beauty in a wicked world.

Listen to this wonderful cover of my favorite pop diva. It blows my mind how an indie artist can take the most mainstream of tunes and transform it into something  much more exotic and unique. I'm already a fan of ceo/Tough Alliance, so this is just icing on the cake. Enjoy!

We've all gotten used to the "name your price" concept that many artists have adopted. I still remember when Radiohead pioneered that idea with In Rainbows, and many couldn't believe an artist of that stature would do such a thing. 

As a token of their appreciation for their loyal fans, Yeasayer has decided to offer live recordings from a performance at Ancienne Belgique in Brussels on their website. Naturally, you can download it for free, but if you can contribute any amount of money, I would. Artists like this deserve it. Check out the official website!  

Merry Christmas everyone! 

Enjoy your time spent with loved ones, whether it be your family, friends, or even your beloved canine. Forget that "diet" of yours (believe me, I'm hitting the gym like a train next week). Eat, drink, and be merry! Holla!

This show was the most pleasant musical surprise I've had in quite awhile. Not that I was shocked by how beautiful it was but purely the fact that it was actually happening. As gaymixes burst through my ear canals at Fox Hollow during their newly founded Sunday Funday tradition, my friend and I started to chat with one of the bartenders towards the end of the event. As he was hastily readying the bar area for closing time, he mentioned to us that he was moving fast so as to make it to Fitzgerald's to see Jay Brannan. In my mind, my mouth dropped; Jay Brannan is performing in Houston? Tonight? I have to be there. It had been pre-decided. I've been longing to see him live. He is an openly gay, Texas-born, singer/songwriter/actor based in New York City. If you don't know who he is, do yourself a favor and watch the movie Shortbus (one of my top favorites) and enjoy the soundtrack afterwards. Just an FYI, the film is not for the faint at heart when it comes to sexuality. Don't say I didn't warn you.

After scarfing down a nutritious Wendy's power snack, we headed straight to the venue and arrived just in the nick of time. Although not a packed house, Brannan drew a nice, good-sized, diverse mix of people. For the most part, the audience treated the show as they should have: with respect. I absolutely detest assholes audience members who feel the need to drunkenly banter during quiet, intimate performances. Moving on....a shot of Jameson later, Brannan could be found sitting center stage under the spot light. Some music fans feel that solo acoustic shows become monotonous halfway through the setlist, but I completely disagree with that statement. Brannan has a clever, witty way of twisting his lyrics together. Some tunes make your heart smile wide, while others can draw a tear from your eye. I encountered both reactions but probably more of the latter...If you haven't realized this by now, I'm not afraid of my emotions like some people :P

Brannnan is also very good at interspersing short anecdotes and interacting with the audience. He is one of those few artists that can show off his beautiful, genuine personality without even trying. It just shines through. That made the show even more special to me. His hour (plus) set included songs such as "Goddamned", "Soda Shop", "Half Boyfriend" (afterwards, he responded with, "Who needs a boyfriend when you have TSA sticking their hands in your pants?"), and "Housewife". He also performed a Christmas song for you pessimists out there, "Christmas Really Sucks". The older I get, I can't help but become a bit jaded by the holiday season. Alcohol helps a lot though (currently drinking a glass of wine). You know what I mean.

Although I'm still not in love with the physical set up of Fitzgerald's, the performance was wonderful and charming. The only thing missing was my nonexistent "special someone". Can someone tell me where to find one of those? It is easier to find a leprechaun. The people of Mobile can attest to that. Even if you  knew, you probably wouldn't tell me because you would keep him for yourself [I know I would].

This is an absolutely beautiful live version of this song. Grab a tissue. You will need it. It was filmed during the annual "Primal Symphony" Charity Concert benefitting the Seattle Children's Hospital.

Check out the new music video for the track "Derezzed" from the Tron Soundtrack. For non-gamers and those who have never seen the original Tron movie, here is a quick summary of what it means to be derezzed (according to Urban Dictionary):

This will make more sense once you watch the video. Stop stalling and just click the play button.

As most of my friends and family know, I've been training for this race for several months. After putting up with the constant dehydration, perspiration, soreness, pseudo-dieting, and long weekend runs, it was time for my hard work to prove itself. A few weeks ago, I strained my left quadricep and soon become unsure as to how I would pull this off. Regardless, I knew I had to cross that damn finish line.

