tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56712704054877727802024-03-20T01:28:29.520-07:00Nothing but music is important!Music is your life! Music styles, new artists and releases, upcoming projects and albums, music news and gossip, star events, fabulous shows and awards, life on stage and behind the stage, and a lot more is what you’re gonna find here. Stay tuned, be the first to know and break the news to the world!Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-4625857135876469612010-04-21T23:27:00.000-07:002010-04-21T23:29:20.989-07:00Soundtrack for Sex and the City 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0I-n5ken0gCSO4rz07LXZr2VTJad2xgq6l0IZ3y7sYjgLObYtWWolnVI591NeRp5fsSuaNqv1XXCtZ770ZyGyx9DroWTB7miCo9WanPuUVHg4OSHtHixXoYrogOJiT6hxoVBiGod6pg/s1600/sex-and-the-city-2-soundtrack-listing+(1).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0I-n5ken0gCSO4rz07LXZr2VTJad2xgq6l0IZ3y7sYjgLObYtWWolnVI591NeRp5fsSuaNqv1XXCtZ770ZyGyx9DroWTB7miCo9WanPuUVHg4OSHtHixXoYrogOJiT6hxoVBiGod6pg/s320/sex-and-the-city-2-soundtrack-listing+(1).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462845154086671058" /></a><br />The soundtrack for the much-anticipated Sex and the City 2 will be released on May 25 and there are a few fun surprises!<div><br /></div><div><br />Jennifer Hudson and Leona Lewis sing a duet together. Liza Minnelli covers Beyonce’s chart-topper “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” and Alicia Keys performs her own rendition of the Blondie classic “Rapture.”<br /><br />The soundtrack also features the stars of SATC2 Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon, performing the Helen Reddy classic “I Am Woman.” Can’t wait to hear that one!<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-53675635429014259462008-07-11T21:47:00.000-07:002008-07-14T22:45:06.699-07:00Staffers will keep youOn Wednesday, cameras finally rolled on<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Britney Spears</span>’ video shoot for Madonna’s tour. In the clip, Brit, clad in a gray hoodie, walks into an elevator and nervously paces as it begins its ascent. She then kicks and smacks the elevator walls, screams into the camera and pulls down her hood to yell, “It’s Britney, bitch.”<br /><br />· Nobody here is trying to tell <span style="font-weight: bold;">Amy Winehouse</span> how to live her life. But does it really make sense for the troubled “Rehab” singer to be launching her own club night at London’s Camden Monarch on Thursday (July 10)? Love the name, though: “Snakehips at the Monarch.”<br /><br />· Here’s the rehearsal footage of the Flaming Lips practicing their cover of the Who’s “Tommy” in preparation for Saturday’s VH1 Rock Honors concert (airing July 17). All we can say is: fish-eye lens, lots of smoke, a strobing gong, alien helium vocals and some kind of silver tassel rah-rah drum stick being waved around by singer Wayne Coyne. Have we mentioned how much we love the Lips?<br /><br />· After the free Bon Jovi All-Star Concert in Central Park on Saturday, Sheryl Crow, 3 Doors Down and Josh Groban are getting in on the musical action at the All-Star Game in Yankee Stadium on July 15.<br /><br />Mtv.comJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-47709647963343578282008-06-25T03:04:00.000-07:002008-06-25T03:44:12.077-07:00Kanye West wins two prizes at BET Awards<strong>Rap star Kanye West picked up two prizes at the BET Awards, an event honoring black recording artists, actors and athletes, while Alicia Keys was one of several stars who used the occasion to salute presidential contender Barack Obama.</strong><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The only other multiple winner was the hip-hop duo UGK, consisting of Bernard "Bun B" Freeman and the recently deceased Chad "Pimp C" Butler. In all 15 awards were handed out during a three-hour show mixing the heroes of contemporary hip-hop and old-school R&B.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBg5-xl96DJAeLEhJjYgJj3Q2SNhUSOBimaPriqIr2US_EOkfzH7WzcuawoUPovVXHkn4oktMJOQkC3mF1ihLvAPPasaR1MhZ2VAXQL6tixgzkXsqjI52KTWSTP8xwGq0R_ov4_sIu5w/s1600-h/KanyeWest.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBg5-xl96DJAeLEhJjYgJj3Q2SNhUSOBimaPriqIr2US_EOkfzH7WzcuawoUPovVXHkn4oktMJOQkC3mF1ihLvAPPasaR1MhZ2VAXQL6tixgzkXsqjI52KTWSTP8xwGq0R_ov4_sIu5w/s320/KanyeWest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215767865066147618" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Keys, flying high with a successful worldwide tour, a chart-topping album and an upcoming film, shared the stage with three leading female ensemble acts from the 1990s -- TLC, En Vogue and Sisters with Voices -- for a medley of R&B music.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">She went on to win the prize for best female R&B artist, and offered a heartfelt endorsement to Obama, who would be the first African-American elected to the nation's highest office.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">"Together we can do anything -- Obama, y'all!" she enthused.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Teen sensation Chris Brown, who topped the U.S. singles chart last year with "Kiss Kiss," was named best male R&B performer.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>AL GREEN IS SORRY</strong></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The evening's most spine-tingling moment came when veteran soul crooner Al Green, recipient of a lifetime achievement award, got the audience in the Shrine Auditorium on its feet singing, and dancing, along with his classic 1970s hit "Let's Stay Together."</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Backstage a short time later, Green apologized.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">"I'm sorry I didn't sing as well as I should because I got scared. I was nervous," he said. Green, 62, earlier this month hit the top 10 of the U.S. pop chart with his first album in three years, "Lay It Down."</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">West, whose third album, "Graduation," was one of 2007's top-selling releases and spawned three Grammys, was named best male hip-hop artist and shared a second BET prize with R&B singer T-Pain for their collaboration on the hit single "Good Life."</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">"This man, T-Pain, is a genius," West declared onstage of his co-winner, resplendent in metallic silver-and-black patterned top hat and tails and oversized shades. "I'm one of the kings in this game right now, so my opinion counts."</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">T-Pain, a southern soul singer with a best-selling ringtone adapted from his hit single "Buy U a Drank," was visibly humbled and euphoric.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">"I appreciate it everybody," he said. "Three years ago, I couldn't even get a ticket to get up in here." T-Pain entered the show with the most nominations, five in all.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">UGK, whose album "Underground Kingz" topped the charts last summer, won the BET prize as best group and shared the award for best video with the hip-hop duo Outkast for their work together on "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)."</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">It was a bittersweet triumph for UGK, coming just six months after Butler, 33, was found dead in a Los Angeles hotel. Two days later UGK received a Grammy nomination for the song "International Player's Anthem." Butler had previously served nearly four years in prison for aggravated assault.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Freeman, aka Bun B, now pursuing a solo career, said he hoped "to keep Pimp C's legacy alive" with a new UGK album due out this fall.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The prize for best female hip-hop performer went to Missy Elliott, who has not had an album out since 2005 but has a new CD set for release in August.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The Dream was named best new artist, and the viewers' choice award, determined by an online vote of fans, went to Lil Wayne and his single "Lollipop," featuring Static.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The best and actress awards went to Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Halle Berry, neither of whom attended.