THE COOLER BUZZ: I READ THE FORUMS SO YOU CAN KEEP UP!
As my soul mate and mentor, the newly divine Katie Holmes-Cruise, would say, “One can never be too prepared for a season.” Have more prophetic words ever been uttered as we approach the high social season at Royal Misfits? My dears, of late, the forums are positively abuzz each evening with events ranging from the topical to the trite. True to form, our Misfits attend each gala gowned in beaded fan-glory and tailored in couture snark. But, no affair is complete without you, darling readers. One can only hope that everyone will be “Steppin’ Out” this weekend to join the merrymaking as we celebrate Tony Bennett week on American Idol. Read on for a quick guide to the most popular happenings.
After an EP and two full-length releases, Kings of Leon are hardly a new act, but I’ve found myself suddenly in love with their music. Sure, I’d heard a couple songs (“King of the Rodeo” and “The Bucket”) and thought they were really good, but for whatever reason I filed them away in my head somewhere. I hadn’t thought about them for a long time until our own Ajviolet pulled one of their songs from her vast reservoir of kick-ass music and played it for us: ‘Taper Jean Girl', featured on their second full-length album, 'Aha Shake Heartbreak'. Thank you, Aj!
Don’t ask me what the Hell vocalist Caleb Followill was even singing about - I can barely understand a word of it - but I went searching for more. Samples on iTunes, full-length tracks on Napster. And in the online customer reviews at Amazon, I found my Kings of Leon soulmate in a guy named Dave, who wrote: (more)
The other night, I was on the computer, surfing the internet as usual. And I came across this. Great. Just what I need. Of course, an intense craving for the Black Forest Stuffed Cupcakes kicked in immediately. Rather than give in to the temptation, I turned to my iPod, which, it turns out, is chock-full of songs about sugar, candy, all manner of sweet stuff. And I realized that music is the next best thing to cupcakes.
So, I'm finally jumping in and posting my first blog. As many of you know, I'm usually late the party...so it just stands to reason I'd be late here, too. So for my first post I thought what better to post than a picture of Michael!
MilkandHoney violates all number of copyright laws
well, strictly speaking, it's not me. It's the youtubes. Anways, here are some effing hilarious clips.
I figure this is easier than, you know, actually making an effort myself.
You’ve plunked down your hard-earned bucks for Elliott Yamin’s official, 11-track debut CD. Perhaps you’ve even purchased a second copy, as a birthday present for Aunt Marge, as a joke gift for your sister, who always favored Chris Daughtry, or simply because you’re a superfan. Now you can sit back and enjoy all the new music the “Idol” graduate currently has on offer, right?
Not so fast, kemosabe. The promotional machine behind Yamin is making a play for another fistful of your dollars, releasing the disc with extra tracks through not one, not two, but at least five separate retailers. (And who knows how many more to come?) Such content padding is not new; other artists, including Mariah Carey, Fall Out Boy and Switchfoot, have repackaged albums with additional songs and videos to boost sales. But the sheer number of Yamin extras, available through so many competing vendors, may be unprecedented. (more)
What happens when creative types (musician father/painter mother) home-school their baby girls with an artsy-fartsy curriculum of *“painting, writing, singing, dancing, herbology, cooking, daydreaming, spell casting, theatre and a little bit of regular academics for good measure.”? Well, this one time? What happened was *Psychedelic Jungle Folk in the form of The Pierces.
Sisters Allison and Catherine Pierce released their 3rd album, Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge, on Tuesday (3/20). I stumbled across them while clicking around Yahoo Music. Have I been living under a rock?! Why have I never heard of them?! They’re muy talented, wear excellent boots (see above!) and this latest album of theirs is an eclectic treasure trove of unique vocals and smart lyrics -- but the style is apparently a departure for them. From their MySpace: (more)
10 Things to Expect When Going to an Elliott Yamin Signing
Virgin Megastore, Times Square, March 20, 2007, 4 pm.
