I am kinda sorta in absolute love with Luscious Life by Patrick Watson. I was just YouTubing around for videos and accidentally typed in Patrick WATSON when really I was looking for Patrick WOLF (for some reason I always do this!). Thankfully I did, cause now I have a new current favourite song!
Patrick Watson's had scads of comparisons to Jeff Buckley (hearts!) and Rufus Wainwright (also from Montreal!), and his album Close To Paradise is on the shortlist for the Polaris Prize - winners will be revealed on September 24. I feel like he has a solid chance of taking home the prize. This song in particular is just so...delectable. Luscious, even!?
Pop Justice has a list of ten things to love about the new Britney Spears single Gimme More. The actual single. Not the mis-leaked ballad that was floating around about a week ago.
At first glance it's hard to tell if they actually love it or are being cheeky (ohhh those Brits)...but they do in fact love it.
Personally I kinda think it's weak. Obviously Britney could do much better for her COMEBACK single. This is no Toxic. It's not even Oops! I Did It Again. "It's Britney, bitch." Oh, hahaha!
As Kat would say, I command you to Listen To These Guys Or Else (LTTGOE). Chiodos have a new CD, Bone Palace Ballet, coming out September 4 and from what I've heard so far it's going to make some waves. As with their previous release All's Well That Ends Well, each song is a multi-faceted roller coaster ride of musical genres. One second lead singer Craig Owens will be demonstrating a vocal range comparable to Anthony Green's (Circa Survive, Saosin) accompanied by some piano and the next you'll find yourself battling with chugging guitars, dueling metal riffs and gut-wrenching screams.
They're also well known for their energetic live show which I witnessed first hand at this year's Warped Tour. Check out some pictures I snapped. You can also listen to a couple of new songs on their MySpace page.
Ok, if you've been reading the gossip blogs you know that the Heroes cast is on a world promotional tour for the DVD release of Season One. Milo/Hayden/Adrian/Jack are working it in Europe while Sendhil/Ali/Greg/Masi are doing their thing in Asia.. So who does that leave us with?
These guys are holding fort in North America and tomorrow they'll be on MOD.. Not going to lie, I was a little disappointed that Milo wasn't going to be making his way to the Great White North. BUT the fact that Zachary Quinto will be gracing us his with presence completely makes up for it.. Is it just me or is anyone else giddy about their appearance? Me=Big TV Nerd.
If you haven't seen The Cons in a live setting, you REALLY should.
Listening to their CD afterwards is a bit disappointing just cause their live shows are so rowdy and audience participation is at 100%. Sure, there will be some disappointed PB&J fans, but TRUST ME - having seen both bands live several times, I guarantee The Constantines will put on a more energetic and heartfelt performance than PB&J ever have. I'm pleased about this news!
I think I might die. My favourite reality show is coming back to television this Fall! Twice!
Project Runway Canada (hosted by the Supermodel Iman - aka Mrs. David Bowie) debuts this October and then German-hottie Heidi Klum (who will once again star) has recently announced that the great and fabulous addictive U.S. Project Runway will start its 4th season on November 14th!
And it's great that the show's Mentor, Tim Gunn, will also be back to "make it work" and to "carry on."
I CANNOT WAIT!
Now if only The Amazing Race would start up again, all my reality TV dreams would come true!
It's the most wonderful time of the year! *scanning sarcasm 100%*
...And by that I mean time for the major networks to haul out their new shows and shove them in front of an audience like an overeager stage mother forcing their child on stage in a talent competition. Sing out, Louise! Unfortunately half of the fall fare seems to lack even half the originality, charisma and flair of any tiny tot strutting their stuff on stage...so on that note, I present 5 Fall TV Shows That I Will Be Avoiding More Than That Guy I Never Called Back:
5. Moonlight (CBS) - Now I love a good vampire detective do-gooder tale as much as the next gal, if that gal is Anne Rice...but it was done well twice (Angel and Forever Knight anyone?) and should never be attempted again. Especially in the form of a plot that takes itself WAY too seriously (think Jack Bauer with fangs in a trenchcoat with a LOT of sighing and brooding). Also they've recast this one since production started...more than once - never a good sign.
