Volume 2.
Issue 3.
The Falcon
A Keen Eye For News
IN THIS
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Monday, January 28th, 2012
Yo La Tengo visits Workplay
News
College Night
The signs have UM Welcomes been two new Art unveiled professors page 2 page 3
Clinton: What difference does it make?
Mr. and Ms. Montevallo Elections January 28, 8am – 9am Blackboard Mr. and Ms. Montevallo Elections January 29, 8am – 9am Blackboard Mr. and Ms. Montevallo Elections January 30, 8am – 9am Blackboard College Night Ticket Sales January 30-31 SAC College Night Soccer Game February 2 2pm Intramural Field
Family Day February 16th Campus Wide
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by Andrew Meechum Associate Editor This past Wednesday Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee to provide testimony in relation to the Sept. 11 attack in Benghazi, Libya. The attack, which left Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans dead, has been a hot button topic for Washington republicans. Clinton spent over five hours on Capital Hill defending the Obama administration’s handling of the Benghazi attack. The attack was initially blamed on a spontaneous protest in relation to an anti-Muslim film made in California. It was later de-
termined that the attack was not spontaneous and was in fact a deliberate attack by terrorists against U.S. interests. In her opening statements to the Senate committee Clinton choked up when she said, “I put my arms around the mothers and fathers, the sisters and brothers, the sons and daughters, and the wives left alone to raise their children,” during the ramp ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base. Tempers flared when Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) question Clinton on the why Americans were led to
believe the attacks were a result of a protest and not a coordinated attack. Pounding her fists on the table Clinton responded with, “What difference, at this point, does it make? It is our job to figure out what happened and do everything we can to prevent it from ever happening again Senator.” Clinton went on to say, “It is, from my perspective, less important today looking backwards as to why these militants decided they did it, than to find them and bring them to justice and then maybe we’ll figure out what was go-
ing on in the meantime.” Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ken.) called Clinton’s actions inexcusable in reference to her not reading cables from Ambassador Stevens and stated, “I would have relieved you of your post.” When asked by Rep. Joe Wilson (RS.C.) why she didn’t appear on the Sunday talk shows following the attack, Clinton replied with a grin, “Going on the Sunday shows is not my favorite thing to do. There are other things I prefer to do on Sunday mornings.” Wilson also
stated it was unfortunate that Susan Rice appeared multiple times to disseminate incorrect information to the public when Clinton could have provided more accurate details. Despite her testimony before Congress, the American public is no closer to finding out the truth surrounding the attack in Benghazi. Three State Department officials who were found to be at fault in their handling of the event have since been placed on administrative leave. Despite being removed from their jobs, they are still being paid.
which holds thousands of well-preserved handwritten manuscripts from the 13th century. The city is also home to hundreds of tombs of Sufi saints. These extremely important historical African sites have reportedly been
smashed by the Islamist. The last remaining city of significant size Kidal is still occupied by rebels. The French have not stated whether they will continue their efforts but Hollande alludes that the job will be left to the Africans.
