EMBRACING LIFE, CULTURE, AND THE SUBLIMELY RIDICULOUS
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Jared Leto is officially dead to me.
Somewhere along the line he became a douchebag, which is never attractive, and then there’s that mediocre band of his, 30 Seconds to Mars (still can’t get past the ridiculousness of that name, either).
Anyway, here he is getting the last bit of sex sucked out of him by Paris Hilton a few days ago. It was good while it lasted…
[Image via Dlisted]
Do we need more? Not really. But this one actually has promise.
His name is David Jordan, and he sounds like Terrence Trent D’Arby meets Prince meets Michael Jackson, with perhaps a dash of Lenny Kravitz for good measure. He is a flamboyant Brit, so of course the powers that be are attempting to launch his career in the U.K. first. Lord knows if he’ll ever cross the pond (so many European pop stars fail in that respect), but that doesn’t mean a few adventurous Yanks won’t enjoy some of his tunes.
Below you can watch Mr. Jordan’s new video, “Sun Goes Down.” The fantastic new track has just been A-listed by Radio 1, so he must be “on the way up” as they say.
British electronic duo Goldfrapp have toned it down a bit since their disco-glam last album, Supernature. The idyllic promotional clip for new single “A&E” (short for “accident and emergency”) debuted this past weekend, and I’m not sure what to make of it. While it’s worth a look — the visuals definitely suit the track’s understated vibe — the choreography performed by the camouflaged dancers seems a bit too manic. Perhaps it will grow on me.
I wasn’t immediately blown away by the song either, but after a few listens I am completely enamored. “A&E” fits right in with breathtaking ballads like “Black Cherry” and “Utopia,” and nicely complements the glitterball glamour of “Ooh La La” and “Train.”
Goldfrapp’s new album, Seventh Tree, will be released Feb 25 in the U.K. and the following day in the States.
Remember Meredith Brooks? She was moderately famous for a few months in the late ’90s thanks to a track called “Bitch.” You probably can’t remember her next single, “What Would Happen,” which peaked on the charts at No. 46. (I had to look it up.)
Twenty-three-year-old Katy Perry is the latest rock chick to take a familiar diss and turn it in into a pop song, only this time around the song is called “Ur So Gay.” It’s about an ex-boyfriend, of course, who is in fact not gay — he just likes H&M and guy-liner.
Like “Bitch” did for Brooks, this tongue-in-cheek track will likely launch Perry into the public eye. Only time will tell if she manages to outlive its’ novelty and forge a long-lasting career. If she’s got more like this up those polka-dotted sleeves, let’s hope she does.
For the record, Perry isn’t using “gay” as a derogatory term. She’s friends with Mika, if that tells you anything. Check out the very infectious “Ur So Gay” in the IMEEM media player in the sidebar (or for a limited time download it for free by clicking on the strawberry tattoo from her official web site — password: pnasty). Whistle along with her if you like.
in case you didn’t know, janet jackson’s actually-quite-good new single “feedback” is now available on itunes. i don’t think anyone was impressed with her lackluster last effort — and even if it sounds like something britney or kylie would churn out, janet still leaves her mark…
at one point she actually says, “my swagger’s serious / heavy like a first day period.” haha, i would say i’m surprised, but remember this is the same woman who once mimicked an orgasm in a song (”throb”).
regardless, i’m happy janet is back on track. after a lengthy absence, this electronic stomper is sure to put her back on the charts where she belongs.
if you haven’t heard the track and you’d like to test drive before you buy, you can hear it in the media player in the sidebar or over at ms. jackson’s myspace.
i do love damon albarn, the very talented man behind gorillaz and blur, but i think he might be getting a bit crotchety as he nears his 40th birthday.
during an appearance on radio 4 yesterday he went on a rant against popular culture and the press, claiming that 99 percent of the media should be eliminated and shows like x-factor should be scrapped. those are harsh words from a guy who played up to the media in his britpop heyday, a man who wrote shameless (yet clever) pop singles like “girls and boys” and “country house.”
albarn did come up with his own material, of course, and his original band did muddle for a bit before finding mainstream success. he must be bitter that the new crop of bright young things can make it with considerably less effort. i suppose i would be as well if i were him… though i can’t imagine a world without “since u been gone.”
recognize this jail bait? probably not. he currently stars in the u.k. teen drama skins, but global audiences may remember him from a film he co-starred in six years ago with toni colette, rachel weisz and hugh grant.
give up? it was called about a boy, and nicholas hoult (pictured above), played a socially awkward young man named marcus (below). is it coming back to you now?
he’s growing up nicely, don’t you think? he’s barely legal at 18, but nicholas is definitely on the road to hotness. check this out:
yowza. i feel dirty. two more after the jump. Continue Reading »
i’m not a fan of high school musical, but this is pretty damn close to being as cheesy. here’s a clip of x-factor finalists same difference singing mimi’s “all i want for christmas is you” (a song i totally love, shut the fuck up). it’s pretty much the gayest thing ever, but i kinda love it. and yes i’m a dirty old man, but how hot is shaun??
it’s that time again! here’s my list, in no particular order, of the best forty tracks of the past year. i’m sure i’ve overlooked a few, so let me know what you think should be on this list:
twenty more after the jump!
here’s the new gwen stefani video for “early winter,” as promised. the song has been edited slightly to make it a bit shorter, but it doesn’t really effect the beautifully-broken vibe of the track. she looks fantastic, of course, and i especially love the contrast of her virginal white dress and the blood red rose petals. the video is definitely as haunting and ethereal as the song.
what do you think? will this be a hit or miss for gwen?