Of Montreal and Williamsburg

All right, I’m back from visiting my ancestral homeland of New England, which I have to admit is perilously close (geographically and culturally) to Canada, with which I have a love-hate relationship.  On the downside: the socialistic tendencies that the U.S. now threatens to imitate.

On the plus side, it’s the land that educated the Williamsburg-dwelling rock writer with an interest in conservatism who just e-mailed me to say she wants my opinions on rock and the right — and on a similar note, it’s where my libertarian friend, McGill polisci prof Jacob Levy (at my suggestion) recently saw Montreal-dwelling, formerly Williamsburg-dwelling band Metric.  I offered to give him his money back if he didn’t enjoy them, and he reports that no refund was necessary.  Here’s a reminder why we are both correct.  I almost tear up when she hits those really high notes, which helps aesthetically even if it’s just a nails-on-chalkboard auditory nerve response thing having nothing to do with the emotions conveyed (I find myself having a similar reaction at times to the slightly more nasal Aimee Mann, though I have multiple reasons to cry when I think of Mann).

On a nerdier entertainment note, my one-week vacation may justify taking the time to see my acquaintance Jerm and his Raspberry Brothers mock superhero film clips tonight at Knitting Factory (361 Metropolitan Avenue, again with the Williamsburg) at 8pm, all MST3K-style.  I’ll just say: Batman and Robin.  Another option tonight: 6-8pm artsy storytelling at Cornelia Street Cafe (29 Cornelia St.) featuring my friend Michele Carlo among others.  The brave and bold man might be tempted to catch both events.