It takes three to Yo La Tengo

Band befuddles crowd with unfamiliar new material at 9:30

Yo La Tengo's new album made a less-than-stellar impression on Monday's crowd.

By Chris Moreno

Fresh off the release of the critically acclaimed "I'm Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass," indie legends Yo La Tengo came to the 9:30 Club last Monday in hopes of stirring up the crowd and sending them into a dance frenzy. Unfortunately, the crowd had other plans, and except the sporadic drunkards dancing throughout the audience, there were hardly any signs of excitement. (continue reading)

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Tech bits

By Adam Bender

New 'Halo,' 'Grand Theft Auto' exclusives coming to Xbox 360 Microsoft showed its hand for next-generation gaming last week at its X06 show in Barcelona, and it's full of aces. A real-time strategy "Halo" spin-off is on its way via "Age of Empires" developer Ensemble Studios. (continue reading)

Raw new look at legendary Smith

By Rebecca Shillenn

"Patti Smith: American Artist" Frank Stefanko Govinda Gallery 1227 34th St. N.W. (202) 333-1180 Grade: B+ Patti Smith's shaggy dark hair gently fans out behind her, while her unsmiling face and searching eyes give the impression of an artist who is coming to terms with her pain and problems. (continue reading)

We all live in a yellow submarine

Cover band 'Rain' revels in Beatlemania 40 years later

By Vanessa C. Mueller

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, "Rain: the Beatles Experience" is one big compliment. Beatlemaniacs should be sure to check out "Rain" when it comes to the District. The show makes its Washington debut Oct. 6 at Warner Theatre, and according to the Denver Post it is the "next best thing to seeing The Beatles. (continue reading)

Pulitzer winner remains relevant

Tongue-in-cheek play looks at 'State' of current political arena

By Andrew Gardner

'State of the Union' Ford's Theatre 511 10th Street N.W. Metro: Metro Center Tickets: $25-$52 Through Oct. 22 Grade: A- Howard Lindsey and Russel Crouse couldn't predict the modern significance of their political satire when "State of the Union" was first performed more than 60 years ago. (continue reading)

Reading sheds new light on Latino lit

By Ruben Luong

Award-winning authors Ana Menéndez and Luis Alberto Urrea read their writings at the Folger Shakespeare Library last Friday as part of a series of book readings presented by the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. The readings were in conjunction with National Hispanic Heritage Month. (continue reading)

Music notes

Bedroom Walls "All Good Dreamers Pass This Way" (Baria Records) Sounds like: An emaciated interpretation of Sufjan Stevens and The Shins. Grade: C The L.A.-based quintet Bedroom Walls would like listeners to believe they've inadvertently created music so original it could only be defined by a pretentiously invented genre label: romanticore. (continue reading)

Brooks puts brains in print for zombie fanatics

By Alden Utter

Everyone knows the rules of zombies. They are horrifying beings, unstoppable except by brain damage, who crave human flesh and who infect other humans with their curse. We know this because zombie films are numerous and terrifying, from "The Night of the Living Dead" to "28 Days Later. (continue reading)

Napoleon, Jesus experience rebirth

'Renaissance,' 'Camp' break new ground but 'Scoundrels' fails test

"School for Scoundrels" Directed by Todd Philips With Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Heder Rated PG-13 Now playing Grade: C+ Comedy is hard. "School for Scoundrels" writer/director Todd Philips had two straight laugh riots with "Road Trip" and "Old School," but stumbled with the film remake of "Starsky and Hutch. (continue reading)

U.C. program succeeds in 2nd year

By Rebecca Shillenn

Twenty-two students sit pinched side-by-side in a room lit only by a projector and dreary 9:30 a.m. sunlight. At the beginning of a freshman biology and chemistry session in only the third week of class, these University College students are animatedly gossiping and joking with each other. (continue reading)

Everybody does it... Sex advice for confused, scorned

By Blair Bryant Nichols

Dear Blair Bryant, I am very confused and don't know what to do. Numerous times I have come into my room and seen my roommate naked. He gives me very sexual looks and I think he kind of has a thing for me. On multiple occasions I have walked in on him masturbating, and he continues over in the corner as I try to get some work done, or I just hang outside. (continue reading)

Spy Museum perfect haven for aspiring sleuths

By Ryan Williams

The International Spy Museum 800 F Street N.W. Metro: Chinatown-Gallery Place (green line) Admission: $15 It seems as if no one has ever gone to the Spy Museum, but everyone knows where it is. Everyone has seen it after leaving the Chinatown-Gallery Place Metro station on the way to get some Chinese food or to check out one of D. (continue reading)