It only took 19 years, but The Simpsons has finally hit rock bottom. The last several seasons have been mediocre at best, but this latest season is a slap in the face for us hardcore fans out there. It's as if they put all of their ideas and money into making a great movie (which may only seem that way considering some of the crap they've churned out here lately), and then just threw this 19th season together. The most the last few seasons have had going for it has been the improved animation and the occasional laugh-out-loud joke. Two episodes in to this latest has only shown horrible animation and beyond lame plots.
And, really, what right do I have to complain? Bart said it best in the The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show episode: "What right do you have to complain? They've given you countless hours of entertainment for free" well, something along those lines, at least. I don't have a right to complain, but I can say that I'm a little disappointed. Of course, I'm a die-hard fan, so I'm just gonna sit back and hope that it gets better. Or that they end it and focus all their talent into another great film.
I really hate to say this, but I've found most of the tracks off Annie Lennox's new album Songs Of Mass Destruction hard to swallow. I love her, so it pains me to have to say that. Dark Road and Big Sky are the most bearable songs so far. I'm hoping this is a grower. Since it's someone I absolutely adore, I'm willing to keep spinning a few more times to see if it eventually catches on like Kelly Clarkson's My December.
It's due in stores here in the US on October 2, 2007. To pre-order this album at iTunes, use the links below: US UK
On tonight's premier of Ugly Betty, I got fooled (won't spoil it for those that haven't watched it yet). Overall, a pretty good start. Last season I was sick of the same episode over and over during the first half of the season, but stuck with it cause I just knew it had to get better. It did, thankfully. It looks like this season will be even better than the last.
As for Grey's Anatomy, I was pleasantly surprised. They seem to have noticed just how dark and unenjoyable the third season was and infused (at least the first episode of) the fourth season with all the drama and humour that we had grown to love. The only real complaint that I have is that I am so sick of the whole lets put someone on either side of Meridith calling out to her and then have her struggle trying to decide which person to go to. It's been overplayed. How many friggin' times has it happened? I know at least at the end of the second season and twice (or more) during last season. It's overdone, drop it. Other than that aspect, I loved the premier.
A week ago tonight, I went to one of the best concerts that I've ever attended...Brandi Carlile. She has no need for any fancy sets, choreographed dance sequences or pyrotechnics. She comes out with her guitar, her band mates and that unique voice of hers and gives performances that captivates and resonates with her audience. A perfect example of this is when she performed a new song, How These Days Grow Long. She performed it completely unplugged (including no microphone) to a hushed crowd (except for the occasional cheering at particular points in the song). Not many artists could accomplish this feat, let alone have such a strong voice that even those people way in the back could hear her. Sadly, I was saving the juice on my camera for a later performance, so I had to refrain from taping it. I did; however, catch her performance of Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues during her encore set. As you can tell, she has the audience really energized.
Her latest album may not be impressive, but Natasha Bedingfield seems to always deliver when she stops by Jo whiley's Live Lounge on BBC Radio 1. After covering songs like Chasing Cars, The Scientist and Somewhere Only We Know, she takes a stab at Miss Madge's smash Ray Of Light. I quite like it.
I know it seems as though I'm on a Beverley Knight kick since I posted one of her songs last week, but I swear this is more along the lines of a Robyn one. My friend Allan sent me the concert footage, so that reignited my interest. I fell in love with this song even before I knew it was originally done by Robyn. And yeah, I normally reserve covers for another post, but those are usually live acoustic performances.
Artist: Beverley Knight Album: Affirmation Track: Keep This Fire Burning Original Artist: Robyn
If you like what you hear, support the artist and make a purchase at iTunes via the link below:
I just got turned down for a job at Starbucks! I was looking into working there part time as a barista; however, they knew I was only planning on working through through December. Since they don't hire seasonal help, I was out of luck. I need to go somewhere where they don't know I'm just going to quit on them.
Oh, and I ran into this guy a few weeks ago. He was all over me and telling me that he really like me. You know, an obvious player. How obvious? What he doesn't remember is that he had met me a few months prior to us bumping into each other again. We had sent a couple text messages back and forth, but they had died down as he realized he wasn't gonna get any. I drop him a line today just to say 'hey' and he actually tried to pass it off as though he doesn't speak English. Seriously? I mean, come on, is he stupid enough to think that I don't recall having conversations with him in English! Seriously? Seriously? Too funny.
With her initially self-released and self-titled 2006 album recently (and finally) properly released in the UK, I'm hoping that Robyn eventually finds her way stateside. In the meantime, I have to live vicariously through my friends across the pond that actually got to see her in concert. I hate you Allan...nah, but I am jealous. Here's footage taken at a recent London performance of her smash single With Every Heartbeat.
Now that summer is all but over (despite the heat overstaying its welcome), I thought I would reflect on my favourite songs during that season. According to last.fm (and because I just love to compile lists), below are the 25 songs that made up the bulk of the soundtrack to summer 2007:
A while back I said that if you liked Little Britain that you would love Kath & Kim. As it turns out, Matt Lucas of Little Britain is a fan. So much so that he guest starred on this Sunday's episode as Sharon's long lost half-sister from England.
Alice Ghostley, best known for her work on Bewitched and Designing Women, passed away yesterday. The Tony award winner (best featured actress for her role in 'The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window' in 1965) and Emmy nominee (for 'Designing Women') had been suffering from colon cancer, but I'll always remember her for the countless hours of laughter she brought in the form of Bernice on Designing Women. May she rest in peace.
