Let's get 2012 started for the next fresh music batch!
... to the tune of this ...
Young Circles - 2012
If anyone knows me very well, everyone knows that I am obsessed with retro-sounding music. Doesn't matter what the lyrics are, as long as you can dance like a 60s girl group in polka dots (see my inspiration in a few scrolls) whether in real life or in your head (that would be what I do all day).
You Don't Like Rock-n-Roll
Hunx and his Punx
VIDEO CONTAINS EPIC EXPLICITNESS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
What's boy-on-boy-loving, polka dot inducing and black leather all over? Mostly inspired from the 60s Ramones-style for their latest EP "Too Young to be in Love," Seth Bogart and his girly crew are back with a new sound. While Gay Singles was more on a power-punk pop and a few electrical licks leftover from Bogart's days of Gravy Train, they have fashioned a new sound and the images are... yeah... wow.
One Kiss Don't Make a Summer
Lucky Soul
Somewhere between champagne and bubblegum is where Ali Howard, Andrew Laidlaw, Ivor Sims, Russell Grooms, Paul Atkins and new addition Art Terry lie. Based out of South London and as an opener for The Pipettes back in 2009, Lucky Soul jumps between as a new Pink Martini of lounge music and early sixties revival.
Love in a Trash Can
The Raveonettes
The Raveonettes lack the ability to suck, especially early Raveonettes where everything is more garage inspired and the sound is like something out of Tim Burton's "Ed Wood" slightly goth yet bubblegum at the same time. The new album, "Raven in the Grave" has been released April 4th.
Sadness is a Blessing
Lykke Li
While a little more subtle with the famous Ronettes beat backing Lykke's signature electronic sound, "Sadness is a Blessing" is a little more sad than the rest of the music on this list, "These scars of mine make wounded rhymes tonight I dream of times when you were mine so I can keep it like a haunting" Li sings, admitting that sometimes sadness is a necessary, but somewhat of a positive attribute could come from it.
Release Me
The Like
This is one of the most addicting and dance-able songs to ever grace my ears. Like Hunx and his Punx, they shifted sounds (and the line-up) with their latest LP, 2010's "Release Me" which have become an improvement for the future of "The Like 2.0" from classic California alternative-rock. Their videos, like "Wishing He Was Dead", is jammed pack with 60s inspired fashion and not just in their music. They're 100 % into it and the love is noticeable.
Double Knots
The Living Sisters
Inara George is just one of those women who is truly immortal through both music (Merrick, The Bird and the Bee, as well as solo projects) and looks. The woman doesn't age, and as one third of The Living Sisters, she shows that she fits perfectly in a vintage frock assisted with her guitar alongside Eleni Mandell and Becky Stark (the voice of Lavender Diamond, The Decemberists) singing perfect and tight melodies.
Pull Shapes
The Pipettes
Video inspired from 60stastic "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" and a gift of witty writing through retro melodies has made me absolutely obsessed with the Pipettes... or at least their (rare) first and second line-ups of Rose, RiotBecki and Gwenno. Forget who they are now (Gwenno and sister, Ani) and even better, forget their early manifesto as wiping the Beatles off of the musical radar and focus on the right now of what they used to be.
I was Made For You
She and Him
It wouldn't be a retro play list without at least one song from Zooey Deschanel and guitar bad-ass M. Ward. Zooey as a mod hipster dream sings this surprisingly original song, written in 2008 that makes you need to google-search to make sure that this isn't a cover. Really! It isn't. It's THAT good.
So every Monday night I'll be showing off at least under 10 things that are making me happy or a voguegastistic bitch the past week in pop culture, facebookland, twitterland, or random irreverent things here in Iowa City.
LA Times on 30 Rock Episode
NBC is slowly getting me back onto their Thursday nights, and Thank God! I've been wanting to for quite awhile noticing the humor has changed from Will and Grace slapstick to the smart low-key situational comedy. Liz Lemon is reputedly a voice for women, as Tina Fey's writing is sharp and witty, but according to the LA Times Blog, this past Thursday was no other but another example how pop culture struggles to find us a situational middle ground - on feminism.
After ragging on Joanofsnark.com, Lemon has decided to do the "feminist thing" in bringing a writer, Abby Flynn, to work at TGS. Big mistake as she, at first glance, was a male-happy fetishist complete with pony tails, revealing clothing, and babytalking lesbian orgies and sexual innuendo. Until Flynn is outed as a disguised woman on the run from her homicidal boyfriend, duping Lemon into her usual "put foot in mouth" style - LA Times were quick to place "Are the Liz Lemons of the world motivated by righteous feminist indignation, or by their own gnawing insecurity?" This is common with Glee as well, if you give a theme too much power, it will look pro- and like an After-School special but if you do too little with the theme, it looks like people don't care. But while Glee is off worrying about a special middle ground in caring what things should sound like, I think 30 Rock did one thing right last week - it's all about balancing on a very teetering subject while still showing well written dialogue.