A minor victory in a war torn Mali
by Kyle Jones Editor-In-Chief The Malian military aided by French troops entered Timbuktu today. This marks the recapturing of the city after ten months of al Qaeda rule. The problems started when The Tuareg, a nomadic people that are known for caravanning goods across the desert, began to feel marginalized and underrepresented. With the help of now deceased Muammar Gaddafi, the Tuareg or the Azawad as they are known in Mali
returned to their country battle hardened with a point to prove. Azawad along with another Islamist dominated groups launched a series of attacks that pushed the Malian government out of power in the North. The country is now filled with domestic and foreign Jihadi fighters vying for control. With the government in the South being in shambles since March and constitutional rule being ignored since. The French have thus deployed 2,500 troops in the past few months in an effort to help their former colony and secure their financial interest. The French maintain the strongest western military presence on the continent with permanent bases in Chad and Gabon, as
well as a strong financial presence which is crucial to French interest. The exiled mayor of Timbuktu, Halle Ousmane Cissé, said today via phone interview that “Timbuktu has fallen.” With French Prime
Minister François Hollande adding, “Now, the Africans can take over.” Reports say that the Islamist have destroyed historical treasures in the ancient city. Including burning books at one of Timbuktu’s most important libraries,
The Falcon
news
Monday, January 28th, 2012
Page Two “A word to the wise is infuriating” -Hunter S. Thompson
Feinstein proposes UM welcomes two new Art professors new gun ban
by Andrew Mechum Associate Editor
On Thursday Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D-Calif.) publicly announced a new assault weapons ban (AWB) bill targeting 158 rifles, shotguns and handguns. According to statements made by Feinstein, “No weapon is taken from anyone. The purpose is to dry up the supply of these weapons over time. Therefore there is no sunset on this bill.” The sunset she is referring to alludes to the 1994 AWB, which included a sunset provision of 10 years. The original ban was spurred by an attack on a California elementary school in 1989 that left five children dead and 29 others wounded. According to a University of Pennsylvania study in 2004 the ban had little impact on overall gun related crime. As a result of the continuing push for gun control sheriffs across the nation are collectively putting their foot down. Many of the sheriffs say they will refuse to enforce any new gun legislation if it contradicts the 2nd Amendment. In all, sheriffs from over 18 states including 30 of the 33 county sheriffs in New Mexico have pledged to defend the Constitution and ignore any new gun control legislation. Even if Feinstein and her cohorts are successful
in getting the new AWB passed states like Wyoming are taking steps to nullify their efforts. Wy o m i n g ’s Firearm Protection Act (House Bill No. HB0104) states, “An act relating to firearms; providing that any federal law which attempts to ban a semi-automatic firearm or to limit the size of a magazine of a firearm or other limitation on firearms in this state shall be unenforceable in Wyoming.” The bill also has provisions for arresting, jailing and fining any federal agent who tries to enforce any new federal gun laws in the state. Despite the media blitz coverage of shootings like the one in Connecticut that have reinvigorated gun control debate, little attention has been paid to overall crime statistics. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report 2011, the murder rate per 100,000 people dropped from 9.3 in 1992 to 4.7 in 2011. This amounts to a 50 percent drop in the murder rate. Additionally the violent crime rate per 100,000 dropped from 757.7 to 386.3 over the same period. Again, a 50 percent drop. With such a marked decline in crime it begs the question: Why are politicians so enamored with taking away 2nd Amendment rights and not touting their success in fighting violent crime?
by Mandy Steadman Staff Writer
The University of Montevallo is known to give students and teachers a supportive learning environment. The Art department has welcomed two new professors this year. Professor Lee Somers and Professor Michael Willett are two of the newest members of the Montevallo family. Willett is a University of Montevallo alumni. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts here and then moved on to graduate school at the University of Cincinnati. Somers received his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Alfred University. He said he went on to teach ceramics in Beijing, China for three years and then taught and did adjunct work before coming to Montevallo.
Willett said his main focus is twodimensional design. “I'm teaching primarily in Foundations. Drawing I, Drawing II, and Two-Dimensional Design,” said Willett. Somers teaches a different medium than Willett. He teaches three-dimensional design using ceramics and wood carving. Somers said, “I am kind of mixed media, it’s mainly three-dimensional. Ceramics is really at the core of what I do.” Somers said he has directly quoted Chinese landscape imagery into his art. He also receives a great influence from Chinese ceramics and paintings. Somers and Willett both said they find the University of Montevallo to be a positive
teaching environment. Somers said he has received so many ideas from his students and it is helping him grow even more as an artist. “I have been to a lot of schools and it is just a special thing here with the faculty and students. I can’t imagine working with a more supportive group of colleagues. Everyone is very enthusiastic and supportive of what you are doing then also working with a more kind of upbeat and energetic group of students. I mean the students here are wonderful. The general spirit here is really good,” said Somers. Willett and Somers both have some big plans in the future to help broaden the experiences offered to art students. Willett said, “This summer I am
hoping to introduce a collage-based class that is not media specific.” Somers has some major technological changes in the works for the Art department. “I think the biggest thing I have to offer is I’ve had a little bit of experience in digital fabrication processes so using computer generated models and equipment that is essentially robots that make your work and we are in the process of purchasing some of that equipment,” said Somers. The University of Montevallo Art Department is displaying some of Professor Somers’ and Professor Willett’s art pieces in the Bloch Hall Gallery. Be sure to drop by and see the mixture of mediums that these professors have to offer.
