Waiting for Night to Fall

Note: In lieu of not being able to post a (detailed) critique about The Dark Knight, undoubtedly the biggest blockbuster this summer, if not ever, I just bring news and delights. But I will post it soon, so please watch it.

In Music:
First, and most exciting for me and others: METRIC has a new CD coming out! When? I have no idea, but they have played some of their new material on MySpace for the fans, of which I present the very amazing "Freddie," a tribute to Freddie Mercury, apparently. Damn, just when I thought I couldn't love them more, they release a song that combines my love of good music and bitchin' homosexuals. Emily Haines... you're the one for me.

Also new, "Joyride" and probably their first single, "The Hooks/Give Me Sympathy." They haven't decided on the title for that one yet, though Give Me Sympathy just sounds so fucking awesome, I would go with that. So which would you rather be, The Beatles or the Rolling Stones? (The Beatles, hands down, though I love me some Stones "Cry To Me.")

ALSO, I had to share this with people, for the sake of showing that I'm eclectic and versatile, try the following throughout your day.

When you feel like reverting back to your tween years, I recommend Jonas Brothers "Burnin' Up." I'm sorry, they're all under 20 and have hopefully enough talent to last them into musical maturity. Fun song, cute boys. Period. Pair this up with a Miley Cyrus, "7 Things" chaser and you're in for a good PG time.

Now, I accept that that's not for everyone. Sometimes you just want to put on the kefiyah from Urban Outfitters, wear that concert-t from a band no one has ever heard of, and feel disdain for the average teenager. For that I would recommend Let's Go Sailing, "Sideways (Remixed by Asa Taccone)." Feels like Stars and the Postal Service, good re-mix. Diving deeper into the indie wading pool, I love Black Kids, "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You." As James put it, it sounds like a cracked out The Cure.

Still... sometimes you just want to dance. So I have to recommend a random find for me, a track my roommate will be blasting all of next semester. The Dream, "Ditch That." He's worked with Rihanna and Fabulous ("Shawty is a 10") and he describes his sound as "very 80s, very Prince." Agreed. Sounds mad hot.

In Movies:
I have to do it. I just can't resist.

Introducing my new current obsession, and hopefully yours until March 9, 2009 when it's released... THE WATCHMEN. Someone asked me recently what makes a good trailer and I responded with the following:
-aesthetically pleasing shots that, obviously, tease
-action shots with original, Matrix-like feel
-an apocalyptic possibility in the conclusion
-hot song
Oh, right, and sex appeal. Perfect action movie recipe. Add in the fact that it the most celebrated graphic novel of all time (named by Time as one of the Top 100 novels from 1923 to the present) and you have something that does indeed make 2009 seem way too far away.

So, yes, I am really excited. Buy the graphic novel before it sells out, which it actually already has until August. This. Will. Be. Epic.

Lastly, in Books:

I am embarking on perhaps the first major endeavor I have tackled since I read Don Quixote in Spanish a whiles ago: The Brothers Karamazov. Dostoevsky, and the possibility of a class concerning his major works next semester poses the following monumental task... finish the damn book.

Who will join me?

In conclusion, Los Angeles in a couple days. Photoshoot possibilities in mind and a new memory card and extra battery to boot for my Nikon D-60. I'm feeling rough, I'm feeling raw, I'm in the prime of my life.

Summertime and the Living's Easy

It's hot out and people are wearing less clothes, and letting go of those inhibitions. It's called summer love, and either you want it, you're in it, or you're waiting to see if it will survive the colder seasons.

I think of being in summer love as condition, almost like having a cold. There's the initial shock of it, you didn't expect it, but then the symptoms are all there. Your heart beats a little faster, your cheeks are red, and you really just want to stay in bed. It's not about thinking about the future, it's about enjoying it for now. But if you can't, if you can't just let go, you're setting yourself up for some sure heartbreak.

And god knows heartbreak deserves a soundtrack.

For those who are looking for love, or at least satisfying some lust, MGMT, "Time to Pretend." Fuck responsibilities, and fuck someone else if you can find them.

If you've found them, Minus the Bear, "Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse." Great song. It has a long intro, but if it's not just summer love, it all is just one long intro into maybe something bigger.

Have to let them go and completely okay with it? Rilo Kiley's, "Breakin' Up" is perfect. Upbeat and yeah, it feels good to be free.

Don't want to let go, but have to? Classic re-vamped, Rachael Yamagata's "I Wish You Love." Absolutely beautiful song, and her voice captures the sadness of a goodbye.

When it's over, it's over. You had a few good laughs and hopefully you kept your heart. If you didn't, don't have any regrets. Billie Holiday puts it best, "So now our happy romance ended suddenly...still in my heart you'll be forever mine."

Welcome to the Warehouse

You enter the building, your nostrils already stinging with the scent of smoke. Your eyes sting, and for a second you struggle with the decision you've made of running into a burning building.

But there is a very good reason. You run towards the reason you'd be willing to risk your life. And suddenly you stop. There it is.

It's that old vinyl of Magical Mystery Tour. Next to it is your copy of The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Below it, your copy of Vogue serving as a book mark for the New Yorker. All of it just as flammable as your favorite shirt with the stain from the restaurant you've spent countless hours (and dollars) at, which is strewn on the ground.

To save this? That's why you ran in?

Taking a stand back from that, let's look on this phenomenon of people running into burning warehouses to save objects. Let's not judge and call them materialists. Let's just say that they took Kennick too seriously. Run into a burning warehouse and save the art, he says. You do and are surprised to find that you have no idea what to really save. The Brillo Boxes are looking mighty artsy today, though Andy Warhol could have just been pulling your leg.

You'll just know, Kennick says. You'll know what to save. Right.

Well, that's just it. You can't just know what's important to you, even if it is being rapidly consumed by flames. Hate to break it to Kennick, but time is an inconsistent bitch. What's important today might not be important tomorrow, but dammit it sure seemed like it would be.

One things certain though: When there's nothing left to burn, you sure as hell better learn to set yourself on fire.