And while you may love Explosions In The Sky (who, btw, are going to tear it up at Virgin Fest on September 8 & 9, in case you forgot), everybody knows about them by now, and you want to be a discoverer of new stuff, don't you? Plus, you want songs that are a tad more digestible (under ten minutes).
May I present your new favourite post-rock instrumental band: Caspian. Luscious, layered guitars...ups and downs...total outbursts of guitary goodness that'll make you want to tear off your own skin. OK, I'm no music theorist so I can't really describe the glory of what I'm hearing in my headphones right now except to say it gives me goosebumps and I don't want it to end.
Just when you think "wow, I love this song so much" it takes another turn, sending you deeper and deeper in love with it. Further Up, which is featured on their MySpace page and is taken from their 2005 EP You Are the Conductor is a must-listen. I swear I've had it on repeat for a week now. At the 2:35 mark it sets up a build that's urgent and totally commands your attention, and then again 3:35 mark it outright hits and your brain pretty much ERUPTS. That good.
Really though, my friend Paul (who introduced me to Caspian) said it best: "If you cream your pants at the mere mention of Explosions In The Sky, then Caspian is the band for you." Their live show last Friday put EITS to shame - it was dangerously good. Even their official bio describes their live sets as "blistering". Earplugs should be handed out at the door, cause no matter how badass you are, you'll need them. It was an hour long blast of non-stop, bombastic guitars that would put most live shows to shame.
Go have a listen to their music and tell me you don't agree!
Earlier today I came across a collection of Keane songs online that's being touted as a 'fan's compilation of b-sides and covers'. It's called The Theft Of Octo and it has stunning artwork (above) not unlike Keane's latest album, Under The Iron Sea, which I love.
The b-sides are taken from the band's debut album Hopes And Fears as well as Under The Iron Sea. Plus, there is a luscious cover of U2's With Or Without You - a cover whose enjoyment I guarantee. Most of the songs are quintessential Keane...simple songs with beautiful, haunting vocals from Tom Chaplin and piano accompaniments from Tim Rice-Oxley.
Tracklisting:
1. The Iron Sea [Magic Shop]
2. New One
3. Maybe I Can Change
4. Thin Air
5. Untitled II
6. He Used To Be A Lovely Boy
7. Let It Slide
8. The Theft Of Octo
9. Call Me What You Like
10. Wolf At The Door
11. Tyderian
12. On A Day Like Today
13. With Or Without You [orig. U2]
14. Closer Now
Yesterday morning I interviewed Tegan and Sara about their new album The Con, which if you read my previous blog, you will know I am obsessed with.
To my surprise we spent most of the time chatting about love. How love is rarely forever and how falling out of love is treated as a criminal act. The sisters have such different sensibilities when it comes to relationships. Tegan is a love addict. Sara is a serial relationship girl. We spoke about the lies they tell to the people they are in love with and how healing your first dose of rejection is. By the end of the half hour we had officially replaced Dr. Phil as a trio of modern day love/ relationship experts.
So if you need a little insight and advice, burn your Dr. Phil self-help books and pick up The Con and have a listen. It will be infinitely more helpful. I promise.
FYI - for more information read Rolling Stone's interview on Tegan and Sara where they declare themselves "doctors of love." And of course stay tuned to The NewMusic and MuchNews Weekly for my interview.
As we all may or may not know, in 2009 Conan O'Brien is moving to a sweeter, more accessible timeslot, wherein we can see his brand of hilarity without staying up late. (I'm an old lady. 12:30am is past bedtime). But when Leno steps down and Conan takes the Tonight Show's seat, who's gonna replace ol' Hair Floof? Someone else with floofy hair, of course. Someone known for pawing aside his uncontrollable mane and passing it off with a goofy grin. Someone who I'm not sure can handle the responsibility...yep, Jimmy Fallon is apparently NBC's top choice. I dunno - all I can picture is him gingerly burbling out jokes and then making that self-conscious face like he's not sure if it's a good joke or not. And then laughing uncontrollably through everything. He's got approximately 1.5-2 years to tame the giggles. He should start now!
