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Download. Listen. Discard.

Download To say Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's new album "The Heist" was a breath of fresh air in today's rap music scene would be somewhat of an understatement.  I think more fitting praise would be given to the duo's lyrical and production wizardry combined with their ability to convey a gripping and relevant message through their music. It is this skill that is setting a new standard for the entire industry.  The bar has been set high - a bar rappers like Rick Ross can't reach and one crooners like Drake can only whine about. What makes "The Heist" such a fantastic and unique album is its variation between feel-good party tracks and gritty, serious songs that truly inspire reflection.  Funny songs like "Thrift Shop," in which Macklemore boasts about how his thrift shop purchases, such as old gator shoes and a used "fur fox skin," make him the best-dressed person at the club, are juxtaposed with songs like "Same Love," a heartfelt endorsement of gay marriage, and "Wings," a critique of rampant consumerism and its consequences. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are irreverent yet sincere, vulgar yet also refined, jokers who also inspire.  You may not enjoy a particular song off their album, or may disagree with the message it conveys, but the fact remains it came from a place of genuine talent and conviction.  I hope the duo continues to make music for years to come, and that you support them by downloading "The Heist." Listen I'm not afraid to admit I'm a huge fan of Ellie Goulding.  Not only do I enjoy her music, and think she has a beautiful and distinctive voice, but I also have a slight to modest to moderate crush on her.  Okay, fine, I have a pretty big crush on her, so sue me. Despite this confession, I was nonetheless slightly disappointed by her latest album "Halcyon."  The album certainly has its gems, including "Anything Could Happen," a catchy, techno-inspired song you may recognize from recent headphone commercials.  I also enjoy "Figure 8," a track continuing Goulding's long-standing love affair with dubstep. (If you haven't heard the remix of "Lights," look it up, or hang your head and go back to the comfortable rock you likely live under.) The issue of dubstep brings me to my main critique of the album: Goulding at times sacrifices lyrical depth and creativity by leaning too heavily on slick production.  Some tracks are unmemorable and simply not worth more than a single listen. My favorite song, "My Blood," is the only song I believe showcases Goulding's vocal range and ability without overdoing it on the production end of things. Long story short, I think "Halcyon" didn't truly express the talent and charm that drew me to Ellie Goulding's music in the first place. However, the album is still definitely worth a listen. Discard Upon first listening to the steaming pile of musical garbage that is Gucci Mane's new album "Trap God," I can honestly say a small part of me died.  If Kevin Federline's ill-fated rap album "Playing With Fire" was a punch right to rap music's jaw, Gucci Mane's latest travesty took off the gloves and knocked it to the mat. All the songs on "Trap God" feature the stale, bass-heavy beat used by seemingly every wannabe, no-talent cookie-cutter rapper.  Lyrical creativity or any sort of authentic style is completely absent.   Gucci Mane is content to spend his time rapping about cars, guns and diamonds, occasionally showing flashes of musical genius such as rhyming "up" with "up" four times in a row. Not confident he could ruin rap music by himself, Gucci Mane assembled a cast of featured artists on the album that could be fairly called the musical equivalent of the 2006 defeated Detroit Lions. I don't know who rapper Little Scooter is, but I strongly urge him to never pick up a microphone again. In conclusion, "Trap God" is the "Norbit" of rap music. If you think I'm being too harsh, I would encourage you to give the album a listen. Actually, no. I wouldn't wish that fate on any person. Even Gucci Mane.  

