US – Tuesday, February 9
The Grid
The week's releases
Metro staff reviews the latest CDs, DVDs and books for your reading pleasure.
 
The Word
Stern: I’d do ‘Idol’ for $100M
Howard Stern took to his radio show yesterday to address the rumors that he’s a possible replacement for Simon Cowell for the next season of “American Idol.” To sum it up? He’s not going for it.
 
New York Arts
Dancing while the skinny lady sings
You’ve heard of the jukebox musical? David Parsons and singers AnnMarie Milazzo and Tyley Ross of the East Village Opera Co. offer a jukebox opera, playing nightly at the Joyce. Eleven Parsons dancers share the stage with Milazzo and Ross, who clutch microphones cranked to 11 and stroll through the action. On the recorded soundtrack, three drummers create a wall of sound so loud you — well, I — want to hide under the seat. Digital video of abstract patterns, natural landscapes and stunning architecture change for each song.
 
My Books
The facets of Anne Frank and her diary
Generations of schoolchildren have read and recognized their own experiences in the words of Anne Frank, finding surprising commonalities with this young girl despite the passage of generations and the unique horror of  her situation. But according to Francine Prose’s fascinating new account of the writing of Frank’s diary, our veneration of her outpourings has eclipsed a proper assessment of Anne Frank — conscientious author.

 
Movies
Channing Tatum on love and war
Channing Tatum has worked in his fair share of genres, from indie films (“A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints”) to dance flicks (“Step Up”) to blockbusters (“G.I. Joe”). In his latest, “Dear John,” the Alabama native takes on a heavy Nicholas Sparks love story about a soldier in love while at war. He talks with us about true love and blowing stuff up.
 
Published 19:58, March the 27th, 2008
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Megadeth, Beatles and Tulsa Megadeth, Beatles and Tulsa 
 

They’re still submerged

Tulsa get headier with next release

INTERVIEW. If you thought the songs on “I Was Submerged” — the debut EP from the sonically adventurous, and exceptionally hyped-up Boston trio Tulsa — were expansive in their washes of pedal effects, furious drum rolls and meandering guitar complexity, then you won’t be surprised by their plans to go even further down on their next full length. So explains the band’s singer, guitarist and songwriter Carton Tanton.

It seems like it might be tempting to let your songs grow out of control. Do you  force yourself to rein them in?
In the past I have, but for the next record it’s probably going to be like eight or nine songs, because they’re going to be long and they’re going to be really spaced out. They’re going to make the EP look like pleasant, easy listening. It’s going to go a lot crazier. ... That’s a product of playing live more. When we play live, by the time I get into a song it’s over. The atmospheric approach to how the songs sound, that’s just the way I feel about music now.

Do you think your songs would lose their meaning without the atmospheric stuff you talk about?
No, because I still write songs on the acoustic guitar. It’s just that, once other people start playing along with me they just change, because it’s louder or you click on the
delay pedal.

Tulsa has been getting a lot of comparisons lately. Do they seem accurate to you?
I think we get compared to bands because of the reverb on my voice. A lot of people say it’s like My Morning Jacket or Band of Horses. I don’t really like either of those bands. I think they’re really boring and just clinging onto the reverb. I think the press just hears the reverb, and goes, “Oh, they must like this band.” And I don’t.

Now you’re giving me quotes!
[laughs] I have nothing against those bands, I just find them boring.

What makes your band any different than those ones?
I don’t know. I’m not good at defining what we do better than other bands. Who knows, maybe we do sound like Band of Horses. I hope not.

Tulsa
With Major Stars
Saturday, 9 p.m.
Middle East Downstairs
$10, 18+, 617-864-EAST
www.mideastclub.com