Japandroids shouldn’t celebrate just yet JAPANDROIDS By Clinton Hallahan, Contributor QO@ ookended by fireworks, B Celebration Kock (released worldwide June 5) by Vancouver punk rockers Japandroids has done away with all that pesky “breathing” and “pausing” that colours basic human function in lieu of some serious velocity. That was their hallmark on their breakout LP, Post-Nothing, but fans of that record will find more “Wet Hair” than “Crazy Forever” on this one, their most recent minor triumph. Japandroids have always prayed to the Mecca of Big Sexy Hooks, and have an uncanny ability to bury those hooks deep in your brain. But Celebration Rock becomes oddly empty in that pursuit. The same techniques are there—the immaculate riffs, the vocal cues primed for Facebook, and, again, that unbridled velocity perfect for field parties and road trips—but the album is a Tuesday party; a gathering with no goal but celebrating celebration. It’s fun, and maybe even awesome, but fleeting and hedonistic. Hip hop has “hashtag rap,” a jokey kind of call-and-response that breaks flow for punch lines, so maybe this is the logical analog in rock music: worship for the almighty good time and little ambition for anything else. Maybe that’s where the kids are these days. Caught in a Teen Daze By Angela Espinoza, Arts Editor OOOO ocal electronic artist Teen | x has skyrocketed to popularity over the last year, touring non-stop around the world. On top of that, he’s still found the time to release his new album, All of Us, Together (June 5)}~—but popularity certainly hasn’t been much of a distraction for him in terms of style. Clocking in at just under 45 minutes, All of Us, Together is one of those albums you can listen to a dozen times over and still have a great time with. Beat after beat, track after track, this album makes the perfect soundtrack for just about any situation. Whether you’re dancing in your bedroom or need something to fill the background of a party, it’s simply a necessary ingredient for anything requiring a chill atmosphere. It’s one of the few albums | could recommend to just about anyone, regardless of their musical tastes. There is something of a light flaw in that though, because while it’s sure to be a fun listen for just about anyone, that universality doesn’t say much if Teen Daze is trying to establish anything beyond having a good time. Nonetheless, All of Us, Together is, again, a fun listen and should be a part of just about everyone’s collection. They’re just two mentally unstable kids in love By Angela Espinoza, Arts Editor SCC) es Anderson’s latest, Moonrise Kingdom, was released in Canada on June 1. This is the first film since the beloved indie director’s Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), and if time has proven anything, it’s that the fantastic Mr. Anderson only continues to get better at his craft. Moonrise Kingdom tells the story of two socially awkward children named Sam Shakusky (Jared Gilman) and Suzy Bishop (Kara Hayward) in 1965. The two experience love at first sight and conspire to runaway together one year later. Determined to let nothing tear them apart, they are constantly in pursuit by Sam’s Scout Master (Edward Norton), Suzy’s parents (Frances McDormand and Bill Mutray), and a local, middle-aged cop (Bruce Willis). Although not featured in the top bill, stars Gilman and Hayward not only flawlessly steal the show, they, to be as clichéd as possible, steal your heart as well. Their maturity and impeccable delivery make for a truly sweet and innocent romance. As for their more adult peers, Norton and Willis really are the most unique of the adults, struggling to be role models for Shakusky while at the same time finding themselves in what appears to be a mid-life crisis. Abundant with Anderson’s typical gorgeous and painting- like cinematography, a superb cast, and hilarity all around, Moonrise Kingdom may very well be Anderson’s greatest film to date.