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Sinister: Can't be unseen

If you want to be on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, "Sinister" is the movie for you this Halloween. That's not to say it doesn't have most of the horror movie clichés - a house haunted by dead children, a dark attic that goes bump in the night, electronics that inexplicably turn themselves on, a protagonist who walks around with the lights off at night and so forth. But that doesn't mean you won't be scared when bad things happen or won't be horrified and tense by the things that make the movie different and truly disturbing. "Sinister" follows a true crime writer and his family as they move yet again to a small town so he can write about unsolved crimes. The town, especially the police department, is tense and unwelcoming at his arrival, not wanting to reopen the wounds of the murders he is writing about. He makes the brilliant choice of actually moving his family into the house of the murder victims, where an entire family was hanged by a tree in the backyard. Everything starts to go wrong when he finds a box of Super 8 films and a projector in the attic. The films begin as harmless home videos, followed by entire families being murdered in their own homes. The grainy, amateur videos put a creeping terror into the audience that is hard to shake, even after the movie is over. Although these murders are not very bloody or violent, they are too realistic and domestic for comfort; there is something truly disturbing about seeing a mother, father and child being drowned in their own swimming pool or set on fire in the family car. The horror of these videos doesn't stop with just images either. While it is a staple of horror films for the audio to be the source of the scares, the score of "Sinister" goes a step further. The strange, unusual and undeniably creepy accompanying soundtrack burns the videos both into your mind's eye and ear. "Sinister" may use forgettable horror movie clichés, but the videos are something you'll never be able to forget once you see them. If you don't think you can stomach the home videos, don't go - they're shown frequently throughout and are a huge part of the plot of the film. Don't come if you can't handle constant tension either. Unlike most horror movies that begin with an ordinary introduction of characters and locations or has safe moments in the daylight, "Sinister" never gives the audience a break. The tone is set from the first second of the film with the home video of a family being hanged. Even when chatting at the dinner table with the kids, the shadowy lighting all throughout the film gives the audience an impending sense of danger. Movies like "Paranormal Activity" tease you by leading you to expect something when nothing actually happens; "Sinister" makes you feel like something is always wrong. In a way, something is always wrong: those videos can never been unseen by the protagonist, but you've seen them now too. The power of the supernatural comes from the viewing of the films, much like "The Ring," and the audience is part of the viewing too. "Sinister" is a well-made horror movie for using cinematography together with content to keep the audience constantly uneasy. Amateur murder videos, a reappearing demonic figure and a haunted house would satisfy horror movie demands. But "Sinister" makes every scene an ominous one by lighting only what is necessary in a scene, leaving all the rest to shadows. Even a cheerful family dinner is creepy when only the table is lit, everything else hidden in darkness. The daytime isn't much better when the house only seems to be lit by dim natural lighting, still casting shadows everywhere. The creepy score plays on even when the videos end. Rarely does the music allow you to feel safe, like you've escaped the possibility of something terrible happening or that something isn't about to startle you out of your wits at any second. The plot may be predictable enough for the genre, but together with the dilemmas of the characters, it will keep you entertained as you try to solve the mystery alongside the protagonist. You might guess how it ends, but it won't stop you from being shocked when you see it. With many of its producers from "Paranormal Activity," it blends the home video element together with the creepy, mystery-solving element of "The Ring," to give the film a relevant plot that instills an uncomfortable sense of terror. If you're a brave soul, see it at night. You might be able to sleep, but that doesn't mean you'll be able to control what you see when you close your eyes. Contact Claire Stephens at cstephe4@nd.edu 