You think waiting to find out what happens to Harry Potter was stressful for you? Try being Daniel Radcliffe...the guy who probably has the most invested in the outcome of these books.
Turns out he was just as anxious to read the book as everyone else...and finished it before the end of last week (although apparently he's got a life or something because he didn't manage to beat my 6 hour record).
Entertainment Weekly has a fabulous interview with Daniel where reveals his thoughts about Deathly Hallows, including what shocked him, what he was glad to see, and how he felt when he finished it. Definitely required reading for any HP fan...although since he is talking about the book itself, if you haven't read it yet, bookmark it and go back and read it when you're done!
For those who have devoured Harry's final adventure in its entirety, what did you think? Did you like it? What were your favourite parts? Anything really drive you loony or did you finish it with a giant smile on your face and tears in your eyes?
Go Boom Boom! Well, not really, but he certainly made a bunch of girls squeal for joy when he dropped by the Much environment. Lucky for you, we were able to capture the Latin Heartthrob in all of his glory...Sigh...
The moment I saw George Michael (the kid from Arrested Development, not the singer/songwriter) in a movie trailer - an HILARIOUS movie trailer at that - I knew I had my choice of must see summer movie. It's called SuperBad (see the trailer), and it's gonna be a-super HILARIOUS. It better be, anyway. I've got high stakes in this thing. And a stylish dancing screen saver.
Anyway, I just saw this preview clip from the movie, and so far I think it looks like it won't let me down in the stupid-funny department (FYI: I've got my intellectual high brow snobberish wit side to me, and I've got my Sideshow Bob stepping on a rake 100 times stupid funny side to me as well). Watch McLovin' in action!
Being a Wakestock rookie I had no idea what to expect as I doused myself in sunscreen early Saturday morning and headed out the door, Centre Island bound. Having heard mixed reviews on the event I went in with an open mind and was completely and utterly blown away.
Not only does it pull together some of the top athletes from literally around the world it acts as a perfect mid-summer getaway from a city obsessed with routine. With around 30 bands I assumed I would be glued to the stage for the entire weekend, instead I found myself "course side" and completely in awe.
Before I divulge how Rusty Malinoski completely stole my heart, let me just say wakeskateing...insane. The dudes aren't even attached to the boards and they make it seem like friggin' walk in the park. Back to the cutie that is pro Canadian wakeboarder Rusty Malinoski, if you are not already familiar with him, Google that shit up folks, his 1080s...holy hell. He threw down seamless 900's and was clearly a crowd fav. I can say with confidence that the entire beach was little upset not to see him take the first or second positions.
The 10th anniversary of Wakestock was a complete success. Tons of vendors were on sight to meet your every consuming desire. The island was alive with boarding bands and bikinis. What more could an adrenaline junkie ask for really?
The ferry ride back to reality...talk about buzzkill. I was bummed by the harsh reality that the next morning it would be back to business as usual. 1080s and slamming bodies will be replaced with Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and all the other celebrity bullshit society craves.
As I sit here at my desk, the smell of sunscreen still fresh on my skin, face tight from a raging sunburn (note the importance of re-application), I realized maybe it's not only Rusty that won me over, but rather the event itself. I'm hooked...viva la Wakestock.
Seriously guys - google Rusty, it'll blow your mind.
Let's just start this off with saying Wakestock is amazing!
This year has been so much fun it might be safe to say it's one of the best. I'm excited to see all the bands, especially Goldfinger and Deftones. Ten Second Epic did a great job and it's always fun seeing them. I have to go but if any of you guys can make it down I really recommend you do. Story Of The Year and illScarlett will be here too.
Whoa so cool - just stopped and chatted with Del Tha Funkee Homosapien and he was super laid back and cool!
He told me that when he worked with Gorillaz he didn't even get to work with Damon Albarn. In fact he said that the rap tracks were already laid out when he got to the project, but Dan The Automator wasn't satisfied with the rapper on the track so he asked Del because he knew that he would do a solid job!
Surprisingly Del admitted that he turned to a "How To Write A Hit Song" book for guidance and what resulted was that wicked Gorillaz track (Clint Eastwood.
