TNR 10.1.15

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Student Government

Thousands to be spent on retreat and speaker combined

Suicide Girls

Burlesque show to spice up Cincinnati

THE NEWS RECORD / UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI THURSDAY, OCT. 1, 2015

More gender neutral, handicap restrooms to be implemented Janice Allen, a 1978 UC graduate, said in her four years on campus there were no gender-neutral restrooms.

As the University of Cincinnati continues to Since Allen attended UC, the university has added over incorporate more gender-neutral restrooms on campus 70 gender-neutral restrooms. and prepares to make changes to existing restrooms, the “During that era individuals that were transgender did UC community pauses to consider not openly share that information,” whether the university’s efforts Allen said. are sufficient.

Allen said the conversation about As a public university, UC has According to Title IX these facilities has come to the an obligation to make all of its Coordinator Jyl Shaffer, the Title forefront in recent years. She said students feel comfortable and IX office, UC Public Safety and she feels more of these facilities the LGBTQ Center secured a should be available. at home. grant in May to make the current “I do feel gender-neutral ALEXUS WIMBISH gender-specific restrooms on restrooms could solve the problem campus more inclusive. and not have these individuals Inclusive restrooms allow affected be made to feel like they have to choose in such accessibility for handicap students and their caregivers an uncomfortable environment,” Allen said. and implement changing stations, Shaffer said.

UC adopted policy in 2010 that instructs all new Shaffer said accessing a restroom is a personal issue buildings added to the university to hold at least one and therefore Title IX office is working to incorporate gender-neutral restroom, according to the LGBTQ gender-inclusive restrooms to expand options for Center’s official website. students.

ALBERTO C. JONES | CONTRIBUTOR

SEE GENDER PG 2

DAN SULLIVAN | PHOTO EDITOR

The University of Cincinnati introduced gender neutral bathrooms in every building to accommodate students.

GOP PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL VISITS CINCINNATI

CARSON CONTINUES HEATED MUSLIM RHETORIC

SG advocates for mental illnesses MATT NICHOLS | COLLEGE LIFE EDITOR

STEVE BEYNON | COPY EDITOR

Dr. Ben Carson, GOP presidential candidate, addresses supporters on his platform for the 2016 presidential elections during a Sept. 24 rally in Sharonville.

STEVEN BEYNON | COPY EDITOR

Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson held a rally on Sept. 24 at the Sharonville Convention Center, delivering an evangelical and conservative message to hundreds of supporters.

The GOP hopeful has been in hot water over controversial remarks he made on the United States having a Muslim president on NBC’s “Meet the Press” and said his words were taken out of context.

“I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this country,” Carson said to Chuck Todd during NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “I absolutely would not support that.”

The retired neurosurgeon doubled-down on his comments in an interview on Fox News’“Hannity” saying, “We do not put people at the leadership of our country whose faith might interfere with them

carrying out the duties of the Constitution.”

With Carson regarded as one of the more religious presidential candidates, critics argue his heated rhetoric on Islam stems more from Islamophobia rather than criticisms of a politician’s relationship with a religion.

“His statement that Islam is not consistent with the constitution. His argument is not just that he, as a Christian, doesn’t want a Muslim president. It is the radical and bigoted idea that Muslims do not, or should not, belong to the American polity,” said politics reporter David Graham in The Atlantic.

In a meeting with the press before the Cincinnati rally, Carson further detailed his views about the Islamic faith not matching American values, specifically regarding the treatment of women and gay people.

“What about somebody who is of a faith that does not traditionally separate church and state, that traditionally has a theocracy, that traditionally treats women in ways different than we do, that treats gays in different ways than we do, that subjugates other religions?” Carson said at the rally. “Obviously that would not be something that would be consistent with American values.”

Carson’s opinion on Muslims did not phase supporters who came out for his rally – most agreed with him, saying his statements were being used against him and that political correctness is hindering the country.

“The liberal media just wanted something to attack him with,” said Cincinnati local Bethany Sampson. “He was just saying they don’t match the constitution.”

With Republican disapproval of the

Relieving stress in a college setting often seems impossible, especially with a plethora of exams, homework and countless the countless other needs of the average college student.

To help alleviate these concerns, University of Cincinnati’s Student Government has partnered with the Center for Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (CEC) to provide a stress-relief oriented lecture Monday afternoon in Tangeman University Center’s MainStreet Cinema.

The event is part of UC’s 20,000 Bearcats campaign, which spreads awareness for the massive student population affected by mental illnesses, starting Monday and runs through Saturday.

The week kicked off with a Thriving with Stress seminar Monday in to help students overcome the stress involved with college life.

“Sometimes this is one of those topics that people don’t want to talk about, but the reality is it doesn’t matter who we are, we will experience stress in our lifetime and doing that effectively can help set you apart,” said Dr. Thomas Dalziel, CEC’s executive director.

Leading the seminar was Dr. Frank Wood, a clinical psychologist and corporate shrink, who delved into the nuances of the over-stressed college student mind with a short video starring Jamaican running sensation Usain Bolt.

The video clip showed Bolt false starting at an Olympic competition, which ended up disqualified him.

Wood asked the crowd of students if they had ever false-started a conversation, not started a conversation with professors or not prepared well enough for exams.

“What if you guys, in the midst of demand, were able to sell yourself so you could perform closer to your best in the midst of whatever is happening, and just restart?”Wood asked.

In his hour-long lecture, Wood presented two methods of stress relief that are clinically proven to help reduce student stress.

The first method, the two-part map, is SEE 20,000 PG 3

SEE CARSON PG 2

Catholic campus minitstry travels over 500 miles to see Pope Francis KATIE COBURN | SENIOR REPORTER

Among the hundreds of thousands of people who flocked to Philadelphia Sunday to celebrate mass with Pope Francis, stood 53 University of Cincinnati students eager to catch a glimpse of the popular pontiff.

“When I found out Pope Francis was coming to the United States, I told myself that I would do anything I could do to go,” said Laura Benry, a third-year international relations student. “He spreads joy and love with his presence, and that is just something that is worth seeing in person.”

To make this over 500-mile journey a reality, Benrey boarded a charter bus late Friday night alongside other students that are also a part of UC’s Roman Catholic campus ministry, formally known as St. Monica-St. George Parish Newman Center.

Sunday was not Benry’s first papal experience. In fact, it was her third.

Benry’s previous pontiff sightings both occurred at World Youth Days, with the first being of Pope Benedict XVI in Madrid in 2011 and the second of Pope Francis in Rio de Janeiro in 2013.

