P o p M u s e

PopMuse off to Comic-Con '08

PopMuse is off to San Diego Comic-Con for work.  Might have time to post there, but probably not, my apologies.   Have a good weekend! 

Here's the new Rihanna Video for "Disturbia", seems appropriate for where I'm going.  Very horror, gothic, like a Nine Inch Nails or Marilyn Manson video from the mid 90s - re: LOVE IT! 

This chick is really giving you high fashion now, and the kind of choreography Janet has been trying to get right for over a year now.  Go on Rihanna, grab your spot, your earning it with that haircut and those heels for sure!

Disturbia Remixes on Monday's Boom Boom Blog Post, Promise!

Where's JoJo?

I'm missing that little Pop Tartlet JoJo today.  I was stuck in traffic staring at a Radio Disney Billboard with The Cheetah Girls on it, and I thought, those 3 bitches aren't fit to brush JoJo's hair, and they're still working???

I hope JoJo is planning some big comeback (I know, I know!  Was she ever big in the first place?  Well in my mind she was.)  I love a star born out of a need for a new Christina, SOLD.  And she had some decent pipes, plus she remixes REALLY well. 

D'Load some of my favorite JoJo moments:

JOJO "TOO LITTLE TOO LATE" (ORANGEFUZZZ SPIN-OFF MIX)

JOJO "COMING FOR YOU" (ALBUM VERSION)

JOJO "LEAVE (GET OUT)" (ALBUM VERSION)

JOJO "BABY IT'S YOU" (DJ VOLUME ULTIMIX)

JOJO "TOO LITTLE TOO LATE (RAUL RINCON MIX)

JOJO "ANYTHING" (WAWA REMIX)

Why So Serious Indeed.

Yes I saw The Dark Knight this past weekend, and really, eh.  If I had to hear one more monologue "The hero you want isn't always the Hero you get.  I'll be the Hero Gotham needs even if it's the Hero they don't know they want or need..."  And on and on, from EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER, we get it, we-get-it! 

And Morgan Freeman, what the hell do we need him for, back to Bucket List babe, I'm tired of you popping up in every Hollywood Movie as the voice of reason (re: God).

But I've grown to LOVE the Batman Promo Poster that says, "Why So Serious?" because clearly that was a marketing exec thinking exactly what I was thinking, "why SOOOO serious?"  I mean, can we have a moment of levity, no it's 3 hours long, I want 2 moments of levity. 

Heath Ledger's performance was great (he was really the only thing in the movie) but it was no Jack Nicholson.  Be scary, be sick, be demented, but don't be so damned depressing!  You're already dead, that's a bummer enough. 

And what was up with Christian Bale's Batman-as-a-20-year-smoker voice, was that in the first one?  Hated it.  We laughed every time he did it.  So I guess that was levity, unintentional though.

I'm going to Comic-Con in 2 days for work and this Post will probably get me killed, so if you never hear from PopMuse again, it was fun being the Hero you needed, even if it wasn't the Hero you wanted.

RELATED:
BOY GETS LEFT IN CAR WHILE DAD SEES THE DARK KNIGHT

CHRISTIAN BALE ARRESTED FOR VERBAL ABUSE

The Library "You Don't Need No Doctor, Sugar"

Chills.  Once in a blue moon a song will come along, completely unexpectedly, and give me chills.  A song that stops the endless multitasking I'm doing on my computer or in my life and makes me just listen, and listen with full attention. 

Out of NO where, last night this happened.  I was deleting old emails and came upon one from OUTFEST, promoting a night of music at the Troubadour, I scanned across the many Lesbian Rappers Performing (groan) and saw this pic of a band called The Library.  I clicked the link for more info, found their website, clicked on one of their tracks and heard THIS.

Prepare to have your Pop Life changed. 

There are some obvious comparisons I could make to another band who use similar Killer synth, but I won't, because there is something distinctly soulful about these guys.  I know nothing about them (although their mysterious bio is quite funny), there doesn't seem to be a myspace or a youtube, which is actually refreshing.  So PopMuse will keep his eyes on them and report back.

THE LIBRARY "YOU DON'T NEED NO DOCTOR, SUGAR"

[LISTEN]

[D'LOAD]

UPDATE 7.22
So there is a Myspace (thanks Midnight Lounge) and Steve from the band e-mailed me to say thanks for the post (very welcome boo, thanks for the song!)  He also told PopMuse that Atlantic Records is releasing their first EP (lucky Atlantic).
 

You Don't Need No Doctor, Sugar

Boom Boom Blog 7-16-08

As promised here's another Boom Boom Blog Post of my favorite Dance Mixes found around the web, for your d'loading pleasure.  Enjoy!

