The Black Keys Work (FM Attack Remix)-Erlend Øye

This song is one-fourth of the Astrowave EP FM Attack released in early June.  Kings of Convenience and Whitest Boy Alive frontman Erlend Øye get remixed in the dreamy and infectious style  FM Attack  has quickly patented as his sound.  Consider this your soundtrack to synthy summer nights.

Summer in Brooklyn-Jay-Z featuring Lil’ Wayne

Cookin’ Soul=spicing up American Gangster. As usual, Weezy provides ample entertainment for the remix, which samples the timeless Pharcyde jam “Passin’ Me By.”  Guess we’ll call this a shout out to all you CMCers in the “City” this summer.

Gilbere Forte'

1st Floor-Gilbere Forte’ featuring Freelance Whales

Following the indie + hip-hop trend, Gilbere Forte’ samples Freelance Whales and Aislyn (of Passion Pit fame).  The Smoking Section describe the beats as “a musical roll of thunder” paired with Forte”s quickly-paced flow.  It’s hard to stand out in the wave of hip-hop talent, but  ”1st Floor” proves Gilbere Forte’ is certainly poised to do so.  You heard it here first.

Maybe So, Maybe No (Reggae Mix)-Mayer Hawthorne

So we’ve already established that Mayer Hawthorne exudes a kind of cool unlike any one else in the indie/electronic/hip-hop/motown revival scene.  ”Maybe So, Maybe No” is a track off of his album, A Strange Arrangement released in September 2009 but he recently decided to release a reggae mix to his Twitter followers.  How could a little reggae beat paired with soulful vocals not make you feel like drinking a Red Stripe?

King of the Beach-Wavves

If for no other reason than Nathan Williams’ hybrid skate-punk and 60s surfer guitar, the title track of Wavves’ King of the Beach screams “palm trees” and “sunshine.”  What’s that you say?  We’re not getting jobs?  We’ll just take up the guitar and join Wavves on the beach.

Spilling Over Every Side EP-Pretty Lights

Pretty Lights is an incredibly talented DJ.  This new EP, released on July 29th, is quite possibly the best example of his skill to date.  To seal the deal for all you anxious downloaders, all of his work is “pay what you can” on his website.  If you like what you hear, don’t stop at this EP–download his entire discography.  We’re crossing our fingers he makes his way out to Southern California soon.

Amadou & Mariam

Midnight Love-Tennishero

The Swedes know what’s up.  Tennishero (Jens Andersson and Alexander Berg) comes at us with this loungey/house track produced a few years back.  You know those songs you can listen to like five times in a row?  You guessed it, “Midnight Love” makes that list.

Boy-Ra Ra Riot

Ra Ra Riot is one of those bands we usually like better once their work is remixed.  ”Boy” off of their forthcoming LP The Orchard, however, captures their orchestrated indie-pop essence at its peak.  Sounds like lead singer Wes Miles’ side-project rubbed off well on RRR’s new material.

Sabali-Amador & Mariam

Amador & Mariam win for “most adorable blind Malian couple ever.”  They also win for best “fresh take on World music,” combining traditional high-pitched vocals with a great electro-synth beat on “Sabali.”  We’ll call this the pick for all you CMCers hanging out in other parts of the world this summer.

Boyfriend (GhostWaves edit)-Best Coast

Best Coast has been all over this summer.  Even in the Washington Post. This GhostWaves rework made us forgive Bethany Cosentino for whining about her boyfriend and really dig her lo-fi vocals and chillwave sound.

Coming or Going (RAC Remix)-White Arrows

A delectable RAC remix of this White Arrows song, whose first EP is due out in August.  As the blogs have told us, this song is good enough to be featured on Entourage — keep a look out this season.

According to Dr. Ryan Jefferson, the head of the AHI and owner of an all-organic vegan restaurant/bike shop, the root of the problem can be traced back to a recent musical release by Sleigh Bells, a newcomer to the world of indie music.  “In Sleigh Bells, we really have a perfect storm for this kind of condition,” explained Jefferson.  “You’ve got great beats, taken almost straight out of a lot of clubbing music.  But at the same time you have really fuzzed-out guitars.  By the time those sassy female vocals come in, we’re seeing a lot of folks already tapping their feet.”

