The Useless Critic 2.0

I had a friend once tell me, "You know, Britt, even though you have a blog called "The Useless Critic" - I rarely see you be critical. You typically praise things." Hold up. That's about to change (and, yes, pun intended in the previous sentence). The Xx is a band I've adored for years and been pleased to see popping up again in my news and social media feeds. Their first album was a modern indie classic (wow that sentence was gross to type) and their second album was a tour de force in its own way, a remarkable follow-up. Even their song for the Gatsby soundtrack, "Together," still sends chills up my spine. But. But. But . All great artists are capable of dropping their brush at least once. And maybe every great football player trips right before scoring a game-winning touchdown, too (I don't know, I don't know sports). So the fact that Xx released "On Hold" was only a matter of statistics not in their favor more than a wa...

The sad news broke over the weekend that Sharon Jones passed away from her long battle with pancreatic cancer. Now, much has been said about her death these past several days, and what I offer will likely echo much of what has come before me. But, in a year of losses, Sharon's was another unfortunate tally to an ever-sadly-growing list. Sharon, primarily, was a survivor. She was someone who made an entrance into professional consciousness in her 40s, which is more or less unheard of in the music industry. She was someone who quickly moved into the mainstream and was besotted with much-deserved attention. I admit I didn't listen to her as much as I probably should have, but I'm re-listening to her this evening and simply reveling in the beauty of her voice. Sharon was a true singer in an era that lacks many. She will be missed. I picked this song to honor her with tonight because it sort of feels reflective of the mood right now TBH.

Well I felt like this one came out of absolute no where. Oh Land, my beloved Danish Nanna, emerged three years after releasing "Wishbone" with a video for "Love You Better," which is a stark and very poignant, stripped-down ballad. The video depicts an rapidly devolving Oh Land, seeming fragile and somehow more withdrawn by the time the video concludes. Her eyes avoid the camera. It's subtle, but it works. On another note, I hope we get some new Oh Land music soon! I was a little underwhelmed by "Wishbone" and would be super happy if 2017 brought with it a new Oh Land EP. :)

Everyone has been raving about this song lately, so I had to check it out. I love The Weeknd, even though I feel his music has declined in quality since his rise to popularity. Verdict on this song? I love the production - definitely a work by Daft Punk - and his breathing in the chorus. But I don't know. I'm not blown away by this. 2016's been a shitty song for pop music, or maybe I'm just getting older. Like, I outright refuse to get a Snapchat. Why should I? Because I will constantly be Snapchatting myself drinking things with pumpkin in them and Smores being cute. Aw, Smores. The Weeknd deserves the recognition he's been receiving because he's incredibly talented, but I miss the rawness of his earlier work. That being said, I will say he's the most creative mainstream pop star out there, and I have complete respect for him. Maybe I would feel different about this song if I listened to it while clubbing with my ladies in Scottsdale? I don't...

So I have been thinking about this for a while this week, esp. since I went on a quest to find a great coffee shop in Phoenix earlier this year. It was ultimately a fruitless quest that led me right back to Tempe where I started. At my best, at least I'm not working out of BOSA Donuts (that much) anymore. (Although I do love Bosa, and when the women who work there tell me "You actually look nice today!") I haven't really explored Gilbert or Chandler because I've had no compelling reason to. Phoenix is a city, and I like cities. Tempe is where I live. Naturally most of my experiences are in these two locations. So I hope this is useful to you all. Please note that my opinions on these businesses is simply my opinion, and I hope my personal anecdotes are more charming to you than annoying. Starting where I started and in order by location: King Coffee (Tempe) - When I first went here, I sat outside on the small sidewalk space with some very loud college ...

Yesterday, Garbage released a music video for "Magnetized," which, in my humble opinion, is hands down the best song from the band's latest album, Strange Little Birds . The video was directed by Scott Stuckey, the creator of the cult children's TV show Pancake Mountain (on which frontwoman Shirley Manson has guest-starred ), and is filled with amazingly eerie visuals just in time for the Halloween season. Manson herself has described it as an ode to "the magic of science and the mysteries of love." Despite its thrilling clip, the colossal electro-rock number features some soul-crushing lyrics about an unrequited crush. "There's nothing I can do / It's all a fantasy," Manson laments. Even if I feel like literally dying sometimes, I'm happy to find solace in Garbage's music. By the way, I'm really trying not to stall you guys, but I have a special post in the making. If everything works as expected, it may be posted ...

After a hiatus, I am back. For a bit. Or whatever. Hi. Today, a new Annie song emerged from no where. Annie is the Scandinavian Synthpop Queen of Everything. She is legitimately one of my favorite musicians because she consistently puts out quality work, keeps a low profile, and honestly she seems like a cool, down-to-Earth person who likes "Stranger Things" and her dog. She is what I aspire to be like in my life. "Labyrinth" is a collaboration with Tuff City Kids, a German production outfit I've never heard of before. Check it out here  (first track on the page). It's pretty catchy and has a darkness to it - a seductive, intriguing darkness - that was lacking on her "Endless Vacation" EP. "Endless Vacation" was okay, but no where near the perfection that was the "A&R" EP.   Even though it's not PURE 100 PERCENT ORGANIC Annie per se, it still is distinctly a work by her. To me, it calls to mind her earlier songs ...