24 Opinion JUNE 16, 2021 Voices of Newport Black Student Union: Black People Magic LAUREN KIRKPATRICK, MAYAH AKANBI, RUTHIE LARTEY, JAMES NGUYEN, and CANDACE WARNER Black Student Union Core Leadership

sense of relation and understanding in the majority. This is where BSU is one of the many building blocks steps in. We foster a space in which to the solidarity among all POC, but you can celebrate, share, and laugh especially the Black community. This with those that look like you, those is what BSU is all about. Community that understand where you’re coming is family. It sounds like a cliché, from. but it's true. It is a place for Black students to feel free, accepted, and "This is where BSU steps understood. Especially in a school in. We foster a space in in which the total number of Black students can be counted on our which you can celebrate, hands. Yes, we will always face share, and laugh with challenges. However, when we have the support of others, these struggles those that look like you, become manageable. Community those that understand goes beyond relating to one another; where you're coming it's raising and uplifting those around you in order to create change, build from." solidarity, and empower one another. The Black experience certainly encompasses much struggle; Whether big or small, Black however, it is crucial to embrace Student Union is there for it all. A the beauty and excellence as well. space to talk and simply be. A space Embracing our Black identities to empower and allow Black students and cultures are core parts of Black to feel included, supported and loved. Student Union. The celebration of A space to explore our similarities, Black people, accomplishments, differences and what students ideas and experiences are valuable bring to Newport. High School is Images courtesy of Black Student Union BSU's mission statement on their Instagram page. The account posts information about and have been essential to America challenging as it is, but being a part meetings and club announcements. You can learn more at @nhsbsu on Instagram. from day one. Yet, this easily slips of the minority adds another layer of the minds of many. Navigating difficulty. BSU is here to make this Calling this year overwhelming Others may find the need to take Newport as a Black student can be journey a bit smoother. No matter the would be an understatement. a step back due to finding further quite challenging. Whether this be background, everyone is invited into Whether this be the verdict of Derek exposure overwhelming. This is curriculum or the seemingly harmless the magic. Chauvin, the seemingly never-ending why it’s essential to recognize attitudes and words of peers, it incidents of police brutality, or even this universal truth: community can feel that, in every instance, our *Asian, Asian American, Pacific the growing hate crimes against the has become more important than authenticity is at stake of being lost Islander AAPI* community, said events have ever. We all experience struggle or, perhaps, taken. There can be so **Black Indigenous People of touched the lives of all of us in one differently, but the bottom line is much pressure to conform and deny Color way or another. But such tragedies that we all share that struggle. This parts of you that aren’t represented and challenges have especially taken a toll on the mental health of BIPOC** students. On the surface, with every tap through Instagram stories, every click to breaking news, what we see are individuals who remind us of our siblings, parents, and friends. Yet as we dive deeper, it becomes clear that this shared generational trauma and struggle opens the door for pain to be shared and for relationships to strengthen. The Black experience extends beyond simply undergoing and coping with the reality of race in the United States. Though perhaps, many of us have lost the meaning behind this communal necessity. Let’s make one thing clear: these instances of trauma affect students in numerous ways. And the ways in which students cope are different. Some of us have the bandwidth to keep up with the news and expose ourselves to the current events that many find absolutely draining. JUNE 16, 2021 Opinion 25 Voices of Newport Asian American Student Union: A Review of Our First Year CHEREEN KWON Founder of Asian American Student Union I am Asian American, and I am a person of organizers and creators. color. It has recently come to my attention that We’ve had conversations quite a few Newport students and staff have not about representation in yet recognized this fact. So I will repeat myself. I media, internalized racism, am a person of color, and I am Asian American. our relationship with our I am an Asian American woman, and I founded country of ethnic heritage Newport’s Asian American Student Union in (the “motherland”), October of 2020. Founding AASU was a personal intersections with gender passion project. I wanted to know where I fit in and sexuality, the impacts American society, if I did at all. I wanted to know of immigration and how my relationship with race had shaped my generational differences, and personality, relationships, interests, and passions. more. We’ve put together I wanted to know where to go from here. I built presentations and