On My Radar: The Disco Biscuits-"Widgets"

This band is new to me. I'll admit. But I like what I hear! And what I see. Check out their video for their single "Widgets". Pretty sick.

Also, d/l "On Time" feat. TuPhace and "World is Spinning"

The Disco Biscuits - New Music - More Music Videos

Paramore - "Careful" Video

Paramore's video for "Careful" off of their Brand New Eyes LP debuted a couple of weeks ago, but in case you missed it, here it is. It's loaded with backstage footage! Enjoy :)

Paramore - New Music - More Music Videos

"You can be anything you want to be in this world"-Lady Gaga, MSG 7/7/10

Talk about feeling inspired. I went to night two, Wednesday, July 6 of Lady Gaga's sold out three-night run at Madison Square Garden in her hometown. There were cheers and tears as she tore up the stage, dancing for her life from start to finish, while singing every word to every one of her songs. What a performer! No words can truly do it justice so I will just say that she is a "must see live before you die" type of performer. What an incredible night. Here are some pics and video ;)















"Just Dance"


"Telephone"


"Speechless"


"You & I" *new single!

She's back!

Are you surprised? Shame on you. Here's a video of Christina Aguilera singing her new single "You Lost Me" on David Letterman last night. She's a bit pitchy but what an incredible song! And she murders it of course. AMAZING!

Eclipse Tunes

Here's the new Vampire Weekend track, "Jonathan Low" featured on the Eclipse Soundtrack. Kind of reminds me of The Cure. Pretty excited to hear the whole album (and see the movie!) which features new Muse, Florence & the Machine and The Black Keys. It also has a duet by Beck and Bat for Lashes entitled "Let's Get Lost". Could be life-changing! It drops June 8th.

Vw by c87157

1. Metric – "Eclipse (All Yours)"
2. Muse – “Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever)”
3. The Bravery – “Ours”
4. Florence + The Machine – “Heavy In Your Arms”
5. Sia – “My Love”
6. Fanfarlo – “Atlas”
7. The Black Keys – “Chop And Change”
8. The Dead Weather – “Rolling In On A Burning Tree”
9. Beck and Bat For Lashes – “Let’s Get Lost”
10. Vampire Weekend – “Jonathan Low”
11. UNKLE – “With You In My Head (featuring The Black Angels)”
12. Eastern Conference Champions – “A Million Miles An Hour”
13. Band Of Horses – “Life On Earth”
14. Cee-Lo Green – “What Part Of Forever”
15. Howard Shore – “Jacob’s Theme”

Charice

Probably the best vocalist to come out since Mariah or Whitney, Charice is a powerhouse that got her start on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2008, linking her to Celine Dion and legendary composer David Foster. Her raw talent is incomprable to any recording artist out right now. Her new album Charice, out today on iTunes, feautures a bunch of cookie cutter pop songs, without the cheese, highlighting her vocal range, even featuring R&B artist Iyaz of "Replay" fame. The songs would be torturous if sung by another average pop star with all fluff and no talent, but they are actually enjoyable because of her incredibly mature voice. It's pretty evident that she had the absolute BEST songwriters helping her along the way, no doubt. Still, the 18-year-old has certainly come a long way from living in poverty in the Philippines. God bless! Listen to her single below.

Drake Finds Love in Jamaica

And then she shoots him in the head! In his new video, that is. Here's the sexy, violent video from Drake for his single "Find Your Love". This track is dripping with Kanye West, probably because he produced it. It sounds like the long lost track from 808s and Heartbreak. It's definitely my favorite thing that I've heard from Drake's new stuff.

SPIN's 125

SPIN compiled a list of the 125 Best Albums of the Past 25 Years to celebrate turning 25. The list, posted on their website last Friday, was put together by the magazine's editors and is certainly one to keep around and slowly check off as you go through life. How does your favorite album place? View the full list (and number 1!) here. SPIN's 25th Anniversary issue is on newsstands now. Help save the printed word and buy it today, before iPad's take over the world! :)

Regina Covers Radiohead

"No Surprises", the intoxicating Radiohead track from their Ok Computer album has been stripped by Regina Spektor. She lends her angelic voice and piano combo to the track and simply stuns. All of the proceeds from the track, available now on iTunes, go to Doctors Without Borders’ Emergency Relief Fund, an organization that delivers emergency medical care to countries all over the world. The recording and humanitarian effort by both Regina and Radiohead was sparked by the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile. Enjoy this beautiful song, and support a good cause!

