Pop Culture Buzz

Joey McIntyre, Jonathan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight, and Danny Wood broke up the New Kids On The Block back in 1994, and have since experienced varying degrees of success in film, music, and reality TV. Until this week, they have coyly denied that an NKTOB reunion was defintiely in the works.

Although no longer “kids,” per se (the youngest member, McIntyre, is now 35), they are expected to make their official New Kids reunion tour announcement this Friday, April 4, on NBC’s The Today Show.

I am a bit embarrassed to say I was a big NKOTB fan and am kind of excited to hear this news. I have to say all the boys have grown up to be quite handsome. I’d love to hear how many of you readers are excited to hear this news, c’mon you know you loved “The Rigth Stuff.”

The New Portishead album will be titled “Third” and it is (obviously) the trip hop group’s third CD. It will be officially released on Monday, April 28, 2008. It is their first release in 10 years, and their first studio album in 11 years. Look for a review of the new album on this blog soon!

PORTISHEAD’S NEW ALBUM “THIRD” TRACK LISTING:

“Silence” - 4:59
“Hunter” - 3:57
“Nylon Smile” - 3:16
“The Rip” - 4:30
“Plastic” - 3:27
“We Carry On” - 6:27
“Deep Water” - 1:30
“Machine Gun” - 4:43
“Small” - 6:45
“Magic Doors” - 3:32
“Threads” - 5:47

“Hard Candy” is Madonna’s eleventh studio album and it will be released towards the end of April 2008 by Warner Bros. Records. It will be the last of Madonna’s studio albums to be released under her contract with Warner Bros. (a compilation to be released in late 2008 or early 2009 will complete the contract).

On March 24, 2008 the first single “4 Minutes”, featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, will be released but you can hear it here along with 2 other singles off of “Hard Candy” titled “The Beat Goes On” and “Candy Shop” (featuring Pharrell). I also have posted a picture of the supposed cover art for “Hard Candy” along with a shot of the album art work below the music player. Enjoy Madge fans!

Madonna’s highly-awaited new album will be called “Hard Candy,” the singer’s publicist has confirmed, and it will be her last on the Warner label. The CD, which is the follow up to 2005’s “Confessions On A Dance Floor,” will be released on 29 April, 2008.

Before “Hard Candy’s” release (which will be Madonna’s 11th studio album) Madge will bring out the single “4 Minutes” featuring Justin Timberlake, at the end of March. The album will have an urban feel, with hip hop stars Timbaland, Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes and Nate “Danja” Hills producing several of the tracks.

Announcing “Hard Candy,” Madonna said: “The title is a juxtaposition of tough and sweetness, kind of like I’m gonna kick your ass but it’s going to make you feel good. And of course, I love candy.” The music on “Hard Candy” is described as “very up-tempo, upbeat and urban—it’s a Virginia-based sound.”

Last year Madonna announced she had signed a $120-million deal with US concert promoter Live Nation. After “Hard Candy” is released Madonna begins a wide-ranging 10-year recording, touring and merchandising deal with Artist Nation, a new initiative launched by concert promoter Live Nation. But Warner Bros. still has rights to also release a hits collection as part of her contract.

If you are a rabid Madonna fan like me and millions of others, then you can hardly wait to hear J.T. and Madge’s new single. Just think of all the awesome dance-floor ready “gay remixes” she can come up with! My little pop whore mind can hardly contain the excitement. Once again Madonna has proven to be an innovator and pop star diva!

BELOW IS THE TRACK LISTING FOR “HARD CANDY”

1.) Candy Store
2.) 4 Minutes
3.) Give It 2 Me
4.) Heartbeat
5.) Miles Away
6.) She’s Not Me
7.) Incredible
8.) Beat Goes On
9.) Dance Tonight
10.) Spanish Lesson
11.) Devil
12.) Voices

I plan on going to at least the Saturday and Sunday Coachella shows this April and I will review each act on this site. I am in love with Mark Ronson, Calvin Harris, My Morning Jacket, Dimitri From Paris, Simian Mobile Disco and have been waiting to see them forever!

Even though this set list is not as magical as years past, maybe it will just be more mellow and less hectic. Nothing will compare to the Daft punk/Madonna year though, nothing! Check out the list below and let me know what you think!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE NEW GOLDFRAPP SINGLE “A&E” ON THEIR MYSPACE PAGE!

The album “Seventh Tree” leaked onto file sharing websites in November 2007, three months before its official release. You can here the new single “A&E” legally by clicking on the link above to go to their MySpace page!

“Seventh Tree” is the fourth studio album by the British electronic duo Goldfrapp (who are one of my all time favorite bands). It is scheduled for release by Mute Records on February 25, 2008 in the United Kingdom and the day after in the United States.

Goldfrapp have described the album as a “sensual counterpoint to the glitterball glamour of Supernature”, their last studio album from 2005. The album’s first single, “A&E”, is scheduled to be released on February 12, 2008. It is a complete departure from some of their more dance floor friendly albums from the past.

