Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THEY SAID n MARK TWAIN: “Aclassie something that every bod wants to have read an :* . t ‘ ? r , >'* nobody wants to read. Story ideas? Questions? Comments? Write us at gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com < FROM MAINSTREAM MUSIC TO ... VIDEO GAME SOUNDTRACKS? ’ « BY AUBREY FOGLE THE GAMECOCK If you're looking for something new and original in the world of music, you might not have to look farther than your collection of video games. Video game fanatics enjoy the soundtracks not only as an alternative to popular music, but because they are big fans of the games themselves, whether they were kicking the crap out of enemies on Nintendo or winning the NCAA championship on PlayStation. Josh French, a junior journal ism major, has downloaded many soundtrack songs off the Internet and bought several soundtrack ail bums in the past few years. "The Final Fantasy VIII sound track hit number eight in the Japanese charts," French said. Because it is mostly instru mental, French thinks some peo ple might not like it if they had to purchase it separately from the game. "Not all of the music is going to appeal to everyone," he said. The exception to this, though, are those who have a great apprecia tion of the game. "A lot of people are fans of the composer Nobuo Uematsu, be cause he is more experienced," French said. Uematsu is a veter an composer for Squaresoft, the developing company for the Final Fantasy series, and he and his pre decessors have made awesome strides in refining the art of the video game soundtrack, from the original Final Fantasy game on the Nintendo all the way up to Fi nal Fantasy X on PlayStation 2. Final Fantasy X is expected to have full orchestration and fea ture tracks by famous Japanese Dedicated video game fans are ordering soundtracks from as far away as Japan, photo by josh skidmore pop singers. Gavin Tapoc, a senior jour nalism major, said, "I think if they did a compilation CD of the best songs from various video game soundtracks, I’d definitely pick it up." Tapoc, who has never owned a video game soundtrack or many video games or systems, also said, "I wouldn’t expect it to be the great est music I’ve ever heard, but the music’s not bad and can definitely stand alone without the game." Af ter hearing the soundtrack from the game Silent Hill, Tapoc said, "Damn, that sounds like something I’d hear in a movie. That’s really tight." These soundtracks are now more than ever taking cues from the music industry. An example is the soundtrack to Chrono Trigger, which not only has all your favorite tunes from the game but also fea tures arranged remixes by a com plete orchestra. There's also a tech no version of the album available, with some of the most talented mu sical minds in Japan contributing. Then there’s the album for Silent Hill, which not only has all the nerve-splitting sounds from the game, but nearly ten other bonus music tracks, some not even featured in the game. There’s also an operatic song to wrap up the album. Then there are soundtracks that are collections of songs by popular artists in the music industry today. Examples of these are Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and Gran Turismo. Gran Turismo 3, in feet, features an origi nal song by Snoop Dogg written ex clusively for the soundtrack. Another exciting thing about this genre is that new soundtracks are al most guaranteed to get better in the coming years. With advances in video game systems, the quality of music for the games will have to keep up with the startling visuals. Synthesizers have already replaced the "bleeps and bloops" of old, and full orchestrated music as the norm in video games is right around the comer. The next time you're playing a game, take a second to pause and lis ten to the great music on these games, and know you can enjoy them on CD as well.. Mr. Rogers hangs up cardigan after 30 years On television, stars say so long when it’s over. But not Mister Rogers. PITTSBURGH (AP) - Alan Alda said good bye to war on the finale of "MASH," and Mary Tyler Moore bid adieu to WJM-TV when the curtain came down on her show. On televi sion, stars say so long when it’s over. But not Mister Rogers. The pioneering children’s TV host gives no inkling to the show’s end during his last new episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, which aired Friday. In the end, the 73-year-old Fred Rogers takes off his sneakers and cardigan, and be fore leaving the living room he promises — just as he has in every episode — that he will be back. And he will be. PBS affiliates can still air back episodes, some 300 in the program’s cur rent video library dating back to 1979. That doesn’t include hundreds more dating to 1967. "There’s no finale — it’s seamless," said David Newell, who has been playing Mr. McFeely, the "Speedy Delivery" man, on the show since the late ’60s. In reruns, the trolley will still steam into the Neighborhood of Make-Believe to see what’s up with Daniel Striped Tiger and X the Owl. There will be the spots with guests: Wynton Marsalis blowing a trumpet, Yo-Yo Ma stroking the cello. t Young children will still hear Rogers’ songs, and most importantly, his slow, open delivery of the neighborhood’s message: love yourself and others. Rogers rushes through nothing. His expres sions are simple and encouraging. His