ESTELLE "Wait a Minute (Just A Touch)" (Aaron Ross Classic Mix)
This Brit babe is taking over.  Laid back beach mix, me likely.

Hercules and Love Affair "You Belong" (Kevin Saunderson Remix)
I'm obsessed.  Remix done by the song's inspiration, Inner City's Kevin Saunderson.  Sick.

NE-YO "CLOSER" (Flashlight Extended Mix)
Bootleg Mix, closer to original than other mixes.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor "CATCH YOU" (Moto Blanco Radio Mix)
Sophie & Moto, a perfect mix of things I'm getting tired of, but will still love in moderation.

ALICIA KEYS "Teenage Love Affair" (Wideboys Miami Club Mix)
Hate the original song, but I'm starting to like anything Wideboys remix.

The Ting Tings "Thats Not My Name" (Soul Seekerz Club Mix)
Same same sound from Soul Seekerz, with a strange vocal from The Tings.

JUNKIE XL: Cities In Dust (Gareth Wyn Remix)
Siouxsie cover done decently, with a dance dance beat.  Very British. 

DIRTY SOUTH & AXWELL "OPEN YOUR HEART"
Not a Madonna cover.  But brilliant, soulful, bangin', dance creation.  Takes it to unexpected places.

MADONNA "INTO THE GROOVE" (Sidechains Remix)
I'm finding that I like Madonna fanatics more than I like Madonna these days.  Feels like fan made bootleg trying to sound like Stuart Price to me, but that works.

PopMuse & Bloghungry in NYC

Just got back from NYC.  Had a good time.  Fun seeing friends and family. Ate too much, read Bloghungry in the coming days for details on that story.

Met a beautiful baby, fell in love with DUMBO, caught a cultural performance of hits from the 50s sang by a hobo on a subway, drank tequila with new friends at a Truck Stop with a Hot Tub, reunited with old friends on streets and in restaurants, saw my brother's posh office, saw my employer's posh office, spent 11 minutes looking at Jeff Koons' Art at The Met, spent 8 minutes looking at people at the pool at Soho House, went to 4 bakeries in 2 hours (again, read Bloghungry for more on that) and had an overall exhausting (yet entertaining) 5 days on the east coast.

Uploaded some pics to FLICKR.  Feel free to check 'em out.  This is a weird post, I am tired.   

SEE PICS HERE.

There was one song in my head the whole trip and it was:
FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS "INNER CITY PRESSURE"

Boom Boom Post tomorrow, I promise.

Jay Brannan GODDAMNED

Jay Brannan finally released his Debut CD "Goddamned".  He's been a youtube phenom for some time, singing his gay-gay-gay folk songs shirtless.  But he first came to PopMuse through his participation in J.C. Mitchell's film "Shortbus".  The scene where he sang his tune Soda Shop was my favorite scene in the film. 

The CD is perfection.  He sings about his gay-gay-gay life with such candid intimacy you can't help but feel close to him.   

Fav Lyrics From "At First Site":
you said physical chemistry between us was bad
then why are you still responding to my craigslist ad
i know every step i took along the way was wrong
now i’m spreading it all out and fingering this song.

Watch all his YouTube Clips then BUY HIS CD!  SUPPORT KIDS, SUPPORT!!!

BUY JAY'S MUSIC AT ITUNES OR HERE OR MYSPACE

For you local LA folk, JB is doing a show at the EL REY JULY 22nd. BUY YOUR TIX HERE.  (Anyone wanna send me comps?) 

And here's PopMuse's favorite song of Jay's (now that's a song title!)...

JAY BRANNAN "BOWLEGGED & STARVING"

...And on that note, Bloghungry and I are off to NYC, so not sure I'm gonna be updating the blog for a bit, but I promise a Boom Boom Post when I get back. 

PopMuse Approved: Hercules And Love Affair

Been meaning to write about Hercules and Love Affair FOR MONTHS.  Then their sweet Publicist Kurt sent me their CD and viola. 

This is the kind of CD you are going to be hearing at every fashionable party you go to for the next 10 years, (a la, Massive Attack and Portishead in the 90s).  It is like a History of Dance lesson.  It mixes every sound of disco/dance in a very accessible way, and not just gay, although, pretty gay. 

There's a bunch of interesting vocalists too, including the always exciting Antony.  It's an incredibly impressive debut.  Plus the Ginger DJ/Writer/Producer Andrew Butler at the helm of the project is super cute. 

Here's two of my favs, but GO BUY IT NOW!!!!

