They’ll Send You Cheesy Movies
Meet the Static Trees
Silhouette: I hear a strong Dylan and Beatles influence in your music. Are there other songwriters or bands that inspire you at all?
Nikki: My favorites are Beck, The Kills, The Velvet Underground, The Beatles (of course), The White Stripes, Vietnam, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. All of these bands have captivated me in some way, whether it be their music, words, or harmonies.
Another Talented Jackson
By: Kara O’Leary and Donald Dariano
We’ve all seen them. Sometimes they’re expected, while others give us false hope from the trailers. Yes, we’ve all been duped by…B movies.
Of course, not everyone can have the same opinion on whether a movie is bad or not. However, there are the exceptions where the acting is horrible, the dialogue is awkward, and the editing (or lack thereof) is atrocious. Perhaps you’ve felt inclined to scream out at the screen in frustration something that would work to make the movie an iota better than it is. You are not alone.
Joel Hodgson had the brilliant idea to create a show where only bad movies were watched; some popular, such as The Killer Tomatoes, or some not as well known, like The Girl In Gold Boots. Instead of yelling out the jokes or lines yourself, Joel Hodgson, and his robot friends Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo do it for you, right in front of the movie.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 got its start in 1988 on what is now known as the CW station, moving to the Comedy Central station, and finally onto the Sci-Fi channel. The basic plot of the entire series is that Joel has been trapped in a giant spacecraft named “The Satellite of Love” in the middle of space shaped like a dog bone (though nobody really knows why) by Dr. Clayton Forrester and Dr. Lawrence Erdhart, two mad scientists. To monitor Joel’s mind, they force him to watch America’s worst movies and short clips. Since he is so lonely, Joel
Joel Hodgson left the series in 1993 to be replaced by the head writer, Mike Nelson. Mike carried on in the same format as Joel, though the mad scientists were replaced by Dr. Forrester’s mother Pearl, her ape-man hybrid Bobo, and the Observer, more commonly known as “Brain Guy”.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 got its start in 1988 on what is now known as the CW station, moving to the Comedy Central station, and finally onto the Sci-Fi channel. The basic plot of the entire series is that Joel has been trapped in a giant spacecraft named “The Satellite of Love” in the middle of space shaped like a dog bone (though nobody really knows why) by Dr. Clayton Forrester and Dr. Lawrence Erdhart, two mad scientists. To monitor Joel’s mind, they force him to watch America’s worst movies and short clips. Since he is so lonely, Joel
Joel Hodgson left the series in 1993 to be replaced by the head writer, Mike Nelson. Mike carried on in the same format as Joel, though the mad scientists were replaced by Dr. Forrester’s mother Pearl, her ape-man hybrid Bobo, and the Observer, more commonly known as “Brain Guy”.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 became wildly popular in the nineties, earning the Peabody Award and nominations for an Emmy. After eleven years and 198 episodes, the series ended in 1999 when The Satellite of Love crashed, thus returning everyone to earth. However, this didn’t stop Mike, Joel, and Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy, the voices of Crow and Tom Servo. They’ve combined to form a company called “Rifftrax”, doing exactly what MST3K did, without the characters or the silhouettes at the bottom of the screen. Instead, “Rifftrax” riffs popular movies of today like Twilight, High School Musical, and Lord Of The Rings. “Rifftrax” isn’t a show; people buy or rent the original movies and then head to http://www.rifftrax.com/ or iTunes and buy the peanut gallery style commentary for each movie, and synchronize the track alongside the film. Voila. Digital MST3K.
It only gets better, as “Rifftrax” have somewhat live shows. Every now and then, a few select theaters will broadcast a live stream recording of the men riffing the movies as they’re being played. Luckily for us, Hanover has been blessed. A “Rifftrax: Live!” showing of House on Haunted Hill will be shown for one night only at RC Theaters in Hanover on October 28th at 8:00 P.M. It will definitely be worth the ticket cost!