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The eighth annual BET Awards was presented by the BET (Black Entertainment Television) Networks cable group, which carried the three-hour show live.</p>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-68401348992599104332008-06-21T04:44:00.000-07:002008-06-21T04:47:54.865-07:00Album Release- June 24 2008<table class="largelist" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><th colspan="2">24 June <span class="subhead">Tuesday</span></th> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Joseph Arthur</b></td> <td>[Title TBA] <span class="small">EP</span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Dwele</b></td> <td>Sketches of a Man<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Alejandro Escovedo</b></td> <td>Real Animal<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Hercules And Love Affair</b></td> <td>Hercules And Love Affair<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>IAMX</b></td> <td>Kiss+Swallow <span class="small">US Release</span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Less Than Jake</b></td> <td>GNV FLA <span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Nelly</b></td> <td>Brass Knuckles<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Safari So Good</b></td> <td>Every Fight is a Food Fight When You're A Cannibal<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Three 6 Mafia</b></td> <td>Last 2 Walk<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Paul Weller</b></td> <td>22 Dreams<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Withered</b></td> <td>Folie Circulaire</td></tr></tbody></table>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-84279321723928591992008-06-14T05:01:00.000-07:002008-06-14T05:14:06.143-07:00Album Review: Julianne Hough – ‘Julianne Hough’<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPRpVKv0-YNlXG_l4sCBCa6_PkzM7VUIkPG5sdBm6jZy26e5xU-D-iEeauQ8gsxkVpsv41qBNAM8m-pZILDkAKtO5RP-B4PnCUESPWrmbJItMxSAr0cxflxpKh2oEuC2-HeIvta34LRg/s1600-h/pic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPRpVKv0-YNlXG_l4sCBCa6_PkzM7VUIkPG5sdBm6jZy26e5xU-D-iEeauQ8gsxkVpsv41qBNAM8m-pZILDkAKtO5RP-B4PnCUESPWrmbJItMxSAr0cxflxpKh2oEuC2-HeIvta34LRg/s320/pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211240827046748498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Julianne Hough</span> is already known to millions of fans as the two-time professional dance champion on ABC-TV's top-rated Dancing with the Stars (DWTS). The show, which pairs professional dancers with music, sports, film and television celebrities, has become a cultural phenomenon and Julianne its top star.<br /><br />Julianne's debut album is a compelling collection of songs about the joys and challenges of everyday life delivered by an evocative young voice. "That Song In My Head" is the first single from the album and available immediately to download from the Amazon MP3 store.<br /><br />Release Date (USA): 2008-05-20<br /><br />Artist/s: Julianne Hough<br />Label: Mercury Nashville<br /><br />Track Listing<br />1 That Song In My Head <br />2 You, You, You <br />3 Hide Your Matches <br />4 My Hallelujah Song <br />5 Jimmy Rae McGee <br />6 Dreaming Under The Same Moon (Featuring Derek Hough) <br />7 About Life <br />8 Hello <br />9 Help Me, Help You <br />10 Love Yourself <br />11 I'd Just Be With YouJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-14208373652853220112008-06-14T03:59:00.000-07:002008-06-14T04:15:17.027-07:00Tha Carter III Review: The Takeover<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyiytkqr0h4IImzVHTMSJuIsCYm0vdrxFDwsQOUhVqnFMoBjWp3Qa7_fUdcSe_tAZOkOFRlLUhXuqP1APwySRG4slpiytH7pthRzY91f5bWhoUOoWwXlSVGmSY0t3lDxoCqqvyGM1vZA/s1600-h/TheTakeover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyiytkqr0h4IImzVHTMSJuIsCYm0vdrxFDwsQOUhVqnFMoBjWp3Qa7_fUdcSe_tAZOkOFRlLUhXuqP1APwySRG4slpiytH7pthRzY91f5bWhoUOoWwXlSVGmSY0t3lDxoCqqvyGM1vZA/s320/TheTakeover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211241928634497362" border="0" /></a><span class="red">Lil Wayne moves to the forefront of hip-hop biggest star with “Tha Carter III.”</span><br /><span class="globalArticleText" id="newsArticle" style="padding-top: 10px;">I admit I was skeptical. With all the postponed release dates and absurd amount of hype, I figured Lil Wayne's much-anticipated “Tha Carter III” would only disappoint.</span><br /><br /><span class="globalArticleText" id="newsArticle" style="padding-top: 10px;">Now that Weezy has become mainstream and released the 50 Cent-like single “Lollipop” for the radio masses, I figured the so-called best rapper alive would become yet another hip-hop star who eschewed creativity for selling out.</span><br /><span class="globalArticleText" id="newsArticle" style="padding-top: 10px;">Turns out “Tha Carter III” was worth the wait.</span><br /><span class="globalArticleText" id="newsArticle" style="padding-top: 10px;">The disc is a potpourri of tracks, from the likely club hit “Got Money” featuring T-Pain to the R&B-infused “Comfortable” produced by Kanye West with the hook crooned by the legendary Babyface.</span><br /><span class="globalArticleText" id="newsArticle" style="padding-top: 10px;">Other guest stars include Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, Robin Thicke, Bobby Valentino, Fabolous and Juelz Santana.</span><br /><span class="globalArticleText" id="newsArticle" style="padding-top: 10px;">The song with Jay-Z, “Mr. Carter,” is the hottest track on the disc, but it also could signal a changing of the guard. While Jay-Z spits his usual hot rhymes, it's Weezy who takes the lead, which is how it's starting to play out in the hip-hop mainstream.</span><br /><span class="globalArticleText" id="newsArticle" style="padding-top: 10px;">Want proof? When I went to pick up the CD last night, the store I was at had already sold out of their initial copies and had to tap into Wednesday's supply. That's how hot Weezy is right now and there doesn't seem to be any signs of him cooling down.</span><br /></div>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-15716062498578804562008-06-13T15:56:00.000-07:002008-06-13T16:01:14.783-07:00Ashanti's bloody videos spark protest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5R9HSbJxKQ9AHnXHon23xl-mC_-MQN4YTIPqNJGsgc3xN-dwkFIWASniwl7xv6haMjLPdKtrKIIwaTnCXKF1WZKA7j-GX8_ooiqcfarEPVTA7Rlm4SuqjS4GHP8y0vDSOs1YgeVrZi4/s1600-h/us_ashanti.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5R9HSbJxKQ9AHnXHon23xl-mC_-MQN4YTIPqNJGsgc3xN-dwkFIWASniwl7xv6haMjLPdKtrKIIwaTnCXKF1WZKA7j-GX8_ooiqcfarEPVTA7Rlm4SuqjS4GHP8y0vDSOs1YgeVrZi4/s320/us_ashanti.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211241413186727298" border="0" /></a><br />NEW YORK (Billboard) - Blood-splattered videos for R&B singer-songwriter Ashanti's single "The Way That I Love You" sparked a protest by demonstrators in Los Angeles, prompting the artist and Universal Records to remove the clips from the Internet.<br />Led by civil-rights organization Project Islamic Hope and its leader, Najee Ali, more than two dozen parents and religious leaders gathered outside the West Coast Universal/Motown offices on Tuesday (June 10) to voice their displeasure with the videos.<br />One clip features a scorned lover, played by Ashanti, who gets revenge on her cheating boyfriend by stabbing him to death. Images include a murder scene with a bloody knife and the boyfriend's body in a tub.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">A separate promotional video includes a fake news reports about a killing spree allegedly inspired by Ashanti's love crime, as well as bloody walls with the words "black children will die" smeared on them. Before the protest, the promo video was viewable on TheWayThatILoveYou.com, but the site has since been removed.<br /></div>The site allowed visitors to send customized versions of the promotional video called "Gotchagrams," with options to input a friend's name, their "crime" and "weapon of choice."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">"Following discussions with Ashanti, we have jointly decided to remove the TheWayThatILoveYou.com website that hosts the Gotchagram," reads a statement from Universal. "Ashanti and her music have always been about self-empowerment and addressing the issues that are most meaningful to her. We stand by our artist and her creative choices."<br /></div><br />"The Way That I Love You" is the first single from her new album, "The Declaration," which debuts this week at No. 6 on the Billboard 200.