My running partner (meaning, I sort of dragged him into this) and I made our way to Dallas on Saturday. The only thought going through my mind was, "Let's just get this race over with so I can enjoy a cocktail." It was difficult to fathom running 13.1 miles alongside 20,000 other registrants. Not only that, the weather forecast predicted temperatures to be in the mid-30s. Yes, I'm from Texas. Yes, I'm a bit of wimp when it comes to winter weather. The two go hand in hand.

[Sunday, 5:00 am] Neither of us had any desire to move from under our blankets. Without even touching the window, I could sense the outside temperature, and it sent a shiver down my spine. After a few minutes of mental debating, we finally began to get ready. With a healthy breakfast in our stomachs, we bundled up and headed to Fair Park. The directions suggested that we arrive by 6:30 am. Easy enough, right? Wrong. As we approached the multiple exits we could take, each one was at a complete standstill. I know this was the first year the race started at Fair Park, but they really need to attend to the traffic issue. It was pretty much a huge clusterfuck. Thank Gawd we were smart enough to find a "secret" alternate route.

Finally, I was in the midst of the runners, waiting to cross the starting line. Despite being cold, I was in my own world with my iPod flowing into my ears. My adrenaline was pumping, and I was ready to embark on this athletic experience. The race itself was actually...fun and enjoyable. Shocking, I know. Who would ever think running 13.1 miles is fun? It was scenic, the weather was gorgeous, and as corny as it may sound, having strangers cheer for you was more than endearing. Some of the posters were pretty clever ("Hurry up because I have to poop", "Run faster because the zombies are behind you", etc.) There were a few moments when I felt like my legs were going to give out, but I knew I had to push through the pain. The miles seamlessly flowed by...8, 9, 10...

At mile 11, it hit me. I could literally taste the beer at the finish line (yes, alcohol was still a small motivator). Because the race finished in the area it began, I knew exactly where I was. As I picked up speed, my adrenaline increased ten-fold. With all my might, I was going to sprint across that finish line with my hands in the air, and I did just that. Official time: 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 3 seconds....not too shabby, if I say so myself. I can't lie to you, there was a lot of emotion that went into crossing the finish line.

As soon as I received my medal and finisher t-shirt, I naturally gravitated straight to the beer tent. When the attendant asked me, "One beer or two?" I didn't even stutter. Of course, I needed two. My friend and I enjoyed a Whataburger celebration meal and ended up sleeping the entire drive back to Houston. Oh, and my legs and feet were on fire. Seriously, on fire. At least my toe nails didn't fall off because that ain't cute.

The training and race, collectively, was an amazing experience, and I can't help be proud of myself. A lot of passion and emotion goes into something like this. There are several reasons why I did it, but the bottom line is that I did it for myself. Not many people can, or ever will, say they've accomplished something like this. Now, I'm looking forward to running a full marathon in 2011. I guess you could say I've caught the "running bug".

All I know is, my body is gonna be lookin' tight with all this running. That is what's really important, right? Just kidding. Well, sort of.

Check out the music video for one of their latest releases, "Phone Call", below. Dreamers of the Ghetto is a trio turned occasional quartet originating from Nashville. Their music emits a very relaxed yet soulful and deep vibe. They have recently added a live drummer to the mix, which has helped them achieve a more complex sound. If this is a taste of what is to come, I hope we will be hearing more from this group towards the beginning of next year.

This is such a wonderful photography project. M. Sharkey has traveled the country photographing and interviewing queer teens living their lives like normal human beings; its just beautiful. Its beautiful to see LGBTQ youth with such vibrancy, fervor, and passion. To all you ignorant bullies out there: this is a war you are going to lose. This is proof.

Yes, I know: Its Ke$ha. Say what you want; Judge all you want. I might not be in love with her music, but I'm a huge fan of this guy's videos. Check it out! Also, check out his video for Katy Perry's "Peacock" here.

Recently, a handful of members from Gorillaz made a special appearance on BBC Radio 1. Damon Albarn tugs at your heart while he performs his rendition of The XX's "Crystalised". The already moving song seems to evoke even more pain and emotion as seen in Albarn's facial expressions. This is a truly a superb take on the hit indie tune.

