Blogcritics

Announcement: Short-content feeds

Phillip Winn — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT

Sunday, 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.

Blogcritics Goodie Bag: Brian McKnight, Ruby Isle, Relient K, and James Morrison

Anna Creech — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 13:36:23 EST

Today in the Goodie Bag:Slip into something comfortable, snuggle up next to your sweetie, and listen to the new single "What's My Name" from Brian McKnight.Long before Dan Geller became an indie rock torchbearer by co-founding Kindercore and playing in the increasingly relevant electronic pop act I Am The World Trade Center, he was just a music-hungry skater kid. He spent most of his time in the high school parking lot, trading tapes with bud Mark Mallman, who would eventually go on to a successful career creating mind-blowing piano rock. These two �ber-influential music geniuses have reunited after all those years to present one of 2007's catchiest, most brilliant indie offering in only three tracks: Ruby Isle's Into the Black EP."Atom Bomb""In To The Black"Pop-punk band Relient K is back with their fifth album in seven years cleverly titled, Five Score and Seven Years Ago, in stores March 6, 2007. Their highly anticipated new music video "Must Have Done Something Right" premiered this week on Yahoo. The Ohio natives say the new album is their happiest record to date, combining up-beat catchy love songs and their quirky sense of humor. Soccer in the library... whee!James Morrison's new album Undiscovered will be released in the US on March 13. He has already sold 1.6 million copies of the album worldwide. Check out his series of webisodes.Also, take a listen to Morrison's single "You Give Me Something."

Anna Creech is a librarian and blogger who dreams of a day when she can improve the ratio of read-to-unread books in her house.

Blogcritics Goodie Bag: Comeback Kid, Ne-Yo, Buildings Breeding, Partyline, and Shiny Toy Guns

Anna Creech — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 08:36:07 EST

Today in the Goodie Bag:Comeback Kid's new album is coming out next week. You can preview some of the tracks off of Broadcasting..., but only if you're prepared to be slapped in the face by an aggressive wall of sound coming out of your cheap computer speakers. Ne-Yo returns with a hot new single "Because of You" from his forthcoming album due in stores April 24. He is also currently writing songs for Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Britney Spears. Ne-Yo has proved himself a masterful songwriter penning such gems as Rihanna's "Unfaithful" top-ten hit and co-writing Beyonce's mega-blast "Irreplaceable." Buildings Breeding have been causing quite a buzz around the blog-o-spere, prompting Idolator to name them the "Biggest Band In The World." Originally created as a fake band on MySpace, where guitarist and bassist Chris Larsen uploaded songs he wrote for his girlfriend, the "band" is now making remarkable progress to be a shiny star on the indie firmament."Stacking Up Reasons""Emma Wood" "Nuthaus" is a new track from Partyline for you to check out. Frontwoman Allison Wolfe earned early recognition as the voice of Bratmobile and has continued to burn deb-dresses ever since. "Angela! Allison! Crystal! 1, 2, 3!" Didn't get enough of the love yesterday? Listen to the electronic emo-pop sounds of Shiny Toy Guns's latest single "You Are the One."

Anna Creech is a librarian and blogger who dreams of a day when she can improve the ratio of read-to-unread books in her house.

Blogcritics Goodie Bag: Daphne Loves Derby, Mya, Justin Timberlake, Dir En Grey, and Jay Lou Ava

Anna Creech — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 08:17:55 EST

Today in the Goodie Bag:Pacific Northwest rockers Daphne Loves Derby are preparing to release Good Night, Witness Light, their long-awaited follow-up to On the Strength Of All Convinced, on March 27. In anticipation of its release, the band has just posted another new track entitled "Stranger You and I" on their Myspace page. Mya's fourth cd and her Universal Motown Record's debut is the forthcoming Liberation (out June 26th) and it's the sound of a singer expressing herself with no limits. Here's a little taste of what's to come:"Lock U Down" featuring Lil Wayne (Produced by Scott Storch):"Ayo" Last week we gave you the preview for Justin Timberlake's new video "What Goes Around...Comes Around" starring Scarlett Johansson, and now here is the full thing in all its "sexy" unshaven glory: The new Dir En Grey video for "Clever Sleazoid" from their upcoming album Marrow of a Bone rocks so loud that the sound waves were shaking the camera. Am I the only one who finds the lead singer to be a little scary? Plus, I really hate insects. Check out this video of a very creative instrumental cover of "My Way" from African guitarist Jay Lou Ava

Anna Creech is a librarian and blogger who dreams of a day when she can improve the ratio of read-to-unread books in her house.

