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What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:30:37 -0700

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores. So I take a spin through each week's music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download.

Pop idol: Jordin Sparks, American Idol's sixth winner, is back today with her second album, and it sounds like a solid collection of the pop/R&B tunes we've come to expect from this teenager. Battlefield kicks off with some driving beats in songs like "SOS" and "Walking on Snow," then later slips in some ballads like "Was I the Only One." The song "Emergency (911)" reminds me of Rihanna, and I could see "It Takes More" doing well on the radio.

Everything all at once: The Fiery Furnaces is a band that does "weird" in the best sense of the word. Brother-and-sister duo Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger's releases aren't necessarily easy listens, but they contain some of the most creative indie rock around. The new I'm Going Away is relatively straightforward for a Fiery Furnaces release, but that's only if you consider things like wild syncopation, jazz-influenced riffs, and breathlessly rushed lyrical delivery "straightforward." I'm digging "I'm Going Away," which has an old-timey vibe that got me bouncing in my desk chair, and the folky "The End Is Near."

For one more release to check out, just read more.

A modest proposal: Modest Mouse has been releasing new material and old B-sides for a while now leading up to August's No One's First, and You're Next EP, and today, the latest of those singles is out. Perpetual Motion Machine contains two tracks: the title song, which has a swingy, big-band, brass-backed feel, and the guitar-based, slightly more expected "History Sticks to Your Feet."

Announcing the Winners: The 2008 American Music Awards

BuzzSugar — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:01:50 -0800

Chris Brown, Rihanna, and Kanye West were among the big winners Sunday at the American Music Awards. Brown took home the biggest prize of all, winning Artist of the Year by beating out Lil Wayne, Coldplay, the Eagles, and Alicia Keys. It was one of three awards for Brown, who also won Favorite Male Artist in both the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories.

Rihanna was Brown's female counterpart, taking home Favorite Female Artist awards in the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories. Kanye was another double winner, named Favorite Male Artist in the rap/hip-hop category and also winning the Favorite Album award in that category for Graduation. Alicia Keys' As I Am was named Favorite Album in both the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories.

The night was also kind to American Idol winners, with Carrie Underwood winning Favorite Album in the country category for Carnival Ride and Jordin Sparks winning Favorite Artist in the Adult Contemporary category. Winners in all categories were picked by voters online and via text message, and to see the full list of people who took home awards, just read more.

POP OR ROCK MUSIC

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST
Chris Brown

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST
Rihanna

FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP
Daughtry

FAVORITE ALBUM
Alicia Keys, As I Am

COUNTRY MUSIC

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST
Brad Paisley

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST
Taylor Swift

FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP
Rascal Flatts

FAVORITE ALBUM
Carrie Underwood, Carnival Ride

RAP/HIP-HOP MUSIC

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST
Kanye West

FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP
Three 6 Mafia

FAVORITE ALBUM
Kanye West, Graduation

SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES MUSIC

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST
Chris Brown

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST
Rihanna

FAVORITE ALBUM
Alicia Keys, As I Am

SOUNDTRACKS

FAVORITE ALBUM
Alvin And The Chipmunks

ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC

FAVORITE ARTIST
Linkin Park

ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

FAVORITE ARTIST
Jordin Sparks

LATIN MUSIC

FAVORITE ARTIST
Enrique Iglesias

CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL

FAVORITE ARTIST
Third Day

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Chris Brown

T-MOBILE BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST
Jonas Brothers

HONORARY AWARD
Mariah Carey

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Buzz News Roundup, 4/21

BuzzSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:30:37 -0700

It'll be back: Fox has renewed Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles for a second season, writes the Hollywood Reporter.
One of James Bond's iconic cars plunged into a lake in Italy while shooting a scene, the AP reports.
Jordin Sparks is suffering from a vocal cord hemorrhage and has dropped out of the Alicia Keys tour, writes Billboard.
It's not just Britney - TV Guide reports that Sarah Chalke is also returning to How I Met Your Mother.
Just in time for Earth Day, the LA Times reports that Disney has launched a new unit to make environmental and nature films.
Variety reports that the Crank sequel has found its lead actors: Amy Smart and Clifton Collins, Jr. Bai Ling will also have a role in the movie.
According to ABC News, President Bush will send an on-air good luck message to a contestant on Deal or No Deal tonight.
Carnie Wilson and "Kid" from Kid 'N Play are among the "celebrities" who will be competing on a celebrity magic reality show on VH1; details are at The Futon Critic.

Photo courtesy of Fox

Buzz News Roundup, 2/18

BuzzSugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:30:01 -0800

Jordin Sparks will open for Alicia Keys on her North American As I Am tour that kicks off April 19 in Hampton, Virginia, E! Online reports.
HBO's long-awaited adaptation of David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize-winning biography John Adams has a premiere date, according to Zap2It. The seven-part miniseries starring Paul Giamatti will start on Sunday, March 16.
ComingSoon has news that the same guys who wrote Saw IV and Saw V will write the Hellraiser remake Clive Barker Presents: Hellraiser.
French writer and filmmaker Alain Robbe-Grillet has died today at age 85, Reuters reports. Robbe-Grillet first came to fame as a novelist who rejected conventional writing structures in a style that came to be known as the "new novel."
Variety writes that Persepolis was screened legally in Iran, despite the fact that the way the film presents the Iranian Revolution had originally outraged the government.
MTV will run a 22-minute sneak peek of Internet series Quarterlife prior to the show's premiere on NBC. The Futon Critic has the details.
A national autism group is demanding an apology from CBS over a remark a contestant on Big Brother made, writes the Associated Press. The contestant who made the remark said he works for an autism foundation.
Billboard has the news that American Idol is teaming up with iTunes to offer downloads of every performance from the top 24 contestants. Full songs will be 99 cents, while full videos of the final 12 contestants will be $1.99. Don't we get this kind of thing for free from other networks?