projects, myself the space to discuss and process my Asian our most recent being American identity. featured on our Instagram But, any work in racial equity and/or inclusion account @nhsaasu. We’ve is larger than any individual. In a country where had concurrent meetings and only 5% of the population identifies as Asian, been able to gawk at how over 57% of Newport’s student body identifies as wrong our assumptions of Asian American, and it’s a mistake to assume that people’s height have been. the overrepresentation in our local community In the insanity that was means that Asian American students are not this pandemic, perhaps subject to reconcile those two starkly different one of the most meaningful realities. Whenever an Asian American student purposes AASU has filled made a self-deprecating joke about their race, came during the dramatic their ethnicity, the languages they did or did not rise in Asian American hate speak, the languages and proficiency at which crimes, and eventually the their parents spoke, how weeb someone was, how Atlanta mass shootings. Images courtesy of Asian American Student Union much of a koreaboo someone else was, I knew We provided a full month In honor of AAPI History Month, AASU featured well-known Asian American figures I was witnessing them grapple with their racial of meetings to help Asian across different timelines and industries, including popular Youtuber Ryan Higa, Hollywood star Anna May Wong, and comedian Hasan Minhaj. You can learn more at identity. I hoped AASU would be a place where American students find @nhsaasu on Instagram. any Asian American student would feel welcome some peace and solidarity. to talk it out. Although I’m sure it will friends just discussing important topics.” One Since October, AASU has certainly grown never truly be enough, I am incredibly proud that pleasant surprise was the way we could connect out of my weekly late night Canva designs. With it was able to act as a gathering point. I know that students new to the school and/or country with the guidance of our advisors, Ms. Yuen and Mr. personally, having AASU members to talk to was some friendships and community. Member Elly Wong, the leadership team has grown from one much better at nudging my mental health back Lee (12) says, “As a first generation American/ to four, our members have steadily created a towards homeostasis than Twitter ever could. immigrant, I didn’t know about my new community, and we’ve been fortunate to have had As an end of the year reflection, and to reaffirm community in the US, and AASU helped me fit in collaborations with SOAR (Students Organized that we were [ful]filling our purpose, I asked our and gave me [a] heads-up of what it is like to be an Against Racism), hosted guest speakers, and members to fill out a short survey on how AASU Asian American.” connected with other Asian American student has affected them. They’ve been reassuring, to As the first year of AASU comes to a close, say the least. When and I must leave it as I graduate, I leave some asked about what hopes for it and the Newport community. I hope they like about AASU, AASU continues to be Newport’s base camp for one of our leadership all things Asian American. I hope for an increase members, Alisa in solidarity work between the affinity groups, Saisakorn (10) and the equity/inclusion teams. I hope members commented that for years to come find community and solidarity “AASU tackles a lot there. I hope Newport’s conversations and actions larger and deeper for equity diversify. I hope its existence empowers topics than your Asian American students, whether they’re typical ‘identity’. members of the club or not, to be unabashedly There were a lot of loud and take up space, as I’ve been repeatedly things that I never reminded this past year. reapplied [that] have I’m beyond grateful for everyone who affected my identity, encouraged me to begin AASU and pressed and it’s caused me for more when 2020 and 2021 hit its hardest, to learn more and including everyone in SOAR, our incredible think deeper about advisors who have given us so much of their myself.” Another time and wisdom Ms. Yuen and Mr. Wong, and AASU member, the incredible leadership team who jumped in Images courtesy of Wikipedia Sabrina Lim (9), headfirst with me: Simon Huang, Alisa Saisakorn, A 2019 infographic detailing the Asian American population in different states based tells us that “AASU makes and Hayden Le. Each of you have touched my life on percentages. According to Pew Research Center, Washington was home to the me feel seen (…) like I’m fifth largest population of Asian Americans in that year. in ways I am not poetic enough to express. hanging out with my 26 Opinion JUNE 16, 2021 Abolishing the The Invisible History of the Tampon Tax Japanese in Bellevue Menstrual products are a MIKI KUSUONSE neccessity, not a luxury Editor Nowadays, downtown Bellevue SARAH SCALLON is synonymous with shiny high- Reporter rise buildings and glitzy retail It is estimated that someone who stores. But not even a century menstruates will use between 5 and ago, the same land was once 15 thousand menstrual products home to thousands of Japanese throughout their lifetime to manage Americans growing strawberries their menstrual cycle, according