FEEDBACK@SPIN.COM

SANTOGOLD MADONNA DIRECTS MODELS AND MODELIZERS GIRLTALK RARARIOT TVONTHERADIO

Only on SPIN.com!

KINGSOFLEON>OFMONTREAL>ANVIL>NOELGALLAGHER>SANTOGOLD>ELECTIONSPECIAL MYSPACE.COM/SPINMAGAZINEOCTOBER2008

“WE’RE AN

AMERICAN

BAND!”

A
N
V
I
L
THE
BIZARRE
STORY
OF THE
REAL–
LIFE
SPINAL
TAP
E
L
E
C
T
I
L
E
D
Y
S
F
U
N
C
T
I
O
N
MUSIC
AND
POLITICS
MAKE
STRANGE
BEDFELLOWS
SPIN.COM^>GOBEHINDTHESCENESOFTHISPHOTOSHOOT

KINGS
OF
LEON

THEY’RE

ROCK ROYALTY

IN THE U.K.

ARE THEY ABOUT TO

RULE HERE?

B

Y

D

A

V

I

D

P E I S N E R

PHOTOGRAPHS BY YELENA YEMCHUK

N

O

E

L

G

A

L
L
A
G
H
E
R
“I’VE ONLY
TRIED TO
KILL MY
BROTHER
ONCE!”
O
F
M
O

N T R E A L GLAM ROCK ON A BUDGET

The Royal We
I truly appreciate that Spin
has stood behind Kings
of Leon for their new
album. The free “Crawl”
download, more news
than usual on SPIN.com,
and now the October
cover? It makes me proud
to call Spin “the Bible.”
It’s kind of sickening
how this born-and-bred
American band can hardly
get air- or face time in their
own country. Hopefully,
that will change.
EIRA KARINA
MAR TINSVILLE, VIRGINIA
Kings of Leon: So
down-home they
prefer a farmer’s tan
>MORE M.I.A.!
Go behind the scenes of our
photo shoot with this issue’s
cover girl, who brings her
innovative edge and singular
style to our exclusive video
footage. Plus, see more photos.
spin.com/mia-video
laughing so hard reading an interview.
Big fucking kudos to Noel Gallagher
of Oasis for his honesty and self-
deprecating humor in his conversation
with Michael Odell [“The Spin Inter-
view,” October]. He doesn’t sound like
a spoiled rock star obsessed with drugs,
hit singles, getting laid, or getting richer.
Surprisingly, he seems like a centered
man who has finally recognized what’s
important to him: his children, his
girlfriend, and even his brother Liam.
PAUL EAGLE
BALTIMORE
from the ’90s that had a few hit songs.
Thom Yorke has more musical talent in
his pinkie than Noel Gallagher ever will.
Reality check, Noel: No one gives a shit.
EDWARD McLAUGHLIN
PHILADELPHIA
>I WANT MY MP3s

We’re premiering brand-new music

every day, unveiling exclusives from

the likes of the Bronx, Minus the

Bear, Marilyn Manson, the Ting

Tings, and many others. Just log on

and rock out.

spin.com/mp3

The White Stuff
October’s article about white rappers
[“Rap’s Great White Hopes”] states:
“Other than rap-rock hybrids like Kid
Rock and Everlast, Eminem and Paul
Wall are the only white rappers to go
platinum in the past 15 years.” Actually,
the RIAA certified the Beastie Boys’
To the 5 Boroughs platinum on July 7,
2004, according to Billboard.com.
BRIAN VALENCIA
PORTLAND, OREGON

Strange Brew
Thank you for the terrific article on Of
Montreal [“Welcome to Normaltown,”
October]. I believe that Kevin Barnes is
one of the great eccentric geniuses in
music today. Where else can you hear
post-Prince/disco/new-wave songs
as self-referential commentary on the
indie-rock scene? Barnes is bizarre
and inspired—and he’s exactly what
rock needs in the era of American Idol.
JASON REEHER
GROVE CITY, PENNSYLVANIA
>EDITORS’ BLOGS—
NOW DAILY!

Our staffers weigh in on subjects as

diverse as Gossip Girl, MGMT

remixes, regrettable jam-band

legacies, stage-diving etiquette,

and much, much more.

spin.com/editors-blog

Noel Gallagher is one of the best
interviews because he says it like it is
and never holds back. Oasis are such a
great band—I hope you’ll put them on
the cover in the near future.
STEVE BROWN
BOSTON

>NEW MUSIC TUESDAYS Every Tuesday, get our breakdown of the most essential new releases of the week, complete with album reviews and song samples. Know what you’re getting before you buy. spin.com/available-today

The SPIN.com Poll
Oasis or Mirage?
In the 20 years I’ve been a Spin
subscriber, I can’t remember ever

Regarding your interview with Noel Gallagher: I don’t know why anybody gives this sad individual any press at all. Oasis are, at best, mediocre and will only be remembered as a band

Correction A review of Termanology’s Politics as Usual (October) was incorrectly attributed to Mosi Reeves. The review was written by Will Dukes.

FROM OUR CONTRIBUTORS

In The Alcoholic (Vertigo), his collaboration with artist Dean Haspiel, Jonathan Ames tells the heartbreaking and funny story of a troubled soul named Jonathan A. (Anyone we know?) … New York–based shoegazers Springhouse, featuring writer Jack Rabid on drums, have released their first album in 15 years, From Now to OK … Writer Brian Raftery takes a personal look at the sing-along phenomenon in Don’t Stop Believin’: How Karaoke Conquered the World and Saved My Life (Da Capo).

CON TAC T US Go to spin.com/ community/letters, e-mail feedback@ spin.com, or mail us at Spin, 205 Lexington Ave., Third Floor, New York, NY 10016 Please include your full name, mailing address, and phone number for verification. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

GET SPIN BACK ISSUES Cite the issue by month and year, include your address, and send credit card info, check, or money order for $10 to: ISI-SPIN, 30 Montgomery St., Jersey City, NJ 07302. Please allow four to six weeks for delivery. You can also call 800-274-7597.

This month’s Inquisition (page 44) features Scott Weiland, who spent the summer fronting Stone Temple Pilots but is now focusing on his own new album. Which of these frontmen is the strongest as a solo artist?

A Chris Cornell
B Rivers Cuomo
C Eddie Vedder
D Scott Weiland
E Thom Yorke
F Serj Tankian

Cast your vote at SPIN.com!

FROM LEF T: YELENA YEMCHUK; CALVIN SHREDZ WATER