BuzzSugar

Pay-What-You-Want For Albums: Great Idea or "Idiotic"?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:30:20 -0800

Remember back when Radiohead allowed listeners to pay whatever they wanted for the In Rainbows album? That was pretty cool, right? Well, Robert Smith of the Cure disagrees. He told the following to Music Radar:

You can't allow other people to put a price on what you do, otherwise you don't consider what you do to have any value at all and that's nonsense. If I put a value on my music and no one's prepared to pay that, then more fool me, but the idea that the value is created by the consumer is an idiot plan, it can't work.

What do you think of this? Is the pay-what-you-want tactic foolish? Or a cool idea?

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What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:46:17 -0700

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. In addition to my selections below you can download new albums from Pink and Snow Patrol. Here's what's on my list this week:

The making of a Legend: I like John Legend and I feel like he's the perfect pick for when I'm in a romantic and/or chillaxed mood. His new album sounds pretty fun. I'm enjoying a duet with Andre 3000 called "Green Light," a sweet song called "No Other Love" featuring Estelle with a nice rasta-beat beneath it, and "This Time" is pretty and different-sounding for Legend. It's good to hear him getting up from the piano and mixing it up a little. Oh, and "I Love, You Love" sounds like wedding mix material.

The Cure for your ears: For what it's worth, The Cure's new album is earning some high praise from music critics. The Guardian called the band's thirteenth studio album "admirably taut and vibrant" and Blender declares, "here's the new soundtrack to Saturday night." Fun! I'm enjoying the upbeat song, "The Only One" and "Underneath the Stars" is another good one.

One more selection up next so read more.

So dramatic: Bloc Party's always had a flair for the dramatics as a band and you know what? I like it. I'm excited that their new album is out today and have had a good time checking out their new songs! So far my faves include the catchy "Signs," the spacey "Better Than Heaven," and the hard-driving "Halo."

Start Your Week With New Music From Snow Patrol, The Cure

BuzzSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:30:49 -0700

Need to dial up something new on your headphones to get you through Monday? I know I've had a hankering for some new music, and today we're in luck: New albums from The Cure and Snow Patrol are streaming online now.

Snow Patrol's new album, A Hundred Million Suns, is streaming on the band's MySpace page. (If it doesn't start for you right away, click the album cover on the left-hand side of the music player, or select the album title from the dropdown menu.) The album comes out tomorrow, Oct. 28, in the U.S., and you can get a bonus track for pre-ordering from iTunes. So far, it sounds like more of the lush, layered, sweeping music I've come to expect from this band, and I hope Grey's Anatomy has some suitably emotional scenes planned so these songs can be the soundtrack.

Meanwhile, The Cure's 13th studio album, 4:13 Dream, has made a MySpace appearance of its own. (It comes up under "featured playlist" on the music player and will hit stores tomorrow.) It's hard to believe this band has now been releasing albums for almost 30 years! This is the first studio album in four years, and we've already heard a handful of tracks from it, but I can't wait to give the whole thing a listen and see how it comes together.

Have you been looking forward to either of these albums?

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Harrison Ford Goes from Indy to Crowley

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:30:23 -0700

After the major success of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, one might be wondering, "What's next for the adorably endearing Harrison Ford?" (Besides recently winning that Guys Choice Award there.) Well, this just in, folks: Ford will next be seen in the dramatic film Crowley. Zap2It has more:

The project is based on Geeta Anand's The Cure, which focuses on John and Aileen Crowley, whose two children have a rare genetic disorder. Ford would play the maverick researcher who comes to their assistance.

"Real people are the best kind of movie heroes," [producers] Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher say in a statement. "We have had great success with true stories that have an uplifting message. The Crowleys' story is both entertaining and true. Using humor, warmth, and drama, it shows that people with courage can make a difference."

From Indiana Jones to "maverick researcher." I love me some Harrison Ford and this project sounds like it'll bring us the tender, heartwarming Harrison. Aww. . .

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Love It or Leave It: The Cure's "The Only One"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 10:28:39 -0700

"The Only One" is the first of four tracks we'll get from The Cure's next album before its September release, and it's pretty catchy. I just love that The Cure is still at it, going strong with their signature sounds. I also find that I grow fonder of this song with repeated listens.

The song has been around for a while, apparently, but I'm just hearing it now, and the black-and-white video for "The Only One" is new. Check it out and tell me what you think.

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Buzz News Roundup, 5/2

BuzzSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:30:02 -0700

Catherine O'Hara and Andie MacDowell have signed on for ABC pilots, Zap2it reports: O'Hara will play the mom in Good Behavior from Rob Thomas, while MacDowell's plot is described as a Hamlet-like drama set in the auto industry.
Maggie Gyllenhaal will replace Toni Collette in the Sam Mendes relationship comedy that also stars John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph, Variety writes.
According to ComingSoon, comedian Demetri Martin will be joining Ang Lee's next project, Taking Woodstock.
Billboard writes that The Cure has announced the date of their next album release: September 13, with a new single coming out every month until then, starting on May 13.
Variety reports that iTunes will now offer movies to be purchased and downloaded on the day of DVD release.
If you liked the Christian Siriano-designed blouse that Amanda wore on Ugly Betty last night, you can bid on it now; details on how are at The Futon Critic.
E! reports that Leighton Meester will be reprising her role on Entourage as a Britney-esque pop star.
Pitchfork has new details on the new album from The Hold Steady, which will be released in July.

