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Showing posts from March, 2017

The xx - Say Something Loving (Official Music Video)

Okay, do you remember when I shit all over The Xx's life a few months ago? Okay, I take that back. I take it back fullheartedly. This and "Lips" are among some of their best songs.  This one in particular has BIG potential. Like, mainstream top 40 status. We will see what happens, but they really mastered their own style in this track, and twisted it a bit into something new. Beckoning in a newfound maturity, which I personally respect. The Xx's shtick can get tiresome after a while. Their music always runs the risk of becoming background noise. In this case, tho, they turn out something uncharacteristically uplifting - and hopeful (don't listen to the lyrics, I think the actual sound betrays that!) I've listened to "I See You" and I have to say, wholly I was unimpressed. But I will give them credit for this and "Lips." Oh man, "Lips" is something else. It has this Eastern-type sensuality to it. Jamie Xx is a genius.  (

"Heather" - Saint Etienne

YOU GUYS 2017 IS THE BEST YEAR EVER. EVER. EVER. ... EVER.  Ima stop you but 2009 and 2014 are now distant memories. 2017, I welcome you and your sort-of-crap-but-excellent-music ways.  Saint Etienne. Is. Returning. *fans self*  This is the beginning of what appears to be a big year for the threesome. They will be touring Europe followed by the United States (!!!). And they will be releasing "Home Counties," sixteen new songs, their first endeavor since 2012's "Words and Music by Saint Etienne."  "Home Counties" promises to be about (well actually is about, heh): "the love/hate relationship people have with 'home' is particularly acute in the Home Counties. Yet Saint Etienne understand that, if you squint, it could be almost utopian - here are the post-war new towns, much of the country's modernist architecture, and the non-league football heroes of Sutton United, Leatherhead, Harlow Town."  Looking forward

Viva Phoenix: Return of the Uffie

You guys, Viva Phoenix this year. Let's talk about it. There was honestly too much for me to do to hone in on the several bands I wanted to see (Bogan Via, Pure Bathing Culture, Temples among other). So I concentrated on the crown jewels for me - GIRL TALK and UFFIE. If you have been reading the UC for many years, you will know I was obsessed with Uffie in 2010 - 2011. You will realize the circle has then become full.  I saw the Mowglis and Mystikal, too. I've seen the former before, and they are fun, but the audio quality was terrible. So terrible I ended up wandering out halfway through. Weirdly enough as well, I saw The Maine? Not my cup of tea, but they played a good show. I will give them an A for keeping their audience engaged.  GIRL TALK was on another level. I don't know where he has been for the past several years, but he hasn't changed at all. Even now that the DJ has become a mainstream staple of pop music; Greg Gillis was everything I've heard and

The CW renews Riverdale for season 2

Yesterday The CW announced an early renewal of the midseason drama Riverdale for the 2017–18 season, just s ix weeks into its first season . Yaaaasssss!!! I couldn't be more excited about this, I've been hooked on the show since day one. Riverdale is certainly not your average teen drama—it's moody, sexy and packed with just the right amount of mystery and major twists. The storylines are so compelling and always keep you wanting more. I must say I've been a bit obsessed with Cheryl. At first I low-key hated her and thought she was nothing more than a spoiled, manipulative bitch, but ever since episode three she has become my favorite character. She's just so complex, and I believe that her ice-queen persona is partially due to losing her twin brother Jason. Okay, I might be getting just a little overanalytical now. And if you still need a reason to watch Riverdale , well... Is it weird to be thirsting over a 19-year-old playing a 16/17-year

I Do it Alone: The Movies

This is the beginning of a new series I'm embarking on with the help of some fine folks (like Ursula Wheeler, as seen below). There's some silly stigma about doing stuff alone, especially among women (I don't know why). This series is meant to demonstrate people can do cool stuff alone, and there's no reason to be scared or ashamed of being by yourself pursuing an activity you enjoy. In fact, it's kind of empowering. Welcome to "I Do it Alone."  I Go To Movies Alone by Ursula Wheeler Well not quite like Alicia in the "Crying" video. Kinda creepy in retrospect. When I was a freshman in high school, I went to a movie by myself for the first time. I made a night of it--the movie theater was in the mall, so first I stopped at JCPenney and bought myself a new tank top (it was covered in one of those early-00s patterns of fake French newsprint). Then I purchased a ticket to Bruce Almighty , and settled in for an hour and 41 minutes of Ji

Lorde - Green Light

I have welcomed Lorde back with open arms. I recently listened to a lot of crap on Top 40 radio again, to torture myself basically, and I found myself thinking - maybe because I'm soon leaving my 20s and my tolerance for bubblegum crap has expired? - "God, pop music sucks these days."  And in that moment, I am my parents. Where's my Anne Murray at! But, God listened to me, and gave me a new song by Lorde less than 24 hours later. Is 2017 not shaping up to be an awesome year for music?! I am DELIGHTED. Ryan Adams, Jens Lekman, Lana Del God, and now Lorde. Not that I'm the biggest Lorde fan, but she's such a much-needed relief right now (Taylor Swift must be in hiding for the foreseeable future). At least Lorde has *real* talent and is willing to do things somewhat differently.  So what's "Green Light" like? There's a ton of hype behind it. And for the most part, it is deserved hype. The song starts off kind of awkwardly, bu