Photos: Mandy Steadman
Professor Lee Somers
The Falcon Playlist
A piece from Professor Willett
The Falcon
Monday, January 28th, 2012
College
Page Three
13’ Night
Excitement and signs are raised by Mandy Steadman Staff Writer The College Night season is in full swing with the revealing of the signs. The signs for each side hold clues to what each side’s musical is about. The sign raising started off with each side performing their cheers and the leaders pumping their members with enthusiasm and excitement. The Purple side sign is crafted like a three-dimensional spaceship with two cow astronauts. What really makes this sign stand out is the buttons on the inside of the spaceship, which light up in different colors. They really make the piece special. The Gold side sign is made like a candy skull with a young man sat in front and a lever to his side. There is a piece of candy in the shape of a lion’s head on the left. The bright colors of the candy against the black contrast of the wood really makes the wheel stand out. This year’s sign raising will be interesting to judge. Both signs are creative and colorful, but this year
the judges with be judging the entirety of the signs. This includes front and back, side-toside, and up and down. The Gold side sign may have a disadvantage because only the front part of their sign is decorated. The Purple side sign is decorated in all aspects and sides of the sign, so Purple side may have the advantage with that and the fact that their sign partially lights up. However, the Gold side sign has such vibrant colors and really stands out in the light and dark. Who do you think will win the judging for best side sign? Let us know via Facebook.
Photos: Mandy Steadman
The Falcon Guide to Happiness: Money by Kyle Jones Editor-in-Chief They say money doesn’t buy happiness, but a study from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School says that it does, and the amount is $75,000 a year. Though, the study is quick to point out that making that amount a year doesn’t improve your emotional well being, but what it does improve is your all around satisfaction with life. Another common saying is, “money is the root of all evil”. So for something that is essential to modern life, only figuratively makes us happy and is rooted in evil how does it fare in making us happy? Money is typically the most elusive object in a college student’s possessions.
While money does not bring happiness, poverty surely does not make it any better. Though there are ways we can attribute our limited “wealth” to increase our happiness. Studies have shown that spreading the wealth is directly related to our own overall happiness. Making charitable donations or buying presents for friends and family have more of an impact on than simply spending on ourselves. The “high” that is felt after making a big purchase on something for yourself provides a false sense of life enhancement and is only temporary. The feeling increases overtime as it becomes more and more difficult to fulfill your wants and desires,
which leads to feeling of fear, anxiety and envy. The problem when it comes to money and happiness is how we spend it, managing our money properly and choosing the right way to spend it has great effects on how we feel afterwards. Research shows that spending your money on things like experiences over material things provides a greater sense of happiness. Travelling to a new place or spending money on amazing experiences such as skydiving provides us with more bang for our buck. The feelings and memories that are created are substantial in relation to the limited high of material purchases. Though memo-
rable spending does not negate material purchases. Spending on the small things rather than one big large purchase attributes to daily happiness. This can range from buying a favorite snack to seeing a movie with a friend or significant other. Money may not buy happiness,
but rather the way we manage our money increases our general day to day happiness, but with something with so many variables and ups and downs, money is not a very stable happiness perpetuator. Money may open many doors to avenues of joy but there are those in this world
that have nothing and live a wonderful stress free life. What drives them to bliss? Join us next week as we plunge deeper into the pool of happiness to find exactly what truly makes our generation happy.
