The Useless Critic 2.0

Dude, best music video of 2018. Hands down. How does Beck stay so good?!  Also, Alison Brie! And the dance collective that recalls Blue Man Group! Here's the second best video, which is noneother than Cardi B. I love her because she's kind of weird and I appreciate it. 

Yesterday, Primal Scream unveiled the glitzy, '80s-tastic video for their collaboration with Sky Ferreira, the vampy synth-rock jam "Where the Light Gets In." The song will be included on the Scottish band's forthcoming album Chaosmosis , due out March 18. Her first major work since her critically acclaimed debut album Night Time, My Time , the video has Ferreira looking and sounding every bit like the goddess she is. Last month, she announced that the first song from her long-awaited second album Masochism will be released early this year. Ugh, stop teasing us!

What's a better way to start the week than with a new Goldfrapp video? The duo have premiered the ethereal music video for "Drew," the first single from their upcoming album Tales of Us , due out September 9. It is set in a typically British Victorian mansion, and there are naked people in it. Alison looks stunning as well, per usual. I must say, as much as I love the idea of " Felt Mountain meets Seventh Tree ," I was also expecting some throbbing electro-sleaze a la Black Cherry and Supernature . Maybe next time?

Here it is, the official music video for Ellie Goulding's upcoming single "Burn." I'm digging the visuals, but personally, I think she could have done more with it, considering her previous videos. I've just learned that the song, co-written by Ryan Tedder, was originally recorded by Leona Lewis for her Glassheart album, but she eventually rejected it. This probably explains why "Burn" isn't exactly Ellie's strongest number yet. I'm sure Halcyon Days will be awesome, though.

Just so you know, Marina and the Diamonds' semi-NSFW new video, "How to Be a Heartbreaker," premiered last Friday (September 28). The video was supposed to have come out four days earlier, but according to Marina herself , some asshole someone at her record label wouldn't let her release it because she looks "ugly" in it. Wow. I mean, really? Shouldn't all Bruno Mars videos be banned then? (I say that because he is Marina's labelmate. And because he's fugly.) Rants aside, the song appears on the US edition of her number-one album Electra Heart . It's not my favorite song from the album, but I do like (and relate to) the lyrics very much. As for the video itself, well... (I swear it's not a link to Redtube or anything like that .) The following GIF sums up my reaction pretty well:

So, I have been placed in a position to review the musical group “Best Coast.” Before this, I had no exposure to any of their music, and according to their Myspace they are listed as “Surf/Pop/Gospel.” Surf Pop is an excellent genre that really can provide relaxing but also very intense music, depending on how people look at it. So what’s the sound of “Best Coast” like? The best part of this group is their Vocal Patterns. By that I mean, the melodies go very well with the mood of the song. Another great thing is with this feminine Surfy team are the videos. This video is *love.* When I’m with you Off the album “Black Iris.” It’s a 7” On an ending note: This group really is not for me. Despite having some vocals that I like, and fun-to-watch-vids, the sound is just not something I can get into. When I look to Surf Pop as a genre of music I need something that gives more of a bold presence and shows the real feelings on the instrumentals, not just the vocals. The instruments in this gr...

thanks for sharing, Matthew! from what I've heard thus far, I have to say, my favorite: "Haters." by far! watch a disturbing music video! http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/m-i-a-born-free-video-official-real-and-explicit-version/79a7352799cbdf78d53a79a7352799cbdf78d53a-90574029417?q=m.i.a.%20born%20free%20video&FORM=VIRE1

So every time I'm in a bookstore, I've been hovering in the humor section. Some scientists say that laughter is as addictive as cocaine, they are fucking right!! ;) Also, I've been learning about new bands in the genres of humor music. Such as great stuff from. A prideful Canadian band, known as The Arrogant Worms Their music is kind of alternative. The vocals are mostly clear, and their songs frequently almost touch on the "spoken word" genre of music. But they are really enjoyable. Check out the rest of their youtube vids. QATFYG: What is your favorite humor band/ or musician?

many people look to REM for "It's the end of the world as we know it," or "Losing my Religion." But this song rules, from their later days. Enjoy for real!! It's been a bad day. The blue border is to make it look serene. QATFYG: Are you a Stipe Army Soldier? What is your fav REM song if you have one?

Chromeo is an electronic/dance duo comprised of P-Thugg (Patrick Gemayel) and Dave 1 (David Macklovitch). As their Wikipedia entry so astutely states, "The two childhood friends jokingly describe themselves as "the only successful Arab/Jewish partnership since the dawn of human culture." They became relatively well-known with the release of their second album, Fancy Footwork, which featured the singles "Fancy Footwork", " Tenderoni ", and " Bonafied Lovin' ". I personally discovered them via their song "Opening Up (Ce Soir On Danse)". "Night by Night" is the first single off Chromeo's third studio album, to be released in the summer of 2010. I don't really know how to describe it. The song is almost an '80s throw-back while simultaneously building on their discography in an organic, interesting way. It fits well in the electronic/dance genre that is becoming relatively popular (see La Roux, Ladyhawke). F...

My current music love is These New Puritans , an indie post-punk band from the UK. Their music is certainly unique, especially as far as indie music is concerned - featuring sounds ranging from Japanese Taiko drums, swords, and a brass and woodwind ensemble - and all of their music videos have a stark, cinematic feel to them. (Watch Elvis and Swords of Truth on YouTube.) "We Want War" (video above) is the first single off their new album, Hidden, to be released January 18. Coming in at over seven minutes, it's a truly epic single. Jack Barnett's haunting vocals combined with a brass orchestra and a children's choir create a haunting atmosphere, and the music video - featuring members of the band diving into water against a backdrop that ranges from pure black to a distorted city outline - is stunning, almost apocalyptic in a way. I recommend you check out this song ASAP.