One of the purposes of our newspaper is to stay in touch with students who once attended NOHS and have continued to explore their passion for the arts in their own unique ways.
Nikki Barber and Dylan Whitlow are The Static Trees, brought together by a lifelong love of music and a genuine affection for one another that came to be intertwined when they were students at New Oxford and Fairfield high schools, respectively. Their music is a fascinating mind-meld of roots folk/blues with a Beatlesque sense of melody and harmony and Dylanesque wordplay. And while they are still only 19 years of age, they are producing catchy tunes that befit songwriters twice their age.
Thus far, Dylan and Nikki have produced two albums: Ideas in Reverb (2009) and What Kind of Evil I Am (2010) with plans to release two more before the new year.
We had the opportunity to interview Nikki and Dylan shortly after their most recent appearance at The Reader's Cafe in downtown Hanover.
Thus far, Dylan and Nikki have produced two albums: Ideas in Reverb (2009) and What Kind of Evil I Am (2010) with plans to release two more before the new year.
We had the opportunity to interview Nikki and Dylan shortly after their most recent appearance at The Reader's Cafe in downtown Hanover.
Silhouette: Can you tell us a little about your history? When did you realize that you would make such a good songwriting team?
Well, we’ve been friends for almost five years and we’ve been dating for over three. We didn’t realize we wanted to be in a band together until about a year and a half ago. It was in the Spring of 2009 when we wrote our first song together. We were just hanging out in a parking lot outside of our favorite coffee shop and it kind of just happened. Ever since then, we’ve had the idea in our head and this past April, we finally made our first album.
Silhouette: The songwriting process is always difficult to talk about…I think Laurie Anderson said that “writing / talking about music is like dancing about architecture” – but could we ask you to describe how certain songs came to be written – if there are stories behind them that you might share?
Our songs have been written about every way possible. Usually we write them separately, but sometimes we work together.
Dylan: A lot of times with my songs, I’ll go to Nikki when I’m done and she’ll add in harmonies. When Nikki writes the song, she’ll come to me and I’ll usually add my instrumentation.
Nikki: A lot of the lyrics are written about each other, such as Angelique or Evol. Other times, we write about personal feelings that we’re having or just about life in general.
Silhouette: I have to ask: The Static Trees—an intriguing name. How did that come about or is it one of those magnetic poetry mysteries?
We went through a series of names before…it took us awhile to come up with one that stuck. We wanted a name that would make people think, something that only we knew the meaning of for sure.
Silhouette: I hear a strong Dylan and Beatles influence in your music. Are there other songwriters or bands that inspire you at all?
Dylan: Lennon and Dylan are actually my favorite song writers. Besides that, Neil Young, Lou Reed (especially in the years of the Velvet Underground), Jack White, and The Rolling Stones are most influential to my song writing.
Silhouette: The summer seemed to be eventful—what were some of your memories from your travels westward and how did they rub off in the songs? (photo left courtesy of Erica Hemler)
The sheer beauty of this country sticks with both of us the most. It was a great eye-opening experience, in that way alone. Musically, we went to see a Dead Weather (Jack White’s newest band) concert in Hollywood
Also, the ukulele is a great travel instrument, we both learned to play it a lot better while the other person was driving. It was a great way to make the time pass.
Silhouette: The title track from your new album is powerful. What can you say about this song – anything to do about Jungian idea of the necessity of confronting the "shadow self" ?
Nikki: Dylan had been playing the blues all day and wrote the music, while tossing the phrase “what kind of evil I am” around in his head. From there, he decided to write about different kinds of evils in the world as he contemplated which category he fit in to. Dylan played the song for me that night and I was completely blown away. It was dark, but so catchy and interesting.
Silhouette: I’ve seen the video for “Mind Magician.” It reminds me a lot of the stop action stuff that The Beatles would do in their early days and the Monkees ended up copying in their shows. How long did it take to shoot that vid and where did you find that poor piano?