Punk Goes...

You know you love it when punk bands cover your favorite songs and make them even more awesome. Well, here comes another guilty pleasure for your ears to enjoy. Punk Goes Classic Rock is the newest in the series featuring covers of Black Sabbath's "Crazy Train" and Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'" by bands like The Almost and Forever The Sickest Kids. Though some are failed attempts, mostly because the songs are so epic they should remain untouched by the commoners (i.e. Never Shout Never's go at "Bohemian Rhapsody"), the tracklist is pretty solid with interesting interpretations. My Favorite? "All Along the Watchtower" covered by Envy on the Coast. Sick!

B.o.B feat.

The new B.o.B album, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, dropped today and it's chock full o' cameos. Some notable ones to check out are:

"The Kids" with Janelle Monae-(samples Vampire Weekend)
"Airplanes I & II" with Hayley Williams and Eminem
"Magic" with Rivers Cuomo-(pretty cheesy, but fun)
"Past My Shades" with Lupe Fiasco

Kate Nash Hearts Her Best Friend

If you love piano princess Regina Spektor or sassy songstress Lily Allen, you will LOVE red headed potty mouth Kate Nash. Her sophomore album My Best Friend Is You is out today on iTunes and, in a word, it's fun. Her lyrical rants are quirky and charming, and certainly hilarious, but her ivory tickling skills are hot! She's been playing the piano since she was 6 growing up in London. Listen to "Paris" live below.

Recommended tracks: "Paris", "Later On" & "You Were So Far Away"

More Robyn!

Love her so much! Here's another track off her new album Body Talk Pt. 1 dropping in June. I'm pretty much obsessed. Can't wait!

Green Day Rearranged

Be still my heart. The Original Broadway Cast Recording of American Idiot was released today. For die hard Green Day and Broadway fans alike, the new arrangements alone are worth checking out the album. The singing is breathtaking. The songs are reborn in a way the Oakland punks themselves never knew they could be. Plus, "When It's Time", a deep Green Day track that was added to the rock opera, is recorded for the first time and included on the album. It was the first song frontman Billie Joe Armstrong wrote about his now wife when they were just 19-years-old. (sigh)

Rufus Wainwright's Ode to Mother

The magnificent Rufus Wainwright has a new collection of painfully personal songs for you to delve into. All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu, available on iTunes today, is soaked in sorrow with chilling vocals. The album was written as his mother was battling cancer, a fight she eventually lost this past January. Whatever you do, do NOT listen to this record on a bridge! The album is certainly not an easy listen, but it's definitely a phenomenal piece of art. Listen to "Who Are You New York?" below. For more classic Wainwright, download "Poses" & "Cigarettes & Chocolate Milk".

Where in the world is Gogol Bordello?

Its pretty difficult to describe the band Gogol Bordello with any other word but awesome. It's ska/punk/polka/samba/gypsy etc. etc. They're a gypsy band from the Lower East Side of New York City, a predominantly Ukranian neighborhood. Listen to their single "My Companjera". Their album Trans-Continental Hustle comes out today. An incredibly unique sound for sure. Kind of sounds like a Borat and Dropkick Murphys collabo.

VH1 Classic: Concert Movies That Rock Week

Calling all music aficionados! The time has come for you to be schooled on Rock & Roll. Every night this week at 9PM, VH1 Classic will be airing some of the most legendary rock films ever made. Set your TiVo's and get ready to have your minds blown! Here's the schedule:

Monday: The Last Waltz
Tuesday: Tommy
Wednesday: U2: Rattle and Hum
Thursday: Woodstock
Friday: Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains The Same
Saturday: Let's Spend the Night Together

Music Monday Playlist 4/19

May be "old" to all you music lovin' hipsters out there, but these are definitely tracks you need to DL now:

Band of Horses - "Laredo"
B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams -"Airplanes"
Freelance Whales - "We Could Be Friends"
Goldfrapp Head First Album
MGMT Congratulations Album (!!!)
Mumford & Sons - "Little Lion Man"
Robyn - "Dancehall Queen"
She & Him Volume Two Album
Sia - "Clap Your Hands"
Snoop Dogg - "That Tree" feat. Kid Cudi
Surfer Blood - "Swim"/"Floating Vibes"
The Black Keys - "Tighten Up"
The Get Up Kids - "Your Pretty Pretty Things"
The New Pornographers - "Crash Years"

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

I've been playing this band out pretty badly but wanted to share this whacky video of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros performing their single "Home" in studio for AOL/Spinner music. Point is, they look like the second coming of Charles Manson's cult. Check out the girl playing the tambourine at around 2:13. What are they on? They're pretty crazy, but needless to say the song is pretty great. Want more Edward? Check out the other videos too. They're equally as entertaining, and the songs are beautiful.

