The Spread October Issue 2012

OCTOBER 2012

ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC: CONCERT & NEW MUSIC REVIEWS

GLOWFEST PLAYOFF REVIEW TAILGATING RECIPES

JUPITER STRING QUARTET

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emily Waldron

DESIGN Caroline Broler Jessica Morrow Minjoo Lee

ASSISTANT EDITOR Sarah Soenke

STAFF WRITERS Taylor Odisho, Scott Jackson, Scott Gantner, Sarah Soenke, Sam Edwards, Darshan Patel, Dan Broderick, Christen Grumstrup, Elise King, John Edwards, Lauren Rohr, Philip Johnson, Imani Brooks EDITORS Amanda Tugade, Elise King, John Edwards, Lauren Rohr, Philip Johnson, Sarah Soenke PHOTOGRAPHER ADVERTISING For further details, contact us at spreadjournalism@gmail.com

THE SPREAD IS A DIGITAL PUBLICATION OF THE REGISTERED STUDENT ORGANIZATION JAMS (JOURNALISM, ADVERTISING & MEDIA STUDENTS) OF THE COLLEGE OF MEDIA AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

THE SPREAD OCTOBER 2012 RELATIONSHIPS 9 TRAVEL GUIDE A student’s guide to smooth travel.

FOOD & RESTAURANTS 7 The Food of Fall Get comfy and cozy with the

season’s best dishes.

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TAilgating Recipes Wingin’ Out Review

LIFESTYLE & EVENTS 15 GLOWfest 19 JUNIPER SPRING QUARTET From New York to U of I, a

career on the road to success

13 fALL AT ILLINOIS 23 Conor oberst

OCTOBER 2012

THE SPREAD MUSIC 26 THE BITCH IN THE

SPORTS 29 ARC BALLERS OF THE MONTH

CORNER

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REVISITING the 90s Nostalgia and a playlist MUSIC REVIEWs

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DISNEY SPORTS MOVIE AWARDS

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PLAYOFF REVIEW

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T JACKSON

Grizzly bear (p. 27) and xx (p. 28)

Wingin Out Review By: Sam Edwards Due to its location on campus and the unhealthy nature of its food, Wingin Out may seem like a mere post-Red Lion indulgence you will regret in the morning, but these wing specialists deserve more respect. With 16 different sauces and numerous wing choices, it is difficult for any wing lover to leave dissatisfied.

With a menu consisting of only chicken wing entrees, Wingin Out sticks to what it knows best. The menu also offers sides, drinks and various combinations of the three as meals. I chose a meal of ten wings ăƒź five Kickin Ranch and five Medium Buffalo ăƒź with french fries and a soda to wash it all down. The Kickin Ranch was recommended to me by the cashier when I inquired as a first-time costumer, and I find the the medium buffalo sauce to be the best way to compare chicken wing restaurants. I spent a total $11.47, a reasonable price for the filling meal. On top of being well-priced, my order exceeded the $10 minimum for free delivery, a pleasing perk.

I began with the Kickin Ranch wings which were extraordinarily delicious. However, as a self-proclaimed master of the hot sauce-ranch combination myself, I found the Kickin Ranch sauce to need a hint more of a kick. The Medium Buffalo wings were very enjoyable; the sauce has plenty of spice without detracting from the delicious flavor of the meat. Each wing had a hearty serving of juicy meat as well as ample sauce. The fries complimented the wings well and are most useful as a mop for the wing sauce in order to be thoroughly sure you get your money’s worth.

For those who are yet to try Wingin Out, I recommend it. I suggest eating it for the first time when one is very hungry instead of during a drunken binge.

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FOOTBALL TAILGATE RECIPES By: John Edwards With football season underway and the University of Illinois Homecoming football game quickly approaching (October 27, against Indiana University), here are some easy recipes that’ll impress your friends or visiting parents on game day.

Buffalo Wing Dip Recipes (Adapted from Frank’s Redhot Recipes and Mama Edwards) Ingredients: 8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup of ranch 1/2 cup of Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wing Sauce 2/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 2 cans of shredded chicken breast, drained Directions: 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Place cream cheese into baking dish. (We prefer a 8x8 pan.) Stir until smooth.

3. Mix in ranch, Frank’s RedHot and shredded cheese. Stir in chicken.

4. Bake for 20 minutes or until mixture is heated through.

5. Serve as is with Frito’s Scoops or celery.

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The Jucy Lucy (Adapted from Matt’s Bar or the 5-8 Club, depending on who you believe was the originator, in Minneapolis; John T. Edge’s Hamburger & Fries; and aht.seriouseats. com) Serves 4 Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds of ground chuck Lawry’s seasoning salt Garlic salt Black pepper 4 slices of American cheese (or as much cheese as you can fit in there) 4 buns Directions: 1. Place beef, along with as much Lawry’s, garlic salt and black pepper as you see fit (probably about a teaspoon each), in a bowl; mix well. Make eight thin, round patties.

2. Fold each cheese slice in half twice, and place the folded cheese on four of the patties. Cover the cheese patties with the no-cheese patties. Seal the patties together tightly to prevent cheese from escaping.

3. Place patties into either a pre-heated skillet on the stove or on your grill. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes.

4. Flip patties and prick the top of the

burgers with a toothpick to allow some steam to escape. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.

5. Bun ‘em up. I actually prefer my buns to be a little toasted. To toast your buns in the pan, just throw them in the still-hot burger juices for about 30 seconds. To toast them on the grill, butter the buns and toss them on the grill for about a minute.

Side note: I prefer mine with BBQ sauce and bacon. You can even pre-cook the bacon, chop it up and cook it inside the burger with the cheese. However you like it, the Jucy Lucy is tasty.

Margarita Punch (from CBS New York) Makes 30 glasses Ingredients: 1 liter of tequila 1 liter of triple sec 4 quarts of sour mix 1 quart of ginger ale Half-gallon lime sherbet Directions: 1. Combine all ingredients ahead of time except the lime sherbet.

2.When it comes time to tailgate, float the sherbet on top.

Happy tailgating!

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Get Comfy and Cozy with the Food of Fall By: Christen Grumstrup

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I know there are probably tons of people out there who are wishing summer season could last forever, who are still craving some tasty soft serve ice cream and that all-American barbeque dinner, who think that those long summer nights and that refreshing glass of lemonade will never get old. Well, I’ve got some news for you: It’s fall, and it’s awesome. Besides, everyone

“when it does finally make its appearance, it never gets old” could use a little change sometimes, right?

