Pop Culture Buzz

For all you HATERS out there, just STOP! Yeah, I said it. STOP!

Our fair Britney, of the Spears clan, (or is it Klan since they’re from Louisiana?) has released her 6th studio album and is her 2nd album in little over a year (Blackout was released on Oct. 27 2007). And I must say, I LOVES IT! But then again, I loves me some Brit Brit, crazy or not. So much so, I named our Christmas tree ‘Britney Jean’. My boyfriend Chris looks at me like I’m crazy and fought with me on the name, but y’all better recognize its Britney’s Month. Yeah, I said Y’ALL!

I had the privilege of getting my hot little hands on Circus three weeks ago. So to me, Christmas came early. I was giddy as a little school girl (Hit Me Baby One More Time school girl) and have been listening to it ever since. Like I said, I LOVES IT. Let’s get down to the album track list:

1. “Womanizer” – catchy, yet brilliant 1st track to be released. You have to admit, the song is captivating if you like it or not. The video is considered “Toxic” part two, where she plays three different characters. Come on, this makes sense to someone who has been to the Loony Bin a few times. So many characters in her head, so little video air time.

2. “Circus” – All eyes on me, in the center of the ring (Just like a Circus) (Uh. Uh.Uh-huh) When I crack that whip, everybody gonna trip (Just like a Circus). Wow! I’m going to say this is a hugely successful POP song. It has meaning to Brit’s life these past few years, the use of double entendre (of a Circus and her ‘over the top’ kind of life) and grand PROUDUCTION. The production value of this song; albeit, the whole album is SUPURB. IT IS BITCHES!! The video for “Circus” is already out online and is of the Carnival theme with Big Top Tents, Lions, and Freaks. When my friend Chicken saw it he said the funniest thing; he said, “is Christina in the other tent, still looking for her father?” So funny! Yet, so true. Snap!

3. “Out From Under” – Great ballad produced by Guy Sigsworth. An amazing producer who has worked with the likes of Bjork, Mandalay and my FAV Madonna’s “What It Feels Like For A Girl”. (Interjection: “Beautiful” by Mandalay is a beloved song of mine). Delightfully written song. This is Britney’s best ballad since “I’m Not A Girl, Not Just a Woman”. That’s all I’s got’s to say’s about this.

4. “Kill The Lights” – Produced by Danja! This song sounds like it should have been on Blackout. It’s a remarkable dance track that will get your shit moving on the dance floor, or like me, in my kitchen when I’m baking! “Kill The Lights” really is a skillfully produced track by Danja and I can’t wait to hear it in the clubs!!

5. “Shattered Glass” – Another impressive dance track. If Britney’s Management team plays it right, they will release this song with a video and have DJ’s remix it! How many times have you wanted to say to someone who broke up with you:

‘You’re gonna see me in your dreams tonight
My face is gonna haunt you all the time
I promise that you gon’ want me back
When your world falls apart like shattered glass’

6. “If You Seek Amy” – Ok, so this is a Max Martin track – of the “Baby One More Time” fame. He also wrote Kelly Clarkson’s hugely popular “Since You’ve Been Gone”. The song doesn’t make much sense unless you say ‘If You Seek Amy’ really fast. It’s supposed to sound like (F.U.C.K Me). If and only when you do this the lyrics make sense; “All of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek Amy”. It’s cleaver for a fourth grader. All in all, it’s ok.

7. “Unusual You” – This is where the album takes a turn. The song is a bit darker and ominous. The song starts with a bass and guitar riff and starts thumping around the 23 sec mark. The song has a great beat and moving lyrics. GREAT SONG!

8. “Blur” – As this song starts out, it totes reminds me of “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden. Which in it’s self is exciting. Did Danja mean to do this? If so, he’s BRILLS. Again, this song like “Unusual You” has a different feel then her Bubble Gum Pop. LOVES IT!

9. “Mmm Pap” – Not a FAV at all. I want to say I HATES it. But, I don’t, just not a favorite. I can still work out to it with a skip in my step and my inner self dancing and singing to it. I think I need help!!

