Standing Room Only

There isn't a town in this world more synonymous with the biggest musical acts of the 20th generation than London. It's known for discovering Britain's best talent (despite the fact if they originated from London or not) like Oasis, Rolling Stones, and the Sex Pistols and for hosting an infamous little recording studio called Abbey Road Studio. This studio became the Holy Grail of music after the 1960s, attracting pilgrims from all over the world to come view its modestly sized white-washed building and ink stained concrete fence.

Music fans also come to this former blip-in-the-map area in order to take a chance to walk across the thing that really put them on the map: the zebra crossing that once hosted the feet of John, Paul, George and Ringo.

This cup of holy music life does not appeal only to a certain few. You do not have to be head-over-heels in love with the Beatles to be able to appreciate it's grand status in history. People of all ages gawk at it's importance and overwhelming sense of nostalgia.

Today I saw this building. The infamous Abbey Road Studio and it's infamous zebra crossing.

I arrived in London today and was weary of going out on my own. My uni flatmate's mum reassured me that it's a nice neighborhood and that I should walk up to see the studio. I was dead set on seeing this piece of architecture all week but when it comes to going out on my own, I hate it. It's fine in Sheffield but in London--whole other story! Boy am I glad I went. It was good exercise and I got to view something that not every Beatles fan will see in their life.

If I hadn't researched the studio before I came here, I would have been lost. I pictured it as a cool studio, standing proudly on the corner injunction of Abbey Road and another prominent London street as artists and wannabes hang around outside, looking like they want to be a beatnik in the 1960s. It's really not the way. In fact, Abbey Road is barely even a road. It meshes with others (as most streets in England do!) and isn't listed as a street on my London map. The studio, or should I say former mini-mansion?, stands in between two residential buildings behind a green iron-wrought fence. The car park was small and so was the building. The Abbey Road logo over the door was almost invisible to my disintegrating eyes. And the zebra crossing? I didn't know it was supposed to have flashing light posts on each side... I'm a horrible Beatles fan, yes, I know.

As you walk up towards the studio and the famous zebra crossing, a bubbly feeling explodes in your chest... Well, at least it did in mine. It's like going to Disneyland for the first time. Except at Disneyland you get to go on rides and not be nearly ran over THREE TIMES as you cross the THREE ZEBRA CROSSINGS to get in front of the studio. (this is if you're walking from the south towards the north, on the ride hand side of the street) Once you get in front of the studio, your excitement about it being historical and a music legend dissipates. Why? Because there are walls covered with different coloured makers that make a collage of words about how the Beatles have touched our lives. I pulled out my hand-dandy pen as soon as I noticed others were writing on the wall. It becomes about contributing to the wall at that moment--who cares if the Abbey Road Studio is right in front of you? The Beatles stood outside of the studio too, you know.

After taking a gazillion photos of what you've written on the wall and of other messages left before you (including Noel Gallagher's signature from 1995 on the wooden gate of the building next door), you remember where you are. You're at a place where that time can never be recreated. Not because it's impossible to time travel, but because two members of the Beatles are no longer with us. The Fab Four would be doing a 40 year anniversary shot across the famous zebra crossing if those two amazing souls were still with us today.

As you watch people wait for traffic to stop so they can take a picture of themself in the middle of the zebra crossing, you think about how different things were in the 1960s. How John Lennon stood RIGHT THERE once upon a time. If you don't feel nostalgic after thinking about the "would, coulda, shoulda," then something is wrong with you. If you don't feel inspired to go home and listen to nothing but the Beatles once you return there, then something is wrong with you.

I am proud to say I made the pilgrimage to Abbey Road. All thought it wasn't the most exciting thing in the world, it is an important piece of music history. It will never live that down--which is a good thing. We need to make sure the love for the Beatles continues on and that years from now, people will still find their life's passion to be to visit the modest little white-washer building that sits folded into a residential neighborhood in the northwestern section of London.

It's been almost a year since I've last written on this blog. According to professional bloggers, you should blog up to six times a day. I'm not sure if I'm ever motivated to think creatively more than once a day. I'm now going to uni for journalism, so one would think I would be struck with the creativity stick more often than not... however; that hasn't been the case.

I guess this blog was an outlet--my procrastination--from doing homework during my undergraduate degree. I would rather talk about music than write my history papers. Who wouldn't? Once I graduated, this blog seemed to die alongside that passage in life. I never intended it to, but it did. I scribbled ideas on pieces of paper and in random notebooks on what I would write about on here. I never typed it up. I'm an awful music journalist.

The excitement created by this blog and the way I threw myself into music during my undergrad led me here--to Sheffield, UK. I came to Sheffield to explore what I thought I should be doing (becoming a journalist and not a historian like previously planned). Mostly, I came to Sheffield because one of my favourite bands, Arctic Monkeys, are from this industrial city. It was an added bonus that my uni is the only one to offer a magazine journalism MA in the country and is one of the highest rated journalism courses in England.

Now that I'm in Sheffield, my interests have changed. I'm not sure if I want to write for a music magazine anymore. After reading NME and Q (British mags), it just seemed to me that a MA from a fabulous program wasn't going to give me any edge over the competition. Besides the fact, the magazine is more dependent on freelancers and user-generated content (UGC). That complicates my plans a little too much for my liking.

I know I love politics and now I've become even more passionate about it by writing out my thoughts as opposed to imposing them on the first human I see that day. I've been gearing myself as a political writer since December... but today, something happened. Something occurred that has made me step back and re-think my decision.

Here's the story of how fate decided to mix my life up a bit:

I was just leaving the local Boots a few blocks from my flat to go towards home. I came up to the crosswalk and noticed across the way, someone else was crossing over to my side. He looked strangely familiar. I tried to push the feeling aside as I stared at the stranger (while trying not to look like I was) and tried to watch traffic at the same time. (My crosswalk said to not cross, but in Sheffield, you just need to look at the traffic before going because honestly, there isn't much traffic in the early afternoon)

As I crossed and we both made our way to the island in the middle, I looked at him with a puzzled look and he looked at me like he expected me to say something. I glanced at him as he passed by me, did a mini-double take, shook my head slightly, looked at the traffic, and crossed the street. By the time my feet hit the sidewalk, my head was ringing. It was true. By george it was true!

I had just walked past Matt Heder, drummer for the Arctic Monkeys. In the city centre of Sheffield--his hometown. They're the reason I came to Sheffield. I just saw 1/4 of the reason why I borrowed more money than I ever cared to borrow and moved to England for a year. I couldn't believe my luck.

I didn't look back at him after I crossed the street, nor did I say anything to him. For those moments that I could have said something (such as "Matt?" or "you look familiar"), I kick myself. I tried to remind myself that I am polite and don't usually approach famous people unless I see them at a concert. And he was with a girl. She probably hates being caught up in those moments of recognition between a fan and Matt.

But how awesome would it have been if I stopped him and spoke to him? Now I'll never know--but I know for certain my life has been muddled up again. Do I want to be a music journalist and talk to musicians all the time (one day, that is) instead of gawking at them as I cross the street? Or do I want to write about my political thoughts and opinions? I'm confused again... Hopefully the new semester will help me explore what I'd like to get out of journalism. And if I can be a music journalist and a political one as well. I can't wait to find out.

(new thing I'm going to try out here):
Songs I can't stop playing on my iPod--
1) Charlotte by Air Traffic
2) Leigh-On-Sea by Assembly Now
3) Chelsea Dagger by the Fratellis

Wow. I haven't been to a concert since the Arctic Monkeys/We Are Scientists in Tempe last June. Me, the music/concert junkie, has not been to a concert for almost a year. Damn bands only going to Phoenix and not Tucson! But no, the Cinematics love me. So *naaahh* to all the other bands who just happened to skip right over this freaking huge state.