Well, 8 out of 15 nominations is pretty standard on my ballot card. Black Swan didn't get a single piece of recognition other than the amazing acting that was Natalie Portman (notice that her video clip was when she was telling her mother the news she got the White Swan part; how meticulous acting, happiness, relief, excitement, nervousness! All in one moment! That is acting, Christian Bale.) The King's Speech swept the Oscars, Inception most of the aesthetic awards, and Melissa Leo and Christian Bale rep'ed The Fighter. Best moments included Kirk Douglas being a dirty cheeky old man (I don't care what anyone says, I support old people getting their freak on, I just don't want to see it), James Franco dressed as Marilyn Monroe from "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and Anne Hathaway showing off every reason why I wish I could play her girlfriend on Glee. Thank you, Anne, for being the unstoned one.
Annie is featured on Designer Drugs "Crazy For You"
This needs no introduction because Annie is awesome, I did not even question her awesomeness that when she tweeted me back about Norwegian brown cheese. I don't care! I love this woman.
Ripped from the radio's "The Alex Jones Show," from the most appalling words from the famous party-man (somehow party-boy is a better phrase for how he acts) otherwise known as Charlie Sheen, this isn't your standard LOLcats.
I question myself in embedding the video, but I suppose for elaboration purposes, here is the newest from Ms. Germanotta (oh yes, I went there!) where the creative 80s inspired art direction in my concern is actually... dare I say... good? It's creative, and maybe I harbor a little resentment towards the first three minutes of the slight original score of Metropolis, but I suppose that only shows that Gaga as a film/media student further. I can accept that - looking strictly as the video. The song is a whole other story (or rather article) based on cultural and humanistic leniency and NOT about the gayness. As I have written multiple times before, and this should be made into a t-shirt, "Lady Gaga does NOT speak for me."
Stream "Wounded Rhymes" Lykke Li
But let's end on one of the best things that happened to me - or rather Li's fan club - is a full streamed preview of her album, Wounded Rhymes on stereogum.com. You can find the album everywhere as of TOMORROW! Spotlighted songs include "Get Some," "Sadness is a Blessing," and "I Follow Rivers."
So every Monday night I'll be showing off at least under 10 things that are making me happy or a voguegastistic bitch the past week in pop culture, facebookland, twitterland, or random irreverent things here in Iowa City. Why should you read me? Sheer insanity, maybe.
1. LIZ LOVELY COOKIES
Here in Iowa City, the Bread Garden Market is the ultimate addiction for any foodie and for a rookie-rated foodie like me, even though I know the soup bar on a daily basis, I have been going in the last few times for the latest merch. And not just the newly prepared meals which are a plus (anyway to get cheap but good sushi) but a brand new brand of junk food. Sorry, Liz Lovely cookies like to be called "real food with real ingredients" but oddly with no lower calories which is a must in my mission to lose those last ten pounds. Regardless the half cookie for 180 to 210 calories, this is probably more of a recommended indulgence in all its organic and/or vegan glory. I passed little pieces to friends at the weekly Writer's Hangout on Friday and without asking what it was, they thoroughly enjoyed The Peanut Butter Classic cookie and LOVED it without ever knowing the vegan quality until I told them. That is a clear indication that these cookies will be trending in Iowa City soon.
Not only at the Bread Garden, the company has their own stores and even an online store HERE.
2. HELP NATHAN BUY FIREFLY CAMPAIGN When interviewed for Entertainment Weekly on February 17th, 2011 primarily for his stint as Richard Castle, Nathan Fillion suddenly was feeling nostalgic for the beloved Firefly which prompted, whether in sarcasm or truth, Fillion quipped back with, "If I got $300 million from the California Lottery, the first thing I would do is buy the rights to Firefly, make it on my own, and distribute it on the Internet." That was enough for one amazing facebooker to start the campaign with a website and a facebook group. While the question is still up in the air of how much it really would cost to get Firefly away from the evil empire that is Fox, so far the facebook page has 17,109 hits and enough people with dollars burning in their pockets ready to donate for the greatest miracle in hipster heaven to be attempted.
Mr. Little Jeans's "anonymity" has been shattered and we get a closer glimpse into her random and irreverent humor. Complete with an attachment of the unremixed "Rescue Song" as well as the youtube link to "Single Ladies." Put a ring on this, please!
4. MEXICAN MACARONI AND CHEESE
You know what? It's not as horrible as it sounds. Really. Since my girlfriend is vegetarian (technically a mammaltarian, there's always room for sushi) I couldn't make my classic trademark baked chicken macaroni and cheese with Campbell's Cream of Chicken soup, I had to compromise with Campbell's Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup. Oh God, it was the best compromise yet. Massively cheesy with the velveeta alone, the nacho soup added a soft spicy kick and best of all, it was a mere 160 calories once I calculated it on livestrong.com. I'm a fan.
Boil elbow noodles as long as needed while simultaneously dicing velveeta. In a greased casserole dish, mix all ingredients together then place in oven 400 degrees for 45 minutes. Occasionally stir to mix cheeses together. Serve.
