Arts & Culture

MUSIC

Oh, how far our heroes have fallen. It is a sad age when one has to see a legendary folk-singer sink so low as to make an album of Christmas music. One must wonder how raspy voices and a mumbling Dylan can pull off singing songs of Christmas cheer and peace on earth.

Sacramento's Life in 24 Frames are armed with swooning melodies and a slow-motion substratosphere that may leave you feeling, well, a little blazed. Their music is delicately woven through gentle lyricism and solid guitar moves that resemble kindred spirits Band of Horses and Explosions in the Sky. For instance, the track "You Always Were My Achilles Heel" is driven by a multidimensional wall of melancholic sound and wavering guitar lines.

In what is the opening of a nearing close, the University Chorus alongside the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra and soloists Yulia Van Doren and Jesse Blumberg will perform at the Mondavi Center on Friday at 8 p.m. The program will feature Vaughan Williams: Dona nobis pacem.

Like most series movies - think Harry Potter and Star Wars - the Twilight Saga will leave fans wanting more … but maybe no one else.

MUSIC

Imogen Heap, former member of British electronic-pop duo Frou Frou, again proves that her music has no counterpart in today's music industry with her third album, Ellipse. Each song blends layer upon layer of rich vocals, percussion, synthesizers, orchestral instruments and more. Heap combines her breathy, dreamlike voice and poetic lyrics with melodies that are mellow yet incredibly complex, creating 13 tracks that are each completely unique.

Carrie Underwood's new album, Play On, exceeds fans' expectations with a full spectrum of songs. Although she stays true to her country roots, Underwood approaches country style with her own flair with some interesting new songs.

Neon Indian brings a new style of electro-pop music to the digital age with their debut album, Psychic Chasms. The band is the latest creation from Alan Palomo, who is also the mastermind behind the electronic project VEGA.

It's a dream collaboration. Matt Ward of She & Him, Jim James of My Morning Jacket and Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes each offer their own distinct sound in this experimental folk side-project.

A rare and exciting opportunity approaches for the city of Davis - a chance to become intimately familiar with a form of radio and television that embraces what corporate media brushes under the rug. More importantly, this is a chance to learn directly from the woman who digs it up for us.

Black Friday, the annual post-Thanksgiving day of deals, hits stores next week. Whether you're into clothes, electronics or rampant consumerism, there's bound to be something cheap for you to buy - especially if you're willing to put in the effort.

The Department of Theater and Dance is showcasing two artists this Fall - Sara Shelton Mann and Guillermo Gomez-Pena. MUSE interviewed them this week before their opening performances.

The iPod has made itself to be a cultural super-being, able to hold one's music library in the palm of their hands. And with the release of iPhones and iTouches, which easily connect to Wi-Fi networks, Apple Inc. wants to put the world in the pockets of the user.

This week Muse interviewed Mariza who performed last night at the Mondavi Center. Mariza is a prominent figure in Portugal, and sings in the traditional Fado style.