BuzzSugar

Do You Like It When Musicians Take Creative Risks?

BuzzSugar — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 13:30:56 -0700

At first this sounds like a crazy question because - duh! - creative types should take risks if they're worth their salt, but sometimes when it comes to our favorite musicians it's not so clear cut. Chris Cornell is a good example of someone who recently took a huge risk by departing from his rock 'n' roll roots to collaborate with hip-hop producer Timbaland on his newest album.

The album is getting panned critically, and Cornell's fans are not happy with this foray into new territory. His response is to wonder whether they wish he'd just churn out the same, solid stuff over and over again. He states:

If someone is up in arms about the idea of an artist that they really care about doing something that they just can't believe, it begs that question, "Well, what is it that you would want? Would you then want predictable, comfortable salad that gets reproduced year after year?"

Good question! So what do you think? Do you want your favorite musicians to take risks, or do you think they should stick to what they know and give fans what they want and expect?

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Buzz News Roundup, 7/25

BuzzSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:30:11 -0700

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. and Leonardo DiCaprio's production company, Appian Way, are in the preliminary stages of creating a new Twilight Zone movie.
Entertainment Weekly has the scoop that Rosie O'Donnell is in talks to return to NBC with a weekly primetime variety show.
The AP has news that both Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown are being sued by Simon & Schuster for not delivering books they were paid advances for.
Darren Aronofsky, director of Requiem for a Dream, is bringing Robocop back to life for a tentative 2010 release date, says The Hollywood Reporter.
Timbaland is hard at work on his new album, Shock Value 2, which will feature collaborations with Madonna, Jordin Sparks, Rihanna, and Jonas Brothers, MTV announced.
The New York Times has information about The Rolling Stones leaving EMI records, their label since the '90s, and switching to the Universal Music Group.
LA Times reports that Randy Pausch, the terminally ill professor who wrote The Last Lecture, passed away today.
Is The Dark Knight an allegory for the Bush administration? The Wall Street Journal and CitizenSugar want to know.

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Madonna's Hard Candy First Impression: Get Ready to Boogie

BuzzSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:30:06 -0700

Madonna's new album, Hard Candy, has arrived (sort of, on MySpace, ahead of its April 29 release date) and I took some time this morning to listen to each track and capture my first impressions. Madonna is 49 years old, but if 4 Minutes wasn't hint enough, I can assure you this is far from adult contemporary.

In true Madonna fashion, she's reinvented her sound once again with the help of collaborators including Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West and Nate "Danja" Hills. Overall, the album has an irresistible insistence that you get up and shake your booty, but nothing stands out as particularly unique or sounds like something we haven't heard before.

These are just my first impressions, though, and over time, the album could surprise me. To read my first thoughts on each track and let me know yours, read more.

Think about when you first heard Justin Timberlake's "Sexy Back" or Nelly Furtado's "Promiscuous" - or, for that matter, Madonna's own "Ray of Light." All of those tracks were fresh takes on pop hooks and techno beats that made my ears instantly sing - and I can't say that any of Hard Candy's tracks had that instant wow factor. But for what they are - dance anthems - they're pretty fun, and there's no question they will be instant club hits and added to many a workout playlist, so read on:

