Crimson staff writer
Caleb M. Lewis
Latest Content
Camera Obscura: Behind the Scenes at the VES Film Track
By combining a liberal arts education, the VES Department’s film track differs from the ones traditionally offered at conservatories. Its emphasis on creativity over vocational training attracts a wide variety of students across various concentrations but also alienates some of those interested in pursuing film professionally.
Shabazz Palaces Raises the Bar on "Lese Majesty"
"Lese Majesty" is a standout album because it meets and exceeds the high standard of creativity to which Shabazz Palaces challenges the entire genre to rise.
Sia Sells Pop on “1000 Forms of Fear”
Regardless of whether she’s comfortable with it or not, fame has set its sights on Sia, and it’s likely that “Fear,” far from innovative, yet still accomplished, will elevate the star to even higher strata.
Tom Krell Plunges Again into the Sentimental
How To Dress Well's newest, “What Is This Heart?,” is a highly accomplished progression that retains the authenticity of his previous two albums while honing a radio-friendly approachability.
Tasty "Food" Branches into Experimental Territory
Though its retro-leaning soul isn’t the bump-and-grinding Kelis of her earliest days, nor the genre-navigating aficionado of her middle career, “Food” is an album that is thoroughly Kelis from the first bite to the last.
Tyrrell Named New Men’s Swimming Coach
After leading the Harvard men’s swimming and diving team to one of its most successful seasons in recent memory, Kevin M. Tyrrell—who served as interim head coach for the 2013-14 season following Tim D. Murphy’s departure last fall—has been named the permanent head coach, Director of Athletics Robert L. Scalise announced in a press release Tuesday.
Taking Notes
Sampling has gained the approval of artists and critics alike. But while the artistic community sees it as an innovative device that should be continued, the law has lagged behind, creating a legal gray area that interferes with artistic innovation.
"Living As Form" Combines Art and Activism
Pieces in the exhibit range from a series of long basketball nets cut and re-knitted by children to an interactive installation in which attendees are presented with a collection of audio clips reflecting on the “War on the Poor.”
Broken Bells Play It Close And Safe “After The Disco”
Danger Mouse beams in his extraterrestrial psychedelic beats, and Mercer supplies the melodious vocals and catchy hooks. The result isn’t interesting per se, but it’s because of this formulaic approach that fans of the band’s first album will likely be content with their newest offering.
"Too True" Is A Lyrical Punk Success
Since their 2008 debut, the Dum Dum Girls have been walking a tightrope, balancing a stock of influences comprised equally of ’60s Ronettes pop and ’80s garage rock. “Too True” is an album that feels inspired, but also slightly confused.
Salman Rushdie at the Boston Book Festival
While the discussion was framed around Rushdie’s newest work, “Joseph Anton: A Memoir,” it also touched on his time in hiding, his continuing evolution as a writer, and his thoughts on the religious extremism that almost claimed his life
Artist Spotlight: Helen Lawlor
Helen Lawlor works at the intersection of music and cultural heritage. An award-winning Celtic harpist, Lawlor is also a renowned scholar in the field of Irish musical culture and ethnomusicology.
Inside "4th Graders"
It isn’t every day in the world of theater that juice boxes get thrown around as metaphors for life. Productions centering around the suicides of school-aged children don’t usually incite lighthearted laughter from audiences. Plays rarely aspire to the realm of unadulterated metatheatre that consists of adult actors portraying elementary school children portraying themselves in another play.
An Interview with Atlas Genius
Atlas Genius is an alternative rock band formed in Adelaide, Australia whose 2011 hit song “Trojans” catapulted them up from down under into worldwide fame. They followed the single with their debut LP “When it Was Now,” a commercial and critical success.
"Moon" Forsakes Magic for Melancholia
With its roots in the indie collective Elephant 6, Elf Power was formed alongside the likes of Neutral Milk Hotel, Of Montreal, and Apples in Stereo in the 1990s. In such company and over the course of their many LP offerings to date, Rieger and instrumentalist Laura Carter have embraced and near-mastered their niche, lo-fi brand of neo-psychedelic rock.
