BuzzSugar

What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:30:16 -0700

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.

Try Before You Buy: Wolf Parade, At Mount Zoomer

BuzzSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:31:11 -0700

It's a big day for music - and yes, I'll be talking Coldplay and What to Download later on! But for the moment, if you're looking for some new music but aren't ready to commit to a purchase,The Listening Party on AOL's Spinner is even better than normal right now, with several of the week's most anticipated releases streaming in full.

Wolf Parade's At Mount Zoomer kicks off the party, and it's an interesting and eclectic listen. When I heard the band play live a few months back, a lot of the new material had a jam-band flavor to it, so I'm not surprised to hear a little of that carry over to At Mount Zoomer. But there's also some prog rock and a little neo-Springsteen, of all things. So far, I haven't heard anything quite as energetic or driving as "I'll Believe in Anything" from the band's Apologies to the Queen Mary, but the album is a satisfying listen, and I expect I'll be playing it a few more times today.

New albums from Tilly and the Wall, Katy Parry, and Adele are also in the Listening Party this week, so I hope those will tide you over till this afternoon!

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BuzzSugar's Must Haves for June

BuzzSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:00:02 -0700

Most of my must-haves this month are highly anticipated albums, though I'm also jonesing for the latest seasons of a couple of my beloved TV shows. And check out which funny memoirist is back with a book that's getting all kinds of raves. To see what I'm adding to my shopping cart this June, just hit "Start."

View Slideshow ›

Link Time! 5/15

BuzzSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:33:58 -0700

OMG, Cinematical has video of a real-life Wall-E, spotted in L.A.! It may just be the cutest thing you've ever seen.
The L.A. Times' Show Tracker blog warns us that this season's Lost finale looks like a major tearjerker.
Pop Candy points us to an early review of M. Night Shyamalan's upcoming movie The Happening which explains that the movie is terrifying. . .ly awful.
TV Squad has news from the TNT and TBS upfronts, and it looks like a lot more original content.
MTV Movies Blog has exclusive information on the possibility of a live-action Beavis and Butt-head movie and wonders: who should be cast as the Beav and the Butt?
Many thanks to Stereogum for turning us onto the super catchy new Wolf Parade release, "Language City."
Give Me My Remote has hilarious video of Dwight Schrute officially accepting John McCain's vice presidential nomination, through his spokesperson, Rainn Wilson.
Popwatch hobnobbed with the beautiful TV stars attending the EW's upfronts party, including Heroes' Zachary Quinto who said (as a joke?!) that the Star Trek movie in which he plays Spock will "probably skip a theatrical release and 'go straight to DVD.'" Yikes.

Link Time! 5/6

BuzzSugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:30:45 -0700

Pop Candy has news on a fully Veronica Mars-themed cruise this Summer!
Right after the premiere of the Twilight teaser trailer, MTV Movies Blog has the new poster for the movie and an interview with the poster's designer who already knows what he'll do for the posters for the Twilight sequels.
This Cinematical writer wants more superheroines on the big screen - with directors like Jon Favreau or Bryan Singer making their stories come to life.
TV Squad is all happy about the people providing commentary on the forthcoming Spaced DVD, including Diablo Cody and Kevin Smith.
FilmExperience examines what happened to the nine actors who were featured in the 2000 Young Hollywood Vanity Fair article.
Rolling Stone's Rock&Roll Daily has video of the 15 most memorable musical moments from The Hills. Remember what was playing when LC and Heidi called it quits?
Popwatch is taking nominations to elect the characters on TV that have the best chemistry.
The TV Addict has an interview with Gossip Girl's Matthew Settle.
Stereogum gives the new Wolf Parade album a premature evaluation, calling it "great rock & roll."
TV Worth Watching is not pleased with the threatening tone of the "you'll miss them while they're gone" TV ads on CBS.

Link Time! 4/22

BuzzSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:29:40 -0700

The Film Experience has a great collection of photos of Penelope Cruz trying out different hairstyles and makeup ideas for her next Pedro Almodovar film, Broken Embraces.
The season finale of Oprah's Big Give left TV Filter feeling less than charitable.
It's that time of year again: Head over to the MTV Movies Blog to submit your 3-minute movie spoof for the 2008 MTV Movie Awards.
After last night's Gossip Girl, the TV Addict proposes new meanings for O, M, F, and G.
The Merry Swankster has a track-by-track preview of the new Wolf Parade album.
Popwatch wonders which TV guest stars have driven you to IMDb and Netflix their past work.
TV Squad stands up for How I Met Your Mother co-creator Craig Thomas, who always seems to get left out of discussions about the show.
Rolling Stone's Rock & Roll Daily wonders why David Cook's best-selling album was suddenly pulled from Amazon's mp3 store.

Love It or Leave It: Wolf Parade's "Call It a Ritual"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:00:01 -0700

Just yesterday, Stereogum premiered a track off Wolf Parade's next album, which will be the band's first collection since the 2005 indie hit Apologies To The Queen Mary. This new song, titled "Call It A Ritual," is totally easy on the ears, especially with the piano sounds that keep it marching along.

Take a listen and tell me: love it and can't wait for the album? Or not so much?

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Song of the Day: Swan Lake, "The Freedom"

BuzzSugar — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 09:54:49 -0800

I'm a big fan of Dan Bejar's Destroyer and Spencer Krug's band, Wolf Parade, so I'm really not sure how I missed the album, Beast Moans, which came out in November. It's the debut release from Swan Lake, a collaboration between Bejar, Krug, and Carey Mercer of Frog Eyes, and from what I've heard, it really brings together the best of all three bands. I particularly like this rather invigorating track, called "The Freedom," which you can listen to below.