http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Tue, 16 Dec 2003 17:07:00 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/ Phillip WinnSunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding. Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/12/16/170700.php Arjan TimmermansPop-turned rock chick Pink released her third record "Try This" at the end of November. On the album singer makes another turn and introduces its listeners to a spunky punk vibe.Pink, aka Alicia Moore, is steadily become a rainbow icon with both a growing queer and lesbian following. Not in the least for her unconventional way of thinking."I like licking people. But tongue action is also sexy, whether it's boys with boys, boys with girls, or girls with girls," Pink told Avanova in September. "I believe there are no limits. And sex is fun, you know."This carefree attitude is also reflected on "Try This."The singer collaborated once again with lesbian songwriter and producer Linda Perry, but also included Tim Armstrong of punk band Rancid behind the soundboards."Try This" is a departure from her lyrical catharsis on "Missundaztood." After spilling her gut, the star decided to have some fun and experiment with edgier sounds.The album kicks off with the poignant "Trouble," which is the first single off the album.The powerful "God Is A DJ," easily sums up Pink's creed when she sings, "You get what you're given. It's all how you use it."On "Last To Know," the singer sheds her anger about a reluctant boyfriend. The track creates a fitting bridge to some of the punkier songs that follow.The singer switches gears on the Armstrong-produced "Save My Life," "Humble Neighborhoods," and "Unwind" (an ode to rock diva Janis Joplin) that all pack a powerful punch and raise Pink to a new level of creativity.Perry's "Try Too Hard," "Waiting For Love" and "Catch Me While I am Sleeping" prove that the two have found a durable chemistry that unites Perry's skill with Pink's spunk.Pink demonstrates what can become of a young artist who is nurtured and allowed creative expression. Instead of being another flavor of the moment, Arista Records (and its president L.A. Reid in particular) gave the star the opportunity to find her voice and more importantly "the opportunity to fail," as Pink writes in the album's liner notes."Try This" is invigorating in style and substance and will easily pass for one of the most noteworthy releases of the year.Read more about Pink and others in the :: Arjanwrites Gay Music Newsletter :: Sign up and receive FREE CDs at www.arjanwrites.com. Music11031@blogcritics.org Tue, 16 Dec 2003 17:07:00 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/12/10/234908.php Arjan TimmermansBritney Spears' duet with Madonna on the song "Me Against The Music" marks an historic occasion in pop culture. The longtime pop queen seems to be officially passing her crown and designating Spears as her successor.Some may wonder why Madonna chose Spears to take the pop diva crown. There are plenty of other talented singers who potentially could take her place in the public spotlight. Christina Aguilera, Pink, Dannii Minogue, Beyonce Knowles and, perhaps, even Nelly Furtado are all serious contenders for the job.The answer might be hidden on "In The Zone," which displays a musical direction and sense of maturity that Madonna should enjoy.Spears' fourth record was launched amidst heavy promotion, Internet gossip and carefully timed marketing campaigns. For the first time, the star was also launched as a gay icon with plenty of coverage in the national queer weeklies and much-hyped late night stints at Manhattan's SBNY and Avalon.On paper "In The Zone" is an impressive effort. The Louisiana native worked with heavy-hitters Moby, Cathy Dennis (Kylie Minogue, Clay Aiken), Tricky (Mya, B2K) and R. Kelly to put the album together. But the despite the album's impressive credentials, it has turned out to be a plain hip-hop flavored pop album featuring chaotic beats, trivial lyrics and Spears' questionable vocals.Not quite the ground-breaking vibe from an entertainer that is supposedly the leader of the pack.Things unravel as soon as the star's teaming with Madonna kicks off the album. "Me Against The Music" is a mediocre dance dump that has Britney challenged by a barrage of beats and that leaves Madonna uninspired."Early Mornin'" (co-written by Moby) is a tedious synthetic R&B track with meaningless, adolescent talk-sung lyrics, such as, "Got drunk till the break of dawning. Passed out on the couch yawning."The trivial "Touch Of My Hand" might shock some of her younger fans (and their parents) when the star sings about masturbation. Using the look-at-me-I'm-so-naughty card has been played before and seems disingenuous.Ironically, it is the bubblegum "Brave New Girl" that appears to be one of the most cohesive tracks on the album, not in the least for its computerized voice alterations.The inclusion of South Asian and Chinese textures on "Toxic," "Outrageous," and "Touch of My Hand" provide some spice, but are not used to the point that they make the melodies interesting.Overall, it appears that Madonna's support for Britney Spears is more an acknowledgement of the star's potential that her actual effort on "In The Zone."Read more about