Neon colors, angel wings, choreographed dance moves, a crowded stage set that is probably against fire code, and of course, musical genius; all should be expected from the one-and-only Sufjan Stevens. Above, you will find Sufjan's debut network television performance (except for his surprise performance with The National on David Letterman here.) Fallon appears to almost be in awe of what takes place. He should be.

This past September, I had the honor and pleasure of enjoying Sufjan Stevens perform live in Dallas, TX on the Southern Methodist University campus. The most accurate comparison to seeing Sufjan in the flesh is finding a unicorn in your backyard on a snowy day in Hell. He hasn't toured in 4+ years, and when the opportunity presents itself, you make sure you get tickets for the show closest to you, no matter what the cost is. For the latest tour, he even hand picked all of the dates and venues himself. Its difficult to put into physical words how wonderful, ethereal, magical, passionate, notable, dorky, personal, etc. this concert was. It was impossible not to be mesmerized. Sitting in the front row of the pit helped a bit too. I must say that personally, I highly enjoyed his quirky dance skills. Not many people can make "awkward" look "cute", but he does it quite well. I've seen countless shows this year, and this rates as one of the top for 2010. If you STILL haven't jumped on the bandwagon and checked out his full length album The Age of Adz or his EP, All The Delighted People....do yourself a favor and purchase both (no, don't open a new tab on your browser and go straight to bit torrent). Sidenote, his opening act/current touring band member, DM Stith, is also worth checking out.

I've had a musical crush on Sufjan Stevens for years, and now that crush is creeping upon infatuation (too much?). He is absolutely adorable in every aspect. I was this close to stealing him right off the stage. Look at this man...whether you are male or female, how can you not feel the same way?

Oooh, the national phenomenon that is Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair". Yes, she is a mere 10 years olds, she possesses a "distinct" fashion style (or someone is giving her that style), and her track is respectable for someone of such a young age. With all that said, if America wants to see how people REALLY whip their hair back and forth, watch the video below.

As I was sipping on a 44 ounce Diet Coke last night, my friend and I were sending each other videos like the one above, and and I just started to think. Most have at least heard of voguing, but the femme style of vogue has been taking over the underground for years. It actually made a national appearance on MTV's America's Next Dance Crew. The woman featured in the above video, Leomy, was a member. Another fun fact, Leomy was an extra in Willow Smith's official music video.

There is no arguing that its a catchy tune, but I just have to point out the fact that Will Smith's cleverly named daughter needs to do some research (10 year olds can read, right?). It is possible she was truly influenced by this scene, but how many nine and ten year olds know anything about LGBT subcultures? To the more informed minority, I feel like she is trying to somewhat represent an entire culture that she knows absolutely nothing about. If she knew how much of a force Leomy is in the vogue scene, she would have featured her in that music video for more than five seconds.

Just sayin'. That's my rant for the morning.

And I really wish I wasn't terrified to shablam. I would probably fracture by legs, back, and/or neck. Maybe one day....just watch for me on the dance floor.

The Mashup King, Girl Talk, has made his latest album, All Day, available on his website. Oh, and it is FREE TO DOWNLOAD. Would I lie to you? Never. I haven't listened to it yet, but I have a bit of apprehension. Night Ripper is still his peak album for me. I wasn't thoroughly blown away by Feed the Animals, but no one can deny that any Girl Talk album can push a dance party to the next level. The album is free to download as either a seamless file or with separated tracks. He states on his website: "All Day is intended to be listened to as a whole."

Also, Girl Talk has a ridiculously intense tour schedule for the upcoming winter and spring seasons. It surprises me that his ear drums haven't vacated his head, flicking him off as they explode. Check out his website to see if he is coming to a city near you. Seeing him live is quite the experience. The first time I witnessed the madness, I was at the front of the stage next to the man himself. At the same time, I was so drunk, dehydrated, and surrounded by others in the same state, I thought I was going to vomit on his computer station.

Enjoy!

**UPDATE** I listened to the entire album last night. Thumbs up! I enjoyed it much more than I expected.

If you have not read my personal Four Loko experience yet, please do here. My sources forwarded me this article from the New York Times: Maker Halts Distribution of Alcoholic Energy Drink. Phusion Projects, the creator of Four Loko, will cease all Four Loko distribution in New York by this Friday. It is official. "Blackout in a Can" is nearing its end.

This is a sad day in American drunken history.

