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Samuel Seward

SEWARD: Punk's political divide

The first seconds of "The Shape Of Punk To Come," the seminal 1998 album by Swedish hardcore-punk band Refused, offer little comfort.2 hours ago

SEWARD: Guns, drugs, gonzos: Hunter S. Thompson retrospective

"We can't stop here. This is bat country." The opening salvo to the 1998 film adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's novel "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" previews the drugged-out depravity yet to come as Johnny Depp, playing Thompson's Roman á clef Raoul Duke, advises his lawyer, Dr. Gonzo, against picking up a hitchhiker due to his hallucinations of bats caused by a large dose of LSD. Nov 12

SEWARD: On election stress

I currently intern for Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy of the 14th Legislative District, who happens to use Microsoft Edge. I only mention this because every time I open a new tab on the browser, I am greeted with conflicting articles about the election, courtesy of Microsoft Network.Oct 29

SEWARD: Eno: Reclamation of individualism

The documentary "Eno" begins with an interview conducted with the musical icon about the thought process behind his music. A very failure-based thought process, contradictory to perceptions about creatives such as himself.Oct 15

THE JOUST: Can national popular vote interstate compact fix electoral college?

In The Joust, witness two opinions columnists have a battle of ideas: one defends the affirmative, and the other writes the opposition. Be sure to read to see who will win The Joust!Oct 1

SEWARD: Prodigal son — reflections on Jeff Buckley

Our society has a pre-eminent fascination with celebrities.Dec 7

SEWARD: Seeing what cannot be seen, The Flaming Lips' bizarre risk-taking

The Flaming Lips were not meant to be alt-rock superstars. Formed in Oklahoma City in 1983, they chugged in the underground for several years, developing a noisy and psychedelic yet hook-driven sound.Nov 22 2023

SEWARD: Indie rock serves as important platform for queer community

It is hard to imagine now, but R.E.M. — more commonly known as your father's favorite band — was merely an underground, rather than a national, sensation. Releases such as "Chronic Town," "Murmur" and "Reckoning" became college radio station favorites, with listeners adoring Peter Buck's arpeggiated guitar lines, Mike Mills' melodic bass, Bill Berry's insistent yet reserved drum patterns and Michael Stipe's impenetrable, and occasionally incomprehensible, poetic lyricism.Nov 8 2023

SEWARD: Power pop music genre remains underappreciated

As a genre name, power pop seems like it would have a significant amount of commercial appeal. It incorporates a powerful duo of pop hooks combined with rock instrumentation, placing it distinctively in the center of the rock and pop listener Venn diagram. This would especially translate today, given that numerous rock bands explore several genres, like, for example, Imagine Dragons.Oct 25 2023

SEWARD: Overcoming one's self-doubt in another's spotlight

The "George Harrison" of any musical group is defined as an underrated member of the band while still having the ability to release quality music as a solo artist like Harrison did himself, apart from The Beatles.Oct 11 2023

SEWARD: Why we should not idolize tortured artists' lives

Music and mental health go hand in hand. Countless people have cited music as a form of therapy — an escape from the brutal circumstances they find themselves in. Music provides hope, a way forward for the listener to a better future, along with comfort in the knowledge that the musicians we idolize experience the same emotions as us.Sep 27 2023

SEWARD: What we can learn from Beat Generation in 21st century

The Beat Generation: Once considered a menace to society, it is now remembered as one of the most famous writing eras in history, rivaling the Socrates School and Stratford-on-Odeon, among others.Sep 13 2023