The Useless Critic 2.0

Guess what? MGMT has a new album coming out in September. I know you are excited because as I discovered earlier this year, 2008 is hip again. Believe it. The new album is titled "MGMT" and you can expect it to drop on Sept. 17. The UC is bringing back all these bands you used to care about. Is your hair falling out yet? Actually my manager at work made fun of MGMT and it was a weird experience for me. I was like "uh....." They are also touring Europe. And as my dad has said to me many times, "if you're not pooping, you're a-peeing." Many times.  September 26  Cologne, Germany           Live Music Hall September 27  Brussels, Belgium              AB September 29  Stockholm, Sweden         Cirkus September 30  Oslo, Norway        SentrumScene October 1        Copenhagen, Denmark   Vega Main Hall October 3 ...

By Guest Writer: Daryl Cox    The Euro 2012 tournament got underway with the first group A games, Poland vs. Greece and Russia vs. Czech Republic. As you may know, the tournament has been surrounded by controversy because of the Ukraine's human rights abuses and treatment of Yulia Tymoshenko and the racist chants and attacks at a Dutch training session. While I disagree with UEFA's assertion that we should put aside the incidents until the tournament is over (I'm not sure we can ignore them JUST because the tournament is on or, at least, I can't) I am looking forward to it and hope it won't be marred by more incidents like those. However, I also think it's futile for world leaders to threaten to boycott the tournament. The thing about football is that people fucking love it all over the world. Tymoshenko could be being whipped in a fan's front room and they'd still watch the game and ask her to keep the noise down.    When I watch world f...

I saw this band live two years ago, back in Erie, PA when they were a relatively fresh invention. Was it a good experience? It was an AMAZING experience. Until that point in time, I had just unmemorable encounters with the local music scene.  Deadhorse formed in 2009. For the record, post-rock or instrumental music isn't typically my bag. But! Deadhorse are different. The music they put together is so beautiful. And they seem like, ever since I saw them in 2010, they are doing ridiculously well for themselves. I am both impressed and happy for them; this bad deserves to get huge someday. Like Explosions In the Sky huge! I sent them a few questions as they toured Europe. They got back to me when they found internet. Life on the road is hard. Rachel Shesman:  thank you!  UC: How did you form? Deadhorse: Deadhorse was originally a side project that Brian and I started when we decided to turn his acoustic music we had been touring on into a full band sound. Or...

Recently , the up-and-coming Norwegian band " Mylittlepony " came rollicking through the American countryside in search of shows and etc. Buffalo (oddly) was one of the cities they hit upon on this trek. My man Billy Leland opened for them, actually! Anyway, band member Ola Innset was more than nice enough to answer a few questions. He shares the band's plans, differences between American and Europe and some interesting perspectives! 1.) You guys recently toured America! Was it your first time touring here and ho w was that? It was our first time, and it was a lot of fun! It's incredible to travel to the other side of the world and play your music for people. We got a lot of good feedback, and in fact we felt the feedback we got here in America was usually very detailed and to the point. We love hearing that we're "cute", or "funny" or "create a cosy atmosphere," or other things that we usually count as great feedback, but Americans s...

A few days ago, Yelle answered some questions for me. I shouldn't say Yelle though because that is to generalize and say Julie Budet is the whole band. Yelle is the band; Julie Budet the awesome singer who I talked to. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE! that's like saying "omg I talked to Garbage" when you only talked to Shirley Mansion. I know there are boys involved! somewhere! In case you did't see my post a few months ago, Yelle is back at making music, releasing "La Musique," which is a lot of bombastic fun. it sounds like spaceships and the like. when I listen to it, I want to see lasers. which I think sums the aesthetic up nicely! The first album was 2007's Pop Up which is such a good album, featuring the likes of the !!!! "JE VEUX TE VOIR." video time: COLORS COLORS COLORS (I'm sorry for the poor quality!) the new album is to be all in French (no surprise) and comes with a tour, which includes shows with K. Perry. of course though it's...

so if say our plane goes down, this blog belongs to AWM and Rebecca. ENJOY

OH MY GOD the day is finally upon us, friends. Annie's follow-up to 2004's Anniemal is now out. Don't Stop has officially been released into the world, after painstaking revisions by the likes of the pop genius herself. "I Don't Like Her Band" follows suit of "Chewing Gum" and "I Know Your Girlfriend Hates Me"...a shamelessly infectious earworm . so far all the reviews have been nothing positive. I will be either downloading or buying this album (in the flesh! who does that anymore!) SOONSOONSOON . oh my god. I peed myself. not kidding. there's a trail of urine leading from my bed to the door. haha . just kidding. okay, it comes out in the States on Nov. 17 th . BUT WHO THE FUCK CARES! IT'S OUT IN EUROPE! I will be getting the special edition so I can enjoy the Datarock collaboration. Alex Kapranos still plays guitar on a few tracks and "Hey Annie" is supposed to have a Gwen-like sound. omfgz . "I Don't Like...

So I noticed a couple of commercials out right now are using The Final Countdown from Swedish Glam Metal/Hard rockers…………………Europe!!! I love this song, and it’s being used in ads for “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” commercials, but according to Amazon it’s not on their soundtrack. Such a pity. Also, tonight for the first time I heard the dance remix version titled The Final Countdown 2000. (posted below). The Final Countdown 2000 Dance Remix QATFYG: What do you think of the remix? Are you a glam rock/metal fan? And will you see “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs?”