. 3 F #. I p i %: 'I "[We're] a strange amalgamation of The Neville Brothers, The Sex Pistols, John Prine and Jawbox." - Fred LeBlanc, Cowboy Mouth drummer Author talks of Everest By Anna Kovalszki tempers and camaraderie of groups of Daily Arts Writer climbers attempting to "summit" on the Ah, the great outdoors. There is some- south side of the mountain, climbing on thing about Mother Nature that calls to the slope in Nepal. The daily regimes us, something that our homes and their and the illnesses associated with altitude, creature comforts cannot provide. While sanitary and weather conditions, account some of us venture to certain harsher for the hardships of the groups' strug- climes, only the wildest members of our gles. Krakauer also examines the history species would brave the ascent of Mount of mountaineering on Mt. Everest, with Everest. Jon Krakauer, the author of famous past attempts and successes. He "Into Thin Air," is comments on the such a person. customs of the "Into Thin Air" is P R E V I E W Sherpa people, the written account who occupy the of Jon Krakauer's Jon Krakauer lower slopes and personal struggle valleys around the with and remem- Thursday, 7:30 p.m mountain, and who brance of the spring At' orders also earn much of of 1996, when he their income went on assignment for "Outside" mag- through services to hiking expeditions. azine to do a report on the commercial- Even random subjects like politics and ization of mountain climbing. The technology find their way into the story, resulting story, however, contains more adding to the novel's scope. depth and detail than any magazine "Dateline NBC" aired the tragedy of article could ever encompass. May 10, 1996, focusing on Buck Krakauer admits that having been a Weathers, one of the climbers in mountain climber earlier in life, his Krakauer's expedition. Weathers mirac- passions for the sport had been awak- ulously survived a long stay in sub-zero ened upon hearing of his joumalistic temperatures and low oxygen levels opportunity. He did not need to go to during a blizzard that came down upon the summit of Everest to do justice to the descending climbers. Krakauer, in his story, but he chose this route for per- order to deal with guilt feelings and pain sonal satisfaction. He can therefore about the death of five others in his understand the motivations of elimbing, group, including three guides, felt the and this allows for his ability to analyze need to do a deeper analysis. His anec- the other members of his group as well dotal style and truthful account illumi- as the conditions of the mountain. nate this great tragedy, and perhaps lend Krakauer's story follows the flaring us a glimpse of our own mortality. Matchbox 20 pushes ahead By Kristin Long group's five members, including lead Daily Arts Writer singer RobThomas Brian Yale (on bass) The introduction of a new band to the and Paul Doucette (on drums), were the music scene awaits much skepticism as first to join, and collaborated for a few critics speculate whether the newcomer years before starting a new band. They is destined to become a one-hit wonder, then added Adam Gaynor on rhythm or whether it will leave a permanent guitar and vocals and Kyle Cook on lead mark on a generation. The sound of guitar and vocals. The final facet came Matchbox 20 has broken through the bar- with the addition of producer Matt racks of the local Serletic, co-produc- scene and made its er of Collective way onto the radio PREVIEW Soul's albums. waves; its future The release of has yet to be deter- Matchbox 20 Matchbox 20's first mined. Thursday, a p.m. album "Yourself or The transition The shelter Someone Like You" from the local combines low-key music scene to the hits for rainy days, major-label arena denotes a sign of and magnificent melodies for singing in maturity for the group; which plays at the car with friends. Selections like "3 The Shelter tomorrow night. The am," from the group's local-band days, group's first single release, "Push," are bound to be successful on the charts; from "Yourself or Someone like You," the stellar beat and compelling lyrics are has become a frequent visitor to the air- addictive. "Shame" and "Back 2 Good" waves and it is bound to progress. are almost as impressive. The lyrics of not only "Push, but of Matchbox 20's first album, however, "3 am" and "Long Day," extend beyond still leaves some room for development, the standard mushy love song and the as the group has yet to follow its own overused grunge attitude to a tale of style and stay with it. Some selections frustration and bitterness. Each song such as "Girl Like That" have a stale includes a bit of hope to lighten the melody that prompts one to change the mood as well. The music blends a quick- song rather than the volume. paced beat with a slower, more emotion- While "Push" has been the first sym- al tone, and the result is a stellar mix bol of the group, it hopefully will not be with great potential for future hits. the last. Thomas and his troupe have@ Matchbox 20's style has an obvious formed a collection of enchanting lyrics root in the local scene, but its tone has with not-to-be-missed music. They have matured to embody the elements of a stable base and promise for future cre- modern rock success. Three of the ations. With music stripped-down to its bare essentials, Naked incorporates a kernel of truth into their lyrics. 1~~