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Northern Star

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

America’s Funnyman is in the House tonight

By Evan Thorne | February 28, 2007

America's funnyman Neil Hamburger is coming to, in his own words, "the hottest college town in the hemisphere" -- DeKalb. Hamburger's internet television show, "Poolside Chats with Neil Hamburger," is one of the most popular on the web, he has just wrapped...

Comeback Kid’s comeback plagued by hardcore’s stubborn refusal to change

By Keith Beebe | February 27, 2007

Following the departure of lead singer Scott Wade in 2006, it would have been understandable for Comeback Kid to disband. Instead, the Canadian hardcore outfit stuck together and plugged guitarist Andrew Neufeld into the lead singer role, producing an...

Minus The Bear’s ‘pre-humous’ remixes make newer songs sound better

By Derek Wright | February 27, 2007

Following a growing trend, Minus the Bear is another name on the list of bands bridging the gap between outputs with an album of guest musicians' remixes. While a posthumous new take on a release can serve as icing on a short-lived cake (Test Icicles,...

The Ataris aim for darker themes on latest pop/punk hybrid album, only sort of succeed

By Mat Warrenfeltz | February 27, 2007

"Another one bites the dust." A phrase made famous by Freddie Mercury, so meaningful it has been adapted into everyday use in our society. Whether it is being related to death, a breakup or, in the case of The Ataris, a former pop/punk band turning to...

Conn’s persona in high gear on ‘King For A Day’

By Derek Wright | February 27, 2007

Bobby Conn is an expert at duality. The master of spectacle spends his nights in make-up and boas, but his days as a humble art hander. At home he's a quiet father and husband who claims to be an ace at changing diapers and whose wife hates when he's...

Packed house shows country is king at the Convo

By Keith Beebe | February 26, 2007

To say Sugarland's first visit to DeKalb was memorable would be an understatement. An energetic crowd looked on as the country act from Atlanta rocked the Convocation Center Friday night, mixing songs from their latest album, "Enjoy the Ride," with older...

Pseudo-realistic television isn’t real at all

By Jenna Andriano | February 23, 2007

Back in the carefree and car-free days of my junior high years, my friends and I had to be inventive with our free time. One favorite pastime was to turn on the TV, turn down the volume and dub in our own improvised versions of Spanish soap operas. The...

Independent films deliver a mixed bag

By Stacie Wieland | February 22, 2007

"Delivery Boy Chronicles" Grade: D | "Delivery Boy Chronicles" poses the question, "Is there life after college?" For four twenty-something friends and co-workers at a food delivery service in Atlanta, the answer is one filled with regret, disillusionment...

Murphy better one role at a time

By Christopher Schimmel | February 22, 2007

Grade: C + | OK, who would win this match - Hannibal Lecter, or Eddie Murphy in a fat suit? Many would say that Hannibal would win in a fight, but when it comes to box office numbers, Murphy's "Norbit" won out by roughly $20 million. While the two movies...

‘Music’ not just another romantic comedy

By David Rauch | February 22, 2007

Grade: B | Valentine's Day came and went, but same-day release "Music and Lyrics" left something behind after the cards and chocolates were done. Mostly, what is a left behind are a lot of Hugh Grant one-liners, a happy ending and some catchy pop music....

Mayer brings ‘more than music’

By Herminia Irizarry | February 21, 2007

DeKALB | More than 7,000 screaming fans jittered with excitement and fervor to the sultry voice of John Mayer and his band at the Convocation Center Tuesday night. A quiet murmur swept over the nearly full arena as fans waited for the headlining performance....

From Sweden, with love

By Derek Wright | February 20, 2007

While fellow multi-instrumentalist Sufjan Stevens approaches chamber pop with a bigger-is-better attitude, Swedish songsmith Emil Svanagen brilliantly sprinkles his falsetto-driven tunes with an "only when necessary" use of vast theatrics. This less-is-more...