Pulse Magazine - November 2013

NOVEMBER 2013 DERBY DIVAS

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12

CONSOLE WARS

15

PULSE HIT LIST

16

SILVER SCREEN

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A LOOK AT THE ’LOO PULSE 1

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2 PULSE

CONTENTS SUGARPLUM SWEETNESS

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The Minnesota ballet, along with some talented dancers from the Cedar Valley, will present The Nutcracker at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.

EDUCATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT

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A DOSE OF OOH LA LA

ITS ON LIKE DONKEY KONG It’s a face-off between Sony and Microsoft as the PS4 and Xbox One launch this month. And check out what we thought of the new Pokemon and Wind Waker HD.

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The Michael J. Fox Show enlightens as it entertains, featuring Fox as a Parkinson’s patient who has returned to the workplace. Heartwarming hilarity ensues.

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ANGELIC LITTLE DEVIL Parker Millsap was raised in a Pentecostal church in the Bible belt, but his strut on stage suggests there’s a bad boy somewhere behind the choir robe.

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Cedar Falls band Dylan Sires & Neighbors has released a new album.

Pulse music reviewer Aaron McNally gives Someone a big thumbs up.

The sexy allure of Burlesque is coming to the Adler Theatre. Got a little shimmy in your shake? Break out your fishnet stockings and enter the shimmy contest.

An award-winning product of Courier Communications, P.O. Box 540, 100 E. Fourth St., Waterloo, IA 50703.

waterloo

November 2013

Issue No. 110

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dubuque

THAT'S

WHAT'S UP I’ve played many banjos. Some ring like a bell. Others sound like rubber bands strung over a garbage can.

Played inside a toilet.

When I saw Jim Wehrmacher’s trash can banjo — literally made out of a trash can — I thought it would sound closer to the latter. Instead, it had a mellow, blended tone. One lesson from that experience is don’t judge a book by its cover.

Another lesson is the value of leaving Iowa. Jim is an Iowa native and returned home to build instruments, but he can do that because of skills he learned in Minnesota and experiences he had with other instrument builders and a plethora of alt-folk players in Colorado.

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When people return to Iowa, they bring a new perspective and new skills with them. Instead of focusing on how to keep young people here, perhaps the conversation should be steered toward bringing people back. When they do, they bring a little of the rest of the world with them.

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Pulse Writer

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PULSE 3

Sound

craftsman JOHN MOLSEED | PULSE WRITER

W

hen Jim Wehrmacher goes to a thrift store, he shops with his eyes and ears. He combs through bins and shelves for items with enough of a voice to have a second life as a musical instrument.

For Wehrmacher, owner of JW Custom Instruments, a thrift store also can be an instrument supply store.

After earning a philosophy degree at University of Northern Iowa, Wehrmacher studied musical instrument building and repair at Southeast Tech in Red Wing, Minn. While living in Colorado, he went to a thrift store for some inspiration.

“I hadn’t built anything for a couple of years,” he said. “I went to a thrift store and tapped on things until something rang back at me.”

The result was a soup pot banjo. Since then, he has moved back to Cedar Falls to concentrate on building instruments. In about a yearand-a-half, he has built more than 20 other stringed instruments.

Wehrmacher said he builds two tiers of instruments. His higher-end creations are built from scratch using a combination of lumber he either finds or claims at the wood recycling dump on Falls Avenue in Waterloo. He also buys some exotic wood specifically for building instruments.

“I like the idea of using all domestic woods,” he said. “But as an artist, there are too many colors that just don’t grow here.”

His other instruments are the result of creative re-use of other items. In a recent project, he turned a military water can into a stand-up bass. More than half a dozen cookie tins have become banjos or banjo-style six-string guitars, even a ukulele.

Some of the hardware also comes from recycled items. His recent run of can instruments feature a tail piece made from a section of a vegetable steamer.

4 PULSE

“I saw (the steamer) at a thrift store and said, ‘hey that’s 20 tail pieces for a dollar,’” he said.

Ideas come almost as fast as objects he finds.

At any given time, Wehrmacher has multiple projects in various stages of completion and a pile of potential instrument parts. He pointed to the rough body of an unfinished cedar telecaster-style electric guitar.

“It’s super old, super dry,” he said of the wood, which came from the siding of his old house.

Wehrmacher got his first experience working on a musical instrument after his dog damaged his guitar. Later, his mother bought him an antique tenor banjo that was in pieces. Cedar Valley stringed instrument builder and musician Leo Amway helped walk him through reconstructing the banjo. Although Wehrmacher first built guitars as he learned to craft instruments, he turned his skills toward mostly building banjos.

