september13.music.page9
After an Odyssey, Reflections on U.S. Policy in Latin America
by ben dangl
It was about 115 degrees on capitalism did not work in such an
the bus as we wobbled through agricultural state, the Sandinistas
the Chiapas jungle in Southeast fought to take back the land. And it
Mexico. The foul smell of the broken worked, starting in 1979 when they
bathroom fermented in our nos- kicked out their corrupt president
trils. Suddenly a woman stood up Somoza. Under the Sandinista gov-
and made a dash for the bathroom, ernment there were literacy cam-
and realizing the doors were locked paigns, vaccinations and health-
shut, then proceeded to vomit on care, farming collectives were
my head. This was how an eight- developed, and the land was taken
month trip through South America from the rich and given back to
began. the people working on it. Then the
Sandinista marches in the U.S. government decided it was
northern jungles of Nicaragua, an not commercially convenient for a
illegal upstream border crossing socialist state to be so close to
into Guatemala, hitch hiking in home, and the Contra war in Nica-
Cuba, trapped in a civil war in ragua began. Possibly the hope
Bolivia, riots and economic turmoil and anguish of the Sandinista Rev-
in Argentina, Inca ruins in Peru, olution can be summed up in a con-
penguins in Patagonia, bar fights versation I had there with a gnarled
in Mexico, dengue fever in Brazil old union leader. “I could tell you
rain forests, and Valentine’s day in beautiful things about the revolu- The Bolivian countrside, as rendered through the magic of half-tone scanning.
Paraguay. tion. We had war, we had a block-
Parasites were not the only ade but we had work, land, food, that had had complex and expen- would ride my bike up to school dence.
thing I brought back with me from medicine and education. Now look sive surgery done for free. each morning and know if I had It is important to know what
Latin America. A sense of political out at the streets, there are dozens In a land without Coca-Cola, classes depending on if there was the U.S. is doing to and in the
concern developed for the first time of strong men out there without Marlboros or McDonalds, Cuba is black smoke in the sky. The pro- world. For example, due to the
when colorfully dressed women work. Shoe makers, carpenters, Cuban, and most take a great pride fessors regularly burned tires and years of U.S. mandated economic
and farmers in Bolivia started hurl- masons, mechanics, all with hungry in this. The relationship with Fidel banged pots to protest their ongo- sanctions on Iraq, over 500, 000
ing grapefruit sized rocks at our families. I could tell you beautiful Castro is a mixed one. The pres- ing lack of pay. Instead of trying to Iraqi children have died. In 1996
bus from the side of the road. things, but here the life is very hard ence and pressure of the gov- deal directly with their problems of when Madeleine Albright was ques-
I was caught in the midst of a now.” ernment is seen everywhere. In unemployment, rising poverty and tioned on national television about
nation-wide road blockade. Angry On the other hand, in many the evenings in many small towns social unrest, the Argentine gov- our responsibility for this loss of
farmers were protesting the new ways, the revolution in Cuba con- people gather around a communal ernment has done little else but life, she said it was “a very hard
government pressure against their tinues. With their free education for outdoor TV in the parks. There ask for more money from the Inter- choice, but we think the price is
production of coca leaves. These all and excellent healthcare system the old men and families watch national Monetary Fund (I.M.F.) in worth it.” On a similar note, more
leaves, which are used for medi- they maintain a better literacy and shows and soap operas. One eve- the first months of their economic innocent people have died in
cine and cultural events, as well as infant mortality rate than that of the ning in the middle of a show, Fidel crisis. Afghanistan than in the World Trade
the production of cocaine, are the U.S. Unlike many capitalist coun- Castro started giving a speech on Columbia, whose war torn history Center bombing…who are the ter-
farmers’ main source of income. tries, the government controls the nation wide television. Everybody has led to a current, four sided drug rorists when so many innocent
The U.S. government is putting economy there and not vice versa. groaned, “Oye, por favor...otra war, with thousands dead, has a people die? If anything is going
more pressure on this production In most rural areas throughout vez!” (Come on, not again!) and government helpless in the midst to change within the U.S. govern-
each year. I was caught in the Latin America high literacy rates wanted to watch the other evening of their chaos. So they plead to the ment, it is going to happen from the
middle of something I thought was and good healthcare are the excep- program instead. So someone U.S. military which is more than- pressure of the American people,
completely unrelated to me, while tion rather than the rule. In Cuba it changed the channel, and then willing to go in there and help out. and not from abroad and the coun-
in fact, I lived in the country that is the opposite. I met ten year-old again, and then again. But Castro But the truth is that nothing tries we are effecting most deeply.
