Coffee Conundrum: Where to Quell the Caffeine Craving

The RetrIever Weekly 02.24.09 ARTS 13 Coffee conundrum: Where to quell the caffeine craving MANOLO ANICO, JR — TRW > Leif Fuber and Mother Nature’s Recipe impressed fans as usual this past Friday in Lower Flat Tuesdays. Beirut experiments with varied infl uences on latest double-EP Anissa Elmerraji This new album is made up of two twenty nine second opening track in- STAFF WRITER separate EP’s: March of the Zapotec by troduces the album’s fl air with a chorus > The best part of waking up... FILE PHOTO — TRW Beirut, and Holland, which is credited of symbols and trumpets- an exciting Beirut’s newly released double EP, to Realpeople, Condon’s band name taste of what a busy city square must March of the Zapotec/Holland proves that before he formed Beirut. Both EP’s are be like. The next track, “La Llorona,” Samantha Medema Starbucks, and most know what to mastermind Zach Condon is able to alike in that they use lyrics sparingly refers to a legend about a woman who STAFF WRITER expect ahead of time because these break away from his traditional Balkan and instead focus on varied instrumen- kills her children in order to win over cafes are literally everywhere. Also, inspired folk music and experiment tation, but their similarities abruptly the man she loves. However, she fails When a caffeine craving strikes, if you really just want to go some- with truly new sounds. The band’s end there. Just as Beirut’s earlier works to win his affections, commits suicide, it can be diffi cult to choose between where off-campus to study or talk, earlier albums, such as Gulag Orkestar were said to be infl uenced by Condon’s and becomes a tormented ghost. The multiple coffee options. Proximity Starbucks is more or less “the old and The Flying Club Cup are defi ned by trip to Paris when he was seventeen, song refl ects this melancholy with a to the nearest coffee-offering loca- standby.” a whimsical, almost nostalgic feeling March of the Zapotec is said to be in- strong repetitive brass line and a soul- tion has to be determined, as well as In terms of coffee indulgence, Au of Eastern Europe. These earlier songs fl uenced by Condon’s recent trip to ful clarinet melody. Condon’s voice what you actually feel like ordering, Bon Pain in the Commons might be have strong, catchy drum beats ac- Oaxaca, Mexico. Holland is different resonates with long drawn-out notes and whether you have enough time the remedy. And indulgence really is cented by accordion, banjo, and brass from any of Beirut’s previous albums in which play off of the song’s slow but to get there before your next class, the right word, because some of their instrumentation. With song titles like that it is comprised of electronic mu- powerful beat. etc. Au Bon Pain and Pura Vida are popular beverages are on the rich “Nantes” and “Un Dernier Verre,” Con- sic. Through this EP, Condon is able to “My Wife” possibly has more of a the two biggest coffee suppliers on side. For example, according to Au don really makes his work sound and create a drastically different yet equally Mexican fl are than do the songs with campus, whereas off-campus the se- Bon Pain’s website, a medium Mocha feel authentically European. But with gripping sound. Spanish titles. It begins forcefully, with lection expands to include places like Blast is 440 calories, and a large is the band’s new EP, Condon switches The Mexican infl uences in March of a trumpet call full of short staccato Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and even 690. A medium Caramel Macchiato? things up a bit by mixing both Span- the Zapotec are easy to pick up on. The notes and then changes sound with the McDonald’s, among others. Now, the 430. Ouch. But if treating yourself is ish infl uences and electronica with the fi rst track, Entitled “El Zocalo,” refers > see BEIRUT [14] question becomes: is it worth it to go priority, Au Bon Pain is the place. bands token sound. to the main square in Mexico City. This off-campus to get a coffee fi x? Or are If ethics is your thing, try Pura Vida the options on campus suitable for in the AOK library. According to their every individual’s coffee needs? website, Pura Vida sells “only 100% The answer, I personally believe, Fair Trade, organic, shade-grown cof- depends on what type of coffee ex- fee” that “help[s] ensure that farmers perience one is looking for and on around the world receive a fair wage what kind of coffee drinker a person and can support their families, and is. For individuals who fi nd them- that the natural habitat they live and selves constantly on the go, a quick work in is preserved.” Since Pura trip to McDonald’s can save a lot of Vida coffee is located in the library time and still provide a quality bev- atrium, you can study, drink coffee, erage. McDonald’s might not seem and learn about a good cause all at like the best place to go for coffee, the same time, which is pretty effec- but according to Consumer Reports tive advertising in my opinion. it actually ranked the highest in a The topic of coffee preferences can taste test with other major franchises. be very subjective and so saying that Plus, McDonald’s coffee is extremely any of these places is the absolute affordable, which is a huge consumer best one to buy coffee from would draw in today’s economy. For those be inaccurate. The form your coffee seeking a mainstream, yet still kind break takes, whether it be on cam- of classy café experience, Starbucks pus, off-campus, at a drive-thru, or is always a worthy option. Although in a café, all depends on what exactly overpriced (but what coffee place you’re looking for, both in conve- isn’t right now?), the coffee selection nience and in quality. is fairly reliable. More than anything though, Starbucks has credibility. It MATT HENDERSON — TRW > Omigawd! Jonathan Rivera and Katie Dix, both juniors, totally danced the night away at this past Saturday’s has become a part of many people’s Comments can be sent to radical 80s Prom. Flat Tuesdays was awash in neon for this biannual bash. daily routines, everyone has heard of [email protected]..

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