<br /><br />Reuters/BillboardJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-928053348265853762008-06-13T05:48:00.000-07:002008-06-13T05:54:48.570-07:00Album Review: 'Evil Urges' by My Morning Jacket<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgcEcc2UoMjUaYz-kDAABdbxSEisTseMMFpghecjkpcmmo13KcZHaHRS3oxyXlypNC0nxZfL_szdu1bLgcTMEV-y_Ung-0CbBef7YOziD_ZtjhCyCDS4KT2xfUH7TIHy6uYuvPbfPxF0/s1600-h/mmj-evil_urges_cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgcEcc2UoMjUaYz-kDAABdbxSEisTseMMFpghecjkpcmmo13KcZHaHRS3oxyXlypNC0nxZfL_szdu1bLgcTMEV-y_Ung-0CbBef7YOziD_ZtjhCyCDS4KT2xfUH7TIHy6uYuvPbfPxF0/s320/mmj-evil_urges_cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211239308399403762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">New album a hodgepodge of genre, style, quality</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My Morning Jacket's "Evil Urges" appears to be the product of a band that has collectively lost its damn mind. This isn't necessarily a bad thing (though a few tracks might be), but My Morning Jacket doesn't appear to be content with being a pretty terrific alt-country, reverb-heavy, Southern-rock band; they're reaching into all sorts of other genres, too. More than a few times, this results in a pretty disjointed feeling, but it works more often than it doesn't.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />That doesn't mean it isn't completely bizarre - we've got songs that sound like Donovan, '60s bubblegum pop, James Taylor, '80s hair bands and Michael Jackson (I know, I was as surprised as anyone). More distressingly, Jim James and co. have largely dropped the reverb that made "It Still Moves" and "Z" so dream-like and memorable. I respect bands for messing with their sound and all (as long as they don't become, well, lame in the process - see the last Interpol album), but some remnant of what made me like the band in the first place is always appreciated.<br /><br />See, for example, the most bewildering track on the album, "Highly Suspicious," which melds an '80s hair band feel with a bit of Tom Waits and a bit of Michael Jackson. I have no idea what to make of it, and it doesn't really fit with the rest of the album.<br /><br />The tracks I like the best, I must admit, are by and large the hill-country songs, simple and with few flourishes, that the band does best. See "Sec Walkin" and "Smokin from Shootin," two excellent tracks that remind us, in spite of a few spots now and then, that My Morning Jacket can still bring the Southern rock better than just about anyone. The title track, "Evil Urges," in which James helpfully reminds us in a falsetto that is atypically alarming for him that "evil urges, baby / are part of the human race," brings the greatness as well.<br /><br />But the anthemic "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt. 2" and the soft storytelling of "Librarian" are unrivaled in any of My Morning Jacket's previous output. It's worth listening to the weaker tracks (or the fairly decent tracks that don't really make much of an impression, like "I'm Amazed," "Look at You" and "Remnants") to get to these two gems. "Librarian" is a gentle, haunting Donovan-type ballad that marks the first reasonably serious use of the term "Interweb" I've encountered anywhere, while also lamenting the beauty of a librarian, spoiled, as James sings, by her own self-image (and drawing a comparison to Karen Carpenter, "another lovely victim of the mirror"). "When God gave us mirrors," he sings, "he had no idea."<br /><br />"Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt. 2," meanwhile, is bombastic where "Librarian" is subdued. It seems like the kitchen-sink track on an album that feels like a kitchen-sink album, as the song essentially serves as a reprise of the "Pt. 1" track, with the addition of synthesizers, disco-style beats and choirs. If that sounds over-the-top, it is, but in the most excellent way.<br /><br />If it sounds like I have no idea what to make of this album, even after having listened to it many, many times … well, that's true. But the high parts are high enough to give this a recommendation. You can always skip past the really weird parts.</div>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-15823682859604617522008-06-12T22:44:00.000-07:002008-06-12T22:46:27.947-07:00Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends (Parlophone)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbdvoEGt3XtmvPkjzPFtsKSerbuEBZCI_KIq_uSJrd32TLnZrmwpBbnjnpK_Igfpbo-CIrcQD4Z8nSAPbL7uqgJpggHR58rEUcAH9sHSJVUW7ynYNLesW90rVeqWnqzynGcdiC8fGy_8/s1600-h/coldplay-viva_la_vida-cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbdvoEGt3XtmvPkjzPFtsKSerbuEBZCI_KIq_uSJrd32TLnZrmwpBbnjnpK_Igfpbo-CIrcQD4Z8nSAPbL7uqgJpggHR58rEUcAH9sHSJVUW7ynYNLesW90rVeqWnqzynGcdiC8fGy_8/s320/coldplay-viva_la_vida-cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211238311871131282" border="0" /></a><br />Release date: 12 June 2008<br />All the talk before Coldplay released their last album was how an unforeseen delay of the album's release (caused allegedly by Chris Martin being scared witless by, erm, Morning Runner) would lead to a profits warning by EMI - that's how much was riding on what turned out to be a pretty underwhelming record.<br /><br />This time round, you could be forgiven for EMI's shareholders panicking once again. All the talk is of musical revolution - it's Dylan goes electric, it's Coldplay's very own Achtung Baby, maybe even their Kid A.....<br /><br />Or maybe not. For, although this is undoubtedly Coldplay's most musically adventurous album, it certainly won't scare away the millions of people who bought their first three albums. True, there's a little less trademark piano, which has been replaced by excessive percussion and some unusual song structures, but it's certainly not an unrecognisable Chris Martin who welcomes us aboard the rather pretentiously titled album.<br /><br />An instrumental opening up the record is about as avant-garde as Coldplay get here - but as instrumental opening tracks go, it's pretty damn good. Life In Technicolour builds up slowly, then bursts into action, aided by some 'woah-oh-oh's from Martin. It's an uplifting opening, which bodes well for the next 45 minutes.<br /><br />There are several tracks that merge into each other, giving the impression sometimes of a total shift in time signatures - Yes for example begins as a woozy, doomy ballad, with Martin wearily intoning "I'm just so tired of this loneliness" before effortless spiralling off into Chinese Sleep Chant, which with its barrage of guitars and whispered vocals, sounds like it could be an out-take from a Ride or Asobi Seksu album.<br /><br />It's a similar story with Lovers In Japan, although slightly more Coldplay-esque. The opening is all chiming guitars and soaring choruses - the closest that the band have ever come to U2 in effect - before quickly changing tone into a more sombre piano ballad, Reign Of Love. The idea behind these 'hidden tracks' is apparently intended to encourage people to download the whole album rather than specific tracks, but it works very well.<br /><br />Viva La Vida also contains some of Chris Martin's best songs to date, such as the excellent, string drenched Viva La Vida which rivals Arcade Fire for sheer uplifting goodness, and the stomping Violet Hill, which cleverly switches from snarling and aggressive to plaintive and yearning at the click of a finger.<br /><br />There are other nice touches throughout - the clattering percussion on Cemeteries Of London, the backwards guitar loop on Strawberry Swing and the closing Death And All His Friends which expertedly builds up to a bellowing chorus of "I don't want a cycle of recycled revenge, I don't want to follow death and all of his friends" which is so impassioned you'll have trouble stopping yourself joining in.<br /><br />Yet there are other moments which stop this being Martin's masterpiece. He's still got that habit of writing lyrics in platitudes and cliches - the otherwise excellent 42 solemnly informs us that "those who are dead are not dead, they're just living in my head" while throughout the album there is mention of time being short, someday the sun will come out, big fish in little ponds and so on.