Miller, left, and Krauss could be endangering young people with their debut album "Treats."

The Brooklyn-based duo consists of Derek Miller, formerly of screamo band Poison the Well, and Alexis Krauss, who played in the less-well known RubyBlue in addition to a job as a public school teacher.  Early demo CDs captured the attention of club music superstar M.I.A., who collaborated with Miller to produce a full-length record.  Their debut album, “Treats,” gained remarkably positive reviews, including a “Best New Music” award from Pitchfork, a favorable review in Rolling Stone Magazine, and a Metacritic score of 84.  Its catchy sound, readily apparent in tracks like “Crown on the Ground” and “Tell ‘Em,” has caused word of the band to spread quickly across the country, mostly passing between friends.

“At first I thought it was an unreleased Ratatat remix when my friend Rob played it for me,” said Mike Anderson, a Santa Monica, California native and art student.  “But then he told me they were this new underground thing.  I sure hope it stays this way.”

Other reports are far more alarming.  At a recent Sleigh Bells concert in Cleveland, Ohio, three people were injured while dancing to the band’s high-energy live performance.  In an interview with Billboard.com, Krauss even stated that “we want to create an atmosphere that is just fun and energetic and just encourages mayhem and lots of dancing.”  With this type of sentiment coming from the band,

The AHI fears that repeated exposure to Sleigh Bells debut release can trigger outward expression of enjoyment to music, jeopardizing the individual’s ability to smugly drink Pabst Blue Ribbon at concerts or other social settings.  In order to prevent this type of condition from occurring to you or to someone you know, it is recommended that the affected person be taken away from any Sleigh Bells recording and instead listen to Neil Young on vinyl while smoking American Spirits.  A quick fixed-gear bike ride is also strongly recommended.

Twilight:

Summary: Angst-ridden teen Bella loves Cedric Diggory but she also loves a tan, pig-nosed beefcake.  Dilemma! Practice looking forlorn, young Stewart, you are trying to sell celibacy to a generation where sex is so ubiquitous, there are PSAs about sexting!

You’ll buy the books if: You are a self-hating womyn. This not-so-subtle attempt at Mormon propaganda is unbelievably misogynist considering it was written by someone named Stephanie. Beyond that, it is just embarrassing how bad the writing is and how pathetic the plot devices are. The combination leads to weird situations such as Cedric/Edward deciding that Bella should not be allowed to drive her own car because it is not safe. And in all honesty, women are not really genetically capable learning science — plus voting is so passé — why bother? Phyllis Schlafly clearly ghost-wrote this drek.

You’ll like the movies if: You find Frankenstein attractive and Dakota Fanning engaging, and the verb “to dazzle” does not make you gag impulsively.

Final thoughts: If you enjoy the American Empire, ignore this trash. It you desperately pray for the End of Days, the popularity of this franchise bodes well for you!

True Blood:

Summary: In the show, vampires have “come out of the closet,” as it were, revealing themselves to humanity. They are now trying to integrate into mainstream society…this is the backdrop to the antics and adventures of psychic Sookie Stackhouse, her vampire boyfriend Bill Compton, and a whole host of Southern eccentrics who would make Tennessee Williams’ curse his lack of imagination. There are also maenads, werewolves, and rock-hard naked bodies (Bon Temps has one hell of a gym!) It’s HBO, so celibacy is far from encouraged.

You’ll like the books if: everything I’ve just said strikes you as blasé. The show’s inspiration – The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris — seems even crazier than the show. Exhibit A: the books feature twin fairy supermodels, and the guy is a fairy in both senses of the word. This could bode well for a beach read, BUT it is tough to say. I was recently on a flight and the woman next to me was reading one of them and she said it was really good. She also was flipping through a People magazine and eating DunkAroos . Where do you even get DunkAroos anymore? Has she been hording them since 1996? The whole thing seemed suspect.

