The Useless Critic 2.0

Earlier today, Ellie Goulding tweeted a 24-second teaser for the music video for "Goodness Gracious," the next single from Halcyon Days . Personally, I was hoping "Stay Awake," "You My Everything," or "Under Control" would be picked as the next single, but I love "Goodness Gracious" too. The video looks amazing with all those neon colors, which really complement the carefree, electro-tropical vibe of the track. Plus, Ellie is lookin g pretty hawt . Listen to "Goodness Gracious" in full below:

You certainly have so  many to choose from. AHHHH Well. If you have any... ....

I'm banking my hope on this in particular: The Robyn/Royksopp tour-reunion may save us all. This article from Reader's Digest actually highlights several reasons 2014 could be/will be amazing. Reader's Digest is kind of wonky online, FYI.  A few weeks from now will be five years of the Useless Critic online. I'm pumped about this, but I also would actively like to be doing things differently. I want this to be more creative, more focused, more driven, more meaningful. So there's our goal to work toward in 2014. Things may change drastically; we'll see. I'm also beginning to implement a lot of personal changes- which hasn't been notable so far, but I think it will work out long term.

I want to devote January 2014 to seeing films that may garner Oscar nods. I know this could bankrupt me, but I'd love to attempt it anyway. How do we know about the Oscar nominations? It's partially intuition and partially because of the Golden Globes. ;) Here's a picture of Jennifer Lawrence since everyone loves her. Everyone except Joan Rivers . First Movie: "Her" by Spike Jonze starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Mara Rooney. Out nationwide Jan. 10. This has an incredible Rotten Tomatoes rating. Like, 92%? That is unheard of good! This will also be me come next year; I'm going to become enamored with my gophone I just know it. Second Movie: "Saving Mr. Banks" by John Lee Hancock starring Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson. Out everywhere now, more or less. Did you know the writer behind "Mary Poppins" was a bisexual feminist who penned erotica? Me neither. Tom Hanks grates my nerves sometimes, but Emma Thompson is a g...

Song of the Day Why? - Twin sisters - From Australia & Sweden - Descendants of Steve Kilbey - Swedish twins....I have no other reasons here.

Song of the Day Listening to Moby the day after Christmas brings back a lot of memories. I got "Play" in middle school and I think it was a little too cerebral/soulful for a "tween." Here's a bonus for you. BTW, it's cold and snowy in Erie, PA.

I know I kind of sucked at doing this, so forgive me. But here's a song I just discovered with no relation to the Zombies' classic. Their voices blend together in such an unexpectedly gorgeous way; it's a pretty easy Christmas song to digest. Merry Christmas- enjoy yours!

Yep, the wait is finally the over. And I'm only one month late! Well, a little more than that. I'm not really good with intros, so can we just cut to the chase? Alrighty then. 1) "Aura" Originally titled "Burqa," the song begins with Western-style guitar riffs and Gaga's distorted vocals as she confesses to killing her "former," before erupting into a schizophrenic onslaught of glitchy synths and pounding beats. The bold lyrics make a potentially controversial reference to the burqa, which here is used as a metaphor for Gaga's own artistry and sexuality: "Enigma popstar is fun, she wear burqa for fashion / It's not a statement as much as just a move of passion." In the chorus, she proceeds to ask, "Do you wanna see me naked, lover? / Do you wanna peek underneath the cover? / Do you wanna see the girl who lives behind the aura?" Then again, it wouldn't be Lady Gaga without a little bit of controversy, huh? 1...

While some people may see it as a drag, there are plenty of benefits to being single during the holiday season. During this time of the year, there are tons of parties you can attend that you may not have had the opportunity to if you were in a relationship. There’s also not as much stress on you as a single gal during the holidays because you don’t have to shop for your partner and extended family members  or  stress over where to eat Christmas dinner.  Not everyone sees the bright side of being fancy free during the holidays, and, tragically, they aren't afraid to let us single ladies know. Not only are single women subjected to even more harassment and ridicule during the holiday season, they’re also given the most obnoxious gifts by those who can’t comprehend how anyone can be both happy and single. Whether it’s a self-help book (desperately) trying to reinforce how great is to be single or the gift of a year-long subscription to Match.com , single women are prese...

