Story: Twin Cities

So there are these two communities: one continually the popular one in the region, while the other is, well, the other is not. The first community, let's call it M, is where everyone wants to be. The cool kids are there, fresh fashions are always happening, and when you walk down the street kids are laughing, dogs are friendly, and the mood is light and enjoyable. The other, let's call it B, has a bad rap. B was raised in the school of hard knocks and it shows. Parents from outside the area hesitate to bring their kids there, because B has a history of drugs, crime and mullets.

It's always seemed futile, but there's continually been a rivalry between these two. There schools sport teams are always competing. When people from B and M come to neutral areas (such as small B, or b), one can always here disparaging comments about the other.

One way this rivalry has played out is through their music selection. Since M is hip and always on the cutting edge, it's always been easy to point out B's apparent backwardness. But something's been happening in M. M has started to ignore it's rivalry with B and has started to experience infighting. But while M's been asleep, B's been focused. B's been creeping on M and it's starting to show. For example, here's last week's top sellers at each community's local independent record store:

M
KT Tunstall -- Eye to the Telescope
Roseanne Cash -- Black Cadillac
Jack Johnson -- Sing-a-longs & Lullabies for the Film Curious George
Matisyahu -- Live at Stubb's
Cat Power -- The Greatest
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals -- Nothing But the Water
Susannah Clifford Blachly -- Middle of the Night
James Blunt -- Back to Bedlam
Coldplay -- X & Y
Gogol Bordello -- Gypsy Punk: Underground World Strike

B
Barry Manilow -- The Greatest Songs of the Fifties
KT Tunstall -- Eye to the Telescope
Andrea Bocelli -- Amore
Beth Orton -- Comfort of Strangers
Roy Orbison -- Black & White Night
Train -- For Me, It’s You
Matisyahu -- Live at Stubb's
Johnny Cash -- Legend of Johnny Cash
Jack Johnson -- In Between Dreams
Buddy Guy -- Bring 'Em In

Barry Manilow you say? Train? How do you expect me to believe that B's even in the same league? Well, sure, it's not spotless, but B's on the move. A few weeks ago B had Korn and 80s hair metal, so in comparison B's doing good. But beyond that, the mix of cd's that are flying off the shelves in B are, should I say it, hipper. Yes that's a concieted and loaded term, but you have to admit. I'd much rather listen to the mix from B then from M.

So continue your VPR crusade, M. Enjoy living the stereotype. We in B are going to continue to do what we want. We are creeping. One day you might notice, but it'll be too late. The rivalry may be over.