Monday March 15, 2004 arts.michigandaily. com artseditor@michigandaily.com ire fidi~gan 3Dai[g ARRTS 9A Band noodles through the Pig By Laurence J. Freedman Daily Arts Writer CONCERT REVIEw Umphrey's McGee played an over- whelming, often dazzling sold-out show at the Blind Pig on Thursday night, clarifying for a small group of Michigan's jam-band faithful why they are one of the most exciting new groups in the ever-expanding scene. The riff-heavy rock of the Chicago six- piece is a refreshing return to the genre's roots at a time when the recent surge in popularity of jam music is mostly attributable to the success of party acts like Particle and Karl Den- son who focus sole- ly on creating a groove. Pioneers of the genre like The All- man Brothers, Phish and moe. are so satisfying because1 Umphrey's McGee Thursday,;Mar. 11 At the Blind Pig they blend nasty Courtesy of Street Gold Just 15 more minutes, mom! Courtesy of Sony Pictures it's slinky! It's slinky! Everyone loves a slinky! H E-E-RE' S JOHNNY! DEPP STANDS OUT IN LACKLUSTER THRILLER and sunny grooves with intricate com- positions and excellent songwriting. Umphrey's McGee certainly aspires to write and perform music that involves all three of these elements, and on Thursday night, they almost succeeded. Their first set bombarded the listener with intricacy. The band's sound, led by the guitars of Jake Cinninger and Bren- dan Bayliss, was an intense technical workout reminiscent of the prog-rock acts of the 1970's. Cinninger was all over the fretboard, offering lightning- fast licks as the band moved almost frantically through composed sections. It might have seemed like improvis- ing, but Umphrey's knew exactly where they were going. The set grew more entertaining as the room got more sweltering. A well-placed cover of The Beatles' "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window" relieved those who felt lost by the band's virtuosity. The second set was easier to digest because it focused on building the band's beloved groove. "Hurt Bird Bath" quickly evolved into some- thing dark and fast, drummer Kris Myers, bassist Ryan Stasik and key- boardist Joel Cummins providing the perfect foundation for Bayliss and Cinninger to go nuts. For many, it was true jam-band bliss. The instruments were so locked in and the solos spiraling and careening so perfectly that the crowd couldn't help but lose themselves, only to ecstatically realize 10 minutes later that they were still enjoying exactly the kind of stuff they came to hear. The groove increas- es one's attention span, and by the time the familiar beat of Zeppelin's "Fool in the Rain" peaked through, Umphrey's McGee deservedly had the sweaty crowd right where they wanted them. Displaying outstanding musician- ship, inventive compositions and a knack for building the bright, funky or sinister grooves, Umphrey's McGee proved why they currently have the most buzz in a scene that thrives on word of mouth. What the band lacked was memorable songs. Maybe knowing a song is what makes it memorable, but the melodies and choruses that bring closure to a instrumental-heavy set are what separate the good jam rock acts from the best. By Mary Hillemeier Daily Arts Writer 'MOVIE REVIEW *- The tried-and-true psychological thriller/horror flick leaves plenty of room for snappy, fresh dialogue and inspired performances and welcomes variations from an established track that make things interesting, if not revelatory. These days, however, filmmakers like David Keopp of "Secret Window" seem to be copping out, abandoning creativity for cheesy special effects and the famed trick ending, the supposed mind-boggling payoff that rarely measures up. In effect, Keopp's attempts at short cuts crash and burn, further marring the name of his chosen genre as opposed to reinvigorating it. Luckily for Keopp, and anyone who finds themselves subjected to "Secret Window," the film has one saving grace: the marvelous Johnny Secret Window At Madstone, Quality 16 and Showcase Sony Pictures Depp. Strangely writer John Shooter, a shamelessly wasted John Tur- turro, begins haunting his cabin with claims that Rainey plagiarized one of his stories. Of the bountiful plot holes, the following is a classic. Rainey needs proof that his story ran in a magazine before Shoot- er's was ever published, yet, as opposed to using mod- ern technology, Rainey sends for a copy of the magazine through the mail. The result is a ridiculous- ly avoidable race against time that squashes any sus- pense simply by being so unnecessary. Viewers who fancy themselves even slightly in favor of the laws of common sense should pass on this one. As the body count rises and the suspense builds, the plausibility factor rapidly plummets. Ask- ing us to believe that someone would actually cheat on Johnny Depp is bad enough; Keopp goes too far in soliciting our emotional investment in utterly absurd special effects of the flashing-lights and minor-chord