The Useless Critic 2.0

AHHHHH Remember in 2011 when I geeked out about "I Follow Rivers?" Of course not. Well, check this out: "I Never Learn" is out May 5th . Let's keep positive people! We've got things to look forward to!!!! This sounds like it's going to be INCREDIBLE. (I may have wet myself the first time I saw this.)

I heard this song on last Sunday's episode of Girls , and I just had to download it. As with " Hard Out Here ," "L8 CMMR" uses a little too much Auto-Tune, but it's such a fun, summery synthpop tune. I love the lyrics ("My man is a bad motherfucker") and the sassy title. Sometimes I wonder why I still watch Girls , though, since I hate almost everyone on that show. Except for Jessa, she's awesome. Although she's been a real hot mess lately—more than usual, I mean. Anyway, as most of you already know, Allen has recently confirmed that her third album will be titled Sheezus , an homage to Kanye West's album Yeezus . Or maybe it could be a combination of the words "sheesh" and "Jesus." Y ' know, like, "Sheezus! They're making Sharknado 2 ??" In other news, recent Brit Award winner Ellie Goulding has just released the lyric video for "Beating Heart," the song she recorded for the soun...

SONG OF THE YEAR This is like. This is art. I want to marry it. "Fall in me, I'll let you be."

Song of the Day- Swedish Song of the Day, That Is! JuliA Spada was named the "Number 1 Breakthrough Artist for 2014" on Sweden's biggest radio station P3. And I can see why ... it's a really weird take on R&B through a Swedish weird filter. Like, Robyn would be down with JuliA Spada I think. Albeit Robyn doesn't quite have THIS kind of soul. The New York Times and Pitchfork love her; so you probably should give her a listen, you plebian. ;)

I keep getting this title confused with the BEYONCE track. Argh, okay. I Am a Camera, besides being a film, is a musical group from the UK.  This song, "Lost in Love," will be released April 29 , which seems a lifetime away but is NOT the case. It's pretty catchy: very electronic, in a good way, more dance-y than what I usually post. This band has also done some FINE remixes of Lana Del Rey (who is headed to Phoenix in April BTWS) and Tanika. See below:

I'm hesitant about bands/singers who are really young (i.e. Lorde, Justin Bieber.) It's always struck me as strange that someone so young is an entertainer, for whatever reason. And the band Echosmith meets that criteria; however, this band seems like they should have a reasonably bright future ahead of them. Echosmith is a band from Los Angeles that consists of four siblings (like the Osmonds!) They've been around for a little while; one of their songs was used to promote the 2012 Summer Olympics (so long ago, I know.)  They've released a ton of covers through the years, which is how I got to know them. Check this out: Last year saw the debut of their first album, "Talking Dreams." It's received some positive reviews and buzz, and it looks like the band is gradually inching toward the mainstream radar. I like the music for "Cool Kids"- Sydney's voice is a little wearing on the track and the subject matter is inane, but it demon...

Song of the Day I'm bummed David Bowie is no where  in this video. As a bonus, have some Arcade Fire + David Byrne: I hope you had a good week- and Valentine's Day. My jury is out; Ellen Page is gay- good on her for coming out. Will have more interesting posts for you soon, Britt

I have discovered the band Tennis and I'm really, really in love with their sound. I think the guinea pigs have grown to resent me over this, but they are also guinea pigs. Lastly, this picture? Adorable. This couple? Adorable. I will give it up. Enjoy this one!

Beatles - I want to hold your hand by Salut-les-copains I think this is the version of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" I was looking for. Who doesn't love this song? Or early Beatles? If you don't GET OUT OF HERE. Anyway we all know it's the 50th anniversary of the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. I don't really have a TV so I will watch Internet videos to celebrate.  My Mom said this was a big deal when she watched it. She said my Grandpa ran out and got her the LPs afterwards. Years later, when Johnny Cash died, my Grandpa gave me this lecture on how he was better than the Beatles and Elvis. And I was like, "Grandpa that's nice but I think you are several decades off..." *listens to Garbage in 2003 mobile CD player* - Britt "Don't Say 'Girl We Couldn't Get Much Higher on Ed's, Jim Morrison!" K

"This may be difficult when the Olympic Games take place in Sochi in February. As we know, Vladimir Putin has introduced laws prohibiting gays and lesbians to show their love in public in Russia. Furthermore, it is prohibited to talk positively about homosexuality in public. This is the reason why an increasing number of leaders worldwide have decided to boycott this year’s Olympics." - RussianKiss.org I have been an Annie advocate from the beginning (well, 2007.) And, as if it was even possible, she just made herself all the cooler, all the more awesome and all the more deserving of your time/attention/respect. How? She just released the protest song "Russian Kiss," blasting Putin and the Russian LGBT policy. It's pretty hot for a protest song; I have to be honest with you. It features the artist Bjarne Melgaard and was directed by the Vice photographer Richard Kern. This track has been getting a TON of attention (coupled with the video)- everyone f...

I got Facebook back in 2006. There are few pictures on Facebook in 2006. What they had to give me were celebrity pictures my friends and I apprehended for giggles (teeheehee.) Oh, and one memorable librarian (which got my 18-year-old self in trouble, lolz.) My Facebook movie was cute. Most of the updates were from the past year ("Hey everyone, I'm not dead!" "YAY, YOU'RE NOT DEAD!") I couldn't help but be a LITTLE disappointed. So, summoning my inner Peter Jackson, here is what that movie should have been like: 2006: Break up with Scarlett Johansson Years later, in interview after stepping down as the Oxfam ambassador: "You know, sometimes I wonder about the poor decisions I've made. And I haven't made a lot because I'm nearly perfect, but like marrying Ryan Reynolds letting Britt get away was just a big mistake. I cry about it a lot." (like) 2007: Break stuff with Britney Spears Britney said: "Bri...

Song of the Day I just discovered this Australian band. What lush, haunting music. They are no longer a band anymore- but this song is worth a listen.  (I just missed this train, ha.)

I think we may have lost the greatest actor of our time. One of them anyway, for sure. He was so versatile and so gifted, and so damn brilliant. I don't know a lot about him as a person (like some actors) but I don't need to. He effortlessly slipped into the roles he was playing, which is a sign of a damn fine actor. Who else can you imagine from present Hollywood being that good  at being a chameleon? I can't really think of anyone. Maybe Meryl Streep or Joaquin Phoenix, who both shared the screen with PSH at one point or another. Sometimes people get upset when you eulogize a celebrity after their death (just think about Paul Walker for example.) Here's my case with Philip Seymour Hoffman. He was a gifted actor- his roles made people like myself think and feel. He was genuinely able to move people. A study  revealed reading can grow emotional intelligence. I imagine this is because a great novel makes you feel empathy (I have no scientific evidence to back ...

This one is a little heavy on post-punk/hipster music. I included Black Kids , who I'm not sure are cool anymore. Regardless, they put out some good music. So here is "Hurricane Jane." F U GROUNDHOG This playlist also features: - Ra Ra Riot - Elvis Costello - Charlotte Gainsbourg - MS MR

Song of the Day This song has always brought me enormous comfort. I think it's a good way to start February: a positive, empowering song. I'll have a real update tomorrow. It's the Super Bowl and Groundhogs' Day, how can I not.