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Buzz News Roundup, 2/1

BuzzSugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:30:10 -0800

ComingSoon has news that Jesse L. Martin will play Marvin Gaye in a biopic titled Sexual Healing. James Gandolfini will co-star in and produce the project.
Variety reports on Josh Hartnett's next role in the martial arts action movie Bunraku.
Fox has ordered 13 more episodes of The Moment of Truth, Zap2it reports.
According to Hollywood Reporter, Emily Blunt will star in the immigration drama The Girl.
ComingSoon has the scoop on the Space Chimps video game, which will be based on the upcoming movie.
Jordin Sparks will sing the national anthem at Sunday's Super Bowl and Alicia Keys will provide pregame entertainment, the Associated Press reports.
Speaking of the Super Bowl, expect kinder, gentler ads this year, writes The New York Times.
Following her rejection on The Bachelor, DeAnna Pappas is the new Bachelorette; details are at The Futon Critic.

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Music Video: Jordan Sparks, "Tattoo"

BuzzSugar — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 09:30:00 -0800

Well, here's the good thing about Jordan Sparks' "Tattoo" video: They didn't slut her up. She is only 17 years old, and thankfully the setting for the video isn't some strip joint or night club or anything else that would challenge her seriously virginal image. Sparks is modestly bundled up and hanging out around a deserted carousel with her buddies - including Blake Lewis. Good times.

All in all, it's a pretty average video to go along with a sleepy song. Mostly I want to know what music those kids are actually listening to during the little dance party that breaks out toward the end, because you know it's probably not "Tattoo."

To check out the video and tell me your thoughts, read more

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Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 08:00:00 -0700

Check out this very funny clip of Mandy Moore guest starring on "How I Met Your Mother"!
Happy Labor Day weekend! This weekend check in with some dedicated onscreen working ladies with my movie night, featuring 9 to 5, Clockwatchers and Working Girl.
Take a listen to Jordin Sparks' new single "Tattoo" and tell me what you think.
In case you've forgotton, "Gossip Girl" is one of the CW's most anticipated new fall shows. You can find out all about the central characters here. Also, I'm convinced the music on this show is going to be awesome.
Check out my Fall Movie Preview that features the bad boys hitting the screens this fall (yup, this includes Clive Owen in Shoot 'Em Up). And speaking of boys, this trailer for Run, Fat Boy, Run (starring Simon Pegg and Hank Azaria) is hilarious.
If you could recast the sensational "Melrose Place" with new actors, who would you pick?
It's time to weigh in: What do you think of M. Night Shyamalan's movies? Who's to blame for the "Kid Nation" controversies: CBS or the kids' parents? Who should win the Emmys for Best Actress in a Comedy and Best Actor in a Comedy?
Want to see Common looking gorgeous and Lily Allen in an astronaut suit? Check out the very cool video for "Drivin' Me Wild."

Photo courtesy of CBS

First Listen: Jordin Sparks, "Tattoo"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 07:00:00 -0700

First of all, I have to give "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks credit for not turning her atrocious coronation song, "This is My Now," into her first single. I've had about enough of the treacly messes "Idol" seems to turn out for the finale year after year, and I'm relieved that this year's version won't be getting a lot of radio play.

Sparks' actual first single, "Tattoo," hits airwaves today, but if you don't want to stay glued to the radio listening to it, you can just check it out here. I have to admit, I was expecting something slightly funkier after hearing that Sparks had signed with Jive, the wing of the Clive Davis empire that also houses Ciara and Justin Timberlake. Instead, "Tattoo" strikes me as fairly straightforward synth-r&b-lite. Co-written by Amanda Ghost of James Blunt's "Beautiful," it's pretty unchallenging, lyrics-wise ("you're still a part of everything I do/you're on my heart just like a tattoo").

On the positive side, her voice sounds good, even if the song's not instantly compelling. And I suppose it's good that she didn't try to sing something way too mature for her; that way, she won't fall into the "no 17-year-old knows what those words really mean" trap that occasionally dogged her on "Idol." Sparks' first album, which still doesn't have a title, is scheduled to come out in November; until then, what's your take on "Tattoo"?

Photo courtesy of Fox

Buzz News Roundup, 8/17

BuzzSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:28:07 -0700

"American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks' first album is due in November, the Associated Press reports; her first single, "Tattoo," will be released Aug. 27.
Variety has news of Djimon Houndsou and Dakota Fanning signing on to star together in a thriller titled Push.
ABC has set dates for two relatively high-profile TV movies, the latest Oprah movie and an adaptation of A Raisin in the Sun, Zap2it reports.
According to Billboard, Jamie Foxx will star in another musical biopic, titled The Soloist.
TV Guide reports that the remaining episodes of "The Nine" are now streaming online, if anyone still cares.
The Washington Post explains why Ryan Seacrest is "hosting" the Super Bowl.
There's yet another new hero: Bratz star Janel Parrish is joining the cast of "Heroes" to play the head cheerleader at Claire's new school, writes the Hollywood Reporter.
Billboard reports that Amy Winehouse continues to cite "ongoing health issues" as she cancels another event: the V Festival in the U.K.

Photo courtesy of Fox

Miss the Ending of "American Idol"? Here You Go

BuzzSugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 10:15:12 -0700

So if you're like Pop and me and your DVR cut off right after the lame Sgt. Pepper tribute on the "American Idol" finale last night, here's the clip of what you missed. For the record, I was right on all of my predictions of what happened, except there was no weepy Hasselhoff this year - just Jordin's tearful parents, which almost made me cry at my desk just now. What can I say? I'm a sap. To watch the clip, read more

Photo courtesy of Fox