6 - Tuesday, February 18, 2014 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Consistent Curren$y Anticipated shows of 2014 New mix tape drives right into our hearts By JOSH FRAZIER DailyArts Writer Consistency from musicians is a valuable trait, and Curren$y's latest release The Drive In The- atre show- cases the New A Orleans rap- per's depend- The Drive In ability. Over a luxurious The Theater soundscape, Curren$y one of rap's best storytell- Jet Set ers depicts an expensive life- style filled with money, orga- nized crime and weed. These familiar tropes are not new to Curren$y's music; the Jet Life Recordings rapper has spent years perfecting his laid-back aesthetic. TheDrive In Theatre is one of his strongest releases yet. Curren$y gives his best Martin Scorsese impression, directing a modern-day urban crime film through clever wordplay and a well-organized score. "The Godfather" samples sprinkled in amidst the elegant production make Curren$y's latest mixtape true to its name, a cinematic experience. Curren$y picks up where he left off following a prolific 2013 in which he released four mix- tapes and an EP with fellow stoner Wiz Khalifa. The Drive In Theatrereboots SpittaAndretti's trademark flow, which manages to sound both intricate and lazy at the same time. His complex rhyme scheme makes rapping seem effortless, and this new- est mixtape bolsters Curren$y's reputation as one of the stron- gest lyricists in rap today. Incredibly detailed lyrics make the usual boasts about wealth feel fresh, a difficult feat to accomplish in rap's often repetitive landscape. Curren$y sets the scene for his rhymes with visual lyrics, giving the mixtape a . movie-like feel. Album stantlout "E.T." opens with the line "Fresh paint on the park bench / Shining in the JET SET "Now I know you're bringing me some ribs" sunlight of the morning / Under the shade of the trees taking it all in." The visceral track also features Cypress Hill's B-Real, who spits his best verse in years, inspired by Curren$y's engaging lyrics and magnetic personality. Other can't-miss tracks include the lead single, "Godfather Four," and the hyp- notic "Hi Top Whites," which demonstrates just how cool Curren$y can be. If Curren$y is the director of The Drive In Theatre, its undeni- able star is the lavish produc- tion. The mesmerizing beats weave seamlessly from song to song, complementing his rivet- ing voice. Equal parts laid-back and complicated, production on the mixtape is handled by the usual cast of characters. Weed rap favorites like Cardo, Sledgren and Thelonious Mar- tin are all behind the boards to craft a sophisticated movie score that allows Curren$y and friends like Action Bronson, Freddie Gibbs and members of the Jet Life crew to go to work. It's refreshing to see a musi- cian release one quality project after another, and The Drive In Theatre's biggest flaw is that Curren$y makes it look too easy. This mixtape is an extension of his traditional style, sure to please longtime fans with its cohesive lyrics, well-curated beats and selective guests, but its familiar style likely won't win Spitta Andretti any new fans. Although it's easy to dis- miss him as a one-dimensional artist, Curren$y has carefully developed his aesthetic and is very good at what he does. The Drive-In Theatre plays like a soundtrack to Curren$y's life, perfect to accompany his favorite activities, which include cruising in classic cars, lounging in sweatpants and, of course, smoking. There is no better music for a lazy day spent watching old movies or driving around town, and Curren$y's latest release shows that he hasn't lost a step in the booth, and will continue to be effort- lessly cool behind the mic. By DREW MARON Daily Arts Writer 2013 was a hell of a year for television, but for those of you who are worried that TV's gold- en age might be on its way out, here's a couple of new shows coming out this year that might just change your mind. "The Leftovers" Network: HBO Premiere: Summer 2014 HBO and Damon Linde- lof ("Lost") are teaming with acclaimed writer Tom Perotta ("Election") to adapt his novel about those left behind dur- ing the biblical Rapture. I'm a huge fan of Lindelof and think he gets way too much unde- served heat for the finale of his last religious-allegory/science- fiction mystery show (and no, not "Nash Bridges"). This time the material looks perfect for Lindelof, whose work always bridges the gap between faith and fantasy. "Believe" Network: NBC Premiere: March 16 Alfonso Cuar6n is co-creator and director of the pilot, which is more than enough reason to tune in. The show follows a wrongly convicted death-row inmate who is broken out of prison and tasked with protect- ing a mysterious girl who also happens to have really awe- some superpowers. Network sci-fi has been a bit soft since the dearly departed "Fringe" and with "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." turning out to be more procedural than cre- ative, "Believe" could reconnect broad appeal with intelligent writing and bring back the early days of shows like "Lost" and "Heroes." "The Strain" Network: FX Premiere Date: July FX might very well be the most underrated network on television. Hopefully, Carlton Cuse ("Bates Motel") and the show's primary creator who will rCall: #734-410-4115 Email: dailydisplay@gmal.com HELP WANTED WORK ON MACKINAC Island This Summer - Make lifelong friends. 