Reviews

A&E

Viet Cong faces their own mortality on their maiden voyage

By Zachary Byram | January 30, 2015

In their morbid self-titled debut album, Viet Cong approaches a deep existential dilemma. Throughout their LP, Viet Cong grapples with the inevitability of death with reckless abandon. Featuring Matt Flegel and Mike Wallace from Calgary’s much-beloved noise-rock outfit Women — who permanently disbanded following the unexpected death of guitarist Chris Reimer — Viet Cong is a sort of continuation despite the tragedy.

---

A&E

A checkup with Dr. Dog

By Helen Broad | January 29, 2015

The Jefferson Theater thrives on its intimate setting. Every audience member is privy to a clear view of the band regardless of proximity to the stage.

---

A&E

Cloudshadow entrances the Tin Whistle with Irish spirit

By Therese Codd | January 29, 2015

Of the many ways to connect with a culture, music has to be the most enjoyable. Each culture produces its own style — its songs or instruments conjuring images of landscape, people and traditions.

---

A&E

Sleater-Kinney won’t give in

By Noah Zeidman | January 29, 2015

In 2010, Carrie Brownstein announced that riot grrrl/punk band Sleater-Kinney would put out a new album some time in the next five years.

---

A&E

Oscars Frontrunners

By Charles Hancock | January 29, 2015

Until now, any prediction of Academy Awards winners was pure speculation.

---

A&E

Falling in Reverse falls short with new set of singles

By Robert Shimshock | January 29, 2015

Falling in Reverse’s newest album has fans giddy with anticipation.

---

A&E

“Togetherness” stands alone with rare unique charm

By Sam Henson | January 29, 2015

Sundays are a big night for HBO.

---

A&E

The Decemberists’ latest welcomes a confused “World”

By Julia Stembridge | January 27, 2015

The Decemberists kicked off the new year with its lively seventh studio album, “What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World” — marking a 15-year-long career.

---

A&E

“Cake” falls flat

By Ellen Adams | January 27, 2015

Jennifer Aniston has long been the poster girl for the romantic comedy heroine: unlucky in love — until she meets the perfect guy.

---

A&E

The mess that is “Mortdecai”

By Christian Salcedo | January 26, 2015

“Mortdecai” is a lousy film, riddled by a weak and linear plot. The plot brings the audience to some attractive destinations — England, Hong Kong, Russia, and the United States — but the locales are wasted on the film’s lackluster premise and execution. The film’s protagonist — played by the ever-quirky Johnny Depp — is Charlie Mortdecai, an art-dealing English aristocrat who finds himself saddled with 8 million pounds of debt.

---

A&E

“Archer” aims high in season 6

By Ryan Waligora | January 23, 2015

In season five, “Archer” veered away from its tried and true formula of portraying the exploits of a bumbling spy agency made up of mad scientists, chronic alcoholics and sex maniacs, shutting down the agency in the pilot episode.

---

A&E

Meghan Trainor’s “Title” is bland not only in name

By Vondrae McCoy | January 22, 2015

The pop music industry is tough to crack into — requiring the right timing, the right voice and the right song.

---

A&E

“American Sniper” is a powerhouse feature

By Christian Salcedo | January 22, 2015

It is no easy feat to quiet a theater audience. Once the credits start rolling, it is normal to hear whispers and laughs as people get up from their seats to awkwardly shuffle towards the exit.

---

A&E

The importance of “Selma”

By Nina Lukow | January 22, 2015

“Selma” is the most important film of the year. “Birdman” may be the most technically creative.

---

A&E

‘The Interview’ not worth the controversy

By Flo Overfelt | January 21, 2015

“The Interview,” the highly anticipated satirical film with duo Seth Rogen and James Franco, falls short of the hype that accompanied its release.

---

A&E

Belle and Sebastian try to dance with two feet

By Ty Cadogan | January 20, 2015

For nearly two decades, Belle and Sebastian have provided the soundtrack to a cloudy day with calm, pensive and melancholy music.

---

A&E

Panda Bear crafts an odyssey

By Noah Zeidman | January 20, 2015

Experimental electronic artist Panda Bear opens his fifth solo album, “Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper,” on a gentle note.

---

A&E

“Birdman” is a bold stylistic triumph

By Noah Ziedman | January 15, 2015

There is a key difference between seeing a movie and viewing a play. In a play, anything can happen.

---

A&E

“Exodus: Gods and Kings” leaves most of its Biblical source material behind

By Nina Lukow | January 15, 2015

“Exodus: Gods and Kings,” Ridley Scott’s new film about the well-known Old Testament book and the latest in Biblically-inspired epic films, has a bit of a misleading title. The film, though enormous in scale, is not really about gods and kings at all.

---

A&E

D’Angelo Returns With An Album Worth the 14-Year Wait

By Ty Cadogan | January 13, 2015

Buried in obscurity for the past 14 years, R&B singer D'Angelo has resurfaced — his new record, “Black Messiah,” presenting a tempestuous blend of funk, soul, rock and gospel. But “Black Messiah” is more than just a comeback record.