BuzzSugar

Link Time! 7/2

BuzzSugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:30:55 -0700

Apparently the Veronica Mars movie isn't happening, after all. - Cinematical
Ooh-la-la: Check out the sexy French trailer for Ashton Kutcher's movie Spread. - Popwatch
A Wii problem: Can Alec Baldwin go from actor to governor? - TresSugar
Five signs Hollywood's running out of new ideas. - The TV Addict
A respectful farewell to actor Karl Malden. - FilmExperience
Timothy Hutton talks Leverage season two. - TV Squad
Remember that danceable new Bloc Party song? Now here's the video. - Stereogum
Do you know where your movie ticket money goes? - SavvySugar

Photo courtesy of The CW

Listen Up: "One More Chance" by Bloc Party

BuzzSugar — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:30:12 -0700

Officially releasing Aug. 10, "One More Chance" is the latest single from Bloc Party and it is one super-charged, danceable tune. It also makes me want to drive somewhere fast. Or, you know . . . jog (see, Fit? I think about exercising). The song pulses with such synthpop-y intensity, you kind of start to forget that the lyrics are so repetitive. It's pretty much ready for the clubs right now.

To check out "One More Chance," read more.

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What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:46:17 -0700

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: 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 my selections below you can download new albums from Pink and Snow Patrol. Here's what's on my list this week:

The making of a Legend: I like John Legend and I feel like he's the perfect pick for when I'm in a romantic and/or chillaxed mood. His new album sounds pretty fun. I'm enjoying a duet with Andre 3000 called "Green Light," a sweet song called "No Other Love" featuring Estelle with a nice rasta-beat beneath it, and "This Time" is pretty and different-sounding for Legend. It's good to hear him getting up from the piano and mixing it up a little. Oh, and "I Love, You Love" sounds like wedding mix material.

The Cure for your ears: For what it's worth, The Cure's new album is earning some high praise from music critics. The Guardian called the band's thirteenth studio album "admirably taut and vibrant" and Blender declares, "here's the new soundtrack to Saturday night." Fun! I'm enjoying the upbeat song, "The Only One" and "Underneath the Stars" is another good one.

One more selection up next so read more.

So dramatic: Bloc Party's always had a flair for the dramatics as a band and you know what? I like it. I'm excited that their new album is out today and have had a good time checking out their new songs! So far my faves include the catchy "Signs," the spacey "Better Than Heaven," and the hard-driving "Halo."

2007 SXSW: A Festival in Photos

BuzzSugar — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 10:31:56 -0700

Most of us weren't lucky enough to get down to Austin for Southwest by Southwest, but that doesn't mean we can't relive the experience through good music and very cool photos. (Combine the two, and it's almost like being at a concert!)

Looking through some of the best shots from SXSW, I was struck by what a British Invasion there was this year, from keynote speaker Pete Townsend to much-discussed performances by Lily Allen, Bloc Party, Amy Winehouse, and The Pipettes (above). I've got photos from all of those shows and more, so check out my SXSW gallery when you read more

Photos include Winehouse, Allen, Townsend, Bloc Party, Mika, the Bravery, the Pipettes, and - just because it's funny to see him actually performing - Cisco Adler.

View 34 Photos ›

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CD Review: Bloc Party, A Weekend In the City

BuzzSugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 13:30:04 -0800

The weekend in the city that Bloc Party envisions on its sophomore album is ruled by party-ready riffs and thumping beats. But beneath the pop-punk surface of A Weekend in the City lurks a sort of disheveled, drug-fueled dystopia, giving the melodies a much-needed edge.

Fans will appreciate that the follow-up to Silent Alarm never veers too far from its predecessor's path, with frontman Kele Okerere's regal, slightly overwrought vocals coating some of the most soaring guitar work in rock.

But while Bloc Party's lauded 2005 debut was a fast and furious high - I listened to it constantly for weeks then burned out - Weekend never quite kicks in like it should. For the rest of my take and to hear a track off the album,

There are a number of welcome surprises in this set of songs: "Prayer" kicks off with a chorus of stomps, handclaps, and staccato tribal chants before going into the central plea: "Tonight make me unstoppable / and I will charm / I will slice / I will dazzle / I will outshine them all." The counterpart to that sentiment might be "Sunday," where whispered organs and chimey guitars draw the sort of day when you have to wake up in time to "catch the afternoon."

But while the album is chock full of hooks, it failed to really hook me, even after multiple listens. On one hand, it's grandiose and thoughtful, but even clever tracks like "Uniform" - a brooding ballad that blames MTV for lessons in sulking - the big sounds are also overly simple. I should, however, throw out a caveat here, which is that I didn't fully appreciate Silent Alarm until I saw Bloc Party live in NYC. For now, listen to "Sunday" below or stream the album yourself and tell me what you think.