“I build them because I love banjos — it’s that simple,” he said, adding early banjos were built using various methods and materials before they became more uniform today.

“They used to be a lot more experimental,” he said. “That, unfortunately, has mostly ceased.”

As a short term goal, Wehrmacher said he wants to upgrade from his basement workshop to one with windows. Long term, he said he hopes to make instrument building into a living. The work is satisfying but constant, he added.

“Anybody who is a successful builder of anything, they work hard and rarely do they get rich off it,” he said.

Some of his works are built on commission.

Others are built on inspiration. He has instruments for sale locally at Bob’s Guitars in Cedar Falls and at Luke’s Music Stop in Waterloo.

“Anybody who is a successful builder of anything, they work hard and rarely do they get rich off it.”

PHOTOS BY BRANDON POLLOCK | PULSE PHOTOGRAPHER

PULSE 5

THE NUTCRACKER NUTCRACKER NUTCRACKER NUTCRACKER NUTCRACKER NUTCRACKER

SHUTTERSTOCK, COURTESY PHOTOS

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NOVEMBER 22, 23, 24

Upcoming shows at

The HuB

More than 100 local dancers will join the Minnesota Ballet for several performances of The Nutcracker at the GallagherBluedorn Performing Arts Center in November.

This timeless ballet returns to GBPAC to kick off the holiday season. The spirit of the holidays comes to life around the story of Clara, a young girl who receives the Nutcracker as a gift. The Nutcracker then comes to life before your eyes in Clara’s enchanted dreams of princes, princesses, sugarplums and toy soldiers.

With Tchaikovsky’s memorable score, colorful scenery, gorgeous costumes and world-class ballet performances, The Nutcracker is a must-see for the holiday season.

‘The Nutcracker’

by Minnesota Ballet Friday, Nov. 22 @ 7:30 PM Saturday, Nov. 23 @ 2 PM Sunday, Nov. 24 @ 2 PM GBPAC, Cedar Falls gbpac.com

25 OCT

6PM 10PM

THE SNOZZBERRIES THE SEQUELS

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JUSTIN ADAMS

8 NOV

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BOB DORR & THE BLUE BAND 10PM PORK TORNADOES

13 NOV

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UNI JAZZ COMBOS

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HARPER & MIDWEST KIND

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WICKED ANDERSON’S PRE-THANKSGIVING BASH!

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PULSE 7

‘Michael J. Fox Show’ entertains, raises awareness JAMES FRAZIER | PULSE WRITER

Chris Cochran, a 45-year-old maintenance engineer at Hormel Foods in Traer, first noticed symptoms 10 years ago while at a concert with his wife. For no discernible reason, his right hand shook.

“We chalked it up to excitement,” said Cochran, who watched as the shaking got worse over time. Countless doctor visits and medicine combinations later, a diagnosis was confirmed: He had Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease afflicts as many as 1 million Americans, with some 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year, according to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. Parkinson’s is a movement disorder caused by the “malfunction and death of vital nerve cells in the brain, called neurons,” says the PDF. Incidence of Parkinson’s increases with age, but an estimated 4 percent of people with PD are diagnosed before the age of 50.

Such was the case for actor Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed in 1991 at

age 30. He first noticed symptoms son’s disease.

“What he has done speaks volwhile promoting Back to the Future Part III in 1990. He waited seven years af- umes,” said Cochran about Fox. “Peoter his diagnosis to go public with the ple who have had no experience with Parkinson’s can see what he is doing, information.

Today, the actor is going even fur- and then in turn be understanding and supportther with a ive.” new sitcom Fox’s show on NBC. In People who have had no does immeaThe Michael J. Fox Show, Fox experience with Parkinson’s surable good toward pubportrays a popular New can see what he is doing, and lic perception of Parkinson’s York City news anchor then in turn be understanding sufferers in raising awarewho goes back ness, said Terto work after and supportive. ry Hertges of a Parkinson’s Elk Run Heights. disease-induced early retirement.

“It helps people to know that, yes, Episodes so far have gotten rave reviews for their honest depictions you can live a full life with Parkinof the hardships of living with Par- son’s,” she said.

Hertges, a former hospital supervikinson’s disease while featuring plots dealing with familiar sitcom territory sor, runs a Parkinson’s support group.

-- family, friends and career. In other One day she was playing a video game words, concerns that are universal with a friend and found herself unto everyone, with or without Parkin- able to press the controller’s button

quickly. Before long, a neurologist had diagnosed her with Parkinson’s.

