RóisÃn The Roof
RóisÃn Murphy's new single, You Know Me Better, is coming out soon, and what better to do than celebrate its release? OKAY, YOU CAUGHT ME. FINE. So I wasn't a RóisÃn fan until just today. You there in the back, put down the pitchfork and allow me to explain myself.
I was really lukewarm about Ruby Blue, her debut in 2005, except for 
that "Night of the Dancing Flame" and "Ramalama (Bang Bang)." When I heard "Overpowered," I felt like it was lightly disco-tinged Ruby Blue reject with a fading glimmer of promise. Then I heard "Let Me Know," and I said "Well alright, she's getting a little fancy here. Whatever. I fear change, and I'm too different to give in now." Finally, I saw the photoshoot clip on PopJustice of her newest single, and I went, "...Oh, goddamn it. I give in." How was I supposed to know she was going to get all "electro for the intellectuals" on me? In all seriousness, it's really sublime what she's done, so much better than I gave her credit for. I'm really excited to convert into a fan, mainly because she wears silly hats. Also, she has accented letters in her name like Björk, making me look very cultured. Now expect a full album review later on this week. Now watch a live performance of her upcoming single, "You Know Me Better." It's a shame, really. The costume designer simply gave her NO shoulders.
Michael, I apologize for not listening. Forgive me.
And you, what do you think?
A Speck of Decency
Astoundingly, someone has finally decided to have some moral decency and not continue to sell Britney Spears further down the river. Professional asshat Dr. Phil has exclusively told Entertainment Tonight Online that he will not go forward with the Britney special:
"Because the Spears situation is too intense at this time, and out of consideration to the family, I have made the decision not to move forward with the taping at this particular time. Britney and her family are in our prayers and we ask that they be in yours."
Now, if only her friends, family, and enablers followed suit. By the way, the official reports have come through, and she truly wasn't on any drugs or alcohol. Now I'm not saying she's completely innocent, but for God's sake, when someone's going through psychological distress, they can't exactly make rational decisions to protect themselves now can they?
Oh, and she's prancing around with the photographer somewhere in California. What did you expect? She's surrounded by money-hungry assholes, each wanting her for various financial exploitations. Do you think she can see the difference between friend and foe anymore?
I miss my idol. That is all.
And you, what do you think?
America Hates Women
I rarely wax political here, but I feel this needs to be said. Due to rumors and gossip regarding Hilary Clinton's possible exit from the race for the Presidency, there have been a lot of people saying, "Wow. I guess America really isn't ready for a female president."
To those people, I'd just like to say, "Mr./Ms./Miss Douche Nozzle, it's nice to see you so involved in the ongoing quest for gender equality within the political sphere, but did you notice that you're TALKING OUT YOUR ASS? Unless Hilary Clinton acts as a representative for all women, and I think I can find one or two who may protest against such an idea, then I guess the issue was, um...Oh, right. HILARY CLINTON. She is just ONE woman campaigning. You cannot make such a sweeping statement about the presidency simply because one candidate, who happens to be a woman, is not winning the race. God forbid the public chooses a candidate based on their beliefs and positions on the issues. Just because a woman can become president, it doesn't fucking mean that any running candidate with boobies should be president. Well, that's a bad example. Almost all of the candidates have some major boobage going on. By the way, dearest Mr./Mrs./Miss Douche Bag, are you planning to vote this year? Oh...wait, really? Wow, we are royally fucked.
End politik.
And you, what do you think?
Watch Me Crank It, Watch Me NOOOO!!!!!!!
Oh, dear. It seems that the incredibly relevant talent and sure-fire winner for next year's People's Sexiest Man of the Year known as Soulja Boy, 19, may soon be the next one to spawn in La La land. A woman has come to MediaTakeOut and told them exclusively that she is his soon-to-be baby's mama, even though he isn't returning her texts and whatnot. I'm pretty sure I don't care, but I bet other people will.
The soon-to-be mother tells MediaTakeOut.com, "I'm not just some groupie looking for a payday, me and [Soulja Boy] have history." She continues, "But ever since I told him that I [might be] pregnant, he stopped returning my calls and texts ... If I don't hear from him soon, I'm going to have to get a lawyer."
Does Bathing Ape make binkies?
Don't Let the Rose Tinted Glasses Fool You!
