The Useless Critic 2.0

First of all, happy Pride! I think this year, we need it more than previous years (well, the past several at least). I volunteered at Phoenix Pride earlier this year (it's in the spring because the summers are dangerously hot). It was a good experience; I hope to do more of it in the future. One of my all-time favorite favorite FAVORITE singers is putting out a new album entitled "The Bride." Yes, Natasha "Bat For Lashes" Khan. And honestly, I feel like this might be her best body of work to date. !!!    The album deals with the idea of a bride who loses her groom on the way to the chapel. From this point, she embarks on a quest through grief and self-discovery. It seems to be one of those albums you need to listen to from start to finish. That's not really a thing anymore, you know. Albums aren't tailored to be these cosmic experiences (Gwen Stefani, lookin' at you). CONFESSION: I have listened to "The Bride" already. NPR was ...

Song of the Day This song has always brought me enormous comfort. I think it's a good way to start February: a positive, empowering song. I'll have a real update tomorrow. It's the Super Bowl and Groundhogs' Day, how can I not.

(Yes, I do believe in Block-style for headlines. Like MTV.) Spring brings with it a few things: - Cadbury Eggs Can you feel your arteries clogging? - Visibly Pregnant Kate Middleton I guess? - Depressing Economic News This came up when I googled "Barack Obama." I've missed the connection, but it's there. Somewhere. Also, the National have announced they are working on a new album and WILL be touring this spring! Seeing as "High Violet" came out in 2010 (when I had graduated college and was still relatively innocent) it's about TIME. It will be out in May . I consider it an early birthday present. They've announced dates in the East, including Pittsburgh (!) and Ithaca (?). Plus, all those European dates. I cross my fingers I see a Phoenix date appear although God knows it will probably expensive and I'll have to sign up to do some mud-wrestling on Craigslist to afford tickets (as Bat For Lashes will be hurr next month...

Just keepin' it classy Ellie Goulding, "Figure 8" 2012 was definitely Ellie's year. I can't get over "Figure 8's" epic, bombastic chorus, I just wish I could inject it directly into my blood. Who knew dubstep could sound this good? Azealia Banks, "Liquorice" Despite her apparent attitude issues , Azealia is one of my favorite new artists this year. Her music is so fresh, I'm loving the throwback to early-'90s house music and R&B that's been going on lately. Of all the great jams she has put out, "Liquorice" is my anthem to sassitude. As some of you must know by now, it was reported a couple of months ago that Azealia and Lady fucking Gaga recorded two tracks for Gaga's upcoming ARTPOP album! Sleigh Bells, "Comeback Kid" This song and Alexis Krauss are the very epitome of badassery. I want her clothes so bad, especially the studded leather jacket. Little Boots, "Every Ni...

Instead of recapping everything in a "best of" list (BECAUSE I ALREADY DID THAT WITH MY SPOTIFY PLAYLIST) here are just some songs you should have heard this year and appreciated. Note the curious absence of "Call Me Maybe." "I'm His Girl"- Friends did this appear on an episode of "Girls?" It should have. "Ritual"- Ellie Goulding It was our own writer Irina who turned me onto this song. It's very sexual, which is not something you would expect from "I Sang At the Royal Wedding" Ellie Goulding. "Florida"- Princeton We interviewed them ages ago. What a refreshing little song this is. "Comeback Kid"- Sleigh Bells Is it weird I find this song inspiring? Also, it's a good song to kick ass to. "Wicked Games"- The Weeknd Uh, wow? "Tides"- The Xx This album is amazing. Not much of a difference from their debut, but. Who cares? Their debut was g...

Song of the Day So, today in things you really care about, I do not hate "The Haunted Man" anymore. It's actually quite good- THIS song, however. I have a theory- the song is about this: HMMMMMMMM you are welcome! 

Song of the Day New Bat For Lashes- excellent, as nearly always!

Or is this a new thing: regardless, this girl is as stylish as she is talented. yes, that was silly. We are turning a new leaf; get ready. (or not) I mean see here, BFL knows how to channel neo-hippie very well: DAMN that is all.

Song of the Day Her new song is gorgeous. She's so incredible:  can't wait to hear her new album!

I like the Bruce Springsteen version of this song, very much, to be honest. But Natasha injects a very kind of naked soul into it. For some reason, I listened to a lot of Bat For Lashes after I moved home. Peaceful music. When I was couchsurfing with my friend Max, he played her a lot after dinner or when we were just hanging out. Me, Max, Al. nice memories. I listened to BFL mostly, though, in Edinboro computer labs. While I think she's crazy talented, in most regards, this track sticks out for me. a lot (make that a drinking game...how many times do I use it in this entry? well whatever I'M WRITING IN HERE TO TAKE MY MIND OFF THINGS) tomorrow I start work! 

I doubt most people will truly ever know the songs, if any, we associate with them.

So Metric (who met the Queen of England yesterday???? weird??????) is doing the theme song for the Eclipse film. also appearing on that soundtrack: Bat For Lashes and Beck, Florence + the Machine, etc. I remember the first Twilight soundtrack. it wasn't amazing, not awful either. The Black Ghosts and Muse (duh what else) were on it, but then you had PARAMORE omg I hate Paramore don't even get me started. Then you had the New Moon soundtrack, with Grizzly Bear and Lykke Li. somewhat better. Editors were on it, though, which hurt it (ha sorry I JUST D NOT LIKE THEM). so if the first soundtrack scored a B-, New Moon earned a A-. (and also- OKGo, and that Anya Marina song, bleh) now you have Eclipse . which is AMAZING. and I had the epiphany yesterday- ha, why do I think so much about these things!- the continuing improvement of the soundtracks reflects the main characters' developing maturity levels. ... anyway Rusted Root and One World Tribe are kicking off Eight Great Tues...

First of all, Adam Lambert has been confirmed for scoring an Erie date in August on his latest tour. that's kind of big, considering he's one of the few relatively popular AI stars left. no one cares about Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard in New York. that is the way the cookie crumbles. Then, on June 25th, Nicole Atkins (along with Joshua James) is doing a free show in Pittsburgh. On July 21st- Free Energy, one of these bands you need to listen to- is doing a free gig in Cleveland. their live show is supposed to be amazingggggg. founded by ex-Hockey members, it has a kind of typical sort of indie sound mixed with classic rock and hippie tendencies. did that make sense? good because I don't give a fuck. FREE ENERGY HOCKEY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g-Eok8n0WE off the Eclipse soundtrack....wow. the Beck and Bat For Lashes duet? just listen, just listen, and change your pants afterwards: http://blahblahblahscience.com/uncategorized/in-the-mix-crocodiles-bat-for-lashes-mike-...

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...