Arts - The Daily Cardinal

St. Vincent's fifth studio album was acclaimed by critics.

ARTS

With ‘MASSEDUCTION,’ St. Vincent shows masterful command of electropop

By Carl Zabat | Oct. 23, 2017

It’s been almost four years since Annie Clark, better known by her stage name St. Vincent, released her self-titled album. A critical darling, St. Vincent propelled her into national prominence; numerous publications listed it as one of the best albums of the year and gave St. Vincent highest sales figures yet. With her fifth studio album, MASSEDUCTION, St. Vincent takes another bold step into her electropop psyche.

The production of 'Madagascar' bring fan-favorite characters from the movie to life on stage.

ARTS

‘Madagascar — A Musical Adventure’ captures fun, lighthearted energy to entertain all ages

By Allison Garfield | Oct. 23, 2017

The Children’s Theater of Madison kicked off its season with the adorably entertaining “Madagascar – A Musical Adventure,” based on DreamWorks animated motion picture.

Future's distinct beats envelope listeners within his world, while Young Thug brings bursts of energy that incorporate personal depth.

ARTS

Future, Young Thug’s ‘SUPER SLIMEY’ displays adaptation, lacks complexity

By Francisco Velazquez | Oct. 23, 2017

Trap music begins between zones and moves cross-country. After releasing two solo projects earlier this year, Future and Young Thug finally comes together on one project like a team line-up and brings the music industry back down south.

Olga Kern displayed her musical talents through masterful collaboration with the Madison Symphony Orchestra.

ARTS

Olga Kern, Madison Symphony Orchestra perform the works of Barber, Rachmaninoff, Ravel at the Overture Center

By Flora Junhua Deng | Oct. 23, 2017

Piano Concerto always makes a scene. The orchestra and the pianist both give all of what they have to each other in the arena — they cooperate, speak and challenge each other.

The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die gives a performance that doesn't quite satisfy.

ARTS

World Is a Beautiful Place band brings dynamic sound to High Noon Saloon

By Dylan Anderson | Oct. 19, 2017

The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die took the flannel-clad audience at High Noon Saloon for a nonlinear journey through sounds from the last 20 years.

CW's "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" returns for a third season, with Rebecca on a revenge mission.

ARTS

CW fan-favorite shows return with fall premieres

By Monique Scheidler | Oct. 19, 2017

Last week, the CW’s fall favorites returned and reminded us all why they’re at the top of their game.

‘Shadow of War’ improves on what worked in the original game at the expense of what didn’t.

ARTS

‘Middle-earth: Shadow of War’ lacks inspiration

By Marty Forbeck | Oct. 16, 2017

The release of “Middle-earth: Shadow of War,” a follow-up to 2014’s “Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor,” shows, more than anything else in recent memory, how most game sequels are made.

The cast of "Falsettos" portrays an unconventional family dynamic.

ARTS

‘Falsettos’ challenges family norms but doesn’t break new ground

By Allison Garfield | Oct. 16, 2017

“Falsettos” tells the story of an unconventional family doing its best to pass as normal as they grapple with the everyday complexities that come with being a family. Stage Q’s hilarious production just finished its two-week run at the Bartell Theater.

ARTS

Gucci Mane’s ‘Mr. Davis’ shows maturity in some areas, missteps in others

By Edgar Sanchez | Oct. 16, 2017

Radric Davis, better known by his stage name Gucci Mane, has dropped his 11th studio album titled Mr. Davis by GUWOP Enterprises and Atlantic Records.

The production of ‘Our Town’ is put on by the University Theatre.

ARTS

‘Our Town’ conveys universal themes

By Flora Junhua Deng | Oct. 16, 2017

Isn’t life realistic enough? Why do we need dramas to remind us about the cruelty of life? Nevertheless, reality is reality and attitude is a different matter. As Mrs. Soames, one of the characters in “Our Town,” says, “Wasn't life awful and wonderful?”

Canadian DJ Rezz brings trippy visuals and heavy bass to a sold-out show at the Majestic Theatre last Thursday.

