Brien Barrett - The Daily Cardinal

The Kings of Leon have revitalized the definitive rock ‘n‘ roll image. Indulging their souls in the excesses of booze, sex and drugs that established the genre between '66 and '74, the Kings of Leon have made a name for themselves by leaving the bullshit of overproduction at the door and creating some of the greatest rock albums of our generation.

NEWS

Umphrey’s to bring the heat to Madison

By Brien Barrett | Mar. 21, 2007

In 2004, Rolling Stone stated that Umphrey's McGee ""have become odds-on favorites in the next-Phish sweepstakes by challenging jam-band clichAcs."" Thoughout their nine years of existence, they have seven albums under their belt and plan on releasing a double album, The Bottom Half, this April. The Daily Cardinal had the opportunity to sit down with vocalist/guitarist Brendan Bayliss and get his take on everything from Notre Dame football to his love for Madison.

NEWS

Mayer to bring new sounds to Madison

By Brien Barrett | Feb. 13, 2007

The Cardinal had the opportunity to speak with John Mayer, headlining the Alliant Energy Center today.'

NEWS

‘Idol’ set to play Great Hall tonight

By Brien Barrett | Jan. 24, 2007

Pop music went into cardiac arrest quite a few years ago. You can blame it on the evolution of recording technology that allowed producers to turn almost anyone into a Grammy winner, or you can even blame the recording industry's desire to sign moneymakers over true talent, but somewhere along the way Michael Jackson turned white, Ashlee Simpson went platinum and pop went to hell. Raw talent was traded in for an image""a product, and it's safe to say that music is no longer the love of many pop stars' lives, but an easy starting point for them to build their resumÃ©.

NEWS

Mule hit Madison

By Ryan Weinkauf and Brien Barrett | Dec. 6, 2006

For more than 20 years, Warren Haynes has been one of rock 'n' roll's most prominent figures. He's been a member of the Allman Brothers Band, the Dead, Phil Lesh and Friends, and Gov't Mule, who will make a stop tonight in Ma'

NEWS

Gosling shines in ‘Half Nelson,’ one of this year’s best dramas

By Brien Barrett | Oct. 8, 2006

With sweat pouring down his face, pupils the size of dimes and his heart beating what seems like a million times a minute, Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling) finds himself sprawled out on the girls' bathroom floor, gasping for breaths and staring up at his student, Drey (Shareeka Epps), who sees him lying there, helpless and holding a crack pipe.