Just got to the site on Toronto Island and people are slowly starting to trickle in. The boat we rode in on was ridiculously small and unsteady but we clearly made it out okay! Today is definitely going to be a day of hot bodies good music and for a first timer I have to say that I am stoked!
If you didn't just catch MOD - let me fill you in on a little something that's likely to make your gaming fingers tingle with joy. Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 10 years you should know what Halo is. And Halo 2. And you prolly know that Halo 3 is coming out soon.
So here's the scoop for those of you who missed the show, according to resident gaming VJ Tim Deegan: if you play this Halo 3 ringtone near your computer while at Halo3.com, it will a launch a secret site that likely has everything to do with the upcoming launch of the game.
So how does a ringtone launch a website? Make sure your computer mic is on, put the ringtone on your celly, head over to Halo3.com and start clicking!
Video of Tim Deegan's explanation of the phenomenon:
And some screen shots of the secret site:
Happy discovering!
klye
PS: The game's official release date is September 25!
Granted, Mr. Haim isn't lookin' like much of a pinup these days, and there are a lot of strange stories going around about him in Toronto - but I couldn't be happier to see the duo back on my screen. Feldman seemed like a total wuss on The Surreal Life Season 1, but I'll let that pass since he appeared on a great self-deprecating episode of Greg The Bunny.
There is definitely a chance that the show will be disappointing, and possibly give television critics something to groan at. But I don't care! They went through everything today's stars are going through: huge success at a young age, addictions up the wazoo, and a fizzled out career. Thank goodness they survived all this, and did not suffer the tragic ends that River Phoenix and Jonathan Brandis did.
I'm generally a lover of anything nostalgic, so I am the perfect target for pop culture's latest resurgence of all things retro. Whether it's revived careers as a result of shows like The Surreal Life, or reunion tours for bands like Motley Crue, Van Halen & The Police, I will unabashedly be there tuning in and buying tickets.
I have to admit, prior to seeing Hairspray I didn't understand why Zac Efron was so freaking popular - well, besides the fact that he was in the 2006 hit High School Musical and soon to be in High School Musical 2, 3 and I'm sure there'll be a fourth - In fact, I merely just brushed him off as just another teen heartthrob who wears too much bronzer. BUT after watching the movie, I finally get why the girlies are going gaga over him - he's charming. Enough said.
Anyways, I know that there are a bunch of you out there that love Hairspray just as much as some of us here. Sooooo, I'm very excited to tell you that we've got two music videos from the movie on MuchAXS!!!
Yup, now you can watch You Can't Stop The Beat and Ladies' Choice over and over and over again. I've already watched You Can't Stop The Beat a dozen times and I'm sure Soja has as well...
I love laughing at other people's misfortunes (well, within reason of course). Like, people falling down is usually always pretty damn funny. If you agree with me on this, you'll love this video. Top Model's Ms. Jay would have a conniption fit!
What's even funnier than people falling is other people trying to contain their laughter when someone else falls. These news anchors just can't keep it together. Poor Ms. Jelly-Ankles... She must immediately go back to the house, pack up her belongings, and go home.
I don't know where my head was at when I decided to spend 11.95 on Adam Sandler's latest flick I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. Perhaps I should've read some reviews before stepping into the theatre. But in my defense, ever since I saw Alexander Payne's name credited to the screenplay my interest was piqued. However, that doesn't excuse the act of seeing this film. I was really just expecting a few laughs but DEFINITELY not at the expense of other people.
Where do I begin? First off, let me please start by saying this movie is like an unfunny joke gone wrong. With a premise that has the potential for pure comedic genius, the creative team behind this flick decided to veer in the opposite direction by opting for cheap laughs. Sandler and gang succeeded in offending every minority group out there - I swear they must've had a checklist going when they wrote this monstrosity: Overt racism - Check. Misrepresentation of women - Check. Stereotypical portrayal of the gay community - Check.