Now that fall is in full swing we can finally transition from our favorite refreshing and light-summer indulgences to the best kind of food and drinks out there - the kind of snacks that can warm your heart and hands when walking to class on a brisk autumn morning. It’s time to get comfy and cozy with the food of fall.

Let’s start with the ever-classic, onlyavailable-seasonally pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. They are freakishly quiet about when this amazing drink gets to grace our presence every fall, but when it does finally make its appearance, it never gets old. Now, I, being your average, coffee-addicted college student, normally don’t allow myself to spend five bucks on some overpriced latte from Starbucks. But the pumpkin spice latte is a different story.

It really is the perfect taste of fall, and who could resist something that not only wakes you up but also warms your body as you

walk to one of your early morning classes?

If you have never tried this amazing drink, and you think you might like coffee with some fall flavors, I suggest you check it out.

Another seasonal fall drink that is a favorite in the Champaign- Urbana area is warm (or cold) apple cider. I’m not normally an apple cider kind of girl, but purchasing some of the notoriously delicious apple cider from the Curtis Orchard and Pumpkin Patch every fall is an absolute must. You can get it served hot or even get a cider slushie if you’re one of those holding onto summer.

But Fall isn’t only about the drinks that can warm you up. There are plenty of foods that you can easily fall in love with on a chilly October evening. We’ll start with one of my personal favorites: soup. Now, I know that some of you might be thinking soup is boring and bland and not all that great, but au contraire, soup can be amazing. I could probably eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And when the leaves start to fall and sweatshirt season is upon us, there’s nothing like curling up in a blanket with a warm cup of soup and a good movie.

Whether you have a taste for some spicy Mexican tortilla or simply some regular chicken noodle, soup is a fall essential that you can’t forget about. Plus, it’s cheap to buy and easy to make!

Well, there you have it, some essential fall foods and drinks you mustn’t live without this season. And for those of you out there with a sweet tooth, don’t forget this is the season of Halloween, so having some candy hanging around your dorm room or apartment can never hurt. Enjoy!

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RELATIONSHIPS

BY SARAH SOENKE Out of all the problems one can face when dealing with a long-distance relationship, figuring out transportation can be one of the most daunting, especially for new travelers.

It can sometimes seem as if there are an infinite amount of options when it comes to deciding how you’ll see your significant other one weekend, travel home to spend time with your family, or visit your friend at their own far-away school.

While hitching a ride with a lucky car owner can be the easiest solution, fending your way through private bus transportation options doesn’t have to be so difficult either.

Here is a guide to help you choose the most affordable, direct, and safe path for your traveling desires.

BUS: W

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A Student’s Guide to Suburban Express:

On the company’s website, they boast, “Because we focus on a small market niche, we provide the best possible service for college students traveling home for the weekend.” This makes Suburban one of the best options when trawveling back home to the Chicago suburbs. However, anyone traveling to Illinois State University can also find the best deal through this company. Due to Suburban’s specific “small market niche,” nearly all of their customers are fellow students, which can make a positive difference for anyone concerned about traveling safety.

Pick-up locations are right on campus, the drivers are generally on time, most of the buses offer free WI-FI and there’s even a store right on campus (at the intersection of John and Sixth Streets) for those wanting to pay in cash rather than print their tickets online. Drop-off locations range as close as Tinley Park, Ill. all the way to Northbrook Ill., with stops at O’Hare and Downtown Chicago.

Peoria Charter Coach Company:

Known for their red bus, Peoria Charter is another option for those traveling within the Chicago area.

Peoria does offer a few more destinations though. The company provides daily routes to Bradley University, Illinois State University, the Chicago suburbs and O’Hare and Midway. Like Suburban, Peoria caters mainly to college students, so you’ll travel amongst your own kind.

Peoria also has a store for those unwilling to print online tickets, located at 2008 N. Federal Drive in Urbana. This company is also known to be generally on-time and reliable. One unique aspect of Peoria is that they allow customers to buy tickets day-of, at the stop location, as long as they are in cash. Most charters do not allow this, so always make sure this service is available before you find yourself begging for a ride at the last minute.

hen you’re missing your loved ones, you want to get to them as quickly and easily as possible. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your means of travel:  Each service company has different pick-up locations, whether on or off campus, and some have more than others. Look into which one offers the closest pick-up location.  Most bus charters do not offer walk-ups. Know which companies do before you find yourself begging for a ride at the last minute.  Compare the travel times to your destination between different companies.

Differences might reveal hidden stops on one charter’s route, while others will get you there faster.  Always save your chosen service’s customer support phone number in case of a late bus or other emergency.

SMOOTH TRAVELS LEX Express: While Peoria

and Suburban share a lot of the same pros and cons, Lex offers a different experience for those with different needs. A major advantage for Lex is its diverse stop locations and times: its routes include popular Chicago Suburb locations, O’Hare, Downtown Chicago, Bradley University, Illinois State University and Eastern Illinois University, but also extends out to Indianapolis, Ind., St. Louis, Mo. and as far as south as Carbondale, Ill. Any time of the day, any day of the week, Lex will, more likely than not, have a route that would work into your schedule. Lex offers an extensive list of pick-up locations on campus, as well as off in the Champaign area.

However, with these pros follow logical cons. Since Lex caters to a larger market, trips can be longer due to additional stops and, therefore, have a tendency to be not as timely as other charter companies. Customers aren’t limited to college students as well. While these aspects may cause worry, Lex does offer 24hour customer phone support, so feel free to call to check in on the status of your bus. It can save you 45 minutes of waiting out in the cold to know that your bus will be running late.

Burlington Trailways:

Burlington has one of the more extensive routes available to University students. Its locations are spread out through five states, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, with the majority of major universities and colleges as stop locations. The company provides daily services to and from Champaign. Burlington, however, does not pick up on campus, having its sole pick-up location at the Illinois Terminal in Downtown Champaign, where you can also purchase tickets.

Even with its extensive list of pick-ups and drop-offs, Burlington is particularly good at being on time. The company is very repetitive in its day-to-day operations: the company runs four routes connecting all of its locations that are run daily back and forth, always operating at the same time. This company, however, isn’t recommended for those traveling small-distances.

For example, those traveling to Illinois State University have to add an additional 15 minutes to their trip due to the regular stop at Mcdonalds in Normal for a lunch break, 1 stop away from their destination. However, those traveling farther won’t be able to find a better service.

