New Music Reviews

Fiona worth the wait

By SUZANNE SULLIVAN

Daily Titan Photo Editor

Inventive and more emotionally eclectic, the new Fiona Apple album is well worth the six-year wait.

Amid rumors that her new album was shelved because of the lack of “radio friendly” songs, Apple was actually pursuing a new producer to re-record tracks that Sony considered fi nished.

Although Extraordinary Machine could be considered just another Apple album about break ups, she has matured in her song writing, evolving as a more diverse composer. She is now more focused on creating storylines, while still acknowledging weaknesses, which leads her album to feel more volatile.

Songs like the title track and “Tymps (The Sick in the Head Song)” show Apple’s willingness to experiment with new sounds and styles. “Extraordinary Machine”

creeps along theatrically with clever staccato notes while Apple changes her vocal style from a soulful alto to a whimsical soprano. “Tymps” sounds funky and new, driven by a unique rhythm with a pseudo-rap vocal style.

A few songs on the album resemble her older works. “O’ Sailor” focuses on her signature piano style accompanied by stark drumbeats and repetitive and driving lyrics.

Most of the album’s tracks deal with familiar Apple themes: Weakness, desire, loss of love and selfawareness. These themes are what keep her music interesting; she is able to tap into strong emotions and instead of wallowing in them, she is able to create power behind them.

Despite the wait, Apple created another wonderful album that will endure the test of time while the Kelly Clarksons and Michelle Branches of the world will quickly fade into the background of pop culture oblivion.

Franz Ferdinand can

By EDUARDO VASCONCELLOS

Daily Titan Staff

Today’s society is diseased with bad music imposed on the public by the likes of MTV and KIIS FM. But fortunately, we do have a handful of bands doing their best to keep the populace entertained, despite not being quite as renowned as others.

Once again, Franz Ferdinand released an excellent record. Following 2004’s self-titled debut, the band’s new album, You Could Have It So Much Better aims to prove just that.

Following the trend set in the Scottish band’s fi rst album, So Much Better is a myriad of sim-is a myriad of sim- ple sounds combined to create an exquisite audial experience. The enjoyable lyrics enveloped by the band’s great use of guitars and percussion are a welcomed addition to any music lover’s collection. The album sticks with the same formula, starting off with “The Fallen,” a catchy number about a young lad who goes against society’s norms. With its upbeat tempo, the intro will suck all who listen into the record with ease.

“Do You Want To” is easily this year’s equivalent of last year’s mega-hit, “Take Me Out.” The song is the stand out track of the album, infusing a complexity in simplicity as only this band can. The lyrics are fun, but vague and it’s anyone’s guess as to what they mean, but its crafted into a supremely pleasing song.

From there, the songs slow down and give listeners a rest. The title track, “You Could Have It So Much Better” is a resonating track resembling the Queens of the Stone Age. “Outsiders” closes the album and tells fans that their time wasn’t wasted listening. It’s different than the band’s norm, with a groovy baseline and a cool “wah-wah” guitar on top of a funky beat.

Consistent with the band’s signature sound, all instruments use simple structure, using few notes in a song. However, much like the Ramones, when the entire package is put together, it produces some stellar music. While it’s not quite on par with their debut, Franz Ferdinand’s sophomore effort is still two steps beyond most and they tell us exactly what listeners are with this album – so lucky.

Concert Calendar

Fri. Oct. 14, 5:30 p.m. Santana The Home Depot Center Carson

Sat. Oct. 15, 2 p.m. POWER 106 Presents Live at the O.P. with Twista and Mack 10 Orange Pavilion San Bernardino

Sat. Oct. 15, 7 p.m. The Vibrators Showcase Theatre Corona

Sun. Oct. 16, 7 p.m. Turbonegro House of Blues Anaheim

Sun. Oct. 16, 7 p.m. The Misfi ts Galaxy Theatre Santa Ana

Sun. Oct. 16, 9 p.m. The Bravery Avalon Hollywood Hollywood

Mon. Oct. 17, 7 p.m. Coheed and Cambria The Grove of Anaheim Anaheim

Mon. Oct. 17, 8 p.m. Busta Rhymes House of Blues Hollywood

Tues. Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m. The Exploited House of Blues Hollywood

Tues. Oct. 18, 8 p.m. Matt Costa Troubadour West Hollywood

Tues. Oct. 18, 9 p.m. Wed. Oct. 19, 9 p.m. The Black Crowes Henry Fonda Theatre Los Angeles

Wed. Oct. 19, 9 p.m. G. Love & Special Sauce and Blackalicious House of Blues Anaheim

Thurs. Oct. 20, 6 p.m. Bad Religion Canyon Dinner Theater Agoura Hills

Thurs. Oct. 20, 9 p.m. The Go! Team El Rey Theatre Los Angeles

Movie shapes into hit, traps No. 1 spot

By CHRISTINA SCHROETER

Daily Titan Staff

Today everything seems to be mechanical and automated; computers are outdated as soon as they hit the market. The Internet is accessible through handheld, wireless gadgets. Movies are created with the latest technology and graphic effects.