Considering the fact that the major lesson of this film is 'acceptance 'and 'tolerance' this movie shows very little of it. In fact, it goes out of its way to be offensive. Rob Schneider dressed as an Asian priest with a lisp, coke-bottle glasses, overbite and bowl-cut wig? Since when did it become OK to demean and insult an ethnic group with a ridiculous stereotype of its people? It wasn't right in 1961 when Mickey Rooney dressed up as the 'quirky' neighbour in Breakfast at Tiffany's, so what makes it right to do it 46 years later?
And that's only one example of the film's offensive nature... What about the mockery this film makes of the gay community? There is not one scene where I saw a non-stereotypical portrayal of gays. This is frightening considering its premise is based around tolerance. There is just way too much misogynistic, homophobic and racist material in this movie to make any person feel comfortable.
These are grown men playing these roles and it's really unfortunate that they don't see the wrong in their actions. Moreover, it's sad to see how oblivious they are to the kind of stereotypes and intolerance they are encouraging. I get that comedies are supposed to be offensive but sometimes people blur that line. Cheap comedy is not good comedy.
How did Adam Sandler take 10 steps back from progressing his legitimate acting career, by not just starring BUT also producing one of the worst movies of '07? Don't make the same mistake I did by going to see this train wreck of a film.
So today is new release day and one of the hotly-anticipated debuts is The Simpsons Movie. It seems like people are really mixed about it. Some have been waiting for this moment for years - no wonder the Simpsons writers felt the need to complete over 100 rewrites! Some are skeptical about and others feel violated at the prospect of seeing full-frontal Bart. (Have you heard? El Barto gets nekkid in the film!)
Based on the trailers and the hype do y'all predict it will be a hit or a miss?
And while we're on hit or miss, let's take a moment to wax nostalgic: Favourite Simpsons episode? (here's Vanity Fair's list, to jog your memory)
Call me old fashioned, but I still think that the one with the land of chocolate ("Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk", season three, episode 11) and the one with Duff Gardens, which features a contender for best line ever - "I am the lizard queen" - ("Selma's Choice", season four, episode 13) are two of the best.
The jury may be out on the movie itself, but everyone (correction: everyone on Facebook) loves the Create Your Own Avatar program on the movie's website. If you ever wondered what you'd look like as a Springfieldian, you can build a Simpsons character in your own likeness. Caution: It's easy to get obsessed.
While googling early reviews of the movie, I came across this cool article. Apparently the global reach of the show is so huge that even a small group of carvers in Western Kenya stand to profit. That's right. Most of them have never seen The Simpsons, but in the small village of Tabaka, where the craft of soapstone carving is a tradition passed down from one generation to the next, expert sculptors are earning a living off of the movie's release.
20th Century Fox commissioned the soapstone-savvy Tabakans to make carvings of the Simpson's characters as official merch. The business employs about 80 people and has turned around the local economy.
So if the movie is good, great. And if it sucks bags, well, at least something good came out of it, non?
Check out a couple pictures of their work here and be sure to read our coverage of Simpsons Movie fodder on MuchNews!
Last night I was catching up on the latest two episodes of HBO's Big Love - thank god for Rogers On Demand - when to my surprise I hear Avril Lavigne's Girlfriend (the remix, of course)... Bill, the main character of the show, just started to get it on with his potential fourth wife when suddenly 'Hey! Hey! You! You! I Don't Like Your Girlfriend' starts to play in the background... It probably had to be one of the strangest music inclusions that I've heard on TV in the longest time. Unlike shows like Grey's Anatomy and the recently deceased O.C., Big Love doesn't rely on music to drive emotions so to hear, one of the most obnoxious songs of the summer on the show was a complete shocker...
Though, I have to admit, it's out of the blue inclusion almost makes it genius...
p.s. for those that don't know what Big Love is then please do yourself a favour and start watching!
UPDATE: Don't read the episode guide because it may just spoil the season for you, like it almost did for me..
I can't BEAR this anymore! Why is there nobody to discuss season 3 of So You Think You Can Dance with? Kat's watching it, but WEEKS after the live airing and Jen just started tuning in. I need somebody to listen to me when I say, "I think I was just impregnated by Lacey & Danny's samba", or "you know, I think I might be joining team Sabra" or "galdangit, Pasha is growing on me!" or even "f*ck, stop screaming, Mary Murphy!".