Britney Spears and others in the :: Arjanwrites Gay Music Newsletter :: Sign up and receive FREE CDs at www.arjanwrites.com. Music10861@blogcritics.org Wed, 10 Dec 2003 23:49:08 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/12/07/132547.php Arjan TimmermansYou don't have to be a Billboard-topping recording artist to gain respect from peers, critics and the music industry. Me'shell Ndegeocello has made music for over 15 years that has not always been a critical success.This uncompromising singer and skilled bassist has continued to receive critical-acclaim for her innovative, genre-busting music. The bisexual singer has inspired many young artists and paved the way for the neo-soul movement that includes artists like D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Maxwell, and newcomers Jill Scott, Bilal and Indie.Arie.On her latest record "Comfort Woman," Ndegeocello shows off her sensual side with lyrics about love, sex and religion. Her socially conscious songs imply that revolution starts in the bedroom.Born in the late 1960s in Berlin, Ndegeocello grew up in Washington, D.C. She started playing the club scene in the late '80s with Little Bennie and the Masters, and Rare Essence.As a young artist, she was mentored by Prince and signed to Madonna's Maverick label, which gave her plenty of creative freedom. In 1993, her debut "Plantation Lullaby," was applauded by critics and received four Grammy nominations. The album was followed by "Peace Beyond Passion," "Bitter" and "Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape."From her home in Brooklyn, Ndegeocello tells Arjan, "I am excited about this album." It is a radical departure from her previous hip-hop infused "Cookie," an uncompromising look at love, sex, race and politics. It shows a gentler Ndegeocello, with love songs and musical arrangements from '60s psychedelic jazz, to reggae and down-home soul.The soft-spoken Ndegeocello said, "I can't really explain how I came up with the idea for this album. I guess I was inspired by love for life and love for a person when I wrote this album."One of the most outspoken songs on the album is "Fellowship," a look at the dangers of religion, with the lyrics, "Would you walk a righteous path without the promise of heaven, paradise streets paved in gold?"Ndegeocello feels that song is particularly relevant in light of the current political turmoil after the war in Iraq. "Our leaders and Osama Bin Laden all claim to do the right thing in the name of God. I question that. I wonder if that God is worth the life of another human-being."Ndegeocello finds it important to create at any given point in her career, and draws comparisons with visual artists. "A person I admire is Picasso. He was able in all stages of his life to continue to create," she says. "If I would not be able to create music, I would create art or something else. Perhaps cooking."Proof of Ndegeocello's diverse musical interests are a number of recent side projects. She collaborated on the debut album of New York-based Cuban hip-hop band Yerba Buena, and covered a song for a new Dolly Parton tribute CD."I performed a song called 'Two Doors Down.' I like Dolly Parton a lot," she says. "I think she is an amazing lyricist and songwriter. She asked me personally and I was more than happy to participate."In January, she will also be releasing "Papillon," a jazz record with singers Lalah Hathaway and Cassandra Wilson. "It is mostly an instrumental, meditative record with a few guest vocalists."She enjoys different types of music and doesn't want to be niched in one style. "I have listened to and played a lot of different styles of music. I guess that experience finds a way out in the diversity of my music.Ndegeocello, which means "free like a bird" in Swahili, does not feel her genre-crossing music-making equals experimentation for its own sake. "It is all music to me," she says. "No matter what musical type, it has the same DNA, it is all 12 notes in a scale. I just change the combinations a bit now and then."Ndegeocello is considered by some one of the few gay icons in music. She smiles at the notion and openly wonders if she considers herself gay. "There is not really a word to describe my sexuality," she says.She smiles, "I am just a polyamorous, water-based carbon life form. I find myself being able to enjoy sex with both sexes, I am able to fall in love with both sexes and I love animals."She admits that her gay fans are very important to her, but she does not want to be stereotyped as a gay artist. "My music is for everybody that it speaks to. I don't like to be compartmentalized. I am just thankful, whoever likes the music.""Comfort Woman" is in stores now.Subscribe to Arjanwrites Gay Music Newsletter at http://www.arjanwrites.com to automatically receive music reviews and exclusive interviews in your mailbox. Music10743@blogcritics.org Sun, 7 Dec 2003 13:25:47 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/12/02/154711.php Arjan TimmermansStyle never goes out fashion must have been the thought of Duran Duran when they decided to reunite their original line-up for another album and extensive world tour. On Friday night, the band played a sold-out Tabernacle in Atlanta in front of a roaring crowd.Fans had a good