BuzzSugar

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:30:29 PST

I've already shared a sampling of the DVDs that are available today, but if you're in the mood for music, these three new releases should provide a little something for everyone.

Nice and easy: Juliana Hatfield proves she's a one-woman show with Peace & Love, which she produced entirely by herself - even releasing it via her own label. As such, Hatfield resorts to minimalist acoustics which give the tracks a straightforward feel. Even her lyrics seem more vulnerable, as she sings on "Evan" (about her complex relationship with longtime collaborate/friend, The Lemonheads' Evan Dando), conceding "I just love you, I guess." Sad, heartfelt, simple.

Cover me sad: Eight years after his last solo album, Peter Gabriel is releasing Scratch My Back (available now on his website), a compilation of covers including Regina Spektor's "Apres Moi" and Arcade Fire's "My Body Is a Cage." The idea is for the artists to return the favor at a later date by redoing Gabriel's own hits for a second disc. Gabriel gives each track a more somber, grittier spin (the best example perhaps being of Paul Simon's "Boy in the Bubble") - it just makes me curious for the follow-up. I wonder what Simon or David Bowie would do with something like "Shock the Monkey"?

One more release to check out when you

read more. Moody musings: Hard rockers Story of the Year name their latest The Constant, because of the constant influence music has on their lives - and in honor of one of their favorite TV shows, Lost. Great title aside, the songs themselves remind me more of Twilight tunes: angsty tracks riddled with dramatic lyrics about love lost (as on, "I'm Alive" which compares heartbreak to being buried) and love kept (as on "Holding On to You").

Link Time! 9/18

BuzzSugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:30:38 PDT

Read an excerpt from Juliana Hatfield's memoir. - Rock and Roll Daily
Rainn Wilson talks about planning a vicious attack on Ricky Gervais. - E! Online's Watch With Kristen
Five steps to fixing Saturday Night Live. - The TV Addict
BET presents . . . an award show without women. - Popwatch
Grey's Anatomy gets the Lolcat treatment. - TiFaux
Do you buy Nicole Kidman as an action star? 'Cause she might become one. - Cinematical
Which female novelists would make your list of the funniest writers ever? - Jezebel
Check out this Dexter-inspired townhouse! - CasaSugar
Do the books about Carrie Bradshaw as a teenager = too much of a good thing? - The Frisky
Handicapping which Fall TV shows are likely to be axed first. - Vulture

Source

What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:30:30 PDT

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. Here are today's selections:

A little rock: I added this album from The Walkmen to my list of must haves for August because I'm a fan of their dark, boozy rock - but I know they can be an acquired taste. The new album, You & Me, has already won me over with singles like "In the New Year" and "Postcards from Tiny Islands." This album might not be the biggest deal of the year but I remain a fan and am definitely adding this to my iTunes library.

Earth to music lovers!: Yippee! New Dandy Warhols is finally here and their sixth album Earth to the Dandy Warhols is getting some mixed reviews. Rolling Stone says the album is a "misstep" while the Guardian calls it their "most self-assured set yet." What to make of such diverging opinions? Well, it will always be difficult for them to top "We Used to Be Friends" in my heart but we've all agreed that "World The People Together (Come On)" is great, and this other new track called "Love Song" is totally sweet (I think I hear banjo!). So, we'll have to judge for ourselves but honestly, I'm already sold.

Two more singing ladies, so

read more. A refreshingly mature voice: If you've ever been even the slightest bit ~~addicted to~~ charmed by a Rhianna song in the past, you will probably enjoy Karina. I just happened to stumble across her debut album and for someone so young her music is good, and it's not just about, you know, sneakers. Songs like "16@War" are danceable and lyrically interesting. I also might listen to "The Love We Got" secretly. . .maybe. . .OK fine, I bought it and I like it.
Sad and pretty: Yeah, it's lonely and a little sad, but the music from Juliana Hatfield's new album is also really pretty and wonderful. It's exciting to have her music here and available for my bus-riding. We already got a peek at "This Lonely Love," and I'm now digging "Remember November" because I have Novembers I hope certain people also remember. . .

Music Video: Juliana Hatfield, "This Lonely Love"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:30:17 PDT

Technically, this Juliana Hatfield song is kinda sad and lonely (hence the title, of course), but the chorus is so catchy I've taken to happily belting it out along with her when I listen to it. I think "This Lonely Love" has a spot waiting for it on my commute playlist.

The video isn't particularly inspired, but it certainly gets across the aloneness of this lonely love, as we watch Hatfield walk around by herself on streets and near trees and on the beach. "This Lonely Love" is on Hatfield's upcoming album How to Walk Away, which is available for download now and will be officially released Aug. 19. To check out the video,

Link Time! 3/27

BuzzSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:30:30 PDT

Filmonic has a pretty awesome rundown of which actors would play the Simpsons characters in a live-action Simpsons movie. My favorites are Allison Janney as Mrs. Krabappel and Kevin Smith as Comic Book Guy.
The Ausiello Report has the strangest news that a Prison Break character we thought was dead is alive after all. Huh?
Cinematical claims the movie 21 proves that sometimes a film can be reviewed entirely from its trailer.
Popwatch has a helpful - and very funny - video that will catch you up on Dancing With the Stars, just in case you didn't catch all 3.5 hours of it this week.
TV Filter wonders why John Adams is the most boring character in HBO's John Adams.
According to Stereogum, even Juliana Hatfield is addicted to watching The Hills (though she simultaneously hates it).
Give Me My Remote is glad that a Battlestar Galactica alum is giving Joss Whedon's Dollhouse some sci fi cred.
Thanks to You Ain't No Picasso for showing me that Andrew Bird has blogged for the New York Times!