1. After you purchase your wristband and CD and get in the steadily growing line, you will be bombarded by a street team. In this case, I recognized the main guy as Elliott's bodyguard (thanks internet!). Free posters and flyers? Check. Men taking your pictures with the merch? Check. Not quite knowing what those pictures are going to be used for? Oh my.
2. Waiting for a good hour or so just to get inside. Your city may vary, but in NYC we get fun sights like MTV's TRL crowd (screaming for Elliott and Joss Stone on this particular day), the Naked Cowboy (in 40 degree weather, hope he wore thermal tighties), and cynical NYers stopping and asking who we were there to see. The reactions were often appropriately jaded and snotty.
3. There are many fan groups representing, some louder than others, and lots of fans that didn't seem to be board dwellers. If I'm going to be honest, that was rather refreshing. Signs are in abundance. We thought this one was sweet, and if the girl who made this stumbles on this, either give a shout out or yell at me and I'll remove it.
Damn good, even. Okay, so the mellow-groove debut by everyone’s favorite “American Idol” underdog isn’t the second coming of “Thriller.” Neither is it the sophisticated jazz set that many followers had hoped for since Yamin floored the competition early in his Season 5 stint with a jaw-dropping rendition of “Moody’s Mood for Love.” But taken on its own slick, contemporary terms, it’s a winner. And compared to almost every other debut by an ex-Idol, it’s an effing masterpiece. (more)
Find those asparagus recipes and call your allergist. Pull your Dr. Scholl’s out from under the bed and plant those annuals. Organize your receipts, make that appointment with your accountant and put away your fleece pullover.
Spring is a’comin’, my friends.
It may be traveling with stops and spurts along the way, but just like death, taxes and an American Idol scandal, it’s inevitable. And hooray for that.
Spring is the grandest of times, with warm days and cool nights. Bulbs peeking their heads up through quiet dormant earth. Baseball season. Grills. Salads. Fresh. Renewal. Lightened.
And the windows fly open, signifying the change in season, letting the breeze blow through everywhere. Mussing hair and whisking sheers. Natural cooling. Animated nature.
There’s just something about fresh spring air (save for the pollen... bless you!) that is infectiously energizing. Whether it’s coming in through a screen door or swooshing down through an open car sun roof, a spring breeze is alternately invigorating and soothing, motivating and relaxing.
And deserving of its own soundtrack. There are certain songs, I have found, that lend themselves to be played when the top is down. (more)
Hey, have you ever thought to yourself, what in the holy hell is wrong with me?
I'm not referring to those self-reflexive moments when you're in an elevator and anxiously pushing the "door close" button so as to prevent the heavily-pregnant woman or elderly man from boarding because goddammit it's 9:05 and you should be in your cubicle already, and why the hell do you have to adjust your life to accommodate someone who has decided to go and get herself knocked up? Why should you make yourself even later by holding the door open for some old bastard who, come to think of it, is wearing a very nicely tailored camel-coloured jacket, so he's probably one of those rich old fucks who spent a lifetime screwing other, kinder souls out of their money and you'll be damned if you're going to respect him just for not dying.
No, I mean moments when you think to yourself, sweet Jesus what is wrong with me, because of something you dreamt.
Come, join me as I explain my effed up dream of a night ago. My dream featuring this guy
oh, one thing: things I see on TV or in a magazine, or read in book riiiiight before falling asleep tend to manifest themselves in my sleep, and keep in mind that I saw a commercial for Dodgeball, featuring the star of my dream)
okay, so last night, I dreamt that I was in a Sears (only the best for me!) in their furniture department, holding looking for a place to eat my lunch, which I believe was some sort of plastic-wrapped sandwich. Of course, eating around furniture which you don't actually, you know, have any legal title to, and which is still on the market, is verboten, so I knew that I would have to be slealthy in my actions. Like a ninja. Or not. Anywho, I walk around in search of a part of the store where there would be no one to see me engaging in this frowned-up act. I pass the sofas and see that there's a man eating in the dining furniture area (great minds!), so that's a no-go. I finally make my way to another other part of the store, and attempt to surreptitiously unwrap and consume my lunch; unfortunately the salesman this dude is milling around. Dammit! Why won't these cruel gods let me graze?! So I have to play it cool, and in this instance that means convincingly pretend that I'm actually looking for furniture. The salesman approaches and, being the cleverest girl in all the land, I begin to ask questions about different items (in my dream, both literal and figurative, there exists a piece of furniture that is part slide/part ottoman. Ikea should just fucking hire me already). So he proceeds to show me the item in question, and from there we move to the adjoining display area, featuring, I think, beds, and because I want to convince him that I'm sincerely interested, we keep going on and on.