Who knows what I'm talking about here? Who can satisfy my aching need for discussion? Who are your favourite dancers? Listen, I don't care if Lacey is Benji's brother and she's riding some sort of hype train, I heart her. Is this season as good or even better than last?? TALK TO ME ABOUT IT!!!!!!
I am a massive fan of British director Danny Boyle. Trainspotting was disturbing yet fun, The Beach was questionable yet visually beautiful, and 28 Days Later was all-around brilliant and frightening. Needless to say, I was tres excited for his latest film, Sunshine.
It stars Cillian Murphy and Chris Evans as astronauts on a mission to re-light our dying sun. I know, I know, it sounds bizarre and maybe a bit too sci-fi, so I can understand some reservations one might have, but man-oh-man, I could not take my eyes off the screen. The visuals in this film are amazing, the music (by British electronic band Underworld) is stunning, and the performances are spot on. Danny Boyle manages to create a claustrophobic atmosphere that is creepily fantastic.
Sunshine has gotten some great reviews, but it has also gotten some flack from critics saying that it just borrows key elements from other space flicks like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Alien - however I think this works in its favour. It takes these familiar elements and plays on them, takes them one step further. My only issue with the film is what happens in the final 15 minutes, which I won't talk about here (I hate spoilers), but it just seemed to fall a bit flat - but still interesting enough for this to be a must-see film. Come on - you've already seen Transformers, Harry 5, Die Hard 4, and Hairspray - time to move on to something a bit more out of the ordinary.
Wowzers - word just went around that thanks to everyone who bought Flick Off merchandise at the Much Store in the last little while, over $14,000 was raised. 100% of the proceeds from those sales is going to Environmental Defence Canada. Way to go!
Head over to the Much Store @ 277 Queen Street West, just a few doors down from MuchMusic HQ, and pick up some cool swag for yourself!
So everyone now knows that I love Claire Danes. Yesterday she dropped by MuchOnDemand to promote her new movie Stardust and of course Kat and I ran down to the MuchEnvironment at 5pm SHARP.
We were standing behind the cameras, shaking with glee and excitement. I seriously thought I was going do die - just drop down dead. Leah did her intro and then as if it were a dream in slow-mo, the ethereal Ms. Danes came floating down the MuchEnvironment steps. She was glowing. I noticed how surprisingly tall and thin she was - Kat noticed her shoes, stating, "I need those shoes RIGHT THIS INSTANT!"
The interview ran smoothly - Claire was as lovely as expected - and then during the commercial break, Claire looked over in our general direction and may or may not have made eye contact with one of us. Kat and I looked at each other and smiled. We both knew we've now hit the big-time. We also now knew that we had to get a picture taken with her. Then both of us realized we didn't have a camera. We fought back tears. Needless to say, it was an emotional rollercoaster - from all-time highs to depressing lows, not unlike, say William Shakespeare's Romeo+Juliet, or say, Brokedown Palace, or say, any episode of My So-Called Life. Man, Claire never fails to deliver.
Peep these pics of her appearance on MOD. Claire is classy as always.
In this week's edition of Listen To These Guys Or Else, I present to you Bat For Lashes. Bat For Lashes is Natasha Khan's stage name - she's a sexy British Pakistani who's just been nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize as of last week. And her songs have been likened to Cat Power, Bjork & Kate Bush.
Watch the video for What's A Girl To Do right now. It's 1/3 Donnie Darko, 1/3 Lily Allen, 1/3 Portishead and 100% amazing. I know you're saying "yeah yeah, I'll watch it, but not right now." But trust me, just watch it! It's like, not even 3 minutes long. And the vocals will haunt you all day, which is precisely what you want on a Thursday morning.
Rooney - Robert Carmine (Schwartzman) second from right
Mama and Papa Schwartzman, you should be proud. I mean, you popped out two extremely talented boys, Robert and Jason - and might I add they aren't too hard on the eyes either. So why do these boys need to be acknowledged on this blog? Well because their music is so undeniably good.
