Spring Break
Entertainment Mailbox: Student criticizes Brand New review
Issue date: 3/12/09 Section: Entertainment
03/12/09 - To the Cigar,
I am writing this letter in regards to the review of the Brand New concert that was held on Thursday, March 5, in the Ryan Center. As a member of the Student Entertainment Committee, I was saddened to hear that Libby Segal had such a horrible time at the show, but was even more hurt by her misrepresentation of the band and the more than 3,000 other people in attendance. I would like to address a few key issues in her article.
First, there were no technical difficulties at any point to my knowledge. Perhaps Ms. Segal does not normally listen to this type of music or go to this type of show, but distortion and imperfection are pretty commonplace and usually on purpose. Also, in regards to the comment that the lighting was "dull," I know I did not go to the show to be wowed by flashy lights, and I can almost guarantee you every other Brand New fan felt the same. I agree, the lighting could have been better at times, but it was not the most important part of the show.
Secondly, Ms. Segal's comment about the lyrics seeming like "annoying distracting sound added to instruments" was borderline rude. The band is famous for its lyrics and singer Jesse Lacey's often poor enunciation of them. Almost the entire audience sang along with them and if Segal could not make them out as Lacey sang, she could have just listened to the thousands of people around her. As far as the negative reference to Lacey's "screamo ballads," these moments are present in songs on the CDs as well as live, and many fans would agree the songs would not be the same without them.
Thirdly, the idea that Lacey or the rest of the band lost the crowd's attention at any time is puzzling. From where I was on the floor, everyone I could see was actively engaged in the performance. This is no small feat considering it lasted over an hour. I am not sure where Ms. Segal was sitting that she saw such a lack of enthusiasm because everyone I saw on the floor and the first two levels were on their feet the entire time.
I am writing this letter in regards to the review of the Brand New concert that was held on Thursday, March 5, in the Ryan Center. As a member of the Student Entertainment Committee, I was saddened to hear that Libby Segal had such a horrible time at the show, but was even more hurt by her misrepresentation of the band and the more than 3,000 other people in attendance. I would like to address a few key issues in her article.
First, there were no technical difficulties at any point to my knowledge. Perhaps Ms. Segal does not normally listen to this type of music or go to this type of show, but distortion and imperfection are pretty commonplace and usually on purpose. Also, in regards to the comment that the lighting was "dull," I know I did not go to the show to be wowed by flashy lights, and I can almost guarantee you every other Brand New fan felt the same. I agree, the lighting could have been better at times, but it was not the most important part of the show.
Secondly, Ms. Segal's comment about the lyrics seeming like "annoying distracting sound added to instruments" was borderline rude. The band is famous for its lyrics and singer Jesse Lacey's often poor enunciation of them. Almost the entire audience sang along with them and if Segal could not make them out as Lacey sang, she could have just listened to the thousands of people around her. As far as the negative reference to Lacey's "screamo ballads," these moments are present in songs on the CDs as well as live, and many fans would agree the songs would not be the same without them.
Thirdly, the idea that Lacey or the rest of the band lost the crowd's attention at any time is puzzling. From where I was on the floor, everyone I could see was actively engaged in the performance. This is no small feat considering it lasted over an hour. I am not sure where Ms. Segal was sitting that she saw such a lack of enthusiasm because everyone I saw on the floor and the first two levels were on their feet the entire time.
