The Useless Critic 2.0

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This past winter, in case you missed it, I discovered the French electronic musician ANORAAK .  (or, as real names go,  Frederic Riviere)   My last. fm sort of forced him upon me, but I'm glad it was so insistent. His music is warm, lush and perfect for the summer. Which it apparently is now, in case the smothering temperatures haven't been any clue.  Anyway, if you haven't checked out any of Anoraak's songs yet, I recommend doing so now. SEE HERE:   ANORAAK - Crazy Eyes by anoraakmotion Those French know what they're doing! Anoraak answered my questions rather fast. I was pleased as a plum. Or a pear. You have your pick. Hi Anoraak! Thank you for taking the time to do this. It's very appreciated. (seriously, I am grateful for such things) What are you up to these days? Working on anything new? Gigging? Anoraak:  We're actually waiting in an airport for 8 hours because our flight was cancelled, and believe me it's extremely...

When it comes to the Internet, Facebook is Sodom and Google is Gomorrah. Just several days ago, Facebook jumped on the hounding wagon with this awful graffiti. Guess what, Facebook? I'm already on you. You don't need to twist my arm to get me there. If anything, I'm looking for ways to get away from you. If Google Plus becomes popular, I will excitedly refrain from signing up and gladly welcome the fewer and fewer Facebook updates that will surely follow, allowing me to get off of the grid once and for all. Hey, Google, I've pressed "No" so many times, why even have a button? You're obviously not interest in my answer unless I say yes. On my MacBook, I get this message even though Google is, in fact, my homepage. And, no, I don't want to try Chrome either. Perhaps it'd be worth it if it had a feature that would disable these notices. Now Google has a feature that notifies me that I have an e-mail forwarding filter that I set up to forward...

The world in our Facebook group has heard about this, but in case you are not a member,a new web segment called "The Useless Critic Online Radio" has been launched on Youtube. QATFYG: Is it high quality? No. It was made by me, but it is better than some of that crap I used to make. (I posted a video of when I was eating lamb brains in honor of Miley Cyrus) . Sometimes I hate myself.

Back in the seventh grade there was Napster, and I was addicted. Not many positives came out of that situation for me, but I did get the chance to learn some songs from bands that now seem really surprising. 1. Papa Roach – Shut Up N Die This psychotic ballad really stood out to me because it bore the name Papa Roach, but it sounds like just a rap monologue of hatred. The name Papa Roach is almost always associated with high energy songs even going back to “Last Resort” and “She Loves Me Not.” 2. Creed—Illusion By the time I had discovered Creed, they were only putting out singles like “With Arms Wide Open,” and the notoriously overplayed “Higher.” Creed went on to put out songs like “One Last Breath” and that one where Scott Stapp is on a boat…on a boat. I was surprised to hear this song because it is isn’t about being sappy like a Maple (in Canada), and it is about melancholy, which is much more important on certain days of the week, not to mention this is an example of Creed using d...

Did you think I forgot? Seriously? I was just tired yesterday! Onwards, Christian soldiers! Today , I decided to throw you a curveball. Bitches. I mean, it's been on my mind all week, naturally. What else am I going to think about? So:  here, we have a b-side. this is called "Everything In Time," but the Los Angeles version. As it exists, there are two. London, I think it's commonly agreed, the sister song, is the lesser of the two. It's too cute, too aware of it's charm. There is something gritty and organic about the LA version, but isn't that LA for you? IO here we go: She asked how we are She asked If I was all weird again And of course I am But I'm trying really hard So I lied to her And I was wearing this prisoner face So deep inside she had to know Once again I've lost control For everything, there is a reason Everything, I hope in time, will come Lying in your bed I am a refugee you try to love But the love that...

Pretty cool! See as follows: ICRAVE DESIGNS WINNING SAME-SEX WEDDING CHAPEL FOR POP UP CONTEST New York City, July 27 -- This Saturday from 10AM to 8PM, 24 lucky couples will be legally wed in two  Pop Up Chapels  at the Merchant’s Gate entrance to Central Park in NYC. In order to accomplish this feat,  Architizer  published a design competition – requesting submissions of eight-by-eight foot ‘pop up chapels’ to be erected onsite within two hours, and to house the ceremonies throughout the course of the day. Out of nearly 60 submissions, ICRAVE was announced as the winning design team last Friday. ICRAVE ICRAVE is a young, creative and fearless branding and interior design studio based in Manhattan. With environments that engage and energize customers, ICRAVE has catapulted to the top of its field, becoming one of the world’s most sought-after firms in lifestyle, hospitality, restaurant and experiential design. In addition to design, ICRAVE is often calle...

