Time to commit, Harper

By Jon Roe

“There will be some who want to cut and run, but cutting and running is not my way and it’s not the Canadian way,” said Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper, reinforcing his government’s stance on military participation in Afghanistan. Yet, when it comes to another Canadian engagement, Harper has taken the opposite approach, refusing to… Continue reading Time to commit, Harper

International students to make the big bucks

By Kris Schmidt

International students at the University of Calgary can now work off campus thanks to a new government initiative, effective June 1. Previously, international students could only work on campus, but the new work permits resemble those given to international students in the co-op program and allow students to look for their own jobs. By filling… Continue reading International students to make the big bucks

Billy Still Talented

By Kenzie Love

Not everyone can remember the lyrics, or even the titles, of Billy Talent’s songs, but few can forget vocalist Benjamin Kowalewicz’s piercing scream. It’s a feature of just about every song on their first album, and as a result the contributions of the band’s other members are sometimes lost in the background. Not surprisingly, Kowalewicz… Continue reading Billy Still Talented

Spun: Gnarls Barkley

By Rachel Betts-Wilmott

Finally a hip hop album upper-middle class white girls and skinny boys can listen to without being ashamed. 50 Cent with all his anger against the authorities was hopeless from the beginning, we had hope for Kanye West and his sherbet-coloured suits, but it wasn’t until the release of St. Elsewhere we could blast music… Continue reading Spun: Gnarls Barkley

Spun: Sam Roberts

By Kenzie Love

Sam Roberts’ website describes his sophomore album, Chemical City, as “less polished and yet, paradoxically, more ambitious” than his debut, We Were Born in a Flame. Artists’ websites aren’t generally the most objective guide to their music. Upon listening to the album, however, it becomes clear that whoever came up with this plug was on… Continue reading Spun: Sam Roberts

Spun: The Paper Cranes

By Trenton Shaw

It’s probably impossible to listen to the Paper Cranes and not compare them to the Cure. Singer Ryan McCullah has that same fragile, whiny, ultimately lovable voice. The band sounds familiar and unique at the same time, combining the best of post-punk with all the catchy hooks and melodies of classic brit-pop. Perhaps the Paper… Continue reading Spun: The Paper Cranes

Spun: The Flaming Lips

By Jon Roe

At this year’s South by Southwest festival, between performances with his band, Flaming Lips lead singer Wayne Coyne found a need to make an appearance in the streets of Austin rolling around in a giant inflatable ball. If you are unfamiliar with the Lips, the ball story does a fairly good job of summing up… Continue reading Spun: The Flaming Lips

Spun: Mobb Deep

By Trenton Shaw

Prodigy, Havoc, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Sha Money XL–the dream-team looks good on paper, but the music is a different story. Long-time Mobb Deep fans were wary of Havoc and Prodigy’s merger with the G-Unit camp, and for the most-part their worst fears have been realized. Blood Money takes Mobb Deep’s slow progression towards club-friendly… Continue reading Spun: Mobb Deep