10. “Mannequin” – Decent dance track. Also, before the album was released, YouTube clips surfaced of Brit Brit dancing to this song in rehearsal and looking HOT! She really is an astounding dancer. You can find this by clicking on the following:

11. “Lace and Leather” – No comment. I can only say it’s a filler song. It does have a catchy bridge.

12. “My Baby” – Britney, STOP WITH THE BABY REFERENCES! PLEASE KEEP THESE SONGS FOR YOUR CHILDREN. IT WILL FOR SURE PUT THEM TO SLEEP!!!

13. “Radar” – This track was on Blackout and is FABULOUS! I’m glad she re-released this song on Circus. If Brit had her shit together when Blackout was released, “Radar” for sure would have been a hit (as long as there was a video and some promotion behind it). Great song to work out to!

14. “Rock Me In” – Cute Song! There is a lot going on with this track. It reminds me of a late 80’s/Early 90’s track. This is a bonus track.

15. “Phonography” – Definition: The science or practice of transcribing speech by means of symbols representing elements of sound; phonetic transcription. I love, Love, LOVE this song. It’s dark dance music. LOVES IT! It’s sexy as well. I really hope she releases this song with a video. “Phonography” was written by The Clutch (writes for User, Mary J, and for Miss Whitney Houston’s new album) and produced by Bloodshy & Avant. Its probs my FAVORITE song on the album. Listen to it!!!

16. “Amnesia” – Not much to write about. Bonus Track. Reminds me of a 50’s song. It’s kind of cute.

17. “Quicksand” - European iTunes bonus track written by Lady GaGa. Not my favorite track. It’s cute.

18. “Rock Boy” – German bonus track. Another Rock themed track. It’s ok. It’s actually not that bad. It’s catchy and as I write this review and listen to the song, I really like it.

19. “Trouble” – Another track written by The Clutch and produced by Bloodshy & Avant. Another impressive dance track that could do extremely well in the clubs. A charismatic song if you can get your hands on it.

So, that’s my review Bitches! I ABSOLUTELY love this album and love me some Britney! And everyone has their opinions on Brit Brit, but give the album a listen with an open mind. I think you’ll enjoy it. And I know there are some peeps out there who take MUSIC WAY TO SERIOUSLY….Don’t. It’s Pop music. Have fun! Yeah, I said IT!

LISTEN TO A NON-STOP MIX OF 2008’s GRAMMY NOMINEES!

(SONG PLAYLIST IS SET ON RANDOM SHUFFLE)

Nominations for the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards were announced tonight by The Recording Academy and reflected one of the most diverse years ever with the Album Of The Year category alone representing the rap, R&B, folk and rock genres.

Lil Wayne tops the nominations with eight, Coldplay garners seven, and Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West each earn six nods. Alison Krauss, John Mayer, Robert Plant, Radiohead and Jazmine Sullivan receive five each, and Adele, Danger Mouse, Eagles, Lupe Fiasco, George Strait, and T.I. each have four nominations.

The one head scratcher is Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster” which was first released in 2001, the live track of that same song from their 2007 album “Alive” was nominated this year in the dance category (a live track, really??). Other than that glaring oddity the nominations are pretty right on for once. I personally don’t care for some of the artists nominated but do not doubt their influence on pop culture and the current music scene.

I am very happy to see UK musicians such as Duffy, Robyn and Adele with multiple nominations as well as Gay Australian dance pop star Sam Sparro who received a nod for “Black and Gold”. I am also ecstatic to see Rufus Wainwright’s brilliant Carnegie Hall show “Rufus Does Judy” get a nomination; it is a true tour de force! But why no Robin Thicke or Jenny Lewis and just 1 My Morning Jacket nod? I must admit that this year is the Grammy’s most eclectic selection of popular music nominations ever!

