All right folks, I gave you four weeks to vote in the first annual Scene Points Readers' Poll ("Scene Points: Scene Stuff," Oct. 27), and you know what that means -- it's time for the results.
You may have forgotten due to the stress of impending finals, but I promised that whichever band won the "Best Local Band" category would be featured as this week's Local Limelight. If you scan to your left you'll find the winner, 17-year-old Conor Oberst wannabe Perry Allen, is featured. I have to say this high schooler is smarter (or has more free time) than the ASU bands nominated in this category (the runners-up were Heroes Dead and Gone and Reuben's Accomplice). Allen told all his friends to bombard my e-mail inbox with votes for him. So, no bitching -- it's not like you don't know how to post a bulletin on MySpace.com.
BEST ALBUM OF 2005
Winner: "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning" by Bright Eyes. This is the acoustic, more melodic of the pair of albums released simultaneously in February by the Omaha kid often called "the new rock God." The album is powerful, emotional, sincere and had great guest vocals from Emmylou Harris. Sweetness.
WORST ALBUM OF 2005
Winner, er, loser: "Make Believe" by Weezer. The word at ASU is that these guys will never make another "Blue Album," and everyone is very depressed by that. (Maybe that's why they're listening to Bright Eyes?)
BEST LOCAL VENUE
Winner: The Marquee Theatre.
WORST LOCAL VENUE
Winner, er, loser: The Trunk Space. Great gallery, shitty place to see a show.
BEST BAR JUKEBOX
Winner: Papago Brewing
Runner-up: Palo Verde Lounge
BEST LOCAL DJ
Winner: DJ Sleazy Sean. Hot Pink, mhm.
BAND THAT NEEDS TO CALL IT QUITS
Winner: The Bloodhound Gang
Best answer: "John F'ing Mayer"
BAND THAT NEEDS TO COME BACK
Winner: Van Morrison
BEST RECORD STORE
Winners, er, losers: It was a tie between Stinkweeds Record Exchange and Hoodlums -- two locally owned, independent record stores. SPM is proud of you, ASU.
WORST RECORD STORE
Winners: A tie between local independent chain Zia Record Exchange and Sam Goody. Maybe Zia isn't as independent as it thinks.
BEST ALBUM TO "PUT YOU IN THE MOOD"
Winner: Anything by the lovely Norah Jones.
NEXT BIG THING
Winner: Indie rock becoming mainstream.
MUSIC TREND THAT NEEDS TO DIE
Winner, who will be sent to the slaughter: Emo. Thank you. You all have made me proud.
BEST HIP-HOP ARTIST
Winner: Black Eyed Peas
BEST ROCK BAND
Winner: White Stripes
BEST HARDCORE OR METAL BAND
Winner: Amon Amarth.
BEST INDIE BAND
Winner: The Shins.
Best Answer: Explosions in the Sky. Gold stars go to all six of you who dig this band.
Reach the reporter at chelsea.ide@asu.edu.