For other students participating in the Philadelphia pilgrimage, such as fourth-year biology student Maria Diersing, the trip presented the first attainable opportunity to see the pope.

Philadelphia served as the final pit stop of Pope Francis’ six-day first-ever apostolic journey to the U.S. Diersing described the papal journey as one of her favorite trips. “It was so cool to see so many Catholics gathered together from all different backgrounds celebrating mass — celebrating everything that we stand for.”

Both Diersing and Caroline Baker, a third-year marketing student, defined the visit as a once-in-a-lifetime experience and noted traveling to Philadelphia was much easier than visiting the pope at the Vatican.

PROVIDED

Roman Catholic Campus Ministry students pose near the Liberty Bell during their visit to see Pope Francis in Philadelphia.

Aside from being able to see the pope in person, Baker had never been to Philadelphia and was curious to see what the city had to offer, adding she appreciated its lack of hills compared to Cincinnati.

The amount of youthful Catholics present for Pope Francis’, however, impressed Baker the most.

“It was really refreshing to see how many young people were there and to see that the Catholic Church is so alive,” Baker said, noting she met students her age that traveled more than 2,600 miles from San Diego, California to see Pope Francis.

Ian Eckart, a third-year communication student, jumped on board to the bus to Philadelphia when he realized he might never get another opportunity to see the pope.

“My Catholic faith is a very important part of my life, so seeing the pope say a mass was an opportunity — I knew I couldn’t miss,” Eckart said. “There were people there from different states and countries, and that really shows how much of a global community the Catholic Church is.”

During Sunday’s mass, Eckart said Francis’ message of love inspired him to focus on spreading God’s love through positive daily actions.

The mass took place outside the Philadelphia Art Museum and concluded the 2015 World Meeting of Families — a weeklong international event of prayer, catechesis and celebration in which attracts global participants and seeks to strengthen bonds between families.

Campus Minister Michael Schreiner, who planned and led the Philadelphia trip with Campus Minister Sister Leslie Keener, described celebrating mass with Pope Francis as a profound experience that greatly benefitted students who participated.

“Not only did the experience deepen their personal faith, but I think being with each other helped deepen and grow our faith community on campus,” Schreiner said.

Students spent Saturday touring Philadelphia and visiting historical landmarks such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the Betsy Ross House.

Select students also helped service efforts of Project HOME (Housing, Opportunities, Medical, Education) — a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering SEE POPE PG 3

THE STUDENT VOICE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI

FREE

2 / NEWS THURSDAY, OCT. 1, 2015

SG allocates funds for retreat, speaker CAROLINE CORY | CONTRIBUTOR

Student Government discussed the 2015 Week of Women Wednesday and voted to appropriate $750 to co-sponsor it with the University of Cincinnati’s College Panhellenic Council (CPH).

The week runs Monday through Oct. 9 and is meant to address women’s needs in holistic development including academics, relationships and advocacy for progress on campus.

“This week is like a whole week of programs that is geared towards empowering women, and it’s something that is going to be open to the whole campus so it won’t just be for members of Greek life,” said Veronica Nunez, Residence Hall Association’s Senator.

Harlan Cohen, the New York Times best-

selling author of “The Naked Roommate, “ is scheduled to come to campus Oct. 8 and speak in the Tangeman University Center’s Great Hall as part of Week of Women.

The total cost for the speaker to come to campus is $5,000. CPH requested SG to co-sponsor the week and allocate $1,000 to help pay for Cohen’s talk.

“I think that, honestly, $5,000 isn’t too much for a New York Times best-selling author to come to campus,” said Jackie Mulay, an At-Large Senator.

SG supported the co-sponsorship bill 270-1 on conditions that the co-sponsorship amount be reduced.

“We would like to friendly amend the bill from $1,000 to $750 simply because we think it sets a bad precedent to allow the first co-sponsorship bill to come through us to get a fifth of our budget,” Mulay said

on SG’s co-sponsorship funds.

Student Government discussed funding for its annual fall retreat Oct. 11, which will brainstorm goals, set agendas and foster collaborative ideas.

Senators proposed $2,271.50 be taken out of the $6,600 available to fund retreats.

“In order to be the best organization you can be, you also have to invest in yourself, and we want, as an organization, to be better representatives and serve campus,” said SG President Andrew Naab regarding high costs.

Over half of the costs will go towards an analysis system to evaluate individual strengths and weaknesses. The rest will go towards food and water.

More than a hundred participants are scheduled to attend the event. The appropriation bill passed 26-1-0.

DAN SULLIVAN | PHOTO EDITOR

Student Body President Andrew Naab outlines plans with the College Panhellenic Council to co-sponsor the 2015 Week of Women taking place Monday through Oct. 9.

FROM GENDER PG 1

Although UC’s efforts since the ‘70s have been substantial, GenderBloc, a queer activist, educational, support and social student group for the LGBTQ community feels the efforts are not enough.

“There are by no means an adequate number of gender-neutral restrooms on campus,” GenderBloc’s representatives said. “This means students, staff and faculty members have to make a choice between potentially facing harassment and/or violence when using the gendered facilities available to them or having to leave the building their class or office is in, simply to use the bathroom.”

GenderBloc said while the LGBTQ Center and Title IX office have been working to change this, those in need of gender-neutral restrooms will face anxiety, discrimination and a lack of campus safety.

Alexus Wimbish, a first-year environmental science student and LGBTQ community supporter, said she has seen some gender-neutral restrooms on campus, but not many.

According to Wimbish, transgender people are forced to conform to gender guidelines that may not represent their preferred gender.

“As a public university, UC has an obligation to make all of its students feel comfortable and at home,” Wimbish said.

Although Shaffer believes UC has a solid plan for incorporating more gender-inclusive restrooms on campus, she believes there is always room for improvement.

Opinion: UC made us want to holla SAM BURBANKS | CONTRIBUTOR

When Sam DuBose was killed by University of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing, we did holla “not again.” For the Black Unity Coalition (BUC), it was the last straw.

Approaching the close of UC’s first two centuries, the university has failed in creating an inclusive and supportive environment for black students, staff, faculty or the black community.

What UC has done over the last few years is act as a colonizing force — occupying huge tracks of land in the black community to expand campus borders.

This also includes growing an increasingly militarized UC police force that surrounds the black community in Uptown Cincinnati regions.

The seeds of DuBose’s death can be found in the “Uptown Cincinnati Strategic Opportunity Plan.” It reads like the Berlin Conference, which split up Africa among white colonial nations to rule and exploit.