The Falcon
&culture
arts
Page Four
Monday, January 28th, 2012
From fade to freak-out: yo la tengo at workplay
by Reed Strength Arts & Culture Editor Yo La Tengo, an indie rock band from Hoboken, NJ, played at the Workplay Theatre in Birmingham Sunday night. With no opening band, the group divided their concert into two distinct sets. The first was a mellow, mostly acoustic performance of the various ballads and slower songs that band’s large repertoire contains. Guitarist Ira Kaplan was seated on a stool on the right side of the stage. Drummer Georgia Hubely played small a drum kit placed in the middle, with bassist James McNew completing the line by standing to the left. The band’s newest album, “Fade”, was highly represented throughout the set. Album opener “Ohm” was the first song played. The band performed a stripped down version of the song, the hypnotic electric guitars of the original replaced with hushed strums and soft harmonies. Other highlights included the Hubley sung “Cornelia & Jane”. The song was able to retain its warm
beauty, despite her inability to reach all of the high notes it required. Kaplan at one point played a surprise rendition of “Pablo and Andrea” from the band’s 1995 album “Electr-O-Pura.” The inspiration came after a fan told him before the show that the album was “one of the finest records ever crafted.” Throughout the set, the band remained calm and cordial. Before playing a song, they would ask and acknowledge if they were all ready. Kaplan kept his audience commentary brief and cordial, while Hubley and McNew barely ever spoke. The band treated the show more like an evening program than a rock concert. The band’s first set ended with “Nowhere Near” from 1993’s “Painful”. At the song’s middle, Kaplan lightly dropped from his stool to shake and throttle his guitar with light feedback. After about three minutes, he clicked off the effects’ pedals and began to play the song’s light riff once again. The trio took about a twenty minute break only to come back once again for their “loud” second set. Hubley’s drum kit was moved further back and the band lined up in a more traditional fashion. They kicked the second set off with the
uneasy “Stupid Things”, the first single released from “Fade”. While the song’s midtempo pace perked things up from the languid first set, the organ led “Here to Fall” from 2009’s “Popular Songs” was a much better introduction to Yo La Tengo’s noisier side. The band upped the ante further in the set with “False Alarm” from “Electr-O-Pura”. While McNew grounded the song with a strange bass lick, Kaplan yelped and screamed the song’s strange lyrics as he mashed and mangled droning feedback from his keyboard. He would slam his whole arm down on the keys, bobbing his head as he conjured noisy walls of electric squall to an enthusiastic crowd. Kaplan’s feedback fights with his guitar remain one of Yo La Tengo’s most exhilarating live elements. The band performed “Ohm” again, this time closer to the studio version heard on “Fade”. Near the end of the song, Kaplan shook and bent his guitar around his body to produce caterwauling distortion and feedback against Hubley and McNews’ steady rhythm. This was brought to even greater effect on fan favorite “Sugarcube” and classic cut “Drug Test”. The band was
Photos: Reed Strength
brought back for an encore after their performance of 2009’s “More Stars Than There Are in Heaven”. As Kaplan walked over to his place on stage, he looked to the front of the crowd. He found a leather jacket clad fan beneath him, and asked her what she would like to hear next. She told him and requested the “loud” version as Kaplan put it. The band played it,
as well as a McNew sung rocker. The trio closed quietly with a lullaby sung by Hubely. They thanked the audience for spend-
ing the evening with them and after a few waves, walked off stage. “Just gorgeous,” a fan muttered near the exit.
