The Monster Ball In Boston, Dec. 1

Okay, yes I admit, this blog is turning into a GaGa fan land. I'll try to cut back a little. But first allow me to gush about the amazing Monster Ball show I saw in Boston on Tuesday night. Walking into the stunning Wang Theater on Tremont Street, you just knew this was going to be a good night. People were dressed up in snazzy outfits and the GaGa t-shirts were clever and visually glorious. Upon reaching our seats on the lower right side of the theater we watched Kid Cudi do his last song. Then, as they set up the Monster Ball stage, we watched as a dance party commenced to classic Michael Jackson being played over the speakers. People were dancing in the aisles. The man in front of me was MJ-ing it up and lip-syncing along to "Bad" with conviction and another young guy in suspenders and a t-shirt was doing some sort of dance that may have been the worm (probably not, I couldn't really see all his moves). When the intro GaGa video started playing the crowd started freaking out, me included, then the countdown clock started and I just couldn't wait. She appeared doing "Dance in the Dark" off her new album, and I was beyond excited. The Lady performed for two splendid hours. The costumes were daring and bizarre while the dancing had elements of Broadway and vaudeville. Highlights included: "Monster", off the new album as well, which involved a backdrop with demented, twisted trees and a black feathered costume for GaGa, a wonderfully choreographed version of the raw "Teeth", a sexual tormented love affair dance to campy "Alejandro" complete with a sassy cigarette (which I just noticed was there in a close-up video), "Boys Boys Boys" with GaGa wearing a black leotard-type outfit with a gun strapped across her chest and some male dancers grabbing their crotches and grinding while wearing black suspenders and pants, fun versions of The Fame (complete with shielding face from fame hand movements) and Beautiful, Dirty, Rich (remixed with great choreography including a funny don't mess with me crotch gesture). There was a slight lull when she did some of her lesser known songs such as Paper Gangsta (which did have a cool dentist chair, dead female dancer thing going on) and Fashion (good nonetheless-male dancer in high-heeled black boots). Perhaps one of the greatest moments of the night was one GaGa sat at her piano and played a fantastic, moving version of Speechless, her new ballad about her Dad. She had us sing along and was very touched when we knew all the words to the chorus. Poker Face on piano was also terrific featuring GaGa doing her usual crazy piano antics: crouching on her piano bench, standing on her piano bench, striking what seemed to be a yoga pose while we all cheered, and playing the keys with her sassy high heels (she did that at the House of Blues in March as well). When she played Speechless was when all the emotions I'd been feeling since the show started came out. I started crying. I think it was one of those moments of pop euphoria where you pretty much surrender to the music and performer. I was holding back emotion from the moment she appeared on stage. I felt uninhibited. I screamed, I sang along, I danced. Paparazzi was a dramatic staging with GaGa coming out in a black coat with super long, blonde braids and sitting in a hanging scaffold filled with theater equipment. She was lifted up while in the hanging scaffolding as she sang and her Rapunzel-like braids were cut with giant scissors by some male dancers. The high of the show had to be the Bad Romance conclusion though. When the song started, the whole theater went crazy. GaGa did the weird and amazing choreography from the video in white pants, a black bustier of sorts, and a white jacket with comically high shoulder pads. It was ferocious. We put our monster claws up in the air and danced with abandon. Throughout the whole show, GaGa had brief video interludes while she changed costumes. The best one involved GaGa in a white dress seemingly made of paper posing then another version of GaGa with dark hair (who I originally thought was an Asian model) spits up greenish liquid onto the white dress. The spit up occurs again and again. It is out there, but brilliant. Another clip involved GaGa wearing various masks (gas mask, torture masks, African masks?). One involved her smoking a cigarette through the whole in a gas mask or a diving mask. The last video we saw followed Bad Romance and was of her getting a tattoo that apparently said the word "Fans" within her heart. And boy, did GaGa profess to loving her fans throughout the show. She also had some great, zany quotes per usual (not all which I can post...scandalous!). Here are some: "I hate the truth. Give me a load of bulls**** any day.", "When I went around the world, people asked me 'GaGa, what did you see?' and I said (dramatic turn around) ' I saw monsters'", "Is this Menthol?", "Do you think I'm sexy? I think you're sexy.", "My mom's here tonight...she's like me but normal,", "I went to get a large coffee yesterday and the man at the counter didn't say anything. He gave me my coffee and said 'See you tonight' (the Lady then snaps and turns around imitating the sassy fan). That is a Lady GaGa fan." She also had a quote about Boston and certain male appendages. She has a whirlwind of an onstage persona. She screams and yells for us to scream which we do because what else would you do when GaGa asks you something like that. She lies on the stage with her legs in the air pretending to be Tinker Bell and we have to scream and cheer to bring her back to life. She commands us to show her our teeth. Also, her dancers were all superb especially two male dancers (one who was Mark from So You Think You Can Dance season 4). Mark was always the kooky, weird modern dancer on SYTYCD and GaGa is the perfect person for him to dance for. He fits her vision and gets completely into character. Many of the male dancers had a masculine and feminine side that came out in different numbers. Sometimes they flitted about the stage and sometimes they were grounded and firm. It was a fantastic change from song to song or set of songs to set of songs. The Monster Ball was an experience filled with camp, sex, fierce costumes (the revealing sexy golden Egyptian style outfit), the solar system set piece, and real artistic vision. I was moved or laughed at GaGa's vision at various points. She's very serious about her art, but also you have to take everything with a grain of salt. She's self-aware. What a night! What a crowd of lovable GaGa loons.

Bravo GaGa! Ooh, la, la!

(Thanks to CEG and GaGa Daily for the photos)

Here's the dual GaGa video interlude

Brilliant.

