The Useless Critic 2.0

I haven't posted about Sondre Lerche in a minute, but this song was too enjoyable and catchy not to share with the greater world. Sondre is an awesome person - I interviewed him a few years ago and he was fantastic; I met him in person many moons ago and he was super sweet. So I'm a little biased.  With a career spanning several decades, Sondre's work ethic is impressive AF. Few musicians have that dedication to consistency, and I think Sondre is sometimes overlooked for his efforts (at least stateside). I haven't kept up that carefully with his career, which is written with a pang of regret, but what I have listened to I've enjoyed (although his Britney Spears cover made me a little too emotional). "King of Letting Go" was just released a few days ago, and boy would I say hands down it's one of his top songs. It's instanteously hooking - serious powerpop from the let go that vaguely recalls some of the poppier tracks from his "Faces Down...

It's been since 2014 since I actually interviewed anyone for The Useless Critic (remember Taylor Swift? Yes I think about that often!) but, with his new album "Pleasure" en route for a 2017 release, Sondre Lerche seemed a prime candidate for getting back into the game. So here, for the holidays and an upcoming new year, I offer you a few questions with Sondre Lerche on his new album, his previous work, and what it's like to be a Norwegian in America right now. At the end of dis interview, I've curated several of my favorite songs of Sondre's. Enjoy! UC: What inspired "I'm Always Watching Too?" Was it partially because our culture enables "stalking" at the moment? (like, social media obsessiveness.) SL: I suppose so. The desire to feel close to someone without their knowledge has always been there, but social media, and our willingness to share our whereabouts, our activities and friends online, enable us to spy on each...

Today in adorable Scandinavians. Sondre has had a new video out for the past two months, which I've not known about :/. BTW, this guy has quite the discography! I don't feel like I can ever really keep up with it. There's always a new song to be found somewhere. "I'm Always Watching You" is creepy, but it's pretty relatable for having a crush in the social media/cellphone errrrrywhere world we live in. It's very 1980s - almost reminds me of St. Lucia in certain places. But it's ultimately Sondre, and Sondre ... well, he's one of a kind! The video seems to be a celebration of a shirtless Sondre Lerche. I think he is currently going through his "shirtless phase." Y'know, like Picasso.   He tours America in 2017, and will hit Phoenix's Crescent Ballroom on May 6th!

HELLO AGAIN IT'S BEEN TOO LONG.  so.  Norway is like Sweden, but it has more money. And oil. Those are the key differences to keep in mind. Plus, the music isn't AS good. But that being said... question:  what does Norway have the rest of the world lacks? answer: Annie, duh. Annie's last album came out in 2009, which is now a whopping three years ago. However, I somehow friended her on facebook (and Jennifer Egan I don't know don't even ask how this happens) and know she is putting out a new album this year. or I think. or I hope. or I pray, because that talking asteroid is coming for us in December, I SWEAR TO GOD.  Do you NOT know Annie? Do you live in the darkness (and not the kind of crappy band)? Here, feast yourself upon one of the best pop singers/DJs of our time: so yeah. 2012 = new Annie album = happy world, before end times but there's other great music from Norway! btw, the best Norwegian I ever befriended was Dan. Al...

So I didn't pay attention to Beyonce last year . Was I really that STUPID? That BLIND? Beyonce has come down from Heaven and partnered with Jay-Z to SAVE OUR SOULS. I am just REALIZING how good of a song "Countdown" is. Have you noticed this? THE LYRICS: My baby is a 10 We dressing to the 9 He pick me up we 8,  Make me feel so lucky 7 He kiss me in his 6 We be making love at 5 Still the one I do this 4 I'm tryna make us 3 From that 2 He's still the 1 is there nothing this woman can't do? I want her to rewrite the constitution. take that, Ron Paul! She just had a baby, too. like today! CONGRATS, JAY-Z AND BEYONCE! and welcome our messiah, Ivy Blue Carter, to da world. Even adorable Norwegian boy Sondre Lerche covered "Countdown":

- Sondre Lerche - Ladyhawke I obviously can't sleep.