was responsible for the increased kids in the middle of the jungle that was on every station. Eventually really starts happening until the As the U.S. becomes more power-
tension. could read and write because their they all resigned themselves to U.S. shows up. Friends from Bosnia ful it is important to be critical of
Nicaragua has been deeply government had made sure there watching their bearded leader. He and Yugoslovia have told me that what our government is doing.
effected by the results of U.S. for- was a school nearby. And whereas happened to be giving a speech for years organizations like the UN The world is watching the
eign policy as well. The Sand- thousands of people in Latin Amer- thanking U.S. congress for trying have tried to help with the turmoil U.S.. What are we doing?
inistas’ war with the Contras in ica die each year from basic sick- to pass a law against the trade in their countries with tanks and
the eighties still remains a strong nesses or lack of simple surgery, in embargo on Cuba (which President money, but nothing really happened
memory to Nicaraguans. After Cuba rural areas had pharmacies Bush later vetoed). until the U.S. arrived. The world is
years of oppression that proved and hospitals. I met rural people Then there was Argentina. I becoming controlled by this depen-
White House Document Lays Out Plans for World Dominance
firm the essential role of Ameri- sion of nuclear or otherwise mas- treaties to which they are party;
by kate crockford
can military strength. Our forces sively destructive weapons. - “are determined to acquire weap-
will be strong enough to dissuade The document asserts: “Amer- ons of mass destruction, along with
“The US National Security Strategy a whopping 6% for 2003, giving potential adversaries from pursu- ica must stand firmly for the non- other advanced military technol-
will be based on a distinctly Amer- Defense a $400 billion dollar ing a military build-up in hopes of negotiable demands of human dig- ogy, to be used as threats or offen-
ican internationalism that reflects budget, by far the largest of any surpassing, or equaling, the power nity: the rule of law; limits on the sively to achieve the aggressive
the union of our values and our nation in the world. of the United States.” absolute power of the state; free designs of these regimes;
national interests. The aim of this A key element of America’s While the “distinctly Ameri- speech; freedom of worship; equal - “sponsor terrorism around the
strategy is to help make the world new foreign and military policy can internationalism” that the White justice; respect for women; reli- globe; and
not just safer but better.” spelled out in the document is to House seeks to advance may gious and ethnic tolerance; and - “reject basic human values and
- The National Security Strat- “dissuade future military competi- sound imperialist, the President respect for private property.” hate the United States and every-
egy for the United States of Amer- tion.” The policy asserts that the insists in the document’s preface, The document also reveals thing for which it stands.”
ica, September 2002 US needs to “build and maintain “We do not use our strength to some startling hypocrisy with Since his inauguration, Presi-
our defenses beyond challenge.” press for unilateral advantage. We regard to US foreign and domestic dent Bush has “brutalized his own
Although President Bush ran Apparently the dominance of seek instead to create a balance policy in the starkest of terms. people” in a number of different
on a “humble foreign policy” during the U.S. military, whose capability of power that favors human free- The document attacks, not by ways, only one of many his various
the 2000 election, a 33-page doc- already far surpasses those of the dom.” Yet the document adds that name but by obvious association, “tax cuts” that serve to benefit only
ument recently released to Con- rest of the world combined, is not the U.S. will “not hesitate to act many Middle Eastern nations: “In the highest income bracket and has
gress reveals something entirely substantial enough. The U.S. ear- alone” and will reserve its right to the 1990s we witnessed the emer- (combined with other flawed eco-
antithetical concerning the admin- marked 50.5% of all 2001 discre- strike “pre-emptively” whenever it gence of a small number of rogue nomic policies) resulted in a fur-
istration’s plans for military strat- tionary spending for the Pentagon, warrants a situation deserving of states that, while different in impor- ther widening of the gap between
egy in the 21st century. The docu- and yet the recently released White U.S. intervention. tant ways, share a number of attri- rich and poor Americans. The 2001
ment is titled “The National Secu- House document advocates that Insofar as references to Iraq, butes. These states: census reports that while the top
rity Strategy for the United States more attention must be paid to mil- the document refers mostly to - “brutalize their own people and fifth of the income bracket earned
of America.” itary affairs. Saddam Hussein and persons of squander their national resources 50% of the total for all Americans
Even as most NATO nations Perhaps in response to the his ilk in terms of justification for for the personal gain of the rulers; (up from 49.5% in 2000), the lowest
have decreased military spending dwindling phenomenon known as “pre-emptive” military strikes, and - “display no regard for interna- fifth received only 3.5%, down from
since the end of the Cold War, the “Vietnam Syndrome,” the doc- passes over questions of evidence tional law, threaten their neighbors, 4% the proceeding year.
