Pop Culture Buzz

THE B-52’s - “FUNPLEX”

GRADE: B

Before “The Scissor Sisters” the B-52’s were the only other band to fuse gay culture, fun lyrics and snazzy guitar driven pop tunes onto the music scene. The B-52’s impression on other New Wave pop bands in the early 80’s was unmistakable. Their massive hits “Rock Lobster” and “Love Shack” have become karaoke and wedding reception staples on their own.

On their new album the B-52’s stay true to their fun familiar formula of terrific dance worthy harmonies. The title track “Funplex” and “Hot Corner” are the stand out party tracks on this record. “Eyes Wide Open”, “Love in the Year 3000″ and “Dancing Now” bring the B-52’s hyper sound up to date with pulsating electro beats.

Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson’s harmonies are just as crisp and fresh as they have ever been. Listening to “Deviant Ingredient” made me realize that too many modern rock bands take them selves too seriously these days. Most of the tracks on this disc cater to the silly party animal in all of us.

Although “Funplex” doesn’t do much to reinvent the B-52’s sound, it does remind me that their fresh exuberant party sound is sorely missed in music. “Funplex” is what it is, a great party album with some hilariously over the top lyrics that will make you laugh while shaking your ass.

Funplex

R.E.M. - “ACCELERATE”

GRADE: A

My last truly favorite R.E.M. album was their hefty hard rocking CD titled “Monster” from the mid-90’s. R.E.M. have released a handful of albums since then that have never really connected well with fans and critics. Their ability to release a couple of some what catchy singles from those albums wasn’t enough to continue the massive success of their major hits “Out of Time” and “Automatic for the People.”

With their new CD “Accelerate” R.E.M. have finally put out an old school R.E.M. album chock full of familiar yet new sounding material that blows away all of the music they’ve made in the past 10 years. Finally Michael Stipe has gotten back in touch with his inner song writing genius. The instantly catchy and gorgeous sounding first single “Supernatural Superserious” is Stipe back on top of his game. The instant favorite “Hollow Man” is Stipe at his most exposed and restrained.

“I’m Gonna DJ” is a fierce and pointed song that makes me fall in love with R.E.M. all over again. The tracks “Mr. Richard”, “Accelerate” and “Man Sized Wreath” both have a great ferocious yet melodic guitar sound that is reminiscent of songs from “Monster”. The softer tracks “Houston” and “Until The Day Is Done” sound as if they were plucked from their masterpiece “Automatic for the People.”

“Accelerate” is the album R.E.M. fans have been waiting for years. It redefines this group as the true rock innovators that they are. Nearly 30 years since their career started R.E.M. has thrown their hat back into the ring as classic masters of Rock n Roll. With very little to complain about, “Accelerate” is already one of 2008’s best albums.

REM - Supernatural Superserious

MOBY - “LAST NIGHT”

GRADE: A

Thank god Moby went back to his dance floor roots and put out a new dance CD with “Last Night”. I am a huge Moby fan but his last two TV commercial friendly CD’s left me longing for the innovative raver I fell in love with back in the early 90’s. With “Last Night” Moby has decided to relax and get down and the result is a fantastic electronic album full of night club ready dance songs.

Listening to the mind blowing “Ooh Yeah” and the awesome first single “Disco Lies” I am already craving the numerous remixes that will be made. The sexy cool beats of “I Love To Move In Here” and “2.57 Zero” disprove all the haters that claim Moby can’t make funky ass shaking tracks with a hard edge worthy of underground parties anymore.

“Everyday is 1989″ and “The Stars” sound as if Moby stepped into a time machine and came out with a couple missing gems from his groundbreaking and monumental disc “Everything Is Wrong.” The build up and chorus on “Sweet Apocalypse” will have old school ravers reaching for their glow sticks and dancing to the wicked beats.

“Live For Tomorrow” is the most dramatic and exciting song on this modern masterpiece. Moby uses his old tricks and comes up with new sounds that cement electronic music as the important medium it is. The operatic arrangements and swelling sounds on “Last Night’ propel electro music into a new and deserving place in pop music.

