Solano Stroll
Watch a video of the Solano Stroll in Berkeley on Sunday, September 9, 2012.
The xx: Coexist
Following the release of The xx’s debut album, xx, the band was swarmed with critical acclaim and immense popularity, leading to seemingly endless touring and spots in high-profile music festivals across the globe. After three long years, the band returns with Coexist, a follow-up album destined to be subject to Read More…
Atlas Genius talk roots and newfound fame
It’s been a while since the U.S. got hooked on an Australian band. There was the Jet phase — how can you still not bob your head to “Are You Gonna Be My Girl?” — and even Powderfinger made some noise for a while. There seems to have been a Read More…
‘The Fisherman’s Wife’ tickles with tentacles
Imagine with me, if you will, a common scenario. There’s a man and a wife. They’ve been together for a while. The heat they once shared has all but died out. Instead of any romance, they just have rows, and in place of any affection, there’s just stale, monotonous boredom. Read More…
Cat Power: Sun
It’s brutally unfair. We have been enjoying the fruits of Chan Marshall’s woe for nearly two decades now, and it has been anything but a symbiotic relationship. Plagued by family turbulence, substance abuse and a slew of highly publicized breakups, indie darling Marshall — known musically as Cat Power — Read More…
Bilingual ‘Chinglish’ lost in translation
If you give a cursory glance to the current signs on the walls of the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, you might think yourself insane. In the men’s bathroom (nevermind why I was there), in lucid black ink, a framed piece of paper displays Chinese characters with the following statement beneath: “Salute Read More…
This Week in Arts
Our lead critics recommend the latest and greatest in culture: VISUAL ARTS While choice in media is generally widely varied in the Bay Area, art openings next weekend seem to favor photography. Photo-related exhibits have been popping up all over, especially related to manipulating images through technology. On Thursday, the Read More…
Why we love Israel
The Devil's Advocate
Two weeks ago, I was invited to an event on Facebook hosted by Tikvah: Students for Israel — UC Berkeley’s Zionist student organization — called “Why we love Israel.” In theory, I should be more equipped than ever to answer that question. Just last month, I got back from a Read More…
Maynard Mondays Week 2: More Maynard mediocrity
So here’s the deal: Zach Maynard is not a terrible quarterback. He is certainly not a Joe Ayoob or Nate Longshore, and for that the Cal faithful won’t call for his head. However, he’s never going to be Aaron Rodgers. Hate to break it to you, Zach. But all dreams Read More…
Conference questions: Oregon State’s anomaly, UCLA’s offense, Arizona State’s Pac-12 South legitimacy
After big upset, will Oregon State make a run in the Pac-12? Maybe the last two years were an aberration and not a trend for the Beavers. After four consecutive eight-plus win seasons, Oregon State failed to reach the postseason in 2010 and 2011. But those memories might be forgotten Read More…