The Useless Critic 2.0

So as one countdown ends, another begins. And thus this week I will be unveiling "My Top Ten Pop Culture Moments That Were of No Significance To You." I hope it will be a wonderful traipse down memory lane for us pop culture junkies; I will even hold your hand! Thus, consider this following post a taste of what to expect. Johnny Depp Seperates From "Life Partner" Vanessa Paradis; Was Apparently Getting a Lot of Poon In the Meantime Fangirls internationally rejoiced at this news, I'd assume. For me I've typically thought Johnny was a pretty stand-up guy. I mean, he's got a solid acting career, he seems decent and his relationship with the gorgeous and talented Miss Paradis lasted some 14 years. I always thought that was impressive, y'know? Except I can't go apeshit for him like some people I know, which includes my thirteen-year-old cousin, who the last I knew had just discovered the Pirates series and was subsequently enthralled. However...

It was just a matter of time until I brought this back. It's been on and off for years, much like Lisa Left Eye Lopes and her football player boyfriend until her untimely death RIP LISA.  Anyway. Arthur Rimbaud was an extremely cool French poet before cool even existed. I mean the 1800s, obviously.  you know he was cool because Leo played him in a film! Rimbaud grew up an exquisite little terror; he was one of the reasons people are frightened to have children (cough). He slept around with the poet Paul Verlaine and was a general degenerate, as a lot of poets are/can be. That's cool; I'm just calling the pot black here. He traveled around a lot and died in an exotic location of an exotic ailment (ooh) at the age of 37.  But his legacy! Rimbaud influenced Allen Ginsberg, Bob Dylan and Patti "Just Kids" Smith in the 20th century. See, what did I tell you? COOL. read on: Lives I       Oh! the huge avenues of the holy land, t...

This in response to Al's Spring Break challenge. Question:  Did you know she is marrying a Frenchman? that woman is hot shit in France? yes, FRANCE. Halle Berry.  France. What is she doing with her life again? oh, and Ashton Kutcher and Rihanna are an item . I have a new apartment. The Republican Race is disgusting and I hope Rick Santorum disappears. NO BIAS.  question:  WHAT IS SHE DOING THESE DAYS NO REALLY

this is an insanely gorgeous song. I know:  not the best post, but really. this woman is an underrated talent.

Today required a lot of thought. I finally came to a decision, though, falling back on the song I've had stuck in my head for the past... month. And with good reason, as you should PLEASE listen, the French do it all better: I honestly feel this is one of the most beautiful love songs of the past 15 years. It's just very genuine and heartfelt, which are qualities I feel can be lost in most love songs anymore, under some gloss of fake sentiment. I mean- isn't that what love should be, laying your head down? I met Keren Ann last summer. I think she may have been high but either/or it was one apathetic transaction!  It seems like every story told about us isn't meant to be You fly on wings of gold all the way back home to me But what I'm thinking of just this time Why don't you lay your head down in my arms, in my arms Lay your head down in my arms, in my arms You know my love this is no dream of mine But the way you ride those waves makes me want to ...

This past winter, in case you missed it, I discovered the French electronic musician ANORAAK .  (or, as real names go,  Frederic Riviere)   My last. fm sort of forced him upon me, but I'm glad it was so insistent. His music is warm, lush and perfect for the summer. Which it apparently is now, in case the smothering temperatures haven't been any clue.  Anyway, if you haven't checked out any of Anoraak's songs yet, I recommend doing so now. SEE HERE:   ANORAAK - Crazy Eyes by anoraakmotion Those French know what they're doing! Anoraak answered my questions rather fast. I was pleased as a plum. Or a pear. You have your pick. Hi Anoraak! Thank you for taking the time to do this. It's very appreciated. (seriously, I am grateful for such things) What are you up to these days? Working on anything new? Gigging? Anoraak:  We're actually waiting in an airport for 8 hours because our flight was cancelled, and believe me it's extremely...