Similar to M.I.A.'s "Born Free", this music video is teeming with a certain ginger persuasion as well. It actually features actor Ian Hamrick, who was executed in the NSFW video. This time around, there are no red heads being sniped and ripped to shreds by land mines. Sleigh Bells is still a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. No, their lyrics aren't comprised of complex, metaphorical lyrics. No, their beats aren't masterfully produced. Its just fun music, pure and simple. Check out the video below:

I first discovered Violens when I got a hold of their St. Etienne cover, "Avenue". Although it was just a taste, I developed a yearning for a full-length LP and that wish has finally been fulfilled. Yes, the band did release a summer "re"mixtape, but don't get it twisted. It is not the same. Never heard of Violens until now? Want to know how would I describe their sound? It is sort of a montage of fuzzy psychpop, synth and the 80s with a sometimes upbeat aggression. Lead singer Jorge Elbrecht has a very pronounced, new-wave vocal style.

Amoral, by definition, means to lack any sense of morality. Don't get thrown off by this: you don't have to put aside your music snob morals to enjoy this album. Elbrecht dually serves as a member of an art company in New York, and that influence is obvious in tracks such as "Generational Loss" and "Amoral". These have more of an instrumental, avant-garde feel. The rest of the album is a bit more straightforward and polished.

Amoral has a range of styles, but I will say this. Violens' true quality is more apparent in their upbeat, standout songs. Still, the album in its entirety makes for a great listen. Random note: I have to say that it is refreshing to not hear an ungodly amount of reverb. There are too many up-and-coming indie bands striving for a similar sound that are comparable to kids in a damn candy store when it comes to reverb. Instead of cavities, they probably have massive earwax buildup. At least that's what I feel like after my head is overloaded with reverb. Personally, I believe that many musicians use excessive reverb as an easy way out. Violens successfully produces a large, powerful sound without it.

All-in-all, Violens' Amoral is a great album to listen to during the upcoming fall/winter seasons. The lyrical content often broadcasts a very dark, somber aura, which is perfect. Check out the music video for "Acid Reign (In The Trees Mix)" below:

In preparation for the culmination of Robyn's three part album project, check out these new tracks from the final Body Talk installment, set to be released in the US on November 22. If you STILL don't believe that Robyn is pop royalty to the world, than you need to get your ears and mind checked out. You's crazy.

Robyn: Time Machine by hardcandymusic

Four Loko. So listen: If you are between the ages of 16 and 30, you have probably been exposed to this tragic national phenomenon in some form or fashion (unless you've been living under a "sober" rock, and those are no fun). After constantly hearing mixed reviews of this 24 ounce, overly caffeinated, 12% alcohol content having, overly sweet, malt liquor beverage, I felt it was necessary to finally take on the challenge of finishing one. Let's be real, its inevitably going to be banned from convenient stores everywhere. Get it while you can.

First, I have to lay out the scene for you kids. Before hitting up the outlet mall, my friend and I were enjoying a few morning cocktails at a classy, corporate restaurant in Cypress, TX. Always trying to stay ahead of the curve, I had the bright idea of embarking on a Four Loko hunt. Although fearful of the possible outcome, my friend relunctantly agreed. Our waiter/bartender/instigator gave us a few tips, and then we were on our way to sugary debauchery. Did we need a Four Loko on an early Monday afternoon? No, but who really needs a Four Loko at any time of day? Luckily, our hunt lasted only 5 minutes. We found our prize at the first gas station we stopped by. There were only two flavors available: blue raspberry and cranberry lemonade. This was a tough decision to make, but after a few minutes of banter, we landed on the blue raspberry. In all honestly, I don't know if there is a "delicious" flavor of Four Loko; only "tolerable".

After dropping a whopping total of $5.34, we took our brown-bagged delights to the streets. Well, in reality, we took it to the Houston Outlet Mall parking lot, where we feasted on 60 grams of diluted sugar and alcohol. Sip after sip, we slowly felt the surge of Four Loko churning through our systems. As I turned up the music in my car (sidenote: the name of the playlist was "sloppy". Take that how you want.), we drank, danced, hugged, and laughed for a good 30 minutes before my friend almost pissed on the SUV next to us. Yes, people were gawking at us.