Album Review:The Joy Formidable-“Wolf’s Law”
by Jake Smith Staff Writer Imagine for a moment the sound of a thousand explosions coming together to form a perfectly tuned power chord and you may be on the right track toward understanding the sounds that Welsh trio, The Joy Formidable have crafted on their sophomore LP, “Wolf’s Law”. In 2011, the band garnered mass critical acclaim for their debut, “The Big Roar” by creating an incendiary and anthemic, arenaready sound that thrust a breath of fresh air into an increasingly coy mu-
sic industry. Fortunately for fans of the debut, that sound remains mostly intact on “Wolf’s Law” while adding new and exciting elements that broaden the record’s appeal and keep it from turning stale. These changes are noticed immediately in the album’s opener and lead single, “This Ladder is Ours” which begins with a dramatic string intro before slamming with bone-headed ferocity into a speakerdemolishing riff. The song is the quintessential example of what this band does best, rock. The trend of heavy riffing and arenastyle choruses continue into nearly every song as the band shows a mastery of the tried and true soft/loud dynamics originally popularized by bands like The Pixies and Nirvana. How-
ever, this is not to say that the album becomes repetitive and exhausting. Rather, the band finds new ideas within this dynamic choice. “Tendons” finds the band exploring an electronically-processed bass lick before flipping into a grandiose, U2-like chorus. Similarly, with “Little Blimp” the band rides on the strength of a fistpumping bass riff. Yet, rather than slam into an anthem, the band takes the song into more progressive territory with a guitar lead reminiscent of Arabian folk music. This song, driven by the energy of its riff and the eclecticism of its melodies, ends up as the highlight of the album and one of the most easily repeat button worthy songs to be found here. Of course the album has its missteps,
minor as they may be. “Bats” begins with an admittedly obnoxious electronic vocal before settling into a much more satisfactory rock n’ roll groove. “Maw Maw Song”, for all its Zeppelin-esque power, has a way-too-far extended guitar freakout that ends up sounding more like a robot sick with a stomach virus than a solo. Biggest among the offenders though is “The Turnaround” which takes the band’s subtle use of strings found earlier in the album and expands them to Phil Spector levels. A strong vocal melody becomes drowned in a melodramatic wall of sound that ultimately adds nothing to the song. By the song’s end the listener is physically exhausted. Fortunately this otherwise disappointing
finale is remedied by the title track which is hidden after about a minute’s silence following “The Turnaround”. The song is driven by a gorgeous piano while Ritzy Bryan’s vocals soar over a slowly transforming background. The song is a blueprint for building up a tune and the perfect way to end an album that built itself upon the grand and the powerful.
“Wolf’s Law” leaves the listener with an excellently crafted and enjoyable rock and roll album in a tradition of anthemic bombast that is becoming increasingly rare to find in today’s music landscape. For any number of its flaws, there are at least twice as many positives to be found here. The Falcon gives “Wolf’s Law” an 8 out of 10.
The Falcon
Monday, January 28th, 2012
Page Five
A Falcon Exclusive:
From the Depths, There Is A Patchwork of Light by Reed Strength Arts & Culture Editor
The sophomore effort from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea of Mobile, Alabama is nearly upon us. The band consists of five members. Frontman David Maclay handles the vocals while Alan Anderson plays the organ. Jonathan Ashley beats the drums, and Chris Rodriguez scratches out guitar. Virginia Phillips plays bass in 20K Leagues and is a junior art major here at the University of Montevallo. She agreed to meet for a quick interview about the album and the band’s future plans. Phillips and the rest of the band sought the help of fan and friend funding for their next album through project site Kickstarter. The money raised was used on recording as well as vinyl pressing at United Record Pressings in Tennessee. The Kickstarter was launched in October, and reached its funding goal about a month later. Phillips says the band still needs a bit more money to
cover everything, but the amount of support received via Kickstarter “blew our minds”. Phillips said the band would excitedly send pictures of the rising funds over text message. In the detailed summary of the band’s project on Kickstarter, a list of the band members was included. There were eight names, three more than seen at the local shows the band has played here in Montevallo. Phillips said that the core five members, the ones seen on the album cover, were decided two days after the launch of the Kickstarter. The project doesn’t allow the user to change any of the text once the project has been launched, so the band wasn’t able to establish its core membership until now. Phillips revealed that the new album, “Patchwork of Light”, has a kind of “spooky surf rock feel” and marks a departure from their first album. She said the band recorded the entire album in one day. The album was mixed and mastered by John Paul Foster, the local No Cool Studios producer who has produced
