The Useless Critic 2.0

QUEEN QUEEN QUEEN This past Friday brought with it the release of the much-anticipated Feist album, "Pleasure."  Of course, this was a major deal, because "Metals " came out in the dark age that was 2011.  So that's six years, Fiona  Leslie. She has hinted via social media that this may be her final album. She's also back to the Broken Social Scene bizness, so it's logical.  No one wants to spread themselves too thin. "Pleasure" is just that - a pleasure. It's Feist at her most raw and therefore her most powerful. Her greatest asset is her voice, which is unbelievably beautiful and strong.  You have singers like Adele and then you have singers like Feist. I prefer the latter. It even contains a duet with the legendary Jarvis Cocker, but oddly it's not an album highlight. For me, the first half of the album is superior to the last half. All of it, though, is amazing - and fits together seamlessly. Make no mistake...

i brunch alone by Lindsay Lelivelt Nothing so lonely and nothing so liberating as bellying up to the bar, in the single stool between the coupled couples and enjoying weekend libations and luxuries ahead of the wait. Nothing so bold or so brave as sitting, sipping, savoring solo at a table for two. A regular Carrie Bradshaw, I brunch alone. SOURCE No friends with benefits, just me and benedicts. --- It’s a silly, fine line of faltering between “Hell Yeah” proud of myself and “What if I just look at my phone and scroll Instagram forever” as I wait impatiently for the Bloody Mary to reach me. I fidget a little, or I did back when I first started this ritual. I would constantly check my hair or play with the hem of my shirt — anything to distract me from feeling exposed. Because that line is there, drawn between my self-confidence and societal pressures. A line that tries to separate me from mimosas. Of course, that’s really the only line you experience bec...

Okay, do you remember when I shit all over The Xx's life a few months ago? Okay, I take that back. I take it back fullheartedly. This and "Lips" are among some of their best songs.  This one in particular has BIG potential. Like, mainstream top 40 status. We will see what happens, but they really mastered their own style in this track, and twisted it a bit into something new. Beckoning in a newfound maturity, which I personally respect. The Xx's shtick can get tiresome after a while. Their music always runs the risk of becoming background noise. In this case, tho, they turn out something uncharacteristically uplifting - and hopeful (don't listen to the lyrics, I think the actual sound betrays that!) I've listened to "I See You" and I have to say, wholly I was unimpressed. But I will give them credit for this and "Lips." Oh man, "Lips" is something else. It has this Eastern-type sensuality to it. Jamie Xx is a genius.  (...

YOU GUYS 2017 IS THE BEST YEAR EVER. EVER. EVER. ... EVER.  Ima stop you but 2009 and 2014 are now distant memories. 2017, I welcome you and your sort-of-crap-but-excellent-music ways.  Saint Etienne. Is. Returning. *fans self*  This is the beginning of what appears to be a big year for the threesome. They will be touring Europe followed by the United States (!!!). And they will be releasing "Home Counties," sixteen new songs, their first endeavor since 2012's "Words and Music by Saint Etienne."  "Home Counties" promises to be about (well actually is about, heh): "the love/hate relationship people have with 'home' is particularly acute in the Home Counties. Yet Saint Etienne understand that, if you squint, it could be almost utopian - here are the post-war new towns, much of the country's modernist architecture, and the non-league football heroes of Sutton United, Leatherhead, Harlow Town."  Looking forward...

You guys, Viva Phoenix this year. Let's talk about it. There was honestly too much for me to do to hone in on the several bands I wanted to see (Bogan Via, Pure Bathing Culture, Temples among other). So I concentrated on the crown jewels for me - GIRL TALK and UFFIE. If you have been reading the UC for many years, you will know I was obsessed with Uffie in 2010 - 2011. You will realize the circle has then become full.  I saw the Mowglis and Mystikal, too. I've seen the former before, and they are fun, but the audio quality was terrible. So terrible I ended up wandering out halfway through. Weirdly enough as well, I saw The Maine? Not my cup of tea, but they played a good show. I will give them an A for keeping their audience engaged.  GIRL TALK was on another level. I don't know where he has been for the past several years, but he hasn't changed at all. Even now that the DJ has become a mainstream staple of pop music; Greg Gillis was everything I've heard and ...

Yesterday The CW announced an early renewal of the midseason drama Riverdale for the 2017–18 season, just s ix weeks into its first season . Yaaaasssss!!! I couldn't be more excited about this, I've been hooked on the show since day one. Riverdale is certainly not your average teen drama—it's moody, sexy and packed with just the right amount of mystery and major twists. The storylines are so compelling and always keep you wanting more. I must say I've been a bit obsessed with Cheryl. At first I low-key hated her and thought she was nothing more than a spoiled, manipulative bitch, but ever since episode three she has become my favorite character. She's just so complex, and I believe that her ice-queen persona is partially due to losing her twin brother Jason. Okay, I might be getting just a little overanalytical now. And if you still need a reason to watch Riverdale , well... Is it weird to be thirsting over a 19-year-old playing a 16/17-year...

This is the beginning of a new series I'm embarking on with the help of some fine folks (like Ursula Wheeler, as seen below). There's some silly stigma about doing stuff alone, especially among women (I don't know why). This series is meant to demonstrate people can do cool stuff alone, and there's no reason to be scared or ashamed of being by yourself pursuing an activity you enjoy. In fact, it's kind of empowering. Welcome to "I Do it Alone."  I Go To Movies Alone by Ursula Wheeler Well not quite like Alicia in the "Crying" video. Kinda creepy in retrospect. When I was a freshman in high school, I went to a movie by myself for the first time. I made a night of it--the movie theater was in the mall, so first I stopped at JCPenney and bought myself a new tank top (it was covered in one of those early-00s patterns of fake French newsprint). Then I purchased a ticket to Bruce Almighty , and settled in for an hour and 41 minutes of Ji...