue, considering no third party candidates were able to get on the ballot in Oklahoma. Of the 27 third party candidates running, only two were able to get on the ballot in Illinois. 

As far as reaching this lofty 5 percent goal, the candidates did pretty horribly. Of the 27 candidates, only two were able to make it above 0.1 percent of the popular vote. Those were Jill Stein representing the Green Party for 0.3 percent, and Gary Johnson, a man who many thought could pull off 5 percent or at least close to it, managed to pull off 0.9 percent. 

So, why should America care? The third party candidates represent a lot of issues. One major issue is the effect of money on American politics. It’s no surprise that major candidates like Obama and Romney spent a fortune to get voters. 

Estimates have shown the candidates spent somewhere around $2 billion on advertising this election. Excluding Super PACs and national committees, the Obama campaign still spent $553.2 million — about $9.12 in advertising for each vote. 

Romney spent $360.4 million — about $6.23 per vote — while third party candidate Gary Johnson only spent $2 million, getting his votes for a seemingly cheap $1.76. It really goes to show how big of a difference a massive amount of cash can make in a campaign. 

The third party candidates also represent choice. 

With the current two party system, choice is largely an illusion for some people. With only two candidates being offered to them, it becomes a game of trying to match what are deemed the most important issues to a candidate — again, back to the idea of the lesser of two evils. 

Given the spirit of democracy in this country, the idea of picking the lesser evil to run the county seems un-American. These third party candidates can fill the holes that some candidates create. 

So, in four years when it’s time to pick a new president, maybe it’s time to start looking at these third party candidates. Maybe voters’ views are more in line with Virgil Goode and his Constitution Party, or even Roseanne Barr (yes, that Roseanne), and they can finally pick a candidate that speaks to their views and needs instead of being stuck with the lesser of two evils. 

http://www.westerncourier.com/opinions/more-parties-better-options/article_975c42a0-2aac-11e2-a56b-0019bb30f31a.html

Entertainment Mental health in film 11-14-2013

Mental illness is represented heavily in all forms of media. It’s a common occurrence for a reference to mental illness to be made when talking about the suspect of a violent crime. The most popular movies, television shows and books all seem to have characters suffering from a mental illness usually it’s an illness that is heavily visual and interesting to watch (anxiety, OCD, narcissism). Depression is portrayed through crying or suicide contemplation, while more common but less visually exciting symptoms like fatigue, irritability and loss of interest are left out.

Every so often the writers do their research and give an accurate description of these mental illnesses, so here is a sampling of some movies (and a TV show) that shows this off.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest — Perhaps the most famous movie depicting a mental institution, McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) doesn’t have a mental illness so much as he wants a shorter and easier jail sentence. The film, however, does show several patients who have accurate depictions of varied mental illnesses and, more importantly, it shows the reaction to and treatment of mental illness. Perhaps it’s a little outdated, but it still holds as a good representation.

Garden State — In 2004, Zach Braff removed his scrubs and tried to take his comedy to a more serious level. “Garden State” shows an excellent rendition of depression. Braff’s character shows all the signs: fatigue, loss of interest and difficulty concentrating, just to name a few. As previously mentioned, most of these symptoms are often overlooked in depictions of depression.

Lars and the Real Girl — Many might have missed Ryan Gosling in his performance as Lars, a young man who suffers from delusional disorder and starts up a romance (non-sexual, so don’t get too freaked out) with an anatomically correct sex doll. What “Lars and the Real Girl” is praised for here is the way it deals with the mental illness. Instead of simply medicating Lars and trying to forget about the issues he has, the people of his small town come together and work with him and his “girlfriend,” Bianca, as a sort of group therapy.

American Beauty — Almost all the characters in this movie suffer from one mental illness or another. It looks as though someone flipped through pages of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” and picked disorders at random. The Burnham family breaks down to a mother with narcissism, a daughter with borderline personality disorder and a father with passive aggressive disorder. Meanwhile, next door, the Kane family has a father suffering with paranoid disorder, a son with Schizotypal disorder and mother with avoidant disorder. The movie shows a somewhat over-the-top depiction of what happens when people with different mental disorders collide.

Little Miss Sunshine — This wonderful little comedy shows a family where pretty much everyone is suffering from one mental illness or another. The narcissistic father, the brother who is dealing with depression and a recent suicide attempt and the son dealing with a developmental disorder with mutism are all characters dealing with mental illness, and it is only by some miracle that the family is able to stay stable and stay together.

