America's Next Top Model is back and as remarkably predictable as ever. That's actually one of the things I enjoy most about this show - every season you can count on a few things: makeovers, runway lessons, go-sees, a medical emergency, Tyra demonstrating how much better she is than the contestants every week. It's amazingly formulaic and comforting like an old blanket that way.
Before we even knew these girls' name it was already makeover time. Sometimes I really think Tyra just wants to see which girl can model with the most jacked up weave (Brittany from Cycle 8 anyone?) This show has been on for too many seasons for these girls not to have seen what happens during makeovers. You know someone is getting their hair chopped off. It's really just a cliche to cry when that happens at this point. Maybe next season they'll get more creative with their reactions - like setting their hair on fire so they have to get a weave (though Tyra may argue that singed hair is fierce.)
Another thing you can always expect from ANTM are the classic model archetypes - the girl who thinks she's sooo pretty, the black bitch, the "weird" girl, the girl with the conservative beliefs, the girl who is really into fashion and the list goes on.
The last ANTM standby that never fails is the "Smile with your eyes" count. This episode only brought us one, however there were 4 "tension" mentions! Could this new critique replace our overwhelming favorite from seasons past? I'll be interested to see if Tyra's new pet term has legs or if it's just a passing fad.
American Idol
New rule - From now until the top 5 the judges can save someone from elimination, but they only have 1. If the judges use their save the next week will be a double elimination. I like it. Every year there is someone who exits a little early so it will be nice for the judges to be able to put someone deserving back in the competition. Keyword being deserving - if they use it on the likes of Scott McIntyre this season I don't know that I'll be able to contain myself.
Before we get to the results I would like to have an honest dialogue with the producers. Please, PLEASE for the love of all things good and holy STOP WITH THE GROUP CHOREOGRAPHY!!! It makes everyone involved feel very uncomfortable.
As far as the performers go I was thrilled to see Kanye got rid of his 1980s Wesley Snipes fromullet. Then he had to and pull out the denim on denim on denim look. What happened to the Louis Vuitton Don? Needless to say it's good to see the Queen back in her kingdom. Kelly owns all.
Finally results. Whoop!! The judges tried to make her stick but we are finally rid of Jasmine Murray. I've been saying she should go for a few weeks now so I'm ecstatic. Jorge was adorable but let's be real he wasn't going to win. Adios y buena suerte.
PS - What do people think about this Comcast commercial that is totally ripping on Juno music and animation?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Update on 25 in 25
Links have been taken down (by me) and entire posts have been taken down (by Blogger) because of the links to copyrighted material. Given the inability to provide the music I talk about, I'm not sure how interesting it would be for people to simply read about the albums and maybe just hear one or two songs from the artist. Either way, music-related content will return as soon as I'm sure everything is straight, "legally." Until then...
Monday, March 9, 2009
Double the Fun
Spring has sprung (at least here in the ATL) and for those of us who love TV that means we are at the height of our reality season. My plate is full with Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Top Model and the Amazing Race which means a double serving of reality recap today!
The first episode of Dancing with the Stars is always a little full but entertaining none the less. Quotes of the night definitely go to Lil Kim...
"The first time I saw Dancing With the Stars was when I was in prison"
"Dedicated to all my girls in the federal detention center"
Despite her inexplicable pride in her incarceration the Queen Bee has potential to be the breakout star of this season. You can also add gymnast Shawn Johnson to that list. She and Mark will be a force to be reckoned with; plus we all know he has an excellent track record with Olympians.
I hated Jackass the show (even though Johnny Knoxville was looking damn good in the audience) but I'm actually pulling for Stevo-O. He was adorable doing his chaine turns with a goofy smile in a pin-striped suit. And he was so happy at the end!!
It's always good to see So You Think You Can Dance alums doing well - there really aren't too many good gigs out there for dancers. I loved Chelsie and Dmitry on SYTYCD and I'm glad they're joining Lacey on this show.
Finally, I couldn't have said it better than the judges, "The Bachelor's loss is DWTS' gain" I'm glad to see Melissa gets to extend her 15 minutes a little longer and I LOVED all the Jason bashing by the judges...jerk totally deserves it all.
No elimination until after another round of dances next week so no predictions here.