the US has increased spending by ument asserts, “It is time to reaf- pertaining to the regime’s posses- and callously violate international
continued on page 10...
thebardfreepress.vol4.issue1
10.08.02.letters.page10
Correspondence from a Far Flung Student: Life in the Army
Camp LeJeune is watched over by and stories to present to you
teenagers from all over the coun- when I return. My time here
try with badges and powerful guns. has been like the stories we
Both institutions have teenagers read in Freshman Seminar of
that are away from home for the 2001, I’m like one of those
first time and like to go nuts. Both Spartans from the “Pelopon-
institutions have buildings for learn- nesian War” or a soldier out
ing. At Bard you can learn many of “War and Peace”. My ears
ways to paint, write, and photo- are about to fall off from all
graph. At Camp LeJeune you can those colonels, and generals
learn many ways to break bones, giving me “We’re Going to
blow things up, and get across a kick Osama’s ass” Or “We’re
100-yard mine field without getting going to kick Saddam’s ass”
killed or losing a limb. Let me not speeches.
mention the similarities in the food Here is a picture of me
First of all, let me apologize for we eat (I’m sorry Jim). I think you on a secret base and a sneak
not keeping in touch. It has been all get the picture. peek at some of the pictures
a long and hard year. Pardon I cant talk too much about I’ll be bringing to you next
me for not keeping in touch, it what is going on down here and year. Hope you enjoy.
was wrong of me. To those profes- to tell you the truth I don’t know P.S. To coaches Greg Photographs (above and below) by Mike Castillo.
sors who did not receive those much, I just follow orders, but I and Fred: I received your
final papers from me (Susan and can tell you that after a couple of letters, thank you both for
Bob), pardon me as well. Some- stitches, bumps and bruises, 1st your concern and support.
times even a Marine pro- degree burns, and even passing I really appreciated it. For-
crastinates. It was kind of hard out once due to dehydration, I’m give me for not writing back.
for me to concentrate on math all right. I’ve been photographing When I return we’ll talk. I’ll
and a paper about a war that and feeding the Marines of 2nd be up there in June to see
happened centuries ago when I Battalion, 25th Mar Div. We’re all 2nd Lieutenant Castillo grad-
might leave to fight the war of this cen- down here waiting for that call from uate. I hope you gentlemen
tury. George W. and his fat boys over are doing fine, I hope all the
I’ve been in Camp LeJeune, in D.C. to find out if were coming other professors, students,
North Carolina for about 10 months back home or not. I don’t get to residents, and workers of
now and believe it or not, this watch the news much so I miss out Bard Campus are doing all
place is a lot like Bard, except a lot on what is going on in the right. Hope to see you all
the students here wear identical world. soon. Peace.
clothes, identical haircuts, and a Hopefully good ol’ G.W. won’t
clean shave everyday. Both insti- become too trigger-happy and I’ll -Mike Castillo
tutions are guarded heavily. Bard get a chance to resume my stud-
is protected by the powerful trees ies as a freshman at Bard in 2003,
and woodlands of upstate NY and I have a huge amount of pictures
More on Bush’s Policy on Iraq
The president’s comments are
similarly suspect in regard to inter-
The Bard Free Press
national law. Apparently the White
freepress@bard.edu http://freepress.bard.edu
House wrote of its concern for
Campus Mail Box 792 845-758-7079
“the rule of law” in regard to other
nations, because the most recent The Free Press reserves the right to edit all submissions for
developments concerning the Iraq spelling, grammar, and coherence. It protects the student jour-
question have led in the opposite nalists’ First Amendment rights and accepts the responsibil-
ity which accompanies that freedom. Content decisions are
direction in terms of US compli-
made by the student editors and the staff. The Free Press will
ance with international laws and
not print any material that is libelous in nature. Anonymous
norms. The UN has not passed submissions are only printed if the writer consults with the
a security resolution justifying an section editor or editor-in-chief about the article.
armed attack on Iraq and yet the
administration has not backed All articles in the Opinions section reflect the opinions of
the author, not necessarily those of the Free Press staff.
down from its hawkish stance.
