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What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:38:24 -0800

T.G.I. Tuesday! I've already sorted through the big DVD releases of the day, but now I have new songs to revive your iPod, Just take a look at these three albums. (And if you want to see your own music reviews featured on Buzz, submit them in the Music Review Group in the community!)

Music mash-up: Seems like everyone is releasing a holiday album lately - remember Bob Dylan's? Now, Tori Amos is trying her hand at the genre with Midwinter Graces. It's a big risk for Amos, who puts her own spin on classic carols. Traditionalists might cry foul when she mashes up "What Child Is This" and "The First Nowell" for "What Child, Nowell" or re-purposes "Silent Night" into a love song, but at least Amos is thinking outside of the box. The quieter songs work best, thanks to Amos's ethereal voice. I recommend "Emmanuel" or "Winter's Carol."

All over the place: Wale references Kanye West in the first track on his big studio debut Attention: Deficit, and the mention is fitting. Wale seems like a Kanye in the making, mixing in sparkly, bragadocious tracks with songs that raise controversial social issues (like "Shades," which tackles racism). He also brings in a long list of collaborators, including Lady Gaga (on the already-released "Chillin'") and Mark Ronson. As a result, the album jumps around like, as the title hints, a kid with ADD. You may recognize Wale from this year's VMAs, and he's undoubtedly one to watch. For now, download "Pretty Girls" and "Diary," which samples from one of my favorite films, Amelie.

See one more release when you read more.

A classic formula: Bon Jovi fans really love Bon Jovi, and on the band's newest release, The Circle, the rockers aren't afraid to deliver exactly what their followers want - even if it feels recycled. "Working For the Man" should appeal to those who enjoy pumping their fists along to songs like "Living on a Prayer," and "When We Were Beautiful" almost feels like a U2 copycat. The guys cover the regular themes there - love, leadership, the highway of life, etc. - so there are no big surprises. Still, as far as guilty pleasure Bon Jovi goes, it doesn't disappoint.

Buzz In: What Has Been Your Favorite Concert?

BuzzSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:30:00 -0700

Tori Amos made a cameo in Oakland last night for the third stop on her Sinful Attraction tour, and I was one of the many in attendance. It wasn't the first time I had seen her, but it had been a while. Let me tell you, Tori is still in fine form. Wonderfully weird in her redhair flips and piano-stool straddles, she wowed the crowd with her improvisations and Britney Spears covers. There's simply no denying this woman is talented.

Both last night's concert and the one I'd attended before rank high on my list of favorite concerts ever. I've also had amazing experiences with Garbage, Fiona Apple, Andrew Bird, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Radiohead, to name a few.

Have you seen Tori before? Does she make your cut? What has been you favorite concert experience, and what made it so memorable?

What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:30:52 -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.

Green Day, Hurray!: Green Day's new album is being praised by music critics across the board, which is exciting. Rolling Stone compares this new album to the band's previous release, American Idiot, saying the album is "so masterful and confident it makes Idiot seem like a warm-up." Standout tracks include "East Jesus Nowhere," "21 Guns," and the title track, "21st Century Breakdown."

Pretty and depressing: I think people either love Tori Amos or hate her, but either way the woman knows how to get people thinking with her lyrics. Her newest album is a little on the new-agey side for my taste, but there are some beautiful, if dark, tracks here that I'm definitely adding to circulation. The slow and heartbreaking "Maybe California" is lovely and "Welcome to England" is catchy and feisty.

One more up next, so read more.

Too good to be true: Almost a year ago White Rabbits put out Fort Nightly, an amazing album I've been listening to a lot. Now, here they are with another one, and so far I think it sounds great. If you like Spoon (their lead singer and guitarist produced this album) or even TV on the Radio, you will probably dig these guys. I can't say enough good things. I've downloaded the whole thing but check out "They Done Wrong/We Done Wrong," "Percussion Gun," and "Midnight and I."

Link Time! 5/19

BuzzSugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:00:18 -0700

New Moon movie poster - love it or leave it? - PopSugar
Why can't there be more genuinely tough-looking female action heroes? - Cinematical
Before you've heard them sing one last time, vote for your pick for American Idol. - TV.com
Watch along with RottenTomatoes' Jen Yamato as she revisits the Terminator franchise, one movie per day. - RottenTomatoes
What does (or should) Elizabeth Mitchell's role on ABC's V mean for her character on Lost? - TV Squad
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (aka, one blogger's biggest pop-culture disappointment) is 10 years old today. - Popwatch
Tori Amos takes questions from fans. - Spinner
A transcript of every single word Tracy Jordan has said on 30 Rock? My mind is blown. - Vulture

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Buzz In: What Album First Spoke for You?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:33:10 -0700

I was lucky enough to catch Liz Phair's live show here in San Francisco this week, one of a handful where she's performing Exile in Guyville in its entirety to promote the album's re-release this month. While the 1993 album originally dropped a tiny bit too early for a then-preteen me to catch on right away, this CD found me by the time I had gotten my first taste of romantic angst. I felt (in that slightly melodramatic, teenage way) as if she'd opened my diary and added some guitar. She was singing about stuff I'd never heard a woman sing about, and it kind of blew my mind.

