- LLC/Republic
'St. Vincent' comes into her own
BY ERIKA HARWOOD
Officially four albums deep into an eclectic oeuvre, Annie Clark further cements herself as the brand St. Vincent on her new self-titled album; a guitar-playing, lavender afro-sporting art rocker.
'Non-Stop' crash lands
- Universal
BY MAYANK MATHUR
The thrills take too long to come and are eventually too dull to inspire any genuine suspense. The film does provide some laughs — most of which are intentional — but laughs aren’t what keep an action thriller buoyant.
Soundtrack carries predictable 'Star-Crossed'
- CW
BY EMILY BODDEN
The CW’s newest show, “Star-Crossed,” provides everything that audiences have come to expect from the network — an attractive cast, a surprisingly good soundtrack and sassy dialogue.
Beck's 'Morning Phase' a sweet, soothing surprise
- Capitol
BY YARDAIN AMRON
In three words, Morning Phase is soft, slow and somber. Instrumentation is bare bones: acoustic guitar and Beck’s voice acting as foundation, and strings, light pianos and harmonies providing the character.
Sizing up the contenders for Best Song Oscar
- Back Lot
BY GREGORY HICKS
The 2013 Oscars cast a mighty gloom on awards night with Adele and Paul Epworth’s award-winning “Skyfall,” but no such song compares to 2014’s cheery round of nominees for Best Original Song. Here’s the musical breakdown, in all of its peace, pleasure and passionate liberation.
SMT&D bringing 'Hay Fever' to University
BY GRACE PROSNIEWSKI
So whether you’re interested in caustic wit akin to that of the “Algonquin Round Table,” or perhaps something more in a satiric comedy of manners, “Hay Fever” has it all and can maybe even teach you a little something about humor.
Guided by Voices maintains momentum with 'Jumpsuit'
- Guided by Voices, Inc.
BY ADAM THEISEN
Legendarily prolific, Motivational Jumpsuit marks the band’s 20th record and, startlingly, their fifth since reuniting only two years ago.
Carly Keyes: Learning to forgive
BY CARLY KEYES
No matter the severity of impact, if we hang on to our hatred for the something awful that certain someone has done to compromise our emotions, we are forever shackled to the something awful and that certain someone.
'Radiance of Tomorrow' a brutally honest depiction of wartime
- Sarah Crichton Books
BY KATHLEEN DAVIS
Even though disaster strikes again and again, Beah’s characters maintain a strength that may twist and fluctuate, but never ceases to exist. As the title suggests, Imperi’s residents are constantly looking towards a better future.
'House of Cards' powers back with resounding second season
- Netflix
BY JOE REINHARD
For those ready for the ruthless pragmatism, this new installment is a resounding success. “House of Cards” isn’t a show for everyone, but it’s hard to deny its quality. It’s even harder to deny its confidence in its characters, its cast and its story direction.
Erika Harwood: I'm in fashion, just not fashionable
BY ERIKA HARWOOD
“I’m someone who loves and cares about fashion, you just can’t tell by the way I dress,” one of my friends told me the other day.
This hit close to home. Too close to home.
On the rootless life
BY COSMO PAPPAS
The denial of living as more than a free-floating résumé that characterizes our day and age is radical and traumatic. Emotionally crippled, financially beggared, socially alienated — “the contract didn’t mention any of this!”
Paige Pfleger: Motown Museum in Detroit captures spirit of Hitsville U.S.A.
BY PAIGE PFLEGER
Motown Records was founded by Barry Gordy in 1959, in the midst of racial tumult in the city of Detroit. Falling between the race riots of 1943 and the riots of 1967, the creation of Motown infiltrated the white dominated music industry with a soulful pop sound.
- FX
'The Americans' deepens characters in second season
BY ALEX INTNER
As the writers continue to increase the stakes for the characters and the actors add layers to their performances, “The Americans” promises to keep on getting better.
'U' Symphony Orchestra, choirs to present program embodying 1940s America
BY ANNA SADOVSKAYA
The University Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Choir, University Choir, and Orpheus Singers will perform a program filled with pre- and post-war compositions, highlighting the tumultuous time.
Elliot Alpern: Exploring up-and-coming genres
BY ELLIOT ALPERN
Clearly, some shiny new influence will rise to become the newest, “hippest” element of pop music. But what? For the time being, I’ve picked a few other genres or styles that I could see propping up the most recent Disney-star musician.
- Sony Pictures Classics
Raw emotion creates a real and effective 'Past'
BY ANDREW MCCLURE
Totally snubbed at the Oscars this year, “The Past” is a brute cinematic force, one that isn’t afraid to show how ugly a separation can get.