reason to cheer. This Duran Duran reunion tour marks the first time in eighteen years that singer Simon LeBon, drummer Roger Taylor, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and guitarist Andy Taylor have played together.The '80s supergroup raised the bar for many other pop bands with their glamorous mix of synthetic pop-rock, chic fashion and exotic music videos. It is no wonder that there is plenty of pressure on these original fab five to prove fans they still have their sizzle more than 20 years after they topped the charts.The group greeted the crowd when they hit the stage at 8:45pm with a funked up version of "Friend of Mine" from their 1981 self-titled debut album. A parade of greatest hits followed including the seductive "Girls On Film," "Wild Boys," "Hungry Like The Wolf," "Is There Something I Should Know" and the breezy "Save A Prayer."One of the evening's highpoints was a slamming performance of "Notorious," which gave LeBon reason to compliment the audience with "You are loud!"LeBon and pals continued to show strength in the mid-tempo ballads "Ordinary World" and "Come Undone."The show's no-frills set design enabled the music to take centerstage and spotlight the individual talents that make up the band. Taylor's invigorating guitar riffs, Rhodes keyboard wizardry and LeBon's sexual, charismatic showmanship proved that this group is still young at heart.The band took the opportunity to try out a couple of new songs from their forthcoming album (due in 2004). The rocky "What Happens Tomorrow" and the melodic ballad "Beautiful Colors" indicate a slightly rawer musical direction emphasizing rock more than pop.After a short break, Duran Duran hit the stage again to encore with "White Lines," the edgy anthem from their "Thank You" album. The group appeared to go on autopilot when performing "The Reflex," the group's biggest hit, which lacked some of the earlier excitement.Duran Duran came back full force with an extended rendition of "Rio," which included a playful snippet of Sisters Sledge's "We Are Family" - a worthy ode to the fans of a band that has not lost its finesse to work up a party.Full Set List:Friends of Mine Planet Earth Hungry Like The Wolf Come Undone What Happens Tomorrow New Religion Is There Something I Should Know Beautiful Colors Waiting for the Nighboat Ordinary World Save A Prayer Notorious Girls On Film Careless Memories Wild BoysWhite Lines Reflex Rio Photograph by Vesna Pahor and duranduan.comFor more updates about Duran Duran and others, please subscribe to the monthly Arjanwrites Music Newsletter at http://www.arjanwrites.com Music10617@blogcritics.org Tue, 2 Dec 2003 15:47:11 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/10/22/073704.php Arjan TimmermansThis week, some members of the music press received a CD sampler of Nelly Furtado's new album "Folkore." The teaser includes snippets of four new Furtado songs, including "Fresh Off The Boat," "Explode" and the ballad "Try." Also featured is the new single "Powerless (Say What You Want)," which is currently storming up the iTunes charts.Taken solely from the short sound fragments, "Folklore" seems to reveal a more mature Furtado with a musical production that combines her cheer, outright emotion and spirited crooning.Read more at: http://www.arjanwrites.com/arjanwrites/2003/10/furtados_folklo.html Music9394@blogcritics.org Wed, 22 Oct 2003 07:37:04 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/10/21/202428.php Arjan TimmermansJoseph Janus, Calvin Klein's previous director of marketing, has a knack for using music as a platform to kickstart new trends. When the New York gay entrepreneur assembled guy duo The Deuce Project, it must have been his belief that selling music is not that different from selling underwear.The Deuce Project is Texas-born Josh McMillan, 22, and Noah Pearce, 23, whose debut album "Stone Cold" features a combination of soulful acoustics from the South and edgy pop from the North. The group's unpolished rocky quality is tamed by the slick production of the Berman Brothers. Real-life brothers Christian and Frank Berman are well-known for their hard-hitting gay club anthems and their production of club acts such as Amber ("This Is Your Night") and Stars on 54 ("If You Could Read Your Mind"). More at http://www.arjanwrites.com/arjanwrites/2003/10/making_the_band.html#more Music9384@blogcritics.org Tue, 21 Oct 2003 20:24:28 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/08/18/130310.php Arjan TimmermansARJANWRITES.COM -- Two Disney starlets are reunited. Justin Timberlake has teamed with fellow pop star Christina Aguilera on their "Stripped/Justified" summer tour. The tour is not the first collaboration for Timberlake and Aguilera. They previously worked together as Mouseketeers on Disney's "The Mickey Mouse Club" in the early '90s. The show has been a fertile breeding ground for the recent teen pop movement, including Disney veterans Britney Spears and some of Timberlake's fellow *NSYNC members, who are planning to reunite with him for future albums. The time has come for Timberlake and Aguilera, both 22, to shed their saccharine Disney images. Both want to prove to critics that they have grown up beyond their pop tarty peers and show audiences what really is on their