Jason, being the most recognizable of the Schwartzmans, is an indie favourite as he's starred in such cult classics as Rushmore, Shopgirl and most recently in his cousin Sofia's film Marie Antoinette. But for those of you that don't know, Mr. Schwartzman used to play drums for a Californian rock outfit called Phantom Planet - ah yes, I've mentioned them before but this band has a special place in my heart. It's been a while since I've heard anything from this multi-talented star but in the past year there was buzz that Jason was working on a new record.
Fortunately, all this buzz was in fact true! Jason was working away at a new solo project called Coconut Records. In the past month or so, Coconut Records put out the album Nighttiming which is reminiscent of early Beach Boys mixed with a hint of Velvet Underground. This record probably has to be one of my favourite records of the summer. It's a feel good record and you can never have enough of those in your collection! Seriously though, as if this record couldn't get anymore charming Jason gets his current gf Zooey Deschanel to sing backing vocals on one of the tracks and yeah surprisingly it is really good. What shocks me most about this gem is the fact that Jason Schwartzman actually has a wicked set of pipes...
Speaking of pipes, let's talk about the lesser known Schwartzman, Robert. Ah yes, the younger bro to Jason is also an actor/singer. He has put the acting thing aside (you may remember him as the dorky love interest to Anne Hathaway in The Princess Diaries) and decided to focus solely on his band Rooney. Good idea considering the fact that the band was generating a lot of hype with their debut record. Hell, they even toured with The Strokes! And if The Strokes think they're cool, then they're cool - they've certainly got the street cred...
Recently, the band just released their second record Calling The World and their first single When Did Your Heart Go Missing is so addictive! I didn't think it was possible for two brothers to release two records of the same caliber. Unlike, Coconut Records, Rooney is much more dancey.
First off, can we discuss how freakin' sexy the video for When Did Your Heart Go Missing is? Very unlike the group...but Benny Boom (who usually directs hip-hop/r&b videos) stepped behind the lens for their video and is able to add his trademark sexiness to it...and I love it!
I was just reading this week's Anti Hit-List and came across this REALLY great mashup of Rihanna's Umbrella & General Public's criminally underloved Tenderness. Go grab the mashup now over at Party Ben's site, and let me know how much you love it!
Here's why nobody is allowed to hate on Beyonce: last night in Orlando, she was performing when BOOM! She fell flat on her face down approximately 12 stairs. Then the biatch got right up and started shaking her mane around in circles, like nothing happened. A gash on her leg, blood on her face and she keeps going like nothing happened. THAT'S A PRO!!!
Later on in the concert, she requested that nobody post video of the incident on YouTube but...alas. Of course you can watch it, which you are going to do right now, aren't you? Scoundrel.
Remember that hilarious Seinfeld episode where Jerry starts carrying a man-purse, but is afraid to admit it?
(A pickpocket runs by, stealing Jerry's bag)
Jerry: Hey! Officer! Someone took my European carry-all!
Cop: Your what?
Jerry: The...black, leather...thing with a strap.
Cop: You mean a purse?
Jerry: Yes, a purse. I carry a purse!
Well it seems that the man-purse is now a hot item and guys are embracing the look. Canada.com has put up a few pics of celebs donning the once laughable carry-all. Should us lowly non-celeb pedestrians hop on this fashion bandwagon as well?
Remember 1998? Was there a more beautiful, heart-wrenching song than Apparitions by Matthew Good Band that year? The whole Underdogs album was gorgeous. And then in 1999, Beautiful Midnight came out - another beautiful album that I listened to until it nearly shredded my CD player.
Then in 2002, remember the video for Matthew Good's solo single Weapon from Avalanche, with its subversive Trainspotting/Fight Club/Bob Dylan-esque poster messages? MuchMusic played the crap outta that video!
All this to say that Matthew Good (the solo artists) has new music. And we have it, a week before it comes out in stores. Go listen to all fifteen tracks on Hospital Music right now, including cover versions of songs by The Dead Kennedys and Daniel Johnston.