Songs, Songs, Songs

Try Sleeping with A Broken Heart-Alicia Keys
Ms. Keys is back, releasing a new album, The Element of Freedom, in December. The first single, Doesn't Mean Anything flopped on the Billboard Hot 100, but here is the beautiful second single, Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart. It's the best thing she's done in a few years (I wasn't a big No One fan). Its got big drums and bits that sound like lightning bolts in an 80's video game. The chorus is fantastic with Keys' defiantly singing: "I'm gonna find a way to make it, without you tonight" Classic Keys. I'm very curious about her new album now.


Orally Fixated-Roisin Murphy
Electro diva Roisin Murphy has released a new single, Orally Fixated. It's very different than all her other stuff. Very sexy with the beat kind of doubling back on itself, stopping and starting at points. The strutting, stuttering beat fades in and out after the chorus. It's quite naughty and delicious. Best bit: "Orally fixated. Never satiated." Can't wait for her new album.



Acapella-Kelis
I never expected to be writing about Milkshake singer, Kelis, on this blog, but this week she's gone and posted her new song, Acapella, online, and it's quite fantastic. It's produced by dance man David Guetta (When Love Takes Over, Sexy Chick, I Gotta Feeling)and features a strutting rhythm and beat similar to Roisin's Orally Fixated. I love the idea of the song that Kelis' life was always acapella before she met this person who her life became a fully orchestrated song. Okay, I know very cheesy, but very effective in a song. I'm super excited for her new album now.



3 Words-Cheryl Cole and Will.I.Am
Cheryl Cole of Girls Aloud released her debut solo album in the UK last month and it is a huge hit. Her next single is the dark and sensual, late night clubbing slow burner 3 Words which features Black Eyed Pea and producer, Will.I.Am. It's probably the best song on the album. Anyway, the video premiered today and it's quite lovely. There are dancers with fabric across their faces going loco and Cheryl looks quite stunning. Better than the Fight for This Love video. Her black and gold outfit around 1:52 is gorgeous and Lady GaGa-ish. A lot of the video seems influenced by Lady Gaga especially when Cheryl sports an odd-looking blond wig. Very cool concept though. I like how it is pretty much set in one, museum-like room with a stained glass window. Very interesting Cheryl.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfiWXIQ85ho

Mind Blown

Lady GaGa's new video for Bad Romance premiered on Tuesday and it is potentially her best video yet possibly even topping the absolute over the top decadence and drama of the splendid Paparazzi video. First off: the costumes are out of this world. It's sexy and alluring and weird. GaGa wears a stunning, ridiculous polar bear coat, a diamond encrusted top, a bizarre red top, and crazy tall high heels called Armadillos made by the English designer Alexander McQueen. The plot of the video is that GaGa is being sold into the Russian sex slave trade and she rebels and sears her buyer alive in a bed. It is genius. The dancing is odd and awesome. Le Lady looks truly beautiful in this video. My favorite parts: the dance routine when GaGa is being auctioned off in her diamond outfit, the fiery dance routine in the red outfit near the end, the part where the diamonds are suspended around her in the air and she's standing in the middle of a circle of men (the dark shoes in that scene are gorgeous), and the end bit when she enters in the polar bear coat then takes it off and the bed catches on fire, killing her horrible buyer. Also the end is hilarious when she's lying in the bed looking somewhat like Amy Winehouse smoking a cigarette with her cone bra emitting sparks, next to the burnt bones of the evil Russian man. There's also the bit where she is in flames, posing inher polar bear coat. Classic. Oh wait, and there's the crazy big eyes, the freaky cat, and the close ups of her crying! Overall, this video is a triumph that cleans the floor with pretty much every other video out there as well as every other major pop song out there. GaGa's vision is wonderfully original and passion-filled. She inspires me. I wish I was as brave and daring as her. This video is a huge present to the pop music world. I'm infatuated. I don't think my description does it justice. Just watch:

Here are some new photos for her new album The Fame Monster as well as new weird photos from Vogue (I adore the one where she's holding the pot and spoon--regard the shoes!) and retro ones from Vanity Fair Italy that look like old school lingerie ads and propaganda posters. Also, the Alexander McQueen shoes of amazingness (thanks to Coco Perez.com). Ahh, je t'adore, GaGa.

Beautiful Electro

Little Boots next single in the UK is the lovely Earthquake. Bootsy looks absolutely stunning in the video with her gray and purple dress. There are some splendid, gentle "oh woah woahs" and beautiful, soaring high vocals. Good electro pop for the end of fall.



Mini Viva are a new British gal duo (Britt Love and Frankee Connolly), who released their first single, Left My Heart in Tokyo, in the UK in September. They were brought together by genius producers Xenomania (they do the Girls Aloud albums). Their second single is perfect for late fall and early winter. It's called I Wish and I'm quite in love with it. Popjustice was right when they compared it to Girls Aloud's hit from fall 2007, Call the Shots except I Wish is gentler. Britt Love, on left, has a slightly odd, brassy voice that adds a little something extra to their songs. The best section of I Wish is the part that comes after the chorus and at the end:

And I go oh no
He could be the one who hits the light inside my soul
Oh baby, This could be the last of my control
And I go oh no
He could be the one who hits the light inside my soul
Oh baby, This could be the last of my control

Lovely, sweet lyrics. Another great entry in the "sad disco" genre. Also, wonderfully metallic and shiny single cover. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album now. Check out the video below:

I WANT YOUR PSYCHO

Lady GaGa's new single, Bad Romance, from the re-release of The Fame (entitled The Fame: Monster) was premiered on UK radio station BBC Radio 1 this morning and it is a beast! It's another RedOne collaboration (he produced most of The Fame notably Just Dance and Poker Face), and they evolve their signature sound with this fortress of a pop tune. Bad Romance comes at you fast and it hits hard. GaGa sings as if she's singing a hard rock tune, but it works with the song's intensity. The chorus is fantastic and soaring and as XO Middle Eight blogger wrote last week: "The chorus is beautiful. When she actually sings in a full, throaty voice she transforms into a sort of Eurodisco Joan Baez,". GaGa digs into her grimy lyrics making them sound raw and primal (and she sings in French at one point). The "oh oh oh" part of the chorus is stunning and extremely catchy. The album version has a lovely intro that I wish was part of the radio edit. In short, Bad Romance practically compels the listener to react whether that be through dancing or singing along or turning the volume up as high as it will go. This is a song to blast. This song bodes well for her future and shows how her sound has expanded over the course of a year. Simply magnificent. Also check out that single cover. It's so weird yet awesome at the same time. I love how we can't see her face, and that red fabric just pops! Great font!

