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 18:02, April the 29th, 2009
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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed Tuesday and last night at the Spectrum.Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed Tuesday and last night at the Spectrum.
 

Bruce Springsteen rocks the Spectrum

Big hits (and a couple misses) rounded out The Boss’ Tuesday show

REVIEW. Tuesday night at the Spectrum, Bruce Springsteen told the audience he wanted to build a house with them right there in the room. It would be a house of joy and love and hope, built from music and noise. Philly brought noise, and the earth-quakin’, booty-shakin’, legendary E Street Band brought the music.

The set list had its hits (“The Promised Land,” the fan-requested “Fire” and “She’s the One,” possibly the most perfect four minutes and 30 seconds of music ever recorded) and its misses (especially “Outlaw Pete,” which sounds like Springsteen dressing up as Nick Cave).

But whether you liked a song or not, you couldn’t argue with the band’s picks. Every song sounded like sweat on the brow, dirt on the hands, hunger in the belly, but also hope in the heart. When the desperation and sadness of “Seeds” gave way to Bruce’s call to “Raise Your Hand,” a sold-out crowd stood up to be counted as members in good standing of the E Street Nation.

For the encore, we saw the light of the living in the sidewalks of Tenth Avenue, and finally, even Rosalita came out to hammer home what The Boss was trying to say that night (and really, through his whole career): Times may be tough, but we have a fine house here. It is filled with good friends and the sound of rock ’n’ roll and someday, together, we’ll look back on this and it will all seem funny. 

Matt Soniak