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Sasquatch: Mythic Creature With Great Taste in Music

BuzzSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:30:00 -0800

The Sasquatch Music Festival, held annually at a gorgeous outdoor amphitheater in George, Washington, has just released this year's lineup, and at first glance I'm liking what I see. R.E.M. and The Cure are the big headliners, which, like Coachella where they're spotlighting Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, is in keeping with this year's trend of bringing back older bands. At least with Sasquatch I don't have to go as far back as bell bottoms; I just have to dig out my Doc Martens (or find new versions of my old Docs!).

Billboard reports that The Flaming Lips will premiere their anticipated film Christmas on Mars at Sasquatch. They'll also perform their U.F.O. Show in which the band emerges from a giant U.F.O. and then one of them finds himself in a hamster ball of some sort. I've seen these guys live, and it's super fun.

For more bands in the lineup and ticket information, read more.

The festival is held on Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26 and tickets go on sale March 8th for $56.50 per day. The price increases two days later. Also, this is a camping event so you have to plan for that as well. More info is available here.

A good chunk of the lineup is what I would describe as "Northwesty" as many of them hail from that part of the map, including Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie, Built to Spill, The New Pornographers, and Kinski. In addition to those bands M.I.A., the Hives, Tegan & Sara, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and the Breeders will be there, along with Flight of the Conchords! I'd also love to check out power-bop band The Cops that I've heard a lot of good things about.

A little something for everybody, no? What do you guys think of this lineup?

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Buzz News Roundup, 7/9

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:27:51 -0700

Forbes confirms that Jane magazine is shutting down.
Rupert Friend has been cast as Prince Albert alongside Emily Blunt in The Young Victoria, says Hollywood Reporter.
Recently ousted NBC entertainment president Kevin Reilly could be hired by Fox, which would reunite the team that developed "Nip/Tuck" and "The Shield," TV Week reports.
MTV News warns that there may not be a new Outkast album for two years, while Andre 3000 and Big Boi pursue solo projects.
Bestselling novel Water for Elephants will be adapted for the big screen, Variety reports.
It sounds like we're in for at least one, if not two, more editions of "The Apprentice," Reuters says.
Billboard says The Cure is working on a double album due in October.
Lance Bass will join the cast of the Broadway musical "Hairspray" on August 14, reports the AP.
The Hollywood Reporter says ABC is retooling "Cavemen," adding a new character, ditching the caveman played by Dash Mihok, and shooting a new first episode to go deeper into the characters' back stories.
This year's ComiCon schedule of events has just been released.
In TV casting news, two Kevins - Alejandro and Pollak - are joining the cast of "Shark" on CBS, while TV Guide says Michael Cassidy of "Hidden Palms" will be the new editor of The Daily Planet on "Smallville."

Buzz News Roundup, 6/22

BuzzSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:54:54 -0700

Reruns of "The Office" and "My Name is Earl" will be broadcast on TBS, Variety reports.
Woody Allen is set to direct a Puccini opera in September of 2008, the AP reports.
Reuters notes that former Beatles are flourishing on the music charts right now.
Billboard says The Donnas have started their own record label, and are finishing up their next album, due out in September.
Uma Thurman is set to star in the HBO movie version of the dramatic play "The Zinc Bed," says Zap2It.
If you live in Atlanta, Kansas City, or Philly, among other cities, you can attend a special screening of some of ABC's fall shows, and the Futon Critic has the details.
According to Hollywood Reporter, Amy Adams will join Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman in the film version of the acclaimed play "Doubt."
Hero of the superhero world, Stan Lee will get a star on Hollywood's walk of fame, says Zap2It.
In '80s revival news, Billboard reports that The Cure are finishing a new album and touring again.

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Can Robert Smith Cure Ashlee Simpson's Lack of Talent?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 14:25:14 -0700

Just the other day, I was wondering, "What have The Cure been up to lately?" I would have never in a million years guessed that the answer would be: working with Ashlee Simpson. But it sounds like that's what Cure frontman Robert Smith is up to.

According to info that EW.com gleaned at South by Southwest, Smith is one of an infinite number of collaborators helping Ashlee on her next album. Oh, Robert, say it ain't so! I know you might be a little bit bonkers, and I respect that, but I trusted that you knew the difference between good music and a punk pop wannabee. Right? Right?!?

Pitchfork is speculating that this might be an April Fool's joke, but oddly, Smith seems to be something of an Ashlee fan. He reportedly came to see her onstage in Chicago, prompting her to say she'd love to work with him. What, Ashlee, after getting all blond and girly you want to do the "punk" thing again? Good luck.

Unsurprisingly, Smith is one of many collaborators rumored to be working on Simpson's next album. Daddy Joe says she's also tapping Chad Hugo of The Neptunes, Timbaland, John Legend, and Keane's Tim Rice-Oxley.

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