The Fame: Monster will include 8 new songs (yay!) and will be released on Nov. 24, 2009! She starts a new tour, The Monster Ball Tour, in November.

Full Version

Lady GaGa + SNL

Saturday night Lady GaGa preceded to steal Saturday Night Live from its host, Ryan Reynolds the other night. She appeared with Madonna in the Deep House Dish skit, and they got into a mock catfight. The most exciting moment was when Keenan Thompson announced them and they had their backs to the audience and we weren't sure whether it was really them or not. Then it was! Awesome moment. Then, GaGa did a good version of Paparazzi complete with a dangerously red "outfit" leotard thing. Her male backup dancer was really into it. She did a fantastic medley of LoveGame, a little bit of her new song Bad Romance, and a sweet and moving piano version of Poker Face devoted to her hometown of New York all while wearing a bizarre solar system around her waist. Her voice was in fine form. Overall, it was glorious. The last thing she did was a skit with Andy Samberg that was a send-up of the bubble dress she wore on her Fame Ball Tour. They were both wearing the bubble dresses and attempting to kiss each other. It was pretty funny. GaGa was very likable and even though she's not the greatest actress, I ended up loving her more than I already do by the end of the episode. Also, she looked pretty with her long, flowing blond hair.







P.S. Her debut album The Fame will be released as The Fame Monster on Nov. 24 with new songs! The first single from it will be Bad Romance which I can't wait to hear the studio version of.

Crazy Sexy Cool

Carrie Underwood has released a delectable new single called Cowboy Casanova. I kind of knew I would love it from the title. It's a warning tune to all the gals out there who might fall for this "devil in disguise". The guitar riffs are down and dirty, and Carrie's vocals are gritty, low, and spot on. The whoa oh chorus just makes it better. Great lyrics as well. It's country, but not too twangy that I was turned off. Carrie looks good in the video in her saloon-esque outfits. She reminds me a little of Reese Witherspoon in it.



Britney Spears is releasing another Greatest Hits in November, and she's come out with a new single to hype it up. It's called 3 and I'll let you guess what it's about. I originally thought it was pretty weak, but after another listen its pop genius was revealed to me. The chorus is dumb, cheeky, campy, and catchy as hell. The lyrics are super sexual and pretty awesomely hilarious especially the whole Peter, Paul, and Mary reference. The best parts are the bridge before the chorus where Brit sings: "Are you in in? Living in sin is the new thing." and the middle eight where everything slows down. The producer is Brit's partner in crime, Max Martin who gave us If U Seek Amy, Stronger, Oops...I Did It Again, and Baby One More Time and he ups the camp and gleeful sexual hints to a new high. A super fun electro-pop romp.

Gleeks Unite

Glee proved itself this week with its episode entitled "Preggers". I've enjoyed Fox's new musical dramedy since it's sneak preview back in May, but this past week's episode really showed me how great the show was. It was the best episode so far. It was funny, sad, moving, and full of wonderful dancing and singing. Beyonce's Single Ladies dance played an essential role in the episode which revolved around gay glee club member Kurt trying out for the football team to make his Dad proud. The episode opens with Kurt performing a splendid black and white homage to Beyonce's original video complete with gal pal backup dancers. His Dad comes down to see him rehearsing this number and the girls with Kurt end up lying him into being on the football team. Kurt enlists the help of fellow glee club member Finn who is already on the football team (which is a terrible team by the way). Kurt tries out for kicker and warms up to Single Ladies before he makes an amazing kick and is put on the team. There are a few subplots going on here too. The best revolves around mean girl cheerleader Quinn's pregnancy. What i like about Glee is how it takes characters like Quinn who you think are one-note caricatures and turns them into people you really feel for. And the way Quinn's reveal to Finn was shot with a close-up of her face from Finn's perspective with him getting overwhelmed and not really being able to fully understand what she's saying because he's so shocked, was very effective. Also, scene stealer Jane Lynch continues to be hilarious as the cheerleading coach who now has her own segment on the local news. Jayma Mays of Ugly Betty is cute and likable as Glee club teacher Will's (Matthew Morrison) germaphobe crush. The whole cast is immensely talented. The football team's dance to Single Ladies was a high point of the episode. I'm completely on board now. And Kurt's coming out scene to his Dad was sweet and moving. Kurt has really been developed as a character since the first episode. He's not a caricature of a gay teen anymore. Sure he's campy and loves singing and dancing, but he is also a great football player. In Glee's world, you can do anything you want as long as you make it your own like Kurt did.

Tidbits

-La Roux's #1 UK single, Bulletproof, is the US iTunes free download of the week and their album became available digitally in the US yesterday. I bought it already knowing it's amazing from listening to rips of the songs on YouTube. Check it out. It's very 80's electro but the lyrics are good and the songs, catchy. The album is currently #21 on the US iTunes chart. Congrats, La Roux! They're performing their first Boston show on October 27th.