“I had a tremor for a long time,” she said. “At first I was told that I was too young for Parkinson’s disease.”

The disease can be difficult to diagnose, as there is no specific test for it.

And while there’s no cure for Parkinson’s, there are treatments that can improve a patient’s quality of life. Cochran has had deep brain stimulation surgery. Surgeons implanted a device that sends out electrical signals to his brain, which has reduced his symptoms.

For Hertges, the joy of family, a sense of humor and a positive, deliberately upbeat attitude have helped her through the tough times. Adding The Michael J. Fox Show to her arsenal has also helped.

“It shows that if you know someone with Parkinson’s, you don’t have to treat them differently or avoid the subject,” she said.

The Michael J. Fox Show airs at 8:30 p.m. Thursdays on NBC.

NBC PHOTO

8 PULSE

Put $50 and a Samsung in your pocket.

Get a $50 bonus this fall on select Samsung Smartphones at U.S. Cellular!

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IN GOOD CEDAR FALLS Beck’s Sports Grill | American, Sports Bar 2210 College St., Cedar Falls 319-277-2646 Hours: Open daily at 11 am www.barmuda.com Featuring Beck's homemade microbrews, voted best burger, locally owned restaurant, sports bar and place to play pool in the Cedar Valley.

Bourbon Street | American, Cajun and Creole 119 Main St., Cedar Falls 319-266-5285 Hours: Monday - Saturday 4 - 10 pm www.barmuda.com Bourbon Street is a step off of Main Street into the French Quarter featuring Certified Black Angus steaks and delicious seafood complimented by an extensive wine list.

WATERLOO

Ferrari’s Ristorante | American and Italian 1521 Technology Pkwy., Cedar Falls 319-277-1385 Hours: Monday - Friday 11 am - 10 pm Saturday 4 - 10 pm www.barmuda.com Ferrari's features only the finest steaks, freshest seafood and authentic Italian fare.

Offering light, quick lunch options along with an extensive dinner menu and wine list.

(319) 352-6200

After $50 Switcher Bonus that comes as a MasterCard® Debit Card. Applicable Data Plan, Device Protection+, new 2-year agmt, and $35 activation fee required.

Ginger Thai Cuisine | Authentic Thai Food 111 W. 2nd Street, Cedar Falls 319-266-2150 Hours: Monday - Saturday 11 am - 3 pm, 5 - 9 pm; Sunday 10 am - 4 pm facebook.com/ginger-thai-cuisine Authentic thai cuisine offering lunch and dinner options. Appetizers, entrees, desserts and express menu for a quick lunch. A variety of flavors from coconut, fresh lemongrass, ginger, tofu and vegetables. Take-out and delivery available.

Soho Sushi Bar & Deli The Stuffed Olive | Deli, Sushi, Tapas, Martinis 119 Main St., Cedar Falls 319-266-9995 Hours: Monday - Saturday at 11 am www.barmuda.com Fresh made sushi and deli sandwiches, salads and paninis combined with globally inspired tapas dishes and over 100 different martinis.

Homemade cookies made from scratch daily!

The Lone Wolf | Bar, Restaurant 777 Isle of Capri Blvd., Waterloo Guerilla Brewing/Lava Lounge | 319-833-2157 Microbrewery and Bar Hours: Monday-Friday-Breakfast 7:00 am - 10:30 pm 2401 Falls Ave., Waterloo Sunday-Thursday 11:30 am - 1:00 am 319-234-5686 Friday & Saturday - 11:30 am - 2:00 am Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 am - 9 pm One of the area’s only microbreweries! Voted best burger, locally Karaoke - Wednesday 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm A double brown ale and an imperial American pale ale were the owned restaurant and sports bar in the CedarValley. Featuring Howl Hour 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Monday - Thursday steaks, pastas, seafood, sandwiches and our famous chicken tortilla first two to debut; other varieties will follow depending on the $2.00 drafts & domestic beers and food specials soup. season. None of the brews will be less than 7% alcohol. www.waterloo.isleofcapricasinos.com Whether you feel like getting food to go or plan to stay a while,The ® Otis and Henry’s Bar and Grill | Lone Wolf is sure to please. We have mouth-watering food and thirstquenching drinks with an atmosphere unlike any other.

