Mount Hood

A Moon Shaped Pool

By: Darien Campo
Staff Writer

Sunday, May 8 finally brought us the release of Radiohead’s long-anticipated ninth studio album “A Moon Shaped Pool.” In only 11 tracks this 25-year-old band shows us that not only can they still write music to rival their greatest works, but they’ve only gotten better at it.

The album is 11 tracks long, a few of which are songs fans have been waiting to hear on a studio release for years. “Identikit” was first played live in 2012, “Burn the Witch” has been teased since 2003, and “True Love Waits” has been a concert-exclusive fan favorite since 1994. These are only three of the fantastic songs brought by Radiohead’s newest release.

This album makes prominent use of the London Contemporary Orchestra under multi-instrumentalist Jonny Greenwood’s composition. In fact, the instrumentation in this album hearkens back to earlier eras of Radiohead’s discography. For the fans who have been concerned the band has moved too far into electronic, looping music, you’ll be happy to hear that AMSP features many songs that make full use of all five band members on their classic instruments. Songs like “Decks Dark” and “Identikit” lovingly combine their old five-piece rock sound with the electronic influence of Radiohead’s later career.

We can compare Radiohead’s albums all day and try to rank which release is the best, but AMSP is above that. “A Moon Shaped Pool” shows us that Radiohead has grown. This album is mature, it is strong, and it is the accumulation of years of experience from five insanely talented musicians. Though the album doesn’t drive you to dance, it sure does beckon you with a wink and a nod, asking you to come out and join it on the floor. The album moves you physically, as well as emotionally. Every member of Radiohead gets their chance to show off what they’ve learned over 25 years and nine albums, and together they flex and flaunt their musical prowess. “A Moon Shaped Pool” is emotionally draining, sonically astounding, physically grooving, and compositionally spectacular.

Once again, Radiohead has shown the world that they are some of the most powerful musicians alive today. You don’t even have to like them to appreciate the artistry of this album. “A Moon Shaped Pool” will be a monolithic feat in the history modern rock, trust me when I say you do not want to miss this one.

Contact the author at dcampo13@wou.edu

THE EDITOR SMILES WARMLY TOWARD

Unique YouTube channels that you oughta subscribe to.

“Grand Illusions” is the YouTube channel of Tim the Toyman, an old British fella with a MASSIVE collection of toys and novelty items. His videos range from about 45 seconds to 20 minutes (!), and center around a single item or a category of them, be it playing cards, unconventional lighters, strange bottles, toys that look like fish, or one of his most recent: brushes! There are all kinds of toy collection channels on YouTube, but Tim is one of the only people that never talks about the value of the toys or the brand or anything like that. He is just a funny old man with a deep, abiding appreciation for toy design, mechanisms, and how they function; and “Grand Illusions” is his way of sharing his life’s work with the world. His charming persona, dry wit, and clear passion for these “funny little contraptions” keeps me coming back. Quite extraordinary.

She said … I don’t know where I discovered the channel of “Shopdogsam,” but I’m glad I did. He’s a hippie grandpa with a thick Tennessee accent, a love of engines and Hostess cupcakes, a stuffed parrot, long white hair, and a longer white beard, and most of his videos are stream-of-consciousness monologues about … well, it’s kind of hard to say. But he’s oddly fascinating, talking into the void of YouTube-land as if it were an old, trusted friend, as he rolls an industrial spool around or eats ice cream and cupcakes with chopsticks. He’s an oddball for sure, but again … it’s all super compelling. And that’s all I’m gonna say about that.

Theodore Cottingham recently deleted his YouTube channel, but he still has a large collection of material on Vimeo. He runs a coffee shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and has released just a shade fewer than five hundred videos of … I guess I’ll let ol’ Theo himself explain: “I am Christ, Christing the Christ, teaching all who will to become it also, through my words. These recordings are me speaking the first person words of God I am for you to learn to do also, where you record it, study it, learn from it, surrendering daily to the process of The New Covenant so you experience the transformation of Christ to become it in your two shoes becoming a new creation person of leadership in your country.” And if that doesn’t at least intrigue you, you are a lost cause.