-The Saturdays' new album, out Oct. 12 in the UK, will be called Wordshaker, not the hilarious Colonial Masses as Wikipedia erroneously reported. The album cover could have been the gals rocking some serious colonial garb with bonnets and aprons and a complete lack of sexiness. The actual album cover is cool and slightly kooky involving dramatic pieces of fabric and bizarre hair pieces. This and the Forever is Over cover are beautiful images, but the slightly odd choice of the album's photo theme is a little forced. It declares: "Hey, we can do crazy stuff with our hair because we are making a second album that is pretty crazy and different. What you think about that?" It's similar to the look the Sugababes sported in their Denial video last year. Anyway, I'm excited for the album. It's the sophomore album test.

Sugababes Update

Keisha Buchanan (far right in picture), the only original member of Sugababes remaining after two line up changes over the past decade, has left the group according to many media outlets. She is being replaced by Jade Ewen, a young singer who represented the UK in the campy European song contest, Eurovision this year. Jade's debut single My Man was released today in the UK. Apparently, Keisha will become a solo artist now. This really saddens me. Rumors were circulating last week that Amelle (far left) who joined the group in Dec. 2005 would be leaving the group, but I'm very surprised to see Keisha leaving. She seemed to be the spokeswoman for the group. She was honest, opinionated, and talkative. Reading her twitter page is quite fun. Music news website Digital Spy reports that the Babes new album, Sweet 7, will still be released in the UK on Nov. 23. Here's what Keisha had to say on her twitter regarding her departure: "Although it was not my choice to leave, it's time to enter a new chapter in my life. I have nothing but positive things to say about the girls and I wish them the best of luck. I would like to state that there were no arguments, bullying or anything of the sort that led to this.

"Sometimes a break down in communication and lack of trust can result in many different things. I would also like to point out that I have always supported the girls and they have also supported me."

She added: "I want to thank the Sugababes fans and my fans for all your support and all who have never judged me, but accepted me for who I am... The feisty, funny, professional, fearless motor mouth. This is not the end... but the beginning!"

(quote and other article info courtesy of Twitter and DigitalSpy.co.uk)

With Keisha, the one constant mainstay in the group since its origins, gone, I don't know who will be the charismatic cheerleader of the group. Heidi Range (blondie in middle) is rather reserved so maybe Amelle can step up. She's got a cool, edgy haircut after all. Jade Ewen can't do it. She needs to prove herself first. She has HUGE HUGE stilettos to fill.

Another thing to note is that the Babes' upcoming single, About A Girl, the second release from the new album is much better than the "meh" Get Sexy. About a Girl is produced by Lady GaGa's partner in crime, RedOne (Fire Burning as well). His style doesn't totally overwhelm the track which can happen when he works with other artists. The song stomps along in the verses then has a chanting, sing-a-long chorus. The best, most sublime pop moment of the whole track is the splendid middle eight from about 2:10 to 2:37. Here are the lyrics for this glorious pop moment:

Girls bring the fun of life,
sugar like apple pie,
take a trip to paradise,
let’s have a party-oh!

Beauty like you never saw,
take your number never call,
bite the apple take your heart,
let’s have a party-oh!

Have a listen. Can you say irresistible kiss-off?



It's a fun, likeable tune that really grows on you. It will be re-recorded with Jade Ewen's vocals. Again sad news about Keisha. Wish you luck, Babes and Keisha.

Don't Stop Shakira!

Shakira gave two great performances on network TV this past week. She performed her second single of her upcoming album She Wolf on Jimmy Kimmel Live. It's called Did it Again. It's quite wonderful and danceable. It's poppy but doesn't really sound like the other electro-dance-pop songs out there now. As with everything she does, Shakira puts her own stamp on it. The middle eight after the second chorus has what sounds to me for some reason like an Asian influence with the pulsing synth. I love the way the verses and the presence of the drums throughout. The chorus soars with Shakira singing "Can't believe it" followed by her chanting of "eh, eh, eh," then getting quieter with "aha, aha, aha". It is as good as She Wolf. I'm very excited for the album.

Did It Again-Jimmy Kimmel



She Wolf-America's Got Talent

This performance is original, sexy, and quintessential Shakira. This song is fantastic.

Tidbits

-Across the pond in the UK, super cute British singer, Pixie Lott, has scored her second number one of the year with her infectious retro single, Boys and Girls. Those Brits have fallen for this gal. Congrats, Pixie.

-Tyler Perry's latest film, I Can Do Bad All By Myself, has topped the box office making 24 million over the weekend. His films always do well. He has a built-in audience. This movie actually got good reviews (most of his films don't) with the Boston Globe giving it 3 out of 4 stars. There's a part of me that wants to see it now especially cause Taraji P. Henson (Benjamin's adopted mom in Benjamin Button) plays the lead role.

-Shakira's new album, She Wolf, will be released in the US on October 13th. I am so excited.

Danes and Brits and Pop Oh My!

Fight for This Love-Cheryl Cole
Cheryl Cole of brilliant Brit girl group Girls Aloud is recording a solo album and here is her first single: Fight for This Love. It's a mid-tempo-ish song, a slightly odd choice for a debut single, but it really sticks in your brain and gets better and better with every listen. At first, I was underwhelmed and thought it was pretty meh, but I really enjoy it now. The music ripples and washes over you. The whole song really sneaks up and charms you. It's not an instant club banger as one might have expected from a Girls Aloud member, but it suits Cheryl well. The lyrics are pretty cheesy though. The leopard print pants in the video are cringe-inducing, but the soldier uniform almost makes up for it.

Link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMiy_UsrPDs

The Spell-Alphabeat
The greatest thing to come out of Denmark since the danish is this wonderful pop group, Alphabeat. I first heard about them last year when they were on the UK charts with their first album. Now they are back with a new, sleeker image and a super catchy single called The Spell. I didn't love it at first finding the chorus a bit of a let down, but now I'm ever so slightly addicted. Female lead singer, Stine Bramsen, gives a great, belting vocal performance and the touches of piano just make this song more infectious. Stine (only woman, far right, in pic above) has gotten a makeover. She has darker hair and is slightly more vampy now. Just look at the tank top she rocks in the video (it's very 40's pin-up). Her chemistry with male lead singer and resident tambourine player, Anders, is delightful. Altogether irresistible.