Responses to Opinions articles are welcome, and can be sent
President Bush and his comrades
to freepress@bard.edu
responded to an invitation for
weapons inspectors to enter Iraq Contributors: Matt Dineen, Vicent Valdmanis, Alex
for the first time since 1998 with In the Campus Center, Students watch Bush’s televised Mignola, Ariel Bardi, Ben Dangl, Tessa Brudevold-
disdain, calling the move a “tactic.” speech. Iverson, Ali Tonak, Andrew Dollard, Kyle Maxie,
The US has made clear that it will Lola Pierson, Katie Jacoby, Bill McCollogh, Daria
proceed with an attack with or with- international terrorism. us Americans (i.e. the USA Patriot Solovieva, Kate Crockford, Andrew Gori, Tyler Ste-
out UN backing. Lastly, the President strays Act, the recently proposed TIPS vens, Drew Gray, Tim Abondello, Matt Casuccio, JW
In terms of nuclear weapons, from reason, and grotesquely and hotline, etc.) to make such a state- McCormick, Gabby Lang
the US has the largest arsenal entirely bows to the whims of ment is offensive to any reason-
in the entire world. The US has hypocrisy when he accuses the able person. Editor in Chief
recently begun stockpiling a new “rogue states” of “reject[ing] basic Emily Schmall
type of nuclear weapon, a smaller human values and hat[ing] the The complete text of the 2002
and more “tactical” nuke that could United States for everything for National Security Strategy is
News Editor
be used in smaller conflicts. Does which it stands.” available online at http://
Rafi Rom
this design threaten other nations For a President who “won” a “demo- www.whitehouse.gov/nsc/nss.pdf Opinions Editor
and could it be used “offensively to cratic” election on extremely shady Liv Carrow
achieve the aggressive designs” of terms (i.e. he did not have more
US strategic policy making? votes, his brother was the governor
Corrections Arts Editors
The US rightly chastises other of the swing state in which votes from last Tosh Chiang,
Huffa Frobes-Cross,
governments, or “rogue states,” for weren’t counted, many were fabri-
sponsoring “terrorism around the cated, and voters were systemati- issue Dan Lictblau
globe.” Yet according to the afore- cally removed from the lists at the Designers
mentioned language, the US would polls and told they couldn’t vote- The article which appeared Chris Downing
have to turn its weapons inward --the overwhelming majority black on page 2 of the last issue Tosh Chiang
when faced with its own history Floridians), who on a daily basis of the Free Press on Bard’s
of arming horrendous terrorist undermines the public health and recent reception of a
Photo Manager
Jon Feinstein
regimes and/or operations world- safety (i.e. the “Clean Air Act,” his Mellon Grant was not writ-
wide. Chile, Nicaragua, Panama, pro-privitazation and deregulation ten by Emily Schmall, but
Special Thanks
Indonesia/East Timor and Haiti are stance on just about everything), Liv Carrow. We apologize
Vincent Valdmanis
just a few off of a long and ever- and who encourages an Attorney for the mistake.
growing list of cases in which the General to disregard the Bill of
thebardfreepress.vol4.issue1
US military directly, or indirectly Rights and the Constitution and in
through client states, “sponsor[ed]” doing so violating all that makes
april26opinions.page11
Y Tu Mamá También Daniel Lichtblau
characters. money. When the camera drifts to be oblivious to it as well. Mexican revolution who fought to
The final des- away from them at the restaurant, The narration is what brings liberate the primarily indigenous
tination, a it is a jesture of irreverence to the the viewer back into reality and south of Mexico, and whose name
beach in Chi- wealthy that takes us, in one shot, gets us out of the world of a teen lives on in the Zapatista’s who are
apas mythi- from one caste to caste with noth- sex-comedy. At one point, as they fighting right now to liberate the
cally referred ing relating them to each other than drive through the decrepit town region of Chiapas from the same
to as Heav- the camera itself. where Tenoch’s nanny was born, kind of corporate takeover that the
ens Mouth, is Even with the compostion of the narrator tells of her impover- fisherman and his family are vic-
a secluded still shots, Cuaron uses mirrors to ished childhood and emigration to tims of at the end of the film. Julio
paradise, imply an inability of the characters Mexico City. Tenoch looks out of is a symbol of the revolutionary
desolate to communicate with one another. the window at the town, and for a youth. He comes from an upper
except for a There are several points in the brief moment he feels a half-seri- middle-class family and his sister
Alfonso Cuaron has finally returned fishing family who, as the omni- film in which we see shots of two ous sympathy for her, but almost is an activist. Tenoch, son of a
DVD Review
home to work in Mexico after scient narrator tells us, is on the characters having a conversation, immediately the thought is out of politician, takes his name from an
establishing himself in the states verge of being forced out of their when one of them is visible only his mind and he returns to laugh- Aztec king. The narrator says that
with films like A Little Princess land by corporate developers. through a reflection. In contrast to ing and telling stories with Julio the name was though of by his
and Great Expectations. Y Tu Cuaron’s highly stylized cine- the relentless scenes of graphic and Luisa. father during a period of extreme
Mama Tambien, Cuaron’s first matic technique breeds a feeling sex these shots confirm a feeling of Narration is very often super- nationalism. Luisa Cortes, the older
Mexican feature, was released this of disconnectedness between the emotional disconnection between fluous in film, because it is gener- Spaniard, has the most obvious
week on DVD for the politically characters, their surroundings as the characters. ically used to reinforce what the allegorical significance attached to
acute, sexually depraved, and they travel deeper into the waste The narration takes this theme characters are thinking, something her name. Hernando Cortes came
deplorers of censorship to enjoy. land of southern Mexico, and the of disconnection and relates it even that movies can do just as easily in and conquered the Aztecs, claim-
On the surface, the film is a viewer. Cuaron’s camera is con- more to Mexico’s socioeconomic silence. Cuaron, on the other hand, ing Mexico as a Spanish colony.
coming of age story about a recent stantly “wandering” through the problems. The narration is perhaps uses the narration to show what Much like Gunter Grass’ novel
high school graduate and son of scenes. This is most poigniant in the films strongest stylistic ele- the characters should be thinking, The Tin Drum, Y Tu Mama Tambien
a high-ranking government official, a scene in which Julio, Tenoch, ment. It almost always comes in or are unable to know. The nar- is brilliant in its use of sexuality
Tenoch Itubide (Diego Luna) who and Luisa are eating dinner in a at the middle of the scene and ration creates an objective world as a metaphor of political conquest
sets off on a road trip with his best roadside restaurant somewhere in comments on things that seem to where the naïve thoughts of the and unrest. When Luisa comes into
friend Julio Zapata (Gael Garcia an especially impoverished area, be unrelated to the narrative and main characters are an element of the lives of Julio and Tenoch, she
Bernal, Amores Peros), and his and in the middle of their conversa- especially unrelated to what is on their reality, but at the same time destroys their friendship by creat-
cousin’s recently estranged Span- tion the camera drifts through side the boys’ minds. In the car they very out of touch with the reality of ing envied sexual bonds between
iard wife, Luisa Cortes (Maribel room where old ladies are dancing move through weddings, instances impoverished Latin America. the characters, and every act of
Verdu). and playing cards, and then into of police brutally searching the The film is rich with allegori- sexual union in the film can be seen
The trip takes them through the kitchen. poor, and an overall landscape of cal overtones about to the politi- as a union of or clash between
the desolate poverty stricken coun- Tenoch and Julio are from economic and emotional depres- cal history of Central and South political ideologies in Latin Amer-
tryside of southern Mexico, and relatively wealthy backgrounds, sion. However, the characters are America. The characters are ica.
involves a multitude of sexual Tenoch more so than Julio, and completely oblivious to all of this, named Julio Zapata, taken from
encounters between the main Luisa has at least married into and in a way the audience is forced Emiliano Zapata, a leader of the
Bard Space Movie
Andrew Gori
They gathered in an expect- others of its kind. holds more under its belt than it’s
ant multitude to better understand Often comedic films and modesty and taste are willing to
what most of them had only partly mock-umentaries, especially at the divulge. Instead of just playing
witnessed almost five months prior: college level, are shot somewhere some epic music and letting the
the culmination of Jamie O’Shea’s above its subjects, looking down marriage of sound and image make
beautifully uncertain Trustee Lead- on them with glib smirks and snide the movie, it balances its epic qual-
ership Project -- The Bard Space editing. In these instances the ity with acting and dialogue which
Program launch. There were many director holds a position of false are purposefully clumsy and mod-
a fervent “fuck-NASA” cheers as superiority which s/he offers, in estly poignant and is not content
the massive screen descended on turn, to their eager audience. to just be a joke.
it’s distinctly-more-than-meager Pesce, instead, opts for the higher
Olin audience this Thursday. road, a sort of middle ground
Accompanied by the epic sounds between revealing the dedication Red Dragon
of The Cock Rock Quartet and of O’Shea and his crew while still Tyler Stevens
two teasers for works-in-progress understanding the hilarious nature Bret Ratner, the visionary reconcile Hannibal’s (Ridley very well acted, and an interest-
made by members of what is almost of the project. She is no higher behind Rush Hour and Rush Hour Scott, 2000) schizophrenic plot/ ing addition to the Silence of the
universally known as “the House”, than her companions and holds 2 brings us the ultimate anti- cast/tone with the enduring pop- Lambs series, if for casting alone.
