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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 29, 2004)
Thursday, September 29, 2004 AGGIELI THE BATTALIA TICKET FOR "Coffee & Cigarettes" on DVD Starring Bill Murray, Steve Busm Cate Blanchett MGM Studios ROBERT SAUCEDO Reviewer IMAGE COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL RECORDS Ryan Cabrera got a boost towards fame by appearing in "The Ashlee Simpson Show." RLTEANIITIVE-© Ryan Cabrera Take It All Away Universal Records CARRIE PIERCE Reviewer A few years ago, Dal las native Ryan Cabrera was knocking on sorority house doors in College Station, offering to play songs for whoever would listen. Now, he is touring from coast to coast as his hit single “On the Way Down” climbs the charts. How exactly does a 21-year-old go from a drop-in sorority house performer to an overnight sensation? By dating the right girl, touring with her sister and then releasing an album with 12 catchy songs. In 2001, John Rzeznik from the Goo Goo Dolls coproduced Cabrera’s independent re lease “Elm Street.” After notable local success, Cabrera decided to quit school (he was enrolled at the Dallas branch of t.u., so good move on his part) and became a full-time solo artist. He then got together with Joe Simpson, manager and father of pop-star Jessica and signed a re cord deal with Atlantic. Cabrera’s big break may have been his appearances on “The Ashlee Simpson Show” during their brief romance. He then started touring with Jessica. Cabrera’s debut album is full of the heart and raw emotion expected of a college-age man. Ca brera wrote and played guitar on all of his songs, with Rzeznick supplying back-up guitar and vocals on three tracks. Although he sounds like a mix of John Mayer, Howie Day and Graham Colton, Ca brera said his biggest influence was listening to Dave Matthews. The album begins with “Let’s Take Our Time,” a song any college man can relate to and any col lege woman would think is a ploy to get her in bed. Singing, “When you whisper in my ear/ All the things you wanna do/ This sensation starts to grow,” Cabrera shows there is more to him than his ex-girlfriend and a goofy hairdo. Cabrera can write, sing and play well. The album continues with Cabrera’s first single, “On the Way Down.” Currently on the Billboard charts, this radio hit never gets old. If it does, however, skip to track 12, where the live version blows away the radio release. With its catchy lyr ics and lively background beat, this song defines the album and guarantees that Cabrera will not be a one-hit wonder. Cabrera continues his lover-boy lyrics with songs such as the mournful “She’s,” the tearful “40 Kinds of Sadness” and the emotionally packed “Take it All Away.” It seems as if this guy has survived a lot of heartbreak for a 21 -year-old. Cabrera croons sadly, leaving one to wonder if he wrote these songs before or after dating Ashlee. The most enjoyable song on the album could easily be the sexy “Shame on Me.” With its slightly scandalous message, Cabrera sings “Shame on me wanting you/ The way I fanta size about/ What I’d give, what I’d do/ I just want to work you out.” Mixing these racy lyr ics with Carlos Santana-styled guitar riffs, this track shows Cabrera’s musical maturity. This is definitely a fun, catchy album that any one should give a chance. Although men may be turned away by the image he portrayed on MTV and the fact that he thanks “Nick and Jess” in the liner notes, “Take it All Away” is a relatable al- [ bum by an artist with a lot of potential. Y OU CAN STILL HAVE YOUR group's picture taken for Texas A&M's 2005 Aggieland yearbook. Space is limited, so turn in your contracts today. Follow these easy steps: (1) Download a contract from http://aggieland.tamu.edu or pick one up in room 004 Reed McDonald Building. (2) Fill out your contract and return it with payment to room 015 Reed McDonald. Questions? Call 845-2682 for details. 2005 Texas A&M University If there was ever a movie that could be called an “art house” flick, it is “Coffee and Cigarettes.” The lat est film from acclaimed director Jim Jarmusch, the film features a se ries of short films strung together by a unifying theme of, well, coffee and cigarettes. A collection of conversations ranging from the absurd to the insightful, the film’s vignettes feature some of Hollywood’s greatest contemporary actors and a musician or two discussing the trivial things in life that are often the most entertaining. Difficult to classify, the film’s shorts are a broad assortment of topics and styles. Even though not all the shorts work to their fullest potential, even the dullest of the shorts is far more entertaining than half the sitcoms ruling the airwaves today. The first segment was filmed more than 17 years ago and features Roberto Benigni and Steven Wright meeting in a small cafe to dis cuss coffee addiction and dentist appointments. Quickly setting the stage for the following 90 minutes, the short seems to be an awkward con versation between two people who don’t seem to know each other, yet share an extreme fond ness of coffee and cigarettes. For the next 17 years, Jarmusch would film 10 more short films, shelving them away until one day he would have a finished collage in his hands. Among the standouts of the film is Blanchett doing double duty in her short as plays not only herself but also her cousin,fc ing with jealousy at Blanchett’s career, short, rockers Jack and Meg White discuss! genius of Nikola Tesla. The finest part of the collection isthehilanj conversation between Alfred Molina andSi Coogan as they discuss genealogy andpol cal correctness. The film features converse after conversation of insanely comedic one ers and thoughtful insights into the dailylii of the famous people who inhabit Jarmusii black-and-white world of coffee andcigarei: The DVD features a lackluster collection extras, all the more disappointing wheni learns of the film’s 17-year journey to theD 1 format. Nary is there a commentary ordocum! tary to be seen; instead, audiences are “treat to a short music video entitled “Tabletops" features, of all things, a collection of footag the tabletops seen throughout the film. Also included is a short and rather unftii Bill Murray outtake, a pointless interview*; actor Taylor Mead and a theatrical trailer, such an entertaining film, the DVD is a letdo Unless the film accumulates an incrediblyii fan following in the home video market,do expect a better version any time soon. Fans of any of the film’s actors or the direa are highly recommended to pick the film up, “Coffee and Cigarettes” is a high point ir career of everybody involved. SI The Tex had its we this week from last v P 1 The Tex to the Anal day. The I 3.5 games leading Oa COMIN No mat fan's loy; bound to b Just say th around Cc see the Ryan Irby < of rivalries Baylor a le on the team Wedn mid-week n complete w Look for of the Big 1 focuses on and Colorai PHOTO COURTESY OF UNITED Ml In "Coffee & Cigarettes," rappers RZA and GZA (left, middle) discuss alternative medicine with Bill Murray, the Week the Aggie: shots on games ovi The Tex than team open hous to 4 p.m. t W. “Dick- All those o ate welcor horses tha for practici SENIORS. Aggieland yearbook portrait sessions extended by popular demand. Graduation portraits for Texas A&M University's 2005 Aggieland yearbook will be taken through Friday Oct. 8, in MSC Room 027. There is no sitting fee required to be photographed for the yearbook. To make your appointment, go to www.thorntonstudio.com. Go to Scheduling, then click New User, and complete with Registration Password: tarn Or schedule by calling Thornton Studio at 1-800-883-9449, or see the photographer. 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