The Michigan Daily- michigandaily.com
Tuesday, February 15, 2011- 5
The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom Tuesday, February 15, 2011 - 5
'Key' looking bright
Bieber Fever sweats out
Wh
Br
as e
By t
reaches
"Ladde
sounds
ed. Co
his
behind
album'
of
clean
tion,
like O
his Bri
monike,
distanc
But
redemi
for You
into a
fitting
had ac
over its
Unfo
uated r
release
ing tha
for Obe
might
thy m
album
further
his pa
he rec
Eyes
pristin
Sunligh
blown
"Haile
songs
You, On
Even
at might be last gradually moved away from the
blatantly emotive vocal style he
ight Eyes LP is embraced in the past, he doesn't
shy away from the capital-"B"
ngaging as ever Big Issues that have long been a
staple of his music. The People's
By DAVID RIVA Key picks up where 2007's Cas-
DailyArts Writer sadaga left off, as it explores
the controlling forces of the
he time The People's Key world, this time expanding into
s its penultimate track, the afterlife. Lines like "No one
4r Song," Conor Oberst knows where the ladder goes"
exhaust- and "That place that I think of
ontaining so often ... The one the voice in
catharsis the back of my head says that I
the Bright Eyes don't deserve" illustrate Oberst's
s fagade uncertainty on the matter.
squeaky- The People's Oberst also employs the help
produc- Key of Refried Ice Cream's Denny
it feels Brewer, who talks about what's
berst and assumed to be views and opin-
ght Eyes ions the two share. Bright Eyes's
er might fade off into the albums are no stranger to spoken
e once and for all. word introductions, as Oberst
as the song dissolves, the has used this technique several
ptive force of closer "One times in the past. For The People's
a, One for Me" transforms Key though, the music doesn't
groove of reassurance - a kick in until the two-and-a-half
way to end an album that minute mark - an awful long
consistent cloud of doubt time to wait for an album to start.
very release. And since it doesn't stand alone
ortunately, media-perpet- as a separate track, it's a slight
rumors leading up to the nuisance to have to fast-forward
of ThePeople'sKey - hint- through. Brewer's ramblings are
it the days are numbered far from mainstream, but provide
rst's Bright Eyes project - some interesting insights on how
overshadow a praisewor- aliens connect to the Garden of
usical achievement. The Eden and the like.
finds the Omaha native A great attention to detail is
and further away from heard in moments like the half-
rents' basement (where tempo harmonizing of "Triple
orded the earliest Bright Spiral," the searing guitar build-
material) and showcases up after the bridge of "Shell
e balladry ("Approximate Games" and the opening chaos
ht," "Ladder Song"), full- of "Jejune Stars" - all of which
rock'n'roll ("Jejune Stars," provide some of the finest musi-
Selassie") and pure pop cal moments in the Bright Eyes
("Triple Spiral," "One for catalogue.
ne for Me"). As "One for You, One for Me"
though Oberst has finishes out the record, it's hard
By EMIL
Daily,
With his ca
roguish smil
purple hood
dian Jus-
tin Bieber
has taken
the world
by storm,
worming
his way
into the
hearts of
tween-age
girls all
over. It's an
Fever. This pa
was everywhe
Y BOUDREAU
Arts Writer
sually tussled hair,
e and trademark
ie, crafty Cana-
not to ponder if this is the last
we'll hear from Bright Eyes.
Between the politically charged
punk rock of Desaparecidos,
jam-band stylings of supergroup
Monsters of Folk and spirited
southwestern country of the
Mystic Valley Band, Oberst
has a number of respectable
options when it comesto musical
endeavors.
However, The People's Key
serves as a reminder that Oberst
does his best work while wear-
ing the Bright Eyes tag. And as
the buoyant beat of the closing
track bounces along, it seems like
Oberst is talking directly to that
uncertain audience as he repeats
the title of the song. Bright Eyes
has always been a two-way rela-
tionship between Oberst's per-
sonal needs and the needs of his
audience.