4.Back to You (Fox)- I know, I'm as shocked as anyone else that Fox runs more than American Idol and 24! Who knew they had other shows? This one stars Kelsey Grammar and Patricia Heaton as recently reunited news anchors...I'm sure it will be full of hilarious misunderstandings and witty banter but these two are only funny when surrounded by funny people...so I'm guessing I'll be yawning more than laughing and just counting the days until Jack Bauer boots them from the line-up.
3.Cavemen (ABC)- So you know those somewhat amusing Geico commercials with the normal modern guy who just happens to be a Caveman who fights against the stereotypes of society? He got his own series. I know...there are no words. Stay tuned next year for Duck staring the crazy quacker from the Aflac commercials.
2.Lipstick Jungle (NBC)- Colour me far from excited...a show about stereotypical women and the challenges they face in life and love in New York City. With exciting plots like why doesn't that guy like me for me?, this outfit is Prada so why doesn't my boss respect me? and the multi-episode arc of he's just not that into you. From the creator of Sex and the City, Candice Bushnell...who is apparently suffering from a severe case of amnesia and doesn't realise she's already made this exact show. Someone should really tell her...AWKWARD!
1.The Return of Jezebel James (FOX)- It pains me to say anything negative about anything from creator Amy Sherman-Palladino (she was responsible for the awesomeness that was most of the Gilmore Girls) but based on the preview not even talented twosome Parker Posey and Lauren Ambrose can save the lame premise and bad script cluster*&^% that is this show. It has cancellation written all over it.
And just so you don't think I'm Nancy Negative...check back tomorrow for my list of must-see shows coming up on TV this fall.
Freddie Mercury of 'Queen' during a concert at the Palais Omnisports in Paris. Sept 18, 1984.
Last night I got a discounted rush ticket to We Will Rock You - the hit musical based on the songs of Queen.
I want to start off by stating that the songs in this show are obviously great. I mean, it's Queen - they were amazing. Freddie Mercury was amazing. The over-the-top theatrics of the music are a good choice for a stage production.
Also, the singers in this musical are great, especially French-Canadian Yvan Pedneault in the lead role of Galileo; he has pitch-perfect - he ain't no Freddie Mercury, but then again, who is? Also Erica Peck as Scaramouche has impressive belting chops.
So then why did this show suck so damn hard? The story is set 300 years in the future, in an Orwellian world known as Planet Mall, where logo-branded clothes and "safe" computer-generated music are cherished - and individual thought is regarded as dangerous. But along comes Galileo, the young bohemian, who goes on the quest to revive the forgotten joys of Rock n' Roll. The bohemians then flee to a flooded Las Vegas (ice caps have melted) to find a statue of Freddie rise out of the water and lead them to the direction of Brian May's guitar, encased in rock at a demolished Wembley Stadium. Galileo plays the guitar and the world is reborn...?
What. The. F**k.
It's not just that the plot is sheer idiocy, but also there is some sort of moral message that is trying to be conveyed, but in such a half-assed way that I was actually offended. In the show, it is stated early on that the day Rock n' Roll died - "the day the music died".. get it? - was with the onslaught of American Idol. Funny - wasn't We Will Rock You recently showcased on an episode of Canadian Idol? It is then stated that "only the good die young," and during a nice rendition of "No One But You", they play a slideshow of Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Janice Joplin, Freddie, etc - meanwhile the song is sung by a bunch of "bohemians" who have taken on the names "Britney Spears" and "Clay Aiken"! The audacity! The story is just as trite and shallow as the music it pretends to criticize! This show is obviously just a cash grab.
And so I couldn't help thinking: why not just tell the actual biographical story of Queen instead. Their rise to fame, Freddie's unfortunate death - depressing, yes, but at least it's a STORY - one that has IMPORTANT and REAL messages. THAT'S a show that I want to see.
I just find it unfortunate that crap like this packs houses and is actually liked - the audience JUMPED to a standing ovation! But I was left in my seat, dumb-struck, and feeling grateful I didn't pay full price.