"Candy Shop": This song is a fun way to kick off the album, as Madonna purrs that she'll be your one stop candy store, sticky and sweet. So, uh, that's a sex metaphor. Her falsetto is impressive and the beat is really catchy. There are even bongos!
"4 Minutes": We've already heard this track, but now in the context of the rest of the album it's one of the strongest by far.
"Give It 2 Me": This song is upbeat, happy, and all about dancin'! It has that strobe-light synth effect that makes you feel like you're smack-dab in the middle of a sweaty club. And I'm pretty sure there's a lot of cowbell in there. More cowbell! There's a fun little breakdown with a guy's voice (Justin?) telling everyone to "get stupid."
"Heartbeat": Another fun, upbeat song that I like during the verses more than the chorus. Another dude is crooning in the background once in awhile. This also has a breakdown with lots of cowbell and Madonna repeating, "See my booty get down." I'm definitely going to be jogging to this one. It reminds me of Britney Spears a lot when Madonna's up in her falsetto-girly voice.
"Miles Away": This song starts out with a nice acoustic guitar riff, then beats are layered over it, and then kooky synthesizer chords are added. I like how simple this song is, and it sounds more like the Madonna I know and love than the other songs so far. Plus, it's about longing and missing someone instead of the dance floor and/or sex - which is an anomaly on this album.
"She's Not Me": Clearly rooted in disco, electro claps and all. Kind of cute -with little "toot toot beep beep" whistles and talking about how no girl is as cool as her. Duh, you're Madonna.
"Incredible": This song has a million different speeds and a lot going on. The verses are really sweet and I kind of wish it would chill out and stick to the simple stuff. It's totally schizophrenic. Add to that Pharrell moaning in the background toward the end, and I'm officially confused. But it's still pretty in the beginning.
"Beat Goes On": More synth clapping here and a xylophone twinkling in a la Anita Ward's Ring My Bell. I like Madonna singing lyrics where she urges others to get up and dance because the time is now. The little chorus, "get down, beep beep" is cute and the bridge reminds me of her song "Jump." Kanye's rap is fun too.
"Dance 2 Night": Another dance anthem with a simple, driving beat. This is her other duet with Justin, and it's just so-so. Not my favorite on the album.
"Spanish Lesson": Sounds a lot like Justin Timberlake's "Señorita" and I kind of would rather listen to that instead of this. Meh. She literally teaches us Spanish: "Yo te quiero means I love you."
"Devil Wouldn't Recognize You": This is a welcome vulnerable and haunting song to slow it all down. It's pretty, but I kind of wish I were listening to "Cry Me a River" instead, which is similar but superior to this by a long shot.
"Voices": This song asks, "Who is the master? Who is the slave?" It's another slow and haunting song. I like it a lot, and the strings are a nice touch. It wraps up with a very dramatic ending, complete with an orchestral crescendo and what sounds like a church bell "gong!"

So what do you think? Have you given it a listen? Are you excited to own this one?

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Link Time! 8/2

BuzzSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:02:35 -0700

Wondering what the big deal is with "the bench dance" from "So You Think You Can Dance"? Give Me My Remote has the video.
Head over to GeekSugar to watch cute, nerdy, early-90s Paul Rudd shilling for Nintendo.
Vulture breaks down the debate over whether Brett Ratner can be defended.
Buddy TV lets us know about another sign of the apocalypse: "CSI" - The Magazine.
Cinematical asks which action hero you prefer: Jason Bourne or James Bond?
Pop Candy tells us how to spy on "Chuck," aka Pop's new crush.
Rolling Stone Rock&Roll Daily brings news of the bizarre collaboration between Timbaland and Celine Dion.
TV with MeeVee wonders how they'll hide Julianna Margulies' baby bump on "Canterbury's Law."
FabSugar breaks down the Charlie's Angels wardrobe.

Photo courtesy of Fox

Music Video: Timbaland Feat. the Hives, "Throw It On Me"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 25 May 2007 08:03:06 -0700

Yes, Timbaland and The Hives are a very unlikely pair. But "Throw It On Me," the collaboration between the hip-hop producer and the Swedish rock band on Timbaland Presents Shock Value, is actually pretty awesome. Now here's something even awesomer and weirder: the music video for "Throw It On Me," which pays homage to the film Sin City.

If you're confused about what these three things have to do with one another, well, so am I. But that doesn't make the video any less fun to watch. It's so oddly fitting, in fact, that "Throw It On Me" begins to seem like the perfect soundtrack to the movie. So check out the video when you read more

What's Buzzworthy: Best Albums of '07 So Far

BuzzSugar — Sat, 12 May 2007 11:42:46 -0700

For this week's Buzzworthy challenge I asked you to tell me about your favorite albums of 2007 so far, and you came back with some awesomely varied picks. I kicked things off with Andrew Bird's Armchair Apocrypha and Amy Winehouse's Back in Black, though I also recently reviewed - and loved! - mallomar's suggestion of Feist's The Reminder. In addition to mallomar's pick, check out these other notable Buzzworthied albums:

Timbaland, Shock Value
Chosen by LoveStoned, who says, "There are some collaborations in here that may be questionable at first, like Fall Out Boy, the Hives, or She Wants Revenge. But what may seem awkward at first (to you at, least) seems almost second nature by the end of the disc. Shock Value is a far-reaching and ambitious disc; a masterpiece, even, in its own way."

