August Favorites

"I'm Comin' Over," Chris Young: I've already fallen hard for Chris Young since I discovered his music at the beginning of the summer, so it wasn't a stretch to get this new single stuck in my head (the chorus is oddly catchy, and there's something very satisfying about rhyming "over" with "closure") -- but it didn't hurt that the Country radio station that I listen to on the Vineyard has "I'm Comin' Over" in pretty heavy rotation. Super psyched to see what else Chris has on tap with his new album that's due out this fall!

"Make Me Wanna" and "Crash and Burn," Thomas Rhett: Thomas Rhett is another guy that I just can't seem to get away from on Country radio. And while I was a bit skeptical of him at first, these two songs (one old, one new) have really grown on me. They are both catchy as hell, and so easy to sing along with.

Chunky Aviator Sunglasses: Tom Cruise's two super-stylish pairs of aviators in Rogue Nation were so kick ass, they inspired me to overhaul my own sunglasses collection this summer. While Tom's glasses are by LGR, I didn't find this out until after I went shopping. Plus, I wanted some instant gratification. I hit up Summer Shades in Edgartown, and tried on nearly every pair of aviators they had in the store. I ended up going for both a chunky pair (by Ralph by Ralph Lauren) very close to those Tom wears in the Morocco villa scene, and a more traditional pair (by Oakley) that looked too good on me to pass up. My love for the chunky look was boosted further by Napoleon Solo's signature pair (by Thierry Lasry) in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. I adore this style so much because it is both retro and timeless all at once, so hopefully I will be able to rock my new acquisitions for many seasons to come.

Shaun the Sheep Movie: This movie was just what I needed after working an eleven and a half hour day. It's adorable, sweet, funny, and touching. There are great sight gags throughout the film, and the sheep make such cute noises! Can't wait until this comes out on DVD so I can have it on hand for any night when I need to simplify things and chill.

Mötely Crüe at Barclays Center: Okay, so I already saw Mötley's Final Tour when they swung through MSG last October, and I hate Barclay's Center, so I told myself I would only go to this show if I could get a really good seat (i.e. close to the stage and on Nikki's side). I got a really good seat. So good that the heat from the pyro actually made my necklace warm.

I was so close to Nikki Sixx -- it was amazing! I could even see his little prep/staging table on the side of the stage. Blue Gatorade and Fiji Water are definitely great ways to hydrate, Nikki.

The show did feel a bit different from the one in October, even though I think the set list was pretty much the same. Instead of giving a short oral history of the band's formation, Nikki explained his "be the knife" philosophy, and Nikki and Vince rode in cherry pickers around the arena during "Kickstart My Heart," the last song of the main set.

Also, Tommy's Crucifly was somehow even bigger, badder, and better this time around. I felt like I was in The Fifth Element, or some other SciFi movie, during his crazy drum solo -- as if this is what concerts of the future will all be like.

My favorite moment was at the end of the show when the boys played "Live Wire," "Dr. Feelgood," and "Kickstart My Heart" back-to-back. Those three songs are my absolute favorites (along with "On With The Show"), and I was able to get lost in the music for a few totally blissful minutes. In fact, during the whole hour and forty minutes that the Crüe played, I wasn't thinking about anything else besides the show and the music, which is something that doesn't happen to me nearly enough. I am so glad that I got to see these guys play one last time, even if Vince *still* hasn't learned the words to "Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)."

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: This movie is so damn stylish, and it manages to both follow and wink at spy movie conventions all at once. The casting is just perfect, as is Henry Cavill's wonderfully flat American accent. My favorite scene is that in which Cavill's Napoleon Solo and Armie Hammer's Illya Kuryakin argue over which designer dresses can be mixed and matched with a Paco Rabanne belt. It is so wonderfully deadpan and earnest, which makes it all the more hilarious. Of course, the boys would be nothing without Alicia Vikander's Gaby, who easily keeps everyone, including the audience, on their toes. While The Man from U.N.C.L.E. works as a breezy one-off pop confection, I for one would certainly welcome a sequel or two, as long as the core trio is along for the ride.

Grandma: This movie is worth seeing for the scene between Lily Tomlin and Sam Elliott alone. But the whole film is an enjoyable portrait of a woman, her family, and the events and choices that have shaped them. Even though the movie takes place over the course of one day, it manages to offer a rich character portrait without being gimmicky.

Rock N Roll, Buckcherry: As soon as I heard "Tight Pants," I knew that this album was going to be the version of Buckcherry that I love the most, delivering rock with a heavy dose of pop sensibilities. "Tight Pants" is to Rock N Roll what "Crazy Bitch" is to 15. While all the requisite upbeat glam-rock bangers are present, Rock N Roll also contains two more ballad-like tracks ("The Feeling Never Dies" and "Rain's Falling") that reveal the band's gentler side. This makes for an extremely well-balanced album that really showcases singer Josh Todd's unique voice -- which has always been the reason I love Buckcherry in the first place (plus, they are awesome live!).