1. Forbidden City - Episode 1 (1:05:39)
2. Theory for Turntables - The Quietest Moment of the Softest Rock  (1:19:03)
3. Dreadful Thoughts - Frankenstein Book Club Parts 1 (1:12:47), 2 (1:03:59), 3 (59.31)
4. The Nerdist - Paul McCartney (1:24:51)

I know. It's been almost a month and a half since I have advertised a few of my (new) favorite things, but you know, life. In the lieu of life and wondering if anyone is actually reading this blog or this post, leave a shout out in the comments and make a girl feel good. Please? But since it has been a month and a half, there has been plenty things cooking in my Vspot folder...

Five of the Best Words in the English dictionary: Emmy the Great, New Album

Our favorite anti-folkster has moved to the West Coast from England and adopted a new sound, this we already knew from her "Swimming Pool" single from last year. Now there are three more songs attached to this new EP entitled "S" and they all are made of ambient, sensitive, honest, and electropoppy goodness.  Even in the first few seconds of "Somerset (I Can't Get Over)" you feel that "oof" factor in the "tell me something that's real like please don't get over me." But that's what Emmy has done even in her previous incarnation of Regina Spektor's lyrical cousin with her cleverness. Case in point in the same song, "F. Scott Fitzergald, Tennessee Williams/Come on let's talk about something different..." I always find it fascinating that an album or an EP comes out around a life experience of hers and that's why I love her so much. Now Taylor Swift on the other hand....(j/k)

NEW TRAILER for 

"The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"

Ten of the Most Orgasmic Words in the English Language:

Josh Groban, Three New Videos and a New Album Coming

Josh Groban will be putting a new album into the world that sounds much more promising than "All That Echoes" (sorry!) IN TWO WEEKS! While it will be nothing original like "Illuminations," which I will forgive because my Joshy has been very busy for the last few years, he will tackle the Broadway standard. Already it's been reported that standards such as "Pure Imagination" (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory), "What I Did for Love" (A Chorus Line), "Bring Him Home" (Les Miserables) "You'll Never Walk Alone" (Carousel), "Finishing the Hat" (Sunday in the Park with George), "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (The Wizard of Oz), "Try to Remember" (The Fantasticks), "Not While I'm Around" (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street), "Children Will Listen" (Into the Woods) among many others. Oh, and "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera. You *do* *not* want to hear the noises I made when I discovered that one. This will be a VERY happy experience!

The Von Trapps Are Doing Indie Pop

The Sound of Music notwithstanding, "Kurt" or Werner in the real world von Trapp's great grandchildren, Sofia, Melanie, Amanda and golden hair God -- I, I mean -- August made a band and they're awesome. While the von Trapps have already released an album with the easy listening band, Pink Martini, they are putting out a more Indie poppy sound on their "Dancing in Gold" EP that will come out -- oh hey! -- today. Unfortunately, I missed the chance to see them in Des Moines a few weeks ago (but luckily I got the secondhand scoop from a friend who opened for them) but I'm ready to hear more than just the YouTube clip of their new song. Their genetic harmonies are just as genetically tight and I am so ready for this! [EDIT: (4/14 1:23) IT'S HEERREE!] My Homegirl Mackenzie Scott is Being Awesome Again...

By this point, you all know my deep homegirl affection for Mackenzie Scott. She's adorable and awesome and honest and can rock a Kum and Go trucker hat like no one's business. But I digress. That honesty has come back in a more vibrant way via "Sprinter" coming out May 5. While her first album was painfully truthful and beautiful in that melancholic kind of way, this time around (if her singles "Strange Hellos" and "Sprinter" is any indication), it's raw and as autobiographic as the first album. In an interview with pitchfork, she explains the lyrics come inspired by her family (she herself being adopted as well as the mother who raised her).

"Whether it be abandonment, or fear of rejection, or perhaps inability to connect with people, comes down to that fear of isolation, of not being good enough. Those are themes that have cropped up in my personal life, in my writing, and my Mom can definitely understand that herself."