The Bird and the Bee
chatoyante calls this album "a fabulous blend of jazz, electronic and something else."

Three more if you read more

Arcade Fire, Neon Bible
aflower says this about her pick: "Excellent work by arcade fire. If you haven't given it a listen...would definitely recommend."

Elliott Yamin, Elliott Yamin
yiddidea loves this album, as evidenced in her excellent review. For the Buzzworthy challenge, she included this comment: "It is simply solid, entertaining soul and r&b sounds from one of the best new voices out there."

Hilary Duff, Dignity
lady-T is loving this album right now and says it's "more mature than her previous music."

Buzz News Roundup, 4/13

BuzzSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 16:00:27 -0700

Brendan Fraser will return for The Mummy 3, Variety reports, but Rachel Weisz thankfully will not.
According to Reuters, Julian Lennon has sold his financial stake in his father's music, though it won't affect usage rights.
Luka and Abby are leaving "ER", says TV Guide.
The Hollywood Reporter says Christina Ricci is joining the Speed Racer cast, while Tom Hanks mulls the Da Vinci Code prequel.
This is just mean: "In Case of Emergency" is canceled with just one episode left, says The Futon Critic. Meanwhile, the remaining episodes of "Six Degrees" will stream online.
GLAAD picks the 2006 movies that best depicted homosexual issues, Variety reports.
Timbaland's "Give It To Me" shoots to No. 1 on Billboard's Top 100.
Zap2It has the lowdown on David Mamet's jiu-jitsu movie Redbelt, starring my beloved Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Showtime has ordered second seasons of "The Tudors" and "This American Life," according to Variety.

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Song of the Day: Bjork, "Earth Intruders"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 07:00:07 -0700

I've never been a die-hard Bjork fan, but I always look forward to hearing what she's going to come up with next - and rarely am I disappointed. Now, three years after the elfin singer's last proper album, I'm not the only one eager to hear Volta when it hits May 8.

Bjork is offering a digital download of the first single, "Earth Intruders," which features production work from Timbaland - who mixes up a metallic, industrial beat - and tribal percussion by the African supergroup Konono No 1. According to an interview Bjork did with Pitchfork, the song was inspired by a 2005 trip to post-tsunami Indonesia, and you can definitely hear those influences in the lyrics. To listen, read more

Thanks to Idolator for posting the track.

Song of the Day: Timbaland Feat. The Hives, "Throw It On Me"

BuzzSugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 11:36:42 -0700

Hit-making producer Timbaland has a reputation for genre-blending beats and unexpected instrumentation: some Eastern tabla for Missy Elliot, spooky strings on JT's "What Goes Around," and '80s keyboard effects for Nelly Furtado. So it's fitting that Tim would push the boundaries of hip-hop on his new solo effort, Timbaland Presents Shock Value, which features collaborations ranging from Dr. Dre to Elton John to Swedish rock band The Hives.

Though the highly anticipated album, which came out yesterday, is getting rather tepid reviews, there's no denying that Shock Value features some very worthwhile tracks, including the Hives collaboration, "Throw It On Me." I love the way Timbaland uses the high-energy guitar work in the context of a jittery dance-floor beat. Listen up and tell me what you think when you read more

Link Time! 4/3

BuzzSugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 16:21:48 -0700

Scranton, PA, wants to host a convention for fans of "The Office," says Best Week Ever.
Pop Candy has details on the 2007 Office Prank Awards.
Idolator wrangles the tepid reviews of Timbaland's new album.
Stereogum posts a version of the beloved "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" recorded by my beloved Hold Steady.
The TV Addict survived a visit to the "Supernatural" set.
Give Me My Remote shares my opinion that "The Bachelor" is obviously a comedy series.
Earvolution tells us who will christen New York's new music venues.
Before tonight's premiere of "The Shield," check out TV with MeeVee's chat with star Michael Chiklis.
Rolling Stone Rock & Roll Daily rounds up the 25 best rock rumors ever.
ScreenGrab reports that Serenity has been named the best science-fiction film of all time.
Merry Swankster finds Of Montreal covering the Fiery Furnaces and David Bowie.

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