This is the result of a week worth of emailing back and forth between: - me - Cara - Kurt ALL OF SAW THE MOVIE OPENING DAY. I did this because I am partially in love with Mila, and how could I not? Also:  Cara had sex with Justin Timberlake at a concert in 2002. And Kurt is just a slut! me:   "Friends With Benefits" was a great film, because not only does Mila Kunis get me wet, Jenna Elfman has one percentile of her acting talent still in tact. Did the Church of Science Fiction not manage to suck it all out? Who knows. Cara:   HAHAHA REMEMBER WHEN JENNA ELFMAN SHOWED UP AS A STRIPPER IN CAN'T HARDLY WAIT? me:   OH MY GOD REALLY WHY Kurt:   Are we really gonna talk about Jenna fucking Elfman? I, for one, will not. Instead, I pose a quandary: Justin Timberlake sneeze/orgasm. Is this an actual thing? Is it adorable, or would it get super annoying? What if he's drinking something--OR what if he's going down on someone and sneegasms?! me: ...

- FACEBOOK PAGE OF THE DAY: P.O.W.E.R.S. Inc why:   - it's a start up that needs your help! - I do some work for it and the people involved are truly awesome and lovely. - it's about restoring the lives of those affected by domestic violence. how can you not support that! they're hosting a walk on October 16th in Queens. If you're in the area, hopefully you'll come out and show your support!  - WHAT TO WATCH ON TV TONIGHT (I want to help you solve this problem) IF YOU GET FUSE, former Destiny's Child Kelly Rowland (dilemma!) will be interviewing Mr. Cee Lo Green on his own show about himself. check it out at 11 on Talking to Strangers . Here is a clip, thanks to his publicist: = WATCH!

I asked people to send me questions about Captain America, the latest in Marvel Comics' superhero movie franchise. Forgive me if I get a bit nerdy. I am a comic book whore, after all. Alex asks: Which lead in movie to the Avengers did you think was better Thor or Captain America? Well, that is a tough one, seeing as how I really enjoyed both films. I'd have to say Thor, with the Captain a close second. With Thor, I think they did an impressive job of taking a character and story that by all rights should hahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifve been awful, and made it entertaining and witty. The story did a decent job of not insulting me with its use of the Marvel mythos (unlike X-Men:First Class...) And it had Natalie Portman and Kat Dennings. (Don't know who Kat Dennings is? Go to hell, what are you even doing on this website?) How do you think they did fleshing out all the second tier characters? I'll give both movies credit, they gave their secondary characters som...

Since it's been just over two months:  - gotten extremely lost on the subway. I believe I ended up in Soho? Well, whatever happened ended in tears, me screaming at people for money for a new metrocard and a panic attack that was subdued by some nice Australian (?) boy offering me candy. yeah I attract Australians like flies I don't get it either. - drank a lot. this is stupid in any context; it's more stupid when you move to a major city and are confused by most things. - gone to Harlem. at least this ends soon, but "harmless-looking white girl in Harlem" does not bode well. "harmless-looking white girl talking in a high-pitched voice to a designer dog" bodes EVEN WORSE. - made the mistake of acknowledging bums. in Erie, bums are just...well, bums. HERE? it's like another continent. I feel like I'm in the Time Machine .  - walked 30 blocks when it was 100+ degrees. didn't drink any water. you do the math. - dark areas at night, by myse...

I see mah gurl tonight: with Sia at Webster Hall. say hi if you see me because I'm going to spend 3 hours straightening my hair because I have PRIORITIES. that's right:  PRIORITIES.  their show for tomorrow apparently sold out! that's because they are awesome! 

Kathie and Hoda are possibly the biggest thing I miss about not having a TV. No, what am I saying? They are ABSOLUTELY the biggest thing I miss. I love these two ladies in the morning! And their sidekick, social media superstar Sara Haines, who spends the national later morning talk show discussing what fans are saying via the Facebook and Twitterverses. this is Sara in a slightly different context: Fun fact:   her nickname is Sage! (Kathie gave it to her- thanks Wikipedia!)  Anyway, I happen to be friends with Sara Haines via the good old Facebook, because I love her. and I was like "let's ask her some questions, self!" to which she responded in a very good nature. BEHOLD, BURNING  KATHIE AND HODA SECRETS REVEALED! How did you get involved with such a position? For a morning talk show, it feels pretty unique! Sara:  I worked behind-the-scenes here at the Today show for 7 years before becoming a contributing correspondent. I started an online ...