You’ll like the television show if: You know you are settling in for an hour of trashy fun that does not entirely require you to check your brain at the door.

Final thoughts: This is my favorite show on television right now, and I have great taste (Death Becomes Her, hello!) so you will definitely love it too.

The Gates:

Summary: ABC, trying to cash in on this hip, supernatural trend quickly rolled out some show about a gated community with a new sheriff. Unbeknownst to the handsome lawman, his plucky wife and lovely children, this community if populated with—wait for it!—VAMPIRES, witches, and even a football star/werewolf. Not only are these gated-community folks supernatural, but many of them also are former lingerie and Abercrombie and Fitch models, so it will absolutely remind you of your high school experience. Who says Hollywood cannot come up with anything original anymore?

You’ll like it if: You are still watching “Desperate Housewives,” but you could change to Boondocks (they are black but is Japanimation and there’s also biting social commentary?!) Also, if your remote control is broken.

Final Thoughts: I was embarrassingly excited to watch the premier episode and was quite disappointed. So disappointed, I promptly when and rented Interview with the Vampire to clean my pallet. Go rent that. It has Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas, Tom Cruise (forget that one) and a young Kirsten Dunst. Remember her? Remember when she was going to be somebody? She was such a good Marie Antoinette in that really long music video the baby from the Godfather directed. Go rent this movie, buy a bottle of Chianti, think about what Kirsten Dunst could have been and forget all about that weird ABC show that will probably be cancelled by the third episode.

Nine Stories (J.D. Salinger)

This collection of short stories from Holden Caufield’s creator will have you at hello.  Salinger exposes each of his characters’ secret complexities, offering the reader a penetrating glimpse of what makes humans tick.  Tinged with the sadness of wartime loss, poignant stories like “A Perfect Day for a Bananafish” and “For Esme” entrance the reader.

Vanishing Point: Not a Memoir (Ander Monson)

Graaaaaaa!!! This is Ander Monson lashing out at the virus that is the confessional memoir in American literature.  Monson grapples with the compulsion of self-interest and the “I” in his series of inventive, ever-engaging meditations.  Lose yourself in this eccentric writer’s collection of essays.

Drop City (T.C. Boyle)

Travel back in time to the scene of 1970s counterculture with T.C. Boyle’s psychedelic, sociological novel.  Free love, hallucinogens, and peace signs are blurred by a brooding insecurity about nonconformity.  Boyle floats from the California hippie commune to an isolated cabin in the Alaskan wilderness, a setting shift that allows the reader to examine and contrast off-the-grid lifestyles.

Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)

What would the world look like without leaders?  Ayn Rand’s monumental work explores a dystopian America in which the nation’s innovators—industrialists, artists, government officials—withdraw from the scene.  Rand emphasizes the necessity of these creative minds to the productivity and growth of society.  Be prepared for a philosophical journey…Rand isn’t a beach read.

Been Down So Long Looks Like Up To Me (Richard Fariña)

Enter Gnossos Pappadapoulis, arch-nemesis of academia’s bureaucracy.  Even though CMC is arguably among the most nurturing colleges, we’ve all been frustrated with the system at one point or another.  Fariña’s legendary Greek student-cum-rebel takes a stand against The Man in 1960s style in this haunting yet hilarious novel.

Interview Magazine

Andy Warhol’s ever-relevant magazine, started in 1969, features easy-to-read Q&A format interviews between random pop culture greats.  Expect the unexpected: Susan Sarandon, Carey Mulligan, Andrew W.K. (ha ha), and Ke$ha are just a few recent interviewers/interviewees.  A+ photographs from the likes of Annie Liebovitz and Bruce Weber abound.  Profanity and nudity are not off-limits for this envelope-pushing publication.

