The Useless Critic 2.0

I realized I'm slacking on a playlist for this week, but right now I feel like I'm trapped in a nightmare. So I'm just going to come back and do one next week. As many as views as those things get and as much as I enjoy doing them, I also feel like it's hard for me to gauge success since we get such little feedback. Anyway. Because everybody is talking about Valentine's Day already (gag) I compiled this playlist. Which was therapeutic in a sense. You've got: - Your heartbroken songs - Your angry songs - Your empowered songs - Your self-hating songs - Your Alanis Morrisette I'm sure I'll add more. I was hoping I could find a country song like "She Left Me For My Tractor and I Cried in My Beer." Apparently that doesn't exist yet.

Ahem Disclaimer: This year, a lot of music came out. I did not listen to it all. I stayed far away from Miley, though. Albeit the only time I heard "Wrecking Ball" it made me cry but that HAS NOTHING to do with her talent. Song That Was Everywhere That Did Not Suck When I get home, my Mom will be listening to this song (mark my words) and telling me how it is good walking music. I would bet money on this if I was a betting type. I'm glad Lorde is getting recognized by the Grammys. But: a.) The Grammys are like a grandma trying to be hip. b.) SECOND ALBUM CURSE. See: Alanis Morrisette . I know, somebody is saying "Why can't you be happy for her? She's just a kid!" BITCH I AM HAPPY I'M JUST WORRIED My personal favorite album of 2013: The National's "Trouble Will Find Me." I am sure this comes as no shock. And it was a grower of a quiet masterpiece. I wouldn't say it's their best, ...

Remember how much Alanis' sophomore album sucked? Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie ? and how nearly every other album she has produced has also sucked? me too. this was my introduction, so long ago, to the concept of the "sophomore slump." As much as I'd like to turn and pretend this isn't really an accurate idea, someone else has proved me wrong, again. Meet: Myla Goldberg. yeah, that girl from the Decemberists song. who is a real person, as I found out over the summer, reading her very likable, very fine first novel, Bee Season . which was turned into a movie with the likes of Richard Gere and Juliette Binoche (!!!) in 2005. it's about a quirky Jewish girl with family issues who finds out she excels at spelling bees when she thought she sucked at everything. I know what you are thinking, friend. You are thinking "Brittany you just described my life." I know, friend. I know. I particularly love spelling bees. I ache for the day I can host one and...

so while AWM and Nader sojourn in the land of ice and snow, I bring you the land of estrogen and when Lilith Fair still really stood for something SHERYL so admittedly I haven't been the hugest fan of her since the turn of the century, but in the 90s, she hit her stride. and boo Lance Armstrong! booooo! I'd still see her live- nothing over thirty dollars, though. one of the music videos I vividly remember from my childhood I think it was because of the bright colors. JEWEL scene: my mom driving me to school while Classy 100 played and it was raining outside. I thought Jewel would only date hot guys with dark hair that drank coffee and read Voltaire. Jewel, like most women, has poor taste in men. THIS IS WHY YOU MADE PIECES OF ME BITCH CLICK HERE NOW THIS IS ME DOWN ON MY KNEES CLICK ME CLICK ME admittedly, all I've wanted to do (on and off) since Monday is sit in bed and cry and listen to said album. Uffie would not do this and then whore herself out to goth girls from Fair...

because I have a job for a little while, I am taking a break from blogging. - B.Kemp. I can think of no better person to semi-channel my presence. - As almost none of you know (aside from BrittBritt), I transplanted from Edinboro to Pittsburgh. I’m going to catch you up on a few Pittsburgh things. There have been some nasty storms around lately. Consequently, my community has a road blocked off and no internet or phone service. Stuck with a Blackberry and no cable, I made the trek to Starbucks today to suck up some free Wi-Fi (and an iced vanilla latte because, hey, it’s hot out there). First of all, if you really want to get John Mayer tickets for August 1st, check out 96.1 FM Pittsburgh tomorrow at 8:00am. The station is planning to give away some tickets, if it’s your style to get up that early. Even here no one is in their cars that early. However, with tickets going for around $50 each and good tickets all but sold out, listening tomorrow morning is your best bet. I realize John ...