Please check them out here . - AWM P.S., Al, what I meant by a YouTube rolodex was something that would scroll between a set series of songs that we would select, for instance, our jams or another special post. I'm not sure it is possible. Perhaps a more tech-savvy contributor would know. I don't really remember what I wanted to do with it, though.

Brooklynites Au Revoir Simone are indie pop darlings, and pretty hard not to like. Also:  they took their name from a Pee Wee Herman reference! Try topping THAT, Lykke.  Things have been kind of quiet on the Au Revoir Simone horizon, lately. But not really! As Annie Hart answered via email, there's a lot going on for the band members, both professionally (ALBUM FOUR) and personally (school and family!). All in all- an exciting time to be a part of this delightful trio! Annie is awesome, as her answers prove, and shows where to go in Brooklyn, because even though I live here I'm clueless.  Au Revoir Simone has been quiet lately! Are you guys taking a break or working on new stuff at the moment? Annie:  We had been taking a little bit of a break for Heather to focus on her school work and for me to have a baby.  But these days we are in full force at rehearsals and writing new songs for our next record, tentatively titled  Album Four .   I'm actual...

Sorry, I forgot to post this in a timely manner. My bad!http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif Beavers . I could have eaten there every day. We went there for lunch, and I had a super-boozy cocktail (soooo good) and an orgasmic, nutty veggie burger. I quite enjoyed getting sloshed at noon. The day for me was kind of bizarre. I knew I had to leave, so that made everything feel disconnected, like I was mentally breaking up with the city. I wrote some more (drunk writing!) at the Collective and went back upstairs to triple check I hadn’t left anything unpacked. Snacktimehighfive was nonplussed about my departure, but I’m sure he misses murdering my shoes. After braving Houston highway traffic (fucking ridiculous), we get to the airport with time to spare. I bid Geoff farewell and entered the airport gauntlet once more. This time I got scanned by one of those pervy photo booths! But before that, why do airports have different security requirements? At Houston, they practically ha...

Even though I love Zooey and enjoy Fox shows, I'm not. I am simply not. Remember My Guys on TBS? ALMOST SAME PLOT? or how about this mid-90s gem I bet you are thinking "what does Dharma and Greg have to do with anything!" but WHEN DOESN'T IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH EVERYTHING!  here's a synopsis of The New Girl , which kicks off on September 20 2011. Eww really? That's an ugly date. I'm sorry but it is. I don't like late September. The show will star  Zooey Deschanel  as Jessica Day, a well-liked, bubbly, and adorable woman in her late 20's who is trying to get over her surprise breakup with her model boyfriend. She eventually finds a new place to stay when she moves in with three single guys; Nick, a bartender, Schmidt, a professional and modern-day casanova, and Coach, a former athlete turned trainer. Rounding out this unlikely bunch is Jessica's street-smart model friend Cece. Together, this group of friends try to help Jessica ...

look at how extensive it is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/27_Club#Other_musicians_who_died_at_27 :/ IF YOU'RE A MUSICIAN NEARING 27 PLEASE BE CAREFUL. seriously though, the whole Amy thing leaves a very bad taste in my mouth a la Brittany Murphy. Between that and Norway, I feel kind of numb today.  take care of yourselves, reader, Britt. p.s. readers that were turned off! come back! I was with my editor today eating Asian Food I WAS NOT POSTING EARLIER 

A perfect trippy song for late summer. Not something to not suspect from St. Vincent. I'm personally a lot reminded of "Laughing With a Mouth of Blood."  It starts with a sort of apathetic whisper you've come to expect from Annie Clark, kind of from another dimension:  "I spent the summer on my back...." and then it slowly spins into something very ethereal and dreamy. So:  vintage St. Vincent. But it feels different. And there's a splash of 1980s to it, too, which I find intriguing. CAN'T STOP LISTENING CAN'T NEED STRANGE MERCY NOW http://strangemercy.com/audio/surgeon.mp3 here's one of the trailers for "Surgeon," which I find to be hilarious: SEPTEMBER 13TH!