Jay-Z/Beyonce Duet @ Coachella

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival concert-goers were treated to a rare couples duet on Friday night as Beyonce, donning a pair of daisy dukes, joined her husband Jay-Z on stage for his single "Forever Young". Also part of his setlist, his version of Oasis' "Wonderwall".

The Queen Is Back

Call DJ Pauly D and The Situation, Freestyle Queen Reina released a new single Tuesday just in time for summer. "Just Let Go", co-written by recording artist Joe Venice and remixed by DJ Paul Wonder, both Yonkers, NY residents, marks the return of the electro diva and the debut of two incredible talents. With an insanely catchy hook and her sultry vocals, the track is guaranteed to get stuck in your head. Show your support for these AMAZING talents by calling your radio stations and DEMANDING to hear Reina's "Just Let Go" NOW! Then blast it all the way to Section 4 at Jones Beach. My fav? The Paul Wonder Alarm Edit! Listen below.




"Just Let Go" EP available now on iTunes!

Request "Just Let Go" on Z100!
Request "Just Let Go" on KTU!
Request "Just Let Go" on Party 105!
Request "Just Let Go" on 92.3 Now FM!

Magic's In The Makeup

Britney Spears released unretouched photos yesterday from her Candie's campaign photoshoot. Get a load of the before (left) and after (right). Retouching photographs should be banned from magazines. They are all selling lies!!! What a shame.

Idina Menzel Releases EP for Theater Geeks Everywhere

Just in time for her appearance on the Glee premiere tonight, Broadway Queen Idina Menzel released an EP of her most popular tracks on Saturday. Theater geeks everywhere (includig this girl right here) can now rejoice, finally having all of her hits on one album! Watch her chilling, acoustic version of "No Day But Today", originally recorded on PBS Soundstage, and then buy it on iTunes and listen to it over and over and over again. And again!



Then watch her murder (in the best way possible) "Defying Gravity" like ONLY she can, here. It's a less theatrical, softer version of the power ballad.

If It Ain't Broke...

Mary J. Blige released a two track EP today on iTunes of Led Zepplin covers, including "Stairway to Heaven" and "Whole Lotta Love". She said she "has listened to their music since she was a child and it's always moved me." I think it's safe to say that so has everyone on planet Earth, but we don't go around attempting a second rate version of rock classics. There are just some things that should remain untouched. Take a listen. What do you think?

...goes to Williamsburg

So many amazing things, to share, all new to me, about the hipster hideaway in Brooklyn, NY that is Williamsburg. Just a quick drive down the FDR and over the Williamsburg Bridge and BAM!, you're smack dab in the middle of everything plaid.

My excuse for the trip was tickets to see the Temper Trap at the Music Hall of Williamsburg.
First order of business? Food, naturally.


It's no secret that Diner, on the corner of Broadway and Berry, is, well, quite literally a diner. Though, the food is anything but. The restaurant is housed in a 1920's diner car, fully equipped with a vintage counter and booths. We sat outside, though, and started with a pair of pilsners, on tap. Coolest thing about Diner? The menu changes daily. The waitstaff sit down right next to you and elaborately describe the daily dishes, writing the items on the paper table covers. The daily menu changing was established to reflect what is fresh and in season. There were only a total of about 10-12 items on the menu, not including 3 desserts. My choice? A house made pork shoulder and white bean ravioli in a brown butter sauce topped with pignoli nuts and parmeggiano reggiano cheese. My vegetarian friend had a spinach salad tossed with grapefruit and toasted almonds with a side of probably the best french fries I've ever had, salty and perfectly fried with creme fraiche to dip. Oh! And here comes my tacky, star sighting moment. The stunning Lake Bell walked right up to our table street side to chat with our waitress, a friend I assume. It's safe to say it was the best "diner" experience I've ever had.