The current Backstreet Boys lineup, sans Kevin Richardson
Does anyone even care that BSB are releasing yet another album? It was reported on billboard.com that the washed-up boys of BSB are readying for another album release in October of this year. For those of you that don't remember, BSB released a record two years appropriately titled Never Gone. Surprisingly, fans still cared, so much so that the group sold 3 million records worldwide.
But as I recall 2005 was not BSB's comeback year, despite selling a whack load of records. In fact, I would even have to say that they barely crossed my radar that year. So now that all the boys are cleaned up, including Mr. Carter himself (and might I add, he doesn't look so bad anymore), the question is do people still want to hear music from a group that is past their prime? Personally, I don't think so but you tell me...
I was watching Gene Simmons Family Jewels last night. After catching it a handful of times, I've determined that the best part about the show is his kids. I think his son Nick is hilarious and probably has enough charm and talent to have his own career outside of the show. He even pulls off the whole Jim Morrison look he's goin' for. Gene's daughter Sophie is quite likeable, and at 14, is probably way too gorgeous for someone her age. Modeling and acting will probably ensue.
Is Gene showcasing his family in this mediocre show so that he can ensure his kids' success? Or is it just to squeeze more easy money out of the television medium? Probably both.
But Gene ruins the show himself in my opinion. His pomposity is unbearable and his greasy Darth Vader helmet-hair is growing harder and harder to look at!
I recognize that KISS is a legendary band and has made a huge mark on pop culture, but the blatant milking of the "reality" genre and Gene's overblown expectations of audience interest are going to make this show grow old...fast.
It's entertaining enough to watch when there's nothing else on, but I liked it a lot better when it was called The Osbournes!
Ahem. AHEM! Forget about all this Lohan hullabaloo for a moment and plunk your mind back on to tremendously more important matters: the Spice Girls reunion. I would like to inform you that it is imperative - nay, it is YOUR DUTY to go here now and vote TORONTO as the city to be added to their world tour! And if you're from somewhere other than Toronto, fine. Vote for Moosejaw. But all you Torontonians, get voting!!! Let's make it happen!
In 1989, when I was on the cusp of teenagehood, I discovered a band while on vacation in Florida with my family - the band was called Pretty Boy Floyd and their album was Leather Boyz with Electric Toyz. Think about that for a second - the year was 1989 and bands like Motley Crue, Poison & L.A. Guns were tearing up the charts.
My undying obsession with that album verged on lunacy. I listened to it day and night, forced my parents to play it in the car, had posters of the band on every inch of wall space, and watched the videos on MuchMusic's Power Hour. I mean, who wouldn't love a band with band members like Steve "Sex" Summers, Aeriel Stiles, Vinnie Chas, Kristy "Krash" Majors, Kari Kane and Keri Kelli?! They were doing what Robin Black & Co. are attempting to do now, back when people were eating it up. Oh but wait...PBF's wikipedia page indicates that they are STILL TOGETHER! What the...
I just found one on YouTube (ahhh) for Rock and Roll (Is Gonna Set the Night on Fire). Please enjoy:
In light of Lindsay Lohan's latest arrest and drug scandal, I would like to take this opportunity to resurrect your dying faith in the young Hollywood starlett/pop star.
I know the headlines and blogs are dominated by the bad girls - and that's exactly what they want, so I'm not going to give them another plug here - but there are still some good girls in La La Land and this is the perfect time to tip my hat to them:
Hilary Duff
Rachel McAdams
Rihanna
Amanda Bynes
Anne Hathaway
Natalie Portman
Rachel Bilson
Mandy Moore
...just to name a few. There are many more beautiful, talented and famous young women out there to appreciate. And they actually DO outnumber the train wrecks, so in the words of Steve Perry: don't stop believing!
Pop tart Lindsay Lohan just can't seem to catch a break! The recently rehabbed hard-partying poster girl was arrested early this morning on DUI and narcotics charges. The starlet was released from custody hours later; bail was said to be set at $25,000.