Bad Boys-Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke won last year's X Factor (the UK American Idol) and here is her debut single, Bad Boys. She did not take the Leona route and release a Bleeding Love-esque ballad. Instead, Ms. Burke put on a slinky sliver outfit and released a relentlessly uptempo gem. The song (especially tempo-wise) is similar to Britney's Womanizer (as Popjustice noted), and it gallops along at a frenetic pace. It rarely stops for air and builds splendidly to the chorus. I didn't love it after the first listen, but now I really enjoy it. It's super fun and the chorus is super catchy and satisfying. I love the "ooo way, ooo wah'' part in the chorus. Flo Rida rides the fast beat like he's in the Kentucky Derby, but honestly his presence isn't really necessary. Alexandra holds her own. Now I'm super psyched for her album.



The Saturdays-Forever is Over
So the video for The Saturdays new single leaked before the full song did. Odd. Anyway I enjoy the Satz new song. It's pop rock instead of the electro R&B pop of their first album. The video is pretty dull except for some cool, documentary-style and black and white camera shots and when blondie Mollie rubs off the heart tattoo with her finger. That's fantastic. Frankie and Rochelle's hairdos look really good as well. Rochelle sounds splendid in the second verse (she sings with conviction). The guitar-tinged middle eight is great, but too short. I think this song could do well for them if they released it in the US. It is very likable.



Miley-Party in the USA
Oh Miley, sometimes you have a really good knack for pop songs. I've fallen in love with this irresistible, funky, and sweet jam known as Party in the USA. The chorus is fun, joyful, and catchy. The verses feature amusing, original, and endearing lyrics about Miley's journey from Nashville to scary LA. "Nodding my head like yeah, moving my hips like yeah". Amen, sister. Gotta love it.


I'm Not Your Toy-La Roux
One of my favorite new acts of the year, La Roux, released the video for their next single, I'm Not Your Toy the other day. This is one of my favorite songs of theirs with it's gentle steel drums and superb lyrics. The video is kooky, filled with a strange array of people (dancers that all look like the lead singer of British band Noisettes) all in a glass pool house staring awkwardly at each other until everyone starts to dance a little. Watch for lead singer Elly Jackson's hair emerging from the water. Crazy beautiful.



Now I'm That Bitch-Livvi Franc
Another pop gal has emerged from Barbados (home of my love, Rihanna). Her name is Livvi Franc and her debut single is called Now I'm That Bitch. The electro-pop beat is minimalist, but effective because it let's Livvi deliver the sharp lyrics with sass and oomph. The first 40 seconds build spectacularly with the ominous beat slowly invading the song as Livvi gets more and more sassy. The video is pretty cool (crazy fabric dance) and I like Pitbull's rap. It's a modern pop song, but it doesn't sound like everything else out there (i.e. some variation on the Lady GaGa/RedOne sound). Choice lyrics: "Hi, my name is (genius pop music song pause BRAVO)....you won't remember, wait till December". Great debut.

Genius Ads

The people who work for the CW network's advertising are genius. Look at these sexy, cheeky ads for the new juicy soaps that will be gracing our screens this coming week. The Melrose Place campaign is particularly genius just for the delicious tag lines. I particularly love "Tuesday's the new humpday". I've also been reading that Katie Cassidy (the blond girl in the ads) is quite memorable in the premiere. If things go well the CW may become my destination network this TV season with the devilish Gossip Girl, the apparently now good 90210, the new Melrose Place, The Vampire Diaries, and the modeling word soap The Beautiful Life (which had a super scandalous ad campaign featuring nude cast members) with hot mess and a half Mischa Barton. Let the drama begin!

Forever is Over

Okay, here's a clip of The Saturdays new single that premieres on Radio 1 in England tomorrow night. As I said before it's called Forever is Over and based on this clip, the song is very strong. It's different than anything they've done before. It's more rock, but not that rock. I mean, come on, it's The Saturdays. Closer to pop-rock. There are guitars there though. It's a mid tempo, and the chorus soars and stomps. I'm really happy about this new side to The Satz. Can't wait to hear the whole thing tomorrow.

Song of the Day

Here is a splendid song from Irish singer and fashion icon Roisin Murphy called You Know Me Better. It comes from her second solo album called Overpowered released in the UK in 2007. The video for this song is absolutely fantastic filled with stunning costumes and lovely shots. The song bounds along gloriously in a funky splendor, a wonderful piece of sophisticated, classy pop. "Dow dow dow dow dow dowdowdowdow" is the best way I can describe what the beat sounds like (just sing that to yourself in a low voice and you'll get what I'm saying). The piano twinkles, things that sound like hand claps abound, and everything is rather irresistible. Apparently Roisin is working on new music and she should have a song called Demon Lover out soon. She's also pregnant with her first child. Congrats Roisin.

Tidbits

-The Saturdays' new single, the melodramatically titled Forever is Over, will be played for the first time on BBC Radio 1 this Sunday night. I'm really excited for this song which is supposed to be more rock-tinged than their other songs. Their first album was a good debut with some memorable gems (If This is Love and Up) and their cover of Just Can't Get Enough was spirited and fun, but this album will be the real test. I have high expectations. Bigger and better I hope.

-A snippet of Alphabeat's new song The Spell was posted on Popjustice a few days ago, and it sounds promising and super poppy. I can't wait to hear the whole thing. Stine, the female singer, has got a new dramatic hairdo that kind of looks like a wig. It's fantastic though. Hopefully the gang play some new tunes at their V Festival appearance in England this weekend. Maybe we'll get some YouTube clips.