While walking to the venue, the universe diverted us with a film crew, closing the street ahead of us. This detour led us directly to the most unbelievable music store I've ever laid eyes on. Main Drag Music, on Wythe Avenue at S 1st, pretty much took our breathe away. Take a look for yourselves:






Now to Music Hall of Williamsburg, my new favorite venue. It's intimate in the style of Bowery Ballroom, but even smaller. It's the absolute perfect place to see a show. If only major acts played there. (sigh) Still, Temper Trap rocked and I was personally blown away by the live sound of the lead vocalist. You may be familiar with their single "Sweet Disposition" that was featured in the film 500 Days of Summer starring velvet voiced Zooey Deschanel, but I promise their album is way more than what's featured on that track. Definitely worth a listen. Here are a few pics from the show:








After stumbling out of the show, we realized that we were mere blocks from the hipster funhouse that is Brooklyn Bowl. Equipped with 16 bowling lanes, each with a projection screen tv, leather couch and table, and a kitchen run by Manhattan favorite Blue Ribbon, Brooklyn Bowl is an awesome date spot, but also perfect to bring a crew to knock down some pins and brews. They also have a pretty large stage for live acts that perform nightly. And did I mention every Thursday in April, questlove of The Roots will be spinning? Check out their website to see what acts are scheduled.

How To Make It In America Mixtape

Anyone that's a fan of HBO's hit series Entourage or How To Make It In America is familiar with the incredible music they showcase, frequently hip-hop/soul influenced. Don't be sad that the season ended Sunday night. Dry your eyes and keep the grandeur of the show going by downloading a mixtape from the shows' music supervisor Scott Vener. It highlights new tracks and classics all for your listening pleasure including everyone from Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz "Deja Vu" to Phoenix "Rome". Pretty seasoned palate.

Download the mixtape here.

Battle of the Festivals

The lineup for Lollapalooza 2010 was officially announced yesterday after being leaked for the past few months. Headlining are none other than Lady Gaga, Green Day, Soundgarden, The Strokes and Phoenix. The stacked summer festival takes place in Chicago's Grant Park on August 6-8. Now you just have to decide which one you want to road trip it to more; Coachella, Bonnaroo, or Lollapalooza?

Complete Lollapalooza 2010 lineup:

Soundgarden
Green Day
Lady Gaga
Arcade Fire
The Strokes
Phoenix
Social Distortion
MGMT
Jimmy Cliff
Hot Chip
The Black Keys
The National
Spoon
Devo
Cypress Hill
Cut Copy
The New Pornographers
Erykah Badu
Slightly Stoopid
Grizzly Bear
Gogol Bordello
Chromeo
Wolfmother
Yeasayer
X Japan
MUTEMATH
Metric
Dirty Projectors
AFI
Mavis Staples
Matt & Kim
The xx
Drive-By Truckers
Blues Traveler
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
The Temper Trap
Jamie Lidell
Frightened Rabbit
F**k Buttons
Deer Tick
Blitzen Trapper
Stars
Raphael Saadiq
The Cribs
Minus the Bear
Switchfoot
The Walkmen
Mumford & Sons
Wild Beasts
Rogue Wave
Los Amigos Invisibles
The Big Pink
The Dodos
Hockey
Cymbals Eat Guitars
B.o.B
Dawes
Warpaint
The Antlers
The Soft Pack
Rebelution
Balkan Beat Box
Wavves
American Bang
The Ike Reilly Assassination
Company of Thieves
Nneka
Harlem
The Constellations
Miniature Tigers
Mimicking Birds
The Kissaway Trail
HEALTH
Javelin
The Morning Benders
Foxy Shazam
Violent Soho
Royal Bangs
NEON TREES
Freelance Whales
Semi Precious Weapons
Dan Black
The Band of Heathens
Dragonette
My Dear Disco
Shawn Fisher
Neon Hitch
Skybox
The Ettes
Jukebox the Ghost
These United States
MyNameIsJohnMichael


Performing at PERRY'S:

2ManyDJs
Empire of the Sun
Digitalism
Perry Farrell
Tiga
Felix da Housecat
Rusko
Erol Alkan
Kaskade
Flosstradamus
Wolfgang Gartner
Joachim Garraud
Mexican Institute of Sound
Caspa
Peanut Butter Wolf
Dirty South
NERVO
Cut Copy (DJ Set)
Beats Antique
Steve Porter
Didi Gutman of Brazilian Girls
Ancient Astronauts
Ana Sia
Team Bayside High
Dani Deahl
FreeSol
DJ Mel
BBU
Vonnegutt
Only Children
Lance Herbstrong

RocNation Jailbait: Alexis Jordan

Seventeen-year-old Alexis Jordan is the newest member to join the Dynasty. Jay-Z signed her to his RocNation label this week after being blown away, along with thousands of viewers, by her numerous YouTube covers. Alexis made her debut to the spotlight in 2007 on the inaugural season of America's Got Talent and is now set to release her first single "Happiness". Take a look at her cover of "Nothing on You". The girl can sing and flow!






Listen to more on Alexis Jordan's YouTube page.

Bieber World Domination

Well, it's official. The 16-year-old R&B charmer that is Justin Bieber has done it. Done what you ask? Oh, nothing really. Just reach #1 on the Billboard charts by selling 283,000 copies of his new album My World 2.0 in one week! He is the youngest solo male artist to hit #1 since Stevie Wonder in 1963 at age 13. Congratulations little man.

MGMT Goes Off The Proverbial Deep End

I, along with everyone that owns a pair of Ray Bans and/or lives in Brooklyn, was, and still am incredibly excited about the new MGMT album, Congratulations, that drops in two weeks. Can't wait that long? You can listen to it now on their website. But let's talk about the video that debuted today for the first single, "Flash Delirium". W T F??? I am scarred for life. Between the ventriloquist dummies and the talking tracheotomy, it's safe to say I am literally going to have nightmares for weeks. I'm really confused about what they were trying to express/depict in this video, if anything in particular.

Watch if you dare to make sense of it all!

X-Tina's Back and Not Herself

Christina Aguilera debuted her new single "Not Myself Tonight" on her website this afternoon. It's the first single off her new album Bionic due out June 8. Very electronic and synth heavy. Definitely a different path for her. I like!

Beauty According to Jessica

I don't know if any of you have tuned into VH1's new show Jessica Simpson's The Price of Beauty lately, but I am so in love with it. What's not to love? Jessica Simpson, along with BFF's CaCee Cobb and celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves, is back on the air with her unintentional hilarity. Though, I have to admit I appreciate that she is a down to earth goofball on national television, brave enough to be herself even if it is silly or obnoxious. I can really respect that from a girl who gets relentlessly abused by the media regarding her image and love life.

In addition to her gems of wisdom, the show highlights beauty all over the world and the extreme lengths women go to in order to acheive it. In Thailand, women bleach their skin and elongate their necks. In Indian, women use strange spa treatments and dress in bright, ornate fashions. The show always slows it down a bit to note the dangers of chasing an idea of beauty too far. A trip to France introduces a former fashion model who developed severe anorexia as a result of years of criticism from a tough industry. She now exhibits her body on billboard advertisements in Europe as a warning to women of the harsh reality of the business. It's about time a show came along that at least offers a little bit of balance to these incredibly unrealistic ideals of beauty. Will it change the way all women see themselves? Most definitely not, but it gives a voice to a new perspective that, thanks to Jessica Simpson, is finally being heard on a more public platform.

Next week, Uganda, where "Fat is beautiful". Watch Jessica Simpson's The Price of Beauty on VH1, Mondays at 10PM.

P.S. Jessica wrote and recorded the show's theme song with alt god Billy Corgan.

OMG!

Usher's new album, Raymond Vs. Raymond is out today. Here is the video for "OMG", his new single with will.i.am written all over it. I can't put my finger on what it is that I like about it, but it grew on me after a few listens.

OK Go Does It Again

Viral video stars OK Go have created yet another masterpiece in an attempt to follow their breakout success with "Here It Goes Again" (Remember? The one with the treadmills?) It's for their new single "This Too Shall Pass" off of their latest album Of the Blue Colour of the Sky. It took over 60 tries to complete it!

New Word for Hipsters - VOTE!

The folks over at Gawker.com think its about time we rename those lovable characters we call "hipsters''. The hackneyed term has lost its luster, so Gawker asked its readers to narrow it down to 20. Here's what they came up with. VOTE NOW!

My Favorite? It's a tie between Trendslut and ShamWow! I know a few of those.