Jean Pesce’s The Bard Space Pro- no distance from their emotions or sequel, Red Dragon, a remake ularity of Silence of the Lambs Ralph Fiennes is very good as
gram Movie opened, encapsulat- from their aim. Instead she crafts a marketed as a prequel, or more (which, frankly, was something the title killer (his tattooed ass
ing perfectly O’Shea’s project from movie about the Bard Space Pro- appropriately, a regression cast of a fluke). Mass audiences is on regular display), and Phillip
start to finish. Apart from certain gram in the spirit of the Bard Space as if it were a logical extension of simply don’t seem as interested Seymore Hoffman, Harvey Keitel,
sound problems which could partly Program. Garnished in post-pro- the existing series. It is as con- in seeing unpleasant films any- Emily Watson, and Ed Norton
be attributed to the auditorium’s duction with musical flights of fancy fusing as it sounds. As a remake more. So what was uncom- all handle themselves well, keep-
neglectful acoustics, the film held ranging from “The Good, the Bad of Manhunter, the original 1986 promising in Silence is merely ing the proceedings from becom-
the audience in the throws of pas- and the Ugly” to “Rocketman”, the version of Thomas Harris’s novel, referential in
sion through its 1 hour and 35 film wallows whimsically in a Red Dragon attempts to solve Red Dragon. Dante Spinotti is no Tak Fuji-
minute duration. tongue-and-cheek romanticism of some of director Michael Mann’s The revealing
The success of the film didn’t the project while indirectly remind- high-octane Miami Vice-style p e r i p h e r a l moto. Danny Elfman is no
lie as much in the Bard Space Pro- ing its audience of the importance shortcomings. Ed Norton is details of
gram being better articulated or of playful but unmitigated inspi- simply a better actor than Wil- Silence of the Howard Shore. Chubby Anthony
the Spaceman himself somehow ration. Unassumingly crafting for liam Peterson. Emily Watson is Lambs degen-
being better understood, though itself a swarm of characters who slightly less mortifying as a horny erate into cli- Hopkins is no thin Anthony
one had at least some sense of exist in some cases as mere exag- blind girl seducing a sensitive chéd exposi-
both as the film drew to a close. gerations of their real-life counter- serial killer than Joan Allen’s gut tion. Buffalo Hopkins, etc.
Rather the greatest accomplish- parts, in others as total fabrica- churning attempts in the original. Bill’s casual
ment of Pesce’s film was that in tions, what is in other films hollow Manhunter’s overwhelming bias “I’d fuck me so hard” becomes ing too obviously silly. Ultimately
this largely ridiculous story it del- and insincere dramatization – just towards post-Scarface Florida- Ralph Fienne’s extensive inter- though, it is neither as scary as
icately wrapped the humor of her another device— is backed up here chic is replaced by a tepid rework- nal monologue. I like the idea Silence of the Lambs, as effec-
group of friends, a sort of per- with something more. By provid- ing of Silence of the Lamb’s early of returning to the underlying tively serious as Manhunter, nor
meating sincerity that is self-con- ing a humorous glimpse at the 90’s “gothic realism” aesthetic. themes present throughout the as cathartic as Hannibal. Ralph
scious enough to not think it’s social network that the project, However, none of these really series (cannibalism, masquer- Fiennes is great, but he is not
superior, but not self-conscious to some degree, truly merited, by produce a more satisfactory prod- ades, the serial killer as transfor- Ted Levine. Dante Spinotti is no
enough to hinder enthusiasm or providing a functional step-by-step uct. mation in progress) back towards Tak Fujimoto. Danny Elfman is no
grace. It is precisely Pesce’s rela- document of the project’s evolu- Where Manhunter succeeds their Ed Gein-based roots, but it Howard Shore. Chubby Anthony
tionship to and documentation of tion, and by giving Bard students in being generally creepy, Red all seems a little superficial. Hopkins is no thin Anthony Hop-
their unflinching joi de vivre which another reason to be lighthearted Dragon falters in attempting to That said, Red Dragon is kins, etc.
