The Useless Critic 2.0

While some people may see it as a drag, there are plenty of benefits to being single during the holiday season. During this time of the year, there are tons of parties you can attend that you may not have had the opportunity to if you were in a relationship. There’s also not as much stress on you as a single gal during the holidays because you don’t have to shop for your partner and extended family members  or  stress over where to eat Christmas dinner.  Not everyone sees the bright side of being fancy free during the holidays, and, tragically, they aren't afraid to let us single ladies know. Not only are single women subjected to even more harassment and ridicule during the holiday season, they’re also given the most obnoxious gifts by those who can’t comprehend how anyone can be both happy and single. Whether it’s a self-help book (desperately) trying to reinforce how great is to be single or the gift of a year-long subscription to Match.com , single women are prese...

This is a pretty Christmas-centric playlist. I couldn't help myself. I'm having a pretty hard time right now. Very stressed out and depressed. I'll be in Erie this week soon enough, which should be a nice reprieve. But I am kind of lost and still very brokenhearted. I think the holidays have made that worse. I lost seven people this year to either death or them just wanting to leave...:/ Anyway, none of that is portrayed in this playlist. So take heart. Here's a picture of a guinea pig decked out for Christmas:

Song of the Day I tried to find the video of the scene from "The Royal Tenebaums" with Gwyneth Paltrow and Gene Hackman at the restaurant eating to this song, but this is the closest I got. I rented this movie when it came out a long, long time ago (I was like 10?) and my dad did not appreciate it. "Brittany! What is this shit!" "Wes Anderson, Dad! You just don't understand it!"  might as well. Also, I am ridiculously excited for "The Peanuts" film. I'm 24, I know I know. 

Song of the Day I am banned from Christmas music right now, but let me tell you, you're about to get a month of the best holiday music I can find. U R WELCOME FRIENDS

Sufjan Stevens is both: a.) releasing another ( another !) massive Christmas album b.) touring Even though Christmas is two months away, this is enough to prepare you for it. Kind of... Wait, he's playing Tucson and not Phoenix? What is this crap? What is even in Tucson?

Every year, Sofia Talvik treats her fans to a free Christmas MP3.  Well, not completely free. Sofia states on her website, that instead of her fans forking over cash for the track, her wish is that they "do a good deed instead." And, in spirit with her message at the holiday season, Sofia has teamed up with a charity to sponsor her track, "Winter Canon." This year it's ActionAid . ActionAid is run by UNICEF and operates under the guiding principle "to end poverty together." A commendable effort, by any means. "Winter Canon" has a very old-fashioned American Christmas feel to it....I recommend giving it a listen, downloading it and going out of your way to do something for someone else. Sofia is currently touring around the States as I type. 

Yes, I have become the person that is promoting Christmas Carols in the Springtime, and although, there is no chance of Jack Frost nipping at your nose, I have the chance to promote one of my favorite singers yet again. I could not wait until November to write this. And of course there is " Davis Gaines Ol Man River on The Useless Critic ." I really became a fan of Davis Gaines during my 2009 fascination with Broadway music. This video has been on the internet for a few months, but I had only recently discovered it. This is a studio recording, and I will admit that I much rather prefer to listen to Davis Gaines when he is live on stage, but this is still fun. His studio voice and his live voice are quite different. To be honest this sounds nothing like him, but it has a lot of his qualities. QATFYG: Who has the best studio voice?

So, QATFYG: I was just wondering does anyone have a favorite Christmas carol and or song? I do not really pick favs with this genre, but one that I love is "O Holy Night," and since I love Irish music, here is that song performed by Celtic Women. Oh yes, I went there. Happy Holidays.

So despite my romantic encounters with a lopsided fish, I have still found some energy to create a post in the Christmas thematic tradition. There is no way I can express the spirit of Christmas better than with the cast of “Muppet Christmas Carol.” All the values of SPOTLIGHT and a turkey too. Growing up, I proudly stated that this was my favorite version of the story, and that was mainly because of The Great Gonzo and of course because of the charming presence of Michael Caine. Anyway, happy holidays from Spotlight/Shoutout. QATFYG: What is your favorite version of a Christmas Carol? Who is your favorite Scrooge? And what ghost would you want to haunt you the most? Also, any UC readers that celebrate Kwanzaa?

here are my favorites, before we get into that nitty-gritty: ANYTHING BY MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER TSO CAN SUCK IT that will make me the biggest dork ever, but I have a lack of care in that regard. those are just a few. that's not the focus of my post, however. what it is is those songs you seriously dread hearing. like the ones that make your ears drip blood. here's my list for that: THAT DAN FOGELBERG GROCERY STORE SONG okay if I met my old lover on the grocery store I would throw a loaf of bread at her head. some bitch was on Delilah the other night and was like WELL I THINK I THINK MICHAEL BOO-BLEY SINGS IT. ummmmmmmmmmmmm CHRISTMAS SHOES DEAR GOD MAKE IT END. feel free to add yours!