to in the still undeveloped eastside National Geographic. With an average of Lake Washington. In fact, total of almost $6,500 throughout certain measures estimate that one’s life, the prices for these items up to 40% of Bellevue elementary can accumulate to create a financial schools were once filled with kids barrier for those who struggle to afford of Japanese descent. menstrual products. Unlike products While these numbers illustrate deemed “necessary”, such as Viagra, the rapid development of Images courtesy of Elisheba Johnson condoms, and dandruff shampoo, Bellevue and its meteoric rise to Artist Khadija Tarver's proposal for the Bellwether art festival, which displays a quote by menstrual products in America are fame as a tech hub, it also begs businessman Miller Freeman from a 1919 op-ed. Tarver was told to remove Freeman's considered “luxury items” and are an important question: why is name from the quote before the piece could be displayed. subject to sales tax in 29 states. Known there so little acknowledging the as the “tampon tax”, this sales tax on presence of Japanese Americans? is documented and visible in relocation in 1941. The Freeman menstrual products creates a financial Despite Japanese American Seattle. The Wing Luke Museum family’s endeavors are a glaring barrier that prevents those who farmers playing an integral role in often covers Japanese American example of such efforts. Prior menstruate from accessing essential the economic development of the internment, and Pike Place Market to the internment of Japanese health resources and must be removed. city, little history remains. contains remnants of its Japanese Americans, Miller Freeman pushed When asked about their thoughts on At surface level, the sudden American roots in the murals anti-Japanese rhetoric in the the tampon tax, a student stated, “It’s and inconspicuous disappearance near the main entrance. The publications he owned, and once the strange to think that pads and tampons of Japanese culture from the area International District/Chinatown land was unoccupied Freeman was aren’t considered essential products can be traced to the internment is still home to several Japanese quick to bulldoze the strawberry when they’re so heavily relied on by of Japanese Americans during stores, and the occasional street field and turn it into what it is people with periods.” Periods are not World War II. President sign is written in Japanese. In today. Bellevue Square, and the a choice, and the resources to manage Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 short, there seems to have been entire Bellevue Collection is one periods are a necessity. Focusing on forced the relocation of thousands a deliberate conservation and such example. In fact, the Freeman America alone, it seems unreasonable of west coast Japanese Americans. acknowledgement of the presence of family still owns and controls much to place additional financial strain on The Japanese here in the Greater- Japanese Americans in Seattle, even of the economic hub of Bellevue. those with periods, when products for Seattle Area were rounded up if it is rather measly. In 2019, Khadija Tarver created voluntary uses are exempt from sales and taken to the now-Puyallup In Bellevue, however, I find art for Bellwether, the annual tax. The tampon tax not only impacts fairgrounds before being sent next to nothing. Much of this can Bellevue art festival, to highlight the the affordability of these products, off into an internment camp in be traced back to the real estate presence of Japanese Americans but also subjects those in underserved Idaho. efforts by wealthy developers who in Bellevue. They used a quote communities and in financial need Interestingly, the Japanese took over the land of Japanese by Miller Freeman to highlight to health risks and poorer hygiene American history of internment Americans after the forced his antagonistic beliefs toward standards. Japanese Americans. Nonetheless, there has been In a strange progress in policy change and removal coincidence, Tarver of the tampon tax. As of July 1, 2020, was asked to remove Governor Jay Inslee signed the bill Freeman’s name that would exempt menstrual hygiene from the piece, which products from sales taxes, making was to be presented Washington State the 20th state to in the Bellevue Art take action against the tampon tax. Museum, a recipient This has been an undeniable step of large sums of towards improving accessibility money from the of menstrual products, and it is Freeman family. important to take time to celebrate Call it censorship or such advances. Nonetheless, we must not, but the legacy of continue working to maintain this Japanese Americans momentum of policy change, whether is papered over it is lobbying for local bills or raising in the Bellevue awareness through discussion. By community and raising awareness and establishing warrants further better living conditions for those who acknowledgement menstruate, we can all work together as the landscape towards tackling menstrual inequity. continues to Images courtesy of History Link change. Japanese Americans are ordered to evacuate Seattle on April 21, 1942, following Executive Order 9066. June 16, 2021 Opinion 27 Teacher Shoutouts Eric Han Reporter