5. Justin Bieber in Rolling Stone
Criticism aside, there are a little bite to the way how Vanessa Grigoriandis wrote the interview with Justin, as a standard adolescent as an adolescent is: opinionated, presumptuous, and a little over the top. Seriously, IHOP, ice skating then watching him be reprimanded by his vocal coach? Let's just say Bieber dug his own grave through a modern day version of "We're bigger than Jesus" in form of opinions of abortion and the American health care system.
The Canadian-born Bieber never plans on becoming an American citizen. "You guys are evil," he jokes. "Canada's the best country in the world....We go to the doctor and we don't need to worry about paying him, but here, your whole life, you're broke because of medical bills. My bodyguard's baby was premature, and now he has to pay for it. In Canada, if your baby's premature, he stays in the hospital as long as he needs to, and then you go home." ... He isn't sure what political party he'd support if he was old enough to vote. "I'm not sure about the parties," Bieber says. "But whatever they have in Korea, that's bad." He does have a solid opinion on abortion. "I really don't believe in abortion," Bieber says. "It's like killing a baby." How about in cases of rape? "Um. Well, I think that's really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I don't know how that would be a reason. I guess I haven't been in that position, so I wouldn't be able to judge that."
I'm trying so badly to look at it all objectively without getting a little angry at Bieber's opinion, but unfortunately as a woman I just have to roll my eyes and say that's just an example why children should be seen and not heard. And those words weren't an expansion, Rolling Stone explicitly states on its site that Bieber's phrase was word-for-word.
I just find it unfortunately ironic when earlier in the article, Grigoriandis tells the background of Bieber's own mother of how she was sexually assaulted at fifteen, although an abortion or pregnancy had not come of it, you seriously have to wonder... would have the Biebs... *insert Tourette style "swag" here* have a different opinion if his mother did happen to get pregnant from her sexual assaults? We can either call this great journalism portraying how today's youth is heavily inconsiderate or asking a teenager about his current event opinions and show how little today's teenagers really care.
Either way, thank you Grigoriandis, for putting this fire under my ass.
6. OZZY DOES ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Dr. Ozzy Osbourne answers sex and relationships questions now! And in lieu of this, when asked if a man's sex life is altered because of porn overload unable to give his wife the sex she deserves but is sure that his twig and berries has suffered from porn... Ozzy reprimands the questioner with this statement that made me want to get up from my seat in the coffee house with a hallelujah. "Women didn't stop getting pregnant when the internet was invented." 7. LYKKE LI'S "LOVE OUT OF LUST"
Lykke Li always aims to please with the smallish audience that knows she exists. As a love child between Lady Gaga (although Lykke precedes the Lady) and Yoko Ono and maybe a little of Bjork's ovary, she makes odd music quirky and actually likable. Wounded Rhymes is going to be out on March 1st, and last Friday stereogum issued another tease from Miss Li, "Love out of Lust" makes neo-medieval music become ear candy.
8. CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CHEESECAKE FROM AMES'S "THE CAFE"
Valentine's Weekend I was in Ames for a wonderful four days with my girlfriend, who decided after seeing her on stage for the first time in the Vagina Monologues Thursday night, she took me out on a romantic date at her favorite place, The Cafe. There, I met her.... her... HER!Her name was Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake, and it was love at first lick. Sweet and cheesy, chocolaty and rich, she was a foodie's dream... wet dream. So what could my lovely lady (oh yeah her...) possibly do this weekend to make it more perfect after not seeing her for about a week? Oh I don't know, bring me a slice? It was love all over again on a rainy Sunday afternoon, ABBA therapy through the movie Mamma Mia (which I will be writing on soon) and slow fluid fork penetration into the cheesecake to my mouth. It was heaven all over again and I almost forgot about the wonderful happiness I get with my girlfriend. And it's fine by her that I'm cheating on her with what we have nicknamed "the sex cheesecake."
9. LAUREN ZIZES
We all know of my love to hate stance on Glee, maybe it's a bit unorthodox after my last post, but after last week's Puck/Lauren storyline, it had made me love Miss Lauren Zizes (ZY-ZEES) even more. When we first saw her in the first season, she was the pure stereotype of "that fat chick" in high school, constant candy references, showing the multi-political themes of childhood obesity, consumer generation, etc etc. It sickened me.
But after Murphy finally broke through the stereotypes by season 2 and showing not only is Zizes a plus-size girl with a pension for junk food, but the fact she has a bigger-than-life attitude towards men, especially Puck, and for being a female wrestler. She demands for Puck to impress her, make her feel like not only a bigger woman which he actually enjoys but to prove to her that he enjoys other aspects of her. Feminine empowerment for the win! I was the "that fat chick" in high school as well, but I only wish I had someone like Zizes to make it look cool back then, before Mika wailed in libretto, "Big Girl, you are beautiful."
Despite the feminine empowerment, I would like for Fink herself, if it effects her health, to lose weight. Maybe I was a little put off at first at her appearance, I can't wait to hear her voice more as her first solo last week "I Know What Boys Like" was mediocre at most, but Ashley Fink, a singer and dancer, has a lot more in the back of her pocket instead of a Snickers bar, so let's see it already!!
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