The Useless Critic 2.0

I know I didn't post anything about "Call Me By Your Name" by Lil Nas X when it came out earlier this year; by the time I got a chance to write about it there wasn't much more to be said. Lil Nas X is awesome - it's great to see an unapologetically queer rapper, for starters, and it's also awesome he continues to defy expectations, esp. considering a lot of folks likely considered him a one hit wonder following the mega success of "Old Town Road."  Speaking of "Call Me By Your Name," I couldn't help but feel like the beat reminded me of "More Than a Woman" by Aaliyah and lo and behold someone did a mash-up for me: Last week the video for Lil Nas X's new song "Industry Baby" dropped, and it's a pretty campy, over the top, and quintessentially homoerotic affair. Honestly this is shaping up to be another YEAR for Lil Nas X and I am very much here for it. Plus, have to be honest, the song is what I believe the ki...

The new Lorde album, Melodrama, was released yesterday and there is no review on The Useless Critic.  What has the Internet come to?   I have been waiting for this album for a long time.  Pure Heroine was my favorite Pop album since Body Talk.  I have heard a lot of these songs already on YouTube, so the album is kind of half familiar.  Almost all of them I disliked upon first listen and immediately dug after a second listen.  You could describe me as hesitantly optimistic going into my first listen. First Impressions: - Does anyone think it's weird this has a parental advisory on it?  I like the cover, but with that sticker it's a little too . - Green Light is the best song. - Homemade Dynamite is a good two steppin' song and will probably be a single. - Loveless deserves to be a full, proper track - I wish the fast/slow song ratio was a little bit higher here. These songs spread through your head like vines.  Wh...

I have welcomed Lorde back with open arms. I recently listened to a lot of crap on Top 40 radio again, to torture myself basically, and I found myself thinking - maybe because I'm soon leaving my 20s and my tolerance for bubblegum crap has expired? - "God, pop music sucks these days."  And in that moment, I am my parents. Where's my Anne Murray at! But, God listened to me, and gave me a new song by Lorde less than 24 hours later. Is 2017 not shaping up to be an awesome year for music?! I am DELIGHTED. Ryan Adams, Jens Lekman, Lana Del God, and now Lorde. Not that I'm the biggest Lorde fan, but she's such a much-needed relief right now (Taylor Swift must be in hiding for the foreseeable future). At least Lorde has *real* talent and is willing to do things somewhat differently.  So what's "Green Light" like? There's a ton of hype behind it. And for the most part, it is deserved hype. The song starts off kind of awkwardly, bu...

Admittedly, I didn't start this year on a ~ fantastic ~ note. And 16 is something of a power number for me, so I'd hope I would. But, no. I get vulnerable and I get hurt and I ended, and I ended up dejected and hurt. Whatever though, that's not a sign of things to come. For me or for you. I can promise you that much. So here is my PRETTY UPBEAT 2016 playlist . I used to love Ed Harcourt in high school. I still harbor a soft spot for him. "She Fell Into My Arms" is on my in-love playlist. Yes, I have a playlist for when I fall in love. I won't share it with you until it becomes relevant again.   But it's all of the songs from the 1940s. I should really term it "I'm gonna die alone with 1000 guinea pigs" tbqh. It also has Disclosure/Lorde, Soren Bryce (swoon!), and The Four Tops. Their version of "Walk Away Renee" is something you gotta here at some point. And Empress Of??? That girl is GOOD. Take it easy guys, we will talk soon...

This was like my favorite Lorde track immediately upon listening. It is interesting to hear rap sort of reimagined in a way that isn't a cheeky indie rock song.   I don't know what you'd call this - dream pop, trip hop, lounge.  Don't worry about it.  Just press play.  - AWM      Rhythm is a dancer      I need a companion     Girl, I guess that must be you.            - Rumi

Before I post my sometimes-weekly playlist. let's celebrate what March 30th has been like previously: - Seward's Folly - An obsessed Jodie Foster fan shot President Reagan - John Denver had his first #1 hit. The song? "Sunshine on my Shoulders." This all being stated, here's this week's playlist. I put some new music on it for a change. Like the Chromeo single, some newer Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes and Beck's "Waking Light." Which is an excellent song and somewhat reminds me of his "Sea Change" work.  I love that Lorde song I included, btw. Albeit you are probably sick of it by now. Make it a great week!

In the past, we've covered (well we as in me) the Romantic Era . It was a little bit of time ago- and since then, the band's profile and popularity has grown.  Within the past month via their Facebook , the band has released two covers (Lorde's "Royals"- yes everywhere like I said before and "No Diggity" by Blackstreet.) Both awesome original songs that make for awesome covers. Check them out below: "Royals" "No Diggity" Pretty good stuff!  For more info on the Romantic Era, check out their website .

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, ...

Enjoy! This playlist is a lot more playful- as demonstrated by the presence of "Work Bitch" by Britney Spears. I just added "Manners" by Icona Pop because it felt good. I also have included my favorite Franz Ferdinand b-side and Lorde's "Royals." I can't bring myself to listen to other Lorde songs because SHE'S SO YOUNG AND IT MAKES ME UNCOMFORTABLE. It's generally a positive mix. "Catch My Disease" by Ben Lee, "Breakin' Up" by Rilo Kiley, "Bohemian Like You" by the Dandy Warhols- all rather timeless. There's some odd cuts, like "Obstacle 1" by Interpol (have had in my head all week), the Erie PA song by deadhorse (hometown shoutout) and some `90s/`00s electronica (Ivy and Sneaker Pimps). As for the Camille song and Mayer Hawthorne/Kendrick Lamar track, I will not lie. They are pretty hot.

I just returned from a late breakfast at the bus stop. I know that sounds glamorous, and believe me, Kim Kardashian dreams of my lifestyle. Actually I was doing a lot of thinking. Seeing as how I'm now returning to normal so to speak, my thoughts aren't as morbid or as masochistic as they have been. I'm going to share them with the world now. 1.) Miley Cyrus insults Sinead O'Connor's mental health- Okay, I am a fan of neither, but that is just LOW. Scumbag low. That's like insulting someone's physical condition. As you can deduce by my previous post, I kinda hate Miley. And I think Sinead is not the greatest but Miley has proven herself to be a tactless bitch. I am no Freud, but I think Ms. Cyrus has her own demons, so it's like the pot calling kettle black, really. 2.) Mia Farrow discusses Woody Allen's alleged sexual abuse in Vanity Fair- This was news to me. I love Woody Allen; he's a talented writer and director. However, it...