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a, Recipes, Student Life

Recipe: Indian cauliflower sweet potato soup

by Liz Willcock on

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If there’s anything to be learned at McGill, it’s that once midterm season hits, the last thing students want to do is cook for themselves. When faced with a full day of studying, even the prospect of making a sandwich to take to the library sounds taxing; it’s easy to rack up quite a bill at Subway, Quesada, and SNAX, trying to keep lunches as quick and as close to the library as possible. This recipe may look daunting, but give it a shot and it might actually save you time, and money.

This soup-verging-on-curry is stocked with cauliflower and sweet potato, and will fill you with enough energy to power through a long day of studying. It is hearty enough to sustain you—but more importantly, it keeps very well in the fridge, so you can whip up this soup on a Sunday night and eat it throughout the week. If you’re planning on bringing this soup to the library during weekdays, all you need to do is omit the spinach, then add it to each serving as you go—this prevents it from from getting soggy in the fridge. As you heat up the soup in the microwaves, the spinach should wilt perfectly. Better yet, this recipe is not only healthy, but it’s also vegan—a positive-sum game for both you, and the environment. Your mind and body will definitely thank you come November when you’ve swapped out burritos for this healthy, veggie-filled lunch. 

Ingredients

(Serves 4)

1 tbs of olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbs of ginger, minced

1 1/2 tbs of curry powder

1 tbs of ground coriander

1 tbs of cumin

6 cups of vegetable broth

1 cup of dry red lentils (rinsed)

1 medium cauliflower chopped into thumb-sized florets

1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed

2 cups of spinach

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, heat oil on medium. Add onions and garlic, and cook for 5 minutes.  

2. Add ginger, curry powder, cumin, and coriander, and stir for two minutes until fragrant.

3. Add the broth and lentils, and boil at medium heat until simmering.

4. Once simmering, add cauliflower and sweet potato. Reduce the heat to medium low and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes.

5. Add spinach and stir until wilted

6. Serve, or seal in BPA-free containers.

 

Inspired by Oh She Glows

a, Opinion

Confirmation bias on social media limits conversation

by Albert Park on

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Between Facebook posts, online publications, and Reddit threads, it is overwhelming to begin to imagine the amount of different opinions, ideas, and information a regular internet-user processes in a single day. Consequently, the digital age is heralded for supposedly allowing people to become educated on a broad assortment of topics and form unique opinions. However, some publications such as the CBC and The Guardian have argued that the sharing and gathering of information online, particularly through social media, is largely flawed because it leaves users susceptible to the effects of confirmation bias.

While social media has made it more effective for people to access different ideas and information, the current way in which many people use these websites makes them prey to confirmation bias and actually limits the variety of perspectives that they encounter due to the personalized and insular networks that are created.

Essentially, because of the way information-sharing works on social media—such as the Facebook news feed which mainly shows stories shared or liked by the user’s friends—people end up only finding and absorbing information which validates their own points of view or prior knowledge.

Through the like and up-vote systems that exist on Facebook and Reddit, people sharing an opinion can collectively try to bring attention to comments or posts that back-up their own ideas.

The issue of confirmation bias has become increasingly critical due to the way social media is fundamentally designed. It encourages people to create their own network of friends and peers whom they already have a common link with. Users of social media can actively decide the people, publications, or threads they want to follow on the internet, which in turn determine what kind of posts and information they read on a day to day basis. The natural outcome is that people end up following sources that will provide them with information that confirms their beliefs rather than question them.

This concept actually expands past individuals’ selection of information. Through the like and up-vote systems that exist on Facebook and Reddit, people sharing an opinion can collectively try to bring attention to comments or posts that back-up their own ideas. This system often perpetuates a cycle of linear thinking and self-validation. People naturally associate highly liked comments (which are algorithmically set to appear first) as credible. Even though these comments might provide narrow-minded or even inaccurate perspectives, many readers will take the information that they find on social media as unequivocal, and not feel the need to research further or critically debate the issue.

Consider the unofficial McGill subReddit, for example. Almost every thread containing a controversial issue posesses a very uniform collection of opinions. This issue was perhaps most evident during the women’s-only gym hours controversy last year. While it is understood that for any argument, there will be less-expressed minority perspectives, there was a clear lack of actual discussion or productive information presented in the threads. Instead, it seemed abundantly clear that the main purpose of these threads was for people to validate one another’s collective opinions and pile on ideas and evidence that support their beliefs. Any contradicting ideas are either absent or down-voted to near invisibility.