WILCO just announced (WILCOOOOOO) that they will be hitting up Pittsburgh in April on the 11th. Now for me that's a pretty big deal. I'd put them up in like, near-Radiohead territory. I WANT to see that so hard. for reals. The Antlers will be playing in Akron come January 30th. Tickets are like 11 dollars. Hospice was Amazon's pick for the year! yeahhhhhhh. In February, Sondre Lerche will be in Pittsburgh on February 26th at the Club Cafe. he's very good live, worth a view if you haven't already! JBM will be opening again. Another performer that's very worth a trip to see is ST. VINCENT, who will be at Pittsburgh on Feb. 21, a Sunday. God. she's so like- mesmerizing live. she made me a big fan after witnessing her all-too-brief opening bit for Andrew Bird. Irish group The Guggenheim Grotto will be in Pittsburgh March 3. They're pretty up-and-coming and if you're a fan of Damien Rice or the like, you might appreciate them. WATCH NOW Then you have vet...

So SONDRE LERCHE . was fantastic. to paraphase the wonderful elfin man himself, (s)he's fantastic! seriously, I had next to mehhhh expectations for this show. I'll be real with you: I went because I am a somewhat knowledgeable fan ( Faces Down ? yes please). this guy was my shit (briefly) in tenth grade, when I was gifted a copy of Two Way Monologue. I've since moved on, and I've gone to appreciate other Scandinavian singers ( coughJENScough ) but in the past few years I've experienced a Sondre -resurgence. the Beachland Ballroom itself is an interesting venue. reminds you of a roller rink, something straight out of a high school dance (if I went to those SNORT). there's a tavern in the back (which is handy) and a vintage store in the basement (which is cool!) Andrew Bird and Sufjan play there. but it's just in a weird area. like, I was imagining something akin to the Grog Shop, in an area where there's actually stuff to do and shops and restaurants...

First things first, last night I swung into Pittsburgh after my classes had finished and saw The Books (with Lymbc System, and there's not much more to be said about them then they seemed kind of interesting and were polite) at my new favorite venue, the Warhol. which makes me sound awful douchey but WHATEV . The Books were pretty good! not like, a band I could ever become fanatical about, but I appreciate them and enjoy them ("Be Good to Them Always," "Enjoy Your Worries You May Never Have Them Again"). Glad I at least got the opportunity to watch them. They put on one hell of a visually-rich live show. They played their guitar and cello in front of a collage of constantly-changing film. Didn't expect that at all so it was cool. Kept things very interesting, otherwise I'm sure I would have gotten bored after a while. But yeah. Good! They played some stuff of their new album, which will be out next year. And I was a little drunk so I started falling a...

well I've decided because the internet isn't as enjoyable as it tends to be for me right now, to back off on it until Friday so I can accomplish more meaningful stuff. granted I'll check my ymail on my cell phone but until then you're going to have to text me or something. a little roughing it for me! ha ha ROUGHING IT. Al's been posting a lot lately so no worries. if anyone gives a shit (no one does :P). this is sad that this can be considered "roughing it." whatevs. I have stuff I want to get done (writing, cleaning, etc) and now's as good a time as any. plus I'll be posting (twice!) on Friday, so bear that in mind. as for right now, some shit before I get going: WHAT THE FUCK I used to have such a thing for Rivers Cuomo back in the day. safe to say those days have passed. I have not been pleased by anything Weezer's done, since...oh God. the 90s. SHOWS IN THE NEAR FUTURE, LOCAL ABOUTS, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE: - July 25: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, House ...

There's a new album by Norwegian crooner Sondre Lerche on the horizon. check my friend Wenli's blog THE GRILL for more info because I ain't saying much more. or mo. HA. http://asianbbq.blogspot.com/2009/06/heartbeat-radio.html