<br /><br />It's a shame because the aforementioned 42 is probably the furthest they've pushed the boat out musically - there's about 3 different melodies in there, switching from piano ballad, to funky guitar wig-out, a hand-clapping section, before switching back to the piano ballad. Credit for this should go to producer Brian Eno, who's done a similar job to what he did with Paul Simon a couple of years ago - subtly adding little touches here and there in order to develop the band's sound without scaring off the casual fan.<br /><br />They're a much maligned bunch are Coldplay - mainly because they're so successful. Yet you only become successful if you're good at what you do, and Coldplay are extremely good at what they do. While this doesn't quite hit the heady heights of A Rush Of Blood To The Heads, it's a huge improvement on the beiger than beige X&Y, and if their next album (apparently featuring a Kylie Minogue duet!) continues this trajectory, we could have something pretty special on our hands.Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-21981692328447684652008-06-12T04:43:00.000-07:002008-06-12T04:43:02.091-07:00June release 2008 - 17 June<table class="largelist" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><th colspan="2">17 June <span class="subhead">Tuesday</span></th> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>The Briggs</b></td> <td>Come All You Madmen<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Busta Rhymes</b></td> <td>Blessed<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Coldplay</b></td> <td>Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Anthony David</b></td> <td>Acey Deucey<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Goo Goo Dolls</b></td> <td>Greatest Hits Volume 2<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Ice Cube</b></td> <td>Raw Footage<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>MIGGS</b></td> <td>Unraveled<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Judas Priest</b></td> <td>Nostradamus<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Missy Elliott</b></td> <td>FANomenal<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>The Notwist</b></td> <td>The Devil, You + Me<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>The Offspring</b></td> <td>Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace <span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Ride The Boogie</b></td> <td>Ride The Boogie<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Silver Jews</b></td> <td>Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Tilly and the Wall</b></td> <td>O<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Sister Hazel </b></td> <td>Before The Amplifiers, Live Acoustic<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Wolf Parade</b></td> <td>At Mount Zoomer</td></tr></tbody></table>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-69500392829175237302008-06-07T01:39:00.000-07:002008-06-07T01:39:00.391-07:00June release 2008 - 10 June<table class="largelist" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><th colspan="2">10 June <span class="subhead">Tuesday</span></th> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>The Bangkok Five</b></td> <td>We Love What Kills Us<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Solomon Burke </b></td> <td>Like a Fire<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Jakob Dylan</b></td> <td>Seeing Things <span class="small">ex-Wallflowers</span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Lil Wayne</b></td> <td>Tha Carter III<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Alanis Morissette</b></td> <td>Flavors of Entanglement<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>My Education</b></td> <td>Bad Vibrations<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>My Morning Jacket</b></td> <td>Evil Urges<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>N.E.R.D.</b></td> <td>Seeing Sounds<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Plies</b></td> <td>Definition of Real<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Quitzow</b></td> <td>Art College<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Railroad Earth</b></td> <td>Amen Corner<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Setting Sun</b></td> <td>Children of The Wild<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Martha Wainwright</b></td> <td>I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings, Too</td></tr></tbody></table>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-69285927272711679902008-06-04T01:08:00.000-07:002008-06-04T01:11:34.593-07:00Ashanti releases Declaration<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxXblKDvA0lOsJKFh46NKfJBIt2VPAai-Guw9Ms9zf8_J3zgDxQoRTP6PALnjxO17NpfZJR65Dx9twr2Q6Hmeba_pNo6fbN-LIeTtORhub82X-fENTPK1-l1O1qSOcxLr8fvpfzZZB-I/s1600-h/ashanti-declaration.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxXblKDvA0lOsJKFh46NKfJBIt2VPAai-Guw9Ms9zf8_J3zgDxQoRTP6PALnjxO17NpfZJR65Dx9twr2Q6Hmeba_pNo6fbN-LIeTtORhub82X-fENTPK1-l1O1qSOcxLr8fvpfzZZB-I/s320/ashanti-declaration.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207935738597507474" border="0" /></a>Today is the return day for <a href="http://www.glamourvanity.com/tag/ashanti/" class="st_tag internal_tag" rel="tag" title="Posts tagged with Ashanti">Ashanti</a>, who once was the biggest female R&B artist in the world. Nathan S from <em>djbooth.net</em> writes: <blockquote><p>She was the reigning princess, and people across America simultaneously turned up their radios just to listen to her whisper “baby, baby, baby” over and over again. And then, something mysterious happened. Despite two previous platinum albums, sales of her 2004 release Concrete Rose were disappointing at best. Maybe it was Irv Gotti’s legal troubles, maybe it was the quickly shifting landscape of the recording industry, whatever the reason, <a href="http://www.glamourvanity.com/tag/ashanti/" class="st_tag internal_tag" rel="tag" title="Posts tagged with Ashanti">Ashanti</a> has undeniably disappeared from the spotlight over the last four years. As unthinkable as this would have been in 2001, I just asked my 12-year-old niece who <a href="http://www.glamourvanity.com/tag/ashanti/" class="st_tag internal_tag" rel="tag" title="Posts tagged with Ashanti">Ashanti</a> was, and she responded “who?””</p></blockquote> <p>It is true as time went by I even forgotten <a href="http://www.glamourvanity.com/tag/ashanti/" class="st_tag internal_tag" rel="tag" title="Posts tagged with Ashanti">Ashanti</a> exists. I forgot how I loved to listen to her unique voice in my car while driving to classes. But you know Nathan is right that <a href="http://www.glamourvanity.com/tag/ashanti/" class="st_tag internal_tag" rel="tag" title="Posts tagged with Ashanti">Ashanti</a> is still cool and hasn’t changed. She has pretty much been the same and he is right about us changing and not her.</p> <p><em>Rolling Stone</em>: </p> <blockquote><p>On her fourth album, she’s still doing the diva-by-numbers thing, alternating between angry-at-her-man anthems and lovey pleasantry. The shuffling “Body on Me,” featuring Nelly and Akon, and the shiny electro-pop “So Over You” are a step up from her Ja Rule duets of old. 2 out of 5″</p></blockquote> <p><em>Associated Press</em>: </p> <blockquote><p>The disc doesn‘t manage to break any new ground, with <a href="http://www.glamourvanity.com/tag/ashanti/" class="st_tag internal_tag" rel="tag" title="Posts tagged with Ashanti">Ashanti</a> singing mainly over unremarkable contemporary R&B tracks about her own good loving and cheating boyfriends.”</p></blockquote> <p><em>MSNBC</em>: </p> <blockquote><p><a href="http://www.glamourvanity.com/tag/ashanti/" class="st_tag internal_tag" rel="tag" title="Posts tagged with Ashanti">Ashanti</a> continues to celebrate her femininity on tracks like the sensual, Robin Thicke-assisted “Things You Make Me Do” and the bass-heavy ”Girlfriend.”</p></blockquote> <p><em>Us Weekly:</em> </p> <blockquote><p>While her fourth CD of self-penned R&B tracks contains a few hip beats (such as the piano-driven first single, “The Way That I Love You”), the sound feels out of date. 2 1/2 out of 4″</p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.glamourvanity.com/tag/ashanti/" class="st_tag internal_tag" rel="tag" title="Posts tagged with Ashanti">Ashanti</a> has also been trying herself in acting career which is the latest trend among celebrities whether they go music-to-movies or vice versa. Diva has already starred in <em>Resident Evil</em>, <em>John Tucker Must Die </em>and <em>Coach Carter</em>. But all of her roles were tiny and unimportant. <a href="http://www.glamourvanity.com/tag/ashanti/" class="st_tag internal_tag" rel="tag" title="Posts tagged with Ashanti">Ashanti</a> says: </p> <blockquote><p> I’m always reading scripts. I’m even looking to get into some behind-the-scenes work. Maybe do some co-producing. It’s all about taking chances. You can’t be afraid to try something different.”