Social media systems perpetuate bias by making it more difficult for people to share their opinions on controversial issues. In practice, likes and up-votes essentially denote a value on people’s opinions. As a result, people feel more reluctant to share and cultivate their own thoughts in the fear of being dismissed or even harassed by the masses.

 

 

Albert Park is a third year microbiology and immunology student, and a staff writer for the Opinion section.

 

@McGillTribOp | [email protected]

 

 
a, Student Life

Midterm stress from both sides of the cafeteria counter

by Ariella Garmaise on

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With midterm season taking McGill campus in full force, student stress is reaching peak levels. Stress manifests in a variety of ways: Physical symptoms can include low energy, headaches, and insomnia, while mental symptoms can include irritation, feeling overwhelmed or depressed, and exhibiting withdrawn behaviour. One place where these symptoms  become most apparent are in McGill’s cafeterias.

With five dining halls and 18 retail locations—almost all of which serve coffee—McGill Food and Dining Services is at the centre of every student’s midterm season. From early morning cappuccino fixes to late night pastry cravings, sugar and caffeine fuel the long hours spent studying. Staff are integral to the smooth operating of these student spaces; however, the people that work there are often overlooked. 

Conversation between students and staff are often limited at food kiosks and checkout counters due to time constraints and long lineups.  Unfortunately, some McGill staff have grown accustomed to students rushing by as exams approach and stress-levels run high.  

“When [students’ exams] come, they’re so preoccupied with [them],” Bishop Mountain Hall (BMH) cook, Angelo Calamita, explained. “So when [students] come to the cash, they’ve either got something in their ear, they’re talking to someone, looking for cash […and are] not organized at all.”

The tone of these interactions are most likely fuelled by the stressful period of the year.

“When I’m in the middle of studying for midterms, it’s easy to forget to say hi to the service staff,” said Declan Embury,  U0 Arts. “I feel bad about it sometimes, but there’s just so much else on my mind.” 

One of the most effective ways to counteract stress, however, is to open up and talk with peers about what one is going through. While there are services to deal with stress at McGill, university food staff are an under-appreciated and friendly resource for students. 

Kelsey Davis is a Royal Victoria College cafeteria staff and an archeology major. One of the most interesting parts of her job is that some students have in fact relied on her for solace. 

“I’ve had a few students break down to me because I’m not in their [friend] group,” Davis explained. “All their friends have scholarships or are good students, so they don’t feel they can talk to them.” 

Davis is an example of someone who understands the competition and stress that comes along with midterms and finals, and is able to offer insight. 

“There’s an air at McGill that you’re supposed to do well with the least amount of effort,” she said. “When that doesn’t work out for you, it can feel isolating.” 

Davis is not the only McGill food staff with valuable advice for students. 

“Some students come in here excited about passing,” Rachel Durand, a cashier at the Carrefour Sherbrooke cafeteria, said. “I like to see them doing well [….] It is so much better to see them happy than depressed, and it motivates me to work harder. It makes me happy to see them happy.” 

Tyrone Durand, a dish room employee at Bishop Mountain Hall (BMH) added that simply lending a sympathetic ear can offer much-needed support to stressed-out students.

“I know around midterms and final exams, everyone gets nervous,” he added. “But realize you’re smart and everything is going to be okay.” 

Some students have already acknowledged the benefit of stepping out of a study mindset when grabbing a snack or a drink. 

“Everyday I look forward to seeing certain employees,” Liam O’Callaghan, U0 Engineering, said. “Besides food, they serve entertaining 30-second conversations that brighten my day.”

U0 Science student Tristan Sparks also remembered a time when McGill staff helped alleviate her anxiety. 

“A worker at BMH comforted me last week because I was having a panic attack over physics, and he’s a physics major,” she recalled.

While it takes time out of students’ busy study schedules to engage in conversations during these stressful times of year, both students and staff stand to benefit. Even just a short interaction can reduce stress levels among students and make staff feel appreciated and respected—a win-win situation for both parties. 