Following is a sampling of nominations in 110 categories from the GRAMMY Awards’ 32 Fields:

GENERAL FIELD

Nominees for Album Of The Year are: Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends — Coldplay Tha Carter III — Lil Wayne Year Of The Gentleman — Ne-Yo Raising Sand — Robert Plant & Alison Krauss In Rainbows — Radiohead

Nominees for Record Of The Year are: “Chasing Pavements” — Adele “Viva La Vida” — Coldplay “Bleeding Love” — Leona Lewis “Paper Planes” — M.I.A “Please Read The Letter” — Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Best New Artist nominees are: Adele Duffy Jonas Brothers Lady Antebellum Jazmine Sullivan

Song Of The Year nominees include: “American Boy” — William Adams, Keith Harris, Josh Lopez, Caleb Speir, John Stephens, Estelle Swaray & Kanye West, songwriters (Estelle Featuring Kanye West) “Chasing Pavements” — Adele Adkins & Eg White, songwriters (Adele) “I’m Yours” — Jason Mraz, songwriter (Jason Mraz) “Love Song” — Sara Bareilles, songwriter (Sara Bareilles) “Viva La Vida” — Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, & Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay)

POP FIELD

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals nominees are: “Viva La Vida” — Coldplay “Waiting In The Weeds” — Eagles “Going On” — Gnarls Barkley “Won’t Go Home Without You” — Maroon 5 “Apologize” — OneRepublic

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals nods go to: “Lesson Learned” — Alicia Keys & John Mayer “4 Minutes” — Madonna, Justin Timberlake & Timbaland “Rich Woman” — Robert Plant & Alison Krauss “If I Never See Your Face Again” — Rihanna & Maroon 5 “No Air” — Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown

Nominations for Best Pop Vocal Album go to: Detours — Sheryl Crow Rockferry — Duffy Long Road Out Of Eden — Eagles Spirit — Leona Lewis Covers — James Taylor

DANCE FIELD

For Best Dance Recording, the nominees are: “Harder Better Faster Stronger” — Daft Punk “Ready For The Floor” — Hot Chip “Just Dance” — Lady Gaga & Colby O’Donis “Give It 2 Me” –Madonna “Disturbia” — Rihanna “Black & Gold” — Sam Sparro

TRADITIONAL POP FIELD

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album nominees are: Still Unforgettable — Natalie Cole The Sinatra Project — Michael Feinstein Noel — Josh Groban In The Swing Of Christmas — Barry Manilow Rufus Does Judy At Carnegie Hall — Rufus Wainwright

ROCK FIELD

Nominations for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals go to: “Rock ‘N Roll Train” — AC/DC “Violet Hill” — Coldplay “Long Road Out Of Eden” — Eagles “Sex On Fire” — Kings Of Leon “House Of Cards” — Radiohead

Nods for Best Rock Song go to: “Girls In Their Summer Clothes” — Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen) “House Of Cards” — Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Philip Selway & Thom Yorke, songwriters (Radiohead) “I Will Possess Your Heart ” — Benjamin Gibbard, Nicholas Harmer, Jason McGerr & Christopher Walla, songwriters (Death Cab For Cutie) “Sex On Fire” — Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters (Kings Of Leon) “Violet Hill” — Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, & Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay)

Best Rock Album nominees are: Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends — Coldplay Rock N Roll Jesus — Kid Rock Only By The Night — Kings Of Leon Death Magnetic — Metallica Consolers Of The Lonely — The Raconteurs

R&B FIELD

Nominees for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals are: “Ribbon In The Sky” — Boyz II Men “Words” — Anthony David Featuring Indie.Arie “Stay With Me (By The Sea)” — Al Green Featuring John Legend “I’m His Only Woman” — Jennifer Hudson Featuring Fantasia “Never Give You Up” — Raphael Saadiq Featuring Stevie Wonder & CJ Hilton

Best Urban/Alternative Performance nods go to: “Say Goodbye To Love” — Kenna “Wanna Be” — Maiysha “Be OK” — Chrisette Michele Featuring will.i.am “Many Moons” — Janelle Monae “Lovin You (Music)” — Wayna Featuring Kokayi

For Best R&B Album, the nominees are: Love & Life — Eric Benet Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA — Boyz II Men Lay It Down — Al Green Jennifer Hudson — Jennifer Hudson The Way I See It — Raphael Saadiq

RAP FIELD

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration nods go to: “American Boy” — Estelle Featuring Kanye West “Low” — Flo Rida Featuring T-Pain “Green Light” — John Legend & Andre 3000 “Got Money” — Lil Wayne Featuring T-Pain “Superstar” — Lupe Fiasco Featuring Matthew Santos