Bar and Grill Southtown Bar & Restaurant | 777 Isle of Capri Blvd., Waterloo American 319-833-2241 2026 Bopp St., Waterloo Rudy’s Tacos | Hours: Tuesday - Saturday open at 5 pm 319-236-9112 Mexican Closed Sunday and Monday Hours: 7 am - 10:30 pm, bar open later 2401 Falls Ave., Waterloo www.waterloo.isleofcapricasinos.com www.southtownwaterloo.com 319-234-5686 Located next to Witham Ford behind Golf Headquarters. Stop Combines the comfort of a neighborhood bar and grill with the Hours: Monday - Saturday 11 am - 9 pm www.rudystacos.com in for the great broasted chicken or fresh-made pork tenderloin. favorites of a steakhouse. Choose from the delicious pastas, Rudy’s uses local ingredients through the Northern Iowa Food sandwiches, salads, steaks, fish and more. and Farm Partnership’s Buy Fresh/Buy Local program.

PRICING GUIDE (per entrée)

Beck’s Sports Brewery | American, Microbrewery 3295 University Ave., Waterloo 319-234-4333 Hours: Open daily at 11 am www.barmuda.com

|

$10

$20

$30

Hilton Garden Inn | Conference Center 7213 Nordic Dr., Cedar Falls 319-266-6611 New Hilton opened in 2012, elegant dining and entertaining of Hilton standards. Full service hotel with Ballroom seating up to 350 people. Garden Grille Restaurant and Bar open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as large exterior patios with firepits.

Full service dining on site, Chefs with banquet menus and banquet bars available.

Deposits and minimums required, full payment required prior to event. Guest room blocks available.

$40+ PULSE 9

Risque business Find your shimmy or enjoy the shimmy of others at the Inaugural Iowa Burlesque Festival Nov. 23 and 24 at the Adler Theatre in Davenport.

The Inaugural Iowa Burlesque Festival will feature an impressive line-up of premiere names in burlesque, including the legendary Queen of Burlesque Tempest Storm, Perle Noire and LouLou D’vil, the Burlesque Hall of Fame’s Reigning Queen of Burlesque 2013 (Miss Exotic). For a full listing of perform-

SAT OCT 26

FRI NOV 1 SAT NOV 2

TUE NOV 5 THU NOV 7 FRI NOV 8 SAT NOV 9

THU NOV 14 FRI NOV 15 SAT NOV 16

THU NOV 21 FRI NOV 22 SAT NOV 23

WED NOV 27 FRI NOV 29 SAT NOV 30 SAT DEC 7

MOTLEY CRÜE (KNUCKLEHEAD) AC/DC (MOTHER LOVIN TRUCKERS) THE CLASH BY THE SANDANISTAS LED ZEPPELIN (WALKING DEAD ZEPPELIN) ROLLING STONES (DIME STORE HOOKERS) THE RAMONES (DWELLERS OF THE TWILIGHT VOID) THE MISFITS (GRAVE CORP) YELLOW WOLF (CHEESUS) 8 PM 5$ COSTUME CONTEST AS WELL 98 GREENWOOD 9PM 5$ GRAVE CORP PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS 9PM 5$ COMEDY NIGHT FEATURING DON TJERNAGLE 9PM NO COVER KARAOKE 9PM TWINS SAPWOODS 12 YEAR ANNIVERSARY BASH LOCAL H MY GOD THE HEAT 8 FOUNDEAD HAZER MORE TBA 8PM $10 ADV $12 DOS KARAOKE 9PM HIGHER GROUND 8PM NO COVER BENEFIT FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BANDS AND DETAILS TBA 9PM 5$ KARAOKE 9PM SNOZZBERRIES 8PM NO COVERS SMILE EMPTY SOUL MISTAKEN FOR HALOS 8PM 10$ PRE THANKSGIVING BASH DETAILS TBA FREE RANGE MEDICINE 9PM NO COVER ILLEGAL SMILE 9PM 5$ HOUSE OF LARGE SIZES 8 PM 10$

3555 University Ave Waterloo 287-5747

WWW.THEREVERB.NET 10 PULSE

COURTNEY COLLINS | PULSE PHOTOGRAPHER

ing artists, please visit iowaburlesquefestival.blogspot. com.

The burlesque contest, Shimmy Baby Shake Off, will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. Want to compete? Find an application at iowaburlesquefestival. blogspot.com.

Queens of A Peel, a headliner show on Nov. 23 will feature some of the leading burlesque artists in the world. Festivities will conclude with the Please, Have Mercy! awards show, highlighting new headliner sets and winners of the Shimmy Baby Shake Off, on Nov. 24.

For the ultimate event experience, VIP all-access tickets are available. The VIP ticket holder will gain entry into every show, as well as the private VIP After Party on Nov.