Goldfrapp’s new single won’t be out until late January but here is the cover art work for their first single off of their upcoming fourth c.d. “Seventh Tree” called “A&E”. If you are a huge Goldfrapp fan like me then this is very exciting news to you too.

Alison once again has changed her look with fabulous results, she is a true fashion icon. Now if only we could get a sneak peak at a music video or if only we would hear a little bit of a snippet from a song! Now that would be some really awesome news!

THE BELOW ARTICLE WAS TAKEN FROM REUTERS UK.COM

Rap star Kanye West scored a leading eight nominations for the 50th annual Grammy Awards this year, the music industry’s highest honours, organizers said on Thursday. Five acts received five nominations each; rock band the Foo Fighters, rapper Jay-Z, hip-hop producer Timbaland, pop singer Justin Timberlake, and R&B singer T-Pain.

Winehouse’s autobiographical single “Rehab” will vie for record of the year with the Foo Fighters’ “The Pretender,” Timberlake’s “What Goes Around … Comes Around,” and tracks from two R&B singers; Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” and Rihanna’s Umbrella,” featuring Jay-Z. “Rehab” and “Umbrella” were nominated for song of the year, alongside country star Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats,” pop band Plain White T’s “Hey There Delilah,” and singer/songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Like a Star.”

My opinion? I am VERY disapointed that Feist was not nominated for Album and Record of the year. Her second solo c.d. “The Reminder” is a piece of pop heaven. A few other snubs? Lily Allen, The Arcade Fire, Mika, Peter, Bjorn & John and Robin Thicke! The Grammy’s have always been geared to the older set, which is why Herbie Hancock, Paul McCartney and some of these other acts made such an impression on voters.

Lastly, when don’t The Foo Fighter’s sweep at Grammy time? Granted, I like David Grohl, but when have they really put out a stellar album with certified commercial hits? I guess I can be thankful that Daughtry and Fergie weren’t nominated for anything (that we know of), then I’d really be pissed. I am excited for the actual Grammy nomination list to come out so I can see the dance, pop and alternative category nominees. Stay tuned to this blog for the full list of grammy nominations when they are released!

Attention Goldfrapp fans! Below is the full track listing for the new Goldfrapp c.d. “Seventh Tree”! The picture posted above and below are from the Goldfrapp fan club email I received this morning. I am loving Alison’s new look! I also have copied the actual email I received from the Goldfrapp fan club below:

Hallo M’Deers,

As promised, we’re working on getting you a sneaky peak at the finished artwork. Bear with us, these things take time. But it won’t be too long now. In the meantime, here’s a BRAND NEW picture for you, which is not the album artwork. We just thought that you’d like to see it.

I for one am really excited for this album. Goldfrapp have consistently delivered fresh, innovative pop dance music with a rocking alternative edge with their last two c.d.’s. This album will no doubt give Goldfrapp the true artistic recognition they deserve.

Cat Power (Chan Marshall) has announced details on her forthcoming album entitled “Jukebox”. The record was recorded with her frequent touring band The Dirty Delta Blues Band and will hit shelves on January 22, 2008 through Matador.

This will be Marshall’s second album featuring other artist’s material, her first being 2000’s “The Covers Record”. As she did in 2000, “Jukebox” will also include a few originals such as “Metal Heart” and “Song to Bobby”.

Cat Power’s last album “The Greatest” was a subtle masterpiece. After seeing her open for The Flaming Lips last New Years I have become a bigger fan than before. Her voice and presence are captivating live. Here is the complete track list for “Juke Box” below:

1. Theme From ‘New York, New York’
Written by Fred Ebb/John Kander

2. Metal Heart
Written by Chan Marshall

3. Ramblin’ (Wo)man
Written by Hank Williams

4. Song To Bobby
Written by Chan Marshall

5. Aretha, Sing One For Me
Written by J Harris/Eugene William

6. Lost Someone
Written by James Brown/Bobby Byrd/Lloyd Stallworth

7. I Believe In You
Written by Bob Dylan

8. Fortunate Son
Written by John Fogerty

9. Silver Stallion
Written by Lee Clayton

10. Dark End of the Street
Written by Chips Moman/Dan Penn

11. Don’t Explain
Written by Arthur Herzog, Jr./Billie Holiday

12. Woman Left Lonely
Written by Spooner Oldham/Dan Penn

Goldfrapp’s new album “Seventh Tree” will be released on February 25th, 2008 according to their band website and fan club newsletter. I was sent this official statement below via email just this morning! I am a huge Goldfrapp fan, I have seen them 2 times at the Filmore in San Francisco and have been a rabid fan of all their work since their debut album.

Alison Goldfrapp is gorgeous and she has the voice of an angel, her work with fellow band mates is revolutionary pop music. All of Goldfrapp’s remixes have been kick ass dance tracks that improve upon already brilliant material. If you have not had the chance to hear any of Goldfrapp’s music then you are in for a treat! Watch the collection of Goldfrapp music video’s at the bottom of the page. But first, check out the email notice about the new c.d. from Alison Goldfrapp below:

Howdy Deers:

PS Hello, hola, bonjour, salut to all the new members that have joined us recently. We hope that you have found a happy home here.