minds as young adults. Timberlake's mature and buff appearance on Rolling Stone's January cover made him an instant sex symbol, giving both teenage girls and gay guys plenty to drool over. Despite his mainstream appeal, the singer has often shown appreciation for his gay following in the media. In a recent interview with NEXT Magazine, the Tennessee native puts the hype surrounding his persona in perspective. He says, "Music is music; it's the universal language. And whether you're gay, straight, black, white, you know, whatever, you like what you like. And I'm flattered by anybody who likes my sound."Fellow mouseketter Aguilera burst onto the scene in 2000 with the catchy "Genie In A Bottle." After her tame debut album, Aguilera showed her edgier side on her sophomore effort "Stripped."Produced by lesbian Linda Perry, Aguilera exhibited a bombastic mix of rock and pop while wearing outfits that often showed more skin than style. Despite her faulty fashion record, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) honored the singer for including gay and transgender images in her "Beautiful" music video earlier this year. At a recent show in Atlanta, the singers did not share the stage simultaneously, but instead followed each other with Aguilera opening the show. Set in a virtual strip joint, Aguilera kicks off with a rocky version of "Dirty," a pompous spectacle that does very little to show off the singer's vocal abilities. She dances, squirms and rolls over the stage accompanied by her troupe of dancers. After a brief intermission, Timberlake greeted a cheering audience by jumping on the stage wearing all-white street gear. He kicked off his portion of the show with "Rock Your Body," which sent the crowd into a frenzy. The singer's solo repertoire is slim, so most of his set is filled with the bulk of his chart-topping solo debut "Justified" plus some *NSYNC hits such as "Gone" and "Girlfriend."Timberlake attempts to create a show that is not just visually compelling with dance and light-effects. His band also features a full horn section and gospel background vocalists to bring his hip-hop infused pop hits to life. The use of rich instrumental arrangements has a downfall, however. The crooner often lacks vocal strengths and gets overpowered by the orchestration. This is painfully obvious during a chaotic performance of "Cry Me A River."Despite the concert's flaws, it is the enthusiasm and vigor of these two young performers that make this a worthwhile evening of carefree entertainment. (Photo by Max Vadekul - Story is licensed under a Creative Commons License - http://www.arjanwrites.com) Music7669@blogcritics.org Mon, 18 Aug 2003 13:03:10 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/08/16/114139.php Arjan TimmermansARJANWRITES.COM - Macy gray took the pop scene by storm when she was nominated for two Grammy Awards and her song "I Try" became a radio favorite in the spring of 2000. Her accompanying debut record "On How Life Is" eventually reached triple platinum status at the end of 2000. Hailed as the savior of funk, Gray's persona was hard to resist. Her wacky lyrics, unique voice and potent soul-funk combination were a fresh addition to CD shelves, which were dominated by saccharine teen pop, Latin crossover hopefuls and that persistent, big-voiced gal from Canada. Gray, whose real name is Natalie McIntyre, was born in Canton, Ohio, in 1970. Influenced by Prince, Sly Stone, James Brown and other soul greats, Gray developed a passion for music early in life. When she moved to Los Angeles to study screenwriting, she started to write lyrics and recorded a demo tape, which quickly circulated within L.A.'s music scene. Gray was invited to front a pop jazz band that played the L.A. hotel circuit, a lucrative gig that taught Gray the ropes of performing in front of a live audience. She also organized a Hollywood after-hours club, called the "We Hours" with open-mike nights, DJ sets and performances of her own band. The weekly gatherings allowed her to jam with other starting musicians as she quickly developed an interest in rock and hip-hop in addition to her strong passion for soul and funk. She was offered a record deal with Sony's Epic Records in 1998, which led to her debut release the next year. "On How Life Is" highlighted Gray's unique vocal skills and infectious bursts of energy. The record is a collection of autobiographical tales that were best represented by the album's hit single "I Try." With the release of her follow-up album "The Id" in 2001, Gray fell victim to disappointing record sales, which is often the case with post-breakout second albums. "The Id" failed to impress critics and audiences with its bombastic productions that merely appeared to serve as a platform for Gray's idiosyncrasies. Listeners were left to wonder if Gray was just another one-hit wonder fueled by her much-hyped outlandish appearance. On her latest record "The Trouble Of Being Me," Gray attempts to reconnect with her pop audience that brought her to fame in 2000. The stakes are high. Gray knows that if this album fails to be a commercial success, her chances of being funk's newest diva are greatly diminished. Together with Atlanta-based producer Dallas Austin (TLC, Madonna, Pink), Gray put together