“I’d like to shout out Mr. Prufer and Mr. Lang for “I would like to shout out “Mr. Glowacki, for being being incredibly dedicated Mrs. Bohlinger because she the most engaging English to their students and the dedicated so much time just I had in HS, and Mr. Ma- subjects that they teach!” - to create the biotech class haffey and Mr. Edwards for Kai Mcclelland (12) so that Newport students somehow managing to get would have the unique things done despite every- opportunity to learn about thing.” - Vaughn Rhinehart biotech.” - Rebecca Depina (12) (12)

“Ms. Knudsen has been the “I would like to thank Mr. highlight of my high school. Edwards and Mr. Mahaffey She is so caring and has “LANDAU FOR BEING for being the best band been there for me ever since JUST AMAZING! and directors and making band the first day of my freshman Wikrent for teaching anat- super fun! I would also like year” - Jared Baserman (12) omy & physiology that to thank Mr. Mason for in- class changed my career troducing me to Cisco and path!” - Jennifer Heng (12) help me find my passion in IT.” - Yuna Dodobara (12)

Does Precalculus Put the “Pre-” Before Bryan Kim Calculus? Reporter According to Merriam-Webster, the for calculus, many teachers seem to focus on suffix “pre-” means “preparatory or review for their own class. prerequisite to.” Prealgebra serves as the Although Precalculus doesn’t seem to be grey area between Algebra and elementary useful for preparing a student for Calculus, mathematics, lightly covering topics in it isn’t all bad. Most teachers cover the Algebra while reviewing prior mathematical difference quotient in the rates of change unit, skills. Similarly, Precalculus covers topics in which directly correlates to the derivative Calculus whilst reminding students of the proof in Calculus. Furthermore, all the topics in Algebra II. Well, at least it should. review of functions helps to visualize graphs In reality, Precalculus doesn’t help ease which deepens a student’s understanding students into Calculus, and instead throws of a question. The trigonometry unit helps them into the deep end with little to no to find tricks and manipulate equations to preparation. make Calculus computations easier and some Looking strictly at the curriculum, Precalculus classes go as far as to dabble in Precalculus covers nothing used in polar coordinates, a large unit in Calculus BC. Calculus. The end of Precalculus covers Personally, I do not see a point in taking matrices and statistics, neither of which Precalculus because it doesn’t properly are used in Calculus AB or BC. Calculus Image courtesy of Google Images prepare students for the hardships of Calculus opens with limits and derivatives, which is rarely According to Newport math teacher Ms. and needlessly reviews concepts in Algebra II touched on in Precalculus. The mathematical Neises, most teachers feel like they need to review instead. As Ms. Neises deftly answers, “there is no mindset is also quite different. Math courses concepts “such as factoring and general function easy answer to your question. The challenge lies before and including Precalculus are equation properties. In an ideal world we wouldn’t review in the teacher differentiating the curriculum such heavy where you look at a graph or read a question any of these Algebra II topics. Unfortunately most that the students that desire a more challenging and plug values into an equation to compute Precalculus teachers feel we need to rehash out curriculum are given that opportunity.” In other an answer. However, Calculus is less about these subjects in an effort to make sure they’re words, the usefulness of Precalculus isn’t based on plugging values into equations and more about prepared for Precalculus.” Instead of equipping the class itself, but how much content the teacher understanding the concepts and theorems. the students with necessary skills and knowledge is willing to delve into. 28 Opinion June 16, 2021 Advice Column Bryan Kim and Sarah Scallon Reporters