You may remember my post about the band Yeasayer. I believe I mentioned that they would be releasing a new single and album within the next few months. Well, that was back in August, and that time has come. Well, sort of. "Ambling Alp" is the first single release from their sophomore album "Odd Blood," which will be released in February 2010. Ambling Alp is epic. Seriously. I wasn't really impressed with the song the first time I heard it, but it has blown up on repeat listens. I mean, I've listened to this song maybe twenty times in a row. It's ridiculous. Check the music video out (posted above). It's visually stunning. Plus, whoever came up with the concept was seriously high, because this shit is trippy, man. I love it. For that matter, even my mother loves this song! And she is a woman of discerning taste. Her favorite lyric is, "Now, the world can be an unfair place at times, but your lows will have their complement of highs." That...

Lady Gaga's new music video for "Bad Romance" has just been released, and... I don't get it. Seriously. Lady Gaga's songs are... okay. It's inoffensive pop music. Her videos are pretty decent, nothing mind-blowing or terribly unique. Nothing she's done has ever blown me away. I've never heard one of her songs on the radio and go, "Turn it up, I love this song!" I think "Bad Romance" is probably the best of her singles. If she got rid of that deep voice "Ra-ra-ra" part I'd probably like the song a lot better. Frankly, I find her outfits a lot more interesting than her music. Do you like Bad Romance? What's your favorite Lady Gaga song? Do you ever want to make her put on a pair of pants (or is that just me? Because honestly, I think she always looks cold - just minutes away from frostbite - and pants would probably help. And if not pants, maybe tights? Or a skirt of some kind?).

I've got a soft spot for country music, which confounds my friends and family. ("Country music? You? Seriously? " "Yes, mom.") Carrie Underwood is one of my favorite country singers. I don't know why. Well, yeah, I do - she has a great voice and she's never released a single I haven't loved - but her style of country isn't necessarily the type of country I like. I mean, I love the "My woman left me and my dog died and my pick-up won't start" type of country. Carrie does more of the, "Jesus please help me KICK SOME EX-BOYFRIEND ASS YO" type of country music. I like it, but if there ain't no whiskey I have trouble supporting it. On that note, I love her new single, Cowboy Casanova. It's not reinventing the wheel, but sometimes the wheel doesn't need reinventing. And the music video is pretty good too. ( Click here to watch the music video for Cowboy Casanova.) What do you think of Cowboy Casanova? What's you...

So, the music video for Shakira's new single "Did It Again" was just released. I don't really keep up with Shakira or, well, most pop music, but I'm impressed by this music video. I mean, yeah, the song is only so-so, but the choreography is fantastic. THIS is what Beyonce could only hope to achieve. "Single Ladies" my ass! What do you think about this music video? In an episode of Celebrity Deathmatch, who would win: Shakira or Beyonce?

As you may or may not know, I am a huge fan of Florence + the Machine. As far as I'm concerned, the woman is a genius, her first album is incredible, and she has one of the best voices out there today. However, I'm a little disappointed by her new single, "You've Got The Love." "You've Got The Love" is a cover version of the song "You Got The Love" by The Source ft. Candi Staton. It's a beautiful song and a worthy cover (I like it better than the original ), but it's not her song. Her album has so many fantastic songs to choose from - ranging from "Howl," which would do well on the New Moon soundtrack, to the amazing "Cosmic Love," which has already had some success on the charts in Ireland - yet she releases a cover. I don't understand this decision whatsoever. On the other hand, her voice sounds great, the harp works wonderfully with the lyrics, and it fits in perfectly with the rest of her songs. I'll ...

Okay, I know I’m digging up old dirt, but for the first time today I watched the video for Beyonce’s single “Single Ladies.” I don't listen to her stuff normally, so I haven't seen the video until today. And honestly, what is the big deal about it? I mean it’s a very mediocre video. There are some cool light and color changes, but all the choreography in it is just not very good. I felt a lot of it didn't fit the song well at all. I love minimalism, but this is a different story. QATFYG: What is the big deal about Beyonce and her video? Beyonce : Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)

one of the topics on Twitter got me thinking yesterday. best sex songs? HMM. now I've not had a lot (or any) sex, but when I imagine it, with Swedish supermodels, this is what's usually going on in the background: Jeff Buckley! "Grace" I'm not allowed to embed videos, but between that voice and those looks. holy shit! Jeff Buckley will always give me a (metaphorical) erection. anything off the "Grace" album should get you into the mood. esp. if your significant other is a laydee. guys! listen up! Broken Social Scene I would say either this or "Swimmers." shit, anything by BSS really. have you heard their cover of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart?" IT'S TIME THAT WE GREW OLD AND DID SOME SHIT Feist! mostly, just this song, her cover of the Bee Gees' "Inside and Out": Gwen Stefani in this video: "4 in the Morning" Phoenix (and Air, sometimes) "If I Ever Feel Better" Annie who, let's ...

Florence + The Machine - Drumming Song So earlier today I was surfing around on YouTube and, just by chance, I stumbled across Florence and the Machine's brand new music video for her upcoming single "Drumming Song." Not gonna lie - I love it. The song is one of my favorites off the album and the video is HOT. The whole "sexy nun" thing has been done to death, but Florence is on FIRE. I mean. Holy crap. She's not traditionally sexy, or even all that beautiful, but she is absolutely stunning in this video. Bitch is (dare I say it?) FIERCE. Legs for days. And her moves are fantastic. Who could deny that humping? It's sacrilicious. In conclusion, I have a crush on Florence and I'm not afraid to admit it. Oh, and the church is pretty sweet too. (Yeah, I know 2/3rds of my posts in this blog are about F&TM. I'll work on that. Honest. I already know what I'm going to review next and everything!)