“And we back:” Chance the Rapper’s latest shines

By: Declan Hertel
Entertainment Editor

I gotta cut right to the chase: Chance the Rapper’s third and most recent release, “Coloring Book” (also known to fans as “Chance 3”), is really good. Like, really, Screen Shot 2016-05-23 at 7.42.36 PMreally good.

I heard his 2013 mixtape, “Acid Rap,” for the first time about two years after it came out, and I really dug it, but I didn’t really start to pay attention to Chance until his just-about-perfect verse on Kanye West’s “Ultralight Beam,” the opening track on “The Life of Pablo” (review at wou.edu/westernjournal).

His verse caught my attention like no other, and I soon after went back to “Acid Rap.” Before I had dug it, but now I felt like I got it. Chance is different, in a way he states perfectly in the first verse of CB’s “Blessings:” “I don’t make songs for free, I make ‘em for freedom / don’t believe in kings, believe in the kingdom.”

I don’t even know where to begin talking about this mixtape, so the beginning will work: I don’t want to proclaim a trend too early—two is hardly a pattern—but with “The Life of Pablo” and “Coloring Book,” hip-hop and gospel music have found themselves very, very happy together. But unlike Yeezy’s latest, which uses its gospel influence as a plea to God to help a troubled sinner, “Coloring Book” uses gospel to proclaim and share the glory with all who hear it.

He is a man blessed with unbelievable success, including getting to work closely with Kanye West, the man who inspired him to become a rapper, and who provides the hook on “All We Got,” the first cut on “Coloring Book.” The record has all kinds of high profile features (Lil Wayne, Justin Bieber, and T-Pain, to name a few), with several songs underscored with triumphant horns and choirs. Throughout the 14 tracks, Chance is not only celebrating his success, but is eternally grateful for it, and wants to share it.

What makes Chance and “Coloring Book” great is his ultimately positive message. He’s not glamorizing a destructive lifestyle or constantly firing off shots at other artists: his music is all about making the best of everything, counting your blessings, and always being humble and grateful. From touching laments about growing apart like “Same Drugs” to honestly talking about how hard it is to find success in “All We Got,” Chance ultimately lays out a message that says if you stay strong and determined you can accomplish what you want and get through what’s got you down. Even as he raps about his problems, there’s nothing underneath but love and a forward looking attitude.

Unfortunately, it seems that “Coloring Book” has been removed from DatPiff.com, where it was originally released as a free download. But if you’ve got Apple Music you can listen to it there, and since he released it for free, if you want to torrent it or just listen on YouTube, you ought to do that guilt free.

Contact the author at dhertel11@wou.edu or on Twitter @JournalFunTimes

Discover MI Town encourages community engagement

 

By: Jenna Beresheim
News Editor

An overcast Saturday was not enough to stave off participants of the Discover MI Town event hosted between both Monmouth and Independence on May 21.

Colorful plastic bags boasting the logo of the event were held by many as individuals moved from one shop to another, led by a Monopoly-inspired map of various places around both towns.

This reporter’s route consisted of the following stops: Arena Sports Bar & Grill, Three Legged Dog, Petals & Vines, Rogue, Main Street Ice Cream Parlor, and Crush Wine Bar & Tasting Room.

Screen Shot 2016-05-23 at 7.32.15 PMShops each hosted their own unique way of welcoming players of Discover MI Town Monopoly. While Arena Sports Bar & Grill offered a triple-threat sampler of beers with a side of their famous hot wings, Petals & Vines offered buttons and pins from a basket on their counter.

“Personally, my offer is just letting you sample whatever drinks I have in stock right now,” stated Joshua Brandt, the owner of Crush Wine Bar & Tasting Room.
Over 27 businesses participated in the spotlight and helped to sponsor the event, ranging from eateries to larger businesses such as Goodwill Industries.

The event was hosted by the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center and managed by Jean Love.