24.  The VIP After Party will feature musical guests Ingrid Lucia and Davina and the Vagabonds.

Iowa Burlesque Festival Adler Theatre, Davenport Shimmy Baby Shake Off Saturday, Nov. 23 @ 6 PM, $15 & $25 Queens of A Pee Saturday, Nov. 23 @10 PM, $45 & $55 Please, Have Mercy!

Sunday, Nov. 24 @ 7 PM, $35 & $45 VIP all-access festival ticket, $102 ticketmaster.com | (800) 745-3000

SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO

DERBY DIVAS Cedar Valley Push-Up Brawlers vs. Des Moines Derby Dames Saturday, Nov. 2 @ 7 PM McElroy Auditorium, Waterloo $8 advance | $10 door nationalcattlecongress.com

PULSE 11

The battle for control of your living room is on.

Well, it’s been on for a spell already, with the potshots back and forth and the fanboys fanning the flames. But now the rubber hits the road as the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 meet their street dates within a week of each other. Here’s a look at how they stack up, Street Fighter style.

NOV 22

NOV 15

HD: 500 GB Comes with: Xbox One controller, new Kinect Second Screen: A smartphone or tablet via SmartGlass Price: $499.99 Exclusive launch titles: Forza Motorsport 5, Ryse: Son of Rome, Dead Rising 3, Killer Instinct

Call of Duty: Ghosts What can I say? If you’re gonna get it, you’re gonna get it, and if you’re not, you’re not. I don’t think a lot of people are on the fence about a game like this.

PC, PS3, Wii U, X360; Nov. 5.

Launch titles on both systems: FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25, NBA 2K14, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Battlefield 4, Just Dance 2014, NBA Live 14, Need for Speed Rivals, Skylanders Swap Force, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, Call of Duty: Ghosts

HD: 500 GB Comes with: DualShock 4 controller, mono headset Second Screen: PlayStation Vita Price: $399.99 Exclusive launch titles: Knack, Resogun, Killzone: Shadow Fall

While the E3 announcement may have seemed a little blah, there’s a lot packed into Mario’s latest adventure, like the 3-D multiplayer, shadow stages, wearable Bullet Bill blocks, clone-creating cherries — oh, and the CAT SUIT. MROW!

NOV 22 FOR: Wii U

Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus There’s some sort of inter-dimensional chicanery going on. On the bright side, it’s a chance for Clank to alter gravity and manipulate objects to solve new platforming puzzles.

NOV 19

PS3; Nov. 12.

This is officially billed as a sequel to A Link to the Past; talk about some big shoes to fill. Instead of the Dark World, Link jumps between Hyrule and Lorule (Get it? Get it?) by turning into a drawing and creeping along walls.

FOR: 3DS, PS3, Wii U, X360

ALAN SIMMER | PULSE WRITER

Finn and Jake are back with all the wacky residents of Ooo in a new dungeon-crawler.

If you do real good, maybe we’ll make you an Everything Burrito.

NOV 22 FOR: 2DS, 3DS

Pokemon X, Y take series in a new direction ALAN SIMMER | PULSE WRITER

I

have a confession to make: I’ve never caught ’em all.

I remember classmates whipping out their Game Boys and link cables during lunch in junior high, but I didn’t get my hands on a copy of Pokemon (Blue, if you’re curious) until a year or two later when the craze had died down.

By the time I got back to the series, it was time for Diamond and Pearl, and there was just so much to do — berry harvesting! poffin making! cute contest! — that I found it hard to get through the game, much less put in the effort to capture, raise, evolve and trade to get a full PokeDex. But Pokemon X and Y are another story. The first entry to make the jump from DS to 3DS (or kid- and wallet-friendly 2DS) has more critters than ever to catch, and I feel the need to own every single one of them.

What the game has really nailed — and I’m playing Y, for the record ­­— is a well-balanced mix of old and new Pokemon as your character explores the Kalos region, which is loosely based on France. There are enough familiar faces sprinkled in among the

For: 2DS & 3DS | Price: $39.99 | Rated: E PROS: Diagonal movement; quick growth; 3-D battles.

CONS: Giant black hole where your time will go.

newbies, like starters Chespin, Froakie and Fennekin, to feel familiar without feeling stale.

In fact, shortly after making your initial Pokemon choice, Professor Sycamore offers you another choice between the original trio of Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur. It’s a perfect addition.

Raising Pokemon seems easier than ever, too, with experience given during captures and the option to split points between your whole crew of six very early in the game.

