Be Back Soon!

Hello all, I’m in New York City for the National College Media Convention, so I am taking a short break from blogging while here. I will be back sooner than you think. Maybe I’ll see a show or two while I’m here and maybe you’ll see a post or two about said shows!

Cheers,
Aaron

Come back, Amy.

I love Amy Winehouse. I don’t care what anyone says. Though she’s somehow narrowly escaped the watchful eye of the ever-badgering news media, Winehouse is still in my music spotlight as she gets me moving, dancing and brushing off my pumps (but not really) every time I listen to her music.

But where has she gone off to? The latest news of our favorite Rehab lady is that she’s collaborating with Fred Perry on a new clothing collection — for your late-night partying, booze binge pleasure. Oh, Valerie.

It’s About Time…

I just ordered my 52-issue subscription to Entertainment Weekly, my go-to source for entertainment news, TV updates, pop culture news coverage, etc. It’s also a place I’d love to contribute to at some point in my life. So, why did it take me so long to send off the check for my packaged zines? Technology, that’s why.

The ease in reading the same articles online that would appear in print (for the most part) make buying an actual magazine in a college seem futile. BUT, I have turned a new leaf. How can I say that I am strongly grounded in the idea that print journalism will live to see halfway into the new millennium if I don’t contribute? So, I rolled up my sleeves, saved up and renewed both my EW and New York Times subscriptions.

I am putting my two cents in (or actually, a total of nearly $100) … what can you do? Remember, holding a magazine is much more soothing and awesome than staring at a 15-inch screen.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, bleh.

More music video updates, folks. Ke$ha. Blah, Blah, Blah. With a title like that, there’s not much room for success. And though she looks pretty cool while flying in the air and pretending to bowl in this video, the song, the product and the overall concept behind it is, well, Bleh, Bleh, Bleh.

It’s a blitzkrieg to the ear and needs some serious toning down for it to be a track I’ll actually stop to listen to on the radio. If anything, it’s hilarious to watch Ke$ha flop and flounce all over the screen, tormenting viewers with her boozy behavior. I swear this girl got famous accidentally, but for some reason I don’t think she’ll stop as a one-hit wonder. People seem to like this stuff. I sort of see where they are coming from. It’s rewarding and, dare I say, fun to let loose and act like you haven’t got a thought or care about you.

…..Nope. Sorry. I tried. There is no justification for this “artist.”

You Say You A Rude Boy…

Rihanna’s new video for “Rude Boy” is quite refreshing. It took me back to the ’90s, MIA’s epileptic-friendly Web site and Ri Ri’s Barbados roots. I hadn’t heard the track yet, so it was definitely a surprise when I saw that she released a video for it. Then again, she’s released a video for what, 4 songs off the “Rated R” album now? Not much of the video is comprised of actual scenic shots (except one that she shares with a zebra wearing a balloon headdress—say what?), which means someone just sat at a computer and hacked away at green screen shots. No crime there.

The song itself is pretty simple with a sprinkling of vulgarity, “Come here rude boy boy, can you get it up?/Come here rude boy boy, is you big enough?” but it’s catchy, makes sense and highlights Rihanna’s vocal strength. Check it below. I have it on repeat.

Just. Watch.

“Somewhere in the English country side, in a stately manor home, Madonna is weeping.”

It’s been a while since I’ve heard a new Sue Sylvester one-liner and after spending the last few months watching Christopher Guest films in a sad attempt to quell the resistance going on in my Glee-less psyche, I can finally say that I’ve quenched a small inkling of my thirst. It’s not a new episode, but it’s something to hold me over…until the next promo.

Madonna would, actually, be proud.

We Are the World

To raise money for Haiti, a stunning compilation of musical artists got together to reprise Michael Jackson’s “We Are the World.” It’s definitely an accurate representation of music’s evolution—Auto Tune included, of course. And I can’t deny that it’s remarkable to see all these wonderful singers and performers gather. Check out the video below to see and hear the awesomeness.

Belt, Molly Shannon, Belt!

Because it’s my duty—NO, my calling to dish out amazing news involving “Glee,” I cannot live for another second without harping on what I learned earlier today.

Molly Shannon, who practically owns the word “superstar,” will play an alcoholic, pill-popping busty 45-year-old astronomy teacher and badminton coach at McKinley High School on the next season of “Glee.” Her guest spot—which might also be a recurring role—is set to air in May…. May! As if I’m not already hyperventilating and popping pills myself to keep from keeling over waiting for Season Two! (Not really, but I already can hear a reprise of “Rehab” in the near future).

I think Shannon’s comedic style will fit in well with the show. Not to mention, she played the best drunk cameo in “Talladega Nights.” All this talk of guest appearances is, however, taking a little bit out of the beauty of what “Glee” started off as: a show about underdogs. But, hey, I guess if the producers have the star power at their disposal, they might as well use it to keep the Gleeks coming for more.

Michael Jackson’s Doctor Charged

Involuntary manslaughter were not the words on people’s lips as Conrad Murray, doctor to the late King of Pop, walked into his courtroom hearing yesterday. But the doctor was, indeed, charged with the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson. He pleaded Not Guilty. Jackson’s family has expressed their infuriation over the untimeliness of the charges, some calling Murray out for killing their loved one.

$%#*!, a.k.a. Vampire Weekend’s ‘English’

Ever since Ivy Leaguers Vampire Weekend released their new album, “Contra,” I’ve been sorely abusing each track in my playlist. Not in a bad way, though. For what I thought would be a much weaker sophomore effort by the group, I must say, I was pleasantly surprised.

And, of course, I’m still trying to decipher the lyrics of “California English” without Songlyrics.com…I think I’m doing well. Give their live performance a listen, if you have yet to. I must warn you, though, Auto tune is involved. A lot of it. But oh, how it is such a guilty pleasure of mine. If anything, the excessive use of the voice-altering music tech adds a giddy, upbeat sense to what would, otherwise, be a short, forgettable track. It made me laugh the first time I heard it and then I couldn’t stop listening!

I think the song sounds much better in this live video. I dare you to keep up.

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