BuzzSugar

What Is the Best Rock Album of 2010?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:38:45 PST

We've been discussing the best hip-hop albums, pop tunes, and indie music, but 2010 was also a great year to rock out. Which of these rock albums was your favorite one to play your air guitar along with?

Don't forget to vote on all of my Best of 2010 polls!

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 04 May 2010 16:00:28 PDT

Just call this Super Tuesday: along with the week's DVD releases, we have three standout albums hitting shelves - two of which were among my picks for May! I was pumped to get my hands on them, so now's your turn to give a listen. (And don't forget to check out the Music Review Group. If you submit a writeup, I may even feature your thoughts on the site!)

No apology necessary: Indie collective Broken Social Scene release their first album since 2005 with Forgiveness Rock Record. Despite large numbers (seven core members total), Forgiveness keeps cohesive, even when the songs are purposely derailing at high speeds, as on the frenzied "Chase Scene." Things slow on "All to All" where Lisa Lobsinger lays vocals over bubbling electro-pop and on the ballad "Sweetest Kill." For giggles, try "Texico Bitches" or "Me and My Hand," a love song dedicated to your, um, hand.

Delightful camaraderie: I've been dying to check out the New Pornographers' latest Together, ever since the single "Your Hands (Together)" and its fun accompanying video first caught my attention. It's still my favorite on the album, but I'm also loving the more pared-down "Valkyrie in the Roller Disco" with its subtle maraca shaking and "We End Up Together," a building group number which finishes out the album with a chorus of la-la-las. BYOT (bring your own tambourine).

One more release when you

read more. Bartender approved: Brooklyn-based group The Hold Steady release their sixth effort Heaven Is Whenever, an album that sounds like it's being broadcast live from your local watering hole. There's a touch of intimacy, but also a weathered feel as Craig Finn waxes poetic about the old days ("The Weekenders") or sings of the experience of performing ("Rock Problems"). It's simple and story-driven rock, a guy passing on wisdom and reliving his younger days. Put on "Soft in the Center," get out a lighter, and hold it in the air.

New Music: The Hold Steady's "Rock Problems"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:30:46 PDT

The Hold Steady's latest album Heaven Is Whenever doesn't premiere until May 4, but the Brooklyn-based band has already leaked a couple of songs online to give us an early listen. The newest one to make the rounds is "Rock Problems," a fast-paced tune that is being debuted by our friends over at Vulture.

On the track, Craig Finn sings about - you guessed it - rock-'n'-roll problems (think party-going drunkenness, unappreciative fans, and sometimes just feeling way too tired.) Oh, and in true rock form, it includes a wicked guitar solo around the 2:15 minute mark. Check it out, and tell me what you think when you

Link Time! 3/12

BuzzSugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:30:36 PDT

Some hints/spoilers about the end of Pushing Daisies. - Give Me My Remote
The outtakes of Ricky Gervais's appearance on Sesame Street are tickling us, Elmo. - Popwatch
Huh. Apparently the Pinocchio special anniversary DVD is pretty fantastic. - Cinematical
10 memorable TV cameos by pop stars. - TV.com
Check out a brand-new scene from Monsters vs. Aliens. - MTV Movies Blog
Check out some Kill Bill-inspired home decor. - CasaSugar
Here's a sneak peek from the Hold Steady's forthcoming live album/DVD combo. - Stereogum
Try a few of these recession tips that some celebrity chefs recently shared with Oprah. - YumSugar
Here's a way to watch SXSW movies without being in Austin. - Pop Candy

Buzz News Roundup, 2/4

BuzzSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:30:42 PST

Al Pacino will play King Lear in a new film adaptation of the Shakespeare play. - ComingSoon
Steve Zahn is close to joining the cast of Treme, the New Orleans-set show from the creator of The Wire. - TV.com
Columbia Pictures and producer Scott Rudin will make a film based on the life of Henry Molaison, whose brain became the most studied gray matter in medical history. - Variety
The Hold Steady will release a documentary/live album combo in April. - Pitchfork
The creators of My So-Called Life are working on a pilot for CBS called A Marriage. - The Hollywood Reporter
Spike Lee is returning to a WWII setting, as he signs on to produce Brendan Koerner's manhunt tale Now the Hell Will Start. - Zap2it
A movie titled The Legend of Santa Claus is in the works, the first installment in a three-film series exploring the early days and mythology of the Christmas hero. - Variety
Warner Bros. Pictures has set Aaron Sorkin to write the movie The Challenge, a courtroom drama which George Clooney will produce. - ComingSoon
It's official: Bob Saget will return to ABC in Surviving Suburbia. - Zap2it

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Buzz Gift Guide: The Best of 2008 For Guys

BuzzSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:00:36 PST

Welcome back to my Buzz Gift Guide series for all the entertainment lovers in your life. Yesterday I entertained myself, actually, by sorting through all the great pop culture-related t-shirts I'd love to get for the men in my life, and today I'm tackling a bigger project for the guys: the best in music, books, TV, and movies of 2008.