PS: Speaking of shows - one that is definitely worth seeing and one that restores my faith in theatre is Evil Dead: The Musical. It's totally rank and silly and full of fake blood (but also extremely clever) - what's not to love! (Hurry - it closes in 2 weeks!)
A couple days ago Justin and I attended X'07, which is XBOX's gaming preview event! I recently got a XBOX 360 and haven't stopped playing it. This event was the perfect chance for me to get familiar with some great games like Halo 3, Guitar Hero 3 and a bunch more. One of the games that blew me away was Call Of Duty 4. The graphics and game play were just fantastic! The realism of the game caught my eye and the game looks spectacular. Right next to it was the highly anticipated Guitar Hero 3 - I didn't get a chance to play it but still, it looked awesome. That will surely be on my games to buy list!
Next up were the sports games. I gave NHL 2K8 a shot and I enjoyed it, but I grew up playing EA Sports NHL and personally there is nothing like it! Soon we stumbled upon the EA Sports area. They had all sorts of games to play but I was drawn to FIFA Soccer 08 (being the soccer fanatic I am). This game was one of the reasons why I bought an XBOX 360, so when I saw it there I had to play it! The guys from EA Sports showed me a couple new features and I was amazed! You will be blown away! One of the new features is called Pro Skills. This allows you to do tricks and the skills of a real player, or you can create your own by using the right stick! The other feature that was shown to me was called Be A Pro: Offline Training. This is really cool if you're into soccer; it allows you to be one specific player on the team and you play the whole game as that one guy. You can call for a pass or if you are defending you can call over a team-mate and double team your opponent! While your opponent has possession of the ball, it shows you which player you should be covering and where you are supposed to be on the field. The other feature that ties in with Be A Pro is the online version. This allows five of your friends to play on one team as one specific player against another team of five different individual players!
Overall I had a wicked time and cannot wait to get my hands on these games. Enjoy!
It wasn't even a year later that Rihanna sexily slapped us all in the face when she released her "Tainted Love" flavoured tune "SOS". The accompanying video was full of glittery skin, flying bed hair, arched backs, gyrating posteriors, voyeuristic angles and some serious attitude. And we didn't even have time to wonder what happened to sweet, sweet "pon de replay...please?" Rihanna, cause she was too busy smacking us around with the hottest song of 2006.
Apparently, the naughty dancing wasn't just an act - her next single "Unfaithful" didn't just flirt with cheating, it did the nasty and kicked it to the curb. With lines like "I know that he knows I'm unfaithful" and "I don't wanna be a murderer", Rihanna was suddenly an 18-year-old with skeletons in her closet - especially when she revealed in interviews that she can sing from experience.
Speaking of cheating, Rihanna's growing popularity brought on rumours that she was having an affair with Jay-Z, which of course spawned whispers of a rivalry with Beyonce. She insists that none of the gossip is true, but neither story helps project a good girl image!
But does Rihanna even want to be seen as a good girl? Sorry, what was that? We're too busy watching the video for "Umbrella" for the gazillionth time. In 2007, Rihanna's third album "Good Girl Gone Bad" was kicked off with yet another super foxy clip, wherein the dancing is not only as sexy as ever, but she goes totally nude - except for some silver body paint.
So now, in 2007, Rihanna is one of the hottest performers on the scene, but is she REALLY naughty? Nah. She can act naughty, she can LOOK naughty, but when you get down to it, she's a good girl acting bad. Compared to some other celebs, Rihanna is but a cupcake.
So, who else is shaking their head in disbelief over what's happening to Owen Wilson?
If you follow celebrity culture and gossip as closely as I do (as closely as most of us do at Much), then you've probably become desensitized to news of celebrities going over the edge. Britney, Lindsay, Nicole, Pete, AMY - you hear about their various drug/alcohol/emotional issues just about every week.
And let's be honest, their antics are getting pretty tired right about now - they're rich and famous, they want for nothing, have unlimited resources to get help, yet they continue their train-wreck ways. Don't you just feel like screaming, GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER ALREADY!!?? Especially after their third DUI or tenth failed stint in rehab?