Q: What aspects of life do you think are never going to return back to normal pre covid?

S: Well I hope we can all agree that our hand-washing habits (or lack thereof) should not be the same as pre-covid... B: Hopefully people are going to be more cautious about their health and care more about human interactionsships. and relation-

Q: How to communicate/work better

S: If there’s a conflict, definitelywith parents? just be straight up and honest about what’s on your mind, whether it is how you feel or what you’re thinking to avoid miscommunication. Also, parents have emotions too, so try to hear them out and where they’re

coming from first. B: Communicating with parents is usually a struggle. I would try to think about where they’re coming from. As parents, they want you to be successful. They don’t want you to regret not work- ing harder, which is why they might be so hard on you.

Q: How often should I take a break from my computer? B: You shouldn’t be sitting down for longer than an hour. Even if you’re still working, alternating between standing and sitting every hour or two is much better for you physically. Sitting for too long puts a lot of stress on your back and increases blood pressure around your legs. S: If you’re working on the computer for a long time, the Pomodoro technique could be good. 50 minutes focused work cycles with 10 minute breaks seems to be a decent balance of stretch breaks and studying. Try to limit your screen time as much as you can though, especially before sleeping. June 16, 2021 page-29 A&E 29 The Mauritanian Review Athena Kim Editor *Trigger warning: The movie is rated R for torture, which includes and failure, to shut down the prison. As Bilge Ebiri of the Vulture puts it, sexual assault* “the film denies us closure because, let’s face it, none of this is really over yet.” “When I first arrive[d] at Guantanamo, I was happy - because I trusted in American Justice. Never did I believe I would be eight years a prisoner Rated 4/5. without trial. That the United States would use fear and terror to control me.”

If you have read Guantanamo Diaries, you are familiar with the horrors Mohamedou Ould Slahi faced while imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay for fourteen and a half years. If you have not, The Mauritanian retells Slahi’s story as “Prisoner 720,” a so-called terrorist who is tortured in order to bring out a forced confession linking him to 9/11.

Directed by Kevin Macdonald and based on Slahi’s memoir, the film follows Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster), a veteran lawyer who takes on Slahi’s case, and her assistant Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley). Hollander and Duncan’s perspectives cast the film as a legal thriller, but Hollander argues, “I am not just defending [Slahi], I am defending the rule of the law.” Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch) leads the prosecution against Slahi, determined to punish those responsible for his friend’s death during 9/11. This sentiment is well-expressed among the American public; in fact, public backlash ensues against Hollander and Duncan for defending Slahi. Even Hollander and Duncan struggle to trust in their client’s innocence, especially when they find signed confessions of terrorist attacks supposedly carried out by Slahi. Slahi’s own narrative comes to light through his letters to Hollander, exposing the brutal violation of human rights carried out behind bars.

The Mauritanian ultimately succeeds as a film grounded in Slahi’s experience. New York Film critic David Fear states, “Kevin Macdonald’s drama is determined to put a name and a face to the legion of largely anonymous casualties of the War on Terror - not the victims of attacks, but the other ones, i.e. mostly Middle Eastern men who, by some circumstantial evidence, slivers of association or maybe just their nationality, become wards of the state held in a perpetual purgatory.”

