Features
Recent features
A selection of our most recent and most popular feature-length articles.
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Regular Columns
Soundtrack in film
Posted Sept. 30, 2018, 4:05 p.m.Thanks to insight from professionals in the field, and the freedom to explore the use of sound in film, Beyond Casual Observation has featured a broad look at the functions of a soundtrack in film. Soundtracks are defined literally as the track of all sounds, and more commonly as a collection consisting of songs, scored and/or western form, for example--possibly a collection of ambient sound. These sounds, the music and more, intersect with performances in front of, and behind, the camera to tell a story. The incredible trait in sound is its versatility. Sound and songs create mood, convey messages about a range of things from the characters to the environment, and emphasize the presence of action or dialogue ...
More recent features
Interviews Kyle Falconer
Posted Sept. 9, 2018, 2:03 p.m.In 2007, a group of young Scottish musicians called The View became one of the key bands in the mid-‘00s British indie music scene ...
Music Audio = ground zero
Posted Sept. 9, 2018, 1:14 p.m.Audio = ground zero First instalment - Sonos. Unfamiliar with Sonos yet you enjoy listening to music? Shame on you. They make speakers. They also make smart ...
Feature categories
One Question Interviews
Quite literally, a one question interview. Also known as 1QIs, we post these first to our social media on a near-daily basis, with the archival piece here. Check 'em out.
» Browse 686 features
Interviews
An in-depth discussion with a band or artist, generally in the form of a straight Q&A – no editorializing.
» Browse 340 features
Music
Album streams, our Set List "top five..." features, our year-end "best of" lists and other music-related miscellany.
» Browse 158 features
Regular Columns
Contributions on a range of topics from a range of industry figures: musicians, filmmakers, editors and more.
» Browse 53 features
Other Reviews
A melting pot of mixed content: movie, book and even video game reviews. Updated sporadically, but eclectically.
» Browse 12 features
Upcoming Talent
A semi-regular column exploring new and rising local bands and artists deserving of attention.
» Browse 9 features
From the archive...
One Question Interviews
Gypsy Eyes
Posted Dec. 6, 2014, 2:11 a.m.Gypsy Eyes SPB: What's your favorite movie sequel? Gypsy Eyes: I'd have to say my favorite movie sequel is "2046" by Wong Kar Wai. It's the second in a trilogy of films, the first being "In The Mood For Love" and the third being "Days of Being Wild." The film is about a science fiction author struggling to write his latest book after losing the woman he loves. However, the story is so much deeper than the synopsis. The writing is great, Tony Leung and Ziyi Zang are amazing as always, and cinematography and set design create ...
More recent features
Regular Columns Musings on the need to be ...
Posted Sept. 9, 2018, 12:02 p.m.Afterimages Wreckages of the pastEternally damned to repeat it.Exploded views incinerated by the electricity of truthPierced by the arrow ...
Interviews Vegas
Posted Aug. 12, 2018, 4:22 a.m.Digital Affairs Neurotic is the new release from VVEGAS, who tend to write and release music often, and whose sole ...
Regular Columns Only Death Is Real #1
Posted Aug. 12, 2018, 4:15 a.m.There’s so much music released, whether physically or digitally, that keeping up with what’s going on becomes almost ...
Music Scene Point Blank's Favorites: The Year So Far (July 2018)
Posted July 16, 2018, 11:45 a.m.We're halfway through the year. When did that happen? Luckily for you, SPB's expert staff are on hand ...
Regular Columns The Anxiety of Influence
Posted July 16, 2018, 10:45 a.m.In February 1996 late novelist David Foster Wallace released a modern masterpiece, Infinite Jest, uncovering a wellspring of contemporary criticism ...
Music Graspop Metal Meeting 2018 (Friday)
Posted July 2, 2018, 3:59 p.m.The task of summing up a well-organized European festival is large enough, especially since I dislike festivals to begin with ...
Regular series
We post a variety of features in recurring series – click below to browse them.
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The Set List
A collection of items grouped by topic, eg. "Top 5 Worst Beatles Songs" or "Top 10 best '77 punk releases". Browse 20 features
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Beyond Casual Observation
A wide-ranging guest column written by BJ from Ancient Shores, mainly covering film but extending into philosophy and aesthetics too. Check out BJ's work on the A389 podcast. Browse 13 features
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era vulgaris
Guest column by T of Vegas Browse 12 features
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Fest 11
A roundup of coverage of the annual punk rock festival held in Gainesville, Florida Browse 4 features
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Remember that one time...?
A life lived and lessons learned by Eddie Spaghetti of Supersuckers. Browse 4 features
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Fest 12
Our annual roundup from Gainesville, FL's famous Fest. Browse 4 features
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Year End 2013
It's the end of 2013, so here's our best-of roundup for the last twelve months. Browse 4 features
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Fest 13
SPB's coverage of the annual festival in Gainesville, Florida. Browse 4 features
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Year End 2014
Our annual round-up of the best music of the year 2014. Browse 4 features
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The Greatest Story Ever Told
A brief but englightening chat with an artist who reveals an interesting or unexpected story from their career Browse 4 features
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Year End 2015
Our annual round-up of the best music of the year 2015. Browse 4 features
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Year End 2016
Our annual round-up of the best music of the year 2016. Browse 4 features
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Year End 2012
A collection of coverage rounding up the year 2012, covering our favorite albums, shows, bands, and more, as well as asking record labels and bands about their past twelve months in music Browse 3 features
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Feast with the Famine
A cookery column by Nick, vocalist with metal band The Famine. Veggie/vegan friendly! Browse 3 features
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Year End 2017
Our annual round-up of the best music of the year 2017. Browse 2 features
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Against Orthodoxy
A regular series by Robert F. Browse 1 features
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Only Death Is Real
There’s so much music released, whether physically or digitally, that keeping up with what’s going on becomes almost like a full time job. With Only Death Is Real, the aim is to bring together a selection of Browse 1 features
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Scene Point Local
A semi-regular column where we choose a specific area and give a local scene report. Browse 1 features
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Fest 16
Our coverage of the annual Fest extravaganza. Browse 1 features
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