Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 21, 2012

12

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

 Mountain Views-News Saturday July 21, 2012 


Gables of Monrovia Hosts a 

Rock & Roll Celebration

The Gables of Monrovia , a Brookdale Senior Living community, is hosting a Rock & Roll 
Rendezvous event on Friday, July 27, 2012 from 2 pm – 6 pm. The event features classic 
tunes from the early Rock ‘n’ Roll era, refreshments, community tours and special surprises. 

Guests are encouraged to bring their families, friends and loved ones. Event starts at 2 pm 
– 6 pm. Jordon Preston will be entertaining, as well as a hand-jive contest, raffle prizes, and 
a 1950’s Diner with refreshments! 

“Please join us as we enjoy the classic sounds of Elvis, Buddy Holly and other early Rock ‘n’ 
Roll artists,” said Christopher Finn, executive director of Gables of Monrovia . “We look 
forward to meeting new friends and commemorating this special time in American history.” 

Throughout 2012, Gables of Monrovia is hosting “Music of Our Times,” a series of monthly 
events, each one celebrating a different genre of music. The events are a component of 
Brookdale Senior Living’s Optimum Life®, which supports residents’ pursuit of living well 
through the six dimensions of wellness.

Featuring spacious and comfortable apartment homes, Gables of Monrovia offers a wide 
variety of services and programs. As part of their monthly fee, residents of the community 
have access to scheduled transportation, housekeeping, home maintenance, dining services 
and educational classes. Additionally, the community features a full array of assisted living 
services and a friendly, well trained healthcare team.

For more information on this special event, please call Gables of Monrovia 626-301-0204 

Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is a leading owner and operator of senior living communities 
throughout the United States. The company is committed to providing an exceptional living 
experience through properties that are designed, purpose-built and operated to provide the 
highest-quality service, care and living accommodations for residents. Currently the company 
operates independent living, assisted living, and dementia-care communities and continuing 
care retirement centers, with 646 communities in 35 states and the ability to serve over 67,000 
residents. Brookdale is committed to providing exceptional living experiences within properties 
that are purpose-built, designed and operated to help residents live well while achieving an 
Optimum Life®. Brookdale Senior Living communities provide a daily experience of programs, 
services and care that are unique as a result of the collective talents and inspiration of the 
residents, their families, and its associates – demonstrating Brookdale’s promise of “Our 
People Make the Difference.” Brookdale is a publicly-traded company (NYSE: BKD). For more 
information, visit http://www.brookdaleliving.com. 

SEAN’S SHAMELESS 

REVIEWS: 


Review By Sean Kayden

PASSION PIT 

 

Hailing from Cambridge, Massachusetts, electropop darlings Passion Pit find 
themselves bursting back onto the scene with “Gossamer,” the successor to 
their 2009 breakthrough album, “Manners”. For this go around, Passion Pit will have some catching up 
to do since, within the three years between albums, a multitude of artists have come onto the playing 
field with similar identities. Fortunately, from what I can tell, the band has evolved in a substantial 
and remarkable sort of way. Simply put, “Gossamer” is pure awesomeness for the summer season. It’s 
glorious, beautiful, amazing in every aspect. It’s brighter and bubblier than their last outing, which is 
saying a whole lot if you’re already familiar with their previous material. Passion Pit mixes synthesizers, 
tweaked post-production vocals, funky beats, the occasional R&B vibe and an overall pop sound that 
is exceptionally revitalizing. “Gossamer” is a smashingly high-quality record that should cater to both 
indie and mainstream fans equally. 

 The album kicks off with “Take A Walk”. After 
the initial twenty five seconds of a light, twinkle-
sort of arrangement, the song explodes into heart 
pounding drumbeats and an uplifting sound. 
It’s as if you’re feet are raised off the ground 
because the vibe is that much exhilarating. “I’ll 
Be Alright” starts off in similar fashion to songs 
off “Manners”—ultra fast squealing beats that resemblances the sound of a little kid trying to speak. 
Those shrieking beats are scattered throughout the song, but the majority of the duration provides 
something much more satisfying to the ears. This is the product that should be plastered on the radio, 
TV commercials, rom-com flicks or wherever else. It seriously has the potential of being a massive hit. 
The fun seriously never stops for its 48 minutes of length. While some people may mistake the album 
for being grandiloquent in nature, I absolutely love the overblown sound. The high flowing energy 
“Gossamer” brings to the table is not only mind-blowing, but also commendable on Passion Pit’s 
part. They slow down a bit in the R&B inspired tune, “Constant Conversations”. It’s a welcoming small 
departure that’s smooth, sexy, and is easily superior to anything that’s been released by artists who are 
confined to that genre as their dominant stomping ground.

 I’ve heard quite a few albums that start off strong and can’t keep up the momentum. Without any 
trepidation I can honestly say Passion Pit keeps their sophomore album with great impetus. Sure, the 
second half is noticeably more downbeat, softer, and heartfelt. It’s still a wonderful experience to be 
a part of and there aren’t any noticeable faults from Passion Pit. They’ve honestly crafted an indelible 
second album for any given genre. The closing track, “Where We Belong,” calms you down and creates 
this undeniable catharsis. It’s the deepest of cuts that’s affecting and reflective. It’s an appropriate 
end to what is an unexpectedly terrific album from beginning to end. Passion Pit has pulled off an 
outstanding feat with “Gossamer”. There’s no sophomore slump here, people. The illustrious crown 
is given, rightfully so, to Passion Pit for their tremendous efforts of not only expanding upon their 
artistic abilities, but pushing the envelope even further. The record outdoes its predecessor in every 
imaginative way possible and ends up being the closest thing to a pop masterpiece in quite sometime. 

Grade: 9.0 out of 10 

Key Tracks: “Take A Walk”, “I’ll Be Alright”, “Carried Away”, “Mirrored Sea”