BuzzSugar

10 People I'd Like to See More of in 2010

BuzzSugar — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:45:23 PST

There were a few famous faces that ruled the pop culture scene in 2010 - Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, and don't forget George Clooney who was in practically every movie that came to theaters. But these lesser-known names gave us memorable turns on TV, on film, or on the charts that left me craving a whole lot more. Here's hoping for a strong showing from all of them in the new year!

What Is the Best Indie Album of 2009?

BuzzSugar — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:30:08 PST

Some of these gifted artists may be bigger than what you consider "indie," but they all captured the spirit of the genre in '09. It's hard to pinpoint why they're just so cool, but they make it seem effortless. Personally speaking, I've been listening to Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix and It's Blitz! by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on a repeat loop, but there were plenty of other albums to choose from. Which one is your favorite?

Don't forget to check out the rest of my best of 2009 polls and Best of the Decade community group!

Music Video: Neko Case, "People Got a Lotta Nerve"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:30:03 PDT

Neko Case's "People Got a Lotta Nerve," from her album Middle Cyclone, is a catchy - if slightly eerie - song that imagines caged animals taking revenge on those who keep them that way. So it's only appropriate that the music video that accompanies the song would have the same dreamy but creepy imagery.

In this little animated gem, a bored redheaded girl gets sucked away from the drudgery of knitting and transported into a fantastical world where dozens of children jump rope on the backs of elephants and brush a tiger's mane. But when she tries to capture one of the primates for her own, the animals revolt and return her to the belly of a whale. It's a weird fantasy, sure, but it's the sort of thing I imagine coming out of Case's brain on a regular basis. Plus, seeing this animated Neko-esque girl makes me think of that time she was on Aqua Teen Hunger Force, which still makes me giggle a little. To check out the video,

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:30:59 PST

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. In addition to my picks below, you can also download the Watchmen soundtrack and Neko Case's album Middle Cyclone (check out my thoughts on all her new tracks here). Here are today's selections:

Bono's back: When I first saw the cover for the new U2 album, No Line on the Horizon, I hoped it wasn't an indication of the music. Because? Snooze. Now that it's out, we have our answer. It's not boring at all, but it's also not altogether unexpected. One reviewer summed up the album as a "well-crafted, classically-sturdy rock album with a modicum of invention and a good deal of familiar-sounding material that will appeal to the faithful." Standout tracks include "Magnificent" and "Unknown Caller."

A little jazzy, alt-country something-something: Fun fact time! Jesse Harris, a fellow with a new album out today, has worked with many a talented individual - including Bright Eyes - and even won a Grammy for writing the sweet Norah Jones hit "Don't Know Why." His music may be a little too mellow yellow for some, but I've enjoyed his work before and am eager to give his new tracks a spin. I'm digging the easy melody of "Watching the Sky,", and I think "The Fool" is really pretty.

More music to talk about, so

read more. You Had Me At "Oh": This new album from Seattle indie band Say Hi, aka Eric Ellbogen, might be one of the most interesting albums to hit my ears so far this year. If your iPod track rotation is feeling a bit stale, I urge you to work the following tunes into the fold: "Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh," "November Was White, December Was Grey," and "Elouise." Me? I've downloaded the entire thing.

Link Time! 2/26

BuzzSugar — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:30:50 PST

Is there gender inequality in Pixar films? - Cinematical
The story behind United States of Tara's cool opening credits. - Pop Candy
Stevie Wonder is the secret to the Obamas' marriage. - CitizenSugar
I could just kiss this post about a kissing reality show. - Popwatch
Whoa, that wrestling video game from The Wrestler is real! - Vulture
Can't wait till Tuesday? Go download one of the new Neko Case tracks. - Stereogum
Dear Life on Mars: You're getting boring. - Clique Clack TV
Could One Tree Hill go on without Lucas and Peyton? - Korbi TV

Source

First Listen: Neko Case, Middle Cyclone

BuzzSugar — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:30:00 PST

Neko Case's Middle Cyclone was one of the top 10 reasons I got excited about 2009, so when I saw the album was streaming on NPR's site ahead of its March 3 release, I had to take a listen.