Update: The new album called The Spell too will be released on October 19th in the UK I assume and the single of the same title will be out October 12. Very exciting.

-Norwegian pop wunderkind Annie finally has a release date for her delayed second album, Don't Stop. It will be released in the US on November 17! The first single from the album after many leaks and false single starts (see I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me from last year) is Songs Remind Me of You which has awesome cover art: Annie wearing a lipstick necklace. It's a wonderful image.

-Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole may debut her first solo single on British TV show, The X Factor (kind of like American Idol). Cheryl is a judge on the talent competition. She better be good. Good luck, Cheryl. Hope the album is full of pop wonder.

-Head over to the Dolly Rockers Myspace page to hear a snippet of what sounds to be another delicious and sassy new song from the gals, Boys Will Be Boys. It reminds me a bit of The Veronicas.

www.myspace.com/thedollyrockers

Trailer Time

Just in time for the holidays, director Nancy Meyers (The Parent Trap, The Holiday) gives us the horribly-titled, It's Complicated, a comedy drama about a divorced woman (Meryl Streep)and her relationship with her ex-husband (Alec Baldwin) and her architect (Steve Martin). It looks cute and girly if not exactly hilarious. It's nice to see Meryl, my favorite actress, in one of these more normal roles. She's just playing a regular woman not a zany nun or a scary magazine editor. From the preview it looks like Streep will be organic and warm in this role. It's Complicated could be the title for practically any movie, but besides that the movie looks like cuddly holiday entertainment.


This is the trailer for New York, I Love You, an anthology movie featuring short films by different directors about New York. It's a companion piece to Paris, Je T'aime. The trailer was pretty much tailor-made for me to love. It uses Phoenix's rapturous, infinite-feeling song 1901 perfectly, and New York is one of my favorite places in the world. The cast is huge featuring Blake Lively, Natalie Portman, Rachel Bilson, Julie Christie, Shia Laboeuf, Orlando Bloom, and Bradley Cooper to name a few. I can't wait.


The September Issue is a documentary about Vogue editor Anna Wintour and how the magazine puts together one of their trendsetting, very heavy September issues. I'm so excited to see this. It looks fascinating and fluffy.


Here's the trailer for Spanish director Pedro Almodovar's latest movie, Broken Embraces, starring the stunning Penelope Cruz. It will be released here in the fall. The plot revolves around a blind writer. Cruz looks gorgeous in the trailer, and I love seeing her in anything especially since she's been getting better roles in English features in the past couple years. Also, I recently got into Almodovar Can't wait!

Tidbits

-According to the wonderful Popjustice.com, Danish wonder band, Alphabeat will have a new album and single out in Sept. The single is called The Spell, and from what Popjustice says about the song, it sounds like a winner.

-Leighton Meester has recorded a song with RedOne!! Yay! According to her twitter, it's called What is Love. Please be a banger.

-Kesha's debut single TiK ToK will go to radio in September. Fingers crossed it does well. It's raucously delightful.

-Apparently Dizzee Rascal's latest beast of a summer jam, Holiday, was originally intended for The Saturdays to record according to the song's writer, pop maven Calvin Harris. Holiday would have been a completely different song with The Saturdays doing it. Dizzee has made it his own. Very interesting.

-Last night, on the finale of TV's best competition show, So You Think You Can Dance, bubbly gal Jeanine took the title of America's favorite dancer. I'm glad she won, but I was pulling for Kayla. Kayla came alive with every number she did. Jeanine is very worthy though. Guest judge Debbie Allen (she is hilarious) picked the group number the top 16 did to Calle Ocho by Pitbull as one of her favorite routines of the season. It's understandable why: the song is hot, the beat is hot, and the routine is smoking especially the part with the girls dancing on the tables, kicking the water around. Spicy!

Louder Than Sirens, Louder Than Bells, Sweeter Than Heaven, and Hotter Than Hell

Peaches-Serpentine
Electronica diva Peaches has a new video for her song Serpentine. I think she's just hilarious, and the lyrics to this song are wonderfully blunt and ridiculous. Her somewhat deadpan delivery really makes the song. It rides a minimalist beat and features some of Peaches' trademark outfits and dance moves. "Never straight line, serpentine"


Dragonette-Gone Too Far
Here's the new video for another song off Dragonette's upcoming album. First single Fixin' to Thrill was a sexy, raunchy, raw, and loud romp featuring cowbell and a delectable vocal performance from lead singer Martina Sorbara. It's one of their best songs, if not the best. Gone Too Far is fun and country-fied, but it lacks the raw "purr" of Fixin' to Thrill. The video is odd featuring scenes from an old John Travolta movie. Since it's Dragonette, the song is still very good though. I'm very excited for this album.


Girls Can't Catch-Stop
This is the b-side to Girls Can't Catch's debut single Keep Your Head Up which is doing just okay on the UK charts. It's called Stop, and it's another promising song from the girls. Stop is short, electro pop, and likeable. The "ooos" are very effective. Very good for a b-side.


Florence + The Machine - Drumming Song
Florence + the Machine are one of my favorite new acts to emerge this year. Florence's songs are weird, dark, and dramatic filled with loud drums and harp. What really makes her music great though is her glorious voice which weaves in and out, up and down, and all around a song. Her vocal transitions are smooth and satisfying. Even though her songs are somewhat kooky they are made accessible because they are filled with very catchy, memorable choruses or verses or chants. Her next single, Drumming Song, will be out next month in the UK. Here's the new video. I thought it would be set in some creepy, abandoned Gothic or medieval church based on what Florence said in an interview, but alas, we get this beautiful, gleaming church instead. Florence looks gorgeous in the video with her flaming red hair contrasting sharply against her black leotard. There's girl group/pop star choreography and tinges of ballet. I love when she's running around in her gold "shorts" (?), blue cape, and headband. What a gal!