I didn't get a chance to review the Cinematics album in March, but I downloaded it off emusic.com the day it was released and it's been love ever since. Not one day has passed that I don't have "Chase" in my head. Or any of the other songs. Hard to pick a favorite when the whole album is awesome. They actually are different from other bands out of the UK at the moment. While paralleling the music scene out of the area, they are still able to separate themselves with an element we haven't been exposed to much state-side. They're darker, while having the look of a Franz/Killers-esque type band. And... get this... they know more than the same like, two cords. I KNOW. Hard to come by nowadays. These boys have talent up the waz-a-oo. And tonight, I was front row to hear and see the magic that is the Cinematics.

To me, this band should be big. Thank god they're not huge here yet--cuz we all know how selfish I am with my music--but they will be. Mark my words... It was great to see an international band in a small venue in Tucson. The show was, as one audience member put it, magical. They came up to the stage and started rocking out. It never stopped, honestly. I still have the buzz running through my veins. Opening with "Sunday Sun" was brilliant and I can't remember the order of the songs (apparently, they couldn't either due to a lack of set list... whoops, that person is so fired) but who the hell cares! I have never seen such a clean set before. Good transitions between songs, awesome moments when the monitors almost blew out and they had to talk in their gorgeous Scottish accents to kill time, and they were in to their music. After seeing some pretty stationary bands, I was pretty happy to see they actually gave a damn about their music and moved to it. They've created something that not only the audience can rock out to, but something they can enjoy playing/rocking to for X-number of days a week.

They're great musicians. I really can't elaborate past that because the statement alone more than covers this fact. I mean, come on! They can play more than two cords--and Ross knows his way around the entire drum kit--and that more than speaks for their talent. Scott's voice is amazing. I'm always leery of falsettos, but he peformed "Chase" great live. I'm jealous he can hit higher notes easily. These guys are ten times better than a lot of other bands I've seen live. They're ten times better than stupid bands like Panic! At the Disco, Fall Out Boy, Snow Patrol, the Fray, etc. Why are those bands popular in the U.S. and the Cinematics are not?? I guess its proof Americans are too stupid to comprehend songs that aren't played in the same key over and over again... to the point where you've been smacked over the head with a smelting and can't differentiate between right and left anymore. Ugh. Variation of trends = good.

The nice thing about small venues is you have a higher chance of meeting the band. Hell yeah. Chatted with Ross and Adam for about an hour. REALLY nice guys. Love the accents, love that they have opinions, love that they bashed America and other stupid stuff with us. Love it. And love that we talked about pants. If you don't know what pants stands for in UK, then you wouldn't find this mentioning very hee-larious. But if you do... well, you can imagine the conversation. I won't give anything away. Scott, Adam, or Ross might come after me. Wait, that'd actually be okay with me. Heh. I'm a sucker for a UK accent, what can I say.

If the boys ever read this, I must express how great it was to meet you all. You're top-notch at your music and I want you to go far. You don't want to wind up ten years down the road, driving a van. Much love to you guys and I better see you in Sheffield between Sept 16, 2007 to Sept 1, 2008. I mean it! I will hold you to it. And we better chill then too. If you can't stay in Sheffield for the night to hang out, thats okay. I have no problem what-so-ever joining you on your tour bus. Hell, I'll even work for you guys for free. Need some PR work done? No prob. Cleaning? I'll do it. Microphone holder? Doesn't matter. I'm you're girl.

It is never a good sign when you have to listen to a new album a few times in a row before you can stand it. Arctic Monkeys' "Favourite Worst Nightmare", strangely the most anticipated album of the year, was released this week and I have to say I'm not its hugest fan. Maybe it's because I believed it was going to be a disappointment and that's why after the first listening, I stared at my computer screen, dropped my jaw, and said "I paid $21 dollars for THIS?!" (I ordered it from England and the exchange rate is a bitch)

Don't get me wrong, this album has some catchy tunes and you can learn to like it. It's no where near as rough as the first CD, with its clashing guitar and lyrics about surviving teenage life in Sheffield; nevertheless, the band managed to stay in the sound range people expect them to follow. There were some new cords (A and D, according to Al) and ole Matty is even better on the drums than before. Castanet? He plays it. Double bass petals? Check. Go Matt. (Check him out in "Balaclava", it's good stuff) The two guitarist have stepped up with their duels, but the bass? Where was it?! Andy played better than this. Sorry Nick, but ya gotta step it up a notch. And the vocals were good, but Al, if you're going to attempt a vibrato, try to do it without sounding like Rod Stewart. One more comment: STEP AWAY FROM THE EFFECTS MIC AND NO ONE WILL GET HURT! That was my one pet peeve about this album. That and there was too much background vocals. It got to the point where I wanted to see if S Club 7 had anything to do with this.

The lyrics on this album... were uh, interesting. I actually think Alex could have produced something better. Some of the lyrics still have their word play spark and make you laugh at its pure British-ness because you have no idea what the hell he is talking about. "This House is a Circus" and "If You Were There, Beware" are the most creative, by far; but everything else... eh, they have their moments. I think my eyes almost fell out of my head when I read the lyrics (prior to receiving the CD) for "Fluorescent Adolescent", "The Bad Thing" and "505." I think a "dirty!" Lorelai style is a required comment after reading the lyrics. Maybe its just me with "505"... after all, I was in marching band so it's not like my mind is 100% clean.

The interesting thing about this album is the songs are grouped together by a similar sound... In the first group, songs 1-5; second group is 6 and 7; third group is 8-9; fourth is 10 and 11 *which really can relate to group one*; and track 12 stands at the end... but relates very easily to the sounds in group two. Not much for transition, eh? Their first album was set up the same way, true, but it was more noticeable this time around. I also noticed a trend with the lyrics. You have part one that talks about "he", chorus, then talks about "her/she", chorus, then back to "he". Lost? Me too.

Al, here is a little hint... instead of singing "you always have to greet me with goodbye", TAKE A BREAK! You guys are gonna burn out quicker than a 60 watt light bulb if you don't. This album could have been set back another six months or so. Some of the songs still need more developing. From the first time I listened to it up until now, I can't say that I dislike it anymore. It's catchy yet it's easier to say "ho hum, I only want to listen to this one song today"; as opposed to the first album, which I never skip a track.

As Ricky sings in the opening line of "Love's Not a Competition (But I'm Winning)", he won't be the one to disappoint. And surely, he does not. The new Kaiser Chiefs album, "Yours Truly, Angry Mob" was recently released in the U.S. and I must say it is ten times better than I expected it to be. After reading an article at the beginning of the year about their latest album in Spin, I was filled with anxiety as they stated in the article there would supposedly be a lesser amount of their famous "la la las" and other random melody-keepers that filled in instrumental gaps on their first album, "Employment." Who drops such a lyrical wonderment such as "la la las" and the like?!

Alas, my ears were able to pick up the sound of "la la las" in their new album, even if it wasn't in great supply. After listening to the whole album for the first time, I gave a sigh of relief that the lyrical fillers we all know and love were still prevalent on the Chief's sophomore release. My sigh of relief also represented the sentiment kept in the back of my mind that went a little something like this: "thank god, they did it. they beat the sophomore slump." In fact, the Kaiser Chiefs went above and beyond the requirements for an excellent second album. It may sound a little more commerical and lack intense vocals from singer Ricky (à la "Na Na Na Na Naaaa" from their debut album); nevertheless, this album is pure genius.