Seven Psychopaths: Sickly Hilarious

It's violent, messy, vulgar, gruesome and side-splittingly hilarious. "Seven Psychopaths," a dark, dark, dark (seriously, it's dark) British comedy from the mind of Irish playwright Martin McDonagh released October 12, is without a doubt the funniest, if strangest, film of 2012 so far. Colin Farrell stars as Marty Faranan, an alcoholic Irish screenwriter living in California and dealing with a bad case of writer's block. His oddball friend Billy Bickle, brought to life (not just played) by Sam Rockwell, is devoted to inspiring Marty to finish his current project, an anti-action thriller titled "Seven Psychopaths." Billy is an unemployed actor whose main source of income is kidnapping the dogs of the wealthy and returning them for a reward. His partner in crime is Hans, played by Christopher Walken. The three run into trouble when Billy accidentally kidnaps the Shih Tzu belonging to Charlie Costello, played by Woody Harrelson, a gangster who kills just about anyone and everyone who gets in the way of getting his dog back. The movie devolves into a sort of metaphysical tongue-in-cheek critique of the action movie genre, and then reverts to a shoot 'em up for the climax, the results of which are in line with the dark undercurrents of the script. This is McDonagh's second outing as screenwriter and director of a feature film, following 2008's "In Bruges," also starring Colin Farrell. He's no amateur, though, as he's spent most of his career as a fulltime playwright, and is considered one of Ireland's most important living writers. His trademark sharp, witty, introspective and, of course, dark style shines through in "Psychopaths," especially in his characters, which are wonderfully and colorfully developed. It may be just a little sloppier than "In Bruges," and the ending may leave just a little to be desired, but McDonagh is a master of the art and it shows. The film succeeds mainly on the strength of the performances of Farrell, Walken and above all Rockwell. Thankfully Farrell plays an Irish national, so audiences aren't subjected to his infamously terrible American accent. He plays against type in this film, a subdued and observant writer instead of the more flamboyant character he's used to. Walken also plays out of his normal comfort zone as well. In "Seven Psychopaths," Walken is reflective and sentimental, straying away from what he's done since the turn of the century. The result is a fully-fledged enigma of a character, a religious man who mourns his dying wife and hides a violent and dangerous past. The other characters are also well-portrayed, especially Tom Waits as an aging serial killer who just wants to find his former serial killer girlfriend, but all are peanuts compared to Rockwell's Billy Bickle. The dog kidnapper is Patrick Bateman minus the pretentiousness and suits, plus a wickedly on-point yet entirely unintentional sense of humor. The first three-quarters of the film set an extremely high bar that the climax fails to hit, but closes out well enough to make it one of the best films of the year. Contact Kevin Noonan at knoonan2@nd.edu 