Modern Floral

Floral designs are the rage these days. Sarah Beattie ’11 and Casey Reck ’11 demonstrate a fashion-conscious and sensible use of pattern and utility in their room on Green Beach. When you walk into their room you are immediately struck by its bold color and design. Tapestries (from Urban Outfitters and travel abroad) adorn the walls and everywhere you turn is eye candy. Particularly Sarah’s picture frame arrangement over her bed and her keepsakes around her desk invite you to look further and really highlight her multifaceted personality. Casey’s side of the room explodes with her favorite color pink and much of her artwork and posters are from her wide travels abroad (especially from her time in Cape Town last semester). The perfect room for reading on the couch or sipping cocktails under the twinkle lights, these roomies certainly have mastered the art of creating ambiance.

Matchy Matchy

Annie Perizzolo ’11 and Aviana Gracial ’11 show how simple décor can be done in Green dorm by their flowery matching bedspreads in a bunk-bed style layout and organized belongings. We featured their yellow walls in an earlier post.

Calm & Collected

Tina Nguyen ’11′s single in Marks is simple yet sophisticated. With minimal clutter and a clear design in mind, Tina has used inexpensive materials to master a peaceful calm in her room. The crinkle chiffon curtains add warmth and texture to the walls, a blue and green shoe organizer act as a work of art, the bamboo plant exudes calmn, and the inherited artwork over her bed highlights her heritage.

Wohlford Bungalow

Matt Richardson ’12 and Sergio Hernandez ’12′s Wohlford dorm double exhibits a beachy bungalow vibe. The boldest focus in the room is a sunburst clock that dominates one wall. All they used was blue tape accompanied by careful cutting. A likewise blue surfboard rug that screams California spans the length of the room. Matt’s (who is also an art major at Scripps) desk exhibits his interests and tastes nicely as well: a Dodgers pennant, a tiki-like tribal mask from New Zealand, a poster of Muhammad Ali, and even a bible verse adorn his working space.

The laminated hardwood flooring was inherited from Matt’s brother Jake Richardson ’10. Speaking of similar tastes, both he and his brother have a kegerator in their living spaces— but while Jake and his suitemates obtained their blue one as a water polo tradition, Matt grabbed his off of craigslist and he used it strictly as décor.

That wraps up our Behind Closed Dorms series! Have a fabulous and refreshing summer – and start brainstorming about your rooms for next year!

The Radio Dept.

Clinging to a Scheme

I can confidently say that Clinging to a Scheme is an album for any occasion –with the exception of a  12′ x 10′ dorm room dance party (usually calls for Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind“). Clinging to a Scheme is The Radio Dept.’s first album in over four years and their second studio release in seven. Much of the band’s anonymity in the indie and popular music world can be attributed to their low output rate. Regardless, none of that anonymity has dampened emphatic response from critics for this excellent contribution to the Swedish band’s discography.

The sound could best be described as minimalist dream-pop. The band skillfully produces a short album with dynamic songs, each meandering through an arrangement of tempos and effects within the short breadth of three to four minutes.  Each song harnesses an individual and particular groove, percussion, effects and samples. “Heaven’s on Fire” begins with a quote from Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth discussing his desire to “destroy the bogus capitalist process that is destroying youth culture” only to launch into an up-tempo love song backed by high-pitched synth and horns.  Genius.  From there, the album surprises again, transitioning into a down-trodden track, “Domestic Scene.” Cling to a Scheme is a unique album that is well worth a listen for anyone with thirty minutes to spare.

Key tracks: “Heaven’s on Fire,” “Never Follow Suit”

The National

High Violet

I would be lying if I said that I didn’t think this album was important enough to indie music fans to download (questionable legality aside) prior to its May 11 release. With the most bizarre crew of members since Van Halen, The National is composed of one set of twin brothers, another set of brothers who are a year or two apart in age, and a lead singer all hailing from Cincinnati. The band relocated to the hipster paradise of Brooklyn, New York where each of them worked for a measly salary while recording over the weekends in an attempt to attract the attention of small-time labels. After seven struggling years, The National finally broke through with Alligator (2005) followed by Boxer (2007).