But I have to say, I was genuinely shocked by the news that funnyman Owen Wilson had attempted to take his own life. Didn't he always seem like a laid-back, fun-loving, happy-go-lucky guy? Talented, successful, well-liked in Hollywood - what could possibly drive him to attempt SUICIDE?
Reports are surfacing that Owen's been battling depression and an addiction to cocaine and heroin - which is about as bad as it can get for anyone. We may never know the real reasons behind all of this or the depths of his pain, but I really doubt he tried to kill himself because his ex has a new boyfriend. C'mon people.
All this just goes to show that you can never really know what a person is going through, even when they're famous and you THINK you know everything about them. And, it goes to show that the same people that make you laugh are often the most tortured souls of all - John Belushi, Chris Farley, Dave Chappelle, the list goes on...
Here's hoping that Owen makes it through this dark period in his life - and that all those other young, troubled stars do too.
I know it must seem like all I ever post about is Beck, but truth be told I think he's trumps and his new single further solidifies that fact - Timebomb, Beck's newest single (NOT on his latest album, The Information, btw) is available as a downloadable single over at iTunes and as an LE vinyl, and it's Beck at his finest - a funky, sing & clap along jam that you just might fall in love with.
Whiskey Clone notes that Beck first played the song live at a few shows in late 2006, and it resurfaced again when he toured Australia/Japan.
Beck himself says Timebomb is "a song for bonfires, blackouts, and the last hurrah of summer."
Fittingly, this coming weekend IS the last hurrah of summer, so what are you waiting for? Grab it from iTunes or watch this homemade video accompaniment for the song, made by two dudes named Trevor & Will:
I've now realized why My Chemical Romance sang a cover version of Rihanna's "Umbrella" at a recent concert - MCR singer Gerard Way has a comic book coming out entitled "The Umbrella Academy"!!! The fine folks over at wizarduniverse.com had a little sit-down interview with Gerard and Dark Horse editor Scott Allie to chat about the upcoming comic book series - and to share the awesome cover art by James Jean.
Ok, so Rihanna is smoking the album charts and the land of music video this summer, and Shia LeBoeuf is all the rage what with his wee Transformers movie and an upcoming role in Indiana Jones 4. These are facts we cannot argue with. But, BUT, who could have EVER fathomed that these two hot stuffs would end up DATING?! Is it just me or is this an odd pair? Isn't she like, a foot taller than him? Ok, ok, the more I think about this, the more I see it making sense. Both young, successful, cute and charming. Go forth and be strangely beautiful together, nubile pups!
She was so adorable, that Rihanna, with her sleeper summer hit "Pon De Replay" in 2005. Fully clothed and guided by a sort of shy awkwardness, noone could ever guess that the same girl in this video would only a year later explode into the high ranks of the grown & sexy.
Her interviews in the first year were conducted with the bashfulness of a girl who was seeing the world for the first time - but let's not forget that she was only 17 years old, and freshly plucked from her homeland Barbados. And let's be honest, "Pon De Replay" was a catchy tune, but its simplicity along with Rihanna's coy mannerisms seemed to spell one hit wonder. Yes, she was a sweet girl with a nice smile; be-sneakered and be-pantsed and believed to be one of the good ones...
Rihanna's "Umbrella" has really taken the world by storm (pun intended), and proof can be found in these numerous cover versions I posted a couple of weeks ago.
Well, it seems My Chemical Romance has decided to join the Cover Club with an "Umbrella" of their own to stand under! Enjoy!
Giles Fielder-Civil, Amy Winehouse's father-in-law, has suggested to the BBC that fans boycott Amy's records, which he thinks might force the troubled singer and her musician hubby, Blake Fielder-Civil, to seek professional help for their alleged drug problems.
I'm all for this. Amy shouldn't be making album sales off her drug-fueled publicity, so I'm fine with jumping on this boycott bandwagon. Plus I've boycotted some other things recently such as the Lindsay Lohan flick "I Know Who Killed Me" purely due to her irresponsible, over-the-top, party-going ways. Okay, okay, I didn't really want to see that crap movie anyway.
