Tag: New Singles

Alice In Wonderland Video By Avril Lavigne A Pleasant Surprise

Posted by Kat – February 20, 2010

It isn’t often that I hear the words “Avril Lavigne” and “haunting” in the same sentence and it actually be a positive comment on her work. But, the compliment is really there and with good reason, as the contribution to the Alice In Wonderland soundtrack for Burton’s much-anticipated movie by Avril is just that, hauntingly beautiful. Instead of going with her Sk8r Boi roots and doing something punk rock and flashy, Avril tried for something much more gothic and ethereal than we’ve seen in the past. And it worked. Her video of “Alice” has been touted as a gothic fall into the rabbit hole that perfectly compliments Burton’s movie, and the music shows a truly desired contribution to the movie’s soundtrack.

The actual video was shot back in January and only took two days to film. At the Arborteum in Los Angeles, Avril and her director spent their two days in rainstorms talking in detail about ideas both of them had for the music video. Avril had ideas floating around and the director had a plan but wanted her input to create the video until they had the right kind of product. And while you know that Burton wasn’t actually there to be involved with the concept of the video, those who have seen the video have stated outright that it seems to be directly from Burton himself, as if in music form. With its very haunting and gothic tunes, Avril’s song and the video to go with it have really stunned critics everywhere and music fans.

And here’s the funniest part. Tim Burton has been so secretive about the video that no one has been allowed to see it until recently, which meant that the two artists had not seen the movie to even come up with their plans. It turns out, though, that after the fact, the director of the music video Dave Meyers was given a chance to see the film and said that it was incredibly exciting to see. The video fit the movie even more after that and even Burton was able to give his seal of approval on the video. So it looks like a job well done from the unexpected source of Avril.

We Are the World’s Anniversary Will Be Honored

Posted by Kat – February 3, 2010

Ever since the original “We Are the World,” co-written by Michel Jackson and Lionel Richie, made waves everywhere to help encourage peace and humanitarianism, musicians have been inspired by that song to both write more music with that goal in mind, and to take the time to become humanitarians themsevles. Now, twenty-five years later, Lionel Richie has gotten together with Quincy Jones to give a new historic recording of “We Are the World.” Janet Jackson, Nick Jonas, Celine Dion, and Lil Wayne were some of the top musicians and singers, celebrities of the music world, who were there to record a new 25th anniversery version of the song. In fact, it was such a huge deal that ABC had news cameras available on Monday so that they could film the entire thing.

Of the different artists there for the recording was Janet Jackson, who was given the opportunity to sing the solo originally done by her brother, Michael, in the original recording. Also filling in for another musician was Lil Wayne, who performed Bob Dylan’s original part in the piece, to which he was hilariously adamant that he had not performed the part as well as Bob Dylan did. Over all, the atmosphere of the recording was hopeful, uplifting and clearly honoring the spirit of the original recording.

Curious about the actual range of musical celebrities they had at the performance of “We Are the World”? Well, with the youngest member being Justin Bieber, the fifteen-year-old singing sensation, then on the other end of the spectrum is Tony Bennet, who is eighty-three years old and represents a veteran of the musical world. If you’d like to see the new recording, you’ll be able to see it on February 12th in 3D with the opening of NBC’s broadcast of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Erykah Badu’s Newest Tactic? Viral Videos

Posted by Kat – January 29, 2010

Ever subscribe to the Twitter feed of fatbellybella? Well, if you’re a fan of Erykah Badu, then you really should, as that is her official Twitter feed where you can find any news on her work at any time, any place. And yesterday, the feed sparked up new publicity about her new album to be released on CD on March 30th. It wasn’t about the actual album, titled “New Amerykah, Part II: Return of the Ankh,” but rather about something else related to it: viral marketing. I am a huge fan of viral marketing, so hearing that she was going to be pursuing something on that front as well.

If you check out erykahbadu.com, her official site, you can see the new promotional viral marketing video that she’s just posted today. In fact, her publicist confirmed what she’d tweeted about, and now the proof is in the website, as it were. By 3:30 today, the official video had popped up showing different snippets for the music video of “Jump In The Air,” a bonus track for her album. This song has guest appearances by Bilal and Lil Wayne and the album has been cited to be one that won’t disappoint.

“New Amerykah” was originally supposed to be released in late February, but for whatever reason, was pushed back. It seems it will definitely be worth the wait, though, as the new album is going to come out through Universal Motown. Wondering why “Jump In The Air” is a bonus track instead of on the CD, it’s because it got leaked on the internet, changing things up a little.  But, taking a look at the different artists involved in the production of the album, it’s easy to see why people are so excited. 9th Wonder, J Dilla, James Poyser, and Madlib are involved, and others. It’s not going to be a disappointment.

Angels Advocate Will Be Released On March 30th

Posted by Kat – January 28, 2010

So, in this new age of music and technology, it’s hardly surprising that we get most of our brand new album information through things like Facebook and Twitter. Of course, some of that news is groundbreaking, and then some of it is… Mariah Carey releasing an album of remixes. Yes, you read that right. She’s not releasing a new album, she’s releasing an album of remixes. “Angels Advocate,” which was initially supposed to be on February 23rd, got hit with some undisclosed delays and was pushed back without a date. Until now. Today Carey tweeted that March 30th would be the new release date for the album.