TRAIN: Amtrak: While taking the train

might be the most sensible when traveling to and from Chicago, taking the Amtrak for other destinations might be worth considering.

Generally speaking, train travel has a lot of perks compared with taking the bus. Without traffic concerns, trains are naturally at an advantage to being more timely. The seating and bathrooms is often more spacious, you’re able to walk about if you get uncomfortable and there are plug-ins for laptops.

Tickets prices, however, are highly dependent on how far in advance you purchase them. Weeks ahead, you can usually get a really good deal, considering time and location, while choosing to travel the day of can get unreasonably expensive. Bus tickets are typically a standard price up until departure, but train prices only increase. However, when planning in advance, taking the train might turn into a cheaper, more pleasant traveling experience.

Price Range: $13-?

Greyhound: Greyhound is another option for traveling by

bus, but is one of the few that you’ll have to go to Illinois Terminal in Champaign to get on. This charter is best for anyone with a far-away destination. The company offers hundreds of stops and generally reasonable times. Ticket prices tend to be higher in comparison to other services, but considering the expanse of the company and the duration of the trip, it usually is worth the price. Tickets can be purchased online or at the terminal, up to one hour before departure time.

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QUICK CHECK:

W

IF

Compare your options before booking.

I W ?

AL K UP O N S? C AM O P UT US O ?

PA F ST Y W AT IT E? P H R C IC AS E H R AN ?

G E?

A Student’s Guide to SMOOTH TRAVELS

SUBURBAN EXPRESS

YES NO YES YES NO $8 (to ISU) - $27.95 (to O’Hare/Northbrook Court)

PEORIA CHARTER COACH COMPANY LEX EXPRESS

SOME YES

YES

YES

NO $8 (to ISU) - $25 (O’Hare)

NO NO YES YES YES $10 (to ISU) - $34 (O’Hare) $197 (Indianapolis Airport)

BURLINGTON TRAILWAYS

YES NO NO YES

GREYHOUND

YES

YES

NO

YES

YES $15 (to ISU)

AMTRAK

NO

YES

NO

YES

YES $6 (to Mattoon, IL) -??

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YES $14.76 (to ISU) - $178.20

(to Denver)

)

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Fall in Love wit

By Christen Grumstrup

T

he beginning of a new school year is always a little stressful, and nobody wants to say goodbye to summer, but let’s look at the glass half full and keep our outlook on this fall season enthusiastic. Here’s some essential fall activities you need to put on your to-do list to really let yourself fall in love with fall at Illinois!

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1.

Welcome to football season! It’s finally that time of year, when the air is crisp and your orange and blue Illinois zip-up is being worn every single Saturday. Whether you’re an actual football lover or not, I can’t imagine anyone who has the tiniest bit of school spirit not enjoying the Fighting Illini’s biggest sport season.

There is nothing quite like college football season, and there is definitely nothing quite like college football season at Illinois. Whether you’re

waking up at the crack of dawn to start tailgating with family and friends, going to a bar to sit back and enjoy the game with some buds or getting wild in the Block I section, most Saturdays this season are filled with students wearing orange and blue and some guaranteed good times that you may or may not remember. Either way, the excitement for football season at U of I is equivalent to if Christmas were actually in July... really freaking fun!

LIFESTYLE & EVENTS

th Fall at Illinois 2.

Three words: October Lovers Club. If you haven’t heard of this amazing club, Google it. If you have heard of it and are not a member, join it. And finally, if you have heard of it and are a member, you’re probably pretty cool. Not only is this probably one of the more unique RSOs on campus, but it’s an entire club associated to why the season of fall rocks and how us cool kids at Illinois can use this country town of UrbanaChampaign to embrace the month of October like never before. October Lovers Club provides students with the chance to do really normal fallish activities, and because any student can join, it makes it that much better. From getting together to carve some pumpkins, to going to Curtis Apple Orchard to pick some apples and enjoy some hot apple cider, to going to a barn dance full of friends who have fallen in love with the month of October just as much as you have, October Lovers Club is the chillest club on campus.

3.

Halloween. It’s true, once you hit the age when you realize Santa is not real, Halloween instantly becomes the new Christmas. You know that quote from Mean Girls? “In the regular world Halloween is when children dress up in costumes and beg for candy…” In the college world, Halloween is when us up-and-coming adults get to dress like total crazies and have an excuse to drink too much or throw ridiculous-themed parties.

Yes, Halloween is a sight to see, especially on this campus.

4.

Hang out on that place we call the Quad.

There is nothing quite like that perfect fall day when sweatshirt season is in full swing and you can just kick back with your friends and enjoy some quality Quad time. The Quad during this time of the year is absolutely perfect and creates ample opportunity for a good time. I mean, how many places can you go slacklining and have it be considered totally normal?

Or, if you’re a little less adventurous, but still looking to enjoy the great outdoors, the Quad is great for throwing a Frisbee or a football with friends. And it’s the perfect place to simply relax, plug in your iPod and watch the leaves fall.

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GLOWFEST

By Taylor Odisho

F

lash forward to the end of this month. Where will you be on October 25th? If you’re looking for an unforgettable Thursday night that includes an insane dance party DJ’d by some of the best names in the music industry, look no further, because I just found you the perfect plans. You can thank me later.

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LOWfest is on its way to becoming the biggest college music festival tour in America. They bring the entertainment to you, they care about who you want to see and they provide you with an unforgettable concert experience.

Each university has a unique lineup, and the U of I has some awesome names coming to the area. Hardwell, Bingo Players and Savoy are the headliners for the one night music festival.

First of the acts, we have Robbert van de Corput, better known as Hardwell. He’s a

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twenty-four year old Dutch progressive and electro house DJ who is quickly climbing the ranks to becoming of the top in his industry. However, it’s taken a lot of work and dedication along the way, as it does with any notable artists, to get where he is today. Hardwell began DJing in Holland at the age of 13. A year later, he had a record deal in Holland. Ten years later and he can say that he’s toured with the best DJ in the world: Tiesto, the same DJ who influenced him to start his career. Hardwell has not only mastered the craft of being a disc jockey, but he’s also a notable producer in the music world. He has created a music genre that is unique; it’s even been dubbed the “Hardwell sound” or the “Hardwell twist.”

Next on the performers list we have Bingo Players.

They are a duo consisting of Paul Bäumer and Maarten Hoogstraten. Their sound is predominantly Dutch Dance, similar to Hardwell, and Electro

House. They are a couple of friends from the Netherlands with a similar passion for a music that decided to try to turn their passion into a career, and they have successfully done just that. In an interview with Neon Tommy, the duo were noted in saying that the U.S. is their favorite place to play, due to how recently the house scene has taken off.