Now, this is by no means a definitive list of the best entertainment stuff that came this year. These are simply gift ideas that I think the lads will like. For example, I think the best piece of writing to come from a TV show this year has to be the tome by How I Met Your Mother's Barney Stinson: The Bro Code. The product description cracks me up:

Historically a spoken tradition passed from one generation to the next, the official code of conduct for Bros appears here in its published form for the first time ever. By upholding the tenets of this sacred and legendary document, any dude can learn to achieve Bro-dom.

It was also a great year for movies, and I'd be hard-pressed to think of a guy in my life who wouldn't be thankful to receive The Dark Knight and Hellboy 2 on DVD. As for TV in '08, I honestly don't know many guys who haven't given the FX comedy It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia a chance yet, and my friends who are uber-fans will be gifted the show's DVDs this year. Finally, in regard to music, I know a lot of dudes who are really into the Bon Iver album released this year (me too!) as well as new music from The Hold Steady.

I've included several other ideas below so scroll through to check them out!

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season 3 ($20.99)	The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts ($16.78)
Bro Code By Barney Stinson ($12.98)	The Dark Knight ($23.99)
For Emma, Forever Ago: Bon Iver ($11.49)	Stay Positive: The Hold Steady ($12.99)
Brighter Than Creation's Dark: Drive-By Truckers ($14.99)	Dear Science: TV on the Radio ($11.49)	Hellboy II: The Golden Army ($21.99)

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

Link Time! 7/17

BuzzSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:30:02 PDT

Cinematical just finished reading Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and is anxious to see how the film adaptation (starring Michael Cera) comes out.
The best part of getting up to watch the Emmy nominations was watching Kristin Chenoweth and Neil Patrick Harris banter while announcing the nominees (and being surprised at their own nods). Give Me My Remote has the video.
BestWeekEver's Dan Hopper has a passionate defense of Katie Holmes' performance in Batman Begins.
Stereogum has a clip of The Hold Steady performing on Letterman on Wednesday.
geeksugar wonders if you buy more music in the age of downloads.
The TV Addict has an interview with Burn Notice star Jeffrey Donovan.
FilmExperience has a post basically devoted to the hotness of Penelope Cruz.
Popwatch wants to stop talking about Hayden's embarrassingly atrocious music video and start talking about songs that we actually like, like Little Jackie's "The World Should Revolve Around Me."

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What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:30:16 PDT

Tuesdays are big in entertainment-ville: 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. You may have heard that Coldplay's new album is out today (I reviewed here) and you can also sample the new Wolf Parade album before you download it.

By the way, if you took my advice and downloaded the Fleet Foxes a couple of weeks back, there was something wrong with the iTunes version of the track called "He Doesn't Know Why." So, now you can get the better version here for free!

Makin' mischief: People tend to describe Katy Perry's musical sensibilities as "feisty." I think that's an understatement. Her song "Ur So Gay" is totally hilarious, and you probably know a guy or eight that seem like the one she's singing about. "I Kissed a Girl" is catchy, too, and already has a bit of a cult following. Hers are the kind of songs that will get your friends talking (and dancing) if you slip them into a party mix. Good times.

The boys of summer: It's no secret I'm a giant fan of The Hold Steady. On this busy day for music, do not miss taking a listen to the band's fourth album, Stay Positive, which is out early on iTunes ahead of its physical release next month. Already the track "Constructive Summer" makes me want to jump up and rock out, and I'm really digging "Lord, I'm Discouraged" as well. But who am I kidding? I'm downloading the entire thing.

Two more great download selections, so

read more. Funny lady: Sometimes it's hard for me to get other people into Kathy Griffin because she has this pesky reputation for being annoying. But I find her stand-up hilarious, and now instead of begging friends to give it a chance, I will simply turn on bits from this standup show now available on iTunes. Her impression of Oprah on "Oprah's Favorite Things" kills me. And when she shoots down claims that Donny and Marie were hip in "The Osmonds Were Never Cool," I hurt with laughter.
Feeling dark? This new album from Silver Jews is, well, a little depressing. The band tends to tell the cold, hard truth about things like dreams and how they end - not unlike, say, Johnny Cash. This time around, though, the band's lyrics are more playful, like in "Suffering Jukebox." Also, "San Francisco B.C." is pretty amazing and incredibly poetic.

Link Time! 6/10

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:32:59 PDT

I honestly can't stop laughing at Best Week Ever's list of the top 10 New Kids on the Block pictures "you should never forget."
Uh-oh. Those who are viewing M. Night's latest feature, The Happening, continue to be distinctly unimpressed, writes FilmExperience.
Yay! Ted Allen is getting his own TV show, says YumSugar.
Stereogum relays the news that you can currently stream all of The Hold Steady's latest album, which is titled Stay Positive.
Popwatch is inciting the wrath of. . . just about everyone with their list of the biggest mistakes ever made in the sci-fi movie genre.
Idolator wants to talk about the purpose of music videos in 2008.
TV Squad has a list of the top 10 best recurring Arrested Development characters. Bob Loblaw!
Dexter actress Jennifer Carpenter has an awesome tipi in her backyard, and I agree with CasaSugar that it looks so comfy.

Buzz News Roundup, 5/2

BuzzSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:30:02 PDT

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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