June 11 2011 Andy Warhol Museum Keren Ann. Keren Ann - My name is trouble Uploaded by EMI_Music . - See the latest featured music videos. WEIRD. edit: after doing some thinking, I realized: she got her travel plans mixed up. duh! she wanted to go to Romania but this happened.

this handsome young man is the French producer with the Valerie label (no Ed Banger this time, unfortunately, although if I had to list my favorite record labels like it was 1993 and I'm wearing a cardigan and things like this matter I would gladly say ED BANGER) known as Anoraak . And if you are a fan of Junior Boys or any kind of smooth electronic music (really) you will easily become a fan of Anoraak . but my god, his voice. his voice. his VOICE. girls go off about having girl crushes all the time, right? so this is my big man-crush of the moment. I can't help it. that voice is like honey and does things to me. see: fap fap fap . He's doing a DJ set in Miami on Feb. 25 th . Not that you or I will go, but just saying.

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...

I don't think this band has produced a song I've been iffy about. until now, that is. Slippery Slope Uploaded by thedoband . - Watch more music videos, in HD! the vocalist doesn't even sound like herself. what say you? B, I'm excited to see they're doing things though. also my YELLE interview came through. that will be up tomorrow.

These two are now blended together, in my heart and in my mind. let's start with the upbeat "GET SOME." God, I wanted this from the moment I heard it. A+++++++++++++++++++++++++ Lykke, I wish I would have run into her Stockholm. actually no. I was too dirty for her :/ and our French girl, Yelle! of the incredible awesome- at first I didn't like this track, but it has this dark disco quality that really is a grower. A++++

this was originally a French poem by Jacques Prevert. It was called LES FEUILLES MORTES (the Dead Leaves) and was written in 1945. However, it was translated into English by Johnny Mercer and now is immortalized into a jazz standard. and was given the title of "Autumn Leaves" AKA THE DEAD LEAVES. A lot of people who have sang this song are now dead. Fact! so for October I was thinking of highlighting a different DEAD person of interest every few days, and this is sort of a nice introduction to that. nice? I guess. Here are some versions of "Autumn Leaves" which I like, because this is actually one of my favorite songs: Nat King Cole (DEAD) Edith Piaf (DEAD) Yves Montand (DEAD) Frank Sinatra (DEAD) Eva Cassidy (DEAD) the story of her death is so sad. poor girl, RIP. AND ONE WHO WILL NEVER DIE....

So I think I just bombed a french exam, but whatevs...since my mind is on French today, here are some French actors that have gained some fame. ;) Gerard Depardieu The King of French Cinema Daniel Auteuil Possibly the greatest man to come from French Algeria, Screw you Camus! Daniel stars in great films like "Le Placard," awesome flick! Julie Delpy Talented young individual, but I will forgive her for "Two Days in Paris." B O Ring And!!!! This random French comedian who messes around with with stereotypes, and is moderately funny. C'est tres amusant (pas vraiment). QATFYG: Do you have a favorite French or Belgian actor?

I liked this song better when I thought the lyrics were "if my hands are shaking/I feel my body rearrange..." or reeling. feels like rough first GIVE IT TO ME IN THE LOCKER high school sex! not that I'd know. the closest I came to sex in high school was being dry-humped by a boy I met on a religious retreat. true story. TIME'S NO MATTER I'M ON FIRE I always have this weird desire, every now and then, to drive around the Edinboro campus ridiculously high and listening to The Virgin Suicides soundtrack. I feel that has one of the better soundtracks in recent years. And not just because of Air. Well, mostly because of Air. The ambience I think would be perfect. sorta. I like to think this kind of honesty will gain me friends and respect but rly NO. I recommend the Phoenix cover of it, as well, because it feels so sad and lost. forlorn? in conclusion: French bands are great. I model myself somewhat after the lead singer of Phoenix. Here is the Huffington Post article...

I can't even begin to describe my love for this band. like returning to something warm. God I need to watch some ... Godard this summer. the video entrances me. I used to rewatch it constantly last spring. my most favorite song, thing, ever. seriously. WATCH AND LISTEN. http://www.sendspace.com/file/3u7xh4 = "Dance With Me" http://www.sendspace.com/file/n7bsa0= "Ever Fallen In Love" someone out there: LET'S LEARN THIS DANCE