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About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2006)
December Entertainm ent il Death Cab for Cutie" has more than just "Plans" R oya bjzeh band, Ibelieve that Death Cab is still sticking to their good mixture of their now normal sound. The one acoustic guitar track "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" stands out on this predominantly piano/electric guitar based album. Other good tracks include the popu lar single, "Soul Meets Body," "D ifferent Names For the Same Things" and "Crooked Teeth." Even though this al bum isn't their best work, it still is an essential for those interested in this indie-rock band. Co-Editor-in-Chief ' P o p u la r in d ie b an d "Death Cab for Cutie" has finally appeared on the scene as a major label band play ing sold out shows across the United States. "Death Cab for Cutie" is made up of Ben Gibbard, Chris Walla, N ick H arm er and Jason McGreer who all hail from Washington. Although most know of their latest album straight from Atlantic Records, their earlier albums with indie label Barsuk Records really sent them over the edge of the mainstream alternative rock fluff we hear most days. It was their last three records that have slowly given the Seattle-based band more credibility and has recently bolstered their popularity. With an upcoming album expected in the works after Death Cab's fall tour, here is an overview of the last three albums that helped them achieve their new star status. , ' S ' ' f * f . "Plans" - released Aug 30, 2005 •-.V Their first release from Atlantic Records has caused major waves with die-hard "Death Cab for Cutie" fans who daim that the album is good work, but that the once underground band has become too mainstream. Although labeled as being "too polished" for this indie hits such as "The New Year" and "The Sound of Settling," this CD has many tracks that could have potentially been hit singles. One track to look out for is the song 'Trans atlanticism" which runs for about eight m inutes. The song exudes every emotion of falling in love and is truly awesome to hear live. \ , ^ With the album that shot them to fame, 'Transatlanti- d sm " shows the darker side of "Death Cab for Cutie." Brought to attention to the m asses by Adam Brody's character on the popular TV show, "The OC," Transatlant- cism" is the last release on Barsuk Records, filled with catchy guitar parts and melancholy lyrics, Death Cab is absolutely flawless with this release. Featuring Cutie" front man. A new album is slated for release by "The Postal Service" near the beginning of 2008. Ü III V:' ? "The Photo Album" -released Oct 9,2001 " - released one of my favorite albums of all time. Gibbard, lead singer of "Death Cab for Cutie" also has a well-known side project with fellow musician Jimmy Tamborello. Their successful band is known as "The Postal Service" and has released only one CD. An amazing album, "The Photo Album" is the begin ning to the Death Cab for Cutie we know and love today. With profound lyrics and a balanced set of slow 3, "The Photo ing track to the next. Stand "an d "Why You'd Want To Live Here," Death Cab for Cutie showed their softer al ternative side, which was not originally shown in its three previous* releases. Although shorter than what I would like from such an awesome CD, it is an absolute must for any alternative lover and remains ■ S 5»? "Give Up" - released Feb 18, 2003 With lyrics much happier by Gibbard, "The Postal Ser- vice" delivered such a strong album that is slowly being more and more recognized, With songs used in commer- cials for Apple Computers and featured in commercials, the band's popularity is on the rise. The band "Iron & Wine" did a cover of their famous hit "Such Great H eights" for the movie Garden State's Soundtrack and was featured in a popular M&M ad. The album "Give Up" features un- dcrappredated tracks such as sle e p in g In," "Clark Gable" and "Brand New Colony." With mostly an electronic beat background; it's a different sound for the "Death Cab for "Death Cab for Cutie's" other albums include "We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes," "Som ething A bout A irp lanes," "You Can Play These Songs with Chords" and a live album entitled "The John Byrd E.P." A new "Death Cab for Cutie" album is in the works for next year and will be recorded in its recording studio "The Hall of Justice" which is located in down- town Seattle, "Death Cab for Cutie” fans should check outbands such as "Arcade Fire," "Rilo Kiley," "Snow Patrol," ’The Decemberists," "Nada Surf," "Neutral Milk Hotel," "The Shins" and Gibbard s lesser known side project "All- timeQuarterback."GuitariSt Walla also has some songs with his other band "Martin Youth Auxiliary" that can be found on the internet. Cook fans expect better from ‘Employee of the Month” a K elsey S chrader _________ Staff Reporter Out of all the comics in the world, Dane Cook is definitely on my top three, but it's really hard to keep laughing at his comedy after this train wreck. Although, I admit while watching it, I did in fact enjoy it. It only took about 20 minutes for me to get home and to realize that "Employee of the Month" was nothing more than familiar faces reciting a bunch of jokes we already laughed at during the trailers. Let me explain. "Employee of the Month" is about Zack (Dane Cook) who happens to be the slacker box-boy at Super Club (think Costco) with his equally slacker friends (Andy Dick and Harland Williams). After enduring Super Club's prodigy cashier, Vince (Dax Shepard), Zack still really didn't care. There's no point, as long as he keeps the job. That is, until Amy (Jessica Simpson) comes along. This lifesize-Barbie- doll happens to be only interested in the Employee of the Month, and so begins Zack's battle with Vince to win fair Amy's heart. As Zack climbs the chain of responsibility, he leaves all his buddies behind. This is the point where we all feel bad for them and there's a sweet twinkling of piano on the soundtrack. Well, I'll leave the ending to you, but it's pretty obvious where it's going anyway. I actually feel kind of bad for Cook. This was his debut starring movie, and you can't depend on the comic and acting ability of Simpson or Shepard to enhance your comic ability. It was a disaster on his part, because almost no one else has liked it. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't one of those movies I would suggest if you're really in the mood for something funny. I would rather you waited for "Accepted" to come out on DVD and watch that instead of taking your hard-earned cash (if that still exists in West Linn) and paying for a movie that will only leave you wondering "Why, Dane, why?!" One of the biggest disappointments of this movie was Simpson. I can think of tons of other attractive, funny and talented actresses they really should have used. Maybe Sarah Silverman or Sarah Calke (the blond chick from "Scrubs") would be better? Instead, they used the easiest way to get your boyfriend to go see it with you. I'm all for the fact that she might want to up her credibility, but flashing off your assets in a low-cut shirt isn't exactly what I would call a maturing actress. I'd give this movie about a C. It was average. Nothing really excited me about it, but nothing really makes me want to diss it completely. That's the problem. It just really doesn't have any passion behind it. Don't see it unless you really have seen every other movie in the theatre. Want an alternative? Go rent "The Secrets of my Success" or "Career Opportunities." They're both about people, and stores, so instead of seeing an easily- forgettable movie, rent a cute 80's movie and laugh at their old jokes and their funny hair. It's a whole lot better than "Employee of the Month." I promise. Coach predicts improvement Sifls BarsBi Soccer________ a continued from page 11 "We are a very young team, so next season we are going to continue to get better and improve," Taylor Brooke, sophomore, said. Taylor, contributed 10 assists which is more than any player in the last nine years. Brooke was the only player on Varsity named to TRL First Team. Alison Vogt and Adrianne Brown, sophomores, were named to the Second Team. Honorable mentions included Sloop, senior, Haelee Staskiewicz sophomore, and Jazmine Whitlock sophomore. The best comeback the team had was against league champion Clackamas on Sept. 19. They fell behind 2-1 in the second half, but came back to win 3-2 on a late goal by Demars. The team won six of their 15 games and tied three. According to Leonetti, this season the team worked hard, started 16 different players, which is an all time high, and they have worked extremely hard to prepare for next season.