 

 

 

Chance the Rapper
a, Arts & Entertainment, Music

From the Viewpoint: Chance the Rapper, Family Matters Tour

by Maxime Scraire on

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There is definitely something strange about showing up alone to a tour titled “Family Matters.” Not that everyone had brought their grandparents to the Olympia—as I was secretly hoping they would—but the title of the show insisted on celebrating the purest and most complete type of love that, and as such the idea of buying a single ticket was almost unacceptable behaviour. Still, as a long-time fan of Chancelor Bennett, a.k.a. Chance the Rapper, I was not going to miss the lyrical genius’ first headlining performance in Montreal simply because my friends were broke and it felt weird going by myself. 

The doors had been open for an hour when I got to the venue, but as the yet-to-be-half-full floor seemed to imply, the prospect of no less than three opening acts had delayed the arrival of the more casual Chance listeners. The first in line was Towkio, whose recently released first mixtape, .WAV Theory, boasts a pleasant, funky vibe. For 25 minutes, he ran and jumped around the stage nonstop, accomplishing the spectacular feat of never skipping a beat while simultaneously sounding like he was about to collapse. He closed the set with his sole hit—the John Legend sampling “Heaven Only Knows”—and had the crowd sing loudly for the first time of the night. 

Second up was D.R.A.M., an extremely charismatic R&B singer who could have easily handled opening the show by himself. He emerged on stage confidently showcasing dance moves that would make your dad jealous, while sporting long dreads and a smile as contageous as Drake’s. In between irresistible jams such as “$” and “Caretaker”—which he performed twice for good measure—D.R.A.M. had us repeatedly scream “spread love,” up until the point the silly slogan actually started to sound like a legitimate mantra. He ended his performance with “Cha Cha,” the sleeper-hit that greatly inspired “Hotline Bling.” It was so good that I was still dancing after he had left the stage. 

Frankly, the less said about  final opener Metro Boomin’s set, the better. He might be today’s most in-demand trap music producer—he was the executive producer on Future and Drake’s collaborative mixtape “What a Time to Be Alive”—but it does not excuse his lack of doing anything behind his pads. No stage presence, no DJ-ing, no nothing. If I had only wanted to listen to a playlist of his best songs, I would have stayed home and found one on Apple Music. Also, 9:20 is way too early to be fist-pumping to Future’s “Fuck Up Some Commas.”

Finally, at exactly 10:04 P.M., Chance the Rapper and his band The Social Experiment hit the Olympia’s stage. For almost an hour and a half, the 22-year-old Chi-town representative dexterously rapped his unique brand of syllable-heavy, dialogue-like raps above jazzy reworks of his most celebrated work in front of a packed venue. His rendition of “Miracle,” with its tongue-twisting, seemingly improvised flow, was particularly impressive. Charismatic, funny and deeply likable, Chance gave such a riveting performance, I only realised the morning after that he did not even play “Juice,” one of his biggest singles to date. Judging by the way the people around me were losing their mind at the first notes of each song, I wouldn’t be surprised if many still haven’t noticed.

To me, the show’s highlight happened at the end of the performance of “Interlude (That’s Love).” After some heartfelt thank-yous to the crowd for coming out to see him, Chance started strolling around at the edge of the stage, pointing at one person after the other while playfully repeating “I love you” in various rhythmic patterns. Chance connected to us all, and for a moment, the thousand strangers surrounding me were my family.

a, McGill, Montreal, News, PGSS, SSMU

Self-inflicted harm not covered by international student health insurance

by Cassandra Rogers on

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Of the 10,000 international undergraduate and graduate students at McGill, some 7,000 are insured by a mandatory health insurance plan. This plan, privately contracted out to Medavie Blue Cross by McGill, has a premium of $906 per year for single person coverage. The Régie de l’Assurance Maladie du Québec (RAMQ), which provides medical insurance for Quebec residents, states that students from countries other than those with which Quebec has concluded a social security agreement providing for student coverage are ineligible for coverage.  This makes it impossible for most international students to be covered by RAMQ.

Coverage through Blue Cross

According to the 2015-2016 Blue Cross documentation, charges arising from self-destruction or self-inflicted injuries, while “sane or insane,” are not covered for international students. Director of International Student Services, Pauline L’Ecuyer explained that this policy is consistent throughout many insurance companies.

“This is a clause that is quite standard in the industry,” L’Ecuyer said. “[For example], somebody who attempts suicide will not be paid life insurance.” 

Director of McGill Student Health and Family Physician Pierre-Paul Tellier noted, however, that this clause does not match RAMQ coverage.  