The band is back after a generally misunderstood attempt at The Virginia EP in 2008 with their newest effort High Violet. After a few preliminary listens to the album, it’s fair to say that lead singer Matt Berninger has once again poured his heart and soul into the record. Nicholas Dawidoff from The New York Times Magazine commented on the album:

“[it's story of] a man who isn’t getting any younger, mostly wants to be a good father and husband and employee and friend – and might be happy, but for all that resistance he thinks he keeps it tamped in his own head. He used to be the Great White Hope, the hero of his own box-size living room….[he thinks] about clearing out of the Silver City and going back to Ohio where life is simpler – until [he] gets there and remember[s] why [he] left.”

In “Afraid of Everyone,” the second single from High Violet, we hear Berninger, mumbling like the Tom Waits of our generation. He accepts that he has seen his dreams and aspirations fall by the wayside as he has grown older. But now there are no longer any “drugs to sort it out.” High Violet may not be the cheeriest album to come out this spring but Berninger’s witty self-deprecation and insightful introspection more than make up for it.

Key tracks: “Bloodbuzz Ohio,” “Terrible Love”

Gil Scott-Heron

I’m New Here

Gil Scott-Heron, wowing listeners since 1970,  has done so again with his most recently released album I’m New Here, produced by XL Recordings founder and chief Richard Russell. Scott-Heron pioneered a movement around what became known as proto-rap. With his unique style, he combines traditional spoken word with funk and soul. This style has gone on to influence hip-hop artists like Common and Nas. He also has an infamous criminal record, mostly drug-possession charges, for which he has served over four years of prison time.

Needless to say, I’m New Here is not an album to listen to while sipping on margaritas in the sun. Scott-Heron has used the album as a confessional. He expresses regret and acceptance of his past missteps. The soul legend croons over tracks that blend blues and ambiance on “Me and the Devil” and “New York is Killing Me (featuring Nas).” For Scott-Herron, Death is  a means of escape from the dolor and oppression of urban life. A large part of the album features Scott-Heron’s spoken word talents as he discusses “the ruins of another black man’s life” and him “coming from, what they called, a broken home.” Kanye West’s “Flashing Lights” beat echoing in the background. A listen of I’m New Here is an eye-opening and mentally draining experience. It’s an old man reflecting on the darker portions of his life with a defiant and proud solemnity. We may not have many points of reference as privileged college students, but one listen to Scott-Heron’s comeback album provides us with some insight into the lives of a legendary African-American artists.

Key tracks: “On Coming From A Broken Home (Pt. 1),” “Where Did The Night Go”

Wrong. These myths have probably deterred you from grabbing a mat and heading to one of Claremont’s many yoga classes. Plenty of CMC’s fine young men, however, can attest to yoga’s overwhelmingly positive effects. “The complete feeling of relaxation and calm after I finish a class is pretty awesome,” says Solon Christensen-Szalanski CM ’10. “Yoga also really helps with coordination and fine muscle control.” Professional athletes– LeBron James, Andy Murray, Shaq– swear by the addition of yoga into their workout routines.

Mentally, this activity will soothe your stressin’ psyche and help you focus for finals.  Physically, you will not only become more flexible, but also will get toned, improve overall strength, and increase your stamina. “I like the feeling of balance,” Brian Hoffstein CM ’12 explains. “In combining strength and flexibility with meditation, yoga synthesizes exercise with relaxation.”

Finally, the social benefits of yoga are superb…especially if you’re looking for a lady. Solon was led to yoga by an ex-crush who dragged him to classes.  ”Things didn’t work out with the girl, but I’ve done yoga consistently ever since,” the senior yogi claims. Plus, the famed yoga butt is one of this activity’s true stereotypes…need I say more? Gentlemen, take a deep, cleansing breath (in for a count of 8, hold, out for a count of 8…) and resolve to get your Om on sometime in the near future. You’ll never regret your decision.

The 5Cs offer a multitude of yoga classes that students can take for Physical Education credit next semester. Any of these classes can meet your GE requirement, or just join in for kicks. If terms like “downward dog” or “breath of fire” just sound like crazy talk, the Portal’s listings may baffle you. For easy enrollment, here are next fall’s offerings.

