NEW: Vampire Weekend - "Cousins" (Music Video)
11/25/09
Must Be Bob Dylan
It's the time of giving, sharing, and holiday fun. This year Bob Dylan released a Christmas album titled "Christmas in the Heart." In my book, Bob Dylan can do no wrong. Is it kind of tacky and weird? Sure, but it's Bob Dylan and he can do whatever he wants and he will whether you like it or not. He's written enough hits to prove he's pure talent and a genius songwriter. He became famous during a time when talent was required unlike most "artists" you hear on the radio today.If you're a hardcore Dylan fan I suggest seeing the legend in concert. It's a trip and a half. He remixes his classic hits and nothing sounds quite the same. That's Dylan though and it's amazing.
Here is Dylan's music video for "Must be Santa." It's one of the happier songs I've ever heard Dylan sing, but then again he didn't write it. I kind of like it. It's fun to see him hobble and dance around with an accordion player following him, very Midwestern. I just hope that isn't his real hair. I like the top hat and suit, but the hair is kind of scary and you can't stop looking at it and wondering if it's a wig or if it was straightened. Happy Holidays!
-Rachel
Buzzzzzz...
The Big Pink is an electronic-rock (with a hint of Britpop) band from London. They released their debut album in September called A Brief History of Love. Their singles such as "Dominos" and "Velvet" are creating a lot of buzz after winning best new act at the Shockwaves NME Awards, an award show by the British music news magazine. Now in regular circulation on 89.3 The Current The Big Pink is a band to watch out for. They are currently on a North American Tour and they will be performing at 7th Street Entry on November 25th. Check out their video below and tell me what you think!
Download: "Dominoes" - The Big Pink
(Hint: Right click & save as)
-Annie H.
11/23/09
20 Best Live Acts of the Decade: 2000-2009
Paste Magazine released what they believe were the best live acts over the past decade. Included is a paragraph with why the magazine chose the artists they did along with videos of live performances.
The top 20 are:
20. TV on the Radio
19. Of Montreal
18. Pixies
17. The Decemberists
16. Ted Leo
15. Wilco
14. Sufjan Stevens
13. The Avett Brothers
12. Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings
11. The Hold Steady
10. Sigur Ros
9. U2
8. Bruce Springsteen
7. Polyphonic Spree
6. My Morning Jacket
5. Janelle Monae
4. Tom Waits
3. Radiohead
2. The Flaming Lips
1. Arcade Fire
I would have to completely agree with Paste Magazine about this list. Although I've only seen 2 out of the 20 acts live, I have listened almost religiously to all of these bands. I can only imagine what it would be like to see Of Montreal, Radiohead, or Sigur Ros live. If you can't see these bands live I would suggest listening to all of them if you haven't already. Everyone likes to listen to new music anyways so enjoy.
-Rachel
The top 20 are:
20. TV on the Radio
19. Of Montreal
18. Pixies
17. The Decemberists
16. Ted Leo
15. Wilco
14. Sufjan Stevens
13. The Avett Brothers
12. Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings
11. The Hold Steady
10. Sigur Ros
9. U2
8. Bruce Springsteen
7. Polyphonic Spree
6. My Morning Jacket
5. Janelle Monae
4. Tom Waits
3. Radiohead
2. The Flaming Lips
1. Arcade Fire
I would have to completely agree with Paste Magazine about this list. Although I've only seen 2 out of the 20 acts live, I have listened almost religiously to all of these bands. I can only imagine what it would be like to see Of Montreal, Radiohead, or Sigur Ros live. If you can't see these bands live I would suggest listening to all of them if you haven't already. Everyone likes to listen to new music anyways so enjoy.
-Rachel
An Unlikely Diva: Susan Boyle to Release Debut Album
-Annie H.
11/20/09
Oprah Winfrey Show to End in 2011
It is a shock that she's somewhat retiring, but the talk show host is worth over $2 billion. I think she'll be fine and ratings have slipped seven percent from last year, so maybe it's time to close the curtains and give up-and-coming broadcasters a chance. No more Tom Cruise jumping on couches like a crazed madman, seeing her weight fluctuate month by month, watching her give a ton of badass freebies to audience members, or putting books on best seller's lists just by saying she likes it. Now maybe people will once again decide what they like based on what they like instead of what Oprah likes.
