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Features

FEATURES

Band's first EP proves promising

Most bands wear their influences like a badge, but Elastic Eight Track's is a technicolor dreamcoat. "Fuel Efficient Vehicles," the band's rousing three-track EP self-released on Tortoise and Hare Records, shows promise of what could shape up to be one of the finest records ever put out by an East Lansing band. In three songs, Elastic Eight Track - composed of MSU students - covers more diversity in music, melody and song writing than most bands get out of a whole LP.

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'Life of David Gale' a solid effort when it doesn't distract itself

"The Life of David Gale" could have easily been made into two films, one extremely good and one a bit silly. The story itself is an intriguing one, but for some reason it is bookended with a related story riddled with clichés to the point that it looks like it may have sprung a leak. Kevin Spacey is at his usual best as David Gale, a brilliant professor and capital punishment abolitionist ironically placed on death row for the rape and murder of a co-worker. Three days before his scheduled execution, Gale grants his first interview since being sentenced to hotshot reporter Bitsey Bloom (Kate Winslet), whose reputation for staunchly protecting her sources caught Gale's attention. Concerned with clearing his reputation in the eyes of his young son, Gale spins his depressing story to Bitsey while coercing her to uncover the truth about his case. Gale's downfall is a wholly upsetting chain of events.

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Award will likely go to Bates or Moore

In about a month, the red carpet will be unrolled for the Academy Awards. Celebrating great achievement in the year of cinema (yeah right), the awards ceremony is among the most highly rated and regarded television events of the year. This year's Best Actress in a Supporting Role nominees are indeed a grab bag of immensely talented women.

FEATURES

All nighter

Megan Frye
February 19, 2003

With $7 in her bank account as she entered her freshman year of college, Ashleigh said she knew she was "screwed" for the rest of the year unless she got a job. The general business administration and pre-law freshman had to make money fast, and she decided when she came to school that she'd rather find a job requiring her to wear 6-inch stiletto heels than a hair net.

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New releases

I can't admit that I'm overly excited about today's new releases, but as always here they are.

FEATURES

'Steal this' full of substance

Solo records are rarely solo efforts. Telecommunication sophomore Valentin Narvaez' newest project, "Steal This Album" (not to be confused with a similarly titled album from System of a Down), which came to be after reading Abbie Hoffman's "Steal This Book," is an entire solo effort - with a little help from his girlfriend. After writing and recording all the instruments and vocals in his room for "Steal This Album" - an album which Narvaez said "revolves around a political frame of mind" - his girlfriend, elementary education freshman Elizabeth Tappon, helped contribute backing vocals on the album's title track and "Growing Up as a Minority." The album itself is a full mix of different influences and sounds.

FEATURES

Cast keeps 'Raisin' true to 1950s roots

Shaun Byron
February 17, 2003

Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun," is undeniably an important piece of black literature.And if it is performed with the utmost respect by talented actors and actresses, the play would tell the struggles of black families in a cruel and unjust world.Done poorly, the play can loose its powerful mixture of racism and sexism.MSU's Theatre Department is holding a production at the Fairchild Theatre and has the recipe to get it right.Directed by Lamont Clegg, the play doesn't shift from its late 1950s roots.The story surrounds the Younger family, a poor black family struggling to survive in Chicago at a time when racism kept them from getting out of the ghetto.Lena Younger's husband died and the family is about to receive a large sum of money from his life insurance.

FEATURES

The Stooges' self-titled debut gave birth to rising star Iggy Pop

Iggy Pop has come a long way. Through all the on-stage acts of self-mutilation, drug addition and random spurts of homelessness, Pop has carved a name into music history as few have managed to do. Helping father the sound of Detroit-rock and garage punk, almost everything Pop has touched has turned into future inspiration for many of today's artists. The Stooges first release, which was self-titled, started the commotion in 1969 when it brought together sounds of distortion, psychedelic wah-wah and lots and lots of feedback.

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'Black & Bruised' graphics good, gameplay horrible

Ben Landes
February 17, 2003

It has every feature to make it the must-have boxing game for next-generation consoles. It has great graphics, promising gameplay and wacky characters to keep it entertaining. Unfortunately "Black & Bruised" got knocked out tripping over the ropes and never even made it to the first round. At first appearance, this game is dazzling.

FEATURES

Whether a Hallmark creation or not, holiday is a chance to spread a little love to the world

Well, it's upon us once again. The one holiday bringing with it joy and bitterness, romance and contempt, the hope you and your sweetie will be together forever and the feeling of dread in the pit of your stomach because you've got no one with which to share a special day. That's right, it's Valentine's Day. As far as I can tell, there are basically two factions of people when it comes to V-Day. The first group are those who, for one reason or another, simply loathe today.

FEATURES

Show's music strikes chord with actress

Jeremy W. Steele
February 14, 2003

Nicole Snelson was 19 and just getting started in theater when "Rent" hit Broadway. She said she was instantly a fan. "I was right in that age pocket of the people who were speaking," said Snelson, talking on a cell phone from Palm Beach, Fla., as she made her way to a matinee. "It really just speaks to everyone.

FEATURES

Infobox

Here is some additional information related to the article Pet paradise. How much time and money and what to expect when adopting a pet is all relative to what kind of animal you choose. Who should have a pet: · people with money · people with time · affectionate people · responsible people · people who enjoy exercise Who shouldn't have a pet: ·Students who might have plans to relocate within a year · Students whose landlords do not allow pets on their property and students who live in the dorms · People or their roommates who have allergies to pets · People without the time or money for a pet · People who are away from home for more than nine hours per day Where to get a pet: Soldan's Feeds & Pet Supplies - 5200 S.