When I first heard "Ruby" I was definitely neutral about it. It sounded a little too commerical for them, but as the release date of the album came closer in the U.S., I gave the song another try. Thank goodness I did too as it's really not that bad. It's no "I Predict a Riot" as it's much lighter than their first single from over two years ago; nonetheless, it was the perfect first single from this album. It kind of fooled you, really. You start off with this commerically viable track, then dive into the melodically crazed "Angry Mob", retreat back to a ridiculous giddy and nonsensical tune "When the Heat Dies Down", then down the narrow and danceable streets of "Highroyds" (which describes boys' night out in a humourous light), down to the acoustic, folk-y sounding "Love's Not a Competition...", and then weaving through songs that are dangerously witty and shares instrumentals and rhythms that Kaiser Chiefs fans will thankfully recognize from the first album. All for one song, that is. "Learnt My Lesson Well" is definitely something you could expect from the band, but at the same time its piano overture and tinny vocals make you sit back and say "huh..." It has a remnant of "Team Mate" hidden behind its exterior, with lyrics that make you want to laugh so hard despite it's a solemn tune; however, at the same time you'll be scratching your head and wondering if it's Ricky or Elton John singing. This is a side of Ricky we have yet to see, which was kind of welcoming after all.

My CD came with two B-Sides: "I Like to Fight" and "From the Neck Down." Why these songs weren't on the album as A-sides is beyond me! They have a sharp wit and bite left over from "Employment", but then again these songs may have been recorded back after the band broke in England, which would explain the sound. Doesn't matter though! I love these songs. The lyrics the band writes are ALWAYS genius, but these two songs are enough to make you laugh and wonder why you aren't clever enough to think of them.

I know in January I ranted and raved that the Shins' new album was the best of the year but... after careful reconsideration, I have decided to give Kaiser Chiefs the same title. The only other album I'm waiting to hear is from the Arctic Monkeys at the end of this month; but I highly doubt it can give the Shins and Kaiser Chiefs' new albums a run for their money. Especially the Kaiser Chiefs. Yes, Alex may be brilliant at writing lyrics and keeps getting better, but I just don't expect their album to be as dramatically different and similar as "Yours Truly, Angry Mob." The Chiefs have proved to their fans they're still funky and fresh and even added some extra "pizazz" to keep us on our toes. I don't think anyone else--especially any other British band--has the ability to do that.

You know, if Elton John was a 20-something in this century and had a band, I think his band would be the Kaiser Chiefs. And this is a compliment, for sure.

One last comment on their performance on Conan last night: awesome. I have never seen them live so it was my first glimpse. But Ricky cut his hair! Nooo. And I must raise a comparison between Ricky and Liam of Oasis... they both wear jackets on stage and have a tambourine. And the way Ricky sang into the mic on the show last night reminded me a LOT of Liam. Coincidence? I think not. Ricky harbors a secret ambition to be Liam. Oh god, lets just hope it's not done in the same drunken, consistently high on drugs manner.

Today I watched the music video for "Brainstorm" by the Arctic Monkeys and two things came to mind a) the video sucked and the sanctity of music is being dragged through the mud and b) why do we still watch music videos?

I'll address point "a" first. I know what you're thinking: didn't she just rant and rave about the creativity and genius of the song a few weeks ago? Yes yes, spot on. Good detective work, I did discuss that fact. However, I saw the music video and... ouch. It was like Franz Ferdinand's "I Love the Sound of You Walking Away" video, meets "Somebody Told Me" video by the Killers... then that combination nicked the side of U2's "Beautiful Day" video, and finally fell in head-first into a pool of music videos filled with rapper booty-shaker dancers. I'll repeat my previous sentiment: ouch. I haven't been this upset about a music video since... well, I can't remember because I don't watch many music videos.

Okay the song is cool and I had a way cool concept for a music video for the song, but whomever they hired to make the music video ruined it. I know the boys like hip-hop *gag* but COME ON! This crosses the line. Arctic Monkeys, read my typecast: YOU ARE WHITE. YOU ARE A WHITE ROCK BAND. FROM NORTHERN ENGLAND, NONETHELESS. YOU ARE MORE WHITE THAN I AM. (which is REALLY hard to beat) ALMOST ALL OF YOUR FANS DISLIKE RAP. BOOTY DANCERS = BAD IDEA. And Domino Records... I am ashamed of you. Did you recycle ideas left over from pitches presented to Franz Ferdinand? The parts with the whizzing circle and old black and white clips of random stupidity seems like something that would be pitched for them, not Arctic Monkeys. If they want to be a fabulous rock-dance indie band, then awesome, but I kinda get the feeling they don't want to be.

The video may have had more things going on than their previous ones; however, this does not get Arctic Monkeys off the hook. No no. You must explain the shiny backdrop and the dancers. You must also explain the need to not have much of the video show you except from behind. The end shot automatically required a reference to one of U2's worst songs/videos, "A Beautiful Day". (they are a great band, but they too have their bad moments) If you want to be like U2 so damn much, then go over-flaunt yourselves and your next album, do some charity work, and compare yourselves to U2 like the Killers did and you'll be alllll set.

I guess it's true what they say about bands that make it big fast... you fall fast. Congrats, you guys just took the first step towards doing that. Because of this video, I'm not really sure about your integrity and commitment to the band and the sanctity of music. In fact, I may cancel my order for your next album because I'm that horrified. Good job. Enter sarcastic round of applause here.

Moving on to point "b". Has anyone noticed that we watch more videos on the internet than on TV? I know MTV has kind of ushered that factor into an intense reality thanks to the over-dominance of reality shows on MTV and MTV2, but I can honestly say I don't think of MTV, Vh1 or Fuse as outlets for music videos anymore. I see them as wasted space on my cable package. I'd rather get Noggin (The N) because they play more music videos than the channels that were once reserved for that purpose. They may not be videos of artists I care to hear/see, but its something. I know music videos were a cool "invention" and all... but they're just not cool or inventive anymore. No one really watches them. Maybe it's because I'm done with the TRL phase (she admits embarrassingly) but music videos are out. They aren't the form of visual radio like they used to be in the 1990s. No one turns on MTV in the morning while they get ready for school because it's either info-mmericals, reality shows, or rap videos. (okay, some may watch it for rap videos because that is the only video played on MTV anymore!!)

Internet has killed video (okay, and music). We rely on YouTube and sit on our asses all day to watch videos created by common idiots, common thieves, or common popularity-seekers. I am proud to say I have never visited YouTube, but I occasionally haunt MTV.com to find music videos. However, I don't do that anymore because the website takes too long to load and the videos never work. Why should I waste my time to wait for a music video I want to see on TV or deal with the internet when I can just turn on Windows Media and imagine my own version of a song's music video? Maybe I'm more creative then some in that aspect, but other than that, music videos are on their way out.

My generation has been the first for everything: downloading MP3s illegally before it was illegal; to hear the revival of punk music; to hear the revival of 80s-type music; having bleached blond hair and thinking we can pull off the surfer look when one actually lives in Arizona or Wisconsin; cell phones with cameras; cell phones with music players; iPods; Myspace and Facebook--etc. I guess I should say I'm fortunate to be in the age bracket that I am. Okay, I'm not fortuante to have lived through the surfer-phase (or skater phase, good grief) but all the opportunities there has been for music over the past few years makes me feel a little proud.