</p></blockquote> <p>Hopefully her album <strong>Declaration</strong> will give her a boost and she would declare herself as one of the leading vocals in the US. </p> <blockquote><p> When you get pushed into a certain position and your back’s against the wall, you’re either gonna sink or you’re gonna swim. I choose not to sink.”</p></blockquote> <p>Said singer leaning forward on the conference room table at Universal Motown’s Manhattan headquarters.</p> <p>Starting today her album is available in stores. See the video of the song from <a href="http://www.glamourvanity.com/tag/ashanti/" class="st_tag internal_tag" rel="tag" title="Posts tagged with Ashanti">Ashanti</a>’s new album <strong>Declaration</strong>.</p><p><a href="http://www.glamourvanity.com/music/ashanti-releases-declaration/">Full article and clips >></a><br /></p> <p><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UvuvOcgTQxg&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UvuvOcgTQxg&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /></p>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-57595444745771120582008-06-02T01:29:00.000-07:002008-06-02T01:29:01.454-07:00Album Release Dates - June 2008There aren’t a whole lot of <strong>album releases</strong> for <strong>June</strong> but I’ve been anticipating <strong>Jewel’s</strong> upcoming album for several months!<br /><strong><br /></strong><div style="text-align: center;"><strong style="font-style: italic;">June 3<br /></strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJ1SFR2DRNFA0oyLpZtr9gKttT1G4Dzm3LtivWYbcMFuFe37zotaHSnQqliooa-A8obRtQJVYGmJ4U41RyKnR_Lh93aLi3JqnnpCo2iEF4hOAUNZ2qeS9L3lT4khS9ZDhUh43_TI6GdA/s1600-h/jewel_perfectly_clear.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJ1SFR2DRNFA0oyLpZtr9gKttT1G4Dzm3LtivWYbcMFuFe37zotaHSnQqliooa-A8obRtQJVYGmJ4U41RyKnR_Lh93aLi3JqnnpCo2iEF4hOAUNZ2qeS9L3lT4khS9ZDhUh43_TI6GdA/s320/jewel_perfectly_clear.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206132380614164818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jewel</span> -<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Perfectly Clear</span><br /><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong style="font-style: italic;">June 10<br /></strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFk6FdQMiQ2R2Cw4DaVm8nB_M8elo4-msBV_ngVj2yp7sZpCcqu-wg2Qlqz_wQrheA_1_ZPy0oqU9L-tLnSebGBdu8oedtVz5fyjCzsvamdEgUbJ7910Rllot6rqd25FQkHp-uat221o/s1600-h/Montgomery+Gentry+-+Back+When+I+Knew+It+All.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFk6FdQMiQ2R2Cw4DaVm8nB_M8elo4-msBV_ngVj2yp7sZpCcqu-wg2Qlqz_wQrheA_1_ZPy0oqU9L-tLnSebGBdu8oedtVz5fyjCzsvamdEgUbJ7910Rllot6rqd25FQkHp-uat221o/s320/Montgomery+Gentry+-+Back+When+I+Knew+It+All.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206132707031679330" border="0" /></a>Montgomery Gentry <span style="font-weight: bold;">- <span style="font-style: italic;">Back When I Knew It All</span></span></div><p> </p> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong style="font-style: italic;">June 24<br /></strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iz7GcRupmJ9xIaOCx1IbQF0ovMcHrm70Oj4ypW7boNvul6a_mv4UWj7ioAnRQXT1W_t6J2nVN0rRdZEOPXqqnpxcDToIq5GwKoYFPTxR2NtGH3sCHeZ3VIJA5DcEvPcgESXvOIua6AU/s1600-h/Mark+Chesnutt+-+Rollin%E2%80%99+With+the+Flow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iz7GcRupmJ9xIaOCx1IbQF0ovMcHrm70Oj4ypW7boNvul6a_mv4UWj7ioAnRQXT1W_t6J2nVN0rRdZEOPXqqnpxcDToIq5GwKoYFPTxR2NtGH3sCHeZ3VIJA5DcEvPcgESXvOIua6AU/s320/Mark+Chesnutt+-+Rollin%E2%80%99+With+the+Flow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206132943254880626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">Mark Chesnutt </span>- <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Rollin’ With the Flow</span></div>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-26010628192085762322008-06-01T04:46:00.000-07:002008-06-01T04:46:00.428-07:00PLIES TO HOST SOPHOMORE ALBUM RELEASE PARTY JUNE 10TH IN TAMPA, FL<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A6BGmdAmzY8qox2zJvf1kACjtEVInRN0I9EtBPlLZaCcCdTAAmB1xhQdolriVUOaN_7XP0TqUGZrnUb2yxK938HNP9gkiKjFZAtJzYs_jtEmExP1ldE64FVVsbGaxyKHMGCA_AqKmXM/s1600-h/plies-mtv.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A6BGmdAmzY8qox2zJvf1kACjtEVInRN0I9EtBPlLZaCcCdTAAmB1xhQdolriVUOaN_7XP0TqUGZrnUb2yxK938HNP9gkiKjFZAtJzYs_jtEmExP1ldE64FVVsbGaxyKHMGCA_AqKmXM/s320/plies-mtv.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206137006293942658" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For_Immediate_Release:</span><br /></div><br />United States of America (Press Release) May 29, 2008 -- TAMPA, FLORIDA – Big Gates/Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic rap Superstar PLIES will celebrate the release of his sophomore album DEFINITION OF REAL, on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at the all new Club 360 (1609 East 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605) in Ybor. This star studded event will not only be a celebration of the rappers 2nd album in less than a year, but has been deemed the most anticipated social experience of the year. The event is open to the public in support and appreciation of PLIES' many fans. In addition, expected attendees will include music, television, film, professional sports and entertainment movers, shakers, and tastemakers. The celebration begins at 9pm EST.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ABOUT:</span><br /></div><br />PLIES, who was recently named Forbes, top 10 "Hottest New Music Stars," hails from Ft. Myers, FL. Signed to Big Gates/Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic records, PLIES made an impressive debut in August of 2007 with his certified gold album The Real Testament which spawned chart topping singles such as "Shawty" feat. T-Pain, "Hypnotized" feat. Akon and "I Am the Club" which sold over 2 million ring tones collectively. In recent months the rapper has launched and interactive, dual purpose fan club, and kicked off a nationwide promotional tour. The tour will pay tribute to his many fans in the U.S. Military with a series of appearances in association with Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and Navy Exchange Service command. PLIES is currently preparing for the June 10th release of his sophomore album DEFINITION OF REAL. To find out more information about PLIES visit www.PliesWorld.com.<br />DEFINITION OF REAL will be available in stores and online on Tuesday, June 10, 2008. Led by a compilation of chart topping singles including "Bust It Baby pt. 2" featuring Neyo and the official 2nd single "Please Excuse My Hands" featuring Jaime Foxx and Dream. The album caters to a diverse fan base with the contemplative "Worth Goin' Fed For," Plies debates the perils of street life. And with the heart-wrenching "Somebody Loves You," Plies reassures that no matter what's going on in life, there's always someone there for you. "Who Hotter Than Me" most definitely serves the hood, where Plies carries his signature swag and declares the streets on lock. The Trey Songz assisted "I'm the Man" stands perfectly side-by-side with the super-raunchy "I Feel Like F***in'," making "DEFINITION OF REAL" a complete and balanced album, much like Plies' debut The Real Testament<br /><br /><a href="http://www.free-press-release.com/">Music Source</a><br /></div>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-20807186713951378412008-06-01T04:36:00.000-07:002008-06-01T04:36:00.487-07:00June release 2008<table class="largelist" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><th colspan="2">3 June <span class="subhead">Tuesday</span></th> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Ashanti</b></td> <td>The Declaration<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Common</b></td> <td>The Greatest Story Ever Told<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Disturbed</b></td> <td>Indestructible<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Fleet Foxes</b></td> <td>Fleet