A show that is sure to be unlike any other is the set that Savoy will bring to you. The trio that is Savoy consists of Ben Eberdt, Mike Kelly and Gray Smith. A surprising fact that few may know is that the trio didn’t always start out in producing and creating house music. They started their music careers as a rock band of the same name at the University of Colorado in Boulder. They eventually began using computer software to create a dubstep sound that still incorporates some of their rock traits, which is why their drummer is still an avid member of the group. In an interview

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with Club Planet, Savoy described their sound as “a healthy mix of electro-house and starting to get into more progressive house and dubhouse. It’s all under the umbrella of house but we definitely try to make it more rock-ish when we play live.” Along with their awesome sound, they are known for an amazing light show, something you definitely do not want to miss.

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If you weren’t sold on the plans before, maybe after reading a little bit about the entertainment for the night, you will be. GLOWfest is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone who attends. How often can you say you went to a dance party with 14,000 other people at Assembly Hall in your lifetime? Like I said, only once.

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JUPITER STRING QUARTET

BY DARSHAN PATEL

A

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fter spending some time taking the Chinatown bus that runs between New York and Boston, it’s safe to say the Jupiter String Quartet can now afford something better.

“Because it’s only $10, you don’t get a lot of perks or comfort or luxury,” said Nelson Lee, one of the quartet’s violinists. “There was this one ride in middle of winter when the front door kept opening on its own. The bus driver tied a belt from a handle to the door and it held on its own. But there was snow still blowing in.”

Those trips were made quite frequently between late 2002 and mid2003.

That was almost 10 years ago when the group’s cellist Daniel McDonough lived in New York while Lee and sisters Megan and Liz Freivogel resided in Boston.

Now, a lot has changed. The “intimate group” is even closer as Meg Freivogel is married to McDonough. They are also a whole lot wealthier: Each is earning $70,000 to teach students and represent the School of Music and the University on a national stage.

The University

of Illinois’ new quartet in residence is nicely settling into the Champaign-Urbana area. And this couldn’t have been a better match.

“When the opportunity came up and the job was announced, we leapt on it.

We’ve been looking for a situation like this for a long time, and we’re really excited about this opportunity,” Lee says.

“There’s not a lot of places in the country that have a residence string quartet, in terms of public universities,” McDonough adds.

The job opened up in March as Grammy Award-winning Pacifica Quartet announced

its intentions of jumping ship to take a similar position at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. In addition to the unexpected announcement, former School of Music director Karl Kramer stepped down at the end of March to take a job in Sydney.

“Those two things made it unusual,” said Edward Rath, who is now retired after briefly serving as the school’s interim director.

This left the University of Illinois to find a replacement in a relatively short amount of time. Three prospective groups were brought to

campus in April to play in front of a live audience in the spring as well as teach student chamber ensembles.

Normally, auditions would occur in February or March if the position needed to be filled next fall, and the quartet would be chosen in midspring.

But Jupiter String Quartet was picked in early May and only moved into the area midAugust.

The four, who are in their early 30s, played at the Allerton Music Barn Festival during the first week of school, for the first time as faculty “It seems like a really neat

way to kick off the school year at the School of Music.

It has a nice audience, and it’s kind of laid back. It’s a really unique place to play,” McDonough says.

The small atmosphere of the festival especially suits the quartet, which specializes in chamber music. This type of music has traditionally been performed by a small group of people, usually two to eight, typically in a small room – something aristocrats did in the 18th century.

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ast forward to the quartet’s first formal concert was University faculty members.

The group is now

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with others in a smaller setting. … So I’m both kind of my own person and as a whole.”

That whole is not so much like a group of professional musicians but more like a family – one that has performed on the biggest of stages.

The Jupiter String Quartet has played in many highprofiled venues, including New York’s Carnegie Hall and London’s Wingmore Hall, a concert venue that specializes in performances by small groups.

But Krannert is right up there.

“Having played in all those places, Krannert Center is as good – I’m

not just saying that (for this interview),” McDonough says. “We’ve come here before not knowing anything of Champaign-Urbana and discovering there was this beautiful, amazing performing arts center. We were just blown away so to get to have it at our fingertips is very special.”

And the quartet could get used to this as its home venue: Its contract is renewable if both the School of Music and the Jupiters wish to, though a rolling, three-year deal will be considered next year.

The idea for a quartet formed in 2002, when Lee, McDonough and violinist Meg Freivogel were studying SCOTT JACKSON

collaborating with renowned pianist Ian Hobson, who is a professor in the Center for Advanced Study. A few hundred are gathered in the Foellinger Great Hall at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts.

Even though it’s late in the evening, the quartet still keeps the audience engaged by bringing color to their music, with rhythmic toe taps and head motions. They are on the edge of their seats, precisely in sync with each other.

“We feel like it is the best of both worlds,” McDonough says.

“You have your individual personalities, but you also get to work in collaboration

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“We’ve come here before not knowing anything of ChampaignUrbana and discovering there was this beautiful, amazing performing arts center.”

at the Cleveland Institute of Music. But the trio was still missing a piece to complete the string quartet: a violist.

Meg recommended that they consider her sister, Liz, who was studying at Oberlin College, located in northwest Ohio.

“We got together and read a little bit, and it felt really good.

I remember the first time we sat down and played. And it was pretty clear to me that we all had similar musical principles and ideas,” Lee recalls. “I don’t think any of us envisioned that it would necessarily be our full-time job ten years down the line.

It just sort of ended up that way, and we’re really glad that it did.”

And in late 2003, the foursome enrolled at the New England Conservatory of Music, where they were in the Professional String Quartet Training Program – a Master’s degree for a quartet.

“That’s such a specialized program that we sort of knew before we applied. So we already had been together for a few years. Let’s try to make this work and go to school where we can really study quartet,” McDonough says.

Located in Boston, the New England Conservatory of Music is the oldest independent school of music in the nation. And an argument could be made that it is one of the best.

“It’s great because you don’t do anything else. You

concentrate solely on the string quartets,” Lee says.

“There aren’t too many distractions, the schedule is very flexible. You get a lot of input from a lot of different people in the school.”

One person was Roger Tapping, who now chairs the school’s chamber music program. He has served as a mentor to the quartet. And after a position as a violist for 10 years from 1995 with the Takács Quartet, he has collaborated with the Jupiter String Quartet on multiple occasions to make a quintet, which is done by adding a viola.

