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"Welcome to the Jungle, Benjamin"

Maybe it's the fact that Seattle's Death Cab For Cutie's studio work is so stiflingly perfect, with pinpoint accuracy, that it can only be truly enjoyed as heard on a stereo system.Maybe it's the fact that Allentown's Nietzsche's is a venue that is still getting used to housing top-notch indie rock shows, and the sold-out crowd of 300-plus made the venue a greenhouse of humidity on a 26 degree Buffalo night.Maybe it's the all-American hype machine slipping a notch, or just a band thrown a little off-kilter by glitches in a sound system.Whatever the case may be, Sunday's well-hyped Death Cab For Cutie show simply did not live up to the lofty expectations such a brilliant band brings to the table.The band's 90-minute set was not a failure by any means.

The Road Never Traveled

When Kimberly Ronan, Jacquia Fenderson and Annette Burden don their caps and gowns for graduation, they will not only be marking a milestone in their own lives, they will be claiming a victory for the generations of family that lived before them.For first generation college students like them, college after high school was not exactly a given."It's hard because, when you're the first one to go to college, you don't have that personal model," she said.

I Almost Rooted for the Yankees

For 19 years now, I've been in love with baseball. Being a Mets fan, I don't know how much I can say baseball has loved me back, but nothing makes my heart race every spring like the crack of the bat, the stolen base, the green of the outfield and the sweet smack of a fastball in the catcher's mitt.That said, one of the greatest games I've ever seen was anything but spring-like, and even though I'll always remember it, for most baseball fans, it's probably a forgotten game.That Memorial Day afternoon, going to a ballgame was the last thing on my mind, especially since it was raining in biblical proportions.

Slumlords a Peril of Heights Living

For many students, the light at the end of the dormitory tunnel is their own off-campus apartment - the chance for a little unbridled freedom and a whole room to themselves.The freedom of an off-campus apartment, however, doesn't come without a price, which often comes in the forms of bills, repairs and negligent landlords.For Dan Mohorter, a senior English major, an invisible landlord means a broken washing machine."The motor burned out or the fan broke, and I called him to fix it, and he said I'm not responsible for that because it's not in the lease," Mohorter said.According to Mohorter, the washer still hasn't been fixed and he hasn't heard from his landlord, who he hasn't seen in eight months, since he requested the repair."It's somewhat worth it to be living off-campus," Mohorter said.

Remembering The Mother of Dance

As one of the most influential choreographers of modern dance, Martha Graham's impact can be seen not only in all major types of dance theater, but also through the work of the Martha Graham Dance Ensemble.The group performed a program at University at Buffalo's Center for the Arts on Saturday, worthy of the name it bears.

The New Vitamin C?

Nothing is more annoying than a new artist.Whenever a newbie hits the scene, there tends to be an overwhelming gust of buzz surrounding his or her "fresh and new" sound.

Correction

A graphic on the Student Association Elections in the April 2 issue of The Spectrum incorrectly spelled the names of David Cory, Melissa Jackmin, Bryan Van Vliet and Thomas Martin.

Slumlord Issues Plague Heights

Where the blame has fallen for the urban decay in University Heights is a classic example of the cause-and-effect fallacy, applied to urban neighborhoods.

All That Jazz at UB

Take a stroll through Slee Hall's spring concert schedule.In the midst of the organ recitals and orchestral offerings is the third annual UB Jazz Workshop concert featuring composer and drummer, Bobby Previte.The concert, which took place on Thursday night, marked the end of Previte's three-day residency in the music department.A large crowd of students and other members of the UB community gathered for the event that, with thanks to the music department, was free of admission.As the house lights dimmed, a unique drum set consisting of both regular and electric drums sat alone in the center of the stage.When the music began, it became hard to believe that one man was producing all of the sounds pulsating through the hall.

Nasti on the Diamond

It may appear that many of Buffalo's athletics programs are still searching for experienced athletes within their rosters.Somebody who is no a stranger to accolade and winning is the softball team's senior veteran, Breanne Nasti.

Iron and Wine Washed Out: Too Much Soap and Water

Sam Beam's second LP as the acoustic marvel Iron and Wine, "Our Endless Numbered Days," begins with the hard-plucked "On Your Wings." Those who appreciated his first full-length "The Creek Drank the Cradle" or his EP, "The Sea and the Rhythm," will be caught off-guard by the opener of the new album.In comparison to the gentle strumming and thin recording of the first two records, "Our Endless Numbered Days" comes across in a manner that is unexpectedly harsh.With added instrumentation and musicians, as well as a more closely-miked recording, the album is a bigger production.

Bridges to Byrne

Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne received an expansive promotion deal when Microsoft bought the rights to "When Humans Do," his 2001 happy-go-lucky track off of "Look Into The Eyeball," for use in its Windows XP operating system.The song was the sample track that came with the company's latest version of its Windows Media Player.

Better Than Stick Figures: 4.05.04

UB Should Have Apartments Downtown

I would like to respond to the article in the April 2 issue of The Spectrum, titled"Point/Counterpoint: The Lee Road Project." Although I believe the current idea of developing Lee Road would also be good for students, I must say I love Benjamin Siegel's idea to have apartments downtown connected by shuttles to both campuses.

Political Parties Cause Apathy

I am writing in response to the editorial titled "Only 2,246 Students Vote in Elections" in the April 2 issue of the Spectrum.

Let's Hold Next SA Administration Accountable

I was one of those 2,000-plus students who voted in the recent election for the Student Association Executive Board.

"On Your Knees, but To Hail or Heave?"

Prolific underground rockers The Dillinger Escape Plan, Eighteen Visions, Every Time I Die, Death By Stereo and a slew of other musical monstrosities provide covers for "Bring You to Your Knees: A Tribute to Guns n' Roses."From track to track, the album is hit or miss.

Providing Knowledge to Prevent Violence

Educational stations and sobering statistics filled the Student Union lobby Thursday as the Anti-Rape Task Force kicked off its Violence Against Women Awareness Week."A lot of people don't know the truth about violence against women in different countries, in the United States, and even on our own campus," said Erica Beggs, the program coordinator for the Anti-Rape Task Force.

Unable to Make the Grade

Underdog conference victories are rare, but oh so sweet. Especially when an undefeated team is facing a completely defeated team.

Upcoming Games

BuffaloBaseballWednesday: at Niagara, 3 p.m.Friday: at Bowling-Green, 3 p.m.SoftballWednesday: at Niagara, 3 p.m.Friday: at Akron, 3 p.m.W.