Fierce

Keeping You Warm

2010-11-03T21:52:00.011-04:00

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart have a new album coming out next year sweetly, aww-cutely titled, Belong. They are releasing two new songs in December (the 14th). This one is Heart in Your Heartbreak and it is addictive especially the delectably smooth "She was the heart in your heartbreak" chorus lyric. The guitar solo revs it up nicely. I just want to dance around in a cardigan now. The single cover art is gloriously lush and soft with its pastels. I still think the Say No to Love cover art is their best though. Both images compliment each other well though.

http://pitchfork.com/forkcast/15047-heart-in-your-heartbreak/

Good album info: http://stereogum.com/565382/progress-report-the-pains-of-being-pure-at-heart/franchises/progress-report/

Guy and Madeline

2010-11-03T21:39:00.005-04:00

Love me some musicals that actually resemble real life. Life really can be a musical! This movie is called Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench and The Village Voice liked it. It was filmed in Boston. A Bostonian musical? Who would have thunk it? Two trailers below. The font on the poster is fantastic (love that blue, yellow, green, and red). Even though it comes from the Juno/Away We Go school of poster design (animated, drawn cutesy stuff), I really like the poster. Can't wait to see it. I'm a total sucker for bursting, exploding into song and dance in the middle of the street. Gets me every time.

I Can See It Now

2010-11-02T00:53:00.009-04:00

So Baz Luhrmann, director of the zany and wonderful Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge, and cheese ball Australia is doing The Great Gatsby as his next movie! What?! After the initial shock wore off, I became intrigued and excited about Baz's adaptation. The Great Gatsby is not a book you mess around with. It's a classic. But thinking of the beautifully described party scenes in the book, I can see Baz doing something special. The party scenes will be splendid. Will he keep it in the 20's? Will he incorporate musical numbers? Please yes. Flappers, music, lights, Gatsby's house! The green light! Oh boy, I'm getting very excited. However Baz often pulls the cheese and sap card which I really hope he doesn't do too much in this adaptation. Gatsby is not sappy or cheesy. I'm hoping he takes the Romeo + Juliet route here while using some of that Moulin Rouge spectacle. He's trying to find Daisy now according to the article below. Leo DiCaprio will be Gatsby and Tobey Maguire will be Nick apparently. Look at the list and pick your Daisy. I'm thinking Michelle Williams, Rebecca Hall, or Keira. Check out these articles. I'm very excited by all this and hopefully we will get a cast announcement super soon.

http://www.deadline.com/2010/11/baz-luhrmann-playing-the-field-to-pick-the-right-daisy-for-the-great-gatsby/

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/baz-luhrmann-worshops-the-great-gatsby-in-new-york/

Lush, Overflowing Waterfall Synth Beds of Bleakness

2010-10-28T16:38:00.007-04:00

"Too Much"

2010-10-27T22:40:00.003-04:00

Oh my goodness!

http://perezhilton.com/2010-10-27-kylie-minogue-announces-us-tour-in-april-and-may-of-2011-to-promote-her-album-aphrodite

2010-10-26T21:35:00.004-04:00

Rihanna has a song on her new album called S & M. Chances of it referencing Mapplethorpe or Brian Ridley or Lyle Heeter? Not very likely.

Brian Ridley and Lyle Heeter

2010-10-26T20:37:00.007-04:00

I am currently loving this image by Robert Mapplethorpe, Brian Ridley and Lyle Heeter (1979). Hope that doesn't make me creepy. The juxtaposition between classy living room and rough leather lovin' is genius. Everyone has a living room, regardless of how you like your sex. I enjoy the "Home Sweet Home" someone cheekily attached to the bottom.

An interesting take on the photo from http://sexuality-space.tumblr.com/post/925538175:

"Kenneth E. Silver, in “Master Bedrooms, Master Narratives” argues that these particular images (homokink couples at home) are challenging (to the American ‘public’) because they represent, not the pathology of homosex(uality) but its ‘ardent domestication’: they are attempts to depict “gay conjugal” space. The images reveal certain ‘narrative’ expectations regarding the appropriate locations of queer sex. Certain kinds of sex (homosexual, kinky) are linked to certain kinds of spaces (clubs, dungeons) : can sex be recreational (non-reproductive, playful) and residential?"

The people going to see this in a museum back when it was first shown would have the stereotype of S & M being grimy and grungy, done in dark alleys or something like that. But Mapplethorpe breaks that stereotype and the viewer sees their own living room in Brian and Lyle's living room. The S & M world doesn't seem as distant to these viewers as it did before.

Les Jeunes de Paris

2010-10-24T18:47:00.004-04:00

I love it when SNL does utterly absurd skits that really make no sense but end up being really funny (see Bryan Cranston and the Bottle of Sparkling Juice). I absolutely adore the hilarious dancing especially when they do it as a group. It's light footed and dainty. It reminds me of the dance number at the beginning of Austin Powers Goldmember. Emma Stone is magnificent.

2010-10-23T17:07:00.015-04:00

I completely love these new Black Swan posters. They look like old book covers. I also see some Art Deco references going on here.

Love me some Art Deco. No other poster out there at the moment looks like these do. I want them all. Just classy stuff with the red, black, and white color palette. Reminds me of old movie posters and the cover of the novel Black Swan Green by David Mitchell (how fitting). The fonts are very well-chosen which is a very important factor for me. The Avatar font was terrible. Also, based on the heavenly trailer we wouldn't expect posters like these. These posters make me want to whip my hair and buy a bunch of art deco posters.

Thanks to: http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/10/15/gorgeous-promo-poster-set-for-darren-aronofskys-black-swan/

http://www.empireonline.com/news/feed.asp?NID=29205

It's Nightmare on Elm Street and Guess Who's Playing Freddy?!

2010-10-21T01:07:00.010-04:00

Love this woman so much.

Check out this link for a sampling: http://rapfix.mtv.com/2010/09/11/nicki-minaj-collaborations/

Album, Pink Friday, is out Nov. 22!

"Pull up in the monster

Automobile gangster
With a bad b-tch that came from Sri Lanka
Yeah I’m in that Tonka, colour of Willy Wonka
You could be the King but watch the Queen conquer
Ok first things first I’ll eat your brains
Then I’mma start rocking gold teeth and fangs
Casue that’s what a muthaf-cking monster do
Hairdresser from milan, thats what monster do
Monster Giuseppe heel that’s the monster shoe
Young money is the roster and the monster crew
And I’m all up all up all up in the bank with the funny face
And if I’m fake I aint notice cause my money aint
So let me get this straight wait I’m the rookie
But my features and my shows ten times your pay
50k for a verse no album out!
Yeah my money’s so tall that my barbie’s gotta climb it
Hotter than a middle eastern climate"

An excerpt from Kanye West's Monster.

http://www.directlyrics.com/kanye-west-monster-lyrics.html

Delicate Beauty

2010-10-20T11:43:00.004-04:00

The cover for Robyn's Body Talk Part 3 which comes out next month. I can't decide whether this cover or the one for Body Talk Part 2 is my favorite. The blurry, wobbly effect here is hypnotizing, and she looks so delicate and fragile.

The blocks of color are splendid.

Cannot wait.

Thanks to Muumuse:

http://www.muumuse.com/

Hold on to Your Hat

2010-10-20T02:38:00.002-04:00

This song will be amazing: Kanye's "All the Lights"

" 'All the Lights' has John Legend, The-Dream, Ryan Leslie, Tony Williams, Charlie Wilson, Elly Jackson, Alicia Keys, Fergie, Kid Cudi, Rihanna and Elton John on the same song," he revealed. "Some are things where I took Alicia Keys and I panned her a hard left, and then took Elly Jackson and panned a hard right because I like the way their voices sound together. Or it's Elton on the piano, Kid Cudi doing the chorus and it sounds completely seamless and completely ghetto at the same time," he laughed. "That's what I got from the year I took off," he said, reverting back to his earlier comment about connecting with his inner 5-year-old."

Thank you: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1650289/20101019/west_kanye.jhtml

IAMSOUND

2010-10-20T01:56:00.013-04:00

Restless People are crazy awesome-jungle, rainforest, giddy, gloriously resplendent,

primal pop-was not expecting it at all (thought they were going to be typical indie band but no)-you can barely understand what the lead singer is saying but it doesn't matter. Too busy dancing. See the images above to see how their music made me feel.

Lesands-band from California. The songs I hadn't heard yet by them were very good especially one called, I believe, Summer Skin. Shook the lead singer's hand after their set. He was wearing sick shoes. Check out Easy To Please and Pretenders. They just started in March! Dayum! That's impressive! Really liking them.

Think I saw the lead singer of The Drums (see blonde man in picture) watching Salem's set. Girl from Salem wearing huge sports jersey.

Just Because

2010-10-17T23:09:00.000-04:00

Camp Classic

Messy Little Raindrops--> Terrible Title

2010-10-06T23:33:00.005-04:00

Tracklist for Cheryl Cole's new album!! The title doesn't make any sense to me.

"1.'Promise This'

2. 'The Flood'
3. 'Yeah Yeah' (feat. Travie McCoy)
4. 'Better To Lie' (feat. August Rigo)
5. 'Everybody, Everyone' (feat. Dizzee Rascal)
6. 'Raindrops'
7. 'Cold Heart'
8. 'Hummingbird'
9. 'Amnesia'
10. 'Happy Tears'
11. 'Waiting'"

I really enjoy Promise This: it is crazay! I'm concerned about the Travie McCoy track and excited about the Dizzee one. Amnesia is a Britney cover according to Perez.

courtesy of the divine Digital Spy UK:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a280718/cheryl-cole-announces-lp-tracklisting.html

True Grit

2010-10-06T23:26:00.002-04:00

Really liking the poster for the new Coen Brothers movie, True Grit. It's old school and simple.

Get it Rih Rih!