This is a pretty Christmas-centric playlist. I couldn't help myself. I'm having a pretty hard time right now. Very stressed out and depressed. I'll be in Erie this week soon enough, which should be a nice reprieve. But I am kind of lost and still very brokenhearted. I think the holidays have made that worse. I lost seven people this year to either death or them just wanting to leave...:/ Anyway, none of that is portrayed in this playlist. So take heart. Here's a picture of a guinea pig decked out for Christmas:

Kate Nash has several Christmas songs so to speak. AND, HER LATEST Which, as Ms. Nash explained,  "[It's for] anyone who has just been f---ed over by a boyfriend or girlfriend," Nash told MTV News, revealing that the song is based "roughly" on personal experience. "Christmas always makes you think of people that you've loved or do love or you're still in love with. It's a good Christmas anthem for people in that situation." Hmmm....

I don't have any words for this, either. Thanks to my sister for sending this to me.

It just was. Um, I think there are two ways we portray sex. One is very clinical and no-frills, i.e. like porn and science. It's just an act. The other is more romantic and loving. Honestly, I don't care for porn. I kind of want to see " Nymphomaniac " though. It's Lars Von Trier, he's a weird fascination for me.  P.S. The trailer is graphic . I have warned you.

In the past, we've covered (well we as in me) the Romantic Era . It was a little bit of time ago- and since then, the band's profile and popularity has grown.  Within the past month via their Facebook , the band has released two covers (Lorde's "Royals"- yes everywhere like I said before and "No Diggity" by Blackstreet.) Both awesome original songs that make for awesome covers. Check them out below: "Royals" "No Diggity" Pretty good stuff!  For more info on the Romantic Era, check out their website .

Ahem Disclaimer: This year, a lot of music came out. I did not listen to it all. I stayed far away from Miley, though. Albeit the only time I heard "Wrecking Ball" it made me cry but that HAS NOTHING to do with her talent. Song That Was Everywhere That Did Not Suck When I get home, my Mom will be listening to this song (mark my words) and telling me how it is good walking music. I would bet money on this if I was a betting type. I'm glad Lorde is getting recognized by the Grammys. But: a.) The Grammys are like a grandma trying to be hip. b.) SECOND ALBUM CURSE. See: Alanis Morrisette . I know, somebody is saying "Why can't you be happy for her? She's just a kid!" BITCH I AM HAPPY I'M JUST WORRIED My personal favorite album of 2013: The National's "Trouble Will Find Me." I am sure this comes as no shock. And it was a grower of a quiet masterpiece. I wouldn't say it's their best, ...

I am a bit sad so bear with me. The holidays have compounded my existing sadness (LOL) plus I get to this place where I'm so lonely that I can feel it eating away at me. It's like my mind wanders down a dark corner. Hoping that eases up soon. I really need to meet more people here.

~ Moar moar moar ~ Want a (free or pay-what-you-want) Christmas song? Of course you do! Who doesn't! And Sofia Talvik is a long-time (Swedish) Useless Critic favorite. Download, share, support- click here ! There's also more good news concerning Sofia: She'll be touring the United States again next year. Something to definitely look forward to. Here's Sofia's story behind the song: Every year I release a free Christmas single as a gift to all my fans. This year, since I'm spending Christmas in Berlin, I figured I should write a Christmas song about Berlin.  Berlin is a complex city, it’s both new and old, rich and poor and that triggered my imagination for this song. A friend of mine told me about his apartment in Friedrichshain which is huge, but run down. They're on the top floor but there are holes in the roof in the attic above them, and sometimes the heating goes out in the middle of winter and leaves the flat very cold. This reminded me ...

I am not sure if I'm fit to gauge what is a success and what isn't. However. I have had 62 people RVSP on Facebook....so. I think that's positive? Today (and really, as my friend Janna pointed out slightly, it should be everyday ) do something a little bigger than yourself. Something altruistic in nature with no intention of yourself in the matter. So far I sponsored a goat at the Gentle Barn , a place I think is awesome. I've reached out to some people I normally wouldn't have (big deal, I know). I'm going to drop off a toy at a toy drive shortly and see what the day brings me. I thought about volunteering at the food bank but it seems all you do is pack boxes and the experience I had last summer....ehhhhhh. I'll keep you posted. Also, everybody should probably take some time to reflect on today's Sandy Hook anniversary. What a year it's been.

SRSLY GUYS, CHECK IT OUT: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/beyonce/id780330041 BUT BUT AND THERE'S A SONG FEATURING BLUE IVY WHAT THE IS THIS REAL LIFE????