I know it's awful and unlawful to download illegal music off the internet, but I was probably one of the first to discover the illegally uploaded music files that ended in '.mp3' out of all the kids in school. I was downloading stuff off Mp3.com before it became organized and legalized. I even downloaded off Napster. I'm not proud of that because MAN ALIVE my computer was ruined after that debacle. Online music is apart of me. My dependence on it has increased over the past few years as I often find myself without money and CD prices are insane nowadays. I know, I know...it's the illegal downloading that's causing CD prices to inflate. Why should I be so worried about CDs when its all online? I like having the actual CD. I like the little booklet. So sue me. But still, I <3 online downloading.

Lately I've been hitting up the free trials offered by emusic.com. ITunes is so overdone compared to emusic. Who the hell gives a 100 song free trial?? Emusic. Yes it tends to have more indie artists on there, but that is fine by me. I am sick of the crap out on the radio these days. (Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco--*shutter*) Alot of people make fun of me because I only listen to bands out of England and a few out of New York, Canada, and (oddly enough) Austin, Texas. Emusic has links to all the great British bands. Even if they're big over there, they are small over in the States. That way I can go to people and say "Have you heard the LP of the Cinematics?" and they can say "Who the heck is that?!" And then I smile with glee. Really--the power of indie music and downloading it off emusic is magical.

Emusic is too addicting. It's $.33 a song (!!) and you can pay for a monthly rate and get an awesome amount of downloads. And they're not losers like iTunes and charge tax. I have to admit I accidentally purchased one month of service recently, (the email said you would get 50 free tracks for reactivating your account... and paying $9.99 for 30 songs) but I'm okay with it now. I downloaded full length albums from Spoon, French Kicks, and Arcade Fire for a lesser amount of money then it costs to buy one of those CDs from Amazon.com or Best Buy. How freaking cool is that? Besides the fact, retail chains like to nickle and dime the indie music listeners. Yeah, I know they need their money, but $15.99 for a CD with 10 tracks? NO THANK YOU. Two years ago that bought me two CDs.

The point is downloading music can be good and fun. It doesn't have to be annoying or expensive. It doesn't have to be illegal either. I know a lot of us right now don't have fabulous jobs and are rolling in the Benjamins, but we shouldn't cheat our musical palettes nor the artists who create such by downloading illegally. Ask your parents for an iTunes giftcard for your birthday. Ask your grandma to buy you a year's subscription to emusic for your graduation gift. Trust me, you'll feel satisfied knowing you've contributed to that artists' paycheck instead of taking away from it. Downloading new music that is paid for (or from a free trial) is better than buying clothes, books, movies, etc. It's always there and no matter how trendy (or not trendy) the music was when you downloaded it in 2007, it will always stay in style with YOU. Clothes, not so much.

So be kind and buy! :)

All be jealous, for I have heard the new Arctic Monkeys single, 'Brainstorm'. I still have my apprehensions about Arctic Monkeys' new album, but the single is nothing short of WOW. The guitar playing and the scratchy voice effects make the song sound as if Muse and Franz Ferdinand had something to do with the creation of the track. If the symbolic presence of a band and their music could mate, this song really would be Muse and Franz's love child. Laugh all you want, mais c'est vrai. (but it's true)

Let's face it kids, this single is hot. It may not have many cord changes or variation in tempo, but that's what probably makes the song so attractive. It's quick, upbeat, layered and quirky. (though it could use some more bass) It's hard to understand what the hell Alex is saying (what else is new) and it seems as if there is no point to the lyrics; however, the story the lyrics are trying to say is probably more humorus then I can wager it to be. Whenever I do understand part of the lyrics, the lightbulb over my head gets brighter and brighter, yet still I am in the dark. All I know is the line 'some want to kiss, some want to kick you' has got to be the best line ever written in a song... ever. One day I'll have the lyric booklet so I may be clear of the context of the song. For now, I will enjoy being in the dark. Besides, the lyrics and the meaning of the song shouldn't be the biggest concern. The beat of this song alone is enough to keep one occupied.

If the rest of the album parallels the energy portrayed through this track, then there will be no stopping it's rise up the charts. If the whole album is as ferociously fast as 'Brainstorm' than I may find myself having a hard time keeping my head on my neck. All the bopping along will probably mean the end of me.

Here's to hoping the new album is as stunning (or more so) than the first album!

With all the exciting albums that were released in late 2006 and early 2007, one would think a band would embark on a huge tour in support of their album. Most of all, one would believe a huge tour would include most of the major cities of the United States. Apparently not this spring (or year). All of my favorite bands from the Shins to the Decemberists are skipping over Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. It's like they've stuck their thumbs into their ears, waved their hands about and sang "naner-naner-boo-boo" as they plotted a way to ignore their biggest fan, moi. Je suis très triste. (to say the least, a-ha-ha, I rhymed)

I shouldn't worry because the Killers will be in Phoenix! On April 11! That's our two year anniversary too. I saw them on the same date in 2005, four days after my beloved kitty passed away. Of course I cannot attend the concert because a) it's on a weeknight and I lack the ability (and certification) to correctly operate a motorized vehicle; b) the tickets will be expensive as the Killers believe they're big enough to fill the over-charging Dodge Theater; and c) Saves the Day will be at the Marquee in Tempe on the same night and well... I'd rather see them. But I can't as I've mentioned before that I cannot drive. And my buddy that loves Saves the Day lives in Houston, argo, me no go. It's sad to realize that the two bands that did not skip Arizona are both in the Phoenix metro area on the same weeknight and I still cannot go. Again, they are evilly singing "naner-naner-boo-boo."

I wonder if I am being punished. Maybe it's because I've been to a lot of concerts and now they want to see me suffer. All of my favorite bands, even Tokyo Police Club from Canada, are stopping in Seattle, WA and Sheffield, UK between now and May. Seattle is the city I could I have lived in and Sheffield is the city I will inhabit as of September 24. They're taunting me. It's like dangling a treat or a toy in front of the family pet, taking it away once they're able to pounce, and then the teaser takes the treat/toy away, goes outside and throws it to a passing-by squirrel. You can't help but sit there with an elongated face of shock and disappointment as you watch the opportunity be dragged up a tree and torn to tiny shreds by sharp little teeth. What's worse is these bands will most likely not return to Seattle or Sheffield. And when I am gone from Arizona and in Seattle or Sheffield, guess where my favorite bands will be? Arizoonaaa! Ding ding ding, we have a winner. Le sigh. I can never win.

My plea to the bands I adore: stop torturing me. Come to Tucson. I know it's ugly, but if I can deal with it for two years, you can deal with it for one day. Just wear a gas mask when you walk outside and you'll be all right. College kids in southern Arizona need concerts too. It's how we survive. At least it's how I survive. I even received better grades when there were more concerts to attend. True story. When I lived in Glendale for two years and went to college and concerts there, my GPA was much higher. Having a concert to attend meant I kept a schedule. I had to have my homework done by a certain time in order to attend the concert. Now I'm lazy as I have nothing to work towards. It's such a shame.

How can I list concerts as a hobby if there are none for me to go to??? I can't wait to get out of Tucson. This place is cursed.

For anyone who has been fortunate enough to be exposed to the delectable sounds of the Shins should know by now that their latest album offers more tasty treats then a box of chocolates. I have never been disappointed with the releases of the Portland, Oregon in-habitants and “Wincing the Night Away” is no doubt the best album that will be released this year. I feel sorry for all the other albums that will be released after January 23 by bands I adore and those I do not adore. No other band’s new release this year will be able to hold a candle up to this album. It doesn’t matter if reviews say a certain CD is the best of the year… the reviewer is just jealous they did not listen to the Shins and therefore didn’t know that the title of the year’s best CD was already taken by “Wincing the Night Away.”