The following quote from the plan exemplifies to the BUC true intentions of UC,“Avondale’s large, older homes may be an attractive option for nearby hospital and employees, but issues of real and perceived public safety challenges continue to be a factor in attracting new residents.”

When UC clears out the criminal element, or black folks, to make it safe for new residents, or white folks, the houses will be open to these potential occupants.

While this document lays out an extensive plan on how to acquire land and make the area safe for new development, markets, residents, students and transportation assets, it says little about serving the black community.

However, the document does contain a fiveparagraph, one-page outline of community services in healthcare, education, community outreach, marketing and institutional planning and cooperation.

The culture of a predominately white institution like UC can be one of the most dehumanizing, alienating and marginalizing experiences black people may have.

It is often a toxic and racist environment, causing black students to transfer or quit and black faculty and staff to seek new employment.

President Ono’s fear of the development of a black campus and community consciousness by activist such as BUC will necessarily push students, faculty, staff and community to be in conflict with the university.

James Baldwin, African-American novelist and playwright once said,“I love America more than any other country in this world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”

Like Baldwin, we care about the University of Cincinnati deeply, and exactly for that reason, we insist on the right to criticize it.

We also insist the university reflects on its own racist and exclusionary past and present and work with students to refashion UC so we enter our third century better than we exited our last two.

The development of “Irate8” and BUC testify to these experiences, which are more than enough to make us want to holla.

DuBose’s murder provided an opportunity not for more talk or conversations, but a chance to move into the university’s third century with a newly-fashioned, inclusive community that uplifts a national example for other institutions with the hashtag #TheMostInclusiveCollegeInAmerica.

FROM CARSON PG 1

establishment, the 2016 GOP race has shown virtually universal support for outsider candidates with Donald Trump, Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina leading in the polls, none of which have held office.

Other GOP candidates with more robust resumes are getting very little popular support with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Gov. John Kasich (R-OH) — all once considered heavyweights, struggling to get ahead.

Even Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) was largely seen as a top-tier candidate on the right, but recently dropped out of the race despite having the financial support of the Koch brothers.

Those who came out to the rally said they supported Carson because he was not a politician, has a gentle personality and is a Christian man.

“I love that he is honest,” said Chris Anderson of Fairfield. “He is a man of integrity. He doesn’t have to sling mud.”

The rally had a church-like atmosphere, starting with prayer and gospel music.

After leading prayer, Cincinnati City Councilman Charlie Winburn loudly proclaimed, “Marriage is between a man and a woman!”

The statement was returned with roaring applause from the large crowd.

Councilman Winburn later reached out to the Cincinnati Enquirer to endorse Gov. Kasich for president.

Carson talked about extending security on the U.S. southern border saying, “We should have a double fence with a road in between them for border patrol to patrol.”

The crowd also widely supported Carson’s attack on Planned Parenthood, saying that history will frown on the U.S. supporting abortion.

Carson then called for a flat 10 percent tax.

“If you make $10 billion, you should pay $1 billion in taxes,” Carson said. “If you make $10, you pay $1 in taxes.”

However, Carson did not specify any plans on other tax methods such as carried interest and the corporate tax rate.

Carson’s proposed tax plan is lower compared to Sen. Rand Paul’s (R-Ky) proposal of a 14.5 percent flat tax, which excludes families of extreme poverty.

This tax plan is also smaller than GOP front-runner Donald Trump’s proposal of a zero to 25 percent tax, eliminating the estate tax and dropping capital-gains tax from 23.8 to 20 percent, and Jeb Bush’s plan comprising of several brackets going up to 28 percent.

The famous neurosurgeon attacked progressive taxation and regulation as the cause for income inequality.

Carson blames regulations for shackling small business and competition with corporations abroad and specifically attacked environmental regulations.

So far, he has not introduced climate change policy onto his platform. When asked about environmental policy Carson replied, “We can’t burden economy.”

Carson brought up the U.S. corporate tax rate saying, “We have the highest corporate tax rate in the developed world.”

He blamed high taxes on corporations for billions of dollars of lost revenue resulting from offshore accounts and relocation of big business headquarters.

Carson’s solution is a six-month tax “hiatus” on corporations to bring them back on American soil.

He also advocated for school choice and said the country should get rid of common core. The crowd unanimously agreed returning thunderous applause.

Common core was one of the largest topics of concern among supporters at the rally.

“We need to get rid of common core, yesterday,” said Sharonville local Martha Stephens.

Asstistant professor recognized for serving Hispanic community HUY NGUYEN | CHIEF REPORTER

After being recognized for her commitment to serving Cincinnati’s Hispanic population, University of Cincinnati assistant professor Ligia Gomez looks to continue serving the growing community.

The League of United Latin American Citizens recognized Gomez Sept. 19 with a Community Outreach Award.

The award honors individuals who work to better the Hispanic community in all social aspects including health care, economics, politics and civil rights.

Gomez is known for her work as the certificate director of UC’s Spanish for Social Work & Health Care Sciences program, a new certificate approved September 2013.

The certificate coursework focuses on basic Spanish and how to apply it to social work and healthcare.

“In class I am learning medical vocabulary in Spanish, learning about different programs offered around the Cincinnati area, and learning about the barriers that undocumented immigrants have,” said Bobbi Gauder, a fourth-year Spanish student.

The group develops specific Spanish vocabulary on community issues like domestic violence, poverty, lead poisoning and applying for Medicaid.

Gomez serves as president of the Greater Cincinnati Latino Coalition (GCLC), a nonprofit she helped establish in 2005 to hold open discussions and solve social issues facing Cincinnati’s Hispanic populations.

As part of her certificate, Gomez invites all of her students to attend GCLC meetings and encourages students to network with members of the Hispanic community who need bilingual help.

“An effective way to work with a population that doesn’t have the language that they cannot speak – they cannot speak English – is to help each other,” Gomez said.

“We work with them because we need to work together.”

Students completing the certificate must partake in a study abroad program with a service-learning component that familiarizes them with Hispanic culture, Gomez said.

“The culture is extremely important because the student could be bilingual, but if the student doesn’t learn about the culture they go to the community,” Gomez said. “They’re going to work with patients or clients, and they’re not going to be effective.”

Rebecca Christner, a second-year social work student who took Gomez’s Spanish classes, said she thought the program would positively influence her career.

“Even if I don’t work with the Spanish population, it’d still give me an edge as a social worker because I could have the possibility to work with a Spanish speaking population,” Christner said.

