Arts

Arts

Pharrell brings unique touch to fun, upbeat album

March 10

Although Pharrell Williams only just blew up on the pop scene in 2013, he is a music industry veteran. He has been leaving his musical mark for many years now, as both a singer and a producer. Blending elements of soul, funk and hip-hop into his vocal and instrumental productions, Pharrell has consistently kept pop sounding fresh and innovative. With producer credits on Justin Timberlake’s “Justified” (2002) and more recently Kendrick Lamar’s “good kid, m.A.A.d city”(2012), Pharrell has molded some of the past decade’s most influential music.

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Arts

Fashion | Paris Fashion Week wows with Renaissance, Fauvist inspiration

March 9

Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly character in “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006) has, since the movie’s release, become an iconic representation of the fashion world. Priestly coolly says in response to an editor’s suggestion of a spring editorial focusing on florals: “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.” Every designer struggles to find the balance between brightening up post-winter lines with floral accents and actually bringing revolutionary elements to their pieces without being overly avant-garde. 

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Arts

At the center of ABC's new psychological drama "Mind Games" is a puzzling contrast:

March 9

For an artist whose heyday was in the late 1980s, Neneh Cherry has made quite a comeback with her newest album, "Blank Project." One would think that being out of the alternative/electronic/punk music scene for such a long time would put a damper on the brash effectiveness of Cherry's earlier work, but in her latest project she returns with an assertiveness that not only rivals the initial shock value of her 1989 debut, "Raw Like Sushi," but also places her on the forefront of female-driven punk music.

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Arts

At the center of ABC’s new psychological drama “Mind Games” is a puzzling contrast:

March 9

For an artist whose heyday was in the late 1980s, Neneh Cherry has made quite a comeback with her newest album, “Blank Project.” One would think that being out of the alternative/electronic/punk music scene for such a long time would put a damper on the brash effectiveness of Cherry’s earlier work, but in her latest project she returns with an assertiveness that not only rivals the initial shock value of her 1989 debut, “Raw Like Sushi,” but also places her on the forefront of female-driven punk music.

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Arts

TV Review | ‘Mind Games’ more shallow than smart

March 9

At the center of ABC’s new psychological drama “Mind Games” is a puzzling contrast: its core premise relies on manipulation of the mind and moral ambiguity, but somehow it still manages to come off as fuzzy and heartwarming. The series showcases the intrinsic darkness of human nature and how it can be twisted — through lying, cheating and other illegal practices — to help those in need. If these things are done for the good of the underdog, it’s all okay, right?

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Arts

‘St. Vincent’ displays novel, impressive side of art pop

March 6

Annie Clark, the singer better known as St. Vincent, might have just become the Beyonc? of the art pop genre with her latest eponymous album “St. Vincent.” Though Clark may never receive even a fraction of the international recognition achieved by the now-legendary Knowles, the comparison is undeniable. Much like the former Destiny’s Child star, St. Vincent is making music that is fresh and original, fierce and independent. She manages to combine the more lighthearted elements of pop with a barrage of musical influences, which fuse together on one of the most intriguing albums released thus far in 2014. Indeed, with her more recent success, Clark is approaching a level of celebrity status that, within certain circles, could be considered similar to that of Beyonc?’s.

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Arts

Theatre Review | Multimedia theater production defies genre, medium

March 6

“You may look, but do not touch,” says the dapper man at the door before taking a sip of his drink and ushering a group of audience members into the OBERON — a theater and nightclub within the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.). From this point onward in “AcousticaElectronica,” no matter how close one gets to the performers, no matter how touchy-feely they are with the audience, there is an inescapable sense that everything is happening at a distance. Despite the fact that the performers sometimes weave through the crowded dance floor, the fourth wall is still firmly in place. Nevertheless, “AcousticaElectronica” is perhaps one of the most immersive theatrical performance events out there.

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Music

'St. Vincent' displays novel, impressive side of art pop

March 6

Annie Clark, the singer better known as St. Vincent, might have just become the Beyonc? of the art pop genre with her latest eponymous album "St. Vincent." Though Clark may never receive even a fraction of the international recognition achieved by the now-legendary Knowles, the comparison is undeniable. Much like the former Destiny's Child star, St. Vincent is making music that is fresh and original, fierce and independent. She manages to combine the more lighthearted elements of pop with a barrage of musical influences, which fuse together on one of the most intriguing albums released thus far in 2014. Indeed, with her more recent success, Clark is approaching a level of celebrity status that, within certain circles, could be considered similar to that of Beyonc?'s.