They play with an engaging intensity and sincerity. They don’t put on an artificial sense of being showy. They clearly love the music they are playing with artistry,” Tapping said.

McDonough was late for the interview; he just finished up individual lessons.

“Right now, I think I’ve had to give up things like exercising and watching television.

Before I had more time to relax, and now it’s very busy,” he says with a smile. “But we’ll figure it out. The job came out so late that it was tricky for this first year, but going forward we’ll be sort of manage it better.”

McDonough says he’s looking forward to attending his first Illinois football game, but he doesn’t know when that will come as doubling as a professional string quartet

can make finding empty Saturdays difficult.

During the semester, the Jupiter String Quartet is scheduled to make trips to Connecticut, North Carolina and Georgia, only to name a few. But the University has been understanding of previous commitments, and the quartet is adjusting onthe-fly. “(The University is) going to be flexible with us. And it’s possible to continue the performing career that we had before and be as active in that realm as we have been and then be very dedicated to our students at the University,” Lee says.

Depending on the day, the quartet will rehearse for about three hours and teach for a few hours – mostly private lessons. Despite their busy calendars, the Jupiters wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We’ve got this kind of stability and this community we can be apart (of). And when we’re traveling, and they kick my cello off the plane, I don’t have to get as angry because I have a nice place to come back to,” McDonough says.

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SARAH SOENKE

CONCERT REVIEW:

CONOR OBERST at the Riverfront Theater T

he Riverfront Theater in Chicago, Ill. is certainly an interesting location. But for it to be the location of a peculiar little musical festival known as Brilliant Corners of Popular Amusements’ location for the second year in a row, it fit. The festival grounds were within the venue’s large blue and yellow circus tent right off the river, which I can imagine might not work as well in later, colder months. However, for the crisp early fall night that it was on Sept.

22, it was quite enjoyable for a Conor Oberst performance.

Van Dyke Parks was the opener of the night, and due to the fact that I had never heard his music before, it was difficult to figure out why the two

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BY Sarah Soenke

acts had been paired up. For one, Van Dyke Parks is 69 years old, and his musical track record of pop orchestral music (including collaborations with Brian Wilson, lyrical contributions to the Beach Boys album “SMiLE” and his own release of six studio albums, to name a few) strays a little from that of Oberst’s, most known as the main man in Bright Eyes (folk rock).

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he connection, though if not musically, at least ideologically, was made through the wit and charm of Parks’ often poetic transitions between songs. His quips ranged from random (“I don’t need Clint Eastwood for what I got to say tonight!”) to nostalgic (in introducing a song written for Brian

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hile Parks won the crowd over with his entertaining performance, it was clear whom everyone was ultimately there to see once Oberst walked on stage. His set consisted of a wide range of his work, including popular Bright Eyes songs, his solo album, Monsters of Folk, and even some new tracks. Nearly all of set didn’t require transitions, as each beginning notes of the next song sent the crowd into shouts and screams of recognition and approval, followed by a chorus of fans who knew all the words.

Joining Oberst for some of his show were musicians on vibraphone and guitar and piano, but the most notable appearance was from Klara Soderberg of First Aid Kit. Her vocal accompaniment in the two Bright Eyes songs “Southern State” and “Lua” were outstanding, and the two vocal performers seemed to have a lot of chemistry on stage.

With last year’s release of a collaborative cover of the White Stripes’ song “We’re Going to Be Friends” between Bright Eyes and First Aid Kit, I’m hoping the pair are planning to do further projects together.

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ue to the show’s rotating back-up musicians and the setlist’s focus on more simply constructed songs, it was definitely an interesting mix of big performance energy and an acoustic, laid-back feel. I was hoping the whole night that Oberst would stand up for some of his more energetic songs, rather than alternate between sitting center stage with his guitar or sitting at the piano to the left with his back to the crowd, but sat he did.

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s far as the entire performance went, the crowd definitely got its money’s worth, and then some. The venue was a good size (plenty of room to crowd the stage and rows of seating in the back), Parks was an intriguing yet entertaining opener with his pop orchestral songs, and Conor Oberst delivered an enjoyable show, each song highlighting his vocal performance.

And, if that wasn’t enough, each ticket for the Brilliant Corners of Popular Amusements included a preceding performance by El Circo Cheapo Cabaret and a following late-night comedy show.

That’s a pretty good deal for a little over 20 bucks.

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Wilson, he added, “May he rest in peace... in due course. Never too early, never too late.”) to political (encouraging listeners to vote this November when introducing an old song about FDR).

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MUSIC

Second Time’S noT a charm— coexiST: album review

by Taylor Odisho

an artist’s sophomore album can

make or break their career. Some bands whose sophomore albums didn’t necessarily break their careers, but also didn’t make them, are The Strokes (room on Fire), Kid cudi (man on the moon: Part ii), and clap Your hands Say Yeah (Some loud Thunder). on the flip side, there are a number of artists who have released follow-up albums that made them superstars. a few prime examples are Kanye west (late registration), adele (21), and Taylor Swift (Fearless). with that said, english indie pop band, the xx, debuted their second album coexist with xl recordings this month. band members include ramy madley croft on guitar and vocals, oliver Sim on bass guitar and vocals, and Jamie xx on drums and production of songs.

The success of 2009’s xx, their first album, made its way to the top, including number one on a list from The Guardian, second on a list from nme, and ninth on a list made by rolling Stone. The xx were praised for their emotional lyrics, their haunting voices, and their rich sound. after creating an album that garnered so much positive attention, the question remains as to whether or not coexist compares to the magic that was created in xx.

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coexist begins with “angels,” which is also the song that The xx chose as the first single for the album. it is apparent from the beginning that the sound Jamie xx created on xx has carried over to coexist using the guitars and sampler. Full of emotion, the lyrics make you reminiscent of that first love you dived into headfirst without knowing the outcome, in lines like, “and the end is unknown / but i think i’m ready / as long as you’re with me.” Similarly, the next couple songs, “chained” and “Try,” are comparable to “angels,” even though “Try” attempts to start off with the soundboard rather than guitars. however, this is probably the only track that sounds different than the rest, which, after listening to coexist entirely, made me realize that much of the sounds we saw in xx are repeated in coexist, but this time, they are much less groundbreaking because we have heard them before. in a sophomore album, fans usually want to hear something they have never heard before. There was no moment where i stepped back and thought to myself, “ramy and oliver have done it again.” There wasn’t a song that i needed to have constantly on repeat like i found with numerous tracks off of like their first album, including “crystalized,” “islands,” and “vcr.”

Sure, “Sunset” gives us those same relatable lyrics like, “i always thought it was sad / The way we act like strangers / after all that we had / we act like we had never met before,” but where is that chord progression afterwards that makes me want to take my heart and throw it at the guy who broke it? That’s what’s missing for me throughout most of the album.

“Swept away,” one of my favorite tracks, after “angels” was the one where i almost got the emotion i can usually count on in listening to The xx. beginning slowly, i think it will be like all the others, but then Jamie xx injects a new sound from the sampler that i wish he’d done on the rest of the album. Then the track breaks from being melancholy to becoming to, dare i say it, upbeat.

biTch \’bich\ — a deSire To be bruTallY honeST and obTain a deFianT, unaPPealinG aTTiTude ThaT iS conSequenTlY and unForTunaTelY miSconSTrued aS a hormonal imbalance

disclaimer #1: This article uses swear words. if you don’t like them, don’t read this. disclaimer #2: any information revealed in this article is personal and factual. This article is not intended to insult anyone. So, female feminists put your claws away. if in anyway, you find similarities to the type of individual being described, then, please take a moment to laugh at yourself. however, please do not claim that the article is about you because it’s not. it’s about me—and what i think about you.

gramhipstah/indie-rockwannabe/alternative) or whatever.

True story: i actually saw fun. in concert in like 2010 at the house of blues. They were playing with motion city Soundtrack, Sing it loud and a rocket to the moon.

Yeah. and you can say whatever you want about those bands, but um, even then, the crowd was not having “fun” when they got on stage. People were booing them, and even though i felt bad for them, i really hated their music then. and the feelings are still mutual. i cannot believe that they’ve crept up to billboard’s Top 100. Gross. oh, also, i met a dude who told me, and i quote, “Pop punk is the music of our generation.” Someone needs to tell that guy that Fob and cute is what we aim For called it quits. Paramore’s haley williams became a bitch,

The biTch in The corner

by Mandie

So, i did a three-fer. went out Thursday to mourn the bears loss, Friday to celebrate the end of the week and Saturday just for shits and gigs. all three days, i heard “Some nights” and “we are Young” by Fun., and i cannot believe people dance and sing along to those songs. i don’t know if it was because people genuinely like that song and are even more inclined to sing along to it because they can blame on being under the influence, but i can’t stand it. i literally stopped dancing, stepped to the side, took a sip of my crannie-v and became the bitch in the corner. Thank you Fueledbyramen for promoting a hybrid band (insta-

it just oozes nostalgic goodness for this good-looking and overall awesome 20-year-old. what a beautiful decade for music, especially punk rock. most people remember Green day, The offspring, less Than Jake, etc. but when i think back, i think of Sicko, a Seattle band that formed in 1991.

Think ramones and early Green day aka dookie, except grittier, faster-paced, poppy and minus the ‘90s grunge. i highly recommend listening to the trio’s album “laugh while You Still can monkey boy” as it is just jam packed with songs that will have you jumping around—and i’m being serious here—dancing to. Sicko made these

and well, 2006 was six years ago. Pop punk kind of died, especially when all Time low 1) came out with “For baltimore” this year, and 2) alex Gaskarth accidentally burnt his hair to a crisp with his con-air straightener and shrunk his xxS tight jeans which unfortunately accentuated his 25-year-old beer belly. also, new Found Glory is completely irrelevant now, along with Yellowcard. Give it up.

So, moral of the story, don’t listen to fun. and pop punk is dead. have a bitchin’ week. hope monday’s menstrual flow doesn’t give you hell.

silly, upbeat songs that you could really dance to at a college party. if Sicko would have caught on a little bit more, instead of Green day and nirvana, the world may have also been saved from the likes of the emo scene. any world is better without the likes of that Skrillex guy’s (Sonny moore’s) old band, From First to last, screaming at me. and don’t get me started on Fall out boy. Just ew! and if bands like Sicko had gained more mainstream success, or even broader fringe success, the music world would be a much different place.

So go ahead. Give yourself a nice nostalgic boost, and listen to

Sicko’s “bad Year.” it will make you happy, even if you are having a bad year and realizing that our generation of music (ahem, dubstep, i’m calling you out) really sucks. don’t worry, my little minions, i will continue to work my butt off and bring you halfway decent music. balls out.

viva la 90’S: michael moore’S GoT noThinG on ThiS

by Dan James Broderick

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Topping an album that nPr claimed album of the Year in 2009, which included songs that made two appearances on Pitchfork’s Top 500 Tracks of the 2000’s, and that moved your band forward enough to make fan s and critics alike anticipate what is next, can be tough to do for a rookie maybe. however, Grizzly bear has taken that pressure and turned it into making an album that can compete with their last album, “veckatimest.”

They released their fourth album, “Shields,” on September 17th and it has definitely lived up to the hype. it is obvious throughout Shields that the members of Grizzly bear, daniel rossen (guitar), ed droste (omnichord), chris Taylor (bass guitar), and christopher bear (drums), still kept some of the same style of “veckatimest,” while adding a little flair. This is reassuring because it shows that a band like Grizzly bear can experience the success of one album, yet not let that success hinder them from trying something new. Grizzly bear has continued on their path of progression in their sound, vocals, and lyrics.

“Shields” begins with a song called “Sleeping ute,” a reference

to the native american tribe, with a hard guitar and rock sound. (i don’t really see the connection between the tribe, the lyrics, or the sound, but it works). immediately you know this is Grizzly bear 2012. now, i expected this awesome, harder rock sound to continue throughout the album, but we’re thrown a whole new kind of sound in “Speak in rounds” with a more electronic, almost auto-tuned sound at the beginning of the track.

This is unexpected of Grizzly bear, but a pleasant surprise nonetheless. it then goes into a one-minute interlude that continues the electronic track playing under the guitars. The sound changes when “Yet again” begins to play and we are brought back to the rock-like sound, but it is reminiscent of a song we would have heard from a band of the 80’s. it’s different but it works and it is great. The next track, “The hunt,” is one of the closest tracks to the sound that we heard in “veckatimest” for certain. it’s slower, softer, and sadder than a majority of the songs we hear on “Shields.” one of my favorite songs on the album, if not my favorite, has to be “a Simple answer.” it has a piano playing throughout the song

to a beat that makes you unable to refrain from tapping your toes and moving back-and-forth. The lyrics, however, don’t really correlate to the upbeat undertones of the song. “when all you hope is that everything breaks/no wrong or right/ Just do whatever you like.” This odd paradox of music and lyrics makes it hard not to fall in love with this track. after two mediocre tracks, i fall in love again with “Gun Shy.” it reminds me of “Tame impala,” but Grizzly bear does a great job of incorporating that type of electronic sound, yet making it unique and their own that makes it hard to compare to other bands who can’t quite do the same thing.