Blogcritics Goodie Bag: Consequence, Metermaids & Sentence, Three 6 Mafia, Lil Mama, ORESKA Band, and Josh Groban

Anna Creech — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 07:58:03 EST

Today in the Goodie Bag: Consequence's new album Don't Quit Your Day Job will be hitting record store shelves on March 6th. Meanwhile, you can listen to five tracks from the album. It kind of reminds me of Puffy Puff Daddy P. Diddy Diddy. The Metermaids EP has created a big buzz on college radio, online and in clubs. Now 27 Sound presents "Funk Terrorist" a fun new single from Metermaids featuring Sentence. A combined Metermaids/Sentence EP is also in the works. Travel through a portal and come out the other end as Three 6 Mafia. The concept of the video for "Doe Boy Fresh" came from 1999 surreal film Being John Malkovich. The video includes special guest appearances from Chamillionaire and Travis Barker. You can also listen to the song: Hailing out of the East New York section of Brooklyn, 16-year-old Lil Mama has been honing her skills for the past five years. As a result, she has blossomed to a triple threat -- excelling in rhyming, dancing, and singing. Check out her first single "Lip Gloss," which has been getting lots of attention in New York City clubs: Teen girl sextet ORESKA Band is taking the Japanese pop music scene by storm with their brand of "entertainment ska-rock". The group formed in 2003 when classmates from Osaka (Ikasu, Tae-san, Leader, Saki, Moriko and Tomi) met in high school band class and decided to start their own band. They started off playing at small local clubs quickly building a following with their energetic live shows and colorful personalities. They will be making their US debut at SXSW next month. Check out the track "Pinocchio": And finally, here's a seasonal little ditty performed by Josh Groban. If you forgot to get your sweetheart a gift for today, maybe you can make it up to them by playing the video of "February Song":

Anna Creech is a librarian and blogger who dreams of a day when she can improve the ratio of read-to-unread books in her house.

Blogcritics Goodie Bag: Billy Joel, Harry Connick, Jr., Bow Wow, John Legend, and Awake, My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp

Anna Creech — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 05:29:08 EST

Today in the Goodie Bag: For the first time in over 13 years, piano-man Billy Joel will release a new song titled "All My Life." The song was recorded as an anniversary present to his wife and is done in a classic piano jazz style.Harry Connick, Jr. goes back to his roots and records both New Orleans classics such as "Jambalaya" as well as new originals based recent Crescent City struggles. A portion of the royalties will be donated to New Orleans charities. Listen to all of the tracks from Oh, My NOLA on his website.Bow Wow's new video for "Outta My System" will premier on BET's Access Granted at 8pm on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2007. Listen to the song: Grammy-winning recording artist John Legend follows up his multi-platinum, critically-acclaimed debut album with Once Again. Watch the video for "Save Room":About eight years ago, my father introduced me to an old style of American sacred music called shape note. The sound is quite unlike anything modern music listeners are used to hearing, and it is quite fun to sing it. Awake, My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp is the first feature documentary about shape note singing. The filmmakers, Matt and Erica Hinton spent 7 years documenting this yet largely unknown art form. Check out the trailer:

Anna Creech is a librarian and blogger who dreams of a day when she can improve the ratio of read-to-unread books in her house.

Blogcritics Goodie Bag: Brick & Lace, Bret Primack, Cezanne, Sofia Talvik, and Be The Riottt! Captured: Online Music Festival

Anna Creech — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 08:10:28 EST

Today in the Goodie Bag:Brick & Lace is the first official act signed to Akon's Konvict/Geffen imprint. The group is releasing their debut album in May featuring production from Akon, Tony Kelly, Raphael Saadiq, and Will.I.Am. Listen to the song "Never Never." It combines elements of electronica, r&b, and hip-hop.Bret Primack started the first Jazz blog in 1998, Bird Lives, where as the Pariah, he fought a never ending battle for truth in the Jazz biz. Primack was a respected Jazz journalist who was also a web pioneer when he decided to pose as the Pariah and write diatribes directed at the injustices of the music industry. Bird Lives quickly caught on and became a talked about website, entertaining many, and ruffling a few feathers a long the way. Several thin skinned record company executives even threatened Bret with lawsuits. But after September 11, Bret decided to focus on other targets, and he suspended the site. Now, Bird Lives returns, as Bret's Video Blog.Listen to the song "In Snow" from Brooklyn's Cezanne off of the mini-album Breaking Bats For Jesus. If you like what you hear, be sure to catch their NYC show on February 27th.Watch the Sofia Talvik (feat. Bernard Butler) video for "It's Just Love." She has a surprisingly American accent for a Swede: Be The Riottt! Captured: Online Music Festival is a unique online music event spanning nine weeks and featuring live concert footage from a diverse set of cutting-edge indie rock and hip-hop acts. You can experience the phenomenon that was the Be The Riottt Festival at this very moment without waiting in line, or paying admission fee.

