The Wake

On September 22, 2009, your life went on as it always has. You woke up, followed through with your dreary daily routine, and fell asleep only to start the monotony all over again the next day. The only difference on that fateful Tuesday was this: thanks to the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act passed by Congress, you weren’t able to hasten the sweet release …

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It is no question that Peter, Bjorn, and John is one of the most refreshing bands to come along in some time. Just as the fire is dying down from their last mainstream effort Writer’s Block, the Swedish pop trio has returned with Living Thing.

Released on March 31, Living Thing treads on similar ground as Architecture In Helsinki’s Places Like
This, while still maintaining enough originality to stand all on its …

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In the international space community, there is no quest that plagues mankind more than the search for extraterrestrial life. Driven both by necessity and curiosity, a discovery of an environment hospitable to even the most primitive form of life in Earth’s own backyard would strengthen the argument that there are likely tens of hundreds of solar systems in the universe that harbor the same potential.

With ever-shrinking …

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I was walking in the Mall of America with a friend the other day when I discovered a rift in time and space somewhere between Lane Bryant and Bow-Wow-Meow. It was as if someone had built several house-like facade stores to form a house-like facade store neighborhood. I stood before the anomaly for a moment, puzzled as to why, if there were a God, he/she/it would allow …

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Ranging from assisted suicide to genetically altered food to psychosurgery, the field of bioethics is diverse and of great importance. Every day people grapple with the moral struggles modern science has presented us with. In America, we value our beliefs like we value our identities.

The country’s new shift in political majority likely means a large-scale upheaval of previously enacted social policy. In the midst of this sweeping transformation …

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Despite being active for a few years, Solid Gold remains one of the best-kept secrets of the Minneapolis music scene. That may change with the coming of their first LP Bodies of Water, which kicked off in style with a well-attended CD release party at Varsity Theater, drawing over three hundred people.

The album contains eleven tracks, two of which were released on their previous EP “Who You Gonna Run To?” Though mainly …

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For over a decade, thousands of people have flocked to gawk in awe at some of the finest pop culture wares of our neighbors across the pond. This year the tradition continues, as the British Television Advertising Awards returns to the Walker Art Center. This hour and a half film showcasing industry highlights will be playing December 5th-30th in the Walker Cinema. Reprising his role from last year, BTAA administrator Peter Biggs will host the …

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For years the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has had a considerable chokehold on price fluctuation of the oil market. Since its inception in 1960, it has used (and abused) its power as a consortium to intervene with the cycle of supply and demand, sometimes with disastrous effects.

With oil prices currently plummeting, OPEC is scrambling to form a plan of action. After peaking at $147
dollars per barrel in early July, the price of …

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In a town with an overwhelming population of singer/songwriters, it’s not easy to stand out from the crowd. Luckily, Jeremy Messersmith clenches a trump card firmly in hand: he’s actually talented. With the release of his second album “The Silver City” on September 9th, Messersmith shines as a purveyor of genuine pop artistry.

Utilizing the aid of producer Dan Wilson, the …

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The Wake: First off Liam, I would just like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us today.
Liam Finn: It’s my pleasure.

W: “I’ll Be Lightning” is the name of your record. “I’ll Be Touring” is the name of your tour. Has the tour
proved as successful as the record?
F: “It’s been really great for us, we’re having …

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Ah, New Zealand. A land blessed with unspoiled natural beauty and gentle
weather; where the sunlight melts harmoniously with the countryside. A place where Hobbits and Orcs can frolic gleefully in the meadows, unhindered by global economic collapse or oppressive regimes. A nation so tucked away in solace that, regardless of recent media attention, most people
still think it’s part of Great Britain.

It is here that a wealth of talent exists, just on the cusp of …

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