One can tell an album is going to be a hit when the first song starts the listener off in a hazy vocal suspense, followed by a quiet pick-up of guitar, and then quickly races forward with a blazing melody that makes you want to dance… despite the fact your sitting in a seat or are listening to the tracks on an iPod as you walk through the middle of campus. To hell with sanity people, the Shins want you to feel the music in your bones. To those who give dirty looks and ones of wonderment when you start to dance, well then (as James sings in the opener, ‘Sleeping Lessons’): “off with their heads!”

As with the past two releases by the Shins, the band reminds the listener they have a firm grasp on the art they create and are able to use a seemingly mathematical equation to organize the track lists to the point where it forms a cohesive and vibrant picture. They know how to build the album up, hand you a tasty sorbet to cleanse the listening palette (as with the short, incoherent ditty entitled ‘Pam Berry’), then send you back down a winding path of musical genius towards the satisfying final song. Every song on the album is thoroughly enjoyable thanks to James’ crazy lyrics and the compositions that would never exist without them... or maybe it’s thanks to the composition that the lyrics exist. Regardless, each track offers a new (or renewed) view into the scope of the band’s talent and range. Each song is uniquely different, but they miraculously fit together side-by-side, like peas in a pod. There is no possible way to pick a favorite song from the cohesive line-up the Shins offer on this album.

After being disappointed with quite a few releases from 2006, “Wincing the Night Away” was able to turn my frown into a smile of hope. This year may be a banner year for good albums due to the fact many want to out-do the over-acclaimed debut CD by the Arctic Monkeys (yes, I still think its an awesome CD… but come on, I know you’re thinking the same thing) released last year. I say “bravo” to that! It’s about time a British band placed pressure on the American music scene... although that technically did not work for the Killers’ disastrous sophomore release. Oh well, the Shins learned from the mistakes of the Killers and other American bands (and the success of the Arctic Monkeys) and created a CD that will tickle the fancy of all music listeners for the remaining eleven months of 2007 and beyond.

There is a band out of England called the Arctic Monkeys. Some people know them and most others don't. They're pretty good. Lead singer is hot. They write good lyrics... ya know, one of those British bands where only one chord change separates their "sound" from the other bands. In England and Europe they're hotter than a boiling pot of iron, but in the United States... not so much. I know six people who are aware of the Arctic Monkeys--eight if you count me and my twin. When I ask others outside of the magical six if they have heard of the Arctic Monkeys, they sputter back: "Arctic what? Did you just say Monkey? What does the word 'arctic' and 'monkey' have to do with each other?" I guess one might conclude the Arctic Monkey fans of the United States are a rare breed... like a monkey who could survive the Arctic. If there was such a mammal.

Now I know you're wondering "what is she getting at?" Well, hold on. I have a point...

I went on to the Arctic Monkeys' website tonight and this is what I found:
21.12.06
Time Magazine
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not has been voted as the best album of the year from Time Magazine.

20.12.06
Hot Press' Album of the Year
Hot Press has voted Arctic Monkeys' Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not as their album of the year.

16.12.06
Crossbeat Magazine
Crossbeat Magazine in Japan has voted Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not as their album of the year.

09.12.06
NME Album of the Year
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not has been voted album of the year from the NME.

After reading this impressive list of honors, most normal people at this point would shrug their shoulders as a gesture of "so what?" I'm not upset the Arctic Monkeys' rapidly recorded and released album is considered one of the best CDs of the year. After I listened to the album, the first sentence that cascaded through my thoughts was: "wow, this is probably the best CD that will be released this year." Kudos for my thought process paralleling those of journalists and music gurus, but I'm kind of upset. I have to admit that I'm some what of a music snob. Once I grab hold of a band that others haven't heard of yet, I won't let it go. I still like to pretend I'm one of the few privileged U.S. fans of the Killers. (don't knock on my dream) I even still deny "Plans" was ever recorded by Death Cab for Cutie and that they will forever remain indie's best kept secret. You just can't take the good music away from me and spoil it! You just can't!

Now the Arctic Monkeys are nominated for TWO (count 'em, two) Grammys. WHAAATTT???? Most people who watch the award show will scratch their head in preponderance when they announce their nomination in the Best Alternative Music Album category and Best Rock Instrumental Performance category for Chun Li's Flying Bird Kick. If it wasn't for my good friend, I wouldn't even know who the Arctic Monkeys are. I've heard them on the radio ONCE (when I was in Phoenix and the EDGE was actually working) and I don't watch MTV. I find out about bands when they're played on the stereo at work, from a friend, from randomly searching bands on EMusic and iTunes, from concerts, etc. Screw the radio and MTV, man. They KILL rock music. They kill it, then drag it around for fifty miles behind a race car going one-hundred and fifty M.P.H., then shove it in an icy cold lake to drown it. I'm not being a baby or exaggerating. The radio ruined the Killers (have you heard Sam's Town? YIKES), they ruined No Doubt (I will never forgive them for Rock Steady), they ruined U2 (Elevation and Vertigo are two of the worst songs ever), they ruined Green Day, and so many other bands. Yes I know its the goal of many young musicians to "make it big"... but when a band becomes so popular and pressed for endless tours and a new CD right-this-instant, then the magic the original fans fell in love with disappears, followed by a whispery wave of better times. I'm sorry, but I won't let another one of my favorite bands become mainstream.

The thing is, Arctic Monkeys aren't mainstream in America. They're recognized by the higher-ups of the international music community because they've been waved under their noses this whole damn year (STUPID MYSPACE! I hate you too. Myspace = MTV. Same fate.) and that's it. I'm glad they're recognized for their recently acquired musical talent (same cords, same drumbeats... trust me! at least, unlike other bands, they know how to mix it up a little) but just let the boys be boys. I don't think I would buy their second album if it came out in 2007. I'm sorry, but its a sign of upcoming failure if the band releases a new CD about a year to a year and a half after their first one. Especially since the boys have only been a band for three-four years. I know the band is working on a new CD already as they mentioned it in an email for the mailing list and I'm already disgusted. I couldn't bring myself to buy the CD because it will either a) be the same music as the first, or b) be so over-produced that I'll wish I never bought the CD and had downloaded it illegally instead... and if I had downloaded it, I would proceed to delete it off my computer and pretend I've never heard the album.

Here's what it comes down to: yay for the Arctic Monkeys for introducing a sound that slightly differs from the similar one radiating out of England right now... but, I like my British bands and I like it when people have no idea who I'm talking about. It makes me feel special. So... let them be nominated for stuff, but stop mentioning it on the website because I really don't want to know. I'll keep you my dirty little secret; who has to know?

One can tell a star is desperate for time in the after glow of flash bulbs when they start hanging out with Paris Hilton... I guess it was an agent deal come true when Paris and Britney Spears began stepping out together after Britney announced her divorce to mega-loser K-Fed. I understand this isn't riveting music news... but it's annoying music news, tabloid news, etc. Its all we hear about now! It was even discussed (well made fun of) on SNL by Amy Pohler on "Weekend Update" and also reported on MSNBC. Why in the world do we care?

Over-peroxide blonds gone wrong is all we hear about nowadays. Its disgusting what the world would rather pay attention to. Oup, Britney Spears is out with Paris Hilton! And le gasp, she's partying sans dessous! SCANDAL IN THE MALIBU BARBIE BEACH HOUSE! But in Iraq, a civil war is causing social unrest and unnecessary deaths; while in the United States a man stupider then K-Fed (yes, it could be possible), President Bush, denies a civil war exists. And just to make the story juicer, while Bush is covering his butt with both hands, ex-Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld is blowing the whistle by announcing "Whoops, things in Iraq are worse then we thought or ever wanted to mention to the American and International press. My bad!" Which report will Holly Housewife read first? Jeez, such a hard decision.

