The Useless Critic 2.0

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.

Sometimes I read about things at night when I can't sleep (I have occasional insomnia and I'm seriously scared of my own shadow, so there's that). Typically I read about celebrities, because it's the most non-threatening thing to me. Sometimes it's about other things, like historical events or cities I'd like to visit.  And lately, I just go to a snarky message board meant for gay men. I know I am not a gay man and I do not like men, so I'm a little bit of an outlier. Nonetheless I love their snark and their theories that all celebrities are gay or sex addicts. It's been QUITE eye-opening for me. Also: I'm too shy to chime in at all. Plus I know nothing so I just keep to myself. Anyway, like two weeks ago I read this rather long thread about Keanu Reeves' sexuality. And I was like "!!!!" because I always thought of Neo being straight, but in retrospect he is pretty ambiguous  isn't he? Also: DO NOT LOOK AT RECENT PICTURES OF HIM...

This another guest post by Taylor Birk Natalie Portman had no role in writing this Whatsoever I’m counting down the days until Nov. 8 2013. Seriously. I have a countdown on my calendar. Why? What’s so special about Nov. 8 ? If you don’t know, we probably can’t be friends (okay, not really). Nov. 8 marks the release date for Marvel’s next superhero film, "Thor: The Dark World." In case you couldn’t already tell, I’m dying. Thor is my favorite of all the Avengers and I adored the first film, released back in 2011. It was action packed and had a stunning cast to go along with a fantastic director. Plus, let’s be honest, Chris Hemsworth is quite nice to look at. This sequel is supposed to take place approximately one year after the events in "The Avengers." An ancient civilization, known as the Dark Elves, are trying to take over the Nine Realms and it’s Thor’s task to stop them. Leading the Elves is Malekith the Accursed (played by the amazing Christophe...

Song of the Day I got into Bob Dylan about 40 years after everyone else. Here's a bonus cover I was once obsessed with: IDK about that video...

Ellie Goulding has premiered the Vine fan video for her new single "Burn"! (This Vine thing seems to be catching on, eh?) I absolutely love the anthemic electronics, it has "summer jam" written all over it. In a recent Elle interview , Ellie revealed that she will be re-releasing her Halcyon album with "so many new songs." It's not yet clear whether "Burn" will be one of these songs. Probably will. The single is set for release on August 18. Now, will you just check out the cover art? Ugh, I can't at so much sexiness. I wonder if the official music video will be this sexy as well. In related news, Ellie's song "You My Everything" premiered during the first episode of the final s eason of the British series Skins earlier this week. That's right —two new Ellie songs in a single week! Update: The re-release is called Halcyon Days and will feature ten bonus tracks, including "Burn," ...

Song of the Day I don't understand this video at all, but thought it would be rather hip and ironic if I chose a Swedish artist today. God bless Amurrruka! And Robyn, the self-proclaimed "most killingest pop star on the planet."

For a while I've dismissed Small Black as hipster drivel. While actually, their new album "Limits of Desire" is quite gorgeous- in a somehow more easygoing/pop-friendly Grizzly Bear way. I discovered this messy weekend. It's stuck. You obviously need to hear Brooklyn (obviously) band. Chillwave? Kind of....