“Community” (Season 2, Episode 1: “Anthropology 101,” NBC)

Coming off of a stellar first season, the first episode of “Community” managed to outdo the previous season already.

The new season stuck with the show’s theme of over-the-top humor that pokes fun at the different archetypes of a sitcom. The movie and television references and jokes about story plots by the character Abed (Danny Pudi) have increased, as the writers seem to have taken advantage of the show’s self-awareness and predictability.

However, despite the same clever writing tricks as the last season, the show continues to find fresh ways to entertain. Hopping on the Betty White bandwagon that several television shows have started to do lately, she joins the cast as the eclectic anthropology professor June Bauer.

The episode starts back at Greendale Community College at the start of a new semester. The group finds themselves in an awkward predicament, since Jeff (Joel McHale) Britta (Gillian Jacobs) and Annie (Allison Brie) are caught up in a strange, expected love triangle. As they meet up with the rest of their gang in class, Britta and Jeff find themselves in a competition to see who can pretend to love each other more after she confessed her love to him in front of the entire student body last season, and was rejected.

This further confuses the rest of the gang, including Pierce (Chevy Chase), Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) and Troy (Donald Glover) as they try to work through the group’s problems and find a profound resolution by the end of the 30-minute show.

A fresh twist appearing in this episode is the new role of Senor Chang (Ken Jeong). Instead of Chang being the impossible Spanish teacher, he now joins the crew in anthropology class and struggles with his desire of wanting to fit in with them. It’s amusing to watch the character that stripped of his authority plot ways to find acceptance with the group.

This episode oozes of current pop-culture references and humor. For instance, in this episode, Jeff is questioned about making out with the young Annie he defends himself to Shirley when he says, “since you have clearly failed to grasp the central insipid metaphor of those Twilight books you devour, let me explain it to you! Men are monsters who crave young flesh.”

Another spot of the show being incredibly aware of the real world we live in is when Troy is Tweeting everything of Peirce says on a Twitter account called “Stuff White Man Says,” which is a direct comparison to the real blog account, “Shit My Dad Says.” When Abed suggests making it a TV show (which is happening in the real world with SMDS starring William Shatner) the characters in unison agree it’s a bad idea.

This episode set the tone for what is going to come the rest of the season. It’s the perfect thing to put on when looking for a no-brainer type of comedy. However, sometimes this can be a bit jarring as it had moments where the writers tried too hard to make obvious humor even though they already mastered this type of comedy. Nonetheless, the “Community” season-two opener proves this is a must-watch show this season.

“Lost and Found,” Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave

Several sculptors have mastered how to construct everyday materials together in innovative, thought-provoking ways. The exhibit “Lost and Found,” showcases many artists who focus on modern sculpture with reused objects.

Among those artists, American conceptual sculptor Tom Friedman’s 1999 piece “Untitled,” is a robot structure that illustrates an idea that simplicity can be complex through unlikely materials, in this case cardboard and Styrofoam.

At first glance, the roughly nine foot tall structure looks like it is made out of thin, intricately woven pieces of wood. At the same time, Freidman’s work looks messy and unintentional. However, after a few seconds of focusing on the sculpture, one will notice how precise and complicated it is.

Each part of the robot is made of cardboard, while tiny Styrofoam orbs alternating in size dress the robot from head-to-toe. They are glued on so meticulously that it looks as if they were organically grown from the cardboard, such as weeds are on grass.

The robot construction is apparent in its long legs, but the head of the machine is not so easily spotted, as it is reminiscent of one of the head statues from Easter Island. But Freidman’s precision only enhances how simple cardboard can transform into something huge. One could argue this construction has a bigger theme about life. Start off with a small idea and it could transform into a much larger thing.

The definitive mood the piece is neither melancholy nor cheerful. It simply inspires one to take a closer look and to have an open mindset, as the first question that pops into mind will be, “how did he do that?”

The other direction one’s attention will go to is the appreciation of mundane objects. A sculpture such as “Untitled,” uses cardboard in a ways that seem impossible, especially since it’s mostly used for boxes and toilet paper rolls. This is impressive because the entire robot is made through curves and lines.

The idea of using cardboard also seems as if it should be showcased in a middle school science project, which is the first impression one will get when looking at the structure. It is remarkable at how the piece literally dresses up the cardboard materials to make it look as if it cost a significant amount of money to create.

“Untitled” is just another example of how Freidman utilizes different objects. His other works consist of things such as sugar cubes, string and hair. Even if one isn’t typically a fan of modern, contemporary art, the consideration evoked from this piece is worth a visit to this exhibit.

Andreya Triana “Lost Where I Belong” (Ninja Tune, 2010) Rewrite

A classically soulful sound bellows out of the United Kingdom’s Brigton-based singer/songwriter Andreya Triana on her first 9-track album “Lost Where I Belong.” Within the first minute and a half, the album will transport you into a dimly lit, retro-jazz bar, sipping on a vodka and tonic with a cigarette in hand, each note of Triana’s jazzy and powerful voice more intoxicating than the liquor.

After providing vocals on Flying Lotus’ track “Tea Leaf Dancers,” Triana has scrapped the experimental-electronic genre for a jazz-pop and soul hybrid sound with sultry vocals. For some, this direction will be a disappointment, but for fans who also enjoy artists such as Sade, “Lost Where I Belong” can deliver.

The album keeps a good pace, bouncing between up-tempo, melancholy and contemplative moods. On the track “Lost Where I Belong,” the true poet in Triana comes out while singing about her literal writing process with the lyrics: “Staring at an empty page, again/ Searching deep within my soul/ Sometimes I don’t know where to, again.”

A moment of lyrical brilliance appears on “Daydreamers,” which is easily the darkest track on the album. The track leaves a hauntingly, gloomy feeling that will make one imagine how life could be different. The track is so smooth it will be hard for one to not get lost in the song and float away into a daydream of their own.
However, the depressive mood doesn’t last for long since the album is a concise 37 minutes. In the uplifting “Far Closer,” it feels like the moment one accepts moving on after a rough breakup, knowing everything will be fine, which expands the emotional journey this album is.

Tiana coos, “I guess that’s just the way it goes,” throughout the track “X,” which concludes the album with soft strings and bittersweet lyrics about accepting a breakup. This song is the perfect, sincere ending to an expressive album.

“Lost Where I Belong,” is a solid breakout release and although no tracks repeat a particular mood or sentiment, she could have expanded her range and taken some vocal risks, which her voice is capable of.

Additionally, fans will be disappointed if they are searching for the underground, electronic sound she possessed with Flying Lotus. However, “Lost Where I Belong” has her same voice, tone and truth she had on those breakout appearances. It’s an honest album that Triana sprinkles her life into through her lyrics, which won’t disappoint.