The jump to 3-D movement is nice, but sometimes the controls can feel a little mushy.

Lining up to talk to someone can be difficult, especially when you’re outside on roller skates, but the freedom of movement balances that out.

I’m not actually that far in the game, given how long I’ve been playing. But every new area yields a new crop of Pokemon to catch — along with painful decisions about which ones to swap in to your party.

I mean, I reset three times trying to decide what hairstyle to give my trainer, so you can imagine how long it takes me to decide between wily panda Pancham and psychic kitty Espurr.

With the ability to trade with anyone online, I have no doubt I can snag all 600-plus critters eventually.

Getting there — and experiencing awesome new features like mega evolutions along the way — will be a blast.

Wind Waker redux takes a classic and makes it better ALAN SIMMER | PULSE WRITER

H

aters gonna hate, but I never found the gorgeous cel-shaded graphics of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker to be too cartoony or immature when the title came out for the GameCube more than a decade ago. It’s still one of my favorite games, full stop. And even those haters seem to have come around in the intervening years.

For: Wii U | Price: $49.99 Rated: E10+ PROS: Tighter endgame; reworked soundtrack; fast sail, fast sail, fast sail.

So when Nintendo announced an HD remake, my interest was piqued. How to take something so iconic and improve upon it?

Two words: fast sail.

The main method of travel in Wind Waker is via boat, which is made possible by hero Link’s control over the direction of the breeze. In practice, this meant a lot of sail, change wind, sail, change wind.

The fast sail, available in the auction on Windfall Island after the trials at Dragon Roost, not only increases your speed. It changes the direction of the wind to always be at your back.

When I first discovered this, I was a little miffed. Doesn’t that take all the fun out of it?

What’s the point of having the Wind Waker if

CONS: Iron Boots could totally be assigned to down on the D-pad. you never need to use it?

Yeah, that was silly of me. Letting you focus on what you’re doing and not how you’re doing it is a stupidly stellar improvement.

And the Wind Waker still gets used plenty to warp and solve puzzles.

Other awesome changes: the ability to hot-swap items via the GamePad; the ability to play only on the GamePad; permanent button assignments for commonly used items while boating; and the Tingle Bottle,

NINTENDO, SONY, MICROSOFT, D3 PUBLISHER, SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGES

Miiverse integration that lets you share pictures and messages with other players.

Oh, and the HD graphics look spectacular, imbuing the joyful world of Wind Waker with an added brightness, while the remastered soundtrack provides extra pep to some of the best songs of the series.

Now’s your chance to try this marvelous game if you haven’t. If you have, play it again.

PULSE 13

AARON McNALLY | PULSE WRITER

A

nal chorus appeals “Where’d you go?! / Someone knows.”

In response, the brass-filled and brazen We Are in This Together trumpets an echo of the sentiments of the second track to ready the listener for the rest of the record, which drifts into a small sea of melancholy sentimentalism, almost to a fault. (Two of the final eight tracks almost didn’t make the final cut.)

But Downtown Lounge pulls it back into an energetic feel. A crowd pleaser that the band frequently plays live, the song has a wordless background vocal that is easy for fans to sing.

The final track, Someone to Love You, completes the circle begun at the beginning of the record. Alluding to the album title, the song’s refrain reminds the singer that, romantic or platonic, love is an essential element in life.

While the singer must be himself, and live his life his own way, individualism cannot survive without community. And where No One began and ended with meek, reflective pieces, Someone ends strongly, and with confidence.

few months after the release of their first full-length album, No One, Dylan Sires and Neighbors have released a second, equally ambitious contribution: Someone. In fidelity to the group’s self-declared descriptor, “Power Pop,” Someone is a perfect balance of melody and intensely rhythmic riff, delicacy and strength.

If the first track, Good Ol’ Boy, sounds uncertain as to whether it wants to be a sentimental reflection or an anthem, it’s not an accident. Drummer Ross Klemz is as accomplished in creating sophisticated and limber embellishments as he is in using force to strengthen the sound. Both skills are in full display here. In addition, Graham Howland’s always-well timed bass creates a frenzied energy as much as it does a fitting undercurrent for Sire’s brilliant melody (sung in a fragile, yet commanding falsetto). Moreover, the entire trio intensifies the chorus boldly by singing long, loud notes in unison.

But the lyrics suggest despair, fear, and anxiety, despite this camaraderie. The lyrics at one moment suggest a speaker

smitten with desire (“I want you now!”) and one who can no longer tolerate the intensity of the emotion (“Where do I run?”) And therein resides the conceptual impetus for this second record in a trilogy: If No One has become Someone, who is he, and what must he do? Is he the “Good Ol’ Boy” that some make him out to be, or does he have a greater purpose in a grander scheme? And if he has a greater purpose, how can he cope with the demands that this purpose creates for him?

