SOUND + VISION: 'Ghost Town' by Adam Lambert

You all remember Adam Lambert, right? He was the runner-up on the 8th season of American Idol in 2009. Well, he's done quite nicely for himself ever since, having released 2 studio albums (about to release his 3rd this coming June, titled 'The Original High') and having toured as the lead singer for Queen.

This music video is for the first pop single from that much anticipated 3rd studio album and it's called 'Ghost Town'. It's an interesting combination of slow, pensive lyrics and a thumping dance floor beat during the catchy chorus. It's really fun, check it out!

P.S. - No, you're not imagining things... Madonna ALSO has a single and video out now that goes by the same name, but I assure you it's merely coincidence. An odd coincidence, but coincidence just the same.

SOUND + VISION: 'Madness' by Muse

I am crushing HARD for this band right now! Muse, an English rock band that has been together since 1994, had always been one of those groups for me that I'd hear on the radio and think, "That's a cool song...", but for some reason would never actually buy the music. And I'm not really sure why? Of course I'm kicking myself, now. I mean, when you think of the time I wasted NOT listening to all of their awesome rock, it's really a pity. With a flair for dramatic intensity and guitar riffs that could send shivers up one's spine, it's no wonder they've had such long-term success. Needless to say, I finally DID purchase their latest CD titled, 'The 2nd Law', and it is AMAZING! Please, listen and watch a sample of their greatness above. It's the first video to come from the album and it's for the first single, 'Madness'. Enjoy!

SOUND + VISION: 'Heart's a Mess' by Gotye

Continuing on with my recent Gotye obsession, here's another great song and video that I think you'll like (That is, if you haven't already seen it - Like 'Thanks For Your Time', it's also been out for a few years. But, hey, it's all new to me right now!). Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

SOUND + VISION: 'Thanks For Your Time' by Gotye

Gotye is a Belgian-Australian multi-instrumental musician/singer/songwriter whose voice has been compared to both Sting and Peter Gabriel. I just discovered him while surfing YouTube and I'm sure glad that I did. So far he's done 3 studio albums and the range of creativity expressed is quite impressive. This song is actually on the lighter, upbeat side for him, too. It's an older one, I believe from around about 2007, but both the song and video are SO fun that it seems timeless to me. Plus, considering the collage technique used in it, it's no wonder that I like it like I do! Enjoy!

Naughty Bit: Madonna's 'Girl Gone Wild' video

It IS a bit naughty, but it's not really THAT bad. Is it?

Coming Attraction: NEW Madonna album, 'MDNA'

March 26th, 2012 is the magic date, everyone! Mark your calendars, tie a string around a finger, write it across your forehead, do whatever you have to... For that is the day Madonna's NEW album drops, and you don't want to be left out, do you?? This is exciting stuff, people! Have I ever mentioned that I'm a BIG Madonna fan? Well, I am. Aaand it turns out that rumors were right about the William Orbit collaborative reunion, not on the entire album, but a good portion. So I'm quite happy about that, as well!

The top image is, I believe, the standard cover and the second image is an alternate (perhaps for the deluxe edition?). That might be totally backward, so don't quote me. Anyway, I think they're both stunning images. But then, with Madonna as your model, how could you NOT end up with something so striking and beautiful? By the way, have I mentioned that I'm a BIG Madonna fan?

Movie Moments: The Artist

My husband, Tommy, and I took my mom to see 'The Artist' for her birthday and, boy, were we ALL glad that we did. It was such a fun, up-beat (except for a portion near the second half), "feel good" movie that you almost want to see it again as soon as it ends. Yep, it was that good!

Being that it is a silent film, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the audience behavior wise. For example, I didn't know if people eating snacks would be too noisy, or whether people would be rude and talk? Fortunately, we didn't experience ANY of that. Although, I must say that the accompanying musical score probably did help a bit in that department... Speaking of the music, wow! It was absolutely beautiful, and I will definitely be acquiring the soundtrack soon.

Jean Dujardin as the always dapper
and incredibly charming, George Valentin.

Berenice Bejo as a very peppy, Peppy Miller.

The basic plot summary is as follows:
It's 1927. Arguably Hollywood's most admired movie screen idol, George Valentin, is enjoying the success of his latest picture, The Russian Affair. He enjoys his work and the adulation he receives by being a movie star immensely, as witnessed by how he hogs the spotlight during The Russian Affair's post-premiere bows. Peppy Miller is an aspiring young actress, who literally runs into Valentin at the premiere, which ends up being the launching pad to her Hollywood acting career. The advent of talking pictures brings a reversal to their fortunes as Kinograph, the movie studio where Valentin is under contract, is looking for fresh faces such as Peppy Miller to star in their talking pictures, while Valentin resists the entire notion of talking pictures. Peppy, who appreciates everything that Valentin did for her career, tries to help him as much as she can, but Valentin may have to decide on his own where and if he fits into the Hollywood machine, one where he doesn't think people want to hear him speak.