Foxes<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>From Bubblegum To Sky</b></td> <td>A Soft Kill<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>The Futureheads</b></td> <td>This Is Not The World<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Jewel</b></td> <td>Perfectly Clear<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Journey</b></td> <td>Revelation <span class="small">Walmart exclusive 3-disc CD/DVD</span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Ladytron</b></td> <td>Velocifero<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Aimee Mann</b></td> <td>@#%&! Smilers <span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Bret Michaels</b></td> <td>Rock My World<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Midnight Juggernauts</b></td> <td>Dystopia<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Robert Pollard</b></td> <td>Robert Pollard is Off to Business<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Radiohead</b></td> <td>Radiohead: The Best Of <span class="small">Best-of EMI albums</span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Gavin Rossdale</b></td> <td>Wanderlust<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Shearwater</b></td> <td>Rook<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Spiritualized</b></td> <td>Songs in A & E<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Weezer</b></td> <td>Weezer (Red Album)<span class="release"></span></td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td><b>Your Highness Electric</b></td> <td>The Grand Hooded Phantom<br />Source: www.metacritic.com<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-37786023266999131902008-06-01T02:19:00.000-07:002008-06-01T02:19:01.739-07:00Review The Ting Tings We Started Nothing<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzck2v0ZRgORDeTTjqYBA1-faXSxNDaBDnJclvWUDjutKyiFeSc6frHjiL0geQjhrUxdAOXV6gIQyq0EHAAwGD-jRkXLlapq-V-n38CkGHIkpwHuRQRyL8kO4WdYmAGHY2E50frg0LLw/s1600-h/rap_tingtings.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzck2v0ZRgORDeTTjqYBA1-faXSxNDaBDnJclvWUDjutKyiFeSc6frHjiL0geQjhrUxdAOXV6gIQyq0EHAAwGD-jRkXLlapq-V-n38CkGHIkpwHuRQRyL8kO4WdYmAGHY2E50frg0LLw/s320/rap_tingtings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206129554525684034" border="0" /></a>Artist: <span style="font-weight: bold;" class="fn url">The Ting Tings</span></div><div class="review description"><p><span class="vcard"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="releasedate">Released: 19 May 2008</p><p style="text-align: justify;">There comes a moment when even the most ardent cynic realises its time to sneak out of their jaded prison and gatecrash a party. And this summer, as a nation throws off its shackles of pessimism to the sounds of their debut, it'll happen to you too. Licking their wounds after trial-by-record-label with former outfit, Dear Eskimo, the Salford duo stared into the roiling canyon of resentment - and decided to go drinking instead. The result is the delirious joy-gasm known as We Started Nothing, and the soundtrack to what can only be described as a Ting Tings moment.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Stultifying career? Soul-sapping ex? Shoe-gazing again? Throw a party! And be sure to book a Great DJ! This dizzying, sing-a-long opening track is homage to their famed escapades as scenesters-in-residence at Islington Mill - Manchester's drizzly, down-to-earth rendering of Andy Warhol's Factory. With such hedonistic pedigree, it'd be easy to dismiss them as purveyors of the slick hipster sneer, but they're unremittingly adorable. The Ting Tings are distinctive in the electro ephemera trade for their unpretentious quirkiness. It can be seen on such playful adventures in nonsensical imagery as Traffic Light and Fruit Machine.<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">The album scampers by in its springy Converse with suitably youthful exuberence. Yet, it has a spirit that can only come from experience. The shouty roll call of misnomers, That's Not My Name, is a feminist rant you can only write when you have the benefit of hindsight. It was inspired by the experience of singer/guitarist, Katie White, who was offered fame-for-flesh in their former incarnation. The track laments forgettable female starlets baring all for the lads. With idealism duly quashed, it's a refreshingly jovial indictment of modern music which, nonetheless, packs a punch.<br /></div><p>Of course, any party worth its salt stays on way past the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ting Tings</span> moment and, naturally, this duo aren't going to be going home alone any time soon. Their staggering six-minute title track is like a dishevelled dawn chorus, serenading the last men standing. Cynics can look on blankly as the pied pipers of hyper lead the conga into the middle of next zeitgeist.</p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/">Music Source</a><br /></div>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-15925200531575718842008-05-31T05:01:00.000-07:002008-05-31T05:01:02.155-07:00Usher, Cyndi Lauper and more<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha11Dexpvh7L_RwtO8uaZVKyiWiIO8Jac3e99WNW6AVH10lR-JQrn_5Z3rR3juSUsVv3AkcDXr7y4evprhISf95pOM3DaqzWBe_qi_E7PboBaK2N8s8B5aKgyiGDx4MfjF93JCR8yclHU/s1600-h/usher.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: left; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha11Dexpvh7L_RwtO8uaZVKyiWiIO8Jac3e99WNW6AVH10lR-JQrn_5Z3rR3juSUsVv3AkcDXr7y4evprhISf95pOM3DaqzWBe_qi_E7PboBaK2N8s8B5aKgyiGDx4MfjF93JCR8yclHU/s320/usher.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206126749912039730" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The release</span> of his fifth album, "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Here I Stand</span>," may have been delayed by six months, but <a href="http://popularbiographies.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/usher-biography/">Usher</a> made up for lost time with his recent smash "Love in This Club," featuring Young Jeezy; the eighth No. 1 hit of the R&B juggernaut's career, the track jumped from No. 51 to the top of the charts in a single week, the third-biggest leap to No. 1 in Billboard history. And although he devoted much of late 2007 to family life (the license plate depicted on the cover of "Here I Stand" bears the digits 1126 -- his son's birthday), he still plays the lover man on "Trading Places" and his current smash duet with Beyonce, "Love in This Club Part II." Listen for additional cameos by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lil Wayne</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jay-Z</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">will.i.am</span>, and beats and grooves crafted by A-list producers including Jermaine Dupri, Jazze Pha, Dre & Vidal and Tricky Stewart.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Usher has his charms, but when it comes to R&B crooners who set the mood for romance, Al Green remains virtually untouchable; just drop "Let's Stay Together" at a wedding reception sometime and watch the couples pack the floor. The good Reverend continues his recent winning streak with "Lay It Down." The disc was co-produced by Green with two of the most revered young guns around -- Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson of the Roots and keyboard player James Poyser (Erykah Badu, Common, Lauryn Hill) -- and features guest appearances by Corinne Bailey Rae (the sublime "Take Your Time"), John Legend, and the Dap-Kings horn section (Sharon Jones, Amy Winehouse). But even with all these youngsters involved, "Lay It Down" still sounds of a piece with Green's classic Memphis sides for Hi Records. As it should be, says Thompson: "The reason why we are doing this is because we all idolize Al Green. Even today, nobody has range like him."<br /></div><br /><a href="http://music.msn.com/">Music Source</a>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-42800347160337318792008-05-30T03:54:00.000-07:002008-05-30T04:01:04.760-07:00Urban Verbs: Back for One Night Only<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIna1B0f-6gSv4hZrBzVJhmJhKVfmSmrQQfN0a4VPqhdUHQEyvongDIiH0aqesVm8RM524cl6KCA5iICOxKAAARWA2MZPMzZSU6CJHD_WWVs_-LdvDaVx06osZcFGUak00Pi2ECb3NhCY/s1600-h/urbanverbs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIna1B0f-6gSv4hZrBzVJhmJhKVfmSmrQQfN0a4VPqhdUHQEyvongDIiH0aqesVm8RM524cl6KCA5iICOxKAAARWA2MZPMzZSU6CJHD_WWVs_-LdvDaVx06osZcFGUak00Pi2ECb3NhCY/s320/urbanverbs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206123640355717410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">All Things Considered</span>, May 24, 2008 - In the late 1970s, D.C.