The Useless Critic 2.0

Song of the Day/You Need to Hear This! Pompeya is an up-and-coming `80s-influenced band from Russia (their debut album " Tropical " was released last month). Fred Falke is a producer who has worked with the likes of Annie and Lana Del Rey. Enter magic happening: Pompeya's North American Tour 2o13 (NO PHOENIX :( ) Pompeya 2013 Tour Dates Sat, Nov 23 // Miami, FL @ The Garrett at Grand Central Wed, Nov 27 // Autlán, Mexico @ Autlán's Festival Thu, Nov 28 // Mexico City, Mexico @ El Imperial Fri, Nov 29 // Guadalajara, Mexico @ Casa Ignacio Diaz Morales Sun, Dec 1 // Managua, Nicaragua @ Meka House Tue, Dec 3 // Miami, FL @ Soho House Thu, Dec 5 // Tampa, FL @ The Hub Fri, Dec 6 // Orlando, FL @ Will's Pub Sun, Dec 8 // Raleigh, NC @ Pour House Music Hall Tue, Dec 10 // Washington, DC @ Black Cat Thu, Dec 12 // Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar Fri, Dec 13 // Brooklyn, NY @ Cameo Gallery Free music yes please : " Power " ...

Anastasia Romanov! so very dead! question:  did you realize, even if she wasn't killed in the 1917 revolution, she'd still be dead? hmm.

This band was a band I originally started enjoying because of the name and the name alone. The music came second. But it's good music, nonetheless. I asked them a few questions recently, about the Russian politician they are named after, their upcoming new album AND the fact they have a song in what is bound to be a classic movie, Shark Night . Their new album, FOR YOUR INFORMATION, Tape Club , comes out October 18th.  Do you think people really still love Boris Yeltsin?  SSLYBY:   Not really. I'd like to meet one his grandchildren one day and ask them what he was like in real life.  How's your tour been so far? SSLYBY :  Our last tour was in June. We played at some weddings for our friends. We've been bumming around in Springfield since then. (internet liez)  What's the most memorable concert-related experience you've ever had? SSLYBY:   Our last show was pretty memorable because I completely forgot how to play the guitar. I seriously couldn't...

How to pickup Russians and Ukrainians…. If I ever get to meet Mila Kunis, I promise I will try one of these out. Russian Pickup lines: So you’re from the largest country in the world? Well tonight, I’ll be the largest thing in your world. You know Sarah Palin is watching you from her house? So tonight, you better sleep at my house. You’re so hot, you make Anna Kournikova look like the guy on the oatmeal box. You know Vladimir Putin? Well, you look like the exact opposite of that. Ukrainian Pickup Lines: N/A Just get them drunk and do your business. QATFYG: What is your best pick up line?

This is something that I have mentioned multiple times on the blog. One of the things in life that just truly makes my rocks roll is Mila Kunis speaking in Russian. Mila briefly speaking in Russian If you want to jump right to the Russian part, skip to 45 seconds in. "00.45" Mila Kunis on her Russian Roots Also with Mark Wahlberg...Just for fun...this vid is all Mark, but Mila gives him the approval. And now, thanks to YarnForHair Mila Gets Punk+D, Russian Ensues QATFYG: Anyone else got anymore Mila in Russian videos?

There are a few bands I know of from Russia. highlight: a few. - TATU (all the things she said and bad Smiths covers, no?) - Tesla Boy You may be unfamiliar with the latter and way too familiar with the first. shame! Tesla Boy, one day, mark my words, will be HUGE. they are that good. if you like 1980-inspired synthpop like English band Hurts , you will like Tesla Boy . I repeat again: they are that good. Formed in Moscow in 2008, Tesla Boy consists of: - Anton Sevidov - Dima Midborn - Poko Cox In addition to being a band, they also remix a lot of stuff. Billy Ocean, Sally Shapiro, Anoraak. and they're quite good at it, too. some guys have all the luck. they're fairly popular in their native country and the rest of the world is taking notice. they played the EXIT festival in Serbia last year, which is a huge deal, apparently. I say "apparently" because I don't know much about Serbia. last year saw them release their debut album, Modern Thrills . if you can order a...