Track two, Roses, continues on in a reiteration of the theme, only to state what seems the thesis for the rest of the record. After confessing that he has been “caught up in roses / in all of their poses,” the singer defeatedly confides “I’ll be what you want me to be.” But it is apparent that this is no solution as, by the end of the chorus, he weakly (and paradoxically) confesses: “I’m looking to be set free.”

The third track (appropriately titled Someone Knows) delivers just what one

BANGERZ MILEY CYRUS

NEW PAUL McCARTNEY

LIGHTNING BOLT PEARL JAM

SEE YOU TONIGHT SCOTTY McCREERY

Bangerz is at its core a party album, and a trashy one at that. There are times when Cyrus (and her army of co-writers) try to inject some emotional gravitas in there, self-referential lyrics that TMZ aficionados will invariably try and construe as some sort of message directed toward ex-fiance Liam Hemsworth. Yet while the pleasures of Bangerz are fleeting at best, the times when she goes all-out goofy, embracing the campy side of the popstar equation, she actually seems to have found her groove.

It’s a shame these moments are surrounded by such atrociously forgettable filler.

— Evan Sawdey, PopMatters.com

For his 16th solo record, and first of original material in six years, Paul McCartney turned to a team of four hot producers to come up with something New. The result is both fresh and comfortably familiar. McCartney, a master of the catchy 3-minute pop song, isn’t reinventing himself here as the title may suggest. Rather, he’s once again compiling an enjoyable 45 minutes or so of toe-tapping pop songs that are sure to please his longtime fans while doing little to break much truly “new” ground. Just try listening to On My Way to Work or Queenie Eye without bobbing your head along to the beat.

— Scott Bauer, The Associated Press

Rock ’n’ roll isn’t often kind to adulthood, and to be fair, Pearl Jam is no more capable of sounding as fiery as they were at 27 than its fans are. Still, while nothing on Lightning Bolt is half as immediate as Alive, Corduroy or even Wishlist, there are flashes on Lightning Bolt that show Pearl Jam still capable of delivering statements. Other trips into familiar territory are more mixed. Ultimately, Lightning Bolt may not be Tattoo You, but it’s not Steel Wheels either. For better or worse, Pearl Jam sound just like who they are right now, but after more than 20 years, that’s not so bad.

— Chris Barton, Los Angeles Times

The first American Idol victor born in the 1990s, Scotty McCreery turned 20 the week before releasing See You Tonight, his follow-up to 2011’s platinum debut, Clear As Day. The former church choir boy quickly establishes how much he has matured, opening his album with a rocking party tune, Now, and an urgent late-night booty call to his girlfriend on the title cut. His growth also comes across in the subtle inflections he brings to Feel Good Summer Song. The result shows McCreery moving into a style of his own that should win him fans beyond the “Idol” fan base.

— Michael McCall, The Associated Press

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Someone

by Dylan Sires and Neighbors Genre: Power pop Sounds like: The Kinks

might expect at this juncture: a high-energy, quick-tempoed, jangly, inspiringly danceable number whose background vocals are nothing short of shouts.

Thematically, the lover has left. The fi-

PULSE HIT LIST

OUR PICKS

YOUR CLICKS

I Got Loaded by The Wood Brothers This song is about drinking any type of liquor you like, though I suggest whiskey to pair with Oliver Wood’s warm honey voice.

— MacKenzie E.

Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich Mix) by David Bowie This 10-minute mix by James Murphy, the brains behind LCD Soundsystem, is pretty much everything you want in a remix.

— Chris E.

Analog Soul by Lick It Ticket The former Cedar Valley funk/jazz/rock group forever settles the debate between fans of analog and digital music formats. Forever.

— John M.

Welcome to the Boomtown by David & David This song certainly won’t lift your spirits, but it’s a convincing tune about lost souls.

— Holly H.

Berzerk by Eminem Another genius lyrical gem by the eminent Eminem. Billy Squiers’ The Stroke sampled here is a fantastic backdrop.

— Meta H.

Bad Girls by Donna Summer I’m still mourning the loss of Donna Summer. Don’t judge.

— Chris E.

When I’m Small by Phantogram The song you’d listen to if you were a starship captain looking for a good time after an 80-year mission on the periphery of known space.

— Mike A.