The Coalition held a panel with five Cincinnati public schools on Sept. 22 to discuss education, and currently is going over high school and higher education for Latinos.

The group is also developing a new online directory to collect all social resources and services offering translations and bilingual support for Latinos.

“We are developing a comprehensive website with all the resources there and anyone in the community can go there and find a specific thing, specific agencies and programs for the population,” Gomez said.

ALEXANDRA TAYLOR | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Ligia Gómez, certificate director of the UC Spanish for Social Work & Health Care Sciences program, is responsible for the framework of UC’s certificate of Spanish social work and health care services.

LIFE & ARTS / 3 THURSDAY, OCT. 1, 2015

UC alumn on winning struggle for marriage equality MICHELLE FLANAGAN | STAFF REPORTER

University of Cincinnati alumn and marriage equality plaintiff Jim Obergefell returned to his alma mater Sept.

24 to address the emotional legal journey he took in the historic ruling on marriage equality.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality June 26, striking down any existing state laws defining marriage being strictly between men and women.

“Yes, you do matter, you do exist, you do count like any other couple, you do deserve the right to commit to each other,” Obergefell said in the landmark Supreme Court Case Obergefell vs. Hodges.

Obergefell’s panel in UC’s College of Law gave students insight into both the emotional and legal aspects of his journey.

To understand the process and the motivation behind it, it was imperative to learn his love story, Obergefell said.

Obergefell and his late husband, John Arthur, met the same way many UC students do —through mutual friends during a party night in Uncle Woody’s pub.

The first time they met, Obergefell said he was “still deep, deep in the closet.”

When they met again several years later, Obergefell was openly gay, but still nothing happened.

The third time the pair got together was at Arthur’s New Year’s Eve party.

“I went to the party, and then I didn’t leave,” Obergefell said. “We like to say it was love at third sight.”

According to Obergefell, from this time on the two were inseparable.

The pair had discussed the possibility of marriage, but because they wanted it to be more than symbolic, they never pursued it, Obergefell said.

In 2011, Arthur was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease that affects brain cells and the spinal cord.

“It was my privilege to take care of him,” Obergefell said. “We’d never gotten married, but we had made those promises.”

It was the happiest day of my life, hearing the words ‘husband and husband’ and having it mean something.

JIM OBERGEFELL

After gay marriage was recognized in Maryland in 2013, the couple hired a chartered medical jet and flew to Maryland and to become legally married.

But due to Arthur being bedridden, the couple never left the jet and the ceremony took place on the tarmac.

“It was the happiest day of my life, hearing the words ‘husband and husband’ and having it mean something,” Obergefell said.

Al Gerhardstein, a Cincinnati civil rights attorney, heard their story and immediately recognized this as a way to get the marriage-equality restrictions in Ohio’s constitution torn down.

Once the couple agreed to meet with him, Gerhardstein

showed them a blank death certificate, explaining the couple would have a problem when Arthur died.

“His last official document will be incorrect,” Gerhardstein said. “It will say he wasn’t married, and you won’t be listed as his spouse. This was due to Ohio’s marriage restrictions.

The realization spurred Obergefell and Arthur to file a federal lawsuit just eight days after their marriage, and Obergefell appeared in court a mere three days after that.

With a win in the district court, Obergefell was listed as spouse on Arthur’s death certificate three months later.

However, when the state appealed the decision, the case was moved to the Sixth District Court of Appeals, was consolidated with sixth other cases and moved to the Supreme Court.

Months later the waiting finally ended, and the decision to legalize gay marriage was announced.

Although Obergefell looked forward walking down the steps of court, he said the crowd was pushed so far up it was impossible. Instead, everyone exited through a side door.

Obergefell described walking through the plaza’s crowd as an immensely personal and humbling experience.

“The surest way to deny the minority rights is to put it up to a vote in the majority,” Obergefell said.

While Obergefell’s case will go down in Supreme Court history, Obergefell said he did this for the love — not to put his name in a history book.

“I did this for my husband,” Obergefell said. “I did this to live up to the commitments I made to him.”

FROM POPE PG 1

individuals to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness through affordable housing, employment, health care and education — which housed the group Saturday evening.

Born in Argentina with the name Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76-year-old Pope Francis acquired his papal title from St. Francis of Assisi of Italy after being elected in March 2013, following Pope Benedict XVI’s February resignation.

While Pope Francis serves as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church and the first from the Americas, Benrey said it is his humility and authenticity that make him so popular in the Catholic world.

“A very famous celebrity can attract millions of followers because of fame, but how many people can that person touch with his or her only presence and spirit?”

Benrey said. “The man does not have to

FROM 20,000 PG 1

an easy way for students to control their emotions in a sensible manner, Wood said.

Wood provided students with a sheet of paper with an oval in the middle and instructed them to write the name of a course or professor they feel negative about inside the oval.

Students then jotted down adjectives around the oval that related to the course or professor they picked. After focusing on their senses, Wood advised the students to repeat this procedure.

While seemingly simple, the calming technique led to more controlled and well thought out responses in the second run — proving Wood’s stress relieving method.

Wood’s second method of stress relief was simply tapping into all five human senses.

“What does a two-month old want?”Wood asked his audience. “A diaper that’s free of debris, its stomach is full and it’s not tired.

And when a two-month old gets what it wants, it’s happy.”

The average college student is just like the average two-month-old, Wood said.

“When we’re getting what we want, we’re happy,”Wood said during his presentation.

“But when we’re not, our brain sends a message to our adrenal gland that says we’re in danger.”

This sense of danger is one of the main reasons people become stressed, Wood said.

The week-long series of events comes in wake of the recent national findings that prove around half of college students suffer from mental illness.

With over 40,000 students currently attending UC, 20,000 bearcats represents the total student population effected by the statistic.

With so much stress on relieving stress, Wood argued students should not fight it and rather learn to cope with it.

“It’s not stress that kills you, but your response to it,”Wood said.

DANIEL SULLIVAM | PHOTO EDITOR

LGBTQ History Month starts Oct. 11 and will feature a lecture by award-winning bi-sexual author Robyn Ochs, as well as a myriad of events for UC students to learn and celebrate LGBTQ culture.

Faculty members to raise money for LGBTQ scholarship ALI ALU | STAFF REPORTER

LGBTQ History Month at the University of Cincinnati staples October with 22 events geared for LGBTQ advocates to mingle, learn about community and embrace its rich history.

Beginning on Thursday, UC’s LGBTQ Center invites all students to participate in the festivities.