A free shuttle service was also offered between both towns’ focal points to encourage visiting all possible pitstops mapped out for the day. This also supported individuals who wished to partake in the multiple opportunities to imbibe throughout the day without worrying about transportation between stops.

To sweeten the deal, a grand prize raffle was offered to individuals once they purchased tickets – filling out a small business card once they were given their wristbands.

The winner of this raffle would take home an entire table of goodies ranging from bottles of Rogue to shirts and soccer balls – an estimated worth of over $700 in tangible goods. Owners of shops were to donate a physical item and could donate gift certificates on top of that if they wished.

For a full breakdown of the shop’s that participated, go online to: http://bit.ly/1s27XXS
Contact the author at Jberesheim11@wou.edu or on Twitter @WOUjournalnews

Fighting Fireworks

By: Jenna Beresheim
News Editor

For nearly two weeks, residents on and around campus reported hearing popping, banging, and otherwise generalized firework noises across the surrounding areas.
“We don’t know what it is for sure,” reported CPS officer Trever Jackson, “but reports on the sounds lean towards fireworks.”

Jackson reported hearing the noises himself while working shifts on campus, and would shortly after receive phone calls from concerned students.

“Unfortunately, it’s difficult working with noise complaints without much else to go off of – no one was injured or saw anyone doing it, which makes it difficult to track,” Jackson said.

Another problem with noise on campus, especially quick-burst sounds created by fireworks, is that it can be very troublesome to pinpoint.

Campus Public Safety would receive multiple calls in a row, each stating a different place the caller believed the sound to be coming from, whether it be near Gentle House, Koyotes, and so on.

One evening, people reported seeing a group of individuals running from where the noises had recently been heard. By the time officers arrived, the group had gone and there was no trace of mischief.

Both Campus Public Safety and the Monmouth Police are currently working in tandem to stop the noisemaker, but in the recent week there has been very little activity reported in regards to fireworks sounds across campus.

If you have any information on possible suspects or need to report more firework activity, please contact Campus Public Safety’s non-emergency line at 503-838 8481.

Contact the author at Jberesheim11@wou.edu or on Twitter @WOUjournalnews

26 pounds of drugs seized in Salem bust

By: Alvin Wilson
Staff Writer

A large drug bust that occurred in the Salem/Stayton area earlier this month resulted in the seizure of 26 pounds of drugs, 15 guns, several vehicles, and over $450,000, according to the Statesman Journal.

On May 10, officers with the Salem Police Department arrested seven people in the Salem area. The next day, officers with the Stayton Police Department arrested three. Lt. Steve Birr, of Salem PD, said the arrests in Salem triggered those in Stayton.

With Monmouth’s proximity to Salem, one might expect the recent bust to reduce the drug supply or trigger arrests in the area. But according to Detective Mike Strack, a member of the Polk County Interagency Narcotics Team, the bust in Salem is unlikely to affect drug trafficking in the Monmouth area.

“The drug bust in Salem/Stayton doesn’t have much affect on our area, as drugs come in from various places,” said Strack.

Despite this, Strack said the drug businesses in Independence and Monmouth are sometimes synonymous with Salem.

“Many of the people who reside in Salem and are into drugs come into Polk County to do business, as it’s more rural,” he said. “… Drug users commit crimes of opportunity and look for easy targets.”

He said the frequency of students leaving their cars and bikes unlocked makes Monmouth a popular destination for people looking for something to sell for drug money.

Drug abuse is often more apparent in small towns, and Monmouth and Independence are no exceptions.

“Drug abuse in Monmouth/Independence is common compared to any other city,” said Strack. “Sometimes it may seem like drug abuse is worse in a small town because you can see it more in a smaller population.”

Western isn’t a school that is known for rampant drug use. Strack attributes this tame appearance to both the legalization of marijuana in Oregon and the fact that many student offenders aren’t tracked by the university.

“… drugs are handled differently on campus as opposed to off campus, Strack said. “When students are arrested or cited for drugs in the community, they are dealt with through the city and county courts and [Western] does not track this information.”