“Any of the [provincial] medical care plans will cover those things,” he said. “They cover medical problems, period.”

Blue Cross documentation additionally outlines that charges relating to a pre-existing medical condition in excess of $10,000 are not covered. International Student Advisor and Health Insurance Administrator Anastasia Koutouzov noted, however, this is a non-issue for such students. 

“[Students] with pre-existing conditions understand the limit of the $10,000, and already have an alternative health insurance plan, so they don’t mind the clause,” Koutouzov said.

L’Ecuyer further explained that students with pre-existing conditions are not able to buy supplemental insurance in Canada, a practice which is supposed to serve the best interest of the insurance agency. 

“If you put yourself in the shoes of the insurer, you are not going to sell a contract to somebody when it is known that they’re going to claim $10,000,” she said.

Tellier, who treats both Canadian and international students at the McGill Clinic, continued to outline the benefits of the Blue Cross plan for international students. 

“One of the nice things about Blue Cross [is that] it’s such a broad insurance plan that it made some services available to [international students] that were not available to Canadian or Quebec students,” he said.

For example, physiotherapy, which is covered under the Blue Cross plan up for to $750 per year, was not previously covered for Canadian and Quebec students, who can instead purchase supplemental insurance from their student unions to cover such care.

Uncertainties about the reasoning behind some Blue Cross coverage policies and the policies of supplementary plans offered by the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) and the Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) exist among administration. Through SSMU, international students have the option of purchasing a supplementary dental insurance plan. However, a SSMU supplementary vision care plan is only available to Canadians. L’Ecuyer acknowledges that the reasoning behind this is unclear. 

“I don’t know,” L’Ecuyer said. “We tried to copy as much as possible [from] the RAMQ plan, but I don’t think we’ve ever been asked to look into this.” 

The Blue Cross mandatory insurance plan for international students was re-evaluated and approved last year by the Advisory Committee on International Students (ACIS), a Canada-wide organizarion, following extensive lobbying by the PGSS. L’Ecuyer, explained the rationale behind having a mandatory plan. 

“First of all, it was voted as a Senate regulation in 1967 that all McGill students and their dependents must subscribe to a plan [administered by] the university,”L’Ecuyer said. “[Secondly], about 20 years ago, it became immigration policy in Quebec.”

Limitations to family and dependent coverage

The Senate policy instituted by McGill in 1967 does not allow international students or their dependents—a spouse or a child—to choose their own insurance policies. 

The premium for students with dependents is $2,781, and for a family with more than one dependent the sum comes up to $5,289. However, according to Tellier, the McGill Clinic does not offer services for dependents. 

“We used to,” he explained. “But we were finally told by [the] administration [a few years ago] that we needed to cut that service.” 

Tellier explained that funding cuts within the university have led to staff shortages at the McGill Clinic. 

“Our service […] is limited,” Tellier said. “The administration decided they weren’t going to fund [nurse practitioner] positions […] which would have increased availability.”

For students with dependent or family plans, the up-front cost of private clinics can become prohibitive. Koutouzov noted that private clinics are an expensive alternative for dependents who cannot seek care at the McGill Clinic. 

“Downtown, [costs] range up to $150 for an adult and […] $220 for pediatric appointments,” she explained.

The Blue Cross plan in perspective

 In comparison to McGill, other Canadian universities offer vastly different options to their international students. At the University of British Columbia, for example, all students, whether international or not, are covered under the same policies. International students pay to register with the British Columbia provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP), and are required to register with an extended policy that provides prescription, vision, dental, and travel coverage. Such a policy is offered through the student unions; however, if students are already enrolled in an extended policy, they can request an exemption.

 With the exception of McGill, Concordia University, and Bishop’s University, all universities in Quebec have adopted a consortium plan for international student health care through  Desjardins. L’Ecuyer explained McGill is not partaking in the Quebec consortium plan because of rigid standards and a higher cost.

“Their premium is higher than ours,” L’Ecuyer said. “They have policies we don’t necessarily want to abide by. It does not offer any coverage to students with dependents and families, and our Senate regulations [do not allow] that.”

 The limitations of the Blue Cross plan, according to Tellier, are countered by efforts on the part of the McGill Clinic to help international students struggling with financial limitations. 

“Students who come into [the clinic] are not sent away,” Tellier said. “They can see a triage nurse, who advises them [on what they should do].” 