2010-10-06T00:46:00.004-04:00

Rihanna has been pulling out all the stops fashion wise in London this week. I'm in love with her kooky style. The classy as all hell, tea and biscuits with the Queen on Sunday fleurs and the socks with the pumps (very 50's sock hop) with the "She Died of Perfection" t-shirt. The white poofy skirt outfit shouldn't work but in Rihanna's hands it does. She is Like a Virgin going to a prom in the 50's then later she's going to have a garden party. Can't wait for Loud. It features a song with....NICKI MINAJ....called.....get this....RAINING MEN. It will be amazing. As Nicki once said: "pink wig thick ass give em whip lash" 'Tis true, tis true.

Thanks to Just Jared, Daily Mail, and Rap-Up for the images.

Did you Get Pears?

2010-08-16T13:52:00.002-04:00

Aubrey Plaza's musical sister?

http://pitchfork.com/forkcast/14720-worship-you/

http://pitchfork.com/forkcast/14720-worship-you/

http://pitchfork.com/forkcast/14720-worship-you/

Nice Hair

2010-07-29T18:02:00.004-04:00

I baci mai dati-Italian movie that will be showing at the Venice Film Festival. Its director is Roberta Torre. I just love the picture.

Grazie: http://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/

Mad Men Time

2010-07-24T00:34:00.007-04:00

I completely adore this image of John Slattery that is being used to get everyone psyched about Mad Men's return on Sunday evening. Want those glasses. Thanks to Just Jared for the image. Smooth operator.

World News

2010-07-01T17:02:00.000-04:00

""
This song by Local Natives is so incredibly moving. Something about it is just sad, summery, natural, and lovely.

"Got to have it/It’s like a shockwave to my brain"-Kylie

2010-06-29T15:36:00.005-04:00

Way view world reconfigured, favorite Australian chosen, never stop dancing.

http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=128109135&m=128115091

Chutzpah!

2010-06-15T23:00:00.008-04:00

Lea Michele of Glee was very good on the Tony's the other night. Her reprise of Don't Rain on My Parade (that she did on Glee early in the season) was full of chutzpah. Lea commits to a performance. She's totally into this song. I appreciate that. She looks like a classic, vibrant vedette during this performance. Lea completely overshadows Matthew Morrison's performance that preceded hers. She has really grown on Glee from just being a stereotype to a more nuanced, faceted actress. The transformation is not fully complete but she's on her way there. In other Tony news, Kristen Chenoweth was completely heavenly and amusing during her presentation bit, Scarlett didn't deserve to win best featured actress for A View from the Bridge, and practically all the acting awards went to LA folk (Denzel, Catherine Zeta, and Scarlett). Liev Schreiber or Christopher Walken should have won instead of Denzel. Congrats to Viola Davis and Eddie Redmayne on their wins though.

Thanks to Perez

"No llame mi nombre Alejandro"

2010-06-08T13:51:00.012-04:00

"[It's about the] purity of my friendships with my gay friends, and how I've been unable to find that with a straight man in my life. It's a celebration and an admiration of gay love—it confesses my envy of the courage and bravery they require to be together. In the video I'm pining for the love of my gay friends—but they just don't want me to be with them"--Lady Gaga in The Times
(delovely article about her: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article7129672.ece)

Okay. Lady Gaga's new video for Alejandro premiered a little less than two hours ago. I've watched it twice. It's 8 minutes and 43 seconds. I think I have to watch it a few more times before it all makes sense to me. The video is directed by Steven Klein and features a new hair look for Lady Gaga. The video opens with a shot of a shirtless soldier with his feet up on a table. We see he's wearing fishnets and black high heels. Fantastic. Then some male dancers with these strange, black bowl cut wigs on do a march down what looks to be the opening of an airplane hanger which makes sense for the military theme Gaga mentioned. We are touching down in the place of fighting. Some of the men appear to have bags over their heads as if they are prisoners being tortured. Not sure. Just an idea. Finally we see Gaga, looking like the Wicked Witch of the West, the Evil Queen in Snow White, and the Evil Queen in Alice in Wonderland sitting in her castle with snow falling in the background. It look very old movie-like. We are meant to see her as a Queen-figure. There are images of a bleeding heart on a pillow as Queen Gaga leads a funeral processional for a soldier. The song's opening words: "I know that we are young and I know that you may love me, but I just can't be with you like this anymore, Alejandro" seem to be delivered by Gaga as a kind of eulogy at a funeral. Alejandro has died, but he still has a mental grip on her. Then there's Gaga sitting in her tower in her castle watching soldier/dancers do a routine or "train" with a video of something burning behind them. Some men appear to be doing a strange, tough tango-esque dance that involves pushing one man to the floor with a grunt. It is supposed to simulate anal sex? I think so. Then Gaga is lying in bed looking like an odd nun or queen wearing a habit and a red robe that appears to be made out of the material she wore to perform for the Queen of England. Then we get a bizarre sequence involving beds and ropes and Gaga doing strange sex positions with one of her dancer/soldiers. Now I'm going to be frank here but this frankness comes from a place of love and admiration: Gaga does not look pretty or glamorous or stunning in these scenes with her off white bra and underwear and I don't think she's supposed to. The men on the beds are wearing black high heels which I just love as a little detail. At some points, she seems to be simulating gay sex positions with one of the men. It's fascinating. Then the men are all around her and she's wearing a cape with red crosses all over it including one over her hoohah or lady parts. That's very subtle. Then her Queen self lying in the bed swallows a rosary while Gaga in cape stands in front of a video of something burning (a car?). It looks kind of cheesy and cheap, but in an intentional way. Then comes this wonderful black and white bit where Gaga's wearing a black vest and pants doing vaudeville dance moves. It's what was shown in the 19 second preview of the video and everyone thought it was her imitating Madonna's Vogue video. Not really the case. Anyway this bit is great. She does her dance moves as pairs of her soldier/dancers walk by her doing some fierce strutting. It's a very brassy dame, Judy Garland, let's put on a show moment. Then we're back in color and Gaga's wearing a gun or rifle bra. Now she's performing into a microphone in the lounge from the beginning for all the soldiers. It's weird to see her doing this because her videos are never the ones where the singer stands on a stage and sings into the microphone, but it's part of the concept here. There's a cross behind her (reference to Madonna's Like A Prayer?). Then there are black and white flashbacks of her in the bed with the man, her as the queen, and footage of what appear to be fiery riots. And there's an angry looking soldier. Who is he? Then her dancers throw her about and she takes off her cape and there's an orgy of sorts. They all want to touch her. Now we are back to the Queen Gaga in red in bed. Is she dead? An evil monster takes over the image, appearing to be coming out of her face. The end. I'm very confused, but intrigued and slightly disappointed. This isn't the hilarity of Telephone. It has less of a straight forward plot. The video for this song could have been a Spanish-themed romp a la Carmen (see here: http://zxlcreative.blogs.com/electroqueer/2010/06/eqtv-watch-alejandro-by-lady-gaga.html). I still don't totally see how the video relates to the song itself. I do find the video very interesting though and pretty kinky, sensual, and raw in some scenes (the bed scenes! the choreography!). I think there's a lot to decode here. Does Gaga want to be one of her dancer soldiers? See for yourself.

News

2010-05-18T23:10:00.019-04:00

-Vanessa Williams is going to be on Desperate Housewives next season! This is such a good choice for her after her 4 years of hilarious meanness on Ugly Betty. I hope she injects some life into Housewives which I still have a soft spot for. She could be a great villain. She'll fit the campy dramedy tone of the show perfectly. Give her some great lines.

-Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling at the Cannes Film Festival with their new movie Blue Valentine. They both look wonderful. I want Ryan Gosling's outfit. I'm itching to see this movie which was shown at the Sundance film festival in January. It is roughly about a young married couple's highs and lows. Gosling and Williams are supposed to be very good in it.

-Woody Allen who will reliably make a movie every year til the end of time will film "Midnight in Paris" in the coming months in the City of Lights. The cast of this movie is fantastically divine. If Woody Allen does this group of people a disservice with a blah script I will be so sad. Here's the cast, are you ready? : Marion Cotillard (who I absolutely adore), Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson, Kathy Bates, Michael Sheen (love him even though he's not that funny on 30 Rock), Carla Bruni (yes, the French president's classy, elegant wife), and one of my absolute favorites, Rachel McAdams. Allen hasn't worked with many of these people before. I'm very curious to see the result especially because Allen's films from the first decade of the 00's were pretty hit or miss. Cassandra's Dream and Match Point were good particularly Dream. Scoop was pretty meh and not that funny. I kind of liked Vicky Cristina Barcelona but that was pretty much because of Penelope Cruz (she should do another movie with him). I heard mixed sentiments about Whatever Works, but I just might have to see it because of the splendiferous Patricia Clarkson. And the film he's releasing here in September called You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger recently got a melange of a response at Cannes. Here's the Midnight in Paris plot courtesy of movies.about.com (also thanks to imdb.com for other info):

"The Official Midnight in Paris Synopsis: Midnight in Paris is a romantic comedy that follows a family traveling to the city for business. The party includes a young engaged couple that has their lives transformed throughout the journey. The film celebrates a young man's great love for Paris, and simultaneously explores the illusion people have that a life different from their own is better."

-One of my favorite directors, Spaniard Pedro Almodovar, is planning to make a movie this summer season. It's called La Piel que Habito (The Skin I Live In) and will star Antonio Banderas. Here's the plot from imdb: "Based on Thierry Jonquet's novel "Mygale", this revenge tale tells the story of a plastic surgeon on the hunt for the men who raped his daughter." Straight from Mr. Almodovar's mouth: "close to the terror genre, but I won't respect any of its rules." and "a terror film without screams or scares" (quotes and info courtesy of imdb.com and empireonline.com). I cannot wait for this. 2009's Broken Embraces was good and moving. I hope he puts some Bad Education-esque camp in this. Plastic surgeon: how can there not be camp.

A Plethora of Music

2010-03-21T12:01:00.083-04:00

This post has been in development for ages. Sorry I haven't updated in forever.