Standing up and walking was a task we had not prepared for. We hazily staggered through the outlet mall, going from store to store. It was almost impossible to hide our alcohol induced giggling. Although I was not the most drunk, I still felt its fuzzy effects for the rest of the evening. Drunk shopping isn't always a smart idea, but caffeinated drunk shopping is even worse. Temporary ADD can be a side effect of drinking a Four Loko, so prepare yourself. Nonetheless, I purchased some cute fucking black ankle boots. Oh, and "ALDO shoe store", you made us feel like we were at South Beach. Thanks for that. I'm pretty sure my friend was belting out some of the tunes (yes, we were being stared at again). I definitely did a dance test in my boots to this in the middle of the store:

I am sad to report that I didn't black out at any point during my Four Loko experience, and I wasn't sober before my first sip of it either. My Four Loko co-pilot might have taken a vomit break at one point, but she stayed in the game until the end. Maybe I should have purchased both flavors to fulfill my iPod playlist title (P.S.- Blue Raspberry was a terrible choice)? I could lie to you and say I will never purchase a Four Loko again, but I won't do that. I'll let you know when I drunkenly decide to do it again.

Just embrace the aftermath. Don't question it.

P.S. - Four Loko has an official anthem. Gross.

Some would say its almost a way of life for me / its a fundamental part of my psyche / I inhale it with more fervor than the polluted Houston air I breathe everyday. That all may be true to an extent, but most importantly, it unconsciously makes me dance the shit out of a dance floor.

Crystal Castles: an often chaotic indie electro duo that music aficionados/hipsters seem to either love or despise. Regardless of your feelings towards them, you gotta give them credit for what they do for a living. CC released their second self-titled album on May 24th of this year, and recently they remixed the track "Not In Love." This time around, the duo made an effort to appease a wider range of music fans. No, this isn't your stereotypical remix, but how can anyone go wrong with Robert Smith? (What hipster doesn't love The Cure? Don't answer. Its a rhetorical question.). Check out the track below. You won't be disappointed.

Crystal Castles - 'Not In Love' (feat. Robert Smith) | Crystal Castles (II) by www.yinmagazine.com

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The season has begun; a time when gays unite, wave their vibrant rainbow flags, show their true colors, adorn themselves with glitter and risque/fabulous outfits, and gather for a party-filled weekend. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I'm talking about Gay P R I D E. This year, I was fortunate enough to attend both Pride Houston and Austin.

Since I just happened to have that Friday and Saturday off from work, I decided to attend Austin's Pride. Having never been in town for it before, I was curious to see how the Live Music Capital handles such a vibrant culture. Although I've heard opinions here and there, I wanted to experience it for myself.

As the sun gently set behind a freshly built high-rise condominium (they make up the majority of Austin's skyline), my friend and I anxiously waited for the parade to make its way to the intersection of Fourth and Colorado. Because this was her first Pride parade, my friend had plenty of expectations. 9:00 pm; the grand marshals finally arrived.

Although the parade itself was a bit underwhelming, it was enjoyable for all who attended, and the support for our community in Austin seemed stronger than ever. No, I was not showered with condoms, lube, and beads. No, there weren't enormous floats covered in shirtless men being pulled by big rigs. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed the parade. Afterward, we made our way to Kiss and Fly, and the one dollar wells made everything even more alright (and so did the groups of beautiful men).

This past weekend was Pride Houston. An estimated 150,000 attendees made it out for the festivities. That number is almost unreal. Being the fourth largest city in the United States, Houston doesn't receive the attention it deserves for the diversity that exists in this metroplex. Texas might be one of the most blood red states in the country, but it is still one of the biggest. Apparently, Houston is become a destination city for the LGBT community. Surprise, surprise! As far as parades are concerned, Houston's was on a much larger scale than Austin's. Plus, open containers are allowed which allows for even more enjoyable evening. In my case, it was excessively enjoyable.

As many of you may know, the gay community is starting to form opposing opinions on the concept of "Gay Pride". Pride weekend is as stereotypical as it gets when it comes to our community, and I will absolutely agree. No, we aren't shirtless everywhere we go, we don't wear body glitter, and we don't flaunt our rainbow clothing daily. The fact that corporations support these festivities brings about tension as well. In addition to supporting their LGBT employees, companies are trying to gain more customers. It is a fact. With all the being said, Pride events still prove how much support there is for our community and our desire to live normal lives within such a constrictive society. Personally, I don't let such things define me as a person. Sexuality is only small part of a person's being. Also, be honest...stereotypes have to come from somewhere. In my opinion, I may not appreciate the all of the visuals used to celebrate Pride, but it is still a celebration worthy of your attention.