Its disgusting the press and paparazzi feel its important to follow Britney and Paris' every move. Who the heck cares. Who cares if Britney stopped working on her new album to get trashed with Paris. Its fine by me there is a distraction (besides her CHILDREN) to hold back the recording and producing of another awfully warbled CD. If Britney never releases another CD again, I'd be the happiest person in the world. In fact, I'd be even more delighted if Britney decided she was sick of the ever-scrutinizing paparazzi and tabloid press, packed away her blond extensions and lucky (never operating) mic and went home to Louisiana and we never heard from her again. One pop star down, forty-nine to go. (yeah and we can throw Paris in that total just for the heck of it)

The sanctity of music is disintegrating with every flash of a light bulb, reel of a drunken pop star stumbling, tabloid story of drug use and neglect, and falling album sale due to illegal MP3 downloading. Instead of asking where have all the cowboys gone, lets ask where has all the TALENT gone? Oh wait, let me answer that. They're hanging out at a bar with Paris Hilton. Or they're on the opposite side of the bar saying mean things about Paris Hilton and then we hear about a new Paris-*enter name here* cat-fight the next day. A-woo-hoo. If this turns up in Spin magazine, I'm going to throw up.

I'm not sure if anyone is aware of this, but Gwen Stefani has just released a new single and has a new album coming out December 5. Yeah, I'm shocked by the mere idea of another album full of disaster-ridden songs is being released under Gwen's name and using Gwen's-meant-for-ska voice. I'm kinda pissed off she had time to record this crap but not time to make a new album with No Doubt. I mean, they only announced on the No Doubt message board a few months ago that the boys were laying down some musical tracks and were waiting for Gwen to have her baby before they would work on the new album. But nooo... Gwen had better things to do, apparently.

The first single, "Wind it Up", is like a new dance-craze-infested version of "Hey Baby." (don't even get me started on that song) Will she ever release songs other than girls being hit on by guys?? Enough is enough with the club scene, man! I mean, woo-hoo for choosing a single and album title (The Sweet Escape) that has NOTHING to do with Japan, but still. Its crap. I love Gwen and think she is a talented singer (she YODELS at the beginning of the new single) and songwriter... but whatever thought possessed her brain to believe releasing another solo album was a good idea was desperately mis-formed.

I'm so disappointed in Gwen. She really tested the No Doubt fans when she released the first album. Actually, she probably lost a lot of them. I almost abandoned all hope when the first album was released. Sure I bought the special edition version because I thought the album was going to be good. "What You Waiting For" was a pretty strong first single. The album, however, was not. After listening to it a couple of times... hoping that one day the CD would magically contain songs of better content every time I pressed 'play' (and it didn't change)... I gave up. Now the CD sits among my CD collection, collecting dust and collecting shame... on my part for buying it and on Gwen's part for recording it.

Now the musical world will be stuck with a new album. An album that may be equally as disappointing as the first one... or maybe even worse. Sorry Gwen, but NO. In the words of the Barenaked Ladies, "Thanks that was fun... Gosh, that was dumb." I did listen to the new single once on her website and I believe my reaction was the un-hinging of my jaw as it endured an everlasting moment of a gasp-slack jaw combination. (the song is that long!) The song is horrible and horribly cheese-y. I mean, I like cheese, but only if its from Tilamook. And it gets worse, my friends. Grab another tissue as we wave "bye-bye" to the old Gwen as she has announced the new album is going to be infused with an insane amount of modern dance-type music. Yes that's right, it'll be chock full of even more sounds a normal song does not contain than in the previous album. Say it with me now: Yikes. I guess all the extra active hormones she had while being pregnant made her write and produce this "stuff" (I'll be gentle here) that will plague our radio waves for the next few months. All I have to say is: thank bob I don't listen to the radio... especially popular music/rap stations!

LONG LIVE PRE-'TRAGIC KINGDOM' NO DOUBT! I <3 'BEACON STREET'! Eric Stefani, where are you????? And Tony Kanal, you're supposed to help talk her DOWN from the tree of insanely bad ideas; not encourage her to climb higher! Shame on you. Thank you Adrian and Tom for heading for the hills. :D

Music. It's one simple word. Yes, it has many connotations and many different sub-fields. Unfortunately for those of us who have a higher level of expectation from our music (including a melody, the sound of many real, traditional instruments making up a composition, etc) we are appalled when people say rap is music.

Now lets all laugh for a few minutes now.

Crap is rap with a "C". N'est pas?? Rap is sound. It's generated sound. Okay, maybe it wasn't that way in the 1980s when the electronics of music hadn't yet evolved past the keyboard, keyitar, and sound board; thus making rap not as awfully computer generated as it is now. They may have had raps that made a little bit more sense in the 1980s and maybe into the early 1990s, but now? It's all about violence, girls, indecency, stupidity, drugs, cars, making up stupid new slang for body items such as TEETH, etc. What the HELL is so appealing about raps like that? And I refuse to title them songs because they are NOT songs. Rap is NOT music. It's is the anti-music. Music is like Newton's Three Laws of Motion, and rap is like saying those three laws don't exist and thus defy their relativity. I am ashamed to say I was born during the era when rap started. Actually, it wasn't rap then, it was hip-hop. (Whatever that is supposed to mean)

Did the oppression of the urban class cause this crap to be created? If that's so, rap should have started a long time ago during the turn of the twentieth century. "I grew up in the Bronx, yo." Yeah, well, poor Italian and Easter European immigrants grew up in the Bronx before you did--and they didn't even have fire escapes or bathrooms. UGH. And sorry, saying you come from the "hood" does not mean you should be some rap superstar, elevated to the status of the emancipator of your fellow urban-ites all because you "made it" in the rap world. Whatever. It's all about the right place at the right time. It's true that not everybody can rap and it does take a unique verbal styling to be considered a rapper, but once again, if this was created due to being lower class, well... this just proves our education system is horrible. TALK NORMAL! Jennifer Lopez can, why can't you??? Even if you catch P.Diddy off guard, he can talk normally! Jeez.

I have some very smart friends and you know what they listen to? Rap. Okay, not all of their choices in "sound" are rap. They do like a few good rock bands (and I have opened their eyes to a few of those, thank you very much) but nevertheless, these friends of mine listen to this abomination to all music kind. Okay, maybe it can't be an abomination to music as I do not consider rap music. I can give those who started the field a little credit for being musical, but not those who are in mainstream rap now. So what if Kanye West has a gospel choir sing back-up. That doesn't make it music. Kanye West's rapping may be a little bit more clean and little bit more clever, but still, that doesn't make him a musician. Pick up a guitar, play a ditty on the piano (not synthesizer!) and maybe we can call a truce. But rappers who can pick up a musical instrument and have coherent verses with some kind of musical tone to their voice can be considered a sub-field of a musician. Other than that... nein, nicht, non...

My rant about rap isn't over. Ohhh, I know you thought it was. I won't discuss the sub-culture that has evolved around rap (my god how did this happen)... but I will discuss another problem I have that is related to rap... Kevin Federline.

Yeah, bet you didn't see that one coming.