sets the film apart from many without being disinterested, the film
thebardfreepress.vol4.issue1
april26.opinions.page12
*Music
BRIEFS
realizing everything he hinted at a Mile Pilot) appears under the exotic The absolute best song of Matt Casuccio [MC]
possibility for on 1998’s Mutations. moniker Paulo Zappoli on this the album, “City of Glass,” main- JW McCormick [JW]
Surprised? campy outing that has the band tains a genuine narrative structure Tim Abbondelo [TA]
Perhaps one of the many overt moonlighting as a Vegas lounge amidst eruptions of slightly out-of Jon Feinstein [JF]
shifts on the new record on the act. Somewhere in all the flattering tune bass screeching hard against Tosh Chiang [TC]
production end is the lessening of press it seems the procession has looming guitar and a drum set that the opening track, “Baby it’s the
room-space on the lead vocals, taken the shape of a parade. And sounds suspiciously like a really Best,”Weird War will have you
which serves as an appropriate while expanding its surface it only loud log. Most of the other tracks turned on and out before the chorus
metaphor for why this is a notable loses depth. Unfolding more like a opt for a more chaotic “too-art- hits. The lyrics have been omitted
disc. A vulnerable, pained and con- collection of out takes, the record for-pop” arrangement worthy of the from the liner notes, instead
The Apples In Stereo, fused person is exposed here in does not take the same patience mid-eighties/early nineties Sonic replaced by a bogus interview from
“The Velocity of Sound” the music -- the likes of which was to reveal itself. It seems that, like Youth. And it’s here that Ikara Colt “Hype Hair” magazine, making for
Spin Art only vaguely noticable on a tune President Bush, the procession comes dangerously close to flog- an asinine mission statement at
Noise-popped rockers the like “Nobodys fault but my own,” have found themselves at the ging a dead horse across Chat and best. Those in it for the message,
Apples In Stereo thrash out a from Mutations. Beck is discour- center of a recession, but before Business’ twelve tracks- until res- not to worry: between all the “Yeas”
fuzz-toned caffeine splash for their aged, having had some personal the waterworks start, don’t cry-dry cued by the electro noise of “At the lyrics are just decipherable
latest album, “The Velocity of misfortunes in the last few years. your eye -- get your nihilistic fill the Lodge” and “May b 1 Day,” enough to know they are not of
Sound”—which by the way, is prob- As a result, he has written some from any of BHP’s first three which prompted me to push pause importance. Short on substance,
ably the most straight-up rock effort really sad, simple and slow songs. records. TA because I thought my printer was maybe, but there are more “Oohs”
by Schenider and crew ever. The And it works: these events appear on the fritz again. Dissonant. and “Aahs” here than in those
first thing you notice when you to have offered the perfect situation Urgent. British. And speaking of shampoo commercials with all the
pop the album in is that the gui- for him to make a move from the rock and roll gimmicks, Ikara Colt girls getting off. It is possible to
tars are fully-fuzzed and mixed up wet floor of signification that has have promised to break up after overlook the singer in heat (next
front—kinda like on the Jesus and characterized almost all of his pre- five years AND enclose adhesive- time keep it in your pants hombre)
Mary Chain’s “Psychocandy.” The vious work. We go from lines like ready stamps with which to deco- for Hagerty’s unabashed attack that
second thing you notice is just how “Bangkok Athletes in the biosphere/ rate the twelve blank squares that is equally crafty. The instrumental,
much the damn tunes rock, which, Arkansas wet dreams/ we all disap- make up the album’s cover. Cute. “Ibex Club”, is reminiscent of
well, for an Apples album is kinda pear” to “How could this love/ ever JW Nation of Ulysses with a clamor
weird; they usualy stick to a kinda turning/ never turn its eye on me?” of guitar and trumpet racket, while
Beatlesesque/Beach Boys zone in Siblings of the former having been “Family Kong” launches a lick that
which there’s not so much rock obviously exchanged for the more is sure to bring out the air guitars.