We had been tossing around the idea of a video for a little while. Dylan had gotten the organ a few years back for his birthday, although it never worked. We knew that we wanted to incorporate it in the video somehow, so we set it up by the woods. When our second CD came out, we thought “Mind Magician” would be perfect, and that our choppy way of filming would fit the content of the song perfectly. We taped a little video recorder to a tree, and filmed it within 45 minutes.
Silhouette: What’s next? Is there a Static Trees’ Wish List?
We want to have four albums out by the beginning of 2011. Our third is half way done and will be finished by the end of the month. We’re also working on getting more shows, and would love to book a tour for this coming summer. Our next show is at The Blue Moon Cafe in Shepherdstown, West Virginia on November 6th at 9 PM. Tickets are either $3 or $5. It is an 18+ venue.
We’re working on booking more shows, and we keep an updated list of them on our websites…especially our homepage.
Silhouette: Thank you, Dylan and Nikki. And for our readers, if you appreciate the music you have been able to sample in this article, please check out one of the area performances of this very talented tandem of singers and songwriters. You can sway to more of the music of The Static Trees through their Facebook or MySpace webpages. Our very best wishes to Nikki and Dylan as they follow their bliss. : > )
We’re working on booking more shows, and we keep an updated list of them on our websites…especially our homepage.
Silhouette: Thank you, Dylan and Nikki. And for our readers, if you appreciate the music you have been able to sample in this article, please check out one of the area performances of this very talented tandem of singers and songwriters. You can sway to more of the music of The Static Trees through their Facebook or MySpace webpages. Our very best wishes to Nikki and Dylan as they follow their bliss. : > )
Another Talented Jackson
By: Kara O'Leary
Maybe you went to the talent show last year. There were lots of different acts; singing, dancing, different bands-all very talented. But you also saw Jackson Wang’s remarkable piano performance. If you don’t know Jackson, perhaps you only know that he is extremely talented when it comes to the 88 ivory and ebony keys. The Silhouette managed to get an interview with Jackson to get behind the piano.
Jackson started playing when he was six years old in his homeland of China. While this is only a hobby, he is truly dedicated, practicing every day for at least two hours, by going over and over whatever pieces he is working on. In America, he must practice on the school’s piano, as he currently doesn’t have one at home.
Inspired by the Taiwanese musician, singer, and film producer Jay Chou, Jackson was motivated. After coming over to America in 2009, he started taking lessons from a teacher. However, this talent isn’t hereditary. His mother only knows a little piano, but Jackson says that she “isn’t very good; it’s actually really bad.”
The piece that Jackson plays is one of his current favorites from Japanese music. It's called "Staple Stable." Judging from the swaying rope in the video, Jackson has a way with creating some good vibrations in his performances of music. I'm sure he invites us all to sway along.
Artist Spotlight: Behead the Betrayer
By: Kara O'Leary
Ryan Chrismer may stand at just over five feet, but don’t let his height fool you. He has a huge voice, and is one of the best screamers with the widest range that New Oxford has seen yet. He only started last year with his former band of Thy Kingdom Come with New Oxford’s Kyle Duble and Bryan Merriman (class of 2010), and completely rocked the high school’s music scene at the talent shows.
Artist Spotlight: Behead the Betrayer
By: Kara O'Leary
Ryan Chrismer may stand at just over five feet, but don’t let his height fool you. He has a huge voice, and is one of the best screamers with the widest range that New Oxford has seen yet. He only started last year with his former band of Thy Kingdom Come with New Oxford’s Kyle Duble and Bryan Merriman (class of 2010), and completely rocked the high school’s music scene at the talent shows.
This year, Ryan and Kyle moved on from Thy Kingdom Come to a new band with new goals and a new approach. Behead The Betrayer consists of Ryan Chrismer on vocals, Mark Groft and Kory Smith on guitar, Joey Morgan on bass, and Kyle Duble on drums. While Ryan and Kyle are the youngest of the band (the others are in their twenties), the age difference couldn‘t have any less of an effect.