Next up...American Idol
I knew there would be a double elimination this season but I didn't expect it this early. I don't really think it's giving people enough time to establish themselves but oh well. This is getting a bit long so I'm just going to keep it to grades tonight.
Lil - B+
Scott - B-
Danny - A+! OK this was too good for me not to comment on. I was one of the people getting tired of the producers shoving him down our throats but DAMN that was great! I even liked the dancing so take that Simon!
Michael - B
Jasmine - B-
Kris - B+ in reality but an A because I'm in love with him
Allison - B
Anoop - C+
Jorge - B
Megan - C
Adam - C+ - Someone please make him stop. I can hardly listen to him sing and don't understand WHAT the judges are hearing. I would love to know what kind of album they think he could put out right now and be successful - Phantom of the Opera - T-Pain remix?
Matt - B
Alexis - A- I was wishing and hoping someone would do this song and I thought she did great!!
I really don't know who is going to go home but my personal picks would be Megan and Jasmine. It's time to get the dead weight women out of here!
The first episode of Dancing with the Stars is always a little full but entertaining none the less. Quotes of the night definitely go to Lil Kim...
"The first time I saw Dancing With the Stars was when I was in prison"
"Dedicated to all my girls in the federal detention center"
Despite her inexplicable pride in her incarceration the Queen Bee has potential to be the breakout star of this season. You can also add gymnast Shawn Johnson to that list. She and Mark will be a force to be reckoned with; plus we all know he has an excellent track record with Olympians.
I hated Jackass the show (even though Johnny Knoxville was looking damn good in the audience) but I'm actually pulling for Stevo-O. He was adorable doing his chaine turns with a goofy smile in a pin-striped suit. And he was so happy at the end!!
It's always good to see So You Think You Can Dance alums doing well - there really aren't too many good gigs out there for dancers. I loved Chelsie and Dmitry on SYTYCD and I'm glad they're joining Lacey on this show.
Finally, I couldn't have said it better than the judges, "The Bachelor's loss is DWTS' gain" I'm glad to see Melissa gets to extend her 15 minutes a little longer and I LOVED all the Jason bashing by the judges...jerk totally deserves it all.
No elimination until after another round of dances next week so no predictions here.
Next up...American Idol
I knew there would be a double elimination this season but I didn't expect it this early. I don't really think it's giving people enough time to establish themselves but oh well. This is getting a bit long so I'm just going to keep it to grades tonight.
Lil - B+
Scott - B-
Danny - A+! OK this was too good for me not to comment on. I was one of the people getting tired of the producers shoving him down our throats but DAMN that was great! I even liked the dancing so take that Simon!
Michael - B
Jasmine - B-
Kris - B+ in reality but an A because I'm in love with him
Allison - B
Anoop - C+
Jorge - B
Megan - C
Adam - C+ - Someone please make him stop. I can hardly listen to him sing and don't understand WHAT the judges are hearing. I would love to know what kind of album they think he could put out right now and be successful - Phantom of the Opera - T-Pain remix?
Matt - B
Alexis - A- I was wishing and hoping someone would do this song and I thought she did great!!
I really don't know who is going to go home but my personal picks would be Megan and Jasmine. It's time to get the dead weight women out of here!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
11 and 12 of 25: M83 - Saturdays = Youth; Daft Punk - Alive 2007
Okay... it happened again. I didn't plan on missing (essentially) two days of posts, but let's be honest. It was the weekend and you weren't going to spend your time indoors, reading a stupid blog and downloading awesome music anyways. Plus, I spent all day on Saturday shooting skeet in north Georgia. It was, without question, the coolest recreational activity of all-time. I'd highly recommend it to anyone. And it was also informative: apparently one of our friends is an assassin. Don't mess with Dan. Real talk.
Saturdays = Youth: Instead of two French guys, this time we just we have one. Anthony Gonzalez (backed on this record by 3 other musicians) develops big, anthemic albums full of synthesizer glorioliciousness. Unlike a lot of the other albums, it's hard to single out highlights. Instead, this feels like an extended, almost theatrical release that flows in order. All the pieces fit together: from the opening piano chords and vocal harmonies of "You Appearing," to the transition into the very 80s-ish (think "Sixteen Candles") "Kim & Jessie," to the dusky, moon-kissed sound on "Too Late"... the listener is allowed to revel in the large spaces that M83 create on Saturdays = Youth. Gonazles was born in 1983, which puts his youth in the late 80s and early 90s. Better that the album was inspired by the "Brat Pack" era of early to mid 1980s instead.