D'LOAD: HERCULES "ROAR"

D'LOAD: HERCULES "YOU BELONG" (RITON REMIX)

BUY: HERCULES AN LOVE AFFAIR [itunes] [amazon]

HERCULES AN LOVE AFFAIR on MYSPACE

Secret Life Of The American Teenager

E-Mail to Nilblogette re: New ABC Family Show "The Secret Life Of The American Teenager."

Set your TiVo to tape "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" on ABC Family. 

We are watching it right now and it has so many new megastars in it our eyes are dripping glitter.  It erases everything and everyone.  It is the best show ever (tonight).

New Michael Cera, new J. Lo, new Jason Priestly, new Julia Roberts, new Luke Perry, new Emma Roberts, new Reese Witherspoon, new Michelle Obama.  So much talent in this show I think the casting agent was God.

Teen pregnancy, Jesus ridicule, downs syndrome, oral sex, sexual addiction, molestation, masturbation, therapy, Jeanie Garth, Luke Duke, Ernie Hudson, and Molly Ringwald... All in Episode One.  Hang onto your ass, it's about to be blown away.

Episode 1: Pt. 1

Episode 1: Pt. 2

Episode 1: Pt. 3

Episode 1: Pt. 4

Episode 1: Pt. 5

WEEZER: PORK & BEANS

Weezer is really more Bloghungry's thing than mine, but I really like this video.  And I normally hate gimmicky pop videos that appropriate internet phenomenas as if they are some big joke.  But NOT here.

The moment where Rivers Cuomo hugs Chris Crocker seems sincere on a deep level.  I  think they both need a hug really really bad.  Decide for yourself, I'm feeling generous with my opinions these days.

Our pathes shant cross again.

While you are going to see HANCOCK this weekend, starring Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman, I will be watching DVDs of Arrested Development.  Which is about all I want to watch these days.  I've decided it's my Seinfeld.  I could watch every episode over and over, in fact, I do. 

Bizarre that the unlikely combo of Theron and Bateman are starring in something together again, no?  But Bateman likes repeat business, a la Cera in Juno.

I wouldn't mind seeing David Cross and CoCo Peru act together again.  (See end of clip above.)

You aren't really going to see Hancock this weekend, are you?

Boom Boom Blog 7-2-08

Boom Boom Time.  This should send you into the holiday weekend dancing.  Here's this week's collection of my favorite dance remixes found around the web.  Hope you all have a great July 4th.

Madonna "Give It 2 Me" (Eddie Amador Club Mix)
So many mixes of this track, all so good.

Evelyn "Champagne" King "The Dance" (Soul Seekerz Domestic Mix)
"Love Come Down" sample, with diff vocal, it's Diva stuff.

Janet "Pleasure Priniple" (2008 Linoleum Falcon Remix)
You might think I'm crazy but I'm serious.

E.G. Daily "Beautiful" (Scotty K. Vocal Klub Mix)
Yes, that EG Daily.  I would normally never post this kind of MasterBeat track, but this one is pretty good and I like Scotty K.

Donna Summer "Stamp Your Feet" (Escape/Coluccio Club Mix)
I'm not feeling this new Donna Summer stuff, it's like Leona Lewis, I should love it, but it just doesn't connect with the PopMuse?  But I know you like it, so here ya go.

Solange "I Decided" (King Britt & Philip Charles Classic Club Mix)
Very laid back smooth summer remix for the Sleeper single of the summer.

Fantasia "Baby Mama" (STS vs. Soul Seekerz Mix)
Baby Mama Pride, cuteness.

DJ Corey Craig / Britney v. Fedde Le Grand "LEMME THINK ABOUT BREAKING THE ICE"
Call it a Mash-Up if you must but, to me it is a whole new song, and my personal favorite of all these.

Boom Boom Flashback:

Maroon 5 "Makes Me Wonder" (Harry Choo Choo Romero's Bambossa Edit)
This dropped in a Shuffle moment and blew my mind.

World Of Wonder Gallery: Thairin Smothers "Homo A Go-Go"

Master photographer and old PopMuse friend Thairin Smothers has a fab art exhibit happening at the wonderful World of Wonder Art Gallery in Hollywood.  It's a collection of Nightlife Photography focusing on XXX-exy images of Male Strippers (the kind that dance on boxes in gay bars not the kind women hire for Bachelorette Parties). 

Go check it out:
WORLD OF WONDER GALLERY
6650 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, California 90028
gallery@worldofwonder.net

The show runs through July 7th with daytime hours from noon until 6pm Tuesday through Saturdays.

Or Contact Thairin HERE to get info on how to BUY some of this work - you know you want it in your collection.

And because every PopMuse Post deserves a music cue, here's a new raw raunchy backroom remix of Christina's Dirrty.  Seemed approp.