Grizzly band ends the album on a high-note with the seven-minute epic that is “Sun in Your eyes.” we get a compilation of everything new and old that we have heard from Grizzly bear, and it ends the album on such good terms that although i remember not particularly falling in love with all of the tracks from “Shields,” i can’t help but say that Grizzly bear has created another well-made album to add to the warp and Kanine records’ collections.

GrizzlY bear haS done iT aGain

by Taylor

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TeenYboPPer TaKeover They defined our childhood, and i’m bringing back the days of portable cd players, cassette tapes and walkmans. The pioneers of teenybopper music put carly rae Jepsen and Justin bieber to shame with their massive followings, r&b-infused backtracks and glittery metallic pants. This is a playlist dedicated to 90’s pop…

1 “wannabe” by the Spice Girls (1996) unless you were living under a rock this summer and missed the 2012 london olympics closing ceremony, you missed the Second coming of girl groups. This teenybopper anthem of friendship and girl power had the olympic stadium partying like it was 1996, royalty and citizens alike.

New Releases

2 “all Star” by Smash mouth (1999) i have a scarring childhood memory of air drumming to “all Star” at a “music video” themed birthday party. it was put on tape. i didn’t even like the song, yet i knew (and still know) all of the words. needless to say, this song was everYwhere in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. as the intro song to the 2001 Shrek movie and a music video featuring comedians ben Stiller and dane cook, “all Star” got some major attention on both radio and Tv.

babel mumFord & SonS

3 “Take me There” by mya, blackstreet, mase and blinky blink (1998) if you don’t recognize the first five seconds of this song, then you had no childhood. The tingling xylophones should instantly bring up memories of reptar, plastic screwdrivers and that creepy cynthia doll. as one of the best nickelodeon cartoons, rugrats was life until 2004; then that “all Grown up!” spin-off happened, and dill could talk. but the movies are still awesome.

cruel Summer G.o.o.d. muSic

4 “baby one more Time” by britney Spears (1999) even as an upcoming artist, britney was the queen bee of pop stars in the late ‘90s with this famous song. Somehow getting away with that skimpy school-girl uniform, the music icon belted her heart out and captured the attention of pop listeners everywhere, successfully killing her competition.

Sorry, xtina.

baTTle born The KillerS

i beT on SKY dinoSaur Jr.

5 “always be my baby” by mariah carey (1998) This wouldn’t be a ‘90s playlist without some old school mariah on it. in this songbird’s prime, “always be my baby” was one of the most overplayed songs of the late ‘90s. memories of butchering this song with your car radio, boombox and cassette tapes usually come while listening to this song and trying to keep up with mc’s larger-than-life pipes.

6 “Tearin’ up my heart” by *nSYnc (1998) before their major hit “bye bye bye,” this boy band was known for this r&b-inspired hit with baggy pants and synchronized singing by all of the boys (not just Justin Timberlake and Jc). This classic shows the more soulful talent of *nSYnc before they became “mainstream.” and developed better dance moves.

by Imani Brooks

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SPORTS

ARC BALLERS OF THE MONTH

BY DANIEL BRODERICK

Name: Christian Manaois

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DANIEL BRODERICK

Baller Nickname: Twinkle Toes

Name: Christian Manaois Baller Nickname: Twinkle Toes Age: 20 Year: Junior Height: 5’ 10” Weight: 140 lbs Position: PG, combo guard Playing Style: Playmaker/Slasher Usual Balling Time: 9 to 11 @ the ARC Likes: Exotic girls, driving to the hole, Emma Watson, Nintendo, crazy layups Dislikes: Sweaty and stinky players, cramping after playing tennis and eating a double cheeseburger and fried chicken, not being with Emma Watson, diarrhea Strengths: Speed, pick and roll, driving, dribble and shoot, second chance points, hustle Weaknesses: Spot up 3-pointers, post game, size, slightly turnover prone

Name:

Baller Nick

Name: Mike Vahldick Baller Nickname: Al Bundy

DANIEL BRODERICK Name: Mike Vahldick Baller Nickname: Al Bundy Age: 20 Year: Junior Height: 6’3” Weight: 190lbs Position: Power Forward Playing Style: Bruiser Usual Balling Time: 10pm-12 @ ARC or after he destroys his homework Likes: Country music, a girl named Hannah, Super Smash Bros., poop talk, pasta Dislikes: Getting tea-bagged, condoms, losing, getting fouled, missing easy layups Strengths: Power post play, rebounding, defense, blocking shots, pick and roll Weaknesses: Perimeter game, misses easy layups from time-to-time

: Matt Banks

DANIEL BRODERICK

kname: Big Money

Name: Matt Banks Baller Nickname: Big Money Age: 20 Year: Junior Height: 6’2” Weight: 170lbs Position: Small Forward/Power Forward Playing Style: Garbage Man Usual Balling Time: Whenever he feels like it Likes: Oklahoma, Playing Pokémon, Social Girl, dunking on bros, throwing up in dormitory hallways Dislikes: Forgetting how to dunk, playing defense, people yelling at him for how good he is Strengths: Cutting, picks, makes every 3 pointer, rebounding, defense, inside game, intangibles Weaknesses: Creating own shot, dribbling, may make a boneheaded play once in a while, forgets who is on his team, oversized for a forward

Name: Vince Redman Baller Nickname: The Artist

Name: Vince Redman Baller Nickname: The Artist Age: 20 Year: Sophomore Height: 6’1 Weight: 170lbs Position: Small Forward Playing Style: Slasher/Playmaker Usual Balling Time: Whenever his friends drag him to play Likes: Drawing things, his friends, making cool sculptures, making a fool out of you Dislikes: Food at the Ike, stupidity, Linguistics class, big meanies, getting super schwasted Strengths: Creating own shot, defensive stopper, mid-range game, fast break, attacks the basket, passing, dunking Weaknesses: Post up game, perimeter shooting

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Disney

Scott Gantner’S

SPORTS MOVIE

AWARDS

Now is the time to solve the most important sports debates that no one may really be debating. With so many great films to choose from, let’s award some individual honors to celebrate the superb suspension of disbelief in these fine films.

