Arts

Arts

Supreme Cuts' new album provides dazzling soundscapes

January 30

Over the past several years, a new form of R&B has gained popularity in the indie music community. Fueled by the end of the golden age of artists like R. Kelly and a newfound interest in dark, electronic music, this type of R&B bridges various genres and has begun creeping into the mainstream. Typically characterized by emotive electronics and vocals that float into the murky background, this new style of music has become quite ubiquitous: everyone - from Miguel to thousands of no-name bedroom producers - has rallied behind it.

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Arts

Artsy Jumbo | Junior Shea Maloney explores photography, fibers

January 29

Photography isn't quite like painting a picture or writing a song. To junior Shea Maloney, she says "photography is all about pointing to something compelling ... it forces you to pay attention to everything in your environment."

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Arts

Concert Review | Jay-Z delivers successful, energetic concert

January 29

It may be hard to believe, but Shawn Carter, the businessman, husband to Beyonc?, temporary vegan and video game producer is still a rapper — and as such, he still performs with a swagger and audacity that has not been seen in hip-hop since the unfortunate death of his friend and fellow Brooklynite the Notorious B.I.G. Indeed, there is no doubt that Jay-Z, despite his age, can still put on the show of a lifetime.

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Arts

Artsy Nugget | Macklemore wins Grammy, expresses guilt

January 29

The 56th annual Grammy Awards - which aired Sunday, Jan. 26 - saw the usual amount of drama, as well as a fair amount of shocking wins. Many were surprised to see Macklemore and Ryan Lewis pick up several trophies in the rap category, winning Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Album. Additionally, the duo's Best New Artist victory was even more bewildering for some fans, many of whom claimed they have been listening to Macklemore for more than a decade. The (somewhat muddled) official parameters for the award state that the artist must have just released "the first recording which establishes the public identity of the artist."

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Arts

Artsy Nugget | Macklemore wins Grammy, expresses guilt

January 29

The 56th annual Grammy Awards — which aired Sunday, Jan. 26 — saw the usual amount of drama, as well as a fair amount of shocking wins. Many were surprised to see Macklemore and Ryan Lewis pick up several trophies in the rap category, winning Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Album. Additionally, the duo’s Best New Artist victory was even more bewildering for some fans, many of whom claimed they have been listening to Macklemore for more than a decade. The (somewhat muddled) official parameters for the award state that the artist must have just released “the first recording which establishes the public identity of the artist.”

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Arts

Concert Review | Jay-Z delivers successful, energetic concert

January 29

It may be hard to believe, but Shawn Carter, the businessman, husband to Beyonc?, temporary vegan and video game producer is still a rapper - and as such, he still performs with a swagger and audacity that has not been seen in hip-hop since the unfortunate death of his friend and fellow Brooklynite the Notorious B.I.G. Indeed, there is no doubt that Jay-Z, despite his age, can still put on the show of a lifetime.

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Arts

Artsy Jumbo | Junior Shea Maloney explores photography, fibers

January 29

Photography isn’t quite like painting a picture or writing a song. To junior Shea Maloney, she says “photography is all about pointing to something compelling ... it forces you to pay attention to everything in your environment.”

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Arts

Restaurant Review | The Burren provides cozy, fun atmosphere hearty cuisine

January 28

Stepping into The Burren — with its wood paneling, soft red lighting, walls postered with pictures of musical acts and lilting Irish music piping from the sound system — feels like being transported to a small piece of Dublin without having to leave Somerville.

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Arts

TV Review | ‘HitRECord on TV’ is engaging, collaborative success

January 28

Just when we thought Joseph Gordon-Levitt couldn’t be more of a renaissance man, the actor-producer-screenwriter unveiled the pilot of “HitRECord on TV” (2014) — proving that he is indeed a jack of all trades. Drawing from a creative wealth of artists across the globe, Gordon-Levitt’s new series stitches together user-submitted content into a patchwork of stories that tie into greater themes during each episode. The result is a series of homegrown products that are hyperactive, dazzling and often unexpectedly touching.

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Arts

TV Review | 'HitRECord on TV' is engaging, collaborative success

January 28

Just when we thought Joseph Gordon-Levitt couldn't be more of a renaissance man, the actor-producer-screenwriter unveiled the pilot of "HitRECord on TV" (2014) - proving that he is indeed a jack of all trades. Drawing from a creative wealth of artists across the globe, Gordon-Levitt's new series stitches together user-submitted content into a patchwork of stories that tie into greater themes during each episode. The result is a series of homegrown products that are hyperactive, dazzling and often unexpectedly touching.

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Arts

Restaurant Review | The Burren provides cozy, fun atmosphere hearty cuisine

January 28

Stepping into The Burren - with its wood paneling, soft red lighting, walls postered with pictures of musical acts and lilting Irish music piping from the sound system - feels like being transported to a small piece of Dublin without having to leave Somerville.

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Arts

Concert Review | Steven Feifke fills Regattabar with passionate, sophisticated jazz

January 28

It’s refreshing to hear young musicians playing traditional jazz. It’s even more refreshing to hear them playing it exceptionally well. While jazz sub-genres range from the screaming, avant-garde sensibilities of John Zorn to the lukewarm Muzak of Kenny G, Steven Feifke and company keep it simple. Each band member is all of 23 or 24 years old, yet each is as savvy as a much more seasoned musician. Anybody with an interest in jazz should watch Feifke and tenor saxophonist Chad Lefkowitz-Brown cover “Summertime” (1935) and “For All We Know” (1934) on YouTube.

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Arts

Concert Review | Steven Feifke fills Regattabar with passionate, sophisticated jazz

January 28

It's refreshing to hear young musicians playing traditional jazz. It's even more refreshing to hear them playing it exceptionally well. While jazz sub-genres range from the screaming, avant-garde sensibilities of John Zorn to the lukewarm Muzak of Kenny G, Steven Feifke and company keep it simple. Each band member is all of 23 or 24 years old, yet each is as savvy as a much more seasoned musician. Anybody with an interest in jazz should watch Feifke and tenor saxophonist Chad Lefkowitz-Brown cover "Summertime" (1935) and "For All We Know" (1934) on YouTube.

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Arts

Against Me! dials down politics, turns up emotion

January 27

The newest album by Against Me! starts out raw and powerful. "Your tells are so obvious / shoulders too broad for a girl ... / you want them to notice / the ragged ends of your summer dress / you want them to see you like they see every other girl / they just see a faggot / they'll hold their breath not to catch the sick ..." With these lyrics, we get a true first glimpse into the world of Laura Jane Grace, singing in her first album since coming out as transgender in 2012.

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Arts

TV Review | ‘Sherlock’ returns after two-year hiatus

January 26

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s readers waited 12 years for the Scottish writer to revive the beloved detective in 1905 after killing him off in “The Final Problem” (1893). Likewise, the BBC’s “Sherlock” left its audiences anxiously anticipating — for two years — the third season’s North American premiere, which hit PBS on Sunday, Jan. 19. Titled “The Empty Hearse,” the 90-minute episode brings back the wildly popular consulting detective and promises further developments for the rest of the season.

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Arts

TV Review | 'Sherlock' returns after two-year hiatus

January 26

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's readers waited 12 years for the Scottish writer to revive the beloved detective in 1905 after killing him off in "The Final Problem" (1893). Likewise, the BBC's "Sherlock" left its audiences anxiously anticipating - for two years - the third season's North American premiere, which hit PBS on Sunday, Jan. 19. Titled "The Empty Hearse," the 90-minute episode brings back the wildly popular consulting detective and promises further developments for the rest of the season.

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Arts

Jack Ryan series reboots with ‘Shadow Recruit’

January 26

In an era of reboot and sequel-crazed Hollywood, with studios increasingly eager to stake their fortunes on just a handful of tent pole films each year, the value of name recognition to studios can’t be overstated. After all, there’s a reason that someone (albeit an unfortunately misguided individual) thought that making a “Battleship” (2012) film was a good idea. There are numerous franchises in Hollywood that are near-guarantees at the box office just based on name recognition alone. Jason Bourne? Check. James Bond? Check. Jack Ryan? Eh, not so much.

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Arts

Young the Giant’s sophomore album cheap, derivative

January 22

A band’s personality can make or break its fan base, its credibility and its ability to establish itself in the industry. Best Coast, the west-coast crooners with simple, frank and sincere songs, has inspired a generation of teens with poignant nostalgia. Vampire Weekend, whose outrageous lead singer (Ezra Koenig) and trademark melodies have garnered a massive and loyal following, is a great example of successful personality development. Simply put, the character of a group can define how a listener enjoys its music. Bands are undeniably tied to how they present themselves and to the kinds of associations they evoke for the audience.

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Arts

Young the Giant's sophomore album cheap, derivative

January 22

A band's personality can make or break its fan base, its credibility and its ability to establish itself in the industry. Best Coast, the west-coast crooners with simple, frank and sincere songs, has inspired a generation of teens with poignant nostalgia. Vampire Weekend, whose outrageous lead singer (Ezra Koenig) and trademark melodies have garnered a massive and loyal following, is a great example of successful personality development. Simply put, the character of a group can define how a listener enjoys its music. Bands are undeniably tied to how they present themselves and to the kinds of associations they evoke for the audience.

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Arts

Oscar race heats up as nominees are announced

January 22

It’s a busy season for Hollywood. Four days after Tina Fey and Amy Poehler returned to host the Golden Globes on Jan. 12, the Oscar nominees were announced. The Screen Actors Guilds Awards were broadcast Jan. 18 and the very next night, envelopes were opened at the Producers Guild Awards. With less than two months until the Academy Awards, the Daily takes a look at how some of the Oscar races are shaping up.

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