Rahim’s performance as Slahi received critical acclaim and several nominations. Fear describes an emotional “rawness Rahim shows as he’s consistently questioned, beaten, berates, transferred from cell to cell, tortured, mentally and spiritually broken.” He also reflects Slahi’s resilient will, both throughout the legal battle and after his release.

During the ending credits, the real Slahi appears on screen and, to my surprise, he is smiling. Jeanette Catsoulis of the New York Times describes him as “the picture of contentment - not of someone who just Image Courtesy of Google Images spent more than 14 years in an infamous American prison.” In this aspect, critics wonder whether the film could have had greater potential as a documentary, rather than a drama.

The Mauritanian ends on a somber note. Though Slahi’s highly publicized case has helped dwindle the number of Guantanamo Bay prisoners from 700 to 40, Macdonald reminds us the facility is still up and running today. It recounts the Bush administration’s authorization of these human rights violations and the Obama administration’s promise 30 Page-30 A&E June 16, 2021 Embrace the Subtitles Grace Lee Editor

At the 2019 Golden Globe Awards, when director Bong Joon-Ho’s film Parasite (2019) won the award for the Best Foreign Language Film, he made some memorable remarks in his acceptance speech where he told the people at the ceremony “once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many amazing films.” This sentiment echoes a recent trend where foreign content has gained the attention of international viewers, including English speakers and non- English speakers. For avid movie fans, Hollywood is now not the only source for good entertainment.

Admittedly, subtitles, especially translations from foreign films or shows, can sometimes be inaccurate or even unhelpful (like when the soundtrack of a film comes on and the subtitle simply reads “Music playing”). From experience, I personally know that there are some Korean phrases that do not translate the best into English. Others dislike subtitles for the unintended distraction that the subtitles might serve to the content itself— reading subtitles and paying attention to the content at the same time can be difficult for newcomers. According to an article from the New York Times, Jackary Zacks, professor of psychology and brain science from Washington University, remarked that “whenever you are watching a movie, there is a whole orchestra’s worth of things happening Image Courtesy of Google Images in your brain.” Only looking at the presence of subtitles with as a distraction may paint them in a negative aspect, but what if people thought that she would “definitely watch a foreign film that [she] would only of subtitles as an enjoyable part of the entire experience or a delightful understand through subtitles.” Some of her movie recommendations sound in the aforementioned orchestra? Then, viewers could view subtitles included Train to Busan (2016), 3 Idiots (2009), and Lagaan (2001). In as another part of the movie-watching experience. the words of Bong Joon-Ho, there are so many films out there, but because of a person’s aversion to subtitles, he or she could be missing out on a Switching to a different perspective, subtitles allow for viewers to watch well-made or potentially favorite film. international films where they may not be familiar with the language. With more and more foreign films receiving acknowledgement internationally, Not only can subtitles introduce people to foreign content, but they such as Parasite (2019), viewers can access a larger world of film and even can elevate a viewer’s experience even when watching a film in his or her expose themselves to different cultures. Neha Ramana (12) expressed native language. Joanne Lee (12) remarked that she actually liked using “subtitles for even American movies” to better “understand what’s being said,” especially if the “audio isn’t the clearest.” So, if beginning foreign films seem daunting, it is worth it to first turn on the subtitles when watching one of your favorite movies. Who knows, maybe you will see and hear something that you did not notice before?

So, although it may be new and slightly difficult at first, it is worth it to try and embrace the subtitles to gain access to a whole new world of content and expand your horizons. All it takes is choosing to step out of your comfort zones and overcoming those one-inch white lines at the bottom of your screen.

A scene from the movie Parasite (2019). Image Courtesy of Google Images June 16, 2021 A&E 31 The Killers’ Most Misunderstood Album

Keven Goh not to give up no matter what they face in life. In an Editor Interview with The Independent, Flowers explained the origin of the phrase “Battle Born.” When his Breaking onto the early 2000’s dance-rock home state of Nevada allied itself with the Union scene with 2004’s Hot Fuss, The Killers have been during the Civil War, the mantra was displayed on an international sensation ever since their debut. the state’s flag. Regarding the song he had written Sporting guyliner a-la the New York Dolls and a based on that phrase, Flowers described it as “a glossy British synth-rock inspired sounds, iconic positive kick in the ass.” singles from Hot Fuss such as the infamous “Mr. Perhaps the album’s greatest hidden gem is the Brightside” instantly rocketed their way to the top track “Miss Atomic Bomb”, a slow love ballad that of international charts, and in some countries, such provides a balanced break from the rest of Battle as the United Kingdom, haven’t fell past the top 100 Born’s anthemic rock bangers. Lyrically, the song ever since. contains numerous references to “Mr. Brightside”, The success of Hot Fuss is perhaps both a and reads like a direct sequel to The Killers’ greatest blessing and a curse-- despite being responsible hit from Hot Fuss. Flowers reprises his role as the for The Killers’ fame and their continued relevancy character of Mr. Brightside, who in the original into the modern music scene, it continues to song sang his laments over a girlfriend who he overshadow what is truly the band’s greatest work: suspected was cheating on him. On “Miss Atomic the 2012 album Battle Born. Bomb”, the long-suffering Mr. Brightside is now in Where Hot Fuss drew inspiration from the old age, reflecting on memories of a relationship glittery British dance music scene, Battle Born destroyed by paranoia and the naive innocence that takes a hard left into themes of classic Americana often comes with experiencing one’s first love. and Springsteen-esque lyricism that carries themes Battle Born’s neo-Springsteen sensibilities of both determination and desperation. Lead singer especially shine on tracks such as “Prize Fighter”, Brandon Flowers ditches the faux-British accent “Be Still”, and “Runaway”. The sensitive of Hot Fuss and embraces his natural Nevadan vulnerability of Springsteen-esque lyricism, when accent. While Flowers’ singing always carried an combined with the instrumental complexity of The appealing delicacy to it, hearing him in his natural Killers, creates what can only be described as if a voice lends an added layer of genuine emotion to classic Bruce album such as Born To Run or even his performance on Battle Born. The River were recreated today. Instrumentally, The Killers’ signature Unsurprisingly, Battle Born was universally synthesizers which once overpowered the band misunderstood upon release. Ignored by critics, members’ real instruments are much more the album was lambasted by Killers fans. In a 2013 balanced on Battle Born. The result is an album review written for Metacritic, user “zdase27” writes that retains the signature electronic flair of Hot that “silence would’ve been better on the ears. Fuss, yet also listens like a bombastic classic rock ‘n’ [Battle Born] couldn’t have been further from Hot roll record that not many bands make any more. It Fuss... if they tried.” Even after nearly a decade, is oversized, excessive, and filled with bravado, yet The Killers are unable to escape the reputation they perfectly juxtaposed by Brandon Flowers’ intimate built for themselves with Hot Fuss. lyricism. It’s hard to outlive one’s repuation, but always admirable to sacrifice mainstream appeal in favor Tracks like “The Way it Was” express Flowers’ Above: Album cover and tracklist; courtesy of desire to fix a failing relationship, while the of artistic integrity. Despite being one of their least eponymous title track, “Battle Born”, is a commercially successful albums, Battle Born is Google Images declamatory call to arms that encourages listeners perhaps The Killers’ greatest artistic achievement. 32 A&E June 16, 2021

Use a commercial car wash to protect our environment. Commercial car washes send their dirty water to the sewer for treatment.

Stop driveway car washing because the dirty, soapy runoff pollutes local streams and lakes. Only rain should ever go down a storm drain. Questions? Contact Stream Team at 425-452-5200 or [email protected].