Indie Music Map

Welcome to Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love and the next stop on our Indie Music Map. As a PhilliePhanatic, I have a special place in my heart for Philadelphia. The city is full of rich history, having once been our nation's temporary capital and the site of many an important meeting on the road to independence and events soon after. It is also home to other wonderful things like the Liberty Bell, cheesesteaks and "Rocky." But let's hone in on the thriving indie music scene in this bustling city. I have a soft spot for the ethereal and dreamy; I love getting wrapped up in lingering, echo-y vocals and synth beats and just forgetting about the 5 billion things that are going on around me. That's where Sun Airway comes in. Comprised of vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Tom Barthmus (formerly of another Philly band, the A-Sides) and drummer Patrick Marsciell (also of the A-Sides), the band delivers a healthy dose of electronic pop for avid effects lovers. They released their sophomore album "Soft Palms" just this year, adding to their budding repertoire. If you're looking for a more eclectic style, than Dr. Dog is the right band for you. Toby Leaman (bass guitar), Scott McMicken (lead guitar), Frank McElroy (rhythm guitar), Zach Miller (keyboard) and Eric Slick (drums) compose the band, with Leaman and McMicken alternating on lead vocals. Dr. Dog's style is highly influenced by 1960s pop, weaving in elements such as lo-fi and sounds reminiscent of 1990s era indie-pop. The band has two EPs and seven full-length albums under its belt, having released its most recent album, "Be the Void," in February of this year. Their prominence in the indie music world was kick-started when they toured as the opening band for My Morning Jacket in 2004. Dr. Dog provides listeners with a great mix of the retro, the psychedelic and the quirky with a well-rounded catalog of catchy and groovy tunes. One of my personal Philadelphia favorites is Matt Pond PA. I first heard the band when they came to Legends here at Notre Dame in 2010 (I remember being super jealous of how effortlessly cool the female guitarist was). Since then, I can't get enough of their music. Matt Pond (lead vocals/guitar) has really been the consistent member throughout the many transitions the band has gone through, though Chris Hansen (guitar/vocals/keyboards) is also regarded as another core member. Matt Pond PA has released eight studio length albums and eight EPs. It seems of late, singers enjoy locking themselves up in remote cabins in the wilderness for musical inspiration (a la Bon Iver in his beloved Wisconsin woods). Matt Pond did the same for his 2010 release "The Dark Leaves." This idea must really be working, because the album is fantastic. It personifies Matt Pond PA's expansive sound that has featured everything from cellos to keyboard effects, with the right touch of backwoods flair that you would expect from an album conceived in the solitude of a country cabin. (I'm just waiting for Kanye's wilderness experience with a new release: "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Forest Oak Tree.") Everyone loves a comeback story, and Wanderlust has the potential to be one of those comeback stories. The band originally formed and recorded in the mid-1990s but was dropped from its record label in the midst of recording its sophomore album. However, they reformed in 2011 and released their album, "Record Time" this year. The power pop/alt rock group is comprised of lead vocalist and guitarist Scot Sax, guitarist Rob Bonfiglio, bassist Mark Levin and drummer Jim Cavanaugh. Wanderlust had achieved an avid following during their time in the 1990s, but will they do so again? The War on Drugs is Sonic Youth meets Bob Dylan. Vocalist Adam Granduciel and former guitarist Kurt Vile (who now plays his own solo act) happened to meet at a party where they bonded over their love of Dylan's music. The band currently consists of Granduciel (vocals/guitar), David Hartley (bass/guitar), Robbie Bennett (keyboards/guitar) and Steven Urgo (drums/percussion), and has released two albums and two EPs to date. Their sound combines elements of shoegaze, alt rock, and touches of Americana, particularly in their earlier EPs. Dylan influences are evident in Granduciel's vocals and contemplative lyrics. And for those who like candid, uncomplicated alternative rock, there's Blood Feathers. Formed in 2005, the group is comprised of founders Ben Dickey (vocals/guitar/piano) and Drew Mills (vocals/guitar), as well as Clay Simmons (bass), Patrick Marsciell (drums and also of above band Sun Airway), Sam Murphy (guitar) and Tracy Stanton (saxophone/percussion/keyboard). They have released two albums thus far, showcasing their rock-and-roll sound featuring bluesy guitar and touches of twangy folk. On the playlist I have also included a few "bonus tracks": Dead Milkmen's "Punk Rock Girl" and "Gonna Fly Now" from "Rocky". "Punk Rock Girl" is a MTV hit that is just a great, upbeat, satiric post-punk song to jam out to and sing off-key. As far as "Gonna Fly Now" goes, if this song doesn't make you want to find a staircase to run up and make you feel like you could take on Apollo Creed, Mr. T and Ivan Drago at the same time, there is something seriously wrong ("Rocky" fans, you catch my drift). And so we reach the end of our music tour of the City of Brotherly Love. If you ever happen to find yourself in Philadelphia, delve into the city's rich history, cheer on a Philly sports team and grab a soft pretzel while you explore a fantastic city. On to the next stop on our Music Map ... Contact Lizzy Schroff at eschro01@saintmarys.edu The views in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.  

Affleck Shines in 'Argo'

At equal turns darkly comedic and chillingly suspenseful, "Argo" brings vividly to life the little known story of the rescue of six U.S. diplomats from Tehran, Iran in 1979 in the middle of the Iranian hostage crisis.

Weekend Events Calendar

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The Heist': soulful, honest and creative

Things to do over Fall Break

Fall break is rapidly approaching, and an entire week of sheer, classless bliss lies just beyond that last midterm. For anyone staying in South Bend for the week, it's the perfect opportunity to leave the familiar path and try out some of the city's less frequented haunts. Let this calendar serve as your guide as you brave the uncharted territory of South Bend's cultural offerings.

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Indie Music Map

Welcome to Baltimore, home of the Ravens, Duff Goldman from "Ace of Cakes" (why did they have to cancel that show?) and Old Bay seasoning - our first stop on our Music Map journey. Charm City is home to a vibrant indie music scene; the trending Baltimore music world is characterized by an experimental, psychedelic folk style. There are numerous bands that fall into this far-reaching category, many of which are primarily locally known. I want to highlight several that really stand out from the crowd.

Taken 2 Review

This past spring I spent my semester abroad in Fremantle, Australia. During our first week there, we had the brilliant idea of watching "Taken" to serve as a warning of stranger danger. Naturally, I was scared for the next month that I was going to be taken into the underground world of suburban Australia.

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