Alright, taking this show from the East to the West, I'm moving on to an artist that will never be given due credit, even though she may have one of the best voices you've never heard. Anastacia is from America. More specifically, Chicago (The Windy City, don'tchaknow?). You'd never guess it now, but she made it big by appearing on a pre-Idol type of talent show called The Cut on MTV back in 1999, where she didn't even win (second place). However, she still landed a deal. Besides a handful of club songs that every gay knows from birth (I'm pretty sure you're born with them, but maybe it's Maybelline) such as "I'm Outta Love," she's only famous in Europe. Figures. I actually discredited her for ages because her album cover art and her general appearance made her seem a bit like a hoochie mama, Britney rip-off. What, me judgmental? When I finally gave her a listen for whatever reason, I was absolutely blown away. And also excited that I found a true belter that could also be a sexy mama (CELINE, I don't mean that you're not sexy too, WAIT!! Sing for me. SING FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD.) But I swear, her voice is up there with the best. It's just darker.
Anastacia's voice is the stronger, better version of that of Megan McCauley, if you've seen her on Perez's blog. It's deeper than you would ever imagine, and I have to admit, I had to replay "Left Outside Alone" about three times before I accepted that the song was not off pitch. Her songs are often rockish with a tinge of pop soul. Anastacia refers to her songs as "sprock," which I believe sounds more like a Soviet satellite. They're also often tinged with whiff of lady empowerment, which is always my weakness. Down with the man, am I right?
Her album from 2004, the self-titled Anastacia, is one of my favorites still. It's full of gems, including "Left Outside Alone," "Sick and Tired," and "Heavy on my Heart." Right now, she's been on musical break after being diagnosed and recovering from a breast cancer diagnosis, which is in remission. She is said to be returning to the music scene soon. In fact, checking her Wiki, it appears that she'll be holding a press conference any day now to confirm the new album! For now, her music shouldn't be ignored any longer, so take advantage of these. Can you tell that I'm not home to upload the tracks?
"Heavy On My Heart," a heart-wrenching ballad (2005).
"I'm Outta Love" The one all you gays already know. If you knew this and you weren't gay, you're gay (1999).
"Left Outside Alone" Fucking AMAZING angry song (2004).
And finally...it's a duet with Celine, singing "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC during the Divas special in Las Vegas. And if Celine + Air Guitar Solo + Interpretive Dance + Midriffs + COWBELL isn't the best thing you've ever heard in your life, you're probably better off not reading this blog. P.S. Does anyone else think Celine is the spitting image of Kathy Griffin in this performance?
Please be sure to buy Anastacia's self-titled third album,Anastacia
Photoshoots and Teddy Bears
Aww, look how cute she is! Promotion is in full swing for Utada's next single, HEART STATION/Stay Gold, and the photoshoots have begun surfacing on the interwebs. I mean, sure she doesn't really look like herself, but since when was that important? Next step: Taking her away from the keyboard. Seriously. This woman should not be in charge of her blogging destiny...all she does is write about her stuffed bear, Kuma. Like, an entry per day. For the past. TWO YEARS. WE GET IT, HIKARU. IT'S BIG AND BROWN, AND VERY, VERY FLUFFY.
And the song that you wrote, written by Kuma which was sold to the public. For someone who wrote songs with such conviction as "Colors" and "Passion," it's no wonder that these moving, existentialist lyrics came pouring out:
"I am a bear, a bear, a bear. I am not a car, I am a bear, a bear a bear. I can't walk, but I can dance. can’t talk but I can sing. My rival is fried shrimp. I was probably chocolate in my past life."
I'm still waiting for a formal apology. Preferably in the shape of a second English album. With no mention of bears of any variety.
And you, what do you think?
Utada Hikaru - Stay Gold
AHHHH. I was just about to slumber, when I found that Utada's "Stay Gold" just premiered on the radio a few moments ago. It's only a low quality rip, but it sounds lovely. The emotional lyrics are clearly channeled through Hikki's breathy, pleading chants. If only this were HQ. I can't wait to review this single in full! Click through to read the original and translated lyrics, roughly transcribed thanks to RetroJapan over at the Hikaru forums.
Daisuki dakara zutto
Nannimo shinpai iranaiwa
My Darling, Stay Gold
Mujakini waratte kudasaina
Itsumademo...
Anata no hitomi no oku ni hisomu shounenn
Watashi no honnou kusugutte yamanai
Aah douka sonomama
Good Luck
Kanashii koto ha kitto
Konosakinimo ippai aruwa
My Darling, Stay Gold
Kizutsuku koto mo daijidakara
Daisuki dakara zutto
Nannimo shinpai iranaiwa
My Darling, Stay Gold
Mujakini waratte kudasaina
Itsumademo...