Furthermore, L’Ecuyer explained that students who are in need can seek financial assistance from McGill. 

“When students find themselves in a difficult situation, they can qualify for aid [to pay for the premium,” L’Ecuyer said. “I know they could go apply for assistance if [health care fees] didn’t fit in their budget.”

Student experience with the policy

While the Blue Cross plan and plans similar to it are common for international students in Quebec and Canada, many students have experienced complications and inconsistencies when dealing with their coverage. Céline Garandeau, a U2 Biology student from the United States, explained that during one visit to the Montreal General Hospital, she was unable to complete a procedure due to insurance complications and was charged $50. 

“I went to Montreal General Hospital [for a procedure and…] the woman at the desk said that if I wanted the visit [to be] covered by Blue Cross, I would need to go to [McGill] and ask,” Garandeau said. “At Service Point, I was directed to call a number [but] things were hectic at the time and I didn’t call them or have [the procedure.…] I’m reluctant to deal with the system [….] I was expecting a simpler experience, where the hospital would contact Blue Cross.”

In addition to difficulty submitting claims, other students cite inconsistencies in the advice they are given about their coverage as a drawback of the plan’s administration. Jake Zhu, a Canadian U1 Software Engineering student, was informed that he was required to pay for the Blue Cross plan because he didn’t live in Canada immediately prior to his matriculation at McGill. 

“I had every right to get [RAMQ] health care coverage,” Zhu said. “At the beginning of [my first] year, McGill told me […] that even though I am a Canadian citizen, I did not qualify because I was just a student. [But] when I went to the RAMQ office in January, they told me that I qualified.”

McGill’s documentation also explains that clinics are permitted to charge different rates for out-of-province and international patients; the portion of these fees that exceeds the RAMQ rate is the liability of the student. According to Koutouzov, if international students seek care at a clinic outside of McGill as an alternative, they are billed upfront for their visit. 

“Because it’s not a regulated industry, [off-campus clinics] don’t have patient accounts like a hospital or the McGill Clinic,” Koutouzov said. 

According to McGill and Blue Cross’s documentation, students are required to pay private clinic fees out of pocket and submit claims to Blue Cross after which can take two-three weeks to be repaid. 

a, McGill, Montreal, News

High voter turnout drives Liberals to electoral victory

by Kyle Dolph on

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Justin Trudeau took the stage with a smile last Monday night at downtown’s Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel as his Liberal Party swept into power.  This ended almost 10 years of Conservative government under prime minister Stephen Harper. The son of the late prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Justin led his father’s former party to capture 39.5 per cent of the popular vote, and 184 of 338 seats in the House of Commons, according to Elections Canada.

James McGill Professor of Political Science at McGill, and an expert on the Canadian political system, Richard Schultz, expressed surprise at the results.

“I was assuming a Conservative minority government until the last three or four weeks [of the campaign], when I started assuming a Liberal minority government,” Schultz said. “At no point did I assume a [Liberal] majority.”

Trudeau accomplished a first in Canadian history, elevating his Liberals from third-party status to a majority government, four years after their worst electoral defeat in history. He did so by courting an enthused electorate that, according to Elections Canada, voted in greater numbers than any other time in the past 20 years, with voter turnout at 68 per cent. Political Science Students’ Association (PSSA) President Richad Hirani, U3 Arts, observed a similar sentiment on campus.

“We had great turnouts for both our panel session and debate, as well as our election night party at Gerts,” he remarked. “There was a line at the door just to get in and watch.”

Many have suggested that strategic voting, fuelled by widespread dissatisfaction with the incumbent Conservatives, was on the mind of many Canadians on Election Day.   

“There were a lot of people here that [asked] ‘Which party will defeat the Conservatives?’” said Schultz. “Once it became clear that the Liberals were the alternative to the Conservatives, I think people flocked, and that’s strategic.”

Nanos Polls dated from Sept. 16 and Oct. 18 appear to agree with this assessment, as Tory support remained constant amidst the dramatic collapse of Thomas Mulcair’s New Democratic Party (NDP) and the equally dramatic rise of the Trudeau’s Liberals. 

Vice-President (VP) Social for NDP McGill, Casarina Hocevar, described voters in such a context.

“People were thinking ‘I just really want to get rid of Harper,’” Hocevar said.  “They were thinking at the federal level. There was a focus on the party leaders rather than any of the local candidates.”