Best Trailer The Rookie - The best moment

in all Disney sports trailers is when the old baseball coach stands in front of a traffic speed limit radar and throws a fastball right past it. It reads, “76 MPH.” He sighs and walks past the sign to go get the ball, then all of the sudden, the lights flicker and then read, “96 MPH.” Its inspirational, magical, and ridiculous, which are all reasons why I love these movies.

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Best Quote (Honorable Mention) Brink “Skate. Better.”

(Runner Up) Miracle - “‘Why do you play college hockey?’ ‘Isn’t it obvious? For the girls.’”

(Winner) The Sandlot - “You play ball like a girl!”

Most Delightfully Insane Premise (Runner Up) Air Bud 2: Golden Receiver - A dog plays football.

You might think that makes it deserving of the number one spot, but…

(Winner) Eddie’s Million Dollar Cook-Off - Eddie is a star baseball player, and everyone, especially his dad, expects him to use his talents to get a scholarship.But it turns out that Eddie has a deep, dark secret. He loves to cook. For reasons unknown, this causes him to become the laughing stock of the town, despite the fact that he is a finalist in a contest to win a million dollars.

Best Cheer (Obvious Winner) The Mighty Ducks - “QUACK! QUACK! QUACK! QUACK!” Most Forced “Emotional” Moment The Mighty Ducks - Coach Bombay gets word that the whole team starting quacking at their school’s principal until

she got scared and ran out of the classroom. He then proudly proclaims, “Are we Ducks or what?”

Most Genuinely Emotional “Emotional” Moment Remember The Titans - Julius shows up at the hospital frantically searching for Gerry Bertier. The coach grabs him and says that it’s not looking good. Gerry is paralyzed.

Julius slowly enters Gerry’s room. He’s frightened to see the broken body of his best friend, frightened to witness the weakened spirits of a great leader, and frightened to see the downfall of a man he considered invincible. Genuinely emotional.

Most Xenophobic Message D2: The Mighty Ducks (the last Mighty Ducks one, I swear) - In just 106 minutes, a children’s hockey movie changed America’s attitude toward Icelandic people from utter indifference to jingoistic fear.

Least Believable Sports Action High School Musical - The basketball scenes in this film are astonishing, and about as believable as Donald Trump’s hair-piece.

Best Sports Scene The Incredibles - Not exactly a sports movie, but this one has some fantastic scenes.

During the big battle, Frozone is ice skating down the middle of the street, throwing ice in front of him with each stride. It looks awesome, and he also happens to be voiced

by Samuel L. Jackson. That reminds me, he also qualifies for one of the best quotes, “Where’s my supersuit?!?...

You tell me where my suit is,

woman!!!” Also, at the end of the movie, Dash is shown at a track meet. He starts the race off by gaining a big lead (not surprisingly), then slows down to avoid suspicion that he has superpowers, but falls into last before finally motoring through the final stretch to get second place. There better be an Incredibles 2 someday.

Best Potential For a Mashup Sequel The Justice Tweens - In the style of The Avengers, Benji from The Sandlot will organize a ragtag group of minor sporting heroes to fight the escaped rogue robots from Real Steel.

He will pool together talent including Henry Rowengartner from Rookie of the Year, Dave Heinrich from H-E Double Hockey Sticks, Secretariat from Secretariat, Johnny Tsunami from Johnny Tsunami, The Beast from Beauty and the Beast, and The Beast from The Sandlot.

A fun montage set to a

surprisingly catchy tune plays of the whole group forcing themselves into a pair of PF Flyers. The Justice Tweens come together as a team incredibly fast, ultimately face a supremely difficult challenge, and through sheer determination, grit, hope, good looks and dumb luck, they will achieve victory. In short, it will be the best Disney sports movie ever.

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PLAYOFF C

ommissioner Bud Selig is enjoying exactly what he envisioned when he added an extra playoff spot in each league: more tight, intriguing pennant races.

Though it’s just one extra team in each league, the quest for October has proven to be neck and neck, giving small-market teams more incentive to spend before baseball’s July 31 trading deadline. It also gives more fans a reason to come out to the ballpark.

This means more money for the baseball owners. And the long-term, multimillion-dollar deals with national TV partners – ESPN, Fox Sports and Turner – don’t hurt.

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ake a look at the American League this year. The division races have been unprecedented, certainly reviving some fan bases. Granted the Red Sox have disappointed under first-year manager Bobby Valentine, and the Rays have underachieved.

“But this is about reviving the game of baseball, especially if the season continues to remain 162 games.”

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ut the Orioles could have a chance to make the postseason for the first time in 15 years, and the Athletics have revitalized After it was announced early this year that the themselves in the second half. This has made league-worst Astros would be moving to the all three division races competitive in midAmerican League and an extra wild-card spot September. would be added, it was met by questions from ccording to a data analysis by Deadspin, baseball purists, regarding 2012 playoff and the 2012 American League season is 2013 regular season scheduling. the closest race among the top-seven teams I don’t blame them. But this is about reviving based on winning percentage since the the game of baseball, especially if the season inception of the wild card in 1995. continues to remain 162 games.

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REVIEW

By Darshan Patel

On July 31, the Blue Jays were sitting in last place in their division but just 4 1/2 games behind the Angels for the league’s last wild card. That “eliminated” four teams from the playoff picture at that point. And on Sept. 1, seven of the league’s 14 teams were within three games of a playoff spot.

That’s a pretty good ratio after five months of baseball. So it only makes sense to add an extra wild card in each league, which would allow more teams to compete for the playoffs.

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ut don’t give all the credit to Selig’s system. There have been close races … like last year. The Rays – after coming back against the Yankees – edged out the Red Sox for the final spot in the payoffs. es, that dramatic day wouldn’t have really mattered. But how often do those days happen, in which the final bid is decided on the last day? Not to mention on game-tying home runs and walk-off hits. That’s a once-ina-decade event — if you’re lucky.

With an extra wild card, fans will be in for a better treat: An elimination game to start the playoffs, every year. Though it will put the wild card winners at an even more disadvantage going into the Division Series because of juggling the pitching rotation, it can’t hurt the attendance figures or the TV ratings.

“With an extra wild card, fans will be in for a better treat...”

After all, the fans are the true winners in this.

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Copyright Š JAMS, University of Illinois