Anna Creech is a librarian and blogger who dreams of a day when she can improve the ratio of read-to-unread books in her house.

Blogcritics Goodie Bag: Lydia Hearst, The Number 23, Geren Lockhard, Pride, Premium, and Playas Ball

Anna Creech — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 09:32:34 EST

Today in the Goodie Bag: Watch SuChin's interview with billionaire heiress, Lydia Hearst. The Number 23 stars Jim Carrey as a man whose life unravels after he comes into contact with an obscure book. As he reads the book, he becomes increasingly convinced that it is based on his own life. His obsession with the number 23 starts to consume him, and he begins to realize the book forecasts far graver consequences for his life than he could have ever imagined. In anticipation of the film, New Line Cinema has teamed up with YouTube to bring you the "Share Your Darkest Obsessions" contest. Witness shocking confessions of the most levelheaded people or upload your own confession for a chance at $2,300! It's Fashion Week in New York and LX.TV provides a peak into the life of an up and coming designer, Geren Lockhard of Geren Ford. Gen Art's fashion show entitled "The New Garde" featured Geren Ford and gave the opportunity of a lifetime to this rising designer who had never before brought her entire collection to New York City. If you missed the preview for Pride that aired during the Superbowl, here's your chance to see it again: Coming to select theaters on February 23 is the film Premium starring Dorian Missick and Zoë Saldana: Watch the trailer for Playas Ball starring Allen Payne, Elise Neal, Anthony "Treach" Criss, and MC Lyte:

Anna Creech is a librarian and blogger who dreams of a day when she can improve the ratio of read-to-unread books in her house.

Blogcritics Goodie Bag: The Dead Bodies, Satellite Party, Diana Ross, Collie Buddz, and Hank Williams Jr.

Anna Creech — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 11:19:36 EST

Today in the Goodie Bag: Stream the entire album Mr. Spookhouse's Pink House from The Dead Bodies. Listen to Perry Farrell's highly anticipated project, Satellite Party on AOL Music. Here's a Valentine-themed e-card from Diana Ross, just in time to send it to that someone special. Collie Buddz speaks on the herb drought during Bermuda's winter season in his radio hit "Come Around": Check out the video for the 25th anniversary of Hank Williams Jr.'s classic track "A Country Boy Can Survive":

Anna Creech is a librarian and blogger who dreams of a day when she can improve the ratio of read-to-unread books in her house.

Blogcritics Goodie Bag: Norah Jones, Child Bite, Andrew Douglas Rothbard, Simon Dawes, and Justin Timberlake

Anna Creech — Thu, 8 Feb 2007 23:49:54 EST

Today in the Goodie Bag: Check out the final installment in the Norah Jones Not Too Late video podcast. Listen to "From The Eighteen Hundreds" by Child Bite, who were recently featured on NPR's Open Mic. Here's "Bull in The Dell" from Andrew Douglas Rothbard, who's album Abandoned Meander was on Aquarius Records' top ten of 2006. Check out the "Awful Things" video from Simon Dawes debut full length Carnivore: Watch the trailer for the new Justin Timberlake video "What Goes Around...Comes Around" starring Scarlett Johansson:

Anna Creech is a librarian and blogger who dreams of a day when she can improve the ratio of read-to-unread books in her house.

Blogcritics Goodie Bag: Sloan, Emerson Lake & Palmer, UGK, The Pack, and Consequence

Anna Creech — Thu, 8 Feb 2007 08:57:04 EST

Today in the Goodie Bag: Every business day from January 30th through March 9th, Yep Roc will debut a new installment of 30-part video-serial documenting the making of Sloan's latest album, Never Hear the End of It. Here's an e-card for The Essential Emerson Lake & Palmer. Sample some tracks from UGK's upcoming double album: "Players Anthem" feat. Three 6 Mafia, "The Game Belongs To Me," "Like That," "Stop-N-Go" feat. Jazze Pha, and "Quit Hatin' The South" feat. Charlie Wilson and Willie D. Take a look behind the scenes of the The Pack's new video "I'm Shinin'": Check out the "Grammy Family" video from Consequence:

Anna Creech is a librarian and blogger who dreams of a day when she can improve the ratio of read-to-unread books in her house.