Whether or not McGill students were unaware of local candidates, however, those running remained engaged, as Hélène Laverdière and Allison Turner of the NDP, as well as Christine Poirier and Marc Miller of the Liberals each made appearances at campus events organized by the PSSA and their respective student political clubs. Their presence came amidst the launch of a new Elections Canada programme that permitted students to vote in advance polls on campus for either their home riding, or the riding in which they live during their time at university. 

“I think students were definitely more engaged because they had that option,” Hirani said. “And I think local candidates realized that [students] would be more likely to vote overall.”

“If [voters] have a voluntary choice between the two ridings, they’ll probably examine candidates in either riding more closely,” Hocevar echoed. She explained how NDP McGill encouraged students to vote strategically using the system.

“At the beginning of the election, when it was a tight race, we told people that their vote would really matter in [the race in Ville-Marie-Le Sud-Ouest-Île des Soeurs],” Hocevar said. “But we advised them to take a look at their local ridings as well.”




a, Arts & Entertainment

Album Review: Blue Sky Miners EP – Blue Sky Miners

by Jack Neal on

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Seemingly appearing out of the woodwork, Blue Sky Miners has in fact been working on this self-titled debut EP since 2013; carefully selecting a producer—Todor Kobakov—and fine-tuning their lyrics as well as meticulously crafting their sound into self-described 'Rocky Mountain Desert Rock' end result. The sound of their music is something of a question mark: Twangy and guitar-laden, it evokes a sense of mid-America, however their raw vocal style and simple lyrics root the album in its entirety somewhere in the South. Think of it as a mix between Edward Sharpe, Of Monsters and Men, and The Lumineers, but without the same conviction.

Opening with, “Cold Water,” the British Columbia-based band nudges the listener to reflect on aspects of the world they don’t even know exist or even think about very much at all: “There’s water under the ground / Dig deeper to hear the sound.” Ultimately, this proves to be one of the more intriguing lines in not only a dull song, but unfortunately a rather unconvincing or even uninspiring EP. The second track, “Are You Lost,” is immediately more arresting; but only in the same way that a 10-hour flight isn’t as gruelling as a 16-hour flight. It lacks any sort of punchiness, but also doesn’t hold the thematic or musical merit for its perceived lengthiness. The songs here outstay their welcome, and on an album consisting of a mere six tracks, it’s not a good sign.

Interestingly, the second half of the album is more varied and thus better than the first. Here, the melodies hold more nuance within them; the lyrics are more intimate; and the instrumental layering and entire production actually reflect the changing lyrical themes far more accurately than the first three songs. It’s even possible to go as far as comparing standout track, “Six Feet Small,” with the most recent material released by Arcade Fire’s re-issue of Reflektor (2013).

Still, by the time the last track, “Riot,” rolls around, you wonder what you’ve gained by listening to it all; and unfortunately the answer is not much at all. While they seemingly draw influences from a multitude of genres and other artists, ultimately they fail to carve out a unique sound where they can fully let loose and operate. The vocals, admittedly, improve even over the course of the album (see fourth song, “Bones”), therefore it’ll be interesting to see the band’s growth if they move to recording a full-length album. As it stands, though, Blue Sky Miners EP neither evokes nor alludes to any emotion: It remains a whole lot of dust being kicked up but not much movement.

Standout Tracks

“Bones” and “Six Feet Small”

Memorable Line

“There’s water under the ground / Dig deeper to hear the sound.”

Sounds like

A jumbled combination of The Lumineers, Of Monsters and Men, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

a, Arts & Entertainment

Album Review: Fading Frontier – Deerhunter

by Maxime Scraire on

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Last December, Deerhunter’s lead member, Bradford Cox, got hit by a car while crossing the street. The incident was the beginning of a paradigm shift for the songwriter that led him to seriously consider the idea of settling down. He has since acquired a dog, and bought a house in which he lives as a recluse. “[Getting hit by the car] erased all illusions for me,” he recently told Pitchfork, “I just want safety. I would like to avoid physical pain and illness and mind my own business and have peace and quiet.”

Consequently, Fading Frontier—Deerhunter’s seventh album—is by far the band’s most serene and interpersonal effort. Contrasting in all possible ways with the crisp, claustrophobic vibe of their previous LP, the hateful Monomania, this record’s clean and dreamy soundscape boasts infinite space for the instruments to breathe; a delight that lets the mind wander freely within over and over.

Never before have Cox’s lyrics been this personal. His voice, which was once drowned out by guitar reverb in the middle of the mix, has been pushed to the forefront this time around; ultimately enabling the listeners to fully experience the singer’s undervalued poetry and newfound open-heartedness. “Jack-knifed / On the side-street crossing / I'm still alive / And that's something,” he squarely sings near the end of “Breaker,” referencing a distinct events in his own life in a way he would have shied away from only two years ago.

The record also represents the culmination of Deerhunter’s slow but steady progression from indie towards pop. Cox’s natural talent for crafting sumptuous melodies has often been overshadowed by the groups tangent to focus on ambiance and textures, but on Fading Frontier, overlooking his gift has simply become impossible. Most of the songs feature simpler-than-usual structures, featuring strong and distinct choruses, while the omnipresence of synthesizers and the general softness of the ensemble make for an important mainstream appeal. The album even has two legitimate single-ready tracks— “Snakeskin,” and “Living my Life,”—something that could not be said of any of their previous material.

Ultimately, Fading Frontier is the perfect soundtrack for those early fall mornings, where being awake becomes a relative notion, and sipping coffee is enough to keep one busy until well past noon. If Cox can make songs about settling down this thrilling, then Deerhunter’s already impressive run is still far from over.

Essential tracks

“Take Care,” “Living my Life,” and “Snakeskin”

Sounds like

Spoon’s They Want my Soul

Most Memorable Lyric

"You should take your handicaps / Channel them and feed them back / 'Till they become your strength / All around, it's all the same"

a, Martlets, Sports

Hockey: Martlets blank Gee-Gees behind Melodie Daoust’s heroics

by Ellie Solloway on

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McGill Martlets
5

Ottawa Gee Gees
0

If the McGill Martlets’ (2-0-0) 5-0 shutout win over the Ottawa Gee-Gees (2-2-0) on Saturday night is any indication, this season should be a thrilling one to watch. The Martlets, who kicked off their 2015-2016 season this past weekend with back-to-back victories, proved worthy of their top-three ranking with a near perfect offensive and goaltending display.

Saturday’s game started slow, with freshman forward Olivia Atkinson providing the lone goal in the first period, but built up in intensity as the clock ticked down towards the first intermission. The last minute of the first period saw a furious scramble by the Gee-Gee’s, who dominated during that time in hopes of evening the score at one a side. McGill’s senior goalie Taylor Hough was up to the task, turning away all eight shots she faced in the period with ease.

“[Hough] made the saves when we needed her to,” Head Coach Peter Smith said. “I thought she stood up and did a real good job there.”

Helped by a stubborn defence, Hough’s success carried into the second period as the Martlet offence started to take off. Senior Melodie Daoust added a goal in a dominating middle stanza for the Martlets, who had control of the puck in the offensive zone the entire period save for a few penalty kills. Though the Martlets held off the Gee-Gee’s five-on-four advantages throughout the game, their own power play proved just as unsuccessful, an area in which Smith would like to see some improvement.

“I thought we played pretty well on the power play, but we just need to get it in the back of the net,” Smith elaborated. “We had a lot of good chances, we just need to continue to get more pucks to the middle of the ice.”

The lack of scoring on the main advantage didn’t hinder the Martlets, however, who erased any notions of a Gee-Gees come back from a 3-0 second period deficit. Forward Pamela Psihogios hit the back of the net less than five minutes into the third. Daoust, who won a gold medal with the Canadian Olympic team last year, scored her second of the night in sublime fashion on an end-to-end breakout while the McGill was shorthanded. The Canadian national team member picked up a perfect pass from defenceman Kelsie Moffat, decked through three Ottawa defenders with impressive ease, and lifted the puck past the shoulder of Ottawa netminder Sarah-Maude Labrecque for the Martlet’s fourth goal of the night. Capitalizing on Ottawa’s misery, forward Erika Pyke tacked on one last goal to put the final score at 5-0.

Saturday’s win came after an impressive victory on Friday, in which McGill won 2-1 in overtime against the No. 2 ranked Montreal Carabins (1-1-1). Senior forward Joanne Cagianos sent the game to overtime with a stunning third period goal, and Daoust scored the game-winner in the shootout. The team is back in action next weekend when they visit Ottawa on Friday, and host Montreal at home on Saturday. Both games start at 7 p.m.