and mastered several local bands’ albums. On 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’s first album, several horn parts were a major part of the musical backdrop. Phillips says that horns are a part of “Patchwork of Light” as well, but most of the arrangements are “simplified” to what the band can perform on stage. “We have the same sound in studio and live now, which is what we’ve been needing for a while”, says Phillips. In a Falcon exclusive, Phillips gave us two songs from the album as a preview. The first, titled “Dance, Dance Claire”, will be the first single from the new album. The song harkens to the foreboding sound of “Colors” from their debut album. A waltz beat is introduced with guitar and horn as Maclay sings in a bleary tone about a dreary scene at what could be a bar. The other song, titled “Endless Reverberation”, is a much hazier bit of work. A beautiful organ intro is smeared into crackling noise, guitar softens the song’s rough edges and a bass line
from Phillips provides a steady heartbeat to the tune’s noisy hypnosis. The title “Patchwork of Light” comes from an older song that Maclay wrote when the two were living in New Orleans in 2009. Phillips said the song was something that the band no longer plays, and was “long and ridiculous” but fantastic nonetheless. According to Phillips, the album’s title fits with the “past year, year and a half” and represents “all of these crazy
parts of our lives kind of like, pieced together.” Unlike their first album, which was several recordings pieced together over time, “Patchwork of Light” has a singular sound with “variations in mood.” Phillips expressed enthusiasm in the band’s decision to press the album to vinyl. “I think we’ve had to stop telling people, because people will say like ‘What’s going on in your life?’ and we’re like, ‘Oh, we’re press-
ing an album to vinyl!’” According to the band’s Kickstarter, the album will be available for purchase at local record store Jingle Records. According to Phillips the record will be pressed to black vinyl, with a possible limited edition of “colored or mixed colored.” Phillips said the band plans to do a summer tour, and are currently playing shows in Mobile “every other weekend.”
White Cardigan Club Winter Play Festival hits UM by Mandy Steadman Staff Writer
ing meetings during the spring, summer and fall. Have you ever During these wanted to try to create meetings student writa world that is entirely ers, actors and directors your own? Have you come together, perform ever wanted to just see a reading of the new your imagination come plays and discuss what to life right in front of can be done to make your eyes? The White them better. This allows Cardigan Club gives stu- the playwrights to hear dents a great opportuni- their written words and ty to share their thoughts understand how to make and allows the possi- a line flow better or how bility of bringing their to better get their messtories to life onstage. sage across to audiences. The White Car- Once the plays digan Club (WCC) is are polished and printed a unique organization the playwrights pass where student play- their works on to the wrights have the oppor- directors. The directors tunity to showcase their then hold an open auone-of-a-kind plays. dition for Montevallo The club is sponsored students interested in by Professor Tammy performing. Rehearsals Killian of the Monteval- begin after the casting is lo Theatre Department finished and the cast has and is run by students received their scripts. who have joined to This year the share and support each WCC Winter Play Festiothers’ writing skills. val had seven plays pre The WCC is a miering at the Chichescreative outlet for art- ter Black Box Theatre. ists with hidden talents The genres inin writing, acting, di- cluded horror, drama, recting and managing. comedy and serio Many student ac- comedy. Plays covered tors have said the WCC several topics including has helped them grow psychological symbolas artists and has given ism and a man’s unfortuthem the kind of experi- nate demise at the hands ence that will help them (or wings) of a duck. in their creative journey. The festival The club usu- concluded with a quesally starts its prepa- tionnaire, which was ration for the Winter hosted by Killian. This Play Festival by hav- gave the audience a
chance to ask the actors, directors and playwrights about the shows and to clear anything that might have been confusing. The playwrights were also given the opportunity to ask the audience for their opinions of the plays and get a general idea of what they can do to improve their abilities. White Cardigan Club offers students an opportunity to try new things and explore the playwriting process. It gives audiences and cast members a chance to experience and create memorable moments. If you are interested in hearing more about the White Cardigan Club and becoming part of this creative group check out the university’s website, http://www. montevallo.edu/thea.
Falcon contributor Rosie Maguire Photos: Mandy Steadman
Peter Strickland & Toryn Vanshawn Washington
The Falcon
next year’s issue
Monday, January 28th, 2012
the staff
Page Six
Editors Editor-In-Chief: Kyle Jones Associate Editor: Andrew Mechum
-S3 vs The Iphone 5 - The “U Review” -WoW Wing Challenge -The Super Bowl -College Night Sports -Music -Politics -Happiness
Art & Culture Editor: Reed Strength
Staff Writers
Mandy Steadman Neal Embry Matthew Lord Clarke Stackhouse Jake Smith
Contributing Writers
and more... February 4th, 2013
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Tedie Taylor