Arts

Pretty Little Liars redundant, starting to lose steam

When the television show came out in 2010, fans of Sara Shepards book series Pretty Little Liars were ecstatic. The books tell a thrilling story of how a group of teenage girls is being stalked and blackmailed by an anonymous villain only indentifying themself as A. It is a great premise for a young adult series and has a pretty large fan base, which only grew when ABC Family decided to create a television show of the same name based on the series. The TV series was released at an opportune time, when the story in the books had slowly started to become convoluted and repetitive. Fans now turned to this new medium to get their weekly share of Aria (Lucy Hale), Spencer (Troian Bellisario), Hanna (Ashley Benson) and Emily (Shay Mitchell) all of whom are more endearingly known as The Liars onscreen. Currently in its third season, however, the television show seems to be on the brink of turning to the same mistakes as its book counterpart.

Elizabeth Landers | The Clothes Make the Woman

Since fashion blogger Man Repeller coined and copywrote the term arm party a few years ago, it seems that stacks of bracelets, beads, rings, rhinestones and even bones are de rigueur for craftier ways to make a statement in an outfit. As someone who prefers to focus on the cut and color of clothes instead of bedazzling myself in jewels, this has been a learning curve for me. Im starting to get the hang of it, mixing my ubiquitous colored friendship bracelet with antique silver bangles from Mexico that have just enough tarnish to look cool, not forced. Other than a newfound interest in accessorizing, Ive come across some seriously chic and to most males, confusing ways to bling out. My weirdly wonderful round-up:

Innovative Metamorphosis translates novella creatively to stage

In Franz Kafkas 1915 novella The Metamorphosis, protagonist Gregor Samsa is a hardworking German man with a solid sense of morality. One morning, however, he wakes up in his own home and finds his body has morphed into that of a hideous insect. Despite his changed appearance, his humanlike thoughts and words still make sense to him. Sadly, his family is unable to understand anything Gregor says. Their relationship with him quickly sours, and Gregor is soon banned from entering any area of the house outside of his room.

Portlandia' provides offbeat comic relief

As of January, Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen are continuing to explore the alternative universe and cultural unaffectedness of Portland, Ore. in the third season of "Portlandia." Much of the comedic appeal of "Portlandia" lies in stellar performances by Brownstein and Armisen as they seamlessly move from character to character, enacting sketches that most viewers stongly identify with strongly even after the episodes are over. That seems to be the primary goal, at least, as the Brownstein?Armisen team is obviously far too cool for punch lines.

Melissa MacEwen | The Roaming Fork

South African Emperor moths are gorgeous creatures. Brightly colored and distinctively patterned, the adult moths appear each spring to mate, lay eggs and frolic in the South African sun.

Indie vets Shout Out Louds turn to synths on 'Optica'

Swedish indie darlings Shout Out Louds have chosen synth?pop over their previous lo?fi goodness on their fourth and newest album, "Optica," which was released on Feb. 26. Their 13?song, 55?minute lineup contains interesting, yet predictable tunes, with a couple refreshing and quirky beats.

Electronic newcomer Kavinsky displays promise on debut album

Steeped in the nostalgic synth of the 1980s and peppered with more modern departures, "Outrun" - the debut album of Kavinsky, French house music producer Vincent Belogray - seems strangely both familiar and new at the same time. Even the name of the album, "Outrun," was named after a Sega Golden Joystick Award?winning racing and arcade game that was released in 1986. Kavinsky is best known for his collaboration with Lovefoxxx on a song called "Nightfall" that was featured in the film "Drive" (2011). The themes that permeated the film are the same themes that are prevalent throughout Kavinsky's debut: fast cars, music, sensual electro?synth and sentimental throwbacks to the golden days of the '80s. Although many artists fall victim to the expectations that a popular single can elicit when it comes to a full length?album, Kavinsky manages to dodge that bullet.