Sound Bites

“We always have a game plan. We liked some of the things we did [on Friday against Montreal]. We wanted to be better in the offensive zone, more attempts, and I thought we did a good job of doing that today. It’s a very coachable group we have here.” <em>-Coach Smith on McGill’s weekend performance.</em>

Moment of the Game

Daoust’s crazy display of precision and creativity to find the back of the net shorthanded in the third. Honorable mention: Cagianos’ painful but productive blocked shot in the first period to keep Ottawa off the scoreboard.

Stat of the Game

Martlets outshot the Gee-Gees 39 to 21.

demar derozan toronto raptors nba
a, Basketball, Sports

Raptors defeat Wizards 92-82 in final NBA pre-season game at the Bell Centre

by Mayaz Alam and Zikomo Smith on

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“I’m tired of [the] pre-season,” Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan said after the Raptors  92-82 victory over the Washington Wizards at the Bell Centre last Friday. “I think we train so hard in the summer to be ready for opening night.”

Thus is the life of an NBA player. There is little time to rest with hectic, jet-setting schedules. Washington Wizards guard John Wall was more excited about coming to Montreal for the annual NBA’s Canada Series.

“I think [Montreal] is a beautiful city,” Wall said. “I definitely want to come back and visit when I have more opportunity to freelance and do whatever.”

Tired or not, the Raptors and Wizards put on a show for the 20,000 fans in attendance, including the Montreal Impact’s Didier Drogba, tennis ace Eugenie Bouchard, and UFC champion Georges St-Pierre, who all sat courtside.

On the court, Washington started off with a stronger shooting performance, making 50 per cent of their first quarter shots compared to Toronto’s 36 per cent. Toronto screened effectively and DeRozan looked dangerous slashing to the basket, but the team was inefficient, missing seven of eight three-point attempts.

“You gotta give credit to [the Wizards], they pushed the tempo [at the start],” DeRozan said.

Wizards Head Coach Randy Wittman, who has been widely criticized for a lack of offensive creativity, urged his players to push the ball in the first quarter. Washington shared the ball effectively and their wings came off screens regularly—a far cry from the pick and roll sets that characterized their 19th-ranked offence last year. Additionally, the Wizards’ big men were active from three point range, opening up driving lanes for guards.. Kris Humphries, who has converted only two regular season three-pointers in his 13 years in the NBA, and Drew Gooden, who has averaged  0.4 attempts per game for his career, have averaged 8.7 three-point attempts per game in the pre-season.

“I think that’s the way we want to play,” Humphries said. “It’s kind of like adapt or die, so we got to start shooting threes and play that open style basketball we’ve been working on. [I’ve been] working with the basketball development guys […] and they’ve been like ‘hey we think you can do it.’”

Overall it looked like a haphazard pre-season game when Toronto went into the break up 46-45. The Raptors shot a poor 18 of 49 from the field while the Wizards committed eight turnovers. Toronto’s Patrick Patterson missed all of his first half three pointers, continuing his poor pre-season.

“One thing I have always been told is that shooters never forget how to shoot, like riding a bike,” Raptors Head Coach Dwayne Casey said of Patterson’s struggles. “It’s just a stretch he is going through.”

Toronto responded with an electric 29-point third quarter, capped by a stunning reverse layup from DeRozan. The lead proved too much for the Wizards despite a strong defensive fourth quarter performance and rookie Kelly Oubre Jr’s impressive play. The 19-year-old wing recorded three steals and a block.

“I think [Oubre] has improved,” Wall said, “There will be ups and downs. Adjusting to the NBA is totally different [than] college: You’re seeing the lane and trying to guard screens […] all he has to do is keep listening every day.”

Even after last year’s playoffs, when Washington swept Toronto, it’ presumptive to say the Wizards and the Raptors are rivals. It’s reasonable to expect, however, many future matchups between the two sides as they compete for high playoff seeds in a wide open Eastern Conference.

“I mean, I guess because we played them last year in the first round, if you want to call it [a rivalry], the guys play hard,” Humphries said. “Anytime you have a point guard like [Kyle] Lowry who sets screens, plays tough basketball it adds to [the competition]. I don’t know, I don’t really believe in rivalries, it’s whoever you have to play you gotta play”.

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