Good luck Oprah. Not that you need it. You have more money than you know what to do with and everything you touch turns to pure gold and dollar bills.
-Rachel
An American Idol Gets all S&M on us
-Annie H.
11/18/09
Speidi is on the Prawl
Heidi and Spencer, also known as ‘Speidi’, are now looking for new business opportunities to sell themselves away. As of this Monday Speidi is trying to promote a new book, How to be Famous. Because they have so much valuable insight on how the average person can sell their soul to entertainment for millions. All you have to do is forget all of your morals, give up any true virtues and be as racy and controversial as possible. Be caddy, start fights with your friends, backstab every person you meet, but at the same time make the public to care. They can love you or hate you just as long as they know who you are.
Speidi, you truly are pathetic. This is just ridiculous. Have you run out of money? Are you missing the spotlight? Get the hint: No one cares about what you do! My advice to Speidi is to move on and try to enjoy each other, if that ‘s possible.
-Annie H.
Fall Out Boy's Break
Read the full interview with MTV here
-Erin
11/16/09
Jon Gosselin Sues TLC, Big Surprise
Reality "star" Jon Gosselin is suing TLC for a cool $5 million bucks, claiming the network and its representatives have damaged his reputation and any further chances of a career in the media. First of all, Jon Gosselin is a douche and he damaged his own reputation by ditching his wife and eight kids on national TV. Gosselin also claims that TLC contacted media sources he was in touch with and convinced them not to work with the dead beat dad. As I recall Gosselin signed a contract with TLC and broke that contract. I'm pretty sure that gives network every right to prevent Gosselin from having any more fun in the media's eye than he's already having.
I feel the whole "Jon & Kate plus Eight" fiasco is like beating a dead horse. At this point, no one really cares. I like the show and still watch it, but both parents seem to take every chance they get to exploit themselves and their situation to the media. Both state that they only care about their kids and what's best for their kids, but if this was true then both parents would try to keep their situation as quiet and private as possible. Here's a thought. TLC should ditch the kids all together and come up with a new show, "Jon & Kate: Fight to the Death." A half hour show per week can be devoted to Jon and Kate talking to their lawyers, magazines, and shows like "Good Morning America." The season finale can be Jon and Kate at their divorce trial, but instead of a trial, there's a boxing ring. Then just let them duke it out. I have a feeling Kate would win. Jon could never stand up to her nagging and bitching anyways like back in the old days when they were still a "happy family".
-Rachel
11/13/09
Carrie Prejean: Just Another Sex Tape Scandal
This is hilarious! Carrie Prejean dropped her claims of libel, slander, and religious discrimination against Miss USA only after lawyers informed her they had a copy of the sex tape she made when she was 17 years-old. And when Larry King simply asks about the case she freezes and just says he is being “inappropriate.” The best part is that she even fails to leave the stage! She just sits there!
King: What are you going to do next?
Prejean: Oh, my gosh. I’m just so excited to be, you know, promoting this book. I’m so excited to be an author now.
Settle down there Carrie, I wouldn’t call yourself an author just yet. Did you even write this? Then she references her sex tape by saying that there is a message to spread to young women to never do anything you would never want your biggest fans to see. Wow, way to try to make your sex tape positive. I’m sorry, but there is no way to put a positive spin on a sex tape when your supposed to be involved in volunteering and saving the world. Paris Hilton can get away with this, but this is just an utter disappointment Carrie. Seriously, why is there always a sex tape involved?
-Annie H.
Facebook is Your "Get Out of Jail Free" Card
Your Facebook status can be an alibi to keep your butt out of jail. Rodney Bradford's status proved to be a reliable alibi when he was accused and jailed for robbery. It was the time stamp and location of where the status was updated that proved it was impossible for him to have been at the scene of the crime.
I guess it's cool that something simple like that can keep you from getting wrongly convicted of a crime, but are we losing our right to privacy in the process? I understand that yes if you put something on the internet it is basically out there forever for the world to see and use as it so pleases, but it kind of sucks too.
We use the internet for everything even though we know that it's not really safe to do so. We pay our bills online, check our bank accounts online, shop online, read up on celebrity gossip, and chat with friends on Facebook. It kind of makes you think, what did our grandparents and those before them do without advanced technology? Today, WE ARE our computers, our iPods, and our cell phones. If one breaks we feel like a part of us is missing, but if it keeps me out of jail I guess I can live with that.
-Rachel
I guess it's cool that something simple like that can keep you from getting wrongly convicted of a crime, but are we losing our right to privacy in the process? I understand that yes if you put something on the internet it is basically out there forever for the world to see and use as it so pleases, but it kind of sucks too. -Rachel
11/11/09
There's a Divorce Fair?!
I love Paris. It's beautiful, different, magical, but realistic. Here's another reason why I love Paris: They not only have a wedding fair, but a fair for divorce.
This past Sunday divorcees or soon to be divorced individuals brought their marital problems to the place known as the city of lights and love. Sixty stands were dedicated to this "New Start Trade Fair" with services offering legal advice, divorce lawyers, tarot card readers, self-esteem coaches, and makeover specialists. The two-day event included talks such as "Plastic Surgery's Role in Re-Conquering your image," "Meeting on the Web," and my personal favorite, "How to Re-Seduce Your Partner Using the Gestalt Method."
-Rachel
The fair's creator had the idea after the French president divorced his wife shortly after taking office, saying that divorce has lost its stigma, its effect, and is now fairly common. I think the only reason divorce has lost its "stigma" is because marriage is not looked at as a holy union anymore. People, or some people I should say, think "well if my marriage fails, I can always get a divorce". We live in a society where kids are getting pregnant and getting married before they earn a college degree, one in which a celebrity knows someone for two weeks, marries them, and divorces them within the same month.
Even if marriage and divorce isn't taken seriously anymore, I think this divorce fair is a fantastic idea. Divorce sucks, everyone knows that. So why not make it a little easier for people? I'd go to this fair now and I'm single. Tarot card readers, makeover specialists, and free legal advice, sounds pretty legit to me and oh yeah, it's in Paris!
-Rachel
11/9/09
Welcome “worldmode” iPhone!
There has been a lot of buzz concerning Verizon’s attacks on AT&T by creating phones directly in competition of the iPhone and by attacking AT&T’s service.Well, according to AppleInsider, Apple is in the works of creating a “worldmode” iPhone that will be available to other networks, especially Verizon. Even though Verizon’s Blackberry Storm and Droid (which was just launched last Friday) were created to combat AT&T’s iPhone sales. Verizon has reportedly been in contact with Apple about getting the iPhone. In fact, Verizon is expected to have the phone within the year.
This may have negative effects for Verizon’s Droid sales, because customers may hold off to purchase the iPhone. Furthermore, AT&T may be seeing some losses as customer’s switch to Verizon. They will lose the exclusivity with the iPhone, which will most likely lower their market share.
It will be interesting to see how the two major networks will compete when they both have the iPhone. What incentives will they give to choose their network? Will the prices drop dramatically? I think this is a good thing for us consumers. Verizon and AT&T will have to compete off prices, quality of service, and size/speed of network. Finally! The end of the AT&T’s monopoly with the iPhone!
-Annie H.
Australia Needs to Chill Out: It's Britney Bitch
Britney Spears has arrived in Australia and already the Aussies have their knickers in a bunch. Ms. Spears is set to perform 14 shows while in Australia with tickets going for as much as $1,500. This creates a problem because Brit Brit is known for lip-synching during her shows and the Australian government wants consumers to know that's what they're paying for. The Aussies want to pass a law that would require artists to claim whether they will be lip-synching or performing live during their performance so audience members will know exactly what they're paying for. That's the stupidest idea I've ever heard.
As my good friend Tyler once told me, "Honey, if you want to hear a good voice you go to a Christina Aguilera show. You go to a Britney Spears concert for the performance." I agree. Everyone knows that Britney Spears lip-synchs. We've known this since day one of her career. That's not why we like her, it's because she's the whole package. It's because she is the pop princess and she can do whatever the hell she wants. I couldn't dance around and sing for an hour and a half straight, yeah right. So Australia back off and let her do the damn thing. Her fans know exactly what they're paying for.
-Rachel
CNN Needs to Find Better "Latest News" Stories
CNN is a pretty legit and respected news source for most of us. Although today under its "Latest News" section reads a story titled, "Jessica Simpson finds a Bosom Buddy". By bosom buddy they do mean, big boob buddy. Yes, the article is all about how Dolly Parton tweeted about going to the chiropractor because her back hurts because she has large breasts. Simpson tweeted back "Amen." That is basically the whole story a part from some pretty inappropriate quotes from her dad commenting on her boobs and being sexy, it's gross. Why CNN, why. This story isn't even under entertainment news. It's a few stories down from Obama, same-sex marriage decisions, and murder, oh and it is one story above voting for CNN's Hero of the year. Is celebrity news becoming more important than real news, things we should care about but no one really does?
