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Showing posts from December, 2013

Ellie Goulding unveils trailer for new single "Goodness Gracious"

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:

Best Moments of 2013?

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

My Top Songs of 2013

Ugh, best GIF of the year, hands down. Lady Gaga, "Aura" If Crystal Castles and M.I.A. had a musical child back in 2007 or 2008, this hyperactive, unhinged electronic banger would be the result. There seems to be some sort of spat between Gaga and Israeli psytrance duo Infected Mushroom (who are credited as producers on "Aura" along with Zedd) over the track. Anyway, I still need a proper music video for the song, not just the lyric video that was used to promote Machete Kills , in which Gaga makes her big-screen debut. Do you wanna see me naked, lover? Ellie Goulding, "You My Everything" Ellie is my everything. I wish I could stay up all night dancing to this song at some party. Bitch better release this as a single. M.I.A., "Y.A.L.A." Let's face it, nothing on Matangi really rivals the timeless anthem " Bad Girls ," although "Y.A.L.A." and " Double Bubble Trouble " do come close ( " S

Why 2014 May Be the Best Year Ever

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.

Movies to See in January 2014: Possible Oscar Contenders?

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

"Better In the Dark"- Say Lou Lou

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

"Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?"- Moby

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.

25 Days of Christmas Songs That Do Not Suck: Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan

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!

Review: Lady Gaga – ARTPOP

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

Appropriate Holiday Gift Ideas for the Single Lady

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 presented with

UC Playlist 12.22.13

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:

25 Days of Christmas Songs That Do Not Suck: Kate Nash!

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....

And That "Nymphomaniac" Trailer Was-

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.

Lorde + Blackstreet Covered by the Romantic Era

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 .

2013: A Year in Music Review

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,