I went to their show at the Bombshelter venue in Gettysburg on September 24th where Vanessa Falls, Where There’s A Will, and Free The Fallen also played. I interviewed the guys after their set, and there was obvious chemistry within the group. All of the members had previously come from other bands, mostly because of differences with their former bandmates. They all came together through school, girlfriends, and careers. Even though they’re a somewhat new band, they’re taking this much more serious than any of them have before.
They’re getting through it all by the inspiration of favorite bands Chelsea Grin, Emmure, or even Justin Bieber, as Ryan enthusiastically exclaimed, to which the other four members heartily agreed. Now as a type of straight up metal hybrid, they’ve all got a goal on their minds to make it big, and they’re well on their way. “Our fans are a huge part of the process; they’re making all of this worth it. They’re all really supportive; it’s great.“ said Kyle. The entire band is extremely grateful for all the support they’ve found from friends, family, other bands, and even former bandmates. The musicians have already worked with producer Ryan Shorb (guitarist for Henge) in Harrisburg to record their EP “Insignificant Satisfaction”, and have more plans underway. “Right now, we’re just trying to get more shows and get our music out to more people and kind of grow a little more as a band,” Groft said. They’re on the right track, as they already have another show lined up on October 15th at The Champ in Lemoyne (tickets are only $10!). Pick up a CD, though it doesn’t do their live performances justice.
If you like bands such as Suicide Silence, Whitechapel, and Burning the Masses, it’s necessary you check out Behead the Betrayer. They’ve got catchy songs, powerful riffs, and fierce screams that will have you head banging before half of the first song is over. Check them out or listen to a genre you hadn’t before, and head to one of their live shows and get a chance to know them, they‘re all extremely nice guys. Find Ryan or Kyle in school (they’re easy to recognize) and ask about their band. Behead the Betrayer is mixing up the local area for now, but they’ll surely be taking over the metal scene and touring with their idols (but maybe not Justin Bieber) before long.
Editor's Note: Music fans whose tastes are outside of the mainstream may check out a new blog created by enthusiasts Kara O'Leary and Donald Dariano. At Music Unnoticed, their online publication, you will find artist spotlights like this one, album and concert reviews, interviews, pics and videos of their favorite bands, as well as an evolving survey about the various musical interests of our students. It is hoped that their site will be expanding over the course of this year and beyond. You just might want to bookmark it as they help to discover the artists, near and far, who help to contribute to the arts with heavy manners.
The Ever-Heavy Deadly Standards
Many popular bands in the music industry first got together as friends in high school. James, a rock band that produced one of the most popular albums in the 1990’s, got together in York , PA
The group Deadly Standards responded to our request for a band spotlight in the paper and we hope that students have the opportunity to check them out, especially if you like metal music to get your blood pumping.
Tyler Roman, Jake Wiatrak, and Dalton Bowen are the members of the band. Tyler Roman is the lead guitarist and lead vocals, Jake Wiatrak is the bass guitarist, and Dalton Bowen plays the drums.
Tyler Roman says that he and Jake Wiatrak got together one day just to jam in his basement, so they decided to start a band. Tyler says that the only problem they came across is that they needed a drummer, so they decided to recruit Tyler
Jake, Dalton , and Tyler Tyler
At the moment, Tyler Tyler , Dalton , and Jake do plan to join the May Day Talent show this year, but they will need another drummer considering Tyler
Graphic Novels and Their Rise to Popularity
By: Tori Bloom
By: Tori Bloom
It’s early Monday morning, and a Jessica A. is wandering around the New Oxford High School Library looking for an interesting new book to read. She peers around the fiction books labeled A-C, but doesn’t see anything that stands out. After searching almost the entire shelf, she finds herself strolling towards a row of graphic novels. (Basically, graphic novels are comic books that are written at novel length). This catches her attention because she happens to be an avid graphic novel reader.