Alive 2007: Live albums are hit and miss... greatest hits album are even less likely to live up to expectations. But Alive 2007, by French house heros Daft Punk (Guy Manuel de Homen Christo and Thomas Bangalter), meets and far exceeds any expectations of both album genres. I don't plan on writing much about the actual album, because it's best to simply experience. Driving, walking to class, working out, studying... this could be the soundtrack to almost any part of your day. The only thing that could possibly be more exciting would be a DVD of their tour, but until that happens (and it doesn't look like it will), we'll have to settle for clips from YouTube, like the one below.
This effectively concludes our dance/electronic week... hope that people enjoyed it, and we'll be back on schedule starting tomorrow!
Saturdays = Youth: Instead of two French guys, this time we just we have one. Anthony Gonzalez (backed on this record by 3 other musicians) develops big, anthemic albums full of synthesizer glorioliciousness. Unlike a lot of the other albums, it's hard to single out highlights. Instead, this feels like an extended, almost theatrical release that flows in order. All the pieces fit together: from the opening piano chords and vocal harmonies of "You Appearing," to the transition into the very 80s-ish (think "Sixteen Candles") "Kim & Jessie," to the dusky, moon-kissed sound on "Too Late"... the listener is allowed to revel in the large spaces that M83 create on Saturdays = Youth. Gonazles was born in 1983, which puts his youth in the late 80s and early 90s. Better that the album was inspired by the "Brat Pack" era of early to mid 1980s instead.
Alive 2007: Live albums are hit and miss... greatest hits album are even less likely to live up to expectations. But Alive 2007, by French house heros Daft Punk (Guy Manuel de Homen Christo and Thomas Bangalter), meets and far exceeds any expectations of both album genres. I don't plan on writing much about the actual album, because it's best to simply experience. Driving, walking to class, working out, studying... this could be the soundtrack to almost any part of your day. The only thing that could possibly be more exciting would be a DVD of their tour, but until that happens (and it doesn't look like it will), we'll have to settle for clips from YouTube, like the one below.This effectively concludes our dance/electronic week... hope that people enjoyed it, and we'll be back on schedule starting tomorrow!
Friday, March 6, 2009
9 and 10 of 25: Hot Chip - Made In The Dark; Justice - †
Due to the complete violation of body, mind, and soul that was leveled on me today by my exam, I've decided to just combine the two posts I owe for today and yesterday. Coherent commentary will return as soon as I get back from counseling.
Made In The Dark - Incredibly enjoyable and diverse album. With the exception of "Bendable Poseable" and "Don't Dance," every song is worth listening to. Opener "Out At The Picutres" slowly builds into an up-tempo dance track, and follow-up "Shake A Fist" includes an end-of-track breakdown section of otherworldly sounds. After coming back down, "Ready For The Floor" kicks off with the words you will be repeating hours after listening: "Do it do it do it do it do it do it do it now. Say it say it say it say it say it say it say it now." It looks ridiculous in print, and admittedly, it sounds kind of ridiculous coming out of your mouth, but you have no control over it. Oh, and the rest of the song is really good. The album features a solid mix of tempos, and although it can sometimes feel choppy going from a song like "Made In the Dark" to "One Pure Thought," it keeps the album from getting stale. Album highlight: "Wrestlers" has a completely infectious piano intro and the lyrics are stupendously asinine and awesome. I think the concept is that relationships are like wrestling... not Greco-Roman style, but WWE throwdowns with chairs and shit. Just endlessly awesome to listen to.
† - Honestly, I haven't listened to this album a lot since it first came out back in 2007. Justice = 2 French guys with computers. So basically, like most other electronic music from over there. A lot of this album won't be something you listen to every day. Take "Let There Be Light": completely badass, it sounds like it could be the soundtrack for one of the original 8-bit Castlevania games. But it has this GRATING, consistent synth line that sounds like it's being dragged through a boiling vat of acid, put on this chick's nails, and then run across a chalkboard. But it's listenable! And then it drops out towards the end of the song and gets replaced by a smooth electronic keyboard... the sonic equivalent of aloe on a sunburn. Which is good, because it leads you right into "D.A.N.C.E," the most well-known track on the album. The opening AM-tuning effect leads into something that sounds like a Saturday-morning educational cartoon sing along. There's more than enough flip-switching, base-pumping, synth-destroying, sample-disfiguring, in-your-face Euro-dance. If that doesn't elicit a somewhat terrifying but altogether exciting image for you, the music will pick up the slack.
