Charles River Laboratories Internat-ional, Inc., announced on Oct. 30 the election of Cummings School Dean Deborah Kochevar to its Board of Directors.
On the surface, the debut album from self-proclaimed lover of Pop, Lady GaGa seems like it wouldn't be of much interest to a college-aged crowd, but surprisingly it's, for some reason, seeing heavy rotation in nearly all demographics. Moreover, it's been heralded as the future of pop music, or conversely, according to All Music Guide, "anti-pop," whatever that may be. From the first track and first single, "Just Dance," the theme of which is pretty self-explanatory, "The Fame" is unabashedly a pop album with nothing in mind other than serving up nasty hooks and even dirtier lyrics. While "Just Dance" relies more on the catchiness of its chorus than the lyrical content, the hook is so unstoppable that it's no surprise that this song is already tearing up the charts. Then again, the chorus is so blatant -- "Girl, I love this record/ but I can't see straight anymore" -- that it's hard to listen to the track without seeing throbbing subwoofers pounding out the steady bass line on a club sound system while throngs of sweaty, inebriated people wildly grind against each other. The second single from the album, which is already receiving heavy airplay on both radio and MTV, entitled "Poker Face," is nearly as melodically magnetic as "Just Dance," but it makes the unwise move of stepping from the realm of "kitsch" to "cheesy." As GaGa sings, "Can't read my/ Can't read my/ Can't read my poker face," the chorus is then followed by the word "poker" stuttered repeatedly. If the chorus had been thought through a bit more, this track could have been just as 'pop-tastic' as "Just Dance," but instead it stands in the shadow of the first single. Even though some of the songs seem rather serious, there are certainly a handful of others that were simply made to be blasted at ear-splitting volumes in New York's downtown clubs. The second cut off the album, "LoveGame," starts with the line, "Let's have some fun/ This beat is sick/ I want to take a ride/ on your disco stick." If these lyrics came from someone like Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera, it would be easy to write them off as clichéd dirty references. Yet, listeners are clearly cognizant of the fact that Lady GaGa knows how trite and humorously sexual her words are, and embrace them for that very reason. "The Fame," the title track from the album, is steeped in David Bowie and Prince influences, which somehow manage to mesh perfectly with the processed drums and digital bass that hold down nearly every track on the album. A simple guitar line takes the hook for the entirety of the tune, with synthesizers swooshing for the hard-panned left and right, attacking the listener with a flood of special stimuli. Amazingly the song still is about something as superficial as money, cars and women, with GaGa straight-facedly saying in her raspy voice, "All we care about is runway models, Cadillacs and liquor bottles." But it gets better. The ballad of the record, "Brown Eyes," has subtleties that bring to mind Lauryn Hill and even Billie Holiday. This one was definitely not made for the clubs, but it reminds the audience that even with her self-imposed superstar status, Lady GaGa, real name Stefani Germanotta, is still partially human beneath her skin-tight vinyl get-ups. Lady GaGa is unexpectedly attractive for the very same reason spandex tights or retro clothing styles have drawn in so many people over the last few years: She's turned what was once kitschy into the avant-garde and vice versa. Lady Gaga attempts, with some success, to do for music what Jasper Johns or Andy Warhol did for visual art in the 1950s. Though she is still far from being a real heavy hitter in the music world, this lady could see some serious staying power if she maintains her tongue-in-cheek pop mentalities.
Boston-area college students rallied in Cambridge yesterday against Proposition 8, the voter-approved California ballot question that banned same-sex marriages in that state.
The LGBT Center sponsored Love 'N' Lube, a sexual awareness event featuring an educational table about sexual lubricants, free lubricant sample giveaways and lube wrestling, in Sophia Gordon Hall on Saturday.
It seems university classrooms are jumping on the same technological bandwagons as the students who use them; chalk and blackboards are in the midst of becoming relics of the past.
The fencing team got back at it this weekend, battling regional competition at the New England Women's Intercollegiate Fencing Association's aptly titled season opener: The Big One.
Its season might have ended in the first round of the NESCAC Tournament on Sunday, but for the men's soccer team, the early exit couldn't dull a fall campaign that witnessed a lot of progress.
This is a period of turnover in America. With Barack Obama winning the presidency and the Democrats picking up a significant number of seats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, one thing is clear: The people were tired of the old administration.
At the beginning of the season, many labeled the Dallas Cowboys as one of the frontrunners for a Super Bowl crown. Experts then began listing the Washington Redskins as one of the top squads in the league after they reeled off six wins between Weeks 2 and 8. But after both teams were thoroughly humiliated earlier this week, their chances to be part of the Super Bowl festivities in Tampa Bay in February are dwindling by the day.
Dear Keanu Reeves, Congratulations on a "not guilty" verdict in your trial! We at the Daily were upset to hear that you hit a paparazzo with your car as he was trying to take your picture. How could you do such a thing? Though he sued you for damages, we think it's pretty cool that the trial showed some of the best acting Tinseltown can offer. Who provided the great performance? Not you — you never have and never will. Your accuser Alison Silva stole the show. He exhibited a great deal of emotional range during his trial; he even broke down in tears, which led the judge to ask if he needed a hanky. Puh-lease! Can anyone believe the rubbish this guy spewed? Besides, he changed his story multiple times; first he was falling in the air for 20 seconds, then he was falling for five to six seconds. Those subtle changes in the details didn't slip by the jury, though. They also didn't make sense. Twenty seconds is a long time; we'd like to see the physics calculations behind that one. It's a good thing you brought up the fact that he only fell backward after stumbling on his own feet, and that his "moaning in pain" was significantly delayed. This courtroom drama is as intense as the time Mike Brady caught that man faking his injuries in court after Carol struck his car! Now that this is all over and done with, here are a few suggestions to avoid this happening in the future: wear a disguise, get a driver, lead the paparazzi off your tracks or retire from acting, like Joaquin Phoenix … maybe then you wouldn't have to deal with the scary flashbulbs anymore. Sincerely, The Daily Arts Department
Add another name to the growing list of Stone family members who can call themselves individual champions of Boston's world-famous Head of the Charles Regatta.