OH! But I did kind of boycott MySpace for a while when Facebook entered the picture. So maybe that's the solution: don't necessarily enforce a full-on boycott - but just find a better alternative instead.
In Amy Winehouse's case, that alternative can be found in my new favourite cheeky Brit by the name of Kate Nash, whom I've mentioned on this blog before - and I love her so much that I will mention her as often as I can. And if you don't like that, then you can start a boycott of your own. Just don't boycott this blog. 'Cuz then I get fired.
My jaw dropped when I found out that last night Feist performed 1 2 3 4 on Letterman with an indie backing choir/band which consisted of members from the following bands:
Dressed in white (very Polyphonic Spree), the choir supported the songstress in this lovely song. Why couldn't every performance be like this? It'd be like an indie Christmas every day... I'm just impressed that Feist managed to get everyone together for one night!
P.S. I loved the sparkly armbands that everyone wore! Nice touch..Oh and Feist sounded amazing, as per usual...
So today the big news in allthemusicblogs is the pending reunion of seminal shoegazers My Bloody Valentine. I thought it would only be appropriate that my typing be accompanied by an AWESOME shoegaze compilation that I have on my iPod called Like A Daydream: A Shoegazing Guide. It contains quintessential tracks by all the big names like Ride, Chapterhouse, Slowdive, Curve, Pale Saints & Kevin Shields.
Word has it MBV are planning to reunite in time for Coachella 2008 - the band have a new MySpace page and are also rebuilding their current official site. What better festival to relaunch your career than Coachella? It worked for Daft Punk & Rage Against The Machine.
By now we all know that Kevin Shields is a fickle f**ker. A meticulous and relentless perfectionist. No doubt he wants to do the reunion on HIS terms. For HIS prize. And when HE's ready. What with every other band reuniting (or in talks of reuniting), now's as great a time as any, right? Earlier this year Kevin said, "We are 100% going to make another My Bloody Valentine record - unless we die or something."
And let's face it, who doesn't list Loveless as one of their desert island, top 10 albums of all time? No one, that's who. Its legacy in music is mind-boggling.
BTW, if you can ever get a hold of the book Creation Records Story: My Magpie Eyes Are Hungry For The Prize (it sometimes goes out of print), do it. At 795 pages it's a monster, but it's well worth the read!
OK so I'm interviewing Poison and possibly RATT later today!!! Between them they have sold about 45 million albums worldwide, say what you want but NOBODY is selling records like that anymore.
I know a lot of people will say that grunge pretty much put an end to the hair metal bands of that era and caused a shift in music, and for the most part I think that is very, very true and makes me feel like the musical gods were good to us at that time.
It's my argument however that this music never really died, it just has been presented in a new form sometimes called "post grunge". It got me thinking about what bands today are just filling the void for that type of watered down hard rock that still sells millions.
Here is what I mean...and please feel free to post your own Now and Then comparisons...or disagree with me.
Now: Nickelback Then: 1987's Bon Jovi
Now: The Used Then: 1989's Motley Crue
Now: Default Then: 1987's White Lion
Is this mean? And to what bands am I being mean is the real question.
Check out The Loop Weekend for my interview with Poison this Saturday 11am ET and 11pm ET Sunday.
Britney Spears has the worst luck ev-ah! First Ms. Spears is being investigated for child abuse, but now her dog has a broken leg! But before all you animal lovers freak out, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has dropped its canine investigation and the pup is recovering, wearing a cast.
So what actually happened? Turns out someone (don't know who, but I do have my suspicions) stepped on the leg of the lil' pooch while making his or her way into a walk-in closet. Oh the trials and tribulations of the rich and famous who have children and dogs running amok as they are blindly going from one walk-in closet to the next... It must get so confusing.
Next question: Why does she even have a dog? You'd think the drama surrounding her two children are causing her enough headache as is.
Okay - so apparently not only is it "Back to School" season, it's also "time to film our music video" season...so what other band is also filming in Toronto this week?
They need some extras for a video shoot happening this Thursday, August 30, in Toronto. They're looking for guys and gals between the ages of 18 and 30... the more tattoos and piercings the better! Now don't get too discouraged if your body is an art-free zone...all are welcome (and encouraged) to apply.