Favourite quote from her: "Black man!! Black Man, where have you gone to? Black Man!! Black Man . . . where did you go? . . ." (she'd sing this as Bernice about Anthony on Designing Women)
Last evening I had the pleasure of attending the A Fine Frenzy and Brandi Carlile concert. Aside from a few drunk people (one of which was eventually escorted out, another ducked out before they could get to her), it was an overwhelmingly positive experience. A Fine Frenzy started off the night and gave a hauntingly enchanting performance. Alison Sudol (a/k/a - A Fine Frenzy) appears to be a gentle, down-to-earth soul. Her words speak volumes and she has a sweet voice. After she performed, I stepped out for a meet and greet w/ her (yeah, I look kinda scary, don't know what's up w/ that).
While it could easily be an act, she seemed genuinely low-key and modest. She was really appreciative of everyone coming out and even appeared a little shocked when I thanked her. Overall an amazing performance. Here's video I took of her performing You Picked Me. This song has HIT written all over it, so I'm hoping her career explodes once this is released as a single. I wanted to post Almost Lover (my favourite song), but the file was too large to upload. Now remember, the quality isn't as great as it could be, as I used my digital camera. It won't stop trying to focus and there's no steady-cam.
Check out A Fine Frenzy on iTunes via the link below USA UK
Then Brandi Carlile took to the stage and gave one helluva show. Her voice is colourful and commanding. I hate to compare her, but she really reminds me of Melissa Etheridge when it comes to the type of songs she writes. Heartfelt and some of the most passionate love songs. I'm also fairly certain she is a lesbian, but I don't know for sure and it really isn't relevant. I first fell for Brandi Carlile when iTunes offered up her single, The Story, as a free download. While I enjoyed her album initially, I became captivated with a slew of other albums and ended up having it fall off my radar. After her fucking brilliant performance last night, though, I have a renewed appreciation for it. My battery was running low, so I wasn't able to capture when she performed a new song completely unplugged. Thankfully we were very close and could hear her gorgeous voice. Here's her performing The Story:
Overall, this was one of the best concerts I have ever gone to. I highly recommend you immediately check to see if either are coming through a venue near you. If you've already missed them, then I strongly suggest you catch them the next time they drift through.
Rev. Jesse Jackson has reportedly blasted Sen. Barack Obama for "acting like he's white." I'm just trying to understand why someone who went so far as to have a ceremonial burial of the N word in one of his many efforts to end racism would make such a blatantly racial remark. (Don't get me wrong, I am in no way stating that his alleged comment is anywhere near as offensive as the N word) Since he hasn't denied saying it, this really proves to me that his crusade for an end to racism is merely an act to get himself attention or he only cares about it if it affects someone of African descent. Assuming he did make said remark (which was brought on due to Obama not bringing attention to the Jena 6), he's a racist. Plain and simple.
Would someone actually wear this? Okay, yes, they would. But would someone actually pay $4000 for such an eye-sore? Let me rephrase: Would you pay $4000 for this atrocity from Balenciaga?
I've been really down these past few days, but I was looking forward to Thursday evening. I purchased tickets to see Brandi Carlile and A Fine Frenzy perform at The House Of Blues with this guy I had just started seeing. Of course, he bailed last night stating that he wouldn't be able to make it on time and he wasn't familiar w/ either artist. Of course, he didn't mention either to me when I asked him prior to buying the tickets.
I know it sounds like I'm pissed at him, but I'm really not. Just a little annoyed, and, honestly, I should have expected this and had a back-up person from the get-go. Oh well, live and learn.
She may be the wife of Bruce Springsteen and a former member of The E Street Band, but Patti Scialfa has yet to produce a hit record. This despite her lush, heartfelt 2004 album 23rd Street Lullaby. The title track and Love (Stand Up) are two of the best tracks that collection had to offer, but, they just don't stand up as well in today's musical climate. Maybe if Timbaland had produced...
Artist: Patti Scialfa Album: 23rd Street Lullaby Track: 23rd Street Lullaby
Patti is back this month with her new album, Play It As It Lays, which is more of the same: great songs and that lovely, raspy voice of hers. It landed September 4, 2007, so check it out.
Artist: Patti Scialfa Album: Play It As It Lays Track: Play It As It Lays
Like what you hear? Then support the artist and buy their work via the iTunes link below.
The wait is approaching an end and it better damn well be worth it! Project Runway sashays its way back onto Bravo on November 14, 2007. Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and, yes, Tim Gunn have returned. I don't know if I can wait...
OMG! I was just wondering the other day when Alanis Morissette would be resurfacing, especially since the last I had heard was that she retired. This time I will NOT miss her if she tours, as Alanis and Annie Lennox are the only two people on my must-see-live-in-concert list. Anyway, here's Alanis' new song, Underneath...yeah, LQ video taken at the premier of the song's music video at a film festival. It'll have to do for now.
Yesterday was Pride here in Dallas. This year paled in comparison to last year, but that was most likely due to it being alcohol-free for me. I did enjoy hanging out w/ the usual gang and getting to see some other friends that I don't get to on a regular basis.
looks hot don't he?
That's because it was hot. It's also why I watched the parade primarily from within a bar
I've been really tired today because I received 26 text messages around 3 a.m. All from the same person and none of them were duplicates. The first one read:
Praise Allah! Happy Ramadan!
The remaining 25 consisted of strings of random numbers. While I deleted all but the first one so I could try tracking down the sender (probably wouldn't have been able to), once I got into work the message was no longer there (no, I had not accidentally deleted it). The whole thing is very odd if you ask me.
It only took 19 years, but The Simpsons has finally hit rock bottom. The last several seasons have been mediocre at best, but this latest season is a slap in the face for us hardcore fans out there. It's as if they put all of their ideas and money into making a great movie (which may only seem that way considering some of the crap they've churned out here lately), and then just threw this 19th season together. The most the last few seasons have had going for it has been the improved animation and the occasional laugh-out-loud joke. Two episodes in to this latest has only shown horrible animation and beyond lame plots.
