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Now in our sixth calendar year
PCR #297  (Vol. 6, No. 48)  This edition is for the week of November 28--December 4, 2005.

THIS WEEK'S MOVIE REVIEW
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
 by Mike Smith
COUCH POTATO CONFESSIONS
Xmas Toy Roundup
 by Vinnie Blesi
THE DROW
VNV Nation
 by Dylan Jones
CREATURE'S CORNER
Tampa Indie Film Fest III....The Tampa Giant Toy and Comic Convention...."Walk The Line"
 by John Lewis
MIKE'S RANT
Ouch....And Your Point Is?...Where's Matt?...Caveat Emptor....And So It Begins....It's About Frickin' Time....Speaking Of....Passing On....Coming Soon....Jaws: The Story, Part 45
 by Mike Smith
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Dylan Jones

VNV Nation

Hey everyone! I know it's been awhile since I have written. I'm not dead---just busy working and such, and damn writer's block came back, argh. Anyway, today I'm writing about a band. Actually, they are more than a band, they are a spiritual experience. They are VNV Nation.

VNV Nation is two people, Ronan Harris (electronics, lyrics, vocals) and Mark Jackson (drums). VNV Nation's inspiration was originally the clash of modern and classical Europe cultures, where mythology and technology live in an uneasy fusion but this has since broadened to encompass a world view. The music ranges from electronic dance music to ballads and classically-inspired music. Inspirations are taken from a wide range of styles including contemporary underground club culture, industrial and classical music. The lyrics draw on philosophy, literature, art, politics and different forms of symbolism. VNV Nation does not advocate any ideology. It is a metaphor for expression. One of the most frequently asked questions is what the letters VNV stand for. They stand for "Victory not Vengeance". The meaning behind this stylized motto is that one should strive to achieve, not sit in bitter regret.

I found about VNV Nation way back in 2000. My friends and I were in Hot Topics and we heard this song on the PA. Mystified by this awesome melody we asked what the song was and who it was by, the women told us that it was Legion by VNV Nation.

And what will happen?
Will I dream?
I am too scared to close my eyes.
For a second please hold me.
None can change in me these things that I believe.
But I don't know what happens now.
I am too scared to close my eyes.

The second I got home I went on Napster (Ah, good old Napster, good old days), I found what I could and was hooked to this day. And before you say, "Well you should have bought the CD", I did sometime later, bought 2 CD's actually, and have been to 2 of their shows, so fork you! And I would buy more, but they're so hard to find! Their songs just have so much meaning and power behind, "Further" was my song for many years:

The Sun was born, so it shall die,
so only shadows comfort me.
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me.
Each day shall end as it begins
and though you're far away from me
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me.

You all need to go and find their CDs and just listen to them. "Empires" is the best CD to start out with, great mix of all their good stuff. Please, just listen to them and remember, one should strive to achieve, not sit in bitter regret.

The Drow


"The Drow" is ©2005 by Dylan Jones.   All graphics, unless otherwise noted, are creations of Nolan B. Canova.  All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2005 by Nolan B. Canova.