The internet is getting pretty crafty these days. Last week we were literally hypnotised by that Bieber song slowed down 800%. This week? We are able to travel back in time with Arcade Fire’s interactive music video for their single, “We Used to Wait.” The latest in Google wizadry, Google Chrome, is a new kind of browser that all the cool kids are “liking” on Facebook. Forgive me for not being more technical but essentially Chrome partnered up with our beloved homegrown band to create a thingamajig where you insert your childhood address and are whisked back in time with, like, a Tetris-type format that incorporates your old home into the music video. The project is called “The Wilderness Downtown.” I know, space age right? It’s the modern day flux capacitor.

Lots of memories conjure up while all this Chrome shizack is at work with the music. Do you remember being a sweaty teen sitting on a curb outside your house? Maybe you just had a fight with your mom, were sneaking a smoke or just so bored that it seemed like a great idea to drink OJ and thumbkill those little red bugs. (Sidenote: has anyone seen those in the past decade?) As you were sitting there – you looked at the bedroom windows of other kids on the block. A wave of guilt would asphyxiate my body realizing that all the windows I stared at belonged to boys I showed my vagina to back in grade two. It took me a long time to feel better about that, just as long as it did for me to overcome the fact that I pissed the carpet in kindergarten. You know what? Screw that orange juice, let’s change this scene, you are sucking on one of those red, white and blue Popsicles. The dog, Bruno, from next door helps lick your sticky fingers and just as you look him in the eyes and feel a deep connection with the droopy eyed pup – your mom shouts from the second floor window,”Honey, have you seen my pink pins.” You have no idea what those are, but move towards the house and on the way find a Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker resting in the tall wet grass. YESS!

Like a dream, it doesn’t all make sense – but something truly magical occurs while watching this video. Transport yourself back, it’s a good buzz. Thanks Google Chrome.

http://www.thewildernessdowntown.com/