This Swedish princess has been around the block a few times, but she continues to make a grand entrance with each new album. Since Robyn claims to have a plethora of songs just waiting to be unleashed, she has tentatively decided to release three albums in 2010. Body Talk Pt. 1 was just released in the U.S. on June 1. The album blasts off with the track "Don't Fucking Tell Me What to Do". Just reading that title got me excited. The lyrical repetition in this song is used quite well. The basic premise is that all of the vices we have in today's society are "killing" us, and Robyn is giving society the middle finger. "Dancing on my Own" (check out the music video above) is the first single off of the album, and it reminds you how good pop music really can be. I'm sure most can relate to this song. "Somebody said you got a new friend/ Does she love you better than I can?/ It's a big black sky over my town/ I know where you at, I bet she's around/ Yeah, I know it's stupid/ I just gotta see it for myself." On a side note, there is an absolutely amazing electro remix you can check out HERE.

Although there are a mere eight songs on the album, Robyn gives us quite the variety pack. For example, "None of Dem" is a much darker electro track featuring Royksopp. "Hang With Me" showcases Robyn in a different light. Her voice pleasantly rises above a piano and string instrumental. To end it all, Robyn softly sings a beautiful version of "Jag Vet En Dejlig Rosa", a traditional song in her native tongue.

There is one downside to this album: It leaves you yearning for more. Body Talk Part 2 needs to make an appearance sooner rather than later.

Yes, I know this show was a week ago, but a quick review is better late than never, correct (just nod your head up and down)? LA-based female rockers, Warpaint, followed Houston's own Balaclavas and Buxton on Saturday night. As many of you know, Mango's is not the most spacious of venues and can serve dually as a sauna. Concert-goers were constantly moving back and forth between the patios, bars and stage area to get their nicotine, alcohol, and music fixes, respectively.


To my surprise, Warpaint was not the headliner for the evening. Nonetheless, it didn't take away from their energetic, sometimes chaotic, performance. I would say they remind me of Liars with a few more pumps of estrogen. It is the type of music that makes you want to fight someone to the death but make love to them at the same time. Their aggressive musical punctuation is almost infectious. After a quick scan of the audience, I could single out the true fans of this sexy, psychedelic, garage rock. It seemed as if many were unsure what to think. In my opinion, their recordings do not do their music enough justice. They don't accurately capture the energy of Warpaint's live performance. On that note, this is probably what Warpaint is going for with their image. There are many bands that want to differentiate their albums from their live shows. This definitely keeps fans yearning for more of both.

Delorean has released their latest single, "Stay Close", in preparation for the debut of their full-length album, Subiza, on June 8th. This track truly leaves you yearning for more. It teases you into thinking a sick bassline is going to drop at any given moment and move those quiet feet of yours...but it never does. Many artists attempt to execute this tactic, but few prevail. With that being said, I'm sure a remix or two will be released in the near future to appease all of us hipster dance kids.

The lighthearted feel of this song is absolutely wonderful. Despite the lack of a bassline, this song can still move those hands of yours into a clapping frenzy. It is a perfect song for the upcoming summer season. Just as you probably guessed, the lyrics center around unrequited love and what distance can do to a relationship. Still, it creates a feeling of anticipation for what is to come, and I'm sure we won't be disappointed come June 8th. Check out the video for "Stay Close" below.

Leisure, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, is making a statement with their 7" (which can be downloaded here for free). It features two singles, "It's Alright (On The Suez Canal)" and "Outside These Walls". There is a clear contrast between the two. The first track takes it easy with a slower tempo and a more carefree feel. On the other hand, "Outside These Walls" is more upbeat yet has a somewhat serious tone. With their pleasant use of strings, endearing vocals and lyrics, and hazy guitar, you can't go wrong with these indie rockers. Lately, they have been on tour with bands such as Girls and the up-and-coming Dum Dum Girls. Check out this live performance of their title track, "It's Alright (On The Suez Canal)".