It has come to peoples’ attention that graphic novels may be increasing in popularity, and not all people are happy about that. This reporter set out on a quest to uncover the truth about graphic novels and their rise in popularity by interviewing a graphic novel reader as well as Mrs. Harbold, our school librarian, to get both of their perspectives on the surge in popularity of graphic novels. Jessica A. happens to have read anywhere from thirty to fifty graphic novels, which is why she was the perfect person to go to for a student’s perspective. The interview started with a simple two-part question: “Jessica, what is it about graphic novels that interest you the most, and why do you think so many other people are beginning to find graphic novels so appealing?”
Jessica said the summary on the back of the book needs to interest her in the plot and characters. They need to have the same appeal as a traditional novel, but also have quality of artwork. The next question was what she considered as the pros and cons of choosing a graphic novel over a traditional novel. She paused, considering the question seriously. Finally, she replied, “Well, a pro would be that it’s still
The next question was which graphic novels she considered the best, and why. She listed a few such as Fullmetal Alchemist, Beast Master, Vampire Knight, Blood+, and Rurouni Kenshin.
Her explanation for these picks? “The characters had such development and everything, and the storylines were just AMAZING.”
What about the future of graphic novels? Are they here to stay?
According to Jessica: “That I can't say for sure. Lots of kids would rather read comics than novels. If they were more available in schools, they might pick up in popularity. There's not much in the graphic novel section, and it makes me sad.”
This was a reasonable response, as well as a controversial one. All of Jessica’s responses corresponded with the fact that people are still forming opinions about graphic novels. That depends on who you are and what our tastes in reading may happen to be.
The next stop was an interview with the school librarian, Mrs. Harbold. The interview started off with the question of whether she had seen in an increase in the amount of graphic novels being checked out. She replied, saying, “In the three years of being a librarian here, I would have to say, yes. I have seen an increase in the circulation of graphic novels.” When asked about the appeal of graphic novels, she replied, “Well, in many ways our society is more visual. I think that a graphic novel is really just an extension of that.” She went on to list the different technologies that have aided in the visualization of our society. Afterwards, she was presented with the question of why graphic novels are so controversial. “Well, I think that they are so controversial for several reasons. Some graphic novels are very violent and graphic. Some of these works include killing as well as provocative dress and text. Not to mention, some people don’t see them as true books.” These are very solid arguments for those against graphic novels. The last question she had to consider was about the future of graphic novels. She thought for a bit, then replied, “Well, and I don’t really have a concrete reason to believe this, but I think that they will become a fad, much like comic books were.”
After the interviews, I chose to research the pros and the cons of graphic novels to find out why they would be found to be so controversial. When it comes to education, some people believe that graphic novels can help. Educators say, graphic novels are a new way to engage students while still teaching them about character development, dialog, and language structure as well as helping them to develop writing and research skills, but not everyone believes this. The fact is, graphic novels are very controversial. Many people don’t choose to read them just because they don’t interest them, but there are also a myriad of other reasons. According to The Hornbook Magazine, many people assume that comics and graphic novels are only about superheroes. It is true; superheroes are still a common subject for comic books and graphic novels. However, there are many diverse genres when it comes to graphic novels and comics, and one doesn’t have to read about superheroes. Another controversial thought is that graphic novels are not real books. Many people believe that it is the easy way out of ‘real reading’. However, other people say that graphic novels tell a story, but instead by using drawings as well as writing. They aren’t like a regular novel, but they can still hold a compelling story just as a traditional novel can.
All in all, in seems as if we may be turning to a new chapter in the age of reading, the age of the graphic novel. No matter where one stands though, there are pros and cons in choosing to read a graphic novel. However, there is no denying the increase in graphic novel reading, and it may continue to climb. It’s up to the youth of the world to decide whether they will turn to this next chapter or not.