-Rachel
-Rachel
Random Thought of the Day: Fat, American, Beef-eaters
Okay, so this is a totally random thought, but what if Americans started counting calories and eating healthier? What would happen? Well immediately, Americans would see an increase in productivity, increased happiness, and longer lives. We could finally get away from the stereotype of fat, beef eating Americans, which stereotypes are in place for a reason. We ARE fat, beef eating Americans, and anyone that disputes this fact needs to wake up! When I think of an American diet I think about the heart of this country in the Midwest consisting of meat and potatoes. What ever happened to vegetables and fruits? They are good too, I promise.
Anyway, what sparked this thought was reading an article about The House passing a Bill that would require restaurants to post calorie counts. Now, I agree with this and the population that already regulates their calorie intake would benefit from this greatly. But then again, I doubt these people go to the chain restaurants of America like McDonalds or Chili’s regularly anyway. And for the rest of America that doesn’t count calories or care to count calories and eats out three to four times a week, I don’t think adding how many calories they are taking in is going to effect their choices. If they don’t care now, this won’t make them care either.
This is a start to a healthier American diet, but adding calorie counts alone will not change what Americans eat. We need to educate the population about healthy choices, and get Americans off the BEEF!
-Annie H.
11/6/09
Elevation Wins MTVU's "The Freshmen" Video Competition
Congrats to our boys in Elevation. Their music video for "Razoreyes" feat. Kimberly Stewart is this week's winning freshmen video on MTVU.com. They have now been added to the rotation on MTV!
And the biggest mixed message of the year goes to...U2
When I heard U2's plan to perform a free concert in Berlin in front of the Brandenburg Gate to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, I thought it was great. After spending a semester abroad in Berlin, I got a feel for the city's unique history. Celebrating with music is the most fitting way to honor the reunification. One of Berlin's distinguishing characteristics is it's music scene. There is literally something for everyone. U2's free show sounded like a great idea and a great opportunity...Until I woke up this morning and read this:
MTV, Tear Down that Wall
Honestly? No one involved in planning that event stood up and said, "Hey, isn't this kind of the opposite statement we are trying to make here?" When U2 said they were giving a free concert, what they actually meant was they were giving away 10,000free tickets, and only those 10,000 were allowed in. The rest were kept out by a 2 meter barrier that went all the way around the performance area. Another wall surrounding the Brandenburg Gate.
Now, I understand safety concerns and crown control, but if the only solution was to build another wall I would almost prefer the concert not have happened at all rather than screw up the blatantly obvious symbolism that will be the only memorable part of the evening.
-Erin
Lindsay Lohan's eHarmony Profile
Lady Gaga Will Make You Die, Literally
While the infamous Gaga showed up to the ACE Awards Gala in NYC Monday, her appearance caused a fellow photographer to pass out and fall to his "death" from a ladder. His death has not been confirmed by authorities, but an ambulance was called and the man really did fall from a ladder. She didn't talk to reporters or photographers, but instead posed uniquely and made silly faces, very Gaga-like. I love Lady Gaga. I like her music, her style, and what she says to the press. I think she is unique, but to an extent. She's famous for being the complete opposite of pretty much every public famous entertainer. Gaga, though, is not the only person to wear some crazy shit when out and about. Go to any large city on a Saturday night and you wouldn't believe what some people choose to wear out to the club. Maybe that's why the general public likes her because she's not your average celebrity, but is more comparable to the average person. She's smart and knows how to market herself, obviously. But is she worth dying for?? Hell no.
Come on people, let's try and keep it together when we see celebs. This is exactly why celebrities are afraid of the public and paparazzi. I do feel that this incident falls fairly close to Gaga's song "Paparazzi" especially when she sings, "Promise I'll be kind, but I won't stop until that boy is mine/Baby you'll be famous chase you down until you love me." Well he did chase her down...and he DIED.
-Rachel
Is the iPhone Hype Over?