Nominees for Best Rap Song are: “Lollipop” — D. Carter, S. Garrett, D.Harrison, J. Scheffer & R. Zamor, songwriters (Lil Wayne Featuring Static Major) “Low” — T. Dillard, M. Humphrey & T-Pain, songwriters (Flo Rida Featuring T-Pain) “Sexual Eruption” — Calvin Broadus, S. Lovejoy & D. Stewart, songwriters (Snoop Dogg) “Superstar” — Lupe Fiasco & Soundtrakk, songwriter (Lupe Fiasco Featuring Matthew Santos) “Swagga Like Us” — D. Carter, S. Carter, Clifford Harris, & Kanye West, songwriters (M. Arulpragasam, N. Headon, M. Jones, J. Mellor, T. Pentz, P. Simonon, songwriters)(Jay-Z & T.I. Featuring Kanye West & Lil Wayne)

For Best Rap Album, the nominees are: American Gangster — Jay-Z Tha Carter III — Lil Wayne The Cool — Lupe Fiasco Nas — Nas Paper Trail — T.I.

COUNTRY FIELD

Nods for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals go to: “Shiftwork” — Kenny Chesney & George Strait “Killing The Blues” — Robert Plant & Alison Krauss “House Of Cash” — George Strait & Patty Loveless “Life In A Northern Town” — Sugarland, Jake Owen & Little Big Town “Let The Wind Chase You” — Trisha Yearwood & Keith Urban

For Best Country Song, the nominees are: “Dig Two Graves” — Ashley Gorley & Bob Regan, songwriters (Randy Travis) “I Saw God Today” — Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell & Wade Kirby, songwriters (George Strait) “In Color” — Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller & James Otto, songwriters (Jamey Johnson) “Stay” — Jennifer Nettles, songwriter (Sugarland) “You’re Gonna Miss This” — Ashley Gorley & Lee Thomas Miller, songwriters (Trace Adkins)

Nominations for Best Country Album are: That Lonesome Song — Jamey Johnson Sleepless Nights — Patty Loveless Troubadour — George Strait Around The Bend — Randy Travis Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love — Trisha Yearwood

JAZZ FIELD

For Best Contemporary Jazz Album, the nominees are: Randy In Brasil — Randy Brecker Floating Point — John McLaughlin Cannon Re-Loaded: All-Star Celebration Of Cannonball Adderley — (Various Artists) Gregg Field & Tom Scott, producers Miles From India — (Various Artists) Bob Belden, producer Lifecycle — Yellowjackets Featuring Mike Stern

Nods for Best Jazz Vocal Album go to: Imagina: Songs Of Brasil — Karrin Allyson Breakfast On The Morning Tram — Stacey Kent If Less Is More…Nothing Is Everything — Kate McGarry Loverly — Cassandra Wilson Distances — Norma Winstone (Glauco Venier & Klaus Gesing)

This year’s Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical nominations go to: Danger Mouse, Nigel Godrich, Johnny Karkazis, Rick Rubin, and will.i.am.

I love creative horror movies with twisted themes and by the looks of the synopsis I have posted below from Wikipedia this movie may well deliver on the gore and thrills! The plot is pretty ingenious and the cast is pretty good looking enough, it may be fun to see these hot Brits get picked off one by one. Check out the trailer for this UK horror/thriller below:

SYNOPSIS:

Three women holidaying in Spain happen across three eager young men, and the six party on the men’s boat. However, everything goes wrong when one of the men, Josh (Julian Morris), goaded by his peers, performs a sex move known as a ‘donkey punch’ on one of the women, resulting in her death from a broken neck. The other five throw her body overboard so as to avoid trouble from the police, but their own fears and consciences soon fester away inside, before eventually erupting into violence.