Perhaps you might want to try reading one yourself. Here is a list of the top five graphic novels that were checked out in the past year in the
#4. Bleach #1. 1, Strawberry and the Soul Seapers...By: Kubo, Tite
#3. Dragon drive #1. Vol. 1, D-break!!...By: Sakura, Ken-ichi
#2. Death Note #2. Vol. 2, Confluence...By: Oba, Tsugumi
#1. Death Note #1. Vol. 1, Boredom: By: Oba, Tsugumi
Easy A: Movie Review
By: Kirsten Ashwell
“One token of her shame would but poorly serve to hide another.”
– The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Much like our friend Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter, Olive Penderghast, the romantic lead of the recent comedy film Easy A, faces accusations and rumors.
Instead of going camping with her best friend, Rhiannon (and her bizarre parents), she makes up a story about hooking up with a college guy, George. The Monday following that weekend, she tells the elaborate story to Rhiannon.
However, there are snoopy people about the halls. Marianne, the school’s sanctimonious queen, overhears and soon the word spreads around school. When her friendBrandon Ojai High School
However, there are snoopy people about the halls. Marianne, the school’s sanctimonious queen, overhears and soon the word spreads around school. When her friend
Teen Survey: The Top Teen Movies of 2009-2010
By: Ali Foltz & Kirsten Ashwell
There were many great movies that came out in 2009-2010. We took a survey to see what movies interested some of the students in the High School. Some of the choices students chose from are The Hangover, Avatar, Taken, Wanted, Paranormal Activity, Up in the Air, Zombie Land, The Blind Side, This Is It, Its Complicated, I Love You Man, The Final Destination, The Lovely Bones, Shutter Island, and Step Up 3D. After checking the results, we came up with the final top ten. Now that you’ve seen the most liked movies, maybe you’ll go rent some.
Top Ten Most Voted Movies
1. The Hangover
2. Paranormal Activity
3. Avatar
4. Zombie Land
5. This Is It.
6. The Blind Side
7. Shutter Island
8. Wanted
9. The Final Destination
10. Taken
The results above are based on a small cross-section of our student body--50 students. We'd like to open it up to everyone who wishes to vote (one vote per student). If your favorite movie is not listed above, simply select OTHER.
The Day Rock and Roll Changed Forever
By: Shody Montanez
He was the greatest and may still be the greatest electric guitarist who ever lived—and he died much too young. On September 18th, 1970, the world was rocked with the news that Jimi Hendrix had died in an apartment building in London due to an overdose on drugs.
Let’s begin on the day the music began November 27, 1942 when Johnny Allen Hendrix was brought into the world in Seattle, Washington. His mother, Lucille Jeter, died when Jimi was only ten years of age. By the age of 12, he was playing his first guitar.
Chas Chandler was ending his tenure as a bassist to The Animals, and he was looking for new talent to make a hit single. One day he heard ‘Hey Joe” by the Jimmy Hendrix Experience. He was sure he could make a hit single out of the artist. Chas found Hendrix and took him to London and signed him to a management and production contract with himself and the ex manager to The Animals. Chandler quickly assembled a three- piece band consisting of Mitch Mitchell on drums, Noel Redding on bass, and Jimmy Hendrix on guitar. Chandler’s first task was to change Jimmy to Jimi. The newly formed Jimi Hendrix Experience was sweeping the people of London of their feet.
The band's first single, “Hey Joe,” spent 10 weeks on the UK charts, topping out at number 6. Soon after the hit single, there was a full length album released: “Are You Experienced?” The entire album is considered a rock classic and anthem to the 60’s generation.
In the June of 1967, The Jimi Hendrix Experience changed forever. After their gig at Monterey Pop Festival that turned the Jimi Hendrix Experience into a legend over night. It changed rock and roll forever in one night.
Some of the things that most people don’t know about Hendrix are the exact things that make him the legend that he is today. From his performance at Monterey Pop Festival to his trademark left-handed guitar. (Hendrix played with his left hand when he was younger, but his father would try to make him play with his right hand. This is why Hendrix could play with such blazing skills using both hands). He kept the string arrangement that a typical right-handed player would use but played it left-handed – frets down. Another one of the many things that made Jimi amazing was the fact that he could play the guitar with his teeth--something that shocked people at first but then caused them to appreciate just how much Hendrix wanted to completely revolutionize the sound and the performance possibilities with an electric guitar.
Jimi was also one of the first to experiment with the stereophonic and phasing effects of rock. Jimi’s work is still legendary as shown from the recent release of Valleys of Neptune which consists of mostly unreleased recordings of his work. Whether you find the old vinyl classics or the newest “undiscovered” releases that begin to pour out of the vaults, one listen to Jimi's music and you will know that this man may be the greatest guitarist who has ever lived. Certainly, the technological advancements he brought into rock and roll forever changed the sound of a generation. Our greatest guitarists like Eric Clapton, Robert Fripp, and the late Stevie Ray Vaughn still credit Hendrix’s work for what drew them to love the instrument.
Fallout: A Book by the Author of Crank
By: Savannah
Hunter, Summer, and Autumn are the children of Kristina Snow, lost in the monster's grasp, Methamphetamine. Kristina’s children are troubled by the questions of who their mother is and they want answers.
Fallout is the third in a trilogy of books by Ellen Hopkins, but this one is different; it’s not about Kristina anymore. All the children are living in different households and never knew each other. All of them do know the truth about Kristina, whose life is chronicled in the best-selling Crank (2004) and Glass (2007). Fallout is told from the point of view of each of these children coping with the circumstances of the life that their mother has given them while at the same time figuring out who they want to be at the same time and where they fit in to their jigsaw existence.
Kristina’s first child, Hunter, is driven to understand the mother he never knew. Nineteen year old Hunter has gotten by all his life, but things change when he meets his rapist father, Brendan. Issues occur when Hunter and his siblings reunite. Hunter talks about his angry childhood and hard time communicating with his girlfriend. Hunter’s grandparents raised him when his mother never could. Hunter grew up in a good place, but the anger of not having his mother swells him when she comes back to town. Hunter knows his life is good with his girlfriend and the amazing job at The X, but still he feels anger and confusion toward his family.
Summer never knew about any of her siblings and her mother until recently. Summer grew up with her father’s abusive girlfriends or the occasional foster family. Intertwined with her mother's past decisions, she faces choices that could push her to the edge of addiction. Summer has a tough time with her mother who is never around. Summer understands the egotistic and slapdash ways of her mother, the excuses for the missed birthdays and lonely holidays. Summer can’t stop the love triangle between her boyfriend and Kyle, her boyfriend’s best friend. Summer falls for Kyle, who is riding the monster. They run away but will the consequences be fatal or will she find truth about addiction and love?
Autumn never did bad things or got attached to anyone. Raised by her aunt and ex-alcoholic grandfather, she didn’t learn about who her parents were until her dad shows up unexpectedly at her aunt's wedding, causing turmoil with everybody. Autumn is noticed by the new boy and it leads to a new feeling…love. Swirling emotions make Autumn have panic attacks and she can’t help change the mixed feeling she is having about her father. Autumn turns to alcohol because of her OCD and the panic attacks become worse. Now, that her real dad is in town, she risks losing her new boyfriend and the only family she ever had. When Autumn does something she has never done before, she leaves her neat and orderly life to find her real mother. But will the journey lead to better or worse results than she expects?
Fallout is the last chapter in Kristina’s story and is just as sharp and witty as the first book, Crank. The poetic writing style makes the words jump off the page. Fallout uses the alternating points of view of Kristina’s children to show the depth of struggle that these children have with their own monsters. The book expresses the problems that are so common in many teenage lives. Fallout is just as praiseworthy as the duet books. I highly recommend this book to mature teens.