CHRISTINA "DIRRTY" (2008 GEORGE MONEV REMIX)

(P.S. Super proud of you T-Boz...  --Mikey P.)

PopMuse Approved: Run Dan Run

I get sent music all the time from artists asking PopMuse to review their work or promote it.  Once in a blue moon the product pitched is actually worthy of a post. 

Run Dan Run are a cute indie rock quartet from South Carolina.  Their myspace has a song called "Your Name Escapes Me" and it was one of those tracks that by 20 seconds in, I knew I loved it and loved the band that made it.  I think you will too.  Check them out.

You can download it on their myspace or here:

RUN DAN RUN: Your Name Escapes Me [mp3]

BONUS: THIS PIC and caption is totally amazing, love the photo quality, the looks on the faces, the LPs and old stereo in the background... that is a moment right there.

J. Hud Spotlight

Can we all just collectively agree that Jennifer Hudson is really doing IT with this single?  I mean, really. 

As DWH75 said to me: "It's what I wanted to hear for the J Hud Brand -- simple, classy, clean. They were so smart to go light on the production -- her voice is so rich as it is, she don't need no extra topping."

Amen to that.

The video (above) is decent too.  I like the 'at home', 'in alley' and 'on runway' set-up, I could do without the 'Campari' and 'white striped room' set-up.  But it is classic Arista R&B Music Video with 90% beauty shots, and 10% narrative.  No, no, I'm a fan of that, especially when you can make Jennifer look THIS beautiful.  Now that is a shear genius hair cut.

And these remixes...  Just perfect.  2 Mixes, one airy summer fun, one gay pride boom boom.  Done and done.  I hope no one else does mixes of it, these two are fine.

Jennifer Hudson "Spotlight" (Johnny Vicious Mix)

 
Jennifer Hudson "Spotlight" (Moto Blanco Club)

"Spotlight" Buy on iTunes

George Michael "25 Live Tour" -- LA FORUM 6-25-08

Dear George,
The Show last night was fantastic.  Spot on.
Thanks for the amazing AMAZING seats, I can't believe they were better than this guy's?!?  And thanks for sitting me with Sharon Stone (you shit) but far enough away that it didn't become totally HER night.

George, I haven't felt overwhelmed (to the point of tears) at a concert, since '88, didn't know I still had that in me.  But opening with my favorite little interlude was almost too much to bear.  I knew it was coming, but still.  Took me 4 songs in to really pull it together.

Oh, and thanks for singing "Amazing" to me and Bloghungry, meant the world, you have no idea.

Thanks for reading the blog and playing Hard Day, was magic.

Nice to see Kenny too, you two and those blazers, OY!

And for pointing out cranky-face Dr. Phil in the front row, that was super funny.  Screw him if he got boo'd (although I did kinda feel bad for his wife too.  Why didn't she just come with a gay friend???)

Most importantly, Happy Birthday!  Was an honor to see you on what will most likely be your last birthday spent ON a stage.  (With a cake hand delivered by Bo Derek?!? - if your gonna do it, do it right.)

There were many highlights, but I don't want to spoil it here, for the kids who haven't seen the show yet, but smart to rock a remix or two.  And I'm not sure I'll ever get over how shocked I was that you sang "A Different Corner".

For you PopMuse Fans, here's a few random GM songs I'll be listening to today:

Hard Day (Shep Pettibone Remix)

A Different Corner

Amazing (Full Intention Mix)

 

BET AWARDS: NE-YO

The BET Awards are on right now.  Usher opened the show and all I could think was how hard it must be for him to stand up there and perform in front of Chris Brown and Ne-Yo who do Usher so much better than Usher does now.

THEN Ne-Yo comes out with this AMAZING performance (above).  And he does those Michael Jackson rips they ALL do, but with a Disco Beat, as MJ did in his Off The Wall-era heights. 

Then Ne-Yo does the obligatory 'walk through the crowd and sing a lyric to a girl' except he sings it to Queen Latifah (AND GIRLFRIEND!?!).  And that's it for PopMuse, s-s-s-sold.  There is no Usher.  Ne-Yo gets it in a way Usher never did. 

Ne-Yo will never come out, and that's OK, he sends the message.  He's working on a whole other level.  If Usher is Orlando, Ne-Yo is Paris.  Feel that.  Download the remixes of Ne-Yo's latest below. 

...Wait a minute, is that SWV and En Vogue singing with Alicia Keys right now???  I gotta go, if you are missing this award show, you are white, and I pity you.

Ne-Yo - Closer (StoneBridge Radio Edit)

Ne-Yo - Closer (Norty Cotto Radio Edit)