In a time when technology seems to be taking over the world, it’s astonishing to see some good-old physical manpower.

In “Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” Claymation master Nick Park brings his Oscar-winning, bug-eyed clay characters to the big-screen with his own two hands.

Instead of picture-perfect images, fi ngerprints are embedded into Wallace’s skin. And on his shirt. And on Gromit’s paws. In fact, fi ngerprints are almost everywhere.

In “The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” cheese-loving inventor Wallace (voiced by Peter Sallis), runs an animal-friendly rabbit-control company along with his quiet dog and companion, Gromit. With the annual Giant Vegetable Competition a p p r o a c h - ing, rabbits run amok in growers’ gardens, feasting on carrots and cabbage. It is up to Wallace’s company, AntiPesto, to save the contestants’ vegetable patches. Wallace invents a machine that will make him love vegetables and make rabbits love his weakness, cheese. There is a n unforeseen glitch in the process, h o w e v e r , that creates a werewolflike rabbit that runs around town in a vegetabledevouring frenzy, destroying anything in its path.

When Wallace is unable to trap the beast, his animal rights love interest, Lady Tottington (voiced by Helena Bonham Carter), reluctantly appoints moneyhungry hunter Victor Quartermaine (voiced by Ralph Fiennes) to trap and kill the vegetable pillager and save the vegetable competition. Gromit discovers that Wallace is the were-rabbit DREAMWORK ANIMATION

and that he must help Wallace avoid Quartermaine’s bullets and continue with the competition.

“The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” is a fascinating fi lm for children, but an even better fl ick for adults. The story structure is more complex than the typical rising actionclimax-falling-action, but not too detailed that children will get lost. The movie embodies the dry humor and witty puns of Nick Park’s “Wallace and Gromit” series, which will charm and amuse adults.

The creation of the fi lm is truly extraordinary. Animators completed around fi ve seconds of fi lm per week and used over 44 pounds of glue each month. When viewing the fi lm, it may seem that only the clay fi gures were created by hand, but almost everything was handmade – even the wallpaper used in the fi lm was hand-painted. Wallace and Gromit’s Anti-Pesto van was modeled after an A35 Austin Van, and each of the models were made for more than the actual van costs. The models have functioning lights, suspension, doors and hood.

Exalted praise, fervent handclapping and soul-stirring music fi lls the big screen in “The Gospel,” a contemporary adaptation of the parable, “The Prodigal Son.”

Set in Atlanta and written and directed by Rob Hardy, it tells a tale of love and forgiveness, while painting a picture of the workings of a black church.

After the death of his mother, David Taylor (Boris Kodjoe) turns his back on the church and his father (Clifton Powell), a bishop, who is so preoccupied with church business that he doesn’t make it in time to see his wife before she dies.

Choir welcomes viewers home

By DIANIKA ABBOTT

Daily Titan Staff

An infuriated Taylor storms out of the hospital and renounces his calling as a minister in his father’s church.

Fifteen years later, a more matured and sexy David, a thriving R&B singer, is basking in his newly found celebrity and falling deeper into a life contrary to what he was taught as a child.

Upon hearing his estranged father is deathly ill, David cuts his successful tour short and goes home to tend to his father.

While trying to re-discover his role in his father’s church, David falls for self-assured Rain (“American Idol” contestant Tamyra Grey).

When it seems as if all is well,

Despite the uniqueness of this hand created fi lm, 772 computer graphic effects were applied throughout the fi lm. The wererabbit’s fur was created completely with computer effects. Other CG elements in the fi lm include fl oating bunny rabbits, fl ying mud and the were-rabbit’s imprint in dense fog, all of which integrate seamlessly with Park’s Claymation. This mostly hand-animated fi lm will knock audiences of their feet with its marvelous raw clay fi gurines and action-packed storyline.

Wallace and Gromit, who came in fi rst at the box offi ce with their new movie, also star in their short fi lms, “A Grand Day Out,” “The Wrong Trousers” and “A Close Shave.”

David learns his church is no longer thriving and is in dire need of money. He proposes that the church have a benefi t concert to raise funds.

While many welcome David’s suggestion with admiration and appreciation, his childhood best friend turned arch-rival (and his father’s successor), Frank Charles (Idris Elba), has other plans for the ministry.

“The Gospel,” invokes a feeling of authenticity with the help of some of gospel’s real-life artists, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurklin, Martha Munizzi, Fred Hammond and Hezekiah Walker.

Hardy uses more notable cast members including, Keisha Knight-Pulliam, and Omar Gooding to convey messages of hope and determination.

Although Hardy tries to show how the confl icts endured by the congregation relate to the lessons of the church, some of the characters are underdeveloped, which causes the story to become muffl ed.

While the movie may seem like its preaching to the choir with its overt message of salvation, “The Gospel” will welcome believers, as well as non-believers home. SCREEN GEM The Gospel choir performs and inspires the congregation in ‘The Gospel’