In addition for being busted for driving under the influence, Lohan was allegedly found to be in possession of cocaine.
This is the second arrest in a matter of months for the troubled 21-year-old - she was formally charged last week for DUI, after being caught driving under the influence in May. The Mean Girls star emerged from a 45-day stint at Promises, a drug and alcohol treatment centre, on July 13 claiming to have embraced sobriety. To wit, Lindsay had even volunteered to sport a bulky alcohol-monitoring ankle bracelet.
Lilo was scheduled to appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno this evening to promote her upcoming film I Know Who Killed Me, her first official post-rehab interview. No word on whether the actress will be on the show, in light of her legal hot water. We're not holding our breath...
Beware Muggles who have not read the book, there be spoilers below! Although through various means of internet-y magic, they have been blanked out for your reading pleasure...if you want to read them, highlight the blank text with your mouse!
Knock, knock!
Who's there?
The friendliest Canada Post worker you're ever likely to meet...delivering my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! He actually sing-songed "it's Harry Potter!" when I opened my front door...which was so far beyond awesome, nothing I say can even do it justice. I made a crack about being the oldest person who pre-ordered a copy of the new novel, but whether to make me feel better or in truth, he told me I wasn't.
So the book arrived at 12:45pm this past Saturday. By 1:45, I was on Chapter 8...now whether that's an indication of its fabulosity or just of my hunger to find out what the heck a hallow is and why exactly it's deathly...I can't be sure.
Now I don't like to brag but...well...who am I kidding? I love to brag. I had several predictions going into this final saga (and at 609 pages, I do mean saga) and some of them were right. I will acknowledge though that many other people predicted the same events, so I'll hold off on calling MENSA just yet. Among those coming true the one I'm most proud of is that Dumbledore did indeed instruct Snape to kill him. As well I figured, based on the glimpses we were given into Snape's past, that much of his hate of Harry was a show and that he was never truly one of You-Know-Who's right-hand men. Very rewarding since I think he's a fabulous character.
It took me just over six hours to finish...I would've been able to do it in a little less time but it is really freaking hard to read through tears. Now that is NOT a spoiler since my tears had little to do with any one occurrence and more to do with the fact that I knew my time in J.K. Rowling's colourful and original world was coming to an end; although the fact that four of my favourite characters (and many others) bit the big one did not help at all. And when Harry decides to make the ultimate sacrifice so that no one else would be hurt? And then survives? Well...I was a big puddle on the floor. The author did a bang up job trying to give every one of her amazingly named cast of characters a part to play in this ultimate battle between good and evil and each one of them works as well as they did when we first met them. Some play smaller parts than I would've liked but you can't win them all! On that note, if Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape aren't the best names you've ever read? Well...there's no hope for you.
Is it the best written book out there? Nope. The beginning dragged a wee bit, there were several "false" starts to the climax of the story that grated on my last nerve and an ending so sappy it made me smile and grimace at the same time. Does the plot always work? Not every time...there were more than a few times I had to pause and wonder what the hell had just happened (it usually involved me ranting to my empty apartment in language that should not be anywhere around a "children's" book). Although, if you look hard enough almost every plot point is so damn well thought out it makes your head hurt just a little in appreciation of the effort Rowling put into this whole story. Still...is it one of the most captivating books you'll ever pick up? Without a doubt.
Despite all my little picky problems, there wasn't one line of this book I didn't enjoy and I am very sad to see the story of Harry, Ron, Hermione and their wonderful world of Witchcraft and Wizardry come to an end. I will miss every single one of those wonderful characters...from the Boy Who Lived himself, right on down to Nearly-Headless Nick and the Grey Lady. I'll even miss the Dursleys and the Malfoys...two fantastically written examples of familial super-dysfunctionality. I'll miss words like Muggle, Quidditch and Horcrux and look back fondly on a time when others would know what I was talking about if I mentioned a "Blast-Ended Skrewt" or "Bernie Bott's Every Flavoured Beans". I'll miss...
What? There are still 2 more movies to come? Well, hell! This isn't goodbye at all...more like see you next year...bring on movie 6!