Alexandra Burke ft. Pitbull-All Night Long
Definition of a feel good song. Alexandra Burke has released three splendid singles in a row. This is out in May in the UK. I adore her. Way more fun than Leona Lewis who is still in the corner bleeding love.

Sia-Clap Your Hands
I've never really been a huge fan of Sia, but when I heard this piece of giddy, good time joy I couldn't help but succumb. This song which is produced by Greg Kurstin ( who did great work on Lily Allen's second album, Little Boots debut album, Marina and the Diamonds splendiferous song Oh No!, and is a member of The Bird and the Bee) and it has a funky bassline. Kurstin is the primary producer for Sia's album which comes out June 22. It's supposed to be a fun album. Can't wait. Boogie down to this for the moment.

Kate Nash-Do-Wah-Doo

Kate Nash is back. Her new album, My Best Friend is You was released in April. This is the first single, Do-Wah-Doo. It's short and features some plinky plonky piano and is extremely catchy. As many of noted, it's a bit of a new sound for her with its Motown girl group edge and old school guitar line. Welcome back, Kate.

Mini Viva-One Touch
This song is completely frantic, busy, coy, winking, and all gussied up and it crashed and burned on the UK charts last month. It's well-constructed/built and giddy, shimmy-inducing. The chorus is Peeps exploding with happiness in the microwave. A pop collage or a puzzle that fits together swimmingly. Enjoy.

The Pipettes-Stop the Music
British gal group The Pipettes revived the 50's and 60's gal group sound back in 2006 albeit with a sexy, cheeky, kinky edge with their fun debut album. Now they are back as a duo and this is the first single off their new album called Earth vs. The Pipettes which is out in June. Stop the Music kind of gallops along through the verses, sounding like its on the verge of bowling over. It's got trumpets, bongo-like, effervescent drums and a funky groove going. It's a new direction for them. Can't wait for the album. Check out Who Made You the Doctor? as well.

-M.I.A. will release her third album, Maya, on July 13! I can't wait. (Thanks to Pretty Much Amazing). A recent article about her in the New York Times magazine did not please Miss M.I.A. so she put the author's phone number on her Twitter. I thought the article was very interesting, well-written, and an honest, intriguing representation of M.I.A., but words were twisted and M.I.A. did not like Lynn Hirschberg's interpretation/rendering of her I guess. Judge for yourself here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/magazine/30mia-t.html?ref=magazine

-Kylie Minogue is back! The new album has the superbly camp title, Aphrodite, and the first single is All the Lovers. All the Lovers is moving, metallic, like a Herve Leger dress, one of the skyscrapers in its video, and resplendent pop. It's one of those songs where the beauty of dance-pop shines through similar to Robyn's new song Dancing on My Own and you are unexpectedly emotionally awakened. The chorus is glorious, smooth, soft, gentle, reassuring, comforting, personal, hopeful and incredibly sweet. The beat that weaves in and out, up and down in the verses is very effective. It makes you want to fall in love, fall in love and dance to this song with your boyfriend or girlfriend. This song makes me want to giggle with dizzying, Ellie Goulding-ish "starry-eyed" energy. And the video, released last night, is a kooky, peculiar and very sensual love shack. It includes a pile of lovers and couples in their undergarments and Kylie is on top being Kylie. Behind all the sexy stuff, the "forget your troubles and obligations and go love" subtext is pleasant. It's quite scintillating. This album is going to change the orbit of my core being.

Alphabeat-DJ

The next single in the UK off their second album, The Beat Is... This has really grown on me. It's giddy and super, super fun. I hope this is a hit for them because their other two singles from this album haven't done that well in the charts. This is a great spring/summer party, feel good song. Danish joy.

Kele-Tenderoni
Bloc Party goes solo with this amazing, delectable dance track. Immediately awesome. Infectious.

Thanks to We are Pop Slags, MuuMuse, Pitchfork, XO Middle Eight, Chart Rigger, It's Getting Boring by the Sea, Pretty Much Amazing, and Perez for all the info.

Music Update!

2010-02-21T17:11:00.027-05:00

Sorry I haven't updated in so long. Here's some music stuff.

I'm Not Mad-Alex Gardner
Sophisticated, subtly undulating pop from genius Brit music makers Xenomania. It's in the same vein as Girls Aloud's Call the Shots and The Loving Kind except with a Scottish lad singing. It all borders on jazz lounge style singing, but I still enjoy it. 2:40 to 2:56 is quite lovely and splendid especially when he sings "Real". It's out in the UK later this month.

Once-Diana Vickers
Diana Vickers was a contestant on Britain's The X Factor (like American Idol) in 2008 with Alexandra Burke and JLS who have been mentioned here before. Well, she's finally releasing her debut album in early May in the UK and here is the first single, Once. Once is wonderfully effective. There's a twinkling piano bit in the beginning that leads to the first verse which Vickers almost whispers. The drums hit hard, and we soar into the strange chorus: I'm only going to let you kill me once, once, once. I don't really get what it means, but I love it. The chorus is one of those pop headbangers a la pretty much any Kelly Clarkson song. It's such a quick and sweet pop song, but there are all these great elements in it that make an off kilter rock- pop-dare I say- electro gem. One of my songs for spring. Hopefully Diana does well with this gem. Apparently the album is very good. I'm hoping for some pop curveballs.

Giving Up The Gun-Vampire Weekend
Here's Vamp Weekend's new single from their very, very good second album Contra. And here is the funny video clip to go along with it featuring Joe Jonas and Jake Gyllenhaal and Lil' Jon as well as a super intense tennis match versus this girl who is mad good. This is one of the best songs of the Vamps new album with its shimmy shimmy shake vibe.

Hurts--Better Than Love
Lots of buzz in you guessed it England for this duo, Hurts, which features two guys from another band I really liked, Daggers, who had a beast of a song called Money that I posted on the blog awhile ago. Well anyway here is Hurts first official single, Better Than Love. I'm very, very impressed. It is a massive song with some 80's references of course (New Order guitars). Just when you think it can't get any more tremendous after that chorus comes this bit with "Turn away, turn away". Good to see some of the euphoric energy from Daggers transferred over. It's anthemic and seems to incorporate a choir of male voices at some points. Released in the UK on May 17. So fantastic!

Taio Cruz ft. Ludacris-Break Your Heart
Mr. Cruz went Number 1 in the UK with this song last September and now it has arrived on US shores and already gone to Number 1 here! Very impressive. It's a modern, funky pop song that oozes technology and fancy production. It's light as air and glides around much like the yacht in its video. Ludacris shows up at one point which was not included in the UK version. It also makes me very happy that Taio manages to get the word "evade" into his song and I don't know why. The perfect spring #1. Also apparently this jam was for Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole's album at first.

Stop and Stare-Fenech-Soler
Here's another video from a band I mentioned a little while ago, Fenech-Soler. I really love these guys. Stop and Stare is a newer song of theirs and I don't love it as much as the effervescent Lies, it's still quite good. The video was filmed in Paris and the lead singer wears a sequined gold t-shirt that I want. I really love the second verse for some reason. It's all in his delivery.

Popjustice has a great peek at the next Mini Viva single (the British gal duo I posted about awhile ago with the song I Wish) called One Touch. The sassy vocals and all the fun, different pop bits featured in the one minute clip get me psyched about the whole thang which will be out May 3 in the UK.
http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4482&Itemid=243

UK chanteuse Sophie Ellis-Bextor is returning this spring with her new song, Bittersweet. The clips via Popjustice and her website promise drama and the sense of dancing all night in a discotheque. I can't wait for the whole thing. It's produced by Freemasons and their version has premiered on the radio.
Here's the clip:
http://www.sophieellisbextor.net/news?id=211

Fashion Week

2010-02-15T14:18:00.017-05:00

Jason Wu

Fashion Week has been going on for a few days. Here are some nice outfits. I love Suno's print with the purple, blue, and green. Not loving the hat in Diane von Furstenberg's ensemble though. Zac Posen is showing today.

Suno

News

2010-02-15T10:24:00.010-05:00

-The Strokes are working it out on their new album, their 4th, which they want to have released in September. I'm so excited. I used to really love these guys so now I'm going to dig out First Impressions of Earth and Room on Fire and take another listen. (Source: NME, Pitchfork, Digital Spy)

-Brit boy band, JLS, will make their landing in the US with the single Everybody in Love. Now this is my least favorite of all the singles they've released so far in the UK, but oh well, at least they're coming here! (Digital Spy)

-Apparently Kylie Minogue, arguably one of the greatest Australians on par with Hugh Jackman, will release her new album in the summer (according to one of her Twitter posts). Get ready for awesomeness with producers/writers RedOne (woot woot), Greg Kurstin (The Bird and the Bee and Lily Allen's very good It's Not Me, It's You), Xenomania (Girls Aloud...enough said), Calvin Harris (makes me want to dance), and 2 of the Scissor Sisters (their new album should be coming out soon). I can't wait. Wow, wow, wow, wow! (Wikipedia and Twitter)

-MGMT's sophomore album, Congratulations, will be released on April 13. I'm curious to hear what these guys do next after the greatness of Kids and Time to Pretend. (Digital Spy, Pitchfork, NME)

Tracklist according to Wiki what:

1."It's Working"
2."Song for Dan Treacy"
3."Someone's Missing"
4."Flash Delirium"
5."I Found a Whistle"
6."Siberian Breaks"
7."Brian Eno"
8."Lady Dada's Nightmare"
9."Congratulations"

Gals and a Farewell

2010-02-13T09:32:00.015-05:00

Again, I haven't posted in quite awhile. Sorry about that. Here's what is up at the moment:

It's taken me some time, but I'm finally on board with zany Welsh-Greek singer, Marina and the Diamonds. Her big, official single Hollywood was released in the UK two weeks ago and it charted fairly well (#12). Her vocal styling favors high drama (not Mika style though), going low then high, and she almost howls sometimes. You can't say this girl doesn't have personality. She's not Lily, she's not Amy, she's not Adele, and not Florence (slightly similar). Her vocals initially turned me off. They were a little much, but after a few listens to Hollywood you are won over. Her debut album, The Family Jewels, will be released in the UK on Feb. 22. Let's hope there's a US release soon. She's rather magnificent. Here's the Hollywood video.