And then.
He invites me to his place.
And I go.
The next thing I know, we're in flagrante delicto.
I slept with a man for the sake of having a place to eat my sandwich.
I think that qualifies me as a Pussycat Doll.
I ask the Freudians amongst us to give me their thoughts in the comments section. You Jungians can get lost.
It has come to my attention that some of you have amusing little things called “lives” outside Royal Misfits. Apparently, your attention is being diverted from our clever and lively forums by jobs (isn’t that what spouses are for?), children (isn’t that what au pairs are for?), and friends (isn’t that what answering machines are for?). Deplorable! If you cannot bring it upon yourselves to remain au courant, I shall simply have to do it for you. Each week, I will provide you with an abbreviated version of the goings on in the threads that make up our charming little community. Reading my helpful little missives shall be de rigueur if you want to avoid a faux pas equivalent to having spinach between your teeth in the Elliott thread as you announce, “Elliott has a new album coming out!” or wearing white before Memorial Day into the American Idol 6 thread to proclaim, “Everyone loves Chris Richardson!” My dears! There are some things that are simply not done. (more)
Last night I saw Bucky (and Rocky) at at a local country bar name Duke's! Squeeeeeeeeeeee!
The Buckster was cuter than shit. He started his set with A Different World (right after downing a pint of beer on stage in two seconds). A couple songs later he sang American Friday night, and then I'm Good, and finally, Empty Handed. He did a real catchy song that I loved from his album, Back When We Were Gods. Bucky also sang Toby Keith's Should Have Been a Cowboy, Kenny Rogers' The Gambler, Elvis' Suspicious Minds, and some other songs I recognized but didn't know names/artists. Clay Walker maybe? Bucky made every song his own by putting his own combined country or southern rock spin into each song. I loved his version of Suspicious Minds, a mix of country, southern rock, and Elvis.
Rocky sang backup and harmonized, and played some instrument that looked like a washboard(?). Rocky on stage and singing was like having two Buckys singing. Really nice. Bucky played the guitar. Quite well too I might add. They didn't have a band, just another guitar player/backup singer. My friend thought Bucky sounded just like any other country singer but enjoyed the set. Duke's was definitely a country bar, and definitely for this city girl!
They had a great time on stage. When he sang songs by other artists, he sounded REALLY good. He was on pitch for every word and sounded great. I can tell he'd been working on his pronunciation because every word was clear when he sang. Huge difference between when Bucky sang and talked and when Rocky sang and talked. I enjoyed Bucky and will be buying his cd. His voice may sound like many other country artists, but to me that is a big compliment. There is some great talent in the country music business.
http://www.myspace.com/buckycovington
http://buckycovington.musiccitynetworks.com/
AMERICAN IDOL, SEASON 6: ON TRACK OR OFF-KEY? Critics complain the show has lost its luster, but a look back at previous seasons suggests that this year’s eclectic crop of crooners more or less measures up.
“The phenomenon is over,” msnbc.com writer Andy Denhart proclaimed in his March 13 editorial on the current season of “American Idol.” “This is the beginning of the series’ end.” To support his pessimistic prophecy, Denhart cited disengaged judges, a tedious auditioning process and a talent pool that, to him, seems only ankle deep compared to Season 5’s unusually abundant reserve.
