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REVIEWS
MUSIC REVIEW: Ra Ra Riot, The Rhumb Line
Ra Ra Riot, a band hailing from Syracuse, N.Y., has been hovering just under the radar for two years, ready for their moment to shine. Now, after signing a deal with Barsuk Records and releasing their first album, this is that moment.
Ra Ra Riot's full-length debut, The Rhumb Line, effortlessly pairs stringed melodies with upbeat tempos, intriguing lyrics and lively vocals to deliver tracks that sound familiar while at the same time pleasantly surprising and original. The use of violin and cello adds a unique twist to the band's indie pop, with orchestral sounds that range from light, cheery melodies to haunting, powerful arrangements.
It hasn't been an easy road to The Rhumb Line's release. In June 2007, drummer John Pike went missing after a show in Providence, R.I., and was later found dead near Fairhaven, Mass. Perhaps because of this loss, the album's tracks cover a range of emotions with an adapteness not usually seen by such young bands. "Dying Is Fine;" the lyrics of which use elements of an E.E.C. Cummings poem, is a song with a serious theme that somehow still manages to erupt into a cheerful, carefree chorus. The lighthearted, catchy tunes "Ghost Under Rocks," "St Peter's Day Festival" and "Oh, La" are accompanied by the more poignant and serious track,
"Winter '05." Although many of the songs were penned before Pike's death (some of them by Pike himsef), "Winter '05" sounds sorrowful and reminiscent of a friendship lost, and is eerily appropriate for the emotions the band has likely felt since Pike's passing.
After the loss of their bandmate and friend, Ra Ra Riot faced a challenging time during which they could have easily become discouraged and parted ways. However, they have transcended tragedy to prove their worth as up-and-coming artists with a triumphant, satisfactory album.
—Amanda Sorell
MOVIE REVIEW: Hamlet 2
Hamlet 2 tells the story of hapless drama teacher Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan). Marschz is, in all senses of the word, a failure. He can't get a decent acting job, his marriage is fast approaching its end and, to top it all off, the school board has just cut drama from the budget. Now he has to inspire his not-so-interested students to put on the best show of their lives in a desperate attempt to save the drama program.
The show the class performs is Marsch's own creation, *Hamlet 2*, the musical sequel to Shakespeare's classic tragedy. In it, Jesus (you heard me right) and Hamlet use a time machine to go back and save all the characters who die in the original play. Most of you have probably heard the oh-so-catchy song "Rock Me Sexy Jesus" by now, and the rest of the musical is in the same vein. It's ridiculous, inflammatory and amazingly funny.
The rest of the film, which shows Marschz's attempt to inspire his troublesome students, is not quite on par with the stage portion, but is still very good. A lot of its strength stems from the fact that Coogan doesn't play Marschz as a goofy caricature. He plays him straight, making the humor more subtle, and also making the character more sympathetic.
At its heart, Hamlet 2 isn't meant to parody religion, Shakespeare, or even high school drama. What it does parody
are all those sappy feel-good movies about teacher-student relationships—movies like Stand and Deliver or The Dead Poets Society. Not only does this movie poke at these overly emotional pieces of cinema cheese, but it does so in the best way possible: By becoming one of those "inspiring educator" movies itself.
What comes out is not only a smart satire, but also a movie that can stand on its own as a plot-driven comedy. Rock me, Hamlet 2. Rock me all night long.
—Abby Olcese
ADIDAS VOLCOM VONZIPPER TANNINGBEDS 813 mass·785-841-8289 SPYOPTIC RAY-BAN VANS SIMPLE RAINBOW
September 4,2008
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