-Sad news from across the pond this week. Amazing, stunning, and exciting designer Alexander McQueen killed himself in England the other day. A true talent that made the fashion world a very thrilling place to be (for proof, see Bad Romance video-the shoes!). I was so looking forward to what he would do next. Rest in peace.

-Rihanna's new single Rude Boy is blunt and sexy. I've really warmed to her latest album, Rated R. Hard, Wait Your Turn, and Rude Boy are the songs of a new strong woman who is walking tall. The Rude Boy video, released the other day, is vivid and shows Rih Rih in full on sex kitten mode. My favorite parts are when she rides on the lion and when she's wearing the black and white bodysuit while perched on a zebra with balloons on its head! And I adore her cheeky gold outfit with the wig. The M.I.A influence is present, but the video is fun nonetheless. 2:28 to 2:57 is genius.

Ok, this next one is fantastic and pretty funny. Sabrina Washington used to be in this UK girl group called Mis-Teeq who made a slight impression here back in 2004 with their jam "Scandalous". I saw them at a free outdoor concert on the Esplanade and bought their album. Short and sweet: they were awesome. They broke up and Sabrina's fellow band member, Alesha Dixon, went solo releasing a delectable, rush to the dance floor hit, The Boy Does Nothing, at the end of 2008. So here is Sabrina with this catchy, catchy, catchy debut single, OMG (Oh My Gosh). The verses are slick and feature some fun producer knob-twiddling. There's a music box melody present that leads into the body-rolling, vocodered (at points) verses. I could see this song being annoying, but if you're in the right mood you will be in heaven. Sabrina, the album best be a beast.

PS. Lady GaGa and Beyonce, Telephone, video is going to be divine.

Music Update!

2010-01-16T17:32:00.023-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in forever. Here's some music.

JLS-One Shot
UK boy band wonder, JLS, will unleash their third single, One Shot, across the pond next month. It's a very good, satisfying piece of modern pop sleekness. Like most of their videos, this one features the boys dancing except this time they have wicked sick microphones that appear and disappear. I'm totally into this song after a couple of listens. It's nothing new, but it hits all the right buttons: semi-emotive singing, repetition of words in the chorus (watch this moment go by eeey eeeye), an intro where you think the whole thing is going to be a standard piano ballad then some crazy synths surprise you and the groove begins, and also the reference to Boys Like Girls obnoxiously catchy, Love Drunk as well as the lyric: "She's the kinda girl boys read about in magazines, glossy magazines". I'm really impressed about the use of glossy in a song. Great single from the boys.

Alexandra Burke-Broken Heels
This single is the definition of campy and I love every second of it. Alexandra Burke has thankfully proven herself to be the opposite of fellow X Factor winner, Leona Lewis. Burke's songs are upbeat rushes of pop amazingness (see last year's Bad Boys). Broken Heels is produced by RedOne (Lady GaGa's frequent collaborator) and for once, a song he produces isn't instantly recognizable as a RedOne song. There are plinky plonky piano keys and an overall sound that don't just make it sound like Just Dance, Part 2. The song is a thundering beast though especially when we get into that chorus. Alexandra knocks another one out of the park. This is a good collaboration that appears to be continuing as it was reported last week that Alexandra is working on some new songs with Mr. RedOne. Also, the video: hilarious and genius at the same time. Girl can dance!

Fenech-Soler-Lies
A UK band I seriously have my eye on for 2010 are Fenech-Soler. They make sublimely funky electro-pop. Here's their most straightforwardly catchy song yet, Lies. How awesome is that high note Ben Duffy hits in the chorus when he sings LIES! They have two EP's out on iTunes that are both very good. Check out their song Airbrushed. Also, they have two other songs up on their myspace called Stop and Stare and Golden Sun. Golden Sun has a sexy horn undercurrent. All their songs are immensely likable and ever so different so as not to seem like every other band out there who likes to mix some electro in with their guitars and drums. Can't wait for a full album.
http://www.myspace.com/fenechsoler
Awesome glittery, silver cardigan in the video!

The Drums-I Felt Stupid
This is one of the bands I'm most excited about for 2010. These fellas from New York (they moved there recently from Florida) have a melange of sounds going on: down-on-the-beach-on-a-summer's-day guitar giddiness as well as 80's drama and melancholy drenched vocals from blonde-haired lead singer, Jonathan Pierce. You've heard these sounds before on Oldies 103.3 with the Beach Boys and any 80's song of your choice, but these guys use their influences to great effect especially on this gem, I Felt Stupid, which has a sweet chorus complete with yes, word repetition, (Ha Ha Ha Heart!) and a splendid bit where Pierce sings "And have I lived my life too selfishly baby". See the track and field-themed video below. Check out all their other songs on their myspace. Instruct Me is quite lovely and Submarine demonstrates the Happy Days/ 80's smoothie the boys like to make.
http://www.myspace.com/thedrumsforever

Plan B-Stay Too Long
British rapper makes old school R&B/soul and rap hybrid to strange and quite great effect.

The Monster Ball In Boston, Dec. 1

2009-12-04T17:59:00.045-05:00

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

2009-11-27T14:00:00.011-05:00

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

2009-11-12T20:25:00.014-05:00

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

2009-11-05T20:39:00.006-05:00

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

2009-10-19T17:46:00.011-04:00

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

2009-10-05T21:28:00.008-04:00

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

2009-10-03T10:08:00.014-04:00

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

2009-09-26T22:16:00.006-04:00

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

2009-09-23T22:26:00.008-04:00

-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

2009-09-21T21:56:00.015-04:00

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!

2009-09-20T22:13:00.004-04:00

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

2009-09-13T16:44:00.005-04:00

-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!

2009-09-07T16:58:00.015-04:00

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.

2009-08-28T21:05:00.017-04:00

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

2009-08-28T21:04:00.012-04:00

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

2009-08-22T09:13:00.003-04:00

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

2009-08-20T21:32:00.004-04:00

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

2009-08-20T14:04:00.038-04:00

-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

2009-08-12T12:06:00.009-04:00

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

2009-08-07T17:55:00.008-04:00

-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

2009-08-05T10:40:00.019-04:00

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

2009-07-31T18:47:00.014-04:00

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

2009-07-29T17:27:00.007-04:00

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

2009-07-23T13:25:00.006-04:00

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

2009-07-23T13:09:00.017-04:00

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!

2009-07-21T13:45:00.005-04:00

-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!

2009-07-21T09:36:00.007-04:00

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

2009-07-20T21:13:00.008-04:00

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.

New Videos!

2009-07-14T12:24:00.005-04:00

Lily Allen revealed her new video for her next single, 22, the other day. 22 is one of the best songs on her very strong new album. It's about aging and how society puts pressure on women. This is reflected by the video taking place in a cool women's restroom where we see women putting on makeup and staring into a mirror as they sing along to the chorus. It's a simple, but effective video. Lily looks fantastic with her black bob and dramatic dress. I love the interlude where it's just her and a man dancing in the bathroom. Well done, Lily.

Mr. Calvin Harris released the video for his next single, the irresistible Ready for the Weekend. The video has cool, bright colors, but it's pretty dull. The song is euphoric though and I love the piano during the verses and the beast of a chorus.

Beyonce also released a new video for her next single, Sweet Dreams. The video features her now-common dance routines which are still quite fantastic and sassy. This video features some nice outfits including a kooky golden robot get-up.

A Double Feature

2009-07-09T14:54:00.007-04:00

Since Tuesday was such a rainy and yucky day, I stayed in and watched two movies but the great Spanish director, Pedro Almodovar. The first one I watched was Talk to Her, his 2002 film that won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. It's the story of two men (Benigno and Marco) and the women they love (Alicia and Lydia) who are both in comas. The two men become close friends as they care for their loved ones. Benigno is a nurse who works in the hospital where the women are staying and Marco is a journalist. The friendship that blooms between the two men is beautiful and very touching. The movie is very sad and moving particularly the ending. Almodovar throws in some twists, but the viewer never is turned off by them or taken out of the story because we have already become so invested in these characters and their stories. There is an interlude where Benigno describes to Alicia a silent movie he saw about a female scientist and the male lover who shrinks when he drinks her new diet drug. It's a bizarre, funny, and transfixing black and white vignette that mirrors what's to come in the movie. A very memorable Shrinking Man. The other Almodovar movie I watched was 2004's seductive and grim Bad Education. Now this film is utterly fantastic. It's comedy, color, drama, sex, and controversy all rolled into one odd movie. It stars Gael Garcia Bernal as three characters: a tranny named Zahara and two brothers, Ignacio and Juan. The story begins when movie director, Enrique (Fele Martinez) is visited by his Catholic school lover, Ignacio who presents to him a story based on their childhood. Enrique starts to read it later that night, and it all comes back in flashbacks or so we think. It turns out Ignacio was sexually abused by one of the priests at the boys' Catholic school which leads to more flashbacks until everything is flipped on its head and we get the real story. The movie is fascinating, and Almodovar handles all the plot technicalities with skill and grace. Gael Garcia Bernal is wonderful in all the roles he plays especially as Zahara, the tranny. Overall, a wonderful movie. Highly Recommended.

Just Shut Up and Watch Me Walk

2009-07-09T14:34:00.006-04:00

Sugababes premiered their new single, Get Sexy, Tuesday on BBC Radio 1. It's not their best single, and it's their least subtle. Sugababes have always had subtler songs than their fellow Brit girl group counterparts, Girls Aloud. They were sexy, sassy dance numbers (Push the Button, Hole in the Head, Red Dress) but they weren't in your face pop smorgasbords. This song is in your face though and very modern. I like the verses and bridge with its churning beat more than the somewhat loud chorus. It has tinges of Pitbull's I Know You Want Me and it incorporates the synths present in many popular songs nowadays. It's flirty, danceable fun, and I think it's a grower. It doesn't scream "Sugababes" though. The lyrics are priceless and fierce especially the terrific line: "Just shut up and watch me walk". The part around 2:24 is quite cheeky and sassy. This is a complete 180 from their underrated last album, Catfights and Spotlights, which had a retro-feel to it. I guess they needed to recreate themselves. The song will be released for download in August with the new album coming in the fall I assume. Get Sexy will be the Sugas first release in the US since their signing to Jay-Z's Roc Nation label. Very exciting!