a sound that again features her raspy vocals, but which is supported by Austin's gentler funk-pop orchestration and fine sense of hit potential. The album kicks off with the first single track "When I See You," a happy-go-lucky pop song that brings to mind her previous hits "I Try" and "Sweet Baby." Gray's meaningless lyrics are wrapped around an infectious musical arrangement with cheery background vocals, bouncy organ chords and funky guitar riffs. On the Beck co-penned "It Ain't The Money," the singer fuses her signature vibe with a vintage hip-hop groove that features Beck's background vocals and rapper Pharoa's fragmented rhymes. The singer returns to her soul roots on "Come Together," "Jesus For A Day" and "Happiness" with its laid-back percussion, swirling strings and swelling horns. On the autobiographical "Things That Made Me Change" and "My Fondest Childhood Memories," Gray shows lyrical sincerity that is a rarity on the album. Her gratuitous eccentricity reaches a distressing low-point with her child-like banter on "Screamin." The title "The Trouble of Being Me" says it all. The trouble with Macy Gray is that her wacky vocals, cartoonish character and weak lyrics often overshadow the distinct quality of her songs and their production. (By http://www.arjanwrites.com - Articles posted by arjanwrites.com are licensed under a Creative Commons License. ) Music7632@blogcritics.org Sat, 16 Aug 2003 11:41:39 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/08/14/185722.php Arjan Timmermans ARJANWRITES.COM - The ever-elusive Prince is back with the release of the instrumental "N.E.W.S," an acronym that refers to the album's four 14-minute songs "North," "East," "West," and "South." Once a member of pop culture's elite, Prince has struggled to remain in the public eye and to stay relevant. After his success in the '80s, the artist underwent a series of bizarre image transformations and public quarrels with his record label, creating a disconnect between his artistic instincts and commercial viability. In recent years, Prince has chosen to unveil some of his new music exclusively on his NPGmusiclub.com Web site before making it available for purchase in record stores. His latest effort features Prince on guitar and Fender Rhodes on electric piano, keyboards and percussion. He is joined by Renato Neto on piano and synthesizers, Rhonda Smith on bass, John Blackwell on drums and Eric Leeds on saxophone. The songs are a departure from the artist's previous funk rock. Instead, the album's atmospheric jazz improvisations invoke memories of Prince's longtime idols John Coltrane, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. The record's studio jamming and improvising shows off fine musical ability with Smith's deep bass jolting and Blackwell's climatic drum play. However, "N.E.W.S." does not provide the sizzle we have come to expect and hope for from Prince. The exception is a two-minute section of "East," which lays out a playful groove that features a Middle Eastern ambience that includes powerful, fragmented guitar riffs. Despite Prince's successful record of experimentation, this record's tame jazz grooves are simplistic and could easily be produced by any studio band warming up for the real thing. The artist once more does not show listeners much originality, again raising the question about his lack of direction. (By http://www.arjanwrites.com - Articles posted by arjanwrites.com are licensed under a Creative Commons License. ) Music7596@blogcritics.org Thu, 14 Aug 2003 18:57:22 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/08/14/165846.php Arjan TimmermansThe good news about "The OC" is that FOX tries to fill a void and revive its primetime soap glory. The bad news is that this new series does not compare to the delicious melodrama of such classics as "Melrose Place" and "Beverly Hills 90210." The scoop of "The OC" is simple. Bad East Coast kid joins wealthy West Coast family (in Orange County, hence "OC"), and attempts to survive Los Angeles' temptation-filled wasteland. The show entirely relies on the handsome looks of its young debuting stars, such as the corn-fed hunk Benjamin McKenzie, who plays Ryan Atwood. The 24-year old Texan moved to Hollywood to star in the new show and is poised to become television's newest heartthrob. McKenzie is not worried about his bad boy image in the series. In a recent newspaper interview, he comments, "It's a Fox thing. They're trying to type me out. There are worse things in life, you know. I'm just really excited about the opportunity."In last night's pilot episode, the makers of the show created a paradoxal blend of pretty youngsters with glossy images of wild house parties, cocaine binging, silly girl fights and teenage orgies. The writers are obviously inspired by the angst and nihilism of the early 80s that was so uniquely portrayed in Brett Easton Ellis' book "Less Than Zero." "The OC" might look cute, but its storyline starts out weak and rather tedious. One wonders how many more pretty faces we need to stand before this show becomes interesting and provides the drama we so desperately crave on Tuesday nights. Decide for yourself. "The OC" airs every Tuesday on Fox at 9:00pm ET. Video7589@blogcritics.org Thu, 14 Aug 2003 16:58:46 EDT