Mermaid by The Blackberry Bushes This song about loving someone who seems so far above has a melody that sticks in your head and lyrics that are vivid and poetic.

— John M.

On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons When I need a pick-me-up or if I want to celebrate a good mood, this song is “my jam.”

— Jessica V.Z.

Truth by Alexander Ebert Despite its horrifyingly beautiful, drug-induced music video, Ebert’s reggae-infused ballad is a masterpiece and a song to ponder by.

— MacKenzie E.

CATCH US ON SPOTIFY Look for our playlists at facebook.com/PulseMag and CVPulse.com.

PULSE 15

NOVEMBER 1

STARS: Harrison Ford, Asa Butterfield, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin Seventy years after a horrific alien war, an unusually gifted child is sent to an advanced military school in space to prepare for a future invasion.

16 PULSE

Last Vegas NOVEMBER 1

STARS: Robert DeNiro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline Three 60-something friends take a break from their day-to-day lives to throw a bachelor party in Las Vegas for their last remaining single pal.

Free Birds NOVEMBER 1

STARS: Voices of Woody Harrelson, Owen Wilson, Dan Fogler, Amy Poehler Two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks must put aside their differences and team up to travel back in time to change the course of history ­— and get the turkey off the holiday menu for good.

Delivery Man NOVEMBER 22

STARS: Vince Vaughn, Chris Pratt, Cobie Smulders, Jack Reynor An affable underachiever finds out he’s fathered 533 children through anonymous donations to a fertility clinic 20 years ago. Now he decides whether to come forward when 142 of them file a lawsuit to reveal his identity.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire NOVEMBER 22

STARS: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks rebellion in the districts of Panem.

Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom NOVEMBER 29

STARS: Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Terry Pheto, Robert Hobbs A chronicle of Nelson Mandela’s life from his childhood in a rural village to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

PULSE 17

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT, CBS FILMS, EPK.TV, LIONSGATE and WEINSTEIN CO.

LIVE MUSIC Wikid Likir

Richard Arndt

Saturday, November 23rd Electric Park Ballroom

7 p.m-1 a.m.

Doors Open @ 6:30 p.m.

No cover charge-free will donation

TWENTY-FOUR

SEVEN

365 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT • MOVIES • LIVE MUSIC

Local faces, local places Antonio Scontrino was inspired to take a series of portraits depicting individuals operating businesses along Fourth Street in Waterloo. Originally from Italy, photographer and designer Scontrino came to the Cedar Valley in 2011 to accept a teaching position at the University of Northern Iowa. He quickly embraced our community and was impressed by the passionate, dedicated and diverse group of businesspeople working to transform downtown Waterloo.

Waterloo Center for the Arts waterloocenterforthearts.org

ber

em Nov

8PM-10PM

11/2:

RICK VANDERWALL

11/9:

THE NICHOLS

11/15:

OPEN MIC NIGHT

11/16:

DAVE MALAM

11/23:

UNCLE CHUCK

EVERY THURSDAY LIVE JAZZ BY HANDS OF TIME ALL PERFORMANCES 8-10 P.M.

WO-030212008

18 PULSE

COURTESY PHOTOS

Parker Millsap with Abby Brown

NOV 11

Raised in a Pentecostal church in central Oklahoma, Parker Millsap sings like he’s on intimate terms with devils and angels. The baby-faced Parker, 20, looks squeaky clean, but the strut and fire he brings to the stage suggests a little bad boy in there somewhere. Iowa-born Abby Brown blends intricate finger-style guitar and a conversational voice to create catchy, confessional folk songs. She now lives in Boston, and graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2013 as a songwriter and guitarist.

Parker Millsap with Abby Brown Monday, Nov. 11 @ 7 PM | CSPS Hall, Cedar Rapids $12 advance, $15 door | legionarts.org

PULSE 19

GALLAGHER GALLAGHERBLUEDORN BLUEDORN

2013-14

season

QUARTET MILLION DOLLAR

MAR. 11 MAR. 12 MAR. 13

@ 7:30 P.M.

On December 4, 1956, four young musicians who would become music icons gathered at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions ever. Million Dollar Quartet is the smash-hit musical inspired by this famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. Featuring a score of rock hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “That’s All Right,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Who Do You Love?” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound Dog,” and more, this thrilling musical gives you a chance to be a fly on the wall of fame. Don’t miss Million Dollar Quartet!

SPONSORED BY

Dennis and Holly Kruger Fund for the Performing Arts

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EACH SHOW VISIT

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WWW.GBPAC.ORG