One of the month’s largest events, National Coming Out Day, will recognize members of the LGBTQ community Oct. 11 and celebrate the process of coming out.

Guests can decorate shirts and are encouraged to participate in an open mic and share anything from music selections, poems to their own coming out stories.

Another featured event is Center Awareness Day on Oct. 19, when student

will have the opportunity to meet with LGBTQ Center employees, ask questions about the center and gain access to LGBTQ Center resources.

The LGBTQ Center has made great strides in unifying UC’s community since its establishment at UC five years ago.

“This year we are kind of celebrating our Center Awareness Day as a 5th birthday party for the center,” said Maria Merrill, a graduate assistant at the LGBTQ Center.

The celebration will offer donuts, bagels and coffee to students willing to make it to the 10 a.m. event.

Award-winning bisexual activist Robyn Ochs will also be visiting the campus as part of LGBTQ History Month.

Ochs’ speech will discuss the landscape of sexuality and how sexual orientation is mapped on Sept. 20 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the African American Cultural and

Resource Center.

The different experiences of identity, the interplay between gender and sexuality and the complexities of attraction will be explored during the program.

Throughout October, members of UC faculty will be raising money to fund a scholarship for UC’s LGBTQ community.

The faculty member who raises the most money will either be able to perform in The Big Drag Reveal or choose a member who was also raising money to perform.

The Big Drag Reveal, planned for Oct. 30, is a drag show all UC students and faculty are welcome to attend.

LGBTQ Center members and faculty orchestrate a drag show twice a year.

However, his is the first time proceeds from the show will help fund an LGBTQ community scholarship.

Review: ‘Black Mass’ gives a look at underrepresented Irish Mob RYAN HOLBROOK | CONTRIBUTOR

The Italian Mafia has been a staple of Hollywood blockbusters for decades, but “Black Mass” covers the often-overlooked and forgotten 1970’s Irish mob out of Boston, Massachusetts.

Johnny Depp landed a rare serious role as notorious Boston-based gangster Whitey Bulger in “Black Mass,” which offers its audience a star-studded cast directed by Scott Cooper.

Having been out of Alcatraz prison for nearly ten years, Whitey is approached with a deal by his childhood friend and FBI agent John Connolly, played by Joel Edgerton.

The deal consists of giving information about the Italian mob in the city in exchange of the FBI turning a blind eye to Whitey and his Winter Hill gang.

Whitey is freed to run his gang operations, but a series of events in the meantime turn an already hardened gangster into a ruthless maniac.

Depp is truly terrifying in this film.

Almost as unpredictable as he is unrecognizable, Depp brings suspense and fear into his performance. The makeup team did a fantastic job of making the widely famous actor appear sinister and intimidating.

When you have such a high-profile actor, it is often hard to separate him from the character. This is not the case in “Black Mass.”

Depp is not the only noteworthy actor in “Black Mass.”

Benedict Cumberbatch (“Sherlock”) plays Billy Bulger, Whitey’s brother and president of Massachusetts’ senate.

Cumberbatch is slightly underutilized and his Boston

accent at times gave into his native-British accent.

When you have the star power of Cumberbatch at your side, his presence should be felt during the runtime of the film.

Billy was very influential in the real-life story of Whitey and the Irish mob, but was not as fleshed out as he needed to be.

Cumberbatch was not the only actor grasping for screen time. Kevin Bacon and Adam Scott are also relatively major players in the story, but viewers would not know it from watching “Black Mass.”

Bacon is the head of FBI and Scott plays his associate.

Regardless of how much screen time the two starred, their performances were excellent.

“Black Mass” could have benefitted from an extra 30, or even 45 minutes of additional runtime on top of its current two hours that fleshed out the high-profile actors’ roles.

The most interesting thing about this film is its break from the norm in gangster flicks, without abandoning the special aspects of these movies. “Black Mass” does not overdo the gore and violence between mob families.

There is violence, but it is quick and precise. The most violent thing about this film is the terror of Depp’s eyes and cadence Whitey brings to the audience.

Instead, “Black Mass” relies heavily on suspense and it pays off.

Some scenes were almost like a horror movie, leaving viewers utterly terrified at the unpredictability and surprising nature of the characters. It is an unpredictable and hard look into the evil of organized

crime and its relationship with law enforcement.

Overall, “Black Mass” gives audiences a refreshing look into the perspective of a notorious gangster, not to be mindlessly lumped in with “Goodfellas” or “The Godfather” trilogy.

PROVIDED

Johnny Depp lands a rare serious role as notorious Boston-based gangster Whitey Bulger in “Black Mass,” a film covering the rise and fall of the often-overlooked and forgotten Irish mob.

4 / ARTS THURSDAY, OCT. 1, 2015

Brewcats: Cinci Imperial IPA STEPHANIE SMITH | STAFF REPORTER

Rhinegeist is celebrating its second anniversary with Deuce, a frothy red imperial India Pale Ale release.

To understand Deuce, one must first understand the origins of IPAs. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the East India Trading Company set up trading posts in India. By late 17th century, the Company acquired large sections of the country, which fell under England’s rule and populated by British colonists.

Those colonists were thirsty and homesick for British beer, but faced the problem of beer losing flavor over time.

To solve the issue, British brewers heavily hopped the beer they exported, thus creating hoppy and bitter IPAs. The origin of “imperial” IPA can also be traced back to England in the late 1700’s, when a London-based brewer created a strong style of stout, called the Imperial Stout, to impress the court of Catherine II of Russia.

Today, American microbrewers use “imperial”, also referred to as double, to put a twist on any beer style that has higher alcohol than its traditional counterpart.

Think bold and intense. The hops and malts used in brewing are doubled or tripled, which results in a beer delivering quite the whammy, with alcohol by volume ranging from eight to 12 percent.

Rhinegeist’s fizzy crimson brew, Deuce, has a deep floral and hoppy aroma with hints of honeysuckle and mango.

There is a sweet bite of burnt sugar with the first sip — thick and bitter, very hoppy due to the blend of Galaxy and Citra hops.

While the bite is there, it soon becomes a juicy and hoppy delight with notes of grapefruit and more mangos, ending with a crisp-pine finish.

Rhinegeist Deuce is unique through and through.

As an imperial IPA it can be deceiving, playing mind games and straddling the line between single and double-hopped IPA. It only has a slightly higher ABV than its traditional counterpart, Truth IPA, making it feel more like a well-made IPA. Duece’s strong hops and malty character make it feel like a double, but it is not nearly strong as other imperial IPAs like MadTree’s Galaxy High and Citra High, which are also brewed with Galaxy and Citra hops.