Shuushoku mo kimatte
Asondebakari irarenaine
Otona no joushiki ya chie mi ni tsukeru no mo ii
Aah Kyou ha konomama
Good Night
Kawariyuku no ga
Hito no kokoro no tsune dato iimasuga
Ne daarin Your Soul
Yasashiku kagayaki tsuzukeruwa
Daisuki dakara zutto
Nannimo shinpai iranaiwa
My Darling, Stay Gold
Mujakini waratte kudasaina
Itsumademo...
Daisuki dakara zutto
Nannimo shinpai iranaiwa
My Darling, Stay Gold
Mujakini waratte iraretara
Itsunohimo...
Because I love you
You don't have to worry about anything
My Darling, Stay Gold
Please smile innocently
Forever...
The young boy hidden deep within your eyes
Continues to entice my instincts
Aah somehow, let it continue
Good Luck
There will most likely continue to be
Sad things ahead of us
My Darling, Stay Gold
Because even getting hurt is important
Because I love you
You don't have to worry about anything
My Darling, Stay Gold
Please smile innocently
Forever...
Figured out a job
We can't continue playing around forever
Sometimes it's good to learn adult intelligence and common sense
Ahh Tonight, let's just say
Good Night
They say change is
A fundamental part of the human heart
But Darling, Your Soul
Will continue to shine kindly
Because I love you
You don't have to worry about anything
My Darling, Stay Gold
Please smile innocently
Forever...
Because I love you
You don't have to worry about anything
My Darling, Stay Gold
If I can keep smiling innocently
Each and every day...
And you, what do you think?
Raplectronia
Well, this is the new single for Moby's upcoming album Last Night, called "Alice." I wouldn't begin listening to "Alice" expecting it to be representative of the album's overall sound. From the megamix, it sounds like each song brings a different sound and genre to the table. Here we have some pensive, free flowing rap paired with a dull, thumping electronica beat. You know, it's even slightly reminiscent of a down-tempo Kanye West song or something. Regardless, it's not my favorite, but I know it's meant to represent a mere portion of the more dance-oriented final product, so take it with a grain of glitter.
DL: Moby - Alice
And you, what do you think?
Idol's Kiss of Death
Seems that the dreaded American Idol title carries continues into the new year, as Entertainment Weekly reports that season five winner, Taylor Hicks, has been dropped from J Records due to lacking sales. Reports also started weeks ago that Ruben Studdard had been dropped from the company from sales losses as well. What with Fantasia being all absent during her Broadway premiere and Jordan Sparks' album premiering at the worst debut ranking ever for an Idol winner...has winning Idol become the kiss of death? Creo que si.
And you, what do you think?
Piece of Me ...Live?
There are many great Piece of Me remixes out at the moment, but there's only one that I still listen to constantly. Not really a remix...it's called the "live" version. Made to sound like an actual performance, the song features a roaring crowd, extra sound effects, and live quality vocals. It was made by someone over at the Britney forums, but I forget who. I believe they ended up creating an entire tour around Blackout's tracks. It truly sounds like she's putting the song on live. It's such a cool interpretation of the performance...there are "moments" where Britney is apparently doing something on stage. I love it so much. I don't know if she'll ever be on stage again, but it's awesome to hear this and imagine what could be.
DL: Britney Spears - Piece Of Me (Live Version)
I've only got 4 minutes to save the world...
By the way, here's the still-fuzzy, hard to distinguish rip of Timbaland's live premiere of "4 Minutes To Save The World," minus the audience. Now if only they could remove Timbalame's presence on the track...
DL: Madonna - 4 Minutes To Save The World [Live LQ Rip]
And you, what do you think?
Mothereffing FERG...
Good God, woman...enough is enough! The sixth single from Fergie's The Dutchess will be the piano-and-strings ballad Finally, released sometime in 2008 (doesn't really matter when, it will still be played to death on the radio, ruin your marriage, and make you beat your children.) The song borders on the line between Disney film theme song and good ol' torch song. Finally...something from Fergie. I'm not saying she's over-saturating the market, I'm just saying she may be responsible for leading us into the next world war.
DL: Fergie - Finally
Source: MuzicMatters Forum & Wikipedia
And you, what do you think?