The most recent drug bust involving Western was four years ago, when seven people, including three students, were arrested for trafficking drugs on campus.

The bust in Salem might scare some traffickers into temporarily halting business. But, according to Strack, users will always find a way to get their fix—even if their supply is restricted.

“Addicts will always find where the drugs are at,” Strack said. “If you cut off a supply in one area, they branch out or a new dealer steps in to fill the void.”

Contact the author at awilson15@wou.edu or on Twitter @awilsonjournal.

Five offseason acquisitions the Blazers should pursue

By: Jamal Smith
Sports Editor

After the Portland Trail Blazers were defeated by the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs, it became clear that the Blazers are still one or two players away from becoming a championship caliber team.

Portland showed flashes of brilliance in the series, outscoring the defending champions in the majority of the quarters during the series. But the Warriors’ postseason success last year, combined with the Blazers’ young, inexperienced roster, gave Stephen Curry and the Warriors the edge at the end of games when it really mattered. Portland only got one win in the best of seven game series.

So, now that the offseason has officially begun for the young Blazer squad, it’s time to start thinking about what free agent acquisitions would help to elevate the Blazers to the next level.

Here’s a list of five free agents the Blazers should go after this offseason that would instantly make the team better.

  1. Dwight Howard
    Player Option / Center / 6-11 / Team: Houston
    13.7 ppg, 11.8 rpg
    Howard is the most controversial player on the list; some fans despise Screen Shot 2016-05-23 at 7.23.42 PMthe big man, and some fans absolutely love him. Those who hate Howard point to his bad attitude and unsuccessful tenures with the Los Angeles Lakers and his current team, the Houston Rockets. In his early years, Howard was easily the most dominant superstar on the court and had the ability to single-handedly take over games. Although Howard’s best years are behind him, Howard would provide the Blazers a double-double every night, while at the same time striking fear into opponents as an offensive and defensive threat.
  2. Hassan Whiteside
    Unrestricted / Center / 7-0 / Team: Miami
    14.2 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 3.7 bpg
    The young Blazers squad needs to add a big man this offScreen Shot 2016-05-23 at 7.23.58 PMseason, and Whiteside would be the perfect fit. Unlike Howard, Whiteside hasn’t reached the prime of his career yet. The 26-year-old does it all: he blocks shots, scores in bunches, and gobbles up rebounds. Though it is unlikely that Miami will let him walk away, the Blazers front office should do everything in their power to sign Whiteside.
  3. Nicolas Batum
    Unrestricted / Small Forward / 6-8 / Team: Charlotte
    14.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.8 apg
    Before Batum was traded from Portland to the Charlotte Hornets, he was one of the most beloved Blazers Screen Shot 2016-05-23 at 7.24.08 PMof all-time. The Blazers general manager Neil Olshey should wine and dine Batum, apologize for trading him, and do anything in his power to get the wingman back in red and black. All indications currently point to Batum resigning with the Hornets, but the free agent process is unpredictable.
  4. Al Horford
    Unrestricted / Power Forward / 6-10 / Team: Atlanta
    15.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg
    Horford is a nine-year NBA veteran who has played his entire career with the Atlanta Hawks. Since his inaugural season in the league, Horford has averaged double digits in scoring and has been one of the most Screen Shot 2016-05-23 at 7.19.15 PMconsistent big men in the NBA. Signing Horford this offseason, would give the young squad an experienced veteran who still has years of productivity ahead of him and would at the same time shore up the power forward position that currently lacks depth.
  5. Ryan Anderson
    Unrestricted / Power Forward / 6-10 / Team: New Orleans
    17.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg
    Anderson is the type of player who would have fit in perfectly with this year’s Blazer squad. He is a big man who is extremely talented at stretching the floor by draining threesScreen Shot 2016-05-23 at 7.24.19 PM. His average of 17 points a game would give Portland a definitive third offensive threat behind Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.
    Contact the author at jsmith15@wou.edu or on Twitter @journalsportWOU

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