ARTS

Rezz mesmerizes sold-out crowd at Majestic

By Erin Bates | Oct. 14, 2017

Rezz brought her unique bass and trance production to a packed Majestic Theatre this past Thursday.

Chicago-based quartet Bongripper emitted powerful reverberations, releasing a heavy dose of ceaseless noise upon their admirers at High Noon Saloon on Wednesday.

ARTS

Bongripper set High Noon Saloon ablaze with scorching riffs

By Dylan Anderson | Oct. 13, 2017

A sea of heads fell forward and back rhythmically, worshipping the beat of the unrelenting crash cymbal.

“Vandal” spoofs true-crime tropes like dramatic voiceovers.

ARTS

‘American Vandal’ combines true-crime, mockumentary genres

By Monique Sheidler | Oct. 12, 2017

When I first saw the trailer for “American Vandal,” I felt personally attacked. The show is a parody of the true-crime documentary series genre, following two aspiring filmmakers/high schoolers as they investigate an act of vandalism at their school. As a die-hard fan of anything true-crime, I felt protective of the genre and not ready to watch anything making fun of it. But I bit the bullet and binged the entire series in one sitting. Calling it a parody may not even be correct; instead, it is a love letter to the true-crime genre.

ARTS

Upcoming October games: Role-play, plumbers, assassins

By Brandon Arbuckle | Oct. 12, 2017

The fall has always been a great season for new video games, and this year is no exception. Fans of photo-realistic racing simulators will be pleased with Microsoft’s “Forza Motorsport 7” (out now) and Sony’s “Gran Turismo Sport” (Oct. 17). Additionally, Bethesda Softworks has a huge month in store, as the publisher is releasing two anticipated sequels with “The Evil Within 2” (Oct. 13) and “Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus” (Oct. 27).

Marilyn Manson's latest album, Heaven Upside Down, was released last Friday, Oct. 6.

ARTS

Marilyn Manson’s new album invokes previous work yet lacks maturity

By Edgar Sanchez | Oct. 11, 2017

Marilyn Manson rings in his 10th studio album, Heaven Upside Down, with all of the showmanship, attention grabbing theatrics and occasional nihilistic ballads those familiar with Manson's past work can come to expect from the self-proclaimed “Antichrist Superstar.” For those unfamiliar with Manson's work, his music is considered Nu-Metal — a subgenre of metal alt rock.

Tanya Tagaq incorporates a variety of vocal noises inspired by Inuit vocal practices.

ARTS

Tanya Tagaq enthralls Memorial Union audience with diverse vocal techniques

By Dylan Anderson | Oct. 9, 2017

The layout of Memorial Union’s Shannon Hall, the venue of Tanya Tagaq’s Madison concert, necessitated audience members to sit down, and so did her performance.

COIN made their Madison debut at the Majestic Theatre on Sunday.

ARTS

COIN infect the Majestic crowd with rhythmic energy

By Jake Kay | Oct. 9, 2017

COIN put on an electrifying show last Sunday at the Majestic to an enthusiastic crowd comprised of both college students and community members.

Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford star in "Blade Runner 2049," a follow-up to the 1982 original film.

ARTS

‘Blade Runner 2049’ improves on the original through visual, narrative depth

By Samantha Marz | Oct. 9, 2017

Few films have made such ripples in film debate and the entire sci-fi genre as Ridley Scott’s original “Blade Runner” film.

Browning says Art Nouveau style originated from 19th century art.

ARTS

Iron Quill co-owner reflects on the Art Nouveau tattoo genre

By Edgar Sanchez | Oct. 9, 2017

Most tattoo artists gravitate towards a style that is well known and typically popular. From the classic American Traditional to newer styles like Watercolor, these existing genres are the expected responses when asking an artist their preferred art styles.

Justin Hurwitz's magical score for "La La Land" will make you believe that studying is another day of sun.

ARTS

Seven film scores to help you study

By Carl Zabat | Oct. 6, 2017

With the fall semester in full swing, we’ve now entered dangerous territory: midterm season. Students are pouring into libraries, turning their music on and buckling down for whatever exam comes next.