Call for Columnists: Brainy, Artful Generalists, Rejoice!  cover
art  Hotel Lights  Hotel Lights  (Bar None; US: 7 Mar 2006; UK:
7 Mar 2006)  Rarely does a band truly understand the
inextricable relationship between sound and image—both visual
and overall perception.  When a band selects a name, they are
permanently shaping the way an audience will first interact with
them, even before the audience hears the music.  Think, for
instance, how many people must have reached the conclusion the
Goo Goo Dolls are sappy rubbish before hearing the proof.  The
same holds true for album covers, which, when carefully
selected, should give the listener an idea of the overall tone
of the album.  More importantly, a great album cover intrigues
the viewer, thus arousing interest in the band.  Name and image,
indeed, are crucial to a band’s aura, and bands like the Smiths
realized that the two could be used to create a mystique that
shapes a career.  Hotel Lights, the band of former Ben Folds
Five drummer Darren Jessee, know