Rhinegeist Deuce is a good brew for those who want to graduate from drinking traditional IPAs, but are not ready to tackle the more intense brews.

Missy Suicide, founder of the SuicideGirls website, discusses the travelling Blackheart Burlesque show, which will come to Cincinnati Sunday.

Q&A: Founder of SuicideGirls talks live Blackheart Burlesque, Cincinnati scene with what our idea of a good photo set is, it gets put into our member review queue and it goes live and out members get to view it and provide feedback.

RUSSEL HAUSFELD | ARTS EDITOR

The legendary SuicideGirls are transforming venues across the United States into raucous, sexy parties featuring dancing and entertainment from scantily clad women in pop-culture themed costumes.

If it’s super well received and spot-on the first try, then chances are you will become a SuicideGirl. And, you know, if the feedback is like, “this seems a little off” or “you seem a little intimidated” or whatnot, then the model can take the constructive feedback and try again.

The Blackheart Burlesque, SuicideGirls’ traveling show, will hit Cincinnati’s 20th Century Theatre Sunday.

In preparation for the event, founder of SuicideGirls Missy Suicide spoke with The News Record about the philosophies behind her website, her nerdy obsessions and what Cincinnatians can expect of Blackheart Burlesque.

TNR: What kinds of things can we expect at the Blackheart Burlesque this weekend?

MS: The burlesque show is a really incredible live experience. The show is all pop culture referential, so each number is themed out to represent a different thing we nerd out about — whether it’s a video game or a movie or a TV show or a comic book.

TNR: How would you describe Suicide Girls to someone who has never heard of it?

Missy Suicide: SuicideGirls is an online community where women have been posting erotic — well, not just erotic — but nude photos of themselves since 2001.

And it is sexy and fun and silly, and just an all-around great time.

TNR: What are a few things that you nerd out about, in particular?

SuicideGirls is a pin-up site dedicated to celebrating the unique beauty of women everywhere.

MS: Game of Thrones, Adventure Time, Star Wars, Legend of Zelda — to list a few.

TNR: Is there a SuicideGirls community in Cincinnati?

TNR: And what are some of the philosophies and ideas behind SuicideGirls?

MS: That confidence is the sexiest attribute a person can have. And beauty comes in many sizes and shapes and forms and it doesn’t, you know, adhere to a singe cookie-cutter mold.

TNR: How do you actually become a SuicideGirl?

STEPHANIE SMITH | STAFF REPORTER

Rhinegeist celebrates their second anniversary with their imperial red IPA release Deuce.

PROVIDED

MS: You apply at our website and our model coordinating team will help you through the process — form paperwork to getting a set shot.

Then, once you have a set that is on par

MS: There is. Ohio is a really, really large SuicideGirls contingent. Cincinnati is wild.

TNR: Will the Blackheart Burlesque feature Suicide Girls from the Cincinnati area?

MS: The shows are all very highly choreographed and the dancers are all professional dancers that rehearse for quite a while before the show, so the actual show itself is a traveling show and doesn’t feature girls that are Cincinnati-based.

There is a local troop that will be opening that show, but they are not part of

SuicideGirls.

CinCity Burlesque, the local burlesque troop, will be opening for us. We are really happy to be working with local burlesque acts in each of the places we travel. They really help us and show us some burlesque love.

TNR: Has the burlesque show been going on as long as the website has been?

MS: No. The burlesque show — we did a kind of iteration of it from 2003 to 2007 and then in that time, we opened for Guns ’n’ Roses, we opened for Courtney Love and we travelled to some places in Europe.

It was a really amazing time, but we decided to take a little break to do a book.

And after that was finished, we were like, “let’s do a movie,” so we put the burlesque show on hold for six or seven years.

When we put out our third book, “Hard Girls, Soft Light,” in 2012, we sent two girls on a book signing tour up and down the West Coast and by the time they reached Santa Cruz, there were 750 people waiting outside of a comic book shop just to get two girls’ autographs.

So we knew we could provide a better live experience than just walking into a bookshop to see two girls, and we decided to put the burlesque show back together.

In the years since we had done the show, the burlesque world has really upped its game a lot. Everything from the Star Girls Burlesque to even the large-scale, spectacle performances like Lady Gaga. We knew we really had to up our own game, so we decided on the pop-culture themed everything with modern soundtracks and super highly choreographed dancing — great costumes too.

We just really put our all into this and think we came up with something pretty unique and different.

Q&A: DAAP’s RetroFittings inspired by fantasy ALBERTO JONES | STAFF REPORTER

Students from the University of Cincinnati’s Design, Architecture, Art and Planning fashion program have partnered with St. Vincent de Paul for the 13th annual RetroFittings 2015 fashion show.

The two-hour event will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 in Music Hall. The theme of the annual event is fantasies, fables and fairytales, but students have created designs inspired by classic stories with a modern-day twist.

The News Record spoke with RetroFitting’s project manager Ann Firestone, who also teaches at DAAP. TNR: How long have you been the project manager for this event and how long, specifically, has this event been in the making?

Ann Firestone: I have been the faculty point person for the show since its inception for the last 13 years.

Each year, shortly after the current St. Vincent show happens, the creative director and I brainstorm about next year’s theme; along with Kristen Klein, development director, and Casey Smith, communications director of St Vincent DePaul.

From there, artwork is developed and approved for promotional purposed.

TNR: How long has this fashion show been occurring?

Where has it taken place?

AF: This is the shows 13th year and fourth venue.

The show started out at Sleep Out Louie’s Bar in Newport on the Levee. It moved a year later to the 20th Century Theatre in Oakley Square, then moved to the Netherland Hilton for a few years.

Since 2013, the show has been held at the ballroom of Cincinnati’s Historic Music Hall.

TNR: Where did the name come from?

AF: I think St. Vincent discussed several ideas and landed on RetroFittings with a nod to vintage and retro-style fashions.

TNR: Since the debut of this program, how has this event grown?

AF: They now seat 700 people for the show.

TNR: Why is this such an important event for DAAP fashion design students? Do you feel it has an impact on students?

AF: To teach students a broader meaning of the design process and lessons in volunteerism.

And yes, when they see the show come together and see their work on stage and that it benefits charity.

TNR: What is your favorite part of working on this project?

AF: Making the show come to life with fittings and shopping for the accessories, which vary widely from year to year.

This year, tights and hats. It is my signature project for DAAP and the fashion design department.

TNR: Lastly, what does the future look like for this event? Will there be more events like this during the school year?