voice is never threatening. "It looks like nothing much happens," admits Hedda Sharapan, an associate producer who has been working with Rogers since the show’s inception. "Listening has been one of the main focus points." Listening, and teaching kids about themselves and their emotions. On one show, Rogers met with actress Mar garet Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. She explained that the witch was just an act, nothing to be afraid of. Lou Ferrigno explained The Incredible Hulk in the same fashion, and Rogers showed the bodybuilder getting into his makeup. Rogers, who’s show won four Emmy Awards plus one for lifetime achievement, always fig ured the time would come for him to stop. He decided to close production while he still had energy for other things. He plans books on play time activities for kids, and Web sites for chil dren and their parents. An ordained Presbyterian minister, Rogers remained true to his message while taping the show at WQED in Pittsburgh even as other chil dren’s programming opted for slick, noisy and distracting action cartoons. His thin, lilting voice and cardigan sweaters created a sense of ten derness and compassion so genuine it made him the butt of jokes and caricatures among much more jaded adults. j If cartoons are like candy to kids, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood may be the asparagus of children’s TV. "In the long run," Newell says, "the aspara gus is better for you." The show, which has run for 34 years, is PBS’ longest-running series. In the Neighborhood’s offices, desks are cov ered with papers, walls are plastered with pro motional posters, memorabilia is everywhere. A few statuettes sit gathering dust on a file cabinet, all but unnoticed. When asked about them, Newell, coming out of his office, stops and takes a long look. "Oh," he says, shrugging, "those are Emmys.” | CONCERT REVIEW « Long show drains crowd BY JUSTIN BAJAN The Gamecock It was a long night. I was bombarded by a bevy of un -. exposed talent and came out having forgotten the first band’s set. For promotional purposes, this line-up was brilliant, but it didn’t account for the normal human atten tion span. That’s not to say the bands weren’t captivating; the prob lem was the atmosphere. Maybe the distraction of in toxication and the slow tran sition between sets slowed the crowd’s momentum. Maybe the social activity on the deck lured the crowd’s at tention away from the seven bands displaying their musi cal prowess. mu me music was guuu: Freeloader of New York played acoustic rock, blues and hard rock, gradually pulling in stragglers as its set progressed. Playing first had some consequences, though; the more nocturnal listeners were absent until nightfall. As the sun lowered, Tykes with Guns took the stage, a much-needed catalyst to stir up some participation in the unmotivated audience. The band used a variety of gim micks to excite the crowd. The bassist donned an eye patch and a do-rag, humoring the crowd with pirate-fla vored comedy while the lead singer strapped on a broom to simulate a guitar. They in vited people to dance on stage. But for me, .a striving per cussionist, the highlight of Tykes with Guns’ set was the drummer’s emulation of mod ern-rock greats. During his impersonation of Led Zep pelin’s John, he discarded his drumsticks and beat each in strument of his kit with his bare hands, wooing the crowd. The drummer continued his charades with imitations of other former greats, end ing with an elementary im pression of Ringo Starr. I don’t usually enjoy met al, but the sheer charisma ana stage presence oi Echodrive’s lead singer was enough to win me over. His manipulation of the micro phone chord and sparse but effective use of a giant Korg Triton keyboard were key in inspiring the crowd. The music of this Athens, Ga., band varied from Tool esque ambiance to Metallica like force, a combination that' helped make Echodrive the pinnacle of the concert. Those who were still co herent by the time Hot Lava Monster took the stage watched a band driven rather than shaken by the dwindling attendance. The band had a small le gion of followers, including myself, who fought insomnia to watch its entire set. Though I liked the set, I was turned off by the sound qual ity. Maybe the void of bodies added to the poor acoustics, but I wish I could have fully experienced the sounds of this veteran band. All in all, the Back-to School Bash was a pretty good affair. I can’t blame the sponsor for the behavior of the crowd; I just wish people would show more attentive ness and spirit about such events. Beer and a bar aren’t the only things offered at the Elbow Room. f THE CHARTS Top 10 movies Figures are for the weekend of August 31-September 2. MOVIE BOX OFFICE 1. Jeepers Creepers $15.8 million 2. Rush Hour 2_$11.8 million 3. American Pie 2 $11.7 million 4. The Others _$10 million 5. Rat Race_$9.2 million 6. Princess Diaries_$7.6 million 7. “0” $6.9 million 8. Jay and Silent... $6.4 million 9. Summer Catch $4.98 million 10■ Captain Corei/ts... $4.08 million Top 10 Albums Figures are for the weekend of August 31-September 2. TITLE ARTIST 1. Now Maxwell 2. Project English_Juvenile 3. Now 7Various 4. Songs in A Minor Alicia Keys 5. Celebrity*N Sync 6. Eternal Thelsiey Brothers 7. [Hybrid Theory] Linkin Park 8. 8701 Usher 9. Break the Cycle Staind iO. J. Id Jennifer Lopez