Real Fast. So one December someone told me that Linda Hamilton, star of Terminator and other flicks was murdered by her husband. They seriously tried to convince me. But NOPE, she is still alive, and I hope they did not think ex hubby James Cameron was responsible for her death. I bring this up once a year just so they can know that they were wrong. Happy Christmas Linda Hamilton. QATFYG: Now, will you please check out the Yelle Interview by Britts other account? It is far more entertaining than this post.

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...

Like the Super Bowl, Christmas is all about the commercials. This Christmas, Target has produced both the best and the most offensive. In that order: The cool thing is that you can download all of the songs for free here: http://www.target.com/b?node=2492229011 Hint: The good one is by Blackalicious.

Hullo! In making this part of a pattern, I decided for the rest of the month I will highlight seasonal songs, just so I can torture you. Sofia Talvik's "Santa" Sofia is using the song to raise awareness of human trafficking. I asked her why she picked this cause- not that you can't see why- she responded: "I chose it because I think that Xmas is the children's holiday, and to know that there are children out there being used like this while we're all sitting with our families just breaks my heart. I think people need to be aware how big this modern day slave trade really is and start doing something about it. " I know the modern day slave trade exists- it just seems to be swept under the rug (with a lot of things)- and you can read more on it here: http://www.humantrafficking.org/ . take a listen! and consider making a donation!

so in case you didn't realize Christmas isn't that far away or something. celebrate with Useless Critic friend, Sofia Talvik (www.sofiatalvik.com)(yeah we totally have friends I didn't make them up). well I know Thanksgiving hasn't even happened yet, but hey. it's never too early! also, the new Girl Talk. YOUR THOUGHTS IMMEDIATELY.

So I'm watching Celeb Jeopardy, (It might be a repeat.) And Jane Curtain answers to.... The business partner in A Christmas Carol that died 7 years prior to the story. Jane Curtain: Who is BOB MARLEY!! I give her an A for effort, but imagine the king of Reggae being the moral conscience of the Dickens' story. Scrooge and Bob would just get high and hallucinate the ghosts, MAN! QATFYG: Which singer would you want to haunt you on Christmas Eve?

p.s. forgive my last post. I'll delete it in a few days, haha. They say It's coming on to christmas Hello Saferide, light a candle on the christmas tree They say It's gonna be all parties and carols Well I disagree Well I disagree You left on the 10th of december Guess there'll be no nobel award from me Far as standing outside by your window, shouting "I disagree" "I disagree" And as for present, you fuck, I had an Ipod nano With your name written on it It's gonna fit well into my new life listening To Gloria Gaynor, singing "I will survive" They say there's suppose to be three wise men I've been searching but I haven't found a single one Angels brought a baby to a virgin me I'll just settle for some good old fun Settle for some good old fun And as for presenta, you fuck, I had an Ipod nano With your name written on it It's gonna fit well into my new life listening To Gloria Gaynor, singing "I will survive"...

Christmas is that one over-commercialized holiday that reinforces if you are alone, you are indeed very alone. don't fucking get me started on Valentine's Day. that holiday's a joke. Christmas is one prolonged jackoff, yes it is. and this season started out ok for me, as I always can't help but get a little into it, I loved Christmas as a kid because thata's what kids to do, if you are going to celebrate this holiday try and do so in the company of children, but to stay in the mood too long? hell no. anyway, I tried to watch a few holiday movies tonight, ha, but my parents were like WE DO NOT FEEL THE NEED TO WATCH THESE MOVIES, LET US WATCH LARRY KING INSTEAD. So no Elf for me, which, really was like- the highlight of my day, sad to say. because I am not in good spirits at all and I thought school letting out would uplift me but it hasn't. I am more miserable than ever. but it's cool. that's the way things are supposed to be, derrrrrr ! "Baby, It...

A brief summary of things as they are: - Uffie has a new song that's leaked, "MCs Can Kiss." Uffie is precocious and kind of twitty, but I love her. the song "Dismissed"- those lyrics! made me love her. - Apparently Billy Corgan and Jessica Simpson are dating. yeah. - I am the second biggest user on Hype Machine. this should give you more of a reason why to follow me (brittnik, as for everything). - I am not going to do any personal reflection on 2009. Public or otherwise. This song will surmise my feelings on this stupid year: Go fuck yourself, 2009! - Is anyone excited for Sherlock Holmes with Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr, which opens on Christmas, much like Nine does? I don't care. Christmas will be spent being torn apart by children again. Speaking of, I have two Christmas posts coming up. you lucky people. Also read Al's TV post. it is incredible! tale care

Hey, this week it's Jimmy Stewart, because well.......tis the season! So let's all watch "It's a Wonderful Life," and feel jovial. Oh and it's impossible to forget some of his other work. QATFYG: Do you like It's a Wonderful life? Did you watch Fivel goes West? And do you believe that every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings?