0 0 12B - The Michigan Daily - Wickeid Magaziie - Thursday, February 21, 2002 Students late in making spring break plans, The Michigan Daily - Weekend Magazine - 'Meddle' a sadly over- looked Floydianarvel By Neal Pais ; : p Daily Arts Writer ;> ' Gunsion i "What Olympic even order to win th By Jenni Glenn Daily Arts Writer Airports won't be empty when spring break begins tomorrow, but some area travel agents say students booked their spring break trips much later than they did last year. Many students postponed making plans or opted not to travel following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, said Deanna Kierczak, leisure sales and group manager for Boersma Travel Services. Boersma's student spring break business at the University dropped to two-thirds what it was last year, she said. The trend goes beyond the University, Kierczak said. Boersma had to close its Michigan State University office a few months ago because spring break business had fallen, she said. Business held steady at STA Travel, said Ryan Tell, branch man- ager at the South University Ave. location, but students booked their trips later than usual. Typically, spring break reservations begin pour- ing in before winter break. Tell said this year many customers booked their trips in mid-to-late January instead. "Air travel was down until probably the end of November," he said. "We're probably back on target now." LSA freshman Alyssa Lin booked her spring break trip to Cancun at the end of January. She and three friends selected a package including a char- ter flight and hotel accommodations from STA Travel. Although the group booked the trip relatively late, Lin said it was more an issue of finding time to plan the vacation together BRETT MOUNTAIN /Daily Located in the Michigan Union, STA Travel is a popular place for students to book their spring break travels. I UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY SUMMER SESSIONS dila WHERE WILL YOU BE THIS SUMMER? VISIT DISTANT PLACES EA1 RN UN!VER SI TYCRLEDIT OPEN ENROLLMENT than worrying about the terrorist attacks. "The thought of (a trip) didn't really come up until the snow came, and then we started thinking tropical," she said. One of Lin's travel companions did need to convince her parents that it would be safe to travel. But Lin, who flew home to Atlanta for Thanksgiving and winter break, said fear of future attacks was not a prob- lem for her. Tell said the war in Afghanistan and the economic recession also affected decisions to hold off on vacation planning since parents and students aren't willing to spend as much money or travel as far from home. Now, low fares are encourag- ing students to book trips, particular- ly cruises, he said. Cruise lines are offering some of the best deals right now, with five nights trips costing $350 to $400. In contrast, plane tickets may not come cheap, Tell said. "The biggest myth out there is that flights may be cheaper," he said. "There are half the flights, so the prices are going back up" Kierczak agreed that prices have risen since the end of 2001, but she said students may still spend less money than they did on last year's spring break. The top destinations for college students remain Cancun, Acapulco and Negril, Jamaica, regardless of price, she said. Vacation deals tempted some stu- dents, including LSA junior Steve Warnick. He said he looked into a $400 cruise off the coast of California before deciding to stay closer to home. "It was kind of alluring because of how inexpensive it was," he said. Instead, Warnick opted to spend most of his vacation in South Quad, where he is a resident advisor. He said he wanted to relax and catch up on work. Spending the week in Ann Arbor also will allow him to save some money and avoid the hassles of travel such as flight delays, he said. Spring break vacationers can expect additional delays this year because of heightened airport securi- ty, Tellsaid. Travelers should be care- ful to arrive at the airport two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international trips, he said. Airline passengers must be care- ful not to pack sharp metal objects such as scissors and nail clippers that will be confiscated, Tell said. "It's generally better to follow the airline rules and not jeopardize your vacation," he said. Some students decided to steer clear of air travel altogether. Tell said a number of STA customers are plan- ning to drive to cruise departure points in Florida and New Orleans rather than flying. But for many prospective travelers, confidence may be returning after Sept. 11. "There was a time period where most people were choosing not to get on a plane," Kierczak said. "I feel that is changing, though." Generally, any Pink Floyd album released before 1973 is reserved for the hardcore Floyd purist among us. Prior to the release of their magnificent space rock masterpiece "Dark Side of the Moon," the Floyd dabbled in the mainstream psychedelia of the 1960s, their image and sound differing sharply from that of their post-1973 success as shadowy, progressive rockers. Their 1971 LP, "Meddle" is perhaps their finest early work; sadly and utterly underrated, it is an album thoroughly removed from the 'signature' Pink Floyd sound, yet delightful in its experimentation and variety. "Meddle" is wholly different from any other Floyd album. With the 1968 departure of Syd Barrett - founder, front man and marathon abuser of psychedelics, the band posted a retreat from its original LSD-influenced song structure. Taking the helm from his old mate, Roger Waters rapidly launched the group into greater mainstream commercial success with his richer, more complex lyrics and mellower sound; "Meddle" emerged as a masterful representation of this transition. The album features only six songs, yet each uniquely possess- es its own individual character. The opening track, "One of These Days," is a frenetic, guitar-driven instrumental piece indicative of some of the band's later works. Although it lacks the richness of other songs featured on the album, it remained a staple concert/compilation opener. Following the introductory track is "A Pillow of Winds." This second song is probably one of the more 'classic-sounding' Floyd tunes. Its lush, pastoral sound, coupled with romantic overtones, may surprise a listener more accus- tomed to Waters' cyni- cal, post-"Dark Side" work. As overlooked as the album as a whole often is, certain tracks, like "One of These Days," manage to maintain some sort of notori- ety. The uplifting "Fearless" is as solidly part of contemporary English culture as the victor's anthem of the Liverpool Football Club. The piece reflects a type of optimism and accessibility that Pink Floyd later came to eschew. Proceeding in the same tone is a loungy, uncharacteristically happy-go-lucky "San Tropez." "Seamus," the final track on the "Meddle" A-side, is a brief, slightly hastily recorded ditty that returns to the group's pre- stardom beginnings as a jazz club band. Although arguably poorly conceived, the song redeems itself with sweet sentimentality. It is not until the final song opens, however, that a listener may glimpse Pink Floyd's hidden genius; "Echoes," the band's 23-minute opus (taking up the entire B- side), is absolutely dazzling. While more traditional hits, such as "Wish You Were. Hey, I think I see a nipple! Here" and "Comfortably Numb" often take the prize for best Floyd song, this wonderfully intricate piece should share the title. Changing with every listening - sometimes soothing and dreamlike, at other points, very frightening, "Echoes" comes off as an extraordinarily malleable piece of listening. It truly shines with its richly layered guitar texturing, whistles, sonar blips, disquieting shrieks and Waters' other- worldly vocals. The epic scope of this sixth gem never poses a burden; rather, one can (should) only marvel at its melodic opu- lence. "Meddle" should indeed be ranked as one of prog rock's most exceptional albums. Among all Pink Floyd albums, it certainly offers the greatest variety while sustaining a uniquely placid feel. It is not as conceptual as some of the Floyd's later works, but is arguably more beautiful. Some sections of the album foreshadow the subse- quently murkier incarnation of the band, yet overall, "Meddle" remains pure and atmospheric, complex yet uncomplicated. And yes, it really must be said that no (Floyd) fan is a true fan if they haven't listened to it. Many times. MANNaM, I "Trying possible." to chug as mar - Bryon Jesnig, Do h t ; Q "Writing midterm paper before they're due." - Emily Squires, School of Art < Q "Waking up in somebc story attic on a Friday nigh that you're smoking pot b' - Will Uhl, Engir Courtesy of EMD/Capital R. C 1B N.TR AV Er ; j t.L, ADV EN .L.,\'7TUR , .A Nx'D ACADEMICS .+z FINANCIAL AID IS AVAILABLE s W O\N , P C RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS INVITED The University of Iowa Dept. of Psychiatry is seeking individuals 18-35 years old who are free of psychiatric illness but who have one family member treated for panic disorder/anxiety attacks. Compensation. Travel NOT required. Research will be conducted in Ann Arbor. Call 1-800-634-6581 or e-mail coryell-research@uiowa.edu for details. ... .kO. 1 l 'v- Our catalog of summer classes is you a complete listing of our co and travel programs. Call tod SESSIONS B MAY, JUNE TO REQUESi call us at 21 or e-mail ptad Look us up at ww EASY REGISTRATION." 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