So if you think you have what it takes...and then some, this is Hedley we're talking about so low-key and normal are words they've never even heard...then send some photos to extras@blinkpictures.com.
Sounds exciting, no? And considering the band? You just know it won't be boring.
...and that, my friends, has to be the best line that came out of last night's show! Who would've thought that Lauren Conrad is actually funny? I harp on her because besides her lowly pout, the only time we ever see an ounce of personality shine through is when she talks about Heidi or Spence. Why is it that I find it hard to believe that LC and a personality can actually co-exist? Moving on.
So on last night's episode of The HillsLauren, Audrina and the dirtbag known as Justin Bobby (or JB for his homies) attend Brody Jenner's BBQ Beach Bash sans Spencer Pratt. Drama? You know it...
When Spence bails on Brody (a la Heidi styles) to go visit Ms. Montag's (a.k.a. future Mrs. Pratt) family in Crestview, Colarado, Mr. Jenner blows up at his 'partner' in crime. Will Brody survive this party alone without his blonde, bug-eyed Cabbage patch dolled friend?
Errr, kind of...while Speidi meet the parents (we'll get to this goody in a wee bit), LC tackles Jenner (obviously letting out some past aggression) in a friendly game of football and somehow manages to break Brody's finger! OH EMM GEEEE!!
What's a pretty boy to do with a leg of an armcast messing up his game? Rekindle with an old flame over his soon to be ex-best friend's lack of friendship, duh! Could this be the beginning of the end?
OK, now let's get back to the good stuff - SPEIDI! First off, if you propose to a girl why are you so hesitant to break plans and meet the parents? Because you're Spencer Pratt.
Secondly, I had no idea that Heidi came from such a 'humble' background. Judging by her shopping habits, the men that she dates, and the people she surrounds herself with, you would've thought she was born a L.A. Princess. She certainly had me fooled. And hello, I'm surprised that her parents are actually good parents and by that I mean, they question the relationship she's in and why she's lost all of her friends...
I'm so used to the Laguna parents caring more about their appearance on the show than their own children. So, seeing parents actually parent their child is kind of refreshing. Kudos to the Montags!
And lastly, let's discuss Spencer's re-enactment of why Heidi and Lauren's relationship fell apart - "I WANT HEIDI TO MYSELF" - Psychotic? Perhaps. On the verge of a mental breakdown? Maybe. Ready to commit mass murder? Definitely.
So that pretty much sums up this episode of The Hills... Oh wait, how could I forget about the darling Justin Bobby ditching Audrina at the beach party for another skanky ho. The fact that JB manages to pick up while sporting commando boots and short shorts is, well, surprising! Actually, I would have to say it is rather impressive. Perhaps, behind that layer of filth and dirt must lie some sort of charm, right? Yeah, I don't even know why I even gave him a chance...
Oh and I forgot to mention that Lauren shed a tear, well a few, for Heidi. There were definitely a few 'awwww' moments during that scene but me thinks there won't be a reunion anytime soon...
Well kids, in the words of the oh-so wise Brody Jenner - 'time to get your fitness on.' Seriously, get to it. Until next time.
Today, Tuesday, is my first day back at work. I had a long weekend, which was nice...besides the fact that for some strange reason flu-like symptoms know not weekdays - I mean I thought I loved weekends...well, not like a @#$%ing cold, I mean that bastard loves a Saturday/Sunday! He'll wait all week to creep up on you...
Anyway, this weekend and yesterday during my day off my goal was to get a bunch of errands done, one of which was getting my car serviced. So I go down to the dealership for the appointment I made, only to find out they're running behind, which is fine. But I mean, if I'm ever running behind they can't take me, but when they're running behind it's a matter of fact, it's as though my time isn't important. Good old German cars just tell us the truth - they take forever to fix!
So the estimated wait time is an hour and a half...I know, but I wait. They call me up to the counter 15 minutes before my car should have been ready to tell me the wrong part had been ordered and that I would have to make another appointment next week, while the correct part is ordered...could they not have told me that an hour ago??
