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Author: MELISSA MARSHALL

In a life full of tedious e-reserve readings, maliciously assigned papers all due the same week and daily sunbaths on Battell Beach, one rarely has time to fit in 10 rounds of beirut a week, let alone delve into the murky waters of the Indie Scene (capitalizing it makes it more intimidating). However, there is hope! For those who are tired of spinning through their ipods just to discover that they may actually prefer human interaction on the walk to class in lieu of listening to The Postal Service one more time - do not fear, there is a new handy guide available that will allow you to keep up your taciturn and mysterious ways. And what is this glorious creation you may ask? Why, the aptly named "Mondegreen," of course.

"Mondegreen," the newly released music publication on campus, is the brainchild of sophomores Bri Cavallaro and Emily Temple, includes concert reviews, band interviews and, perhaps most useful, CD dissections. It offers a bit of clarity and direction in a world which is constantly trying to misguide us with infectious pop-punk bands and clones of Franz Ferdinand. Perhaps this is why they decided to dub their creation "Mondegreen" - a word coined by Sylvia Wright meaning a misunderstood lyric (and a reference the confusion surrounding Jimi Hendrix's sexual orientation in the song "Purple Haze").

The first issue of the magazine begins with an interview with "chamber pop quintet" Matt Pond PA who is finally getting some well-deserved recognition after six full-length albums. Unfortunately, they are probably more famous for their painful cover of "Champagne Supernova" featured on one of "The O.C." Soundtracks - a rendition that would give the Gallagher brothers reason to drink if they ever needed it - instead of their melancholy, thoughtful masterpieces such as "Apology" and "The Hollows."

The publication blazes onward with passionate concert reviews of Sigur Ros, the ethereal Icelandic band (if you need sleeping alone or with partner music, check them out) and Belle and Sebastian, a Scottish band whose new album "The Life Pursuit" is a WRMC favorite. The thing that was most refreshing and beautifully surprising about the reviews was the fact that you could tell the writers loved the music as much as the artists themselves - something hard to find in such music magazines as Rolling Stone and Paste where the tone is often world-wearied and cynical. However, as aforementioned, the most useful aspect of "Mondegreen" is its easily accessible CD reviews.

After a long day of sifting through medieval poetry or working out chemistry equations, anything straightforward is a blessing. The album reviews - which include some up-and-comers such as Cat Power and We Are Scientists - are well-written and light on the snarky metaphors; however, if you are holding a grudge against reading of all kind, at the bottom of the page you can find a grade in big, bold letters. It doesn't end there though - the albums are also judged on their originality, musicianship and lyrics.

So, if you find time in your busy schedule, try to pick up a copy of Mondegreen and flip through it. You may just find your next The Photo Album or The Moon and Antarctica. And if not, you should at least be able to find a new band or album to latch onto and get you through finals until you can go home and talk music with your best friend's totally scene older brother.