If you were curious about what the album’s gonna be like, two of the songs on the album, “Up Out of My Face”, which has Nicki Minaj, and “Angel Cry”, featuring Ne-Yo, were just released earlier this week. And if you’re curious to see what videos directed by Nick Cannon and his wife, Mariah herself, then you can definitely find videos for both of those tracks online anywhere right now.

Of course, it isn’t like she won’t have some competition for this new release date, as Usher’s new album through Jive Records, “Raymond Vs. Raymond” will be debuting the same day and it’s a brand new album, not a remix. Granted, this new album is going to feature duets and remixes from the songs off her album last year, “Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.” And if you want a dose of live Mariah Carey before the release of her album, you can find her on her “Angels Advocate” tour at the moment, which will be wrapping up with a neat bow on February 27th in Las Vegas at the Pearl Concert Theatre. We’ll see what happens next with her album in the next few weeks.

Looking For Gorillaz? The Wait Is Almost Over

Posted by Kat – January 20, 2010

Anyone else been missing our favorite cartoon grooving monkeys, the Gorillaz? I know I have. After Demon Dayz, the cartoon pop band created by Damon Albarn has been quiet, and people have been wondering when exactly they would even come back. After all, with an interesting niche like the cartoon band, no one wants to think that they’re not going to come around, but the fanbase could become disinterested. It doesn’t seem to be the case, though, and now, if you’ve been waiting, you won’t have to wait much longer.

The Gorillaz will be headlining the Coachella Festival this 2010, but you can expect “Plastic Beach,” a third album, to come out this March 9th. And what an album it’s going to be, too. With sixteen different tracks, the list of guest musicians is quite extensive. You’ll see Gruff Rhys of Super Fluffy Animals, Lou Reed, Snoop Dogg, Bobby Womack, Mos Def, De La Soul, and Mark E. Smith of the Fall. Talk about an all-star lineup to fill the album.

So, if you’re waiting to hear what the album will be like, you don’t have to wait any longer. Tonight, “Stylo” is going to be hidding the radio waves everywhere, their first single of the new album. If you want to pick it up on iTunes stores, you can start on January 26th.

Anyone else been missing our favorite cartoon grooving monkeys, the Gorillaz? I know I have.

After Demon Dayz, the cartoon pop band created by Damon Albarn has been quiet, and people

have been wondering when exactly they would even come back. After all, with an interesting

niche like the cartoon band, no one wants to think that they’re not going to come around, but the

fanbase could become disinterested. It doesn’t seem to be the case, though, and now, if you’ve

been waiting, you won’t have to wait much longer.

The Gorillaz will be headlining the Coachella Festival this 2010, but you can expect “Plastic

Beach,” a third album, to come out this March 9th. And what an album it’s going to be, too. With

sixteen different tracks, the list of guest musicians is quite extensive. You’ll see Gruff Rhys of

Super Fluffy Animals, Lou Reed, Snoop Dogg, Bobby Womack, Mos Def, De La Soul, and Mark

E. Smith of the Fall. Talk about an all-star lineup to fill the album.

So, if you’re waiting to hear what the album will be like, you don’t have to wait any longer. Tonight, “Stylo” is going to be hidding the radio waves everywhere, their first single of the new album. If you want to pick it up on iTunes stores, you can start on January 26th.

Vampire Weekend Heralds In Their Next Album With Cousins

Posted by Kat – December 3, 2009

If you’re into indie rock, then you’ve probably already heard of Vampire Weekend’s self-titled first album, and you’re familiar with the kooky and off-the-wall lyrics and music of the band. This January, two years after their first album, Vampire Weekend is about to bring out “Contra,” their second album that will hopefully prove to be just as quirky and out there as their first. If their newly released single “Cousins,” is any indication, fans won’t be disappointed.

If you haven’t seen the video for “Cousins,” I recommend you go head to YouTube where the official video has been put up by the band so you can get a look. In the vein of Weezer’s “Pork and beans” video, a clever use of stop-motion photography and colorful neon “chalk” designs really makes the video easy to watch. The lead singer, Ezra Koenig, does a remarkable job of catching one’s eye while he sings and holds up various images for the audience to see (Not that it helps, as the lyrics are pretty nonsensical when put together).

The song itself is remarkably catchy and might get stuck in your head. The guitar work is incredibly Ventures-esque, and the entire song plays as a frenzy of stream of consciousness lyrics that work together to be a lot of fun. On January 11th, 2010, the new Vampire Weekend album is going to hit stores, and I will be right there to buy a copy. If “Cousins” is any sign of how the album will turn out, then “Contra” will definitely be a wild, crazy ride with moments of Wipeout and Weezer all rolled into one. So, sit back and wait for the wave that is Vampire Weekend to hit you, and you’ll really find something spectacular to listen to.