Moby - Disco Lies

1.) 21 $23,700,000 / $23,700,000

2.) Horton Hears A Who $17,425,000 / $117,274,000

3.) Superhero Movie $9,510,000 / $9,510,000

4.) Meet the Browns $7,760,000 / $32,828,000

5.) Drillbit Taylor $5,800,000 / $20,574,000

6.) Shutter $5,325,000 / $19,103,000

7.) 10,000 B.C. $4,875,000 / $84,920,000

8.) Stop-Loss $4,525,000 / $4,525,000

9.) College Road Trip $3,505,000 / $38,370,000

10.) The Bank Job $2,800,000 / $24,104,000

Britney Bounces Back
On Crappy TV Sitcom
Maybe South Park’s Right

O.k. this movie is the definition of trippy. I would recommend that people not shroom and watch this movie at the same time. Just watching the movie alone seems to be mind blowing and freaky as hell if this trailer is any indication. I am a huge fan of horror films and especially horror that is smart with a nice twisty premise. If you are easily spooked, maybe you should skip this one.

Yelle is a French singer from the town of Saint-Brieuc, Bretagne. I have NO idea what the chick is talking and singing about because I don’t speak French, but the music is so melodic and addictive that you won’t be able to stop listening to this song!

Yelle’s bubbly electro-pop tunes have won her fans around the world and soon her debut album will be released here in the United States on April 1st. The dancers in the video below are just down right hot. Check out the French language dance music video for “ACDG” below:

ENJOY OVER 100 OF MY FAVORITE SONGS ON A NON-STOP MIX!

NO REPEATS!

PERFECT FOR CLEANING HOUSE AND WHILE YOU’RE AT WORK!

DIRECTOR OLIVER STONE

It was announced today that Elizabeth Banks is in final negotiations to portray Laura Bush in “W,” Oliver Stone’s biopic on the life and presidency of George W. Bush. Josh Brolin already is on board to play Bush in the biopic, which begins shooting in late April in Shreveport, La.

Stone wrote the screenplay for “W” with his “Wall Street” co-writer Stanley Weiser. Moritz Borman, who worked with Stone on “World Trade Center” and “Alexander” is producing the movie with Stone. I loathed “Trade Center” and the ugly train wreck “Alexander”. But I love “JFK” and I kind of liked “Natural Born Killers”.

GEORGE W. BUSH

In January, Oliver Stone spoke about the project to Daily Variety:

“It’s a behind-the-scenes approach, similar to ‘Nixon,’ to give a sense of what it’s like to be in his skin,” he told the trade publication. “But if ‘Nixon’ was a symphony, this is more like a chamber piece and not as dark in tone.”

This film could be a mess or a scathing portrait of the worst President in this nation’s history. One can only imagine how Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld will be portrayed. I guess we’ll have to wait and see, no release date has been announced for “W” yet.

JOSH BROLIN WILL PLAY GEORGE W. BUSH

ELIZABETH BANKS WILL PLAY LAURA BUSH

20th Century Fox has revealed the trailer for the new Eddie Murphy sci-fi comedy, Meet Dave, opening in theaters on July 11. In the pic, Murphy plays Dave Ming Chang, newly arrived in New York City, who is not who he seems. “Dave” is not a man at all, but he is a ship made in the image of its miniature-sized captain (also Murphy).

The trailer below is absolutely grating in every way. This is just another ego piece for Murphy to make money off of American families with. When will he stop relying on the gay impressions to get laughs? The whole movie smells a lot like “Norbit” did when it came out, foul! Watch the ridiculous trailer below!

HERCULES AND LOVE AFFAIR - “HERCULES AND LOVE AFFAIR”

GRADE: A+

Every few years a new group comes along that uses past influences to reinvent a genre by using simple pop techniques to create an exciting sound that instantly grabs you. This year that band is called Hercules and Love Affair and their new debut self titled album is the first masterpiece of 2008. This album also contains the most original dance track of 2008 (so far) called “Blind.”