Colin Hanks stars as a law school dropout who answers an advertisement to be a personal assistant and unknowingly signs on to work for a belligerent has-been magician struggling to resurrect his career played by the always terrific John Malkovich. This leads to a wacky journey across the country staging the comeback of a lifetime. The movie also stars Tom Hanks, Steve Zahn, Emily Blunt and new SNL cast member Casey Wilson. Check out the funny trailer below:

GRADE: C+

“Wanted” is loosely based upon Mark Millar’s graphic novel series and is helmed by stunning visual director Timur Bekmambetov, the creator of the most successful Russian film franchise in history, the “Night Watch” series. The film tells the story of one apathetic nobody’s (played by James McAvoy) transformation into an enforcer of justice who has the abilities to bend and control the speed and angle of bullets. We follow his character as he picked from obscurity to become a high powered hit man by a secret society of henchmen.

Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman play members of the elite group of assassins who are able to perfect a special technique that helps fight crime and uphold justice. Even though there are some nifty special effects, camera tricks and creative plot twists in “Wanted” the film can’t sustain the energy from the first half and it ultimately crashes towards the end. All of the whiz bang car crashes and chase scenes aren’t enough to keep the viewer interested and we get lost in the loud choppy editing.

I for one am tired of over stylized action films based on comic books and graphic novels. “Wanted” is the latest in a slew of cartoonish R-rated action films to come out of Hollywood except this one stars Angelina Jolie as (and this is a stretch folks) a half naked femme fatale. “Wanted” tries to be sleek and sexy but at its core it is just the big screen equivalent of junk food. The tricky camera angles and slow motion effects have a tired “been there, done that” kind of feel to them, there really is nothing new to see here.

James McAvoy is the one thing that keeps this movie from slipping into some seriously cheesy territory. His perfectly sculpted body balances out the multiple close ups of Jolie’s lips and legs that are endlessly edited through out the movie. Even though we don’t buy the sexual tension between the two leads their comedic banter and snappy dialogue were the highlight of this film. In the end though the drawn out romance and convoluted ending are really what hamper this film from being original and entertaining. If this film were half as clever and sexy as the “Bourne” films it would be worth all the hype that surrounds it, as it stands this is a mild piece of movie fluff that most teen boys and young men will drool over.

ALESHA DIXON - “THE BOY DOES NOTHING”

GEORGE SAMPSON - “HEADZ UP”

**** STARS

Gus Van Sant’s moving bio-pic “Milk” depicts the gay rights struggle better than any other film that has ever been created. The powerful message behind this stirring movie is timely and poignant considering the passage of Prop. 8 in California recently. It is a sad and shameful truth that society has not changed much since Harvey Milk was murdered over 30 years ago. Gus Van Sant perfectly captures the ahead of its time essence of Milk’s message while crafting a gorgeous looking and emotional film that will haunt you long after the reels have stopped rolling.

If Sean Penn doesn’t receive an Oscar nomination, or the statue itself, for his brilliant portrayal of Milk then it will be a crime against cinema. Penn emmerses himself into the character of Milk so much that you can hardly imagine that this is the same guy who was “Spicoli” in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”. The minute Penn smiles in character on screen you automatically feel a sense of comfort and intimate closeness to Milk. Penn’s sensitive portrayal of Milk has you dreading the grim ending minutes after we first see him on screen. If the last 10 minutes of this film don’t have you holding back the tears or down right sobbing then you must be heartless!

James Franco, Diego Luna and Emile Hirsch also give three of the best supporting roles of the year. Their fearless, riveting and at times sweet portrayal of gay men never feels forced. It is refreshing to see such talented and gifted actors diving into roles that are normally controversial and daring for A-list Hollywood types. Franco’s quietly tender performance may even garner him an Oscar nomination. Hirsch exudes a glowing energy that feels genuinely heartfelt instead of over the top and stereotypically flamboyant, he makes every scene he is in pop. And even though his role is small in “Milk”, Josh Brolin gives a tense and creepy performance as the hate filled assassin Dan White that will have you glued to your seat.

To say that “Milk” is an important piece of film history would be a big understatement, it is hands down the most important film of the year and the best movie ever made about the gay rights movement. Van Sant has made a film that begs to be seen and dares the viewer to walk away without being touched and moved to take action. I am positive that this film will bring people together, start discussions and educate those who don’t know about this time in our countries civil rights history. This film is a must see for anyone who considers themselves a true American or even just a compassionate person. “Milk” stirs you with anger and then touches your heart all at once, and in all honesty isn’t that what great cinema should always do?