This man... ugh. Who told him he could rap? Did he keep trying to rap to his un-talented wife and she got so fed up with him, she mumbled something about him being good and he should try to make a living out of it, and he said "yippie, I will"? (as he isn't apt to do anything else--another reject of the American education system) Now he's going to be on Jay Leno. Oh... my... god. Whoever on the Jay Leno staff thought it was a good idea to book him as a "musical" guest must have been drunk when they made that decision. Jay Leno teases NBC so much about having a low amount of viewers... well, that show just dug it's own grave. Those who watch it... I pity you. I don't even want to watch it so I can have something to laugh at. Just the thought alone of this guy attempting to rap and act all like he's some big rap star makes me want to bust out laughing.

Ahh, the degradation of American music and tv. Who knew it was synonymous?

The hurricane of my imagination is spinning at full force... more so than ever. Heck, more so then this time last year. I think I finally figured out what I want to do with my life. This blog is aiding me along the path I hope to embark on. I want to be a music journalist. I want to listen to a gazillion bands--old and new, good and bad--and be involved in the underbelly of aspects of music and write about them. As I listen to the new Killers cd (I finally got it in the mail--woo!!) it makes me want to become involved in music even more. More and more and more and etc etc...

I know it's going to be hella hard to break my way into the business, but I'm going to try. Soon you will all hear my name. I'm going to be like the kid in "Almost Famous" except you'll know who I am for years and years. Who knows, in a few years I can be the new editor-in-chief of Spin magazine and it will be a much better magazine. (Though, I must give Spin props for tweaking things little by little, every month, for the better of their magazine. Except, when they put Panic! At the Disco on the front of October's issue... hello, it should have been the Killers! You only gave them a whole page for a CD review. You did that for the Raconteurs and they were on the cover as well, jeez. Am I bitter? Just a little.)

After I get my masters in journalism (or Holocaust Studies and then Journalism the semester after I'm done with the first degree...) I will be a force to reckon with in the music journalism world.

Oh...my...god. May I take this time to be a teenybopper? Okay then... (if you're not okay with it, please divert your eyes to the lower part of the journal...here goes... RUN AWaaaAAAAY!) ECCCHHHH!!!! I'm listening to the Leak of the Killers' new album! I love Brandon Flowers!!! I want to break up his marriage and marry him!!! *screams like a 14 year old while furiously flapping hands*

Ahem... Excuse me. I don't know what came over me. But really, I do love Brandon Flowers. My god, he is the hottest Mormon I have ever laid eyes on. Moving on... I am listening to the new Killers CD on MTV's the Leak. What do I think about it? Well, as a huge fan of the band who has not heard any new material from them in over a year, I have to keep my ears open and appreicate each song before I decide which ones I hate. As always, the songs have brilliant lyrics and brilliant compostion. However, the songs are all sounding EXACTLY alike so far... and I'm almost at the end. This album does not have the crazy fluctuations like their first album. Their first album was definitely more of a roller coaster ride. This album is like... a merry-go-round. Yeah, the horses go up and down a little bit, but the merry-go-round keeps going round and round on the same level. That is how I would describe the differences between each song. Am I disappointed? Yes, a little. I'm also a little disappointed that some songs have a Queen quality to them. And sometimes, Brandon sounds like Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace. I love his voice, but I love Brandon's because it's truly unique. He can belt it and he can sing softly. I love his voice in "Indie Rock and Roll" the best. I wouldn't mind if he sang like that to me every night. And speaking of that, his voice did lose the intensity that it used to have. I thought he toned it down only for "When You Were Young", but that's not the case... I am truly disappointed.

But will I buy the album? Yes. I love the Killers and I will learn to love a few of the songs. I wish they would have put "Where is She?"/"Soft Surrender" and another one they sang at the concert last year on the album, but nope... Too bad too because those songs were GOOD. They were intense and way deep, musically and lyrically. I thought those songs were characterizing their new album (as Brandon said they were) but then they went in an opposite direction. It threw me off course. But not enough to make me not buy their new album. Oh well, at least I have live verisons of those songs... but shh, don't tell anyone.

Did anyone read recently what Brandon Flowers had to say? I doubt anyone has... but I stumbled upon comments recently made by the front-man of the Killers. As I was surfing Spin.com a week or so ago, a blazing hyperlink on the main page spoke of Brandon's apologies to bands he's made fun of.

Now wait a minute... I thought no one cared that he dissed Fall Out Boy, the Bravery, and Panic! At the Disco. I know I didn't care. I was pretty much sarcastically spitting out the same jokes he was. He just happens to be in the spotlight, so his message was heard. If his put-downs were heard by the entire fan base of the Killers, Fall Out Boy, Panic! At the Disco, or the Bravery; I'm not sure. I wasn't aware Mr. Flowers took a swing at Panic! At the Disco. It must have been recently, obviously, as the band just became "popular." I hate Panic! At the Disco and Fall Out Boy as much as the next indie music fan does; so by all means Mr. Flowers, swing your verbal bat.

I don't believe Brandon needed to retract his comments. Rock music wouldn't be the same if bands didn't diss each other in private or publicly. Maybe he'll learn this time to keep his remarks to his own thoughts or between his friends. It's not wise to make such harsh remarks about bands (especially fellow label mates) in public, true, but it's not like the comments hurt the Killers' popularity or those of the bands he dislikes. Yes, some of my friends (the few who heard about his comments) think it was wrong he made the comments. They believe he had no place to say such things out loud. Yes, I believe so too; however, it's freedom of speech and he was exercising his right.

All Mr. Flowers needs to do in the future to prevent such boo-boos is to learn to keep his comments away from a press junkie's tape recorder and he'll be all set.

I'm embarrassed to say that I subscribe to Spin Magazine. Why the embarrassment?... Well, it's a little thing called: they re-vamped the magazine into the worse rock music magazine in the world. I thought they were losing their touch about the May 2006 issue when they spotlighted Kayne West and K. Fed (yes, it's true) for articles. I didn't know Spin was a sell-out magazine that wanted to report the like, on-goings of non-rock losers! *note sarcasm* Okay, maybe Kayne is a genius in the rap field (this is based on pure speculation alone), but K. Fed??? I didn't know Spin became his lackey for positive press. The thought of an article about him sitting in between the pages of real rock reporting sends shivers down my spine. Another reason I knew Spin lost it was when they began a sex column ran by some alt-porn freak. There is no need for a sex column in a rock magazine. That's what Playboy is for. Let the experts take care of that.

I never suspected a re-vamp until June came along...

At first, the new issue seemed harmless. The Raconteurs were on the front cover! I happen to like them, thank you very much. As I flipped through the beginning pages of the magazine, I was filled with impending doom. The tip that gave the re-vamp away was obviously the letter from the editor. I seethed as I read the short passage. Another lame-ass excuse for what happened to the magazine's general layout and purpose. No longer were there reviews of concerts or certain musical events. No longer was there a large amount of smaller articles about other bands not featured on the cover. What I found was an article about the 1968 nuclear plant explosion in Ukraine and it's current after-effects. Yes, it is a sad story and was well-written, but... not for a music magazine. The article about the Raconteurs was disappointing. Of course, they only interviewed Jack White. I was bored by the end of the article. The pages where CD reviews lied now took up, what seemed to be, hundreds of pages. I like reviews, don't get me wrong, but when they include reviews about Jewel and other pop stars, I get cranky.

I was even further disappointed when the July issue came. On the front cover was none other than... BEYONCE?!?! The main feature of this issue was the hottest 25 stars under 25. Uhh, sorry. I didn't know I was subscribing to Teen People. My mistake. I can only forgive this feature article because they listed Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys at number 10. I still hold a grudge, though. I'm wasting money to receive a magazine like this in my mailbox each month. Now the magazine is turning me into a *shutters* teenybopper. I cut the picture of Alex out! It's on my wall! And I cut one out from the June magazine too when they mentioned their tour with We Are Scientists! I'm so ashamed. I blame Spin for this new little habit of mine. The only other good part about the issue was the tiny blurb from Brandon Flowers about the Killers' up-coming release (Oct 4th!) and a city guide to hot spots in Seattle, WA. They tried to keep the guide related to music, so I can applaud them for that. Whatever else was included in the magazine was not memorable, so I will not mention it.