Recently, someone commented on the blog with you guys, all I think about now is Mila Kunis. is this normal? No surprise it was Britt, but to answer your question. Yes it is normal.. ..to have Mila Kunis obsessively running through your mind. I used to just watch interviews with her on youtube, just because I loved the sound of her voice. I watched the clip where she speaks in Russian over and over and over, just because it sounds like poetry from a Greek Goddess running down your eardrum and having rough sex with your soul. At this time, I would challenge any other Useless Critic contributor to put up a Mila Kunis obsession post, or just a Mila Kunis post in general. QATFYG: How do you Milafy yourself? MILKSHAKE

AWM and I are working on 360 Degrees of Russian music, And we are making a few stops along the way. I knew a Russian Tartar woman I used to charm, and by charm I mean annoy to no end. (She now finds me overbearing and unfriendly.) She told me this group’s language sounded very Tartar-esque. I once again turn to my favorite three Uzbek females. Of course, Uzbekistan is now it’s own independent nation, but this song has a lot of Russian influence, especially some vibes and feelings of Central Russia. Shahrizoda And now something more gentle. I have spent so much time listening to Russian Guitarist, Kryztof Piotrowicz (he might be Polish), who plays so many guitar arrangements of Russian songs. It has great sounds that capture a lot of Russian Folk Music feelings. If you listen to this song, close your eyes and imagine a story. Kryztof Piotrowicz And of course Kamchatka, This is a long docu clip, but about 6 or 7 minutes in there is some traditional music of Russia’s Eastern Kamchatka p...

do you ever wonder if they are consorting with the Kremlin in between cocktails? ME TOO.

most of these songs I've discussed already, so I'm skipping the ones I have for the most part and a few that I feel are just blah blah blah: "Boat Behind"- Kings of Convenience "1901"- Phoenix "Treat Me Like Your Mother"- The Dead Weather "Dog Days Are Over"- Florence and the Machine "I Don't Like Your Band"- Annie " Relator "- Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johannson "Laughing With a Mouth of Blood"- St. Vincent "Crystallized"- The Xx "You and I"- Wilco featuring Feist "If Only"- Sondre Lerche "Daniel"- Bat For Lashes I think Natasha Khan is one of the coolest girls ever. in my mind, I AM her. She's like a revamped Kate Bush. love it. "Seven"- Fever Ray I haven't yet fully sat down and indulged in Fever Ray, but this song has struck a chord with me. eerie and yet ... POIGNANT. it reminds me of on Christmas Eve when my grandma and I watched "White...

Hello World. It has come to the attention of Planet Earth that Russia is pushing laws that are banning strong alcoholic drinks in airports and duty free shops. In other words the Russian borders are going sober. I understand people are concerned about alcoholism. But why do they have to take away the most important places in the world to drink. Airports are one of the most needed places to drink, unless you're a pilot. And duty free shops = vacation and tourism. Also, the best times to drink. Not to mention that it is very difficult to link alcoholism to airport beverages. I say this ban is lame. (Ok, I think you can still drink on a plane, but the anticipation comes before the flight. That's when you needed to be ossified (slang definition of ossified).). Russia is the exquisite world capital of Vodka (sorry Finlandia), and in addition this is an issue of freedom of choice. In case you're wondering how much of what I'm writing is legit: the answer is none. Source: Prav...

The new academic school year is approaching, and if you happen to encounter stress, anxiety, and emotional discomfort you want to be prepared to tackle them and make them your bitches. Here are some methods through music that help me. The numbers on this are meaningless. 1. Saxophonist, Ivan Renta. -Cool and sometimes Smooth, very jazzy and trance-inducing with Latin flavor. 2. Emmy Rossum’s Solo Dream Pop Album. -Please buy it, I hear she hasn’t even sold 10,000 copies yet. Use this if you want to fall asleep, and no, that’s not an insult. It’s peaceful. Serenity Now. 3. Chopin, turn the volume all the way up to drown out all other sounds. -I got the idea from season 2 of Dexter. Jennifer Carpenter’s character gets the suggestion from the older guy she’s boinking. If it works for Jennifer Carpenter, it’ll work for you. No joke, I’ve tried this. It’s solid and truthful. 4. The Wicked Soundtrack, Courtesy of Stephen Schwartz. -Wicked songs just have this effect on people, for example...