Sold!

Between slices of a cheap frozen Mexican pizza, homemade chocolate chip cookies and a big bottle of Lipton tea limeade while simultaneously watching the Marvelverse and creating essays in my mind on what drives me stupid crazy about it, I give you the things that have filled up my "vspot" bookmark folder for the past few weeks.

Penny Dreadful Season 2 Trailer

... and it's absolutely beautiful! John Logan's love letter to the depths and dark places of the human condition and the struggle to be authentic is just as Gothic and beautiful as ever! Maybe even more so as Eva Green goes deeper into herself with those stunning Bitsie Tulloch-like cheekbones. But after season 1 being so spottish I am both excited (mostly the gift of visual editing does that to this girl) and worried that Logan's strange plot devices might blow up like it had prior. But this immersing show for the senses does not disappoint with Helen McCrory's "An Unquiet Grave" playing in the background until you realize... holy shit! ... it's Madame Kali having an Elizabeth Bathory-esque bath. 

In Season 2, at least from first glance, Logan's "League of Literary Gentlemen" seem to break up, Ethan Chandler starts to realize the repercussions and comes to grips with his blublad -- sorry, wrong show -- werewolf ways, Dorian Gray (Reeves) pines for Eva Green who seems to go on sabbatical to a more colorful but equally desolate landscape. Caliban feels human touch, Chandler cleanses the "LLG" headquarters, and the Bride of Caliban experiment works (of course). 

Season 2 looks like it will be shaping up to be a wonderful feast for Victorian old souls of this world. But it's my hope as both a serious writer and obviously a little of a Victorian old soul in myself hopes for an overall arc that will not stop dead in its tracks like season one. Plus, the use of Danny Sampani (Sembene) as Murray's faithful servant in the trailer gives me hope that maybe it won't entirely be the "Eva Green Show" but "Penny Dreadful" can go so many different directions. I only ask, Logan, bring me on as a script writer!! Pretty please?

It May Not Be Christmas Anymore, but  This Live Version of Hey Rosetta's  "Carry Me Home" is Absolutely Beautiful!...

... and They Also Have a New Video!

Here on muchmusic.com
Because a "Backstreet's Back" Reference is Just too Easy... 

I am so excited for this, you have no idea! Basically documenting the time five best friends and brothers (oh, how many times have we read that in the thank you notes!) moved into a house in London, where they composed and recorded their newest album "In a World Like This." Like all reality shows that show multiple personalities living under one roof without their families or wives, magic happens, music is made, friendships solidify harder but not without a little drama. This is where I cue the trailer where Nick blows up, "I'm not afraid of you anymore." Online commenters speculate that might be directed towards my Backstreet Boy, the strong and silent Kevin Richardson.   STWYMO will be full of the Backstreet history of boy band-dom (whether or not it will be intertwined with the modern day is anyone's guess), the fantastic songs that came off the latest album, including "In a World Like This," "Madeline" and the title song, and basically exhibiting the question asked in the trailer, "What do you do when you're a full grown man in a boy band?" If anyone needs me January 30th, you can find me at one of the local movie theaters.  Hey Geronimo's Lazer Gun Show LIVE 

Although this video is a few months old my favorite Australian band Hey Geronimo literally JUST put this video up on YouTube. Promoting 2 songs on Australia's The Children's Hospital Telethon, this is one of the rarest moments to see the band in live form with less crappy audio. I so approve this it hurts! You can also find all of the lyrics to their songs on their website, finally! Linnea Olsson Fleeting Performance on P3 Guild

I had a conversation with a friend a few weeks ago that while she seemed to be more of a violin personality, I seem to be more of the cello although I do love the violin. As the list of my favorite cellists grows, Linnea Olsson is my current cello-girl-crush at the moment. Literally just today, this quirky performer posted a fleeting but beautiful performance on Sweden's Top of the Pops-esque "P3 Guild." The performance only runs until 2:15. 

Side A: Traditional/Covers

Side B: Original Songs