Now, like I said, that really is a very basic summary. It doesn't even make mention of "the dog", and he alone is so adorable he practically steals the show. One good thing, though. I just read online somewhere that the doggy actor (Uggie) who played the part actually won an award (like a Golden Globe, or something) for Best Canine Performance. How cool is that?! I can't help wondering if an Academy Award might also be in his near future? He certainly deserves it, in my book!

Adorable Uggie plays the role
of George's canine sidekick. 

These two are practically
inseparable throughout the movie.

John Goodman as the head studio
executive at Kinograph Pictures.

A young new starlet on the rise to fame and fortune...

In conclusion, let me just say that, "You NEED to see this picture!" It's a fun, light-hearted romantic comedy that I think even people who don't like romantic comedies would still end up liking. It's also fresh and different for these times. I mean, "feel good" movies of this magnitude and quality don't come along very often, so catch it on the BIG SCREEN while you can. You'll be glad you did!

The End

Happy Music: Give Me All Your Luvin' by Madonna (Feat. M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj)

Hello, everyone! It's so nice to be back in the ring after such a long break away from it all. Sorry I was gone so long. I didn't really plan it that way. At first, I was just distracted by some other project. But then, before I knew it, I'd realized that a whole month had gone by with the circus tent just sitting empty... Then two months went by... I guess I really needed the break. Whatever the case, my batteries have been re-charged and I'm back in the game!

Now, about this video... It's for Madonna's first single, Give Me All Your Luvin', from her forthcoming new album titled, MDNA (to be released this March 26th), and it's a whole lotta fun. I have to admit that I'm not too crazy about Nicki Minaj or M.I.A. being a part of the whole thing, but even they don't manage to spoil the uplifting, happy vibe that's going on here.

If you haven't already, go ahead and push play. I think you'll enjoy it!

Rumor has it...: Madonna & William Orbit, together again?

I am sooo excited, everyone! Rumor has it that Madonna has been working with William Orbit on her next studio album. For those who may not be familiar, Mr. Orbit also collaborated with M on her hit album, 'Ray of Light'. He's largely responsible for its unique sound throughout, and I love it. That's why 'Ray of Light' is my favorite Madonna album of all time. It's not just Orbit's contribution that I love so much, though. M actually started singing with her REAL voice about that time, and it completely shines through (like a "ray of light")! Hee-hee! Seriously, she sounds fantastic. I think it had a lot to do with where she was at the time, spiritually, emotionally, etc. She was in a good place, and when listening to the album, you can feel it.

If the rumors turn out to be true, and the new album is even half as good as their first collaboration, I will be one-happy-camper-all-a-scamper! Pass it on!

Coming Attraction: NEW Erasure album, 'Tomorrow's World'

Have I ever mentioned my love for this band? Well, I've enjoyed them since their freshmen days waaay back in the 1980s. And they've never gone stale since, somehow managing to crank out album after album of fun, quality pop music throughout the years. In fact, they're one of my "sure thing" bands. You know, the sort of band that is so consistently good that you'll buy a new album sight unseen and sound unheard. Because you just KNOW it's gonna be that good!

Enter 'Tomorrow's World', Erasure's 14th studio album. Actually, it's not available until sometime in early October, 2011. Some sources I've read have said the U.S. release date is October 4th, while others say October 10th. Either way, it's right around the corner and I can't wait!

SOUND + VISION: 'I Confess' by k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang

SOUND + VISION: 'Upside Down' by Paloma Faith

SOUND + VISION: 'Born This Way' by Lady Gaga

I just didn't Ga-ga-get it!

Okay. First of all, let it be known that I am a BIG Lady Gaga fan. And up until Sunday night's Grammy performance I pretty much thought she could do NO wrong... But then she arrived in that giant egg, ala Mork from Ork ("Come in, Orson"). However, I will admit that I was just as intrigued as everyone else was by the elaborate stunt. I mean, that WAS a pretty great way to make an entrance! It did beg all sorts of questions, though. Everything from like, how did she get in there? And, how is she breathing? To, what if Gaga's gotta poo-poo? Surely, her team thought of such things ahead of time and took the necessary precautions. Right? Let's hope so.

What?! I do NOT get the hat.