-based band <span style="font-weight: bold;">Urban Verbs </span>was snapped up by a major label to become the "next big thing" in the burgeoning New Wave scene. It was a demo tape produced by Brian Eno that got them the attention of Warner Bros. However, after two albums, the label unceremoniously dropped Urban Verbs and the band broke up soon thereafter. This weekend, the band reunites for one show only at the 9:30 Club.<br /></div>Guest host Guy Raz speaks with the original members.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.npr.org/">Music Source</a>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-65901980490222350322008-05-29T01:50:00.000-07:002008-05-29T01:50:01.450-07:00COLLINS TO COLLABORATE WITH AKON & PHARRELL WILLIAMS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KehV0NDCAbDVSbDxFyZNB49XXJYWXarz2FwMORSIjnMwkxGz_MPJG2RfX745NciraxpZgzsT3UkuCZF22deut_byKaHum736yVDmOLOXKkgfO0oCTHTqEO9ibhD7jyQHPUNxGg_SZxg/s1600-h/phil-collins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KehV0NDCAbDVSbDxFyZNB49XXJYWXarz2FwMORSIjnMwkxGz_MPJG2RfX745NciraxpZgzsT3UkuCZF22deut_byKaHum736yVDmOLOXKkgfO0oCTHTqEO9ibhD7jyQHPUNxGg_SZxg/s320/phil-collins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204653296956637458" border="0" /></a><br />Legendary singer PHIL COLLINS is considering giving his music a modern twist by collaborating with hip-hop stars AKON and PHARRELL WILLIAMS.<br />The musician admits he is "flattered" to hear the duo is keen to work with him and is equally surprised they are fans of his music.<br />He tells Rolling Stone magazine, "I'm flattered that they've expressed the interest publicly, risking their careers in doing so.<br />"Anything is possible and I certainly would investigate doing that if I did think about doing something." It's not the first time the Collins' original material has been reworked by R&B heavyweights - Brandy, L'il Kim and Kelis sang updated versions of Collin's hits on 2001's Urban Renewal LP.Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-32460900755598125862008-05-27T02:45:00.000-07:002008-05-27T02:45:00.656-07:00MARIAH RUBS OFF ON NICK CANNON<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotg9tGhw-lFPxTCdWhtrD9doC6XnxA1lUgJaGmPe7CUXho7Qff_EpPjQvcoXTq2Gx4o7fcGJHqqGNSi9EzpR5CKhpoEQEp9NhP-nmKdtlzAp1R_IERFvWdsK9lQhDqzVjhXDtjotrkgQ/s1600-h/mariah-carey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotg9tGhw-lFPxTCdWhtrD9doC6XnxA1lUgJaGmPe7CUXho7Qff_EpPjQvcoXTq2Gx4o7fcGJHqqGNSi9EzpR5CKhpoEQEp9NhP-nmKdtlzAp1R_IERFvWdsK9lQhDqzVjhXDtjotrkgQ/s320/mariah-carey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204651643394228482" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Newlywed <span style="font-weight: bold;">Nick Cannon</span> has developed Mariah itis judging by his three-hours-late appearance at Operation Smile’s Fifth Annual Smile Event held at Skylight Studios in NYC. (Mariah Carey is notoriously running behind – she was 11 hours late for interviews to promote her new album E=MC2.)<br />Around 8:30 p.m., Mariah’s bodyguard, dressed in a dapper white jacket, begins scoping out the scene. He’s pacing the street. Photogs crack that she could walk – she lives nearby.<br />But when her new hubby Nick finally arrives, he makes it all worth it. How is he feeling? “I’m good,” he beams, smiling from ear-to-ear. I’ve talked to Nick on so many red carpets over the years. He’s lapping up the attention.<br />Operation Smile ambassador <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jessica Simspon</span> can’t be here tonight because she celebrating Ashlee’s nups, but gal pal Jamie Lynn Sigler brings her pregnant sister-in-law Whitney and bro Mark. And, it’s Jamie Lynn’s birthday! “I slept in really, really late,” she tells me. “I got a huge balloon bouquet from my girlfriends back in L.A. It was a surprise. I got a lot of nice e-mails and phone calls. Birthdays are a nice time to catch up with people you haven’t spoken to in awhile. Later I’ll meet up with some friends.”<br />Donald Trump tells me he got into trouble with NBC for saying he’d like O.J. Simpson to appear on the next Celebrity Apprentice, which starts taping in October. “I wouldn’t say NBC was thrilled,” he admits.<br />And it’s a special night for his son, Donald Jr., who is here with wife Vanessa.<br />“It’s funny because a year ago at this event, on the red carpet Vanessa went into labor,” Ivanka’s brother tells me. “It’s a pretty special time for us, coming back here. Last year at this time, she was literally about to explode and literally almost exploded on this red carpet.”<br />Their baby girl, Kai, recently celebrated her birthday. “We had a big party for her and her 25 – I didn’t know babies had – friends. Her 25 closest friends. Vanessa set up a Mickey and Minnie Mouse-themed party. She had a lot of fun. She’s getting big and growing well.”<br />What are playdates like for the kids of The Donalds? “They hang around and drool on each other and play. Barron’s a year-and-a-half older, so there’s still a bit of an age gap.”<br />Tinsley Mortimer, sister Dabney Mercer, former Pussycat Doll Carmit Bachar and Olivia Palermo strut through. Turns out, Olivia considers Mariah a neighbor. “She lives right next door,” she tells me. “We’re happy to have her in the neighborhood.”<br />And, many of us -- including the Trumps -- are long gone by the time Mariah deigns to arrive.<br />http://www.okmagazine.com/<br /></div>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-52589182853810381872008-05-26T04:33:00.000-07:002008-05-26T04:38:29.359-07:00Madonna’s $471,000 Chanel Bag: Worth More Than a Kiss from Clooney!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuHdCMjbjOKqHC6-xcvEwgeDeqTFwbu8oTGPW412O-wYIbjMXObZrfVxzyJ2W9ctaVxBimZmlOIxXARia5jdNnmxCwYTzvkB05bW68uKmp-MryKzewHYrsjsPfelYbvY7kKD8nMcpUEY/s1600-h/madonna_bag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuHdCMjbjOKqHC6-xcvEwgeDeqTFwbu8oTGPW412O-wYIbjMXObZrfVxzyJ2W9ctaVxBimZmlOIxXARia5jdNnmxCwYTzvkB05bW68uKmp-MryKzewHYrsjsPfelYbvY7kKD8nMcpUEY/s320/madonna_bag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204649414306201842" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The annual amfAR Cinema Against AIDS benefit kicked off in the hills high above Cannes yesterday. Last year, George Clooney auctioned off a kiss for $300,000, but this year Madonna’s alligator Chanel purse was the star of the show. The black alligator bag with a clasp studded with 334 diamonds was the actual purse she carried to the event, and that’s not all. She even gave up everything in the haute couture bag including Shu Uemura blotting paper, lip gloss — “It actually touched my lips”, Madonna noted — lip balm, a magnifying mirror, and throat lozenges. The only thing she took out was her blackberry and phone, explaining “I’m not going to give up my blackberry and phone because that’s too expensive for you.” The final winning bid? 300,000 euros — that’s over $471,000 — for AIDS research! Sorry George, looks like Madonna’s chic purse is worth more than your kiss. As Madonna joked, “That’s cheap. Everyone’s kissed George Clooney.” Check out a behind the scenes peek at the amfAR benefit, including Madonna’s auction and Sharon Stone’s welcome.</div>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-41534987037850254002008-05-22T09:25:00.000-07:002008-05-22T09:25:01.239-07:00Story of 'unseen' Lennon lyrics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkpJv2Ik57-HV9LjosTxDarbFiK2l8KiHyauV2BhsIUIUucTzysoqXYIKMQ5kg4M3Wk7OI2Fx14wqA8tuPVLbGuPLGpy8_OSn2CZE-g5Uroi_i6_LzMAzVX2zeuCkrkCJdD1FZaRJpNE/s1600-h/John_Lennon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkpJv2Ik57-HV9LjosTxDarbFiK2l8KiHyauV2BhsIUIUucTzysoqXYIKMQ5kg4M3Wk7OI2Fx14wqA8tuPVLbGuPLGpy8_OSn2CZE-g5Uroi_i6_LzMAzVX2zeuCkrkCJdD1FZaRJpNE/s320/John_Lennon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202033890055258658" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>A woman from London is set to make a fortune when John Lennon's handwritten lyrics for the anti-war song Give Peace a Chance go up for auction this summer.</b> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"> They are expected to fetch between £200,000 and £300,000.