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^{BRUCESPRINGS TEEN& WINBUTLER WU-TANGCLAN MAYNA}R^DJAMES^KEENAN^’SPUSCIFER BETHDIT TO EMOVOICE

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A^RCADE F^IRE’S

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Win Butler
Bruce Springsteen

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The Conversation

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ON THE EARLY DAYS, THE GLORY DAYS, AND THE END OF DAYS

SPIN.COMDECEMBER2007

By Steve Kandell

PHOTOGRAPHSBYBEN WATTS

For exclusive b^ehind-the^- scenes video, log on to spin.com/ decemberco^ver

Arms and the men: Bruce Springsteen and Win Butler

Only on SPIN.com!
The Importance
of Being Bruce
I never thought Bruce

Richard Edwards and Erik Kang of Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s

Springsteen was cool,

>WHO’S NEXT?

mostly because my parents like him. After seeing him

on your cover with Win

Butler [“The Feeling’s Mutual,” December], I

Get to know the fresh faces in this month’s “Who’s Next?” feature by checking out electrifying live performances from the likes of Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s, Duffy, and Santogold. spin.com/whosnext08

have a lot more respect for
him. Anybody who teams
up with the best band on
the planet to rip through
“Keep the Car Running”
is all right with me.

>THIS IS WHY THEY’RE HOT Watch our exclusive video interview with British dance-rock phenoms Hot Chip and get the scoop on their awesome thrift-store threads and their new album, Made in the Dark. spin.com/hotchip

CYNTHIA SANDERS BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN

Despite the fact that he’s a lot older and a lot richer, it’s great to see that Bruce Springsteen still seems like the same guy who came out of Jersey in the ’70s. I’ve been a fan since Born to Run, and it’s because Bruce has never let anything go to his head. That guy from Arcade Fire couldn’t have picked a better role model.

GEORGE POY THRESS STEARNS, MINNESOTA

bubblegum hip-hop. Also, give their second record, Wu-Tang Forever, its much deserved due as one of the best hip-hop albums ever.

KALEB WINN

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA

If these singers are really bowing at the feet of Freddie Mercury, what have they learned? Mercury’s voice was large and varied, while most of these guys have five notes at their disposal.

DONALD SCOT T

LEVITTOWN, NEW YORK

Wu-Hoo! I loved the excellent overview of the Wu-Tang Clan’s body of work [“Across the Wuniverse,” December]. In a genre where most everything is disposable, it’s incredible that the Clan has built up such a strong résumé, both as individuals and as a collective. Your record guide made my Christmas shopping much easier.

MICHAEL ULLMAN HOBBS, NE W MEXICO

Emo Sapiens I wish I could give David Peisner a great big hug. His “Whine of the Times” [December] perfectly outlined the lack of creativity and originality among the bands of my generation. It’s weird how, at 17, I have to look to the ’60s and ’70s for a different voice. It’s easy to tell Ozzy from Robert Plant, but can anybody tell Gerard Way from Dustin Kensrue sight unseen?

MEGAN TERNES CHARLOT TE, NORTH CAROLINA

Corrections The names of Wu-Tang Clan members got scrambled in a photo caption (December, page 92). The rapper labeled ODB is Cappadonna. Masta Killa was misidentified as Inspectah Deck, GZA was misidentified as Masta Killa, and Inspectah Deck was misidentified as GZA.

>HARDER, BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER

Spin.com has been rebuilt from the ground up. Find your favorite bands in our new artist directory, read editors’ blogs, watch loads of on-demand video clips, and browse scores of features and reviews in our archives!

>MORE MOULD

Our video crew caught up with this month’s Spin Interview subject, Bob Mould, at Manhattan’s HighLine Ballroom right before his DJ set at the party he calls Blowoff. Check out what the punk legend had to say. spin.com/bobmould

“Artists’ Faves” (January) ran with no byline. The credit should have read: Compiled by Ely Delman, Peter Gaston, Kayleigh Horvath, Kyle McGovern, and MacKenzie Wilson.

The SPIN.com Poll

If you are going to cover the Wu-Tang Clan, at least explain further why these nine MCs are still important in an increasingly disappointing world of

When a band is practicing in a basement or garage with a cheap PA and no monitors, often the only way the singer can make himself heard is by putting his voice in a register that’s far from the rumbling of the bass and drums. After that, “emo voice” just becomes a habit. It’s no more excusable, though.

GREG GLASGOW

BOULDER, COLORADO

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Which of these “Who’s Next?” stars will become the biggest sensation?

A Black Tide B B.O.B.

C Chester French D Duffy

E Margot & the Nuclear
So and So’s
F Jay Reatard
G Santogold
H The Wombats
Cast your vote at SPIN.com!

FROM LEF T: BEN WAT TS; ERIC NOWELS