Many Bruins who have traveled abroad have found that the music of Western Europe is a true looking glass into the polarized cultures of the region.

Rarely, if ever, has Pauley Pavilion seen the likes of an act as monumental as Jay-Z. With N.E.R.D., Wale and J. Cole on the bill as well, Pauley will be a hot spot for UCLA students this Sunday night.

An accordion, a musical saw, a go-to-hell expression and face makeup that would cause any child under the age of 10 to seek therapy ““ this is the recipe for a beautiful musical disaster.

Imagine a piece of art that combines multiple mediums of creativity ““ film, dance, physical art and music ““ into one cohesive entity, forming an elegant metaphor for life.

Maybe members of Generation Y did learn something in the wake of their parents’ legendary psychedelic rock joyride of the ’70s after all.

Nothing says social activism like a half-Jewish, half-Afrikaner, part-time drag queen, openly gay, white, male performing artist.

Our red-and-white-clad neighbors to the north have provided us with many a musical anomaly over the years, all having become subject to varying levels of fame (and infamy) in the U.S.

Imagine the personal soundtracks of a cornucopia of college students ““ these students all coming from drastically different musical and instrumental backgrounds, each equipped with diverse foundations of musical experience.

“Music is the language of the soul. Language has become so convoluted in today’s day and age ““ music is the bridge between all of us.”

Feeling especially introspective on your Tuesday morning stroll to class on a brisk February morning? Scrolling through your iPod only to be disheartened yet again at the sight of the same old “Top 25 Most Played” staring you bluntly in the face?