A Plethora of Pop

Shakira-She Wolf
The beloved Shakira has returned with a funky, disco jam, She Wolf, and here is the video in all its body rolling glory. The video is pretty crazy. I particularly enjoy when Shakira dances in the red sparkly cave in her oddly cut black jumpsuit. Also, the whole thing with her in the cage is fantastic, vampy, and slinky. A good comeback video.

Shakira - New Music - More Music Videos

Sugababes-Get Sexy
Okay, this is a really good Sugababes video. It's really visually appealing. Heidi (the blond one) doing her bit in a room with mirrors and green lights all over creates a very cool effect. Amelle (short hair) vamping it up in a cage. The wall graffitied pink and blue with variations on Get Sexy written. The girls dancing with glitter falling, and the girls chained together by their wrists doing herky jerky movements. It brings another aspect to the song. I still don't think it's their best single, but the video makes it better. Well done, Sugas.

Girls Can't Catch-Keep Your Head Up
Yet another British gal group to herald the arrival of. Ignore the slightly odd name and listen to their catchy electro-pop debut single. The verses are sung deliciously fast. The guitar riffs grind. All and all, a group to keep an eye on. The single was released today. Good luck in the UK charts, girls. Also, I love the concept of the video. Very random.

Madonna-Celebration
Madonna's new dancey single off her Greatest Hits collection is a good summer song. The best part is when she just talks over the beat. It's awesome. Very Confessions on a Dancefloor circa 2005.

Ashley Tisdale-Erase and Rewind
Okay, for some reason a part of me is drawn to Ashley Tisdale. She's not a very good actress and her music isn't that good either, but I thought I might find at least one gem on her new album and I did. Erase and Rewind is not original, her voice is nasal, the song is pop Slice and Bake, and it almost has a sheen to it. That being said: it's a lot of giddy fun. Best parts: "I don't wanna sound desperate but I am" and near the end of the song when everything drops out and Tiz just sings "I don't wanna feel like this, I don't want to" then she proceeds to go up the note scale singing 'Yeah ah ah ah ay" and everything comes crashing back in. I really like it.

Kelly Clarkson-Already Gone
Kels Clarkson's new single is a beautiful, sad ballad. The best lyric is "We were always meant to say goodbye". From the master of piano, drum, synth ballads: Ryan Tedder. Really pretty.

Demi Lovato-Here We Go Again
Demi Lovato is somewhat more legitimate than the Tiz. Demi knows how to rock, and she throws herself into her songs with abandon. I like some of the songs on her new CD which debuted at number 1 by the way. This is the first single Here We Go Again and even though the opening guitar part sounds like the theme song of a nineties sitcom, I still really enjoy the song. She just belts the heck out of it.

Little Boots-Remedy
Little Boots new video is not that interesting sad to say. She needs to move around more, but the song is a wild beast. The chorus is a colossal behemoth. An irresistible tune.

No, You Just Can't Stop

One of my new fave Brits, Pixie Lott, released the video for her upcoming second single, Boys and Girls, the other day. I like this song better than her debut single, the #1 UK hit Mama Do. It features that signature old school sound (horns, Amy Winehouse/Duffy-esque) that has become a part of modern British music in the past couple years, but miraculously it works. The song is super fun and just about having a good time. The song has been changed a little since the first time I heard it. The trumpet has become a prominent part of the verses. The chorus is fantastic and pretty irresistible. The video features fun choreography, cool outfits, and lots of hip kids (who I now want to hang out with) having a good old time. You really want to bust a move when you hear this song. I hope this song does well. It's very likeable.

P.S. I love her sassy entrance in the beginning and her relationship with the boy in the white chilling against the wall.

Luv It

Booty Luv-Say It
A British dance-pop duo called, yes, Booty Luv will be releasing their sassy beast of a new single on August 31st. The chorus is insanely catchy and the whole song is irresistible (very girl power!). See the video below. My favorite gal is the one with the short hair. She is sexysassyfierce. Swagger song!

Je Suis Une Dolly

Britain is bursting with girl groups at the moment, a wonderful thing in my opinion, and these gals are the best of the bunch. They are the Dolly Rockers, and they are loads of fun. Sophie, Lucie, and Brooke are loud, raunchy, and super cheeky. They wear ridiculously awesome outfits and sing sassy and distinctly British ditties. Their first official single is called Gold Digger, and it is a bouncing, jaunty number about you guessed it a gold digger. A great choice for a debut single. It's quite wonderful, and the video just premiered today. It's very similar to their first video for the amusing Je Suis Une Dolly meaning it involves dancing around in public places and wreaking general havoc. In the Gold Digger video they disrupt an office throwing paper all over, play with a beach volleyball on a tennis court in over-the-top tennis garb, and dance in a shop window display. It's all very fun. (Click on the outtakes that come up at the end of the video for some good laughs). Gold Digger will be out August 31st in the UK. Another fantastic song by them is the surprisingly affecting How Did I End Up With U? which has Katy Perry's Hot N Cold drums and echoes of 3OH!3's Don't Trust Me after the chorus. The song starts very softly then roars into the chorus with the Dollys asking "How did I end up with you? Why did I ever see a perfect 10? Why do I have a thing for married men?" It is magnificent. Champaigne Shirley is another corker by the gals that features a rip-roaring chorus. The lyrics are biting, the chorus catchy, catchy, catchy. I posted one of the gals How-To Videos below. It's pretty funny. They are so wonderfully cheeky. Lucie, the one usually in the middle in the videos with the red and black dress, is my favorite Dolly at the moment (you always have to have a favorite member with girl groups), but Brooke is hilariously vulgar and raunchy. Check them out!

