Aimee Mann

• Aimee Mann's video version of A Christmas Carol features such funny people as Michael Cera, John C. Reilly, John Krasinski, and others. — Videogum
• Wow, this is geekarific: How to knit Star Wars sabers. — geeksugar
• It's not new, but that doesn't make it any less wonderful: The Scrubs/Charlie Brown Christmas clip. — Popwatch
• Why is there no music equivalent term for "jumping the shark"? — Monitor Mix
• Aw! Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne lists 12 reasons why Christmas matters. — Spinner
• Also, Merry Christmas from Kenneth the Page! — TV Squad
• 7 cult and campy holiday movies. — Cinematical
• The Office t-shirt design contest: awesome or totally exploitative? — TV Filter

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Tuesdays are big in entertainment-ville: Not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores, including iTunes. So I take a spin through each week's iTunes music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download. In addition to the selections below, you can download the best of Radiohead (according to whom, I'm not sure) and a new album from The Virgins. Here are today's selections:

Indie darlings: Fleet Foxes are yet another little band making good out of the Northwest and their first self-titled album is gorgeous. One track, White Winter Hymnal is ethereal and sweet, and I can't get enough. They kind of have a Shins vibe going on.

The cynical beauty: It's no secret I've been salivating for the new Aimee Mann album, and it's finally here! I've already downloaded, Freeway and Thirty One Today. I'm so excited to dig into the rest of the album.

Another three albums (busy day for music!) if you read more

We're inching closer to the June 3 release of Aimee Mann's next album @#%&! Smilers and I am positively salivating for it. We've already heard one song off the album, "Thirty One Today" and now there's a video of Mann playing another track, "Freeway" at Artists Den.

"Freeway" is pretty much exactly what I think of when I think of good, solid Aimee Mann songs. It's got some cynical lyrics set to a great, appealing melody which, in this case bounces right along in a way that's almost as catchy as "That's Just What You Are" (almost!). With regard to her upcoming album, it all seems to be so far, so good. To check out "Freeway" for yourself and tell me what you think, read more

Seeing as Aimee Mann is one of my all-time favorite musicians, I've been eagerly awaiting her next venture, an album titled @#%&! Smilers that's due to release June 3. Lucky for me, the first single off @#%&! Smilers is online today — and I love it.

Called "Thirty One Today," the track has Mann's signature morose-but-lovely quality to it, with lyrics about the sadness of growing older paired with a fun beat and her sweet, mellow voice. It's a good song, totally easy on the ears. If it's any indication of things to come, I am officially psyched for the rest of this album.

Check out the track here — and thanks to Stereogum for the MP3. What do you think of Mann's new track? And speaking of Aimee Mann, did you ever catch the viral videos in which she tries to secure talent for her Christmas show? John Krasinski is adorable as always in this one.

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• Popwatch's Michael Slezak hilariously acts out his own episode of America's Next Top Model with the new ANTM dolls.
• Stereogum found a super funny/awkwardmockumentary video of Aimee Mann trying to get celebrity acts for her Christmas show. My favorite part includes John Krasinski being funny and adorable, as usual.




• Cinematical lists off the seven worst first dates on film, including ones from Pulp Fiction, License to Drive and, well, Hard Candy.
• In other list-y news, TV Squad has a great rundown of things that only ever happen on TV, like how nobody seems to get change after paying.
• Want to see Jon Stewart with a trash can over his head? Late Night Underground has some hilarious outtakes from the Jon Stewart/Conan O'Brien/Stephen Colbert brawl.
• geeksugar lets TiVo guide her V-Day viewing.
• FilmExperience carefully dissects the upcoming remake of The Women, comparing the new actresses with those of the original 1939 film.
• Vulture would really like to know: Are you one of the 3,219 people who paid to see The Hottie and the Nottie?

• Jake Gyllenhaal has signed on to play Joe Namath in a biopic of the star quarterback, Zap2it reports.
• John Cusack and Gong Li will topline the historical drama Shanghai, teaming up with 1408 director Mikael Hafstrom, writes ComingSoon.
• Josh Groban's holiday album topped the charts this week, Billboard reports, while Jordin Sparks' debut had the lowest sales numbers for any American Idol winner's album.
• The Writers Guild of America has slammed Carson Daly over his decision to return to work, writes Broadcasting & Cable.
• Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reports that even if the strike ended today, shows would need up to five weeks to get back into production.
• The Hollywood Reporter has news that Matthew Perry will play the adult version of Zac Efron's character in the movie 17.
• Billboard reports that Aimee Mann's next album, Smilers, will feature a lot of synthesizer and zero electric guitar.
• According to ComingSoon, the Weinstein Company has acquired the screen rights to Bridie Clark's novel I Think She's Got It — before it's even been published.
• Variety reports that Walter Cronkite will receive the History Makers' first lifetime achievement award at the organization's fancy event in January.
• Wondering why House fired the candidate he did last night? TV Guide has some answers.

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I'm not crazy about the new Rosie Thomas album, These Friends of Mine. It's pleasant enough, but if I want to listen to a good female singer-songwriter, I'd much rather put on some Cat Power (pictured), Aimee Mann, or that old standby, Tapestry by Carole King.

So I want to know: What are you favorite albums by girls with guitars? Tell me by using BuzzSugar's cool Buzzworthy feature to bookmark CDs by female singer-songwriters. Just find them on the Web, bookmark them as Buzzworthy, and tag or title your choices with the phrase "Girls With Guitars." Then, I'll post the readers' favorites next Wednesday.

To find out how to create a Buzzworthy bookmark, read more

• Rounding up the best movie trailer mash-ups of 2006 — Rolling Stone Daily

• Remembering animator Joseph Barbera — Popwatch
• Aimee Mann's rollicking Christmas special gets us in the holiday spirit — Stereogum
• The Miss USA press conference felt a lot like "The Apprentice" — Tuned In
• Put your face on a Levi's model's body — Pop Candy
• Writer dishes about "The Amazing Race" — BuddyTV
• Score Cameron Diaz's wardrobe in The Holiday — Fabsugar
• Celebrating three more years of "Tyra Banks" — Best Week Ever
• Spot the fake Pitchfork review — Idolator
• Color in Wilbur, then eat some pork! — Defamer

  

It's time to break out the macaroni-and-glitter ornaments you made in second grade and plunk a candy cane in your hot cocoa, because Christmas is officially right around the corner. To help you prepare, I've devoted this week's Playlist to Cool Christmas Songs. (Every Monday on BuzzSugar, I'll be posting a themed Playlist, and you guys can tell me what songs you'd choose for the occasion.)

My 12-song mix starts out chill then gets a little rock-and-roll before heading into Run DMC and a song that namechecks Salem Lights. Tell me: What songs would go on your cool Christmas mix?

1. "Christmas Time Is Here," Vince Guaraldi (a.k.a., the "Charlie Brown Christmas" song)
2. "Oh Holy Night," Kelly Clarkson
3. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan
4. "Blue Christmas," Elvis
5. "Baby It's Cold Outside," Leon Redbone and Zooey Deschanel
6. "Wonderful Christmastime," Paul McCartney
7. "I'll Be Home For Christmas," Aimee Mann
8. "Santa Baby," Eartha Kitt
9. "Christmas in Hollis", Run DMC
10. "Cool Yule," Louis Armstrong
11. "Merry Christmas From the Family," Robert Earl Keane
12. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," Judy Garland

Most tracks are available through the iTunes store.

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