AF: This show is unique and will continue, but our annual DAAP fashion show will also be coming up April 29.

DEMOCRATIC DEBATE VIEWING PARTY Mac’s Pizza Pub 8:30 PM — 11 PM Tuesday October 13 CHAFEE

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SPORTS / 5 THURSDAY, OCT. 1, 2015

UC Bearcats look to deliver Miami Hurricanes’ first loss DAVID WYSONG | SPORTS EDITOR

DAN SULLICAN | PHOTO EDITOR

Tommy Tuberville, head football coach, addresses the press during a conference Tuesday afternoon and discusses the Bearcats’ game plan as UC prepares to face the undefeated Miami Hurricanes.

The Bearcats will have their hands full Thursday when they look to bounce back and tackle the University of Miami Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes are 3-0 this season with a close 36-33 win against the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers Sept. 19.

“They do things very fast,” said University of Cincinnati head coach Tommy Tuberville. “There might be some teams we might play comparable, it’s not like they are super human or anything, but that is their forte down there because they get a lot of guys that can run.”

UC’s defense has been weak and now will face Miami’s dynamic quarterback Brad Kaaya.

During the 2014-15 season, Kaaya passed for 3,198 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

This season, he has passed for 839 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, according to ESPN. “Tackling a kid like this you have got to get a lot of people around him and we haven’t done that,”Tuberville said.

Before the upcoming game, the Bearcats and Hurricanes have played against each other 12 times. Miami has the series edge 11-1, with UC’s last win in 1947.

The Hurricanes beat the Bearcats in Miami 55-34 during the 2014-15 season, marking the match up’s most recent

game.

“They beat us pretty good last year,” Tuberville said. “I thought at times we played fairly well in that game but it is different speed. This is a team that lives off quickness and speed.”

After suffering a neck injury last week, junior quarterback Gunner Kiel will not be playing against the Hurricanes.

Freshman quarterback Hayden Moore will play in Kiel’s place.

After reliving Kiel and passing a university record of 557 yards with four touchdowns last week, Moore looks to build off a historic performance against the Hurricanes.

Despite his historic night, Moore threw two interceptions — one in the final moments of the game, which caused Tuberville to be critical of him.

“I thought [Moore] played decent, he made some throws, he didn’t play the best he could play,”Tuberville said. “I was proud of him in that situation of coming in, because that was fairly tough again, two weeks in a row we have done that.

But Gunner gives us the best chance to win — bottom line.”

The Bearcats will attempt to improve their .500 record to 3-2 at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday when they face the Hurricanes at Nippert Stadium. The game will be aired on ESPN.

Golf team compete in tough conditions at Jackrabbit Invitational JOEY LAURE | STAFF REPORTER

The University of Cincinnati men’s golf team traveled to Valentine, Nebraska Saturday through Monday to hit the links of the Dunes Course at Prairie Club.

After the first round of play, UC was 12th out of 14 teams in the tournament with a 24-over par score.

First round conditions may have attributed to the teams poor play, said head coach Doug Martin.

“With winds sustained at 20 miles per hour and gusts up to 35, the conditions today were as difficult as I have seen since I’ve been coaching,” Martin said. “We came here to play in difficult conditions, we just need to toughen up mentally.”

Junior Jared O’Kelley was tied for 15th place, as he led the Bearcats in scoring with a 3-over par.

The overall team leader was Michigan State University after the first round with a score of 2-over par.

UC improved slightly during the second round, as they moved up a spot in the standings to 11th place.

The Bearcats improved their first-round score by 19 strokes in the second round.

O’Kelley led the team again with a 2-under par shot and moved into a tie for 12th place.

Freshman Austin Squires shot his best collegiate career round to date with an even par. Alongside his teammate, junior Blake Hamilton also shot an even-par round for the Bearcats.

As the second round concluded, the University of South Florida jumped into the lead with a five-stroke advantage over the second-placed Michigan State.

“We had three nice performances today with Jared, Austin and Blake,” Martin said. “Jared had another great round of golf, and both Austin and Blake did a good job of salvaging their rounds with solid play over their final nine holes.”

The Bearcats took 11th place as a team at the tournament’s end, with a score of 40-over par.

O’Kelley finished up the final round of play with a score of 2-over par, leaving his final score at 3-over par.

The junior scored par or better on 37 of 54 holes and finished in 19th place ― his third top-25 finish this season.

Hamilton came in second for the Bearcats as he backed up his even-round performance with a 3-over par in the final round.

USF was the tournament winner, with a total overall score of 18-under par.

The Bearcats’ next tournament will be at the Bruce Fossum Invitational, hosted by the Michigan State University.

The Bruce Fossum Invitational will be held Monday and Tuesday in Benton Harbor, Michigan at Forest Akers Country Club.

Cincinnati boxer to fight at home DAVID WYSONG | SPORTS EDITOR

A Cincinnati boxer will return home Saturday to fight in front of his homebased crowd at U.S. Bank Arena.

Adrien Broner will compete with world champion Khabib Allakhverdiev for the World Boxing Association Super Lightweight world title. If he wins, that will be his fourth world boxing title.

Broner is a good boxer, he is a fast and talented guy, but as a man — I don’t have anything good to say about him KHABIB ALLAKHVERDIEV

“I’m excited to be back in Cincinnati taking on a tough world-class fighter who is going to bring it,” Broner said. “This fight means the world to me. It’s a huge deal to have the chance to be a fourdivision world champion at 26 years old.”

Broner is 30-2 in his career, with 20 of his wins being knockouts.

“Broner is a good boxer, he is a fast and talented guy, but as a man — I don’t have anything good to say about him,” Allakhverdiev said. “I am looking forward to a world championship winning performance and I know that if he tries to do something to get in my head, to approach me or to push me that I will be as restrained as possible and save my anger for fight night.”

The last time Broner fought in Cincinnati was in September 2014 for the WBA International Light Welterweight world title, when he beat Emmanual Taylor in a 2014 Fight of the Year candidate.

Jose Pedraza and Edner Cherry will also be competing for the International Boxing Federation Junior Lightweight world title Saturday.

“I’m very excited to be back on Showtime defending my title,” Pedraza said. “This is another step in the direction of becoming a superstar in the sport of boxing.”

Pedraza is undefeated with a record of 20-0 and 12 of his wins being in the form of a knockout.

“This is nothing new for me,” Cherry said. “I’m not taking Pedraza lightly.

He’s a champion for a reason. This is something that comes once in a lifetime and I’m going all-in to win this title.”

