The Summer Set

The Summer Set

Love Like This

The Militia Group, 2009

ASIN B002MXA7PG

4 (out of 5) STARS

Plot summary

1- The Boys You Do

2-Punch-Drunk Love

3-Chelsea

4-Young

5-Take it Slow

6-Can you Find Me?

7-Love like This

8-Girls Freak Me Out

9-This is How We Live

10-Where Are You Now

Critical Analysis

This is a great group! They are a bit off the beaten path and not very well known. I guess they sound a bit like any other rock band coming out right now, but still enjoyable. They sing about all the normal teenage stuff; love, friendship, etc.

Reader's Annotation

N/A

Information about the artists

Co-founded by brothers John and Stephen Gomez, the Summer Set took shape in 2007 in Scottsdale, AZ. The Gomez siblings rounded out their lineup with guitarist John Montgomery, drummer Jess Bowen, and vocalist Brian Dales, and the teenagers chose their band's name after opening an atlas and happening upon the town of Somerset, NJ. Despite the East Coast reference, Arizona proved to be the Summer Set's muse, and the group took inspiration from such local acts as Jimmy Eat World and the Format while composing its own emo-pop songs. After gathering a modest audience on MySpace, the Summer Set began playing local shows and issuing several EPs while still in high school, eventually signing with Razor & Tie shortly after graduation. Released in 2009, Love Like This marked the group's official debut. ~ Andrew LeaheyMySpace, the Summer Set began playing local shows and issuing several EPs while still in high school, eventually signing with Razor & Tie shortly after graduation. Released in 2009, Love Like This marked the group's official debut.

http://www.billboard.com/artist/the-summer-set/bio/997012#/artist/the-summer-set/bio/997012

Genre

punk rock

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

N/A

Reading Level

age 14 and up

Challenge Issues

The lyrics have quite a bit of swearing of the milder swear words.

It is best to be prepared for a book challenge before it is challenged. It is important to read the book all the way through and to have read both positive and negative reviews of the book from professionals and teens as well. Be aware of the library’s collection policy. Also check for any awards the book may have won. It would be beneficial to see how other library’s may have handled challenges for this particular book in the past.

*The above information applies for a music CD.

Why Included?

One of the teens I interviewed said this was one of her favorite groups.

Benton Paul

Benton Paul

Grey

Bridgeton, 2009

ASIN B002MXA7PG

4 (out of 5) STARS

Plot Summary

1-Where are you?

2-The Devil

3-Good Habit

4-Jen's Song

5-Paris

6-At the Bottom

7-Don't Go

8-Look for the Light

9-Favorite Thing

10-I Only See You

Critical Evaluation

I was amazed how little information there is about Benton Paul. I greatly enjoyed his album. Paul has a charming voice. I do not know music the way I know books, but I enjoyed listening to this album.

Reader’s Annotation

N/A

Information about the author

"Singer / songwriters can make any lady swoon (hello John Mayer!) And hottie Benton Paul is no exception, this crooner has toured with American Idol alum David Archuleta was at the top of the iTunes charts, and now has a new EP out called" Trois " We can not help but fall for this up-and-coming musicians! "

There is very little information available about Benton Paul. Interesting.

Genre

rock music

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

N/A

Reading Level

age 14 and up

Challenge Issues

N/A

Why Included?

One of the teenagers I interviewed said Benton Paul was one of her favorite artists.

Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode

Some Great Reward

Reprise/Wea, 1984

ASIN B000002L75

4.5 (out of 5) STARS

Plot Summary

1- Something to do

2-Lie to Me

3-People are People

4-It Doesn't Matter

5-Stories of Old

6-Somebody

7-Master and Servant

8-If You Want

9-Blasphemous Rumors

Critical Evaluation

I LOVE Depeche Mode. They have been around for years. I listened to them when I was a teenager. I was excited to hear that some teenagers still listen to them now. Depeche Mode sings about all the normal teenage stuff.

Reader’s Annotation

N/A

Information about the author

Depeche Mode (IPA: , ) are an English electronic band who formed in 1980, in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan (lead vocals), Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, vocals, chief songwriter after 1981), Andrew Fletcher (keyboards) and Vince Clarke (keyboards, chief songwriter 1980?81). Vince Clarke left the band after the release of their 1981 debut album, and was replaced by Alan Wilder (keyboards, drums, production) with Gore taking over songwriting. Wilder left the band in 1995 and since then Gahan, Gore, and Fletcher have continued as a trio.

Depeche Mode are one of the most successful, influential, longest-lived bands that have emerged from the early 1980s. They have had forty-five songs in the UK Singles Chart and #1 albums in UK, US and throughout Europe. According to EMI, Depeche Mode have sold over 75 million albums worldwide, as part of total worldwide record sales (including singles) in excess of 100 million.

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/depeche+mode/biography.html

Genre

rock.

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

N/A

Reading Level

age 13 and up

Challenge Issues

N/A

Why Included?

One of the teenage girls I interviewed said this was one of her favorite bands. I was surprised but pleased because I like Depeche Mode as well.