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What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:30:29 -0800

Time for more Tuesday entertainment! I've already shared a few new DVD releases to give your movie library a shot in the arm, but now, let's amp up your iPod. Big-name albums hit shelves today, so be sure to read up on these three. (And if you want to see your own music reviews featured on Buzz, submit them in the Music Review Group in the community!)

Fan-pleasing pop: American Idol fans rejoice: you've said that you're interested in post-AI albums, and now Kris Allen's anticipated self-titled debut is finally here. The song selections started a bit bland for me, but Allen picks up momentum with "The Truth" and the soft but moving ballad "Bring it Back." Both songs get needed oomph from orchestral accompaniment to create a sweeping sound that's sure to make Allen aficionados swoon. As for the rest of the album, it's predictable, but likable, much like the singer himself.

Why the sad face? Listening to John Mayer's latest, Battle Studies, you've got to wonder who ripped his heart out - Jessica Simpson? Jennifer Aniston? Every song is about a hurt guy who doesn't want to love again. Sensitive crooning isn't anything new to Mayer, but this time, it feels like mundane easy listening. I long for the days of "No Such Thing" when we had a more upbeat Mayer, or the Mayer who can riff on the guitar like nobody's business. But we don't really get either here. Still, it's worth noting his collaboration with Taylor Swift on "Half of My Heart," and my personal fave, "All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye."

See one more release when you read more.

Diva in training: Leona Lewis burst onto the scene two years ago with "Bleeding Love," and now she returns with her sophomore follow-up to Spirit, Echo. Lewis hits the high notes - and she'll once again draw comparisons to Mariah Carey - but the lyrics don't always pack the same punch, and they often feel like recycled love musings. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to see Lewis branch out of her usual comfort zone with the dance track "Outta My Head" and "Can't Breathe," which goes heavier on the R&B. If you've seen those Precious promos, you've heard another song from the album, "Happy," but it was recently announced that Lewis will be providing the title track for the film Avatar, so listen for her voice to show up there, too.

Buzz News Roundup, 1/7

BuzzSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:30:23 -0800

Beyonce Knowles, Alicia Keys, and Jennifer Hudson all racked up both acting and singing nominations for the NAACP Image Awards. - AP
Kelsey Grammer will star in a new ABC comedy pilot about a Wall Street executive who loses his job and has to move back to his hometown. Hilarious! - The Hollywood Reporter
Garrett Hedlund will star in Disney's Tron movie, the studio's sequel to the 1982 cult classic. - ComingSoon
Speaking of Disney, the studio has set McG to direct its family film, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo. - Variety
CBS's Rules of Engagement will return to TV on Monday, March 2. - The Futon Critic
Taylor Swift notches her fifth non-consecutive week atop The Billboard 200 with "Fearless." - Billboard
Scrubs janitor Neil Flynn will star opposite Patricia Heaton in the sitcom pilot The Middle. - TV Guide
There's lots of haggling going on over ER producer John Wells's next show, Police. - Variety
D.J. Caruso (Disturbia, Eagle Eye) will direct Jack the Giant Killer, a drama that takes an adult look at the Jack and the Beanstalk legend. - ComingSoon

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Buzz News Roundup, 12/8

BuzzSugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:30:30 -0800

Heath Ledger was posthumously given the Australian Film Institute's international award for best actor for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight. - AP
Reflecting on Boston Legal, which will air its final episode tonight. - USA Today
The award-winning comic book series Fables is being developed into a TV pilot for ABC. - Zap2it
Leona Lewis went straight to the top of the British pop singles charts, taking the number-one slot with her latest single "Run." - Reuters
Bravo has renewed four of its "docu-series," including The Rachel Zoe Project and Flipping Out. - The Futon Critic
Taylor Swift and the Jonas Brothers have joined the guest list for Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. - TV Guide
Lauren Holly and Luke Perry will star in the apocalyptic thriller The Storm, which will be directed by Uwe Boll. - Reuters

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Love It or Leave It: Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page Close the Olympics

BuzzSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:39:18 -0700

Led Zeppelin alum Jimmy Page got together with British singing sensation Leona Lewis at the Olympics closing ceremony to perform a duet of "Whole Lotta Love."

There's a whole lotta think about here, like what an odd pairing this seems to be at first glance, and the fact that Leona is on stilts. When I hear her voice I think, "Pretty!" but then I'm confused because I wouldn't expect to hear those kind of vocal loopdee-loos in this song. So, let's put it to a vote!

Leona Lewis & Jimmy Page. Live.
by michael0845

Link Time! 5/29

BuzzSugar — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:08:24 -0700

According to the L.A. Times blog Show Tracker, Lost scripts are littered with f-bombs!
Speaking of Lost, PopCandy is all about the show today, and has a piece about Hurley's blog, which is hilarious.
And because everyone seems to have Lost on the brain right now, go over to TV Squad for a video of all the flash-forwards seen so far on the show - in order. It's actually really helpful and interesting.
Cinematical talks about the MoMA's screenings of the Bourne triology, which will be "accompanied by panel discussions with Bourne Identity director/franchise supervisor Doug Liman and an expert on neuroscience and memory."
Stereogum has a premature evaluation of the new Weezer album.
Popwatch wonders, is Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" this year's summer song?
PopSugar wants to know: Are you still as interested in American Idol?
Huge nerdy entertainment blogger news alert! Michael Ausiello (of Ausiello Scoop) is leaving TV Guide for Entertainment Weekly!

Is Leona Lewis America's Next Super Diva?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:30:57 -0700

As my girl in the UK pointed out, Leona Lewis' single "Bleeding Love" from her upcoming album Spirit is No. 1 on the American Billboard Hot 100 right now. Lewis is the winner of the British TV show X Factor and has folks like Simon Cowell and Clive Davis heavily invested in her success.

However, based on this song "Bleeding Love," her voice is strong but I'm not sure I can hear Xtina or Whitney material in there.

I'll keep an open mind, but for all the publicity Lewis is getting, I wonder if she'll be able to live up to the hype when her album drops here in the U.S. on April 18.

Are you excited for Leona Lewis' record? Do you think she's destined for a spot among pop diva greats? To see the video for "Bleeding Love", read more.

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Singer to Watch: Estelle

BuzzSugar — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:00:00 -0700

As British sensation Leona Lewis hurtles towards the USA, there's another singer from across the pond whom I'm really excited about: Estelle. Although she's definitely reminiscent of other R&B singers like Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill, Estelle's sound stands out as something entirely unique.

Her first album, The 18th Day, was a hit in the UK, and these days, she has all kinds of talent collaborating on her new album, Shine, including Wyclef Jean, will.i.am, Swizz Beats, Mark Ronson, John Legend and Kanye West. That's a pretty good list if you're looking to earn fans in America.

Her new album was supposed to come out in February, but that didn't happen - though hopefully the fact that her singles are being released now means it's coming soon. I love both of the songs - "American Boy" and "Wait a Minute (Just a Touch)" - which feature Kanye and John Legend respectively. You can download them at iTunes, and to check out both videos, read more

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What to TiVo: Thursday

BuzzSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:50:22 -0800

ABC is new with FlashForward, Grey's Anatomy, and Private Practice
CBS is new with Survivor, CSI, and The Mentalist
FOX is new with Bones and Fringe
NBC is new with Community, Parks and Recreation, The Office, and 30 Rock
The CW is new with Vampire Diaries and Supernatural
E! has 15 Remarkable Celebrity Body Bouncebacks, and is new with Secrets of Twilight
MTV has Jackass: The Movie, and is new with Gone Too Far
VH1 is new with Top 20 Celebrities Gone Good
Bravo is new with Real Housewives of Orange County
Comedy Central is new with The Daily Show With Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report
FX is new with It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The League
Lifetime is new with Project Runway
Late-night highlights include Dakota Fanning and Jane Krakowski on The Jay Leno Show on NBC; Ted Danson on Lopez Tonight on TBS; Stephen Colbert and John Mayer on The Late Show With David Letterman on CBS; Nicole Kidman, Anderson Cooper, and Leona Lewis on The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien on NBC; Carrie Underwood and Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC; Sandra Bullock and Ben Foster on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson on CBS; and Taylor Lautner on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on NBC