Hatha Yoga, the most popular method in the US, is the granddaddy of most yoga styles. Perfect for a beginner seeking a taste of what the activity has to offer, a Hatha class typically incorporates Asanas (postures), Pranayama (conscious breathing), and meditation– great for stress management and physical exercise. Pomona and Scripps will hold Hatha classes regularly next fall, some even taught by 5C students and professors like CMC’s own Lit lady Audrey Bilger.

Anusara Yoga is another style taught at the 5Cs. From this Pomona class, you should expect a heightened Hatha experience: Anusara uses principles of alignment to open the body and the mind to discover one’s true self by being more accepting of new ideas. For budding yogis seeking the most positive, joyful yoga practice, Anusara is the style to choose. Practitioners are encouraged to embrace ideals of creativity and freedom, making an Anusara class an ever-changing, light-hearted experience. You’ll leave this class beaming.

For a more invigorating type of yoga, CMCers should try one of Scripps’s Power Yoga classes. Power yoga emphasizes the development of physical flexibility and personal discipline–this isn’t your mama’s yoga class. Poses are held for extended periods of time while the breath is synchronized with the body, creating a trance-like movement.  Mental and physical stamina will improve dramatically through Power Yoga, and you’ll definitely break a serious sweat. You’ve been warned: Power Yoga is going to kick your booty the first couple classes.

Kundalini Yoga focuses on awakening the storehouse of energy that yogis believe exists at the base of the spine. Skeptical? Drop in on a class at Pomona’s Rains Center to give this style a test run. Kundalini requires yogis to chant mantras, meditate, and engage in visualizations during class. For some, this type of yoga is incredibly cleansing and psychologically beneficial; powerful endorphins are released through breath control and basic poses.  For others, however, Kundalini Yoga is borderline awkward: try the Breath of Fire yourself to see if Kundalini is the practice for you.

If it’s the most endurance-testing yoga experience you seek, Bikram (or “Hot Yoga”) may be the practice for you. Bikram Yoga classes are offered daily in the Village for a discounted price if you enroll for Phys. Ed. on the Portal. The rigorous classes take place in a room heated to anywhere between 95 and 100 degrees with 40 percent humidity. High temperatures allow for maximum muscle loosening and intense sweating, a process thought to purify the body of toxins and improve circulation.  Feeling beat after a weekend of partying? A single Bikram class will cleanse and revive your system. A series of 26 poses, each held for a long duration, will increase strength and stamina. Despite the buckets of sweat you’ll be drenched in, Bikram is notoriously addictive. Just remember: hydrate.

CMC’s administration seems to have realized the benefits of yoga. A recent email from Jim Nauls regarding the Yogathon on May 7 at the Tranquada Health Center is tagged as a way to relieve stress before finals. RSVP for the event to heo@cuc.claremont.edu.

A yoga revolution is definitely sweeping campus…and not just among the female student body. “The biggest myth about yoga is that it’s for pansies,” Hoffstein claims. “Real men are the true yogis.” Whoever says the Stags can’t dominate on the yoga mat has clearly not been enlightened. See you in the studio, CMC!

Full screen and click on the HD button for maximum effect.

If you haven’t visited the Folk Music Center, located across the street from Rhino Records in the village, you are missing out on one of Claremont’s most unique and interesting establishments. It was founded over fifty years ago by Charles and Dorothy Chase, who also happen to be the grandparents of the Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Ben Harper. Harper and his family continue to run the store, which features folk instruments from both the United States and all over the globe.

The festival, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Saturday (May 1) at Sycamore Elementary School, represents the spirit of the center itself by featuring artists on two stages from all over the world, including the Caribbean, Africa, and the Middle East. There are, however, still plenty of American folk artists performing, such as Voco, an all female a capella group that sings American and Irish folk tunes with body percussion, and Lil Rev, who is renowned for his mastery of the ukulele. Although Harper is unable to attend this year, Leon Mobley, a member of the Innocent Criminals, will perform West African music with his band Da Lion.