The Pedraza and Cherry fight will air prior to the Broner and Allakhverdiev fight at 10 p.m. Saturday and aired on Showtime.

CHRIS LEE/ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH/TNS

Joey Votto kneels at home plate and removes his hitting equipment after striking out to end the top of the third inning Sept. 21 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Cincinnati Reds could have worst win total since 1982 CLAUDE THOMPSON | STAFF REPORTER

The Cincinnati Reds have a history of winning, but this year the team has not lived up to the expectation of fans.

With two more three-game sets against the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates, the Reds could finish the Major League Baseball regular season with their lowest win total since 1982, when they went 61-101, according to the Reds’ official website.

This will be the 12th time since 2000 the Reds will finish with a season record under .500, according to the Reds official site.

Tied for seventh best all-time with five World Series Championship wins, this continues to be a tough pill to swallow for Cincinnati’s fan base.

The Reds have not won a World Series since 1990 and have only been to the playoffs three times in the last ten years — failing to advance past the first round in all three years.

“It was a terrible season,” said Matthew Kraus, director of UC’s Hebrew Program.

“They did not reach their potential. I think

they need to shake things up, but there wasn’t really anything bright about this season outside of Todd Frazier in the AllStar Game and Home Run Derby.”

Frazier won the Homerun Derby held in Cincinnati, and was the first Reds player to win the derby since Eric Davis in 1989, according to the MLB’s official site.

Now moving closer to the offseason, the team is exploring the option of holding on to their current manager Bryan Price.

This is much to the dismay of fans around the Queen City, as the Reds production has dropped off in Price’s twoyear management so far.

“I think they should give him one more year,” said Austin Tinsley, a secondyear history student. “See if he makes improvements, but if they have another bad season, then [they should not keep him].”

The Reds went into the trade deadline with a plan to sell big-named players for younger ones.

On July 26, the Reds traded their ace pitcher Johnny Cueto to the Kansas City Royals for pitcher Brandon Finnegan as

well as two pitching prospects.

Finnegan gained fame in 2014 when he became the only player in MLB history to pitch in the College World Series and the MLB World Series within the same year.

The young pitcher’s team at the Texas Christian University was runner-up in June’s College World Series and the Royals placed as runner-up in October’s MLB World Series.

The Reds moved Finnegan to the starting rotation Sep. 18, but he has posted a 5.09 earned run average as a Red. Despite their lack of wins, the Reds have two players with noteworthy accomplishments this season.

First baseman Joey Votto is in the top-10 for batting average and also leads the majors in walks, while center fielder Billy Hamilton leads the majors in stolen bases. “[Hamilton’s] ability to steal bases is just unlike any other,”Tinsley said. “I’d say a bright spot on the season was definitely Billy Hamilton.”

The Reds final 2015 game will be at 3:05 p.m. Sunday at PNC Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

6 / ARTS THURSDAY, OCT. 1, 2015

Review: Youth Lagoon’s ‘Savage Hills Ballroom’ album KARLY WILLIAMS | CONTRIBUTOR

The existential reflections of Youth Lagoon’s lead singer Trevor Powers after one of his close friends drowned in a river in his hometown of Boise, Idaho burst with emotion in the band’s newest album “Savage Hills Ballroom.”

Power’s received this news from his wife while on tour for his sophomore album, “Wondrous Bughouse.”

As the man behind the lo-fi dream pop band, Powers recorded his 2011 debut album “The Year of Hibernation” with funds he originally allocated for emotional counseling.

“The Year of Hibernation” focused on Powers’ mental turbulence and cemented Youth Lagoon as a prominent voice in independent music.

“Savage Hills Ballroom” continues to serve as a therapeutic outlet for Powers.

In a recent interview with New York’s The Village Voice, Powers admitted the death of his friend and sharing stories about him dramatically influenced his newest album and his overall life.

With introspection on mortality, “Savage Hills Ballroom” offers more emphasis on lyricism than any of Youth Lagoon’s previous works.

Vocals are no longer barely audible and washed out by heavy reverb. Rather, Powers has a goal to deliver his listeners messages with newfound confidence in his personal expression.

The standout track of the album, “Again,” shows perspective on bleak work days, driven by the never-ending cycle of thoughtless productivity and consumption.

“You don’t pray for love but you pray for change/you don’t pray for sun but you pray for rain/and you ask god what is your name,” Powers sings over a trip-hop beat and soft piano chords on “Again.”

After a break of screeching violins and pounding drum machine Powers sings, “And we kiss again/and we sleep again/and computer again/and computer again.”

The album’s single “The Knower” criticizes the modern human psyche as not conscious and critical enough.

“Rotten Human” drowns in Powers’ self-loathing while also calling out modern agricultural and pharmaceutical practices. Other lyrical themes in the song draw from struggles with insomnia and anxiety.

Unfortunately, his style in executing these messages is nothing pristine.

PROVIDED

“Savage Hills Ballroom”, Youth Lagoon’s third album, was born from lead singer Trevor Powers’ existential reflection on death.

The lyrical efforts on “Savage Hills Ballroom” draw heavy similarities with Radiohead’s monumental 1997 album “OK Computer,” with the mix of mental reflection, heartbreak and commentary on technology.

Unfortunately, Powers’ childlike, shaky vocal delivery is harder to enjoy than Thom Yorke’s famous crooning.

The “Savage Hills Ballroom” manifold instrumentals are its greatest strengths. Powers matures his sound by giving up some psychedelic influence found on his previous two works.

Powers worked with fellow indie-pop group Perfume Genius’ producer Ali Chant to cultivate a more aggressive presence.

Minor organ progressions on a number of tracks give more eeriness to the dream-pop sounds.

Cello, violin and horn sounds on the more ambitious tracks shape the newest album into an overall grandiose work. Synths fit for the eighties appear on “No One Can Tell” and “Free Me.” In the middle of the album, “Doll’s Estate” offers an atmospheric pause from intricacy. The final song “X-Ray” perfectly closes the album by also opting for an ambient presence.

Due to the diverse palate of sound, there is no linear feel to the ten tracks. Although a number of songs are individually impressive, the mood of the overall work seems to sway too much from start to finish.

Powers seems to have a great deal on his creative plate to condense consistently, which is detrimental to his final project. He is no longer a sad boy making catchy pop songs in his bedroom, or singing about trippy alternative universes.

This shift in sound on “Savage Hills Ballroom” is admirable in some aspects — but also cohesively spastic and unstable. Long-time fans of Youth Lagoon will find themselves missing the band’s original enchantment.