Made In The Dark - Incredibly enjoyable and diverse album. With the exception of "Bendable Poseable" and "Don't Dance," every song is worth listening to. Opener "Out At The Picutres" slowly builds into an up-tempo dance track, and follow-up "Shake A Fist" includes an end-of-track breakdown section of otherworldly sounds. After coming back down, "Ready For The Floor" kicks off with the words you will be repeating hours after listening: "Do it do it do it do it do it do it do it now. Say it say it say it say it say it say it say it now." It looks ridiculous in print, and admittedly, it sounds kind of ridiculous coming out of your mouth, but you have no control over it. Oh, and the rest of the song is really good. The album features a solid mix of tempos, and although it can sometimes feel choppy going from a song like "Made In the Dark" to "One Pure Thought," it keeps the album from getting stale. Album highlight: "Wrestlers" has a completely infectious piano intro and the lyrics are stupendously asinine and awesome. I think the concept is that relationships are like wrestling... not Greco-Roman style, but WWE throwdowns with chairs and shit. Just endlessly awesome to listen to.
† - Honestly, I haven't listened to this album a lot since it first came out back in 2007. Justice = 2 French guys with computers. So basically, like most other electronic music from over there. A lot of this album won't be something you listen to every day. Take "Let There Be Light": completely badass, it sounds like it could be the soundtrack for one of the original 8-bit Castlevania games. But it has this GRATING, consistent synth line that sounds like it's being dragged through a boiling vat of acid, put on this chick's nails, and then run across a chalkboard. But it's listenable! And then it drops out towards the end of the song and gets replaced by a smooth electronic keyboard... the sonic equivalent of aloe on a sunburn. Which is good, because it leads you right into "D.A.N.C.E," the most well-known track on the album. The opening AM-tuning effect leads into something that sounds like a Saturday-morning educational cartoon sing along. There's more than enough flip-switching, base-pumping, synth-destroying, sample-disfiguring, in-your-face Euro-dance. If that doesn't elicit a somewhat terrifying but altogether exciting image for you, the music will pick up the slack.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Rebuttal
Kylie Minogue IS the equivalent of leaving off Hanson from a list of musicians (note: not "great" musicians... just any musicians ever) from Oklahoma. And I think that everyone from Oklahoma (and Australia) would agree that they were alright with the omission. But, as there are only 22 hrs, 22 minutes until this exam, I'm going to have to postpone the next entry of "25 in 25" until tomorrow. Don't worry... to ensure that the name remains valid, you'll be getting a double post of awesomeness by Friday evening.
Two Cents
Tomorrow is test day and I'm already holed up in the library so this will be quick. I'm not one to gloat but...MY PREDICTIONS WERE 100% RIGHT! I will admit that it wasn't the toughest of calls but hey you gotta find glory anywhere you can. I am really looking forward to tonight's wildcard show. With the exception of Tatiana (who was possibly wearing the LEAST flattering dress of all time) all other 7 people have a legit shot at making it. I really hope the judges don't try to even up the gender ratio in the top 12 - Jasmine, Megan and Jesse are good but the guys are better.
My hopes for getting through - Anoop, Matt and Von but we'll have to see how they perform!
And one last thing, I must point out that Matt made a glaring oversight in his ode to Australian musicians. Globally adored, yet underappreciated in America - the lovely Kylie Minogue! That's like leaving Hanson off a list of music greats from Oklahoma. Don't let it happen again Topel.
My hopes for getting through - Anoop, Matt and Von but we'll have to see how they perform!
And one last thing, I must point out that Matt made a glaring oversight in his ode to Australian musicians. Globally adored, yet underappreciated in America - the lovely Kylie Minogue! That's like leaving Hanson off a list of music greats from Oklahoma. Don't let it happen again Topel.
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