Get Sexy

2009-07-06T13:14:00.007-04:00

Big, big news!

Sugababes new single, Get Sexy, will be played for the first time on BBC Radio 1 tomorrow afternoon at 4:50PM. The single will be officially released on August 31st. Here's what their website has to say:

"New tunes, new style, new hair cuts and new attitude. GET ready to see SEXY!
The babes return with the first single from their 7th studio album this summer. GET SEXY is a slamming dance anthem that sees the girls hooking up with a host of big name producers following their stint in L.A. and the new single shows a new direction for the babes but still with that unmistakable Sugababes sound.
Hear it first on Scott Mills Radio 1 show this Tuesday 7th July."

This is so exciting!

Here's what the pop lovers at Popjustice have to say about the song:

"A new Sugababes single is always a reason to get excited and their new track, 'Get Sexy', is a big, fearsome explosion of a pop record. At first listen it sounds quite aggressive and adventurous which, in a post-'Bonkers'-at-Number-One, post-'Boom Boom Pow'-at-Number-One world, it's really not; pop changes its sound as the years go by and if they're clever so do pop groups. Sonically this is just what the Sugababes needed after the wet Wednesday of their last album campaign - a campaign which despite an album we loved seemed to chime so badly with fans that the band looked like they were on the brink of something not very good at all.

After all that we'd kind of wanted the band to take a year off for 2009 but with one major British girl group notable by absence from this autumn's release schedules it makes sense for Sugababes to storm ahead. Followers of the band's - particularly Keisha's - Twitter pages will have a fair idea already of what's to come from the new album and fans received a surprise this weekend when a clip of 'Get Sexy' leaked online ahead of its Radio One debut tomorrow.

Well, the clip was a very early demo; the clip that leaked gives you a general feel for things but one major change is that while some of the male vocals remain (in the verses' call-and-response portions) the girls now sing the song's a massive bridge, whose lyrics are now based on Right Said Fred's 'I'm Too Sexy': "cos I'm too sexy in this club, too sexy in this club, so sexy it hurts". There's also a fantastic middle eight built around a playful chant of "if I had a dime (dime) for every single time (time) these boys stop and stare, I'd be a billionaire".

It's a confusing listen - to these ears the verses are terrible and trite while everything else in the song is just totally brilliant and exciting. The ups and downs are frustrating;..."

I remember having similar excitement last summer when the first single from Catfights and Spotlights, Girls, premiered. I'm ready for this Sugas!

Supernova

2009-07-02T10:37:00.005-04:00

British singer Mr. Hudson who collaborated with Kanye West on his album 808's & Heartbreak (most notably on the fantastic song Paranoid) will be coming out with his second album Straight No Chaser which should be released Oct. 5. Kanye West co-produced with Hudson on the album. The second single off the album is Supernova feat. Mr. West himself. It is a wonderful slice of modern pop complete with Bleeding Love/Paranoid-esque drums. I adore the chorus and how it just soars. The Auto-Tune effect surprisingly works very well here. The melding of the modern auto-tune and the tribal drums is very successful, and this is a great showcase for Mr. Hudson.

Loving You Like It Was the First Time

2009-07-02T09:16:00.006-04:00

Another British rapper Tinchy Stryder has a new single out in August as well. It's called Never Leave You and it features Amelle Berrabah of the Sugababes and her cool haircut. It's a sweet, very catchy song. The whole song reminds me of the part in Live Your Life by T.I. when Rihanna sings her solo. The synths meld with piano creating a pleasant ditty with a very catchy and addictive chorus.

Also according to Sugababes member Keisha's Twitter post today, the gals new single from their new album will be played for the first time next week on BBC Radio 1. I'm so excited! I hope it's one of their RedOne collaborations.

Let's Go on Holiday

2009-07-02T09:08:00.004-04:00

British rapper Dizzee Rascal's new single Holiday produced by dance music lover Calvin Harris and featuring Chrome will be out soon. It was premiered yesterday on BBC Radio 1. It is a perfect summer song. There is massive bouncy synth backing somewhat reminiscent of Harris' number 1 from earlier this year, I'm Not Alone. Then around the 3:00 minute mark the whole thing just goes bonkers with crazy, throw-your-hands-in-the-air synth. It sounds big and it's fun. Dizzee and Calvin are well-matched as evidenced in last summer's number 1 Dance Wiv Me. Harris is a fantastic producer. Get your freak on!

XOXO

2009-07-02T08:26:00.006-04:00

Lots of Gossip Girl and Leighton news today:

The cast were back in New York on Monday to start filming the third season! Here are some photos of the gang looking wonderful as usual.

Apparently, Hilary Duff will be joining the cast in October. She will be playing a Hollywood actress who comes to New York for the regular university lifestyle. She ends up being roommates at NYU with Vanessa. This should be very interesting. Joanna Garcia of the cancelled Privileged will also show up for a few episodes this season to play Nate's girlfriend. This all sounds promising and Blair and Georgina will be roommates!!

Now in music world, the music video for Leighton and Cobra Starship's single Good Girls Go Bad arrived the other day. It's a decent video, nothing new. The lead singer of Cobra Starship does a little too much hand movement for me. It looks like he's going to come through my computer screen. Leighton is all fierceness though. I love the shot at the end where you see the lead singer on the ground looking up at Leighton's orange high heels as she walks by. The end is great.

Girl I Wanna Party With You

2009-06-29T15:02:00.005-04:00

Major Lazer (producers Diplo and Switch of Santigold and M.I.A. fame) have a hot summer song from their album, Guns Don't Kill People...Lazers Do, and it features Nina Sky and Ricky Blaze. It is entitled Keep It Goin' Louder and it's infectious. The beat makes you want to dance as soon as you hear it. The drums are irresistible. It gets repetitive after awhile but it's a lot of fun. I love the Nina Sky bit: "I got the girls in the truck, about six chicks deep and you know cause we're rolling that we're straight sexy". There are some great synths in it as well. Enjoy!

Another notable song is the second single of British producer/singer Calvin Harris' new album: Ready for the Weekend. The song has the same title and is lighter and more summery than his number 1 from a few months ago: I'm Not Alone. Weekend is fun Harris-fare until the belter of a chorus kicks in featuring a rip-roaring vocal by Mary Pearce. The verses feature a great piano bit and some "ahhs" in the background. It will sound great blasting out of radios in England this summer. His new album should be out August 17th in the UK. Sorry for the radio man talking at the beginning and end of the song. It was the only version I could find.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M53vb9sXJD0

Tidbits

2009-06-29T10:39:00.004-04:00

-Yesterday, La Roux hit number 1 in the UK for the first time with their fantastic new single Bulletproof. Their album is released today in the the UK. Congrats! Florence + the Machine debut at #12 with Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up), their wonderfully odd new single. This song would never even crack the top 100 here.

-Sales of Michael Jackson albums and singles have shot through the roof since his death last Thursday. 8 songs in the iTunes Top 10 are MJ, the number 1 spot occupied by Man in the Mirror. 7 of the top 10 albums are his as well.

-Here's a clip of a Jordin Sparks demo called Vertigo that should totally be on her new album which comes out July 21. It's super fun and dancey.

-The Spanish version of Shakira's new single has appeared online. The song is called She-Wolf and it is a big change of pace for Shakira. It's got a funky bassline, a disco feel, and it's overrall very pop. It suits Shakira well. I'm really loving it. Can't wait for the English version.

Tidbits

2009-06-26T09:32:00.004-04:00

In other news:

-One of Charlie's Angels died yesterday as well: Farrah Fawcett. Rest in Peace.

-Sam Sparro and Adam Lambert will work together on Lambert's album. This could be very interesting.

-There was a great article about Men's Fashion Week in Milan in yesterday's Thursday Styles section of the New York Times. It's a very interesting read: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/fashion/25MILAN.html?_r=1&ref=fashion

Michael Jackson

2009-06-26T09:09:00.004-04:00

Like many, many others the news of Michael Jackson's death at age 50 shocked me. I heard it on the radio last night, but the source for it was the questionable gossip fiends at TMZ.com. Then it was on the news and they played his songs all night on the radio. I discovered the Thriller cassette tape at the beginning of seventh grade and fell in love with the album. It's the most consistent pop album ever I would say. From the giddy Baby Be Mine to the shimmy shake of Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' to the rush of P.Y.T to the slightly silly but charming The Girl is Mine with Paul McCartney to the legend of Thriller to the riffs and hard hit of Beat It to the smooth funk and sexiness of Billie Jean to the glorious beauty of Human Nature. I had a friend of mine make a CD version from the cassette tape recording. I grew up in the time when Michael Jackson's bizarre life was more prevalent then his pop genius life, but I also grew up with other pop singers who all listed him as an influence like Justin Timberlake for instance. Thank you for making us dance, Michael. You set us free with your music.

Tidbits

2009-06-24T10:56:00.006-04:00

-American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert will be working with RedOne on some songs for his debut album due this fall! This is so exciting. RedOne and Lambert will make some good stuff.

-Kylie Minogue will be working with Girls Aloud producers Xenomania on her next album. This is also exciting. Xenomania make some of the most exciting pop music around and Kylie and them will make beautiful dance floor heaven for the world.

-La Roux's next single after this week's probable #1 Bulletproof will be I'm Not Your Toy, another delicious 80's style confection with steel drums. The lyrics are great: "I'm not your toy, this isn't another girl meets boy...it's all false love and affection, you don't want me, you just like the attention" I'm really looking forward to this album. All the clips I've heard are very promising. Apparently, the album will be out in the US in October! They will be touring around the US this summer. No Boston stops though.