variety, which are dangerously reminiscent of every- thing spooky ever shown on the WB. By far the most disappointing aspect of "Window" is the finale. Keopp so hypes the climax that one begins to hope that it couldn't get any worse. Instead, what we get is a combination of several other movie endings sloppily pasted together to the worst possible effect. Given that the film is based on the Stephen King novella "Four Past Midnight: Secret Window, Secret Garden" any slightly supernatural aesthetic elements are explainable, but their laughable rendering onscreen is inexcusable. Furthermore, paper-thin characters like the vengeful John Shooter suggest poorly executed par- ing down from the literary version. The resulting story lacks spark and momentum; it seems that even Depp's Midas touch can't save this one. Biblical premise can't resurrect genre By Forest Casey Daily Arts Writer The reality TV genre is at a juncture much like patients waiting for a blood transfusion. Gone are the days when every new reality show was strikingly original, the characters endearing despite extreme bed-head and musty cardi- gans, Depp brings the rumpled writer Mort Rainey to life. Rainey witnesses his wife's infidelity in the opening scene of the film, driving him to hole up in a creepy cabin on a secluded lake and promptly aban- don the laws of hygiene. Depp cuts hints of vulnera- bility with a strong dose of sarcasm, immediately winning sympathy and respect; even more impres- sively, he locates shades of grey in what otherwise would have been no more than a mere sketch of a pro- tagonist. Rainey's real problems begin when the crazed were interesting and the themes were conservative. Less concerned with origi- nality, FOX's latest effort, "Forever Eden," instead tries to put a new twist on an old thing. The twists in "Eden" are interesting, if miniscule. The once-stagnant banish- ment ceremonies, such as the tribal Forever Eden Mondays at 9 p.m. FOX time limit to their stay in paradise; so the show could last for- ever. Unfortunately, it would be an eternity lacking any kind of subtlety (for example, "Eden's" large-chested, British-accented hostess named, obviously, Ruth England.) Also interesting are the biblical references. As soon as one member is banished, the others cast lots for the leftover room and money. The first two episodes were entitled "Reap What You Sow" This coincides with the show's first twist; those choosing banishm entof a contestant are also banished. As in most every reality show, the wonderful glimpse of the true human spirit is also on full display. When the men of "Eden" select the least desirable girl for banishment, she is allowed revenge -her choice of which man is to be kicked off the island. To see the once-powerful men squirm and grovel at the feet of the women is gruesome and wonderful. Accordingly, the characters of "Eden" are as stale as those in any reality show. For such an exciting premise, the show drags on and the cast will soon grow old. Despite some intriguing twists, this show brings nothing beneficial to the reality genre. councils in "Survivor," have been livened with a required revealing of the vote and an accompanying explanation, which can make for some uncomfortable scenes. The entire premise of "Eden" is rather unique - the contestants have to live on an island, avoiding banishment, though there is no OXYGEN BAR Now Hiring! Briarwood Mall's Newest Hot Spot - Eupho2ria Oxygen Bar Grand Opening, April 3rd, 2004 Looking for enthusiastic Part Time Sales Associates ($8/hr) and Part Time Sales Managers ($10/hr, experience preferred). Earn commissions and bonuses. Learn more and apply today: www.eupho2ria.com/funiob.html Finally, Work is Fun 125th ums season $10 Rush Tickets on sale 9 am-5 pm the day of the performance or the Friday before a weekend event at the UMS Ticket Office, located in the Michigan League. 50% Rush Tickets on sale for 50% off the publiched ticket price beginning 90 minutes before the event at the per- formance hall Ticket Office. t 1ea 1acesI tE, Michigan Head*Pain & Neurological Institute is conducting an in-clinic research study evaluating an investigationaly medication for migraine. Participants must be 18 to 60 yearsy old and suffer no more than 15 headaches per month. A total of three clinic visits are required. Visit 2 is a four to six hour Fir f'+2x i4 '1h xsryM %x F }: f z' iNiu- m Alm, INN 10, $x An Evening with Ornette Coleman Fri 3/19 8 pm Hill Auditorium True to the spirit of discovery, legendary saxophonist Ornette Coleman continues to push the boundaries of jazz, creating music that is free from the prevailing notions of melody, rhythm, and harmony. Israel Philharmonic Pinchas Zuckerman violin Yoel Levi conductor Sat 3/20 8 pm Hill Auditorium PROGRAM Prokofiev Bruch Sibelius Symphony No. 1 in D Major ("Classical") Violin Concerto No. 1 in g minor, Op. 26 Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43 (1901) Tna r'lefQuartet & I I I I