2D THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OFF THE HILL
MONDAY,AUGUST 16,2004
MONDAY,AUGUST 16,
Korva
The Hives
Tyrannosaurus Hives
Lyrically, front man Pelle Almousti
The Hives are, without question, the most amplified and explosive band on either side of the Atlantic. By mixing soul, big band swagger, punk exuberance and a new pop sensibility into a high-energy rock'n'roll cocktail, these sharp dressed Swedes have patented the sound of indifferent revely on their latest release, the insolently titled Tyrannosaurus Hives. The opening tracks, "Abra Cadaver" and "Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones," are two-minute fits of fast vocals and faster guitars.
The Hives stumble only once in on the sluggish "Diabolic Scheme," in which Almavist attempts to croon over garage
reiterates his didactic for anonymity and conformity on the first single "Walk Idiot Walk" and "See Through Head," both condemmations of people and robots with "transparent craniums." (The Hives themselves are not these people.) Social insights aside, the Hives are at their best when they have the most fun. "A Little More For Little You," the album's best track, is The Hives channeling the faux 50's energy and flair of Grease. If Elton John had played guitar and listened to The Saints, this song would be his. Instead, The Hives just wrote the punk version of "Crocodile Rock."
guitars and ill-advised Eleanor Rigish string. The album's overall animation however, refuses to be compromised. Tyrnannosaurus Hives is a half hour seizure of unadulterated rock, which will more than likely induce spastic movement from both arms and (make sure to keep in italics) legs. Using imprudent Aesopian allegory, if Beile and Sebastian were tortoises, the Hives would be the bare. And The Hives would run on propane and win, negating any moral.
Grade: B+
Dig The Hives? Check out: The Mooney Susuki, Electric Sweat
The Killers Hot Fuss
—Dave Ruigh
It's up for debate whether it was irony or indifference that led The Killers to their macabre moniker. The band's new-wave disco influenced pop is alive and urgent enough to suggest the former. The elevent tracks on Hot Fuss provide all the sweaty, danceable essentials: rubbery bass, gaudy synths and a slick '80s shine. Vocalist Brandon Flowers howls accounts of death and remorse through the swirls with a voice strong enough to shoulder the band's garish
sound throughout.
Like all pop albums, *Hot Fuss* is built on singles. "Somebody Told Me" and "Mr.Brightide" are high-energy power pop with hooks to spare. The album's swan song, "All These Things That I've Done", fades out as the band, backed by a full choir, chants "tgot soul, but I'm not a soldier" in mantra absolution. The Killers know how to write great singles, but overall, the album lacks the cohesion for all its tracks to be essential. The closing tracks, "Midnight Show" and "Believe Me Natalie" tend to feel like tedious filler. The Killers seem poised to become a dance hall staple, along with the majority of the album shows that they're already prepared. *Hot Fuss* is not this generation's Rio, but more than likely The Killers next venture will be.
Grade: B-
Like The Killers? Check out: The Faint, Blank Wave Arcade
VIDEO GAMES ...
Spiderman 2
Activision
For Nintendo's Gamecube
A summer blockbuster would not be complete without the toys, posters and, of course, the action-filled video game. After all the commercials, you can't help to give Spiderman a swing.
The game doesn't follow the movie completely, but the goal is the same — defeat Doctor Octopus.
However, the controls aren't the easiest to use. When playing the game, it takes a little while to stop running into buildings, but after a little training, it's tempting to spend a while just swinging around NYC doing nothing.
The combat system is a hard thing to get around. It can be frustrating a few times. It's really easy to get caught in an enemy's gang box and find yourself dead pretty fast. Also the combat moves are fun to use, but it becomes a hassle to
The greatest part of the game is the web swinging around New York City. In the September, 2014 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, the game didn't get stellar reviews, but all three reviewers agreed that the web swinging was what keeps people played. A model of New York City was built for the game and although it's not to scale, it feels like the real thing.
remember a sequence of buttons in the hat of battle.
The mini-missions are fun to do and are plentiful. Because you're in NYC, there're plenty of crimes to stop and people to save. You can stop bank robberies, rescue people from a sinking boat and stop disgruntled drivers.
Spider-Man 2 is a great game. This time you can do whatever a spider can.
Grade: A
Onimusha 3: Demon Siege
For Sony's PlayStation 2
In Onimusha 3: Demon Siege.
Samanosuke returns for the final showdown, but isn't the only hero onboard. A Special Forces Police Officer (portrayed by Jean Reno) joins the demon slaying samurai on a time traveling adventure to defeat Nobunaga Oda.
Nine years after Nobunaga was defeated by Jabu Yayu (the hero from Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny), he has regained his strength and plans to conquer the world. As Samanusoke goes to face Nobunaga, he is caught in a time vortex and is transported to present day France. Now Jacques is transported to Samanusoke's time and the two must join forces to save both times.
The new control system is a step up from the past games. Players can now use the analog control sticks to move around. However, the D-pad is still an option to use. The t-pad us effective for sidestep-possing bosses.
the introduction of the Ako system is helpful to players. Ako is a little character who helps Samanosuke and Jacques by giving them items and transporting them to each other to solve puzzles via a time portal. Her different vests also gives the players unique status effects such as
regaining health.
In the end, Onimusha 3: Demon Siege is a great ending to the trilogy. Over the three games, the series has got nothing but better.
14
Grade: A-
— Chris Moore
Jaoyplay 8.19.04