Moth rocks with Provisions

What can you say about a band that just plain rocks? Each song on Moth’s third record couldn’t have been done better. Hailing from Ohio, the same state that spawned Nine Inch Nails, Devo and The Breeders, Moth contributes a solid major label debut by molding generous portions of geek rock in with some dark and satisfying love songs, such as “Lovers Quarrel,” one of the album’s best. Brad Stenz’s gritty vocals glide along the same horizon as U2’s Bono, and even occasionally slightly hints at Jeremy Enigk of the now defunct Sunny Day Real Estate. The music somehow manages to incorporate punk rock angst with a tint of spunk by nailing each song’s theme, whether it be bittersweet, relaxed or carefree. A decent number of songs on the record sound like they were written for radio airplay.

Goo Goo Dolls much anticipated album is easily confused with earlier recordings

Writing a follow-up to a highly successful record must be quite a feat. Not only does the artist have the pressure of writing more hits that will remind its fans that it can still write really good songs, but it has the task of proving to harsh critics that it has staying power. I’m one of the critics who was quite skeptical about the newest by the Goo Goo Dolls.

Exhibit highlights student work

An eclectic mix of traditional paintings, electronic art and statues has transformed the Kresge Art Museum for the 2002 Undergraduate Art Exhibition. An accumulation of a year of hard work, the art show opened last week and runs through April 28. It is an exhibition of judged art, from art department courses, including ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture. Roughly 200 people attended Friday’s opening day as they crammed into the corridor of the Kresge Art Center to listen to Chairman Jim Hopfensperger announce the show’s winners. A constant flow of art enthusiasts then moved to the gallery to view the student art on display. Jenclare Gawaran, an art education junior had a drawing piece in the show titled “Branded.” “I don’t think people realize there is a creative side to this university,” she said.

Osteopathic Medicine dean takes office

Dr. William Strampel officially began a new job this week, hoping to carry on a legacy and continue moving MSU in the right direction.

Politicians only push own agendas, not public issues

During my childhood, my ideologically polarized parents kept me constantly inundated with subtle party propaganda.

Visiting professor to preview IAH classes

Before coming to MSU to teach an honors section of Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities 211C, Area Studies and Multicultural Civilizations: The Americas, Jualynne Dodson will present and discuss her work on campus. Dodson, who is from the University of Colorado, will be next fall’s visiting Hannah Professor of Integrative Studies.

BREAKING NEWS: MSU alumnus Robert Urich, star of numerous TV shows and plays, dies at 55

Robert Urich, who earned his master’s degree from MSU in 1970, died today after a battle with cancer. Urich, who was 55, was best known for his starring role on ABC’s “Spenser: For Hire.” He also was a pivotal player on shows like “Vega$” and “Gavilan.” The alumnus, who earned his master’s in broadcast research and management from MSU, died at a hospital in Thousand Oaks, Calif., surrounded by family and friends, The Associated Press reported. “For MSU, this is a very sad situation,” said Gary Hoppenstand, an MSU American Thought and Language professor.

Residents protest E.L. rezoning, commercialization

City officials will make the decision tonight whether to rezone a 64-acre golf course.Neighbors of the Four Winds Golf Course, 5800 Park Lake Road, have been concerned the owner will develop the property.But officials say it won’t happen.“We have opportunities to address the concerns of the neighbors,” Mayor Pro Tem Sam Singh said.

Students seek help for organ donations

About 20 students from MSU’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America are holding a campaign to increase awareness of organ donation. Group members hope to encourage students and community members to talk to their friends and families about organ donation.

Sluggers look to Division II for tuneup

After splitting a series with Indiana during the weekend, the MSU baseball team is turning its attention to Wayne State today. The Spartans (22-8 overall, 6-5 Big Ten) host the Warriors (11-13, 7-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference) at 3 p.m.

Police briefs 04/16/02

About time

Although it’s been almost four months since a sexual abuse scandal in the American Catholic Church began sweeping across the nation, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church finally has summoned American cardinals to the Vatican to discuss the issue. Pope John Paul II’s invitation is better late than never.

MIDDAY UPDATE: State launches campaign to encourage minors to stay away from booze

Lansing - A new ad campaign that will attempt to discourage underage drinking was launched in the Capitol rotunda Tuesday, accompanied by signs proclaiming “We all lose when kids buy booze.”“We want to address the issue that comes home to parents when kids drink,” said Mark Smith, director of enforcement for the Liquor Control Commission.Smith and Michigan Liquor Control Chairman Dan Gustafson said they plan to have a hotline to report those who are selling or providing minors with alcohol.The campaign will begin in Lansing and Jackson and, if successful, will continue in the rest of the state.

Spartans battle Grizzlies again

The MSU softball team looks to break its losing streak with a rematch against Oakland. The Spartans (20-25 overall, 3-7 Big Ten) defeated the Grizzlies 2-1 at Old College Field on April 3.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Cows to 1-96 traffic: Mooooove over

Cars driving west on I-96 early this afternoon had some extra traffic to deal with: Four-legged traffic. Four cows fell out of their trailer shortly after 1 p.m.

Sign didnt equate star with swastika

In “Concurrent peace rallies show Middle-East divisions” (SN 4/15), the article reported that one sign portrayed the Star of David equaling the swastika.

Convocation speaker reminisces

Robin Sloan sits up a little when he talks about the stench of open sewers in Bangladesh.The economics senior and Student Convocation speaker lived in the country’s capital, Dhaka, for three months while on an independent internship.“Living in Dhaka, you sort of exist every day with the rest of the crowd,” Sloan said.Sloan conducted research while in the small Asian nation, working on a project to determine the impact of information technology on people in developing and impoverished countries.The country has more than 131 million people and is slightly larger than Iowa.“I went there with the intention of really understanding what it was like in a developing country,” Sloan said.

Peaceless

If the crowds gathered outside the state Capitol on Friday really intended to promote peace in the Middle East, they would have chanted in unity instead of forming two polar groups positioned on opposite sides of the sidewalk.

Campus Invasion 2K2 tour hits Breslin today

The Campus Invasion 2K2 tour hits Breslin Center today as Nickelback performs, with special guests Default and Injected. The event also will feature the MTV “Interactive Music Expo,” which starts at noon south of Breslin Center.

Pipeline raises safety, discrimination concerns

Just as gas prices rise for the summer, the issue of where a new gas pipeline will go is heating up.Ingham County Commissioner Lisa Dedden filed a brief Friday opposing the Wolverine Pipe Line, 2691 Lake Lansing Road, proposal to route a new gas pipeline along Insterstate 96 in Lansing.The route is the second proposed by the company after its first, running through Meridian Township, was denied by the Michigan Public Service Commission on the basis of safety.An issue still at large in the new proposal, Dedden said.“The same things exist so therefore the public safety commission needs to deny this, too,” she said.