Rebecca Santiago | Is So Vain

A mere week after making my 'Year of Awesome Skin' proclamation, I'm typing this column on a Saturday night with an alluring purplish rash on my chin. This is not necessarily because I am the worst beauty columnist in the world, although, well, maybe.

Elizabeth Landers | The Clothes Make the Woman

With the Dow reaching a five?year high last Wednesday and the recent sequester hoopla, the state of the economy is of global importance. The fashion industry was hard?hit by the recession, with designers like Adam Lippes quietly shuttering their doors a couple of seasons ago and editors' perks evaporating. It felt suddenly inappropriate to wear ridiculously high heels or flounce intricate brocades. High?low dressing had been on the rise, but exploded as fashionistas and socialites alike bragged about their Reed Krakoff bags paired with J.Crew cashmere twinsets and Kate Spade rhinestone studs.

Book Review | 'Soundbitten' examines darker side of biased media

"I never thought this book was going to be about the media. I thought that I was just going to go study activists at a large national convening," said Tufts Sociology professor Sarah Sobieraj on her most recent research and book, "Soundbitten: The Perils of Media Centered Political Activism" (2011). Despite her academic background as a sociologist, Sobieraj, a self?proclaimed media junkie, has found a niche in media studies. This has manifested itself in varying research, television appearances and her role as a leading media studies professor at Tufts. In light of the recent presidential campaign and Occupy Wall Street movement, the general public is increasingly interested in the way that politics are covered in this country and "Soundbitten" (2011) reveals a darker side of biased media coverage, specifically that of the 2004 Presidential National Convention here in Boston. Sobieraj's book returned to the forefront of Tufts' collective consciousness when she spoke at Tufts Thursday.

Restaurant Review | Pavement Coffee House cozy but average

If you've been to the Back Bay in the past decade, chances are that you've been to one of Pavement Coffee House's three locations. With shops at 286 Newbury Street, 44 Gainsborough Street and 1096 Boylston Street, Pavement occupies some truly excellent real estate and will be opening a fourth location soon. Though these first three locations were originally home to Espresso Royale Caffe, they are now independently and locally owned.

TV Review | 'The Amazing Race' reveals new twists

Now in its 22nd season, "The Amazing Race" has proven to be a huge draw for viewers in America and around the world. The promise of exciting challenges and scenic travel locations has given the reality TV show multiple Primetime Emmy awards, and the show continues to attract more than 10 million viewers every episode, a testimony to its transcending popularity and appeal.

Danielle Jenkins | Greenwise

Ragnar Kjartansson's 'Song' surprises audience at ICA Boston

Tucked away in ICA Boston's galleries, the video installation exhibit "RagnarKjartansson: Song" is easy to miss at first. But it would be a shame to overlook this particular exhibition. Organized by the Carnegie Museum of Art, the exhibition transports its viewers to a variety of extreme environments, using repetition of sounds, tunes and gestures to play on the line between recorded and live performance, and between fiction and reality.

Campus bands Indoor Kites, Indian Twin, The Rare Occasions bring passion, hard work to campus music

Restaurant Review | Family-run Mike's Pastry: a sweet experience

Melissa MacEwen | The Roaming Fork

Concert Review | Kanye West ends stellar Paris show with a whimper

Atoms for Peace cultivats dense sonic layering on debut album 'Amok'

Anyone who saw Atoms for Peace on their last tour in 2009 had a lot to expect from the group's debut album, "Amok." Formed by Radiohead's Thom Yorke to perform his solo album, "The Eraser" (2006), the group sports an eclectic lineup: Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, David Byrne's percussionist Mauro Refosco and Joey Waronker, a drummer whose work has appeared in much of Beck's catalogue. The most thrilling achievement of the group was its ability to transform "The Eraser" from a compelling but chilly album into a dance-infused extravaganza on stage. Their debut brings incredible sonic density and some of this energy to the studio, but one can't help but feel some of the band's manic grooves cooled off as the album was being assembled.

Elizabeth Landers | The Clothes Make the Woman