Corey Janssen

New Best Friends

admin — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:31:00 +0000

When first hearing Mansions’ sound, a rare and unlikely mutation of early Death Cab for Cutie and standard emo rock band hybrid creeps to mind. While this description may not seem to be the most flattering of statements, the emotionally heartfelt beats that make up the majority of New Best Friends are difficult to describe as anything else.

None of the album’s tracks veer off the pre-charted indie rock aesthetic, but this is one of the rare cases that this works in a band’s favor. There is a kind of comfort in knowing that all twelve of the album’s tracks will adhere to certain expectations. It is a rare band that can take lyrics that barely skim the surface of depth and create something that manages to seep into the brain of the listener. For instance, phrases like “You met him at a party. He was a hot Australian. All you wanted was to fuck his accent” (from “Por Favor is Spanish”) have the annoyingly wonderful ability to glue themselves into the brain of the listener.

While all of the tracks on New Best Friends are catchy, the standouts are “Curacao Blue” and “All Eyes on You.” Both songs explore a deeper and more nuanced world than their album-mates, and both have the staying power to hold up on subsequent listens. The simplicity within these tracks is refreshing; in a world flooded with over-produced anthems, this band manages to maintain a listener’s interest while still retaining a sense of self. “Curacao Blue” in particular exudes a vibe that is simultaneously rough around the edges and yet still somehow delicate.

Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of Mansions’ latest album is the bonus MP3 CD included. The bonus is jammed with thirty eight tracks, mostly demos and remixes, but definitely worth your time. Who knows, after listening to New Best Friends, you may have a new band to be BFFs with.

Written by: Corey Janssen, September 8th 2009

Bitchin' Bodies: Young Women Talk About Body Dissatisfaction

admin — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:12:00 +0000

By Terri L. Russ

StepSister Press

Another day, another book exploring women and their bodies is published. The media is saturated with literature surrounding the female figure—just take a look inside any Barnes and Noble and prepare to be overwhelmed. And sure, we've read them all, so what could possibly be so appealing about Bitchin' Bodies? How can an author tread ground that is already so well-worn? Is this book even worth bothering with? The answer may surprise you.

Bitchin' Bodies explores the various mindsets and struggles of young women with ease. Terri Russ, the author, writes with remarkable clarity that informs without coming across clinical. To put it frankly, Russ makes a topic that has become borderline trite feel fresh. It is almost impossible not to devour this book.

Through interviews with numerous college-aged women, Russ illustrates the issues that impact the thinking of nearly every women in today's culture. Every chapter focuses on a different aspect of body dissatisfaction, from internal food struggles to the effects of the male gaze on the female perspective. Each page is like a reflection of the reader's private thoughts, as if Russ has identified an interview technique illuminating the trends in the collective mind of the 18-24 female demographic.

Even the appendixes offer helpful activities designed to help the reader develop a more positive body image through personal reflection and journaling. While the initial idea of Bitchin' Bodies may present itself as lackluster, sitting down with this book is probably one of the best literature-based decisions a woman (or man) can make. I know this text will be a staple on my bookshelf for years to come.

Written by: Corey Janssen, March 20th 2009

The Pet-Moving Handbook: Maximize Your Pet's Well-Being And Maintain Your Sanity

admin — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:38:00 +0000

By Carrie Straub

First Books

In today’s bookstore, finding a barebones look at anything can be a rarity. But if you’re considering relocating sometime in the next year and plan on taking anything from a fish to a flock of cats, it would be wise to consider investing in The Pet-Moving Handbook. At fewer than sixty pages, the guide is straightforward and frill-free in a field so often overrun with all things precious. The book offers basic, but commonly overlooked advice, covering topics from pre-move nutrition, budget considerations and finding a new veterinarian, among many other basic areas.

However, if you are easily upset by tales of animals lost or worse, it might be wise to skip over the vignettes sharing personal experiences of those who have experienced a move with a pet. Since a basic “We packed, we moved, the dog and ferret were fine” is not exactly titillating or educating, the real life tidbits offered here tend to stay on the darker side of things. In other words, I came away depressed and pretty much convinced that my Basset hounds are never leaving the house, much less the country.

The Pet-Moving Handbook, on the whole, is an essential guide for anyone wanting to find a new home with a furry companion, whether moving across the ocean or across the street. Practically any question you may have about relocation and animals is answered. I know, this seems unbelievable considering the size of the text, but somehow Straub manages to pack the book full of useful facts. Priced at under $10, the handbook really is a must-have investment for a pet owner. But trust me on the vignettes—those are only for the brave, the heartless, or the apathetic.

Written by: Corey Janssen, November 19th 2007

Venus Zine (Spring 2007)

admin — Fri, 04 May 2007 12:00:00 +0000

Edited by Amy Schroeder

Venus has come a long way from its inception more than a decade ago. In its current form, it bears little resemblance to the average zine. Instead, Venus is a refreshingly sophisticated publication — glossy enough to tempt more mainstream consumers into giving the pages a once-over, while still maintaining a feminist perspective.

The latest issue is packed full of everything one might expect from a woman-centric publication, sans skeletal models and hetero-focused sex tips. Coverage of and interviews with musical acts are extensive in Venus, so if you're looking for a zine that seamlessly blends fashion, DIY culture, music and more, you're in the right place. Even the half-page blurbs on various products and services are more meaty than those of a "traditional" woman's magazine. I was able to find figure-fitting jeans and learn about alternative fuels in the span of a few pages.

While Venus' DIY section was definitely the most fulfilling read (the punk rock yoga techniques actually worked), the other features excelled in their own way. An article centered around Canadian singer-songwriter Feist was compelling, but in terms of what deserved the most front page hype, the five-page exploration of Myspace "e-famers" is definitely worth the cover price.

For those who remember the late Sassy magazine of the 80s/early 90s, there is in-depth coverage of a new book How Sassy Changed My Life, and even an interview with Christina Kelly — known as one of the biggest tastemakers of the former magazine. All in all, Venus is a reasonably well-balanced creation, managing never to linger too long on any particular topic, but still delivering the insight one might expect from a zine aimed at modern feminists. The Spring 2007 issue is on the newsstands until June 1, 2007.

Written by: Corey Janssen, May 4th 2007