6 Aquinas THURSDAY, February 26, 2009 7 Arts & Life Editors Eva Piatek Eight days Alison Swety ‘Animal Collective’ releases new album commentary by a week Campus Comment Joshua perry Arts Life Dennis Monaghan Staff Writer by Jess Abbott & And Sarah Hardy Yes. Even though it’s only Feb- ruary, Animal Collective’s latest Staff Writers EP is already the best album of 2009. This statement may seem a Looking for something differ- New film explores world of relationships bit pretentious, but “Merriweather ent to do this week? Check Post Pavilion” will be the best al- out this list of daily upcoming commentary by events. Jaclyn Capierseho bum produced this year and any respectable music magazine (that Staff Writer doesn’t consider Nickelback a Thursday, Feb. 26 band) will recognize this as such. The New York-based Animal “Blame it on Fidel” 7 p.m. — Collective has matured with each Watch this film as part of the “Well maybe he called me and album since the release of “Sung French Film Festival. Pearn Au- I didn’t get the message, maybe Tongs” in 2004 and has finally cre- ditorium, Brennan 228. Free. lost my number, maybe he’s out ated its masterpiece with “MPP.” of town, maybe he got hit by a The new album showcases the cab, or his grandma died!” These band’s talent and creativity that Friday, Feb. 27 are just a few of the absurd ex- was demonstrated on previous cuses the movie “He’s Just Not albums and is much more acces- The Arrogant Worms 8 p.m. That into You” entertains while sible for first-time listeners. The — Check out this Canadian trying to understand why men vocals are easier to understand, comedy trio. Scranton Cultural just won’t call. But what about most notably on “My Girls” and Center. $17. the reasoning that women refuse “Summertime Clothes,” and even to believe exists? Maybe he’s just conducive to sing-alongs. While not that into you. listening to the CD you may ex- Saturday, Feb. 28 As evident as that answer perience a feeling of uncontrolled may be, it’s more comforting to happiness and wonderment when “Columbinus” 8 p.m. — Sup- believe that a potential date was each song becomes your favorite. port the University Players in simply mangled in a horrific ac- “Merriweather’s” opening track, courtesy www.animalcollective.org this play about Columbine. cident or lost a family member “In the Flowers,” starts slowly but ANIMAL COLLECTIVE releases more funky and percolating tunes with ‘Merriweather’s.’ McDade Center. $5. rather than the fact that he is just uncoils into a carnival-like explo- rus make for the most fun your sounds like a song off of Animal tive’s music, every component is ignoring you. Chances are, if the sion of keyboard and percussion ears have had in a long time. You Collective’s last release, “Straw- essential. Sunday, Mar. 1 phone isn’t ringing, your Romeo is that sets the tone for the rest of may be caught singing the phrase, berry Jam,” infused with new ex- The final song of the album, still perfectly fine but just felt no the album. The end of the first “I don’t mean to seem like I care perimentation and a nice glossy “Brothersport,” encompasses “Happily Ever After” noon-5 “spark.” This is the hard truth that track and beginning of the second about material things,” for at least finish. Another song that seems much of what Animal Collective p.m. — See this exhibit where the awkwardly needy character mesh together beautifully, which a week. The song dies off with to bathe in the band’s trademark has done for the past six years. local students write new twists Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin) desper- leaves the listener with a barely splattering sounds that carry into confusion is “Daily Routine.” This The percolating samples skip to well-known stories. Ever- ately struggles with throughout interrupted experience. The first the next song, and the listener be- track starts with a frenzied key- down the sidewalk arm-in-arm hart Museum. the movie. Thankfully, through single off the album is “My Girls,” gins to realize that there is a trend: board that keeps on creeping its with layers of vocals (lyrics and her humiliating antics contacting courtesy www.he’sjustnotthatintoyoumovie.com which is incredibly catchy but this is an amazing piece of musi- way back into the song at seem- screams), followed by super awe- her one time date Conor (Kevin AN ALL-STAR cast comprises the four interconnected relationships featured in “He’s Just Not That into You.” still manages to stay true to the cal genius. ingly random places. A further some dance-y beats: a perfect cap Monday, Mar. 2 Connolly), she meets Alex (Justin band’s unique sound. The culmi- The fourth song on the CD, listen, however, will prove that to a perfect album. the standard challenges empha- friends are stories of “the excep- want to call you. You” is a frank, but funny, two Long), a bartender with an exper- nation of swirling samples, heavy “Summertime Clothes,” is a nice there is nothing random about it, sized in the movie. Believe it or tion.” The boyfriend who doesn’t What keeps this movie inter- hour moment of realization to all Diana Shahein 7 p.m. — tise on the “signs.” percussion and an infectious cho- mix of the old and the new. It because as in all of Animal Collec- The signs are a fundamental not, there is one straightforward marry his girlfriend until after esting is that it doesn’t just focus the Gigis out there who haven’t Listen to Shahein’s travels in part of the movie. They divide reason that explains all of these they dated for 13 years or the one on the one story of Gigi and Alex, met a sagacious Alex yet. If you Egypt and watch her display the movie into four segments and issues; he or she is just not that guy who cheated on his girlfriend but it equally focuses on three think you will enjoy the roman- of the country’s cultural danc- have ordinary people give insight into you! Just try to wrap your at first, but then completely other stories that each center on tically crazed stories of different Ward holds attention with ‘Hold Time’ es as part of National Women’s about the common roadblocks head around that brain teaser. changed, are two of the many one of the four relationship road- people who are all somehow in- History Month. Albright Me- we come across when dealing The wise Alex also has (or examples of “the exception” told blocks stressed in the story. Even tricately interconnected, you can commentary by folk sound. In one of his “folkier” morial Library. with a relationship, or lack of thinks he has) advice about “the to girls eager for reassurance and more so, these stories are headed still see the film in theaters. Guys Joe wolfe songs, “Fisher of Men,” Ward sings rule.” He states that all of the mi- consolation in the movie. Alex by well known celebrities includ- and girls who have a sense of hu- one. “If he’s not calling you, if he Staff Writer about Peter, James and John fish- doesn’t want to marry you, if she’s raculous stories of turbulent be- makes it clear that lonely Gigi ing Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, mor about the sometimes cruel ing with Jesus. Tuesday, Mar. 3 not sleeping with you, and if he’s ginnings and happy endings that is definitely no exception. She is Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Con- world of dating should check out It has been nearly three years However, Ward yet again toys sleeping with someone else,” are girls love to tell one another in the rule. The rule states that if he nelly, Bradley Cooper and Scarlett this non-cliché romantic comedy. since the release of M. Ward’s last with his listeners’ emotions as he Healthy Heart Fair 11:30 order to provide comfort to their doesn’t call you, he simply doesn’t Johansson. “He’s Just Not That into solo album “Post War.” Although follows up this progression of up- a.m.-2 p.m. — Obtain infor- Ward has had some very success- beat songs with the slowest song mation on heart healthy nu- ful collaborative releases in this on the album, “Oh Lonesome Me.” trition and take advantage of Walker’s songs time, such as “Volume One” under Ward borrows this song about free blood pressure screenings, Crunchy new twist on french toast the She & Him moniker with Zoo- waiting for a girl to return from its body fat testing, food and catch laughs ey Deschanel, this three year span original writer, Don Gibson. There giveaways at this fair hosted by eva piatek ably healthier, too (depending tional) until all of the ingredients are well- without an M. Ward album was a aren’t that many songs out there by the Exercise Science Club. Co-Arts and Life Editor on what kind of cereal you use). First, preheat your oven to 400 blended with no nasty clumps of far too long absence. that end on a stronger line than, DeNaples Ballroom. Free. So if you’re ever bored with the F. Line a baking sheet or two (big unmixed flour. If desired, you can His new release, “Hold Time,” “a lovesick fool is blind and can’t French toast has always been usual cafeteria-style French toast enough to fit all of your toast slic- also add cinnamon to the mixture. picks up with the progression that see / oh lonesome me / oh lone- a favorite breakfast food of mine, drenched in maple syrup, which es) with parchment paper. Place Pour this mixture into another his prior releases have been build- some me.” Wednesday, Mar. 4 and I’m sure it is for many others, I will still always crave, give this the bread pieces on the lined bak- shallow dish; you may have to do ing upon. “For Beginners” sounds Ward ends “Hold Time” on four too. Whether it’s made at home or variation a try one lazy weekend ing sheet and put the sheet in the this in batches to avoid excess liq- reminiscently like a “Post War” mellow songs. “Shangri – La” flows Treesap 9:30 p.m. — Check ordered at a diner, I truly believe morning and surprise