Newspapers / Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper / Sept. 16, 2003, edition 1 / Page 7
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TTiePil^ Tuesday, September 16,2003 Arts and Entertainment Page 7 Blues Traveler tells the truth Sarah Olimb Pilot Co-Editor It’s been awhile since “Run Around,” but Blues Traveler is around — still around and still producing great music. Released on Aug. 5, by Sanctuary Records, “Truth Be Told,” the band’s seventh studio release since its founding in 1983, represents all that Blues Traveler is characteristically known for — cleverly constructed lyrics, swingin’ harmonica sounds and memorable throaty vocals. Although this 12-track album contains virtually no surprises in that it is distinctively Blues Traveler, somehow it’s okay. I can turn on the radio and immediately identify their sound. I can buy their lat est album and know that I will not be disappointed — its comforting, in a way. My favorite track on the album, “Sweet and Broken,” pulls me inside the music. It starts off soft — very acoustic — drawing the listener into the stoiy of the song. The song is emotional without being sappy — yet another plus. The only song to miss a note with me, “Eventually (I’ll come around),” leaves me wonder ing why they included it on the album — John Popper’s vocals are overdone, sounding like a garage jam session gone bad. All I could think was, “Eventually, this song will end!” On a more positive note, the track’s beat and overall sound is catchy. Featuring poetic lyrics and a great sound, “Let Her and Let Go,” is probably one of the album’s fea ture tracks. It’s clever in its conversation about love. As they jam out “This Ache,” Blues Traveler not only produces a memorable new addition to their set but also this track is pure fiink, enlisting abstract lyrics, a vocal rift of sorts and an upbeat conversation between the band’s instruments. They have ftin playing this song — its evident. “The One” does a good job bordering on a pop- country sound without abandoning their sound. The track’s title says it all — the band addresses the con nection between destiny and love in a light-hearted, almost carefree manner. “Truth Be Told” abandons nothing of Blues Traveler’s sound or style — very bluesy, light and free. Blues Traveler is John Popper (harmonica and vocals), Chan Kinchla (guitar), Brenden Hill (drums), Ted Kinchla (bass) and Ben Wilson (key board). ♦} tk Photo courtesy of Sanctuary Records- Top Ten Reasons Why You Can’t Get A Date at Gardner-Webb by Emily Killian and Sarah Climb 10. Baptists are anti-dating. 9. The oaf doesn’t exactly serve a 7-course dinner. 8. Everyone is “just friends.” 7. Goose poop is a turn-off during a romantic walk around the lake. 6. There’s nowhere to go. 5. The webcam. 4. If you’re seen walking down the side walk together, you’re automatically a couple. 3. Everyone is already engaged. 2. You’re on a dating “fast.” 1. There are too many volunteer firemen and not enough women to go around. “The Order” fools Rachel Jones Pi/ot staff The very title of this movie suggests good vs. evil and an action plot, mixed with a ghost ly suspense; but don’t allow “The Order” to fool you. Lurking behind the title is a montage of irreverence towards Christianity (especially the Roman Catholic Church) as well as a plethora of symbolism and religious theories that could become a source of theological debate. The plot is based upon the idea that source of salvation coming from the church (last rites, absolution, etc), with a loophole: the Sin Eater (Benno Fiirmann), a person, who for a price, will eat the dying person’s sin, thereby allow ing the dying to enter into heaven. The main character Alex (Heath Ledger) is a Catholic priest belonging to the Carolingians, a dying order of priests who perfr)rm exor cisms, rid the world of demons and peruse their knowledge of the ancient spiritualism sur rounding the Catholic Church. Upon hearing the head of his order has been murdered, Alex goes to Rome to investi gate. With him are a fellow Carolingian priest (Mark Addy) and Mara Sinclair (Shannyn Sossamon), whom Alex performed an exor cism on. Throughout the movie, Alex is searching for the truth and struggles to come to grips with his decision to be a priest. When Alex con fronts the Sin Eater, he must make a life-alter- ing decision. The saving grace to the sacrile gious plot is Alex’s fellow priest, Thomas Garrett, who sees the Sin Eater for what he is— an evil force that plays God by deciding who will obtain salvation. Much like the disciple "doubting" Thomas, he is skeptical of many things until he sees them firsthand. Despite the blasphemy, “The Order” is well written. The plot is sound and the movie, unlike most films, does not wander around leaving the viewer lost and confiised. Instead, some viewers may find the plot a tool to use in a theological debate on their views of truth, science vs. religion and salva tion. However, many will -find the plot to be anti-religious, bordering on blasphemous. The actors are talented and should not be undermined due to somewhat offensive^ ^ content. Heath Ledger (“A Knight’s Tale”) dives into the character of Alex, a multi-faceted man faced with many obstacles in his life stem ming from childhood to his adulthood. Benno Fiirmann, who has starred in many German films, makes a brilliant premiere to the American screen as William Eden (a.k.a. Sin Eater). “The Order” is not a stereotypical super->, natural thriller. For this, many viewers will be severely disappointed and others may be offended by the plot. A warning to those who wish to brave the movie: it has an R rat ing for graphic scenes involving blood and sexual content. However, for a select few, the movie will invoke a religious and moral debate that will hopefully strengthen their faith.
Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper
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Sept. 16, 2003, edition 1
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