WATCH THE BEST OF GOLDFRAPP’S MUSIC VIDEO’S HERE:

“STRICT MACHINE”

“OOH LA LA”

“RIDE A WHITE HORSE”

“FLY ME AWAY”

“TIPTOE”

“TWIST”

“#1″

“YOU NEVER KNOW” (LIVE)

“TRAIN”

Kylie Minogue recently stated that her recent battle with cancer ravaged her body and left her feeling as if she was close to death. This combined with her much publicized break up with actor Oliver Martinez would have left any other person feeling defeated, but not Miss Minogue. Kylie is back with a vengeance and this time out she has expanded her progressive pop sound and created another hot look for her new c.d. “The X Sides”.

(KYLIE’S NEW C.D. “THE X SIDES” FRONT COVER ART)

For years she has been a gay icon and now she has survived near death and heart break to come out as an inspiration to woman and cancer survivors around the world. This album may sky rocket her career in the here in the U.S. if it is anything like this first single “2 Hearts”. She has already reached Madonna like status across the globe, this song will only confirm the demand for Kylie’s brand of infectious dance songs.

(KYLIE’S NEW C.D. “THE X SIDES” BACK COVER ART)

The music video alone is sexy enough but this new breakthrough song is pure pop magic and I can only imagine what the remixes will sound like. I am beyond excited to hear this new album. Every time I make the announcement “this is the song of the year” another brilliant song like “2 Hearts” comes out and proves me wrong. This song is definitely one of the hottest tracks of 2007. You go Kylie!

WATCH KYLIE’S NEW MUSIC VIDEO “2 HEARTS” BELOW:

LET ME KNOW YOUR OPINION IN THE POLL BELOW:

Following a calculated publicity buildup, the original Girl Power group of the 1990s announced Thursday that they have agreed to reunite for six concerts around the world — their first since breaking up in 2001. Talk of a reunion had swirled for weeks — boosted by Sporty Spice herself.

Victoria (Adams) Beckham (Posh Spice), Melanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice), Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice), Emma Bunton (Baby Spice) and Melanie Brown (Scary Spice) formed the Spice Girls in 1994. They became a global hit. Chisholm, who had opposed a reunion, recently told the British Broadcasting Corp. she had changed her mind.

“For the first time ever, there is some truth in the rumors. We’ve been discussing it and it could possibly happen,” the 33-year-old singer told BBC radio. “I’ve always said, `I don’t want to do it, the past is the past. It was amazing, it was magical. We could never recreate it,’” Chisholm said. “But this year people have been talking about it and some of the girls have expressed an interest in doing it.” The Spice Girls’ 2000 album, “Forever,” had weak sales, and they began concentrating on their solo careers.

This last weeks installment of “Saturday Night Live” marked the return of skit queen Scarlett Johanssen. If you remember Scarlett appeared on SNL a year ago and filmed one of the best episodes in years. Each skit crackled with wit and left me in stitches. In this episode Johanssen delivered a perfect set of skits that took off where she left them. An added bonus to this episode was the debut performance of Bjork’s new material from her latest c.d. “Volta”. The energy and fun sound of this song is a great change from the ethereal sounds of her last two records.

This week it was announced that rap pioneer and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons wants the music industry to ban or label 3 words he considers “extreme curse words”. The 3 words in question are “bitch”, “ho” and “nigger” (I hate typing that word, eeewwwww!). I somewhat disagree with the idea that people should be censored, but agree that those epithets have no real value in music. I am on the fence with “ho” and “bitch”, but I am a guy, so who am I to say what it offensive to women? It seems that some people are trying to tell us what is offensive, when in reality we all have lines that we will not let people cross. How come these words illicit this reaction from the hip-hop community and media (granted the N word is the ugliest of slurs and I would never defend the use of it), what about the other words that are just as offensive?

These days you are allowed to call gay people a “faggot” (Anne Coulter, Isaiah Washington) without people asking for someone to be fired or without questioning by the media. You can call someone fat and make fat jokes, and people think it is funny (Donald Trump and Rosie O’donell). One of the most offensive words around, “retarded” is used so much without any regard for the handicapped it has now become o.k. to throw around in pop culture (The Black Eyed Peas song “Let’s Get Retarded”). I know many people who will not tolerate the use of that word because they have family that are handicapped. I for one detest people using the word “faggot” as a way to put someone down, but myself use it in jest. I think it is a slippery slope, if you say these 3 words are too offensive, then who is to say that other words are not just as offensive to them?

I understand what Russell Simmons is trying to say, but think that it is just bad timing coming right off of the heels of the Don Imus incident. I also think that the rap community is the sole reason why this “bitch” and “ho” culture has become so popular. Why hold other genres of music up to those standards? I think this movement to blacklist words in pop culture is futile. People will say what they will, they just need to think hard about how people interpret them. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to know that it’s not what you say half the time, but it’s how you say it!