<br />Gail Renard was a student in Montreal in May 1969, when Lennon and wife Yoko Ono arrived to hold a "bed-in" at the city's Queen Elizabeth Hotel.<br />She and a friend sneaked into the hotel - Renard calls it a "Mission: Impossible" routine - and up to their door.<br />"Yoko answered and I asked if I could have an interview for my school newspaper.<br />"She graciously said yes. She asked us in, and I was suddenly face-to-face with John Lennon."<br />Renard and Lennon became instant friends, and he asked her to stay and help with the "bed-in".<br />"It was Alice in Wonderland," Renard says of the eight-day experience.<br />"I was a 16-year-old, with a Beatle who was my hero, and it was just a circus every minute.<br />"On the last day, John wanted to record a song," Renard recalls.<br />"We didn't know what it was at the time." </p><p style="text-align: justify;"> After recording Give Peace a Chance, Lennon gave Renard his original lyrics for her to keep.<br />These spent years hanging on a wall in Renard's study but were then moved for safety, ending up in a vault.<br />"I thought, this is ridiculous," she said.<br />"They should be out with somebody who can enjoy them, and they should be seen again."<br />She also believes the song and Lennon's message have a particular resonance now.<br />"It's my way of thanking him, to get his message and his song out there again, and have people thinking about it and talking about it."<br />The piece is the highlight of Christie's rock and pop memorabilia auction on 10 July in London.<br />"Beatles lyrics, and particularly in John Lennon's hand, rarely surface on the auction market, so it's very much a unique opportunity," said Helen Hall, head of popular culture at the auction house.<br />Other items being sold will include a collage made by Lennon as a birthday card for Elton John in the 1970s, plus an amplifier played on stage by Jimi Hendrix.<!-- E BO --> </p>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-64588990156717458732008-05-22T05:28:00.000-07:002008-05-22T05:28:01.279-07:00Miley Cyrus Accused of Song StealingMuch like Avril Lavigne before her, pop teen queen Miley Cyrus is facing yet another (though non-photographic) scandal as a rock band is considering suing her due to some remarkable similarities between their tune and Miley's song 'Rockstar.'<br /><h3>Miley Caught Red-Handed?</h3><br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DI9xuQgRUeQ&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DI9xuQgRUeQ&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-54930068870435524542008-05-21T06:04:00.000-07:002008-05-21T06:04:00.795-07:00Crystal Castles close The Great Escape<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49KQ8bAB6GgM9vXhGLpcEZnNee2SZecPeKZt7i6iBUk2rTx-W-wljsdqh5zrnkLIwNL3RD_B_k0A_jm32fFkH3V8pz73-4wvQi6GcTSL7YwO2Ac83A418i3P0wKy8iRPvsvSb3TgN9G4/s1600-h/Crystal-Castles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49KQ8bAB6GgM9vXhGLpcEZnNee2SZecPeKZt7i6iBUk2rTx-W-wljsdqh5zrnkLIwNL3RD_B_k0A_jm32fFkH3V8pz73-4wvQi6GcTSL7YwO2Ac83A418i3P0wKy8iRPvsvSb3TgN9G4/s320/Crystal-Castles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202028985202606610" border="0" /></a>Crystal Castles closed The Great Escape festival with a chaotic show in the early hours of this morning (May 18) at Club NME at the Brighton Barfly.<br />Taking the stage at 2am (BST) the duo played a raucous set of energetic electro-rock, which saw singer Alice Glass spend almost the entire show suspended above the crowd, balancing on both security guards and crowd members.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The security guards seemed baffled by the singer's frenetic stage style, seemingly unsure whether to attempt to pull her back from the crowd or help suspend her. As such she was ducked back and forth repeatedly as she sang.<br />The gig was rammed, with fans having queued extensively for a chance to catch the band. Various crowd members joined in Glass's chaotic antics, crowd surfing past her while she sang the likes of 'Air War' and 'Courtship Dating'.<br />The gig wrapped up the three-day festival, which saw hundreds of bands play gigs across venues in the coastal city.<br />Before Crystal Castles' set at the Barfly Lightspeed Champion played a well-received show at the venue. Wearing his trademark furry hat he played songs including 'Galaxy Of The Lost' and 'Midnight Surprise'.<br />Lightspeed Champion – aka Dev Hynes – was on energetic form, mounting a speaker stack near the death of the set while playing his guitar, then hurling himself onto the keyboard causing a cascade of sound as he smashed against the keys and the instrument collapsed.<br />Earlier in the day, at 4pm, Kid Harpoon played a secret gig at the Audio venue with singer/songwriter Soko.<br />The duo took it in turns to sing backing and lead vocals and play the ukulele. They played songs including 'Milkmaid', 'Peanut Butter' and 'Late For The Devil' and were watched by members of Friendly Fires.<br />Ida Maria was another performer to play a secret gig, playing on the balcony outside the Theatre Royal. The singer played a three-song set, bringing movement on the pavement below to a standstill as fans clamoured to catch the short show.<br />Dead Kids, meanwhile, played an impromptu jam on the seafront, then much to fans’ delight hurled themselves into the ocean for a splash around.<br />Over at the Revenge club Cheeky Cheeky And The Nosebleeds played an energetic set of retro-pop, with the band asking fans to dance along to their songs, 'Slow Kids' and 'Fascinating'.<br />Despite playing her jovial secret gig with Kid Harpoon earlier, Soko was in a wretched mood during her later show at the Concorde 2 venue at the bash organised by MTV2 Gonzo.<br />Complaining about the lighting levels, the singer/songwriter said, "Well, do you care if it's on MTV or do you care if I play a good gig? So, please can I have some low lights?"<br />The lights were eventually turned down for Soko and she continued her set, which included 'How Are You?'.<br /></div>However, Soko soon began complaining again, this time about the noisy audience, many of whom were chatting amongst themselves. "If you feel like talking caan you go outside?" she said angrily. "Thank you for talking, and thank you for the lights" she later said before leaving the stage.<br />Later on many bands headed to Club NME at the Barfly to drink and dance the last night of the festival away.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nme.com/">Music News</a>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5671270405487772780.post-67588064043728028192008-05-20T09:50:00.000-07:002008-05-20T09:50:01.331-07:00Ashlee Simpson marries love Pete Wentz in intimate LA ceremony<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEtaFfrRzqUVxq2X8tVGJkKfPH7cXTPkrcOYPnvEOiUs-vPwXLci7KA_yhKeq_Ul9Z1XW82xO9uQ1lmLvvKnWswbyTTgHP-4xOvOvgUjomKU44u625u22tB54DWJqw5nPAkh3DyW6S48/s1600-h/ashlee-pete.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEtaFfrRzqUVxq2X8tVGJkKfPH7cXTPkrcOYPnvEOiUs-vPwXLci7KA_yhKeq_Ul9Z1XW82xO9uQ1lmLvvKnWswbyTTgHP-4xOvOvgUjomKU44u625u22tB54DWJqw5nPAkh3DyW6S48/s320/ashlee-pete.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202024488371847682" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Pop singer Ashlee Simpson, the younger sister of actress Jessica, has tied the knot with her beau of two years, Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz. The intimate ceremony took place a month after announcing their engagement.<br /><br />The bride was dressed in an ivory lace wedding gown by Filipino designer Monique Lhuillier, accessorised with a diamond necklace and earrings. Ashlee, 23, exchanged vows with her 28-year-old beau in front of 150 family and friends at her parent's estate in LA.<br /><br />Performing the non-denominational ceremony was dad Joe Simpson, with Jessica serving as maid-of-honour. Acting as an unusual ring-bearer was the groom's pet bulldog, Hemingway.<br /><br />By Jessica's side was her beau Tony Romo, dispelling rumours the two had split. Guests also included Nicole Richie, with her Good Charlotte rocker love Joel Madden.<br /><br />The newlyweds, who are expecting their first child together, held an Alice In Wonderland themed reception featuring a wedding cake with a top hat, teapot and stopwatch on the top.</div>Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303345304713935012noreply@blogger.com0