The Useless Critic 2.0

So another group that is totally boss is George Smed’s Hot Noodles (with Sauce). I almost pulled off a decent rhyme…close but no cigar gosh dammit. This is a musical style that was practically invented for Nader Bouberhan (that doesn’t happen very often). Back when Britt posted The Yelle Interview, I was reminded of George Smed and the noodle-tricked out duo. I once requested an interview from George, and I don’t think he ever got back to me. Never-the-less, I am still a fan. Or if you speak British English, “I am like WICKED obsessed.” The group is a two person act from Ohio, and George Smed is on bass and lead vocals, forming a bass and drums combo. I love the lyrics, and overall, there is just a strong comedic feel that owns. It owns! I learned of George Smed because of his videos as a solo bass guitarist. He puts out some original compositions that are entertaining and well-performed, and he also adds some covers and arrangements of other pieces that are equally BA (stands for bad...

When you read this post, use your alien voice. In the theme of themes of music from this year, I cannot let 2010 slip away without listing another musical trend from this year. That trend of this year is the Bouzouki. Suddenly this year, I love bouzouki, and it has become a trend. Why? It is all thanks to the man Bill Bailey " seen above " who played this awesome song, known simply as "Folk Song." You may remember Bill Bailey as the face of my SCRATCHING page on Facebook. Somebody was offended by that, but really I only posted him as the face of SCRATCHING because he opened a show with "I am a big fan of laying around scratching." I am not sure what the point of that story was. But enough with my verbal smut. I wrote a play based on this bouzouki song, but I forgot the name. I love this song, and it has inspired me to become a real bouzouki fan. For some reason, I could not embed the video, so all I can do is post the hyperlink. Here is the song that chang...

So a long time ago, I wrote a post on musical phases. “Take me back to the year of the Bass.” Everyone goes through musical phases, and for my music fads change almost every year. Recap on Nader Bouberhan’s Musical Endeavors/Youtube Diary: 2007: Nothing but Bass Guitarists 2008: World Music and Listening to Chocolate Rain by Tay Zonday and Snow’s Informer on repeat. 2009: Broadway Musicals with numerous tracks from Davis Gaines. The only constant in all of these years has been my obsession with Irish melodies via Luke Kelly, The Dubliners, and various artists and guitarists on the internet. But as for the year 2010, it is hard for me to place an exact genre. One of the main reasons is now in Algeria, I have no connection with my youtube favs thanks for faulty internet. However, in addition to my beloved Emerald Isle reels and jigs (hearts to you Michael King), This year has been a combination of….. Comedy Rock This includes Cars Can Be Blue, the Arrogant Worms, and of course Steven Lyn...

Good evening Wednesday!! So during my time outside of the U S and A, someone happened to show us the Axis of Evil Comedy Tour, which included comedian and actor Maz Jobrani. This guy is hilarious, and I am curious as to why he is not more popular. Perhaps it is because he is Persian! No joke! (See what I did there, I said "no joke" because he is a comedian") Much of his act revolves around Iranian stereotypes and Middle Eastern references, but he does it very well. If you want to laugh, check him out on Youtube. Also, some guy in Sweden told me that Pablo Francisco was the most popular comedian in the world, so I Youtube'd his stuff, and I was not impressed. I was like.....I am not laughing....something must be wrong. QATFYG: Do you prefer to say Iranian or Persian when dealing with people from the Kabob capital of the world. Example Sentence: I went to a Persian whorehouse vs. I went to an Iranian whorehouse...which rolls better off the tonge? Also, have you seen P...

So if you need something out of the ordinary on this Wednesday, look no further than Dan Horn and his good friends. I've spent the last few days doing nothing but listening to ventriloquists, mostly thanks to Jeff Dunham, but I decided to look at the recommended videos youtube provided me, and I came across some Dan Horn works from the 80's. This guy is funny, and he works so well with dummies. He is very good at articulating the scenes. Is he as funny as comic icon and puppet master Jeff Dunham? Well, that's all matter of opinion, but not exactly. However, I will say that he does certain aspects of the Ventriloquism better. He can move his lips less, and he has better interactions with the dummies. Good stuff, and lots of laughs. Especially his vids with the dummy Orson, a 91-year-old former singer. Also, if you are into this art check out Nina Conti with her Monkey, and that one guy from America's Got Talent! Who knows what his name is? QATFYG:If you were a ventriloqu...

Guten Tag und es ist Mittwoch!! (I can’t speak German). Deon Cole can’t speak German either, but he is on top of the globe with this week’s S.S. This is a man who is more well-known for his stand-up comedy than his screen acting, but he has made his way onto the Big Screen a few times in films such as “Barbershop” and get this…”Barbershop 2.” (surprise!) Back to his comedy, Deon C plays it cool and gangsta most of the time, but it is quite obvious that he is a total geek at heart. During his act he’ll take notes if jokes are working well, and has no problem sharing his awkward situational stories. Example: Deon: (To the audience) "Is there anything you white people are nervous to do in front of black people? (inaudible audience feedback) Urinate?" He stares blankly then jots it down in his sketchpad. I love it. Deon is also a firm believer that all black men should have mustaches (even if yo is only 9 years old!!!!) What can I say? He makes me laugh. Rock on Deon. Does that R...

this thoroughly impresses me and I am rarely, if ever, impressed by anything that stems from my hometown. if I didn't already make plans for Tuesday night (and I never make plans! figure that out) I would totally check out Julia Lillis, a native of Erie, at Junior's. She seems....genuinely funny, and like her career is on the rise. which is exciting. she's good! I don't find a lot of comedians that appealing (spare like, Sarah Silverman and Zach G) but she's not bad at all. a lot of her act is musical comedy...she does a song about Mr. Zach Braff that is like, the creme de la creme of her act or something. some French saying. you can check her out at her website (www.julialillis.com) or just watch this bit: SO TRUE p.s. I'm curious to know what Dairy Queen she worked at and if she served my younger self at some point. kismet? synchronicity? hmmm, MAYBE. - Britt p.s. I'd like to stand-up comedy I just don't have the balls for it. well put some alcohol in ...

For the past few days I’ve had quite a few David Wain jokes running through my head nonstop. For those of you who aren’t familiar with him, he is a comedian and filmmaker best known for his work with the comedy act, Stella, and co-writing and directing “Wet Hot American Summer” and “Role Models.” David Wain has a unique sense of humor that I don’t really find with a lot of other comedians. I’m tempted to use the phrase, “it’s so bad it’s good,” but I’m not sure if that’s fair. I mean, a lot of his jokes are often in poor taste, but they have a certain alternative flavor about them. In the end, I fine myself laughing like crazy, so I guess the comedian has achieved his goal. The Result--- David Wain: Good Comedian!! Here are some samples of his work. http://www.davidwain.com/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MijUbQtW0cE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saoV5PXEynI Oh and don’t ever go into a chat room and open with, “Wow, it’s been a weird day. I feel like David Wain.” You will get the weir...