Phoenix’s newest album provides well-rounded and loyal sound

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
April 25, 2013
Filed under Music Reviews

Their first album since “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix,” French alternative band Phoenix returns to the top charts with another great set of tracks on “Bankrupt!” Released on April 22, “Bankrupt!” has been highly anticipated and delivers the Phoenix sound that is loved. The first single “Entertainment”... Read more »

Bowie’s first album in ten years doesn’t disappoint

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
April 9, 2013
Filed under A&E, Music Reviews

Advertised everywhere after the surprise announcement of David Bowie’s new album on his 66th birthday, “The Next Day” satisfies Bowie fans’ anticipation. “The Next Day” is glam rock icon Bowie’s first album in ten years. All but two tracks on “The Next Day” are written and composed... Read more »

Film adaptation of “Les Mis” still quality production

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
March 21, 2013
Filed under Take Two: Film Reviews

Minnetonka grad turned musician makes a name for himself with local resources

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
March 1, 2013
Filed under A&E, Top Stories

Local artist and Excelsior native John Mark Nelson, a 2012 Minnetonka High School graduate, completed a Kickstart project recently with all the proceeds going towards his first studio album. With all of the songs and musicians ready to go, John Mark gears up for a big step in his music career. To... Read more »

Denzel Washington soars in “Flight”

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
February 12, 2013
Filed under Take Two: Film Reviews

Local musician looking for support to fund album

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
February 4, 2013
Filed under A&E

Local musician John Mark Nelson, who graduated from Minnetonka High School last spring, hopes to raise a total of $15,000 with his Kickstart project going towards funding his third album––his first studio album. The challenge: he still has $2,000 to go and three days to raise it. “A lot of people... Read more »

Improved technology and stellar cast make “The Hobbit” a worthwhile watch

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
January 25, 2013
Filed under Take Two: Film Reviews

Washington worthy of Oscar nod in emotional and entertaining “Flight”

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
January 25, 2013
Filed under Movie Reviews

With a talented front man and emotional scenes, Robert Zemeckis’s most recent film, “Flight,” is a must-see for those looking for a relatable film. This film covers difficult topics spanning from trauma to addiction. This film appears well directed and produced, giving viewers a complete story... Read more »

Lincoln justly leads in Academy Awards nominations

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
January 11, 2013
Filed under Take Two: Film Reviews

Newgrass: America reconnecting with its musical roots

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
December 19, 2012
Filed under A&E, Editor's Picks, Top Stories

“Folk music is perpetually out of style,” singer-songwriter Brian Laidlaw said. Brian Laidlaw & the Family Trade, one of many folk and newgrass bands in the current music scene, have embraced their roots by finding inspiration in the music they and their parents grew up on. As a local band,... Read more »

New Bond film falls back to tradition

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
November 29, 2012
Filed under Take Two: Film Reviews

89.3 The Current helps popularize local music

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
November 13, 2012
Filed under A&E, Editor's Picks, Top Stories

Local radio station 89.3 The Current makes a conscious effort to discover and support local artists. With live streaming and an updated daily playlist, The Current––part of a network of non- commercial progressive radio stations–– has local artists receiving recognition globally. This global... Read more »

Ellie Goulding’s “Halcyon” lacks originality

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
October 30, 2012
Filed under A&E, Music Reviews

With a voice indistinguishable from Florence Welch, Lissie, or Hope, British singer Ellie Goulding’s new album, “Halcyon,” fails to become a memorable, unique album. Though Goulding’s sound has crossed over from electronica to indie pop, her whispery, sultry vocals leave no lasting impression... Read more »

Designer cakes gone wrong displayed on cakewrecks.com

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
October 30, 2012
Filed under A&E, Digital Life

From Father’s Day cakes that read, “Happy Falker Satherhood,” to naked mohawk-baby carrot jockeys, to sensored pregnancy cakes, cakewrecks.com has seen it all. Everyday, this blog posts pictures, videos and stories of designer cakes gone wrong, begging the question, “What does it mean to be a... Read more »

U2 – “A Sort of Homecoming”

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
October 11, 2012
Filed under Featured Songs

The studio version of “A Sort of Homecoming” appears on U2’s 1984 album, “The Unforgettable Fire”––in comparison, the live version of this track on the EP, “Wide Awake in America” proves to be a better recording. With high energy from both the audience and the band, this track brings... Read more »

“Trouble With the Curve” unique from other baseball films

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
October 11, 2012
Filed under A&E, Movie Reviews

Robert Lorenz, assistant director of the movie "Million Dollar Baby," directed his first film, “Trouble with the Curve,” starring Clint Eastwood, who came out of his retirement from acting specifically for this movie. The movie also includes other big-name actors, including Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake,... Read more »

Bloc Party’s “Four” brings back the band’s early sound

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
October 8, 2012
Filed under A&E, Music Reviews

Bloc Party, active as a band since 2003, released their new album, “Four,” on August 20, featuring an adjusted sound and catchy music produced during the four-year break the band took from releasing new tracks. This album received mixed reviews from critics and fans, focusing their critiques mainly... Read more »

Ryan O’Shaughnessy – “No Name”

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
October 4, 2012
Filed under Featured Songs

After being discovered on Britian’s Got Talent, Irish singer-songwriter Ryan O’Shaughnessy released his self-titled debut in August of this year. "No Name," one of the tracks on the album and the song he auditioned with, contains soft vocals, honest lyrics and beautiful acoustic guitar, making it... Read more »

Local Talent: Buckets and Tap Shoes

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
October 1, 2012
Filed under A&E

Brothers Rick and Andy Ausland tap dance, play percussion, sing, and play guitar––often performing two or more at once, incorporating all of their talents into one unique and entertaining show. With a sound similar to that of Stomp, the Ausland’s group, Buckets and Tap Shoes, has been dubbed “utterly... Read more »

Rave: Cupcakes

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
September 30, 2012
Filed under Rants & Raves

Cupcakes, the cute and tasty dessert you can take on the go, create very little mess and bake in a portion size that satisfies hunger perfectly. Cute in appearance, with little dollops of icing and in colorful cups, cupcakes conveniently require no utensils. Shows like “Cupcake Wars” and “DC Cupcakes”... Read more »

Little Comets – “Bridge Burn”

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
September 27, 2012
Filed under Featured Songs

Little Comets released their EP, “Jennifer and Other Short Stories,” in the spring of this year. One of the tracks, "Bridge Burn," creates a mellow, electronic feel that reflects Little Comet’s typical sound, and fits perfectly into the microcosm of Little Comet’s EP. As a track, “Bridge Burn”... Read more »

Ten great albums you may have missed

Jenny Krane, Staff Writer
September 19, 2012
Filed under A&E, Music Reviews