“Idol” devotees are used to such flak from the mainstream media, which has long looked down its nose at reality shows in general and this one in particular. TV critics react with haughty indignation as the Fox hit’s ratings soar and its fledgling warblers rack up record sales and awards in various disciplines. Even Katie Couric has dismissed “Idol” as cheesy, a particularly pungent slice of irony given that the perky ex-“Today” hostess is the Queen of Media Velveeta. (more)
Their music's been compared to Scissor Sisters or a fusion of the Bee Gees and Prince. They tout themselves as Alternative | R & B | Indie on their MySpace (which features four full length tracks from their self-titled August 2006 debut). It's Funky Pop Disco Rock -- well worth the 15-minute investment of your time while you check them out.
Recommended listening: 'In the Clouds' and 'Mama's Room' (available on both the myspace link and their website); 'Got Nothing', 'Heaven is Full' and 'Lay Me Down' (website only)
I grew up on a farm, my dad was a cowboy. He’s still alive, but he wears lace up work boots and no longer owns a horse, so I don’t think he’s a cowboy anymore. As a kid, I always wore moccasins when I rode horse because I fought all the time with my brother and he was a cowboy like my dad, so I was an Indian. It seemed right to have the corners squared off like that.
I finally bought a pair of cowboy boots when I was sixteen. I didn’t need them, my pot smoking friends didn’t wear them, and they didn’t go with the jeans that girls wore in 1979. I bought them because I saw them and I was spellbound. They were beautiful. Luscious Tony Llamas, narrow and sculpted, soft and intricately stitched, so well made.
It was the most money I’d spent on anything, more than $100 on a pair of shoes I didn’t need, and I kept the receipt for years because it was an important purchase. I let myself fall in love with my idea of beauty and handed over all my carhop dollars to possess it. I changed enough to fit the boots as well as they fit me, and I wore them out.
Have you ever wondered what The Beach Boys would sound like if they were still making music today? Me neither. But, I have the answer for you anyway. They would sound like Bikeride. If you like retro pop with a refreshing lack of irony, then for god's sake, download "Hideaways". It's free! Go on, do it! You know you want to. And it's legal, too.
While you're over at the Bikeride official site, you might as well listen to the radio they have there. "Your Lips and You" is a favorite of mine. I listened to it obsessively for days. There's something about sitars and flutes swirled together into a marching band rhythm that is like aural crack to me. Good stuff.
NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOUR…CD REVIEW Amy Winehouse, “Back to Black.” Island/Universal. 10 tracks.
Whether she’s acting out or merely putting on an act, Amy Winehouse is gaining quite a rep as a boozy floozy these days. Reports of the 23-year-old Londoner’s fondness for alcohol and other mind-altering substances have made her the Lindsay Lohan of the British tabloids, which recently published embarrassing pics of the singer at a music industry soiree, nostrils caked with suspicious white powder. (Her slurry acceptance speech at February’s Brit Awards, where she was named Best British Female Solo Artist, didn’t help matters.) Earlier this month, Winehouse cancelled two high-profile U.K. concert dates, prompting many to wonder if she should stagger to the nearest detox facility, stat.
Frequently Asked Questions Is this another blog?
Indeed it is!
Is there anything different about this one?
Probably not.
Then why should I care about your blog?
I don't know. You're the one reading this.
I mean, what's this one about? What's the underlying purpose?
Do you need profound significance in your blogs? Maybe the meaning of the blog is of your own choosing (cue existentialist music *weee-oooo*).
What the hell is existentialist music? I think you made that up.
You got me there. I doubt that question is very frequently asked though. Let's keep it on topic.
What IS the topic?
Let's see: Hot men, quotable quotes, music reviews, music commentary, travelogs, Beck, celebrity trivia, shoes, American Idol, poetry... something else... uh...
That's not even cohesive. It's total chaos!
And that isn't even a question.
Fine. Is this blog just completely random?
By jove, it is! But we have some good writers.
I guess I'll just come back later and see how this thing turns out.
Great! Would you mind telling your friends about us?