Last night, as I was relaxing with a few glasses of champagne and listening to Erykah Badu's latest album, New Amerykah Part Two (Return Of The Ankh), it occurred to me that I had not seen her new viral video for "Window Seat". If you haven't see it yet, watch it HERE. Even if you haven't taken the time to watch it, you've probably seen clips of it on the news. Apparently, there isn't anything else going on in the world, so this has gained national attention. The music video is an ode to Matt and Kim's "Lessons Learned", in which the duo appears to stroll down Time Square and slowly remove each article of clothing until there is nothing left but what their mama's gave them. Harmless, right? In Badu's video, she does the exact same thing...except it takes place in Dallas, ends at the Grassy Knoll, and she didn't have a permit. I can understand why officials want to address the fact that she filmed with no actors, police, security, or permits on hand, but is it really that much of an issue? Yes, unsuspecting families were loitering the Grassy Knoll that day, but they are the only ones who were directly affected by her female parts. I doubt most of the people who were actually there even give a shit.

The fact that it is a reenactment of the JFK assassination is another issue at hand. In my opinion, it was done in an artistic manner. Badu is indeed a magnificent artist. Of course, a visual like this will spark mass controversy, but Americans are acting as if this is one of the worst things to hit our computer screens. Trust me, there are much more offensive videos on the internet. Hell, there are more offensive visuals on our television screens. If a less well-known artist had done the exact same video, the buzz over it would probably be minimal. In my opinion, if Dallas officials hadn't made such a fuss over the video, people would have been more upset about that than the actual video. That can be said for many things *cough* swine flu *cough*. Don't even get mm started on that one. Americans enjoy abusing their freedom to get pissed off about anything and everything. Take it for what it is, and leave it alone. If it offends you, don't watch it. It is that simple. It takes more energy to get upset rather than let it slide off your back.

Nonetheless, Badu is getting plenty of publicity for her album (which is excellent by the way). She even stated that she was prepared to deal with any possible consequences for her actions, whether it be fines or even jail time. I love this video and the message it voices:


I love you, Erykah Badu. You are fab.u.lous.

Whaaaaat? Ricky Martin is G A Y? [I know that this post is somewhat out of character for me, but I couldn't help myself.] If anyone is truly surprised by Ricky Martin's coming out party, that person should have the word "oblivious" stamped on his or her forehead. The only people that are probably shocked, or just saddened, by this are older female fans trying to hold onto their youth. I love how Martin spins it: "I am a fortunate homosexual man." Regardless of my lack of shock by this statement, it is always good to see someone accepting to their own lifestyle. It make take some longer than others, but as long as you come to that point in your life, it is absolutely worth it. This situation reminds me of when George Michael came out. Again, who was really surprised by that one? Look at him, he felt so open with his sexuality that he decided having sex in a public restroom was acceptable. I guess that is one way to express your newly found freedom.

Oh, and hey crazy older women. You might not be able to dream about being Ricky Martin's wife anymore, but you can secretly (or openly) wish to be his fag hag. In my opinion, that is much more honorable title. As Margaret Cho says, "Fag hags are the back bone of the gay community. Without us, you are nothing."

I might not have a twin sister, but New York's Twin Sister has a new EP out , Vampires with Dreaming Kids (free to download on their website), and it quite wonderful. If you enjoy bands like Bowerbirds, you'll fall in love with Twin Sister. Dreamy melodies and beautiful harmonies: what more do you need in life? Although the EP consists of only four songs, "Nectarine" clearly stands out to me. Lately, I have been listening to it on repeat. Yes, it is yet another song about requited love...but if you listen to indie music, you have to love 'em.

I know I am probably late for the jump on to this bandwagon, but I luckily discovered the band Solid Gold this month. Wow...I'm a huge fan. With their relaxed melodies and poignant lyrics, this electro/indie rock band from Minnesota (say it with the accent) really know how to make good music. Check out "Bible Thumper" below.


Last but not least is the band Madrid. They just happen to be another great electro band I have been listening to lately. Check out their single, "Reply (To Everyone)" below. The synths and guitar loops just fit together perfectly. Its almost a precursor for the upcoming spring season, wonderful for listening to on a warm, sunny day.

The Knife is finally coming out with new music! They have been missed. Well, except for the constant solo and side projects. Royksopp and Fever Ray have definitely kept us entertained in the meantime. Still, I'm quite excited to hear more of this new project, Tomorrow, In a Year. It is an electro-opera inspired by Darwin's principles. The digital version will be out in February. Listen to the track, "Colouring of Pidgeons". Although it isn't exactly what you might expect from The Knife, it is indeed...The Knife. Embrace it.


The Knife - Colouring of Pidgeons