United States of Tara — Mental health on television is sometimes dealt with in a light or humorous manner without showing the consequences. However, for three seasons on Showtime, “United States of Tara” did a decent job showing what happens when a family has to deal with one member’s mental illness and the issue of someone with a mental illness deciding to get off medication. The show also gives a sampling of the chaos a mental illness like dissociative identity disorder can bring not only to an individual but also to the family.

Perhaps these movies don’t always offer a 100 percent accurate depiction of mental illness, but without having to deal with these issues personally and without spending years caring for someone with mental illness, it’s hard to form that attachment in only an hour or two. Perhaps that’s why people in movies are able to overcome issues quicker than in real life. So, next time you watch a movie with mental illness, look for something that represents an accurate depiction, rather than something over the top like “Monk,” who, even though he has a severe form of OCD, manages to overcome it every week, only to be back in the same place by the next episode.

http://www.westerncourier.com/the_edge/mental-health-in-film/article_816a56fe-2e93-11e2-8740-0019bb30f31a.html

Op-Ed Top reasons Black Friday sucks 11-26-2012

There is one phrase that strikes fear in to the heart of retail employees, from veterans to newcomers. It isn’t “mandatory meeting” or “payroll taxes.” It’s something far worse Black Friday.

This shopping sensation is quickly sweeping the world. The advertising and notoriety of Black Friday are at a record high. Even European countries have started adopting this random discount insanity day. As a retail veteran of five Black Fridays, I have to say this is an evil, evil day that needs to be stopped. 

But someone might ask, “What’s so wrong with this day?” Not to worry, I’ve compiled a list of reasons.

Sales: While it might seem like the sales are one of the best things about Black Friday, they are far from it. This really breaks down in two directions. 

The first is the fact that the sales really aren’t there anymore. Black Friday has become such a social event that people don’t notice the lack of good deals. Looking over the world of social media, no one I know commented about amazing deals. Everyone was talking about catching up with Becky at Marshalls at 3 a.m. or finally living out a secret fantasy of shoe shopping at 4 a.m. 

The second is that Black Friday screws over small businesses. Wal-Mart can afford to offer Furbys at just a few percent over cost because it will sell millions of them. However, there is no profit to be made for a small business that will only sell 100.

Crowds:  This is less of a problem in Macomb, but in a major metropolitan area, the crowds can be quite intense — not to mention the several thousand people trying to get the best possible parking spot. 

People are trampled every year trying to rush through the doors to get a new 50-inch TV — because let’s face it — that 46-inch you have at home just isn’t giving you the best possible picture for watching “A Christmas Story” eight times on Christmas Day.

Lines: I remember my first Black Friday and the horror of the lines I discovered just an hour after we opened. With all registers open, the line wrapped around the inside of the store. As a new employee, I was tasked with trying to sell the customers in line last-minute impulse items. Talking to those waiting, I was informed it was roughly an hour and a half to check out. To this day I still can’t fathom how saving 10 percent on a CD would justify waiting in that line.

Violence: Every year on Black Friday, the evening news has the same breaking story — “Woman trampled trying to save three percent on a PS2” and “man pulls gun on fellow customer who tried to cut in line.” 

Can’t this violence be saved for something a little more productive than Black Friday sales? Perhaps we tell the American shoppers that North Korea has great deals on the new Justin Bieber perfume and see if they can’t defuse that situation.

Family:  When I worked my first Black Friday, we opened painfully early at 4 a.m. Now, sales are starting at midnight, 8 p.m. — or even 8 a.m. — on Thanksgiving. 

Working in retail, I might have to work when I could be spending time with my family on Thanksgiving. By missing Thanksgiving, I won’t be able to see my Uncle Marvin, and I will have to go over to his house this holiday season without the buffer of the rest of my family. So, instead of spending 15 minutes hearing about his collection of country records before throwing my sister under the bus, I will have to go to his house and listen to them for a few hours.

 At the rate things are going, Black Friday sales are just going to keep starting earlier and earlier. I hope that the world can get this shopping bug out of its system before the entire month of November becomes a 24-hour-a-day, nonstop shopping extravaganza. 

With all the evils of Black Friday, though, it could be worse. The Friday after Thanksgiving could be Nickelback Appreciation Day.

http://www.westerncourier.com/opinions/top-reasons-black-friday-sucks/article_3cef333a-3804-11e2-bc82-001a4bcf6878.html