Now that Sen. Barack Obama has proved that people from all backgrounds can rise to the highest office in the world, we at the Daily are truly inspired. But why stop with the first black president? Perhaps, one day, more barriers will be broken down and our favorite president-figures from the world of TV and film will make our dreams a reality. Here is our short list of potential candidates: 10. James Brolin in "W" (2008): The only problem with Brolin's portrayal of President George W. Bush in this recent feature is that he almost makes the guy look too smart. While most of the mannerisms are there, Brolin should have taken a few extra steps to ensure that he could walk, talk and just be overall … stupider. Still, he looks relatively qualified for the position. 9. Warren Beatty in "Bulworth" (1998): Ok, even though he wasn't a president in the movie, Warren Beatty gets extra credit for having the stones to write and direct a movie that is so surprisingly up-to-date with the current trends of comedy. Imagine "Man of the Year" (2006), but pretend it's not a complete failure — that's this movie. 8. Harrison Ford in "Air Force One" (1997): In addition to being one of Hollywood's silver foxes, Ford kicks serious butt as a President James Marshall, who single-handedly revolts against terrorist hijackers who take control of Air Force One. The failing economy? Healthcare issues? Nothing in comparison. GET OFF MY PLANE! 7. Jack Nicholson in "Mars Attacks!" (1996): Who else would have been able to decipher what the hell those aliens were screeching about besides creepy Jack Nicholson? We're pretty sure he is some kind of alien anyway. Who better to meet with foreign leaders without preconditions? 6. Morgan Freeman in "Deep Impact" (1998): Tough times call for tough actions, and this president knows how to make it work. Calm, cool and collected, this dude had to send the bad news to millions of Americans that they were going to die. He also had to make the decision to send astronauts to blow up the big rock careening toward Earth. Bet Hillary Clinton wouldn't have answered that phone call. 5. Peter Sellers in "Dr. Strangelove" (1994): Playing a huge role in the comedy of errors that is the Cold War, this president knows how to lighten the mood. With Peter Sellers playing triple-duty as an actor in this film, his role as president is not slighted in the least. Remember "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!"? That'll get Iran off our backs. 4. Dennis Haysbert in "24": Ironically John McCain's personal favorite fictional president, this guy is compassionate and clever and has no problem assisting Jack Bauer in his highly illegal exploits to save our nation from terrorists, WMDs, biological warfare, etc. McCain could only dream of having his endearing presence and balls — not to mention his youth, health and skin color… 3. Martin Sheen in "The West Wing:" He appointed a liberal Hispanic to the Supreme Court, elevated a brilliant woman to chief of staff and always had a witty comment. The only thing wrong with this leader was the fact that he never would have received that many electoral votes if he weren't fictional. Or so we thought until Tuesday... 2. President Ronald Reagan: The Arts Department has to give a shout-out to everyone's favorite B-movie-actor-turned-President. He's the only one, so he's gotta make the list, right? 1. Bill Pullman in "Independence Day" (1996): "Yes we can?" Sure we can, but will we? How about, "We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!" Now there's the determined leadership this country needs. — compiled by the Daily Arts Department
Hundreds of Tufts students gathered en masse on Packard Ave. between Barnum Hall and the Fletcher School early this morning to celebrate Sen. Barack Obama's presidential victory. Shortly after Obama's historic acceptance speech, students assembled, carrying signs, shouting and hugging.
Add another name to the growing list of Stone family members who can call themselves individual champions of Boston's world-famous Head of the Charles Regatta.
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), a Tufts alum, won reelection yesterday by a landslide — but his glide to a finish did not keep the congressman from hitting the campaign trail hard yesterday.
The Daily examined patterns among young voters yesterday, both at Tufts and on a national level. In the wake of yesterday's election, we look at how this election has affected political engagement and awareness.
Major Undecided added a touch of comedy to the Election Night Extravaganza last night, drawing nearly 50 students away from the TV networks' projections. But in a break from their usual routines, their six skits were in keeping with the political theme of the evening.
It's over. At long last, it's over. The longest, wildest and most historic presidential election of my short lifetime just concluded yesterday, and my mood mirrors what I imagine is the attitude of the entire country: relief that, one way or the other, we've finally decided this damn thing and can move onto the business of taking this country forward. For many young Americans like myself, who first became politically aware in the chaos of the aftermath of the 2000 election debacle in Florida, the concept of a post-Bush political world is a tough one to comprehend. And even before that, when we were little kids running around our parents' living rooms, there would be the Clintons on our TV screens, the eternal faces of the Democratic Party. It is fair to say that for the vast majority of Tufts students, a Bush or Clinton has inhabited the White House for every moment they've been on this earth.
Residents across Massachus-etts voted definitively yesterday to decriminalize petty marijuana possession and to leave the state income tax intact.