your palate! warming oven to toast very light- uid. Next, soak each of the bread song with its guitar rhythm and right into the album’s finale, a 3:42 out this local band that also it can be eaten at any time of the ly for no longer than five minutes. pieces in the egg mixture for Ward’s signature raspy voice. On instrumental that ends the album goes by the name of Cabinet. day, be it breakfast, lunch, dinner Ingredients: Take the bread out and cool the about a minute on each side, be- the album’s second track, “Never somewhat pleasantly. Martini Grill. Free. or even a late night snack. Re- 3 slices of bread, cut into halves slices completely. ing extra careful not to rip them. Had Nobody Like You,” Ward’s Compared to his prior releas- cently I’ve been adding all kinds of or quarters Then, place the bread pieces in the guitar is accompanied with blurts es, “Hold Time” may not rank up crazy toppings and variations to 1 cup crushed cereal (I find that a To crush the cereal, I find the crumb mixture, coating both sides of up-tempo pounding drums. The there with the rest in the sense of Thursday, Mar. 5 my French toast, especially after flaky kind like Corn Flakes works best and least messy way is to seal evenly. Place the slices on the pre- guitar rhythm in this song differs meaningful lyrics but it certainly watching way too many episodes best, but feel free to get creative it in a plastic bag and crush it us- pared baking sheet that you used from its rhythm in the previous does from a “catchiness” stand- Un-Cooking Whole Foods for of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and use anything! I also recom- ing a rolling pin or mallet of some earlier. song and reveals the blues influ- point. Nonetheless, “Hold Time” is Fun 7 p.m. — Learn recipes for on Food Network, but I’ve discov- mend Golden Grahams, Captain sort. You don’t want to crush the ence in Ward’s music. he explains what he couldn’t say creates pop hooks sure to have lis- a solid release from Ward and was healthier lifestyles from chef ered my favorite to be one that Crunch and Special K) cereal flakes too finely; crumbs Bake the French toast for about Ward keeps his listeners rock- earlier because “words have failed teners rocking back and forth in well worth the nearly three-year Toby Landon. Jewish Commu- incorporates another well-known 2 eggs that resemble the size of rolled 10 minutes. Then, flip the pieces ing in their chair all the way up to me tonight, failed me tonight.” their seats. “To Save Me” brings wait. Hopefully, fans can expect nity Center. $35 per class. breakfast food ­— cereal! Coat- 1/3 cup milk oats will give a nice crispiness to over and bake for another 5 to 10 the title track of the album, “Hold The song ends as the lyrics, “end- the rhythm back to the same level more to come from Ward in the ing pieces of bread with crunchy 1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour your toast. Pour the cereal out into minutes, or until the cereal flakes Time.” In this song Ward brings less summer in your life,” echoes as it was in “Never Had Nobody future, whether it be in the form Photo By Dan latorraca / sports editor pieces of your favorite cereal and A few drops of vanilla extract a shallow dish and set it aside. are slightly browned. Serve plain down the tempo rather drastically twice and flows into the next Like You,” but this time pounding of another solo album or a col- Have any suggestions for next A few dashes of cinnamon (op- or with maple syrup and enjoy COMEDIAN JOHNNY Walker laboration. Ward’s musical ability week’s “Eight days a week?” baking them in the oven instead performed on Tuesday, Feb. as he sings one of the more som- song, “Rave On.” chords on keyboard overpower the of pan-frying them on stove is tional) In a large bowl, whisk together your delicious new treat! 24 in the DeNaples Center. ber songs on the album. Ward’s “Rave On” starts up again guitar. “To Save Me” is followed is not surpassed by many. Send them to swetya2@scran- actually quite delicious and prob- Maple syrup for serving (also op- the eggs, milk, flour and vanilla soft voice spills his feelings as where “Hold Time” ended, as Ward by a few songs that stress Ward’s ton.edu. Campus Comment Who do you think will headline the Spring Concert?

“The Allman Brothers Band” “We can’t say, but we’ll be the backup “The Counting Crows” “Andrew Bird” “The Mighty Mighty Bosstones” “Coldplay” “MUSE!” “Taking Back Sunday” “State Radio” “Relient K” dancers” Abby Arwady Joe Quinn Gemma Williams Mike Faris Cherone Matthews Anthony Caccioppoli Adam Finch Lauren Jordan Mario Brooks Graduate Student, Mendham, N.J. Mary Frances Usher and Nikki Wolf Junior, Baltimore, M.D.. Junior, West Pittston Graduate Student, Scranton Graduate Student, Mt. Pocono Senior, Morristown, N.J. Junior, Oakland, N.J. Junior, Long Valley, N.J. Junior, Montgomery, N.Y. Senior, Philadelphia; Senior, Auburn