Thursday's Ani Difranco interlude on So You Think You Can Dance also reminded me of how much my friends and I related - or at least thought we did - to her 1996 album Dilate. And for a while, everything out of Tori Amos's mouth seemed so right-on and true. Oh, to be young and whisked away by the lyrics of a rock star!

Tell me: Which album first gave voice to your inner thoughts and dreams? What singers articulated everything in their music that you couldn't yet?

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Singer to Watch: Yoav

BuzzSugar — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 10:00:00 -0800

If you happened to catch Tori Amos on tour last Fall, you may have been treated to a musician named Yoav. Since taking his guitar on the road with Ms. Amos, he's been building up a nice little fan base for himself, but it wasn't until this week that those fans could buy his album.

Charmed and Strange is the debut album from this singer-songwriter. Apparently, most of the beats and effects in his songs are done using only his acoustic guitar, which is probably pretty cool to see live. Raised in South Africa and Israel, he relocated to New York and recorded this album in Oxford and Montreal. His work reflects these global sounds that have influenced his life.

Most of what I've heard gives me the sense he has a keen ear for radio-friendly pop melodies, and his stuff seems ripe for club remixing. I'm still getting used to his sound, though, so to check out a music video for the single "Club Thing" and let me know what you think, read more.

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Music Video: Tori Amos, "Leather" Redux

BuzzSugar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:30:00 -0800

Listening to Tori Amos really takes me back to my high-school years, and I still have a major soft spot for the songstress. Though I don't play her CDs as much as I used to, I can't bring myself to get rid of them - particularly her lovely yet angsty 1992 volume Little Earthquakes.

So my nostalgic self was psyched to find this this video of Tori performing in the studio of Minnesota Public Radio's The Current. It's surprisingly artful for a studio vid (the shots of the piano from above are very cool), and I like the more delicate take on the track. Do you have a Tori Amos weakness, too? If so, watch the video when you read more

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Tori Amos Giveaway: We Have a Winner!

BuzzSugar — Fri, 18 May 2007 06:06:13 -0700

In honor of the new Tori Amos album, American Doll Posse, which came out May 1, we partnered with Epic Records for a very cool giveaway, where one lucky BuzzSugar reader would win a signed copy of the new album, as well as the singer's entire Epic Records catalog.

Well, dear readers, we have a winner! Congratulations to Brit929, who will soon have a massive amount of new Tori Amos music to listen to. And, of course, a very big thank you to everyone who entered.

Tori Amos Giveaway! Win a Copy of the New CD, Plus Her Epic Records Catalog

BuzzSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 16:18:19 -0700

Ever since I ran across "Big Wheel," the first single off of the next Tori Amos next album, I've been curious to hear what the inventive singer will come up with on the rest of American Doll Posse. The album hits stores today, May 1, so we're doing a very cool Tori giveaway, where BuzzSugar readers can win a signed copy of the new album, as well as the singer's entire Epic Records catalog.

To enter, just head over to the Epic Records and BuzzSugar contest page to register, then watch the video for the "Big Wheel." We'll announce the winner on BuzzSugar after the contest ends tomorrow May 16! Good luck, you guys!

Tori Amos to Try Musical Theater

BuzzSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 07:08:31 -0700

Tori Amos is feeling a bit theatrical these days. On her new album, American Doll Posse, she assumes five different personas, each with a distinct look and personality. Now, according to NME, the singer is writing a stage musical, which she hopes to bring to Broadway and London's West End.

According to the NME story, Amos is currently working on the music - a double album with 23 songs - and taking inspiration from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice:

"I think I am writing a musical. I'm gushing but I'm under lock and key," she explained. "I'm trying to be Lloyd Webber and (Tim) Rice. I'm trying to be both (of them). I'm busy. This is such a big project - a double record, 23 songs and the extras."

Though I often roll my eyes when I hear about rock musicians who have Broadway aspirations, I actually think Tori could pull this off quite well. Her piano-heavy, melodramatic style lends itself to musical theater, and she has always been good at crafting songs that tell stories. I'll be interested to hear what she comes up with. What do you think?

Also, If you're a Tori fan, don't forget to enter our Tori Amos giveaway for a signed copy and her Epic Records catalog.

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