My first impression in a nutshell: This is an album that's going to grow and grow on me. Case has said she wrote a bunch of love songs for the album, but it's important to note that the term probably means something different to her than it does to most people on the planet. Don't expect soft and mushy love: These are songs about disappointment, animal attacks, and tornadoes falling in love with people. By the end, I felt like I'd been through the emotional wringer - but I also couldn't wait to listen again.

There are a couple of missteps, but they're few and far between; early favorites include "Magpie to the Morning" and Case's cover of Harry Nilsson's "Don't Forget Me," but that might change on my next listen. You can check out the album for yourself, and to hear what I heard about each of the 15 tracks, just

Listen Up: New From Neko Case, "People Got a Lot of Nerve"

BuzzSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:30:33 PST

Seeing as Neko Case's album Middle Cyclone is one of the top 10 things I was most looking forward to for 2009, I'm stoked to hear a little bit of what we can expect when the album is released March 3. "People Got a Lot of Nerve" is a cute little tune that promises great things for the rest of the album. According to "People Got a Lot of Nerve," Neko Case is a "man-man-man-man-man-maneater." The song is so catchy it's impossible to forget how much of a maneater she is.

Super bonus to posting this track today: Neko Case and her label, ANTI-, are making a cash donation to Best Friends Animal Society for every blog that reposts the song through Feb. 3 (for some more information on this whole thing, click here). We're saving animals!

To take Neko's new song for a spin while thinking of all the happy puppies and kittens,

Link Time! 12/16

BuzzSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:30:35 PST

If you are bold enough to admit that you hate A Charlie Brown Christmas, this post is for you. - CliqueClack TV
From Towelhead to Role Models, who are the most offensive movie characters of 2008? - Cinematical
Whoa, Neko Case's piano collection is awesome. - Stereogum
So yeah, even the original Gossip Girl author thinks Aaron Rose is "icky." - TV Filter
Which movie character lives the life you want? - Popwatch
An extensive and hilarious preview of The Real World: Brooklyn. - TVgasm
So, who should play Bill Clinton in Peter Morgan's Blair-Clinton movie? - Vulture
The UK's X-Factor winner, Alexandra Burke, has a new video for "Hallelujah" - spin it or sling it? - PopSugarUK

Source

Link Time! 9/2

BuzzSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:38:23 PDT

Five reasons why Scott Porter should play Ryan on Brothers and Sisters. - The Ausiello Files
Dr. Horrible lives on with comics and a soundtrack. - Give Me My Remote
Have your pop culture tastes ever mortified you on public transportation? - Popwatch
New Neko Case songs? Why yes, my day has been made. - Stereogum
What other Chuck Palahniuk novels are headed for big-screen adaptations? - Cinematical
Wentworth Miller talks about Prison Break's latest reinvention. - The TV Addict
Republican National Convention viewing alternative: TCM's political movie night. - TV Squad
Hey, why weren't Brian Austin Green and Luke Perry talking in the New York Times oral history of 90210? - Vulture

Source

The New Pornographers - with Neko! - Sing Sweetly for AOL

BuzzSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:32:00 PST

If you're a fan of The New Pornographers, you know that catching Neko Case on tour with the band isn't always the easiest feat. (When both she and Dan Bejar appeared with the band in San Francisco in September, I nearly fell over.) For those of you who still haven't had that pleasure, AOL's Interface concert series has delivered the next best thing: live performances of four songs from Challengers with Neko performing, all available for download as mp3s or videos. Yay!

There's also an interview with AC Newman, John Collins, and Kathryn Calder talking about things like getting one of their songs into Rock Band, which really is pretty hilarious.

All four of the performances are worth watching, but for pure "hey, hey, the gang's almost all here!" pleasure, you've got to check out "My Rights Versus Yours." You can watch the video if you just