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Arts

TV Review | ‘The Americans’ returns strong in second season

March 5

Television, it seems, is rife with political thrillers of all kinds: from “Scandal” (2012-present) and “Homeland” (2011-present) to Netflix’s “House of Cards” (2013-present) and the upcoming “Crisis,” the genre is clearly in no short supply. These buzzy shows have garnered intense and loyal fans, impressive ratings and frequent critical acclaim (the exception here is “Crisis,” which doesn’t premiere until March 16). But despite the current popularity of the political thriller, FX’s superbly crafted “The Americans” hasn’t seemed to be able to capitalize on the trend. To be sure, the spy series, which just recently returned for a second season, is a critical darling and has earned nominations at the Emmys and other smaller awards shows, but it certainly does not pervade the pop culture landscape the way its counterparts do.

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Arts

The Artsy Jumbo | Senior Silliman

March 5

For those who cannot quite find the right creative outlet here at Tufts, Boston offers unlimited opportunities for artistic expression. The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (SMFA) is a popular venue, one which senior Mikko Silliman has been visiting every weekend for the past five semesters.

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Arts

Theater Preview | 'How I Learned to Drive' premieres tonight

March 5

Pen, Paint & Pretzels' spring major production, "How I Learned to Drive," opens tonight in Balch Arena Theater. The show, written by American playwright Paula Vogel, was first performed in 1997 and follows the story of a young girl, introduced to us as Lil' Bit (played by sophomore Tessa Barlow-Ochshorn) through her childhood and adolescence in Maryland.

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Arts

Theater Preview | ‘How I Learned to Drive’ premieres tonight

March 5

Pen, Paint & Pretzels’ spring major production, “How I Learned to Drive,” opens tonight in Balch Arena Theater. The show, written by American playwright Paula Vogel, was first performed in 1997 and follows the story of a young girl, introduced to us as Lil’ Bit (played by sophomore Tessa Barlow-Ochshorn) through her childhood and adolescence in Maryland.

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Arts

The Artsy Jumbo | Senior Silliman

March 5

For those who cannot quite find the right creative outlet here at Tufts, Boston offers unlimited opportunities for artistic expression. The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (SMFA) is a popular venue, one which senior Mikko Silliman has been visiting every weekend for the past five semesters.

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Arts

Lea Michele fails to break into mainstream with debut album ‘Louder’

March 4

Lea Michele, once a Broadway prodigy and now the starlet of “Glee” (2009-present), released her debut album “Louder” at the end of February. Michele is a well-known actress with a loyal fan base. But the album is of particular note in light of the July 2013 death of her “Glee” co-star and boyfriend Corey Monteith. After a brief hiatus from the public eye, Michele remerged in spectacular fashion, joining the rest of the “Glee” cast for the show’s fifth season as well as releasing her first record.

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Arts

TV Review | NBC’s ‘Hannibal’ amps up suspense in season premiere

March 4

After a lengthy hiatus, “Hannibal,” NBC’s gory crime drama/psychological thriller, roared back into life with its second season premiere last week, promising an exciting sophomore installment.

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Arts

Restaurant Review | Yume Wo Katare not for faint of heart

March 4

Near the Porter T stop, almost completely hidden in the chilly shadow of a red avant-garde windmill sculpture, one restaurant reigns supreme. There is almost no topping the treasure that is Yume Wo Katare. The restaurant’s ambience alone is deeply satisfying — a blend of casual and group effort dining , placed within a colorful setting, marinating visitors in fumes of mouth-watering, heart-stopping ramen.

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Arts

TV Review | NBC's 'Hannibal' amps up suspense in season premiere

March 4

After a lengthy hiatus, "Hannibal," NBC's gory crime drama/psychological thriller, roared back into life with its second season premiere last week, promising an exciting sophomore installment.

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Arts

TV Review | ‘Mixology’ serves up bitter, disappointing concoction

March 3

“Mixology” is, hands down, the most astoundingly awful series released thus far in 2014. It is baffling how ABC, a network with a large female audience and a tendency toward mild, family-friendly humor, could unveil a show with such offensive writing and overdone ideas. In the midst of ABC’s most recent forward-thinking hits, including “Modern Family” (2009-present), “Scandal” (2012-present) and “Grey’s Anatomy” (2005-present), this low-level bar comedy sticks out like a sore thumb.

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Arts

'Migrant Universe' exhibition explores culture, identity

March 3

"I have transitioned through three citizenships in addition to one period of being a citizen of no country," Tanja Softic says in her artist's statement. "In both my old and new countries, outdated notions of national and ethnic identity and belonging continue to shape the politics and the society."

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Arts

‘Migrant Universe’ exhibition explores culture, identity

March 3

“I have transitioned through three citizenships in addition to one period of being a citizen of no country,” Tanja Softic says in her artist’s statement. “In both my old and new countries, outdated notions of national and ethnic identity and belonging continue to shape the politics and the society.”

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