When it finally came time for "Gegga" to hatch, I felt it was a bit anticlimactic. At some point between the time she'd made her grand entrance and when she appeared onstage, Gaga obviously traded in her previous mode of transport for one with dramatic, interior track lighting and a sliding moon roof. Thereby allowing her smooth "eggs-it" and transition into her number, 'Born This Way'. But when she stepped out, WHAT was with the big yellow hat?? I expected Curious George to come crawling out after her! And the Madonna 'Blonde Ambition' ponytail... Puh-lease! She sure worked THAT into the dance choreography! I swear, she swung that tail around so hard and so often that I thought for sure it was gonna fly off and hit Aretha Franklin in the face! And she wasn't even there!!






Ugh, that ponytail...




























I must say, the Lady has a pretty slammin' body, and it was quite evident thanks to her tight, barely-there, latex wardrobe. But WHY did she (and all of her dancers) have to sport that weird, pointy, body modification look? The sharp shoulders and jagged facial features just seemed over-the-top to me. And besides, isn't 'Born This Way' supposed to be an anthem about being proud of WHO and WHAT you REALLY are? The way you were BORN, not the way you try and MAKE yourself for whatever reason? Don't get me wrong, I'm ALL for creativity and drama. That's what drew me to the Lady in the first place! It's just that I think she's sending out mixed messages, here, with this one. You know?






Love those glass pipes, but what's with the multiple
heads on the organ? Again, with the mixed messages...























When it was all sung and done, I couldn't help feeling like Gaga had phoned the whole thing in. The performance just hadn't seemed Grammys-worthy to me. And after having shown up in an EGG, I think lots of people were probably expecting something a bit more FANTASTIC. Overall, I'd say this egg turned out to be pretty rotten!


~ All photos via Google Images ~

Guilty Pleasures SOUND + VISION: 'Shampain' by Marina and the Diamonds

Guilty Pleasures SOUND + VISION: 'Hollywood' by Marina and The Diamonds

Guilty Pleasures SOUND + VISION: 'Oh, NO!' by Marina and The Diamonds

Guilty Pleasures: Kanye West on SNL

First off, I'll have you know that I do not like rap. Not. One. Bit. Secondly, I must say that I cannot stand Kanye West's arrogance. Not. One. Bit. It bugs me so much that I usually refuse to even look at him, much less listen to any of his music. So the fact that I actually enjoyed watching his performance last Saturday night, on SNL, has me completely baffled.

Particularly his second act of the evening, 'Runaway', had that "something" special about it. I'd almost dare to describe it as "beautifully artistic, with an edge". And whether the lyrics are heartfelt, or not, the song does convey a certain amount of humility (which is quite a foreign concept to Mr. West). I guess that's why it grabbed my attention and didn't let go. I mean, as he sings he basically admits to having been a jerk, an a**hole, a douche bag, etc. which is, after all, pretty satisfying.

But all pettiness aside, I enjoyed the spectacle of it. I liked the song; it was pretty great, even with the rap. The ballerinas were awesome. It all looked beautiful flooded in that bright white light. And dare I admit it... I actually thought Kanye was fricking fantastic!

Take a look for yourself, and enjoy the show!

Coming Attraction: NEW Annie Lennox album, 'A Christmas Cornucopia'

This November 22nd, 2010, Annie Lennox will be releasing her first Christmas album titled, 'A Christmas Cornucopia'. The album features Ms. Lennox's unique and personal interpretations of some of her favorite Christmas carols as well as a completely new, original composition entitled, 'Universal Child'.


Here's what Ms. Lennox had to say, regarding the album:

“I’m absolutely delighted to be working with Island Records on my upcoming recording,” stated Ms. Lennox. “This album is something I’ve wanted to do for many years. It’s a true labour of love, and I feel very fortunate to be in partnership with such a cutting edge team, especially when I’m at a stage in my creativity when I want to diversify, and pursue my passion in my own individual way. I’ve never been part of a “mold,” and Island are really supportive and appreciative of where I’m coming from. I want to make timeless music that people will love in many years to come...and I’d like to think that 'A Christmas Cornucopia' is going to be of those recordings.”

I don't know about you, but this is very exciting to me! After all, this takes both Annie and Christmastime, two of my favorite things, and rolls them into one! What's not to love about that?? I've long imagined the awesome possibilities for such a winning combination. Now, I'll finally get to see and hear it come true! This is very good news. Very good news, indeed!


~ Image and info via official Annie Lennox facebook page ~

She's quite the naughty Lady! Check out Gaga's music video for 'Alejandro'...

This sizzling HOT super star is doing a fine job of further pushing the boundaries of sex and art in entertainment, just like a certain predecessor. Only, I think that this video might even make Madonna blush!

It's really great, it's over 8 minutes long, and Miss Gaga looks fab-yoo-lous! But folks who tend to have a weak stomach for such sexual shenanigans might want to steer clear of it. It gets that sexual. To clarify, there isn't any nudity. Everything is just very suggestive through body movement and wardrobe, or lack of it.

Watch and enjoy...





~Top screen capture photo via Google Images~