Part 5

Q Chen, 4th Year, Visual Studies

Artist: Galileo Galilei (Japan)
Song Title: Yotsuba Sagashi no Tabibito (The Traveler in Search of a 4-Leaf Clover)

Album: 四ツ葉探しの旅人 (Parade)

In this simple rock tune by a young Japanese rock band composed of 20-year-olds, we find both a sound reminiscent of the 90's, and energetic, unrefined punk flavors of the 2000s. The lyrics speak of traveling by bus to seemingly random locations, but with a clear goal in mind: finding the 4-leaf clover. I took summer courses and did not travel, but the song hit home for me in that it reminded me of the "clover" in life, something not necessarily found while traveling.

Part 4

Emily Elizabeth Scherzinger, 1st Year, English

Song: Cleanse Song

Band: Bright Eyes

Album: Cassadaga

This past summer was not an epic one. It was not a time of great discovery or turmoil about who I was, like my previous summer. Instead, this past summer was more about relaxing and preparing myself mentally for my first year in university. At the time, all I could think about was the change university would bring – living away from home, being able to do what I want whenever I want. But with change comes both good and bad things. My summer was the sad taste at the back of your mouth that inevitably comes with every beautiful moment.

One of my favourite memories I have that personified this summer so well was falling asleep in my boyfriend’s room with his arms around me as “Cleanse Song” by Bright Eyes played; and the light from a streetlamp filtered in through his window. That song seems to be all about change, and that’s exactly what I wanted during the summer. This is obvious when (lead singer) Conor Oberst sings the opening lines: “Hear the chimes, did you know that the wind when it blows/It is older than Rome and all of this sorrow.” As I heard those lines, I would be sent over the edge into that state where I was not awake but I wasn’t asleep – all I could do was think about what I wanted for myself in the nearby future.

Part 3

Elena Gritzan, 2nd Year, Chemistry

Band: The Zolas
Song: Cab Driver
Album: Tic Toc Tic

I was introduced to The Zolas this summer, and I knew by the second song of their expressive piano rock album that it would become one of my favourites. These Vancouver based musicians sound-tracked countless walks to work, a few road trips, and lazy afternoons with friends. I present to you my cat's favourite song from the album (which she expressed by always rolling around during the piano breakdown towards the end of the track). For me, the summer of 2011 will always sound like a quirky pop song with a falsetto-ed chorus.

Part 2

Radhika Mathur, 1st Year, Social Sciences

Band: Bon Iver
Song: Beach Baby
Album: Blood Bank



Summer 2011 was one to remember--graduating from high school and transitioning into university 10,000 miles away would be a major milestone in anyone’s life. So I made sure I made good use of my time left back home in Singapore. I did so by spending as much time as possible by the beach, whilst listening to "Beach Baby" by Bon Iver. Though this was not intentional, I did chuckle to myself at the word play as I cycled parallel to the sun reflecting into the deep sea below. Summer ’11 will forever be one long sunny memory at the beach, baby.

Let the Summer Live On...

Stephanie King, 2nd Year, Criminology (on exchange study from Australia)

Band: Best Coast
Song: Bratty B
Album: Crazy For You


The most appealing aspect of this song is the way it tells so much in only a minute forty three. Appearing to be just a collection of current thoughts and emotions, it perfectly conveys itself quick enough to make me want to listen to it over and over again.