Gold Digger (first single)



One of their How To videos:


How Did I End Up With U?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX-rXL4YDCU&feature=PlayList&p=94D6B78C1DDACB6E&index=8

Champaigne Shirley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl3K02z33rM&feature=PlayList&p=94D6B78C1DDACB6E&index=6

Je Suis Une Dolly

http://www.myspace.com/thedollyrockers

Music Update!

-Kings of Leon have shot to the number 2 position on the US iTunes chart with the anthemic Use Somebody. Took long enough. Congrats, boys!

-Good Girls Go Bad, the collaboration between Cobra Starship and Gossip Gal Leighton Meester is rising in the chart, standing at number 5 on iTunes. Very exciting!

-Across the pond, JLS are still topping the UK iTunes with their debut Beat Again and Kanye West's new protege (even though he's been around in England for awhile) Mr Hudson's newest single, Supernova, featuring Mr. West is at the number 2 position. Very impressive debut for that song!

All around congratulations are in order.

New Music!

Kesha-Tick Tock
The young gal who sang on Flo Rida's unavoidable Right Round is forging her own career and with a song like Tick Tock I see lots of potential. Now first of all, this song has about 80 different titles: P Diddy, Dolla, Tick Tock, but I'm going with Tick Tock. I love it. I hope she releases it and it becomes huge because it is very "now" but not in a repetitive way. She seems to have quite the vibrant personality too. This is a gleaming example of a pop single filled with sass and a super fun chorus. Great start.


JLS-Beat Again
This song is the current number 1 in the UK. JLS are a boy band who came in second place in the most recent season of X-Factor in the UK. This is a wonderful debut single for the guys. It is hugely catchy and the beat is delectable. Also, the guys are super good at dancing. I love their very literal choreography. This is a good sign for boy bands in the UK. Congrats, guys!


Crystal Fighters-Xtatic Truth
I found this band through the website for music magazine NME. They are based in London, but the members of the group are quite international. One of the singers in the band had a grandfather who wrote an opera named Crystal Fighters which this singer found in Basque land. They use this found material for their songs. All very odd and interesting. This is their new song, Xtatic Truth that mixes modern electronic elements with a string instrument plucking along while singers coo in the background. It's quite the melange and it's delightful and exciting. I'm really looking forward to what these guys do next.


Mika-We Are Golden
He has returned!! The man with the curly hair and falsetto is back with his bright, colorful pop songs. I loved a lot of his songs from his 2007 debut Life in Cartoon Motion. He premiered his new single, We Are Golden, due for release in September in the UK last Friday on a UK radio show. It's super sunny and fun with a shouty, chanting, irresistible chorus. It's quite fantastic and theatrical. "Running around again, running for money" and "Teenage dreams in a teenage circus" are some choice lyrics from the song. This is a joyous return for Mika and I can't wait to hear the album also titled We are Golden.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Review

The newest Harry Potter movie is like a visit with old friends. I've grown up with these characters, books, and movies. When I saw the new little Hogwarts students early in the movie I thought "Aw how cute." Harry and the gang were them not long ago and so in a way was I and others my age. This sixth movie in the series is an improvement on the previous film: 2007's Order of the Phoenix. In fact, this sixth film, is second place in my list of Potter adaptations : 2005's immensely entertaining Goblet of Fire being number 1. The new installment is funny and full of teen drama. Wizards and witches are just like us after all. They just want to be loved. We are even led to believe that Harry might get some action from a train station diner waitress in one of the first scenes, but then Dumbledore shows up and that whole possibility fades away. You see, Dumbledore wants Harry to get in good standing with the new potions professor, Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) who has information about Voldemort that Dumbledore wants. And Voldemort's Death Eaters are on the prowl, wreaking havoc wherever they go. That being said, I don't think I've ever laughed out loud during a Potter movie as I did during this one. Harry is even funny albeit after taking a luck potion. There's a sequence where Slughorn has some of his star pupils over for dinner where they proceed to eat huge desserts. It's all very funny. Scenes of this nature are nice contrasts to the darker moments. Not every second of every day at Hogwarts is dark and life-threatening. Creepy flashbacks to Voldemort's or Tom Riddle's childhood days and teen years at Hogwarts are eerie as is a voyage Harry and Dumbledore take into a cave. Not a lot of huge things happen minus the death of a huge character at the end, but I didn't really mind. These characters are so interesting and watchable. The gang have really grown into their parts. There are slow patches , but overall it's very entertaining especially due to the magnificent, mostly spot-on casting. Rupert Grint is amusing as the suddenly hotshot Ron (possibly his best performance as Ron yet), and Emma Watson is her usual smart, sassy self but with more of a vulnerable side this time around. Evanna Lynch is hilarious and the definition of spacey and trippy as Luna Lovegood. Wesley Morris of the Boston Globe was spot-on when he compared her to Anna Faris. The two actresses deliver their lines similarly as if in a mist of otherwordliness. Whenever she was in a scene I knew it would be good (just watch for the lion mask). Helena Bonham Carter is insane, vulgar, primal, and somewhat sexual in her portrayal of Bellatrix Lestrange, one of Voldemort's Death Eaters. Maggie Smith is the shiz (what else is new?) as McGonagall, taking names and getting stuff done. Jim Broadbent (Bridget's dad in Bridget Jones' Diary among many other roles) is funny as Slughorn. He gives Slughorn these great facial expressions. Alan Rickman continues to show why he was born to play Snape as he glides and whispers his way through the movie. Daniel Radcliffe is good as Harry, likeable and somewhat awkward. His scene with Grint where they talk about girls and their skin is a great example of awkward hilarity. Overall, a strong summer movie filled with wonderful performances and striking images and shots (thanks to cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel). I've seen it twice already in the span of three days, and the funny parts are still funny. Always a good sign.