In addition to music, the festival will also feature 28 different workshops throughout the day, which are all included in the price of the $15 general admission ticket. These workshops are taught by the artists themselves, like Lil Rev and and guitarist Fred Sokolow, who are acclaimed teachers in their instruments. Their are workshops for both beginners and advanced musicians, and they range in subjects from guitar to song to didgeridoo. Attendants can bring their own instruments (there is a secure area to store them), but a limited number will be provided for use by the Folk Music Center.

For those interested in other aspects of the folk world, art and craft vendors will be set up at the festival, selling handmade jewelry, instruments, and art. There will also be a raffle to win a guitar autographed by Ben Harper.  For children, there is a separate stage with story telling, a drum line , and a sing-along. Ages 5 to 17 get in for $5, while children under 5 are free.

For more information on the Claremont Folk Festival, visit www.claremontfolkfestival.org

Leon Mobley tears it up:

It’s time to spread the gospel.

Some Crust Bakery: My relationship with Some Crust is a tricky one. For brevity’s sake, there’s a lady there who would like nothing more than to see me hanging from a flagpole by my notably dorky undies. I won’t name any names…but her name is Deborah and I suspect no one calls her Debbie for short.

Some Crust's Egg Slider

What to get: Sliders in the morning, sliders in the evening, sliders at suppertime. Those who matter have called sliders “nature’s most nearly perfect food.”

Tantalizing description: A slider is a delicious, pocket-sized sandwich (on which you can add anything down to pigs’ feet) comprised of a poached egg  and a choice of bread–Some Crust’s real achievement. Their bread is certainly the best on this side of the Mississippi. Egg+condiments+fillings=Some Crust scores big.

Additional Comments: Chipotle Ranch. Hats off to the chef. I have tried to secure the secret recipe for my own recreational uses but have been thwarted by Debbie, a strange crusader against my happiness.

Full of Life: Full of Life will always have a special place in my heart. Going there means the added perk of not having to talk to my friends–opting instead to catch up with my kind: the wacky celebrities of tabloid magazines.

Full of Life #24 Turkey Sandwich (not pictured: custom delicious walnut whole wheat)

What to get: a customized version of # 24 (everything’s better customized). A fool’s 24 is a turkey sandwich on a roll with chipotle mayonnaise, provolone cheese, and a side salad. But where this sandwich goes wrong is the roll. Ask instead for a 24 on walnut whole wheat bread. You won’t look back.

Additional Comments: Does the salad dressing make anyone else’s left eye squint involuntarily? Just sayin’…

Dr. Grubbs (or should I say, Dr. Mobfront): First and foremost, Dr. Grubbs is never open when I want it to be. This leads me to the only possible conclusion: the doctor has a secret (and a vanity plate).

Dr. Grubbs Blackened Salmon with Sundried Tomato Pesto and Spring Salad

What to get: Protein: blackened salmon, Sauce: sundried tomato pesto (beware of the guaranteed flower-killing breath), Side: spring salad.

Additional Comments: I wish the jolly man that takes my order could be a member of my extended family.
“How are you today?” he asks, genuinely interested.
“Good thanks, and you?” I smile the smile that I usually reserve for a Law and Order: Special Victim’s Unit marathon on USA.

“If I were any better I’d be on vacation.”

(high fives all around)

Heroes & Legends Bar & Grill: Allow me to set the scene: it is a warm Easter’s day and Dana Staley and I have just (unwittingly) survived the infamous earthquake of 2010.  We were hungry for some Village grub and restaurant closings for Easter Sunday were seriously cramping our style. Alas, a beacon of hope appeared! Heroes, as we have come to affectionately call it, was open for business.

Heroes and Legends Nachos

What to get: Nachos. The waitress told us that we wouldn’t be able to get through a full order of these puppies.  We had serious doubts but fell victim to potential embarrassment and agreed that we would split a half portion. Man, when she’s right she’s right. They were gigantic.

Additional Comments: We were not welcome there. There was a ripe Get Outta Here DogFace vibe that day as local softball leagues gathered to celebrate their victories and ceremoniously pulverize peanut shells. We, however, remained unfazed and will definitely be back to Heroes for more.

Photo credit: Kayla Benker ’13