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And in case the word "vampire" brought Bella and Edward to mind, I'd like to point out that this project is coming from the bizarre mind of Guillermo Del Toro, the man behind some of the most terrifying monsters in movie history (the Thin Man AMC list isn't just the pedigree, it's the potential. Legal dramas are a dime a dozen, but unlike most, "Saul" follows the sleazy, mor- ally questionable defense law- yer the "heroic" attorneys of "Law and Order" would prob- ably be facing on a daily basis. And with the recent announce- ment that Jonathan Banks is returning to the "Breaking Bad" universe as beloved aging gun- slinger Mike Ehrmantraut, it's safe to say fans have plenty to be excited about. "Penny Dreadful" Network: Showtime Premiere: May 11 from givesr ing as losing phingi monst to say metapl the "se 20 be fol "Pan's Labyrinth" still The pitch alone was enough: me nightmares). And see- a dark, sexy horror show that the vampires "turn" by chronicles the stories of Fran- their genitals and mor- kenstein, Dorian Grey, Drac- into violent bloodsucking ula and other classic literary rosities, I think it's safe monsters in Victorian London. we might finally have the It's "Once Upon A Time" plus horic nail in the coffin of "American Horror Story" on :xy vampire" clichd. Showtime. But, it's the talent behind the camera that really gives me confidence in this 14 looking to one. "Penny Dreadful" comes .L from the team of John Logan a greatiyear and Sam Mendes, the same pair J1c behind the awesome "Skyfall," r innovative with Logan ("The Aviator") as the series showrunner. Logan is a veteran screenwriter making his official crossover into televi- sion while Mendes ("American Beauty") is one of the most tal- ented and critically acclaimed "Better Call Saul" filmmakers on the planet. e 1 1 2 e e e 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5" 6 6' 6 6 6 RELEASE DATE-Tuesday, February 18, 2014 Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis ACROSS 3 Fields ofnstudy 36 Pacino and 50 Garlic 1 JFK 4 Noreaster, for Capone mayonnaise announcements one 39 Washington's 51 Monsoon 5 Athletic shoe 5 Light lager Sound aftermath brand d Pat of BT 41 Peeling potatoes 52 Makeup maven 9- 'Haute, Indiana 7 Dance wildly in the ml. Lauder 4 Red desert wine 8 Betall players perhaps 54 Gym site, briefly 5A patyto mast make pebp 54Gmtebtl 6 Advil competitor 9 Fossil-preserving 42 Darts, 55 Negotiation goal 7 Two-toned treat spot commonly 56 Northem 8 Bibliography, e.g. 15 'The Waste 44 Seven-person European capital 9 Washertcycle Land" poet combo 570Qty. 0 Phrase on a 11 Budgetvehicle 47 Indian currency 58 Beads on the treasure map 12 NatI. park 49 Tostitos dip grass 3 Sycophant campers 4 Captain of 13 Wide shoe size ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE: industry 21 Actress Cuoco of 6 Novelist Deighton 'TheBig Bang Y A M 5 0 P T E D S T E W M Sinking ship Theory" 0 R A L R A I S A H A R I deserter 22Guideforthe C A R T E R I P A D 9 lluminated Magi A S ANKH KARATE 1 Luxury SUV 25 Female relative since 1970 27 Best-seller list R E G G I E J A C K S 0 N 6 Hard-to-hit tennis entry M 0 0 E T U GH server 28Make payment WA Ea OSMEE LIP 37 Black wood 30 "Jurassic Part/' E H aVigor'sprtner predatorfor M E N a HO P a T E C H 9 Locale short A R T H A W M I M E I t Cdminal, to a cop 31 Auto loan e A J 5 U I T 0 .1 Sophocles deWauAtT R JN tragedy consequenceS I 3 GiantMel 32 Helps, as a 40- A L E P M 0 L T 5 enshrinedin Across a T A W H I T E F F 0 R D Cooperstown 33 Santa'shome T n M P I 0 T A S I so L 4 NBC late-night 34 Econ. statistic E R A S T E T S R A CE comedy hit 35 YouTube clip, for 5 Pull shod xwordeditor@aol.com 02/1814 6 First ilmto win 1 2 13 4 a 6 8 10n 1 12 13 the Oscartfor Best Animated 14 15 1 Feature 8 "Take care of 17 18 19 yourself!" 3 One of thethings 20 22 little boys are made of, and a 23 24 2s hint to20-, 31- and 41-Across 7 Take asone's own 32 33 a34 a s 9 Desert tableland ' Pirate booty o3 1 Conased 402 straggle 4 r a 2 Cool and coleted 3 Blackthornfruit44 49aO 1 12 4 Message limited to 140 characters 5 54 s556 5 Lotion additive 6 _-de-camp n5 nt t 9o DOWN 61 62 63 1 Glue for a model kit 64 s5 66 2 Mel "The Velvet Fog BytRo4ert E.tr eyrr y 02/18/14 (e2014 TrbuneCotetAncy~, LLt 218 Network: AMC Premiere: November OK, so this was destined to be on the list and you knew it. The "Breaking Bad" spin-off comes from series creator Vince Gilligan and "Bad" alum Peter Gould. Now, a "Breaking Bad" spinoff was always likely given the show's monstrous success. Yet, what gets this show on the With television getting all the attention once reserved for mov- ies, it's no surprise that film- makers like Mendes, Del Toro and Cuar6n are moving to the small-screen. I'm curious to see exactly how much input they're going to have as the series move forward but regardless, it's a good time to be watching televi- sion. !NORTH CAMPUS 1-2 Bdrm.! Riverfront/Heat/Water/Parking.! ! www.HRPAA.com 996-4992! $1485 FOR A FULL 2 bedroom at For- est Glen Apts. Price includes FREE HEAT, I parking spot and furniture. $1485 for the whole apartment... Call us to tour your new home today. 734-761-2680. $400 OFF First 10 rentals Selected Units At University Towers Rent a FULL 2 bedroom w/ FREE HEAT as low as $1680.00. 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