Hercules and Love Affair is a musical project from New York based DJ Andy Butler. Members include Nomi, Kim Ann Foxman and Antony Hegarty. Antony Hegarty (born in 1971) is an English singer-songwriter, best known for being the lead singer of the band Antony and the Johnsons. Antony and the Johnsons’ 2005 album “I Am a Bird Now” won the UK’s prestigious Mercury Prize.

Antony Hegarty’s intoxicating and heartbreaking voice lifts the disco tempo driven beats on this CD from electronica obscurity. The textured lyrics, orchestral bleeps and bloops with the layered melodies in songs like “Time Will”, “Raise Me Up” and “You Belong” leave you craving their familiar 80’s synth sound not long after they end.

The song “Athene” is a new wave gem with a modest looping dance rhythm that will instantly creep into your subconscious. The fun song “Hercules Theme” shows that all is not serious with this new electronic act, just listen to the cartoon-ish effects and typewriter on “True False/Fake Real” and you will hear the shear genius of this super group.

In a wasteland of disposable dance acts Hercules and Love Affair have the potential to excel like electro-dance acts such as Pet Shop Boys, Erasure and The Scissor Sisters. This album is not out in the US at the moment which means you must do whatever you can to get a copy, it is worth every penny!

WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR “BLIND” BELOW:

WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR “TIME WILL” BELOW:

DUFFY - “ROCKFERRY”

GRADE: B+

Duffy is just one of the many “blast from the past” sounding chanteuses to come out of the UK following Amy Winehouse’s huge success across the world. Unfortunately she is categorized into a genre titled “Neo-Soul” or new soul (the title alone makes me cringe). It is obvious that her influences range from Dusty Springfield, Lesley Gore and Lulu.

But that is where I like to stop the comparisons. Duffy is a stand alone performer with a huge voice and she is worthy of her own accolades. There is a reason why her first single “Mercy” stayed atop the UK charts for 5 weeks. That song is a warm welcomed flashback from the early 60’s soul movement.

Duffy’s surprising range can be heard on the delightfully sweet tracks “Rockferry”, “Syrup & Honey” and “Warwick Avenue”. The string arrangements and strumming guitars have that welcoming calming effect. On songs like “Distant Dreamer” and “Delayed Devotion” the hypnotic tambourine beats will keep your toes tapping during those dreaded long car rides.

The weaker songs on Rockferry like “Serious” and “Hanging On Too long” only suffer from sounding to recent but they are great contemporary tracks on their own. “I’m Scared” is one of my favorite songs due to its simple organ construction and 50’s doo-wop sound.

If Amy Winehouse’s disturbing downward spiral is too much for you to put up with then you will fall in love with Duffy’s simple and familiar classic sound. This album has already secured a place in my best of 2008 and I think many of you will enjoy it when it is released here in the USA this coming summer, until then enjoy the music and videos on this posting!

WATCH THE “MERCY” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:

WATCH THE “ROCKFERRY” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:

ADELE - “19″

GRADE: B-

Along with Duffy, Adele is making a huge impact on the music business across the pond. Her single “Chasing Pavements” has been a top 20 staple for over 6 weeks in the UK and for good reason. The song is a pitch perfect radio friendly tune that is an instant winner. The soulful hook in “Chasing Pavements” makes it one of 2008’s best singles already.

Unlike many of her musical “Neo-Soul” counterparts Adele is more of contemporary artist with a huge talent for rich piano driven songs. On the tracks “Hometown Glory”, “Best For Last” and “Make You Feel My Love” Adele’s deep husky voice is all at once heartbreaking and then uplifting. The dreamy guitar melody of “Daydreamer” and the lullaby sound of “First Love” are both soothing and relaxing.

The fast paced jamming lyrics and hooks in “Right As Rain”, “Cold Shoulder” and “Tired” are a complete departure from the R&B influences on the rest of this CD, but they still seem a good fit. The one throw away track on this CD is called “My Same”, but even it has some likeable qualities in its basic construction.

Adele’s album titled “19″ isn’t revolutionary but it is a fun little gem from the UK that is worth checking out if you’re into the huge flux of white soul singing chicks coming from Europe like I do. If anything the handful of top notch pop singles on this disc are definitely worth the listen if you consider yourself a fan or critic of the genre.

WATCH THE “HOMETOWN GLORY” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:

WATCH THE “CHASING PAVEMENTS” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:

EVEN THOUGH ALL THREE OF THE NEW CD’S BY DUFFY, ADELE AND HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR REVIEWED ABOVE ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THE USA YET, YOU CAN HEAR THEM ON THE STREAMING JUKEBOX BELOW:

Hard-Fi’s sophomore album “Once Upon A Time In The West” is nowhere near as perfect as their debut breakthrough CD “Stars of CCTV”. Their first disc was packed with hit after hit and catchy guitar driven melodies that are just plain brilliant. Although I enjoy their second disc it doesn’t compare to their first.

Below is the music video for the second single off of Hard-Fi’s second studio album. Lead singer Richard Archer is drop dead gorgeous and has one of the most original rock voices of the past generation. Check out the sexy black and white music video for the terrific single “I Shall Overcome” below.

HARD-FI

I will say it once again, “I love a good farce”. Who doesn’t love classic comedies like “Hot Shots”, Airplane!”, “Top Secret”, “The Naked Gun”, “Scary Movie 2″, “Not Another Teen Movie”, “Spaceballs”?? These classic farce films are hard to recreate but I think “Super Hero Movie” may work. The super hero genre is ripe for the teasing.

Now with that said, I loathed “Meet The Spartans”, “Epic Movie” and “The Comebacks”. These cheaply made gag films just make the farce genre look like a bunch of inside pop culture references and fart jokes with a few sight gags thrown in the mix. The trailer for “Super Hero Movie” below is right up my alley. The addition of Leslie Nielsen by films creators (The Zucker Brothers who made the “Airplane!” films) is pure genius. Watch it below!

BELLY - “FEED THE TREE” (1993)

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS - “ISTANBUL” (1990)

JELLYFISH - “BABIES COMING BACK” (1990)

ABC - “THE PLAYGROUND” (1991)

GHOST TOWN DJ’S - “MY BOO” (1996)

TOTAL THIS WEEKEND / TOTAL SO FAR

1.) Horton Hears A Who $25,100,000 / $86,468,000

2.) Meet the Browns $20,014,000 / $20,014,000

3.) Shutter $10,700,000 / $10,700,000

4.) Drillbit Taylor $10,200,000 / $10,200,000

5.) 10,000 B.C. $8,660,000 / $76,100,000

6.) Never Back Down $4,861,000 / $16,824,000

7.) College Road Trip $4,630,000 / $32,005,000

8.) The Bank Job $4,095,000 / $19,425,000

9.) Vantage Point $3,800,000 / $65,300,000

10.) Under the Same Moon $2,602,000 / $3,329,000

Plot Summary: Ben Stiller says “Tropic Thunder” is a “a comedy about five actors who go on location and find themselves relying on their boot camp experiences when they get stuck in a real war-like situation.”

Black will play Jeff “Fats” Portnoy, an overweight gross-out comedian, who’s forced to kick his drug addiction while filming on location in the jungle. Downey Jr. will play Kirk Lazarus, the greatest actor of his generation and a four-time Oscar winner. Baruchel will play Kevin Sandusky, an unknown actor on the set.

In the action-comedy “Tropic Thunder,” Ben Stiller plays pampered action superstar Tugg Speedman, who is cast in the biggest, most expensive war movie ever produced. He sets out to Southeast Asia with a “Who’s Who” of celebrity co-stars. Soon after the production begins the actors are thrown into a real-life situation and are forced to become the fighting unit they’re portraying, in order to find a way out of the jungle in one piece.

This premise could work. So could Tom Cruise making a cameo looking nothing like himself. I like a majority of Stiller’s movies, some are just terrible though (”The Heartbreak Kid” and “Night at the Museum”). The addition of Jack Black and Downey Jr. (in black face??) may make this one of the biggest comedies of summer 2008. What do you think of the trailer below?

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Madonna’s New Song
“4 Minutes To Save The World”
One Of Her Weakest

HEAR MADONNA’S 5 WORST SINGLES EVER HERE: