BuzzSugar

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:30:32 -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.

Still rockin': I was surprised when I heard that Pearl Jam was releasing an album exclusively through Target this past Sunday - huh?! - but Backspacer is a solid, mature showing from the heralded band. The songs are full of introspective lyrics, like an older and wiser Eddie Vedder reflecting back on his life, but most of the tracks are fast-paced with a tinge of punk sound. While a bit of head-banging is fun, I've always preferred Pearl Jam's ballads like "Black" over their heavier stuff, so I'll be downloading "Just Breathe" and "The End."

Still waters run deep: Yesterday, we got word that indie artists Sea Wolf made it onto the New Moon soundtrack; now comes their sophomore full-length effort White Water, White Bloom, a mellow album of romanticism. (Perfect for Edward and Bella, no?) Every track has gorgeous storytelling imagery, as singer-songwriter Alex Brown Church constantly weaves in water themes (as his album title and band name hint). The result is something dreamy and lush to listen to on a lazy, sunny day. My favorite tracks: "Wicked Blood," "Dew in the Grass," and "The Orchard."

One more up next, so read more.

Child's play: Those neon outfits, those tight pants, that Freddie Mercury falsetto - everyone knows Mika is a bit outrageous, and his latest album is just as super-charged as his debut. Reportedly inspired by his own adolescence, The Boy Who Knew Too Much is full of that rebellious teenage attitude with the standard Mika dance fever. From the island music of "Blue Eyes" to the nursery rhyme-ish ditty "Toy Boy," it feels light and fizzy, like pop music on Red Bull - and it's just as addictive. You'll either love it or hate it, but as for me, I'll be downloading "We Are Golden" and "By the Time," where he collaborates with Imogen Heap.

Music Video: MIKA, "Happy Ending"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:30:49 -0700

Oh, MIKA. Even when you're sad you make me happy. How does that happen? "Happy Ending" isn't an altogether happy song, but watching MIKA's new video for it brings tears of joy to my eyes. Seriously.

He's just so sweet-seeming, and the video is so whimsical and dreamy. It may be too trippy for some people, but I love the balloons carrying a gloomy MIKA into space and the Labyrinth-style hands making singing mouths. But the real reason I've watched this video several times over? The singing stuffed animals.

So to watch the MIKA video for "Happy Ending," read more

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Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 08:00:00 -0700

Tell me: Do celebrity causes inspire you to do good deeds?
My Fall Movie Previews continued this week when I rounded up this fall's period pieces, fantasy adventure flicks and tearjerkers.
There was TV news aplenty this week: Kristen Bell will guest star on "Heroes" this fall while Janeane Garafolo joins the cast of "24." I also found out some intriguing casting news regarding "Lost" and "America's Next Top Model."
In another installment of my "Getting Into" series, I give you the rundown on all you need to know about girl rockers Sleater Kinney.
What's worse: The possibility of a sequel to Ferris Bueller's Day Off, or the fact that Ryan Seacrest is hosting the Emmys?
Have you taken the online test to determine how bionic you are? I'm warning you, it's addictive.
So many handsome men in trailers this week. Check out Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell in Cassandra's Dream, and then watch the preview for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford starring Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck. Finally, for another couple of cute guys, there's the teaser trailer for Harold and Kumar 2!
If you could recast the West Side Story movie with new actors, who would you pick?
Check out the promo for the season premiere of "Ugly Betty" featuring Mika's song "Betty Girl." Also new this week: Season 1 of "Ugly Betty" on DVD!

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Mika Meets "Ugly Betty" for "Betty Girl" Video

BuzzSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:25:00 -0700

It's always nice when two things I really like merge together, and that's exactly why I'm getting a kick out of the new collaboration between "Ugly Betty" and Mika. For a promotional video for the series' second season - one of 11 ABC plans to make for its shows - Mika re-recorded a new version of his hit song "Big Girl" with lyrics focusing on Betty (the new version is aptly titled "Betty Girl"). Then, the song took a starring role in two videos: one more traditional music video with scenes from the show's first season, and one shorter promo with the cast goofing around in a colorful woodland setting.

Of the two, I'm more excited about the promo, which shows Betty cheering up a gray, rainy world just by putting her red glasses on. You can see both videos, plus a behind-the-scenes clip from the making of the promo, if you read more

Music Video: Mika, "Grace Kelly"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 14:41:58 -0800

Love him or hate him, Mika is blowing up the UK music charts, and now his infectious, perky pop is making its way to the US. He just released video for his first single, "Grace Kelly," a power ballad inspired by Freddie Mercury that will find its way into your head whether you like it or not. (I, for instance, sort of hate this song, yet I am strangely transfixed by it.)

The relentless catchiness combined with Mika's nerd chic could make his debut album, Life in Cartoon Motion, a huge hit when it comes out Feb. 8. I already posted another Mika track, called "Relax," and to watch the video for "Grace Kelly," read more

Buzz News Roundup, 1/29

BuzzSugar — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 15:01:05 -0800

The movie-going populace disappoints me by making Epic Movie No. 1 at the box office this weekend, says Hollywood Reporter.
But I'm holding out hope, because Sundance Film Festival gives the big awards to films dealing with important issues, says Variety.
The Shins new album revives the midnight sale tradition at music stores, says AOL Music.
Wired questions whether MTV can save itself with a new virtual world.
"Arrested Development" star Will Arnett signs on for the new Will Ferrell movie, Semi-Pro, reports Variety.
The Futon Critic has the scoop on the CW canceling "Reba," the network's highest-rated comedy.
An overzealous censor bleeps all mentions of God from a version of The Queen for airlines, the AP reports.
CBS has canceled "Armed and Famous" and ABC is moving "Knights of Prosperity" away from "American Idol," Variety reports.
Meanwhile, unaired episodes of "Day Break" have finally surfaced at abc.com.
I can't wait to hear what Brian Eno does with the next Coldplay album, which Pitchfork says he's producing.
Insanely hyped new artist Mika has the No. 1 single in the UK, according to Billboard.
British television is seeking a real-life Harry Potter, according to the BBC.
Sacha Baron Cohen has been named one of Britain's most powerful people, according to Reuters.

Song of the Day: Mika, "Relax"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 08:47:03 -0800

People are going nuts for Mika, the hot young Lebanese singer from the UK whose songs are surfacing all over the Internet. On his debut album, Life in Cartoon Motion, due out Feb. 8, his ridiculously catchy tunes sound alternately like Freddie Mercury (particularly the theatrical "Grace Kelly") and a more psychedelic version of James Blunt. On "Relax" (below) he's leaning a little more toward New Order while still forging a signature style. Take a listen and tell me what you think: Is Mika the next big thing?

What to TiVo: Wednesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:50:57 -0700

ABC is new with Hank, The Middle, Modern Family, Cougar Town, and Eastwick
CBS is new with The Adventures of Old Christine, Gary Unmarried, Criminal Minds, and CSI: NY
FOX is new with So You Think You Can Dance and Glee
NBC is new with Mercy and Law & Order: SVU
The CW is new with America's Next Top Model and has a repeat of Melrose Place
MTV is new with Real World/Road Rules Challenge
VH1 has repeats of 2009 Hip Hop Honors and Tool Academy 2
Bravo is new with Top Chef: Las Vegas
Comedy Central is new with South Park, Secret Girlfriend, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, and The Colbert Report
Late-night highlights include Tina Fey and Mika on The Late Show With David Letterman on CBS; Bill Cosby on The Jay Leno Show on NBC; Serena Williams and Rascal Flatts on The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien on NBC; Jamie Foxx and Toby Keith on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC; Kristen Bell on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson on CBS; and Phoenix on Last Call With Carson Daly on NBC