-Another singer I'm loving at the moment is kooky Brit Florence and the Machine. The Machine is her band. Anyway Florence's debut album, Lungs, will be out in the UK in a couple weeks. Her songs are raw and emotional almost tribal especially her new single Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) which is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard all year. It has big drums, Florence's soaring voice, and an ecstatic and cathartic chorus. It's pretty crazy (same with the video), but I'm in love with it. The part in the song around 2:24 is gorgeous.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHqbco0zHWo

Two other great songs of hers:

Dog Days Are Over-Handclaps, piano, and when it kicks in around 1:19, you'll totally be into it. Another soaring chorus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0ZPTFfpO40

Cosmic Love-A massive song that swells with drums, echoing voices, and harp. It's epic and grandiose. Gorgeous. It reminds me of Bat For Lashes or Kate Bush. The "oooo" part is lovely.

An Intoduction is in Order

2009-06-24T10:37:00.005-04:00

Young UK singer Pixie Lott just went number 1 in the UK a few weeks ago with her handclap happy debut single, Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh). It's a pleasant, very catchy song that features the retro-pop sound that has been present in a lot of female British music since Amy Winehouse blew up a few years ago. The song is extremely likable as is Pixie, but I wasn't completely sold on her. I think I am now. Her other songs are very good and she has a great voice. I would say the most notable of her other songs is Here We Go Again. It's produced by my favorite producer of the moment, RedOne (GaGa). It is a good melding of her retro-pop sound and RedOne's hard-hitting, modern dance beats. I think it could be a hit.

Her next single is Boys and Girls. It's very retro pop and sounds Mark Ronson-esque. It's a pleasant song. Very fun, but familiar sounding. Here We Go Again should be the next single though.

Another charming song by Pixie (great name by the way) is called Turn It Up (The Fall). It rides a nice beat and a light piano and the chorus is fun. Here's a snippet.

Her songs are strong, a good mix of new pop and old. I'm excited for the album.

Check out her myspace: http://www.myspace.com/pixiesongs

And Just Across the Bridge

2009-06-24T09:56:00.003-04:00

Last night saw the premiere of Bravo's NYC Prep, the reality TV version of Gossip Girl. Much like MTV premiered Laguna Beach after The OC became popular Bravo has done the same thing with this show. It's a bizarre show. It's hard to believe the kids on it are my age. There is such a disconnect between their lives and mine which is not that surprising at all actually. Anyway these kids are trying so hard to act like adults. So there's Sebastian, the guy all the girls want. He's kind of a douche and thinks he's the shiz cause he speaks French. Then there's Camille and Kelli. Camille is all about networking and not being her age. Kelli seems pretty cool. Jessie and PC are the most interesting characters. Jessie is the queen bee character I guess. She seems cross-eyed sometimes and she's kind of a jerk, but she's entertaining. Her close friend is PC, the Chuck Bass character. I adore PC. He's so full of himself, but his fashion sense is impeccable. Skinnies and fancy dress shoes. He's all about kissing girls cheeks when he greets them. His somewhat hostile relationship with Jessie is entertaining. They have good banter. Ah, I love Bravo.

Jersey Girls

2009-06-24T09:18:00.004-04:00

I'm becoming addicted to Bravo's The Real Housewives of New Jersey. The season ended recently, but I've been trying to catch some of the repeats. It is such a different world these women live in. My favorite housewife has become Teresa, the black-haired Jersey girl. She is blissfully and hilariously ignorant. Her husband is funny as are her insane, mini-diva daughters. Teresa's bubbie job was quite an amusing moment. The scary thing was during the restaurant fight when she almost flipped the dinner table. That's when I changed the channel. The fight was scary to watch. So on to another housewife: Dina. She's not exactly warm, but I love her relationship with her 12-year old daughter Lexi. They have really funny banter and a sweet relationship. The episode where they cleaned Lexi's room and found millions of stuffed animals and a drawer of candy was very funny. I enjoyed when Dina joked that her daughter was a hoarder. Hoarders are fascinating. Lexi also bought a shirt that said Shoe Whore in that episode. Gotta love it. Dina and Lexi also have the most alarming cat. It's name is Grandma. It has no fur and is all wrinkly. Very bizarre. Caroline is the mother cub of all the housewives. She's Dina's big sis and Jacqueline's sister-in-law. I love Caroline. She's all about family. She's tough and she's funny. I think she's the most down to earth. Danielle is the crazy drama instigator of the group. She's unreal. Jacqueline is the other housewife who is torn between being friends with Danielle and staying loyal to her family. I like Jacqueline, but I also feel bad for her. Her daughter doesn't totally respect her. She seems kind of weak at points. She seems to have a really good heart though. Very sweet. Well, I love this show in all its ridiculousness.

Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel

2009-06-22T13:48:00.003-04:00

Mariah Carey has a new album coming out in a few months and its title can be seen above in the title of this post: Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. Yikes. What a wonderfully awful title. I kind of adore it. Anyway her new song Obsessed has arrived and I'm totally into it. I heard it in our bus on the way to the Rome airport last Friday. It rides a great beat and it's quite the summer jam. Much better than a lot of last year's questionable E=MC squared. The beat is a harder version of last year's #1 Touch My Body. I especially love the "you're delusional" part after the chorus. It's all extremely catchy and radio-ready. I'm pleasantly surprised Mariah.

Home

2009-06-20T19:55:00.004-04:00

I returned home the other day to discover some great things about Top 40 radio that I'd missed while away. KISS 108 is now playing Use Somebody by Kings of Leon, When Love Takes Over by Kelly Rowland and David Guetta, That's Not my Name by The Ting Tings, and Hush Hush by PCD! Hearing the words "Now new music. Kings of Leon. Use Somebody." is positively shocking and wonderful (I think) at the same time considering how not mainstream they used to be. Also, Use Somebody has been out for quite awhile already charting at #2 in the UK and doing very well in other countries overseas. The rest of the world have gotten on the KOL bandwagon faster than the US. Use Somebody is a very mainstream song perhaps their most accessible to date. It deserves success. It's been a slow rise for the song, but a few weeks ago they did it on the MTV Movie Awards which did wonders. It climbed up the charts to #19 on the Hot 100 and is currently at #23. This is good news. Still weird to hear Kings of Leon on KISS though. Also, KISS is about a year late on the Ting Tings song. The big news is the fact that When Love Takes Over which just went to #1 in the UK yesterday is being played on KISS now. It sounds amazing on the radio. I never thought it would be on the radio. I thought it would just chart on the US dance charts and do really well overseas like it's doing in Italy. It's such a euphoric and anthemic song. Other chart news: La Roux's next single, the hard-hitting Bulletproof, has raced up to Number 1 on the UK iTunes chart. I think it was released yesterday. It's such a great song. We'll see if it's number 1 come Sunday. Also, well I was away Keri Hilson's genius song Knock You Down zoomed up the charts! It's currently at number 3! Yay, finally chart success here for Keri. Well that was a lot. Ah, I love the charts.

Big in Italia

2009-06-20T11:56:00.006-04:00

Italian radio is a wonderful thing: random oldies, early Avril, obscure Madonna, Italian power ballads, and American/English jams. I heard Pet Shop Boy's It's A Sin while sitting in my convent room one day. That seemed particularly fitting. Songs that are big there right now are:

Jai Ho!-Pussycat Dolls version-It's really grown on me. It was played a lot on the radio.

Not Fair-Lily Allen-This song is hilarious and I've really come to love it. I find it amusing that Italy loves Lily Allen.

Poker Face-GaGa-Of course.

Halo-Beyonce-Played very often.

When Love Takes Over-David Guetta and Kelly Rowland-This song is amazing. Anthem of the summer.

Mad-Ne Yo-Very good Ne-Yo ballad.

I also heard some Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand, Kings of Leon, and a bizarre acoustic cover of 50 Cent's Ayo Technology. God bless Italian radio. Also heard Jordin Sparks behemoth Battlefield.

I'm Your Biggest Fan/I'll Follow You Until You Love Me

2009-05-27T16:49:00.006-04:00

I am so super excited for Lady GaGa's new video for Paparazzi. It is her next single release in the UK and the video was filmed in good, old Londontown. Here's what Digital Spy has to say about it:

Lady GaGa reportedly wanted to emulate Princess Diana's death in the video to her new single 'Paparazzi'. The 'Just Dance' star allegedly wanted to recreate scenes from the Pont de l'Alma tunnel crash in Paris which killed the Princess of Wales and her partner Dodi Al Fayed on August 31, 1997, The Sun claims...Further scenes in the music video reportedly show three brothers from US rock band Snake Of Eden acting out sexual acts on each other.

Here's what GaGa herself had to say about the video in that same Digital Spy article:

"I'm very proud of it. It has a real, genuine, powerful message about fame-whoring and death and the demise of the celebrity, and what that does to young people," she told The Canadian Press.
"The video explores ideas about sort of hyperbolic situations that people will go to in order to be famous. Most specifically, pornography and murder. These are some of the major themes in the video."

I am so psyched. This video sounds absolutely crazy amazing. The Princess Di idea: GaGa you crazy! It's kind of a cool (dare I say edgy) idea yet somewhat awkward and uncomfortable at the same time. Maybe it's best it didn't work out. Anyway check out the single cover art above: ravishing. She's also on the cover of Rolling Stone this week looking very 80's.

Release Me

2009-05-27T14:21:00.004-04:00

To continue the trend of gal pop videos we have another disco-centric club banger here called Release Me courtesy of Swedish Idol winner Agnes. She looks like Leona Lewis, but Leona could sure use more songs like this on her next album. Anyway, this song was just released in the UK and it is doing really well already. It's irresistible. The strings are dramatic heck the whole thing is dramatic. The chorus is absolutely fantastic and euphoric, and she sings the hell out of this song. My favorite part is around 3:47 when she starts dancing a little bit because she's kind of an awkward dancer and it is very amusing. Ah, it's just so amazing.

On the Other Hand

2009-05-27T14:12:00.003-04:00

The Pussycat Dolls released their video for new single Hush Hush today. It's a classic pop video. It starts out all slow with the lead singer singing dramatically in a bathtub then, the tempo picks up and suddenly we're at a disco/roller skating club with Carmen Electra and Perez Hilton! Woot! I love the part where they are in the room with all the white staircases! All the Dolls look fabulous and of course, Nicole is center stage. Also, at about the three minute mark, Nicole has an afro! Yes! Disco diva! Then, each Doll gets to bust a move on the dance floor. Then, there's massive choregraphy amazingness that makes me so happy. Mad dancing skills all over the place. Perhaps the Dolls best video yet?

Sorry I can't embed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecWEr6KtXaA&feature=related

Work, Work

2009-05-27T14:06:00.003-04:00

Finally the video for The Saturdays' 5th single, Work, off Chasing Lights is here. It's not that interesting. The girls strut down a runway and where tight, black outfits. There's some dancing and posing too. The gals all look great, but they need to introduce something else in their videos: plot perhaps. The Just Can't Get Enough video approached that with the girls dressed up as pinups. The song is wonderful though. It's a fierce stomper that has real sass and dare I say, slight swagger. It's declarative and super fun. I smell a summertime hit for the gals in the UK. I heart Frankie!

Song of the Day

2009-05-25T20:40:00.008-04:00

Actress and now singer extraordinaire, Leighton Meester, contributed her vocals to a track called Birthday by a Miami duo named Awesome New Republic. Leighton's vocal performance here is stronger than the one in Good Girls Go Bad. She's a very convincing "come hither", flirty singer. This song is great with or without Leighton though (the version with just Awesome New Republic is really good as well). The chorus is a joyous peak of falsetto, and the verses have driving and guttural guitar. They also mention kinetic energy which is fantastic. Lots of nasty fun! Absolutely infectious!

The Return of BEP

2009-05-22T11:20:00.005-04:00

Black Eyed Peas have returned with bravado. Their new single, Boom Boom Pow, has been number 1 for 7 weeks. When I first heard Boom Boom Pow, I thought it was awful. It didn't have any flow and Fergie's singing part was painful. Then, it grew on me. Sure it's a mess, but damn does it sound good on the radio and after a few listens, the song clicks. I'm actually surprised it's a hit because it's a pretty weird song. Not their best, but a grower. They released another song from their new album, The E.N.D. this week onto iTunes called Imma Be. It's repetitive like Boom Boom, but ultimately I think it's a little better. The song really gets going around the 2:20 point where it becomes really danceable. This isn't their best either, but...there is good news. Their second single off The E.N.D was premiered yesterday on the KISS FM station in LA. It's called I Got A Feeling, and it's a damn good pop song. Much better than Boom Boom and Imma Be. It's less futuristic electro, more straight up fun time. It just makes you feel good. Perfect for summer. I have high expectations for the new album, out June 9th. Monkey Business, their last album was really great and still is.

Lovely Ladies

2009-05-20T22:37:00.004-04:00

Little Boots performed on this past weekend on a late night British talk show called Later With Jools Holland. She performed her debut single New in Town and her fantastic collaboration with RedOne, Remedy. Remedy is the perfect synthesis of RedOne and Little's sounds. RedOne didn't overtake this song and make it sound like Just Dance or Poker Face. As I said before, a true collaboration. The foreboding synths during the verses are delicious and the chorus is ecstatic. Her hair and dress are perfect (she should wear that dress all the time). Also, she played Le Poisson Rouge in New York the other night. Her US taster EP, Illuminations, will be out June 9th! Her album, Hands, comes out in the UK a few days before that.

Ms. GaGa performed her new jam LoveGame on the Dancing with the Stars finale last night. There was a disco stick, some sick dancing, a pink sparkly one piece outfit, and perfectly styled hair. I love around the 2:01 point where she is all up in the camera's face. Just watch:

Oh My Gosh

2009-05-16T20:27:00.004-04:00

The trailer for the movie version of the musical based on Fellini's movie 8 1/2 (mouthful) entitled NINE arrived the other day. The cast of this movie is absolutely amazing: Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Judi Dench (rocking a bob), Kate Hudson (looking gorgeous), Sophia Loren's cheekbones (and the rest of her), Nicole Kidman, and Fergie Ferg (looking a little scary). Rob Marshall who did a great job with Chicago back in 2002 directs, and I have faith in him. The staging looks similar to that of Chicago's where some of the numbers occurred on stages. The song used in the trailer is fantastic, big, and dramatic as hell. Judi Dench closes and begins the trailer with some witty lines. Daniel Day-Lewis could actually be good in this role. I have mixed feelings about him, but he looks like he's having fun. Penelope looks stunning as usual and that dance with the huge curtain: sexy as hell. Marion is a radiant being who I adore. Kate Hudson (the most surprising member of the cast) looks like she's fitting in nicely. Even if this movie is all about the outfits and fierce women in it who cares? Deeves are the best!

Notable Ladies

2009-05-16T19:52:00.006-04:00

Boston-bred girl group, Jada, have hit the scene with their first single, American Cowboy. It's produced by RedOne (he's a busy guy) and sounds similar to GaGa, but I love it anyway. The girls have their own way of singing over RedOne's beats, and this song is an absolute banger. They have sass and 'tude to spare. Some choice lyrics: "I know You know I’m sexy What would you do, would you sacrifice it all for me? How would you like if I woo yeah I need an all American cowboy Ah ah ah ah ah ah oh I’m too much for you boy", "I ain't in here snappin fo' sho', you can ask all these guys When my booty clap it's a go! And you'll see somethin so nice Your jealous girlfriend can't faze me Ain't my fault you can't control your lady", and best of all "Hold up, wait a minute Let me put my Jada to it" . That is genius pop songwriting there. Such a fun and catchy song. I'm addicted. Also, this song was on House (hahaha).

Jordin Sparks has returned. Her first songs from her debut album were very good specifically the epic No Air. She has returned with a ferocious beast of song called Battlefield. It comes to us courtesy of Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic, the producer/writer behind Leona Lewis' Bleeding Love and Beyonce's Halo. Jordin's song outdoes those two though. It is MASSIVE. This song blows the roof off. There is undulating guitar in the chorus. There's a call back of "oh oh". Then at 2:04 all hell breaks loose and the song soars with the words: Guess you better go and get your armor. Then, the drums come thundering in. It is a moment of pop transcendence. Then comes a gentler piano part then everything but the drums stop and Jordin sings the chorus. Then guess you betta go and get your armor comes roaring back in. This song is also surprisingly cathartic. I am beyond impressed. I was not expecting this from Jordin. Huge pop moment from her. And props to Mr. Tedder: it sounds different from Halo and Bleeding Love. It's a behemoth. Here's Jordin and Tedder performing it on American Idol the other night. It's a fierce performance from Jordin. She's totally into it. With a song like this you have to go all the way.

Battlefeild AI Live
by yardie4lifever2

I ADORE LEIGHTON MEESTER

2009-05-16T19:32:00.005-04:00

Leighton Meester, one of my favorite young actresses at the moment, has signed a record deal and is making an electro-pop album to be released this fall. Hell to the yes! She is featured on the new Cobra Starship song, Good Girls Go Bad. Cobra Starship are emo-pop-rock and their songs have always been a tad too heavy for me, but this bubbly, super fun ditty with Leighton is pop to the core. It's extremely catchy and there's a sassy clap and stomp part in the middle. I first I questioned Leighton's vocal chops. They are somewhat reminiscent of the Tiz's. Leighton sings her verse well though. She's somewhat convincing. I can't wait for the video. It involves Leighton running a speak easy with a deli as the front for it. Sounds fantastic. What a great song to blast!

Also, as a side note, the above photo is of Leighton (in Louis Vuitton) at the Costume Institute Gala in New York a few weeks ago. There has been much debate over this outfit. Entertainment Weekly gave it an "F", but I think it is absolutely fierce and kooky. I love the everything about the look: the pattern, the orange and the bows. Leighton be the shiz.

The Return of the Pop Video

2009-05-06T21:30:00.003-04:00

Taylor Swift's video for her fantastic single "You Belong to Me" was released yesterday, and it is one of the best videos I've seen in a long time. It has a plot and drama and a happy ending! The plot is very high school cliche, but Taylor is just so darn cute with her Junior Jewels t-shirt and big glasses. Adorable. The end of the video made me so happy. You get invested in the storyline surprisingly quickly. Great song, great video. Well done, Tay Tay!

Music Update!!!

2009-05-04T19:14:00.009-04:00

-Sugababes have signed with Jay Z's record label here in the US! This is very exciting news. The girls have waited an awful long time to try to breakout here. They already have six albums in the bag. Anyway, the gals are currently in LA recording their seventh album with RedOne of Lady GaGa and Kat DeLuna fame. This guy is awesome. I love his beats. Sugababes + RedOne is a very interesting combo with lots of potential. Yay Sugababes on US soil! Here's what they posted on their twitter on Friday: 2 tracks done with redone!!!!!!! love it. Next we're feeling a collabo coming on... Any guess's? Cant wait!!!!!!!!! - Sugababes in LA :)

-Little Boots' video for her fantastic song New in Town debuted last week. It's a little bit meh. She doesn't do much. I like her blue dress though. I am officially obsessed with the song though. The chorus is a massive beast of awesomeness. Also, speaking of RedOne, she did a song with him for her debut album. It's called Remedy and I've heard a clip. It's a good melding of their styles. It's not overly RedOne. A true collaboration.

-Fantastic new song: When Love Takes Over by French DJ David Guetta with vocals by Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child. There are a couple versions of this positively epic club anthem. There's a long one and a short one. The three minute edit doesn't do the song justice. The song just soars especially due to Kelly's great vocals. There's a great breakdown after the chorus (around 1:36). Infectious synth dance madness. Perfect summer song.

-Sean Kingston of "Beautiful Girls", "Me Love", and "Take You There" fame, has returned. His new album will be out this summer. The first single is called Fire Burning and it's produced by none other than RedOne (speak of the devil). This is going to be another massive hit for Kingston. It's one of those songs where you hear it for the first time and you just know it's going to be a beast of a hit. Some choice lyrics from the song are: "She get it pop it lock it drop it, That birthday cake" (birthday cake is an interesting way to describe the booty-inventive), and "She’s fire burning, fire burning on the dance floor That little shawty’s fire burning on the dance floor" (fire burning is a FANTASTIC way to describe a dancing maniac). At around 3:14, the song kind of drops out a bit and Sean just sings much like in Just Dance when the beat drops out for a few seconds then comes roaring back in. Very effective. Well, what a comeback single Sean!

Applause!

2009-04-25T13:27:00.004-04:00

Gossip Girl's most recent episode entitled Seder Anything aired Monday night, and it was one of the best of the season. Two things I'd like to mention: the use of Right Round during the seder scene with Serena and Dan pretending to be back together and Blair's stepdad trying to keep the ceremony going was perfect. Thes scene was dizzying and very funny. Truly masterful. Second thing: they used a new Yeah Yeah Yeahs' song at the end of the episode, Runaway. I really enjoyed it. Also, I didn't extremely dislike Dan in this episode. He was even funny. Well done, Gossip Girl.

P.S. Georgina returns this Monday! YES!

Muzack!

2009-04-25T13:03:00.007-04:00

Yeah Yeah Yeahs' first single, Zero, from their new album It's Blitz! is out of this world. It reaches for the sky and makes you want to wave your hands all over the place. The genius of this song lies in the way it builds and crazy cool lead singer Karen O.'s emotive vocals. The chorus explodes joyously out of the gate then at about 2:40 the glorious, amazing synths come in and just make the song soar up to the stratosphere. The video is a fun romp through city streets with Karen O. She sings on a car and belts in an alleyway complete with spotlight. Then, the band push each other around in grocery carts (beautiful). This is definitely one of the best songs of the year.

For something completely different, we look to Kat DeLuna, of Whine Up fame. Her new album, Inside Out, will be released this summer, and I was introduced to an absolutely fantastic song from it: Put it On which features rapper extraordinaire Lil' Wayne. This song has so much attitude and swagga even dare I say, crunk swagga. Best parts of the song: "This shit is hot, put it on" and "The world is looking at me, I'll give 'em something to see aayyyy oh oh" . Then, Lil' Wayne comes in and lays it down proper. Great beat even better synths. THIS SHIT IS HOT PUT IT ON....NOW!

Roux, Roux, Roux

2009-04-20T10:44:00.007-04:00

You may have noticed I mentioned a group named La Roux in yesterday's News Galore. Well, La Roux is a pop synth duo from Londontown who make beautiful music. The singer is Elly Jackson who looks like my favorite kook, Tilda Swinton. Elly has short, sharp red hair and a super high voice. Their single In For the Kill is currently taking the UK charts by storm. I first heard about them when I heard their song Quicksand, a vintage pop ditty, a few months ago. Then, In For the Kill came out. I watched some of the video, and I thought the song was quite bad. Elly's voice was just too high, but now after some time, I love the song. Its success is truly surprising and unexpected. Well, these two have other great tracks up their sleeves as well. The debut album is out June 29 in the UK, but Roux Roux have recently played some shows in the US. I think they were in Brooklyn a couple weeks ago. They are apparently coming back here in the summer. Anyway the next single is Bulletproof, another catchy slice of pop. Another gem of theirs is Fascination which has a great, jolly chorus and a squelching, churning beat during the verses. A happy, summer song.
Check it out here:

http://this.bigstereo.net/2008/10/30/la-roux/

Their are two Quicksand EP's on iTunes. The more recent released one has a great In For the Kill remix by Skream. Hopefully, In For the Kill will be there in its original form soon.

Check La Roux's myspace out. Basically to sum it up: they are awesome.

www.myspace.com/larouxuk

Amazingness: Covers Edition

2009-04-20T10:34:00.004-04:00

Swedish songstress Lykke Li has been performing her cover of Kings of Leon's aching Knocked Up all over the place. Her cover is fantastic. Surprisingly, her voice suits it perfectly. Magical. Here's a clip of her performing it at a concert in January.

Le GaGa recently performed a wonderful cover of Coldplays' epic Viva La Vida on BBC's Radio 1 Live Lounge show. She really makes the song her own, adding some funny lyrics about Chris and Gwenyth. She also namedrops designer Yves Saint Laurent. I love the rollicking piano and her low voice. The Lady has a truly great, visceral voice. Terrific cover.

Amy Poehler

2009-04-19T18:47:00.004-04:00

Last night was The Best of Amy Poehler on SNL. It was a hilarious collection of her best sketches. I wish they showed more. She is a wonderful comedienne. One of the sketches they showed involved a Poehler character named Kaitlin, a 10 year old ball of energy. Poehler played the character to absolute perfection. She WAS Kaitlin. Hilarious.

Another notable skit was Bronx Beat where Poehler and the hilarious Maya Rudolph played two whining New Yawk wives. Very funny.

Chortle!

2009-04-19T18:18:00.004-04:00

Michaela Watkins and her genius bitchpleeze blogger character, Angie Tempura, returned to SNL's Weekend Update last weekend. She reviewed current movies. It was hilarious, very accurate satire. Better than the first bitchpleeze. "The Haunting in Connecticut. What's scary about Connecticut?....Losing your tennis racket....at Pottery Barn? Bitch, pleeze" I love how she comes up with so many different ways to say Bitch Pleeze. Fantastic.

Kristen Wiig's Gillie character also returned. Very funny. I just can't get over her kooky dance and facial expressions.

News Galore!

2009-04-19T17:59:00.003-04:00

-Happy Birthday, James Franco!

-Kristen Wiig (one of the funniest women on the planet), Leighton Meester (deeve supreme Blair on Gossip Girl), Tina Fey (one of the funniest women on the planet), Steve Carrell (funny man), Mark Wahlberg (Boston pride), James Franco (speak of the devil), Taraji P. Henson (Benjamin Button!), and rapper Common will all star in a movie together called Date Night. Now I love every single person in this movie! I'm so excited especially about Leighton, Tina, and Kristen. I wonder what the couple pairings will be. Leighton and Franco would be hot. Will be released in 2010.

-Another movie that is intriguing me is London Boulevard. William Monahan (writer of The Departed and last year's Body of Lies) is directing this London-set gangster movie. It starts filming in May. Colin Farrell, Keira Knightley, and Ray Winstone (Beowulf!) will star. Sounds very promising considering Monahan's Departed script was brilliant.

-Zac Efron's teen movie 17 Again was number 1 at the box office this weekend proving the guy can open a movie on his own. State of Play, the very good political/newspaper thriller came in second.

-British electro duo, La Roux's first single, In For the Kill, hit #2 in the British charts today. Very, very impressive.

Just Because

2009-04-12T15:27:00.002-04:00

Happy Easter!

Spice Up Your Life!

Lovely Little Boots

2009-04-05T23:14:00.007-04:00

Album cover (left), single cover (below)

Little Boots is an electro pop singer from the UK. She does awesome covers of popular songs on her Youtube Channel. She did a super fantastic piano version of Girls Aloud's Sexy! No, No, No! It is a thing of beauty. Her original songs are quite good too. Stuck on Repeat is an epic dance track, and Meddle is a rollicking high-octane good time. Her first single is going to be a song called New in Town which has an extremely catchy chorus. It's a grower. She also has a song with the lead singer of The Human League on her album called Symmetry. The clips of Symmetry I've heard are very promising. Her album, Hands, comes out June 8th. The album is being produced by Greg Kurstin who also produced Lily Allen's fantastic It's Not Me, It's You album and is one half of The Bird and the Bee. Little Boots really loves pop music and seems like a really sweet and charming little lady.

P.S. I adore her single and album artwork. So fierce. Check out them super chic and mod dresses she's rocking.

Check out her myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/littlebootsmusic

And her Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/littlebootsvideos

Hot Music!

2009-04-05T21:00:00.010-04:00

Lovestruck-V Factory
Ok, this was an iTunes Discovery Download last week, and I am in love. This song is very of-the- moment pop. The beat sounds like RedOne, and it's electro pop perfection. One of the guys in the band goes out with the Tiz. This song deserves to a be a hit.

Knock You Down-Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo, and Kanye West
Keri Hilson, singer on Timbaland's The Way I Are and writer of Brit's Gimme More among other songs, released her much-delayed debut album, In A Perfect World..., about two weeks ago. I've listened to some of the clips, and it's a decent album, a little heavy on the mid-tempos, but this song really sticks out. It rides a can't-help-but-groove-to-it bouncy ball beat through the verses , courtesy of terrific producer Danja. The verses are actually better than the chorus. Ne-Yo's bit is terrific especially the genius line: "Commander in chief of my pimp ship, flying high". A Kanye rap elevates any song even one already this great. Keri does a fantastic job too. One of the best songs of the year. Here's the video.

I Do Not Hook Up-Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson's second single of her return to pop amazingness album All I Ever Wanted is this raucous girl powrrr ditty. It's better than My Life Would Suck Without You. She sings the song with real conviction. Best lyrics: "Oh sweetheart, put the bottle down, you have too much talent" and "I can't cook, but I can clean/ up the mess she made". The chorus is made for sunny days with the top down and maximum volume. Go Kelly!

Takin' Back My Love-Enrique Iglesias and Ciara
Genius producer RedOne (of many a GaGa song) uses one of his trademark beats on this catchy track from Enrique Iglesias' Greatest Hits album. It's hard-hitting and extremely infectious. Ciara and Enrique are such an interesting pairing. Now on to the video: they are a fighting couple who decide to break a ton of stuff in their really nice, modern house. Ok, all I can think about when I watch it, is how much they are going to have to clean up after the song is over and how they broke some really expensive and nice things. Ciara threw a painting into the pool! Then she does a silly looking body roll. Good song though.