With all the new smart phones hitting the market, iPhone and AT&T are feeling the pinch. Verizon has been hitting AT&T hard with commercials advertising their new smart phone Droid (available today) and advertising Verizon’s largest 3G network. Droid is supposedly the Smartphone that can do everything that the iPhone can’t. Verizon directly attacks the iPhone by referring the iPhone as iDon’t.
Verizon’s campaign is also playing commercials showing maps of AT&T’s 3G coverage compared to Verizon’s 3G coverage. Check it out:
AT&T is actually suing Verizon because they claim that this commercial does not accurately represent their coverage, leading to a loss in market share. Verizon is stating that the commercial clearly states that the maps are for only their 3G network, and it is totally accurate.
There is no doubt that Verizon is directly competing with AT&T, but will it be enough to triumph the beloved Apple iPhone?
-Annie H.
Verizon’s campaign is also playing commercials showing maps of AT&T’s 3G coverage compared to Verizon’s 3G coverage. Check it out:
AT&T is actually suing Verizon because they claim that this commercial does not accurately represent their coverage, leading to a loss in market share. Verizon is stating that the commercial clearly states that the maps are for only their 3G network, and it is totally accurate.
There is no doubt that Verizon is directly competing with AT&T, but will it be enough to triumph the beloved Apple iPhone?
-Annie H.
11/4/09
To the Moon!
An architect company based out of Barcelona has begun production on the Galactic Suite Space Resort. That's right in 2012 you might be able to take a vacation in space for only a mere 4.4 million dollars. The hefty price includes a three-night stay at the hotel, which is in space, and an eight-week training course that takes place on a tropical island. Shit I'd do it just for the eight weeks on a beautiful island and it would cost me less than 4 million bucks.
While in space, by the way, it takes a day and a half to get to the hotel in space, you will orbit the earth every 80 minutes and watch the sun rise 15 times a day. You also get wear a sweet ass Velcro suit so "you can crawl around your pod rooms by sticking yourselves to the walls like Spiderman." Only in space can you become a little like Spiderman, every man's dream. Apparently 43 people have already made reservations for this one of a kind vacation. Personally, the whole thing makes me kind of laugh out loud. I just want the tropical island part of the deal and the Velcro suit. Oh, but I would go if there were some guaranteed alien sightings.
-Rachel
While in space, by the way, it takes a day and a half to get to the hotel in space, you will orbit the earth every 80 minutes and watch the sun rise 15 times a day. You also get wear a sweet ass Velcro suit so "you can crawl around your pod rooms by sticking yourselves to the walls like Spiderman." Only in space can you become a little like Spiderman, every man's dream. Apparently 43 people have already made reservations for this one of a kind vacation. Personally, the whole thing makes me kind of laugh out loud. I just want the tropical island part of the deal and the Velcro suit. Oh, but I would go if there were some guaranteed alien sightings.-Rachel
A Walking Breathalyzer gets a Taste of his own Medicine
An eighteen-year-old man from Cincinnati dressed in a breathalyzer costume Halloween night was pulled over for reckless driving. The officer approached the car and noticed a half finished case of Bud Light and a young man dressed as a Breathalyzer. The officer in deed made him “blow here” and took him strait to jail with a DUI. Oh the irony…
-Annie H.
McDonalds is NO Fun
CAUTION: Copying YouTube videos for your personal entertainment can get you in trouble with the cops.
No, seriously. Four teenagers in Utah received disorderly conduct citations for copying this YouTube video:
Sounds hilarious, right? Apparently this McDonalds doesn't agree. The teens were asked to speak plainly, and when they refused to break character, the manager called the police. McDonalds claims they were holding up the line and disturbing the peace. The kids say no one else was in line and they were just having fun.
Honestly, McDonalds, lighten up already. 80% of your clientele are far from sober most of the time anyway. I doubt this is the worst thing that's come thru their drive thru. Although I've never been to Utah.
-Erin
No, seriously. Four teenagers in Utah received disorderly conduct citations for copying this YouTube video:
Sounds hilarious, right? Apparently this McDonalds doesn't agree. The teens were asked to speak plainly, and when they refused to break character, the manager called the police. McDonalds claims they were holding up the line and disturbing the peace. The kids say no one else was in line and they were just having fun.
Honestly, McDonalds, lighten up already. 80% of your clientele are far from sober most of the time anyway. I doubt this is the worst thing that's come thru their drive thru. Although I've never been to Utah.
-Erin
11/2/09
Vote for Elevation on MTVU's "The Freshmen"
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