Pissed off, I walk over to the parts department, because VW has twenty different departments - I mean that way there is a lot more confusion and lack of communication. Over at the parts department, I go about ordering the part that I apparently need only to find out the part that was previously ordered was the correct part..............they convey this to the technician in the garage who fixes the cars, and then ask me to wait another hour and a half...@$&#%^*#%(*#%&(%%&($%&
I'm selling my car next week...let me know if you're interested!
Justin is king. I was lucky enough to slip into the JT concert here in Toronto last week with Ms. Sarah Taylor to see everyone's favourite boyfriend perform. I have to say I was impressed. Beyond impressed. He performed every song I know of his in its entirety. He raced around the circle stage at least 100 times to make sure that everyone got their fill. He did dance solos, had a couple drinks with the audience and did his signature bashful chuckle that would seduce a nun. If Jessica Biel wasn't sitting front and centre I am sure he would have been mobbed.
Anyway it was the perfect last hot show of summer. Now we slip into the week that is the quiet before the storm. The last sleepy week of summer before the madness that is Toronto International Film Festival and VFest rains down on the city. I can't wait! I know there have been mixed feelings expressed on this blog about summer finally coming to an end but I would like to say, for the record, that I am SAD to see it go.
I remember January freezing to death praying for a ray of sunshine so I am not taking a single moment of the waning summer heat for granted. MuchMusic will be out in full effect for TIFF and VFest so I hope to see you there.
You know, I've come to terms with the fact that my life is experiencing a serious TV drought right now. I should live my life on the outside anyway, right? If by outside you mean Facebook Scrabble, then YES.
Lo and behold; HARK; omijebus - the finalists for cycle...let's see, 9? Have been announced to the world for observation and discussion. Let the picking of favourites begin! You will see that based on the above photo alone, I have selected my preliminary most prettiest. If you click this here link, there are more individual photos, names and occupations ranging from "college student" to "nursing student". And if you click HERE, you will note the video introduction courtesy of ET. What's with the "plus size" model who's a size 8? Has plus size modelling gone from size 14 to 8? Wtf? Anyway, could Sarah be our first "plus size" winner? We shall see, dear turdmunch... we shall see.
When Warped Tour showed its dirty face in Barrie, ON, Kat and Justin trudged right into the middle of the furious dust clouds to bring YOU words of wisdom and experience straight from the source. Kat spoke to illScarlett, The Almost, Biffy Clyro, As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage, Gallows, Bad Religion and k-os and we've thrown it all together into one filthy pile of sass. Check it out!
Okay...maybe you're not looking to be a star but maybe you're just looking for something cool to do...say on Tuesday, August 28th? If you're down in the T.Dot and wouldn't mind getting your very own 15 minutes of shiny happy fame...Roz Bell is looking for extras for his new video!
Hometown talent Roz Bell is shooting his very first music video for his awesome new single 'Papercut' next Tuesday and he wants you to be a part of the action! Well...not just you... but you and 24 others between the ages of 19-25 who love hangin' out, sipping a few beverages and chillin' to cool music.
Interested? Just shoot an email - including a photo of your fine self with the subject line ROZ BELL VIDEO - to canada.webmaster@umusic.com and let us know that you want to be in Roz Bell's new video for 'Papercut'!
It sounds like a ton of fun and definitely like a fantastic way to cap off this awesome summer, right? So what are you waiting for?
The Brits seem to love their Kate Nash (she debuted last week at #1 on the UK charts). She's now crossed the big blue ocean and we here at Much have her album, Made of Bricks, as a First Spin.
I'm about on my third spin with this album and I love it. It follows in the footsteps of other British songstresses as of late such as Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse, but also with a dash of Sophie Ellis Bextor ("Murder On The Dancefloor," anyone?) - yet maintains a flair of refreshing originality.
LISTEN TO IT! It's boppy, poppy, cheeky fun - a combo that only the Brits can seem to pull off. Stand-out songs are "Foundations," "Mouthwash," and "We Get On."