as there is songwriting skill and deliberate, clearer articulations of Winter is looming, but if it is high
excellent production. But of course sincere emotional sentiment. The volume drives with the windows
Schneider manages to harness the perpetual pastiche with meaning- Ikara Colt, down that you crave, Weird War
noise with all the mastery of your less ramblings and perennial synth “Chat & Business” will do you right. TA
standard Apple’s tune. “Please” bleeps is practically gone. And fantastic plastic
intros the new sound and is imme- when the Po-Mo pranks do arrive, By now the battle lines are
diately followed up by “Rainfall.” they are in a much more terse, com- drawn. Summer brought more than
“Rainfall” is an awesome song; it pelling light. Beck has almost com- its share of burgeoning growths (of
deserves a cooler name. I’d marry pletely dropped the ornate neon the musical variety, that is) and the
it if I could—well, maybe not, but and gone with seemingly more best the press could do to contain
I really like driving to it. It’s got adult affection. For those of you the ranks of ‘garage rockers’ was to
a really hip country type beat with who ridicule this ilk of tempera- lump them into that selfsame cat- Weird War , S/T
echoey guitar riffs and Hilary Sid- ment, mock on. For those of you egory and gesture vaguely in the Drag City
ney’s super smooth vocals. The who don’t, pick up Sea Change as direction of The Stooges or The Dic- Weird War’s self-titled debut
song structure is really kickin’ and you will. MC tators. Voila! A convenient epitaph stands to make up for certain mem-
it’s one hell of a melodic song— to place above every well-dressed bers’ past blunders, while show-
‘course every Apple’s tune is band that plays it raw, a made-to- casing the dependable merit of
melodic. “Mystery” has this thing order classification imploring you others. That’s right, Weird War
about it that picks me up kite-style to decide whether you love or hate boasts a number of indie rock arti- The Soft Boys
or something; there’s this chorus ‘garage’ as a movement, forget the facts with the “ex-member” credit/ “NextDoorLand”
of multiple voices goin’ “bah bah bands involved. And one likely to curse, apparent as much in the end Matador Records
bah” which just really elevates the make you miss out on the dozen or product as its press. So without Yo I thought this album would
song. Finally, the bonus tune, so bands quite capable of building exception, let the name-dropping suck a lot. Robin Hitchcock is
“She’s Tellin Lies (Bryces Mix)” is their own designation- and smash- begin. In the wake of the Royal Trux a good songwriter but what band
like an updated version of some ing it into a million jagged little split, noise-rock royalty Michael comes back to life after 20 years
jumpin’ 60’s tune with the harmo- pieces. Neil Hagerty and, you guessed to churn out something which isn’t
nies and all. So indeed, purchas- How nice then, to find a band it, Discord’s down and out porn- complete excrement? Well, after
ing this album might do you some like London’s Ikara Colt who blur preacher Ian Svenonius, with hearing the first few measures of
good…if you like happiness and the line between garage and art- Michelle Mae of The Make Up, the 1st track, “I love Lucy,” I knew
sunshine and elephant 6ers etc. Black Heart Procession, punk, swapping suave indifference got together with a couple of free that the album wouldn’t end up on
Um, yeah… TC “Amore De Tropico” for paranoia, discordant instrumen- agents on rhythm guitar and drum the used rack like so many other
touch and go tation for tightly controlled lo-fi duties to set out wiping the floor cds do. In fact, Hitchcock delivers
Blackheart Procession’s noise, and loud guitars for loud with the recent rock revival. For like the master-songwriter that he
“Amore De Tropico” has done away guitars and keyboards. At first these fossils still have a few tricks is. The Soft Boys are still non-
with the numeric Zeppelin album listen, the similarity between singer up their sleeves in 13 tracks of chalant quirky, smooth new wavey,
titles, taking a stab at progression Paul Resende’s elegiac rantings that ole’ sultry rock ‘n roll that’ll slightly acoustic, less punch and
on what would be 4-their latest from and that of the Fall’s Mark E. Smith leave you bruised and battered, more feel. Songs like “Mr. Ken-
Touch and Go. Just as the title hints seems remarkable, but the compar- but not before kissing you all over. nedy” are packed with a simmer-
at, BHP has tried to expand on ison quickly becomes as unwieldy Hagerty has lent his skills to the ing energy, an energy which is odd
their nihilistic niche of introverted as most. The Colt’s vocals are Make Up brethren before, record- and well-done. For The Soft Boys
piano and equal parts guitar and scarcely more than another ing and producing “In Mass Mind,” are kinda like a more sugarcoated
saw drone. Broadening their hori- instrument cast into the rising but has jumped from the mixing XTC-- more immediately digestable
zons, samba beats and chorus girls whirlpool of dirty ‘noise-ic’ which, board to the fret board on this than XTC but not because of a lack
are just two instances of where the on the albums best songs (“Bel- outing-- ultimately taking control of skill, just a different kind of exe-
Beck, “Sea Change”- San Diego neo-goths have gone gravia” “At the Lodge” and Futurist of the reins. Weird War’s guitar cution in the pop stylings. “Unpro-
Universal wrong. While 1 through 3 were con- anthem “Sink Venice” among them) driven blaze is akin to Royal Trux tected love” is surely a standout
Beck has all but ignored that sistent in their distinct brooding coalesce around a mantra-like later territory with riffs that would song; there’s something fun about
over-rated elated prize from his bombast, here singer/songwriter phrase, usually the song title, resemble Keith Richards and Thur- continued on next page...
recent past and yielded a record formally known as Pall Jenkins (3 repeated in lieu of a chorus. ston Moore’s bastard son. From
thebardfreepress.vol4.issue1