Regardless of whether or
not this is the final Bright Eyes
release, it seems unfair to view
The People's Key as a farewell
album. Instead, it should be
judged as an album of many
merits - apart from any outside
circumstances. Even though the
issue of future releases is unre-
solved, the acknowledgment
provided in such a nostalgic-
sounding track will be comfort-
able to any listener.
day Nig
Show" t
D from
ing the
"Justin
Pr
Justin Bieber JBi
Never Say Never
At Quality 16
and Rave
Paramount Ther
concert
epidemic: Bieber es of B
st week, The Biebs mixedy
re - from "Satur- of his su
ht Live" and "The Daily from a five-year-old kid drum-
o hanging out with Pauly ming on the kitchen table to a 16
"Jersey Shore" - promot- year old with the star power to
release of his new movie, sell outMadison.-Square Garden.
Bieber: Never Say Never." His progression is interrupted by
interviews with fans, commen-
tary from his manager Scooter
the Braun and appearances from
eaching the other musicians ranging from
*Usher to Miley Cyrus. The best
ebs doctrine cameo appearance, though, is
in 3-D. Snoop Dogg, who tells Bieber he
should get rid of his trademark
hairdo and get some braids "with
accessories."
movie is a compilation of The Biebs has undeniable cha-
footage and performanc- risma and it's easy to see how he
ieber's hit songs, inter- has amassed such a large group
with home video footage of fans - people who can say,
iccess story. Justin grows See BIEBER, Page 6
No stopping for 'Traffic Light'
By JACOB AXELRAD
Daily Arts Writer
At first glance it appears formu-
laic - three longtime friends now
in their 30s navigating the highs
and lows of rela-
tionships and *
families. But
don't be fooled Traffic Lg
by the simplistic
exterior - Fox's Pilot
"Traffic Light" Tuesdaysat
proves wonder-T
fully inventive. 9:30 p.m.
Chronicling FOX
the lives of three
college buddies and former team-
mates (more specifically, two
former teammates and a former
equipment manager), the show
portrays each at a different stage
of romance and the ways their
lives intersect. There's Mike
(David Denman, "The Office"),
a married lawyer with a son who
wants a little "me time;" Adam
(Nelson Franklin, "Scott Pilgrim
vs. the World"), a writer who just
moved in with his girlfriend and
frets about maintaining a social
life considering his new living
arrangements; and Ethan (Kris
Marshall, "Love Actually"), the
British paramedic who's always
single and always has a word of
advice for his committed com-
rades.
There is a decent amount of hi-
jinks that ensue among the char-
acters and their significant others,
with fine performances given
by Aya Cash ("Law & Order") as
Adam's girlfriend Callie and Liza
Lapira ("21") as Mike's wife Lisa.
An incident that involves Mike
donning a clown costume for the
bar mitzvah of Adam's boss's son
only to be discovered by his wife
feels a tad tried, but it's well exe-
cuted with excellent comedic tim-
ing from all involved.
Old friends get
together on new
TV show.
What's so refreshing is that
from the outset, the show doesn't
overreach, nor does it give us
rehashed sitcom scenarios. Based
on the Israeli television series
"Ramzor," "Traffic Light" was
See TRAFFIC LIGHT, Page 6
k
WCED Lecture and Film
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
1636 International Institute
1080 South University, Ann Arbor
4 pm Lecture
Washington Post senior correspondent Rajiv Chandrasekaran discusses why it has
been so difficult for the U.S. to achieve peace in Afghanistan, President Obama's
decision to embrace a counterinsurgency strategy and double the number of U.S.
troops, and why gains in the region remain fragile.
Live video stream at www.ii.umich.edufwced
7 pm Film
The Green Zone
Based on Rajiv Chandrasekaran's award-winning book, Imperial Life in
the Emerald City: Inside iraq's Green Zone. Directed by Paul Greengrass
(115 min., 2010).
For more information:www.ii.umich.edu/wced
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