How these many years I have loved summer weather in Toronto. Wearing thongs on my toes, playing with puppies and watching the young Canadians taking off more and more clothing have always been satisfying pastimes since I was a tiny, tiny, ridiculously adorable child. OK, maybe not the half naked thing...I was basically asexual until I turned 18. Anyway the point is it's totally over. No not the sexual thing...pervert.
I'm OVER SUMMER. My wishes are clear. No more shorts, no more public transit sweating, no more toe cleavage and no more BARKING (except from my own little lamb, Vivienne).
Time to move on, non? The fall means the beginning of a time of rejuvenation. And because I'm a Virgo - queen of the harvest (and uh, the virgin...back to the asexual thing?) - it means the beginning of a new year which I personally am desperately in need of.
So I say bring on the leaves! Bring on the birthday celebrations for Virgos around the nation! Bring on new fall programming and heavens BRING ON VIRGIN FEST.
The weekend is here and I'm stoked! I have a week off next week so today will be the start of my vacation! The day started well - let's hope it stays that way...woke up excited for the weekend, put my iPod on shuffle on the way to work and nothing but great songs kept coming on.
And now I'm at work and preparing for my interview with Adam West! Now some of you may be wondering: "who is that?" well, he was the original Batman from the original Batman TV show! And now he is the mayor on Family Guy. I left out everything else he has done but he has a long list to his name...very successful career.
Anyway i should get back to researching but I have one more thing: I know I have mentioned Cauterize many, many times either on air or on here, but I really want to let you guys know how amazing they are...I'm trying to help them out so please go check out their MySpace or go and pick up their album! You'd be helping me out, helping them out, and you'd be helping yourself out too because you will love the tunes!
OK so that's all now, have a great weekend and I'll talk to you guys later!
P.S.: Thanks to everyone who texts in during flow and MOD, you guys rock! You're way too nice!
Okay, it's not often you come into work and waiting for you in your inbox is an invitation for a Kanye West listening party, but today just happened to be that day for me! My days are always busy but, what's work when an opportunity like this is sitting in front of you like a giant frosted cupcake!? Besides, I had to see if the record was going to live up to the hype that Kanye has started. Kanye wasn't going to be there, but so what - the bar is open and it's an hour away from the office ... and did I mention it's open bar!? Not that I had a drink, I mean I'm a responsible producer!
So, it's just me, the boys and about thirty or forty other serious hip-hop industry heads. The record is introduced by the Universal label rep from New York who informs us that we're the first to hear the entire album and then asks us to turn off our phones and warns that the CD is water marked - just in case any of us wanted to leak it. Anyways, you probably don't care about any of this stuff! What everyone wants to know is, is it good! Well, I won't make you wait. The record moved me! Yes, I said moved me. I have to say that I went in with low expectations - I didn't exactly love the last album - but this one got me.
The Graduation has honestly got something for everyone, and totally has a way of taking you back to that feeling you had listening to College Dropout. From "Drunk and Hot Girls" (featuring Mos Def), a very mellow, tripped-out track, to "Glory", an energetic head nodder that's perfect to kick off the album, to the heavily influenced techno club banger "I Wonder", the album is solid start to finish. I congratulate Mr. West for graduating with honours for this one.
The only thing left to see is will enough listeners force 50 Cent into retirement by going out the first week and spending their cash on this very hyped and amazing third effort? I know I'll be in line and my fingers will be crossed that there is a really long line-up behind me!
Last week, Bobby posted his doubts that the British chanteuse Amy Winehouse would actually show up to Toronto's Vfest (Sept 8 & 9) as planned. But now his doubts have come into fruition: Amy has canceled her North American gigs. Is she in rehab? Who knows - she's apparently "addressing her health." Oh Amy! How could you?! We were oh-so-looking forward to being witness to your bizarre drunken concert antics! Get well, Amy... get well.
Regardless, it will be a great show and some new artists have recently been added to the line-up (such as k-os and The Most Serene Republic). You can see the full list here - and keep checking back, because who knows who else might drop by!
In the meantime, say a prayer for Ms. Wino-house. I'm sure she needs anything she can get (well, anything that isn't an illegal substance, that is... *cough cough*).
