There is something very happy and playful about a bunch of colorful kites flying about in the air – unless you are looking at the cover art for the Kyle Mann Combo’s new CD, Goodbye Kites. The mood of the kites on this grassy hilled cover is corrupted by a […]

If you like listening to music that is lyrically poignant in a painfully vulnerable and honest sort of way, and then you just might take a liking to Damien Rice’s new album, 9. You have an even higher probability of liking this album if you are moved by haunting ballads, […]

Paul Oakenfold’s A Lively Mind is the latest work of this commercial/trance disk jockey. While Oakenfold has enjoyed a fair amount of success in the United States creating bland remixes and forgettable collaborations, little of that compares with a couple of standout tracks on the album. Take a little bit […]

So you want to be an awesome rock star, but you’re just not any good! Is there any way to remedy this? Yes, by finding the same secret weapon all the pros used – the Pick of Destiny. Jack Black and Kyle Gass from the band Tenacious D have the […]

It’s safe to say that indigenous peoples welcome Hollywood depictions of their culture about as much as they await yet another film starring Jennifer Lopez. Anything that isn’t another lame romantic comedy or just a series of dazzling special effects is bound to upset somebody in one way or another. […]

Normally Neil Young, as with few other musical acts nowadays, acted as the voice of reason and conscience in rock ‘n’ roll. Living with War is no different. As usual, a strong aura of rebellion courses through the entire album. As with Young’s normal style, he’s picked out some things […]

NEIU alum Michael Villarreal directed The Ultimate Pendejada as part of the StageCenter Studio Series. It definitely struck a chord for many in the audience. Written by Ysidro R. Macias, the play features an ambitious, upwardly-mobile Chicano couple named Robert and Mary Gomes, played by Hector Vazquez and Linnea Carrera. […]

The popular alternative rock band My Chemical Romance released their latest album aptly named The Black Parade last month. Press sheets quote lead vocalist Gerard Way as saying that this album is one of the most difficult for the four members: guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Lero, drummer Bob Bryar, […]

When we hear or say the term “Happy Holidays,” we are quickly flooded with images of Christmas trees or champagne toasts on New Years Eve. However, there are other holidays during this festive season, one of them being Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is an African-American and Pan-African celebration that starts on Dec. […]

In the holiday creations of Danny Donuts, his album called Wacky Winterland is a CD full of Christmas parodies of Christmas and Beatles music. During a first listen, someone wouldn’t think much about the album. It sounds like a kid recording songs in his basement with his friends (which could […]