I am thoroughly upset with Spin Magazine. I know it's somewhat of an embarrassment to say I read Spin Magazine altogether as there are many other great choices for music magazines (such as Alternative Press). Spin happens to be the mainstream of the music magazines. I guess their marketing team realized they needed to have a little something for everybody or they were going to lose their reader base. They might lose it now anyway due to this re-vamp. I can and cannot blame them. The marketing crew realized the music scene is changing; however, that doesn't mean they have to go with the flow. There are enough magazines out in the world to represent the mixed music lovers crowd. What will happen next? Alternative Press will envelop country and pop cross overs? Guitar magazines will talk about drums and tambourines? It's just too much to think about... TOO MUCH!

The funny thing is, if one were to glance upon Spin.com, it is a much better representation of reporting rock music news to the masses. They have good updates about our favorite bands while showcasing reviews and blurbs about lesser known bands throughout the main page and overall website. If they could make their website into a paper mag twin, I would be all over it. Their alliance with Domino Records to create the Riot Van contest for the Arctic Monkeys was also pure genius; however, only the website showcases the reviews. I wonder if the overall winner will be printed in an up-coming edition of Spin? That would be an awesome thing to write home to the parents about.

My overall opinion of Spin is yes, that of resentment and disgust. Nevertheless, I will read it as long as I'm paying for it. If I happen to see an interesting cover while at the airport gift shop or during downtime at the university library, I will buy it. No one likes change, but if it sells; it sells.

Ahhh, concerts. I'm a big fan. Love 'em to pieces. I recently was lucky enough to attend the Arctic Monkeys/We Are Scientists show in Tempe, AZ on June 4, 2006. Domino Records and Spin.com co-hosted a contest on the Arctic Monkeys' tour page, theriotvan.com, titled "So You Want to Be a Rock Critic?" in which people enter a picture or a review per concert date. I, of course, entered. Lo and behold, the Tempe winner was never picked (it was between me and another person) because a picture of our show was never submitted. Say it with me now: "whattt???" It was totally unfair. I could over-shadow the purpose of this entry by complaning about Spin, but I'll save that for another blog. I would like to share the should-have won review I authored. Enjoy.

Upon the acceleration of my car towards the Marquee Theater on that wonderful Sunday night, excitement of attending another rock concert rushed through my veins. I was not attending just any old concert given by any old American band... I was going to see the Arctic Monkeys... and they hailed from England; a country that has produced some of the most awesome waves of music from the Beatles, to Oasis, and now to the Arctic Monkeys.

I am afraid to admit I do not know much about the Arctic Monkeys. I couldn't tell you their names, ages, or states of health. I can tell you they're from working-class England and they have produced one of the best CDs of 2005/2006. In England and in Europe (and more so now in the US), these musicians are God. They have reiterated the sounds that are crossing the continents at the present time, fused them together, and created a feel-good beat that makes you want to dance...and then wonder why the hell you're literally dancing to rock music.

As I stood in line under the Arizona heat, I took an opportunity to glance around at the crowd. I was waiting for the chicks in over-done hair and high heels to show up, but they never did. I noticed there were many young teens in the line, dressed up in punk and indie clothing styles to the best of their ability. I also noticed that most of the guys were mid-twenties with no actual "scene" and dressed in England soccer jerseys. I stifled a laugh as the boys most likely only bought them to show their devotion to the band's country of origin.

Let's get on to the show. I managed to make my way up to the front, hanging over the security grate that separated me from the stage…such a sad separation. The opening band, We Are Scientists, performed so superbly that I almost forgot Arctic Monkeys had yet to perform. The audience was provided with silly information from Chris, the bass player, about the Arctic Monkey's on-stage behavior. He told us to be aware of their likeliness to remove their pants. Most of the girls, including myself, responded with a teenybopper scream. Sadly, we would come to find out the boys of Arctic Monkeys were not going to remove their pants... no matter how many times we asked.

After We Are Scientist left the stage, my friends and I anxiously awaited the Arctic Monkeys' set. We sipped our beer, mixed drinks, and water as the crowd began to push up closer behind us. We staked out our spots because we were to become the paparazzi of the crowd and needed our prime location to snap perfect pictures of our favorite band. The lights finally dimmed... one row at a time. I then snickered to myself, remembering I had seen the Killers at the same venue a year ago with the same light tricks. They played "Viva Las Vegas" before they arrived on stage and I waited to see what song Arctic Monkeys would play before taking the stage. Without surprise, they played the England national anthem. With baited breath, I clutched my camera like a teenybopper waiting for 'NSYNC as the band took the stage. Screaming imploded around my ears. I glanced back at my friend and she was hysterical--literally. She looked as if she was going to cry and scream "OH MY GOD" thousands of times, extremely fast. Ah, the love of music had successfully brought another fan to its knees... a twenty-three year old punk rocker, nonetheless.

The opening cords of "Riot Van" filled our ears and more screams responded. I expected them to open up with something more up beat, but they successfully used the song as introduction to the musical journey the crowd was about to embark on with the band. They successfully transitioned into album opener, "The View from the Afternoon," and excitement raged through my bones. I immediately forgot who I was and all my worries and rocked out. I must have looked like an incredibly ridiculous person, but I didn't care. I was there to rock out and who cannot rock out to that song?! Every point of the concert was planned out to transition into another song or to stop in order for the band to tune and talk to the crowd. Never once was I left hanging, waiting for what the next cords might be. And never once was I disappointed at the execution of a song. The boys played their beloved collection tightly and playfully.

When the boys looked out into the crowd, they must have been filled with accomplishment. Not one person was standing with their arms crossed, looking sour. We were all rocking out, bopping our heads, dancing, and singing along. Even my sister (who had little knowledge of the band's music) rocked out too. It was a feel-good show, damn it!

Before I went into the show, I was a little afraid what the band would sound like live. Would the band that was popular prior to being signed to a major label actually produce a good live show? The answer was yes. They played their whole album and few songs off their EP and managed to sound just as clean as their CD. The energy that radiated off the band was like a disease. If people in the audience didn't catch it, they should have been kicked out. Their musical stylings ripped through their instruments and throats and infused the ears of those listening with ease. The band played so well together, I'm ready to quit college and devote my life to catching every concert of theirs in order to witness their musical chemistry every night of my life.

The best part of the night for me was not only experiencing the awesome song transitions or the times when they spoke (I couldn't understand a word they said, but yet they were still hot), but when they played "Fake Tales of San Francisco." I waited the whole show to hear it and they played it as one of their last three songs. It was just the kind of song the audience needed to pick them back up again. The song proved the band had enough energy left to make the last few songs as exciting as the first few songs... and the audience stayed with them the whole way though.

When they left the stage, I felt like a two year old whose lolly was stolen by some big bad bully. I had the sugar rush and it was sweet--then I crashed. The momentum they built up with their set was effectively done, but then they ended and I still wanted more. No one can prepare themselves mentally for the end of a rocking concert. I wish the show would have lasted forever, but that can never happen. All I can say is that I'm glad I got to enjoy that rush for the hour and so-odd minutes they were on stage. They rocked my socks off and I will sit here, anxiously awaiting their return to the desert of Arizona.